Written Answers of 18 March 1999

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the total number of occasions when(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997. [76824]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Between 2 May 1997 and 28 February 1999, special advisers in my Department have made one visit overseas in an official capacity. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Electronic Red Boxes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the President of the Council if she will name the Ministers in her Department who are regular users of electronic Red Boxes. [76181]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office gave on 16 March 1999,Official Report, column 651. Neither I nor the Parliamentary Secretary use an electronic box.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Hamilton v Al Fayed Case
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Attorney-General when he was first notified of(a) the libel claim by Neil Hamilton and (b) the Court of Appeal hearing on appeal from the Queen's Bench Division; when he first responded to Mr. Hamilton's solicitors; when he decided to intervene in the case; when he first notified the House that he was intervening; and for what purpose. [77125]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Attorney-General was first notified that Mr. Neil Hamilton was pursuing a libel action against Mr. Al Fayed in a letter from Mr. Hamilton's solicitors dated 30 June 1998. A response was sent to Mr. Hamilton's solicitors on 7 July 1998 saying that the Attorney-General did not propose to be represented at the hearing. the Attorney-General was notified that the Court of Appeal had granted leave to Mr. Al Fayed to appeal against the decision of Mr. Justice Popplewell in a letter from Mr. Al Fayed' s Solicitors dated 24 November 1998.

  Following consultations with the House Authorities, the Attorney-General decided to seek to intervene in the action in December 1998. A letter recording that decision was sent to the Clerk to the House on 7 December 1998.
  712
  The purpose of the Attorney-General intervening was to present submissions to the Court of Appeal as to parliamentary privilege, in furtherance of the interests of the House.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will place in the Library the Solicitor General's skeleton argument and appendices used in the Hamilton v Al Fayed case, together with a transcript of proceedings. [77126]

  The Solicitor-General
  I have arranged for a copy of my skeleton argument, together with its appendices, to be placed in the Library. It is important to note, however, that there were several modifications to the argument when presented orally. I have also placed in the Library a note prepared for the Court on the role of HM Attorney-General as intervenor in these proceedings. I am afraid that a transcript of the proceedings is not available and would take some weeks to prepare and approve. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the matter, but as soon as an approved version of the judgment is available I will arrange for that, too, to be placed in the Library.

  Serious Fraud Office (Secondments)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Attorney-General how many secondments have been arranged in each year since 1995, between staff employed by the Serious Fraud Office and the relevant Financial Services Regulator. [76971]

  The Attorney-General
  No secondments were arranged in 1995. One secondment to a regulator or disciplinary body has been arranged in each subsequent year. In addition, one secondment was arranged prior to 1995 and was in place in 1995, and one secondment to the Financial Control Directorate General of the European Commission took place between 1994 and 1997.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Minister for Science
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions the Minister for Science has met officers or representatives of(a) Diatech Ltd., (b) Innotech Ltd., (c) Floranova Ltd., (d) Floranova Service Corp America, (e) Elite Seeds, and (f) Floranova s.a., Costa Rica, since becoming a Minister. [73134]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]I am informed that on no occasion has Lord Sainsbury met with officers or representatives of any of these companies acting in an official capacity since his appointment. I understand that he has met with Christopher Stone of Diatech Ltd. on a number of times on a personal basis, but on no occasion were any aspects of the work or investments of any of the companies placed in the blind trust discussed.

  Kvaerner Govan Yard
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the
  713
  Government's support for shipbuilding in the United Kingdom, with particular reference to the Kvaerner Govan yard. [74881]

  Mr. Battle
  To support the UK shipbuilding industry, I established in July 1998 the Shipbuilding Forum whose membership comprises representatives of the shipbuilding industry, its unions, equipment suppliers and customers, both private and public sector. Also involved are the training organisations and relevant Departments. The Forum's terms of reference from me were to consider the current situation of the shipbuilding industry and how to improve its competitiveness so as to increase its share of the European market, leading to increased output, profitability and employment. The Forum is currently preparing an Implementation Plan which it plans to deliver to me within the next few months. These Recommendations—currently more than 40—are to all the participants, not just to the Government. The Forum believes that these Recommendations will go a long way towards a marked improvement in the fortunes of the UK shipbuilding industry and I look forward to reading their Implementation Plan.

  My Department gives Shipbuilding Intervention Fund grants to eligible UK yards, including Kvaerner Govan, at the maximum level permitted by the European Union's Shipbuilding Regulation and the Scottish Office made an offer to Govan of a grant under the Regional Selective Assistance programme.

  EU Life Patents Directive
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy in respect of the appeal by Italy and the Netherlands to the European Court of Justice against the EU Life Patents Directive. [74827]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 5 March 1999]It is primarily a matter for the Council and European Parliament (as the institutions who adopted the Directive) to lodge the defence against the Netherlands' application seeking to annul Directive 98/44/EC on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions. EU member states had the opportunity to intervene in this case. The Government have carefully considered the terms of the Dutch action before the European Court of Justice and a decision has been taken not to intervene. We do not wish to add anything to the Council's arguments already lodged before the Court in response to the Dutch action.

  Select Committee Reports
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if(a) he, (b) civil servants in his Department or (c) special advisers in his Department have (i) had sight of drafts of select committee reports, in whole or in part, or (ii) been informed of conclusions of select committee reports prior to their publication by the select committees. [75882]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 10 March 1999]I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 1 March 1999,Official Report, column 531. There have been no instances of members of Select Committees giving me drafts of Select Committee reports, or parts of reports including their conclusions, before publication. Nor, to the best of my
  714
  knowledge, have there been any occasions on which members of Select Committees have given such material to civil servants or special advisers in my Department.

  British Exports (Euro)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the European Commission on the impact of the current value of the euro on British exporters. [76253]

  Mr. Byers
  I have had no such discussions.

  Longbridge
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if BMW has applied to his Department for grant to make a new(a) Mini and (b) Rover 35 at Longbridge. [76259]

  Mr. Byers
  (a) No. (b) Yes.

  Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those people he has appointed to public bodies since 1 November 1998, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed and if they receive remuneration. [76461]

  Mr. Byers
  Appointments made to my Department's public bodies since 1 November 1998 are shown on the attached tables with their positions and an indication of whether they receive remuneration.

  Department of Trade and Industry appointments to public bodies from 1 November 1998

  Public body and name of appointee

  Position

  Remuneration

  Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council

  Dr. John Padfield

  Member

  Yes

  Coal Authority

  Eric Hassall

  Deputy Chairman

  Yes

  Malcolm Edwards

  Executive Member

  No

  Albert Schofield

  Executive Member

  No

  Design Council

  Hamish Brice

  Member

  No

  Penny Egan

  Member

  No

  Dick Powell

  Member

  No

  Sir William Stubbs

  Member

  No

  Roy Williams

  Member

  No

  Hearing Aid Council

  Alan Rudge

  Member

  Yes

  Gillian Booth

  Member

  Yes

  Janice Barnett

  Member

  Yes

  Monopolies and Mergers commission

  Professor J. Beatson

  Member

  Yes

  David Jenkins

  Member

  Yes

  Roger Munson

  Member

  Yes

  Linda Christmas

  Newspaper Panellist

  Yes

  Professor Donald Trelford

  Newspaper Panellist

  Yes

  Charles Wilson

  Newspaper Panellist

  Yes

  Sarwar Ahmed

  Newspaper Panellist

  Yes

  William Gibson

  Newspaper Panellist

  Yes

  Gerald Holbrook

  Newspaper Panellist

  Yes

  Joyce Hopkirk

  Newspaper Panellist

  Yes

  Eve Pollard

  Newspaper Panellist

  Yes

  Gill Owen

  Newspaper Panellist

  Yes

  G. H. Stacy

  Member

  Yes

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  Department of Trade and Industry appointments to public bodies from 1 November 1998

  Public body and name of appointee

  Position

  Remuneration

  National Consumer Council

  David Hatch

  Chairman

  Yes

  Persons Hearing Consumer Credit Licensing Appeals

  Nicholas Baxter

  Member

  Yes

  John Bridge

  Member

  Yes

  Persons Hearing Consumer Credit Licensing Appeals (continued)

  William Cran

  Member

  Yes

  Alexander Dalglish

  Member

  Yes

  Anthony Sharp

  Member

  Yes

  Post Office User's National Council

  Robin Aaronson

  Member

  No

  Elizabeth Stanton Jones

  Member

  No

  Janet Langdon

  Member

  No

  Paul Calderwood

  Member

  No

  Clara Arokiasamy

  Member

  No

  David Lane

  Member

  No

  Sheila Hoyle

  Member

  No

  John Fryer

  Member

  No

  Edward Vidler

  Member

  No

  Gary Hepburn

  Member

  No

  Post Office User's Council for Scotland

  Dr. Tom Begg

  Chairman

  Yes

  Peter Jeary

  Member

  No

  Henry Johnson

  Member

  No

  Dr Sylvia Hopwood

  Member

  No

  Post Office User's Council for Wales

  Richard Edwards

  Member

  No

  John Davies

  Member

  No

  David Williams-Masinda

  Member

  No

  Michael Marritt

  Member

  No

  Scottish Consumer Council

  Yvonne Gallagher

  Member

  Yes

  Dr. Alex Wright

  Member

  Yes

  Andrew Raven

  Member

  Yes

  Jeremy Mitchell

  Chairman

  Yes

  Alastair Robertson

  Member

  No

  Simpler Trade Procedures Board (SITPRO)

  N. H. Rose

  Member

  No

  S. Probert

  Member

  No

  D. E. Wakeford, MBE

  Member

  No

  A. W. Russell

  Member

  No

  UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)

  Stan Gordelier

  Executive Member

  Yes

  Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications

  Karen Counsell

  Member

  No

  Jon Simonds

  Member

  No

  Richard Edwards

  Member

  No

  Warren Ward

  Member

  No

  Ian Lebbon

  Member

  No

  London and South East Regional Development Board

  David Langford

  Member

  No

  Tushar Raja

  Member

  No

  North West Industrial Development Board

  Raymond Armstrong

  Member

  No

  Kirit Pathak

  Member

  No

  South West Industrial Development Board

  Neville Gibson

  Member

  No

  Brian Sherwin

  Member

  No

  Barbara Speirs

  Member

  No

  Yorkshire, The Humber and East Midlands Industrial Development Board

  Neil Adnitt

  Member

  No

  Tony Berryman

  Member

  No

  Human Genetics
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the members of the working group of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority that recently considered issues relating to human cloning; if he will list in the case of each of those members the outside interests that were declared; and if he will indicate which of those members have academic qualifications in(a) ethics, (b) psychology, (c) philosophy and (d) sociology. [76240]

  Mr. Battle
  The members of the joint working group were nominated by the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC) and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The group was chaired by the Reverend Dr. John Polkinghorne (HGAC). It also comprised Dr. George Poste (HGAC), Professor Christine Gosden (HFEA) and Dr. Anne McLaren (HFEA).

  All members of the HFEA and HGAC, whose membership covers a wide range of experience and backgrounds including ethicists, psychologists, philosophers and sociologists, made full contributions to the report and approved it in its final form for publication.

  The declarations of interest of all members of the HGAC and HFEA are available for public inspection in accordance with, "Quangos—Opening the Doors", Cabinet Office Guidance (June 1998). Full details of members' academic qualifications are not held centrally, and will not indicate all relevant experience. Requested information held for members of the working group is as follows:

  Reverend Dr. John Polkinghorne KBE FRS
  Chairman, Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing. Member of the General Synod and the Board of Social Responsibility of the Church of England, Fellow of the Royal Society, Past President of Queens' College Cambridge.

  Dr. George Poste CBE FRS
  Chief Science and Technology Officer, SmithKline Beecham Plc. Fellow of the Royal Society, Board member, SmithKline Beecham Plc, Non-Executive Chairman, Cerebrus Holdings Plc, Non-Executive Chairman, DiaDexus (USA).

  Professor Christine Gosden
  Professor of Medical Genetics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Women's Hospital. Past chair of the MRC Unit's Ethical Committee.

  Dr. Anne McLaren DBE FRS
  Principal Research Associate, Wellcome CRC Institute, Cambridge. Member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and the European Commission's Group of Expert Advisers on Ethics.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to respond to the report on human cloning from the working group of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [76238]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government are giving careful consideration to the report of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, "Cloning Issues in Reproduction Science and Medicine", and will publish its response as soon as possible.
  717
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with effect from what date Sir Colin Campbell resigned as Chairman of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission; and what reasons he gave for his resignation. [76236]

  Mr. Battle
  Sir Colin Campbell resigned as Chairman of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission on 5 February 1999, as he was anticipating non-executive responsibilities with a major insurance company, and in case HGAC should in future return to consider genetics and insurance wished to remove himself from any possible future conflict of interest.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the review of the Assisted Areas map and the timing of its conclusions. [76666]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]Under the European Guidelines, a new Assisted Areas map for the UK must operate from 1 January 2000. Changes to the Assisted Areas map must be agreed with the Commission, and they have asked for proposals from member states by 31 March. Ministers are currently considering which proposals they will put forward.

  Unfair Dismissal
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the annual additional number of claims for unfair dismissal that will be made as a result of the reduction in the length of the qualifying period of employment to one year. [76669]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]We shall be publishing estimates in the Regulatory Impact Assessment once the order has been laid before Parliament.

  Maternity Leave
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made for(a) small and medium enterprises and (b) larger companies of the average cost resulting from an employee taking maternity leave. [76674]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]The cost to an employer from an employee taking maternity leave will depend on many factors, most significantly, how many weeks of maternity leave are taken and what the employee's length of service is.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the minimum wage on organisations which offer board and lodging as part of their remuneration package. [75577]

  Mr. Byers
  The impact of the national minimum wage on organisations which provide board and lodgings as part of their remuneration package will vary in the light of their particular circumstances.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Foreign Language Broadcasting
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the provision of foreign language broadcasting in the United Kingdom(a) on television and (b) on radio; and if he will make a statement. [72628]

  Janet Anderson
  The Independent Television Commission and the Radio Authority license a number of channels which provide foreign language services to UK audiences. The television channels are available on the satellite and cable medium, whilst the radio channels are aimed at local audiences.

  My Department has not received any representations on the provision of foreign language broadcasting in the UK for either television or radio where the target audience is principally within the UK. I have received several representations in respect of foreign language satellite television stations broadcasting from within the UK but aimed primarily at audiences abroad.

  I am writing to the hon. Member with details of the licensed services and will place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when the contract to establish the Wembley Trust with the FA and the English Sports Council will be announced; [75852]

  (2) how much money has been spent on the purchase of Wembley plc by (a) the English Sports Council and (b) the Government. [75853]

  Mr. Banks
  Lottery funding of £120 million has been awarded by the English Sports Council towards the purchase of the existing Wembley stadium from Wembley plc, and its reconstruction as a National Stadium for football, rugby league and athletics. No Government funding has been provided.

  The English National Stadium Development Company is responsible for taking reconstruction work forward. The English National Stadium Trust, which already exists as a charitable company limited by guarantee, will act as a watchdog for the public interests in the project.

  The Wembley sale was finalised on 15 March. We now have a firm foundation from which to drive the National Stadium project forward which is great news for the 2006 World Cup bid, and our efforts to bring major international sporting events to this country.

  Millennium Experience
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will announce the ticket prices for the Millennium Experience at Greenwich. [78042]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has today announced the pricing structure for entrance to the Millennium Experience at
  719
  Greenwich. This includes attractive discounts for families and groups. I have placed the full text of the NMEC's News Release in the Libraries of the House.

  Prices for the Millennium Experience at the Dome were confirmed as:

  £

  Group rates

  'Family Five' ticket: (2 adults + 3 children or 1 adult + 4 children)

  57.00 (@ 11.40 each)

  Senior Citizens Groups (of 15 or more)

  12.00 each

  Adult Groups (of 15 or more)

  17.50 each

  Individual rates

  Single adult

  20.00 each

  Children under 5

  Free of charge

  Children ages 5 to 15 inclusive

  16.50 each

  Student card holders

  16.50 each

  Senior Citizens

  18.00 each

  JS40 holders

  12.00 each

  Education rates

  Student group/college group visits

  14.50 each

  School visits (all ages)

  8.00 each

  Education Tours Scheme for Schools (ages 8 to 16)

  1Free of charge

  1 As part of the NMEC's pricing strategy up to 1 million free tickets will be made available for children through the Education Tours Scheme for schools

  The NMEC has announced the prices seven months ahead of tickets going on sale to the public to allow the travel industry to finalise its prices. The NMEC is also in detailed negotiations with rail and coach operators about discounted travel to the Dome. National Express coach operators have confirmed that they are proposing to offer, subject to negotiation, a discount travel deal offering a combined return coach ticket and admission to the Dome for £29.99 from anywhere in England, Scotland or Wales.

  The Government agree with the NMEC that these prices represent value for money and will enable the Company to achieve its forecast 12 million visitors to what will be the largest concentration of educational, inspirational and entertaining attractions under one roof anywhere in the world during 2000.

  Athletics
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals he has for the World Class Performance Programme for the United Kingdom's top athletes. [78043]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Sports Cabinet met for the second time on Wednesday last week and decided on a package of Lottery support to back our top sportsmen and women.

  The Government will shortly lay before Parliament an Order which will make the UK Sports Council a Lottery distributor and earmark a percentage of the Lottery Sports Fund for them to distribute for the UK's best sportsmen and women for them to train and prepare for competition.

  A joint scheme has already been pioneered by the four Sports Councils for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  720
  This decision builds on that scheme and its success, makes a strong commitment to future funding, and, for the first time, ensures that the top UK athletes from whatever part of the country are backed by a single unified and well run scheme.

  Regular and independent reports to Ministers and to the UK Sports Council on the way the money is being spent, and its effectiveness in helping the UK's top athletes to maximise their potential and achieve sporting success, and in bringing medals and championship titles to the UK, will be built in from the outset.

  This programme will be closely linked to the development of the UK Sports Institute. The Government has already announced the new direction it is giving with more of the Institute's facilities built throughout the country where athletes actually want to live and train, and a strategic Headquarters to co-ordinate services and set standards across the national network.

  As a consequence, the balance of expenditure between Headquarters and regions will change with more being spent on the regional facilities in line with the results of wide consultation of athletes and governing bodies which the Sports Councils have carried out, and the required funding for capital work on the Headquarters building being accordingly substantially reduced. The Headquarters will concentrate on its crucial role of oversight of the provision of the best in sports science and medicine, and quality assurance of the network sites, and will now be the direct responsibility of the UK Sports Council.

  In line with that policy, Ministers have now decided that greater emphasis should be placed on training and preparation programmes. The proposed Order will earmark a percentage of Lottery funding, which should generate £20.5 million for the World Class Performance and Events Programmes.

  Within this sum of Lottery funding, it is expected that the UK Sports Council should have about £2 million annually to help attract to and stage major sporting events in this country. The Sports Cabinet sees a close link between these programmes. They will both benefit all parts of the UK fairly, where close joint working is needed if we are to succeed on the international scene—and the best possible place for a top performance is in front of an enthusiastic home crowd against the best world competition.

  These two programmes will be closely co-ordinated with the work of the four Home Country Sports Councils, who will continue to back excellence in sports which compete separately as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in helping to identify and support up-and-coming talent.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of applicants' passports held at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate awaiting a decision; what arrangements he will make for temporary travel documents to be issued for those whose applications are
  721
  delayed as a result of reorganisation at IND; and what proposals he has for offering compensation to those who are disadvantaged as a result of the delays. [76615]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate has estimated the approximately 22,000 passports are currently being held. Travel Documents will be issued only to people who have valid leave to remain in the United Kingdom. It is, therefore, not possible to issue documents where an application for leave remains outstanding, although passports will be returned to applicants when they need to travel. Compensation will

  Year

  Number of SIDs in prisons of persons aged under 21 years

  Number of SIDs in remand centres of persons aged under 21 years

  Number of SIDs in young offender institutions of persons aged under 21 years

  Total number of SIDs

  Number of SIDs of prisoners aged under 21 years

  1988

  8

  —

  1

  37

  9

  1989

  9

  1

  2

  48

  12

  1990

  5

  3

  2

  50

  10

  1991

  1

  —

  4

  42

  5

  1992

  1

  2

  4

  41

  7

  1993

  1

  1

  1

  47

  3

  1994

  6

  3

  1

  62

  10

  1995

  4

  2

  2

  59

  8

  1996

  5

  1

  6

  64

  12

  1997

  —

  4

  5

  68

  9

  1998

  6

  3

  5

  83

  14

  SIDs—self-inflicted deaths

  Notes:

  1. Establishments have been categorised according to their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have been placed in the category that represents their primary function (i.e. Doncaster is a local prison which also holds a significant number of young offenders).

  2. Not all self-inflicted deaths conclude with a verdict of suicide.

  Thomas Tangney
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons Thomas Tangney was considered suitable for transfer to Ford Open Prison. [77321]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Mr. Tangney met the criteria which need to be satisfied before a transfer to open prison conditions takes place. These criteria were set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 11 March 1999,Official Report, column 332. The decision to transfer Mr. Tangney to open prison conditions was taken by Ministers on the recommendation of the Parole Board in line with normal practice in these cases.

  Europol
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1999,Official Report, columns 267–68, if the National Criminal Intelligence Service can access the Schengen Information System without the unanimous agreement of the Schengen states. [77165]

  Kate Hoey
  Direct access to the Schengen Information System (SIS) by the National Criminal Intelligence Service and other law enforcement agencies could be secured only if the United Kingdom was a member of the SIS. The SIS is part of the Schengen acquis, which will be incorporated into the European Union on the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam. In accordance with 722
  be paid only in cases of maladministration where the costs are reasonable and have been actually and necessarily incurred: each case will be treated on its merits.

  Suicides (Prisons)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides there have been in prisons, remand centres and youth detention centres in each of the last 10 years; and how many were of persons under the age of 21 years. [76936]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information is given in the table.

  Article 4 of the Schengen Protocol, any request by the United Kingdom to take part in some or all of the existing provisions of the Schengen acquis is subject to the agreement of the thirteen Schengen states. As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary stated in his reply to the right hon. Member on 12 March 1999, Official Report, columns 380–82, the SIS is one of the areas of the acquis in which the United Kingdom intends to seek participation.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1999,Official Report, columns 267–68, what initial increased use of Europol facilities and sharing of information has taken place since the signing of the Treaty of Amsterdam. [77166]

  Kate Hoey
  Although the Treaty of Amsterdam was signed on 2 October 1997, it has not yet been ratified by all member states. It is not therefore in force.

  As I indicated in my reply of 10 March 1999, Official Report, columns 267–68, Europol has not yet taken up its full range of activities. Increased use is generally being made of the Europol Drugs Unit (EDU). In 1997, the EDU handled a total of 2,608 requests for information from member states' law enforcement agencies, compared with 2,053 requests in 1996. Of these, 984 requests (453 in 1996) emanated from the United Kingdom, channelled through the National Criminal Intelligence Service on behalf of United Kingdom law enforcement agencies. In 1998, the United Kingdom was the second largest user of the information exchange facilities provided by the EDU.
  723
  From a total of 2,298 requests for information, 394 originated in the United Kingdom. The majority of requests relate to illegal trafficking.

  New Prison, Peterborough
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he expects to make an announcement about his proposal to build a new prison in Peterborough; [77446]

  (2) on whose authority labour councillors in Peterborough have been informed that an announcement on a proposed new prison in Peterborough will be delayed until after the European election in June. [77447]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions expects to determine within the next three weeks the Prison Service's appeal against Peterborough City Council's refusal to grant planning permission for the construction of a new prison in Peterborough. I am not aware that any information about that decision has been given to local councillors.

  "Jailbirds: Through the Gates"
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if each of the prisoners appearing in the BBC1 documentary, Jailbirds: Through the Gates, on 15 March, had individually given permission to be filmed; and if he will make a statement. [77463]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Yes. Prisoners individually featured in the programme gave their written consent. Prisoners were warned, where possible, prior to filming taking place and all prisoners were given the opportunity not to appear.

  Asylum and Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will pay compensation to those whose applications to the Immigration and Nationality Department have been delayed by the failure to operate the full casework information technology application and changeover to the new system. [76442]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We very much regret the current delays to applications being considered in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. It has always been our practice to consider making ex gratia payments in individual cases where applicants are able to demonstrate, with full supporting evidence, that they have actually and necessarily incurred additional costs.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 February 1999,Official Report, column 651, what has been the extent of the temporary reduction in service standards and numbers of casework decisions in the Immigration and Nationality Department; and when he expects the full casework information technology application to be operational and the previous throughput of casework to be achieved. [76441]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The temporary reduction in service standards does not apply to all areas in the new Directorate. The Public Caller Unit, for example, has been able to maintain productivity throughout the 724
  reorganisation, and indeed it is now exceeding previous productivity rates. However, in other areas there has been a fairly significant reduction in service and productivity during the months of January and February, when we were moving offices. Now that much of the move has been made, the position is improving: productivity has been rising and we are mounting special exercises to target priority cases such as work permits. Our aim is to reach the levels of throughput previously achieved within a few weeks.

  In recent discussions with my officials, Siemens Business Services have maintained that the revised schedule for introduction of the full Information Technology solution will be achieved. This would mean pilot implementation beginning in the summer with roll-out being completed early next year.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the extra time applicants are having to wait for the Immigration and Nationality Department to resolve their cases as a result of the failure to operate the full casework information technology application. [76443]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The disruption caused by the reorganisation of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) has meant some temporary delay in the processing of cases, particularly during the months of January and February. The position is improving: productivity has been rising and we are mounting special exercises to target priority cases. In the majority of straight forward cases, the delay is now a matter of weeks only. The expectation is that the situation will continue to improve.

  We do, however, recognise that there is a large backlog of IND cases, the great majority preceding the reorganisation. There are, for example, currently 104,356 cases in IND' s central Work in Progress Store, many of which are over five years old. Our plans for dealing with this backlog are set out in the Government's White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum".

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Packaging Industry
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is proposing to tackle the devices used by companies to avoid making contributions under the packaging waste regulations; and if he will make a statement. [76382]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have a duty to monitor compliance with the packaging Regulations. In the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 335–37, I welcomed the efforts being made by the Agencies to strengthen their enforcement programmes and I understand that the Environment Agency has started the process for taking proceedings against a number of companies which failed to register in 1998.
  725
  I also said that I would be asking the Agencies to publish their monitoring programmes and report half-yearly as to the number, size and sector of businesses checked for registration, data provision and for compliance with the recovery and recycling obligations.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received over his proposed changes to the share out of the percentage activity obligations within the packaging industry; and what plans he has to review the percentages. [76383]

  Mr. Meacher
  As I stated in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 335–37, my Department will very shortly be issuing a consultation document on the proposed changes to the percentage activity obligations. All responses to the document will then be taken into consideration.

  Urban Parish Councils
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many urban parish councils he has approved within the boundaries of unitary councils; if he will list the council areas concerned; and if he will make a statement on the statutory powers given to the urban parish councils. [76619]

  Ms Armstrong
  Under the Local Government and Rating Act 1997, the Secretary of State has approved 8 new parishes within unitary authority areas: Allerton Bywater, and Horsforth in Leeds; Southsea in Portsmouth; Beverley, and Cottingham in the East Riding of Yorkshire; Headland in Hartlepool; East Cowes on the Isle of Wight; and Mossley in Tameside. Using the Department's standard statistical definition of urban areas and population from the 1991 census, with the exception of Allerton Bywater, all the new parishes can be defined as urban. These parishes have the same statutory powers as any other parish council.

  Telecommunications Developments
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department has issued to planning authorities about their consideration of new telecommunications developments and the controls which they have over their siting. [76628]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Planning policy guidance on telecommunications development is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (revised December 1992), supplemented by Appendix E to DoE Circular 9/95 and by the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning on 4 November 1997,Official Report, columns 152–53. Copies of that answer were circulated to local planning authorities at that time. In addition, my Department has published in March 1996 a Code of Best Practice for local planning authorities and telecommunications code system operators on telecommunications prior approval procedures as applied to mast/tower development. We intend to consult shortly on draft guidance to accompany the changes to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted
  726
  Development) Order 1995 announced by my right hon. Friend in a written answer on 16 November 1998, Official Report, columns 343–44.

  Public Rights of Way
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to announce proposals to extend access to the countryside for horse riders, cyclists and recreational vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [76613]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government's "Framework for Action" for improving access to the countryside, which I announced to the House on 8 March 1999,Official Report, columns 21–33, comprises a package of measures intended to benefit all those who enjoy informal recreation in the countryside. Horse riders, cyclists and users of recreational vehicles gain access mainly through the rights of way network and the improvements proposed to the network will therefore be of particular interest to them. We are keeping their interests in mind in developing detailed proposals.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many civil servants in his Department have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks; how many civil servants in his Department have refused to waive the requirement; and what is the total cost of compliance with the Directive. [76809]

  Mr. Meale
  As the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, for Trade and Industry, and for Education and Employment share responsibility for the Government Offices in England, this answer also covers the Government Offices.

  The following numbers of staff in DETR(C) and its Agencies, and in the Government Offices, have signed an agreement to disapply the 48 hour limit:

  Number of staff

  DETR(C)

  37

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  28

  Driving Standards Agency

  0

  Highways Agency

  10

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency

  1

  Planning Inspectorate

  1

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  49

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  0

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  0

  Government Office for the East of England

  0

  Government Office for the East Midlands

  3

  Government Office for London

  1

  Government Office for the North East

  0

  Government Office for the North West

  4

  Government Office for the South East

  3

  Government Office for the South West

  0

  Government Office for the West Midlands

  3

  Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber

  7

  1 Currently ten staff are discussing whether there are sound operational reasons to sign a waiver

  727
  The standard terms and conditions of service for staff are well within the limits set by the Working Time Regulations 1998. The Regulations do not require employers to keep records of the number of workers who refuse to sign an opt-out agreement and therefore no central records have been kept. Compliance costs are not kept centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Waste Paper Processing
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implications of the High Court judgment of November 1998 on the dispute between the Environment Agency and Mayer Parry Recycling Ltd.; and if he will make contact with representatives of the waste paper processing industry on this matter. [76968]

  Mr. Meale
  A statement on the High Court judgment in the Mayer Parry case, which took account of judgments by the European Court of Justice, was issued by the Environment Agency on 16 November 1998. As matters stand, we do not have anything to add to that statement. We have no plans to make contact with the waste paper processing industry on this matter but we are considering representations which this industry has made about the implications of the judgment.

  "A New Deal for Transport"
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has(a) to approve and (b) to initiate developments relating to airports before the completion of the economic impact studies covering airports and air services announced in "A New Deal for Transport"; and if he will make a statement. [76986]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Airport development is promoted by developers through the normal planning process, though major schemes will usually be decided by the Secretary of State following a public inquiry. Airports projects for which planning applications have already been made, or are expected to be made shortly, will not be within the scope of the Regional Air Services studies, because it would cause duplication and delay if we were to study projects which are being considered in the land use planning system at the same time; the study will therefore examine a range of scenarios based on those projects either going ahead or not going ahead, and will concentrate on strategic medium and long term issues.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the study of the economic impact of regional airports and regional air services announced in "A New Deal for Transport"; when these studies will be completed in the(a) North of England, (b) Midlands and (c) South West; and if he will make a statement. [76985]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The studies of regional airports and air services in the North of England, Midlands and South West announced in the "A New Deal for Transport" White Paper have all now been commissioned and are expected to report in the summer. In line with our White Paper commitments, each study will include an examination of the link between air services, economic growth and regeneration in the regions concerned. In 728
  accordance with our integrated transport policy, the studies will also consider surface access to the airports concerned.

  Mercury Pollution
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of(a) the level of mercury pollution in groundwater, (b) its source and (c) the remedial action needed. [76952]

  Mr. Meale
  Environment Agency monitoring of groundwater has not shown concentrations above the analytical detection limit, and mercury is generally not present in groundwater. However, there may be sites where processes using mercury (including parts of the millinery and electrical industries) have resulted in contamination, with consequent risks to groundwater, although mercury contamination from such sites would not be widespread. The Groundwater Regulations 1998 prohibit the discharge of mercury to groundwater, and provide for controls over activities which might result in the discharge of mercury to groundwater.

  Air Rage
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents classified as air rage there have been on UK carriers in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [76949]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the Mandatory Occurrence Report Scheme currently established by article 106 of the Air Navigation (No. 2) Order 1995, the commander of a UK registered or operated aircraft must report to the Civil Aviation Authority any incident"endangering, or if not corrected would endanger, the aircraft, its occupants or any other person".

  The CAA's MORS database does not have a classification of "air rage" and it is therefore not possible to provide the figures requested. However, we have recently reviewed the 1997 MORS reports relating to passenger behaviour. This revealed some 88 incidents of disruptive behaviour by passengers which had actual or potential safety implications. Of these, some 24 incidents involved physical violence or the need by the crew to restrain a passenger.

  It is because of the lack of accurate information on the scale of the problem that we have established a new system for airlines to report to the CAA all incidents of disruptive behaviour by passengers on board UK aircraft. The first figures from this new reporting system should be available later this year.

  Leasehold Reform
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses he has received to his consultation document on leasehold reform; and if he will publish them. [77123]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We had received 643 responses to the consultation paper by the requested date of Friday 12 March, and we are likely to receive some additional late ones. All responses will be made available to the
  729
  public, barring those which we have been asked to treat as confidential. We will announce the arrangements for their inspection in due course.

  Waste Incinerators
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what incentives the Government are providing to increase the use of waste incinerators. [75962]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]The Government are considering the role of waste incinerators with energy recovery as part of the review of the waste strategy for England and Wales. Their consultation paper Less Waste: More Value published in June 1998 said:
  The Government's view is that, alongside a move to a higher level of recycling, a move to a higher level of incineration with energy recovery is necessary over the next 10–15 years in order to move to a more sustainable waste management system.

  They also sought views on this approach and asked how the role of energy recovery as part of an integrated approach to waste management could be enhanced.

  A draft of the new waste strategy which takes into account the responses to the consultation document will be published later in the spring.

  Buses (Access)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with bus manufacturers on the development of buses to provide improved facilities for(a) elderly and (b) disabled people. [77274]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Manufacturers have been closely involved throughout the process of developing standards for accessible buses. Meetings have taken place with a cross section of representatives of industry and with individual bus manufacturers on both technical and operational matters. An informal consultation on regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to require improved access to buses and coaches took place in 1998, and a formal consultation on the draft regulations is planned for this year.

  The regulations will progressively require a lower first step height, provision for wheelchair users and other passengers with a wide range of disabilities, starting in January 2000. End dates are also being proposed for all regulated buses and coaches to ensure that over a reasonable timescale they all become fully accessible.

  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce his response to the Countryside Commission's report on the future funding and management of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. [77272]

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a decision about the future status and management of the South Downs. [77313]
  730
  Mr. Meale
  We are still looking carefully at the issues dealt with in the Countryside Commission's advice relating both to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty generally and to the South Downs in particular. We hope to announce some conclusions soon.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) borrowings and (b) borrowing limits of each local authority for each year for which figures are available since 1990. [77440]

  Ms Armstrong
  The latest information on levels of debt outstanding for each local authority in England relates to 31 March 1997. I have today placed this information in the Library of the House. Information for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Under Part IV of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, local authorities may borrow for any purpose relevant to their statutory functions. Their total liabilities in respect of outstanding borrowing and other forms of credit must not exceed their Aggregate Credit Limit. The main effect is that authorities may borrow for capital expenditure up to the amount of the credit approvals issued to them by the Government. They may also undertake very limited temporary borrowing for revenue purposes. The Aggregate Credit Limit changes frequently and figures are not collected centrally.

  Heathrow (Terminal 5)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the public inquiry on Heathrow's proposed Terminal 5 to reach a decision. [77310]

  Mr. Caborn
  The public inquiry closed on 17 March and the Inspector has said that he expects to take up to two years to produce his report. The Secretary of State will need to give the report full consideration before reaching a decision.

  Planning
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received from hon. Members concerning planning matters in 1999. [77309]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Comprehensive information is not available in the form requested and could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Green Belt (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of Green Belt there were in Leicestershire at the latest available date. [77311]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There is no designated Green Belt land in Leicestershire.

  Bengal Tigers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment
  731
  he made during his visit to India of the prospects for the future of the Bengal tigers and the steps India is taking to protect them. [75690]

  Mr. Prescott
  During my visit to India I addressed the Millennium Tiger Conference and, as a guest of the Indian Government, visited Ranthambore Tiger Reserve where tiger numbers are slowly recovering as a result of positive protection and co-operation to meet the needs of local people.

  I was impressed by the clear commitment to tiger conservation shown by the Indian Government and in particular, by Suresh Prabhu, the Indian Environment Minister, and Director of Project Tiger, Mr. P. K. Sen. However, in spite of their efforts, and those of many committed Indian officials, reserve wardens and NGOs, tigers in India still face serious threats. These are set down in the Millennium Tiger Conference's final communiqué and include the loss of habitat to large scale development projects; habitat degradation from livestock grazing and increased human population; and poaching to supply the continuing demand for tiger body parts.

  The Conference agreed to address these by recommending that land use policies recognise the importance of tiger habitats and that revenues from Protected Areas be reinvested in tiger conservation. The meeting also emphasised the importance of improving legislation and strengthening enforcement. The Declaration calls for more effort from consumer countries in controlling domestic trade in tiger parts and derivatives, an issue that the CITES Tiger Missions, launched in London by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), will pursue when visiting range states including India, and consuming countries such as Japan, in the early summer.

  Whilst in India, I announced the UK's intention to join the Global Tiger Forum, together with a new grant of £50,000 to go towards enforcement work in India and an Indonesian project to protect the Sumatran tiger. This brings the UK's total contribution to tiger conservation to £200,000 over the past two years.

  Oceans (Environmental Protection)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his discussion with Vice-President Gore about protecting the world's oceans. [75692]

  Mr. Prescott
  During Vice-President Gore's visit to London on Saturday 30 January 1999, we discussed protection of oceans. I stressed to him the opportunity offered by this year's consideration of oceans and seas by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development to make progress both on the protection of the world's marine environments and the way in which the UN system handles the issue.

  Housing Policy Green Paper
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if the Housing Policy Green Paper will consult on proposals to help homeless people; and if he will make a statement; [77303]
  732
  (2) when he expects to publish the Housing Policy Green Paper; and if he will make a statement. [77304]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Housing Policy Green Paper will be published later this year. It will consult on a number of proposals to help meet our objective to offer everyone including homeless people the opportunity of a decent home.

  As I indicated in my earlier reply to a Question from my hon. Friend on 1 March 1999, Official Report, columns 519–20, we intend to consult widely on any proposals for strengthening the assistance and protection available to homeless people but no date has been set for completion of the necessary consideration of the steps that might be taken in this respect.

  Travellers (Millennium Celebrations)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if his Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence, will carry out an audit of sites within the ownership of the Crown which could be made available for the temporary encampment of travellers over the period of Christmas 1999 and the millennium celebrations; [77478]

  (2) how many authorised sites for travellers exist within England and Wales large enough to accommodate more than 150 caravans and several hundred people over the period of Christmas 1999 and the millennium celebrations; [77477]

  (3) what arrangements are in hand within his Department, the Home Office and the Welsh Office jointly to identify sites which could offer temporary provision for large gatherings of travellers over the period of Christmas 1999 and the millennium celebrations; [77476]

  (4) what arrangements his Department and the Welsh Office have made to use (a) the National Gypsy Council and (b) other bodies to ensure that travelling families are made aware of facilities that the Government propose to make available to travellers over the period of Christmas 1999 and the millennium celebrations. [77475]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There are over 300 authorised local authority Gypsy caravan sites in England and Wales although we know of none which would accommodate more than 150 caravans. My Department does not hold data on the capacity of privately owned Gypsy caravan sites. The Government have no plans to make Crown land available specifically for Gypsies and Travellers proposing to celebrate the millennium.

  My Department and the Home Office have recently published joint good practice advice for local authorities and the police for managing unauthorised camping by travellers generally. The good practice was developed with the assistance of a number of groups representing Gypsy/Traveller interests, including the National Gypsy Council.

  We want local authorities and the police to develop joint protocols to ensure proper and sensitive management of traveller encampments, including effective handling of any problems of crime and disorder which may arise particularly with large encampments. As part of this exercise, local authorities should be identifying acceptable stopping places for travellers.
  733
  The Home Office are also undertaking a series of visits to local authorities to ensure their preparedness to deliver emergency planning responsibilities over the period of the millennium celebrations. Areas under consideration include the management of serious public disorder resulting from large gatherings of people, irrespective of whether Travellers are involved or not.

  Floorcoverings Classifications
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the request by the British Carpet Manufacturers Association for a delay in making a decision on the European Classifications of Floorcoverings for reaction to fire. [77298]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The decision on the reaction to fire for floorcoverings was postponed in December 1998 to permit consultation with industry and will be tabled again in April 1999. In the meantime, I have met the British Carpet Manufacturers Association and they are aware that a further delay is unlikely to be supported by the European Commission or other Member States.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Running Costs
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, what was the annual cost of running the House of Commons in each of the last five years; and what was the cost excluding major new building work for the latest available period. [76937]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  The administrative cost of running the House of Commons is given in the table.

  Costs of running the House of Commons 1993–98

  £000

  Vote

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Administration

  62,738

  65,302

  68,190

  68,290

  72,878

  Works

  23,762

  26,497

  28,416

  31,900

  35,068

  Sub Total

  86,500

  91.799

  96,606

  100,190

  107,946

  Porticullis House

  7,662

  6,292

  15,633

  30,002

  37,281

  Total

  94,162

  98,091

  112,239

  130,192

  145,227

  Figures are outturn figures. This excludes the cost of the pay and allowances of Members of Parliament.

  Early-day Motions
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what, in each of the three most recent years for which figures are available, were(a) the total costs relating to early day motions and (b) the average cost of the reprinting of individual motions when names were added. [77436]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  I have been asked to reply.

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

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Police Complaints
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she will lay before Parliament the 1998 Annual report of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [77926]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The 1998 Annual Report of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints is being laid before Parliament today. The Report, which follows the format of previous years, comments on the work of the Commission in 1998, its 11th year dealing with alleged complaints against the RUC.

  I should like formally to record the Government's thanks to the Chairman and Members of the Commission and to the staff for their continued excellent work during this past year and for producing this Report. In this respect, I would like to highlight and endorse the Chairman's introduction to the Report in which he says that in spite of the already heavy workload of (Commission members and) staff, and the extra demands on them in facilitating the transition to the establishment of the Ombudsman's office, their
  "commitment, professionalism and enthusiasm stand as a tribute to each and every one of them."

  I know that the police, particularly in Complaints and Discipline Department, have shown similar commitment, and I would like to place that on record also.

  The work on establishing the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is continuing and we will be re-advertising the Ombudsman post shortly. This is an important new office, which, along with the other changes in policing that are in train, should contribute further to improving public confidence in the police in Norther Ireland.

  The 1998 Report notes that there was a reduction of nearly 15 per cent. in the number of cases of complaint received by the Commission, compared with the number received in 1997, down from 3,111 to 2,651. The figures since 1991, however, have remained around the 2,500 level. It also notes that the number of cases for mandatory supervision has remained at about 100 and the number of discretionary cases was lower than expected at 171. Of the 2,383 cases closed in 1998, 562 were withdrawn, 682 were dispensed with (usually because a complainant would not co-operate with an investigation) and disciplinary action was considered in over 1,000. The DPP directed 5 criminal charges, there were 19 formal disciplinary charges and 104 informal disciplinary actions.

  In light of the appalling murder of Rosemary Nelson, I think it important and appropriate to highlight the reference in the report to the complaints made by and on behalf of Mrs. Nelson. The Commission refer to their "serious concern" about the conduct of the investigation. They raised these with the Chief Constable and me last Summer. As a consequence, the Chief Constable appointed Commander Mulvihill, with the approval of the ICPC, to continue the investigation. The ICPC will shortly be issuing its statutory statement on the conduct of this to

  735
  the Chief Constable and complainants. As is normal the investigation file will then be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.

  A number of additional points are worth recording. One is the Commission's helpful historical analysis of the evolution of the complaints system in Northern Ireland. Another is the decision to supervise all complaints alleging intimidation of solicitors. As we have already told the Commission, this is a sensible and helpful approach to a contentious subject. A third is the decision to take on a small number of cases concerning incivility. These may be regarded by some as less serious allegations, but to complainants they are all serious, and I think it important to audit such cases in the way the ICPC has done.

  Finally, the Government echoes the concluding words of the Chairman that:
  "The Commission has been variously described over the years by some as "toothless" and often as "ruthless". In fact, it has been neither."

  Boundary Commission
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will announce the names of the two newly appointed members of the Northern Ireland Boundary Commission. [77927]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I am pleased to announce that I have recently issued warrants of appointment for the Northern Ireland Boundary Commission to Mrs. Joan Elizabeth Ruddock and Richard McLaughlin QC. I have also been informed by the Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland that he has appointed hon. Mr. Justice Coghlin to the position of Deputy Chairman of the Commission.

  Incontinence Beds
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many beds dealing with incontinence are available in Northern Ireland in(a) all service hospitals, (b) general hospitals, (c) specialist hospitals, (d) teaching hospitals and (e) hospitals in other categories. [77032]

  Mr. McFall
  The information requested is not collected.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the preliminary view of the coming year's parades is to be published by the Parades Commission; to whom the preliminary view of the coming year's parades is formally submitted; to whom the Parades Commission is formally accountable; on what parades the Parades Commission has issued a formal determination since its inception; how many parades have taken place which have contravened rulings made by the Commission; and if she will make a statement on the work of the Parades Commission over its first 12 months. [76930]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]The current text of the Procedural Rules, one of the three statutory documents published under the Public 736
  Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, indicates that the Commission will
  "express an informal broad view of the overall pattern of parades in the areas in which they are contentious" (Procedural Rules, p1, para. 1.2).

  The Commission is currently reviewing the Procedural Rules, together with the Code of Conduct and the Guidelines, in line with its statutory remit, and has issued its proposed changes to the documents in draft form for consultation. One of the proposed changes to the Procedural Rules is the removal of the requirement to make a preliminary view. In reaching its decisions in respect of contentious parades in the 1998 season, the Commission set out clearly the action it considered necessary by parties to parades disputes in order to remove the need for Commission involvement. Therefore, it considers that to issue a preliminary view in 1999 would simply be to restate what is already in the public domain.

  The Chairman and his colleagues on the Commission will, of course, consider carefully the responses they receive in relation to the documents, including proposals relating to the preliminary view. The revised documents are, as the hon. Gentleman knows, subject to Parliamentary approval before publication.

  In relation to accountability, the Commission was established by Parliament under the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 as an independent body. In addition to the statutory requirements in relation to the Code of Conduct, Procedural Rules and Guidelines, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is required to present to Parliament the Commission's Annual Report on the discharge of its functions for that year.

  I have placed in the Library of the House a list of parades in relation to which the Parades Commission has issued a determination since receiving its statutory powers enabling it to impose conditions on parades.

  Statistics on the number of parade which have contravened the Commission's rulings are not available.

  Finally, I wish to congratulate the Parades Commission for their integrity and commitment over the last year. They have a difficult job and they have carried out their role in a totally fair and impartial manner in the best interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.

HEALTH

  Waiting Periods (Heart Conditions)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the waiting periods for(a) angioplasty, (b) angiogram procedures and (c) heart by-pass surgery in each health trust. [74887]

  Mr. Hutton
  Available information on the number of patients waiting for angioplasty and heart by-pass surgery by health authority is shown in the table.

  An angiogram or angiography is the main means of investigating the need for these procedures. Dye is injected into the blood stream and radiology is used to view the vessels. This is not a surgical procedure and information on waiting lists is not available centrally.
  737

  Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgery

  Name

  Total

  0–2 months

  3–5 months

  6–8 months

  9–11 months

  12–14 months

  15–17 months

  18+ months

  Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust

  58

  17

  13

  11

  9

  5

  3

  0

  South Tees Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  488

  198

  148

  81

  61

  0

  0

  0

  East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  460

  217

  100

  84

  59

  0

  0

  0

  Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

  707

  200

  199

  161

  111

  26

  10

  0

  The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust

  572

  203

  161

  128

  79

  1

  0

  0

  Northern and Yorkshire Region total

  2,285

  835

  621

  465

  319

  32

  13

  0

  Northern General Hospital NHS Trust

  671

  223

  174

  155

  97

  14

  8

  0

  Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust

  311

  177

  83

  37

  12

  1

  1

  0

  Scunthorpe and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust

  7

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Glenfield Hospital NHS Trust

  452

  230

  120

  74

  27

  1

  0

  0

  Trent Region total

  1,441

  637

  377

  266

  136

  16

  9

  0

  North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust

  411

  148

  76

  76

  66

  41

  4

  0

  Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust

  327

  134

  96

  43

  39

  15

  0

  0

  Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust

  104

  56

  33

  10

  3

  2

  0

  0

  Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull Hospitals NHS Trust

  181

  129

  41

  9

  2

  0

  0

  0

  University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust

  775

  53

  206

  238

  229

  49

  0

  0

  West Midlands Region total

  1,798

  520

  452

  376

  339

  107

  4

  0

  Cardiothoracic Centre, Liverpool NHS Trust

  696

  349

  134

  108

  43

  49

  13

  0

  Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust

  43

  16

  12

  6

  8

  1

  0

  0

  Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust

  600

  185

  168

  103

  86

  49

  9

  0

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  884

  260

  196

  170

  126

  93

  39

  0

  Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust

  363

  161

  100

  66

  26

  6

  4

  0

  Manchester Children's Hospitals NHS Trust

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North West Region total

  2,586

  971

  610

  453

  289

  198

  65

  0

  Papworth Hospital NHS Trust

  811

  345

  200

  148

  106

  12

  0

  0

  Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust

  2

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS Trust

  54

  39

  6

  4

  3

  2

  0

  0

  Eastern Region total

  867

  385

  207

  152

  109

  14

  0

  0

  Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wellhouse NHS Trust

  2

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust

  1,009

  350

  266

  194

  166

  28

  5

  0

  St. Mary's NHS Trust

  84

  54

  20

  8

  2

  0

  0

  0

  St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust

  384

  137

  114

  94

  34

  4

  1

  0

  King's Healthcare NHS Trust

  222

  130

  80

  11

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  974

  333

  207

  170

  177

  87

  0

  0

  Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust

  107

  94

  10

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust

  69

  56

  7

  4

  0

  1

  1

  0

  University College London Hospitals NHS Trust

  396

  157

  102

  77

  46

  7

  7

  0

  Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust

  837

  346

  209

  132

  84

  52

  14

  0

  London Region total

  4,084

  1,658

  1,016

  691

  511

  179

  29

  0

  Mid-Kent Healthcare NHS Trust

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Brighton Healthcare NHS Trust

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust

  575

  220

  146

  100

  55

  36

  18

  0

  The Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust

  310

  134

  71

  42

  51

  12

  0

  0

  South East Region total

  886

  355

  217

  142

  106

  48

  18

  0

  United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust

  526

  288

  141

  73

  22

  2

  0

  0

  Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

  37

  33

  3

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare NHS Trust

  10

  9

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

  584

  149

  145

  109

  94

  72

  15

  0

  South West Region total

  1,157

  479

  289

  183

  117

  74

  15

  0

  England total

  15,104

  5,840

  3,789

  2,728

  1,926

  668

  153

  0

  Suicide
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to raise public awareness of the rate of suicide by young men; and what support he will give to the Doctor Patient Partnership Campaign, Suicide: Helping Men Cope. [76741]
  738
  Mr. Hutton
  The Department continues to work in collaboration with users of mental health services, the voluntary sector and professional bodies with a view to reducing discrimination, improving the lives of people with mental health problems and contributing to a reduction in suicide rates. We welcome the campaign
  739
  launched by the Doctor Patient Partnership. This campaign complements other efforts to focus upon the mental health needs of young men, such as the Department's own helpline Campaign Against Living Miserably, launched in December 1997 in Manchester, which targets young men at the onset of depression. We regularly meet the Samaritans, who backed the Doctor Patient Partnership campaign, to look at other initiatives to reduce suicide rates in young men.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Doctor Patient Partnership's campaign Suicide: Helping Men Cope. [76577]

  Mr. Hutton
  We welcome the campaign launched by the Doctor Patient Partnership to reduce suicide rates among young men. It complements other efforts to focus on the mental health needs of men such as the Department's own helpline Campaign Against Living Miserably, launched in December 1997 in Manchester and aimed at young men. The Department continues to work in collaboration with users of mental health services, the voluntary sector and professional bodies with a view to reducing discrimination, improving the lives of people with mental health problems and contributing to a reduction in suicide rates.

  Nurses
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many former nurses, who had been out of the profession for more than five years, have(a) been charged and (b) not been charged for back to nursing courses since his announcement that they should be provided free of charge. [76389]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 12 March 1999]The information requested is not available centrally.

  Education consortiums are working with National Health Service trusts and education providers to ensure that refresher training is available free of charge to nurses seeking to return to NHS employment.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 205, concerning the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care if he will set out a timetable for his consideration of, and taking of decisions on, the Commission's recommendations. [77111]

  Mr. Hutton
  There is already action in hand relating to several of the Royal Commission's recommendations. Others will require fuller consideration over the coming months.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 205, concerning the special grant for carers if the remaining £424,673 will be paid in 2000–01 and 2001–02. [77112]

  Mr. Hutton
  Payment of allocations of a special grant to local authorities is dependent each year on Parliamentary approval. In the case of the carers' special grant, payment will, subject to approval by Parliament of the special grant report for 1999–2000, be dependent on a number of conditions including provision of an action plan and demonstration of progress on that plan. The 740
  allocations to individual local authorities of the funding of £50 million for 2000–01 and £70 million for 2001–02 will be determined according to a formula, using the most recent data available. It is therefore not possible to confirm detailed final allocations for future years at this stage.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what changes have taken place, by health authority area, in the number of child dental registrations since June 1996; and what steps have been taken to encourage the registration of children up to five years of age with a general dental practice; [75441]

  (2) what changes, by health authority area, have taken place in the number of dental registrations of (a) children and (b) adults since the introduction of the 15 month registration period. [75432]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 march 1999)Information on the number of child patients registered with a General Dental Service (GDS) dentist at 30 June 1996 and 31 January 1999 by health authority (HA) in England, together with the percentage changes, has been placed in the Library.

  The comparisons between June 1996 and January 1999 are affected by the reduction in the registration period to 15 months for all new registrations from September 1996 and by a reduction in the number of duplicate entries. The introduction of the Personal Dental Service (PDS) in October 1998 will also have affected figures since some GDS practices which became PDS pilots transferred their patients into the PDS.

  Dentists are given monthly payments for registering children, and for children up to 5-years old these payments are higher in deprived areas to encourage dentists to register more children in these areas of high oral health need.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by health authority area, the number of dental practices(a) which accept all NHS patients, (b) whose NHS lists are closed, (c) which accept on NHS lists additional family members only and (d) which accept children for NHS treatment only if their parents are private patients. [75431]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]The information requested is not available centrally. It is the responsibility of each health authority to be aware of the availability of dental services in their area.

  Xenotransplantations
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the independent assessors to be used to scrutinise clinical trials relating to xenotransplantation, indicating which has expertise in animal welfare issues. [76502]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]As is common practice in peer review, the names of independent external assessors appointed to advise on applications submitted to the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA), are not disclosed. As a condition of their
  741
  appointment, all assessors are required to sign an undertaking confirming that they have no conflicts of interest which might affect their assessments.

  Regulatory control of the welfare of animals potentially to be used as sources for xenotransplantation lies with the Home Office. A Code of Practice on the welfare of high health status pigs as xenotransplantation source animals is currently being developed by the Home Office (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate. In considering any application, the UKXIRA would expect to see evidence of animal welfare standards at least equal to those to be included in the Code of Practice. However, the UKXIRA also recognises that there may be circumstances in which advice on the animal welfare aspects of specific applications is required. The appointment of appropriate assessors is currently being pursued.

  North Durham Health Care NHS Trust
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he plans to respond to the recent report on the PFI Scheme at North Durham Healthcare NHS Trust. [77987]

  Mr. Denham
  I have today placed copies of a response to the report in the Library.

  Incontinence Beds
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds dealing with incontinence are available in England and Wales in(a) all service hospitals, (b) general hospitals, (c) specialist hospitals, (d) teaching hospitals and (e) hospitals in other categories. [77031]

  Health authority total expenses in respect to clinical negligence

  £000

  Health authority code

  Health authority

  1996–97 Haa04c—mc9–340

  1997–98 Haa04c—sc340

  QA2

  Hillingdon HA

  (7)

  (423)

  QA3

  Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster HA

  2,016

  511

  QA4

  Enfield & Haringey HA

  6,834

  362

  QA5

  Redbridge & Waltham Forest HA

  —

  (111)

  QA6

  Bedfordshire HA

  —

  500

  QA7

  Berkshire HA

  (733)

  738

  QA8

  Buckinghamshire HA

  1,108

  2,923

  QA9

  Cambridge & Huntingdon HA

  —

  624

  QAA

  Bexley & Greenwich HA

  (480)

  (1,301)

  QAC

  Bromley HA

  (442)

  48

  QAD

  Croydon HA

  418

  (787)

  QAE

  East Kent HA

  2,377

  1,150

  QAF

  West Kent HA

  —

  2,199

  QAG

  Kingston & Richmond HA

  —

  2,327

  QAH

  Lambeth, Southwark & Lewisham HA

  580

  98

  QAJ

  Merton, Sutton & Wandsworth HA

  173

  481

  QAK

  East Surrey HA

  (126)

  75

  QAL

  West Surrey HA

  1,787

  (716)

  QAM

  East Sussex, Brighton & Hove HA

  202

  801

  QAN

  West Sussex HA

  965

  208

  QAP

  Barking & Havering HA

  —

  431

  QAQ

  Barnet HA

  389

  572

  QAR

  Brent & Harrow HA

  1,608

  508

  QAT

  Camden & Islington HA

  1,604

  1,222

  QAV

  Ealing, Hammersmith & Hounslow HA

  10

  210

  QAW

  East London & The City HA

  348

  1,023

  QAX

  North Essex HA

  715

  763

  QAY

  South Essex HA

  1,144

  596

  QC1

  South Lancashire HA

  57

  (113)

  QC2

  Liverpool HA

  642

  (228)

  QC3

  Manchester HA

  —

  1,193

  QC4

  Morecambe Bay HA

  117

  295

  742
  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. Bed data are collected by broad ward classification rather than by clinical specialty. The data are also collected only from National Health Service trusts and there is no split between the different types of hospitals. The publication, "Bed availability and Occupancy for England" contains information for individual NHS trusts along with summary tables for England.

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter of 11 January from the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton in respect of Mr. N. Peed and dentistry in Crediton. [77452]

  Mr. Denham
  I replied to the hon. Member on 17 March.

  Clinical Negligence Costs
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority the expenditure on(a) damages for negligence and (b) out-of-court settlements for each of the last five years. [77305]

  Mr. Hutton
  Until recently, health authority accounts did not separate clinical negligence costs from others made under legal liability and personal injury. We cannot, therefore, give figures going back 5 years. In addition, the accounts do not distinguish between costs incurred through court awarded damages and those arising from out of court settlements. We are, however, able to give details of total clinical negligence costs by health authority (HA) for the last two years, and these are in the table.
  743

  Health authority total expenses in respect to clinical negligence

  £000

  Health authority code

  Health authority

  1996–97 Haa04c—mc9–340

  1997–98 Haa04c—sc340

  QC5

  St. Helens & Knowsley HA

  1,033

  (418)

  QC6

  Salford & Trafford HA

  —

  979

  QC7

  Sefton HA

  381

  174

  QC8

  Stockport HA

  —

  (1,051)

  QC9

  West Pennine HA

  —

  (124)

  QCA

  East Norfolk HA

  1,189

  1,400

  QCC

  Northamptonshire HA

  1,541

  1,615

  QCD

  North West Anglia HA

  482

  403

  QCE

  Oxfordshire HA

  1,480

  54

  QCF

  Suffolk HA

  982

  534

  QCG

  Barnsley HA

  926

  18

  QCH

  North Derbyshire HA

  1,269

  (343)

  QCJ

  South Derbyshire HA

  (38)

  3

  QCK

  Doncaster HA

  939

  (46)

  QCL

  Leicestershire HA

  —

  780

  QCM

  Lincolnshire HA

  (360

  843

  QCN

  North Nottinghamshire HA

  533

  419

  QCP

  Nottingham HA

  611

  347

  QCQ

  Rotherham HA

  3,814

  1,117

  QCR

  Sheffield HA

  —

  398

  QCT

  Bury & Rochdale HA

  —

  491

  QCV

  North Cheshire HA

  307

  1,179

  QCW

  South Cheshire HA

  976

  515

  QCX

  East Lancashire HA

  682

  (2,017)

  QCY

  North West Lancashire HA

  —

  557

  QD1

  North & Mid Hampshire HA

  683

  86

  QD2

  Portsmouth & South East Hampshire HA

  1,572

  602

  QD3

  Southampton & South West Hampshire HA

  —

  456

  QD4

  Isle of Wight HA

  79

  31

  QD5

  Somerset HA

  367

  201

  QD6

  South & West Devon HA

  3,448

  699

  QD7

  Wiltshire HA

  —

  41

  QD8

  Avon HA

  371

  684

  QD9

  Birmingham HA

  3,577

  2,526

  QDA

  Wigan & Bolton HA

  —

  1,892

  QDC

  Wirral HA

  635

  309

  QDD

  Bradford HA

  3,757

  202

  QDE

  County Durham HA

  1,318

  1,008

  QDF

  East Riding HA

  1,441

  420

  QDG

  Gateshead & South Tyneside HA

  697

  82

  QDH

  Leeds HA

  1,315

  1,810

  QDJ

  Newcastle & North Tyneside HA

  5,957

  —

  QDK

  North Cumbria HA

  —

  539

  QDL

  South Humber HA

  (586)

  968

  QDM

  Northumberland HA

  —

  122

  QDN

  Sunderland HA

  52

  980

  QDP

  Tees HA

  2,272

  1,293

  QDQ

  Wakefield HA

  1,374

  (652)

  QDR

  North Yorkshire HA

  526

  264

  QDT

  Calderdale & Kirklees HA

  —

  245

  QDV

  Cornwall & Isles of Scilly HA

  —

  1,064

  QDW

  Dorset HA

  543

  (578)

  QDX

  North & East Devon HA

  183

  294

  QDY

  Gloucestershire HA

  497

  217

  QEA

  Coventry HA

  QEC

  Dudley HA

  688

  2,196

  QED

  Herefordshire HA

  (35)

  149

  QEE

  Sandwell HA

  521

  514

  QEF

  Shropshire HA

  698

  562

  QEG

  Solihull HA

  —

  919

  QEH

  North Staffordshire HA

  435

  1,667

  QEJ

  South Staffordshire HA

  —

  594

  QEK

  Walsall HA

  403

  227

  QEL

  Warwickshire HA

  —

  (261)

  QEM

  Wolverhampton HA

  800

  85

  QEN

  Worcestershire HA

  —

  236

  QEP

  East & North Hertfordshire HA

  342

  216

  QEQ

  West Hertfordshire HA

  2,298

  498

  Total

  74,281

  47,688

  Notes:

  1. Clinical Negligence was not separately identified in the accounts prior to 1997–98

  2. Figures in brackets are where over provision has been made in previous years accounts

  Source:

  Health Authority Annual Accounts 1997–98
  744

  Barnet Health Authority
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were on the waiting list in Barnet Health Authority's area on 31 March 1998. [77578]

  Mr. Denham
  Barnet Health Authority's waiting list as at 31 March 1998 was 7,571.

  Barnet Hospital
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the construction of Phase 1b of Barnet Hospital is expected to(a) commence and (b) be completed. [77585]

  Mr. Denham
  Work on site on the Phase 1b development at Barnet General Hospital began in February 1999. It is due to be completed in spring 2002.

  Anaesthetists
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultant anaesthetists posts are currently vacant in each NHS trust in the North West Region. [77360]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health indicated to the Health Committee recently, a survey of National Health Service staff shortages will be conducted shortly. The results of this survey will be discussed with interested organisations.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent anaesthetists are employed by each NHS trust in the North West Region; and what is the average number of clinical sessions scheduled per week by each trust. [77361]

  Mr. Denham
  The latest available information about the numbers of whole-time equivalent anaesthetists employed by each National Health Service trust in the North West Region is shown in the table. Information about the number of clinical sessions scheduled per week by each trust is not available.

  NHS Hospital Medical Staff in Anaesthetics in the North West Region of England by NHS trust at 30 September 1997

  Whole time equivalents

  Trusts in North West Region

  All staff

  All Hospital Medical Staff in Anaesthetics

  880

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  40

  Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust

  30

  Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust

  40

  Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust

  30

  Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust

  20

  Bury Healthcare NHS Trust

  20

  Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust

  60

  Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust

  20

  Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust

  20

  East Cheshire NHS Trust

  10

  Furness Hospitals NHS Trust

  10

  Halton General Hospital NHS Trust

  10

  Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  20

  Liverpool Womens Hospital NHS Trust

  10

  North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust

  30

  Oldham NHS Trust

  30

  Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  40

  Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust

  20

  746

  NHS Hospital Medical Staff in Anaesthetics in the North West Region of England by NHS trust at 30 September 1997

  Whole time equivalents

  Trusts in North West Region

  All staff

  Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

  40

  Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust

  20

  Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  40

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  70

  Southport and Formby Hospitals Services NHS Trust

  10

  St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust

  30

  Stockport Acute Services NHS Trust

  30

  Tameside and Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust

  20

  The Cardiothoracic Centre—Liverpool NHS Trust

  10

  The Manchester Children's Hospitals NHS Trust

  20

  The Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  20

  Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust

  20

  Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery NHS Trust

  0

  Warrington Hospitals NHS Trust

  20

  West Lancashire NHS Trust

  10

  Wigan and Leigh Health Service NHS Trust

  20

  Wirral Hospital NHS Trust

  30

  Wrightington Hospital NHS Trust

  10

  Notes:

  1. Figures rounded to nearest ten

  2. '0' denotes 5 or less

  3. Totals may not equal sum of components due to rounding

  Source:

  Department of Health Annual Medical and Dental Workforce Census

  Operating Department (Staff)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into the possible benefits of multi-skilling for operating department practitioners and theatre nurses; and if he will make a statement. [77359]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department has not commissioned any specific research on this topic. National Health Service employers are encouraged to develop multi-skilled employees where this is the best way to meet health service needs.

WALES

  Fur Farming
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of fur farming. [76997]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  There are no fur farms in Wales.

  The Government support the Private Member's Bill to prohibit fur farming which received its Second Reading on 5 March, and is now proceeding to Committee Stage.

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

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for organic farming in Wales. [76993]
  747
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Welsh Organic Food Sector Action Plan was launched by Mr. Gareth Rowlands, Chairman of the Organic Working Group, Mr. David Rowe-Beddoe, Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, and by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, on 8 March.

  The industry-led Plan sets out an agenda for developing the organic sector in Wales, with the aim of encouraging an expansion of organic farming to 10 per cent. of the Welsh agricultural produce.

  The Organic Conversion Information Service provides free advice to prospective organic farmers and the Organic Aid Scheme provides direct support for conversion. Subject to the approval of the European Commission, the new payments rates available under the Organic Aid Scheme are as follows:

  £ per hectare

  APPS eligible land

  Ineligible land

  Unimproved grassland rough grazing

  Year 1

  225

  175

  25

  Year 2

  135

  105

  10

  Year 3

  50

  40

  5

  Year 4

  20

  15

  5

  Year 5

  20

  15

  5

  Total

  450

  350

  50

  In future, following the transfer of functions, these issues will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assistance he will give to beef farmers to switch into(a) organic beef and (b) other products; and if he will make a statement. [76994]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Welsh Lamb and Beef Sector Action Plan was launched by Mr. John Lloyd Jones, Chairman of the Lamb and Beef Working Group, Mr. David Rowe-Beddoe, Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales, on 8 March. The industry-led Plan sets out an agenda for developing the Lamb and Beef sector in Wales, and the assistance that will be available to farmers.

  Subject to agreement by the European Commission, the payment rate available under the Organic Aid Scheme for beef farmers converting to organic production will be increased to £350 per hectare paid over five years. The current rate is £250 per hectare in non Less Favoured Areas and £50 in Less Favoured Areas.

  In future, following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the Assembly.

  CAP Reform
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the effect of the CAP Reform, on environmental improvement. [76996]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The new integrated rural development regulation, part of the Agenda 2000 CAP reform package agreed last week, makes it mandatory to introduce new agri-environmental schemes in all parts of all member states. In Wales, this is already in place in the form of Tir Gofal.
  748
  The regulation will also allow the UK to introduce a new scheme to replace Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances and deliver support to hill farmers more effectively while taking account of environmental protection requirements. The new scheme can be tailored to cater for differences and priorities in different areas within member states.

  The creation of the new integrated rural development regulation creates a good basis on which future reforms will be able to implement a switch from supporting agricultural production to environmental measures. The current reforms have not moved very far in this regard and the significant shift to environmental measures is a matter which will have to be pressed further in reform of the CAP in future.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the recently announced Reform of the CAP and its effect on the farming community of Alyn and Deeside. [76995]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The provisional agreement reached by the Agriculture Council represents a significant change in the direction of the CAP—a direction for which the UK Government have been strongly pressing. The Welsh Office is assessing how the proposed reforms will affect farmers in Wales.

  Rural Development Grants
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Round 7 EAGGF Objective 5b rural development grants have to date received matched funding. [76302]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering applications for Round 7 EAGGF Objective 5B rural development grants. Applicants will be notified shortly of decisions on their bids.

  In future, following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date (i) the Welsh Office Internal Review will be completed and (ii) rural development grants will be allocated. [76303]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering the allocation of Rural Development Grants. Applicants will be notified of the decisions on their bids shortly.

  In future, following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money has been allocated in rural development grants in each of the last four years. [76304]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The rural development grant scheme started in the financial year 1996–97, since when £2.345m has been allocated to match projects funded
  749
  under Rounds 1 to 6 of the EAGGF Objective 5b programme. The allocations for each of the years to date are:

  £

  Financial year

  Allocation

  1996–97

  911,353

  1997–98

  1,209,668

  1998–99

  1224,184

  1 These projects were submitted under Round 6 and were given conditional approval in 1997–98.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has completed his consideration of the applications for Round 7 EAGGF Objective 5B rural development grants and applicants will be notified shortly of decisions on their bids.

  In future, following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Foreign Workers (Rights)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to introduce legislation restricting the rights of foreign workers to sue their employers in British courts; and what assessment he has made of the implications of such legislation in respect of trade and human rights obligations. [76998]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government have no plans to introduce legislation restricting the rights of foreign workers to sue in the British courts.

  Cabinet Office Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 December 1998,Official Report, columns 724–24, if he will list the expenditure not included in his answer incurred by (a) his agencies and non-departmental public bodies and (b) the Central Office of Information for relevant work carried out for his Department. [71030]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]The information sought regarding the expenditure incurred by my agencies and non-departmental bodies is in the table.

  On behalf of my Department, £422,000 has been expended with the Central Office of Information for the production of a lay magistrates' recruitment campaign which began on 15 March 1999. This sum included national media placement in newspapers and magazines.

  Publications and publicity expenditure agencies and non-departmental bodies

  (1) The Court Service

  (a) Nil

  (b) This amount could only be provided at a disproportionate cost as staff recruitment is carried out within local budgets and therefore the overall cost is not readily available.

  (c) Nil

  (d) Nil

  (e) Nil

  750

  (2) The Northern Ireland Court Service

  (a) £10,000 (public opinion research)

  (b) £14,844 (primarily staff recruitment—newspaper advertising)

  (c) Nil

  (d) Nil

  (e) Nil

  (3) The Public Trust Office

  (a) £2,922 (public opinion survey on Charter standards)

  (b) £6,874 (staff recruitment—newspaper advertising)

  (c) Nil

  (d) £68,823—see table

  (e) Nil.

  The Public Trust Office—Publicity expenditure

  Department

  £

  Protection Division

  Printing of booklets (includes Handbook for Receivers, EPA booklet, Fees, Duties of Reciever etc)

  28,300.10

  Newsletter

  15,195.00

  43,495.10

  Receivership Division

  Printing of booklets (includes Charter Statement, Information for Nursing Homes etc)

  2,500

  2,500

  Trust Division

  Printing of Charter Statements

  2,063

  2,063

  Court Funds Office

  Printing of Charter Statements and Newsletter

  3,695

  3,695

  Corporate Publications

  Printing of Annual Report, Business Plan, Corporate Plan and How to Complain Leaflet

  12,069

  12,069

  Total

  63,823

  (4) The Public Record Office

  (a) Nil

  (b) £178,000 (of which £177,200 was expended for staff recruitment)

  (c) £220 (mailing labels)

  (d) £13,000

  'Preserving our Common Past for our Children's Future' (£5,000)

  Readers' Bulletin (£6,000)

  Education leaflet (£2,000)

  (e) Nil

  (5) Her Majesty's Land Registry

  (a) Nil

  (b) £97,657 for newspaper advertising (of which £61,000 relates to staff recruitment)

  (c) £9,988

  (d) £328,800 (including exhibitions and video production)

  (e) £38,640. A breakdown per item could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. However, £24,128 relates to the design and printing of literature (included in (d)) and £4,955 relates to advertising placed through the COI (included in (b)).

  751

  (6) The Legal Aid Board

  (a) £11,197

  public awareness survey of legal aid and of LAB franchising (£7,197)

  survey of legal aid practitioners re: services provided by LAB (£4,000)

  (b) £513,635

  staff recruitment—newspaper (£481,937)

  staff recruitment—radio (£868)

  Franchising freephone number (£30,830)

  (c) Nil

  (d) £399,187 (see below)

  (e) £2,177—for displaying legal aid information on videotaxt screens and the Internet.

  The Legal Aid Board

  Publicity expenditure

  £

  General

  1,196

  Press Cuttings

  3,878

  Duty Solicitor Newsletter

  868

  Focus Newsletter to legal aid Practitioners (seven issues)

  115,032

  Leaflets/Posters:

  'How to get free or low cost legal help'

  141,304

  'A practical guide to legal aid'

  'Criminal legal aid at the police station and in court'

  'What happens next?' leaflet

  7,998

  'Customer care—Legal Aid Board' leaflet

  2,564

  'Paying back the Legal Aid Board—the Statutory Charge'

  3,429

  'If you need this [LAB logo] look for this [franchising logo]'

  36,017

  Design of franchising logo

  876

  Posters and leaflets advertising the clinical negligence exclusive franchise launch

  33,462

  'Mediation—reaching agreements over divorce and separation' leaflet and poster

  15,051

  Conferences—national mediation launch

  14,000

  Regional Legal Services Committees—shaping the future of legal aid'

  5,969

  RLSC information pack

  12,518

  'Representations—what we do when you think legal aid should not be granted' leaflet

  2,008

  Duty Solicitors posters

  3,017

  Total

  399,187

  (7) The Law Commission

  (a) £3,685 (public opinion survey on empirical research on aspects of the law of damages)

  (b) £4,678 (staff recruitment—newspaper advertising)

  (c) Nil

  (d) Nil

  (e) Nil

  (8) The Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct (ACLEC)

  (a) Nil

  (b) Nil

  (c) Nil

  (d) £2,560

  'Guide to making an application' (£1,324)

  'The Committee: It's work and it's membership' (£1,236)

  (e) Nil

  (9) The Judicial Studies Board

  (a) Nil

  (b) Nil

  (c) Nil

  (d) Nil

  (e) Nil

  752

  (10) The Magistrates' Court Service Inspectorate

  (a) Nil

  (b) £8,994 (staff recruitment)

  (c) Nil

  (d) Nil

  (e) Nil

  (11) The Civil Justice Council

  (a) Nil

  (b) Nil

  (c) Nil

  (d) Nil

  (e) Nil.

EDUCION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Data Collection
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent assessment he has made of the amount of administrative work required to be undertaken by teachers in connection with collecting data for his Department. [75594]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department keeps under constant review the amount of administrative work required to be undertaken by teachers.

  National Grid for Learning
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress in the implementation of the National Grid for Learning. [75595]

  Mr. Mudie
  Plans for the National Grid for Learning are developing towards achievement of the targets announced in the National Grid for Learning Challenge "Open for Learning, Open for Business", launched in November 1998 by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

  Over £700 million will be allocated for schools purchase of ICT networking and infrastructure by the year 2002. This funding will enable all schools to be connected to the grid by 2002, and will provide them with on-line access to a wide range of educational and managerial resources.

  The Department published last year the results of a survey of ICT provision in schools, which indicated that 17 per cent. of primary schools and 83 per cent. of secondary schools were connected to the Internet by March 1998. This is in comparison to the previous year's survey (published in 1997), which indicated that 5 per cent. of primary schools and 47 per cent. of secondary schools were connected to the Internet at that time. Subsequent annual surveys will indicate the growth of schools with such connections. The latest estimates are that approximately 30 per cent. of primary schools, 90 per cent. of secondary schools and 45 per cent. of special schools in England may currently have some form of Internet access. The Government are committed to ensuring that all schools are connected to the Internet by 2002.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are currently in employment in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [75596]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Over 27¼ million people, the highest on record.

  SSA Formula
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the education element of the SSA formula. [75597]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Government will not seek to change the system of calculating standard spending assessments for the three years up to 2001–02. It will, nevertheless, be subject to review. Ministers at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will take the lead. This will involve local government representation and Ministers with local government service interests.

  Education (Financing)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he last met the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals to discuss the financing of education. [75598]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State had a useful meeting with the CVCP yesterday. The discussion ranged widely over a number of issues, including funding for higher education.

  Numeracy Hour
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in implementing the numeracy hour in primary schools. [75599]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Daily dedicated mathematics lessons will formally begin in primary schools this September. In practice many schools have already introduced them, alongside the literacy hour. Earlier this week, schools received copies of a teaching framework designed to support the introduction of the mathematics session.

  New Deal (Education and Training)
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the education and training options of the new deal. [75600]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Views on the education and training options offered under the New Deal are regularly received from a wide variety of education and training bodies, including Further Education Colleges, TECs and private training providers.

  Disability Rights Commission
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in establishing the Disability Rights Commission. [75601]
  754
  Ms Hodge
  Subject to Parliament enacting the Disability Rights Commission Bill, which was introduced into another place on 3 December 1998, we expect the Commission to be established in April 2000. Initial planning for the establishment of the Commission has begun. However, much of the work cannot commence until after Royal Assent of the Bill and the Chairman, Chief Executive and Commissioners have been appointed. We intend to make these appointments as soon as practicable after Royal Assent.

  Personal Job Accounts
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to introduce personal job accounts for the unemployed. [75602]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson),Official Report, column 1254.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress with the new deal for the young unemployed. [75603]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The New Deal for young people has made an encouraging start since its national roll-out in April 1998. The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of December 1998, and provisional Management Information to the end of January 1999, show that in Great Britain over 231,000 young people have already joined New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds. Of these 43,330 have found unsubsidised employment, 15,170 subsidised employment and 49,590 have joined one of the other three options.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the numbers of young people who have joined the New Deal. [75579]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The latest figures to the end of January show that 231,740 young people have joined the New Deal.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been spent to date on(a) subsidies,(b) allowances and (c) administration for the new deal for young people. [77181]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. David Maclean, dated 18 March 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about how much has been spent on subsidies, allowances and administration for the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  To the end of February, £16.2m has been brought to account on employment subsidies for young people and £28.6m on allowances for those participating in the training and work experience options under the programme. The cost so far of implementing and

  755
  managing New Deal has been £146.1m. This includes the initial expenditure on marketing, premises and IT equipment to establish the New Deal in its first year. All of these figures exclude the cost of payments to providers of New Deal.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Administrative Burdens (Schools)
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received regarding administrative burdens on schools; and if he will make a statement. [75604]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have met a wide range of teachers and organisations representing teachers over the past two years, and administrative burdens on schools were discussed at several of those meetings. We also answer many letters on the subject.

  In all of these meetings and correspondence, we have made it clear that we recognise the need to keep unnecessary burdens on teachers to a minimum to enable them to focus on raising standards. We have been working vigorously to do so and set out much of the detail of that work during the Opposition day debate on the subject on 2 March.

  Oversubscribed Schools
  Mr. Beard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made in enabling oversubscribed schools(a) to take in more pupils and (b) to keep their class sizes down. [75605]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are allocating over £150 million of funding for 1999/2000 to reduce infant class sizes for 5, 6 and 7-year-olds. This will enable over 1,600 popular schools to increase their intakes. The number of pupils in infant classes of over 30 will also fall from around 485,000 in January 1998 to under 200,000 in September 1999.

  New Deal (Statistics)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people have obtained employment through the new deal to date. [75606]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Government Statistical Service figure to the end of December 1998, and provisional Management Information to the end of January 1999, show that 58,500 young people have already found employment through or with the help of the New Deal initiative.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support and advice is given by new deal advisers to disabled people seeking employment. [75608]

  Ms Hodge
  People with disabilities who are eligible for New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds and those over the age of 25 receive the same range of support as other participants in these age groups. Those who would benefit from more specialist help and advice receive support from an Employment Service Disability Employment Adviser, who can offer access to the full range of disability programmes. In addition, New Deal for Disabled People 756
  offers those claiming Incapacity Benefit a client-focused service based on individual requirements and access to an extensive range of specialist disabled programmes.

  The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of December 1998 show that 13 per cent. of those who joined New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds and 19 per cent. of those who joined the New Deal for the 25-plus age group are recorded by the Employment Service as having a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

  Child Care Information Services
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made on the development of child care information services. [75609]

  Ms Hodge
  Good progress is being made to develop Children's Information Services that meet local needs. Partnerships in every area are developing information services, which will be supported by a joint project between the Department and the Department of Social Security to set up local internet-linked databases.

  Students (Hardship)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the extent of hardship among students. [75610]

  Mr. Mudie
  The most recent Student Income and Expenditure Survey for the academic year 1995–96 found no evidence of widespread student hardship. The next survey is now under way for the 1998–99 academic year.

  We have uprated students' total resources for 1999–2000 in line with forecast inflation, thus protecting their value in real terms. We have almost doubled the Access Funds to £44 million and have made hardship loans available for new students.

  School Governing Bodies
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact on(a) school costs and (b) school administration of the new provisions for additional parent representatives on school governing bodies. [75611]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Most schools will have to recruit only one more parent governor, and the value of additional parent representation should more than outweigh the cost of recruitment.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the implementation of the Government's policy to reduce class sizes to below 30 for five, six and seven-year-olds. [75612]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are providing a total of £620 million to enable the limit to be met ahead of schedule. The £150 million allocation we have announced for 1999–2000, which will provide an extra 2,500 teachers and build over 1,000 extra classrooms next year, will reduce the number of pupils in infant classes from
  757
  485,000 in January 1998 to fewer than 200,000 pupils in September 1999. The limit will be achieved in full in September 2001, ahead of our pledge to the electorate.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations he has received on classroom sizes. [75613]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department has received just one representation as part of our autumn 1998 review of The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996.

  New Deal (Staff)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many extra staff have been taken on by the Employment Service to administer the new deal and at what cost; and how many of those were taken on under the new deal scheme itself. [77182]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. David Maclean, dated 18 March 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about how many extra staff have been taken on by the Employment Service to administer the New Deal and at what cost; and how many of those were taken under the New Deal scheme itself. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Currently, there are some 3,500 Personal Advisers in the Employment Service working on the New Deals for young and older unemployed people, for Lone Parents and for people with disabilities, the great majority of whom have been recruited from within the Service. In addition many other staff are involved to some degree as part of their normal jobs in the support or management of New Deal programmes. Over the past year total staffing in the Employment Service has risen from around 34,000 to 36,000 reflecting the increasing demands on the Service as a whole, having reduced from a peak of over 50,000 in 1993–94.
  As part of the overall increase in staffing over the past year, the Employment Service has so far recruited 289 young people through the New Deal, of whom a number are involved in New Deal support functions.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Electronic Red Boxes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will name the Ministers in his Department who are regular users of electronic Red Boxes. [76174]

  Mr. Mudie
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 16 March 1999,Official Report, column 651.

  Pupil Funding
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much funding has been provided per pupil in each type of school in Stoke-on-Trent over the last two years; and what is the planned allocation for each of the next three years. [76279]
  758
  Ms Estelle Morris
  Funding per pupil at different types of school ultimately depends on decisions taken by Stoke-on-Trent local education authority in allocating its budget under fair funding. The following table sets out the education SSA per pupil allowances for Stoke-on-Trent over the last two years and the amount the authority will receive in 1999–2000. It is too soon to say what the amounts might be in 2000–01 and beyond. In addition, pupils in Stoke-on-Trent in 1999–2000 have benefited from £5,486,000 in the Standards Fund and £1,530,000 for capital.

  Year

  Primary

  Year-on-year increase

  Secondary

  Year-on-year increase

  1997–98

  2,043

  —

  2,692

  —

  1998–99

  2,155

  112 (5.5%)

  2,818

  125 (4.6%)

  1999–2000

  2,281

  125 (5.8%)

  2,940

  123 (4.4%)

  School Inspectors
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will provide a breakdown of the ethnic origins of inspectors carrying out Ofsted inspections of schools in each of the last three years; [77207]

  (2) what training is provided by Ofsted for inspectors carrying out inspections of schools; [77208]

  (3) what procedures Ofsted uses to monitor how many of its inspectors have experience of work in areas with significant ethnic minority communities. [77209]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  These are matters for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools and I have therefore asked Chris Woodhead to write to my hon. Friend and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Employment Zones
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many employment zones have been established to date; and what assessment he has made of their effectiveness. [76434]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To date, five prototype Employment Zones have been established in Glasgow, Liverpool and Sefton, North-West Wales, Plymouth and South Tees. Three smaller projects are also underway in Birmingham and Solihull, Wembley and Doncaster and Wakefield.

  The effectiveness of the prototypes is constantly being reviewed and evaluated. A qualitative evaluation is being undertaken jointly by Manchester and Leeds Metropolitan Universities and a quantitative survey is planned to run from May 1999 to June 1999. The outcome of the evaluation will be published at the end of the year.

  The lessons learned from the prototypes will feed into the framework for fully fledged Employment Zones, which will run on the personal job account model from April 2000.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the subject areas
  759
  within his Department's responsibilities which will be covered by the information campaign on Britain's membership of a single currency. [73666]

  Mr. Mudie
  Her Majesty's 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 HMT's "Outline National Changeover Plan" provides further information. Copies of the Plan are available in the Library.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [73589]

  Mr. Mudie
  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

  £

  FY 98–99

  FY 97–98

  FY 96–97

  Sponsored visits from Turkey to the UK

  18,927

  12,818

  unavailable

  Chevening Scholarships for Turkish students

  230,146

  123,214

  58,000

  Police training (under the ASSIST scheme, previously UKMTAS)

  143,460

  0

  0

  Command programme budgets (including training, environmental and human rights projects)

  291,880

  27,375

  25,678

  Human Rights Project Fund (established 1998)

  165,700

  —

  —

  1 Provisional

  2 Provisional figures including funding allocated in 1997–98 but dispersed in 1998–99 or not yet dispersed

  All applications for financing projects under the Human Rights Project Fund, the Command Programme Budgets and ASSIST are considered against a range of criteria, which themselves derive from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Objectives.

  Projects once authorised are subject to supervision by the Embassy in Akara. The Embassy provides reports to relevant FCO departments on projects as they develop and assessments of projects on completion.

  Electronic Red Boxes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the Ministers in his Department who are regular users of electronic Red Boxes. [76177]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office,Official Report, 16 March 1999, columns 651–52.

  European Commission Funding
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the position of his Department on the amendment to European Communities budget line B3–306 proposed by the Commission, to remove reference to any prohibition on these funds being used for propaganda purposes; what representations he made on the issue; and what assessment he has made of alternative uses for the funds. [76276]
  760
  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.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the financial assistance given to Turkey by his Department in each of the last three years, stating(a) the amount of funding, (b) the projects for which the funding was allocated and (c) what supervision his Department conducted on the development of these projects. [74638]

  Ms Quin
  The information is as follows:

  Ms Quin
  The notes in the EC Budget have no legal status and are indicative only. Under Article 205, the Commission retains the obligation to implement the budget as adopted on its own authority. The notes are proposed by the Commission and amended by either arm of the budgetary authority (Council or European Parliament). For non-compulsory expenditure, as in the case of this budget line, the Parliament has the final say.

  The Government believe that information spending from the Community budgets should not be used for propaganda, but should contribute to increased transparency and understanding of the EU, its activities, its structure and its functions, by the citizen. This is a view shared by the Commission.

  James Miles and Paul Loseby
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact there has been between his Department and the parents of Paul Loseby and James Miles since 1 January 1999. [76427]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Since 1 January, consular staff have been in frequent contact with the parents of Paul Loseby and James Miles.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the legislative steps required to enable citizens of Gibraltar to vote in elections of the European Parliament. [76638]
  761
  Ms Quin
  Extension of the European Parliamentary franchise to Gibraltar will require amendment of the 1976 EC Act on Direct Elections. This will require the agreement of all EU Member States. HMG will seek such an amendment in the current negotiations in Brussels on establishing Common Principles for EP Elections. Once an amendment Act is agreed, it will require ratification in all Member States. We will also need to amend UK domestic legislation.

  Travel (Millennium Date Change)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to inform the public about the potential problems associated with(a) travelling, (b) living and (c) doing business overseas during the millennium date-change period. [77195]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are issuing two sets of advice about potential Millennium Bug disruptions overseas. The first will alert British nationals who plan to travel, or will be resident overseas in the period late 1999 to early 2000 to the problem. The second will address the possible international consequences of the Millennium Bug for British businesses. Copies of these advice notices have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Rambouillet
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the response of his Department to the letter of 5 March from the Serbian presidency on Rambouillet. [77155]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Officials discussed the issues raised in the letter with the Yugoslav Ambassador on 8 March. They made it clear that the Rambouillet agreement was a fair and balanced text, following extensive consultations with both sides. The Contact Group was not now prepared to renegotiate the text.

  The officials also pointed out that the Serbian delegation at Rambouillet had agreed to discuss the scope and character of an international presence in Kosovo necessary to implement the agreement.

  Democratic Countries
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that Her Majesty's Government classes as democratic. [77435]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The large majority of states now, at least in principle, aspire to democratic government. But this involves much more than just holding free and fair elections. Transparent and accountable government, freedom of expression and association, and the rule of law are also essential to genuine democracy. Rather than producing league tables, which are liable to be misleading, we are working, through political pressure and practical assistance, to promote the establishment and strengthening of such democratic systems around the world.

  Ambassadors for British Business
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the visits undertaken by each business ambassador. [77341]
  762
  Mr. Fatchett
  The Ambassadors for British Business have participated in more than 120 events in 35 countries. The visits undertaken by each of the Ambassadors for British Business are listed.

  Sir Christopher Benson—Albright and Wilson plc
  India—February 1999

  Sir John Browne—BP Amoco
  Kuwait—June 1998

  Allan Gormly—BPB plc
  Brazil—March 1999

  Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge—British Airways plc

  Malta—March 1997

  Peru—December 1997

  Italy—March 1998

  USA—March 1998

  USA—June 1998

  Switzerland—September 1998

  USA—September 1998

  USA—November 1998

  USA—January 1999

  India—February 1999

  Hong Kong—March 1999

  Tony Pedder—British Steel plc

  India—February 1998

  Turkey—July 1998

  Taiwan—October 1998

  Turkey—November 1998

  Sir lain Vallance—British Telecommunications (BT)

  Germany—April 1998

  France—May 1998

  China—June 1998

  Spain—September 1998

  Lord Paul—Caparo Group Ltd.

  India—December 1997

  Nepal—January 1998

  USA—January 1998

  India—May 1998

  Germany—September 1998

  Finland—September 1998

  USA—October 1998

  Bangladesh—December 1998

  India—January 1999

  Turkey—March 1999

  Hong Kong—March 1999

  India—March 1999

  Adair Turner—CBI

  Austria—January 1998

  Brazil—September 1998

  Egypt—October 1998

  USA—March 1999

  Sir David Alliance—Coats Viyella

  Israel—May 1998

  USA—November 1998

  Sir Colin Southgate—EMI Group plc
  Czech Republic—October 1998
  763
  Martin Sorrell—WPP Group plc

  Japan—February 1998

  USA—April 1998

  Brazil—April 1998

  Egypt—May 1998

  USA—October 1998.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the cost to public funds of the business ambassador scheme. [77342]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Ambassadors for British Business meet their own travel and accommodation costs on their overseas trips. There are some administrative costs to the department in staff time and for the initial meeting and follow up reception in London. In addition our Ambassadors at overseas posts sometimes make use of their entertainment budgets to host an event in connection with the scheme.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many business ambassadors there are currently. [77340]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There are currently 36 Ambassadors for British Business. They include the Chairman or Chief Executive of some of Britain's largest and internationally successful companies and represent a wide cross-section of the British private sector.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the role of Ambassadors for British Business will change following the creation of British Trade International; and what changes there have been in the list of these ambassadors in the past year. [77551]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Ambassadors for British Business scheme will be administered by British Trade International. There will be no change in the role of the Ambassadors for British Business.

  There have been two deletions to the list during the past year; Mr. James Leek, McLeod Russel Holdings plc, in June 1998 and Lord Sainsbury in July 1998 when he became a member of the Government.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the explanation given to the UN by the Iraqis for the non-distribution of $275 million worth of medicinal supplies; and what reports he has received concerning incomplete apparatus and quality control tests on these supplies. [77254]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I share my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's assessment, as set out in the answer of 16 March 1999,Official Report, column 573, of the Iraqi memorandum about the non-distribution of $275m worth of medical supplies. It is an unconvincing attempt by Iraq to divert responsibility for the distribution problems in the centre and south on to others. In the northern governorates, where distribution is carried out by UN agencies, no problems in the distribution of medical goods were noted in the UN Secretary-General's report.
  764
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the British delegation at the UN has taken to implement UN resolutions in regard to the children in Iraq. [77327]

  Mr. Fatchett
  HMG has always worked to ensure that UN Security Council resolutions on Iraq are implemented. We were at the forefront of efforts to introduce the UN "oil for food" humanitarian programme and continue to do all we can to help the Iraqi people. Recently, the UK mission has been working at the UN to press Iraq to prioritise contracts effectively, so that the food and health needs of the Iraqi people, including vulnerable groups such as infants, are put first. They have, for example, raised concerns that Iraq has not so far submitted contracts to the Sanctions Committee for high protein biscuits (for pregnant and lactating mothers) and has submitted contracts for only $1.5 million (out of $8.7 million) for high protein milk for infants.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the killing by Western aircraft of an oil-for-food programme monitor. [77358]

  Mr. Fatchett
  None.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the basis is in international law for the concept of no-fly zones. [77354]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The No Fly Zones were established in April 1991 and August 1992 in support of UN Security Council resolution 688 which called on Iraq to end its repression of the civilian population. The No Fly Zones are justified under international law in response to a situation of overwhelming humanitarian necessity.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has obtained on the categories of information exchanged between the US and UNSCOM. [77260]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 8 March 1999,Official Report, column 15, and the answer I gave him on 9 March 1999, Official Report, column 181.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about possible external involvement in the murder of Ayatollah Muhammed Saddiq al-Sadr at Najaf. [77253]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have seen press reports that the Government of Iraq have blamed external forces for the murder of Ayatollah al-Sadr. But others, including credible Iraqi Shia sources, hold the Iraqi regime responsible for the assassination. The UN Special Rapporteur previously expressed his fears that such killings formed part of a systematic attack on the independent leadership of Shia muslims in Iraq. We urge the Iraqi authorities to conduct a full investigation into al-Sadr's death and bring the perpetrators to justice.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons(a) disinfectant and (b) coffins are included in UN sanctions on Iraq. [77328]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Under the UN "oil for food" programme, Iraq is allowed to import goods for essential civilian needs, such as disinfectant and coffins.
  765
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the supply of radiotherapy equipment, chemotherapy drugs and analgesics to Iraq has been blocked by British advisers. [77255]

  Mr. Fatchett
  96 per cent. of the contracts submitted by Iraq to the Security Council under the UN "oil for food" programme have been approved. The majority of holds are put in place because paperwork is either incorrect or insufficient. The UK currently has holds on six contracts for medical supplies because the full details required by the UN have not been provided (and in one case because the contract is illegible). I can assure my hon. Friend that the equipment and drugs he specifies do not feature on any of these contracts.

  Overseas Trade Services
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the overseas trade services provided to companies in the last year to which figures are available together with the revenue received by his Department(a) by service and (b) by company. [77489]

  Mr. Fatchett
  5,179 chargeable export services were performed for UK companies during financial year 1997–98 yielding a total of £1.23 million. This revenue accrues to the Department of Trade and Industry. These services fall into two main categories: Tailored Market Information, which can include basic market information, identification and assessment of potential agents/distributors, market assessments for a company's product or service, advice on a company's market approach and general information on local investment opportunities; and Commercial Publicity Services. To provide a breakdown of the services provided to individual companies during this period would involve disproportionate
  cost.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Central Asia
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to encourage British business to enter into joint ventures and invest in Central Asia. [63546]

  Clare Short
  An important element of the White Paper's objective of reducing global poverty, is socially responsible partnership with British Business. In Central Asia, we are hoping to work with British Gas. Through a special scheme, we have helped British companies investigate investment opportunities. Our main programmes of assistance in these countries necessarily focus on supporting their transition (to market economies and pluralist democracies) in an equitable and sustainable manner. To this end, in Central Asia we are working with governments to tackle agriculture and health reform, whilst at the same time also helping build civil society.

  Zimbabwe
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current status of the organisational development project with the Zimbabwe Republic police. [77247]
  766
  Clare Short
  The project was approved in December 1996. It aims to provide efficient and accountable police services to the people of Zimbabwe, especially the poor and disadvantaged. Recent reviews by the Department for International Development indicate that the project is making good progress and is likely to achieve its aim. The Zimbabwe Republic Police are already working more closely with local communities in the planning and delivery of improved police services.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she next plans to visit Nigeria. [76966]

  Clare Short
  I have no firm plans to visit Nigeria but would aim to do so if a visit would help take forward a Nigerian programme to reduce poverty.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will meet Karol Sikora, Chief of the WHO Cancer Programme and Professor of International Cancer Medicine, to discuss the cancer situation in Iraq. [77256]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Department for International Development has not been asked to meet Karol Sikora, but my officials are in contact with WHO about the health care needs of Iraqi people, including cancer. Discussions are at an early stage, but we hope they will lead to a joint project.

  Organisation of African Unity
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will place a copy of the agreement made in February 1999 between her Department and the Organisation of African Unity in the Library. [77490]

  Clare Short
  In February the Department for International Development entered into an agreement with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to provide initial support to their Conflict Management Centre as part of a longer term partnership approach to building OAU capacity in the area of conflict prevention and peace-building. This initiative is part of our conflict reduction strategy: specifically our aim to support the role of regional and sub regional organisations in conflict prevention.

  We are providing USD 515,800, equivalent to approximately £320,000, over 20 months for human resource capacity building in the OAU Conflict Management Centre. Our contribution covers recruitment and salary costs for 4 advisers—i.e., one senior political officer and three regional desk officers—who will be contracted by the OAU for a period of 18 months. In addition, we are providing technical advice to assist in completion of the OAU Conflict Management Centre's Capacity Building Programme document which will be presented to OAU Member States and potential funding partners.
  767
  A copy of the exchange of letters with the Organisation of African Unity, including the Project Memorandum for the Capacity Building Programme, which constitutes our agreement with them will be placed in the Library of the House.

TREASURY

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times(a) he and (b) his officials have met Welsh Office (i) Ministers and (ii) officials within the last six weeks to discuss matched funding for (1) Objective 1 and (2) Objective 2 in Wales. [76902]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]Ministers and officials are in regular dialogue on all matters of policy.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken(a) nationally and (b) internationally to avert a liquidity crisis in the event of the millennium non-compliance of computer systems. [76058]

  Mrs. Roche
  The best way to proceed is for financial institutions to achieve a high degree of Year 2000 compliance. The primary responsibility for achieving that lies with the industry. The Financial Services Authority regards this as a major supervisor priority and has made it clear that firms which fail to implement appropriate measures face regulatory intervention. The Bank of England has been making strenuous efforts to ensure that payment and settlement systems are well prepared. The UK financial services sector is generally regarded as a leader in working towards Year 2000 preparedness.

  Internationally, there are a number of groups working on increasing awareness and promoting preparedness, including the Joint Year 2000 Council of the international regulatory organisations, on which the FSA is represented.

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 15 March; and if he will make a statement. [77267]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor and I attended the Economic and Financial Council—ECOFIN—of the European Union in Brussels on 15 March 1999.
  768
  There was a discussion of both expenditure and resources under Agenda 2000, which led to Presidency conclusions. These noted that while Ministers favoured the maintenance of the compromise package for agriculture, there was "broad support" for measures to reduce its budgetary cost.

  The Commission and the Chairman of the Economic and Finance Committee presented draft Opinions on the Stability programmes of Spain, Germany, Belgium, France and Luxembourg. The Council adopted the Opinions on each.

  There was an orientation debate on the structural aspects of the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, based on preparatory reports by the Commission and the Economic Policy Committee. These analyse Member States' assessments of their product, capital and labour markets which were produced in response to a request by the Cardiff European Council

  The President of the Court of Auditors, Mr. Jan Karlsson, introduced the report of the Court of Auditors for 1997. The Council adopted a recommendation for the discharge of the 1997 Budget.

  The Council adopted conclusions calling for a strengthening of the fight against fraud.

  The Commission presented its Communication to the Council on Duty Free in response to a remit from Vienna European Council which was published very recently. No decision was taken.

  The Council noted an interim report by the Presidency of discussions of the draft directive on the taxation of energy products and invited the Committee of Permanent Representatives to continue its work.

  The Commission presented a proposal for an optional, experimental and time limited reduced rate of VAT on labour intensive services, in response to a request from the Vienna European Council.

  Flexible Mortgages
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he has taken to encourage the provision of flexible mortgages; and if he will make a statement. [77012]

  Ms Armstrong
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]I have been asked to reply.

  In meetings and other engagements, I have encouraged mortgage lenders to develop and market more mortgage products with flexible repayment arrangements. My Department is continuing to pursue this through discussions with lenders and insurers aimed at providing better protection for home buyers.

SCOTLAND

  Press Releases
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the conventions governing the propriety and cost of press releases issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies; and what is the total cost of the press releases issued since May 1997. [71468]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]The rules governing the work of the Government Information and Communication Service (GICS) are laid down in the Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service published by the Cabinet Office in July 1997. More specific guidance on the writing and issuing of press releases is given in the working guide for Government Information Officers. Copies of both documents are in the Library of the House.

  The cost of press releases issued by my Department and its agencies since May 1997 is £119,182.

  I will ask Chief Executives of non-departmental bodies to write to the hon. Member shortly on this matter.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many press releases have been issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each of the years 1990 to 1998. [71453]

  Model

  Number

  Age (years)

  Total purchase price £

  Total annual running cost (£) (1 February 1998 to 31 January 1999)

  Small/medium saloon

  5

  Over 9

  34,515

  3,141

  Small/medium saloon

  5

  8 to 9

  39,429

  4,588

  Small/medium saloon

  23

  7 to 8

  191,236

  25,594

  Small/medium saloon

  18

  6 to 7

  151,358

  23,976

  Small/medium saloon

  27

  5 to 6

  242,965

  38,099

  Large saloon

  4

  5 to 6

  65,500

  12,700

  Small/medium saloon

  28

  4 to 5

  260,307

  41,899

  Large saloon

  1

  4 to 5

  15,200

  2,450

  Small/medium saloon

  16

  3 to 4

  187,400

  26,110

  Small/medium

  39

  2 to 3

  345,982

  49,130

  Small/medium

  68

  1 to 2

  604,987

  76,421

  Large saloon

  5

  1 to 2

  85,340

  10,690

  Small/medium saloon

  5

  Under 1

  49,380

  1,152

  The large saloon cars are used for the Government Car Service (GCS) in Scotland. At present, 8 chauffeurs are employed to provide this service. The number of chauffeurs has varied depending on demand on the GCS. The total annual cost of employing chauffeurs during the past five years is detailed in the table.

  Year

  Cost (£)

  1994

  150,000

  1995

  156,000

  1996

  165,000

  770
  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 16 February 1999]The number of press releases issued by my Department and its agencies is set out in the list. I will ask Chief Executives of non-departmental bodies to write to the hon. Member shortly with this information.

  Number of press releases

  1990: 2,101

  1991: 2,040

  1992: 2,098

  1993: 2,101

  1994: 1,820

  1995: 2,028

  1996: 2,487

  1997: 2,314

  1998: 2,896.

  Departmental Cars
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the cars owned by his Department, its agencies and public bodies, giving in each case the(a) age, (b) purchase cost and (c) annual running cost; how many of these cars have chauffeurs; and at what annual cost in each of the last five years. [69203]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]The information requested about cars owned by my Department and its Executive Agencies is listed in the table. Information about cars owned by other public bodies is not held centrally.

  Year

  Cost (£)

  1997

  155,000

  1998

  160,000

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

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the(a) average and (b) longest waiting time for each accident and emergency department in Scotland in each year since 1996. [74513]
  771
  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 10 March 1999]Centrally held information on waiting times in Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments is derived from a series of week-long surveys of patients carried out in the 32 A&E Departments across Scotland.

  NHS in Scotland: A&E Waiting Times: Time from arrival to completion of treatment by survey 1 and type of patient

  June 1996 Survey

  Trolley cases

  Walking wounded

  Hospital

  Median wait (minutes)

  95th percentile 2 (minutes)

  Median wait (minutes)

  95th percentile 2 (minutes)

  Crosshouse Hospital

  45

  154

  63

  162

  The Ayr Hospital

  81

  197

  97

  212

  Borders General Hospital

  98

  235

  60

  160

  Vale of Leven District General Hospital

  69

  166

  69

  193

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital

  55

  128

  37

  84

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  69

  171

  59

  148

  Victoria Hospital

  69

  200

  71

  150

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  67

  170

  49

  115

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  85

  235

  74

  163

  Stobhill Hospital

  55

  154

  50

  130

  Victoria Infirmary Hospital

  22

  88

  22

  66

  Southern General Hospital

  71

  158

  50

  179

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow

  74

  155

  55

  145

  Glasgow Western Infirmary

  85

  185

  95

  215

  Raigmore Hospital

  67

  174

  35

  111

  Monklands District Hospital

  100

  222

  73

  175

  Law Hospital

  48

  95

  40

  107

  Hairmyres Hospital

  50

  101

  39

  110

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  112

  266

  95

  274

  Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital

  38

  115

  49

  120

  Dr. Gray's Hospital

  85

  219

  49

  129

  Belfour

  3—

  3—

  15

  36

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children

  71

  175

  55

  163

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  93

  225

  89

  227

  St. John's at Howden, Livingston

  66

  154

  62

  167

  Dundee Royal Infirmary

  74

  182

  48

  130

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  72

  155

  68

  194

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  65

  140

  45

  113

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  70

  180

  70

  161

  Western Isles Hospital

  50

  210

  30

  135

  Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

  71

  141

  35

  116

  Gilbert Bain Memorial Hospital

  3—

  3—

  27

  105

  NHS in Scotland: A&E Waiting Times: Time from arrival to completion of treatment by survey 1 and type of patient

  March 1997 Survey

  Trolley cases

  Walking wounded

  Hospital

  Median wait (minutes)

  95th percentile 2 (minutes)

  Median wait (minutes)

  95th percentile 2 (minutes)

  Crosshouse Hospital

  32

  150

  49

  132

  The Ayr Hospital

  71

  162

  64

  139

  Borders General Hospital

  75

  183

  50

  144

  Vale of Leven District General Hospital

  67

  170

  45

  144

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital

  66

  167

  46

  132

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  90

  204

  84

  199

  Victoria Hospital

  75

  195

  83

  168

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  67

  190

  43

  135

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  110

  239

  92

  223

  Stobhill Hospital

  60

  160

  46

  120

  Victoria Infirmary Hospital

  38

  107

  29

  86

  Southern General Hospital

  72

  146

  45

  119

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow

  28

  92

  37

  117

  Glasgow Western Infirmary

  85

  210

  82

  175

  772
  Data at the level of detail requested are not held centrally. Information on the median and the time which 95 per cent. of patients waited from arrival at A&E to completion of treatment, since 1996, is provided in the table. Information on the Accident and Emergency Surveys is published annually in Scottish Health Statistics, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
  773

  NHS in Scotland: A&E Waiting Times: Time from arrival to completion of treatment by survey 1 and type of patient

  March 1997 Survey

  Trolley cases

  Walking wounded

  Hospital

  Median wait (minutes)

  95th percentile 2 (minutes)

  Median wait (minutes)

  95th percentile 2 (minutes)

  Raigmore Hospital

  88

  217

  41

  120

  Monklands District Hospital

  94

  239

  77

  204

  Law Hospital

  66

  155

  46

  137

  Hairmyres Hospital

  75

  184

  48

  130

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  121

  287

  98

  212

  Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital

  40

  111

  38

  101

  Dr. Gray's Hospital

  85

  197

  45

  120

  Belfour

  4—

  4—

  21

  65

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children

  80

  159

  58

  149

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  112

  283

  118

  274

  St. John's at Howden, Livingston

  67

  195

  58

  174

  Dundee Royal Infirmary

  84

  210

  45

  115

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  65

  138

  43

  136

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  75

  205

  70

  170

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  59

  153

  70

  171

  Western Isles Hospital

  80

  120

  39

  97

  Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

  62

  197

  35

  106

  Gilbert Bain Memorial Hospital

  3—

  3—

  35

  130

  NHS in Scotland: A&E Waiting Times: Time from arrival to completion of treatment by survey 1 and type of patient

  November/December 1997 Survey

  Trolley cases

  Walking wounded

  Hospital

  Median wait (minutes)

  95th percentile 2 (minutes)

  Median wait (minutes)

  95th percentile 2 (minutes)

  Crosshouse Hospital

  41

  129

  51

  150

  The Ayr Hospital

  63

  138

  52

  139

  Borders General Hospital

  90

  219

  53

  171

  Vale of Leven District General Hospital

  84

  179

  47

  161

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital

  80

  189

  57

  136

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  79

  206

  60

  159

  Victoria Hospital

  83

  194

  81

  182

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  90

  193

  47

  121

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  71

  183

  46

  131

  Stobhill Hospital

  50

  155

  50

  120

  Victoria Infirmary Hospital

  33

  91

  22

  84

  Southern General Hospital

  72

  161

  62

  158

  Glasgow Western Infirmary

  86

  214

  84

  203

  Raigmore Hospital

  60

  149

  33

  107

  Monklands District Hospital

  76

  195

  66

  174

  Law Hospital

  55

  160

  44

  108

  Hairmyres Hospital

  75

  223

  60

  137

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  111

  236

  84

  193

  Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital

  3—

  3—

  39

  95

  Dr. Gray's Hospital

  80

  184

  45

  126

  Belfour

  4—

  4—

  34

  4—

  Royal Hospital for Sick Children

  86

  197

  50

  163

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  97

  265

  71

  242

  St. John's at Howden, Livingston

  69

  193

  51

  163

  Dundee Royal Infirmary

  96

  222

  57

  135

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  62

  207

  47

  150

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  75

  196

  40

  110

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  60

  160

  45

  115

  Western Isles Hospital

  65

  140

  35

  130

  Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

  60

  168

  34

  103

  Gilbert Bain Memorial Hospital

  3—

  3—

  35

  100

  1 Figures based on week-long surveys in A&E Departments

  2 Time in which 95% of all patients treatment was completed

  3 Not shown—number of cases less than or equal to 10

  4 Not applicable

  Source:

  ISD, Scotland
  774 775
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish parliament.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many written representations the Scottish Office has received which support assisted area status funding for the Falkirk Council area. [75928]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 17 March 1999]Some 26 written representations in support of the continuing designation of the Falkirk area as an Assisted Area have now been received by The Scottish Office. Comments have been made on the criteria which might be used in designating the new Assisted Areas and the geographical units which could be employed, and all such representations, of course, imply support for regional aid towards investment assistance to industry to continue to be made available. The main form of this aid is currently Regional Selective Assistance, which may only be granted in the Assisted Areas.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the written representations received by the Scottish Office regarding the allocation of assisted area status funds in Scotland following the current review. [75927]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 17 March 1999]No such representations have been received.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations the Scottish Office has made to the Department of Trade and Industry in relation to the review of assisted area status. [75925]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 17 March 1999]The Department of Trade and Industry is conducting the review of the GB Assisted Areas map jointly with The Scottish Office and other Government Departments.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations the Scottish Office has made to the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the allocation of assisted area status funds in Scotland following the current review. [75926]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 17 March 1999]None. The overall level of investment assistance to industry in the designated Assisted Areas of Scotland, primarily through the operation of the Regional Selective Assistance scheme, is met from the Scottish Block.

  Royal Commission on Long-term Care
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing paragraph 6.53 of the report by the Royal Commission on Long-term Care(a) to the Scottish Executive and (b) to local authorities. [75493]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 10 March 1999]Paragraph 6.53 of the Royal Commission report recommends that personal care should be free both in residential settings and at home and estimates the UK cost 776
  at £1.12 billion. The approximate Scottish share of this total, based on the proportion of people over 65 living in Scotland, would be £94.4 million.

  We are undertaking work at present to refine this figure further to take into account the differences in relative wealth, cost of residential and home based care and service provision in Scotland.

  From 1 July 1999, these matters will be for the Scottish Parliament.

  Care and Repair Grants
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 133, on care and repair grants, if he will break down the sum spent from revenue funding in 1997–98 by local authority. [76373]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The total value of works completed in 1997–98 was around £6 million, covering some 1,400 homes. Revenue funding in 1997–98 amounted to £1.2 million. Scottish Homes and Local Authorities normally fund the revenue costs on a 50/50 basis. However, the break-down by local authority is not held centrally.

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

  Pupil-teacher Ratios
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the pupil-to-teacher ratios were in Scottish(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools for (i) 1998–99 and (ii) the four previous years. [76243]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The available information is set out in the table.

  Pupil-teacher ratios in publicly funded primary and secondary schools in Scotland

  Primary

  Secondary

  1994–95

  19.5

  12.9

  1995–96

  19.5

  12.9

  1996–97

  19.6

  13.0

  1997–98

  19.9

  13.2

  1998–991

  19.4

  2—

  1 Provisional

  2 Not yet available

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

  Salaries (Education)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the current salaries of the principals of the institutions of further and higher education in Scotland. [76241]

  Mrs. Liddell
  It is for individual Boards of Management of incorporated further education (FE) colleges to determine the remuneration of college Principals. Information on their current salaries will not be available centrally until colleges 1998–99 annual accounts are submitted next year. The remuneration
  777
  (including benefits-in-kind, taxable expense allowances and bonuses) of Principals for 1997–98, as shown in the colleges 1997–98 accounts, is as follows:

  £000

  College

  Salary excluding pension contribution 1997–98

  Aberdeen College

  79

  Angus College

  51

  Anniesland College

  51

  Ayr College

  70

  Banff and Buchan College of Further Education

  57

  The Barony College

  47

  Bell College of Technology

  60

  Borders College

  53

  Cardonald College

  74

  Central College of Commerce

  60

  Clackmannan College of Further Education

  50

  Clydebank College

  57

  Coatbridge College

  52

  Cumbernauld College

  52

  Dumfries and Galloway College

  59

  Dundee College

  68

  Elmwood College

  56

  Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education

  68

  Fife College

  62

  Glasgow College of Building and Printing

  68

  Glasgow College of Food Technology

  50

  Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

  56

  Glenrothes College

  62

  Inverness College

  49

  James Watt College of Further and Higher Education

  75

  Jewel and Esk Valley College

  61

  John Wheatley College

  48

  Kilmarnock College

  64

  Langside College

  67

  Lauder College

  57

  Lews Castle College

  48

  Moray College

  165

  Motherwell College

  59

  North Glasgow College

  63

  Oatridge Agricultural College

  47

  Perth College

  66

  Reid Kerr College

  60

  South Lanarkshire College2

  53

  Stevenson College

  62

  Stow College

  71

  Edinburgh's Telford College

  63

  Thurso College

  54

  West Lothian College

  51

  1 Moray College has not yet submitted approved Annual Accounts for 1997–98 to the Department. The figure shown is the salary for 1996–97.

  2 Formerly called Cambuslang College.

  The Department does not collect information about the salaries of Principals of higher education institutions in Scotland nor of FE institutions other than incorporated FE colleges. These are autonomous bodies responsible for the pay and conditions of their staff.

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

  Autism
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what statutory provisions require an education authority 778
  to provide a relevant education service for an individual child with autistic spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement. [76404]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Education authorities have a duty under section 1 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to secure the adequate and efficient provision of school education for the children in their area, including children with special educational needs. This includes children with autistic spectrum disorders.

  The Government are implementing a number of measure, announced in November 1998, to assist authorities to improve provision for children with special educational needs. This includes increased investment of £2.5 million per year in in-service development and training for staff working with children with special educational needs, including those with autism.

  Electronic Red Boxes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will name the Ministers in his Department who are regular users of electronic Red Boxes. [76172]

  Mr. Dewar
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given on 16 March 1999,Official Report, column 65, by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office.

  Agri-Environment Programme
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Scottish Agri-Environment Programme. [76364]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The number of participants in the Scottish Agri-Environment Programme is increasing and we have responded by making extra resources available. Expenditure was £9.7 million in 1997–98 and is planned to reach £13 million this year and £22 million by 2001–02. A number of improvements to existing schemes are planned for this year and a new all-Scotland scheme is on course for introduction during the Spring of 2000 under Agenda 2000.

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

  Infective Salmon Anaemia
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to seek recategorisation of infective salmon anaemia as a List 3 disease. [76214]

  Mr. Macdonald
  None. We remain committed to the eradication of infectious salmon anaemia from our waters.

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

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is taking to promote vaccination of salmon against infective salmon anaemia. [76211]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Vaccination against infectious salmon anaemia is not compatible with our strategy of eradication and is not permitted by EC and domestic legislation.

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

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil servants in his Department have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks; how many civil servants in his Department have refused to waive the requirement; and what is the total cost of compliance with the Directive. [76801]

  Mr. Dewar
  36 staff have signed an agreement to disapply the 48-hour limit. Two staff have declined.

  The standard terms and conditions of service for staff employed by the Scottish Office are well within the limits set by the Working Time Regulations. Compliance costs are not kept centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Waiting Lists
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the average waiting times for each health board for(a) knee and (b) hip joint replacement operations for September (i) 1992, (ii) 1993, (iii) 1994, (iv) 1995 and (v) 1996. [76152]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]The mean waiting time for knee and hip joint replacement operations by Health Board for the years ending 30 September for the period requested, is provided in the table.

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

  NHS in Scotland: Mean waiting times by Health Board for knee and hip joint replacements for the year ended 30 September 1992–96

  Year ending/health board

  Knee replacement mean wait (days)

  Hip joint replacement mean wait (days)

  1992

  Argyll and Clyde

  168

  127

  Ayrshire and Arran

  124

  121

  Borders

  96

  63

  Dumfries and Galloway

  224

  216

  Fife

  151

  115

  Forth Valley

  168

  137

  Grampian

  81

  93

  Greater Glasgow

  130

  140

  Highland

  193

  168

  Lanarkshire

  114

  110

  Lothian

  168

  137

  Orkney

  32

  24

  Shetland

  32

  31

  Tayside

  163

  112

  Western Isles

  233

  113

  1993

  Argyll and Clyde

  140

  131

  Ayrshire and Arran

  129

  109

  Borders

  60

  66

  Dumfries and Galloway

  236

  214

  Fife

  149

  128

  Forth Valley

  233

  157

  Grampian

  101

  89

  Greater Glasgow

  124

  114

  Highland

  206

  150

  Lanarkshire

  142

  140

  Lothian

  167

  140

  Orkney

  40

  36

  Shetland

  70

  57

  780

  NHS in Scotland: Mean waiting times by Health Board for knee and hip joint replacements for the year ended 30 September 1992–96

  Year ending/health board

  Knee replacement mean wait (days)

  Hip joint replacement mean wait(days)

  Tayside

  100

  93

  Western Isles

  261

  163

  1994

  Argyll and Clyde

  152

  116

  Ayrshire and Arran

  125

  100

  Borders

  82

  65

  Dumfries and Galloway

  267

  237

  Fife

  138

  129

  Forth Valley

  219

  180

  Grampian

  100

  88

  Greater Glasgow

  181

  161

  Highland

  190

  140

  Lanarkshire

  144

  141

  Lothian

  145

  138

  Orkney

  28

  25

  Shetland

  99

  100

  Tayside

  111

  105

  Western Isles

  103

  95

  1995

  Argyll and Clyde

  153

  129

  Ayrshire and Arran

  104

  93

  Borders

  84

  85

  Dumfries and Galloway

  276

  196

  Fife

  141

  129

  Forth Valley

  260

  212

  Grampian

  79

  80

  Greater Glasgow

  163

  148

  Highland

  191

  187

  Lanarkshire

  180

  149

  Lothian

  178

  159

  Orkney

  60

  50

  Shetland

  124

  96

  Tayside

  99

  106

  Western Isles

  114

  75

  1996

  Argyll and Clyde

  125

  116

  Ayrshire and Arran

  101

  87

  Borders

  100

  84

  Dumfries and Galloway

  235

  169

  Fife

  87

  82

  Forth Valley

  236

  186

  Grampian

  100

  84

  Greater Glasgow

  186

  167

  Highland

  197

  198

  Lanarkshire

  174

  123

  Lothian

  176

  150

  Orkney

  23

  44

  Shetland

  123

  79

  Tayside

  116

  95

  Western Isles

  117

  64

  Source:

  ISD, Scotland

  NHS Trusts
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the salaries(a) with and (b) without pension contributions for the Chief Executive and Chair of each NHS trust in Scotland for each year since 1992–93. [76115]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]The information requested is published and can be obtained from the individual trust Annual Report. Chief Executives who are members of the NHS pension scheme pay the same rate of contribution as other NHS staff.
  781
  The level of remuneration paid to Chairmen of NHS Trusts is determined by legislation and has been unchanged since 1992. The payments made, which are not eligible for pension contribution, are set out in the attached table according to the financial year in which the Trust was established.

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

  NHS trust chairmen remuneration

  NHS trust

  £

  1992–93

  Aberdeen Royal Hospital

  19,285

  South Ayrshire Hospital

  17,145

  1993–94

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Health

  17,145

  Caithness and Sutherland

  15,125

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals

  19,285

  Grampian Healthcare

  19,285

  Monklands and Bellshill

  19,285

  Moray Health Service

  17,145

  North Ayrshire and Arran Community

  19,285

  Raigmore

  17,145

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  17,145

  Southern General Hospital

  19,285

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  17,145

  Victoria Infirmary

  19,285

  West Lothian

  19,285

  Yorkhill

  19,285

  1994–95

  Angus

  17,145

  Central Scotland Healthcare

  19,285

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals

  17,145

  Dundee Healthcare

  19,285

  East and Midlothian

  17,145

  Edinburgh Healthcare

  19,285

  Edinburgh Sick Children's

  15,125

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  17,145

  £

  Health board

  Private accommodation

  Road traffic acts

  Other

  Tota

  Argyll and Clyde

  16,938

  —

  5,256

  22,194

  Ayrshire and Arran

  —

  —

  820

  820

  Borders

  —

  —

  25

  25

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  404

  404

  Fife

  —

  —

  196

  196

  Forth Valley

  —

  —

  5,210

  5,210

  Grampian

  —

  —

  478

  478

  Greater Glasgow

  —

  —

  1,606

  1,606

  Highland

  —

  —

  3,060

  3,060

  Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  1,307

  1,307

  Lothian

  20

  —

  —

  20

  Orkney

  —

  21

  972

  993

  Shetland

  —

  660

  366

  1,026

  Tayside

  —

  —

  632

  632

  Western Isles

  154

  511

  719

  1,384

  Total

  17,112

  1,192

  21,051

  39,355

  The information has been taken from the Health Boards Annual Accounts for 1997–98.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  782

  NHS trust chairmen remuneration

  NHS trust

  £

  Fife Healthcare

  19,285

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  19,285

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services

  19,285

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse

  17,145

  Highland Communities

  17,145

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital

  17,145

  Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals

  17,145

  Law Hospital

  17,145

  Perth and Kinross

  17,145

  Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline

  17,145

  Renfrewshire Healthcare

  19,285

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  19,285

  Stobhill

  19,285

  West Glasgow Hospitals

  19,285

  Western General Hospitals

  19,285

  1995–96

  Argyll and Bute

  17,145

  Borders Community Health Service

  17,145

  Borders General Hospital

  17,145

  Dumfries and Galloway Community Services

  17,145

  Glasgow Dental Hospital

  15,125

  Lanarkshire Healthcare

  19,285

  Lomond Healthcare

  17,145

  Scottish Ambulance Service

  19,285

  Health Boards (Debts)
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amount of(a) bad debts and (b) claims abandoned for each health board broken down by category in the last year for which figures are available. [77143]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is set out in the table. Health Board Accounts detail claims abandoned into three categories: (1) Private Accommodation, (2) Road Traffic Acts and (3) Other. All items entered in these three categories are regarded as bad debts.

  NHS Surplus Properties
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for the last 10 years how much money was raised from the sale of surplus properties in the NHS; if
  783
  he will estimate the amount to be raised in the next 10 years and what use has been made of the proceeds of these sales. [77142]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Information is not held centrally on the disposal proceeds of surplus properties but the NHSiS has raised the sums in the table over the last 10 years from the sale of surplus land, buildings, vehicles and equipment.

  £000

  Year

  1988–89

  10,124

  1989–90

  17,550

  1990–91

  11,408

  1991–92

  10,344

  1992–93

  9,705

  1993–94

  14,362

  1994–95

  26,119

  1995–96

  49,083

  1996–97

  39,248

  1997–98

  31,407

  All sale proceeds have been used for the benefit of the NHSiS by augmenting the public and private sector capital available to the Service.

  Estimates of receipt proceeds for the next 10 years are not available. However the recent NHSiS capital planning exercise estimated receipts of the magnitude detailed in the table for the current year and the next five years. These receipts are from all asset disposals and again will be used to benefit the NHSiS.

  £000

  Year

  1998–99

  20,787

  1999–00

  17,210

  2000–01

  19,185

  2001–02

  31,093

  2002–03

  20,513

  2003–04

  13,670

  Airports and Air Services
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what progress has been made on the study of the economic impact of regional airports and regional air services announced in "A New Deal for Transport"; when these studies will be completed in Scotland; and if he will make a statement; [76987]

  (2) what plans he has (a) to approve and (b) to initiate developments relating to airports before the completion of the economic impact studies covering airports and air services announced in "A New Deal for Transport"; and if he will make a statement. [76988]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Scottish Airports and Air Services Study was commissioned in November 1998 by The Scottish Office and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The Study is being undertaken by Environmental Resources Management. An extensive consultation exercise is under way and a Reference Group has been established to provide a forum for particularly interested parties to contribute. Seminars are being held in Edinburgh (29 March) and Inverness (30 March) to widen debate.
  784
  The Study is intended to inform policy on meeting future demand for sustainable air travel and to consider the economics and costs of providing improve airport facilities. The consultants will report in July 1999.

  My right hon. Friend has no plans, however, to initiate airport development and has received no approaches to approve such developments at the major airports in central Scotland. Developments at airports operated by the Government owned company, Highlands & Islands Airports Limited, will take place as required to meet operational needs.

  From 1 July 1999, development of airports will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Reforestation
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the acreage of reforestation undertaken in the United Kingdom during each of the last three years; and if he will list the areas of the country where this has taken place. [77002]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The area of woodland planted in the United Kingdom by, or with the aid of grants from, the Forestry Commission or the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, is given in the table, broken down by country. Trees have been planted in almost all parts of the United Kingdom and a more detailed list is not available.

  All areas in hectares

  Year ended 31 March

  New planting

  Replanting

  Total

  United Kingdom

  1996

  16,350

  13,891

  30,241

  1997

  17,187

  14,995

  32,182

  1998

  16,656

  14,101

  30,757

  Scotland

  1996

  10,560

  6,828

  17,388

  1997

  11,669

  7,202

  18,871

  1998

  11,406

  6,330

  17,736

  England

  1996

  4,378

  4,154

  8,532

  1997

  4,352

  4,262

  8,614

  1998

  4,139

  4,309

  8,448

  Wales

  1996

  442

  2,269

  2,711

  1997

  411

  2,964

  3,375

  1998

  498

  2,733

  3,231

  Northern Ireland

  1996

  970

  640

  1,610

  1997

  755

  567

  1,322

  1998

  613

  729

  1,342

  Local Authority Budgets
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the Scottish Office budget for each local authority in Scotland in cash terms and at 1998–99 prices for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; and what is his estimate for (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [76865]
  785
  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]Each local authority in Scotland is responsible for setting its own budget. The Scottish Office provides funding to authorities through Aggregate External Finance (AEF) in support of their net current expenditure. The table shows AEF funding at cash and constant 1998–99 prices by local authority for 1995–96 to 1999–2000. The distribution of AEF at a local authority level for 2000–01 and 2001–02 is not yet decided, but overall support for local authority expenditure for each of these years is planned to increase by 3.0 per cent. and 2.7 per cent. respectively.

  Summary of AEF

  £000

  1995–96 AEF (cash)

  1995–96 AEF (constant)

  Aberdeen

  30,697

  33,245

  Angus

  11,422

  12,370

  Annandale/Eskdale

  3,686

  3,992

  Argyll/Bute

  14,011

  15,174

  Badenoch/Strathspey

  1,402

  1,518

  Banff/Buchan

  10,568

  11,445

  Bearsden/Milngavie

  4,330

  4,689

  Berwickshire

  2,314

  2,506

  Caithness

  3,575

  3,872

  Clackmannan

  7,093

  7,682

  Clydebank

  7,787

  8,433

  Clydesdale

  8,126

  8,800

  Cumbernauld

  7,877

  8,531

  Cumnock

  6,140

  6,650

  Cunninghame

  20,912

  22,648

  Dumbarton

  10,440

  11,306

  Dundee

  29,984

  32,473

  Dunfermline

  15,860

  17,176

  East Kilbride

  9,338

  10,113

  East Lothian

  11,854

  12,838

  Eastwood

  4,952

  5,363

  Edinburgh

  77,938

  84,406

  Ettrick/Lauderdale

  3,982

  4,312

  Falkirk

  18,932

  20,503

  Glasgow

  158,560

  171,720

  Gordon

  9,004

  9,751

  Hamilton

  15,000

  16,245

  Inverclyde

  15,362

  16,637

  Inverness

  7,221

  7,820

  Kilmarnock

  10,448

  11,315

  Kincardine/Deeside

  5,785

  6,265

  £000

  1996–97 AEF(cash)

  1996–97 AEF (constant)

  1997–98 AEF (cash)

  1997–98 AEF (constant)

  1998–99 AEF (cash/constant)

  1999–2000 AEF (cash)

  1999–2000 AEF (constant)

  Aberdeen, City

  195,282

  205,168

  190,338

  195,096

  185,886

  192,480

  187,784

  Aberdeenshire

  199,986

  210,110

  202,767

  207,836

  205,386

  213,112

  207,913

  Angus

  99,503

  104,540

  101,928

  104,476

  104,519

  108,762

  106,109

  Argyll and Bute

  111,481

  117,125

  109,325

  112,058

  107,728

  110,884

  108,179

  Clackmannanshire

  46,878

  49,251

  46,523

  47,686

  46,658

  48,430

  47,249

  Dumfries and Galloway

  151,508

  159,178

  151,565

  155,354

  152,465

  159,723

  155,827

  Dundee

  169,403

  177,979

  168,511

  172,724

  167,497

  174,018

  169,773

  East Ayrshire

  123,630

  129,889

  123,915

  127,013

  122,861

  126,160

  123,082

  East Dunbartonshire

  92,508

  97,191

  93,619

  95,959

  90,690

  97,122

  94,753

  East Lothian

  78,669

  82,652

  79,611

  81,601

  78,998

  83,321

  81,288

  East Renfrewshire

  70,856

  74,443

  73,650

  71,491

  71,509

  77,572

  75,680

  Edinburgh, City

  398,977

  419,175

  408,344

  418,553

  408,887

  426,157

  415,761

  Eilean Siar

  67,123

  70,521

  66,887

  68,559

  68,581

  70,424

  68,706

  Falkirk

  130,501

  137,108

  130,673

  133,940

  133,235

  136,312

  132,987

  Fife

  333,212

  350,081

  330,150

  338,404

  328,919

  344,529

  336,124

  Glasgow City

  828,533

  870,477

  810,636

  830,902

  788,624

  813,291

  793,451

  Highland

  241,808

  254,049

  238,449

  244,410

  238,287

  249,883

  243,787

  Inverclyde

  101,591

  106,734

  101,623

  104,164

  96,505

  98,391

  95,991

  Midlothian

  78,036

  81,987

  76,261

  78,168

  77,389

  80,531

  78,566

  786

  Summary of AEF

  £000

  1995–96 AEF (cash)

  1995–96 AEF (constant)

  Kirkcaldy

  18,416

  19,944

  Kyle/Carrick

  14,879

  16,114

  Lochaber

  3,081

  3,337

  Midlothian

  10,287

  11,141

  Monklands

  17,445

  18,893

  Moray

  11,094

  12,015

  Motherwell

  21,872

  23,687

  Nairn

  1,181

  1,279

  Nithsdale

  6,671

  7,225

  North East Fife

  9,273

  10,043

  Perth/Kinross

  16,770

  18,162

  Renfrew

  29,383

  31,822

  Ross/Cromarty

  8,280

  8,967

  Roxburgh

  4,454

  4,824

  Skye/Lochalsh

  2,381

  2,579

  Stewartry

  2,421

  2,622

  Stirling

  13,688

  14,824

  Strathkelvin

  10,692

  11,579

  Sutherland

  2,260

  2,448

  Tweeddale

  1,855

  2,009

  West Lothian

  20,324

  22,011

  Wigtown

  4,092

  4,432

  775,399

  839,753

  Orkney Isles

  35,758

  38,726

  Shetland Isles

  46,706

  50,582

  Western Isles

  66,143

  71,632

  148,607

  160,941

  Borders

  97,293

  105,368

  Central

  222,881

  241,379

  Dumfries and Galloway

  134,799

  145,987

  Fife

  287,186

  311,021

  Grampian

  410,359

  444,416

  Highland

  211,943

  229,533

  Lothian

  583,705

  632,149

  Strathclyde

  2,022,459

  2,190,312

  Tayside

  335,503

  363,348

  4,306,128

  4,663,512

  Scotland

  5,230,134

  5,664,206

  Note:

  The AEF figures are as announced at the time of the settlements
  787

  £000

  1996–97 AEF(cash)

  1996–97 AEF (constant)

  1997–98 AEF (cash)

  1997–98 AEF (constant)

  1998–99 AEF (cash/constant)

  1999–2000 AEF (cash)

  1999–2000 AEF (constant)

  Moray

  85,968

  90,320

  85,749

  87,893

  85,047

  89,039

  86,867

  North Ayrshire

  137,970

  144,955

  141,448

  144,984

  137,018

  143,556

  140,054

  North Lanarkshire

  332,110

  348,923

  330,463

  338,725

  319,860

  333,935

  325,789

  Orkney

  37,975

  39,897

  38,201

  39,156

  39,508

  40,424

  39,438

  Perth and Kinross

  115,251

  121,086

  116,151

  119,055

  121,350

  126,934

  123,837

  Renfrewshire

  175,134

  184,000

  175,197

  179,577

  168,181

  177,333

  173,007

  Scottish Borders

  110,368

  115,955

  109,488

  112,225

  109,654

  115,013

  112,207

  Shetland

  48,224

  50,665

  55,873

  57,270

  55,984

  57,130

  55,736

  South Ayrshire

  107,128

  112,551

  109,304

  112,037

  105,599

  112,248

  109,510

  South Lanarkshire

  300,889

  316,121

  301,209

  308,739

  286,192

  302,874

  295,485

  Stirling

  84,103

  88,361

  85,579

  87,718

  83,787

  88,856

  86,688

  West Dunbartonshire

  114,739

  120,548

  110,845

  113,616

  105,610

  110,152

  107,465

  West Lothian

  147,235

  154,689

  147,257

  150,938

  149,299

  156,250

  152,438

  Scotland

  5,316,579

  5,585,729

  5,311,539

  5,444,327

  5,241,713

  5,464,846

  5,331,532

  Note:

  The AEF figures are as announced at the time of the settlements

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

  New Deal (Gateway)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the percentage level of attendance by trainees in Scotland at the Gateway stage of the New Deal. [77419]

  Mr. Dewar
  Of the 22,652 young people who started the New Deal in Scotland for the period to the end of December 1998, a total of 21,125 (93.3%) attended their first interview and entered the Gateway stage of the New Deal.

  Children's Hearings
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made on implementing measures to improve the throughput of cases entering the children's hearing system; and if he will make a statement. [78045]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Following receipt of the "Just In Time" report in December 1997, I asked Mrs. Sally Kuenssberg, Chairman of the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration to re-form her working group to consider with the agencies concerned how best to implement the report's recommendations.

  At my request, Mrs. Kuenssberg's group has now produced a blueprint to apply to all relevant agencies. It consists of a code of practice and comprehensive standards and targets for the handling of all cases referred to the hearings system, whether on grounds of offending or care and protection. I have endorsed the Blueprint which is published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries.

  The care of our children, especially those at risk, is of greatest importance. Effective and early action in co-ordinated working for children and families is widely recognised as beneficial. I am determined to see improvements in services for children and families. This blueprint offers a systematic and innovative approach to tackling both quality and timing issues.
  788
  I have been very encouraged by the wide measure of support for the principles and practical measures contained within the blueprint and now look to the agencies concerned to take forward its introduction. The targets will be a challenge for some and progress towards achieving them will secure improvements over current arrangements. The key to successful introduction and further progress on the Blueprint depends on the active co-operation between the agencies to improve the delivery of their service. The blueprint paves the way for this and I look to Chief Executives and senior managers to take action to monitor its implementation and development within their agencies.

  I have asked Sally Kuenssberg's group to continue to meet periodically to assess progress and, in the light of experience, where standards and targets might be reviewed and improved upon.

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

  Incontinence Beds
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beds dealing with incontinence are available in Scotland in(a) all service hospitals, (b) general hospitals, (c) specialist hospitals, (d) teaching hospitals and (e) hospitals in other categories. [77009]

  Mr. Galbraith
  It is not possible to say how many beds are available for dealing with incontinence in Scotland, as most treatment is now carried out on an out-patient basis by specialist nurses and physiotherapists. Patients rarely require in-patient treatment for incontinence per se, but may require to be admitted for treatment of the underlying cause of the incontinence. The causes of incontinence are wide ranging, and treatment therefore takes place in many different settings. Beds are not specifically set aside for treatment of incontinence, in the same way as they are not specifically set aside for many other conditions.

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

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Bereavement Benefits
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the present distribution of recipients of widow's benefits by income decile, distinguishing between those receiving widow's pension and those receiving Widowed Mothers Allowance. [76134]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 1 March 1999,Official Report, columns 597–98. Information on Widowed Mothers Allowance is not available.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate(a) the proportion of recipients of Widowed Mothers Allowance who are in receipt of occupational pension payments and (b) their distribution areas on the overall income range and across weekly incomes in the form set out in paragraph 13 and paragraph 14 of his consultation paper on bereavement support. [76104]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available as information on current Widowed Mothers Allowance recipients in receipt of Occupational Pensions is not available because the sample sizes involved are too small to allow a robust analysis.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of extending the bereavement payment to those bereaved people of pension age who are also in receipt of Income Support. [76449]

  Appointee

  Position and Non-Departmental Public Body

  Remuneration

  Air Commordore J. G. Hargreaves CBE

  Member, Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions

  None

  Brigadier H. L. B. Salmon OBE

  Member, Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions

  None

  Jean Cooper

  Member, Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board

  £126 per meeting

  Dr. Margaret du Feu

  Member, Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board

  £237 per meeting

  Marilyn Howard

  Member, Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board

  £126 per meeting

  Dr. Karin Moses

  Member, Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board

  £237 per meeting

  Lisa Shend'ge

  Member, Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board

  £126 per meeting

  Mr. Brendan Fenelon

  Member, Industrial Injuries Advisory Council

  £112 per meeting

  Professor Eithne McLaughlin

  Member, Social Security Advisory Committee

  £128 per day

  Dr. Adrian Stokes

  Member, Social Security Advisory Committee

  £128 per day

  Miss Boyle

  Vice-Chair, War Pensions Committees

  None

  Mr. W. Brown

  Member, War Pensions Committees

  None

  Mr. Cartwright

  Member, War Pensions Committees

  None

  Mr. Jones

  Member, War Pensions Committees

  None

  Major Marshall

  Member, War Pensions Committees

  None

  Mr. Proctor

  Member, War Pensions Committees

  None

  Mr. C. Ruff

  Member, War Pensions Committees

  None

  Dr. J. K. Anand

  Medical Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Dr. A. J. Hicks

  Medical Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Dr. C. E. John

  Medical Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Dr. P. Griffiths

  Medical Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Dr. E. B. Knight-Jones

  Medical Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Dr. F. Willis

  Medical Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Dr. R. D. Jones

  Medical Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Mrs. M. Bhatti

  Carer Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £124 day

  Mr. B. Butler

  Carer Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £124 day

  Mr. M. F. Cook

  Carer Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £124 day

  Mr. A. Gupta

  Carer Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £124 day

  Mrs. S. Horn

  Carer Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £124 day

  Mrs. S. A. Howard

  Carer Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £124 day

  Mr. C. C. Lea

  Carer Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £124 day

  Mr. J. C. Locke

  Carer Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £124 day

  790
  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 12 March 1999]It is estimated that extending eligibility for the Bereavement Payment would increase expenditure by up to £60 million for pensioners receiving Income Support (IS) in households in 2001–02.

  Note:

  This excludes IS pensioners who are in, or whose partners are in, residential care and nursing homes.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of respondents to the Green Paper, "Support in Bereavement", expressed opposition to the replacement of widow's pension with a time-limited bereavement allowance; and what proportion expressed support. [77300]

  Angela Eagle
  Of the 80 responses to the Support in Bereavement Green Paper received, 28 respondents expressed opposition to the principle of replacing Widows' Pension with a time-limited Bereavement Allowance. 5 respondents expressed support of this specific aspect of the proposals.

  Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those people he has appointed to public bodies since 1 November 1998, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed and if they receive remuneration. [76462]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.
  791

  Appointee

  Position and Non-Departmental Public Body

  Remuneration

  Mr. D. J. Vinookumar

  Carer Member, Disability Appeal Tribunals1

  £124 day

  Dr S. G. Cotton

  Medical Member, Medical Appeal Tribunals1

  £246 per day

  Mr. P. W. Edwards

  Medical Member, Medical Appeal Tribunals1

  £246 per day

  Dr. D. Goldin

  Medical Member, Medical Appeal Tribunals1

  £246 per day

  Dr. J. Hancock

  Medical Member, Medical Appeal Tribunals1

  £246 per day

  Dr. E. A. Morrison

  Medical Member, Medical Appeal Tribunals1

  £246 per day

  Dr. J. E. Rees

  Medical Member, Medical Appeal Tribunals1

  £246 per day

  Dr. P. M. Desai

  Medical Assessor, Social Security Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Dr. J. N. Smith

  Medical Assessor, Social Security Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Dr. W. T. Thom

  Medical Assessor, Social Security Appeal Tribunals1

  £201 per day

  Miss V. Clare

  Part-Time Chairman, Social Security Appeal Tribunals2

  £270 per day

  Mr. J. A. Lakin

  Part-Time Chairman, Social Security Appeal Tribunals2

  £270 per day

  Ms M. Roberts

  Part-Time Chairman, Social Security Appeal Tribunals2

  £270 per day

  1 The President of the Independent Tribunal Service is responsible for the appointment of the Members to the five Appeal Tribunals that are within this Department's jurisdiction

  2 The Lord Chancellor is responsible for the judicial appointments to the five Appeal Tribunals that are within this Department's jurisdiction

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the total number of occasions when(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997. [76822]

  Mr. Timms
  Between 2 May 1997 and 28 February 1999, the special advisers from this Department have made one visit overseas in an official capacity. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Means-tested Benefits
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will breakdown the total of one in three persons living in households claiming at least one major means-tested benefit by the type of benefit claimed. [76208]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 12 March 1999]This Department's latest estimates do not suggest a total of one in three persons living in households claiming at least one major means-tested benefit.

  Number of people claiming means-tested benefits as percentage of total population

  Benefit(s)

  Number of people as percentage of total population

  Housing Benefit only

  1

  Council Tax Benefit only

  3

  Income Support only

  3

  Family Credit only

  0

  Housing Benefit and Family Credit only

  —

  Council Tax Benefit and Family Credit only

  —

  Income Support and Family Credit only

  —

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit only

  4

  Housing Benefit and Income Support only

  1

  Council Tax Benefit and Income Support only

  3

  Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Family Credit only

  1

  Housing Benefit, Income Support and Family Credit only

  —

  Council Tax Benefit, Income Support and Family Credit only

  —

  Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Income Support only

  11

  792

  Number of people claiming means-tested benefits as percentage of total population

  Benefit(s)

  Number of people as percentage of total population

  Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Income Support and Family Credit

  —

  Any of the above means-tested benefits

  26

  Notes:

  1. A "major means-tested benefit" was defined as being one of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Income Support (including Income Support for the unemployed, before October 1996), Family Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based, from October 1996 onwards). However, on the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey dataset, it was not possible to distinguish Unemployment Benefit from Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based), which was introduced in October 1996. Thus, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based) has not been included in analyses in the table. Analysis of the Family Resources Survey from April to September 1996 (inclusive) show that the proportion of people in households in receipt of at least one of the four means tested benefits given in the table was 27 per cent.

  2. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non-response. Receipt of Social Security benefits are also based on respondents' own assessment and may be subject to misreporting.

  3. Percentages are rounded to the nearest integer. The symbol "—" indicates less than 0.5 per cent.

  Source:

  1996–97 Family Resources Survey (GB).

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many civil servants in his Department have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks; how many civil servants in his Department have refused to waive the requirement; and what is the total cost of compliance with the Directive. [76800]

  Mr. Timms
  105 staff in this Department have signed an agreement to disapply the 48 hour limit.

  The standard terms and conditions of service for staff employed by the Department are well within the limits set by the Working Time Regulations. The Regulations do not require employers to keep records of the number of workers who refuse to sign an opt-out agreement and no central records are kept by this Department. Costs of complying with the Directive are not available.

  Water Charges
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement of the future of the direct payment scheme for water charges; and what plans he has to increase the priority of water charges in the order of payments included in the direct payment scheme. [77078]

  Angela Eagle
  The provision for making direct payments from Income Support and income based Jobseeker's Allowance for water charges will continue to operate when disconnection of household water supplies is prohibited. We are considering how the scheme will operate in the light of this policy development. We do not have any plans to increase water charges in the priority order within the direct payment scheme.

  Ministerial Meetings (US)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many times Ministers in his Department have met their counterparts in the US Government since 1 June 1998; and if he will list the dates and locations of each meeting, the Ministers involved on each occasion, and the name of the US counterpart at each meeting. [77118]

  Mr. Timms
  None.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the standard spending assessment for councils incorporates moneys to compensate councils for disregarding war pensions for housing benefit and council tax benefit. [76982]

  Angela Eagle
  The mandatory War Pension disregards are funded in the same way as other expenditure for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. The bulk of this expenditure is met by central Government subsidy. Local authorities have discretionary powers to disregard up to the full amount of a War Disablement Pension and War Widow's Pension not already covered by the statutory disregard. However, any benefit payable as a result of such discretion is funded from local authorities' own resources. It is for each local authority to decide, how much, if anything, it can afford.

  Newsletters
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of(a) the Benefits Agency and (b) the Child Support Agency; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [77119]

  Angela Eagle
  The Benefits Agency (BA) has two national newsletters produced for staff, "BA Weekly" and "BA News". The "BA Weekly" has been produced every week since the Agency was established in April 1991. "BA News" is produced monthly. It was first produced in 1991 and is intended to reach all staff in the BA.

  The Child Support Agency (CSA) has two national newsletters produced for staff. "The Weekly" has been produced every week since the Agency was established in April 1993. "The Outlook" is produced monthly and was first produced in autumn 1996.
  794
  There are no security classifications on either the BA or CSA publications.

  Tribunal Hearing (Aldershot)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what the cost was to the public purse of the adjourned Independent Tribunal Service hearing into case No. S/45/167/1998/00627 at Aldershot on 10 March; [77099]

  (2) what reasons his Department was not represented at the Independent Tribunal Service hearing into case No. S/45/167/1998/00627 at Aldershot on 10 March. [77100]

  Angela Eagle
  The President of the Independent Tribunal Service has advised that the cost of the adjourned hearing into case S/45/167/1998/00627 at Aldershot on 10 March 1998 was £33.48.

  The tribunal had a written submission from the adjudication officer. Although it is normal practice for the Department to be represented at hearings, a presenting officer was unable to attend this hearing. The tribunal is able to hear an appeal without a presenting officer. Where a hearing is adjourned in these circumstances, a presenting officer will attend the re-hearing.

  Adjourned Tribunal Hearings
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) at how many cases in the past 12 months his Department has failed to be represented at a scheduled hearing causing the tribunal to stand adjourned; and what percentage of the total number of hearings were so adjourned; [77098]

  (2) what powers the Independent Tribunal Service has to make an award in favour of the applicant when the Department fails to be represented or present at hearings; [77102]

  (3) if he will review the guidance given to the tribunal chairmen as to what award may be made when the Department of Social Security fails to appear and advance a reason to the tribunal for absence; and if he will make a statement. [77101]

  Angela Eagle
  Information about Departmental representation at hearings in the past 12 months cannot be provided and would be available only at disproportionate cost.

  The Department is not obliged to provide a representative at tribunal hearings. However, under the new decision making and appeals arrangements, the Benefits Agency aims to provide a presenting officer at all hearings where a representative would add value to the proceedings.

  The Social Security (Adjudication) Regulations 1995 allow a tribunal, in the absence of a party to the proceedings, to proceed with a hearing or to give such directions for the determination of the case as it thinks proper. Similar provision is made in the regulations for new decision making and appeal arrangements which will be debated in the House on 22 March. However,

  795
  regulations also provide for a tribunal to adjourn an oral hearing either on application of any party to the proceedings or of its own accord. The decision of the tribunal whether or not to adjourn a hearing will always be made on the circumstances of the individual case. The handling of such decisions is, of course, a judicial matter.

  Guidance for tribunals is a matter for the President of the Independent Tribunal Service, Judge Michael Harris. I have asked Judge Harris to write to my hon. Friend.

  Housing benefit recipients, cases with non-dependant deductions, by tenure and rate of deduction, Great Britain—May 1998 (provisional)

  Thousands

  Deduction

  All cases

  £7.00

  £16.00

  £22.00

  £36.00

  £41.00

  £45.00

  Total

  187

  121

  19

  17

  10

  14

  Local authority

  138

  92

  14

  13

  8

  4

  9

  Housing association

  28

  18

  2

  2

  1

  2

  3

  Private tenants

  21

  12

  3

  2

  1

  ..

  3

  Housing benefit recipients, percentage of cases with non-dependant deductions, by tenure and rate of deduction. Great Britain—May 1998 (provisional)

  Percentage

  Deduction

  All cases

  £7.00

  £16.00

  £22.00

  £36.00

  £41.00

  £45.00

  Total

  4.2

  2.7

  0.4

  0.4

  0.2

  0.1

  0.3

  Local authority

  3.1

  2.0

  0.3

  0.3

  0.2

  0.1

  0.2

  Housing association

  0.6

  0.4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.1

  Private tenants

  0.5

  0.3

  0.1

  —

  —

  —

  0.1

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand, percentages to one decimal place.

  2. Recipients may be a single person or a couple.

  3. "—" denotes nil or less than 0.1 per cent.

  4. ".." denotes less than 500 cases.

  5. Cases with more than one non-dependant deduction appear in the table once with only the first occurrence of a deduction being counted. The order of preference for this analysis is with the lowest deduction first.

  6. Cases where the claimant or partner receives Attendance Allowance have been excluded.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, Annual 1 per cent. sample enquiries.

  Single Gateway
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what subjects, other than employment opportunities, advice will be provided by the Single Gateway personal advisers. [77426]

  Angela Eagle
  The Personal Advisers' prime purpose will be to help clients explore ways in which they can overcome barriers that prevent participation in the labour market. However, the role will encompass much more than this. They will advise claimants on benefit entitlement, including any current welfare needs, and provide the first point of contact for any queries or difficulties. They will also help individuals gain access to a range of services, such as childcare provision, specialist counselling, housing support and training, and will be able to provide clients with information about their potential eligibility for in-work benefits so that clients can understand what their income levels might be if they moved into employment.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many housing benefit claims, in the last year for which figures are available, were subject to each rate of non-dependant deduction; at each rate how many claimants were living in(a) local authority properties, (b) housing association properties and (c) private properties; and what each figure represents as a percentage of total housing benefit claims. [77325]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is set out in the tables.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what training will be given to the personal advisers who will conduct the new Single Gateway interviews; and if this training will be specific to particular claimant groups. [77429]

  Angela Eagle
  We are producing a programme of learning to ensure that all Personal Advisers will be able to provide advice, guidance and counselling to help clients identify and overcome their barriers to employment, and also to provide clients with access to a variety of help and information on work, benefits and services.

  The programme will ensure that Personal Advisers have the necessary balance of skills in order to deal with a wide range of clients in differing circumstances, and will not be specific to particular client groups. This will be achieved through the active involvement in the programme of organisations with an understanding of the difficulties faced by different client groups, for example, carers and lone parents.
  797
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security at what grade the personal advisers who will conduct the new Single Gateway interviews will be recruited. [77428]

  Angela Eagle
  Three partner organisations are working together to deliver the Single Work-Focused Gateway service. Each have their own banding or grading structure but the Personal Adviser post will be broadly equivalent to Executive Officer grade.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what targets the Government have set in order to evaluate the success nationwide of the Single Gateway interview. [77427]

  Angela Eagle
  Single Work-Focused Gateway will be piloted in a range of different labour markets. The evaluation of these pilots will allow us to assess the potential impact of Single Work-Focused Gateway should it be extended nationwide.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what reviews will be carried out, and which evaluation measures will be used, in assessing the success of the pilots of the Single Gateway. [77425]

  Angela Eagle
  The Single Work-Focused Gateway will be fully evaluated. The evaluation will compare the outcomes of participants in the pilot areas with those for similar people from other, comparable areas. The evaluation will use a range of standard evaluation techniques—quantitative and qualitative analysis, operational research, and cost-benefit analysis.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes to working practices in the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service will be required in order to implement the Single Gateway. [77430]

  Angela Eagle
  All partners involved in the Single Gateway (Employment Service, Benefits Agency and Local Authorities) will deal with both a wider range of clients and with a wider range of issues affecting those clients. This will necessitate much closer working relationships, including improved communications; management arrangements and Information Technology links.

  Existing business processes will be affected and work is currently underway to identify these, in particular the need for business information flows between the partners and effective integration between the new Personal Adviser service and existing processes. Changes to staff locations and office layout are also likely to be required—depending on local delivery arrangements—and work is also underway to identify these changes.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for additional information technology resources following the introduction of the new Single Gateway. [77431]

  Angela Eagle
  The proposed design for the pilot exercises is based on extensions of, and where possible some development of, existing Employment Service, Benefits Agency and other systems. It is based on providing support to the generic Single Gateway Process Model and comprises extending access to current systems into the basic model pilot sites. These are the Employment 798
  Services' Labour Market and Employment Service Communications Systems, and the DSS' Operational Strategy and Integrated Benefit Information Systems.

  Taken together, these changes will form the "core IT" upon which further enhancements and support for the Call Centre and Private/Voluntary Sector variants will be developed. As the pilots develop, and when decisions are taken whether to proceed to national implementation, more longer-term solutions will be developed and implemented.

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated cost of housing benefit fraud in each of the last 10 years. [76437]

  Mr. Timms
  Information about Housing Benefit fraud is not available for each of the last ten years. The first Housing Benefit Accuracy Review in 1995 estimated annual losses from fraud and strongly suspected fraud to be £905 million. The equivalent estimate from the second Review in 1997–98 is £600 million. However, due to the different methodology used in each review, it is not possible to state with an acceptable level of statistical certainty that there has been a decrease in the level of fraud and suspected fraud.

  Note:

  Conclusions about the level of incorrect Housing Benefit payments were derived from a sample of claims. For the Housing Benefit reviews, 95 per cent. confidence limits were calculated for each of the estimates. (£500 million to £1,300 million for the 1995 Review estimate and £410 million to £820 million for the 1997–98 Review estimate). These limits indicate the range within which it can be 95 per cent. certain that the true value for all Housing Benefit claims lie.

  Sources:

  Housing Benefit Review 1995 (DSS)

  Housing Benefit Accuracy Review 1997–98 (GSS).

  Private Pensions (National Insurance Rebate)
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total annual national insurance rebate to private pensions paid from the national insurance fund has been for the last 10 years. [75847]

  Mr. Timms
  [pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1999, c. 397]The information is in the table.

  The cost of the national insurance contribution rebates

  £ billion

  Tax Year

  Rebate

  1988–89

  5.07

  1989–90

  7.68

  1990–91

  7.69

  1991–92

  8.43

  1992–93

  8.71

  1993–94

  7.78

  1994–95

  6.98

  1995–96

  7.09

  1996–97

  7.36

  1997–98

  7.58

  Note:

  The figures show the total rebates in respect of both occupational and personal pension schemes in GB and include:

  (i) a 2 per cent. incentive paid to certain schemes on earnings accrued in tax years 1988–89 to 1992–93; and
  799
  (ii) a 1 per cent. age addition paid to all personal pension scheme holders aged 30 and over on earnings accrued in tax years 1993–94 to 1996–97.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department and the Contributions Agency.

  Family Resources Survey
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the special analyses, including unpublished tabulations, of the Family Resources Survey which were undertaken by his Department for the Pension Provision Group. [76098]

  Mr. Timms
  [pursuant to his reply, 15 March 1999, c. 481]The following analyses of the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey were undertaken for the Pension Provision Group:

  Tabulation of the incomes of single pensioners.

  Tabulation of the average incomes of pensioner units by source and by marital status and gender.

  Tabulation of the average incomes of pensioner units by source and by marital status and age under/over 75.

  Estimation of the number of benefit units becoming entitled to means-tested benefits were upper capital limits to be removed and tariff income calculated for all capital above the lower capital limit.

  Estimations of the numbers of people below State pension age in paid employment in the UK who are currently contributing to SERPS and occupational pension schemes and who have ever contributed to a personal pension scheme, by gender and full-time or part-time employment status.

DEFENCE

  Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which targets the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency did not meet in 1997–98; and what monitoring he has undertaken for those targets in 1998–99. [71900]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Foxton to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  I refer to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about those key targets the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency (ABSDA) did not meet in 1997–98, and what monitoring has been undertaken for those targets in 1998–99. As Chief Executive of ABSDA I am replying as it falls within my area of responsibility.
  As reported in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts, ABSDA did not achieve, in part, 3 out of its 4 Key Targets (KT) set for 1997–98. These were:
  Key Target 1—To deliver the required level of storage and to process receipts and returns as defined in agreements with the Agency's customers. This KT is made up of 20 parts and some of these were missed. Two Stores Unit Returns were missed; these are items returned to the base depots by Units. The procedure for returning items to stock is being re-evaluated by the Agency, its Customers and Consumers and are being addressed by the ABSDA/Defence Logistics Agency (USA) Benchmarking partnership. Indications for the current year are that performance for Stores Unit Returns has improved significantly. Two Vehicle Receipts targets were also missed due to the abnormally high number of vehicles received from
  800
  trade and an excessive number of faults found by the Vehicle Inspectors at the ABSDA Base Vehicle Depot Ashchurch on vehicles supplied by external suppliers.
  Key Target 2—To meet the Standard Priority System 96 Supply Chain Processing Times (SCPT) for material authorised for issue. This KT breaks down into 21 parts, of which the Agency missed 6. The Agency missed two targets primarily because of the low volumes of this type that exaggerated the impact of such few failures. The 2 lowest Stores non-operational low priority targets were not met but the non-compliance had the agreement of the supported commands and resulted from reduced resources being concentrated on meeting high priority operational demands. Two Vehicles Issue targets were missed mainly due to difficulties encountered with vehicles that had been mid life extended and refurbished. Vehicles classed as fit for issue on selection were found to have faults that required rectification. It has been a difficult balancing act between the achievement of improved performance via a process review and a significant reduction in resources. In the current year all Stores operational and high priority performances are within target.
  Key Target 4—To implement the recommendations of the ABSDA Information Systems Strategy. This KT has 3 elements and the Agency missed one. The target has now been deferred to Mar 99.
  Performance against the subsequent Key Targets for 1998–99 is monitored by the Chief Executive and the Management Board of the Agency on a monthly basis. This performance is reported quarterly to the Agency's Owner and annually to Ministers both in the Next Steps Review and the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts. Key Target Achievement is also considered by the National Audit Office during the annual submission of the Accounts for external audit. ABSDA will be absorbed into the new Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (DSDA) on I Apr 99; lessons learnt from ABSDA's Performance Review, conducted by Army Management Services, have been incorporated into the Key Targets Rationale Paper for the DSDA which is currently with the Agency's Owner prior to submission to Minister (Armed Forces).

  Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which targets the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency did not meet in 1997–98; and what monitoring he has undertaken for those targets in 1998–99; [72805]

  (2) on what date the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency published its report for the year 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [72808]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 24 February 1999]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Boyle to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  Further to your Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA), these matters fall within the Chief Executive's responsibility. However, as he is currently away from office, I am replying on his behalf.
  Before I address your specific questions, you may find it useful to be aware that AFPAA was formed on 1 April 1997, following recommendations made by Sir Michael Bett in his report of March 1995 of the Independent Review of the Armed Forces' Manpower, Career and Remuneration Structures. A copy of the "Ben Report" may be found in the Library of the House.
  The report of the Independent Review recommended that a Defence Agency should be set up to manage Service personnel administration (but not personnel management) and tasked with

  801
  progressively introducing unified systems and eventually an integrated computer system. The report also concluded that this area offered significant scope for Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
  Amalgamating single Service pay, pensions and personnel administration functions into a tri-Service organisation in the first year of the Agency's operation, 1997/98, was an ambitious undertaking and I am pleased to report that this was undertaken successfully. Similarly, the parallel negotiation and implementation of a service based PFI agreement with EDS has also been completed successfully. The Agency's performance against its Key Targets must, therefore, be seen in this context.
  Of those three Key targets that were not met in full, I hope that the following information provides a more detailed position:
  Key Target 2—Accuracy of Personnel records and Liabilities Data.
  Determine measures to set the baseline of completeness and accuracy of the record of service by Mar 1998—Partially Achieved.
  This Key Target relates to the accuracy of personal and job related data held on the personnel administration IT systems maintained and developed by the Agency. I regret that this Key Target could not be completed within the timescale due to the pressures of other higher priority tasks. The Key Target was, however, carried forward into 1998. A work programme is being initiated with the 3 Services who have principal responsibility for the input, ownership and validation of this data.
  Key Target 5—Customer Satisfaction.
  Develop systematic and objective methods for measuring customer satisfaction in consultation with the Owner and customers by March 1998—Partially Achieved.
  Whilst plans for measuring customer satisfaction were prepared during 1997/98, it was necessary to agree these with the Agency's public/private partner EDS. As the partnership did not become effective until 1 Jan 98, and with the pressure of other priority tasks, it was not possible to undertake this work before March 1998. The inaugural customer satisfaction survey was, however, completed in December 1998 and follow-up performance improvement plans are currently under development.
  Key Target 7—Efficiency
  Develop cost ratios and implement appropriate measures for benchmarking efficiency for AFPAA's services in core personnel administration by March 1998—Partially Achieved.
  This Key Target relates to the establishment of detailed costs for services delivered by the Agency. Whilst cost ratios were developed in 1997 during the process of establishing AFPAA's PFI contract, other higher priority tasks meant that efficiency benchmarking was not achieved before March 1998. A plan for benchmarking AFPAA services has been produced during 1998/99. However, the Key Target was not carried forward to 1998/99, being replaced by an efficiency measure to reduce unit costs by 3%.
  Progress against Key targets is monitored on behalf of the Defence Secretary by the Agency's Owner, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Programmes and Personnel), through the medium of the Owner's Advisory Board, which meets at least three times a year.
  AFPAA's performance during its first year of operation was reported in it's 1997/98 Annual Report. This report was published on 21 July 98 and copies were placed in the House Libraries. The report was not laid before Parliament as the Agency had not received a Treasury Accounts Direction at that time.
  Finally, the total cost of producing of the Agency's Annual Report was £5,919 for 750 copies, equating to £7.89 per copy.

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the safety performance of atomic weapons research establishment Aldermaston in the last calendar year. [73022]
  802
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 25 February 1999]Safety is of prime importance to all involved in the operation of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, AWE, Aldermaston. The AWE operating contractor, Hunting BRAE, publishes an annual report entitled "Environment, Safety and Health", which includes information on safety performance and the activities that are undertaken at Aldermaston to ensure that safety requirements are met. The 1998 Report is due to be published, as normal, early in the summer. This public report is underpinned by regular internal audits conducted by the contractor.

  The Ministry of Defence on site Compliance Officer conducts regular confidential assessments of AWE' s activities and was satisfied that they met the requirements of the Term Contract. Additionally independent assurance of the safety of AWE is provided by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate NII. Aldermaston was awarded a licence to operate by the NII for the first time in July 1997. Maintenance of the licence is subject to the licensee's satisfying the licence conditions in the face of the NII' s rigorous inspection regime.

  Merchant Ships (Military Support)
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names, flags and dates of merchant ships chartered for defence exercises and military support operations in each year since 1996. [74964]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The information has been placed in the Library.

  Soldiers' Accommodation
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new units of(a) single soldiers' accommodation, (b) married quarters and (c) other new buildings will be required at (i) Tidworth and (ii) Larkhill to meet the needs of the new third mechanised brigades. [75272]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In my announcement on 2 March of the Army's basing proposals within the United Kingdom, I indicated that it was provisionally planned to deploy an AS-90 artillery regiment of around 700 personnel to Larkhill, a tank regiment of around 600 to Tidworth, an engineer regiment of around 550 men to Perham Down, and to increase the numbers of the existing REME regiment at Tidworth by some 100 men. Initial estimates are that this will lead to a requirement for 450 more single-soldier bed spaces at Larkhill, 350 single-soldier bed spaces at Tidworth and 350 new family quarters in the Tidworth, Bulford and Larkhill area. In addition, there will be a requirement to build garaging and stores for the extra vehicles and additional recreational and support facilities for the increased number of troops. These proposals are subject to planning agreement, and the detailed accommodation requirements for those units to be based at Tidworth and Larkhill will not be finalised until a strategic environmental assessment has been carried out and discussions with local planning authorities have been concluded.

  Military Road Traffic Accidents
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military road traffic accidents were reported
  803
  between April 1997 and March 1998; what was the road traffic accident rate per hundred thousand miles driven; what was the cost to (a) his Department and (b) the Army; and what was the cost of (i) compensation claims, (ii) loss of man hours, (iii) medical treatment, (iv) damage to other property, (v) damage to other vehicles and (vi) replacement vehicles. [75006]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 8 March 1999]Between April 1997 and March 1998, there were a total of 9,075 road traffic accidents involving military personnel and MOD civilians. Based on the only available mileage data, for Royal Marine and Army units, this represents an estimated rate of two accidents per hundred thousand miles driven. The actual cost of insurance claims against the MOD, after taking into account costs recovered from third parties, was £13.62 million. The actual cost of MOD vehicle repairs was £5.07 million. The illustrative cost of fatalities and injuries to the Department, based on recognised costs provided by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, was £34.9 million. The estimate total cost to the Department, using Health and Safety Executive research methodology, may be up to £149.52 million. The specific cost of accidents to the Army, for loss of man hours, medical treatment, damage to other property, damage to other vehicles and replacement vehicles, is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Note:

  The MOD operates a 100 per cent. accident reporting policy for insurance purposes, irrespective of whether an accident results in a fatality or injury. This differs from the DETR whose statistics are based on reportable accidents only, ie; those which result in an injury or fatality. Accidents involving MOD vehicles in the UK which result in a fatality or injury are reported to the police and by default, would be included in the DETR's national road traffic accident statistics.

  Military District Hospitals
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the terms agreed with the Department of Health on which his Department operates military district hospital units at(a) Derriford, (b) Frimley and (c) Peterborough, indicating the financial payments between departments thereunder and any guarantees of performance by his Department. [75212]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 8 March 1999]The Service Level Agreements (SLA) between my Department and the NHS, which underpin the Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs), were reviewed and renegotiated during 1998–99. While the initial agreements with our three original MDHU Trusts (Derriford at Plymouth, Frimley Park, and Peterborough) have been clinically highly successful, the financial and contract arrangements for these partnerships have, however, not been so successful.

  The principles of a new SLA were developed to form a revised contract from 1999–2000. Following detailed discussions with the NHS at local, regional and national levels during 1976 and 1998, contracts based on these principles are currently being negotiated locally, and will be in place for 1999–2000 at the three original MDHUs and at the new MDHU at Northallerton. The new contract model will also form the basis for all future MOD contract relationships with the NHS for hosting staff or
  804
  providing treatment and will underpin a new era in understanding and clinical relationship between the MOD and the NHS.

  The financial arrangements for the new model will involve a Public Expenditure Survey (PES) transfer from the MOD to the Department of Health to compensate affected Health Authorities for the loss of free provision of MOD staff, and to enable the Defence Secondary Care Agency to negotiate directly with the relevant NHS Trust. The PES transfer will amount to some £3.5 million a year. There will also be direct payments by the MOD to NHS Trusts for Service staff and the treatment of Service patients.

  Under the new arrangement, the financial cost and financial risk associated with the absence of military medical or nursing personnel falls on the MOD. In terms of treatment, the host Trust is expected to meet the throughput and waiting times targets set by the MOD, which are included in the contract with provision, as with any NHS purchaser, for appropriate financial adjustment if they are not met.

  Women
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the deployment of women in the armed forces in front-line combat; and what plans he has to review that policy. [75305]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 10 March 1999]The Armed Forces' position on the employment of women is quite clear; service-women are excluded from posts only where their presence would be to the detriment of combat effectiveness or on the ground of health and safety.

  96 per cent. of posts in the RAF and 73 per cent. of posts in the Naval Service have been open to women for some time, but recently, as the result of a further review, 1,300 specialist posts, filled by Royal Navy and Army personnel attached to the Royal Marines, were opened to women. On 1 April 1998, the Army increased the posts open to women from 47 per cent. to 70 per cent. The remaining posts closed to women will remain closed until we can properly assess the impact on combat effectiveness of the recent changes; this work will be completed in two to three years.

  Following recent studies by the Royal Navy, I announced on 24 February 1999, Official Report, columns 300–01, that women will remain excluded from service in submarines and mine clearance diving for the present time.

  Exercises
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries had armed forces involved in the armoured battlegroup exercises in Canada carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [76609]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The armed forces of the United Kingdom only were involved in the exercises.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of, and how many personnel were deployed on, the NATO joint exercise in South Africa carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [76592]
  805
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There were no NATO joint exercises in South Africa between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries had armed forces involved in the infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [76610]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Armed Forces of the United Kingdom took part in the infantry battalion exercises in Kenya carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. Each of the exercises deployed with a Kenyan liaison officer, who was attached for all or part of the exercise.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel were deployed on the brigade exercise in Poland carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [76612]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Exercise ULAN EAGLE, which took place at the Drawko-Pomorskie training area in North East Poland in October 1997, was a British Army exercise undertaken by 20th Armoured Brigade and it involved 3,518 personnel.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the jungle training exercise in Thailand carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72984]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 2 March 1999]This exercise was a sub-element of exercise Ocean Wave, which took place in the Gulf, Far East and Asia Pacific regions between 13 January and 28 August 1997, see parliamentary answer, 26 February 1999,Official Report, column 471. The additional costs separately identifiable for the jungle training exercise in Thailand were £27,000, which were included in the overall cost of exercise Ocean Wave.

  Logistics Information Systems Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Logistics Information Systems Agency published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76892]

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

  Letter from P. A. Flanagan to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence as to the date the Logistic Information Systems Agency published its report for 1997–98; and what the production costs for the report were.
  The annual report was published on 9 July 1998 and the total cost to produce was £19,744.00.

  Queen Victoria School
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Queen Victoria School; what was the figure at its inception; on what date the Queen Victoria School published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76898]
  806
  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Queen Victoria School. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Brian Raine to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of employees and annual report as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of Queen Victoria School.
  The number of people employed is currently 76 and was 70 at the inception of the Agency on 1 April 1992.
  The Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98 was published on 23 July and the cost of production was £1,000.

  Meteorological Office
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Meteorological Office; and what was the figure at its inception. [76888]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Ewins to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  Parliamentary Question: Number of people employed by the Met. Office
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of people employed by The Met. Office now and at its inception. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of The Met. Office.
  As at 28 February 1999, The Met. Office employed 2234 staff. When we became an agency on 1 April 1990 the figure was 2447. A breakdown is given below.

  1.4.90

  28.2.99

  Senior Civil Service

  10

  8

  Scientific, managerial, technical

  1888

  1622

  Support

  503

  585

  Locally employed civilians overseas

  46

  19

  Total

  2447

  2234

  You may be interested to know that when The Met. Office was formed in 1854, as part of the Board of Trade to provide meteorological and sea-current information to mariners, it employed just 4 people. Today, our activities include global weather forecasts for defence and civil aviation; specialist services to commerce and industry (including the utilities); a wide range of public meteorological services, including severe weather warnings; and a substantial climate research and prediction programme.

  RAF Training Group Defence Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the RAF Training Group Defence Agency; what was the figure at its inception; on what date the RAF Training Group Defence Agency published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76878]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Training Group Defence Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
  807
  Letter from A. J. Stables to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces about the number of people employed by the Royal Air Force Training Group Defence Agency and production of the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts, as these matters fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Data relating to staff numbers is collated on a quarterly basis, and the latest available figures are those for 31 December 1998. At this time the Agency employed 5,759 permanent staff of whom 3,572 were military personnel and 2,187 civilian staff. The Agency was formed on 1 April 1994 and during the first financial year of its operation the average number of permanent employees was 8,309 (6,035 military and 2,274 civilian).
  I signed the Agency's annual report for 1997/98 in June 1998 and it was placed in the Library of the House on 14 July 1998. The direct cost of its production was just under £17,000.

  UK Hydrographic Office
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the UK Hydrographic Office; what was the figure at its inception; on what date the UK Hydrographic Office published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76874]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Hydrographic Office. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Clarke to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence a Parliamentary Question relating to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). As the matters you raise fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the UKHO, I have been asked to reply to you direct.
  You requested details about the number of people currently employed at the UKHO and also at its inception. As at 1 March 1999, the total number of people employed at the UKHO was 916. In terms of the number of full time equivalent staff, this translates to a figure of 874. In terms of people employed at its inception, the Hydrographic Office was formed by an Order in Council in 1795; at that time it employed only 3 people, Alexander Dalrymple, the first Hydrographer of the Navy, and 2 other cartographic staff.
  As you may know, the UKHO attained Trading Fund status on 1 April 1996, and on the basis that you might wish to compare the number of people employed then and now, I can advise you that as at 1 April 1996 the number of people employed was 883. In terms of the number of full time equivalent staff this translates to a figure of 842.
  Turning now to your enquiries concerning the UKHO's Annual Report, I can tell you that the UKHO's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997/98 was laid before Parliament on Wednesday 15 July 1998. As regards the cost of production, this totalled some £26,626. That said, I think it might be useful to you if I were to qualify that figure to indicate, with a little more precision, what it covered. The cost of production included all production compilation effort, including the sub-contracted composing costs, printing, finishing and associated materials.
  I hope this reply has been of assistance. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need any further amplification.

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation; what was the figure 808
  at its inception; on what date the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76885]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from S. R. Hill to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:

  1. I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation (NARO) as this matter falls within my areas of responsibility as Chief Executive of the NARO.

  2. As at 1st March 1999, the NARO employed 1396 personnel, the figure at its inception of 1st April 1992 was 1618.

  3. The NARO Annual Report for 1997–98 was laid in the library of the House on 1st July 1998 and the cost of production of the report was £2,900 for 500 copies.

  Military Survey Defence Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Military Survey Defence Agency; what was the figure at its inception; on what date the Military Survey Defence Agency published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76887]

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

  Letter from P. R. Wildman to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of people employed by the Military Survey Defence Agency as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Military Survey Defence Agency.
  The Military Survey Defence Agency currently employs 1,243 staff. At inception in 1991 the Agency employed 1,568 staff, although 250 of these staff were technically outside the Agency boundary at the time. These staff have since been amalgamated into the Agency.
  The Agency Annual Report and Accounts were laid before Parliament on 28 January 1999. The cost of producing the Annual Report was £8,286.

  RAF Signals Engineering Establishment
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment; what was the figure at its inception; on what date the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76879]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment Defence Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
  809
  Letter from G. Jones to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked: how many people are currently employed by the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment; what the figure was at its inception; on what date the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report, as these matters fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment Defence Agency.
  The Agency currently has an authorised establishment of 977 personnel and the strength, as at 1 March 1999, was 929 made up of 339 RAF, 561 Civil Servants and 29 contractors employed to fill established specialist posts, for which suitably-qualified Civil Servants cannot be recruited, and for short-term requirements. At the launch of the Agency in November 1994 the authorised establishment was 1,570 personnel. The majority of the reduction has resulted from the placing of a Multi-Activity Contract with SERCO Defence Limited for the delivery of provisioning, stockholding, transportation, computer and administration services.
  The Agency's Annual Report and Accounts was published on 12 August 1998 at a cost of £5,606 which covered the design and printing.

  Ministry of Defence Police
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Ministry of Defence Police published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76886]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This is a matter for the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Policy Agency. I have asked the Chief Constable to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Walter Bore ham to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Ministry of Defence Police report for 1997–98 as this falls into my area of responsibility as Chief Constable/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Policy Agency.
  My 1997–98 annual report was laid before Parliament on 20 July 1998. The cost of production was £24,191.

  RAF Performance
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the RAF's end of year performance reports in 1996–97 and 1997–98. [76736]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The RAF End of Year Performance Report is a document designed to report on the Service's performance against its Management Plan over the past year, and identifies key issues and themes with major implications for the following year. As such it contains information on operational capabilities of elements of the Armed Forces.

  For these reasons I am withholding these documents under Exemptions 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) and 2 (Internal Discussion and Advice) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  An unclassified account of the MOD's performance can be found in the Departmental Performance Report, which was published on 30 November 1998 and is available in the Library of the House.

  EU Directives and Regulations
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list EU directives and regulations which impact on health and safety issues, working conditions and equality between men and women amongst military and civilian employees for whom he is responsible. [76961]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Unless they contain a specific exemption, all EU directives and regulations which impact on health and safety issues, working conditions and equality between men and women apply to service personnel and Ministry of Defence civilian employees.

  Armed Forces (Compensation)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish a consultation document on the principles underlying a possible new structure of compensation arrangements for the armed forces. [76959]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 15 March 1999,Official Report, column 502.

  Common Leave Allowance
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if from April 1999 all ranks of all three services will move to a common leave allowance of 30 working days. [76958]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The "Policy for People" element of the Strategic Defence Review included a pledge that a Common Leave Allowance of 30 working days would be introduced for all Armed Forces personnel, regardless of rank or service, on 1 April 1999. The new policy will be introduced by the Naval Service and Royal Air Force on 1 March 1999, and by the Army on 1 April 1999. The date of introduction is governed by the Common Leave Year of each Service.

  Defence Estate (London)
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Review of his Department's Estate in London to be concluded. [77314]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Review of the MOD Estate in London is continuing. On the basis of the work undertaken to date, I have asked for a report in July.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the strategy underlying the current bombing of Iraq. [77357]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Government's aim in enforcing the no-fly zones is to continue the essential humanitarian task of preventing Saddam Hussein from using his airforce to repress his own people. In undertaking this mission, we have made it clear that we will take robust but appropriate defensive measures in response to any attempts by Iraq to threaten our aircrew. Current military action is purely in self-defence, and taken in response to threats to the coalition. Since the end of Operation Desert Fox, over 160 Iraqi aircraft have violated the no-fly zones and coalition aircraft have been shot at or threatened over 70 times.
  811
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Paveway III laser-guided bombs and Harm anti-radar missiles have been dropped on Iraq since Desert Fox. [77329]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Since Operation Desert Fox, military action by coalition aircraft has been taken only in self-defence in response to Iraqi attempts to shoot down or otherwise threaten our aircraft. RAF Tornados have dropped two Paveway III bombs and fired no High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) on Iraq since Operation Desert Fox.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons he did not seek UN approval for changing the rules of engagement on bombings of Iraq. [77259]

  Mr. George Robertson
  UK forces patrolling the no-fly zones in support of UN Resolution 688 are not under UN command. Their Rules of Engagement are therefore an entirely national matter.

  Service Personnel (Social Security Benefits)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of service personnel in receipt of social security benefits in each of the last five years. [77449]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Except in a limited number of circumstances, for example, when personnel are serving overseas, entitlement to DSS benefits is normally a matter between individual service personnel and the DSS, to which claims are made direct. Therefore, my Department has no overview of the extent of benefits being claimed by service personnel.

  Widow's Pension
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received concerning the loss of widow's and widower's pensions on post-retirement remarriage; and if he will make a statement on the progress of his review of widow's and widower's pensions. [77863]

  Mr. Spellar
  My right hon. Friend from time to time receives representations from hon. Members, the ex-service organisations and from individuals, on widow's and widower's pensions, including suggestions that the widows or widowers of post-retirement marriages to former members of the Armed Forces who left the Services before 6 April 1978 should be entitle to a Forces Family Pension. Widow's and widower's pensions will be examined as part of the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, which is expected to report later this year. This will include a re-examination of the entitlement of such individuals, but I cannot yet predict the outcome. It would be a departure from normal practice to make retrospective improvements to the terms of pensions already in payment.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the consequences for overstretch in the Army of the proposed deployment in Kosovo of British troops. [77302]
  812
  Mr. George Robertson
  As I have said before, a deployment to Kosovo would represent a challenging new commitment for the Army, especially as implementation of the Strategic Defence Review is still at an early stage. The consequences for overstretch would obviously depend on the size and duration of any deployment, and on what happens to other commitments in the meantime.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  CAP
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome of the discussions on reform of the CAP at the Council of Ministers was; and if he will make a statement. [74384]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 11 March 1999]The House was informed of the outcome of the negotiations on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in my statement to the House on 12 March 1999,Official Report, columns 626–40.

  Date-based Export Scheme
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral answer to the hon. Member for North Dorset (Mr. Walter), 24 February 1999,Official Report, columns 385–86, when he issued the invitation to the European Commission to inspect the abattoirs which will be involved in the Date-based Export Scheme; and when he expects the inspections to take place. [74331]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 March 1999]I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes), on 3 March 1999,Official Report, column 774.

  Pig Producers
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure the repayment of subsidies which the Commission has deemed irregular which were paid to French and German pig producers; and if he will make a statement. [77130]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 1998, both the German and French Governments made announcements about the introduction of state aid schemes aimed at assisting their pig producers. Following representations from the UK and others, however, the German proposal was withdrawn. The EU Commission has expressed concern about some elements of the French proposal and has asked for further information under procedures laid down in Article 93(2) of the Treaty. The French Government have until the end of march to respond. We will, of course, continue to press the Commission to fulfil its obligations under the Treaty which include, if necessary, ordering the repayment of any state aid subsidies plaid illegally.

  Tobacco
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on EU agricultural policy and its impact on the financial regime for tobacco grown in the EU. [76953]
  813
  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) on 14 January 1999,Official Report, column 294.

  Pork Products
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the sale of imported pork products which are of a type that cannot legally be produced in the United Kingdom. [76753]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]I assume that the hon. Member is referring to imported pork products which were produced from pigs which may have been reared in stall and tether production systems or fed with pig feed containing meat and bone meal (MBM). An import ban on such products would be incompatible with our EU and World Trade Organisation obligations. I will, however, continue to urge retailers and caterers to take account of animal welfare and other considerations when sourcing pork and pork products. The hon. Member may be aware that major UK retailers have given voluntary assurances to Ministers that they will only source own label fresh pork, bacon, ham, sausages and pork pies from stall and tether and MBM free production systems.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when Ministers or officials wrote to the appropriate authorities in the European Commission seeking confirmation that proposals to proceed with UK legislation on animal quarantine reform based on the outcome of the Kennedy report(a) are compatible with single market requirements and (b) will not be opposed by the Commission. [76663]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]We have kept the Commission closely informed about the Kennedy Report at meetings and through correspondence. If it became necessary to write along the lines suggested by the hon. Gentleman, we would do so.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about Government policy on the control of genetically modified food. [75373]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 17 March 1999]The Government's policy on the control of GM foods is first and foremost to protect public health and secondly to ensure that all such foods are clearly labelled so that consumers are able to make an informed choice about whether or not to consume them.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has undertaken of the safety of genetically modified foods on a similar basis to those undertaken for pharmaceutical products. [75418]

  Mr. Rooker
  The authorisation of market release for new drugs and genetic modified (GM) foods are subject to different, but equally strict, criteria.
  814
  The assessment for new drugs is based on safety, quality and efficacy. The assessment of novel, including GM, foods is based on establishing that they do not present a danger to the public; that the public are not misled in any way about them; and that they do not disadvantage the public in terms of their nutritional content.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce regulations for the enforcement of EC Regulation 1139/98 concerning the labelling of genetically-modified soya and maize. [78044]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have laid before Parliament this morning the Food Labelling (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which will come into force tomorrow. These provide the means for Local Authorities to be able to enforce the EC Regulation that requires all foods containing genetically modified soya or maize ingredients to be clearly labelled. This Regulation, which took effect last September, applies to all foods produced and labelled from that date.

  The Government are determined that consumers should be able to choose whether or not to eat genetically modified foods. This includes food sold in restaurants, cafes and takeaways and not just that available from supermarkets. The UK is the first member state in Europe to take steps to ensure that consumers eating out will have the same right to choose whether or not to consume foods containing GM ingredients as those buying from shops.

  As a measure of how seriously the Government take the right of consumers to have clear, reliable information about the GM content of food they buy, we have decided not to wait the customary 21 days for these Regulations to come into force but to make them fully effective from tomorrow.

  A letter is being sent today to interested parties advising them of the content of the Regulations and enclosing a copy of the text. Further copies of the Regulations are available from John Furzer or Raj Pal, MAFF, Room 239c, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR. In addition, the legislation can be viewed from this afternoon at MAFF Website "http://www.maff. gov.uk/food/novel/labelreg. pdf" A Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Regulations has been prepared and placed in the Library of the House.

  Animal Feeding Stuffs
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the availability of organic high protein feed supplements for sheep over the lambing period; and if he will make a statement. [76795]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 17 March 1999]No specific assessment has been made. However inquiries have not indicated problems with the current availability of organic feeding stuffs for sheep.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the volume of farm animal feed that has been consumed since the introduction of genetically modified material to such feed. [75106]
  815
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 8 March 1999]In total, about 20 million tonnes of animal feed were purchased in both 1997 and 1998 by livestock farmers for use on their farms, which included some 3.6 million tonnes of imported soya and maize products. A proportion of this would have been derived from GM crops. However, in the absence of crop segregation and specific labelling requirements, it is not possible to know the precise amount. In addition, farmers will have fed material from home-produced crops which would not have contained any genetically modified materials.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will invite Mrs. M. Kellie of Nelson House, Staverton, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6PA to take part in the open consultation process on the establishment of a Food Standards Agency; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the consultation process. [76794]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 17 March 1999]Mrs. Kellie attended a consultation meeting in Bristol on 15 March. She has also been sent a copy of the consultation papers dealing with the draft Food Standards Bill, on which her comments would be welcome.

  By 16 March, 176 responses to this consultation exercise had been received. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 24 March.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what responses he has received to date to the consultation exercise on a draft Food Standards Agency Bill. [76458]

  Mr. Rooker
  By 15 March, 158 responses had been received. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 24 March 1999.

  Irradiated Food
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in respect of the draft Directive on Irradiated Food. [75090]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 8 March 1999]The Government consider that the recently adopted EC Directive on Irradiated Food represents an important step in harmonising food irradiation legislation across the EU. Amongst other things, this will require all irradiated foods to be clearly labelled in line with current UK requirements. The Directive will be implemented in the UK within the prescribed time frame of 18 months from the date when the Directive is published by the EC Commission.

  Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the process following the nomination of Julie Shepherd to serve on the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes. [75087]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 8 March 1999]A number of candidates were considered for the post of consumer representative on the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes. The person chosen for this 816
  position by Ministers was particularly well qualified having both experience of consumer issues and a scientific qualification. If the hon. Member has particular concerns about this, perhaps he will write to me.

  Genetic Modification
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by title the unpublished reports into aspects of genetic modification which are held by his Department. [75098]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 8 March 1999]It is not the normal practice of governments to release details of information relating to internal policy analysis as is made clear in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  This Department does, however, seek to make available as much information about genetic modification as possible. For example, the minutes of the meetings of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), and papers produced and considered by the Committee, are routinely published on the MAFF website. Reports of ACNFP assessments of novel food applications are also published in the Committee's annual reports.

  Meat Inspection
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information his Department has collated on the charges levied on abattoirs in other EU member states for meat inspection as prescribed by the EU Directive. [76288]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 193.

  Cattle Passports
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of passports issued for cattle for each month since the start of the scheme which have required amendment as a result of error. [76219]

  Mr. Rooker
  Since the Cattle Tracing System was launched on 28 September 1998, the following number of cheque-book style passports have been re-issued by the British Cattle Movement Service in each month:

  Date

  28 September—October 1998:

  5,368

  November 1998:

  13,237

  December 1998:

  13,717

  January 1999:

  20,364

  February 1999:

  16,880

  This figure includes both passports re-issued as a result of error and those re-issued because of loss.

  Figures for passports re-issued under the Cattle Passports System between 1 July 1996 and 28 September 1998 are not readily available and could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.

  Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received requesting a review of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966; and if he will make a statement. [76618]

  Mr. Rooker
  Both the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) have been seeking changes to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Orders made under it. These representations, which deal with the scope of the work which should be reserved to veterinary surgeons or which might be entrusted to paraprofessionals, have raised a number of issues that require serious consideration.

  US Dairy Imports
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amount by value of US dairy products are imported into the United Kingdom; and if they benefit from the US Dairy Export Incentive Programme. [76207]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]In 1998 the UK imported dairy products from the US to the value of £3,436,068. 90 per cent. of this figure consisted of imports of ice cream. In 1997–98 and 1998–99 the UK has not been a target market for the US Dairy Export Incentive Programme (which does not in any case cover ice cream), so UK imports of US dairy products have not benefited from this Programme.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of whether the Dairy Export Incentive Programme of the United States is consistent with World Trade Organisation agreements. [76206]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]Export subsidies are permitted under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, subject to commitments to reduce both the volume of and expenditure on subsidised exports over the period of the Agreement, and to notify these subsidies to the WTO.

  The US Dairy Incentive Export Programme is a notified subsidy, and there is no evidence from the most recent figures submitted to suggest that the US is not reducing its agricultural export subsidies in line with the Agriculture Agreement. I therefore have no reason to believe that this measure is not in compliance with WTO rules. However, the compatibility with WTO rules of any trade measure can be definitively determined only under WTO dispute settlement procedures.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those companies involved in genetically modified crops to which research grants have been awarded by his Department in the last three years. [75863]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 10 March 1999]The Ministry has awarded a research grant to Advanced Technologies (Cambridge) Ltd. together with Leeds University to develop nematode resistance in crops.
  818
  In addition, the Ministry co-funds research on a wide range of topics under the Government's LINK scheme. The following companies are 'co-funding' genetically modified crop research with the Ministry.

  Zeneca, Nickerson Zwaan BV

  PBI (now Monsanto)

  Advanced Technologies (Cambridge) Ltd.

  Agricultural Genetics Co.

  Novartis

  Agrevo

  Nutting and Sons Ltd.

  Elsoms Seeds Ltd.

  A. L. Tozer Ltd.

  Kentish Garden Marketing Ltd.

  Horse Chestnut Disease
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into Horse Chestnut disease; [R] [75850]

  (2) what publicity his Ministry has undertaken to ensure that the symptoms of Horse Chestnut disease can be recognised; and what estimate he has made of its prevalence in the United Kingdom; [R] [75832]

  (3) what discussions he has had with ministers of European Union countries about the spread of Horse Chestnut disease; [R] [75833]

  (4) what arrangements he has made for effective measures to be taken to combat Horse Chestnut disease. [R] [75834]

  Mr. Morley
  The horse chestnut leaf miner causes horse chestnut trees to lose their leaves; these symptoms are sometimes referred to as Horse Chestnut disease. The leaf miner has not been found in the United Kingdom; it prefers the warmer summers found in other parts of Europe.

  The Forestry Commission has studied the problem and evaluated the risks it poses to trees in the United Kingdom, drawing on experience and research in continental Europe. The Commission concluded that the risk of the leaf miner becoming established in the United Kingdom is very small, and that there is therefore no need for further research in the United Kingdom at present. We shall, of course, continue to monitor the spread of the leaf miner elsewhere in Europe, in association with other European countries.

  As the leaf miner is not present in the United Kingdom, we do not think that a publicity campaign to heighten awareness is necessary. We shall, however, continue to enforce our strict plant health regulations which should ensure that the leaf miner does not enter the country on imported plants or timber.

  Neither my right hon. Friend the Minister nor I have discussed the problem with fellow Ministers in the European Union. Our officials in the Forestry Commission are, however, keeping in close contact with their colleagues in other Governments and research institutes throughout Europe.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations Ministers in his Department have received on genetically modified organisms and the biotechnology industry from the US Government. [72760]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 1 March 1999]Genetically modified organisms and the biotechnology industry have been raised on three occasions by representatives of the US Government since May 1997. This took place during meetings between my right hon. Friend the previous Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the US Ambassador to London on 26 November 1997; and between my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and(a) the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Barshefsky, on 23 October 1998 and (b) Mr. Dan Glickman, the US Agriculture Secretary, on 22 January 1999.

  English Wine
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are(a) the maximum permitted quota for English wine, (b) the current output of English vineyards and (c) the types of grapes which are allowed to be grown in England. [76159]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no quota for English wine. Because of the UK climate, vineyard output is variable: average production in England and Wales over the period 1993–97 was 16,344 hectolitres, while in 1997 (the last available year) it was 6,523 hectolitres. The vine varieties which may be used for table wine and quality wine in the UK are set out in the CAP (Wine) Regulations 1996, as amended.

  Flood and Coastal Defences
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish his Department's revised Flood and Coastal Defence Project Appraisal Guidance Notes. [76372]

  Mr. Morley
  We plan to replace the Project Appraisal Guidance Notes with a series of six documents covering strategic planning and appraisal; economic appraisal; risk assessment; environmental appraisal; post project evaluation in addition to an introductory volume. The series will be published over the next eighteen months. The guidance on economic appraisal is nearing finalisation and publication is due by the summer.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those who have been formally asked to comment on drafts of his Department's Flood and Coastal Defence Project Appraisal Guidance Notes; and if he will publish a list of consultees and their responses. [76380]

  Mr. Morley
  Prior to embarking on a review of the Project Appraisal Guidance Notes operating authorities—the Environment Agency, local authorities and Internal Drainage Bodies—the Ministry's Flood and Coastal Defence Policy and Review Group consultants and contractors were consulted on their effectiveness and provided the opportunity to contribute to a revision. We concluded that the current Notes should be replaced with a series which would continue to elaborate Treasury 820
  guidelines, but would update and present existing guidance in a single series. Preparation of these documents is being progressed under the guidance of specific steering groups with appropriate representation drawn from among operating authorities, English nature, and consultants.

  Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those people he has appointed to public bodies since 1 November 1998, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed and if they receive remuneration. [76413]

  Mr. Morley
  The following appointments or re-appointments have been made since 1 November 1998:

  Agricultural Wages Committees

  Members (£68 per day)

  Ms Jeanette Firrell, and

  Edward Kirby (Cambs, Beds, Essex and Herts

  James Leishman (Norfolk and Suffolk)

  Mrs. Edith Owen (Shropshire)

  Apple and Pear Research Council

  Member (£60 per day)

  Mrs. Rebecca Upson

  Environment Agency Board

  Member (£266 per day)

  Andrew Dare CBE

  Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

  Trustees (unpaid)

  Spencer de Grey

  Hugh Gordon Dickinson

  Ian Oag

  Sir Jeffery Haverstock Bowman (Queen's Trustee)

  Regional Flood Defence Committees.

  Members (unpaid)

  Professor Roy Charles Ward (Yorkshire)

  Mrs. Jean Christine Stidwell (Thames)

  Advisory Committee on Pesticides

  Member (£136 per meeting)

  Colin Soutar

  Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees

  Members (£86 per day)

  Barry capon, and

  Peter Scates (Norfolk and Suffolk)

  Edward Kirby, and

  Alan Felstead (Cambs, Beds, Essex and Herts)

  Farm Animal Welfare Council

  Chairman (£176 per meeting)

  Mrs. Judy MacArthur Clark

  Members (£111 per meeting)

  John Peter McInerney

  Gareth Lloyd

  Food Advisory Committee

  Members (£138 per meeting)

  Charles McDonald

  Christopher Llewelyn

  Covent Garden Market Authority

  Member (£7,475 per annum)

  Alan J. Cole.

  Electronic Red Boxes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will name the Ministers in his Department who are regular users of electronic Red Boxes. [76180]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, the Cabinet Office on 16 March 1999,Official Report, columns 651–52.

  No "laptop red boxes" are currently in use in my Department.

  Wildlife Protection
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what measures he has put in place to improve protection for wildlife. [77187]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]The Government are committed to a continuing expansion of areas under agreement under the major agri-environment schemes and are making an extra £40 million available over the next three years for these schemes in England.
  822
  Other measures include introducing stronger protection for internationally important wildlife sites from flooding and coastal erosion, persuading the European Commission to simplify the arrangements for voluntary set-aside to enable it to be of greater benefit for wildlife, encouraging the development of the flax protocol, and updating Codes of Practice for Pesticides and the Protection of Water, Soil and Air.

  Multinational Food Companies
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards, and what assessment he has made of, the implications for food security of the increased role of multinational companies in the food chain. [76499]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]My Department has every confidence in the security of food supplies due to the diverse make-up of the sector which ranges from a myriad of small domestic companies through to a small number of large multinational companies. Each has its own important role to play in the market place.

  Millennium Date Change
  Millennium Date Change
  Developing Countries: Debt
  Developing Countries: Debt
  Euro
  Euro
  Buxton Memorial Fountain
  Buxton Memorial Fountain
  Hyde Park: North Carriage Drive Closure
  Hyde Park: North Carriage Drive Closure
  The Mall: Closure
  The Mall: Closure
  North Durham Healthcare Trust
  North Durham Healthcare Trust
  Culmore Landfill Site
  Culmore Landfill Site
  Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty: Destruction of Nuclear Warheads
  Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty: Destruction of Nuclear Warheads
  Menwith Hill: US Forces
  Menwith Hill: US Forces
  Iraq: Rules of Engagement
  Iraq: Rules of Engagement
  Millennium Experience: Ticket Prices
  Millennium Experience: Ticket Prices
  Government Departments: Sponsorship
  Government Departments: Sponsorship
  Scottish Parliament Election Campaign: Rules for Special Advisers
  Scottish Parliament Election Campaign: Rules for Special Advisers
  Peers: Appointments to Public Bodies
  Peers: Appointments to Public Bodies
  UK Fleet: Tonnage Increases
  UK Fleet: Tonnage Increases
  Countryside: Conditions for Access
  Countryside: Conditions for Access
  Standard Spending Assessments
  Standard Spending Assessments
  Environment Council, 11 and 12 March
  Environment Council, 11 and 12 March
  DfEE Green Paper: The Learning Age—A New Britain
  DfEE Green Paper: The Learning Age—A New Britain
  Palestine-European Union Trade
  Palestine-European Union Trade
  Bosnia: Aid
  Bosnia: Aid
  Royal Gallery: Maclise Paintings
  Royal Gallery: Maclise Paintings