Written Answers of 31 March 1999

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Debt Relief
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms her Department is developing to ensure that the proceeds of debt relief are invested in measures aimed at reducing poverty. [79519]

  Clare Short
  I strongly agree that the resources freed up by debt relief need to be invested in poverty reduction programmes if we are to achieve the international development targets, including halving the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015. We are pressing for the link between debt relief and poverty reduction to be examined and strengthened during the fundamental review of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, which is underway.

  HIPC debt relief is available only to countries following programmes agreed with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. We are working with these organisations to ensure that programmes are designed to promote high quality growth, and that the resources freed up by debt relief are allocated to poverty reduction programmes. Following last year's review of IMF's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF), we are working with the Fund to ensure that more priority is given to the social impact of programmes, and that more attention is paid to including civil society in the design of programmes, to increase their poverty impact.

  In addition, following proposals put forward by the UK, the World Bank is developing a set of general principles of good practice in social policy in consultation with the IMF. We envisage these principles should be drawn upon by the IMF and the World Bank in the design of programmes, to ensure that they protect and promote spending on health and education.

  Primary Education
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is currently giving to developing countries to improve the quality of primary education. [79531]

  Clare Short
  Our education programmes for developing countries in support of the international goals of universal primary education and gender equity in primary and secondary education include agreements on policies which ensure that our assistance has a beneficial and sustainable effect, and that quality is not compromised in pursuit of the quantified development targets.

  Where required, we provide technical assistance to address quality issues such as teacher training and the curriculum, and make substantial contributions to quality
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  in the form of books and learning materials. In Uganda and India, we are supporting the development of appropriate and good quality schools and classroom learning environments as part of our wider support to primary education in those countries.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is giving to developing countries to meet the target of universal primary education by 2015; and what progress has been made to date. [79524]

  Clare Short
  In our White Paper we undertook to seek to meet the target of universal primary education by 2015. We have committed over £200 million to basic education in a number of countries including Ghana, India, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and our largest ever single education pledge of £67 million for Uganda. These and substantial new programmes under development will contribute to the international target for universal primary education. It is too early to report progress towards the development goals. DFID programmes cannot be measured in isolation. Progress will be monitored through international education statistics collated and published by UNESCO and other multilateral organisations, including the OECD.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to increase the proportion of bi-lateral aid invested in primary education. [79518]

  Clare Short
  As we set out in our White paper, we are committed to the international development targets, including Universal Primary Education by 2015. In the Government's first year in office (1997/98), we spent over £13 million of bilateral funds on primary education. This was an increase of £5 million over the previous year. Subsequent major commitments of over £200 million, plus new programmes currently being developed in a number of countries, amounting to at least £200 million will substantially increase the proportion of our bilateral assistance invested in primary education.

  Education (Gender Equality)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress to date towards the achievement of the international development goal of gender equality in education. [79520]

  Clare Short
  As we made clear in our White Paper in November 1997, we are committed to the international goals of universal primary education by 2015 and gender equity in primary and secondary education by 2005.

  We have committed over £200 million to basic education in a number of countries including Ghana, India, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and our largest ever single education pledge of £67 million for Uganda. These and other new programmes under development are a reflection of our understanding—based on strong evidence—that investment in the education of girls is the single, most effective way to reduce poverty.

  We are committed to supporting governments that give priority to the education of girls within their education systems. It is too early to report progress towards the

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  development goals. DFID programmes cannot be measured in isolation and progress towards the education development targets will be monitored through international education statistics collated and published by UNESCO and other multilateral organisations, including work by the OECD on indicators of development.

  Montserrat
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent scientific re-assessment she has received of volcanic risks in Montserrat; and if she will make a statement. [79060]

  Clare Short
  The latest volcanic assessment was undertaken earlier this month. The review concluded that there has been no resumption of magmatic eruption since March 1998, and that risk levels of a major volcanic eruption are now similar to those in other Caribbean volcanic islands.

  I have placed copies of the full report in the Libraries of the House.

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by her Department since May 1997 which have set up(a) sub-groups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees. [79255]

  Clare Short
  There are no bodies which fall into these categories.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by her Department since May 1997(a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79278]

  Clare Short
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 13.

  Soviet Military Testing
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government to provide aid to(a) Kazakhstan and (b) other former Soviet republics to tackle the effects of radioactive fallout from Soviet military testing. [79545]

  Clare Short
  Following discussions with the Kazakh authorities, the Department for International Development has plans to support a community based land-use plan for the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan. We plan to implement the project later this year after consultation with representatives of provincial government, local communities, NGOs, and central Government in Kazakhstan.
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  There are no other former Soviet republics receiving aid to tackle the effects of radioactive fallout from Soviet military testing.

  Asbestosis Sufferers (Legal Aid)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which officials had discussions with GJW, on how many occasions and on what dates, concerning the wish by Cape plc to amend the Access to Justice[Lords] Bill to ban foreign workers suffering from asbestosis obtaining legal aid. [78740]

  Clare Short
  No officials in my Department have had any discussions with G. J. Ward concerning any wish by Cape plc to amend the Access to Justice[Lords] Bill.

DEFENCE

  Harrier GR7 Aircraft
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the average flying hours in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998 for Harrier GR7 aircraft in service with the RAF. [67693]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In both 1997 and 1998, Harrier GR7 aircraft have each flown an average of 23 hours per month.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the overseas trips on his behalf. and who met the costs, undertaken by each of his special advisers since May 1997. [74641]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 4 March 1999]: Overseas visits (on my behalf) undertaken by my two special advisers since 1 May 1997 are as listed. The costs of these visits were met as appropriate either from my travel budget or from that of the senior official or military officer whom the special adviser was accompanying. In most cases travel was by military flight.

  Alasdair McGowan

  2–3 June 1997 Washington accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  30 June–1 July 1997 Bosnia accompanying Chief of the General Staff

  5–9 October 1998 Cyprus accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  27–28 October 1998 Bosnia accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  Bernard Gray

  30 September–1 October 1997 Maastricht accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  2–3 December 1997 Brussels—NATO Ministerial—accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  13 March 1998 Cyprus one visit—accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  14–16 March 1998 Saudi Arabia one visit—accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  2 April 1998 Munich—DASA Meeting—Defence Industry Restructuring

  8 April 1998 Villacoublay, France—talks with French MOD—accompanying Chief of Defence Procurement

  20 April 1998 France—talks with French MOD—accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

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  10–11 June 1998 Brussels accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  18 September 1998 France accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  23–25 September 1998 Portugal—NATO Informals—accompanying Secretary of State

  21 October 1998 Munich—DASA Meeting—accompanying Chief of Defence Procurement

  17–20 November 1998 USA accompanying Secretary of State for Defence

  5–7 January 1999 Bosnia accompanying Chief of the Defence Staff

  31 January–2 February 1999 Macedonia accompanying Chief of the defence Staff

  4–5 March 1999 USA—Defence Industry Restructuring—accompanying Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement (Support).

  British Deployment (Balkans)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British personnel are currently deployed in the Balkans; and if he will make a statement. [78407]

  Mr. George Robertson
  On 30 March, there were some 9,680 personnel committed to operations in the Balkans region, excluding Defence Attache staff. This includes some 4,700 personnel in Greece and Macedonia in connection with operations relating to Kosovo, some 4,500 personnel serving with SFOR in Bosnia and Croatia, and some 480 Royal Navy personnel in the area aboard the frigates HMS Iron Duke and HMS Somerset and the submarine HMS Splended. In addition, there are some 450 RAF personnel in Italy supporting NATO air operations over the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and in support of SFOR.

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requirements his Department has given to tenderers concerning the construction of the Royal Navy's future aircraft carriers. [78780]

  Mr. Spellar
  The potential prime contractors have been informed that the future aircraft carriers will be built and outfitted in the UK in line with current Government policy and that the first ship should be in service with the Royal Navy by 2012 and the second by 2015.

  Mine Counter-measures (Adriatic Sea)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on maritime mine counter-measures in the Adriatic; and what assessment he has made of the dangers to shipping from an increase in tensions in Kosovo. [79423]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We assess that there is no substantial threat to shipping in the Adriatic as a result of the current Kosovo crisis. Should this situation change, NATO has Mine Counter-measures assets available to meet any threat which might arise.

  Defence Aviation Repair Agency
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the formation of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency; and what key targets have been set for 1999–2000. [79893]
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  Mr. Spellar
  On 1 April 1999 the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) will be established as a Defence Agency. The DARA will be responsible for the provision of deep aviation repair and overhaul facilities to meet the UK's Defence needs. It will enable the MOD's requirements for third line aircraft servicing to be focused on one primary provider. The DARA's Chief Executive will be Mr. Steve Hill and its Head Office will be at RAF St. Athan, Vale of Glamorgan. The Agency will employ 1,726 military and 5,099 civilian staff at four locations in the UK—Almondbank, Fleetlands, RAF Sealand and RAF St. Athan.

  The creation of the Agency will improve Defence aviation repair delivery by focusing on customer requirements. It will also offer scope for exploiting the synergy between helicopter and fixed wing repair facilities and provide a clear line of accountability for service delivery. The DARA's corporate aim will be
  "To meet the needs of the UK's armed forces for responsive and cost effective in-house deep aviation repair".

  The Chief Executive has been set the following Key Targets for the first year of operation:

  Quantity

  To achieve 95 per cent. of the agreed programme of aircraft repair work.

  Cost

  To keep within the approved operating cost budget while delivering the agreed programme of work.

  Timeliness

  To meet 95 per cent. of the agreed turn round times for aircraft, helicopter engines and transmission systems.

  Quality Standard

  To achieve a high quality index rating to be specified in the DARA Business Plan based on the following quality elements:

  Acknowledgement of a customer concern.

  Investigation and response to customer concerns.

  Attributable quality failings.

  Attributable incident reports.

  Efficiency

  (i) To increase overall efficiency by 5 per cent.

  (ii) To achieve an increase in sales of repayment work (i.e. non-MOD) of at least 25 per cent. in FY 99–00 from a baseline of £9 million.

  Defence Procurement Agency
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the formation of the Defence Procurement Agency; and what key targets have been set for 1999–2000. [79989]

  Mr. George Robertson
  As we announced following our Strategic Defence Review the Defence Procurement Agency, DPA, will be launched as a Vote funded agency on 1 April 1999. It will be an executive agency under the Chief of Defence Procurement, Sir Robert Walmsley. He will be the Chief Executive and will be directly accountable to Ministers. The aim of the DPA will be to procure new equipment for the Armed Forces in response to approved requirements and to provide other procurement related services to its customers in and beyond the Ministry of Defence.
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  The Agency's main presence will be at its headquarters at Abbey Wood, Bristol, as well as at other locations in the UK and overseas.

  The Agency will be organised in accordance with the principles underlying the Strategic Defence Review and specifically the Smart Procurement Initiative. The majority of its people will belong to Integrated Project Teams arranged in groups and accountable to the Agency's executive board. The executive board will be collectively accountable through the Chief Executive for the aggregate performance of the agency.

  We have established five Key Targets to determine the effectiveness of the Agency during its first year of operation. We shall report results in the summer of next

  Key Targets

  1. Predicted achievement of customers' core requirements for projects1

  85%

  2. Average cumulative slippage of in service dates2 at 31 March 2000 not to exceed

  26 months

  3. Average cumulative cost variation3 at 31 March 2000 not to exceed

  4%

  4. Obtain customers' assessments of standards of DPA performance4, to set a baseline for targets in subsequent years

  March 2000

  5. While continuing to meet the demands of the procurement programme, reduce the operating costs of the DPA in relation to the 1997–98 costs of the Procurement Executive by

  10%

  1About ten core requirements per project will be agreed between the DPA and MOD headquarters, defining the essential characteristics of the equipment. This target has been pitched at a level consistent with achievement of a target of 97% by March 2002.

  2Variation between in service date (ISD) approved at "Main Gate" (the major investment decision point) and currently predicted ISD.

  3Variation between cost approved at Main Gate and current estimate.

  4Assessments will be made in relation to agreed outputs specified in Customer Supplier Agreements relating to pre and post Main Gate project management, provision of technical, safety and other services and management of certain nuclear activities. The aggregated score will be used as the basis for progressively higher targets year by year.

  Smart Procurement
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement(a) on progress in implementing the Smart Procurement Initiative and (b) the Defence Logistics Organisation. [79889]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Smart Procurement Initiative launched in our Strategic Defence Review offers major improvements in the way in which the Ministry of Defence buys and maintains equipment, and supports the Armed Forces. Smart Procurement encompasses the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA), the formation of which we are announcing separately today, and the new Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO), headed by the new Chief of Defence Logistics. Both of these new organisations will form on 1 April 1999.

  We remain committed to deliver the £2 billion of savings over 10 years which we promised from Smart Procurement, and we have identified clear scope for further savings on top of that. The close working relationship between the DPA and DLO, needed to help deliver these savings, is being achieved in part through the creation of Integrated Project Teams or IPTs. These include staff from both the procurement and support organisations, as well as necessary contracts, finance, operational user and—in particular—industry expertise. We want to foster an enhanced partnership with industry, to reduce risk, encourage innovation and increase the competitiveness of defence industry.

  The 10 pilot projects where we have been trialling Smart Procurement techniques and the IPT concept are already starting to indicate new savings running to several hundreds of millions of pounds over their life. They have also identified significant opportunities to get equipment
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  year. In addition to these in year targets the Agency remains committed to achieving savings of at least £2 billion by March 2008 by the application of Smart Procurement techniques.

  The first three Targets apply to the range of projects covered by the Major Projects Report, which my Department submits annually to the House. Like the other Targets they are a starting point in what we intend to be a process of continuous improvement. Targets 2 and 3 are compatible with goals set in the 1999–2002 Public Service Agreement (PSA), adapted to enable cumulative performance to be measured. Target 5 also reflects one of the goals featured in the PSA.

  The DPA's Key Targets for 1999–2000 are:

  into service faster, or—for equipment already in service—improve its availability and reliability. For example, the Type 23 frigate IPT is looking to reduce the length of an upgrade programme by 30 per cent. and the VC10 IPT has already identified initiatives to achieve a 10 per cent. increase in serviceability.

  Soon after Easter we will launch the first wave of IPTs covering 23 projects or groups of projects in the DPA and DLO. Over the course of the coming year, the remainder of projects will migrate to this new structure, with a total of about 150 Teams forming in all, some 90 in the DPA and 60 in the DLO.

  We have streamlined our internal procedures for taking decisions on equipment procurement, and will be reconfiguring MOD Headquarters to ensure that there is a clear central customer for equipment.

  The Chief of Defence Logistics, General Sir Sam Cowan, will formally take up his post on 1 April 1999, bringing together the areas of the Chief of Fleet Support, the Quartermaster General and the Air Member for Logistics into a single Defence Logistics Organisation. This will be the largest Joint organisation in Defence, and accounts for some £4.6 billion of expenditure each year. The DLO will become a fully unified logistics structure in April 2000. This offers real prospects for delivering an improved service to the front line at lower cost. A significant proportion of the savings we foresee will come from the Defence Logistics Organisation applying Smart Procurement techniques. There will also be savings in downstream support costs, by ensuring that the whole life costs of equipment are properly considered when procurement decisions are taken.
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  We expect the DLO to make significant improvements in our logistic support, for example: in the ways we procure, manage, repair and store defence munitions; in the procurement and management of fuel; and in the use of lean support techniques. We hope to be able to make further announcements here in the coming months. We are also committed to delivering major reductions in our current holdings of non-explosive stores and to rationalisation of our stock procurement, leading to reductions of £130 million a year from 2001–02 onwards.

  Defence Transport and Movements Agency
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the formation of the Defence Transport and Movements Agency; and what key targets have been set for 1999–2000. [79897]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The formation of the new Defence Transport and Movements Agency (DTMA), providing defence-wide operational and administrative transport and movements services, was announced as part of the Strategic Defence Review. The DTMA will form on 1 April this year incorporating the Defence Transport and Movements Executive, the Defence Freight Distribution Group, the Joint Transport and Movements staff from Northwood, the Passengers Reservation Centre in London, and the Air Movements Executive from High Wycombe. The Chief Executive has been set the following Key Targets for 1999–2000:

  Key Target 1:

  To meet customers' requirements as specified in Customer Supplier Agreements to deliver:

  at least 90 per cent. of Agency transactions within agreed criteria;

  at least 90 per cent. of the services provided under call-off contracts at a satisfactory level.

  Key Target 2:

  To establish baseline data for administrative unit costs by 31 December 1999.

  Key Target 3:

  To demonstrate net added value.

  Key Target 4:

  To achieve at least a satisfactory rating in the provision of operational transport and movements support.

  I have endorsed the Framework Document and Corporate Plan for this new Agency and will place copies of these documents in the Library of the House.

  Defence Estate Organisation
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Defence Estate Organisation. [79991]

  Mr. Spellar
  One of the major issues addressed during the Strategic Defence Review, was how to improve the overall management of the Defence Estate, an important strategic and national asset.

  A number of key recommendations were made affecting the role of the Defence Estate Organisation (DEO), which was originally launched as a Defence Agency in 1997. These were, that the Chief Executive should be accountable for working to users to ensure that the Defence Estate is managed efficiently as a whole to support the deliver of Defence Capability, that the Agency
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  should assume responsibility for all aspects of the surplus property disposal programme and that the Agency should develop a new model for construction procurement.

  The effect of these recommendations has been to place major new responsibilities on the Agency and a fundamental review of the role, processes and organisation of the DEO was undertaken and a major change programme has been put in place.

  A new Framework Document and Corporate Plan have been produced and copies will be placed in the Library of the House. Key Targets for the Agency, which will now be known as Defence Estates (DE), are being finalised and will be published shortly.

  The work to be undertaken by DE, under the title SMART CONSTRUCTION, aims for the widest possible use of Prime Contracting. Whilst focusing on the MOD's estate requirements, it is also an integral part of the necessary reform of the UK Construction Industry which is a Government-wide initiative.

  Logistics Support Services (RAF) Agency
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Logistics Support Services (RAF) Agency. [79896]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The roles and responsibilities of the organisations involved in the provision of integrated logistic support to new projects and in-service equipments in the RAF have been reviewed in order to streamline process, remove duplication and overlap and implement efficiencies.

  Changes include:

  a. combining two related functional areas already located in Glasgow into a single business unit;

  b. transferring related work form RAF Logistics Command at RAF Wyton to the new business unit in Glasgow;

  c. brigading all integrated logistic support activities within an enlarged Logistic Support Services (RAF) Agency but with constituent elements remaining at their current locations.

  The net effect of these changes is to save 43 posts at a saving of just over £ 1 m per year. In doing so, and from 1 April 1999, the Defence Codification Agency (DCA) in Glasgow will cease to be a separate Defence Agency and be absorbed into the Logistic Support Services Agency (RAF).

  Key targets for the Logistic Support Services (RAF) Agency for the financial Year 1999–2000 are:

  To produce 85 per. cent of all deliverables by the target date agreed with the sponsor.

  To deliver 80 per. cent of all outputs at the cost agreed with the sponsor.

  To produce 90 per. cent of all deliverables to the sponsor's complete satisfaction.

  To achieve a 3 per. cent reduction in the cost of a productive hour.

  Copies of the revised Framework Document and Corporate Plan for the Agency will be placed in the House Library.

  Defence Storage and Distribution Agency
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the formation of the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency; and what key targets have been set for 1999–2000. [79894]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The formation of the new Defence Storage and Distribution (DSDA), for the storage and distribution of non-explosive stores, was announced as part of the Strategic Defence Review. The DSDA will form on 1 April this year incorporating the majority of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency, storage functions at RAF Stafford, the Central Services Establishment at Llangennech and the Procurement Executive Storage Depot at Aston Down. The Chief Executive has been set the following Key Targets for 1999–2000.

  Key Target 1:

  To meet customers' requirements as specified in Customer Supplier Agreements (CSAs), against the following standards:

  at least 95 per. cent of issues to consumers to be within specified supply chain processing times;

  at least 95 per. cent of receipts to be processed within agreed time limits;

  no more than one in every thousand issues to be subject to an accepted discrepancy report;

  the level and value of stock written off as a result of DSDA actions to be less than agreed levels.

  Key Target 2:

  To achieve and average 2.5 per. cent reduction in the unit cost of output.

  Key Target 3:

  To achieve an average 5 per. cent reduction in receipts processing times.

  Key Target 4:

  To achieve a 2.5 per. cent reduction in the cost of quality failures.

  I have endorsed the Framework Document and Corporate Plan for this new Agency and will place copies of these documents in the Library of the House.

  Long Service Awards
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the review of long service awards in the armed forces. [79892]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Her Majesty the Queen has graciously approved the institution of a new award to be known as the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal to recognise outstanding service in the volunteer reserve forces. It will apply to volunteer reserves in all three Services and will be open to service men and women of any rank.

  Her Majesty the Queen has also graciously approved the institution of a new award to be known as the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal to recognise 10 years continuous efficient service in the volunteer reserve forces. The Volunteer Reserves Medal will replace the Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, the Royal Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, the Efficiency Decoration, the Efficiency Medal and the Air Efficiency Award. It will apply to volunteer reserves in all three Services and will be open to serve men and women of any rank.
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  As far as the Long Service and Good Conduct Medals of the Regular Armed Forces are concerned, I have concluded that it is not necessary to recommend to Her Majesty any change in the existing awards.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which British land troops would be sent into Kosovo; and in what capacity they would act. [78766]

  Mr. George Robertson
  As the Government have repeatedly made clear the UK will only deploy troops into Kosovo to help implement a peace agreement, with the consent of both parties.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information members of the British armed forces have been given in relation to possible posting to Kosovo. [78767]

  Mr. George Robertson
  It has been made clear to our Armed Forces that we would deploy ground forces to Kosovo only if the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities accept the entry of a NATO-led force in order to implement a peace agreement. Our people are well aware that we have no plans to fight our way into Kosovo.

  Glen Road
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and to whom in his Department Lieutenant Colonel Worsley-Tonks reported the contents of his conversation with Chris Aindow at the end of 1994 concerning events on the Glen Road on 30 September 1990; by whom it was considered; and what action was taken. [78737]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Ministry of Defence officials have spoken to Lieutenant Colonel Worsley-Tonks, who has retired from the Army, who said that he has no recollection of the alleged conversation with Mr. Aindow. Therefore the issue of onward reporting within the MOD does not arise.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and to whom in his Department Colonel Fletcher of the Parachute Regiment reported the contents of his conversation with Chris Aindow in January 1995 concerning events on the Glen Road on 30 September 1990; by whom it was considered; and what action was taken. [78738]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Ministry of Defence officials have spoken to Colonel Fletcher who remembers that a conversation took place with Mr. Aindow, who was no longer a serving soldier, some four years ago. Although he cannot recall the precise details Colonel Fletcher recalls that Mr. Aindow discussed the possibility of a further court case. Colonel Fletcher advised him to tell the truth at any subsequent hearing and took no further action.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what approach his Department made to the lawyers acting for Chris Aindow requesting a copy of Chris Aindow' s affidavit describing the events on the Glen Road on 30 September 1990. [78739]
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  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No approach has been made by my Department to the lawyers of Chris Aindow for a copy of the affidavit describing the events on the Glen Road on 30 September 1990, although a reporter from the Sunday Express provided the MOD Press Office with extracts from the affidavit in which Chris Aindow alleges that he spoke to two Senior Officers after his release from prison in 1994.

  NATO (Spain)
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Spain's joining of NATO's integrated military structure has created impediments to the use of Gibraltar by NATO naval, military and air forces. [78969]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No impediments in the use of Gibraltar by NATO forces have been created by Spain's joining NATO's Integrated Military Structure.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the restrictions in the movements of(a) NATO ships and (b) NATO aircraft that were being applied by Spain at the point when Spain joined NATO' s integrated military structure; and whether any of those restrictions have now been lifted; [78970]

  (2) if he will list the restrictions in the movements of (a) Royal Navy ships and (b) RAF aircraft that were being applied by Spain at the point when Spain joined NATO's integrated military structure; and whether any of those restrictions have now been lifted. [78971]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Spain maintains restrictions on all NATO military aviation movements into and out of Gibraltar, including a ban on military overflights and an air exclusion zone to the North and West of Gibraltar. By means of reservations footnoted to the relevant NATO Standing Agreement, Spain restricts access of UK and other NATO warships to Gibraltar. Discussions in June 1998 between FCO/Spanish MFA officials led to agreement on the lifting of some of the restrictions, air diversions in an emergency and the use of Gibraltar-based assets in NATO exercises.

  Gulf War Veterans
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1999,Official Report, column 209, on British Gulf war veterans, if the available tests under a medical assessment programme will include a test specifically to detect the presence of depleted uranium. [79067]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answers of 10 March 1999,Official Report, columns 208–09, and 15 March 1999, Official Report, columns 502–04, and to the detailed paper, "Testing for the presence of depleted uranium in UK veterans of the Gulf conflict: The Current Position", which I published on 19 March. A copy of the paper was sent to my hon. Friend last week and copies were also placed in the Library of the House.

  Defence Housing Executive
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Defence Housing Executive. [79990]
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  Mr. Spellar
  Following a review of options it has been concluded that the most appropriate way forward would be for the Defence Housing Executive to become an Agency of the Ministry of Defence with effect from 1 April 1999.

  In order to ensure that the Agency operates in the best interests of its customers and in an efficient and cost effective manner, I have agreed five Key Targets with the Chief Executive for the first year of the Agency's work.

  The following four key targets will measure the extent to which the Defence Housing Executive is delivering housing in the correct quantity, to the required standard and within the appropriate time frame.

  Key Target 1:

  To house at least 60 per cent. of families in accommodation that matches their entitlement by posting date or on return to Great Britain from overseas, and at least 90 per cent. within 28 days of that date.

  Key Target 2:

  Less than 10 per cent. of occupants should experience significant defects within 14 days of moving in.

  Key Target 3:

  To complete the planned upgrade of 1,766 properties by 31 March 2000.

  Key Target 4:

  To complete:

  .at least 95 per cent. of emergency repairs within 24 hours of notification;

  at least 90 per cent. of urgent repairs within 5 working days of notification;

  at least 90 per cent. of routine repairs within 2 months of notification.

  The fifth and final key target will measure the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the Defence
  Housing Executive, including the aim to reduce the number of empty properties to achieve a
  management margin of 13 per cent. by April 2002.

  Key Target 5:

  To achieve a unit cost of housing of less than £5,400.

  Copies of the Defence Housing Executive Framework Document and 1999 Corporate Plan will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79652]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The Ministerial Code also applies to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

  Wellington Barracks, Chelsea
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future development of Wellington Barracks, Chelsea. [79421]
  685
  Mr. Spellar
  Initial planning is in hand for the possible refurbishment of Wellington Barracks in the London Borough of Westminster during the early years of the next decade.

TREASURY

  Dividend Tax Credits
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown of the average amoun of tax credits reclaimed on dividends in 1995–96 and 1996–97 by each decile for(a) non-taxpayers aged over 65 years and (b) all non-tax paying individuals. [67471]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: Latest available estimates for 1995–96 and 1996–97, derived from the Survey of Personal Incomes, are given in the table.

  £

  Decile

  Amount of dividend tax credit claimed

  Non taxpayers aged 65 or over—1995–96

  Lowest

  2

  2nd

  5

  3rd

  10

  4th

  15

  5th

  25

  6th

  45

  7th

  65

  8th

  95

  9th

  145

  Highest

  290

  Non taxpayers aged 65 or over—1996–97

  Lowest

  3

  2nd

  7

  3rd

  15

  4th

  20

  5th

  35

  6th

  55

  7th

  80

  8th

  130

  9th

  220

  Highest

  480

  All non-taxpayers—1995–96

  Lowest

  2

  2nd

  5

  3rd

  10

  4th

  15

  5th

  25

  6th

  45

  7th

  65

  8th

  95

  9th

  145

  Highest

  320

  All non-taxpayers—1996–97

  Lowest

  3

  2nd

  7

  3rd

  15

  4th

  20

  5th

  35

  6th

  55

  7th

  80

  8th

  125

  9th

  210

  Highest

  480

  686
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will provide a breakdown of the number of(a) non-taxpayers aged over 65 years and (b) all non-taxpaying persons reclaiming tax credits on dividends in 1996–97 in the categories (i) under £20, (ii) £21 to £50, (iii) £51 to £100, (iv) £101 to £200 and (v) over £200 reclaimed; [67636]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the average value of shares held by (a) non-taxpayers aged over 65 years and (b) all non-taxpaying individuals reclaiming tax credits in 1995–96 and 1996–97 in the categories (i) under £20, (ii) £21 to £50, (iii) £51 to £100, (iv) £100 to £200 and (v) over £200 reclaimed. [67473]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: Estimates of the numbers of people claiming payments of dividend tax credits, derived from the 1996–97 Survey of Personal Incomes, are given in the table, but share holdings or values are not known, so it is not possible to estimate the average value of shares held by these people.

  1996–97

  Amount of dividends tax credit claimed (£)

  Number of non-taxpayers aged 65 and over with claims (Thousand)

  Number of non-taxpayers with claims (Thousand)

  under 20

  105

  225

  21–50

  65

  130

  51–100

  55

  110

  101–200

  50

  95

  201 and over

  60

  105

  Total

  335

  660

  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the(a) average and (b) medium amount in sterling of tax credits on dividends reclaimed in 1995–96 and 1996–97. [67472]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 25 January 1999]: Latest available estimates for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are given in the table.

  £

  Year

  Average amount of divided tax credit claimed

  Median amount of divided tax credit claimed

  1995–96

  75

  35

  1996–97

  105

  40

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [77153]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer met the US Treasury Secretary, Robert Rubin, on 2 October (Washington), 16 December (Washington), 29 January (Davos, Switzerland) and 20 February (Cologne).

  Married Couples Allowance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many couples with children, in the tax year 2000–01, will face a loss as a result of abolition of the married couples allowance in April 2000, broken down by type of housing tenure; and what the average loss will be. [76842]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]: An approximate breakdown by housing tenure of the number of married couples who will no longer benefit from the married couple's allowance in 2000–01 and have children eligible for child benefit is shown in the table. These estimates are based on the Family Expenditure Survey.

  Housing tenure

  Number (Million)

  Rented

  0.6

  Housing Association

  0.1

  owned

  4.1

  Rent free

  0.1

  Total

  4.9

  Childless Couples
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what data his Department has collated on the number of individuals in childless married couples who pay income tax; and if he will breakdown that number by housing tenure. [77008]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]: The Inland Revenue does not currently collect data on the number of taxpayers with or without children, but an approximate breakdown by housing tenure of the number of married couples who benefit from the married couple's allowance in 1998–99 and have no children eligible for child benefit is shown in the table. These estimates are based on the Family Expenditure Survey.

  Numbers (Million)

  Rented

  0.5

  Housing association

  0.1

  Owned

  5.1

  Rent free

  0.1

  Total

  5.8

  Budget
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01 of his budgets to date on the total tax burden in (i) cash terms and (ii) as a percentage of GDP. [78808]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Table B9 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report shows forecasts of taxes and social security contributions, net of tax credits, as a per cent. of GDP. Forecasts of taxes and social security contributions, net of tax credits, in cash terms are published in Table B10. Forecasts of money GDP are published in Table B4.

  Mortgage Interest Tax Relief
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government adopted the international national 688
  accounting convention which requires mortgage interest tax relief to be shown as public expenditure for budgetary purposes. [79059]

  Mrs. Roche
  National accounts are prepared in accordance with internationally agreed guidelines. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) decided to adopt the new European System of Accounts (ESA 95) as the standard for the National Accounts Blue Book published in September 1998. In national accounts prepared under ESA95, all payments of Mortgage Interest Relief are shown as part of Total Managed Expenditure (TME).

  Budget Leaflets
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of(a) preparing, (b) printing and (c)distributing the Budget 99 leaflet. [79398]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 23 March 1999,Official Report, columns 207–08.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answers of 24 March 1999,Official Report, columns 255–56, if he will explain the reason for the fall in the number of pensioners from 10,700,000 in 1998–99 to 9,950,000 in 1999–2000. [79170]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: The figure of 10.7 million in 1998–99 covers all pensioners whereas the figure of 9.95 million for 1999–2000 excludes those paying income tax at a marginal rate of 20 per cent., as specified in the question.

  Public Service Agreements
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government intends to publish the remaining public service agreements and the measures which will be used to monitor their success. [80117]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government are today publishing a White Paper (CM 4315) which is a supplement to "Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability" (CM 4181 published in December 1998). It includes PSAs for the Department of Social Security, Sure Start, the utility regulators (Offer/Ofgas, Oftel, and Ofwat), the Office of Fair Trading and the Charity Commission. PSAs for the Countryside Agency and the Northern Ireland Office will follow later in the year. I have today also published a booklet, "The Government's Measures of Success: Output Performance Analyses", which includes the measures the Government will be using to track progress against the PSA targets. Copies are available in the Vote Office.

  Scottish Variable Rate
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish his assessment of the regulatory impact of the Scottish Variable Rate. [80118]

  Mrs. Roche
  Copies of the regulatory impact assessment have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Funding Policy
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish details of funding arrangements between the Government and the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly. [80119]

  Mr. Milburn
  I have today placed in the Library of both Houses of Parliament copies of. a Statement of Funding Policy. This document fulfils the Government's commitment to make the financial arrangements with the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly a matter of public record.

  Petroleum
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the proportion of the retail price of petroleum taken by tax in each member state of the European Union, the United States of America and Canada; [76571]

  (2) if he will list the average retail price of petroleum in each OECD country, taking account of his Budget measures. [76570]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Unleaded petrol prices in mid-December 1998 and the percentage of taxes in the price are as follows:

  Average price (pence per litre)

  Total

  Of which taxes

  Percentage of tax

  United Kingdom

  63.9

  53.5

  83.7

  Austria

  54.7

  38.2

  69.9

  Belgium

  58.5

  45.7

  78.2

  Denmark

  56.3

  43 0

  76.4

  Finland

  61 0

  50.3

  82.5

  France

  62.7

  52.1

  83.1

  Germany

  55.4

  42.8

  77.3

  Greece

  41.1

  28.3

  68.8

  Ireland

  51.3

  35.5

  69.1

  Italy

  62 0

  47.4

  76.4

  Luxembourg

  42.6

  28.9

  67.9

  Netherlands

  64.3

  49.9

  77.6

  Portugal

  54.9

  40.8

  74.4

  Spain

  44.1

  31.7

  71.8

  Sweden

  58.5

  44.7

  76.4

  Canada1

  20.4

  11 0

  53.8

  USA1

  19.1

  6 0

  31.5

  1Q4 1998

  Note:

  The Duty on UK premium unleaded petrol was increased by 3.22 p/litre in the Budget of 9 March 1999, taking the average price to around 66.4 p/litre, and the total tax component to 86 per cent.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Government Codes and Cypher School
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the following documents, relating to the Government Codes and Cypher School's work in the Second World War, will be released to the Public Record Office:(a) "The History of Hut 8" by A. S. Mahon, (b) "Turing's Treatise on the Enigma" and (c) "The German Navy's Use of Special Intelligence"
  690
  by McMahon; if these documents have been made available outside the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [75132]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 March 1999,Official Report, columns 142–43.

  GCHQ
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessments have been made of the environmental and social impact of the remaining options for the development of GCHQ; and if he will publish them; [76376]

  (2) when he expects to announce the location for the redevelopment of GCHQ; [76377]

  (3) which sites are currently being considered for the redevelopment of GCHQ; [76374]

  (4) what representations he has recently received regarding (a) retention of GCHQ at Benhall and (b) development of a site for GCHQ at Brockworth. [76375]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Since October 1998 two sites have been under consideration for the redevelopment of GCHQ: GCHQ's existing Benhall site and a site at the Gloucester Business Park, Brockworth. I have received a number of representations in support of the Benhall site, including from the hon. Member.

  I expect to consider a recommendation from GCHQ shortly. That recommendation will take account of all relevant factors, including environmental and social considerations. When I announce my decision, I will set out the role which those factors played in it.

  Former European Commissioners
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the payments due to be made by the European Commission to those Commissioners who recently resigned. [79156]

  Ms Quin
  Payments to outgoing Commissioners are governed by the provisions in Council Regulation 422/67/EEC. We have made clear our belief that payments should not be paid to any Commissioner found guilty of fraud or misconduct.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 22 and 23 March; and if he will make a statement. [79095]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I represented the UK at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 22 March 1999. Foreign Ministers met on Sunday 21 March in advance of the General Affairs Council to discuss Agenda 2000 and the future of the European Commission.

  The Council adopted the A points listed in document 6859/99 and noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its sessions of 8–12 February and 24–25 February listed in documents

  691
  5793/99 and 5796/99. Copies of the documents listing the A points and resolutions will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.

  The Council agreed as an "A" point that the Commission should start screening Maltese legislation as soon as possible for compatibility with the Union acquis, and that Malta will be invited to the next meeting of the European Conference, at Foreign Minister level under the Finnish Presidency. We welcome the Council's decision, which is in line with our support for Malta's accession to the EU.

  Future of the European Commission
  Ministers discussed options for appointing a new Commission in preparation for a decision at the Special European Council in Berlin on 24–25 March. The General Affairs Council issued a declaration on the resignation of the Commission.

  Agenda 2000
  Ministers also prepared for negotiations by Heads of State and Government in Berlin on the Agenda 2000 package. Ministers' discussion focused mainly on the future financing of the EU.

  Statute of Members of the European Parliament
  Ministers discussed progress in the negotiations on a Statute for MEPs. All Member States supported the need for early Council agreement, including tough action on allowances. The Council hopes to reach political agreement with the European Parliament before the June European Elections.

  EU/South Africa
  Ministers once again discussed a compromise package to conclude the long-running negotiations on a Trade and Co-operation Agreement with South Africa. Although differences narrowed to some extent, final agreement was not possible. The Council asked the Commission to continue contacts with member states with a view to reaching agreement at the Berlin Council.

  EU/US Relations
  The Council debated the trade disputes with the US on the EU's banana regime, the EU ban on hormones in beef and the proposed regulation on aircraft fitted with hushkits. On bananas, the Council reiterated its support for the Commission in seeking a resolution of the dispute which respects WTO rules. On hormones, the Council agreed that the Commission should continue to explore with the US and Canada options for reaching agreement on a temporary compensation package, as well as labelling. On hushkits, the Council encouraged the Commission to continue its discussions with the US with a view to finding possible solutions.

  EU/Egypt
  The Council discussed the ongoing negotiations with Egypt for an Association Agreement. The Council concluded that the Commission should continue negotiations and report back to a future Council.

  Western Balkans
  Ministers discussed the deteriorating situation in Kosovo, and in particular the latest offensive by the FRY security forces. The Council urged the FRY authorities in the strongest terms to stop the violence immediately, recalled the warning of severest consequences for the FRY from the international community if they did not comply, and expressed its support for the international community's determination to take the necessary action
  692
  to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe. The Council also urged the KLA to refrain from acts of violence. It condemned the killing of civilians on both sides. The EU urged President Milosevic to reverse his course of obstruction, to seize the last chance for a peaceful solution and to accept the fair and balanced outcome represented by the Rambouillet Accords.

  Middle East Peace Process
  Ministers discussed the MEPP and the implications of a possible unilateral declaration of statehood by the Palestinians on 4 May 1999 (the expiry of the five year transitional period established under the Oslo Accords). This was the first Ministerial level discussion of the 4 May issue. It was agreed that discussion should continue at a later date.

  Human Rights/China
  The Council decided that the EU would not change its position on China at this year's UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). The EU would continue to express publicly its growing concerns about human rights in China at the UNCHR, as well as at bilateral and EU high-level meetings with China. It would remain in close contact with its main partners in pursuit of the common objective of achieving concrete improvements in human rights in China, and keep its policy under regular review in the light of developments there.

  ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting

  The Presidency briefed partners on preparations for the Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held in Berlin on 29 March.

  EU/ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting

  The Presidency informed partners that the EU/ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (planned for 30 March in Berlin) would not now go ahead.

  Common Strategy on Russia

  The Council discussed preparation of the first of the EU's common strategies, designed to strengthen the EU's relationship with Russia and to increase coherence of work on Russia across the Pillars. Ministers welcomed progress so far and called for the Common Strategy to be ready for the Cologne European Council in June.

  Western European Union
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals have been made by the presidency of the European Union at(a) the General Affairs Council and (b) other ministerial councils concerning the development of the role of the Western European Union; on what date he expects the Treaty of Amsterdam to take effect; and if he will place related European Union and Western European Union documents in the Library. [78998]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Presidency of the European Union have made no formal proposals considering the development of the role of the Western European Union at the General Affairs Council or any other ministerial councils.

  The Treaty of Amsterdam will enter into force once the last remaining countries, France and Greece, have deposited their instruments of ratification with the Italian Government. They are expected to do so shortly. If they do so before 15 April 1999, the Treaty will enter into force on 1 May 1999.

  Foreign Ministers Conference
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the agenda for the Euro-Med Foreign Ministers Conference on 15 to 16 April. [79576]

  Ms Quin
  The draft agenda is as follows:

  Wednesday 15 April
  Official Opening Session
  Working Session 1

  1.1 Contribution of the EuroMed Partnership to constructive developments in the Mediterranean Region

  1.2 Political and Security Partnership

  Friday 16 April
  Working Session 2

  2.1 EU Financial Assistance to MED Partners

  2.2 Economic and Financial Partnership

  2.3 Partnership in Social, Cultural and Human Affairs

  Closing Session.

  Mr. Clive Allison
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 1 February 1999,Official Report, column 431, what discussions with French Ministers and officials (i) have taken place and (ii) are scheduled to take place concerning (a) the death of Mr. Clive Allison in May 1998 and the degree of co-operation with the British coroner in that case and (b) the degree of co-operation of French officials with British coroners. [79525]

  Mr. Fatchett
  On 30 November, Baroness Symons, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, met senior French officials of the Ministry of Interior to discuss the handling of deaths of British Nationals and to press for more vigorous investigations by the French authorities.

  We have had no discussions with French Ministers specifically concerning the death of Clive Allison in France. Nor have Ministers discussed the degree of co-operation with British coroners in this case. No Ministerial discussions are scheduled to take place on either topic.

  The Consular Division of the FCO forwarded HM Coroners's letter requesting a police report into Mr. Allison's death to the French authorities in June 1998. The French authorities issued a report which was passed to HM Coroner on 4 September. In a letter dated 5 October, HM Coroner requested more information regarding Mr. Allison's death. His request was translated and forwarded to the French authorities on 6 November. Our Consulate in Lyon continues to press for a response.

  French officials have no direct contact with British Coroners. Requests from HM Coroner for reports into the death of a British national in France are directed to the French authorities through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Co-operation is good; the French authorities have to comply with their own formalities. Requests for supplementary information may take longer for the French to process.

  Cornish
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if a Department has been identified to co-ordinate policy on the Cornish language. [79890]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  It has now been agreed that the Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions, through the Government office for the south-west, should co-ordinate Government policy on the Cornish Language. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will retain overall responsibility for the Council of Europe's Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

  GJW
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which officials in his Department had discussions with GJW, on how many occasions and on what dates concerning the wish by Cape plc to amend the Access to Justice Bill[Lords] to ban foreign workers of British companies obtaining legal aid; and if the statement by his Department's officials that the decision to pursue the case in the UK courts would be seen as a lack of faith in the South African legal system was made with the knowledge of Ministers. [78745]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No discussions have been held between the FCO and GJW on possible amendments to the Access to Justice Bill.

  Telephone calls were received from an unidentified caller who asked about the case, but no opinion of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend was expressed by FCO officials.

  This is not a foreign policy issue. It is a matter for the Lord Chancellor's Department. Inquiries on this issue have been referred to them.

  Council of Europe (Membership)
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries within the former Soviet Union are eligible in principle to be admitted to the Council of Europe by virtue of their geographical position. [79199]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Countries within the former Soviet Union eligible in principle to be admitted to the Council of Europe are:

  Armenia

  Azerbaijan

  Belarus, and

  Georgia.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries formerly within the Soviet Union have applied for admission to the Council of Europe. [79198]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Countries formerly within the Soviet Union which applied for membership of the Council of Europe and which are now members are: Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. Countries formerly within the Soviet Union which have applied but have yet to become members of the Council of Europe are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Georgia. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are also now members of the Council of Europe.
  695

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 58, if he will make a statement on the measures which the Government of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission need to have in place before Her Majesty's Government will be in a position to approve the passporting by Gibraltar-based credit institutions of banking services into the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the European Union. [79442]

  Ms Quin
  The remaining measure which the Government of Gibraltar need to have in place before Her Majesty's Government will be in a position to approve pas sporting of banking services by the Gibraltar-based credit institutions is the establishment of a Deposit Guarantee Scheme. We understand that the necessary legislation has been passed by the Gibraltar House of Assembly and will enter into force shortly.

  In addition, Her Majesty's Government will need to amend the Banking Act 1987 before Gibraltar-based credit institutions will be in a position to passport banking services into the United Kingdom.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the establishment of staff at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices at Croydon by civil service grade; and how many vacancies at each grade currently exist. [78797]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The following lists staff by grade employed at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices in Croydon:

  Grade

  Number

  Senior Civil Service Grades

  13

  Grade 6

  5

  Grade 7

  43

  Senior Executive Officer

  50

  Higher Executive Officer

  169

  HEO(D)

  2

  Executive Officer

  455

  Administrative Officer

  91

  Administrative Assistant

  482

  Immigration Inspector

  6

  Chief Immigration Officer

  33

  Immigration Officer

  46

  Assistant Immigration Officer

  8

  Senior Personal Secretary

  3

  Personal Secretary

  27

  Chief Typing Manager

  1

  Typing Manager

  3

  Typists

  15

  Support Manager

  1

  Support Grade 1

  14

  Support Grade 2

  111

  Industrials

  8

  Total

  2,007

  696
  The following table lists current vacancies in Croydon. They are being filled through internal selection, including promotion boards, or external recruitment.

  Grade

  Number

  Grade 7

  2

  SEO

  1

  HEO

  15

  EO

  100

  AO

  65

  AA

  98

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average number of members of the public who attended the Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices in Croydon per day in the last 12 months; and what is the average number of such persons interviewed by officials. [79298]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The average number of callers who attended the Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices per day during the 12 month period from March 1998 to February 1999 was:

  Public Caller Unit (PCU): 673

  Asylum Screening Unit: 362.

  With the exception of the four days in March 1999 when the doors were closed early in the PCU as the result of a temporary problem, all callers to the PCU during this period were assisted by officials.

  Immigration and Asylum Bill
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those organisations which have made representations to his Department since the publication of the Immigration and Asylum Bill. [78796]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Government proposed that the Bill should be considered by a Special Standing Committee. The representations submitted by organisations in response to the Committee's request for evidence will be published in the Official Report

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications have been determined finally in the last five years; and how many were(a) allowed and (b) refused. [79296]

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

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications have been made in each of the last 12 months by(a) persons already in the UK and (b) persons arriving at ports of entry. [79297]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The requested information is given in the table.
  697

  Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by location of application 1

  Total applications

  Applied at Pord

  Applied in Country

  March 1998

  3,200

  1,555

  1,640

  April 1998

  3,135

  1,500

  1,635

  May 1998

  3,110

  1,465

  1,645

  June 1998

  3,575

  1,790

  1,785

  July 1998

  4,215

  1,940

  2,275

  August 1998

  4,420

  2,395

  2,025

  September 1998

  4,455

  2,585

  1,870

  Octobe 1998

  5,010

  2,295

  2,715

  November 1998

  4,620

  2,230

  2,390

  December 1998

  4,770

  2,495

  2,275

  January 1999

  4,700

  2,200

  2,500

  February 1999

  4,185

  1,800

  2,385

  Total

  49,395

  24,250

  25,140

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will estimate the annual cost to(a) central Government and (b) local authorities of providing financial support to persons whose rights of appeal under immigration and asylum law have been exhausted; [79306]

  (2) how many persons whose rights of appeal under immigration and asylum law have been exhausted are receiving (a) NHS treatment, (b) state financial benefits, (c) local authority housing and (d) state education. [79304]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the monetary cost in the past three years for which figures are available to(a) central Government and (b) local government of support for asylum seekers. [79305]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Asylum support costs are currently divided between the Department of Social Security and the Department of Health. In 1996–97, asylum support cost £407.7 million, of which £395 million was borne by the Department of Social Security. In 1997–98, asylum support cost £375 million, of which £305 million was borne by the Department of Social Security. Department of Health costs for 1998–99 are estimated at £190 million. Comparable costs for the Department of Social Security for 1998–99 are not yet available.

  The Department of Health has responsibility for three types of grant to local authorities for asylum seeker support. These are for asylum seekers who are supported under the National Assistance Act 1948, asylum seekers with families supported under the Children Act 1948 and unaccompanied children. As local authority expenditure above a set threshold is subject to only partial reimbursement, the full costs of asylum seeker support to local government are not known.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take(a) to discover the whereabouts of and (b) to deport those who have lost all their appeals under immigration and asylum law and who remain unlawfully in the UK. [79292]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration Service has established procedures to discover the whereabouts of those persons who remain unlawfully in the United 698
  Kingdom, based upon the use of intelligence, the work of a dedicated absconder tracing team and liaison with other agencies such as the Department of Social Security and police. Details of absconders are also entered on the Police National Computer.

  The Immigration and Asylum Bill currently before Parliament contains a range of measures to strengthen enforcement of the immigration laws. Among proposed changes that will assist immigration officers in this respect are increased powers of arrest, and new powers to search for and seize evidence. We also intend extending the present powers to fingerprint inadequately documented passengers and immigration offenders.

  The Bill also provides for a new combined appeal process to prevent those at the end of the process from making further appeals in an attempt to frustrate removal, and a simplified administrative procedure to replace deportation in routine cases.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of people who have lost all their appeals under immigration and asylum law and remain unlawfully in the UK. [79289]

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

  The available information relates to the number of failed asylum seekers, excluding dependants, who have exhausted their rights of appeal (including any who did not submit an appeal against the refusal of asylum) and who are the subject of port or enforcement action. As at November 1998, that figure was estimated to be 24,000.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of asylum applicants currently in the UK with whom the authorities have lost contact. [79294]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As at November 1998, the number of known asylum absconders—those who have applied for asylum at some stage—was 20,000. This covers persons subject to port or enforcement action who have breached conditions of temporary admission, temporary release or restriction order, or are otherwise known to be out of contact with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). Some persons recorded as absconders may have departed from the United Kingdom without the knowledge of IND. Information is not available on the numbers of in-country asylum seekers who have not had enforcement action initiated against them but who are out of contact with IND.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department takes to renew contact with asylum applicants with whom contact has been lost. [79293]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It is the responsibility of the asylum applicant to remain in contact with the Home Office. Failure to do so will result in refusal of the asylum claim for non compliance and consequent action to enforce departure, subject to any appeal.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were deported from the UK in each of the last five years following final refusal of asylum applications. [79295]
  699
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information, relating to removals and voluntary departures under port and enforcement procedures of persons who have applied for asylum at some stage, is given in the table. Failed asylum seekers are only removed once all their rights of appeal in the United Kingdom have been exhausted. It should be noted that the figures may include some persons who withdrew their asylum application or appeal before a decision or determination had been reached.

  Removals and voluntary departures of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, 1994 to 1998p

  Number of persons

  Removed

  Departed voluntarily

  1994

  1,640

  580

  1995

  2,270

  900

  1996

  3,680

  1,140

  1997

  5,340

  1,790

  1998p

  15,020

  11,770

  11998 removed and departed voluntarily figures are estimated>

  p1998 data are provisional

  Note:

  All figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the annual cost of enforcement action against failed asylum applicants by(a) the immigration service and (b) the police service in each of the last five years. [78659]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to secure agreement for a European Union directive to require member states to take action to eliminate racial discrimination. [79011]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government welcome the new provisions in Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty, which will provide a legal base for taking Community action against racism and other forms of discrimination. The Government plan to continue to play a full and positive part in the development of Community action to tackle racial discrimination once the Treaty comes into force.

  Money Forgery
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the nature of the outstanding issue relating to the term forgery of money and means of payment to be re-examined by COREPER, pursuant to the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council of 12 March. [79491]

  Kate Hoey
  The issue relates to a request from one member state for this form of crime to be legally defined before the Justice and Home Affairs Council agrees to extend Europol's mandate. The request is in line with Article 43(3) of the Europol Convention.
  700

  Prison Service
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on continued agency status for the Prison Service; if a revised Framework Document has now been finalised; when he intends to publish the Prison Service's Corporate and Business plans; and what changes he has made to the Prison Service's Key Indicators for 1990–2000. [80077]

  Mr. Straw
  I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) on 1 February 1999,Official Report, columns 430–31, that the Prison Service will remain an agency of the Home Office.

  The new Framework Document is now complete and I am today placing copies of it in the Library. The Framework Document governs the relationship between the Prison Service and the core Home Office, setting out the roles of the principal players and bodies including the Prison Service Strategy Board to be chaired by my noble Friend, Lord Williams, the Minister with responsibility for prisons and probation, within a framework of responsibilities and accountabilities. The document reflects the Government's commitment to take proper ministerial responsibility for the service and the role of the Prison Service as a major component of the wider criminal justice system. It includes material about the planning framework and the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

  The Prison Service's Corporate Plan for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 and Business Plan for 1999£2000 is published today. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  The Prison Service's KPIs are kept under review regularly to ensure that they reflect current key priorities for the Service. For 1999–2000, the Prison Service will introduce new performance measures arising from the Home Office Public Service Agreement. I have approved new measures for escapes from contracted-out escorts, staff sickness, cost per prisoner and the time taken to respond to correspondence.

  The KPI on overcrowding will be changed to measure the percentage of the prison population held two to a cell designed for one. This will better reflect the impact of overcrowding on individual prisoners.

  Two existing measures will be discontinued next year: time out of cell and staff training. With the emphasis now being given to regimes designed to reduce re-offending, and the gradual introduction of in-cell TV, it is becoming more important to measure what prisoners do when out of their cells than the length of time they are unlocked. Staff training will remain important. A primary focus for the Service in 1999–2000 is to gain Investors in People accreditation which requires evidence of properly targeted training and development for all staff.

  The full list of KPI measures, and specific targets for 1999–2000 are:

  Escapes:
  To ensure no category A prisoners escape.
  To ensure that the number of escapes from prisons, and escorts undertaken by Prison Service staff, expressed as a proportion of the prison population, is lower than 0.05 per cent.
  To ensure that the number of escapes from contracted-out escorts is no more than 1 per 20,000 prisoners handled.
  701
  Assaults:
  To ensure that the number of positive adjudications of assault on staff, prisoners, and others, expressed as a proportion of the average population, is lower than 9 per cent.

  Drugs:
  To ensure that the rate of positive results from random drug tests is lower than 18.5 per cent.

  Overcrowding:
  To ensure that the number of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one, expressed as a percentage of the population, does not exceed 18 per cent.

  Purposeful activity:
  To ensure that prisoners spend on average at least 24 hours per week engaged in purposeful activity.

  Offending behaviour programmes:
  To ensure that there are at least 3,600 completions by prisoners of offending behaviour programmes accredited as being effective in reducing re-offending, of which 700 should be completions of sex offender treatment programmes.

  Cost per place:
  To ensure that the average cost per uncrowded prison place does not exceed £26,208

  Cost per prisoner:
  To ensure that the average cost per prisoner does not exceed £27,392.

  Staff sickness1:
  To ensure that average staff sickness does not exceed 12.5 working days per person.

  Correspondence handling:
  To ensure that 95 per cent. of correspondence receives a reply within 20 days by October 1999.

  1The target for staff sickness is provisional and will be reviewed later in the year following an independent audit of data quality.

  Prisons Ombudsman
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the changes to the terms of reference of the Prisons Ombudsman. [80078]

  Mr. Straw
  Following an internal Home Office review last November (a copy of which is in the Library), I have decided to revise and extend the terms of reference of the Prisons Ombudsman. The revised terms of reference, which have been agreed with the Ombudsman, will come into effect from 1 May. They will allow the Ombudsman a wider role in considering complaints made by prisoners, by additionally including investigation of official advice upon which Ministers' decisions are made. A full copy of the Prisons Ombudsman's revised terms has been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Mileage Rates
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the mileage rates applicable from January 1999 to staff, indicating changes which have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. [79441]

  Mr. Straw
  The Mileage Allowance Rates applicable from January 1999 are as follows.702

  Engine capacity/p per mile

  Home Office (excluding Prison Service)

  Motor Vehicle Rates:

  Public Transport Rate

  23.8p per mile

  Standard Rate Mileage

  Engine Capacity up to 1500cc

  35.7p for first 5,000 miles

  19p for over 5,000 miles

  Engine Capacity 1501–2000cc

  43p for first 5,000 miles

  23p for over 5,000 miles

  Engine Capacity over 2000cc

  46p for first 5,000 miles

  31p for over 5,000 miles

  Motor Cycle Rates:

  Public Transport Rate

  Engine Capacity up to 125cc

  12.9p per mile

  Engine Capacity over 125cc

  23.8p per mile

  Standard Rate Mileage

  Engine Capacity up to 125cc

  16.2p for first 4,000 miles

  6.2p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine Capacity over 125cc

  26p for first 4,000 miles

  9p for over 4,000 miles

  Pedal Cycle Rates:

  6.2p per mile

  Lease Car Rates:

  9p per mile

  Rates last revised 1 September 1994 but revision pending subject to Union agreement

  Prison Service

  Motor Vehicle Rates:

  Public Transport Rate

  24.9p per mile

  Standard Rate Mileage

  Engine Capacity up to 1000cc

  28p for first 4,000 miles

  17p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine Capacity 1001–1500cc

  35p for first 4,000 miles

  20p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine Capacity 1501–2000cc

  45p for first 4,000 miles

  25p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine Capacity over 2000cc

  63p for first 4,000 miles

  36p for over 4,000 miles

  Motor Cycle Rates:

  Public Transport Rate

  Engine Capacity up to 125cc

  13.4p per mile

  Engine Capacity over 125cc

  24.9p per mile

  Standard Rate Mileage

  Engine Capacity up to 125cc

  17.5p for first 4,000 miles

  6.5p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine Capacity over 125cc

  27.2p for first 4,000 miles

  9.7p for over 4,000 miles

  Pedal Cycle Rates:

  7.4p per mile

  Official Car Rates:

  Petrol up to 1800cc

  9.9p for first 10,000 miles

  8.4p for over 10,000 miles

  Petrol over 1801 cc

  10.74p for first 10,000 miles

  9.24p for over 10,000 miles

  All Diesel

  9.9p for first 10,000 miles

  8.4p for over 10,000 miles

  Heavy Trailer addition

  2.5p per mile

  Rates last revised 1 November 1998

  703
  The Home Office is committed to reducing the impact that its business travel has on the environment. Before undertaking any business travel, staff and their line managers consider whether the visit/attendance at a meeting is really necessary, whether the objectives of the meeting could be met through correspondence, e-mail, fax or telephone and whether Video-conferencing facilities could be used. If it is considered necessary, staff must use public transport unless there are operational grounds for using private vehicles/hire cars, for example, carrying heavy equipment, or if the route is poorly served by public transport. There are currently two rates of mileage allowance—Standard Rate and Public Transport Rate. The Home Office operates a strict policy when considering the payment of allowances to officers who use their private vehicles for business travel, including prior authorisation from line managers when Standard Rate Mileage Allowance is claimed. This ensures that private vehicles are only used when absolutely necessary.

  Whilst those areas which have higher than average business travel have been targeted since January 1999 in an effort to promote the switch to public transport, it is also proposed to pursue the option of a single rate of Standard Rate Motor Mileage Allowance in the new financial year. If adopted, this should encourage the use of smaller cars and further encourage the use of public transport through a reduced rate of Motor Mileage Allowance for larger engine cars. The Home Office also has allowances for the use of motorcycles and pedal cycles for official travel and increases to the rates will also be sought in the new financial year.

  Millennium Celebrations
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to issue guidance on the operation of the licensing laws and late night extensions for millennium celebrations on 31 December 1999 and 1 January 2000; and if he will make a statement. [79550]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We will announce shortly the outcome of the consultation on proposals for extending permitted hours on the Millennium Eve and subsequent New Year's Eves.

  Election Candidates
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the decision by some returning officers not to allow candidates to describe themselves as Labour and Co-operative Party on the ballot paper. [79336]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My Department has issued advice to returning officers suggesting that a candidate who wishes to use a description on the ballot paper which might lead voters to associate him or her with more than one political party should be able to do so as long as the description is authorised by certificates issued by, or on behalf, of the nominating officers of both parties.

  Departmental Capital Investment
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's strategy for managing capital investment and assets by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [79517]
  704
  Mr. Straw
  In line with the requirements outlined in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report, the Home Office now has a comprehensive strategy for capital investment and asset management.

  The strategy covers both the Home Office's approach to future capital investment and the efficient use of existing assets. The strategy provides a framework for longer term plans to be built upon. It is the first such investment strategy for the Home Office. The Department intends to publish an updated strategy each year.

  A copy of the strategy has been placed in the Library and on the Home Office website. Additional copies are available from the Home Office Press Office. The published document include the Capital Investment Strategy of the Charity Commission, which has also been placed in the Library.

  Passports
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security checks on passport applications were waived at the(a) Liverpool and (b) Newport offices; and for what period. [79372]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Security checks have never been waived in the Liverpool and Newport passport offices. The question appears to be directed at recent media reports of a suspension of security checks by the Passport Agency. Managers have allowed staff to exercise wider discretion on issuing passports if they had no significant doubt about the identity of the applicant.

  These instructions were withdrawn but they did not imply any suspension or relaxation in the Agency's proper security checks on passport applications.

  A range of automatic and discretionary checks are undertaken at different stages of the passport issuing process to prevent and detect fraud. Additional automatic security checks are undertaken under the new issuing system operating in our Liverpool and Newport offices which also require examiners to adopt a more systematic approach to confirming an applicant's eligibility for passport facilities.

  The Agency is now doing more security checking than it has ever done.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the roll-out of the new IT systems for the passport offices is currently expected to take place. [79370]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The new high technology driven passport issuing arrangements have already been introduced into the Liverpool and Newport passport offices. The Passport Agency's present plans are for the roll-out of these new arrangements to commence in the Belfast passport office on 30 July, in the Peterborough office on 10 September, in the Glasgow office on 17 September and in the London office in early January 2000.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average turnaround for passport applications at(a) Liverpool, (b) Newport and (c) all other offices. [79369]
  705
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Passport Agency does not measure its turnround time by averages, but by the maximum turnround time. The current position in working days on maximum turnrounds for non-urgent passport applications is shown:

  Office

  Number

  Belfast

  16

  Glasgow

  16

  Liverpool

  27

  London

  6

  Newport

  34

  Peterborough

  13

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were employed at(a) Liverpool and (b) Newport passport offices (i) at the latest available date and (ii) one year previously. [79373]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The number of staff employed in the Liverpool and Newport Passport Offices at the end of February 1999 and February 1998 broken down into permanent and seasonal staff is shown in the table:

  Liverpool

  Newport

  February 1998

  February 1999

  February 1998

  February 1999

  Permanent Full time

  189.5

  192.5

  192

  167

  Permanent Part Year

  86

  77.5

  30

  65

  Fixed Term Contracts

  3

  —

  62

  58

  Casuals

  174

  25

  161

  17

  Total

  452.5

  295

  445

  307

  During this 12 month period, around 100 Liverpool staff and 94 Newport staff transferred to Siemens Business Services as part of the outsourcing project.

  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports were being processed at the(a) Liverpool and (b) Newport offices in the latest month for which figures are available; what is the target for the rate of processing; and when that target was originally expected to be reached. [79371]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In February 1999, the Liverpool and Newport passport offices processed 72,702 and 74,547 passports respectively. The monthly target for each office is 120,000 issues. That target was originally expected to be achieved by the end of 1998.

  Senator Pinochet
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of court proceedings to date in connection with the extradition of Senator Pinochet; and if he will make a statement. [79092]

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  There have been proceedings in Bow Street Magistrates Court, the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court and the House of Lords. These hearings have involved work by lawyers and officials in the Crown Prosecution
  706
  Service, the Home Office and the Treasury Solicitor's Department as well as counsel instructed for the Spanish Authorities, the Home Office, Senator Pinochet, Amnesty International and the Amicus Curiae.

  It is not possible at this stage to provide a detailed estimate of all the cost of court proceedings. However, for costs incurred by the Home Office I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 9 February 1999, Official Report, column 143. Additionally, costs incurred by the Treasury Solicitor's Department in respect of counsel instructed as amicus curiae total approximately £14,000.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997(a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79271]

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

  In February 1998 I established a Working Party to review the system of appointing Counsel to act for the Crown in civil cases and to monitor the use of advocates appointed to act. The Working Party was chaired by the then Solicitor-General (Lord Falconer QC) and included representatives from the Bar Council (Laura Cox and Lincoln Crawford) and the two First Treasury Counsel.

  I announced I had accepted their recommendations in a written answer on 30 July 1998, Official Report, column 407. A copy of the Working Party's report has been placed in the Library of each House.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up(a) sub-groups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees. [79249]

  The Attorney-General
  On 12 June 1997 I established the review of the Crown Prosecution Service under the chairmanship of the right hon. Sir Iain Glidewell, a retired Lord Justice of Appeal. In February 1998 I established a Working Party to review the system of appointing Counsel to act for the Crown in civil cases and to monitor the use of advocates appointed to act. Neither of these set up sub groups, working parties or subsidiary committees.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the impact of reforms to the Crown Prosecution Service on the performance of the service, with particular reference to(a) the working relationship between the Police and the CPS and (b) the proportion of successful prosecutions. [79383]

  The Attorney-General
  Reforms to the CPS following the Glidewell Report are still being implemented. Under its new DPP and Chief Executive, the CPS is making good progress, but key recommendations such as those concerning the relationship between the Police and CPS remain under consideration at this stage. I hope to be able to make a further announcement soon.

  Mainstream bands 1 to 6 (Equivalent to Senior Civil Service) and Bands A to E1

  Refreshment Department craft grades

  Parliamentary Works Directorate craft grades

  Number of staff on whom information is held in group

  884

  138

  50

  White

  835

  90

  42

  White as percentage of employees in group on whom data is held

  94.5

  65

  84

  Asian/other

  22

  11

  8 employees (16%) black, Asian or other

  Asian/other as percentage of employees in group on whom data is held

  2.5

  8

  Black

  27

  37

  Black as percentage of employees in group on whom data is held

  3

  27

  1 Includes the old grades 7 to 15

CABINET OFFICE

  Commissioner for Public Appointments
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which ministerial appointments remain(a) outside the scope of the Nolan rules and (b) the jurisdiction of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. [79247]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The First Nolan Report set out a draft Code of Practice for public appointments procedures and recommended the establishment of an independent Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Commissioner's current Code of Practice reflects the Nolan rules. Ministers make appointments to a wide range of bodies, for example the judiciary, tribunals, boards of visitors and time-limited bodies, which are outside the remit of the Commissioner. The Commissioner's remit covers ministerial appointments to advisory and executive non-departmental public bodies, NHS bodies, the utility regulators, and the boards of public corporations and nationalised industries.

  Marsham Street Offices
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Government offices in Marsham Street will be demolished. [79493]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the hon. Member.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Employees
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will provide a breakdown by ethnicity and grade of employees of the House of Commons Commission. [79053]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  Employees of the House of Commons Commission are asked to supply information about their ethnic origin on a voluntary basis. Not all choose to reply, so our database is incomplete.

  The ethnic origins of those staff who have chosen to supply information are set out in the table. In order to preserve confidentiality, we have grouped together some categories which would otherwise have contained fewer than five people.

  Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. James Gray, dated April 1999:
  The Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Peter Kilfoyle, has asked me as Chief Executive of Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) to respond to your Parliamentary Question about the demolition of 2 Marsham Street.
  2 Marsham Street is being considered by a major Government Department as temporary decant space in a PFI scheme whilst its premises are being refurbished. The current position is that the decision on the re-use of the building has been delayed because the assessment of the PFI bids which will form the basis of Departmental funding for the programme of works is taking longer than expected. Current thinking is that the evaluation will be completed by September 1999, but re-use is integral to all the bids being considered.
  If re-use of 2 Marsham Street cannot be justified in Exchequer terms then the demolition process will be restarted and PACE will seek Ministerial approval to place the contract for demolition. The work is expected to take some 18 months following the letting of a contract.

  Drug Misuse
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the overall equality in provision of drug misuse education and treatment across the United Kingdom since the publication of the Government's strategy document, "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain". [79332]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  None. The UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator will report shortly on his assessment of provision of drugs education and treatment in England, based on the information in the local plans of Drug Action Teams which he received at the beginning of the year. It
  709
  is for the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively to provide support for drugs education and treatment appropriate to their needs.

  UK Anti-drugs Co-ordinator
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) when he intends to publish the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's first annual report and national plan; [79334]

  (2) what criteria he will use to assess the effectiveness of Her Majesty's Government's anti-drugs misuse strategy since the appointment of the Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator. [79335]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  Progress towards key performance targets will be carefully monitored over the 10 years of the strategy. The targets relate to reducing young people's drug misuse and drug-related offending, increasing participation in drug treatment programmes and reducing access. Details of targets will be included in the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's first annual report and national plan due to be published shortly.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his answer of 16 November 1998,Official Report, column 354, what was the average increase in the salaries of special advisers in 1998–99; and how many special advisers are in each pay band. [79857]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  There was no single annual pay award for 1998–99. Special Advisers' pay was restructured as set out in my answer of 16 November 1998. The increases varied depending on the individuals, the work they are now doing compared with previously, and the extent to which their jobs and responsibilities had been restructured. There was also an attempt to correct anomalies created by the previous arrangements, particularly as regards the lowest paid Special Advisers. Performance pay, which used to apply, was dropped.

  The increases was staged giving an average in year increase of 5.9 per cent. This was achieved within the pay bill for the year of £3.6 million, which the Prime Minister announced on 11 June 1998, Official Report, column 664.

  The table sets out the number of Special Advisers in each of the new pay bands.

  Special Advisers in each pay band

  £

  Pay Band A

  Pay Band B

  Pay Band C

  26,000–45,000

  40,000–60,000

  54,000–76,056

  Total

  30

  21

  15

  The following three appointments are outside the Special Adviser pay range and therefore excluded from the above totals:

  salary

  Jonathan Powell

  Prime Minister's Chief of Staff

  91,014

  Alastair Campbell

  Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary

  91,014

  Keith Hellawell

  UK Anti Drugs Co-ordinator

  106,057

  710
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 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. [76833]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  Between 2 May 1997 and 28 February 1999, my Special Advisers have made visits overseas on 14 occasions in an official capacity. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Asbestosis (Legal Aid)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what instructions were given to the head of the Better Government Unit to co-ordinate policy towards the wish of Cape plc to achieve changes in the Access to Government Bill[Lords] to prevent former workers suffering from asbestosis receiving legal aid; and on how many occasions he met representatives of G J W or Cape plc. [78744]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The report to which this question refers has no foundation in fact. No instructions were given, and the official named had no meetings or other contacts with the firms concerned.

  Reviews and Task Forces
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many of the Government reviews and task forces announced since I May 1997 have concluded their work; and which have yet to report. [72899]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I am sorry for the delay in replying to the hon. Member.

  Responsibility for the establishment and management of task forces and reviews rests with individual Ministers. Detailed information about Task Forces and Reviews is not held centrally.

  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House a list of those established since 1 May 1997 which have yet to report, together with anticipated report dates.

  Select Committee Documents
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the leaked Select Committee documents that reached(a) him, (b) his Ministers, (c) his officials, (d) his advisers and (e) departmental parliamentary private secretaries during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [77928]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 17 March 1999,Official Report, columns 709–10.

  Departmental Staff (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, at 1 March, of(a) his private office, (b) Government special advisers, (c) his Policy Unit and (d) staff in total. [78512]
  711
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Information about the ethnic origin of civil servants is collected in Government Departments through voluntary, confidential questionnaires.

  (a)As at 1 March there were 7 staff of ethnic minority origin in the Department's Private Office. This represents 24 per cent. of staff in the Department's private office.

  (b)My answer to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, East (Mr. Livingstone), 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 39, refers to this matter.

  (c)I do not have a policy unit.

  (d)Civil Service personnel statistics are collated and published annually for staff in post at 1 April by the Cabinet Office. Information for staff in total for 1 April 1998 is the latest available and is given in the table.

  Number and percentage of ethnic minority staff in post at 1 April 1998

  Department

  Ethnic minority staff

  % of staff with known ethnic origin

  Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

  40

  7.3

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  398

  5.4

  Cabinet Office

  98

  7.2

  Charity Commission

  71

  12.8

  Crown Prosecution Service

  410

  8.3

  Culture, Media and Sport

  33

  9.9

  Customs and Excise

  1,485

  6.8

  Defence

  1,312

  2.0

  Education and Employment

  2,254

  10.8

  Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)

  18

  10.1

  Environment, Transport and the Regions

  857

  7.0

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  49

  16.7

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  191

  4.4

  Friendly Societies, Registry of

  36

  26.9

  Government Actuary

  1—

  8.7

  Health

  595

  13.7

  Health and Safety Executive

  178

  5.0

  HM Prison Service

  1,095

  3.2

  Home Office

  1,138

  12.4

  Information, Central Office of

  25

  9.3

  Inland Revenue

  3,278

  6.0

  International Development

  68

  8.7

  Intervention Board

  67

  8.0

  Land Registry

  384

  4.9

  Legal Secretariat

  1 —

  25.0

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  933

  9.5

  National Investment and Loans Office

  5

  18.5

  National Savings

  26

  0.6

  National Statistics, Office for

  168

  5.7

  Northern Ireland Office

  18

  20.9

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  26

  11.4

  Office of Fair Trading

  66

  25.0

  Office of Gas Supply

  14

  13.9

  Office of the National Lottery

  1—

  16.0

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  9

  7.4

  Ordnance Survey

  20

  1.3

  Public Records Office

  11

  12.1

  Royal Mint

  1—

  1.1

  Scottish Office

  14

  0.4

  Other Scottish Departments

  18

  0.4

  Security and Intelligence Services

  14

  0.3

  Serious Fraud Office

  32

  21.1

  Social Security

  5,107

  6.5

  Trade and Industry

  880

  11.9

  Treasury

  103

  13.1

  Treasury Solicitors Department

  45

  15.0

  Welsh Office (including OHCMI)

  14

  0.7

  Total

  21,615

  5.7

  1 less than 5 staff

  Notes:

  1. Number of non-industrial staff who responded to departmental surveys on ethnic origin

  Source:

  Cabinet Office: Mandate and Departmental returns
  712

  Advisory Committee Appointments
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his answer of 17 March 1999,Official Report, column 710, for what reasons current information on appointments to Government advisory committees is not held centrally; and if he will make it his policy that such information be held centrally in future. [79504]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  There are over 36,000 appointments to non-departmental public bodies including advisory committees. These are the responsibility of the relevant sponsoring Minister and department. Departments post information on current appointments every six months to the Public Appointments Unit Internet Directory at (http://www.open.gov.uk/pau/paupoint.htm).

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79654]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. Any meetings involving PPSs in an official or semi-official capacity are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Social Fund
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Northern Ireland Social Fund discretionary budget will be for 1999–2000. [79992]

  Mr. McFall
  I am pleased to announce that the Social Fund gross discretionary budget for 1999–2000 will be £42.82 million. £9.86 million will be allocated to grants; £32.86 million to loans and £0.1 million will be held as a contingency reserve. The new allocations represent an increase of £2.27 million over the gross budget set at April 1998.

  This increase in the Social Fund budget will ensure that more people receive help and that the Fund continues to play an important role in targeting resources to those most in need. Details of the individual District budget allocations, together with a note explaining the basis on which they have been made, have been placed in the Library today.

  Violent Incidents
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will list for the week ended 20 March the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland; and how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups; [78928]
  713
  (2) if she will list for the week ended 20 March the number of (a) punishment beatings and (b) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland; and how many in each category were committed by (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [78929]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of security incidents during the period 14 March–20 March 1999 are as shown:

  Deaths—2

  Shooting incidents—2

  Bombing incidents—2.

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

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  2

  0

  Shootings

  0

  0

  Total

  2

  0

  Notes:

  1. Figures may be subject to minor amendment.

  2. The shooting and bombing incidents cannot as yet be attributed to a grouping.

  Murders (Clear-up Rates)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information she has obtained on the clear-up rates for murders committed by Loyalists and Republicans since 1969. [79993]

  Mr. Ingram
  From 1969, to March 24 1999, there have been 882 murders attributed to Loyalist groups. Murder charges have been brought in relation to 421 of these, a clear up rate of 49.5 per cent.

  Salaries for Ministers and Office-holders (Paid in addition to a Member's salary)

  £

  Ministerial Salary for First Minister for Scotland, First Secretary for Wales, and First Minister for Northern Ireland

  62,556

  Ministerial Salary for Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland

  47,504

  Salary for Ministerial duties in the Executive of the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly

  32,451

  Office-holder Salary for Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly

  32,451

  The Government have decided that they will accept all of these recommendations with the exception of that for the Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland. In view of the unique political situation in Northern Ireland and the joint responsibility which the Deputy First Minister is expected to exercise with the First Minister, the Government believe that there should be parity of salary between these two posts. Consequently, the salary for the Deputy First Minister will also be £62,556.

  In accordance with the Review Body's recommendation on an annual pay review for the salaries in the devolved institutions, these figures will be uprated with effect from 1 April 1999 and annually thereafter by the same percentage as the average of the movements in the mid-points of the nine Senior Civil Service pay bands below Permanent Secretary. This is the same mechanism as is used for Westminster Parliamentary salaries.

  On the recommendations on allowances which the Review Body makes in the two Reports, the Government has decided that they form a useful starting point for the development of comprehensive and tightly controlled
  714
  With regard to Republican murders, out of 1,926 murders murder charges have been brought in relation to 515 cases, a clear up rate of 28 per cent.

PRIME MINISTER

  Senior Salaries Review Body
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the latest reports and recommendations of the Review Body on Senior Salaries. [80172]

  The Prime Minister
  Two Reports from the Review Body on Senior Salaries are published today. One on the initial pay, allowances, pensions and severance arrangements for Members of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly; and a second on the salaries for Ministers and Office-holders and office support for Members in those bodies, and on certain Parliamentary Development Recommendations outstanding from the Review Body's 1996 Review of Parliamentary pay and allowances. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Libraries of the House. I am grateful to the Chairman and the Members of the Review Body for their work.

  The main recommendations of the Review Body with regard to pay in the devolved institutions are:

  Members' Salaries

  £

  Scottish Parliament

  39,000

  Northern Ireland Assembly

  37,000

  National Assembly for Wales

  33,500

  allowance systems within the new institutions. As the Review Body itself acknowledges, it is not yet possible to know exactly what the allowances will need to cover and some of the recommendations themselves point to further work. The Government believe that further work needs to be done on the basis of the recommendations and that this is best done by the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly themselves. We would expect them to put in place as soon as possible an appropriate but closely controlled system, mindful of the need for a prudent approach and the need to justify to the taxpayer any significant divergence from the recommendations made by the Review Body.

  In both of the Reports on the new devolved institutions the SSRB noted the difficulty of judging the correct level of pay and allowances when the institutions were not yet in operation. In both cases the SSRB recommended an early review, in 2001, which would be based on the evidence of two years of operation rather than on the current basis of the anticipation of roles and responsibilities. The Government recognise the difficulty expressed by the SSRB and fully accept the arguments for a review in 2001.
  715
  In relation to Ministers in the UK Government, the Review Body recommends that the salaries for Ministers below Cabinet level in the House of Lords and certain

  Junior Ministers and other Office Holders in the House of Lords

  Current salary

  Salary after SSRB recommendation

  Salary from 1 April 19991

  Minister of State

  53,264

  61,764

  64,426

  Parliamentary Under Secretary

  44,832

  53,332

  55,631

  Government Chief Whip

  53,264

  61,764

  64,426

  Deputy Chief Whip

  44,832

  53,332

  55,631

  Government Whip

  40,547

  49,047

  51,161

  Leader of the Opposition

  44,832

  53,332

  55,631

  Opposition Chief Whip

  40,547

  49,047

  51,161

  Chairman of Committees

  53,264

  61,764

  64,426

  Principal Deputy Chairman

  49,052

  57,552

  60,032

  1Increase in line with SSRB recommendation for these and other Ministerial and Parliamentary salaries

  This recommendation reflects the Review Body's finding that, since the 1996 changes to the pay arrangements for Ministers in the Commons, the salaries of these posts in the Lords has fallen behind to an unreasonable extent. The proposed one-off increase of £8,500 is broadly equivalent to the amount by which the MP's salary paid to Ministers in the Commons was abated prior to the 1996 changes and so restores the relativity. The Government support the arguments put forward by the Review Body that such an increase for these posts is fair and reasonable. We shall be bringing forward a draft Order for consideration by each House to implement the recommended changes.

  The Review Body also makes a series of recommendations relating to the central provision of IT equipment for Members' offices, both at Westminster and in their constituencies. The Government are not persuaded by the arguments put forward for enforced central provision of such equipment as this would remove Members' choice in determining what equipment they needed, and how much of the Office Costs Allowance they wish individually to spend on it. The Government agree, however, that there may be cost and other advantages in central bulk procurement of IT equipment for those Members who wish to pursue such an approach. We propose therefore to invite the Information Committee to explore this option further and report its views to the House.

  Al Shifa
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place a copy of the letter from the former engineer of the Al Shifa factory in Khartoum dated 19 March to him and his reply in the Library. [78723]

  The Prime Minister
  I am aware that my hon. Friend raised this issue in the House on 24 March 1999,Official Report, columns 366–68, and read extracts from a letter from Mr. Carnaffin into the record of the House. I also note that the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), agreed in that debate to meet Mr. Carnaffin to talk to him about the engineering involved in the factory. I am happy to place any exchange of correspondence with Mr. Carnaffin in the Library of the House.
  716
  other Office holders in the House of Lords, including the Leader of the Opposition and the Opposition Chief Whip, should be increased as follows:

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the answer by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 19 March 1999,Official Report, column 857, with paragraphs 1(iii) to (iv) of the Ministerial Code. [78526]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 March 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) today, Official Report, column 1080.

  Berlin Summit
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the outcome of the Berlin Summit held on 24 and 25 March; and if he will make a statement. [79496]

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions took place at the Berlin Council on new methods to counter fraud and mismanagement in the Community; and what new measures were agreed. [79775]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend and the right hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 29 March 1999,Official Report, columns 731–47.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the effect of the EU Summit Agreement in Berlin on the net UK contribution to the EU budget. [79572]

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost to the United Kingdom for each of the years from 1999–2000 to 2007–08 of the agreement on the United Kingdom's EU budget rebate reached at the Berlin summit on 25 March; and if he will make a statement. [79582]

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will express in (i) sterling and (ii) euros the level of the United Kingdom's(a) net contribution to the EU budget and (b) EU budget rebate against which he has calculated gains and losses in describing the outcome of the Berlin summit; [79561]
  717
  (2) if the United Kingdom will continue to be the second largest net contributor to the EU budget over the planning period on which the Berlin summit reached agreement. [79562]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. and hon. Members to my statement to the House on 29 March 1999,Official Report, columns 732–47.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what structural budget reforms in the European Union were achieved at the Berlin summit; and if he will make a statement. [79581]

  The Prime Minister
  Following agreement at the Berlin European Council on 26 March, it was agreed that for the Structural Funds the budget for 2000–06 will be 213 billion euro (1999 prices). This is an 11 per cent. reduction on the Commission's original proposal, and is in line with the UK's objective of stabilising the overall EU budget.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment(a) NATO leaders and (b) Her Majesty's Government made at the time they announced that there would be no question of ground forces of NATO being used in Kosovo of the likelihood of retaliatory action by (i) Serb armed forces and (ii) Serb militia units against unprotected persons in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [79812]

  The Prime Minister
  From the beginning of the negotiations for a political settlement in Kosovo, we and our allies have been agreed that any such settlement would require the presence in Kosovo of a multi-national military force to oversee its implementation. This remains the position. NATO forces in Macedonia would deploy into Kosovo once a settlement has been concluded, and with the consent of the parties involved. We have all along made it clear that a force of the size and capability required to dictate and enforce a settlement would take a long time to assemble, and would not prevent Milosevic from carrying out his ethnic cleansing activities in the intervening period. The murderous actions of the Serb security forces against the Kosovar Albanian population began before NATO launched its air strikes. However, unless Milosevic complies with the demands of the international community, NATO airstrikes are the only way of stopping him.

  Child Poverty
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 29 March 1999,Official Report, column 496, to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field), if he will publish his definition of child poverty. [79811]

  The Prime Minister
  Child poverty is complex and can be defined in a number of ways. Below half average income is used by some as a proxy for those living in poverty, and using that proxy the last two budgets will lift 700,000 children out of poverty. But we are past the definition debate; we are tackling the causes of poverty. The most important priority is to understand and tackle the factors that damage the life opportunities of our children.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79655]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

  Articles (Foreign Media)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to deposit in the Library those articles which he writes for publication in the foreign media. [79492]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), on 10 March 1999,Official Report, column 232.

  Ministerial Interests
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers have declared interests with(a) pharmaceutical and (b) biotechnology committees; and if he will indicate in the case of each such Minister the nature of the interest declared. [79503]

  The Prime Minister
  This information is not held centrally. Section 9 of the "Ministerial Code" makes it clear that it is for individual Ministers to order their affairs so that no conflict arises or is thought to arise between their private interests (financial or otherwise) and their public duties. They should normally make their own decisions on how best to proceed, consulting me only when there is any doubt. Ministers are also covered by the terms of one of the Registers of Members of Lords' Interests as appropriate.

  World Trade Organisation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister when he last discussed issues related to the World Trade Organisation with President Clinton. [78985]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: I am in regular contact with President Clinton on a range of matters. It is established practice under Section 1(c) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose or discuss information received in confidence from foreign Governments.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what role he plays in co-ordinating Government policy on issues relating to the World Trade Organisation. [78987]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: All Government Ministers are collectively responsible for Government policy. Decisions are taken in a variety of

  719
  ways depending on the subject. My role in World Trade Organisation issues is no exception to this general principle.

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he takes to ensure that members of his staff who are aware of donations to the Labour Party from biotechnology companies are not responsible for advising him on decisions on matters related to biotechnology issues. [78988]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: All advice is submitted to me in accordance with the requirements of the "Ministerial Code" and the "Civil Service Code".

WALES

  Water Levels
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions proposals to change the statutory water levels currently in force for(a) the Clywedog and (b) other dams in Wales. [78066]

  Mr. Michael
  Reservoir levels in Wales are a matter for the Environment Agency and relevant water undertakers. The statutory water levels set for the Clywedog and other dams in Wales reflect the balance between the principal purpose of the management of water resources and the mitigation of flooding.

  Cwm Bypass
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the bypass road proposed for Cwm in Blaenau Gwent. [78067]

  Mr. Hain
  Although regrettably we were unable to include the Cwm bypass scheme in our priority list of projects to start in the next five years, we have allocated Blaenau Gwent Borough Council £200,000 in this coming year to enable preparation work on the scheme to continue.

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

  Health Authorities and Trusts
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest estimate of the current year deficits of the health authorities and health trusts in Wales; and what steps is he taking to ensure that they have adequate funds for 1999–2000. [78068]

  Mr. Michael
  Welsh health authorities and their trusts are currently forecasting an income and expenditure deficit of £21 million in 1998–99. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review, I announced an additional £1 billion for the NHS over the three years from 1999–2000. £175 million of this is for next year. I am able to add to this some £65 million from funds being carried forward from the current year and following careful consideration of previous spending plans. Of the £240 million thus available 720
  in 1999–2000, health authorities will receive a cash increase of £168 million, including £134 million for hospital and community health services. This is additional to £18 million waiting lists funding now being made recurrent.

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

  Road Signs
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to standardise road signs in Wales. [78069]

  Mr. Hain
  Monolingual traffic signs for use on roads in the UK are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994. In order to ensure that bilingual traffic signs are designed to the same national standards, the Department has produced a full set of drawings which have been issued to local authorities in Wales.

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

  Community Health Councils
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the outcome of the consultation on community health councils in Wales. [78070]

  Mr. Michael
  Responses to public consultation on "Involving the Public" confirmed the need to strengthen the role of Community Health Councils at all levels. The decisions I announced on 16 March were based on a careful consideration of the community interests to be represented in different parts of Wales, the local authority areas concerned and the need for an effective interface with NHS trusts and health authorities.

  Increasing the number of CHCs to 28 based on nine "federations" will allow the Councils to retain and develop their local roots and at the same time exert more effective influence within the NHS. I will be meeting representatives of the CHCs shortly to discuss the implementation of the new arrangements.

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

  Agenda 2000
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the Agenda 2000 proposals on farm incomes in Wales. [78071]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Welsh Office economists are working to estimate the likely impact of the CAP reform agreement on farm incomes. These estimates will be available shortly.

  National Assembly Building
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the additional costs involved in moving from the temporary National Assembly building to the Assembly's permanent location. [78072]
  721
  Mr. Michael
  The Explanatory and Financial Memorandum of the Government of Wales Bill stated that the estimated capital costs of establishing the National Assembly would be £17 million. The costs of the temporary accommodation in Crickhowell House and the construction of the new Assembly building were included in this estimate. It is too early to estimate the costs of transferring some functions of the Assembly from Crickhowell House into the new building.

  A5/A55 (Compensation)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from landowners and tenants on compensation for the loss of land taken up by improvements to the A5/A55 on Anglesey. [78073]

  Mr. Hain
  The Welsh Office has received representations from landowners and occupiers affected by the road scheme as part of the negotiation process between their Agents and the Department's Agents on the appropriate level of compensation for the land taken for the road scheme.

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

  Drugs Misuse
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to increase awareness of the dangers of drugs misuse in rural areas of Wales. [78074]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Drug misuse is prevalent in all areas of Wales. The current Welsh Drug and Alcohol Strategy, "Forward Together", addresses the needs of both rural and urban areas in Wales. Throughout Wales Drug and Alcohol Action Teams are responsible for tackling drug and alcohol misuse and for encouraging local agencies to develop activities and services appropriate to

  £000

  1998–99 plans

  1999–2000 plans

  European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)

  7,032

  9,223

  Financial Instrument Fisheries Guidance (FIFG)

  254

  150

  European Regional Development Fund

  36,046

  29,046

  Total

  43,332

  18,319

  1 Figures are consistent with Welsh Office Departmental Report (Cm 4216) hut provision available for FIFG for 1999–2000 has been increased to 964, to reflect current commitments and to assess new bids.

  2 In addition £35.7 million which has been carried forward as a result of underspends in previous years is available to this programme.

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

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the total sums received as a result of assisted area status for (i) the former area of Alyn and Deeside District Council, (ii) the former Clwyd County Council and (iii) the current Flintshire County Council since the status was conferred; and if he will make a statement. [78955]
  722
  the local situation. In rural areas this has included, for example, a reconfiguration of service provision, enabling greater access for those in need.

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

  Welsh Assembly Hotline
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is(a) the total cost to date of, (b) the total number of calls received to date and (c) the estimated annual cost of the Welsh Assembly information hotline. [78075]

  Mr. Michael
  There has been no cost for dealing with the 550 calls made to the information line since it opened. The cost of managing the information line, line rental and sending out booklets to callers is £1,400. There will be no annual cost for the helpline which is supported by BT.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress on obtaining EU structural funds for Wales. [78076]

  Mr. Michael
  I am pleased that the Council of Ministers meeting in Berlin last week agreed the Agenda 2000 proposals which include the regulations for the Structural Funds programmes for the Union from 2000–06. These programmes will include Objective 1 status for West Wales and the Valleys. Agreement of areas eligible for Objective 2 status is subject to further discussions with the UK according to the agreed regulations. The remaining areas of the Principality will secure Objective 3 support. The Berlin agreement is subject to ratification by the European Parliament.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what sum has he earmarked from within the Welsh block for 1999–2000, for spending on projects associated with European structural funds; and what is the figure for the current financial year. [78078]

  Mr. Michael
  The information is set out in the following table:

  Mr. Hain
  The Assisted Area is designated for the purpose of allocating aid to industry. The beneficiaries of that aid are companies seeking financial assistance toward investment projects which will create or safeguard employment in that area. All, or parts, of these authorities have been included in the Assisted Area since 1972. In that time a wide range of assistance, including grant aid, has been provided to companies by the Welsh Office, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Board for Rural Wales, the
  723
  Wales Tourist Board, the Training and Enterprise Councils, local authorities and other business development organisations. Information on all of these is not held centrally.

  Grants offered since 1984 under Regional Selective Assistance (the main form of regional aid in Wales), the revised Regional Development Grant and Regional Enterprise Grant were as follows:

  £ million

  Former District of Alyn and Deeside1

  Former County of Clwyd1

  Flintshire2

  Regional Selective Assistance

  40.2

  129.2

  12.9

  Regional Enterprise Grants3

  1.9

  6.0

  0.4

  Regional Development Grants4

  43.4

  119.4

  —

  1 Information up to 31 March 1996

  2 Information since 1 April 1996

  3 Regional Enterprise Grant scheme began 1 April 1988

  4 Regional Development Grant scheme began 29 November 1984, closed 31 March 1988

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

  CAP Reform
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has met representatives of the farming unions in Wales to discuss the impact of CAP reform on Welsh agriculture. [78077]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  My right hon. Friend and I have met with representatives of the farming unions in Wales on numerous occasions during the negotiations on the CAP reforms. 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 has been strongly pressing.

  The Welsh Office is currently assessing how the proposed reforms will affect farmers in Wales and we will be discussing this further with the industry in due course.

  Clinical Negligence
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to identify and reduce the incidence of clinical negligence in the health service in Wales. [78079]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I take the need to identify and reduce the incidence of clinical negligence very seriously. Work has been in hand for some time to achieve this aim. We have changed the funding basis of the Welsh Risk Pool so that those with bad claims records pay more. We have also implemented minimum risk standards for pool members, to identify and address potential problem areas. Failure to achieve these standards again means higher Pool contribution levels. Finally, in our consultation document, "Quality Care and Clinical Excellence" we focus on improving the quality of care, ensuring that clinical decisions are based on the most up-to-date evidence of what is known to be effective.

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

  Welsh Economy
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the impact of the agreements reached at the Council of Ministers' meeting on the Welsh economy. [78080]

  Mr. Michael
  The Council of Ministers' meeting in Berlin reached agreement on the Agenda 2000 package of reform to the EU. This package includes the next wave of enlargement of the Union, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the next round of Structural Funds programmes. The economy of west Wales and the Valleys will receive a major boost from the award of Objective 1 status which will bring around £1.2 billion in aid for economic and social development over seven years. Reforms to the CAP will help the agriculture sector in Wales increase competitiveness, enhance food safety and food quality and ensure a fair standard of living and stable farm incomes.

  Employment (Non-Welsh Speakers)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding employment opportunities for non-Welsh speakers. [78081]

  Mr. Michael
  I have personally received no such representations.

  Since I took office, my officials have received one such representation. My Department has also dealt with one representation made to the Deputy Prime Minister, and is dealing with one made to the Prime Minister.

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

  National Assembly (Transport)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what transport facilities will be provided to Ministers in the National Assembly. [78082]

  Mr. Hain
  It will be for the Assembly to determine what transport facilities if any it provides for its elected members.

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

  Trade Relations
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next plans to meet representatives of the CBI Wales to discuss trade relations with Europe. [78083]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend and I and my officials regularly meet with representatives of the CBI Wales to discuss a range of issues.

  Arts Funding
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the funding of the arts in Wales. [78084]

  Mr. Michael
  I am pleased that, as part of the Internal Review settlement, I was able to provide the Arts Council of Wales with the first increase in its budget for five years. Decisions on the grant aiding of individual projects are matters for the Council itself.
  725
  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Employment (Parents)
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress in introducing employment policies to encourage parents to take up employment opportunities in Wales. [78085]

  Mr. Hain
  Good progress is being made with a range of policies to help parents take up employment. The National Childcare Strategy in Wales will create many more childcare places and the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships and the New Opportunities Fund are now getting into their stride to deliver the strategy. The New Deal in Wales is proving very effective. Take-up of the New Deal for Lone Parents is increasing and already over 800 people have obtained jobs through this programme. The Government's Employment Relations Bill contains important new provisions for family-friendly employment practices and the Welsh Office will play a full part in promoting these practices among employers in Wales.

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

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for developing the aerospace industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [78086]

  Mr. Hain
  Welsh Office officials are regularly in touch with the aerospace companies in Wales. My right hon. Friend and I take a keen interest in its future and have met some of the companies. Officials together with the WDA and the TECs are working with the South Wales Aerospace Group to develop effective solutions to the skills needs of the sector. A study of the Group's recruitment and training needs was completed in 1998, with Welsh Office support, and the results of this, together with the recommendations of the Future Skills Wales survey are being used as the basis for taking forward action to ensure that the aerospace industry has the skilled personnel it needs.

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

  Welsh Assembly (Devolution of Powers)
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what(a) representations he has received on and (b) plans he has for further devolution of powers to the Welsh Assembly. [78087]

  Mr. Michael
  I and my department have received several thousand representations on all aspects of the Welsh devolution settlement. It would be possible to determine how many of those advocated a transfer of further functions only at disproportionate cost.

  As to plans for the Assembly to gain further powers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) on 3 March 1999, Official Report, column 779–80.

  National Minimum Wage
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the prospective impact of the national minimum wage on the Welsh economy. [78088]

  Mr. Hain
  The national minimum wage is a UK wide policy. No separate assessment of the impact on the Welsh economy has been made, however, latest research shows that 109,000 people in Wales will benefit from the national minimum wage.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [76820]

  Mr. Michael
  Between 2 May 1997 and 28 February 1999, special advisers made visits overseas on two occasions in an official capacity. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Primary Schools
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the primary schools he has visited in his Ministerial capacity in the last four months. [77460]

  Mr. Michael
  During the last four months I have visited Evenlode Primary School and Grangetown Infants School in the constituency of Cardiff, South and Penarth and Cornist Park County Primary School in the constituency of Delyn. I have also visited Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School, Cwmbran; Mold Alun School, Mold and Newport Duffryn Comprehensive School, Newport as well as Llandrillo College (Rhyl campus), Bridgend College and Coleg Glan Hafren.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what purpose he used his ministerial car on Monday 15 March. [78004]

  Mr. Michael
  I used my ministerial car to travel to and from official engagements on Monday 15 March. I started the day with visits to a number of homeless projects in Cardiff followed by speaking engagements in the city, the opening of a new Housing Association Development in the city and in the evening I visited Carmarthen where I took part in a public question and answer session on my role as Secretary of State and on the future role of the Welsh Assembly.

  New Deal
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have entered(a) full-time jobs and (b) further education under the New Deal to date; and if he will make a statement. [78958]

  Mr. Hain
  The latest data published by the Department for Education and Employment shows that, between 5 January 1998 and 29 January 1999, almost 4,400 people had been helped into work in Wales through the New Deal and more than 2,300 others had entered full-time
  727
  education or training (some of whom had subsequently also moved into jobs). Within these totals, separate information is not available on the number of jobs which are full-time or the number of people undertaking further education as distinct from training.

  I am very pleased with the positive start which the New Deal has made in Wales, and the tremendous support it has received from employers and partner organisations. I am also delighted with the enthusiasm of the New Deal participants themselves.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he had taken to improve rail services in Wales, with particular reference to the Wrexham-Bidston rail line; and if he will make a statement. [78952]

  Mr. Hain
  I am keen to see high quality rail services throughout Wales, and I have announced recently that the Welsh Office will be working closely with the North Wales Economic Forum to improve rail services between North and South Wales. The creation of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority is an important first step in ensuring that the train operators in Wales deliver the service which the public have a right to expect. This includes the Wrexham to Bidston line, where services are provided by First North Western with financial support from the Franchising Director and, for certain services, a consortium of local authorities.

  Following the transfer of functions, responsibility for the regulation and financial support of passenger rail services will remain with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Drinking and Driving
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money was spent by his Department in 1998 to discourage drinking and driving. [79390]

  Mr. Hain
  In 1997–98 the Welsh Office spent £33,174 on measures to discourage drinking and driving using the medium of Welsh. The Department of Environment Transport and the Regions is responsible for measures to discourage drinking and driving in Great Britain.

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

  Social Inclusion
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to promote Social Inclusion in Wales; and if he will make a statement on his Department's programmes to protect and promote the interests of(a) children and (b) other vulnerable groups in Wales. [80120]

  Mr. Michael
  As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review I have established a Social Inclusion Fund that will provide £48 million over three years to tackle some of the most intractable problems in deprived communities across Wales. It will work alongside mainstream programmes, all of which are being harnessed to promote social inclusion in support of my Department's corporate aim: to increase economic prosperity and improve the quality of life for all of the people of Wales, to promote 728
  social inclusion, to extend democratic accountability and to deliver better services throughout Wales. The initial tranche of money from the Social Inclusion Fund, totalling £8 million for 1999–2000 will be targeted at three key areas;
  £5 million will go to a new Children and Youth Partnership Fund, to promote local initiatives to life youngsters educational attainment, engage them in creative activities in their communities and to encourage them away from crime, drugs, vandalism and truancy;
  £1.5 million will go to support drug and alcohol treatment services, improving access to treatment particularly for vulnerable younger people; and
  £1.5 million will go to encourage people to participate in their communities through joining in the work of local voluntary sector initiatives.

  It is important to recognise the cross-cutting nature of this work. In targeting their proposals for action, local authorities and their partners will be expected to draw out the relevant conclusions from the local crime and disorder audit as well as specific measures of deprivation. They will need to be clear about the intended outcomes and to highlight both their targets and their measurements of success.

  In addition, I am making available £1.5 million for 1999–2000 and for each of the following two years to continue and expand the People in Communities programme, which is aimed at tackling social exclusion in disadvantaged communities. £1 million has been allocated to support the existing eight projects and £750,000 will be available for new projects in 1999–2000. I want to see the new projects being brought forward by local partnerships, including partnerships led by the voluntary sector and development trusts, and I have asked my officials to consult the WLGA, WCVA and other key players as they develop this proposal.

  I am also making available £25 million over three years through Sure Start to give Welsh children the best possible start in life. The programme, which has been developed in consultation with local government, the health service and the voluntary sector in Wales, will provide extra services to boost the development of very young children especially those from the most deprived communities. It will complement existing mainstream programmes and link with other social inclusion initiatives including those developed under my People in Communities programme. It will also work closely with the initiatives for early years development and child care for which I have announced over £2.5 million to support local partnerships in 1999–2000.

  In addition to targeting these new funds on particular groups at risk of becoming socially excluded, I am also placing a greater emphasis on social inclusion within mainstream programmes. As one example of this I am also announcing today a £4.5 million Classroom Support Fund. This will provide £1.5 million over each of the next three years to provide additional classroom assistance for those schools that have the furthest to travel to meet the national targets for Wales.

  I expect the support provided under this heading to take a variety of forms, reflecting the differing needs of LEAs. Some may choose to recruit classroom assistants to support work on literacy and numeracy. Some may wish

  729
  to give a priority to raising levels of achievement within ethnic minority communities. There will also be flexibility to provide support for teachers in other ways.

  I have also introduced a new element with a focus on social inclusion within the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) programme. The new School Improvement Fund will be worth £1.5 million during 1999–2000. It is designed to enable authorities to bring a new focus to the work of achieving the targets set out in their Education Strategic Plans. I would expect authorities to give a particular emphasis to work aimed at bringing standards in the lowest performing schools up to the level of the best.

  Taken together these programmes will provide a foundation of seamless services for children and their families, to enrich children's lives and enable them to fulfil their potential.

  Further details of my analysis of the challenges facing Wales and the approach my Department is taking to ensure they are addressed effectively are set out in a statement "Building an inclusive Wales: tackling the social exclusion agenda". This will provide the National Assembly with a useful starting point from which to develop its own policies. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  In addition local authorities have a key part to play in responding to the needs of children who require specialist support. Too often in the past, they have failed children in their care with the result that the lives of some of the most vulnerable of our children have been damaged. That is completely unacceptable. Much has been done to implement recommendations from the Children's Safeguards Review. To build on that work and to ensure key recommendations are carried forward I have made available £5 million within the local government settlement for 1999–2000 for 'Children First', a three year programme to modernise and transform local authority social services for children. This is an ambitious and far-reaching programme and one we are determined to see through.

  My Department is writing to local authorities and others with responsibilities for children in their care to set out the details of the improvements we expect to see and the arrangements for the National Assembly to monitor progress. I am also writing to elected members to remind them of their personal responsibilities for children in the care of their authorities, to underline my commitment to improving services for children and to challenge them to use the extra resources being made available through all of these programmes to secure real and lasting benefits.

  Planning Inspectorate Agency
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what performance targets he has set for the Planning Inspectorate Agency's work in Wales for the financial year 1999–2000. [80121]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I have today set the following key targets for the Agency's work in Wales in 1999–2000. I believe these continue to be challenging, but realistic targets for the Planning Inspectorate to meet next year. I am confident that the Planning Inspectorate will continue to maintain the impartiality and quality and efficiency of its work. I have decided not to include a specific target for 730
  responding to inquiries and correspondence in Welsh this year as the Inspectorate now has its own Welsh Language Scheme in place which requires the Inspectorate to deal with inquiries and correspondence in Welsh and English within the same timescales.

  Timeliness

  (a) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representations to be determined within 17 weeks;

  (b) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings to be determined within 22 weeks;

  (c) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiries to be determined within 30 weeks;

  (d) to provide an Inspector for local plan inquiries in at least 80 per cent. of cases on the date requested by a local authority provided that the objection period has ended and at least 6 months' notice has been given;

  (e) to deliver 90 per cent. of Inspectors' reports on local plan inquiries to local authorities according to timescales agreed under service agreements.

  Financial
  Unit costs of planning appeals decided by written representations not to exceed £839.

  Efficiency
  Contribute to the generation of a 3 per cent. efficiency improvement in the use of running costs for all the Inspectorate's work compared with 1998–99.

  Quality
  To satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards, and thus the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales, annually and following rigorous monitoring, that the quality of the Inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard with 99 per cent. of its casework free from justified complaint.

  Information and Guidance
  To carry out a customer survey of satisfaction with the inquiry and hearing processes for dealing with planning appeals, including the quality of Inspectors' reasoning in reaching a recommendation/decision.

  Following the transfer of functions, the setting of targets for the Planning Inspectorate in Wales will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes he is proposing to make to the cash limits for his Department for the current financial year. [80122]

  Mr. Michael
  The local authority capital cash limit (WO/LACAP) will be reduced by £1,470,000 from £377,644,000 to £376,174,000; the cash limit on class XIV, vote 3 will increase by £1,470,000 from £469,689,000 to £471,159,000.

  The transfer of £1,470,000 from the non-voted local authority capital cash limit to the vote 3 cash limit is in respect of work undertaken by Housing Associations on behalf of local authorities.

  The above changes will not add to the overall level of public expenditure.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the winding-up of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, with particular
  731
  reference to the main successor bodies and the Corporation's functions, assets and liabilities to be passed on. [79018]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]I have given careful consideration to the views of the CBDC Board, the Cardiff and Vale authorities, the Welsh Development Agency and other interested parties and I am able to confirm, as previously announced, that the Corporation shall wind up its activities on 31 March 2000 with dissolution taking place on 30 June 2000.

  I regard it as essential that the momentum of development within Cardiff Bay is maintained. I have therefore decided that, from March 2000, as with other local authorities in the rest of Wales, Cardiff County Council and the Vale of Glamorgan authority should regain responsibility for the economic, social and environmental regeneration of the whole of their areas. As elsewhere, they will be able to rely on the services available from the WDA and other economic bodies on the basis of partnership. I have also discussed with those authorities the implementation of projects planned by CBDC which may not be completed within the lifetime of the Corporation, including the Penarth Link, Hamadryad Park, a significant environmental upgrade in the Bay area and an access road to the Cardiff Yacht Club. I have also considered the provision necessary for the new responsibilities and liabilities which each authority will inherit: and transitional support for certain local services in South Cardiff. For these purposes, I shall be making available over a period of 3–5 years a total of up to £13 million to Cardiff County Council and up to £8.2 million to the Vale of Glamorgan. Copies of the understandings reached with the local authorities will be placed in the Library of the House.

  The Corporation's non-development assets and liabilities will be transferred to Cardiff County Council and to the Vale of Glamorgan Council respectively. Development assets and liabilities, including management of the proposed Bute Avenue PFI, will be transferred to the Welsh Development Agency. I shall invite the parties to discuss together and agree with me the timing and terms on which these transfers will take place. Land currently held by CBDC at the Ferry Road Peninsula will be transferred to Cardiff County Council, subject to terms and conditions to be agreed between the Department and the Council and taking into account the relevant provisions of the Development Agreement between CBDC and Associated British Ports.

  Future sponsorship of the Techniquest organisation will transfer to my Department. Responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Gwent Levels Bird Reserve will pass to the Countryside Council for Wales.

  I attach particular importance to the efficient and safe operation and maintenance of the Barrage and to the exploitation of the impounded lake for the public benefit. These responsibilities, including groundwater monitoring and control and management of water quality in the Bay,
  732
  are also of direct and significant interest to the local communities in Cardiff and the Vale. As foreshadowed in the Cardiff Bay Barrage Act 1993, I propose to establish a dedicated body with responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and management of the Barrage, the outer harbour and the inland Bay. I shall enter immediate discussions with the Corporation regarding the purpose, functions and funding of such a body and will also fully explore the opportunities for partnership between the public and private sectors. I shall consult with local authorities and other interests before final decisions are taken.

  On the basis of a thorough review of Barrage costs, I have decided to increase the financial cap for the project from £191 million to £197 million, subject to settlement of any unresolved and future claims. This is the best available estimate of the final outturn cost, subject to settlement of any unresolved and future contract claims. The increase is mainly attributable to the increased cost of the Bird Reserve on the Gwent Levels and additional costs arising from new legislation. A Budget Review report on the Barrage will also be available shortly and I shall place a copy in the Library of the House.

  I am also pleased to announce a public consultation on the Corporation's proposal to install a dewatering network in the area of South Cardiff most at risk from rising groundwater. Copies of the Corporation's submission, including a report by Professor Stoner, can be obtained from Mr. D. Lowe at CBDC, Baltic House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CF1 8DH. Comments should be sent by Friday 30 April to Mr. G. A. Fagan, Regional Development Division, Welsh Office, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF1 3NQ.

  Finally, I should like to place on record my personal admiration for the great achievements of the Chairman, Board and staff of the Corporation, in removing the legacy of dereliction in South Cardiff, transforming it into an area internationally acclaimed as a major development success and in the first rank of investment locations. I am confident that the successor arrangements I have announced today will secure the continued successful regeneration of Cardiff Bay.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage

  A breakdown of the costs, including a comparison with the estimates that formed the basis for the previous announcement on 24 April 1995, are in the table.

  £ million

  Estimated cost 1995

  Revised estimate 1999

  Change

  Barrage Structure

  134.0

  137.6

  +3.6

  Groundwater

  11.0

  11.2

  +0.2

  Birds Reserve

  5.7

  9.5

  +3.8

  Environment

  6.7

  6.2

  -0.5

  Legal Agreements

  7.5

  6.4

  -1.1

  Drainage

  10.6

  9.4

  -1.2

  Pre-1993 Expenditure

  15.4

  15.4

  0

  Additional Works

  0

  0.7

  +0.7

  Total

  190.9

  196.4

  +5.5

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Trainees (Tax)
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if a young person on non-employed status training is liable for(a) income tax and (b) national insurance contributions. [78726]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Young people who are participating in employment and training programmes funded by the Department for Education and Employment, on a non-employed basis, are not liable for income tax on any training allowance. They are, however, able to attract a credited National Insurance Contribution through their benefit claim.

  Employment on Trial
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if a jobseeker's allowance claimant who has used Employment on Trial but returned to jobseeker's allowance can qualify again for Employment on Trial after 13 weeks of further unemployment; and whether such a claimant would subsequently be eligible for extended payments of housing benefit and council tax benefit. [78727]

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

  Letter from Peter Collins to Mr. John Healey, dated 26 March 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question about eligibility for Employment on Trial and its linked eligibility to extended payments of Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
  It may be helpful if I begin by confirming that Employment on Trial can only be considered when a jobseeker accepts a job having being unemployed for a period of at least 13 weeks. The job must be for at least 16 hours a week and the jobseeker must stay with the employer for at least four weeks, but no more than 12 weeks, to be eligible. Jobseeker's Allowance regulations, can qualify again for Employment on Trial after a further period of 13 weeks unemployment.
  To be eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit extended payments, the jobseeker must have been continuously registered as unemployed and in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 26 weeks before starting work. If someone has a second Employment on Trial period after having been unemployed for the minimum of 13 weeks, they will not have had the period of unemployment of at least 26 weeks which is required to re-qualify for extended benefit payments.
  In such circumstances, people who do not re-qualify for extended benefits may still be eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax reductions. This will depend on the amount of earnings and the individual's personal arrangements. Advice can be sought through the local council offices of Employment Service adviser.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Carers
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how he intends to inform all of his Department's and Employment Service staff of the developing policies towards carers outlined in the National Strategy for Carers. [78549]

  Ms Hodge
  Earlier this month my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, the DfEE Board and the ES Chief Executive issued a message to all staff in the Department and the Employment Service letting them know what was happening on childcare and family friendly policies in DfEE and ES and emphasising their commitment to continue to make progress in this area. The message has been placed in the Library.

  Both the Department for Education and Employment and the Employment Service have a programme of work in hand which will provide support for carers. This includes developing family friendly policies to meet the needs of staff with a range of caring responsibilities. We will be taking account of the National Carers Strategy as we develop our own family friendly policies. We will be keeping staff informed of progress through a variety of internal communications.

  Departmental Staff (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, at 1 March, of(a) his private office, (b) Government special advisers, (c) his Policy Unit and (d) staff in total. [78510]

  Mr. Mudie
  (a) Private office The ethnic origin of staff in the Department of Education and Employment's Private Office as at 1 March 1999 are as follows:

  Category

  Numbers

  Percentages

  White

  45

  85

  Black

  1—

  1—

  Asian

  1—

  1—

  Other

  1—

  1—

  1Represent numbers of 5 or less and percentages which correspond to numbers of 5 or less. This presentation of the statistics is in line with the DfEE code of practice on disclosure of ethnic origin to maintain confidentiality of the data for individuals.

  (b) Government special advisers The numbers of special advisers are so few in the Department that I should like to refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, East (Mr. Livingstone) on 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 39.

  (c) Policy unit This area is not applicable to the Department.

  (d) Staff in total My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office will provide a response to this part of the question for all Departments.

  New Deal
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the proportion of under25-year-olds on the New Deal for Young People who sign off without known destination at the point when they have
  735
  to choose one of the four full-time options in benefit offices in the parliamentary constituencies of (a) Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend, (b) Copeland, (c) Islington, South and Finsbury, (d) Hamilton, South, (e) Sheffield, Brightside, (f) Kingston upon Hull, East, (g) Livingston, (h) Holborn and St. Pancras, (i) Blackburn, (j) Birmingham, Ladywood, (k) Redcar, (l) Derby, South, (m) Glasgow, Anniesland, (n) Edinburgh, Central, (o) North Tyneside, (p) Sedgefield, (q) Dunfermline, East, (r) Darlington, (s) Dewsbury and (t) Cardiff, South and Penarth. [78542]

  Percentage of young people leaving the New Deal Gateway for whom no known destination was recorded at the end of January 1999

  Constituency

  Unit of Delivery (UoD)

  Percentage

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East and Wallsend

  Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside and Tyneside, North (covers 2 UoD)

  13

  Copeland

  Cumbria

  13

  Islington South and Finsbury

  Hackney and city

  10

  Hamilton, South

  Lanarkshire

  39

  Sheffield, Brightside

  Sheffield and Rotherham

  12

  Kingston-upon-Hull, East

  Hull

  15

  Livingston

  West Lothian

  12

  Holborn and St. Pancras

  Camden and North Islington

  18

  Blackburn

  East Lancashire

  34

  Birmingham, Ladywood

  Birmingham

  19

  Redcar

  Tees North and South

  25

  Derby, South

  North Derbyshire

  12

  Glasgow, Anniesland

  Glasgow

  15

  Edinburgh, Central

  Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian

  17

  North Tyneside

  Tyneside, North

  13

  Sedgefield

  Tees North and South

  12

  Dunfermline, East

  Fife

  15

  Darlington

  Durham North and South

  12

  Dewsbury

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  18

  Cardiff, South and Penarth

  Cardiff and Value

  18

  Key Stage 2 SATs
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools in 1998, 1997 and 1996 by(a) local education authority and (b) by type of school entered no pupils for the level 6 (i) Science, (ii) English and (iii) Mathematics paper in Key Stage 2 SATs test. [79245]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The number of schools that entered no pupils for the level 6 test in the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Assessment tests broken down by subject and school type is shown in the following table.

  Number of schools with no children participating in the Key Stage 2 level 6 tests by subject and school type

  English

  Mathematics

  Science

  Maintained mainstream

  1996

  8,491

  10,506

  13,372

  1997

  9,107

  10,585

  13,228

  1998

  9,609

  10,835

  13,349

  Independent

  1996

  224

  289

  454

  1997

  326

  392

  566

  1998

  316

  394

  564

  Special

  1996

  866

  868

  867

  1997

  858

  862

  865

  1998

  862

  866

  868

  736
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The information is not available in the form requested and Government Statistical Service figures are produced for Employment Service Units of Delivery which cannot currently be disaggregated to individual constituencies. The following table is drawn from all those who leave the Gateway. It lists the constituencies, the Unit of Delivery each forms a part of and those leaving the Gateway with an unknown destination expressed as a percentage of all Gateway leavers. As more data are collected the numbers in this category may subsequently be revised downwards.

  Number of schools with no children participating in the Key Stage 2 level 6 tests by subject and school type

  English

  Mathematics

  Science

  All schools

  1996

  9,581

  11,663

  14,693

  1997

  10,291

  11,839

  14,659

  1998

  10,787

  12,095

  14,781

  Tables showing the maintained number of schools broken down by subject Local Education Authority have been placed in the Library.

  Grant-maintained Schools (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the grant-maintained schools in the London Borough of Wandsworth. [79057]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Grant-maintained schools in Wandsworth at March 1999 are as follows:

  Eardley GM Primary School

  Honeywell Junior School

  Honeywell Infant School

  Albemarle Primary School

  Ethelburga Primary School

  Hillbrook Primary School (GM)

  Graveney School

  737

  Burntwood School

  Elliott School (GM)

  Salesian College

  John Paul II School

  Southfields Community College (GM).

  Head Teachers
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to relieve the burdens on heads of small schools who teach full-time. [79078]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The funding arrangements for schools enable Local Education Authorities to take account of the particular needs of small schools. That will continue under the new funding arrangements.

  In addition, in the Green Paper teachers: meeting the challenge of change we proposed the establishment of a Small School Support Fund to help encourage small schools to invest in shared resources and working together. This recognises that sharing services can relieve hard-pressed heads of small schools.

  Teachers (Induction Year)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money will be available from the Standards Fund to cover the costs of introducing the induction year for newly qualified teachers; and if money will be made available directly to schools to cover the extra costs incurred. [79025]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: In 1999–2000 we have made available additional funds through the £251.5 million School Improvement Standards Fund grant to support activity designed to improve standards of pupil performance in order to meet school, local education authority and national targets. Support provided through this grant explicitly includes induction. We have made clear in the Standards Fund guidance (Circular 13/98) local education authorities' responsibilities to pass on adequate funds to schools in respect of such induction programme for newly-qualified teachers through devolvement of the School Improvement grant.

  Nutritional Standards
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what progress is being made with introducing national nutritional standards for school meals and healthy eating initiatives in maintained schools; [79323]

  (2) what guidance his Department issues to local education authorities regarding (a) the level of fat, (b) the proportion of sugar, (c) the amount of fibre, (d) the amount of fresh fruit and (e) the amount of fresh vegetables in the diet of schoolchildren; [79325]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the impact of the Government's best value approach to local government on nutritional standards for school meals; [79326]

  (4) to what nutritional guidelines local education authorities are required to adhere in delivering a school meals service to their school pupils. [79246]
  738
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The consultation period for Ingredients for Success has finished and the views we have received are helping us to draw up draft regulations setting out the standards. These will be the subject of a further consultation exercise. We are on target to introduce the new standards from Autumn 1999. Until then, local education authorities can decide their own nutritional guidelines for delivering a school meals service. The Government offer more general advice on healthy eating which applies to everyone over the age of five years. This is set out in The Balance of Good Health and Eight Guidelines for a Healthy Diet. We plan to issue further guidance to local education authorities and schools alongside the forthcoming regulations.

  When the new standards take effect, local education authorities which provide meals will be under a duty to ensure that the standards are met and that prospective suppliers, selected in line with the best value legislation, can comply with them.

  Staff Mileage Rates
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the mileage rates applicable from January 1999 to staff, indicating changes which have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. [79523]

  Mr. Mudie
  The standard motor mileage rates reimbursed to staff in the core Department are set out in the following table:

  Engine size

  Up to 4,000 miles

  Over 4,000 miles

  Up to 1500cc

  35p/mile

  20p/mile

  1501cc+

  45p/mile

  25p/mile

  The Department has strict rules to ensure that any travel on official business is only authorised when it is absolutely necessary and that cars may be used only when they are the most cost effective method of transport. The standard mileage allowances, which have stood without change since April 1997, are designed to discourage the use of cars with an engine capacity over 2,000cc.

  A close review of travelling arrangements is planned as part of the Green Transport initiative. This will explore whether more could be done to encourage the use of cycling and public transport.

  Medical Students
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many medical students are currently studying in the United Kingdom; and of these how many are of Afro-Caribbean origin. [79521]

  Mr. Mudie
  In 1997/98, the last year for which figures are available, there were 41,039 students studying medicine and dentistry in the UK of whom 118 were of Black Caribbean origin.

  Individual Learning Account
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress he has made with individual learning accounts and plans for their future. [80076]
  739
  Mr. Blunkett
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his statement on 9 March 1999,Official Report, columns 173–190, announced a long term incentive structure for learning accounts. This proposes significant progress towards achieving a sustainable national framework from next year. Through the substantial development work undertaken over the last few months we have also learned some important lessons about the design of learning accounts.

  Training and Enterprise Councils have led development by testing various options for accounts in 15 areas. These projects are reaching completion. We are also undertaking extensive market research to assess the reaction of individuals and other stakeholder to the design of learning accounts. We are consulting employers through projects led by National Training Organisations, and financial institutions about their potential involvement.

  From April 1999 individuals will be able to open learning accounts with Training and Enterprise Councils; if people invest £25 of their own money they will receive £150 to set up their account.

  I will be shortly publishing details of our progress on this work, and our plans for an national framework.

  Consultants (Hackney)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he has appointed consultants to help to improve education services in Hackney. [80074]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I am pleased to announce that we have appointed KPMG to work with Hackney LEA to secure urgent improvements in the education service in the light of the recent OFSTED/Audit Commission report.

  KPMG will start work immediately on specifications which can be used as a basis for contracting out certain LEA functions, as set out in the Secretary of State's letter on 19 March to the authority.

  In addition, KPMG will work with the LEA on revising its Education Development Plan and drawing up an Action Plan to address the other recommendations in the Ofsted Inspection report.

  The decision to appoint KPMG was made on the basis of quality of their proposals, the calibre of their personnel and overall value for money.

  Schools Adjudicators
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will announce the appointment of the adjudicators for schools organisation and admissions issues. [80075]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I announced the appointment of Sir Peter Newsam as Lead Adjudicator on 28 January 1999, and have now offered appointments to fifteen Adjudicators to work with him. They are Dr. Alan Billings, June Brown, John Clarke, Andrew Collier, Peter Downes, John Evans, Gordon Hainsworth, Ann Holt, Louise Kidd, Robert Lanwarne, Peter Neafsey, Professor David Newton, Dr Hilary Nicolle, Robin Squire and Anthony Webster. I am confident that their wealth of educational experience will ensure a professional and high quality service.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) sheep exported for slaughter, (b) sheep exported for further fattening, (c) sheep exported for breeding, (d) pigs exported for slaughter, (e) pigs exported for further fattening and (f) pigs exported for breeding were deemed unfit to travel in 1996, 1997 and 1998 by local veterinary inspectors when undertaking certification procedures of live animals destined for export; and if he will make a statement. [74325]

  Mr. Morley
  The figures available relate only to movements from Great Britain to other EU Member States and Northern Ireland. They relate to animals recorded by Local Veterinary Inspectors as being rejected as unfit when undertaking export certification procedures and are set out in the following table.

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Sheep

  for slaughter

  447

  146

  536

  for further fattening

  3,720

  6,796

  13,003

  for breeding

  17

  76

  13

  Pigs

  for slaughter

  —

  1

  —

  for further fattening

  —

  120

  113

  for breeding

  837

  1,396

  1,734

  These statistics are for Great Britain, they are provisional and may be subject to amendment.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the consultation document reviewing legislation on the live transport of animals to be issued. [78434]

  Mr. Morley
  We hope to undertake full public consultation as soon as possible, once the elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly have taken place.

  Departmental Budget
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was his Department's budget in cash terms and at 1998–99 prices for(a) 1992–93 to 1998–99 and (b) his estimate for 1999–2000 to 2001–02. [77331]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 March 1999]The information requested is set out in the following table:

  £ million

  Year

  Cash terms

  1998–99 prices

  1992–93

  701.2

  816.5

  1993–94

  754.0

  855.3

  1994–95

  705.1

  788.5

  1995–96

  767.0

  833.4

  1996–97

  880.4

  928.1

  1997–98

  709.3

  728.8

  1998–99

  768.8

  768.8

  1999–2000

  765.3

  746.6

  2000–01

  722.3

  687.5

  2001–02

  760.3

  706.0

  Potatoes
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to encourage retailers to promote sales of organically grown potatoes; and if he will make a statement. [78930]

  Mr. Morley
  Decisions on the sourcing of produce at retail level are matters for the commercial judgment of the various food retail companies. It is not the Government's role to interfere in such decisions. However, Regulations were laid before Parliament on 11 March which will significantly increase aid for fanners in England converting to organic practices. We expect that this will result in an increase in the area of land being farmed organically and potentially more organic produce available for sale to consumers.

  River Wye Conservation Area
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to draw up habitat regulations for the River Wye candidate special area of conservation. [78881]

  Mr. Morley
  The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/2716) apply to all sites classified as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive and sites which have been put forward as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the Habitats Directive from the point when they have been agreed as Sites of Community Importance. As a matter of policy, sites such as the Rive Wye which have been submitted to the European Commission as candidate Special Areas of Conservation, are treated as if the Regulations apply when considering new proposals.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to protect the traditional grasslands and meadows along the banks of salmon rivers, with particular reference to those of the River Wye candidate special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement; [78882]

  (2) which national authority is responsible for regulating agricultural activities in respect of spring salmon fishing within the catchment of the River Wye candidate special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement. [78880]

  Mr. Morley
  The Countryside Stewardship scheme provides payments for farmers to conserve and enhance traditional grassland and meadows along rivers. The scheme is targeted to meet national and local priorities such as the protection of species rich meadows. The River Wye has been identified as a target area for the scheme in 1999.

  MAFF is aware of the potential damage to salmon rivers and their spawning grounds which can occur as a result of sediment deposition caused by soil erosion. It has therefore recently produced a series of publications, including the revised Soil Code, aimed at helping farmers and growers to both protect the soil and prevent soil erosion.

  In addition, MAFF officials are working closely with the statutory environmental agencies to develop workable proposals for implementation of the "uncultivated land or semi-natural areas" provisions in the EU Directive on environmental impact assessment (EIA). Projects to bring
  742
  such land into intensive agricultural use will require an environmental statement if they are likely to give rise to significant environmental effects.

  Dairy Processing Industry
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the competitive position of the dairy processing industry in each EU member state. [790821

  Mr. Rooker
  None, but some information is available in publications such as "Europe's Dairy Produce 1998–99".

  Illegal Fishing
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many skippers of fishing vessels have been convicted in the courts for offences relating to illegal fishing activities in each of the past three years; what was the average financial penalty imposed; if he will list the nationality of the(a) skippers and (b) vessels; if the catch and gear were confiscated in all cases; and if he will make a statement. [78402]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: Substantial resources are devoted to fisheries enforcement and appropriate action is taken where infringements are detected.

  Information about fisheries prosecutions in courts in England and Wales is set out in the following table:

  1996

  1997

  1998

  No. of skippers successfully prosecuted for one or more infringements1

  59

  46

  72

  Average financial penalty imposed2

  £4,663

  £2,878

  £2,126

  Nationality of skipper3 and vessels

  Vessel

  Vessel

  Vessel

  Belgian

  6

  5

  5

  Dutch

  2

  2

  0

  French

  3

  2

  5

  Lithuanian

  1

  —

  —

  Norwegian

  2

  —

  —

  Russian

  1

  —

  —

  Spanish

  1

  1

  —

  UK

  43

  35

  62

  Irish

  —

  1

  —

  Number of cases where gear and/or catch were confiscated

  Gear

  1

  0

  0

  Catch

  2

  2

  0

  1 Includes skippers who are owners

  2Calculated as the total value of penalties imposed (fines and any financial penalties to the value of the catch and/or gear (as appropriate) divided by the number of skippers prosecuted

  3Information on the nationality of skippers is not readily available

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the species of genetically modified plants used during his Department's research into the safety of genetically modified crops; how many such plants were used; and what was the duration of the tests. [79328]

  Mr. Rooker
  Genetically modified varieties of the following species of crops plants have all been used in MAFF-funded research to assess the safety of genetically
  743
  modified crops in the agricultural environment: sugar beet, maize, potato and oilseed rape. All of the projects have a duration of three years, in most cases the research is still on-going and for this reason it is not possible to say how many plants were used.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the independent scientists and institutions which his Department has consulted during their research into the safety of genetically modified crops. [79327]

  Mr. Rooker
  The following institutions have all carried out research for MAFF to assess the safety of genetically modified crops in the agricultural environment:

  AEA Technology Consultancy Services

  Central Science Laboratory

  Institute of Arable Crops Research, Broom's Barn

  Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted

  Imperial College and Queen Mary and Westfield College

  Institute of Freshwater Ecology

  Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research

  Institute of Virology and Environmental Microbiology

  John Innes Centre

  Morley Research Centre

  National Institute of Agriculture Botany

  Scottish Agricultural College

  Scottish Crop Research Institute

  University of Newcastle

  University of Surrey

  University of Wales.

  Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made towards the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs; and if he will make a statement. [79855]

  Ms Moran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made towards the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs; and if he will make a statement. [79988]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am pleased to announce the first appointment to this Committee. Professor Phillip Thomas, formerly Principal of the Scottish Agricultural College, has been appointed as Chairman of the new Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs. The full membership will be finalised within the next few weeks.

  I believe that the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs will play a key role in ensuring that animal feed is safe for both animals and the ultimate food consumer. Professor Thomas has considerable knowledge of agricultural issues and animal nutrition and has the personal qualities needed to build an effective committee drawing together new members from diverse background. I am therefore delighted that he has accepted the invitation to Chair this important new independent advisory committee.

  Covent Garden Market Authority
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the Covent Garden Market Authority to begin negotiations with market tenants concerning new leases. [79998]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  It is clear from the legislation which set up the Covent Garden Market Authority that is for the Authority to determine the length of leases offered to market tenants. I understand that the Authority will shortly begin negotiations on a basis which best meets the needs of the Market.

  We will shortly be beginning discussions with all those with an interest on the future of the market.

  Easter 1998 Floods
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress the Environment Agency has made in implementing its action plan in response to the independent report on the Easter 1998 floods. [79856]

  Mr. Morley
  The Chairman of the Environment Agency has provided a report of progress to date, copies of which are being placed in the House Libraries.

  In line with the priorities I set out last October, the Agency has completed the checking of flood warning dissemination plans for errors and omissions. It has also been elaborating, in conjunction with other operating authorities and the Ministry, its current general supervisory responsibilities for flood defence matters.

  In addition, the Agency has reported substantial progress with work scheduled for completion later in the year, including the development of a flood warning strategy and review of telemetry requirements. With financial support from the Ministry, the Agency has taken forward work on flood plain mapping, public awareness of flood warning arrangements and auditing the content of its current flood warning dissemination plans. The latter work is intended to lead to development of more standardised and effective plans.

  I am pleased to be able to report such positive progress and will ensure that the House is updated on future developments.

  Ms Moran
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress the Environment Agency has made in implementing its action plan in response to the independent report on the Easter 1998 floods. [79987]

  Mr. Morley
  The Chairman of the Environment Agency has provided a report of progress to date, copies of which are being placed in the House Libraries.

  In line with the priorities I set out last October, the Agency has completed the checking of flood warning dissemination plans for errors and omissions. It has also been elaborating, in conjunction with other operating authorities and the Ministry, its current general supervisory responsibilities for flood defence matters.

  In addition, the Agency has reported substantial progress with work scheduled for completion later in the

  745
  year, including the development of a flood warning strategy and review of telemetry requirements. With financial support from the Ministry, the Agency has taken forward work on flood plain mapping, public awareness of flood warning arrangements and auditing the content of its current flood warning dissemination plans. The latter work is intended to led to development of more standardised and effective plans.

  I am pleased to be able to report such positive progress and will ensure that the House is updated on future developments.

  Fish Landings
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to amend the measures to control landings by vessels of 20 metres and over landing whitefish and shellfish into the United Kingdom. [79986]

  Mr. Morley
  Following representations from the fishing industry, the Fisheries Departments have looked at the designated port arrangements which came into operation on 5 January 1999 to see whether any changes should be made in advance of the wider review to be undertaken this Autumn.

  The main concern was over the lack of flexibility in providing notice of landings into non-designated ports and outside specified hours at designated ports. After careful consideration, we are allowing fishermen to give between 4 and 24 hours notice of landing and 4 to 72 hours notice where landings take place on a Sunday or Monday. The Department will also exercise discretion to waive the requirement to give 4 hours notice of landing in cases of force majeure or exceptional difficulty. Additionally, some adjustments are being made to the specified landing times for Brixham, Grimsby, Hull, Kinlochbervie, Lerwick, Lochinver and Oban and the specified landing location for Kinlochbervie.

  As part of the Autumn Review, the Fisheries Departments will consider the role which satellite monitoring will play in the operation of the designated port arrangements from 1 January 2000 and the provision of satellite position reports as an alternative to the prior notification of landings at non-designated ports and outside designated landing times at designated ports.

  The changes will take effect from 19 April and are being notified to the owners of all vessels of 20 metres and over.

  Fishing Fleet
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to issue a consultation paper on the management of the under10-metre fishing fleet. [79985]

  Mr. Morley
  A consultation paper on steps to improve the management of the under-10-metre fleet is being published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. The paper is being sent to inshore fishermen and other interests for comment by 30 June this year.
  746
  The paper confirms that the Fisheries Departments are looking at ways in which the management of quota allocations for this part of the inshore fleet can be developed with the objective of avoiding early or mid-year closures of fisheries. At the same time, it seeks views from fishermen and other interests on the steps that might be taken to constrain fishing effort. Action is also planned to deter unlicensed fishing activity, to prohibit the transshipment of fish between under and over-10-metre vessels, and to deal with vessels which have been shortened, re-registered and relicensed as under-10-metre vessels, and subsequently re-lengthened to fish as over10-metre vessels without the necessary consequential adjustments to their registration and licence status.

  The under-10-metre fleet is an important and integral part of the UK fishing industry. Its members hold wide ranging and diverse opinions, often reflecting local needs and conditions. The consultation process, which is now under way, will help to draw together these views so that informed decisions on the way forward can be taken later in the year in partnership with the newly devolved administrations. It is expected that any change in the present quota management and licensing arrangements will take effect during the year 2000.

  Fishing Vessel Licensing
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he received the report of the working group announced by him in December 1997 to review the operation of the current fishing vessel licensing arrangements; and what action he is taking to implement its recommendations. [79984]

  Mr. Morley
  I have now received the Report of the Working Group, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. I am most grateful for the valuable contribution made by industry representatives in the preparation of this Report. They have had a difficult task to perform, balancing the complexities of the existing licensing arrangements against the wide ranging interests of fishermen throughout the UK.

  I am also pleased to note that the primary recommendation of the Working Group is that the overall structure of the present licensing regime should be retained. However, having weighed the arguments carefully, I have concluded that there are grounds for two small changes to the current structure, to upgrade moratorium licences and those Category B licences to which are attached individual species licences to full Category A status. These changes will take effect from 1 May 1999.

  Industry members of the Working Group have made a further 10 recommendations relating to various aspects of the licensing regime. These will be followed up by Fisheries Departments with one exception. The Group has recommended that there should be no further linkage between fishing licences and vessel safety certificates. This is a sensitive issue, and one which is the subject of on-going talks between Fisheries Departments and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions following the publication last autumn of the MAIB report into the sinking of the Pescado. I attach great importance to the safety of fishing vessels, and

  747
  believe that it is essential that all ways of improving vessel safety are fully explored.

  As a result of recommendations from the Group, three further changes to the present licensing rules will take effect from 1 April 1999. First, we are amending the provision whereby the capacity penalty may be waived where a vessel being replaced has been destroyed or permanently disabled as a result of fire, sinking or other accidental cause, so that it is no longer necessary for the age difference between the replaced and replacement vessel to be no more than seven years. The requirement for the capacity of the replacement vessel to be no greater than that of the replaced vessel (measured in VCUs) will remain.

  Second, with regard to licence entitlements, the deadline for submitting a valid licence application to Fisheries Departments is extended from two years to three years from the date that the entitlement first arose. This will apply to all existing licence entitlements as well as to entitlements created after 1 April 1999.

  Third, a new licence will be made available to owners of vessels fishing exclusively in external waters who have taken advantage of the arrangements announced on 31 March 1998 to replace the vessel with a vessel of larger capacity, without acquiring additional domestic water licences to cover the increase in capacity. This licence will allow them to continue to fish for non-TAC stocks in those parts of ICES Sub Areas VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII and XIV which lie outside Community waters. All other conditions relating to the licensing of the replacement vessel remain in force.

  Finally, I have noted the Group's offer to give further consideration to measures to improve the present capacity penalty arrangements, and to act as a forum for the discussion of licensing issues in the future. I welcome this recognition of the value of constructive engagement of the industry in developing policy and envisage that this forum will be used in future. We shall be reconvening the Group later this year to look at the scope for improving the capacity penalty arrangements.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the results of the pilot study commissioned by him on tuberculosis in cattle; and if he will make a statement. [80072]

  Mr. Rooker
  Following the Krebs report, it is clear that TB in cattle is a complex problem with a multiplicity of causes. A wildlife reservoir is a significant factor, but we need to be clear why it is that some farms suffer TB incidents while others in the same vicinity do not.

  In order to focus our efforts on understanding these processes, and to illuminate the detailed differences between farms, we are now launching the epidemiological investigation which was piloted on a small number of farms last November.

  A new database will be compiled from information collected from all farms which have suffered TB incidents, and from a number of other farms. The pilot
  748
  study has proved invaluable in enabling us to streamline the collection of this information. The public consultation held at the same time has produced a number of extremely helpful suggestions which we have also been able to take on board. Copies of the new questionnaire (form TB99) have been placed in the Library.

  As soon as there are enough entries in the database, we shall start to analyse the information to try and identify those factors which, either individually or in combination, are associated with TB incidents. Information on cattle movements, husbandry and farm management practices, wildlife on farms and the local environment will be analysed alongside other data, for example on local weather conditions and patterns of badger activity. The results will be used to develop new control strategies and will feed through into improved guidance for farmers.

  Import Sanctions
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has(a) made to the United States Government to secure a lifting of the import sanctions on United Kingdom products and (b) received from the Government of the United States of America following the imposition of trade sanctions on United Kingdom and European Union export products. [79157]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have been asked to reply.

  As it is an external trade matter, responsibility for making representations to the United States over the EU/US banana dispute rests primarily with the European Commission, on behalf of the European Union. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have also made a number of representations direct to the US Administration in the course of this dispute. In particular, the Secretary of State summoned the US Ambassador on 4 March to protest about the unauthorised American action of withholding liquidation on a range of UK and EU export products. For its part, the United States has made known its views on the banana dispute direct to HM Government on a number of occasions, including on 4 March.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the monitoring of genetically modified crops. [74100]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 11 March 1999]: Monitoring is a key requirement for the safe release of GM crops. Monitoring enables the assumptions made in the risk assessment to be verified, and any unanticipated effects of GMOs to be identified. The legislation in place is quite clear: if evidence comes to light of harm to the environment, action must be taken to restrict or suspend the release.
  749
  All research releases of GM crops are monitored throughout the duration of consent, and in most cases post-trial monitoring is also required. This is carried out by the consent-holder on the basis of a monitoring plan which forms part of the application. At least once a year a monitoring report must be submitted to the Secretary of State, and a copy is placed on the statutory public register.

  To date, authorisations to place GM products on the market under Part C of Directive 90/220/EEC have not included conditions requiring monitoring. The Directive is currently being amended, to include the introduction of provisions for post market monitoring. The Government strongly support the amendment of the Directive to incorporate these requirements.

  Pending the revision of the Directive, EU Environment Ministers agreed in December 1998 to use the flexibility within the existing Directive to introduce with immediate effect new monitoring provisions, based on monitoring proposals in the draft amending Directive. These take into account direct and indirect, and immediate and delayed, effects of GMOs on the environment. Monitoring requirements would be set out on a case by case basis for each product authorisation and enforced by the relevant competent authority.

  On top of the new EC requirements, the UK Government have introduced additional measures for the monitoring of GM crops. I announced the agreement reached with the plant breeding industry for a managed development programme for herbicide tolerant GM crops with my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, before the House of Lords Select Committee on 21 October 1998.

  Farm-scale evaluations will ensure that first commercial plantings of herbicide tolerant GM crops will be strictly limited and monitored for ecological effects alongside comparable plantings of conventional crops. The Government are funding ecological studies of the diversity and abundance of plants and invertebrates associated with the management of GM and non GM crops to test whether there are any significant differences, initially over a four year period. This will assist consideration of what effects GM crops may have on higher species and our agricultural landscape. If ecological monitoring reveals adverse effects then appropriate action will be taken.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the commercial approval of genetically modified crops is required before the farm-scale field trials into their ecological effects begin. [78477]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: Such approval is not necessary for the evaluations to begin. The farm-scale evaluations of genetically modified oilseed rape which will start this year are covered by an approval for research or other purposes issued under Part B of Directive 90/220/EEC. This year the gm oilseed rape will remain the property of the seed company concerned and will be destroyed at harvest.

  The genetically modified maize, which is also to be studied, has Europe wide approval for general cultivation
  750
  issued under Part C of the Directive by the French Competent Authority on 3 August 1998. However the maize has not yet been entered onto the National List of Seeds in the UK and so the seeds may not be sold. This year the gm maize will remain the property of the seed company concerned and will be destroyed at harvest.

  In both cases experimental permits are also required for use of the herbicide, based on gluphosinate ammonium, on the genetically modified crop.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government will allow the sale of products for(a) human and (b) animal consumption from the farm-scale field trials into the ecological effects of genetically modified crops. [78476]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: All genetically modified crops produced this year from the farm-scale evaluations will be destroyed. A decision on the fate of products in subsequent years has not yet been taken, but any sale for human or animal consumption will be dependent on the product receiving all the necessary consents and authorisations.

  London Underground
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the level of Government grant to London Underground for the year 2000–2001. [78710]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government aimed to establish the public private partnership (PPP) for the Underground by 2000–01, removing the need for subsidy beyond that point. We have consistently made clear, that we will not be driven by an artificially imposed timetable. The Government's overriding objective is to secure the best value solution for London Underground. In the light of this, we are keeping funding for London Underground under review with London Transport and will take decisions in the context of LT's overall financial position.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to expand the capacity of London Underground. [78711]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The immediate priorities of the Government and London Transport are to see improved reliability and increased service levels on the existing network, plus the completion of the Jubilee Line Extension. Service levels increased by 12 per cent. over the past five years, and London Transport plans a further 8 per cent. increase in 1999–2000.

  In the longer term, capacity increases will be written into the performance specifications for contractors under the Public-Private Partnership, as signalling, trains and other key assets on individual lines reach the stage when they need replacing.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the forecast increases in fares on London Underground on a yearly basis, expressed as a percentage, for each of the years 2000 to 2005. [78712]
  751
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The forecast on which the financial modelling for the PPP has been based is for fares to rise by 1 per cent. above the rate of inflation in 2000 and 2001, and following that, for fares to rise by the rate of inflation.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the public-private partnership for London Underground. [78890]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Good progress is being made, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport announced on 15 March 1999,Official Report, column 474, in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas).

  Brown-field Sites (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many brown-field sites have been identified in the Greater London area; and if he will make a statement. [78935]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is being collected in Phase 1 of the National Land Use Database. Summary results will be published soon showing the amounts of previously developed land that may be available for redevelopment.

  Overloaded Vehicles (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions there were for the overloading of goods vehicles travelling in the Greater London area in 1998. [78891]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Enforcement officers from the Vehicle Inspectorate weighed 3,983 heavy goods vehicles in the Greater London area in 1998 and 234 prohibition notices for overloading were issued. A prohibition notice may include more than one offence and not all offences are necessarily reported for prosecution. The Inspectorate prosecuted 239 defendants for 270 overloading offences as a result of 135 prohibition notices which were reported for prosecution. This resulted in 263 convictions.

  Buses (New Delhi)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions from which

  Regeneration Expenditure by Government Office

  £million

  Government Office

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Forecast 1998–99

  Eastern

  14.6

  9.4

  8.5

  11.7

  11.3

  East Midlands

  75.6

  73.6

  58.8

  49.4

  29.7

  London

  320.8

  351.6

  336.5

  384.2

  314.8

  Merseyside

  104.6

  105.4

  101.8

  91.8

  79.6

  North East

  160.9

  151.8

  142.8

  146.2

  82.6

  North West

  148.8

  142.9

  142.4

  110.3

  80.1

  South East

  13.7

  9.9

  13.5

  24.8

  30.2

  South West

  42.7

  29.9

  30.4

  34.2

  21.8

  West Midlands

  176.1

  147.7

  141.6

  127.0

  92.2

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  161.5

  131.5

  128.6

  110.7

  91.5

  Total

  1,219.3

  1,153.7

  1,104.9

  1,090.3

  833.8

  752
  departmental budget the cost of providing New Delhi with the buses which he offered on his recent visit will be met; and how much they will cost. [79055]

  Mr. Prescott
  I made no offer of UK government funding for buses in New Delhi. However I offered to assist in any way I could in consideration by UK bus companies and the Indian authorities of ways of resolving the shortage of buses in the Indian capital.

  Council Houses
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many council houses were sold in each English shire county in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [78906]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]: I have placed in the Library a table presenting the latest available information, reported by local authorities, on sales of council dwellings in each English shire county (as in existence before the creation of unitary authorities), for the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98. Not all authorities have provided full returns during these periods and so some totals for shire counties are incomplete, as indicated. Component figures for individual districts and unitary authorities are also presented.

  National Bus Pensions Trustees
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met the National Bus Pensions Trustees. [79075]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the trustees on 15 February 1999.

  Regeneration Programmes
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much funding was received by(a) Government offices for the regions, (b) English Partnerships and (c) the Rural Development Commission for regeneration programmes by region annually over the last five years. [79494]

  Mr. Caborn
  (a) The table gives the breakdown of regeneration funding by Government Office Region. The figures include expenditure on programmes which formed the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), excluding English Partnerships. A forecast figure has been provided for 1998–99.
  753
  (b) The following table gives a breakdown of expenditure by English Partnerships regions. Before 1998–99, English Partnerships regions were not coterminous with those of Government Offices for the

  Spend by English Partnerships Regions, excluding Greenwich

  £ million

  Region

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Forecast 1998–99

  North East

  47.7

  34.3

  31.8

  46.9

  47.0

  North West

  52.9

  52.0

  50.4

  78.0

  92.0

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  43.8

  55.0

  40.5

  58.0

  53.0

  Midlands

  63.4

  58.0

  67.8

  55.6

  —

  East Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  26.5

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  48.0

  South East

  10.3

  25.6

  36.0

  38.7

  9.9

  Eastern

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4.6

  London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20.3

  South West

  7.3

  11.8

  8.5

  15.3

  38.0

  Total

  225.4

  236.7

  235.0

  292.5

  339.3

  (c) The following table gives figures for allocations made to the Rural Development Commission for regeration.The Rural Development commission's

  £ million

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Forecast 1998–99

  England

  22.0

  23.6

  24.4

  25.5

  —

  North East

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.6

  North West

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.2

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3.1

  East Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3.1

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.7

  East Anglia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.8

  South East

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.6

  South West

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6.0

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account will be taken of sparsity factors in determining the budgets for RDAs. [79495]

  Mr. Caborn
  Most of the funding for Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in 1999–2000 will be in respect of the regeneration programmes which they will inherit. The distribution of those resources is determined largely by statistical indicators of need. While sparsity is not an explicit factor, regeneration funding to rural development areas has been on the basis of a formula designed to reflect rural needs.

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

  A review is currently underway of the Index of Local Deprivation, which is used in the distribution of the Single Regeneration Budget. It will cover all aspects of the Index, including the methodology and the indicators which make up the Index. The review will explore the possibility of introducing a measure of sparsity. However, the key consideration in determining the content of the
  754
  Region. Spend across the year is therefore not recorded by Government Office Region A forecast figure has been provided for 1998–99.

  region are not coterminous with those of the Government Offices. Regional figures for years before 1998–99 are not available. A forecast figure has been provided for 1998–99.

  Index is that it is a good measure of deprivation and is based on robust data which are available on a nationally consistent basis for small areas across England.

  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to exercise his powers under paragraph 8(5) of Schedule 2 to the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [79705]

  Mr. Caborn
  My Department has today issued a Dispensation under paragraph 8(5) of Schedule 2 to the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. The effect of the Dispensation is that, in certain circumstances, members of the boards of Regional Development Agencies are not debarred from participating in the deliberations or decisions of the Agencies in respect of matters in which they have a direct or indirect interest. The purpose of the Dispensation is to ensure that, so long as the requirements of propriety are met, members are not debarred from participating in discussion or decisions for which they have a relevant expertise. I have placed copies of the Dispensation in the Library.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he will give to the regional development agencies on their strategies. [79706]
  755
  Mr. Caborn
  Developing a new strategic vision for the English regions will be the first and most important task for the RDAs. I am today issuing statutory guidance to advise them on what Government expects of their strategies. The guidance has been prepared in consultation with all relevant Government Departments, in particular the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Education and Employment. Its publication follows a wide public consultation launched last October. The comments we received enabled us to refine the guidance and I am grateful to all those who responded to our request for comments.

  The fundamental purpose of RDAs' strategies will be to improve regional economic performance and enhance regional competitiveness. The guidance stresses the need for RDAs to develop an integrated and sustainable approach in their strategies. The aim should be to tackle business competitiveness and the need to increase productivity and to address also the underlying problems of unemployment, skills shortages, inequalities, social exclusion and physical decay. By integrating economic, social and environmental issues in this way, the strategies will set the context for sustainable economic growth in the English regions.

  We want the RDAs' strategies to support and enhance national policies while addressing the particular needs of regions. In this way they will be able to inform and influence national Government's economic policies and to provide a framework for the delivery of national and European programmes.

  RDAs' strategies will provide focus and coherence not only to the RDAs' own work, but also to the work of their regional partners. The strategies should be the product of regional dialogue, and should identify priorities for action which regional partners can buy in to and help to deliver. Only through strong and effective partnership will the RDAs ensure that their strategies command support. Their relationship with the emerging regional chambers will be of particular importance.

  I am also giving to the RDAs today a supplementary package of non-statutory policy and programme guidance to underpin the statutory guidance on their strategies. This will include material on regeneration, competitiveness, skills, sustainable development, rural policy, equal opportunities and working with the voluntary and community sectors.

  Copies of all the guidance have been placed in the Library and will also be available on the DETR website.

  Millennium Village
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of the dwellings at the Greenwich Millennium village will be available for habitation by 31 December 1999; and how many will be available to accommodate visitors to the Millennium Experience. [79544]

  Mr. Caborn
  Subject to the necessary planning consents, at least 90 dwellings should be under construction by 31 December 1999. It is hoped that the first residents will be able to move in early in 2000.
  756
  A Visitor Centre should be open from September 1999 which will include two show flats and information on all aspects of the Village.

  EU Transport Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 29 March; and if he will make a statement. [79768]

  Dr. Reid
  The Transport Council met in Brussels on 29 March. I represented the United Kingdom. The Council held policy debates on a number of legislative proposals. Council Conclusions were agreed unanimously on two other issues.

  Two of the items on the Council agenda for policy debate—proposals for a regulatory framework for the Community's railways, and a proposed package of measures designed to promote combined transport—had already been considered at previous meetings, while two—a draft Directive to regulate working time in the road transport sector, and a Commission proposal to amend the transport Trans-European Network guidelines to include ports and inter-modal terminals—had not been discussed in detail by the Council before. In each of these debates, once Member States had given their views the Presidency invited the Committee of Permanent Representatives to undertake further work, with the aim of enabling decisions to be taken at the June Council.

  Council conclusions were agreed on the position to be taken by Member States at the forthcoming Diplomatic Conference to modernise the Warsaw Convention on air carrier liability. The Council also agreed conclusions explaining its decision to delay adoption of the Regulation restricting the use of aircraft modified ("hushkitted") or re-engined to meet current noise standards. The Council agreed that the Regulation should be adopted, by the end of April, to allow time for discussions with affected third countries.

  The Commission gave a presentation of its recent Communication proposing a new European satellite navigation and positioning system, which it has named "Galileo". Delegations identified a number of questions for further consideration at an informal meeting of EU Transport Ministers in April.

  Under other business, the Commission reported on two legislative proposals on which it was working. One would amend the Second Directive on driving licences, to allow certain professional drivers who met the previous, but not the latest eyesight standards, to renew their licences. The other consisted of a replacement for the draft Directive on airport safety checks, on which the Council had reached a common position but which could not be adopted because of objections by Spain over its application to Gibraltar Airport. These proposals could not however be put forward formally until the new Commission was appointed.

  Water Abstraction
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what decisions he has reached about changes to the water abstraction licensing system in England and Wales. [79819]
  757
  Mr. Meacher
  Together with the Welsh Office, my Department will today publish a document entitled "Taking Water Responsibly: Government decisions following consultation on changes to the water abstraction licensing system in England and Wales". Copies are available in the Library of the House. Those decisions reflect the Government's intention that the abstraction authorisation system should contribute to sustainable development by protecting and, where possible, enhancing the aquatic environment whilst facilitating economic growth and higher living standards with minimum impact on water customers' bills. These decisions relate to changes which:provide the Environment Agency with additional tools for the conduct of its duty to manage water resources, whilst encouraging a voluntary approach to necessary changes by abstractors;
  increase the scope and public availability of information on water resources, enabling abstractors to review their present operations and plan ahead in an environmentally responsible manner;
  increase the system's flexibility, accountability and administrative efficiency, thereby increasing the ease of access to sustainable water resources for existing and new entrants to the sectors for which water abstraction is vital; and
  incorporate appropriate transitional arrangements, both for existing abstractors and for those who will be subject to controls for the first time.

  The package of changes will also provide improved scope for the application of economic instruments in relation to water abstraction which might emerge from research work currently in progress and the further consultation thereafter to which the Government are already committed.

  Many of the changes will be made within the existing legal framework, but the Government will bring forward the legislation necessary for other changes as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

  Waste Exports and Imports
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the policies in the United Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste. [79820]

  Mr. Meacher
  Existing policies on exports and imports of waste are set out in the United Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste, which came into effect on 1 June 1996. These reflect the long-standing UK commitment to self-sufficiency in waste disposal and the well-established proximity principle, namely that waste should be disposed of in, or as close as possible to, the country or origin.

  Since the Plan has been in force, there have been a number of changes at national and international level which have altered the arrangements for transfrontier shipments of waste. My Department, along with other Government Departments, therefore intends to begin a review of the plan in the near future. We would aim to produce a document for public consultation in the Autumn of 1999.

  Soil Conservation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the draft proposals of the committee chaired by Mrs. Pam Williams on soil conservation; and if he will make a statement. [79180]
  758
  Mr. Meale
  The Soil Strategy for England and Wales will be published for formal public consultation later this spring.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of contaminated land are in urban areas. [78404]

  Mr. Meale
  The information requested is not currently available. When the new Contaminated Land regime under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is brought into force later this year, local authorities will have a duty to inspect their ideas to identify, and require the remediation of contaminated land which is causing unacceptable risks, assessed in the context of the current use of the land. Part IIA will also place a duty on the Environment Agency to prepare a periodic statistical report on contaminated land, based on information produced by local authorities.

  Vacant Land
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of vacant land in urban areas are currently in(a) private ownership and (b) public ownership. [78405]

  Mr. Meale
  This information is not currently held centrally. My Department is, however, developing phase 1 of the National Land Use Database, which will provide estimates of vacant previously developed land in urban areas by public and private ownership.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of public vacant land remain on the land registers; and when the registers were last updated. [78406]

  Mr. Meale
  All requirements for local authorities, government bodies and other public bodies to maintain and publish registers of unused and underused land were cancelled in 1996. The information requested is consequently not available. However my Department is currently developing the National Land Use Database Phase, collecting information on vacant previously developed land including that in public ownership.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79650]

  Mr. Prescott
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.
  759

  Regional Eurostar Services
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish a response to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's fifth report of Session 1998–99 into Regional Eurostar Services (HC89); and if he will make a statement. [79853]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Government welcome the Committee's report which contained a considerable number of detailed recommendations which have been invaluable in drawing up the terms of reference for the Government's independent review. We are today publishing our formal response which has been laid before the House.

  Transport Safety
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to consult bodies with an interest in transport safety, as part of the review announced in the Transport White Paper. [79854]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department is today publishing a consultation document seeking views on arrangements for transport safety. Nothing is more important than safety, and I am determined that we will continue to work towards the highest possible standards of safety in transport. Part of that means making sure that transport safety is organised in ways which are modern, effective and efficient, and which are capable of delivering continued improvements.

  The results of the consultation will form a key input to the review of transport safety arrangements which we announced in our transport White Paper.

  The review is concerned, not with specific safety strategies or measures, but with the principles which should govern the organisational and institutional framework for ensuring safe transport. In our consultation we are asking for views on that, and on the relationship between accident investigations and inquiries, and the pursuit of legal proceedings.

  The consultation document is being distributed widely to bodies with an interest in transport safety, and is also available on the Internet. The closing date for responding is 14 June 1999. Copies of the document have been placed in the Library, and are available in the Vote Office.

  Airport Transport Forums
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish guidance on the setting up of airport transport forums, announced in the New Deal for Transport White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [79994]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government's White Paper on the Future of Transport "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" (Cm 3950) indicated that all airports in England with scheduled services should establish Airport Transport Forums and prepare Airport Surface Access Strategies to feed into Local Transport Plans. The Forums should have three specific objectives:to draw up and agree challenging short and long-term targets for increasing the proportion of journeys to the airport made by public transport;
  760
  to devise a strategy for achieving those targets, including green transport plans to cover commuting and business travel for all employees based at airports; and
  to oversee implementation of the strategy.

  Draft guidance on the setting up of Airport Transport Forums and on the scope, content and handling of Airport Surface Access Strategies has been published today as a consultation documents, and copies have been placed in the House Libraries. We propose that those airports which have 1,000 or more scheduled passenger air transport movements per annum should be required to set up Forums. It has been agreed that the requirements to set up Forums, and the guidance, will apply to Wales as well as to England. Separate guidance will be published in respect of Scotland.

  A separate good practice guide with illustrations of surface access improvements which have been implemented at airports is in preparation and will be published alongside the final guidance note later in the Spring.

  Rating Revaluation
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will continue to prescribe the rateable value of some industries at the 2000 rating revaluation; and if he will make a statement. [79995]

  Mr. Meale
  Most ratepayers have their rateable values assessed using conventional methods by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the Assessors in Scotland. However, this has to date been problematic for certain industries. Instead, these industries have had their rateable values prescribed by Order by the respective Secretaries of State. The industries currently in prescribed assessment are:

  Electricity generators

  National Grid

  Regional Electricity Companies

  British Gas Transco

  Railtrack

  London Underground

  the water companies

  large docks and harbours.

  The VOA and the Scottish Assessors' Association have been examining whether it would be feasible for these industries to have their rateable values assessed by conventional methods. Although they have concluded that conventional assessment would be possible, the results would be far from clear. Conventional assessment would lead to significant differences of opinion over possible values which in many cases, would be properly resolved by only the courts. The level of uncertainty is significantly above that which could be expected from most properties. Resolving this uncertainty could take several years.

  Therefore, the Secretary of State has, together with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales, concluded that the industries currently subject to prescribed assessment will continue to have their rateable value prescribed by the respective Secretaries of State for the 2000 revaluation. We will begin discussions with the industries in prescribed

  761
  assessment with a view to agreeing their new rateable values for the 2000 revaluation. In Scotland, by 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Prescribed assessment is not an ideal way of setting rateable values but it is the best available at this time. We will continue to work towards ending prescribed assessment in the future.

  Flooding (Huntingdonshire)
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Huntingdonshire district council under the Bellwin scheme for costs incurred following the severe flooding on the weekend of 9 to 12 April 1998. [79996]

  Mr. Meale
  I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of Huntingdonshire District Council given the exceptional nature of the floods and the damage caused. A scheme will, therefore, be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to the authority to cover 85 per cent. of eligible costs above a threshold and which have been incurred by the authority in dealing with the flooding.

  Plant and Machinery Rating
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the report of the second Wood Committee on the Rating of Plant and Machinery currently subject to prescribed assessment; and if he will make a statement. [79997]

  Mr. Meale
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, together with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland, published the report of the Second Wood Committee as a Command Paper which has been laid before the House today. The Committee examined the Rating of Plant and Machinery in Industries currently subject to Prescribed Assessment.

  The Committee has made a series of recommendations which we will consider in time for the 2000 revaluation in England, Scotland and Wales. The Government would welcome views on the report before considering changes to the plant and machinery regulations.

  The Committee has recommended that a tools of the trade exemption should apply to generating plant and machinery belonging to the power generators, although such plant which was in the nature of a building or structure should continue to be rated. If accepted, this exemption would not extend to many Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants which are used in wider industry. The Government are committed to encouraging CHP technology and, therefore, will consider extending the tools of the trade exemption to all CHP technology if the Committee's recommendations are accepted.

  The Committee also recommended that sewers be brought into rating. We do not intend to end sewers' exemption in 2000: it would create a significant and unexpected burden on the water industry and would cause considerable uncertainties in the periodic review of water prices currently being undertaken by the Director General of Water Services and similar work in Scotland.
  762
  The Government would welcome views on the report by 14 May 1999.

  Planning Procedures
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he intends to proceed following the response to the improving planning appeal procedures consultation paper published in August 1998. [79999]

  Mr. Caborn
  I am pleased by the very positive reaction to the proposals in this consultation paper. The Government's objectives of streamlining appeal procedures and speeding up planning decisions, while safeguarding public participation and the fairness, openness and quality of decision-making, were widely welcomed. All the proposals were supported by a majority of the 122 respondents and there were also a number of helpful suggestions for improving individual proposals which are reflected in our final conclusions. I am grateful to all those who took the trouble to comment. Their views have been given careful consideration in deciding how to proceed.

  The changes we have made to our published proposals are designed to introduce a measure of flexibility into the timescales proposed while delivering real reductions in the overall time taken to handle appeals whether by written representations, hearings or inquiries. It is incumbent upon all parties to co-operate with the Planning Inspectorate in introducing greater discipline into the procedures and observe the deadlines which are set.

  I am putting in the Library a list of our proposals, showing the changes made following consultation. The Department is now preparing the necessary statutory instruments and guidance to implement the changes. As indicated in the consultation paper, we shall monitor the modified procedures, and review their effectiveness after the first 12 months of operation. If necessary, we shall consult on further measures to ensure compliance with procedures in the light of that experience.

  Planning Inspectorate Agency
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets he proposes to set for the Planning Inspectorate Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [80000]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have set challenging Key Performance targets for the Planning Inspectorate for 1999–2000. These underline the importance I attach to the role of the Inspectorate in helping to improve the efficiency of the planning system as part of our drive for better public services. Business and the community want a system which combines good quality decision-making with speed and certainty. I have therefore set the Inspectorate especially demanding targets for handling planning appeals and these will become even more demanding in subsequent years. It is vital, however, that parties to the appeals process play their part by co-operating with the Inspectorate in meeting deadlines and agreeing dates offered for inquiries.
  763
  The targets for 1999–2000 are as follows:

  Timeliness

  (a) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representations to be determined in 18 weeks;

  (b) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings to be determined in 24 weeks;

  (c) 80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiries to be determined in 36 weeks;

  (d) to provide an Inspector for local plan inquiries in at least 80 per cent. of cases on the date requested by a local authority provided that the objection period has ended and at least 6 months' notice has been given.

  (e) to deliver 90 per cent. of Inspectors' reports on local plan inquiries to local authorities according to timescales agreed under service agreements.

  Financial
  Unit costs of planning appeals decided by written representations not to exceed £839;

  Efficiency
  Generate a 3 per cent. improvement in the use of running costs compared with 1998–99.

  Quality
  To satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards, and thus the Secretary of State and National Assembly for Wales, annually and following rigorous monitoring that the quality of all the Inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard, with 99 per cent. of its casework free from justified complaint.

  Information and Guidance
  To carry out a customer survey of satisfaction with the inquiry and hearing processes for dealing with planning appeals, including the quality of Inspectors' reasoning in reaching a recommendation/decision.

  Future Targets for Appeals
  The timeliness targets for appeals represent the first step towards achieving the very significant improvements in handling times for 2001–02 set out in the Public Services Agreement for DETR. These are that the Inspectorate should decide:

  80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representation within 16 weeks

  80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearings within 22 weeks

  80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiries within 30 weeks

  I am also setting the Inspectorate provisional targets for handling planning appeals for the interim year 2000–01. These are to decide planning appeals as follows:

  80 per cent. by written representations within 17 weeks

  80 per cent. by hearings within 23 weeks

  80 per cent. by inquiries within 33 weeks.

  I shall confirm the planning appeals timeliness targets for 2000–01 in the light of performance in 1999–2000.

  Flooding (Shrewsbury)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council under the Bellwin scheme for costs incurred following the severe flooding between 25 October and 1 November 1998. [80061]

  Mr. Meale
  I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council given the exceptional nature of the floods and the damage caused. A scheme will, therefore, be established under section 155 764
  of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to the authority to cover 85 per cent. of eligible costs above a threshold and which have been incurred by the authority in dealing with the flooding.

  Haringey
  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent financial arrangements he has made to assist the London Borough of Haringey. [80062]

  Mr. Meale
  Haringey has serious short-term financial difficulties brought about by a variety of circumstances which have combined to put their revenue budget under severe pressure. After having regard to all the relevant factors, and in view of the fact that some of the Council's circumstances could not reasonably have been foreseen and planned for by the authority, I have concluded that Haringey should receive some form of assistance in order to protect the delivery of local statutory services.

  The most appropriate form of assistance is the offer of a Supplementary Credit Approval (SCA) of £1.3 million in 1998–99. This, with a capitalisation direction, will allow the Council to spread some of its costs in 1999–2000 over a number of years and so bring its budget back to a manageable level. It will be for Haringey in the first instance to decide which costs they intend to finance through the SCA.

  Greater London Authority
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he is making to ensure that the Greater London Authority can discharge its responsibilities. [80063]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Subject to the passage of the GLA Bill now before Parliament, the GLA will assume its responsibilities on 3 July 2000. We have commissioned consultants, KPMG, to advise on transition arrangements for the GLA. KPMG have now completed their report and copies are being placed in the Library. Among their conclusions, KPMG recommend that a dedicated Transition Team be established under the leadership of a Head of Transition and that the latter should be recruited as a matter of urgency.

  The Audit Commission has kindly agreed to second to my Department Dr. Robert Chilton, Director Local Government Studies at the Commission to be the Head of Transition. Dr. Chilton, who will report to Ministers through the Director of the Government Office for London, will work closely with my officials to plan a smooth transition for the GLA and to ensure that the necessary financial controls and administrative machinery are in place. He will also be available, should the Authority so decide, to act as statutory Chief Administrative Officer of the Authority and is in a position to make a permanent appointment. I am most grateful to the Audit Commission for making this assistance available. It will be for the GLA, once elected, to make its own arrangements for permanent appointments to senior positions.
  765

  London Taxi Fares
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about London taxi fares. [80065]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Secretary of State is making an Order increasing London taxi fares by 4.32 per cent. on average with effect from Saturday 24 April 1999. The new tariff will incorporate a minimum charge of £1.40 (including a hire charge of £1.00) for the first 438 metres (479.2 yards) or 96 seconds. The rate will then be 20p for every 219 metres (239.6 yards) or 48 seconds until the fare exceeds £10.00, and 20p for each 146 metres (159.7 yards) or 32 seconds thereafter.

  In addition, the Order will increase the supplements for evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays, which have not been increased since the early 1980s. The supplement for hirings during weekday evenings and during the day on Saturdays will therefore go up from 40p to 60p; the supplement for night-time hirings on weekdays and hirings around Sundays and public holidays will increase from 60p to 90p; and the supplement for hirings over the Christmas and New Year period will increase from £2.00 to £3.00.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets have been set for the Ordnance Survey Department and Executive Agency in 1999–2000. [80066]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The following performance targets have been set for Ordnance Survey in 1999–2000:

  1. To achieve a revenue target of £83.4 million (excluding the National interest in Mapping Service Level Agreement);

  2. To achieve a return on sales (excluding the National Interest in Mapping Service Level Agreement) of not less than 5 per cent.;

  3. To ensure that, by 31 March 2000, 98.8 per cent. of existing major detail is surveyed and available to customers in the National Topographic Database at any one time. The target will increase to 99 per cent. by the year 2001;

  4. In order to provide a quality service to customers, to despatch 92 per cent. of small scale products within 5 working days.

  These targets have been reviewed in the light of Ordnance Survey's change to a Trading Fund from 1 April 1999. They demonstrate the Agency's continuing commitment to customers whilst increasing the emphasis on key financial monitors.

  Valuation Tribunals
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the conclusion of the financial management and policy review of valuation tribunals. [80067]

  Ms Armstrong
  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House copies of the FMPR report of Valuation Tribunals. The report has also published on the DETR's web site.

  This is the second FMPR of the VT service. It covers the full range of judicial, management and procedural issues. It takes account of extensive consultations with the VT service, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), local authorities and the private sector.
  766
  We have decided that VTs should remain lay, independent and local bodies. A move to the private sector is considered inappropriate for such quasi-judicial bodies. A national agency is also considered inappropriate at the moment, although an efficiency scrutiny might consider the scope for rationalising jurisdictions and support services for a range of similar services.

  A new Management Board, supported by a new national office, is needed to set standards and spread best practice within the service. To raise the quality of the service requires a review of membership levels, new arrangements for their appointment, and a requirement for new members to attend appropriate training and to provide written certain undertakings.

  Significant savings are to be made by the establishment of 14 administrative units to replace the 38 offices which existed at the start of the review. New staffing arrangements are needed to support the new administration structure. Consultants have recently been appointed to bring forward detailed proposals.

  Effective administration needs the continued modernisation of the VT IT system, and better use of IT for communicating with the 'outside world'.

  The appeal procedures need reform to reduce delays, improve information and guidance to rate and tax payers, and to address the existing culture of brinkmanship. The review recommends more effective incentives and a simpler system. These proposals are the subject of a further consultation paper, which I am also publishing today (copies of which have also been placed in the House Libraries and on the DETR's web site).

  The aim is to implement recommendations on judicial management and staffing aspects by 1 April 2000. Changes to office accommodation and the establishment of the 14 administrative units will be phased in over a longer period. New appeal procedures need to be developed in time for appeals arising from the non-domestic rating revaluation on 1 April 2000, though implementation may need to be phased.

  Waste Management
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he intends to take in response to the consultation exercise for amending the Special Waste Regulations 1996 and Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. [80068]

  Mr. Meacher
  The proposals set out in the consultation paper issued by my Department, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office on 2 April 1998 were generally welcomed by both industry and the Environmental Agencies. Having analysed the responses, we intend to proceed with the proposed amendments to the Special Waste Regulations, together with some further minor changes to the format of the consignment note and to the schedule under which carrier's notify movements of multiple loads—aimed at assisting monitoring and enforcement. In response to representations from business, we also intend to amend the Regulations to enable registers of Special waste to be retained in exceptional cases at sites other than those from which special waste has been removed, subject to consent by the local Environment Agency. Two consequential changes will also be made. First, to update references in the
  767
  Regulations to the latest versions of the Approved Supply List and Approved Classification and Labelling Guide. Secondly, the Government's powers to set fees in respect of Special waste will be repealed, in order to enable the Agencies to utilise powers to set charges under the Environment Act 1995.

  A number of respondents to the consultation exercise said that lower fees should apply to wastes being recycled or recovered. Although it is not feasible to consider this issue as part of the current exercise, the Environment Agencies will in the longer term be reviewing the fees for Special waste in the context of making a charging scheme. This would be subject to consultation and subsequent approval by the Government. Later this year, it is also intended to undertake a general review of the Regulations.

  Following advice from the Environmental Agencies, we also intend to proceed with a small number of adjustments to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 aimed at encouraging the recycling or recovery of Special waste. Exemptions from licensing will be provided, subject to various conditions, to enable:

  i. storage of up to 23,000 litres of unused (waste) household paint pending re-use;

  ii. laundering of up to 250 tonnes of waste textiles contaminated with oil, together with associated storage;

  iii. storage of up to 5 tonnes of nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride batteries and up to 10 tonnes of lead acid batteries pending recovery;

  iv. storage of up to 23,000 litres of silver-bearing waste from printing or photographic processing pending recovery.

  The consultation paper additionally proposed that the existing exemption for operations recovering silver from waste should be extended to include Special waste. There was very little support for this proposal and strong arguments against it which we have discussed with the Environment Agency in the context of ensuring proper protection for the environment and human health. As a consequence we have decided not to proceed. The Government have been considering the introduction of regulations to set standards for oil storage installation on which an announcement is planned later this year. The proposal in the consultation paper to amend the exemption for temporary storage of Special waste to include a separate limit for waste oil will be considered in the context of that announcement.

  A further announcement will be made when the amending Regulations for England are ready to be laid before Parliament. As a devolved matter, the amendments for Scotland and Wales will be for consideration by the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales.

  Small Cetaceans
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he intends to take to minimise disturbance to small cetaceans in accordance with the United Kingdom's obligations under the agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North seas. [80069]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have today published two sets of guidelines aimed at minimising disturbance to cetaceans in UK waters. The first is aimed at those involve in whale watching, both tour operators and members of the public 768
  who participate in tours; the second at those involved in recreational activities in UK coastal waters who may incidentally encounter cetaceans.

  The Government are committed to protecting all species of whales, dolphins and porpoises and to maintaining healthy population levels for our and future generations. Where guidelines do not already exist we hope that this initiative will stimulate the development of locally targeted codes of conduct based on the over-arching principles contained in these guidelines.

  Works Notice Powers
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the works notice powers to come into force. [80070]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have laid before the House new regulation, the Anti-Pollution Works Regulations 1999, which will enable new powers for the Environment Agency to serve works notices on polluters or potential polluters to be brought into force.

  The works notice powers will enable the Environment Agency to serve a notice on polluters or potential polluters requiring them to carry out works or operations to remedy or prevent water pollution. They represent a more direct regulatory measure for the Agency than its existing powers to carry out anti-pollution works itself and then recover costs from the person responsible.

  Works notices provide an additional regulatory goal for the Agency that will help prevent pollution incidents which in the past have occurred when a potential polluter has failed to respond to an informal approach.

  The Regulations are largely procedural and make provision for the content of work notices, appeals against works notices, compensation for rights of entry and entry on to the Agency's public pollution control registers of particulars relating to works notices.

  The Regulations have been subject to wide public consultation. In addition to comments on procedural matters some concerns were raised about the service of works notices in relation to other regulatory regimes, in particular the contaminated land powers. As a result the Environment Agency has set out its policy on the use of the works notice powers in a statement which my Department has agreed. Essentially, where other powers apply, for example the contaminated land regime, action would be taken under those powers.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Staff (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will provide a breakdown by ethnic origin and grade of (1) the judiciary, (2) members of tribunals and (3) the magistracy. [79049]

  Mr. Hoon
  The available information is as follows: (1) The Judiciary: the figures for the ethnic origin of judges are believed to be correct, but as the ethnic origin of candidates for judicial office was not sought before October 1991, the data may be incomplete. (see table).
  769
  2. Tribunals: this information is only available for the Employment Tribunal and Social Security Appeals Tribunal where it has been collected on the same basis as for the judiciary since October 1991. It is set out below. Information in respect of other tribunals has only been collected on a consistent basis since 1998. (see table).

  Table 1. The Judiciary Judges of ethnic minority origin as at 1 March 1999

  Post

  Black

  Asian

  Other non white

  Total

  % Ethnic minorities

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  —

  —

  —

  12

  —

  Lords Justices of Appeal

  —

  —

  —

  35

  —

  High Court Judges

  —

  —

  —

  98

  —

  Circuit Judges

  —

  3

  2

  562

  0.9

  Recorders

  5

  4

  4

  879

  1.5

  Assistant Recorders

  5

  5

  4

  385

  3.6

  District Judges

  2

  7

  3

  741

  1.6

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  —

  2

  —

  93

  2.2

  Acting Stipendiary Magistrates

  2

  —

  2

  96

  4.2

  Note

  The statics have only been recorded since October 1991

  Table 2. Tribunals Employment Tribunal and Social Security Appeals Tribunal Chairmen of ethnic minority origin as at 1 March 1999

  Post

  Black

  Asian

  Other non white

  Total

  % ethnic minorities

  Chairman of Employment Tribunals (full time)

  1

  3

  —

  84

  4.8

  Chairman of Employment Tribunals (part time)

  2

  1

  1

  205

  2.0

  Full time Chairman of Social Security Appeals Tribunals

  1

  —

  1

  54

  3.7

  Part time Chairman of Social Security Appeals Tribunals

  4

  6

  1

  532

  2.1

  Note:

  The statistics have only been recorded since October 1991

  Table 3. Magistrates in post at May 1997 Lay Magistrates (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster): Analysis of the Public Appointments and Equal Opportunities Survey— as at 12 May 1997

  Post

  Black

  Asian

  Other non white

  Total

  % ethnic minority

  Magistrates in post as at May 1997

  374

  465

  187

  23,461

  4.4

  Note:

  There were 25,124 Lay Magistrates in post (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster at May1997.1,663 did not return their questionnaire

  Task Force
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister of State Lord chancellor's Department if he will list all those task forces and policy review with external members

  Reviews and Task Forces

  Review/Task force

  Other subsidiary committee

  Review of Enforcement of Civil Court Judgments

  Panels of Experts:

  General cross-cutting issues

  Oral examinations/judgment summons

  Attachment of Earnings/Charging Orders/Garnishee Orders

  Warrants and Writs

  Quality Task Force

  Note:3 working groups set up

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister of State Lord chancellor's Department if he will list all those task forces and policy review with external members established by his Department since May 1997(a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final
  770
  3. Magistracy: complete information is not readily available. It is held on individual records and not yet collated centrally. It could therefore only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, an ethnicity questionnaire was sent out to Lay Magistrates in England and Wales (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster) in May 1997 to which there was a 93 per cent. response rate. The details are set out in the table.

  established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up (a) sub-group, (b)working parties and (c)
  other subsidiary committees. [79261]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79273]
  771
  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Reviews and Task Forces

  Review/Task Force

  Date of establishment

  Anticipated Report and Termination Date

  Review of the Lord Chancellor's Department Funding for Marriage Support and Research Services

  November 1998

  Report due 31 March 1999 termination due 31 March 1999

  Review of Enforcement of Civil Court Judgments

  March 1998

  First report due June 2000 termination unknown

  Quality Task Force

  February 1999

  Expected to report to the Lord Chancellor by end of 1999 termination due end 1999

  Review of Crown Office List

  March 1999

  Expected to report to the Lord Chancellor by end 1999 termination due end 1999

  Bus Employees
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how much his Department spent on legal fees including those of the BEST trustees relating to the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust,(a) in total and (b) in connection with the High Court hearing of 1 March. [79541]

  Mr. Hoon
  None.

  HM Land Registry Key Performance Indicators and Targets 1999–2000

  Indicator Financial

  Target

  Percentage return on average capital employed1

  6%

  Efficiency

  Cost per unit in real terms

  £25.13

  Cost per unit in cash terms2

  £29.89

  Service First Standards Speed

  Percentage of office copy and official search applications handled within two working days and

  98%

  Percentage of office copies and official searches processed in three working days

  100%

  Percentage of all registrations processed within in 25 working days3

  80%

  Accuracy

  Percentage of registrations processed free of any error

  98.5%

  Percentage of customers responding to the Annual Survey who perceive the accuracy of registrations to be excellent or good

  Better than 90%

  Delivery of Electronic Services

  Percentage of dealings (key customer interactions) capable of electronic delivery

  30%

  Percentage of titles in the Land Register capable of electronic delivery

  95%

  Percentage of titles plans in the Land Register capable of electronic delivery

  60%

  Number of scanned pages of filed documents (millions).

  8.5

  1ROCE below 6% reflects agreement with HM Treasury to apply surplus income generated in 1993–95 (when ROCE exceeded 25% in each year) to fee reductions in 1996–99. The ROCE for 1999–2000 is subject to confirmation by HM Treasury.

  2The inflation factor for the cost per unit in cash terms is derived from the GDP indices announced by HM Treasury on 9 March 1999.

  3 Denotes the aim in the Registry's Statement of 'Service First' Standards which are detailed in Annex C of the Business Plan 1999–2000.

  Note:

  Fuller details of the agency's targets are given in its Business Plan,which is available from Her Majesty's Land Registry.

  Public Record Office Key Performance Indicators and Targets 1999–2000

  Indicator

  Target

  1. Efficiency

  Unit costs of key activities:

  (a) selecting and preserving the public records

  £107.64 per metre: i.e. limit increase to 5%

  (b) giving access to records

  £3.82 per information transaction: i.e. reduce by 50%

  Backlog of records in departments reported as being over 30 years old and awaiting review.

  Process backlog by:

  (a) reviewing 480 metres

  (b) preparing for review an additional 1,000 metres

  Provision of acceptable storage conditions i.e. meeting the preservation and environmental standards recommended by BS 5454: 1989

  Recommendations for storage and exhibition of archival documents (BSI, 1989).

  Increase the proportion of records stored to the standards from 88.29% to 88.45%

  772

  Performance Targets
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the key performance targets for Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office, the Public Trust Office and the Court Service executive agencies for 1999–2000. [79852]

  Mr. Hoon
  The following tables set out the key performance targets that the Lord Chancellor has set for, Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office, the Public Trust Office and the Court Service for 1999–2000.
  773

  Public Record Office Key Performance Indicators and Targets 1999–2000

  Indicator

  Target

  Management efficiency in running support services and projects.

  (a) reduce the level of staff sick absence in 1999 by 4.3%

  (b) increase the proportion of invoices paid within thirty days from 97.5% to 99%

  2. Quality of Service

  The achievement of Charter Standards (a) Charter Standard targets for answering letters, delivering documents to users and reprographic services

  Achieve 98.5% against the targets.

  (b) User satisfaction surveys

  Achieve assessment of 'excellent' on 56% of survey forms returned.

  3. Effectiveness

  Performance in achieving specified milestones towards strategic objectives in the light of emerging government policies.

  (a) increase revenue by 3% against the 1998–99 target

  (b) make our lists of records available on the Internet by 31 October

  (c) complete and disseminate three quality standards to guide public record bodies on the selection of records in line with the new Acquisition policy

  Note:

  Full details of the Office's targets are given in its Business Plan, which is available from the Public Record Office.

  Public Trust Office Executive Agency Key Performance Targets 1999–2000

  Indicator

  Target

  1. To carry out accounting transactions within target times.

  To bring to account at least 99 per cent, of receipts and payments transactions within turnaround targets by volume wrighted performance.

  2. To achieve investment targets.

  To pay interest on the special rate account at an annual rate at or above the average of the agreed comparator, and to pay at least 75% of that rate on basic rate accounts; to ensure that 92.5% of all funds which have a Dedicated Investment Portfolio' have a formal investment review2 at least once a year.

  3. To achieve Charter Standards.

  To achieve 98% of the 19 Charter Standards of most importance to the Office's users'

  4. To meet the unit cost target.

  To operate within a unit cost of £198.41.

  5. Percentage of full costs recovered.

  To ensure that 100% of full costs are recovered.

  1 A Dedicated Investment Portfolio is one which has been constructed to accommodate the specific requirements of the client and has a sufficiency of funds and duration to allow it to be adjusted in line with stockmarket or client circumstances.

  2 The formal investment review is a full consideration of the overall investment strategy being pursued for a particular portfolio. It is complemented by PTO policies of unitising smaller funds and benchmarking larger portfolios against stock exchange models. The investment media held in the funds are subject to on-going review as company announcements or relevant research material becomes available and actioned at any time.

  3 The target includes two new standards for the review of receivership accounts, they are to: complete a review of 80% of receivers' accounts within 12 weeks of receipt; review 80% of the Receiver's accounts within 12 weeks.

  These standards will be reviewed on receipt of the Committee of Public Accounts' recommendations on the Comptroller and Auditor General's report 'Protecting the Financial Welfare of People with Mental Incapacity'.

  Note:

  Fuller details of the Office's performance targets will appear in the PTO Plan, which will be available from the Public Trust Office later in the year.

  Court Service Key Performance Indicators and Targets 1999–2000

  Indicator

  Target

  Provide a courteous, reliable and accurate service, relevant information and suitable facilities

  KPI 1 the quality of service provided to court users.

  83%

  Complete all administrative processes promptly

  KPI 2 the percentage of administrative work in the civil courts dealt, with within target time

  92%

  Reduce waiting times for trial or hearing

  KPI 3 the percentage of Crown Court cases that commence within target.

  78%

  KPI 4 average waiting time for Asylum Appeals from receipt at Immigration Appellate Authorities to promulgation of the Adjudicator's decision.

  23 weeks

  774

  Court Service Key Performance Indicators and Targets 1999–2000

  Indicator

  Target

  Reduce the cost of the services we provide

  KPI 5 the unit cost of a case in the Crown Court.

  £2,118

  KPI 6 the unit cost of an item of originating process in the civil courts.

  £118

  Achieve full cost recovery in the civil courts

  KPI 7 the percentage of the cost of the civil courts recovered through fees

  94%

  Barristers' Services
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the sets of barristers' chambers in London who have rendered
  775
  services for his Department since 1 May 1997 and the remuneration made in respect of such services in each case. [68623]

  Mr. Hoon
  [pursuant to his reply, 1 February 1999,c. 480]: I regret that some of the figures given in the answer were incorrect. The correct figures as at the date of my original answer are set out in the table.

  £

  London Chambers

  Total paid

  Blackstone Chambers, Blackstone House, (formerly 2 Hare Court)

  13,565

  4 Breams Buildings

  6,373

  1 Brick Court

  3,995

  Brick Court Chambers 15–19 Devereux Court

  731

  1 Crown Office Row, Ground Floor

  5,551

  Devereux Chambers, Devereux Court

  1,486

  5 Essex Court

  164

  39 Essex Street

  20,180

  Falcon Chambers

  2,361

  4–5 Gray's Inn Square

  3,624

  1 Hare Court

  3,348

  Keating Chambers, 10 Essex Street

  1,686

  1 King's Bench Walk

  3,378

  6 King's Bench Walk

  7,832

  11 King's Bench Walk (Chambers of Mr. Eldred Tabachnik QC and Mr. James Goudie QC)

  (i) excluding fees paid to Mr. Philip Sales

  3,143

  (ii) fees paid to Mr. Philip Sales whilst on the Attorney General's Panel, but prior to his appointment as First Treasury Counsel on 1 December 1997

  9,370

  (iii) fees paid to Mr. Philip Sales since his appointment as First Treasury Counsel on 1 December 1997

  39,596

  11 King's Bench Walk (Chambers of Mr. Franz Muller QC)

  1,645

  Monckton Chambers, 4 Raymond Buildings

  2,355

  13 Old Square, 1st Floor

  2,393

  3 Pump Court, Upper Ground Floor

  2,585

  6 Pump Court, Ground and Lower Ground Floor

  2,350

  Queen Elizabeth Buildings

  18,682

  3 Raymond Buildings

  1,092

  3 Serjeants' Inn

  840

  7 Stone Buildings, Ground Floor

  1,175

  1 Temple Gardens

  34,213

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Parliament (Costs)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the initial budget for converting and fitting out the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall and adjacent buildings as a temporary home for the Scottish Parliament; and what is the latest estimate of the cost. [70210]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: The current estimates are:

  Converting the buildings: £4.5 million

  Fitting out (including IT, telecom, security equipment, furniture, office equipment): £3.1 million.

  The initial estimate was given in my answer on 12 May 1998, Official Report, column 88, to the right hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley), and included rent and rates. This was a provisional estimate and I made it
  776
  clear then that it did not include fitting out costs, which were still being assessed. The estimate of building conversion costs at that time was £2m. Full building condition surveys were carried out on the CEC office buildings when the Scottish Office took occupation at the end of November 1998. These surveys revealed that significantly more work would have to be carried out in these building than was previously envisaged. In particular, work was required to ensure that lighting throughout the office buildings complied with current statutory requirements and to improve electrical systems, fire alarms and emergency lighting to meet current building regulations. In addition special services to meet the needs of the Parliament such as IT networks, security measures and provision for broadcasters have had to be provided.

  The costs of these items could only be properly assessed once the Scottish Office had occupation of the buildings.

  All of these costs will be met from the financial provision made for the establishment of the Parliament in 1998–99 and 1999–2000.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost of those roadworks made necessary by the siting of the new Scottish Parliament building. [77939]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him earlier today.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost in relation to the new Scottish Parliament building of(a) VAT, (b) fees, (c) site purchase, (d) site clearance and preliminary works and (e) road works; and which of these are included in the £50 million cost referred to in his answer of 28 January 1999, to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell),
  Official Report, column 385. [77438]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: The figures requested (with the exception of (e)) are shown in the table, along with the estimated construction cost of £50 million (excluding VAT and fees) referred to in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 28 January 1999, Official Report, columns 385–86.

  Cost estimate £ million

  Site Purchase

  4

  Site Preparation

  1

  Construction

  50

  Fees

  10.5

  VAT on construction and fees

  10.6

  The figures shown are estimates and subject to review in the light of the development of the detailed design for the building and, in due course, of the results of the competitive procurement of works packages. The costs for item (e) will be estimated once the proposals for the surrounding area have been developed further.

  Reviews and Task Forces
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) reviews, (b) task forces and (c) advisory

  777
  groups have been established by his Department since 1 May 1997; what costs they have incurred to date; and what reports they have published. [71514]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 22 February 1999]: Details of reviews, task forces and advisory groups established since 1 May 1997 and of the reports they have

  Title

  Costs incurred(£)

  Report published

  (a) Reviews

  Review Countryside Access Legislation in Scotland

  —

  Access to the Countryside for Open Air Recreation (December 1998)

  Review into the System of Land Ownership and Management in Scotland

  51,400

  Recommendations for action (January 1999)

  Review of EA and SEPA Environmental Legislation (with DETR)

  —

  —

  Review of National Air Quality Strategy (with DETR)

  —

  Review of the National Air Quality Strategy Consultation Document (January 1999)

  Review of Protection Orders made under the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976

  —

  —

  Review of Rural Water and Sewerage Grant Scheme

  8,400

  —

  Review of SSSIs in Scotland

  8,500

  —

  Review of the Scottish Water Industry

  6,800

  —

  Review to Identify Areas of Scotland Appropriate for Designation as National Parks

  —

  National Parks for Scotland (January 1999)

  Strategic Study of Organic Wastes to Land

  —

  Strategic Review of Organic Waste Spread on Land (October 1998)

  Planning Policy Review on Opencast Coal in Scotland

  700

  —

  Review of Skye Bridge Tolls

  77,200

  —

  Review of the Law and Practice of Compulsory Purchase and Land Compensation

  31,200

  Inception report (January 1999); Interim report (February 1999)

  Review of the Scottish Roads Programme

  241,000

  —

  Review of Transport Policy in Scotland

  20,200

  Travel Choices for Scotland—White Paper (July 1998)

  Scottish Homes' Support for Owner Occupation

  4,000

  —

  Scottish Enterprise Strategy Review

  —

  —

  Scottish Homes' Support for Social Rented Housing

  15,000

  —

  Committee on Review of Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984

  —

  —

  HIV Health Promotion Review Group

  —

  —

  National Review of Health Resource Allocation

  23,500

  —

  Review of the Public Health Function

  5,900

  —

  Review of Public Health Legislation

  —

  —

  A Review of Aspects of Gaelic Broadcasting

  7,000

  A Review of Aspects of Gaelic Broadcasting (May 1998)

  Review of Community Education

  14,650

  Communities Change Through Learning (November 1998)

  Review of Community Disposals and the use of Custody for Women Offenders in Scotland

  16,800

  A Safer Way, A Review of Community Disposals and the use of Custody for Women Offenders in Scotland (May 1998)

  Lord MacLean's Committee on Serious Offenders

  —

  —

  Review of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  —

  —

  Review of Arrangements for the Supervision of Sex Offenders in Scotland

  20,000

  A Commitment to Protect: Review of the Arrangements for the Supervision of Sex Offenders in Scotland (December 1997)

  Review of Domestic Violence

  650

  —

  Scottish Interdepartmental Review of the Treatment of Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses

  600

  Towards a Just Conclusion (November 1998)

  Review of the Processing of Cases in the Children's Hearings System

  25,000

  Just in Time (March 1999)

  Learning Disability Review

  50,000

  —

  (b) Task forces

  Task Force to Follow the Outcome of the Review of Protection Orders made under the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976

  800

  Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976. Review of the arrangements for Protection Orders (December 1998)

  Joint COSLA/Scottish Office Best Value Task Force

  —

  Best Value Task Force Report (July 1997); Best Value Task Force Second Report (July 1998)

  Joint COSLA/Working Group on Council Tax Collection

  200

  —

  Coronary Heart Disease Task Force

  2,000

  —

  Action Group on Standards in Scottish School

  3,150

  —

  Borders Working Party

  1,700

  Rebuilding the Borders Economy Interim Report (December 1998); Rebuilding the Borders Economy Final Report (March 1999)

  Prestwich Task Force

  2,150

  Reaching the Full Potential Interim Report (September 1997); Prestwick—A Leading Edge Location Final Report (December 1998)

  Scottish Advisory Task Force on the New Deal

  6,400

  —

  778
  published follow. Where the information is readily available, approximate costs incurred on matters such as members' expenses, publication of reports and consultation exercises are shown. Staff costs are not included as these are subsumed within the Department's running costs.
  779

  Title

  Costs incurred (£)

  Report published

  (c) Advisory groups

  Air Quality Forum

  —

  —

  A Comprehensive Review of the Food-Related Scientific Services in Scotland

  26,000

  Review of Food-Related Scientific Services in Scotland (October 1998)

  National Goose Forum

  10,850

  —

  Review of Scotland's Bathing Waters

  —

  —

  Commission on Local Government and the Scottish Parliament

  163,200

  —

  National Transport Forum for Scotland

  2,900

  —

  New Housing Partnerships Advisory Group

  3,500

  —

  Scottish Social Inclusion Network

  1,150

  Social Inclusion Strategy—Opening the door to a better Scotland (March 1999)

  Social Inclusion Partnerships Advisory Group

  —

  Report of the Social Inclusion Partnerships Advisory Group's Consideration of Expressions of Interest (November 1998); Report of the Social Inclusion Partnerships Advisory Group's Consideration of Full Social Inclusion Partnership Bids (March 1999)

  Acute Services Group

  700

  —

  Health Targets Working Group

  —

  —

  Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee

  —

  —

  Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Users Group

  —

  —

  Waiting List Support Force

  23,700

  —

  Scottish Cancer Group

  2,700

  Cancer Genetics Services in Scotland (November 1998)

  Scottish Childcare Board

  2,650

  —

  Inter-Agency Forum on Women's Offending

  350

  —

  Lady Cosgrove's Expert Panel on Sex Offending

  —

  —

  Riddell Advisory Committee on Severe Low Incidence

  5,150

  —

  Disabilities

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

  Hypothermia
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths, where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death, took place in each(a) region and (b) parliamentary constituency of Scotland in 1997, amongst those (i) of all ages, (ii) aged 60 to 74, (iii) aged 74 to 84 and (iv) aged over 85 years; what were the winter mortality rates in each of those areas for (1) the population as a whole, (2) people aged 60 to 74, (3) people aged 75 to 84 and (4) people aged 85 years and over; and what the percentage increase was in each group in each area compared to non-winter deaths in 1997–98. [72593]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 1 March 1999]: The information requested is presented in the following tables.

  There is no universally recognised definition of winter mortality. The information presented in the second table is based on a formula that has been used in recent years by the Office for National Statistics when presenting data for England and Wales. This defines 'excess' winter deaths as the difference between the number of deaths during the four months December to March and the average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July). A negative figure occurs when the average non-winter deaths exceed the winter deaths. As this is a crude measure of the increase in mortality associated with winter conditions the numbers of excess deaths have been rounded to the nearest ten.
  780

  Deaths where hypothermia was mentioned as a main or contributory cause of death, by health board area and selected age group, Scotland, 1997

  All ages

  60–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  Scotland

  89

  23

  21

  20

  Argyll and Clyde

  10

  2

  4

  1

  Ayrshire and Arran

  6

  1

  0

  5

  Borders

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Fife

  2

  0

  0

  2

  Forth Valley

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Grampian

  8

  0

  4

  1

  Greater Glasgow

  24

  6

  6

  3

  Highland

  4

  0

  2

  1

  Lanarkshire

  11

  5

  1

  1

  Lothian

  19

  7

  4

  6

  Orkney

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tayside

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Western Isles

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Deaths where hypothermia was mentioned as a main or contributory cause of death, by parliamentary constituency and selected age group, Scotland, 1997

  All ages

  60–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  Aberdeen Central

  3

  0

  0

  1

  Aberdeen South

  3

  0

  3

  0

  Angus

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Ayr

  3

  ]

  0

  2

  Banff and Buchan

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Central Fife

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Clydebank and Milngavie

  2

  1

  0

  1

  Clydesdale

  3

  2

  1

  0

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Dumbarton

  1

  1

  0

  0

  781

  Deaths where hypothermia was mentioned as a main or contributory cause of death, by parliamentary constituency and selected age group, Scotland, 1997

  All ages

  60–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  East Kilbride

  1

  0

  0

  0

  East Lothian

  2

  0

  1

  1

  Eastwood

  2

  1

  1

  0

  Edinburgh Central

  2

  0

  1

  1

  Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

  3

  2

  0

  0

  Edinburgh North and Leith

  4

  1

  0

  2

  Edinburgh West

  3

  1

  1

  1

  Glasgow Anniesland

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Glasgow Baillieston

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Glasgow Govan

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Glasgow Kelvin

  4

  1

  1

  1

  Glasgow Maryhill

  2

  1

  0

  1

  Glasgow Pollock

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Glasgow Rutherglen

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Glasgow Shettleston

  4

  1

  1

  0

  Glasgow Springburn

  2

  0

  2

  0

  Greenock and Inverclyde

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Winter mortality by health board area and selected age group, Scotland 1997–981

  All ages

  60–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Scotland

  2,270

  12

  650

  12

  830

  14

  720

  16

  Argyll and Clyde

  70

  9

  10

  5

  40

  17

  10

  5

  Ayrshire and Arran

  210

  13

  60

  14

  70

  14

  80

  17

  Borders

  220

  14

  70

  16

  50

  10

  100

  24

  Dumfries and Galloway

  80

  6

  10

  3

  60

  14

  20

  6

  Fife

  320

  12

  100

  14

  110

  13

  80

  12

  Forth Valley

  0

  0

  10

  9

  20

  14

  -20

  -14

  Grampian

  140

  15

  20

  7

  70

  23

  50

  21

  Greater Glasgow

  300

  18

  80

  16

  140

  28

  80

  20

  Highland

  440

  12

  150

  13

  120

  11

  120

  15

  Lanarkshire

  320

  17

  140

  23

  90

  15

  70

  19

  Lothian

  120

  8

  30

  7

  20

  4

  80

  24

  Orkney

  10

  2

  -20

  -10

  20

  11

  30

  19

  Shetland

  20

  27

  0

  0

  10

  43

  10

  53

  Tayside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Western Isles

  20

  16

  10

  37

  0

  0

  10

  24

  1 Provisional

  Winter mortality by parliamentary constituency and selected age group, Scotland 1997–981

  All ages

  60–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Aberdeen Central

  40

  15

  0

  0

  40

  51

  0

  0

  Aberdeen North

  40

  22

  10

  17

  20

  38

  20

  56

  Aberdeen South

  50

  22

  10

  19

  10

  15

  10

  13

  Airdrie and Shotts

  30

  11

  20

  23

  20

  25

  10

  17

  Angus

  60

  21

  10

  13

  10

  10

  50

  59

  Argyll and Bute

  30

  9

  10

  11

  30

  32

  10

  10

  Ayr

  60

  20

  0

  0

  10

  10

  20

  23

  Banff and Buchan

  30

  11

  0

  0

  0

  0

  20

  31

  Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

  30

  14

  20

  35

  20

  32

  0

  0

  Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley

  50

  16

  30

  32

  20

  20

  10

  15

  Central Fife

  10

  4

  0

  0

  30

  39

  -10

  -17

  Clydebank and Milngavie

  20

  8

  -10

  -13

  10

  11

  20

  37

  Clydesdale

  60

  20

  30

  41

  20

  20

  20

  27

  Coatbridge and Chryston

  50

  21

  10

  11

  0

  0

  30

  81

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  20

  12

  10

  15

  10

  21

  0

  0

  Cunninghame North

  10

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  20

  27

  Cunninghame South

  -10

  -4

  -20

  -24

  20

  31

  0

  0

  Dumbarton

  60

  22

  20

  26

  30

  42

  20

  27

  Dumfries

  0

  0

  -20

  -20

  0

  0

  20

  24

  Dundee East

  30

  9

  10

  10

  0

  0

  0

  0

  782

  Deaths where hypothermia was mentioned as a main or contributory cause of death, by parliamentary constituency and selected age group, Scotland, 1997

  All ages

  60–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  Hamilton North and Bellshill

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Hamilton South

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  3

  0

  0

  3

  Linlithgow

  3

  3

  0

  0

  Livingston

  2

  0

  1

  1

  Moray

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Motherwell and Wishaw

  2

  2

  0

  0

  North East Fife

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Ochil

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Paisley South

  4

  1

  2

  0

  Ross, Skye and Inverness West

  2

  0

  1

  1

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Stirling

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Strathkelvin and Bearsden

  2

  0

  1

  0

  West Renfrewshire

  2

  0

  1

  1

  Note:

  There were no such deaths in constituencies not listed
  783

  Winter mortality by parliamentary constituency and selected age group, Scotland 1997–981

  All ages

  60–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Dundee West

  60

  20

  30

  34

  20

  23

  10

  14

  Dunfermline East

  -10

  -4

  0

  0

  10

  12

  -10

  -18

  Dunfermline West

  30

  14

  0

  0

  10

  14

  20

  42

  East Kilbride

  20

  8

  20

  24

  0

  0

  -10

  -18

  East Lothian

  60

  21

  30

  45

  0

  0

  20

  26

  Eastwood

  20

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  20

  28

  Edinburgh Central

  30

  12

  10

  16

  0

  0

  20

  28

  Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

  60

  20

  0

  0

  30

  35

  10

  14

  Edinburgh North and Leith

  60

  24

  20

  30

  20

  28

  10

  13

  Edinburgh Pentlands

  50

  26

  30

  71

  10

  16

  10

  19

  Edinburgh South

  20

  6

  10

  14

  10

  10

  -10

  -8

  Edinburgh West

  40

  16

  20

  27

  10

  12

  10

  18

  Falkirk East

  30

  12

  10

  12

  30

  42

  0

  0

  Falkirk West

  50

  19

  0

  0

  30

  36

  20

  30

  Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  10

  3

  -10

  -11

  20

  23

  10

  13

  Glasgow Anniesland

  70

  21

  30

  34

  20

  16

  10

  12

  Glasgow Baillieston

  10

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Glasgow Cathcart

  20

  8

  -10

  -12

  20

  27

  10

  18

  Glasgow Govan

  10

  3

  20

  26

  -10

  -12

  0

  0

  Glasgow Kelvin

  30

  12

  30

  38

  -10

  -14

  10

  18

  Glasgow Maryhill

  60

  20

  20

  21

  10

  12

  10

  20

  Glasgow Pollock

  60

  20

  20

  21

  30

  32

  10

  16

  Glasgow Rutherglen

  40

  15

  30

  38

  10

  11

  -10

  -16

  Glasgow Shettleston

  30

  10

  0

  0

  20

  24

  10

  20

  Glasgow Springburn

  40

  12

  10

  9

  30

  34

  10

  17

  Gordon

  30

  14

  20

  37

  0

  0

  10

  16

  Greenock and Inverclyde

  40

  14

  10

  12

  20

  22

  10

  17

  Hamilton North and Bellshill

  40

  18

  10

  14

  10

  14

  10

  26

  Hamilton South

  30

  14

  10

  14

  10

  15

  0

  0

  Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  11

  -10

  -11

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  10

  3

  20

  20

  -20

  -16

  10

  15

  Kirkcaldy

  20

  7

  20

  28

  0

  0

  20

  26

  Linlithgow

  0

  0

  10

  13

  0

  0

  -10

  -21

  Livingston

  20

  8

  -10

  -12

  20

  33

  10

  21

  Midlothian

  10

  4

  -10

  -13

  10

  12

  10

  21

  Moray

  30

  12

  10

  14

  0

  0

  20

  27

  Motherwell and Wilshaw

  90

  35

  30

  33

  30

  38

  20

  42

  North East Fife

  30

  11

  0

  0

  10

  11

  0

  0

  North Tayside

  40

  14

  0

  0

  10

  10

  20

  24

  Ochil

  40

  15

  20

  26

  10

  11

  20

  31

  Orkney and Shetland

  30

  19

  0

  0

  10

  20

  10

  21

  Paisley North

  60

  26

  30

  37

  20

  33

  20

  48

  Paisley South

  60

  22

  20

  24

  20

  24

  20

  30

  Perth

  30

  9

  20

  24

  0

  0

  10

  11

  Ross, Skye and Inverness West

  30

  12

  -10

  -14

  10

  11

  30

  49

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  10

  4

  10

  17

  20

  23

  -10

  -14

  Stirling

  30

  13

  0

  0

  10

  14

  20

  30

  Strathkelvin and Bearsden

  20

  8

  10

  14

  10

  13

  10

  21

  Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale

  -20

  -8

  -10

  -17

  0

  0

  -10

  -14

  West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Renfrewshire

  30

  14

  0

  0

  10

  14

  10

  20

  Western Isles

  20

  16

  10

  37

  0

  0

  10

  24

  1Provisional

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

  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths, where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death, took place in Scotland in(a) 1997, (b)1992, (c) 1987, (d) 1982 and (e) 1977 amongst those (i) of all ages, (ii) aged 60 to 74, (iii) aged 74 to 84 and (iv) aged over 85 years; what were the winter mortality rates for (1) the population as a whole, (2) people aged 60 to 74, (3) people aged 75 to 84 and (4) people aged 85 years and over; and what the percentage increase was in each group compared to non-winter deaths in 1997–98, 1992–93, 1987–88, 1982–83 and 1977–78, respectively. [72594]
  784
  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 1 March 1999]: The information requested in presented in the following tables.

  There is no universally recognised definition of winter mortality. The information presented in the second table is based on a formula that has been used in recent years by the Office for National Statistics when presenting data for England and Wales. This defines 'excess' winter deaths as the difference between the number of deaths during the four months December to March and the average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July). As this is a crude measure of the increase in mortality associated with winter conditions the numbers of excess deaths have been rounded to the nearest ten.
  785
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Winter mortality by Selected age group, Scotland 1977–78 to 1997–98

  Age group

  All ages

  60–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths

  % increase compared to non-winter deaths

  1977–78

  4,890

  25

  1,630

  21

  1,770

  31

  1,020

  40

  1982–83

  4,390

  22

  1,310

  18

  1,690

  27

  1,130

  40

  1987–88

  2,390

  12

  760

  11

  890

  14

  630

  18

  1992–93

  2,630

  13

  610

  10

  920

  14

  930

  23

  1997–981

  2,270

  12

  650

  12

  830

  14

  720

  16

  11997–98 figures are provisional

  Deaths where hypothermia was mentioned as a main or contributory cause of death, selected age groups, Scotland,1977–97

  Year

  All ages

  60–74

  75–84

  85 and over

  1977

  158

  42

  70

  29

  1982

  196

  61

  73

  38

  1987

  153

  39

  51

  34

  1992

  117

  39

  31

  26

  1997

  89

  23

  21

  20

  Note:

  because of coding changes in 1979,information for 1977 is not directly comparable to that for later years.

  Higher Still (English)
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the schools which are ready to implement the Higher Still in English. [73083]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 3 March 1999]: I list the 71 local authority schools which, according to returns received from local authorities by the beginning of February 1999, are planning to implement "Higher Still" Higher English in 1999–2000.

  Authority

  School

  Aberdeen City

  —

  Aberdeenshire

  Kemnay Academy

  Angus

  Arbroath Academy

  Arbroath High School

  Montrose Academy

  Brechin High School

  Argyll & Bute

  Rothesay Academy

  Tobermory High School

  Clackmannanshire

  Alva Academy

  Lornshill Academy

  Dumfries & Galloway

  Castle Douglas High School

  Kirkcudbright Academy

  Langholm Academy

  Maxwelltown High School

  Moffat Academy

  Stranraer Academy

  Wallace Hall Academy

  Dundee City

  Craigie High School

  East Ayrshire

  —

  East Dunbartonshire

  —

  East Lothian

  —

  East Renfrewshire

  St. Ninian's High School

  Edinburgh City

  Balerno Community High School

  Holy Rood High School

  Liberton High School

  Portobello High School

  786

  Authority

  School

  Falkirk

  Grangemouth High School

  Fife

  Balwearie High School

  Beath High School

  Buckhaven High School

  Glenrothes High School

  Inverkeithing High School

  Kirkcaldy High School

  Kirkland High School

  Madras College

  Waid Academy

  Glasgow

  Smithcroft Secondary School

  Highland

  Wick High School

  Gairloch High School

  Inverness High School

  Inverness Royal Academy

  Grantown Grammar School

  Kinlochleven High School

  Lochaber High School

  Mallaig High School

  Plockton High School

  Inverclyde

  Port Glasgow High School

  Midlothian

  —

  Moray

  —

  North Ayrshire

  Auchenharvie Academy

  Irvine Royal Academy

  North Lanarkshire

  Braidhurst High School

  Coatbridge High School

  Columba High School

  Our Lady's High School (Cumbernauld)

  St. Aidan's High School

  St. Margaret's High School

  Taylor High School

  Orkney

  —

  Perth & Kinross

  Auchterarder High School

  Renfrewshire

  Castlehead High School

  Scottish Borders

  Earlston High School

  Eyemouth High School

  Galashiels Academy

  Hawick High School

  Jedburgh Grammar School

  Kelso High School

  Selkirk High School

  Shetland

  —

  South Ayrshire

  Girvan Academy

  South Lanarkshire

  Blantyre High School

  Duncanrig Secondary School

  Stirling

  Bannockburn High School

  Stirling High School

  Wallace High School

  West Dunbartonshire

  —

  West Lothian

  Armadale Academy

  Linlithgow Academy

  Eilean Siar

  The Nicolson Institute

  Castlebay School

  787

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 1999,Official Report, column 143, for what reasons he did not supply an estimate for spending on special advisers in 1996–97; if he will provide estimates of total spending on special advisers for (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, and (c) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [74165]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 5 March 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 143. Details of costs relating to the Special Advisers in 1996–97 could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the total cost of special advisers in his Department for each of the years(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [74240]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 March 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 143. Details of costs relating to the Special Advisers in 1995–96 and 1996–97 could only be supplied at disproportionate cost.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of funding the private offices of the First Minister and the other Ministers of the Scottish Executive in the Scottish Parliament. [74980]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 11 March 1999]: The number of Ministers in the Scottish Executive will not be known until after the election on 6 May 1999. However, the question of private office support for the First Minister and other Ministers is currently being considered as part of the general planning associated with devolution. No estimate of the cost of funding the private office has yet been made. The cost will be met from within the overall provision made for expenditure on administration of the Scottish Executive.

  Student Finance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the annual cost, for each of the next 20 years, of replacing the university maintenance loan with a maintenance grant for Scottish students at United Kingdom universities; if he will set out the figures in terms of(a) their cash accounting and funding impact and (b) their effect in terms of resource accounting; and if he will make a statement. [74711]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 5 March 1999]: The information is set out in the table. Figures have been provided by statisticians from the Department for Education on a U.K. wide basis and the Scottish share has been calculated as approximately 11% of the total. Information is not available for each of the next twenty years. However a selection of years was modelled for illustrative purposes.
  788

  £ million

  Year

  Cash accounting

  Resource accounting

  1998–99

  16.5

  38.5

  1999–2000

  44

  115.5

  2000–01

  71.5

  176

  2005–06

  159.5

  231

  2010–11

  264

  253

  2015–16

  308

  236.5

  Salmon Farmers (Compensation)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to pay salmon farmers compensation when they are required to slaughter their stock as a consequence of a List 1 disease. [76210]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 18 March 1999]: The Government have no plans to pay compensation but have proposed a financial aid package for the industry. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart) dated 8 February 1999, Official Report, column 62.

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

  Schools
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(i) pupils and (ii) teachers there were in Scottish (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in 1998–99. [76625]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 19 March 1999]: The information requested is set out in the table.

  Provisional numbers of pupils and full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers in publicly funded primary and secondary schools in Scotland in 1998–99

  Primary

  Secondary

  Pupils

  435,518

  311,277

  FTE teachers

  22,493

  23,459

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

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the Scottish Office budget for Highlands and Islands Enterprise in cash terms and at 1998–99 prices for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, (e) 1996–97, (f) 1997–98 and (g) 1998–99; and what is his estimate for (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [76864]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]: The Scottish Office Budget for Highlands and Islands Enterprise in cash terms and at 1998–99 prices for the years 1992–93 to 1998–99 and the plan figures for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 are as follows.
  789

  £ million

  Year

  Budget

  1998–99 prices

  1992–93

  78.8

  91.5

  1993–94

  79.2

  89.5

  1994–95

  76.3

  85.0

  1995–96

  77.7

  84.2

  1996–97

  75.8

  79.6

  1997–98

  79.1

  81.1

  1998–99

  79.7

  79.7

  1999–2000 (plans)1

  78.7

  76.8

  2000–01 (plans)

  77.0

  73.3

  2001–02 (plans)

  77.0

  71.5

  1Plan figures for 1999–2000 are subject to adjustment to reflect annual and in-year post CSR changes to baseline provision. The budget figure shown for 1999–2000 includes the £1.7 million recently announced for the purpose of attracting inward investment projects to the Highlands and Islands.

  Future year plans reflect a realignment of Highlands and Islands Enterprise's existing training programmes to reflect the introduction of the New Deal, in which the enterprise network will play a key role. About £300 million of New Deal resources will also be available in Scotland over the lifetime of this Parliament by way of Employment Service spending. A proportion of this will be available for delivery of the New Deal programme in the Highlands and Islands.

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

  Police Budget
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was his Department's policing budget in cash terms and at 1998–99 prices for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, (e) 1996–97, (f) 1997–98 and (g) 1998–99; and what is his estimate for (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [76861]

  Passes in Highers at C or above for school pupils in Scotland

  1997–98

  1992–93

  1987–88

  1982–83

  1977–78

  French

  3,678

  4,046

  4,561

  6,506

  6,417

  German

  1,525

  1,414

  1,178

  1,593

  1,650

  Other Modern Languages1

  699

  497

  451

  631

  627

  English

  21,776

  20,970

  21,960

  24,467

  19,179

  Mathematics

  13,532

  12,866

  13,242

  15,036

  10,919

  History

  5,074

  5,039

  6,189

  6,718

  6,437

  Geography

  6,095

  5,747

  6,489

  6,752

  5,632

  Modern Studies

  5,228

  5,116

  3,843

  2,604

  1,979

  Physics

  7,945

  8,790

  8,319

  9,893

  8,150

  Chemistry

  7,774

  8,217

  9,098

  10,443

  8,749

  Biology

  6,997

  7,375

  7,649

  6,724

  4,271

  Art and Design

  5,810

  4,941

  5,126

  3,963

  2,112

  Music

  2,453

  1,569

  863

  617

  479

  Computing Studies2

  2,993

  1,856

  —

  —

  —

  Latin, Classical Greek and Classical Studies3

  604

  385

  650

  1,137

  1,852

  1 Includes Spanish, Italian, Russian, Swedish, Norwegian and Portuguese

  2 The Higher in Computing Studies was introduced in 1989

  3 The Higher in Classical Studies was introduced in 1994. Latin,Classical Greek and Classical Studies are separate Highers

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

  Consultancy Fees
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what fees to consultants have been paid or incurred in
  790
  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]: The information is as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  Cash Terms

  1998–99 Prices

  1992–93

  537

  625

  1993–94

  567

  643

  1994–95

  626

  700

  1995–96

  622

  676

  1996–97

  666

  702

  1997–98

  735

  755

  1998–99

  741

  741

  1999–2000

  768

  749

  2000–01

  795

  757

  2001–02

  815

  757

  Sources:

  For the years 1992–93 to 1998–99: Departmental Reports and GAE announcements.

  For the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02: Comprehensive Spending Review.

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

  Highers
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils in Scottish schools gained passes in Highers at C or above in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1992–93, (iii) 1987–88, (iv) 1982–83, (v) 1977–78 in(a) French, (b) German, (c) other modern languages, (d) English, (e) mathematics, (f) history, (g) geography, (h) modern studies, (i) physics, (j) chemistry, (k) biology, (l) art, (m) music, (n) graphic design, (o) computing and (p) Latin, Greek or classical studies. [77264]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: The information is shown in the following table, except for Graphic Design for which a Higher was not available. The figures will be affected by the overall increase in the number of S5 and S6 pupils from around 51,700 in 1977–78 to around 74,300 in 1997–98.

  (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98 and in (iii) 1998–99 so far by (a) each section of the Scottish Office, (b) each local enterprise company, (c) Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, (d) each health board in Scotland, (e) each water authority in Scotland, (f) each of the Lottery-fund distributors in Scotland, (g) each local

  791
  authority in Scotland, (h) the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Sports Council and (i) Scottish Homes. [77420]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: Expenditure on external consultancy by The Scottish Office, its executive agencies and associated departments in the years requested, is as follows:

  £ million

  1996–97

  2.7

  1997–98

  2.5

  1998–99

  2.1

  The information requested about expenditure by other public bodies is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Actual expenditure

  £ million in cash terms

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Early and primary education

  775

  836

  844

  858

  890

  904

  Secondary education

  842

  888

  889

  910

  937

  932

  Further education

  237

  258

  273

  294

  300

  300

  Higher education

  431

  508

  835

  900

  924

  924

  Community education

  73

  81

  83

  85

  88

  86

  Special educational needs

  128

  140

  144

  156

  164

  168

  Other

  266

  290

  321

  323

  344

  367

  Actual and planned expenditure

  £ million in cash terms

  Planned expenditure

  Actual expenditure 1997–98

  Estimated outturn1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Further education

  293

  289

  330

  359

  395

  Higher education

  841

  849

  896

  1,039

  1,068

  Other Central Government Expenditure

  138

  182

  222

  259

  264

  Local Authority Expenditure

  2,375

  2,438

  2,591

  2,703

  2,809

  Total

  3,647

  3,758

  4,039

  4,360

  4,536

  Actual expenditure

  £ million in constant 1998–99 prices

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Early and primary education

  929

  970

  954

  956

  964

  950

  Secondary education

  1,009

  1,031

  1,005

  1,014

  1,015

  979

  Further education

  284

  299

  309

  328

  325

  315

  Higher education

  517

  590

  944

  1,003

  1,001

  971

  Community education

  88

  94

  94

  95

  95

  90

  Special educational needs

  153

  162

  163

  174

  178

  177

  Other

  319

  337

  363

  360

  373

  386

  Total

  3,299

  3,483

  3,831

  3,930

  3,950

  3,867

  792
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much(a) has been and (b) is planned to be spent in Scotland in each year between 1991–92 and 2001–02 on (i) early and primary education, (ii) secondary education, (iii) further education, (iv) higher education, (v) community education, (vi) special educational needs, (vii) other categories of education and (viii) education in total in (1) cash terms and (2) at 1998–99 prices. [77273]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: The actual and planned expenditure figures are set out in the following tables. It should be noted that planned figures cannot be compared with actual figures. The actual expenditure figures include local authority expenditure funded by both Central Government and council tax, whilst the figures for planned expenditure include only estimates of grant aided expenditure.
  793

  Actual and planned expenditure

  £ million in constant 1998–99 prices

  Actual expenditure

  Estimated outturn

  Planned expenditure

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Further education

  300

  289

  322

  342

  367

  Other Central Government Expenditure

  141

  182

  217

  246

  245

  Local Authority Expenditure

  2,435

  2,438

  2,528

  2,573

  2,608

  Total

  3,739

  3,758

  3,941

  4,150

  4,212

  Notes:

  1. A split of local authority expenditure in the categories requested is not available for 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  2. Local authority plans for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 are not yet known. The table shows Government estimates of Grant Aided Expenditure for these years. Expenditure figures for earlier years include funding from council tax in addition to support from central Government.

  3. Planned expenditure for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 has been adjusted to take account of 1999 budget decisions.

  4. Local authority capital expenditure is not included. Nor are loan and leasing charges or capital funded from revenue accounts.

  5. Figures for 1997–98 and 1998–99 include the proceeds of the sale of student debt.

  6. Other includes the Careers Service; transport, residential accommodation and bursary assistance for school pupils; education administration costs; school meals and miscellaneous education expenditure.

  7. Higher education includes student support costs.

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

  Special Needs
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to change the current arrangements whereby employers are expected to pay a training allowance to special needs trainees in Scotland. [77422]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: Trainees in Skillseekers who are designated as having special training needs (STN) and who are on placement with an employer do not receive a training allowance from the employer. The training allowance is paid by the training provider at a level set by the LEC. An employer who is delivering the training under contract to the LEC and is, therefore, acting as the training provider, would be responsible for managing the training allowance. If an employer has chosen to employ an STN trainee, then he will pay the trainee a wage, not a training allowance.

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

  EU Subsidies
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total amount of EU subsidies paid to farmers in each year since 1992 in(a) cash terms and (b) 1998–99 prices. [77762]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 25 March 1999]: Outturn figures since 1992–93 for direct subsidies to Scottish farmers which are 100 per. cent EU funded (these include livestock premium schemes and arable aid payments but exclude HLCAs and agri-environment schemes) are given in the table at both current and 1998–99 prices.

  £ million

  Year

  Current Prices Real Terms (1998–99 prices)1

  1992–93

  132

  153

  1993–94

  243

  275

  1994–95

  284

  317

  1995–96

  345

  374

  1996–97

  417

  439

  1997–98

  319

  327

  1 Converted to 1998–99 prices using the GDP deflator.

  794
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Departmental Staff (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, at 1 March, of(a) his private office, (b) Government special advisers, (c) his Policy Unit and (d) staff in total. [78507]

  Mr. Dewar
  Information on the ethnic origin of the civil servants is collected using a voluntary, confidential questionnaire. To protect the privacy of individual staff, data relating to fewer than five people are not disclosed in equal opportunities monitoring. Information is therefore not available for(a) my private office and (b) government special advisers in my department. My department does not have a separate Policy Unit.

  As regards information on special advisers and staff in total, I refer to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office, as follows:

  (b) special advisers—22 February 1999, Official Report, column 39;

  (d) staff in total— 31 March 1999, Official Report, column 711.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims for payment by objective 1 projects have been delayed for more than(a) three months, (b) six months and (c) one year since the inception of the Highlands and Islands partnership programme. [78252]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: This information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Since the beginning of the Highlands and Islands Objective 1 programme in 1994, more than 80,000 separate payment claims have been processed. The processing of individual claims may have been delayed for various reasons, including the need to clarify with the project sponsor the information provided in the claim. Until recently, payments could only be made when the relevant funds had been transferred from the EU Commission. New arrangements have now been introduced to ensure that payments are no longer delayed for this reason.
  795
  With effect from 1 July 1999, the administration of the European Structural Funds in Scotland will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Objective 1 project claims for payment, and to what value, are currently awaiting settlement; and how many of these have been waiting in excess of(a) six months and (b) 12 months. [78251]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: 3001 payment claims with a value of £20,082,092 are currently awaiting payment. 106 of these, with a value of £1,817,145, have been outstanding for more than six months, while 69 payment claims, with a value of £470,847, have been outstanding for more than 12 months, mostly due to the need to seek additional information on the claims.

  With effect from 1 July 1999, the administration of the European Structural Funds in Scotland will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on which dates the 1996 annual progress report in respect of the Highlands and Islands partnership programme was(a) submitted and (b) re-submitted to the European Commission; for what reasons the report was required to be re-submitted; and if he will make a statement. [78253]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: The Highlands and Islands 1996 Annual Report was first submitted to the European Commission on 21 September 1998. Following the Commission's request for amendments, it was re-submitted on 17 November.

  The format of the 1996 Annual Report was originally based on the format of the 1995 Annual Report which was agreed by the European Commission on 3 July 1998. When the Commission initially received the 1996 Annual Report, it requested certain further changes to the format, which was why it had to be re-submitted.

  With effect from 1 July 1999, the administration of the European Structural Funds in Scotland will be the responsibility of the Scottish Administration.

  Multi-layer Democracy Report
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) on the basis of whose request the hon. Member for Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart) agreed to let the Secretary of State see extracts from the Scottish Affairs Committee report on Multi-Layer Democracy (HC 460 of Session 1997–98); [79353]

  (2) if he, other Ministers or advisers contacted any other members of the Scottish Affairs Committee seeking information on its report on Multi-Layer Democracy (HC 460 of Session 1997–98) prior to its publication; [79354]

  (3) if he initiated the contact with the hon. Member for Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart), which led to him receiving extracts from the Scottish Affairs Committee report on Multi-Layer Democracy (HC 460 of Session 1997–98); [79355]

  (4) if he will list the people in his Department who saw the leaked copy of the Scottish Affairs Committee report on Multi-Layer Democracy (HC 460 of Session 1997–98) prior to publication and the approximate dates when this occurred; [79356]
  796
  (5) what use (a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) his advisers made of the leaked copy of the Scottish Affairs Committee report on Multi-Layer Democracy (HC 460 of Session 1997–98) in briefing the press. [79352]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 24 March 1998, Official Report, column 324.

  The Herald newspaper carried extensive extracts from the Select Committee's report on 26 November, together with a feature and a leading article on the subject. The newspaper confirmed to my office that it had a leaked copy of the entire report. The story was followed up by many Scottish and UK newspapers and by the broadcast media.

  As a result of that coverage, I received many requests for a response from journalists and complaints from members of the Select Committee who felt that the press reports misrepresented their position. This led me to comment, when approached by journalists during an unrelated engagement on the morning of 26 November, that the report appeared to have been subject to selective quotation.

  I spoke to my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart) later that day. Our conversation centred on his disquiet and that of other Members of the Committee about the leaking of the report and the omission from the quoted extracts of the sole conclusion, which he described to me.

  At the time of our conversation, the report had already been made to the House, was at the printers, had been leaked in its entirety, had been extensively quoted and commented on in the press and was the subject of many requests for comments made to my office. It was already in the public domain, and the possibility of influencing its contents, which would have been wholly improper, could not arise.

  My conversation with my hon. Friend was on that basis. To the best of my recollection, I asked him if he could confirm the accuracy of the quotations and findings of which I was already aware. Given the concerns which he had already expressed to me, my hon. Friend said that he was prepared to give that confirmation. He told me he would do so after consulting the report, which he did not then have to hand. Relevant extracts were sent by fax to my office a short time later. They were seen by no-one other than me, staff in my Private Office and my Special Advisers and no further use was made of them.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he asked the hon. Member for Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart) to show him a pre-publication copy of the report of the Scottish Affairs Committee into Multi-Layer Democracy (HC 460 of Session 1997–98); and if he will make a statement. [79351]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) today, Official Report, column 796.
  797

  Registers of Scotland Executive Agency
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the prior options review of the Registers of Scotland Executive Agency. [80169]

  Mr. Dewar
  A prior options review of the Registers of Scotland Executive Agency was carried out recently for my Department. The review concluded that there will continue to be a need for a function to maintain a register of title to land with the power to make independent decisions in cases of dispute, and recommended continuation of both Agency and Trading Fund status.

  Extensive recommendations on issues such as governance and target setting were made to enhance the strategic management of the Agency and to improve its commercial approach.

  I have accepted the recommendations on Agency status and on improvements to the coverage and stringency of the Agency's targets, which will be revised as soon as possible.

  I have not, however, accepted the review's recommendation that decisions on the Agency's accommodation strategy should be brought forward. As recently as last November, I agreed that the Agency should maintain its presence in its existing, or similar, locations in Edinburgh and Glasgow until 2007. This option will have the least impact on the Agency's productive capacity at a time when it will be undertaking the major task of completing the extension of the Land Register to the whole of Scotland.

  The recommendations on Trading Fund status, governance arrangements and the future strategic management of the Agency will be considered by Ministers of the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament. Interim arrangements have been made to continue Trading Fund status until 31 March 2000.

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

  Opencast Coal
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will issue finalised planning policy guidance on opencast coal. [80170]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Government's planning policy for opencast coal is being published today in National Planning Policy Guideline 16: Opencast Coal and Related Minerals. This NPPG, which replaces NPPG 4: Land for Mineral Working as the relevant guidance for opencast coal and related minerals, indicates the considerations which planning authorities should take into account in framing development plan policies and in determining planning applications for the extraction of opencase coal and related minerals. NPPG 4 continues to provide policy guidance for all other minerals.

  The new guidance takes account of the Ten Point Plan prepared by the Government before the Election, the outcome of the Energy Fuels Review and the responses made to consultation on the draft revised guidance which I announced to the House on 22 October 1998. The guidance ensures that a robust framework is in place to protect communities and the environment from any
  798
  potential harm caused by proposed opencase coal developments. It will ensure that all proposals are subjected to tough scrutiny and if consent is granted the highest environmental standards will apply.

  As a result of the new guidance, planning authorities will need to review existing development plan policies for controlling opencase coal and related mineral extraction. To ensure early action, the Secretary of State is issuing a direction requiring all the relevant planning authorities to prepare and submit an alteration to their structure plan policies to bring them into line with the guidance. The Direction relating to the notification of certain applications to the Secretary of State, issued on 22 October 1998, remains in force, although it will be reviewed once the new guidance is reflected in planning authorities' structure plans.

  The Government do not envisage a prohibition on the working of opencast coal. However, NPPG 15 properly puts concern for communities and the environment at the heart of decision making by seeking to apply a sustainable approach in determining where extraction may take place. Full weight should be given to the effect and potential disturbance on local communities as well as other environmental considerations including nature conservation and the impact on the landscape. Where a proposal would cause demonstrable harm, the guidance is clear that permission should not be granted except where the benefits of the development proposal to the community would out-weigh the potential harm. The Government look to planning authorities to steer proposals to environmentally acceptable sites and, where necessary, to refuse consent where they judge such developments would not be in the overall best interests of the affected local communities and environment.

  A copy of the guidance is being placed in the House Library. Copies are also being widely circulated to those with an interest including planning authorities, the industry and environmental interests.

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

  Packaging Regulations
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the outcome of the review of the operation of the Packaging Waste Recovery Note system to demonstrate compliance with the Packaging Regulations. [80171]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I have considered the conclusions of the Advisory Committee on Packaging together with representations made in the course of the review of the Regulations. Obligated parties are keen to see greater transparency in reprocessors' treatment of Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) revenue so that they know that the resources they are putting in are being used as intended. I therefore propose the following changes to the PRN system in Scotland:(i) that as a condition of accreditation, reprocessors should provide an annual return to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) showing PRN revenue for the previous year; the proportion of PRN revenue that has been passed to others to develop the collection infrastructure; and what proportion was directed at either developing reprocessing capacity or at developing end-use markets for recycled materials. Details

  799
  should also be provided as to what additional capacity is planned and what steps have been taken to develop markets for recyclate.
  (ii) that PRNs should be issued to obligated parties only or to those representing them. In addition, individual businesses who are obligated members of the packaging chain and bring waste for reprocessing, should be given first refusal on the PRN when such waste is accepted for reprocessing.

  Reprocessors should therefore make reasonable forward provision for such obligated parties who wish to have PRNs, and I would expect the obligated parties also to do what they can to ensure that the reprocessors are informed as soon as possible about their PRN requirements.

  I will be asking SEPA to amend their Guidance Note to reflect these changes.

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

  Scottish Parliament (Tax)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the proportion of expenditure on the set-up costs of the tax varying powers of the Scottish Parliament which will have been incurred before the end of the 1999–2000 fiscal year for the(a) Inland Revenue and (b) Department of Social Security; and if he will make a statement. [79551]

  Mr. Dewar
  Work is currently in progress to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are in place to allow the tax varying powers to be used with effect from 6 April 2000 if the incoming Scottish Executive wishes to do so. If that work continues, therefore, all of the set-up costs for Inland Revenue and the Department of Social Security will have been incurred by then. It will, however, be a matter for the incoming Scottish Executive to decide whether or not this preparatory work should continue.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 16 February 1999,Official Report, columns 644–45, on the Scottish Parliament's tax-varying powers, if he will update his answer to reflect the changes to income tax bands and rates announced in the Budget statement. [78523]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 25 March 1999]: Following the measures announced in Budget 99 it is currently estimated for 2000–01 that the yield from a decision to increase the basic rate of income tax by one penny for Scottish taxpayers would be as follows:

  £million

  Gross

  230

  Net1

  225

  1 Net of Working Families Tax Credit and income related benefits: Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit

  Social Inclusion
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the amount of resources to be made available to increase the level of social inclusion under(a) working families tax credits, (b) the national minimum wage, (c) general practitioners for deprived communities,
  800
  (d) Listening To/Working for Communities and (e) New Deal for Communities Pathfinder projects for each of the next three years.[78714]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The estimated net value of the Working Families Tax Credit to families in Scotland is £170 million in 2000–01 and £180 million in 2001–02.

  It is estimated that 157,000 workers in Scotland will benefit from the introduction of the National Minimum Wage. An estimate of the value of this initiative to workers in Scotland is in preparation, and a letter will be sent to my hon. Friend.

  A total of £7.5 million in each of the next 3 years is being invested in payments to general practitioners working in deprived communities.

  Investment in the 2 strands of the New Deal for Communities in Scotland (Working for Communities and Listening to Communities) amounts to £3.3 million in 1999–2000, £3.3 million in 2000–01 and £6.3 million in 2001–02.

  From 1 July 1999, funding of health services in Scotland and the Working for Communities and Listening to Communities programmes will be matters for the Scottish Parliament.

  Census (Religious Affiliation)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what factors underlay the decision not to include a question about religious affiliation in the 2001 census form in Scotland; [79367]

  (2) what representations he has received from church and ethnic minority groups requesting a question about religious affiliation in the 2001 census form in Scotland. [79368]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Government's proposals for the 2001 Census of Population set out in the White Paper (CM 4253) published on 4 March were made after extensive consultation. Potential users were asked to submit business cases setting out the uses and value of collecting information from the Census for each topic. The criteria against which these cases were judged included an assessment of the resources that are distributed on the basis of the information, the value of the information for very small areas (which the Census in particular can provide), the existence or otherwise of alternative sources, the acceptability of the question to the form-filler, the quality of the information obtained, and the costs of collection.

  The main reason for the proposal not to include a question about religious affiliation in Scotland was that no strong case has been made by users in central and local government or elsewhere that the uses to which information from such a question would be put require a Census question (rather than obtaining the information from alternative approaches such as a sample survey). A change in primary legislation would also be required to ask a religion question in Scotland.

  Although, during consultation, Action of Churches Together in Scotland and the Scottish Council for Racial Equality indicated that they would like to see a religion question in the Census, a strong case was not established.
  801
  Since publication of the Government's proposals, representations have been received from Bailie Bashir Maan and Councillor Hanzala Malik, both of Glasgow City Council and the latter in his role as Chairperson of the West of Scotland Community Relations Council.

  Final decisions on the content of the Census in Scotland will be for the Scottish Parliament.

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

  Sheriffs (Retirement)
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy regarding the retirement ages of(a) sheriffs and (b) temporary sheriffs and (i) what policy change in relation to the retirement age of temporary sheriffs he has made since May 1997, (ii) what consultation he had about such policy change and (iii) with whom such consultation took place. [78763]

  Mr. McLeish
  Retiral ages for all Sheriffs are set by statute and no changes have been made, or are proposed, in relation to permanent sheriffs. Temporary Sheriffs are appointed for one year at a time and commissions are subject to review annually in the light of the needs of the courts. On the recommendation of the Lord Advocate, a number of Commissions of older Temporary Sheriffs have not been renewed to make way for the appointment of younger recruits who can be tested on their ability to move on to permanent posts. This policy has been discussed on two occasions with the Temporary Sheriffs Association. Individuals affected by the ruling have been invited to make representations and some Commissions have been extended where exceptional cases have been put forward.

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

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79642]

  Mr. Dewar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Secondments
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff, at what grade and what cost, are currently seconded from Overseas Trade Services to(a) Government Offices and (b) Business Links as export development consultants. [78437]
  802
  Mr. Wilson
  None.

  Export Development Counsellors are employed directly by Business Links and are recruited from the private sector with recent overseas commercial experience.

  There are currently 82 Export Development Counsellors (EDC) based at 69 Business Links. All Business Links require access to an EDC to obtain accreditation.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the grades and locations are of the staff seconded from Government Offices to Business Links to act as access points for overseas trade missions as set out in paragraph 19 of Sir Richard Wilson's review of export promotion. [78441]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have placed copies of the information matrix entitled "International Trade Teams in Business Links" in the Library of the House. The information is kept by British Trade International.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in the United Kingdom are currently employed in the production of electricity from(a) wind power, (b) solar power and (c) wave power. [73773]

  Mr. Battle
  The UK renewables industry currently employs some 3,500 people in 700 companies. The British Wind Energy Association estimate that of these there are around 2,600 full-time equivalent jobs currently engaged in the production of electricity from wind power. As I said in my recent announcement of the publication of our Renewables Review Document, on 30 March 1999,Official Report, columns 577–78, through creating an export drive, and by further developing the industry and the UK market, up to 45,000 jobs could be created.

  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the United Kingdom's energy needs were met by renewable energy sources(a) in 1979 and (b) in 1997. [73887]

  Mr. Battle
  In 1979 less than one third of a per cent. of the inland consumption of primary fuels in the United Kingdom were met from renewable sources, that is less than ¾ million tonnes of oil equivalent. This rose to 1.0 per cent. by 1997, equating to 2.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent.

  Currently, approximately 2 per cent. of UK's electricity is generated from renewable sources. We expect this to rise to 5 per cent. by 2003.

  The Government are working towards a target of renewable energy providing 10 per cent. of UK electricity supplies as soon as possible. We hope to achieve this by 2010.

  Structural Funds
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the UK has received in EU structural funds during the last five years; and what is his estimate for the next five years as a result of the Berlin summit. [79578]
  803
  Mr. Wills
  The UK has received total allocations of 11,990 meuro for the years 1995–99. At this time we cannot say what allocations will be for the next five years.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what ceiling for expenditure on structural funds in the period 2000 to 2006(a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of GDP was agreed at the Berlin summit. [79569]

  Mr. Wills
  Following agreement at the Berlin Council, the overall allocations for the Structural and Cohesion Funds in the 15 Member States over the period 2000–06 will total 213 beuro. In 1999 prices this is likely to be about 0.35 per cent. of the EU-15 GDP for the seven years.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of EU GDP which will be spent on EU structural funds in each of the next five years as a result of the agreement at the Berlin summit. [79570]

  Mr. Wills
  Following the agreement at the Berlin Council the allocations for the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds in the 15 member states is likely to be about the following percentages of the EU-15 GDP in each of the next five years;

  Year

  Percentage of EU GDP

  2000

  0.40

  2001

  0.38

  2002

  0.37

  2003

  0.35

  2004

  0.34

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which areas in the United Kingdom which are currently in receipt of Objective 2 and Objective 5b structural funds will continue to receive funds throughout 2000 to 2006 as a result of the Berlin summit agreement; [79567]

  (2) which areas in the United Kingdom which are currently in receipt of Objective 2 and Objective 5b structural funds will cease to be eligible as a result of the agreement at the Berlin summit; [79566]

  (3) what proportion of the United Kingdom population currently resides in areas eligible for Objective 2 and Objective 5b structural funding; and what proportion will reside in such areas from 2000; [79565]

  (4) what percentage of the population currently benefiting from EU structural funding under objectives 2 and 5b will continue to benefit as a result of the safety net agreed at the Berlin summit; [79563]

  (5) what proportion of the population of the EU will be eligible for EU structural funds as a result of the Berlin summit; [79560]

  (6) what arrangements for enabling the United Kingdom to have increased flexibility in designating eligible areas for assistance under the structural funds were concluded at the Berlin summit. [79564]
  804
  Mr. Wills
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 30 March 1999,Official Report, columns 576–77.

  Cohesion Fund
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which members of the EU which have been admitted to stage 3 of EMU will still be eligible for assistance from the Cohesion Fund; and to what extent after 1 January 2000 as a result of the Berlin summit; [79558]

  (2) what was agreed at the Berlin summit in respect of the future of the Cohesion Fund. [79568]

  Mr. Wills
  Following agreement of the Agenda 2000 package at the Berlin Council of Ministers on 25 March.

  It was concluded that the four current beneficiaries: Spain, Greece, Portugal and Ireland should continue to be eligible for funding in 2000 while they met the criteria. A review of eligibility based on 90 per cent. average GNP criterion will be undertaken at mid-term in 2003. In the event of a Member State becoming ineligible, resources for the Cohesion Fund will be reduced accordingly.

  The Council agreed that the overall level of resources available to be committed under the Cohesion Fund for the years 2000 to 2006 should be 18 billion euros. On the financial management and control provisions in the regulation it was concluded that there should be consistency with the relevant provisions of the Structural Fund regulation, subject to taking due account of the specific features of the Cohesion Fund.

  Timber Production Costs
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate what proportion of the differential in timber production costs between the Baltic States and the United Kingdom is attributable to lower wages. [74149]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 2 March 1999]: Recent information from UK industry sources, consistent with official data, indicates that in the UK an average wage in a modern sawmill is approximately an hourly rate of £7 (including employers' costs).

  Information from official statistical sources in the Baltic States indicates that the daily average rates in the Baltic States industry are in the range of £7–11 (including employers' costs). However, information from UK industry sources suggests that wage rates in some individual mills, such as modern sawmills, may be somewhat higher. The range of £7–11 is broadly consistent with International Labour Organisation estimates for wages in the much broader agriculture and timber products industries in the Baltic States.

  Assisted Area Status
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the working population of the United Kingdom is at present covered by assisted area status; and if he will estimate the percentage after 1 January 2000. [79559]
  805
  Mr. Wills
  The Commission Guidelines designate levels of coverage in terms of residence-based population. The current level for the United Kingdom is 38.3 per cent. In December 1998, the Commission informed the UK that the coverage of its Assisted Areas designated under Article 92(3)a and 92(3)c after 1 January 2000 should be no more than 28.7 per cent.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the criteria which are being used in drawing up the new map of assisted areas in the UK for submission to the European Commission. [79580]

  Mr. Wills
  The Government have not yet decided the criteria which it will use in drawing up the new Assisted Areas map. They will be published as soon as possible.

  Nuclear Waste Storage Plants
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has to expand nuclear waste storage plants at(a) Winfrith, (b) Aldermaston and (c) Harwell. [79510]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: I have no plans to expand the storage of nuclear waste at Winfrith and Harwell as this is an operational matter for the UKAEA which is subject to independent regulation by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) and the Environment Agency (EA) to ensure compliance with nuclear safety and environmental standards. I have therefore asked the Chairman of the UKAEA to write to my hon. Friend with the information required and to place a copy of his reply in the Library of the House.

  Aldermaston is a Ministry of Defence establishment and I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence for information about that site.

  Advisory Services
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what surveys he has undertaken of the provision of advisory services by(a) citizen's advice bureaux, (b) law centres, (c) local authorities and (d) voluntary bodies in each London borough; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the level of provision. [76233]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]: The level of support for advisory services is a matter for local authorities to consider in the light of local needs and priorities and the resources available to them. We are, however, concerned to ensure the provision of good quality, accessible advice to anyone who needs it. This is a central strand in our consumer strategy aimed at furthering our commitment to giving consumers a fair deal. A White Paper will be published in the summer.

  Northern Cyprus (Exports)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the value of exports from the territory of the Turkish Cypriot regime in Northern Cyprus to the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [79548]
  806
  Mr. Wilson
  The information requested is not available. HM Customs and Excise collect statistics for UK trade in goods with Cyprus as a whole. These data do not separately identify Northern Cyprus. Information on trade in services with Cyprus is not available.

  Company Law Harmonisation
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to promote the harmonisation of company law in the EU. [78917]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: A number of harmonising Directives in the field of company law have already been adopted or proposed.

  In addition, during its Presidency in 1998, the UK achieved significant progress on the proposal for a European Company Statute which will make it easier for companies with operations in more than one Member State to restructure their business.

  European Space Agency
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) each other EU member state provided to the European Space Agency in the last year for which figures are available. [78945]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: The UK's commitment to the European Space Agency in 1998 amounted to 186 MEuros. Other ESA Member States' commitments, including those which are not EU Member States, were as follows (also in MEuros):

  Member States

  Amount

  France

  632

  Germany

  553

  Italy

  269

  Belgium

  125

  Spain

  93

  Netherlands

  78

  Switzerland

  72

  Sweden

  60

  Austria

  30

  Denmark

  24

  Norway

  22

  Finland

  14

  Ireland

  6

  Export Licences
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1999,Official Report, column 406, if he will give details of the four licences granted for the export of military equipment to the Rwandan Government since 1 May 1997. [78980]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: These licences covered communications equipment, as noted in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 25 March. Inquiries have been made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, and I can accordingly disclose the following further details about these licences.
  807

  Issue date

  Goods covered

  Enduser

  4 June 1997

  50 HF Manpack stations comprising:

  Ministry of Defence

  50 HF transceiver 5 watt c/w technical manual

  100 Nicad batteries 12V

  50 battery chargers c/w technical manual

  15 September 1997

  2 HF transceiver 20 watt (export after repair)

  Ministry of Defence

  4 August 1997

  2 HF transceiver 20 watt (export after repair)

  Ministry of Defence

  9 December 1997

  2 HF transceiver 20 watt (export after repair)

  Ministry of Defence

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the professional bodies with responsibility for the conduct of those acting for his Department's Insolvency Service. [79035]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 29 March 1999]: Under the Insolvency Act 1986, only authorised persons may act as insolvency practitioners. Authorisation may be granted either by a professional body recognised by the Secretary of State or directly by the Secretary of State. Professional bodies are recognised on the basis that they have rules to ensure that practitioners have appropriate educational qualifications and experience and that they remain fit and proper.

  The recognised professional bodies are:

  The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

  The Insolvency Practitioners Association

  The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

  The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland

  The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

  The Law Society and The Law Society of Scotland.

  Workplace Surveillance
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had about placing a legal obligation on employers to consult their employees on surveillance at work; and if he will make a statement. [78491]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 25 March 1999]: I have not had any such discussions.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of employers using surveillance cameras in the workplace; and if he will make a statement. [78490]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 25 March 1999]: I have not made any estimate.

  Corporate Governance
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on when the consultation process on corporate governance will end. [78295]

  Mr. Byers
  The Department is playing an active role in promoting discussion on issues relating to good corporate governance both within the United Kingdom and in international fora. The rules on the governance of companies are, for example, being considered by the major review of company law announced by the Government in 808
  March 1998. The review is planning to publish a consultation document on key areas of corporate governance around the turn of the year.

  Utility Regulation
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his plans to make progress with the proposals which appear in his Department's White Paper, "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation the Response to Consultation". [78294]

  Mr. Byers
  Many of the proposals announced in the White Paper will require legislation. We will introduce this as soon as Parliamentary time permits. Other elements of the reform package either do not require legislation, or can be advanced ahead of legislation. Where this is the case, the Department is acting itself, or asking others to act. For example, the Department has appointed a single individual as both gas regulator and electricity regulator. The Department has also encouraged the regulators to carry forward work on the regulatory issues associated with multi-utilities.

  Employment Tribunals
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the expenses paid to witnesses attending employment tribunal hearings. [80125]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The expenses payable to parties, witnesses and others attending employment tribunal hearings were reviewed in December and increases took effect from 1 February. The following expenses may now be claimed:travel expenses in excess of £5 including, exceptionally, the cost of travel from overseas where this is in the interests of justice;
  overnight expenses of up to £81 per night (previously £63.30) in central London and £71 (previously £54.30) elsewhere. Additional payment may be made to people with a disability where there is a shortage of suitable local accommodation within a reasonable price range;
  a loss of earnings allowance of up to £45 per day (previously £40);
  child and adult care allowances of up to £5 per hour (previously limited to child care and a limit of £2 per hour). Additional payments may be made where special needs are established;
  the cost of a helper where, because of a medical condition, a party/witness needs to be accompanied;
  reasonable charges for professional interpreters, including interpreters for the deaf/blind; and
  reasonable charges for the attendance of medical professionals or the production of medical reports.

  These changes will be particularly important in responding to the needs of those with family

  809
  commitments or who have a disability. They will be of extra benefit to those who need the money most and will ensure that people can obtain access to the tribunals.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce a statutory right to time off work to serve as an employment tribunal wing member. [79009]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Section 50(2) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 provides the right to reasonable time off work for this purpose.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he plans to take to increase the number of wing members of employment tribunals from minority ethnic groups. [79008]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government are reviewing the process of recruitment and appointment of employment tribunal wing members and a consultation paper setting out our proposals has been sent to the social partners.

  A major aim of the review is to ensure that members are drawn from as wide a variety of backgrounds as possible, including the ethnic minorities. Measures to achieve this include placing advertisements which will foster applications from the ethnic minorities amongst others, and ensuring that all stages of the recruitment and selection process are in line with equal opportunities principles. We are taking advice on this from bodies such as the Commission for Racial Equality.

  Competition Commission
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the establishment of the Competition Commission. [801231

  Mr. Byers
  I am pleased to announce that the Competition Commission will be established on 1 April. The Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs made the relevant commencement and other necessary orders on 25 February and 2 March.

  The current Chairman of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, Dr. Derek Morris, will become the first Chairman of the Competition Commission.

  I am further pleased to announce, following consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, the appointment of Judge Christopher Bellamy QC, currently British judge at the Court of First Instance of the European Communities in Luxembourg, as the first President of the Appeal Tribunals of the Competition Commission.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate his Department has made of the likely impact on the targets for emissions of gases agreed at Kyoto of(a) the lifting of the moratorium on gas-fired powered stations in the UK and (b) the lifting of the moratorium on gas-fired powered stations in the UK accompanied by the phasing out of coal-fired power stations. [79358]
  810
  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 30 March 1999]: The White Paper of October 1998, 'Conclusions of The Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee' (Cm 4071), set out the Government's programme of reform in the electricity market and introduced a stricter policy on consents for gas-fired stations to protect diversity and security of supply while the programme of reform was under way. The White Paper discussed the environmental aspects of the Government's policy in chapter 9 (`Achieving sustainable energy supplies'). An environmental appraisal was provided as Annex H.

  Unfair Dismissal Claims
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list for(a) small and medium enterprises and (b) larger companies the number of claims for unfair dismissal that were made after (i) two, (ii) three, (iii) four, (iv) five and (v) 10 years employment, in each of the three most recent years. [76668]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]: The information is not available in the form requested.

  Parental 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 extra number of employees who will receive maternity leave as a result of the reduction in the minimum employment period for eligibility to one year. [76673]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]: The Regulatory Impact Assessment which was published alongside the Employment Relations Bill estimates that 23,000 mothers will take more maternity leave as a result of this change. The data are not broken down by size or firm.

  Consumer Affairs Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the agenda for the EU Consumer Affairs Council of 13 April. [79577]

  Dr. Howells
  The Consumer Council on 13 April 1999 will debate the following issues:Exchange of views and adoption of a Council Resolution on the Commission Communication on the Consumer Policy Action Plan 1999–2001;
  Policy debate on a Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Distance Marketing of Consumer Financial Services and amending Directives 90/619/EEC, 97/7/EC and 98/27/EC.

  Civil Servants (Appraisal)
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the appraisal performance markings awarded to civil servants in 1998 for(a) each agency in his Department and (b) the Department broken down by (i) grade, (ii) gender, (iii) ethnicity, (iv) part-time/full-time working and (v) disability; and for (1) each agency and (2) the Department, if the Cabinet Office's four fifths rule for detecting potential adverse impact was applied to the appraisal markings of civil servants in the 1998 report round. [78139]
  811
  Dr. Howells
  The appraisal performance markings awarded to civil servants in Department of Trade and Industry headquarters in 1997–98 broken down by the various groups are given in the percentages.

  Per cent.

  Box mark

  1

  2+

  2

  3+

  3 and under

  Ranges 1–2

  3.59

  11.21

  23.32

  39.46

  22.42

  100.00

  Ranges 3–4

  2.88

  14.66

  33.46

  37.47

  11.53

  100.00

  Ranges 5–6

  2.29

  15.59

  36.77

  35.62

  9.73

  100.00

  Ranges 7–8

  3.02

  18.79

  41.00

  31.01

  6.18

  100.00

  Ranges 9–11

  4.38

  23.71

  40.04

  28.49

  3.39

  100.00

  SCS

  11.11

  28.99

  29.95

  28.99

  0.97

  100.00

  Per cent.

  Box mark

  1

  2+

  2

  3+

  3 and under

  Men

  3.30

  18.51

  36.20

  33.39

  8.60

  100.00

  Women

  4.32

  19.10

  37.25

  32.39

  6.95

  100.00

  White

  4.10

  20.31

  37.42

  31.08

  7.09

  100.00

  Ethnic

  2.15

  11.94

  30.53

  42.47

  12.92

  100.00

  Status unknown

  2.54

  14.86

  39.49

  35.51

  7.61

  100.00

  Part-time

  2.88

  15.23

  34.16

  41.15

  6.58

  100.00

  Full-time

  3.77

  18.99

  36.79

  32.42

  8.03

  100.00

  Disabled1

  2.61

  18.95

  30.72

  37.26

  10.46

  100.00

  1 self-nomination of a disability, not necessarily falling within the definition in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

  The Department's statistics directorate was commissioned to analyse data for headquarters staff to ascertain whether there is evidence to suggest any potential adverse impact in box markings received. The technique of categorical modelling was used for this analysis, being far more robust than the 'four-fifth' rule and with the advantage of being able to identify any interrelationships between several factors, for example, ethnicity, gender, grades and box mark as opposed to the relationship between just two variables, for example, ethnicity and box mark received.

  I have asked the chief executives of the DTI's Agencies to write to my hon. Friend direct. Copies of these letters have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Race Discrimination Cases
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many race discrimination cases have been heard at employment tribunals in London since May 1997. [79006]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  There are three employment tribunals which cover London and its surrounding areas, London North, Stratford and London South. Since April 1997 these tribunals have heard 1,889 race discrimination cases.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of those employment tribunals in London which heard race discrimination cases since May 1997, included a wing member from a minority ethnic group. [79010]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  There are three employment tribunals which cover London and its surrounding areas. 391 lay members have been appointed to hear cases 812
  in these tribunals, 50 of whom are known to be from ethnic minority groups. In addition to member from ethnic minority groups there is a panel of special members who are available to sit on discrimination cases because of their experience and knowledge.

  Information is not readily available to enable us to identify how many ethnic minority members have heard race discrimination cases and could only be supplied at disproportionate cost.

  The Government are reviewing the process of recruitment and appointment of employment tribunal wing members and a consultation paper setting out our proposals has been sent to the social partners. A major aim of the review is to ensure that members are drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds as possible, including the ethnic minorities.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Low Pay Commission's Review of the National Minimum Wage Accommodation Offset. [80124]

  Mr. Byers
  During the drafting of the National Minimum Wage regulations 1999 the Government received a number of submissions from employers and intentional communities about the operation and amount of offset that may be allowed to count against the National Minimum Wage where a worker is provided with accommodation, and its long term future. The Government fully recognise that the offset is an important factor in pay in some sectors, such as hotel and catering, and that if set at the wrong level it would have a detrimental impact for those sectors and their employees.

  Because the offset in the regulations reflects the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission, the Government asked the Commission to look again at this issue as a matter of urgency and report to Government. The Government is today publishing its report and copies are available in the Vote Office.

  The Government would like to thank the Commission for looking at this matter so quickly.

  The Commission has made three recommendations:
  (1) There should be no immediate change to the rate of the accommodation offset in the national Minimum wage regulations, but the Commission should monitor the use and impact of the accommodation offset on business and employees.
  (2) The Commission should monitor the administration of the accommodation offset and, in the light of practical experience, report on its future application in their second report.
  (3) Members of intentional communities should be regarded as volunteers rather than workers, and not covered by the National Minimum Wage.

  In considering the matter the Commission looked again at the evidence and basis for their earlier recommendation and took further oral and written evidence. They also looked at current practice through collective agreements, arrangements under the Agricultural Wages Boards, previous practice under the Wages Council and arrangements in other countries. The Commission concluded that there was little evidence at this stage that businesses could not cope with the level recommended and that therefore no changes should be made at this time.

  813
  However, it recognised that it would be important to monitor the operation of the offset in light of practical experience and the application of the National Minimum Wage Regulations. It proposes that it should do this as part of its remit to monitor and evaluate the introduction and impact of the national minimum wage. The Commission has agreed with the Office for National Statistics a trailer question to the 1999 New Earnings Survey which it is hoped will provide a clearer insight into the practice of providing an accommodation allowance.

  The Government agree with the Commission's conclusions and accept their recommendations not to change the offset at this time. However, the Government are keen that the Commission should closely monitor the practical effects of its application. The Government also note the Commission's acknowledgement that the continuation of the offset is of significance for a number of businesses and workers and welcome its intention to undertake a full review of its next Report.

  The Commission also looked at the position of individuals who follow a particular lifestyle living and working as members of a religious or charitable community—intentional communities—in receipt of board and lodging and a small amount of subsistence. The Commission concluded that the position of members of intentional communities was similar to that of volunteers, who are specifically excluded from the National Minimum Wage, and that they should be treated as such. The exclusion of volunteers in the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, which was agreed with the support of all parties and the voluntary sector, is drawn very narrowly and does not cover members of intentional communities. It will therefore be necessary to amend the 1998 Act to provide an exclusion.

  The Government accept the Commission's recommendation that members of intentional communities should not be covered by the National Minimum Wage and propose to introduce a suitable amendment to the 1998 Act through the Employment Relations Bill which is currently before Parliament.

  Kenya (Tear Gas and Rubber Batons)
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about licences issued to Pains-Wessex Ltd. and Haley and Weller Ltd. for the export to the Kenyan security forces of tear gas canisters and rubber batons. [80168]

  Dr. Howells
  I can confirm that a licence was issued to Pains-Wessex Ltd. on 16 December 1992 for the export to the Kenyan Police of 150 Mk 2 multi-purpose guns, 2,000 rubber batons and 1,500 CS gas grenades. Another licence was issued to Haley and Weller Ltd. on 22 July 1994 for the export to the Kenyan Police of 500 rubber batons and 500 CS gas grenades. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Finally, my officials have been informed by the Chief Executive of Chemring Group plc, the parent company of both of these companies, that neither Haley and Weller nor Pains-Wessex Ltd. has supplied any further products of this type to Kenya, and also that Chemring Group plc is keen to establish an ethical policy and has had a meeting with Amnesty International on this matter.
  814

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) of 12 March 1999,Official Report, column 407, on nuclear waste, what was the source of the advice on which he based his answer. [78989]

  Mr. Battle
  The answer in question reflected the situation at the time it was given, which remains unchanged. I also refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 23 March 1999,Official Report, column 140.

  Trademarks
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the Government's policy in relation to trademarks and the effects on parallel imports; and if he will make a statement. [80126]

  Dr. Howells
  The Silhouette Judgment of the European Court of Justice last July confirmed as a matter of law that the European trade marks Directive does allow trade mark owners to use their rights to prevent import of their goods into the Community after they have been marketed elsewhere.

  The Government are keen to ensure that European legislation gives high priority to the interests of consumers, whilst recognising the legitimate interests of producers in securing reasonable protection for their intellectual property. Parallel importing can apply downward pressure on prices in some markets to the advantage of consumers, but producers' investment in innovation and in developing product quality and reputation could be impaired to the detriment of consumers. Price differences in some consumer sectors now indicate that there is a need to consider the effects of the current law, and whether any change would be of benefit.

  The effects of trade mark rights and parallel imports vary greatly between market sectors and this would have to be taken into account. In particular, there are sectors where special factors apply, for example where there are material differences between products for different international markets sufficient to lead to consumer confusion or where there is risk to health or safety.

  The Government have considered the recent report from the European Commission on the results of a study it has had made into the economic effects of the present trade marks regime, and is pleased that this will be discussed at the next meeting of the Internal Market Council. We are also aware of recent research conducted in Sweden, which indicates net benefits from a change in the law. We will be looking closely at the methodology and results of this Swedish study, and will be analysing the benefits and costs that could accrue to the United Kingdom.

  Exhibitions
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will reassess his Department's decision to delete the Nederlands Tuinbuow Vakbeurs Exhibition from the list of exhibitions to receive support in 1999; and if he will make a statement. [79848]
  815
  Mr. Wilson
  No. My Department received three times as many bids for support from the available budget and I regret it was not possible to assist a group at this event in that year. We are ready to consider a bid for support in the 2000–2001 programme.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what environmental appraisals of policy his Department has(a) completed, (b) started and (c) planned. [79623]

  Mr. Battle
  This information is being collated and a written answer will be forthcoming from a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, following the Easter recess.

  UK balance of trade with the EU countries 1969–98

  £ million, current prices

  Austria

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  Denmark

  Finland

  France

  Germany

  Greece

  Balance of trade in goods

  1969

  8

  105

  -49

  -72

  -12

  -48

  42

  1970

  10

  95

  -54

  -64

  -30

  -44

  39

  1971

  6

  66

  -69

  -72

  -52

  -114

  56

  1972

  -8

  19

  -112

  -109

  -95

  -259

  52

  1973

  -42

  -33

  -149

  -163

  -294

  -580

  51

  1974

  -49

  -57

  -147

  -264

  -430

  -888

  38

  1975

  -38

  -185

  -177

  -136

  -457

  -728

  55

  1976

  -21

  -184

  -47

  -271

  -345

  -948

  86

  1977

  -16

  -280

  -12

  -246

  -523

  -1,122

  128

  1978

  -86

  -156

  -124

  -288

  -696

  -1,458

  113

  1979

  -89

  -382

  -65

  -381

  -987

  -1,631

  122

  1980

  -32

  -137

  -76

  -268

  -247

  -545

  92

  1981

  -106

  -387

  -131

  -324

  -342

  -437

  90

  1982

  -151

  -542

  -238

  -410

  248

  -2,061

  104

  1983

  -164

  -560

  -353

  -454

  633

  -3,706

  115

  1984

  -208

  -649

  -463

  -545

  1,127

  -3,711

  75

  1985

  -251

  -688

  -342

  -617

  1,143

  -3,832

  15

  1986

  -304

  -272

  -546

  -679

  -1,141

  -5,698

  45

  1987

  -319

  -504

  -643

  -754

  -580

  -6,476

  89

  1988

  -350

  -637

  -842

  -974

  -969

  -8,032

  116

  1989

  -333

  -787

  -1,018

  -962

  -1,237

  -8,890

  179

  1990

  -258

  -100

  -875

  -734

  -863

  -6,879

  281

  1991

  -152

  374

  -833

  -681

  778

  -3,158

  289

  1992

  -146

  -10

  -824

  -680

  -697

  -3,816

  405

  1993

  -57

  342

  -533

  -761

  -1,388

  -3,982

  575

  1994

  15

  204

  -373

  -983

  -1,495

  -4,753

  580

  1995

  203

  311

  -83

  -785

  -1,076

  -5,989

  627

  1996

  114

  -93

  -143

  -843

  -738

  -6,580

  767

  1997

  -246

  -699

  -246

  -1,001

  -1,337

  -5,223

  647

  1998

  -190

  -1,131

  -130

  -949

  -1,345

  -4,848

  670

  Balance of trade in services

  1988

  -198

  163

  71

  44

  -157

  -374

  -394

  1989

  -129

  159

  72

  79

  -449

  -452

  -372

  1990

  -148

  110

  74

  80

  -707

  -469

  -433

  1991

  -126

  153

  81

  65

  -786

  -324

  -447

  1992

  -98

  200

  130

  109

  -962

  46

  -515

  1993

  -115

  241

  158

  106

  -942

  409

  -554

  1994

  -93

  424

  130

  99

  -1,139

  400

  -661

  1995

  -34

  430

  159

  158

  -1,106

  747

  -536

  1996

  11

  506

  146

  286

  -966

  168

  -360

  1997

  -15

  249

  317

  229

  -1,773

  1,284

  -314

  1998

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  816

  Trade Balance
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the United Kingdom's trade balance with other EU countries in each year since 1969. [78943]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]: The information is in the following tables. Figures for trade in goods have been provided on an Overseas Trade Statistics (OTS) basis. Figures for trade in services are on a Balance of Payments (BOP) basis. The main difference between trade on an OTS and BOP basis is that BOP figures exclude goods not changing ownership. In 1998 this resulted in a difference of less than 1 per cent. in the export values. Import figures on a BOP basis also exclude the cost of insurance and freight. In 1998 this resulted in a difference of just under 3 per cent. in the import values.
  817

  UK balance of trade with the EU countries 1969–98

  £ million, current prices

  Austria

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  Denmark

  Finland

  France

  Germany

  Greece

  Balance of trade in goods and services

  1988

  -548

  -474

  -771

  -930

  -1,126

  -8,406

  -278

  1989

  -462

  -628

  -946

  -883

  -1,686

  -9,342

  -193

  1990

  -406

  10

  -801

  -654

  -1,570

  -7,348

  -152

  1991

  -278

  527

  -752

  -616

  -8

  -3,482

  -158

  1992

  -244

  190

  -694

  -571

  -1,659

  -3,770

  -110

  1993

  -172

  583

  -375

  -655

  -2,330

  -3,573

  21

  1994

  -78

  628

  -243

  -884

  -2,634

  -4,353

  -81

  1995

  169

  741

  76

  -627

  -2,182

  -5,242

  91

  1996

  125

  413

  3

  -557

  -1,704

  -6,412

  407

  1997

  -261

  -450

  71

  -772

  -3,110

  -3,939

  333

  1998

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Ireland

  Italy

  Netherlands

  Portugal

  Spain

  Sweden

  EU total

  Balance of trade in goods

  1969

  42

  -12

  -110

  1

  21

  -31

  -115

  1970

  39

  -9

  -81

  1

  13

  -7

  -92

  1971

  -6

  -34

  -100

  -1

  14

  -24

  -322

  1972

  24

  -68

  -165

  -12

  33

  -107

  -803

  1973

  84

  -121

  -307

  -41

  -4

  -224

  -1,824

  1974

  2

  -212

  -651

  -50

  -4

  -200

  -2,903

  1975

  -27

  -243

  -753

  -44

  21

  -58

  -2,769

  1976

  200

  -276

  -921

  27

  -6

  -138

  -2,829

  1977

  325

  -556

  -348

  71

  25

  -66

  -2,593

  1978

  422

  -805

  -266

  29

  -71

  -168

  -3,541

  1979

  862

  -1,016

  -381

  -34

  -188

  -61

  -4,228

  1980

  877

  -401

  449

  56

  -113

  160

  -183

  1981

  994

  -604

  105

  33

  -79

  71

  -1,105

  1982

  885

  -713

  128

  48

  -49

  266

  -2,537

  1983

  766

  -918

  337

  -79

  58

  340

  -4,044

  1984

  758

  -907

  11

  -259

  -351

  484

  -4,674

  1985

  814

  -830

  786

  -256

  -238

  563

  -3,730

  1986

  499

  -1,210

  -1,181

  -298

  117

  -450

  -11,137

  1987

  344

  -1,071

  -1,291

  -148

  75

  -630

  -11,941

  1988

  243

  -1,645

  -2,602

  -103

  268

  -1,136

  -16,663

  1989

  465

  -2,060

  -2,923

  -122

  359

  -1,311

  -18,640

  1990

  801

  -1,146

  -3,011

  -146

  868

  -896

  -12,958

  1991

  853

  -245

  -1,837

  36

  1,679

  -696

  -3,593

  1992

  693

  -612

  -1,396

  -1

  1,513

  -841

  -6,412

  1993

  785

  -655

  -974

  117

  1,134

  -708

  -6,105

  1994

  1,219

  -736

  -561

  -36

  1,426

  -837

  -6,330

  1995

  764

  -366

  851

  5

  1,770

  -376

  -4,144

  1996

  1,448

  -795

  1,090

  17

  1,711

  -356

  -4,401

  1997

  1,896

  -1,434

  1,468

  -32

  1,588

  -292

  -4,911

  1998

  1,673

  -1,147

  -624

  -90

  1,298

  -22

  -6,835

  Balance of trade in services

  1988

  261

  265

  109

  -277

  -1,605

  129

  -1,793

  1989

  279

  225

  64

  -252

  -1,391

  209

  -1,862

  1990

  274

  285

  44

  -251

  -1,177

  241

  -1,972

  1991

  286

  326

  -13

  -278

  -1,181

  239

  -1,894

  1992

  354

  384

  37

  -288

  -1,301

  326

  -996

  1993

  358

  345

  114

  -278

  -1,659

  324

  -1,135

  1994

  584

  231

  33

  -274

  -2,107

  297

  1,763

  1995

  880

  323

  157

  -339

  -2,391

  366

  -813

  1996

  991

  233

  292

  -322

  -2,164

  374

  -588

  1997

  802

  -56

  598

  -511

  -2,604

  435

  -1,100

  1998

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  -2,328

  Balance of trade in goods and services

  1988

  504

  -1,380

  -2,493

  -380

  -1,337

  -1,007

  -18,456

  1989

  744

  -1,835

  -2,859

  -374

  -1,032

  -1,102

  -20,502

  1990

  1,075

  -861

  -2,967

  -397

  -309

  -655

  -14,930

  1991

  1,139

  81

  -1,850

  -242

  498

  -457

  -5,487

  1992

  1,047

  -228

  -1,359

  -289

  212

  -515

  -7,408

  1993

  1,143

  -310

  -860

  -161

  -525

  -384

  -7,240

  1994

  1,803

  -505

  -528

  -310

  -681

  -540

  -8,093

  1995

  1,644

  -43

  1,008

  -334

  -621

  -10

  -4,957

  818 819

  Ireland

  Italy

  Netherlands

  Portugal

  Spain

  Sweden

  EU total

  1996

  2,439

  -562

  1,382

  -305

  -453

  18

  -4,989

  1997

  2,698

  -1,490

  2,066

  -543

  -1,016

  143

  -6,011

  1998

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  -9,163

  Note:

  Figures for trade in goods are on an Overseas Trade Statistics (OTS) basis. Figures for trade in services are on a Balance of Payments (BOP) basis. Trade with EU institutions is included in the EU Total. Information on UK trade in services is only available from 1988.

  Sources:

  Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics (MRETS), ONS

  UK Trade in Services, ONS

  Annual Abstract of Statistics, ONS

  Oftel
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what preparations are being made by Oftel in respect of his responsibilities under the Competition Act 1998; what increase in staff is required; and what action is being taken to co-ordinate policy with the Director General of Fair Trading. [77686]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 22 March 1999]: Oftel is a member of the Concurrency Working Party, which is chaired by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and is working to ensure that a consistent approach is being taken by all regulators. A guideline "Concurrent Application to Regulated Industries", which deals with how regulators work with the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) and with each other, has been produced by the Concurrency Working Party and issued by the DGFT. Oftel has also published draft guidelines on how the Competition Act will be applied in the telecommunications sector, and the final version is to be published in May. A compliance forum for the industry is to take place at the end of April 1999. In February, the DTI issued a consultation document, "Concurrency: consultation on the possible need and scope for regulations".

  Oftel has put in place a structured training programme to ensure that staff are prepared for the coming into force of the Act, and is also participating in the training programme organised by the OFT. The issue of whether additional staff are required is reviewed regularly. Oftel has not yet bid for more staff.

  Cassini Space Probe
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made by the British Government to the European Space Agency about the environmental risks of the Cassini space probe; and when such representations were made. [77935]

  Mr. Battle
  The British Government have been in close contact with the European Space Agency in both the preparation and elaboration of the Cassini-Huygens mission and have discussed all aspects of the mission with ESA on a number of occasions.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the British Government have obtained a copy of the European Space Agency's evaluation of the Cassini space probe. [77936]

  Mr. Battle
  The Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moon Titan is a collaborative programme between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Within this collaboration, NASA was responsible for developing 820
  the Cassini spacecraft. NASA commissioned two independent safety assessments and has produced a document summarising the findings which is available on the internet.

  ESA was responsible for developing the Huygens space probe. Senior ESA Directors attended major NASA programme reviews during the development of Cassini and reported to member states on major milestones. These reports were given orally during the course of the Agency's normal programme board meetings.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made by the British Government to the Government of the United States about the environment risks of NASA's Cassini space probe; and when such representations were made. [77933]

  Mr. Battle
  The BNSC has examined the two independent environmental impact statements commissioned by NASA prior to the launch of the Cassini-Huygens mission. Both of these endorsed the use of plutonium on the mission. In addition, under US law, NSA has a duty to minimise the risks associated with its work, as well as a responsibility to conform to the United Nations Principles on the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space (1992), an initiative in which the UK took a leading role.

  Miners (Compensation)
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if Scottish miners will be compensated for exposure to coal dust from 1947 onwards in any handling agreement concluded in respect of Scottish cases; [78758]

  (2) by what date he expects that a handling agreement will be concluded in respect of bronchitis and emphysema care involving Scottish miners; [78759]

  (3) if he will ensure that exposure to coal dust in the period before 1954 is not discounted for the purposes of compensation in any handling agreement concluded in respect of claims for compensation by Scottish miners for bronchitis and emphysema. [78757]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 26 March 1999]: Officials held constructive and positive talks with Scottish solicitors on 30 March, and are due to meet in April, to discuss handling arrangements for the 5,000 or so claims from Scottish miners. Although we offered the handling arrangements that were agreed on 26 March for England and Wales, we recognise that there are differences in Scottish law and we discussed with the Solicitors how

  821
  those differences might best be dealt with in any Scottish handling arrangements. We hope to finalise the arrangements for handling Scottish claims shortly.

  Multinational Companies
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which members of his Department had discussions with GJW, and on how many occasions and what dates concerning the wish by Cape plc to amend the Access to Justice Bill [Lords] to ban foreign workers of British companies obtaining legal aid; and whether the statement by officials that they would not be keen to see any developments which discouraged multinationals from locating their headquarters in the United Kingdom was made with the knowledge of Ministers. [78747]

  Mr. Wills
  One of my officials recalls receiving a telephone call in early March from a Mr. Weeks, who did not identify himself as being from GJW, about inward investment. During this conversation the point was made that HMG supports inward investment into the UK. Cape plc were not mentioned during the conversation and it was not reported to Ministers.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria he uses in relation to a multinational's conduct and working practices abroad to assess the desirability of the company locating its headquarters in the United Kingdom. [78743]

  Mr. Wills
  Multinationals who choose to locate their headquarters in the UK do so because the UK provides the right business environment in which they can flourish. Key features of top performing companies are the effectiveness and quality of their management and the commitment which that inspires in their workforce. Whilst the Government seek, through international bodies such as the UN, to improve working practices abroad they do not seek to vet the practices of individual companies that wish to establish headquarters in the UK. The Government are committed to creating a corporate culture in the UK where fairness is second nature. The National Minimum Wage Act 1998, the Working Time Regulations and the Employment Relations Bill will ensure that workers have minimum standards of protection.

  Oil Spills
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the oil spills from BHP platforms in Liverpool Bay on(a) 2 March and (b) 6 March; and if he will make a statement. [77955]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 22 March 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 17 March 1999, Official Report, columns 701–02.

  The field remains shut in and the investigation continues. In the course of this investigation, on 15 March, BHP Petroleum also reported an oil spill from their Douglas installation that had occurred on 2 March. This is being investigated in conjunction with the spill of 6 March.

  Pangea Resources Inc.
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received concerning BNFL Ltd. investment in Pangea Resources Inc. [77096]
  822
  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 16 March 1999]: My Department has received no representation concerning BNFL Ltd. investment in Pangea Resources Inc. However, I have received representations from the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Allan) on behalf of a constituent who expressed concern over the impact of the Pangea project on Aboriginal communities and lands.

HEALTH

  Free Eye Checks (Pensioners)
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate how many pensioners in the Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency are eligible for free eye checks. [73374]

  Mr. Denham
  We are unable to make meaningful estimates for such a small area. Nationally, we estimate that about 21 million people are eligible for free National Health Service sight tests and, from 1 April 1999, some 6 to 7 million more people aged 60 and over will become eligible. The number of people aged 60 or over in 1997 in the North and Yorkshire Regional area was 1,321,000.

  Nurses' Pay
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will forecast what the average weekly earnings of nurses will be in 1999–2000 using April 1998 prices. [74023]

  Mr. Denham
  Based on the Department's August 1997 Earnings Survey, uprated to take account of pay settlements up to and including 1 April 1999, the estimate of average gross earnings for all nursing and midwifery staff in 1999–2000 is £361 per week (equivalent to £18,800 per annum) and for qualified nurses alone £400 per week (equivalent to £20,800 per annum). It is not possible to express this estimate in April 1998 prices until inflation data are available for the 1999–2000 period.

  Nurse Statistics
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent(a) bank, (b) agency and (c) contract nurses were employed, and at what cost, by each NHS trust for each year since their creation. [75038]

  Mr. Denham
  The information that is available centrally will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities which do not make beta interferon available on the NHS to patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. [78451]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 24 March 1999]: The information requested is not available. Guidance to the National Health Service was issued in November 1995 asking health authorities to develop and implement local arrangements to manage the entry of this drug.
  823
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities in the United Kingdom which prescribe beta interferon to treat MS sufferers. [78994]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available, since the majority of beta interferon prescribing should take place in hospitals and hospital prescribing and dispensing data are not held centrally.

  A and E Departments (Wakefield)
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the allocation of additional funds for the accident and emergency departments at the(a) Pontefract and (b) Pinderfields hospitals in the Wakefield district. [78720]

  Mr. Hutton
  Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals National Health Service Trust has been allocated £115,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund to improve the resuscitation, assessment and waiting room facilities in the accident and emergency departments at both Pinderfields General hospital and Pontefract General infirmary.

  Waiting Lists
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the numbers of patients on waiting lists in each NHS trust and health authority in the north-west region(a) currently, (b) one year ago and (c) two years ago. [78786]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is shown in the tables.

  Numbers of patients on waiting lists in the north west region—health authority

  March 1997

  March 1998

  February 1999

  Bury and Rochdale

  9,894

  10,943

  9,824

  East Lancashire

  13,173

  15,339

  13,374

  Liverpool

  12,711

  12,883

  11,680

  Manchester

  12,172

  12,851

  11,162

  Morecambe Bay

  7,436

  7,550

  7,007

  North West Lancashire

  13,001

  14,170

  12,948

  North Cheshire

  8,923

  10,484

  9,652

  Salford and Trafford

  13,455

  14,352

  13,200

  Sefton

  9,239

  8,915

  8,086

  South Cheshire

  16,628

  18,048

  15,273

  South Lancashire

  10,092

  10,414

  9,354

  St. Helen and Knowsley

  9,920

  9,966

  8,935

  Stockport

  6,541

  8,262

  7,774

  West Pennine

  14,223

  15,016

  13,684

  Wigan and Bolton

  16,122

  16,379

  14,917

  Wirral

  6,354

  6,661

  5,722

  Regional Total

  179,884

  192,233

  172,592

  Numbers of patients on waiting lists in the north west region—NHS Trusts

  March 1997

  March 1998

  February 1999

  Aintree Hospital

  10,251

  9,105

  8,364

  Bay Community

  6

  6

  0

  Blackburn, Hyndbum and Ribble

  5,840

  6,569

  5,450

  Blackpool Victoria Hospital

  8,392

  9,866

  8,838

  Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Corn

  36

  20

  22

  Bolton Hospitals

  5,938

  5,794

  5,210

  824

  Numbers of patients on waiting lists in the north west region— NHS Trusts

  March 1997

  March 1998

  February 1999

  Burnley Healthcare

  4,903

  6,157

  5,257

  Cardiothoracic Centre

  1,426

  1,417

  1,400

  Central Manchester Healthcare

  12,319

  12,531

  11,564

  Chorley and South Ribble

  1,857

  2,121

  2,185

  Christie Hospital

  964

  965

  1,073

  Clatterbridge Centre

  67

  89

  80

  Countess of Chester

  7,618

  7,436

  6,488

  East Cheshire

  2,022

  2,824

  2,261

  Halton General

  1,922

  2,280

  1,801

  Liverpool Women's

  1,114

  1,109

  919

  Manchester Children's

  2,801

  3,260

  2,881

  Mental Health Services Salford

  54

  114

  70

  Mid-Cheshire Hospital

  5,873

  6,933

  5,863

  Morcambe Bay Hospitals

  7,482

  7,148

  6,706

  North Manchester

  5,787

  6,002

  4,727

  North Mersey Community

  239

  158

  92

  Oldham

  8,436

  8,332

  7,467

  Preston Acute

  8,970

  8,500

  7,658

  Rochdale Healthcare

  4,464

  4,684

  4,183

  Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen

  8,934

  9,170

  8,642

  Royal Liverpool Children's

  1,695

  2,275

  2,140

  Salford Royal Hospitals

  5,241

  6,368

  6,074

  South Manchester University

  6,764

  7,292

  6,877

  Southport and Formby Community

  1

  0

  0

  Southport and Formby Acute

  4,197

  4,122

  3,664

  St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals

  8,596

  8,217

  7,216

  Stockport Acute Services

  6,323

  8,120

  7,739

  Stockport Healthcare

  1

  0

  0

  Tameside and Glossop Acute

  3,216

  3,704

  3,334

  Trafford Healthcare

  4,109

  3,754

  3,193

  Walton Centre

  669

  669

  586

  Warrington Hospital

  6,446

  8,127

  7,775

  West Lancashire

  2,411

  2,735

  2,481

  Wigan and Leigh Health Services

  7,694

  8,234

  7,343

  Wirral and West Cheshire Comm

  88

  36

  8

  Wirral Hospital

  5,504

  5,678

  4,943

  Wrightington Hospitals

  2,643

  2,604

  2,683

  Regional Total

  185,536

  196,962

  177,445

  Nurse Recruitment
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls from former nurses in(a) total and (b) Portsmouth have been received by the recruitment helpline since its inception. [78946]

  Mr. Denham
  As at 29 March, the number of inquiries to the response line for the national nursing recruitment campaign was 52,344. Our analysis of these inquiries shows that of these 4,972 were from former nurses and that 72 of these were form the Portsmouth area.

  Allergies
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the five most frequent sources of reported allergies deriving from(a) food, (b) over the counter medicines and (c) prescription only medicines and the number of recorded cases in each category during the last 12 months for which figures are available. [78996]

  Ms Jowell
  It is not possible to list the five most frequent sources of reported allergies deriving from food because information on the number of cases is not available. However, foods which can induce allergic reactions in some individuals include peanuts and nuts, wheat, eggs, fish, shellfish, milk and seeds.
  825
  The five drug substances for which suspected allergic reactions to medicines have been reported most frequently through the Yellow Card Scheme since 1964 are: amoxycillin, diclofenac, trimethoprim, bacillus clostridium tetani and measles virus vaccine. These drug substances were included in both single constituent and multi-constituent products and are only available on prescription.

  For drug substances which may be supplied over the counter, the five most common drug substances for which these suspected reactions have been reported through the Yellow Card Scheme since 1964 are: ibuprofen, pyridoxine, ascorbic acid, riboflavine and nicotinamide. These drug substances were included in both single constituent and multi-constituent products.

  This information should not be used to compare the drugs. It is not possible to determine the incidence of a particular adverse drug reaction from spontaneous reporting data because neither the total number of reactions occurring, nor the number of patients exposed to the drug in known. The number of suspected adverse drug reactions reported for a particular drug substance depends on various factors, including the extent of use of the drug and the reporting rate for the drug.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if dentists working in the general dental services will come within the remit of the Commission for Health Improvement. [79416]

  Mr. Denham
  It is not intended that individual dentists will be reviewed or investigated by the Commission for Health Improvement. However clinical governance arrangements will apply to all parts of the National Health Service including primary care and the Commission will have a leading role in developing advice and guidance for the NHS on clinical governance. We would expect dentists to have regard to this advice.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is taken by local health authorities where the Dental Practice Board has made a reference to them on the grounds that the standard of work of a dentist is a cause for concern; and if he will make a statement. [79415]

  Mr. Denham
  Health authorities have the power to discuss the issue with the dentist, refer the matter to the local dental discipline committee or the General Dental Council, or prosecute, as appropriate.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many dentists were placed on a regime of prior approval by targeting in each of the last five years; [79418]

  (2) how many dentists have been placed on a prior approval regime by the relevant dental service committee in each of the last five years. [79419]

  Mr. Denham
  The table shows the number of general practitioners in England and Wales subject to prior approval at the end of each financial year as a result of either action by the relevant dental service committee or targeting by the Dental Practice Board.
  826

  General dental practitioners subject to prior approval at the end of each year1

  Subject to prior approval by:

  Year

  Dental Service Committee 2

  Targeting

  1993–94

  3

  1

  1994–95

  10

  2

  1995–96

  7

  1

  1996–97

  9

  0

  1997–98

  3

  0

  1 These numbers are as at the end of each year and so will exclude any dentists subject to prior approval regimes which do not last until the end of the year. Dentists who are on the regimes at the end of two successive years would be counted twice.

  2 Dental Disciplinary Committee from 1 April 1996.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have been referred by the Dental Practice Board for England and Wales to(a) the police, (b) the dentist's local health authority and (c) the General Dental Council in each of the last five years. [79413]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is given in the table. Referrals are counted once, in the year in which they were referred.

  Cases referred by the Dental Practice Board: England and Wales

  Referred to:

  Year

  Police

  Health authority

  General Dental Council

  1993–94

  5

  88

  1

  1994–95

  5

  83

  2

  1995–96

  11

  100

  2

  1996–97

  10

  117

  4

  1997–98

  13

  231

  0

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have been referred to the National Health Service Tribunal in each of the last five years; and what was the outcome in each case. [79417]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally. However, details of the total number of cases, for all practitioners, are published in the Annual Report of the Council on Tribunals, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the number of additional patients who have obtained access to NHS dentistry through the Investing in Dentistry initiative; [79529]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the reasons for the underspend in the Investing in Dentistry budget; [79527]

  (3) what funding will be made available for Investing in Dentistry in 1999–2000. [79528]

  Mr. Denham
  All the funding available for 1998–99 for investing in dentistry (IID) is expected to be assigned by the end of the financial year. Funding available in the first year of IID was not fully utilised, as most approvals during this period only became due for payment in the second year of the scheme.
  827
  To date, we have approved 279 Investing in dentistry funding requests, which should enable over 650,000 patients to register with an National Health Service dentist.

  No decision has been made yet about the funding of another General Dental Services access initiative in the next financial year. However, funds will be available in the financial year 1999–2000 to meet the treatment costs and any outstanding grant payments arising from IID proposals which have already been approved, or which have been received and are subsequently approved.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will be publishing his Department's strategy for NHS dentistry. [79526]

  Mr. Denham
  Our strategy for National Health Service dentistry will be published later this year.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will extend assistance with travel costs under the health benefits scheme to visits to dentists in areas where there is a shortage of NHS dentists. [79530]

  Mr. Denham
  Patients receive help with travel costs only under the hospital travel cost scheme; it does not include primary care services such as general dental services. The situation will be kept under review.

  Kidderminster District General Hospital
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has received from the West Midlands NHS Executive regarding the future of Kidderminster district general hospital. [79579]

  Mr. Denham
  It is established practice under successive Administrations not to disclose details of confidential advice received by Ministers from civil servants.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the seventh annual report of the national Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit. [79895]

  Mr. Dobson
  The National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit's seventh annual report has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. The report documents the Unit's findings in relation to sporadic, familial, iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD) up to 31 December 1998.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the future of the Medicines Control Agency and the Medical Devices Agency. [80064]

  Mr. Denham
  Quinquennial reviews of both Agencies are now due. They will address the performance of each Agency and will re-examine the options ("Prior Options") which were considered before each Agency was established. They will look at all options, although they will be informed by the study which we announced on 9 December 1998 to investigate the longer-term 828
  organisational arrangements—including merger—which would best support the effective regulation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This study has just been completed and has recommended that the Agencies should not be merged at this time. The report of the study has been placed in the Library.

  Schoolchildren's Diets
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to health authorities regarding(a) the level of fat, (b) the proportion of sugar, (c) the amount of fibre, (d) the amount of fresh fruit and (e) the amount of fresh vegetables in the diet of schoolchildren. [79324]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has not issued any guidelines to health authorities regarding schoolchildren's dietary needs. However, the Department offers general advice on healthy eating which applies to everyone over the age of 5 years. This is contained in "The Balance of Good Health" which shows the different types and proportion of five categories of foods, including fruits and vegetables, which make up a well-balanced and healthy diet. "Eight Guidelines for a Healthy Diet" extends this advice to cover the important dietary changes needed to eat healthily.

  Fieldwork for the joint Department of Health/Department for Education and Employment National Diet and Nutritional Survey of young people aged 4 to 18 years has been completed and the results are being analysed. A report is expected at the end of this year. We hope the report will help inform the way forward for health promotion initiatives and public health strategies to improve the diet of schoolchildren.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 March 1999,Official Report, columns 185–86, if he will place in the Library the documents disseminated through the NHS Executive's regional offices for those private finance initiative schemes which have reached financial close. [78986]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service Executive does not prepare a formal written report on the lessons learned from each private finance initiative scheme. Any lessons that are to be learned are disseminated through training events, networking days or through ad-hoc guidance. All of the existing PFI guidance will be replaced shortly by codified advice, which will be disseminated to the whole of the NHS and will be available from the Stationery Office and on the Internet. Copies of the guidance will also be placed in the Library.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance Contributions
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the effects of the transfer of the Contributions Agency to the Inland Revenue. [80073]
  829
  Mr. Timms
  I can confirm that from 1 April responsibility for National Insurance contributions (NICs) operations and policy will pass from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security to the Board of the Inland Revenue and the Chancellor of the Exchequer respectively. A new Executive Office of the Inland Revenue to be called the National Insurance Contributions Office (NICO) will be formed from those Contributions Agency (CA) units based in Newcastle, amounting to about 4,500 staff in all. Some 3,500 CA staff working in field offices in locations around Great Britain will be integrated into Inland Revenue regions.

  This change is important in two ways. It marks a step towards more modern and effective Government and also towards improved service to the public. Our aims for this transfer are to reduce burdens on business; give better customer service; strengthen compliance; and over time promote greater alignment of the rules for income tax and National Insurance.

  For instance from 6 April, through the New Enterprise Support Initiative based in the Inland Revenue, new employers will have access to a telephone helpline which will provide help and guidance on both NICs and tax. Other early benefits of the transfer include a new route for appeals against contributions decisions to the Tax Commissioners alongside tax appeals.

  As a result of the transfer of responsibility for NICs policy to Treasury Ministers correspondence and parliamentary questions on NICs policy issues should in future be addressed to them. Parliamentary questions on NICs operational issues will also be for reply by Treasury Ministers. The Board of Inland Revenue will be responsible for NICs operations and, where appropriate, replies to correspondence on operational issues will be provided by Inland Revenue officials.

  The Inland Revenue and Treasury Ministers will respond to correspondence and parliamentary questions on NICs in just the same way as they deal with their other responsibilities.

  The Social Security Benefits Agency will continue to be responsible for contributory benefits and State Retirement Pension matters as now. Social Security Ministers retain responsibility for policy on the contributory principle and policy on non-State pensions.

  The respective responsibilities of the two Department and their working relationship are set out in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Principal Accounting Officers. The Memorandum reflects share commitment to modern Government and improved public service across a wide range of complex arrangements. Copies have been placed in the Libraries and it is also available at the Internet sites of the DSS and the Inland Revenue.

  Supported Accommodation
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the outcome of the consultation exercise on the future funding arrangements for supported accommodation. [80071]
  830
  Mr. Darling
  On 10 December we published the consultation paper "Supporting People: A new policy and funding framework for support services". This proposed replacing the current complicated funding arrangements with one single budget targeted specifically at support services for vulnerable people, which would be administered by Local Authorities. The new arrangements will encourage coherent planning at a local level to deliver more cost effective and high quality services to many thousands of vulnerable people.

  Consultation ended on 5 February, and we received a substantial number of responses which have helped inform our decisions on the way forward.

  We are pleased to announce that the consultation shows that there is strong support for the principles underlying the Supporting People proposals, and the fact that, for the first time, the provision of support services for vulnerable people is being given the priority it deserves. We have therefore decided to proceed with implementing the long-term proposals from April 2003.

  Some respondents had concerns about whether the new arrangements were suitable for sheltered housing. We have looked carefully at these concerns and concluded that including sheltered housing in the new single budget will enable greater flexibility in service models, and bring the benefits of a joint commissioning approach.

  In taking work forward, we will work closely with interested parties to develop the detail of the new arrangements to ensure that the long-term objectives become a workable and effective reality.

  The new single budget will be preceded by a time-limited transitional Housing Benefit scheme. Although there was a convincing welcome for the proposed transitional Housing Benefit scheme, there were a number of concerns expressed about the date of its introduction. In direct response to these concerns, we have decided to extend the current interim scheme thereby delaying the introduction of the new transitional scheme until April 2000. Aligning the start date of the transitional scheme with the beginning of the financial year will help local authorities in their financial planning.

  I am placing a list of the organisations and academic bodies who responded, excluding those who requested confidentiality, in the Library. Copies of the list and specific responses are available on request from the Department of Social Security, by contacting The Inter-Departmental Review of Funding for Supported Accommodation, 5th Floor, The Ade1phi, 1–11 John Adam St, London WC2N 6HT.

  Occupational Pension
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the size of(a) the occupational pension payments referred to in paragraph 5 of his consultation paper on bereavement support and (b) such payments currently. [76105]

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

  The average size of the occupational pension payments referred to in the consultation paper was around £80 for both of the financial years 1995–96 and 1996–97.
  831
  Notes:

  1. These figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data set which is based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not include Northern Ireland.

  2. The financial year 1995–96 was the basis for the figures quoted in paragraph 5 of the consultation paper on bereavement support. The financial year 1996–97 is the latest for which data are available. Sample sizes for the requested cross-section of the population are small and therefore liable to a large degree of year on year variation due to sampling error. The estimate for both years is subject to this error.

  3. The figures quoted refer to the gross amount of occupational pension payments where they are received by widows who are both under the age of 60 and in receipt of widow's benefit. All monetary values are given in April 1998 prices.

  State Pension
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of women for each year from 1999–2000 to 2009–10 who will receive(a) reduced SERPS pensions and (b) reduced widow's pensions as a result of the changes in payments to beneficiaries being introduced in April. [77757]

  Mr. Timms
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Forecast information on the average number of women pensioners and widows who could be affected at any one time in each year

  Thousand

  Potential number of women pensioners affected

  Potential number of widows affected

  1999–2000

  145

  15

  2000–01

  430

  50

  2001–02

  710

  90

  2002–03

  1,010

  130

  2003–04

  1,325

  175

  2004–05

  1,650

  225

  2005–06

  1,975

  275

  2006–07

  2,335

  330

  2007–08

  2,720

  390

  2008–09

  3,090

  450

  2009–10

  3,435

  515

  Notes:

  1. Figures relate to the total number of women pensioners. Some will have no SERPS entitlement and will not be affected by the change.

  2. All numbers have been supplied by Government Actuary's Department.

  3. Numbers are given in thousands and are rounded to the nearest 5,000.

  4. There is some double counting as widows over pension age appear in both columns.

  5. The proposed new schemes for widows and widowers under state pension age have not been taken into account, nor have the half rate inheritance changes beginning in April 2000.

  6. Figures are for GB only.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much would it cost to increase the old age pension to £75 per week for a single pensioner and £116.60 per week for a married couple; and what the net cost would be taking into account savings in respect of other benefits and tax revenue. [78894]
  832
  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is not available. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  Estimated gross cost of raising Retirement Pension rates to £75 per week for a single person and £116.60 per week for a couple from April 1999

  £ million

  Excluding linked benefits

  Including linked benefits

  Gross cost (1999–2000)

  3,580

  4,280

  Estimated cost net of tax of raising Retirement Pension rates to £75 per week for a single person and £116.60 per week for a couple from April 1999

  £ million

  Excluding linked benefits

  Including linked benefits

  Cost net of tax (1999–2000)

  3,280

  1—

  1 Tax offsets have been provided by the Inland Revenue. Cost net of tax including linked benefits not available.

  Notes:

  1. Means-tested benefit offsets are not available as the Family Resources Survey which is used to calculate these cannot differentiate between married women who receive a Category A pension on their own insurance (and would require a 12.4 per cent. increase) and those who receive a Category B pension based on the their husbands' contributions (these would require a 4.1 per cent. increase). Offset calculations cannot therefore be made where, as here, different percentage changes are made to different categories of Retirement Pension.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10 million and are expressed in cash terms.

  3. Contributory benefit estimates have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  4. Linked benefits are those statutorily linked in value to basic State pension, for example widows' pensions.

  Bereavement Allowance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of extending the Bereavement Allowance to unmarried partners. [78032]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 22 March 1999]: It is proposed that Bereavement Allowance will be paid for six months only to widows and widowers aged 45 or over on bereavement who have no dependent children. Entitlement to Bereavement Allowance will be based on the deceased spouse's National Insurance contribution record.

  It would be very difficult to establish who were "partners". As a result, there is limited information available on the circumstances of cohabiting partners and we are able to provide only broad estimates of the gross costs of extending it to unmarried cohabiting partners. We estimate this would cost less than £5 million in the first year, and less than £25 million in 2020–21.

  It is estimated that extending basic bereavement benefits to unmarried partners would cost around £100 million per year by 2020–21.

  Notes:

  1. The estimates are provided by the Government Actuary's Department and do not include means-tested benefit offsets.
  833
  2. The estimates are based on 1998–99 benefit rates. Estimates for 2020 are rounded to the nearest £25 million.

  3. There would also be an additional cost to Retirement Pension (RP) which has not been estimated.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of children aged(a) under five years and (b) five to 15 years from two-parent families in the United Kingdom were in families in receipt of Family Credit in each of the last five years. [78279]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Children in two parent families receiving Family Credit: Great Britain

  Under 5

  5 to 15

  Thousand

  Percentage

  Thousand

  Percentage

  May 1994

  238

  7.6

  451

  7.1

  May 1995

  258

  8.6

  486

  7.7

  May 1996

  286

  9.6

  555

  8.8

  May 1997

  307

  10.0

  579

  9.1

  May 1998

  293

  9.6

  566

  9.0

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are based on a 5 per cent. sample of Family Credit awards and as such are subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3. Children are defined as aged under 16.

  Sources:

  1. Family Credit 5 per cent. sample.

  2. Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey Household Datasets.

  Departmental Staff (Ethnic Origin)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, at 1 March, of(a) his private office, (b) Government special advisers, (c) his Policy Unit and (d) staff in total. [78508]

  £

  Benefit

  Rate when introduced

  Date of introduction

  Current rate

  Value at April 1999 if increased in line with prices since date introduced1

  Value at April 1999 if increased in line with prices earnings since date introduced2

  Widow's payment

  1,000

  April 1988

  1,000

  1,608.15

  1,827.15

  Income Support—Capital limits

  Lower

  3,000

  April 1988

  3,000

  4,627.35

  5,481.25

  Upper

  6,000

  April 1988

  8,000

  9,254.60

  10,962.35

  Child's

  3,000

  April 1988

  3,000

  4,627.35

  5,481.25

  Family Credit—Capital limits5

  Lower

  3,000

  April 1988

  3,000

  4,627.35

  5,481.25

  Upper

  6,000

  April 1988

  8,000

  9,254.60

  10,962.35

  Child's

  3,000

  April 1988

  3,000

  4,627.35

  5,481.25

  Income Support

  5.00

  April 1988

  5.00

  7.70

  9.20

  Earnings

  10.00

  October 1996

  10.00

  10.70

  11.40

  Disregard3

  15.00

  April 1988

  15.00

  23.15

  27.40

  Housing Benefit

  5.00

  April 1988

  5.00

  7.70

  9.20

  834
  Mr. Timms
  Information on the ethnic origin of civil servants is collected using a voluntary, confidential questionnaire. The number and percentage of ethnic minority staff in Ministers' private offices in this Department are set out in the table.

  Number of Staff

  Number of ethnic minority staff

  Percentage of ethnic minority staff

  Private Office

  45

  6

  13.3

  Note:

  The number of staff is based on the number of respondents.

  For information on staff total, my right hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office will be providing a central response. For information on special advisers, I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, East (Mr. Livingstone) on 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 39.

  Family Resources Survey
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 18 March 1999,Official Report, column 799, regarding tabulations of the Family Resources Survey, if he will place copies of the tabulations in the Library. [78876]

  Mr. Timms
  Yes. Copies of the tabulations will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

  Benefit Payments
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate what the rates would be if they had been uprated in line with the increases in (i) prices and (ii) average earnings since they were introduced of(a) widow's payment, (b) capital limits for income support and family credit, (c) earnings disregard for income support, (d) earnings disregard for housing and council tax, (e) war pension disregard for income-related benefits, (f) income disregarded as income from a boarder, (g) maternity payment from the Social Fund, (h) capital limits for maternity and funeral payments from the Social Fund, (i) Christmas bonus and (j) 25p age additions to retirement pensions. [78793]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.
  835

  £

  Benefit

  Rate when introduced

  Date of introduction

  Current rate

  Value at April 1999 if increased in line with prices since date introduced1

  Value at April 1999 if increased in line with prices earnings since date introduced2

  Earnings

  10.00

  April 1988

  10.00

  15.35

  18.35

  Disregard4

  15.00

  April 1988

  15.00

  23.15

  27.40

  Housing Benefit/Family Credit Child Care Disregard5

  40.00

  October 1994

  60.00

  45.00

  48.35

  War Pension Disregard for income-related benefits6

  5.00

  April 1988

  10.00

  7.70

  9.20

  Income Disregarded as income from a boarder7

  20.00

  April 1988

  20.00

  30.90

  36.55

  Maternity Benefit from Social Fund

  80.00

  April 1987

  100.00

  127.35

  157.55

  Capital Limits for Maternity Benefit and Funeral Payment from the Social Fund

  (under 60)

  500.00

  April 1987

  500.00

  795.85

  984.85

  (over 60)

  1,000

  April 1990

  1,000

  1,400.35

  1,530.75

  Christmas Bonus

  10.00

  December 1972

  10.00

  77.20

  114.50

  Retirement Pension—age addition

  0.25

  September 1971

  0.25

  1.80

  3.05

  1 The Retail Prices Index (all items) has been used, except for the income-related benefits where the ROSSI index (Retail Prices Index less rent, local taxes and mortgage interest payments) as published by the Office for National Statistics.

  2 Average Earnings Index Whole Economy (Non Seasonally Adjusted) as published by the Office for National Statistics.

  3 Lone parents, the disabled and certain special occupations such as carers attract the highest disregard of £15, couples are eligible for a £10 disregard on their earnings and everyone else receives a £5 disregard.

  4 The £15 disregard for Housing Benefit was increased for lone parents to £25 in October 1990.

  5 The £40 child care disregard on Housing Benefit and Family Credit was increased to £60 in April 1996.

  6 War pensions £5 disregard was increased to £10 in April 1990.

  7 The total amount of income disregarded as income from a boarder is £20 for each boarder per week and 50 per cent, of the remaining income from the boarder after the £20 deduction has been made.

  Note:

  The figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating date.

  Asbestosis
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if any civilians employed in war-related work have received war pensions for asbestosis since 1969; [79038]

  (2) how many civilians employed in war-related work have received war pensions for asbestosis since 1969. [78889]

  Mr. Bayley
  Questions on operational matters concerning the War Pensions Agency are for its Chief Executive, Mr. Gordon Hextall. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Gordon Hextall to Mr. Ben Chapman, dated 30 March 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the number of civilians employed in war related work who have received War Pensions for Asbestosis.
  Unfortunately, the specific information you have requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In answer to your earlier Parliamentary Question on this subject (Official Report 22 February 1999, Vol 326, Col 175) The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Social Security explained that as at 31 December 1998 (which is still the latest date for which figures are available), there were 3,183 civilians receiving a War Pension.

  DSS reviews (with external members) established since May 1997

  Title

  Date established

  Working party

  Sub-group

  Other subsidiary committee

  Final report published

  Expected reports

  Terminated date

  Expected termination date

  Review of the Scientific basis of the assessment of noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss in War Pensions

  Announced by Baroness Hollis 11 June 1997. Review team of independent hearing loss experts met on 19 November 1997 and January 1998

  Yes, outcome of review announced on 5 March 1998. Copy of report was laid in the House of Commons Library in the same month

  n/a

  March 1998

  n/a

  836
  The War Pensions Agency does not keep statistics relating to the number of War Pensions in payment for specific medical conditions.
  Although I cannot answer your specific questions, I have sought advice about these cases from our more experienced staff. I am told that it would be rare for a War Pension to be paid to a civilian for Asbestosis because a person would have to show that he was exposed to asbestos as a result of a specific incident involving enemy action during World War II. This type of incident would be rather unusual.
  I hope this is helpful and if you need any further information, I will be happy to assist.

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up(a) sub-groups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees; [79257]

  (2) if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 (a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79280]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.
  837

  DSS reviews (with external members) established since May 1997

  Title

  Date established

  Working party

  Sub-group

  Other subsidiary committee

  Final report published

  Expected reports

  Terminated date

  Expected termination date

  Housing Benefit Simplification and Improvement project (HB SIP)

  September 1998

  Yes—A working group, together with associated sub-groups, was established at official level with representatives from the local authority associations to explore ways of simplifying and improving the delivery of Housing Benefit

  No

  No, feeding into the Government's continuing work on the future of Housing Benefit

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  The Pensions education Working Group (PEWG)

  September 1997

  Yes

  June 1998. Currently helping to implement it's recommendations

  n/a

  n/a

  Second half of 1999

  The Pension Provision Group (PPG)

  Summer 1997 PPG still in existence to look at self-employed— pension rights, Pension provision— flexible labour market and independent pensions organisation

  Report—We All Need Pensions— the Prospectus for pension provision Published June 1998.

  Any decision on possible publication will be taken individually on the following tasks upon completion:

  n/a

  End 1999

  Response to the Pensions Green paper published March 1999

  Position of the self-employed and how their pension rights might be improved

  The Pension Provision Group cont'd

  The impact on pension provision of an increasingly flexible labour market. Proposals for an independent pensions organisation

  —

  End 1999

  All Work Test
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were summoned for an all work test examination by the Birmingham Medical Services Centre in 1998; and what proportion of those were found to be exempt from such examination. [79046]

  Mr. Bayley
  The number of medical examinations undertaken in connection with claims for Incapacity Benefit in Birmingham in 1998 was 41,968. It is not possible to identify what proportion of the people examined were found to be exempt.

  Income Support (Retired People)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action his Department is taking to encourage retired people to take up income support to which they may be entitled; and if he will make a statement. [79547]

  Mr. Timms
  We are currently considering a strategy on take-up action in the light of the emerging findings from the pensioner pilot projects and research which we undertook last year.
  838
  The Benefits Agency is also actively involved in several of the "Better Government for Older People" prototypes which will begin this April, looking at ways in which services for all pensioners, including access to benefits, can be better integrated.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what his Department is doing to help disabled people get jobs. [79717]

  Mr. Bayley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 8 March 1999,Official Report, column 53.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 26 March 1999,Official Report, column 435, on disabled people, if he will list which of those individual respondents (a) felt that final decisions on whether to make interviews compulsory should await consideration of the results of piloting and (b) expressed concerns about the proposal to take account of occupational and personal pensions against incapacity benefit entitlement. [79780]
  839
  Mr. Bayley
  All responses to the consultation were read and the results were fed into a qualitative analysis of respondents' views, which provided the basis for my previous answer to my hon. Friend. A record was kept of the policy areas on which each respondent commented but this did not include a record of the detailed points made in each case. To provide a list of individuals and organisations that made the particular points identified would involve re-examining every response and would incur disproportionate cost.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants for Jobseeker's Allowance in each quarter since October 1996 have had their claim rejected on the grounds of non-availability for work due to ill health or incapacity; and how many of those so refused were also deemed ineligible for incapacity benefit. [79716]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is not available.

  A decision, following application of the all work test, that a person is capable of work applies across the Social Security system where capacity for work is an issue.

  Claimants for Jobseeker's Allowance are required to be capable of, and available for, work. However, jobseekers may restrict their availability in any way if the restrictions are reasonable in the light of their physical or mental condition.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have had their incapacity benefit stopped in the last 12 months. [79701]

  Mr. Bayley
  When a claim for Incapacity Benefit is made, entitlement for someone with a recent work record depends on the person satisfying the Own Occupation Test for the first 28 weeks of incapacity. In most cases, this is satisfied by the provision of a GP's medical certificate. After 28 weeks of incapacity, or from the start of the claim if the person has no recent work record, the All Work Test applies (though in both cases benefit continues in payment on the basis of a medical certificate pending a decision under the test).

  If a person is found capable of work under either the Own Occupation Test or the All Work Test, Incapacity Benefit is disallowed. The person may however be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance.

  During the period 1 March 1998 to 28 February 1999 there were 112.858 disallowances of Incapacity Benefit for the reasons set out.

  Reason disallowed

  Number

  Failure to provide information

  10,563

  Failure to attend medical examination

  8,587

  Found capable of work (All Work Test)

  91,038

  Found capable of work (Own Occupation Test)

  2,670

  Notes:

  1. It is possible that a person may be disallowed more than once during the period.

  2. The figures do not take account of claimants who may appeal against the decision, and may have their benefit reinstated.

  3. Figures are taken from a 100 per cent. count of the computer system, and exclude a small number of cases not on the system.
  840
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce national guidelines to ensure incapacity benefit claimants' eligibility for income support six months after top-up ceases is made known to them by local Benefit Agency offices. [79695]

  Mr. Bayley
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew Stunell, dated 31 March 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will introduce national guidelines to ensure Incapacity Benefit claimants' eligibility for Income Support (IS) six months after top-up ceases is made known to them by local Benefits Agency offices.
  The current position is that anyone ceasing to be entitled to IS is given a formal decision which clearly indicates the amount by which their income exceeds the IS threshold.
  New IB customers also receive leaflets and information on claiming benefit that indicate how their future entitlement could change should they remain incapable of work.
  I will review existing procedures and information provided to customers to ensure that they receive appropriate advice.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  New Deal Interviews
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to defer a decision on whether to make New Deal interviews compulsory until after the results of pilot schemes are known. [79781]

  Mr. Timms
  From April 2000, we plan to implement new legislation to make it a condition of receiving benefit that people take part in interviews to talk about their prospects of finding work. This requirement will initially affect only the 12 Single Work-Focused Gateway pilot areas and will be introduced in ways that take account of individual circumstances. The evaluation of the pilots will enable us to consider whether to extend this approach more widely.

  Adapt 98 Scheme
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the operation of the Adapt 98 Scheme in the Yorkshire area; what is the reason for the delay in the introduction of CAPS; and by how much the private sector estimate of cost has exceeded the set target. [79179]

  Mr. Timms
  The ADAPT Partnership period ended on 12 November 1998. We are currently considering the way forward for this project.

  The Customer Accounting Payment Strategy (CAPS) project is a Benefits Agency initiative that is developing the systems that will change the way the Agency records customer's details and accounts for benefit expenditure. It also supports payment of benefit by way of the payment card that is being introduced as part of a PFI project to automate Post Offices and benefit payments. The CAPS project has met all its contractual obligations and is proceeding to plan.

  Information about the cost to the private sector of the payment card and Post Office Automation Project is confidential to the PFI supplier, ICL Pathway.
  841

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received on the eight day maximum application period for extended payments under the Housing Benefit Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [79692]

  Mr. Timms
  We have received a number of letters from members of the public about the eight day application period. We are currently considering ways of easing the transition into work. We know that worries about housing costs are crucial to people when thinking about moving into work. The Extended Payments scheme, which eases the transition from benefit dependency to working, is one of a number of areas which we are looking at with the aim of improving incentives provided by the Housing Benefit Scheme.

  Staff Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the mileage rates applicable from January 1999 to staff, indicating changes which have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. [79522]

  Mr. Timms
  For some years the Department has operated a single mileage rate based on the average of the bands set by the Inland Revenue Authorised Mileage Rates. This acts as a disincentive for the use of larger engine capacity cars (over 1500 cc).

  The rates are payable irrespective of the type of fuel used thus benefiting staff driving alternative fuelled vehicles.

  We are currently revising the pedal cycle rate to encourage the use of bicycles.

  The tables give details of the current rates.
  842

  Departmental standard mileage scheme (DSMS)

  Category

  Up to 4,000 miles

  Over 4,000 miles

  Motor cars

  40.0p

  22.5p

  Motor cycles (third party insurance)

  Up to 125cc

  14.6p

  6.1p

  Over 125cc

  22.1p

  9.0p

  Motor cycles (comprehensive insurance)

  Up to 125cc

  16.2p

  6.1p

  Over 125cc

  25.3p

  9.0p

  Public transport rate (PTR) of motor mileage allowance

  Category

  Amount

  Motor car

  22.5p

  Motor cycles

  Up to 125cc

  6.1p

  Over 125cc

  9.0p

  Other mileage rates

  Category

  Amount

  Private use cars

  7.5p

  Pedal cycle

  6.0p

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a list, including names and dates, of all meetings that(a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS have held during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 with people who work for political lobbying firms or for businesses that are members of the Public Relations Consultants Association. [79641]

  Mr. Darling
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 168. The requirements of the Ministerial Code also apply to Parliamentary Private Secretaries when attending any meetings in an official or semi-official capacity.

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