Written Answers of 20 May 1999

PRIME MINISTER

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to establish a Committee of Privy Counsellors to inquire into the circumstances of British involvement in the conflict in Serbia. [83832]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 11 May 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) today, column 401.

  Mr. Hague
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Committee of Privy Councillors to review the way in which the responsibilities of the Government in relation to British policy towards Kosovo were discharged in the period leading up to the start of the NATO action on 24 March, taking account of all such factors in previous years as are relevant, and to report; and if he will make a statement. [84887]

  The Prime Minister
  I see no need.

  Cancer Treatment
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set up a Cabinet Committee on the provision of cancer treatment in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [84235]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government is firmly committed to improving the provision of cancer treatment in the UK and has made it one of its highest priorities. All people, wherever they live, should have access to high quality cancer services. This was the aim of the Calman/Hine report "A Policy Framework for commissioning Cancer Services". However, when the Calman/Hine principles were adopted in 1995, no machinery to monitor progress was established. We are now rectifying that omission.

  We have established a National Cancer Forum with a remit of acting as the focus for maintaining the strategic oversight of the Calman/Hine cancer services implementation programme, and to advise Ministers on specialised issues related to cancer.

  Other UK countries are represented on the National Cancer Forum and have similar strategies and initiatives to improve cancer services, and Ministers take a keen interest in progress.

  In recognition of the importance of cancer to the Government's agenda, we are also holding a high level cancer seminar today at 10 Downing Street. Those attending will cover the spectrum from prevention, screening, treatment, research, voluntary organisations, patient perspective and NHS implementation. The purpose of the seminar is to review where the UK's
  402
  performance stands in comparison to other countries, to consider the action we have already taken and are taking, to improve performance and identify further action to be taken in pursuit of our objectives. Our intention is to look across the complete pathway of the disease, from research to hospice care and from prevention to the application of the latest treatments.

  I do not believe a Cabinet Committee would improve the Government's ability to address this important issue.

  European Union
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if it is his policy to assist in the development of a single economy and a single political unity within the European Union. [84212]

  The Prime Minister
  No. As I said in my speech in Aachen last week, this Government has made huge strides in improving Britain's relations with Europe. We will engage with Europe to push forward on the economic reform agenda, making ourselves more competitive, developing a European defence capability and a co-ordinated approach to foreign policy issues. I believe we need to integrate when necessary and decentralise where possible.

  Bilderberg Group
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) of 7 May 1999,Official Report, columns 476–77, on the Bilderberg Group, what official (i) transport and (ii) funds have been used to facilitate attendance at Bilderberg meetings of members of his Government; which members have attended meetings; what reports they have made on the meetings; and what subsequent communication they have had with others attending on subjects discussed at the meetings. [84213]

  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, only one member of this Government—the Defence Secretary—has attended a meeting of the Bilderberg Group. He provided a detailed account of his attendance in answers to the hon. Members for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 23 July 1998,Official Report, column 609, and for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) on 20 July 1998, Official Report, column 434.

  MI6
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what methods are used to identify and recruit MI6 personnel; and if he will make a statement. [84630]

  The Prime Minister
  The Secret Intelligence Service recruits a wide range of staff, including specialists, graduates and school leavers. Before an offer of appointment is confirmed, candidates are vetted to the highest level of security clearance, known as Developed Vetting. The Service adopts, as far as is practicable, the civil service code of practice on recruitment, to ensure that the procedures used are as open and as fair as possible. Recruitment policies are kept under constant review and a number of improvements have been made over the past three years to ensure that they remain effective and that a wide range of candidates is able to apply.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister how many civilians have been killed as a result of the use of(a) British and (b) NATO weapons in operation Allied Force against Yugoslavia. [84644]

  The Prime Minister
  As I said in the House last week, we do everything we can to avoid civilian casualties and minimise damage to civilian property. The cases of injury and death among civilians which have nevertheless occurred by accident have been acknowledged by NATO and are deeply regretted; they are a regrettable consequence of having to use force to stop the violence which Milosevic has unleashed against the people of Kosovo. They stand in contrast to the deliberate murders and brutalities of the Milosevic regime. Verification of civilian casualties is not possible as access to sites is controlled by the Milosevic regime. Alleged evidence of fatalities claimed to arise from allied action should therefore always be treated with great caution.

  War Widows' Pensions
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 May 1999,Official Report, column 315, if he will make a statement on the progress of his review into the way in which war widows pensions relate to housing benefit. [84665]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 18 May 1999]: The mandatory disregards for War Disablement and War Widows' Pensions that already exist in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit recognise the special nature of these pensions, and ensure that the pensioners receive preferential treatment. For example, a war pensioner can have between £10 and £181 a week of his pension disregarded on a statutory basis.

  We will keep this under review, but further extending existing disregards is not a main priority: A full disregard of War Disablement and War Widows' Pension in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit would cost in the region of an additional £70 million a year.

  Rural Representation
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 May 1999,Official Report, column 318, what was the basis for his statement relating to rural representation in the House. [84666]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 18 May 1999]: The Boundary Commission defines as county constituencies those that are "primarily rural". 170 county constituencies are held by Labour, compared with 135 by the Conservatives and 32 by the Liberal Democrats.

  Cabinet Meetings
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister on what basis Cabinet meetings are held in his absence. [84768]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave her in the House on Wednesday 19 May 1999,Official Report, column 1060.

  Secretary of State for Wales
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to announce his decision on the separation of the functions of the Secretary of State for Wales and the First Secretary. [84796]

  The Prime Minister
  The functions of the Secretary of State for Wales which will be transferred to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July are listed in the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999. The functions of the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales include those which are conferred by the Government of Wales Act 1998 and related legislation, but are otherwise a matter for the Assembly.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to publish the Government's response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's report on Sierra Leone. [85205]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government has carefully considered the findings in the Intelligence and Security Committee's Report on the intelligence aspects of the counter-coup in Sierra Leone. The Government's response to the report is being published today.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorist Activities
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when, where and by what means(a) Judge William Doyle, (b) Mr. Edgar Graham, (c) Lord Justice Gibson and his wife, (d) Resident Magistrate W. Staunton and (e) Resident Magistrate Martin McBirney were murdered; which terrorist organisation was responsible; how many persons have been brought before the courts for that crime; and what sentences were imposed. [81166]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]: The information requested is as follows:

  Judge William Doyle: At approximately 12.55 pm on 16 January 1983, Judge Doyle was shot in Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast, having just left Mass at St. Brigid's Church. An elderly lady passenger in the vehicle was seriously injured. The murder was claimed by the Irish Republican Army. to date no person has been made amenable.

  Mr. Edgar Graham: At approximately 10.50 am on 7 December 1983, at University Square, Belfast, Mr. Graham was shot dead. The murder was claimed by the Irish Republican Army.

  RUC investigations resulted in one person being convicted of making property available and withholding information and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment suspended for 3 years. Another person, convicted of withholding information, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years.

  A number of other persons were arrested and interviewed in relation to this murder but released without charge.

  Lord Justice Sir Maurice Gibson and Lady Cecily Gibson: At approximately 8.40 am on 25 April 1987, an explosion occurred on the Dublin Road at Killeen, Newry. Lord Justice Gibson and his wife were fatally injured. They had been returning home from a short holiday in England and had travelled overnight on the car ferry from Liverpool to Dublin. Explosives had been placed in a vehicle parked at the roadside and were detonated as the Gibson's

  405
  car passed. The murders have been attributed to the Irish Republican Army but despite extensive inquiries no one to date has been made amenable.

  William John Staunton RM: At approximately 8.50 am on 11 October 1972, Mr. Staunton stopped his car outside St. Dominic's Convent Grammar School, Falls Road, Belfast. As his daughter and some school friends alighted from the vehicle to enter the school, a motor cycle drew up alongside and the pillion passenger shot Mr. Staunton. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He never regained consciousness and died at 9.55 pm on Thursday 25 January 1973.

  The murder was attributed to the Irish Republican Army. Two persons were arrested, interviewed and released without charge. To date no one has been made amenable.

  Robert Martin McBirney QC, RM: At approximately 8.20 am on 16 September 1974, Mr. McBirney was shot in his home at 172 Belmont Road, Belfast. A man was seen to get out of a car and walk to the rear of the McBirney home. The man was then observed leaving and getting back into the car which had two other occupants. The car was located some 500 yards from the scene of the murder. Its occupants were seen to drive off in another vehicle. The car used to convey the gunmen to and from the scene had been hi-jacked on the morning of the murder. It was attributed to the Irish Republican Army.

  Police investigations linked one person to the murder who was also identified as being the gunman. He was subsequently charged and convicted of murder and received a life sentence.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when, where and by what means Resident Magistrate Mr. Tom Travers and his wife were injured and their daughter murdered; which terrorist organisation was responsible; how many persons have been brought before the courts for that crime; and what sentences were imposed. [81167]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]: At approximately 1 pm on 8 April 1984, Mr. Thomas Travers RM, his wife and their daughter Mary were walking to their home having just attended Mass at St. Brigid's Church in Derryvolgie Avenue when they were attacked by two gunmen. As a result Mary Travers was fatally wounded and Thomas Travers was seriously wounded. Mrs. Travers escaped injury. The attack was attributed to the Irish Republican Army.

  Shortly after the incident police arrested a young woman in the Wellington Park area of the city. She was found to have two handguns in her possession. Both guns were later linked to the attack on the Travers family. She was subsequently convicted of the murder of Mary Travers and the attempted murder of Thomas Travers and received a life sentence.

  A second person was arrested some seven weeks later and was identified by Mr. Travers as being one of the gunmen. However, he was acquitted of all charges.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when, where, and by what means Judge Rory Conaghan was murdered; which terrorist organisation was responsible; how many persons have been brought before the courts for that crime; and what sentences were imposed. [81245]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 April 1999]: At approximately 8.30 am on 16 September 1974, a person, posing as a postman, rang the doorbell of Judge Conaghan's home at 17 Beechlands, Malone Road, Belfast. The door was answered by Judge Conaghan. He was shot and fatally wounded. The gunman made off and
  406
  was seen to get into a car which was driven by another person. The car was later abandoned in Windsor Avenue, Belfast. Witnesses observed that two males and a girl were seen to leave the car. The vehicle had been taken from its owner in the Dermott Hill Road, Belfast earlier that day by a person claiming to be from the Irish Republican Army.

  To date, no one has been made amenable for Judge Conaghan's murder.

  Belfast Brook Pregnancy Advisory Clinic
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the amount of Government grants given to the Belfast Brook Pregnancy Advisory Clinic for each year since 1990(a) directly and (b) through health boards and trusts. [84409]

  Mr. McFall
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Directly: nil

  (b) Through boards and trusts:

  Year

  £

  1990–91

  0

  1991–92

  30,000

  1992–93

  31,500

  1993–94

  31,500

  1994–95

  45,172

  1995–96

  49,847

  1996–97

  67,468

  1997–98

  72,340

  1998–99

  69,096

  Sports Funding
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public funding has been given to(a) the Irish Rugby Football Union, (b) the Irish Football Association, (c) the Northern Ireland Cricket Association and (d) the Irish Hockey Union in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [84323]

  Mr. McFall
  Responsibility for funding sports organisations rests with the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, who have advised me that the total amount of public funding from normal funding and the Lottery for the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the Irish Football Association (IFA), the Northern Ireland Cricket Association (NICA) and the Irish Hockey Union (IHU) is as follows:

  £

  IRFU

  IFA

  NICA

  IHU

  1998–99

  10,073.85

  53,548.67

  41,384.02

  36,671.13

  1997–98

  23,544.45

  47,719.56

  25,866.20

  19,177.42

  1996–97

  5,829.75

  60,115.03

  24,799.46

  31,623.09

  1995–96

  3,631.35

  140,856.03

  24,357.75

  47,829.14

  1994–95

  6,973.70

  15,148.44

  23,865.75

  31,730.94

  1Includes a special capital grant of £3,811.38 from Department of Education

  Census Returns
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish the text of the(a) non-statutory assurances of confidentiality and

  407
  (b) 100-year extended closure given by the Registrar General on the householders' forms for the 20th century censuses of population for Northern Ireland. [84491]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The assurances on confidentiality listed on household forms for the 20th century censuses of population for Northern Ireland are as follows:

  1928 and 1937:

  All particulars given in the Return will be regarded as strictly confidential and will be issued only to prepare general census summaries.

  1951:

  All particulars given in this Return will be regarded as strictly confidential.

  1961:

  The contents of this Return are strictly confidential.

  1971:

  The information you give on the form will be treated as "Confidential" and used only for compiling statistics. No information about named individuals will be passed by the Census Office to any other Government Department or any other Authority or person.

  1981:

  The information which you give on the form will be treated as "Strictly Confidential" and will be used only for compiling statistics. No names and addresses will be fed into the computer and no information about named individuals will be passed by the Census Office to any other Government Department or to any other Authority or person.

  1991:

  Your answers will be treated in strict confidence and used only to produce statistics. No names and addresses will he put into the computer; only the postcode will be entered. The forms will be kept securely and treated as confidential. No information about named individuals will be passed by the Census Office to any other Government Department or to any other authority or person.

  Note:

  The Censuses of 1901 and 1911 were taken on an all Ireland basis. The original census records are held in Dublin.

  The Census Act (Northern Ireland, 1969 requires that information obtained from Northern Ireland censuses is to be used for census purposes only and that census records are to be kept closed.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to section 123 of the White Paper on the 2001 Census, when she plans to bring forward proposals for an end to the permanent closure to public inspection of Northern Ireland census returns. [84499]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Census White Paper (cm 4253) indicated that consideration would be given to availing of a suitable legislative opportunity to introduce to Northern Ireland similar provisions to those in Great Britain on the closure of historic census records. To date, no suitable opportunity has arisen, but the position is kept under continuous review.

  Carryduff Primary School
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to grant Carryduff Primary School integrated status; and if she will make a statement. [84570]

  Mr. McFall
  The Department of Education is aware of local interest in the establishment of an integrated primary school in the Carryduff area, but I understand that 408
  developments are at a very early stage. The transformation of Carryduff Primary School to controlled integrated status is a matter for the school's Board of Governors and the South Eastern Education and Library Board to consider in the first instance. If the school decides to seek integrated status this would involve a ballot of parents and the publication of a statutory development proposal by the Education and Library Board.

  Military Complaints Procedures
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she intends to lay before Parliament Mr. Jim McDonald's annual report as Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland. [85206]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Mr. McDonald's report is being published today and copies are being placed in the Library.

  I note that Mr. McDonald has said that the complaints procedures are given proper attention by the Army and are being operated fairly, I note also that there has been a marked decrease in the overall number of complaints received.

  The Report provides valuable reassurances to Government and the public that the Army's complaints procedures stand scrutiny.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Northern Ireland Prison Service intends to publish its 1999–2002 Corporate and Business Plan; and what performance targets have been set for 1999–2000. [85207]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Northern Ireland Prison Service's Corporate and Business Plan for 1999–2002 was published today. The following key performance targets have been set for 1999–2000:

  1. To ensure 100 per cent. security for prisoners in high and top risk categories.

  2. To ensure at least 99.5 per cent. security for prisoners in medium and low risk categories.

  3. To ensure that the number of significant breaches of order and control does not exceed 7.1 per 100 prisoners.

  4. To introduce a system of booked visits to a prison establishment by march 2000.

  5. To increase the target number of hours of constructive activity undertaken each week by prisoners by 3 per cent. from 22.85 hours to 23.5 hours.

  6. To offer sentence planning to all eligible prisoners and to achieve a 50 per cent. uptake.

  7. To achieve an average of 5 days training and development per member of staff.

  8. To ensure that the average cost per prisoner place does not exceed £83,4261

  1This figure is higher than in 1998–99, as the number of staffed prisoner places has reduced to 1,597 as a result of the closure of 2 Blocks at the Maze. The number may alter again during 1999–2000 in the light of developments. The target net operating costs for 1999–2000 are 3.4 per cent. lower in real terms than the target net operating costs for 1998-99, excluding the exceptional redundancy costs in both years.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Death Penalty (Commonwealth Countries)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her answer of 19 April 1999,Official Report, column 467, on the death penalty in Commonwealth countries for how long each of the appeals and applications for appeal in Trinidad and Tobago have been outstanding; and when each person was sentenced to death. [84683]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The seven appeals from Trinidad and Tobago referred to in my answer of 19 April were registered in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on the following dates:

  P.C. Appeal number

  Registration date

  (1) 29 of 1998

  11 May 1998

  (2) 32 of 1998

  12 May 1998

  (3) 40 of 1998

  28 May 1998

  (4) 63 of 1998

  30 September 1998

  (5) 73 of 1998

  12 November 1998

  (6) 75 of 1998

  10 December 1998

  (7)4 of 1999

  12 February 1999

  The first three listed have since been heard and judgment is awaited.

  The 10 petitions for leave to appeal referred to in the answer of 19 April were lodged with the Judicial Committee Registry on the following dates:

  Petitions

  1

  15 July 1997

  2

  8 October 1997

  3

  19 February 1998

  4

  3 June 1998

  5

  16 February 1999

  6

  8 March 1999

  7

  8 March 1999

  8

  25 March 1999

  9

  30 March 1999

  10

  31 March 1999

  Five of these petitions have now been heard. Two have been granted, two have been dismissed and one has been adjourned to await the determination of another case. The sentence of death in each of the above appeals and petitions was passed on various dates between 12 February 1996 and 29 May 1998.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  ICL Pathway Project
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices remain to be computerised under the ICL Pathway Project. [84253]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 14 May 1999]: At the end of March 1999, the Post Office network comprised 18,775 offices. To date, 204 offices have been automated under the ICL Pathway Project.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions trends in harassment and nuisance arising from the misuse of fireworks; and if he will make an assessment of the risks to consumer safety arising from such misuse. [84691]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has no responsibility for the harassment and nuisance issues arising from fireworks.

  Firework incidents that occur in the street during the November firework season and require treatment by A&E departments are recorded in the DTI's census of firework injuries, which is conducted over a four-week period covering the run-up to 5 November and a few days afterwards. The summary report of firework injuries treated during the 1998 firework season—a copy of which is in the Library of the House—shows that there was a 12 per cent. drop, from 256 in 1997 to 226 in 1998. in hooligan-related injuries.

  The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997, among other things, introduced controls on the supply of certain fireworks, including some types that are most often misused. These controls, together with a targeted safety campaign, played a significant part in reducing the number of firework injuries and incidents of misuse during the last firework season.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements are in place to ensure that imported fireworks placed on the market in the United Kingdom have received authorisation and categorisation by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. [84692]

  Mr. Meale
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is a requirement in law that any commercial explosive, including fireworks be classified by the Health and Safety Executive before it is imported into the UK. It is also a requirement under section 40(9) of the Explosives Act 1875 for explosives to be authorised. The conditions for authorisation have been published by the HSE. In the case of fireworks, authorisation is conditional on compliance with the requirements of British Standard 7114:1988. This is also a requirement under the Firework (Safety) Regulations 1997 which are enforced by Local Authority Trading Standards officers.

  If satisfied with an application for classification, the HSE issues a Competent Authority Document assigning the fireworks to an appropriate Hazard Classification and United Nations Serial Number. The details of each classified firework are held on a database and published as a list from time to time. The Competent Authority Document also acts to authorise the fireworks but this is subject to the fireworks meeting the relevant conditions for authorisation. Any firework not meeting these conditions would be considered not to be Authorised.

  The HSE has enforcement powers under the applicable classification regulations and will take appropriate action where unclassified or unauthorised fireworks are found in the UK. Checks for compliance are made as part of the normal duties of the explosives inspectorate such as

  411
  inspection of explosives factories and magazines, checks of transport activity, liaison and support to local authorities and investigation of incidents and complaints.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely trends in the use of fireworks at the time of the millennium celebrations; and what plans he has to promote consumer safety associated with that use. [84690]

  Dr. Howells
  It is expected that fireworks will feature in Millennium celebrations, but it is not possible to predict patterns of use. DTI officials are currently working on a publicity strategy to address firework safety issues for the 1999 firework season and the Millennium celebrations. Discussions are also taking place with the fireworks industry about the period when fireworks should be sold and other safety issues associated with the use of fireworks over the Millennium.

  Utilities (Regulations)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers his Department retains to ensure that the plans of the utilities it regulates for asset replacement are consistent with(a) safety and (b) the national interest. [84766]

  Mr. Battle
  The Director-General of Electricity Supply and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State have duties under the Electricity Act to protect the public from dangers arising from the generation, transmission or supply of electricity. The Director-General of Gas Supply and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State have duties under the Gas Act to protect the public from dangers arising from the conveyance of gas through pipes or the use of such gas. Regulations made under these Acts, including the Electricity Supply Regulations, make further provision for these matters.

  The Department has no specific powers to regulate the plans of gas, electricity or telecommunications companies for asset replacement. Various aspects of the statutory or regulatory framework within which these industries operate may, however, constrain these plans. In general, the regulatory requirements focus on the outcomes which must be achieved; it is for the companies themselves to consider any implications for their asset replacement policies and act accordingly.

  The Gas, Electricity and Telecommunications Acts, other relevant legislation and licence conditions also provide appropriate protection for certain relevant matters for national interest reasons, in particular security of supply and maintenance of supplies or communications in emergencies.

  Mines Legislation
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make an announcement on the outcome of the consultation on the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Acts 1966 and 1974. [85231]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government have concluded that no amendments to the legislation are required at present, although we shall monitor the application of these Acts to the individual minerals industries to determine whether any amendments might be desirable in the future.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the nations which have(a) agreed and (b) declined to participate in the nation a day theme in the Millennium Dome. [81751]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has invited countries from around the world to put forward their proposals for World Stage 2000. This will provide an opportunity for international participation in the Millennium Experience. A number of positive preliminary inquiries have been received and are the subject of discussion with NMEC. Firm proposals are expected in the next few weeks.

  Gwrych Castle
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Wales about the condition of Gwrych Castle; and if he will make a statement. [84736]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 19 May 1999]: None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for built heritage matters in Wales. This is a matter for which National Assembly of Wales will be responsible after devolution.

SCOTLAND

  East Lothian Local Plan
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the(a) duration and (b) cost of the inquiry into objections to the East Lothian Local Plan; if he will compensate East Lothian Council for the costs of the inquiry; and if he will make it his policy to require objectors with financial interests in proposed developments to contribute to the costs of inquiries. [84088]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The duration of the East Lothian Local Plan Inquiry is estimated to be 17 weeks, with less than 2 weeks to run.

  It is long established practice for parties to local inquiries to meet their own costs, except where unreasonable behaviour by another party justifies an award of expenses. Accordingly, the Secretary of State has no plans to compensate the Council for their costs.

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

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Entry Clearance
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were waiting in each of the queues for settlement entry clearance at each of the British posts in the Asian subcontinent at the latest available date. [84655]
  413
  Mr. Hoon
  The statistics requested are as follows. Figures are for the end of April 1999.

  Post

  Applicants

  Q11

  Q22

  Q33

  Q44

  Bombay

  633

  0

  427

  110

  96

  Calcutta

  1

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Colombo

  56

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Dhaka

  1,039

  31

  687

  14

  307

  Islamabad

  4,171

  93

  3,651

  258

  169

  Karachi

  114

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Madras

  30

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  New Delhi

  709

  6

  467

  199

  37

  1Right of Abode claimants; dependent relatives over 65; special compassionate cases.

  2 Spouses, children under 18.

  3 Fiance(e)s, other settlement categories.

  4Re-applicants.

  Note:

  Calcutta, Colombo, Karachi and Madras do not operate separate queues.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the income from entry clearance fees in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1995–96 at (i) each British post in the Asian subcontinent, (ii) Lagos, (iii) Abuja, (iv) Accra, (v) Manila, (vi) Moscow and (vii) Bogota; and what is the estimatedentry clearance fee income at each of those posts for (1) 1998–99 and (2) 1999–2000. [84662]

  Mr. Hoon
  Income for the entry clearance posts in question for the three years since 1996–97 is as follows:

  £

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Abuja

  301,397

  382,986

  497,693

  Accra

  831,432

  877,599

  1,101,338

  Bogota

  50,588

  763,799

  862,794

  Bombay

  2,644,376

  3,128,548

  3,330,583

  Calcutta

  380,253

  412,918

  412,869

  Dhaka

  1,459,555

  1,657,039

  1,606,508

  Islamabad

  2,635,300

  3,483,264

  4,317,212

  Karachi

  1,155,776

  1,266,296

  1,406,598

  Lagos

  2,108,116

  1,816,027

  2,071,149

  Madras

  765,364

  954,617

  1,091,499

  Manila

  916,781

  920,567

  882,930

  Moscow

  2,624,607

  3,261,819

  2,650,806

  New Delhi

  2,366,637

  2,838,608

  3,022,050

  Details of income from entry clearance fees for the financial year 1995–96 are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Based on previous trends, we would expect to see an increase in worldwide demand for visas in 1999–2000 of around 3 per cent. We are currently forecasting an increase in global income of about 2.6 per cent. for that year to £67.9 million. Because of the differences in application profiles we do not make estimate of income for individual posts.

  UN Special Rapporteur (Human Rights and States of Emergency)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the most recent communications he has(a) sent to and (b) received from the UN special rapporteur with responsibility for human rights and states of emergency. [84781]
  414
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  There is no record of any communication either to or from the UN Special Rapporteur with responsibility for human rights and states of emergency since this Government came to power in May 1997.

  Treaty of Amsterdam
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Treaty of Amsterdam to come into force. [82714]

  Ms Quin
  [pursuant to her reply, 28 April 1999, c. 180]: An administrative error led to a mistake in my earlier answer to the hon. Member of 28 April. The correct answer is as follows.

  The process of ratification of the Treaty of Amsterdam was completed on 30 March, when France deposited its instruments of ratification with the Italian Government.

  The Treaty entered into force on 1 May 1999, in accordance with Article 14(2) of the Treaty of Amsterdam.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of grammar schools have attained beacon school status. [84869]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Five grammar schools (3 per cent.) have now been awarded Beacon school status.

  Catering Job Vacancies
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his Department's estimate of current vacancies in the catering sector in(a) the North West of England and (b) Sefton. [84416]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Office for National Statistics publishes a seasonally unadjusted quarterly count of vacancies notified to Employment Service Jobcentres broken down by 1992 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC92) category—it combines catering and hotels.

  (a) Focusing on Jobcentres in the North West Government Office Region:

  in the 12 months ending April 1999, there were around 40,600 notified vacancies in the hotel and catering industry—representing approximately 15 per cent. of notified vacancies.

  in April 1999, there were around 4,400 unfilled vacancies in the hotels and catering industry.

  (b) Focusing on Jobcentres in the Sefton metropolitan district:

  in the 12 months ending April 1999, there were around 1,900 notified vacancies in the hotel and catering industry—representing approximately 14 per cent. of notified vacancies.

  in April 1999, there were around 200 unfilled vacancies in the hotels and catering industry.

  Not all vacancies are, however, notified to Employment Service Jobcentres.

  Class Sizes (Isle of Wight)
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for schools in the Isle of Wight Local Education Authority the change in the average size of classes, taught by one teacher, between January 1998 and January 1999 for pupils in(a) nursery classes, (b) Key Stage Two and (c) secondary schools. [84718]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on class sizes for individual schools is not published centrally. The available information for Isle of Wight Local Education Authority area is shown in the table.

  The Government have pledged to reduce infant class sizes to 30 or below by September 2001 at the latest, and we are on course to meet that pledge.

  Average class size of one teacher classes, Isle of Wight local education authority area

  January each year

  1998

  1999

  Nursery classes

  36.7

  27.0

  Key Stage One

  25.7

  23.8

  Key Stage Two

  27.6

  28.3

  Overall Primary

  26.5

  25.6

  Secondary

  22.4

  22.4

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Fuel Duty Escalator
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 April 1999,Official Report, column 299, what methodology will be used to assess the impact of the fuel duty escalator on transport emissions and when an accurate assessment of impact will be prepared. [81619]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We draw on a number of forecasting techniques to estimate the impact of the fuel duty escalator on emissions. These techniques principally focus on the long-term, since the fuel duty escalator is a long-term policy. Our forecasting methods are kept under review, and adjustments are made as and when improved techniques or new data become available.

  To some degree all these methods rely on statistical analysis of historic data, and we suspect that we will need a number of further years' traffic and emissions data before we can make a definitive short-term assessment of the impact of fuel duty increases since 1996. Even then, such an assessment will remain reliant on forecasts of what would have happened had the increases not been implemented, and will not pick up the full effects of the policy which will only become apparent over the longer term. Work in this area continues, and we will make available short-term estimates to complement the longterm estimates we have already published, once these can be provided with an acceptable degree of reliability.

  National Land Use Database
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the National Land Use Data Base. [84365]
  416
  Mr. Caborn
  I am today publishing the first results of the National Land Use Database (NLUD). This shows that there are around 33,000 hectares of previously developed vacant and derelict land in England of which about a third could be recycled for housing. Another 23,000 hectares are currently in productive use but are planned or expected to become available for redevelopment. Together, this is capable of accommodating more than 710,000 dwellings.

  The Government's target is that 60 per cent. of additional homes should be built on previously developed land or should utilise existing buildings. We have always said that this target is tough but achievable. Latest figures show that we had reached 56 per cent. by 1996.

  The results of NLUD are a snap-shot in time and provide only part of the information about the position in reaching the target. The stock of land and buildings available for recycling is continually being added to, as well as being developed for housing and other purposes, and these changes have to be fully taken into account. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has therefore asked the Urban Task Force to review the future availability of recycled land and buildings, taking account of the NLUD data. The Task Force expects to present its report at the end of next month.

  Everybody has to have the opportunity of a decent home in which to live. New houses have to be built but in a sustainable way which helps put new life into our towns and cities, makes best use of land and does not squander the precious resource of our English countryside. Policies to achieve these objectives were set out in our revised Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing, which was issued for consultation at the end of March.

  Today's publication represents the first step towards a comprehensive National Land Use Database which my Department is developing in partnership with local government, English Partnerships and Ordnance Survey.

  The statistical bulletin released today gives national and regional results for different types of land, with information about planned uses and assessments of suitability for housing. Some results are also being made available for individual local planning authorities.

  This information will be valuable to all those concerned with planning and urban regeneration, including the regional planning conferences—who will be setting regional targets for the re-use of previously developed land for new housing, English Partnerships—who are doing further work on key sites, and the Regional Development Agencies and local authorities who have a key role in supporting the development of previously used sites.

  I want to thank local authorities for their splendid efforts in helping us assembly the new database. The data will be useful to them as well as us in seeking to make the very best use of recycled land. The intention now is to build on this work by working with them to develop a system to keep the information up to date, and to expand the scope of the database to encompass all land uses.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many cases
  417
  of nuisance caused by misuse of fireworks were reported to environmental service departments between January 1998 and January 1999. [84695]

  Mr. Meale
  Information on the number of cases reported to environmental service departments is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for authorisation and categorisation of fireworks to be imported to the United Kingdom there have been in each year since 1996; how many were(a) approved and (b) denied; and what were the categories involved in each case. [84696]

  Mr. Meale
  The applications received by the HSE for the classification and authorisation of fireworks since 1996 are as follows:

  Year

  Number of Applications

  1996

  13

  1997

  54

  1998

  42

  1999

  14

  No applications were refused. The fireworks covered by these applications were in any of the four British Standards categories.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the contribution which switching wherever practical to(a) energy-efficient light bulbs and (b) semiconductor (gallium nitride) illumination in traffic lights, would make toward meeting the UK' s obligations under the Kyoto Accord. [84549]

  Mr. Meale
  We have made no overall assessment of potential energy savings from improved traffic lights but we are aware of the developing technology in this area which could yield savings in the longer term. In particular, my Department participates in an International Energy Agency technology procurement agreement which includes a project to bring forward semi-conductor (Light Emitting Diode) traffic light technology. The first UK site trial was started last summer. Savings in both energy and replacement costs of as much as 60 per cent. are predicted but no firm figures are yet available. The trial was actively encouraged by the Highways Agency who formed a partnership, to promote this technology, with Bristol City Council and the manufacturer.

  Since then the traffic light developed from that trial has been approved against the national specification. Several local authorities have already installed the new signals. There is at present only the one company involved but the recent approval is encouraging several others, who are now actively engaged in the approval process.

  Airport Capacity
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received on runway capacity at airports in the South of England; and if he will make a statement. [84561]
  418
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We receive a steady flow of correspondence from various organisations and members of the public, directly or indirectly relating to runway capacity at airports in the South of England. In its Eighth Report on Regional Air Services, published on 27 July 1998, the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, stated that"The Government must address the question of capacity in the South-East as a matter of urgency".

  On 11 March 1999, Official Report, columns 360–61, we announced our decision to set in hand a study of airports issues in the South-East of England and the East of England. This study will consider future policies for these airports within the framework of the Government's sustainable development principles. The study will examine a wide range of options and, in accordance with the new approach to appraisal set out in the New Deal for Transport White Paper, will appraise their economic, environmental and social implications. The study will consider both terminal and runway capacity. Following completion of the study, there will be public consultation on options arising from this work. The results of the airport studies will be incorporated in a White Paper on UK airports policy looking some 30 years ahead. The White Paper will also reflect the Government's decisions in response to the Inspector's report on the Heathrow Terminal 5 Inquiry.

  Roads (Aggregates)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the aggregates and other material from redundant roads is recycled and used in new roads. [84686]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There is no comprehensive statistical source from which this percentage can be calculated. A 1995–96 OECD Survey on recycling of road by-products reported in "Recycling Strategies for Road Works" (OECD 1997) found that in the UK 90 per cent. of reclaimed asphalt and 75 per cent. of concrete derived from old road pavements were recycled, but not necessarily for use in roads.

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress towards introducing a national concessionary travel scheme for pensioners. [84860]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We will bring forward legislation as soon as Parliamentary time permits to provide for the minimum half-fare scheme for pensioners which we have already proposed. It is open to individual local authorities to introduce such a scheme on their own initiative, before legislation is introduced, for example if at present they provide a less generous scheme, or no scheme at all.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations of new landfill sites currently under planning consideration to receive household and organic waste. [84431]
  419
  Mr. Raynsford
  Planning applications for landfill sites to receive household and organic waste are normally dealt with by the local planning authority. The Secretary of State will become aware of such an application only if it is referred to him as a departure from the development plan, if he has called it in for his own determination, or is considering doing so, or if it is subject to an appeal. There are, at present, 12 landfill proposals which fall within the above categories. These are:

  1. Brogborough Tip, Brogborough, Bedfordshire;

  2. Bell House Landfill Site, Colchester, Essex;

  3. Alton Road Site, Waverley, Surrey;

  4. Lamberhurst Farm Site, Lamberhurst, Kent;

  5. Tiptree Farm, Sittingbourne, Kent;

  6. High Lane Void, Silverdale, Staffordshire;

  7. Hadley Quarry, Ketley, Shropshire;

  8. Buck Park Quarry, Bradford;

  9. Thurcroft Site, Thurcroft, Rotherham;

  10. Houghton Quarry, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland;

  11. Broadoak Site, Hamsterley, Northumberland;

  12. Round "O" Quarry, Skelmersdale.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list by local authority the local targets and current achievement for recycling of household waste; [84432]

  (2) if he will list those local authorities which run waste plastic collection and recycling schemes. [84514]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department does not require local authorities to set targets for recycling. Data from the municipal waste survey for the year 1997–98 are currently being validated against previous years' data. I hope to be able to let my hon. Friend have a full reply to his question on Friday 4 June.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures are in place for monitoring the accuracy of local authorities' waste recycling figures. [84433]

  Mr. Meale
  Data for each local authority collected from the Department's annual municipal waste survey are compared with previous years' figures, and with data from other comparable authorities.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government are taking to encourage the recycling of plastics. [84434]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government have established a Market Development Group to consider the measures that could be taken to enhance the markets for recycled materials, including plastics, and to develop proposals to help overcome any barriers. The Group is considering a range of measures to improve stability and demand in the markets for recyclate, including the development of new markets and the use of economic instruments. The report of the Group will be published for consultation at the same time as the draft waste strategy.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much plastic waste has been imported into the UK each year since 1994. [84435]
  420
  Mr. Meale
  Plastic wastes are usually regarded as non-hazardous waste under Council Regulation (EEC) No.259/93 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community. Imports of such waste for recovery is subject to commercial controls only, and information is not therefore collated by the competent authorities. Nor is the information available on the imports/exports database held by the Department of Trade and Industry, since the entry that covers plastic "waste" also includes a large number of substances which are not waste.

  Whilst the Council Regulation requires imports of non-hazardous waste for disposal, and of hazardous wastes for disposal and recovery, to be notified to the competent authorities, information available to the competent authorities indicate that there have been no notified imports of plastic waste over this period.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the percentages of(a) metals other than aluminium, (b) aluminium, (c) paper, (d) plastics, (e) glass and (f) organic materials recycled in the last year for which figures are available. [84528]

  Mr. Meale
  The most recent data on recycling rates supplied to the Department for each of the following materials are as follows:

  Material

  Estimated recycling rate1 Percentage

  Date of estimate

  Copper

  37

  1997

  Lead

  68

  1997

  Zinc

  19

  1997

  Aluminium scrap

  44

  1996

  Ferrous scrap

  45

  1997

  Paper

  38

  1997

  Glass

  26

  1996

  1Material re-used as a percentage of consumption

  With regard to plastics and organic waste, we do not collect data on the amount recycled.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what legislation regulates the siting of television and mobile phone masts; and if he will make a statement. [84871]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) grants a general planning permission for telecommunications masts, including those used for television broadcasting and those for mobile communications, providing

  the mast is erected by a telecommunications code system operator licensed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984;

  the mast does not exceed 15 metres in height;

  the mast is not erected in a National Park, area of outstanding natural beauty, conservation area, or the Broads; and

  the mast is not refused prior approval by the local planning authority within the period allowed under the Order. The authority must be given the opportunity to say whether they wish to
  421
  approve, within 28 days, details of the mast's siting and appearance. The authority may refuse approval if they consider there to be a serious threat to amenity.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning indicated in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, East and Mexborough (Mr. Ennis), on 16 November 1998, Official Report, columns 343–44, our intention to make a number of changes to the GPDO in respect of telecommunications development. We anticipate that these changes will be made shortly. A full application for planning permission is normally required for any mast which does not enjoy the general planning permission granted under permitted development rights.

HEALTH

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when funding for beta interferon will be available in all health districts. [81742]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 13 May 1999,Official Report, column 202.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of prescription charges to the NHS in the year 1998. [83334]

  Mr. Denham
  In 1997–98 the cost of dispensed prescriptions written by general practitioners in England was £4,085 million. A further £768 million was paid to dispensing contractors in respect of their prescriptions.

  Aricept
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what ethical guidelines are given to Government-supported medical researchers into the Alzheimer's drug Aricept about administering placebos to patients who could benefit from the drug. [84261]

  Mr. Hutton
  All research involving patients and supported by the Department, the National Health Service or the Medical Research Council is required to obtain ethical approval from the appropriate research ethics committee(s). Scientific review mechanisms also consider ethical aspects of research, including the appropriateness of randomisation and other study designs, and the use of placebos.

  Guidance on research ethics is provided in the Department's Guidance for Local Research Ethics Committees and for Mulitcentre Research Ethics Committees, in conjunction with: the Royal College of Physicians' "Guidelines on the Practice of Ethics Committees in Medical Research involving Human Subjects"; and the Medical Research Council's "Guidelines for Good Practice in Clinical Trials". Copies of these will be placed in the Library.

  The AD2000 trial of Aricept is being supported through the NHS research and development programme. The protocol allows for patients to be randomly assigned to Aricept or a placebo when there is uncertainty (on
  422
  the basis of the known effects of Aricept and the characteristics of the patient), as to whether or not Aricept would offer the patient any overall benefit. The trial has been approved by the Regional Multi-Centre Research Ethics committee and the Local Research Ethics Committee for each particular centre at which the trial is being conducted.

  Oncologists
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many oncologists are employed per head of population in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) each EU country, (c) Canada, (d) the USA and (e) Japan; and if he will make a statement. [84238]

  Mr. Denham
  The whole-time equivalent number of Medical Oncology staff per head of 100,000 population in England is 0.441.

  The whole-time equivalent number of Clinical Oncology staff (Radiotherapists) per head of 100,000 population in England is 1.151.

  Numbers for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. Numbers for European Union countries, Canada, the United States of America and Japan are not available centrally.

  1 Source:

  Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce census at 30 September 1997. Office for National Statistics—Mid 1997 population estimates for England.

  PFI (Hospitals)
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what date the NHS Capital Prioritisation Group completed its assessment of the hospital development schemes currently seeking prioritisation for PFI funding; [84273]

  (2) for what reasons the announcements of the schemes to be implemented following the assessment by the NHS Capital Prioritisation Group of the proposals submitted has not yet been made; [84272]

  (3) on what date the NHS Capital Prioritisation Group's assessment of the hospital development schemes currently seeking prioritisation for PFI funding was made available to Ministers at his Department; [84271]

  (4) when the announcement as to which of the hospital development schemes currently seeking investment prioritisation have been successful will be made. [84276]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group completed its assessment of the 10 schemes currently seeking prioritisation on 4 December 1998. Its report was passed to Ministers on 17 December.

  An announcement will be made when Ministers have completed their consideration of all the proposals and fully assessed the implications for the NHS.

  NHS Direct and Walk-in Clinics
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means continuity of patients' notes will be kept between(a) NHS Direct and GPs and (b) walk-in clinics and GPs. [84374]

  Mr. Denham
  Walk-in centres will be expected to have links with local general practitioners' practices to ensure continuity of care for patients. For NHS Direct, national guidance will be issued in due course.

  Lung Cancer Deaths (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men and (b) women died from lung cancer in the Greater London area in 1998. [84402]

  Screening unit name

  Physical location

  Health authority populations served

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood

  Victoria Centre, Romford

  Barking and Havering (and part South Essex)

  Central and East London

  St. Bartholomews Hospital

  Camden and Islington East London and The City

  Enfield and Haringey

  North Middlesex Hospital

  Enfield and Haringey

  North of London

  Edgware Hospital

  Barnet Brent and Harrow

  Whipps Cross

  Whipps Cross Hospital

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  West of London

  Charing Cross Hospital

  Ealing Hammersmith and Hounslow Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Hillingdon

  South East London

  Kings Healthcare Trust

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Bexley and Greenwich Bromley

  South West London

  St. Georges Trust

  Merton, Sutton, and Wandsworth Croydon Kingston and Richmond

  Note:

  The unit at Epping, in Eastern Region also currently serves part of the Redbridge and Waltham Forest population

  Free Sight Tests
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people over the age of 60 years have had free sight tests since January. [84400]

  Mr. Denham
  On the basis of activity levels in past years, we estimate that, in each of the months January to March 1999, people aged 60 and over will have received 0.35 million sight tests, of which just under half will have been National Health Service tests. The first statistics to show the impact of our decision to make everyone aged 60 and over eligible for free NHS sight tests with effect from 1 April 1999 will be available next February.

  Overtime Payments (Millennium Period)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what funding his Department has made available to cover the costs of overtime payments to National Health Service staff over the millennium celebration period; [84392]
  424
  Mr. Hutton
  Deaths from lung cancer (ICD9 1621) in Greater London in 1998 are as follows:

  2,239 males

  1,378 females.

  1 These are deaths that were registered in 1998 and certified with an underlying cause of death coded to 162 using the International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision.

  These figures were supplied by the Office for National Statistics.

  Breast Screening Units (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the breast screening units in hospitals which serve the Greater London area. [84403]

  Mr. Hutton
  The breast screening units serving the greater London area are shown in the table.

  (2) what is his Department's estimate of the extra cost to the National Health Service of overtime payments to staff over the millennium celebration period. [84391]

  Mr. Denham
  It is for National Health Service trusts to decide individual staffing requirements for the millennium period, including any overtime they think necessary, to ensure effective patient services are in place. Enhanced payments are available for most staff groups who work on bank holidays. As a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review, funding for the NHS has risen to just under £40 billion in 1999–2000, a real terms increase of 5.1 per cent. over the previous year.

  Surgical Instruments
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) deaths, (b) amputations and (c) other complications have been caused by surgical instruments or part of such remaining in patients following a surgical operation in each of the last three years. [84404]
  425
  Mr. Denham
  The table shows hospital inpatient activity for the financial years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 where a foreign body has accidentally been left in a body cavity or operation wound following a procedure.

  Finished consultant episodes

  Deaths

  1995–96

  841

  4

  1996–971

  756

  11

  1997–981

  749

  8

  1Figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are provisional

  Source:

  Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)

  Research Ethics Committees
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the operations of multi-centre Research Ethics Committees with the EU Clinical Trials Directive. [84347]

  Ms Jowell
  The European Union Clinical Trials Directive is still under negotiation and the text may change. It is therefore not possible to reach a final view of its compatibility with the operations of Research Ethics Committees in the United Kingdom.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average time taken for ethics committee approval of research and clinical trial proposals in(a) the year before and (b) the period since the introduction of multi-centre research ethics committees. [84345]

  Ms Jowell
  The time taken for ethics approval of research and clinical trials is not data which was systematically collected before the introduction of multi-centre research ethics committees. An evaluation of the first full year of operation of multi-centre research ethics committees is currently being analysed and will be available later this year.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what review the Government have undertaken of the operation of local and multi-centre research ethics committees since their introduction; and what proposals he has to amend their method of operation. [84346]

  Ms Jowell
  Multi-Centre Research Ethics were introduced in 1997. Based on evolving experience with the operation of Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees, and the relationship between their work and that of Local Research Ethics Committees, the Department of Health is currently conducting a review of policy and practice with the intention of issuing revised guidance later this year.

  Correspondence
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons a reply was not received by the hon. Member for Solihull to his letter of 18 January on behalf of his constitutent Mrs. Penny Anderson until 5 May (ref POH (2) 5422/22). [84352]

  Mr. Denham
  I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in replying. I wanted to ensure that we gave a full 426
  and informative response which included details of this year's National Health Service pay settlement. Ministers received a large volume of correspondence on this subject and it took longer than we would have wished to reply to it all.

  Primary Care
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for encouraging private sector involvement in the provision of primary care services. [84640]

  Mr. Denham
  Some primary care pilots include a National Health Service trust as a provider of patient services. Otherwise, general medical services and general dental services are provided by independent, self-employed contractors to the NHS. General ophthalmic services and pharmaceutical services are also provided by independent contractors, including single-handed practices, and local and national chains of opticians and chemists.

  Hospital Telephone Inquiry Line
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of hospital telephone inquiry numbers are free phone numbers. [84720]

  Mr. Denham
  National Health Service trusts may wish to set up telephone inquiry numbers for a variety of reasons and it is up to them to decide whether to use freephone numbers. An individual inquiry line will be set up to meet the needs of a particular set of local circumstances that may be relatively short-lived; the numbers will therefore fluctuate. NHS trusts are not required to notify the Department when they set up (or discontinue) such a line.

  Junior Doctors
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior doctors worked more than 58 hours a week in each quarter since 1994. [84764]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally. The New Deal on Junior Doctors' Hours monitors working hours compliance on a six-monthly basis according to whether or not junior doctors comply with a range of hours controls, including rest periods. Since 31 December 1994, there has been a requirement that no junior doctor should exceed a maximum average of 56 hours a week actual work. Data collated from regional task forces' reports is as follows:

  Monitoring date

  Number of juniors' posts

  Non-complying posts over 56 hours

  Percentage non-compliance

  September 1994

  27,184

  11,347

  41.3

  February 1995

  27,669

  8,268

  29.9

  September 1995

  27,994

  8,908

  31.8

  March 1996

  27,970

  6,579

  23.5

  September 1996

  28,342

  6,121

  21.6

  March 1997

  29,482

  6,485

  21.9

  September 1997

  29,572

  5,764

  19.5

  March 1998

  29,976

  4,999

  16.7

  September 1998

  29,584

  4,793

  16.2

  Incontinence Services
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to health authorities and local authorities on their responsibilities regarding incontinence aids and advice to residents in residential care and nursing homes. [84536]

  Mr. Hutton
  Guidance on the provision of incontinence aids is contained in Health Service Guidance (92)50: Local authority contracts for residential and nursing home care: NHS related aspects.

  This circular sets out the continuing responsibility of the National Health Service in the provision of community health services to residents in local authority and independent residential care homes on the same basis as to people in their own homes. The circular also says that Local Authorities, since April 1993, are responsible for purchasing items as incontinence aids for residents they place in nursing homes. This guidance was reiterated in HSG(95)8, "NHS responsibilities for meeting continuing health care needs".

  Safety Syringes
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he has issued to health authorities relating to the use of safety syringes; what assessment he has made of the extent of the current use of safety syringes by health trusts; and if he will make a statement. [84537]

  Ms Jowell
  At present, the use of safety syringes is not widespread within the healthcare sector, due to the limited range of sizes and types available. Consequently, the Department has not issued any guidelines to health trusts on the use of these devices, nor has it carried out any assessments on their current usage.

  The Department has issued guidance on the safe use and disposal of sharp instruments, including needles and syringes. Professional organisations and trusts have also issued local guidance.

  Glenthorne Centre
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals are under consideration for the future management of the Glenthorne Centre, Erdington. [84785]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Glenthorne Youth Treatment Centre is managed by the Department and there are no current plans to change this.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place a copy of the job evaluation and grading scheme report on operational and unit staff at the Glenthorne Centre, Erdington, in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [84784]

  Mr. Hutton
  An independent job evaluation review of the staffing posts at the Glenthorne Youth Treatment Centre was undertaken last year for internal departmental management purposes. The findings of the report are still under consideration and no decision has yet been taken about publication.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the research he has carried out into the possible effects of radiation emitted from television and mobile telephone masts on public health; what were the findings of that research; and if he will make a statement. [84870]

  Ms Jowell
  In 1996, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) evaluated an epidemiological study by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit. This study, undertaken on behalf of this and five other Government Departments, investigated the incidence of leukaemia near 20 high power TV/FM radio transmitters in Great Britain. The study found that living close to a transmitter was not associated with an increased risk of leukaemia. In their statement (copies of which are available in the Library) COMARE reiterated their previous advice that there is no firm evidence of a carcinogenic hazard from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from television and radio mast emissions.

  The Department is currently contributing to the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields Project, which includes health effects of electromagnetic fields and is funding studies investigating possible biological effects from EMF generally. A three-year study in the United Kingdom of occupational exposure to radiofrequency fields, including those from TV and radio transmitters, was launched in November 1998. The Department is supporting this study.

  I have recently announced a working group to assess the current state of research into the health implications of mobile telephones usage. The chairman, members, terms of reference and time scale for reporting will be announced shortly.

  IVF Treatment
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his holding answer of 8 December and his further holding answer of 1 March, when he expects to provide a substantive answer to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury. [84873]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government has pledged to tackle unacceptable levels of geographical variations in access to National Health Service infertility treatment and has set in train a programme of work to achieve that aim.

  A Department of Health survey of current health authority infertility service provision will take place shortly and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) will complete their third, and final, set of evidence based clinical guidelines on infertility in the autumn.

  The Department's survey will enable the cost implications of any policy changes to be estimated. It is important to wait for the RCOG guidelines to be completed and considered by the Department as they will indicate the circumstances in which infertility treatment can be most clinically effective.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners whose income made them not eligible for income support prior to April 1999 but who are now eligible to claim the minimum income guarantee in(a) Wythenshawe and Sale East, (b) Manchester, (c) Trafford and (d) the United Kingdom. [84331]

  Mr. Timms
  The number of pensioner benefit units that will become entitled to Income Support in Great Britain as a result of the increase in the Income Support rates in April this year is estimated to be 65,000. This figure cannot be apportioned with any reliability to constituency or local authority areas because the sample size is not large enough. Information relating to the numbers of pensioners in receipt of Income Support as of November 1998 (the latest date for which the data is available) is in the table.

  Income Support pensioners at November 1998

  Pensioner benefit units

  Wythenshawe and Sale East Parliamentary Constituency

  4,000

  Manchester Local Authority District

  17,000

  Trafford Local Authority District

  6,000

  Great Britain

  1,417,000

  Notes:

  1. "Pensioner benefit unit" means a single person aged 60 or over, or a couple where one or both members is aged 60 or over.

  2. The estimates exclude pensioners in residential care and nursing homes.

  3. Figures in the table are rounded to the nearest thousand cases, and are subject to a degree of sampling error.

  4. Parliamentary Constituency data relates to constituency boundaries as at 1 May 1997. Local Authority data relates to boundaries as at 31 December 1998.

  Lone Parents
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents have obtained jobs through the New Deal for Lone Parents in the unit of delivery area covering the Vale of York. [84555]

  Angela Eagle
  The New Deal for Lone Parents was launched nationally on 26 October 1998 and offers a whole range of services including training, childcare and access to Employment Service (ES) programmes, which help support lone parents on the route to work.

  In the North Yorkshire district, which covers the Vale of York, 71 lone parents moved into jobs between 26 October 1998 and 26 March 1999.

  Note:

  North Yorkshire district covers areas served by ES Jobcentres in York offices; Harrogate; Northallerton; Richmond; Ryedale; Scarborough; Selby and Whitby.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many local authorities(a) do and (b) do not disregard the whole amount of war widows' pensions and war disablement pensions for the purpose of housing benefit; [84559]
  430
  (2) if he will estimate the additional cost to (a) central Government and (b) local authorities, if every local authority disregarded the whole amount of war widows' pensions and war disablement pensions for the purposes of housing benefit. [84560]

  Angela Eagle
  The additional cost to central Government of a full disregard, on a statutory basis, of War Widows Pension and War Disablement Pension in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is estimated to be in the region of £70 million a year.

  Information on discretionary local schemes for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

TREASURY

  Gold Reserves
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tons of gold from the national reserves have been sold since May 1997. [84285]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 14 May 1999]: The only sales of gold since May 1997 have been gold sovereigns and other gold coins in response to demand amounting to some 52,500 ounces.

  Foreign Currency Reserves
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the United Kingdom's foreign currency reserves are currently held in euros. [84282]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 14 May 1999]: The size and composition of the UK's reserves is set out in Table 2 in the Quarterly Report on the United Kingdom Official Holdings of Foreign Currency and Gold for the period October to December 1998, published by the Treasury and Bank of England on 2 March 1999.

  Business Link
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the(a) role in informing business on EMU, (b) the budget and (c) publications of Business Link. [83927]

  Ms Hewitt
  Business Link partnerships—and their equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland—have a key role to play in making sure that small and medium-sized firms in the UK are equipped to meet the challenges resulting from the introduction of the euro in 11 European countries earlier this year. Business Links will bring their own experience and knowledge of local conditions to bear on this role, but are supported by the Euro Preparations Unit of the Treasury through training, publications, specialist guidance and advice.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which activities are covered in EU budget lines listed under the heading(a) Social Contacts Between Staff,(b) Early Childhood Centre and other Crèches and (c) Entertainment and Representation Expenses; what were the total costs expected under the last budget for these headings; and if he will make a statement. [82477]
  431
  Ms Hewitt
  The appropriations entered under these headings in the 1999 budget of each EU institution, including a guide to the range of activities covered by each individual budget item, is given in the "Official Journal of the European Communities", L39, Volume 42, 12 February 1999, which is available in the Library of the House.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average price for a private medical insurance premium for each of the last five years. [84658]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Association of British Insurers' statistics on UK Private Medical Insurance indicate that the average price of an annual insurance premium, for each of the last five years, has been as follows:

  Year

  £

  1993

  257

  1994

  268

  1995

  267

  1996

  287

  1997

  307

  Statistics for 1998 have not yet been published.

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the agenda of the ECOFIN Council of 25 May. [84684]

  Ms Hewitt
  The current draft agenda for the 25 May ECOFIN Council is as follows:

  1. Approval of the provisional agenda;

  2. Approval of the list of "A" items;

  3. Preparation of Cologne European Council

  (a) Broad Economic Policy Guidelines

  (b) European Employment Pact

  (c) Report on the Single Market for Financial Services

  (d) Progress Report on Reinforced Tax Policy Co-operation

  (e) Report on the improvements in the functioning of the international financial system

  (f) Report on the promotion of investment on European infrastructure and in human capital

  4. Taxation

  (a) Code of Conduct (Business Taxation)

  2 interim report from the Code of Conduct Group

  Council Conclusions

  (b) Taxation of Savings

  Council Conclusions

  (c) Taxation of interest and royalty payments

  (d) Energy Taxation

  Presidency Compromise

  (e) Excise Duties on Tobacco (Possible A Point)

  (f) VAT

  Telecom Services (Possible A Point)

  (g) VAT

  Reduced rate on labour intensive services
  432
  5. Efficient Financial Management/Fight against Fraud

  (a) Amended Proposal for a Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) concerning investigations conducted by the Fraud Prevention Office—adoption

  Amended proposal for a Council Regulation (Euratom) concerning investigations conducted by the Fraud Prevention Office—adoption

  Interinstitutional Agreement concerning internal investigations conducted by the Fraud Prevention Office—approval

  Council decision concerning conditions and modalities of internal investigations relating to fight against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the European Communities—adoption

  Designation of the members of the Supervisory Committee foreseen in Art. 11 of the regulation

  (b) Fight against Fraud

  Working document on activities: Council conclusions

  (c) SEM 2000—Phase III

  Council conclusions

  6. AOB—Duty Free.

  Fuel Costs (Public Sector)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure on gas and electricity by the public sector for each of the last three years for which figures are available. [84309]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Chaytor, dated 20 May 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on total expenditure on gas and electricity by the public sector.
  The ONS does not publish information for Public Sector expenditure on gas and electricity. It does however publish information for such expenditure by General Government, which is the Public Sector excluding Public Corporations.
  This information is published in 'United Kingdom Input-Output supply and Use Balances, 1992–96', and is on each year's table 5. The product numbers are 85 for Electricity Production and Distribution and 86 for Gas Distribution. General Government expenditure on these products is shown in the 'Total Intermediate' column.
  The data are consistent with the 1998 edition of 'United Kingdom National Accounts' (The Blue Book).
  Both publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Monetary Policy Committee
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans any changes to the remit for the Monetary Policy Committee. [85208]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I have written to the Governor of the Bank of England confirming that the remit for the Monetary Policy Committee will remain unchanged. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Serious Fraud Office
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases the Serious Fraud Office has prosecuted in the current year to date. [83881]

  The Attorney-General
  In the 12 months up to 7 May 1999, the Serious Fraud Office prosecuted 17 cases involving 35 defendants. Of the 35 defendants, 28 were convicted or pleaded guilty.

  Civil Procedures
  35. Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps the Treasury Solicitor has taken to ensure that his Department takes full advantage of the new civil procedures. [83882]

  The Attorney-General
  The Treasury Solicitor has ensured the availability of extensive training in the Civil Procedure Reforms, both to case officers involved in litigation and to those in his client departments responsible for pre-litigation conduct and for provision of instructions. The culture introduced by the reforms is wholly consistent with the aims of the Government Legal Service for litigation to be resolved speedily wherever possible and for Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques to be used in appropriate cases. The Treasury Solicitor and his staff welcome the opportunity provided by the new Rules to devote to litigation resources proportionate to the importance of the issues raised.

  Case Loads
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the current case load of(a) the Serious Fraud Office and (b) the equivalent sections of the Crown Prosecution Service. [83884]

  The Attorney-General
  The Serious Fraud Office currently has a caseload of 66 serious or complex fraud cases. In the year 1998–99, of 38 defendants whose cases were brought to trial, 31 were convicted and seven acquitted. The Crown Prosecution Service does not have a directly equivalent section. The majority of the more serious fraud cases handled by the CPS are handled by the Casework Directorate at CPS headquarters. The Casework Directorate currently has a caseload of 212 such cases.

  Racial Hatred (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the number of prosecutions there have been for incitement to racial hatred in each year since 1995. [83885]

  The Attorney-General
  Since 1995, 30 consents have been granted for prosecutions of incitement to racial hatred under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986. I am arranging for a breakdown to be placed in the Library.

  Police Complaints
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the target set by the Crown Prosecution Service for the length of time to consider a report laid before it by the Police Complaints Authority and to make a decision on whether to bring criminal charges; how many reports 434
  of the PCA the Crown Prosecution Service has considered in each of the past five years; what was the average length of time taken to consider a PCA report in each year; on how many occasions consideration of a PCA report has taken more than five months in each of the past five years; for what percentage of PCA reports considered by the CPS a decision was taken to bring criminal charges; and what was the average length of time taken to consider a report that (i) resulted in the placing of criminal charges and (ii) did not lead to criminal charges. [84874]

  The Attorney-General
  The Police Complaints Authority does not submit cases directly to the Crown Prosecution Service. The Police Complaints Authority may supervise a police investigation into a complaint and it is the police force which then submits a file to the Crown Prosecution Service. The Crown Prosecution Service then reviews the case in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

  The Crown Prosecution Service has agreed with the Police Complaints Authority that the decisions, in all but the most serious and complex cases, will be made within 28 days of the receipt of the file from the police.

  There are no readily available co-ordinated statistics for the receipt, timeliness of decision and outcome of decision for cases which have Police Complaints Authority involvement. Such cases are spread across England and Wales. Accordingly, the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Diarmuid O'Neill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make the report of the Police Complaints Authority investigation into the death of Diarmuid O'Neill available to his family. [84875]

  The Attorney-General
  The Metropolitan Police conducted an investigation, under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority, into the death of Diarmuid O'Neill. The Police Complaints Authority issued a statutory statement that the investigation had been conducted to its satisfaction. The report produced by the Metropolitan Police investigating officer is confidential.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Probate Registry
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he intends to take to improve the service to people who require to use the offices of the Probate Registry. [84639]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Probate Registry regularly carries out customer surveys and has a Group Customer Service Officer to co-ordinate its customer service initiatives and deal with day to day inquiries from probate registry users. In particular, the Probate Registry is launching a National Telephone Number on 25 May 1999, which is to be published in all local telephone directories and on all Probate Service leaflets. This should make it easier for people to get through to the Probate Registry on the telephone.
  435
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people are employed at the offices of the Probate Registry. [84637]

  Mr. Vaz
  There are 29 staff in the Probate Department of the Principle Registry of the Family Division.

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimates he has made of the average time taken to answer a telephone call at the offices of the Probate Registry. [84636]

  Mr. Vaz
  This information is not collected. However, the Probate Registry aims to answer incoming telephone calls within the Courts' Charter promise of 30 seconds.

  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost of the new office of the Probate Registry in High Holborn. [84638]

  Mr. Vaz
  I am unable to provide a figure for the Probate Registry alone, as the figures available are for the cost of the entire Principal Registry of the Family Division of which the Probate Registry forms part. The annual rent for First Avenue house, High Holborn is £2.3 million and the rates are £524,276. The cost for the furniture and miscellaneous office equipment was £564,768.

DEFENCE

  Executive Agencies (Performance Targets)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Medical Training Organisation for the financial year 1999–2000 [85235]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the DMTO for the financial year 1999–2000. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1997 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—Academic Success (Quality and Quantity)

  To achieve the following academic success rate:

  Common Core Course (CCC)—94 per cent.

  Specialist Registrars (SpR)—96 per cent.

  Pre Registration Nurses (Pre Reg Nurses)—96 per cent.

  Key Target 2—Academic Success (Timeliness)

  The following per cent. of trainees achieving academic success to be delivered on time agreed with the customer:

  CCC—96 per cent. (remainder within 6 weeks)

  SpR—96 per cent.

  Pre Reg Nurses—98 per cent.

  Key Target 3—Individual Medical Services Training

  Establish and agree with customers the baseline requirement for external medical services training by 31 march 2000.

  Key Target 4—Agreed Annual Training Requirement

  To achieve 1.5 per cent. efficiency gain in matching capacity to the Agreed Annual Training Requirement.

  Key Target 5—Systems Approach to Training

  To ensure comprehensive application of the Systems Approach to Training, to a minimum of 33 per cent. of all appropriate courses.
  436
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Secondary Care Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [85236]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the DSCA for the financial year 1999–2000. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—The Operational Requirement

  From within the personnel resources provided to DSCA by the single Services, to meet 100 per cent. of the requirement of the Commanders in Chief for secondary care trained personnel for operational deployments.

  Key Target 2—Outpatient Waiting Times

  To ensure that 50 per cent. of Service patients referred to the Agency are offered a first outpatient appointment within 4 weeks of receipt of a referral and 90 per cent. within 13 weeks.

  Key Target 3—Inpatient Waiting Times

  To ensure that 80 per cent. of Service patients are offered a treatment date which is within 13 weeks of the decision to give inpatient treatment.

  Key Target 4—Efficiency

  To put in place the systems required to calculate the new efficiency measure defined for the DSCA in financial year 1998–99 and confirm by 31 December 1999 that a baseline value for the reporting year as a whole can be established on which to calculate efficiency targets in subsequent years.

  Key Target 5—Quality

  The DSCA will carry out the NHS requirements for progress in clinical governance in the current year and, by 31 December 1999, will deliver specific reports on performance in the patients' understanding of treatment, the monitoring of complaints and the incidence of adverse occurrences.

  Key Target 6—Military Training

  To ensure that 80 per cent. of all DSCA personnel whose medical category permits, are released to receive their respective Service's annual mandatory military training.

  Key Target 7—Personnel for Exercises

  To ensure that 80 per cent. of DSCA based personnel nominated to established posts in their Service's operational core requirement are released to attend appropriate exercises.

  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [85237]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following Key Targets have been set for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency for 1999–2000:

  Key Target 1:

  To deliver personnel to the trained strength (or to other training organisations) within 5 per cent. variance from the tasked requirement.

  Key Target 2:

  To obtain 95 per cent. satisfactory assessments from the employers of NRTA trainees.

  Key Target 3:

  To maintain success rates of 95 per cent. in Career Training and 97 per cent. in examined Pre-joining training.

  Key Target 4:

  To reduce the variance between RNR Trained Strength and Trained Requirement to 39 per cent.
  437
  Key Target 5:

  To retain tasked capacity while operating NRTA within its 1999–2000 cash allocation.

  Key Target 6:

  To achieve net benefits of £8.1 million in Financial Year 1999–2000 from the partnering arrangement with Flagship Training Ltd.

  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Dental Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [85275]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the DDA for financial year 1999–2000. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1: The Operational Requirement

  From within available personnel resources, achieve 100 per cent. of required professionally and militarily trained personnel, at the specified readiness required for deployment in support of the National Contingency Force.

  Key Target 2: Overall Dental Fitness

  For each Service, maintain the agreed fitness target of 75 per cent. of all Service personnel to be fit for deployment or such targets as may be decided by mutual agreement with the Agency's customers.

  Key Target 3: Treatment Needs

  To show a zero increase in the Treatment Needs Index.

  Key Target 4: Dental Fitness Category D

  To limit the number of personnel in dental fitness Category D4 (those personnel who have not received a dental inspection and charting for 12 months or more) to 14 per cent. of the total Service population.

  Key Target 5: Training

  To achieve a success rate for Vocational Dental Practitioner, Dental Hygienist and Basic Dental Support Specialist (DSS) training of 90 per cent. within the normal duration of each course.

  Mine Countermeasures Vessels
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the time scale for the mine countermeasures vessels upgrading to(a) Royal Navy capabilities and (b) the long-term cost of the upgrade. [84506]

  Mr. Spellar
  The revised time scale for the sonar upgrade to the HUNT class mine countermeasures vessels will delay the planned improvement of the vessels minehunting performance. Although the delay will have an impact on operational capabilities, we assess that it is manageable in the context of current commitments. The Department's assessment of the impact of the delay on the long-term cost of the upgrade constitutes internal discussion and advice to Ministers, and the disclosure of such advice could prejudice the competitive position of the Department in negotiations with contractors and reveal commercially confidential data. I am therefore withholding this information under exemptions 2,7 and 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  NATO Task Forces
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (i) 16 and (ii) 17 year olds are currently deployed in(a) NATO task forces in the Adriatic, (b) Bosnia, (c) Macedonia and (d) Albania. [84719]
  438
  Mr. George Robertson
  As at 18 May, the latest date for which figures are available, there were no Naval Service personnel aged 16 and 24 Naval Service personnel aged 17 deployed in NATO task forces in the Adriatic. As at 1 April 1999, there were no Army personnel aged 16 and 27 Army personnel aged 17 deployed in the Former Yugoslavia.

  No RAF personnel under age 18 were deployed in any of the areas concerned.

  Submarines (Firth of Clyde)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 April 1999,Official Report, column 251, if the proposed changes to the current Submarine/Fishing Vessel Interaction Code of Practice are with the Scottish Fishermens Federation and the Clyde Fishermens Federation for ratification as well as with the National Federation of Fishermens Organisations; and if he will place a copy of the proposals in the Library. [84712]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The proposed changes to the Submarine/Fishing Vessel Interaction Code of Practice were drawn up following discussion with the Secretary to the Clyde Fishermens Association, who was also acting on behalf of the Scottish Fishermens Federation. These changes are now with the National Federation for ratification. A copy of the revised Code of Practice will be placed in the Library once consultation with the associations concerned is concluded.

  Captain Robert Nairac
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what protection was provided to Ms Oonagh Flynn following the death of Captain Robert Nairac; [84776]

  (2) what is the present whereabouts of videotape and cassette tape given to intelligence service agents by Ms Oonagh Flynn purporting to record Captain Robert Nairac's interrogation and death; [84778]

  (3) if he will set out the service career of Captain Robert Nairac, and list his assignments on each of his tours of duty in Northern Ireland; [84774]

  (4) what were the conclusions of the internal investigation of the circumstances of Captain Robert Nairac's death; what was his date of death as recorded on the death certificate; and what was his date of death as recorded at the Irish inquest; [84775]

  (5) if the four men who were reported by the Irish police to the Irish Coroner's inquest to have identified themselves as members of the British Intelligence services, and to have removed the corpse of Captain Robert Nairac from the car park of the Ravensdale House Inn, were on duty at the time. [84777]

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

WALES

  Council Houses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the funds currently held by each local authority from the sale of council houses; and if he will make a statement [84291]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The information requested is given in the following table.

  Receipts from the sale of council houses held at 31 March 1998

  £ million

  Amounts set-aside against credit

  liabilities

  Usable

  Total

  Isle of Anglesey

  —

  —

  —

  Gwynedd

  4.4

  0.6

  5.0

  Conwy

  7.3

  —

  7.3

  Denbighshire

  0.7

  0.1

  0.8

  Flintshire

  —

  0.2

  0.2

  Wrexham

  —

  0.1

  0.1

  Powys

  —

  1.2

  1.2

  Ceredigion

  9.5

  1.2

  10.7

  Pembrokeshire

  6.0

  2.1

  8.1

  Carmarthenshire

  11.6

  —

  11.6

  Swansea

  —

  1.2

  1.2

  Neath Port Talbot

  22.2

  —

  22.2

  Bidgend

  —

  1.1

  1.1

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  31.1

  0.1

  31.2

  Cardiff

  12.3

  0.5

  12.8

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  24.8

  —

  24.8

  Merthyr Tydfil

  6.4

  0.3

  6.7

  Caerphilly

  21.6

  —

  21.6

  Blaenau Gwent

  2.9

  2.9

  5.8

  Torfaen

  —

  2.6

  2.6

  Monmouthshire

  12.7

  1.7

  14.4

  Newport

  20.6

  —

  20.6

  All county/county borough councils

  194.1

  15.8

  209.9

  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 number of council houses to be built in the years 1999 to 2003; and if he will make a statement. [84295]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  There are no estimates of this figure. Local Authorities' plans for the period 1999–2002 will be set out in their Housing Strategies and Operational Plans, the latest versions of which are expected to be submitted by the end of May.

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

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance he gives to housing associations about their letting policies, with particular reference to the share of tenancies awarded to people who live in the area of the development; and if he will make a statement. [84292]
  440
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Housing associations which are registered with the Welsh Office are required to comply with "Regulatory Requirements". This publication includes mandatory standards on lettings policies and other aspects of access to housing.

  "Regulatory Requirements" stipulates that housing associations must not impose residency qualifications more onerous than those imposed by the relevant local authority.

  Housing associations are expected to adopt their own points-based scheme for the comparative assessment of the housing needs of applicants and to make allocations in accordance with that scheme. Additionally, 50 per cent. of lettings should be made available to nominations made by the local authority.

  The Welsh Office recognises that in some areas housing associations will wish to give priority to people living in the area through the points scheme, as a means of reflecting the need to maintain social support.

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

  Brown-field Sites
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure that his target for house building on brown- field sites is met; and if he will make a statement. [84357]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  There are no targets for house building on brown-field sites in Wales. Planning policy guidance on maximising the use of reclaimable land for housing development is set out in the first revision of "Planning Guidance (Wales) Planning Policy" which was published on 7 April. In future, planning guidance on the use of brown-field sites in Wales will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Green-field Sites
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce new planning policy guidance on housing for the protection of green-field sites. [84563]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Planning policy guidance on the protection of green-field sites from housing development is set out in the first revision of "Planning Guidance (Wales) Planning Policy" which was published on 7 April. The introduction of future planning policy guidance will be a matter for the National Assembly.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Non-genetically Modified Soya Beans
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports her Department has received concerning the efforts of the state Government of Rio Grande do Sul to guarantee non-genetically modified soya bean production throughout their state; and what plans his Department has to give assistance. [84502]
  441
  Mr. Foulkes
  No one from this Department has been in contact with the Brazilian delegation that met with my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on 13 May 1999.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 19 May 1999, Official Report, column 395.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Reoffending
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the appointment of a joint prisons/probation panel to accredit the design and delivery of work with offenders designed to reduce reoffending. [85232]

  Mr. Straw
  Sir Duncan Nichol has been appointed as Chair of the Panel. The members of the Panel are in the process of being appointed and their names will be announced in June. The Panel will start work by the autumn.

  British Board of Film Classification
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the British Board of Film Classification's Annual report for 1998 will be published; and if he will make a statement. [85233]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today placed in the Library copies of the Annual Report of the British Board of Film Classification for 1998, which gives details of the Board's financial accounts and activities for the year ended 31 December 1998.

  I welcome the Board's timely publication of its Annual Report.

  Schengen Acquis
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the United Kingdom's application to participate in the Schengen acquis. [85234]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today written to Herr. Schily, German Minister of the Interior and President of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, with the United Kingdom's formal application to participate in certain areas of the Schengen acquis as provided for by Article 4 of the Schengen Protocol. The application reflects my reply given to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 12 March 1999,Official Report, columns 380–82. The text of the application has been placed in the Library and the draft Council Decision on our application will be submitted for Parliamentary scrutiny.

  Sergeant Virdi
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 1999,Official Report, columns 488–89, for what reasons a POLSA team was instructed to search Sergeant Gurpal Virdi's house. [84654]
  442
  Kate Hoey
  The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that POLSA teams are specially trained in search techniques and in evidence gathering, and that such a team was used in the search of Sergeant Virdi's home because of the nature of the evidence that was being sought.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will agree to meet hon. Members to discuss the general issues raised by the case of Sergeant Gurpal Virdi. [84653]

  Kate Hoey
  I will, of course, in principle be willing to meet hon. Members to discuss general issues which they see arising from this case. As disciplinary proceedings have now been brought against Sergeant Virdi, and as the Home Secretary is appellate authority for police disciplinary matters, I would not, however, be able to discuss the Sergeant's case, certainly not before the disciplinary matters are concluded.

  Police Station Safes
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often safes in police stations are checked and their contents noted. [84651]

  Mr. Boateng
  This is an operational matter for chief officers, but standard practice would be to check the contents of the station safe at each change of shift.

  CID (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many black and Asian Metropolitan Police officers have(a) applied to and (b) been accepted into the CID in each of the past four years. [84652]

  Kate Hoey
  The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that information is not available in the form requested. Information about the total numbers of ethnic minority officers in the Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Department is as follows:

  Year to end March

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Detective Superintendent

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Chief Inspector

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  Inspector

  1

  1

  2

  1

  3

  Sergeant

  9

  10

  12

  12

  13

  Constable

  49

  54

  60

  77

  78

  Total

  60

  66

  76

  92

  97

  POLSA Teams
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates the homes of Metropolitan Police officers have been searched by POLSA teams since 1 May; and if he will list the reasons in each case. [84650]

  Kate Hoey
  The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that no POLSA team has been used for this purpose between 1 May and 19 May 1999 inclusive.

  HM Inspector of Prisons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the recommendations made by Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons in his report for 1998 have now been carried out. [84649]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons is not, by tradition, a forum for laying out recommendations, and therefore differs from his thematic and individual establishment reports. Any recommendations are, therefore, informal and do not automatically require a Prison Service response.

  The Chief Inspector produces his Annual Report to draw attention to what he sees as the key issues affecting the Prison Service. Ministers and officials pay close attention to the views and suggestions contained in the Annual Report.

  Landmines
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about breaches of the Landmines Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [84625]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have received no representations about breaches of the Landmines Act 1998. Responsibility for administering the Act lies with the Department of Trade and Industry. Responsibility for enforcement action under the Act lies with Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the police.

  Private Prosecutions
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the procedure for authorisation of private prosecutions. [83883]

  Mr. Boateng
  Private prosecutions require authorisation only where the offence in question is subject to a consent provision. The Law Commission's Report on Consents to Prosecution, which was published in October 1998, made recommendations for rationalising such provisions, which are now being considered.

  Police Vehicles
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are currently in place which are intended to reduce the need for high-speed vehicle chases involving the police and car thieves; and if he will make a statement. [R] [84553]

  Mr. Boateng
  This is an operational matter for the Police Service. There is a nationally agreed Association of Chief Police Officer's (ACPO) Pursuit Code of Practice and work is going forward to implement recommendations from the recent ACPO report on police pursuit driver training. It is already policy to consider continuously the consequences of a pursuit and whether to break it off. Operational measures to avoid pursuits or curtail them include the use of helicopters, the early deployment of tyre deflation devices across the carriageway and tactical containment in which a number of police vehicles box in the target vehicle and bring it safely to a halt.
  444
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will encourage chief constables to install black box recorders in police vehicles. [84626]

  Mr. Boateng
  This is an operational matter and it is for chief officers of police to decide whether to fit recording equipment. I understand that the Metropolitan Police Service has decided to fit such a device in many vehicles as a management tool to promote their economical and proper use. If any of these were to be involved in an accident, the equipment would be able to provide independent evidence of the vehicle's speed. I am sure that other forces will be taking a close interest in the Metropolitan Police approach.

  Stolen Vehicles
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by each police constabulary, the number of motor vehicles stolen in (i) 1998, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1996. [R] [84547]

  Mr. Boateng
  Overall figures for 1998 are not yet available. The information for 1996 and 1997 has been published in table 2.14 of "Criminal Statistics England and Wales 1997", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Northern Ireland (State of Emergency)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the legal authority is for the declared state of emergency relating to the affairs of Northern Ireland; if he reviewed the continuance of the state of emergency as part of his deliberations on the renewal of the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989; and what are the most recent communications he has (i) sent to and (ii) received from the UN special rapporteur with responsibility for human rights and states of emergency. [84780]

  Mr. Straw
  Article 15 of The European Convention on Human Rights enables any High Contracting Party in the circumstances laid down in the Article to take measures derogating from its obligations under the Convention to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation. Under Article 15, the Government have derogated from Article 5(3) of the Convention in respect of powers of detention under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989. Before coming to a decision in 1999 on renewal of that Act, I took into account all related matters, including the recommendation of the Act's Reviewer, John Rowe QC, who concluded in his report on the operation of the Act in 1998 that there is a continuing need for the statute for a further year. There is no record of any communication either to or from the United Nations special rapporteur with responsibility for human rights and states of emergency since I became Home Secretary in 1997.

  Ms Oonagh Flynn
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the findings of the 1984 police investigation into the break in at the home of Ms Oonagh Flynn. [84779]
  445
  Mr. Boateng
  It has not been possible to trace any record of this incident on the information available. The police records would not necessarily have been retained, in any case, for this length of time.

  Criminal Cases Review Committee
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases the Criminal Cases Review Committee is currently dealing with; what is the average length of time spent by the Criminal Cases Review Committee on each case; how many people are employed by the Criminal Cases Review Committee; and if he will make a statement. [84872]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand that, at the end of April, 1,176 cases were awaiting review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission and 444 cases were under active review. I also understand that for cases completed in April (other than those which the Commission determined did not meet the eligibility criteria laid down by the Criminal Appeal Act 1995), the average length of time taken, from receipt of the application to reaching a decision on the case, was 332 working days. The Commission has 14 members, some of whom work part-time, and it currently employs 60 staff.

  North Yorkshire Police
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on(a) police manpower, (b) ethnic minority recruitment to the police and (c) recruitment of women to the police, in North Yorkshire. [84551]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have not received any representations about police manpower or about the recruitment of ethnic minority or women police officers in North Yorkshire Police. We have received representations about North Yorkshire's funding settlement for 1999–2000 from the Treasurer of the North Yorkshire Police Authority, from the hon. Member for the Vale of York and the hon. Member for Harrogate (Mr. Willis), which we have answered, but these made no specific reference to police numbers.

  K4 Committee
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the business conducted at the K4 committee at its meeting in Brussels on 29 and 30 April; under what title that committee will continue to operate; and with what terms of reference and duties. [84657]

  Mr. Straw
  The agenda for the final meeting of the K4 Committee on 29–30 April covered 25 separate items. The most significant of those concerned implementing rules for Eurodac, re-admission agreements after the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, displaced persons from Kosovo, Europol' s budget, a United Kingdom proposal for a programme of work on mutual recognition of criminal court decisions and preparation of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council meeting on 27–28 May.

  The United Kingdom paper on mutual recognition was given a generally warm welcome as an important contribution to the special European Council meeting on JHA matters to be held at Tampere in October.
  446
  Confirmation was given that Europol should be in a position formally to take up its activities before the end of the Germany Presidency.

  With the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty on 1 May, the K4 Committee was replaced by a new co-ordinating committee, with broadly similar functions, established under Article 36 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). The new committee' s terms of reference are set out in Article 36, and are limited to police (including customs) and judicial co-operation in criminal matters.

  Matters relating to visas, asylum, immigration and certain other policies related to free movement of persons, now transferred to the First Pillar of the TEU, will in future be overseen by a new Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum, set up initially for a five-year transitional period and tasked to issue strategic guidelines in matters relating to immigration, frontiers and asylum; to deal with questions arising from Articles 62–64 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community (TEU); and to give substantive input to Coreper's discussions.

  European Parliamentary Elections
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) of 8 March 1999,Official Report,columns 33–34, on elections to the European Parliament, if the number of votes cast for each group of candidates in each parliamentary constituency will be made known to counting agents, or any candidates present, when they are forwarded to the respective regional returning and calculating officers; and what arrangements will be made for recounts in each parliamentary divisional count where a recount after the completion of an initial calculation has been granted. [84687]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The counting of votes cast in the European Parliamentary elections will be conducted at the Parliamentary constituency level, though where the same person is the acting returning officer for two or more Parliamentary constituencies, these constituencies may be combined for polling and counting purposes.

  Each registered political party and individual candidate will be entitled to be represented at each local count and to ask the local returning officer for a recount before the local result is transmitted to the regional returning officer. For this purpose, those entitled to be present will need to be informed of the provisional local result.

  Once the local returning officer has transmitted the local result to the regional returning officer, there can be no further recount.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Industrial Fisheries
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he has taken to protect wildlife from industrial fisheries. [83857]
  447
  Mr. Morley
  I am pressing the Commission to propose a closure of the industrial fishery for sand eels off the UK's East Coast between April and August to benefit those seabirds dependent on the stock during the breeding period.

  Organic Production Techniques
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what support his Department is giving to research into organic production techniques in 1999–2000. [83858]

  Mr. Morley
  We will be spending over £2 million on organic R&D in 1999–2000, increased from just under £1 million in 1997–98.

  Fishing Industry
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the fishing industry about the marketing of their products. [83859]

  Mr. Morley
  I most recently spoke to the industry about fish marketing at the Annual General Meeting of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) on 8 May, when I stressed the need for them to improve quality and value added and to make the best use of the fish they catch.

  Date-based Export Scheme
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made with the implementation of the date-based export scheme. [83860]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission inspected our operational arrangement for the date-based export scheme in the week 12 to 16 April. The Commission are now preparing a report of their inspection which will be presented to their Standing Veterinary Committee.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what long-term trends have been identified in his Department's study of farm incomes and farm support payments. [83861]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  In the short term there may be a small negative impact on aggregate incomes as the industry adjusts to the recent reforms to the CAP. The industry's long-term future is best secured by a policy of reduced reliance on production related support which the UK continues to press for.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of falling farm incomes on the rural economy. [83863]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The rural economy is best served by a competitive and efficient agriculture industry. Agenda 2000 represents a step in the right direction in achieving this. The scope to strengthen the environmental and rural development components of the CAP is particularly welcome.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure purchasers of pre-cooked foods are able to know whether they contain genetically modified ingredients. [83862]

  Mr. Rooker
  EC Regulation 1139/98, which came into force on 1 September 1998, requires all foods sold to the final consumer, including pre-cooked foods, to be labelled where they contain genetically modified (GM) ingredients produced from GM soya and maize. In a move in which the UK leads the way in Europe, the controls will also apply to restaurants, cafes, bakers and delicatessens.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about changes to the British quota before the reform of the common fisheries policy in 2002. [83864]

  Mr. Morley
  No changes are expected in the arrangements for establishing national quota shares of total allowable catches. They are based on the principle of relative stability, which we expect to continue after 2002.

  Hormone-treated Beef
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on permitting hormone-treated beef from the United States into the UK. [83865]

  Mr. Rooker
  The import from third countries of meat and meat products derived from animals treated with hormonal growth promoters has been banned within the European Community since 1988. The UK, like all other Member States, has fully implemented the ban and will continue to do so until the situation changes.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on liaison arrangements between his Ministry and the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions with regard to genetically modified organisms. [83866]

  Mr. Rooker
  The statutory controls under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992, as amended, require that before GMOs can be released into the environment, the Secretary of State for the Environment must issue a consent. UK Agriculture Ministers act jointly with the Secretary of State where they have an interest. Both Departments also work closely together on all non-statutory matters relating to the potential impact of GMOs on the environment.

  Imports (USA)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restrictions are placed on the import of agricultural products from the USA. [83867]
  449
  Mr. Rooker
  Imports of agricultural products from the USA—as from any third country—into the European Union may be restricted by import tariff duties and the application of measures to protect food safety and animal and plant health.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department is taking to encourage organic farming. [83868]

  Mr. Morley
  In 1999–2000, we plan to spend around £6 million in aid to farmers converting to organic agriculture, around £2 million on organic R&D, and over £500,000 in support for the Organic Conversion Information Service.

  Food Standards Bill
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what responses he has received to the consultation on the draft Food Standards Bill. [83869]

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many responses he has received to the consultation on the draft Food Standards Bill. [83875]

  Mr. Rooker
  Nine hundred and ninety eight responses were received by the end of the consultation period, in addition to the report from the Food Standards Select Committee. Copies of all the submissions will be placed in the Library of the House today.

  Cattle Passports
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average number of cattle passports issued each week by his Department. [83870]

  Mr. Rooker
  The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) has produced an average of 48,684 cattle passports per week since it assumed responsibility for this work on 28 September 1998.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  24. Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has commissioned on cross-pollination in relation to genetically modified crops. [83871]

  Mr. Rooker
  My Department has commissioned several studies related to pollen transfer under its programme to assess the risks to the agricultural environment from the release of genetically modified organisms.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of the legal advice received by his Department relating to the imposition of a general moratorium on genetically modified crops. [84729]
  450
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 19 May 1999]: It is a well-established practice not to disclose the legal advice received by Ministers. I do not intend to depart from it.

  Advisory Committees
  Mr. White
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many consumer representatives have been appointed to his Department's advisory committees. [83872]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are 40 consumer or lay/public interest members of advisory committees advising my Department.

  Antibiotic Growth Promoters
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to limit the use of antibiotic growth promoters in animals. [83873]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government supported a ban on the use of bacitracin zinc, virginiamycin, spiramcyin and tylosin phosphate as antibiotic growth promoters which was adopted by the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 17 December 1998. The implementation of the ban, which takes effect on 1 July 1999, will leave four antibiotic growth promoters authorised for use. We are satisfied that these are not related to any therapeutic antibiotics currently used in human or veterinary medicine. However, we shall continue to keep the issue under review and be advised by our specialist advisory committees.

  Fur Farming
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to ban fur farming in the United Kingdom. [83874]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government remains firmly committed to implementing its pre-election pledge to prohibit fur farming and has therefore supported my hon. Friend's Private Member's Bill on the prohibition of fur farming.

  Scallop Licensing
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what legal authority the scallop licensing system is being introduced. [84175]

  Mr. Morley
  The licensing arrangements for scallop dredging, which came into operation on 19 April 1999, were introduced under the provisions of section 4 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (1967 c.84) (as amended).

  Food Safety
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what circumstances Article 36 of the Treaty of Rome can be used to ban the import of food products on grounds of public health and safety. [84713]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The treaty of Rome allows Member States to apply prohibitions or restrictions on the importation of foodstuffs where there is no relevant harmonised European Community provision for this purpose.

  Ethiopia and Eritrea
  Ethiopia and Eritrea
  EEC Entry Negotiations
  EEC Entry Negotiations
  Kosovo: NATO Airstrikes
  Kosovo: NATO Airstrikes
  East Timor
  East Timor
  Vietnam: Prisoners of Conscience
  Vietnam: Prisoners of Conscience
  Nguyen Thanh Giang
  Nguyen Thanh Giang
  Russia: Private Capital Flight
  Russia: Private Capital Flight
  Monetary Policy Committee
  Monetary Policy Committee
  Prisons and Probation Panel
  Prisons and Probation Panel
  British Board of Film Classification
  British Board of Film Classification
  Schengen Acquis
  Schengen Acquis
  European Parliamentary Elections: Ballot Papers
  European Parliamentary Elections: Ballot Papers
  Secondary Education: Percentage of Children in Private Schools
  Secondary Education: Percentage of Children in Private Schools
  Secondary Education: Percentage of Children in Comprehensive Schools
  Secondary Education: Percentage of Children in Comprehensive Schools
  Free School Meals
  Free School Meals
  Secondary School Places: Admission Appeals
  Secondary School Places: Admission Appeals
  Maintained Schools: GCSE and A.-level Statistics
  Maintained Schools: GCSE and A.-level Statistics
  Human Rights: Joint Committee
  Human Rights: Joint Committee
  Financial Services and Markets Bill: Human Rights Issues
  Financial Services and Markets Bill: Human Rights Issues
  Organ Transplanta Lion
  Organ Transplanta Lion
  OECD Convention on Combating Bribery
  OECD Convention on Combating Bribery
  Tigris Dam
  Tigris Dam
  Minicab Licensing
  Minicab Licensing
  Severn Rail Tunnel
  Severn Rail Tunnel
  Vodafone Planning Application
  Vodafone Planning Application
  Audit Commission Procedures
  Audit Commission Procedures
  Audit Fees
  Audit Fees
  Penalty Fares: London Underground Staff
  Penalty Fares: London Underground Staff
  Fare Evasion: London Underground
  Fare Evasion: London Underground