Written Answers of 26 May 1999

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) women and (b) disabled magistrates sit on the (i) Barnsley and (ii) Doncaster bench. [85246]

  Mr. Vaz
  There are currently 56 women on the Barnsley bench and 90 women on the Doncaster bench. No formal records are kept of those who are registered disabled on either the Barnsley or the Doncaster bench.

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average age of the magistrates who sit on the(a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster bench. [85245]

  Mr. Vaz
  The average age of the magistrates who sit on the Barnsley and Doncaster benches is 56.

DEFENCE

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress being made by the Armed Forces to implement the partnership agreement between his Department and the Commission for Racial Equality. [85666]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Chief of Defence Staff signed a five year Partnership Agreement with the CRE in March 1998. It provides an unambiguous foundation for Service racial equality policies, committing the Armed Forces to reflecting more closely the rich ethnic balance of our society, and developing a culture which positively welcomes diversity. It also calls for clear lines of accountability in tackling discrimination and racist behaviour and in ensuring that all personnel embrace a personal responsibility to implement the spirit of the Agreement.

  The Armed Forces have made considerable efforts to implement the Agreement's principles and I am pleased to report excellent progress over its first year of operation.

  All the Services continue to attach the highest priority to recruiting and retaining more ethnic minority personnel. Recruitment advertising campaigns targeting ethnic minorities have proved attractive, with career applications doubling over the last two years. All three Services now have specialist recruiting teams dedicated to increasing awareness of Service careers amongst ethnic communities, and a new long-term "Community
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  Partnerships" campaign has been launched to build bridges between the Services and black, Asian and other non-white communities across the nation. The proportion of intake to the Services in 1998–99 which was from ethnic minorities was 1.8 per cent., about a 40 per cent. increase on 1997–98.

  Significant emphasis has also been attached to equal opportunities and cultural awareness training. The Tri-Service Equal Opportunities Training Centre at Shrivenham was launched in September 1998 and has already trained over 1,000 Service Equal Opportunity Advisers to provide specialist advice and training to their units. Similar training is now mandatory for senior military officers, and over 300 have already passed TSEOTC courses.

  The Services are continuing to develop a culture which not only holds zero tolerance to any form of racist behaviour, but which also positively welcomes racial diversity. Individual Service efforts in the field of equal opportunities are now co-ordinated through the Corporate Framework announced in March 1999, which encourages a sharing of best practice across the Armed Forces. Service recruitment, promotion and management procedures are objectively reviewed to ensure that they do not unwittingly discriminate against ethnic minority personnel.

  All personnel are regularly reminded of their own personal responsibility not just in combating racism, but in ensuring a harassment-free serving environment. The Chief of Defence Staff has formally declared "war on racism", and the Service Chiefs have reminded their Commanders, as recently as March this year, that any form of racist behaviour is incompatible with military service. Any incidents or accusations of racism or harassment are taken very seriously and will be promptly and thoroughly investigated—guilty parties face the severest penalties up to and including dismissal.

  Progress is regularly reviewed, with representatives from all three Services meeting with the CRE Commissioners on a regular basis. I also met with Sir Herman Ouseley, the CRE Chairman earlier this year, and will be doing so again in the future. The Chief of Defence Staff, who has overall responsibility for implementation of the Partnership Agreement, will be reviewing our progress with the CRE shortly.

  In the year ahead, the Services will consolidate their successes to date and continue to drive forward equal opportunity initiatives. Complacency is not an option; this is a long-term process and the Armed Forces remain committed to implementing the spirit and letter of the Partnership Agreement.

  Logistic Information Systems Agency
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Logistic Information Systems Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [85667]
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  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Chief Executive of the Logistic Information Systems Agency has been set the following Key Targets for 1999–2000:Key Target 1—To deliver Customer Supplier Agreements (CSAs) with increasing efficiency. Target 3 per cent.
  Key Target 2—Maintain or improve cost ratio of Information Systems delivery staff to Administrative staff of 1:0.59.
  Key Target 3—Maintain or improve ratio of value of fixed assets to value of work delivered of 1:14.
  Key Target 4—To improve delivery performance to customer requirements such that:
  95 per cent. of Requests for Change are assessed within 7 days. 98 per cent. of Requests For Change are assessed within 21 days.
  The average period required for Request For Change Authorisation is reduced by 20 per cent. from 105 days to 85 days.
  90 per cent of Requests For Change are moved from the Tasking Phase to the Implementation Phase within 42 days.

  NATO Forces (Yugoslavia)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) weapons and (b) military forces deployed by NATO in the conflict with Yugoslavia.[83288]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The following UK units, or elements thereof, together with their associated weapons systems, are currently committed to NATO operations in the Balkans:

  Royal Navy

  HMS Norfolk

  HMS Iron Duke

  HMS Grafton

  HMS Splendid

  HMS Bulldog

  HMS Sandown

  RFA Fort Austin

  3 Lynx Helicopters

  Army

  Elements of Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps

  1st Signals Brigade

  16th Signals Regiment

  2 Signals Regiment

  7 Signals Regiment

  3rd Armoured Division Signals Regiment

  30 Signals Regiment

  l4th Topographical Squadron Royal Engineers

  659 Squadron Army Air Corps

  Headquarters 4th Armoured Brigade

  Kings Royal Hussars

  4th Regiment Royal Artillery

  21st Regiment Royal Engineers

  1st Battalion Irish Guards

  2nd Armoured Field Ambulance

  D Squadron Household Cavalry Regiment

  A Company the Green Howards

  Burma Company King's Own Royal Border Regiment

  Headquarters (UK) Combat Service Support Group

  28th Regiment Royal Engineers

  17 Port and Maritime Regiment

  29th Regiment Royal Logistics Corps

  27th Regiment Royal Logistics Corps

  Royal Military Police

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  Royal Air Force

  16 Harrier GR7s

  8 Tornado GR1s

  3 E-3D Sentry AWACS

  4 Tristar tankers

  3 VC 10 tankers

  1 Nimrod R

  2 Puma helicopters.

  It is for other individual member countries to provide information on their contribution of weapons and forces to NATO operations.

WALES

  Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) primary schools and (b) high schools he has visited; and if he will make a statement. [84359]

  Mr. Michael
  Since taking up office, I have visited 11 primary schools and 6 secondary schools in Wales.

  These are:

  Primary:

  Evenlode County Primary, Penarth;

  Grangetown Junior and Infant, Cardiff;

  Cornist County Primary, Flint;

  Saron County Primary, Ammanford;

  Rumney Junior, Cardiff;

  Emmanuel Primary, Rhyl;

  Blackwood Infants, Blackwood;

  Dinas Powys Primary, Vale of Glamorgan;

  Narberth County Primary, Pembrokeshire;

  Ysgol Tegryn Primary, Pembrokeshire;

  Ysgol Gynradd Talybont Primary, Ceredigion;

  Secondary:

  Croesyceiliog Comprehensive, Cwmbran;

  Alun High, Mold;

  Ysgol Friars, Bangor.

  Duffryn High, Newport;

  Cathays High, Cardiff;

  Bryn Gwyn Comprehensive, Llanelli.

  Careers Service
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future structure and objectives of the Careers Service in Wales. [85089]

  Mr. Hain
  The recently published Education and Training Action Group report proposes the establishment of an all-Wales all-age careers information, advice and guidance service by April 2001. Under this proposal, the existing Careers Service companies would be branded together as 'Careers Wales' and would take on responsibility for providing careers information and guidance to adults as well as to young people. The ETAG report also suggests that there may be advantage in reducing the number of Careers Service companies and re-aligning their boundaries to match those of the four economic regions of Wales. These proposals will be for the National Assembly of Wales to consider.
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  The objectives for the Careers Service in Wales were set out in 'Requirements and Guidance for Providers' (March 1995), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. These objectives covered the initial five year contracts of the Careers Service companies in Wales. Objectives for future years will be for the National Assembly to determine.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Russian Government (Arms Supplies)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Russia about the supply of weapons to countries in the Middle East. [85333]

  Ms Quin
  During my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's visit to Russia from 3–5 March, he discussed with Foreign Minister Ivanov the dangers of arms exports and assistance to countries of concern, including in the Middle East. Officials also discuss weapons exports with the Russians during regular contacts on export control and strategic stability issues.

  Pakistan and India
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Governments of Pakistan and India concerning their signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. [85331]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We continue to urge both Pakistan and India to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister raised this issue with senior members of the Indian Government during his visit to India in March.

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will have a further opportunity to discuss this when he meets the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Sartaj Aziz, in London on 2 June.

  Crowd Recognition Devices
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received that devices, used to recognise individuals in crowds, have been used by states subject to export restrictions by the UK, where those devices have been exported by the UK.[85212]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 21 April 1999,Official Report, column 566. The Government do not control the export of crowd recognition devices for identifying individuals at rallies or other such events. We are therefore unaware of any exports of such equipment from the UK.

  Applications to export controlled goods and technology to all destinations are treated on a case by case basis against our national criteria and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. The list of countries subject to specific export restrictions, including arms embargoes, is contained in the
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  Summary of Government Commitments regarding the application of Strategic Export Controls, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Coroners Offices
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the coroners offices in England and Wales, together with their addresses and the local authority areas covered by each. [85476]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I shall write to my hon. Friend with details, but information about coroners and their offices is available from standard published police and court directories.

  Mr. Eric Mann
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what communications there were between his Department and the Prison Service on 18 and 19 May concerning the proposed visit to Westminster by Mr. Eric Mann. [85456]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: Mr. Eric Mann is serving two consecutive six-month prison sentences (one for cultivating and possessing cannabis for personal use, the other for breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed for similar offences) at Prescoed prison.

  The Prison Service communicated with the office of my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams of Mostyn, the prisons and probation Minister, on 19 May. This was to alert the Minister to Mr. Mann's temporary release from prison and his intended participation in a press conference during his visit to Westminster.

  Subsequently, the Prison Service made a decision to amend the conditions of Mr. Mann's release. Ministers took no part in any of the Prison Service's subsequent decision-making regarding Mr. Mann's licence. They were, however, advised of the decisions made.

  Private Communications
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the effect of the Users Network/Service Providers Technical Requirements Resolution, and the Mutual Legal Assistance Convention, on access to private communications by(a) United Kingdom and (b) foreign surveillance bodies; and if prior request for a warrant will always apply; [85270]

  (2) if he will estimate the cost of implementing the (a) User Network/Service Providers Technical Requirements Resolution and (b) Mutual Legal Assistance Convention; and what representations he has received on them. [85238]

  Kate Hoey
  The draft Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance Convention in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union requires the requesting Member State to obtain authority for interception under its domestic law before making a request. The requested Member State is also required to obtain a warrant in accordance with national law where the
  149
  subject of the request is on its territory. Any interception on the United Kingdom public telecommunications network will, therefore, continue to require a warrant issued by the Secretary of State in accordance with the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The cost of transmitting the intercept product in response to such a request falls to the requesting Member State.

  The draft Convention also provides a legal basis for the "service provider" solution to satellite interception. It places an obligation on Member States not to prevent satellite telecommunication operators from making their facilities available for the purpose of complying with an interception warrant issued by another Member State, provided that the subject of the interception is on the territory of the Member State ordering the interception. It does not, however, impose any obligations or costs on satellite operators to make such facilities available.

  The draft Convention also contains a number of non-interception provisions. These are not expected to have any significant financial implications for the United Kingdom. Indeed, simpler and quicker procedures for seeking and providing legal assistance under the draft Convention could result in some cost savings.

  The draft Council Resolution on the lawful interception of communications in respect of new technologies is intended to supplement an existing 1995 Council Resolution. Its purpose is to make clear that law enforcement agencies have similar interception requirements for traditional telephony and new technologies such as the Internet and satellite communications.

  The 1995 Council Resolution has not been incorporated in United Kingdom law, and, therefore, does not place obligations on telecommunications operators. Similarly, the draft Resolution is not legally binding and will not impose any obligations or costs on satellite operators or Internet Service Providers.

  The draft Convention and draft Council Resolution remain under Parliamentary scrutiny in both Houses in accordance with the normal procedures. I am aware of representations from Justice and Liberty.

  Home Detention Curfews
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 27 April 1999,Official Report, column 110 and 18 May 1999, Official Report, column 295, on home detention curfews, how many of the 14 curfewees referred to in the replies committed offences during their period of curfew (a) punishable with imprisonment and (b) punishable with four years or more imprisonment.[85247]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Of the 14 curfewees referred to, 13 were charged with offences which were imprisonable. It would not be appropriate to comment on the sentences likely to be imposed by the courts in any individual case. Within the broad statutory limits set by Parliament, sentences are a matter for the courts alone, taking into account all the aggravating and mitigating factors. However, in seven of the cases, the maximum penalty is more than four years' imprisonment.
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  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Lancashire Police Force's progress in becoming year 2000 compliant. [85217]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is important that all police forces in England and Wales take every measure to ensure year 2000 compliance. The Home Office has commissioned an Independent Assessment of all forces, including Lancashire, by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. The results of this survey will be published at the National Infrastructure Forum on 13 July.

  Passports
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to reduce the current delays in processing passport applications at the UK Passport Agency. [85214]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK Passport Agency is taking a number of measures to ensure that its customers' needs are met. It is prioritising applications received in the post and made in person by customers' declared travel dates, and is meeting these dates for 99.99 per cent. of passports issued. The Agency is employing additional staffing resources, and optimising the efficiency of its examination processes consistent with the need to maintain the integrity and security of its issuing procedures. In order to clear quickly straightforward applications, certain existing passports are being extended for two years.

  The Agency is currently experiencing very high seasonal demand for passports and its aim is to continue to meet customers' travel dates and to reduce its turnround time for straightforward applications to ten days by September.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the current delays in processing passport applications by the UK Passport Agency.[85213]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The current delays in processing passport applications by the UK Passport Agency have arisen as a result of problems with the implementation in the Liverpool and Newport passport offices of new high technology driven passport issuing arrangements, together with high seasonal demand for passports. This has increased the processing times for straightforward non-urgent applications.

  My assessment of the present operational situation is that it is extremely serious, particularly in the Liverpool passport office. I am receiving reports weekly from the Agency's Chief Executive on the operational position, and the measures being taken to improve it.

  In order to satisfactorily meet its customers' needs, the Passport Agency is prioritising applications by customers' declared travel dates, and is meeting these dates for 99.99 per cent. of passports issued. The Agency's aim is to continue to meet customers' travel dates, and reduce its turnround times for straightforward passport applications to ten days by September.
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  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to enhance the recruitment, retention and promotion of black and Asian police officers in the Metropolitan Police Force. [85334]

  Kate Hoey
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) on 26 April 1999,Official Report, columns 17–18.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of(a) the Statement of Service Requirements issued to the companies shortlisted to bid for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Casework Programme and (b) the casework business model produced by Sema following its 1994 study. [84974]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I will arrange for copies of both documents to be placed in the Library.

  Passport Office, Liverpool
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the waiting time to receive a passport from the Liverpool passport office; and if he will make a statement. [85056]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Liverpool passport office's current processing time for non-urgent straightforward passport applications is 49 days. Urgent requests are being given priority and 99.99 per cent. of urgent dates are being met. In practice, 65 per cent. of the Liverpool office intake is processed in under 20 days.

  Passport applications are taking longer than normal to process at the Liverpool office as a result of operational problems arising from the implementation of new high technology driven passport issuing arrangements. Also, Liverpool are dealing with very high seasonal demand for passports with intake of applications since April 1999 over 20 per cent. up on the same period in 1998.

  The Agency's aim is to continue to meet customers travel dates, and to reduce its turnround time for straightforward applications to ten days by September.

  Voluntary Sector Grants
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to publish the statistics on central Government department grants to the voluntary sector for the last two years. [85355]

  Mr. Boateng
  The collection of information relating to grants made by Government Departments to the voluntary sector over the period 1995–96 to 1997–98 is nearly complete. The figures will be published as soon as possible.

  Prisons (Drug-free Units)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug-free units there are in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will list the prisons in which they operate. [85443]
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  Mr. George Howarth
  There are approximately 4,000 voluntary testing places covering one third of prisons in England and Wales. We have commissioned a survey of the current provision of drug-free units. I will write to the hon. Member with the results when they become available.

  Prison Officers (Complaints)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of ill-treatment have been lodged against prison officers in each of the last five years. [84945]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I regret that information is not collected in this form.

  Tote
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who owns the Tote. [85482]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Horserace Totalisator Board is a non-departmental public body whose members are appointed by the Home Secretary. The Board is responsible for the assets owned by the Tote, but the Tote itself is owned by no one.

  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police forces in England and Wales which have produced guidance for their officers on dealing with mentally disordered offenders. [85389]

  Mr. Boateng
  National guidance on mentally disordered offenders was issued to the police and other agencies in the criminal justice system in September 1990 and a revision issued in April 1996. Chief officers were asked to ensure that all their officers were aware of the circular. Information is not held centrally on the number of chief officers who have issued other guidance on mentally disordered offenders to their officers, but some are known to have done so.

  In respect of Cheshire Constabulary, detailed policy and guidance to operational officers on dealing with mentally disordered offenders was issued in 1994 and was last revised in 1998. All local policing divisions have nominated officers of inspector rank who are responsible for the implementation of those guidelines and for maintaining locally based protocols with other agencies.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is currently provided for police officers in England and Wales on dealing with mentally disordered offenders. [85390]

  Mr. Boateng
  As part of their probationer training, all recruits to the police service in England and Wales receive awareness training on persons suffering from mental disability. This training is supplemented by practical role play exercises which can be used to reinforce learning. In addition to the content of the former probationer training curriculum, forces may provide further training on the needs of mentally disordered persons, if there was a particular local need for this. Sergeants who act as custody officers receive further, more detailed, training in the Custody Officer Training Programme which, although
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  designed centrally, is available for delivery by forces. A training video, produced by the National Schizophrenic Fellowship in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and the Association of Chief Police Officers, and designed to help officers to identify and cope with mentally disordered persons, is also available to all police forces.

  Mr. R. A. J. Coe
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make an offer under Option C of the Firearms Compensation Scheme to Mr. R. A. J. Coe (reference FCS 052048). [85477]

  Mr. Boateng
  A payment offer will be made this week.

  Feltham Young Offenders Institution
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the taskforce chaired by the Director General of the Prison Service to report to him on the management of Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution and Remand Centre, Feltham. [85485]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Director General established a taskforce to take forward the recommendations made by the Chief Inspector of Prisons in his report on the inspection of Feltham. The Director General chairs a steering group to which the taskforce reports. The taskforce has submitted four reports to the steering group on various aspects of the Chief Inspector's report on Feltham. The steering group is expected to report to Ministers shortly.

CABINET OFFICE

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's central co-ordinated rebuttals strategy for use following his oral statement of 21 May 1999,Official Report, columns 1371–73, on biotechnology.[85491]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Government's strategy is to encourage open, rational and well informed debate. This is the best way to safeguard the public interest. On 21 May I made a series of announcements including the publication of a review of the regulatory framework, and a report from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser on public health implications of genetically modified foods. These will provide the foundation for such a debate.

HEALTH

  Cancer
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the cost of creating, reviewing and maintaining an internet directory of cancer care services; and if he will make a statement; [84240]

  (2) what plans he has to introduce and maintain an internet directory of cancer care services and information; and if he will make a statement. [84239]
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  Mr. Hutton
  The Government's Information Management and Technology strategy for the National Health Service "Information for Health", published in September last year, called for (amongst other things) the creation of a National Electronic Library for Health (NELH) of accredited healthcare information that would be made available to patients, the public and healthcare professionals.

  One element of the NELH is the provision of information about cancer services. The cost of providing these is estimated at £75,000. The NELH project will be working with voluntary organisations with patient representative groups to promote and make available as widely as possible reliable and relevant information on a number of health topics, including cancer.

  The NHS Information Authority is currently working in collaboration with the NHS Executive and the Centre for Health Information Quality to identify the costs and options for creating, reviewing and maintaining online healthcare information services. A business plan will be put to the NHS Information Authority with the objective of creating the NELH by the end of the year.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to commission research into the causes of ME and the development of appropriate diagnostic procedure. [84574]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 18 May 1999]: The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Working Group which has been convened by the Chief Medical Officer will specifically address the question of diagnostic criteria and will also make recommendations about the need to identify and commission further research into CFS/ME. The working group is already putting together a submission for a systematic literature review which will look at which treatments are effective and sub-groups. This will be considered by the Department's Policy Research Programme.

  Pollution
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the studies his Department has funded since January 1998 to investigate the effects of pollution on health, with particular reference to pollution from(a) landfill sites, (b) factories and (c) exposure to chemicals in the home; and when these studies were or will be published.[84897]

  Ms Jowell
  This Department has carried out and commissioned a number of studies on the health effects of pollution since January 1998, many jointly with other Government Departments. The details of these studies have been placed in the Library. It is not the Department's policy to publish the findings separately, though researchers are encouraged to publish their findings in peer—reviewed journals and in the scientific press, on completion of the studies. The vast majority are disseminated in this way.

  This Department, together with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has co-funded an indoor air pollution research programme as well as research into the non-auditory health effects of noise and the health effects of chemicals in the environment.

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  Together with the DETR and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it has cofunded a programme of work on trends in male reproductive health and the possible influences of occupational and environmental chemicals. Also, together with DETR, HSE, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland the Department contributes towards a contract with the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine to form the Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU). SAHSU has also carried out research on the effects of air pollution on health, since January 1998.

  The Department also manages the National Health Service research and development levy which is used to support research and development of relevance to the National Health Service in hospitals, general practice and other health care settings, and to fund the NHS research and development programme. In addition, the Medical Research Council—which receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry—funds medical research as part of the Government's funding of the science and engineering base.

  In addition to those projects listed, the Department expects to issue a major call for proposals on the effects of air pollution on health over the summer and a call for further research on the effects on health of landfill sites.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consultation the regional NHS executive offices will carry out before distributing HIV/AIDS treatment and care money recently allocated to them with(a) people with HIV and (b) providers of HIV services; [85065]

  (2) by what date regional NHS executive offices will distribute the £6.2 million HIV/AIDS treatment and care money recently allocated to them. [85064]

  Ms Jowell
  The guidance issued to regional offices for the distribution of the additional £ 6.2 million for HIV/AIDS treatment and care made it clear that the funds were to be used to assist with the extra costs of combination therapies for those with a clinical need. The guidance also recommended that ROs consult with others, including their constituent health authorities and their regional Specialised Commissioning Group where appropriate, before distributing the funds.

  Regional Offices may also consult other groups or individuals before making their final decision. The guidance to Regional Offices does not specify a date by which the allocations totalling £6.2 million are to be made. Most Regional Offices are currently in the process of deciding, in consultation with others, the basis for the distribution to health authorities.

  The forthcoming guidance to the National Health Service on the use to be made of this sum, and the balance of the HIV/AIDS treatment and care and HIV prevention funds, includes the requirement for Regional Offices to submit a separate report to Ministers at the year end on the use of the £6.2 million allocated to them.
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  Oral Contraceptives
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths of women have been caused by use of a combined oral contraceptive in the last 10 years; and in each case what was(a) the reaction that caused the death and (b) the product. [85038]

  Mr. Denham
  In the last ten years, between 20 May 1989 and 20 May 1999, there have been a total of 2,408 adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the combined oral contraceptive pill received through the United Kingdom's Yellow Card adverse drug reaction reporting scheme. A fatal outcome was reported in 104 of these reports as listed in the table. The 104 deaths reported over ten years need to be taken in the context of around three million women taking the Pill each year in the UK.

  Not all deaths suspected to be related to the use of the combined oral contraceptives are reported to the Medicine Control Agency/Committee on Safety of Medicines via the Yellow Card spontaneous adverse drug reaction scheme; we therefore cannot provide the total number of deaths. It is also essential to bear in mind that a report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not mean that the reaction/death was caused by the medicine concerned. Many other factors are likely to contribute.

  The Pill is highly effective in preventing pregnancy. The risks of fatal adverse reactions associated with combined oral contraceptive Pills are very small; and are much smaller than those associated with pregnancy.

  The product information on the Pill provided for doctors, as well as the patient information leaflet in each pack, give advice on the contraindications, side effects, warnings and precautions for use of the Pill which should be strictly adhered to.

  Suspected reaction

  Number of cases with a fatal outcome

  Cardiac failure

  1

  Sudden death unexplained

  1

  Left ventricular failure

  1

  Myocardial infarction

  5

  Pulmonary embolism

  84

  Subarachnoidhemorrhage

  1

  Cerebral vein thrombosis

  1

  Brain stem infarction

  1

  Cerebral infarction

  2

  Cerebrovascular accident

  1

  Cerebral thrombosis

  2

  Chest pain

  1

  Pelvic venous thrombosis

  1

  Respiratory arrest

  1

  Ovarian Carcinoma

  1

  Products associated with the suspected adverse reactions include: Binovum; Brevinor; Cilest; Conova; Diane; Dianette; Eugynon; Femodene; Femodene ED; Gynovlar; Loestrin; Logynon; Logynon ED; Marvelon; Mercilon; Microgynon; Minilyn; Minulet; Norimin; Ovran; Ovran 30; Ovranette; Ovulen; Ovysmen; Synphase; Tri-minulet; Trinordiol and Trinovum.

  Infertility Treatment
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people used infertility services in National Health Service hospitals in each of the last three years. [85084]
  157
  Mr. Hutton
  Information about hospital episodes for patients receiving in-patient treatment for infertility for the financial years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 is shown in the table. During a course of treatment for

  Operation code

  1995–96

  1996–971

  1997–981

  Q13—Introduction of gamete into uterine cavity

  1,996

  1,593

  1,716

  Q38.3—Endoscopic injection into fallopian tube

  227

  186

  116

  Q41—Other operations on fallopian tube

  11,138

  8,327

  7,558

  Q56.1—Fertility investigation of female (not elsewhere classified)

  4

  8

  4

  Total

  13,365

  10,114

  9,394

  1Figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are provisional, no adjustments have been made for shortfalls in data, (ie the data are ungrossed)

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics

  Department of Health: Statistics Division SD2B

  Child Protection
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the Council of Europe on joint policies for the welfare and protectio of children. [85088]

  Mr. Hutton
  Officials from the Department contribute to the work of the Council of Europe on issues related to the welfare and protection of children, through the formal Committee structure of the Council of Europe. I am due to participate in a Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Family Affairs in Stockholm on 14–16 June, where the theme will be "Towards a Child-Friendly Society". In preparation for the Conference the United Kingdom has provided a National Report on "child-friendly" initiatives.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in England and Wales. [85215]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are no data specifically relating to the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in England and Wales. The overall incidence rate after the age of 65 across Western Europe is 18.3 cases per 1,000 person years.

  It is estimated that approximately 600,000 people over 65, or 5 per cent. of that population in the United Kingdom, suffer from dementia. Alzheimer's Disease accounts for just over half.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Enforcement Officers the Medicines Control Agency currently employs; what changes there have been in this number in the past year; and what plans there are to increase this number. [85222]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 24 May 1999]: There are 23 Enforcement Officers working within the Enforcement Group who deal solely with criminal investigations into allegations that medicines legislation has been breached.

  There has been an increase of approximately 12 per cent. in the number of Enforcement Officers in the last 12 months, reflecting an increase in the work load.
  158
  infertility an individual may have more than one hospital episode. Treatment under other operation codes may be related to infertility. However, the codes given correspond as closely as possible to the information requested.

  There are no plans further to increase the number at present but this area of the Agency's responsibilities is kept under careful review so as to ensure the protection of public health can be maintained.

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish his response to the results of his Department's consultation on the work of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. [85444]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: About 160 replies were received to the consultation on "Faster access to modern treatment", a discussion paper setting out detailed proposals for appraisal by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Officials are following up a number of detailed points with the organisations concerned. Final decisions will be announced in due course.

  Listening to Women
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been of the Listening to Women roadshows; and how many women have attended each roadshow to date. [85377]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: To date, nine Listening to Women roadshow events have taken place, attended by 1,125 women. Still to take place are the Leeds, Nottingham and Welsh events. The breakdown is:

  Attended by

  Manchester

  83

  London

  74

  Norwich

  67

  Birmingham

  58

  Bristol

  87

  Newcastle

  89

  Reading

  59

  Glasgow

  c. 500

  Belfast

  108

  Total cost

  1£87,918.54

  1Including Value Added Tax

  159

  Abortion
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines have been issued to GPs on the action they should take regarding their patients if they hold a conscientious objection to abortion; [84991]

  (2) what plans he has, following Mr. Justice Alliott's judgment in the High Court case of Dr. Sheila Matthews, to issue new advice or guidelines to GPs about referring patients to another doctor if they have a conscientious objection to abortion. [84992]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]In 1991 the General Medical Services Council of the British Medical Association issued guidance to general practitioners through Local Medical Committees, reminding them of their obligations under their terms of service. That guidance remains extant and GPs who have a conscientious objection to abortion should refer the patient to another doctor as soon as possible.

  Regional directors of the National Health Service Executive have been asked to ensure that Primary Care Groups have arrangements in place so that women considering an abortion are able to have easy access to a GP who can make a referral where appropriate.

  Vaccines (Bovine Material)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the evidence given by Mrs. Edwina Currie to the BSE Inquiry in respect of the use of vaccines which in their early stage of manufacture had used bovine material prohibited for use in human food(a) in general and (b) in relation to the level of risk relating to injecting infected material. [85493]

  Ms Jowell
  It is for the independent bovine spongiform encephalopathy Inquiry to assess the evidence given to it, not my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The Government will respond to the Inquiry's report after it is published.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of(a) those people who have been in long-term care or nursing homes for four years or more and (b) all people in long-term care or nursing homes continue to pay part or all of their fees;[85226]

  (2) if he will estimate the average cost of four years' care in a nursing home. [85228]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 24 May 1999,Official Report, column 20.

  High Security Hospitals (Staffing)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many posts are currently vacant in each high-security hospital for(a) nurses, (b) nursing assistants, (c) occupational therapists, (d) forensic psychologists and (e) psychiatrists. [85388]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of posts currently vacant for nurses, nursing assistants, occupational therapists, forensic psychologists and psychiatrists at each of the three high security hospitals are set out in the tables.
  160

  Posts currently vacant

  Rampton Hospital

  Qualified nurses

  20

  Nursing Assistants

  0

  Occupational therapists

  2

  Forensic psychologists Psychiatrists

  3

  Psychiatrists

  2

  Broadmoor Hospital

  Qualified nurses

  36 (20 qualified nurses in the appointment process)

  Nursing assistants

  24 (15 unqualified nurses in the selection process)

  Occupational therapists

  3 (only 8 posts in the whole establishment and 3 staff on full-time secondment training at present)

  Forensic psychologists

  0

  Psychiatrists

  3

  Ashworth Hospital

  Qualified nurses

  34

  Nursing assistants

  24 (current recruitment drive will enable these vacancies to be filled within the next 2-3 weeks)

  Occupational therapists

  3

  Forensic psychologists

  1

  Psychiatrists

  Consultant posts

  7

  Staff grade

  1

  Interstitial Cystitis
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what publicly funded research is being carried out into the causes of interstitial cystitis; and if he will make a statement.[84970]

  Mr. Hutton
  A body of international research evidence is published in the world-wide literature and details of work supported by the Department are on the National Research Register in the Library and on the internet at http://www.doh.gov.uk/nrr.htm. In addition, the Medical Research Council is funding basic research, including the study of molecules and cells, genetics, infections and immunity, which will inform future research in this area.

  In the National Health Service research and development programme, priorities take account of widespread consultation with those using, delivering and managing services, within a framework overseen by the Central Research and Development Committee for the NHS.

  We have asked those who manage the priority setting process to ensure that interstitial cystitis is included in consideration of future research priorities.

  NHS Trust Mergers
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those NHS trusts that have(a) been created, (b) merged and (c) been dissolved since 1 April 1998. [85147]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is contained in the table. All of these mergers took effect from 1 April 1999.
  161

  Region

  Trusts established or amended

  Merged/dissolved or absorbed trusts

  Eastern

  Local Health Partnerships NHS Trust

  Allington NHS Trust, Mid Anglia Community Health NHS Trust and East Suffolk Community NHS Trust (3 into 1)

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust

  Bedford and Shire Health NHS Trust and South Bedfordshire NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  London

  Ealing Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health NHS Trust and Brent Kensington Chelsea and Westminster Mental Health NHS Trust

  West London NHS Trust, North West London Mental Health NHS Trust, and Riverside Mental Health NHS Trust(3 into 2)

  London

  North West London Hospitals NHS Trust

  Northwick Park and St. Marks NHS Trust and Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  London

  Parkside Health NHS Trust

  Royal London Homoeopathic NHS Trust and Parkside Health NHS Trust (2 into 1—Absorption)

  London

  The Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

  Wellhouse NHS Trust and Chase Farm Hospital NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  London

  South West London Community NHS Trust

  Merton and Sutton Community NHS Trust, Wandsworth Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Richmond Twickenham and Roehampton Community Services NHS Trust (3 into 1)

  London

  South London and Maudsley Mental Health NHS Trust and Community Health South London NHS Trust

  Optimum Mental Health NHS Trust, Bethlem and Maudsley Mental Health NHS Trust, Lambeth Healthcare NHS Trust and Lewisham and Guy's Mental Health NHS Trust (4 into 2)

  London

  The Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust

  St. Helier NHS Trust and Epsom NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  North West

  North Sefton and West Lancashire Community NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust

  Southport and Formby Health Services NHS Trust, Southport and Formby Community NHS Trust and West Lancashire NHS Trust (3 into 2)

  Northern and Yorkshire

  North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Northumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Durham County Ambulance Service NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Cleveland Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Humberside Ambulance Service NHS Trust and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (3 into 1)

  Northern and Yorkshire

  North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust and Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust

  Hartlepool and East Durham NHS Trust, South Tees Community and Mental Health NHS Trust and North Tees Health NHS Trust (3 into 2)

  South East

  Surrey Oaklands NHS Trust

  Life Care NHS Trust and Surrey Oaklands NHS Trust (2 into 1—Absorption)

  South East

  East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust

  South Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, Kent and Canterbury Hospitals NHS Trust and Thanet Healthcare NHS Trust(3 into 1)

  South West

  North Bristol NHS Trust

  Frenchay Healthcare NHS Trust and Southmead Health Services NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  South West

  Cornwall Healthcare NHS Trust

  Cornwall Healthcare NHS Trust and Trecare NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  Trent

  Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust

  Fosse Health NHS Trust and Leicestershire Mental Health Services NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  Trent

  Central Sheffield University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Central Sheffield University Hospitals NHS Trust and Weston Park Hospital NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  Trent

  South Lincolnshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mulberry NHS Trust and South Lincolnshire NHS Trust (2 into 1)

  Trent

  East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Derbyshire Ambulance Services NHS Trust, Nottinghamshire Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Leicestershire Ambulance Services NHS Trust (3 into 1)

  Trent

  Lincoln District Healthcare NHS Trust

  West Lindsey NHS Trust and Lincoln and District Healthcare NHS Trust (2 into 1—Absorption). Lincoln and Louth Hospitals NHS Trust has taken on some of the service provision of West Lindsey but are not part of the merger. All staff and assets have transferred to Lincoln District Healthcare

  162 163

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of land in the UK were cultivated as trial sites of genetically modified crops in each of the last five years; and how many acres of land will be cultivated as trial sites of GM crops in 1999. [83283]

  Mr. Meacher
  In 1998, the area cultivated as trial sites of genetically modified crops was approximately 300 hectares. In the current year, the total figure, including the farmscale evaluations, is expected to be about the same. These are approximate figures because consents for releases are granted on the basis of a maximum area that can be grown and companies do not necessarily sow all the area for which they have approval. Figures for earlier years are not available, but were no more than the 1998 levels.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the research commissioned by his Department into the cross-contamination between genetically modified crops and crops that are not genetically modified. [84535]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 17 May 1999]: Yes, all reports from research commissioned by the Government into the cross-pollination of genetically modified (GM) crops and non-GM crops are published. Gene transfer in oilseed rape was considered in my Department's Research Report No.12, Investigation of Feral Oilseed Rape Populations, a copy of which is in the Library. Ongoing research commissioned by MAFF on pollen transfer will be published when the work is complete.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on differences in his policy in respect of GM crops on(a) limited commercial planting and (b) farm-scale trials. [85363]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: There are no differences in policy, the growing of all GM crops must be covered by a valid consent issued in accordance with Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms. Before a consent is granted the applicant must have carried out an assessment of the risks posed to the environment and demonstrated compliance with all aspects of the directive. Those crops planted as part of the farmscale evaluations will in addition be studied for ecological effects in comparison with equivalent non-GM crops.

  EC Directive 90/220/EEC
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to propose to his European partners amendments to EC Directive 90/220/EEC.[83261]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government are currently negotiating the amendment of Directive 90/220/EEC. The European Commission published its proposal for the amendment of the Directive in February 1998. An orientation debate was held in June 1998 under the United 164
  Kingdom Presidency, and detailed negotiations took place in the Council Working Group under the Austrian Presidency in the second half of last year. At the December Environment Council, Ministers agreed that while substantial progress had been made, further detailed negotiations were required to resolve many of the outstanding issues. The German Presidency has indicated it will seek to reach a common position at the June Environment Council.

  The position of the Government with regard to the original Commission proposal has been laid out in Explanatory Memorandum 6378/98, submitted to the House of Commons on 23 March 1998. In response to a request from the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee, I wrote to the committee on 27 November with details of the Government's priorities in the negotiations. A Scrutiny debate was held in the House of Commons European Standing Committee A on 24 March 1999, and the Government submitted a further Explanatory Memorandum (7138/99) on 30 April following the publication of the Commission's amended proposal taking account of the publication of the European Parliament's Opinion.

  The priorities of the Government are to ensure that the revised Directive meets growing public concerns regarding ethical, environmental and social issues and achieves a more transparent regulatory regime. In addition, the Government support many of the amendments proposed by the European Parliament and incorporated into the amended Commission Proposal. In particular, the Government welcome changes to clarify the requirements for the environmental risk assessment, the stronger requirements for public information and consultation, and a new Article on consultation of the Commission's ethical committee.

  All of these documents are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost per heavy goods vehicle of the fitting of an exhaust system incorporating a particulates trap in order to attract the reduction in vehicle excise duty announced in his Budget statement. [83824]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government's assessment of the current cost of retrofitting a particulate trap to a heavy goods vehicle is between £3,000 and £4,500, compared with the maximum Vehicle Excise Duty reduction of £1,000 when vehicles meet the emissions standards required to receive a Reduced Pollution Certificate. The cost for smaller vehicles is at the lower end of this scale, increasing to the upper figure for the largest and most powerful lorries. It is expected that the cost of emissions reduction technologies will fall as the market for them grows, leading to competition between manufacturers and economies of scale in the production of devices.

  Drinking and Driving Laws
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions
  165
  he has reached from his analysis of the responses received to the consultation about possible changes to the law relating to drinking and driving. [84369]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are still considering how best to take forward the matters raised in the consultation document in the light of the responses received and in the broader context of road safety policy. Our conclusions will be incorporated within the road safety strategy which we will publish later this year.

  Non-genetically Modified Soya Beans
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports his 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. [84500]

  Mr. Meacher
  I met the Secretary of Agriculture for the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul on 13 May at his request to hear about the ability of his State to supply non genetically modified soya to UK customers. We shall certainly take this information into account in sourcing for the future and I have agreed to a further exchange of information at official level.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the names and current employers of the board members of each regional development agency and (b) the names and previous employers of the senior management team appointed by each regional development agency. [84714]

  Mr. Meale
  The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the official guidance on the minimum distance between mobile telephone and other communication masts and(a) residential property,(b) schools and colleges and (c) places of business in(i) other EU countries, (ii) Scandinavian countries, (iii) the United States of America and (iv) Canada; [84953]

  (2) what discussions he has had with representatives of professional medical opinion on the guidance for the minimum distances between mobile telephone and other communication masts and occupied properties; and if he will make a statement. [84954]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government's statutory advisers on radiological protection matters are the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The Board's advice to Government is based upon a continuing review and assessment of published scientific studies covering the fields of biology and medicine, epidemiology and dosimetry.

  The NRPB have issued guidelines on limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This guidance specifies restrictions on the exposure of people, rather than safe
  166
  distances from equipment, and is related to established health effects of EMFs, such as effects on perception, central nervous system effects and the heating of tissues.

  The NRPB advise that radio waves at ground level and in regions accessible to the public tend to be many times below guideline levels and should present no health risk. Telecommunications operators have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and the Management of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 to ensure that their work activities, which would include the operation of their apparatus, do not present a risk to employees and the general public. The practical effect of the combination of the NRPB guidelines and health and safety legislation should be that people are kept at a safe distance from sources of EMFs.

  The NRPB also advise that there is no convincing evidence of a causal effect between exposure to EMFs and other health effects, such as cancer, and that published human health studies relating to these do not provide a basis for advice on setting exposure standards.

  The Government continue to monitor international work on the possible health effects of EMFs and to gather information on worldwide practice on the limitation of public exposure to EMFs. The UK has also participated actively in negotiations of the proposed EU Recommendation on this subject and in the World Health Organisation's International EMF Project. We shall continue to take international practice and research results into consideration in taking forward policy on this matter, including in developing guidance on land use planning and electromagnetic fields.

  Abandoned Vehicles
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what powers are available to(a) the DVLA and (b) local authorities to remove abandoned vehicles on the public highway; [84980]

  (2) what plans he has to review the powers and procedures exercised by (a) the DVLA and (b) local authorities for the removal of abandoned vehicles from the public highway;[84981]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the cost of the removal of abandoned vehicles from the public highway by (i) local authorities and (ii) the DVLA in each year since 1995–96; [84978]

  (4) what procedures exist within his Department for the monitoring of the number of abandoned vehicles on the public highway collected by (i) local authorities and (ii) the DVLA. [84979]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The DVLA has no powers to remove abandoned vehicles on the public highway. Local authorities have powers, under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to remove such vehicles. The Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 prescribes the procedure that should be followed by local authorities. There are no plans at present to review these powers and procedures.
  167
  There is no requirement for local authorities to provide information on the costs of removing vehicles. My Department does not monitor the number of abandoned vehicles collected from the public highway by local authorities.

  Carlisle Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance the Government are giving toward the Carlisle Northern Relief Road. [85042]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Should Cumbria City Council bid for support for this scheme as part of their Local Transport Plan, it would be considered along with other major schemes across the country.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the level of carbon dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [85094]

  Mr. Meale
  Emissions of CO2 in the UK are estimated to have been 155 million tonnes of carbon in 1997. 1998 emissions are provisionally estimated to have been about 156 million tonnes of carbon, about 1 per cent. higher than in 1997, and 7 per cent. lower than in 1990. The increase between 1997 and 1998 was associated with delays in commissioning and starting up combined cycle gas turbine power stations, planned maintenance at nuclear plant and some reduction in imported electricity.

  Petrol
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether the packaging of each available anti-wear additive for petrol will list the functional chemical component and the concentration of its active element when added to unleaded petrol in the recommended amount. [85251]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Information to be provided on additive packaging would be a matter for individual suppliers.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 April 1999,Official Report, columns 71–72, on British Standards, if he will make a statement on (a) the early problems in Sweden associated with the lead replacement petrol, (b) the reasons for sodium being dropped from the draft standard for lead replacement petrol issued in 1998 and (c) what problems were identified in Sweden with the use of sodium in lead replacement petrol and (d) whether the problems solely related to the use of sodium. [85248]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Following the introduction in Sweden of Lead Replacement Petrol (LRP) in 1994, an increase in engine component wear was identified by engine repairers. The problems focused upon engine valves and on turbochargers and appeared to have been caused by a phenomenon known as hot corrosion reportedly due to the use of sodium in the fuel. With the emergence of this information, LRP in Sweden was changed to a potassium-based product and once the changeover was complete the incidence of engine damage 168
  dropped. During the changeover of the fuels, concern over the use of both sodium and potassium existed, but I understand this mostly disappeared as the use of potassium increased. The British Standards Institution has adopted a precautionary approach by excluding sodium from its draft standard for lead replacement petrol.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether sodium-based additives to petrol are being marketed in the United Kingdom to the public. [85249]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are not aware that any petrol supplier is marketing petrol which includes a sodium-based additive. The Federation of British Historic Vehicles has tested and endorsed one self-dosing additive containing sodium.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the information he has published in the last 12 months on the use of sodium-based additives in petrol. [85250]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department has published two advisory leaflets to help motorists who may have concerns about the withdrawal of leaded petrol. These include general information on additives as an alternative to lead, whether already included in lead replacement petrol or provided separately for motorist's use, but do not refer to particular types of additives. Copies of the leaflets have been placed in the House Library and may be viewed on the Internet at www.environment.detr.gov.uk/unleaded/index.htm.

  Passenger Transit System
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station project between commissioning initial feasibility studies and abandonment of operation; and if he will make a statement. [85069]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is a commercial matter for Birmingham International Airport Ltd.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who owns the surviving overhead structure of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station; and if he will make a statement. [85073]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd that it owns the surviving overhead structure.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station was formally commissioned after trials to the intended operator; who the intended operator was; and if he will make a statement. [85067]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd that the MAGLEV system was formally commissioned on 16 August 1984; and that the intended operator was the airport undertaking as part of the former West Midlands County Council.
  169
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revive the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station; and if he will make a statement. [85071]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Birmingham International Airport Ltd. is committed to reinstating a link between the terminal building and the railway station. It is also subject to a planning obligation in a section 106 planning agreement between the airport company and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council with reference to the outline planning approval for the extension of the passenger terminal facilities and related infrastructure granted in July 1996. The airport company is considering what form the link should take and how it can best be integrated with the multi-modal interchange which is being planned for the airport.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in whom the residual rights and liabilities of the principal design and construction contracts of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station are now vested; and if he will make a statement. [85075]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that in the agreement between the former West Midlands County Council and the individual joint venture companies, the parties agreed that patents, registered designs or copyrights in the case of mechanical and electrical aspects of the transportation system were to be the property of the individual company undertaking that particular aspect of the work, and that in the case of civil engineering and building aspects of the system intellectual property rights were to be the property of the Council. The airport company is a successor in title to the former Council.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who commissioned the initial feasibility studies for the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station and when; who let the contracts for its construction, with whom and when; and if he will make a statement. [85066]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that the initial feasibility studies for the MAGLEV system were commissioned in 1979 by the former West Midlands County Council, which owned Birmingham Airport at that time; and that the contracts for its construction were let by the Council in 1981, as part of the airport's development, with the People Mover Group (GEC, Balfour-Beatty, Brush Electrical Machines and Metropolitan-Cammell) and John Laing.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total of passenger fares collected in the period of fare-paying operation of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station. [85070]
  170
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that the MAGLEV system always formed part of the airport's essential infrastructure as the link to the railway station and that no fares were ever charged for its use.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has become of the passenger cars for the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station and who owns(a) them and (b) the proceeds of their sale; and if he will make a statement. [85074]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that it still owns the passenger cars and that they remain stored at the airport.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when and by whom it was ultimately decided to abandon operation of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station; and if he will make a statement. [85068]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that it took and implemented this decision in July 1995.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the cost of making the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station operational; and if he will make a statement. [85072]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The cost of reinstating a link between the airport and the railway station is a matter for Birmingham International Airport Ltd. It will depend in part on how it is decided to integrate it with the multi-modal interchange which is being planned for the airport. But I understand from the airport company that a study in 1995 concluded that it was not technically feasible to make the MAGLEV system itself operational.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the occasions on which actions for damages were assessed as to liability against a party considered to have been responsible for the failure of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system at Birmingham International Airport; and if he will make a statement. [85277]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is a matter for Birmingham International Airport Ltd.

  Asbestos Imports
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ban the import of all forms of asbestos; if he has received the Health and Safety Commission's recommendation on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [85473]

  Mr. Meacher
  The policy on asbestos is decided and is final. The import of blue and brown asbestos is already banned. Earlier this month, a draft European Directive was voted on which would tighten the restrictions on imports of white asbestos. An overwhelming majority
  171
  voted in favour. I am pleased to say that the Health and Safety Commission, at its meeting yesterday, approved draft Regulations to implement a ban, and I look forward to receiving its advice.

  Unfortunately, there are legal problems in formally making the Regulations before the European Commission ratifies the vote of the technical committee. The Government are now lobbying the European Commission to adopt the directive as a matter of urgency.

  Memorials
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's discussions with the Confederation of Burial Authorities on the sale of memorials to the public. [85526]

  Mr. Meale
  My Department is currently preparing a paper for discussion with the Confederation of Burial Authorities, the National Association of Memorial Masons, and other representative bodies, both public and private sector, on the existing legal basis under which local authorities charge for the provision of memorials, and the Confederation's proposals for clarifying this.

  Council Housing
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy on the building of new council housing in England and Wales. [85519]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions is responsible for housing policy in England. His statement on "Housing and Regeneration Policy" on 22 July 1998 set out our policy. The need for new social housing in a local authority's area is a matter for that local authority to establish in its local housing strategy, as part of the Housing Investment Programme process. Most new social housing is provided by Registered Social Landlords supported by the Housing Corporation, either through its Approved Development Programme or through Local Authority Social Housing Grant, in areas where such developments are seen as a priority in local housing strategies.

  Freight Transport
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the tonnage of freight which has transferred from road to rail in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [85520]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My Department has not made estimates of this type. However, the Department does provide freight grants to companies to assist with the capital costs and track access charges associated with transferring freight from road to rail and inland waterway. Since May 1997, the Department's Freight Grants Unit has awarded grants to assist in the transfer of an estimated 15,918,610 tonnes of freight.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what surveys his 172
  Department has commissioned on the amount of asbestos which is present in buildings which are still in use; and if he will make a statement. [85518]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No such surveys have been commissioned by the Department in the last 10 years.

  At the request of the Department, the Medical Research Council, Institute for Environment and Health, carried out a review of the sources and uses of asbestos in buildings, the levels of exposure in the non-workplace environment and the health effects of such exposures. The report of this work entitled "Fibrous materials in the environment" was published by the Institute on 18 November 1997. A copy is in the Library.

  Local Authority Properties
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of local authority properties which are regarded as unfit for human habitation. [85517]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Local authorities are asked to provide information on all dwellings in their area which are unfit (i.e. because they fail to meet the fitness criteria in Section 83 of Schedule 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989) in their annual Housing Investment Programme returns. Separate figures are requested for local authority, registered social landlord, other public sector and private sector dwellings. The figures provided are local authorities' own estimates and are not necessarily compiled on a consistent basis.

  The latest available figures are for 1 April 1998 and are given in the 1998 "HIP OI All Items Print", a copy of which is in the Library. The print includes county totals where estimates have been provided by all the authorities in the county.

  Belmont Stables, Mill Hill
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the planning appeal in relation to Belmont Stables, Mill Hill. [85619]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Inspector will submit his report to the Planning Inspectorate very shortly.

  RAF East Camp Site, Colindale
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress in respect of the planning decision in relation to the RAF East Camp Site, Colindale. [85618]

  Mr. Caborn
  We will issue a decision in due course.

  Civil Aviation
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from UK airlines concerning the future of US/UK civil aviation agreements. [85479]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are in frequent communication with UK airlines, large and small.
  173
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is the Government's policy to retain responsibility for bilateral negotiations with third countries on civil aviation agreements. [85480]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We would consider transferring bilateral responsibilities to a third party only if we judged that to be in the wider interests of UK aviation.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions his Department has held with their US counterparts concerning the future of US/UK civil aviation agreements; who was present at those meetings; what were the agenda and the conclusions; and if he will make a statement. [85478]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  At a meeting in Washington on 20 April, the Deputy Prime Minister and US Transportation Secretary Slater agreed that informal talks between UK and US officials about air services arrangements should take place in May. This was confirmed by my noble Friend Lord Whitty in the House of Lords on 28 April 1999,Official Report, House of Lords, columns 301–03, and the two teams of officials met on 18–20 May in London. The UK team comprised three DETR officials, two FCO officials and a representative from the Civil Aviation Authority; the US team comprised three State Department officials and three Department of Transportation officials. The discussions were broad and preliminary, with the emphasis on a phased approach to air services liberalisation.

  Heathrow
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in the delivery of the recommendation from the Inspector on the Heathrow fifth terminal. [85513]

  Mr. Caborn
  The inquiry closed on 17 March 1999 and the Inspector told the inquiry that he expects to take up to two years to produce his report. Some 39 Applications and Orders are before the Inspector, who has taken evidence from over 750 witnesses with over 5,400 inquiry documents and 25,000 written representations. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will decide the application as soon as possible after receipt of the Inspector's report and recommendation.

  Fuel Duty Rebate
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend fuel duty rebate to community transport schemes. [85613]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Possible changes to the scope of the bus fuel duty rebate scheme will be considered as part of the advice on all aspects of the public funding of bus services which we will be requesting from the new Commission for Integrated Transport when it begins its work next month. We will also be considering carefully all the recommendations of the review of voluntary and community transport commissioned by my Department, the report of which will be published shortly.
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  Minicabs (London)
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to issue the consultation paper on the proposed rules for London minicab operators in accordance with the implementation of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998. [85669]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have today with the Public Carriage Office issued the consultation paper. The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 was an important step in bringing the safety of the travelling public in London in line with the rest of the country. The provisions of the Act were warmly welcomed by both the industry and consumer safety groups.

  This consultation paper is the first step in implementing the Act and sets out proposals for the licensing of London minicab operators. It aims to strike a balance between the need to protect consumers and the interests of small business.

  There will be an eight week period for responses and following assessment of responses we intend to undertake a short consultation before announcing the regulations for the licensing of London minicab operators.

  Further consultation documents on the proposed rules for London minicab drivers and vehicles will be issued later this year and early next year respectively.

  New Trains
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the fleet of 44 new trains to be introduced into service by LTS Rail Ltd. comply with the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [85727]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As I explained in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 167, we are expecting to receive a number of exemption applications from train operating companies whose designs for new rail vehicles were well advanced prior to the 1998 Regulations coming into force.

  We have received such an application from LTS Rail Ltd. The exemptions, which have been discussed with our statutory advisors, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, are mostly of a very minor nature and have been requested for a relatively short time only.

  The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trains. Indeed, we believe that the introduction of the new class 357 trains will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people in the area.

  An Order relating to the exemption of these rail vehicles has been laid in Parliament today.

  Countryside Agency (Report)
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the Government' s response to the fourth report of session 1998–99 of the Environment Transport and Regional Affairs Select Committee on the Countryside Agency (HC 6). [85728]
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  Mr. Meacher
  I can inform the House that the Government's response was published today. It is available as Command Paper 4539.

  Cleaner Vehicles
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which cars and engines qualify for(a) the Energy Saving Trust Powershift Programme and (b) the dual-fuel option of that programme. [85475]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Powershift Register published by the Energy Saving Trust provides details of all the alternatively fuelled vehicles and engine conversions, including dual-fuel options, that meet the minimum quality and safety standards laid down by the Trust. Powershift grants are available for those vehicles listed in the Register that offer significant emissions reductions compared with their petrol or diesel equivalent, with the highest grants going to those vehicles that offer the greatest emissions benefits.

  Waste Management White Paper
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to issue the proposed White Paper on waste management. [85483]

  Mr. Meacher
  I intend to publish a draft waste strategy shortly. We will consult fully with all interested parties before publishing a final version of the new waste strategy as a Command Paper at the end of the year.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times officials from his Department have met officials from the US Government to discuss genetically modified organisms and the biotechnology industry since 1 June 1998; if he will list the dates and locations of each meeting; and with which US Government department his officials met. [80834]

  Mr. Meacher
  Ministers and officials in this department are in regular contact with representatives of all those with an interest in biotechnology—including environmental groups, consumer groups and biotechnology companies. We are also studying practice and trials in a number of countries overseas, including the United States. My officials have met with US Government officials on about a dozen occasions since June 1998, including at multinational meetings such as those held under the auspices of the OECD and UNEP. Information on dates and locations of meetings held at official level is not collected centrally.

  Rail Freight Grants
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 10, if he will list the amount of money which his Department has paid in rail freight grants to Eddie Stobart Ltd, in each of the last five years. [81969]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 23 April 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid) wrote to my hon. Friend as the then
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  Minister for Transport. A copy of his letter has been placed in the Library.

  Novel Crops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Canadian regulatory system for novel crops in respect of the environmental impact of such crops in his review of the regulatory process in the United Kingdom. [82070]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 27 April 1999]: My officials are able to discuss the regulatory approach of other OECD countries through the OECD Expert Group on the Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology. The aim of this Group is to improve the harmonisation of regulatory approaches to the assessment of products in order to avoid trade barriers. The Government have asked the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) to consider the relative benefits of the process based and product based regulatory systems with respect to herbicide tolerant crops as set out in my answer of 24 May 1999, Official Report, columns 5–6.

  Capital Receipts Initiative
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total amount of capital receipts that have been released for Carlisle City Council in each year since 1990. [85041]

  Ms Armstrong
  In the three years 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 capital allocations made through the Capital Receipts Initiative to Carlisle have been £0.373 million, £1.240 million and £1.226 million respectively. These allocations are made in the form of supplementary credit approvals and can be spent on housing and housing related regeneration projects which meet local priorities. The Capital Receipts Initiative was introduced during 1997–98.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Language Teaching
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the funding of language teaching in Northern Ireland. [84450]

  Mr. McFall
  The Government consider it important to encourage the teaching of the major European languages in Northern Ireland and so language studies are one of the 6 areas of compulsory study within the Northern Ireland curriculum. All grant aided post-primary schools must offer pupils the opportunity to study one of French, German, Spanish or Latin, but funding for such provision is not identified separately. Schools may also offer Irish and pupils taking Irish thereby fulfil the requirements of the curriculum.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in implementing the Good Friday agreement. [84451]

  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on developments in the Northern Ireland peace process. [84456]
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  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in implementing the Belfast agreement. [84458]

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of when the Northern Ireland Executive will be formed. [84460]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friends the Members for Islwyn (Mr. Touhig), for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Michie), and for Aberdeen, South (Miss Beggs), and to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson).

  Good Friday Agreement
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to increase co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic as set out in the Good Friday agreement. [84452]

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to increase the co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic as set out in the Good Friday agreement. [84453]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Six new implementation bodies will work on an all-island basis on inland waterways, food safety, trade and business development, special EU programmes, language and aquaculture and marine matters. Six areas where enhanced co-operation will take place through existing bodies, north and south, have also been identified. These bodies are ready to function once powers are devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the role of an Irish-UK parliamentary body in implementing the Good Friday Agreement. [84464]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  As the Good Friday Agreement is implemented, it will be important to build relationships between the UK and Irish Parliaments and the elected institutions of the devolved administrations. Strand Three of the Agreement states that"The elected institutions of the members (of the British-Irish Council) will be encouraged to develop interparliamentary links, perhaps building on the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body."

  The Government welcome the positive contribution which the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body has made over recent years. Whilst we will encourage interparliamentary links to develop further, it will be a matter for the elected institutions themselves as to how they choose to proceed.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made on the decommissioning of weapons. [84454]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have welcomed the start to decommissioning made by the LVF on 18 December. The Decommissioning Commission continues its vital work. The Government also continue to meet with representatives of all the political parties to discuss all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. We are determined that all aspects move forward in parallel.
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  Structural Funds
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the impact of European structural funds on peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.[84455]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The European Union is funding the Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation which aims to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Additional EU aid for the Programme for 1999 brings the total awarded to 400 million euros (approximately £285 million).

  New Deal
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many companies are signed up to the New Deal in Northern Ireland. [84459]

  Mr. McFall
  At the 23 April 1999, 2,646 Northern Ireland companies had confirmed their support for New Deal by signing an Employment Agreement.

  Mr. Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements are in place to ensure that employers receiving subsidies under the New Deal are complying completely with the minimum wage legislation for all their employees, including those subsidised under the New Deal. [85120]

  Mr. McFall
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Mr. Cecil Walker, dated 25 May 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training & Employment Agency to reply to your question about the National Minimum Wage and, specifically, its implications for employees in jobs which attract a New Deal subsidy.
  The role of implementing National Minimum Wage policy lies with the Department of Trade & Industry and the monitoring and enforcing functions have been assigned to the Inland Revenue. The Training & Employment Agency has no direct responsibility in these matters but the Agency's JobCentre staff are offering guidance based on DTI explanatory leaflets for both employers and employees. They are also signposting enquiries to the National Minimum Wage telephone information and enquiries lines. (Copies of the DTI leaflets are enclosed.) The Agency now requires all employers reporting vacancies, for which job applicants are sought, to confirm that at least National Minimum Wage rates will apply.
  On the specific issue of New Deal employees' National Minimum Wage entitlements, Personal Advisers maintain a counselling and monitoring role during the subsidy period with employees and employers to ensure that all New Deal criteria and job recruitment agreements are being honoured.
  I hope you find this reply useful.

  Prison Officers (Redundancies)
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on progress with redundancy arrangements for prison officers in Northern Ireland.[84461]
  179
  Mr. Ingram
  117 staff left the Prison Service on 30 March 1999 under the voluntary early retirement/early severance scheme. A further 93 staff are expected to leave by 30 June 1999. All those leaving under the scheme receive a comprehensive programme of support services.

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the types and number of weapons in the possession of terrorist organisations which have been responsible for acts of violence in Northern Ireland. [84462]

  Mr. Ingram
  For obvious reasons, it is not our practice to disclose such intelligence matters. I can however say that substantial amounts of firearms, munitions and explosives are held by various groups in Northern Ireland.

  Restorative Justice
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the objectives are of the new Government initiatives on restorative justice in Northern Ireland.[84463]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith).

  Drumcree
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the prospects for achieving a local accommodation over the disputed parade at Drumcree this year. [84465]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Savidge).

  Child Protection
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children in Northern Ireland who are registered with local authorities are registered on the Child Protection Register; and if he will make a statement. [85085]

  Mr. McFall
  There were 1,418 children in Northern Ireland on the Child Protection Register at 31 December 1998, the latest date for which such information is available.

  Compensation Agency
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the future plans for the Compensation Agency will be published; and if she will make a statement. [85867]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Compensation Agency will publish today its Corporate Plan and Business Plan. The Plans explain the Agency's business and organisation and set out the assumptions about work loads and resources which underpin the plans and targets.
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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Farmers (Tibet)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what representations she has made to the World Bank about its proposal to help fund the re-settlement of farmers from outside the region to Tibet; [85129]

  (2) what representations she has made to China about the re-location of farmers from outside the region to Tibet. [85128]

  Clare Short
  I understand that these questions relate to the World Bank's proposed Western Poverty Reduction Project in Qinghai province of China (bordering the autonomous region of Tibet). We have requested further details of the proposal from World Bank staff in Washington. I will write to my hon. Friend when this information is available.

  UNESCO
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial and other assistance her Department intends to provide to establish a UK National Commission for UNESCO. [84896]

  Clare Short
  We will provide a core grant not exceeding £70,000 a year towards the costs of a UK Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). We and other Departments will also consider support for specific activities in accordance with Government priorities. It is expected that civil society groupings with an interest in UNESCO will provide additional funding for the Commission.

TREASURY

  Media Relations
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) civil servants and (b) special advisers involved in media relations were employed within his Department at 1 May (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [84191]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 18 May 1999]: Detailed information on the number of permanent civil servants employed in Departmental Press Offices during the financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99 was provided in a memorandum to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report on The Government Information and Communication Service (HC770) in July 1998. A copy is in the Library of the House. The numbers in post at 1 May 1999 are 7.

  Special Advisers in this Department advise Treasury Ministers on the full range of policy issues.

  Alcohol and Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of not implementing the recommendations of the report of the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review. [85101]
  181
  Dawn Primarolo
  If the recommendations of the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review had not been implemented and the allocation of £35 million over 3 years had not been made to Customs to effect these recommendations, Customs would be unable to achieve by 2001–02 the target set in the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper for detecting alcohol and tobacco fraud. There would also be an even greater threat of large-scale excise crime.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) in what capacity his then special adviser addressed the Chalk Farm Branch Labour Party meeting on 9 February; and if the Government's economic policy was discussed and questions on this subject answered; [84827]

  (2) how many invitations to address meetings of Labour Party branches or constituency Labour parties his special advisers have (a) received, (b) accepted and (c) declined since May 1997; [84826]

  (3) what criteria he applies when advising his special advisers on the acceptance of speaking engagements; [84829]

  (4) how many speaking engagements have been undertaken by his special advisers since May 1997; [84825]

  (5) if he discussed in advance the content of his special adviser's speech to the Chalk Farm Labour Party on 9 February. [84828]

  Ms Hewitt
  Any speaking engagements undertaken by Treasury Special Advisers have been fully in line with the terms of their contracts.

  Disabled People (Contributions)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many disabled people and people with a long-term illness in work he expects to pay (i) no contributions and (ii) contributions of less than 25 times the lower earnings limit in each of the next five years; and if he will give this figure as a proportion of the total number of this group in work. [85510]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The only information available is based on the Family Resources Survey for 1997–98, covering Great Britain, and shows that about 550,000 people with a long-term illness, disability, or infirmity were working but not paying national insurance contributions. This represents about 12 per cent. of the total number of this group in work.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the increase in demand for childcare places as a result of the introduction of the childcare tax credit within the working families tax credit. [84958]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government have commissioned work into the demand for childcare places within the context of the National Childcare Strategy. Results from this analysis are due to be published later in the year, and follow-up work is envisaged in 2001 which should help inform our understanding of existing and future demand for childcare.
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  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact on parents' ability to pay higher childcare fees of the introduction of the childcare tax credit element of the working families tax credit. [84957]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The ability of parents to pay childcare fees at the prevailing rates following the introduction of the childcare tax credit will depend on a range of factors. It is not practicable for the Government to estimate reliably whether, or to what extent, the introduction of the childcare tax credit component of the Working Families Tax Credit will have an effect on childcare charges.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Inland Revenue will take account of differences in the cost of childcare during holiday periods, compared to term time, when calculating the childcare element of the working families tax credit. [84960]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The calculation of the childcare element within the Working Families Tax Credit will take account of differences in the cost of childcare in holiday periods, compared to term time, in the same way that Family Credit takes account of these variations currently.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence parents will be required to produce to support a claim for the childcare tax credit element of the working families tax credit. [84955]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Parents will be required to obtain confirmation of their costs, or expected childcare costs, from their childcare provider in the same way that they would currently for Family Credit.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information childcare providers will have to provide to the Inland Revenue to show how much those parents claiming working families tax credit are charged for childcare. [84959]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Childcare providers will be asked to verify parents actual or expected childcare costs for WFTC using a form similar to the one they are currently asked to complete for Family Credit.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the working families tax credit will be assessed when the snapshot of income immediately preceding an application comes out at a time when the applicant is on parental leave without pay. [84751]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 20 May 1999]: The rules for the assessment of WFTC where one or both parents are on unpaid parental leave will be the same as those used currently for Family Credit where the parent, or parents, are on any other sorts of unpaid leave. The exact treatment will depend entirely on the individual circumstances of the family.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which social security benefits will be excluded from the calculation for entitlement to working families tax credit. [84950]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The same social security benefits will be excluded from the calculation for entitlement of WFTC as are currently excluded from the calculation of entitlement to Family Credit. These are Child Benefit, Child Benefit (Lone Parent), Guardian's Allowance,
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  Maternity Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Personal Council Tax Transitional Relief or Reduction, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, £10 Christmas Bonus, Constant Attendance Allowance, war pensioner's mobility supplement, supplementary pensions for war widows, Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance, any Social Fund payment, Severe Disablement Occupational Allowance, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. And in addition, the first £10 of the total income is disregarded (up to a maximum disregard of £20) where it comes from War Widow's or Widower's Pension, War Disablement Pensions, or equivalent payments made by foreign social security schemes.

  Tax Law Rewrite Project
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there have been further developments on the Tax Law Rewrite project. [85668]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I am pleased to be able to tell the House about yet another publication from the Tax Law Rewrite project. The Inland Revenue will shortly publish the project's sixth Exposure Draft, which contains draft clauses on employment income. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  This Exposure Draft is the third to be published in the last three months. The work of the project is gathering pace and we can look forward to further publications later in the year.

  Air Passenger Duty
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government were first informed of the European Commission's intention to pursue infraction proceedings against the application in the United Kingdom of the domestic flight return-leg exemption from air passenger duty.[82638]

  Mrs. Roche
  The European Commission issued a Reasoned Opinion on 23 June 1998 in this matter.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to make an announcement on the Government's response to the European Commission's infraction proceedings against the application in the United Kingdom of the domestic return-leg exemption from air passenger duty; and if he will make a statement. [82637]

  Mrs. Roche
  We are still considering how to respond to the European Commission's challenge to the domestic return-leg exemption.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what supplementary revenue will be obtained from air passenger duty if the current domestic flight return-leg exemption from this duty were to be abolished. [82645]

  Mrs. Roche
  At current passenger numbers, and assuming no behavioural effects, it is estimated that the additional revenue from abolishing the domestic return-leg exemption would be in the order of £60 million.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the impact on accessibility to low-cost domestic air travel if the current domestic return-leg air passenger duty exemption were to be abolished. [82643]
  184
  Mrs. Roche
  I have not received any representation on this particular issue.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the rate of air passenger duty which would have to be levied on flights within the EU, should air passenger duty be applied to both legs of domestic return flights in the UK, to ensure the income to the Treasury from air passenger duty remains as forecast in the document Budget 99.[82644]

  Mrs. Roche
  The precise figure will depend on the proportion of domestic flights within the UK which contain a return leg. Depending on the proportion of return journeys, a rate of between £8 and £9 would be consistent with broad revenue neutrality if Air Passenger Duty were applied to both legs of domestic return flights. This estimate assumes current passenger numbers and no behavioural effects.

  Small High-tech Businesses
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he has received to the consultation document, Financial Promotion; and what steps he is considering to help eliminate the equity gap in respect of the funding of smaller high-technology new businesses. [85656]

  Ms Hewitt
  The consultation paper includes consideration of ways to facilitate informal capital raising to assist small and medium-sized firms, including those in the high-technology sector, gain access to investment funding. A number of responses have been received and are being considered.

  Disabled Persons Tax Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the proportion of those he expects to claim the disabled persons tax credit who will be paying(a) no national insurance contributions and (b) contributions of less than 25 times the lower earnings limit in each of the next five years. [85509]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that about 25 per cent. of DPTC recipients will pay no national insurance contributions in 1999–2000. The percentage actually paying no contributions in subsequent years will be higher, because of the increase in the thresholds announced in the Budget. However, contributions on earnings between the lower earnings limit and the new threshold will be notionally paid with no loss of benefit entitlement. The proportion earning less than the lower earnings limit is expected to remain at about 25 per cent.

  I regret that no information is available on the proportion of DPTC claimants paying contributions on earnings of less than 25 times the lower earnings limit in a year.

  Independent Adjudicator for the Inland Revenue
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the position of Independent Adjudicator for the Inland Revenue was established; how this position is advertised and appointed; how many complaints in each year since its establishment have been referred to the Independent Adjudicator for the Inland Revenue; how many were(a) upheld and (b) dismissed; and what

  185
  representations he has received concerning parliamentary scrutiny of the appointment of the Independent Adjudicator for the Inland Revenue. [85350]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Office of the Revenue Adjudicator was established in May 1993 to introduce an element of impartiality into the Revenue's complaints system.

  The post is advertised in the national press and appointment made through open competition.

  The Adjudicator's Office received 14,322 complaints in the six year period to 31 March 1999. Of these, 11,644 were resolved without the need for full investigation.

  Of the 2,434 complaints investigated, 1,106 were upheld, 1,194 not upheld and 134 withdrawn.

  Bates Report (PFI)
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when he will publish the Bates report on the private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement; [84993]

  (2) if he will publish the second Bates report on the private finance initiative. [84994]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 27 April 1999,Official Report, column 122.

  Inflation Target
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons 2½ per cent. remains his inflation target; and if he will make a statement. [85349]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's inflation target is 2½ per cent., defined by the 12-month increase in the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments (RPIX). Low inflation is an essential precondition for achieving the Government's objectives of high and sustainable levels of growth and employment.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes to current economic policy would be required to achieve a 2 per cent. inflation target by the end of 2000. [85348]

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce legislation to change the measure of inflation used by the Bank of England to define progress towards achieving the Government's target rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement. [85384]

  Ms Hewitt
  In his last Budget on 9 March 1999, the Chancellor confirmed the Government's inflation target is 2½ per cent. defined by the 12-month increase in the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments (RPIX). This target was reaffirmed in a recent letter from the Chancellor to the Governor of the Bank of England, setting out the remit for the Monetary Policy Committee. A copy of this letter has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what consultations he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England with regard to the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices; [85385]
  186
  (2) what consultations (a) Treasury Ministers and (b) Treasury officials have had with officials of the Bank of England with regard to the use of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices as a measure of inflation in the past 12 months. [85386]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor and Treasury officials meet regularly with Bank of England officials to exchange views on a wide variety of issues.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current and future use of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices as a measure of inflation in the United Kingdom. [85387]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's inflation target is 2½ per cent. defined by the 12-month increase in the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments (RPIX). This target was reaffirmed in a recent letter from the Chancellor to the Governor of the Bank of England, setting out the remit for the Monetary Policy Committee. A copy of this letter has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Secondary Markets
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's policy on the functionality of secondary markets in financial services; and what plans he has to ensure that consumers are made aware of the existence of secondary markets in financial services. [85124]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 24 May 1999]: The Government aim to ensure that all parts of the financial services markets operate as efficiently and fairly as possible. The Financial Services and Markets Bill will give the Financial Services Authority a statutory objective of consumer protection and public awareness.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Dry Rooms
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to de-regulate dry rooms in bed and breakfast and hotel accommodation. [85115]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government's new tourism strategy aims to create a regulatory framework in which tourism-related businesses, including accommodation businesses, can prosper. My Department is working with other Departments to review regulatory burdens on the tourism industry, with a view to removing those which are unnecessary. I understand that the Home Office will be looking at the question of dry rooms as part of its general review of liquor licensing law.

  Britain Visitor Centre
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what are the funding arrangements for the Britain Visitor Centre; and what will be its annual running costs. [85299]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 24 May 1999]: The Britain Visitor Centre is funded by the British Tourist Authority, partly through rental payments by sub-tenants and partly from grant-in-aid. The annual running costs for

  187
  1999–2000 are expected to be £975,000, of which £625,000 is covered by rental payments and £350,000 by grant-in-aid.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the funding agreements which his Department has concluded with its sponsored bodies following his Department's Comprehensive Spending Review. [85819]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House copies of 33 agreements that the Department has concluded with its Non-Departmental Public Bodies and Next Steps Agency.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Winter Fuel Allowance
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how many pensioner households in Shrewsbury and Atcham will receive the £100 winter fuel allowance. [84865]

  Mr. Timms
  From an examination of the number of eligible pensioners identified in the post code areas for Shrewsbury and Atcham for the winter of 1998–99 we estimate that around 57,000 individual pensioners in over 42,000 households will benefit from Winter Fuel Payments next winter.

  Fraud
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate what the fraud savings from the automation of benefit payments at post offices would have been had the project been completed on schedule. [85229]

  Mr. Timms
  Fraudulent payments associated with paying benefits through giro cheques and order books were estimated to stand at around £180 million per annum when the project was initiated in 1996. The payment card, when fully in place, was estimated to cut out 90 per cent. of such fraudulent payments.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Funding (Cambridgeshire)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the additional amount of money is which Cambridgeshire County Council would have delegated to schools in 1998–99, if the proportion delegated had been at the level of the local education authority which delegated the highest proportion. [85357]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The highest proportion of the Potential Schools Budget delegated by a local education authority in 1998–99 was 95.8 per cent. If Cambridgeshire had delegated at this level, the additional amount of the Aggregated Schools Budget available to its schools would have been £11 million.
  188

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact on business costs of the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [85152]

  Ms Hodge
  The Government's estimates of the costs and benefits of introducing the later rights in Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and of introducing the first part of the duty of reasonable adjustment on trade organisations under Part II of the Act, are contained in separate Regulatory Impact Assessments. Copies are available in the Library. They can also be found on the disability website—www.disability.gov.uk.

  Disability Rights Commission
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he will take to ensure that the Disability Rights Commissioner provides technical support to employers and service providers in Coventry. [85153]

  Ms Hodge
  The Disability Rights Commission Bill is currently before Parliament. The commission, when established, will be an independent statutory body which will prepare and review statutory codes of practice and make arrangements for conciliation in the field of access to goods, facilities, services and premises. It will also provide a central source of information and advice to employers, service providers and disabled people.

  It will be for the Commission to determine how best to provide its services to all its stakeholders when it is established and to report on its activities through its annual report to Parliament.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received regarding the introduction of the Disability Rights Commission and its impact on business competitiveness. [85151]

  Ms Hodge
  A public consultation on the Government White Paper, "Promoting Disabled People's Rights—Creating a Disability Rights Commission fit for the 21stCentury", was held last year.

  7,000 individuals and organisations were sent a copy of the White Paper or a summary of it. Out of 626 responses (of which 12 per cent. were identified as coming from businesses or organisations representing business interests) 94 per cent. supported the main proposals on the establishment and role of the Commission. An analysis of responses compiled by an independent market research organisation will be placed in the Library in the near future.

  Five national consultation conferences on the White Paper held in September and October 1998 were attended by over 300 delegates from the business, public and voluntary sectors. The views of the delegates are also reflected in the report.

  Disability Leave Agreements
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received concerning disability leave agreements. [85154]
  189
  Ms Hodge
  We have had no specific representations about disability leave agreements, but the idea of disability leave has been discussed recently by the Disability Rights Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Disabled People in Employment and Training (ACDET) Group looking at job retention. Voluntary disability leave agreements between employers and employees can help people with disabilities play a full part in working life.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for schools in Essex 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. [84580]

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

  The available information for Essex Local Authority is shown in the table.

  Essex local education authority area January each year

  Average class size of one teacher classes

  1998

  1999

  Nursery classes

  25.0

  24.7

  Key stage one

  26.6

  26.5

  Key stage two

  28.6

  28.7

  Overall primary

  27.6

  27.7

  Secondary

  21.7

  21.6

  IT (Inner-city Schools)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps his Department is taking to develop the use of IT in schools in inner city areas. [85332]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under Excellence in Cities we shall be developing Learning Centres in inner city areas. The first 30 will be up and running in the Excellence in Cities target areas by September 2000, with more to follow after that. This was announced as part of a major programme focused on the inner cities, and supplements the very substantial support already available through the National Grid for Learning and the New Opportunities Fund.

  Further Education Funding Council
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has given the Further Education Funding Council on the future of franchising activity by colleges; and if he will make a statement. [85466]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State authorised the following advice to the FEFC in December 1998—that (i) FEFC funding should not be transferred from colleges to employers other than exceptionally for the lease of equipment and premises; (ii) franchised arrangements should not operate well outside the college's area—and where a college did extend its operations in this 190
  way then it should do so after consultation with the local college or colleges concerned; and (iii) the FEFC should consult the DfEE about the implications for funding policy of its study of the costs of franchised provision.

  In response, the FEFC has: required that colleges do not transfer funding to employers other than exceptionally; established a local priorities working group to advise on policy for off site delivery; and reduced the funding available for the majority of franchised activity.

  Jobseekers
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if parents signing on for jobseeker's allowance are entitled to be accompanied by their children at a jobcentre interview. [85092]

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

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. David Willetts, dated 26 May 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply direct to your question about the presence of children accompanying their parents at Jobcentre interviews. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  We appreciate that many people looking for work have dependent children and that it is sometimes convenient for them to bring a child with them when attending interviews at the Jobcentre. In accordance with our general policy that Jobcentres should present a welcoming environment to all jobseekers, we are happy for this to be the case. Where the presence of children makes it difficult to undertake the interview effectively we will discuss re-arranging the interview for a time when alternative care arrangements can be made.
  I hope this is helpful.

  School Closures
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the decisions which have come before him since May 1997 on school closure; and the outcome of each of those decisions. [85356]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A list of the school closure proposals decided by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State since May 1997 is shown in a table, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Tom Engel
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what guidance he received from the Cabinet Office relating to the procedures for the appointment of his new special adviser, Mr. Tom Engel; [85545]

  (2) what will be the responsibilities of his new special adviser, Mr. Tom Engel; [85542]

  (3) if he will list those areas on which his special adviser, Mr. Tom Engel, will not receive papers or give advice, so as to avoid conflicts of interest, as specified in the model contract for special advisers. [85544]
  191
  Mr. Blunkett
  Tom Engel will start work as Special Adviser to me on 1 June. He will be employed under terms and conditions set out in the model contract for Special Advisers. He was appointed following a competitive interview process and his appointment is fully in line with Cabinet Office procedures, including having been authorised by the Prime Minister.

  Tom Engel will be required to sever all links with his previous employer, Westminster Strategy, and his policy responsibilities in the Department will have no relevance to the responsibilities he held at Westminster Strategy. He will work to me across the range of subjects for which the Department has responsibility.

SCOTLAND

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many jobs have been created as a result of the

  Cumulative AIDS deaths as at 31 December of selected years by health board of AIDS registration, and for Scotland,as at 31 March 1999

  Health Board

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1988

  1998

  1999

  Argyll and Clyde

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  4

  Ayrshire and Arran

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9

  9

  Borders

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  Fife

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  12

  12

  Forth Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  4

  4

  Grampian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  30

  30

  Greater Glasgow

  0

  1

  1

  2

  2

  8

  19

  180

  180

  Highland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  5

  5

  Lanarkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  10

  10

  Lothian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  14

  335

  335

  Orkney

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tayside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  128

  130

  Western Isles

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Scotland

  0

  1

  1

  2

  3

  13

  42

  721

  723

  Source:

  The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health AIDS/HIV Register
  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Erskine Bridge
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the final cost of the repairs and ancillary work to the Erskine Bridge following the accident involving an off-shore installation under towage; if these costs were recovered from the parties deemed responsible; and if he will make a statement. [84678]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: The final cost of the repairs and ancillary work to the Erskine Bridge is £4.25 million. The Scottish Office is committed to recovering these costs and has intimated its claim to those considered to be responsible. This claim will continue to be pursued.

  From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  192
  additional grants available in the regional selection assistance priority pilot areas; and what proportion of the budget allocated for this purpose remains unspent. [84868]

  Dr. Reid
  Since the Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) Priority initiative was launched on a pilot basis on 22 May 1998, 14 projects have been offered grant assistance of £1.9 million. This will lead to the planned creation of an additional 99 jobs for the residents of the 5 particularly deprived areas chosen for the pilot phase.

  Funds are available from within the overall RSA budget and are not specifically allocated for this initiative.

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

  HIV/AIDS
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the cumulative numbers of people with AIDS who died in(a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland in each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and in 1999 to date. [84820]

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

PRIME MINISTER

  Media Relations
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister how many(a) civil servants and (b) special advisers involved in media relations were employed within his Department at 1 May (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [84199]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 18 May 1999]: Detailed information on the number of civil servants employed in Departmental Press Offices during the financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99 was provided in a memorandum to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report on "The Government Information and Communication Service" (HC 770) in July 1998. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Media relations are handled by the Downing Street Press Office which consists of 8 press officers, 3 of whom are special advisers. They work under the direction of my

  193
  Official Spokesman and are the only people authorised to have direct contact with the media on my behalf other than on occasions where others may be specifically directed by my Official Spokesman.

  The Strategic Communications Unit was set up on 14 January 1998. Speaking on behalf of the Government is not part of the SCU's function but the civil servants and special advisers there obviously speak to the press from time to time.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) opinion polling and (b) focus group research carried out on the authority of the Government into the use of military force in connection with the Kosovo conflict. [85046]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Concordats
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made in drawing up concordats between UK departments, the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Executive. [85435]

  The Prime Minister
  Work has been done within the UK Government to prepare a set of draft concordats to provide a framework of guidance on relationships to ensure smooth conduct of business with the new devolved Administrations. I expect these drafts to be passed to the devolved Administrations for their consideration in due course.

  Macedonia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about progress made in providing assistance to Macedonia and Albania as an outcome of the donors' meeting held in Paris on 5 May. [84789]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 May 1999]: At the Donors' Conference for Macedonia on 5 May, the international community, including international financial institutions, pledged $252 million in financial assistance to Macedonia. The EU has pledged 25 million euro in refugee related budgetary assistance, 10 million euro in humanitarian support and 22 million euro in developmental assistance. Details are in the EU and World Bank Chairmen's Conclusions of the Donors Conference, which will be deposited in the Library of the House. The Albanian Donors' Conference is to be held today.

  Poet Laureate
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will set out the established procedures for announcing the appointment of the Poet Laureate; and if he will make a statement; [85446]

  (2) what procedures he has put in place to establish who informed The Times newspaper of the identity of the next Poet Laureate. [85447]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: Downing Street had planned to announce the name of the new Poet Laureate today, Wednesday 26 May. In view of the story appearing in The Times on Wednesday 19 May
  194
  this announcement was brought forward by a week. In accordance with normal procedures, with the agreement of Buckingham Palace, Downing Street announces this appointment by way of a Press Notice. The Times has made it clear that the leak did not come from Downing Street.

  NATO (Media Relations Advisers)
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government officials and special advisers are advising NATO headquarters on presentational and media relations. [85380]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: Last month the NATO Secretary General and SACEUR asked my Chief Press Secretary to visit NATO and advise on media relations. Since then he and a number of other Government officials have been helping NATO and SHAPE deal with the enormous media demand. They are working with NATO staff and officials from several other NATO countries.

  Effective communications are important, particularly when Milosevic has a state run media and no cameras are allowed to film the atrocities being carried out in Kosovo.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 26 May. [85080]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

  I will also be attending the celebrations to mark the opening of the Welsh Assembly.

  Mr. Tom Engel
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Prime Minister if the appointment of Mr. Tom Engel as a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Education and Employment was approved by the Prime Minister. [85543]

  The Prime Minister
  Yes.

  European Trade Policy
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made for Ministerial consideration of European trade policy issues. [85730]

  The Prime Minister
  I have established a new Committee to discuss these issues. The Sub-Committee on European Trade Issues (E)DOP(T), under the Chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, will report to the Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Issues ((E)DOP), which also meets under the Foreign Secretary's Chairmanship. The composition and Terms of Reference of this new Committee are as follows:

  Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Trade Issues ((E)DOP(T))
  Composition:
  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Chairman)
  Chancellor of the Exchequer
  Secretary of State for International Development

  195
  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  Other Ministers will be invited to attend as the nature of the business requires.

  The United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Union is also in attendance.

  Terms of Reference
  "To consider questions relating to European Union trade policy issues and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Sub-Committee on European issues."

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Flood and Coastal Defence
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made on the review of the funding arrangements for flood and coastal defence and development of high level targets for flood and coastal defence operating authorities. [85731]

  Mr. Morley
  In response to last year's Agriculture Select Committee Report on Flood and Coastal Defence, the Government agreed to review the funding mechanisms for flood and coastal defence. As a first step in the review process, a consultation letter was issued to interested parties on 7 May. A copy has been placed in the Libraries.

  A consultation paper seeking comments on substantive high level targets for flood and coastal defence from March 2000 will be issued to a wide range of interested organisations later this week; a copy will be placed in the Libraries. The Environment Agency will be consulting separately on further elaboration of its flood defence supervisory duty, and reporting to me in the autumn.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Encryption (Law Enforcement)
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the results of the study recently carried out on Encryption and Law Enforcement by the Performance and Innovation Unit in the Cabinet Office. [85605]

  Mr. Wills
  I am now able to announce the main conclusions from this important study carried out by a joint Government-industry team in the Cabinet Office's Performance and Innovation Unit.

  The Team's recommendations, which have been agreed by the Government, include the establishment of a new industry/Government forum to take forward discussion on encryption matters which will be chaired by a senior DTI official; a new initiative to create an international forum to discuss encryption and law enforcement issues; and the establishment of a Technical Assistance Centre (under Home Office auspices) to assist the law enforcement agencies to make intelligible legally obtained encrypted information.

  On the Electronic Commerce Bill, the PIU Team concluded that the proposed licensing (or accreditation) regime for cryptography service providers should not include any requirement for mandatory storage of
  196
  encryption keys. The PIU team also welcomed the proposals in the consultation document to allow lawful access to decryption keys and/or plain text under proper authority

  I believe that the recommendations outlined above, coupled with the dialogue that has already taken place with industry on this complex issue, will usher in a new era of co-operation between Government and industry; ensuring that the UK becomes both the best, and the safest, place to conduct electronic business.

  Copies of the PIU report are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Raw Milk
  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to respond to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the selling of raw milk; and if he will make a statement. [85533]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's oral answer on 6 May 1999,Official Report, column 1069, to the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath).

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 28 April 1999,Official Report, column 194, on raw cows' milk, if he will list the hon. Members who wrote to him in April regarding the Monopoly and Mergers inquiry. [85360]

  Dr. Howells
  I am placing in the Library of the House a list of the hon. Members who wrote to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in April regarding the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on the supply in Great Britain of raw cows' milk.

  Single Vehicle Car Imports
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he will make to ensure that single vehicle car imports are compliant with EU safety requirements.[85611]

  Mr. Battle
  Single vehicle imports are subject to the Single Vehicle Approval test administered by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport. Its purpose is to ensure that imported cars which are not manufactured in the European Union are safe on UK roads. To that end, the proposed revisions to the scheme will enhance the test standards to align broadly with EU safety standards.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he will make to ensure that consumers are kept informed of specification differences between UK-sourced new cars and single vehicle imports. [85612]

  Mr. Battle
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has published a booklet "The Single Vehicle Approval scheme" (SVA2) which describes the existing SVA regulations and test regime. Before the proposed revisions to the scheme are implemented, they will update and expand this information to include the main differences between European and non-European standards. The existence of specification differences between cars made for use in the European Union and sold
  197
  through the manufacturers' official networks, and those made for other markets and brought into the UK by independent importers, has also been the subject of extensive coverage in the media. In deciding to remove the limits on imports of cars made for other markets progressively by 2001, the Government have been partly guided by the need to give the independent importers time to establish further their service networks in the UK.

  Electricity
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on(a) the difficulties in the process of introducing full competition in the domestic electricity market two years ago, (b) the undertakings he gave on the timetable for market opening and (c) the actions he took to accelerate the process of market opening.[85609]

  Mr. Battle
  On coming to office, it was clear that the Government would have to give a strong lead to this work in order to see it successfully completed. I commissioned a report from the then DGES on the status of the programme soon after taking office. That report and one from his programme manager was published on 29 May 1997 and provided a sound way forward upon which the industry was prepared to commit to delivery.

  Among the difficulties which have been faced have been the sheer size of the task and the level of technical complexity involved. The task of putting in place the vital IT infrastructure which is required to make the competition process work was one of the largest and most difficult in the world. I have worked hard to ensure that competition was introduced in a sensible, systematic way which ensured that customers were paramount and have conducted a series of meetings with the companies, the Regulator, the Electricity Pool and the programme managers to ensure that any difficulties were ironed out.

  It was intended by the previous Government that supply competition would be introduced from April 1998. However, a realistic programme of work had not been put in place to support delivery by that date. Despite the efforts of the industry during 1998, the April date proved unachievable with fully tested systems. At a meeting I held on 22 January 1998 with the DGES, representatives from the electricity industry agreed to accept a target of rolling out competition between September 1998 and June 1999. The first areas to open to full competition did so on 14 September last year. Competition was introduced in each PES area in three planned stages over six months. A comprehensive testing programme was put in place to establish whether systems could interact effectively. The market was declared fully open on 24 May, a month ahead of schedule, by the DGES. The DGES will be monitoring for some time to come to ensure that the mechanics supporting the change of supplier process are working effectively and that the companies adopt a reasonable approach to doorstep selling. Consumers across the country should now benefit from lower prices and a better level of service.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) the decisions announced in section 36 and section 14 consents for gas-fired electricity power plants during 1999 and (b) the factors determining whether such applications were approved or refused. [85610]
  198
  Mr. Battle
  As promised in the Energy Sources White Paper, all decisions have been duly reported to Parliament. Members can also consult the actual decision letters, copies of which have also been placed in the Library of the House.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the Electricity Act 1989 with regard to access for way leaves and compensation to be paid. [85546]

  Mr. Battle
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to review the wayleave provisions of the Electricity Act 1989.

  Foresight Programme
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made in promoting the involvement of Government departments in the Foresight Programme. [85729]

  Mr. Battle
  The latest Whitehall Foresight progress report was published on 26 May. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The report provides examples of what Departments are doing to promote Foresight and to respond to Foresight priorities and recommendations. It also outlines Departments' initial plans for participation in the new round of Foresight which started on 1 April. Overall, it reflects significant forward progress since the last report published in June 1998.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the way in which ECGD assesses risk. [85820]

  Mr. Byers
  My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary and I have agreed, in view of recent global economic turmoil and its adverse impact on ECGD's ability to meet its financial objective, to put in train an independent review of ECGD's Risk Management systems and processes.

  The Terms of Reference for the Risk Management Review are:

  To assist Her Majesty's Government in assessing the adequacy of risk management systems and processes of the Export Credits Guarantee Department, within the context of the Department's Mission and Financial objective. Specifically, the Consultants are required:
  To assess the adequacy and robustness of the systems used by ECGD to assess, monitor and manage political and country risk. ECGD uses its Portfolio Management System (PMS) to assess and manage country risk exposure. In conjunction, it operates risk monitoring systems and statistical models to assess the likelihood of longer term break-even. Are there measures which could be taken to improve these systems?
  To assess the adequacy and effectiveness of ECGD's operational controls in relation to its systems for assessment and management of political and country risk, having regard to best commercial practice. ECGD's activities are governed by a set of operational controls, involving delegated authorities from the Treasury as well as internal delegated authorities, coupled with checks and balances to ensure that risk assessments are kept separate from decisions on cover availability and premium for particular markets. Could these operational controls be improved?
  In the light of these assessments to make recommendations for strengthening ECGD's risk management systems and operational controls.
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  In undertaking this assignment, the Consultant should have regard for best commercial practice in risk management in the financial services market, in particular banking and insurance practices, in the public and private sectors.

  The systems, controls and procedu res relating to the management of political and country risk to be reviewed will include:
  Within ECGD, the market and portfolio controls represented by the Portfolio Management System and the role of the Market Committee (including the Amber Zone Budget and Amber Zone Delegated Authorities);
  The allocation of roles and responsibilities for risk management and underwriting in ECGD and to consider whether the risk management function has sufficient authority;
  Outside ECGD, the roles of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council, the Whitehall Economic Sub Group (ESG), the Export Guarantees Committee (EGC) and of other Departments;
  The adequacy and robustness of management information available to underpin ECGD risk management decisions and actions;
  Whether its systems have enabled ECGD to react quickly enough to material events affecting their risk situation—for example, whether the time frames under which country risk assessments and country cover decisions take place, are appropriate;
  Whether ECGD's exposure management is robust. For example, does it enable ECGD to avoid over-concentration of risk, and monitor and control effectively the changing risk profile of ECGD's exposures?
  Is accountability for risk and risk decisions within ECGD and HMG sufficiently clear and unambiguous?
  Whether the internal financial and operational control regimes, ethos and culture in ECGD adequately provide the emphasis and incentives to deliver the risk-reward balance which Ministers have specified in relation to ECGD; and how these control systems compare to good risk management practice in the private sector.
  Whether the internal operational control regimes, ethos and culture in the relevant parts of the Treasury adequately provide the emphasis and incentives to deliver the risk-reward balance which Ministers have specified in relation to ECGD.

  ECGD and Treasury are jointly inviting bids from suitably qualified consultants to conduct the Review.

  Soya Beans
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports his Department has received concerning the efforts of the state Government of Rio Grande do Sol to guarantee non-genetically modified soya bean production throughout their state; and what plans his Department has to give assistance. [84504]

  Mr. Battle
  My hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), the then Under-Secretary with responsibility for Small Firms, received a courtesy call from the Governor of Rio Grande do Sol on 25 September 1997, following a visit she made to Brazil in June 1997. The call focused on general trade relations. The issue of genetically modified soya beans was not raised during this meeting.

  No reports have been received on this issue by DTI Ministers or officials.
  200

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the change in the balance of manufactured trade over the last three years. [82388]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 6 May 1999]: The manufacturing trade deficit rose between 1996 and 1998 at a time of deteriorating global economic prospects. However, the tough and decisive action this Government have taken will ensure that the UK steers a course of lasting stability, and is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities once world conditions pick-up.

  Petrol Retailers
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to instruct the Office of Fair Trading to enforce fair trading practices in the operation of contracts between oil companies and petrol retailers. [84962]

  Dr. Howells
  Contractual issues are a matter for the individual parties concerned rather than the Director-General of Fair Trading. Insofar as these do raise competition concerns, the Director-General has powers to investigate and take action.

  Strategic Export Controls
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the nature of the aircraft engine spares temporarily exported to Yugoslavia, listed in the first Annual report on Strategic Export Controls. [85119]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) on 21 May 1998,Official Report, column 532.

  Open Government
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for information he received under the "Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information" in the last parliamentary session; and how many of these applications were granted. [83120]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 10 May 1999]: Statistics on the handling of applications for information under the "Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information" are compiled on an annual, calendar year (rather than parliamentary session) basis for inclusion in the annual Monitoring Report. Although all requests for information are handled in terms of the "Code", the Department of Trade and Industry (excluding Government Offices) received 30 formal, identifiable requests under the "Code" in 1998; information was refused under one or more "Code" exemptions in 15 cases.

  RDX Explosives
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what export licences his Department has issued for RDX explosives since September 1998; and how many applications are pending.[84646]
  201
  Dr. Howells
  The entry in the legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating and most ratings cover a range of goods. RDX in its raw form is controlled under entry ML8 in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 as amended, commonly known as the Military List.

  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated, and the following results obtained. As of 6 May 1999, 27 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) are recorded as having been issued since 1 September 1998 for the export of goods with the rating ML8. The paper records of these licences have been examined; 2 SIELs covered the export of RDX in its raw form. Since 1 September 1998, no Open Individual Export Licences have been issued for the export of such goods.

  Number of Standard Individual Export Licences covering the export of RDX in its raw form

  Destination

  Number

  Belgium

  1

  Kuwait

  1

  At 6 May 1999, decisions had not yet been taken on 10 applications for SIELs to export goods rated ML8. The paper records for these applications have been examined, and seven covered RDX in its raw form: 4 covering exports to the USA, 1 covering exports to China, 1 covering exports to Japan and 1 covering exports to the Irish Republic. There are no pending applications for OIELs covering goods with the rating ML8.

  This information should be considered in light of the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint), 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.

  All applications for licences to export goods entered in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 are assessed against the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26–29, and the European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.

  CityFlyer Express—BA Merger
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings he has held with CityFlyer Express to discuss the proposed merger with British Airways. [85221]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has had no meetings with CityFlyer Express.

  BNFL (Millennium Compliance)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on BNFL's progress in becoming year 2000 compliant. [85216]

  Mr. Battle
  The nuclear industry is judged to have Action 2000 "blue" status, meaning that the assessment has not identified any risk of material disruption.
  202
  The Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) is the body responsible for regulating the safety of civil nuclear installations. NII has been active in dealing with the year 2000 issue since 1997 and has directed all nuclear licensees, under a licence condition, to provide safety cases a minimum of six weeks in advance of critical dates. NII will allow continued operation of nuclear plant over the critical dates only if it is satisfied that the operation is safe.

  NII is also carrying out a programme of inspection and assessment of licensees' work in this area as it proceeds. To date, all the licensees, including BNFL, are making satisfactory progress in their programmes of work and this assists NII's confidence that the safety cases will be adequate. Should they not be, NII will use its enforcement powers to see that effective improvements are made or, the plant taken out of operation.

  Sheltered Accommodation
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what legal rights tenants in sheltered accommodation have to have access to their individual fuel meters in cases where meters are centralised in a locked location. [85116]

  Mr. Battle
  Regulations made under The Gas Act provide gas customers with a statutory right of access to their meters. The Electricity does not provide the basis for such a right for electricity customers. The Government has made clear:

  its intention to legislate, when Parliamentary time permits, to reform the way in which the public utilities are regulated

  that the regulatory process should be driven by the need to put the interests of customers first.

  The aim is to bring the regulatory regimes for gas and electricity together where it is sensible to do so.

  Inflatable Bouncing Devices (Injuries)
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will collect data on accident and injury figures with respect to inflatable bouncing devices. [85503]

  Dr. Howells
  Data on accidents with respect to inflatable bouncing devices are collected under the DTI's Home Accident Surveillance System. This records information on home and leisure accidents resulting in patients attending Accident and Emergency Departments at a representative sample of hospitals throughout the country. The most recent data for these devices are:

  National Estimate

  1997

  Home

  Leisure

  Bouncing castles

  2,326

  5,519

  Other inflatable equipment

  99

  690

  BNFL (KPMG Reports)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what means and for what reason reports of the findings by KPMG setting out on the future structure and ownership of BNFL made their way into the public domain before Parliament was informed of them. [85145]
  203
  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 25 May 1999]: I cannot comment on speculative references in the press about the KPMG report. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Documentation
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those purposes for which his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be furnished by(a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment or contracts and (d) other persons. [85317]

  Mr. Byers
  In DTI and some of its agencies a birth certificate is one of a variety of documents which applicants for jobs may choose to offer as proof of identity and of age, for pension services, prior to or at recruitment. It is a mandatory requirement in the Radiocommunications Agency, the Patent Office and the National Weights and Measures Laboratory. In the event of the death of a Departmental employee in service, his or her children's full birth certificates are required in order to verify dates of birth for dependants' benefits under the relevant pensions arrangements. Contractors are responsible for establishing proof of the identity of their employees. Birth certificates are not required routinely for any other Departmental purposes; however, they can be offered by claimants under the Enemy Property Compensation Scheme to help establish the validity of such claims in particular lines of inheritance; and they may, in very limited circumstances, be demanded under a number of statutory powers of investigation, for example under Section 434 of the Companies Act 1985.

  Clothing and Textiles
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with UK retailers concerning their sourcing policies for clothing and textiles; and if he will make a statement. [85330]

  Mr. Battle
  Sourcing decisions are, of course, for retailers themselves to take, based upon their own commercial judgment. However, my Department is involved in a number of initiatives designed to promote the competitiveness of UK textiles and clothing manufacturers, as well as the efficiency of the UK supply chain. For instance, in February this year I was pleased to announce that the DTI would be providing the secretariat for the Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group, a joint industry—union initiative to consider how best to ensure the sustainable development of the UK's textile and clothing industry. The retail sector is represented on that Group.

  In addition, the DTI is a co-sponsor of the "Apparel and Textiles Challenge", a joint initiative with retailers and manufacturers to improve relationships in, and management of, the clothing and textile supply chain.
  204
  Developments such as E-Commerce, internet and mail order selling, demand ever shorter delivery times and necessitate a quick response service from manufacturers which UK suppliers are well placed to meet.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 29 March 1999,Official Report, column 493, on special advisers, if he will give the total travel cost of each occasion when (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997 and the place visited. [82416]

  Mr. Byers
  For the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999, Special Advisers in my Department have travelled overseas in an official capacity on 12 occasions. The total cost of travel and any hotel accommodation is:

  £

  Country

  Total cost

  1997

  25–28 May

  Japan

  6,184.00

  10–11 September

  Washington DC

  5,088.50

  13 October

  Brussels

  301.50

  12–13 November

  Brussels

  390.90

  15–22 November

  India and Australia

  7,142.68

  1998

  11–18 January

  China, Hong Kong

  4,421.70

  3–4 February

  Paris

  381.00

  11 March

  Strasbourg

  542.80

  6–7 May

  Brussels

  295.00

  18–20 May

  Geneva

  598.67

  18–20 June

  Singapore

  5,898.30

  10–16 October

  USA

  7,024.44

  All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Insolvency and Bankruptcy Law
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will announce the membership and terms of reference of the working group he has appointed to report on how insolvency and bankruptcy law can be made more enterprise-friendly. [69847]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 8 February 1999]: This work was undertaken by government officials and focused on:
  The extend to which insolvency and bankruptcy laws place undue obstacles in the way of entrepreneurs who have failed but want to try again.
  The extent to which the law reinforces the stigma attached to business failure and thereby inhibits enterprise.
  The extent to which it is or would be possible to distinguish between responsible risk-takers and others.

  Officials reported to Ministers at the end of April and that report is under consideration.

  Kosovo Refugee Return
  Kosovo Refugee Return
  China Western Poverty Reduction Project
  China Western Poverty Reduction Project
  Kosovo Refugees: UNHCR Capacity
  Kosovo Refugees: UNHCR Capacity
  Public Bodies: Minority Representation
  Public Bodies: Minority Representation
  Northern Ireland: Religious Studies Examinations
  Northern Ireland: Religious Studies Examinations
  NHS: Electronic Exchange of information
  NHS: Electronic Exchange of information
  Social Security Benefits: Pathway Project
  Social Security Benefits: Pathway Project
  Foresight Programme
  Foresight Programme
  Depleted Uranium
  Depleted Uranium
  Former Yugoslavia: Likely Length of War
  Former Yugoslavia: Likely Length of War
  Weapon Systems: Operational Use
  Weapon Systems: Operational Use
  Hill Sheep Breeds
  Hill Sheep Breeds
  Organophosphates: Implementation of Carden Report
  Organophosphates: Implementation of Carden Report
  Non-UK European Vets: Language Skills
  Non-UK European Vets: Language Skills
  Meat Hygiene Service Charges
  Meat Hygiene Service Charges