Written Answers of 18 November 1999

DEFENCE

  Defence Communication Services Agency
  Jean Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Communication Services Agency for 1999–2000. [98609]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The role of the Defence Communication Services Agency is to provide information transfer services to Defence. The Key Targets for the Agency for the 12 months from 1 April 1999 are:Key Target 1:
  To achieve a mean 95 per cent. of the performance targets set down in the Services Baseline Document for the timeliness, accuracy and protection of information transfer services except where other specific targets have been agreed with customers.
  Key Target 2:
  To commission 90 per cent. of requests for new services on or before the dates agreed with customers.
  Key Target 3:
  To restore 95 per cent. of interrupted services classed as operationally urgent within four hours or within other specific periods agreed with customers.
  Key Target 4:
  To answer 85 per cent. of calls to DCSA Operator Assistance Centres in UK within 15 seconds.

  RAF Personnel
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes are to be made to the reserve service liability of non-commissioned Royal Air Force personnel. [98663]

  Mr. Spellar
  Currently, on completion of a period of regular service which does not attract an immediate pension, non-commissioned Royal Air Force personnel are liable for up to six years service in either Category 1 or Category 2 of the RAF Reserve of Airmen. The majority of these reservists are placed in Category 1 and have a liability for 15 days annual training, in return for which they receive a small annual payment. Those in Category 2 have no such training liability and, therefore, do not receive payment.

  The reason for this annual training liability dates back to the Cold War and was intended to ensure that sufficient trained personnel would be available to provide, at relatively short notice, key point guards in the event of an anticipated attack on the United Kingdom. In the current strategic environment, however, any requirement for reinforcement could be met within the longer period that the Royal Air Force would have to achieve its required readiness states. Moreover, current planning assumptions indicate that, although there is a continuing need for volunteer reservists, there is little likelihood of the Royal
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  Air Force Reserve of Airmen being required to meet Royal Air Force outputs short of regeneration. Indeed, lessons learned from the operations in Kosovo are expected to further emphasise the need for volunteer reserves, rather than ex-regular reserves.

  It has therefore been decided that non-commissioned personnel who have a commitment beginning on or after 1 February 2000 to serve in the Royal Air Force Reserve of Airmen, will be placed in Category 2 and will have no annual training liability. Ex-regular personnel currently serving in Category 1 will be invited to forego their annual training liability for the remainder of their reserve service commitment.

  This decision will not affect the requirement for all members of the Royal Air Force Reserve of Airmen to keep the Service authorities informed of their contact addresses, and they will still retain their liability for call-out.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  British Library
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he intends to undertake a review of the British Library. [98605]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  As part of my Department's programme of quinquennial reviews of its public bodies, I have today announced the start of our Review of the British Library.

  The British Library is the national centre for reference, study and bibliographical and other information services, in relation both to scientific and technological matters and to the humanities. The Review of the Library will include an evaluation of its role and functions and how those functions can best be carried out, and a review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the way in which the Library delivers services to its users. We aim to complete the Review during the Spring of 2000. A copy of the Terms of Reference has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Remploy
  Mr. Dennis Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will undertake a quinquennial review of Remploy Ltd. [98571]

  Ms Hodge
  As part of the Government's commitment to achieve better public services, as set out in its Modernising Government White Paper, my Department is today beginning a Quinquennial Review of Remploy. Its aim will be to consider Remploy's contribution to the changing economy and within the new framework for civil rights for disabled people. Following standard Cabinet Office guidelines, the terms of reference for the prior options stage of the review will be:

  (i) To review the functions of Remploy, the effectiveness with which they have been carried out, and the likely need in the future for these functions.

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  (ii) To consider whether on efficiency grounds some or all of the functions of Remploy can be carried out within an alternative organisational framework including by another public, private or voluntary sector body or otherwise within government.

  (iii) To consider the powers, constitutional status, membership and objectives of Remploy.

  We should welcome comments on those matters covered by the review from all those with an interest in Remploy's work. Comments, which may be made public unless respondents specifically request otherwise, should be sent by 31 January 2000, to:

  Arthur Blacklock

  Adult Disadvantage Policy Division

  Department for Education and Employment

  Moorfoot

  Sheffield S1 4PQ

  We have asked that this first stage of the review should be completed by the end of March 2000. The findings will be published and made available to Parliament.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime (Sentences) Act
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. [98814]

  Mr. Straw
  Section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 will come into force on 1 December 1999.

  This provides a minimum sentence of three years imprisonment for those convicted for the third time of an offence of domestic burglary.

  Political Parties (Funding)
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many replies were received in response to the White Paper on the funding of political parties in the United Kingdom. [98815]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Home Office has received 36 written responses to the White Paper on the funding of political parties in the United Kingdom. Of those, only two have asked to remain confidential. Copies of the rest have been placed in the Library.

  We are giving careful consideration to the issues raised by respondents and will take them fully into account in the preparation of a Bill for introduction in Parliament.

  Police Training
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the future of police training in England and Wales. [98816]

  Mr. Straw
  A consultation document on proposals for new arrangements for the structure and delivery of police training in England and Wales has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library and are also being sent to police forces, police authorities, police staff associations and other interested parties. They have been invited to comment by 8 January 2000.

  The consultation period reflects the discussion and debate we have had during the extensive examination of police training in recent months. There has been an
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  inquiry by the Home Affairs Committee, a thematic inspection of training by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, a report by Sir William Stubbs and Roger McClure of the London Institute and two reports by the Police Federation. I am grateful to all those who have carried out these surveys and to all those who contributed their time and views during their preparation.

  The consultation paper published today is firmly based on these studies. The paper describes the changes which the Government believe will deliver real improvements. There are numerous examples of good practice and indeed excellence under present arrangements and the proposals will build on those. The proposals, however, also represent an opportunity for a fresh start in police training: I believe that the police service and all the stakeholders in police training in England and Wales are ready to take action in this important area.

  The proposed new arrangements will enable the police service to benefit from new development in education and training and in information and communications technology to achieve professional excellence.

  The proposals published today provide an unprecedented opportunity to raise standards in police training across the board, to provide relevant profession-long training and development for all staff and to translate effective training into real outcomes.

  Witnesses
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the proposed timetable for the implementation of(a) the recommendations relating to vulnerable and intimidated witnesses contained in the report, "Speaking Up For Justice", and (b) the measures designed to help witnesses give evidence in Part II of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. [98817]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government are determined that action should be taken to implement the recommendations in "Speaking Up For Justice" as soon as possible while ensuring that all the necessary equipment and underpinning guidance is in place. I have today published an implementation plan, "Action For Justice", which explains how the agencies working in the criminal justice system are responding to the report. It includes a timetable for implementation, including those witness measures contained in the 1999 Act. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Immigration
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to strengthen immigration legislation to tackle abuse of the United Kingdom's immigration control. [98818]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that those who seek to migrate to the United Kingdom, but have no grounds for doing so under the Immigration Rules, are prevented from coming here.

  From the first moment of Friday 19 November, we will require nationals of the Republic of Croatia to obtain visas to come to the United Kingdom. Croatian nationals will also have to obtain a Direct Airside Transit Visa when they intend to remain airside while in transit through the United Kingdom.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Rent Assessment Panels
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the Financial Management and Policy Review of Rent Assessment Panels in England. [98437]

  Mr. Mullin
  I have today published a consultation paper on a review of Rent Assessment Panels in England, setting out options for improving their organisation and management.

  Rent Assessment Panels and their committees and tribunals drawn from them, have an important role to play in dealing with fair rent appeals and in resolving disputes between leaseholders and landlords. It is essential they provide an effective service and that it is responsive to the needs of the people who use them.

  The consultation paper sets out a range of options aimed at simplifying the process for all parties and reducing the time taken for disputes to be resolved by the tribunals.

  Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Millennium Compliance
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the preparations of the international aviation industry towards achieving millennium compliance. [98438]

  Mr. Hill
  The aviation industry in this country—airlines, airports and air traffic control—has been independently assessed and been declared by the Civil Aviation Authority to be millennium compliant.

  Internationally, the aviation industry has adopted a comprehensive approach towards the Y2k problem. The major international aviation organizations—the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) representing the world airlines, and other organisations covering the world's airports and air traffic control systems—have all conducted detailed surveys. Compliance programmes are in the final stages of completion. Current information shows that the international aviation industry is on track for compliance and that airlines will be able to operate services as normal over the Millennium period, should they wish to do so.

  As regards foreign aircraft operating to the UK, permits are only granted to airlines if they comply with international safety standards. The Government have advised foreign airlines that permits may be suspended over the Millennium if they are not satisfied there are no Y2k safety related risks.

  The Government will not, for Y2k reasons, try to prevent any UK airlines from operating to particular destinations or flying over particular regions. IATA's worldwide project on behalf of its member airlines has
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  produced an exhaustive database to provide its member airlines with an authoritative basis upon which to make informed decisions about the services they provide.

  The industry is also engaged on the preparation of national and global contingency plans to deal with any unexpected Y2k problems over the Millennium. On the night of 31 December, special procedures will be in place across the world to monitor the situation and provide for rapid and effective communications between government and industry. Although traffic levels over the period are expected to be considerably reduced compared with previous years, the industry is formulating contingency plans to provide capacity as if air traffic was operating at peak levels, even though it is likely to be one twentieth of this volume. Key facilities such as air traffic control centres will be staffed at higher levels than normal to deal with any unexpected problems.

  Orange Badge Scheme
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the Orange Badge scheme of parking concessions for disabled people following the report produced by his statutory advisers, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. [98572]

  Mr. Hill
  I have given very careful consideration to DPTAC's report and to the further information which we sought from local authorities about the administration of the Scheme. I have also taken the opportunity to consult my colleagues in the devolved administrations and in Northern Ireland.

  We have concluded that a review of the Scheme is necessary to ensure it continues to serve its fundamental purpose: to enable severely disabled people to park close to their destinations. Without the badge the mobility of those who are most disabled would be greatly restricted. We will be starting the process in the New Year and will be reporting further progress to the House at that time. For now, I can confirm that the review will look at the eligibility criteria, as well as the administration and enforcement of the Scheme.

  Although the Scheme in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved administrations, and in Northern Ireland for the DOE Northern Ireland, I have agreed with my colleagues that the review will be carried out on a UK-wide basis. That arrangement will not, however, prevent changes being introduced on a devolved basis.

  Greenwich Millennium Village
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will be in a position to respond to the report he has received on progress with the Greenwich Millennium Village. [98606]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have today placed in the House Libraries copies of the report provided by English Partnerships which was produced by Gardiner and Theobald.

  I have discussed the report with those leading the project and have agreed that the development may proceed. I have authorised English Partnerships to release the first parcel of land to the developers, so that work can start before Christmas.
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  I am satisfied that Greenwich Millennium Village is now broadly on course to deliver the original aspirations of the project. The architect, Ralph Erskine, is content that the present scheme proposals are consistent with his original masterplan. I have received personal assurances from Alan Cherry, the Chairman of Countryside Properties PLC, and Bob Hawley, the Chairman of Taylor Woodrow PLC, that the Village will, as planned, set the high standards of innovation and sustainability which are needed for such an important mixed use scheme for the 21st Century.

  Planning Enforcement Appeals
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to improve the arrangements for processing planning enforcement appeals in England. [98607]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I have today issued a consultation paper with proposals to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of processing planning enforcement appeals in England. Comments are invited by 18 February 2000.

  The improvements are proposed as part of the Government's continuing drive to modernise and streamline the planning system. The proposals are intended to improve the Planning Inspectorate's service to its customers. They aim to increase the efficiency of the enforcement appeals process in the interests of all involved by reducing the time taken to determine appeals and standardise procedures between enforcement appeals and ordinary planning appeals wherever practicable.

  Signals Passed at Danger
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received from the Health and Safety Executive the first of the monthly reports which he requested on signals passed at danger; and if he will make a statement. [98608]

  Mr. Prescott
  Following the train crash at Ladbroke Grove on 5 October, a number of urgent actions were put in hand to achieve a more open, more responsive and more rigorous culture of safety across the rail industry. As part of these, I asked the Health&Safety Executive (HSE) to let me have regular reports for publication monthly, on all signals passed at danger (SPADs). I received the first of those reports on Tuesday and have now placed a copy in the House Library. I will ensure that future reports are also placed in the Library.

  This first report includes some background information on SPADs and how they are dealt with by the industry and HSE's Railways Inspectorate. It gives statistics for SPADs for the last 10 years and splits the figures by month. The annual figures show that the totals have been falling gradually since 1993–94 until the 8 per cent. rise in 1998–99, which prompted HSE to demand improvements from the industry on how they responded to SPADs. The monthly figures demonstrate the cyclical nature of the problem, with SPADs tending to peak in October/November, when damp conditions and falling leaves can lead to poor braking performance.
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  This October there were five serious incidents (which for instance, breached the 200 yard safety overlap usually allowed at signals), comprising 7 per cent. of the total for the month. As well as the industry investigation of every SPAD, HSE will also investigate thoroughly these more serious SPADs. We should not read too much into one month's figures but the October total was significantly lower than last year.

  The October SPAD figure has only been bettered once in the last 10 years. We must not be complacent however. The Ladbroke Grove accident demonstrated all too clearly how a single SPAD can result in catastrophe. That is why it is so important that the rail industry commit to reducing the number of SPADs. I sought this commitment from the industry at the rail summit which I held last month. When the industry reports back to me on 30 November I shall expect nothing less from them than a detailed programme of action.

PRIME MINISTER

  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
  Mr. Stuart Bell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in South Africa. [98662]

  The Prime Minister
  I attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which took place in South Africa from 12–15 November.

  The meeting welcomed Nigeria back into the Commonwealth and Nauru as a full member.

  The meeting took significant decisions on the future of the Commonwealth, the promotion of democracy and human rights, Pakistan and debt, trade and development.

  Commonwealth Heads agreed my proposal that we establish a high-level group, under the Chairmanship of President Mbeki, to review the role of the Commonwealth in the 21st Century. In addition to South Africa, the UK, Australia, Fiji, India, Malta, Singapore, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe will be on the group. It will report to the next Heads of Government Meeting in Australia in 2001.

  Commonwealth Heads re-affirmed the fundamental political values enshrined in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration. We sent a strong message to General Musharraf in Pakistan calling for a speedy restoration of democracy and the immediate release of Nawaz Sharif and the others detained with him. We agreed that Pakistan should remain suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth.

  Heads discussed the special theme of "People-Centred Development: the Challenge of Globalisation". We agreed the Fancourt Declaration, which provides a broad agenda to which all Commonwealth countries agreed to work. Heads agreed that globalisation should bring benefits to all, provided it is a genuine force for liberalisation and is accompanied by structural reform and improved competitiveness. We agreed that the new round of WTO

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  trade negotiations should have a development focus, should cover agriculture, services and industrial products and should be balanced.

  Heads expressed concern about the impact of HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. I announced over £22 million of UK assistance for HIV/AIDS related projects, including:

  £14 million for development of a low-cost vaccine;

  £7.5 million for the implementation of an HIV/AIDS strategy in Southern Africa; and

  £1.2 million to train more than 700 VSO volunteers to raise awareness of HIV/AIDs in Southern Africa.

  The Second Commonwealth Business Forum was held in Johannesburg immediately before the Heads meeting. It highlighted the importance of links between Government and the private sector throughout the Commonwealth.

  Heads elected Don McKinnon to succeed Chief Emeka Anyaoku as Commonwealth Secretary General. We paid warm tribute to Chief Anyaoku's service over the last 10 years.

  I held formal bilateral meetings with President Clerides of Cyprus, President Obasanjo of Nigeria and Prime Minister Vajpayee of India, had a meeting with Caribbean Commonwealth Heads and had the opportunity for informal discussions with many of the other Heads present.

  I have arranged for copies of the Durban Communiqué and the Fancourt Commonwealth Declaration on Globalisation and People-Centred Development to be placed in the Library of the House.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  CPS
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Solicitor-General what progress has been made with the introduction of information technology in the Crown Prosecution Service; and if he will make a statement. [98440]

  The Solicitor-General
  As a first step in the CPS's IT Modernisation Programme, CPS prosecutors and caseworkers will be given modern IT tools and the ability to communicate electronically with other criminal justice agencies. The project will be completed in under two years.

  The recent award of £12 million from the Treasury's Capital Modernisation Fund—correcting my answer to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) on 21 October 1999, Official Report, column 567—is a major step forward for the CPS. These funds together with a substantial commitment of the CPS's existing resources, will help transform and modernise working practices to deliver better performance.The CPS can start catching-up with IT developments in the criminal justice system and build on its successes in Durham and elsewhere. On 16 September 1999, I visited the CPS office in Stockport, which is a
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  pilot site for an integrated IT system linking the CPS with the police and courts. CPS staff in Stockport, including prosecutors, have embraced enthusiastically the introduction of IT. All staff now use the system to produce correspondence, prepare for trials, and perhaps, more significantly, have established electronic links with the Magistrates Court as well as the Stockport Division of the Greater Manchester Police.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Government will publish the quinquennial review of the Public Trust Office. [99046]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor has today published the Quinquennial Review of the Public Trust Office, an Executive Agency of the Lord Chancellor's Department established in 1994.

  The Review found strong support for the Government offering protection for the financial affairs of people who are mentally incapable of managing them for themselves.

  The Review recommends that the delivery of the Public Trust Office's key services should be carried out by organisations operating in the voluntary and public sectors, and private sector suppliers. The Lord Chancellor would remain ultimately responsible for the services provided. The Public Trust Office would focus on monitoring the provision of such services and ensuring that the needs of vulnerable people were met. The Review recommends that the Public Trust Office's refinanced and refocused operations should be performed by other parts of the Lord Chancellor's Department: the Court Service and the Official Solicitor's Office. The current Public Trust Office would then be phased out as a separate executive agency.

  The Lord Chancellor has welcomed the Review's clear diagnosis of the challenges faced by the Public Trust Office. He agrees that radical change is required and he, together with colleagues, will wish to explore the Review's recommendations in a programme of change for the Public Trust Office. In doing so, he will want to be satisfied that reform does not entail placing a greater financial burden on some of the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. The Lord Chancellor will announce, in February 2000, how he will take forward reform.

  The Government's overriding objective will be to ensure that the interests of the Public Trust Office's clients are fully protected. To this end the recently established Consultative Forum representing the users of Public Trust Office services will be closely involved in considering how practical improvements to client services can be effected in working up the proposals for change that the Lord Chancellor considers necessary.

  Copies of the Review have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Service (New Deal)
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people have been employed in the Civil Service under the New Deal for the young and unemployed. [98439]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Based on information provided by Civil Service departments (including their Agencies) participating as employers in the New Deal, the position as at 1 October 1999 is as follows:

  New Deal starts since programmes began

  Department (including their Agencies)

  Age 18–24

  Age 25+

  Total

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  9

  2

  11

  Cabinet Office

  8

  1

  9

  Culture, Media and Sport

  0

  3

  3

  Defence

  27

  21

  48

  Education and Employment

  425

  22

  447

  Environment, Transport and the Regions

  8

  1

  9

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  3

  0

  3

  Government Communications Headquarters

  0

  0

  0

  Health

  7

  5

  12

  Home Office

  4

  4

  8

  International Development

  0

  0

  0

  Lord Chancellor's

  4

  0

  4

  National Assembly for Wales

  13

  3

  16

  Northern Ireland Office

  8

  8

  16

  Scottish Executive

  22

  0

  22

  Social Security

  56

  0

  56

  Trade and Industry

  33

  6

  39

  HM Treasury

  28

  9

  37

  Other

  Charity Commission

  8

  0

  8

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  4

  0

  4

  Government Offices for the Regions

  3

  0

  3

  Intervention Board

  2

  1

  3

  Lord Advocate's

  3

  0

  3

  Totals

  675

  86

  761

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Chain Group
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received from the Food Chain Group; and if he will make a statement. [98610]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Food Chain Group comprised senior figures from the National Farmers Union, Food and Drink Federation, British Retail Consortium, IGD (formerly the Institute of Grocery Distribution) and MAFF, under the chairmanship of a senior MAFF official. The Group was invited to review the opportunities for working together and increasing understanding amongst the players in the food chain, and between the industry and consumers.

  The Group has reported to me on the challengers and opportunities facing the food chain. The report stresses the vital importance of a viable and competitive food chain and identifies the need for action by industry and government to underpin consumer confidence in the quality and value of our food. The key messages include calls to: enhance the dialogue between partners in the food chain; improve communications with consumers; strengthen consumer confidence; and understand and act upon consumer concerns. The need for joined-up help from the Government to improve the industry's competitiveness is also identified.

  I have asked the Policy Issues Council of IGD, which has senior representation across the supply chain, to consider how industry could best take the issues forward. We intend to review progress next Summer.

  The report is being sent to a wide range of agri-food organisations and interests, and further copies are available from my Department. Copies have also been placed in the Library of the House.

  Police Training
  Police Training
  Funding of Poliitical Parties: White Paper
  Funding of Poliitical Parties: White Paper
  Witnesses in Criminal Cases
  Witnesses in Criminal Cases
  Immigration Control
  Immigration Control
  Domestic Burglary: Minimum Sentence
  Domestic Burglary: Minimum Sentence
  Public Trust Office: Quinquennial Review
  Public Trust Office: Quinquennial Review