Written Answers of 23 November 1999

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Grand Committee Room
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will break down the total costs of refurbishing the Grand Committee Room into those costs which would have been incurred anyway as part of the planned programme of refurbishment, and those which arise specifically from the use of the Grand Committee Room for Westminster Hall sittings. [98551]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  The total cost of £882,000 for the refurbishment of the Grand Committee Room includes within it £670,000 (at current prices) which had already been included in the 10 year rolling programme for Parliamentary works over the period 2002–06 prior to the House approving the Report from the Modernisation Committee which recommended using the room for Westminster Hall Sittings.

  This latter amount covers works such as building services, replacement of fan coils, internal stone cleaning, cabling for the Parliamentary Data and Video Network, automatic fire detection and rewiring.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on civil servants transport in each of the last two years. [98721]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in his Department's plans to procure two new aircraft carriers. [99741]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I am pleased to be able to announce that competitive contracts were placed today with British Aerospace Land and Sea Systems Ltd. and Thomson-CSF NCS France for the Assessment Phase of the Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) project.

  The two contracts, each potentially worth £29.4 million VAT inclusive, consist of two phases. The first phase of each contract, worth £5.9 million, will involve work to examine a variety of aircraft carrier design options. This phase will also help inform the choice of the type of Future Carrier Borne Aircraft (FCBA). The second phase, worth a further £23.5 million, will involve risk reduction on the preferred carrier design option when the decision on the selection of FCBA has been taken. Progression
  58W
  to this second phase will be subject to BAe and Thomson-CSF satisfactorily completing the first package of work. The Assessment Phase will complete in 2003 when bids for the Demonstration and Manufacture Phase of CVF will be delivered. The two carriers are scheduled to enter service in 2012 and 2015.

  The new carriers will form a key element of the modern force structure that emerged from SDR. They will be particularly relevant to the foreign and security policy demands of the next century and will ensure the UK retains one of the most powerful and effective navies in the world.

  C-130 J Transport Aircraft
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the C-130 J transport aircraft will enter service. [99740]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The first C-130 J transport aircraft was delivered to RAF Lyneham today. Initially the aircraft will be used for maintenance training and groundcrew familiarisation only. The In-Service Date is defined as delivery of the twelfth aircraft, currently estimated to be in May 2000.

  Anti-air Warfare Destroyer
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are planned for appointing the prime contractor for the Type 45 Anti-air Warfare Destroyer. [99742]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Our plans for the T45 Destroyer programme build on the work accomplished in the design definition phase of the tri-national Horizon frigate project and continuity of the UK contractor is an essential element for this. Marconi Electronic Systems has therefore been contracted to complete the next phase of the work on the T45 Destroyer. Under Smart Procurement principles this is known as the Preparation for Demonstration (PFD) phase and, subject to satisfactory progress, this will lead into the Demonstration and First of Class Manufacture phase.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Graves
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what conditions pertaining to relatives' access to graves are required as a condition when Church lands are sold. [98999]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  In order to secure a suitable alternative use for a redundant church, some churchyard land may be included in the disposal. Where such land contains burials, continued public access is normally reserved for the tending of graves. If necessary, rights of way can also be granted or reserved.

  St. John's Church, Whitby
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners,
  59W
  what representations he has received concerning St. John's Church within the Parish of Whitby; and if he will make a statement. [99003]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Following publication of a draft Scheme to declare the church redundant the Commissioners received nine representations in favour of closure and four against, including a petition. After careful consideration, the Commissioners' Pastoral Committee, acting in its quasi-judicial role, concluded that the church was pastorally required and upheld the representations against the draft scheme.

  Liquid and Fixed Assets
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what proportion of Church of England liquid and fixed assets is represented by those held under freehold by the incumbent clerks in holy orders. [99004]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Parsonages represent about 15 per cent. of the Church's total assets. About 60 per cent. of parsonages are legally held under freehold by incumbent clergy. However, any holding by an incumbent is in a corporate capacity and so is not analogous to freehold ownership in the traditionally understood sense.

  Parish churches also normally vest in the incumbent but are not valued in terms of disposal value as they are not usually realisable.

  Clergy (Employment Contracts)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what representations he has received concerning the issuing of formal employment contracts for the clergy. [99005]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  No representations have been received to date. However staff of the Archbishops Council will be meeting with the representatives of the MSF union in the near future to discuss questions arising from the Employment Relations Act 1999.

  Bishops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, to what extent the Commissioners take into account extra income earned by bishops(a) from giving lectures and (b) from other sources in determining their remuneration. [99118]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Bishops are advised that if they take on further, paid commitments, and that work involves time which would otherwise be used for episcopal responsibilities, they should inform the Commissioners of the gross annual amount. An equivalent sum can then be deducted from their stipend. This is on the same basis as the rules for other clergy.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will list the expenses claimed by each bishop for the last year for which figures are available. [99117]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Commissioners' current policy is not to make public the expenditure on individual bishops' working costs. The overall expenditure under this heading in 1998 was £8.8 million. Of this £5.1 million was spent 60W
  on staff salaries, pensions and fees; £3.3 million on other working costs; and £0.4 million on costs connected with last year's Lambeth Conference.

  This expenditure is the necessary costs of supporting the bishops' ministry: principally the salaries and pensions of their staff, the costs of running an office, of official travel, of hospitality, and other miscellaneous costs. All this expenditure is subject to detailed and continuous audit to ensure that it is incurred in line with the Inland Revenue's requirement that it be "wholly, exclusively and necessarily" incurred in the performance of a bishop's duties.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what obligations the Regional Development Agencies are under to act in accordance with the commitments made in their(a) published strategies, (b) action plans and (c) corporate plans. [98527]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Section 7 (1)(b) of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 requires the RDAs to have regard to their regional strategies and action plans in exercising its functions. The agencies will submit their corporate plan proposals to the Government, and the Government will give a response. Following that, performance will be monitored against the plan.

  Recycling
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what his targets are for the amount of waste recycled in each of the next five years from(a) residential homes and (b) businesses;[99200]

  (2) if he has revised the domestic recycling targets for 2000. [99199]

  Mr. Mullin
  In the draft waste strategy "A Way with Waste", published on 30 June 1999, we have set a goal of recycling or composting 30 per cent. of household waste by 2010. We will aim to meet the existing target of recycling or composting 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005. By 2015 we expect to recover value from two thirds of our household waste, with at least half of this through recycling or composting.

  The draft waste strategy also set a target for businesses to reduce the amount of industrial and commercial waste landfilled to 85 per cent. of 1998 levels by 2005.

  Frankley Parish Council
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to make an announcement on the proposed parish council for Frankley in Birmingham. [98821]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We are currently consulting Birmingham City Council and other interested parties on a draft of an Order that would create a parish council for Frankley. Subject to this consultation, the intention is to
  61W
  make the Order before the end of 1999 with the view to the first elections for the new parish council being held in May 2000.

  Haulage Firms
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations have been made on behalf of the Government to the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning(a) their policies towards UK haulage firms seeking to flag out their vehicles by registering them in the Irish Republic and (b) the enforcement of their policies; and if he will make a statement. [99108]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]It is for the Irish authorities to apply and enforce their legislation on vehicle registration. We have made no representations about the way they do so. However, there are concerns that some UK hauliers who have re-registered vehicles in the Irish Republic may not be fully satisfying the requirements of either UK or Irish law, and this has been the subject of discussions with the Irish authorities.

  Vehicle Charges
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which local authorities will pursue pilot schemes for(a) congestion charging and (b) work place car parking charges. [99316]

  Mr. Hill
  Twenty-seven local authorities, either individually or in groups, have, in their provisional Local Transport Plans, expressed interest in making use of the proposed road user charging or workplace parking levy powers. My noble Friend the Minister for Transport has written to them asking for confirmation of their interest. Following receipt of confirmation, we expect to announce their names next month.

  Transport Bill
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to introduce the Transport Bill. [99314]

  Mr. Hill
  We are anxious to make progress with this important legislation and hope to introduce the Bill shortly.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Transport Bill will contain proposals to remove the Safety and Standards Department from Railtrack. [99315]

  Mr. Hill
  We have announced that we are minded to transfer the main functions of Railtrack's Safety and Standards Directorate out of Railtrack. My Department is currently considering where the best home or homes for those functions are. If legislation is necessary to secure such a transfer we are prepared to introduce proposals in the Transport Bill.

  Rural England (Consultation)
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the publication of the responses to the consultation on Rural England. [99579]
  62W
  Mr. Meacher
  I shall be publishing a summary of the response to "Rural England—A Discussion Document" today. The report "Rural England: Summary of Responses" can be found on the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' website and will be available from my Department on request. Paper copies will be placed in the Library.

  Night Flights
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has reached conclusions on the options for changes to the preferential use of Heathrow's runways at night; and if he will make a statement. [99589]

  Mr. Mullin
  On 17 November 1998, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions issued the second of two consultation papers on night restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. It was in two parts. Part 1 was concerned with the night restrictions regime for the three airports, and on 10 June 1999,Official Report, columns 378–80W, the then Minister for Transport in London, my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms Jackson), announced the new arrangements which came into effect on 31 October 1999. Part 2 examined options for changes to the preferential use of Heathrow's runways at night. The decisions I am announcing today are concerned with Part 2 of the consultation paper only.

  The current pattern of use of Heathrow's runways has remained unchanged since the 1970s and is largely determined by three operational noise mitigation measures. The first and oldest is the Cranford Agreement, an undertaking given to local residents at a public meeting in July 1952 to avoid easterly take-offs from the northern runway during off-peak periods as far as practicable. Over the years it has come to be applied most of the time during easterly operations, so that easterly take-offs use the northern runway only exceptionally. It is possible that the long-standing preference for landing aircraft on the southern runway at night during westerly operations is also a legacy of that Agreement.

  The second measure is westerly preference, which was introduced in 1962. This provides for westerly operations to continue where there is a light tail-wind up to 5 knots. While it is normal for aircraft to land and take off into the wind, it is safe to do so with a light tail-wind when the runway is dry and any cross-wind does not exceed 12 knots. The purpose of the westerly preference is to reduce the number of occasions that departing aircraft need to take off over the more densely populated areas to the east of the airport where it is not possible to design noise preferential departure routes which avoid heavily populated areas.

  The third measure is runway alternation, which was introduced in 1972. It applies during westerly operations only. Westerly landings use one runway from 7.00 a.m. until 3.00 p.m. and switch to the other runway from 3.00 p.m. until 11.00 p.m. The pattern is reversed each week to achieve a fairer balance. Its purpose it to provide communities east of the airport under the final approach tracks with predictable periods of relief from the noise of landing aircraft. While runway alternation applies to landing aircraft only, it is generally the case that one runway is used for landings and the other for take-offs,

  63W
  but take-offs are not precluded from using the runway assigned for landings. Runway alternation was confined to daytime operations to allow opportunities for maintenance of the runways and associated equipment at night. It was confined to westerly operations in order to continue observance of the Cranford Agreement.

  In response to requests from local communities seeking a fairer distribution of aircraft noise at night, the Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee (HACC) and BAA plc, with approval from the then Department of Transport, undertook two trials of runway alternation at night for both westerly and easterly operations in 1996 and 1997. Independent surveys carried out for the HACC to assess local reaction to the trials showed there was a clear level of support in the vicinity of the airport for extending runway alternation into the night period. It was decided to consult more widely before reaching a final decision.

  9,522 copies of the November 1998 consultation paper were issued and 2,803 responses commenting on Part 2 (32 per cent. of the total) were received by the closing date. These included responses from the HACC, 2,649 individuals, 43 local authorities, councillors and local authority organisations, seven Members of Parliament, 63 environmental and local interest groups, and 24 representing airlines, airport and aviation interests. Most respondents were concerned to have the least possible number of night flights overflying their particular areas or asked for a ban on such flights. Most also expressed a general view, either supporting or opposing runway alternation at night or modifying the directional preference. Comparatively few commented on the 10 options outlined in the consultation paper itself. Nine respondents called for the termination of the Cranford Agreement and eight called for its continued operation. However, the Agreement was not among the issues examined in the consultation paper.

  843 respondents supported the extension of runway alternation into the night period, including most local authorities, the HACC and aviation industry respondents. The widely held view was that runway alternation at night would be fairer and provide for more predictable periods of relief from the noise of landing aircraft. 51 respondents disagreed because they wished to retain the current arrangements or anticipated that runway alternation at night would lead to an increase in aircraft noise over their area. 86 of the 843 respondents who support runway alternation at night (mainly residents and representative bodies) called for it to apply throughout the night until 7.00 a.m., while 29 of the 843 (mainly aviation interests) said it should operate until 6.00 a.m. to avoid increasing delays to arriving aircraft. BAA consider that it might be possible for runway alternation to operate throughout the night if the scheme allowed greater discretion to land aircraft on the second runway between 6.00 a.m. and 7.00 a.m., interspersed with take-offs, to reduce the likelihood of arrival delays accumulating through the morning peak period.

  In view of the clear support for extending runway alternation to the night period, which is consistent with the findings of the earlier HACC surveys, we have decided to open discussions with BAA on its introduction at the earliest practicable opportunity between 11.00 p.m.
  64W
  and 6.00 a.m. As with daytime alternation, it will be necessary from time to time for the pattern of alternation to be interrupted to allow for maintenance of the runways and engineering works.

  There are real practical difficulties with extending runway alternation to the hour from 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m. There are usually take-offs scheduled in this hour, so during easterly operations runway alternation is precluded by the Cranford Agreement. It is already established practice during this hour to make use of both runways for landings, interspersed with take-offs, to ensure that there are as few aircraft as possible holding in the stacks awaiting permission to land before daytime runway alternation starts at 7.00 a.m. BAA, NATS and the airlines are concerned that having only one runway available for landings during this hour may lead to a build up of holding delays before daytime runway alternation starts at 7.00 a.m. which could not be cleared until the afternoon. Such delays could also have knock-on effects beyond UK airspace. We are satisfied that there is a genuine cause for concern here, but it has not been possible to forecast with confidence either the frequency or extent of the delays that might occur. On the other hand, runway alternation during this hour would bring real benefits to people living under the final approach tracks.

  We have decided that the only prudent way forward is to undertake a trial of runway alternation during the 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m. hour. The details of the trial will be discussed with BAA, HACC and NATS, but will allow NATS the discretion to make use of the second runway for landings whenever arrival delays building up in the system are expected to give rise to holding delays of a given duration. It is likely that different criteria will need to be examined in order to reach a view on what is practicable. Weather conditions, both locally and encountered en route by long haul aircraft, can contribute to the build-up of arrival delays. For this reason the trial will need to look at the winter and summer seasons and may continue for up to two years.

  The responses to the consultation paper on the options for modifying the directional preference at night do not provide a sound basis for reaching a final decision at this stage. Strong views were expressed east and west of the airport, and many respondents called for a complete ban on night flights rather than changes to the direction in which the runways were used. However, there was also a recognition among many of the organisations and representative bodies that the present arrangements are not fair and equitable and could be improved; that view is shared by the Government. We also consider that it makes no sense from a noise amelioration standpoint to increase artificially the number of occasions when early morning arrivals overfly the more heavily populated areas of London by maintaining the 5 knot westerly preference at times when there are few or no take-offs.

  We have decided not to take forward the options set out in the consultation paper, which would have precluded the introduction of runway alternation at night during easterly operations, and which would have concentrated arrivals noise in areas under the approach track to the southern runway during easterly operations. While these options offered the greatest potential for improvement over the present position in terms of the numbers of

  65W
  people affected, the outcome would not have been fair and equitable. For the same reason we have decided not to take forward the 5 knot easterly preference option, except as part of Proposal B below. Therefore, we will be inviting comments on two proposals. These are:

  (a) to suspend westerly preference at night after the last departure (including any delayed departures) until the first departure the next morning, but not later than 6.00 a.m.; this is expected to result in approximately 64 per cent. westerly operations and 36 per cent. easterly operations over the longer term;

  (b) for the same period of the night, to put in place a fixed weekly rotation between westerly and easterly operations by applying a 5 knot preference, subject to overriding weather conditions; this is expected to result in approximately 53 per cent. westerly operations and 47 per cent. easterly operations over the longer term.

  The Government are ready to proceed with either proposal. Full details will be set out in a DETR consultation paper to be issued today. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House. This further consultation will allow respondents to take into account the Government's decision on 10 June 1999 not to ban night flights.

  Sensitive Species
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the decisions reached at the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the Bonn Convention on 10 to 16 November in respect of sensitive species, with particular reference to dolphins, turtles and albatross. [99590]

  Mr. Mullin
  The key issues included agreement on the Convention's Strategic Plan for 2000–05 and the adoption of a budget for 2001–02. The Budget sets aside funds to enhance the work of the Convention's Scientific Council and for specific scientific projects which will help protect some of the most endangered and threatened migratory species.

  I am delighted to say that the Conference adopted a Resolution, submitted by the United Kingdom, addressing the problem of by-catch of migratory species, particularly from longline fishing. The Resolution requires all Parties, as a matter of gravity, to strengthen the measures to minimise the incidental mortality of migratory species in fisheries under their control. The Resolution specifically refers to the threats which turtles, seabirds and dolphins face from fisheries by-catch. As well as action by sovereign states, the Resolution also seeks co-operation with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations to protect these endangered species.

  The United Kingdom also announced our intention to sign and ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area on behalf of Gibraltar.

  The Conference also agreed, with UK and EU support, a number of initiatives on the protection and conservation of the houbara and great bustards, marine turtles in the Atlantic Coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean, Sahelo-saharan antelopes and elephants in Central and West Africa. A Resolution was also adopted supporting
  66W
  the development and conclusion, as soon as possible, of an Agreement for the conservation of Southern Hemisphere albatrosses, which face several threats, including pollution, disease and the effects of climate change, as well as by-catch.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  BBC
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to introduce an independent complaints procedure in respect of the BBC. [99134]

  Janet Anderson
  The BBC's Royal Charter requires the Board of Governors to ensure that any complaints are properly handled by the Corporation. The Charter also requires the BBC to publish an account of the subject matter and handling of complaints from its audiences indicating the proportion which were upheld. The BBC publishes such an account quarterly. We have no plans at present to change the current arrangements.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Secretary of State (Security Cost)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the estimated total cost to the Government of the security enhancements to his London home; [99258]

  (2) what is the estimated total cost to the Government of security blinds and curtains for his London home. [99259]

  Mr. Straw
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is not in the public interest to disclose information that could compromise the security arrangements relating to public figures.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Malawi
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's assistance to Malawi. [98613]

  Clare Short
  In September 1998 I placed a copy of our Country Strategy Paper in the Library of the House. This sets out our plans to promote poverty reduction, equity and human rights in Malawi. We are supporting the Malawi Government's commitment to poverty reduction with a rising programme, focused particularly on promoting more effective government, better access to health and education, secure livelihoods, and human rights, for poor people.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she is giving to Malawi to tackle the problem of HIV/Aids. [98614]
  67W
  Clare Short
  I have just approved a £35 million contribution for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Malawi. This will help the government to implement its HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan, which President Muluzi launched on 29 October. Funds will be used to promote behaviour change, to supply condoms and medicines for sexually transmitted infections and to train health workers. This complements £26 million of other projects dealing with sexual health issues, TB and safe motherhood. HIV prevention and mitigation measures are being incorporated in other Department for International Development programmes.

  Mozambique
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's assistance to Mozambique. [98611]

  Clare Short
  In October 1998 I placed a copy of our Country Strategy Paper for Mozambique in the Library of the House. This describes how we will increase our programme to support the Government of Mozambique's strong commitment to reduce poverty. We are expanding our support for economic and financial management, rural livelihoods, and health and education. We are strong supporters of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief for Mozambique.

  WTO Seattle Round
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has held with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry concerning the forthcoming WTO Seattle Round. [99238]

  Clare Short
  The UK position with regard to the next WTO Trade Round was and will continue to be carefully co-ordinated between all relevant Government Departments. I regularly meet with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and other

  Title/value

  Purpose

  Wajir Pastoral Development project

  £1.00 million

  Improved livelihood security among pastoralists in Wajir District. Including conflict prevention and resolution component

  National Council of Churches of Kenya Peace-building project

  £0.05 million

  Research, advocacy and networking for ethnic conflict prevention and resolution

  Support to Members of Parliament in Pastoral Parliamentary Group

  £0.014 million

  Strategic planning workshop to develop advocacy work on pastoral conflict issues

  We are currently designing an additional programme of support for conflict prevention and resolution work among pastoral communities in northern Kenya

  East Timor
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the conditions of East Timorese living in militia-controlled West Timor refugee camps. [99246]

  Clare Short
  Of the estimated 250,000 who left East Timor after the consultation on independence, only
  68W
  Ministerial colleagues, both formally and informally, to discuss trade matters. On 10 November I chaired the fifth meeting of the Inter Departmental Working Group on Development, which a number of colleagues attended. The agenda included preparations for the WTO Ministerial Meeting. I will be speaking at a public Symposium in Seattle prior to the Ministerial Meeting, and will be in regular contact with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Minister for the Environment while we are in Seattle.

  Armenia-Colombia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the reconstruction of Armenia-Colombia since the January earthquake. [99255]

  Clare Short
  There have been considerable efforts to assist the reconstruction of Armenia and the surrounding area, but in the wake of such devastation it will be a long process. The Inter American Development Bank, following a request from the Government of Colombia, redirected the balances of four of its on-going projects totalling $93 million to deal with emergency reconstruction. Initial UK emergency assistance of $1 million was distributed through humanitarian agencies, and assistance has been provided through the Small Grants Scheme for members of the Devon Fire and Rescue Service to work to improve the capabilities of their counterparts in Armenia. The embassy has also raised funding for a school rebuilding initiative.

  Kenya
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects her Department supports which focus on conflict prevention in Kenya. [99236]

  Clare Short
  My Department supports the projects listed in the following table:

  75,000 have been repatriated. The refugees' return home continues to be hampered by the presence of militia who intimidate, physically harass and exact payment from refugees in camps and at border crossing points.

  The UK has pressed the Indonesian government to ensure that the refugees are allowed to return home. My Department has committed £5.5 million for immediate humanitarian assistance for Timor, of which over £700,000 has been allocated to the International Organisation for Migration to facilitate refugee return.

  India
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to support long-term agricultural projects in the Orissa region of India. [99235]

  Clare Short
  Our Country Strategy for India identifies Orissa, which is one of the poorest states in India, as one of the four states in which DFID's activities will be focused.

  The £8 million Eastern India Rainfed Farming project has been working since 1995 in three states, including Orissa, to pilot new approaches to rural poverty including improved farming systems.

  In July 1999, DFID agreed with the Government of India to provide £32.75 million over ten years for the new Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods Project. This initiative builds on lessons learned from the Eastern India Rainfed Farming project and works within the Government of Orissa's watershed development programmes in four very poor districts. The project has a strong agricultural component and will address issues of increased agricultural production and improved food security, through a comprehensive natural resource strategy. This strategy also includes a focus on soil and water conservation, livestock, fisheries, fodder and forestry.

  The cyclone which hit the west coast of Orissa on 29 October has caused extensive damage to coastal regions, including agricultural land and crops. We are considering how we can best help the government to minimise the long-term impact of the cyclone and continue efforts to eliminate poverty in the state. It is currently too early to know whether or not this will include support for agricultural projects.

  Ethical Trading Initiative
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the Ethical Trading Initiative; and how many companies have joined the initiative. [99248]

  Clare Short
  Considerable progress has been made by the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) over the last year. With the help of Department for International Development (DFID) funding, a Secretariat has been established and is fully staffed. Board and members meet regularly and a Base Code of ethical trading practice has been debated and agreed. Progress is being made on four pilot projects—in the garment industry in China; horticulture in Zimbabwe; wine production in South Africa; and the banana industry in Costa Rica. With the appointment of a new information officer, information and media services are being established. A Conference was held in December 1998 and another is planned for early in 2000.

  In addition to its trade union and non-governmental organisation membership, ETI now has 16 company members and is dealing with a growing number of inquiries from interested organisations. The list of existing company members is as follows.

  Anchor Seafoods Ltd.

  ASDA

  CWS (the Co-op)

  J. Sainsbury Ltd.

  70W

  Lambert Howarth Global

  Levi Strauss

  Littlewoods

  Marks and Spencer

  Monsoon

  Premier Brands

  Pentland Group

  Safeway

  Somerfields Stores Ltd.

  Tesco

  The Body Shop

  The Tea Sourcing Company.

  Honduras
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the reconstruction of Honduras since Hurricane Mitch. [99256]

  Clare Short
  In the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, the international community responded with wide ranging emergency assistance and pledges of further funds for the reconstruction of Honduras.

  In the year since the hurricane many emergency projects have been completed, especially housing, roads and bridges and the establishment of health centres. These have provided essential assistance to those who suffered as a result of the effects of the hurricane. The UK's contribution included a rural roads and bridges programme, and a cash for work incentive targeting particularly neglected municipalities.

  Since the Stockholm Donors' meeting in May this year, donor countries and multilateral organisations have pledged approximately $9 billion medium term assistance and projects are beginning to get under way.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his proposals for the electoral register.[98621]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Representation of the People Bill, which was published last Friday, includes a number of provisions relating to the electoral register.

  The Bill will introduce a system of "rolling" electoral registration which will enable people to change their electoral registration details in-year rather than making registration dependent on a single annual qualifying date.

  The Bill's provisions will also make it easier for remand prisoners, mental patients, the homeless and service voters to register.

  The Bill also provides a power to make regulations limiting access to the full electoral register.

  Asylum Applications
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new asylum applications were received in each year since 1990; for each year what proportion were port applications; what proportion came from(a) former Yugoslavia, (b) Somalia, (c) Sri Lanka, (d) former USSR and (e) Afghanistan; and from which country the most applicants arrive. [98682]

  Mrs. Roche
  For 1990–98, the available information is given in the tables. Information on the number of asylum applications received in 1999 can be found on the Home Office internet site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm.

  Applications1received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, by nationality and location where made, 1990 to 1998

  1990

  Number of principal applicants

  Applied at port

  Applied at in-country

  Total

  Nationality

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Former Yugoslavia

  *

  0

  15

  0

  15

  0

  Somalia

  1,440

  16

  810

  5

  2,250

  9

  Sri Lanka

  2,340

  26

  990

  6

  3,330

  13

  Former USSR

  *

  0

  100

  1

  100

  0

  Afghanistan

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Total for the year

  9,005

  34

  17,200

  66

  26,205

  100

  1991

  Applied at port

  Applied at in-country

  Percentage

  Total

  Nationality

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Former Yugoslavia

  80

  1

  240

  1

  320

  1

  Somalia

  910

  10

  1,085

  3

  1,995

  4

  Sri Lanka

  2,630

  29

  1,130

  3

  3,765

  8

  Former USSR

  30

  0

  210

  1

  245

  1

  Afghanistan

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Total for the year

  9,030

  20

  35,815

  80

  44,840

  100

  1992

  Applied at port

  Applied at in-country

  Total

  Nationality

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Former Yugoslavia

  2,180

  28

  3,455

  20

  5,635

  23

  Somalia

  890

  12

  685

  4

  1,575

  6

  Sri Lanka

  1,205

  16

  880

  5

  2,085

  8

  Former USSR

  25

  0

  245

  1

  270

  1

  Afghanistan

  225

  3

  40

  0

  270

  1

  Total for the year

  7,675

  31

  16,930

  69

  24,605

  100

  1993

  Applied at port

  Applied at in-country

  Total

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Former Yugoslavia

  260

  4

  1,565

  10

  1,830

  8

  Somalia

  675

  9

  785

  5

  1,465

  7

  Sri Lanka

  1,050

  14

  915

  6

  1,965

  9

  Former USSR

  45

  1

  340

  2

  385

  2

  Afghanistan

  265

  4

  50

  0

  315

  1

  Total for the year

  7,320

  33

  15,050

  67

  22,370

  100

  72W

  Applications1received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependents, 1990 to 1998. Top asylum producing countries

  Year

  Nationality

  Number

  Percentage

  1990

  Sri Lanka

  3,330

  13

  1991

  Zaire

  7,010

  16

  1992

  Former Yugoslavia

  5,635

  23

  1993

  Sri Lanka

  1,965

  9

  1994

  Nigeria

  4,340

  13

  1995

  Nigeria

  5,825

  13

  1996

  Nigeria

  2,900

  10

  1997

  Somalia

  2,730

  8

  1998

  Former Yugoslavia

  7,980

  17

  1Figure rounded to the nearest 5

  73W

  1994

  Applied at port

  Applied at in-country

  Total

  Nationality

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Former Yugoslavia

  310

  3

  1,075

  5

  1,385

  4

  Somalia

  785

  8

  1,055

  5

  1,840

  6

  Sri Lanka

  1,270

  12

  1,080

  5

  2,350

  7

  Former USSR

  50

  0

  540

  2

  595

  2

  Afghanistan

  250

  2

  75

  0

  325

  1

  Total for the year

  10,230

  31

  22,600

  69

  32,830

  100

  1995

  Applied at port

  Applied at in-country

  Total

  Nationality

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Former Yugoslavia

  360

  2

  1,205

  4

  1,565

  4

  Somalia

  1,040

  7

  2,425

  8

  3,465

  8

  Sri Lanka

  1,075

  7

  995

  3

  2,070

  5

  Former USSR

  120

  1

  675

  2

  795

  2

  Afghanistan

  465

  3

  120

  0

  580

  1

  Total for the year

  14,410

  33

  29,555

  67

  43,965

  100

  1996

  Applied at port

  Applied at in-country

  Total

  Nationality

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Former Yugoslavia

  360

  3

  670

  4

  1,030

  3

  Somalia

  675

  5

  1,105

  6

  1,780

  6

  Sri Lanka

  830

  7

  505

  3

  1,340

  5

  Former USSR

  335

  3

  1,065

  6

  1,400

  5

  Afghanistan

  545

  4

  130

  1

  675

  2

  Total for the year

  12,440

  42

  17,205

  58

  29,640

  100

  1997

  Applied at port

  Applied at in-country

  Total

  Nationality

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Former Yugoslavia

  1,415

  9

  845

  5

  2,260

  7

  Somalia

  1,485

  9

  1,245

  8

  2,730

  8

  Sri Lanka

  880

  5

  955

  6

  1,830

  6

  Former USSR

  725

  4

  1,290

  8

  2,015

  6

  Afghanistan

  950

  6

  135

  1

  1,085

  3

  Total for the year

  16,590

  51

  15,915

  49

  32,500

  100

  1998

  Applied at port

  Applied at in-country

  Total

  Nationality

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Former Yugoslavia

  3,160

  14

  4,815

  21

  7,980

  17

  Somalia

  1,620

  7

  3,065

  14

  4,685

  10

  Sri Lanka

  1,840

  8

  1,665

  7

  3,505

  8

  Former USSR

  1,330

  6

  1,490

  7

  2,820

  6

  Afghanistan

  1,980

  8

  415

  2

  2,395

  5

  Total for the year

  23,345

  51

  22,670

  49

  46,015

  100

  1Figures rounded to the nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2

  Crown Dependencies
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he recognises the rights of the Crown Dependencies to set their own tax rates, structure and allowances without reference to the UK Government. [98733]
  74W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Legislation on taxation in the Crown Dependencies has always taken the form of laws enacted by the legislatures of the Crown Dependencies. All primary legislation passed by those legislatures requires the Assent of the Queen in Council.

  Seals
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide continuing protection for seals under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, following the expiry of the Order laid under section 3(1) in 1996. [99835]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have now laid before Parliament the Conservation of Seals (England) Order 1999, which provides permanent close season protection for common seals and grey seals in an area stretching along the North Sea coast from the border between England and Scotland to Newhaven on the south coast. The Order will come into force on 19 December, to coincide with the expiry of the Order laid in 1996.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to ensure the permanent quarters of performing animals are brought within the scope of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981; [99126]

  (2) if he will bring performing animal centres within the terms of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981; and if he will make a statement. [99125]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  These are matters being considered by the Home Office in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, following receipt of recommendations from the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare about animals in circuses.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to require suppliers of exotic pets to provide written information to customers concerning housing and care for certain threatened species. [99127]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Pet Animals Act 1951 (as amended in 1983) requires any person keeping a pet shop to be licensed by their local authority under such conditions as may be specified.

  The Government have no plan to introduce an explicit legal requirement that suppliers of exotic pets should provide written information to customers concerning housing and care for such animals. The welfare of exotic animals kept as pets is, however, provided for under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, under which it is an offence to ill-treat or cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animal.

  It is widely accepted that it is good practice for pet shops to give customers advice on how to care for their animals. The Pet Care Trust (the organisation for the pet trade) include, as part of their Code of Practice for Retailers, a requirement that pet care leaflets should be made available to customers, where appropriate, at the time of purchase.

  Trade in endangered species is strictly controlled by the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Under CITES, welfare requirements must be satisfied before any threatened species will be allowed to enter the country. Subsequent movements of such animals are also controlled.
  76W
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the increased numbers of cruelty convictions against pet shops over the last year; and if he will make it his policy to introduce a more robust and comprehensive inspection and licensing regime. [99128]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There has been a two per cent. increase in the latest available statistics for cruelty convictions under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, but it is not possible to identify the incidence of such cases involving pet shops.

  There are no plans to amend the Pet Animals Act 1951, by which pet shops are inspected and licensed by local authorities, and under which conditions are imposed relating to standards of welfare of animals kept in pet shops. Enforcement of the legislation is entirely for local authorities, who have the range of powers needed to detect cruelty and bring prosecutions when appropriate.

  The provisions of the 1951 Act, together with the Protection of Animals Act 1911, under which it is an offence to cause any domestic or captive animal unnecessary suffering, provide adequate protection for animals in pet shops.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in the applications leading to existing OECD guideline 401 licences issued(a) before 5 September 1998 and (b) since that date approximately how many animals it was envisaged would be used; [99140]

  (2) what steps he is taking to encourage other EU states to adopt the UK position on LD50 tests; [99131]

  (3) by what date he proposes to review Guideline 401 licences; and what the outcome was of reviews already carried out; [99143]

  (4) against what criteria he proposes to review existing OECD guideline 401 licences issued before 5 September 1998; [99142]

  (5) what legal advice he has received in respect of OECD guideline 401 licences granted (a) before and (b) since 5 September 1998; [99144]

  (6) of the existing OECD guideline 401 licences issued before 5 September 1998, how many, taking into account any renewal already granted, are due to expire in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003; [99141]

  (7) how many existing project licences authorising the use of the LD50 test, as defined in OECD guideline 401, were issued (a) before 5 September 1998 and (b) since that date; [99139]

  (8) how many animals were used in LD50 tests as set out in OECD guideline 401 in the UK in (a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998, listed by species. [99132]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have accepted that Section 5 (5) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, as amended in September 1998, does not allow licensing of the Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) test for the purpose of meeting international regulatory requirements. The general principle is that a test will be licensed only where there is not a scientifically valid and reasonably practicable and accepted alternative.
  77W
  One licence, issued since September 1998, has been varied. This was the point at which changes on the face of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 became effective. Authorities to use the LD50 test on a project due to expire in 2004 have been withdrawn, but alternative tests (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines 420, 423 or 425) are likely to be used instead. A total of 467 rats have been used under this licence and an earlier one for the same purpose, which it succeeded.

  We have undertaken to review relevant licences issued before September 1998. All project licences authorising acute toxicity testing using protocols based upon OECD Guideline 401 will be reviewed and amended to prohibit the use of the protocols where suitable alternative methods are available. Amendments will be subject to the standard processes of representation. We accept there may be cases where no exact alternative is available and Guideline 401 (the LD50 test) can be lawfully licensed.

  The review should be completed by mid-December 1999 on approximately 50 existing licences, issued before 5 September 1998. It has not, at this stage, been possible to make an assessment of the expiry dates of those licences or the number of animals affected.

  Information relating to the numbers of animals used in LD50 tests each year is not available. Changes to data collection introduced in January 1999—for reporting in 2000—will separately identify different forms of acute toxicity tests.

  We are pressing the European Commission to follow our lead in interpreting Article 7 of European Directive 86/609/European Economic Community. The Commission has formally urged the OECD to withdraw Guideline 401 on the basis that alternative acute toxicity tests have been accepted for most situations.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to repeal section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [99122]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under the proposals for the Freedom of Information Bill, we will review all statutory bars on the disclosure of information, including section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. No decision has yet been taken on whether to repeal or amend section 24.

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the policy as to whether or not to disclose information has been changed from one based on substantial harm to one based on prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs. [99124]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Freedom of Information Bill translates the policy proposals contained in the White Paper, 'Your Right to Know', into legislation. It is necessary in the Bill to express the Government's intentions in language that is clear to those who are affected as well as the courts. The Government have therefore used in most cases a test of prejudice, as this test has been used in similar legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Local Government Act 1972 and is well understood by the courts and practitioners. The 78W
  Information Commissioner will have power to overturn reliance on an exemption in any case if the "prejudice" test is not properly made out. The Commissioner will be able to ensure that any prejudice caused will be "real", "actual", or "of substance".

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to ensure that there are no blanket confidentiality clauses in the forthcoming Freedom of Information Bill. [99123]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Nothing in the Freedom of Information Bill prevents the disclosure of information by public authorities if it is otherwise lawful. However, I am satisfied some information should be exempt from the statutory right to know where issues of privacy or confidentiality apply, where the effective conduct of public affairs is at issue or where prejudice would, or would be likely to occur to a specified interest.

  In some cases, it is right that an exemption should apply in all circumstances. However, the Freedom of Information Bill provides that, in most cases, the public authority should further consider whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption in question. In this way, the greater amount of openness can be delivered consistent with effective Government.

  Hunting with Dogs
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government's support for a ban on hunting with hounds is dependent on the findings of the committee of inquiry he has set up to look into the issue. [99120]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The purpose of the inquiry is for the facts about hunting properly to be decided and to inform the debate. The issue of hunting with hounds will be a matter for a free vote for all Members of Parliament, including members of the Government.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Christchurch dated 26 July about Mrs. Seaward. [99465]

  Mrs. Roche
  I am very sorry that the hon. Member has not received a reply to his letter. This is a complicated and involved case and I will write to him as soon as possible.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 10 September from the hon. Member for Christchurch concerning the visa application of Victoriano Sarmiento. [99464]

  Mrs. Roche
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 15 November 1999.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Child Care
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of further education students received help with child care costs through access funds in 1999–2000 and 1998–99. [98671]
  79W
  Mr. Wicks
  We estimate that in 1998–99 around four per cent. of students with a dependent child received help with child care costs from the FE Access Fund or from the Further Education Funding Council tariff scheme, which provided approximately 18,000 students with free child care. In 1999–2000 the FE Access Fund will be increased almost four-fold to £36 million and the FEFC direct child care support will be boosted by an additional –5 million. No figures are yet available for 1999–2000 on numbers of students assisted.

  Human Rights Act 1998
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to require universities to conduct research in respect of their compliance with Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights and relevant sections of the Human Rights Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [98524]

  Mr. Wicks
  As bodies receiving public funding, universities must ensure that they operate in a manner which adheres to the Human Rights Act 1998. As autonomous organisations, universities are responsible for monitoring their own admission and operating policies and as such should ensure their own compliance with the Human Rights Act. The Government and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, do not, at present, have any plans to investigate this issue.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what analysis he has made of the reasons for the real terms fall in education expenditure in 1998–99, as compared with 1997–98, shown in his Department's Statistical Bulletin 10/99. [98641]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Budget for 1998–99 would have provided an increase of just £182 million for schools—a 1.5 per cent. cut in real terms. As a result of early action by this Administration, that increase was raised to over £1 billion—an increase of 5.6 per cent., or 3 per cent. in real terms. In doing so we averted the potential loss of an estimated 15,000 teachers between 1997–98 and 1998–99 and saw teacher numbers rise by 4,000. This meant that instead of the pupil:teacher ratio worsening from 18.9 to an estimated 19.5, it improved to 18.8.

  In addition, we introduced the New Deal for Schools, providing an extra £1.1 billion for repair of school buildings. Between 1998–99 and 2001–02 we are doubling capital spending in schools.

  The Comprehensive Spending Review, announced in July 1998, meant an extra £16 billion for education in England over the three years from 1999–2000. By the end of the Parliament, we will be spending 17 per cent. more in real terms on education than in 1997–98. In the first two budgets of this Government, spending per pupil has increased in real terms by £80 and by 2001–02 it will have increased by £220. The 1997–98 budget was decided and allocated before May 1997 and is the responsibility of the previous administration.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he has put in place to ensure a common approach to the 80W
  intensification of research selectivity between higher education funding bodies responsible for the various constituent parts of the United Kingdom. [99121]

  Mr. Wicks
  The four higher education funding bodies jointly sponsor the UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise, and allocate over 90 per cent. of research funding according to its outcomes. The assessment process is identical in all parts of the UK, and in each case the key determinants in calculating an institution's grant are the quality and volume of its research.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Welfare Payments
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the(a) cost and (b) number of beneficiaries of making Home Responsibilities Protection automatic for all recipients of Invalid Care Allowance. [98457]

  Mr. Bayley
  Recipients of Invalid Care Allowance are credited with Class 1 National Insurance contributions for each week for which they get this benefit. They would derive no additional benefit from Home Responsibilities Protection.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Turkey
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compliance by the Turkish Government with each article of the United Nations Convention on Human Rights. [98596]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not in itself a legally binding convention. However, it sets the framework for the six core international human rights treaties. We urge Turkey to ratify and fully implement these treaties.

  We monitor the situation in Turkey closely and are in regular contact with non-governmental human rights organisations. We seek to ensure that the Turkish Government is fully aware of the importance we attach to countries complying with those international human rights mechanisms to which they have signed up.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Turkey over the Kurdish problem. [98820]

  Mr. Vaz
  We regularly raise human rights issues in our bilateral discussions with the Turkish government. We have repeatedly stressed to the Turkish authorities that a lasting solution to the conflict in south east Turkey can come about only if the Turkish government addresses the social and economic problems of the south east and the aspirations of the Kurdish population there.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for displaced Kurds to return to their villages in Turkey. [98819]
  81W
  Mr. Vaz
  Village clearances in south east Turkey have virtually ceased since 1997. We welcome that, and the Turkish authorities' recent efforts to encourage re-population of these villages. Since repairs to key infrastructure, several thousand Kurds have begun to return. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Bulgaria
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what negotiations he has had with the Government of Bulgaria over possible closure dates for the four nuclear power station units at its Kozloduy power plant; and if he will make a statement. [98741]

  Mr. Vaz
  We strongly support G7 and EU efforts to improve nuclear safety in Central and Eastern Europe. Within the EU, the Commission is leading the negotiations with the Bulgarian Government over closure dates for units 1–4 at Kozloduy nuclear power plant, as part of the wider EU enlargement process. Our Ambassador in Sofia has encouraged the Bulgarians to work with the Commission on a realistic timetable for closure of units 1–4, in line with Bulgaria's international commitments, including its Accession Partnership within the EU. We strongly support the Commission's efforts to secure an agreement with the Bulgarians on this issue.

  Angola
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's Government have put in place to ensure the freezing of funds and financial resources of senior UNITA officials and adult members of their immediate families to comply with United Nations Security Council resolution 1173 (1998). [99157]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the speech on Angola I made on 20 November 1999, a copy of which I have placed in the Library. Following adoption of UN Security Council resolution 1173 (1998), the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1998 (SI 1998/1752) came into force on 23 July. It imposes restrictions on certain actions making available or otherwise transferring funds and financial resources to or to the benefit of UNITA as an organisation or senior officials of UNITA or adult members of their immediate families.

  The Angola (United Nations) (Dependent Territories) Order 1998 (SI 1998/1753) implements these measures in the Overseas Territories. The Angola (United Nations Sanctions) (Channel Islands) Order 1998 (SI 1998/1756) and the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) (Isle of Man) Order 1998 (SI 1998/1757) implements these measures in the Crown Dependencies.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance Her Majesty's Government have given to the work of the United Nations Panel of Experts on Angola sanctions with regard to their investigations into(a) UNITA arms purchases, (b) UNITA oil purchases and (c) UNITA diamond sales. [99159]

  Mr. Hain
  We fully support the work of the UN Sanctions Committee on Angola and the Expert Panels and will make a financial contribution in the region of $200,000 towards the cost of the Expert Panels' work.
  82W
  Government officials recently met members of the Panels during a visit to the UK and will hold discussions with the Chairman of the Expert Panels during his visit to the UK in December. We remain in close liaison with Ambassador Fowler, Chairman of the Sanctions Committee.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the speech on Angola I made on 20 November 1999, a copy of which I have placed in the Library.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's Government have put in place to ensure the prohibition of direct and indirect imports from Angola to the United Kingdom of diamonds that are not controlled through the Certificate of Origin regime of the Angolan Government to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173 (1998). [99156]

  Mr. Hain
  Following adoption of UN Security Council resolution 1173 (1998), the Open General Import Licence was amended to prohibit the import into the UK of diamonds exported from Angola not accompanied by a Certificate of Origin issued by the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation of Angola (GURN).

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what involvement Her Majesty's Government will have in the new United Nations Office in Angola to be established, pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1268 (1999). [99162]

  Mr. Hain
  We voted in favour of UNSC Resolution 1268 establishing the United Nations Office in Angola (UNOA). As a major contributor to the United Nations, we will be providing funds for UNOA in accordance with our budgetary responsibilities. The detail of UNOA's staffing and tasks are under discussion between the UN Secretary-General and the Government of Angola.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 15 and 16 November; and if he will make a statement. [98505]

  Mr. Vaz
  The General Affairs Council in Brussels on 15 November adopted the A points listed in document 12700/99 and noted the resolutions, decisions and opinion adopted by the European Parliament in its session of 25–29 October listed in document 11449/99. Copies of the documents listing the A points and resolutions will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.
  Preparation for Helsinki European Council
  (A) European Security and Defence Policy
  1. For the first time, Foreign Ministers were joined in the General Affairs Council by Defence Ministers. They discussed progress on follow up to the Cologne Declaration on strengthening the common European policy on security and defence in preparation for the Helsinki European Council. They considered the need for improvements to European military capabilities, including through the setting of targets for European forces capable of being deployed at short notice, and also the need for new structures within the

  83W
  European Union to enable Ministers to take informed decisions on the deployment of military forces on peacekeeping or crisis management operations.

  (B) Common Strategies
  Ministers were briefed by the Presidency on the implementation of the Common Strategy on Russia and on preparation of further Common Strategies commissioned by the Vienna European Council. They agreed that the Common Strategy on Ukraine should be ready for Heads of Government to consider at the Helsinki European Council.

  (C) Enlargement
  The Council had a preliminary discussion of the Commission's Recommendations on enlargement in advance of the Helsinki European Council. The Council will return to the subject on 6 December.

  Negotiations on a development partnership with ACPs/9th European Development Fund
  2. The Commission proposed maintaining the volume of the next European Development Fund (EDF 9) at the same level as the previous one in real terms. The Secretary of State for International Development, representing the United Kingdom, called for a more realistic assessment of needs to form the basis of discussion on replenishing the EDF. The Council will come back to this at the General Affairs Council on 6 December.

  Bananas
  3. The Commission presented its proposal for a new banana regime. The Council took note and referred the proposals to the relevant Council bodies for detailed examination.

  WTO: Ministerial Conference in Seattle
  4. The Council discussed the preparations for the WTO Ministerial Conference at Seattle. It reiterated its support for a comprehensive trade round, responding to the interests of all WTO members, and those of civil society.

  EU/South Africa
  5. Following discussion among Ministers, the Commission said that it would renew contacts with South Africa to pursue a solution allowing the Agreement on Trade, Co-operation and Development with South Africa to be applied provisionally from 1 January 2000.

  Northern Caucasus/Chechnya
  6. The Council expressed its deep concern over the continuing military campaign in Chechnya. It called on Russia to observe its commitments under international humanitarian law to avoid civilian casualties and to keep the Chechen-Ingush border open in order to ensure access to safety for IDPs. The Council strongly urged the Russian Government to seek a negotiated settlement and to use the good offices of the OSCE.

  Pakistan
  7. The Council discussed developments in Pakistan following the 12 October military coup. Ministers reiterated the EU's call for a speedy restoration of democratic civilian rule and urged the military to produce a timetable for this, with clear benchmarks for progress. The Council called for Nawaz Sharif to have a fair and open trial, and for Pakistan to sign and ratify the CTBT.

  Western Balkans
  8. The Council underlined its continued support for the Serbian people through humanitarian aid, help to democratic political forces and independent media organisations, and preparation for the reconstruction and international re-integration of a democratic Serbia. The EU will also continue to support the democratically elected government of President Djukanovic in Montenegro, including through technical advice and reconstruction aid.
  84W
  9. The Council adopted amendments to the OBNOVA regulation, which will allow the EU Reconstruction Agency—Kosovo to be set up as soon as possible. The Agency will be responsible for the delivery of EU long-term reconstruction assistance.
  10. The Council stressed the need for all political leaders in Kosovo to work actively to prevent the harassment of minority communities, and the need for EU financial and other support for the activities of UNMiK. The Council further confirmed the EU's readiness to help regional states to clear the Danube at Novi Sad, once the FRY has undertaken to meet its obligations under the Danube Conventions.
  11. The Council emphasised the importance of free and fair elections in Croatia, and regretted Croatia's failure to take the international community's concerns about its electoral and media laws fully into account. The Council emphasised that Croatia should cooperate fully with ICTY, and can expect active support for a closer and deeper relationship with the EU only if it is willing to take the necessary steps. The EU also welcomed the constitutionality of the recent change in government in Albania, and called on Albania to pursue the priorities of democratisation and the fight against corruption.

  Indonesia
  12. The Council reviewed recent events in Indonesia and welcomed the establishment of a new broadly based Indonesian government. Foreign Ministers looked forward to working closely with Indonesia on a wide range of issues.

  AOB: North Korea (Humanitarian situation)
  13. Germany raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in North Korea. The Commission outlined the humanitarian assistance already being provided, including food aid, medical supplies and projects on agricultural rehabilitation, water and sanitation. There was a general discussion about possible measures the Commission might take to encourage North Korea into further economic reform and dialogue with the international community.

  AOB: Death Penalty
  14. The Council reaffirmed the importance of a common approach to the question of the death penalty, under consideration at the General Assembly in New York. Partners regretted that discussions in New York with all interested delegations had been unable to find consensus on important language relating to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

  EEA: Council
  15. The EEA Council took place in the margins of the GAC. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the functioning of the EEA Agreement.

  Restraining Equipment
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department takes the United Nations' Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners into account before approving the grant of export licences for oversize cuffs, jumbo cuffs and other restraining equipment. [98541]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]The UK fully supports the provisions set out in the United Nations' Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

  The statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson) on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 65–66W, specifically exempted normal handcuffs.
  85W
  No licence is required to export handcuffs which have a maximum overall dimension, when locked, that does not exceed 240mm. The export of handcuffs over this size is controlled and applications for their export are assessed against the UK's national export criteria announced in July 1997 and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and in light of the ban on the export of leg irons and other items used in torture, announced in July 1997.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on continuing peace initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [99242]

  Mr. Hain
  The Lusaka Agreement offers the best chance of lasting peace in DRC. We are working to support its successful implementation. We continue to urge all parties to implement the agreement in full and to cooperate closely with the UN and other international organisations. We are providing people and money to help implement the military aspects. We are ready, in principle, to support the establishment of a UN force to help implement the agreement. We are also encouraging the DRC authorities and the OAU to press ahead with the planned national debate on the future of the DRC, and are ready to provide funding for this.

  Horn of Africa
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea. [99234]

  Mr. Hain
  The situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea remains delicately poised. Eritrea has accepted the Technical Arrangements for implementation of the OAU Framework Agreement. Ethiopia has difficulties with this document.

  Algeria, as current chair of the OAU, is continuing to work with both sides to find a way of moving the process forward. The OAU's mediation efforts have our full support.

  We continue to urge both sides to remain engaged; to refrain from a return to fighting; and to reach a peaceful solution to the current crisis.

  Colombia
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the development of the Urra Dam in Colombia. [99253]

  Mr. Battle
  We received written representations on the Urra Dam project in January and February 1999. Officials in the British Embassy in Bogota are aware of the background to the project and are monitoring developments closely.

  Officials in the British Embassy in Bogota discussed this project with the Colombian authorities and an NGO representing the Embera-Katio Indians earlier this year, we have asked them to report on the latest developments
  86W
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning Occidental Petroleum and the indigenous U'wa of Colombia. [99254]

  Mr. Battle
  We have received written representations on Occidental and the U'wa Indians of Colombia in November 1997. Officials in the British Embassy in Bogota are aware of the background to this dispute and are following developments closely.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his United States counterpart with regard to United States military intervention in Colombia. [99252]

  Mr. Battle
  We have regular discussions with our US counterparts on a range of foreign policy issues. Those discussions have included the situation in Colombia and the importance of international support for efforts to secure a peaceful resolution of that country's problems.

  Murdered Hostages (Chechnya)
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the transcript of the interviews the Metropolitan Police held with(a) Movladi Akhmetkhanov and (b) Turpal Atgerier. [99250]

  Mr. Battle
  The information sought was provided in confidence (exemptions 1c and 14a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information) and its disclosure could prejudice future cooperation in this and other cases (exemption 14b). The killings of the four hostages in Chechnya are also the subject of continuing law enforcement and possible legal proceedings by the Russian and Chechen authorities (exemption 4). It is therefore not appropriate to place records of these discussions in the Library.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the remit given by his Department to the Metropolitan Police in respect of their investigation into the murdered hostages in Chechnya. [99251]

  Mr. Battle
  The British Police have no general remit to investigate the murder of British nationals overseas. However, the Metropolitan Police Service carried out certain inquiries in support of the efforts of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to establish the circumstances of the killings of British hostages in Chechnya. There was no written remit; these inquiries followed HMG's efforts during the kidnap, in which the police always play an integral part.

  Sri Lankan Elections
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what contribution the United Kingdom will make to international monitoring missions to Sri Lanka to oversee the presidential elections; [99427]

  (2) what steps he will ask the Commonwealth to take to oversee the presidential elections in Sri Lanka. [99426]
  87W
  Mr. Hain
  The Elections Commissioner in Sri Lanka has not yet decided whether to invite international election monitors to oversee the Presidential Elections. We await his decision. However it is important that the elections are free and fair and the UK stands ready to assist.

  Nigeria
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Nigerian Government about the imposition of Sharia laws in the state of Zamfara. [99428]

  Mr. Hain
  The imposition of Sharia law in Zamfara State is a matter for the Nigerian authorities. The Nigerian Constitution allows for civil cases to be considered under Sharia law. But there is still some confusion over the scope of the Zamfara provisions, and over the interpretation of the Constitution. We are monitoring the situation closely.

  Sudan
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Sudanese Government concerning human rights abuses in the Sudan. [99429]

  Mr. Hain
  We regularly make representations to the Government of Sudan both on human rights concerns in general and on individual cases; bilaterally and through the EU. For example, human rights issues were one of the key areas of discussion when the EU resumed a political dialogue with the Government of Sudan on 10 November.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Wunlit Peace Accords signed in March 1999 in southern Sudan. [99240]

  Mr. Hain
  We have kept in regular touch with the New Sudan Council of Churches, the co-ordinators of the Wunlit Conference, and others involved. Our understanding is that the Conference had considerable success in tackling a number of Nuer/Dinka conflicts and that concrete change is now evident on the ground. This is welcome news.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his(a) European and (b) American counterparts concerning the peace process in Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [99241]

  Mr. Hain
  We continue to give priority to peace work in the Sudan. We have been active members of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) and helped put together the proposal for a permanent Secretariat in Nairobi which is now operational. We have pledged a financial contribution to the Secretariat and will continue to give the peace process political backing working with many colleagues including the EU and US.

  Western Sahara
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Western Sahara. [99257]
  88W
  Mr. Hain
  UN efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict in Western Sahara continue. Progress has been slowed by the large number of appeals against voter identification process. We expect the US Secretary-General to issue his report on the current situation there in early December.

  Mozambique
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in clearing land mines in Mozambique. [98743]

  Clare Short
  I have been asked to reply.

  Good progress in the clearance of land mines in Mozambique is being made with support from several donors. My Department has funded the clearance of over 200km of road, 2 million square metres of land and destruction of over 10,000 explosive devices in Zambezia Province. This programme will continue until March 2001.

  Electro-shock Weapons
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions his Department has taken to implement the measures outlined in his speech of 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 65–66, on action taken to ban the export of electro-shock weapons. [98543]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: I have been asked to reply.

  The export to any destination of all of the items covered by the ban announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 65–66, is controlled under entry PL5001 in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended. As my right hon. Friend made clear in his announcement, the export of some of the items covered by the ban was not at that time subject to control. The export of these items was brought under control by article 7(8) of the Export of Goods (Control) (Amendment No 3) Order 1997 [SI 1997/2758], which came into force on 15 December 1997.

  No licences have been issued for any of the items covered by the ban since 2 May 1997.

TREASURY

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will define new renewable sources of energy, as set out in his pre-Budget report for exemption from the proposed climate change levy. [99191]
  89W
  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: The technologies within the proposed definition and eligible for exemption from the climate change levy when used to generate electricity are:

  Wind Energy

  Hydro Power (excluding those exceeding 5MW)

  Tidal Power

  Wave Energy

  Photovoltaics

  Photoconversion

  Geothermal Hot Dry Rock

  Geothermal Aquifers

  Municipal and Industrial Wastes

  Landfill Gas

  Agriculture and Forestry Wastes

  Energy Crops.

  Fuel Duty
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on what basis he has increased his estimates for carbon emissions savings due to increases in fuel duties between 1996 and 2010, as set out in the pre-Budget Report; [99185]

  (2) if his revised figure for carbon emission savings due to fuel duty increases between 1996 and 2010, set out in the pre-Budget report, takes into account ending the automatic fuel escalator; and from what year. [99186]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: The Chancellor made clear in the pre-Budget Report that the appropriate level of fuel duties will now be decided on a Budget by Budget basis. Given this, the estimates of carbon savings in the PBR do not assume real terms rises in fuel duties from Budget 2000 onwards.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure he plans to make from revenues hypothecated from increases in fuel duty in each of the next three years. [99317]

  Mr. Timms
  In his Pre-Budget Report, the Chancellor announced that in future he would decide the appropriate level of road fuel duties on a Budget by Budget basis, taking account of the Government's economic and social objectives as well as the UK's environmental commitments.

  The Chancellor also announced that the revenues from any future real terms increases in road fuel duties would go straight to a ring-fenced fund for improving public transport and modernising the road network.

  The amounts involved will be announced in each year's budget in the normal way.

  Stamp Duty (Securities)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received regarding the future charging structure of stamp duty on securities; [R] [99181]

  (2) what proposals he has for changes to the charging of stamp duty on securities. [R] [99180]
  90W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answers 22 November 1999]: A number of representations about stamp duty on share transactions have been received. It would be inappropriate to anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.

  National Insurance Fund
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present surplus on the National Insurance Fund; and what plans he has to deploy this. [99135]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 11 November 1999,Official Report, column 772–73W.

  There are no plans to deploy the surplus.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the net and gross contributions to the European Union of 1998 by each member state; and what is the source of these figures. [99318]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Information on Member States contributions and receipts is published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) in its annual report. The ECA annual report on 1998 was published on Tuesday 16 November 1999 and a copy will be available in the Library shortly.

HEALTH

  Beta Interferon
  13. Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish his new circular on the prescribing of beta interferon. [98938]

  Mr. Denham
  Ministers are currently considering all comments received during the consultation on a draft Health Circular on the prescribing of beta-interferon.

  Breast Screening
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the findings of the pilot projects assessing the impact of extending routine breast screening to women aged 65 to 69 years will be published. [98939]

  Yvette Cooper
  There are three pilot projects on automatic recall of women aged 65 to 69 for breast cancer screening. The last of the pilots is due to end in summer 2000. We have asked the National Screening Committee to consider this matter and to advise us on the issue of extending automatic recall on the basis of those pilot studies. Obviously, before any changes are introduced we must of course make sure that changes are safe and effective and that the high quality standards of the breast screening programme can be maintained.

  Elderly General Practice Patients
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extra capitation to general practitioners for elderly patients. [98940]
  91W
  Mr. Denham
  A general practitioner is entitled to a capitation fee for every patient on his or her list. The fee for a patient aged 65–74 is higher than that for one aged under 65. The fee for a patient aged 75 and over is two and a half times higher than for a patient aged under 65. These levels are a matter for the independent Pay Review Body, taking account of evidence from the profession and the Health Departments.

  Social Services Standards
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce inconsistency in the standards of social services departments. [98943]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are taking a range of measures to drive up standards in social services. There will be a new independent regulation system for care homes, children's homes and other care services including those directly provided by local authorities, based on national standards. The Fair Access to Care initiative will require local authorities to apply eligibility criteria consistently around the country. Our proposed Quality Strategy for Social Services will help raise local standards.

  The implementation of these initiatives will be monitored closely. For the first time there is a comprehensive performance assessment system for social services, built around the Best Value regime.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to continue the investing in dentistry initiative in future financial years. [98944]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Investing in Dentistry and Personal Dental Service initiatives have made a good start in tackling the worst local problems of access to NHS dentistry which we inherited. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made clear, this Government are determined to make NHS dentistry a truly national service again, and to make sure that, within two years, anyone who wants to see an NHS dentist can do so. In the new year we will publish our plans for building on the success of IID to achieve that, as part of a wide-ranging strategy for dentistry in England.

  Kidney Dialysis (Royal Preston Hospital)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the revenue funding his Department will make available to run the proposed new kidney dialysis facilities proposed for the Royal Preston hospital. [98945]

  Mr. Hutton
  A scheme to provide 15 additional dialysis stations has been prioritised by the four health authorities covering Lancashire and South Cumbria and is proceeding well. The four authorities are committed to meeting the revenue costs from their respective general allocations. Health authority allocations for 2000–01 will be announced shortly but, in 1999–2000, the four have already received a total of £1,063 million, which represents a significant increase of £61.5 million or 6.15 per cent. over 1998–99.

  Camden and Islington
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to improve the quality of health care in Camden and Islington. [98946]

  Mr. Denham
  The Camden and Islington Health Action Zone will aim to tackle the root causes of ill health by addressing early life experience, social isolation and addiction. It will also work to improve services for key client groups such as older people and people with mental health needs. So far almost £8 million has been made available to Camden and Islington HAZ.

  My hon. Friend the Minister of State recently visited The New River Green Family Project (part of Camden and Islington HAZ), which is seen as a pilot project for the development of community based family support work within a defined geographical area. It will provide a practical learning experience for all those involved.

  Social Care
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about his plans to establish an institute for excellence in social care. [98947]

  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about his plans to establish an institute for excellence in social care. [98950]

  Mr. Hutton
  As a measure of the importance which we attach to the delivery of high quality social services, we shall be consulting on a Quality Strategy for Social Services, including proposals for establishing an institute for excellence in social care, early in the New Year.

  West Cumbria NHS Services
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure the future viability of services provided by the NHS in West Cumbria. [98948]

  Mr. Hutton
  The North Cumbria Health Authority, local National Health Service Trusts and the National Health Service Executive are presently reviewing the configuration of services prior to public consultation.

  We are awaiting details of proposals which will address the issue of how the viability of services in West Cumbria may be best assured.

  Out-patients (Cornwall and Scilly Isles)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of out-patient waiting times in Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly. [98949]

  Mr. Denham
  Despite a combination of increased referrals and reductions in activity due to the eclipse, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority, working together with the local Trusts, is taking action to address out-patient waiting times and will reduce the number of long waiters by the end of the year.

  Organ Donors
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to increase the number of organ donors. [98951]
  93W
  Mr. Denham
  The Organ Donor Publicity Campaign was launched in October 1998 and was reinforced in February by a campaign targeting the South Asian community. We shall continue to build on these campaigns to encourage people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register, to carry the Donor Card at all times and most importantly make their wishes known to their family and friends.

  We shall be developing a further campaign to inform the medical profession about best practice in requesting organ donation.

  Additionally, in line with the drive to improve the quality of care for all users of the NHS, we shall seek to ensure that best practice is adopted in all units involved in donation and transplantation. We shall also support best practice in live donation, which has increased significantly over the last few years.

  Cancer Services
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve cancer services. [98952]

  Yvette Cooper
  We have recently appointed Professor Mike Richards as National Cancer Director. Reporting to Ministers and with executive responsibility, he will spearhead our concerted drive on cancer. Professor Richards has identified his priorities as workforce issues, faster access to treatment, fairer care and better information and support for patients. He will work in partnership with doctors, nurses, general practitioners, other health professionals and the voluntary sector to achieve these.

  Out-patients
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people awaiting their first appointment as a hospital out-patient. [98953]

  Mr. Denham
  Data on the total number of people awaiting outpatient consultations are not collected centrally, because of the high level of turnover. During 1998–99 National Health Service trusts saw an extra 175,000 new outpatients. This year we expect the NHS to see over a third of a million more new outpatients than in 1998–99. That will mean that in 1999–2000, more than 11 million new outpatients will be seen—for the first time in the history of the NHS.

  Emergency Facilities
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the clinical differences between an accident and emergency department and a local emergency centre. [98954]

  Ms Stuart
  Accident and emergency (A&E) departments have emergency care available for 24 hours a day, are equipped to deal with severely injured patients, and have a full resuscitation service. Most also have access to specialist services such as neurology, cardiology and plastics as well as diagnostic facilities such as X-rays and scanners.
  94W
  Local emergency centres vary from area to area, but they may differ from full A &E departments in that they may not be open for 24 hours a day, and usually see people with less serious injuries.

  However, patients can be referred from such centres to A&E departments or directly to hospital when appropriate. Additionally, enhanced telemedicine links enable patients to be diagnosed and treated locally without having to travel long distances.

  Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation. [98955]

  Mr. Denham
  We have asked the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation to undertake a wide ranging review of National Health Service resource allocation. We want a fairer formula which contributes to our goal of reducing health inequalities.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce the Government's response to the Royal Commission on long-term care. [98956]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are giving the report of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care careful consideration. We want to find a solution that is fair to the taxpayer and to the individual and which will stand the test of time.

  Private Health Care
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future role of private health care. [98957]

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the private health care market. [98960]

  Ms Stuart
  We are committed to continuing to develop and modernise the National Health Service to provide the best possible care. However, private care will be available for those who choose to use it and will be properly regulated. The Department does not collect information on the private health care market.

  Waiting List Initiative
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress of his waiting list initiative. [98958]

  Mr. Denham
  We are making good progress towards meeting our manifesto commitment. The number of people waiting for National Health Service treatment is now 73,000 below the level we inherited from the previous Government.

  Cardiology Specialists
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of specialists in cardiology. [98959]
  95W
  Mr. Denham
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health confirmed recently we anticipate an additional 330 cardiology consultants and 80 extra consultants in cardio-thoracic surgery working in the National Health Service by 2005.

  The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease will be published shortly. This will reinforce the priority we attach to tackling coronary heart disease and set the service context within which cardiologists will work.

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans to reduce the number of deaths from coronary heart disease in England. [98961]

  Yvette Cooper
  The White Paper, "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" (published in July), sets out our strategy to tackle poor health and set a target to reduce the death rate from heart disease, stroke and related illnesses by at least 40 per cent. by 2010 from the 1996 baseline.

  Last month we announced £50 million to increase cardiac surgery rates by about 10 per cent. over the two year period 2000–02, an additional 3,000 procedures over that period. This will improve access to coronary artery by-pass graft surgery. We will soon publish the National Service Framework on Coronary Heart Disease which will set out our plans for the development of services for the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease over the next 10 years. The National Service Framework will be the keystone in our strategy to reduce both mortality and morbidity from heart disease.

  Skin Transplants
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the system for ensuring an adequate supply of skin for patients needing transplants. [98962]

  Mr. Denham
  There are five tissue banks which store skin in England and there has been no shortage of supply in recent years: in both 1997 and 1998 there was an excess of donated skin over that donated for therapeutic purposes.

  A National Burn Care Review is currently under way and is looking, among other issues, at considering skin banking and supply.

  Consultant Referrals
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are waiting more than 13 weeks for their first referral to see a consultant. [98963]

  Mr. Denham
  At 30 June 1999, 485,000 people had been waiting longer than 13 weeks for their first outpatient appointment.

  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the average waiting time to see 96W
  an orthopaedic consultant at the latest date for which information is available for each hospital trust in England. [98480]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on the average time patients waited to be seen by an orthopaedic consultant during April to June 1999 (latest available data) by trust has been placed in the Library.

  Primary Care Groups
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress of primary care groups. [98964]

  Mr. Denham
  481 Primary Care groups have been successfully established since April 1999. 83 per cent. operate at level 2, with a devolved health authority budget of at least 30 per cent.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is towards tobacco advertising in the United Kingdom. [98965]

  Yvette Cooper
  As part of our comprehensive programme against tobacco, we will implement a ban on tobacco advertising in line with Directive 98/43/EC as soon as practicable.

  NHS Waiting Lists
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list medical procedures and treatments which are not included in the compilation of published NHS waiting list figures. [98616]

  Mr. Denham
  National Health Service waiting list statistics include all procedures for which patients are currently awaiting elective admission.

  National Waiting List Helpline
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the length of wait for a first out-patient appointment for each consultant currently supplied to the National Waiting List Helpline. [98502]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Waiting List Helpline is run by the College of Health, and publication of the data they collect is a matter for them.

  Medical Negligence Claims
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on medical negligence claims in the years(a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997 and (d) 1998. [98749]

  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is given in the table. Figures for 1998–99 are not yet available. It should be noted that, due to changes in National Health Service accounting practice required by the National Audit Office over recent years, these data are not directly comparable.

  1994–95: £160 million

  1995–96: £173 million

  1996–97: £235 million

  1997–98: £144million.

  National Burn Care Review
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Burn Care Review; and when he expects it to be completed and its findings published. [99421]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Burn Care Review is a professionally-led review being undertaken by the British Burn Association (BBA). The Department has made a contribution towards the cost of the work and has observer status on the Review Group. The BBA expects to issue a discussion document early in the New Year.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter sent to him on 3 November by the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale West, seeking guarantees on the future of cancer surgery at the Christie Hospital in Manchester. [99245]

  Ms Stuart
  My noble Friend the Lord Hunt of King's Heath replied to the hon. Member today.

  Prostate Cancer
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to increase awareness of prostate cancer in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement; [98547]

  (2) what progress he has made in (a) reducing the incidence of prostate cancer, (b) shortening the timescale for detection and (c) shortening the timescale for quantitive analysis since May 1997; [98549]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the level of prostate cancer in the United Kingdom relative to that in (a) the United States of America and (b) other European countries; and if he will make a statement. [98548]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answers 22 November 1999]: We are determined to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of prostate cancer. The White Paper, 'Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation', which was published in July proposed a target to reduce the death rate from cancer in those under 75 by 20 per cent. by 2010 saving 100,000 lives.

  We have already announced that by December 2000 all urgent general practitioner referrals of suspected prostate cancer should be seen by a consultant within two weeks of referral. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has commissioned guidance on cancer services on four further cancer sites over the next two years, and urological cancers (includes prostate) will be the first of these.

  The Department provides information for the public, in leaflets and through health education campaigns. These encourage people to report to their GP or other health professional any persistent unusual symptoms which may indicate cancer or other disease. For example, the 'Europe Against Cancer' theme for 1998 was 'Cancer in Men' and a related leaflet included advice about symptoms that may indicate prostate cancer, including a change in urinary habits.
  98W
  There were 18,900 new cases of prostate cancer in England and Wales in 1996 (provisional figures) and 8,570 deaths registered from prostate cancer in England and Wales in 1998. The latest data show that mortality from prostate cancer fell after 1995 following a consistent rise in the 1980s and early 1990s.

  The table presents international comparisons of the estimated incidence of prostate cancer around 1990 and of mortality around 1995.

  Prostate cancer—EU countries and USA comparison

  Country

  Incidence 1990 estimates1

  Mortality c. 19952

  Austria

  42.7

  17.5

  Belgium

  40.5

  18.6

  Denmark

  33.5

  20.4

  Finland

  43.4

  18.0

  France

  39.2

  15.5

  Germany

  37.5

  17.0

  Greece

  12.7

  9.3

  Ireland

  31.3

  19.6

  Italy

  16.3

  11.4

  Luxembourg

  38.2

  15.2

  Netherlands

  41.8

  19.6

  Portugal

  20.6

  17.0

  Spain

  18.3

  13.9

  Sweden

  59.9

  21.7

  United Kingdom

  30.1

  17.1

  United States of America

  95.1

  16.3

  1World Age Standardised Rate per 100,000

  2Mortality data 1995, except Belgium (1992), Denmark (1993) and Italy (1993)

  Note:

  The estimated rate of incidence of prostate cancer in the United Kingdom is lower than the average of all European Union countries and less than a third of that in the United States of America. However, international comparisons should be treated with caution, as there is no guarantee that like is being compared to like. Varying identification, collection and collation procedures affect the comparability of the data.

  Source:

  Incidence—IARC [GLOBOCAN database]

  Mortality—IARC [WHO DATABANK mortality database]

  Struck-off Patients
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been struck off general practitioners' registers over the last two years. [99312]

  Mr. Denham
  The table shows the number of patients removed from their general practitioner's list because of an act or threat of violence, the number of patients transferred at the request of the GP and the total number of patients removed from GP lists (at request of GP).

  England

  1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997

  1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998

  Total number of patients removed from GP lists (at request of GP)1

  83,275

  84,316

  Of which:

  Patients removed from GP lists because of act or threat of violence

  1,081

  1,100

  Patients transferred at request of GP1

  82,194

  83,216

  1Some health authorities include notification of a patient leaving the practice area ie not all removals at GP request are involuntary

  Note:

  The following health authorities did not report:

  1996–97: North West Anglia, East and North Hertfordshire, Bromley, Isle of Wight

  1997–98: Salford and Trafford

  Source:

  Department of Health—GMP Census Additional Data Collection
  99W
  The Department, with the support of the profession, is presently conducting a survey into the scale of, and reasons behind, patients removals by GPs. Once the results are known, we will consider any further action that needs to be taken.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to publish performance indicators of(a) consultants and (b) hospital departments in relation to patient waiting times for (i) first consultation and (ii) in-patient treatment. [98657]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department regularly publishes detailed information on waiting times for first out-patient appointments and in-patient waiting lists by National Health Service trust and consultant speciality. Information on waiting times for individual consultants is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding assessments of waiting times to see hospital consultants. [98658]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department regularly receives questions on the waiting time for a first outpatient appointment. Information on first outpatient appointments is collected and published on a quarterly basis.

  Continence Services
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by the NHS in the last five years for which figures are available on(a) primary care continence services, (b) secondary continence care, (c) prolapse operations and (d) continence, related problems. [98654]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on continence services is not available centrally. Local health authorities through primary care groups are responsible for commissioning continence services to meet the needs of their local population. The National Health Service Executive is reviewing continence service policy and plan to issue updated guidance shortly.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out the respective ministerial responsibilities for the engineering profession and the engineering industry within his Department. [98622]

  Mr. Byers
  Responsibility for the engineering industries and the profession is shared by my hon. Friends the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce and the Minister for Competitiveness.

  Repression of Terrorism
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the list of equipment which might be used for internal repression of terrorism in Annex 1 of EC Council Regulation No. 2158/99 of 11 October regarding Indonesia will be used generally in respect of countries where there are human rights concerns. [98488]
  100W
  Dr. Howells
  The majority of items in Annex 1 to Council Regulation EC No. 2158/99 of 11 October 1999 are entered in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, (EG(C)O or in Group 2 of Part I of Schedule 1 to the EG(C)O. Any application for a licence to export them would be assessed against the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 65–66W and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.

  The export of the following items in the Annex is not generally subject to control whether from the UK or from other EU member states:

  helmets not specially designed for military use

  fingerprint equipment

  power-controlled searchlights

  hunting knives

  construction equipment provided with ballistic protection not specially designed for military use

  certain communications intercept devices

  depending on the specification, some night vision and thermal imaging equipment

  certain image intensifier tubes and solid state sensors.

  Mortgage Advisers
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what actions he will take to prevent mortgage advisers charging non-returnable arrangement fees on loans not proceeded with. [98747]

  Dr. Howells
  Under Section 155 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the excess over £5.00 of a fee or commission charged to an individual by a credit-broker ceases to be payable or becomes refundable if no credit agreement results from an introduction arranged by the broker within six months.

  Mortgage advisers satisfy the definition of "credit broker" in the Act if they introduce mortgage lenders to people who want a mortgage to buy a home.

  If a credit-broker did not comply with this provision, the Director General of Fair Trading would take this into account when considering the broker's fitness to hold a consumer credit licence. The Director General has shown that he is ready to revoke licences where he considers such action necessary to protect consumers.

  Enterprise Grant Areas
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has reached agreement with the European Commission on the definition of enterprise grant areas in England; and if he has defined aid measures to which these areas might be entitled. [98679]

  Mr. Caborn
  The definition of enterprise grant areas in England is not subject to Commission approval. We are however, currently seeking European Commission approval of the criteria for the Enterprise Grant Scheme in England due to start on 1 January 2000. Details will be published in the Scheme brochure which will be available from Government Offices and Business Links.

  EU Exports
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms based in(a) Southampton, (b) Newcastle, (c) Hull, (d) Sheffield, (e) Rotherham, (f) Manchester, (g) Dover, (h) Bristol, (i) Bath, (j) Sunderland, (k) Birmingham and (l) Leicester exported goods and services to the EU; and what was the value of goods exported to the EU from each town or city. [98573]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information requested is not available in the form requested, and to do so would involve disproportionate cost.

  Restraining Equipment
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if companies that export oversize handcuffs and other such restraining equipment are required to keep records of serial numbers, destinations and end-users as part of the export licensing process; and what reports he has received about the sale of leg cuffs, manufactured in the United Kingdom. [98536]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: I understand that under Regulation 9 of the Customs Traders (Account and Records) Regulations 1995, all exporters are required to maintain records of all exports made for a period of four years, whether or not an export licence was required.

  I am of course aware of the reports concerned and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has already said that officials are pursuing the allegations concerned.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide details of the export licences his Department has issued for the export of handcuffs listed in the two Annual reports on Strategic Export Controls. [98539]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: Inquiries are being made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. As confidential information is involved, the parties concerned will be asked if they object to its disclosure and this can take some time. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible, and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings there have been between officials from his Department and the Defence Manufacturers Association Export Licensing Group over the last two years; if these meetings discussed export licence controls relating to restraint equipment; and if he will publish the minutes of these meetings. [98537]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: Since 2 May 1997 there have been three meetings between officials of the Export Control Organisation and members of the Defence Manufacturers Association Export Licensing Group on 22 April and 23 November 1998 and 26 May 1999; another meeting is due to take place on 25 November. No formal minutes are taken by my officials, and the meetings provide an opportunity for the Association to discuss informally a broad range of procedural issues, principally matters relating to the introduction of the ELATE computer-based application
  102W
  form in March 1999 and organisational changes within the Export Control Organisation. The meetings are not intended to serve as a forum for the discussion of Government policy with respect to the export of particular goods or exports to particular destinations and there has not been any discussion of the ban on the export of leg irons and other equipment that has been used in torture announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 65–66W. It should also be noted that many applicants for export licences are of course members of the Defence Manufacturers Association and, as such, are from time to time in contact with officials in the Export Control Organisation about the progress of their applications.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what exports there have been by(a) the Crown Agents and (b) other export licence exempt agencies of oversize cuffs, Big Brutus cuffs or jumbo cuffs since 1991. [98538]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 1 February 1999, Official Report, column 503W.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the licences his Department has granted for the export of oversize cuffs, Big Brutus or Jumbo Cuffs since 1991; and if he will provide in each case details of the destinations, amounts, supplier companies and end-users. [98829]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: The export of handcuffs with a maximum overall dimension which when locked exceeds 240mm was made subject to control by the Export of Goods (Control) (Amendment Order 1992), which came into force on 9 March 1992.

  As regards licences granted, inquiries are being made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. As confidential information is involved, the parties concerned will be asked if they object to its disclosure and this can take some time. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible, and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Office of Fair Trading
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the exceptional public interest criteria that he applies when he overrides advice of the Office of Fair Trading in cases of reference to the Competition Commission. [98553]

  Mr. Byers
  I consider each merger case on its own merits. I refer a case to the Competition Commission when I consider that there are sufficient competition or other public interest concerns to warrant such a reference. In those few cases where I have come to a different conclusion than that recommended by the Director General of Fair Trading, I have given reasons in the Press Notice announcing my decisions.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in how many cases since 1 May 1997 he has(a) accepted and (b) not accepted the ruling of the Office

  103W
  of Fair Trading; and if he will list the cases, indicating whether the ruling of the Office of Fair Trading was accepted or rejected. [98552]

  Mr. Byers
  The Office of Fair Trading does not make rulings on merger cases but provides advice.

  Since May 1997, I and my predecessors have received advice from the Director General of Fair Trading as to whether to refer mergers to the Competition Commission (or the Monopolies and Mergers Commission) in relation to 496 cases, and we have acted in accordance with that advice in 489 of them. It is the function of the Director General of Fair Trading to give Ministers advice. The decision as to whether to refer is for Ministers.

  I am placing in the Library of the House a list of all merger clearances and references that have been made in the last three years. For cases since 1 May 1997, I have
  104W
  indicated whether or not I (or my predecessors) acted in accordance with the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Telecommunications
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from(a) British Telecommunications and (b) BSkyB in relation to the proposed merger between NTL and Cable and Wireless Communications. [98554]

  Mr. Byers
  I have received no direct representations from either British Telecommunications or BSkyB concerning the proposed merger between NTL and Cable and Wireless Communications.

  OFT received a number of representations on this case which informed the Director General of Fair Trading's advice to me.

  Seals: Conservation
  Seals: Conservation
  Agriculture Council, 15–16 November
  Agriculture Council, 15–16 November
  Food Chain Group
  Food Chain Group