To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will seek to define and publish targets for the work of the House of Commons Fees Office.

Performance indicators for the House of Commons Fees Office have been published in the 1993–94 and 1994–95 annual reports of the House of Commons Commission. Copies of these reports are available in the Library.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) if asbestos products have been used in the works which have taken place in the Palace of Westminster since 20 July; and if he will make a statement;(2) what record is kept in the Palace of Westminster of the presence of asbestos; and if he will make a statement.

No asbestos products have been used in the works which have taken place in the Palace of Westminster during the summer recess. Like most older buildings, the Palace of Westminster contains some asbestos, which used to be incorporated for insulation purposes. Since it became known that exposure to asbestos dust can be dangerous, the Parliamentary Works Directorate, and its predecessors, has sought to follow strictly the guidelines and procedures laid down by the Health and Safety Executive. An asbestos register is maintained recording the locations both where asbestos is known to remain—usually because it is inaccessible—and from which it has been removed. Only firms on an approved list are used for asbestos removal work and the work is carried out in the approved manner.It is the practice to remove asbestos found when undertaking maintenance and other works services. For example, during the installation of the wiring for the parliamentary data and video network and fire alarm system this summer, a considerable amount of previously undiscovered asbestos was found and removed. The result is that all ceiling voids and under-floor spaces which have so far been cabled for the parliamentary data and video network are now free of asbestos. All the evidence available indicates that the asbestos had not been disturbed for some considerable time and should not therefore have presented any risks. However, a full record has been made of the discoveries and will be kept on the register.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what recent improvements have been made in access to all parts of the Palace of Westminster for disabled people; what plans there are for further improvements; and if he will make a statement. [38393]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 8 February at column 243, which described in detail the conclusions of the review by the Accommodation and Works Committee into access for disabled people. Since then the Parliamentary Works Directorate has continued to implement many of the recommended improvements. The new entrance, which has been created at Black Rod's Garden, enables people in wheelchairs to go directly to the start of the line of route. A ramp has been constructed at the entrance to Speaker's House giving access to the North Door. The ramps in Star Chamber Court allow access for people in wheelchairs to the Strangers Gallery via lift number 1 and the new ramp at the Medals Corridor enables them to go on to the Terrace, the private dining rooms and via lift number 15, to the Principal Floor and Committee Rooms. This lift has been specially adapted to include such features as relocated control panels with embossed and illuminated buttons, handrails to the sides and rear of each car, and door edges with time delay sensors. Lifts numbers 3, Peers and Gallery, and 17, Speaker's House, have been similarly adapted as has one in the other place. Modifications to lavatories have been carried out and there are now specially adapted facilities in the following locations:

Centre Curtain Corridor, Lower Waiting Hall, opposite Committee Room 7 on the Main Committee Corridor, and opposite Committee Room 19 on the Upper Committee Corridor.

In addition, a continuous handrail has been ordered for installation on the Strangers' Gallery staircase and a platform lift is shortly to be installed to take people in wheelchairs from Westminster Hall to the Grand Committee Room. In time, we hope to install a proper lift in that area as part of the plans for a visitor centre in 1996–97. It is planned to spend a further £250,000 on overhauling five lifts including the provision of facilities for the disabled and £55,000 on other access facilities.Some £688,000 is to be spent this financial year in the Palace of Westminster on facilities for disabled people.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the latest figure for the amount of legal aid paid to Kevin and Ian Maxwell. [38196]

It would not be appropriate for me to give further details of payments in this case while the trial is in progress.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the total number of cases of all forms of fraud committed by employees of his (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental bodies for each year from 1991–92 to 1994–95; and for each of those years what was the total monetary sum (1) misappropriated and (2) subsequently recovered. [39125]

Losses (£) due to proven staff fraud
	1991–92			1992–93
	Number	Loss	Recovered	Number	Loss	Recovered
Lord Chancellor's Department1 2	11	313,754	7,753	7	58,890	2,026
Northern Ireland Court Service	2	1,166.70	nil	1	17,507.01	265.70
Non-Departmental Public Bodies3	1	324	324	1	500	nil
Total	12	314,078	8,076	8	59,389	2,026

	1993–94			1994–95
	Number	Loss	Recovered	Number	Loss	Recovered
Lord Chancellor's Department1 2	4	180,876	54,961	7	23,703	72
Northern Ireland Court Service	nil	nil	nil	1	20	nil
Non-Departmental Public Bodies3	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil	nil
Total	4	180,876	54,961	7	23,703	72
1 The Public Trust Office became an executive agency on 1 July 1994. For ease of comparison data since then has been separated.
2 The Court Service became an agency on 1 April 1995.
3 The frauds shown in the table above relate to the Legal Aid Board. There are no reported frauds from any of LCD's other NDPBs.

The information requested is set out in the table. In many cases we cannot establish whether a fraud was by an employee or an outsider, and by no means all attempted frauds succeeded. The table therefore includes known cases of actual fraud attributable to staff. Some further recoveries may have been made since the records for each year were compiled, and further recoveries may be made, especially in relation to frauds in 1994–95. I have asked the chief executives of the Public Record Office and Her Majesty's Land Registry to reply to the hon. Member directly.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to publish the report of the Securities and Investments Board/Department of Social Security study of the sale of personal pensions to low-income earners; and what are the terms of reference of the study. [38259]

[holding answer 23 October 1995]: I have been asked to reply.The Securities and Investments Board will be responsible for publishing a report into potential mis-selling of personal pensions to people who were previously in the state earnings-related pensions scheme. I understand that SIB hopes to report on this issue by the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of farms sized (a) 1–25 hectares, (b) 26–50 hectares, (c) 51–75 hectares, (d) 76–100 hectares, (e) 101–150 hectares, (f) 151–200 hectares and (g) 201 or more hectares for the last available year and for 1985. [36431]

The information is given in the table:

Number of farms of size (hectares)	1985	1994
Less than 26	11,413	12,592
26-<51	4,759	4,754
51-<76	3,567	3,476
76-<101	2,579	2,490
101-<151	3,083	3,205
151-<201	1,590	1,652
201 or more	4,357	4,344
Total	31,348	32,513

The figures come from the June agricultural census in 1985 and 1994 and relate to main holdings. The hectarages refer to total agricultural areas which include rough grazings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to the future of the Red Deer Commission; and if he will make a statement. [36939]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) to the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Gallie) on 10 May 1995 Official Report, column 450. In addition, a policy and financial management review of the Red Deer Commission is currently being undertaken, in accordance with the Government's commitment to appraise effectiveness and value for money in all non-departmental public bodies on a regular basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what subsidies were paid out for environmentally sensitive areas in (a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95 and (d) 1995–96; and how many individuals were recipients of these payments in these years. [37125]

The total payments made under the environmentally sensitive areas scheme and the number of participants for the years requested are set out in the table.

	Amount paid £ thousands	Number of participants
1992–93	1,086	802
1993–94	963	583
1994–95	1,044	717
1995–96 (to 31 August)	781	847

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what area in hectares and percentage terms of environmentally sensitive areas in Scotland is made up of productive, or potentially productive, agricultural land. [37124]

The information is set out in the table.

	Estimated hectares of agricultural land in each designated area	Estimated percentage of total area designated
Breadalbane	140,000	78
Loch Lomond	36,900	75
Stewartry	48,500	82
Central Borders (formerly Whitlaw and Eildon)	28,800	81
Machair of the Uists and Benbecula, Barra and Vatersay	12,000	79
Central Southern Uplands	220,300	81
Western Southern Uplands	131,000	52
Cairngorms Straths	148,700	68
Argyll Islands	177,400	84
Shetland Islands	144,900	99
Total	1,088,500	76

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the total number of new homes started by (a) local authorities and new towns and (b) housing associations in Scotland in each year since 1974, and his estimate of the likely number of starts in 1995 and 1996. [37492]

The information requested on the number of new homes started is set out in the table. Housing associations plan to start 6,155 houses in 1995–96 and 193 new town starts are expected during 1995 and 1996. Information on planned local authority starts is not held centrally.

New housebuilding starts—Scotland, 1974 to 1994
	Local authorities	New towns	Housing associations
1974	16,324	2,600	660
1975	12,326	3,683	592
1976	7,578	2,665	1,362
1977	5,829	1,673	629
1978	4,185	2,202	1,365
1979	4,858	984	963
1980	2,770	1,155	1,261
1981	1,929	733	1,051
1982	2,585	765	2,446
1983	2,141	194	1,068
1984	1,755	126	1,239
1985	1,693	190	1,487
1986	1,671	141	1,414
1987	2,145	374	1,988
1988	1,433	495	2,068
1989	871	680	2,748
1990	886	720	2,111
1991	848	134	3,448
1992	429	395	3,051
1993	503	429	5,062
1994	544	208	4,807

Housing association figures are likely to be subject to future revision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate his Department has made of the number of companies on short-time working; and how many employees are affected by such short-time working. [37514]

Available information is restricted to operatives—manual workers—in the manufacturing sector. In the week ending 9 June 1995, the latest date for which figures are available for Scotland, an estimated 1,300 operatives in manufacturing industries were affected by short-time working. Of these, 900 were stood off the whole week. The source of these figures is the Central Statistical Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will increase hill livestock compensatory allowances for 1996. [37918]

Decisions on the rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances are taken by Ministers in the light of the annual autumn review of economic conditions in the hills and uplands, which is currently under way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans the Government have to revise the Scottish hospital resource allocation formula—SHARE—in a manner similar to the revision of the NHS formula for allocating hospital and community health service revenue resources in England. [38001]

There are no immediate plans to revise the Scottish hospital resource allocation formula. We do, however, continually consider whether there is scope to improve the formula.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about a policy and financial management review of the royal botanic garden, Edinburgh. [39728]

As part of the Government's rolling programme of five-yearly policy and financial management reviews of non-departmental public bodies, My Department will conduct a thorough review of the work of the royal botanic garden, Edinburgh between now and March 1996. The first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study. This will include an examination of what scope there is, if any, for discontinuing, or undertaking in some other way some or all of the functions which the garden carries out. This will include looking at how it takes forward its statutory obligations, including its objectives, as set out in the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985.The second stage of the review will concentrate on the garden's financial management systems and controls.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what help is available to schools in Scotland suffering especially severe problems of vandalism. [37937]

[holding answer 20 October 1995]: The response to acts of vandalism will depend on the nature of each incident and the circumstances in which they have been perpetrated. It is for the education authority concerned to consider appropriate measures having regard to the local circumstances and physical characteristics of the schools affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date programme aid was suspended to Kenya. [37675]

Programme aid to Kenya has not been suspended. But disbursements continue to depend, as they always have, on Kenya continuing to implement economic programmes agreed with International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and on the overall political environment in Kenya.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy towards Kenya at the World Bank, and if he will make a statement. [37674]

Discussions between the World Bank and the Kenyan Government continue. We hope that there will be sufficient progress in Kenya to allow early agreement on a structural adjustment credit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the bilateral aid programme in promoting political and economic stability in the least developed countries. [38145]

We believe that British bilateral aid, with its emphasis on good government and sound economic policies, has played a vital role in promoting political and economic stability in many of the least developed countries, notably in the Commonwealth. The effectiveness of British aid in meeting this objective is kept under constant review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the foreign policy implications of reduction in Britain's bilateral aid programme; and if he will make a statement. [38147]

The bilateral aid programme is a very significant part of the United Kingdom's relationship with the developing world. The size of the programme is kept under constant review, along with all the other factors which contribute to the relationship with developing countries, including trade and investment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many British firms secured contracts on the (a) European Parliament building, Strasbourg,(b) European Parliament building, Brussels, and (c) Bundestag building, Berlin, projects; and what was the value of these projects. [37045]

My officials are currently assembling the information requested and I will write to the hon. Gentleman shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what assessment he has made of the impact of his Department's policy initiatives since 1979 on the housing associations. [37677]

Between 1979–80 and 1994–95, capital and revenue grants totalling more than £16 billion have been made to registered housing associations, which are now the main providers of new social housing. By April 1995 there were around 860,000 housing associations properties, compared with around 350,000 in 1979.In 1988, we introduced mixed funding for housing association developments which has enabled associations to raise over £5 billion in private finance. This has generated almost 100,000 more housing association homes than would have been possible without the private finance input.Our shared home ownership and incentive initiatives have helped people who wanted to buy their own home but could not otherwise afford to do so. These initiatives represent good value for money, particularly where they release rented lettings for others in housing need. From 1990–91 to the end of 1994–195 more than 60,000 households have benefited from these initiatives, and more than 40,000 existing social lettings have been released for others in housing need.We have also encouraged housing associations to take on former local authority housing. Since 1988, 43 new housing associations have been created for this purpose. More than 180,000 dwellings have been transferred from local authority ownership, generating some £2.8 billion of linked private sector investment for the purchase, repair and long-term maintenance of the properties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide in respect of his plan for pay delegation submitted to the Treasury (a) a description of the staff in each bargaining unit covered by the plan, distinguishing staff in headquarters functions, agencies and agency candidates, and in other identifiable business units and (b) proposals for trade union recognition in each bargaining unit and the negotiating machinery to be put in place in each bargaining unit. [38282]

The pay bargaining units and the union recognition and bargaining arrangements proposed for 1996 are:

DoE (central)

Staff in headquarters, staff in the Government offices for the regions and rent assessment panels; current patterns of union recognition will remain and procedural agreements for future consultation and negotiation are under discussion.

Planning Inspectorate

Staff in the agency; union recognition will be on current lines and procedures for negotiations are in place.

Building Research Establishment

BRE already has responsibility for negotiating the pay of its industrial staff and will take this on for all staff in the agency; union recognition will be on current lines and procedures for negotiations are under discussion for non-industrial staff.

PSA Services

Staff in the centre will become part of the DoE (central) bargaining unit. Those on secondment to the successor businesses to PSA will have their pay determined by analogue to arrangements in DoE (central).

Property Holdings (to become Property Adviser to the Civil Estate)

Staff in the PACE agency; union recognition will be on current lines and procedures for negotiations are under discussion.

Security and Facilities Executive

SAFE already has responsibility for negotiating the pay of its industrial staff and will take this on for the other staff in the agency; union recognition will be on current lines and procedures for negotiations are under discussion.

The Buying Agency

Staff in the TBA agency; union recognition will be on current lines and procedures for negotiations are under discussion.

It is planned that the final three bodies listed will have become the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by 1 April 1996.

In addition, the Health and Safety Executive, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre agency and the Ordnance Survey already have responsibility for their own pay arrangements and have agreed arrangements for negotiating with those unions recognised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what monitoring is taking place following the Health and Safety Executive's increased emphasis on the risks of casual exposure to asbestos as outlined in the HSE statement on asbestos 1994. [38052]

The Health and Safety Executive is currently commissioning an independent evaluation of its asbestos awareness campaign. The results should be available towards the middle of 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the number of cases identified where respiratory protective equipment has been used but where the respirable asbestos dust levels exceed the respiratory protective equipment manufacturers claimed level of protection since July 1992; [38055](2) what sanctions are applied to contractors who are caught using respirable protective equipment but where the level of respirable asbestos dust exceeds the respiratory protective equipment manufacturers claimed level of protection; [38056](3) how many contractors have been sanctioned for using respiratory protective equipment where the level of respirable asbestos dust exceeds the respiratory protective equipment manufacturers claimed level of protection since July 1992; [38057](4) how many contractors have been fined for using respiratory protective equipment where the level of respirable asbestos dust exceeds the respiratory protective equipment manufacturers claimed level of protection since July 1992; and what is the average level of the fine. [38058]

If standards of health and safety are not adequate, health and safety inspectors have the statutory power to serve improvement or prohibition notices, or prosecute duty holders. Information is not centrally available on the number of cases or contractors sanctioned involving the use of respiratory protective equipment where the level of respirable asbestos dust exceeds the manufacturers claimed level of protection. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many instances have been identified in each of the last three years for which figures are available of asbestos removal work being carried out by licensed contractors using self-employed operatives who have been required to provide their own respiratory protective equipment; [38059](2) what sanctions have been applied to licensed asbestos removal contractors who have been found using self-employed operatives who have been required to provide their own respiratory protective equipment. [38060]

Licensed asbestos removal contractors cannot require self-employed operatives to provide their own respiratory protective equipment. Where self-employed operatives voluntarily provide their own respiratory protective equipment the licensed contractor, as duty holder under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987, remains responsible for ensuring that the equipment is suitable for the work to be undertaken, taking into account the approved code of practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what work is being carried out to monitor the Health and Safety Executive's July 1992 initiative to reduce exposure to asbestos dust during the removal of asbestos insulation; and if he will make a statement. [38065]

The Health and Safety Executive does not hold quantitative data on the progress made in reducing exposure to asbestos by measures other than the use of respiratory protective equipment since July 1992.Licensed asbestos removal contractors are required to provide the appropriate enforcing authority with written notification of the proposed work entailing the removal of asbestos insulation or asbestos coating. On the notification form, the licensed asbestos removal contractor is required to specify the dust suppression or dust control technique to be used. Where dust suppression methods—controlled wet stripping—are not to be used, that decision has to be justified to the satisfaction of the enforcing authority which can monitor the action being taken by the contractor in accordance with the July 1992 initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many cases have been identified, in each of the last three years for which figures are available, of operatives directly employed by licensed asbestos removal contractors who are not under medical surveillance; [38050](2) how many cases have been identified, in each of the last three years for which figures are available, of operatives directly employed by licensed asbestos removal contractors who have not been medically examined within the preceding two years. [38051]

This information requested is not centrally available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many contractors have been (a) sanctioned and (b) fined for asking little attempt to use effective dust suppression or dust control measures and relying on respirators to protect against high levels of respirable dust, since July 1992; and what is the average level of fine. [38054]

This information requested is not centrally available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been spent on publicity to increase awareness of the risks of casual exposure to asbestos since the publication of the Health and Safety Executive statement on asbestos 1994. [38070]

In February this year HSE launched a major campaign to raise awareness of the risks of casual exposure to asbestos and of the appropriate precautions which should be taken when working with it. A total of £227,700 was spent on national newspaper and trade journal advertising alone. A low-cost telephone order line and the production and distribution of more than 250,000 free leaflets and pocket cards cost a further £244,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what approaches have been made to employers' associations and trade unions to participate in a joint publicity drive to highlight the risks of casual exposure to asbestos as outlined in the HSE statement on asbestos 1994. [38053]

Trade unions and employers' associations have been involved in HSE's asbestos awareness campaign, through the usual channel of the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committees, and in particular the Health and Safety Commission's construction industry advisory committee. In addition, HSE recently sought the help of all local authorities to ensure that workers and contractors involved in building maintenance are aware of the risks of exposure to asbestos dust.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sanctions are applied to contractors who make little or no attempt to use effective dust suppression or dust control measures and rely on respirators to protect against high levels of respiratory dust. [38069]

If standards of health and safety are not adequate, health and safety inspectors have the statutory power to serve improvement or prohibition notices, or prosecute duty holders. The Health and Safety Executive may revoke a licence if an asbestos removal contractor is convicted of an offence of failing to discharge a duty relating to work with asbestos insulation or asbestos coating to which he is subject by any health and safety legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on reducing the risk of heat stress during the removal of insulation from hot plant and pipework, since the publication of the Health and Safety Executive's guidance note EH 57, "The problems of Asbestos Removal at High Temperatures" in December 1992. [38067]

The Health and Safety Executive has not undertaken a formal assessment of the impact of the advice contained in guidance note EH 57.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions have been taken by the Health and Safety Executive to enforce asbestos regulations since the publication of the HSE Statement on Asbestos-1994, and what was the corresponding number of prosecutions taken in the preceding period covering the same time span. [38071]

Dorset County Council SSA (unadjusted for changes in function)
SSA Element	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Education
£ million	157.560	184.435	200.117	185.549	191.515	197.952
Percentage change	—	+17.1	+8.5	-7.3	+3.2	+3.4
Percentage adjusted1	—	+17.1	+8.5	+4.4	+3.2	+1.1
Per Social Services
£ million	43.495	53.506	57.420	59.481	68.427	77.623
Percentage change	—	+23.0	+7.3	+3.6	+15.0	+13.4
Percentage adjusted1	—	+23.0	+7.3	+3.6	-1.4	+0.2

The Health and Safety Executive's statement on asbestos was published in September 1994. Details of informations laid by Health and Safety Executive inspectors alleging contravention of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987, the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 or the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 are given in the table. Statistics from April 1995 have not yet been compiled.

Period	Number of months	Number of informations
1 August 1993 to 31 August 1994	13	152
1 September 1993 to 31 March 1994	7	31
1 September 1994 to 31 March 1995	7	127
1 Provisional: Statistics for April 1994 to March 1995 not yet verified.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many safety consultants are currently in operation in the United Kingdom; [38061](2) what qualifications are required and what BSI standard is to be achieved before a person is recognised as a safety consultant; [38062](3) what type of training, and for what duration, is required before a person is recognised as a safety consultant; [38063](4) if safety consultants operating in British industry are required to register with the Health and Safety Executive. [38064]

The Health and Safety Executive has no information on the numbers of safety consultants. Safety consultants are not required to register with HSE or to have any specific qualifications or undergo any particular type or duration of training. While there are a range of qualifications in health and safety, including National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, there is no British Standard. HSE has published a free booklet, "Selecting a health and safety consultancy", which helps business to find competent consultants.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total percentage increase in the various categories of standard spending assessments for Dorset compared with inflation since 1990. [38376]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to review the regional planning guidance for the west midlands, to reduce the level of new house building required in Worcestershire and correspondingly increase it in Birmingham. [38146]

We shall keep our recently issued regional planning guidance for the west midlands under review. In particular, I have asked the local authorities to reconsider the housing figures in the light of the latest national household projections. They will advise me on this next year and we will then consider whether to revise our guidance. However, I cannot promise the hon. Member that the outcome will be a lower figure for Worcestershire and a higher figure for Birmingham.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated cost of reorganisation in each of the individual local authority areas affected. [38412]

It is too early to estimate the final cost of reorganisation in each area. The reports of the Local Government Commission give estimates of costs and savings for the main options they considered and for their recommendations. The outcome will depend on how authorities implement reorganisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when a technical working group of the European Union with Canada and the USA was established to develop humane trapping standards; and if he will make a statement on its activities. [38705](2) what steps he is taking to ensure that EC Regulation 3254/91 to Ban the Import of Fur from Certain Species will be implemented at the end of the year and that no further delays in its implementation occur; and if he will make a statement. [38706]

I understand that the working group was established in August this year. The United Kingdom is not represented on it and we have not so far received any written report from it. We would expect any advice from the working group to be submitted to the Council of Ministers.The Government strongly support the objectives of EC Regulation 3254/91 which was adopted by the Council of Ministers in November 1991. The ban will come into force on 1 January 1996. We are currently awaiting formal receipt of the Commission's detailed proposals for implementing the ban on the import of certain furs from countries which still use leghold traps. The proposals are expected to include a list of countries which have already banned the use of leghold traps and can therefore continue to trade in fur products from the 13 species listed in the regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he will publish revised financial guidelines for the management agreements with owners and occupiers of sites of special scientific interest; [39242](2) when he will publish recommendations, advice and information to aid owners and occupiers of sites of special scientific interest in accordance with section 33 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. [39243]

Work on revising these documents is continuing. They will be the subject of consultation with interested parties before being finalised and issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review permitted development rights for temporary activities within or adjacent to sites of special scientific interest. [38525]

Following a review in 1992, permitted development rights for certain recreational uses of sites of special scientific interest were withdrawn. The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 remove permitted development rights which would adversely affect the integrity of a Natura 2000 site which is also a site of special scientific interest. We have no plans for a further review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to prevent Mickletownings site of special scientific interest from receiving sewage-created nutrient input. [38529]

In 1991, following a series of accidental sewage overflows during storm conditions in the 1980s, English Nature initiated a 10-year monitoring programme agreed with British Coal Opencast and Leeds city council to monitor the physical and chemical nature of the pond waters within the site of special scientific interest. Evidence points to an improvement in water quality and no damage to the special interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has made and received on the impact of sea level rises on sites of special scientific interest in the Humber estuary. [38530]

English Nature is working with the National Rivers Authority to address the concerns expressed and develop a comprehensive framework for the future management of the flood defences of the Humber.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to protect Skipwith Common site of special scientific interest from dredging and drainage operations. [38531]

Routine maintenance, including dredging and drainage, does not adversely affect the scientific interest of this site.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to protect Bingley South Bog site of special scientific interest from damage arising from road construction. [38532]

Appropriate mitigation measures will be taken to protect the scientific interest of this site.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take to protect (a) Broadhead Clough, (b) Dark Peak and (c) Haworth Moor site of special scientific interest from acid deposition. [38533]

The southern Pennines, in which the three sites lie, has had a long legacy of air pollution from the effects of the industrial revolution in neighbouring Lancashire and Manchester. The special interest of the sites of special scientific interest is presently maintained but long-term sustainability can only be ensured through the UK's commitment to reducing sulphur emissions. UK emissions of sulphur dioxide have fallen by 45 per cent. since 1970. The Government are committed to making further cuts under the EC Large Combustion Plants Directive, which will substantially reduce the proportion of the UK surface area suffering from acid damage by the end of the century.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to protect the Leeds-Liverpool canal site of special scientific interest from development for a boat and caravan storage facility. [38534]

Appropriate mitigation measures have been taken to protect the nature conservation interests of this site.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the pan-European biological diversity strategy in relation to no climbing areas or seasons; and what discussions he has held with the British Mountaineering Council on this matter. [38029]

The strategy is on the agenda of the European Environment Ministers conference in Sofia, which the Secretary of State is currently attending.The strategy is a useful framework for international action but further work is needed on it, particularly consultation with relevant interests, including the British Mountaineering Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the future size, location and funding of the mines rescue service. [38262]

The Government have been concerned to ensure that a mines rescue service continues to be available to those mines who may have need of it. To this end I will be making regulations in the near future requiring the owners of certain types of mines to participate in a mines rescue scheme approved by the Secretary of State and which would ensure that appropriate and effective rescue services continue to be available. Once these regulations are made I will consult the Health and Safety Commission and others whom I consider to be appropriate, on proposals for approval of such a mines rescue scheme. A scheme has already been submitted for approval which proposes to maintain the current level of provision of six central rescue stations in strategic locations and a minimum of 80 full-time employees. The mines rescue service is currently operated by British Coal on a contract basis, and funded by the mine owners. Within the framework of the relevant statutory requirements, including the regulations and the scheme when these come into force, the future organisation of mines rescue service will be a matter for the mine owners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will issue the management statement to the chairman of the Local Government Residuary Body (England). [39322]

I have today issued the management statement to the chairman of the Local Government Residuary Body (England). I am placing a copy in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of cases of all forms of fraud committed by employees of his (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for each year from 1991–92 to 1994–95; and for each of these years, what was the total monetary sum (1) misappropriated in such frauds and (2) subsequently recovered. [39130]

The information requested is in the table:

	Number of frauds	Total misappropriated £	Total recovered £
1991–92
Department	7	84,139	57,215
Agencies	0	0	0
NDPBs	6	19,690	2,442
1992–93
Department	7	9,024	7,635
Agencies	0	0	0
NDPBs	9	3,056	1,028
1993–94
Department	5	3,241	3,241
Agencies	1	1,025	0
NDPBs	6	50,230	50,000
1994–95
Department	4	84	84
Agencies	0	0	0
NDPBs	2	397	0

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 6 October. [39829]

I represented the United Kingdom at the Environment Council in Luxembourg held on 6 October.Common positions were reached on a decision on the exchange of information on air quality and on a directive temporarily deferring the emission standards for certain diesel engines, in line with technical progress. On the latter I secured the deletion of text relating to fiscal incentives. Political agreement was secured on the second phase of the financial instrument for the environment—LIFE—which agreed a budget of 450 mecu over four years, 1996–1999, to be reviewed in 1997. Political agreement was also achieved on an amendment to the Waste Shipments Regulation. In both cases a common position is expected in December.There was a policy debate about the proposed amendment to Directive 85/337 on Environmental Impact Assessment. I secured some helpful amendments to the proposals and further detailed discussions will now continue in the experts working group. The Presidency is aiming for a common position in December.Council conclusions were agreed on a number of international conferences taking place in the coming months. These include the third pan-European conference, "Environment for Europe", the seventh conference of the parties to the Montreal protocol, the second conference of the parties to the biodiversity convention and the Euro-Mediterranean conference. Agreement was also reached on Council conclusions deferring the review of the functions of the European Environment Agency for two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further action he proposes to take against those local authorities whose direct labour and direct service organisations failed to meet their statutory financial objectives in 1993–94. [39828]

On 25 July this year, 18 statutory notices were served on 18 local authorities concerning the failure of their direct labour and service organisations to meet the required financial objectives in 1993–94. A further five notices were served on the London borough of Islington for failure to submit unqualified accounts.My right hon. Friend has now considered the responses to those notices and has today given six directions to Corby borough council on vehicle maintenance, to Devon county council on grounds maintenance, to the London borough of Islington on building maintenance, grounds maintenance, and highways and sewers work, and to Ryedale district council on sports and leisure management.The directions take three forms:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the results to date of the survey carried out of the whole of the Dounreay reactor site in respect of radioactive hotspots, and if he will make a statement. [38302]

I have been asked to reply.The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Agency has been carrying out an extensive survey of contamination on the Dounreay site and any areas of significant contamination on the Dounreay site have either been removed or have been barriered off to restrict access. A strategy for dealing with those areas where contamination has not yet been removed is being prepared for submission to the Health and Safety's Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate, the Scottish Office and Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate. The survey is now well advanced and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.Details of the UKAEA's findings have been reported to the relevant regulatory and advisory bodies and have been the subject of UKAEA "facts faxes" which have been issued to the site work-force, the hon-Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan) members of the Dounreay local liaison committee, the Highland regional council and the local media. I am now arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress made on the implementation of the SIB/PIA review of pension transfer opt-outs and non-joiners. [38263]

The Government fully support the efforts of the financial services regulators to arrange for reviews to identify cases in which investors face financial loss as a result of bad investment advice not given in compliance with regulatory rules, and to ensure that redress is made where it is due. Progress in implementing the review has been delayed by a judicial review of the Securities and Investment Board's guidance earlier this year. However the Personal Investment Authority has now issued guidance, and many firms now have reviews in hand.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of purchasers of personal pensions contracted according to the SIB/PIA guidelines by (a) tied agents, (b) independent financial advisers and (c) all vendors of personal pensions. [38264]

I regret that this information is not currently available. However, the Securities and Investments Board plans to collect data to monitor the progress of the review and I understand that it should be available early next year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations have been made by (a) his Department and (b) the EEC Commission of the origin of fish products and prawns or shrimps imported into this country on EURI certificates from (i) Iceland, (ii) Norway and (iii) the Faroe Islands; how many staff were involved and for what period of time; and what information about consignments was made available to them. [37954]

No investigations have been made in Iceland, Norway or the Faroe Islands by Customs an Excise. The EC Commission has sent mission teams to all three countries. No information is available as to the precise duration of the inquiries or the number of staff involved.A team visited Iceland on several occasions from July 1992 to early 1993, in connection with exports of prawns. They were able to examine processing plant records, which identified the source of raw materials through to consignments of finished product. In 1995 another team visited Iceland to look at cod. The result of their inquiries are still being evaluated.A team visited Norway to make inquiries about cod. These inquiries were subsequently pursued by the Norwegian customs authorities who reported their conclusions to the EC Commission in January and March 1995.The mission to the Faroe Islands took place in 1991. Processing plant and export consignment records were examined.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many retrospective claims against how many firms, for what total sums of money and for what period are being made by his Department against importers of prawns or shrimps in respect of (a) Iceland, (b) Norway and (c) the Faroe Islands and at whose behest. [37946]

The information requested is as follows:

	Number of claims	Number of firms	Total (£)	Period
a-i) Iceland (mission)	15	12	435,000	October 1990 to August 1992
a-ii) Iceland (disclosure)	11	9	23,000	1993
c) Faroes (mission)	13	13	1,900,000	May 1989 to October 1991

a-i) and c) were the result of EC missions, while a-ii) was a disclosure by Icelandic customs in respect of one of their exporters.No claims have been made against importers in respect of Norway.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has made to the EEC Commission for compensation for British importers of prawns or shrimps innocently imported from (a) Iceland, (b) Norway and (c) the Faroe Islands on EUR1 certificates now considered by the European Commission to be invalid, what scale of compensation has been proposed; when it will be payable; and what response has been forthcoming from the Commission. [37955]

No such proposals have been made because duty recovery has been suspended pending completion of the legal process. Therefore, compensation is not appropriate in the circumstances. The Commission and member states are being urged to produce a lasting solution which properly balances safeguarding the Community budget and the interests of European business. Such a solution will need to address the future as well as the past.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice was and is now given by his Department to importers of fish products from (a) Iceland, (b) Norway and (c) the Faroe Islands coming in duty free under EUR1 certificates about their liability if the certificates issued in the country of origin prove to be invalid, about how they can safeguard themselves against such retrospective charges and about how they can test the validity of EUR1 certificates. [37948]

Advice is set out in Customs notice No. 826. This recognises the difficulties that importers may experience in trying to establish whether a certificate is valid or whether goods shown on it are eligible for preferential tariff treatment. For very many years the notice has warned of the potential further duty liability and since July 1990 has advised importers to consider the advantages of including a clause in contracts allowing them to recover any duty charge from the supplier. In addition, Customs have regularly contributed articles for trade journals and participated in trade seminars and the consequences of invalid documentation has been covered on each occasion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in levying retrospective duty on prawns or shrimps imported from (a) Iceland, (b) Norway and (c) the Faroe Islands with valid EUR1 certificates, he makes any allowance for the fact that a proportion of those prawn/shrimps will in fact have been caught in that country; what proportion he estimates this to be; and whether this is estimated as being constant or can be specifically assessed for each consignment. [37952]

The mission to Iceland found that most processing plants kept sophisticated records which identified the source of raw materials through to consignments of finished product. Duty demands were issued only for consignments where there was a clear audit trail from the non-originating prawns through to deliveries to specific companies in the EC. Where part of a consignment qualified, typical because it comprised prawns of different sizes and origin, then the duty demand was restricted to the non-originating element.No duty demands have been issued for prawns or shrimps imported from Norway.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the evidence provided to him by the European Commission that prawns or shrimps imported from (a) Iceland, (b) Norway and (c) the Faroe Islands in fact originated elsewhere; and indicate what proportion of the imports from the Faroe Islands this applied to. [37947]

EC mission team reports, which contain sensitive commercial information, are protected by EC agreements which restrict their issue or publication.The proportion of imports from the Faroe Islands established as non-originating was 66 per cent. for 1989, 81 per cent. for 1990 and 53 per cent. for 1991.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has made to his customs counterpart in (a) Iceland, (b) Norway and (c) the Faroe Islands about their acceptance of EUR1 certificates for the export of fish products to Britain which subsequently proved to have originated elsewhere than in Iceland; what compensation he has requested from them for British importers trusting these certificates; and what procedures his Department has put in place to check the validity of EUR1 certificates for Iceland. [37951]

No such representations have been made to third country customs authorities.The UK has, however, made strong representations concerning these difficulties at recent EC meetings and gained considerable support from other member states. A number of different proposals have been put forward to alleviate the burdens on importers and these now have to be considered carefully. It will be for the European Commission to write to third country authorities if this is considered appropriate.In accordance with normal practice, EUR1 certificates are from time to time returned to exporting countries for verification by their customs authorities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the outcome of all court cases pursued by his Department against importers of prawns or shrimps from (a) Iceland, (b) Norway and (c) the Faroe Islands on the basis of EUR1 certificates now considered by him to be invalid; what costs have been awarded and to whom; how much retrospective duty has actually been paid; and by how many firms. [37956]

Two of the companies who received duty demands in respect of imports from the Faroe Islands submitted an application for a judicial review on the grounds that the demands were incorrect in law. The High Court referred a number of questions to the European Court of Justice and awarded costs against Customs. No reason was given for the award and Customs are still in correspondence on the matter. The judgment of the European Court of Justice is expected by early December.There have been no other relevant court cases, although several importers have appealed to the VAT and duties tribunal. These cases are being stood over by the tribunal pending the European Court of Justice judgment. Payment of duty will not be pursued until the legal process is completed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims for duty have been made in each year since 1980 for duty not paid on fish products imported from (a) Iceland, (b) Norway and (c) the Faroe Islands on EUR1 certificates which subsequently proved to be invalid. [37949]

The information requested is as follows:

	1992	1993	1994	1995
Iceland	—	12	—	9
Norway	—	—	—>	2
Faroe Islands	13	—	—	—

Figures are not available for imports of fish products prior to 1992.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what burden of proof about the origin of fish products imported on EUR1 certificates falls on (a) his Department (b) the British importer, (c) the customs of the originating country and (d) the exporter issuing the EUR1 certificate where such certificates are deemed by his Department to be invalid; on what basis such retrospective claims are made by his Department; and what time limitations apply. [37953]

The responsibilities of the various parties are set out in the preferential trade agreements between the European Community and Iceland, Norway and the Faroe islands. The prime responsibility for determining whether particular goods qualify for preferential status lies with the exporter. Where it is not possible to determine the origin of goods, or where they are non-originating—that is, they do not come originally from the exporter's country—an EUR1 certificate is inappropriate.The responsibility for accounting for any import duties due falls on the importer in the country of destination.The customs authorities in the country of importation are responsible for collecting any duties due, including duties charged retrospectively where EUR1s are found to be invalid.The customs authorities in the country of export are responsible for issuing EUR1s verifying any certificates returned by foreign import authorities and considering sanctions against exporters who abuse the system.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions he has had from the European Commission about retrospective duty on prawns or shrimps imported from (a) Iceland, (b) Norway and (c) the Faroe Islands on EUR1 certificates; how much he has been required to recover; to whom this is payable; what information he has about the levy of such duties in each fish importing member of the EU; and what representations he has made to the Commission about such changes. [37950]

No specific instructions have been received from the European Commission about retrospective duty on prawns or shrimps. However, where checks on EUR1s show that the goods were not entitled to relief, duty at the full rate becomes payable under the terms of the preferential trade agreement with the country concerned, which in the community are implemented in EC law. Customs duty is collected by member states and remitted to the Community as own resources.In the case of retrospective duty demand on prawns from Iceland, Customs and Excise are aware that duty recovery action has also been taken by Denmark and Germany, the only other countries with a major interest.Customs have made strong representations at recent EC meetings about the problems associated with duty recovery in respect of invalid documentation, including EUR1s, and have gained considerable support from other member states. Over the next few weeks, Customs will continue to press for urgent attention to be given to this issue with a view to reaching consensus among member states on the best solution.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount collected in value added tax (a) in 1979, (b) in 1985 and (c) in the latest year for which figures are available. [37910]

Net receipts of value added tax for financial years 1979–80, 1985–86 and 1994–95 are as follows:

£million
Net receipts
1979–80	1985–86	1994–95
8,189.3	19.331.4	41,817.3

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of taxation paid by the ITV companies to the Exchequer (a) in 1985, (b) 1990 and (c) in the latest year for which figures are available. [37966]

Companies licensed by the Independent Television Commission to provide Channel 3 services had an estimated corporation tax liability in 1993 of approximately £50 million. Figures for 1985 and 1990 are only available at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards the enhanced structural adjustment facility for Kenya at the International Monetary Fund; and if he will make a statement. [37673]

Discussions between the IMF and the Kenyan Government continue. We hope that there will be sufficient progress in Kenya so as to allow early agreement on an enhanced structural adjustment facility.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take to reduce tobacco smuggling into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [38040]

Customs and Excise will continue to take vigorous action against those who smuggle tobacco goods. Working closely with the trade and developing intelligence to identify offenders remains the best method of achieving successful detections.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what numbers of Customs and Excise officers have been involved in pursuing tobacco smuggling into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [38041]

The duties of Customs and Excise officers cover a wide range of revenue and prevention functions. Officers are not normally assigned to deal with a single commodity.The information requested is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the loss of revenue in each of the last five years caused by the smuggling into the United Kingdom of (a) hand-rolling tobacco, (b) cigarettes, (c) pipe tobacco and (d) cigars. [38082]

It is particularly difficult to make meaningful estimates of smuggled tobacco goods. What can be relied upon however is the number of detections made by Customs and Excise. In the period from 1 January 1993 to 31 August 1995 there were 4,124 detections of smuggled tobacco goods representing a revenue value of some £7.05 million.The information requested for the last five years is not available. However following recent discussions with the trade, Customs are actively considering methods of deriving credible estimates of smuggling of tobacco goods.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of general Government gross debt for each country within the EU; and what were the figures for 1991, 1987 and 1983. [38335]

The Government do not produce estimates for general Government gross debt for countries in the EU other than the UK. The most recent figures for the UK are available in the Summer Economic Forecast. Historical data are available in the Financial Statement and Budget Report. Forecasts and historical figures for the rest of the EU can be found in the "OECD Outlook" of June 1995. All three publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of British competitiveness of the level of VAT on tourism products; and what conclusions he has reached. [38454]

There is no compelling evidence that the fiscal and regulatory environment in the United Kingdom places tourism at a disadvantage. We have a lower standard rate than most EU member states and our zero rate is applied to a wide range of consumer expenditure.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in the consultations between Customs and Excise and the travel industry about the effects of the Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) Order 1995; and if he will make a statement. [39727]

There have been extensive and very productive talks over the summer between Customs, the travel industry and its representatives. These talks have produced a package of options to be publicised today which should allow most tour operators to organise their business so as to minimise any potential for distortion of competition while still fully respecting the provisions of the order. Unlike earlier proposals put forward by some in the industry, this package will not increase taxation for four operators' products. The major trade associations have confirmed that the options adequately address the industry's immediate concerns. Customs' review of the tour operators' margin scheme will now proceed to its second phase which will involve an examination of longer-term issues, including possible simplification of the scheme.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how often he liaises with the Secretary of State for Social Security. [38815]

Frequently.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the Inland Revenue has made of the percentage of option holders who cash in their options or shares as soon as possible; and if he will publish the assumptions made and the basis of calculation. [37963]

Two independent surveys indicate that up to 90 per cent. of option holders sell all or most of their shares on exercise.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has from internal or external sources of the average income of all employees granted share options under approved discretionary share options schemes in each of the last three years. [37902]

A provisional estimate of the average relevant emoluments of those granted share options under approved discretionary share option schemes in 1994–95 is approximately £45,000. Estimates for the earlier years are not readily available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish the results of all research conducted by the Treasury or Inland Revenue since 1984 on the use of share option schemes by small and medium-sized enterprises; [37960](2) if he will publish the results of all research conducted by the Treasury or Inland Revenue since 1984 on the use of share option schemes for the benefit of low and middle income employees; [37961](3) if he will publish the results of all research carried on by the Treasury or the Inland Revenue since 1984 on the tax revenue gains resulting from increased payment of corporation tax and other taxes in companies whose shares increased in value and which operated successful approved discretionary share option schemes; and if he will publish the research. [37962]

A report by KPMG Management Consulting on employee share schemes, prepared for the Inland Revenue, Treasury and Department of Employment, was published by the Inland Revenue in 1991. This report addressed a wide range of issues, including an analysis of employee share schemes by company size. It did not consider the income of employees or any possible impact on corporation tax receipts. In addition regular monitoring is published in "Inland Revenue Statistics".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much corporation tax was paid in the last three tax years; and what proportion of the total corporation tax paid was by companies operating approved discretionary share option schemes. [37882]

The figures for corporation tax receipts are as follows:

Year	Corporation tax £ million
1992–93	15,783
1993–94	14,887
1994–95	19,390

Estimates of the proportion of total corporation tax paid by companies operating approved discretionary share option schemes are not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies started (a) save-as-you-earn share option schemes and (b) profit sharing schemes in each of the last three tax years and the current year to date. [37901]

Available information is given in the table.

Year	Profit-sharing schemes	Savings-related share option schemes
1992–93	61	95
1993–94	35	104
1994–95	47	144
1995–961	17	77
1 Year to date.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the Inland Revenue has made of the value of revenue savings to be made by the proposed changes in taxation of share options; and if he will publish the assumptions made and the basis of the calculation. [37964]

There will be no effect on tax receipts for the next three financial years and the full-year level will not be reached until approximately 2002–03 as a result of transitional arrangements for options granted before 17 July 1995. A provisional estimate of the full-year revenue yield is about £80 million each year based on current levels of exercise, size of gains and the 1995–96 income tax and capital gains tax systems.An outline of the methodology and underlying assumptions for the estimated cost of tax relief for approved discretionary share option schemes was published in chapter 6 of "Inland Revenue Statistics 1991." It has been assumed that the bulk of schemes will continue after the tax relief is withdrawn, and that the gains made on the exercise of options will generate income tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of companies which floated on the Stock Exchange during the last year had approved discretionary share option schemes in operation; [37879](2) how many United Kingdom subsidiaries of United States parent companies operate approved discretionary share option schemes involving options being granted over shares in the United States parent companies; [37900](3) how many of the 100 largest corporation tax paying United Kingdom—registered companies in the last year operated share option schemes; [37885](4) what assessment he has made of the relationship between changes in the value of share options normally and over the longer term and the profitability of companies; [37972](5) how many of the companies which have set up approved discretionary share options schemes since 1984

This information in the form requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, discretionary share option schemes have been monitored since the scheme began in 1984 and statistics published each year in "Inland Revenue Statistics", copies of which are in the Library.