To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the approved collection centres in England and Wales as defined by the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 1995; [3861](2) if he will list the approved collection centres in Scotland as defined by the Animals and Animal Products (Imports and Export) Regulations 1995. [3852]

The following premises in Great Britain are approved collection centres, as defined in the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 1995:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is his estimate of the total cost for himself and other departmental Ministers for each year since 1991–92, with an estimate for the current year of (a) overseas travel and accommodation expenses of Ministers and their advisers, (b) car and chauffeuring costs of Ministers, (c) ministerial security costs and (d) domestic travel and accommodation expenses of Ministers; [6388](2) what is his estimate of running his departmental office, and that of his predecessor, for each year since 1990–91 with an estimate for the current year, broken down into

The Ministers' and top management programme budget provides for the salaries of Ministers. the permanent secretary, the special adviser and the costs of operating private offices, a parliamentary branch. a Ministers' correspondence unit and an appointments section. The appointments section has formed part of this programme only since October 1994. The total cost of this programme for the financial years readily available was as follows:

Year	£million
1992–93	1.5
1993–94	1.7
1994–95	1.7

The estimated expenditure for the current financial year is £1.8 million. The costs of travel and subsistence for Ministers, the permanent secretary, the special adviser and their staff is estimated to be £130,000 for the current financial year. The budget does not cover other advisers, nor does it distinguish between overseas and domestic travel.The cost of providing Government cars and drivers to Ministers in the Department in the current financial year is estimated to be £229,000 for this financial year.There is no specific budget for ministerial security costs. Expenditure on telephones and office refurbishment in each of the years 1990–91 is included in the running cost expenditure of the Department, which is published in the annual report.Total staff costs for the programme—which includes the offices described—is estimated to he £1 million in the current financial year. Press and communications costs relating specifically to Ministers cannot be separately identified.Entertainment, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the hospitality budget. The estimate for the current year for this budget item is £25.000. Stationery costs for the whole of the programme are also estimated to he £25,000.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what advice has been given to procurement staff on the implications of purchasing from small and medium enterprises. [6615]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: Advice and guidance to procurement staff is contained in the departmental procurement and procedures manual. which is currently being brought up to date to take account of the information and direction given in the central unit for procurement guidance notes and the White Paper "Setting New Standards", Cm. 2840. On current plans, the manual will he re-issued no later than end of January 1996.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what work his Department has done to develop best practice in the publication of departmental procurement guidance material relevant to small and medium enterprises' needs. [6613]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: The Department has recently made a contribution towards the DTI's booklet on "Tendering for Government Business", which is aimed at enterprises of all sizes. In addition, we are producing a booklet entitled "Selling to MAFF", which is intended to provide guidance to any enterprise who wishes to provide us with goods and services. The booklet is in final draft and on current plan will be released in January 1996.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings his Department has had since May 1995 with organisations representing small firms to review tendering procedures. [6614]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: Since May 1995, MAFF procurement staff have not met any organisations representing small firms to review the tendering procedures. However, the director of purchasing and supply is due to meet the sheltered employment procurement and consultancy service in January 1996. In addition, a suppliers' conference is being considered for 1996.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the outcome of his Department's review of measures taken to facilitate small firm's access to appropriate areas of Government procurement in the light of best practice. [6672]

[holding answer 18 December 1995]: It is the Ministry's policy that procurement should be based on value for money. Goods and services should be acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary. The form of competition should be appropriate to the value and complexity of the goods or services to be acquired.In following such a policy, opportunities for small firms to gain access to areas of MAFF procurement are readily created. In choosing its suppliers, the Ministry makes every attempt to judge suppliers on eligibility, economic and financial standing and technical capacity.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department paid to the private sector for goods and services in 1994–95. [6496]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: The combined departmental non-pay running cost and the departmental capital outturns for the Ministry and its agencies for the year 1994–95 were £231,963,000.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what is the amount owed to those businesses whose invoices were not paid within 30 days or within agreed contractual arrangements for 1994–95. [6514]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: All invoices, authorised and submitted for payment in respect of 1994–95 have been paid; there are no amounts owed to businesses in respect of these invoices for 1994–95.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the European Commission to amend the EC fruit and vegetable regime intervention system in order to allow apples available through intervention to be purchased at a commercial rate by cider makers and other manufacturers with any monetary difference made up by the Intervention Board. [6885]

None. The EC fruit and vegetable regime is currently being reformed. Our efforts have been, and will continue to be, aimed at securing a complete end to the withdrawal—intervention—system. This will allow the price of fruit to be set by the market alone.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated net saving to his Department from ending the participation in the EU processing and marketing grant. [7380]

The estimated net savings during the next three financial years are as follows:

Year	£
1996–97	1,270,000
1997–98	4,006,000
1998–99	8,061,000

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from which budget heading will come the savings necessary in order for his Department to meet the spending reductions indicated for the next three years in the public expenditure survey 1995 outcome public expenditure plan for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. [7381]

The necessary savings have been found across a wide range of the Department's activities, involving most of the 80 programmes which cover all of the Department's work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what portions of the Stormont estate have been built over or taken out of their natural state since 1 January 1985; what was the size and purpose of each action and the total proportion of the estate so lost: and what further areas are proposed for either new-build or return to nature. [5457]

Since 1 January 1985. the following portions of the Stormont estate have been built over or taken out of their natural state:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what requirements are placed on the education and library boards by his Department in respect of the undertaking of property condition surveys; [6056](2) if the Department of Education in Northern Ireland will undertake a review of existing property management organisational arrangements across the education and library boards; [6027](3) how the Department of Education in Northern Ireland monitors whether the education and library boards

£million
Education and Library Board	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	Planned	1994–95 Response	Total
Belfast	4.9	5.7	6.1	5.4	2.7	2.7	5.4
North-eastern	5.7	5.7	5.9	5.8	2.7	2.5	5.2
South-eastern	4.4	4.3	4.8	5.1	3.3	2.4	5.7
Southern	4.5	5.1	4.6	5.0	3.2	2.3	5.5
Western	5.0	3.5	3.7	3.8	2.4	2.0	4.4
Total	24.5	24.3	25.1	25.1			26.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the defect to the road surface at Councillors road, Carrickfergus which was repaired on 14 April, was first notified to the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) road service, as requiring repair, prior to notification of the accident which occurred on 13 April. [7365]

The defect in question was first reported to the Department's roads service on 14 April 1995.

These questions all relate to issues covered by the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, "Education and Library Boards: Maintenance of Board Property", which was published on 7 December 1995. In these circumstances it is appropriate for me to amplify only material contained in the report itself.Expenditure by the education and library boards on maintenance over the last five years is set out in the table. This relates to a wide range of maintenance work on controlled and maintained schools, further education colleges and other board property—this included electrical re-wiring, boiler and mechanical replacements, re-roofing, window replacement, painting, ground maintenance, energy efficiency measures, re-pointing of brickwork and concrete repairs. The division of expenditure between plan end and response maintenance is not readily available other than for 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money was spent in Northern Ireland (a) on set-aside payments under the arable area scheme; and (b) total arable area payments; in 1994–95. [7190]

In Northern Ireland in 1994–95, £509,736.33 was spent on set-aside under the arable area payments scheme; and £5,604,643.53 was spent in total under the arable area payments scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money is forecast to be spent in Northern Ireland in (a) set-aside payments under the arable area scheme; and (b) total arable area payments in 1995–96. [7191]

In Northern Ireland in 1995–96, £556,110 is forecast to be spent on set-aside under the arable area payments scheme; and £8,222,180 is forecast to be spent in total under the arable area payments scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the percentage of house buyers in each of the past five years experiencing negative equity in Northern Ireland. [7250]

There is no reported negative equity in Northern Ireland at present, nor has there been in the past five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many visits were made by industrialists in connection with potential inward investment projects to each district council area in Northern Ireland from 1 April to 30 November; and how many of these were repeat visits. [7343]

During the period between 1 April 1995 and 30 November 1995, the Industrial Development Board arranged 200 visits to Northern Ireland by industrialists in connection with potential inward investment projects. Some 156 were first-time visits and 44 were repeat visits.A breakdown of the visits by district council area is as follows:

District Council	Total visits	Repeat visits
Antrim	9	2
Ards	1	—
Armagh	—	—
Ballymena	1	1
Ballymoney	—	—
Banbridge	2	—
Belfast	94	14
Carrick	4	1
Castlerragh	2	—
Coleraine	—	—
Cookstown	7	3
Craigavon	6	1
Derry	6	1
Down	1	—
Dungannon	3	2
Fermanagh	4	2
Larne	2	—
Limavady	1	1
Lisburn	15	3
Magherafelt	2	2
Moyle	—	—
Newry and Mourne	14	4
Newtownabbey	14	3
North Down	9	2
Omagh	1	1
Strabane	2	1
Total	200	44

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many scientific papers have been published between April 1991 and the present day under the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment technical papers series; and how many of these papers were produced as unclassified papers; [7302](2) when the Porton technical papers series was first produced by the chemical defence establishment at Porton Down. [7303]

These matters are for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which countries outside Britain the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down has carried out tests and studies involving service personnel. [7296]

This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee; for what reasons these individuals have been chosen to serve; if the committee will be able (a) to review experiments before they are carried out and (b) to veto or modify such experiments; which establishments this committee will review; what access to information and data this committee will have and if members of the committee have to sign the Official Secrets Act; how many members of the committee have either previously (i) served on a committee connected to the work of the chemical and biological defence establishment, (ii) worked at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment or (iii) been in receipt of an extramural contract from the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment; and if (1) the whole or (2) parts of the committee's annual report to his Department's chief scientific officer will be available to the public or hon. Members. [7304]

The terms of reference of this committee were placed in the Library of the House, as reported on 17 July 1995, Official Report, column 971. There is some further work to be done concerning membership and detailed committee procedures. I expect to make an announcement soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of chauffeur-driven cars used by his Department was in each of the past five years. [5860]

This information is not held centrally and could be provided in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.For that information which is readily available, however, I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 11 July 1995,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received regarding a ban on the production of land mines in the United Kingdom. [7330]

A number of representations have been received regarding the production of anti-personnel mines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what papers concerning Britain's decision to abandon production of chemical weapons have been opened to the public at the Public Record Office under the open government initiative. [7300]

Since records released to the Public Record Office under the open government initiative are not organised by subject matter, we can not identify which relate to Her Majesty's Government's decision to abandon production of chemical weapons without disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the United States Government on the implications for the United Kingdom defence industry of "Buy American" clauses inserted in the most recent Department of Defence budget. [7140]

The provisions of the Buy American Act are waived for UK defence equipment in accordance with the US-UK defence co-operation memorandum of understanding signed in January 1995. Frequent representations are made at all levels to the US Administration and Congress to convey Her Majesty's Government's concern that such provisions damage the prospects for defence co-operation between the US and its allies. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence expects to raise the matter when he visits Washington in January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what fees or liabilities have been incurred to date in the course of the marketing of the Royal Naval college site in Greenwich. [7144]

The costs to date of exploring interest in the future use for the Royal Naval college, Greenwich amount to £55,590 plus VAT, exclusive of in-house staff resources. An additional sum will he payable to the Government Property Lawyers on receipt of the invoice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities used for the incineration of clothing, furniture and other combustible material radioactivity contaminated as a result of British nuclear tests in the Pacific and Australia have been monitored since 1965; and what arrangements arc in place to assess the levels of radioactivity at the site. [7145]

Christmas island sites were monitored in 1981 by the New Zealand Department of Health and do not require further monitoring as it was found that no site on the island presented a health risk. In Australia the nuclear test sites are subject to frequent monitoring by Australian organisations. No contaminated equipment or material was returned to the United Kingdom for incineration, therefore, no monitoring for this type of contamination is required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of naval spares stored in his Department's Portsmouth naval depot; what are the main categories of spares held at the depot; what condition these spares are currently in; how many lorries per week are bringing spares to the depot; from what bases these spares are being brought; and if he will make a statement. [7189]

The current value of naval stores held at the RN stores depot in Portsmouth naval base is £758 million.The main categories of stores held are marine engineering equipment, electrical and electronic material and general stores which are not applicable to specific ships or equipment.Stock is categorised as either serviceable, current value £638 million, or repairable, current value £120 million. The repairable stocks are subject to regular critical review by commodity managers and are either retained to meet anticipated service needs or disposed of through existing sales agreements.An average of 18 lorries per week are bringing stores to the Portsmouth depot from RN stores depots at Devonport, Eaglescliffe, Exeter and Rosyth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated time necessary to make (a) fresh nuclear fuel and (b) irradiated fuel into a bomb. [7282]

It is not our practice to release information about the manufacture of nuclear weapons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made regarding establishing a contact point with responsibility for liaison with relevant business support organisations and taking forward small and medium enterprise related public procurement initiatives. [6711]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: The Ministry of Defence has had an organisation of this kind, now known as the Defence Suppliers Service, in place since 1986.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice has been given to procurement staff on the implications of purchasing from small and medium enterprises. [6642]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: The advice given to procurement staff is that they should ensure that they achieve value for money for the Department. That objective is best served through broadly based competition. The Ministry of Defence promotes competition by regularly publishing details of its contract opportunities and by explaining to companies of all sizes, but particularly small and medium enterprises, how they should set about exploiting those opportunities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he had made in negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the United States for co-operation in the joint advanced strike technology programme; and if he will make a statement. [7806]

Negotiations with the United States Department of Defence have been successfully concluded with the signature today of a memorandum of understanding on arrangements for United Kingdom participation in the JAST programme. A copy of the MOU will be placed in the Library of the House. The proposed JAST advanced short take-off and vertical landing aircraft offers a potential future carrier-borne aircraft to replace the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier in the second decade of the next century. Arrangements set out in the MOU provide significant opportunities for British industry in the JAST programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his Department's projects which currently involve the private finance initiative. [5380]

[holding answer 13 December 1995]: In addition to the one approved PFI project mentioned in an earlier reply on 7 November 1995, Official Report, column 666, MOD has a portfolio of "Pathfinder" projects which will be tested for the suitability of PFI. Of these, a number are already in the procurement process and may, subject to value-for-money considerations, result in the delivery of a privately financed solution. The pathfinders include the provision of training and support services for the Naval Recruitment and Training Agency; telecommunications services for the defence fixed telecommunications system; the revitalisation of water and sewerage works at Tidworth garrison; the refurbishment of MOD's main building in Whitehall; provision of vehicles for the defence support vehicle fleet; and the provision of a visitors' centre for the Royal Navy at Devonport.MOD is committed to the use of PFI and will consider a PFI solution, alongside other options, wherever it needs to consider using its own capital resources. It also remains MOD policy to obtain best value for money in its procurement activity and a PFI solution will he adopted if it demonstrates best value for money against other options.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans the Intelligence and Security Committee has to produce a report on the proposed involvement of the Security Service in the work against organised crime. [7768]

I can confirm that I have recently received an ad-hoc report on "Security Service Work Against Organised Crime" from the Intelligence and Security Committee. After consultation I have concluded that the report does not contain any matter whose publication would he prejudicial to the continued discharge of the functions of the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service or Government Communications Headquarters. and I have presented the report to Parliament today. Copies are also being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his talks with President Kuchma of Ukraine on (a) co-operation on nuclear power matters, (b) co-operation on space matters and (c) future joint use of Baikenor expertise. [7061]

During my meeting with president Kuchma of Ukraine, I informed him that the United Kingdom looked forward to the signing in the near future of a G7-Ukraine memorandum of understanding regarding the closure, by the year 2000, of the remaining reactors at Chernobyl. The memorandum sets out a comprehensive programme of co-operation to support Ukraine's decision on closure within the framework of wider energy sector reform and investment. I stressed the Government's firm support for this programme. I did not discuss with President Kuchma co-operation on space matters or the joint use of the Baikenor launching site in Kazakhstan.

To ask the Prime Minister what advice has been given to procurement staff on the implications of purchasing from small and medium enterprises; [6648](2) what work his Department has done to develop best practice in the publication of departmental procurement guidance material relevant to small and medium enterprises' need. [6646]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: Guidance is included in the Cabinet Office's draft procurement manual, which is due to be issued shortly to supplement existing Treasury guidelines. The Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency has provided guidance to its staff on the treatment of small and medium enterprises by means of legal and commercial practice notices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out his Department's policy in relation to aid to Burma; and if he will give the amount of British Government aid given in each of the last three years and the purpose to which it is being put. [7057]

Apart from some residual commitments, United Kingdom bilateral aid to Burma is available only for humanitarian support. This policy has been agreed with our EU partners and is kept under review. Total UK bilateral aid in each of the last three years was:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give figures in constant prices for grant in aid for St. Helena for the last 10 years for which figures are available; and what factors underlie the trends in these figures. [7072]

The figures are:

£ thousand
	Cash prices	1995–96 prices
1987–881	2,300	3,378
1988–89	3,542	4,876
1989–90	3,904	5,023
1990–91	3,477	4,142
1991–92	3,414	3,839
1992–93	3,479	3,748
1993–94	3,495	3,659
1994–95	3,225	3,314
1995–96	3,560	3,560
1Earlier figures are not available on a consistent basis.

UK grant in aid to St. Helena finances the difference between government budgetary recurrent expenditure and locally generated revenue. This varies between years due to a wide range of factors which can affect either the expenditure or the revenue side of the budget. It is a long-term aim to maximise the proportion of budgetary expenditure which is locally financed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent nationality was a factor in appointing a chief education officer in St. Helena. [7073]

In July 1995 the St. Helena Government requested recruitment of a technical co-operation officer to fill the vacant post of chief education officer, in the absence of any sufficiently qualified St. Helenians who were available to take up the post. The recruitment process is under way. As for all other ODA-recruited posts, applicants are required to he either nationals of the European Economic Area or Commonwealth citizens who have an established right of abode and right to work in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total cost of the budgetary aid mission to St. Helena to negotiate grant in aid support. [7074]

The cost is expected to he approximately £17,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Overseas Development Administration has provided to the International Committee of the Red Cross to assist with its projected end of year deficit. [8017]

My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has recently agreed a new contribution of £2 million to help alleviate this problem, due in part to the increased costs of the ICRC's work in the former Yugoslavia and the Africa great lakes region. As a result of this and other donors' responses the ICRC end of year financial situation is much better than projected earlier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have been held at (a) the International Monetary Fund and (b) the World bank concerning child and prison labour in China; and if he will make a statement. [6021]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: We understand that an investigation by the World bank of alleged linkages between World bank-financed projects and child and prison labour in China is nearing completion. Management will report its findings to the board of directors. The matter has not been discussed in the IMF, which has no financial programme in China.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the award of the franchises for the first passenger rail services will be announced. [5950]

The franchising director has announced the award of the first three passenger rail franchises. The South West Trains franchise has been won by Stagecoach Holdings plc. The Great Western franchise has been won by Great Western Holdings Ltd., a management and employee team backed by First Bus, 3i Intermediate Capital Group and the Royal Bank of Scotland. The London, Tilbury and Southend franchise has been won by Enterprise Rail Ltd., a management and employee team backed by 3i and Gresham Trust.All three franchises are committing themselves to significant improvements in services and have imaginative plans for developing their businesses. I look forward to the first franchised services operating in the new year and to passengers experiencing for themselves the benefits which privatisation will bring to the railway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of average daily traffic flows and average peak hour traffic flows along the A41 at Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire; and if he will make a statement. [7134]

The estimated average daily flow along the A41 at Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire for 1995 was 24,700 vehicles and the average peak hour flow was 2,300 vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the percentage increase in average daily traffic flows and average peak hour traffic flows on the A41 at Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, since the opening of the Berkhamstead-King's Langley bypass: how these figures compare with his Department's original estimates; and if he will make a statement. [7133]

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each road scheme which has been withdrawn from the road programme (a) the sums expended by interested parties in developing the proposals, (b) the stage which the scheme had reached, (c) the reasons for the withdrawal, (d) the latest annual accident figures for the roads affected by the scheme and (e) the current volumes of traffic recorded on roads affected by the scheme. [6457]

I have set out the schemes which are shown in the November 1995 review as being withdrawn together with the stage that each scheme had reached.During the review, careful consideration was given to allocating the limited road construction resources to where the need is greatest. Clearly, some schemes have a greater call on the available resources than others and it is now clear that resources were no longer available to allow all the 1994 roads review schemes to proceed in the foreseeable future.Information relating to sums expended and to the accident and traffic figures above is currently being collated and I will write to the hon. Member separately as soon as it is available.

Route	Scheme title	Stage reached
M1	J31-32 Widening D4', Rotherham MB	Programme entry
M5	J17-21 Widening (Stage 2), Avon	Programme entry
M23	J9-9A Imp, West Sussex	Programme entry
M25	J10-12 Widening D4', Surrey	Programme entry
M25	J16-17 Widening D4',	Programme entry Buckinghamshire. Hertfordshire
M25	J17-19 Widening D4'.	Programme entry Hertfordshire
M25	J19-21A Widening D4',	Programme entry Hertfordshire
M62	J12-18 Relief Road. Salford MB.	Preferred route Bury MB announcement
A2	Kidbrooke Park Road. Interchange	Programme entry Imp. LB Greenwich
A3	Hook Interchange Imp. LB	Programme entry Kingston
A3	A245-A3100 Imp. Surrey	Programme entry
A3	Stoke Road—Hogs Back Imp.	Programme entry Surrey

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each road scheme which has been deferred to the long-term list (a) the reason for that deferral, (b) the latest annual accident figures for the roads affected by the scheme and (c) the current volumes of traffic affected by the scheme. [6456]

I have set out the schemes in preparation which are now included in the longer-term category of "Managing the trunk road programme November 1995". During the review, careful consideration was given to allocating the limited road construction resources where the need is greatest. While these longer-term schemes have been retained in the road programme, they are not as pressing as certain others. Consequently, funds cannot be allocated to take them forward in the immediate future. All preparation work on these schemes will be stopped by the end of this financial year 1995–96.Information relating to the accident and traffic figures is currently being collated and I will write to the hon. Member separately as soon as it is available

Scheme title
Route
A1(M)	Leeming—Scotch Corner, North Yorkshire
A1(M)	Dishforth—Leeming, North Yorkshire
A1(M)	Tuxford—Blyth, Nottinghamshire
A1(M)	Newark—Tuxford, Nottinghamshire
A1(M)	Stamford—Newark, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the annual budget of the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising; and how much of that total has been spent to date (i) in the current financial year and (ii) for each year since the office's inception, on legal fees. [7264]

The information on the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising is as follows:

Financial year	Annual budget (thousand)	Expenditure on legal fees
1993–94	2,443	827
1994–95	1,799,631	5,059
1995–96	1,620,604	4,164

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising's total expenditure, in the most recent available year, on (a) car allowances and (b) chauffeur-driven cars. [7327]

In 1994–95 the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising spent:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to encourage the staff of the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising to use British Rail services in their duties; and if he will make a statement. [7329]

The franchising director encourages his staff to use the most cost-effective mode of transport available when travelling in the course of their duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total number of his Department's Ministers and staff entitled to the use of a chauffeur-driven car in each of the last five years. [7262]

Million passengers
	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
Heathrow
Terminal 1	12.43	12.36	13.87	15.41	16.46	17.99	17.34	19.13	20.03	21.36
Terminal 2	7.97	7.21	7.24	7.70	8.22	8.21	7.23	7.41	7.64	8.22
Terminal 3	10.88	6.93	6.49	6.98	7.13	7.86	7.52	8.87	9.88	10.79
Terminal 4	1—	4.80	7.12	7.42	7.78	8.57	8.14	9.53	10.03	10.97
Manchester
Terminal 1	6.06	7.53	8.56	9.15	10.07	10.16	10.15	11.69	9.13	9.35
Terminal 2	2—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	3.72	4.99
1Terminal opened April 1986.
2Terminal opened March 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of the airports at (a) Heathrow and (b) Manchester international airport. [7016]

For Heathrow the Department publishes an aircraft noise exposure index in the form of annual noise exposure contours using Leq—equivalent continuous sound level, 16 hour dBA. Similar information about Manchester is available from the airport authorities. It is the responsibility of airport operators or developers to undertake appropriate environmental impact assessments of any major new developments proposed at airports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (i) what progress has been made with the Greater Manchester transport authority's application for European regional development fund funding for the Metrolink extension to Eccles via Stratford quays; [7162](2) what plans he has to ensure that ERDF funding is available to the Salford quays and Eccles Metrolink. [7163]

[holding answer 19 December 1995]: I can give no assurances and no guarantees. The Greater

Between 1990 and 1994, five Ministers and the permanent secretary were entitled to a chauffeur-driven car.Since July 1994, four Ministers and the permanent secretary have been entitled to a chauffeur-driven car.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of (a) passenger and (b) freight capacity is being used currently at Heathrow and Manchester international airport. [7015]

This is a matter for BAA plc and Manchester Airport plc, respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers used each of the terminals at (a) Heathrow and (b) Manchester international airport in the last 10 years. [7014]

I understand from BAA plc and Manchester Airport plc respectively, that the information requested is as follows:Manchester transport authority's application for ERDF funding is being considered by colleagues at the Department of the Environment. I understand that the application will be submitted to the Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire monitoring committee in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which road schemes are now being reassessed as complex schemes following the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment report; and how many complex schemes are (a) motorway widenings, (b) bypasses, (c) estuarial crossings and (d) new roads. [6677]

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend motorway lighting on the M6 from its present point close to the M1 to junction 3. [7137]

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 28 November, Official Report, column 549, what increases in charges were made by the Government car service in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement regarding the reasons for the increase in spending on these services over the last five years. [7328]

The Government car service charges are as follows:

Date	Financial year	Increase (percentage)
—	1990–91	—
1st July 1990	1991–92	12.0
1st January 1991		10.0

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department will estimate the change in (a) road accident fatalities, (b) serious injuries and (c) total casualties that would have occurred in 1994, based on the figures published in "Road Accidents GB", if Great Britain had adopted double summer time. [4509]

Figures based on 1992 for a change at the end of October were given in a reply on 20 May 1994, Official Report, column 958. The Transport Research Laboratory calculates that updating these figures to take account of changes in casualty numbers since then results in a forecast that approximately 2,080 casualties of all severities would have been saved in 1994, including 110 deaths and 590 serious injuries. These estimates are based on an analysis of accidents in the period 1968 to 1971 when summer time continued throughout the year, compared with years when it did not, and take account of subsequent changes in accident patterns and vehicle usage. Estimates published in "Summertime: A consultation document" in 1989 were obtained using the same method applied to the year 1987. These are GB estimates and cannot be taken to show what might happen in any particular region of the country where special circumstances may exist.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of chauffeur-driven cars used by his Department was in each of the past five years. [5865]

The cost of chauffeur-driven cars used by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office over the last five years was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the total cost for himself and other departmental Ministers for each year since 1991–92, with an estimate for the current year of (a) overseas travel and accommodation expenses of Ministers and their advisers, (b) car and chauffeuring costs of ministers, (c) ministerial security costs and (d) domestic travel and accommodation expenses of Ministers. [6402]

The information requested will take some time to compile; I will write to the hon. Gentleman shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimate of the cost of running his departmental office, and that of his predecessor, for each year since 1990–91 with an estimate for the current year, broken down into (a) telephone bills, (b) total staff costs, (c) press and communications, (d) entertainment, (e) alcoholic drinks, (f) non-alcoholic drinks, (g) stationery, (h) office refurbishment and (i) other. [6401]

The information requested will take some time to compile; I will write to the hon. Gentleman shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the outcome of his department's review of measures taken to facilitate small firms' access to appropriate areas of Government procurement in the light of best practice in respect of (a) the diplomatic wing and (b) the Overseas Development Administration. [6655]

Diplomatic wing purchasing forms relating to suppliers now also identify the size of companies by number of employees; FCO and ODA contact points have been included in the DTI booklet "Tendering for Government Contracts". FCO procurement literature on access for small firms to departmental business has been sent to the central unit on procurement at HM Treasury.FCO departmental guidance on purchasing has been updated to reflect present Government policy on small and medium enterprises. The ODA is revising its own "Guide to Aid Procedures" to reflect present policy. All newcomers to purchasing attending the FCO introductory course on purchasing and supply—which is run in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply—are shown the DTI film "Thinking Big, Buy Small" Copies of the booklet with the same title are being ordered for distribution to purchasing staff.FCO model tender documentation ensures that appropriate contacts are identified and made available to deal with the procedural and technical issues relating to the contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the United Kingdom Government plan to take against the Chinese Government as a result of their gaoling of Wei Jingsheng; and if he will make a statement. [7209]

We and our European Union partners have raised with the Chinese authorities our deep concern about the detention, trial and imprisonment of Wei Jingsheng. We look to the Chinese to show clemency and allow his early release.On 14 December, the Spanish presidency, on behalf of the EU, issued a statement in Madrid and Brussels, calling for Wei Jingsheng's unconditional release. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 December, Official Report, columns 577-79, if he will make a statement on the function of British high commissions; and what were the costs of the sub-leases for the residences in list B, the date on which they were taken out and the date of expiry. [7058]