To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom budget per annum in each year since 1979 committed to bilateral aid programmes in Gambia. [39600]

United Kingdom gross bilateral aid to the Gambia since 1979 was as follows:

• 1979–80—£2.00 million
• 1980–81—£2.32 million
• 1981–82—£2.48 million
• 1982–83—£2.40 million
• 1983–84—£3.64 million
• 1984–85—£3.61 million
• 1985–86—£9.90 million
• 1986–87—£7.20 million
• 1987–88—£6.53 million
• 1988–89—£5.10 million
• 1989–90—£6.37 million
• 1990–91—£5.75 million
• 1991–92—£4.88 million
• 1992–93—£4.39 million
• 1993–94—£2.76 million
• l994–95—£2.23 million
• Estimated spending in 1995–96 was £1.97 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the United Kingdom budget per annum currently committed to on-going bilateral aid programmes in Gambia. [39562]

Spending on on-going bilateral aid programmes in the Gambia is estimated at £1.2 million in 1996–97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom budget for 1994–95 and 1995–96 committed to aid programmes in Gambia through the European Union; and what is the amount allotted for use in voter registration projects in that country. [39575]

The European Union committed 2.5 mecu to the Gambia from 1994 to 1996. The United Kingdom share is estimated at £0.29 million.The United Kingdom and the European Commission jointly provided about £0.9 million this year to fund a voter registration project in the Gambia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the conditions to be met before Her Majesty's Government will lift the United Kingdom aid embargo on Gambia; and what plans he has to review that embargo. [39599]

The United Kingdom, along with other members of the European Union, will not consider making new aid commitments in the Gambia until there is a return to a democratically elected civilian Government.We have, however, jointly with the European Commission, provided help to prepare a voter register. We have made it clear that no further assistance for the elections will be given until the ban on political parties is lifted, political detainees are released or charged, and harassment of the press ceases.The situation is under constant review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from former officers of the Southern Rhodesia public service recruited and now living in the United Kingdom about the payment of their pensions; what response he has given; and if he will make a statement. [39588]

In recent years, representations have been received from many former members of the public service in Southern Rhodesia about the decline in the sterling value of their pensions. Southern Rhodesia was an independent self-governing colony from 1923; recruitment to its public service was made directly by that Government, and staff served on local as opposed to expatriate terms of service.The Government of Zimbabwe is responsible for the payment of pensions to former Southern Rhodesia civil servants. Our responsibility is limited to those who were recruited by, or on behalf of, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and who were employed on expatriate terms in the central Government of a colony. There are large numbers of overseas pensioners whose pensions are being eroded by falling exchange rates and, indeed, many who receive no payment at all.The Government could not justify helping Zimbabwe pensioners in isolation; the financial consequences of assisting all overseas pensioners who find themselves in this position would be prohibitive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what would be the cost, including the saving in state benefits, of honouring the undertaking by the Minister of State in 1979 in respect of safeguards under the Zimbabwean constitution for the pensions of former officers of the Southern Rhodesia public service; and if he will bring their pensions within the aegis of the Overseas Pension Act 1973. [39587]

The Government of Zimbabwe have honoured their obligation under the constitution by continuing to pay the pensions of those former officers who were employed in the public service in Southern Rhodesia, although the sterling value of these pensions has been eroded through the effects of inflation and adverse exchange rates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications from non-governmental organisations have been received for funding for reproductive health and family planning projects from the seedcorn fund for the financial year 1996–97; and in how many and which countries these non-governmental organisations are based. [39644]

The seedcorn fund has received 27 eligible applications from 17 non-governmental organisations for the financial year 1996–97. All applying organisations are based within the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 December, Official Report, columns 664–66, on allocations from the seedcorn fund for family planning and reproductive health projects, how many and which non-governmental organisations, additional to those listed in the reply, have received funding for reproductive health and family planning projects for each of the financial years 1995–96 and 1996–97; in which countries the NGOs receiving the grants are based; in which countries the funded projects are based; what are these projects; and what is the amount of funding granted and for what length of time. [39779]

The following table summarises seedcorn fund grants that have been provided since 13 December. In addition to these, three new projects have been approved in this period. Currently, only UK-based organisations are eligible to apply to the seedcorn fund.

Organisation	Title	Country	Budget (£000)	Duration
Marie Stopes International	To Ascertain the Practicalities and Economics of Initiating a Social Publishing Programme in Almaty	Russia	6	1 month
Marie Stopes International	Feasibility Study to Expand Depo-Provera through Nurse Aid Training	Uganda	21	6 months
International Family Health	Community-Based Social Marketing: Testing and Piloting a new Health Production and Information Delivery Strategy	India	297	2 years

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what figure would be used under part II of the schedule to the Hong Kong (Overseas Public Servants) (Pension Supplements) Order 1996 to calculate the notional pension if it were based on a median average rather than a mean average of comparable Hong Kong and United Kingdom civil service grades; what would be the maximum potential cost to the United Kingdom Government if the sterling pension safeguard scheme were based on that figure; and if he will review the scheme in the event that the value of the Hong Kong dollar falls significantly after 30 June 1997. [39682]

The notional pension under part II of the schedule to the Hong Kong (Overseas Public Servants) (Pension Supplements) Order 1996, based on the mean salary differentials between comparable grades in the Hong Kong and United Kingdom public service, is calculated at the rate of HK$21 to £1. If median as opposed to mean salary differentials were used this would not affect the rate. The hypothetical maximum liability to Her Majesty's Government would therefore remain unchanged at £130 million over the lifetime of pensions. The scheme was introduced on 1 July 1996 and is designed to provide a fair and reasonable level of pension protection in the event that there is a significant fall in the value of the Hong Kong dollar. The Government have no plans to make any changes to it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the current situation in Burundi; [40089](2) if he will make a statement about the current situation in Burundi. [40091]

We are deeply concerned about the situation in Burundi and are in close contact with regional leaders and partners. We support efforts by ex-President Nyerere to negotiate a political settlement and welcomed the outcome of the Arusha settlement. We continue to support contingency planning at the UN and within the region for possible international intervention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received and what discussions he has had about the possibility of intervention in Burundi by the Organisation of African Unity. [40090]

The Organisation of African Unity Summit in Yaoundé endorsed the outcome of the Arusha summit. We welcome the decision by the OAU central organ to extend the mandate of the OAU observers and to sent a mission to Burundi.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assistance the British Government have provided and are prepared to offer to Burundi in respect of the current internal conflict; [40092](2) what reports he has received about forced repatriation of refugees from Burundi to Rwanda. [40094]

United Nations High Commission for Refugees estimates that 17,000 Rwandan refugees have been forcibly repatriated in the current conflict. UNHCR and UN human rights monitors are monitoring the condition of the returnees. Britain has made representations to the Governments of Burundi and Rwanda calling on them to ensure the safety of refugees in their care and that all repatriation is on a voluntary basis. Discussions are also taking place in the UN Security Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting on tropical timber held in Geneva from 13 September. [40286]

The International Tropical Timber Organisation met in Geneva on 13 September. It was decided that the new international tropical timber agreement, which has now been ratified or provisionally applied by 38 countries including the United Kingdom, should enter into force on 1 January 1997. The new agreement provides an important basis for continued efforts by the international community to improve the management of tropical forests and promote trade in sustainably produced tropical timber.

To ask the Prime Minister how many persons working in (i) No. 10 Downing street and (ii) the Cabinet Office are paid more than £43,000 per annum. [40220]

The number of payees whose national salary is more than £43,000 per annum in No. 10 Downing street, the Cabinet Office, including the Office of Public Service and its agencies, is as follows:

No. 10: 12

Cabinet Office (including the Office of Public Service and agencies): 116.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what reports he has received regarding the involvement by Mr. Mark Thatcher, in respect of companies in receipt of export credit guarantees from the ECGD, in the construction of a university in Oman; and if he will make a statement; [40277](2) what reports he has received that part of the university of Oman has been used for the storage of military equipment or for other military purposes; if these purposes were known to Her Majesty's Government when export credit guarantees were given by the ECGD in relation to the construction of the university; and if he will make a statement. [40215]

As far as my office is aware, none.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter to the right hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Benn) and the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 9 September, if he will state the conditions in which he believes the public interest requires Parliament to be recalled, with particular reference to the involvement of British personnel on active service. [40365]

A decision to recall Parliament depends upon the prevailing situation. It is made after consultation with colleagues and through the usual channels.

To ask the Prime Minister what advice he sought from voluntary coaches and administrators in (a) athletics, (b) rowing, (c) canoeing, (d) swimming and (e) cycling (i) prior to and (ii) since his original announcements concerning his proposed academy of sports. [40404]

Details of the Government's proposals for the British Academy of Sport were included in the sports policy statement, "Sport: Raising the Game", which was published on 14 July 1995. The policy statement invited the Sports Council to bring forward proposals on what the structure and content of the academy might be, and to consult widely with the sports world on the ideas that might emerge. On 6 December 1995, the Sports Council published a consultation paper on the academy and comments were invited by the end of January. The Sports Council also held a series of consultation meetings with groups of administrators, coaches, performers and specialists from all sports, including representatives of the sports listed.A prospectus inviting bids to establish the academy was published jointly by the Department of National Heritage and the Sports Council on 24 July. A summary of the consultation was published with it. Bidders have until 31 October to submit their bids.

To ask the Prime Minster what further correspondence has been received in his office from the Royal British Legion in relation to its call for the setting up of an ex-service affairs unit; what reply has been sent; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement. [40374]

I have received one recent letter directed from the Royal British Legion regarding the setting up of an ex-service affairs unit. A reply has been sent. The position remains as I detailed in my answer to the hon. Member on 11 March, Official Report, columns 434–35.

To ask the Prime Minister what policies Her Majesty's Government have established in support of the 1996 United Nations Year for the Eradication of Poverty: and what additional resources have been committed in support of these policies. [40491]

The United Kingdom has extensive social protection and assistance arrangements, among the most comprehensive in the world. It is by working to maintain and improve living standards through economic and social policies that we will fulfil the aspirations of the United Nations Year for the Eradication of Poverty, and in a way relevant to our society. The most effective way of eradicating poverty is to promote flexible labour markets since this reduces the level of unemployment. Claimant unemployment has already fallen by over 125,000 so far this year. The UK has more of its people in work and a lower unemployment rate than any other major EU country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many women from ethnic minorities are employed by his Department and its agencies; at what grade; and what measures he has taken to encourage the (a) recruitment, (b) employment and (c) promotion of women from ethnic minorities within his Department and its agencies. [39898]

Our records, based on voluntary declaration, show that this Department and its agencies employ the following numbers of ethnic minority women:

higher executive officer and above: 8

Executive officer: 19

Administrative officer: 95

Administrative assistant: 27.

We are committed to encouraging the career development of all staff, irrespective of gender or ethnic origin. We have comprehensive programmes in place to ensure equality of access to recruitment, training, career development and promotion for all staff. We monitor all our procedures to ensure implementation.We actively encourage ethnic minority applicants through our recruitment literature and campaigns and work closely with the Windsor Fellowship. We are also active members of Opportunity 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent discovery by Customs at Hong Kong airport of US-made bombs in transit from China to Israel. [40072]

A consignment of inert military ordnance was discovered by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department during a routine inspection on 24 May 1996. Charges were laid against the carrier, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd., for importing prohibited articles without a licence and failing to retain possession of the articles until a valid licence was produced. The airline pleaded guilty and was fined HK$80,000 or £6,600.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the numbers of soldiers and civilians killed (i) in the attack by Bosnian troops on Serbian troops to the north and north west of Srebrenica and (ii) in the counter-attack by Serbian troops; how many soldiers were hiding their military identity by dressing in civilian clothing; and in what ways such casualties can be distinguished from Bosnians who it is alleged were illegally executed by Serbian troops. [40219]

The International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia—ICTY—is still investigating the fall of Srebrenica last July. We await details. So far, ICTY teams have exhumed 400 to 500 bodies from four sites around Srebrenica. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that there are 6,000 missing people from the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons international warrants have not been issued against (a) President Tudjman of Croatia and (b) the leaders of the Bosnian Muslims. [40216]

it is for the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to decide whom it should indict. We provide significant support for the tribunal's activities, and it has our full confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he plans to take to ensure the UN-sponsored referendum on the future of the Western Sahara takes place. [40285]

We are active both in New York and bilaterally in urging Morocco and Polisario to co-operate fully with the UN and MINURSO—in the referendum mission—in order that the identification process can be restarted and lead to the referendum.I also took the opportunity during my visit to Morocco in June to make our views clear.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy in respect of nuclear co-operation with Russia and China. [40248]

In September we signed a bilateral agreement with the Russian Federation on co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The agreement provides a framework within which firms can pursue business and expert exchanges. With our G8 colleagues, we attended the Moscow summit on nuclear safety and security. The summit underlined the close co-operation between Russia and the G7 in solving nuclear safety problems in eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union. It also identified further action to be pursued. Russia has now ratified the international convention on nuclear safety, and signed the Vienna convention on nuclear liability.China is becoming increasingly important in the civil nuclear power section. We are actively seeking to strengthen our civil nuclear co-operation with them at both official and industry levels. We welcome China's decision to attend the conference on nuclear safety in Asia, to be held in Tokyo on 5 and 6 November, which the United Kingdom will also attend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has a system for grading the human rights performances of individual countries. [40162]

We do not maintain any league table of human rights violators, though we receive detailed information from our embassies and high commissions as well as from outside bodies, including non-governmental organisations, on the human rights performance of various countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the value of the contribution made by British businesses to the economy in 1996 of Burma with particular reference to tourism; and if he will make a statement. [40136]

The value of United Kingdom trade with Burma and of UK investment there is low. We are aware of only two UK companies which have made direct investment in the tourism industry in Burma. The amount of tourism-related goods and services exported from the UK is also small. More may be channelled through third countries, but it is difficult to estimate their value.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for the last year for which figures are available (a) the total number of persons who applied for entry clearance as a visitor to the United Kingdom, (b) the total number of refusals and (c) the countries of origin of those who were refused giving the numbers against each. [40196]

The total number of applications for entry clearance to visit the UK in 1995 was 1,167,295.The total number of refusals for entry clearance to visit the UK in 1995 was 72,626.The countries of origin of those refused are not currently available. Details will shortly be available from the Home Office's Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 21 May, Official Report, column 103, what contribution has been made by Her Majesty's ambassador in Quito towards the goat eradication scheme on the Galapagos. [40367]

The British Ambassador in Quito donated £5,000 for the purchase of equipment required for the goat eradication programme. A contribution of £25,000 from an FCO fund for small environmental projects has also been approved to establish a base station for the programme and to protect threatened plant species, which form an important part of the tortoises' diet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his letter of 13 May, in what ways he has kept up constructive pressure on Russia in relation to radioactive waste management. [40366]

Meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency's contact expert group provide regular opportunities to discuss radioactive waste management issues. Both the UK and Russia are full members. The group, which also co-ordinates and monitors aid for nuclear waste management projects in Russia, met last on 10 and 11 September 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his letter of 3 April, what action he has taken with the European Commission to counter contamination of Lake Kojanovskoe. [40370]

We have yet to decide with our EU partners what concrete assistance might be made available to counter contamination of Lake Kojanovskoe pending consideration of the conclusions of the EU-financed study of contamination levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a formal request to the UK partners on the tripartite gold commission to produce annual reports regarding meetings and expenses. [40650]

We will make a request. I shall write to the hon. Member with the results.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date and in what form he last reported to Parliament on the work of the tripartite commission for the restitution of monetary gold; and if he will make a statement. [40649]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on 12 March 1991, Official Report, column 433.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the future of the probate service. [37957]

Public consultation on proposed changes to the structure of the probate service has now been concluded. The Lord Chancellor is considering the proposals and an announcement will be made as soon as a decision has been reached.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the review of legal aid. [37959]

The Lord Chancellor published a White Paper on 2 July, setting out the Government's plans for reforming the legal aid scheme in England and Wales. Since then, work has been proceeding on implementing the reforms.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has recently received about the cost of the legal aid scheme. [37960]

I frequently receive representations on this matter. As my hon. Friend knows, the Government's proposals for a radical reform of the legal aid scheme were announced by the Lord Chancellor on 2 July, and are contained in the White Paper, "Striking the Balance". These proposals will, among other things, improve control over the cost of legal aid and ensure that the taxpayer obtains good value for the money spent.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will take steps to promote the concept of mediation in the civil and family law systems in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [37961]

In England and Wales my Department has developed a number of initiatives to encourage the use of mediation where it is appropriate. In January of this year, my Department published the guide, "Resolving Disputes Without Going to Court". It contains information on a range of alternatives to litigation and is available free from county courts. A pilot scheme has been introduced at the Central London county court to help people settle a wide range of disputes through mediation.The Family Law Act 1996 contains measures designed to promote the use of family mediation as an alternative to litigation. The reforms of the legal aid scheme that the Lord Chancellor announced in July would allow new types of service to be provided under legal aid. Family mediation will he an early priority and, in time, the scheme could be extended to allow civil mediation services to be provided to people who qualify for legal aid.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which are the oldest papers in the Public Record Office which have not been placed in the public domain. [37962]

The oldest papers in the Public Record Office which have not yet been placed in the public domain are some papers from Dublin castle records in a ledger dated 1853–1920, Public Record Office reference CO 904/6. These papers have now been cleared for release and will be available shortly.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates courts there were in Wales in 1978; and how many are operating in 1996. [37963]

There are at present 63 magistrates courts in Wales. No accurate record exists for the number of magistrates courts in Wales in 1978.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to increase the public accountability of sheriffs and under-sheriffs. [37964]

On 2 April my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Evans) announced to the House, Official Report, column 87, the work currently planned in connection with the Lord Chancellor's review of civil enforcement agents. No decision has yet been made on the issue of the accountability of high sheriffs, under sheriffs and sheriff's officers.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 July, Official Report, columns 18–19, if he will make arrangements for all guidance on the provisions of and procedures under the Children Act 1989 for court staff and judiciary to be placed in the Library. [39929]

Yes. The following will be placed in the Library:

Children Act 1989—Court Staff Handbook

Children Act 1989—Judicial Information Booklet

Children Act 1989—Guidance to Listing Officers

Children Act 1989—Court User Guide.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the report, "Domestic Violence and Child Contact Arrangements in England and Denmark" by Marianne Hester and Lorraine Radford, Policy Press 1996, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement. [39930]

The findings of this report will be considered carefully in connection with the implementation of the Family Law Act 1996. Where conflict occurs in connection with child contact arrangements, remedies are available within the Act and elsewhere to deal with it in order to ensure that both children and adults are properly protected against domestic violence.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the reasons for the growth in both branches of the legal profession since 1970; and what assessment he has made of their optimum size. [37950]

None. The legal profession is independent of Government and self-regulating. Its size is determined by the demand for legal services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest estimate of the numbers of prisoners in United Kingdom (a) open and (b) closed prisons; and what were the corresponding figures for 1991. [40053]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women from ethnic minorities are employed by his Department and its agencies; at what grade; and what measures he has taken to encourage the (a) recruitment, (b) employment and (c) promotion of women from ethic minorities with his Department and its agencies. [39897]

The Home Office and its agencies employ a total of 1,252 women known to be from ethnic minorities. Details of their grades are given in the following tables. The Directors General of the Prison Service and of the Forensic Science Service, and the chief executives of the UK Passport Agency and the Fire Service College have provided the figures for their agencies.The Home Office follows the Cabinet Office's programmes for action to achieve equality of opportunity in the civil service for people of ethnic minority origin and for women. Recruitment advertisements, which encourage applications from people regardless of background—including ethnic origin or gender—are placed in the ethnic minority press. A number of measures are being taken to foster links with those from ethnic minorities, including substantial involvement with the Windsor Fellowship and the National Mentoring Consortium and links with community relations councils. In the Prison Service, governors have also been encouraged to make particular efforts to attract applications from women and from those of ethnic minority origin.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Nigerian citizens have been compulsorily returned to Nigeria since November 1995, and what reports he has received of their present situation. [40283]

The statistics available relate to the total number of Nigerian citizens removed from the United Kingdom to all countries. Some 350 Nigerians were refused leave to enter and removed from the United Kingdom in the period November 1995 to July 1996. In addition, 290 Nigerians were removed as illegal entrants or persons subject to deportation action; this figure includes persons who departed voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated. I have received no reports of their present situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered casinos there are in England and Wales; and if he will list them. [40117]

On March 31 1996, there were 107 licensed casinos in England and Wales. They were, by area:

• Birkenhead
• Stanley Wirral casino
• Birmingham
• China Palace casino
• Grosvenor casino
• Midland Wheel casino
• Rainbow casino
• Stakis Regency International casino
• Blackpool
• Castle casino
• Grosvenor casino
• Bolton
• Stanley casino
• Bournemouth
• Grosvenor casino
• Stakis Regency casino
• Stanley casino
• Bradford
• Napoleons casino club
• Stakis Regency casino
• Brighton
• Grosvenor casino
• International casino club
• Bristol
• Annabelle casino
• Grosvenor casino (2)
• Stakis Regency casino
• Coventry
• Annabelle casino
• Stakis Regency casino
• Stanley casino
• Derby
• Carlton casino
• Hamblin Grand casino
• Dudley
• Castle Hill casino
• Great Yarmouth
• Grosvenor casino
• Kings casino
• Hove
• Grosvenor casino
• Huddersfield
• Grosvenor casino
• Kingston-upon-Hull
• Stakis Regency casino
• Leeds
• Grosvenor casino (2)
• Napoleons casino club
• Stakis Regency casino
• Leicester
• Annabelle casino
• Stanley casino
• Liverpool
• Grosvenor casino
• Stanley casino
• Stanley grand casino
• London
• Aspinall's club
• Barracuda club
• Chester's casino
• Clermont club
• Colony club
• Crockfords club
• Cromwell Mint
• Golden Horseshoe
• Golden Nuggett
• Grosvenor Connoisseur casino
• Grosvenor casino
• Grosvenor Victoria casino
• Les Ambassadeurs
• London Park Tower
• Maxims casino club
• Napoleons casino
• Palm Beach casino
• Rendezvous casino club
• Ritz casino
• Sportsmen club
• Stakis Regency casino
• Luton
• Grosvenor casino
• Stanley casino
• Lytham St Annes
• Clifton casino
• Manchester
• Grosvenor casino (3)
• Stanley Midland casino
• Stanley Strand casino
• Margate
• Regal sporting club
• Stanley casino
• newcastle upon Tyne
• Casino Royale
• Grosvenor casino
• Stanley Grey's casino
• Northampton
• Stakis Regency casino
• Nottingham
• Stakis Chevalier casino
• Stakis Regency casino
• Plymouth
• Grand casino
• Grosvenor casino
• Portsmouth
• Grosvenor casino (2)
• Stanley casino
• Ramsgate
• Grosvenor casino
• Reading
• Grosvenor casino
• Reading sporting club
• Salford
• Stanley Albion casino
• Scarborough
• Grosvenor casino
• Sheffield
• Bonapartes casino club
• Grosvenor casino
• Napoleon Bonapartes gaming club
• Southampton
• Grosvenor casino
• Stanley casino
• Southend on Sea
• Waterfront casino club
• Westcliff sporting club
• Southport
• Stanley casino
• Stockport
• Stakis Regency casino
• Stoke on Trent
• Stanley casino
• Sunderland
• Grosvenor casino
• Teeside-Middlesborough
• Stakis Regency casino
• Torbay
• Torquay casino
• Walsall
• Royal casino
• Wolverhampton
• Stakis Regency casino
• Cardiff
• Grosvenor casino
• Les Croupiers casino
• Stakis Regency casino
• Swansea
• Annabelle casino
• Grosvenor casino

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department is taking to outlaw the downloading and publication of obscene material from the Internet which would be illegal if produced in printed form. [40548]

I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the companies which have so far stated their intention to contribute to the millennium site. [40198]

The companies which have so far publicly stated their intention to contribute to sponsorship of the millennium exhibition are Abbey National, Amec, BAA, Barclays bank, British Aerospace, British Airways, British Telecommunications, BSkyB, British Petroleum, General Electric Company, Hanson Energy, Lloyds bank, London Electricity, Marks and Spencer, Midland bank, National Westminster bank, Reuters and Siemens. The Corporation of London has also pledged support.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what nursery accommodation is available to Her Majesty's Ministers in their Departments. [40265]

Departments and agencies have delegated responsibility to establish nursery and childcare schemes for children of civil servants Departments wishing to establish a workplace nursery must be able to justify it in terms of value for money and contain the cost within existing running costs. Parents wishing to use any of these schemes are normally required to make a contribution to the costs, comparable to private sector schemes.Ministers of the Crown are able to make use of a departmental nursery on the same basis as civil servants.Nationally, 53 civil service nurseries have been established and 120 holiday play schemes run during school holidays. In addition, the civil service is in partnership with other organisations in 23 nurseries and buys places in 16 others.

To ask the Attorney-General what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media, specifying separately the Solicitor-General's staff. [39347]

No separate budget is held for this purpose.

	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97
Crown Prosecution Service	Not available (7+1 part-time)	£283,800 (10+1 part-time)	£288,800 (11+1 part-time)	£277,700 (11+1 part-time)£93.000
Serious Fraud Office	£69,000 (3)	£79,500 (4+2 part-time)	£80,000 (4+1 part-time)	£93.000 (4)
Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers4 Treasury Solicitor's Department	—	—	—	£14,800 (1)
Government Property Lawyers	—	—	—	—
Figures before the brackets indicate the costs1 of staff engaged in providing information, publicity, press and media services. 2 Figures in brackets indicate the numbers of staff so engaged.3
1 These figures comprise salary, superannuation (estimated where precise figure is unknown), ERNIC payments and allowances. CPS costs for 1993–94 are not available.
2 It is not possible to distinguish between these categories of services since in practice they overlap and are provided by the same staff.
3 These figures do not include staff providing these services incidentally to, or inseparably from, other functions.
1 No separate costs are incurred in relation to the Solicitor-General.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement in respect of the removal by an agency of Her Majesty's Government of (a) files and (b) other evidence from the offices of ISC in west London, following the announcement by Sir Derek Alun Jones in respect of fraud at the company; what was the nature of such material; what steps were taken by his office to ensure that it was properly preserved and examined by investigating authorities; and what action was taken as a result of such an examination. [40209]

My answer relates only to the Serious Fraud Office for which I have ministerial responsibility. On 12 September 1989 an announcement was made by Sir Derek Alun Jones to the effect that the company was carrying out an internal investigation into some of its overseas contracts and that the annual general meeting of the company would be adjourned until 10 October 1989. Shortly thereafter the Serious Fraud Office commenced its preliminary investigation. Neither the Serious Fraud Office nor police officers working with it at any time removed files or other

To ask the Attorney-General (1) what is the cost budgeted for staff employed full time or part time to provide information and publicity in 1996–97 in his Department and that of the Solicitor-General; [39446](2) how many staff are assumed in his Department's budget, employed (i) full time and (ii) part time,

The information is shown in the table.evidence from the offices of ISC in west London. Certain documentation originating from the offices of ISC (London) plc and ISC (Technologies) Ltd. was however produced to the SFO by Ferranti's solicitors. Where copies were taken by the SFO, they were analysed and preserved in the normal way. The investigation was carried out in close co-operation with the United States' prosecuting authorities. Seventeen individuals and three corporations were subsequently indicted in the United States on charges of fraud in respect of which I refer the hon. Member to my previous answers to him of 24 July 1996,

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will estimate how many tourists will visit Britain in 1996. [37938]

The British Tourist Authority currently estimates that there will be 25.8 million overseas visitors to the UK this year, up 7 per cent. on 1995, with expenditure at over £13 billion, an 8 per cent. increase on last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received on the impact on the tourism industry of a minimum wage. [37946]

Tourism industry leaders, including the main trade body, the British Hospitality Association, have expressed their concern about the introduction of a national minimum wage. A minimum wage would cause job losses and restrict the creation of new jobs. The impact on more vulnerable young and unskilled workers would be particularly damaging.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the level of investment in tourism projects in the North-west region. [39992]

The North West tourist board receives funding from the English tourist board to develop the quality of the tourism product in north-west England. The ETB subvention to the NWTB was £414,000 in 1995–96. The NWTB raised a further £1.42 million in income from commercial activities and local authority and commercial members' subscriptions. Tourism in the region also benefits from the single regeneration budget, and from Objective 1 status for Merseyside and objective 2 status for Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria under the European regional development fund. Twenty-eight mecu is allocated to tourism and cultural projects within the 1994 to 1999 objective 1 programme in Merseyside, and 24 mecu within the 1994 to 1996 objective 2 programme in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions her Department has had with (a) the Arts Council and (b) the Sports Council on the subject of directing lottery funds to assist young talented individuals. [37939]

My right hon. Friend announced today that lottery money, joined with funds from central Government, will be used to finance a three-year scheme to assist students of dance and drama to take up places at accredited training institutions in England. The scheme will be administered by the Arts Council of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the criteria by which lottery proceeds are distributed to specific projects. [37947]

The proceeds set aside from the national lottery for the five good causes are distributed by 11 bodies.Each of these bodies to set application criteria taking account of the directions issued to them under section 26 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. Decisions on applications are made independently of the Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the representations made to her Department on the relocation of the Yorkshire county cricket club. [37941]

My right hon. Friend and I have received a small number of representations about the relocation of the Yorkshire county cricket club away from Headingley, its current headquarters. Yorkshire county cricket club announced on 7 October that it intended to relocate to Wakefield. This is entirely a matter for the club.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent consultations she has had with representatives of the film industry. [37942]

I have regular consultations with representatives of the film industry on a wide range of film-related issues. Specifically this summer I visited the United States of America where I met leading figures from the American film industry including representatives from MCA, Warner Bros. and the Motion Picture Association of America.More recently, I attended the Edinburgh film festival, and visited Shepperton studios and the Warner Bros. feature animation studio in central London.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received regarding National Museums Day. [37943]

I understand that Museums Week was a tremendous success and my right hon. Friend is looking forward to the meeting she shall be having, on 17 October, with Mr. Loyd Grossman, chairman of the Campaign for Museums, who has been responsible for the campaign. Six hundred and ninety-nine museums took part in the Week, and over 300 Members of Parliament visited their local museums, many on National Museums Day.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on arts policy. [37944]

On 30 July 1996 I published "Setting the Scene: the Arts and Young People", the first major Government policy statement on the arts for many years.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to encourage minority British sports. [37945]

The Government encourage the development of all lawful sports throughout the country. A wide range of high-quality services and support are made available by the Sports Council to all recognised sporting activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures she is considering to encourage touring by arts groups. [37948]

On 1 April 1996 I announced a new direction to the Arts Council of England under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 requiring it to take into account the desirability of facilitating access to and participation in the arts. I believe that enabling touring companies to travel to new venues and communities in isolated areas is an important priority in increasing access.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the future of public library services. [37921]

Work on the public library review is well advanced, and I expect to make an announcement about its conclusions in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many women from ethnic minorities are employed by her Department and its agencies; at what grade; and what measures she has taken to encourage the (a) recruitment, (b) employment and (c) promotion of women from ethnic minorities within her Department and its agencies. [39893]

The numbers of women from ethnic minorities employed by Department of National Heritage and its agencies, by grade, are listed in the table. The following measures are taken by DNH and its agencies to encourage the recruitment, employment and promotion of women from ethnic minorities.The Department and its agencies are equal opportunities employers and state this when advertising all vacancies. When recruiting externally, normally through the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency, vacancies are advertised in papers aimed at ethnic minorities.Two thirds of the Royal Parks agency staff are police officers and we always ensure that police vacancies are advertised in the ethnic press. The agency are also considering the recommendations of Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary contained in its report "Developing diversity in the Police Service".The Department has an equal opportunities statement and policy and an equal opportunities officer. Every possible step is taken to ensure that decisions on recruitment, selection, training and promotion are based solely on objective and job-related criteria.

Grade (shows new DNH grades and equivalent in the Agencies)	Department of National Heritage	Royal Parks Agency	Historic Royal Palaces
B=HEO/SEO	1	—	—
C=EO	4	1	1
D(U)=AO	4	3	6
D(L)=AA	7	1	14

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many personal business advisers are currently employed by business links. [39855]

It is estimated that there are currently around 530 personal business advisers working for business links.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the target group of growth businesses used by each business link, by number of employees; [39854](2) what proportion of business links use

The definition of target groups is a matter for each business link. Information is not held centrally.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of (a) personal business advisers, (b) export development councillors and (c) innovation and technology advisers at (i) each business link and (ii) in total have been appointed by business links without reference to his Department's personnel. [39853]

Business links recruit personal business advisers, export development counsellors and innovation and technology counsellors against a background of criteria and guidance agreed by the national business link partners including my Department.Each business link is an independent private sector organisation and decisions on whom it employs are a matter for it. However, where requested by the business link, officials of my Department. or the relevant regional government office, have occasionally been involved by participating in the selection process for personal business advisers and innovation and technology counsellors; and have regularly been involved in the selection process for export development counsellors.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research his Department has recently undertaken into barriers to growth for small firms; and what his Department has identified as the main barriers. [39859]

The Department has undertaken and published a number of studies which examine particular barriers to growth for small firms:

'Management Training for Growth SMEs' (1995) looked at linkages between small and medium enterprises investment in management training and business growth. It also identified factors that are likely to limit the ability of the firm to maximise the benefits of external management training.

'Globalisation of SMEs' (1994) discusses the factors affecting the globlisation process and the resource and organisational difficulties encountered by SMEs.

'Small Firms in the Inner City' (1993) was involved in identifying the different opportunities for growth as well as the constraints on the development of firms in different types of location.

The Department is due to publish shortly two other reports that relate to barriers to growth for small firms:

'Growth Constraints on SMEs' explores barriers to growth of SMEs in internationally tradeable sectors. It will identify the main barriers and assess how companies identify and manage constraints.

'Franchising' examines the role of business format franchising as a strategy to facilitate small firm growth.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence his Department has evaluated regarding the proportion of large firm outsourcing which goes to (a) large firms, (b) small firms and (c) self-employed people. [39860]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the work force in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) European Union countries were in enterprises with (i) one to nine, (ii) 10 to 49, (iii) 50 to 249 and (iv) over 250 employees in the last year for which figures are available. [39858]

Estimates of the percentage of the workforce by size class for non-government enterprises are given in the table. There are no figures available that include central and local government.

Work-force by size distribution of UK and EUR 15 enterprises1
	Percentages
Number of employees	UK	EUR 15
1–9	17.4	23.1
10–49	16.4	18.8
50–249	12.9	14.9
250+	40.3	33.8

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was (a) the value and (b) the volume of (i) exports and (ii) imports of aggregates from and to the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [39621]

The information is published by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", which is available in the Library of the House. Aggregates are classified to heading 273.4 of the standard international trade classification.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has for the allocation of the Channel 35 frequency for analogue or digital use. [39742]

The Government announced on 16 September the arrangements for the future of frequency Channel 35. Channel 5 Broadcasting will have access to the frequency for five years to enhance the population coverage of its service. As the market for advanced digital services develops, channel 35 will be redeployed to facilitate the new broadcasting opportunities. The arrangements oblige Channel 5 Broadcasting to inform viewers in areas using Channel 35, at the point of their VCR retuning campaign, that access to the channel is time limited and that Channel 5 will need to consider other options for reception at the end of the five-year period.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many women from ethnic minorities are employed by his Department and its agencies; at what grade; and what measures he has taken to encourage the (a) recruitment, (b) employment and (c) promotion of women from ethnic minorities within his Department and its agencies. [39896]

On 19 July 1996 the DTI, excluding its executive agencies, employed 454 female staff of ethnic minority origin in the following grade levels:

Grade level	Number
Senior Civil Service	0
SEO-G6 level	8
HEO level	19
EO level	64
AO level	223
AA level	140

Recruitment levels are very low at the moment. However, where we run recruitment campaigns, vacancies are usually advertised in the ethnic minority press. We also, where appropriate, use positive action statements to encourage applications from the ethnic minority community.Since September 1994, line managers have been responsible for selecting staff for internal transfers and promotions to posts up to and including G7 level.All staff involved in recruitment and promotion decisions are trained in selection techniques and in avoiding discrimination. Equal opportunities awareness training also forms an integral part of the Department's induction and managerial courses. Ethnic minority women may also apply to undertake positive action training.I have asked the chief executives of the DTI's executive agencies to respond direct to the hon. Member.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of (a) manufacturing, (b) industrial production and (c) gross domestic product is produced by foreign-owned United Kingdom companies; and what are the equivalent figures for (a) other G7 countries and (b) other EU member states. [40247]

According to the annual census of production, 23 per cent. of UK manufacturing gross value added at factor cost was attributed to foreign-owned enterprises in 1992, the latest year for which data are available. Similar data are not available for industrial production or GDP for the UK. There are no similar international data for manufacturing, industrial production or GDP.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a list of all United Kingdom-registered companies which are owned or majority-owned by foreign individuals or businesses; and if he will specify the type of industry of each company so controlled. [40246]

Disclosure of individual shareholder nationality is not a requirement of the Companies Act and therefore Companies House has no knowledge of the nationality of individual shareholders. If the company is a subsidiary, the directors are obliged to disclose its ultimate parent company, its name and country of incorporation. This information could only be obtained from Companies House at disproportionate cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to increase wage levels in respect of low-paid workers. [39999]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. McAllion) on 24 July 1996, Official Report, column 482.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to eliminate unfair contracts between mobile telephone service providers and consumers; and if he will make a statement. [40195]

From 1 July 1995, the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1994 introduced a general concept of fairness into consumer contract law in the United Kingdom. Companies, including service providers in the mobile telecommunications industry, who deal with consumers and use standard form contracts must ensure that they do not use unfair terms. An unfair term is defined as one which, contrary to the requirement of good faith, causes a significant imbalance in the parties' rights and obligations under the contract to the detriment of the consumer. A consumer is not bound by a standard term if that term is unfair. Subject to this, service providers and dealers in the mobile phone industry are free to set their own contract conditions in competition with the many other companies in the mobile telephone market. Consumers are also free to shop around to find the best possible package which suits their mobile phone needs and requirements. The Federation of Communication Services, the mobile phone industry's main representative body, has also introduced a quality initiative "FCSQ" which provides significant safeguards for the consumer. Those in the industry who are members of this scheme display a "Q" quality mark, and consumers may wish to look for this mark when taking out a mobile phone contract.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what examination his inspectors have made of liquidators' reports on Finance Ltd. and Sasea Intertrade; what action his Department (a) has taken and (b) proposes to take as a result; and if he will make a statement [40169]

Sasea Finance Ltd. went into liquidation on 14 October 1992. The joint liquidators Messrs D. J. Pallen and S. G. Franklin lodged their report under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986—CDDA—on 5 May 1994. The liquidators reported that the company's accounting records were maintained abroad and had been impounded by the Swiss authorities for the purpose of other inquiries. All the directors were foreign nationals resident abroad.Sasea Intertrade Company Ltd. went into liquidation on 16 June 1994. Mr. Pallen was again appointed liquidator and he reported under the CDDA on 15 September 1994. Again the company's directors were all foreign nationals resident abroad and the company's records remained impounded by the Swiss authorities for other inquiries.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what records have been examined by inspectors of his Department relating to the movement of the assets of Sasea Finance Ltd. and Sasea Intertrade immediately prior to their liquidation; what action his Department proposes to take as a result of its examination; and if he will make a statement. [40168]

It is not my Department's policy to comment on individual companies.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what claims and of what amounts were made by (a) Sasea Finance Ltd. and (b) Sasea Intertrade from the Export Credits Guarantee Department between 1985 and 1991. [40167]

None. The ECGD has no record of having issued a guarantee to either Sasea Finance Ltd. or Sasea Intertrade 1985 and 1991.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what claims and of what amounts were made by companies associated with directors of (a) Sasea Finance Ltd. and (b) Sasea Intertrade from the Export Credits Guarantee Department between 1985 and 1991. [40166]

None. ECGD has no record of having issued a guarantee to any company associated with the directors of Sasea Finance Ltd. or Sasea Intertrade between 1985 and 1991.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total deficiency at (a) Sasea Finance Ltd. and (b) Sasea Intertrade reported to his Department by the liquidators; and if he will list the principle creditors for each company. [40165]

Detailed statements of affairs of the companies were not submitted by the directors but the liquidators estimate that the total deficiency of Sasea Finance Ltd. was £184.9 million.The main liabilities were to Sasea Holding and connected companies £70.7 million; trade and expense creditors £109 million and shareholders £5 million.The estimated total deficiency of Sasea Intertrade Company Ltd. was £93.04 million. The main liabilities were to Sasea Holding £34.95 million, Sasea Trading Ltd. £45.86 million, non-group creditors £10.23 million and shareholders £2 million.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the latest figures by (a) cash value and (b) tonnage relating to the import and export of hot rolled coil. [40054]

The information for 1995 is given in the following table:

	Imports	Exports
Value1	105.9	296.2
Volume2	276.2	982.3

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the latest figures concerning the value of (a) military and (b) civil aircraft imported into and exported from the United Kingdom in the last available period. [40055]

The information for 1995 is given in the following table:

UK aircraft imports and exports
£ million
	Imports	Exports
Civil	804	961
Other	38	183

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what dates and for what amounts export credit guarantees given by the Export Credits Guarantee Department were drawn upon in relation to the construction of a university in Oman. [40164]

The ECGD supported buyer credit loans are administered by the relevant agent bank which holds full details of advances made. While the ECGD has data about aggregate amounts which the bank declares as having been advanced and repaid, only part of the record for this particular case is available on the ECGD's current database. Research into the full information held by the ECGD could not be done, except at disproportionate cost.