To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further proposals he has relating to the transfer of powers from the London Docklands development corporation to the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Southwark and Newham. [2164]

The only statutory powers which the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) have and which it is necessary to return to the local authorities are those concerned with LDDC's responsibilities as planning authority. Local authorities already have a range of powers enabling them to pursue the kind of general regeneration remit which LDDC has undertaken.Since 1994 the LDDC have been pursuing a phased programme of withdrawal from the Docklands Urban Development Area (UDA) leading to complete withdrawal and dissolution of the organisation in March 1998. Those phases of the withdrawal programme successfully completed to date are:—

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce time limits upon the validity of planning permission. [2296]

Paragraphs 53 to 60 of DoE Circular 11/95 (Welsh Office Circular 35/95) give comprehensive guidance on this issue. I have no plans to change legislation in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the name, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in the Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2426]

Joe Irvin, my Special Adviser, was previously my chief of staff when Deputy Leader of the Labour party; Kate Davies, special adviser to the Minister for Transport, was previously his researcher; and David Taylor, my unpaid special adviser, is on temporary leave of absence from his position as Chief Executive of Lancashire Enterprises plc.The terms and conditions of each appointment are set out in the draft model contract, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.Special Advisers are paid within a range of £24,349 to £73,484. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential within this range. Details of this and of previous salary are not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.These are my personal appointments following consultation with the Permanent Secretaries of my Departments, and are approved by the Prime Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to instigate a comprehensive revaluation of household dwellings for council tax banding purposes; and if he will make a statement. [2403]

The question of when there should be a revaluation of domestic properties for council tax purposes is one that I shall wish to discuss with the local Government Association and others, before reaching a view.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will commission a study on levels of pyrethroids entering drinking water; and if he will make a statement. [2239]

Water companies are required to monitor drinking water supplies for those pesticides whose properties and usage make it likely that they will be present. Pyrethroids are unlikely to be present in water supplies. Nevertheless, some water companies have monitored their supplies for key pyrethroids. Since 1991 over 20,000 tests have been carried out for pyrethroids and on no occasion has a pyrethroid been found above the drinking water standard for individual pesticides of 0.1 microgram per litre.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to restore fuel duty rebate to public buses. [2404]

I shall be considering all aspects of support for the bus industry with Treasury colleagues as part of my examination of the best way to introduce an integrated transport policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what decision he has reached concerning the proposed Salisbury bypass. [2238]

No decision has yet been made on the Salisbury bypass. We are currently taking forward a strategic review of the road programme and an announcement of the terms of that review will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is proposing to enhance the personal safety of women travellers on the railways; and if he will make a statement. [2705]

The Department of Transport is working with train operators to develop good practice on implementing personal security measures both at stations and on-board vehicles. We are currently developing a secure stations scheme which will establish national best practice on security standards and accredit those stations that have implemented a package of security measures. We will also shortly be publishing the results of our research into people's perceptions of their personal security and measures that would make people feel more confident when using public transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received on the subject of the issuing of motor vehicles licences; if he will increase the number of post offices able to issue licences; and if he will make a statement. [2280]

Some 521 representations have been made over the past three years. The current network of 4,000 vehicle licence issuing post offices is unlikely to be extended unless it can be shown to be cost effective and does not add to the cost of collecting vehicle excise duty.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidelines for the improvement of bus services on Sundays. [2457]

I am examining how buses should play their part in an integrated transport policy. The best way of encouraging an adequate provision of bus services throughout the week will be part of this work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give local authorities further powers and funding to develop sustainable transport packages. [2179]

We have no evidence that local authorities need additional powers to implement transport packages. The Government will continue to fund viable transport packages as far as resources permit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the criteria used to determine that sound-reducing barriers should be erected alongside the A20, Swanley bypass in Kent. [1655]

[holding answer 2 June 1997]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list (a) the name, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in his Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2410]

There is only one special adviser in my office, Andrew Lappin, his previous occupation was parliamentary researcher.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list (a) the name, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in his Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2418]

There are currently no political or special advisers in this Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library the statistics held by his Department on the extent of (a) mixed sex wards, (b) mixed sex bays and (c) mixed sex bathing and toilet facilities in hospitals. [781]

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if he will make a statement. [1662]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 4 June by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, Official Report, column 190

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list (a) the name, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in his Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2412]

My special advisers are John Adams and Huw Roberts. Their previous occupations were policy adviser and political consultant respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Llandough NHS Trust, the UHW NHS Trust and the Bro Taf health authority concerning the implementation of the conditions imposed by his predecessor concerning the closure of the Cardiff Royal Infirmary (a) generally and (b) specifically in relation to elective orthopaedic surgery. [2406]

None, though my officials keep in close touch with the health authority and local trusts, who are actively working together on the action plan for the transfer of services from CRI to UHW. The business case for the transfer of services from CRI to UHW has been approved and Llandough NHS Trust is preparing a business case for the transfer of elective orthopaedics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Bro Taf health authority and the Cardiff Community Healthcare Trust concerning a start date for the replacement neighbourhood hospital on the St. David's Hospital site. [2409]

None, but my officials have been in contact with the trust, who will be submitting an outline business case to the Welsh Office in the near future.

To ask the Attorney-General what representations his Department is making to the Turkish authorities over the case of Mr. Nadir. [2210]

The Turkish authorities were notified, through Interpol, of the existence of a warrant for the arrest of Asil Nadir. They were asked to arrest him on his arrival in Turkey with a view to extradition. They have declined to do this because the Turkish constitution forbids extradition of Turkish citizens to other countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants have applied for an award for vibration white finger in each coalfield area; and how many awards have been made since 1992. [1703]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.

New claims to industrial injuries disablement benefit for vibration white finger in the years ending March 1996 and 1997 by standard statistical region
Region	April to March 1995–96	April to March 1996–97
Northern	6,440	3,950
Yorkshire and Humberside	2,040	1,640
East Midlands	250	600
East Anglia	10	30
South East	50	120
South West	20	60
West Midlands	370	470
North West	660	800
Scotland	1,880	2,730
Wales	1,240	1,970
Total Great Britain	12,960	12,370

Initial awards of industrial injuries disablement benefit for vibration white finger since April 1992
Region	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Northern	6	11	6	13
Yorkshire and Humber	3	2	8	5
East Midlands	3	6	3	3
East Anglia	1	2	—	1
South East	4	5	15	5
South West	2	3	5	3
West Midlands	3	5	5	11
North West	6	7	23	8
Scotland	12	23	74	200
Wales	—	1	7	1
Total Great Britain	40	65	146	250

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has for a full medical and scientific review of the qualification for war pensions in respect of noise-induced hearing loss; when the review will begin; and how long the review is expected to take. [1632]

On 23 May the Minister with special responsibility for war pensions, my noble Friend the Baroness Hollis of Heigham, wrote to Mr. Graham Downing, national president of the Royal British Legion. She informed him that she would be arranging a meeting of experts in the field of hearing loss to review the scientific basis of the approach to the assessment of noise induced sensorineural hearing loss in war pensions. My noble friend will invite Professors Lutman and Davis to take part along with other independent experts who have not been involved in the matter so far.The timing of the meeting will depend on the availability of the participants. My noble Friend will shortly be writing to the experts to invite their participation and to establish when they are free to meet.We are aware of the controversy surrounding this issue and are determined to be satisfied that the medical evidence is clear and unambiguous and that decisions are made in accordance with war pensions legislation. I would hope that the review will be able to come to a speedy conclusion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants in each coalfield area had made an application for chronic bronchitis and emphysema awards; and how many awards were made between 13 September 1993 and 9 April 1997. [1701]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.

New claims to, and awards for industrial injuries disablement benefit for chronic bronchitis and emphysema between 13 September 1993 and 31 March by BA area directorates
Benefits agency area directorate	Claims received	Awards made
Anglia	27	3
Chilterns	24	4
South London and West
Sussex	—	—
West Country	163	6
East London and Essex	43	—
South East	507	34
Wessex	1	—
East Midlands	6,266	736
Midlands and South West	680	56
West Mercia	3,870	409
Wales	10,354	1,530
Merseyside	539	50
Greater Manchester	355	32
Lancashire and Cumbria	2,377	157
Tyne Tees	7,540	640
South Yorkshire and Humberside	7,202	878
North and West Yorkshire	3,103	447
Glasgow and Paisley	252	8
North, Central and West Scotland	1,954	64
East Scotland	2,484	103
Total Great Britain	47,741	5,157

New claims to, and awards for industrial injuries disablement benefit for chronic bronchitis and emphysema between 1 April 1996 and 8 April 1997 by BA area directorates
Benefits agency area directorate	Claims received	Awards made
East of Scotland	140	6
West of Scotland	41	—
Tyne Tees	442	15
Yorkshire	720	81
Greater Manchester	102	17
North West Coast	74	5

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list (a) the names, (b) the salary (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in her Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2414]

I have appointed John McTernan and Liz Kendall as special advisers. Both were formerly employed as advisers to me in opposition. The terms and conditions of their appointments are set out in the draft model contract, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Special advisers are paid within a range of £23,349 to £73,484. Their salaries are negotiated individually within this range. Details of present and previous salaries are not provided, in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.These are personal appointments made by me following consultation with the permanent secretary and the Prime Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action she intends to take to stop the practice of employers paying part of employees' wages in vouchers. [2260]

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the economic impact on households of employers issuing shopping vouchers in lieu of wages. [2297]

The Government are aware of employers' use of vouchers as (part) payment of wages. In 1994–95, about £40 million was paid through such practices to approximately 160,000 employees whose earnings, including benefits in kind, were £8,500 per annum or more, and to directors. The available information does not distinguish between shopping vouchers and other forms of voucher.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the timetable for conducting the review of the primary purpose rule; and what advice immigration officials are being given in the meantime on assessing such cases. [2401]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 5 June, Official Report, column 218.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce proposals to increase the deposit in general elections. [2471]

At this stage, we have no plans to increase the deposit for candidates at a parliamentary election.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the present sum the original £150 deposit for general elections introduced in 1918 would be if it had been increased in line with prices since that date; and what would be the equivalent percentage if the £500 deposit had been increased in line with prices since it was introduced. [2463]

We estimate that the £150 deposit introduced in 1918 would now be equivalent to £4,093, if it had been increased in line with the inflation, which represents an 818.6 per cent. increase on the present deposit. The £500 deposit introduced in 1985 would be equivalent today to £825, an increase of 165 per cent. and £4,093 would represent an increase of 496 per cent. on that revalued deposit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reintroduce the right of appeal to those refused entry clearances to visit the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [2262]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 19 May, Official Report, column 7.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (a) the name, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in his Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2419]

My Department employs one political adviser, Ed Owen, previously employed as a journalist, and one special adviser, Norman Warner, who was previously employed as a consultant on social policy and public sector management. The terms and conditions of each appointment are set out in the draft model contract, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.Special advisers are paid within a range of £24,349 to £73,484. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential within this range. Details of this and previous salary are not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned. These are personal appointments made by me, following consultation with the Prime Minister and with the permanent head of the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions he has given to the immigration authorities regarding the treatment of Albanian nationals already in the United Kingdom who have applied for asylum. [1526]

Since March, consideration of asylum applications by Albanian nationals and enforcement action in refused cases have been suspended. We are now satisfied that, while the situation remains tense and volatile in some parts of the country, the situation in other parts, including the capital Tirana, is sufficiently calm to make it safe to resume returns in appropriate cases. Consideration of outstanding asylum applications is also being resumed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the cases transferred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission by his Department, indicating the date when these cases were first referred to his Department; [1032](2) if he will list the cases transferred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in order of priority; to what extent the order of priority reflects the date when the case was first submitted; and what is the anticipated date for a decision on these cases. [1033]

[holding answer 3 June 1997]: A total of 261 individual cases were initially transferred to the Commission from the Home Office. It is not normal practice to make publicly available the names of petitioners. By virtue of paragraph 6 of schedule 1 to the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 it is a matter for the Commission to decide on its procedures, but I understand that 165 of the cases initially transferred to the Commission are already being worked on, and that work on the remaining cases will have begun by about the end of June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the cost per edition of his Department's publication, "Civil Protection"; and what is the total cost of the editions produced to date, in 1997 prices; [1943](2) how many copies of each edition of his Department's publication, "Civil Protection", are produced; and of these how many are distributed in response to requests and how many are sent unsolicited. [1945]

[holding answer 5 June 1997]: The latest edition, which was issued in May, cost £17,000 including distribution costs. The marginal cost of Home Office staff time spent on editorial functions is absorbed under other budgets. The total cost of the editions produced between 1991 and 1997 is £558,260 in 1997 prices. Figures for earlier years are not available. Around 40,000 copies of each edition are produced. To date, 34,700 copies of the latest edition have been issued in response to requests, including regular subscribers. No copies are sent unsolicited.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list (a) the income, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in his office; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2407]

The Minister without Portfolio does not have a political or special adviser paid out of public funds.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the case for inoculation as a substitute for the quarantine of animals. [2363]

Yes.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list (a) the name, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in his Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2422]

There are currently two political and special advisers to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. They are Ms Cathy McGlynn and Mr. T. Walker.Both were previously policy advisers to the right hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham).The terms and conditions of each appointment are set out in the draft model contract, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if SEAC terms of reference include the power to recommend a ban on beef imports into the United Kingdom. [2202]

SEAC's terms of reference permit it to advise the Government on all matters concerned with spongiform encephalopathies. As such it is able to make whatever recommendations it regards as appropriate to safeguard public or animal health.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the absence of any variation in the beef ban, he will consider banning all imports of beef into the United Kingdom. [2203]

No. I would however refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 5 June, Official Report, columns 227–28.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what checking mechanisms have been put in place by departmental officials to ensure that there is no BSE-contaminated feed either in store or trade circulation; [2204](2) what estimate he has made of the amount of BSE contaminated feed

The State Veterinary Service (SVS) introduced a feed sampling programme in February 1996. Samples of feed and feed ingredients are taken from feed mills, farms using on-farm feed mixers and any site where feed, or ingredients for feed, are produced or stored. Feed samples are tested for the presence of ruminant and porcine protein using the compound feed ELISA test. Results of this surveillance activity are published in the monthly BSE Enforcement Bulletin and copies are available in the Library of the House.In June last year, the feed recall scheme was launched to ensure that residual stocks of mammalian meat and bonemeal (MBM) were removed from farms, feed mills and feed merchants before the ban on possession came into effect last August. In all, over 11,000 tonnes of material was collected in the UK. This material is now in secure storage awaiting destruction. This material is not known to be contaminated with BSE—the controls on Specified Bovine Materials, requiring all tissues known to harbour BSE infectivity to be destroyed, were in place before the feed recall scheme was undertaken, considerably reduce the possibility of infectivity being present in the recalled feed.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect of pyrethroid sheep dips on aquatic life in rivers and streams. [2240]

No veterinary medicine is authorised for use unless it meets stringent statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. Safety includes risk to the environment. The independent Scientific Veterinary Products Committee is currently undertaking a review of non-organophosphorus (OP) sheep dips to consider whether existing controls on OP dips should be extended to these products. The labels of authorised synthetic pyrethroid dips already carry clear warnings about the dangers to fish and other aquatic life. The labels also warn that it is an offence to pollute any stream or watercourse and advise farmer to contact the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency as appropriate, where there may be any doubt.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will press the United States Department of Agriculture to end immediately its ban on the export of poultry to Europe. [2261]

There is no ban by the United States Department of Agriculture on the export of poultry or poultry meat to Europe. Exports of poultry meat to the European Community must, however, be accompanied by an export health certificate authorised by an official veterinarian to the effect that the consignment meets Community import health requirements. US veterinarians will not authorise export health certificates for poultry meat and exports cannot therefore take place. Discussions between the European Commission, who have competence in this area, and the US authorities are continuing.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the names of the political and special advisers appointed to her Department since the general election. [1627]

I have appointed Dan Corry and Sheila Watson to my Department as special advisers who will be paid from public funds.In addition I have appointed Lord Hollick as an unpaid special adviser.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans the Government have to review the current policy towards alternative energy sources; [1351](2) what plans the Government have to support efforts to refine existing forms of alternative energy to produce more electricity from the same resources; [1350](3) what plans the Government have to encourage off-shore windfarms. [1352]

The Government propose to undertake a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources in line with our manifesto commitment. To this end I anticipate reviewing policy including considerations of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010 and how renewables can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future greenhouse gas reduction commitments. I will make a further announcement in due course. In the meantime the Government's new and renewable energy programme, currently underway will continue. I have already announced that I will initiate shortly a consultation exercise with the relevant trade bodies of the renewable energy industry, OFFER and the regional electricity companies on a fifth non-fossil fuel obligation (NFFO) order for renewable energy in England and Wales, leading to an announcement later in the year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is the capacity in MW of the current number of windfarms; [1353](2) how many windfarms are currently installed; and how many acres they cover in total. [1347]

At 31 March 1997, there were 42 windfarms in the United Kingdom with a total installed capacity of 283 Megawatts. Precise information about the area they cover is not available. However, estimates suggest that the area occupied by individual wind turbine towers can range between five and 20 square metres. For a wind farm consisting of twenty 500kW turbines, each covering an area of approximately 10 square metres, the total footprint would be about 200 square metres. Access tracks where required would occupy further land. The turbines might be placed within an area of about 1–2Km² but the bulk of the site would be unaffected and could continue in its original use.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people have been employed in the aerospace industry in each year since 1992. [1638]

The number of people employed in the UK aerospace industry in each year from 1992 to 1995 are as follows:

Year	Number
1992	149,000
1993	126,000
1994	114,000
1995	108,000

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of scientific and medical research. [1482]

The Government are committed to a strong science and engineering base and to the maintenance of its international position of excellence, as an essential underpinning resource both to our national economic future and to the quality of life. Research and development and the exploitation of its results will provide the answer to many of the problems faced by society: in health; in social issues; and in the environment. Medical research has a key role in that. Government have a crucial role to play as prime funder of curiosity-driven science, with its proven record of stimulating new innovations and enhancing our quality of life: and as facilitator and co-ordinator to ensure that the efforts of those engaged in scientific research are properly encouraged and developed in the nation's best interests Business has a responsibility for driving the research and development of new and improved products and services. We shall be seeking to:

• use science and technology to improve our quality of life;
• encourage new ideas and innovation to the market;
• strengthen the voice of science in Government; and
• end the bias against science in our culture.

We are committed to re-invigorating the science and engineering base and will be developing policy in the light of the report of the Dearing inquiry into higher education. I shall also be working with business and with colleagues across Government to sustain the health of science, engineering and technology in the UK, to maximise its contribution to economic competitiveness and the quality of life and to improve the way that science is used across Government to inform policy.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to promote further co-operation with the European Union in the field of scientific and medical research. [1484]

The Government attach great importance to co-operation with other members of the European Union in the field of scientific research. UK participants play an active role in the EU's Fourth Framework Programme (FP4) for Research and Technological Development which covers a wide range of scientific, technological and medical research. Negotiations concerning the content and organisation of the EU's Fifth Framework Programme, due to start in 1999, have recently begun. The UK has already played, and will continue to play, an active role in the shaping of this future programme, to ensure that UK researchers and technologists have every opportunity to build upon their current, successful levels of participation.Medical research is well provided for in the Commission proposals for FP5, particularly in the programme "Unlocking the Resources of the Living World", which is specifically aimed at improving the quality of life and for example, includes research: on the control of viral and other infectious diseases; the development of new antibiotics and anti-cancer agents; and the health effects of pollution.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the cost of (a) current Magnox nuclear liabilities and (b) future Magnox nuclear liabilities; and if she will set out the basis on which these estimates are made. [2228]

The estimated cost of meeting Magnox Electric's liabilities are given in the company's report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 1996 as £8.9 billion discounted at 3 per cent. real and £18.2 billion undiscounted. I understand that updated figures will be published in the company's report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 1997, which should be published in the next few months.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will commission an assessment of the environmental impact of continuing to explore and develop new hydrocarbon reserves; and if she will make a statement. [2126]

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee provides an assessment of the potential impact of hydrocarbons exploration and development on the environmental resources of areas before they are offered for licensing. On the basis of its advice, some areas may not be offered while others may have conditions applied to any licence to ensure that possible adverse impacts are minimised. These conditions may also require the provision of an environmental assessment by the licensee when preliminary work has identified the preferred location of a well or development and the probable characteristics of the project.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of escorts of nuclear waste by the UK Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary in 1996; if she will provide a breakdown of the cost of these escorts; and if she will make a statement. [2227]

Nuclear waste is not a category of nuclear material which requires to be escorted under the international recommendations, therefore no escorts were provided (or costs incurred) by the UK Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary in 1996 in this respect.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans the Government have to meet its new international obligations under the international nuclear safety convention; and if she will make a statement. [2231]

The Convention on Nuclear Safety was ratified by the United Kingdom on 17 January 1996 and entered into force on 24 October 1996. As a contracting party under the Convention, the United Kingdom will be required to produce a national report on how nuclear safety obligations are met in this country. These obligations include establishing a legislative and regulatory framework and ensuring that sufficient numbers of qualified staff are available throughout each nuclear installation's life. Steps must also be taken to ensure that design, construction and operation of civil nuclear power plant are safe, that safety assessments are carried out throughout the life of a nuclear installation and that emergency plans are routinely tested. In view of the stringent safety regime that the Government requires of the industry, we anticipate that the United Kingdom will have no difficulty in meeting these obligations.National reports will be reviewed and discussed in detail by contracting parties at periodic review meetings, to be held at intervals of not more than three years. The first review meeting will be held at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna in April 1999.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list her Department's current programmes for research into clean coal technology; and if she will make a statement. [1008]

My Department's research on clean coal technology is being undertaken in seven programme areas:

• Coal Exploration and Extraction
• Coal Preparation
• Coal Handling and Supply
• Coal Combustion in Conventional Utility Power Generation
• Advanced Power Generation
• Other Coal Conversion and Utilisation Processes
• Technology Transfer and Commercialisation

Projects covering the seven programme areas are undertaken in collaboration with industry, universities and a number of overseas organisations. The results are disseminated via published project summaries and technical reports, including seminars, workshops and conferences. An annual report and newsletter is also published on developments in all the programme areas. The present phase of the programme is due to be completed in 1998.A mid-term evaluation of the programme by an international panel of experts was undertaken in 1996 and a report of the evaluation published in July 1996. Industry provided evidence to the international panel which indicated that the programme benefits are a mixture of gross and net effects ranging from firm export orders and potential future sales of components, innovative mechanisms to reduce NO, emissions, techniques to use more UK coals in steel making, etc., they do show the programme has been of significant value to UK industry. We are examining what other options there may be to support clean coal technology.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what functions are still administered by British Coal; what functions previously performed by British Coal are now performed by (i) her Department and (ii) the Coal Authority; and when she expects British Coal to be finally wound up. [1695]

[holding answer 2 June 1997]: British Coal remains responsible for the disposal of its remaining assets (principally property) and for the management of such liabilities as still remain with the Corporation (principally various personal injury claims).British Coal's liability for the provision of concessionary fuel to ex-employees of British Coal and liability to make certain contributions to the former British Coal, pension schemes, was transferred to the Department in March 1995. The Department has also taken on responsibility for health and injury liabilities of former British Coal employees who transferred to private sector companies and the Coal Authority in respect of their past service with the Corporation.The Coal Authority was established in September 1994 and has four main functions:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. about the transfer by air of plutonium waste from Britain to Germany. [2180]

None. Arrangements for the transport of nuclear material from British Nuclear Fuels-owned sites is an operational matter for the company and its customers, subject to meeting regulatory requirements.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish on a monthly basis for this financial year the actual receipts achieved for each of the taxes collected by the Inland Revenue. [1856](2) what estimate he has made of the receipts in each month of the present financial year from each of the taxes collected by the Inland Revenue. [1857]

[holding answer 3 June 1997]: Monthly receipts of taxes collected by the Inland revenue are first published in the monthly PSBR release and further detail is supplied in table 2.1c of Financial Statistics. Estimates of receipts are not published on a monthly basis.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the dates on which he has written to the Governor of the Bank of England; and if he will place a copy of each letter in the library. [2302]

The Chancellor wrote to the Governor on 6 May, setting out the new monetary policy arrangements, and on 20 May dealing with the future of banking supervision. Copies of both of these letters have been placed in the Library.The Chancellor writes to the Governor from time to time on a range of matters, some of which are commercially confidential or market sensitive. It would not be appropriate to place such letters in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate, based on the Treasury model of the economy, the level of interest rates and the weighted average exchange rate required to enable the economy to return to full employment at a high and sustainable rate of growth. [2283]

It has not, since 1978, been the practice to provide results from the Treasury model in response to Parliamentary Questions. The model is available for Members' use through the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make publicly available the names and addresses of landowners who claim conditional exemption from inheritance tax or capital transfer tax because they allow public access to their land; [1106](2) what steps he takes to ensure that landowners conditionally exempt from inheritance tax publicise adequately the agreed public access requirement. [1105]

In return for conditional exemption for land or buildings, owners must undertake not only to allow reasonable public access to the property but also to maintain and preserve its character. A number of agencies advise the Inland Revenue on matters concerning eligibility for exemption. The relevant agency also negotiates and agrees with each owner the arrangements covering the maintenance, preservation and public access aspects, including the appropriate level and nature of publicity about access.Owners' compliance with their agreed undertakings is regularly monitored by the Inland Revenue and the heritage agencies. Any breach of the undertakings may result in the loss of the exemption and the payment of the deferred tax charge.Information about the names and addresses of owners of land conditionally exempted from inheritance tax or capital transfer tax is, like other information about taxpayers, covered by the confidentiality provisions of section 182 of the Finance Act 1989.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to propose the inclusion in the draft directive on integrated services digital network a statement that the directive will not apply to communications relating to financial services. [1220]

It is intended that the directive will apply to financial services. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is aware of the concerns raised by the financial services industry and its regulators. The Government are seeking to balance the interaction between investor protection and industry practice with the need for adequate data protection.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government propose to take to stop insider trading; and if he will introduce legislation (a) requiring public companies to provide notification to their shareholders of significant changes in their circumstances to reach them not later than the information is released to the Stock Exchange and (b) prohibiting meetings with representatives of such companies by investment analysts enabling the analysts to acquire information about a company earlier than the company's private shareholders. [2128]

The Criminal Justice Act 1993 makes it a criminal offence to engage in insider dealing in the UK. The Government will keep the scope and effectiveness of this legislation under review. But we have no plans to introduce the additional legislation suggested. The Stock Exchange Listing Rules already place a duty on listed companies to make price sensitive information available to their shareholders and other members of the public on the same basis.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Treasury's forecast of the change in the volume of production, imports and exports of manufactures in each of the next five years as a result of the rise in interest rates and the exchange rate since 1994. [2290]

It is not possible to isolate with confidence the effects of changes in interest rates and the exchange rate from the various other factors affecting changes in manufacturing output, exports and imports. The next Treasury forecast will be published on 2 July 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what remit he has given to the National Audit Office when asking them to report on the economic assumptions underlying last November's Budget. [2165]

In order to assist the Government in preparing their forecast of the public finances, the National Audit Office has been invited to review the assumptions adopted for economic growth, unemployment and interest rates and the conventions used for projecting proceeds from privatisation and from "spend to save" expenditure measures. A report will be published before the Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the implications of his oral statement of 20 May, Official Report, columns 508–11, as regards departmental responsibilities for the insurance industry. [1123]

The statement did not cover this matter.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the total of ways and means advances from the Bank of England to Her Majesty's Government at the end of each financial year since 1990–91. [1448]

Outstanding ways and means advances from Issue Department at the Bank of England to the National Loans Fund at the end of each financial year since 1990–91 are set out in the table.

Date (end of financial year)	Outstanding ways and means advances from Issue Department (£ millions)
1990–91	6,918
1991–92	7,187
1992–93	3,062
1993–94	6,750
1994–95	15,904
1995–96	15,654
1996–97	14,322

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he is currently over or under funding the public sector deficit. [1530]

From 1996–97 the funding rule was replaced by a target to finance the Central Government Borrowing Requirement (CGBR) plus maturing gilts and any net increase in the foreign exchange reserves through debt sales. The latest estimate of the 1996–97 financing requirement is £39.4 billion, of which £25.1 billion is to finance the CGBR, £12.4 billion is to finance gilt redemptions, and the remaining £1.9 billion is to finance the net change in foreign reserves and financing carry-over from 1995–96. Gilts sales in 1996–97 amounted to some £38.8 billion, sales of National Savings products £4.8 billion, and there was negative financing of £0.4 billion from sales of other public debt. Overall there was therefore a £3.9 billion excess of gilt sales relative to the final gilt sales requirement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate the German system of mortgage tax relief for first-time buyers of homes as an alternative to MIRAS. [2089]

Whilst I am aware of the general German system of tax relief on home purchase I do not know of any special arrangements for first-time buyers. My officials will therefore seek to obtain details of these.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland by what means his Department makes available it publications in (a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1675]

Publications in Braille and audio tape are made available and publicised through the Scottish Braille Press who distribute them to individuals and organisations for the visually impaired throughout Scotland. My Department does not currently produce publications in large print. We are, however, presently considering how we might increase the range of information in alternative formats for people who are visually impaired.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount raised through the payment of fixed penalties for speeding in each of the last five financial years, for each police force in Scotland; and if there has been any change of policy by the police forces regarding the collection of speeding fines during the past five years. [1284]

Police fixed penalties for speeding were only introduced in April 1993 and have been set at £40 since then. The following table gives the information held centrally on the number of police conditional offers of fixed penalties for speeding issued in each of the last three financial years, for each police force in Scotland. The fixed penalties are collected by the Clerk of the District Court with jurisdiction over locus of the offence. It is not possible from information held centrally to give the total amounts raised from fixed penalties for speeding in each police force area for the period covered in the table.

Number of police conditional offers issued under section 75(3) of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 in relation to speeding offences, 1993–94 to 1995–96
Police Force	Offers issued
	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Central	3,248	3,913	3,716
Dumfries and Galloway	3,032	2,931	4,478
Fife	3,576	3,686	3,111
Grampian	5,528	7,275	6,892
Lothian and Borders	8,628	11,298	10,873
Northern	2,266	2,749	3,479
Strathclyde	36,675	30,247	27,651
Tayside	6,071	5,730	5,210
Scotland	69,024	67,829	65,410

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Government are currently taking to ensure the retention of qualified dentists in the general dental service; and if he will make a statement. [1890]

This area is under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the total amounts claimed for dental treatments from the Dental Practice Board in each of the last five years in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the relationship between these figures and the numbers of general dental practitioners in the same periods. [1894]

Information on payments scheduled by the Dental Practice Board for England and Wales is given in the table. Questions relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland respectively. The table includes figures for the number of general dental practitioners on health authority lists.

General dental service: Scheduled gross payments to dentists for item of service and number of dentists—1992–93 to 1996–97
England and Wales
	England		Wales
	Item of service payments £ million1	Number of dentists2	Item of service payments £ million1	Number of dentists2
1992–93	966.6	15,618	53.4	831
1993–94	884.3	16,020	48.7	858
1994–95	925.3	15,745	49.8	850
1995–96	931.5	15,998	49.5	855
1996–97	951.3	16,387	51.1	913
1 Most child treatments were paid for through capitation payments until September 1996. Therefore the item of service figures do not give a true reflection of the amount of child treatment carried out. The figures include entry payments.
2These figures are a headcount of the number of different dentists on Health Authority lists. They exclude community salaried and hospital dentists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total amount of money currently spent to assist in capital investment in general medical practices; what were the figures in each of the last five financial years; and what are the figures for capital investment in dental practices. [1892]

It is not possible to identify separately the total amounts paid to general medical practitioners and general dental practitioners to support capital investment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total cost to the Sunderland Hospital Trust of changing the name of Sunderland District General hospital to the Sunderland Royal hospital. [2461]

Sunderland District General hospital was recently renamed Sunderland Royal hospital to reflect its royal designation. The change reflects the hospital's links with Sunderland Royal Infirmary, which closed in 1995 when services were transferred to more modern buildings at the District General Hospital. We understand from City Hospitals Sunderland National Health Service Trust that the costs of the title transfer were at around £1,000 and were paid from non-exchequer funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list (a) the name, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in his Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2425]

I have appointed Mr. Joe McCrea as my special adviser. He was previously my research assistant. The terms and conditions of his appointment are set out in the draft model contract, copies of which have been placed in the Library.Special advisers are paid within a range of £24,349 to £73,484. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential within this range. Details of this and of previous salary are not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.This is a personal appointment made by me following consultation with the permanent head of the Department and the Prime Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the review of the use of silicone breast implants to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [2299]

The Independent Review Group aims to report to the Chief Medical Officer in late 1997. The completion date for the review will, however, depend on the amount of work that the Group considers necessary to fulfil the remit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will deposit a copy of the full Schengen agreement text in the Library prior to the signature of the treaty of Amsterdam. [2009]

The Schengen Agreement is not a Treaty to which this country is a party, nor is it an EC or EU document. We will consider whether to deposit the Schengen Agreement in the Libraries of the House in the light of developments in the IGC negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the current British interpretation of human rights with the draft Amsterdam treaty, with particular reference to the use of the term "fundamental freedoms" in article F of the draft treaty. [1995]

We consider the use of the term human rights and fundamental freedoms in the draft Treaty to be fully compatible with the UK's understanding of that term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to send a British team to monitor the Algerian elections. [1583]

The UK contributed two observers to the United Nations co-ordinated team which monitored the Legislative Elections in Algeria which took place on 5 June 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of (a) the meeting in Paris on 27 May between NATO Heads of State and Government and the Russian President and (b) the North Atlantic Council meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers at Sintra on 29 and 30 May. [2847]

In Paris my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister signed, with his NATO colleagues, the President of Russia, and the NATO Secretary-General, the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Co-operation and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation. This is an historic document designed to encourage greater trust and co-operation between Russia and NATO.The main provisions of the Act are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for June; and if he will list major EU events for the next six months. [2848]

The following is the information: