To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) girls and (b) boys aged under 18 years were sentenced to prison custody by each magistrates court and Crown court area in England and Wales by (i) offence and (ii) length of sentence for the last four years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [6330]

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the tables show in less detail the number of offenders aged 10 to under 18 sentenced to immediate custody for all offences by sex, type of court, type of offence group and length of sentence in England and Wales from 1992 to 1995. Copies of these tables have been placed in the Library.Offenders of this age are not committed to prison but to young offender institutions or to secure child care establishments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) girls and (b) boys aged under 18 years have been placed into local authority secure accommodation in England and Wales following sentence or remand into custody by (i) age of the offender

Incidents of self-harm 1990–91–1995–96
Prison	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Askham Grange	22	25	—	—	—	5
Brock hall	—	—	—	—	—	—
Bullwood Hall	16	31	47	125	126	206
Cookham Wood	4	12	12	21	32	49
Drakehall	3	2	5	8	7	5
Durham	—	1	2	5	19	35
East Sutton Park	2	2	1	—	—	3
Eastwood Park	—	—	—	—	—	61
Holloway	77	69	125	296	386	192
Low Newton	41	26	47	38	31	25
New Hall	118	113	105	157	325	260
Pucklechurch	47	56	74	117	65	—
Risley	47	47	47	26	69	105
Styal	253	217	159	365	156	108
Winchester	—	—	—	—	—	—
Totals	630	601	624	1,158	1,216	1,054
Total female prison population	1,560	1,590	1,510	1,640	1,870	2,010

The placement of juveniles in local authority secure accommodation on remand by a court is a matter for individual local authorities. The Department of Health collate statistics on such placements. They are published annually and are available in the Library.Statistics on the placement of juveniles in local authority secure accommodation following sentence by a court are not recorded centrally on the basis of sex or category of offence and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. A breakdown of such placements by age is given in the following table.

Placement of offenders in local authority secure accommodation
Age	1992–93	1993–94	1995–96	1996–97	April 1997 to June 1997
10–13 years	0	3	5	16	8
14 years	16	28	60	101	26
15 years	30	47	49	34	6
16 years	32	28	13	15	4
17 years	8	1	0	1	0
Total	86	107	127	167	44

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the rate of incidents of self-harm which have occurred in women's prisons and female young offender institutions in England and Wales in each establishment for each year since 1990. [6332]

The information is not available in the format requested. The attached table shows the incidents of self-harm which occurred in each prison holding female adult prisoners and young offenders in England and Wales for each financial year since 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the implications of the Abbas Radiom case at the European Court of Justice for future rulings by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [6596]

The implications of this judgment will be taken into account by the High Court when it resumes its consideration of Mr. Radiom's application for judicial review of the decision to exclude him from the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of police powers to take action against drivers using mobile phones whilst driving. [6228]

The Government and the Association of Chief Police Officers consider that existing powers in road traffic legislation enable the police to deal properly with enforcement issues arising from the use of mobile phones when driving.Under regulation 104 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, the police can prosecute or issue fixed penalty notices to drivers who do not exercise proper control of their vehicles. Use of a mobile phone when driving can also result in prosecution for the offence of careless and inconsiderate driving or dangerous driving.The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is considering measures to raise drivers awareness of the danger associated with using mobile phones.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to publish reports into the deaths of prisoners held in prison custody in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [6295]

We care currently reviewing our policy on the disclosure of investigation reports.

To ask the Secretary for the Home Department if he will estimate the savings to central Government funds from transferring responsibility for that part of Elmbridge currently in the Metropolitan police area to the Surrey police area. [6222]

The Commissioner informs me that in view of the complexity and the number of factors and underlying assumptions which would need to be taken into account, it is not possible to make such an estimate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places, at what schools and at what cost, were provided under the assisted places scheme in Leicestershire in (a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [6221]

The number of assisted places taken up and the cost of those places for each participating school in Leicestershire in academic years 1995–96 and 1996–97 are given in the following table:

Assisted Places Scheme: Leicestershire
School name		Academic year 1995–96	Academic year 1996–97
Dixie Grammar School	Number of assisted pupils	0	7
	Cost of places £000s	0	22
Leicester Grammar School	Number of assisted pupils	53	65
	Cost of places £000s	172	225
Leicester High School for Girls1	Number of assisted pupils	0	13
	Cost of places £000s	0	43
Loughborough Grammar School	Number of assisted pupils	123	140
	Cost of places £000s	345	390
Loughborough High School	Number of assisted pupils	94	103
	Cost of places £000s	231	269
Oakham School	Number of assisted pupils	33	39
	Cost of places £000s	160	196
Ratcliffe College	Number of assisted pupils	80	80
	Cost of places £000s	362	345
1 These schools joined the Assisted Places Scheme in September 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications his Department has received from religious schools requesting Government funding in the last 12 months; when he received a request from the Islamia Schools Trust for grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement. [6582]

In the last 12 months, fourteen applications have been received from independent religious schools to enter the maintained sector of education—twelve to become grant-maintained (GM) schools, and two to become voluntary aided (VA). Of these, five GM proposals and one VA proposal have been approved, and one GM proposal has been rejected. The remaining seven proposals are under consideration. The proposal from the Islamia Schools Trust was published on 9 January 1997. We shall be making a decision on this and the other proposals as soon as we can.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his plans in respect of the Skye Bridge tolls, following his recent meeting with the Highland Council. [6497]

[holding answer 3 July 1997]: We have looked carefully at the full range of options for making the toll regime for the Skye Bridge fairer. In doing so we have had to take account of the fact that we inherited the contractual commitments which the previous Government had entered into with Skye Bridge Limited. Those commitments guarantee Skye Bridge Limited a specific financial return on the bridge. Therefore any action by the Government in relation to toll levels which leads to a reduction in the revenues which would flow to the company renders the Government liable to compensate the company for that reduction in revenue.This makes affordability a key issue. Simply buying out the contract is estimated to cost around £30 million. We cannot justify that in the face of the many pressing needs for future expenditure within my public expenditure programme. Spending on education and health, for example, has a higher priority in deciding how to deploy any public expenditure which we can free up by reordering priorities or improving the efficiency of programmes.The idea of removing tolls completely through 100 per cent. shadow tolls is no less expensive than buying out the contract. Nor in public expenditure terms does it have the effect of spreading the cost over a number of years, as people have tended to assume. The full cost of the project would be a public expenditure charge immediately because of the absence of the transfer of risk to the private sector, which is what justifies the phased public expenditure cost for DBFO roads contracts entered into before construction has begun.We looked at the option of partial shadow tolling. However, we concluded that this was not the fairest means of alleviating the impact of tolls. We consider that the impact of the tolls is most severe on local people and others who use the bridge most frequently. We can halve the car and motorcycle tolls for frequent users for almost the same cost as would be involved in reducing tolls across the board by only 10 per cent., through partial shadow tolling.We believe that halving the discounted tolls for cars and motorcycles paid by frequent users would be a very significant benefit. Frequent users make 40 per cent. of all car crossings at present and most of them will be inhabitants of Skye or the surrounding area. This change will produce a toll of £1.25 compared to the current discounted ticket cost of £2.51 and the current cost to casual users of £4.40 in the low season and £5.40 in the high season. At the suggestion of Highland Council, I propose that the number of crossings necessary for car and motorcycle owners to qualify for the discounted toll should be increased from 10 to 20.Highland Council put to me the case for some reduction in tolls for commercial vehicles. I looked very carefully at several options which they put to me and concluded that, since over 70 per cent. of commercial vehicles take advantage of discounted tolls at present, I should focus any reduction on these tolls as I have done for car users. A reduction of 25 per cent. in discounted tolls for large heavy goods vehicles will reduce the cost of each crossing by £6.32, from £25.27 to £18.95, which should produce very substantial cumulative benefits to the businesses concerned. I hope this will benefit the local economy either through the effect on consumer prices or by helping companies retain or increase employment.Highland Council also made a case for a reduction in the toll for service buses, and I have decided to reduce the discounted toll for these by 25 per cent. from £15.27 to £11.45. This should enable bus operators to reduce fares and will, I hope, encourage the use of public transport.I wish to assist the health of the local economy. The changes in tolls which I propose to make are likely to cost me a very substantial amount of money over the life of the contract. That will be matched by savings to bridge users, who will be free to spend that money in other ways. Since the benefits will be concentrated on local people, as a result of the approach which I have chosen, the extra spending power is more likely to flow to the local economy.My officials are now in discussion with Skye Bridge Ltd. to agree the precise details and the arrangements to ensure that the effect of these changes on the Companys revenue is neutral. The timing of these changes will depend partly on the need to promote a variation to the Toll Order, which will have to he approved by Parliament, and on the need to complete the discussions with the Company. They will, however, be implemented as early as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will list the successful national lottery bids in Stoke-on-Trent, North, by category of national lottery funding, indicating the percentage they comprise of the total sums awarded nationwide in each category; [6281](2) how many applications for each category of national lottery funding have been received from Stoke-on-Trent, North; and how many of these have been

To date over £3.7 billion has been awarded to 23,570 projects throughout the UK. Twelve of these awards are to projects in Stoke-on-Trent, North worth £2,938,508. The first table lists these together with the percentage they represent of the total sums awarded across England and the UK. The second table shows the number of applications received from Stoke-on-Trent, North.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to introduce restrictions on members of the bodies allocating lottery funds from taking jobs with organisations to which they have been making allocations. [6062]

Non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), including those which allocate Lottery funds, are covered by the guidance on business appointment rules set out in the Treasury/Office of Public Services Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This requires NDPBs to consider whether they need to adopt rules comparable to those that apply to Crown servants in the light of their functions and of any potential for conflict of interest which might give rise to public concern. My Department has reminded those NDPBs for which it is responsible of this requirement, and asked them to consider whether appropriate clauses might also be inserted into the contract of employees in especially sensitive positions.Staff of NDPBs generally were reminded of the need to observe the business appointment rules of their organisation in the model Code of Practice for Staff of Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies published by the Office of Public Service in August 1996, a copy of which is also in the Library of the House. My Departments NDPBs have all adopted, or are in the process of adopting, the model Code.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase sports facilities and opportunities for those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement. [5820]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: This Government is determined to promote sport for people with disabilities, it is our aim to maximise opportunity for all people, no matter what their ability. There is an enormous amount of untapped talent, which given the right opportunities and encouragement could become our next generation of successful Paralympians.I am taking a particular interest in disabled sports events. In the last two months. I have opened the World Blind Sailing Championships and the British disabled water skiing facilities at Heron Lake. I have attended disabled rugby at Loughborough University, a coaching session by the London Community Cricket Association for the disabled, fundraising for the Special Olympics organised by Sainsburys and been to the British retinitis pigmentosa awards. I shall also be opening the Special Olympics in Portsmouth later this month.We as a nation should take pride in the achievements of our disabled sportspeople. The success of our Paralympic team in Atlanta last year, winning 122 medals in total, 39 of them gold medals, was a considerable achievement and shows what can be done with effort and determination. As I said in the sport for all debate last week, we need more media coverage of these international events.To ensure we build on this success, the British Academy of Sport and the regional centres of sporting excellence will address the provision for people with disabilities as an integral part of our overall strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if an application for Lottery funding for the Melbourne Sports Stadium in Chelmsford has been granted; and if he will make a statement. [6005]

[holding answer Tuesday 1 July 1997]: The English Sports Council is the statutory distributor in England of Lottery funds for good causes in sport. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not have any role in the decision-making process on individual applications. The English Sports Council has, however, advised me that the application referred to is still being processed and no decision has yet been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement about the NESTA programme. [5232]

[holding answer Thursday 3 July 1997]: The Government has announced its intention to establish a National Endowment for Science and the Arts (NESTA) to be funded initially from the National Lottery. NESTAs purpose will be to find innovative ways to support talent and new ideas in science, technology and the arts. Our proposals for NESTA will be set out in a White Paper which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be publishing shortly and which will initiate a wide consultation on the activities which NESTA might undertake.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which seaside piers have applied for national lottery funding; which have been successful; and what amount has been allocated to each successful applicant. [6289]

Twelve applications have so far been made to the Heritage Lottery Fund in respect of funding for seaside piers. Of these, seven have been successful and five are still being considered. It is the Heritage Lottery Fund's policy not to release details of applications for funding before a decision has been made. The successful projects are:

	£
Clevedon Pier	1,195,045
Swanage Pier	700,000
Bo'ness Harbour Pier	250,000
Penarth Pier	1,101,000
Southport Pier	34,000
Brighton West Pier	11,025,500
1 Brighton West Pier has received two awards of £968.000 and £57.500.

The Millennium Commission has received three applications in respect of funding for piers. Two of these, in respect of Bognor and Minehead piers, are still being considered. A third application by the Hastings Pier Consortium, for a grant of £43.4 million to construct a Millennium Pier, was not selected for detailed appraisal.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his Departments estimates of the impact of different levels of a minimum wage on tax yields. [3709]

It is not possible to say what the impact of the minimum wage on tax yields will he without knowing the level it will be set at. This is a matter for the Low Pay Commission to advise the Government on, taking into account the wider effect on the economy.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the names of those of his officials who accompanied him on his air travel (a) to the G7 Economic Summit and (b) between Denver and New York. [6286]

I was accompanied to (a) The Economic Summit in Denver by: my wife; my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Chancellor of the Exchequer; Sir John Kerr, HM Ambassador, Washington; Alex Allan—Principal Private Secretary; Jonathan Powell—Chief of Staff; John Holmes—Private Secretary; Alastair Campbell—Press Secretary; plus ten No. 10 support staff; 13 officials and support staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; six officials HM Treasury; four members of the Royal Military Police; 17 members of the media; and one US security official.

To ask the Prime Minister what communications have been received in the past two years from other Governments under the Statute of Westminster Act 1931 authorising the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to enact legislation relating to the succession to the throne. [6561]

[holding answer 3 July1997]: As far as I am aware, none, although I cannot answer for the previous Administration.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish his Departments submissions relating to freedom of information legislation. [6027]

[holding answer 2 July 1997]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is considering how best the advice of government departments on Freedom of Information should be treated in a way which contributes to public debate while at the same time preserving the necessary collective responsibility needed in the preparation of major legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total amount (a) spent and (b) allocated by his Department on tackling the problems relating to drugs in respect of (i) improving international co-operation to reduce supplies from abroad, (ii) increasing the effectiveness of police and Customs enforcement, (iii) maintaining effective deterrents and tight domestic controls, (iv) developing prevention publicity, education and community action and (v) improving treatment and rehabilitation; for (a) 1994, (b) 1995, (c) 1996 and (d) 1997. [4799]

The information is not available in the form requested. The Welsh office is not responsible for all the activities listed. However the total estimated expenditure by the Department on drug and alcohol misuse initiatives is as follows:

Estimated expenditure (£000s)
	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97
Welsh Office	783	460	378	750
Allocation to health authorities	2,600	12,600	—	—
1 Health Authority allocations for drug and alcohol misuse ceased to be separately identified from 1995–96.

These figures do not include local authority expenditure and figures for Grant for Education Support and Training (GEST) which cannot be separately for identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what review he has undertaken of the benefits of the Cardiff Bay Barrage. [7315]

I have undertaken a thorough review of the Cardiff Bay Barrage project. In the course of this review I have received and considered legal opinion and an analysis of the economic impact of the Barrage. In the light of their advice I have concluded that the Barrage should be completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of the Staff Commission for Wales. [7316]

The Staff Commission was established on the 5 July 1994, under section 40 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994, for a period of 3 years. It was established to safeguard employees interests during local government reorganisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Parliamentary all-party groups which the Foreign Office assists financially, indicating the amounts. [6298]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: This Department does not assist any Parliamentary all-party groups financially.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Treaty agreed at Amsterdam on 17 June to be signed by Ministers; what ratification procedures are necessary in each Member State; and what is the planned date of the Treaty taking effect. [6480]

We expect the Treaty agreed at the Amsterdam European Council to be signed in October of this year. We expect other Member States to ratify the Treaty in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures. In Denmark the ratification process will include a national referendum. The Treaty will enter into force once it has been ratified by each of the Member States.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answers of 16 June, Official Report, columns 14–16, which of the proposals (a) for extension of qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers and (b) for powers of co-decision with the European Parliament were agreed by the Heads of Government meeting in Amsterdam on 16 to 17 June. [6549]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 June at columns 346–47 to the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) and the answer I gave on 30 June at column 38 to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir J. Stanley).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his response to the motion by the 33rd Conference of the heads of the member states of the Organisation of African Unity calling for the lifting of sanctions against the Libyan people. [6087]

[holding answer 3 July 1997]: It remains the view of the government that since this crime was committed over Scotland. Scottish jurisdiction is entirely appropriate to deal with it. The quickest way to expedite matters would be for the Lockerbie accused to be handed over to the Scottish jurisdiction.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received about the reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers in developing countries. [6373]

Developing countries consistently stress the importance they attach to improved access to EU markets. We are committed to the further opening of markets and we are pressing for improved access both within the EU and in the WTO and other appropriate international fora.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of GNP was transferred to developing countries from the United Kingdom in respect of (a) public and (b) private money in (i) 1992 and (ii) 1996. [6366]

The following table shows details of the percentage of GNP (to nearest 2 decimal places) disbursed as public and private flows to developing countries in 1992 and 1995 (the latest year for which full data are available). The provisional estimate for official development assistance in 1996 is £2,041 million representing 0.27 per cent. of GNP. It should be noted that according to the World Bank, 140 out of 166 developing countries receive a mere 5 per cent. of global private flows.

	1992		1995
	£ Million	Percentage of GNP	£ Million	Percentage of GNP
Public flows	2,010	0.33	2,135	0.30
official development assistance	1,841	0.31	2,000	0.28
other official flows	169	0.03	135	0.02
Private flows	3,443	0.57	5,968	0.84
on market terms	3,100	0.52	5,661	0.80
voluntary grants	343	0.06	307	0.04
Total resource flows	5,453	0.91	8,103	1.14
GNP	601,414	100	709,698	100

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the reduction in farmers incomes that will result from the most recently announced reduction in the cull cow compensation rate. [6687]

The reduction in farmers' income from compensation resulting from the reduction in the compensation rate for cull cows slaughtered under the Over-Thirty Months Scheme (OTMS) will depend on the number of animals coming forward for slaughter at the end of their productive lives and the weight of such animals. However, for an average dairy farmer culling out 10 cows per year, the reduction in income is likely to be of the order of £375.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he had with representatives of the farming industry before his recent announcement of a reduction in the cull cow compensation rate. [6688]

My colleagues and I have had several meetings with representatives of the farming industry since 1 May. While there was no specific consultation on the cut in the compensation rate for cull cows before the announcement, my colleagues and I are fully aware of beef farmers concerns over the state of the industry, and their views on the Over-Thirty Months Scheme in particular.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that labelling of nutritional information on food packaging by supermarkets is accurate. [6421]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon Friend the Member for Cleethorpes (Shona McIsaac) on 16 June, Official Report, column 69.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about the future of the Royal Observatories. [7314]

The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) has decided to concentrate the work it funds at the Royal Greenwich Observatory (RGO), which is based at Cambridge, and the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE) in a new UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC) at Edinburgh. This new name will better reflect the fact that the Royal Observatories are now really observatories in name only. Their main function is to provide technological support for the telescopes operated by PPARC on behalf of British astronomers.A substantial amount of money will be freed up as a result of this decision amounting to £2.4 million per annum over the next four years and at least £4 million per annum thereafter. This sum, which is equivalent to approximately 20 per cent. of the budget for astronomy grants, will be re-invested in basic science. It will fund grants to astronomers doing exciting new science in our universities. In addition, I am confident the new UKATC will benefit greatly from the increased efficiency and better co-operation between scientists which will result from combining the RGO and ROE programmes.This decision will allow PPARC to reorganise the Royal Observatories in the way which best meets their scientific requirements. I believe that, as the responsible Research Council, they should have the freedom to manage their research facilities efficiently and effectively. PPARC will develop this in consultation with the unions and other interested parties. Under the previous administration, PPARC was bound to implement the conclusions of the 1995 Prior Options Review of the Royal Observatories that the management of the United Kingdom telescopes and the delivery of the instrumentation programme currently provided by the Royal Observatories should be subject to competitive tendering. PPARC have reviewed the situation in the light of developments since then and have advised me to release them from this obligation. I have decided to follow this advice in line with our long-standing opposition to dogmatic privatisation.The concentration at Edinburgh will take place over some years. The RGO is an historic institution with a great tradition that has already survived two changes of location. I am asking PPARC to explore every possible avenue for keeping the institution alive. Nevertheless, this decision will lead to some job losses. Therefore I have asked PPARC to make every effort to help anyone who loses their job to find alternative employment.I have laid a copy of the report on which PPARC's advice was based and a copy of my letter to the Chairman of PPARC in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the task forces established by her Department or in co-operation with her Department, together with their responsibilities and compositions. [5996]

[holding answer 30 June 1997]: The following task forces have been established by the DTI since 1 May:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many swords have been exported to Saudi Arabia since 1992. [5504]

[holding answer 26 June 1997]: The information requested is not available because the system of classification used to record trade does not separately identify swords.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reports her Department has received from British Energy on the immobilisation strategy for separated plutonium. [6408]

None. This is a commercial matter for British Energy—subject to complying with the relevant regulatory safeguards.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the payments covered by the contract between BNFL and British Energy announced on 4 June relates to (a) spent fuel charges and (b) fuel fabrication charges. [6406]

Details of the contracts between BNFL and British Energy are commercially confidential and are a matter for the companies involved.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the spent fuel covered by the contract between BNFL and British Energy announced on 4 July will be (a) stored, (b) wet stored and (e) reprocessed. [6405]

Details of the contracts between BNFL and British Energy, which was announced on 4 June, are commercially confidential. I understand, however, that initially an estimated 800 tonnes will be reprocessed. How the remaining spent fuel will be dealt with is a matter for the companies involved although it will include a mixture of reprocessing and storage.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans BNFL has notified to her Department relating to the use of plutonium not produced at Sellafield in the proposed Sellafield MOX plant. [6404]

The Sellafield MOX plant is designed to produce Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel for BNFL's customers from the recycled plutonium and uranium separated during reprocessing. In the main, it is envisaged that the Sellafield MOX Plant will utilise plutonium arising from reprocessing of spent fules at THORP which belong to overseas customers. The Sellafield MOX plant has the capability to blend uranium and plutonium which has been separated at other reprocessing plants. I understand, however, that there are no current plans to utilise this capability.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated annual cost of storing (a) a cubic metre of vitrified high-level waste and (b) a container of vitrified high-level waste in the vitrified product store at BNFLs Sellafield site. [6412]

Once spent fuel has been reprocessed and the reusable uranium and plutonium extracted the small proportion of high level waste can be vitrified. The cost and subsequent charge to customers for storing vitrified waste is a commercial matter between BNFL and its customers.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what cash resources are held by BNFL to meet its share of the nuclear liabilities arising at its sites. [6411]

Details of the funding currently held by BNFL to meet its nuclear liabilities are published in the company's Annual Report and Accounts. The last available figures from the 1995–96 report are given as £1.12 billion. The difference between this and the discounted figure of £1.58 billion, given in the report, will be provided over remaining plant lives. Full details are provided in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if BNFL makes cash payments into a segregated fund for the purpose of meeting its share of the nuclear liabilities arising at its sites. [6410]

BNFL, which is a publically owned company, does not make payments into a segregated fund for its nuclear liabilities. The company is, however, required to ensure that the resources called for will be available. Investment and management of these funds is carried out by BNFL in accordance with Treasury guidelines. Details of, and information relating to, provisions for total liabilities for which BNFL is liable are published in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the funding arrangements established by BNFL to enable it to meet its share of the nuclear liabilities arising at its sites. [6409]

BNFL is required to make full and adequate provision for its liabilities, The Company undertakes an annual review of its waste management and decommissioning liabilities and then ensures that, in the light of this, it makes proper provision for the resources estimated. BNFL's published accounts for 1995–96 indicate the BNFL's share of the costs of nuclear liabilities was £2.6 billion (undiscounted) or £1.6 billion (discounted), of which £1.1 billion has been provided for to date in the Company's accounts.The provisions are expressed at current price levels and are based on the latest technical assessments of the processes and methods likely to be used in the future. They represent estimates derived from a combination of the latest technical knowledge available, existing legislation and regulations and commercial agreements.Full details of future liabilities for which BNFL are liable and the basis of providing for them, are contained in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the figures for theft of post entrusted to the Royal Mail in each of the last five years; what steps are being taken to prevent such theft; how many prosecutions there have been in each year; and if he will list the figures for the Finchley and Golders Green constituency. [6293]

I understand from the Post Office that Royal Mail handles in excess of 17.5 billion items of mail each year of which only a tiny fraction is claimed not to have been delivered. That tiny fraction includes mail which has been delivered but subsequently stolen, mail which has been delivered but fraudulently claimed not to have been, misdelivered mail and incorrectly addressed mail delivered as addressed.Theft of mail is a criminal offence which Royal Mail takes very seriously. For security reasons, it would not be appropriate to disclose the active measures which Royal Mail undertakes, and continually reviews, in order to prevent the theft of mail.Figures for the number of mail items stolen and the number of prosecutions is a commercial matter for Royal Mail, This is not information which other mail companies would disclose.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what date he expects to receive Sir Peter Middleton's review of civil justice and legal aid reforms; and if he will make a statement. [5971]

The Lord Chancellor has asked Sir Peter Middleton to produce a preliminary report by the end of September.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he plans to take to improve the protection of purchases and sellers of homes in England and Wales from (a) gazumping and (b) late withdrawals before contract. [6070]

Work will shortly be under way across a number of Government Departments co-operating together which will look closely at the problem of gazumping and will lead to detailed proposals which will be in the interests of everyone involved in the sale and purchase of homes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Strategic Defence Review will include the science and technology division of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency. [6842]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Russell) on 24 June 1997, Official Report, columns 422–23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what has been the (a) highest, (b) lowest and (c) average award of compensation before repayment of any DSS benefits to the Compensation Recovery Unit in respect of asbestos-related claims by MOD (i) civilian and (ii) former civilian staff in the last five years for (1) pleural plaques, (2) diffuse pleural thickening, (3) asbestosis, (4) mesothelioma and (5) lung cancer; [6492](2) how many claims by MOD civilian or former civilian staff are outstanding in relation to illnesses resulting from alleged exposure to asbestos during their service with

My Departments computer records do not show the particular asbestos-related disease or diseases that claimants have allegedly contracted, or whether a civilian or former civilian member of staff claiming compensation was ever in the Armed Forces, or if employed in support of the Armed Forces, with which Service. The claimants employment status at the time the claim was submitted and at the time settled is not readily available. Information on employment history and status could only be provided in respect of the more recent claimants and then only at disproportionate cost. Documentation on claims from civilian and former civilian employees is routinely destroyed three years after the claims has been settled.Computer based information in respect of the number of claims received from civilian or former civilian staff only goes back to 1 April 1985. In the period 1 April 1985 to 30 April 1997, my Department received 2,286 claims for compensation for asbestos-related disease alleged to have been caused by asbestos exposure while the claimants were employed as MOD civilians. Of these claims, 1,797 have resulted in the payment of compensation. On 30 April 1997, 303 claims were outstanding.In the five years since 1 May 1992, the highest amount paid in compensation before repayment of DSS benefits, in respect of a single claim to a civilian or former civilian MOD employee was £298,500: the lowest was £110; and the average is £20,344.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his policy to follow the previous Governments defence spending plans for the year 1999–00. [6355]

The Government has said that it is committed to living within the spending plans of the previous administration for the first two years. No decisions have been taken for 1999–00.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the annual saving to public funds of bringing the United Kingdoms defence spending as a percentage of gross domestic product into line with the average of European countries which are members of NATO. [6838]

To bring the percentage of gross domestic product accounted for by defence spending to the level of the average for the European members of NATO would require a reduction of around £5 billion a year in the UK defence budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings he has had with representatives of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. [6423]

Mr. Dave Knight, Chair of CND, attended a Seminar on the policy baseline for the Strategic Defence Review in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 July at which both my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs were present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider changes to the regimental system as part of the Strategic Defence Review. [6839]

The Strategic Defence Review will examine how the Army should be structured to meet our nation's interests and commitments, taking full account of the recognized strengths of the Regimental System. It would, however, be premature to speculate whether the review will alter any aspect of the system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units of Her Majesty's armed forces will take part in the Bastille Day parade in France on 14 July. [6780]

My Department is not aware of any units of Her Majesty's Armed Forces taking part in the Bastille Day parade in France on 14 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what requirements exist for bus operators running buses in central London to carry (a) transponders, (b) transponders compatible with those of other bus companies in central London and (c) transponders that can be used in conjunction with electronic time of arrival systems at bus stops. [6431]

This is an operational matter for London Transport Buses. I understand that 21 per cent. of bus services in London are now covered by automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems, almost all of which can be linked to the Countdown electronic passenger information system at bus stops. By the end of 1999 almost all of London's buses should have AVL. In addition, 65 per cent. of buses already carry separate transponders to operate systems to provide priority at some 300 traffic signals, principally in outer London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Governments policy in respect of traffic signals to be activated by transponders in buses. [6432]

We encourage local highway authorities, in conjunction with bus operators, to look for ways of giving priority to buses in traffic. This is an important way in which buses can be made a more attractive choice of travel. The use of transponders to give priority to buses at traffic signals is one means of doing this.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement concerning the progress of the proposed PFI scheme between London Underground and Seeboard Powerlink/BICC for improvements to the Northern Line power system. [6488]

Negotiations between London Underground and the Powerlink consortium are still taking place. London Underground are optimistic that a deal will be concluded. If it goes ahead, the Power PFI project will include a substantial upgrade of the Northern Lines power system by the contractor, as well as improvements to meet the rest of the networks power needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money was received by the Government in 1986 from the National Bus Company Pension Fund; and what estimate he has made of the current value of such a sum appropriately invested. [6808]

A total of £121.8 million was paid to the Department of Transport in 1990 (not 1986) on the winding up of the two National Bus Company pension funds, An estimate of what that sum might now he worth had it been available for investment would depend entirely on the assumptions used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to review the NRTF means of appraisal for traffic generation. [6873]

My Departments advice on traffic generation is contained in Volume 12 of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Section 2, Part 2, Guidance on Induced Traffic. This was revised in February 1997, following experience with the advice issued in December 1994 which implemented recommendations made by the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment. There are no proposals for further revisions at present. The National Road Traffic Forecasts are a forecast of traffic growth, not a means of appraisal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the projected increases of emissions of (a) carbon monoxide, (b) nitrogen oxide and (c) PM10 particles consequent on the proposed widening of the M25 between junctions 12 to 15; and if he will make a statement. [6339]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: Taking 1991 as the base year and 2010 as the forecast year, morning peak hour carbon monoxide emissions from vehicles on the M25 are predicted to decrease by approximately 72 per cent. with the widening scheme compared to 70 per cent. without the scheme. Emissions of oxides of nitrogen are predicted to decrease by approximately 84 per cent. compared to 72 per cent. without the scheme. PM10 concentrations are predicted to decrease by 38 per cent. compared to 51 per cent. without the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will prohibit buses travelling on motorways from carrying standing passengers; and if he will make a statement. [6349]

Clearly, the risk of injury to passengers in an accident is minimised if they are seated and wearing seatbelts. In the light of this we will be looking at whether the current rules for standing passengers in buses on motorways need further consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to reduce the number of patients who fail to attend NHS appointments. [4901]

The Department of Health has supported a series of regional seminars to raise awareness of the issues in the National Health Service about patients who do not attend (DNA) their out-patient appointments and to share good practice. We will also be publishing shortly DNA figures for individual trusts in the 1996–97 NHS Performance Tables.

To aks the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the benefits of conductive education; and if he will make a statement. [6350]

The Department of Health has not commissioned research into conductive education. The Department for Education and Employment commissioned research by the University of Birmingham, published in 1993, to evaluate the effectiveness of conductive education provided at the National Institute of Conductive Education. This found no evidence that children receiving conductive education progressed better than comparable children at maintained special schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his Departments submissions relating to freedom of information legislation. [6032]

[holding answer 2 July 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister today.