To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average sentence for an offender aged over 18 years on a first conviction for a domestic burglary offence according to the most recent figures available; [10860](2) how many offenders aged over 18 years on a third conviction, or on a conviction after three or more previous convictions, for an offence of domestic burglary received a non-custodial sentence according to the most recent figures available; [10862](3) what is the average sentence for an offender aged over 18 years on a third conviction, or on a conviction after three or more previous convictions, for an offence of domestic burglary according to the most recent figures available. [10863]

The most recent available information comes from a sample of nearly 700 domestic burglars, aged 18 years or over, sentenced in March 1996. Of those with no previous convictions for domestic burglary, 46 per cent. received a non-custodial sentence. The average custodial sentence length for offenders on a first conviction for domestic burglary was 13.9 months. Of those who had at least two previous convictions for domestic burglary, 23 per cent. received a non-custodial sentence; this represents about 1,000 offenders in a full year. The average custodial sentence length for offenders on a third or greater conviction for domestic burglary was 16.8 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average sentence for an offender aged over 18 years on a first conviction for a class A drug trafficking offence according to the most recent figures available; [10861](2) what is the average sentence for an offender aged over 18 years on a third conviction, or on a conviction after three or more previous convictions, for a class A drug trafficking offence according to the most recent figures available. [10864]

The information requested is not routinely available because class of drug was not recorded for central sentencing statistics before 1993. A special study was carried out on repeat drug offenders sentenced in October to December 1994. For the offenders aged 18 or over in the study, the average custodial sentence length for those convicted of a third or subsequent class A drug trafficking offence was just over four years. First-time class A drug traffickers were not covered by the study.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the licensing laws to bring opening hours for private clubs into line with those for public houses; and if he will make a statement. [11085]

Opening hours for registered members' clubs are in line with the general permitted hours for licensed premises. I have received no proposals relating to this particular area of licensing, and have no present plans for change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) to what factors the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate attributed the weight loss in the rabbits found being stored at the Charing Cross and Westminster medical school; [11200](2) what recommendations for changes in procedure at Charing Cross and Westminster medical school have been made by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate; and what action has been taken; [11202](3) what action has been taken by his Department to reappraise the project of cat operations at the Institute of Neurology. [11206]

Between March and June 1996, the inspectorate carried out a full investigation into the allegations concerning the Charing Cross and Westminster medical school and the Institute of Neurology which were made in the National Anti-Vivisection Society's report "Access Denied". We do not have any plans to reopen this matter.I understand that the inspectorate was satisfied that the weight loss in rabbits at the Charing Cross and Westminster medical school was a minor transient problem which can occur in any laboratory animal population. Although often considered to be stress related, no precipitating factor was found on this occasion. This was determined to have been an intercurrent problem not induced by any experimental protocol. The problem had been recognised and properly managed by the animal care staff.At Charing Cross and Westminster medical school, the inspectorate identified irregularities in the application of approved methods for the humane killing of animals and deficiencies in middle management. The certificate of designation was revoked. A new certificate was issued when the establishment satisfied the Home Office that:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a royal commission on the use of animals in experiments; and if he will make a statement. [11052]

We do not consider that a royal commission on the use of animals in experiments is necessary at this time. In the Animal Procedures Committee, the Secretary of State already has an excellent source of independent expert advice on all aspects of the use of animals in scientific procedures. The committee is currently reviewing the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and I expect to receive shortly a report setting out the committee's deliberations made, interim findings and initial recommendations.Setting up a royal commission would divert resources from progressing the committee's review, from responding to its recommendations and from other planned Home Office initiatives.The Government will work to ensure that the highest possible standards of animal welfare are implemented and that animals are used in scientific procedures only where this is fully justified. We will promote alternatives which replace animal use, which reduce the number of animals used and which refine procedures to minimise suffering.We will pursue initiatives across Europe rather than risk exporting animal experiments to countries with less rigorous controls. The measures we take must also be sustainable and must not unnecessarily disadvantage United Kingdom research, medicine and industry or compromise public safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the alternatives available to the use of animals in experiments. [11053]

The Government will promote alternatives which replace animal use, which reduce the number of animals used and which refine procedures to minimise suffering.Section 5(5) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that applicants for project licence give adequate consideration to the possibility of achieving the objectives of the programme of work using methods which do not use animals. In addition, when assessing licence applications, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate ensures that protocols are refined to minimise the suffering to animals and the number of animals used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the advice he has issued concerning the prosecution of private consensual homosexual acts involving males between the ages of 16 and 18 years. [11268]

My Department has issued no such advice. Prosecution policy is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, as the head of the Crown Prosecution Service, under the superintendence of the Attorney-General. The law provides restrictions on prosecutions for certain homosexual offences in England and Wales. Under section 8 of the Sexual Offences Act 1967, no proceedings can be instituted except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions against any man for the offence of buggery, or gross indecency with, another man or for aiding, abetting, counselling, procuring or commanding its commission where either of the men were at the time of its commission under the age of 21.The Crown Prosecution Service applies two tests before it institutes proceedings. First, it decides whether the evidence affords a realistic prospect of conviction; secondly, if that exists, it decides whether prosecution is in the public interest. Prosecution of those under 18 is not undertaken lightly and is more likely where there is an element of seduction or corruption, coercion or force. Each case would be carefully considered in the light of its own facts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the election of British Members of the European Parliament by proportional representation. [11488]

The Government recently announced their intention to introduce legislation this Session to provide for the 1999 elections to the European Parliament to be conducted using a proportionally based regional list system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications of chapter 14 of the Amsterdam treaty for the electoral systems in the United Kingdom. [11424]

We do not believe that chapter 14 of the provisional draft treaty of Amsterdam will have an impact on the electoral system in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the second report on the impact of the national lottery on the horserace betting levy. [12151]

An update on the impact of the national lottery on the horserace betting levy has been published today. This fulfils an undertaking made during the passage of the National Lottery Bill.The paper, which has been prepared by the economics unit of the Home Office, examines continuing trends in off-course betting expenditure, on which the levy is closely dependent.The statistical analysis suggests that, in 1996, betting expenditure off-course was about 10 per cent. below the level it would have reached in the absence of the national lottery. Horserace betting accounts for an estimated 70 per cent. of such expenditure, and therefore the levy yield is likely to have been similarly affected. This can be only an approximate figure, and the effect of the lottery may vary over time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which provisions of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 will be implemented; and when. [12152]

I will implement most of the provisions of the Act, and to the same timetable as envisaged by the previous administration. The provisions of the Act which I will implement are set out, according to the target date of implementation.Provisions to be implemented in 1997:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the recommendations of the review of delay in the criminal justice system. [12153]

The review of delay in the criminal justice system was set up in October 1996 and its report was published on 27 February 1997. Interested parties were then invited to comment on the 33 recommendations in the report. My right hon. and learned Friends the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney-General and I have considered these recommendations, taking account of the responses received, and we have concluded that many of them have the potential substantially to reduce delay without impairing the quality of justice.We have therefore decided to accept the following recommendations, making legislative provision, where necessary, in the Crime and Disorder Bill:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Governor of Hong Kong submitted a final report on the discharge of his functions under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990. [12154]

The Governor submitted his last report to my right hon. Friend on 20 June. A copy has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish his proposals for the implementation of the EC data protection directive 95/46/EC. [12155]

Copies of the paper setting out the Government's proposals for new data protection legislation will be placed in the Library tomorrow at 10 am.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Dublin convention. [12156]

The convention determining the state responsible for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the European Communities—the Dublin convention—will come into force on 1 September 1997. The convention, which was ratified by the United Kingdom in 1992, provides a mechanism for determining which member state should be responsible for deciding an asylum application made in the European Union.Responsibility is determined according to a set of criteria. These include whether the applicant has a close family member recognised as a refugee in another member state; whether another member state has granted the person a residence permit or visa; the location of any illegal entry into the European Union; and the existence of a previous asylum application. The applicant can be transferred under the convention only if the receiving state agrees that it is responsible and if specific arrangements are made for the transfer. In many cases, the receiving state will not be the one from which the applicant embarked. There will be no change to the existing requirement that we must be satisfied that the applicant's life or liberty would not be threatened in the country concerned on account of his race, religion or any other factor; and that he would not be sent on to another state in breach of the 1951 United Nations convention on refugees.The convention provides for the exchange of information on asylum applicants with other European Union states. This may include personal information such as fingerprints. The convention requires that such information may be used only for asylum purposes and may be communicated only to the authorities competent to make decisions on asylum cases. Information about the basis of an asylum claim itself may be exchanged only with the permission of the applicant.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make an announcement about the establishment and membership of the service authorities provided for under sections 1 and 47 of the Police Act 1997 to maintain the National Criminal Intelligence Service and National Crime Squad. [12157]

I have decided to appoint Sir John Wheeler to chair the service authorities. I am delighted that Sir John has accepted this appointment. I have no doubt that his skills and experience will prove invaluable to the service authorities in their task of maintaining the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad, both of which will substantially strengthen our ability to tackle organised and serious crime at national and international level. During his 18 years in Parliament, Sir John chaired a number of committees and groups, including the all-party penal affairs group and the Home Affairs Select Committee.In 1990, he was awarded a knighthood for service to the Select Committee. He has been a justice of the peace in London since 1978 and is an active member of the Order of Saint John.The other independent members I propose to appoint are Paul Lever and Peter Holland. Paul Lever is chairman of BSM Group plc and of Ashworth hospital authority. He has held senior management positions in major public companies and has considerable experience in the fields of strategic and financial management. Peter Holland is an independent business consultant and is also chairman of Hertfordshire police authority. He has held senior management positions in the Reuters Group, with responsibility for human resource and financial management.I am also appointing Maria Callaghan to represent me in my capacity as the police authority for the Metropolitan police district. Miss Callaghan is a member of the Metropolitan police committee, chairs the Calotels Hotel Group and has extensive experience of business management. She holds a bachelor of law degree and has practised as a commercial lawyer.These are four of the appointments for core members, of which there are 10 in all, who serve on both service authorities. The six other core members are:

Member	Position	Appointed by
Councillor Stephen Murphy	Greater Manchester Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (East and West)
Councillor Bob James	West Midlands Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (East and West)
Councillor Peter Fallows	West Mercia Police Authority (CON)	Police authorities (East and West)
David Veness QPM	Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police	ACPO
David Phillips QPM	Chief Constable, Kent Constabulary	ACPO
John Warne	Director, Organised and International Crime Directorate, Home Office	Home Secretary

The NCIS Service Authority has a total of 19 members. The additional members are:

Member	Position	Appointed by
Cllr. Ron Fisher JP	South Yorkshire Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr. Owen May	Devon and Cornwall Police Authority (Lib Dem)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr. Julia Sturrock	Taysie Joint Police Board	Police authorities (Scotland)
Pat Armstrong CBE	Police Authority for Northern Ireland	PANI
Ian Oliver QPM	Chief Constable, Grampian Police	ACPOS
Ronnie Flanagan OBE	Chief Constable, Royal Ulster Constabulary	Royal Ulster Constabulary

Member	Position	Appointed by
Dick Kellaway	Chief Investigation Officer, Her Majesty Customs and Excise	Commissioners for Customs and Excise
Duncan Macnivan	Head of Police, Fire and Emergencies Group, Scottish Office	Secretary of State, Scotland
John Steele CBE OBE TD DL	Senior Director, Northern Ireland	Secretary of State, Northern Ireland

The National Crime Squad Service Authority has a total of 17 members. The additional members are:

Member	Position	Appointed by
Cllr. Ken Walker	Cleveland Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr. Barry Murray	South Wales Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr. Neil Taggart	West Yorkshire Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr. Sir. John Grugeon DL	Kent Police Authority (CON)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr. Elfyn Williams	North Wales Police Authority (Lib Dem)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr. Mrs. Angela Harris DL	North Yorkshire Police Authority (Lib Dem)	Police authorities (E and W)
David Wilmot QPM	Chief Constable, Greater Manchester Police	ACPO

The independent members were selected in line with Nolan principles following the procedures set out by Sir Len Peach in his guidance on public appointments. The police authority members for England and Wales were selected from among the local authority members of police authorities so as to ensure that, as far as practicable, the membership of the service authorities reflects the balance of parties across all local authority members of police authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that any company supplying security services to his Department should be a member of the self-regulating organisations in the private security industry. [10448]

Current policy on appraisal of suppliers—including those providing security services—is to include, as best practice, criteria covering membership of self-regulating organisations. We recommend that

"proof of enrolment on a professional or trade register, or register of companies in the country in which the supplier is established"

is obtained. Such membership is not in itself mandatory for prospective suppliers of goods and services to the Home Department. It is one of a range of criteria on which a conclusion will be reached about the suppliers' ability to perform the proposed contract.The planned introduction of statutory regulations for the private security industry, which I announced on 15 July 1997, will necessitate a review of our present guidance on supplier appraisal. This will follow a wide consultation exercise with the security industry over the next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10732]

The payment of salaries and wages to staff in the Home Office, its agencies and some non-departmental public bodies is made through the Home Office payroll, which is managed in-house. Payroll services are not provided to other Departments. Funds are disbursed through the payroll for tax, national insurance, voluntary deductions made by staff, attachment of earnings etc. Financial management information is provided to budget managers. The cost of the service in 1996–97 was £3.7 million. Chessington Computer Services Ltd., provide a standard payroll package on licence to the Home Office. A software bureau, SEMA Group, processes the payroll data.No management systems were purchased during the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [11390]

[holding answer 29 July 1997]: The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much financial support, at current prices, the Government have given to the voluntary organisation, Victim Support, in each year since 1979. [11353]

[holding answer 29 July 1997]: In the following table, the annual Home Office grant to Victim Support has been revalued to 1997–98 prices using the gross domestic product deflator.

Financial year	Grant £million
1979–80	0.014
1980–81	0.023
1981–82	0.038
1982–83	0.031
1983–84	0.071
1984–85	0.110
1985–86	0.212
1986–87	0.466
1987–88	2.730
1988–89	3.977
1989–90	5.305
1990–91	5.948
1991–92	6.695
1992–93	8.227
1993–94	9.223
1994–95	10.866

Financial year	Grant £million
1995–96	11.421
1996–97	12.003
1997–98	12.682

The previous Government froze the grant to Victim Support at £11.7 million and made it clear that no more money would be forthcoming. However, support for victims is a top priority for us and, in furtherance of that aim, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on Friday 13 June that the Home Office was increasing its grant to Victim Support by £1 million a year, taking it to £12.7 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money at current prices has been invested by the Government in closed circuit television in each year since it was introduced. [11351]

[holding answer 29 July 1997]: Home Office funding for closed circuit television has been provided through three rounds of the CCTV challenge competition—held in 1994–95, 1996–97 and 1997–98. Some £5 million was awarded to local crime prevention partnerships in round 1; £17.1 million in round 2; and £15 million in round 3. The funds awarded in 1994–5 and 1996–7 are worth £5.4 million and £17.6 million, respectively, at current prices.Awards made in round 1 of the competition have all been paid in full. Awards under rounds 2 and 3 are being paid on a basis of need as projects proceed towards implementation. Actual expenditure in 1996–7 was £9.2 million—£9.5 million at current prices.Funding for CCTV is available through other programmes such as the single regeneration budget. However, expenditure on CCTV is not identified separately on such programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of recorded crime in each police area in England and Wales in each year since 1992. [11163]

[holding answer 29 July 1997]: Information by police force area on the levels of crime in terms of numbers and percentages since 1992 is given in the table.

Notifiable offences recorded by the police by police force area
England and Wales 1992–1996
Police force area	Number of offences					Percentage change
	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Avon and Somerset	175,404	175,946	167,975	152,886	156,557	0	-5	-9	2
Bedfordshire	59,436	58,847	52,501	51,104	52,005	-1	-11	-3	2
Cambridgeshire	66,339	65,807	61,732	67,652	69,532	-1	-6	+10	3
Cheshire	79,491	80,156	74,926	73,202	66,214	+1	-7	-2	-10
Cleveland	84,312	78,279	81,732	79,719	78,608	-7	+4	-2	-1
Cumbria	45,336	43,744	42,492	41,230	39,739	-4	-3	-3	-4
Derbyshire	88,449	91,454	85,915	82,380	78,896	+3	-6	-4	-4
Devon and Cornwall	114,675	121,026	109,396	102,193	103,121	+6	-10	-7	1
Dorset	52,238	52,091	55,415	54,582	49,731	0	+6	-2	-9
Durham	67,315	67,180	65,029	57,817	51,849	0	-3	-11	-10
Essex	115,062	114,435	105,995	98,097	100,758	-1	-7	-7	3
Gloucestershire	60,601	60,985	60,371	55,448	53,675	+1	-1	-8	-3
Greater Manchester	395,195	364,858	338,110	327,994	327,976	-8	-7	-3	0
Hampshire	153,256	147,074	141,272	134,319	135,915	-4	-4	-5	1
Hertfordshire	59,129	56,868	54,887	55,891	54,441	-4	-3	+2	-3
Humberside	128,743	140,988	135,826	128,393	126,932	+10	-4	-5	-1
Kent	159,881	161,787	155,344	155,251	147,980	+1	-4	0	-5
Lancashire	132,138	134,581	127,300	124,921	122,487	+2	-5	-2	-2
Leicestershire	97,468	99,863	99,150	93,607	94,125	+2	-1	-6	1
Lincolnshire	49,306	52,664	47,767	48,015	47,077	+7	-9	+1	-2
London, City of	6,768	5,620	5,272	5,727	4,831	-17	-6	+9	-16
Merseyside	149,672	142,325	136,825	153,385	145,956	-5	-4	+12	-5
Metropolitan Police	942,876	910,209	853,478	817,082	841,784	-3	-6	-4	3
Norfolk	66,996	64,319	56,075	51,716	55,314	-4	-13	-8	7
Northamptonshire	59,550	59,850	57,607	56,524	57,378	+1	-4	-2	2
Northumbria	224,442	213,936	204,057	194,141	169,656	-5	-5	-5	-13
North Yorkshire	54,816	57,967	62,153	63,539	56,919	+6	+7	+2	-10
Nottinghamshire	164,417	158,960	152,592	151,371	141,307	-3	-4	-1	-7
South Yorkshire	137,336	157,229	157,089	154,293	151,577	+14	+0	-2	-2
Staffordshire	97,536	98,421	93,757	91,495	92,155	+1	-5	-2	1
Suffolk	44,721	43,138	39,393	38,233	37,094	-4	-9	-3	-3
Surrey	53,468	52,504	46,783	44,313	42,014	-2	-11	-5	-5
Sussex	119,364	111,876	107,105	110,300	118,086	-6	-4	+3	7
Thames Valley	197,799	200,356	186,268	178,702	172,194	+1	-7	-4	-4
Warwickshire	44,996	45,522	42,592	38,906	38,926	+1	-6	-9	0
West Mercia	79,175	82,832	83,949	80,013	82,254	+5	+1	-5	3
West Midlands	329,260	330,091	315,755	318,087	317,892	0	-4	+1	0
West Yorkshire	305,264	301,838	289,716	283,938	268,716	-1	-4	-2	-5
Wiltshire	42,229	41,611	38,147	36,428	35,911	-1	-8	-5	-1
England	5,304,459	5,247,237	4,991,748	4,852,894	4,787,582	-1	-5	-3	-1
Dyfed-Powys	28,539	24,743	21,602	19,419	19,072	-13	-13	-10	-2
Gwent	40,961	40,008	38,431	33,034	44,572	-2	-4	-14	35
North Wales	49,204	48,102	43,451	41,645	41,024	-2	-10	-4	-1
South Wales	168,554	166,165	157,748	153,249	141,578	-1	-5	-3	-8
Wales	287,258	279,018	261,232	247,347	246,246	-3	-6	-5	0
England and Wales	5,591,717	5,526,255	5,252,980	5,100,241	5,033,828	-1	-5	-3	-1

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated cost to the police of alcohol-related incidents and offences in the last year for which figures are available. [11372]

[holding answer 29 July 1997]: This information is not collected centrally. The cost to the police of responding to incidents and dealing with offences is a matter for individual chief constables.Senior police officers have expressed concern about the level of drink-related incidents and the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) has recently announced that we will be bringing in a range of measures to tackle the particular problem of young people and alcohol, including a new offence of buying alcohol for unsupervised under 18-year-olds and clarification of the position on test purchases. The Government will also implement on 1 August the Confiscation of Alcohol Act 1997 which will give the police a discretionary power to confiscate alcohol, or what appears to be alcohol, from under-age drinkers in any public place, or any other place to which the young person had unlawfully gained access.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes there were in each year since the schemes were introduced. [11352]

[holding answer 29 July 1997]: Neighbourhood watch schemes were first introduced in 1982. Statistics relating to the early years of their development were not collected systematically. Information is available only from 1991 onwards and is as follows:

	Number
January to December 1991	99,149
January to December 1992	115,678
January to December 1993	130,584
January to March 1994–95	143,002
April to March 1995–96	153,260
April to March 1996–97	161,397

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed by each of the four Welsh police forces in each year since 1979. [11199]

[holding answer 29 July 1997]: The information is set out in the table:

Year	Police force
As at March	Dyfed-Powys	Gwent	North Wales	South Wales
1979	910	965	1,268	2,936
1980	926	967	1,275	3,056
1981	932	972	1,293	3,065
1982	920	964	1,286	3,103
1983	927	963	1,296	3,091
1984	921	962	1,290	3,071
1985	910	964	1,271	3,073
1986	930	978	1,253	3,066
1987	932	973	1,286	3,100
1988	917	979	1,300	3,126
1989	931	996	1,327	3,102
1990	935	1,008	1,337	3,135
1991	935	999	1,349	3,137
1992	947	1,009	1,347	3,168
1993	967	1,004	1,360	3,176
1994	965	993	1,352	3,131
1995	976	997	1,366	3,014
1996	991	11,044	1,378	13,027
1997	1,005	11,243	1,369	12,976
1 As a result of local government re-organisation in Wales on 1 April 1996, 150 police officers were transferred from the South Wales police to the Gwent constabulary.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and which countries are recipients of aid under the Asian initiative. [9952]

The initiative will work in high-priority countries in terms of reproductive health needs. The main recipients are expected to be Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam. Other countries may be included later.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on future levels of planned aid to Yemen. [11289]

The bulk of Britain's development assistance to Yemen is provided through contributions to the World bank and European Community. Our bilateral programme focuses on the Government of Yemen's priorities for economic recovery and includes support for the World bank's programme to regenerate Aden port. Projects funded under the British partnership scheme support local non-governmental organisations and small communities. We are currently reviewing our programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the countries which have not (a) signed and (b) ratified the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women; what steps her Department is taking to encourage them to do so; and if she will make a staement. [11490]

I have been asked to reply.I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of students who graduated in June 1996 were unemployed in June 1997; and if he will make a statement. [10517]

The latest data available for unemployment rates of new full-time first degree graduates in the UK are for the academic year 1994–95 which show that 9 per cent. of graduates with known destination were unemployed six months after graduation. Data on the first destinations of graduates for the academic year 1995–96 will be published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency at the end of this month.Unemployment among newly qualified graduates has declined annually since 1992 and this decline has occurred in spite of the increased output of graduates from universities and colleges of higher education. The unemployment rate for graduates in the economically active labour force is, however, much lower than this and stood at 4.1 per cent. in 1996. Those with degrees enjoy employment rates significantly higher than those without.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of general national vocational qualification students will be attending higher education institutes from September 1997; and if he will make a statement. [10485]

Available information on applicants and acceptances to HE courses through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service scheme shows that in 1996 there were 21,308 applicants who had taken either units of the advanced GNVQ or the full award and were applying to higher education institutions HEIs. Of these, 13,090–61.4 per cent.—gained HE places. This compares favourably with 1995, when 5,942 UCAS applicants5–8.5 per cent.-gained places at HEIs out of a total of 10.151. A total of 168 HEIs have accepted advanced GNVQ applicants on to their courses, with 50 accepting more than 100 such applicants, including 26 with more than 200 and eight with more than 300 GNVQ entrants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will conduct a national investigation into debts owed to universities and other higher educational institutes by graduating students; and if he will make a statement. [10519]

We have no plans to conduct such an investigation. Money owed to individual institutions is a matter between them and the students concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of levels of average student debt for 2000; and if he will make a statement. [10524]

A typical higher education student graduating in the year 2,000 having attended a three-year course away from home and outside London would have a total debt of some £4,600 at 1997 prices if he or she took out the maximum available student loan each year. This figure excludes any commercial or family debts, information on which is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of student loans from each year since the scheme's inception remain in (a) arrears and (b) total default at the latest available date; and in what proportion of cases in each year recovery action is being taken. [11473]

This is a matter for the Student Loans Company. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he proposes to make in respect of expenditure related to the sale of student debt prior to Royal Assent being granted to the Education (Student Loans) Bill. [12219]

Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Education and Employment: Programmes and Central Services vote, class IX, vote 1. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £1 million will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of providing free tuition for all part-time undergraduates (a) in higher education and (b) on approved further education courses. [11182]

We estimate that the annual cost of meeting the fees currently paid in respect of (a) all part-time undergraduates in higher education and (b) all students, including full-time students, in further education who currently pay fees would be approaching £300 million and some £200 million respectively. It is not possible to estimate the fee income from all part-time students in further education separately, though it is known to be well in excess of £100 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if medical students following courses of between four and six years will be required to make a contribution to their tuition fees throughout their university and hospital training. [11036]

Under the plans announced by my right hon. Friend in the statement that he made in the House on 23 July, full-time students in higher education would pay up to £1,000 per year depending on parental income. But, as my right hon. Friend also made clear, we shall be considering the need for appropriate measures, such as bursaries for students entering some health and social care professional courses, as well as teacher training courses, given the state's particular interest in securing a continued supply of qualified professionals in these areas. We have invited the views of representative bodies by the end of September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to make discretionary degree course fees subject to parental means-testing. [10769]

My right hon. Friend announced on 23 July the Government's proposals to require full-time undergraduates to make a contribution to tuition fees of up to £1,000, dependent on parental income. The implications of these proposals for students who are not currently eligible for mandatory awards are being considered and will be dealt with in a more detailed policy statement in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of employees, in each payband, in the quangos for which his Department is responsible, are of (a) Asian origin and (b) Afro-Caribbean origin. [8962]

The numbers employed are too small to make percentages by payband meaningful in those executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by this Department and using civil service grades¹. Overall, staff of Asian origin represent 3.6 per cent., while those of Afro-Caribbean origin represent 2.9 per cent., of the 1,570 staff. These staff are found across the grades as follows:

Grade and equivalent	Number of staff of Asian origin	Number of Afro-Caribbean origin
Senior civil service grades	1	0
G6 and equivalent	3	0
G7	1	0
SEO	4	3
HEO	10	2

Grade and equivalent	Number of staff of Asian origin	Number of Afro-Caribbean origin
EO	19	14
AO	9	27
AA	2	1
1 Funding Agency for Schools, Education Assets Board, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Further Education Funding Council, Schools Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Equal Opportunities Commission, Teachers' Training Agency, National Council for Educational Technology, Investors in People UK Ltd.

Comparable data are not available from the other NDPBs. The latest figures for Remploy Ltd.–11,300 people—are:

Per cent.
Grade group	Afro-Caribbean black	Asian black
Shop floor grades	1	2
Staff grades	1	1
Management grades	0	0
Interworkers	1	1
Whole company	1	2

Recent available figures for the Construction Industry Training Board, with 900 staff, and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, with 40 staff, show that 0.4 per cent. of staff were Asian and 0.5 per cent. Afro-Caribbean; 1.35 per cent. of the Student Loans Company, with 295 staff in Glasgow are of ethnic minority origin and occupy supervisory and managerial grades. Statistics are not currently available for the National Council for Vocational Qualifications, with 282 staff and the Centre for Information and Language Teaching with 22 staff.

	Special schools			Other schools
Schools identified by OFSTED as requiring special measures during the academic year beginning	EBD	Other	Percentage	Total	Primary	Secondary	Percentage	Total
September 1994	2	3	0.4	5	32	20	0.24	52
September 1995	14	9	1.8	23	61	20	0.37	81
September 1996	12	16	2.3	28	117	26	0.65	143

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what means he will ensure that the removal of higher education maintenance grants will not restrict access for students from lower-income families. [11049]

The Government recognise that participation in higher education by students from poorer homes is closely related to educational achievement up to 18 years of age. The policies set out in our White Paper "Excellence in schools" should greatly improve educational opportunities for all children.The current student support arrangements have not encouraged students from lower-income families to enter higher education. The Government are therefore proposing to replace the existing mixture of maintenance grants and student loans with new system of loans which will be repaid by graduates in work. The new system will be fair and progressive, as repayments will be related to

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy to bring forward proposals in his forthcoming White Paper on higher education to reform the system of finance for students of dance and drama; and if he will make a statement. [10815]

The Government are sympathetic to the position of certain students of dance and drama. They note the recommendations which the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education has made in this area—in particular the need to review the supply of dancers and actors—and in the light of these will consider with interested parties what new arrangements might be put in place once the current interim bursary scheme expires. The Government's response to the committee's report will be published in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many special schools in England have been identified by Office for Standards in Education as falling or in need of special measures in each of the last three years (a) in total and (b) as a percentage of all special schools; [10352](2) what percentage of schools in England excluding special schools have been identified by Ofsted as falling or in need of special measures in each of the last three years. [10353]

The figures requested are set out in the table.graduates' incomes, which are on average significantly higher than those of non-graduates. Parents in lower income families will not be expected to contribute to the costs of their children's maintenance while they are studying.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of average earnings the standard student grant and loan currently represents; and if he will make it his policy that that proportion is maintained in future years. [11493]

The support available through maintenance grant and loan to full-time higher education students studying away from home and outside London in academic year 1996–97 represented 18 per cent. of the value of gross national average earnings as at April 1996.Future levels of student support will be determined at the appropriate time, taking into account all relevant factors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what targets he has set the Employment Service for 1997–98; and what plans he has for reviewing these in the future. [12160]

I have today placed in the Library copies of the 1997–98 Employment Service annual performance agreement, which sets out the standards and targets I expect the Employment Service to achieve this year. The new agreement reflects our commitment to helping people, especially those who are at a disadvantage in the labour market, find employment, and stresses that the priority for Employment Service managers this year is to take the necessary steps to prepare for the introduction of the new deal in April next year.The Employment Service will have a key role in implementing the new deal, and is at the heart of our efforts to help unemployed people, acting as a gateway to job vacancies and a wide range of initiatives tailored to address each individual's needs. The breadth of ES's current work is reflected in the targets I am announcing today—from placing 1.75 million unemployed people directly into jobs, to helping to ensure that JSA is paid quickly and accurately.I am also announcing today a review of ES's targets, including a consultation exercise with those who work with the ES, to make sure that the targets fully reflect this government's commitment to creating a fair and efficient labour market, in which all have the chance to prosper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about teachers' pay in 1997–98. [12158]

I am today laying before Parliament a second Pay and Conditions Order bringing the provisions of the school teachers's pay and conditions document into force from 1 September 1997. Copies of this order are being sent to local education authorities and the teachers' and employers' organisations.The school teachers' pay and conditions document 1997 and the Department's accompanying circular of guidance, "School Teachers' Pay and Conditions of Employment 1997", circular No. 9/97, were published on 18 July following detailed consultation with the teachers' and employers' associations and representatives of governors of voluntary and grant-maintained schools. The document sets out the statutory pay and conditions of employment for teachers in maintained schools in England and Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the (a) average and (b) maximum numbers of children in primary school classes in the parliamentary constituency of Selby. [9974]

The available information is shown in the tables. The information in table 2 puts into context the information on maximum class sizes in table 1.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the number of jobs which would be created within the United Kingdom through the Ministry of Defence ASTOR programme; and if he will make a statement; [10813](2) what is his estimate of the number of additional jobs which would be created through use of the bombardier global express platform in the ASTOR programme. [10814]

The Ministry of Defence aims to place the contract for the ASTOR programme in the next year. Two contractors, Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon E-Systems, have completed the competitive project definition studies for the ASTOR programme and invitations. Final offers for the full development and production phase are currently being prepared, following which the companies' detailed industrial participation proposals will form part of the assessment in awarding the contract.Therefore, at this stage of what is a sensitive competition, we cannot speculate about the number of jobs that may be created.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to reduce the level of bullying in schools; and if he will make a statement; [11462](2) what plans he has to meet World Health Organisation representatives to discuss the

My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet World Health Organisation representatives to discuss bullying in schools. We are, however, concerned that all schools treat the issue of bullying seriously and take steps to combat it promptly and firmly whenever and wherever it occurs. To that end, our White Paper, "Excellence in Schools" has reminded schools that effective strategies to deal with bullying, developed and implemented by the whole school community including pupils, should form a central part of schools' behaviour policies.We are currently looking at what further action we might take to help schools tackle bullying and reduce its incidence. This will include taking more active steps to spread information on good practice in combating the problem.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to encourage enterprise among those who have been made redundant or taken early retirement. [9727]

I believe that it is important to ensure that people receive the help they need to become self-employed.The Department's expenditure review will set our future priorities for employment and training initiatives to complement the new deal, including the encouragement of enterprise.Currently training for work provides support for self-employment. This is part of a wide range of provision to help jobseekers return to work, including those made redundant or who have taken early retirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 24 June, Official Report, column 443, if he will list the elected members of local authorities who have places on the boards of TECs. [6301]

[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1997, c. 342]: In the list of elected members of local authorities, Mr. Alan Parker' s name was included by error as an elected member of the board of West London TEC.As director of education, Mr. Parker is an official of the London borough of Ealing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what changes he has agreed with the Office for Standards in Education to its inspection procedures. [12163]

As foreshadowed in the White Paper "Excellence in Schools", the chief inspector has agreed to implement a programme of changes arising out of Ofsted's analysis of information collected about contracting, the process of inspection and reports, with a view to securing possible further improvements in consistency, quality and value for money. Ofsted plans to introduce in the year beginning September 1997:

a quality standard for contractors which each will have to satisfy in order to gain inspection contracts. This will place considerable requirements on contractors and, where these are not met, Ofsted may cease business with them or reduce their level of activity until satisfied that they have improved. This action will be central to Ofsted's drive to improve the overall quality of inspections;

contracting arrangements which further reduce bureaucratic procedures and paperwork. These arrangements will also reduce the period of notice to schools of inspection and mean that all schools know the exact date between one and one-and-a-half terms in advance;

a requirement that team inspectors may inspect subjects or aspects only where they have the relevant expertise and training. Ofsted will organise approved training and accredit inspectors. They will have a register of team members and, with new legislation, the power to remove them from this register if they prove to be incompetent;

a requirement that the names of team members and the subjects and aspects inspected in a school are included in the published reports. This will increase their accountability and enable Ofsted to identify weak ones;

a requirement that inspectors should give oral feed-back to all teachers;

a limit on the proportion of any one day that a teacher can be observed by an inspector. The upper limit will be 75 per cent. of the day with 50 per cent. as the norm. This should reduce the pressure on teachers in small primary schools particularly;

a requirement that head teachers receive a profile for each teacher of the quality of teaching observed by inspectors. Each teacher will receive the data on their own teaching. This essential management of information should aid schools in identifying very good teachers, those needing further support and those whose competence is seriously in doubt;

a requirement that the second inspection comments on progress made by the school since the previous inspection. Much of the information will come from the school and its own review systems;

further guidance on judging standards by providing benchmark descriptors of what is expected of work judged "excellent" through to "very poor", for all subjects;

annual data summaries for each school, including aggregate inspection data from the previous inspection. Copies of all the summaries will be sent to LEAs along with a summary of data for all the LEA's schools;

an external person to review handling of complaints about inspection where the complainant remains unhappy with the outcome of the complaint.

In addition, the chief inspector has agreed to review Ofsted's contracting procedures with the involvement of an external party.

To ask the President of the Council what progress the Government have made since 2 May in combating drug abuse and related problems. [11835]

I have been working with a wide range of ministerial colleagues to ensure a collective and effective response to a major social problem. Specific initiatives under way across Government include funding 79 local anti-drugs projects under the £2 million drugs challenge fund in England, and related developments in Scotland and Wales; publication of an independent evaluation of drug action teams, which points the way forward for local action against drugs; reversing potential plans for reductions in frontline Customs staff; reinforcing, in the context of the single regeneration budget and elsewhere, the links between tackling drugs and regeneration; planning for the Government's legislative commitment to a drug testing and treatment order; and a cross-departmental review to assess the resources available for action against drugs.In addition, the Government are honouring their manifesto commitment to appoint an anti-drugs supremo to co-ordinate our battle against drugs. The special expert adviser post of UK anti-drugs co-ordinator, also known as the "Drug Czar", is being advertised tomorrow on a three year full-time fixed-term contract. We are looking for someone who can bring visible leadership and drive to the fight against drugs, working in partnership with all relevant agencies, communities and individuals. The post-holder will urgently review the overall direction of Government action, and submit proposals for a new strategy for England, while ensuring strategic coherence to the work in the rest of the UK and internationally. She or he will work directly to me as chair of the Cabinet sub-Committee on drugs misuse, and have access to the Prime Minister. We plan to make an appointment in the autumn, following an open selection process which ensures that the best possible candidates make themselves available for a vitally important job.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 30 July. [10316]

This morning, I had meetings with colleagues and others and later today I shall host a reception at No.10 Downing street.

To ask the Prime Minister if a decision has been made on the composition of the Intelligence and Security Committee. [12093]

Following consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and in accordance with section 10 of the Intelligence Services Act (1994) I have appointed the Intelligence and Security Committee as follows:

• The Right Hon. Tom King CH, MP (Chairman)
• Lady Ramsay of Cartvale
• The Right Hon. Alan Beith, MP
• Mr. Kevin Barron, MP
• Ms Yvette cooper, MP
• Mr. Barry Jones, MP
• Mr. Michael Mates, MP
• Mr. Allan Rogers, MP
• Mr. Dale Campbell-Savours MP

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if a list of the parliamentary groups and committees established in compliance with the relevant rules of the House will be placed in the Library. [11415]

A new register of all-party and parliamentary groups is currently being compiled; it will be available shortly in the Library for inspection by hon. Members.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what measures are being implemented to ensure compliance with the rules for the establishment, designation and operation of parliamentary groups and committees. [11414]

The Administration Committee takes the view that the internal arrangements of all-party and parliamentary groups are matters for the groups themselves, provided they are not contrary to the regulations approved by the House on 20 March 1997.In order to be formally registered, an all-party or parliamentary group has to give a written understanding that the group will abide by the regulations approved by the House. If any hon. Member believes that a group is in breach of these regulations, I would expect him or her to draw the matter to my attention.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason files relating to the work of the Nolan committee at the Public Record Office are currently closed; and if he will release these files into the public domain. [10407]

Two classes of records of the Committee on Standards in Public Life have been transferred to the Public Record Office.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the budget for the millennium dome project, broken down by (a) category of expenditure and (b) source of revenue. [6129]

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what sums he estimates will be required from business for the millennium experience exhibition; and what assessment he has made of the effects on other millennium exhibition activities of businesses supporting the millennium experience. [6478]

[holding answer 3 July 1997]: Allowing for inflation and contingencies, the overall cash budget of the new millennium experience at Greenwich and associated national programme will be £758 million. Detailed breakdown of expenditure is subject to contractual negotiation and will be published in the accounts of the New Millennium Experience Co. Ltd. at the appropriate time. Budgeted revenue for the millennium experience will come from £175 million private sector sponsorship and commercial revenue—International Management Group's contract sets a target for sponsorship of £150 million—£168 million is expected from visitor revenue including ticketing and merchandising, and £15 million from the disposal of assets. The original grant of £200 million lottery money from the Millennium Commission will be supplemented as necessary by a further grant from the commission of up to £250 million (gross); £200 million (net).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from what budget the funds for the development of a European citizen's identity card for public distribution at the European Parliament were allocated. [9643]

This information is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member once further inquiries have been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations between the United Kingdom and the United States preceded the launch by NASA of Cassini. [11050]

Cassini is a joint NASA—European Space Agency project due for launch in October 1997. Most discussion takes place between these agencies. The UK, within ESA, has been fully involved in preparations for these discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Gibraltar. [10810]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to visit Gibraltar. [11478]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans at present to visit Gibraltar. I am looking forward to my visit in September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Spanish Government seeking the removal of the restrictions on military and civilian aircraft flying into Gibraltar. [10811]

We have already made representations to the Spanish Government about the removal of restrictions on military and civil aircraft and we will continue to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the British embassy and consulate towards British citizens and their families working abroad on permanent or semi-permanent assignments; what priority (a) these individuals and (b) British tourists travelling abroad receive; and if he will make a statement. [11096]

This Department's consular services offer world-wide protection 24 hours a day seven days a week to all British nationals abroad. The level of help provided and the priority attached to it is judged on a case by case basis depending on the needs of the individual.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on the protection and support of British citizens working overseas for foreign-based companies. [11207]

The protection of British nationals abroad is a front-line responsibility for this Department. Consular staff provide protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week worldwide to all British nationals who need it, irrespective of whether they are working overseas or travelling as tourists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the four-party talks on peace in the Korean peninsula scheduled to begin in Geneva on 5 August. [11296]

We welcome the plans for a preparatory four-party meeting in Geneva and hope it will quickly lead to full four-party talks about peace in the peninsula.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for the latest year for which the information is available the individuals from the Republic of Korea who have had visits to the United Kingdom sponsored by his Department stating in each case whether the airfare or costs in the United Kingdom were met from public funds. [11361]

The following Korean visitors were sponsored by this Department during the financial year 1996–97.

• Air fare and costs in UK met from public funds:
• Dr. Shin Jeong-Shik, President, Korea Economics Institute.
• Mr. Heon-Seok Lee, Assistant Minister for Construction Policy.
• Mr. Kim Keun, Director, International Affairs the Hankyoreh Shinmun.
• Costs in UK met from public funds:
• Mr. Kim Young-Soo, Foreign Editor, Korean Broadcasting System.
• Professor Shin Hee-Suk, Director General, Institute of Foreign Affairs.
• Professor Yong-Tae Kang, President, Korea Technology Society of Water and Waste.
• Mrs. Jeon Jae-Hee, Mayoress of Kwangmyung City.
• Mr. Park Hae-Hyun, Cultural Reporter, the Chosun Ilbo.
• Mr. Kim Kang-Chung, Managing Director and Chief Editor, Munwha Broadcasting Corporation.
• Mr. Kim Byuk-Soo, Editorial Director, Seoul Broadcasting System.
• Some incidental costs in UK met from public funds:
• Mr. Lee Soo-Mok, City Administration Manager, Kwangmyung City.
• Mr. Park Tae-Soo, Information Officer, Kwangmyung City.
• Dr. Kang Moon-Soo, Senior Fellow, Korea Development Institute.
• Dr. Lim Suhng Bin, Senior Research Fellow, Korea Research Institute for Local Administration.
• Mr. Geum Chang-Ho, Researcher, Korea Research Institute for Local Administration.
• Mr. O. Eui-Dong, Director, Planning Bureau, Pusan City.
• Mr. Park Sung-II, Assistant Director, Planning Bureau, Taegu City.
• Mr. Lee Eung-Gil, Assistant Director, Planning Bureau, Inchon City.
• Mr. Lee Kyu-Shik, Special Advisor, Inchon City Council.
• Mr. No Jae-Sook, Director, Planning Bureau, Kwangjoo City.
• Mr. Kim Chung, Special Advisor, Kwangjoo City Council.
• Mr. Lee Kee-Ha, Director, Planning Bureau, Daejun City.
• Mr. Kim In-Kyu, Director, Planning Bureau, Kyonggi Province.
• Mr. Park Won-II, Special Advisor, Kyonggi Provincial Council.
• Mr. Hong Won-Pyo, Assistant Director, Planning Bureau, Kangwon Province.
• Mr. Kim Nam-II, Director, Local Bureau, Kyungsangbuk Province.
• Mr. Suh Jae-Kyu, Director, Planning Bureau, Kyungsangbuk Province.
• Mr. Chun Soo-Sik, Director-General, Planning Bureau, Kyungsangnam Province.
• Mr. Kim Soon-Ik, Special Advisor, Cheju Provincial Council.
• Mr. Huh Dai-Choon, Special Advisor, Cheju Provincial Council.
• Dr. Kwang-Ho Meng, Professor of Preventative Medicine, Catholic University Medical School.
• Dr. Euichul Shin, Instructor, Catholic University Medical School.
• Dr. Hong-Jun Cho, Assistant Professor, Woolsan University Medical School.
• Dr. Yong-Jeon Shin, Instructor, Hanyang University Medical School.
• Dr. Kidong Park, Medical Officer, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.
• Ms Ji-Hoon Yang, Director, Division of Public Health, Cheonam Province.
• Ms Bon-Soon Koo, Assistant Director, Division of Public Health, Kyungsangbuk Province.
• Mr. Man-Soo Kim, Director, Division of Public Health, Pusan City.
• Mr. Cheul-Yong Jin, Division of Medicine and Pharmacy, Seoul City.
• Dr. Hong-Jun Cho, Assistant Professor, Medical College, University of Ulsan.
• Dr. Chay Pyung-Gil, Professor of Public Administration Yonsei University and member of Presidential Policy Planning Commission.
• Dr. Lee Chong-Su, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, Yonsei University.
• Representative Kim Ki-Soo, Representative in Kangwon Province, New Korea Party.
• Mrs. Lee Sang-Ho, Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Professor Park Chong-Kee, Professor of Economics, Inha University.
• Mr. Son Sang-Ik, Researcher, Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade.
• Professor Keun-Hyun Lee, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
• Dr. Lee Ki-Hwan, Lecturer, Korean Maritime University.
• Dr. Kim Si-Soo, Associate Professor, Pukyong University.
• Dr. Chung-Sook Moon, Professor, Department of Consumer Economics, Sookmyung Women's University.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 July, Official Report, column 604, on what day he wrote to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe; and what response he has received. [11146]

We wrote on 18 July. The OSCE replied on 28 July that registration applications could not be lodged during the appeals period. Polling day arrangements for the housebound remained under consideration. But the OSCE lacked the resources required to enable the housebound to vote at home under international supervision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government plan to sign the EU charter for regional or minority languages. [11294]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 28 July, Official Report, columns 30–31.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect on services of the 1996 review of the BBC World Service. [11104]

The joint FCO-BBC World Service working group will reconvene in the autumn to determine whether the measures it agreed last year to ensure that the continued protection of World Service interests and the maintenance of its special character, style and ethos are functioning satisfactorily. Meanwhile we are monitoring the situation closely.

To ask the secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Indonesia. [11293]

We look forward to pursuing a substantive and broad-based relationship with Indonesia, which reflects the breadth of our bilateral, regional and global interests, and addresses issues of mutual concern, including human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to refuse all export licences for arms sales to Indonesia. [11312]

We have no plans to introduce a general arms embargo on Indonesia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit the People's Republic of China. [11295]

When they met in Hong Kong, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Qian Qichen, invited my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to visit China. My right hon. Friend accepted the invitation and hopes to visit soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to publish the first of the reports to Parliament on Hong Kong and the implementation of the Joint Declaration. [11979]

The first such report, covering the period January to June 1997, was published today and a copy has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The report includes a foreword written by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.I commend the report to the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about increasing the number of business men on short-term attachments at posts overseas. [11980]

We made a commitment in our business manifesto to improve the focus of our efforts to back British business selling abroad, to enhance the co-ordination of government trade and investment promotion, and to promote business secondments with this Department.I am pleased to announce that we have secured a commitment from a number of leading companies to loan members of their staff to this Department to work on specific promotions or projects overseas for periods of a few months. These people will provide valuable expertise to support and promote the activities of the commercial sections of our overseas posts. Each attachment will have a specific focus, such as privatisation projects, inward investment promotion, management of commercial promotions, marketing of UK financial services, or identifying market opportunities in specific sectors.I welcome the whole-hearted support for this initiative of the Confederation of British Industry. It has encouraged a number of members to participate from the outset, including British Airways, BOC, ICL, Wimpey, British Aerospace, BT, British Steel, British Nuclear Fuels Ltd., BUPA, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and Glaxo Wellcome. Other companies have expressed a strong interest and I am confident that more attachments will be arranged in the coming months.This is a commitment to a rolling programme of attachments to strengthen our partnership with business. In the longer term, we hope that companies will be able to second suitable staff to serve as part of the established commercial teams in overseas posts, and in return provide opportunities for this Department's staff to hone their business skills by hosting secondments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is the definition of discrimination due to marital status in the burden of proof directive; and if he will make a statement; [11487](2) to which categories of individuals article 3 of the burden of proof directive is directed; and what cost analysis of the directive has been undertaken; [11485](3) if he will make a statement on the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area proposed in the presidency conclusions at Amsterdam; [11481](4) if he will make a statement on the effect of Agenda 2000 on the future allocation of structural funds to the United Kingdom; [11489](5) what reforms of the directorates-general will follow the declaration of the Commission in chapter 16 of the Amsterdam treaty; what effect this will have on

I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list each of the functions relating to the payroll for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all subcontractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [10740]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for the following functions relating to payroll:

collating and processing payments including basic pay, overtime, National Insurance contributions, tax and other deductions;

arrangements for making payments.

Chessington Computer Centre is contracted to carry out these functions on our behalf and marks all payments and deductions through the SPIRE—standard payroll input and retrieval—payroll management system. The combined costs of the pay and pay assessment contract at present is £67.96 per payee per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which elements of the national strategy for sport will be implemented in the London borough of Redbridge; and what plans he has to visit the area. [9514]

The strategy will be implemented throughout the country, including the London borough of Redbridge, and I hope to have an early opportunity to visit the area to see what is already going on and what opportunities there are for implementing the strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99 and (e) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [11388]

[holding answer 29 July 1997]: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's expenditure on computer-related work in 1995–96 was £1,126,000 current and £602,000 capital. In 1996–97, current expenditure was £1,138,000 and capital was £837,000. The budget for 1997–98 is for current expenditure of £1,261,000 and capital expenditure of £549,000. The information systems budget for future years is under review as part of the Department's current spending review process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government spent on sport in (a) 1978–79 and (b) 1996–97 in current prices. [10824]

[holding answer 28 July 1997]: In 1978–79, central Government expenditure on sport to the Great Britain Sports Council was £15.2 million. In 1996–97, total central Government expenditure on sport was £51.61 million. Of this, £46.55 million was allocated to the Great Britain Sports Council and its successors from 1 January 1997, the UK and English Sports Councils.Also in 1996–97, £264.78 million was awarded by the English Sports Council to 1,005 sports-related projects from the lottery sports fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much financial support (a) in grants, (b) as tax allowances and (c) as other benefits, at current prices, the Government gave to the United Kingdom film industry in each year since 1979; [10827](2) what was the level of Government-supported investment, at current prices, in the United Kingdom film industry in each year since 1979. [10828]

[holding answer 28 July 1997]: The level of Government support for film in the UK for the years 1979–86 is not available except at disproportionate cost. For the years 1987 onwards, the support was as follows:

Direct central Government spend on the arts in 1978–79 and 1996–97
£ million
Arts organisation	Grant-in-aid 1978–79	Grant-in-aid (1996–97 prices)	Arts organisation	Grant-in-aid 1996–97	Grant-in-aid (1996–97 prices)
Arts Council of Great Britain	51.8	159.3	Arts Council1	227.4	227.4
Crafts Council	0.8	2.5	Crafts Council	3.25	3.25
British Film Institute	3.5	10.8	British Film Institute	16.5	16.5
			National Heritage Arts Sponsorship Scheme2	5.05	5.05
Total	56.1	172.5	Total	252.2	252.2
1 Cumulative figure for the Arts Councils of England, Scotland and Wales as ACGB ceased to exist from 31 March 1994.
2 National heritage arts sponsorship scheme introduced on 1 October 1984.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much, in current prices, the Government spent on the arts in (a) 1978–79 and (b) 1996–97. [10826]

[holding answer 28 July 1997]: Central Government funding of the arts in Great Britain in 1978–79, provided through the Arts Council of Great Britain, the Crafts Council and the British Film Institute, amounted to £55.1 million. This is equivalent to £172.6 million in current prices, based on the latest assumptions of the gross domestic product deflators.In 1996–97, central Government funding of the arts in Great Britain, provided through the Arts Council of England, of Scotland and of Wales; the Crafts Council; the British Film Institute and the national heritage arts sponsorship scheme, amounted to £252.3 million. Full details are given in the following table.There are also other sources of arts funding generated through Government expenditure: either directly, such as through local authorities and the BBC or indirectly, such as through European spending programmes. However, complexities of definition and insufficient data make it difficult to provide reliable funding figures.