To ask the Prime Minister when he last met representatives of campaigns to (a) ban tobacco advertising, (b) restore the links between earnings and the level of basic pensions, (c) end laboratory procedures on living creatures, (d) oppose student tuition fees, (e) oppose a reduction in lone parent benefits and (f) support a ban on hunting with dogs. [15950]

All Government Ministers have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals.

To ask the Secretary of State Security if (a) Student Loans Company debt and (b) student overdraft debt can be offset against a claimant's assests. [16139]

When the amount of a claimant's capital is calculated in the income-related benefits, the value of a capital asset is reduced by the amount of any debt secured on it. No similar arrangement applies to unsecured debts of any type.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations she has received concerning the operation of the CSA. [14225]

In the last six months approximately 500 representations about child support issues have been received from hon. Members and around 900 representations from members of the public, voluntary bodies and other organisations.We recognise that, despite considerable improvements in the performance of the Child Support Agency, too many representations about the operation of the child support scheme still relate to poor service. We are determined to ensure that absent parents meet their responsibilities and pay the maintenance they owe and we are looking closely at all aspects of the Agency to ensure that it delivers a modern, efficient and effective service to all its clients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many single parents in Warrington, North have benefited from the New Deal programme to date. [15693]

Modernising the Social Security system is a key priority of the Government. Our objective is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives. Our welfare to work programme will provide opportunities for lone parents to move into work.The operational responsibility for the New Deal for Lone Parents is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which five areas were used for the pilot schemes in which lone mothers claiming income support were visited by Benefits Agency staff at home, when each scheme commenced; how many claimants have been visited in each of the five areas; what assessment she has made of the success of the pilot schemes; and what proposals she has for further schemes; [13975](2) if she will publish the interview questions asked by Benefits Agency staff when interviewing claimants at home; [13974](3) what training has been given to Benefits Agency staff to carry out tasks previously carried out by Child Support Agency staff. [13973]

The operation of the Benefits Agency is a matter for its Chief Executive, Mr. Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friends.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list (a) his Department's policies and initiatives designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and (b) the departmental policies and initiatives designed to reduce other greenhouse gases; if he will estimate for each the annual reduction in tonnage of greenhouse gas emissions achieved in the most recent year for which figures are available compared to those for 1990; and what estimate he has made of further reductions, or increases, predicted for 2000 and 2010, assuming continuation of current policies. [15539]

I refer the hon. Member to the United Kingdom's Second Report under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which was published in February 1997. It reports the UK's progress in implementing its programme for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and gives a projection of what the programme is expected to deliver by 2000. The report projects forward what the current programme is expected to achieve to 2020.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review the legislative provision for a maximum daily allowance to witnesses for loss of earnings to ensure that those appearing as witnesses are not out of pocket as a result. [15280]

The present provisions are intended to relieve hardship that may result from witnesses discharging their public duty by attending court to give evidence. I have no plans to change the present legislation. There is inevitably a tension between meeting the full costs of witnesses attending court and the limited public money available to do so. I believe the present provisions strike the right balance in recognising the discharge of a public duty and using limited public funds to best effect.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 27 October 1997, Official Report, column 650, on the treaty of Amsterdam, which parts of that treaty provide for the United Kingdom to opt in or out of civil judicial co-operation measures; and what parliamentary procedure would be required for such decisions. [15032]

The Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland has the effect that the adoption of proposed measures under Title III of the EC Treaty, which includes (under Article 73m) civil judicial co-operation, will not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland unless those countries choose to take part in the adoption and application of such measures. If the Government decided to take part in the adoption of any such measure or to accept an existing measure the usual parliamentary scrutiny procedure would apply.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many instances during the last 10 years a court has refused to renew a lease held by a sports club under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954; and for what reasons. [15149]

The question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to ensure that e-mail between and within Government departments is assessed for historical significance and preserved for record purposes. [15166]

The Question concerns a specific operational matter on which the Chief Executive of the Public Record Office is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the Chief Executive to reply direct.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the powers of the (a) banking and (b) building society ombudsmen. [15954]

Both ombudsmen investigate and adjudicate upon customer complaints within their terms of reference, and make awards where the complaint is upheld. The terms of reference of both schemes exclude purely commercial decisions, unless there is an allegation of maladministration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the average rate of grant per head received by each local authority for the care of elderly persons. [15029]

Revenue Support Grant is an unhypothecated grant which is distributed to local authorities on the basis of Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs). An SSA is the Government's assessment of the appropriate amount of revenue expenditure which would allow an authority to provide a standard level of service, consistent with the Government's view of the appropriate amount of revenue expenditure for all local authorities. SSAs are not binding on authorities, which are free to decide how much to spend on any service. All personal social services SSAs, including figures on a per capita basis, are listed in the "Local Government Finance Standard Spending Assessment Handbook 1997–98", copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to improve the treatment of children suffering from severe head injuries. [15482]

Recent improvements in paediatric intensive care will help improve the treatment of children with severe head injuries at the acute stage. In addition we are strongly encouraging better collaboration between the various agencies involved in the provision of rehabilitation, special educational arrangements and social care for all disabled children, including those with head injury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what liaison his Department has with the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Services to ensure that the wider community is more comprehensively informed about the problems suffered by children with severe head injuries. [15483]

Officials from the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Employment meet regularly to discuss improving awareness of the needs of all children with disabilities encompassing those with severe head injuries. The Department of Health is also in regular contact with social services departments to discuss continuing social care needs and with the Department of Transport to publicise the need to reduce road traffic accidents which are one of the major causes of traumatic brain injury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will assess the effects of the change made in the capitation formula for the allocation of NHS money to North Essex health authority; [16051](2) what would be the 1998–99 allocation of NHS money to North Essex health authority using the formula employed for the current year; what would it be if the new formula was fully funded; and what is the actual allocation he has announced for 1998–99. [16052]

The weighted capitation formula is used to set targets which then inform allocations. The formula does not determine allocations. These reflect our decisions on the speed at which health authorities are brought nearer to target through the distribution of growth. If a different formula had been used we might have distributed growth differently. It is therefore not meaningful to recalculate 1998–99 allocations hypothetically.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the staffing and personnel figures for all NHS grades and whole-time equivalent staff for chiropody and podiarty for (a) 1996–97, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1994–95. [15365]

Information is not available in precisely the form requested. Such information that is available is shown in the tables.

National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) professions allied to medicine, staff working in the chiropody area of work in England at September 1994
	Whole-time equivalents	headcount
All chiropody staff	3,020	3,600
Chiropodist	80	90
Senior Chiropodist Grade 2	1,320	1,600
Chief Chiropodist Grade 1	670	770
Chief Chiropodist Grade 4	190	200
Chief Chiropodist Grade 3	180	190
Chief Chiropodist Grade 2	30	40
District Chief Chiropodist Grade 2	90	90
District Chief Chiropodist Grade 1	20	20
District Senior Chief Chiropodist	1—	1—
Teaching Grades:
Teacher	1—	1—
Senior Teacher	10	10
Principal Grade	1—	1—
Principal (Annual intake of 24 or more)	1—	1—
Others	40	60
Footcare Assistant	380	470
Others	1—	1—

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has conducted into company giving or corporate community involvement, with particular reference to gender balance. [15203]

I have been asked to reply.The Research and Statistics Division of the Home Office is conducting a series of Local Voluntary Activity Surveys (LOVAS) in order to measure levels of voluntary activity across England. These surveys will include some information about corporate community involvement.In addition, three of the organisations to which the Home Office, through its Voluntary and Community Unit, gives core funding—Business in the Community, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Directory of Social Change—are currently carrying out research into various aspects of company giving and corporate community involvement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list for each social services board his estimate of the additional funding which will be made available this winter; [14591](2) if he will list by health authority the dates on which social services departments within each health authority were invited to make applications for additional funding to assist with managing pressures over this winter, indicating the deadlines they were given for completing their funding applications. [14596]

The Government have provided an additional £25 million to Health Boards in Scotland on a weighted capitation basis to assist with managing winter pressures. It is for Health Boards to work together with other local agencies, including Social Work Departments, to ensure robust plans are in place to cope with increases in demand over the winter. They must determine the most effective use of the additional resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will pay the tuition fee for the final year of a four year university course for EU students studying at Scottish universities. [15080]

Eligible EU students undertaking full-time courses of higher education at institutions in Scotland will receive assistance towards their tuition costs on the same basis as Scottish domiciled students.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the Quinquennial Review of the Government Property Lawyers. [16664]

In accordance with the Government's Policy on periodic reviews of executive agencies the Treasury Solicitor will set in hand this month a thorough review of the Government Property Lawyers. The remit for this review will be as follows:To carry out a review of the Government Property Lawyers, in accordance with Cabinet Office (OPS) guidance and agreed timetable by

To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to the oral Statement by the Secretary of State for International Development on 5 November 1997, Official Report, column 332, if he will instruct officials to serve coffee and tea furnished by suppliers who adhere to fair trade standards in his Department. [15493]

I refer to the answer given yesterday to my hon. Friend by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, Official Report, column 617. All procurement decisions in my Departments are based on the Government's policy of value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the (a) actual deficits and (b) projected deficits of each health authority as a percentage of their budget for the last three years; [14274](2) if he will list the

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: The following tables provide the information requested. The Trust figures are based on audited accounts for 1995–96 and 1996–97 and on estimated operational planning figures for 1997–98. The Health Authority figures for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are taken from audited accounts. Those for 1997–98 were derived from monitoring returns and relate to authorities' current financial plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which hospitals in Wales do not meet the current fire regulations. [15288]

Firecode Policy and Principles 1994 requires Chief Executives of NHS Trusts to endorse an annual certificate of Statutory and Firecode compliance and put in place work programmes which will satisfactorily address all fire certification and Firecode requirements by April 2000. All Trusts have this in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list (a) his Department's policies and initiatives designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and (b) the departmental policies and initiatives designed to reduce other greenhouse gases; if he will estimate for each the annual reduction in tonnage of greenhouse gas emissions achieved in the most recent year for which figures are available compared to those for 1990; and what estimate he has made of further reductions, or increases, predicted for 2000 and 2010, assuming continuation of current policies. [15549]

I refer the hon. Member to the United Kingdom's Second Report under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which was published in February 1997. It reports the UK's progress on implementing its programme for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and gives a projection of what the programme is expected to deliver by 2000. The report projects forward what the current programme is expected to achieve to 2020.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the Welsh Office plans to fund all four years of study by students from Wales at Scottish Universities; how many students from Wales are currently in the fourth year of a degree course at a Scottish University; and what assessment he has made of the cost of funding this fourth year. [16092]

There were around 100 students from Wales in the fourth year of first degree courses at Scottish institutions in 1996–97 (the latest year for which figures are available). As in England, students from lower-income families will have the whole of their tuition fees paid for them in the fourth as in the previous three years, whilst others may have part of their fees paid, depending on an assessment of their parents', spouses' or own income.We estimate that the extra of meeting the contributions payable by students from Wales towards fees in the fourth year of first degree courses at Scottish institutions would be some £45,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the equipment formerly used by the United Kingdom armed forces which has been sold overseas since 1995 stating in each case the date sold, the type of equipment sold and the recipient country. [15016]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Disposal Sales Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) training and (b) research undertaken by the armed forces which involves the use of animals with in each case the (i) species, (ii) numbers and (iii) procedures concerned; and if he will make a statement. [14234]

[holding answer 7 November 1997]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will order a fresh inquiry into the Chinook helicopter crash of 5 June 1994 at the Mull of Kintyre. [15438]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and my Ministerial colleagues have been fully briefed on the conduct and findings of the RAF Inquiry. We accept, as did the previous Administration, that the Inquiry had properly concluded, on all the evidence, that the pilots had broken safety rules and in that regard had been grossly negligent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role his Department is playing in the New Deal for the young unemployed. [15638]

My Department is keen to play a full part in the Government's New Deal initiative, and a number of exploratory meetings have taken place with officials from the Department for Education and Employment on how best the MOD can contribute. My Department intends to concentrate mainly on the Gateway stage of the Scheme. We are, at the same time, encouraging those who will be involved in providing training for these young people to include self-development courses and briefings on the Armed Forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department issues to local organisations which intend to submit a bid in the CCTV challenge round planned for next year. [15757]

We are currently considering, linked to our review of existing expenditure programmes, how to encourage the appropriate use of closed circuit television (CCTV) in the fight against crime. If we decide to run another round of the CCTV challenge competition in 1998–99, bidding guidance will be made available to interested parties. An announcement on the future of the competition will be made soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the current manpower levels of each Welsh police force; and if he will make a statement. [15818]

The latest date for which figures are available is 31 March 1997. The information requested is set out in the table.

Police force	Number of officers at 31 March 1997
Dyfed-Powys	11,004.5
Gwent	1,243
North Wales	1,369
South Wales	12,975.9
Total	16,592.4

The 1994 Police and Magistrates' Courts Act made it a matter for individual chief officers and their police authorities to determine the number of police officers in their area on the basis of the resources available to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the future provision and administration of the prison workshops at HM prisons Garth and Wymott. [15743]

There are no plans to change the arrangements for the provision and administration of the prison workshops at Garth and Wymott. Wymott is part of the Prison Service Workshop Expansion Programme, which aims to maximise employment for prisoners, extend workshop hours and maximise the revenue from the sale of goods and services to local businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new prisons are currently being planned; and if he will make a statement. [15745]

The Prison Service plan to open seven new prisons over the next three years.Three new prisons will open by the end of February 1998. These are Her Majesty's Prison Parc in Bridgend, Her Majesty's Prison Altcourse in Liverpool and Her Majesty's Prison Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire.A further four prisons are planned to open from mid 1999–2000. These include an 800 place multi-functional male prison at Agecroft near Salford, a 400 place male young offender institution located on the site of the former Her Majesty's Prison Pucklechurch near Bristol and a 600 place male adult training prison at Marchington near Stafford. A fourth prison, at a site to be confirmed, is planned to open in mid-2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which site in the Colchester area was investigated about two years ago for a new prison; and which further site is currently being assessed. [15027]

The site investigated about two years ago was the former Moler Works in the Hythe area to the south of Colchester. It was immediately rejected as unsuitable.The site which is currently being assessed is not yet on the open market and it would be inappropriate to identify it at this stage. If the Prison Service considers that it offers potential, and there is a real prospect of its being used for prison purposes, I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) of 6 November 1997, Official Report, column 284, if he will list the numbers and nature of experiments carried out in 1996 where animals were used to test and develop means of protecting United Kingdom service personnel against terrorist and battlefield weapons. [15952]

This information is not collected centrally by the Home Office. Licensees are not required in their annual statistical returns to specify whether procedures are for the purpose of protecting or treating service personnel. Military medicine is not a separate category of permissible work under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The numbers of animals in question may be recorded in the 1996 annual statistics variously under the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease; the advance of biological science; the modification of physiological function; and protection of the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides have taken place at Armley gaol, Leeds, over the last 10 years. [16089]

The number of deaths at Leeds prison over the last ten years where the Coroner's verdict was suicide is given.

Suicides at Leeds prison: 1988 to 1996
Year	Number
1988	4
1989	2
1990	0
1991	1
1992	1
1993	2
1994	0
1995	1
1996	1

There have been two self-inflicted deaths at Leeds prison as at 13 November 1997. The Coroner's inquests into both have yet to be held.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to review the figures set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Tariff; and if he will make a statement; [15320](2) what plans he has to revise the terms and operation of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [15321]

Public expenditure on victims of crime is currently under review as part of the Government's wider comprehensive spending review launched earlier this year. Amongst other things, the review is looking at expenditure on the criminal injuries compensation scheme, as well as on other victims' programmes. The Government will consider whether changes to the compensation scheme might be appropriate in the light of the findings of the spending review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to place before Parliament proposals for approval of the draft conventions on (i) driver disqualification and (ii) mutual assistance on criminal matters; and what steps have been taken to consult other bodies or interests concerned in respect of each convention 0[15572]

It is not possible to give an estimate of when negotiations on the draft Convention on driving disqualifications will be completed, as a number of issues remain to be resolved. Home Office and Department of Transport officials have been collaborating in work on the draft Convention, which will be deposited for scrutiny shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 1997, Official Report, columns 74–6, concerning the operation of a convention concerning corruption and officials of the European Union and member states; and when and by what means parliamentary approval was given to the convention. [15574]

The Convention was agreed by the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 26 May 1997. It has not yet been ratified by any member state.Prior to ratification by the United Kingdom, the Convention will be laid before Parliament for at least 21 sitting days in accordance with the Ponsonby Rule. I regret that the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 1 July 1997,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 1997, Official Report, columns 74–6, in respect of the Fraud Convention of the European Community, when he expects to lay an Order under Section 78(3) of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 before each House of Parliament; and what subsequent procedure it will be subject to. [15568]

We hope to lay an Order by the middle of 1998. This will put the United Kingdom in a position to ratify the Convention. At that point, the Convention will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the normal procedure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 1997, Official Report, columns 74–6, when the Europol Convention acquired legal status in the United Kingdom; on what date the subsequent protocol giving optional powers to the European Court was placed (a) before the Government and (b) approved by Parliament; and where the text of the Protocol is publicly available. [15571]

The Europol Convention was signed in July 1995 and ratified by the United Kingdom on 10 December 1996. It will enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiry of a three month period after the last member state has ratified it.The Protocol to the Convention concerning the Court of Justice of the European Communities was signed in July 1996, laid before Parliament on 11 November 1996 and ratified on 10 December 1996. The text of the Protocol was published as Command Paper Number 3465.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to ensure that the Eurostar route to and from the Continent is secure against misuse by illegal immigrants and those wishing to bring illegal drugs into the United Kingdom. [14205]

Foreign nationals travelling on Eurostar services are subject to examination by United Kingdom Immigration Officers. We liaise with French and Belgian authorities to ensure that this control is effective, and are currently examining with Eurostar and French authorities the issue of permanent document checks in Paris. The French authorities are assisting with random checks at the moment. These were introduced at the request of this Government because under the system we inherited there were no checks at all in Paris. Her Majesty's Customs and Excise operate checks for drugs on Eurostar passengers at Ashford and Waterloo terminals. These checks are based on intelligence, information and risk-testing analysis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the contracts to (a) manage and (b) build and manage, prisons under the private finance initiative have been let to Group 4 Securitas or consortia including Group 4 Securitas; which of those contracts was awarded after competition in response to the lowest cost bid; and if he will make a statement. [13725]

[holding answer 3 November 1997]: Group 4 Securitas manages Her Majesty's Prison Wolds and Her Majesty's Prison Buckley Hall, and is part of the consortium awarded the contract to design, construct, manage and finance Her Majesty's Prison Altcourse under the private finance initiative. These contracts were decided on the basis of the bid and offered best value for money, having taken account of criteria relating to quality and confidence in deliverability.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if companies attending Milipol at Le Bourget in France on 24 to 27 November will receive any Government support[14964]

I have been asked to reply.My Department will not be offering financial support under the Trade Fairs Support Scheme for companies attending Milipol. However, UK firms attending will, like other exporters, be able to obtain advice and information from their local Business Links in England, or from the appropriate Territorial Department in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much notice was given by Glasdrummond Band of its parade in Rostrevor on Sunday 2 November; and to whom such notice was given. [15161]

Notice of the parade by Glasdrummond Band was given to the local police on the morning of 2 November 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many parades took place in Northern Ireland from 1 April to 30 September. [15044]

Between 1 April and 30 September of this year there were a total of 2,687 parades in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications were received for compensation in respect of damage to persons and property as a result of disturbances associated with marches and demonstrations during July; how many of these were approved; what were the applicable financial figures; how many were rejected; and how many have still to be determined. [15045]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Compensation Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Denis Stanley. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions were held in respect of the capitation funding system for health and social services boards; and what criteria governed its formulation. [15042]

The Capitation Formula Review Group, which is an expert group comprising Departmental and Board officers held a range of meetings, and engaged in extensive work, including specific research on Northern Ireland data, before producing its recommendations on the way forward.The Review Group worked to a specific set of criteria to ensure that the revised formula would:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received concerning the health and social services capitation review. [15043]

There has been a range of responses from Boards, Trusts, Members of Parliament and District Councils along very clear lines. Those representing Board areas where it is proposed to reduce the capitation funding share oppose the Review Group's recommendations while those representing Boards areas where it is proposed to increase the capitation funding share support the recommendations.I can confirm that the majority view is one of support for the recommended way forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the financial operations of each of the health and social services trusts in Northern Ireland. [15048]

Various statutory provisions ensure that HSS Trusts in Northern Ireland manage and account for their financial activities in line with sound accounting practice and Government policy. Compliance by each of the Trusts is monitored and assessed by the HSS Executive through a number of mechanisms including financial returns, accounts and audit activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what priority was accorded to (a) targeting social need and (b) policy appraisal and fair treatment initiatives in devising the formula for the capitation funding system for health and social services boards. [15051]

The Group developing the capitation formula for the allocation of resources to Health and Social Services Boards assessed their proposals against the requirements of the targeting social need and policy appraisal and fair treatment initiatives and found their recommendations to be consistent therewith.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to amend legislative provision relating to the homeless in Northern Ireland. [15049]

None at present, but the matter is currently being reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on progress in the Government's civil action against Arthur Andersen and Co. in relation to De Lorean Motors. [16280]

I am pleased to report that Government and the Arthur Andersen firms have agreed to settle all claims between them arising from the De Lorean case. After some 12 years of litigation both here and in the United States it was in the interests of both parties that the proceedings be brought to a conclusion.I believe the terms agreed between the parties represent a fair disposal of the action. Details of the settlement will not be disclosed at this time because of on-going legal action in the United States, action in which Her Majesty's Government is not involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the dualling of the A66. [15036]

I have asked Mr. Lawrie Haynes, the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate she has made of the cost of bringing the housing stock in East Lancashire up to standard. [15517]

The Department has not made specific estimates of the cost of bringing the housing stock in East Lancashire up to standard and the only cost figures available are for the need for capital work to the council housing stock. These figures are provided by local authorities in the annual HIP round and are presented for East Lancashire.

Local authority estimates of the need for capital work to the council housing stock
Local authority	Need for capital works to the council housing stock 1 April 1996 £
Pendle	4,585,000
Ribble Valley	6,689,000
Rossendale	46,641,000
Hyndburn	19,700,000
Burnely	32,611,000
Blackburn	81,965,000

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce and publish a central database of best practice in sustainable transport initiatives. [15647]

I have no current plans to establish a central database, but my Department will continue to publicise and promote examples of best practice, for example through Ministerial speeches, and Departmental publications and guidance notes.Some of this material can be found through the Press Notices available on the Department's Internet web site (http://www.coi.gov.uk/coi/depts/GTE/GTE.html).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of shared vehicle arrangements in German cities. [15646]

Two current research projects include assessment of the effectiveness of shared vehicle arrangements in German and other European cities. One of these will publish findings early in 1998. The other is informing the Edinburgh City Car Club, due to start operating in April.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the proportion of children who (a) walked and (b) cycled to school in (i) 1995, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1985, (iv) 1980, (v) 1975 and (vi) 1970; and if he will make a statement. [15648]

Figures are available for Great Britain from the National Travel Survey only for the years shown in the table.

Percentage of journeys to school by children aged 5-15: 1975–76 to 1994–96
	1975–76	1985–86	1989–91	1994–96
Walking	61	57	56	52
Cycling	4	3	2	11

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate how many new homes are to be built before 2016 in (a) the County of Essex, (b) the Borough of Colchester and (c) the District of Tendring. [15773]

Present value (discounting to 1996–97) of effects front 1998–99 to 2027–28 1996–97 prices discounting to 1996–97
£ million
Guideline rent reduction in 1998–99	Loss of gross rental income	Saving in rent rebates	Saving in public expenditure linked to the RPI	Net public expenditure cost
1 per cent.	582	444	134	4
2 per cent.	1,164	888	268	8
3 per cent.	1,746	1,326	402	18
4 per cent.	2,328	1,767	537	24
5 per cent.	2,910	2,207	671	32
6 per cent.	3,492	2,642	805	45
7 per cent.	4,074	3,080	939	55
8 per cent.	4,656	3,517	1,073	66
9 per cent.	5,238	3,948	1,207	83
10 per cent.	5,820	4,378	1,341	100

Figures in the table have been rounded to the nearest £1 million. The calculations are derived from LAMOD, the Department's model for estimating the public expenditure effects of a change in Guideline Rent policy for local authorities. The results from LAMOD are sensitive to assumptions which are kept under continuous review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been (a) the population, (b) the number of households, (c) The number of single household and (d) the number of single households and (d) the number of single parent households in (i) Essex Country, (ii) Colchestaer Borough and (iii) Tendring District in each year since 1967. [15774]

[holding answer 13 November 1997]: The availalble estimates are as follows:

Thousands
	(a) Population	(b)All households	(c) One person households	(d) Lone parent households
(i) Essex
1971	1,366	462	69	9
19721	1,385	468	74	25
19731	1,398	476	77	27
19741	1,406	482	80	27
19751	1,416	489	83	28

[holding answer 13 November 1997]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on Wednesday 12 November 1997, Official Report, column 554. It will be for the Essex County Council to consider how many additional dwellings will be needed between 2011 and 2016, after taking into account the revised Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) now in preparation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the gross cost to public funds if all local authority rents were to be cut by (a) 9 per cent., (b) 8 per cent., (c) 7 per cent., (d) 6 per cent., (e) 5 per cent., (f) 4 per cent., (g) 3 per cent., (h) 2 per cent. and (i) 1 per cent.; and what would be the cost net of savings in (i) housing benefits and (ii) public expenditure linked to the RPI. [15861]

[holding answer 13 November 1997]: A reduction in Guideline Rent in 1998–99 for Housing Revenue Account local authorities in England would have the following estimated effects:

Thousands
	(a) Population	(b) All households	(c)One person households	(d) Lone parent households
19761	1,429	497	87	30
19771	1,438	505	90	31
19781	1,449	512	94	33
19791	1,462	521	98	34
19801	1,475	529	102	36
1981	1,483	539	105	16
1982	1,484	544	108	17
1983	1,493	553	112	18
1984	1,499	561	115	19
1985	1,509	570	119	19
1986	1,517	579	123	20
1987	1,527	588	127	21
1988	1,536	596	132	22
1989	1,540	602	137	23
1990	1,543	607	143	23
1991	1,547	612	149	25
1992	1,556	620	154	26
1993	1,560	626	159	27
1994	1,570	634	164	28

Thousands
	(a)Population	(b) All households	(c) One person households	(d) Lone parent households
1995	1,578	643	170	28
1996	1,586	—	—	—
(ii) Colchester
1971	120	40	6	1
19721	123	42	7	3
19731	125	42	7	3
19741	127	43	8	3
19751	128	44	8	3
19761	131	45	8	3
19771	132	46	8	3
19781	134	46	9	3
19791	135	47	9	3
19801	137	48	10	3
1981	138	49	10	2
1982	138	49	10	2
1983	138	50	10	2
1984	138	51	10	2
1985	140	52	11	2
1986	141	53	11	2
1987	142	54	11	2
1988	144	55	12	2
1989	145	56	12	2
1990	146	57	13	2
1991	146	57	13	3
1992	149	58	14	3
1993	149	59	15	3
1994	150	59	15	3
1995	151	60	15	3
1996	154	—	—	—
(iii) Tendring
1971	103	39	8	1
19721	105	40	9	2
19731	108	42	10	2
19741	109	42	10	2
19751	110	43	10	2
19761	112	44	11	2
19771	113	45	11	2
19781	113	45	12	2
19791	114	46	12	2
1980	115	46	12	2
1981	115	47	13	1
1982	114	47	13	1
1983	115	48	13	1
1984	117	49	14	1
1985	118	50	14	1
1986	119	50	14	1
1987	122	52	15	1
1988	125	53	15	1
1989	126	54	16	2
1990	128	54	16	2
1991	127	54	16	2
1992	128	55	17	2
1993	129	55	17	2
1994	131	56	18	2
1995	132	57	18	2
1996	132	—	—	—
1The lone parent households: The figures for 1972 to 1980 include lone parent households with one or more never-married children, whereas for other years the figures only include those with one or more dependent children i.e., children aged 0–15; or aged 16–18, never-married and in full time education.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of research conducted by the City University on compulsory purchase procedures; and what plans he has for changes in the operation of such procedures. [15484]

I hope to publish shortly the report of the research conducted by the City University into the operation of the compulsory purchase procedures. I will want to hear the views of interested organisations and persons on the findings of that research before considering whether any changes may be appropriate to the arrangements for compulsory acquisition and compensation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of the proportion of the response to his White Paper "Excellence in schools", which related to each of the chapters upon which comment was sought; and in each case, approximately what proportion of comment expressed (a) support for and (b) opposition to the approach outlined or described; [16055](2) how many responses were received to the White Paper "Excellence in schools"; and of these how many

We received over 8,000 responses to the White Paper of which some 3,500 were written responses to the full version. The remainder were a combination of tear-off slips and other forms of communication.Of the 3,500, 138 were from Local Education Authorities and about 600, 2,100 and 700 came from representative organisations, schools and individuals respectively. A breakdown between grant-maintained and LEA-maintained schools is not currently available.Most responses addressed issues from more than one chapter and many ranged beyond the specific questions posed. There was broad support for the contents of the White Paper.We continue to consider all the responses in detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for deputy head teacher posts are currently vacant in local education authority maintained (a) secondary and (b) primary schools. [16090]

The number of head teacher and deputy head teacher vacancies, at January 1997, in local education authority maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England is shown in the following table. Vacancies in grant maintained schools are not included.

Grade of post vacant1	Nursery/primary	Secondary
Head teacher	122	29
Deputy head	202	31
1 Only those posts which were advertised at 16 January 1997 as full-time permanent posts or posts of at least one term's duration are counted as vacancies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in encouraging local education associations, other local agencies and business to work together to co-ordinate support for children with special educational needs. [15485]

On 22 October we published a Green Paper, "Excellence for All Children: Meeting Special Educational Needs", which encourages local education authorities, other local agencies and business to work together to support the education of children with special educational needs. We are consulting on how to improve and develop such co-ordination.