To ask the Prime Minister what discussions his Office has had with the City of London Corporation since 1 January. [30929]

[holding answer 23 February 1998]: The City of London Corporation asked my office informally last autumn whether we would be content for Chancellor Kohl to be presented with the Freedom of the City of London. I did not initiate this process, but I was delighted that they wished to do this. Following confirmation from my office that I was content and Chancellor Kohl's own agreement, the Corporation formally agreed a recommendation to this effect on 4 December 1997. Since 1 January this year, my office has been in contact with the Corporation authorities on the practical arrangements, including my own involvement.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 24 February 1998, Official Report, columns 182–83, on Iraq, which of the Arab ambassadors whom he met on 23 February expressed the gratitude of their Government for the British and American stance on the threat of military action against Iraq. [32242]

The Ambassadors acknowledged the key role which the UK had played in the success of the UN Secretary-General's mission which, we hope, marks the resumption of full Iraqi co-operation with UNSCOM. It is also widely recognised, in the region and elsewhere, that this would not have been possible without the threat of force.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answers to the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) of 24 February 1998, Official Report, column 184, and to the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire (Mr. Barnes), Official Report, column 186, on the opposition in Iraq, if he will list the organisations (a) to which he referred and (b) with which the Minister of State has been in contact (i) in Iraq and (ii) based outside Iraq. [32245]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) has met representatives of the following Iraqi organisations:

(i) based in Iraq;

• Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
• Islamic Movement of Iraqi Kurdistan
• Assyrian Democratic Movement.

(ii) headquarters outside Iraq;

• Iraqi National Congress
• Iraqi National Accord
• Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq
• Iraqi Constitutional Monarchy Movement
• Islamic Accord Movement
• National Reform Movement
• Association of Iraqi Democrats
• Iraqi Democratic Party.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the allocation of responsibility for Government policy in respect of European affairs between the Minister for Europe and the Minister without Portfolio. [32197]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson), has ministerial responsibility in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for European Union matters. My hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio is a member of the ministerial sub-committee on European Affairs ((E)DOP), and assists me and other ministerial colleagues on the strategic implementation of Government policy and its effective presentation.

To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to (a) modernise and (b) reduce the cost of arrangements for the State opening of Parliament. [30858]

[holding answer 24 February 1998]: The ceremony, which should reflect the importance of the occasion, is the responsibility of the Earl Marshal. Expenditure for the next State Opening of Parliament is likely to be in line with previous expenditure on the ceremony.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his latest estimate of the building costs of the new building for the British Library; and if he will estimate the value of contracts associated with this construction sourced with companies in (a) London, (b) the South East of England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland. [30064]

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: The construction project budget for the new British Library building at St. Pancras is £511.1 million. Negotiations continue with some contractors on their final accounts and it is not possible to estimate the final building costs until all these accounts have been settled. Nor is it possible, for this reason, to estimate the value of the contracts by the specific geographical areas set out in the question.

To ask the Attorney-General how many and what percentage of cases forwarded by the Sussex Police to the Crown Prosecution Service for prosecution were turned down (a) for evidential reasons and (b) for other reasons in each year from 1994 to 1997. [31922]

The table shows the number of defendants whose cases were discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service in Sussex, and discontinuance as a proportion of cases completed in Magistrates' Courts in each of the last four years:

Year	Discontinued	Discontinuance as percentage of completed cases
1994	3,246	12.2
1995	3,146	11.2
1996	3,023	11.2
1997	3,468	12.3

No central records are held of the reasons for which cases are discontinued. This information is held on individual case files, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. During November 1994, a survey was conducted of all cases discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service nationally. This survey showed that the reasons for discontinuance were as follows:

Reason for discontinuance	Percentage of all cases discontinued
Insufficient evidence	43
Prosecution not in the public interest	28
Prosecution unable to proceed (eg. because witnesses failed to attend court or refused to give evidence)	19
Defendant's driving documents produced at the hearing	10

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what was the number of staff employed by the CCTA for each of the last five years; [31283](2) what is the current budget for the CCTA; and what was the budget for each of the last five years. [31280]

The cash expenditure and appropriations-in-aid of and the number of staff employed by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) in the current year and previous five years are:

	£000	£000	£000
	Expenditure	Appropriations in-aid	Net total	Staff numbers at end year
1992–93	49,487	35,205	14,282	380
1993–94	48,466	35,791	12,675	381
1994–95	37,854	20,775	17,079	290
1995–96	31,884	20,450	11,434	265
1996–97	26,460	24,440	2,020	177
1997–981	23,400	23,675	-275	179
1 The actual outturn data are shown for 1992–93 to 1996–97, the data for 1997–98 are current forecasts.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what actions are taken by the CCTA to ensure that computer systems introduced by Government Departments and agencies meet requirements in terms of value for money and efficiency. [31281]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) under its Chief Executive Bob Assirati. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of age discrimination in staff promotion; and what guidelines are issued by (a) his Department and (b) other Departments. [31106]

Civil Service equal opportunities policy (as set out in the Civil Service Management Code (April 1996)) provides that all eligible people must have equality of opportunity for employment and advancement on the basis of their suitability for the work. There must be no unfair discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, or (in Northern Ireland) community background.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many receptions have been held in his Department since he took office; how many people have attended; and what was the total cost of these events. [25160]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: Four official receptions have been held. Approximately 170 people attended. The total cost was about £1,200.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the location and running costs of each of his Department's buildings. [30136]

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: The information has been placed in the library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people killed in road accidents in England and Wales during 1997, were found to be over the approved drink limit. [30573]

In 1995, the latest year for which detailed analysis of drink drive accidents is available, an estimated 280 drivers and riders of motor-vehicles who were over the legal limit for blood alcohol died in road accidents in England and Wales. It is estimated that there were 490 fatalities in England and Wales in that year in accidents involving a motor-vehicle driver or rider who was over the legal limit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve public transport services in the south-west London area; and if he will make a statement. [30570]

My Department is providing financial support to a range of public transport services in south-west London. They include the cross-borough SWELTRAC initiatives to improve public transport along key corridors between Croydon and Heathrow; a range of measures on the London Bus Priority Network comprising dedicated bus lanes and priority signalling; the "Countdown" passenger information system, which is being extended with a further 300 bus stops programmed for this year including sites in Wandsworth, Putney, Earlsfield and Tooting. Works are also in hand on the Croydon Tramlink project, linking Wimbledon to Croydon, programmed for completion by the end of 1999. Modernisation of the Northern Line to Morden is ongoing and new privately financed trains are being introduced shortly. In addition South West Trains is committed to a £90 million investment in new rolling stock for their services, while Thameslink Trains are enhancing station facilities on the Wimbledon loop.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation (1) to provide for noise warnings to be displayed on (a) ghetto blasters, (b) hi-fi equipment and (c) personal stereos and (2) for dance events to be prohibited from playing music at levels above 85 decibels. [30739]

Risks from noise exposure to people who work at music events are covered by the Noise at Work Regulations 1989, while the health and safety of members of the public who attend is governed by the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.In 1993 the Health and Safety Commission, the Home Office and the Scottish Office published a "Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Pop Concerts and Similar Events". That guidance recommended that audiences should not be allowed within 3 metres of any speaker at outdoor events and that audiences should be advised in advance if the sound level is likely to exceed 96 dB(A).The Government do not consider it appropriate to extend legislation to provide warnings on music equipment that is for personal use.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the results of the strategic roads review. [31210]

The results of the roads review will be published later this year, after the publication of the Integrated Transport White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the occasions that the CAA has been called on to use funds from the ATOL bonding scheme for each of the last five years, indicating the companies and amounts involved. [31191]

The information requested constitutes a rather lengthy document. I have therefore arranged for it to be placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to extend the length of the franchises for the existing rail operators. [31212]

Any requests for franchise extensions would be considered on their merits. As I told the House on 28 October 1997, Official Report, column 806,

"there would need to be very convincing arguments of public interest and value for money"

before the Government could

"justify the renegotiation of contracts which were freely entered into following a competitive process".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in his review of the problem of car clocking; and when he expects to bring forward legislation on this matter. [31187]

The Government recognise the seriousness of the offence of clocking. A voluntary mileage recording system, administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, was introduced in 1992. Recent changes to the vehicle registration system have brought about a welcome increase in compliance. A review to consider whether this system should become mandatory has concluded that there should be no change at present. The subject will be kept under review in the light of further experience of the voluntary system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give additional powers to planning authorities to enable them to intervene in disputes between neighbours caused by (a) Leylandii trees and (b) other excessively high boundaries; and if he will make a statement. [30800]

Planning permission is already required where a fence, wall or gate would be over one metre high and next to a highway used by vehicles, or over two metres elsewhere.I am considering whether some form of Government intervention in relation to Leylandii trees and other high boundary hedges is necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will reduce the vehicle licence fee for diabetics by an appropriate amount in recognition of their being precluded by the second EC directive on vehicle licensing from driving certain classes of heavier vehicles. [30849]

No. The Directive does not change the rights of insulin-dependent diabetics to drive the large majority of vehicles in the private and light goods category. We do not believe that a concessionary rate of Vehicle Excise Duty would be appropriate in these circumstances, especially since the keeper—who is responsible for paying VED—and the driver of a vehicle are not necessarily the same person.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment his Department has made of occasions where incorrect waste landspreading has taken place during the last five years; and if he will list the relevant sites; and if he will make a statement; [31303](2) what period of notice for the pre-notification requirement for waste landspreading he plans to set; and what plans he has (i) to require the submission of information on

Under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is unlawful to deposit, recover or dispose of controlled waste without a waste management licence, contrary to the conditions of a licence or in a way which causes pollution of the environment or harm to human health. Where someone purports to be carrying out an activity which is exempt from waste management licensing but fails to comply with the conditions of the exemption, that person may be prosecuted under section 33 of the 1990 Act for carrying out a licensable activity without a licence. The Environment Agency is responsible in England and Wales for the enforcement of these provisions.The conditions of the current exemption for the landspreading of specified wastes are set out in paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. The Water Research Centre and the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) have been commissioned to develop further the criteria that determine in what circumstances the spreading of particular wastes benefits agriculture or result in ecological improvement. The original research project has been extended by the Environment Agency and is now expected to be completed by the end of April 1998.We intend to review the scope and conditions of the current exemption in the light of the results of the research project with the aim of ensuring that the objectives of protecting the environment and human health continue to be fulfilled. The Environment Agency has made no recommendations to the Department on the revision of the current exemption; and we have been advised that no such recommendations will be made until the research project has been completed and the Agency has considered its findings. For these reasons, no decisions have yet been taken on matters such as pre-notification or the submission of information.Most landspreading of waste is carried out under the terms of the exemption from waste management licensing to which I have referred. I am advised that the Environment Agency does not maintain a central record of occasions or sites on which waste may have been landspread in a manner which is inconsistent with the terms of the exemption.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the current status of the Risk Assessment and Collaborative Emergency Response project in the Irish Sea within the INTERREG programme; if the Marine Safety Agency is supporting this operation; and if he will make a statement; [31260](2) if he will make a statement on the Marine Safety Agency and Coastguard involvement in the Vessel Traffic Management Information System of the RACER project in the Irish Sea; and what is the policy of those agencies on the inclusion of VTMIS in the RACER project; [31261]

[holding answer 25 February 1998]: On the UK side, this project comes under the Welsh Office. The Coastguard Agency and the Marine Safety Agency (MSA) have been consulted about the project's development and have given support, with the proviso that they can offer no financial assistance and only limited resource assistance, other than the occasional meeting. MSA also express an initial reservation about the value of the Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) aspect of the project. This is because an information service such as this could give a wrong perception that all shipping movements in the area were under observation and that this could relieve participants of some of their obligations for their own safety.After further consideration, MSA is now willing to support the inclusion of the VTMIS in the Risk Assessment and Collaborative Emergency Response in the Irish Sea project but would wish to view the outcome of the project in the light of its reservation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the benefits of measures to promote the use of external wall insulation for buildings not covered by Article 4 of the Planning Regulations. [31336]

My Department and the Energy Saving Trust keep under ongoing review the value of promoting a range of energy efficiency measures, including the use of external wall insulation for buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give additional funding to the Energy Saving Trust to promote the use of external wall insulation. [31337]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment told the House on 28 January 1998, Official Report, column 232, that the Government had allocated an additional £5.5 million to the Energy Saving Trust, to enable it to maintain and develop its energy efficiency programmes. The Trust is now preparing its business plan for 1998–99, and will be submitting it to me and Ministerial colleagues shortly. In preparing its proposals, the Trust considers the full range of options for the promotion of energy efficiency, including external wall insulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes he estimates have received external wall insulation. [31401]

External wall insulation is a composite system consisting of insulation material protected by render, cladding or hung tiles. This type of insulation is more effective where the exterior of a building needs repair or a major renovation is planned. It provides extra insulation and weatherproofing and improves appearance.

The industry estimate that in the last 20 years between 100,000 and 150,000 homes in the UK have had their external walls insulated in this way.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce incentives to increase the number of conversions and renovations of buildings for domestic habitation. [31335]

Under the Capital Receipts Initiative, we have taken action to make nearly £800 million of additional resources available to local authorities in England in 1997–98 and 1998–99 for investment in housing and housing-related regeneration schemes. About 80 per cent. of capital allocations under the Initiative in 1998–99 are expected to be invested in existing public and private sector housing.The Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme also provides funding to registered social landlords to carry out conversion and renovation work to existing housing. In 1998–99, over £130 million is being allocated to be spent in this way from the Approved Development Programme.My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions made a statement to the House on Monday 23 February 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1998, Official Report, column 29, on planning, if he will re-open the allocation of proposed housing developments between different local planning authorities in Nottinghamshire made in the latest structure plan for the county. [31458]

No. The Nottinghamshire Structure Plan is the adopted plan for the area and sets out housing allocations for individual districts within the County. District local plans are required by law to be in general conformity with the structure plan. Any proposal to review the structure plan is a matter for Nottinghamshire County Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a scheme similar to that operated by the Federal Aviation Administration to publicise the dangers of unexpected turbulence when flying. [31254]

[holding answer 25 February 1998]: None. The US Federal Aviation Administration have been running a campaign to raise passenger awareness of the dangers of turbulence for just over a year. It is not yet clear what effect that campaign has had.The safety briefings on UK registered aircraft already advise passengers to wear their seat belts at all times and consequently there are very few injuries to passengers resulting from the effects of turbulence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of his announcement of a new target for housebuilding on recycled land on proposals for a new town in Wychavon; and if he will make a statement. [31513]

The creation of a new settlement to meet housing demand is only one of a number of options which will be considered by the new Worcestershire County Council in producing the structure plan for the county covering the period 1996–2011. The options will no doubt be considered by the county council in the light of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in the House on 23 February 1998, Official Report, columns 21–25.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on proposals for a motorway service station on the M42 at Solihull. [31464]

A planning application has been submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in respect of proposed motorway service area between junctions 5/6 of the M42, near Solihull. The Highways Agency has been consulted and is currently considering the impact the development will have on the operation and safety of the M42.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received concerning his document, "Modernising Planning". [31612]

The "Modernising Planning" policy statement, which we published in January, announced the Government's intention to consult on various elements of the planning system in due course. The first of these consultation exercises, on Regional Planning Guidance, will run until 17 April. We have received two letters commenting on the policy statement itself.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the backlog of planning appeal cases for each local authority area on 1 February. [31613]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the time taken to appoint inspectors to planning inquiries. [31614]

Since 1 May 1997, four representations have been received about the time taken to appoint Inspectors to planning inquiries. In the same period, more than 1,600 inquiries have been arranged by the Planning Inspectorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy, that where a local authority has refused permission for houses to be built on a greenfield site for use by local people, the local authority should not allow a gipsy or travellers' site to be established on that land. [31890]

The Department's Circular 1/94 "Gypsy Sites and Planning" gives local authorities advice about the planning aspects of sites for gipsy caravans. The Circular puts gipsies on the same level in planning law as everyone else. It is designed to ensure that applications for gipsy caravan sites are treated in the same way as any other form of development. Each application for planning permission is decided on its own merit in the light of its individual circumstances. It is for each local planning authority to decide what may be an appropriate gipsy site policy for their area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the planning application for a gipsy site on land where permission to build houses has previously been refused at Chapel End Road, Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire. [31891]

The application was determined by Mid Bedfordshire District Council on 24 February and has been refused.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many railfreight grants have been awarded in the past six months; and what plans he has to improve the grant scheme. [31762]

I am today announcing the award since July 1997 of seven new freight grants worth a total of almost £5m. The grants include £1.8m to the Port of Felixstowe to help to finance additional cranes and terminal infrastructure; and three separate grants to Freightliner worth over £1.5m.We are anxious to make full use of the grant scheme to get more freight on rail and inland waterways. In 1996–97, awards totalled £15 million. This year, the £30 million budget will be substantially taken up. To reinforce this success, the funds available in 1998–99 will be increased to £40 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1998, Official Report, column 24, if his policy of a sequential approach to the location of new housing applies (a) forthwith, (b) in respect of current planning applications and (c) in respect of planning applications being considered at public inquiry. [31777]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: The policy document issued by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on Monday 23 February ("Planning for the Communities of the Future", Cmd 3885) explains at paragraph 63 that the Government will be consulting interested parties over the development of specific guidance on a sequential approach. Meanwhile, National planning policy guidance already encourages authorities to make full and effective use of previously developed land for new housing development.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many works of art he has borrowed for use in his offices; which organisations he has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance he received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31555]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on 27 February 1998, Official Report, columns 388–89.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions for unlawful destruction of hedgerows were initiated in 1997. [32236]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance is issued to contractors in relation to the provision of warning signs and notice of junction closures when carrying out motorway roadworks. [31772]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which areas the Coalfield Task Force is examining in drawing up its programme of action. [31852]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: The Task Force's terms of reference state that the geographical focus of their work should be areas of England which continue to experience acute problems as a result of the run-down of the coal industry during the 1980s and 1990s. However, the Task Force is conscious of the difficulties in drawing precise boundaries to define former coalfield communities and has placed no restrictions on the evidence it has taken and the visits it has made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assumptions about pit closures and mining job losses the Coalfield Task Force has made in planning its work. [31859]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: The Secretary of State has asked the Task Force to consider what more might be done to breathe life back into communities where pits have already closed. It has therefore not been necessary to make any such assumptions in planning their work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money will be spent in the next three years on the Coalfield Task Force's Action Programme. [31853]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: The Secretary of State will chair a national conference in the Spring to launch an action plan in response to the recommendations of the Coalfield Task Force. The Task Force has not yet formulated its recommendations so it is too early to anticipate any resource implications. The Task Force's terms of reference state that it will work within public expenditure constraints.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the Government's support for (a) Trans-European road networks and (b) road traffic reduction measures. [31925]

The Ireland/UK/Benelux section of the Trans-European Road Network forms a key trade link between the mainland of Europe, the UK and Ireland. Within the UK, the network consists of well-established major routes. Our support for the Network in no way precludes consideration of traffic reduction measures as part of an integrated transport policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he received in respect of the Confined Spaces Regulations; and what account has been taken of these. [31926]

The Confined Spaces Regulations were made following advice from the Health and Safety Commission after consultation. Since these Regulations came into force on 28 January 1998, no representations have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) empty local authority homes, (b) empty private homes, (c) empty Government homes, (d) empty flats above shops, (e) vacant offices suitable for conversion into homes and (f) other non-residential premises suitable for conversion into homes there are in each region in England. [32223]

Estimates of the numbers of vacant dwellings in England on 1 April in 1997, the latest date for which figures are available, are as set out. No data are held centrally on empty flats over shops, nor on vacant offices or other non-residential premises suitable for conversion into homes.

	Vacant dwellings
Local authority1	81,200
Registered Social Landlords2	26,800
Other public sector3	19,000
Of which government departments	16,000
Private sector1	640,000
Total	767,000
Sources:
1 HIP 1 returns from local authorities.
2 Housing Corporation HAR 10/1 returns from housing associations and other Registered Social Landlords housing associations.
3 Government Departments and HIP1 returns from local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money his Department has allocated in the current financial year to fill (a) empty local authority homes, (b) empty private homes, (c) empty Government homes, (d) empty flats above shops, (e) vacant offices suitable for conversion into homes and (f) other non-residential premises suitable for conversion into homes in each region in England. [32224]

The resources my Department makes available to local authorities for housing purposes are generally not hypothecated for expenditure on particular policies. It is for local authorities to determine their own priorities in targeting the resources available to make the best use of the housing stock in their areas. To assist local authorities and increase investment in housing, we have made additional resources available through the Capital Receipts Initiative for housing and housing related regeneration.My Department has provided a grant of £102,000 to the Empty Homes Agency for the period 1995/96–1997/98 to work with local authorities to develop and implement empty property strategies. By April 1998, we expect some 200 authorities to have strategies in place. Subject to Parliamentary approval of my Department's estimates, we have agreed to provide a further three-year grant to the Agency to work with authorities to bring more redundant commercial property into residential use and to make better use of empty properties in rural areas. We are also considering how economic instruments could be developed to help meet sustainable development objectives, including maximising use of existing buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what percentage of traffic on (a) trunk roads and (b) motorways comprises vehicles undertaking a journey of (i) 10 miles or less and (ii) five miles or less; [31788](2) what percentage of traffic on local roads comprises vehicles conducting a journey of

This information is not available. Information on journey length is derived from the National Travel Survey. Respondents to such household surveys cannot apportion their journeys to road classes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the correspondence referred to by the Under-Secretary of State the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms Jackson), in the letter to the hon. Member for Christchurch dated 13 February 1998 which was exchanged between his Department, the Treasury and the Office for National Statistics relating to the proposed allocation of costs to different functions for the purpose of calculating fees under regulations to be introduced under the Department of Transport (Fees) (Amendment) Order 1998. [32043]

No. However, I will place in the Library a copy of the table of cost allocations agreed between my Department, the Treasury and the Office for National Statistics following the correspondence referred to in my letter of 13 February to the hon. Member for Christchurch.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the cost of setting up and maintaining a driver record until the age of 70 years. [32042]

The information is not available in the form requested.In 1996–97, the cost of the Driving Licence system covering under 70s, over 70s and vocational licensing was £30.4 million. In 1996–97, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency held some 37 million driver records and handled just over 814,000 first applications for provisional licences.The current range of fees is set to recover the cost of operating the Driver Licence system taking one year with another. The fees from the first applications brought in some £17 million. The rest of the cost was covered by fees from over 70s or by other fees e.g. for duplicate licences or vocational licences.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the consultation paper on best value in local government services. [32575]

The consultation paper will be published tomorrow morning and copies will be placed in the Library in the usual way. I am arranging for a copy of the paper to be sent to all Members of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy in relation to (a) increased levels of noise from existing highways and (b) compensation for living near to such highways. [32032]

There is no legal obligation to take measures to mitigate the impact of increased levels of noise from existing highways. Nor is there any requirement to provide compensation in such cases. Problems arising from Traffic noise are among the many issues being considered as part of the current transport policy review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of the use of leaded petrol by vintage and veteran vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [32033]

Despite concerns raised by owners of vintage and veteran vehicles about an EU proposal to ban leaded petrol from 1 January 2000, in practice very few old vehicles are unable to operate on unleaded petrol. Lead was not added to petrol until the 1920s and came into widespread use only after the second world war; it is not, therefore, a prerequisite for earlier vehicles. Nevertheless, the oil industry is developing a special grade of petrol for these and later vehicles which does not have the disadvantages to health that are attributable to lead. This grade of petrol is expected to be widely available from 1 January 2000.To supplement this, the Government have negotiated a derogation for an on-going supply of leaded petrol, to a limit of 0.5 per cent. of total petrol sales, to be distributed through specialist interest groups. The Government will be liaising with organisations representing the interests of classic/historic vehicle owners and with the oil industry to ensure a smooth implementation of this provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the level of pollution caused by leaded petrol relative to that caused by diesel. [32031]

The Government regularly assess pollution caused by road transport, having regard to the composition of the vehicle fleet and the emission standards which apply to vehicles of different types and ages. It is clear that the combustion of leaded petrol is still the largest source of airborne lead in most parts of the country, although emissions are declining as sales of leaded petrol decrease. There are no significant emissions of lead from diesel vehicles. Emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from petrol vehicles are also higher than those from diesel equivalents. On the other hand diesel vehicles give rise to larger quantities of nitrogen oxides and particulates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on planning applications for mobile communication masts. [31887]

Planning policy on telecommunications is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (revised) (PPG8), supplemented by Appendix E to Circular 9/95 and by the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning on 4 November 1997. Where telecommunications development is subject to an application for planning permission, this will be decided by the local planning authority (or the Secretary of State on appeal) in the light of development plan policies and any other material considerations. These would include PPG8 and the guidance provided in other material PPGs, as well as any relevant representations either for or against the proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make the first appointments to the regional development agencies for the South West. [31396]

The Bill setting up the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) is currently before Parliament and board appointments cannot be made until the Bill has received Royal Assent. However, we have begun the process of identifying potential board members. An advertisement seeking self-nominations appeared in the press in January, and we are now inviting groups with an interest in the proposed activities of the RDAs to make nominations.Formal appointments to boards will not be made until after Royal Assent to the RDAs Bill. Nonetheless, it is likely that we may wish to engage a potential chairman/woman for each board and probably one other board member on an advisory basis from about June or July to assist in the early development of the RDAs. The final selection of other board members and formal appointments will not be made until later in the year, with the agencies becoming fully operational on 1 April 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria he will use to select people to serve on regional development agencies; if those selected will be able to continue to serve as county or borough councillors; and if he will make a statement. [31397]

The qualities which we are seeking in potential members of Regional Development Agency (RDA) boards and the factors which will be taken into account in making appointments are set out in the information pack made available to candidates. I have arranged for a copy of this information pack to be placed in the Library.RDA board members will be able to continue as county or borough councillors. We intend to appoint boards of twelve members and that four of these should be local councillors.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the reasons underlying the changes in the grant settlement awarded to Tewkesbury Borough Council for (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99 and the standard spending assessment for the same years. [31399]

The change in an authority's standard spending assessment can be broken down into the effects of changes in the total amount of money distributed nationally, changes in the underlying data (for example, resident population) and changes in the method of distribution. Estimates of these changes are shown for Tewkesbury:

Per cent.
		caused by changes in
	Total	National totals	Data	Method of Distribution
(a) 1996–97	-2.9	-1.6	+3.6	1-5.0
(b) 1997–98	-1.9	-1.7	-0.1	-0.1
(c) 1998–99	-5.1	+0.8	+0.6	2-6.5
1 Introduction of new rent allowance element and changes in the concurrent service adjustment between shire district councils and shire county councils.
2 Changes in composition of the indices in the All Other Services Block and changes in the treatment of debt.

The changes in the total of Revenue Support Grant and redistributed National Non-Domestic Rates broadly reflect the reduction in SSA for 1996–97 and 1997–98. The reduction in the total of Revenue Support Grant and redistributed National Non-Domestic Rates in 1998–99 exceeds the reduction in SSA. This reflects a shift in grant from shire districts to shire counties following changes in the SSA system in 1998–99, and a shift in the cost of local authority services from central government to council tax payers.The amount of Revenue Support Grant and redistributed National Non-Domestic Rates for Tewkesbury in each year is such that if all local authorities were to spend at SSA then taxpayers in a given council tax band in Tewkesbury could face broadly the same council tax as council tax payers in the same band in other parts of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress the United Kingdom has made towards ratifying the European Charter of Local Self-Government; and if he will make a statement. [32574]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has today laid the Charter, together with my Explanatory Memorandum, before the House, thereby beginning the process of ratification. Our signature of the Charter on 3 June 1997 made clear our support for the principles of democratic local government which the Charter enshrines. Ratification will commit us to uphold these principles.Our system of democratically elected councils, leading their local communities and securing the delivery of local services, conforms with the Charter's principles. This will be reinforced by our agenda for modernising local government and reinvigorating local democracy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by whom candidates for silk are interviewed. [31045]

Candidates for silk in Northern Ireland are not interviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the subjects of the health and food safety research projects in which the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are co-operating. [30807]

The United Kingdom is not co-operating with the Republic of Ireland in any health or food safety research projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons a civil servant was asked to attend meetings of the Board of the Labour Relations Agency. [31311]

The Labour Relations Agency requested the attendance of an official from the Department of Economic Development at their Board meetings, in an observer capacity only, to provide clarification on the Department's position if and when the Board required such advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to provide for greater openness and accountability by the Labour Relations Agency. [31308]

Government are committed to improving openness and accountability in all its Non-Departmental Public Bodies. The Labour Relations Agency has indicated its acceptance of Government's approach and is working with the Department of Economic Development on a variety of measures to make it both more relevant and more accessible to the public it serves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what has been (a) the annual volume, (b) isotopic content and (c) origin of wastes received at each site designated for low-level radioactive waste since 1994; [31309](2) if she will list sites in Northern Ireland specified in authorisations issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 to receive low-level radioactive waste. [31310]

Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to Environment and Heritage Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. Robert C Martin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current capital expenditure allocated to (a) integrated schools, (b) Catholic schools and (c) state schools; and what percentage of the pupil population they represent. [31632]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: The information is not available in the form requested. The estimated capital expenditure on controller schools, voluntary schools and grant-maintained integrated schools in the current financial year is set out in the table, together with the percentage of the Northern Ireland pupil population they represent.

Schools	Estimated Expenditure (£ million)	Percentage of school population
Controlled	27.0	44
Voluntary	27.0	54
Grant-maintained integrated	12.8	2

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to develop European policy on microcredit during the UK Presidency of the European Union. [31761]

My Department played an active role in an EC expert group on microfinance in the latter half of last year. My officials made a significant contribution towards the preparation of a Commission paper "Microfinance and Poverty Reduction" which was discussed by this group. This resulted in a Resolution on microfinance that was adopted by the Development Council last November.During the UK Presidency, the Commission is charged to produce additional guidelines to assist the Commission in the design and implementation of microfinance projects. My officials will be in consultation with the Commission once these guidelines have been drafted. The key objective is to ensure that EC funds used to support microfinance projects are deployed to maximum effect to assist the poor on a sustainable basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries her Department is supporting projects to improve the quality of service in reproductive health care. [31754]

We help public and private reproductive health care providers in many countries to make high-quality, client oriented services more widely available to poor people. We also assist national authorities that set and monitor service delivery standards. We do this in collaboration with United Nations agencies, such as the World Health Organisation and the UN Population Fund, the EC, international non-governmental organisations and through direct bilateral investments.The countries where we have significant bilateral co-operation to improve people's benefits from reproductive health include: Ghana, Malawi, Pakistan, India, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Russia, Bolivia, Tanzania, Zambia, Nepal, Brazil, Uganda, South Africa, Peru

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's current support for health and population projects in India. [31756]

Health and population is a major priority for the Department for International Development (DFID) programme in India. In the current financial year we are spending about £20 million on projects to help improve the effectiveness of Indian health services; to control tuberculosis, HIV and malaria; to improve access to reproductive health care; and to eradicate polio. We are also supporting smaller scale projects through NGOs. In addition, we make a substantial contribution in this field through the European Union and multilateral agencies such as the World Bank.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries applications for mixed credits are currently under consideration; if she will list the projects; and if she will make a statement. [31842]

I have said previously that I would expect to use mixed credits only in the poorest countries. A number of ATP projects, received before that scheme was closed, are currently under consideration. The countries concerned are Bangladesh, Philippines and Vietnam.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what applications for mixed credits for development projects have been approved by her Department since 1 May 1997. [31843]

Since 1 May I have approved two ATP projects which were under consideration in my Department at the time of the Election. They are: a project to supply Land Rovers to the Zimbabwe Police and a project to improve coal handling at the Port of Tianjin in China (though that project was subsequently ruled out under the OECD's tied aid eligibility criteria). There have been no new applications since 1 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries her Department is supporting projects for the improved provision of primary and adult basic education. [31755]

We have supported projects for the improved provision of primary or adult basic education in all of the countries listed in Table 1. Similar projects have been supported in a number of countries in the larger list in Table 2, but those have been categorised as "education" and not at a more specific level such as primary or adult basic education.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is giving to research into the causes of mortality in Russia; and if she will make a statement. [31753]

The Department for International Development (DFID) has funded a collaborative research project involving the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Russian Federation Academy of Sciences Centre for Demography and Human Ecology. The project, which ran from June 1996 to October 1997, investigated the rapid increase in mortality in Russia between 1990 and 1994. Male life expectancy at birth fell in this period by 6.2 years to 57.6.The project has provided useful findings regarding the influence of alcohol on mortality. There is emerging evidence that binge drinking in the Russian tradition has specific effects on the heart and may be causing the very large number of cardiovascular deaths among men of working age. A

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid she has given to help with the effects of the floods in Peru; and if she will make a statement. [31889]

My Department has given £100,000 through the British Embassy in Lima for the purchase of relief items such as tents and blankets and £30,735 through the United Nations Office for Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs for repairs to houses. We are also funding a long-term programme, administered through the Intermediate Technology Development Group, which aims to strengthen the Peruvians' capacity to cope with the range of natural hazards faced by the country, including floods. We have recently agreed to support an additional training component of this programme, specifically addressing the effects of E1 Nino.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the total official debt owed by Mozambique; and what was the amount spent by Mozambique on (a) debt service, (b) health and (c) education, in terms of (i) US dollars, (ii) US dollars per capita, (iii) percentage of GNP and (iv) percentage of government expenditure in each of the last three years. [31679]

We are able to obtain only the following details:

	Total official external debt (US$ million)	Total debt service as a percentage of GNP
1993	5,209	10
1994	5,651	11
1995	5,781	13

Percentage shares of Government of Mozambique recurrent expenditure
	Education	Health
1993	12	6
1994	10	5
1995	16	8

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effect of the decision in the Government White Paper on International Development to help developing countries implement the WTO Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement on poor people in those countries. [31537]

Most developing countries are on track to implement their obligations under the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) by the year 2000. Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are likely to request an extension of their implementation period beyond the agreed time frame up to 2006. The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has primary responsibility for providing technical assistance to developing countries in the implementation of TRIPs, supported in some areas by WTO and UNCTAD. My officials are planning to visit WIPO, UNCTAD and WTO in April to discuss their programmes and to identify possible areas for collaboration. We will focus in particular on how TRIPs should be implemented and monitored with a view to maximising the beneficial impact on poor people.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if, at the Fourth Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Government will encourage the Global Environment Facility's Implementing Agencies to integrate biodiversity into their mainstream operations and to report on this integration to the Fifth Conference. [31538]

The UK believes that the implementing agencies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) could do more to integrate biodiversity and other global environmental issues into their mainstream operations. We have supported calls to this end made at past Conferences of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The UK, in co-ordination with other donors, will continue to push for better integration at the Fourth Conference of the Parties. Decisions on how to take the issue forward subsequently will be a matter for the Conference of the Parties itself.The UK will also continue to press for better integration of biodiversity by the GEF's implementing agencies at the governing Council of the GEF and in the respective governing bodies of the agencies concerned. Detailed decisions on how best to integrate biodiversity into mainstream operations rest with the agencies' governing bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the funding of the dining club Europe 2010 by the London office of the European Commission. [31265]

The European Commission Representation in London has funds which it can allocate to groups promoting debate on Europe. These moneys come from the budget for information and communication activities which is agreed by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament each year. But the Commission does not routinely provide Member States with details of individual grants made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by country the (a) number and (b) proportion of applications for visitors visas that were refused in each of the last five years. [31662]

The numbers and proportions of visitors visa refused, worldwide, for the last 5 years, are as follows:

Year	Number of refusals	Percentage of applications
19971	57,612	6.1
1996	78,424	5.9
1995	72,626	6.5
1994	64,566	6.2
1993	60,183	6.5
1 Based on returns from 98 per cent. of Posts.

Migration and Visa Division of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office keep statistics giving a breakdown, by each Entry Clearance Issuing Post, of the number and proportion of visas refused at each Post. I will arrange for these to be sent to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is planning to support the return of constitutional government to Sierra Leone. [31757]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 February 1998, Official Report, columns 34–35.We have consistently worked for the peaceful restoration of the democratically elected government of Sierra Leone. We have been in regular contact with the legitimate President, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, with whom I last discussed the situation on 20 February. We and our EU partners have called for his immediate return to Sierra Leone. We are urgently discussing with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations the need for a broadly based Government under President Kabbah and for all parties to move to a process of disarmament and demobilisation.HMS Cornwall arrived in Freetown on 1 March and is now providing technical assistance and support to humanitarian relief work in Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds Osho Miatso was refused a UK visitors visa in 1985. [31726]

From the limited information given, it has not been possible to trace an entry clearance application made in 1985 under the name of Osho Miatso. Records of visit visas which are refused are in any case normally destroyed after 5 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new proposals he has to improve human rights in Sudan with particular reference to slavery. [31780]

We continue to put pressure on the Government of Sudan to respond to the concerns of the international community about human rights violations in Sudan, including the continuing and disturbing reported cases of abductions and slavery. We have urged the Government of Sudan to investigate those reports and encouraged them to take action against those responsible and to help in efforts to reunite families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 18 June 1997, Official Report, column 179, if he will list the Schengen documents he (a) has examined and (b) has requested to examine. [31275]

I have been asked to reply.We have received and examined the 1985 Schengen Agreement, the 1990 Schengen convention and the Accession Protocols. We have not yet received all Decisions and Declarations adopted by the Schengen Executive Committee and are seeking to obtain them.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many of his officials attended conferences (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas; and how many and what percentage made (i) oral and (ii) written contributions to the matters under discussion in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [31172]

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 13 February 1998, Official Report, column 400, how many High Court judges had their applications for silk rejected at their (a) fourth and (b) more than fourth attempts. [31215]

Of the 97 High Court Judges at present in post, none had their applications for silk rejected at their fourth and future attempts.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 13 February 1998, Official Report, column 400, concerning the number of unsuccessful applications for silk made by an individual before taking silk; what assessment he has made of the (a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of placing a limit on the number of applications which can be made. [31082]

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor considers that the balance of advantage is against placing a limit on the number of applications which can be made for silk. Practitioners should be able to retain the right to apply for silk as often as they wish.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average number of applications for silk before an appointment is made. [31092]

The average number of applications for silk made by those who were successful in the 1997 silk round was 2.57.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 1998, Official Report, column 300, regarding consultations on the suitability of applicants for silk, if he will list those consultees who are not members of the judiciary. [31184]

I have listed those consultees who are not members of the judiciary.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 10 February 1998, Official Report, column 139, concerning changes in court rules and procedures consequent to the draft European convention concerning harmonisation of court proceedings and documentation, when he expects to finalise his plans for implementation; by what means he plans to publish them; and to whom he plans to circulate them. [31054]

Each Member State is presently preparing the directories, glossaries and handbook which will be needed by other Member States to operate the new system. Once these are available we shall finalise our plans for implementation, and a Consultation Paper containing details of our proposals will then be published. That paper will be circulated to those already consulted and be generally available to anyone with an interest in the proposals.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the Legal Aid Board's forecasts for net Legal Aid Fund expenditure over the next three years. [31276]

Expenditure on the Legal Aid Fund¹ in 1998/99 is expected to be around £1,200m. It is not possible to give figures for 1999/2000 and beyond since expenditure will depend on the outcome of the Government's overall Comprehensive Spending Reviews.

¹ Excludes legal aid in the higher criminal courts which is administered by the courts. Small Claims

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of claims awarded by small claims courts were successfully collected in each of the last three years. [31041]

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much expenditure the Government propose for the proposed community legal service over the next three years, in addition to existing funding for law and advice centres. [31244]

The Lord Chancellor has announced that proposals for a Community Legal Service will be finalised by the beginning of next year, and will then be the subject of full public consultation. It is impossible to identify what expenditure the Community Legal Service will involve before proposals have been fully developed and decisions taken in the light of the response to consultation on these proposals.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases in 1997 which would normally be expected to be dealt with at Lewes Crown Court were (a) so dealt with, (b) transferred to Croydon Crown Court, (c) transferred to Chichester Crown Court and (d) otherwise transferred; and if he will make a statement. [31921]

The number of cases dealt with during 1997, as requested, were (a) 1,137, (b) 89, (c) 16 and (d) 12 respectively. The cases transferred were made in order to improve the waiting times for cases in Sussex. When transferring such cases, the interests of all concerned are taken into account.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates serve the areas of (a) Matlock, (b) Ashbourne and (c) Bakewell. [31862]

The areas of Matlock, Ashbourne and Bakewell are all covered by the West Derbyshire Bench, which currently has a strength of 32 magistrates.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases in the last two years which would normally have been held at (a) Matlock, (b) Ashbourne and (c) Bakewell Magistrates' Courts have been transferred to other courts. [31861]

The Lord Chancellor's Department does not collect statistics of this type.The Justices' Chief Executive for the Derbyshire MCC has stated that the work arising in West Derbyshire is sufficient to justify courts sitting on two days only, Thursday and Friday. Thus from Monday to Wednesday cases must be heard elsewhere, and cases involving prisoners in custody can be heard only in Bakewell, on Friday.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases have been tried at (a) Matlock, (b) Ashbourne and (c) Bakewell Magistrates' Courts in each of the last five years. [31863]