To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the safety of stretch limousines without seat belts for the middle seats; and how many accidents have been recorded involving such vehicles in the last three years. [32872]

The Department has not made any specific safety assessment regarding any model of limousine. The accident information requested, which covers all limousines, is shown in the table.

The number of casualty accidents involving at least one limousine: GB 1994–96
Casualty accidents
	1994	1995	1996
Fatal	1	1	1
Serious	6	4	10
Slight	55	47	44
All	62	52	55

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the planning application relating to the former Winchester to Southampton bypass; and if he will personally review the planning application. [33120]

The Inspector who conducted the public local inquiry into the called in planning applications for an extension to the park and ride scheme at Bar End, Winchester, has now submitted his report to the Secretary of State. Representations were made at the inquiry by Hampshire County Council and others. The Secretary of State received some 145 letters about the proposals and these were submitted to the Inquiry. The Secretary of State is considering the Inspector's report and will announce his decision as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has given to (a) local authorities and (b) other housing organisations concerning minimum standards for the (i) construction and (ii) renovation and (iii) size of rooms of dwellings.[33133]

The Building Regulations apply to the construction of new buildings, including dwellings, and require that they provide reasonable standards of health and safety for the occupants, and also include reasonable provision for the conservation of fuel and power. Guidance on ways of meeting the requirements of the Regulations is given in the Approved Documents which support the Regulations.Guidance on the current Housing Fitness Standard and home renovation grants is given in Circular 17/96, although major renovation work could also be subject to the Building Regulations. We are currently reviewing the Housing Fitness Standard and, on 10 February 1998, a consultation document was issued which invited comments on proposals and options for change. Copies of this consultation are in the Libraries of each House.The Government do not issue guidance on room sizes. However in Housing Associations' dwellings, the Housing Corporation requires that rooms are large enough to accommodate appropriate furniture and normal activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure a consistent approach by local authorities towards the removal of obstructions from pavements with particular reference to goods for sale. [33102]

Anything placed on the highway is capable of being deemed an obstruction that the highway authority is under a duty to have removed. The highway includes the pavement. Whether an offence is actually committed in a given case is, however, a matter to be proved. Case law has established that there must be proof that placing the thing in question on the highway is unreasonable. This depends on the circumstances of the particular case. The Government have concluded that these can vary to such a degree that it is not possible to offer meaningful detailed advice to local highway authorities on the exercise of their powers, but encourage them to follow policies that place emphasis on the need to maintain unobstructed passage along the pavement for passers-by, but also take account of the interests of shoppers and retailers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Basel Convention on transfrontier movement of hazardous waste, held in Malaysia in February. [33111]

The Conference was held in Kuching, Malaysia from 23–27 February. I attended the High Level segment from 26–27 February representing the Presidency of the European Union. This was a successful conference both for the UK and for the European Union.The Conference adopted an amendment to the Convention based on a joint proposal by Chile and the European Community which added new annexes listing hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The UK has been closely associated with the development of this proposal from its inception and was particularly active, as a member of the Troika, in support of the Luxembourg Presidency's negotiations with Chile to merge their proposal with the Community's. The new amendment will give legal clarity to the scope of the earlier tan' amendment (Decision III/1 ) adopted by the Third Conference of Parties. The latter will ban exports of hazardous waste from Annexe VII Parties (OECD countries, the EC and Liechtenstein) to non-Annexe VII countries. The Chile/EC amendment should therefore add considerably to the prospects for securing enough ratifications to bring the ban amendment into force. It will not require ratification, but will enter into force within six months except for any Party notifying the United Nations that it does not accept the amendment.Proposals from Israel, Monaco and Slovenia to be added to Annexe VII were unsuccessful. Instead, the Parties decided that Annexe VII should not be amended until the ban amendment has entered into force. To date, nine Parties have ratified of the 65 required. The UK ratified on 13 October 1997. The conference also decided that an analysis should be prepared highlighting the issues related to Annexe VII.The Conference extended the mandate of the legal group which is charged with developing a Protocol on liability and compensation for damage arising from transboundary movements of hazardous waste. The group was, however, instructed to consider the implications of the ban amendment and other relevant international conventions for the proposed Protocol.The Conference adopted a number of other decisions including one aimed at enhancing the capability of Parties to detect and enforce against illegal traffic and others concerned with capacity building in developing countries. The UK has recently agreed to fund two such projects forming part of an Action programme for the Caribbean.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those establishments which have received a licence to carry out investigations into genetically modified organisms. [33217]

The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, as amended in 1996, control all activities involving the contained use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Regulations require that all premises where such activities are to be undertaken must be notified to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). For higher risk activities work cannot proceed until HSE has issued a consent. Low risk activities may proceed unless HSE objects.I have arranged for a list of the establishments where contained use of GMOs is undertaken to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sources of (a) borrowed funds and (b) capital funds for the extension of the Jubilee Line; what sums relate to agreements with private developers entered into as part of the initial construction agreements; and what parts of such borrowing (i) count and (ii) do not count against the borrowing ceilings for public fund investment required in respect of the convergence criteria for entering the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union. [33236]

Some £2 billion of the total cost of the Jubilee Line Extension is being directly funded by ring-fenced Government grant, of which over £400 million is being provided by private sector contributions. In excess of £100 million of the private sector contributions has already been received; the balance will be paid in stages over a 25 year period. Remaining costs will be met from London Transport's core resources (which include substantial Government grant).The general government financial deficit (GGFD) used under the Maastricht Treaty's excessive deficits procedure includes central Government grants to public corporations. It does not include borrowing undertaken by public corporations, which are outside of general government. However, as noted above, the JLE is not being financed by any such borrowing.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Rail Property Ltd in respect of land within its ownership which could be used for future rail freight terminals. [33696]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed property in British Rail (BR) ownership with the Chairman of the BR Board soon after taking office. Officials discuss with Rail Property Ltd. (RPL) any such sites which are brought to their attention as having possible future rail freight use. RPL informs Railtrack and industry members of such sites available for sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for a national concessionary public transport fare scheme for the elderly and disabled; and if he will make a statement. [33866]

Concessionary fares are being considered as part of the review of integrated transport policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what sums have been collected in vehicle excise duty in respect of heavy goods vehicles in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years for which figures are readily available. [33140]

The information is as follows:

	£000
1994–95	21,263
1995–96	20,506
1996–97	19,261

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on vehicle registrations in the United Kingdom of the different rates of vehicle excise duty applying in respect of commercial vehicles between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic. [33139]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on light dues. [34005]

I am pleased to announce that there will be no changes to the light dues rates for 1998–99. Current rates were set in 1997, when charges were reduced by an average of 4.6%, following four years of stability. Rates are now below 1992 levels in cash terms. The ability to maintain light dues at current levels is an indication of the General Lighthouse Authorities' continuing efforts to achieve greater efficiency.I am also announcing a minor amendment to the Light Dues Regulations which provides an exemption for vessels engaged solely in harbour maintenance or dredging, on behalf of a statutory or harbour authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his plans are regarding the future administration of the EC Eco-Management and Audit Scheme. [34126]

I have decided that from 1 May this year, the Institute of Environmental Assessment will take over this function from my Department, which has administered EMAS in the United Kingdom since it came into operation in April 1995. The Institute will be the official Competent Body responsible for registering sites under the scheme on a fee charging basis in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A separate announcement will be made later about Scotland.When my Department was designated as the Competent Body in 1994, the declared intention was to keep the arrangements simple by limiting the number of key players involved, particularly in the initial stages of setting up EMAS. EMAS has now moved beyond this developmental stage, with nearly 50 registered sites in the United Kingdom. Its effectiveness in helping industry to manage its impacts on the environment and publicise its results is becoming increasingly recognised, alongside ISO 14001, the international environmental management systems standard, which has been achieved by over 430 companies in the United Kingdom—more than anywhere else in Europe—and which can be used by any organisation, either as the environmental management system for EMAS or on its own.My decision therefore reflects the importance which the Government attach to motivating businesses to adopt externally verified environmental management systems. The Environment Agency is firmly committed to encouraging the use of such systems because of their value in improving the environment, and I welcome its work in this respect. I will be looking to all leading companies to respond by committing themselves to EMAS and ISO 14001.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many secretarial and support staff work full-time in support of his political advisers. [25189]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: Two.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the arrangements for personal taxation to encourage donations to the arts. [30514]

Many donations to arts bodies already qualify for tax relief because the recipient is a charity. The question of any changes is a matter for the Chancellor as part of his Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Mr. C. Whelan is fulfilling duties formerly fulfilled by a career civil servant. [28925]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: The terms under which Special Advisers work are set out in the schedule to their contract, a model copy of which is available in the Library. These build upon rules in force under previous Administrations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of the refurbishment of the wooden floor in the state room at No. 11 Downing Street. [30970]

[holding answer 23 February 1998]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 66.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employers would be required to pay more in working family tax credit than in income tax withheld through PAYE if the proposed working families tax credit was paid at the same level as family credit. [31328]

If the Chancellor announces, in his Budget Statement, the introduction of a WFTC then the number of employers who will be required to pay more in working families tax credit than in income tax withheld through PAYE will depend on the precise design of the credit and its administrative rules.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials or individuals working within his Department on millennium compliance have (a) given notice of their intention to leave and (b) left his Department in the last six months. [32620]

One official working on millennium compliance as given notice and left the Treasury in the last six months.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from which budgetary sub-head the costs of millennium compliance will be met for his Department. [32623]

The costs of the required compliance will largely be related to time spent by staff testing their systems with some expenditure on equipment and software and will be met from within the Treasury's administration costs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when all testing on Year 2000 compliance will be completed within his Department. [32621]

The target for completing all Year 2000 compliance testing within the Treasury is March 1999.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when National Savings will complete its conversion work to ensure its computer systems are fully millennium compliant; [32619](2) when he estimates the Office for National Statistics will complete its inventory of the work required to ensure its computer systems are fully millennium compliant; [32569](3) what contingency plans have been made in case of a failure by National Savings to ensure that its computers are fully protected against the Year 2000 problem; [32617](4) what contingency plans have been made in case of a failure by

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-East (Mr. Turner) on 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 622.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to discuss his Department's progress towards millennium compliance. [32622]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer holds regular meetings with his Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to his Department of (a) consultants and (b) contractors engaged to address millennium computer compliance problems; and if he will list the consultants. [32625]

Neither consultants nor contractors have been engaged to address the millennium compliance problem in the Treasury.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost to date of the Council of Economic Advisers; and when he expects to appoint further members to it. [32594]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The main cost of the Council, which advises the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the design and implementation of policies for the achievement of the Government's Economic objectives, relates to the salaries of the two members, whose appointments took effect from last September, and the cost of the secretarial support they receive. It is not the practice to give details of what individuals earn.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of employee travel on office business, broken down into (a) fuel allowances, (b) unproductive time during travel, (c) other costs related to car transport and (d) costs related to public transport, for (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97 and (iv) 1997–98. [32445]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The estimated travel costs of Treasury staff for the years requested are:

£000
	(a) Fuel Allowences	(c) Car releted costs	(d) Public Transport	Total
1994–95	—	15	729	744
1995–96	—	12	644	656
1996–97	—	8	717	725
1997–98	1	10	518	529

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings have taken place since 1996 involving the Association for the Monetary Union of Europe; and if he will make a statement on its activities in the United Kingdom. [32882]

Questions about the activities of the Association for the Monetary Union of Europe should be addressed to that organisation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the role of his Department in preparing European Community websites on the single currency. [32945]

The preparation of websites on the single currency by European Community institutions is a matter for these institutions. In some cases, documents and websites may contain information provided by HM Treasury.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the intended target audience of material printed by the European Commission on the single currency in English; [33010](2) how many speakers were provided by the European Commission for conferences in 1997 on the single currency; how many were provided for conferences in the United Kingdom; what steps are taken to ensure impartiality; from which budget line costs came; and if he will list the speakers and venues in the United Kingdom; [33012](3) what information kits are in preparation at European Community level to inform professional and business associations about the single currency. [33011]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of the video, "A Single Currency for Europe", have been distributed by Directorate General X in the United Kingdom. [32958]

These are matters for the European Commission.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had on the timing of a referendum on UK entry to the single currency. [31795]

We have made it clear that we do not believe that the United Kingdom will be in a position to join a single currency, or to have a referendum on joining a single currency, during this Parliament. That is because there is no realistic prospect of Britain having demonstrated, during this Parliament, convergence which is sustainable and settled.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 February 1998, Official Report, column 60, what competitive process was used during the appointment of Mr. Michael Johns as Chief Executive of the Valuation Office Agency; what was the job specification; and in what ways equal opportunities criteria were met. [32849]

Mr. Michael Johns was made Chief Executive of the Valuation Office Agency by internal Civil Service appointment.The Chief Executive is responsible for the efficient and effective management of the Agency, and is accountable for its performance to the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue—and through the Chairman to Treasury Ministers. He is the Accounting Officer for the Agency's two Votes (for Administration, and for Contributions in Lieu of Rates).Equal opportunities policy applying to all Civil Service appointments is set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of 80 per cent. official debt write-off for (a) all the countries likely to benefit from the Heavily Indebted Poor Country Debt Agreement and (b) all eligible countries. [33204]

(a) The debt relief granted to poor countries will depend on Debt Sustainability Analyses that the IMF, World Bank and representatives of the debtor country carry out as the country concerned nears a decision point. These analyses will depend on future economic developments in the individual countries.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which heavily indebted developing countries to which he referred in the Mauritius Mandate he estimates will have begun the process of debt reduction by the year 2000. [33206]

In his speech to Commonwealth Finance Ministers last year—the Mauritius Mandate—the Chancellor proposed that the international community make a commitment that every poor country identified under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative should have begun the process of securing debt relief by the year 2000.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to United Kingdom banks of their involvement in the HIPC debt reduction agreement. [33203]

This is a matter for the individual banks concerned.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will support the future development of credit unions. [33108]

The Government support fully the credit unions' ethos of self-help and thrift, and the encouragement they give people to save. We are actively examining ways to promote further growth while continuing the movement's current focus on poorer communities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will encourage those major pension providers who have units dedicated to dealing with problems arising from mis-selling of personal pensions to make their expertise available to the independent financial adviser market. [33109]

The longer the scandal of pensions mis-selling continues, the greater the damage to the reputation of the UK financial services industry. Accordingly, it would be welcome if large firms were able to do what they could to assist independent financial advisers to process their reviews of personal pensions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 February 1998, Official Report, column 132, on public borrowing targets, if the targets are binding on those states not entering Stage Three of Economic and Monetary Union. [33211]

The excessive deficit procedure in Article 104(c) and Protocol No.5 of the Maastricht Treaty applies to all Member States, but a Member State that does not participate in Stage 3 of EMU cannot be fined even if its deficit or debt exceeds the reference values set out in Protocol No.5.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy that countries which fulfil Maastricht criteria should lose cohesion funding. [33289]

The Government believe that continuing Cohesion Fund receipts for Member States joining the single currency is difficult to reconcile with the original objectives of the Fund, particularly in view of the requirement on beneficiaries to submit a convergence programme, showing how they are to meet the Maastricht criteria.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria have been adopted by (a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) the Commission of the European Community for determining that borrowing by national, regional and local governments and other publicly-funded bodies for investment which is to be included in those percentages of gross national product to be used as target figures for qualification for entry to Stage Three of Economic and Monetary Union. [33209]

Capital spending by central Government and local authorities increases the general government financial deficit and the stock of general government gross debt, the deficit and debt measures that are used in the excessive deficits procedure of the Maastricht treaty. There are no special criteria in the treaty that apply to publicly funded capital spending by national, regional and local governments and other publicly funded bodies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy that no extra funding should be made available to EMU members to offset any impact of EMU on employment, wages and growth. [33287]

There are no such proposals.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps during the United Kingdom Presidency to end the attempts retrospectively to fine importers of prawns from Iceland and the Faroes subsequently claimed by the European Commission to have originated in Russia. [33288]

We remain committed to finding an equitable solution to the issue of retrospective duty demands where goods imported under preferential tariff arrangements have subsequently proved not to qualify, and are giving high priority during our Presidency of the EU to making progress on this issue.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many district health authorities paid for less than 75 per cent. of abortions requested by their residents in the last year for which figures are available. [33368]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by Scottish unitary authority or other convenient area, the numbers of landowners who receive conditional exemption from inheritance tax by virtue of allowing public access. [33472]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 23 February 1998, Official Report, columns 56–57.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 1998, Official Report, column 234, relating to VAT relief on energy saving measures, if the measures proposed include relief on materials. [33050]

[holding answer 6 March 1998]: Yes. The reduced rate we announced in the Pre-Budget Report will apply to the installation of energy saving materials, including the value of the materials themselves, to the extent that the installation is funded by grant schemes designed to assist the less well-off.As the Customs and Excise report "Helping the Less Well-Off Save Energy" made clear, a reduced rate for materials alone, for DIY installation, would require agreement with other member states for changes to European law.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the elements used to calculate the RPI in each of the member countries of the EU together with their respective weightings; and if he will indicate what changes have been made in each of these lists since 1 January 1996. [33509]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the bodies within the responsibility of his Department currently required by legislation to lay a report before Parliament. [33548]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: Reports by the following bodies are laid before Parliament:

• The Bank of England
• The Building Societies Commission
• The Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies
• The Financial Services Authority
• The Friendly Societies Commission
• The Office for National Statistics
• The Public Works Loan Board.

The report by the Bank of England includes a report by the Board of Banking Supervision.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to relax the legal controls under the Trustee Investments Act 1961 in respect of investments by charities. [32879]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Worthing, East and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) on 21 January 1998, Official Report, column 530.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number and percentage of civil servants in his Department, at each grade including and above higher executive officer who (a) attended university and (b) attended either Oxford or Cambridge University. [33077]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: Information about the universities attended by staff in the Treasury could be retrieved only at disproportionate cost. The table shows, by Treasury pay range, the numbers and percentages of staff (excluding special advisers and casuals, but including those Treasury staff working outside the department) with degree level qualifications:

Pay range	Number of staff	Proportion of total (%)
A	4	6
B	15	7
C	29	19
D	118	42
E	164	74
Senior Civil Service	104	97

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of civil servants in his Department, at each grade, who received their schooling in the independent school sector. [33078]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for each of the last five years, the number and percentage of new civil servants in his Department who attended Oxford or Cambridge University, broken down into the number of entrants joining the Department from (a) the regular Civil Service entrance procedure, (b) the fast stream and (c) the private sector. [33079]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: The table shows the number of Civil Service recruits joining the Treasury in the period 1993–97. It excludes special advisers and casual appointments. The numbers recruited through the fast stream competition and through other fair and open competitions include people who previously worked in the private sector. There was no recruitment competition restricted to applicants from the private sector. Information about universities attended by Treasury staff cannot be retrieved without disproportionate cost.

	Fast stream		Other competitions
	number	percentage	number	percentage
1993	13	16	66	84
1994	25	30	57	70
1995	26	36	46	64
1996	21	38	35	62
1997	24	34	47	66

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people employed by (a) her Department and (b) the agencies for which her Department is responsible earn (i) less than £3.20 per hour, (ii) between £3.20 and £3.60 per hour, (iii) between £3.60 and £4 per hour and (iv) between £4 and £4.62 per hour. [30753]

The details requested in respect of staff employed by my Department are as follows:

Earnings	Number
Less than £3.20 an hour	0
Between £3.20 and £3.60 an hour	31
Between £3.60 and £4.00 an hour	2
Between £4.00 and £4.62 an hour	27

My Department is not responsible for any agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the United Kingdom's non-Governmental organisations currently aiding the Kurdish people in northern Iraq. [31819]

The following UK NGOs are currently working in Northern Iraq:

• ACORN
• Christian Aid
• Global Partners
• Help Age International
• International Medical Relief
• Kurdistan Children's Fund
• Kurdish Life Aid
• Middle East Development Services
• Mines Advisory Group
• Response, Relief, Resettlement and Rehabilitation (4RS)
• Save the Children Fund
• World in Need.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list those European Commission (a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which her Department subscribes. [33655]

The Department for International Development subscribes to the following European Commission publications. The ones marked with an asterisk are supplied free of charge.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the World Bank on assistance to third world countries on the need for computer systems to be millennium compliant; and if she will make a statement. [33862]

My Department is part of an informal donor network organised by the World Bank on matters concerning information technology and international communications. Last week, the Government committed £10 million of grant aid to the World Bank Trust Fund for Information Development. These funds are earmarked for assisting poor countries to identify problems of millennium compliance, to design strategies to overcome the problem in priority areas and to provide technical co-operation in support of the solutions. I am ready also to consider providing support directly to poor developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance is being given to UK-aided countries on the threat to health and immunisation records and on other problems arising from the need for computer systems to be millennium compliant; and if she will make a statement. [33863]

Last week, the Government committed £10 million to the World Bank's Trust Fund for Information Development to assist poor countries to identify problems of millennium compliance, to design strategies to overcome the problems in priority areas and to provide technical cooperation in support of the solutions. This could include help with health and immunisation records, but it is not possible to generalise about the extent to which health records are at risk in poor countries or what the solutions may be. I am also ready to consider providing support directly to poor developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the time and place of the discussions that have taken place with developing countries on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [33819]

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has held consultations with developing countries on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) in:

• Wellington, New Zealand (April 1995)
• Santiago, Chile (November 1995)
• Hong Kong (March 1996)
• Paris, France (April 1996)
• Bled, Romania (June 1996)
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (July 1996)
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (February 1997)
• Seoul, South Korea (April 1997)
• Riga, Latvia (April 1997)
• Paris (September 1997)
• Cairo, Egypt (October 1997)
• Mexico (December 1997).

The OECD Secretariat has also held regular meetings with non-OECD Members in Paris, on an individual and collective basis. In addition, OECD Members, including the UK, have held bilateral meetings in capitals with non-OECD Members. My Department will share the results of our forthcoming study of the development implications of the MAI widely with developing countries, on a bilateral and multilateral basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of the appointments to public bodies which she has made since 1 May 1997 have been from the Public Appointments Unit list. [33249]

One such appointment has been made out of a total of five appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to encourage elimination of tariffs on imports from the least developed countries. [32881]

Under the UK Presidency the EU has concluded discussions on how to implement its commitment to offer Lome equivalent terms to the nine non-Africa, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) Least Developed Countries (LDC's). The new terms will apply retrospectively from 1 January 1998. The EU has agreed to look at ways to further improve and extend preferential access to all the LDCs. The UK sees this as a priority and will continue to press within the EU and multilaterally for bound duty free access for all LDC products.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress in dismantling trade barriers affecting developing countries. [32880]

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) held a High Level Meeting in October which resulted in a series of modest increased market access offers for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by a number of developed and some more advanced developing countries. At this meeting the EU reaffirmed its commitment to offer Lome equivalent terms to the nine non-Africa, Caribbean, Pacific LDCs, and terms were agreed in February under the UK Presidency. Progress on implementation of market access commitments will be reviewed at the WTO Ministerial which will take place in Geneva from 18–19 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people employed by (a) his Department and (b) the National Health Service earn (i) less than £3.20 per hour, (ii) between £3.20 and £3.60 per hour, (iii) between £3.60 and £4 per hour and (iv) between £4 and £4.62 per hour. [30746]

[holding answer 23 February 1998]: At present there are no staff employed by the Department of Health who earn less than £3.60 per hour. 135 members of staff are paid between £3.60 and £4 an hour, and 140 staff are paid between £4 and £4.62 an hour.For the National Health Service generally, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 12 January 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's policies to ensure the existence of sufficient numbers of qualified doctors in the future. [29065]

The Government's strategy to ensure that there are sufficient qualified doctors in the future is to increase training levels and address concerns about recruitment and retention. Our initiatives in this area include: new student funding arrangements, which reflect the special features of undergraduate medical education; further investment in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, which should ensure future increases in doctor numbers; flexible and family-friendly training arrangements; continued attention to equal employment opportunities; the salaried doctors and improved retainer schemes within general practice; and opportunities within the Primary Care Act pilots.Also, we are taking steps to ensure that doctors feel valued and involved. For example, the recent White Paper

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to ensure that doctors and dentists whose first language is not English have to demonstrate proficiency in English before being allowed to practise. [33291]

Anyone who wishes to practise as a doctor or dentist in the United Kingdom must be first registered with either the General Medical Council (GMC) or General Dental Council (GDC).In the case of most non European Economic Area (EEA) nationals the GMC and GDC must be satisfied that the practitioner meets the required level of professional and language competence before they are registered.The GMC and GDC are obliged under European legislation to register EEA nationals with recognised EEA qualifications. It is therefore for employers and health authorities to satisfy themselves that potential employees or independent contractors possess the necessary skills including communication skills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been spent at community hospitals on providing intermediate care for rural areas in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [32432]

Financial information is collected on the basis of National Health Service trusts and cannot be disaggregated between hospitals or types of hospital. However, information about expenditure on community health services by rural health authorities in England is set out in the table.

Expenditure on community health services by rural health authorities in England–1996/97
£000
Health authority	Expenditure
North Cumbria	19,517
North Yorkshire	23,983
Leicestershire	27,868
Lincolnshire	29,160
North Derbyshire	20,487
North Nottinghamshire	8,430
South Derbyshire	21,231
East Norfolk	12,942
North West Anglia	15,916
Northamptonshire	16,085
Suffolk	28,205
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly	15,098
North and East Devon	11,796
Somerset	17,673
Dudley	12,476
Herefordshire	8,178
Shropshire	18,233
South Staffordshire	19,538
Warwickshire	24,603
Worcestershire	14,724
South Cheshire	25,891
South Lancashire	14,331
Total	406,365

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there are in accident and emergency departments for doctors and nurses in (a) Kingston Hospital NHS Trust and (b) West Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust [32892]

Figures on vacancies for doctors and nurses in National Health Service trusts are collected by the Office of Manpower and Economics and published in the annual reports of the Review Body for Nursing staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicines. Copies have been placed in the Library.The hon. Member may also wish to contact Sir William Rous, Chairman of Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, and Jane Kelly, Chairman of West Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust, for details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished consultant episodes there were in respect of the (a) Kingston Hospital NHS Trust and (b) West Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust in each of the last five years. [32891]

The information is shown in the table.

Number of finished consultant episodes1 for Kingston Hospital National Health Service Trust and West Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust since 1992–93
Year	Kingston Hospital NHS Trust	West Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust2
1992–93	38,836	3—
1993–94	34,706	29,935
1994–95	37,783	32,590
1995–96	39,459	31,779
1996–97	40,434	32,254
1 Finished consultant episodes include ordinary admissions and day case admissions.
2West Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust was a newly formed NHS trust for 1993–94.
3Not applicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in implementing his plans to make the insurers of those causing road accidents responsible for the NHS treatment costs of the accident victims. [33115]

National Health Service trusts were asked in December 1997 to ensure that steps were taken to maximise income from the existing scheme to recoup the cost of treatment for certain road traffic accident victims. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health also announced that, when time permits, legislation will be introduced to revise the current arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a fast-track compensation scheme for patients claiming compensation for medical negligence against the NHS. [33116]

We have no plans to introduce such a scheme. However we are concerned at the cost of litigation to the National Health Service, which diverts resources away from patient care, and we are exploring ways of reducing this burden.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is currently available from his Department for people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C through their NHS treatment; and what are his plans for future assistance. [33281]

The Department provides financial support to the Haemophilia Society, whose work includes assisting those with haemophilia who are infected with hepatitis C. The grants to the Society (which this year total £200,000) include support for a specific project to look into the best ways for the Haemophilia Society to support those of its members who are infected with hepatitis C and their families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is the policy of the Government that all children in special schools for children with learning difficulties should have free domiciliary eye examinations; and if he will make a statement. [33041]

The General Ophthalmic Services Regulations permit domiciliary visits to be made only to the place at which the patient normally resides. Children with learning difficulties in non-residential schools are entitled to free National Health Service sight tests at community optical practices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the ambulances and similar vehicles operated by Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust are (a) under one year old, (b) under three years old, (c) under five years old, (d) under seven years old and (e) over seven years old. [33286]

Information received from Avon Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust shows that the age profile of their vehicle fleet is as follows:

	Accident and emergency vehicles	Patient transport vehicles	Support vehicles	Total
Under 1 year old	11	0	1	12
Under 3 years old, but more than 1 year old	4	16	0	20
Under 5 years old, but more than 3 years old	4	0	3	7
Under 7 years old, but more than 5 years old	9	10	4	23
Over 7 years old	15	15	7	37
Total	43	41	15	99

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of diagnosed asthma cases in Warrington, North constituency (a) in the past 12 months and (b) over the past five years; [33639](2) if he will list the number of diagnosed asthma cases among children in Warrington, North constituency for each year since 1993. [33638]

The information requested is not collected centrally. However, it is possible to provide the numbers of residents in the electoral constituency of Warrington, North treated as an inpatient or day case in any hospital with the diagnosis of asthma—see table. This means that the reason for admission may not be asthma, but the patients were diagnosed as having asthma when treated on admission. The vast majority of asthma sufferers are treated by health services in the community and few require hospital treatment. My hon. Friend may, therefore, wish to contact Mr. Colin Hamer, Chairman at North Cheshire Health Authority, for further information.

For residents of the Warrington, North constituency Finished consultant episodes (any diagnosis)
	Financial Year
Age group (10 year bands)	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97
0–4	54	51	65	78	63
5–14	48	48	54	79	91
15–24	35	33	53	71	81
25–34	32	31	44	69	76
35–44	18	20	29	49	63
45–54	18	21	24	38	63
55–64	20	26	34	56	78
65–74	21	31	39	63	77
75–84	6	14	24	24	53
85+	5	6	8	6	13
Total	257	281	374	533	658

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of discrepancies in health authorities practices in respect of the investigation of human TB on farms which experience bovine TB. [33729]

None. There are established procedures for the investigation and treatment of tuberculosis including the screening of contacts. Guidance on these matters is contained in the reports of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Tuberculosis, published in July 1996, copies of which are available in the Library, and in the publications of the British Thoracic Society and other specialist groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to allow those on means-tested benefit to continue to receive the (a) free prescriptions and (b) other supplementary benefits available to those on income support. [33647]

The Department is responsible for prescription charges and welfare foods. Prescription charges and entitlement to welfare foods are both elements of the Department's Comprehensive Spending Review, which will be completed by the summer. We remain committed to the historic principle of the National Health Service that health services will be available to all and access will be based on need, not on ability to pay.The Department has no information about other benefits which may be available to recipients of Income Support which are the responsibility of other government departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list each information, promotional, marketing and opinion survey contract, with

	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–2001	2001–2002
Information	nil	nil	RPA: Media and Publications Officer	nil	nil
Promotional	HRPA:	nil	nil	nil	nil
	Design & Print Promotional Material
Marketing	HRPA:	nil	nil	nil	nil
	Tower of London Advertising
	Travel Trade PR Services
	Leaflet Distribution—London Hotels
	Leaflet Distribution—Tourist Information Centres
	Tower of London Bus Adverts
	Hampton Court Palace leaflet distribution at Heathrow
	USA PR Agent
Opinion survey	Department:	nil	RPA:	nil	nil
	Consumer research study into cinema going and films for the Film Policy Review		Visitor surveys
	HRPA:
	Market Research—Summer visitors

In order to preserve commercial confidentiality, individual contract costs have not been identified. As the Historic Royal palaces will cease to be a Government Agency with effect from the financial year 1998–99,information for the years after 1997–98, has not been included.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Department gives for the provision of tourist information about Britain on the Internet. [32942]

The British Tourist Authority's website costs approximately £200,000 a year to develop and maintain. Funding for it comes from the BTA's grant-in-aid (£35 million in 1997/98).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his Department's assessment of the quality of tourist information about Britain currently made available on the Internet by (a) Government directly funded bodies, (b) other non-commercial organisations and (c) private companies. [32940]

The British Tourist Authority has an excellent website, which recently won a leading tourism technology award at the annual ENTER conference, beating off contenders from around the world. The site address is www.visitbritain.com. There are a great many other tourism-related sites on the Internet. As with all advertising media, the quality of these sites varies considerably.

The available information is given in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what actions his Department can take against any (a) United Kingdom based organisation and (b) European Union based organisation which provides misleading or false tourist information about Britain on the Internet; and if his Department has taken any such action to date. [32943]

Advertisements made in connection with a business and placed on the Internet are subject to essentially the same regime throughout the European Union as advertisements in other media. In the United Kingdom, the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion, operated by the Advertising Standards Authority, require all advertisements to be legal, decent, honest and truthful. Where an advertiser persistently disregards the adjudications of the Authority, the Director General of Fair Trading may take action in the Courts. Additionally, the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, enforced by local authority trading standards departments, makes it an offence for a trader knowingly or recklessly to make false or misleading statements about services, accommodation or facilities. Neither the Advertising Standards Authority nor trading standards officers can take action abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the money allocated for tourism by (a) tourist boards, and (b) local authorities, per head for (i) Staffordshire and (ii) the West Midlands for each of the last 10 years. [33043]

[holding answer 6 March 1998]: The Government fund the national tourist boards for specific activities and programmes, not on the basis of population.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the percentage of (a) domestic holiday makers and (b) overseas visitors to the United Kingdom who spend their holiday in England. [33815]

In 1996, 77 per cent. of UK domestic holiday makers' had holidays in England. In the same year 94 percent. of overseas visitors to the UK visited England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what tourism initiatives he is undertaking in respect of (a) accommodation schemes and quality standards, (b) promoting England, (c) trade communication, (d) market and product intelligence and research, (e) training and (f) market access and information. [33811]

The English Tourist Board plans to take forward initiatives in each of these areas as part of its Agenda 2000 programme. I am working closely with the Tourism Forum and its Working Groups to develop an effective, comprehensive strategy for tourism which will benefit the whole of the industry into the next century.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the level of Government grant-in-aid to (a) the English Tourist Board, (b) the Welsh Tourist Board, (c) the Scottish Tourist Board and (d) the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, per head of population; and what proportion of the total number of (i) overseas and (ii) domestic tourists in the UK, holiday in each tourist board area. [33039]

Government grant-in-aid to each of the UK National Tourist Boards, expressed as per head of population, is as follows:

£
Tourist board area	Grant-in-aid per head of population (1998–99)
England	0.20
Wales	4.92
Scotland	3.79
Northern Ireland	8.06

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support he is giving to enable the English Tourist Board to undertake its Action 2000 programme. [33506]

The ETB, following consultation with the industry, has in its Action 2000 programme established clear priorities and is adopting a more strategic role. I was therefore pleased, in a difficult spending round, to be able to maintain the allocation for the ETB at the planned level which this Government inherited.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the grant-in-aid to the English Tourist Board in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [33504]

The grant-in-aid to the English Tourist Board is as follows:

• 1996–97: £10.050 million
• 1997–98: £9.866 million
• 1998–99: £9.732 million.

The figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 were set by the previous administration. I was pleased, in a difficult spending round, to be able to maintain the allocation for the ETB at the planned level which this Government inherited.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many organisations and local authorities were consulted as part of the English Tourist Board's Agenda 2000 consultative exercise. [33495]

The English Tourist Board arranged for Agenda 2000 publications to be distributed to 480 local authorities by the Local Government Association.11 roadshows were held and these were attended by 327 local authority representatives, 123 questionnaires were completed by local authority representatives.

	Number
Total number of those attending roadshows	862
Total number of questionnaires responses	587
Detailed responses by letter	147
Tourist Information Centres	82
1From organisations representing in total over two million members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those European Commission (a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which his Department subscribes. [33663]

The European Commission newsletters, magazines and occasional publications to which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport subscribes are:

1. Codis Focus (irregular).

2. European information [loose leaf folder of factsheets, leaflets and guides on the European Union] (irregular).

3. European Union database directory online and offline information services (irregular).

4. European Parliament current and forthcoming work in committee (each plenary session).

5. Europe info directory of important information sources on the European Union (irregular).

6. I and T magazine (quarterly).

7. I and T magazine news review (quarterly).

8. List of members of the Bureau, Parliament, political groups, committees and interparliamentary delegations (approximately every 3 months).

9. The members of the European Parliament (every 5 years).

10. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities: documents [list] (every 6 months).

11. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities—documents [list] (monthly parts).

12. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities: publications [list] (irregular).

13. XIII magazine news review (quarterly).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received in favour of allowing masthead programming on terrestrial television; and if he will make a statement. [33715]

I have received representations on masthead programming from the Periodical Publishers Association. Restrictions on masthead programming are contained in the Independent Television Commission's Code of Programme Sponsorship and it is a matter for them as to whether those restrictions should be relaxed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people employed by (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which his Department is responsible earn (i) less than £3.20 per hour, (ii) between £3.20 and £3.60 per hour, (iii) between £3.60 and £4 per hour and (iv) between £4 and £4.62 per hour. [30751]

[holding answer 23 February 1998]: No member of staff in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and The Royal Parks Agency is paid less than £4.62 per hour. The number of staff employed by Historic Royal Palaces Agency earning less than £4 per hour is nil. The number of staff earning between £4 and £4.62 per hour is 18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people employed by (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which his Department is responsible earn (i) less than £3.20 per hour, (ii) between £3.20 and £3.60 per hour, (iii) between £3.60 and £4 per hour and (iv) between £4 and £4.62 per hour. [30759]

[holding answer 23 February 1998]: Based on a net working week of 37 hours the information is:

(a)(i) 0

(b)(i) 0

(a)(ii) 0

(b)(ii) 1

(a)(iii) 213

(b)(iii) 47

(a)(iv) 309

(b)(iv) 270.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received regarding administrative burdens on the police; and if he will make a statement. [33214]

We have received no recent representations. The police have our full support and we are constantly looking at ways of reducing any burdens which deflect the police from their front line task of tackling crime—for instance by technological developments such as the Integration of Scottish Criminal Justice Information Systems and the Scottish Police Information Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions banks and building societies have proceeded under summary diligence in cases of sequestration against individuals in Scotland in each of the last three years broken down by institution. [33540]

These figures are not recorded centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the grant-in-aid to the Scottish Tourist Board in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [33505]