To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise the need for computer systems to be millennium compliant at the forthcoming summits of (a) the G8, (b) the EU and (c) the EU and USA; and if he will make a statement. [33865]

The century date change will be raised within the G8 either at the Summit or at the meeting of Foreign and Finance Ministers. In addition to raising the issue at the Telecommunications Council we are also exploring with the European Commission at what other events it should be discussed.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on representations he made on the siting of matches in Scotland in the event of England hosting the 2006 World Cup finals, to the President of FIFA, when he met him on 11 March. [34799]

This is a matter for the Football Association and FIFA. Details about siting of matches in Scotland were not discussed at the meeting.

To ask the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to reduce the number of holding answers issued by his Department in response to written questions. [35028]

I seek to meet the deadlines set by Members in every case but it is not always possible to do so.I am receiving approximately 40% more written Parliamentary Questions, a proportion of which are for named day answer, than was the case under the previous administration.

To ask the Prime Minister when he last met Mr. Rupert Murdoch; where the meeting took place; and what was discussed. [35063]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 5 March 1998, Official Report, column 702.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the average waiting time for a social security appeal to be heard, from the date the appeal is lodged with the ITS. [34598]

The Independent Tribunal Service reports that the current average waiting time for an appeal to be heard by a Social Security Appeal Tribunal is approximately 28 weeks.However, we are determined to reduce the current delays and complexity in the appeals system. The Social Security Bill, which paves the way for modernising the delivery of Social Security, including the handling of appeals, had its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 January. The Secretary of State will assume responsibility for the administration of the appeals system. She will set and publish demanding targets for the administration of appeals and report on the results.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies (a) she has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) she has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34826]

No non-departmental public bodies have been abolished or established since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the main disabling conditions of people who have been assessed by the Benefit Integrity Project and have had their disability living allowance (a) maintained, (b) reduced, (c) increased and (d) withdrawn. [34100]

The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible. Also, that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people who have been assessed by the Benefit Integrity Project had their initial claim decided (a) on the basis of the claim pack alone, (b) with a general practitioner's factual report and (c) by medical

The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who have been assessed by the Benefit Integrity Project had made their first claim before 1992; and how many of those people have had their disability living allowance (a) maintained, (b) reduced, (c) increased and (d) withdrawn. [34101]

The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her Department's current estimate of funds needed to run the Benefit Integrity Project over the next financial year; what has been the cost of the project since 1 May 1997; how many staff are allocated to the project; and if she will make a statement on the current running costs of the project. [34593]

The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also, that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.The administration of the Benefit Integrity Project is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 609–10, concerning the adequacy of publicity for the right of disability living allowance claimants to request copies of previous DLA forms, if she will require (a) BIP questionnaires and (b) letters notifying DLA claimants of a BIP interview to include a clear statement about the right to see previous claim forms. [33355]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 610, relating to disability living allowance claimants, if she will supply the equivalent information for claimants who have had their DLA reduced as set out in the letter from Peter Mathison dated 18 February (Ref.31888). [33348]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: The Benefit Integrity Project aims to ensure that those in receipt of DLA are entitled to it. While it is right to check that people are receiving the correct amount of benefit, we are determined that those checks should be undertaken as sensitively as possible and also that we should ensure all decisions taken as a result of the project are right. We have, therefore, acted to introduce an extra safeguard to improve the quality of, and confidence in, benefit decisions made by the Project.The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many new claims for disability living allowance were (a) made and (b) awarded in each quarter since April 1992; [34104](2) how many life awards of disability living allowance in each quarter since April 1992 were made in respect of

The administration of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what is the estimated cost of proposed changes to the Members' Smoking Room. [34410]

At present there are no firm proposals for any changes in, or to, the Smoking Room. However, the Committee will be seeking the views of all hon. Members shortly.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many responses he has received in respect of his consultation over the future status of unpasteurised milk; how many were (a) in favour and (b) against a possible ban on (i) unpasteurised milk and (ii) milk products; and if he will make a statement. [31713]

[holding answer 4 March 1998]: We have received about 5,000 representations about the consultation, which was solely about a proposal to ban sales of raw cows' drinking milk in England and Wales. This number includes letters from Members of Parliament, representative organisations, individuals and signatories to petitions. Views range between certain producers and consumers who want sales to continue, to most public health professionals who favour a ban.A ban on sales of raw cows' drinking milk was introduced in Scotland in 1983.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which was the ruling by the European Court of Justice that overruled the Court's earlier judgment in the Jaderow Case C-246/89 recognising that the fishing quota system, as a system of national quota, was a derogation from the principle of non-discrimination laid down in Article 40(3) of the Treaty. [34569]

The Jaderow judgment did not say that the system of national quotas was a derogation from the principle of non-discrimination.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) of 5 March 1998, Official Report, column 728, whether, if Portugal, Spain, Finland and Sweden do not obtain new derogations for the period after 2002, the principle of equal access will then apply to their fishing grounds. [34570]

Unless the Council decides otherwise, access to fishing grounds after 2002 will continue to be limited by the principle of relative stability and the national quota system. There will also continue to be restrictions on access within 6 and 12 mile limits if the Council decides to renew the present derogation, as I expect it will.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet (a) the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and (b) the Scottish Fishermen's Federation before the next Council of Ministers meetings. [34862]

Yes.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what extra provision he has made for the Cornish handline mackerel fishery; and if he will make a statement on its future. [34944]

It is proposed to amend the underpinning arrangements for the mackerel handline fishery so that it receives a minimum allocation of 1,750 tonnes or 0.83 per cent. of the UK quota, whichever is the greater. As a result, the handline fishery may expect to receive an initial allocation of some 1,750 tonnes for 1998 compared to 1,450 tonnes with the previous arrangements. Additionally, we have, through quota swaps, secured an extra 300 tonnes of mackerel which will be used to offset the overfishing of the 1997 allocation and the repayment of quota swaps to other groups.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the latest volume of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom" to be published. [35201]

"Agriculture in the United Kingdom" 1997 was published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the non-departmental public bodies (a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34831]

In a News Release on 28 May 1997, my right hon. Friend announced the disbanding of the Department's nine advisory Regional Panels.The Potato Industry Development Council (known as the British Potato Council) was established on 1 July 1997. The body, which is funded by a levy on the industry, has planned annual running costs of £1.334 million for the year ending 30 June 1998.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what statutory changes would be required to effect a ban on mink farming. [35025]

The Government's position on fur farming is that they remain committed to implementing their pre-election pledge to end fur farming as soon as practicable. Last year, we reviewed the various options available to prohibit the keeping of mink and other species for fur and a public consultation letter seeking comments on the way we proposed to proceed was issued on 5 August 1997. The public consultation period has now ended and we are currently considering how the intention to prohibit fur farming can best be implemented. An announcement will be made once we have decided how to proceed. There would be public consultation on any proposals for legislation to ban fur farming.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those biological and chemical warfare agents evaluated by DERA to which there is no known antidote. [30554]

The Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down carries out research which is directed towards providing the UK Armed Forces with safe and effective protection against the threat posed by biological and chemical warfare agents.It would not be in the interests of national security to reveal any known biological or chemical warfare agents to which there is no available medical countermeasure, as to do this would provide information to a potential aggressor against the UK.Under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information I will not, therefore, disclose whether or not such agents exist.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that the quality of training available to army personnel equips them both for their duties in the armed forces and for civilian employment on the completion of service. [34150]

The Army training system is primarily designed to ensure that each individual serviceman and woman is equipped effectively to carry out their military duties. It is, however, certainly the case that the specialist, leadership, initiative, communication and team skills which are developed throughout a military career are all transferable to a civilian environment, so that our Army is one of the best work forces in Britain.In line with the Department's commitment to Investors in People, a great many opportunities exist, and are being developed, for Army personnel to acquire vocational and other civilian qualifications through their military training and experience. This training is quality assured through a combination of partnerships with lead and awarding bodies, and through individual access to accredited schemes. The attainment of recognisable civilian qualifications is a particular benefit to the Service leaver when he or she enters the civilian job market. The Army will be looking to see what more can be done in this area both to reflect our commitment to our Service personnel, in the context of the Strategic Defence Review, and in line with this Government's Life Long Learning initiative.In their final year of service, eligible Service leavers are encouraged to take advantage of a broad range of sponsored resettlement training. This training, which is predominantly job-focused, is monitored and quality assured by the Tri-Service Resettlement Organisation, and adheres to Industry approved standards where appropriate. Service leavers are also encouraged to attend civilian courses which lead to a nationally recognised qualification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to recover missing items of his Department's art collection; and if he will make a statement. [34763]

We continue to make every effort to recover missing works of art. On two occasions, in December 1994 and September 1996, memorandums have been issued to all staff, listing the missing works of art and asking staff to assist in their recovery. In addition, photographs of missing works of art have been published in my Department's staff newspaper. My Department's works of art staff are continuing to seek missing works of art by examination of records, searches of our buildings and inquiries made throughout my Department. The Ministry of Defence Police assist in this task when required and are at present investigating a case which could lead to the recovery of a painting. Since the issue of the first memorandum, seventeen missing works of art have been found and twenty-one works of art have been otherwise accounted for.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies (a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34829]

No non-departmental public bodies have been abolished or established since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost to the defence budget of operations undertaken by the UK in searching for remains of the Aer Lingus Viscount which crashed on 24 March 1968 in the Irish Sea; and how much of this cost was passed on to the Irish Government. [34811]

I will write to the right hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total cost to public funds of countryside management schemes (a) nationally and (b) in Shropshire for each year since 1979. [34257]

The information is not available in the form requested. Information on grants provided by Countryside Commission for its countryside management schemes from 1982–83 to date is provided below:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1998, Official Report, columns 95–96, what (a) research he has commissioned and (b) evidence he has evaluated concerning trends in the size of rooms in newly-built houses and flats. [34520]

The Department does not collect information on the size of rooms in newly built houses and flats, and no research has been commissioned on this. Information is collected on the total useable floor area of houses and flats, and trends in the size of common types are set out below.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that large-scale developments of new housing have enough space set aside to provide for the leisure and recreational needs of prospective residents. [34338]

Our Planning Policy Guidance note 17: "Sports and Recreation", advises local planning authorities to assess their needs for public open space and recreation provision, in order to identify deficiencies and draw up their own standards of provision. It also advises that local planning authorities may seek to enter into a planning obligation, under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure provision of open space, playing fields and other facilities. We will be considering whether to revise this guidance in the light of recent research which we will be publishing in the near future.Our Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: "Housing", advises that new housing developments should include adequate provision of suitable areas for children's play, including formal play space. We have recently announced our intention to revise this guidance. All aspects of this guidance will be reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what statistics his Department collates on the trans-national movement of waste; what form the information takes; and what public access there is to this information; [34457](2) if he will list the types and quantities of toxic waste imported into the United Kingdom in each year since 1992 for

Information relating to transnational shipments of waste into and out of England and Wales is collected on behalf of my Department and the Welsh Office by the Environment Agency. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and the Environment and Heritage Agency of Northern Ireland collect similar information for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. Information on each shipment of waste is derived from the consignment notes that must accompany all international movements of waste and includes: date of entry/departure, type of waste, hazardous characteristics of shipment, amount imported/exported, country of origin or destination, the type of disposal or recovery operation to be used.My Department publishes information on the types and quantities of waste imported into England and Wales for recycling and other processing in the "Digest of Environmental Statistics", which is available from the Stationery Office. The Digest also contain less detailed information on the quantities of waste imported into Scotland and Northern Ireland. A facsimile of the Digest is also placed on the Internet at http: \\www.detr.gov.uk\doe\envir\epsim. The tables show the information requested. Figures for 1994 cover only the period 6 May 1994 to 31 December 1994. Figures for 1995 are provisional. Figures for 1994 onwards are not strictly comparable with those for the earlier years, as replacement of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 1988, with Council Regulation (EEC) No 259/93 on 6 May 1994 led to changes in the operation of the system from which data are derived and to the definitions used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the interim District Auditors report into financial irregularities in respect of Bedford Borough Council is released immediately. [34341]

My right hon. Friend has no power to instruct an auditor to make a public interest report or to issue any instructions with regard to the publication of such a report. It is a matter for the auditor to consider whether he should use his powers under section 15(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 to make a report to the body concerned. Where an auditor decides to make an immediate report the body concerned must make the report available for inspection and provide copies on request.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Worsley (Mr. Lewis) of 31 July 1997, Official Report, column 542, if he will list the occasions since 30 July when Green Ministers have met, indicating what decisions were taken on each occasion. [34991]

Since 30 July 1997 Green Ministers have met once, on 18 December. They endorsed policy guidance on environmental appraisal which has since been formally cleared by the Cabinet Environment Committee and will be issued shortly. They also shared information and best practice on various topics including: the outcome of the Kyoto Conference on climate change; the developing integrated transport policy; systems for policy appraisal; and the greening Departments' operations.Since October 1997, I have also met individual Green Ministers in a series of 17 bilaterals designed to address matters of particular relevance to their Departments. Only one of these Departmental bilaterals remains to be held.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the area of allotment land for each London borough (a) for each of the past three years and (b) for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [34307]

[holding answer 16 March 1998): This information is not held by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies (a) she has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) she has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34823]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development has neither abolished nor established any non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the projected end of year financial position of each NHS trust in Wales; [33294](2) what is the current financial position of each NHS trust in Wales. [33295]

The table sets out the projected end of year and current position as reported by trusts for the financial quarter December 1997:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hectares of green field land not classified as Green Belt and available for building there were in Wales on 1 May. [33481]

Information on the amount of Greenfield land available for building on is not available. However, it is up to local planning authorities to ensure that an adequate and continuous supply of suitable land is available for development in a way which is consistent with the principle of sustainable development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to expand (a) after school homework clubs and (b) literacy and numeracy clubs in Wales. [33539]

Funding for out of school activities will be provided by the New Opportunities Fund, which will be established by the National Lottery Bill (Royal Assent is expected July 1998). A great many schools in Wales already offer high-quality out of school learning provision across the country. Lottery funding will therefore be very important not only in allowing schools to initiate projects to support children's learning but to expand and/or enhance existing work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what draft concordats he is currently preparing to regulate the participation of Members of the National Assembly for Wales in meetings of the European Council of Ministers; and if he will make copies of such draft concordats available in the Library. [33891]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 10 March 1998, Official Report, column 156. All relevant concordats will where appropriate cover European matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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 Wales. [33816]

In 1996, the latest year for which figures are available, 11.1 per cent. of domestic and 3.8 per cent. of overseas holidaymakers visited Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent by each unitary authority on (a) music tuition, (b) youth choirs, (c) orchestras and (d) brass bands in each of the last five years. [34349]

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to increase expenditure on music tuition in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [34354]

The provision of music services is a matter for local authorities and it is the responsibility of individual authorities to determine how the resources made available to them are allocated between services, taking into account their statutory responsibilities and perceptions of local needs and priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what grants are available to help historic properties retain their traditional features; and if he will make a statement. [34353]

Grants to assist in the repair or restoration of buildings of outstanding historic or architectural interest and towards works to buildings which will significantly enhance or preserve a conservation area are available from the Welsh Office. I have sent the hon. Member a copy of Cadw's booklet "Historic Buildings Grants and Conservation Area Grants".In addition, many local authorities work with Cadw in jointly funding Town Schemes which provide assistance for external repairs to properties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the total grant-in-aid made available by the Sports Council of Wales to governing bodies of sport for each of the financial years 1992 to 1998; and what it is projected to be for the next three financial years; [34250](2) if he will list, by individual governing body, the grant-in-aid projected to be made available by the Sports Council for Wales to governing bodies of sport for the next three financial years; [34252](3) if he will list, by individual governing body, the grant-in-aid made available by the Sports Council for Wales to governing bodies of sport for each of the financial years 1992 to 1998. [34249]

These are operational matters for the Sports Council for Wales and I will ask the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend with the information he has requested. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of non-departmental public bodies (a) he has abolished since 1 May 1997 and (b) he has established since 1 May 1997; and what are the planned annual running costs of those that have been established since 1 May 1997. [34824]

Since 1 May 1997 the following non-departmental public bodies have been abolished: Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales; Staff Commission for Wales; and the Welsh Council for Post Graduate Medical and Dental Education. In addition the following non-departmental public bodies have also been identified for abolition: Cardiff Bay Development Corporation; the Development Board for Rural Wales; the Land Authority for Wales; the Residuary Body for Wales; and Tai Cymru. I have not established any new non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997.