To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will now extend legal aid to cover the cost of legal representation at appeal hearings for destitute asylum appellants ineligible for benefits on appeal against refusal of refugee status. [35906]

Our proposed reforms of the legal aid scheme are designed to get legal aid expenditure under effective control and to ensure that it is directed to areas of greatest need. As part of the reform package, we will consider whether extending legal aid to cover representation at hearings before the immigration adjudicators and the Immigration Appeals Tribunal is the best way of meeting that need.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the announcement of the membership of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights was made on 31 December 1997. [37163]

The membership of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights was announced in a press notice on 30 December 1997 because I had appointed eight new members to the Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the use of British-supplied equipment by the Indonesian Government during civil unrest in Surabaya, Indonesia, on 12 March. [36020]

We are monitoring closely reports of recent incidents of unrest in Indonesia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) Ministers appointed to and (b) those Ministers' interests within the new Indonesian Cabinet. [35910]

We have noted President Soeharto's appointments to the new Cabinet. We look forward to the new Government of Indonesia taking the appropriate action to solve the current economic difficulties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the meeting between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Symons, and the members of the Lockerbie relatives group on Monday 16 March; and what undertakings were given about the appointment of a person to co-ordinate relevant aspects of the circumstances surrounding the disaster, and investigations of how it happened. [36495]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State explained to the Lockerbie relatives the high priority which this Government attach to ending their ordeal by seeing justice done. She was grateful for the opportunity to hear their views. No new specific undertakings were given, but Baroness Symons has briefed the Foreign Secretary on the views of the relatives; he looks forward to addressing their concerns at a meeting on 8 April. The Prime Minister will be glad to meet them after the Foreign Secretary has reported to him.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date he plans to introduce a green commuting plan; [36664](2) what specific changes to departmental transport arrangements have to date been implemented following the receipt of the Green Transport Plan. [36649]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions circulated to all Departments in September last year a "Guide to Green Transport Plans". My Department has started to consider how to respond to its recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Serbian Government regarding the situation in Kosovo. [36774]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Westbury (Mr. Faber) on 9 March 1998, Official Report, column 550. Since then, the Minister of State my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), as Special Representative of the Presidency, called on Serbian President Milutinovic and FRY Foreign Minister Jovanovic on 11 March to urge Belgrade to meet the international community's concerns. He made clear to both of them that we expect President Milosevic to engage with the Kosovar Albanian leadership in a process of meaningful dialogue without preconditions. Contact Group Foreign Ministers reaffirmed this message when they met in Bonn on 25 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons he has made no representations to the Spanish Ambassador on the incident which took place on Thursday 13 March in which a Royal Gibraltar police launch was struck by a Spanish helicopter. [36782]

The British Ambassador in Madrid protested to the Director General for European and North American Affairs in the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs on 17 March over this incident. On 24 March, he handed over video and photographic evidence of dangerous flying by a Spanish coastguard helicopter during this incident.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that when the 30 year period following the crash of the Aer Lingus Viscount in the Irish Sea on 24 March 1968 has expired, all Government documents relating to this crash will be made public. [34810]

[holding answer 17 March 1998]: The Air Accidents Investigation Branch file relating to this accident was reviewed by the Department of Transport in September 1994. It was not selected by the Public Record Office for permanent preservation in the National Archive and was destroyed at that time.The Ministry of Defence has documentation relating to the search and rescue aspects in the immediate aftermath of the accident which will be made public in accordance with the 30 year rule.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if an environmental appraisal, using the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment", has been undertaken to assess the environmental implications of the "Planning for the Communities of the Future" White Paper; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [35645]

The strategy outlined in the "Planning for the Communities of the Future" policy document was arrived at after a process conducted broadly along the lines outlined in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment". There is no single appraisal document as such. As the guidance notes,

"the precise conduct of each appraisal will vary from case to case".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the use of increased journey times in urban areas as a means of discouraging travelling by private cars. [35639]

Results from a study of motorists in a report entitled "Responses to Congestion" have been used as the basis for Guidance on Induced and Suppressed Traffic, published in February 1997, in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. A brief description of that study is given in Volume 12.2.2 Annexe C of the Manual. That advice recommends using predicted changes to travel times by car and public transport as standard inputs to well established mode choice models, where complex changes to behaviour are expected.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the next meeting of Green Ministers will take place. [35646]

The meeting is currently being organised and an announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for the development of motorway service areas have been made since the 15 miles apart guidance was adopted; how many applications have been subject to a public inquiry; and how many of those were (a) approved and (b) refused. [36307]

The minimum spacing between motorway service areas (MSAs) was reduced from 30 miles to 15 in 1993. Since then, exactly 100 MSA planning applications have been referred to the Highways Agency by local planning authorities. 52 of them were subsequently the subject of public inquiries and, of those, 8 were granted planning permission and 44 refused.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Erith and Thamesmead (Mr. Austin) of 14 November 1997, Official Report, columns 698–99, if he will recalculate the figures on the gross cost of reducing local authority rents taking into account the benefit and tax changes made in the Budget. [36356]

Not yet. My previous reply was based on calculations derived from LAMOD, the Department's model for estimating the public expenditure effects of a change in guideline rent policy for local authorities. The model uses a Housing Benefit Ready Reckoner, which will be updated in due course to reflect the Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposals for tax and benefit changes. We would not expect these changes to have a significant effect on the figures in my previous reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a decision on his consultative paper on the High Court judgment in the case of Benson v Boyce (Private Hire Vehicles); and if he will make a statement. [36419]

The results of the consultation process are under consideration. I hope to make an announcement shortly on how we intend to proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revise the mineral planning guidance for the extraction of aggregates. [36436]

We propose to start the review of Minerals Planning Guidance Note 6 (MPG6): Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England, later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the environmental health impacts of infiltration into public and private sewers; and if he will make a statement; [36203](2) what assessment he has made of the environmental health impacts of the leakage of sewage into the ground from public and private sewers; and if he will make a statement. [36204]

I understand that experience within the water industry shows that the level of infiltration into sewers normally represents a very small proportion of the total flow a sewer can carry. Infiltration into sewers therefore has an insignificant bearing on such issues as sewage treatment, the operation of combined sewer overflows and flooding from sewers.My Department held a meeting with the Sewer Renovation Federation at the end of last year to discuss a number of issues, including claims that leakage from sewers might be causing problems. The conclusion of that meeting was that there was no evidence that leakage is causing significant health or pollution problems at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the number of premises incorrectly connecting surface water drainage to foul only sewers; who has responsibility for securing remedial action by property owners in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement; [36205](2) what proportion of the public sewers in England and Wales are

Information is not held centrally on the numbers of foul and surface water sewers or the numbers of illegal connections involving such drainage systems. I understand that sewerage undertakers normally require separate foul and surface water drainage systems where new sewers are to be adopted on completion. Sewerage undertakers are responsible for taking action under provisions in the Water Industry Act 1991 against illegal connections.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1997, Official Report, columns 349–50, if his Department classified those dwellings with water supplies with a lead concentration exceeding 50.ųg/litre, on the basis of information up to 1995, as being unfit for human habitation; what assessment he has made of the public health implications of such lead concentrations; and if he will make a statement. [36199]

The current housing fitness standard requires a dwelling to have an adequate piped supply of wholesome water but does not specify concentrations of contaminants that may render a dwelling unfit for human habitation.At sustained concentrations exceeding 50 ųg/l, drinking water is likely to be the major source of lead intake. But is unlikely to contribute significantly to those exceptionally high levels of intake of lead which result in clinical lead poisoning. I understand that the lower levels of exposure which are experienced are associated, in epidemiological studies, with small subclinical changes, including decrements in neuropsychological development in children and increased blood pressure in adults.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1997, Official Report, columns 349–50, how and where he proposes to test drinking water for compliance with the proposed EC Drinking Water Directive; when he expects this Directive will come into effect; if standards will apply when water enters a property; what will be the impact of the directive on his Department's assessment of the future fitness of dwellings; and if he will make a statement. [36201]

The proposal for a revised Drinking Water Directive is at the stage of the Council having agreed a Common Position, and is being considered by the European Parliament. After their Second Reading, it will come back to Council for consideration of any amendments. We hope that the Directive will be adopted this autumn. Under the present draft, Member States will have 5 years from adoption to meet the interim standard for lead of 25 ųg/1 and 15 years from adoption to meet the standard of 10 ųg/1.The present draft of the Directive requires sampling at the tap, but provides that Member States will generally have fulfilled their obligations if it can be established that non-compliance with a parametric value is due to the domestic distribution system. This is defined as the part of the supply system that is not the responsibility of the water supplier. The draft Directive requires treatment measures to reduce the risk of non-compliance due to the domestic distribution system, and that the property owner is advised of possible remedial action that they could take.It is too early to judge the impact of the Directive on the assessment of the future fitness of dwellings. We are currently reviewing the housing fitness standard. A consultation paper issued on 10 February 1998 invited comments on a number of proposals and options for change. A copy of the paper has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1997, Official Report, columns 349–50, if he will ensure that future English House Condition Surveys indicate that figures for unfitness from the survey do not take account of lead in water; and if he will make a statement. [36200]

Surveyors do not take samples to establish the quality of water in a property in the English House Condition Survey and its figures for unfitness do not take account of lead in water. The main Report of the 1996 Survey will be published within the next two months and will make this clear.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects (a) the results of the 1996 English House Condition Survey and (b) the Energy Supplement to the 1996 English House Condition Survey will be published; and if he will make a statement. [36198]

The finding of the 1996 English House Condition Survey will be published as a detailed, priced report, together with a separate summary of findings available free of charge in mid May. We expect to publish detailed energy findings from the 1996 English House Condition Survey by Autumn 1998. However,

Gross rent by tenure
England 1996–97
	Gross weekly rent
	Under £30	£30 under £40	£40 under £50	£50 under £60	£60 under £70	£70 under £80	£80 under £90	£90 under £100	£100 under £120	£120 or over	Total (000)
Local authority	341	1,362	1,008	464	163	80	30	21	6	7	3,482
Housing association	69	169	265	233	147	65	27	9	12	15	1,010
Privately rented	245	263	204	203	255	159	171	124	153	279	2,056

Gross rent by tenure and Government Office Region
	Gross weekly rent
	Under £50	£50 under £100	£100 or over	Total (000)
Rented from local authority
London	197	381	10	588
South-East	203	135	1	339
South West	201	46	0	247
Eastern	222	89	1	312
East Midlands	286	15	1	301
West Midlands	397	20	0	417
Yorks and the Humber	454	26	0	480
North East	265	9	0	273
North West	350	28	0	378
Merseyside	138	9	0	147
Rented from housing association
London	71	142	19	233
South-East	69	102	4	175
South West	40	41	1	82
Eastern	48	53	0	101
East Midlands	37	19	0	56
West Midlands	64	44	0	108
Yorks and the Humber	33	23	2	59
North East	37	16	0	53
North West	74	26	1	101
Merseyside	30	13	0	43
Privately rented
London	84	128	232	445
South-East	109	189	102	400
South West	91	127	29	247
Eastern	63	108	24	194
East Midlands	68	60	4	132
West Midlands	76	63	10	149

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tenants in England pay gross weekly rents in the ranges (a) £0 to £9.99, (b) £10 to £14.99, (c) £15 to £19.99, (d) £20 to £24.99, (e) £25 to £29.99, (f) £30 to £34.99, (g) £35 to £39.99, (h) £40 to £44.99, (i) £45 to £49.99, (j) £50 to £54.99, (k) £55 to £59.99, (l) £60 to £64.99, (m) £65 to £69.99, (n) £70 to £74.99, (o) £75 to £79.99, (p) £80 to £89.99, (q) £90 to £99.99, (r) £100 to £109.99, (s) £110 to £119.99, (t) £120 to £129.99 and (u) £130 or above, separately identifying figures for (i) local authority, (ii) housing association and (iii) private tenants and breaking (i) to (iii) down by standard region. [36318]

Estimates for 1996–97 from the Survey of English Housing are given below in as much detail as the sample sizes allow.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to reply to the letter of 4 February from the hon. Member for Reigate on behalf of his constituent Mrs. A. M. Davidson. [36489]

I have replied to the hon. Member today.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to promote the use of canals for transport in England. [36584]

This is one of the issues we are looking at in our review of transport policy. We expect to publish a white paper in the Spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from the Countryside Rights Association. [36575]

My Department has received no representations from the Countryside Rights Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which (a) organisations and (b) individuals will be represented on the Rights of Way Review Committee. [36574]

The Rights of Way Review Committee is currently reviewing its membership and has consulted existing and potential members. The results of this consultation will be considered at the Committee's next meeting in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria govern the membership of the Rights of Way Review Committee. [36573]

Membership is by invitation of the Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the terms of reference of the Rights of Way Review Committee. [36576]

The Rights of Way Review Committee is an informal, non-statutory committee whose terms of reference are

"to review matters relating to public rights of way in England and Wales with the aim of agreeing, by consensus, proposals for action".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what percentage of reservoir capacity is currently full in each water company area; and what was the figure (a) six and (b) 12 months ago; [37003]what is the current percentage level of maximum groundwater in each water company area; and what was the figure

The Institute of Hydrology and the British Geological Survey publish jointly a monthly Hydrological summary for Great Britain. This contains full information on reservoir stocks and on groundwater levels at representative sites during the last 12 months. That for February 1998 states that reservoir stocks remain healthy, while groundwater levels are within the normal range throughout most of the country but remain very depressed in parts of the English lowlands.The Environment Agency keeps my Department informed on a weekly basis of the water resources position in England and Wales. We expect water companies to maintain supplies at all times and we do not currently envisage them having any general difficulty in doing that, although exceptionally low groundwater levels in some areas will require careful resource management. At the beginning of February, we commissioned the Environment Agency to prepare a more detailed report on prospects for water supplies this year, to be based on the resources position at 31 March. We expect to receive that report towards the end of April.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's percentage target for the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases; and over what timescale this target applies. [36884]

The European Community agreed at Kyoto to a legally binding target of a 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels over the period 2008–12. Reaching a decision on how to share out that target between Member States is a priority for Environment Council in June. Domestically our aim is to reduce emissions of CO₂ by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010, as set out in our Manifesto. We intend to issue a consultation paper in the summer, focusing largely on how we can ensure we meet our legally binding target, but also considering how we can move beyond that towards our 20% aim.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with rail companies about reducing charges for carrying bicycles on trains. [36610]

Provision for the carriage of bicycles is an important issue which ministers have raised on a number of occasions with the train operating companies. Under their franchise agreements, train operators are required, so far as reasonably practicable and subject to the availability of appropriate space on their rolling stock, to ensure that facilities for the carriage of bicycles are made available, at reasonable charges (if any) to passengers wishing to use their services. The Objectives Instructions and Guidance (0IG), issued on behalf of the Secretary of State to the Franchising Director on 6 November 1997, require him to discuss with train operators who plan to order new rolling stock the provision of suitable space for accompanying bicycles on trains, and to encourage operators to provide suitable facilities for cyclists at the stations they manage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets have been set for the Ordnance Survey Department and Executive Agency in the year 1998–99. [37059]

The following performance targets have been set for Ordnance Survey in 1998–99:

1. To recover at least 90% of the costs incurred by the Agency.

2. To ensure that, by 31 March 1999, 98% of existing major detail is surveyed and available to customers in the National Topographic Database at any one time. The target will increase to 99% by the year 2002.

3. In order to provide a quality service to customers, to dispatch products in response to orders as follows:

• 95% of all Land-Line digital map units within 5 working days; and
• 92% of small scale products within 5 working days.

4. To increase by 5% the annual revenue earned per member of staff employed.

These targets, some of which are being incrementally increased, are closely associated with the Corporate Aims of Ordnance Survey and demonstrate the Agency's continuing commitment to customers and to improved value for money for all its stakeholders.

To ask the secretary of state for the Environment,Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the financial management and policy review of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive. [36885]

As part of the Government's programme of regular five-yearly financial management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies, my Department has conducted a thorough review of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive. The resulting report is published today, and a copy has been placed in the Library of each House. In accordance with the guidance on such reviews, we have assessed the extent to which the Commission and Executive's functions are necessary for the achievement of the Government's policies, and whether there is scope for privatising, contracting out or transferring all or part of its functions to another body.In carrying out the study, my Department has consulted widely with relevant organisations with an interest in the Commission and Executive's work, and held a public consultation. We are grateful for their contribution. The Review found that Government needs to take responsibility for setting health and safety standards and enforcing compliance with these standards. The public consultation endorsed the importance of the work of the Commission and Executive and the professionalism with which they carry it out. We considered HSC/E's approach to contracting out, looking in particular at their inspection and permissioning regimes, and concluded that it was not appropriate to ask them to change their current policy.The Review found scope for further work in spreading best practice in consistency of enforcement by local authorities, and for considering extension of the range of work for which the Executive charges to the assessment of safety cases and the costs of inspection of those sites and installations which submit safety cases. It also made a number of minor recommendations. Work on these is being taken forward.This Government attach great importance to maintaining and improving health and safety standards at the workplace. We fully support the vital work carried out by the Health and Safety Commission and Executive in setting and enforcing those standards and in underpinning employer's responsibilities to prevent accidents and ill-health at work. Because good standards of health and safety at the workplace are a higher priority for this Government, we have approved an extra £4.5 million for HSE's work in 1998/99. Funding for HSC/E's work in the longer term is being considered within the Comprehensive Spending Review for all the Department's activities. The creation of DETR has brought together a range of responsibilities for safety, particularly in the transport field, which will provide new opportunities to consider how best practice should be shared between the different modes. We are determined not to become complacent about health and safety, and will continue to work with the Commission to ensure that we are prepared for the health and safety challenges which will face us into the new millennium.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many visits to West Sussex have been made by (a) the Secretary of State and (b) Ministers responsible for planning matters (i)between 1 May 1997 and 8 December 1997 and (ii)since 8 December 1997. [36786]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions visited the County on 19 November 1997. No visits have been made by Ministers responsible for planning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answers of 9 March 1998, Official Report, column 23, and 18 March 1998, Official Report, column 610, if he will define (a) a Government programme and (b) a Government initiative. [36324]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: The hon. Member introduced the terms 'Government spending programme' and 'Government initiative' in his Questions and was answered accordingly. The answers of 9 and 18 March made clear that the Government's commitment to the principle of additionality means that we will not use the Lottery to support programmes or initiatives which should be funded from Government expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the National Lottery regulator in Scotland; [36133](2) if he will list the

[holding answer 25 and 26 March 1998]: The responsibilities of the Director General of the National Lottery are the same in all parts of the United Kingdom. He must exercise his functions in the manner he considers is most likely to secure that the National Lottery is run, and every lottery that forms part of it is promoted, with all due propriety, and that the interests of every participant in a Lottery that forms part of the National Lottery are protected; and, subject to the foregoing he must seek to secure that the amount the National Lottery raises for good causes is as great as possible. He must also comply with any directions he is issued by the Secretary of State under section 11 of the National Lottery etc Act 1993;The head office of the Office of the National Lottery (OFLOT) is located in central London. A further officer is located in Watford. OFLOT' s total running costs (excluding salaries) for the current financial year are estimated at £880,000. The salary costs for the head office are estimated at £626,712, 96 per cent. of total salary costs; other salary costs relate to the office in Watford. 92 per cent. of staff are based at the head office in London. No staff are based in Scotland, although regulatory activities include visits to Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Ministerial policy reviews have been initiated within his Department since 1 May 1997; and when they are expected to report. [36072]

In common with all other Government Departments, the Department for Culture Media and Sport has been undertaking a comprehensive spending review. This has looked at objectives, policies and spending priorities across all the Department's responsibilities.The Department has also conducted a number of individual reviews alongside the spending review. These were:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from (a) Mr. Rupert Murdoch and (b) News International in respect of the listed sporting events. [37018]

I have received no representations from Mr. Murdoch or News International on this subject. I consulted BSkyB, in which News International has 40% shareholding, along with other broadcasters and many other interested parties, on the criteria to be used in my current review of the list and on the events included on the list.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who appointed the review committee on listed events; and what (a) geographical and (b) other criteria were used in making the appointments. [36822]

I appointed the members of the Advisory Group on Listed Events. My main criterion in making the appointments was knowledge of the sporting, broadcasting and public policy issues involved in the review of the list. The members of the group, however, come from a variety of different backgrounds and from many different regions of the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the Broadcasting Standards (a) Council and (b) Commission; if he will list the (i) location of, (ii) running costs of, (iii) salary costs of and (iv) number of staff based at the head offices of these bodies; what percentage of total staff are based (A) at head office, (B) London and (C) Scotland; and what percentage of salary and running costs are incurred in (1) Scotland and (2) London. [36132]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 26 March 1998, Official Report, column 223.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 26 February 1998, Official Report, column 322, how much was spent on administration of each of the sports organisations listed in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will separately identify the costs relating to the governing bodies. [33541]

This information is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The United Kingdom Sports Council has advised me that to obtain this information it would need specifically to examine the annual accounts of each of the 414 governing bodies, and to assess against an agreed definition of administration the total amount expended by each body on administration.Funding by the Sports Councils is for carefully targeted programmes, with agreed objectives. It may be used to contribute towards the administrative costs associated with these programmes but governing bodies are not required to identify separately the administrative costs in their grant agreements. Support is sometimes given for the appointment of key personnel at Chief Executive, Director of Finance, Coaching or Development level, and the administrative support staff for these officers, to ensure that a sport is well managed, particularly where it is in receipt of complementary funding from the National Lottery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money his Department has spent on the digitisation of educational material for libraries in each of the last three years. [36207]

None. The management and development of the core public library service is the responsibility of local authorities. The Government have announced that the New Opportunities Fund, as part of its educational remit, will provide £50 million of Lottery money to support the digitisation of lifelong learning and educational material which is held to a great extent in public libraries. This will support the development of new IT-based services, additional to the existing core library services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of his core Departmental staff; and if he will list the (a) percentage of and (b) number of core staff based in London and the total salary bill and running costs for core staff. [36126]

The 1998 annual report, the first for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will be published on 3 April. It will set out the activities and responsibilities of the Department and its staff. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.The total number of core departmental staff is 370, of whom 368 (99.5%) are based in London. The estimated 1997–98 total paybill for core departmental staff is £10 million. The estimated 1997–98 gross running cost for the core department is £21 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is currently giving to Rwanda; and if she will make a statement. [35747]

A £25 million support programme is being targeted at the rehabilitation priorities of the Government of Rwanda.Technical support is helping the Ministry of Finance to address the key objective of increasing revenue; support for the Ministry of Gender and Social Affairs is helping to tackle problems faced by the large number of female-headed households and support for the Ministry of Education is helping to strengthen their planning and resource allocation capacity. We are providing financial support for the Government's efforts to establish an unarmed community police force and to demobilise members of the armed forces. We are the largest bilateral donor in the area of human rights monitoring and protection in Rwanda.In addition to our rehabilitation support, we continue to respond to requests for humanitarian assistance and are providing financial support to NGO's involved in food security for vulnerable groups.We are working closely with the World bank and the IMF. We have financed technical inputs to expert teams advising the Government of Rwanda on longer term economic strategies and are liaising closely with the Government and the International Financial Institutions (IFI) on initiatives being considered to address debt.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects for the improved provision of (a) primary and (b) adult basic education in Bosnia and Herzegovina funded by her Department. [36313]

My Department has no projects dealing directly with primary or adult basic education in Bosnia. As a single donor it is not possible for us to tackle every sector. Our contributions in selected sectors have been very large, and other donors have focused on other sectors such as education. That said, we have made substantial contributions to education through our community micro-projects. This has included repair and refurbishment of many primary and secondary schools and provision of materials and school equipment over a wide area of Western Bosnia, in both entities.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the programmes funded by her Department in China on (a) education, (b) health, (c) the environment and (d) economic and administrative reform, together with their costs for (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98. [36312]

The information requested is set out in the table. Figures for expenditure in 1997–98 are estimated. There are presently no projects in the health sector, but we are planning a mission to China to explore the possibilities for future involvement in this area.

£
	1996–97 Outturn	1997–98 Estimate
Education
English Language Examinations Reform	—	120,000
Adult Education Project: Hubei	—	210,000
English Language Teaching Project (a portfolio of small, country-wide ELT projects)	1,095,052	724,380
Environmental Projects
Yunnan Province Plan for the Environment	550,799	224,820
Support Programme for the Urban Rehabilitation of Shanghai	1,248,202	660,717
Shanghai Water Master Plan	321,645	244,415
Training in Improvement of Crop Yields	23,702	16,506
Fire Science Training	21,894	30,906
North China Rural Water Project	398,974	315,000
Guizhou and Shanxi Energy Efficiency Project	400,882	886,000
Support for Research and Training in Environmental Pollution Control	55,754	269,387
Environmental Health Programme in Tibet	56,504	33,000
Transportation of Dangerous Cargoes	—	801
Zhongshan Institutional Development Project (training for environmentalists)	93,204	82,502
Study of Toxic Organic Pollutants	95,309	225,721
Coastal Zones Environmental Enhancements	221,855	288,602
Forestry Protection Training	79,062	7,061
Ocean University of Qingdao (marine disposal techniques)	86,760	92,600
Jiangsu environment Technical Support	501,789	350,000
Practical Economics for Environmental Planning Management	165,790	227,000

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from non-Governmental organisations about the Multilateral Agreement on Investment; and if she will make a statement. [36980]

There have been ongoing consultations with NGOs by Government Ministers and officials on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). My right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development met NGO representatives on Thursday 26 March to discuss the findings of the recently published report commissioned by the Department for International Development on the development implications of the MAI.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the OECD about the Multilateral Investment Agreement; and if she will make a statement. [36837]

The Government are engaged as a negotiating party in discussion of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), on which the Department of Trade and Industry leads. My Department is fully engaged in this process. The report commissioned by the Department for International Development on the development implications of the MAI, which has been placed in the libraries of both Houses, will be made available to our negotiating partners. I will be making a response for the Government shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from business sources about the Multilateral Agreement on Investment; and if she will make a statement. [36836]

Consultation with business sources is part of the Government's ongoing process of consultations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) with all interested parties. The Business and Industry Advisory Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has also been regularly consulted during the negotiations. My Department's particular concern is that the interests of developing countries should be protected and, if possible, enhanced by the MAI.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact multilateral investment agreements will have on poorer developing countries; and how that impact will be reflected in her Department's policies. [37006]

I have placed copies of the report that my Department commissioned on the development implications of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) in the Libraries of both Houses. We welcome the conclusion that accession to the MAI could offer substantial opportunities for developing countries. The report contains a number of specific recommendations. We are now studying these and other issues raised in the report urgently.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from the TUC about the Multilateral Agreement on Investment; and if she will make a statement. [36838]

Consultation with the TUC is part of the Government's ongoing process of consultations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) with all interested parties. The Trade Union Advisory Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has also been regularly consulted during the negotiations. My Department's particular concern is that the interests of developing countries should be protected and, if possible, enhanced by the MAI.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects the £1.08 billion committed by her Department to the European Development Fund will be disbursed; and if she will make a statement. [36843]

Disbursements from the eighth European Development Fund (EDF) can begin only after the ratification of the Mid-Term Review of the Lomé IV Convention by all EU Member States and at least two-thirds of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States. Two Member States have yet to complete ratification of the Mid-Term Review but it is estimated that EDF VIII will enter into force later this Summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list those countries which have acquired, or re-acquired LDC status as a result of currency parity changes in the last 12 months; and if she will indicate any resultant change in her Department's policy in respect of each country. [36842]

The UN, which is responsible, through its Committee on Development Planning, for maintaining and regularly reviewing the list of Least-developed Countries, takes a number of economic and other factors into account in determining whether countries warrant Least-developed Country status. The list of Least-developed Countries was last reviewed by the UN at the end of 1997. No countries were added to the list.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey), 21 January 1998, Official Report, columns 568–71, and to the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands), 9 June 1997, Official Report, columns 302–10, when each of the Cabinet committees listed was formed. [33121]

[holding answer 6 March 1998]: Most of the committees were established shortly after the Government came to power, in May and June last year.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to establish a global database of information relating to millennium compliance; and if he will make a statement. [34507]

I do not believe it would be practical to develop a database covering the whole world. However, Action 2000 is working with the UK IT supply sector to develop a database of relevant information on operating systems, software, fixing tools and support services available in the UK. Action 2000 plans to make its information available to UK businesses through their publications material and web site.

To ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken to strengthen the central co-ordination of the Government's programme to tackle the millennium date change problem. [37150]

1 have established a central unit to co-ordinate the government's work on the Millennium date change problem. The unit will be located in the Cabinet Office and will report directly to the President of the Board of Trade and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.I have also broadened the terms of reference of the Ministerial Group on the Millennium Date Change (MISC4), chaired by the President of the Board of Trade, to drive action across the whole of the public and private sectors, while continuing to give priority to preparing the national infrastructure for the Millennium date change. In parallel, I have also broadened the terms of reference of its Sub-Group (MISC4(P), chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to cover the whole of the public sector as well as Government Departments. This will provide a single focus for central Government and the wider public sector. Taken together, the changes will ensure that nothing is allowed to fall between the cracks.The membership of each group reflects their wider roles, and ensures action is effectively tied in with that of other countries.The revised terms of reference and membership are as follows:

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if Ministers have to obtain agreement from him and from a law officer before issuing or threatening to issue proceedings for supposed defamatory allegations; [34865](2) if he will list the dates since 1 May on which Ministers received his permission to issue defamation proceedings, and the names of those Ministers. [34866]

Ministers are required under the Ministerial Code to consult the Law Officers before initiating defamation proceedings. There is no requirement for Ministers to seek my agreement before bringing such action.

To ask the Prime Minister when the Deputy Prime Minister consulted him and the law officers in advance of the letter dated 3 March by Davenport Lyons to the editor of Punch. [34864]

On 9 March, having received a reply to the letter of 3 March from the solicitors acting on behalf of Punch, my right honourable Friend the Deputy Prime Minister approached the Law Officers for advice before making any decision on whether or not to issue proceedings, as required by the Ministerial Code.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the official valuation of the accommodation and furnishings provided to each Minister at public expense. [34707]

[holding answer 16 March 1998]: In line with the practice of successive Administrations, no separate valuation of individual offices or the residential areas of buildings or of the furnishings in either of them is held. It could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Prime Minister which members of his Government have attended meetings of the Bilderberg Group. [34298]

[holding answer 16 March 1998]: None.

To ask the Prime Minister what guidance is issued to Government departments on the need to conduct an environmental appraisal in respect of proposed legislation. [35641]

Details of current and proposed guidance to Government Departments on environmental appraisal are set out in the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment gave to the hon. Member on 16 February 1998, Official Report, columns 459–60. This guidance applies to proposed legislation as it does to other proposals for policies or programmes.

To ask the Prime Minister what initiatives he proposes to develop relations with Iran during the British Presidency of the EU; and if he proposes a Presidency visit to Tehran at political director level. [35852]

[holding answer 23 March 1998]: We, and our EU partners, are encouraged by positive political developments in Iran. As holders of the EU Presidency, we have initiated a review of EU policy towards Iran. At the 23 February General Affairs Council, EU Foreign Ministers agreed that the EU should increase the level of political contact with Iran and, as a first step, decided to lift the ban on official bilateral Ministerial visits which had been agreed by the April 1997 General Affairs Council. The Council also affirmed the importance of maintaining vigilance in the EU's longstanding areas of concern.The EU is currently discussing how and at what level to enhance its political contacts with Iran, which may lead to some form of Presidency contact at senior official level.

To ask the Prime Minister if discussions with the Irish Republic's Taioseach and officials from both the Northern Ireland Office and Dublin's Department of Foreign Affairs and Justice have taken place concerning the establishment of an international commission on policing in Northern Ireland. [35656]

[holding answer 23 March 1998]: No such discussions have taken place. The Government are looking forward to further discussion of policing issues, including the option of establishing an independent Commission, with the Northern Ireland parties in Strand One of the Talks.

To ask the Prime Minister what are the specific functions of (a) Mr. Philip Bassett and (b) Mr. David Bradshaw within the Strategic Communications Unit. [35935]

[holding answer 24 March 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 14 January 1998, Official Report, columns 233–34.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that British beef is offered at all meals served in connection with meetings of the Council of Ministers during the remainder of the UK Presidency. [36319]

Menus for official functions hosted by Ministers are based on seasonal foods from the UK including beef. The final choice of a menu depends on the dietary requirements of the guests, the nature of the occasion, the preference of the host and on other menus being used during a particular visit.Beef was served most recently at the buffet supper given at York on 20 March by the Chancellor of the Exchequer for visiting EU Finance Ministers.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 1998, Official Report, columns 279–80, if he will instruct those Government departments which may still have papers relating to the events of Bloody Sunday to make them available to the Saville Inquiry and the representatives of the relatives of those killed and injured on that date. [36501]

[holding answer 27 March 1998]: The Government will give the Inquiry the fullest possible co-operation in carrying out its work and wherever possible will make available to the Inquiry all relevant material. It will be for the Inquiry to decide whether or not material should be published or made available to the representatives of the relatives of those killed or injured on Bloody Sunday.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the newspaper proprietors who have received Government hospitality since 1 May 1997. [37038]

Such records are not held centrally and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Prime Minister how many representations he has received from Labour Members expressing concern about the extent of media ownership by Mr. Rupert Murdoch. [37047]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister who initiated the recent telephone conversation between him and the Italian Premier, Romano Prodi; and what factors led him to discuss the proposed takeover of Mediaset by Rupert Murdoch. [36500]

[holding answer 27 March 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave to the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Collins) on 25 March 1998, Official Report, column 494.

To ask the Prime Minister what (a)press briefings and (b) other dissemination of information in respect of the threat of Iraqi use of anthrax originated from his office; at what time and on what day this occurred; which newspapers were briefed; and if he will make a statement. [37019]

My official spokesman gave some comments to The Sun newspaper during the afternoon on Monday 23 March after they had approached my office with their story. After publication of The Sun, all media who inquired were given comments by the duty press officer. In addition, my official spokesman replied to questions at the 11 am briefing for Lobby journalists on Tuesday 24 March.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) on what date he plans to introduce a green commuting plan; [36670](2) what specific changes to departmental transport arrangements have to date been implemented following the receipt of the green transport plan. [36638]

[holding answer 27 March 1998]: The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions circulated to all departments in December last year a "Guide to Green Transport Plans". My Department has started to consider how to respond to its recommendations.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to his answer of 24 March 1998, Official Report, column 119, for what reason it is not his policy to say whether he has met (a) Mr. Rupert Murdoch and (b) representatives of News International since 1 January. [37033]

It is not a matter of policy, but of practicality. I meet representatives of broadcasters and other media organisations very regularly in the course of my ministerial duties. I have not met Rupert Murdoch in the course of those duties.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what open Government measures he has taken. [37034]

In common with my Ministerial colleagues I carry out all my duties in accordance with the principles of openness with Parliament and the public that are laid down by the Prime Minister in the Ministerial Code.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list his responsibilities in respect of the Strategic Communications Unit. [37039]

The Strategic Communications Unit is based in Number 10 and answers to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, working through the Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary. I have regular contact with the Unit in view of my responsibilities for the strategic implementation and presentation of Government policy.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will estimate the cost of the giant sculptures that will appear in the Millennium Dome. [31969]

The costs of individual zones within the Dome are still being finalised within the total budget for the Millennium Experience. The Corporate Plan of the New Millennium Experience Company, which is now being finalised, will contain budgets for the component parts of the Millennium Experience project covering the years 1997–98 (actual) and 1998–99 to 2000–01 (forecast).

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of houses affected by dampness in Scotland. [35898]

I refer my hon. Friend to the report of the 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey, a copy of which is in the Library. The Survey estimated that some 177,000 dwellings in Scotland were affected by dampness, representing 8 per cent. of the total occupied housing stock.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many community service orders were imposed in (a)Glasgow and (b) Scotland, in 1997. [35900]

The number of persons given community service in 1996 by courts located in (a) Glasgow was 1,195 and (b) Scotland was 5,711. Information for 1997 is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of vacant dwellings in Scotland. [35901]

I refer my hon. Friend to the report of the 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey, a copy of which is in the Library. The Survey estimated that there were some 109,000 vacant dwellings in Scotland, representing 5 per cent. of the total housing stock. Of these, 64,000 were estimated to be vacant temporarily while the property was being sold or re-let, 34,000 were estimated to be longer term vacant properties with the status of the remainder being unknown.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many manufacturing sector jobs Locate in Scotland has attracted in each of the years since it was established to the City of Glasgow council area. [36032]

The number of jobs associated with manufacturing projects attracted to the City of Glasgow Council area by Locate in Scotland is as follows:

Year	New jobs	Safeguarded jobs	Total jobs
1981–82	176	1,717	1,893
1982–83	0	0	0
1983–84	0	0	0
1984–85	437	169	606
1985–86	403	531	934
1986–87	53	352	405
1987–88	346	46	392
1988–89	70	0	70
1989–90	451	68	519
1990–91	97	530	627
1991–92	101	126	227
1992–93	20	181	201
1993–94	459	200	659
1994–95	117	211	328
1995–96	94	669	763
1996–97	43	55	98
Total	2,867	4,855	7,722

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tickets to Scotland's matches in World Cup 1998 have been obtained by his Department; and to whom these tickets have been distributed. [36804]

Tickets have yet to be allocated, but it is hoped that it will be possible to secure one for each of Scotland's World Cup matches in France.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those councils which provide separate facilities for the secondary education of autistic children and in each case the number of (a) locations and (b) full-time teacher equivalents at each location. [36685]

The annual School Census currently collects information on provision for special educational needs in a number of broad categories. Autistic pupils would be included under the category of "language of communication disorder". The format of the existing census form does not allow autism provision to be disaggregated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff are employed within Scotland by his Department, or executive agencies responsible to his Department; and where those staff are located. [36214]

The numbers of staff employed in The Scottish Office (including its Executive Agencies), together with details of their location, are shown in the table.

Staff in the Scottish Office located within Scotland, by council area permanent and casual staff, position as at 1 March 1998
FTE
Council	The Scottish Office (excl SPS)	Scottish prison service
Aberdeen City	229.8	159.5
Aberdeenshire	104.7	273.0
Angus	18.9	67.0
Argyll & Bute	37.8	—
Clackmannanshire	—	449.5
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar	30.9	—
Dumfries & Galloway	54.1	194.0
Dundee City	46.7	—
East Dunbartonshire	—	163.5
East Lothian	25.0	—
Edinburgh, City of	3,721.60	717.5
Falkirk	3.0	397.5
Fife	26.8	—
Glasgow, City of	244.2	576.5
Highland	161.4	105.0
Inverclyde	68.9	167.5
Moray	12.4	—
North Lanarkshire	—	620.0
Orkney Islands	33.8	—
Perth & Kinross	67.9	522.0
Scottish Borders	65.8	—
Shetland Islands	21.6	—
South Ayrshire	63.6	—
South Lanarkshire	33.0	78.5
Stirling	67.9	227.0
West Dunbartonshire	2.9	—
West Lothian	13.3	14.0
Total in Scotland	5,156.0	4,732.0

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost to public funds of local enterprise companies in Scotland in 1998. [36861]

The Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise budgets for 1998–99 are £455.262 million and £77.992 million respectively. The allocation of local enterprise company budgets is an operational matter for the enterprise bodies. I will ask the Chairmen to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the arrangements for funding pre-school education in school year 1998–99. [37185]

Universal provision of education in the pre-school year is a key part of our drive to raise standards in education, to tackle social exclusion from the earliest age, and to provide integrated early years services to support working parents. It is also a crucial component of the Government's national childcare strategy.Having considered the responses to the consultation paper on pre-school education which I issued last November, I now announce the detailed arrangements under which local authorities will lead the further expansion of pre-school education in the 1998–99 school session. Letters have been issued today to all local authorities and provider representative organisations explaining these arrangements in detail. The key points are as follows:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of businesses her Department anticipates will fail to be millennium compliant by 2000; and what assessment she has made of the impact of single currency demands on programmers on millennium compliance. [27530]

[holding answer 5 March 1998]: Action 2000 aims to ensure that all businesses realise the need to take action on millennium compliance in time. Enterprises working towards millennium compliance will, of course, need to take account of other information technology developments, including any relating to the launch of the single currency. The nature and extent of other work will vary very significantly between businesses and will depend on decisions taken by those businesses.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she appointed a Green Transport co-ordinator; and on what date the appointment took effect. [32475]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Guide to Green Transport Plans circulated last September by my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London encouraged Departments to appoint green transport co-ordinators. Since then the role of my green transport co-ordinator has been undertaken by one of my officials in Environment Directorate who is responsible for liaising with colleagues in other relevant Directorates.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of (a) the impact of electronic home shopping on agency and direct sales, (b)the need for protection against unfair sales pressures in the homes of consumers in respect of home shopping and (c)future price movements in the home shopping market. [36317]

Consumers must be protected against unfair sales pressure, particularly in their homes. I consider that existing provisions could be improved, and plan to publish a consultation paper setting out proposals to strengthen the consumer protection provided by the Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987. I shall also be consulting on the implementation of two EU Directives which provide protection for consumers using mail order, telephone sales, electronic commerce and other methods of distance selling. These are the Distance Selling Directive, which covers all organised methods of selling where the consumer and trader do not meet, up to and including the conclusion of the contract and has to be implemented by June 2000, and the Telecoms Protection Directive which protects consumers against unsolicited telephone calls and faxes and will be implemented this October.While my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has not carried out any studies of future price movements in the home shopping market, the development of electronic commerce seems likely to be an important competitive element in retailing in the future.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the (a) running costs, (b) salary costs, (c)total Government assistance to and (d)location of the Joint Environmental Markets Unit. [36239]

[holding answer 27 March 1998]: During 1997/98 the budgets for JEMU were as follows:

£
Staff (shared by DTI/DETR)	380,000
Core sponsorship and export promotion	200,000
Technology Partnership Initiative	250,000
Publicity	150,000
Travel	20,000
Total	1,000,000

JEMU is located at 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SS.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which companies were involved in Joint Environmental Markets Unit outward missions in 1996–97. [36238]

[holding answer 27 March 1998]: Although the Joint Environmental Markets Unit did not itself organise any outward missions in 1996–97, the Unit supported environmental industry involvement in missions organised by the Overseas Trade Desks and others.