To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his speech to the Midland Bank Conference on the Millennium, if he will list the members of the central team located in the Cabinet to work on the year 2000 problem; when this team will first meet; and what is its remit. [37474]

[holding answer 2 April 1998]: I am setting up a new team in the Cabinet Office to support the Ministerial Group on the Millennium date change (MISC 4) and its public sector sub-group in co-ordinating the drive by Government across the public and the private sector to prepare for the Year 2000, with a particular focus on preventing damage to the national infrastructure. The team will manage the study into the risks the country faces in the run up to the Year 2000 which I announced in my speech to the Action 2000/Midland Bank conference on 30 March. It will liaise with Government departments across Whitehall to ensure that the action Ministers are taking in relation to their own departments and the other areas of the public sector for which they are responsible is properly co-ordinated and fits with Action 2000's work with the private sector. It will work with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other departments on our drive for action internationally. And it will co-ordinate the presentation of Government action.Appointments to the Unit are now being made.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his article in The Independent newspaper of 30 March, if he will publish the analysis underlying his statement that the cost of dealing with the millennium computer problem across the public sector is up to £3 billion; and if he will make a statement. [38140]

[holding answer 7 April 1998]: The figure of up to £3 billion for the cost of millennium compliance across the public sector was an estimate to indicate the possible scale of the problem which is faced by the sector. It took account of forecasts which have been made by independent experts and companies with experience of dealing with the costs of tackling this problem. Such forecasts have ranged from £1 billion to £3 billion. These forecasts are within a range because the actual costs of compliance are not easy to predict accurately in advance and historically have tended to be underestimated.

To ask the Prime Minister if it is his policy that the money to resolve the millennium computer problem across the public sector can be found from existing budgets; and if he will make a statement. [38139]

[holding answer 7 April 1998]: The Government's policy remains that the cost of resolving the millennium computer problem across the public sector will be met from within existing funds. This will be closely monitored as part of the reporting arrangements which have been put in place.

To ask the Prime Minister what information was made available to or from the DTI to or from Mr. Stephen Hatch in the course of the DTI inquiry into the affairs of Astra on commission payments for defence contracts paid to intermediaries [38550]

The Companies Act inspection into the affairs of Astra Holdings plc was concerned with the acquisition by Astra of a number of subsidiaries, and with accounting issues arising therefrom. It was not concerned with commission payments for defence contracts.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) on what dates Mr. Stephen Kock met DTI officials to discuss matters relating to the supply of equipment to Iraq between 1985 and 1990;[38545](2) on what date the appointment of Mr. Stephen Kock to the Board of Astra was first discussed by DTI officials. [38547]

A search of the potentially most relevant sources of information held by DTI has produced no evidence to suggest either that Mr. Stephen Kock discussed matters relating to the supply of equipment to Iraq between 1985 and 1990 with DTI or that discussions were held within the DTI about his appointment to the board of Astra. Indeed, the appointment of individual directors to a private sector company is not an issue with which the DTI would normally concern itself.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the last 10 ad hoc Royal Commissions, the time which elapsed between their establishment and the publication of their reports and, for each, the total cost. [39888]

The details of the last ten Royal Commissions are as follows:

Title	Date established	Presented to Parliament
Constitution	15 April 1969	October 1973
Civil Liability and Compensations for Personal Injury	19 March 1973	March 1978
Press	16 July 1974	July 1977
Standards of Conduct in Public Life	6 December 1974	July 1976
Gambling	24 February 1976	July 1978
National Health Service	19 May 1976	July 1979
Legal Services	20 July 1976	October 1979

To ask the Prime Minister if he plans to attend the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs on 8 to 10 June. [39945]

It has not yet been decided who will lead the United Kingdom Delegation to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the experimental scheme for planes landing at Heathrow Airport was introduced; if this scheme resulted in more planes flying over areas of South and South East London; and when the experiment is to be assessed. [39581]

The trial began on 4 September 1995 and the assessment is underway. The results should identify the areas affected and the associated noise impact. As indicated in Annex 5 of the preliminary consultation paper on Night Restriction at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted that we published on 27 February, the results should be available in time to take into account when drawing up proposals for the next night restrictions consultation paper. A copy of the preliminary paper was placed in the House Library. (Ref; Official Report, 27 February 1998, columns 403–04).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to take action on the report submitted to him in March by the Shipping Working Group. [39849]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering the recommendations of the Working Group.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library all reports submitted by the Government to the European Commission under Article 18 of Directive 92/3/EURATOM. [39942]

Article 18 of Directive 92/3 EURATOM requires Member States to submit reports every two years on the transboundary shipments of radioactive waste which they have authorised. The first such report was made in 1994 and the second in 1996. I am arranging for copies of these to be placed in the Library. The third report is being compiled and I shall place a copy in the Library once it has been lodged with the Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the expected change in carbon dioxide emissions as a result of estimated gross domestic product growth in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [40088]

We expect that gross domestic product will grow by around 2.25% per year between 1998 and 2000. As I said in my answer to the hon. Member on 27 April 1998, Official Report, column 6, we estimate that the present relationship between gross domestic product growth and carbon dioxide emissions is such that every 1% increase in gross domestic product would increase emissions of carbon dioxide by around 0.5%, other things being equal. This approximate relationship may continue to apply to 2000. However, the trend in total UK emissions of carbon dioxide is likely to continue downwards over this period because the types of fuels used, the structure of the economy, and energy efficiency are also changing over time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the UK delegation to the 10 session of the negotiations for a UN ECE Commission for Europe Convention concerning public participation in environmental decision-making did not support a proposal to provide for public participation in transfrontier movements of radioactive waste. [39943]

The proposal would have added all transboundary and internal movements of hazardous and radioactive substances, including wastes, for which a specific permit is required under national law, to the list of those practices requiring formal public consultation. Consultation on every such movement would be impracticable. The relevant legislation and associated guidance provides a stringent system of checks which ensure the safety of radioactive waste during transit, radiological protection of the public and protection of the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statutory provisions govern the international shipment of radioactive waste; whether there is a requirement for a public register of applications or authorisations for such shipments; what records (a) he and (b) the Environment Agency keep of (i) applications and (ii) authorisations for such shipments; if he will place a copy of such records in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [39941]

The import and export of radioactive waste from the UK is governed by SI 1993 No. 3031, the Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste Regulations 1993. The Regulations provide for a system of authorisation and approval by competent authorities of the shipment of radioactive waste. There is no statutory requirement within the Regulations for the provision of a public register. The Environment Agency maintains records of applications, approvals and authorisations for England and Wales, in the form prescribed by the Regulations, and I have arranged for copies of these to be placed in the Library. Arrangements for shipments of waste involving Scotland and Northern Ireland are dealt with by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many, and which, United Kingdom local authorities have (a) promoted and (b) participated in schemes under the Private Finance Initiative in the last year. [39988]

My Department's press release of 10 February, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library, lists 42 individual PFI schemes in England, promoted by 34 local authorities. Local authorities whose projects appear on this list can be confident that they will receive support for their contractual commitments. In Wales, so far no PFI schemes have been signed but the Welsh Office is treating six projects as pathfinders. 26 Scottish authorities have indicated to the Scottish Office an intention to apply for support towards PFI schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the (a) number and (b) total area in hectares of sites of special scientific interest in (i) East Sussex and (ii) the United Kingdom. [39989]

The figures requested are as follows:

	Number of SSSIs (ASST in Northern Ireland)	Area in hectares
East Sussex	64	18,543
United Kingdom	6,510	2,181,312

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the information services provided at railway stations are improved. [40105]

The Government are reviewing the regulation of the railway as part of our overall review of transport policy, and our proposals for the long-term reform of the railway will be published in our White Paper later in the year. In the interim, the Government have issued the Franchising Director with revised objectives, instructions and guidance which require him to secure a progressive improvement in the quality of passenger and station services and to manage existing franchise agreements in a manner which promotes passengers' interests.The existing franchise agreements require operators to meet minimum station standards, which include the provision of communication and information systems within three years of taking over the franchise. Therefore these standards must be implemented during 1999 in respect of the first franchises to be awarded in 1996. Some operators are achieving higher standards than those specified within a shorter timescale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the Housing Act 1996 Code of Guidance with respect to youth homelessness strategies to make specific reference to meeting the particular housing needs of care leavers. [40164]

[holding answer 29 April 1998]: The revised Code of Guidance, which we hope to issue later in the year, will draw local authorities; particular attention to the considerations which they should bear in mind when assessing care leavers' housing needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to review the Widdecombe definition of politically restricted posts. [39869]

[holding answer 29 April 1998]: The Government are firmly committed to the principle of political impartiality among senior and other front line public servants. In our consultation paper, "Modernising Local Government—A new ethical framework", a copy of which was sent to all hon. Members on 7 April, we are inviting views on an approach we are proposing for designating posts as politically restricted, and in particular on the level of any salary threshold.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on local authorities' responsibilities when implementing national pay review body awards for chief executive officers. [39979]

[holding answer 29 April 1998]: Agreement was reached last year in the national negotiating body for chief executives on a new package of pay and conditions. The principal pay-related features of the package were a 2.5 per cent. pay rise from 1 July 1997; and local reviews in each local authority of the salary of their chief executive, to be completed by 1 April 1998 in the light of the new national pay structure and the accompanying national agreement on implementation. Any further pay rise stemming from the local review is to be paid from 1 January 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to reduce waiting times for local authority disability facilities grants; [40334](2) what was the average waiting time for a disabled facilities grant for

Information on the average waiting times for disabled facilities grants is not collected by the Department. Local authorities already have a statutory duty under section 34 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 to notify the applicant within six months of the date of application whether the application is approved or refused. We have no plans to change this.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications to release GMOs into the environment have been considered in each year since 1990; for each year how many have been (a) approved and (b) refused; and how many are outstanding. [40321]

Following the introduction of our regulations in March 1993, a total of 152 applications have been considered. These breakdown per year as:

Year	Applications approved	Applications refused	Applications outstanding
1993	15	0	0
1994	24	0	0
1995	40	0	0
1996	28	0	0
1997	25	0	0
1998	14	0	0

Whilst no consents have been refused, in many cases applicants have been required to significantly amend their applications to provide further information to enable a decision to be made. Also, some consents would have been refused unless the applicant had agreed to implement the strict risk management procedures recommended by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what level of quantifiable risk must be reached before permission to release a GMO into the environment is refused. [40323]

The Department's approach to risk assessment for GMO releases is set out in Chapter 4 of "The Regulation and Control of the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Organisms" and this is consistent with the approach published in "A Guide to Risk Assessment and Risk Management for Environmental Protection". These have been placed in the House of Commons library.In all cases we obtain expert advice from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the financial effect of the establishment of the Greater London Authority on revenue support grant levels for other regions; and if he will make a statement. [40365]

As we said in our White Paper "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897), we have carefully considered how the costs of the Mayor, Assembly and new central service of the Greater London Authority should be paid for, and have decided to meet most of the costs ourselves through grant. We have no plans to cut support to other parts of the country to pay for the Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of (a) the measures required to control urban foxes and (b) the effects of releasing urban foxes into the countryside. [39112]

A recent decline in reported sightings suggests that the number of urban foxes has fallen in some cities, and a study in 1987 showed that urban foxes tend to be self-regulating. Furthermore, although foxes could in theory transmit certain infections to man, such a toxocariasis, hydatid disease or pasteurellosis, from the limited data available foxes have not been implicated in any cases of these diseases among humans. It is not therefore thought necessary to consider measures to control them.It is not in general an offence to move wild animals around the country, and relocation of native foxes is not prohibited by our conservation legislation. Reports of large-scale releases of foxes into the countryside have not been substantiated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the outcome of the inter-departmental review of coastal safety, with particular reference to the use of personal water craft; [40318](2) if he will make a statement on progress made by his Department in encouraging more responsible use of personal water craft. [40319]

Consideration is currently being given to the results of consultation on the ways in which safety of non-regulated pleasure vessels can be improved, which incorporates input from both the Environment and Transport points of view. A decision on the way forward will be made in the next few months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets he has set for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Vehicle Certification Agency. [40786]

The key targets have been set for the agencies. They are included in the agencies' business plans, which include management objectives, performance indicators and key tasks, where appropriate to the agencies' business. Copies of the business plans will be placed in the Library in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about progress towards the setting of price limits for water companies from 1 April 2000. [40790]

The Director General of Water Services has sent an open letter and accompanying paper "Setting the Quality Framework" to me and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales, on 30 April, seeking guidance on the quality obligations to be placed on water companies in the period 2000 to 2005. Copies of the Director General's letter and accompanying paper have been placed in the Library of the House.We expect also to receive advice on this issue from the Environment Agency in mid-May, which we shall take into account in formulating the guidance to the Director General. The advice will, similarly, be placed in the Library of the House.My Department will issue a consultation letter on 1 May, seeking the views of all those who have an interest in or involvement with the water industry on the issues raised in the Director General's letter and accompanying paper, and inviting the submission of reasoned arguments over the appropriate level of obligations to place on water companies, to be funded from customers' bills. We are keen to strike the right balance between investment to deliver desirable environmental and quality improvement and the level of water bills.At this stage in the periodic review, costings have not been finalised. Further work will be needed to refine this information. There also remain uncertainties in relation both to the precise nature of some of the EU obligations that water companies will have to meet, as well as to the costings of possible obligations. Against that background, however, we shall seek to give guidance in the summer which is as clear as possible when responding to the Director General. We should welcome views on the issues raised in the Director General's letter and paper, which we shall take into account in providing guidance.A copy of the Department's consultation letter, which will seek comments by Friday 12 June, will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals against closures of magistrates' courts were made in (a) 1992, (b) 1993, (c) 1994, (d) 1995, (e) 1996 and (f) the first four months of 1997; and how many were (i) upheld and (ii) rejected. [39684]

The number of appeals against the closure of magistrates courts made between 1992 and April 1997 were: (a) 1992, 10; (b) 1993, 12; (c) 1994, 3; (d) 1995, 2; (e) 1996, 11 and (f) in the first four months of 1997, 4. In 1992, 2 appeals were upheld. All other appeals were dismissed.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals against closures of magistrates' courts have been lodged since 1 May 1997; and how many (a) were upheld, (b) were rejected and (c) have still to be determined. [39685]

Since 1 May 1997, 16 appeals against the closure of magistrates courts have been lodged.In the same period, 2 appeals were upheld and 17 were rejected. There are 6 appeals pending. (These figures include appeals outstanding at 1 May 1997).

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the total amount of revenue raised from all forms of fines in (a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, (c) 1995–96, (d) 1996–97 and (e) 1997–98; what estimate he has made of revenue in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [40222]

The figures requested are shown in the table. There is no estimate available for 1998–99.

£ million
Year	Revenue raised
1993–94	228.0
1994–95	219.8
1995–96	216.0
1996–97	224.2
1997–98	173.6
1 Covers the period I April 1997 to 31 December 1997

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the WTO about the forthcoming review of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property; and if she will make a statement. [40151]

The WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) is overseen by the TRIPs Council which meets on a regular basis and comprises all WTO members. The TRIPs Agreement requires the Council to review the provisions of Article 27(3(b) of the Agreement concerning the exclusion from patentability of plants and animals in 1999, and the implementation of the Agreement as a whole after 2000. The UK Government will take full part in discussions alongside developing countries in the Council before and throughout the reviews. The TRIPs Council operates by consensus and therefore will need to take into account the views and interests of all members.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has made to the European Commissions about the findings of the WTO Appellate Body on the EU banana regime; and if she will make a statement. [40157]

The Government have been keeping in close touch with the European Commission since the WTO Appellate Body published its findings on the EU banana regime last Autumn. The Commission made proposals earlier this year for changes to the banana regime, to bring it into line with the WTO ruling, and for the new assistance framework for traditional producers in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.Negotiations on these proposals are now well advanced in Brussels. As the leading advocate of the developing countries in the Caribbean who have traditionally supplied bananas to the UK, the Government have made it a priority of its current Presidency of the EU to reach agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the outcome of her discussions with the Patent Office about the proposed EC Directive concerning the protection of biotechnological inventions and the potential implications for developing countries. [40152]

The proposed EC Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions is currently being considered by the European Parliament, following adoption of a Common Position by the Council of Ministers in February 1998. The Directive addresses which biotechnological inventions can be patented in Europe and does not affect national patent laws. When agreeing to support this Common Position, the UK set down a statement which noted that there had been no consideration as to whether the provisions of the Directive would be appropriate for other countries outside the European Union, in particular developing countries.In its statement the UK also considered that in preparing its annual report on the development implications of patent law in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering [under Article 16.3 of the proposal] the Commission should consider the breadth of patent rights, the effects of patents on research and, in accordance with Article 130v of the Treaty of Maastricht, take account of the implications for developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Generalised System of Preferences Working Group about the proposed regulation; and if she will make a statement. [40149]

Two key regulations have been discussed and agreed within the Generalised System of Preferences Working Group during the UK Presidency. These are the Regulation on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Regulation on Special Incentives. UK policy on both of these is set out in the Government's White Paper on International Development published in November 1997. DFID has worked closely with DTI—which is the lead Department in formulating and implementing the Government's policy.The proposed Regulation on LDCs was agreed by the Council in March this year. This requires the EU to extend market access terms, similar to those available under the Lome Convention, to the nine non-ACP LDCs and to apply these retrospectively from 1 January 1998. We therefore welcome this Regulation which we see as an important first step towards our long-term goal of duty-free market access to the EU market for all LDCs and for the eventual agreement to eliminate tariffs on LDC products within a bound WTO scheme.The proposed Regulation on Special Incentives provides for additional trade preferences to be granted to developing countries that meet certain labour and environmental standards. The Government attach considerable importance to these proposals as a mechanism for signalling to the developing world that our concerns about raising standards are not driven by protectionist motives. The GSP Working Group has concluded its deliberations on the proposal which will be submitted to the Council in May. The Group will soon be considering how technical assistance can be offered to those developing countries who wish to access the scheme but who lack the capacity to meet the required standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with (i) the Department of Trade and Industry (ii) the WTO and (iii) multilateral and bilateral aid donors about ways to achieve further reductions in trade barriers faced by LDCs; and if she will make a statement. [40150]

UK policy towards elimination of barriers to trade for Least Developed Countries is set out in the Government's White Paper on International Development published in November 1997. The UK has taken a lead within Europe and internationally (including through the G8) in pushing for the elimination of tariffs on imports from the least developed countries (LDCs) and for eventual agreement to eliminate tariffs within a bound WTO scheme. A number of member states made commitments to extend their market access for LDCs at the WTO hosted High Level Meeting for LDCs in October last year. Progress will be reviewed at the WTO Ministerial in May this year.Under the UK Presidency agreement has been reached within the EU to extend market access to the imports of the nine non-ACP LDCs on terms similar to those available under the Lomé Convention. The UK see this as a first step and will continue to press for duty-free access to the EU market for all Least Developed Countries. In addition the UK recognises that complex rules of origin can act as a constraint on taking up preferential access. The UK is therefore pressing for an EU commitment to simplify and harmonise the EU preferential origin rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the (i) WTO, (ii) UNCTAD, (iii) ITC, (iv) IMF, (v) World Bank and (vi) UNDP about the implementation of the Integrated Framework for the co-ordination and delivery of trade-related development co-operation; and if she will make a statement. [40154]

The Integrated Framework was discussed in the WTO hosted High Level Meeting in October 1997. The Integrated Framework seeks to enhance the effectiveness of trade-related technical assistance in order to promote the integration of Least Developed Countries into the multilateral trading system.This Government have consistently supported discussion of the Integrated Framework in the senior bodies of the WTO, IMF, UNCTAD, ITC, World Bank and UNDP. Each of these bodies has indicated their support for the Framework and agreed to co-ordinate their efforts in this area. Further, the agencies have agreed to set up an Inter-Agency Working Group and an Administrative Unit to be housed at ITC.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will raise the issue of the environmental record of the Commission's funded programmes in developing countries at the Development Council meeting in May. [40353]

My Department continues to work closely with the Commission to promote the full integration of environmental considerations into EC programmes and projects. One of our Presidency priorities is to seek to improve the effectiveness of the EC's development programmes. I will not, however, be raising this issue at the Development Council in May.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what issues are on the agenda for the Development Council meeting in May. [40347]

The agenda is still under discussion. However, the main items are likely to be:

(a) The EU's Negotiating Mandate for the successor to the Lomé Convention.

(b) Conclusions on follow-up to the 1993 Poverty Resolution.

(c) Conclusions on follow-up to the 1995 Gender Resolution.

(d) Progress Report and Exchange of views on the Evaluation of European Union Development Aid.

(e) Commission Presentation on Indigenous People.

(f) Commission Presentation on Humanitarian Aid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she proposes to take in response to the conclusions and recommendations of the report of the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee of the Northern Ireland Forum on Organophosphate Insecticides-their use by the farming community; and if she will make a statement. [39654]

[holding answer 27 April 1998]: The Forum's report will be considered in the light of the findings of the High Level Officials' Group on Organophosphates. The establishment of that Group was announced in another place by my noble friend, Lord Donoughue, on 13 January 1998. Those findings will be published when Ministers have fully considered them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which she has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39395]

[holding answer 29 April 1998]: The following appointments have been made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997:

	Total	Female appointments	Percentage
Paid appointments	222	87	39
Unpaid appointments	461	138	30

The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, an action plan is being drawn up in NI for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Construction Service in 1998–99. [40730]

For the 1998–99, the following performance targets have been set for Construction Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Social Security Agency for the current financial year. [40731]

The targets are in line with the objective of improving the service provided to customers and fully support the Active Modern Service principles laid down for public services. I am satisfied that the targets represent a demanding challenge for the Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she intends to carry out a market test of the functions of the Rate Collection Agency. [40732]

The Government have decided to defer plans to market test the functions of the Rate Collection Agency until the next quinquennial review of the agency which is planned for 1999.This will allow time to assess the potential impact on the work of the agency of the current review of charging arrangements for water and sewerage services. Ratepayers currently contribute to the cost of these services through the Regional Rate.The Agency's Framework Document will be amended to reflect the position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what decision she has taken on whether to provide funds for the payment of fourth year tuition fees for eligible Northern Irish students at Scottish universities; and if she will make a statement. [40257]

Northern Ireland students will not receive public support for fees in the fourth year of Scottish 4-year degrees where similar degree courses in Northern Ireland, England and Wales are of 3 years' duration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been received to date against the use of CS gas by the police force. [38523]

During police trials of CS sprays between 1 March and 31 August 1996, in which about 4,000 officers carried CS spray canisters, 45 complaints were made to police forces. During the 12 months up to 31 March 1997 (the most recent period for which figures are available) the police referred 28 complaints to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) of which 19 resulted in investigations supervised by the Authority. Five complaints were withdrawn, eight were unsubstantiated, three are under or are awaiting disciplinary review, one is subject to criminal proceedings against an officer for assault (the complaint about the use of CS is a secondary issue in this case), and in another case an officer was found not guilty of abuse of authority. One complaint is still under investigation and the PCA granted the police dispensations from the requirement to investigate the remaining nine cases. This is allowed by the Police (Dispensation From Requirement to Investigate Complaints) Regulations 1985 where it is not reasonably practicable to conduct an investigation or the complaint is vexatious, repetitious or otherwise an abuse of the complaints procedures.The PCA estimates that in the twelve months up to 31 March 1998 there were about 250 complaints to police forces referring to CS spray.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by the Government during their presidency of the EU to promote discussion on problems caused by the flow of asylum seekers through the EU; and if he will make a statement. [39984]

The United Kingdom Presidency is promoting discussion in the European Union of a wide range of issues relating to asylum seekers. In particular, under the Presidency, member states have adopted a comprehensive Action Plan on the influx of migrants from Iraq and the neighbouring region. Under this Action Plan, the Presidency is taking forward a number of measures aimed at ensuring that those in genuine need of protection receive it and to prevent abuse of asylum procedures in the European Union.In addition, the Presidency is seeking to secure agreement on a programme of action designed to improve the operation of the Dublin Convention. This Convention governs arrangements for determining which member state should be responsible for examining asylum claims made in the European Union.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria used by an immigration officer to decide if an interview with an unaccompanied child seeking asylum is unavoidable. [39847]

A child will not be interviewed about the substance of his claim to refugee status if it is possible to obtain, by written inquiries or from other sources, sufficient information properly to determine the claim. In the vast majority of cases, the required information is obtained without an interview. In those rare cases where an interview is deemed necessary it will be conducted only in the presence of an independent adult, and by an immigration officer who has received specialist training.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures must be followed by an immigration officer when an unaccompanied child arrives at a port of entry seeking asylum. [39858]

When an unaccompanied child arrives at the immigration control a brief interview is undertaken to establish age, the basis upon which entry is sought, and whether anyone has accompanied the child on the journey or is meeting him/her. If the child is an asylum seeker the Refugee Council's Panel of Advisers for Refugee Children is notified without delay, and the child is issued with a self-completion asylum questionnaire. Temporary admission is normally granted, and if the child has nobody to turn to in the United Kingdom, the social services are contacted. It is not the practice of the Immigration Service to detain a child for longer than absolutely necessary before passing the child to the responsible adult or social services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in each of the last three years of 16 to 18 year old men for offences involving consenting homosexual acts. [39987]

Information for 1994 to 1996 (latest available) is given in the table. It does not include offences such as male rape or indecent assault on a male. It should be noted that section 145 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (which came into force in November 1994) amended section 12 of the Sexual Offences Act 1967—by lowering from 21 to 18 the age at which men may lawfully perform consenting homosexual acts in private.

Number of males cautioned, prosecuted and convicted1 for specific homosexual offences by age, 1994–1996
England and Wales
Year/offence	Aged 16	Aged 17	Aged 18
1994
Buggery offences
Cautioned	5	3	1
Prosecuted	9	13	5
Convicted	4	6	5
Indecency between males
Cautioned	3	5	3
Prosecuted	1	3	3
Convicted	1	2	3
1995
Buggery offences
Cautioned	1	—	—
Prosecuted	3	3	6
Convicted	—	5	3

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the method of recording racial incidents in order to record more accurately (a) the nature of incident, (b) the local distribution and (c) the ethnic origin of the victim or the offender. [39958]

At present, individual forces submit their racial incidents figures to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary at the end of each financial year on the basis of the Association of Chief Police Officers definition of a racial incident:

"Any incident in which it appears to the reporting or investigating officer that the complaint involves an element of racial motivation, or any incident which includes an allegation of racial motivation made by any person".

The figures are not broken down into the nature of the incidents, the local distribution or the ethnic origin of the victim or offender. However, some forces hold such information locally.The Association of Chief Police Officers have recently published a Good Practice Guide for the Police Response to Racial Incidents which advises police forces that it is essential to keep an accurate record of the number and types of racial incidents that are reported to ensure that management information is available to inform resource deployment and to monitor trends. It also advises that information should be shared with other local partnership agencies.The Home Office will, however, look at the way in which the racial incidents figures are submitted centrally and will consider ways for improving the recording of information in consultation with the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to publish the revised Code of Practice on Intrusive Surveillance; and if he will make a statement. [40077]

We intend to lay the draft code of practice on intrusive surveillance before Parliament during the Summer. Detailed work is continuing on a number of fronts in relation to Part III of the Police Act 1997 with a view to implementing the provisions as quickly as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the (a) male and (b) female population (i) under 30 and (ii) over 30 years of age has committed at least one (1) minor criminal offence and (2) serious criminal offence. [40026]

The information that is available centrally on the prevalence of offending relates solely to convictions for standard list offences. These include all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences (a complete list can be found in Appendices 4 and 5 of Criminal Statistics England and Wales, 1996, Cm 3764). There is no standard definition for seriousness among these offences.Information on prevalence of offending is contained in "Criminal careers of those born between 1953 and 1973" (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 14/95). It is estimated that among males born in 1953, 31 per cent. had been convicted of a standard list offence by the age of 30, and 34 per cent. before the age of 40. Comparable figures for females were 7 per cent. and 8 per cent. No figures are available for age 40 and over.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were for (a) violent crime, (b) car crime, (c) serious crime and (d) in total, in each year since 1988 for which figures are available. [40021]

The information is given in the table.

Number of offenders convicted, at all courts, for certain crimes 1988–1996
England and Wales
000s
	Offence description
Year	Violent crime1	Car crime2	Serious crime3	Total crime4
1988	65.5	32.7	5396.7	51,604.9
1989	70.9	29.8	5348.8	51,583.5
1990	69.2	30.3	5352.1	51,562.7
1991	63.6	30.5	5346.8	51,519.9
1992	61.6	24.9	5330.1	51,528.4
1993	57.3	22.1	307.6	1,425.3
1994	58.4	21.6	314.1	51,424.6
1995	57.5	20.1	302.2	51,429.7
1996	59.7	20.1	300.6	51,440.8
1Includes the indictable offence groups of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery and the summary offences of common assault.
2Includes the indictable offences of theft from a vehicle, theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle, aggravated vehicle taking and the summary offences of stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance and aggravated vehicle taking.
3Taken as all indictable offences.
4Taken as all indictable, summary non motoring and summary motoring offences.
5Includes allowance for known shortfalls in the data. It is not possible to produce estimates for the more detailed offence categories.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the percentage of young people who have been victims of crime; and if he will make a statement. [40023]

While it is difficult to make a dependable estimate of the overall percentage of young people who have been victims of crime, a good deal of information is available from the 1992 British Crime Survey (BCS), the 1993 Youth Lifestyle Survey (YLS), and from a special data collection exercise on violent crime recorded by the police.According to the 1992 BCS, 60 per cent. of 12 to 15 year olds had experienced a theft, non-family assault and/or harassment in the six to eight months prior to the survey. Most of these incidents were not judged to be crimes by the victim: 18 per cent. had experienced something they regarded as a crime. The full findings are

Victimisation rates by offence, average 1990–94 Rates per 100,000 population2
	Violence against the person			Indecent assault1		Robbery and theft from the person
	Rape Male	Female	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Age of victim
0–9	94	62	6	25	94	8	2
10–15	704	373	59	66	327	331	54
16–24	1,234	704	58	11	130	305	116
25–39	634	463	21	3	37	168	93
40–59	273	153	5	1	10	109	66
60 and over	64	26	1	0	2	44	81
Total	477	271	18	7	63	144	67
Coverage of recorded offences	(50%)		(72%)		(64%)		(55%)
1 Including buggery offences
2 Represents the number of victimisations per 100,000 population in each respective age group

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research his Department has conducted which compares re-offending rates following prison and following alternatives to prison; and if he will make a statement; [40078](2) what were the re-conviction rates in the

The most recent information available on the reconviction rates of those released from custody is based on a sample of sentenced prisoners discharged during the first quarter of 1995. The reconviction rate one year after release is 39 per cent., and after two years is 55 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of drug treatment orders which will be made in the first full year of operation of the orders. [40139]

The purpose of piloting the drug treatment and testing order in three areas will be to evaluate its cost, effectiveness, and the demand for it from the courts. It is not possible at this stage to estimate with any accuracy how many orders will be made in the first full year of operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of drug testing and treatment orders which will be made in each of the pilot areas under the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] in (a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [40138]

Each of the areas will receive an equal share of the funding available for the pilot and should make approximately the same number of drug treatment and testing orders. We estimate that the funds available will purchase 150–250 drug treatment and testing orders per annum, depending on the type of treatment proposed in each case. It would seem reasonable to assume that approximately one-third of these would be made in 1998–99 and two-thirds in 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to implement section 9 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. [40212]

The Government plan to implement section 9 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 early next year, subject to the satisfactory completion of pilots currently in progress. Section 9 requires a court, on passing a sentence of imprisonment, to identify the number of days spent on remand in custody or police detention by the defendant that are to be credited against the sentence imposed. It is essential that the courts have confidence in the remand information when sentencing. Pilots have been running since January with the aim of establishing a reliable system for passing remand details to the court.The Crime and Disorder Bill currently before Parliament contains technical amendments to section 9 consequential on the Government's decisions to repeal certain measures in the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. Rules, which are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure, are being drafted to govern the disallowing of remand time in cases where there are consecutive or wholly or partly concurrent sentences, and where some or all of a remand in custody is concurrent with a sentence of imprisonment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the changed arrangements for embarkation control at United Kingdom ports and airports, with particular reference to (a) the manning of closed circuit television monitors, (b) the training of staff to monitor CCTV equipment, (c) which categories of immigration officers are being trained to monitor CCTV equipment, (d) how many immigration officers have been re-deployed as a result of the changes and (e) how many of these have been seasonal immigration officers. [40310]

Implementation of the new embarkation arrangements which I announced on 16 March commenced on 14 April. The transition is running smoothly. The answers to the hon Lady's specific questions are as follows:

(a) the closed circuit television (CCTV) monitor will be staffed on the basis of operational need and intelligence received by the respective enforcement agencies;

(b) basic instruction by an established company in this field has already been delivered and further training is being planned.

(c) a number of relevant operational staff in the chief immigration officer, immigration officer and assistant immigration officer grades have received instruction in basic techniques of CCTV monitoring.

(d) we estimate that it should be possible to re-deploy the equivalent of up to a maximum of 90 permanent posts in a full year once all the changes have been made; and

(e) it is unlikely that in the long term any seasonal immigration officers will be re-deployed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to give greater powers to the police to evict travellers who are occupying private land against the wishes of the owners of the land. [40165]

[holding answer 29 April 1998]: We will consider any proposals for strengthening the law if this will have a practical effect in helping the police to be more effective. The police already have wide powers under sections 61 and 62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to remove trespassers and their vehicles where they have, for example, been abusive to the owner, a member of his family or his agent; or they have between them six or more vehicles. These powers complement the powers available to local authorities under sections 77 and 78 of the Act to direct unauthorised campers to leave land. Decisions about how to enforce the criminal law are an operational matter for chief police officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the United Kingdom has not ratified Protocol 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. [40369]

There are a few provisions in our domestic law—for example, at common law a husband has a duty to maintain his wife, but not vice versa—which are not compatible with Protocol 7. We intend to legislate to remove these inconsistencies, when a suitable opportunity occurs, and then to sign and ratify the Protocol.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the United Kingdom has not ratified Protocol 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms signed in September 1963. [40370]

Ratification of Protocol 4 will be possible only if potential conflicts with our domestic laws can be resolved. There is a particular concern in relation to Article 3(2) of the Protocol, which protects the right of nationals not to be excluded from their home state. This could be taken as conferring the right of abode in the United Kingdom on various categories of British nationals who do not have it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards income-related fines. [40218]

A scheme of unit fines was introduced by the previous administration in the Criminal Justice Act 1991, but the public did not have confidence in the system and it was abolished by the Criminal Justice Act 1993.When imposing a fine on an offender, the courts are required to take into account the circumstances of the offence and the offender. This includes the financial means of the offender, so far as it is known. This should ensure that the fine will be set at a level which is commensurate with the seriousness of the offence, but which the offender can afford to pay.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the percentage of commercial sporting events for the policing of which police forces presently charge; and if he will make a statement. [40235]

There is no information held centrally on which to base such an estimate. It is for chief officers of police to decide when to charge for the policing of commercial sporting events.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value of grants agreed by the Sportsmatch business sponsorship incentive scheme for sport has been since November 1992. [40169]

Since its launch in November 1992, the Sportsmatch scheme has made 2,055 awards worth a total of £16,355,366.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications to the National Heritage Memorial Fund have been (a) made and (b) approved from organisations in the Warrington, North constituency since the fund was set up. [40224]

The National Heritage Memorial Fund encompasses two separate funds: the heritage memorial fund and the heritage lottery fund. The heritage memorial fund has since 1980 served as a fund of last resort for the support of heritage projects throughout the United Kingdom. Information concerning funding applications to and awards from the memorial fund is not readily available on a constituency basis. The heritage lottery fund constitutes the heritage tranche of proceeds from the National Lottery. It has so far received four applications for funding from organisations in the Warrington, North constituency, two of which were successful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the total value of grants awarded from the National Heritage Memorial Fund for each constituency in England and Wales. [40225]

Such information is available only in respect of awards by the heritage lottery fund. I am placing in the Library of the House a copy of the list of awards for each constituency in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many teachers in local education authority schools in Wales were given early retirement at the age of 55 years and over in each of the last five years. [39435]

The number of teachers in local education authority schools (that is, maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools) in Wales who were given early retirement at the age of 55 years and over in each of the last five years is as follows:

	Ill health	Premature	Total
1992–93	108	271	379
1993–94	125	323	448
1994–95	114	311	425
1995–96	92	295	387
1996–971	97	267	364
1 1996–97 data are still provisional

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure the effective

£000
Year	WDA	DBRW	WTB	EC 5b grant	Welsh OfficeOther/fees	Other/fees	Total
1991–92	48	7.5	17.5	0	0	62	135
1992–93	1,019.5	100.0	40.0	0	0	0	1,159.5
1993–94	1,372.0	102.6	45.0	0	0	0	1,519.6
1994–95	1,400.0	100.9	50.0	0	0	0	1,550.9
1995–96	1,350.0	105.0	55.0	0	0	0	1,510.0
1996–97	500.0	108.0	55.0	9	550.0	279	1,451.0
1997–98	0	110.0	55.0	378	700.0	185	1,428.0

The Welsh Office provides support to Welsh Food Promotions Limited which through the marketing and promotional activities of its sister company, Welsh Lamb and Beef Promotions, is responsible for stimulating demand for Welsh lamb and beef. A key element of this is the Farm Assured Welsh Livestock scheme.The scheme is aimed at livestock producers and encourages the highest standards of animal husbandry and provides consumers with assurances on quality, traceability and animal welfare. Through direct Welsh Office support for a recruitment campaign, membership of the scheme has increased four fold to 3,500 in recent years.In addition, we are providing grant aid totalling over £2 million to two major projects aimed at improving breeding and production systems for Welsh lamb and beef. These projects, which are assisted under the Objective 5B scheme, are the Beef Development Project sponsored by ADAS and the Welsh Sheep Strategy.Finally, the Welsh Office will be seeking to develop organic and conservation grade farming as part of our plans to develop a long-term food strategy for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 1998, Official Report, column 444, how the aims and operation of the Environmental Task Force in Wales differ from those in (a) England and (b) Scotland. [39696]

The aims and operation of the New Deal Environment Task Force option in Wales are not significantly different from those in England or Scotland. However minor variations have been made to reflect the needs of each home country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much public funding has been given to Welsh Food Promotions Ltd in each financial year since it was formed; and how much the Welsh Office has committed to it for the current financial year. [39644]

Welsh Food Promotions was established in 1991 and the public funds it has received since then is shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of centralising the payment of agricultural grants on the economies of those areas in which regional offices are currently based; [39743](2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the centralisation of the farmers' grants payment system on the length of time taken to issue payments to farmers. [39733]

On 16 March I announced plans to commission a study from consultants to assess the options for securing improved administration of Common Agricultural Policy payments in Wales.Work on the study has just begun and at this early stage the consultants have been asked to collect information from staff on all feasible options for developing the service. These could include options for centralising the service, for transferring responsibility for administering payments to MAFF or the Intervention Board, or for developing the service using the existing office structure.In line with the terms of reference for the study each option identified will be assessed in terms of the costs, benefits and risks it represents for the Welsh Office. All feasible options will be expected to deliver a bilingual service to farmers that meets the Welsh Office's objectives and the standards set out in the Charter Standard for Farmers in Wales, and complies with the requirements of EC regulations. All options will be assessed in terms of their impact on the number and distribution of employment opportunities within Wales.All these factors will be taken in to account in the study's final report which will inform my decision on the best way forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the benefits of introducing a system of proportional representation for local government elections in Wales. [39737]

The emphasis so far has been on developing proposals for increasing the frequency of local elections. Little work has been done on the merits of alternative electoral systems for local government. Decisions on the way ahead in Wales will be informed by the response to the consultation document, "Local democracy and community leadership", published by my Department on 19 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent steps he has taken to support the Welsh milk industry. [39738]

On 16 December 1997 officials from the Welsh Office attended the Mergers Panel meeting investigating the acquisition by Milk Marque of the Felinfach based Aeron Valley Cheese Company to underline the importance of this investment for the West Wales economy and dairy industry in particular. More recently, we have given written evidence to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission inquiry into the selling of raw milk reinforcing these points and more generally the important contribution that the dairy sector makes to agriculture in Wales.The Welsh Office is currently considering an application for grant aid from Aeron Valley Cheese concerning their expansion plans.I have also, in recent months, discussed with colleagues the Milk Development Council's campaign to be allowed to retain its exemption from Corporation Tax.The EC's proposals for reform of the dairy sector as part of the Agenda 2000 are part of the on-going dialogue that I and my officials are having with the farming unions in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to advertise publicly to fill the post of Chairman of the Dyfed Powys Health Authority when the present incumbent's term ends. [39949]

The post was advertised in October 1997 and an announcement will be made before the period of appointment of the present incumbent ends on 30 June 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many training providers are currently on the promotional file of Business Connect; [40108](2) how many training providers have received contracts from each TEC in Wales for the year 1998–99. [40111]

This information is not held centrally. However the Department will be compiling a training database with the assistance of TECs in Wales for 1998–99 in preparation for the planned start of inspection of vocational training by OHMCI from 1 April 1999. This is subject to the passage of the necessary enabling vires for OHMCI in the Teacher and Higher Education Bill which is currently before the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what factors underlie the differences in the administration arrangements of the assisted places scheme in Wales. [40107]

Under the Education (Schools) Act 1997 and associated Regulations, the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for the operation of the Assisted Places Scheme (APS) at participating independent schools in Wales.The Secretary of State has powers to vary, subject to consultation and Parliamentary approval of revised Regulations, certain administrative and financial elements of the Scheme. These include the determination, usually annually, of the relevant income levels in the Parental Contribution Tables and the maximum level of fees and other incidental expenses that may be remitted in relation to APS pupils at participating schools. In practice, any changes in these elements have been consistent across England and Wales in percentage terms.There are some differences in the coverage of the APS in Wales compared with England. In Wales, the Scheme does not include places for pupils below age 7 nor places at preparatory schools that are not an integral part of a school with secondary provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish his proposals for a new ethical framework for local government in Wales. [40787]

I have today placed in the Library of the House copies of the seventh and final consultation paper in the series inviting views on the options for modernising local government in Wales.The paper sets out the Government's proposals for a new ethical framework for Welsh local government. It will underpin the modernising process by ensuring that councillors and council employees are aware of the conduct expected of them and that all allegations will be investigated and appropriate action taken if they are upheld. These changes will ensure that the public retains confidence in Welsh local government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to tackle social exclusion in Wales. [40788]

I will announce tomorrow that funding of £750,000 will be made available for the initial, development phase of a new Social Exclusion Programme for Wales. The focus of the Programme will be on tackling social exclusion in a co-ordinated way, through community development and with an emphasis on action research.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets he has set for Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments Executive Agency. [40789]

Cadw has been set the following key targets for 1998–99:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those grants and bursaries to educational establishments which have been in existence for three years or more which it is his policy to withdraw. [40374]

The following are to be withdrawn:Grants to grant maintained schools under sections 250–252 of the Education Act 1996. Such schools will come within the local authority funding arrangements from 1 April 1999 under the provisions of the School Standards and Framework Bill.Funding for assisted places under the Education (Schools) Act 1997, which is being phased out over a period of 7 years from September 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those grants and bursaries for training which have been in existence for three years or more which it is his policy to withdraw. [40375]

I have no plans to withdraw any training schemes which are currently open to new applicants, although, as with all such programmes, they are reviewed regularly.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of public appointees appointed since 1 May 1997 have been selected from outside the central list of nominees. [39690]

The Government are committed to obtaining a wide field of candidates for public appointments. Sources of candidates can include advertising, executive search, consultation with interested bodies, and searches of central and departmental lists.Since May, the Public Appointments Unit has made nominations for around 700 appointments. Over the same period, it has learnt of 82 appointments which have been made following nomination by the Unit. A number of recent appointments will still be under consideration.Figures on the total number of new appointments made to executive non-departmental public bodies and health bodies within his remit since April 97 will be published in the Annual Report of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his responsibilities relating to senior and public appointments; and what policy initiatives he has taken in this area. [39686]

My responsibility for public appointments includes setting the policy framework in which public appointments are made; liaising with the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments who sets standards for the process of making appointments within his remit; and responsibility for the Public Appointments Unit in OPS which works with departmental appointments units in disseminating best practice, and maintains a central list of potential candidates for public appointments. Recent initiatives in this area have included the publication of the green paper on Opening up Quangos which set out proposals on extending the Commissioner's remit and attracting a wider range of candidates to public appointments; and the development of a public appointments register on the internet. In addition, I have responsibility for a number of appointments to Cabinet Office non-departmental public bodies.My responsibility for the senior civil service extends to policy oversight for their pay and personnel management framework, including general appointment procedures. Responsibility for appointments to the most senior civil service posts resides with the Prime Minister and the Head of the Home Civil Service. An important recent initiative in this field was the creation of an inter-departmental Working Group on Equal Opportunities in the Senior Civil Service.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the use of information technology in the selection of candidates for public appointment. [39689]

The Government are committed to effective and efficient use of modern technology in carrying out their function. Information technology is used in public appointments in a variety of ways, including maintaining databases of potential candidates. In addition, information technology is used to provide information about public appointments, for example via the public appointments website (Public Appointments Unit @ Cabinet-Office.gov.uk).

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the role of headhunting bodies in the selection of public appointees;

Disabled staff as a percentage of all staff at 1 April 1997 by Department and responsibility level
	%
Departments	SCS	Grade 6	Grade 7	SEO	HEO	EO	AO	AA	Disabled
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service	20.0	0.0	0.0	3.5	4.2	1.7	5.3	12.9	4.5
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	0.9	2.9	5.3	2.1	2.6	2.4	4.4	3.7	3.5
Cabinet Office (incl. OPS)	0.0	0.0	0.4	2.2	0.8	1.7	1.6	2.4	1.4
Charity Commission	0.0	1—	6.5	2.9	4.7	6.3	2.3	2.5	3.8
Crown Prosecution Service	0.0	1.9	6.7	0.0	2.2	1.8	2.2	3.6	2.2
Culture, Media and Sport, Department	9.1	0.0	1.5	2.7	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.8	1.1
Customs and Excise	0.0	1.2	0.6	0.9	1.2	1.4	3.0	4.8	2.2
Defence	1.3	1.6	2.0	2.6	4.7	4.6	3.6	4.1	3.9

The Government are committed to obtaining a wide field of candidates for public appointments. The guidance of the Commissioner for Public Appointments makes clear that sources of candidates can include advertising, consultation with interested bodies, search of central and departmental lists and the use of executive search can be particularly helpful in seeking to attract people who are not currently looking for a job, or who would not normally think of putting themselves forward for public appointment.The employment of members of the ethnic minorities is a matter for the executive search companies themselves. Departments will engage such companies in line with normal Government rules on tendering. All government contracts have provision against unlawful discrimination; and oblige the contractor to take all reasonable steps to ensure that their employees or agents do not discriminate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the average interval between the nomination of candidates for appointment to a public body, and the taking up of the appointment. [39688]

Information on the time between nomination and any appointment is not held centrally. The time is likely to differ substantially, depending on the circumstances.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the accountability of public appointments bodies to ministers. [39687]