To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the changes to the operational autonomy of National Air Traffic Services which will follow its reorganisation. [66859]

Detailed decisions on the public private partnership proposals for National Air Traffic Services will not be taken until after the consultation period closes on 31 January 1999. However, our preferred option, as set out in the consultation paper, would give NATS autonomy within a new framework, policed by an independent regulator.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlay his decision not to (a) retain National Air Traffic Services in public ownership and (b) privatise it completely. [66860]

The Government's reasons for proposing a public/private partnership for NATS, in preference to any other option, are set out in paragraphs 2–6 of the document "A public/private partnership for NATS: a consultation paper by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions", copies of which were placed in the Library of the House on 20 October 1998. In essence, we believe that a public/private partnership would provide an innovative solution to growing air traffic demands in the next century, while maintaining high standards of safety and performance through strong, independent, safety and economic regulation. A partnership would also:

free NATS' investment and management decisions from Government financing constraints and enable private capital to be used in ways more appropriate to the business;

provide the right structure of incentives and disciplines to maximise efficiency;

provide NATS with the opportunity to develop its business, for example by expanding overseas, and manage itself in accordance with best private sector practice;

clearly separate regulation from service provision so as to deliver greater accountability and transparency in NATS' operations;

maintain sufficient rights and safeguards for Government to address public sector interests such as national security and the UK's international relationships;

allow the taxpayer to share in the success of the company; and

allow other transport schemes to benefit from the proceeds of the share sale.

The consultation period ends on 31 January 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the ability of the reorganised National Air Traffic Services to guarantee necessary levels of investment. [66861]

The Government issued a consultation paper setting out our broad proposals for a public/private partnership (PPP) for National Air Traffic Services (NATS) on 20 October 1998. Decisions on the detail of the proposals will not be taken until after the consultation period closes on 31 January 1999. However, one of the main objectives of the PPP is to free NATS from public sector borrowing restrictions so that it can more easily invest for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Civil Aviation Pension Scheme will continue to be open to (a) existing and (b) future members of staff of National Air Traffic Services after the proposed reorganisation of the service. [66862]

The Government are currently consulting on the details of future pension arrangements for staff of National Air Traffic Services (NATS), as part of the consultation exercise on the proposed public/private partnership for NATS. The Secretary of State hopes to make a statement in due course, after responses to the consultation have been considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will preserve the rights of those low-income pensioners who are currently entitled to tokens redeemable against community bus and taxi fares when he implements his proposals for half-price travel passes. [66821]

There are no statutory rights, as such, to a particular kind of arrangement for concessionary travel. It is for each local authority to decide what concessions to arrange for its residents. Consultation on the introduction of the standard minimum scheme will consider the future arrangements for token schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to compensate local authorities in whose area there is a disproportionate number of pensioners when he implements his proposal for half-price bus travel permits. [66820]

Local authority expenditure receives support from the Government by means of Revenue Support Grant. All aspects of our proposal for a national minimum standard for concessionary travel, including finance and the formula for the distribution of RSG, will be subject of consultation with local government and other relevant organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is Government policy that no vehicle powered by liquid petroleum gas and no dual-powered vehicle may be transported on the Eurotunnel shuttle; and if he will make a statement. [67343]

Eurotunnel will need to obtain safety approval from the bi-national Intergovernmental Commission (acting on the advice of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority) before they can convey LPG- and dual-powered vehicles. Subject to this safety approval, the Government would welcome the opening of Shuttle services to these vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned on the redevelopment of the Defence estate; and when it was published. [67128]

Fuller Peiser Property Consultants were commissioned in 1997 to review the existing policy context of Ministry of Defence disposals in England, and to advise Government on how they should seek to obtain value for money whilst having regard to the wider interest of Government. The Consultants' Report: "Development of the Redundant Defence Estate" has been received, and we are considering it. I expect to publish it shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had, and with whom, concerning the definition of public interest in the sale of publicly owned sites. [67129]

My officials will be discussing the definition of public interest as part of the remit of a working group of interested Departments. The group will be considering recommendations in the Fuller Peiser Property Consultants Report: "Development of the Redundant Defence Estate".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the research work which he has commissioned in connection with his pesticide minimisation policy; what are the terms of reference of that research; and if he will publish the results of the research. [67103]

My Department has commissioned several research projects in connection with the pesticide minimisation policy including: a study into the private costs and benefits of pesticide minimisation, carried out by RPA and Entec; an assessment of a range of economic instruments for pesticide minimisation, carried out by ECOTEC Research and Consulting; and research into the design of a tax/charge scheme for pesticides, also carried out by ECOTEC Research and Consulting. This last research considers the detailed design and potential impact of a charge or tax intended primarily to secure reductions in pesticide use, better targeting and substitution by less harmful pesticides or alternative techniques. A decision concerning publishing the results of this report will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the proposed EU directive on the incineration of waste; and if he will make a statement. [67038]

An Explanatory Memorandum (EM12791/98) on the proposal for a Council Directive on the incineration of waste was submitted to Parliament on 30 November 1998. Expert consultants are currently finalising a report on the proposal, on the basis of which a Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment will shortly be submitted to Parliament under a Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he has taken to ensure the compliance with the landfill site licence in respect of noxious smells at the Highmoor Quarry site in Oldham. [67225]

The Environment Agency is responsible for the supervision and enforcement of waste management licences and has provided the following information about odours at Highmoor Quarry.The licence for this site requires that

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to recommend that hon. Members returning on parliamentary business to Heathrow and Gatwick airports are encouraged to return to Westminster by public transport. [67570]

[holding answer 25 January 1999]: A key aim of our New Deal for Transport is to encourage individuals to switch modes, to drive less and to walk, cycle and use public transport more. The White Paper attaches particular importance to improving public transport links to airports for passengers and employees alike. Heathrow and Gatwick both already have excellent public transport connections to Westminster, and major investments are now underway and planned to improve services further still.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to establish a British standard for lead replacement petrol in time for the withdrawal of leaded petrol for sale by 1 January 2000. [67360]

I am pleased to report that the British Standards Institution is well advanced with the preparation of a standard for lead replacement petrol. It is expected to be published during the summer months in good time for January 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraph 1.43 of the White Paper, "A New Deal for Transport", what measures he proposes to facilitate quality partnerships for freight between local authorities and lorry operators. [67614]

[holding answer 25 January 1999]: The draft guidance on Local Transport Plans, issued on 12 November 1998, explained that, as well as passenger transport, issues connected with freight distribution would need to be addressed within the plan. As stated in our Transport White Paper, our intention is that these be addressed through quality partnerships for freight.The draft guidance pointed to the practical guidance in "A Manual of Guidance for Local Authorities and Others: Lorries and Traffic Management" which was distributed to all local authorities in 1990, providing 256 pages of practical, low cost advice designed to promote efficient distribution of goods and minimise their environmental and social impacts. This manual is complemented by a booklet "Lorries in the Community" which provides the strategic context; explaining the potential impact of lorries in terms of congestion, pollution, noise, vibration and damage to the road infrastructure and the conflict that can arise between the need for access to town centres with the desire to improve safety for pedestrians and other road users. It explains the value of voluntary agreements and the value of the practical measures described in the manual in meeting the Government's goals for distribution.The Freight Transport Association has been promoting a best practice initiative "Delivering the Goods" which has helped put the ideas into practice.Over the coming months the Department will develop further guidance by drawing together best practice and experience on how to go about establishing quality partnerships. Through sharing this experience with as wide an audience as possible, we will provide further, practical advice to local authorities.By bringing environmental, social, planning and business objectives together, partnerships can play a key part in promoting a more sustainable system for goods distribution. We intend to develop this theme further in a follow up to the White Paper on sustainable distribution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the changes in mileage undertaken by (a) heavy vehicles and (b) freight trains as a consequence of the implementation of the bridge strengthening requirements of EU Directive 85/3/EEC. [67591]

My Department has no information on the extent to which heavy goods vehicle mileage or freight train mileage may have been influenced by any weight limits placed on bridges as a result of the higher lorry weights allowed since 1 January this year under EU Directive 85/3/EEC.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what (a) amounts expressed at 1999 prices and (b) percentages of moneys were allocated to highway authorities under TPPs related to bridge strengthening works, for each year since 1987. [67592]

Separate figures cannot be given for bridge strengthening only. The following table shows annual allocations to English local highway authorities for bridge maintenance, assessment and strengthening, both in 1999 prices and as a proportion of the total allocations as part of the Transport Policies and Programme (TPP) system. Prior to 1991–92, these resources were allocated as part of the Revenue Support Grant settlement and could not be separately identified.

Year	Bridge maintenance assessment and strengthening allocations at 1999 prices (£ million)	Percentage of total TPP allocations
1991–92	111	12
1992–93	132	13
1993–94	159	13
1994–95	156	15
1995–96	136	13
1996–97	109	12
1997–98	92	12
1998–99	84	13
1999–2000	128	20

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the first bridge strengthening project began in implementation of EU Directive 85/3/EEC; what percentage by mile of work required has been completed to date; and when he expects work required under the Directive to be completed. [67594]

The first strengthening of a Highways Agency bridge under the current assessment and strengthening programme was carried out in 1989. Of the Highways Agency's bridges which require strengthening, some two thirds have been permanently strengthened to date and the remainder have been safeguarded pending permanent strengthening. The permanent strengthening work is expected to be completed in 2001. There is no estimate by mile of the work required to implement EU Directive 85/3/EEC but the whole motorway and trunk road network is operational for HGVs. This network carries 57 per cent. of goods vehicle traffic.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals the Rail Franchising Director has received from the rolling stock companies to enable the replacement of Mark 1 rolling stock during the life of the existing franchises of Connex South Central and South West Trains. [67774]

The Franchising Director has not received any such proposals from the rolling stock companies. As I said in the answer to the hon. Member on 12 January 1999, Official Report, columns 102–04, it is the responsibility of the train operators to make such arrangements with rolling stock companies as may be necessary to meet either their commitments to the Franchising Director or any requirements of the Health and Safety Executive. The Government are considering recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive that all Mark 1 rolling stock on the network should be modified or rebodied by 2003 and any modified stock replaced by 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he gives to (a) train operating companies and (b) bus operators in respect of car parking charges at their stations. [67588]

None. It is entirely a matter for the train operating companies and the bus operators concerned to determine car parking charges at their stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposal

Cause	Delays in 1995–96	Delays in 1996–97	Delays in 1997–98	Delays in 1998–99 (36 weeks only)
Anti-social behaviour	5,254	5,485	5,645	3,775
Passenger ill/injured	608	604	676	539
Person on track	308	327	375	266
Unattended luggage	446	748	482	223
Terminus management	5,276	5,656	8,315	8,709
Driving technique	602	743	747	666
Possession overrun	115	96	114	114
Signal/points	2,494	2,323	2,827	1,941
Other track	959	1,007	907	589
Rolling stock	15,102	14,873	18,088	14,011
All other incidents	1,953	1,505	1,427	1,189
Total	33,117	33,476	39,603	32.022

No decision has yet been taken on whether to have a transitional rate relief scheme following the revaluation in April 2000. Before making a decision we need accurate and detailed information on how the revaluation will affect rate bills. This information will be available in the second half of this year, and we shall announce our decision then.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on (a) train, (b) signal and (c) track failures in each year since 1994–95, for all the lines on London Underground. [67904]

London Transport works hard to minimise the incidence of equipment failure and its consequent impact on passenger service. I understand from London Transport that the figures from 1994–95 are as follows:

Summary of numbers London Underground Ltd. train delays: track, signal/points and rolling stock only by incident group and financial year (1994–95/1998–99)
	Signal points	Other track	Rolling stock
Delays in 1994–95	2,349	659	16,123
Delays in 1995–96	2,494	959	15,102
Delays in 1996–97	2,323	1,007	14,873
Delays in 1997–98	2,725	881	17,801
Delays in 1998–99 (36 weeks only)	1,941	589	14,011

Full 1998–99 statistics are not yet available as London Underground Ltd.'s data collection year covers 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999. Therefore the 1998–99 figures represents 36 weeks only

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the causes of disruption and delays on London Underground in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99. [67903]

London Transport monitors the causes of disruption and delay to London Underground under eleven categories. Its figures, for the years in question, are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Government plans for the funding of London Underground's investment for 1998 to 2003 and past spending from 1992 to 1997. [67905]

London Transport currently funds investment from a mix of Government grant, operating surplus, and private finance, through which investment in the Underground over the next two years (1998–99 and 1999–00) will be around £1 billion. Under our plans for a public/private partnership for London Underground, our aim is to secure high and stable investment in modernising and maintaining the system, managed and financed by the private sector, under-contracts through which they will be remunerated in accordance with the delivery of required performance levels:Over the period 1992–1997, Underground investment ran at an historically high level, in large part reflecting spending on the Jubilee Line Extension. But planned investment in the core network was scaled back dramatically in the light of the cuts imposed in the then Government's November 1996 budget. We have made available an extra £365 million grant for 1998–99 and 99–00 to help redress the shortfall in planned investment caused by this cut, and to cover preparation for implementing our public private partnership policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on establishing liability in the case of a serious infrastructure failure on London Underground after concessions have been awarded to private companies. [67906]

The Public/Private Partnership contracts that London Underground are currently developing will specify the respective rights and responsibilities of the London Underground operating company and the infrastructure contractors. There will be a simple and robust procedure for allocating responsibility for asset failures that will form part of the day-to-day process for managing the contacts.Work is still continuing to develop the details, but, if a serious infrastructure failure results in damage to the operating company's property or injuries to its employees or members of the public, the general principle will be that the party responsibility for the failure will bear the financial consequences. An appropriate liability regime and insurance requirements will be put into place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that train companies provide improved services for passengers with mobility difficulties. [66757]

The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations, which came into effect on 1 January this year, require new trains coming into service from that date to be fully accessible to disabled people, including those travelling in wheelchairs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with the Mersey Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement. [66756]

I have held no recent formal discussions with Merseytravel although they were among many bodies who attend the North West Regional Transport Partnership Meeting in November last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which private (a) bus companies and (b) rail companies he has held discussions with during the last 12 months about the standard of services which they provide; and if he will make a statement. [67152]

My colleagues and I have met a number of bus operators over the last 12 months to discuss a range of issues, including standards of service and our policies for promoting bus Quality Partnerships. The Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Transport and I met all rail franchisees and Railtrack on 26 November to agree short term measures to improve performance. A larger rail summit will be held on 25 February to look at the long-term improvement of standards across the rail network.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he held with Gloucestershire County Council officers and elected representatives about its structure plan before appointing the panel to carry out its examination in public; and if he will make a statement. [67157]

Officials from the Government Office for the South West met officials of the County Council on various occasions and made formal objections to the deposit draft of the structure plan. I understand the report of the panel, who held the Examination in Public, was published on 11 January. I cannot comment further on the matter as the Secretary of State has a statutory role to play.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Tewkesbury Borough Council about its Local Plan in the last year. [67061]

Officials from the Government Office for the South West met officials of the Borough Council to discuss their consultation draft Local Plan last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received following the consultation paper, Draft Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations: 1999, to give effect to the land use planning requirements of the EC Directive (96/82/EC); and if he will make a statement. [68083]

The consultation paper on the Draft Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations: 1999 was issued on 2 December 1998. To date, 27 responses have been received from business, local government and environmental organisations. A list of responses has been placed in the Library of the House and copies of all the responses have been placed in the DETR library. The Government are considering these responses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting between the Minister of Transport and the Singapore Minister of Communications held on 21 January; and if he will allow bilateral negotiations with Singapore concerning airline services to proceed, notwithstanding the present deadlock in US/UK negotiations. [67652]

Mr. Mah Bow Tan, Singapore Minister of Communications, and I had a useful exchange of views during our meeting on 21 January. The bilateral negotiations concerning air service will take place next month as planned.

To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what assessment he has made of the steps taken by the National Audit Office to increase public awareness of its work. [65558]

The Commission attaches considerable importance to public awareness of the work of the National Audit Office and this is essential to the public accountability process.The National Audit Office has a constructive relationship with the media. Copies of reports are circulated widely along with a short press notice giving details of the key points.The National Audit Office also publishes an annual report. This is available to journalists, audited bodies, academics, interest groups, professional bodies and the public and can also be found on the Office's web site. The National Audit Office's most recent annual report,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many elements of the financial assessment of the move of HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry had been costed prior to the decision being taken; [65018](2) what cost centres his Department plans to take account of when assessing the potential savings of moving HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry. [65013]

Prior to the decision being taken to transfer HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry, HQ Land Command assessed property disposal values, TA Centres running costs, projected refurbishment/improvement costs, and the cost of providing alternative facilities for those cadet units affected by the restructuring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date the final draft of the Ministry of Defence publication, "Modern Forces for the Modern World: A Territorial Army for the Future" was (a) approved by Ministers, (b) approved by Commander in Chief Land Command and (c) sent for printing; [65011](2) when the document on the future structure of the Territorial Army published on 17 November was sent to the printers; and how far in advance of that date the decisions announced therein were taken. [65314]

It was for Ministers to approve the document "Modern Forces for the Modern World: A Territorial Army for the Future", which they did on 4 November. The document was sent to the printers on 6 November and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was able to announce his decisions on the future of the TA on 17 November 1998, Official Report, columns 749–70.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) the average total cost, at full establishment and (b) what percentage of that relates to salaries in financial year 1998–99, of (i) an Armoured Infantry Battalion, (ii) Mechanised Infantry Battalion, (iii) Light Infantry Role Battalion, (iv) TA Infantry Battalion, (v) TA Fire Support Battalion, (vi) RAC Armoured Regiment (MBT), (vii) RAC Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (Scimitar), (viii) TA Reconnaissance (Landrovers), (ix) RA Regiment 1555mm AS90, (x) RA Regiment 105 Light Gun, (xi) RA Regiment MLRS, (xii) RA Regiment Javelin, (xiii) RA Regiment Rapier, (xiv) RA Regiment HVM, (xv) RE Armoured Divisional Engineer Regiment, (xvi) RE Field Squadron, (xvii) RE Amphibious Engineer Squadron, (xviii) RE EOD Squadron, (xix) RE AS Squadron, (xx) TA Field Squadron, (xxi) TA AS Squadron, (xxii) Royal Corps of Signals, (xxiii) Signal Regiment, (xxiv) Independent Squadron, (xxv) TA Independent Squadron, (xxvi) RLC, (xxvii) General support regiment RLC, (xxviii) Divisional support Squadron, (xxix) Brigade support Squadron, (xxx) TA Ration Squadron, (xxxi) REME Support Battalion, (xxxii) RAMC Field Hospital, (xxxiii) RAMC Field Ambulance, (xxxiv) TA Field Hospital, (xxxv) TA Field Ambulance, (xxxvi) Royal Military Police Company and TA Company, (xxxvii) Intelligence Corps Company and TA Company, (xxxviii) Army Air Corps, (xxxix) Squadron Lynx/TOW and (xl) Headquarters and Staff. [66845]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of those currently serving in the armed forces joined when under 18 years of age. [66221]

The numbers of those serving in the Armed Forces at 1 December 1998 who joined when they were under 18 years of age is as follows:

	Total	Officers	Other Ranks
Total	83,490	12,560	80,930
Naval Service	18,861	1226	18,635
Army	46,608	2,247	44,361
Royal Air Force	18,021	187	17,934
1 The Naval Service and Royal Air Force figures exclude those Officers who have previously been promoted from the ranks as the relevant data is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if HMS 'Invincible' had a full ship's company on board when she left Portsmouth recently. [66698]

HMS Invincible sailed from Portsmouth with a crew of 635, which represents 96.5 per cent. of her full crew complement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision on the future of HMS Intrepid. [66699]

The Strategic Defence Review confirmed our plans to replace HM Ships Intrepid and Fearless with two new amphibious assault ships early in the next decade. It is planned that HMS Intrepid will remain in service, at low readiness, until 2001. On current plans, she will be replaced by HMS Albion in 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid in each of the last five years to the US Government to guarantee the servicing of the UK Trident missile stock; and if this money is part of the estimated Trident running costs. [66825]

No payments have been made to the US specifically to guarantee the servicing of UK Trident missile stock. I refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 18 November 1998, Official Report, column 633, to his earlier question and to my letter to him of 26 November 1998, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much of the money paid by the UK to the US Government on Trident to be spent during fiscal year 1999 is for items essential to maintain the continued operational availability of the UK Trident system; [67042](2) if he will list the items to be purchased from the money authorised recently to be paid to the US Government as the UK share of the fiscal year 1999 Trident procurement programme. [67041]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 19 November 1998, Official Report, column 713, and to the letter I sent him on 26 November 1998, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the crew numbers of the Swiftsure class of submarines are up to full complement; how many officers and men are on each submarine; and if he will make a statement. [67249]

Crew numbers for operational Swiftsure submarines are maintained at the full complement level of 16 officers and 121 men. Submarines in refit and not required for sea duty have a reduced ship's company fluctuation around a core of eight officers and 58 men. Currently one of the five S class submarines is in refit and is manned by six officers and 44 men. Reduction in non operational crew numbers is an approved policy to help maintain operational complements at the full level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of AWE Company Security, Environment, Safety and Health Systems Analysis reports. [67213]

I have arranged for this to be done.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his officials is responsible for co-ordinating his Department's action on the millennium bug. [66753]

[holding answer 21 January 1999]: As announced to the House last year, the MOD official responsible for our Year 2000 programme is the Director-General Information and Communications Services, Mr. Andrew Sleigh.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the membership of the National Defence Industries Council and its working parties; and how these have changed since 1996. [67297]

Membership comprises, on the Government side, Minister and senior officials from the MOD, together with DTI representation. The industry side consists of a number of senior company representatives, the President or agreed representatives of the four major trade associations in the sector, British Marine Equipment Council, Defence Manufacturers' Association, Federation of the Electronics Industry, Society of British Aerospace Companies, and the Secretary of the Defence Industries Council. All appointments to the National Defence Industries Council are of a personal nature and subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total value of goods made in and exported from the UK ordered by the US Department of Defense in each of the last 10 years. [67418]

[holding answer 25 January 1999]: The MOD is currently working with the FCO and the DTI to prepare the Government's first Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. The Report will include details of export licence applications for UK Military List items and details of such equipment exported by customer country with annual values. When the Report has been issued I will write to my hon. Friend concerning the information requested for previous years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total (a) asset and (b) rateable value of his Department's property and estates in (i) the UK and (ii) Scotland. [66844]

The total asset value of the UK Department Estate measured in terms of its existing use to the Ministry of Defence as at 1 April 1998, is approximately £12 billion and the Scottish Estate is approximately £1.5 billion.The total rateable value of the UK Estate is approximately £430 million and that of the Scottish Estate is approximately £49 million.Both sets of figures include the TAVRA estate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the PFI proposals under consideration in Renfrewshire; and if he will make a statement. [66995]

There is currently one PFI proposal under consideration in Renfrewshire. My Department selected Bannockburn Homes (a Consortium led by John Mowlem and Co. PLC) as the preferred bidder for the provision of Service Family Accommodation for 164 Army families in Central Scotland. Part of the requirement was to be fulfilled by the construction of 61 houses at Craigton Farm, Bishopton, Renfrewshire but on 21 January 1999 Renfrewshire District Council rejected the planning application. Bannockburn Homes, led by Mowlem and Co. PLC are now considering alternative arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his review of actions necessary to ensure a coherent UK response to threats from biological and chemical weapons. [67697]

This is an important area of work. I will publish the outcome of the review as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the formal programme of co-operation he has agreed with the United States on the threat to armed forces from chemical and biological weapons. [67694]

A US/UK Joint Venture Oversight Group on the defence response to the threat posed by chemical and biological weapons has been established. The first meeting took place in Washington on 14 December 1998 and agreed the basis on which work would be carried forward in the areas of policy, operational assessment and technical co-operation. We will build on this exchange as a means of developing further the already strong defence capabilities of both countries.We also continue to value highly our long-standing collaborative arrangements with the US through the trilateral (UK/US/Canada) Memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the quadripartite (UK/US/Canada/Australia) arrangements represented by the Technical Collaboration Programme (TTCP) on chemical and biological defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if United Kingdom production levels of highly enriched uranium are adequate to meet current demand; and if he will make a statement. [67696]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, South-East (Mr. Iddon) on 25 January 1999, Official Report, column 12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce the decision on Chapter 62 administrative action being taken against Lieutenant Colonel K.R. Pople. [67695]

No, this action is entirely a matter between the individual concerned and the Army authorities. I would therefore withhold such information under Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as it relates to the privacy of an individual.

To ask the Prime Minister which Minister is to convene the Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification; what is the remit of the Group; and to which Minister it will report. [67352]

[holding answer 25 January 1999]: The Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification is a Cabinet Committee chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office. Its terms of reference are to consider issues relating to biotechnology, in particular those arising from genetic modification.

To ask the Prime Minister if the Government will erect a memorial or name a building in a central part of London in memory of Stephen Lawrence. [67369]

[holding answer 25 January 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary met Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence on 24 June 1997 and told them that they would have our full support if they wished to establish some form of memorial to their son Stephen.I understand that Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have decided that a charitable trust to award scholarships and bursaries to assist young people to study architecture is a fitting way to remember Stephen in a positive way. The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust was launched on 11 September 1998 and I was very pleased to send a message of support.There is also a memorial stone at the bus stop in Eltham where Stephen was attacked.However, if Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence want a further memorial we would, of course, consider the matter again and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will discuss this with them when he next meets them.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of the dates on which he has discussed Government business with the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) since 1 January. [67769]

The business of Government is a matter for Ministers; however, I have meetings with hon. Members on a wide range of Government policies, and will continue to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the number of UK citizens resident in the United Kingdom who worked in administration, education or other public services in the former colonies who currently rely on pensions from that service for their income. [66630]

As at 15 January 1999, the Department for International Development (DFID) were paying 10,976 service pensions and 7,159 dependants' pensions to UK residents in respect of public service in the former colonies. Those involved are covered by HMG's pension protection arrangements. We do not hold information on the individual pensioner's citizenship, although most are likely to be British nationals. Nor can pension recipients be split by occupation as this information is not held centrally.In addition to those pensioners paid by DFID, there are many former colonial public servants who do not qualify under these arrangements and who are paid their pensions directly by the present day governments of the former colonial territories. We have no way of knowing the numbers paid in this way.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress of the Jubilee 2000 Campaign. [66900]

I have been asked to reply.Jubilee 2000 campaigns continue to increase public awareness of the importance of securing effective debt relief for heavily indebted countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial provision he has made for informing the public about (a) the voting system for elections to the National Assembly for Wales and (b) general information about the Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [66481]

An overall budget of some £2 million has been allocated to the National Assembly Information Campaign to ensure that the electorate is able to vote in full knowledge of the Assembly's powers and of how the Additional Member system works. In addition, a public information and Education service will be established within the Office of the Presiding Officer. That service will publish a range of information factsheets to inform the public and educational institutions about the National Assembly. Financial provision for this service has not yet been finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the quangos which were operating in April 1997 which subsequently have had their powers transferred to other quangos. [67232]

Since April 1997, the powers of the Development Board for Rural Wales and the Land Authority for Wales have been transferred to the Welsh Development Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that emergency services in Wales achieve millennium date change compliance. [67455]

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has taken steps to ensure that all necessary measures are taken by the police and fire services in Wales to prepare for the Millennium date change. I have sought to reinforce the sense of urgency and the need for co-operation with local authorities and other public services in preparing for all possible contingencies.The Welsh Ambulance Trust has responsibility for ensuring Year 2000 compliance of emergency ambulance services. An All Wales Co-ordinating Group has been established to oversee the activities being undertaken by all NHS Trusts and Authorities. The Group is chaired by the Director of the Welsh Office Health Department. An independent assessment of preparations is also being provided by District Audit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what strategic guidance and targets he has set for the enlarged Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement. [68046]

I have written to the Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) informing him of the revised strategic guidance for the WDA until March 2000 and consolidated targets for 1998–99 following the merger with the Development Board for Rural Wales and the Land Authority for Wales. Copies of that letter have been sent to all right hon. and hon. Members representing Welsh constituencies. Copies have also been placed in the Library of the House.The strategic guidance is for eighteen months to March 2000; but it will be subject to review by the National Assembly, who will also set targets for financial year 2000–01 and beyond.The consolidated targets for 1998–99 take account of the half year pre-merger targets set by my predecessor and performance against them. I have, however, asked the WDA fundamentally to review the nature of the targets for 1999–2000 and beyond. In doing this I want the Agency to set very clear objectives which focus its work and reflect the Government's priority of spreading prosperity to all parts of Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those councils which issue (a) bus passes and (b) bus tokens to pensioners. [67284]

All authorities in Wales provide bus passes as part of their concessionary travel schemes, with the exception of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys who issue tokens. I understand that each of these authorities is considering the possibility of switching from tokens to passes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each local authority in Wales the amount of money allocated for meeting the costs of concessionary bus fares for pensioners for (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [67283]

It is for local authorities to make financial provision for their concessionary fares schemes from the resources available to them, and authorities will not yet have set their budgets for 1999–2000. Authorities are free to determine the nature of their concessionary fares schemes, although from April, 1 expect all local authorities in Wales to be operating schemes which at least meet the minimum standard of £5 for a bus pass and half fare for bus travel for pensioners. The increases in net total standard spending announced on 9 December included sufficient funds for this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the outstanding (a) total and (b) per capita level of loan debt of Swansea City Council at 31 March 1997. [67285]

The table in the official record of the answer I gave on this matter on 19 November 1998, Official Report, columns 806–07, excluded the information for Swansea. The complete table including Swansea is as follows:

Outstanding loan debt as at 31 March 19971
	£000	£per head
Blaenau Gwent	62,544	857
Bridgend	90,155	690
Caerphilly	94,757	560
Cardiff	210,456	668
Carmarthenshire	114,822	679
Ceredigion	44,380	638
Conwy	75,111	679
Denbighshire	69,231	766
Flintshire	102,728	709
Gwynedd	86,287	733
Isle of Anglesey	55,723	831
Merthyr Tydfil	41,480	714
Monmouthshire	44,522	513
Neath Port Talbot	108,393	777
Newport	114,482	837
Pembrokeshire	85,934	756
Powys	101,715	818
Rhondda, Cynon, Taff	139,068	579
Swansea	196,049	852
Torfaen	76,066	841
The Vale of Glamorgan	78,033	657
Wrexham	83,316	666
Wales	2,075,253	710
1 Outstanding loan debt on council fund. Includes amounts of debt inherited from predecessor authorities for which the authority has agreed to pay financing costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed by Government departments and agencies to assist in supporting and promoting defence exports; and at what cost. [66038]

I have been asked to reply.The Defence Export Services Organisation DESO within the Ministry of Defence is principally responsible for co-ordinating Government support for British defence exports. For Financial Year 1997–98, DESO employed some 680 staff and the gross expenditure was £55.8 million. This was offset by receipts of £34.6 million from customer governments to meet in full the cost of Project Offices dealing with Government-to-Government programmes. Of the remaining £21.2 million, £6.8 million was covered by receipts, leaving a net operating cost attributed to the DESO budget of £14.4 million.DESO costs are more than offset by benefits to the defence budget arising from DESO activity:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the standing charges for gas consumers who use prepayment meters. [65970]

I believe that it is essential to tackle issues surrounding fuel poverty. In this respect, I have on a number of occasions made my concerns clear to both the Director General of Gas Supply and to the gas industry. Following on from this, the Director General is currently looking at ways of revising of Ofgas Social Dimension Action Plan to identify actions which will provide solutions to the problems of the fuel poor, including looking at ways of reducing the costs of prepayment meters, and at addressing the needs of other low income customers who pay by other methods.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will implement the Horizon Programme throughout the network of Post Office Counters. [65881]

The Benefits Agency/Post Office Counters Ltd. automation project was commissioned under the Government's private finance initiative with ICL Pathway Ltd. as the private sector partner. Current plans provide for all post offices to be automated by the end of 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office licences, formerly operated by sole traders, have been transferred to multiple retailers in the last two years. [66926]

I understand from Post Office Counters Ltd. that 47 post offices formerly operated by sole traders have been transferred to multiple retailers in the last two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office licences formerly operated by sole traders have been transferred to Alldays in each Post Office Counters Ltd. region. [66924]

I understand from Post Office Counters Ltd. that 9 post offices formerly operated by sole traders have been transferred to Alldays. The breakdown by Post Office Counters Ltd region is as follows:

Region	Number
North Thames Anglia	2
South East	1
South West	5
Scotland	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of nanny agencies operating in the UK. [66932]

I have made no such estimate but I expect to receive their views, along with those of other agencies, on the review to be published shortly of the statutory standards of conduct set under the Employment Agencies Act 1973.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what publicity the Government have given to the provisions of the Working Time Regulations 1998. [66866]

The Department ran a public awareness campaign in the national press in September and October. Guidance material on the new legislation is available free through a number of public outlets (Libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaus etc), on the internet or can be obtained directly on 0845 6000 925.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of (a) competition policy issues which arise from insurance companies which own their own garages and carry out in-house repairs being exempt from VAT on labour and (b) the impact which this has on independent garages; and if he will make a statement. [67247]

Under UK competition legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and considering allegations of anti-competitive practices, abuse of monopoly position and restrictive trade practices.I understand that the possible VAT advantages which may be derived by insurers who carry out repairs in their own in-house body shops were considered by the Director General in 1998 as part of a review of the recommended repairer schemes operated by insurance companies. The Director General concluded that action under the competition legislation was not appropriate.Questions about exemptions from VAT systems are a matter for Customs and Excise. I understand Customs and Excise are currently looking further at this issue and would welcome evidence of the revenue and employment consequences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew), of 18 January 1999, Official Report, columns 364–65, on nuclear fuel, what is the basis for his statement that the Japanese Government's preferred means of using recovered plutonium is for it to be converted into MOX nuclear fuel. [67099]

The policy of the Japanese Government with respect to the nuclear energy industry is set out approximately every five years in a document published by Japan's Atomic Energy Commission. This is called the "Long Term Programme for Research, Development and Utilisation of Nuclear Energy". In the most recent of these documents, published in 1994, the Atomic Energy Commission confirmed Japan's policy on recycling nuclear fuel and noted the need to begin using MOX fuel. More recently, a full review of Japan's nuclear fuel recycling policy was undertaken and culminated in the publication on 31 January 1997 of a policy statement by the Atomic Energy Commission. This policy statement, which was subsequently endorsed by the Japanese Cabinet on 4 February 1997, proposed a prompt start to a programme for using MOX fuel in Japanese light water reactors. The contracts between the Japanese electricity utilities and both BNFL and COGEMA for the supply of MOX fuel are consistent with that programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he proposes to use his special share to protect consumers in the impending break up of Transco by British Gas plc. [67336]

The effect of the Government's special share in BG plc is to prohibit any person from having an interest in shares which carry 15 per cent. or more of the total votes attaching to the shares in BG plc. Given their market-sensitive nature, significant announcements about policy towards the special share would be made through the Stock Exchange. The interests of consumers are protected through the regulatory system; this is enforced by the Director General of Gas Supply, and is currently under review by the Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with British Gas plc about the break up and sale of Transco. [67335]

I meet the Chief Executive of BG plc from time to time to discuss matters of common interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the purchase by the Post Office of German Parcels requires clearance by European or UK regulatory or competition authorities. [66834]

[holding answer 21 January 1999]: I understand from the Post Office that all necessary clearances have been obtained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial obligations have been incurred by the Post Office in its acquisition of and indirect stake in General Parcel arising from its purchase of German Parcels. [66835]

[holding answer 21 January 1999]: Through its acquisition of German Parcels, the Post Office has also acquired 23 per cent. of the shares in General Parcel. I understand that there are no material additional financial obligations directly resulting from that shareholding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to promote exports of renewable energy technologies by United Kingdom companies in the United Kingdom. [67690]

My Department assists British renewable energy companies to win export orders worldwide, and since 1995 has had a focused programme of activities including, trade missions, overseas seminars and exhibitions, inward visits, market research and information dissemination. This programme is supported by two dedicated Trade Promoters, who have been concentrating their efforts on target markets such as China, India and Spain. For example, last autumn the Minister for Science opened a renewable energy seminar, and associated trade mission, in Peking. We also take advantage of other opportunities in overseas markets, which in the past year have included, Poland, United States and the Philippines.British renewable energy exports are estimated to have risen from an historic level of £10-£15 million p.a. in the early 90's to around £80-£100 million p.a. in the last two years.What further support the Government might give to help UK renewable energy companies to exploit overseas markets is being considered as part of the policy review on renewable energy. I plan to publish a Consultation Paper on the Review shortly, which will set out the options and pose a number of questions to industry and interested parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in respect of foreign (a) companies and (b) Governments which have been given guarantees in relation to defence and security equipment in the past three years (i) the name of the country to which defence and security equipment has been sold, (ii) the level of debt guaranteed for sales to each country in each of the last three years and (iii) the amount of that debt which was paid out by the ECGD in each of the last three years. [66981]

[pursuant to his reply, 25 January 1999, c. 28–29]: Unfortunately one of the figures given for Oman was wrongly transcribed, instead of an amount guaranteed of £908 million, the figure should read £0.9 million:

£ million
Year	Country	Amount guaranteed	Amount paid as claims under these guarantees 1996–97 to 1998–99
1997–98	Oman	0.9	0

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what visits he or his predecessors have made (a) overseas to countries other than EU member states and the applicant countries of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia and (b) to Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia since those countries formally applied to join the EU. [67059]

Poland and Hungary applied to join the EU in April 1994. Since then the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has made the following visits to countries outside the EU.

• Finland—June 1994 (not in EU at that time)
• South Africa—July 1994
• Korea & Malaysia—October 1994
• Japan—January 1995
• India—February 1995
• Saudi Arabia—March 1995
• China—May 1995
• Singapore, Thailand & Malaysia—September 1995
• USA & Canada—November 1995
• India—January 1996
• Japan, UAE—April 1996
• Russia—May 1996
• China & Bahrain—August/September 1996
• Mexico & USA—October 1996
• Singapore—December 1996
• India & Pakistan—January 1997
• Japan—May 1997
• USA—September 1997
• India & Australia—November 1997
• China, Hong Kong & Pakistan—January 1998
• Moscow—March/April 1998
• Switzerland—May 1998
• Singapore—June 1998
• South Africa—September 1998
• USA—October 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the Crown Office in securing a trial of the suspects of the Lockerbie bombing. [65837]

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate is responsible for the prosecution of the two suspects accused of the Lockerbie bombing. Securing the surrender of the two suspects for trial is, at this stage, a matter within the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote increased spending on rural public transport. [65839]

The Government are providing new resources to support rural public transport over the next three years. £13.5 million will be available through the Rural Transport Fund. As part of this initiative, I am pleased to be able to announce today that I am awarding grants totalling over £500,000 to 22 rural community transport projects. Many different areas of Scotland will benefit, ranging from Wigtownshire in the south to Orkney and Shetland in the north. In addition, local authorities will be able to bid to the Public Transport Fund for rural transport projects. That Fund will provide £90m over three years. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote increased spending on rural public transport. [65846]

£13.5 million is being invested over a 3 year period through the rural transport funding package announced last year. Taking the allocations the Government have made from this fund in 1998–99 as a yardstick, totals of £10.5 million would be available to local authorities to provide additional public transport services, £1.8 million for community transport projects and £1.2 million to assist rural petrol stations. I know that this initiative is being warmly welcomed in rural areas, not least because these resources represent additional funding not previously made available. In addition, local authorities will be able to bid to the Public Transport Fund for rural transport projects. The Fund will provide £90m over 3 years. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures have been taken to improve performance in numeracy and literacy in Scottish schools. [65840]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he has taken to improve performance in numeracy and literacy in Scottish schools. [65843]

The early intervention programme, worth a total of £60m over five years, will establish the basic literacy and numeracy skills children will need. We have set targets to raise the level of achievement in literacy and numeracy in line with the national benchmark of 80 per cent. of children achieving the relevant stages in primary school and 75 per cent. at S2. We have invested £30m over three years from the Excellence Fund to support in-service training of teachers with particular emphasis on literacy and numeracy in the P6 to S2 stages, and £15m over three years to support family literacy schemes to help parents to help children to read. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the New Deal in Scotland. [65841]

I am very encouraged by the early results of the New Deal for 18-24-year-olds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on his proposals to change the land ownership legislation in Scotland. [65842]

The proposals which I launched earlier this month have received a wide welcome. Between the more extreme views, there is now a remarkable measure of agreement about the priorities for change.From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many landowners in Scotland will be affected by his recommendations for compulsory purchase in his recent land reform proposals. [65854]

It is expected that use of the new power of compulsory purchase in the public interest would be justified only in exceptional circumstances.From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to compensate landowners in Scotland who are adversely affected by his proposals for land reform. [65845]

Under these proposals, where land was acquired compulsorily, appropriate compensation arrangements would necessarily apply.From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on housing policy in Scotland. [65847]

As I announced on 23 November, we shall shortly be publishing a Green Paper on housing in Scotland. The Green Paper will be the first major policy document on Scottish housing in over a decade and will provide a sound basis for the new Scottish Parliament to develop its own policies and programmes. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his Department's review of the roads programme. [65848]

The consultation period on the Government's proposed framework for the appraisal of trunk road investment in Scotland ended on 16 October 1998. The responses have now been analysed and some useful suggestions from respondents incorporated into the appraisal framework. The outcome of the review will be announced as soon as is practicable. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met senior representatives of the CBI in Scotland to discuss economic prospects. [65849]

My right hon. Friend's most recent meeting with CBI Scotland was on 10 September when he was principal guest and speaker at their Annual Dinner. My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for business and industry met senior officials of CBI Scotland on 11 August and again on 26 October. Scottish Office officials are also in regular contact with CBI Scotland to discuss a range of issues relating to the Scottish economy. Economic development will be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the most recent quarterly industrial trends survey by the CBI in Scotland. [65851]

I have noted the results of the January 1999 CBI Scottish Industrial Trends Survey which were released this morning.With one quarter of the world now in recession, no country is immune from the effects of the current instability in the world economy. I fully appreciate the difficulties this is causing for Scottish manufacturers.The Government are taking firm action to ensure that the economy is capable of sustained and steady growth. The recent cuts in interest rates are possible because of the tough decisions we have taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish Small Business Federation; and if he will make a statement. [65852]

Table 1—PFI projects currently being considered for PFI funding in Scotland
Project name	Procuring agency
SGH geriatric medicine and assessment facility	Southern General Hospital NHS Trust Glasgow
Dundee Ninewells Psychiatric Services	Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust
Inverness Psychiatric Unit	Highland Communities NHS Trust
Day Surgery and Maternity Unit	Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust
Larkfield Geriatric assessment facility	Renfrewshire Healthcare
Hospital Information Support System	Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust
Cumnock Community Hospital	Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare Trust
Car parking facilities	Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust
Midlothian Community Hospital	East and Midlothian NHS Trust
Southern General HISS	Southern General Hospital NHS Trust
Replacement of Forfar Infirmary and Whitehills Hospital	Tayside Health Board and Angus NHS Trust
Hawick Cottage Hospital	Borders Community Health Services NHS Trust
Livingston Further Education Centre	West Lothian College
North Ayrshire College, Kilwinning	James Watt College

Members of the Scottish Office Ministerial Team and officials are in regular contact with the Federation of Small Businesses and have met representatives of the Federation on a number of occasions. Most recently, my noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for business and industry opened the Federation's new premises in Glasgow on 20 October 1998, during which he met members of the Federation's Scottish Policy Team and national officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive advice from the national screening committee about the feasibility of introducing a national screening programme for Type 2 diabetes. [65853]

The National Screening Committee is currently considering the detailed aspects of this issue. I hope that the Committee will be able to make recommendations to Ministers by the end of this year.From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the projects currently being considered for PFI funding in Scotland, indicating the number of contracts with performance bonuses as well as penalties built in; which projects are build, own and operate; and if the service costs for PFI projects can be broken down into capital cost and service cost. [66000]

[holding answer 20 January 1999]: The information requested on projects under consideration for PFI funding and on signed projects which are build, own and operate schemes is set out in the tables.Precise information on whether a scheme under consideration will be build, own and operate depends on the outcome of negotiations. No contract sponsored by The Scottish Office has a performance bonus regime. Payment mechanisms vary on the basis of usage, availability and performance. In general, payments commence on the delivery of services, with deductions thereafter for non-availability or poor performance. A feature of PFI projects is that they are not separable into components, and so service costs are not a separable element of the overall charge. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Table 1—PFI projects currently being considered for PFI funding in Scotland
Project name	Procuring agency
Police Force Training Centre, East Kilbride	Strathclyde Police
Office Accommodation	Perth and Kinross Council
Rapid Transport System (CERT)	City of Edinburgh Council
Balfron School	Stirling Council
Dumfries and Galloway Waste Management/Recycling Project	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Mearns Primary and St. Ninian's High School	East Renfrewshire Council
Glasgow Schools Project	Glasgow Council
Argyll and Bute Waste Management Project	Argyll and Bute Council
Glasgow Energy Initiative	Glasgow City Council
Highlands Schools Project	Highland Council
Edinburgh Schools Project	Edinburgh Council
Fife Schools Project	Fife Council
Aberdeenshire Schools Project	Aberdeenshire Council
A701/A702 upgrading	Midlothian Council
A92 upgrading	Angus Council
Glasgow Southern Orbital Road	East Renfrewshire Council
West Lothian Schools Project	West Lothian Council
Larkhall-Milngavie rail route	Strathclyde PTE
Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Fraserburgh and Peterhead Sewage and Sludge Treatment	North of Scotland Water Authority
Daldowie/Sheifldhall Sludge Treatment Centres	West of Scotland Water Authority
Levenmouth Purification Scheme	East of Scotland Water Authority
Tay Projects	North of Scotland Water Authority
Dalmuir Sewage Treatment	West of Scotland Water Authority
Meadowhead (Irvine), Ayr, Stevenston and Inverclyde Sewage Treatment	West of Scotland Water Authority
Moray Coast and Montrose Wastewater Project	North of Scotland Water Authority
Almond Valley, Seafield and Esk Valley Sewage Scheme	East of Scotland Water Authority

Table 2—Signed build, own and operate PFI projects in Scotland
Project name	Procuring agency
Inverness Main Drainage/Fort William Sewage Treatment	North of Scotland Water Authority
Stirling FE Centre	Falkirk College
Stonehaven Community Hospital	Grampian Health Board
Hospital Information System	Yorkhill Hospitals NHS Trust Glasgow
Hospital Information System	Perth and Kinross Healthcare NHS Trust
Hospital Information System	Law Hospital NHS Trust
Ferryfield House	Edinburgh Healthcare NHS Trust
Mearnskirk Hospital Geriatric Beds	Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust
New Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh	RIE NHS Trust
Law Hospital	Law Hospital NHS Trust
Hairmyres Hospital	Hairmyres Hospital NHS Trust
Multistorey car park/car parking facilities	Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the disadvantages which are assessed in respect of potential PFI projects in the National Health Service. [65835]

The current hospital building programme is the biggest in the history of the NHS. It is funded by a mixture of public and private finance. PFI funding is used when projects are affordable, prove value for money, offer improved healthcare and provide significant advantages for patients. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress in improving energy efficiency in Scottish homes. [65844]

Under the Government's Warm Deal, £2.5 million was spent last year on improving home energy efficiency in Scotland. This year's budget is just over £6 million and the same amount will be allocated next year. 25,000 households have already benefited and many more will do so. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.