To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if the Committee will investigate the possibility of increasing the speed of lifts within the Palace. [78254]

The Parliamentary Works Directorate has a rolling programme of lift machinery modernisation. Five lifts in the Palace are to be refurbished in 1999. When new machinery is installed the lift winding speed can be adjusted and I have asked the Director of Parliamentary Works to ensure that speeds are carefully set with regard to both the convenience and the comfort of users. Door speeds are generally set so as not to inconvenience any users with disabilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the cost of furnishing Crickhowell House for the Welsh Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [77462]

The current estimated cost of furnishing Crickhowell House for the Assembly is £2 million. This is included in the estimate for establishing the Assembly stated in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum to the Government of Wales Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when was the last time that (a) the ALA and (b) the EDF Committee of the European Commission demanded that an independent (i) environmental impact assessment should be conducted

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what reason no external assessment has been made of the plans of his Department for millennium compliance. [78461]

Independent assessment of the Welsh Office's Year 2000 programme is being undertaken by the Department's Internal Audit Service, who report separately to the Permanent Secretary from the staff responsible for implementing the compliance programme.The content of the programme was audited at inception and progress against established activities is reviewed on a regular basis. Internal Audit are free to recommend changes to the programme as they see fit.Duplicating this effort by employing external assessors is unnecessary and would add additional costs to the compliance programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when was the last time that (a) the ALA and (b) the EDF Committee of the European Commission completely rejected a proposed project (i) on any subject and (ii) on environmental and social grounds; what was the title of the project; and what were the grounds for the objections. [77930]

The Asia and Latin America (ALA) and European Development Fund (EDF) committees have not completely rejected any proposal within the last 12 months. Such rejection is rare for three reasons. A proposal cannot be blocked by a single member state acting alone. Secondly, if the commission senses that there is wide opposition to a project, it may choose to voluntarily withdraw the proposal from the agenda. Finally, in order to secure sufficient support from member states to proceed, the Commission may undertake to revise aspects of its proposals to take account of the views expressed by member states. In the last 12 months, the following projects have either been withdrawn or blocked as a result of pressure applied by the member states.before a project was given approval and (ii) evaluation be conducted on a Commission (1) project and (2) programme that was currently under implementation or had recently been completed. [77931]

During the last 12 months neither committee has demanded an independent Environmental Impact Appraisal as a pre-condition to approval. The Commission is required to undertake Environment Impact Appraisal screening as part of its project appraisal process and environmental issues are often raised at Committee meetings. For example, at the last European Development Fund (EDF) Committee on 17–18 March 1999, the UK raised environmental issues on 4 out of the 9 projects under consideration. Monitoring and evaluation arrangements are normally agreed when project proposals are submitted to the Committees for consideration. At the last EDF Committee, the UK raised the question of evaluation with regard to 3 projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 March 1999, Official Report, column 495, if he will rank police forces according to the number of accidents in 1997–98 involving police vehicles which resulted in injury and death. [78203]

Ranking of police forces by number of accidents involving police vehicles would be misleading, as many different factors can affect the figures, such as force size and local road conditions. For accidents during pursuits and emergency responses broken down by force, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Efford) on 18 January 1999, Official Report, column 334.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings he has had regarding the reorganisation of Lunar House and the introduction of a new computer system to deal with immigration and asylum applications; what representations he has received about delays in the provision of immigration services; and if he will make a statement. [78245]

[holding answer 23 March 1999]: I have had a number of meetings regarding the reorganisation of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and will continue to do so. I have received representations about the current delays there from hon. Members, from interest groups and from the business community. I am, therefore, taking a close personal interest in improving the level of service.The Home Secretary and I recently met with officials from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and Siemens Business Services to discuss the casework programme. Siemens Business Services have reiterated their commitment to working in partnership to deliver the major modernisation programme as a whole.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to improve the situation for clients at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in Croydon. [77346]

The reorganisation in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in Croydon has caused significant disruption and delays in the throughput of cases. A number of steps have been taken to improve matters. These include taking on additional staff, running special exercises to target priority cases and providing additional temporary accommodation to the Public Caller Unit to ensure that all callers are seen on the day by a member of staff. In addition, there have been changes in procedure which have resulted in increasing productivity particularly relating to straightforward cases. Extra training has also been provided in certain key areas to ensure maximum flexibility of staff resources and a steady throughput of work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (i) police officers and (ii) immigration officers were based at each port in England and Wales in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [77280]

Operational deployment of police officers is a matter for the Chief Constable. Details of the number of police based at ports in England and Wales is not collated centrally.The number of immigration officers, including assistant immigration officers, based at ports in England and Wales as at 1 January 1997,1998 and 1999 is set out in the table. Immigration officers at some of these locations attend both airports and seaports. Other ports in England and Wales which do not have permanently based staff are covered as required.We are in the process of appointing over 200 additional immigration officers and assistant immigration officers as part of the package of measures designed to deliver the objectives set out in the Government's White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is the Government's policy to apply the test of substantial harm set out in the White Paper on freedom of information in its forthcoming Bill on freedom of information. [78258]

The Government hope to publish a draft Bill on freedom of information in May. It is our intention to make sure the legislation is clear and easy to use. We are still considering the precise drafting of the Bill to ensure that the principles set out in the White Paper "Your Right to Know" form the basis of the legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Advisory Group on openness in the public sector will be able to consider the progress since 1 May 1997 of proposals for freedom of information legislation. [78343]

The purpose of the Group is to advise me on the steps needed to be taken ahead of freedom of information legislation to increase openness in the public sector. I expect the group to submit a report to me before the end of the year making recommendations on how I might facilitate an increase in openness in the public sector as a whole.The Home Office took over responsibility for freedom of information legislation from the Cabinet Office in the summer of 1998, to enable the policy to be developed alongside other constitutional measures, such as human rights and data protection. Since then, we have devoted a great deal of effort towards translating the White Paper's proposals into a draft Bill. I now hope to publish the draft in May.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) civil and (b) criminal prosecutions were made in relation to prostitutes calling cards in telephone boxes in 1997 and 1998. [78047]

This information is not readily available. There are several pieces of legislation under which a person may be charged for offences relating to placing prostitutes cards in telephone boxes. Home Office statistics do not indicate which prosecutions relate to prostitutes cards. Civil injunctions are not recorded centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consult on the possibility of making the placing of prostitutes calling cards in telephone boxes a specific criminal offence. [78046]

Yes. My reply to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 2 March 1999, Official Report, column 631, said that the Home Office will shortly be issuing a consultation paper on new measures to tackle the problem of prostitutes cards in telephone boxes which will look at options for changing the law to enable those who put cards in telephone boxes to be dealt with more effectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason no external assessment has been made of the plans of his Department for millennium compliance. [78462]

An external assessment of my Department's Year 2000 programme began earlier this month, to complement an internal assessment recently completed. DBI Associates were awarded a contract to carry out this independent assessment, following a competitive tender exercise. This comprehensive assessment will examine the Year 2000 work carried out within the main Home Office, its executive agencies and the Police Information Technology Organisation, concentrating on business critical processes and business continuity planning. A final report is expected in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason no (a) internal and (b) external assessment has been made of the United Kingdom Passport Agency's plans for millennium compliance; and if he will make a statement. [78468]

The Passport Agency's plans for millennium compliance are being assessed by independent technical consultants appointed by the Home Office.The agency's audit needs are assessed every three years and are currently under review. Audit plans will include millennium compliance but will take into account the work of the independent consultants (DBI Associates Ltd.).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people had access to the Macpherson report prior to some of its contents appearing in The Sunday Telegraph; and if he will make a statement. [78480]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) on 15 March 1999, Official Report, column 492.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what standard of proof will be required in the leak inquiry into the provision of unauthorised information concerning the Macpherson report to The Sunday Telegraph; and if he will make a statement. [78419]

No proof test has been set. My permanent secretary will advise on what course of action might be appropriate, taking account of any weight attached to particular findings by the independent investigator.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the leak inquiry into the provision of unauthorised information concerning the Macpherson report to The Sunday Telegraph; and if he will make a statement. [78418]

My permanent secretary expects to receive the independent investigator's conclusions shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) discussions he has had and (b) proposals his Department has put forward at Council of Ministers' meetings in respect of EU fraud; and if he will make a statement. [77783]

[holding answer 19 March 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury gave on 19 March 1999, Official Report, columns 858–59.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the appraisal performance markings awarded to civil servants in 1998 for (a) each agency in his Department and (b) the Department broken down by (i) grade, (ii) gender, (iii) ethnicity, (iv) part-time/full-time working and (v) disability; and for (1) each agency and (2) the Department whether the Cabinet Office's four fifths rule for detecting potential adverse impact was applied to the appraisal markings of civil servants in the 1998 report round. [78149]

The available information has been placed in the Library and is set out as follows:Table 1: performance appraisal markings for the Home Office including the United Kingdom Passport Agency and the Forensic Science Service (but excluding the Prison Service and the Fire Service College which have different appraisal systems) for the reporting year 1996–97 broken down by grade, ethnicity and gender. Information on part-time/full-time working could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Table 2: performance appraisal markings for the Fire Service College in 1998 broken down by gender and part-time/full-time working. There were no ethnic minority or disabled staff working at the College in this period. The total number of staff working at the College is small and to provide figures broken down by grade would risk identifying individuals.Table 3: performance appraisal markings for the Prison Service in 1998 broken down by gender and ethnicity. Information on part-time/full-time working is not held centrally in the Prison Service and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Table 4: performance appraisal markings for the Prison Service in 1998 broken down by the core grades. (There are many non-standard specialist grades with small numbers of staff in the Prison Service and to provide information broken down by these grades would risk identifying individuals).Table 5: performance appraisal markings for the Home Office including the United Kingdom Passport Agency and the Forensic Science Service (but excluding the Prison Service and the Fire Service College) for the reporting year 1996–97 showing the spread of box markings among disabled and non-disabled staff.The four-fifths rule—which is only a guideline, not a statistical test—was not applied to these appraisal markings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public statements he made in his official capacity prior to 17 October 1998 on the former Government of General Pinochet in Chile; and if he will make a statement. [78420]

I have made no such public statements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of researching, publishing and distributing the Police Research Series paper, "Face Value? Evaluating the Accuracy of Eyewitness Information". [78478]

The cost of producing the Police Research Series paper "Face Value? Evaluating the Accuracy of Eyewitness Information" was £12,040. This was broken down as follows:

The University of Liverpool was paid £6,916 over a three month period to conduct the work on which the report is based and to produce a draft report; and

3,500 copies of the report were produced along with 2,600 copies of an associated briefing note. Printing costs were £5,124.

3,700 reports or briefing notes were distributed at the time of publication using existing administrative support staff at marginal cost. Postal costs are not calculated for individual reports.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many (a) handguns and (b) accessories, broken down by (i) type and (ii) calibre, have been surrendered to each police force in Great Britain by (A) private citizens, (B) shooting clubs and (C) firearms dealers under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; [78153](2) how much compensation

Over 162,000 large and small-calibre handguns were surrendered to the police following the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997. I regret that the more detailed information requested is not at present available. A total of £80.3 million has so far been paid in compensation. The total of compensation paid is expected to be in the region of £87 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent arrest of Abu Hamza al-Masri; and what his policy is in respect of Yemen's request for his deportation. [78131]

Abu Hamza al-Masri and two other men were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 (PTA) on 15 March. I subsequently authorised extensions of detention beyond the initial 48 hours allowed by the Act. On 18 March, all three detainees were released from detention under the PTA, re-arrested under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and given police bail to return for further questioning in mid-May after further inquiries have been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Venezuelan nationals there are in British prisons. [78125]

The latest available provisional information is for 31 December 1998. On that date, there were 16 Venezuelan nationals (15 males and 1 female) in prisons in England and Wales. Information on the numbers of Venezuelan nationals held in prisons in Scotland and Northern Ireland are available from the Secretary of State for Scotland and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have not ratified the Council of Europe Protocol Number 6 to the convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms concerning the abolition of the death penalty; and if he will make a statement. [77284]

The Home Secretary signed Protocol 6 in Strasbourg on 27 January 1999. An Explanatory Memorandum and a Command Paper relating to the ratification process will be laid before the House shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons in England and Wales have had more than three principal governors within the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [77587]

Bullwood Hall and Maidstone prisons are the only establishments to have had more than three governing governors, including those temporarily in charge, in the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a concession to the Immigration Rules granting asylum seekers from Sierra Leone immediate exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom. [77548]

I do not consider that such a policy would be justified at present, but we are keeping the situation in Sierra Leone under continuous close review.Following a decline in the country situation in December 1998, enforced removals to Sierra Leone were suspended on practical and precautionary grounds. In view of the continued fighting and the rebel invasion into parts of Freetown, consideration of asylum applications was suspended in January 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the rates of sick leave reported in each police force in each of the last three years. [78391]

The information requested is shown in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers took early retirement on health grounds in each police force in each of the last three years. [78387]

The information is set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 18 March 1999, Official Report, column 721, and 11 March 1999, Official Report, column 332, on life prisoners, on the basis of what evidence the Parole Board decided that Mr. Tangney fulfilled the conditions that the life sentence prisoner is trustworthy enough not to abscond. [78270]

The Parole Board recommended that Mr. Tangney be transferred to open conditions on the basis of reports and recommendations from prison and probation staff that Mr. Tangney's attitudes and behaviour had improved to the point where he could be trusted in open conditions. Ministers accepted the Board's recommendation taking account of those reports and recommendations and Mr. Tangney's overall progress in prison, and reduction in risk, since the offence for which his mandatory life sentence was imposed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the minimum period a life sentence prisoner must serve before being considered for transfer to an open prison. [78269]

The general position is set out in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Stinchcombe) on 9 July 1998, Official Report, columns 587–88. The first Parole Board review of a life sentence prisoner's case occurs 3 years, or in the case of a prisoner who has made good progress through his sentence 3½ years, before expiry of the minimum period required for retribution and deterrence, commonly known as the tariff. The tariff varies considerably from case to case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations govern prisoners writing to addresses registered as Post Office box numbers; and what security considerations apply. [78358]

Prisoners' correspondence is governed by the Prison Rules, and policy is set out in Prison Standing Order 5 (copies of which are in the Library). Under paragraph 29 of Standing Order 5B, governors have the authority to stop prisoners writing to a Post Office Box. Prisons must be able to identify and check the recipients of prisoners' correspondence, particularly in the case of high risk prisoners and sex offenders.While this provision will more often apply to individuals using PO Box numbers, it may also be applied to organisations where the governor considers there to be a risk. Some organisations, for example, operate pen-pal schemes for prisoners to make contact with people on the outside. Such schemes may be susceptible to infiltration by sex offenders and paedophiles seeking to network and make contact with vulnerable people. These schemes, therefore, need to be thoroughly vetted. Where the organisations concerned are not able to do this, and the use of a box number precludes prisons from making appropriate checks on the recipients, a governor is within his or her rights to stop prisoners from writing to the organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire expects to make a decision relating to the suspension and investigation of DS McElroy; [78208](2) what explanation he has been given for the continued suspension of DS McElroy following the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to pursue charges; [78212](3) what have been the costs of the suspension and investigation of DS McElroy from the Nottinghamshire Constabulary since 10 April 1997; [78206]

Disciplinary matters relating to individual officers are the responsibility of chief officers of police. I am told that DS McElroy remains suspended while consideration is given to possible disciplinary proceedings, and that following a complaint by a member of the public, Nottinghamshire Constabulary has referred its handling of the case to the Police Complaints Authority for independent investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the biotechnical companies which have placed staff (a) on secondment and (b) on placement within his Department since 1 May 1997. [74840]

[holding answer 5 March 1999]: Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private.No staff from biotechnical companies have been on either secondment or placement with this Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the studies commissioned by his Department into the potential indirect effect on the environment from the growing of genetically modified crops. [74865]

[holding answer 5 March 1999]: My Department is in the process of commissioning ecological studies of the diversity and abundance of plants and invertebrates associated with the management of certain genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops compared with equivalent non genetically modified crops to test whether there are any significant differences over a four year period.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many release consents for genetically modified crops trials there have been in each year since 1990. [75110]

[holding answer 8 March 1999): Since the current Regulations came into force in February 1993, 154 consents have been issued. The break down per year is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to report his assessment of the environmental damage to coral reefs following his recent visit to India and the Maldives. [75543]

[holding answer 9 March 1999]: During my visit to the Maldives, I was able to see for myself some of the damage to the coral reefs there, particularly the evidence of the coral bleaching event recorded during April to June last year. This was the worst ever recorded in the Maldives and affected some 95 per cent. of the reefs. On one of the sites that I was shown, over 35 per cent. of the corals were bleached and approximately 40 per cent. were dead.I was also shown a reef that had been mined for use in the construction of the airport 30 years ago (traditionally in the Maldives, coral has been used as a building material). The extraction of coral had removed the upper 0.5m of reef framework, leaving a bare, flat surface of broken rubble and unconsolidated sediment and had resulted in a loss of live coral cover and associated reef fish. The area covered by live corals was less than 3 per cent. compared with 35 per cent. on nearby unmined reefs.A BBC crew joined me on these dives and recorded much of what I was shown. The resulting film report was transmitted on BBC News programmes around the world, confirming the point that I had set out to make; that there are clear links between climate change, oceans and land-based sources of pollution.I intend to continue to highlight this issue and to press for improvement in international co-ordination on oceans matters when I attend the Commission on Sustainable Development in New York next month.While I was in the Maldives, I was also able to announce continuing UK support for the South Asia region of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. This will evaluate the sustainability of coral reefs; raise community level awareness of coral reef status and resource management issues; and establish regional capability to collect critical monitoring data on coral reefs, coral reefs resource-use and related livelihoods. Coral reef monitoring programmes at key sites will develop a national coral reef database in each country. The programme will provide a foundation for maximising sustainable benefits from coral reef resources for coastal communities, thereby improving livelihoods in coral reef areas in South Asia.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of whether the UK will achieve the targets set under the EU Directive on Packaging Waste; and if he will make a statement. [76983]

As I said in my answer to my hon. Friend on 15 March 1999, Official Report, columns 466–67, the recovery rate for packaging waste is expected to have reached approximately 32 per cent. in 1998 and the interim business targets are designed to enable the UK to achieve the mandatory EC Directive recovery and recycling targets in 2001. Industry itself has reported that there was an oversupply of reprocessing capacity in 1998 compared with the targets that had to be met and this was damaging the market. The increase in the interim business recovery and recycling targets should therefore generate the necessary momentum to enable sufficient activity to be carried out to achieve the 2001 targets. A further consideration was the need for sufficient resources to be directed at generating the necessary collection and reprocessing capacity that will be needed to meet the targets in 2001. With this additional infrastructure in place the UK should be able to meet the mandatory Directive targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to provide clarification of the definition of imported materials under the packaging waste regulations. [76984]

Guidance on the definition of imported packaging and packaging materials was provided in chapter five of the "Users Guide", issued by my Department in March 1997, a copy of which is in the Library. This continues to reflect the Department's opinion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what dates his Department has received representations from the United States Government on genetically modified organisms since 1 May 1997; in what form each representation was made; and from which United States department each originated. [77116]

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Stinchcombe) on 1 March 1999, Official Report, column 509. The visit was from a representative of the State Department and took place 25 January 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evidence he obtained about global warming during his visit to the Maldives; and what conclusions he has drawn from it. [75691]

[holding answer 18 March 19991: Small island states are especially vulnerable to global warming and its associated effects. During my visit to the Maldives, I heard from the Government and local marine scientists about the effects of global warming, rising sea temperatures and pollution on some of the coral reefs there, and the particular threat that is posed by these phenomena to island states like the Maldives.I was also able to see some of the damage to the reefs for myself, particularly the evidence of coral bleaching event recorded during April to June last year, the result of high sea-surface temperature caused by El Niño. This was the worst ever recorded in the Maldives and affected some 95 per cent. of the reefs. On one of the sites that I was shown, over 35 per cent. of the corals were bleached and approximately 40 per cent. were dead.There are clear links between climate change, oceans and land-based sources of pollution—everyone has a part to play in helping to solve the problem. In addition to the ongoing efforts to tackle climate change, I intend to continue to highlight this issue and to press for improved international co-ordination on oceans matters when I attend the Commission on Sustainable Development meeting in New York next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the purpose of the medical examination required by Regulation 16(2) of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 as amended by the Control of Asbestos at Work (Amendment) Regulations 1998. [77876]

Doctors carry out medical examinations under Regulation 16(2) to advise workers on their general fitness for work with asbestos (including their fitness to work wearing respiratory protective equipment), to provide them with information about their current state of respiratory health, to alert workers to early signs of disease, and to warn them about the increased risk of lung cancer for those who smoke and work with asbestos.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what controls will be applied to contractors licensed only to remove asbestos insulation board to prevent them from undertaking any other type of asbestos stripping work. [77877]

Contractors are required to give 14 days advance notice of work with asbestos as a condition of their licence. In 1999–2000, the Health and Safety Executive's Field Operations Directorate plan to visit at least 800 notified jobs and also to visit 40 local authorities to deal with risks from asbestos to building and maintenance workers in their properties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Health and Safety Executive plans to license contractors who remove only asbestos insulation board under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1993, as amended by the Asbestos (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1998. [77874]

Yes. From 1 August 1999, the regulations will apply to licensed contractors who only work with asbestos insulation board in the same way as they do to those working with asbestos coating and insulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the medical examination certificates issued to workers exposed to asbestos under the amended Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 are intended to fulfil the requirements of asbestos laws in all European Union member states. [77875]

No. The intention behind the amendment to the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations to issue a medical certificate to both the employer and employee is to prevent the forgery of medical certificates. The UK's requirements for medical surveillance are stricter than the minimum standards laid down by the EU Directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to asbestos at work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to ban the import, marketing and use of Chrysotile asbestos. [77878]

The Government are firmly committed to further restrictions on the importation, supply and use of white asbestos. The Health and Safety Commission has already consulted on proposals to amend the (Asbestos Prohibitions) Regulations and I look forward to receiving its recommendations, taking account of European Developments, in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 December 1998, Official Report, columns 180–81, on ENTRUST, if he will list the 33 projects for the remediation of contaminated land and the sort of remediation undertaken. [77645]

According to ENTRUST, the 33 projects are listed in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of the net yield of the landfill levy was from local authority payments in each year since it was introduced. [77675]

The net yield of the landfill tax was £360 million in 1997–98, the first full year following the introduction of the tax in October 1996. Initial data on waste arisings from the Municipal Waste Survey for England and Wales for 1997–98 will not be available until

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the additional financial contribution which will be made by local authorities for each of the years to which the Government have committed itself to escalate the landfill levy by £1 per annum. [77676]

The Municipal Waste Survey for England and Wales for 1995–96 and 1996–97 shows that municipal waste arisings were approximately 26 million tonnes per year, of which approximately 22 million tonnes was disposed of to landfill. Until sufficiently reliable data are available for several years, it is not possible to be confident about the trend. This makes it difficult accurately to predict the future cost to local authorities of the announced increases in the landfill tax.If one assumes that: the majority of the waste will be active, and so taxed at the standard rate of £7 per tonne; and that site operators will pass the tax on in full to their customers; and that the level of waste being disposed of to landfill is broadly in line with figures for 1996–97, the additional financial contribution from local authorities in England and Wales for each incremental increase of £1 would be approximately £22 million. We would, however, expect the tax increases to start to have an effect on the amount of municipal waste sent to landfill, even though there is little evidence so far that the tax has led to a significant change in behaviour. A delayed impact in this area is in line with our expectations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statistics his Department collates of the level of (a) commercial fly-tipping and (b) domestic fly-tipping. [77672]

My Department does not collate statistics on the fly-tipping of either commercial or domestic waste. However, the Tidy Britain Group has carried out a study into fly-tipping. The study comprised three surveys and one of its main aims was to establish the types, quantities and locations of fly-tipped waste. The third survey was carried out in partnership with the Environment Agency and was published last month. It suggests a modest increase in fly-tipping over the period from 1994–95, but less than was originally feared following the introduction of the landfill tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the offshore industry work force to become involved in safety matters. [77940]

The promotion of work force involvement is one of the Health and Safety Commission's/Executive's key priorities. As elsewhere, the involvement of the workforce offshore is critical in maintaining and improving safety standards.The Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989 specify the powers and functions of work force safety representatives, and set out requirements for their election. Installation managers are required to consult safety representatives, to provide them with information and to ensure that they receive adequate training.HSE's offshore inspectors routinely meet safety representatives when they visit installations and encourage their involvement in safety matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implementation by offshore operators of the recommendations of the Cullen Inquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster. [77941]

On the recommendation of Lord Cullen, responsibility for offshore health, safety and welfare regulation was transferred in 1991 from the former Department of Energy to the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSC carried out a fundamental review of arrangements in the light of the 106 recommendations made by Lord Cullen. Action on most of these fell to the regulator and all were implemented in full.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) deaths at work and (b) serious injuries were recorded for the United Kingdom oil and gas extraction industry in each of the years 1978 to date, excluding the deaths as a result of the Piper Alpha disaster. [77978]

Figures for the United Kingdom are not readily available. Figures for the oil and gas extraction industry before 1986–87 are not available. The figures for the industry in Great Britain from 1986–87 are shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the additional cost to public transport providers in the United Kingdom from the increases in fuel duty in the Budget. [77909]

[holding answer 22 March 1999]: Public transport provision in the United Kingdom should not be significantly affected as my Department announced following the Budget that the level of fuel duty rebate payable to operators of local bus services would be immediately raised in line with the increase in fuel duty. This equates to a value of around £50 million per annum. The small increase in gas oil duty should only have minimal impact on train operating costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement regarding the prospects for a Worthing bypass; and what new studies have been carried out by his Department on the A27 between Worthing and Lancing. [77911]

[holding answer 22 March 1999]: Following the Roads Review we announced our proposal, subject to consultation with the regional planning conference, to carry out a study to consider the problems of congestion on the A27 between Worthing and Lancing.The South East Regional Planning Conference (SERPLAN) has agreed with the Government Office for the South East (GO-SE) proposal that the A27 Worthing to Lancing study should build on existing work to produce recommendations in advance of the completion of the Southampton to Folkestone study. GO-SE will now be undertaking further discussions with SERPLAN and with the most directly affected local authorities, with a view to drawing up terms of reference and a plan for further work. The study will adopt a multi-modal approach and will consider all options for addressing the identified transport problems in the context of the whole corridor.The Highways Agency has already undertaken a study into options for improving pedestrian facilities on the A27 through Worthing and Lancing. The study identified eight locations where work on refuges could be carried out to benefit pedestrians, and this work has already started.In addition, the Highways Agency intends to install at least one signal-controlled crossing at one of these locations, following Worthing Borough Council's investigations into possible cycle routes in the area; and in early April work will take place to upgrade the existing crossing at Boundstone College in Lancing, where new guard rails will be provided to give improved visibility for drivers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend section 113 of the Building Act 1984. [78307]

I have no plans to amend section 113 of the Building Act 1984.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding section 113 of the Building Act 1984 in the last two years. [78308]

There has been correspondence with one of the hon. Member's constituents about the procedures for prosecutions under section 57 of the Building Act, which are subject to section 113 of that Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what matters were discussed, what conclusions were reached and which Departments were represented by officials at the meeting of Green Ministers on 22 March; and if he will make a statement. [76519]

[holding answer 23 March 1999]: The Green Ministers Committee met on 22 March. This is the first of three meetings planned for 1999.The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Deputy Prime Minister attended the Committee's meeting and we were able to have a very positive discussion of environmental tax reforms in the light of the measures announced in the Budget on 9 March 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the job description, (b) the contract, (c) the terms of reference and (d) the letter of appointment of the new Chairman of the British Railways Board. [78344]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is already required by statute to lay before each House a statement of the salary, any allowances, and any pension arrangements of British Railways Board Members, as soon as possible after they are first appointed. In the case of the new Chairman, he will at the same time place copies of the job description, contract and letter of appointment in the Library of each House. The Chairman's terms of reference will be reflected in new formal objectives for the British Railways Board, to be published in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what functions the Chairman of the British Railways Board will have between 1 April and the establishment through legislation of a Strategic Rail Authority other than those functions which presently are performed by the Chairman of the British Railways Board; what budget will be available to him; and if he will make a statement. [78261]

The Chairman will lead the shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), working with the new Franchising Director to develop a shadow SRA capability. He will advise Ministers on the strategic development of the railway network within our integrated transport policy, including advice on galvanising investment and on franchising issues. The Government have set a budget of £93 million for the British Railways Board in 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the financial (a) incentives and (b) disincentives to (i) local authorities and (ii) Railtrack in respect of (1) the reopening of disused lines and stations and (2) the creation of new lines and stations. [78265]

None. The Rail Regulator has started a comprehensive reappraisal of the level and structure of access charges. He has made it clear that he wants to use his review to promote investment and growth in rail services, and to improve the performance of the railway network. We have endorsed those objectives. We expect the Rail Regulator to put in place a charging structure which imposes incentives on those in the industry to invest properly in the network.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average cost charged by (a) British Rail and (b) Railtrack for (i) station reopenings and (ii) reopening track for passenger use expressed on a cost, per mile, for each year from 1980 to date. [78264]

This information is not readily available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the substitution of rail services by bus services; and if he will make a statement. [78260]

The Objectives, Instructions and Guidance which we issued to the Franchising Director in November 1997 require him to secure that minimum service levels remain at least broadly comparable to those specified in the current Passenger Service Requirements. Discontinuation of rail services could occur only after comprehensive closure procedures have been exhausted. These powers have been used very rarely and we do not expect that to change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the relationship between the level of rail fares and passenger numbers. [78267]

No research has been either commissioned or evaluated in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of the implementation of the Highways Agency scheme for the A63 Melton junction improvement. [78256]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for service levels in excess of PSR franchise requirements of the annual decline in subsidy levels contained in those franchise agreements. [78259]

The Secretary of State has made no such assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the generic quality improvements he plans to require to be introduced to existing rail franchises when the opportunity for renegotiation of franchises occurs. [78262]

At the National Rail Summit last month, we announced that all requests for franchise renegotiations will be judged against the following six criteria: the train operator's current performance; proposed accelerated or new investment; a willingness to commit to a more demanding enforcement regime and higher quality standards; a willingness to give passengers a greater say in the level and standard of services; and value for the taxpayer.