To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the speed of the disaster relief response to events in Kosovo; and if she will make a statement. [80786]

The international response to the massive refugee outflows was regrettably slow to start with. But the international community has mobilised substantial humanitarian assistance for the refugees in a remarkably short time. The UK has been at the forefront of efforts to speed up the relief operations, notably by providing logistical and other practical support (through airlifts, cargo handling equipment, transport assets, and logistics experts) to overcome practical constraints in assistance delivery.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to set up in partnership with NGOs a permanent disaster relief contact point.[80785]

We have an established and effective contact point for disaster and emergency relief in the Department for International Development's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department. We are also working in close partnership with NGOs concerned with humanitarian assistance, and arrangements for regular contact are in place. I do not believe it would be useful to merge government and NGO response to disasters. My department is able to move very rapidly in the early stages, NGO response takes longer but is highly valued and creates aid outlets for public contributions. Both have important roles to play.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which weapons currently targeted on Yugoslavia contain depleted uranium. [81087]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Valerie Davey), on 13 April 1999, Official Report, column 43.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of unclassified Defence Council Instructions which have been issued since 1 December 1998. [80827]

There have been 314 unclassified DCIs issued since 1 December 1998 and I am today placing a list in the library of the House.

To ask the Prime Minister for which areas of gross receipts of EU moneys it was decided that the United Kingdom total would diminish as a consequence of the Berlin summit; by how much; and if he will make a statement. [81224]

The Berlin European Council decided the ceilings on spending across the EU on each major policy category. It did not decide how much was to be spent in each state: that is largely a matter for the Commission's management of the budget. While the Council did make decisions about the rules for allocating the structural and cohesion funds, the Commission has yet to announce the allocations from the Funds for each Member State. These figures will not be available until the regulations are finally approved in May.

To ask the Prime Minister what changes he has made in the composition of the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee. [81680]

Members are traditionally Privy Counsellors who are not members of the Government. Following the resignation of Lord Pym, I have appointed the Lord Hurd of Westwell to be a member of the Committee. He will join Lord Thomson of Monifieth and Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde. Lord Thomson has been appointed to chair the Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been allocated to the Victims Liaison Unit; and how much has been spent and on what projects.[80232]

To date the Victims Liaison Unit has been allocated the £5 million announced by the Prime Minister in his statement of 12 May 1998. The Unit has been consulting widely with the victims community with a view to identifying needs and prioritising how this money can best be allocated. In the meantime, I have announced a number of significant funding initiatives to the value of £2,196,170, to support victims and a Newsletter outlining progress has been placed in the House of Commons Library.The allocation to date can be summarised as follows:

£
Allocation	Amount
The Northern Ireland Memorial Fund	1,000.000
The Trauma Centre	700,000
The Educational Bursary Scheme	250,000
Community Groups Projects—to be administered by the Community Relations Council	200,000

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler) of 10 February 1999, Official Report, column 285, on research into the production of genetically modified grasses for grazing, what procedures would need to be adopted under what legislation for the production of such crops for (a) research, including legal grazing by animals and (b) sale for grazing; and what powers he has to prohibit such activity. [72181]

[holding answer 22 February 1999]: All research releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are governed by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 (amended in 1995 and 1997) which give effect to Part VI of the Environment Protection Act 1990 and implement the EC Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms.Anyone intending to produce or grow genetically modified grasses for research purposes requires a consent from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. This includes the requirement to carry out a detailed environmental risk assessment.For grazing to be permitted on grasses grown for research purposes, the consent would have explicitly to include this permission. This would be allowed only where the applicant could show that such activities would involve negligible risk.The sale of genetically modified grasses is governed by EC Directive 90/220 on the deliberate release of GMOs. No GMO may be sold without a consent issued under this Directive. A notifier may apply through any EC Member State, which then invites comments from all other Member State, before an agreement is reached at Community level. The marketing consent is then valid across the EC.The Secretary of State may prohibit or restrict the release of the GMO where information comes to light indicating risk to human health or the enviroment.Where this involves the sale of a GMO product, the provisional restriction must be cleared by the European Community in order to have permanent effect.

To ask the Secretary of the State for the Enviroment, Transport and the Regions what measures he plans to take to raise public awareness of maximum national speed limits for various classes of road vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [79691]

Details of the national speed limits are contained in the Highway Code. The theory test for learner drivers of all classes of vehicles contains appropriate questions about different speed limits Although we have no immediate plans to publicise vehicle speed limits more widely, we will look at the issue of vehicle speed limit signing as part of the wider review of speed management policy which is currently under way.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information was provided to staff at Crosby Driving Test Centre, prior to its closure, concerning the future of the test centre and its staff. [80722]

Staff at the Crosby centre were kept informed about its future in the months prior to March 1998 by their line management, and relocations to neighbouring test centres in the event of Crosby closing were discussed. On 10 March 1998, the Driving Standards Agency's Northern Area Deputy Manager wrote to staff at the Crosby test centre. The note confirmed oral briefings the staff had already received from their local Supervising Examiner and provided an update about the imminent expiry of the lease on the centre at the end of March.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to establish a public interest company or trust for the London Underground.[81117]

Our plan is to implement a public-private partnership for London Underground. This will require changes to the structure of London Underground as a company, so that it becomes an operations business, responsible for operating train services and stations. It will remain in the public sector and will transfer in due course to the Greater London Authority and Transport for London, restoring local democratic accountability for its performance. We have no plans to establish a trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the financial advice given to his Department and London Transport indicated that a public private partnership for London Underground represented best value. [81116]

The financial advice which informed our decision to pursue a public-private partnership for London Underground suggested that this route was likely to offer best value. The reasons for the Government's choice of the option currently being taken forward by London Underground were set out in a paper, "London Underground Public-Private Partnership: Facts and Analysis", which was deposited in the Library on 20 March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 1999, Official Report, column 404, on London Transport, what is the asset value of buildings held by London Transport. [81115]

As at 31 March 1998, the total net value for the London Transport Group, net of depreciation and disposals and based on (1) infrastructure and other property and (2) assets in the course of construction, is £6,133.1 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he has had with water companies and the Water Regulator about extending the scope of water metering to include homes which have undergone extensions and conversions since 1990. [80904]

Under the Water Industry Act 1991, water undertakers may fix charges by reference to such matters, and may adopt such methods and principles for the calculation and imposition of the charges, as appear to them to be appropriate. They therefore have considerable scope to extend metering to customers, including to those whose properties have been extended or converted since 1990.However, clause 7 of the Water Industry Bill, currently before Parliament, would introduce a new right for households to remain on an unmeasured charge in their present homes, save where they are meeting certain conditions. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment indicated during the Second Reading of the Bill, 7 December 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from each regional development agency concerning the budgets given to them by his Department; what his response has been; if he will list the regional development agencies with which his Department is in dispute over the budget allocation; what mechanisms he plans to introduce to enable regional development agencies to negotiate for their budgets in the future; what impact disputes between the regional development agencies and his Department on the budget allocation are having on the day-to-day running of the agencies; and if he will make a statement. [80795]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning has received a letter from the Chairman of the South West of England Regional Development Agency about funding for staff engaged on projects to regenerate the Royal William Yard, Plymouth and Temple Quay, Bristol. Discussions are taking place between officials of the Department and officers of the Agency and my right hon. Friend will reply to the Chairman as soon as these are complete.There have also been contacts between officials in the Department and officers in other regional development agencies about their budgets. These discussions have been constructive and do not amount to our being "in dispute" with the agencies.For future years, the agencies will bid for resources as part of an annual corporate planning round.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to cap the prices charged by water companies which raise their charges by unjustifiable amounts; and if he will make a statement. [80787]

Water companies in England and Wales are subject to economic regulation by the Director General of Water Services. The Director General sets annual price limits and oversees the operation of the tariff basket, to which overall price limits apply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the (a) expected and (b) actual receipts from council tax for each year since the council tax was introduced. [80789]

The information requested is in the table.Expected receipts are the total amount that councils billed for, net of reliefs and council tax benefits, in respect of each financial year and do not, therefore, make an allowance for non-collection.The actual receipts are the amounts received in each financial year against that year's council tax bills. Five authorities in 1994–95 were unable to provide this figure, so a figure of their total council tax receipts minus receipts for arrears has been used. The same applies to one authority in 1995–96.

£ million
	Expected receipts	Actual receipts
1993–94	7,349	6,807
1994–95	7,721	7,220
1995–96	8,220	7,770
1996–97	8,830	8,404
1997–98	9,562	9,134

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to seek powers to prevent the practice of charging rent premiums on assured shorthold tenancy renewals; and if he will make a statement. [81143]

We have no plans at present to seek powers to prevent the practice of some landlords and letting agents charging fees to renew assured shorthold tenancy agreements. However, we will keep the situation under review and if there is clear evidence that there is significant abuse, we will consider whether anything can be done to prevent excessive fees from being charged.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the objectors to the application to release genetically modified organisms in Monmouthshire. [81347]

The objectors who wrote to the Department to raise concerns about the proposed release were private individuals and we do not have their authority to publish their names.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the interim location of the Greater London Authority. [81575]

I expect to be able to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will investigate the appearance on beaches in the South West of beheaded dolphins; and if he will make a statement. [81393]

The Department continues to contract the Institute of Zoology to post-mortem small cetaceans that strand around the shores of England and Wales. The two animals found since the beginning of 1999 on the south Devon coast, which were reported to have been decapitated, were not post-mortemed because they were in too decomposed a state to yield reliable results.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government have taken to tackle fuel poverty in pensioner households. [80944]

We have taken a number of actions to help people suffering from fuel poverty, including pensioner households.We have reduced the level of VAT on fuel, so that people can more easily afford to keep warm. We have also reduced the VAT on energy saving materials installed through Government grant schemes, so that they can more easily insulate their homes. We are now exploring with the European Commission the possibility of a wider reduction in VAT on energy saving materials.We have released substantial additional funds to help improve our housing stock; in total some £5billion is being made available over the lifetime of this Parliament for investment in housing. Most of the additional resources are going to local authorities and will be spent according to the needs and priorities identified in their housing strategy. We estimate that around one third of the money is likely to lead directly or indirectly to improvements in energy efficiency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to improve the provision of adequate social housing for the elderly. [80945]

Our aim is to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home and so promote social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence. The provision of good quality, efficiently managed social housing plays an important part in meeting that aim for older people and for other groups.Over the life of this Parliament, we are making an additional £5 billion available for housing in England, fulfilling our manifesto commitment on the release of capital receipts from the sale of council housing. Most of these additional resources are being directed through local authorities, who need to develop housing strategies for meeting the needs of all groups in their area including older people and to make investment decisions based on robust local assessments of housing need.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received concerning the incidence of serious illnesses amongst women employed in the electronics industry who are, or have been, exposed to organic solvents and other chemicals; and if he will make a statement. [81127]

I have received no recent direct representations on this subject. I am, however, aware of media interest and public concern surrounding the issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information he has obtained concerning the possible link between the exposure to organic solvents of women employed in the electronics industry and the incidence amongst women of 0(a) leukaemia, (b) breast cancer, (c) other forms of cancer and (d) foetal abnormalities; and if he will make a statement. [81126]

Some organic solvents used in the electronics industry at exposure levels above the legal occupational exposure limits can cause a variety of known health effects, but the Health and Safety Executive believes there is no link with leukaemia, breast cancer or other forms of cancer.There is a body of scientific literature suggesting a possible association between excessive exposure to various organic solvents and foetal abnormalities, but the evidence is inconclusive and it is not specific to the electronics industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned recently on the effects on workers of the use of organic solvents in industry; and if he will make a statement. [81129]

Over the past three years, the Health and Safety Executive has commissioned much research on the effects on workers of the use of organic solvents.Specific studies have included an investigation into spontaneous abortion in the UK semiconductor industry, an assessment of the hazards from cleaning chemical use in the catering industry, and the neurotoxicity of paint solvents.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the risk of miscarriage to women working in the Scottish semiconductor industry relative to that of women working in other industries; and if he will make a statement. [81150]

In 1998, the Health and Safety Executive published the results of an investigation into miscarriages among women in the UK semiconductor industry, a copy of which is in the Library. No separate assessment was made for women who worked in Scotland. The study found no evidence that the incidence of miscarriage in workers in the UK semiconductor industry was higher than the national average.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 13 April 1999, Official Report, column 5, what plans he has to issue a consultation paper on his proposals for the public funding arrangements for the railways; and if he will list the representations he has received on this matter. [81601]

We suggested in the White Paper (Cm 3950) "A New Deal for Transport" and in our response (Cm 4204) to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's Report on the Strategic Rail Authority and Railway Regulation that a proportion of access charges might be paid direct by the SRA rather than via the train operating companies. The Deputy Prime Minister asked the Rail Regulator for his views on the advantages and disadvantages of direct funding; we expect to receive them shortly. Since publication of the White Paper and our response to the Select Committee, we have received a number of representations on the public funding arrangements for the railways.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the definition of a steeply sloping plot within Part M of the Building Regulations which come into force in October will be based solely on the topography of the site. [81445]

The new Approved Document for Part M of the Building Regulations makes no reference to the topography of the site, as this will change with excavation and earth moving. A steeply sloping plot is defined as a plot gradient of more than 1 in 15. Plot gradient is defined as the gradient measured between the finished floor level of the dwelling and the point of access, which is the point at which a person visiting a dwelling would normally alight from a vehicle prior to approaching the dwelling. This point may be within or outside the plot. The guidance in the Approved Document anticipates that in most circumstances it should be possible to provide a level or ramped approach and a stepped approach would be the exception, used only when unavoidable.

To ask the President of the Council what information the Government will be giving to the general public about the millennium bug; and if she will make a statement.[81699]

The public should look principally to goods and services providers for advice about the likely effect of the date change on supply. The Government and Action 2000 are encouraging organisations to communicate with their customers. For instance, the British Bankers Association, APACS and the Building Societies Association have published (on 5 March) "Your Money and the Millennium", reassuring customers that cash machines will work and that there will be ample supplies of bank notes, so that customers do not need to hoard them.There is a role for the Government in bringing together basic information so that the public can have an overall picture of the likely impact of the Bug on their daily lives. In October 1998, Action 2000 published "Homecheck": this provided practical advice about the impact of the Bug on domestic appliances and PCs. The Government will build on this with the issue of further information, beginning in the late Spring, supported by limited TV and press advertising. This will cost around £5 million. The information will also be available from the Action 2000 Actionline and on its website.The information programme will be underpinned by market research tracking changes in public perception of the Millennium Bug, particularly among key sub-groups like the elderly. The first results from this market research are being placed in the libraries of the House and published on the Internet today.Action 2000 will continue to release information through the National Infrastructure Forum about the independent assessment of the readiness to meet the date change of providers of critical public services. It will also encourage them to communicate these messages to their customers. Action 2000 will be using press advertising to give this important information maximum publicity. This will cost some £2 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much money the Millennium Commission has paid to external consultants in respect of each of the Landmark projects; [80693](2) what

These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list each of the new responsibilities which he will assume when the signed Treaty of Amsterdam takes effect and for each (a) the likely effect on departmental staffing, (b) the bodies or persons in the European Union principally concerned and (c) the relevant section of that treaty and the consolidated treaties of the European Union and European Community. [80412]

We do not expect the Treaty of Amsterdam to result in any significant new responsibilities for this Department. The Department regularly reviews its staffing arrangements in relation to European Union business but has no plans to alter these specifically in relation to the Treaty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day since May 1997; and what percentage of them received a substantive reply on that day. [80730]

[holding answer 15 April 1999]: Between 1 May 1997 and 15 April 1999, a total of 828 named day parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by my Department. Of these, 26 per cent. (214) received a substantive reply on the day requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the constitution for the National Family and Parenting Institute; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [80812]

The Government announced the establishment of the Trustee Board of the National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) on 15 March 1999. The NFPI is an independent charity which will be supported by Government funding of £2 million over the next three years. The NFPI has just been incorporated as a company. As such, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the NFPI are a public document held at Companies House. I have requested that a copy be sent to the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with local authorities concerning the body piercing of minors. [81422]

In 1996, the then Government consulted on proposals affecting local authority control of skin piercing businesses. We have concluded that legislation which would give local authorities outside London powers to regulate cosmetic body piercing businesses, should be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time can be found. There has, however, been no consultation specifically relating to the body piercing of minors.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will introduce legislation to prohibit body piercing of minors without their parents' or guardians' consent; [81424](2) if he will list the statutory provisions which cover the body piercing of minors; [81423]

Tattooing of children under the age of 18 is an offence under the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969. As regards the piercing of one person's body by another person, this could, in certain circumstances, be held to be an assault.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning body piercing of minors. [81425]

We have received a small number of letters from Members of Parliament and members of the general public asking us to give further consideration to the introduction of the new legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations govern the minimum age at which a person can (a) be tattooed, (b) have their ears pierced and (c) have other parts of the body pierced. [80860]

Tattooing of children under the age of 18 is an offence under the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969. There are no specific regulations setting a specific minimum age for other forms of body piercing. The question of what is a valid consent is governed by common law. Whether an offence has been caused therefore depends on the circumstances of each particular case. The degree of competence that can be exercised by children will depend in each case on the relative maturity of the child concerned, as well as upon his or her age. The Courts have held that if a person under the age of 18 is capable of understanding the nature of the act that is being done, he or she is capable of giving a valid consent to it unless Statute provides otherwise.Other types of body piercing, however, are not necessarily subject to these provisions. For example, children under the age of 16 cannot consent to what would otherwise be an indecent assault; whether an indecent assault occurred would depend on the facts of the individual case. Any establishment offering certain types of body piercing would therefore need to satisfy themselves as to the age of their customer and that he/she was capable of giving a valid consent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has obtained regarding the legality of demonstrations by lorry drivers. [81599]

None. The enforcement of road traffic and public order legislation is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police. It is for them to enforce the law in the light of any action taken by lorry drivers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in Cleveland Police Force are under investigation in the Redwood inquiry; how many have been charged; and if he will make a statement. [81165]

The "Redwood" inquiry is an on-going investigation and, for operational reasons, it would be inappropriate at this stage to make any further comment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of serving CID officers in Cleveland Police Force are under investigation in the Lancet inquiry in the boroughs of (a) Middlesbrough, (b) Stockton, (c) Langbaurgh and (d) Hartlepool; and if he will make a statement. [81164]

Operation Lancet is currently investigating 31 Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers. Eight of the 31 are suspended from duty. The remaining 23 officers are currently serving as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of the police operations which are directed towards disciplinary offences in the Cleveland Police. [80798]

The identity of police operations directed towards disciplinary offences is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of Cleveland, but it is well known that Operation Lancet is an inquiry into allegations of criminal and disciplinary offences against some Cleveland Police officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are working on the (a) Lancet and (b) Redwood inquiries into Cleveland Police; and if he will make a statement. [80797]

There are 21 police officers currently working on Operation Lancet. Three of those officers are from Northamptonshire Police. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 13 April 1999, Official Report, column 11.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of applicants who will seek to register with the Immigration Services Commissioner in the first year of operation. [81405]

It is difficult to predict with any certainty how many immigration advisers will seek to register with the Immigration Services Commissioner in that body's first year of operation. Our best estimate is that about 200 individuals and organisations will seek to register.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a ceremony to mark the award of UK citizenship. [81353]

As I indicated in a lecture on Citizenship which I gave in Liverpool on 12 April, I am in principle in favour of such ceremonies. I have asked officials to look into the possibility of introducing them into the United Kingdom. Upon completion of their examination, I shall make a statement to the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the scanning of existing files in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate onto computer is scheduled (a) to commence and (b) to be completed. [80771]

There has never been any intention of scanning onto computer all 4.5 million of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's existing registered paper files.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will return to the level of casework it was achieving prior to the implementation of new work arrangements and its relocation to new offices. [80769]

There are positive signs of improvement in many of the business areas of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. But before accurate projections can be made of output of casework in a team-based environment, the recovery team I have established needs to review and collect further data on productivity. Projections of output improvement will be available in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff employed in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate have (a) resigned and (b) requested a transfer to another department in (i) the last six months and (ii) each of the last five years. [80767]

A total of 112 staff resigned from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in the six months October 1998 to March 1999. Resignations for the previous five annual years is as follows:

Year	Number
1998	363
1997	250
1996	149
1995	106
1994	110

The significantly higher 1998 figure can be attributed to a higher than usual number of resignations in the junior grade of Administrative Assistant. This is largely due to a significant increase in the number of casual staff employed during this period, a number of whom resigned during the period of their appointment.Information on the number of staff requesting transfers to other departments for the periods specified is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a list of all the documents (a) which have been made available for public consultation in respect of the Hillsborough disaster and (b) which have since been withdrawn. [81111]

Following the Home Secretary's announcement of the outcome of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's scrutiny of the Hillsborough disaster, as much of the evidence considered by the scrutiny as possible was placed in the Library. The material is comprised of:

Transcripts of interviews with those who gave evidence to Lord Justice Stuart-Smith;

Other records of discussions held by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith, where transcripts were not made;

Written evidence provided to Lord Justice Stuart-Smith by witnesses;

Other written statements consulted at the request of the families;

Statements by South Yorkshire Police officers (in their original and amended forms);

Oral and written submissions made to Lord Justice Stuart-Smith by Counsel and others on behalf of the Family Support Group;

Transcripts of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's Open Meeting on 6 October and meeting with Counsel for the Family Support Group on 30 September;

South Yorkshire Police Operational Orders for the 1988 and 1989 semi-finals; Statements by the Police Complaints Authority;

Report produced by David Phillips of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary at request of South Yorkshire Police;

Report by Noel Burne (structural engineer) at the request of South Yorkshire Police Authority;

Police videotapes TB 1, 2, 3 and 4;

Written evidence provided to Lord Justice Stuart-Smith by those whom he consulted.

The names of those who gave written or oral evidence to the scrutiny, and those whom Lord Justice Stuart-Smith consulted, are set out in Appendix 1 of his report.No documents have been withdrawn from the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish for the last six months Middlesbrough's monthly crime figures. [80799]

The requested data are not available centrally. Recorded crime data for England and Wales for the 1998–99 year, which are collected quarterly by police force area, will be published by the Home Office in October 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which scientific journals and other open publications staff from the Police Scientific Development Branch (Sandridge) have published papers since January 1997; and on what date the papers appeared in each of the journals and publications. [80831]

The Police Scientific Development Branch has published the following papers since January 1997:

"Replacements for CFC113 in the Ninhydrin Process: Parts 1". D. F. Hewlett and V. G. Sears. J. Forensic Ident., 1997, 47, 287.

"Replacements for CFC113 in the Ninhydrin Process: Parts 2". D. F. Hewlett, V. G. Sears and S. Suzuki. J. Forensic Ident., 1997, 47, 300.

"Specification for a Police Video Enhancement System". T. Collins. European Conference on Security and Detection, 28–30 April 1997.

Testing Times for Body Armour, M. J. Pettit, Police Review Magazine 1997. Self Defence Equipment—Performance Standards and Specifications, Dr. J. Tan, APPS Police and Industry Conference Proceedings 1997.

"Low Angle X-ray Scatter for Explosives Detection: a Geometry Optimization". Luggar R. D., Horrocks J. A., Speller R. D. & Lacey R. J. Appl. Radiat. Osot, Vol 48, No.2, 1997.

"Exploitation of X-Ray Technology for the Detection of Contraband—Aviation Security Applications". Murray N. C., Lacey R. J. & Mason P. H. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security and Detection, Vol. 437, April 1997.

"Some Advances in the Use of Raman Spectroscopy in Security Screening Applications". Lacey R. J. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security and Detection, Vol. 437, April 1997.

"Developments in Contraband Detection Using X-ray Technology". Murray N. C., Lacey R. J., Mason P. M., Rushbrooke J. G. 1997 ONDCP International Symposium, Applied Counterdrug Law Enforcement Technology.

"The Police Use of CCTV at a Political Conference". R. Rodger. 13th Annual ADPA Symposium and Exhibition on Security Technology. 1997.

"The Performance Limits of Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems". M. Thompson. 13th Annual ADPA Symposium and Exhibition on Security Technology 1997.

"AMETHYST: System for Initial Automatic Video Assessment of Perimeter Alarms". G. Leach INMM Conference 1997.

"Ergonomic Design Considerations for Public Area CCTV Safety and Security Applications". E. Wallace, C. Diffley, E. Baines and J. Aldridge. International Ergonomics Association, Tampere, Finland 1997.

"AMETHYST. Automatic Alarm Assessment: becoming a reality" Michael Horner et al. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.

"Physical Security—where are we going?" G. L. Thomas and M. J. Thompson. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.

"Specification for a police video enhancement system". T. Collins. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.

"Active fence structures and toppings" I. Wassell. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.

"Sensitivity variations in linear microphonic cables". G. Leach & M. Homer. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1997.

"Good practice for the management and operation of town centre CCTV". E. Wallace et al. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security & Detection April 1997.

"A single performance measure for perimeter intruder detection systems". G. J. Leach. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security & Detection April 1997.

"Enhancing the performance of fences: effects and evaluation". I. J. Wassell. ECOS '97 European Conference on Security & Detection April 1997.

"A digital fingerprint capture workstation". T. Kent & J. Rason. International Association of Investigations Conference 1998. Little Rock, USA.

"The dependence of detection system performance on fence construction and detector location". S. Tarr & G. Leach. Proceedings of the International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology 1998.

"Measuring the image quality of digital cameras". J. J. Rason. RPS Medical and Forensic Imaging Symposium. Both April 1998.

"Detection of drugs and related compounds by Raman spectroscopy". R. J. Lacey et al. ONDCP International Conference on counter-drug technology. Washington March 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans he has to house Kosovan refugees in British seaside resorts; and if he will make a statement.[80906]

The Government's priority remains to ensure that as far as possible, Kosovan refugees receive protection in the region so that they can return easily to their homes when it is safe for them to do so. However, contingency planning is well in hand if the United Kingdom needs to receive a programme of refugees from Kosovo.We have no specific plans to house refugees in British seaside resorts, but are looking at accommodation throughout the United Kingdom that could be used for reception centres where refugees could be cared for prior to moving into more permanent accommodation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was (a) the time when (i) inappropriate material relating to Sergeant Virdi' s case was created on the police computer system and (ii) Sergeant Virdi was recorded as acting as custody officer at Acton early on 24 December 1997, (b) the time when Sergeant Virdi was first (i) interviewed, (ii) cautioned, (iii) arrested, (iv) first and (v) last put under surveillance, (c) the time when inappropriate material was created on the police computer system in January 1998, and which officers were (i) interviewed, (ii) cautioned, (iii) arrested and (iv) put under surveillance; whether he received a report on the investigation and recording of the racial attack in 15 March 1998 in which Sergeant Virdi was an arresting officer; when and why Sergeant Virdi was reprimanded for maintaining his interest in the police activity relating to the racial attack; on which occasions Sergeant Virdi's senior officers used any independent element in investigating the events and complaints; what were the numbers and ranks of police officers involved in searching Sergeant Virdi's home on 15 April 1998, and the time taken in the search; what was the normal purpose and use of a POLSA search; and when and how material from Sergeant Virdi' s locker at Hanwell was taken to the police station safe at Ealing. [80631]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that disciplinary proceedings are still being considered in relation to Sergeant Virdi. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment: on the points (a)(i); (a)(ii); (c);(c)(i); (c)(ii); (c)(iii); (c)(iv); on the occasions when Sergeant Virdi's senior officers used any independent element in investigating the events and complaints: or on the numbers and ranks of police officers conducting the search of Sergeant Virdi's home on 15 April 1998.In relation to points

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Kosovans have appealed for asylum in the United Kingdom per month since 1 January 1998. [80448]

The available information given in the table relates to applications for asylum submitted from nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. To break this down into the number of Kosovans could be obtained only by examination of individual case records and is, therefore, available only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, 1998 and 1999, by month, nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Number
January 1998	270
February 1998	270
March 1998	280
April 1998	385
May 1998	315
June 1998	680
July 1998	845
August 1998	905
September 1998	870
October 1998	1,160
November 1998	735
December 1998	675
January 1999	710
February 1999	550
Total	8,650
1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of applicants' passports held at the Immigration and Nationality Department awaiting a decision; what arrangements he will make for temporary travel documents to be issued for those whose applications are delayed as a result of reorganisation at IND; and what proposals he has for offering compensation to those who are disadvantaged as a result of the delays. [76615]

[pursuant to his reply, 18 March 1999, c. 720-22]: There are approximately 139,000 cases awaiting action in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, of which approximately 22,000 contain passports. Travel Documents will be issued only to people who have valid leave to remain in the United Kingdom. It is, therefore, not possible to issue documents where an application for leave remains outstanding, although passports will be returned to applicants where they need to travel. Compensation will be paid only in cases of maladministration where the costs are reasonable and have been actually and necessarily incurred; each case will be treated on its merits.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to paragraph 5.81 in Budget 99 (HC 298), what detailed procedures will be followed to undertake the environmental appraisals.[813961]

The procedures to be followed when undertaking environmental appraisals are set out in Government guidance on "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" (Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 1998). These guidelines make clear that a policy should be subject to a full environmental appraisal when it is likely to have a significant effect on the environment, and that the level of resources devoted to each appraisal should be proportionate to the policy or programme.This guidance applies equally to the Budget measures, and it is the approach used when evaluating the numerous options which are considered in preparation for the Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the additional income and staff required by the Financial Services Authority if it assumes regulatory responsibility for loans secured on land as (a) first mortgages within the scope of the Council of Mortgage Lenders Code, (b) other loans secured on land with a value over £25,000 and (c) consumer credit loans with a value below £25,000. [81591]

I have asked the Financial Services Authority to carry out this analysis and will take it into account in the review, to be carried out later this year, of whether mortgage advice should be regulated.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the procedure by which Customs and Excise informs businesses of changes to the VAT rules; and if he will make a statement. [81590]

Customs and Excise use a variety of ways to inform business of changes to the VAT rules. In all cases, changes are notified by VAT Notes, which are sent to all VAT registered businesses. Changes which stem from the Budget are announced in Customs and Excise Budget Notices, available from local VAT offices on Budget Day, after the Chancellor has sat down. Other changes are notified to businesses by Business Briefs, also available from local VAT offices and issued to subscribers. All these publications are also available on the Internet.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what systems are in place to enable his Department to notify self-employed people paying National Insurance contributions by direct debit, that those payments are not being received. [80934]

[holding answer 16 April 1999]: The Department is not aware of any occasions where payments by direct debit, from self-employed customers, have not been received.On those occasions when the Department, as a result of problems, has been unable to collect National Insurance Contributions from Self Employed Customers, it has identified and written to all those affected.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average retail price of a packet of 20 cigarettes in each member state of the European Union. [81587]

The information is as follows:

Cigarettes
Pence
Member state	Retail selling price per pack of 20 cigarettes
Austria	163
Belgium	184
Denmark	283
Finland	260
France	210
Germany	189
Greece	128
Ireland	280
Italy	134
Luxembourg	128
Netherlands	171
Potugal	122
Spain	80
Swedan	267
UK	364

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the proportion of the average retail price of a packet of 20 cigarettes which is taken in tax on each member state of the European Union. [81589]

The information is as follows:

Cigarettes
Percentage
Member State	Total Tax as proportion of retail selling price per pack of 20 Cigarettes
Austria	74.0
Belgium	74.6
Denmark	81.7
Finland	76.2
France	75.4
Germany	70.8
Greece	72.7
Ireland	77.3
Italy	74.7
Luxembourg	68.6
Netherlands	71.9
Portugal	79.7
Spain	73.1
Sweden	70.3
UK	79.3

Source:European Commission (Directorate General XXI) Excise Duty Tables (December 1998).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which authorised person under the Financial Services Act 1986 approved the Inland Revenue ISA advertisements. [81105]

[holding answer 16 April 1999]: No such approval was needed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) consultancy and (b) other contracts his Department has had with KPMG since 1 May 1997; and if KPMG is a prospective candidate for contracts his Department is intending to let. [81421]

[holding answer 19 April 1999]: The Treasury has let two contracts with KPMG since May 1997, one for consultancy on "Credit Risk Policy" for the Debt Management Office, and the other to carry out a telephone survey on "Small to Medium Enterprises".KPMG is a prospective candidate for future contracts. The contracts cannot be disclosed as they are commercially confidential until an award has been announced.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations he carried out into the levels of emissions from cars of under 1100 cc before reducing the vehicle excise duty on those vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [81258]

[holding answer 19 April 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor proposed reducing VED on the smallest cars in the 1998 Budget. He issued a consultation document setting out the options for reforming vehicle excise duty with the Pre-Budget Report in November last year and took into account a range of factors before deciding to reduce VED on cars under 1100cc by £55.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the public appointments for which his

Public Bodies
Body	Status	Appointment	Salary/fee
Bank of England Court	Public Corporation	1 Chairman	£227,000 p.a.
		1 Deputy	£191,500 p.a.
		1 Member	£153,000 p.a.
		1 Member	£142,167 p.a.
		1 Member	£142,167 p.a.
		2 Members	£125,500 p.a.
		12 Members	£500 p.a.
Policyholders Protection Board	Executive NDPB	5 Members	£200 per day
Financial Services Tribunal	Tribunal NDPB	1 Chairman	£380 per day
		2 Members	£275 per day
Section 706 Tribunal	Tribunal NDPB	1 Chairman	£900 p.a.
		8 Members	£500 p.a.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what means he plans to enable businesses which wish to use the euro in Britain to do so; what estimate he has made of the cost of such measures; what plans he has to make it possible for businesses which wish to use other currencies to do so; and if he will make a statement. [80667]

[holding answer 15 April 1999]: The introduction of the euro in 11 member states at the start of this year signalled a fundamental change in the business environment for UK firms. In recognition of this, the Government have taken a number of steps to facilitate UK business use of the euro. These steps are outlined in the regular Treasury report "Getting ready for the euro", copies of which are in the House Library.Where there is demand, and where it is sensible, Government Departments and agencies already deal with UK firms in major foreign currencies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long it takes the Bank of England on average to set up and print a new bank note after the initial design is completed. [76194]

[holding answer 15 April 1999]: Much of this information is already available in Public Bodies 1998, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.The majority of public appointments are unpaid as most of those who accept a public appointment do so on a voluntary basis. The details of those appointments to public (and other) bodies that attract a fee or salary, which Treasury Ministers are responsible for, are as follows:

[holding answer 12 March 1999]: The set-up time from approval of note design to the issue of the note is dependent on the specification, the complexity and the required launch volumes. The duration of the origination and plate-making process, and the set-up and proof printing for the Bank of England and other Central Banks in general, is between four and five months. However, if the banknote contains features that require additional equipment, then the lead time of that equipment must be included. Specialist equipment lead times can be up to one year.The actual printing can take up to eight months dependent on the number of notes required.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate number of each denomination of sample euro notes printed by the Bank of England. [76196]

[holding answer 12 March 1999]: The sample involved the Bank printing some 2 million each of the 20 and 50 euro notes and 5 million of the 5 euro note for pre-production trial purposes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 his Department has made available to the European Scrutiny Committee (1) Council working documents; [80542](2) unofficial texts of draft European legislation. [80549]

[holding answer 13 April 1999]: HM Treasury receives a large volume of both official, unofficial and working texts during the course of negotiations on EU legislation. In order to facilitate the work of the European Scrutiny Committee, Explanatory Memorandums are often submitted on the basis of unofficial texts if an official text, formally circulated to Member States from the Council Secretariat, has not yet been received. HM Treasury keep the Committee informed of substantive progress in negotiations by supplementary Memoranda or Ministerial letter, sometimes accompanied by a draft text if appropriate. It would involve disproportionate cost to provide a definitive list of the unofficial draft documents made available to the Committee since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the criteria for selection of members of the euro task forces. [81046]

The Government have consulted widely in taking forward euro preparations. For instance, in October 1997, the Chancellor set up a Business Advisory Group (BAG), headed by Lord Simon, to advise on the practical issues associated with UK membership. Representative organisations were invited to send their own nominated members.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list and quantify the revisions/forecasting changes referred to in Table 2.5 of the Red Book. [80865]

Revisions to the forecasts of government receipts and expenditure since the Pre-Budget Report are shown in tables B11 and B13 of the March 1999 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list and provide an explanation of the changes to the components of Annually Managed Expenditure referred to in paragraph 2.57 of the Red Book. [80859]

Changes to the forecast of Annually Managed Expenditure since the Comprehensive Spending Review are listed and explained in paragraph 2.9 and table 2.2 of "Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses 1999–2000" (Cm 4201), published in March 1999.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total level of Government debt in cash terms in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000, (e) 2000–01, (f) 2001–02, (g) 2002–03 and (h) 2003–04. [80889]

The stock of public sector net debt at end-March 1997 is set out in the monthly Office for National Statistics First Release 'Public Sector Finances'. Estimates and projections of the stock of debt in subsequent years were published in table B8 of the March 1999 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the figures used in preparing Chart 2.4 of the Red Book on the basis of (a) per cent. of GDP and (b) cash terms; and if he will estimate the effect of the same assumptions on the public sector net cash requirement over the same periods. [80866]

Figures used in Chart 2.4 as a per cent. of GDP can be found in Table 2.6 of the Red Book and are reproduced from 1990–91 onwards in the following table. Figures for the cautious case can be calculated by applying the ready reckoners set out in Table 3.1 of 'Fiscal policy: public finances and the cycle', published on 9 March alongside the Red Book. Figures can be converted to cash terms using money GDP figures from Table 2.1 of 'Economic Trends', published by the Office for National Statistics, and Table B4 of the Red Book.The cyclical behaviour of the public sector net cash requirement matches (with opposite sign) that of the current budget. Figures for the cyclically adjusted public sector net cash requirement can thus be calculated by applying the difference between the actual and cyclically adjusted surplus on current budget to the public sector net cash requirement (set out in Tables B26 and B27 of the Red Book). Figures for the cautious case and in cash terms can be calculated by use of the methods set out.

Cyclically adjusted surplus on current budget, central case
Per cent. of GDP
1990–91	—0.8
1991–92	—1.2
1992–93	—3.5
1993–94	—3.7
1994–95	—3.3
1995–96	—2.8
1996–97	—2.4
1997–98	—0.7
1998–99	0.2
1999–2000	0.6
2000–01	1.0
2001–02	1.1
2002–03	0.9
2003–04	1.0

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his official engagements for 9 and 10 March. [80883]

I delivered the Budget statement in the House on 9 March. Over the two days referred to, I also had a number of meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 17 March 1999, Official Report, column 658, on the European Central Bank, if he has been informed of the salary of the President of the Bank. [80396]

No. As I set out in my answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and the Border (Mr. Maclean) on 17 March 1999, Official Report, column 658, decisions on the terms and conditions of employment of the ECB Executive Board, including the President, are for the ECB. There is no obligation on members of the ECB Executive Board to reveal details of their terms and conditions of employment, including their salaries.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Macpherson Inquiry recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [80521]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 April 1999, Official Report, columns 239–40.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many births to girls conceiving under the age of 16 years there were in each local authority in Wales in each of the past 10 years.[81332]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.