To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to support the cashmere industry. [77648]

My Department has worked hard to support the UK cashmere knitwear industry. In response to the US threat of punitive duties on imports of cashmere knitwear from the EU, we announced a bond scheme which indemnified exporters of UK-manufactured cashmere against losses arising from the US action. In the event, and after intensive lobbying from the UK Government, the US removed cashmere knitwear from the list of products subject to the US retaliation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implementation of the provisions of the minimum wage legislation. [81940]

We estimate that implementation of the national minimum wage has directly benefited almost 2 million workers. Initial feedback indicates that very few employers are deliberately seeking to evade their responsibilities. Recent research commissioned by Reed Personnel Services shows that almost 9 out of 10 companies surveyed support the national minimum wage in principle and were paying their workers the minimum wage rates in advance of its introduction on 1 April.The Inland Revenue is enforcing the national minimum wage policy, and will supply this Department with data on all matters relating to compliance on a regular basis. Further information on the impact of the introduction of the minimum wage will be available once official statistics are published in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what regulations apply to the standards of goods and services sent to the United Kingdom by companies based overseas; and if he will make a statement. [82043]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: As far as I am aware, all the regulations for which my Department has responsibility dealing with goods and services supplied in the UK, apply irrespective of whether the company supplying those goods or services are based within the UK or elsewhere overseas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the future of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's reinsurance facilities. [82624]

Following the privatisation of ECGD's Insurance Services Group in 1991, which was responsible for providing credit insurance in respect of raw materials, consumer durables type exports normally sold on up to 6 months credit, ECGD has provided reinsurance support to private sector credit insurers when there has been a lack of private reinsurance for this class of exports. Since then, demand for ECGD reinsurance has declined as private market capacity has increased. ECGD is to conduct a review of its role in the provision of reinsurance. This will be preceded by a public consultation which will commence shortly. The results of the review are expected in the Autumn.A copy of ECGD's consultation document has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has had with the Assembly election campaign leaders of each of the political parties. [79387]

I am not sure what is meant by "election campaign leaders". I have had no meetings with any individuals in respect of the organisation of the Assembly election campaign for their Party. I have had many contacts with Welsh MPs, including the right hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) and the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire (Mr. Livsey), as the leaders of their Welsh Parliamentary Parties, and as there are no Welsh Conservative MPs, with the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) as the spokesperson for the Conservative Party on Welsh Affairs. I have also had regular informal contact with Mr. Rod Richards and Mr. Mike German as the respective leaders of the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrat Party in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the work he has done to secure (a) Korean and (b) Japanese inward investment into the United Kingdom. [81102]

[holding answer 16 April 1999]: In addition to taking any opportunity to promote Wales to overseas markets, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales has hosted a reception at Lancaster House for senior Japanese industrialists and has written to potential and existing investors. He has also met the Ambassador of each country.I led an inward investment mission to Japan last October. These efforts have been in addition to the day-to-day efforts of the Welsh Development Agency.Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have been diagnosed as suffering limiting long-standing illness or disability in each of the (i) unitary and (ii) health authority areas in Wales for each of the past 10 years. [81338]

Numbers with a limiting long-term illness, by authority
Health authority	Local authority	Long-term illness, health problems or handicap limiting daily activities or work that can be done 1991 Census of population	Long-standing illness, disability or infirmity having troubled or likely to affect a person over a period of time 1997 Welsh household interview survey estimates 1
North Wales		91,275	97,400
	Isle of Anglesey	9,463	11,400
	Gwynedd	15,522	15,300
	Conwy	16,140	15,500
	Denbighshire	14,179	14,200
	Flintshire	18,093	20,700
	Wrexham	17,878	20,300
Dyfed Powys		69,395	70,800
	Powys	15,510	14,200
	Ceredigion	8,320	7,900
	Pembrokeshire	15,239	13,500
	Carmarthenshire	30,326	35,200
Morgannwg		89,493	92,500
	Swansea	37,951	41,300
	Neath Port Talbot	28,799	28,200
	Bridgend	22,743	23,000
Bro Taf		115,054	117,000
	The Vale of Glamorgan	14,793	17,900
	Cardiff	38,426	40,400
	Rhondda Cynon Taff	49,016	46,200
	Merthyr Tydfil	12,819	12,500
Gwent		92,801	96,500
	Caerphilly	32,665	33,700
	Blaenau Gwent	15,291	16,100
	Torfaen	15,535	16,400
	Monmouthshire	9,653	8,000
	Newport	19,657	22,300
Wales		458,018	474,100
1Figures may not add-up exactly due to rounding

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children were living in workless households in each local authority area in Wales in each of the past 10 years. [81331]

The only available information, as given in the following table, is based on the 1991 Census of Population and the 1997 Welsh Household Interview Survey, the latter being a sample survey and subject to sampling error. The two sources are not wholly comparable, but can be used as an indication of the relative numbers by authority in each year.

Information on the basis of a diagnosis is not centrally available. The only available information, as given in the table, is based on the 1991 Census of Population and the 1997 Welsh Household Interview Survey, the latter being a sample survey and subject to sampling error. The two sources are not wholly comparable, but can be used as an indication of the relative numbers by authority in each year.

Children living in workless households, by authority
	Dependent children in households with no adult in employment	Dependent children in households with no one of working age in work
	1991 census of population	1997 Welsh Household Interview Survey estimates1
Isle of Anglesey	2,884	2,800
Gwynedd	3,937	5,500
Conwy	3,157	6,100
Denbighshire	2,917	4,100
Flintshire	4,193	6,800
Wrexham	4,874	6,500
Powys	2,690	3,800
Ceredigion	1,889	2,400
Pembrokeshire	4,726	6,700
Carmarthenshire	5,862	8,500
Swansea	11,264	14,400

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have been diagnosed as suffering from depression in each (i) health and (ii) unitary authority area in Wales in each of the past 10 years. [81339]

In the Welsh Health Survey, a postal survey carried out in 1995, people were asked "Do you have depression now that you have had for 3 months or more?". The following table shows, by health authority and unitary authority, the percentage of the respondents (aged 18 and over) who answered yes. Because of possible response bias in surveys of this nature, the figures given may overstate the actual prevalence of the condition in the population.Information for other years is not available centrally.

Percentage of adult population (aged 18 and over) reporting depression, 1995
Area of residence
North Wales health authority	6.1
Isle of Anglesey	5.1
Gwynedd	6.1
Conwy	6.1
Denbighshire	5.2
Flintshire	6.1
Wrexham	6.9
Dyfed Powys health authority	7.6
Powys	6.9
Ceredigion	7.7
Pembrokeshire	7.5
Carmarthenshire	7.9
Morgannwg health authority	7.3
Swansea	6.9
Neath Port Talbot	8.8
Bridgend	6.7
Bro Taf health authority	8.7
Vale of Glamorgan	7.4
Cardiff	7.3
Rhondda, Cynon, Taff	10.7
Merthyr Tydfil	10.5

Percentage of adult population (aged 18 and over) reporting depression, 1995
Area of residence
Gwent health authority	7.2
Caerphilly	8.4
Blaenau Gwent	10.4
Torfaen	7.2
Monmouthshire	4.0
Newport	6.5
Wales	7.4

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total number of genetically modified food trial sites; how frequently they have been inspected by the Health and Safety Executive; and if he will list those sites which have not been inspected in the past 12 months. [72677]

[holding answer 24 February 1999]: Since the current regulations came into force in 1993, genetically modified crops have been grown on approximately 373 individual test sites, some at the same research establishments or farms. In the coming growing season, we have received notifications that genetically modified crops will be grown at 65 different sites.There is no set pattern of inspection. In previous years about half of the active test sites have been inspected each year. From April 1999, inspections will increase so that at least one test site from each consent is inspected. In total, we expect about 70 to 80 site inspections to take place and repeat inspections will be carried out where necessary. Also from this year, an annual report on inspection activities is to be produced listing the sites which were inspected. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library as soon as the report is produced.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many genetically modified animals, by species, have been exported in each year from 1990 to date, and to where. [81262]

[holding answer 19 April 1999]: The information requested is not available. There is no requirement to keep or collect such information.Anyone intending to use premises for the keeping of genetically modified animals in the United Kingdom must give prior notification to the Health and Safety Executive under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations, but there is no requirement to keep records of the export of such animals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to have gathered enough scientific evidence from farm-scale testing of genetically modified crops to make an assessment of the environmental and wildlife consequences of the commercial growing of such crops. [81639]

It is difficult to give a clear statement about when we expect to have gathered enough scientific evidence, but the programme of ecological studies will run for three years in the first instance.In the first year, the evaluations of the effects of the management of the GM crops on wildlife will be carried out on a limited number of sites, as explained in my answer given today to my hon. Friend's other question (PQ 81638). The first year's work will establish the methodology for future years, but will also generate information which could give an early indication of whether there could be adverse effects.The work in the subsequent years 2000 and 2001 will be carried out on at least 20 sites for each crop. Because this work is carried out on a greater number of sites, the results will have greater statistical significance. The research contractors will be following the crops through the cropping rotations in subsequent years.To ensure that this work is scientifically sound, we are in the process of appointing an independent steering committee to oversee the experimental design and methodologies, the statistics, and to advise on the interpretation of the results. I will consider the advice of this committee about at what stage we have gathered enough evidence and whether, and if so, what further studies need to be carried out. The work will be reviewed year by year and we will use this to decide how best to proceed with the managed development of GM crops in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for farm-scale test sites for genetically modified crops in addition to the three he announced on 15 April in the current year. [81638]

This year, three fields of genetically modified (GM) spring oilseed rape and four fields of GM maize will be planted for the farm-scale evaluations and compared with a similar number of fields of equivalent non-GM crops. It is anticipated that three to five fields of GM winter oilseed rape will be planted in August.In subsequent years, at least 20 fields of each crop will be planted to enable the evaluations to be carried out at a scale which will generate sufficient information to ensure that a rigorous statistical analysis can be carried out to identify whether or not the management of the GM crops results in indirect effects on wildlife compared to non-GM crops.Information on the farm-scale evaluations will be published shortly on the DETR Website (www.environment.detr.gov.uk/acre/wildlife/index.htm).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regulations he has applied to the dispersal of seed from genetically modified crops grown in farm-scale test sites over the next five years. [81640]

All the releases of genetically modified (GM) crops will be carried out under the appropriate authorisations in accordance with the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992, as amended. With respect to the control of dispersal of seed, the farmers growing the crops will in addition be applying the guidelines being prepared by the industry body Supply Chain Initiative for Modified Agricultural Crops (SCIMAC). The draft guidelines cover the issue of seed dispersal, and farmers will be advised to take the necessary precautions to prevent seed spillage and dispersal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what quality control measures are in place to ensure that highway repairs undertaken by the Highways Agency are of adequate durability. [81957]

Highway repairs undertaken by the Highways Agency are usually procured under contract and the terms of the contract include the "Specification for Highway Works" (the latest edition was published by the Stationery Office in May 1998). This is the main document that sets out the performance, materials and workmanship requirements.Workmanship on site and contract compliance is supervised by suitably qualified and experienced highway engineers and inspectors commissioned by the Highways Agency.The specification includes detail of checkpoints at which suppliers provide the Highway's Agency's agents with evidence of compliance with the specification either by testing of materials and/or by staged inspection of the work. Work is not accepted until it is certified as meeting the requirements of the specification.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he plans to bring into force the contaminated land regime in Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; [81798](2) when he plans to lay guidance issued under the contaminated land regime before each House of Parliament; [81799]

[holding answer 26 April 1999): Implementation of the contaminated land regime in Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is dependent upon statutory guidance to be issued by the Secretary of State, and also on secondary legislation.The Act requires the Secretary of State to consult the Environment Agency and others before he issues that guidance. Two rounds of consultation on draft texts have been carried out. We intend to issue a further draft of the guidance, for a final round of consultations, in June, with the aim of laying the final draft before each House of Parliament before the Summer recess. We intend to make the Commencement Order and Regulations necessary to implement the Part IIA regime at the same time.This should enable us to bring the regime into force in England on 1 December. Implementation of the regime in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of their respective Secretaries of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the current maximum sentence for serious offences relating to asbestos. [81026]

At present, the higher courts may impose unlimited fines for Health and Safety at work offences, including those related to asbestos, and may imprison people for breaching asbestos licensing requirements. The lower courts may fine up to £20,000 for certain charges, which may be brought in asbestos-related cases, and up to £5,000 for others. However, within the broad statutory limits set by Parliament, sentences in individual cases are a matter for the Courts alone.I am concerned that the general level of penalties imposed by the Courts for Health and Safety offences, including those related to asbestos, do not match their seriousness, especially given that lives are being put at risk. The Government are considering what can be done to address this, including consideration of whether the available maximum penalties remain appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what organisations and individuals he has (a) consulted,

Vacant dwelling stock, by category of ownership, as at 1 April 1998
	Unitary authority	Registered social landlords	All other tenures 1	Total stock
Bath and North East Somerset	133	21	1,231	1,385
Bristol	679	368	4,550	5,597
North Somerset	98	19	3,673	3,790
South Gloucestershire	74	252	2,429	2,555
1 All Other Tenures covers "other public" and "other private" sectors as reported on HIP returns
2Denotes HIP data not available; Housing Corporation Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR) information (as at 31 March) used

Representations have been received over the years since the last revision from many applicants, their legal representatives and from solicitors' organisations. Representations have also been received from the European Commission. All of these are taken into consideration in the review of the Agreements. We have recently received and accepted a request from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers that they be consulted in the review of the Uninsured Drivers Agreement which is nearing completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with (a) Great Western Trains and (b) South Wales and West Railway about improving reliability. [81907]

The Secretary of State had general discussions with both these Train Operating Companies at the November 1998 and February 1999 Rail Summits. OPRAF monitors the performance of franchise agreements by Train Operating Companies and agrees remedial action with them as necessary to ensure compliance with contractual obligations. The reliability and punctuality of Train Operating Companies is reported in OPRAF's Quarterly Bulletins, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he proposes to publish new guidelines on the use of planning obligations. [81908]

It is planned to issue a Consultation Paper on Planning Obligations this year. Current guidelines on the use of Planning Obligations are set out in DOE Circular 1/97.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many vacant dwellings there are in each of the unitary authorities in the former county of Avon. [82302]

The latest available data are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those topics to which subsidiarity cannot apply, being wholly within the sole competence of the European Union. [81430]

There are two topics which are solely within the competence of the European Community by virtue of the Community Treaties, and to which subsidiarity is therefore not applicable. These are: (a)the Common Commercial Policy; and (b)the Common Fisheries Policy insofar as it relates to conservation of marine resources.The Community may also acquire implied exclusive competence by enacting legislation which restricts the ability of Member States to act in a particular area as long as that legislation is in force. Examples of such areas are parts of the Single Market and the Common Agricultural Policy. However, before enacting this legislation, the Community would, since entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty, have had to take subsidiarity concerns into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy when (a) conducting legal proceedings and (b) seeking legal advice as to the circumstances in which Queen's Counsel should be instructed; and for each of the last three years (i) on how many occasions his Department instructed Queen's Counsel and (ii) what was the total cost of instructing Queen's Counsel.[81754]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer he received from my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General on 26 April 1999, Official Report, column 1. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office conducts very few proceedings in the UK domestic courts. For proceedings in international tribunals, such as the International Court of Justice or the European Court of Human Rights, nominations of Counsel to represent the United Kingdom are always sought from the Attorney-General, bearing in mind the level of national importance of a particular issue and the legal expertise required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects diplomatic representation with Iran to be raised to the level of ambassador. [82216]

The exchange of ambassadors with Iran was part of the agreement between the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and his Iranian counterpart Dr. Kharrazi in New York last September. We remain committed to this and expect that the exchange will take place in the next few weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to continue to make representations to the Iranian Government on the position of followers of the Baha'i faith currently living in Iran; and if he will make a statement [82155]

We and our EU partners have regularly raised with the Iranian authorities our concerns over certain aspects of their human rights record, and in particular the plight of the Baha'i community in Iran.An EU sponsored resolution at the recent United Nations Commission on Human Rights, including firm language on the plight of the Baha'is, was adopted on 23 April.We will continue to raise these matters with the Iranian Government in bilateral and EU contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Algerian Government on co-operation with the UN (a) Special Rapporteur on Torture, (b) Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions and (c) Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; and what undertakings he has received from the Algerian Government in this regard. [81986]

I visited the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva on 31 March to deliver the UK national speech. In it, I mentioned our disappointment at Algeria's continued refusal to grant access to the Special Rapporteurs on Torture and on Extrajudicial Killings. With our support, the EU also urged the Algerian government to cooperate with the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances.We have received no undertakings from the Algerian government to cooperate with these UN bodies, even though they are obliged to do so by UN rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government are proposing to take at this year's UN Commission on Human Rights in respect of human rights abuses in Algeria. [81987]

While delivering the UK national speech to this year's UN Commission on Human Rights on 31 March, I expressed our continued disappointment at Algeria's refusal to allow UN human rights bodies access to the country, even though they are obliged to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussion held with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar on 20 April. [82028]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: My right hon. Friend did not meet the Chief Minister on 20 April. However, I had a useful discussion with him which covered the European Parliament vote; financial services; Schengen; Moroccan workers in Gibraltar; and the UK/Spain Summit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for May and the major European Union events for the next six months. [82623]

The information is as follows:

Monthly forecast of business: May 1999
Date	>Venue	>Event
3–7	>Strasbourg	>European Parliament Plenary
6	>Brussels	>EU-ACP Ministerial meeting
7–9	>Weimar	>Environment Ministers (Informal)
10	>Brussels	>ECOFIN
10–11	>Berlin	>Trade Ministers (Informal)
11	>Brussels	>Energy Council
17–18	>Brussels	>General Affairs Council
17–18	>Brussels	>Agriculture Council
18	>Brussels	>EEA Council
18	>Brussels	>Co-operation Council with Russia
18–19	>Weimar	>Culture Ministers (Informal)
20	>Brussels	>Research Council
21	>Brussels	>Development Council
25	>Brussels	>ECOFIN
25	>Brussels	>Labour and Social Affairs Council
27	>Brussels	>Youth Council
27–28	>Brussels	>Justice and Home Affairs Council
31	>Brussels	>General Affairs Council
30 May-1 June	>Dresden	>Agriculture Ministers (Informal)

No agendas have yet been circulated for the above meetings.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out his definition of the term "pooling of economic sovereignty". [81737]

I refer the hon. Member to the oral statement given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 583–88.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his Department's policy when (a) conducting legal proceedings and (b) seeking legal advice as to the circumstances in which Queen's Counsel should be instructed; and for each of the last three years (i) on how many occasions his Department instructed Queen's Counsel and (ii) what was the total cost of instructing Queen's Counsel. [81765]

The Department does use Queen's Counsel in the conduct of its litigation. They are used for important and complex cases. For the rest, the Department uses the panel counsel referred to in the Written Answer to the hon. Member from my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General on 26 April 1999, Official Report, columns 1–2. Approval for off-panel counsel is sought from my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General as necessary. Records are not maintained in a form which would enable the number of occasions in which the Department has instructed Queen's Counsel to be identified in the last three years and the cost of doing so would incur disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much it would be possible to increase the basic state pension, taking into account savings on means-tested benefits and increases in income tax revenues, if the £100 winter fuel payment were abolished and all the proceeds spent on the basic state pension. [81975]

The amount allocated for Winter Fuel Payments for 1999–2000 is £0.8 billion. We estimate that this would provide an increase in the basic State pension for one year only in the order of £2.55 a week for Category A cases and £1.50 a week for category BL cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further plans he has to involve the private sector in the delivery of benefits. [82291]

We have no plans to use the private sector to deliver Social Security benefits. However, we will be using the private sector to support the delivery of new systems and to support staff to manage the changes needed to achieve the Government's objectives for Welfare Reform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of Single Focus Work Gateway pilot projects include private sector involvement. [82293]

Ministers decided in November 1998 that in 4 of the 12 Single Work-focused Gateway (SWFG) areas, organisations from the private and/or voluntary sector would be invited to lead the delivery of SWFG. We would expect to see all successful organisations finally selected to deliver SWFG working in partnership with local organisations from the voluntary, private and public sector within each locality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the reduction in the number of public sector jobs as a result of the use of the private sector for benefit delivery. [82292]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a list of the individuals and organisations that commented on "A New Contract for Welfare-Partnership in Pensions" (Cm 4179). [82635]

A total of 581 responses to the Green Paper on pensions were received. I have arranged for a list, in the order of receipt, of those who submitted comments to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes he has made to his Department's guidance ref. HSG(95)8 regarding the availability of specialist pressure-relieving equipment. [79912]

HSG(95)8 "NHS responsibilities for meeting continuing health care needs" covers the arrangements that health authorities need to make for patients who have continuing health care needs which can be met in hospital, nursing homes or their own homes. The guidance confirms that people in nursing homes may require some regular access to specialist medical, nursing or other community health services, including specialist medical or nursing equipment, but does not specifically list pressure-relieving equipment. There have been no changes to the guidance since it was issued in 1995. In the light of the Health Committee report on the interface between health and social services, there will be a review of continuing health care policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the average salary increase for all health professionals in the NHS in each of the last five years, expressed as a percentage. [81059]

The average salary increase for all health professionals in the National Health Service in each of the last five years is set out in the table.

Percentage
Year
1994–95	3.0
1995–96	2.9
1996–97	3.4
1997–98	3.4
1998–99	4.0

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people sought medical help as the result of body piercing in each of the past three years for which records are available; and if he will make a statement; [80864](2) what powers a local authority has to revoke the ear piercing registration of a person convicted of a sexual assault; and if he will make a statement; [80863](3) if a person registered for ear piercing is allowed to pierce other parts of the body; and if he will make a statement; [80862](4) what

Local authorities in London have powers to control ear piercing and cosmetic body piercing businesses by licensing using provisions in the London Local Authorities Act 1991, or by registration and byelaws using provisions in the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1981, depending on which legislation they have adopted. The majority of London local authorities have adopted licensing powers.Local authorities outside London have powers to register and make byelaws for ear piercing businesses under the provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, but not for cosmetic body piercing businesses.Local authorities are empowered to make byelaws or licence conditions for ear piercing businesses related to hygienic and safe practice. Breaches of these byelaws and licence conditions may lead to the cancellation of registration or a licence.In addition, under the London Local Authorities Act 1991, local authorities in London may revoke or refuse to grant, renew or transfer a licence, if the individual carrying on the business is not reasonably regarded by the local authority as a fit and proper person to hold a licence. Therefore it is possible that if information about a conviction for a sexual offence came to light, the local authority may decide to revoke or refuse to grant, renew or transfer a licence.Following consultation by the Department in 1996 on the regulation of skin piercing, we have decided that primary legislation should be introduced, if parliamentary time allows, to give local authorities outside London powers to regulate cosmetic body piercing businesses. Those authorities are at present able to use general enforcement powers under health and safety at work legislation, should they judge that there is a risk to customers' health and safety. Also, the cosmetic body piercing businesses which are registered for ear piercing under the existing legislation will already be subject to local authority inspection.The Department does not have information on the number of people who seek medical help as a result of body piercing and we are not aware of any relevant studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times Ministers in his Department met their counterparts in the US Administration between 1 January 1998 and 1 June 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the Ministers involved and the name of the US counterpart. [81078]

I met the United States Secretary of State for Health, Donna Shalala at the World Health Assembly in Geneva in May 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff by grade are employed as professional statisticians in his Department; how many of these staff have been accepted as fast stream by the Civil Service Selection Board; and how many have been granted chartered statistician status by the Royal Statistical Society. [81195]

Within the Department of Health there are 3 Senior Civil Servants, 28 Integrated Payband 4 (Grade 7) statisticians and 12 fast-stream Assistant Statisticians employed as professional statisticians, all of whom have been recruited via the Civil Service Selection Board¹. In addition, the Department employs on a permanent basis Statistical Officers who have statistical qualifications.

¹The answer covers the number of permanent statistically qualified staff working in professional statistician posts in the Department. In addition, there is I Senior Civil Servant who was recognised as a professional statistician by the then Central Statistical Office without the involvement of the Civil Service Selection Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much iophendylate was purchased by the National Health Service in 1998–99. [81620]

No iophendylate (Myodil) was purchased by the National Health Service in 1998–99.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when and with whom he expects the Medicines Control Agency to consult about revisions to the proposals in its consultation document MLX 249. [81650]

We are grateful for all the representations received during the consultation period which ended on 31 January. Having fully considered those representations we will decide whether and what legislation should be placed before Parliament. We have no current plans for further public consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has for the long-term future of dentistry in the NHS; [81875](2) what plans he has to ensure a comprehensive NHS dentistry service is available throughout the country; [81874]

These issues are under consideration as part of the strategy for National Health Service Dentistry that we will publish in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what target his Department has set for the number of dentists providing NHS services per 1,000 population. [81865]

Health authorities are responsible for monitoring the provision of National Health Service dental services in the area. The table shows that on 31 December of each year from 1996 to 1998, there was an increase in the number of dentists providing general dental services per 1,000 population.

General Dental Service: Number of GDS dentists 1 per 1,000 population at 31 December in England
Year	Number	Per 1,000 population
1996	16,341	0.33
1997	16,722	0.34
1998	17,266	0.35
1 The number of dentists are a head count not whole time equivalents

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bids have been received from dentists in Northavon since the launch of his Investing in Dentistry initiative; and how many of these have been successful. [81955]

No Investing in Dentistry funding requests have been received from Northavon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in (a) waiting lists and (b) waiting time for consultation at St. George's Hospital, Tooting, in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [81886]

At 28 February 1999, 6,464 people were waiting for inpatient treatment at St. George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust, a reduction of 1,668 since 31 March 1998. At 31 December 1998, 2,195 people had been waiting 13 weeks or more for a first outpatient appointment there, an increase of 905 since 31 March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish clinical guidelines on osteoporosis prevention and treatment. [81884]

The Royal College of Physicians published "Osteoporosis: clinical guidelines for prevention and treatment" on 12 March 1999. Copies of the guidelines are available direct from the Royal College.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the closure of Ongar War Memorial Hospital. [81871]

No decision has been made about the future of Ongar War Memorial Hospital. The health authority has not yet provided all the information necessary to enable Ministers to take a decision on the long-term future of the hospital.We understand that the National Health Service trust may be considering closing the hospital on health and safety grounds. This is a matter which is the responsibility of the trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the cost to the National Health Service of treating people who have been injured by animals in each of the last three years; [81775](2) if he will introduce measures to enable those in charge of animals which have caused injuries requiring health service treatment to be charged for that treatment. [81774]

Central information is collected annually on the cost of treatments and procedures for services undertaken by National Health Services trusts. These costs are not differentiated between the cause of the treatment, for example whether the treatment was required as a result of animals, a fall etc., and therefore we are unable to estimate the costs of services in this way. There are no plans to introduce charges to owners for the cost of treating people injured by their animals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many existing staff from his Department will be transferred to the Food Standards Agency. [82271]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 29 March 1999, Official Report, column 500.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will release the information held by his Department on the number of airmen during the Second World War who were classified as lacking moral fibre; and if he will take steps to remove this classification from service records. [81341]

Aircrews in the Second World War included personnel from all three Services, although the Royal Air Force were the only Service to use the classification of "lacking moral fibre". Cases where aircrew had significant psychological problems were dealt with by administrative procedures and fell into two categories; those which were seen as having medical causes, and those where the determination and reliability of the airman in the face of danger were doubted. It was the latter category that were actually classed as "lacking moral fibre".The Royal Air Force has no central record of officers/airmen classified as "lacking moral fibre" during World War H and this information could be obtained only through a manual check of individual personnel files. Whilst it might be possible to obtain background information on officers categorised as "lacking moral fibre", airmen's personal files will have been destroyed, and only a basic Record of Service retained. It would not therefore be possible to discover any background information on the reasons behind any "lack of moral fibre" annotation recorded on an individual airman's record.Service Records are amended only on those rare occasions when there is irrefutable evidence that inaccurate information has been entered. The Ministry of Defence therefore has no plans to review those cases categorised as "lacking moral fibre" during World War II, or to remove this classification from those airmen's individual records which have survived.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has obtained on the laying of anti-personnel landmines and anti-tank mines by the Yugoslav army in Kosovo. [81994]

There is evidence that both anti-tank mines and anti-personnel mines have been employed by the Yugoslav army in Kosovo since April of last year. While our information is incomplete, we believe that in central and south west Kosovo, where many of the minefields are laid, these are small scale. Along the Albanian and Macedonian borders with Kosovo, there is evidence of more conventional large scale minefields.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what munitions are being used by the RAF in the Kosovo campaign that employ a form of sub-munition designed to impede damage repair. [82149]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 24 March the Chiefs of Staff have accompanied the Chief of the Defence Staff to meetings of the War Cabinet. [81665]

[holding answer 22 April 1999]: It is established practice under Section 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees. However, as I have made clear publicly on a number of occasions, we are not at war with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. There is therefore no War Cabinet. The Prime Minister regularly discusses the situation in Kosovo with his Ministerial colleagues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received of the presence of nuclear material at the Vinca Institute near Belgrade. [82349]

Any nuclear material held at the Vinca Nuclear Research Institute is held under the terms of the Safeguards Agreement between Yugoslavia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and is monitored by its inspectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to cater for those requiring vegetarian food when involved in front-line activities. [81909]

Where fresh rations are supplied by military catering staff, a vegetarian choice is available on the daily menu for all meals. In the case of Operational Ration Packs, work has begun to identify the requirement to provide a vegetarian option.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for the future of the National Training Centre for Knitting Machine Mechanics and Technicians at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College. [81738]

Having reviewed their mix of training provision, I understand that the college authorities have decided to close the knitting technician facility. That is a business decision for them to take and is not a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I am advised that there are a number of other institutions offering technician training for the knitting industry. This may well have been a factor in the decision to close the centre at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.I can assure my hon. Friend that the prospective National Training Organisation for the Textiles industry—National Textiles Training Organisation—is very active in linking with education institutions to ensure the availability of an appropriate level of training facilities to meet the needs of the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that colleges of further education are not penalised financially as a result of the transfer of responsibility for funding part-time higher education courses in further education colleges from the Further Education Funding Council to the Higher Education Funding Council. [81872]

The funding to transfer from FEFC to HEFCE from 1999–2000 has been calculated based on detailed information from the colleges concerned. These colleges were invited to confirm that the proposed funding transfer is appropriate. HEFCE and FEFC jointly commissioned research, which has shown that HEFCE will fund the transferred provision at, at least, the same level as applies now in FE.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he has taken to monitor standards in A-level subjects in (a) mathematics, (b) physics, (c) chemistry and (d) other science subjects since May 1997. [81853]

The Government are committed to ensuring that standards in all public examinations are rigorously maintained. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority carries out a rolling programme of reviews to ensure that examination demand and grade standards are maintained in all major subjects. The first such review, published in 1996, confirmed that standards in A-level mathematics and chemistry remained broadly comparable between 1975 and 1995. The second review, published in March this year, confirmed that standards in A-level physics remained broadly comparable between 1976 and 1996. The A-level biology review is due to be published next year. Specific recommendations from the reviews for ensuring that standards continue to be maintained—and where necessary are strengthened—are being incorporated in the revised A-level criteria, which will underpin the new syllabuses to be introduced from September 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the value was of the (a) funds administered by the Further Education Funding Council and (b) overheads of the Further Education Funding Council in the last year for which figures are available. [81881]

In 1998–99, the value of the funds administered by the FEFC were £3,112,265,976 and the overheads of the FEFC were £22,610,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made in establishing an early years learning curriculum. [81989]

We have asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to review the existing Desirable Outcomes for Children's Learning on Entering Compulsory Education. The QCA published a consultation paper in February and the consultation closes on 30 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 23 March 1999, Official Report, columns 200–01, when he expects to be able to publish the detailed breakdown of the expected expenditure on early years education in 1998–99. [82014]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: Expenditure plans—including estimated outturn expenditure for 1998–99—were published in the Departmental Report of the department for Education and Employment and Office for Standards in Education (Cm 4202) in March 1999. These included the following estimates of outturn expenditure on early years education and childcare in 1998–99:

£ million
National Childcare Strategy	27
Funding from the windfall tax for the National Childcare Strategy	25
Under fives	137
Local authority expenditure on under fives education	1,692
Sure Start	3

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of New Deal pilot projects include private sector involvement. [82303]

Private sector organisations lead delivery in 10 (36 per cent.) of the 28 pilots for the New Deal for long term unemployed people aged 25 or over and five (42 per cent.) of the 12 Personal Adviser Service pilot projects and three (12 per cent.) of the 24 Innovative schemes under the New Deal for the Disabled. Private sector organisations may also be involved in New Deal pilots as sub-contractors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the next stage of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will come into force; and if he will make a statement. [82542]

The next stage of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will come into force on 1 October. Service providers will then have to take reasonable steps to change practices, policies or procedures which make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service; provide auxiliary aids or services which would make it easier for, or enable, disabled people to use a service; and overcome physical features which make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service, by providing the service by a reasonable alternative means.I have placed in the Library copies of the report on the public consultation exercise that the Government held jointly with the National Disability Council from 30 July 1998 to 13 November 1998, as well as copies of the Regulatory Impact Assessment. I have also laid supporting regulations and a revised Code of Practice, which describes the current and new duties and gives examples of good practice. It also helps service providers and disabled people to understand the law. Subject to the completion of the relevant Parliamentary procedures, we aim to publish the Code, and other information about the Act, at the end of June. This represents significant progress in our programme to tackle discrimination against disabled people.The final phase of the later rights in Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act is scheduled to come into force in 2004. As a matter of good practice, service providers should be considering now what steps to take in respect of removing or altering or providing a means of avoiding physical obstacles which prevent access to their services.The duty of reasonable adjustment on trade organisations will also come into force on 1 October. They will then have to take reasonable steps to prevent any arrangements they make placing a disabled member or applicant at a substantial disadvantage compared with people who are not disabled. I have laid a separate Code of Practice for trade organisations, which takes into account the brief guidance on trade organisations currently in the Employment Code of Practice. I have also placed in the Library copies of the associated Regulatory Impact Assessment and Consultation Report. Supporting regulations are not necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the national launch of the New Deal for Partners of Unemployed People. [82543]

The New Deal for Partners of Unemployed People was launched today. It offers partners of people who have been receiving Jobseekers' Allowance for six months or more, the opportunity, on a voluntary basis, to receive guidance and advice on job search and training from specialist Employment Service Personal Advisers.The national programme will build on the experience gained by pathfinder districts—Cardiff, Leeds and Tayside—which started on 8 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) reports, (b) investigations and (c) arrests there were of crimes committed in the areas covered by (i) Hammersmith and (ii) Fulham police stations for the offence of incitement to racial hatred for the years (a) 1994, (b) 1995 and (c) 1996. [81684]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that such information as to the offence of incitement to racial hatred was not identifiable from other collected data before the introduction of the Metropolitan Police crime reporting computer system on 30 July 1996 at Hammersmith Police Station and 27 August 1996 at Fulham Police Station. No cases of incitement to racial hatred were reported or investigated, and no arrests were made, in the period from 30 July 1996 to end December 1996 at Hammersmith and, during the period 27 August 1996 to end December 1996, at Fulham.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time recorded by the IND offices in Croydon for response to inquiries made to them by (a) telephone and (b) in writing for the months of (i) January, (ii) February and (iii) March. [81683]

In respect of telephone inquiries, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Malins) on 29 March 1999, Official Report, column 537. The latest position is that the average time a caller waits in the queue has reduced to two minutes and twenty seconds. In respect of written inquiries for January, February and March, eighty four per cent. of written inquiries are responded to within 20 working days, excluding correspondence related to casework and applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the review of the Probation Service's recruitment needs; and if he will publish the results. [81954]

The work force planning survey of the Probation Service has not yet been completed. The data collected are currently being analysed, and it is hoped that a final report will be ready by August. The findings will be made available to Probation Service managers and probation committees.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the ergonomic assessment of the Crams IT system currently being installed by the Probation Service. [81978]

The ergonomic assessment of Case Record Administration and Management System (CRAMS) has been sent to all Chief Probation Officers; and UNISON and the National Association of Probation Officers (NAPO) have sent copies to their branch officers. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has had made of the likely change in the number of juveniles sentenced to custody during the next five years. [81979]

Projections have been made of the number of young prisoners who it is expected will be either serving a custodial sentence or held on remand in all forms of secure accommodation. The projections are based on two possible scenarios:The assumption that the use of custody by the courts increases by 0.6 per cent. per year for males and 1 per cent. for females, which is in line with recent trends; and the assumption that, in addition to 1, there is an increase in average sentence length of 1.5 per cent. per year for males and 2 per cent. for females.The tables also allow for seasonal variations in each year.

Expected populations of prisoners aged under 18
	Remand	Sentenced
Assumption 1
1998–19991	900	1,800
1999–2000	1,000	1,700
2000–2001	1,000	1,800
2001–2002	800	2,000
2002–2002	700	2,100
2003–2004	700	2,100
2004–2005	700	2,200
Assumption 2
1998–19991	900	1,800
1999–2000	1,000	1,900
2000–2001	1,100	2,100
2001–2002	900	2,400
2002–2003	800	2,400
2003–2004	800	2,600
2004–2005	800	2,700
1Provisional

Actual outcomes will depend on the decisions of the courts. Other scenarios are possible. For further information on the methodology of the projections see "Projections of Long-Term Trends in the Prison Population to 2006", Home Office Statistical Bulletin 1/99, copies of which are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for housing juveniles within the Prison Service estate. [81976]

The initial composition of the Prison Service's new, distinct juvenile estate has now been finalised, following consultation with the Youth Justice Board. It will consist of the following establishments: Ashfield; Aylesbury; Brinsford; Castington; Feltham; Hollesley Bay; Huntercombe; Lancaster Farms; Onley; Portland; Stoke Heath; Thorn Cross; Werrington; and Wetherby. These establishments will be either juvenile-only or will contain juvenile units.The Prison Service also has a strategy for securing further improvements to the estate over the next three years.These changes will mean that all 15 to 17 year old boys will be held in separate, dedicated accommodation (other than in exceptional circumstances) in readiness for the introduction of the Detention and Training Order in April 2000.In relation to 15–17 year old girls, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Lesley) on 8 March 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken to process parole applications. [81959]

The parole timetable for determinate sentenced prisoners specifies that the review process should be complete, and the result notified to the prisoner, within 24 weeks of the scheduled start date for the review.Over the past four quarters, the average time taken is as follows:

weeks
	Average time taken to process reviews
April 1998–June 1998	24.7
July 1998–September 1998	24.0
October 1998–December 1998	24.0
January 1999–March 1999	22.1

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the (a) salaries, (b) leave entitlements and (c) other conditions of service for (i) police, (ii) health, (iii) education, (iv) probation and (v) social services members of young offender teams. [81958]

The salaries, leave entitlements and other conditions of service of members of youth offending teams, from whichever agency they are drawn, are governed by the arrangements applying to each member's employing agency. They will vary between agencies and, in some aspects, between different parts of England and Wales, and they will vary according to the rank or grade and seniority of individual youth offending team members and, in respect of education and health staff, according to the occupational group nominated by chief education officers and health authorities as team members. It will be for youth offending team managers to manage the teams effectively, ensuring that the diversity of their membership contributes to, and does not impede, good multi-agency working.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of (a) the number of drug users who are criminally active and (b) the cost of drug-related crime. [81982]

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 29 April 1998, Official Report, column 136, the information requested on criminally active drug users is not available. A report was published last year of research carried out on behalf of the Home Office by the University of Cambridge, which shed light on the links between drugs and crime. Further work is currently being conducted within this programme. The results of this additional research will be published later this year.At present there are no estimates of the costs of drug-related crime. However, the Home Office is currently working to develop, within the context of the crime reduction programme, an estimate of the cost of crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to build additional young offenders' institutions within Greater London. [81977]

In 1998, the Prison Service acquired a site adjacent to Belmarsh prison in order to obtain planning permission to build another prison to serve the London area. It is the intention that the new prison should include a young offender institution function. Preliminary discussions have been held with the local planning authority, but a formal planning application has yet to be submitted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the prisoners released on home detention curfew on or since 28 January have (a) been returned to custody and (b) committed offences whilst on curfew. [81948]

Between 28 January and 21 April, 3,953 offenders have been made subject to home detention curfew. In the same period, 166 curfewees have had their licences revoked by the Secretary of State and 140 have been returned to custody.Home Office Circular 1/1999 requires the police to inform the Prison Service parole unit when a curfewee is charged with an offence. Between 28 January and 21 April, the parole unit has been notified of 40 such cases. As a result, 26 curfewees have had their licences revoked immediately under Section 38A(1) or Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. In the remaining 14 cases, either the police or the probation service have been asked to pursue breach action through the courts under section 38(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what difficulties there have been with the equipment used to enforce home detention curfews, with particular reference to multi-storey dwellings, hostels and farms. [81953]

In a small number of cases, it was initially difficult to set curfew ranges for premises in multiple occupation or of unusual shape or size; but the contractors have been able to meet these problems by installing additional monitoring equipment, re-calibrating curfew ranges or restricting the curfewee to certain areas of the property.Any address that is not technically suitable for monitoring will be reported to the Parole Unit of the Prison Service, which will consider whether to recall the offender to prison. To date, there have been no such reports.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of stop and search have been recorded at (a) Tooting and (b) Wandsworth police stations; and how many of these have led to arrests in each of the last three years. [81889]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that Wandsworth and Tooting police stations are part of Wandsworth Division and it is not possible to break down the figures below divisional level. He has provided the following information:

Wandsworth Division
	1996	1997	1998
Stop and Searches	5,489	5,784	4,130
Arrests Resulting	522	551	386