To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on UK participation in the enforcement of the arms ban on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1160. [82294]

The United Kingdom fully supports the UN arms embargo on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which was imposed by UNSCR 1160. The embargo is implemented in the UK by means of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1998 and is rigorously enforced.In addition, the UK participates in international monitoring of the arms embargo through the European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM).

To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library his answer to the letter from Mr. Tim Pendry of 29 March concerning the Al Shifa factory. [81906]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: I have asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to reply on my behalf. A copy of Mr. Fatchett's reply will be placed in the Library in due course.

To ask the Prime Minister what is his (a) policy towards and (b) definition of full accountability and absolute transparency in the European Commission, as set out as future Commission policy by President-nominate Prodi; and what representations he has made on the subject. [82478]

The Government agree with Mr. Prodi that the European Commission should be made more accountable, more transparent and more efficient. Achieving this will require a fundamental overhaul of the commission's financial control systems, as well as reform of its personnel policies and its management structures.We have already shared specific reform ideas with partners. Heads of State and Government discussed plans for reform with Mr. Prodi on 14 April. They will continue their discussions on the basis of proposals put forward by Mr. Prodi at the Cologne European Council in June.

To ask the Prime Minister what activities are planned by (a) the Government and (b) the European Commission in the United Kingdom to mark Europe Day. [82476]

On Europe Day, 9 May, the European flag will fly alongside the Union Jack from Government buildings and in Parliament Square.As on Europe Day every year, the European Commission Representation in the United Kingdom will be holding a reception.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement of 26 April 1999, Official Report, columns 21–36, what are the elements of the new membership action plan for aspiring members of NATO. [82627]

The elements of the Membership Action Plan are set out in NATO Press Communique NAC-S(99)66, which was deposited in the Library of the House on 26 April.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 28 April. [82048]

This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I will have further such meetings later today.

To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on her 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. [81763]

The Privy Council Office rarely, if ever, institutes legal proceedings, but is from time to time required to respond to proceedings initiated by third parties. In such cases the Department would be advised by the Treasury Solicitor's Department on the need to instruct counsel. However, there have been no recent instances (and none within the last three years) when it has been necessary to instruct counsel on behalf of my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of when digital terrestrial television will reach (a) 70 per cent., (b) 80 per cent. and (c) 90 per cent. of the population. [82150]

Responsibility for the delivery of digital terrestrial television (DTT) services in the UK rests with the BBC and ITC. The Launch phase for DTT, which comprises 81 transmitters, is expected to be rolled out by the year 2000. The table gives the existing and final predicted coverage for each multiplex.

Percentage
Multiplex	Existing coverage	Final predicted coverage
BBC Multiplex	75·6	90
Digital Channels 3 and 4	75·5	89
SDN and Channel 5	75·0	88
ONdigital (Mux B)	74·2	86
ONdigital (Mux C)	65·7	77
ONdigital (Mux D)	62·2	73

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the land area of urban England is cabled. [82151]

I understand from the Independent Television Commission that over 53 per cent. of all homes in England now have cable available to them. This represents 57 per cent. of homes in urban England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the total amount of cash receipts in sponsorship received by the Millennium Company up to 31 March[81744]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 21 April 1999, Official Report, columns 577–78.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to set targets for the BBC in relation to the employment of Black and Asian people. [82325]

We have no such plans. The BBC is required to comply with employment and equal opportunities law and to report annually, in its Annual Report and Accounts, on compliance with the legal requirements. The Annual Report also provides details of progress towards meeting the ethnic targets set by the BBC's Board of Governors and on the proportion of ethnic minorities in management.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings the Minister for Sport has had since May 1997 with officials of Chelsea Football Club in his official capacity; and if he will list them. [81802]

As Minister for Sport, I have attended a number of events where Chelsea officials were present, and I have met officials from the club on the following occasions.

8 July 1997:

Meeting with David Blunkett to discuss a Study Centre linked to the Premier League (also in attendance was the President of Brazil and the then Brazilian Sports Minister, Pele). Representatives from many of the Premiership Clubs were in attendance, including Ken Bates, Chairman of Chelsea Football Club.

8 September 1997:

Meeting with Steve Keen, Lee Deegan, Leslie Smith and Colin Moore to discuss Chelsea Disabled Football Club.

I have very good relations with Mr. Bates and frequent discussions with him. In his role as an FA representative, he was involved in the discussions this Department had about the development of Wembley Stadium.As part of the FA's Campaign to secure the 2006 World Cup, I have met with a number of FIFA Executive Committee members in this country and have accompanied some of them to Chelsea Football Club to tour the ground and view the impressive facilities there and at Chelsea Village.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with FIFA about the suitability of English stadiums for the World Cup 2006 bid. [81804]

None. FIFA has well-established criteria for World Cup host venues.As the hon. Member may be aware, the Football Association is required to nominate between eight and 12 stadiums as host venues in the bid document, which it will be submitting to FIFA in July. These stadiums will be subject to inspection by a FIFA Inspection Committee at the end of this year.I understand that, following a detailed survey of potential venues, the Football Association has identified 15 stadiums which fulfil the FIFA criteria for World Cup venues and a further five that have the potential to be redeveloped in the run-up to the staging of the 2006 World Cup to meet the criteria.The FA are, therefore, well placed to meet FIFA's stadium requirements. This bears testimony to the £3565 million which football clubs in this country have spent on the redevelopment of their grounds over the past ten years, helped by £160 million from the Football Trust as a result of the reduction in Pool Betting Duty concession.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of herbicide-resistant crops on vulnerable species of birds. [80792]

I am aware that many species of farmland bird are in decline in Britain and so I take very seriously the potential effect that the introduction of herbicide-resistant crops might have on these vulnerable species.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will pay the postal costs of voluntary bodies and registered charities requested to respond to Government consultation documents; and if he will make a statement. [80920]

Numerous responses have been received to my Department's consultation documents and we are grateful to the many organisations and individuals who have taken the time to let us have their views. My Department has no plans to pay postal costs incurred by organisations that responded.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [81770]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions predominately uses junior counsel when it is necessary to instruct counsel to provide legal advice, as does the Treasury Solicitor when instructing counsel in court' proceedings involving the Department.The two First Treasury Counsel are both junior counsel and they will advise and represent the government without a Queen's Counsel in many of its important civil cases. In addition, the Attorney-General maintains four panels of junior Counsel whom departments are expected to use for the majority of the government's civil litigation. The approval of the Attorney-General or the Solicitor-General is required before a Queen's Counsel can be instructed to appear for any government department in civil litigation.In determining the level of counsel to use (whether in connection with civil or criminal proceedings, or the provision of legal advice), the department will consider the individual circumstances of each case. It will take into account, amongst other things, the importance and sensitivity of the case, the complexity of the law, the weight and complexity of the evidence, and the degree of experience and expertise required before deciding whether to instruct Queen's Counsel or junior counsel.The information as to cost is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will investigate the quality of repairs undertaken by the Highways Agency to the A38 Bridge over the M4 at Almondsbury in 1998; and if he will make a statement. [81956]

The repairs carried out in 1998 to the A38 bridge over the M4 at Almondsbury included road resurfacing and strengthening works necessary to ensure that the structure remained safe for future use.The Highways Agency was not satisfied with the surfacing laid by the contractor and negotiations have led to that surface being replaced at no expense to the taxpayer. The repair work began on 19 April and subject to weather conditions should be completed within 2 weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met representatives of the RAC to discuss congestion charging. [82255]

Ministers from the Department meet representatives of the Royal Automobile Club from time to time to discuss matters arising out of the Integrated Transport White Paper. The last such meeting, which was attended by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, was on 19 January 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Highways Agency has to update the existing motorway and trunk road stress map. [82258]

The Highways Agency intends to publish in its 1998–99 Annual Report a map derived from Trafficmaster data showing congested sections of its network.New stress maps for the motorway and trunk road network based upon a calculation of traffic flow and capacity will be published when the data for 1998 are available later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring of air quality has been conducted, and what were the results thereof, in relation to the A13 and abutting residential areas, from the vicinity of Dagenham Dock to Central London; and if he will make a statement. [82034]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: Local air quality studies of the existing levels of pollutants were undertaken by the Highways Agency in 1992 and in 1998 in order to assess the potential effect of the proposed junction improvement schemes for this section of the A13. The most recent monitoring data were gathered in the vicinity of the A13/A112 Prince Regent Lane junction for the period January to May 1998. The pollutants monitored were Carbon Monoxide, PM10, Nitrogen Dioxide, Benzene and 1–3 Butadiene.When compared with National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS) objectives, to be achieved in 2005, the monitoring data indicate that the objective for PM10 (50 microgrammes per cubic metre as a running 24 hour mean) is currently exceeded. However, as a non-standard measuring method was used, the scale of this likely exceedence cannot be certain. The 99 percentile of a running 24 hour mean over the monitoring period was 113 microgrammes per cubic metre at the roadside. Mean Nitrogen Dioxide measurements exceeded the value of the NAQS annual mean objective (21 ppb) and were made using the standard method. The mean roadside concentration was 38 ppb. It is therefore possible that the 2005 objective is currently exceeded but a longer period of monitoring would be needed to confirm this. Monitoring of the other pollutants indicated current levels below the 2005 objectives.Local authorities are currently monitoring air quality more generally in their areas as part of the local air quality management process, with the aim of achieving the objectives of the NAQS by the year 2005. Where a local authority's review and assessment of local air quality indicates that air quality objectives are not likely to be met, then local authorities must declare Air Quality Management Areas. For each Air Quality Management Area, the local authority must draw up an action plan, setting out measures through which the objectives may be achieved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what information he has obtained about the speed of traffic movements, congestion and impediments to mobility at peak times on the A13 from the vicinity of Dagenham Dock to Central London; and if he will make a statement; [82033](2) if he will convene a meeting of representatives of the Highways Agency, the London boroughs and the Traffic Section of the Metropolitan Police to examine what interim measures could be introduced to minimise traffic congestion and to maximise mobility in the westbound section of the A13 from the vicinity of Dagenham Dock to Central London; and if he will make a statement; [82031](3) what assessment his Department has made of the frequency and scale of congestion on the westbound A 13 section from the vicinity of Dagenham Dock to Central London; and if he will make a statement. [82032]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: As these questions relate to operational matters, I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on bilateral discussions on landing rights between India and the UK; [82285](2) what representations he has received concerning landing rights for British airlines in India. [82284]

Representations have been received from UK scheduled and charter airlines and passengers concerning the restrictive nature of the air services arrangements between the United Kingdom and India. British Airways wishes to operate additional services to India and Virgin Atlantic also wishes to enter the UK-India market but neither can do so because there is insufficient capacity under the UK/India air services arrangements. In addition, we have received reports that there has been overbooking on UK-India services and a significant number of passengers are having to travel by indirect routes.We have been seeking to liberalise the arrangements. The last round of bilateral discussions took place in December 1996. Talks scheduled for September 1997 were postponed at the request of the Indian authorities. Despite repeated representations from the UK Government, no dates have been agreed for the next round of bilateral discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Region if he will list the sites of special scientific interest that have been subject to inappropriate development since May 1997. [82495]

The English Nature Annual Report includes lists of all SSSIs damaged by development. Copies are available in the Library of the House covering the period up to 31 March 1998. Full information for the last financial year is not yet available.Not all development on a site should be classed as inappropriate. English Nature will provide advice to local authorities on moving harmful development away from sensitive locations or imposing conditions on planning applications to remove or reduce adverse effects on SSSIs, in order to safeguard the special interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance to local authorities on their powers in relation to the holding of major sports events in areas of special scientific interest. [82354]

Once a Site of Special Scientific Interest is notified, the land manager must consult English Nature on any activity likely to damage the features of special interest. For those activities requiring planning permission, guidance is provided for local planning authorities in Planning Policy Guidance Note 9, in relation to SSSIs and to other locally important wildlife sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many passengers travelled on the lines currently run by Great Western Trains in each of the last 10 years. [82499]

The figures for passenger miles and passenger journeys for each of the last five years are shown in the table. Figures for the five years before that are not available.

million
Year	Passenger miles	Passenger journeys
1993–94	1,218	14
1994–95	1,139	14
1995–96	1,211·4	14·4
1996–97	1,270	15
1997–98	1,383·1	16·4

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many trains operated by Great Western Trains were cancelled in each of the last two years; and if he will estimate the number of passengers affected by these cancellations. [82493]

The Figures in the Franchising Director's Quarterly Bulletin (December 1998)—copies in the House Library—show that for the year ending December 1997 0·6 per cent. of trains were cancelled by Great Western Trains and that for the year ending December 1998 the figure was 1 per cent. It is not possible to estimate the number of passengers affected by these cancellations as these are walk-on services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the timetable for the Government's negotiations with Great Western Trains for the extension, or termination, of their franchise. [82497]

The Great Western Trains Limited franchise agreement is for a period of 10 years from 4 February 1996. We made it clear at the Rail Summit in February that we are prepared to renegotiate existing franchises if operators come forward with proposals which offer substantial benefits for passengers and value for money for the taxpayer. There is no timetable for this either generally or in respect of Great Western Trains specifically.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff were employed on the lines currently operated by Great Western Trains in each of the last 10 years. [82494]

The information requested is not available. Under the present franchise agreements, Train Operating Companies' (TOCs) performance is measured on prescribed outputs such as service levels. Inputs such as numbers of staff employed are matters for the TOCs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of trains operated by Great Western Trains have been more than five minutes late in each of the last two years; and what was the average total delay on those trains. [82496]

The information is not available in the format requested. The Franchising Director was requested to base his assessment of lateness on those applied under British Rail immediately before privatisation. For InterCity trains, such as those operated by Great Western Trains, the definition of lateness was a train that arrived at its destination more than 9 minutes and 59 seconds late.The figures in the latest issue of the Franchising Director's Quarterly Bulletin (December 1998)—copies in the House Library—show that the proportion of trains recorded as late (against the above definition) for the year ending December 1997 was 13·3 per cent. and for the year ending December 1998 was 15·5 per cent. Figures for average total delay are not recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the rates of investment in the infrastructure, rolling stock and passenger services on the lines currently run by Great Western Trains in each of the last 10 years and (b) the planned investment for each of the next 10 years. [82498]

This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to require environmental impact assessments to be undertaken before motorised sporting events and rallies may take place in the countryside. [82353]

There are no provisions in the regulations implementing Directive 85/337/EEC (as amended by Directive 97/11/EC) on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment to carry out an assessment of these events and rallies, and there are no plans to introduce such regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the report leaked from his Department on the impact of genetically modified crops on wildlife and the environment; and if he will make a statement. [72759]

[holding answer 25 February 1999]: The discussion paper "The Commercial use of Genetically Modified Crops in the United Kingdom: the Potential Wider Impact on Farmland Wildlife" prepared by the Secretariat for the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) was published on 18 February 1999. The paper may be found on ACRE' s website (www.environment.detr.gov.uk/acre/wildlife/index.htm) or in ACRE' s latest Annual Report, a copy of which is in the Library.The leaked report was an early draft of the one published. This early draft had served as a basis for a meeting I chaired in June last year to advise me on the possible wider indirect effects of the use of GM crops on wildlife. I invited a number of experts, including English Nature, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the chairman of ACRE, to inform me of the issues to enable us to get an initiative started to address concerns about wider impacts on biodiversity from the use of genetically modified crops.My officials then developed the paper with ACRE. The key conclusion of the paper is that there have been serious declines in farmland wildlife, and we need to ensure that the widespread introduction of GM crops does not prejudice Government objectives to halt and where possible reverse these wildlife declines. To this end, it is important to have the capability to identify whether and how GM crops are likely to change agricultural practices which could result in indirect, delayed and long term adverse effects on farmland wildlife. I have already taken steps to address this.Before this paper was published, I requested that the remit of ACRE be extended to consider the potential wider implications of the use of GMOs, especially when the committee is requested to give advice on applications to place GM crops on the market. ACRE has set up a Sub-group on Wider Biodiversity Issues to consider the issues raised the paper in more detail. The first meeting of this Sub-group was held on 15 March. The farm-scale evaluations into the ecological effects of genetically modified crops being set up by my Department, MAFF and Scottish Office will also assist in providing baseline data on farmland wildlife in order to underpin the consideration of wider biodiversity issues on a more detailed level.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information she has obtained regarding the numbers of refugees from Kosovo who are to be offered protection in other EU countries. [81996]

The latest figures we have received from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on offers of temporary protection by other EU countries are as follows:

• Austria: up to 5,000
• Belgium: up to 1,200
• Denmark: initially 1,500
• Finland: 1,000
• France: no figure stated (so far over 770 accepted)
• Germany: 10,000 Greece: 5,000
• Ireland: initially 1,000
• Netherlands: 2,000
• Portugal: 1,500
• Spain: some thousands
• Sweden: 5,600.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish estimates of the total amounts of (a) income tax, (b) VAT, (c) national insurance contributions, (d) other indirect taxes and (e) local taxes currently paid by typical families at varying multiples of average earnings in the format used on 3 December 1981, Official Report, column 188; and if he will make a statement. [78055]

[holding answer 22 March 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 16 April 1999, Official Report, columns 387–90.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of (a) annual tax loss as a result of tax avoidance in the area of personnel services covered by IR 35 and (b) the value in 1998 of Government contracts with IT and other companies providing personnel services which will be affected by IR 35. [81329]

It is always difficult to measure the extent of tax and national insurance contributions (NICs) avoidance. The measures covered by IR 35 are forecast to raise £475 million in 2000–01 and £375 million in 2001–02.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to review the compatibility of the provisions of the Finance Acts passed since May 1997 with the Human Rights Act 1998. [81701]

In line with other Government Departments, the Chancellor's Departments are reviewing their legislation and procedures in the light of the Human Rights Act 1998.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the powers under the Insurance Companies Act 1982 of permanent health insurance companies to deduct state benefits from payments to claimants. [82168]

No. It is for insurers to decide on what terms to offer insurance policies to customers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people with a marginal income tax rate on their earnings and pension income of 10 per cent. who also have savings income. [82192]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: In 1999–2000 there are estimated to be around 1·4 million taxpayers with a marginal rate of 10 per cent. on their earnings and pension income and some taxable savings income.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the pattern of military low flying activity in the United Kingdom during 1998. [82470]

The amount of low flying training carried out in the UK Low Flying System during 1998 was some 16 per cent less than for 1997. This reduction was due, in part, to the number of aircraft and aircrew deployed on activities overseas. The distribution of low flying training across the UK has not changed significantly. I have today placed in the Library of the House a paper giving a detailed account of low flying training in the UK Low Flying System for 1998. Further copies can be obtained from the following address:

• Secretariat (Air Staff) 2
• Ministry of Defence
• Room 8247
• Main Building
• Whitehall
• London SW IA 2HB.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel in (a) the Army, (b) the RAF and (c) the Royal Navy have been suspended from duty due to allegations as to their conduct for (i) up to three months, (ii) up to six months, (iii) up to nine months, (iv) up to 12 months, (v) up to 15 months and (vi) over 15 months at the latest date for which figures are available. [69384]

The Services do not, at present, collate statistics which relate to suspensions as a result of unproven allegations. This information is held on personal records and could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but will in future be recorded centrally.The position on suspensions in each Service is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries from which military officers (a) have visited the United Kingdom and (b) have been visited by United Kingdom military personnel to receive training or other military assistance under the Defence Military Assistance Fund since 1 April 1997. [81379]

(a) The countries from which military officers have visited the United Kingdom to receive training or other military assistance under the Defence Military Assistance Fund (DMAF) since 1 April 1997 are:

• Albania
• Argentina
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Belize
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Brazil

• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Chile
• Czech Republic
• Egypt
• Estonia
• Ethiopia
• Finland
• Georgia
• Greece
• Hungary
• India
• Indonesia
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Macedonia
• Malaysia
• Morocco
• Moldova
• Nepal
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Republic of Ireland
• Romania
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel have assisted United States military personnel in providing military training to, or in conducting joint training exercises with, members of the Colombian (a) armed forces and (b) police in (i) the United States and (ii) Colombia in each of the last eight years. [81374]

We have no records of British military personnel having assisted US military personnel with the provision of military training to, or the conduct of joint training exercises with, the Colombian armed forces or police during the last eight years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the pay and conditions of service of service men and women serving in Macedonia are comparable with those service men and women of other NATO countries. [82228]

The pay and conditions of service of personnel serving in the armed forces of NATO are governed by the needs and circumstances of individual member states and reflect the composition and role of their armed services. In the case of the UK, the pay and conditions of service package, which is recommended by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body, reflects the fully professional status of our armed forces and their expectation of unlimited liability for world-wide deployment throughout a career.Basic pay includes a component known as the X Factor, currently 12 per cent. for regulars, which recognises, among other things, the need to serve sometimes in difficult and dangerous situations. Unlike special operational allowances which may be paid to other countries' armed forces when on deployment, the X Factor is paid through a whole UK Service career and is pensionable. Other career benefits include, subsidised food and accommodation, assisted house purchase schemes and—while away on

	1 Para		2 Para		3 Para
	Estb	Str	Estb	Str	Estb	Str
Infantry:	576	—	574	—	550	—
Parachute Regiment	—	457	—	536	—	443
Gurkha Reinforcement Company1	—	—	—	106	—	—
Other Infantry Cap Badges2	—	2	—	2	—	3
Royal Armoured Corpse2	—	—	—	1	—	—
Royal Logistics Corps	23	19	23	26	23	22
Royal Army Medical Corps	2	5	2	2	2	3
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers	14	13	14	14	11	23
Adjutant General's Corps (Staff and Personnel Support)	21	23	21	22	21	23
Army Physical Training Corps	1	1	1	1	1	1
Total	637	520	635	710	608	518
1The strength figures for 2 Para include 106 Gurkhas in the Gurkha Reinforcement Company: these Officers and Soldiers are not counted in United Kingdom Trained Army Personnel figures
2Officers and Other Ranks on attachment to Parachute Regiment

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date are 10 and 4 (TA) parachute battalions are due to be merged and reduced; what was their old manpower establishment; and what is their planned amalgamated manpower establishment. [82346]

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: The TA parachute battalions, 4 Para (V) and 10 Para (V), are to be merged and reduced in size with effect from 1 July 1999. 4 Para (V) was established for 531 all ranks and 10 Para (V) was established for 530 all ranks. After 1 July 1999 the new battalion, to be called 4 Para (V), will be established for 324 all ranks. operations—a special allowance to compensate for longer periods of separation known as Longer Separated Service Allowance which is payable after three years' total service. In addition, special arrangements have been made to provide our Service men and women with a wide range of supportive and welfare measures while they are deployed to the Balkans. These include the availability of 10 minutes of free telephone calls per week, return flights for rest and recreation in UK for those deployed in excess of 4 months and some free mail facilities.Overall, it is difficult and misleading to attempt to draw precise comparisons between the different nations' armed forces serving in Macedonia based on a single aspect such as pay. A full comparison of terms and conditions of service, or the spectrum of welfare provision and facilities, is necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the (a) manpower establishments and (b) actual manning levels for each of the three regular parachute battalions. [82344]

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: The establishments and actual staffing levels for each of the three regular parachute battalions, as at 1 March 1999, are shown in the table. The figures are for UK Trained Army Personnel only, and exclude Locally Employed personnel, Royal Irish (Home Service) personnel, Reservists mobilised for duties associated with Bosnia, Full Time Reserve Service personnel, and Gurkhas (excepting the Gurkha Reinforcement Company presently attached to 2 Para).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Dunkirk and to mark the final pilgrimage of the Dunkirk Veterans Association. [75912]

I understand that the Dunkirk Veterans Association is planning to hold its final pilgrimage to Dunkirk in June 2000, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown by ethnic origin and grade of members of the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force. [79051]

I will publish the figures for the end of the year 1998–99 shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the basis on which some non-statutory liabilities are described as unquantifiable at page 23 of his Department's expenditure plans 1999–2000 to 2001–02, Cm 4208. [81576]

Because of the nature of the liabilities involved, it is not always possible to quantify accurately the potential contingent liability or to provide a realistic estimate of the likely charge that would result if the liabilities were to mature. In these cases, the term "unquantifiable" is used to describe the liabilities in question. If the indemnities were to be called upon, provision for any payment would be sought through the Supply procedure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many small arms trainer ranges were available for armed forces use in 1997; and how many are currently available. [81777]

As at 31 December 1997, there were 158 small arms trainer (SAT) systems available to the Armed Forces. Since then, three further systems have been procured, two of which are now fully operational.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the (a) condition, (b) availability and (c) future use of the small arms trainer range at Chelsea Barracks. [81778]

The small arms trainer at Chelsea Barracks has been moved to Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow. Units that previously used the small arms trainer at Chelsea Barracks are now able to use the alternative facility at Wellington Barracks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on the Falkland Island garrison of the withdrawal of diversion rights for RAF Tristars by Uruguay and Brazil; and if he will make a statement. [81868]

There has been no withdrawal of diversion rights for RAF aircraft by Uruguay or Brazil.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's time scale in the delivery of a 20mm calibre gun to the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department for the arming of a fishery protection vessel. [82059]

Following Government approval in January 1999 to procure a 20mm Oerlikon cannon, a formal order was received from the Falkland Islands Government on 2 February. Considerable work was subsequently necessary to clarify the requirements for spares, fittings and ammunition, and the order for this support material was not received until 15 April. The cannon and associated support stores have now been prepared for dispatch and, on current plans, will be sent out at the next practical opportunity in early May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to extend the provision of RAF pensions to surviving spouses of service personnel; and if he will make a statement. [82042]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: Surviving spouses of members of the RAF, like those of other Service personnel, are generally entitled to receive a widow's pension. There are two exceptions: pensions are not paid to widows or widowers who married their partner before 1978 but after their partner had left the armed forces; and pensions are withdrawn from widows and widowers who remarry (although they may be restored if their second spouse subsequently dies). From time to time we receive representations to extend entitlements to these groups, and we shall examine them again as part of the current review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date 16 Air Assault Brigade will become operationally effective. [82342]

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: 24 Airmobile Brigade is due to be re-named 16 Air Assault Brigade on 1 September 1999 when it will take over command of the very high readiness Airborne Battle Group from 5 Airborne Brigade. 16 Air Assault Brigade will remain operationally effective in the Airmobile role and the Airborne Battle Group will continue to be operationally effective throughout. 16 Air Assault Brigade will not be fully operationally effective in the Air Assault role until the new Westland Attack Helicopter is brought into service. The Brigade's Attack Helicopter Regiments should all be operationally effective by mid-2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date 5 Airborne Brigade Headquarters will cease to be an airborne headquarters. [82341]

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: It is currently planned that 5 Airborne Brigade Headquarters will cease to be an airborne headquarters on 1 September 1999 and it will be re-named Headquarters 12 Mechanised Brigade and start training in this new role.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Paralogistic Battalion is due to disband; and what logistic unit will replace it. [82343]

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: 5 Airborne Brigade's Paralogistic Battalion is due to disband on 1 September 1999. Some parachute trained personnel will transfer on this date to 16 Air Assault Brigade's Logistic Regiment and Field Workshop to support 16 Air Assault Brigade's very high readiness Airborne Battle Group. The remainder will form the nucleus of the new 12 Mechanised Brigade's Logistic Squadrons and Equipment Support Companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the units of the armed forces deployed to the South-East Balkans are under strength; and by what means it is intended to bring these units up to full strength. [82049]

None of the units of the armed forces deployed to the South-East Balkans is under strength.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to draw on Territorial Army units to make up shortfalls in manning levels of the armed forces in the South-East Balkans. [82050]

There are currently no plans to deploy formed Territorial Army (TA) units to the Balkans. Individual members of the TA are already serving in the Balkans with regular units on a volunteer basis, and this will continue for the foreseeable future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what units of the armed services have been deployed to the South-East Balkans. [82074]

I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) on 26 April 1999, Official Report, columns 10–11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Indonesian military officers are currently training in the UK. [82464]

There are currently eight Indonesian military personnel attending training courses in the UK.

List of health authority and national health service trust appointments which expired in 1998 and for which no appointment had been made by 1 April 1999
Region	Body	Number of Chairs	Number of Non-Executives
Eastern	Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust	0	1
North West	Chester and Halton Community NHS Trust	1	0
	Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Trust	0	1
	Manchester Health Authority	0	1
	Wirral Hospital NHS Trust	0	1
Northern and Yorkshire	Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority	0	1
London	BHB Community Healthcare NHS Trust	0	1
	City and Hackney Community Services NHS Trust	0	1
	Croydon Community Health NHS Trust	0	1
	Enfield Community Care NHS Trust	0	1
Trent	Central Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust	0	1
	Grantham and District Hospital NHS Trust	0	1
South East	East Surrey Health Authority	0	2
South West	Gloucestershire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0
	Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust	0	1
West Midlands	Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull (Teaching) Hospitals NHS Trust	0	1
	Walsall Community Health NHS Trust	0	1
	Total	1	17

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) proportion and (b) number of the Hercules fleet is currently airworthy. [82348]

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: The Royal Air Force operates a fleet of fifty-five Hercules aircraft. Currently, all aircraft in the fleet are airworthy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he received concerning the efficacy of air strikes alone in achieving the objectives of the United Kingdom and its NATO allies in Serbia and Kosovo. [82165]

NATO's military objectives, in support of the political aims of the international community, are to disrupt Milosevic's repressive operations and weaken his forces. A phased air campaign was chosen, on the basis of full and comprehensive military advice, as the best way of achieving those objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the NHS trust and health authority appointments which were not made by the due date and which remained outstanding on 1 April. [81391]

[holding answer 19 April 1999]: All health authority appointments due on 1 April 1999 were completed on time. A small number of appointments (18) to National Health Service trusts and health authorities which expired in 1998 remain vacant. These vacancies are listed in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will initiate an urgent inquiry into the levels of nursing staff at the Eastbourne District General Hospital and their effect on standards of patient care; and if he will make a statement. [81657]

The East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority has a duty to ensure that the quality of care for those living in Eastbourne is satisfactory. The health authority and Eastbourne Hospitals National Health Service Trust are conducting a joint analysis of current needs regarding nursing staff levels at the hospital, and expect to conclude this work by June for consideration by the local Primary Care Group.We have also asked officials of the National Health Service Executive to discuss nursing levels at the trust with the Chief Executive and Director of Nursing of the NHS trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cash increase represented by the expenditure of an additional 3 per cent. of GDP on the NHS in 1999–2000. [81985]

The latest available data on the Gross Domestic Product in cash terms are for the year 1997–98 and the amount is £811,849 million. Three per cent. of this is £24,355 million. Planned total expenditure for the National Health Service in England in 1999–2000 is £39,703 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by health authority the numbers of successful applications under the Investing in Dentistry initiative. [82186]

The number of investing in dentistry applications which have been approved up to 26 April 1999 are shown by health authority in the table.

Investing in dentistry requests approved by health authority as at 26 April 1999
Health authority	Number of applications approved
Avon	5
Barnsley	4
Bedfordshire	2
Berkshire	6
Birmingham	1
Bradford	1
Cambridge and Huntingdon	4
Camden and Islington	1
City and East London	5
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly	10
County Durham	3
Doncaster	2
Dorset	3
Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow	6
East Kent	3
East Lancashire	3
East Norfolk	3
East Riding	6
Gloucestershire	11
Herefordshire	2

Investing in dentistry requests approved by health authority as at 26 April 1999
Health authority	Number of applications approved
Isle of Wight	3
Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham	4
Leicestershire	2
Lincolnshire	2
Liverpool	2
Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth	2
Morecambe Bay	7
Newcastle and North Tyneside	2
Northamptonshire	4
North Cheshire	1
North Cumbria	6
North Derbyshire	1
North and East Devon	8
North Essex	2
North and Mid Hampshire	7
North Staffordshire	8
North West Lancashire	5
North Yorkshire	8
North West Anglia	2
Nottingham	2
Oxfordshire	6
Portsmouth and South East Hampshire	8
Redbridge and Waltham Forest	4
Rotherham	6
Salford and Trafford	2
Sefton	1
St. Helens and Knowsley	3
Shropshire	8
Somerset	6
Southern Derbyshire	1
South Cheshire	10
South Essex	1
South Humber	2
South Lancashire	2
South Staffordshire	2
South West Devon	8
Southampton and South West Hampshire	12
Suffolk	6
Tees	1
West Hertfordshire	1
West Kent	3
West Surrey	5
West Sussex	5
Wigan and Bolton	1
Wiltshire	14
Wolverhampton	1
Worcestershire	3

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on Government proposals on pen needles and insulin injection pens; and if he will make a statement. [82012]

We have received representations from most of the organisations consulted. We are considering them, and are seeking clarification on certain points before we make our final decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice his Department has given to NHS trusts on the procedures they should adopt for checking the qualifications of those who apply for posts as operating department practitioners; [82078]

The Department has not undertaken any research on the ability of operating department practitioners to provide care in other areas. Guidance has been issued on good recruitment practice which applies to all National Health Service staff. All NHS employers have a "duty of care" to ensure that all their employees are qualified and competent to perform the duties for which they are employed. This duty includes ensuring that high standards of patient care are maintained at all times.Responsibility for dealing with issues of misconduct and incapability are a matter for NHS trusts. The Department does not collect information on the numbers of cases of misconduct by operating department practitioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the establishment of a statutory regulation scheme for operating department practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [82076]

Since 1 May 1997, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received eight representations about regulation of operating department practitioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of operating department practitioners in the NHS who work in areas other than operating theatres. [82077]

The information requested is not available centrally. Planning the number of operating department practitioners is a matter for local employers to determine in the light of local needs and priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders convicted of (a) sexual offences and (b) violent offences have been released on home detention curfew on or since 28 January. [81947]

No prisoner has been placed on home detention curfew who has been convicted of an offence to which part I of the Sexual Offenders Act 1997 applies. One offender has been placed on home detention curfew whose current sentence is for bigamy but this is not an offence to which part I of the Sexual Offences Act 1997 applies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many racially-motivated assaults have been recorded in each of the last three years at (a) Tooting and (b) Wandsworth police stations. [81890]

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:

Financial year	Racial assaults
1997–98	30
1998–99	66

It is not possible to provide figures for the financial year 1996–97 as the Metropolitan police's system did not then separate racial assaults from all other assaults.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of incitement to racial hatred were (a) reported, (b) investigated and (c) the subject of arrest, in (i) Tooting and (ii) Wandsworth police stations in the last three years. [81888]

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 for incidents reported under section 19 of the Public Order Act 1986 in Wandsworth Division:

Financial year	Reported	Investigated	Arrested
1996–97	1	1	1
1997–98	4	4	0
1998–99	2	2	0

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has given to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees of the number of refugees from Kosovo who will be offered protection in the United Kingdom. [81998]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees from the Kosovan conflict the Government have agreed to accept into the United Kingdom. [82226]

I refer to my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 26 April 1999, Official Report, columns 6–9, to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to his European Union counterparts to coordinate the emergency admission of refugees from the Kosovo conflict. [82225]

An emergency meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council was held on 7 April. The Council agreed that the first priority was to seek to protect refugees in the region. It was also agreed that the emergency relocation of refugees from the region should be co-ordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions he has made to accept refugees from the conflict in former Yugoslavia to the United Kingdom. [82224]

We have always made it clear that the United Kingdom stands ready to receive some thousands of refugees from that region on criteria agreed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) who gives priority to relieving pressure on the camps by giving priority to the most vulnerable and those with family links in the United Kingdom.Under these arrangements, the first arrivals—161 refugees, mainly women and children—came to the United Kingdom on Sunday and are being looked after in Leeds. Reception centres are being staffed by the Refugee Council which is taking the lead in establishing a special reception service for Kosovan refugees arriving in the United Kingdom.On arrival, the refugees were given a basic health check to determine if anyone needed immediate medical attention; none of the refugees needed immediate hospital treatment. At the reception centres, each refugee will be given a more thorough health check and be assigned a General Practitioner; children of school age will be assigned to a local school and refugees will be put in touch with any known relatives or friends.People arriving under the UNHCR programme will be granted permission to enter in line with close family members already settled in the United Kingdom or 12 months' exceptional leave to enter to provide for their protection as requested by UNHCR. They will have

Payment reductions to private contractors managing prisons
Prison	Date	Amount(£)	Reason
Altcourse	May 1998	28,089	Failure to meet performance standards
Blakenhurst	February 1994	41,167	Temporary reduction in cell availability
	November 1998	25,000	Escape from escort
Buckley Hall	February 1997	526	Failure to meet performance standards
Doncaster	—	—	—
Lowdham Grange	July 1998	702	1 unavailable place
	October 1998	45,080	Failure to meet performance standards
	January 1999	31,231	Failure to meet performance standards
	February 1999	6,334	Failure to meet performance standards
Parc	March 1998	54,782	Failure to meet to standard requirements
	May 1998	1,309	Failure to meet performance standards
	July 1998	298	Doubling cell occupation beyond permitted level
	October 1998	306,747	Failure to meet performance standards
Wolds	September 1998	23,855	Reduction in service

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of the last five years the number of television sets with stand-by units in prisons in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales. [81983]

The information requested on the numbers of television sets with stand-by units for prisoners' use in England and Wales is not available in the form requested. The number of television sets with stand-by units in prisons in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.My hon. Friend, the then Minister for Prisons and Probation (Ms Quin), announced our intention to extend the availability of in-cell television as part of the incentives and earned privileges scheme in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mrs. Jones) on 1 June 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total number of (a) fines and (b) contract payments which have been reduced to reflect the performance against the contract at (1) HMP Parc, (2) HMP Lowdham Grange, (3) HMP Altcourse, (4) HMP Wolds, (5) HMP Buckley Hall and (6) HMP Doncaster; and if he will state the reasons for each fine and reduced payment. [82446]

As shown in the table, there have been thirteen occasions on which a payment to a contractor managing a prison has been reduced. The table includes Blakenhurst prison which is also managed by a contractor. There is no distinction between a fine and a reduction in payment because a fine is made by being deducted from a due payment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates in prisons in England and Wales have a record of illegal drug taking. [82289]

Between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 1998, 88,304 mandatory drug tests were conducted on prisoners, of which 20,152 tested positive for drugs. The figures include some prisoners who will have been tested more than once. Implementation of the Prison Service drug strategy over the next three years will include provision of information about new prisoners' histories of drug misuse prior to arrival in prison.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons in England and Wales have drug treatment facilities; and how many prisoners were undertaking such treatment on 1 April. [82290]

Systematic data about existing programmes and the number of participating prisoners is not yet collected centrally. The table gives the best available information about the current situation and the proposed outcome of implementation of the Prison Service's drug strategy.

Prison drug treatment and programmes
Service provision	Current situation	After drug strategy implementation
CARATs1	43	all establishments
Detoxification2	10	35
Rehabilitation programmes	24	60
Therapeutic communities	4	8
Voluntary testing	46	all establishments
1Low threshold Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare service which will meet the needs of the great majority of prisoners
2Enhanced detoxification facilities in local prisons and remand centres

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what guidance is given by his

Numbers of police officers retiring, England and Wales, 1993–94—1997–98
	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98
Avon and Somerset	132	147	102	166	123
Bedfordshire	22	40	36	38	46
Cambridgeshire	39	40	54	50	48
Cheshire	67	75	55	50	81
City of London	25	23	35	26	38
Cleveland	65	58	44	38	25
Cumbria	46	48	39	46	45
Derbyshire	68	56	82	67	78
Devon & Cornwall	113	94	125	114	110
Dorset	36	41	27	51	50
Durham	64	64	41	43	49
Dyfed-Powys	44	38	36	25	24
Essex	82	81	115	90	117
Gloucestershire	44	35	33	45	56
Greater Manchester	271	285	346	319	327
Gwent	35	43	33	50	32
Hampshire	95	104	134	100	100
Hertfordshire	42	35	38	54	52
Humberside	92	68	78	52	80
Kent	126	91	93	91	90

The arrangements are set out in Prison Standing Order 5D. Prisoners can request or consent to a visit from a Member of Parliament, upon which the Governor will produce a valid special visiting order. The Governor will also ensure that the visit does not take place within the hearing of prison staff, unless either party or security considerations demand otherwise. The Governor can also permit the Member to tape record any conversation which takes place during the visit. This, along with other special visits, including those from legal advisers and priests or ministers, does not normally count against the prisoner's allowance for visits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of persons held on remand were found guilty when brought to trial in the last year for which figures are available. [82459]

Seventy-two per cent. of persons held on remand in England and Wales in 1997 were found guilty when brought to trial.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by police authority (a) the number of officers who have retired and (b) the estimated cost of paying the pensions of retired officers in each of the last five years. [82492]

Information on the number of officers retiring is set out in the table. For information on the cost of police pensions I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Office, to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 23 March 1999, Official Report, columns 164–72.