To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 March 1999, Official Report, column 665, on special advisers, if he will give the total travel cost of each occasion when (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997 and the place visited. [82411]

For the period 2 May 1997 to 27 April 1999, Special Advisers in my Department have travelled overseas in an official capacity on two occasions to Brussels and once to Washington. The total cost of travel and any hotel accommodation for the visits to Brussels was £433.00. The cost of the visit to Washington was accounted for in the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant) on 13 March 1998, Official Report, columns 366–67. Because of the block booking arrangements, the cost per person for travel was £3,500. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he received the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture relating to the handling of deaths in police custody; and when he has to respond. [82650]

My hon. Friend may be referring to the report by the European Committee on the Prevention of Torture on its visit to the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man in September 1997.We received the Committee's report in April 1998. The Government forwarded a response in October 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the fire brigades to whose millennium computer preparedness the recent study by Action 2000 drew attention. [82819]

The results of independent assessments conducted by Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate up to 12 April were reported to the Action 2000 National Infrastructure Forum on 21 April. The latest position is that 45 out of 49 brigades in England and Wales have so far been assessed. Of these, 22 are classified as prepared, and 23 have been given an Action Plan. All are expected to be prepared by September. It is not my intention to name individual brigades at this stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the syllabus of the programme of training courses organised by his Department for coroners and details of the attendees in each of the past five years. [82699]

The Home Office courses have contained lectures on the following subjects:

• judicial reviews
• pre-inquest hearings
• dealing with juries
• summing up and verdicts
• coroners and criminal law
• the Attorney-General and the coroner
• the role of the pathologist
• post mortems
• histopathology
• forensic pathology
• paediatric pathology
• toxicology
• hospital deaths
• mesothelioma and associated respiratory diseases
• industrial diseases
• disaster management
• accident reconstruction
• coroners: the Home Office role
• computerising coroner records
• Home Office statistics
• the role of the coroner's officer
• the coroner and the media
• the Mental Health Act 1983
• the Treasure Act 1996
• death registration.

Since 1995, some 220 coroners and their deputies have attended Home Office-organised courses. The figures for 1994 are no longer available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his review of proxy voting. [82848]

The Working Party on Electoral Procedures which I am chairing has been examining both proxy and postal voting along with other electoral issues. I expect to present the Working Party's final report to the Home Secretary in the late summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the (a) benefits and (b) disadvantages of granting anonymity to defendants in actions for (i) rape and (ii) other sexual offences. [82856]

The Government have no plans to review this area of the law, which reflects the position that, in accordance with the principles of open justice, the press should be able to report the identity of all defendants. By virtue of their right to control proceedings in court, judges have an inherent power to impose reporting restrictions in exceptional circumstances where there is good reason and it is in the interests of justice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his Department's estimate of the number of animals used in experiments in (a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998; [82910](2) in how many facilities in the United Kingdom animal experiments are permitted to take place; [83006](3) how many project licences were issued in

Information on the use of animals in scientific procedures is published each year in the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals. Table la gives details of the number of animals used. In 1996, the total was 2,646,026 and, in 1997, it was 2,573,088.Figures for animal use during 1998 are being collated and will be published in July.Scientific procedures must normally be carried out at designated establishments. The Annual Reports of the Animal Procedures Committee 1996 and 1997 list the numbers of such establishments and also give the number of project licences issued. They show that:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal handguns are estimated to be in circulation in the UK, separately identifying the figure for 9mm Browning automatics; and if he will make a statement. [83060]

There is no reliable estimate of the number of illegal firearms in circulation in this country.The existence of illegal firearms is of great concern to the Government. We will do all we can to ensure that the police service and Her Majesty's Customs are equipped to target this particular crime. Work is also continuing at international level to address the problems of the illicit manufacture and trafficking of firearms, notably through a Protocol to the proposed United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he plans to reduce waiting times for passport applications; and if he will make a statement. [83138]

To meet its customers' needs the Passport Agency is now prioritising applications by customers' declared travel dates. Its secondary standard of service target is to give priority to customers' travel needs aiming to meet their declared travel dates for at least 99.99 per cent. of passports issued. The Agency is meeting this target and will continue to do so.The Agency's aim is to reduce turnround times in all the six regional passport offices to its target of ten days by September and in the meantime to meet customers' declared travel needs. It will do this by injecting additional resources, through system improvements and clear messages to passport applicants on how they can best assist the Agency to meet their needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) new applications and (b) applications for renewal of United Kingdom passports were received in each month since January 1998; how many unprocessed applications there were at the end of each month; and if he will make a statement. [83137]

Information on new and renewal applications and on unprocessed applications is shown in the table.

Month	New	Renewal	Work in Progress
January 1998	179,812	210,465	118,983
February 1998	205,613	221,535	139,879
March 1998	233,839	223,772	168,064
April 1998	192,314	167,118	136,174
May 1998	268,357	202,910	184,505
June 1998	245,467	176,988	204,589
July 1998	233,388	168,073	190,857
August 1998	230,835	179,665	101,300
September 1998	138,630	109,215	86,848
October 1998	125,315	99,087	53,652
November 1998	145,815	117,807	77,423
December 1998	90,208	74,731	61,396
January 1999	166,995	172,346	129,778
February 1999	208,906	188,515	210,292
March 1999	294,787	239,533	222,631

The Passport Agency has encountered a number of operational problems arising from the introduction of new high technology driven passport issuing arrangements into its Liverpool and Newport passport offices. This has caused delays in the processing of non-urgent applications and has increased the backlog of unprocessed work.To meet its customers' needs the Passport Agency is now prioritising applications by customers' declared travel dates. Its secondary standard of service target is to give priority to customers' travel needs aiming to meet their declared travel dates for at least 99.99 per cent. of passports issued. The Agency is meeting this target and will continue to do so.The Agency's aim is to reduce turnround times in all the six regional passport offices to its target of 10 days by September and in the meantime to meet customers' declared travel needs. It will do this by injecting additional resources, through system improvements and clear messages to passport applicants on how they can best assist the Agency to meet their needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what approach the Government are taking in relation to statements about the compatibility of new legislation with the Convention rights set out in the Human Rights Act 1998. [83540]

A statement under section 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act may be made where, in the view of the Minister, the provisions of the Bill are compatible with the Convention rights. In other cases a statement under section 19(1)(b) of the Act should be made: such a statement is not one that the provisions of the Bill are incompatible with the Convention rights but only one to the effect that the Minister is unable to make a statement of compatibility. A section 19(1)(a) statement is a positive statement of compatibility.If a section 19(1)(a) statement is to be made, a Minister must be clear that, at a minimum, the balance of argument supports the view that the provisions are compatible. Lawyers will advise whether the provisions of the Bill are on balance compatible with the Convention rights. In doing so, they will consider whether it is more likely than not that the provisions of the Bill will stand up to challenge on Convention grounds before the domestic courts and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. A Minister should not be advised to make a statement of compatibility where legal advice is that on balance the provisions of the Bill would not survive such a challenge. The fact that there are valid arguments to be advanced against any anticipated challenge is not a sufficient basis on which to advise a Minister that he may make a statement of compatibility where it is thought that these arguments would not ultimately succeed before the courts.Section 19 of the Act applies where a Minister of the Crown is in charge of a Bill, that is, either a Government Bill or a Consolidation Bill. Section 19 does not apply to Private Members' bills: there is no duty to make a statement about their compatibility with the Convention rights. Where the Bill is directly assisted by the Government, however, the Minister responsible for the policy should, as a matter of good practice, express the Government's views on compatibility with the Convention rights during the Second Reading debate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims were submitted to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (i) in total and (ii) by the victims of rape and incest; and what percentage in each case were (a) processed, (b) awarded and (c) rejected, in each of the last five years. [83266]

The available data record the number of applications received in a year, the number of claims settled in that year and the outcomes. Claims are not necessarily settled in the year in which they are received, but may be settled in subsequent years. In the following table the term 'rape' includes rape within the family.

	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
Claims received
Total number	71,734	75,667	75,032	77,326	75,956
Rape	3,997	3,891	3,581	4,020	3,260
Claims settled
Total number	64,549	76,225	79,219	79,544	85,493
Rape	905	2,355	2,401	3,018	3,594
Percentage settled attracting monetary award
Total	58	58	59	57	55
Rape	66	67	69	71	68

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change (a) the name of and (b) ceremonials associated with Remembrance Day. [83272]

There are no plans to change the name "Remembrance Day", which is also known as "Remembrance Sunday". Nor are there any plans to change the present arrangements for the official ceremony at the Cenotaph, which are generally recognised as successfully uniting the nation in memory of all those who made the supreme sacrifice and all who mourn them.The Royal British Legion, which organises the march past the Cenotaph that follows the official ceremony on Remembrance Sunday, has made proposals which will allow greater participation in future years by non ex-Service groups and individuals. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has welcomed the proposals for expansion of the march past put forward by the Royal British Legion, and Home Office officials are discussing the details with them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of each type of anti-personnel mine are presently held by (a) the Royal Air Force, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) UK Special Forces. [81995]

The Royal Air Force's stock of 209,625 HB876 bomblets (as at 1 April 1999), the sub-munition for the JP233 runway denial weapon, is being withdrawn from service to comply with the Ottawa Convention and destroyed by a contractor in Germany. Destruction will be completed by 1 January 2000, well ahead of the schedule stipulated under Ottawa of the four years after entry into force of the Convention. No anti-personnel mines are held by either the Royal Navy or UK Special Forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) anti-personnel landmines, (b) weapons containing anti-personnel landmines and (c) weapons containing anti-vehicle mines equipped with anti-handling devices have been developed by NATO forces carrying out operations in Kosovo. [81993]

Providing details of those weapon systems being developed by other NATO forces currently carrying out operations in Kosovo is a matter for those nations concerned. The Ottawa Convention, and the Landmines Act 1998, prohibit the UK from developing, stockpiling, using or transferring either (a) anti-personnel mines, or (b) weapons containing anti-personnel mines. The RAF's stocks of the JP233 Runway Denial Weapon—which is prohibited under the Ottawa Convention—have been withdrawn from service and will be destroyed by 1 January 2000, well ahead of the schedule stipulated under the Ottawa Convention. In the case of (c), the UK's equipment programme (including those weapons in service; being developed in collaboration with other NATO countries; or awaiting procurement decisions) currently contains the following anti-vehicle systems. They are all required to be compliant with the definitions and provisions of the Ottawa Convention and the Landmines Act 1998:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which vaccines or components of vaccines given to Gulf War service personnel contained squalene preparations; and how many British Gulf War veterans have tested positive for the presence of squalene in blood samples. [82286]

Details of the Ministry of Defence's programme to immunise UK troops against the potential threat posed by Iraq's biological weapons during the Gulf conflict were published in October 1997, in the MOD paper "Background to the Use of Medical Countermeasures to Protect British Forces during the Gulf War (Operation GRANBY)". None of the vaccines used for this programme contained squalene. In addition, UK Service personnel would have received other immunisations against diseases which potentially posed a public health threat. So far as has been ascertained, none of the latter vaccines contained squalene either.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which vaccines used on Gulf War service personnel were acquired from the USA. [82287]

Details of the Ministry of Defence's programme to immunise UK troops against the potential threat posed by Iraq's biological weapons during the Gulf conflict were published in October 1997, in the MOD paper "Background to the Use of Medical Countermeasures to Protect British Forces during the Gulf War (Operation GRANBY)". This describes in detail how a vaccine against plague was purchased from the US DoD for use by UK forces. None of the other vaccines used for this programme were acquired from the US.In addition, UK Service personnel would have received other immunisations against disease that potentially posed a public health threat. So far as has been ascertained, none of the latter vaccines were acquired from the US.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the investigation into vaccines used on Gulf War service personnel. [82288]

Details of the UK's anti-biological warfare agent immunisation programme for the Gulf conflict were declassified in December 1996. An explanation of the vaccines used and the reasoning behind the programme was published in October 1997 in the MOD paper "Background to the Use of Medical Countermeasures to Protect British Forces during the Gulf War (Operation GRANBY)". A copy of this publication has been placed in the Library of the House at that time.A Fact Finding Team within the Ministry of Defence's Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Unit (GVIU) was established in September 1997 to look into the implementation in-theatre of the 1991 programme of immunisation against biological warfare agents. This review is based on oral testimony and extant documentary evidence. with a view to making public as much information as possible. The team's fieldwork was completed last autumn and a paper based on their work, and on other contemporary material that has been located, is in the course of preparation. This will be published once it is completed, which is expected to be within the next three months.In May 1997, the Government announced the funding of a research programme to investigate the possible adverse health effects of the combination of vaccines and tablets which were given to troops in the Gulf to protect them against the threat of biological and chemical warfare agents. An Independent Panel has been set up to oversee this research programme. The Panel consists of experts in fields of toxicology, immunology, virology, microbiology and epidemiology and includes two members who have been nominated by Gulf veterans groups. The programme as a whole is now expected to take some three and a half years to complete. However, we expect to publish results from the first phase of work during the first half of 1999.This research involves an in depth study into the potential adverse health effects of interactions between the vaccines which could have been administered to Service personnel at the time of the Gulf War, both with and without pyridostigmine bromide (PB) which was present in the NAPS tablets given to UK troops in the Gulf War as a pre-treatment against nerve agents.Investigation of the specific combination of anthrax and pertussis vaccines is a priority element of the programme. The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) have been asked to repeat the tests they carried out in the late 1990 that led the Department of Health to notify the MOD that it had anxieties about the simultaneous use of anthrax and pertussis vaccines. NIBSC will commence this work later this year, when protocols are finalised. Their programme is expected to run for two years.Initial dose-ranging work at CBD Porton Down on the physical effects of vaccines and PB in rodents is nearing completion and a meeting of the Independent Panel held in March this year gave CBD permission to proceed with longer term studies to investigate potential cognitive and neurophysical effects of the vaccines/PB combination. NIBSC have also been invited to participate (in particular in the anthrax/pertussis work) and it is intended that a number of other scientific and academic bodies will contribute to the research in due course. It is expected that this study will report towards the end of 2002.The Independent Panel also approved a study to determine whether CBD Porton Down staff, who have received multiple immunisations including anthrax and plague in the course of their duties, exhibit higher levels of ill-health than their non-vaccinated colleagues. This study is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many meetings his special adviser, Bernard Gray, and Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement (Support) held with members and officials of the US Administration during their visit to the USA on 4 and 5 March; with which US department they met at each meeting; and what was the purpose of their visit. [82247]

Meetings were held on 5 March with Department of Defence officials to discuss defence industrial co-operation. The meetings were positive. We expect these discussions to continue as part of MOD's normal dialogue with US officials on defence equipment business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on (a) the level of Yugoslav air defence capability and (b) the threat to NATO aircraft from (i) non-portable, (ii) towed and (iii) self-propelled air defence weaponry, following the initial NATO air campaign. [82474]

The Yugoslav air defence capability has been and will continue to be damaged by the NATO air campaign. All Yugoslav operational air defence weapons are portable to a greater or lesser extent. Their towed anti aircraft guns present a limited threat to NATO's high altitude air attacks. These guns and their self-propelled air defence weapons still pose a credible threat to NATO aircraft, if operating at low level. NATO continues to take appropriate measures to minimise the threat.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Yugoslav Air Force (i) MIG-29s, (ii) MIG-21s, (iii) ORAOs and (iv) Galebs are confirmed destroyed by NATO; how many were estimated non-operational before NATO operations over Serbia began; and if he will make a statement on the estimated impact of NATO action to date on Yugoslav Air Force capability. [82473]

We estimate that NATO has destroyed 70 out of 450 aircraft of all types. This includes seven MiG-29s, 16 MIG-21s and 35 ORAO/GALEB aircraft. Between 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. of their aircraft might have been non-operational before the NATO campaign began. The Yugoslav Air Force continues to fly a limited number of combat missions but NATO action has had a considerable impact on its capability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the basis of the calculation of the cash budget of the Chief of Defence Logistics in 1996–97 in his Department's expenditure plans 1999–2000 to 2001–02, Table 1A. [82515]

The Defence Logistics Organisation brings together the three single Service logistics commands: the Chief of Fleet Support, Quartermaster General and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Land Logistics Command. In order to show comparable figures for the new Chief of Defence Logistics Top Level Budget (TLB) for previous years, the budgets of those former TLBs, which under the earlier Estimates structure were shown on Vote 2 (Defence: logistics services), have been added together. In addition, the total figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 have been adjusted by the amounts of the loans and grants to and repayments from the Hydrographic Office Defence Agency that had previously been contained within the Chief of Fleet Support TLB but which it has now been decided should be shown separately for all years in Supply Estimates (Vote subhead 1N) and, therefore, in Table la of The Government's Expenditure Plans 1999–2000 to 2001–02: Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) efficiency savings and (b) purchasing reductions which have been (i) identified and (ii) achieved in his Department's cash plan (A) 1998–99 estimated outturn and (B) the 1999–2000 expenditure plans in the Class VI Estimates, Vote 1, for each of votes 1A to 1P, excluding Vote 1N. [82557]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has held with his NATO counterparts regarding the use of depleted uranium weapons by NATO forces in current operations in Yugoslavia. [82861]

I have had no discussions on the use of depleted uranium with my NATO counterparts. The United Kingdom has not used DU ammunition in the Balkans. It is a matter for the individual nations as to what ammunition they employ.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the revenue effect of reducing the national insurance charge by 0.5 per cent. for all those employed in or by the armed forces. [82752]

Based on figures for Financial Year 1999–2000, it is estimated that the revenue effect of reducing by 0.5 per cent. the National Insurance Charges for Armed Forces personnel, will be:

(a) Employees' National Insurance Charges—£16.9 million

(b) Employers' National Insurance Charges—£17.0 million.

Any other personnel employed in support of the Armed Forces—excepting MOD civil servants—are directly employed by contractors. Responsibility for the payment of National Insurance Charges therefore lies with the contractors concerned and not the Armed Forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many students are currently training at Cranwell to become officers; and how many are of Afro-Caribbean origin. [83076]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: On 29 April 1999, there were 319 Royal Air Force officer cadets undergoing initial officer training at RAF College Cranwell. Within that total, there were fewer than five people who had declared their ethnic origin as Black Caribbean, Black African or Black Other. Detailed figures are not given in order to protect the confidentiality of the individuals concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many students are currently training at Sandhurst to become officers; and how many of these are of Afro-Caribbean origin. [83072]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: As at 1 April 1999, there were 626 British Officer Cadets under training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Of this number, there were fewer than five cadets whose ethnic category was classified as either Black African or Black Other. Detailed figures are not given in order to protect the confidentiality of the individuals concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many students are currently training at Dartmouth Naval College to become officers; and how many of these are of Afro-Caribbean origin. [83073]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: There are currently 348 Royal Navy Young Officers under training at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth. Of these, six are of ethnic origin, although none are currently Black-Caribbean or Black other.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date and by what legal authority Army barracks were constructed on property of the Gaelic Athletic Association and grounds of Crossmaglen Rangers; what preparations have been made to vacate these barracks; what functions currently conducted at or from these barracks will be discontinued and what functions will be carried out from which other sites; what preparations for the transfer of functions are being made at other sites; what date has been set as the target for completion of these moves; what compensation or other payments have been made to the owners of this land; and what plans have been made to demolish the barracks and return the site to its previous use. [82502]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram) on 4 May 1999, Official Report, columns 328–29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many commissioned officers there are in (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force; and how many are of Afro-Caribbean origin. [83074]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: As at 1 March 1999, the numbers of all commissioned officers, and the number of commissioned officers whose known ethnic category is either 'Black-African' or 'Black-Caribbean' is as shown in the table:

	All ethnic origins	Black-African1	Black-Caribbean1
Naval Service	7,733	8	6
Army	12,707	12	12
Royal Air Force	10,798	9	17
Total	31,238	29	35
1These numbers are based on the self-classification of ethnic origin used by individual members of the Armed Forces. There are a further 24 officers who have classified themselves as 'Black-Other'.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress of the study into the options for a public private partnership for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. [83391]

A report on the Public Private Partnership options for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was submitted by the Ministry of Defence study team to Ministers on 31 March 1999.The report detailed the progress of the study to date, setting out the team's analysis and the proposed way ahead. In line with their advice, I have agreed that they should consult on the report's findings with key stakeholders, including other Government Departments, UK industry and academia, overseas allies, DERA staff and trade unions, before providing me with a final recommendation in the summer.I would hope to be in a position to make an announcement on the PPP option chosen by the time of the summer recess. However, it is important that all stakeholders are properly consulted and their views taken into account prior to a decision being taken on the final shape of the PPP.A copy of the consultation document has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the location of the permanent headquarters for the Defence Logistics Organisation. [83539]

We have undertaken a comprehensive investment appraisal and business case study to inform a decision on the location of the headquarters of the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) following its Foundation Year. I am now able to announce that, subject to full consultation with the Trades Unions, the headquarters will be based from 1 April 2000 at Ensleigh in Bath. The headquarters will comprise only a very small proportion of the DLO's staff, but its new location is the best site to enable it to drive forward the revolution in logistic support, deliver the full scale of early business improvements expected from the newly unified organisation, work closely with the Defence Procurement Agency to develop the Smart Procurement initiative and meet the DLO vision to excel as an integrated and responsive defence logistics team. Once agreement is reached with the Trade Unions, transition planning will begin in earnest with the aim of a progressive move to the new location completed by 1 April 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support his Department provides for profitable medium-sized businesses facing closure as a result of multi-national corporations rationalising their operations. [82375]

[holding answer 29 April 1999]: The closure of any successful business, whether operated by a foreign or indigenous company, is always a matter for regret. The DTI's Invest in Britain Bureau and its partners seek to ensure that, where multi-national firms are considering global rationalisation, the case for the UK is put forward strongly to local management. However, commercial decisions taken in the light of world market conditions rest with the companies themselves.In circumstances where there are redundancies, the Employment Service stands ready to give the maximum possible assistance to those affected, including counselling, careers guidance and advice on re-training opportunities. In offering support the Employment Service takes account of the skills and experience of the employees being made redundant and local labour market conditions. The Employment Service has also targeted help in cases where there are large scale redundancies by setting up Rapid Response Units. These have been established to offer a wide range of co-ordinated support, and to assist people who have unfortunately been made redundant to find jobs quickly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to introduce protection from discrimination in the workplace for lesbians and gay men. [83020]

We are currently considering our response to the Equal Opportunities Commission's recommendations, following their review of the current sex discrimination legislation. One of the EOC's proposals was that there should be legal protection for gay men and lesbians. We are considering carefully the Commission's recommendations, including whether or not legislation is the most appropriate route.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils there are in Roman Catholic secondary schools in London; and how many are of Afro-Caribbean origin. [83075]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: In January 1998 there were 59,030 pupils in Roman Catholic maintained secondary schools in London, of which 4,438 were of Black Caribbean background and 4,835 of Black African background.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects the QCA to give final approval for the specifications submitted to it by awarding bodies for new A and AS level courses; and when he expects specimen papers, specifications and marking schemes to be circulated to schools. [83289]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority intends to produce by September 1999 synopses of all proposed AS and A level specifications to be introduced for teaching from September 2000. After final approval, the new specifications, together with sample assessment materials and marking schemes, will be published and distributed to schools and colleges by the awarding bodies in December 1999. Although the final specifications will not be available until later in the year, I understand that the awarding bodies plan to make detailed information on their draft specifications available to schools and colleges as soon as possible after they have been submitted to QCA later this Spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what performance targets will be set for the Employment Service in 1999–2000. [83463]

The Aim of the Employment Service is to contribute to high levels of employment and growth, and to individuals leading rewarding working lives, by helping all people without a job find work and employers fill their vacancies. This aim is supported by six key Objectives.I am today announcing the targets I have set the Employment Service for 1999–2000 for each of its Objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he intends to reply to the letter sent to him by Karen Lloyd and Sarah Varnan of Windermere Road, Kendal on 23 February. [83183]

I am afraid there is no record of the original letter to the Secretary of State having been received in the Department. However, the correspondents copied their letter to the Prime Minister on 19 April. A copy arrived in the Department from the Prime Minister's office on 30 April. We will reply within the timetable set by the Department's Correspondence Standard, ie 15 working days from receipt.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the future of the Youth Service. [83296]

We are currently considering a range of proposals supporting the requirements of young people, including the role of the youth service. The nature and timing of our planned consultation on the future of the youth service will need to be determined once the youth service's part in the wider agenda has been firmly established. An announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by local education authority how many acting heads and acting deputy heads there were in January 1999 and in each of the last three years in maintained schools in England and Wales, listing separately (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools. [80676]

[holding answer 23 April 1999]: The information requested is not held centrally.An Office for Manpower Economics sample survey of vacancies and recruitment in schools in the maintained sector in England and Wales at September 1998 estimated that the proportion of acting heads was about 3 per cent. and the proportion of acting deputy heads was about 6 per cent.Teachers may take on a job in an acting capacity when another post is vacant or the incumbent is absent because of sick, compassionate, study or training leave.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many independent tribunal decisions to allow payments to appellants there were in the last year; and how many of these were paid to the claimant (a) within one month, (b) between one and two months and (c) after more than two months after the decision. [83067]

The latest available statistics indicate that for the period 1 December 1997 to 30 November 1998, a total of 261,255 appeals were heard and decided. Of these, 87,986 [33.7 per cent.] were in the appellant's favour. Information is not kept about what proportion of these resulted in payments to appellants or how soon after the Independent Tribunals' decisions such payments were made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to ensure that giro cheques cashed in shops offering to cash cheques on the spot are being legitimately encashed by claimants. [82632]

The administration of benefits is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. I have asked him to reply to my right hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will increase the time allocated by Health and Safety Executive inspectors to the inspection of genetically modified trial crop sites. [74867]

[holding answer 5 March 1999]: The time allocated for Health and Safety Executive inspection of genetically modified trial crop sites has been increased in 1999–2000 by about 15 per cent. compared with the previous year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to use research data from other countries on the ecological impact of genetically engineered of crops in order to avoid the need to plant such crops in this country for research purposes. [79488]

All available research data are used, including data from other countries, when making assessments. However, the UK ecosystem is unique and therefore information from other countries is not always relevant. Some research trials are statutory, for example trials in respect of the UK National List of Seeds, and these must be grown and assessed in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the mechanisms for informing local communities of genetically modified crops being grown in their area. [82259]

Information on the location of trials of genetically modified (GM) crops is currently available on the public register held in my Department. Outside of London, details of local releases are available at the regional offices of the Environment Agency and in Scotland at both the offices of the Scottish Office and the Health and Safety Executive, Edinburgh. The information is also available on my Department's website. Copies of register entries for particular releases are available by post on request. In addition, anyone applying for a release consent must publish a notice in a newspaper circulating in the areas likely to be affected by the proposed release. We continue to examine ways of improving the availability of information to local communities of GM crop trials but have no plans at present to change existing mechanisms.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each (a) biotechnology and (b) other company which has asked the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment to keep confidential papers or information which it has provided to the committee on genetically modified engineering. [77942]

The legislation requires the Secretary of State to keep certain information confidential if requested to do so by the company concerned. Such information is limited to the protection of intellectual property rights for which a patent application is being made. The information is placed on the public register once the patent has been granted. Otherwise all the information in the application for consent to release or market a GMO is available on request. All the information submitted with an application is available to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment.The following companies have asked the Secretary of State to treat elements of their applications as commercially confidential under the terms outlined above:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many vehicles used the Al/M1 Yorkshire link road in its first full month of operation; what was the total sum paid to Yorkshire Link under the design, build, finance and operate contract; and if he will make a statement. [81898]

[holding answer 23 April 1999]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local authorities identified by the Year 2000 Taskforce as giving cause for concern in terms of their millennium computer compliance preparations. [82821]

As Action 2000 stated at their National Infrastructure Forum on 21 April 1999, at this stage of the evaluation process they are not naming any organisations. At the next Forum meeting, on 13 July, the Government Offices for the Regions, as the Millennium Bug responsible bodies for local authorities, fully expect to be in a position to report progress on all local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that Herefordshire is adequately represented on the West Midlands Regional Development Agency; and if he will make a statement. [82823]

Our primary concern in appointing the board members of Regional Development Agencies was to choose people with a wide range of experience who would make an effective contribution to the work of the boards. Members should not consider themselves to be the delegates of any group, body or geographical area but should take into account the interests of the region as a whole.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the designated areas of special scientific interest that have been subject to inappropriate development since May 1997. [82676]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 28 April 1999, Official Report, column 144.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to assist councils faced with the cost of cleaning up land from which travellers have been evicted. [82719]

We have published, jointly with the Home Office, good practice guidance for local authorities and the police on managing unauthorised camping. The good practice recognises that the cost of clearing up after unauthorised encampments can be high, and suggests that costs might be reduced by the provision of refuse collection and disposal services during the encampment.We want to encourage local authorities to think creatively about how best to manage unauthorised camping. Part of their thinking may involve the provision of temporary, serviced sites as advised in Department of the Environment Circular 18/94 "Gypsy Sites Policy and Unauthorised Camping", and latterly in the good practice guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if civil airlines flying into United Kingdom airports are required to have radar enabling their pilots to detect other planes or flying objects directly below them. [82849]

Many passenger transport aeroplanes flying in UK airspace already have an airborne collision avoidance system installed and operating. This system is known as Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) II. It can provide advisory information including recommended avoidance manoeuvres to the pilot if another aircraft equipped with an operating transponder beacon is likely to pass too close. The intruder aircraft may be coming from any direction and may be above, below or at the same level as the aeroplane equipped with TCAS.With effect from 1 January 2000, all aeroplanes with more than 30 passenger seats or with a maximum take off mass that exceeds 15,000 kilogrammes will need to be equipped with an improved version of TCAS II that offers enhanced operational performance. It is intended that by 1 January 2005 this requirement should be extended to all aeroplanes that have more than 19 passenger seats or a maximum take off mass of more than 5,700 kilogrammes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what offer has been made by the Government to the BEST pension trustees; and what was the response; [82678]

Discussions about achieving a just out-of-court settlement of this issue are proceeding. We continue to attach high importance to bringing the discussion to a satisfactory conclusion without any unnecessary delay.Officials from other Departments have been kept fully informed of matters affecting their Departmental interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the circumstances whereby a package of radioactive iridium was discovered at Stansted Airport. [83123]

I understand that this package, which was misdirected from the United States, arrived at Stansted Airport on Saturday 24 April 1999, as part of a normal shipment of radioactive material, and was placed in Federal Express's radioactive material store. When it was recognised that this package did not belong in the United Kingdom, the consignor was contacted and its proper destination ascertained. The package was returned to the United States on Monday 26 April 1999. At no time did it leave the control of Federal Express during its brief stay in the United Kingdom. The material was correctly contained in a package approved by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the US Department of Transportation in compliance with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Class 7) which governs the international transport of dangerous goods by air. I also understand that the package bore the appropriate markings and the correct labels, enabling it to be properly and safely handled. I would emphasise that the package at no time posed any threat to the health of workers, the public or to the environment.The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the circumstances of how the package came to the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action was taken to safeguard (a) human health and (b) the environment following the discovery of a radioactive package of iridium at Stansted Airport. [83132]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: On arrival at Stansted Airport, the package was placed in a dedicated and licensed radioactive store of Federal Express where it remained until it was returned to the United States. I understand that the package bore the appropriate markings and the correct labels, enabling it to be properly and safely handled. There was at no time any hazard to human health or to the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the package of iridium found at Stansted Airport was transported there on a passenger-carrying aircraft. [83135]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: This package arrived on a Federal Express cargo plane and was similarly returned to the United States on a Federal Express cargo plane.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what hazard warnings there were on the outside of the package of radioactive iridium discovered at Stansted Airport. [83134]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: The package which was mistakenly delivered to Stansted Airport bore all the necessary hazard warnings in accordance with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Class 7) and with the relevant UK regulations for air transport of dangerous goods (The Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 SI No. 3187 and Amendments 1996 SI No. 3100 and 1998 SI No. 2536).The warnings consisted of an indelible trefoil symbol, resistant to the effects of fire and water, plainly marked on the outside of the package, together with two diamond shaped Category III-YELLOW labels on opposite sides of the package. The labels also bear the trefoil symbol, the word "RADIOACTIVE", and give details of the contents, the radioactivity and the Transport Index.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has of the number of packages of radioactive material carried within the United Kingdom by common carriers for the last year for which figures are available. [83131]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: Data are not collected separately on whether radioactive material is carried by common carriers or by a company's own transport, as they are required to meet the provisions of the same regulations. It was estimated in 1997 that of the order of 10,000 flights carrying packages of radioactive material currently occur each year, the vast majority of which contain limited quantities for medical or industrial use in excepted or Type A packages.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what controls exist over the movement within the United Kingdom of radioactive packages by common carriers. [83133]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: The transport of radioactive material within the UK, by whatever type of carrier, is controlled by a number regulatory requirements. The main regulations are as follows:Road

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings have been held by his Department's Park Homes working party. [83285]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: The Working Party has met five times to date and is making useful progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of the width of council tax bands G and H; and if he will take steps to reduce the width of these bands before any general revaluation. [83237]

We cannot make any changes to the valuation bands unless we carry out a revaluation of all dwellings. Last year we fully considered whether the current council tax bands should be changed and whether a revaluation was required. We set out our conclusions in the White Paper, "Modern Local Government—In Touch with the People". We explained that the council tax was generally working well and that we do not plan to make any fundamental changes to the council tax, or carry out a revaluation, during the course of this Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to protect the public from dishonest and incompetent builders and roofers. [83146]

I refer the hon. Member to my oral answer of 13 April 1999, Official Report, columns 1-3, which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions since March 1994, he or his predecessors have intervened during consideration of (a) a development plan and (b) an individual planning application, because the proposals would conflict with the potential to carry freight by water or rail. [82884]

Since March 1994 the Secretary of State has issued 34 directions to local planning authorities for them to change policies or proposals in their development plans; none of these concerned conflict with the potential to carry freight by water/rail. Information is not held centrally on the reasons for call-in of planning applications by the Secretary of State in that period. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the circumstances which led to the suspension of services and the closure of Fenchurch Street Station on Wednesday, 20 April; and if he will make a statement on the measures taken to avoid future closures. [83305]

I understand from Railtrack that services to Fenchurch Street Station on 20 April were suspended as a result of power failure. The decision to close the station was taken by the train operator, LTS Rail Ltd. Railtrack say that they are committed to reducing the delays to train services caused by infrastructure failure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what proposals he has for strengthening the Hedgerow Regulations; [83043](2) what measures he proposes for increasing the percentage of hedgerows protected in the North West Region. [83042]

Recommendations to the Government for strengthening the Hedgerows Regulations 1997, put forward by the group which reviewed them, were published in July 1998. The group recommended that research should be commissioned into the impact of their proposals, before final decisions were taken. We are studying the results of that research.

To ask the President of the Council what changes she plans to make to the allocation of oral question time for the (a) Secretary of State for Scotland and (b) Secretary of State for Wales; and if she will make a statement. [82828]

I have asked the Procedure Committee for its views on whether the amount of time allocated for such oral questions should be reduced once the new legislatures are functioning. I understand that the Committee is due to report soon and I will take its views into account before reaching a decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if she will publish the references provided for the former Deputy Chief Constable of the Cleveland Police in support of his application for the post of Deputy Commissioner of Royal Turks and Caicos Islands; [82685](2) if she will publish the names of individuals who provided the reference for the former Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police for the post of Deputy Commissioner of Royal Turks and Caicos Islands. [82686]

It would not be proper for the Department for International Development to disclose the names of those who supply references for individuals applying for posts with the department.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has obtained that contact with some genetically modified crops could lead to antibiotic resistance in humans; and if he will make a statement. [82628]

There is no evidence that contact with genetically modified (GM) crops will lead to antibiotic resistance in humans. The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes rigorously assesses each application for a GM food before it is allowed onto the market. As part of this assessment, it looks very carefully at the use of antibiotic markers and recommends against approval in those circumstances where it considers that there is a finite risk that their use might give rise to an increase in resistance against clinically important antibiotics.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what environmental appraisal was made of the draft Food Standards Agency Bill; and what changes were made to the draft Bill as a result. [82854]

We did not consider that the provisions of the draft Bill establishing this new body with a range of enabling powers would themselves have significant implications for the environment. We do however envisage that the individual actions and decisions taken by the Agency in the exercise of its powers will, where relevant, be subject to environmental appraisal.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department is taking to encourage the uptake of the EU subsidy for school milk. [82772]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: Last year, my noble Friend Lord Donoughue asked the Intervention Board to promote the EU scheme in England and Wales, and similar exercises were carried out in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Board is also working to identify ways of simplifying the arrangements.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Salmon letters have been sent out by the BSE inquiry in preparation for Phase II of the inquiry; to whom they were sent; how many have been withdrawn; and what is the total cost of providing legal assistance to recipients of letters pertaining to Phase II of the BSE inquiry. [83262]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: The distribution of Salmon letters is a confidential process which is entirely a matter for the Committee of Inquiry and individual recipients; I am therefore unable to provide the information requested.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in developing targets for flood and coastal defence operating authorities and in developing the Environment Agency's general flood defence supervisory duty. [83462]

I am pleased to announce the publication, today, of interim targets for flood and coastal defence operating authorities and elaboration of the Environment Agency's supervisory duty. I am placing a copy in the Library of the House.The targets are designed to assist in developing a seamless and integrated service of flood forecasting, warning and response as well as a more certain delivery of Government policy towards flood and coastal defence. They follow recommendations, which the Government accepted, in last year's Agriculture Select Committee's report on flood and coastal defence and in the Independent Report on the Easter 1998 floods.These interim targets will, among other things, set in hand arrangements for flood and coastal defence assets to be identified, recorded on a central database and their integrity assessed. There are also targets in relation to other important issues such as completion and implementation of Water Level Management Plans and Shoreline Management Plans, as well as wider environmental objectives.These targets, and elaboration of the Environment Agency's supervisory duty, have been developed in full co-operation with the Agency, the Association of Drainage Authorities and the Local Government Association and in consultation with a wide range of relevant organisations. I have been impressed by the strong support we have had both for the overall approach we have adopted and for the particular measures we are introducing.A more comprehensive set of targets, and further elaboration of the Environment Agency's supervisory duty, will be developed over the next year for adoption from March 2000. We will continue to work in a consultative way and I shall continue to keep Parliament informed of developments.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 5 May. [82891]

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 Prime Minister if he will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin at 1 March of (a) his private office, (b) Government special advisers, (c) the No. 10 Policy Unit and (d) No. 10 Downing Street staff in total. [78505]The Prime Minister

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) financial and (b) other assistance his Department is providing to the Rugby League World Cup. [83077]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: Firstly, I congratulate the Rugby Football League (RFL) on their successful bid for this major international sporting event and look forward to a world-beating competition next year.

Year/budget	Spending (£ million)	Allocation between totals in Table Al
1997–98
Welfare to Work	143	own line in table
1998–99
Welfare to Work	717	own line in table
1999–200
Welfare to Work	1,492	own line in table
Invest to Save Budget	53	own line in table;
		allocations to departments set out in table 1.8 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1999–2000 (Cm 4201)
Capital Modernisation Fund	250	own line in table;
		allocations to date to departments set out in table 1.9 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1999–2000 (Cm 4201)

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the panel on the television licence fee is due to report. [83292]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 12 January 1999, Official Report, columns 131–32, the BBC funding review panel will report to him by the end of July this year. There will then be a period of public consultation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each of the years 1997–98 to 2001–02 all cross-departmental budgets, the spending accounted for by each and a breakdown of how that spending is allocated between the departmental totals in Table A 1 of the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review. [68391]

The table sets out the information requested. Cross-departmental budgets are defined for this purpose as those budgets expenditure from which is accounted for by more than one department.In addition, there are several other programmes which are subject to joint financial management and planning arrangements between two or more departments, but which are accounted for on one department's vote. The Single Regeneration Budget falls into this category, as do the Sure Start programme and the single asylum budget established in the Comprehensive Spending Review. The CSR also established joint strategic planning arrangements for the criminal justice system and on drugs, and similar arrangements are being developed for DETR and MAFF's countryside and rural development programmes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) reviews, (b) task forces and (c) advisory groups have been established by his Department since 1 May

Title	Reports
Comprehensive Spending Review	CSR White Paper 14 July 1998
Review of North Sea Fiscal Regime	The Chancellor announced on 7 September 1998 in a press release that the Government had been monitoring changes in oil prices and that at the current low level of oil prices it would not be right at this stage to proceed with reform of the regime
Review of Charity Taxation	Consultation document published 9 March 1999. Responses invited by 31 August 1999
Review of Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud	Report published 28 July 1998
Government Taskforce on Tax and Benefits	Announcement on 17 March 1998
Review of Landfill Tax	Financial Statement and Budget Report 18 March 1998
Review on the Revenue Effect of a reduced rate of VAT for energy efficient material and alternative options for targeted relief to help those on low incomes to save energy.	Report on the effect of a reduced rate of VAT for schemes helping the less well off insulate their homes published November 1998
Review of PFI (Public/Private Partnerships)	>Sir Malcolm Bates report published 13 June 1997
Review of Research and Development	Consultation document published on Budget Day 1998, comments were also invited in respect of various Inland Revenue Technical notes published on 14 January and 10 March 1999
Review of the calculation of Vehicle Excise Duty for lorries	Not yet reported
Review of Public/Private Partnership options for the Royal Mint	Not yet reported
Review of Company Car Taxation	New emission's-based approach announced in March 1999 Budget
Review of graduated Vehicle Excise Duty for cars	Consultation document published with the Pre-Budget Report November 1998. £100 rate for cars up to 1,100 cc from 1 June 1999 and emissions-based approach from Autumn 2000 announced in March 1999 Budget
Consultation on a potential Aggregates Tax	Consultation document published on 15 June 1998
Review of Double Taxation of companies	A discussion paper was published 12 March 1999—ongoing
Enterprise Management Incentives	>New scheme announced in 1999 Budget. Technical note published. Advisory Group will help draw up details to be published in the autumn legislation to follow in Finance Bill 2000
Review of General Anti-Avoidance Rule	On Budget day 9 March 1999, Official Report, columns 173–90, the Chancellor unveiled a substantial package of measures designed to attack avoidance and safeguard future revenue. He said that a general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR) for corporate direct taxes remained an option for the future if more targeted legislation proved ineffective in dealing with the problem of avoidance, but that the Government would not proceed with a GAAR in this Budget or with a mini-GAAR for VAT on construction services. Consultation documents published on 5 October 1998 (direct taxes) and on 20 January 1999 (VAT)

The reviews, task forces and advisory groups established by the Chancellor's departments since 1 May 1997, and reports published to date are as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of (1) task forces and (2) policy reviews established by his Department since May 1997 which (a) had external members recruited by way of public advertisement, and details of any person so appointed and (b) engaged in public consultation exercises, and the form that these took. [74458]

The Taskforces and reviews established by the Chancellor's departments since May 1997 which had members recruited by public advertisement or undertook public consultation are listed.1. The Comprehensive Spending review:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up (a) sub-groups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees; [79251](2) if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997

The information on task forces and policy reviews with external members established by the Chancellor's departments is listed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest draft of (a) the Inland Revenue self assessment computations form and (b) the Inland Revenue income tax calculations flowchart for 1999–2000. [81704]

The Inland Revenue is currently working on the 1999–2000 drafts for the self assessment tax calculation and tax calculation guide to include all necessary changes including those coming from the Budget. These documents are, at this stage, in the process of change from the 1998–99 versions. Further work will be carried out during the course of this year including consultation with the representative bodies and usability testing with taxpayers. Final drafts should be available towards the end of 1999 once this process has been completed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the abolition of the additional personal tax allowance in relation to carers; and if he will introduce a new allowance or credit to assist working carers with the costs of caring. [80937]

[holding answer 16 April 1999]: The additional personal allowance is to be abolished as part of the package of reforms leading to the introduction of the children's tax credit. It is primarily claimed by people who are not married and living with their spouse and have one or more qualifying children resident with them, but in a minority of cases it is claimed by married people who have a totally incapacitated spouse and a qualifying child resident with them. Most people in this situation will benefit from the introduction of the children's tax credit, which will be worth more than twice as much as the additional personal allowance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the letter of 16 July 1997 from the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe to the hon. Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Charlotte Atkins) regarding permanent health insurance schemes for employees, what steps he has taken to monitor the sound and prudent management of such schemes; and if he has found it necessary to take action under the Insurance Companies Act 1982. [82169]

None. In the first instance, the management of such schemes is a matter for the insurers themselves. However, most insurers have undertaken to abide by the Association of British Insurers Codes of Practice.The statutory regulation of insurance companies aims principally at ensuring that only properly authorised insurers carry on business in the United Kingdom; that there is sound and prudent management; and that there are systems of managerial and financial control sufficient to ensure that an authorised company is able to meet its liabilities to policyholders and potential policyholders. In the performance of the administrative and supervisory tasks contracted out to them by the Treasury, the Financial Services Authority will take account of the criteria of sound and prudent management set out in Schedule 2A of the 1982 Act when reaching a view on the management of an authorised insurance company.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of married couples in which the eldest spouse turns 65 years after 5 April 2000 in the period (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02; and how many will pay income tax as a consequence of the loss of the married couples allowance. [80877]