To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the statement by Gaafar Mohammed Nimeri, the former President of Sudan, urging an armed uprising, for the United Kingdom's aid programme in the area; and if he will make a statement.

We closed down our development aid programme to Sudan in 1991 and have no plans to reinstate it. We shall continue to provide humanitarian aid to the Sudanese people according to needs and without political conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received. since 1 January 1991, about (a) refusal of visas to United Kingdom citizens by the United States immigration authorities and (b) treatment of United Kingdom citizens travelling to or in the United States of America by the United States immigration authorities; what representations he has made to the United States Administration; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of a small number of cases where such difficulties have been experienced by British citizens. These have been brought to the attention of the United States Administration. United States immigration regulations are, of course, a matter for the United States authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making with the German Government concerning compensation for British ex-service men interned during the second world war.

There is no basis on which to make representations with the German Government concerning compensation for British ex-service men interned during the second world war. Internment is a recognised right of a belligerent in times of war.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Nigerian Government about: the arrests of the human rights and pro-democracy activists Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Barrister Femi Falana and Baba Omajola in Lagos on 19 May; and if he will make a statement.

We have told the Nigerian Government of our grave concern at the arrest and continued detention of these human rights activists. We have strongly urged them to abide by the due processes of law and either release or try the activists under normal and fair legal procedure. We expect to make further representations on this subject to the Nigerian authorities with our European Community partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Lao ambassador to present his credentials; and what is the reason for the delay.

We have not yet agreed a date with the Lao ambassador, who is resident in Paris, to present credentials. It is not uncommon for a period to elapse between agrément, the receipt of working copies of credentials, and their presentation by a non-resident ambassador.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the co-ordinating committee of western nations on technology transfer (COCOM).

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer 1 gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 5 June, at column 673.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Burmese State Law and Order Restoration Council, and at the United Nations, concerning the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, and the continued killing and displacement of the Rohingya and Karen minorities.

With our Community partners, we have repeatedly called on the Burmese authorities to release Aung San Suu Kyi unconditionally from house arrest and to end all repression of minorities; including the Rohingyas and Karen. At the United Nations general assembly last November we co-sponsored a resolution urging respect for the democratic and human rights of the Burmese people. We also co-sponsored a resolution at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva earlier this year calling for an end to the repression of minorities, a public scrutiny of Burma's human rights record and the appointment of a special rapporteur. We fully support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General in securing the repatriation of the Rohingya people to Burma.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Palestinians who were born in Kuwait and who are now in the United Kingdom who wish to return to Kuwait and are experiencing difficulties in so doing.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the experts his Department consults on European Community proposals relating to issues of external affairs.

European Community proposals on external affairs cover a wide range of issues. My Department consults experts, including officials of other Governments and the European Commission, as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) who is the Minister responsible for considering the environmental implications of all of the Overseas Development Administration's policies; when that person was appointed; what actions his Department has taken since the appointment of a responsible Minister; and if he will make a statement;(2) who is the Minister responsible for considering the environmental implications of all of his Department's policies; when that person was appointed; what actions his Department has taken since the appointment of a responsible Minister; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are again appointing a Minister within each Department to take particular responsibility for environmental aspects of that Department's policies and programmes. A list of nominated Ministers will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many copies of his Department's Overseas Development Administration's report, "Action for the Environment" have been printed; to whom copies have been made available; and what has been the cost to date of printing and circulation of this publication.

The Overseas Development Administration has printed 20,000 copies of its information booklet "Action for the Environment". The publication was launched by the Minister for Overseas Development at the Earth summit in Rio de Janeiro where 2,000 copies were made available.Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. "Action for the Environment" is being distributed to Government Departments and international and non-government organisations at home and overseas. Copies are also being sent to interested members of the public.The cost to date of printing and circulating this publication is approximately £25,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evaluation Her Majesty's Government have made of the European Commission's communication on scientific and technological co-operation with developing countries and its synergistic relations with development funds—SEC (92) 677.

The Commission's aim is to increase the complementarity between expenditure from the research and development part of the EC budget on science and technology programmes of interest to developing countries and EC development co-operation policies. We have welcomed this approach in principle, but are seeking more information on how new management structures within the Commission would ensure that the high quality of current activities under the science and technology for development programme would be maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made by Her Majesty's Government of the submission by China to the United Nations Disarmament Commission on the process of nuclear disarmament in the framework of international peace and security with the objective of the elimination of nuclear weapons—document A/CN.10./ 166, 24 April 1992; and what submissions were made by the United Kingdom to the United Nations Disarmament Commission session held from 20 April to 1 I May.

We have noted this statement of Chinese views.The United Kingdom joined other European Community partners in submitting a working paper —document A/CN. 10/172 of 5 May 1992—on this subject on behalf of the Twelve. We were also associated with a working paper—document A/CN.10/165—submitted on 23 April on behalf of the European Community and its member states on the role of science and technology in the context of international security, disarmament and other related fields.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made on behalf of refusenik Vsevolod Shilon and his family of St. Petersburg.

We made representations to the Russian authorities in Moscow on behalf of Vsevolod and Vera Shilon on 18 May 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made on behalf of refusenik Dimitri Pevzner and his family of St. Petersburg.

We made representations to the Russian authorities in Moscow on behalf of Dimitri and Luba Pevzner on 18 May 1992.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list by year, for the last 10 years, and for this year to date the number of people who have been (a) granted and (b) refused legal aid in civil cases.

In each of the financial years between 1980–81 and 1990–91, the number of civil legal aid certificates granted and applications refused were as follows:

	Certificates issued (thousands)	Applications refused (thousands)
1980–81	167.6	18.3
1981–82	176.1	21.5
1982–83	189.6	22.9
1983–84	205.9	24.8
1984–85	222.2	26.2
1985–86	232.4	28.4
1986–87	245.7	39.7
1987–88	245.4	48.6
1988–89	237.2	61.5
1989–90	259.2	81.2
1990–91	297.6	84.4

This information is contained in the legal aid annual reports which are available in the Library of the House. The report covering the period from April 1991 to March 1992 is due to be published on 22 June 1992.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consideration has been given to the withdrawing of his Department's circular to magistrates issued on 1 April in respect of requiring applicants for legal aid to produce recent wage slips, or proof of benefit paid, before their application can be considered.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 8 June, Official Report columns 17-18, in which I announced that paragraph 10 of the circular, which deals with the production of wage slips, would be withdrawn. If there are particular difficulties arising out of the application of other parts of the regulations, I am prepared to consider them.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to issue further guidance to clarify paragraph 11 of his recent legal aid circular; and if he will make a statement.

Following the withdrawal of paragraph 10 of the circular, consideration is being given to whether the criminal legal aid regulations need to be amended to ensure that they allow both for practicable procedures for administering legal aid and for proper accountability for public funds. This consideration will embrace the position of applicants on state benefits as well as those in employment. Further guidance will be issued in due course.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will withdraw the requirement in paragraph 11 of his recent legal aid circular to justices' clerks that proof of benefit level is necessary before legal aid can be granted.

Paragraph 11 of the circular reminds justices' clerks that applicants who are in receipt of certain benefits are required to provide details of the Benefit Agency office dealing with the benefit and the reference number and advises justices' clerks to seek corroborative evidence of receipt of the benefit claimed. It does not require proof of benefit level.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what consideration he has given to the effect of the Data Protection Act 1984 on the effective implementation of paragraph 11 of his recent legal aid circular to justices' clerks;(2) what are the arrangements for co-ordinating the effective implementation of paragraph 11 of the recent legal aid circular to justices' clerks by the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Benefits Agency.

My officials are exploring with the Benefits Agency arrangements for confirming the status of those criminal legal aid applicants who claim to be in receipt of benefits. The provisions of the Data Protection Act are being considered.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate has been made of the cost to the legal aid fund of the implementation of paragraph 11 of the recent legal aid circular to justices' clerks.

The only purpose of the circular was to remind justices' clerks of the requirements of the existing regulations for the grant of criminal legal aid.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people granted legal aid were in receipt of benefit, in the last year for which information is available.

The information requested is not collected centrally. However, a recent sample of criminal legal aid applications indicated that, of the applications granted, just under 75 per cent. related to persons in receipt of income support or family credit.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether he will increase the limits of availability for legal aid.

Most of the financial limits for legal aid were uprated in April by about 7 per cent. and the Lord Chancellor does not intend to increase them further.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the current level of legal aid.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Sir T. Arnold), on 22 May, at column 246.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment was made of the expected ability of persons detained in police custody to produce evidence of their wages for the preceding weeks, before the issue of his Department's circular concerning the conditions attaching to legal aid.

The only purpose of the circular was to remind justices' clerks of the requirements of the existing regulations for the grant of criminal legal aid. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 8 June, Official Report, columns 17-18, in which I announced that paragraph 10 of the circular, which deals with the production of wage slips, would be withdrawn.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what information he has on the number of Queen's counsel who are (a) black, (b) Asian or (c) women.

The ethnic origin of applicants for the office of Queen's counsel was not recorded prior to the autumn of 1991, and the formal records in respect of ethnic origin are therefore incomplete.It is, however, believed that there are at present four black Queen's counsel, of whom one is a woman, and three Asian Queen's counsel.There are in total 41 female Queen's counsel currently in practice.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list by magistrates court, those courts that are currently below the required number of serving justices of the peace; and if he will make a statement.

The question cannot be answered without disproportionate cost. The establishment figure for each Bench is a ceiling which is reviewed from time to time and not a day to day operational figure. There are at present 463 petty sessional divisions in England and Wales. If the hon. Member wishes me to give figures for particular Benches I shall be pleased to do so.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the funding of the family conciliation services; and what is his policy with respect to the retention of these services.

Funding of local family conciliation services in England and Wales is largely provided by the voluntary and private sectors, although in some areas assistance is provided by the probation service and local authorities. The Government have no current plans to fund local services.The Lord Chancellor's Department is considering their role in England and Wales as part of the wider review of family law announced earlier this year.

To ask the Prime Minister whether the radio interview given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the BBC's "The World at One" programme on 10 June represents Government policy.

Yes.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

I have done so today.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 5 June, Official Report, column 656, if he will set out the modes of transport used by the United Kingdom delegation to support its involvement in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development; and what is the total cost of each form of transport used.

The United Kingdom delegation used both car and minibus transport in Rio at an estimated cost of £25,000.

To ask the Prime Minister what matters with regard to the nuclear proliferation risks posed by instability in the Commonwealth of Independent States were discussed; and what decisions taken, during his recent meeting with President Bush at Camp David.

We discussed a range of issues, many of which were related directly to developments in Europe, including the implications of the break-up of the former Soviet Union.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will announce the membership of the United Kingdom delegation to the forthcoming meeting of the assembly of the CSCE in Budapest.

[holding answer 12 June 1992]: The CSCE parliamentary assembly will be meeting in Budapest on 3 to 5 July. I have appointed 13 delegates from the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The delegation will consist of seven Members of the Conservative party, five Members of the Labour party and one Member of the Liberal party. I have also appointed a number of substitute delegates.The appointment of Labour and Liberal representatives and substitutes have been made on the basis of nominations by the parties concerned.Representatives from the Government Benches will be:The right hon. Member for Westermoreland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling), who will act as leader, the hon. Members for Arundel (Sir M. Marshall), for Honiton (Sir Peter Emery), for Warwick and Leamington (Sir D. Smith) and for Wealden (Sir G. Johnson Smith), the Earl of Dundee and Lord Montgomery of Alamein.Representatives from the Labour party will be the hon. Members for Stockton, North (Mr. Cook), for Tooting (Mr. Cox), for Walsall, South (Mr. George), for Wansbeck (Mr. Thompson) and for Wentworth (Mr. Hardy).The representative from the Liberal party will be the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell).The following substitutes have been appointed to act as necessary on behalf of the delegates:From the Government Benches, the hon. Members for Ashford (Sir. K. Speed), for Rochford (Dr. Clark) and for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Wiggin).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the travelling and subsistence allowances payable on a daily basis to persons in public service and the standard motor mileage allowance for such persons for the year 1992–93; and how much of these allowances are chargeable to tax.

The travelling and subsistence allowance payable on a daily basis to persons in the public service are as follows:

Standard rate of motor mileage allowances
From 1 April 1992	Cars with engine capacity:
	Up to 1,500 cc P	1501 cc-2000 cc P	Over 2000 cc P
Up to 5,000 miles	35.7	40	43
Over 7,000 miles	17.0	21	27

subsistence allowances
Day subsistence allowance	Subsistence classification
(with effect from 1 August 1991)	All classes £
More than 5 hours	3.90
More than 10 hours	8.60

Night subsistence allowance	Subsistence classification
(with effect from 1 August 1991)	1 £	2 £	3 £
Inner London	98.70	68.50	61.30
Elsewhere	85.85	63.15	48.85

Lodging allowance	Subsistence classifcation
(paid after 30 nights) (with effect from 1 August 1991)	1 and 2£	3£
Married officer:
Inner London	31.80	25.60
Elsewhere	29.90	23.80
Single officer:
Inner London	22.80	22.80
Elsewhere	21.00	21.00

These rates are reviewed annually. From 1 August 1992 our intention is that Departments and agencies will determine their own motor mileage and subsistence rates. The excess between the motor mileage rates and the Inland Revenue fixed profit car scheme is taxable. The fixed profit car scheme rates for 1992–93 are:

From 1 April 1992	Cars with engine capacity:
	1001 cc- 1500cc P	1501 cc-2000cc P	Over 2000 cc P
Up to 4,000 miles	30	42	51
Over 4,000 miles	17	21	27

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make it is policy to incorporate the notion of sustainability into all economic development plans incorporated by his Department;(2) what plans he has to examine existing monetary and fiscal policies to assess their impact on sustainable resource management and environmental protection.

"This Common Inheritance—Cm 1200—sets out how the Government are integrating environmental considerations into all policy areas to promote sustainable growth.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's total income, to date, from privatisation since 1979.

Privatisation proceeds from 1979–80 to 31 March 1992 were about £41½ billion. Privatisation proceeds for 1992–93 are expected to be £8 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his present forecast for the rise in gross domestic product for the first and second half of 1992.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor's forecast for economic growth was published in the 1992 "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the experts his Department consults on European Community proposals relating to economic matters.

My Department consults a wide range of expert bodies and individuals as appropriate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will show for 1992–93 those ranges of earnings within which the burden of income tax plus national insurance is less than in 1978–79.

In 1992–93, for taxpayers of working age whose incomes have increased in line with earnings, average rates of income tax and national insurance contributions are lower than in 1978–79 for everyone except some married men with earnings up to and including half of the average. On the same basis, real take-home pay is higher than in 1978–79 at all levels of earnings.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is the Minister responsible for considering the environmental implications of all of his Department's policies; when that person was appointed; what actions his Department has taken since the appointment of a responsible Minister; and if he will make a statement.

I have been responsible for considering the environmental implications of Treasury policies since 15 April.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to introduce the new system for taxing beer on the alcoholic strength of the finished product.

The Government propose to introduce the new end product duty on beer with effect from 1 April 1993. From that date, duty will become payable when beer is dispatched for distribution and consumption from registered breweries or from bond.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many individuals (a) in the Duchy of Lancaster and (b) in the constituency of Pendle die intestate in each year since 1982; and what was the total value of the estate claimed by the Crown in each year.

The solicitor for the affairs of the Duchy of Lancaster is appointed to administer the estates of persons whose last permanent address was within the boundaries of the county palatine of Lancaster who die intestate and without surviving kin entitled to the estate under the rules of intestate succession. The boundaries of the county palatine are the same as the county boundaries which existed prior to local government reorganisation in 1973.

Intestate estates 1982 to 1991
	Number of cases	Total amount claimed (£)
1981–82	456	540,185.52
1982–83	463	747,058.28
1983–84	453	734,664.12
1984–85	455	748,154.93
1985–86	462	821,697.50
1986–87	462	921,513.00
1987–88	386	672,679.68
1988–89	391	754,241.67
1989–90	411	960,671.80
1990–91	398	799,872.54
		7,691,739.04

Unfortunately records do not show the number of cases arising in each year within any particular part of the county palatine.There are a number of cases each year where kin who are entitled under the intestacy rules traced after administration is complete and in those cases the value of the estate plus interest is paid from Duchy funds to the relative concerned.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the main sources of income to the Duchy of Lancaster for each year since 1982.

The main sources of income to the Duchy of Lancaster for the years ending 29 September 1982 to 29 September 1991 have been set out in the accounts of the Duchy, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House each year.They may be summarised as follows:

Year and Item	Amount £
1982
Revenue from estates	1,977,961
Dividends and interest	395,041
Devolutions	444,569
1983
Revenue from estates	2,057,824
Dividends and interest	403,472
Devolutions	553,628
1984
Revenue from estates	2,251,990
Dividends and interest	495,620
Devolutions	733,223
1985
Revenue from estates	2,547,395
Dividends and interest	732,943
Devolutions	744,507
1986
Revenue from estates	2,775,597
Dividends and interest	704,923
Devolutions	962,928
1987
Revenue from estates	3,054,203
Dividends and interest	1,048,507
Devolutions	979,027
1988
Revenue from estates	3,477,622
Dividends and interest	1,407,729
Devolutions	1,225,692
1989
Revenue from estates	3,812,205
Dividends and interest	1,639,579
Devolutions	839,845
1990
Revenue from estates	4,088,767
Dividends and interest	1,543,844
Devolutions	804,977
1991
Revenue from estates	4,445,219
Dividends and interest	1,509,523
Devolutions	938,597

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the locations of all the land holdings held by the Duchy; and if he will list separately those held in the county palatine.

The information is as follows:ESTATES:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all those functions and areas in his Department and associated agencies that have been identified for market testing in the wake of the White Paper "Competing for Quality".

I am still considering the proposals put forward by my Department and other Government Departments and an announcement will be made shortly.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment his Department has made of the Commission report, "Research after Maastricht: an Assessment and Strategy", SEC (92) 682F.

The report was discussed at the 29 April Research Council in Luxembourg. I made clear our concern that the future development of EC research policy should be based on a rigorous evaluation of research to date, and that the emphasis should be on pre-competitive research, identifying generic technologies with a wide range of applications, rather than supporting specific industrial sectors. These points were broadly supported by other member states. We look forward to developing these themes with the Commission and our partners during our presidency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students from the county of Durham are in receipt of student loans at the present and for the last two years.

This information is not available. The Student Loans Company does not collect data relating to borrowers' place of domicile.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the financial implications of the following comprehensive schools in the Colne Valley constituency taking on grant-maintained status (a) Colne Valley high school, (b) Holmfirth high school, (c) Hanley high school and (d) Salendine Nook high school; and how the funding outlined compares with what the schools currently receive from the local education authority.

The main recurrent grant for GM schools is annual maintenance grant—AGM. This is set for GM schools in most LEAs at 15 per cent. above their local management of schools entitlement. This standard cash addition helps meet the cost of services previously provided free by the LEA. There is also a smaller addition related to school meal subsidy levels in that LEA.GM schools are also eligible to receive other grants as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what amount of capital grant per pupil he has provided to grant-maintained schools in each local education authority for 1992–93 based on the pupil numbers as at 1 April.

[holding answer 12 June 1992]: The table lists the capital allocations to GM schools for 1992–93, expressed as an average per pupil figure, based on January 1991 numbers, for GM schools in each LEA area. The relevant number of pupils will rise as schools join the GM sector during the year.The figures need to be treated with caution. Because of current coverage of GM schools, figures will vary widely depending on the number of GM schools in a LEA area and whether or not a school was successful in the bidding round for capital projects in 1992–93. Bids are looked at in competition with others received from schools across the whole of the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received about the future of student funding.

My right hon. Friend has received various representations on this matter. Public funding for higher education is at record levels. For the third year running, public expenditure plans provide for a year-on-year increase of about 10 per cent. Full-year student support from grant and loan is now over 30 per cent. higher than the grant alone two years ago. Our reforms have led to a dramatic expansion of higher education. Ten years ago, only one in eight young people entered higher education. it is now nearly one in four. We expect it to be one in three by the year 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 9 June, Official Report, column 88, if he will aim to give his decision on the reorganisation proposals for Ealing's county and voluntary schools before mid-July; and if he will make a statement.

Statutory proposals from the five grant-maintained schools in Ealing were published between 8 and 15 May. My right hon. Friend intends to determine these proposals as soon as possible after the two-month statutory objection period ends on 15 July. He will then be in a position to reach decisions on the outstanding proposals in respect of the county and voluntary schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions his Department has held with the university of Leeds in relation to the scientific work on Interleukin-6; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has held no such discussions. It is for individual universities and research funding bodies to pursue particular areas of scientific research in line with their own priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the experts his Department consults on European Community proposals relating to educational matters.

The Department has taken account of a variety of expert views in its consideration of new EC proposals and the implementation in this country of EC programmes. At present, the Department is supporting a major consultation exercise on the EC Commission's memorandum on higher education in the EC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education who is the Minister responsible for considering the environmental implications of all of his Department's policies; when that person was appointed; what actions his Department has taken since the appointment of a responsible Minister; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment today. He will be publishing a list of nominated Ministers shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish the proposed White Paper on organisation of schools before the summer recess; and if he will make a statement.

As announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, we will publish a White Paper by the end of the summer. This will be followed by an education Bill in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is (a) the total amount for the United Kingdom and (b) the average amount per student of local education authority payments on behalf of students to further and higher education institutions to pay the students' membership fees of student unions.

In general, campus unions are not funded by membership fees but by block grant from their parent institutions. In higher education institutions, block grant is paid out of general funds including funding council grant and fees. In further education. the block grant is usually derived from an element within the student registration fee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will revise the criteria for school playing fields so as to provide larger areas of playing fields.

The current review of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 is considering school playing field provision as part of its programme of work.The results of the review are expected to be available later this year.

To ask the Attorney-General what new proposals he has to reduce the levels of crimes of fraud.

The Serious Fraud Office and the fraud investigation group of the Crown prosecution service are designed to deter the incidence of serious fraud by providing for effective investigation and prosecution.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the number of (a) prosecutions and (b) inquiries launched by the Serious Fraud Office in 1992 to date.

In 1992, 16 prosecutions have been completed by the Serious Fraud Office. Of the 23 investigations currently in hand, 16 have been commenced in 1992. These are either new inquiries or are extensions of pre-existing investigations.

To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's arrangements for consulting the Data Protection Registrar during the planning stage of any initiative involving the collection, use or disclosure of personal data; and if he will make a statement.

The legal secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office are aware that systems involving the collection, use or disclosure of automatically processed personal data must comply with the Data Protection Act 1984. Each Department is registered in accordance with the Act and each Department consults the Data Protection Registrar as necessary at the planning stage of any such systems.

To ask the Attorney-General what suggestions for reform he has made to the Royal Commission on the Criminal Justice System.

My predecessor submitted written evidence to the Royal Commission on criminal justice dealing with the law and practice relating to the disclosure by the prosecution of material to the defence. Extensive written evidence has also been submitted by the Director of Public Prosecutions and by the director of the Serious Fraud Office. Copies of the evidence of the Attorney-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions are available in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

To ask the Attorney-General who is the Minister responsible for considering the environmental implications of all of his Department's policies; when that person was appointed; what actions his Department has taken since the appointment of a responsible Minister; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are again appointing a Minister within each Department to take particular responsibility for environmental aspects of that Department's policies and programmes. A list of nominated Ministers will be announced shortly.The work of the legal secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office does not have direct environmental implications, but each of the Departments has taken steps in its purchasing, energy use, and waste management policies to promote good practice in relation to the environment. Each of the Departments uses recycled paper products wherever practicable. Low-energy light bulbs are in use at the Serious Fraud Office and are being fitted in the Treasury Solicitor's Department and legal secretariat to the Law Officers. In the Crown Prosecution Service a computerised estate management information system is being developed to include data on energy consumption and costs for all CPS buildings. In relation to energy use, each of the Departments is committed to taking part in the Government's campaign to achieve savings of 15 per cent. in the total energy bill for the Government estate over a five-year period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the Overseas Development Agency budget is targeted towards the poorest countries.

We spend about 75 to 80 per cent. of our bilateral aid on the poorest countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effects of the drought in southern Africa and on United Kingdom assistance to those countries suffering the most.

With food production in the region at less than half the normal level this year and with up to 18 million people at serious risk, the drought remains a matter of grave concern. In response to the crisis, the Government have pledged from the bilateral programme food aid, balance of payments support and other assistance totalling £34 million so far this year, in addition to our share of the special food aid programme of the European Community worth £27.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy for assisting Kenya with a view to enabling refugee children from the Sudan to be cared for locally whilst the current situation persists.

As I told the House on 9 June, we have contributed £1 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees appeal for assistance to refugees in Kenya, which includes the needs of the Sudanese children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what priority he intends to give to population policies during the United Kingdom presidency of the EC Development Council.

A high priority. We aim to have a resolution agreed by the Development Council encouraging the Community to provide more support to population programmes in developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives are planned to be introduced to expand the application of know-how funds in eastern Europe.

The know-how fund is going well and is much appreciated in central and eastern Europe. At present we have no plans to expand its scope: the country coverage is kept under careful review.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much his Department estimates that the proposed national lottery, once in operation, could raise for good causes.

It is too soon to say. However, we intend the lottery to be a full-blooded success, raising hundreds of millions of pounds for good causes. The distribution of the proceeds between beneficiaries, prizes, tax and operating costs has not yet been established.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on his policy for the televising of football.

Viewers and listeners should have the best possible range of choice.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to encourage the arts in Grimsby.

Detailed funding decisions are for the Yorkshire and Humberside regional arts board. It supports the south bank jazz festival and a variety of other arts projects in Grimsby.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he plans to meet the directors of the national museums and galleries to discuss admission charges.

My regular meetings with directors confirm that our present policy of allowing directors and trustees to make their own decisions on admission charges is working well.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what new initiatives he proposes to introduce to secure the preservation of sites of industrial heritage.

I visited Burnley in my former capacity as a Minister in the Department of the Environment and was impressed by the work being done there to preserve its unique industrial heritage.Preservation of the industrial heritage is best secured by bringing it fully within our established system for preserving heritage sites. We are supporting work on the extension of the National Archaeology Record up to 1945; we are funding the Association for Industrial Archaelogy's project to help build a better database; and we have agreed with English Heritage that industrial monuments should be given greater priority in its grant programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last met the chairman of the Arts Council to discuss the national arts and media strategy document.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last met the chairman of the Arts Council to discuss the national arts and media strategy documents.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer that I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Hall).

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will assess for the most recent year available the contribution made to the United Kingdom economy by the tourism industry.

Tourism is an important contributor to the United Kingdom economy, and it is estimated that domestic and overseas tourists together spent £25 billion in 1991, equivalent to 4 per cent. of the gross domestic product. There were also about 1.5 million employees in employment in tourism-related industries in June 1991 and 183,000 self-employed in these industries in spring 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will set out his policies on tourism.

Tourism is a successful industry whose enterprise creates wealth and jobs throughout the United Kingdom. It is our heritage, sport and culture which help to make this country so attractive to visitors, and we intend to make the most of the links between the different responsibilities of the Department to ensure that the industry continues to prosper. In common with our other responsibilities, policies on tourism will he reviewed to ensure that taxpayers money is being spent in the most appropriate arid cost-effective way.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the importance for the national heritage of the buildings on the royal arsenal site at Woolwich.

Eighteen buildings on the royal arsenal site at Woolwich have been assessed as being of special architectural or historical interest and placed on the statutory list.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much funding the private sector has provided for the arts for each pound of Government funding.

In 1991–92 almost £6.3 million was directly generated by a Government investment of over £3 million in the business sponsorship incentive scheme. Figures for annual private sector sponsorship for that period are not yet available; however annual business sponsorship of the arts, including corporate membership, for 1990–91 amounted to some £57.2 million compared with only £500,000 in 1976.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will introduce a national indemnity scheme for works of art on loan to and from galleries and museums.

A national indemnity scheme has been in operation since 1980, established under the National Heritage Act 1980. The Government indemnity scheme, as it is called, relieves both national and non-national museums and galleries of the need to take out commercial insurance to cover items on loan for the public benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the Government's policy towards the funding of the BBC.

Our policy is that the television licence fee should remain for the time being the principal means of financing the BBC. The longer-term future of the licence fee will be considered as part of the review of the BBC"s charter which is due to expire in 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to discuss the licence fee with the chairman of the BBC; and if he will make a statement.

I have regular discussions with the chairman of the BBC. Licence fee increases are based on the annual increase in the retail prices index as at the preceding September, in the same way as rises in pensions and other state benefits. I intend to reassess the position in advance of the fee increase due in 1994. The longer-term future of the fee will be considered as part of the review of the BBC's royal charter which expires in 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will outline plans for the European festival of arts taking place during the British presidency of the EC.

The European arts festival will run for the duration of the presidency across the four countries of the United Kingdom. It will celebrate the rich European culture heritage through a wide range of more than 600 events covering all the art forms, traditional and new.It is by design a festival with broad popular appeal. It contains something for everyone, whatever their age and tastes. It has a special emphasis on young people. All 35,000 maintained schools and the main national youth organisations have been invited to take part. It will also bring to the United Kingdom some of Europe's finest companies.The programme for the festival is currently being printed. I shall ensure that all Members of the House receive a personal copy.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will be meeting the new head of the urban regeneration agency to discuss the development of vacant derelict public land for recreation purposes.

My right hon. and learned Friend and I will be very ready to meet Mr. Walker, once the urban regeneration agency is established, to discuss issues of common concern.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the proposed cuts in staff at the BBC.

It is for the BBC, as a public corporation independent of the Government, to decide how many staff it needs to meet its obligations, but we support the initiatives the BBC has launched to increase efficiency and ensure better value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to whom the Foundation for Sports and the Arts is accountable; how it decides on the allocation of its grants; what sums have been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the operation of the FSA.

The Foundation for Sport and the Arts is an independent body and its grants are made at the absolute discretion of the trustees within the terms of the foundation's trust deed. Before taking decisions, the trustees may seek advice, in the case of sport from the Sports Council and the governing bodies of sports. My Department holds observer status at the meeting of the trust and its working parties.Up to 5 April 1992, the FSA had allocated grants totalling £37.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to list works of art to prevent their export.

I refer to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, North-West (Mr. Bellingham) on 5 June 1992, Official Report, columns 646-47.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who is the Minister responsible for considering the environmental implications of all of his Department's policies; when that person was appointed; what actions his Department has taken since the appointment of a responsible Minister; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are again appointing a Minister within each Department to take particular responsibility for environmental aspects of that Department's policies and programmes. A list of nominated Ministers will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the Press Complaints Commission's monitoring of articles referring to members of the royal family and their personal lives.

[holding answer 11 June 1992]: The means by which the Press Complaints Commission monitors press articles and secure compliance with the code of practice framed by the newspaper and periodical industry are matters for the commission, not the Government. The statement issued by the commission on 8 June has attracted much interest. We will be taking the commission's views into account in the forthcoming review of press self-regulation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for limitations on the maximum noise emitted by imported fireworks, with particular reference to bangers imported from the People's Republic of China; and if he will make a statement.

To comply with the general safety requirement of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, all imported fireworks are required to conform to the British standard for fireworks. This limits the explosive content of bangers which in effect limits the noise of the explosion. The United Kingdom is currently taking part in discussions to develop a European standard on fireworks, which will include restrictions on the maximum noise emitted.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many companies have (a) applied for and (b) been granted a licence from his Department for residential and business customer access to their private telephone network in the last 12 months.

Of the 37 applications received by 11 June 1992, my Department issued eight new telecommunications licences to companies who wish to take advantage of the liberalisations announced in the duopoly review last year.The Government liberalised the use of private networks in 1989 under a "class" licence. Several companies have taken advantage of this to provide a range of services to the public. Some companies have now applied for individual licences to provide services which are beyond the scope of the existing class licence, but which are permissible under individual licences since the duopoly review. These applications are under consideration.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy concerning the burning of orimulsion in power stations.

The type and quantity of fuel used by the electricity generators is an operational matter for the companies concerned, subject to emission limits imposed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what in his estimate of the number of power stations in Wales that are fired by, or are planned to be fired by, gas; if he will give their locations; and if he will make a statement.

Consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 has been granted to two gas-fired power stations in Wales, namely to the Deeside Power Development Company Ltd to construct and operate a 450 MW combined cycle gas turbine—CCGT—station at Deeside, Clwyd and to Texaco Ltd to construct and operate an 1100 or 1280 MW CCGT station at Angle bay, Dyfed. I understand that the Shotton Paper Company Ltd has obtained the necessary permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to construct a 200 MW station at Shotton, Clwyd.My right hon. Friend is currently considering an application from PowerGen plc to construct a 1350 MW CCGT station at Connah's Quay, Clwyd. He is also considering an application from the Deeside Power Development Company Ltd to increase the output of the proposed Deeside station to 500 MW.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what progress is being made in reducing British pre-tax car prices to the levels that prevail in the European Community;(2) if he will make a statement on the progress being made in promoting a parallel trade in importing cars from the European Community.

On 6 May my right hon. Friend announced that he had asked the Director General of Fair Trading: to begin discussions with car suppliers with a view to implementing the recommendations in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's February report on the supply of new cars; and for advice on whether any further action should be taken. The MMC recommendations will contribute to increasing competition with potential benefits in the prices paid by consumers. My right hon. Friend also welcomed Sir Leon Brittan's statement on the EC study of car prices, in which Sir Leon drew attention to EC rules facilitating parallel imports within the single market. Sir Leon has called on manufacturers to ensure that cars are made available to fulfil demand for such imports.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the contribution made by the British popular music industry to United Kingdom export earnings last year.