To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many member countries of (a) the EC, (b) G7 and (c) the OECD include expenditure incurred by sub-national units of government, local authorities, states, departments, länder, municipalities, and so on, and financed by local taxation in the expenditure to be controlled by central Government in their public expenditure planning processes; and if he will make a statement on the inclusion of United Kingdom local authority self-financed expenditure in the new control total.

As explained in annex C to chapter 2 of the "Autumn Statement"—paragraph 2C.9—local authority self-financed expenditure—LASFE—is included in the new control total because it is a significant component of general Government expenditure, is not primarily cyclical and cannot sensibly be allowed to vary without any requirements for offsetting adjustments. Although LASFE is not directly under central government control, the Government influence and restrain local authority expenditure, and hence LASFE, through grant, capping and capital receipts rules.Information on which OECD countries include expenditure incurred by sub-national units of government and financed by local taxation in their public expenditure planning processes is not readily available. It can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his most recent estimate of annual revenue losses arising from legal imports of (a) cigarettes, (b) other tobacco products, (c) wines and spirits, (d) beer and (e) other excisable goods, following the completion of the single market in January.

The "Financial Statement and Budget Report" published in March 1992 made provision for a full-year loss of £250 million from increased cross-border shopping. We anticipate that most of the loss will be due to cigarettes, but the estimate is difficult and subdivisions between categories of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products would not be meaningful.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to collect value added tax from businesses at the current rate only on the turnover above the registration threshold; and if he will make a statement.

Value added tax is a transaction-based tax; it is collected by registered businesses from their customers and remitted to Customs. Unlike direct taxes, it is not a tax on the business. The relief suggested is, therefore, not appropriate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms of reference of the planned review of the exemption from value added tax of educational materials; and when he expects the review to be completed.

Customs and Excise are undertaking an internal review of the VAT exemptions available for educational services provided by fee paying schools, universities and other businesses to see whether, consistent with EC legislation, there is scope for simplification and rationalisation. It is too early yet to say how soon the review will be completed. There is no general exemption for the supply of educational materials and this is not part of the review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will prepare a table showing for each year since 1 January 1973 (a) the average price of a standard loaf of bread, (b) the average price of a pint of milk, (c) the average price of a standard tin of baked beans, (d) the percentage increase in the price of each item, (e) the retail price index and (f) the United Kingdom net contribution to the EC budget; and if he will make a statement.

The available information is given in the following table. Average price data for baked beans are not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the average spent each week by a family of two adults and two school age children on (a) food, (b) clothing, (c) entertainment, (d) housing and (e) taxes; and if he will make a statement.

The estimates are shown in the table. They are based on spending in 1991.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to levy (a) value added tax or (b) any other additional taxation on domestic energy supplies.

My right hon. Friend will, as usual, set out his taxation proposals in the Budget. As is normal at this time of year, I cannot comment further at this time on any such proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the upgrading of the existing British Rail network necessary in order to accommodate unaccompanied lorry trailers.

Discussions are to be held between BR, independent transport consultants and the Health and Safety Executive on the scope for accommodating piggyback freight on some of BR's existing lines. They will be considering the engineering, cost and safety implications of using redesigned wagons and enhancing height clearances on some lines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been paid in each of the last five years to landowners in Wales in respect of compensation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and how much was paid during the same period in respect of land purchase.

Prior to 1 April 1991, payments under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for management agreements and land purchase were made by the Nature Conservancy Council for Great Britain as a whole, and were recorded centrally. Therefore figures for payments made in Wales prior to 1 April 1991 are not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.In 1991–92 payments made to landowners by the Countryside Council for Wales in respect of management agreements under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 amounted to £1.055 million. This amount included payments to encourage positive conservation measures as well as payments in respect of compensation, which are not recorded separately.For 1991–92, £0.631 million was paid by the Countryside Council for Wales for the purchase of land in national nature reserves. In addition, the Countryside Council for Wales gave grants totalling £0.399 million towards the purchase of land by other organisations for nature and landscape conservation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement indicating the criteria used in assessing (a) projects benefiting all of the county and (b) projects benefiting all of the borough/district as used in his Department's press release of 14 December concerning the urban programme in mid Glamorgan.

The press release included a map showing the location of the projects to be grant aided. Projects that were shown as benefiting the whole county or the whole borough or district were identified on the basis of the information supplied by the local authorities concerned in their grant applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the sites of special scientific interest damaged by acid rain in the latest year for which figures are available and give the hectarage of each site of special scientific interest affected.

A study published in October 1992 identified 42 sites of special scientific interest in Wales as having freshwater habitats affected by acid deposition, out of a current total of 848 SSSIs. These sites are listed in the tables. The area given is that of the whole SSSI and not the area damaged. The study sampled freshwaters and did not assess damage to the land area of sites. The Countryside Council for Wales is currently seeking to establish how far land habitats are being damaged by acid rain. Present research has indicated that some parts of south Wales may also be affected by acid rain although this was not considered likely at the time of the original study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Medical Research Council in relation to the closure in 1995 of the epidemiology unit at Llandough hospital; what provision he will arrange in relation to the Caerphilly study into factors affecting heart disease incidence; what other proposals for medical research in Wales he has exchanged with the research council; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 11 January 1993]: Officials were involved in the review of the Medical Research Council-funded epidemiology unit and keep in close touch with the MRC as a matter of course. Senior officials, including the chief medical officer, met the Secretary of the Medical Research Council in Cardiff on 12 November 1992 to discuss the closure of the unit, and the future Medical Research Council developments in Wales. I am pleased to say that the Medical Research Council has endorsed the recommendation of its systems board that the Caerphilly study should continue to be supported through to the completion of phase IV, which will require work beyond the closure date of the unit.I consider a sound research base very important and I am keen to see Medical Research Council investment in Wales maintained. Thus, I am encouraged to note that the Medical Research Council is discussing with researchers in Wales a number of possible projects under the clinical research initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish a revised learning difficulties strategy for Wales.

[holding answer 11 January 1993]: The revised document will be published in time to relaunch the strategy from 1 April 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will encourage district health authorities to embark on recruitment drives in Europe to attract doctors and dentists to work in Wales.

[holding answer 11 January 1993]: All health authorities in Wales are currently able to recruit doctors and dentists from Europe. All, with the exception of Powys health authority, have already recruited from Europe.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will give the numbers of cases postponed in (a) magistrates courts and (b) stipendiary magistrates' courts in each county, indicating (i) the percentage involved at each court, (ii) the reasons for each postponement and (iii) the cost of each postponement in the latest year for which figures are available.

The information is not available centrally in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria were used in the selection of the new chief executive of the Prison Service Agency; what steps were taken to ensure a fair and open competition; if the selected candidate was the first recommendation of the selection panel; and what is to be the salary of the appointee.

My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 21 December, Mr. Derek Lewis was appointed chief executive and director general of the new Prison Service Agency in an open competition conducted under the aegis of the Civil Service Commissioners. The Recruitment and Assessment Services issued a public advertisement and Saxton Bamfylde International plc conducted an executive search. The advertisement stated that the successful candidate would need to have experience, most probably at chief executive level, of leading a substantial organisation in the public or private sector; a track record of successful management of large-scale change, delivering improved quality and efficiency; and first-class communication skills and good judgment appropriate to the leadership of a highly complex and sensitive public service. In accordance with the normal practice the recommendations of the selection panel are confidential. Mr. Lewis's salary is £125,000 a year and he is eligible for a performance bonus of up to 35 per cent. of basic salary, assessed by the Department on the basis of measures of performance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for incitement to racial hatred each year since 1965 under

Information for 1979 to 1991, which is provisional, is given in the table. Data for 1965 to 1978 are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many offenders have been charged with more than one incidence of child sex abuse;(2) how many incidents there have been of persons being treated for child sex abuse who have been charged with offences of a similar nature

Information is not collected centrally on the number of offenders who have been charged with more than one incident of child sex abuse. Nor are records kept centrally of the number of persons being treated for child sex abuse who have been charged with similar offences.Information on the number of persons convicted of child sex crimes in England and Wales and the Coventry and Warwickshire areas is given in the tables. It is only possible from the information held centrally to identify sex offenders where the victim is known to be aged under 16 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he will take to ensure that prisons conform to guidelines issued in circular DHSS HC (87); and if he will make a statement.

Circular instructions 9/1992 replaces, so far as practice in the prison service is concerned, DHSS circular HC (87) on the washing of foul and infected linen. Annex 3 of the circular instruction includes detailed guidance on the treatment of foul and infected linen and the wearing of protective clothing, which all prisons are expected to follow so as to ensure that such items are hygienically washed to the standards recommended in the DHSS circular.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many enrolments there were for courses of adult education provided by the Inner London education authority at the time of its abolition; and what are the current corresponding figures for its successor authorities.

In November 1989, there were some 222,000 enrolments of students aged 19 and over on courses in adult institutions and further education colleges maintained by the Inner London education authority. In November 1991, the corresponding figure for institutions maintained by the inner London boroughs or funded through the London residuary body is provisionally estimated as 202,000.

To ask the Prime Minister how many times he met the Prince and Princess of Wales to discuss their separation before his announcement on 9 December 1992.

I meet both the prince and princess periodically to discuss a range of issues.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 January.

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 1992, Official Report, column 655, when the further report from the National Radiological Protection Board on mortality and cancer evidence relating to nuclear test veterans will be published; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. McMaster) on 24 November at column 577.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the number of homeless persons presently seeking dwellings who are (a) Roman Catholics, (b) Protestants and (c) others in each district of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by its chief executive that the information requested is not readily available. However an indication of the total number of homeless persons seeking Housing Executive accommodation is given by the numbers of applicants in the A1 group—emergency housing category—of the executive's waiting list. The number in the A1 group in each executive district as at 30 November 1992 was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies she has undertaken into the long-term carcinogenic and other side-effects on children born to mothers given DES as a treatment for high blood-pressure during pregnancy in the period 1941 to 1960; if she will assist the formation of DES self-help groups; and if she will make a statement.

International studies have suggested that Diethylstilbestrol is potentially carcinogenic to daughters of women prescribed the drug and can have potential non carcinogenic side effects on offspring of both sexes.The Department has supported a study among EC member states aimed at providing information to the public and medical profession. This was undertaken by "DES Action the Netherlands" on behalf of the European Commission. We have no current plans to assist in the formation of DES self-help groups, but it is open to voluntary bodies to seek financial support under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968.DES was not widely prescribed in this country and the estimated number of women who might develop cancer as a consequence is very small.The prospect for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer in this country has been greatly enhanced by the introduction of the NHS breast and cervical screening programmes. Additionally, anyone who develops symptoms which worry them should immediately contact their doctor.Any new information relating to side effects from DES will be monitored in the usual way when it becomes available to the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is Her Majesty's Government's practice in respect of use of the proceeds from disposal of national health service land or other property which was in origin substantially funded by charitable donations.

All proceeds from the sale of national health service land and property are retained by the NHS for reinvestment in the NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will outline her decision on the level of prescription charges to be applied from 1 April.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Morley and Leeds, South (Mr. Gunnell) on Tuesday 8 December 1992 at column 633.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the report of the departmental study team set up to consider good practice in commissioning and providing maternity services in units led by midwives and/or general practitioners; and if she will make a statement.

I am pleased to announce that the study team's report, entitled "A study of midwife-and GP-led maternity units" has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library and distributed throughout the national health service in England.The report sets out principles of good practice in purchasing and the effective use of resources, the roles of clinicians, safety and location of units and quality of service. Although it was based on visits to maternity units led by midwives or general practitioners, many of the principles are relevant to maternity services more generally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list, for each of the last 10 years, the average proportion of the increase in national health service spending attributable to manufacturers' price increases, for each of the 10 groups of prescription medicines and drugs covered by the proposed extension to the limited list.

Available data do not permit the effect of manufacturers' pricing increases to be identified separately from other factors affecting the total cost of national health service prescriptions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many loans were given from the social fund in each of the last three years to young people under the age of 21 years living in the Greater London area to help pay a deposit to secure accommodation.

The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the current timetable for the transfer of each of the Department of Social Security resettlement units to independent landlords;(2) what are the plans for units that are specifically excluded from the transfer programme for resettlement units;(3) what arrangements have been made by the DSS resettlement unit to guarantee that there will be continued revenue funding for each transferred resettlement unit and any associated replacement provision;(4) what provision is being made for appropriate replacement accommodation and permanent move-on accommodation for single homeless people currently resident in DSS resettlement units.

The management of the Resettlement Agency is a matter for Mr Tony Ward, the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Elizabeth Pinnock of 45 South Furzeham road, Brixham (NI number YM 87 30 82 A) will learn the result of her appeal against the decision to refuse her disability living allowance; and whether any of her doctors, consultants, osteopaths and chiropracters were consulted before this decision was made.

The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the refusal rate for (a) community care grants and (b) social fund loans at the Wakefield Benefits Agency office in the 1991–92 financial year and from April 1992 to the current date.

The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefit Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the take-up figures for the post-1988 reforms income-related benefits will become available.

Estimates of take-up for the post-1988 income-related benefits have been published today. Copies of the report, which relates to 1989 for income support and housing benefit and 1988–89 and 1991 for family credit, have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance she proposes to issue to Child Support Agency staff on the subject of the requirement on mothers to co-operate; and if she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has today issued guidelines for Child Support Agency staff which describe how he wishes section 6 of the Child Support Act 1991, which deals with applications by those receiving certain benefits and includes a requirement to co-operate in some circumstances, to be applied. Copies of the guidelines have been placed in the Library.A new system of child maintenance is being introduced on 5 April, which takes the responsibility for determining maintenance away from the courts and puts it in the hands of a new Government body, the Child Support Agency. Both parents have a responsibility for the financial support of their children.After 5 April, lone mothers who get income support, family credit or disability working allowance will be asked to give the name and other details of their child's father so that the Child Support Agency can arrange for him to pay maintenance for his child. The vast majority of lone mothers claiming income support already provide details of absent fathers although they are not yet required to do so by law. Some mothers, however, decide not to give details of the child's father. These mothers will be asked to supply information after 5 April, unless they or any children living with them would be at risk of harm or undue distress if they did so. Many mothers who receive child maintenance find that it gives them greater flexibility and more choice over the way they organise their lives, particularly as they continue to get maintenance if they go to work, and research shows that many mothers would welcome a return to work. Nevertheless, the Government recognise that in some cases a mother will have genuine fear that disclosing the name of the father to the Child Support Agency will result in a risk of harm or undue distress to her or her children. Mothers will be told, in these circumstances, that the Child Support Agency will act as a buffer between the parents so that, if they do not wish to do so, they will not have to see the child's father, and he will not be told where the mother and her children live. However, if the mother continues to believe, in spite of this, that there is a likelihood that there is a risk to her or the children, then the guidelines will be applied.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has further to reduce the number of Royal Navy ships; and if he will make a statement.

Our plans to move to a smaller and better equipped Navy remain as set out in "Britain's Defence for the 90s". We will move to these force levels while introducing newer and more capable vessels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect the armed forces pay increase announced in the autumn statement will have on morale.

The Government's policy on pay restraint applies across the public sector without exception. Service personnel recognise that they must play their part, along with other public sector workers, in keeping public expenditure under control and contributing to economic recovery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the effect of the projected deployment of infantry in peacekeeping roles in Europe on the availability of forces for other purposes.

I am satisfied that the restructuring of the Army currently under way will deliver a balanced force that is well matched to our needs and at a level which is adequate to meet the tasks we ask it to undertake.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve his Department's communications with industry.

We seek continually to develop and improve communication between the Department and industry. Most recently, we have informed the Defence Trade Associations that, from this year, we shall be publishing annually a list of our approved equipment programmes, as an aid to industry in their forward planning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the revenue of his Department by allowing the private sector to use the oil pipelines under his control.

Spare capacity on the MoD pipeline system has, for a number of years, been let to the private sector and revenues appropriated in aid. The situation is continuously monitored by our managing agents, the Oil and Pipelines Agency, to ensure maximum returns commensurate with strategic requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of British forces in Bosnia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the latest situation in Bosnia.

I refer my hon. Friends to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend gave my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Sweeney) earlier today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the number and deployment of United Kingdom troops in Bosnia.

There are currently some 2,500 British troops deployed to Bosnia Herzegovina as part of the United Nations protection force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the life of the Trident submarine programme.

The Trident force is planned to enter service progressively from the mid-1990s and will provide the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear deterrent capability until well into the next century.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to visit Scotland to look at the implications there of reductions in defence spending.

My right hon. and learned Friend frequently visits Scotland and gives regular consideration to the effects of reductions in the defence programme there, as he does for all parts of the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the review of Scottish regiments and battalions; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend gave the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) earlier today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with regard to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

We take appropriate opportunities to discuss issues related to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with those countries already party to the treaty, and to urge the few remaining countries who have not acceded to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the nationality of all the companies given contracts for small arms and bullets in the last three years.

In addition to companies based in the United Kingdom, companies from the following countries have been awarded contracts for small arms and bullets in the last three years:

• Austria
• Belgium
• France
• Germany
• Norway
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United States of America

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proportion of British defence contracts placed with British companies.

In order to achieve the best value for money, wherever possible, we place contracts by means of open competition. British companies have proved highly competitive to the extent that, over the past five years, we estimate that 91 per cent. of defence equipment expenditure was spent with United Kingdom firms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for improving the living quarters for armed forces in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Two hundred new houses are currently under construction throughout the sovereign base areas. These will replace 35-year-old prefabricated married quarters. It is planned to start construction of a further 96 married quarters in the eastern sovereign base areas in 1993. Two old barrack blocks in the eastern sovereign base area are scheduled for demolition and replacement by modern style single living accommodation for 150; construction is planned to start in 1993. In addition, the Defence Land Agent is steadily improving the stock as better properties become available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about future plans for ordering warships and auxiliary vessels.

Further orders for warships and auxiliary vessels are planned including type 23 frigates, a replacement for the type 42 destroyers, mine countermeasures vessels and new amphibious ships. Further orders for support ships are also planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the properties within the responsibility of his Department which are currently empty in the London borough of Greenwich.

As at 30 September 1992, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 118 vacant service married quarters in the London borough of Greenwich out of a stock of 646. The majority of these are reserved for families returning from overseas within the next two months while others are undergoing or awaiting major maintenance work or modernisation.In addition, 39 married quarters were in the process of being sold, 30 of these to a housing association at a discount in return for nomination rights for personnel who will be leaving the services over the next few years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for changes to the house renovation grant system; and if he will make a statement.

As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Langbaurgh (Mr. Bates) in my reply of 11 January, during recent months it has become clear that the present renovation grant system is placing increasing financial pressure on a growing number of local authorities, mainly because of the demands of mandatory grants. I have concluded that there is a need to take a further thorough look at the operation of the system, in particular to examine whether it offers the best structure for investing the resources that are likely to be available in future years. Accordingly, my Department will shortly be issuing a consultation paper setting out possible options for change. I shall want to consider very carefully the views expressed by local authorities and others in response to this document.On 17 December 1992, I announced the resources which we are making available in 1993–94 to support the local authorities expenditure on renovation grants, on other aspects of private housing renewal and on dealing with defective housing. I am pleased to say that, taken together with authorities increased spending power receipts next year, these provide for higher total expenditure than in the current financial year.On 22 December my officials wrote to the local authority associations consulting them on the amendment regulations to give effect to the changes to the renovation grant system that I announced on 16 July 1992,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to terminate the application of attribution in relation to projects in research and development in the United Kingdom which have been granted EC funding.

The DTI does not normally provide top-up funding to those organisations who have secured European Community R and D funding. EC R and D grants have already been set at a level which takes into account the need for the research projects to be completed successfully. I have no plans to change this policy.The key need in research and development funding is to continue to avoid duplication, by ensuring that Community programmes complement, and are complemented by, our domestic programmes.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total value of toys imported into the United Kingdom from China in each of the last five years.

Figures prior to 1988 are not available on a comparable basis due to the revision of the standard international trade classification. The available information is given in the table.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans he has to negotiate a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Kazakhstan;(2) what plans he has to meet trade delegations from Kazakhstan;(3) what plans he has to increase the amount of trade between the United Kingdom and Kazakhstan.

Trade between the United Kingdom and Kazakhstan comes within Community competence and, under the United Kingdom presidency of the EC, my Department has played a leading role in securing agreement on a mandate for partnership and co-operation agreements with the republics of the former Soviet Union. Negotiations with Kazakhstan on such an agreement are expected to begin early this year. On a bilateral basis negotiations are now beginning between the United Kingdom and Kazakh authorities on an investment promotion and protection agreement—IPPA.No officially sponsored trade delegations are expected in the near future but as recently as last November my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade met Vice-President Asanbaev during his visit to London.My Department intends to build on this visit and on that made by President Nazarbaev in November 1991. The section of the Department that dealt with the former Soviet Union has now been split up and enlarged to provide a separate section on Transcaucasia and central Asia, including Kazakhstan. This new section already provides British companies with information about economic conditions and specific business opportunities and supports them in the market, in which it works closely with the British embassy recently opened in Alma Ata.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what discussions his Department has had with the European Commission about lifting the 1998 time limit for the non-fossil fuel obligation—NFFO—as it relates to renewable energy sources;(2) what representations he has received regarding the impact of planning delays on the viability of waste-to-energy schemes included under the 1991 NFFO renewable order.(3) how many waste-to-energy schemes are included under the 1991 NFFO renewables order; and how many such schemes have

The Government believe that renewable sources of energy can make an important contribution to limiting greenhouse gas emissions. We are currently working towards a figure of 1,000MW of new renewable energy generating capacity in 2000. The Renewable Energy Advisory Group has recommended that the Government should underwrite a floor level of 1,500MW of new renewables in the United Kingdom by the year 2000. This recommendation is under consideration. The Government are considering targets for the specific use of waste to generate energy against the background of the Government target of recycling 50 per cent. of recyclable household waste by the year 2000.There are 42 waste to energy schemes including landfill gas, in the 1991 NFFO renewables order. Planning consents for such schemes are a matter for the generators who put them forward.Representations about the effect of planning delays on waste to energy schemes have been received from Cory Environmental and from the hon. Gentleman. I am unable to comment on Cory's application for consent for a waste to energy station at Belvedere as I am acting in a quasi-judicial capacity.Discussions are in progress with the European Commission on the question of support of renewables beyond 1998.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the British companies carrying out work in connection with the European Space Agency in order of the value of the contract concerned.

On the basis of the most recent information available, the total value of contracts awarded by the European Space Agency—ESA—to United Kingdom companies in the three years between 1989 and 1991 amounted to the equivalent of 323,194,715 ecu—European currency units. More than 100 United Kingdom companies received contracts from ESA in this period and the following table lists those who were awarded contracts with a total value of more than 850,000 ecu.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on United Kingdom participation in the European Space Agency.

The United Kingdom will continue to participate in the European Space Agency on the present basis. Our most recent initiative within the agency's activities, which I announced on 26 November, 1992, Official Report, columns 818–19, has been to take a major share in a new earth observation programme, Envisat-1, approved by European Space Agency Ministers at their meeting in Granada on 9 and 10 November, 1992.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the effects for the United Kingdom technology base of the Matra/Marconi takeover of the BAe space division.

British Aerospace has discontinued discussions with potential purchasers or partners for its space systems business since it has not been possible to conclude a satisfactory agreement. In the light of that outcome, the British Aerospace board has decided to retain its space systems interests as a wholly owned subsidiary of British Aerospace plc.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list each civil servant in his Department with an outstanding consent to become a non-executive director of a private company; if he will give the date his consent was given, the time period, and the companies concerned; and what policy considerations underlie his decisions on giving or withholding consent.

My Department arranges non-executive directorships to companies as part of a programme to develop the knowledge and skills of its senior staff and improve understanding between DTI and business. In selecting candidates for specific opportunities account is taken of potential conflicts of interest. The time periods of directorships are flexible and not normally determined when appointments are made. The table lists the DTI civil servants currently holding non-executive directorships under this programme, with details of the dates they started them and the companies concerned.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in removing excessive bureaucracy in Government dealings with businesses, organisations and individuals; and what further steps he proposes to take.

Since the general election, a wide range of deregulatory measures has been taken across Whitehall to reduce administrative and regulatory burdens on business. There has also been action to improve the application of regulation by local authorities and the quality of assessments of the potential costs of compliance which are taken into account in deciding whether and how to regulate. Currently, all Government Departments are examining the body of regulation for which they are responsible, whether this originates at the EC or national level or is applied by local authorities. The work is being driven forward by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade who has appointed my noble Friend Lord Sainsbury to assist him and to help strengthen the business contribution to the deregulation initiative. The aim is to identify further scope for reducing the burden on business significantly through simplification and abolition of regulatory requirements and administrative procedures. Taking into account the concerns and views of businesspeople affected by such regulations, each department is drawing up a plan of action for 1993 and beyond. These plans and progress under the initiative generally will be discussed at a forthcoming seminar to be chaired by the Prime Minister. In addition, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will shortly announce the terms of reference of a scrutiny into the formulation of EC law and its implementation and enforcement in the United Kingdom.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost to businesses of implementing (a) EC directives and (b) Government legislation in each year since 1987–88; and what steps he is taking to reduce such costs.

Overall estimates of compliance costs have not been made. Compliance costs of individual measures are made but it is not possible sensibly to aggregate these estimates. A scrutiny will begin shortly into the formulation, implementation and enforcement of EC directives in the United Kingdom with a view to minimising the burden on businesses. All Departments are examining existing legislation with a view to reducing the burdens on businesses through simplification and repeal. In addition, revised guidance has been issued to officials on compliance cost assessments and copies are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions there are on trade with Cuba (a) generally and (b) in respect of medical supplies; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 17 December 1992]: Cuba is on the UK list of destinations for which export licence applications are subject to special licensing procedures. Apart from imports of bananas which are subject to "dollar quota" licensing, there are no UK restrictions on imports from Cuba which are not applied more generally against imports from all sources.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with participants in the Uruguay round of the GATT concerning the proposed creation of a multilateral trade organisation; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 11 January 1993]: The establishment of a multilateral trade organisation was proposed in the draft final act of the GATT Uruguay round, which was tabled in December 1991 by the GATT director general, Mr. Dunkel. It has been the subject of a great deal of discussion between participants in the Uruguay round, including the European Commission who negotiate on behalf of the European Community; the position taken by the Commission has been prepared in discussion with the member states. The MTO was intended to serve as a means of implementing the results of the round and of strengthening the international trading system; it would not in itself alter the rights and obligations under the various Uruguay round agreements. Recently, the United States Government have indicated that they have problems with the constitution of the MTO as proposed, which will require further discussion.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans he has to accept Government responsibility for compensation for terrorist activities on the British mainland on the basis of the rules in force in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will meet the Association of British Insurers to discuss the implications of the withdrawal of insurance cover for terrorist attacks on premises in Great Britain.

[holding answer 11 January 1993]: The President of the Board of Trade made an announcement on 21 December that the Government have decided in principle to act as reinsurer of last resort for terrorist attacks against mainland GB non-domestic property and related risks from January 1993. This has enabled insurance companies to continue to offer insurance cover for terrorist attacks, with insurers being able to buy the necessary cover as a separately rated risk. As an insurance solution to the problem has been provided in agreement with the Association of British Insurers, the question of Government compensation does not arise.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to ensure that transgenic animals that cannot be kept without adverse effects on their health and welfare will be excluded from patentability under the proposed EC directive on the legal protection of biotechnical inventions.

[holding answer 11 January 1993]: The European Commission is expected to revise the draft directive in response to a recent opinion from the European Parliament and I will consider any provisions relating to animal health and welfare which may be proposed. However, patent law is not an appropriate means for controlling activities undertaken in the field of biotechnology. Legislation exists covering the welfare of animals and it is reasonable that inventions which respect that legislation should have the benefit of patent protection.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what future plans his Department has to promote the north-east abroad to foreign investors; and if he will make a statement;

[holding answer 11 January 1993]: The Department of Trade and Industry through its Invest in Britain Bureau—IBB—promotes all United Kingdom regions to potential overseas inward investors. Overseas, this national promotional activity is carried out at IBB's direction by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The IBB directly funds the overseas inward investment activities of the English regional development organisations, who each have responsibility for promoting their own particular region. In the north-east this is the Northern Development Company. The NDC has offices in 10 countries, solely to promote the north to potential investors. In addition, the DTI's English unit manages offices in Taiwan and Korea which promote all the English regions to potential investors. These arrangements work well and have attracted many inward investors to the north-east.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all the regional aid measures initiated by his Department to aid the north-east; what is the level of (a) Government and (b) private investment in each case; and what is the number of jobs created and safeguarded through each scheme.

[holding answer 11 January 1993]: Since April 1984, two regional aid schemes run by my Department assisted private investment and were linked to employment. The schemes were regional selective assistance and the revised regional development grants scheme.Regional selective assistance is available to firms in the assisted areas for investment projects which either create or safeguard employment. Since April 1984 to end December 1992 my Department offered £289 million which was accepted by firms in the north-east in support of projects estimated at £2,865 million. Up to the end December 1992, grant totalling £181 million had been paid in respect of those projects which had created 31,232 jobs and safeguarded a further 8,473.Under the revised regional development grants scheme which was introduced in development ares in November 1984 and was closed to new applications in March 1988, no grant was paid to undertakings employing more than 200 people unless their projects created employment. To be eligible for grant, projects had to be approved. The amount of capital expenditure that was approved for grant in the north-east was £1,843 million. Since the inception of the scheme up to the end December 1992 grants totalling £193 million had been paid to companies in the north-east and during that time 51,909 jobs had been created.My Department also provides assistance under the regional enterprise grants scheme aimed at assisting small enterprises with, inter alia, investment projects. Projects supported by this scheme have created employment in the north-east; however, as grant is not directly linked to job creation, employment data are not collected.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list (a) the total number of residential properties owned by his Department, (b) the number of such properties which are empty, and (c),(b) as a percentage of (a).

[holding answer 11 January 1993]: My Department has no residential properties.