To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which professional services within his Department have been subjected to market testing within the last 12 months and with what result; and which will be subjected to market testing within the next 12 months.

The details of the Department's market testing programme were published in the citizens charter —first report 1992. This programme is being carried forward by the Department and tendering is to commence shortly within the programme's current timetable.The programme for the 12 months commencing in September 1993 will be announced within the time scales established with the Office of Public Services and Science; this is in common with other Departments.The current market testing programme does not draw a distinction between professional services or otherwise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the new underground stations for the crossrail project will conform with the most recent safety standards for the Underground; what assessment he has made of the amount of land required to meet these standards other than that specified in the Bill as deposited; and if he will make a statement.

I am assured by the promoters that the new crossrail stations will all conform with up-to-date safety standards, and that the Bill specifies all land that is required to enable those standards to be met at those stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the original and subsequent forecasts used to evaluate the crossrail project were last updated; what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of the project using the latest figures; and if they will be made public.

The most recently completed reappraisal of the original and subsequent analyses was that carried out in 1991. I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis) on 19 October 1992, Official Report, columns 210–11. A further reappraisal is in hand, and this will take into account the re-examination announced in the Budget on 16 March 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the extension, the improvement and the reduction in price of bus services in London that would be gained by deregulation over and beyond the benefits of tendering and of the introduction of new services by London Buses.

We shall be setting out our views on the benefits of deregulating London's bus services compared with further route tendering in our memorandum to the Transport Select Committee, which will be submitted shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in implementing the red route network in London.

Following public consultation, the traffic director for London has today published his network plan, which provides the framework for the design and operation of the 315-mile priority red route network. Copies of the network plan have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his objectives for the privatisation of the DVOIT executive agency.

The key objectives for this sale are:

"1 To sell DVOIT as soon as is reasonably practicable.

2 To maximise the net receipts from the sale, subject to the achievement of the following other objectives:

(i) ensure that DOT and its agencies obtain, as part of the sale, contracts for the privision of IS/IT services appropriate to their business requirements, including vfm, quality, flexibil-ity and security, at the lowest market price; and

(ii) to obtain reassurance that the purchaser should have the capacity to meet transferred liabilities and obligations."

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn), of 18 March, Official Report, columns 339–40, what were the voting figures for each member state recorded in the meeting of the European Community Transport Council held on 15 March.

No formal votes were taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to ensure that full pension obligations are guaranteed by British Rail and any successors; and if he will make a statement.

As I informed Standing Committee B on 23 March, I intend to introduce a new clause and schedule to the Railways Bill to cover pension arrangements after the privatisation of British Rail. This will provide the required security of pension rights for the members of British Rail's pension schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding British Rail pension funds from (a) pensioners, (b) rail unions, (c) British Rail management and (d) prospective franchisees; and if he will make a statement.

As I informed Standing Committee B on 23 March, we have received representations from many persons and bodies. We are still consulting on these issues, and we will announce the outcome once decisions have been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to seek tenders for the sale of Red Star Parcels.

The British Railways Board is handling the sale of Red Star Parcels. The sale will be advertised as soon as the relevant documentation has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received since 2 February concerning (a) the proposal for Railtrack to be independent of British Rail, (b) the principle of equal access by train operators to the rail infrastructure and (c) the numbers of different organisations working on the rail network under the privatisation proposals; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on these matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he is considering concerning the lease or sale of rolling stock maintenance depots; and if he will make a statement.

The options are still being considered and final conclusions have not yet been reached. The type of maintenance being carried out and the location of depots are important factors. Options under consideration include: independent sale; transfer of depots to franchisees; transfer to rolling stock companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what have been the results to date of British Rail's "organising for quality" initiative; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that "organising for quality" has been valuable in establishing clear lines of responsibility and accountability within the larger BR organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from (a) passengers' groups, (b) passenger transport authorities and (c) consumer groups since 2 February about the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a number of representations from various bodies, mainly in response to the consultation documents prepared by the Department. In addition, officials of my Department are engaged in a programme of meetings with representatives from the PTAs and PTEs in order to examine issues arising from the franchising of PTE-supported services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received from potential franchisees concerning proposals to allow Railtrack to own and control the railway network; and if he will make a statement;(2) what representations he has received concerning the future commercial development of rail stations; and if he will make a statement;(3) what representations he has received concerning the likely length of franchises from

I have received various representations on these points, mainly in response to the consultation documents on franchising and on rolling stock which were issued to elicit views.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Mercer report concerning British Rail's freight operations will be published.

The report contains much commercially sensitive information and will not be published, but the Government's conclusions based on Mercer's work, and incorporating its findings as appropriate, will be published as soon as the decisions have been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to establish public sector leasing companies for rolling stock; and if he will make a statement.

On 27 January, the Government issued a consultation document on the provision of rolling stock after privatisation. The document outlined a number of options, including the creation of public sector leasing companies which, in due course, would be offered for sale. These options are currently being discussed with the industry, financiers and other interested parties. I intend to make a policy statement after Easter in the light of these dicussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Railtrack will still retain ownership of operational land if a rail station is sold or leased; and if he will make a statement.

Railtrack will retain ownership of the freehold of stations. Stations may be leased by Railtrack to franchises or independent station operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who will be responsible for research and development, pursuant to his proposals in the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to make an announcement after the Easter recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to protect land currently owned by British Rail and has potential for railway development, pursuant to his proposals in the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Land with a current or potential operational use will generally be transferred, on a freehold basis, to Railtrack. It is intended that non-operational land should remain with the Brtish Railways Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to secure private sector investment for major infrastructure developments in (a) the railway network and (b) roads; and if he will make a statement.

We wish to open up new ways to make the best use of private sector skills, initiative and funds in the provision of transport infrastructure.British Rail and the British Airports Authority have agreed in principle a joint venture to build a new rail express link between Paddington and Heathrow airport. The Department of Transport, with Samuel Montagu and Co and Union Railways, will be discussing with the private sector their participation in a joint venture on the channel tunnel rail link. In the case of crossrail, we are appointing consultants to advise us how best to ensure maximum private sector involvement.The new Queen Elizabeth II bridge at Dartford, which opened in 1991 was privately financed. Construction of a privately financed second Severn bridge is under way and a concession agreement has been signed for the construction, using private finance, of the Birmingham northern relief road. My right hon. Friend plans to publish a Green Paper on the basis of charging for inter-urban roads and the scope for more private sector investment in their construction and operation.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what recent representations he has received about eligibility for legal aid under his proposed changes to those just above income support level; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a number of representations about various aspects of the changes to legal aid eligibility, including the position of those whose incomes are just above income support level. Assessments are based on disposable income and a generous range of allowances are offset against gross earnings.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the latest timetable for introduction of his proposed changes in eligibility for legal aid; and if he will make a statement.

The regulations to introduce the changes have been laid before Parliament, and are due to come into effect on 12 April.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the cost to the legal aid fund of providing assistance and representation in the four trials relating to alleged criminal activities concerning Guinness plc.

The legal aid cost to date of the Guinness trials is £.1·7 million. The majority of this relates to the first trial, the costs of which are currently the subject of an appeal. The remainder consists of costs paid in respect of part of the second trial. The full costs of the second trial and the costs of the third and fourth trials have yet to be determined.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases have been brought before each convenient area of magistrates courts in the last available quarter, and for an equivalent period one and two years earlier.

I have been asked to reply.Information available centrally on persons prosecuted in magistrates courts during the last quarters of 1989 to 1991 by commission of the peace area and type of offence is given in the tables. Data for 1992 will not be available until autumn 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence over which areas of his Department's land the Surrey Union hunt has a licence.

The Surrey Union hunt has a licence to hunt over the Aldershot military lands and Surrey commons training areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total receipts in 1991–92 from licences for fox hunts to hunt on his Department's land.

Total receipts in 1991–92 from annual fox hunting licences were £729·85.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent Army personnel from mounted units are permitted to use Army horses and equipment to participate in (a) deer or stag hunting and (b) cub hunting in off-duty hours; whether a charge is made; and who is responsible for veterinary fees following an injury to a horse owned by his Department used for hunting by personnel in mounted units hunting in off-duty hours.

Personnel from mounted units are not permitted to use Army horses or equipment to hunt in off-duty hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances personnel from non-mounted units are permitted to hunt in duty hours.

Personnel from non-mounted units are not normally permitted to hunt in duty hours. In exceptional circumstances, however, and at the commanding officer's discretion, it may be permitted provided there is no detriment to military tasks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Army personnel from the Royal Military College of Science are permitted to use his Department's equipment when hunting in duty hours.

There is only one MOD horse stabled in the saddle club at the Royal Military College of Science and it is not used for hunting. No other MOD equipment is held by the saddle club.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is made for members of the armed forces from non-mounted units to use Army horses and equipment for fox hunting during duty or non-duty hours.

None. When using Army horses, off-duty personnel from non-mounted units are required to pay for the hire of the horse, which covers the cost of veterinary services, and to take out comprehensive insurance. They would normally provide their own equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details and dates of when the Household Cavalry participated in fox hunting, with which hunts and on how many occasions, since January 1991.

Information for the period October 1992 to February 1993 is set out in the table. No additional costs to public funds were incurred as a result of this activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who meets the costs of the Army personnel attending the horses and driving horse boxes when the Household Cavalry attend hunts.

The salary costs of the Army personnel attending horses and driving horse boxes when the Household Cavalry attends hunts are met from public funds; however, they reflect the cost of maintaining mounted units in the Army and arise irrespective of whether soldiers and army horses take part in hunting. No additional costs to public funds are incurred.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in 1991 and 1992 the Royal Military Police have hunted; and with which hunts.

The Royal Military Police do not hunt; but on three occasions in 1991 and three occasions in 1992, two non-commissioned officers and horses from the Royal Military Police mounted troop were deployed on duty at the request of and in support of the Surrey constabulary, who were policing hunts in Surrey which could have crossed Ministry of Defence land.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the annual income received for the shooting seasons 1991–92 and 1992–93 from the sale of shooting days at the Bulford and Tidworth garrison shoot in Salisbury in Wiltshire.

My Department has granted a licence to the Bulford and Tidworth garrison shoot to shoot over land in Salisbury in Wiltshire, and does not sell individual shooting days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what areas of his Department's land the HMS Heron sporting gun club has sport shooting rights; what charge is made for shooting rights; and which birds and mammals it is authorised to shoot.

The HMS Heron sporting gun club has licences to shoot over my Department's land at Merryfield airfield and Langport ranges. These licences authorise its members to shoot all unprotected birds and animals, including ground game, but excluding deer. The assessed charge is a matter of commercial confidentiality between my Department and the club.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers and men, and of what rank, took part in sport shooting at the Bulford and Tidworth garrison shoot in the 1991–92 and 1992–93 shooting season; and what was the total number of birds shot during these seasons.

Ninety-one officers and 32 service men took part in the 1991–92 shoot, and 93 officers and 33 service men took part in the 1992–93 shoot. A breakdown of their ranks could be provided only at disproportionate cost.The total numbers of birds shot during these seasons were 3,223 and 2,871 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom armed forces personnel are currently stationed in Belize; and what is the planned future level of deployment there.

Details of force levels in Belize were given in the House of Commons Defence Committee Eighth report, Session 1987–88. There have been no substantive changes since then. We keep all our commitments, and the associated force levels, under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel are based in or seconded to the United Arab Emirates.

A number of personnel from Her Majesty's armed forces are currently providing military assistance to the United Arab Emirates. Details of the assistance provided and the number of personnel involved, are confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether military personnel from the United Arab Emirates have undergone training in the United Kingdom in 1992 or 1993.

Nationals from the United Arab Emirates are attending and have attended a range of developmental and technical training courses in British military establishments. Details of the training, including numbers involved, are confidential between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on discussions he has had during his visit to the Falkland Islands on alleged misbehaviour of British troops in 1982.

My right hon. and learned Friend did not enter into any discussions on this subject during his recent trip to the Falkland Islands. He has referred the matter to the Attorney-General, and the allegations are currently being investigated by the Metropolitan police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make it his practice to publish the amount of payments which have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the United States Government in respect of each British nuclear weapons test since 1979.

No. In accordance with the policy of successive Governments, it is not in the national interest to publish costs associated with the testing of British nuclear weapons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the landing platform helicopter.

The amphibious helicopter carrier (LPH) remains in the defence programme. We have now invited the tenderers to clarify their bids, which we will evaluate against our normal technical and value for money criteria. We expect to place an order later this year, subject to the results of the competition.

To ask the Attorney-General what further progress he has made towards establishing executive agencies in his Department under the Government's next steps initiative; and if he will make a statement.

On 18 February 1992, my predecessor informed the House, Official Report, columns 71–72, that the Treasury Solicitor's department property division had been selected as a candidate for executive agency status. I am pleased to announce that I shall be establishing the Government property lawyers as an Executive Agency on 1 April, as envisaged by my predecessor. I will ensure that the chief executive has clear responsibilities for improvements in efficiency, effectiveness and quality of service. These responsibilities will be set out in the agency's framework document, which will be published and copies placed in the Library.Targets are set out in the agency's strategic plan and will form part of its annual business plans. An annual report and accounts will be produced, and copies also put in the Library.The Government Property Lawyers Agency is at present the property division of the Treasury Solicitor's department. It has about 130 staff based in Taunton. The agency will continue to provide conveyancing and lands advisory services to Government Departments and other publicly funded bodies but on a more commercial basis. It will have to compete with private firms of solicitors for the services it provides. The establishment of the Government property lawyers as an executive agency will provide the appropriate structure and discipline to enhance its ability to supply a more efficient, economic and effective delivery of conveyancing and lands advisory services to its clients. I have approved the appointment of Mr. Anthony Osborne, the present head of the property division, to be the agency's first chief executive.The key performance targets are as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the outstanding aggregate national debt in 1979 and its lowest level between then and the present day, together with the current level and that envisaged at the end of the 1997–98 financial year under the estimates of table 1 of his leaflet, "The Budget in Brief".

Chart 2·5 in the 1993–94 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" shows data and projections up to end 1997–98 for the ratio of net public sector debit to GDP. This ratio fell from 49½ per cent. at end 1978–79 to 27¼ per cent. at end 1990–91, but has since risen to an estimated 33½ per cent. at end 1992–93. The PSBR projections in table 1 of "The Budget in Brief' imply a ratio of 49i per cent. at end 1997–98.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 February, Official Report, column 767, if he will publish figures on the same basis showing expenditure on domestic fuel by region.

The sample size used to derive the information given in my answer of 26 February in column 767 is not large enough to provide reliable regional estimates.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list, for each of the last five years, the duration, value and nature of contracts awarded by his Departments to Arthur Andersen, Andersen Consulting, KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock, Touche Ross, Ernst and Young and Price Waterhouse.

I regret that this information is not held in the form requested and could be made available for a five-year period only at disproportionate expense.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of additional taxpayers in 1993–94 as a result of the freeze in personal tax allowances.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people in each region brought into paying income tax as a consequence of the freeze in personal allowances.

Latest estimates show that about 300,000 more people will pay tax in 1993–94 under Budget proposals compared with indexation of personal allowances. I regret that information is not available on a regional basis.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were interviewed in his Department's current family expenditure survey; and if he will break down the figures by social class.

Processing of the second half of the current (1992) family expenditure survey is not yet complete. In the first half of 1992, 7,160 people were interviewed in 3,761 households. In 1991, 13,329 people were interviewed in 7,056 households. Figures of the social class of the head of these households are as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conclusions have been reached by the investigations to date into the collapse of BCCI on local authority investment practice.

The scrutiny of local authorities' financial practices is the responsibility of statutory independent auditors appointed by the Audit Commission in England and Wales and the Accounts Commission in Scotland. The Government keep under review the general controls that they have upon local authorities' borrowing and investment activities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to amend the Finance Act 1981 to prevent the use of company ownership transfers from the United Kingdom to tax havens as a means of avoiding liability for capital gains tax and maintaining the possibility of recovering outstanding tax on United Kingdom dividends at a later stage.

I have noted this suggestion. There are existing provisions in this area, which were strengthened in 1991, but I will be glad to review their effectiveness in the light of any particular transaction which the hon. Member has in mind.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the estimated numbers of tax-immune foreigners in the United Kingdom for each year since 1979.

On the assumption that this refers to individuals who are liable for tax in this country only on their overseas income and gains to the extent that they are remitted here, I am afraid that information is not available on which to base an estimate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he makes of the numbers of businesses in East Anglia which will be helped by the value added tax administrative changes he announced in the Budget; and if he will make a statement.

The VAT administrative changes announced in the Budget are generally beneficial to businesses, especially small businesses, which have welcomed them warmly. They can be expected to help many of the 80,000 businesses registered for VAT in East Anglia.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect he expects his changes to petroleum revenue tax announced in the Budget to have on the gas and oil industries both onshore and offshore in the southern North sea sector; and if he will make a statement.