To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how long and in what circumstances the Lloyd Pacifico has been arrested in the Port of Tilbury; and if he will make a statement.

The Lloyd Pacifico was arrested at Tilbury by the Admiralty marshal on 16 April 1994. The action was instituted by the Admiralty court on behalf of Reparacoes Navais Do Tejo LDA of Portugal in respect of a claim against a sister ship of the Lloyd Pacifico, the Rio Negro, for alleged unpaid costs of repairs carried out between October and December 1993 in the sum of US$677,000.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many seamen and ship's officers remain in the Port of Tilbury as a consequence of the arrest of the Lloyd Pacifico.

Thirty officers and crew are presently aboard the Lloyd Pacifico.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the entitlement of seamen serving on the Lloyd Pacifico to payment of wages.

The seamen are entitled to the payment of wages. If they are not receiving them, they may make a claim against the vessel through the court. Should the vessel be sold by the Admiralty marshal, the crew will have a high priority against the proceeds of the sale. If an order for sale is made, it is usual for the crew to be repatriated.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations have been made to the Government of Brazil about their obligations as owners of the Lloyd Brasileiro shipping line to the creditors of that company.

The Admiralty court has no knowledge of any such representations to the Brazilian Government.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department under what powers the Lloyd Brasileiro shipping line vessel, the "Lloyd Pacifico", is being detained at the port of Tilbury.

The Lloyd Pacifico is detained at the port of Tilbury under sections 20 (2) and 21 (4) (ii) of the Supreme Court Act 1981.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what United Kingdom agencies have made contact with the seamen of the Lloyd Pacifico in order to ensure that their rights and welfare are protected.

The Admiralty marshall is in frequent contact with the vessel's agents at Tilbury on various matters including the crew's welfare. He has also met members of the crew to assure them that food and other necessary supplies would be provided for their comfort.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many deaths were from tuberculosis in each year since 1988;(2) if he will give the number of notifications of tuberculosis in each year between 1987 and 1993.

The information requested is set out in the tables.

Deaths from Tuberculosis in Scotland
Year	Number
1988	48
1989	56
1990	39
1991	56
1992	46
1993	161
1 Provisional figures.

Notifications of Tuberculosis in Scotland
Year	Number
1987	560
1988	528
1989	533
1990	563
1991	546
1992	559
1993	1554
1 Provisional figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he intends to take on the recommendations of the health committee on the care of people who are seriously mentally ill.

The Government are currently considering the report of the Select Committee on Health entitled "Better off in the Community? The care of people who are seriously mentally ill". The Select Committee did not address the situation in Scotland, but the Scottish Office will take its report into account in the development of policy concerning the care of the mentally ill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each university the amount spent on advertising and promotion in the last year for which figures are available.

This is a matter for each university or higher education institution to decide. The information requested is not collected or available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 28 April, Official Report, column 324, what restrictions were placed by Councillor William Petrie in respect of the publication of his response to the consultative document on local government.

Councillor Petrie did not submit a response to the consultation paper "Shaping the New Councils".

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the interested parties he proposes to consult in relation to his review of the role, membership and functions of the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Scotland's Travelling People;(2) if he will make a statement concerning his review of the work of the advisory committee on travellers in Scotland;(3) what proposals he has to provide financial assistance to bona fide travellers' organisations to provide and develop sites where local authorities or landowners have been, or are, unable to offer such facilities during the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

The review of the work of the advisory committee on Scotland's travelling people, to be undertaken before the committee's three-year term of office expires at the end of 1994, is in its very early stages, and no decisions have yet been taken about external consultation. The review will include consideration of grant assistance for the provision of sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the capital budget and actual spend on the provision of grant aid for the establishment and modernisation of travellers' sites in (a) 1991–92, (b) 1992–93 and (c) 1993–94 and the estimated expenditure in the year 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is as follows:

	(1) Vote provision £ million	(2) Outturn £ million
1991–92	2.327	1.850
1992–93	2.385	2.372
1993–94	2.445	11.060
1994–95	2.506	22.506
1 Provisional
2 Estimated outturn.

The figures in column 1 represent the Department's best estimate in advance of each year of the value of work in progress during the year, or completed in previous years which will be subject to claims for payment by local authorities.The figures in column 2 represent actual claims met during the year. Claims for payment can be affected by delays in the completion of work, in the submission of claims, in audit certification, and by agreed contractual retention moneys.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the role of the Mental Welfare Commission regarding community care policies for the mentally ill; and what changes he is considering in this role.

[holding answer 20 May 1994]: The functions and duties of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland are set out in part II of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984. The Act places a general duty on the commission to exercise protective functions in respect of mentally disordered people who are, or may be, incapable of adequately protecting their persons or interests. In the exercise of that duty, the commission is constantly monitoring the implementation of the community care policies as they affect individuals with a mental disorder.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of Inland Revenue offices in Wakefield.

Like the rest of the civil service the Inland Revenue has a strong commitment to achieving further significant improvements in service to the public, in operational effectiveness and in cost efficiency. To achieve these objectives the Revenue has embarked on a major programme of change. The first part of the programme is already under way and involves restructuring the Inland Revenue's local office network.The controller of the South Yorkshire regional executive office is considering moving work from the tax office in Wakefield to a restructured office in Barnsley. The proposal is currently being evaluated to ensure that it is cost efficient and provides a good quality service to the public.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are employed by the Inland Revenue in Wakefield.

There are 72 staff employed by the Inland Revenue in Wakefield.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has of the costs which would be incurred in transferring Inland Revenue offices out of Wakefield;(2) if he will make a statement on the future standard of services available for persons in Wakefield provided by the Inland Revenue.

Further detailed work is required before a decision can be made on this proposal, but preliminary estimates suggest that it offers considerable financial savings as well as the opportunity to offer a better quality service to the taxpayer.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of gang masters operating in Lincolnshire in the last 12 months of which the agricultural compliance unit is aware.

The Inland Revenue's agricultural compliance unit is aware of about 700 gang masters based in Lincolnshire.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 May, Official Report, column 224, if he will specify the representations he has received since 1 April regarding increases in taxation.

I receive representations on many aspects of taxation. It would not be practicable to identify separately those concerned with increases in taxation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the Treasury guidelines to the 1994 public expenditure survey round.

[holding answer 20 May 1994]: No.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which United Kingdom companies were recognised in the European better environment awards for industry awards ceremony in Copenhagen on 9 May.

A winner in the eco-product category was Pilkington Glass Ltd., St. Helens. Highly recommended United Kingdom entrants were: Stanhope Properties plc, London (Good Environmental Management category); Wade Furniture Ltd., Leeds (Environmental Technology Transfer category); and BEWT (Water Engineers) Ltd., Alcester, and Ricoh UK Products Ltd., Telford (both recovery of waste category). The United Kingdom' s total of five finalists out of 18 finalists in all was the largest from any EU member state.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals were outstanding against the 1990 non-domestic rating lists on 31 March in each year since 1991.

The numbers of 1990 non-domestic rating appeals outstanding with English valuation tribunals each year on 31 March were—to the nearest thousand—582,000 in 1991; 558,000 in 1992; 412,000 in 1993; and 259,000—provisional figure—in 1994. These figures take account of all appeals received in valuation tribunals since the rating lists came into force.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from (a) local authorities, (b) local authority associations, (c) the Audit Commission, (d) publishers of free newspapers and (e) others about the requirement in the Local Government Act 1992 to publish local authority performance indicators in a paid-for newspaper; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a number of representations form local government, the Audit Commission, and others, including publishers of free newspapers, that the requirement of the Local Government Act 1992 for information on local authority performance indicators to be published in a paid-for newspaper should be modified to allow publication in free newspapers. We are concerned to ensure that information about an authority's performance has the widest possible circulation in the local community, and hence we are carefully considering these representations with the view, if necessary, of seeking at a convenient opportunity amending legislation to the 1992 Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new information he has received to update paragraph 15.4 of the third-year report of "This Common Inheritance", Cm. 2549, concerning the progress made in commissioning the Sizewell B nuclear plant.

Her Majesty's chief inspector of pollution and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are undertaking public consultation on whether the operation of Sizewell B is justified; that is, whether any detriment from the discharge of radioactive waste would be outweighed by the overall advantage. The consultation began on 19 May and is due to finish on 16 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what date he has set for receipt from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee, of its views on the options for waste substitution in the return of reprocessing radioactive waste to foreign countries of origin.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 January, Official Report, column 567.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who represented the Government at the 10th session of the conference of European Ministers responsible for local government in The Hague on 15 and 16 September 1993.

My hon. Friend, the Minister for Local Government and Planning.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the report on local referendums prepared by the steering committee on local and regional authorities for the 10th conference of European Ministers responsible for local government.

My hon. Friend, the Minister for Local Government and Planning, made it clear at the conference that it is for local authorities to decide for themselves whether to hold referendums on particular issues. This remains the Government's view.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what size of hotel will be required to register as a DSS hostel under the new regulations;

As my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister indicated on 5 May, Official Report, column 843, we are considering introducing a licensing scheme for hostels. We are currently considering how such a scheme might operate, and to which properties it might apply. Any scheme will require primary legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 9 May, Official Report, column 70, if he will provide such information as is available on the cost of employing consultants in connection with privatisation programmes.

[holding answer 13 May 1994]: The cost of employing consultants for privatisation is available centrally for only some programmes completed prior to 1992–93 and is approximately £26 million. All but £70,000 of this expenditure was due to the privatisation of the water authorities which generated net proceeds of £3,594.4 million. The remainder has been incurred in respect of the pending Docklands light railway privatisation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the E-mail address of each Government Department and agency.

Departments and agencies who wish to receive mail in any of the electronic forms currently available are able to include details in their entries in the list of ministerial responsibilities or the civil service year book, or in their own departmental material. It is for Departments and agencies to judge whether it is valuable to them to receive correspondence in this way.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will develop plans to create more openness in Government by publishing Government press releases and other information on a free access electronic news or bulletin board system.

The Central Office of Information's HERMES database of Government press releases is already available to the public via a number of on-line services. Charges for access are determined by the database hosts. I have no plans to examine the feasibility of setting up a bulletin board system for free public access. Distribution of press notices to the public is a matter for individual Government Departments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements have been made for the distribution of material publicising the code of practice on access to Government information.

A leaflet has been produced explaining the operation of the code, giving a contact point for further information and mentioning the telephone inquiry service on 0345 223242.To coincide with the launch of the code in April, the Central Office of Information wrote to public libraries, college and university libraries, citizen's advice bureaux, independent advice centres and law centres inviting them to stock the leaflet. By 17 May there had been a very encouraging positive response rate of 15 per cent. This means that 52,500 copies of the leaflet explaining how to apply for information under the code of practice have now been distributed to some 1,300 outlets.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what events his Department has itself organised to commemorate the D-day landings; what other events are included in the co-ordinated plans; and which Members of political parties have been invited to these events.

In April, the Department of National Heritage arranged a launch of the popular programme of D-day commemorative events and a memorial in Grosvenor square to which members of the main Opposition parties were invited. It is organising a "Tribute to the Normandy Campaign" family day in Hyde Park on 14 August. An invitation list has not yet been drawn up, but members from the main parties will be included. There are some 700 separate events being organised by others in different parts of the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what contribution his Department is making by way of finance and expertise in the development of sports coaching, sports science and sports medicine in the United Kingdom.

These activities are not supported directly by my Department but by the Sports Council, which it sponsors. I understand that the principal planned Sports Council grants in 1994–95 are as follows:

	£ million
National Coaching Foundation	1.5
Sports Science	0.7
National Sports Medicine Institute	0.6

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what priority he intends to give to digital technology in relation to the licensing of future television services.

The Government will continue to look at how best to take advantage of the opportunities this technology offers. Studies are continuing into the feasibility of launching an analogue Channel 5 without prejudicing the development of digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom, and an announcement on this issue will be made before long. These studies are based on technical work which has recently become available. The relevant sentence in the "Competitiveness" White Paper is overtaken by this answer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to include (a) khat, (b) gamma hydroxybutyrate, and (c) ketamine hydro-chloride on the list of the proscribed drugs; and if he will make a statement.

We have no plans at present to schedule these substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The key criterion in the 1971 Act is whether the misuse of a substance has or is capable of having harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social problem. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs considered the misuse of khat in 1988 and ketamine in 1992 against this criterion and reached the view that bringing them within the 1971 Act controls would not be appropriate.We are keeping the situation in respect of all three substances under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to make changes in the immigration rules.

My right hon. and learned Friend yesterday laid before Parliament a statement of changes in the immigration rules. The new rules will come into effect on 1 October. The format of the rules has been revised to make them easier for applicants, practitioners and staff to use. The changes of policy which I announced last July, when a consultation document was published, have been incorporated, including the removal of sexually discriminatory provisions, the creation of a new category of investor, and changes in the rules relating to working holidaymakers. A statement listing and explaining all the changes is available in the Vote Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now publish details of the operating specification of the proposed secure training centres for young offenders.

I have today placed a copy of the operating specification and associated paper on staff selection, training, qualifications and certification in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted sex offenders who were sentenced to life imprisonment in each of the last 20 years have now been released from prison.

The information requested is in the table.

Sex offenders sentenced to life imprisonment, received into a Prison Service establishment in England and Wales who were released on licence by 31 December 19931
Year of reception	2Number of sex offenders received, sentenced to life imprisonment	Number of sex offenders released by end 1993 by year of reception
1974	9	3
1975	9	3
1976	11	4
1977	11	2
1978	9	2
1979	8	2
1980	9	2
1981	10	—
1982	20	—
1983	12	1
1984	9	—
1985	11	—
1986	13	—
1987	21	—
1988	15	—
1989	21	—
1990	13	—
1991	17	—
1992	16	—
1993	16	—
1 Provisional figures.
2 Of these 23 have been transferred to hospital or to a Prison Service establishment outside England and Wales and 30 have been discharged on appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the definition of marriage of convenience referred to in the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994.

We regard a marriage of convenience as a sham marriage entered into solely for immigration purposes where neither partner has the intention of living permanently with the other as man and wife in a settled and genuine relationship.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 23 March, Official Report, column 219, when he now expects to reply to Alnwick district council's representations to him of 12 March 1993 about bait-digging.

A substantive reply was sent to the Council on 23 May, following careful consideration of the legal issues involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those European Union countries that provide ballot papers in local, national and European elections in Braille or a similar system; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is not available. I shall make inquiries and write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what specific measures have been adopted to comply with the obligation of the United Kingdom Government under article 6(3) of decision 1/80 of the association council established in accordance with the Turkey-EC association agreement 1963 to establish under national rules the procedures relating to the rights of residence of Turkish workers in the United Kingdom; and what plans he has to include such mandatory measures in the next consolidation of the immigration rules to be laid before Parliament.

We have no plans to change the immigration rules in this respect. We consider our procedures under them to conform with the requirements of article 6 of Association Council Decision 1/80.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of moving traffic offenders detected by roadside cameras are not apprehended; and what assessment he has made of the reasons.

The figure requested is not available. It is for the police to decide on the basis of the photographic evidence whether they wish to take action in a particular case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the definition of vocational training under the proposed Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994.

The term vocational training is drawn from article 1 of Council Directive 93/96/EEC which refers to a student as being:

"enrolled in a recognised educational establishment for the principal purpose of following a vocational training course".

In accordance with a judgment of the European Court of Justice vocational training is interpreted very widely in this context to include all forms of higher education and any education which prepares for a qualification or provides the necessary training and skills for a profession, trade or employment even if the training programme includes an element of general education.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the distribution of condoms in prisons in order to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 23 May 1994]: Responsibilty for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer from the President of the Board of Trade of 17 May, Official Report, column 389, if he will institute an inquiry to establish the source of the leak which disclosed the President's preferred option for Post Office privatisation.

We are considering whether a leak inquiry would be justified.

To ask the Prime Minister what duties. Stephan Adolphus Kock has performed for (a) the Prime Minister, (b) the Ministry of Defence, (c) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (d) the Department of Trade and Industry and (e) any other Department between 1964 and 1979; and in which countries overseas each of these duties was carried out.

Mr. Kock performed no official duties for any Government Department during the period 1964–79. It remains the Government's policy not to comment on the contacts which an individual may or may not have had with the security and intelligence agencies.

To ask the Prime Minister what meetings were held by the former Prime Minister and her officials with representatives of the Indonesian Government during her visit to Indonesia in April 1985; and what issues were discussed at each of those meetings.

During her visit to Indonesia in April 1985, my right hon. and noble Friend and her officials met President Soeharto, the Foreign Minister, the Minister for Research and Technology, the Minister for Education, 10 Cabinet Ministers concerned with the economy, the governor of West Java and the director of the British Council. Issues discussed included oil prices, technical co-operation, China, Cambodia, East Timor, defence and economic, developmental and international matters.

To ask the Prime Minister what meetings were held with representatives of the Thai Government by the former Prime Minister and her officials during her visit to Thailand in August 1988; and what issues were discussed at each of those meetings.

My right hon. and noble Friend and her officials met the outgoing Prime Minister, General Prem Tinsulanonda, his successor, General Chatichai Choonhavan, deputy Prime Minister, Admiral Sonthee Boonyachai, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsili. My right hon. and noble Friend also had an audience with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.The situation in Cambodia was the main focus of the discussions. Other issues covered included trade, drug co-operation, defence, education, and regional economic and developmental matters.

To ask the Prime Minister what meetings were held by the former Prime Minister and her officials with representatives of the Jordanian Government during her visit to Jordan in September 1985; and what issues were discussed at each of those meetings.

My right hon. and noble Friend held meetings with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan and Prime Minister Zeid Rifai. Discussions with the King and the Jordanian Prime Minister concentrated on the Arab/Israel question, and those with the Crown Prince on the Jordanian economy.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 24 May.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 24 May.

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 Secretary of State for Social Security what costs have been incurred by the Child Support Agency in hotel accommodation and services provided to staff since the agency was established.

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has available to show the number of parents with care whose incomes have increased as a result of Child Support Agency involvement in maintenance arrangements.

It is not possible to collate this information from records held by the Department.The Child Support Agency does not collect maintenance on behalf of the parent with care—PWC—in all the cases where it has assessed the level of maintenance to be paid. Where the agency is not providing a collection service there is no record of the amount or frequency of payments made and therefore no record of whether the overall income of the PWC has increased.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when he proposes to conduct a review of the progress of the new one-stop initiative; if he will publish the results; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many Benefits Agency offices are at present running the new one-stop initiative;(3) what cost has been incurred in moving towards the new Benefits Agency one-stop initiative.

The introduction of a one-stop service for Benefits Agency customers is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how frequently the instruments used by the medical boards for lung function tests are monitored to ensure uniformity of standards;(2) when was the last review of the instruments used by the medical boards for lung function tests; and what was the conclusion.

The administration of medical boards is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to amend the current definition of pneumoconiosis in the social security legislation to include chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

None. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are separate diseases and could not be included within a definition of pneumoconiosis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications were received from miners (a) over and (b) under 70 years of age for disablement assessment under the Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema Regulations; how many applications have been processed to date; and how many were successful.

The total number of claims received by 8 May 1994 was about 43,300. Up to the end of the first phase of the take-on (6 February), about 22,500 claims were from miners and ex-miners over 70; since that date, those over 70 have been included in the overall claims figures. Of about 31,400 claims processed to date, about 3,200 were assessed as 14 per cent. or more disabled. Figures are based on a 100 per cent. count and subject to amendment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many former members of the armed forces who served during the 1939–45 war are now in receipt of income support and other means-tested benefits.

The information is not available.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Mudie) of 17 May, Official Report, column 416, what was the cost of the child care survey; and what are the reasons for not publishing the results.

As stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 9 February at column 278, the fee paid to the consultants who conducted the childcare survey is a matter of commercial confidentiality. Given the Committee's decision to take no further action on this issue it considered the publication of the survey results to be inappropriate.

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will install a satellite dish on 7 Millbank to enable hon. Members to receive the live coverage of Parliament produced by Sky TV.

I have been asked to reply.Any consideration of providing Members with the means to receive satellite television would be best undertaken once the House has considered the respective conclusions of the Information and Broadcasting Committees, on the introduction of the parliamentary data and video network and the "clean feed" of parliamentary proceedings.

To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) what was the average length of time taken by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in responding to departmental requests for assistance with the drafting of (a) amendments or new clauses in relation to Government legislation and (b) Government-prompted amendments for onward transmission to Back Benchers for use in debate in relation to private Members' Bills in each of the last 12 months;

This information is not recorded.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many members of the Government are currently in receipt of a ministerial salary, and what was the comparable figure in April 1979.

One hundred and eight members of the Government are currently in receipt of a ministerial salary. The comparable figure prior to the general election of 1979 was 107, and after the general election 106.

To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 16 May, Official Report, column 311, what was the cost of the calls made on portable telephones in 1993–94; how much this equipment cost to buy or hire; and what were the maintainance costs.

In 1993–94 the cost of calls made on portable telephones was £204.70. The purchase and subscription costs were £2,038.04. There were no maintainance costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made as to whether the National Radiological Protection Board's study of nuclear test veterans who have developed posterior subcapsular eye cataracts will be undertaken in sufficient numbers to prevent a false negative result; and if he will make a statement.

Although we are following its progress, the study in question is not being carried out on behalf of my Department. We have therefore made no such assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to paying compensation to nuclear test veterans as part of the recognition given to service men in the context of the commemorations of D-day and of the end of the second world war.

Over the period between the nuclear tests and the end of 1990, the total incidence of death and malignant disease among British nuclear test veterans has been no higher than among either the general population or a matched control group. This was clearly shown in the report of the National Radiological Protection Board published last December, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. These facts do not sustain a case for compensation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien), of 10 May 1994, Official Report, column 127, if he will provide a breakdown of the estimated expenditure by his Department on events commemorating the 50th anniversary this year of the D-day landings.

The current estimates of additional costs break down as follows:

	£
Portsmouth area events	800,000
Normandy area events	300,000
Public relations programme	200,000
Media facilities	1,500,000
Miscellaneous (including planning staff, education programme, VVIP/VIP transport and accommodation)	700,000
Total	3,500,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the participation by principal units in 1 Brigade's recent First Crusade exercise, enumerating those units absent on operational or other training commitments, and expressing their strength as a proportion of the brigade's strength.

Those units under the operational command of 1 Mechanised Brigade which participated in Exercise First Crusade were 1 Royal Tank Regiment and 1 Royal Welch Fusiliers. Those units that were absent because of operational commitments were 1 Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment—who were serving in Northern Ireland—and 1 Duke of Wellington's Regiment—who were serving in Bosnia.The following units also took part in the exercise:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his counterpart in (a) Germany (b) Spain or (c) Italy to discuss progress on Eurofighter 2000; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence met the Italian Defence Minister, the State Secretary in the German Ministry of Defence and the Spanish national armaments director at the Eurofighter 2000 international debut at Warton, Lancashire on 4 May. They noted the major step forward in development which the commencement of the flight test phase represents, and the importance of the project both to our military capability and the European aerospace industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of Eurofighter's test flight; and if he will make a statement.

The first Eurofighter 2000 development aircraft made a successful maiden flight on 27 March 1994 in Germany followed closely by the second development aircraft in the United Kingdom on 6 April 1994.The initial reports from the test pilots were very positive and both aircraft met their full test objectives successfully.Since then the two aircraft have made a total of 12 flights without any significant problems: the EF2000 flight test programme is now well under way and although flight test evaluation is still in its early stages, the initial results are very encouraging. I have every confidence that the aircraft will live up to all our expectations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the possible impact of adverse weather on weapons range training sorties from RAF Valley.

Irrespective of the base of operation, adverse weather sometimes affects range sorties and results in a failure to complete the planned exercise. However, these occurrences are kept to a minimum by the use of range controllers and weather check aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the possible impact of human error on the part of solo trainee pilots on weapons range training sorties from RAF Valley;(2) where weapons will be loaded for weapons range training sorties from RAF Valley after the closure of RAF Chivenor;(3) what assessment he has made of the possible impact of solo trainee pilots encountering unforeseen difficulties on average times spent on the weapons range in weapons range training sorties from RAF Valley, as compared to the existing pattern of sorties from RAF Chivenor.

There is no intention to fly solo weapons range training sorties from RAF Valley. Should a decision be taken to close RAF Chivenor, aircraft from RAF Valley would load weapons at RAF St. Athan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the possible impact of congested airways on weapons range training sorties from RAF Valley.

The effect will be negligible as aircraft transiting between RAF Valley and RAF Chivenor—or RAF St. Athan—will not usually need to fly through civil airways.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the extra transit fuel costs of operating weapons range training sorties from RAF Valley instead of from RAF Chivenor.

Because more efficient flight profiles can be used by aircraft flying to and from RAF Valley, the difference in fuel costs would be negligible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the percentage reduction in Royal Air Force overall front line combat aircraft strength since 1990.

Since 1990, the number of RAF front-line fast-jet combat aircraft—including those in operational conversion units—has reduced by about one third.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of civilian personnel employed by the Ministry of Defence.

The total number of civilian personnel employed by my Department on 1 April 1994 was 143,700.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his French counterpart on future further nuclear co-operation.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has regular meetings with Defence Minister Leotard at which they discuss a variety of issues, including nuclear co-operation when appropriate. I can confirm that exchanges with France on nuclear matters are progressing well.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the percentage reduction in Royal Air Force uniformed manpower strength since 1990.

Between 1 April 1990 and 1 April 1994, the Royal Air Force total strength—including trainees—fell by 15.6 per cent. from the April 1990 position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 May, Official Report, column 188, what consideration he gave before October 1991 to the replacement of HMS Endurance; and if he will make a statement.

The 1991 annual structural survey of HMS Endurance unexpectedly revealed a risk of hull failure in Antarctic or very cold conditions. The decision was therefore taken in August of that year to decommission the vessel. It had originally been assumed that HMS Endurance would continue in service until at least the middle of the 1990s, and planning for her replacement had therefore not commenced when this decision was taken.As the Government were committed to maintain the programme previously carried out by HMS Endurance, a market survey was undertaken to investigate which suitable ships might be available to undertake the ice patrol task in the 1991–92 season. This survey identified MV Polar Circle as the only suitable ship, and she was accordingly taken up by the Ministry of Defence on a short-term bare boat charter while the requirement for a longer term replacement was being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 May, Official Report, column 130, if he will take all possible steps to ensure that the families of those United Kingdom service personnel killed in Northern Iraq on 14 April are satisfied with the information his Department is able to provide them on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The United States investigation into the incident is not yet complete. Once completed, the results will be made available to the next of kin of the British service personnel as soon as possible. Both the United States and United Kingdom Governments are working closely to ensure that the families will receive as much information as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 May, Official Report, column 188, whether the publication of the broad outcome of the Defence costs study will include detailed information on reductions in logistical support; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to announce the broad outcome of the Defence costs study in July. Where it is possible to make public the detail of proposed changes to our logistic support services arising from the Defence costs study, as part of the announcement, I shall do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is in a position to report the outcome of the Government's review of the Royal Navy's hydrographic service.

The Government attach importance to a specialist hydrographic capability to provide effective support to Royal Navy operations in peace and war. We have consequently decided to upgrade the capability of the hydrographic service by the purchase of four new hydrographic vessels, which will be commercially designed with an improved technical capability. The new ships, which will be larger than the existing vessels, will be either leased or owned by MOD, depending on which option offers best value for money. Her Majesty's survey launch Gleaner will remain in service for the foreseeable future. We believe that the resultant squadron of five survey vessels will best meet the requirements of Defence, including the ability to respond to unexpected short-notice tasking. All the vessels will be manned by Royal Navy crews and will fly the white Ensign.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the key targets set for the chief executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation Agency for 1994–95.

The chief executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation Agency—ABRO—has been set the following key targets for 1994–95.

1. To complete the repair programme to the plan as agreed on 1 April 1994.

2. Implement an automated, full cost accrual accounting system by 31 March 1995.

3. Within the overall total quality management (TQM) philosophy adopted by ABRO, to achieve ISO 9002 pre-assessment by 31 March 1995 in the HQ and all workshops.

4. To complete the market test of ABRO services in the eastern district by 31 March 1995. (Subject to review and revalidation following the outcome of the Defence costs study recommendations).

5. To reduce by 5 per cent. the 1993–94 ratio of labour costs to hours of production by 31 March 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what practical measures Her Majesty's Government intend to take to combat Iranian terrorism; and how the Government will act in concert with partners in the European Union and the United Nations in measures to tackle this problem.

We are very concerned about reports of Iranian involvement in terrorism and have regular contacts with our partners in the European Union about how best to tackle this issue. We and our European partners have promoted resolutions at the UN General Assembly and the UN Commission on Human Rights expressing our concern, while the latter resolution also urged the Government of Iran to refrain from activities against members of the Iranian opposition abroad and to co-operate wholeheartedly with the authorities of other countries in investigating and punishing offences reported by them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will take steps to prevent neo-fascists from taking their seats in the European Parliament.

All members of the European Parliament are democratically elected and therefore fully entitled to take up their seats.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

Three members of staff have initiated legal action against the FCO for alleged negligence in respect of upper limb disorders said by the claimants to be work-related.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to prevent damage by rats and tourists on Henderson island.

We are currently drawing up a management plan for Henderson island, in consultation with the Joint Nature Conservation committee, the governor of Pitcairn and the Pitcairn islanders, which will address the threats posed to Henderson's environment by rats and tourists. In the meantime, tourists visiting Henderson are obliged to comply with a number of regulations drawn up by the governor to minimise damage to the island's ecology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of which international organisations Cyprus is a member and of which either Greece or Turkey is not a member.

Cyprus is a member of the following organisations to which neither Greece nor Turkey belong:

• The Commonwealth
• The Non-Aligned Movement
• The Group of 77.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus restricts Cyprus from joining any international organisation; and if he will make a statement.

We understand that the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus does not restrict it from joining any international organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion the British ambassador in Rome has had with neo-fascist politicians in the Italian Government regarding common positions in advance of the EU 1996 Intergovernmental conference; and if he will make a statement.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance Her Majesty's Government are providing bilaterally and through the EC to support the Palestinians in the light of the Gaza-Jericho agreement signed in Cairo on 4 May.

The following is the information:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met the European Commissioner Mr. Karel Van Miert; and what matters were discussed.

My right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade last met Mr. Van Miert on 11 May 1993. They discussed the direction of EC competition policy and the European merger regulation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when the inspectors to inquire into the affairs of Brymore (Steels) Ltd. were appointed; when their inquiry was completed; what are the business connections of the inspectors; what is the cost to the investigation; how it has been disbursed to each inspector; what reports have been published; and when he will publish the final reports;(2) when the inspectors to inquire into the affairs of Andromeda Electronics Ltd. were appointed; when their inquiry was completed; what are the business connections of the inspectors; what is the cost of the investigation; how it has been disbursed to each inspector; what reports have been published; and when he will publish the final reports;(3) when the inspectors to inquire into the affairs of H. and C. Davis Company Ltd. were appointed; when their inquiry was completed; what are the business connections of the inspectors; what is the cost of the investigation; how it has been disbursed to each inspector; what reports have been published; and when he will publish the final reports;(4) when the inspectors to inquire into the affairs of Elliot Group of Peterborough Ltd. were appointed; when their inquiry was completed; what are the business connections of the inspectors; what is the cost of the investigation; how it has been disbursed to each inspector; what reports have been published; and when he will publish the final reports;

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to announce his policies on the future of the Patent Office.

The Government are considering the report by Price Waterhouse which was commissioned as part of the review of the Patent Office. An announcement will be made to Parliament once the review is complete.

All the inspectors were Departmental officers and the costs of their investigation are not available. Decisions not to publish their reports were all taken in 1979 or the early 1980s. The further information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he measures the success of investment decisions made by his Department through the research and development budget.

All programmes supported by the Department's innovation budget are subject to regular monitoring and ex-post evaluation. Reports of completed evaluations are lodged in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the schemes organised by his Department to provide public investment in research and development relevant to industry, the amount of money made available for each scheme in each of the last five years, its distribution between the private and public sectors and the percentage allocation in each standard planning region;(2) how much money in each of the last five years has been allocated to the research and development of advanced composites; what organisations or companies have received financial support; and what percentage of funding went to academic research in each year;(3) if he will list for each of the last five years the amount of money that was awarded to each company and organisation in each standard planning region of the United Kingdom for research and development, indicating the percentage awarded in each region;(4) what percentage of his research and development budget is awarded to small companies.

Information about my Department's schemes for supporting research and development is given in "Trade and Industry 1994" (Cm 2154) and in the "Forward Look of Government Funded Science, Engineering and Technology 1994", published by HMSO (ISBN 0 11 430098 4).The additional detailed information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the criteria and procedures set out for applications for, and granting of, funding for research and development from schemes operated by his Department.

My Department's small firms merit award for research and technology—SMART—and support for products under research—SPUR—support research and development by individual smaller companies. The LINK and EUREKA schemes support collaborative research. Eligibility criteria and procedures are given in the scheme literature.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set up a register of United Kingdom-based companies, and their size, by turnover and employment, which are principally or partially involved in timber exploitation in the areas of tropical rainforests.

No, I see no useful purpose for such a register.

DTI Region	Regional Selective Assistance companies employing:			Regional Enterprise Grants
	Less than 100	100–250	More than 250
East	14	—	—	12
East Midlands	36	1	3	92
London	9	1	—	6
Merseyside	89	8	12	37
North East	124	9	26	132
North West	139	7	13	58
South East	23	—	1	22
South West	69	6	6	85
West Midlands	121	11	14	45
Yorkshire and Humberside	88	8	11	229