To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday play schemes; if his Department (a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.

Provision has been made for spending of £75,000 in the current financial year on subsidised child care for staff at various locations. This will provide 40 nursery day care places for children under five; and approximately 60 play scheme places for children five to 12 years old which are used during the main school holidays. These arrangements generally involve a subsidy of about 50 per cent. of the running costs involved. Subsidised child care provision is provided only if it can be justified on value for money grounds.The Department does not subscribe to "Childcare Solutions" nor make child care vouchers available to staff.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost of running immigration appeals in 1991, 1992 and 1993, measured on a common base.

The cost to the Lord Chancellor's Department of running the immigration appellate authorities for the financial years requested, measured on a common base, is as follows:

	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94
Salaries	1,236,645	1,283,528	1,617,629
General accommodation expenditure	920,585	964,646	1,307,911
Non-running costs1	2,539,677	3,134,360	3,472,296
Total	4,696,907	5,382,534	6,397,836
1Non-running costs include the full time and part-time judicial officers.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average length of time for an appeal against the granting of a visa to be heard in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

The current average time between the immigration appellate authorities receiving a certificate of readiness from a party to the date of a hearing is as follows:

• 1991—Not available
• 1992—13½ weeks
• 1993—10½ weeks

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what surveys of the views, opinions and attitudes of the staff of his Department have been carried out in the last two years; and if he will place copies of the findings in the Library.

The only survey of staff undertaken in the last two years has been a review of equal opportunity policy. I am not, at present, able to place a copy of the findings in the Library as the material gathered from the review has not yet been made available to the staff.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the charges recently brought against members of the Exodus Collective near Luton, the outcome in each case and the cost to public funds of the prosecutions.

The following list comprises charges against persons believed to be members of the Exodus Collective, who have appeared before the Crown court at Luton either for trial or on appeal from the magistrates court.

Charges	Result
(1) Violent disorder	Discharged
(2) Violent disorder	Discharged
(3) Possession of controlled drug class A with intent	Discharged
Possessing a controlled drug class A and handling stolen goods x 2
(4) Using threatening, abusive or insulting words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress	Bound over in £250 for 12 months
(5) Using threatening, abusive or insulting words or bahaviour with intent to provoke use of violence	Bound over in £250 for 12 months
	Appeal allowed. Bound over and fine removed
(6) Using threatening, abusive or insulting words likely to cause harassment alarm or distress	Bound over in £250 for 12 months
	Appeal allowed. Bound over and fine removed

The actual total cost to public funds of the cases listed is not readily available. However, it is estimated to be in the region of £92,000.In addition, five other persons appeared before Luton magistrates court charged with similar public order offences. The cost of the prosecutions of these further matters is not readily available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the key targets for 1994–95 that have been set for the Hydrographic Office Defence Agency.

The chief executive of the Hydrographic Office Defence Agency has been set the following key targets for 1994–95:

(a) To continue to ensure that all urgent dangers to navigation are promulgated by radio navigational warnings within 20 hours of receipt of the information.

(b) To improve the state of revision of Admiralty navigational charts and publications in waters of UK national responsibility so that at 1 April 1995 82 per cent. will have been revised or reviewed within the previous 10 years and found to need no revision.

(c) To achieve the endorsed and funded Defence programme. In pursuing all of his primary objectives, the chief executive will be expected to strive to deliver optimum value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on key targets for 1994–95 which have been set for the Service Children's Schools (North West Europe) Defence Agency.

The chief executive of SCS (NWE) has been set the following key targets for 1994–95, the agency's fourth year of operation:

(1) For the 42 schools in SCS (NWE), to extend the scope of the local management of schools paralleling, as far as possible, the initiative in the United Kingdom, to include staff costs for locally entered civilians, certain staff costs for United Kingdom-based civilians, building maintenance and utilities.

(2) By 31 December 1994 to launch, and complete, an initial programme of training for head teachers, parents and others serving on school advisory committees so as to develop their advisory role in local school management.

(3) To improve efficiency so as to reduce net expenditure for 1994–95 by 2·5 per cent.

(4) To maintain the overall pass rates in GCSE and A-level grades A to E and achieve a 2 per cent. increase in the percentage of pupils gaining grades A to C in five subjects and achieve an 80 per cent. pass rate in BTEC—first diploma—courses.

(5) During the period of the plan to ensure that 95 per cent. of all teachers meet all the qualifications criteria for their post.

(6) By 31 March 1995, to develop and implement methods for the regular gauging of customer satisfaction with SCS (NWE) schools.

(7) Complete the planned school closure and reorganisation programme in line with the drawdown of British forces in Germany.

(8) Continue to implement the Education Reform Act in accordance with the timetable laid down in the Act and subsequent regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the chief executives of (a) the Duke of York's Royal Military School and (b) the Queen Victoria School in 1994–95.

The following key targets have been set for the chief executives of the schools in 1994–95:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions have been reached on the Gibraltar garrison; and if he will make a statement.

As a consequence of the political and strategic changes that have taken place in Europe the size and functions of the garrison in Gibraltar have been under review. That review has now been completed.The conclusion of the review is that the work of the garrison should concentrate on five core areas which are central to our defence responsibilities in Gibraltar. These are the nuclear warship berthing facilities, access to the airfield, the Windmill Hill signal station and the maritime data centre, the Gibraltar Regiment in its present form, and the maintenance of a headquarters with supporting infrastructure for both NATO and national roles. It will in addition be necessary to maintain ammunition and fuel storage facilities, and the Gibraltar Squadron will remain in being.All these functions will be supported by a single logistic unit. The Gibraltar Regiment, together with elements of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, will assume the responsibility for the day-to-day administration of all service men.Under a rationalisation scheme already in progress service and civilian manpower levels in Gibraltar were due to reduce to 700 and 950 respectively by 1997. The effect of the review will be to bring these figures to some 500 service men and between 350 and 700 civilians. Precise civilian numbers will depend on how many supporting functions are put out to contract, increasing local employment opportunities. Any reductions in civilian manpower will be phased to avoid putting undue pressure on the job market. Where employees have to be made redundant every effort will be made to retrain and re-settle them.The Government of Gibraltar have been fully informed of the outcome of the review, which will now be the subject of a process of consultation with the trade unions. The British Government are conscious of the economic implications and are examining wider initiatives to support the Gibraltar economy through the recently formed Joint Economic Forum.A copy of the consultation document is being placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to seek further improvements in the provision of training for the regular Army.

Significant improvements have already been made to the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the Army's training organisation. The structure and content of Army training are constantly re-evaluated to ensure that they meet the present and future operational requirements of the Army. As part of this process, as foreshadowed in my answer to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 21 June 1994, Official Report, column 108, my Department will now be undertaking a wide review of how and where Army-sponsored training is conducted. This review, which is separate from but consistent with the defence costs study, will be looking at the nature and content of training courses generally as well as at individual areas such as adventurous training, training support, market-testing, catering training, recruit training and training with the adjutant-general's corps.Individual studies will now be set in hand and the trade unions involved in the normal way. Any proposals for change arising from the studies will be subject to full consultation as appropriate.

To ask the. Secretary of State for Defence what surveys of the views, opinions and attitudes of the civilian staff of his Department have been carried out in the last two years; and if he will place copies of the findings in the Library.

My Department has not conducted any general surveys of the views, opinions and attitudes of staff during the last two years, although surveys have been carried out within parts of my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of upgrading the Meteorological Office weather station at Braemar in Aberdeenshire to enable it to transmit data to the Meteorological Office at Bracknell daily.

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Meteorological Office under the terms of his framework document. I have therefore arranged for him to reply to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to follow up the recommendation of the Air Accident Investigation Branch in its aircraft accident report 2/94, that his Department should commission an operational analysis of fast jet low flying training in the United Kingdom to determine whether the use of see and avoid as a primary means of collision avoidance is satisfactory from the point of view of flight safety; and if he will make a statement.

As a result of this accident, the pipeline inspection notification system was introduced in October 1993. Further safety measures already in hand include the following:

(i) Hawk training aircraft are being painted black to improve conspicuity. Similar paint schemes are also being considered for other aircraft types.

(ii) Action is in hand to fit all RAF aircraft, not already so equipped, with high intensity stroboscopic lights.

(iii) The feasibility of installing forward facing headlights in tactical aircraft is being examined.

(iv) A technology demonstrator for a collision warning system is currently undergoing trials.

My Department is considering how best to take forward the particular recommendation of the air accident investigation branch in the light of results of the safety measures already implemented.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday playschemes; if his Department (a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.

At present, my Department has seven workplace nurseries and seven holiday play schemes, although a further three nurseries are planned.Responsibility for the provision of child care facilities is delegated to individual budget holders and subsidy arrangements may vary. In some cases this is restricted to a contribution to capital and indirect running costs such as Maintenance, heating and lighting, while in others a contribution is also made to the direct running costs—mainly staff and consumables. The contribution to direct costs varies according to local market rates for nursery places and those using the facility.My Department does not subscribe to "Childcare Solutions", or make child care vouchers available.It is our policy to increase the provision of child care facilities wherever possible. Budget holders are encouraged to set up new child care facilities for staff where there is sufficient demand and where they can be justified on value for money grounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the order for the new RAF search and rescue Sea Kings was placed; and when he expects them to be delivered.

The contract for the six RAF Sea King HAR Mk3A search and rescue helicopters was placed in October 1992. They will be delivered between July 1995 and February 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what compensation has been paid to residents living in the vicinity of the proof and experimental establishment at Shoeburyness for reasons connected with noise pollution.

Between 1 January 1992 and 5 July 1994, a total of £13,393·94 has been paid in compensation as a result of damage caused by noise pollution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work has been transferred from the proof and experimental establishment at Shoeburyness to the proof and experimental establishment at Pendine for reasons connected with noise pollution.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the trade associations and individual customers with whom his Department has had discussions on the implications at the current review of proof and experimental establishments in the United Kingdom.

The review covers all test and evaluation establishments, not just the proof and experimental establishments. Discussions were held with the following organisations:

• Society of British Aerospace Companies
• Vickers plc
• VSEL
• GKN
• Royal Ordnance plc
• Rolls-Royce plc

Discussions were also held with a large number of internal customers such as MOD project managers and the Defence Research Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints about noise pollution have been received over the last three years from residents in the vicinity of (a) the proof and experimental establishment at Shoeburyness and (b) the proof and experimental establishment at Pendine.

The figures are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what responses he has received from trade associations and individual customers following consultation on the Director General Test and Evaluation review at test and evaluation facilities.

This consultation took the form of discussions. Written responses were neither received nor appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total estimated cost to (a) his Department and (b) the Exchequer generally, of the fraud at Ferranti/ISC; and what assessment he has made of the total number of jobs lost (i) directly and (ii) indirectly in the United Kingdom as a result of this fraud in the subsequent collapse of the company.

My Department has no means of assessing what, if any, additional costs it bore as a result of the fraud; the question of any loss to the Exchequer generally is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Nor has my Department any way of isolating the net changes in employment in the company and in other United Kingdom companies as a result of the fraud from the changes brought about by more general trends in the defence and civil markets for the company's products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much money from his Department's vote has been spent since the beginning of 1990 on upgrading RAF Machrihanish;(2) how much money from his Department's vote has been spent since the beginning of 1990 at RAF Machrihanish on the following:

The amount of money from my Department's vote spent since the beginning of 1990 on upgrading RAF Machrihanish is £10,060,000. The figure includes:

(a) £407,000 on the construction of a new control tower, representing 20 per cent. of a NATO-funded project;

(b) £2,090,000 VAT payment on NATO-funded construction of underground fuel pipes and pumps;

(c) £2,000,000 VAT payment on NATO-funded airfield pavement improvements, including the strengthening of runway aprons;

(d) £1,807,000 on the construction of new single living quarters.

In the same period NATO has contributed £28,306,000 on upgrading at RAF Machrihanish.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current regional distribution of jobs in the MOD clothing organisation; and if he will make a statement on the future location of that organisation.

The recently formed Defence Clothing and Textiles Authority is headed by the director of clothing and textiles, whose headquarters is based in Andover and his staff are currently located as follows:

Location	Total staff employed
Andover	53·5
Bath	23·0
Bicester	101·0
Colchester	135·0
Didcot	134·5
Glasgow	56·0
Harrogate	13·0
Manchester	8·0
Sheffield	8·0

Proposals for the future location of the DCTA are currently being considered by my Department.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what surveys of the views, opinions and attitudes of the staff of his Department have been carried out in the last two years; and if he will place copies of the findings in the Library.

Two employee surveys have been carried out in the Departments and agencies for which I am responsible. I will place in the Library copies of the findings of a survey of staff in Her Majesty's Stationery Office carried out in 1993. The results of a recent survey of staff in the Occupational Health Service have yet to be published.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when a response will be made to the report of the Committee on Women in Science, Engineering and Technology entitled "The Rising Tide."

I have today published the Government's response to this report. We have accepted many of the committee's recommendations, including the central one that a development unit should be established within the Office of Science and Technology. This will work with other Departments and outside bodies to enable women to make the fullest possible contribution to the nation's science, engineering and technology.Copies of the response have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what facilities his Department provides for the parking of the bicycles of visitors to its offices in Westminster.

Visitors to my Department's offices in Westminster may use the same facilities for parking their bicycles as those provided for staff. Five sites have been designated bicycle parks; the remaining four have space available to park bicycles upon request.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday play schemes; if his Department (a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's policy is that child care assistance must be justified on value for money grounds, and that any child care arrangements must offer the best value for money choice.On this basis the Treasury participates in the Westminster holiday play scheme which provides child care for children between the ages of five and 12 during school holidays. A 60 per cent. subsidy is provided to staff.Until the end of July 1994, the Treasury and the Central Statistical Office are offering two places in a Westminster-based nursery for use by staff in emergencies. A 50 per cent. subsidy is given to staff earning less than £25,000 per annum. However, the contract has been terminated because of low usage. The Treasury does not subscribe to "Childcare Solutions" or make child care vouchers available.The Treasury is about to undertake a survey of staff to establish what child care provision might provide best value for money in future.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the public sector borrowing requirement is accounted for from the capital receipts held by local authorities.

When a capital asset is sold by a local authority it generates a capital receipt which reduces net capital expenditure and hence general government expenditure. This, in turn, reduces the public sector borrowing requirement. When the proceeds from the sale of a capital asset are spent, net capital expenditure increases which increases general Government expenditure and hence the public sector borrowing requirement.The table sets out the latest data for local authority capital receipts and the public sector borrowing requirement.

	1991–92 £ billion	1992–93 £ billion	1993–94 £ billion
Local authority capital receipts	2·8	2·6	3·9
Public sector borrowing requirement	13·9	36·6	46·0

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of Exchequer revenue was raised through (a) direct taxes, and (b) indirect taxes in (i) 1978–79, (ii) 1991–92 and (iii) 1993–94; and what is his estimate of the equivalent figures for 1994–95 and 1995–96.

Total taxes and social security contributions
	1978–79	1991–92	1993–94	1994–951	1995–961
	(as per cent. of total taxes and social security contributions)
Taxes on income, capital and social security contributions2	59	55	53	54	54
Taxes on expenditure including rates/community charge/and council tax3	41	45	47	46	46
1From Treasury summer economic forecast 1994.
2includes the independent broadcasting authorities levy before 1993–94.
3includes ITC franchise payments from 1993–94.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education concerning extra funding needed to pay the cost of using external examiners in the assessment of key stage 2 and key stage 3.

As a matter of practice, I do not reveal what representations on spending are made to me by colleagues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to publish their advice to Government;(2) if he will list the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department that are required to lay their annual reports before Parliament;(3) if he will list the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which have a statutory basis;(4) if he will list the advisory bodies which he has set up in his Department since the publication of "Public Bodies 1993";(5) if he will list those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which the Government are required to consult before legislation proposals; and in respect of which bodies the Government must publish their response to advice supplied by them;(6) if he will list his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which are required to produce annual reports.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has responsibility for only one advisory non-departmental public body, the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, although this is not sponsored by the Treasury and is advisory only to the Royal Mint. This body, which was established before 1993, is not required to publish its advice to Government or to produce an annual report. It does not have a statutory basis. The Government are not required to consult this body

The information requested, set out in the terms of the national accounts classification of taxes, is shown in the table.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the Bank of England is taking concerning the book entry-only accounts opened by Banque Indosuez Aval and American Express for the Central Bank of Kenya in June last year.

The special investigations unit of the Bank of England has conducted inquiries and is in close touch with the governor of the Central Bank of Kenya and the relevant supervisory authorities in France and the United States. It would not be appropriate to comment further while investigations are in the progress.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he, or the Bank of England, has received from the Swiss authorities in relation to United Kingdom financial instruments sold to Swiss and international investors in Polly Peck, Mountleigh, Maxwell Communications and Ferranti/ISC.

Neither the Chancellor, nor the Bank, has received any such representations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the documents received by HM Customs from their Customs counterparts in each European Economic Area country between 1984 and 1992 in relation to the sale of Bofors weapons to Iraq; what meetings were held with each of them and when; and what action was taken as a result on each occasion.

I understand that HM Customs and Excise has received no information from its Customs counterparts in any of the EEA countries in relation to the sale of Bofors weapons to Iraq and that no meetings were held with its counterparts on this subject.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the payments of £1 million or over received from European Community funds, by expenditure programme, in each year since the United Kingdom's accession.

The Government receive several hundred individual payments from European Community funds each year. A list of all payments of £1 million or more since 1973 could be produced only at disproportionate cost. Information about the United Kingdom's aggregated receipts is published each year in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments' annual report —prior to 1992–93 in "The Government Expenditure Plans"—and in the annual White Paper "Statement on the Community Budget".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the United Kingdom's (a) gross contributions to, (b) payments received from and (c) net contributions to the European Community for each year since United Kingdom accession in 1973.

Details of the United Kingdom's gross contribution, public sector receipts and net contribution by financial year are published in the "Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departmental Report". Prior to 1992–93 similar information was published in "The Government Expenditure Plans"; these documents contain information on a calendar year basis for earlier years. Information on the United Kingdom's contributions and receipts since 1980, by calendar year, is contained in the annual White Paper, "Statement on the Community Budget".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he favours economic and monetary union as the appropriate aim of the European Union; and what are the reasons for his policy on this matter.

[holding answer 4 July 1994]: My views on economic and monetary union were set out in my speech to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Bonn on 29 June. A copy of the speech has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 28 April, Official Report, columns 316–20, if he will withdraw approval for the use of alphachloralose; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Advisory Committee on Pesticides has recently reviewed those pesticide products containing 100 per cent. alphachloralose. It concluded that the approvals for these products should continue because they fulfil an important role in rodent control and are used by local authorities and professional pest control agencies. The situation will be kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to amend legislation or procedure in order to improve the detection and conviction rate for offences involving the illegal killing of protected wildlife in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

None. I do not consider that there is any need to amend legislation or procedures in Scotland at present. All necessary powers are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what central record is available to the Government of the illegal killing of protected birds in Scotland, other than those killed by poisons.

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce his decision on the re-organisation schemes submitted by the milk marketing boards in Scotland.

The Agriculture Act 1993 provided for the ending of the statutory milk marketing schemes. It enabled the milk marketing boards in Scotland to submit proposals to me for their replacement by voluntary arrangements, for the transfer of their assets to specified successor bodies, and for the distribution of the value of those assets to milk producers.The Scottish Milk Marketing Board, the Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Board, and the North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board all submitted proposals to me last October following which I conducted a wide-ranging consultation of the various parties with an interest. Subsequently, and in the light of the responses to that consultation, the boards submitted amendments to their reorganisation schemes and I conducted a further round of consultation. I have now concluded that the requirements of the Act have been met and that, having regard to all the circumstances, including in particular the considerations specified in the Act, the schemes submitted by the boards should be approved.The Act requires that the principles of the approved reorganisation schemes be made public. The principles of the schemes as submitted, and subsequently amended, by the milk marketing boards were set out in the two consultation documents issued by my Department in October 1993 and May 1994. Although some further detailed amendments have been made by the boards to their schemes, the principles as set out in those documents are unchanged. Copies of the documents, together with a note updating them in the light of the further detailed amendments, are available in the Library of the House and can also be obtained from the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department.Under the approved reorganisation schemes, the existing statutory milk marketing schemes will be revoked on 1 November 1994 (the "vesting" date). As a result producers will be free to sell their milk to whom they wish, whether to the successor co-operatives being established under the board's reorganisation schemes, to other co-operatives or marketing groups of producers, or direct to dairies or to manufacturers of milk products. The price at which untreated milk can be bought will no longer be determined by the existing joint committee arrangements and according to its ultimate end-use but by contract between the purchaser and his supplier.The Scottish Milk Marketing Board will be succeeded by two separate companies, a producer co-operative, Scottish Milk Ltd. and a commercial company, Scottish Pride Holdings plc. The Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Board will be succeeded by a single company co-operative, Aberdeen Milk Company, and the North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board by a single co-operative, the North of Scotland Milk Co-operative.In view of the delay in the vesting date from 1 April 1994 to 1 November 1994, however, milk producers who have already signed a contract with one of the successor co-operatives will no longer be bound by those contracts, and the boards will be writing to them inviting them to exercise their right to withdraw within two weeks; in the case of the Aberdeen board, the board will be cancelling all existing producer contracts with Aberdeen Milk Company and offering a revised contract. I urge all producers, including those who have not yet signed a contract with anyone, to decide as soon as possible to whom they wish to sell their milk from 1 November 1994 and to enter into a contract accordingly so that the necessary arrangements can be put in place for the uplift of their milk from that date.I am also about to announce today that, following an announcement by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Food on 16 June that she and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will be proposing the establishment of a milk development council for England and Wales, I have decided in the light of the separate consultation I undertook of the industry in Scotland, that Scotland should also be included in this council which will therefore cover the whole of Great Britain. The development council should be operational from 1 November or soon thereafter.The ending of the statutory milk marketing schemes marks a major step forward in the history of the dairy industry in this country. It will enable competition to flourish in a way not possible before, and the industry will be able to respond better and more quickly to the needs and preferences of consumers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to approve the necessary capital consents to enable a start to be made on the new road bridge for Kelso.

[holding answer 6 July 1994]: The Kelso bridge is part of a local road and any decision relating to the provision of a new bridge are matters for Borders regional council as local roads authority.The Government set annual block allocations for capital expenditure on roads and transport and any proposals contained in councils' financial plans will be given careful consideration, within the resources available, in setting these levels. Thereafter it is for local authorities to set their own priorities for individual projects, such as a new Kelso bridge, taking account of local needs and circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultations he has had on heritage-related legislation with the Association of Conservation Officers on Bills which have an impact on the heritage.

My Department has not so far introduced any legislation on the conservation of the built heritage and there have therefore been no such consultations. We would, however, expect to consult the Association of Conservation Officers, together with other interests, in the event of such legislation—or proposals for it—being put forward. My Department is always ready to discuss with the Association any particular concerns its members may have about the effect of other legislation on the built heritage.

To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements have been made to co-ordinate policies and operations in relation to the Lockerbie crime involving the destruction of Pan Am 103 between the Foreign Office, the Home Office, the Scottish Office, the Department of Transport, the Intelligence Services, the Attorney-General and the Crown Office; and which is the lead Department.

The Crown Office is the lead Department on matters relating to the prosecution of those suspected of the Lockerbie bombing.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the lead department for international aspects.These Departments consult others on issues for which they are responsible, as they arise.

To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions since October 1991 he has met Mr. Gordon McNally.

[holding answer 5 July 1994]: So far as I am aware, Mr. McNally has attended three large functions at which I was also present between October 1991 and March 1993.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement outlining the benefits which will accrue to the manufacturing, construction and retailing sectors of the United Kingdom economy through the acceptance of agenda 21 of the Rio declaration of June 1992;(2) what assessment Her Majesty's Government have undertaken of the costs

[holding answer 6 July 1994]: The Rio declaration and agenda 21 clearly recognise the importance of economic development to improvement of the quality of life of present and future generations. The Government are committed to the close involvement of the wealth-creating sectors in the preparation of policies to ensure that economic development is sustainable. Acceptance of the principles of agenda 21 by a large number of the United Kingdom's trading partners will help British business to compete on a level playing field, and will create substantial new market opportunities for suppliers of cleaner process technologies and environmental goods and services.The Government seek to take account of the principles of sustainable development in all policies, together with a wide range of other factors. It is often not possible to separate out the cost attributable to abiding by the principles of sustainable development. However, we aim to consider carefully the compliance cost of all new policies.The United Kingdom Government have been one of the principal proponents of a system of national reporting on progress in the implementation of measures in agenda 21. Our sustainable development strategy was published this January. We shall continue to urge other countries to follow suit through our membership of the Commission on Sustainable Development. We hope that in due course the commission will be able to publish information based on national reports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of cases alleging unfair dismissal brought before industrial tribunals have disability as their ground; what the degree of success in such appeals is estimated to be; and what estimate he has made as to the extent of the practice of dismissing such employees prior to the minimum term of continuous service which would allow appeals to be brought.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what surveys of the views, opinions and attitudes of the staff of his Department have been carried out in the last two years; and if he will place copies of the findings in the Library.

The Department conducts an annual attitude survey asking staff for their opinions on internal operational issues such as staff appraisal, communications, job satisfaction, equal opportunities and staff development.Managers use the results to improve the internal operation of the Department. The results of the 1993 survey are encouraging and show a continuing upward trend compared with previous years.I have arranged to place copies in the Library of a summary already sent to staff of the responses to the Employment Department's staff attitude survey over recent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement regarding the future of the home workers' scheme for blind people.

Officials are considering the effectiveness of the blind home workers scheme. They are canvassing views from local authority, voluntary body and home worker interest groups on future options for the scheme, and proposals will be put forward in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday playschemes; if his Department (a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.

The Employment Department Group currently supports six workplace nurseries and 49 holiday play schemes. The cost of this support across the group as a whole was £430,000 in 1993–94. This includes net expenditure on nursery places and financial help with additional child care costs incurred through attending training courses or other work-based functions. No part of the group subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" or offers child care vouchers. All child care assistance within the group is subject to meeting value for money considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what creche facilities are available through the Employment Service for single parents attending Government training centres in the area of the Derbyshire, North-East parliamentary constituency; and how they are advertised.

There are no creche facilities available directly through the Employment Service. Lone parents in north-east Derbyshire on Government-funded vocational training can claim 75p per hour for each child. This is paid by North Derbyshire training and enterprise council, which runs training for work programmes in the area under its "Skillsbuild" banner. The TEC plans to launch an information pack later this month, aimed at women wishing to return to work, including lone parents. It will be circulated widely and be available in our Employment Service jobcentres in the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to exempt foyer residents from the normal eligibility conditions for employment service programmes.

The Government have decided to give residents of pilot foyers exemption from the basic eligibility conditions for jobclub, job interview guarantee, job search seminars and work trials. This means that these foyer residents, who have particular disadvantages, can now join these programmes on or after their first day of unemployment. In addition the minimum age for joining these programmes has been lowered to 17 for residents of the pilot foyers. The exemptions for 17-year-olds will apply only after the guaranteed offer of a place on youth training has been made, and their education and training options fully and urgently explored by the local training and enterprise council. These conditions will apply from now to residents of the YMCA's foyers in Nottingham, Norwich, St. Helens, Romford and Wimbledon, and are intended to apply to the foyers being newly built in Camberwell, Birmingham and Salford. The Government will keep the effect of the changes and the extra help they give foyer participants under review.

To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions civil servants or former civil servants have been prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act 1989.

No central record is maintained of cases prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act 1989. I understand that the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised two prosecutions under section 4 of the Act relating to civil servants.

To ask the Attorney-General if he gave legal advice to the Secretary of State for Wales concerning the payment of grants from the Welsh Development Agency to the Development Board for Rural Wales.

By convention, the Law Officers do not normally disclose whether they have been asked to advise on a particular issue or the substance of any advice that they may have given.

To ask the Attorney-General what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday play schemes; if his Department (a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.

It is the policy of the Law Officers' Departments to provide child care facilities for staff where there is a need and arrangements can be justified on value for money grounds. The Crown Prosecution Service provides a subsidy of up to 50 per cent. for nursery places and holiday play schemes. The service also contributes to extra child care expenses incurred by staff when attending training courses. The Treasury Solicitor's Department provides a subsidy of 50 per cent. for the Westminster holiday play scheme. Both the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office subscribe to "Childcare Solutions". No Department makes child care vouchers available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when British Rail's rolling stock leasing companies will be sold; and whether he will make a statement.

We have decided that British Rail's passenger rolling stock leasing companies should be sold during 1995.The three rolling stock leasing compaies were established as subsidiaries of British Rail, as part of the reorganisation of the railways introduced in April this year, to lease rolling stock to British Rail's 25 passenger train operating units. It was made clear at the time the companies were set up that they would be transferred to the private sector as soon as practicable. Detailed leases with each of the train operating units will now be put in place in final form by the end of this year. The companies will then be offered for trade sale as early as possible in 1995.The privatisation of the rolling stock leasing companies will be a major step in the rail privatisation programme. Freed from the constraints of operating in the public sector, the three companies will be able to bring private sector expertise and commercial practice to the supply of rolling stock to train operators. In particular, they will be free to raise private capital for new investment. I look forward to the development of a thriving competitive market in the provision of passenger rolling stock.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday play schemes; if his Department (a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.

Department of Transport staff have access to nursery facilities in Bristol, Hastings and Swansea. Places at holiday play schemes are available to staff in Bedford, Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, and Swansea.The Department has discretion to provide assistance with child care where this can be justified on value for money grounds, and within overall running cost constraints. The Department's general practice is to assist with start-up or "pump-priming" costs from central funds, leaving local budgets to assist with continuing costs where that is necessary and justified on value for money grounds. Details are not held centrally. The Department does not make child care vouchers available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received in relation to the figures collected by the Royal Automobile Club in relation to carbon monoxide and other noxious car exhaust emissions and the table of different cities in the United Kingdom in order of emission gases concentrations; and if he will make a statement on the effect of noxious exhaust emissions on (a) road users, (b) pedestrians and (c) others.

I have received no representations on this matter. The Department is liaising closely with the Department of Health on the studies and research now under way into the possible health effects of air pollutants. Future action, in addition to measures already in place or proposed, for reducing motor vehicle pollutants, will be considered in the light of these considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with the Royal Automobile Club in relation to the position of Cardiff in the league table of car exhaust-related emissions of carbon monoxide and other noxious gases; and if he will make a statement.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the latest research which has been carried out with Government support in the reduction of emissions from motor vehicles.

The reduction of motor vehicle pollutant emissions remains a major policy objective. My Department spent £830,000 on research on this topic in 1993–94. New vehicle petrol engine pollutant emissions are much reduced and good progress is being made on future reductions for diesel engines. More research is being undertaken to understand the health hazards of particulates from motor vehicle exhausts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what objectives he has set for Railtrack and British Rail in the current financial year; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave on 1 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn), Official Report, column 773.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers he has retained to control wage agreements entered into by Railtrack.

My right hon. Friend has no powers to control Railtrack's wage agreements. As with any Government-owned body it is, however, expected to follow the Government's approach to public sector pay which was set out clearly last autumn by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if disciplinary action will be taken against officials in his Department responsible for the losses identified by the National Audit Office in respect of acquisition and management of land and property purchased for road construction.

The Department and the Highways Agency are giving this report full and careful consideration, but, by convention, substantive comments on National Audit Office reports are not made before the Public Accounts Committee has had an opportunity to take evidence from the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the running costs of the traffic area offices for the financial year 1993–94 in (a) total, (b) staffing costs, (c) accommodation, (d) consultant fees, (e) information technology purchases, (f) stationery, (g) works and maintenance and (h) other.

The running costs of the traffic area offices for the financial year 1993–94 were as follows:

Running costs		£
(a)	Total	12,373,007
(b)	Staffing costs	6,896,695
(c)	Accommodation	2,007,852
(d)	Consultant fees	119,455
(e)	IT purchases/services	1,147,906
(f)	Stationery	114,831
(g)	Works and maintenance	202,887
(h)	Other	1,883,381

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department's 20 per cent. efficiency saving target applies to the DSA.

I have nothing to add to the answer given on 14 June at columns 510–11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory and other environmental bodies were consulted by his Department at the early stage of route development of the M11 link road; and if he will place in the Library a summary of the parts of the advice from the statutory bodies which was not accepted by his Department.

This information about the Al2 Hackney Wick to M11 link road is available from the inspector's report of the .1983 public inquiry, except that it will not show the instances, if any, where a body had been consulted but not responded. The hon. Gentleman received a copy of the report when it was published in 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the speech of the chief executive of the DSA to the Scottish Driving Examiners Conference on 28 June in respect of the applicability of his Department's efficiency saving target to his agency represents Government policy; and if he will make a statement.

In the context of a presentation to the Scottish Driving Examiners Conference, the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency acknowledged that the Secretary of State was requiring the Department to find a 20 per cent. efficiency gain, but said that he was not yet in a position to comment on the implications for the agency. That was an accurate representation of the position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he received a copy of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment report on traffic generation; and when it will be published.

I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) and the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes), on 20 May 1994, at columns 596–99.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contribution she expects days-at-sea restrictions to make towards achieving the United Kingdom's multi-annual guidance programme target by the end of 1996; and if she will make a statement.

The United Kingdom's days at sea measures were due to be introduced in January this year. The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations sought judicial review of the United Kingdom legislation and the High Court has referred a number of questions to the European Court of Justice as our legislation was based on Community regulations. The European Court is unlikely to respond until 1995. In those circumstances, the Government decided to suspend the days at sea restrictions pending clarification of the legal position.Currently we are moving towards our targets via decommissioning and licence penalties. We are also having discussions with the Commission on the possible contribution to effort reduction from technical conservation measures.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what facilities her Department provides for the parking of the bicycles of visitors to its offices in Westminster.

My Department provides racks for 20 bicycles in its Whitehall buildings, 25 in its Millbank buildings and 15 in its Albert Embankment building, all of which are under cover. There are free standing areas, too, which can be used. Visitors are welcome to use these facilities during office hours and subject to security checks.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provision her Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday playschemes; if her Department (a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 7 March 1994 to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman), Official Report, column 67, which gave details of child care provision for staff in the Department. Most places are subsidised, but the extent of the subsidy varies according to the nursery or play scheme.The Department does not subscribe to "Childcare Solutions" or make child care vouchers available.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations she has received from (a) specialist consumer organisations and (b) members of the public concerning the ban on comfrey products since the ban was announced; and how many of these representations supported the ban.

I have received roughly 100 similar representations objecting to the trade withdrawal. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain supports greater controls on the availability of comfrey products. The National Consumer Council and Consumers Association welcomed the voluntary withdrawal.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation was held with (a) the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy and (b) specialist consumer groups before the introduction of the ban on comfrey products; what plans she has to review the ban; and if she will make a statement.

All interested parties were informed at the same time of my intention to seek a voluntary withdrawal of comfrey products on health grounds. Any review of the situation will be based on the best scientific advice available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the World Bank and the Governments which are scheduled to send representatives to the forthcoming meeting of the consultation group on Indonesia in Paris to postpone the meeting.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have approached the president or any member Governments of the World bank, asking for a postponement of the consultative group on Indonesia meeting in Paris on 7 and 8 July, in the light of the human rights situation in Indonesia.

Indonesia's human rights record over the past year has improved. We were therefore surprised and concerned to learn of the recent banning of three journals, a decision which appears inconsistent with the greater spirit of openness that has prevailed in Indonesia recently. But we do not believe the Indonesian action warrants a postponement of this week's consultative group meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what has been his response to the Commonwealth Institute's relaunch plan as discussed at the board's executive committee meeting on 21 June;(2) what has been his response to the proposals for the relaunch plans for the Commonwealth Institute, Scotland as discussed at a meeting where his representatives were present on 21 June.

As Her Majesty's Government's representative indicated at the meeting of the executive committee on 21 June 1994, we hope to give our response to the various proposals by the middle of this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information he has on (a) incentives to conform with the Chinese population control programme, including access to land, better housing, reduction in taxes and extra payments and (b) the content of the eugenics laws enacted by Gansu and Liaoning provinces; and what progress has been made in enacting a national Chinese eugenics law;(2) what information he has on the number and nature of Chinese population control projects sponsored by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities under the memorandum of understanding between China and the UNFPA in 1979;

The hon. Gentleman has tabled 28 questions covering one subject area.The British Government are concerned about all human rights abuses, whether they occur in China or elsewhere. The Government's views are well known to the Chinese, and we have consistently urged them to conform with internationally recognised standards of behaviour.Questions 57, 63, 112, 118, 127, 130 refer to Chinese Government policies and their implementation. Questions 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 125, 135 refer to provincial population programmes, and the way in which they are implemented at provincial and local level. Questions 59, 119, 120, 121, 124, 126, 129, 131, 132 refer to allegations about practices which have a bearing on reproductive health and population issues, though these are not necessarily the results of central or provincial Chinese government policies.The issues raised in all these questions are complex. We do not have ready access to the detailed information that would be required to answer the questions raised. Assembling such information would involve a prohibitive cost.Questions 58, 61, 62 refer to the work in China of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities. My noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to the hon. Member with the information that we have received from UNFPA. In answer to question 128, the Government take account of the efforts being made by the International Planned Parenthood Federation and UNFPA to promote better reproductive health and children by choice throughout the world, including their efforts in China, when agreeing the level of support they are to receive from the ODA's budget. Both organisations oppose the promotion of abortion as a method of family planning and all forms of coercion in family planning programmes.Regarding question 134, the Government do not directly finance family planning projects in China. We continue to advocate that all men and women should be able to choose when to have children, and that women, in particular, should be in a position to exercise this choice of their own free will, without pressure of coercion. Those views are well known to the Chinese authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those communications he and his predecessors have received from the Governor of Hong Kong regarding the arms supply and related activities of the Rex Group of companies between 1981 and 1991; and what was reported to him in this matter by Mr. Layton and Mr. Pickin.

Member state	Number of referrals	Number withdrawn	Number still in motion	Judgment for commission	Judgment for member state
United Kingdom	5	0	3	2	0
Belgium	24	11	4	9	0
Denmark	3	1	0	2	0
France	4	0	2	2	0
Germany	10	0	7	3	0
Greece	17	6	3	7	1
Ireland	13	7	1	5	0
Italy	39	21	10	7	1
Luxembourg	31	18	11	2	0
Netherlands	17	4	7	6	0
Portugal	4	2	0	2	0
Spain	11	1	5	5	0

It should, however, be borne in mind that, even though the Commission may bring a case against a member state based on several complaints, the Commission need only succeed on one complaint for the judgment to be recorded as being in its favour.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current state of relations between Estonia and Latvia; and if he will comment on the implications for the partnership for peace agreements.

We welcome the agreements signed by Latvia and Russia on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Latvia by 31 August, which we hope will form the basis for good relations between the two countries. We are urging Russia and Estonia to conclude a similar agreement. We welcome Estonian, Latvian and Russian signature of the partnership for peace framework document. We look forward, with other NATO partners, to developing closer relations with all three countries through the Partnership for Peace programme.

It would not be customary to disclose the contents of communications between the Governor and Ministers. These are conducted on a confidential basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many judgments handed down by the European Court of Justice have gone (a) in favour of and (b) against each member country.

Cases can be brought before the European Court of Justice by various parties under a number of treaty articles. Many cases do not involve member states at all. It would involve disproportionate cost to identify all the cases since the Community was founded which involved member states directly. If the Commission considers that a member state has failed to fulfil its obligations under the treaty, it may take action under Article 169, which can lead to proceedings before the European Court of Justice. Details of judgments issued on cases brought since 1989 under article 169 can be found in the Commission's eleventh annual report on monitoring the application of Community law. A copy of the report is available in the House. The figures for these cases are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy in the context of (a) the Council of Europe (b) the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe and (c) the United Nations on the human rights implications for Latvia's Russian population of the recent laws on citizenship.

President Ulmanis has returned to Parliament for reconsideration the draft citizenship law passed by the Latvian Parliament in June. We are urging the Latvians to incorporate into the law recommendations made by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Council of Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the latest available data on per capita income in each country; and what data are available on per capita wealth by country.

Per capita income and per capita wealth are not measured separately. Both are represented by the data collected on each country's per capita gross national product. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the "World Bank Atlas 1994", a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library. The atlas gives the latest GNP per capita information on 207 of the world's economies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) assistance and (b) guidance on human rights issues he gives to British companies considering investing in Tibet.

Neither I nor the embassy in Peking have been approached by any British companies considering investing in Tibet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a statement on the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union.

The following meetings are planned:

• A: ECOFIN
• B: FAC
• C: Agriculture
• D: Budget
• E: ECOFIN
• F: Justice

The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday playschemes; if his Department (a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.

The FCO has 10 places for the under-fives at nurseries in London, subsidised by 50 per cent., and 22 places in a workplace nursery for staff working at Hanslope Park. Staff in London may bid for holiday places for five to 12-year-olds through the Westminster holiday play scheme, also subsidised by 50 per cent.The ODA offers no nursery provision for staff, but provides holiday play schemes for staff working at each of its three sites. In London this is through the Westminster holiday play scheme—the other two play schemes are ODA-administered. These schemes cater for children aged between five and 14 depending on the scheme and are subsidised by up to 50 per cent.The provision of child care is on a value for money basis and is contained within existing running costs. The FCO does not subscribe to "Childcare Solutions" or provide child care vouchers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on progress being made by the international war crimes tribunal set up in 1993; and if he will list the judges, giving their countries of origin and background.

The acting deputy prosecutor, Mr. Graham Blewitt, is currently setting up the prosecutor's office. A number of investigatory and prosecutorial staff have now arrived in The Hague. Mr. Blewitt is hoping to start the first trials later this year.The judges of the tribunal and their nationalities are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to introduce enabling legislation necessary for the United Kingdom's ratification of the chemical weapons convention before 18 July.

We have no plans to introduce implementing legislation for ratification of the chemical weapons convention before 18 July. The legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time becomes available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy that the United Kingdom will ratify the chemical weapons convention by January 1995.

We shall ratify the chemical weapons convention as soon as the necessary implementing legislation is in place. No parliamentary time has yet been allocated for this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the current operation of the Child Support Agency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove (Mr. Thomason) on 4 July at columns 49–50.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the amounts of compensation received by (a) asbestosis sufferers who have won court awards which were appealed against by firms and (b) those who received the same award which was accepted by the firm.

The information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the annual running costs of the compensation recovery unit.

The costs for the financial year 1993–94 were approximately £2.4 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will show the amounts successfully reclaimed by the compensation recovery unit in each year for the past 10 years.

Recoveries made under the compensation recovery scheme apply to compensation payments made on or after 3 September 1990 for an accident, injury or

Number of children in families receiving the following benefits
Year	Widowed mother's allowance	Supplementary benefit/Income support	Family income supplement/Family credit	Housing benefit	Community charge benefit
1979	132	955	184	n/a	n/a
1980	n/a	1,125	n/a	n/a	n/a
1981	119	1,550	226	n/a	n/a
1982	112	1,793	306	n/a	n/a
1983	106	1,868	396	n/a	n/a
1984	111	2,033	428	n/a	n/a
1985	93	n/a	415	n/a	n/a
1986	86	2,227	412	n/a	n/a
1987	81	2,236	457	n/a	n/a
1988	85	2,195	438	370	n/a
1989	81	2,138	656	335	n/a
1990	80	2,151	669	1,807	2,563
1991	78	2,497	736	1,971	2,634

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to extend phasing in of the provisions of the Child Support Act 1991 to all those with second families.

The phasing arrangements apply to all absent parents with a previous court order or written maintenance agreement, who had a second family at the date the new maintenance assessment was made and whose new assessment is more than £20 a week higher than their old liability. We have no plans to extend these arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the organisations which have made representations to him about the effect of the Child Support Act 1991 on second families.

Representations have been received from a number of large organisations: the Child Poverty Action Group, the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, Families Need Fathers, Stepfamily, the National Council for One Parent Families, and the Campaign for Fair Maintenance.Representations have also been received from a range of smaller and local organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children were living in families dependent on benefit in each year since 1979.

Families with children may be assisted by a number of social security benefits, and may receive more than one benefit at a time. Child benefit is available for all children regardless of income and is currently payable for 12·5 million children in nearly 7 million families. The number of children in families receiving the main income-related benefits for each year since 1979 are in the table. The number of children in families receiving widowed mothers allowance are also shown. For the purposes of the information in the table, children are defined as aged under 16 years or aged 16 to 19 years and in full-time education.