To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain the tax treatment of a back-to-work bonus of up to £1,000 claimed by a part-time worker who has entered into full-time employment under the scheme announced by the Secretary of State for Social Security on 24 October.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the back-to-work lump sum cash bonus of the new job seeker's allowance will be treated for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 28 October 1994]: The tax treatment of the back-to-work bonus will be announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament are exempt from United Kingdom taxation.

United Kingdom members of the European Parliament are exempt from United Kingdom taxation in only one respect. A ruling of the European Court of Justice in 1981 said that expense allowances intended to defray costs, paid by the European Parliament to its Members, are not liable to United Kingdom tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the proposed imposition of value added tax on membership subscription to the Royal British Legion; and if he will make a statement.

There is no VAT on membership subscriptions to the Royal British Legion where the subscription confers no facility or advantage for the subscriber other than the right to participate in its management or receive reports of its activities.Customs and Excise officials are discussing with the legion its existing arrangements for accounting for VAT on the elements of subscriptions which provide entitlement to use of the social facilities of its clubs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 27 October, Official Report, column 754 what happened to the tiger products seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the period 1989 to 1994.

There are no disposal records for 1989, but the 1990 seizure was loaned to a zoological establishment to feature in an endangered species exhibition. The remaining items, from 1991 up to the present time, have either been destroyed or retained by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise for display or training purposes and to form the nucleus of a reference collection of tiger derivatives.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 27 October, if he will give details of the country of origin of tiger products seized between 1989 and 1994.

Customs records for 1989 and 1990 seizures do not contain details of the country of either export or origin.Further to my answer of 27 October,

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 27 October, how many prosecutions followed the seizures of tiger products in the period since 1989.

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 27 October, Official Report, column 754, what information he has of the intended destination of the tiger products seized between 1989 and 1994.

With one exception, customs' action was confined to seizure of the goods and there is no information on the intended destinations apart from the importers' addresses.In the one case which was investigated for deliberate evasion, customs was satisfied that a medicinal product had been imported to treat a genuine medical complaint and that there were no grounds to support legal proceedings.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received about the proposed changes to the vehicle licensing system;(2) what plans he has for concessions for the classic car sector from the proposed changes to the vehicle licensing system;(3) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the proposed changes to the vehicle licensing system will encourage registration among those who formerly avoided road tax;(4) what assessment he has made of the effect of (a) use-based charges and (b) flat-rate registration fees on car use;(5) what assessment he has made of the effect of the changes to the vehicle licensing system on small businesses concerned with classic car restoration.

My right hon. learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received a number of representations about the proposed changes to the vehicle licensing system which will introduce a system of continuous licensing based on possession rather than use for all cars and motorcycles. The aim of the change, together with the measure to improve the quality of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's vehicle register, is to counter vehicle excise duty evasion, which costs the taxpayer £145 million or more in lost revenue each year, and assist police efforts against car-related crime. Details of how the new system will operate have yet to be decided. A consultation document, to be issued later this year, will seek views from interested parties.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the Treasury's cash and running costs limits in 1994–95.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVII, vote 1 will be increased by a token £1,000 from £77,363,000 to £77,364,000. The net increase is mainly to meet the cost of the grant in aid to the private finance panel executive as announced on 21 July, Official Report, column 426 and will be fully offset by savings from within the vote.The running costs limit will be reduced by £885,000 from £80,969,000 to £80,084,000 mainly reflecting the transfer of the cost of security guards—£830,000—to the Cabinet Office, class XIX, vote 1.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the Central Statistical Office's cash and running costs limits in 1994–95.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVII, vote 13 will be increased by £3,221,000 from £44,781,000 to £48,002,000 and the running costs limit by £3,261,000 to £48,463,000. These increases reflect:

(a) A transfer from the Department of National Heritage (Class XI, Vote 7) (£3,080,000), in respect of funding for the International Passenger Survey.

(b) A transfer from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Class III, vote 5) (£36,000), in respect of the collection of producer prices information.

(c) The take up of entitlement under the end year flexibility scheme for running costs (£105,000).

(d) Additional running costs in respect of increased sales of publications, offset by a corresponding increase in Appropriations in aid (£40,000).

(e) Expenditure required to fund a capital project, offset by a corresponding increase in Appropriations in aid (£100,000).

The increase are offset by inter-departmental transfers and additional receipts or are charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

]: To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the current annual cost of maintaining and running the House of Lords.

The information requested can be obtained from the House of Lords "Annual Report and Accounts", HL 86, a copy of which is held in the Library.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the resultant additional expenses, in particular the services of a carer, can be reimbursed by the appropriate administrative department when the hearing of a case at a Crown, county or magistrates court involving a disabled person has to be re-sited because of difficulties of access for that disabled person.

In criminal cases, additional travelling and associated costs properly incurred by a disabled witness or successful defendant may be allowed from public funds. The costs incurred by a carer who necessarily attends may also be allowed. In civil proceedings, the parties' costs are a matter to be determined by the court.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary Lord Chancellor's Department, what changes have been made to the class IX vote 3 cash limit and running costs limit for the Northern Ireland court service.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class IX, vote 3 has been increased by £758,000 from £26,151,000 to £29,909,000 and the running costs limit by £758,000 from £17,254,000 to £18,012,000. The vote is eligible for a cash limit increase of £94,000 in respect of the end-year flexibility arrangements for running costs. This supplementary estimate gives effect to that increase. The further increase arises out of the transfer from the Crown property unit of the cost of the payment of contributions in lieu of rates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the privatisations which his Department has promoted since 1979 indicating, in each case, the date of the sale, the proceeds of the sale, and the estimated current value of the company.

Since 1979, my Department has promoted the following privatisations:

Sale	Date of Sale	Net Proceeds from Sale £ millions
Shares in 10 water holding companies	December 1989	15,093·7
Property Services Agency (PSA) Projects	1 December 1992	–49·9
PSA Services Building Management (BM) Scotland	1 September 1993	3·5
PSA Services BM Manchester	1 October 1993	–11·5
PSA Services North East BM	1 October 1993	8.0
PSA Services BM South East and BM South West	1 October 1993	10·4

My Department promoted the sale of the Crown Suppliers in 1990. The sale was not concluded and the organisation closed on 31 March 1991.In addition, the Hydraulics Research Station became private research association on 1 April 1982.Details of the current value of each holding are not a matter for my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the powers which rest with the Director General of Water Services to determine the method of charging for water and sewerage services in England and Wales.

The method of charging water and sewerage services in England and Wales is a matter for the water and sewerage companies. The Director General of Water Services has no powers to determine the method of charging, but he does have powers, in section 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991, to ensure—subject to his obligation to secure that the companies can properly finance the carrying out of their functions—that the interests of customers and potential customers are protected as regards the fixing and recovery of charges by the companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who is to be the new chairman of the Commission for New Towns; and who are its board members.

An announcement about the new chairman of CNT will be made in due course. The current board members are as follows:

• Sir Neil Shields MC (Chairman)
• Lord Finsberg MBE (Deputy Chairman)
• Lord Bellwin JP
• Mr. R. B. Caws OBE
• Mr. F. C. Graves OBE, DL
• Sir Brian Jenkins GBE
• Ms W. Luscombe
• Mr. M. H. Mallinson
• Lady Marsh
• Mr. J. R. Trustam Eve

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost to his Department of answering (a) a written and (b) an oral parliamentary question.

The latest estimate of the costs of preparing answers to both written and oral questions was given in the reply by the then Financial Secretary to the Treasury, my right hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Mr. Dorrell) to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, West (Mr. Jones) on 30 November 1993, Official Report, column 387.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what current developments Teesside development corporation has in hand; and if he will make a statement on progress to date.

The Teesside development corporation has the following schemes currently under way: At Hartlepool, the corporation has just opened a major new tourist attraction, the Hartlepool historic quay, which is well on its way to achieving its target of 250,000 visitors per annum. The opening of the centre has already led to the attraction of substantial private sector investment in complementary developments such as a factory shopping complex, superstore, food courts, public house and restaurant and negotiations are also under way for further commercial and residential schemes.At Teesside the corporation is continuing in its drive to transform 100 hectares of formerly derelict land into a high-quality development incorporating commercial, office, residential, retail, educational and leisure facilities. To that end, the Tees barrage, which was commissioned in September 1994, will be fully operational in 1995. This will dramatically improve the environment and water quality of the Tees providing a prestigious and dramatic setting for water sports and recreation. It will also lead to the attraction of further private investment on high-quality sites with attractive water frontage.Preston farm, the corporation's main industrial and business site continue to attract new private sector investment. The latest success is the announcement of the creation of 1,000 new jobs within a three-year period by the international cable company COMCAST.Overall, the Teesside development corporation in its first six years to 31 March 1994 has achieved the following:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will invite the district auditor to investigate the use of public money by the Belgrave residents association in the city of Leicester and the means by which it came by and disposed of public funds; and if he will make a statement.

No. If my hon. Friend has concerns about the use of local authority funds he should refer the matter to the district auditor for investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his policy on limiting increases in SSAs over the next two years for local authority expenditure levels;

Properties with rate bills affected by transitional arrangements in 1994–95, England
Size of property	Reduction in bill due to transition
	(1) Number (000's)	(2) Actual rates bill with transition £ million	(3) Rates bill without transition £ million	(4) Amount £ million	(5) Amount per cent.
Small	275	335	450	115	74
Large	55	1,050	1,435	385	73
All	330	1,385	1,885	500	73

My right hon. Friend regularly discusses the future spending needs of local government with colleagues. Conclusions from these discussions will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will invite the district auditor to investigate the sale by Leicester city council of land to a temple, a mosque and a gurdwara in Hamilton in Leicester; and if he will make a statement.

No. This is not a matter for the Government. If my hon. Friend has concerns about any financial transactions by the local authority he should refer the matter to the district auditor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will estimate the number of hereditaments where the transition for the 1990 change is likely to be incomplete at 31 March 1995 but is likely to be (i) complete and (ii) more nearly complete at 1 April 1995 by virtue of a reduction in the rateable value from the date;(2) how many hereditaments in England which currently fall

The information about properties in England which are currently in transition is contained in the table. Assuming for illustrative purposes that the rate poundage is unchanged in real terms between 1994–95 and 1995–96, preliminary results from the 1995 revaluation suggest that 35,000 of an estimated 330,000 properties in transition at 31 March 1995 would find themselves with no further increase next year and 50,000 would be closer to reaching their full liability than they are now.Source: Inland Revenue: estimates rounded to nearest 5,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what studies he has commissioned, internally and from external consultants, of the likely impact of the April 1995 revaluation of non-domestic property in England on rateable values and non-domestic rate bills in different regions and different sectors of the economy; if he will publish those studies, or summary thereof; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will list the regions, sectors and types of hereditament most affected by large increases or decreases in non-domestic rates.

Provisional estimates of impact of 1995 revaluation on rateable value. Average percentage increase (+)/decrease (-) in 1995 list RV compared with 1990 list RV
Region	Property type
	Shops	Offices	Warehouses	Factories	Other	All
South west	+7	+13	+12	+2	+17	+11
Rest of South east	+2	–12	+7	+2	+12	+2
East Anglia	+12	+14	+9	+3	+15	+11
North west	+31	+51	+46	+31	+21	+32
Northern	+30	+50	+43	+20	+16	+24
East Midlands	+22	+35	+21	+15	+17	+20
West Midlands	+31	+54	+49	+40	+9	+34
Yorkshire and Humberside	+27	+56	+32	+23	+14	+26
Inner London	–16	–59	–14	–14	–3	–40
Outer London	+12	–5	+5	–8	+13	+5
All	+10	–29	+17	+13	+13	+1

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many hereditaments in England which fall (a) below and (b) above the threshold rateable value, for determining whether the lower limit on year-on-year increases in non-domestic rates bills applies, there are estimated to be whose rates bills for 1995–96 in the absence of transitional relief and assuming the rate poundage as adjusted for the revaluation is indexed for inflation would be (i) under 50 per cent., (ii) between 50 and 80 per cent., (iii) between 80 and 120 per cent., (iv)

Estimated increase or decrease in rate bills in England between 1994–95 and 1995–96 as a result of the 1995 revaluation, in the absence of transitional relief
1995–96 bills as a percentage of 1994–95 bills	Small properties		Large properties		Total
	Number (000s)	Change in bills £ million	Number (000s)	Change in bills £ million	Number (000s)	Change in bills £ million
<50	10	—320	15	–730	25	–1050
50–80	35	–80	25	—315	60	–400
80–120	335	45	145	105	500	150
120–200	695	670	165	1130	865	1805
200–500	145	220	20	345	165	565
>500	10	40	—	90	10	130
Total	1255	575	370	625	1630	1200

The Inland Revenue is analysing the results of the revaluation as they come in. Although numbers are subject to change, our current estimate of the effect of the revaluation on rateable values is given in the table. The effect on rates bills will depend on the multiplier which is determined for 1995–96, and on the final form of our proposed transitional arrangements for the 1995 revaluation, details of which are contained in a consultation paper that we issued on 3 October. Copies of the consultation paper are in the Library and we expect to announce our decisions by the end of November.between 120 and 200 per cent., (v) between 200 and 500 per cent. and (vi) over 500 per cent. of their bills for 1994–95; and if he will estimate for each of those categories the aggregate increase or decrease in the rates bills between the two years.

Estimates for England based on preliminary results of the 1995 revaluation are given in the table. It has been assumed for illustrative purposes that the rate poundage is unchanged in real terms between 1994–95 and 1995–96.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the regions, sectors and types of hereditament where there is the greatest incidence of incomplete transition to the rateable value and national non-domestic rate introduced in April 1990.

The greatest incidence of property in England currently remaining in transition under the 1990

Percentage of properties estimated to be in transition in inner London area as at 31 March 1995
	Properties in transition as a proportion of total number of properties in each class per cent.
Size	Shops	Offices	Warehouses	Factories	Other
Small	50	35	40	30	50
Large	60	30	20	20	60

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has on the number of local authorities which have incurred significant losses as a result of a failure to bill leaseholders for repair costs.

None. The Department does not collect information in this form.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigation his Department is making into Westminster city council's failure to recover repair costs from leaseholders.

It is not the role of the Department to carry out such investigations. This is a matter for the authority's auditors.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the reasons for the qualification of Westminster city council's accounts for 1993–94.

No. This is a matter for the local authority and its appointed auditor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the additional cost to tenants in Westminster of the failure of the council to recover repair costs from leaseholders.

The Department has no details of the alleged undercharging by Westminster city council, and has made no estimate of the cost to tenants.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the date by which the last council tax banding appeals are expected to be heard (a) by county and (b) by district in Berkshire.

We expect four out of five initial appeal period appeals to be settled before the end of this year. The remainder will be settled as soon as possible in 1995. I cannot estimate a date by which all such appeals will have been settled since a few may be affected by special factors—such as an appeal on a point of law to the High Court.In limited circumstances—for example, on a change of occupier or in the case of a material change affecting the

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the percentage of new properties awaiting banding, which has been waiting more than one year (a) by county and (b) by district in Berkshire;(2) what is the expected date by which the last of the new properties that have been waiting more than a year for their banding will have been banded

The local office structure of the Valuation Office Agency is not based on county boundaries and the information for each county is not held centrally. Of the dwellings to be added to valuation lists in the county and district areas of Berkshire, as at 28 October, the following percentage had been outstanding for more than a year:-

	per cent.
Berkshire	12·4
Bracknell Forest	3·4
Newbury	21·1
Reading	6·5
Slough	2·5
Windsor and Maidenhead	4·0
Wokingham	18·9

The Valuation Office Agency at Reading expects to have these dwellings entered in valuation lists before the end of November this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of council tax banding appeals made (a) by county and (b) by district in Berkshire.

The local office structure of the Valuation Office Agency is not based on county boundaries and the information requested at (a) is not held centrally.The number of council tax banding appeals made, as at 28 October, in each district of Berkshire are as follows:

	Appeals
Berkshire	17,821
Bracknell Forest	1,756
Newbury	3,663
Reading	4,669

	Appeals
Slough	1,276
Windsor and Maidenhead	3,359
Wokingham	3,098

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council tax banding appeals were heard by 30 September (a) by county and (b) by district in Berkshire.

The local office structure of the Valuation Office Agency is not based on counties. The only centrally held statistics that provide figures for counties are those relating to appeals made during the initial period. The number of initial period council tax banding appeals settled by the end of September were as follows:

	Appeals
(a) County
Avon	12,157
Bedfordshire	5,649
Berkshire	9,616
Buckinghamshire	9,156
Cambridgeshire	5,616
Cheshire	10,991
Cleveland	3,535
Cornwall	8,749
Cumbria	7,721
Derbyshire	10,602
Devon	19,339
Dorset	11,563
Durham	5,432
East Sussex	11,089
Essex	19,867
Gloucestershire	11,086
Hampshire	18,297
Hereford and Worcestershire	10,740
Hertfordshire	9,078
Humberside	7,693
Isle of Wight	2,330
Kent	19,312
Lancashire	15,432
Leicestershire	8,588
Lincolnshire	8,068
Norfolk	8,511
Northamptonshire	6,358
Northumberland	4,432
North Yorkshire	14,140
Nottinghamshire	9,745
Oxford	10,091
Shropshire	6,670
Somerset	8,709
Staffordshire	9,463
Suffolk	7,200
Surrey	14,919
Warwickshire	6,444
West Sussex	10,971
Wiltshire	9,801
Isles of Scilly	165
Inner London	36,284
Outer London	44,834
Greater Manchester	16,016
Merseyside	8,870
South Yorkshire	6,900
Tyne and Wear	6,564
West Midlands	14,966
West Yorkshire	18,663
(b) Billing authority in Berkshire
Bracknell Forest	845
Newbury	1,791

	Appeals
Reading	2,413
Slough	781
Windsor and Maidenhead	1,935
Wokingham	1,851

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new properties are awaiting banding (a) by county and (b) by district in Berkshire.

The local office structure of the Valuation Office Agency is not based on county boundaries and the information for each county is not held centrally.Of the dwellings notified to the VOA office at Reading, as at 28 October, the following number had yet to be entered in valuation lists:

	Number
Berkshire	1,577
Bracknell Forest	116
Newbury	452
Reading	367
Slough	119
Windsor and Maidenhead	222
Wokingham	301

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends that the new controls envisaged in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 should be enforced in relation to scrap yards.

I refer the hon. Lady to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Pickthall) on 21 October 1994, Official Report, column 352.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to take action to prevent scrap yards from being a source of pollution.

The recovery of scrap metal is subject to licensing under part I of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Waste regulation authorities have a duty under section 9 of the 1974 Act to ensure that licensed activities do not cause pollution of water, danger to public health or serious detriment to local amenities; and to ensure that licence conditions are complied with.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusion he has reached in his review of the Home Improvement Agency grant programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions he has reached following his review of the Home Improvement Agency grant programme.

The review has confirmed that home improvement agencies provide an important service helping a large and increasing number of vulnerable people improve their homes. Their work is highly valued by both clients and practitioners, especially local authorities, and makes a significant contribution to the effective delivery of housing and community care policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish a management statement on relations between his Department and the Rural Development Commission.

I am issuing the management statement today. Copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits and running costs limits for 1994–95.

The Department of the Environment/regeneration initiative non-voted cash limit will be increased by £25,081,000 from £1,267,772,000 to £1,292,853,000. Capital end-year flexibility take-up of £28,288,000 will fund payments on capital projects which slipped from previous years for the Victoria arena, Urban Regeneration Agency, housing action trusts, Plymouth development corporation, Central Manchester development corporation, city challenge and the coalfield areas fund. A transfer of £3,000,000 to class VII, vote 1—housing, England,—is necessary to meet an equivalent increase in city challenge Housing Corporation expenditure and a transfer of £207,000 to the Department of Health is necessary for urban programme payments. There will be associated increases to external financing limits as follows: by £3,000,000 from £5,800,000 to £8,800,000 for Central Manchester development corporation; by £1,000,000 from £30,500,000 to £31,500,000 for Tyne and Wear development corporation; by £1,639,000 from £6,500,000 to £8,139,000 for Plymouth development corporation; by £2,500,000 from £88,215,000 to £90,715,000 for the housing action trusts; and by £21,470,000 from £95,336,000 to £116,806,000 for the Urban Regeneration Agency—English Partnerships.The cash limit for class VII, vote 5—central environmental services, etc—will be reduced by £1,309,000 from £440,954,000 to £439,645,000 to reflect savings in grant in aid paid to the Rural Development Commission and expenditure forecast under various subheads.The cash limit for class VII, vote 8—revenue support grant, payments of non-domestic rates, Valuation Office services, etc., England—will be increased by £2,166,000 from £29,632,166,000 to £29,634,332,000. This comprises an increase of £3,452,000 in provision for Valuation Office rating services repayment, an increase of £214,000 in provision for Valuation Office banding and valuation services, and an offsetting reduction of £1,500,000 in provision for valuation tribunals.The Department of the Environment/local government reorganisation etc. cash limit will be reduced by £3,800,000 from £58,000,000 to £54,200,000. This comprises a reduction of £1,000,000 in provision for supplementary credit approvals to local authorities in respect of commutation of loan charge grants, and a reduction of £2,800,000 in borrowing provision for the local government residuary body.All increases will be offset by savings or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what amendments he proposes to make to the Town and Country Planning General Development Order following coal privatisation; and what guidance he proposes to issue.

The Town and Country Planning General Development Order (Amendment No. 2) Order 1994 which comes into operation on 31 October provides for permitted development rights for licensees of the Coal Authority to continue underground mining at GDO mines subject to conditions requiring the restoration and aftercare of the pithead surface area. These require the operator to submit a scheme for the restoration and aftercare of the site for the Mineral Planning Authority's approval.There are also a number of minor technical amendments needed to the GDO, broadly to change references to British Coal to the Coal Authority and to update definitions in line with the Coal Industry Act, 1994.The guidance note that we have published today explains the effect of the changes introduced by the amendment order and gives advice on the preparation and content of restoration schemes. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has made equivalent arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Government intend to respond to the second report from the Environment Select Committee on recycling, HC (1993–94) 63.

I am pleased to announce that our response to the Environment Select Committee's report on recycling is being published today; copies have been laid in the Journal Office.The Government welcome the Environment Committee's wide-ranging and thoughtful report. The report comes at an opportune moment. A range of United Kingdom and international initiatives on waste management are currently being developed. These have the broad aim of securing a more sustainable approach to waste management and increased beneficial use of unavoidable wastes. The report will provide a focal point for informed debate of the many complex issues that need to be addressed.The Government are particularly pleased to see the Environment Committee's recognition that recycling should not be pursued for its own sake. It must be seen as part of an integrated approach to waste management. We are also pleased to endorse the Committee's view of the waste management hierarchy as a decision-making tool which balances the environmental and economic considerations in each case. We announced in July that we intend to build upon these principles in the development of a waste strategy for England and Wales.Recycling will have an important place in that strategy. In part, this is because recycling is the best option for many wastes—but also, as the Environment Committee point out in its report, because the expansion of recycling and increased opportunities for individual participation can he a springboard for wider environmental awareness and action.

	Grant-in-Aid	Permanent Jobs1
	£ millions	(i) Manufacturing	(ii) Commercial	(iii) Retail	(iv) Office	(v) Other	Total
London
Docklands	21610·9	n/a	n/a	n/a	n\a	n\a	56,200
Merseyside	313·4	32,400	32,500	32,350	33,125	3230	10,605
Black Country	253·4	8,390	338	1,040	1,190	439	11,397
Teeside	237·3	4,064	243	852	1,672	208	7,039
Trafford Park	153·8	4,359	4,165	1,139	4,312	819	14,794
Tyne and Wear	227·6	1,898	45,713	—	—	8,631	16,242
Bristol	71·0	—	1,166	79	1,000	5	2,250
Central Manchester	67·2	—	—	190	3,341	1,146	4,677
Leeds	51·5	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	8,218
Sheffield	74·9	1,299	207	7,512	759	305	10,082
Birmingham Heartlands	15·7	137	405	20	136	—	698
Plymouth	7·9	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total	3,084·6						142,202

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each development corporation since it inception (a) its total budget, (b) the number of jobs created and (c) the role of private sector investment made in its area, with the jobs and investment broken down into (i) manufacturing, (ii) commercial, (iii) retailing, (iv) office and (v) other.

[holding answer 26 October 1994]: The urban development corporations' programmes are supported by grant in aid, receipts from their activities and funds from the European Community. The table shows the total grant in aid paid to each corporation since its inception; the gross number of new permanent jobs; and the private sector investment in developments in the designated area. Where information is available, the figures for jobs and private sector investment have been broken down into; (i) manufacturing; (ii) commercial; (iii) retailing; (iv) office; and (v) other.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what additional safety precautions would be required to permit the burying of low-level nuclear waste on landfill tips;(2) if he will make a statement on the implications of water pollution at Beighton tip, Sheffield for the suitability of the tip for the burying of low-level nuclear waste.

[holding answer 31 October 1994]: A small number of landfill sites, including Beighton tip, already receive some low-level radioactive waste for controlled burial. Authorisations for all such disposals are issued by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the terms of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. These are designed to ensure the safe disposal of this waste. Conditions in the authorisations are determined on a case by case basis depending on the nature of the sites and the activity and amount of the wastes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to consult local communities in the vicinities of landfill tips which are being considered for the burying of low-level nuclear waste;(2) if he will make it his policy that local communities are consulted before any nuclear waste is deposited in landfill tips.

[holding answer 31 October 1994]: In addition to the specific requirements of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, it is already the practice of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to consult the relevant waste regulatory authority, local councils, and water undertaker, before issuing authorisations for controlled burial of low-level radioactive waste at landfill sites. The Government are currently consulting on proposals to encourage greater use of controlled burial. However, there are no plans in relation to specific sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost to Ofwat of its contract with Ludgate Laud for parliamentary lobbying in the present year.

[holding answer, 31 October 1994]: This is a matter for the Director General of Water Services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total spending on economic development measures by (a) the five west Yorkshire district councils, (b) the four south Yorkshire district councils, (c) North Yorkshire county council and (d) Humberside county council under the Housing and Local Government Act 1989 in each financial year since 1989–90.

[holding answer 31 October 1994]: Section 33 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 allows local authorities to take "such steps as they may from time to time consider appropriate for promoting the economic development of their area". The Department of the Environment does not collect information about expenditure specifically related to section 33, although it does record a number of items of local authority expenditure which can be totalled to produce a figure for economic development generally. For each of the local authorities identified, this gives the following figures for net current and capital expenditure respectively:

	1990–91 £000s	1991–92 £000s	1992–93 £000s	1993–94 £000s
Net current expenditure
County Councils
Humberside	1,368	1,899	1,870	1,921
North Yorkshire	577	685	271	736
District Councils
Barnsley	349	302	247	2,691
Doncaster	202	48	252	647
Rotherham	-428	-352	-138	-460
Sheffield	461	—	2,967	2,749
Bradford	1,425	1,606	1,750	1,486
Calderdale	570	581	280	193
Kirklees	1,468	1,778	2,091	1,950
Leeds	1,879	2,148	2,004	48
Wakefiels	—	—	2,258	2,110

	1990–91 £000s	1991–92 £000s	1992–93 £000s	1993–94 £000s
Capital Expenditure
County Councils
Humberside	226	293	271	269
North Yorkshire	183	213	—	—
District Councils
Barnsley	992	1,246	1,754	4,533
Doncaster	3,985	1,287	6,025	2,851
Rotherham	303	199	732	—
Sheffield	9,461	1,415	1,238	n/a
Bradford	5,427	2,637	1,881	6,712
Calderdale	1,242	449	152	1,019
Kirklees	875	2,151	2,231	3,622
Leeds	3,304	5,940	4,455	8,613
Wakefiels	5,597	3,239	2,326	1,672

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the average weekly rent paid by people earning less than £10,000 in each year since 1990.

[pursuant to his reply, 25 October 1994, c. 531]: Estimates of the average rent paid by households in England headed by people with annual incomes less than £10,000 are as follows:

Average weekly rents, before and after deduction of Housing Benefit
	£ per week
	Before deduction of housing benefit	After deduction of housing benefit
1990	28·10	15·60
1991	30·10	14·80
1992	35·10	16·00
1993	39·60	16·90

These figures are from the family expenditure survey and are subject to sampling error.The estimates do not take into account the income of householders other than the head of household.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for 1992–93 and 1993–94 the amount spent in each London borough, with totals for each training and enterprise council area, under each of the programmes now incorporated into the single regeneration budget, and the amount allocated to be spent in 1994–95 on the same basis.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on 27 October 1994, Official Report, column 813.

To ask the President of the I3oard of Trade (1) what is his policy regarding possible future exports of casings or components for anti-personnel mines with self-destruct or self-neutralising mechanisms;(2) what is his policy regarding possible future exports of anti-personnel mines with self-destruct or self-neutralising mechanisms.

We have not produced or exported any anti-personnel mines for some years. Nevertheless, any applications to export these forms of mines or their components would be subject to rigorous scrutiny on a case by case basis, with due regard to proposed end users and their adherence to protocol II of the 1981 United Nations weaponry convention.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what failure rate is allowed in the definition of a self-destruct or self-neutralising mechanism on an anti-personnel mine employed by Her Majesty's Government for export purposes.

Applications for licences for the export of anti-personnel mines have not been received for some years and the United Kingdom does not currently produce or export such mines. Failure rate would not, however, be a factor taken into account in considering applications for licences to export such mines. We are working positively towards incorporating achievable criteria into the revised 1981 United Nations weaponry convention which governs the use of such weapons.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the definition of anti-personal mine employed by Her Majesty's Government for export purposes.

Exports of anti-personnel mines are controlled under munitions list 4 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 and our own recently announced export moratorium. Although currently no formal definition on anti-personnel mine is used, companies making applications for licences to export any weapons are required to state the purpose for which those weapons are to be used.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research he has carried out into the impact of production and export of anti-personnel mines with self-destruct or self-neutralising mechanisms by the United Kingdom on the production and export of anti-personnel mines of all types by developing countries; and what were his conclusions.

No such research has been undertaken by my Department.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade to which countries the United Kingdom has exported casings or components for anti-personnel mines since 1982.

Details of any export licences approved for this equipment could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement o the value of savings identified by Stoy Hayward as obtainable if the work of the Insolvency Service is contracted out; and when details of the cost and savings will be published.

Stoy Hayward offer no quantified estimates of potential savings. Detailed information on the costs and the interest of private sector organisations provided to Stoy Hayward Consulting remains confidential.

To ask the President of the board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effect the recent decision of the European Commission in respect of steel will have on British Steel; and if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom steel industry.

I expect that the reported demise of the restructuring plan for the European steel industry will have little effect on British Steel, as it is simply an acknowledgement of what has been apparent for some time. The demise only reinforces the view of both the Government and the United Kingdom steel industry that the only way to achieve successful restructuring of the industry is by strict control of subsidies. The Commission should now be free to devote more effort to achieving this.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the European Commission steel industry restructuring plans.

I was not surprised when the Commission recently announced that the restructuring plan for the European steel industry was dead. The demise of the plan reinforces the Government's view that the only way to achieve successful restructuring of the industry is by strict control of subsidies, so that the inefficient producers come under commercial pressure to make closures where necessary. The Commission should now be free to devote more effort to achieving this.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it a requirement for companies to disclose publicly the nature of any parliamentary consultancy they may enter into with an hon. Member and the remuneration.

Such consultancies are already subject to disclosure in the Register of Members' Interests. I have no plans to introduce new Companies Act requirements.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of public appointments made by his Department were held by women at the most recent date for which figures are available.

The 1994 figures are not yet available. "Public Bodies 1993" shows that, at 1 September 1993, 19 per cent. of the Department's appointments were held by women. The Department is fully committed to equal opportunities for women in public appointments, and has set itself a goal of increasing the number of women in DTI public appointments to 30 per cent. by 1996.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of submissions received in response to his public consultation on the nuclear review; how many of the submissions have now been placed in the Library; and what is the reason for not placing in the Library the submission of the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent.

There have been 505 formal submissions to the nuclear review: 200 of these, from the nuclear industry and other representative bodies and organisations, have been treated as substantive and placed in the Libraries of both Houses in accordance with my announcement of 19 May, Official Report columns 545–46. This includes the submission from the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith), and I understand that the Library will be writing to confirm this.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when Her Majesty's Government will respond to the third report from the Trade and Industry Committee of Session 1993–94 on optical fibre networks, HC 285.

The Government will publish shortly a Command Paper setting out the opportunities for the United Kingdom arising from the further development of broadband communications networks and services. This Command Paper will incorporate the Government's response to the Trade and Industry Select Committee's report on optical fibre.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what efforts his Department is making to ensure that the largest possible number of individuals and organisations are connected to the information super-highway.

The Government will publish shortly a Command Paper setting out the opportunities for the United Kingdom arising from the further development of broad-band communications networks and services.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to vary the ban on BT and Mercury providing entertainment services via their national networks; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) on 22 June 1994, Official Report, column 227.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what liability will pass to British Coal's successor in regard to the provision of superannuation cover in respect of those employees who accepted the British Coal contract of employment in 1994; and what provision has been made by British Coal to meet this obligation.

Successor companies will be liable only for employers' contribution to the new industry-wide schemes that are to be established and—except where a transferring employee also elects to transfer his past service entitlements—only in respect of transferred employees' future service with the successors. There is full provision for transferred employees' entitlements in respect of past service with British Coal within the funds of the existing pension schemes, now subject to guarantee by Government.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes have been made to British Coal's external financing limit for 1994–95.

The external financing limit of the British Coal Corporation has been increased from £700 million to £736 million. This is attributable to a variety of factors including the effect on cash flow of privatising British Coal's mining business.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial assistance is being provided towards the contracts recently entered into between Trafalgar house, PowerGen and British Gas with companies in Indonesia, the subject matter of the contracts, their total value and the identity of the Indonesian company in those contracts which involve a joint enterprise.

The DTI has awarded to Trafalgar house and a subsidiary company two grants under the overseas projects fund. These were to assist with a feasibility study and precontractual activities in Indonesia. Details of these grants are commercially confidential. Where appropriate, in accordance with the scheme rules, grants are repaid.In addition, in 1988, Her Majesty's Government offered aid funds under the aid and trade provision of £16·856 million in support of a bid by Trafalgar house to build a toll road between Cikampek and Padalarang at an estimated cost of £56 million. The final value of the contract is subject to ongoing negotiations. The Indonesian partner company is PT Jasa Marga (Persero).No financial assistance has been made available to PowerGen or British Gas.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which business people representing which companies were involved in the recent trade mission to Indonesia.

[holding answer 31 October 1994]: I visited Indonesia from 18 to 24 October 1994 and was accompanied by the following business people:

	Company
Brian McCann Director Corporate Development	AMEC Plc
Adam Strachan-Stevens Regional Manager	Avro International
Ian Thomas Director, International Business Development	Balfour Beatty
David Moleshead Export Finance Director	Banque Paribas, London
Richard Beresford Manager, Indonesia Global Gas Division	British Gas Plc
David Payne Country Representative	British Telecom
Peter Burleigh Managing Director, Asia	Cable and Wireless
Ray Grimwood Managing Director	Focas Limited
Dr. Clive Palmer Director, Exports Division	GEC Alstom

	Company
Andrew Walker Director, PT Indurenco International	High Point Rendell Group
Barrie Gannon Chief Executive	International Power Systems
Mr. B Dewe Matthews Senior Director	J. Henry Schroder Wagg
Raymond McCabe Managing Director	John Brown Engineering
Clive Kerner Manager Project and Export Finance	Kleinwort Benson
Dr. Nicholas Crosby Office Manager (Indonesia)	Kvaerner Boving Ltd.
Roger Walker Chairman and Managing Director	Long Products Ltd.
Pat Dougan Chief Executive	Mackie International
Alan McCready Director Asia Pacific	Mivan Group
Carl Nuttall Managing Director (Australia)	MMD Group
Clare Phelan General Manager, Business Development	National Grid Co Plc
David Byers International Business Development Manger	National Grid Co Plc
Peter Windsor Director International Business	National Power Plc
David Smith Executive Project Manager	Philips Telecom
Peter Hughes Managing Director, PowerGen International	PowerGen Plc
James Carmichael Director, Business Development SE Asia	PowerGen Plc
Dr. B Sweeney Marketing Director	Rolls Royce Industrial Power Group
Rod Williams Regional Executive (Indonesia)	Rolls Royce Industrial Power Group
Roger Harman Business Unit Leader	Sir Alexander Gibb
Roger Liew Manager, International Desk	Swindon Chamber of Commerce
Douglas Watkinson Managing Director	Termac Construction International
John Swann Manager, Business Development (Asia)	Taylor Woodrow International
John Cotton Managing Director	Westinghouse Brakes Ltd.
Mr C W Lynch Projects Director	Westinghouse Systems

	Company
James Young Director, Project and Export Finance	West Merchant Bank
Dr D Keith Far East Director (Singapore)	Wimpey Construction

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date he expects to announce details of schemes that have been successful under the third non-fossil fuel obligation order.

My Department is currently assessing the cost and quality of the bids received, and carrying out the statutory and other consultations. I hope to be able to announce the order in early December.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes will be made to his Department's cash limits and running costs limit for 1994–95.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limit for class IV, vote 1—support for business, consumer and investor protection, energy programmes and administration—will be increased by £12,525,000 from £1,173,077,000 to £1,185,602,000.The gross running costs limit for the Department of Trade and Industry is being increased by £14,217,000 from £328,000,000 to £342,217,000. This change comprises the take-up of £14,549,000 in running costs end-year flexibility as approved by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes will be made to the cash limits and running costs limits for the Office of Electricity Regulation, Office of Gas Supply and Office of Telecommunications.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate the cash limit for class IV, vote 10, Office of Telecommunications will be increased by £299,000 from £9,059,000 to £9,358,000 and the gross running costs limit by £299,000 from £8,627,000 to £8,926,000. The increase includes the take-up of running costs end-year flexibility of £171,000 as announced by the Chief Secretary on 14 July 1994, Official Report, columns 729£34, and increased provision for personnel services. The increase will be offset by transfers from the Department of Trade and Industry, class IV, vote 1, £28,000, and Office of Electricity Regulation, class IV, vote 12, £100,000.The cash limit for class IV, vote 11, Office and Gas supply, will be increased by £100,000 from £4,424,000 to £4,524,000. The increase is required for refitting and equipping new offices. The increase will be offset by a transfer from the Office of Electricity Regulation, class IV, vote 12, £100,000.As a consequence of the above, the cash limit for class IV, vote 12, Office of Electricity Regulation, class IV, vote 12, will be reduced by £200,000 from £10,871,000 to £10,671,000. The gross running costs limit will be reduced by £200,000 from £11,603,000 to £11,403,000.These changes are offsetting or charged to the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effect in percentage terms in the amount of trade with Iraq following from business visits of Iraqi business men since February 1993.

[holding answer 31 October 1994]: None. Exports of foodstuffs, medicines and humanitarian goods to Iraq in 1993 totalled £12 million. For the first nine months of this year they were about £7·5 million. There have been no imports from Iraq in either year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the guidelines companies receive when applying for export licences for trade with Iraq.

[holding answer 31 October 1994]: No written guidelines are issued to companies about exports to Iraq from the United Kingdom, but each proposed export to Iraq is dealt with individually by the Department's sanctions unit.All exports to Iraq from the United Kingdom require authorisation from the United Nations Sanctions Committee and an export licence from the DTI. Companies must therefore complete a form provided by the United Nations Sanctions Committee giving details for their proposed exports. The form is sent out to any company who intends to export goods and any query that it may have can be discussed with the sanctions unit.

To ask the president of the Board of Trade if he will list the dates of each ministerial visit or trade mission to Turkey since April 1992.

[holding answer 31 October 1994]: The information requested is as follows:Ministerial Visits:16–20 July 1993 Richard Needham Minister for Trade

Trade Mission	Sponsored by
1992
1–5 June	London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
21–25 September	Northants Chamber of Commerce and Industry
1993
1–5 March	Cardiff Chamber of Commerce and Industry
26–30 April	Wolverhampton Chamber of Commerce and Industry
14–18 June	London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
20–24 September	Northants Chamber of Commerce and Industry
1994
17–21 January	Wales (formerly Cardiff) Chamber of Commerce and Industry
7–11 March	Northern Development Company Chamber of Commerce and Industry
9–13 May	Wales Chamber of Commerce and Industry
19–23 September	Northants Chamber of Commerce and Industry
10–14 October	Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Industry

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has to import radioactively contaminated nitric acid from the former nuclear reprocessing plant at Hanford, USA; and what representations his Department has received from staff at the British embassy in Washington on the subject.

[holding answer 31 october 1994]: None. The import of nitric acid is a commercial matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc, subject to meeting appropriate import licensing and regulatory requirements. The British embassy, as part of its policy to support British companies pursuing commercial opportunities, and with the agreement of my Department, wrote to the United States Department of Energy in August 1994 in support of BNFL's commercial activities, including this proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent action has been taken by Britain and the European Union to address the humanitarian needs of the people in Liberia and refugees therefrom.

Since 1 January, Britain has provided £1·25 million and the European Union approximately –5 million in support of the United Nations and non-governmental organisations emergency relief programmes to those displaced inside Liberia and to refugees in neighbouring states, the United Kingdom share of the EU aid is £0·6 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about British and European policy towards The Gambia following the recent coup.

We and our European partners have condemned the overthrow of the democratically elected government of The Gambia. We have made it clear that the four-year election timetable announced by the armed forces provisional ruling council is wholly unsatisfactory. Together with our EU partners, Britain announced on 12 October that it was suspending all military co-operation and balance of payments support and would review new aid projects on a case-by-case basis.Copies of United Kingdom and European Union statements on The Gambia have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in improving relationships between UNOSOM and Somaliland in adding to the infrastructure of Somaliland.