To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what items of correspondence were received by Ministers in his Department from Messrs Ian Greer Associates in the last month.

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 February, Official Report, column 195, how many "Dear Accounting officer" letters he has sent to non-departmental bodies giving guidance on the schedule E classification and tax status of non-executive board members; on what date they were sent; and what their principal elements were.

None. Where necessary, guidance on these matters is provided on an individual case by case by the Inland Revenue.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the law on VAT group registration is to be changed, and if he will make a statement.

I have asked Customs and Excise to review the current provisions on VAT group registration and report to me by the early summer with a view to including any necessary changes in next year's Finance Bill. However, following a recent VAT tribunal decision, I have decided to propose some changes in the law immediately to prevent continuing tax losses by manipulation of the current provisions for tax avoidance purposes. The new clause will be tabled in the course of this year's Finance Bill. The clause, if approved, will have effect as from midnight tonight.Customs and Excise will be issuing a press notice, together with a draft of the clause, today. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure the enforcement provisions contained in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 apply to all regulations for which his Department is responsible, past, present and future; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 27 February 1995]: I refer to the reply given on 27 February by the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs.

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what losses were sustained by the Commissioners over the Ashford Great Park programme; and what charge exists, or legal action has been taken by them against the European Land group of companies, or family trusts or interests of Mr. James Cookson and his successors.

Companies within the European land group and controlled by the late Mr. James Cookson were one of the commissioners' partners in the Ashford Great Park project, but they went into receivership in 1992. Shortly afterwards the Commissioners exercised their legal charge over the land purchased for the project in order to offset the loans owed to the Commissioners by their partners. No further action is being taken against European Land or its subsidiaries or the family interests of Mr. Cookson following his death. All of the land purchased for the project now belongs to the Commissioners and, for the present, this land has been written down to its value at an agricultural estate but with the benefit of the local plan allocation for redevelopment at some stage in the future. The cost of the Commissioners' investment in the partnership amounted to £80 million.

To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the percentage of disabled people directly employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North, (Mr. McNamara) on 5 December 1994, Official Report, column 251.

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he has at any time met the chairman and/or members of the senior salaries review body to discuss its current review of the parliamentary contributory pension fund.

I have had no such meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the continuing sum available for the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising over the next three financial years for the support of passenger services both franchise and those operated by British Rail.

An estimated £1,800 million of grant to support passenger services will be provided in 1995–96 of which £1,610 million will be paid by the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising to British Rail and franchisees, and £190 million will be paid by the Department of Transport to passenger transport authorities.Estimates of the level of grant support for later years are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received in relation to the rudder assembly of the Furness Bridge; what recent assessment he has made of rudder assemblies in other ships in the Derbyshire class; and if he will make a statement.

This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if delays to motorists arising from structural maintenance of the road network are included in the assessment of the track costs of heavy lorries.

Track costs are restricted to the provision and maintenance of the track, and do not include delay costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue guidelines to London bus operators to direct their drivers to switch off their engines when a bus is parked; and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter for London Transport Buses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what items of correspondence were received by Ministers in his Department from Messrs Ian Greer Associates in the last month.

No items of correspondence were received by Ministers in the Department of Transport from Messrs Ian Greer Associates in the last month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will include in the United Kingdom overseas aid programme provision for financial assistance to the Government of Suriname for the purpose of strengthening the Surinamese forest management service.

We provide substantial assistance in promoting sustainable forest management to a number of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Honduras and Guyana, but we have no plans to introduce a bilateral aid programme to Suriname.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the Overseas Development Administration's aid to developing countries goes to the poorest countries.

In 1993–94, 69 per cent. of ODA's aid to developing countries which can be attributed to individual country programmes went to the poorest countries.The change-over the figure of 80 per cent. previously given for the proportion of aid going to the poorest countries in 1992–93 is explained by the following factors:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that timber imports from Brazil to the United Kingdom do not come from indigenous and biological reserves.

It is the Brazilian Government's responsibility to ensure that timber extraction in Brazil is undertaken legally. The Brazilian Government are aware of our concern that logging in the Amazon should be legal and sustainable.Our embassy in Brasilia has helped arrange discussions between representatives of United Kingdom timber importers and interested bodies in Brazil aimed at ensuring that all mahogany imported from Brazil comes from legal sources.Through our aid programme we aim to help strengthen forest policies and management in Brazil.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring he is carrying out in respect of the World Bank funded Carajas project in Brazil; and what are his conclusions in relation to evidence of illegal logging and mining activities in indigenous people's territories.

The World Bank loan for the Carajas iron ore project and associated railway was approved in 1982 and closed in 1987. We have no recent information about logging and mining activities in the region.

To ask the Attorney General what items of correspondence were received by Ministers in his Department from Messrs Ian Greer Associates in the last month.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which elements of the carbon dioxide emission reduction programme outlined in "Climate

	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
Number of vacants
Ministry of Defence	16,286	13,991	11,975	11,180	10,973	11,313
Department of Health1	15,911	n/a	14,729	n/a	1,800	n/a
Home Office2	3,241	2,382	1,641	1,406	1,672	n/a
Scottish Office	502	319	310	246	239	158
Department of Transport	n/a	n/a	584	483	788	887
Welsh Office3	85	n/a	n/a	n/a	40	43
Percentage of housing stock vacant
Ministry of Defence	21	18	16	15	15	16
Department of Health1	18	n/a	15	n/a	12	n/a
Home Office2	16	14	10	9	12	n/a
Scottish Office	23	16	16	15	14	10
Department of Transport	n/a	n/a	22	16	22	23
Welsh Office3	19	n/a	n/a	n/a	17	18
1 Includes NHS. The 1989 and 1991 figures include empty bed-spaces in hostels.
2 Includes the Prison Service and Metropolitan and provincial police authorities.
3 Excludes dwellings awaiting demolition or conversion to non-residential use.
n/a = Not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses were built in each of the wards of the borough of Westminster in each of the last 10 years.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money was spent on the provision of disabled facilities in each of the wards within the borough of Westminster in each of the last 10 years.

The information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money was spent in each of the wards within the borough of Westminster for council house refurbishment for (a) facade improvements, (b) Change: the UK Programme" are (a) delivering and (b) now expected to deliver greater savings than were initially expected.

We are currently reviewing the contributions expected from the measures in our climate change programme in the light of recent developments, taking account of the revised energy projections that the Department of Trade and Industry is working on. I shall make an announcement to the House shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many dwellings owned by each Government Department lay vacant in each year since 1979; and what proportion of each Department's total housing stock this represented in each case.

Comprehensive data on Government Department vacant dwellings are not available. The table sets out the readily available estimates of vacants, including those in need of refurbishment or awaiting sale or demolition, for the Departments with the largest numbers of dwellings. In response to the report of the task force on Government Departments' empty homes, the Government have undertaken to monitor empty residential properties owned by Departments and to set annual targets for reducing vacants; the targets for 1994–95 were announced on 30 November last year.stone cleaning,

The information requested is not held centrally in this detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the leader of Westminster city council to discuss the district auditor's interim report.

No such meeting has taken place. This is not a matter for the Government, but for the local authority and its appointed auditor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of penalties that can be imposed on councillors and officers who do not comply with district auditors' demands; and if he will make a statement.

Any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with any requirement of an auditor under sections 16(1) and 16(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to £200 and to an additional fine of £20 for each day on which the offence continues after conviction. I am not aware of any evidence that this is an inadequate penalty.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, how many prosecutions were carried out in respect of breaches of tree preservation orders in each of the last five years; and what assessment he had made as to the extent to which this mechanism is effective.

Information on the numbers of prosecutions in respect of breaches of tree preservation orders is not collected centrally. The effectiveness of this mechanism was considered as part of a wide-ranging review of tree preservation policies and legislation. The outcome, following public consultation, was announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside in July last year. A number of changes are proposed to ensure that local authorities have adequate powers to bring effective action against abusers of the system. A paper setting out the Government's conclusions in more detail was placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list (a) the house building requirements imposed by his Department in each county authority for the period 1991 to 2006 and (b) the environmental constraints which have affected the requirement downwards; what considerations determine the house building requirement (i) nationally and (ii) regionally; and what assessments he makes of the infrastructure required to support such a building requirement.

[holding answer 27 February 1995]: The proposed provision of additional housing for each county in England is set out in "Regional and Strategic Planning Guidance". The figures for each county are shown in the table.National population projections are provided by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys in consultation with local authorities. The Department of the Environment produces household projections for counties, and the metropolitan boroughs, which are adjusted to be consistent with national totals. The proposed regional dwelling provision is based on the household projections, and take into account factors such as the need for house replacement, vacancy rates, second homes, and tied accommodation.Regional conferences of local authorities are consulted on the distribution of the regional figures. In considering the figures they are required to take national planning and environmental policies into account, as well as local circumstances and constraints.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations there have been with the trustees of the Marquis of Bute's estate regarding the permission granted for three years from 1 January 1992 to January 1995, for NCM Ltd. to remain co-located with his Department at Crown buildings, Cathays park; on what date and until what date an extension to the permission was granted; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 23 February 1995]: The permission given on behalf of the Bute estate for NCM Ltd. to occupy Crown buildings, Cathays park, contrary to a restrictive covenant within the deeds for the premises, has been excited.The liquidator of Mountjoy Ltd., successors in title to all the Cardiff property formerly owned by the Marques of Bute, consented by letter dated 31 January 1995 to waive the restrictive covenant for a period of six months from the date of that letter.Negotiations of a commercial nature are continuing between my Department and NCM Ltd. It is therefore not appropriate for any statement to be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps her Majesty's Government are taking to monitor access and take-up of objective 1 funds by small and medium enterprises and, in particular Department of Trade and Industry co-financed schemes.

[holding answer 20 February 1995]: Monitoring of objective 1 funds on Merseyside will be undertaken by the Government office for Merseyside for European regional development fund including DTI co-financed schemes, the Employment Department for European Structural Fund and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. The Merseyside single programme document sets clear targets for the assistance of SMEs through the programme and progress towards these targets will form part of the monitoring process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, how much is being spent in 1994–95 under the single regeneration budget in London in (a) Greater London (b) metropolitan districts and (c) elsewhere; what are the figures for each year since the establishment of the single regeneration budget; and how much is planned to be spent in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–62.

[holding answer 21 February 1995]: The single regeneration budget came into operation in April 1994. Outturn expenditure in 1994–95 on the contributing programmes within the SRB is expected to be:

	£ million
a) Greater London	373.7
b) Metropolitan districts	639,5
c) elsewhere	254.5
Total	1,267.7

These figures exclude expenditure by English Partnerships, whose budget has not been regionally allocated. Total expenditure may also be higher in areas where contributing programmes make use of receipts or contributions from local authorities or the private sector.Planned SRB expenditure, including English Partnerships, in future years is £1,329.0 million in 1995–96 and £1,324.2 million in 1996–97. As allocations to specific areas are not finalised and new SRB partnerships will, in some cases, operate across local authority areas, a breakdown of this planned expenditure by the areas sought is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 21 February 1995, Official Report, column 149, regarding additional section 11 funding, if he will give the amounts of section 11 funding ring-fenced within the single regeneration budget, in November 1994.

[holding answer 27 February 1995]: I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. and learned Friend has given today to a question by the hon. Member for Edmonton (Dr. Twinn).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what items of correspondence were received by Ministers in his Department from Messrs Ian Greer Associates in the last month.

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those directives from the European Union/Community since 1990 which have had an effect on local government, stating for each (a) the manner in which the directive has been absorbed into United Kingdom law, (b) the means of enforcing the directive and (c) the extra resources made available to local authorities to meet those consequences, differentiating between provision by way of standard spending assessments, annual capital guidelines and basic credit approvals.

I have today placed in the Library a table containing information about directives from the European Community which have affected local government, and the legislation which makes provision for their enforcement in national law. The European Union recognises that most of the activities of local councils are best regulated by local and national Government. However, many environmental issues can be addressed effectively only in the context of the European Union and the UK plays its proper part at the heart of the Union seeking to ensure that directives are good for Britain and good for Europe. The annual local government finance settlement takes full account of the cost to local authorities of all new burdens, including those arising from the European Community. Basic credit approvals issued to each authority are calculated by reference to annual capital guidelines; these are assessments of the authority's need to spend and are determined by the Government Department with the policy responsibility for each service.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the research projects undertaken in his Department to ascertain the impact of quotas for European work in the television without frontiers directive, and its effect on strengthening the European audio-visual industries ability to produce and distribute television programmes.

My Department has not undertaken any research projects into the effect of the European programme requirements in articles 4 and 5 of the television without frontiers directive. The hon. Gentleman may, however, be interested in a study conducted by London Economics, "The Economic Impact of Television Quotas in the European Union", published in 1994, which concluded that quotas were an ineffective means of encouraging growth in the production sector and might actually have a negative effect.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what was the outcome of his meeting in Bordeaux regarding quotas; and if he will make a statement;(2) when he expects to

The informal meeting of European Union Culture and Audio-visual Ministers in Bordeaux on 13 to 14 February discussed a number of issues of audio-visual policy, among which was the European Commission's review of the implementation by member states of the television without frontiers directive. There was a spirited debate on the European programme requirements of the directive's articles 4 and 5, which revealed a large measure of agreement against tightening the existing quota regime.In the light of this discussion, the Commission has undertaken to try to bring forward proposals for a revised directive before the end of March.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to promote west Cumbria as a destination for leisure travel.

Grant in aid to the English tourist board supports a range of development and marketing programmes which benefit tourism in all parts of England. Many of these are delivered by the regional tourist boards, including the Cumbria tourist board, which receive substantial funding from the ETB. The CTB will receive a block grant of £342,000 in the current financial year, and can also bid for support for specific projects from the ETB's £2.25 million tourism development fund.Tourism in west Cumbria also benefits from the overseas activities of the British Tourist Authority. The CTB is now part of the BTA's marketing consortium "England's North Country" which provides a higher profile for the area in overseas markets.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if applications for improvements to public libraries are eligible from the national lottery fund.

The National Heritage memorial fund's guidelines to applicants for lottery funds state that grants can be made to library buildings which are of recognised importance to the heritage. Copies of these guidelines are available in the Library of the House. The Arts Council of England has stated that it can make grants out of lottery funds for the enhancement of library facilities through the provision of space for activities such as readings, literary events, exhibitions, concerts and performances.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what directives he has issued to the Director General of the National Lottery in pursuit of the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to stimulate the demand for gambling.

Under section 11 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, my predecessor as Secretary of State for National Heritage issued a number of directions to the Director General of the National Lottery. These include a direction which requires the director general to exercise his functions under sections 5 and 6 of the Act in such a way as to ensure that no licence is granted which authorises the promotion of any lottery which in his opinion encourages excessive participation or does not have sufficient controls to prevent the participation of young people under the age of 16. A complete set of the directions issued to the director general are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to require the Camelot Group plc to publish regularly its profitability derived from the operation of the national lottery.

I have no plans to impose further reporting requirements on Camelot Group plc in addition to those to which it is already subject under the Companies Acts.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions he has held with football clubs and the Football Association in the aftermath of the recent Dublin riot, about the involvement of extremist political organisations in crowds at football matches.

None. Such discussions would be for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary or the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when Her Majesty's Government expect to receive notification of the EU's media II programme; and what parliamentary proceedings it will be subject to.

We have yet to receive the European Commission's formal proposal, although we have seen an informal draft. According to the current timetable, we would expect to receive the final proposal by 22 March. Normal parliamentary scrutiny arrangements would apply.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the timetable for further public meeting proceedings on EC document 6398/94.

The European Commission's Green Paper on European Audio-visual policy raised wide-ranging issues about the future of the European programme production industry and the measures which member states and the European Community should take to promote and strengthen it.In the light of the response to the document, and of the audio-visual conference held in Brussels on 30 June to 1 July, the Commission on 8 February adopted a proposal for a new programme, media II, to replace the existing EC media programme, and this has now been communicated to the Council. Discussions between member states on the proposal, which will be deposited for parliamentary scrutiny in the usual way, have now begun in an ad hoc Council working group. I cannot say when they will be completed. We expect the Commission to bring forward further proposals arising from the Green Paper in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the EU's media II programme; and if he will make a statement.

We have yet to receive the Commission's formal proposal. Although we broadly support, the approach set out in an informal text, for a more focused programme, which concentrates resources on training, development and distribution, we have yet to agree details of how media II would be implemented.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of those accepted for the fast stream entry for which his Department is responsible (a) in 1991, (b) 1992, (c) 1993 and (d) in 1994 were women.

I refer the hon. Member to the Civil Service Commissioners Report for 1991 and 1992 for the figures requested. The figures for 1993 and 1994 are not published in the form requested. For the years 1993 and 1994, the percentage of women recruited into the Department's fast stream in the administration, legal statistician and economist groups was 50 per cent. and 58 per cent. respectively. The European fast stream, for whom the Cabinet Office is responsible, is excluded.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the draft proposal for the EC directive on standards for livestock vehicles.

The Commission draft proposal was circulated widely, on 8 February, to interested organisations and individuals for their comments. The Commission working group has had one meeting so far and further meetings are expected before it is discussed in the Council.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he is making to the European Commission to obtain additional funds from the European quality beef promotion scheme; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are making representations to the European Commission to improve the suitability of the European quality beef promotion scheme to the UK market. However, we are not seeking an increase in the overall funds available for the scheme in the European Union. This is because it is not clear that in the UK at least, the scheme is currently achieving its aim of increasing beef consumption.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he had with British protesters objecting to the humane transport and export of animals in Brussels on the occasion of the Agriculture Council meeting in Brussels on 20 February, and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Minister and I met with animal welfare organisations in advance of the Agriculture Council on 16 February to discuss the prospects for discussions on animal welfare issues. My right hon. Friend talked to protesters demonstrating outside the Council building in Brussels on 20 February, and welcomed their presence as a useful contribution to raising public awareness of animal welfare issues in other member states. He also received a petition organised by the RSPCA, which had been signed by a large number of members of the public from several EU member states.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what safeguards are in place to regulate the sale to the public of genetically modified food.

The sale of food containing genetically modified organisms is controlled under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992, as amended. The safety of foods produced using genetic modification is assessed by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes whose approach to safety assessment is held in high esteem worldwide. The Food Advisory Committee considers the labelling of genetically modified food on a case-by-case basis.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present view of the safe limit for consumption of ochratoxin A; and what plans he has to revise the limit.

[holding answer 27 February 1995]: There are at present no legislative limits for ochratoxin A in foods. The European Commission has initiated negotiations to set regulatory limits for ochratoxin A in some foodstuffs. The Department of Health's Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment has recommended that levels of ochratoxin A should be reduced to the lowest technologically achievable. The European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food has recently concluded

"that an acceptable safe level of daily exposure of ochratoxin A would fall in the range of a few nanograms per kilogram body weight per day".

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research work he has undertaken on the alleged connection between ochratoxin A in coffee and cases of kidney cancer.

[holding answer 27 February 1995]: It is accepted that ochratoxin A is a genotoxic carcinogen and causes kidney cancer. The mycotoxin that produces ochratoxin A occurs naturally in the environment and is an opportunistic contaminant of a variety of foodstuffs, not only coffee beans. The levels found in UK food are generally low. MAFF surveillance of ochratoxin A in coffee began in October 1994 and will be completed in late 1995. The results will be published in the "Food Safety Information Bulletin". MAFF-funded research to investigate the effects of decaffeination, roasting and brewing on levels of ochratoxin A in coffee is planned to start in April 1995. It is expected that the results from this study will be published in the scientific literature.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what documentary evidence there is to show how successful has been the application of (1) policy appraisal and (2) fair treatment to the Industrial Development Board.

Revised Government guidelines on the policy appraisal and fair treatment initiative, which came into effect in January 1994, contain provisions for an annual report. The first report is currently being prepared and will include reports on individual Departments. The Department of Economic Development's report will cover the Industrial Development Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to evaluate the implementation of the policy appraisal and fair treatment scheme and the targeting social need scheme; and what documentation on the results of the schemes is available.

Annual reports will be published on the implementation of the policy appraisal and fair treatment initiative. The first is currently being prepared. During 1994, the Department of Economic Development commissioned management consultants to undertake a review of how the objectives of targeting social need related to those of the Department and its agencies. Their report made a number of recommendations, which are currently being implemented. A summary of these recommendations will shortly be published in a DED strategy review and I will ensure that the hon. Lady receives a copy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the contribution of (a) policy appraisal of fair treatment and (b) targeting social need to the creation of employment opportunities for women.

The aim of the policy appraisal and fair Treatment initiative is to ensure that issues of equality and equity condition policy making and action in all spheres and at all levels of Government activity in Northern Ireland. It is not directly concerned with the creation of employment opportunities.Targeting social need is a public expenditure priority established to ensure that resources are directed towards areas identified as socially and economically disadvantaged and that community differentials are thereby reduced. No assessment has been made of the effect of TSN specifically on employment opportunities for women.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length and cost of a case dealt with by the fair employment tribunal.

The average length of time taken to deal with a fair employment tribunal case is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The average direct cost to the fair employment tribunal of dealing with a complaint is approximately £290. The cost estimate excludes rent/rates, capital works, furniture/equipment and costs of the parties involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of complaints taken up by the fair employment tribunal since the implementation of the Fair Employment Act 1989 concluded in a pre-trial settlement.

Since its formation, to 31 December 1994, 4 per cent. of the complaints made to the fair employment tribunal were conciliated by the Labour Relations Agency or agreed between the parties and a further 43 per cent. of complaints were withdrawn by the complainants. Reasons for withdrawal are not required to be notified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Catholics applied to join the RUC in its recruitment in December 1994.

The last advertisement period for recruitment to the RUC was from 28 November 1994 to 13 January 1995. The number of applicants perceived to be from the Roman Catholic community was 512.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to modify the system of internal discipline within the RUC.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 17 February 1995, Official Report, column 833.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what items of correspondence were received by Ministers in his Department from Messrs Ian Greer Associates in the last month.

None.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 28 February.

To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 28 February 1995.

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

To ask the Prime Minister if he will consult the people of Northern Ireland on the acceptability of the draft framework document as a basis for discussion and negotiation through a referendum in the event that Unionist parties in Northern Ireland do not agree to enter into discussion and negotiation.

The proposals contained in "Framework for the Future" provide a basis for discussion, consultation and negotiation with the political parties in Northern Ireland. If agreement is reached in the negotiations, the outcome will be put to the people of Northern Ireland in a referendum.The Government will not put proposals to the people of Northern Ireland in a referendum before there is a widespread agreement between the main political parties.

To ask the Prime Minister what items of correspondence were received by Ministers in his Department from Messrs Ian Greer Associates in the last month.

As far as I am aware, none.

To ask the Prime Minister what has been the cost of the ministerial payroll; and how many ministers it has covered in each year since 1979.

The number of salaried Members of the Government, including Whips, was 106 in May 1979 and is 108 now. The total salary bill for all Government Ministers and Whips is currently some £3.6 million per annum. Information about ministerial salary costs in earlier years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Prime Minister if the duties of accountability set out in paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure" for Ministers apply in all respects to departmental agencies.

Yes.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many special or political advisers to Ministers are currently employed in the civil service; in which Departments they work; and on which grades they are paid;(2) what is the role of special advisers appointed to serve Ministers and Departments; what guidance is issued relating to the scope of such advisers to become involved in party political activity in the course of their duties; what is the salary range for such posts; and if he will make a statement.

There are currently 32 special advisers, 28 political and four expert advisers, serving Ministers in the following Departments:

	Numbers
Department	Political	Expert
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	1	—
Chief Whip's Office	1	—
Defence	1	—
Education	1	—
Employment	1	—
Environment	2	2
Foreign and Commonwealth Office	2	—
Health	1	—
Home Office	2	—
Lord Privy Seal	1	—
Northern Ireland Office	1	—
Office of Public Service and Science	1	—
Prime Minister's Office	4	—
Lord President	1	—
Scottish Office	2	—
Social Security	1	—
Trade and Industry	1	2
Transport	1	—
HM Treasury	2	—
Welsh Office	1	—

To ask the Prime Minister what is the total number of people employed (a) directly and (b) indirectly by Government-funded sources in the United Kingdom on a (i) full-time and (ii) part-time basis in each year since the introduction of (1) privatisation or

£ million
Year	Department
Figures relate to year ending CY/FY1	Department of Transport FY	Employment Department FY	Department of Trade and Industry CY	Department of the Environment FY	Department of National Heritage FY	Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food FY
1979	—	—	9.909	—	—	—
1980	n/a	n/a	14.035	184.740	1.629	n/a
1981	n/a	n/a	19.902	169.414	1.821	n/a
1982	n/a	n/a	17.597	179.524	2.248	n/a
1983	n/a	n/a	13.177	183.959	2.481	n/a
1984	n/a	n/a	13.542	167.435	2.612	n/a
1985	30.637	n/a	15.182	143.667	2.813	n/a
1986	33.845	n/a	16.243	134.979	3.483	0.013
1987	37.954	n/a	26.302	135.973	5.184	18.333
1988	51.313	n/a	41.912	145.973	5.830	16.980
1989	59.695	n/a	51.064	210.957	7.421	17.825
1990	89,581	124.2	23.694	464.622	8.783	23.501
1991	95,075	119.1	31.649	502.481	16.593	28.947
1992	91,849	129.1	33.488	520.557	16.928	31.005
1993	110,704	126.0	29.735	544.698	18.328	70.084
1994	103,094	164.7	22.781	467.967	10.697	n/a
1995	n/a	132.1	—	—	—	—
1FY—Financial year ending 31 March; CY—Calendar year ending 31 December.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when a decision will be made and announced regarding the privatisation of the Chessington computer centre. denationalisation, (2) next steps agencies and (3) NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement.

Information showing the number of employees in the public sector is published in the January 1995 edition of Economic Trends. A copy of this publication is available in the Library.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 23 January, Official Report, column 22, what action the Russian officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed to take on the issue of seal pup slaughter.

Russian officials have taken note of British opposition to the practice of seal culling but have not agreed to take any action as a result of our representations. Embassy officials are in regular contact with the Russian ministry of foreign affairs on this subject.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list by Government Department the principal aid given to the Northern region of England in each year since 1979.

The principal aid given to the area covered by the Government office for the north east—which covers Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Cleveland—since 1979 is as follows:

A study is currently under way to advise me on the suitability of Chessington computer centre for privatisation and how best to achieve it. An announcement will be made at the appropriate time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which parts of the Chessington computer centre are being considered for privatisation.

The suitability of all parts of Chessington computer centre for privatisation is being considered.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which private sector companies have expressed an interest in buying part of all of the Chessington computer centre.

This information is commercially confidential.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what are the criteria on which a decision will be based regarding the privatisation of the Chessington computer centre.

The key criterion will be how best to ensure that the range and quality of services provided by Chessington computer centre continue to be available and are improved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who contributed to his review of the case for privatisation of the Chessington computer centre.

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced in the

£ million
	England	Scotland	Northern Ireland	Wales	Total
1991–92
Cash	689.3	82.6	3.7	35.6	811.2
1994–95 prices	753.3	90.3	3.9	39.0	886.5
Percentage	85.0	10.2	0.4	4.4	—
1992–93
Cash	805.9	95.3	5.2	34.5	941.0
1994–95 prices	847.2	100.2	5.5	36.3	989.2
Percentage	85.6	10.1	0.6	3.7	—
1993–94
Cash	887.5	109.4	6.3	33.8	1,037.0
1994–95 prices	905.2	111.6	6.4	34.5	1,057.7
Percentage	85.6	10.5	0.6	3.3	—

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he intends to require public companies to state their payment policies in their directors' reports as announced in the White Paper on Competitiveness (Cm. 2563).

The Government wish to bring about a change in business culture to encourage shorter payment times. We announced in the Competitiveness White Paper a package of measures to achieve this.As part of this, my Department proposes that directors of public companies should state in their annual reports what their policies are towards paying their suppliers. This will provide suppliers with information about how they can expect to be treated by their major customers. At the same time, we intend to ensure that the compliance costs for public companies are not onerous.Under the proposals, companies which follow the CBI prompt payment code or an equivalent—such as a British standard for prompt payment currently under House on 17 November 1994, contributions to the review were welcome from those with an interest in Chessington and its work. All contributions that were elicited are covered by an undertaking of confidentiality.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what items of correspondence were received by Ministers in his Department from Messrs Ian Greer Associates in the last month.

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the amount in cash, in real terms, and the percentage allocated for (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) Wales of (i) the science budget and (ii) the research councils' budget in each of the last three years.

The science budget is allocated on the basis of the United Kingdom as a whole. Research councils' expenditure over the last three years, excluding overseas spend, is analysed as follows:consideration—would simply state this in their annual report and show where information about the code can be found. The DTI is also seeking views on two options for public companies that do not follow a code.Comments are sought by 11 May 1995.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those cable companies franchised and licensed by (a) Oftel and (b) the Independent Television Commission stating, in each case, whether the company has reached its most recent agreed milestone; and if he will make a statement.

Compliance with the obligations contained in Telecommunications Act licences issued by my Department is a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications. I have therefore asked the director to write to the hon. Member with details of the 125 cable franchisees which have been licensed under both broadcasting and telecommunications legislation and whether they have complied with their most recent build obligations. In addition to these franchises, the ITC has awarded three further franchises which have yet to be licensed under the Telecommunications Act 1984. The franchises for west Kent, Blackpool and Fylde, and southern-east Anglia have been awarded to Eurobell, SBC Cablecomms and Cambridge Cable respectively.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what regulations currently apply to large companies when dealing with small businesses in relation to debt recovery; and what penalties he is considering introducing for large companies if they default on payments to small businesses.

Recovery of debt is a matter on which a number of statutory provisions and rules of common law impinge, both generally and in relation to specific circumstances and sectors. Not all of these are the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry.In the White Paper on Competitiveness, (Cm 2563), in May 1994 the Government announced that they would re-examine the case for legislation for a statutory right to interest in two years if there has been no significant improvement in payment performance.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what initiatives his Department has undertaken to promote United Kingdom business in the Palestine National Authority.

We have sponsored a number of inward visits to the UK of senior Palestinians involved in areas such as water, housing and the medical sector. Sir Derek Hornby, chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board, took a group of business men with him when he visited the occupied territories last October and discussions were held with several groups of Palestinian business men as well as with the Palestinian authorities. We look forward to further enhancing these ties as a result of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's forthcoming visit, where he will be accompanied by me and by a group of leading business people.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much Export Credits Guarantee Department cover is available for projects in the Palestine National Authority.

No cover is currently available, although the situation is under review.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many projects financed by the Japanese funds have been won by United Kingdom companies in the Palestine National Authority.

We are not aware that any UK firms have secured such contracts.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Palestine National Authority to discuss trade matters of mutual interest.

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has no immediate plans to meet Chairman Arafat. However, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I, accompanied by a delegation of senior business men, will be meeting him in Gaza to discuss trade matters on 14 March. I last met Mr. Arafat in Tunis in March 1994.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much Export Credits Guarantee Department cover has been already allocated to projects in the Palestine National Authority.

None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with European Union Partners to promote European Union partner countries' business with the Palestine National Authority.

None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the value of existing United Kingdom trade activity with the Palestine National Authority.

No separate trade statistics exist for the occupied territories so it is not possible to make a realistic estimate of the level of trade activity.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from United Kingdom companies seeking assistance for business in or with the Palestine National Authority.

We have a continuing dialogue with a wide range of companies interested in this market.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for making offences relating to employment of children grounds for disqualification as a company director.

The Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 contains a provision, in section 2, for the disqualification of a person who has been convicted of an indictable offence in connection with the management of a company, which would include matters relating to employment. It also provides, in section 6, for the disqualification of a person who has been a director of an insolvent company and whose conduct makes him unfit to be concerned in the management of a company.It would be for the appropriate court to determine whether the circumstances fell within either of the provisions outlined above, and whether a disqualification order should be made. In the case of section 6, the court would have regard to the totality of unfit conduct of which the offence could form part.There are no plans to extend section 2 of the CDDA to cover summary offences.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Post Office complex buildings in Oldfield lane, Greenford, was sold; to whom and for what purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Matters relating to the day-to-day running of the Post Office business, such as the sale of Post Office buildings, are the responsibility of Post Office management. However, I understand that the buildings concerned have not yet been sold.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the United Kingdom steel crude industry and the engineering steel industry is under the control of British Steel following the British Steel purchase of GKN's interest in United Engineering Steels.

Based on tonnage output, British Steel produced approximately 75 per cent. of all UK crude steel produced last year. British Steel and UES together, based on last year's figures, would increase the percentage to approximately 82.5 per cent. with a similar figure for UK engineering steel production. However, the situation is fluid as output this year is increasing at present around 3 to 4 per cent.

UK imports of steel1
000 tonnes
	1990 per cent, of total		1991 per cent, of total		1992 per cent, of total		1993 per cent, of total
Germany	1,306	24.1	1,719	30.8	1,490	27.3	1,342	27.3
Italy	264	4.9	275	4.9	303	5.5	306	6.2
France	556	10.3	779	14.0	795	14.5	673	13.7
Spain	396	7.3	391	7.0	406	7.4	340	6.9
Former USSR	14	0.3	10	0.2	62	1.1	90	1.8
Poland	75	1.4	67	1.2	67	1.2	52	1.1
Czech Republic and Slovakia	38	0.7	25	0.4	62	1.1	50	1.0
USA	31	0.6	53	1.0	58	1.1	43	0.9
Other	2,731	50.5	2,257	40.5	2,222	40.7	2,022	41.1
World total	5,411	100	5,576	100	5,465	100	4,917	100

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is now able to publish firm figures for import penetration of the United Kingdom market for manufactures in 1993; and if he will publish (a) a table showing for 1988 and 1992 his best estimate of the sales value and volume of United Kingdom output of manufactures less food, drink and tobacco together with the value and volume of imports and exports of such manufactures and (b) a table showing the corresponding figures for manufactures including food, drink and tobacco.

Information for 1993 is expected to be published by the Central Statistical Office at the end of April 1995. The available information for 1988 is published in Central Statistical Office Business Monitor MQ12, available in the Library of the House. Figures for 1992 are not available.