To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions during the last five years (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers in his Department or its agencies have declared conflicts of interest; and how many instructions have been issued about their retention, disposal or management. [21385]

[holding answer 1 May 1995]: Any conflict of interest involving civil servants and special advisers would have been dealt with in accordance with the established guidance. Records of the number of cases are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he sought assurances from the Government of Indonesia that the AR325 three-dimensional radar sensors with data display and handling systems supplied by Plessey Radar would not be deployed in East Timor. [23250]

We received general assurances from the Indonesian Government on 8 June 1994 that British defence equipment would not be used for internal repression in East Timor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates he sought assurances from the Government of Indonesia that British-supplied defence equipment would not be used against (a) the GAM (Aceh), (b) the OPM—West Papua, Irian Jaya—and (c) FRETELIN—East Timor. [23238]

We received assurances from the Indonesian Government on 8 June 1994 that British-supplied defence equipment would not be used against civilians in East Timor or in Indonesia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Indonesian military personnel have been funded by his Department to attend courses in the United Kingdom through the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme in each year since 1 January 1990. [23246]

Details of military training between ourselves and individual countries are confidential between Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he sought an assurance from the Indonesian Government that Hawk aircraft would not be used for internal security purposes. [23254]

On 24 June 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which date he sought an assurance from the Indonesian Government that British-supplied defence equipment would not be used for internal security purposes. [23236]

We have on several occasions, most recently on 2 February 1995, sought the assurance of the Indonesian Government that British-supplied defence equipment would not be used for internal repression in Indonesia and East Timor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many official visitors to the United Kingdom from Indonesia were funded by his Department in 1994; and if he will list the dates of their stay in the United Kingdom. [23252]

Two; on 8 to 11 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which date he last sought assurance from the Government of Indonesia that British-supplied defence equipment would not be deployed in East Timor. [23240]

On 2 February 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which date he was made aware that British-supplied Hawk aircraft were in service with one of the Indonesian air force's two counterinsurgency squadrons. [23248]

The British-supplied Hawk aircraft is in use with the Indonesian air force as a jet trainer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which date he asked for assurances from the Government of Indonesia that the former Royal Navy supply ship, the Green Rover, would not be deployed in the territorial waters of East Timor. [23239]

Specific assurances on the use of this equipment were not sought.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the phrase "internal security purposes", used in his answer of 9 February 1994 to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke), Official Report, column 283, includes activities by the Indonesian armed forces in East Timor. [23255]

As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) on 9 February 1994, column 283, the Indonesian Government have given us assurances that Hawk aircraft will not be used for internal security purposes. By their own definition, this includes activities by the Indonesian armed forces in the territory of East Timor.We have never recognised Indonesia's annexation of East Timor.

To ask the Secretary- of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the phrase "civilian population", as used in his answer of 9 February 1994 to the hon. Member for Monklands, West, (Mr. Clarke), Official Report, column 283, in terms of its application to the populations in Indonesia and East Timor. [23253]

The use of the term "civilian population" was intended to demonstrate our policy of not licensing for export to Indonesia any equipment which we consider likely to be used for internal repression in East Timor or Indonesia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates he sought assurances from the Government of Indonesia that British-supplied defence equipment would not be deployed in East Timor (a) on land, (b) in its territorial waters and (c) in its airspace. [23237]

We have received assurances from the Indonesian Government, on a number of occasions, that British-supplied defence equipment would not be used for internal repression in East Timor. In the case of the Scorpion armoured vehicles, announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 2 March 1995, column 716, the Indonesian Government assured us on 2 February 1995 that these vehicles would not be deployed in East Timor.

Staff numbers not employed in entry clearance work—1992–93
	Head of Post	Minister	Counsellor	First Secretary	Second Secretary	Third Secretary	Support	LE	Total
Abuja	—	—	—	3	2	1	2	33.5	41.5
Accra	1	—	2	3	3	8	4	80.5	101.5
Bombay	1	—	—	2	1	2	1	62	69
Calcutta	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	46	47
Colombo	1	—	1	1	3	6	5	71.5	88.5
Dhaka	1	—	2	5	4	15	5	82.5	114.5
Islamabad	1	—	4	10	6	14	12	123	170
Karachi	1	—	—	—	—	1	1	52	55
Lagos'	1	—	2	3	7	12	6	161	192
Madras	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	15.5	17.5
Moscow	1	1	8	10	17	19	23	79	158
New Delhi	1	1	7	21	15	8	14	267	334
New York	2	0	4	8	5	8	2	107	136
St. Petersburg	1	—	—	1	—	—	2	10	14

Staff numbers not employed in entry clearance work—1993–94
	Head of Post	Minister	Counsellor	First Secretary	Second Secretary	Third Secretary	Support	LE	Total
Abuja	1	—	—	3	2	2	4	33.5	45.5
Accra	1	—	2	3	3	7	4	81.5	101.5
Bombay	1	—	—	2	1	2	1	63	70
Calcutta	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	46	48
Colombo	1	—	1	1	3	6	5	71.5	88.5
Dhaka	1	—	2	5	4	15	5	94.5	126.5
Islamabad	1	—	4	10	6	14	12	123	170
Karachi	1	—	—	1	1	2	2	52	59
Lagos	1	—	2	3	7	13	6	169	201
Madras	1	—	—	—	1	—	—	15.5	17.5
Moscow	1	1	8	10.5	17	20	23	91	171.5
New Delhi	1	1	6	20	15	7	14	267	331
New York	2	—	4	7	8	10	2	105	138
St. Petersburg	1	—	—	1	—	—	2	10	14

Staff numbers not employed in entry clearance work—1994–95
	Head of Post	Minister	Counsellor	First Secretary	Second Secretary	Third Secretary	Support	LE	Total
Abuja	1	—	—	1	3	1	2	33.5	41.5
Accra	1	—	2	3	3	7	4	72.25	92.25
Bombay	1	—	—	2	1	2	1	60	67
Calcutta	1	—	—	—	1	1	—	40	43
Colombo	1	—	1	1	3	6	5	69.5	86.5
Dhaka	1	—	2	5	4	16	5	70.7	103.7
Islamabad	1	—	4	8	7	10	12	127	169
Karachi	1	—	—	1	2	2	2	53	61

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff, and at what grades, who were not employed in entry clearance work were in post in (a) New York, (b) Moscow, (c) St. Petersburg, (d) Accra, (e) Lagos, (f) Abuja, (g) New Delhi, (h) Bombay, (j) Calcutta, (k) Madras, (1) Dhaka, (m) Islamabad, (n) Karachi and (o) Colombo in the financial years (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95 to the latest convenient date. [22647]

[holding answer of 9 May 1995]: Details of the staff at the 14 overseas missions listed who are not employed in entry clearance work are given in the table. These figures include some service attachés and staff from other Government Departments and agencies for whom the FCO is not financially responsible. Separate tables are provided for the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use his Department makes of hand-held and car-based mobile telephones; what were the costs for each financial year of these services since mobile telephones were first introduced to his Department; and how many mobile telephones are currently in use. [23451]

[holding answer of 9 May 1995]: We supply mobile phones to individuals and departments where this enhances the effectiveness of their work. We cannot provide a breakdown of costs prior to 1993 without incurring disproportionate cost. Costs for the financial years since are:

11993–94	11994–95
£	£
80,415	116,302.36
1 Aid wing figures not available.

There are 195 hand-portable sets and 11 car phones in use within the diplomatic and aid wings of the FCO.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones. [23470]

[holding answer of 9 May 1995]: Neither the FCO nor the ODA has made representations to the DTI regarding the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to prevent the cloning of telephones being utilised by his Department; and if his Department has discussed this matter with any official agencies. [23456]

[holding answer 9 may 1995]: The FCO understands there are no commercially available means to prevent cloning. For its part, the Department has initiated thorough checks of itemised billing to ensure unusual call patterns and excessive costs are highlighted and investigated. Additionally, international calls are barred wherever possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many mobile telephones being utilised by his Department have been cloned during the last 12 months. [23425]

[holding answer 9 May 1995]: This Department has had 10 mobile telephones cloned between November 1994 and April 1995. The ODA has had none.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what costs his Department has incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones being utilised by his Department, with particular reference to the making of unauthorised calls. [23491]

[holding answer 9 May 1995]: This Department has not incurred any costs for the unauthorised use or reprogramming of cloned telephones. All identified costs—approximately £4,000—have been absorbed by the cellular telephone companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to China in respect of arms sales to Rwanda in breach of the United Nations Security Council resolutions. [23616]

None.The UN sanctions committee has received no evidence of any arms sales by China to Rwanda in breach of the UN arms embargo.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the proposed conference on regional problems in central Africa, as proposed by the UK at the United Nations Council, will take place. [23614]

We recognise the important role of the countries of the region in the search for solutions to this problem in central Africa. The UN Secretary-General is pursuing proposals for a regional conference on peace and security in the Great Lakes region, but no date has yet been set.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to authorise the transfer of all GCHQ's remaining wartime archive to Bletchley park. [23414]

None. Bletchley park is not an authorised repository for public records. GCHQ will continue to review its holdings of the wartime archives of the Government code and cypher school, for possible release through the Public Record Office.

To ask the Lord President of the Council what special training is given to persons who have responsibility for assessing the historical significance of documents held by his Department.

Training in assessing the historical significance of departmental records is carried out under the guidance of the Keeper of Public Records. It is provided in a number of different ways, including courses on the appraisal of records and through conferences and seminars arranged by the Public Record Office.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the research sponsored by his Department through the Medical Research Council, and the amount spent on each project for (a) AIDS-HIV prevention and (b) AIDS-HIV treatment for the last five years for which figures are available and if he will make a statement. [22668]

The overall expenditure figures on AIDS research over the last five years are:

F/Y	£k
1989–90	6,200
1990–91	13,300
1991–92	15,900
1992–93	15,300
1993–94	16,200

The nature of the research is such that a split between prevention and treatment is artificial, as many of the research projects cover both aspects. The overall figures do not therefore draw a distinction between the two.I have today placed copies of lists of the HIV and AIDS research projects supported by the MRC in the Libraries of both Houses. These lists show the titles of the projects, by whom they were carried out and the resources allocated. The list indicates both current projects and projects already completed, indicated by -.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes he intends to make to the discretionary social fund, in the light of the changes to the funeral payments regulations announced on 9 May, and if he will make a statement. [24173]

We are introducing minor improvements to the Secretary of State's directions and guidance to clarify the help available for funeral expenses from the discretionary fund. The revised directions clarify those circumstances where applicants will have access to loans for funeral expenses.Details of the amendments and a revised copy of the Secretary of State's directions and guidance to take effect from 5 June will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department has taken to prevent the cloning of telephones being utilised by his Department; and if his Department has discussed this matter with any official agencies. [23463]

[holding answer 9 May 1995]: Cloning is a general problem associated with the use of analogue cellphones. Minimising the risk of cloning would be achieved by moving from analogue to digital cellphones, using the global system for mobile communications, which has wide coverage within the UK and Europe.The Department at this stage has not taken any positive steps to prevent cloning and before we do, the cost of the conversion from analogue to digital cellphones must be weighed against an assessment of the cloning exposure.The Department has not at this stage discussed this matter with any official agencies.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to publish the results of his Department's study on standards, testing and certification barriers in the non-harmonised areas of the single market. [24172]

The generic study on standards, testing and certification barriers in non-harmonised areas of the single market is one of a number of studies which arose from my Department's single market compliance unit business plan. Two hundred and fifty businesses and around 100 trade associations were asked whether they had experienced problems in this area and the results of the survey were analysed to discover the nature of the problems and how they would best be tackled.Our investigations show that many companies are successfully exporting to other member states, but they confirm that problems are faced by some companies and suggest that these problems may be more significant in certain sectors. Specific problems in exporting to six member states were identified and as might be expected from the size of their markets Germany, in particular, and France specified much more often than other member states, although the numbers of problems identified were still low in absolute terms. Analysis of the problems identified supports the twin approach to resolving conflicts—bilaterally and through direct approaches to the European Commission—as indeed is my Department's usual practice. There is also a need to encourage industry to utilise the benefits of possible agreements under the auspices of the European Organisation for Testing and Certification and to stimulate the work of the European Co-operation for Accreditation of Laboratories and European Accreditation of Certification.Our investigations have confirmed that there are gaps in mutual recognition which are detracting from the benefits of the single market. I have, therefore, written to the European Commission with the results of the study and I will be raising the study with fellow European Ministers in the Internal Market Council.My Department's single market compliance unit will try to resolve, with firms, specific problems identified by the study and my Department's standards policy unit will help to publicise the ways in which mutual recognition may be achieved.I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the report of the study which has been issued.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he supports the European Commission's proposals to allow cable television companies within the European Community to offer telecommunications services; and if he will support action to allow other telecommunications operators to provide entertainment services. [24171]

The Government welcome the Commission proposals to allow cable TV companies to offer telecommunication services, which would bring other member states into line with existing UK practice. The Commission proposals, which are currently subject to public consultation, would not affect member states' existing rules on the provision of entertainment services, nor is there any sign that the Commission would be willing to extend its proposals in this way. The Government would strongly oppose any such action. UK Government policy remains as set out in Command Paper 2734, published in November 1994.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that insurance company orphan funds accrue to policy holders. [23265]

One of the Department's priorities is to ensure that the balance between policyholders' and shareholders' interests is not affected, as I explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Shoreham (Mr. Stephen) on 24 February 1995, Official Report, column 362.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if children aged under 16 years will still be prohibited from purchasing fireworks which do not contain gunpowder after the coming into force of the Firework (Safety) Revocation Regulations 1995. [23030]

[holding answer 9 May 1995]: The supply of fireworks to children apparently under the age of 16 will continue to be prohibited with the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) (Revocation) Regulations 1995, by virtue of section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875 as amended, irrespective of whether fireworks contain gunpowder or other explosive substances.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to encourage inward investment to the United Kingdom. [22252]

My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau runs a comprehensive programme for promoting the UK overseas, including company visits, advertising, mail shots, seminars and missions. Within the UK, the IBB will be working with Govnerment offices, regional agencies and others to encourage more systematic cultivation of opportunities for securing new investment by existing companies. The resources of the IBB have also been strengthened with the appointment of a new chief executive from the private sector and a regional director for the far east.

To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to receive the first report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement. [24306]

The first report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, under the chairmanship of Lord Nolan, is being published today as Command Paper 2850. I should like to express my thanks to Lord Nolan and his colleagues for the way in which they have discharged the initial part of the remit which I announced to the House in October. It is welcome that they have reached unanimous recommendations based on open proceedings, and having taken oral and written evidence from a wide cross-section of opinion. The oral evidence they have taken is included in volume II of the report, and written submissions are to be made available at the Public Record Office.Lord Nolan has arranged to send a copy of his Committee's report to every Member of the House.I believe it is important to maintain the highest possible standards and confidence in public life. I therefore welcome the work the committee has done.I accept the broad thrust of the committee's recommendations in so far as they are addressed to the Government. We shall give the report the close study it deserves and then make a detailed response.The recommendations which are addressed to this House are, of course, a matter for the House itself to consider, and my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House will arrange an early opportunity for debate.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 11 May. [22391]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 11 May. [22393]

This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the current membership of the public sector pay review bodies. [24307]

The current membership, with effect from 1 April 1995, is listed:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths were attributed to epilepsy in Northern Ireland in each year since 1990 in each health board area for which information is available. [22841]

The number of deaths registered from, or related to, epilepsy in Northern Ireland for each year from 1990 in each health board area are as follows. Deaths are recorded by date of registration and not by date of occurrence.

	1990	1991	1992	1993
Epilepsy as underlying cause of death
Eastern health and social services board	4	3	6	9
Northern health and social services board	7	6	2	4
Southern health and social services board	4	3	6	3

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the aims and objectives of the Belfast urban area plan 2001; and how these objectives fit into the aims of the strategy for making Belfast work published in March. [23105]

The aims and objectives of the Belfast urban area plan 2001 are set out on pages 7 and 16 of the plan, a copy of which is available in the Library. The main focus of the making Belfast work strategy is to increase opportunities for residents of MBW areas to secure employment and to improve their quality of life. These aims complement those set out in the Belfast urban area plan 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how relevant the Belfast urban area plan 2001 now is; if the Department of the Environment proposes to undertake a review of the plan; and if the public will be invited to put forward their views. [23106]

The Belfast urban area plan 2001 remains the statutory plan for Belfast. The Department is currently carrying out a reassessment of development land to ascertain the anticipated requirement for a further release of land reserved for housing in the second phase of the plan. When the draft proposals are published, this will afford the public the opportunity to make representations and a public local inquiry may be held for the purposes of hearing those representations which cannot be resolved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the Department of the Environment is co-ordinating the overall improvement process in Belfast and the different elements of that process; and how elected representatives are involved in these matters. [23107]

The Department of the Environment co-ordinates the overall improvement process in Belfast through the Belfast development office and the making Belfast work initiative. The Belfast development office has responsibility for physical development in close consultation with the Department's planning service. The making Belfast work initiative acts as a catalyst in providing funding to the public, private and voluntary sectors for social and economic programmes in disadvantaged areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for Driver and Vehicle Licensing (Northern Ireland) in 1995–96. [24048]

For 1995–96 the following key performance targets have been set for the agency:

• To meet an overall efficiency gain of 2 per cent.
• To reduce the unit cost per vehicle excise enforcement case by 0.5 per cent. in real terms compared to 1994–95.
• To dispatch 94 per cent. of registration books for new vehicles in 16 working days from receipt.
• To dispatch 91 per cent. of refunds of vehicle excise duty in 11 working days from receipt.
• To dispatch 93 per cent. of vehicle excise licences in five working days from receipt of postal applications.
• To dispatch 93 per cent. of duplicate vehicle registration books in six working days from receipt of applications.
• To dispatch 93 per cent. of ordinary driving licences in 11 working days of receipt of applications.
• To dispatch 96 per cent. of vocational driving licences in 10 working days from receipt of applications.
• To dispatch 94 per cent. of provisional driving licences in nine working days from receipt of applications.
• To dispatch substantive replies to 95 per cent. of written enquiries for information from the drivers and vehicles registers in four working days from receipt.
• To limit maximum waiting time at local vehicle licensing offices to 25 minutes during peak periods—the first eight and last two working days of each month—and 10 minutes at other periods.
• To limit the error rate—errors on any item sent out by the agency—to a maximum of 0.5 per cent. of total agency output.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to review the position regarding agricultural occupancy conditions. [24049]

Following a review of procedures it has been agreed that the "four-year rule", which requires that enforcement proceedings can be initiated only within four years of a breach, should apply to agricultural occupancy conditions. I have also decided to appoint a consultant to advise on alternatives to the use of occupancy conditions. It is expected that the consultants' report will lead to a further review of policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated total cost of this year's Queen's birthday parade. [22938]

No additional costs are incurred for the men and horses taking part in the parade as they are already funded. Costs will be incurred for hired road transport, and these are estimated at £12,000. There are other additional costs such as drycleaning of ceremonial uniforms and accommodation services, including facilities, rations and communications. Full details are not recorded separately, however, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the strength of the British Army in Northern Ireland at the time of the IRA ceasefire; what reductions in manpower strength have taken place since then; and what is the current strength of the British Army in Northern Ireland. [23042]

In August 1994, there were some 17,000 soldiers deployed in support of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. This figure included 12 major units deployed to the Province in the infantry role and six battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment. Since the IRA ceasefire, a sub-unit of some 140 personnel has been withdrawn and its task reassigned to other units already in the Province, and two major units have been relocated to their home bases outside Northern Ireland but remain available to the General Officer Commanding and can return at short notice if required. These adjustments have brought the number of soldiers deployed to the Province to some 16,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to his answer of 28 April, Official Report, column 772, what is the basis upon which the figure of a 14 per cent. reduction in the total stockpile of United Kingdom nuclear weapons is determined; if the stockpile of United Kingdom nuclear weapons is equivalent to the number of warheads actually deployed; and if he will make a statement; [23108](2) pursuant to his oral answer of 28 March to the hon. and learned Member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell)

The basis of the figures for reductions in our nuclear deterrent is explained in the footnotes to figure 6 on page 39 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1995".

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the four Trident submarines will be deployed with nuclear weapons at any one time. [23110]

It is our policy to maintain at least one submarine at sea on deterrent patrol at any time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the dates when Army sales teams have been deployed in Indonesia since 1 January 1990. [23244]

Army sales teams were deployed in Indonesia in July and August 1990 and again in February and March 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan (Mr. Wray), of 24 April, Official Report, column 394, what defence equipment whose sale to Nigeria was agreed before June 1993 was delivered after that time. [23256]

It is our general policy not to reveal details of individual exports of defence equipment. However, the 1994 UK return to the UN register of conventional arms, now in the House of Commons Library, provides information on transfers of defence equipment within seven broad categories.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which date he approved exports of Hawk 200 series aircraft to Indonesia. [23249]

The approval of export licences is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. It is not the practice to give details of approvals or denials of specific export licence applications, but I can assure the hon. Member that such export licence applications would be considered against the background of an assurance from the Indonesian authorities that Hawk aircraft will not be used against the civilian population or for repressive purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the annual cost to his Department of the UK military training and assistance scheme in each of the last five financial years. [23243]

The UK military training and assistance scheme is controlled by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which has primary responsibility for funding military assistance. The MOD does not bear any of the costs of UKMTAS. On occasion, however, and where the aims serve defence interests, the MOD agrees to waive the costs of training provided to foreign Governments. The total of these waivers in the last five years is as follows:

Year	£ million
1990–91	4.6
1991–92	4.6
1992–93	5.9
1993–94	5.1
1994–95	15.6
1 Forecast outturn.

In addition, some £70,000 was spent in 1993–94 and a further £173,000 in 1994–95 in support of the United Kingdom's programme of bilateral defence contact with central and eastern Europe.Details of the assistance provided are confidential between Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the dates when elements of the British defence advisory team have been deployed in Indonesia since 1 January 1990. [23245]

The British defence advisory team visited Indonesia in October 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who was the Head of Defence Export Services Organisation in 1991; what was the duration of their contract and their annual salary including bonuses; and from which organisation they were seconded. [23233]

Sir Alan Thomas was the Head of Defence Export Services Organisation in 1991. The duration of his contract on secondment from Raytheon Europe Ltd. was five years and his annual salary in 1994, the year he left the Department, was £131,674 plus a performance bonus of up to an annual maximum of £30,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the net and gross cost of the Defence Export Services Organisation in 1991–92. [23257]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 20 April 1995, Official Report, column 228.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a revised list of the criteria he uses for classifying land mines by type. [23067]

The NATO standard definition of a mine is

"an explosive or material, normally encased, designed to destroy or damage ground vehicles, boats or aircraft, or designed to wound, kill or otherwise incapacitate personnel. It may he detonated by the action of its victim, by the passage of time, or by controlled means".

There is no NATO standard definition of an anti-tank or anti-personnel land mine: my Department considers an anti-tank land mine to be one which is designed specifically to target tanks or other vehicles; and an anti-personnel land mine to be one designed specifically to target people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department and companies owned by his Department work on assisting with the export of defence equipment; and how many of these staff have served in the armed forces. [23359]

The Defence Export Services Organisation, which includes the Disposal Sales Agency, exists to help British manufacturers market and sell their products abroad, complementing the wider range of services offered by the DTI. There are 691 staff in the DESO, of whom 233 are serving military personnel, and a further five are retired officers. Records of previous military service, including national service, are not held centrally. IMS Ltd. is wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Defence, but has ceased trading.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many, and what proportion of, vacancies advertised by his Department, and by each of his Department's agencies, in the last three years have listed the attainment of NVQs as an acceptable entry requirement; and, of those, how many have required (i) level 1 NVQs, (ii) level 2 NVQs, (iii) level 3 NVQs and (iv) other level NVQs. [22976]

Since 1991, levels 1 and 2 NVQs in business administration have been recognised qualifications for entry to some junior non-managerial grades in my Department. Recruitment of more junior grades is undertaken by a large number of personnel management authorities throughout the country. Their individual recruitment activities are not co-ordinated centrally, and no central records are maintained of vacancies advertised. Information on the number and percentage of vacancies listing the NVQs as an acceptable criterion of these grades could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.Level 3 and 4 NVQs in information technology have been accepted as an entry criterion for recruitment to recently advertised specialist IT executive officer posts. The scope for recognising a wider range of NVQs for recruitment to industrial and non-industrial posts is under review.Recruitment of executive officers is undertaken centrally. The current executive officer (IT) recruitment campaign aims to fill 90 posts which equate to 100 per cent. of the total E0(IT) posts advertised by the Department this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for the funding within the defence budget for the national commemorations of the 50th anniversary of both VE day and VJ day. [24051]

Parliamentary approval for this new service is being sought in the 1995–96 supply estimates for defence: operational and support costs—class I, vote 1. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure of £5,800,000 will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Analytical Services Agency for 1995–96. [24052]

Key targets have been set for the chief executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency for this financial year and beyond. The targets build on the progress already made by the agency since it formed in July 1992 and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what contracts or tenders have been considered in relation to clearing, removing or otherwise dealing with explosives on the ship Montgomerie sunk off Canvey island; with what results; and if he will make a statement; [22619](2) when the explosives on the ship Montgomerie sunk off Canvey island were last inspected; what were the results of that inspection; and how often inspections are undertaken; [22618](3) what assessment he has made of the risk posed to nearby residents, shipping or fishermen, by the explosives on the ship Montgomerie, sunk off Canvey island; and if he will make a statement. [22620]

I have been asked to reply.These are operational matters for the Coastguard agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects there to be witness support schemes in every magistrates court. [22838]

[holding answer 10 May 1995]: There are no plans to set up witness support schemes in magistrates courts. Our priority is to implement the royal commission recommendation to establish witness support schemes at all Crown courts. Some 40 schemes are already in operation, and additional Home Office funding last year and this will enable victim support to complete the witness service at all 78 Crown court centres by the end of 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 4 April, Official Report, column 1019, about road traffic accidents involving police vehicles, how many of the accidents which resulted in civilian injuries in each year involved basic drivers. [23331]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 4 April, Official Report, column 1019.I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the number of accidents involving basic drivers which resulted in civilian injuries is as follows:

Year	Accidents involving civilian injuries (total)	Advanced drivers	Basic drivers	Others
1991	303	123	44	136
1992	294	121	52	121
1993	327	136	51	140
1994	289	113	29	147

These figures do not include accidents in which a police vehicle was in the vicinity but not directly involved.

Patients with hospital order for manslaughter, by years to release
England and Wales			Number of patients
Sentence year	Less than one year	1 up to 2 years	2 up to 3 years	3 up to 4 years	4 up to 5 years	5 up to 6 years	6 up to 7 years	7 up to 8 years	8 up to 9 years	Remains on population	Total
1985	—	1	3	2	1	2	2	3	1	13	28
1986	—	2	3	—	—	1	2	1	—	14	24
1987	2	1	3	3	2	3	—	—	—	19	33
1988	2	2	3	4	1	2	2	—	—	14	31
1989	1	6	1	3	—	—	—	—	—	23	34
1990	1	2	2	5	—	—	—	—	—	22	32
1991	1	1	4	1	—	—	—	—	—	26	33
1992	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	29	31
1993	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	30	30
1994—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	241	241
1 Provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (a) existing civil defence facilities currently in operation, (b) the final cost of construction in each case, (c) the numbers employed at each facility and (d) the numbers entitled to use each facility in the event of war. [23170]

There are no existing civil defence facilities currently in operation. The remaining former regional government headquarters, United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation monitoring posts, and United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation group controls, are awaiting disposal, most by sale on the open market. Prior to

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the time it takes to process applications for a British passport; and if he will make a statement. [23658]

[holding answer 10 May 1995]: On Wednesday 26 April the turnround times for processing properly completed, straightforward applications were:

• Belfast 6 days
• Glasgow 7 days
• Liverpool 7 days
• London 2 days
• Newport 6 days
• Peterborough 5 days

All the Passport Agency's key targets for 1994–95 were met. This resulted in a reduction in the overall average turnround time from just under eight days to just under seven days.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many defendants who pleaded guilty to manslaughter were sentenced to detention in a secure mental hospital in each of the last 10 years: and for how long each of them was detained. [23525]

[holding answer 10 May 1995]: Information on the plea entered by defendants is not available centrally for those sentenced to detention in a secure mental hospital. The following information is based on those restricted patients with a hospital order who were sentenced for manslaughter.commencement of the disposal programme there were 17 RGHQs, 26 UKWMO group controls and 874 UKWMO monitoring posts.The cost of construction of Chilmark and Ashdown Forest RGHQs, the only two purpose-built establishments, was approximately £2.1 million, in 1986, and £3 million, in 1989, respectively. Information relating to the cost of construction of all the other facilities either is not available or could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The numbers designated to operate these facilities in the event of war would have ranged from two to three at the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation posts to the 60 at the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation group controls and 150 at the larger RGHQs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further assessment he has made of the implications on civil defence in the United Kingdom arising from the peace dividend; and if he will make a statement. [23169]

Civil defence arrangements are made in the light of assessments of the risks faced by the United Kingdom. There has been no significant change in that assessment of risk since November 1992, when the present arrangements were set in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what appointments he has made recently to the Animal Procedures Committee. [24310]

I have appointed the following persons to be members of the Animal Procedures Committee for four years with effect from 1 May:

(i) Miss Cindy Millburn, special projects director, World Society for the Protection of Animals.

(ii) Dr. Jacqueline Southee, manager, In-vitro Toxicology, Microbiological Associates Ltd.

(iii) Mr. Les Ward, director, Advocates for Animals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for cycling on footpaths in (a) the London borough of Newham, and (b) London, in each of the past five years for which records are available. [23154]

The information is given in the table. 1994 data will not be available until autumn 1995.

Number of defendants prosecuted for cycling on footpaths1within the Metropolitan police,City of Londonand Newham areas and England and Wales 1989–1993
Area	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993
Police Force Area
Metropolitan Police District	5	8	31	12	35
City of London	—	—	3	4	3
Newham Area
Stratford Petty Sessional Division	—	—	—	—	—
West Ham Petty Sessional Division	—	—	—	—	—
England and Wales	453	483	333	313	291
1 An offence under the Highway Act 1985, section 72, and the Metropolitan Police Act 1939, section 54(7) and byelaws.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his estimates for the cost of training needed to enable the police in England and Wales to be fully aware of the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; and what funding has been made available to police authorities for such training. [23050]

The extent to which police officers need to be trained in relation to the provisions of this Act is a matter for individual chief officers to determine. Centrally produced training material has been made available, free of charge, to all forces; the costs of delivering any training considered necessary will be met from existing police budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of those convicted of driving without insurance were immediately disqualified in each of the last three years; [23268](2) how many of those convicted of driving without insurance received an endorsement of six or more penalty points in each of the last three years. [23267]

The following table gives the available information which relates to the number of convictions for "using a motor vehicle uninsured against third-party risks" in England and Wales for the years 1991 to 1993. Figures for 1994 are not available.

Convictions for using a motor vehicle uninsured against third—party risks
	Total disqualifications imposed	Endorsements-without disqualification—with six or more penalty points
1991	19,387	108,638
1992	20,762	125,771
1993	25,570	143,818

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the application made to the United Kingdom post in Islamabad by Mr. Mohammad Rashid and Mrs. Anwar Jahn Rashid—ref: V95/000618—to visit the United Kingdom was referred to him; when it was received; if a recommendation has now been made; and if he will make a statement. [23052]

This application was not referred to the Home Office for decision or recommendation, but for information to assist the entry clearance officer to reach a decision. The request was received by telex on 24 January, and information was dispatched on 6 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of how frequently identity cards with photographs would need to be replaced. [23068]

We shall be publishing a consultation document about identity cards soon which, among other things, will address this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of (a) public houses and (b) other licensed properties in (i) 1980, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1990 and (iv) 1994. [23269]

The available information on licensed premises is published in table 1 of the Home Office "Statistical Bulletin", issue 4/93, "Liquor Licensing Statistics, England and Wales, July 1991-June 1992", a copy of which is in the Library. Information on liquor licensing is collected only once every three years on the licences in force in the year of collection and in the previous year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list names of persons convicted of killing police officers since 1960 (a) who are still serving imprisonment together with the date when they are next considered for release on licence and (b) who have been released, with the date of that release; and if he will state for each offender the identity of the officer killed and the dates of the crime and of the sentence. [22896]

I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders have served more than two community service orders; and what plans he has to set a maximum on the number of such orders that can be served before a custodial sentence must be imposed. [22520]

A sample of offenders convicted in 1993 suggests that about 3,700 who receive a community service order had been sentenced to community service on at least two previous occasions. It is for the sentencing court to decide whether or not a custodial sentence is justified in the light of all the circumstances before it, having regard to the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 as amended. Those provisions enable the court to take account of the offender's failure to respond to previous sentences.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to improve community service orders and to ensure that breaches of such orders are properly punished. [22521]

On 9 March, my right hon. and learned Friend published revised national standards for the supervision of offenders in the community, which tighten up the way in which community service orders must be run and enforced. A copy of the 1995 standards is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation dealing with criminal injuries compensation. [24309]

I have today introduced the Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill.The Bill provides a power to establish a new criminal injuries compensation scheme. It also repeals the provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 1988, which, if implemented, would have put the old, common law damages scheme on to a statutory footing.Following the judgment of the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords, which was delivered on 5 April, I have been giving very careful thought to the arrangements which should be made for compensating those who have the misfortune to be injured as a result of a crime of violence.The judgment related to the method of introduction of the tariff scheme, not its merits. The effect of the judgment was to require the 1990 common law damages scheme to be reinstated in place of the tariff based approach introduced on 1 April 1994. The costs of the common law damages scheme have risen very substantially since the scheme was first introduced in 1964 and more than doubled in real terms between 1987–88 and 1993–94. Although improvements have been made in administration of the scheme, we believe that a tariff-based approach offers greater scope for further improvement and the speedier settlement of cases. I remain of the view, therefore, that steps need to be taken to constrain future expenditure and to ensure that a quicker service is provided. This cannot be achieved within the framework of a system based entirely upon common law principles. I remain therefore of the view that the 1990 common law damages scheme should be replaced by a new tariff-based approach.I have, however, considered very carefully the concerns which have been expressed about the effect which such an approach may have on those who are most seriously injured. We all have immense sympathy for such victims and the Government are anxious to do all that they can to safeguard the position of victims. I have therefore come to the view that the tariff-based approach should be enhanced to provide payment for loss of earnings and special care for those who are incapacitated for more than 28 weeks—the period during which statutory sick pay is payable. I also propose that there should be provision for loss of dependency/support in fatal cases. In addition, I propose that structured settlements should be available: these will greatly help those receiving the higher awards by providing a guaranteed, index-linked, tax-free income for life, thus considerably increasing the net benefit of the award for many victims.I believe that a scheme of this sort will he fair while at the same time providing a mechanism for controlling future expenditure. Further details of the proposed scheme are set out in a paper entitled "Criminal Injuries Compensation: proposals for a Tariff Based Scheme" which has been placed in the Library and the Vote Office.Ours is the most generous compensation scheme in the world. We pay out more compensation than all other European countries added together. That will remain the case under our new proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ask the Civil Aviation Authority to undertake an urgent investigation into the interference in aircraft navigation and other systems in flight caused by (a) laptop computer and (b) other electrical devices. [23143]

The Civil Aviation Authority participates, with the Defence Research Agency and representatives of the airline and aerospace manufacturing industry, in the Electro Magnetic Compatibility Club. The assistance and advice of the club has been sought on the subject of passengers' portable electronic equipment. The CAA's research programme currently includes a project to extend this work to include passengers' mobile telephones.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives the illegal operations working group has taken forward over the last 12 months; and what recommendations it has published. [24050]

Initiatives which the group has been taking forward are detailed in an annual report which has today been circulated to those organisations with an interest in goods vehicle enforcement. A copy of the group's 1994 report has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the consequences of farm land being designated as a special area of conservation under the EU habitats directive. [22139]

The regulations implementing the habitats directive are based in the existing provisions applying to sites of special scientific interest. In the vast majority of cases, the nature conservation interests for which sites on land will be selected as special areas of conservation will be very similar to those for which these sites will already be protected as SSSIs. In most cases, management measures which have conserved these sites in the past as SSSIs will continue to be appropriate when they become SACs.The Conservation (Natural Habitats, & Regulations 1994 introduce the following measures for European sites, including SACs:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the requirements and benefits of designation as (a) a site of special scientific interest; (b) a special protection area; (c) a Ramsar site; (d) a national nature reserve and (e) a special area of conservation. [22138]

The various designations indicate a site's national or international importance for nature conservation and the level of protection to be given to its wildlife and natural features under both wildlife and planning legislation. Each of the designations referred to by my hon. Friend plays its part in meeting th Government's commitment to sustainable development, and in particular to conserving the natural heritage for the benefit of this and future generations:

(a) sites of special scientific interest are notified by English Nature under section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for their special interest by reason of their flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. SSSIs are protected from damaging operations and the notification is a material factor in the consideration of any development proposal that might affect the site;

(b) special protection areas are classified by my right hon. Friend under the EC wild birds directive to safeguard the habitats of bird species listed in annexe 1 to the directive and of regularly occurring migratory species;

(c) Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, which are designated by my right hon. Friend in fulfilment of the United Kingdom's obligations under the convention on wetlands of international importance, the Ramsar convention, to conserve wetlands and foster their wise use;

(d) national nature reserves are declared by English Nature under section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Their essential characteristic is that their primary use is for nature conservation;

(e) no special areas of conservation have yet been designated. A list of possible SACs is currently the subject of public consultation. SACs are to be sites hosting the natural habitat types and habitats of the species listed in the EC habitats and species directive. Member states are required to establish the necessary conservation measures which correspond to the ecological requirements of the site.

These designations are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, it is the Government's policy that SPAs, Ramsar sites, NNRs and SACs shall first be notified as SSSIs. Further details on these designations are given in planning policy guidance note 9, issued in October 1994, a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion, by local authority in the west midlands, of the Housing Corporation's approved development programme for 1995–96 will be used by housing associations for rehabilitating existing properties (a) for rent and (b) for shared ownership; how many units of accommodation this will cover; and how this compares with his Department's original ADP funding intentions for 1995–96, as set out in the 1992 "Autumn Statement". [22720]

[holding answer 9 May 1995]: The table shows the proportion, by local authority in the west midlands, of the Housing Corporation's approved development programme for 1995–96 which will be used by housing associations for rehabilitating existing properties (a) for rent and (b) for shared ownership; and the related units of accommodation. No regional allocation was made of the 1995–96 ADP as set out in the 1992 "Autumn Statement".