To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been killed while training or engaged on non-combat duties in the last 10 years. [28225]

The information requested is as follows:

• 1985: 208
• 1986: 178
• 1987: 191
• 1988: 207
• 1989: 255
• 1990: 218
• 1991: 191
• 1992: 167
• 1993: 169
• 1994: 152

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to ensure that skilled tradesmen in the armed forces have the opportunity to extend or maintain their skills by involvement in depot or major servicing and engineering where these are carried out by civilian businesses. [27915]

The armed forces continue to train and practise their tradesmen in the full range of skills required to support the operational task and deliver military capability. Where it is deemed essential that a number of these tradesmen attain and maintain depot level skills following the transfer of such work to the private sector, either an element of the work will be retained in service or appropriate contractual arrangements will be put in place with industry to second service personnel to enable them to receive the required skill enhancements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of RAF Newton. [29412]

As part of the wider changes to RAF ground training, a consultative document was issued on 28 March 1995 recommending the relocation of headquarters air cadets from RAF Newton to RAF Cranwell, its merger with headquarters university air squadrons and the reduction of RAF Newton to an enclave. My Department has consulted thoroughly with trade unions and relevant local authorities, and full and careful consideration has been given to all the representations received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total Government expenditure on the TRIGAT long range anti-tank weapon. [28858]

The total amount spent by the Ministry of Defence to 31 May 1995 on the TRIGAT long-range anti-tank programme is £210 million, at 1995–96 prices. This includes a proportion of the costs of the feasibility and project definition phases, which were combined for the long-range and medium-range TRIGAT programmes, as well as the costs of the current development programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the Patriot missile defence system. [28857]

The Patriot missile defence system is one of the options being considered as part of the pre-feasibility study which I announced to the House on 18 October 1994, Official Report, column 239, to provide advice on systems, capabilities, time scales, costs and technical risk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the medium extended air defence system; and if he will make a statement. [28844]

The medium extended air defence system is one of the options being considered as part of the pre-feasibility study which I announced to the House on 18 October 1994, Official Report, column 239, to provide advice on systems, capabilities, time scales, costs and technical risk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recent discussions he has had with his German counterpart concerning Eurofighter 2000; [28842](2) what assessment his Department has made of political developments in Germany concerning the Eurofighter 2000; and if he will make a statement. [28843]

My right hon. and learned Friend met his German opposite number on 28 May for discussions on a number of topics, including Eurofighter 2000. I am confident that Germany remains committed to the development of the Eurofighter 2000 aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all areas within (a) his Department, (b) agencies under his Department's control and (c) organisations for which he has ministerial responsibility to which Crown immunity applies; what consideration he has given to removing this; and if he will make a statement. [28653]

An Act of Parliament is presumed not to bind the Crown unless the contrary intention is clearly stated, or there is a necessary implication that the Crown is to be bound. Crown immunity is being progressively reduced, as legislative opportunities arise. However, even in circumstances where the Crown is not bound by legislation, it is Government policy that it should comply as though the requirements apply to it, wherever appropriate.To list all areas in which Crown immunity may apply would involve disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants in his Department are currently working on matters related to the Scott inquiry; if a dedicated unit has been established; and what is the estimated cost to date of civil servants dealing with matters relating to the Scott inquiry. [28865]

A Scott inquiry unit was established in the MOD in December 1992. There are currently two civil servants working in the unit. The approximate direct cost of the unit to date, including the cost of the provision of papers, is estimated to be £190,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legal advice he has sought from solicitors or barristers in respect of draft conclusions reached by the Scott inquiry; what is the estimated cost of such legal expenses to public funds, and if he will make a statement. [28896]

The Government do not consider it right to publish the nature or cost of any advice which may have been given to individual witnesses to the Scott inquiry.This is a matter of confidence between them and any legal advisers they may have retained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the findings of the inquiry into the Chinook crash on 2 June 1994.

I express to the widows and family members of those who died the Government's deep regret and condolences in their loss.I have this afternoon placed in the Libraries of both Houses a summary of findings of the inquiry into this tragic crash which claimed the lives of 29 people. After an exhaustive inquiry into all the circumstances, the possibilities of major technical or structural failure, hostile action or electromagnetic interference with navigation equipment were eliminated as possible causes. On all the evidence, it was concluded that the cause of the accident was that the two pilots had wrongly continued to fly towards the Mull of Kintyre below a safe altitude in unsuitable weather conditions. This constituted a failure in their duty and regrettably, therefore, it was concluded that both pilots had been negligent.I confirm that the MOD will pay compensation to the next of kin where this is due. Legal advice is that in the particular circumstances of this accident the Government's legal liability to the passengers on board is limited by the terms of the Carriage by Air Acts (Application of Provisions) Order 1967 which derives from the relevant international conventions. The Government have, however, previously made clear their view that the limit of 100,000 special drawing rights—approximately £100,000—arising from these conventions is out of date. Accordingly the MOD will consider claims, in this case, above 100,000 SDR. In so doing, they will take account of the discussions already in progress within the civil airline industry about the right limit for airlines' liability. These discussions will inform, but not necessarily determine, the Government's decision on whether the Chinook passenger claims should be subject to an upper limit on compensation and, if so, at what higher figure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his Department's definition of an air transport undertaking. [28869](2) if the Chinook helicopter involved in the crash in the Mull of Kintyre in June 1994 was partaking in an air transport undertaking; and if he will make a statement. [28868]

The Chinook was on an air transport task from RAF Aldergrove to Fort George barracks, Inverness. The Ministry of Defence's understanding of an air transport undertaking is the movement by air of personnel and cargo within and between theatres of operation. The compensation rights of the families concerned, however, are not dependent on how the Ministry of Defence chooses to describe any aspect of this tragic accident.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his aims at the United Nations inhumane weapons review conference in September. [28230]

At the UN weaponry convention review conference in September and October of this year, the UK's main aim will be to work towards strengthening protocol II of the convention to impose stricter controls on the use of land-mines. Specific measures which we will be pursuing include: an extension of the scope of the protocol to cover non-international armed conflicts; new provisions on self-destruct mechanisms in anti-personnel mines, detectable mines, and the marking and mapping of minefields; provisions on the transfer of anti-personnel mines; and an effective verification mechanism.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 June, Official Report, column 192, if he will list the dates, units involved, and the injuries leading to the cases of compensation claims made against his Department in the last five years arising from the negligent discharge of weapons. [28867]

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by his Department in each of the past five years; how many of these were not answered because the information (a) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, (b) was not held centrally and (c) was not normally disclosed; how many of these could now be answered due to computerisation, more effective and efficient operational systems or more open government; and if he will list each question along with the name and constituency of the right hon. or hon. Member who originally tabled it. [28520]

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of parliamentary questions, which would have been answered directly by him or his Ministers prior to the establishment of executive agencies, are now referred to the chief executive of such an agency. [28497]

Ministers are accountable to Parliament for all matters concerning their agencies. Written parliamentary questions concerning matters which have been delegated to the chief executive of an executive agency in its framework document, normally receive a reply from the Minister to the effect that he or she has asked the chief executive to reply direct to the Member by letter. The chief executive's letter is published in Hansard after the Minister's reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which areas in Bosnia it is (a) possible or (b) not possible to post items from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [26885]

Due to operational difficulties caused by the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Post Office is unable to accept items of mail for onward delivery to any part of that country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants in his Department are currently working on matters related to the Scott inquiry; if a dedicated unit has been established; and what is the estimated cost to date of civil servants dealing with matters relating to the Scott inquiry. [28863]

Three civil servants in the FCO are working full time on matters related to the Scott inquiry. Other FCO officials are involved, but not on a full-time basis.A dedicated unit was established in December 1992, and continues to exist.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines he has issued to United Kingdom diplomatic and consular staff concerning the activities and work of Locate in Scotland in north America; what communication there has been with the United States Government following the public comments of the United Kingdom consul general in San Francisco on the work of Locate in Scotland and other inward investment agencies; what clarification the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued on the role of the United Kingdom inward investment agencies following those comments; and what discussions have been held as a consequence regarding a new policy towards United Kingdom inward investment agencies. [28700]

All overseas commercial posts have guidelines on co-operation with Locate in Scotland as well as the equivalent organisations for Wales and Northern Ireland. Together with the Invest in Britain Bureau and English regional agencies, these organisations are members of the Committee on Overseas Promotion, which co-ordinates the promotion of inward investment into the United Kingdom.No clarification of those guidelines, nor a change of policy, is necessary. The question of a communication with the United States Administration does not arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the Government of (a) the Phillippines and (b) Thailand concerning possible measures to arrest the growth of sex tourism in those countries. [28840]

We regularly take opportunities to raise the issue of sex tourism with the Governments of the Phillippines and Thailand. I discussed child prostitution legislation with the Thai Government during my visit to Thailand in May.We also regularly discuss practical forms of co-operation between our law enforcement authorities within the framework of Interpol.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Indonesian police officers have received training under the UK military training and assistance scheme. [28906]

The details of training given under the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme are confidential between Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names, together with the previous and present jobs, of the Committee of the Regions set up under the provisions of the treaty of Maastricht. [28702]

Biographies of all members of the Committee of the Regions may be obtained from the CoR press office, Rue Ravenstein 2, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the further measures which he proposes to take to demonstrate his concern about the abuse of democracy in Nigeria.

We deplore the fact that there has been no progress towards democracy in Nigeria in the two years since the annulment of the presidential elections. We look to the regime to use the occasion of the presentation of the report of the national constitutional conference due on 27 June to initiate a credible timetable for a return to civilian democratic rule. We shall continue to keep our policy under review, together with our EU, Commonwealth and other partners.

To ask the Prime Minister what communications he has received from Lord Justice Scott over the evidence he gave to the inquiry into arms for Iraq; on what dates the communications were sent to him; and what were the dates of his replies. [28860]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Members for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) and for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay) on 12 June 1995, Official Report, column 373.

To ask the Prime Minister how many civil servants in his Department are currently working on matters related to the Scott inquiry; if a dedicated unit has been established; and what is the estimated cost to date of civil servants dealing with matters relating to the Scott inquiry. [28862]

Within the Cabinet Office, the number of civil servants working exclusively on matters relating to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry is five, all of whom are members of a dedicated unit. The cost of the unit since December 1992 has been approximately £400,000.

To ask the Prime Minister what payments are available to former Prime Ministers; which of these cease immediately upon their death; which are phased out or continued for a fixed or indefinite period to allow their bereaved spouses to deal with duties following their death; and if he will make a statement. [28535]

Under the provisions of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, former Prime Ministers are entitled to receive payment from the Consolidated Fund of half of the salary payable in respect of the office of the Prime Minister at the time of leaving office. This Act also increased the pensions of then former Prime Ministers to an amount equal to the new pension entitlement of the office of that time. Payments cease on death, subject to arrangements for spouses and children based largely on the parliamentary pension scheme.On 1 April 1991, an allowance was introduced to assist former Prime Ministers with the continuing heavy burden of office and secretarial costs arising from their special position in public life. The allowance is similar in purpose and amount to the parliamentary office costs allowance but is paid in respect of public and not parliamentary duties. It ceases immediately on death, but a sum equal to one third of the annual amount is made available to the executors of the will to assist with the costs of winding up any office organisation.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy that no terrorist prisoners will be given special treatment in respect of early release; and if he will make a statement. [28629]

The Government have already stated that prisoners convicted of terrorist offences are not political prisoners and must expect to serve their sentences in accordance with the law.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the official engagements programmes of members of the royal family who receive funds from the civil list. [28611]

No.

To ask the Prime Minister what advice is issued to Ministers by him and/or the Cabinet Office in respect of answering written questions tabled by right hon. and hon. Members which directly relate, appear to relate or which could be construed to relate, to their declared financial interests; and if he will make a statement. [28565]

I have no reason to believe that guidance is necessary on this matter.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 8 June, Official Report, column 271, regarding parliamentary questions, if he will list the dates on which his answers were subsequently clarified by means of written questions. [28852]

This is a matter of public record.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many meetings he has had with representatives of Amway in the last three months. [28320]

None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the non-lethal equipment which has been supplied to Nigeria by United Kingdom companies since December 1993; who was the United Kingdom supplier company of that equipment; what was the value of that equipment in current prices; what was the date an export licence was granted for that equipment; and under which military list specification the licence was granted. [26556]

I can add nothing to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) on 10 May, Official Report, columns 517–18. It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to disclose particulars of defence trade with other countries or details of export licences or applications for export licences.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade to which west African countries goods defined as ML 6 in group 1 of part III of schedule 1 of SI 1992 No. 3092 and group 1 of part III of schedule 1 of SI 1994 No. 1191 have been exported since December 1993. [26555]

It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to disclose particulars of defence trade with other countries.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the companies to which export licences were granted for the export of electronic batons in 1992. [27660]

No licences were granted for these goods in 1992.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the Office of Fair Trading the practice of water utilities demanding payment of water rates in advance of water being delivered. [28712]

I have drawn the right hon. Gentleman's question to the attention of the Director General of Water Services, who is responsible for regulating the commercial activities of the water utilities in England and Wales.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the grant for the consumers in Europe group in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [28306]

The consumers in Europe group is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via its grant in aid to the National Consumer Council. The grant allocation to the CEG in each of the last five years was:

Year	£
1990–91	156,466
1991–92	157,874
1992–93	175,749

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current civil service grade and salary of Ms Clare Spottiswoode, the Ofgas regulator. [27664]

Ms Clare Spottiswoode is not a civil servant. Her salary as Director General of Gas Supply was determined under the provisions of the Gas Act 1986.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he intends to announce his decision as to the proposed new salary of Mrs. Clare Spottiswoode, the Ofgas regulator; [27665](2) what

Details of the revised remuneration package agreed with the Director General of Gas Supply, Ms Spottiswoode, were given in the answer to my hon. Friend the member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 13 June 1995, Official Report, columns 451–52.At present, Ms Spottiswoode does not hold any non-executive directorships.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list all private mining companies which have received grant assistance for investment with permission granted by the European Union Energy Commission under decision No. 2064/86/ECSC; and on what dates the grants were paid; [28855](2) on what date grant disbursement was made to United Kingdom private mines listed in the European Union press release on 13 December 1994

Having consulted my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales, I confirm that all the private mining companies which have been authorised to receive investment aid under decision No. 2064/86/ECSC are given in the European Commission's press release dated 13 December 1994.Payments against the offers of grant are released by instalments depending upon the capital investment made and jobs created.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many (a) assaults on postal delivery workers and (b) thefts involving the Royal Mail took place in the SE3, SE7, SE10, SE13 and SE18 postal districts in each of the last five years. [27005]

In the interests of staff and mail security, it is Post Office policy not to disclose such information.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for South Hams, dated 27 February, about the inspection of radio equipment by British Telecom engineers; and what are the reasons for the time taken to reply. [27077]

The Department has no record of having received my hon. Friend's letter. I suggest that he writes to me again and I will ensure that the matter he raises is looked into as speedily as possible.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) which organisations and companies his Department has consulted with regard to directive 76/768/EEC, as amended by the sixth amendment 93/35/EEC; what was the nature of the consultation; and what discussions have taken place on the cost to the industry of implementing the directive as amended, and the effect it will have on jobs and profitability of the companies involved; [28547](2) if he will ensure that the draft regulations to implement in the United Kingdom directive 76/768/EEC, amended by a sixth amendment, directive 93/35/EEC, do not impose obligations not required by the directive; and when he hopes to publish the draft regulation on the cost of enforcement and the result of the compliance cost assessment investigations. [28533]

Preliminary consultations on the implementation of directive 93/35/EEC have taken place with industry, trade associations, Government Departments and animal welfare groups. Full consultation on draft regulations to implement the directive, together with a compliance cost assessment is planned for the autumn. It is not my intention to impose any obligations on companies beyond those introduced by the directive.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the economic impact of the increased level of resources which he has made available for export credits. [27050]

Since 1992, the ECGD has issued around £11 billion of guarantees for project and capital goods exports. This compares with around £6 billion of guarantees issued in the previous three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many textile mills in Yorkshire are currently being considered for listing; and if he will name them. [27390]

There are currently no proposals before me concerning the listing of textile mills in Yorkshire. English Heritage is, however, undertaking a national thematic study of textile mills. It has recently published the results of the study for the Greater Manchester area for public consultation and work is well under way in respect of mills in Yorkshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many textile mills in Yorkshire are listed buildings; and if he will list them. [27391]

Until the statutory lists are computerised next year, a comprehensive list of textile mills in Yorkshire which are listed as being of special architectural or historic interest is not readily available. However, I have today placed in the Library a copy of a list of 106 mills and associated buildings in the country which are listed.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list those who have been officially invited to attend the opening of Brodsworth hall, near Doncaster in July. [28279]

Brodsworth hall, South Yorkshire, is to be opened formally on Wednesday 5 July following five years' extensive restoration. I have today placed in the Library a copy of the list of those who have been invited to the official opening.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give the net value and percentage of the civil legal aid budget spent on (a) personal injury claims, (b) multi-party actions and (c) industrial injury claims for each year since 1991. [27988]

Information on the cost of multi-party actions is not recorded separately and is, therefore, not available. The net cost and proportion of civil legal spent on personal injury claims and accidents at work in respect of all cases closed in each year since 1990–91 was as follows:

	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94
£ million
All cases	143.5	198.3	273.5	363.8
All personal injury
cases	8.6	13.9	22.3	38.0
Accidents at work	2.9	3.9	5.4	6.6
Percentages
Percentage of personal injury/all	6	7	8	10
Percentage of accidents at work/all	2	2	2	2

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will refer legal aid claims for mucous membrane disease to the multi-party actions committee; and if he will make a statement. [27987]

It is the responsibility of Legal Aid Board to decide whether a case is suitable for referral to the board's multi-party actions committee. The board has decided that this case is not suitable.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he last met the Legal Aid Board to discuss multi-party action. [27989]

I am in frequent contact with the board about various matters, including multi-party actions.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of primary legislation is readily available (a) to hon. Members and (b) to the general public in its current amended form. [27658]

Approximately one third of primary legislation is available to hon. Members and to the general public in its current amended form.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will examine the reply from the courts agency to the letter from the right hon. Member for Worthing regarding the Court Service; and if he will investigate why a copy of the court judgment has still not been produced. [28711]

The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer, and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply directly to the right hon. Member.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) how many copies of the publication "Looking at Local Court's Charter" were produced; [27431](2) what was the cost to public funds of the publication "Looking at a Local Court's Charter". [27430]

The publication was developed by a group of senior managers in the Magistrates' Courts Service and 750 copies were produced at a cost of £11,241. Most have been distributed to the 105 magistrates' courts committees, who are responsible locally for the management of magistrates courts. The remainder is held by the Central Council for Magistrates' Court Committees against any further requests for copies.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when Lord Woolf's report on the civil justice system will be published. [29407]

Lord Woolf's interim report on his access to justice inquiry will be published tomorrow, and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by region the average rent levels for local authority dwellings for each local authority in 1995–96; what were the increases on 1994–95 levels and the average figures for each region; and what was the average rent level for local authority dwellings for the whole of England for 1995–96 and the increase on the 1994–95 average level. [27011]

I have today placed in the Library a table showing provisional 1995–96 average weekly rents for each housing authority in England and averages for all regions and for England, together with the increases these represent on 1994–95 average rents.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will bring forward proposals to improve hazard warning arrangements at privately owned bathing beaches and adjacent waters in England and Wales; [27255](2) If he will bring forward proposals to improve hazard warning arrangements for bathers in waters close to shore where trawling with nets is known to occur. [27526]

[holding answer 6 June 1995]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has no powers to deal with these matters. Local authorities can, subject to the approval of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department make byelaws regulating boating activities within 1,000 m of the high water mark. Within the areas, for which they are responsible, harbour authorities can regulate navigation. Commercial fishing activities are regulated in England and Wales by local sea fisheries committees. Subject to the general law on liability, sea bathing is undertaken at the bather's own risk.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the list of possible special areas of conservation for (a) rivers, (b) active raised bogs, (c) intertidal areas straddling the land sea divide, (d) otter, lutra lutra, (e) great crested newt, (f) fan moss and (h) oligotropic waters in medio European and perialpine areas with amphibious vegetation will be published for consultation. [28451]

Additional SSSI notification work is required before we can consult on riverine possible special areas of conservation, further active raised bog and blanket bog sites and some intertidal areas. Additional scientific and survey work is currently in progress to identify suitable sites for the otter, great crested newt, freshwater pearl mussel and fen moss. The nature conservation agencies are also considering whether more sites are required to represent oligotrpic waters in medio European and perialpine areas with amphibious vegetation in addition to those on which we have already consulted. I hope that a further consultation exercise will take place later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans there are for Orton Brick pit site in Peterborough to be proposed for submission as a special area of conservation under the EU habitats and species directive. [28450]

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in his reply to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 31 March 1995, Official Report, columns 834–35, the nature conservation agencies are in the process of carrying out further survey work before recommending possible special areas of conservation for the great crested newt to Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if all powers, including reserve powers, currently available to the National Rivers Authority, will be transferred fully to the Environment Agency. [28250]

The Environment Agency, which will be established by the Environment Bill currently progressing through our House, will carry out all of the current functions of the National Rivers Authority, together with the functions of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and local waste regulation authorities. The powers available to the NRA will transfer to the agency subject to certain changes to reflect the broader functions of the agency, and to facilitate its effective operation through rationalisation of similar provisions between the existing regimes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the powers available to the National Rivers Authority under schedule 25 of the Water Resources Act 1991, to make bylaws on navigation without navigation authorities, will be transferred fully to the Environment Agency. [28249]

Schedule 18 of the Environment Bill, which is currently before our House, transfers to the Environment Agency the byelaw-making powers of the NRA under schedule 25 of the Water Resources Act 1991 without change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies are available to him on the environmental impact of genetically engineered crops designed to be resistant to herbicides; and what evidence there is of potential prejudice to the environment arising from their use. [28454]

Under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992, the release or marketing of genetically modified organisms, including GM crops resistant to herbicides, is subject to prior consent. Advice is given on applications for consent by an independent committee of experts, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, which brings scientific knowledge to the Secretary of State on the impact of GM crops.Information is also available from research programmes on the release of GM crops carried out by the Department of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and the Scottish Office of Agriculture and Fisheries Department.Current scientific information and our experience to date has not given cause for concern in terms of adverse effects on the environment from the release of GM crop plants resistant to herbicides. We will continue to use such information and the advice of ACRE in the review of applications to release GM organisms, including herbicide resistant crops, in order to assess their environmental impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he proposes to issue under part II of the Environment Bill [Lords] in respect of contaminated land as to (a) the extent of clean-up required, (b) who will set the standards, (c) determining who owns what, (d) determining who cleans up what and (e) determining who pays for what; and if he will make a statement. [28243]

Clause 54 of the present draft of the Environment Bill which amends the Environmental Protection Act 1990 gives powers to the Secretary of State to issue guidance related to contaminated land as follows:

(References are to draft sections of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as introduced in the House of Commons and amended in Committee).

S.78A(2) Guidance on the manner of determining whether land is "contaminated land" within the meaning of the Act.

S.78A(8) Guidance on what harm is significant and whether pollution of controlled waters is being or is likely to be caused.

S.78B(2) Guidance on the inspection of an area and on the identification of contaminated land and special sites.

S.78D(6) Guidance on remediation—what is to be done, standards of remediation, "reasonableness" in relation to cost and seriousness.

S.78E(4) Guidance on determining the "appropriate person" on whom to serve a remediation notice where there are two or more persons potentially liable.

S.78J(2) Guidance on the recovery of remediation costs and on hardship in this context.

S.78K(4) Guidance to the Agency on inspection of special sites and termination of special site status.

S.78NN Guidance on the exercise of the Agency's powers and duties.

A draft of the guidance on the definition and identification of contaminated land has already been issued. That guidance will be revised in the light of comments received and along with the rest of the guidance listed above will be subject to wide formal consultation as required by clause 54 in creating draft section 78R of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In addition, section 78N provides for site-specific guidance from the appropriate agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will refer back the case for unitary status for South Hams to the Local Government Commission, following the referendum on the future of the district. [28545]

We are considering which districts should be reviewed afresh by the Local Government Commission and will announce our decision shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of parliamentary questions which would have been answered directly by him or his Ministers prior to the establishment of executive agencies, are now referred to the chief executive of such an agency. [28493]

Ministers are accountable to Parliament for all matters concerning their agencies. Written parliamentary questions concerning matters which have been delegated to the chief executive of an executive agency in its framework document, normally receive a reply from the Minister to the effect that he or she has asked the chief executive to reply direct to the Member by letter. The chief executive's letter is published in Hansard after the Minister's reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was (a) the number of his Department's homelessness acceptances and (b) the number of houses in multiple occupation in each local authority area in England, in the most recent year for which figures are available. [28666]

A table is in the Library giving the numbers reported by local authorities in England of homeless households for which they accepted responsibility to secure permanent accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act in 1994.Information on the numbers of houses in multiple occupation in each local authority is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the increase in employment on Merseyside to date as a result of its objective 1 status within the European Union. [28701]

It is too early to tell. We are only just starting to receive grant claims from those carrying out capital projects. Monitoring and evaluation systems to inform the objective 1 partnership are being designed and put in place to provide information on outputs, including jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the indicative allocations to Government offices for the regions in respect of the second round of the single regeneration budget challenge fund. [29083]

The indicative allocations to Government offices for the regions for the first two years of round 2 of the challenge fund are shown in the table, expressed in terms of bands. These figures relate to the current total provision of £240 million for 1996–97 and 1997–98—that is, for £40 million in 1996–97 and £200 million in 199798. The sums available to support approved round 2 schemes in later years are subject to annual public expenditure decisions. The final allocations will depend upon Minister's decisions on the bids submitted for support in response to the bidding guidance issued on 12 April 1995, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

Region	£ million
London	60–65
South East	12–15
Eastern	3–5
South West	6–8
East Midlands	9–12
West Midlands	20–24
Merseyside	14–17
North West	28–32
Yorks and Humberside	30–34
North East	28–32

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out, on the latest available figures, by company (a) the money received from the sale of the Property Services Agency and (b) the cost of redundancy and early retirement following the sale of the agency. [28394]

[holding answer 14 June 1995]: Six Property Services Agency businesses were sold. The information requested is as follows:

(a) Money received from the sale1
£ million
Building Management businesses (BM)	(i) From purchases (including some phased payments)	(ii) From recovery of trade debts3
PSA Projects	2-49.6	55.0
SE/S and W	10.4	69.4
Scotland	3.5	11.2

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will report on the outcome of the meetings of the Commission on Sustainable Development in April this year and of the governing council of the United Nations Environment Programme in May. [29351]

I attended the high level segments of both meetings. The Commission on Sustainable Development reached agreement on the establishment of an intergovernmental panel on the protection and sustainable management of the world's forests. The CSD also provided ample evidence of the efforts being made across the world at national and local levels to implement agenda 21. A number of countries, including the United Kingdom, made presentations of their experience in developing a national strategy for sustainable development. Copies of the United Kingdom's report to the CSD were presented and copies have been placed in the Library.The governing council of the United Nations Environment Programme approved a refocused work programme and agreed to continue its mandate as the world's environment voice. The United Kingdom was instrumental in setting in train a review of UNEP's

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library (a) copies of report produced as part of the prior options reviews of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Driving Standards Agency and the Vehicle Certification Agency evaluating the performance of each agency during its first few years and (b) copies of the agencies' revised framework documents. [29349]

Copies of these documents have now been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an announcement about the report of the efficiency scrutiny of the Department of Transport's traffic area network. [29350]

The report of the efficiency scrutiny will be presented on 16 June. I will place a copy in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the cost to the economy of traffic congestion in Newbury. [27051]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the safety and structural integrity of the older rolling stock used on lines with third rail electrification following recent railway accidents in the south-east. [28321]

There is no question of older rolling stock being inherently unsafe. Part I of the report of the inquiry into the recent accident near Cowden, Kent, published last week, recommended a programme of research into the practicability of improving the crashworthiness of certain designs of rolling stock. British Rail is considering this recommendation and will respond to the Health and Safety Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position on the replacement of rolling stock on Network SouthEast. [28449]

Following the series of Networker and Networker Turbo orders of recent years, 164 Networker Express vehicles are currently under construction by ABB for replacement of rolling stock in the former NSE area. I understand that, in response to BR's recent invitation to tender for further replacement vehicles, non-compliant responses were received. The three passenger rolling stock leasing companies, which are to be sold later this year, will seek commercial opportunities for the further replacement of stock as it becomes life-expired.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ross, Cromarty and Skye (Mr. Kennedy) of 23 March, Official Report, columns 318–19, if he has yet received from the franchising director the proposed criteria for determining appropriate service specifications for loss-making services; and if he will arrange for their publication in due course. [28836]

The franchising director is developing these criteria. When they have been approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the evacuation procedures for ro-ro ferries and high-speed catamaran passenger craft using British ports. [28709]

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 how many passengers can be carried by the largest high-speed catamaran passenger craft operating from a United Kingdom port. [28708]

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 what evaluation he has undertaken of the likely effects on (a) night-time noise levels and (b) levels of particulate matter in the ambient air of his Department's proposals to abolish the London night-time and weekend lorry ban. [28667]

The clear intention of our proposals to enhance the London lorry ban is to improve noise and emission levels. The extent of any improvement has not been formally assessed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all areas within (a) his Department, (b) agencies under his Department's control and (c) organisations for which he has ministerial responsibility to which Crown immunity applies; what consideration he has given to removing this; and if he will make a statement. [28645]

The Department and its executive agencies act on behalf of the Crown, and are therefore not bound except where there are statutory provision to this effect or necessary implication. Non-departmental public bodies for which I have responsibilities are not part of the Crown and do not benefit from Crown immunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by his Department in each of the past five years; how many of these were not answered because the information (a) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, (b) was not held centrally and (c) was not normally disclosed; how many of these could now be answered due to computerisation, more effective and efficient operational systems or more open government; and if he will list each question along with the name and constituency of the right hon. or hon. Member who originally tabled it.

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of parliamentary questions, which would have been answered directly by him or his Ministers prior to the establishment of executive agencies, are now referred to the chief executive of such an agency. [28495]

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what study his Department has made into the rival merits of steel and concrete as barriers in motorways; and if he will make a statement. [28295]

This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked its chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if incident reports of emergencies aboard North sea oil rigs have been marked not for public reference by (a) the Coastguard Agency or (b) his Department; [27891](2) how many staff are employed at the auxiliary coastguard station in the Outer Skerries and how many of these staff are fully trained in cliff-rescue; [27879](3) what assessment he had made of the improvements to safety which would be afforded by a dedicated operator covering the 2182 frequency if incidents involving man overboard are classified as a mayday situation; and if he will make a statement; [27889](4) how the coastguard emergency trailer operated by the auxiliary coastguard station in the Outer Skerries is moved; and if the private vehicles owned by auxiliary coastguards are insured for moving the trailer; [27881](5) if, during the incident off St. Kilda involving the vessel Aeolus there was an immediate scramble of search and rescue units; if the policy being advocated by Falmouth marine rescue co-ordination centre in respect of the number of hits validated was actioned; what delay occurred to the search and rescue response; if the mayday was received on the VHF distress frequency; and at what time the lifeboat was launched; [27885](6) if he will list the incidents requiring coastguard assistance involving oil rigs in the North sea for each of the last five years; [27890](7) what estimate he has made of how long it would take

These are operational matters for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the distress frequency on 2182 kHz; and if he will make a statement; [28126](2) what were the staffing levels of coastguard services and the total budget given to coastguard services for rescue services, including equipment allowances in each year since 1979; and what was the cost in each year per person assisted; [28125](3) how many incidents at sea were reported; and how many people were rescued by coastguard services in each year since 1986. [28124]

These are operational matters for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many similar exercises have taken place following the FEREX 86 ferry exercise; how many passengers were involved in each exercise and what proportion of them were able-bodied; how long it took for all passengers to reach the lifeboats in each exercise; and how long it took for each evacuation to be completed; [28707](2) how many passengers were evacuated in the ferry exercise FEREX 86; how many of these were able-bodied and how long it took

These are operational matters for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of British Rail rolling stock was (a) less than five years old, (b) between six and 10 years old, (c) between 11 and 20 years old, (d) between 21 and 30 years old and (e) over 30 years old as of 1 January.

Information in the form requested is not readily available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is his estimate of the loss of revenue to the Exchequer resulting from the special tax rules contained in paragraph 11, schedule 24 to the Finance Act 1994, as applied to the transfer of shares from the British Railways Board to a private franchise; [28668](2) what is his estimate of the loss of revenue to the Exchequer resulting from the special tax rules contained in paragraph 8, schedule 24 to the Finance Act 1994, as applied to the transfer of shares from the British Railways Board capital gains tax group to a private franchise; [28669](3) what is his estimate of the loss of revenue to the Exchequer resulting from the decision to exempt the transfer of shares from the British Railways Board to a private franchise from value added tax. [28670]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the shipping companies in receipt of financial assistance from the Government. [27863]

This information is available only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what targets have been set for the Central Office of Information in 1995–96. [29536]

The Central Office of Information has five key targets for the 1995–96 financial year. They are:

(i) to break even in modified historical cost terms after recovering all costs, including interest on borrowings;

(ii) to achieve a 3 per cent. reduction in unit cost of output in real terms, while maintaining suitable levels of quality;

(iii) to equal or better the proportion of work delivered in accordance with client specification during 1994–95;

(iv) to equal or better the proportion of work delivered on time during 1994–95; and

(v) to achieve an average score of 7.9 out of 10 for the COI customer satisfaction index.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to publish the Government's detailed response to the recommendations of the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life to which he referred in his oral answer of 12 June, Official Report, column 495. [29156]

Before the summer recess, as I told the House on 18 May, Official Report, column 493.