To ask the Attorney-General what information he has concerning the progress of inquiries, indictments and prosecutions in the United States of America in cases concerning the collapse of Ferranti/ISC. [4242]

The Serious Fraud Office has been informed by the authorities in the USA that James Guerin was sentenced on 10 June 1992 to 15 years in prison. Since that date six other defendants have entered

To ask the Attorney-General, what was the total staff establishment of the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales by each grade; and how many (a) in total and (b) from each grade were from an ethnic minority in (i) 1989 and (ii) 1995. [3651]

Information of the ethnic origin of Crown Prosecution Service staff in each grade is not available for 1989. The earliest available comprehensive breakdown of staff in post by grade and ethnic origin is August 1991, following the Department's first ethnic monitoring survey of all staff. The tables therefore provide the total staff establishment and numbers of ethnic minority staff in each grades as at (i) 31 August 1991 and (ii) 30 September 1995.

To ask the Attorney-General how much capital expenditure is forecast to be included in the private finance initiative for the current financial year and the next five financial years. [3838]

The Departments for which I am responsible have no capital expenditure included in the private finance initiative for the current financial year. Use of the PFI is considered for projects where appropriate. It is not possible to say how much expenditure is likely to be financed under the PFI over the next five years.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will list for each scheme so far agreed under the private finance initiative (a) capital and (b) revenue costs to public funds (i) under the PFI and (ii) estimated to have been incurred had the scheme been funded wholly within the public sector. [3805]

To date, the Law Officers' departments have not used the private finance initiative for the funding of any schemes. However, use of the PFI is being considered for future projects where appropriate.

To ask the Prime Minister what was (a) the date and (b) the purpose of each visit paid by his predecessor to Switzerland between 1979 and 1990; and if he will list the engagements undertaken. [4361]

My predecessor has visited Switzerland on an official basis only once. She paid the first ever official visit to Switzerland by a British Prime Minister in office on 20–21 September 1990. The purpose of the visit was to discuss Swiss relations with the European Community, European Security Architecture and the Gulf crisis.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what representations he has received from the Government of the United States concerning the Scott inquiry; [4360](2) what representations either written or oral he has received from the Government of Switzerland concerning the Scott inquiry; [4362](3) what representations he has received from the Government of Belgium, either orally or in writing, concerning the Scott inquiry. [4243]

As far as I am aware, none.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many flu vaccinations have been given (a) so far this year and (b) in the same period last year. [3767]

Information on the number of influenza vaccinations given at any point of time is not available. The total number of doses of influenza vaccine distributed so far this influenza season is just over 6 million. Comparable data for the previous year are not available, but 6.1 million doses were eventually distributed by the end of the 1994–95 influenza season.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the cost of care in medium secure units for patients discharged from special hospitals; and what are the arrangements for the financing of this continuing care; [356](2) how many patients from special hospitals are expected to be discharged in

District health authorities are responsible for meeting the costs of care for special hospital patients who require continuing health care including care in conditions of medium security. The costs of such care will depend on the facilities provided and the clinical needs of the patient.Information on the district of residence of special hospital patients and the anticipated number of discharges from the three special hospitals is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the Special Hospitals Service Authority which is responsible for managing the special hospitals, about these matters.The impact of special hospital discharges on medium secure units is a matter for consideration by the managers of each unit and the health authorities that purchase its services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by health authority region the number of (a) deaths from and (b) suspected cases of Creutzfeldt Jakob disease expected in each of the last five years. [3663]

Information on the number of deaths and referrals in each regional health authority from 1 May 1990 to 30 November 1995 will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) commissioned (b) evaluated as to the effectiveness of alpha-interferon in the treatment of hepatitis C. [3760]

The national health service standing group on health technology has identified the evaluation of the use of alpha-interferon in the treatment of hepatitis C as a top priority for research. The standing group's recommendations include work to assess the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of alpha-interferon in the early treatment of hepatitis C, and its use in the prevention of relapse. In addition the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, is currently considering a proposal for research on one particular aspect of the treatment of hepatitis C. My Department is also considering further research priorities relating to hepatitis C.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths have resulted from meningitis in each health district of West Yorkshire in each year since 1990. [3696]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what fee appliance contractors get for the provision of an appliance under the NHS; what fee a pharmacist gets for the provision of a similar appliance under NHS provision; what consideration has been given to altering the system; and if he will make a statement. [3612]

Appliance contractors are paid between 15.8 per cent. and 25 per cent. of the cost of the appliance depending on the volume dispensed plus a fee of between 2p and 78p depending of the type of appliance. Pharmacy contractors are paid a basic fee of either 85p or 94.6p plus and additional fee of between 69p and £1.97, according to the type of appliance and its cost. Pharmacy contractors can also be paid a professional allowance once they reach a monthly threshold of prescriptions dispensed and an additional fee for every expensive items. The Department keeps these systems of payment under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by the tobacco industry on advertising by means of (a) press advertising, (b) outdoors (billboard) advertising, (c) shop front and point of sale advertising and (d) direct mail in 1994–95. [3981]

Information provided by the tobacco industry to assist in monitoring the voluntary agreement on tobacco products advertising and promotion is commercial in confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has carried out into the effects of the voluntary agreements on tobacco advertising and sponsorship. [3978]

The Committee for Monitoring Agreements on Tobacco Adverting and Sponsorship—COMATAS—was established to monitor both the voluntary agreement on tobacco products' advertising and promotion and the voluntary agreement on sponsorship of sport by tobacco companies in the United Kingdom. This committee reports annually on the progress and operation

The information is shown in the table.The deaths data up to 1992 for England and Wales represent the number of deaths registered for each year while deaths from 1993 represent the number of deaths which occurred in each year. Also, new procedures for coding cause of death from 1993, and the absence of medical inquiries, mean that figures for 1993 onwards may not be exactly comparable with earlier years. For most conditions however, including all meningitis, these effects are small. More details may be found in "OPCS Series DH2" for 1993, which was published in October 1995; copies of which are available in the Library.of the voluntary agreements. The eighth report of COMATAS was published on 18 July this year, and copies are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the documents agreeing the type and level of service to be provided by the healthcare group under the PFI to South Buckinghamshire NHS trust. [4082]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) on 4 December at columns 43–44.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much capital expenditure is forecast to be included in the private finance initiative for the current financial year and the next five financial years. [3827]

I refer the hon. Member to table 6.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1996–97" which was laid before the House on 28 November 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each scheme so far agreed under the private finance initiative (a) capital and (b) revenue costs to public funds (i) under the PFI and (iii) estimated to have been incurred had the scheme been funded wholly within the public sector. [3815]

The private finance initiative will further develop our excellent record of co-operation with the private sector and ensure new national health service capital schemes are provided promptly and run efficiently, for the benefit of all NHS patients. Before any PFI scheme with significant expenditure consequences for the NHS is approved, a business case is produced a demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the proposal and assess the public spending implications. Approval to PFI schemes is given only if the business case demonstrates that a PFI approach increases the cost-effectiveness of the scheme for the NHS and if any expenditure implications are affordable to NHS purchasers. The specific information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the difference in cost to the NHS between the licensed morning-after pill and the pharmacologically equivalent oral contraceptive; and if he will make a statement. [4106]

Information on the prices of oral contraceptives, including the morning-after pill, is in the latest edition of "British National Formulary", copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many executive directors of NHS trusts received annual salaries of more than £90,000 and £100,000 in (a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96; and if he will list each trust giving an annual salary of more than £100,000 to its executive directors in each of these years. [4458]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave her on 28 November at column 604.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when an announcement will be made regarding access by state registered chiropodists to a restricted group of prescription only medicines, following the submission of proposals by the chiropodists' board of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine earlier this year. [3279]

This proposal is currently being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what date the revised medicines advice leaflet, "MAL 8" draft 3, dated 30 October, was forwarded to (a) the British Herbal Medicine Association and (b) the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy; and if he will make a statement on the treatment of these organisations in respect of his policy regarding consultation with the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy;[4114](2) if he will list all those organisations which have so far been consulted about the medicines advice leaflet, "MAL 8", draft 3, dated 30 October; and if he will list the dates of meetings which officials of his Department have had with each of those organisations. [4115]

The Medicines Control Agency—MCA—has discussed the contents of Leaflet MAL 8 with the Aromatherapy Trades Council—ATC—the British Herbal Manufacturers' Association—BHMA—the Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association—CTPA—the Council for Responsible Nutrition—CRN—the Health Food Manufacturers' Association—HFMA—the Natural Medicines Association UK Ltd.—NMA—and the Proprietary Association of Great Britain—PAGB.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the procedure for trusts being reimbursed for the treatment of patients injured in road traffic accidents.[4343]

The level of charges is periodically reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total amount of claims made by all NHS hospitals in real terms under section 157 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the relationship between the amount claimed and the amount that could be claimed if all claims were submitted by every trust.[4341]

Information on the number of claims is not available centrally. All national health service hospitals are empowered to collect charges under section 157 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of high dependency units and intensive care units in each NHS region in each of the last five years. [4340]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to restrict the present list of colostomy bags available on the NHS or their availability on the NHS or their availability free of charge to patients. [4347]

None. People who have a permanent fistula are exempt from prescription charges, and this includes people who use colostomy bags.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total cost to the NHS in each of the last five years of treating patients with injuries resulting from road traffic accidents. [4342]

This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated in each of the last five years for injuries caused by road traffic accidents. [4344]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of hospitals do not use ultrasound scans while carrying out amniocentesis on pregnant women. [4338]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the miscarriage risk of amniocentesis (a) with and (b) without ultrasound; and if he will make a statement. [4339]

The Department has not made any estimates of the miscarriage risk with or without ultrasound of amniocentesis.This is a clinical matter and as such a matter for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The Department of Health has asked the RCOG to consider this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the issue of HSG(92)91 to health authorities; and what information is to be collated by this guidance; [4232](2) what information is retained by his Department in respect of HSG(92)91; [4233](3) if the appropriate bodies within the national health service have supplied the information they are obliged to under HSG(92)91; and what action his Department has taken in respect of those authorities not complying with this guidance. [4234]

HSG(92)21, issued in March 1992, required regional health authorities to establish a health information service for the public in their region from 1 April 1992, accessible by an 0345 telephone line. In January 1993, these regional services became the national health information service, accessible by the public through an 0800 telephone line. All regional health authorities established a service and continue to run them as required by the guidelines.The health information service is required to provide information about local services, patients charter standards, waiting times, common diseases and conditions, how to complain about NHS services and maintaining and improving health.The Department holds information about the cost of and numbers of calls to the health information service.

The information available centrally is shown in the table. This information covers only admissions to hospital.Revised guidelines, HSG(95)44, issued on 18 September 1995, supersede HSG(92)21 and should be implemented by health authorities from April 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has given to representatives of placing local authorities about communicating concerns about poor practice in unregistrable children's homes to area local authorities. [4283]

LAC(93)16, copies of which are available in the Library, advises that authorities placing children in homes in a different area must inform the geographical authority about the placement and that authority should inform themselves about the welfare of those children.The guidance "Working Together Under the Children Act 1989" issues to local authorities advises that where abuse by a member of staff in a children's home is suspected the local social services department should be informed immediately.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ministerial visits have been undertaken by each Minister in his Department between 6 July and 1 December; and how many and what percentage of these have involved the Minister travelling abroad. [4235]

The information is shown in the table:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the total amount paid in legal aid; what was the total amount of (a) individual recipients and (b) other recipients in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [4039]

Unfortunately, in the time available, it has not proved possible to collate the required data. I shall write to the hon. and learned Member as soon as possible.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will introduce powers to prevent bailiffs from seizing assets in excess of 1000 per cent. of the original debt. [3467]

A debtor aggrieved by irregularity in the execution of a warrant, which can include excessive seizure, has a right to sue for damages. Further regulation of bailiffs is being considered in the context of the review of the organisation and management of civil enforcement agents.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the working group on the enforcement of financial penalties was set up by his Department; what were its terms of reference; and who constitutes the membership. [3431]

The first meeting of the working group on the enforcement of financial penalties was on 19 May 1995. Its terms of reference are urgently to identify ways of improving the enforcement of financial penalties, including fines, compensation orders and confiscation orders, so as to reduce the level of financial penalties in arrears and the level of write-offs, and in particular: to establish the true level and nature of financial penalties in arrears; to promote the identification and wider application of "good practice" in the enforcement of financial penalties, taking note as appropriate of the work of the inspectorate in this area; to recommend procedural, administrative or legislative changes which would improve the enforcement of financial penalties; and to conduct or sponsor further research, if necessary, into the enforcement of financial penalties.The membership is as specified in the written answer of 19 July 1995,

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions a warrant of distress under section 76 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 was applied for in the case of those defendants who were jailed for fine default during 1994.[3439]

The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions an application was made to the High Court or county court for enforcement under section 87 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, in cases of those defendants who were jailed for fine default during 1994. [3440]

The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for each scheme so far agreed under the private finance initiative (a) capital and (b) revenue costs to public funds (i) under the PFI and (ii) estimated to have been incurred had the scheme been funded wholly within the public sector. [3816]

For the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service and the Public Trust Office, no such schemes have yet been approved.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much capital expenditure is forecast to be included in the private finance initiative for the current year and the next five financial years. [3839]

For the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service and the Public Trust Office, it is forecast that the capital expenditure to be sought from the private sector within the private finance initiative will be nil in 1995–96, £10 million in 1996–97, £29 million in 1997–98, £35 million in 1998–99, £27 million in 1999–2000 and £28 million in 2000–01. There are also 49 magistrates' court building schemes planned for the next five financial years, for which local authorities will need to seek private finance.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 29 and 30 November; and if he will make a statement. [4847]

This meeting of the Council took no formal decisions.The Council again considered the Commission's proposal to alter the calculation of the additional set-aside that farmers are required to make, in the following year, when the regional base area for arable crops has been exceeded. Other member states were prepared to accept a package of amendments to the proposal, one of which was that additional set-aside of less than 1 per cent., should not apply in 1996. I made clear that I did not support this element, because it would illogically discriminate against farmers in areas where the additional requirement fell just the other side of the line.There was a further discussion of the Commission's proposal for changes to the support system for fruit and vegetables. The Council reached no conclusions and will return to the subject at its next meeting.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the certificate of competence scheme for the purchase of organophosphorus sheep dips. [4848]

Following advice from the Veterinary Products Committee, new restrictions on the sale of organophosphorus sheep dips were introduced in 1994. A requirement that such dips may be purchased only by persons holding, or employing someone who holds, a certificate of competence in their use came fully into effect on 1 April this year. I have now set in hand a review to assess the effectiveness of the scheme. The views of a wide range of interests are currently being sought on this land and other aspects of the use of organophosphorus sheep dips. A copy of the consultation letter and circulation list is being placed in the Library of the House.The Veterinary Products Committee will be asked to review the results of the consultation and I expect to receive the further advice of the VPC early next year.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the annual income from (a) fees, (b) charges and (c) fines; what was the total number of staff employed (i) part-time and (ii) full-time: and what contribution his Department has made towards the annual running costs in each of the past three years in respect of (1) the Agricultural Wages Board, (2) the Wine Standards Board, (3) the plant health and seeds inspectorate, (4) the sea fisheries inspectorate, (5) the Animal Health Act inspectors and veterinary inspectorate, (6) the egg marketing inspectorate, (7) the fatstock inspectorate, (8) the horticultural marketing inspectorate, (9) the terrestrial radiological inspectorate, (10) the fisheries radiological inspectorate, (11) the fisheries disease inspectorate and (12) the milk and dairies inspection under ADAS. [2752]

[holding answer 28 November 1995]: The information is as follows:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that full consultation takes place on the draft animal transportation guidelines; and if he will make a statement. [3178]

The consultation package on the new EU rules on animal welfare during transport was sent to some 600 interested organisations and individuals on 23 October. It was drawn up on the basis of preliminary discussions with the major interest groups; we are having further meetings and discussions as the consultation process progresses. Further public consultation will take place on the legal texts which will be drawn up after the present exercise concludes on 15 December.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries of origin of frogs' legs imported by the United Kingdom in (a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and if he will make a statement on the import by the United Kingdom of frogs' legs from Bangladesh in (a) 1993 and (b) 1994. [3204]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 31 October 1995, Official Report, column 225–26. There were no imports of frogs' legs direct from Bangladesh into the UK during 1993 and 1994 or into the EU countries from which the UK imported frogs' legs in 1993 and 1994.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Spanish-owned but British-registered fishing vessels were prevented from fishing in United Kingdom waters under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 now overturned by the European Court; what action was taken against those vessels; how many were subsequently (a) tied up in Britain, (b) tied up in Spain, (c) transferred to Spain to continue fishing and (d) sold to other owners; what investigation has he made into each vessel's claim for compensation; and what records each will be required to produce to substantiate that claim. [3689]

Some 150 vessels were removed from the UK fishing vessel register in 1989. About 95 of these vessels have returned to the UK register or have had their licences placed on other UK-registered vessels. Detailed information is not held on the whereabouts of those vessels which have not returned to the UK register.The issue of whether compensation is payable to vessels removed from the register is awaiting a ruling by the European Court of Justice. The Advocate General, in his opinion of 28 November, was of the view that national Governments are liable to pay damages to individuals where the legislature has passed a national law which is incompatible with Community law, provided that the obligation imposed on the state from which the individual's right is derived is clear. The Advocate General's opinion is not binding, however, and we must await the ruling of the court itself. If the court took a similar view to the Advocate General it would be for the UK courts to determine its application in individual cases.

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the research by Aberdeen university on nitrate levels in lettuces. [3490]

This study at Aberdeen university on the metabolism of dietary nitrate in man is funded by the Ministry and started earlier this year. Preliminary results indicate that nitrate in the diet, which derives mainly from leafy green vegetables, including lettuce, may play a significant role in protecting the body from infection by pathogenic organisms. A full assessment of this work will be made on its completion.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to amend the United Kingdom quota for monkfish to take account of the practicalities of fishing in the English channel. [4013]

For 1996 I propose to support an increase in the total allowable catch and hence the UK quota for monkfish in International Council for the Exploration of the Seas area VII. This includes the English channel.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each scheme so far agreed under the private finance initiative (a) capital and (b) revenue costs to public funds (i) under the PFI and (ii) estimated to have been incurred had the scheme been funded wholly within the public sector. [3817]

Several projects are currently being assessed for their potential but no schemes have so far been agreed under the private finance initiative.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much capital expenditure is forecast to be included in the private finance initiative for the current financial year and the next five financial years. [3822]

I refer the hon. Member to table 6.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1996–97", which was laid before the House on 28 November 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will instruct his officials to hold discussions with the Sanitary Medical Disposal Services Association in respect of the definition of hazardous health care wastes; [3549](2) if he will instruct his officials to have discussions with officials at the Department of Transport to ensure that the definition of infectious waste applied to the transport of infectious waste is identical to the definition of infectious waste applying to the disposal of infectious waste; [3550](3) if he will ensure that the waste management paper No. 23 to be implemented in 1996 will specify that hazardous health care waste should be interpreted to include only notifiable disease waste. [3548]

I know that the Sanitary Medical Disposal Services Association is concerned lest developments in the regulation fo health care wastes might damage its members' business. The association can at any time initiate new discussions with my Department. The association may also wish to comment on the Health and Safety Commission's draft revised version of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 1994. Consultation among Departments would depend to some extent on the nature of the association's concerns. But since I wish to minimise inconvenience to business and to ensure proper arrangements for environmental protection and health and safety, my Department will in any case consult further with the Department of Transport. If alterations in the UK statute were the right course, that would be done in the normal way: waste management papers cannot alter statute or the rules of statutory interpretation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff were employed in the employment medical advisory service of the Health and Safety Executive in (a) 1980 (b) 1985 and (c) each of the last five years. [3610]

The table shows the number of staff employed by the employment medical advisory service of the Health and Safety Executive in (a) 1980 (b) 1985 and (c) each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the number of village halls in England (a) in 1979 and (b) at present.[3947]

I understand from Action with Communities in Rural England that the number of village halls in England was (a) 8,350 in 1979 and (b) 8,600 at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to increase the resources available to fund capital projects for charitable village halls. [3946]

The White Paper on Rural England published by my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in October recognised the important role village halls play in small communities. My Department has recently agreed that the Rural Development Commission should increase to £1.15 million the amount it will make available to communities for the construction, renovation or improvement of village halls and community centres during 1995–96.In many cases, funding for capital spending on village halls is administered by the local parish or town council. To fund capital spending a council may use any revenue funds or capital receipts that are available to it or may choose to borrow. The Local Government Act 1972 requires parish and town councils to apply for a specific borrowing approval from the Secretary of State. Borrowing approvals are subject to an overall national limit for each financial year. The national limit for England in 1995–96 was increased to £6.195 million. The national limit for 1996–97 will be announced next February.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to implement European regulation 3254/91; [3916](2) if he will list the countries which under the European Regulation 3254/91 are banned from importing certain furs to the European Union. [3917]

Under EC regulation 3254/91, use of the leghold trap has been banned in the European Union since 1 January 1995. The ban on the import of certain furs was postponed until 1 January 1996. The college of Commissioners intends to submit proposals to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament seeking postponement of the import ban. We will consider these when we see the details.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage change in attendance allowances between 1995–96 and 1996–97 for each local authority in England; and for each local authority, which political party is in control. [3796]

My Department neither collects nor holds information in respect of attendance allowances set by local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the budget for each regional Government office in (a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and what is to be the budget for 1996–97. [4318]

Detailed information about the budgets for the Government office in each region in 1994–95 and 1995–96 is provided in "GO MINIS I", copies of which were placed in the Library in July. The budgets for 1996–97 have not yet been agreed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the number of refugees who will be in need of accommodation following the implementation of the social security orders in January; and what provision he has made to provide emergency accommodation for such refugees. [4074]

[holding answer 5 December 1995]: Following implementation of the Social Security (Persons From Abroad) Miscellaneous Regulations 1995, asylum seekers who apply for asylum after entering the United Kingdom, and those whose applications for asylum have been refused, will have no entitlement to social security benefits and will be expected to make their own arrangements for accommodation while they are in this country. Asylum seekers who meet the statutory homelessness criteria will continue to be eligible for assistance under the homelessness legislation.Under provisions in the Asylum and Immigration Bill, currently before Parliament, the Secretary of State would have the power to specify by order classes of persons requiring leave to enter or 'remain in the United Kingdom who would not be eligible for assistance under the homelessness legislation, and classes of persons who would not be entitled to be allocated council accommodation. We intend to use these powers to align the entitlement to public housing assistance of persons who require leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, including asylum seekers, with their entitlement to social security benefits.Persons who are granted refugee status, or exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom, will continue to be entitled to public housing assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his oral statement on last year's local government finance 30 November, Official Report, columns 1333–39, if the increased resources for education announced by her Majesty's Government will be included in the standard spending assessments for financial year 1996–97; and how many councils who are also local education authorities will have increases in their revenue support grant that will permit them to expand their annual resources on education without reducing the levels of other services provided in 1995–96 or increasing the amount of council time levied in that year. [4178]

[holding answer 5 December 1995]: Education standard spending will increase by 4.5 per cent. in 1996–97. The provisional capping criteria will allow all authorities to increase their spending in line with the increase in their education SSAs. Aggregate external finance, which includes revenue support grant and is not hypothecated, will increase by 2.8 per cent., as against an increase in total standard spending, excluding the provision for local government reorganisation, of 3.1 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the likely reduction in private funding in housing through the private finance initiative as a result of the reduction in funding to housing associations announced in the recent Budget. [4334]

[holding answer 5 December 1995]: An estimate of the private finance which is expected to be attracted by the Housing Corporation's approved development programme will be available in late January, when the programme has been finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much capital expenditure is forecast to be included in the private finance initiative for the current financial year and the next five financial years. [3825]

The projected figures for the years 1995–96 to 1998–99 are set out in the table. Estimates for subsequent years are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each scheme so far agreed under the private finance initiative (a) capital and (b) revenue costs (i) under the PFI and (ii) estimated to have been incurred had the scheme been wholly funded within the public sector. [3820]

The Department of the Environment and its sponsored bodies attracted around £4 billion in private investment in support of its programmes in 1994–95 and expects to increase that figure in 1995–96. This will assist the delivery of a very large number of projects, most notably ones relating to housing, inner cities and regeneration. It is not practicable for the Department to collect detailed information on each project being advanced under private financing arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has received over the last year from individuals and organisations expressing concerns about the ability of Yorkshire Water to supply water, and its investment programmes; and what action he or his officials have taken following such representations. [4214]

A number of representations have been received over the past year from interested parties about various aspects of Yorkshire Water's activities. The Government have announced a review of the lessons to be learnt from this summer's drought and of the action to be taken to enable a sensible balance to be struck between customers' expectations and costs of providing the service and protecting the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) on what dates in the last year he, other Ministerial colleagues or officials have met (a) representatives of Yorkshire Water and (b) the director of Ofwat or Ofwat officials to discuss matters relating to Yorkshire Water; [4215](2) how many representations and on what dates he has received from Ofwat over the past three years, about the ability of Yorkshire Water to supply water to all its customers during periods of drought; and on what dates he or his officials made contact with Yorkshire Water about such representations; and if he will make a statement. [4216]

Ministers have met Yorkshire Water officials on several occasions over the year. There is frequent contact between officials and the Director General of Water Services and his officials. No representations have been made by Ofwat to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment about Yorkshire Water.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will establish an independent public inquiry into all aspects of Yorkshire Water; [4217](2) what plans he has for encouraging Yorkshire Water to invest more in infrastructure to enable it to move water within the region and to repair leaks and maintain pipes. [4218]

A public inquiry would not be appropriate. The performance of Yorkshire Water is a matter for the Director General of Water Services, who has already written to the company about various aspects of its operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ministerial visits have been undertaken by each Minister in his Department between 6 July and I December; and how many and what percentage of these have involved the Minister travelling abroad. [4226]

I undertook 17 ministerial visits between 6 July and 1 December this year, of which one involved travelling outside the United Kingdom. The Secretary of State undertook 29 visits, of which seven involved travelling outside the UK. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside, Earl Ferrers, undertook 10 visits, of which two involved travelling outside the UK. The Minister for Construction, Planning and Energy Efficiency, my hon. Friend the Member for West Hertfordshire (Mr. Jones) undertook 20 visits, of which three involved travelling outside the UK. The Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon Central (Sir Paul Beresford) undertook 16 visits, none of which involved travelling outside the UK. The Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) undertook 20 visits, of which three involved travelling outside the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects to publish the Rucker report on the guarding of MoD establishments; [3333](2) what consultations have so far taken place on the Rucker report. [3334]

Details of our proposals for the future of Defence police and guarding structures are being published today. Copies of the consultative document are being sent to staff associations and trade unions. Copies will also be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the charter of transport facilities for British troops being deployed to Bosnia. [4351]

No transport facilities have been chartered to move British troops to Bosnia as this task is being undertaken by the RAF's air transport force. Two US Navy ships have been chartered to move the equipment for United Kingdom forces. Other shipping will be chartered as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions have been given to the members of the armed forces serving in Bosnia who are in situations where alleged war criminals are present. [4352]

UNPROFOR troops are not mandated to arrest individuals indicted for war crimes by the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. NATO is actively examining how the peace implementation force can help the work of the tribunal, although its principal tasks will be monitoring the ceasefire and the separation forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the rules of engagement for British troops participating in the Bosnian peace implementation force. [4350]

It is not our policy to comment in detail on rules of engagement. However, I can confirm that United Kingdom troops will operate under NATO rules of engagement which will be consistent with the requirement for self-defence and will ensure that they can carry out their mission effectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the titles of each defence cost study report. [4357]

The information requested is contained in the Ministry of Defence memoranda "Front Line First" of 14 July 1994 and "Front Line First—A Year On" of 30 June 1995. Copies of both are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy concerning the recruitment of personnel who have a criminal record for using cannabis; and if he will make a statement. [4353]

All applicants to the armed forces who have a conviction for the sale, possession or abuse of controlled drugs are deemed to be unsuitable for military service.Experimentation with class B "soft" drugs, such as cannabis, is not a bar to entry to the armed forces in itself, but the attitude to drugs is of prime importance. A young person who has used cannabis on a one-off basis will not be automatically rejected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees there are in (a) the armed forces, (b) Ministry of Defence civilian staff, (c) Ministry of Defence agencies and (d) Ministry of Defence contractorised agencies. [4355]

Regular service and civilian personnel strengths are given in table 2.1 of "UK Defence Statistics 1995", a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. Personnel numbers in Defence agencies are given in table 2.20 of the same publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ministerial visits have been undertaken by each Minister in his Department between 6 July and 1 December; and how many and what percentage of these have involved the Minister travelling abroad. [4241]

Ministers carry out many visits in the course of their official duties. During the period in question the numbers of official visits overseas by Defence Ministers were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what actions he has taken to improve his Department's recruitment for the British Army. [4354]

We are conducting a vigorous campaign to increase recruiting to the British Army and plan to spend an additional £5 million on recruit advertising in this financial year. We are also reviewing the planned number and location of Army careers offices to take account of the need for increased recruiting. These recruiting initiatives are matched by additional retention incentives to encourage soldiers to stay longer in the Army. We are also considering other ideas for recruitment to the armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently in receipt of armed service pensions. [4356]

As at 31 October 1995, pensions were being paid to 319,251 people under the armed forces pension scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the annual report on the MoD police, for what reasons a shortfall of 195 posts in the Ministry of Defence police has occurred. [3335]

A manning deficit was maintained by the chief constable to reflect known base closures and anticipated manpower reductions resulting from base security reviews at the time the 1994–95 annual report was published.