To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what consideration the House of Commons Commission has given to the possible safeguards that might be required to protect the future provision of printing services to Parliament in the event of the privatisation of HMSO. [4901]

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: After careful considering of the possible safeguards that might be required to protect the future provision of printing services to Parliament in the event of privatisation of HMSO, the Commission agreed to the following reply which Madam Speaker has sent to the Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons:

You wrote to me on 19 September to notify me of the Government's plan to privatise Her Majesty's Stationery Office, and to ask me what safeguards might be required to enable the House to continue its agreement with HMSO after privatisation. Before sending this reply, I have, as you know, consulted the Finance and Services Committee and my colleagues on the House of Commons Commission. We have also taken the advice of the House officials most directly concerned.

Although the services of HMSO are important throughout the public sector, they are of particularly vital significance to the House of Commons. Unlike Government Departments and agencies, the House places continuous daily demands on HMSO's printing services whenever it is in session. The timely production of the Order Paper, Hansard, bills and other documents—to very tight timetables and generally overnight—is essential to the transaction of parliamentary business: without the necessary documents, the House and its committees simply could not function.

Against this background, you will understand that I and my fellow Commissioners have concerns about the possible consequences, both short and long-term, of privatising a public sector organisation which has, in general, given good and reliable service to the House for most of this century. Our principal concerns, and the safeguards which we think necessary to meet them, may be summarised as follows:

(i) For some time to come the House will continue to be dependent on the Parliamentary Press in South London, with its trained and experienced staff, to ensure the overnight printing of documents to the timetables and standards which we have come to expect. This is a costly facility, and there must be some anxiety that a private sector owner would be tempted to experiment with cheaper methods for providing the service, not appreciating the unpredictability of the House's requirements and the large variations in parliamentary workload that can be experienced from one year (and even one week) to the next. We would therefore be seeking an absolute guarantee that the overnight production facilities in inner London will be retained for as long as the House continues to consider them necessary.

(ii) Staff of the House (the Editorial Supervisor of the Vote and his team) currently work alongside HMSO employees in the overnight compilation and preparation of the Vote Bundle. We would need a guarantee that adequate space and facilities in the Parliamentary Press will continue to be made available to those staff for as long as the House requires.

(iii) The House's documents and the procedural rules which underpin them, are complex. HMSO staff and management acquire experience and knowledge of those complexities as they progress from job to job in the organisation; and they are brought up in the tradition that in all circumstances the requirements of Parliament are paramount. We are concerned that a private company might seek to economise by employing less experienced staff or by appointing new managers who would not have the same appreciation of the House's needs. We would therefore be looking for an assurance that there will be substantial continuity in the staffing and management of the relevant sections of HMSO after privatisation, and adequate training for any new staff.

(iv) For similar reasons we seek an assurance of prior consultation with the House before any significant changes are made in the management or organisation of HMSO's directorate of Parliamentary and Statutory Publishing.

(v) At present, as an Agency, HMSO is under ministerial oversight and a minister is ultimately answerable to the House in the event of a failure in its services. After privatisation, that line of accountability will be broken. The House authorities will be responsible or contracting with the privatised company for the provision of printing and publishing services, but will not be in a position to account directly for a failure on the company's part to meet the requirements of the contract. We therefore think it essential that there should be an identified individual within the privatised Stationery Office who is responsible for the contract with the House and acknowledges an obligation to account to the authorities and committees of the House on all aspects of the service being provided.

(vi) The House has negotiated, and with the Commission's approval is on the point of concluding, a new Supply and Service Agreement (SSA) with HMSO. This agreement provides for a detailed specification of service standards, delivery schedules and related technical details. These specifications should, at least, maintain existing standards, and no attempt should be made to water them down after privatisation, without agreement with the House authorities.

(vii) Similarly, we consider that any prospective purchaser of the Stationery Office should be required to accept the agreed principles which are set out in the SSA, particularly so far as they concern the rights of the House to regulate the production and reproduction of its documents, both in paper and electronic form.

(viii) The first annual financial settlement under the new SSA will come into effect on 1 January 1996. Among other things, it provides for substantial reductions in the sale price of many House publications, including Hansard. This is an objective to which I, and many Members of the House, have attached great importance for some time; and it has been achieved without any significant increase in the payments to be made to HMSO by the House. Further improvements should follow from increasing use of new technology. Any prospective purchaser of HMSO should therefore be required to guarantee that it will not seek any increase (in real terms) in the charges paid by the House or the level of prices to the public above those negotiated for 1996, and that the House will be credited with a proportionate share of future savings arising from technological advances.

Roger Freeman's press statement on 27 September indicated that the Government's decision to privatise HMSO was conditional on satisfactory arrangements being made for the future provision of services to Parliament. Before deciding whether or not that criterion has been met, the Commission will need to be assured that the safeguards and guarantees which I have outlined in this letter are capable of being enforced, not just in the immediate aftermath of privatisation but over the longer term. In that connection we are particularly concerned at the possibility that an initial purchaser might subsequently wish to break up the business by partial sales. Fragmentation of the organisation, or sale to an overseas buyer, could pose serious, and perhaps unacceptable, problems for the House. We would like to know what mechanisms the Government proposes to guard against that possibility.

Assuming the Commission and the House can be satisfied on these points, it will be necessary to convert the SSA and the new safeguards, together with the service specifications and the settlement on prices and charges, into formal contracts which will take effect on privatisation. This is a complex and exacting task for the small team of House officials involved, and professional and legal support will probably be required. Every effort will be made to progress this work in accordance with the Government's programme for the sale, which I understand is aimed at completion in July next year; but we cannot at this stage be at all confident that it will be possible to resolve all the issues before that deadline. We therefore request that, if it proves to be necessary, the Government's timetable for the sale of HMSO, should be adapted to the progress of preparatory work, rather than the other way round.

In this letter, I have set out the views of the Commission, which has statutory responsibility for the House's services. But we also agreed that the House as a whole should be given an early opportunity to express its opinion on the Government's proposals. That debate might best be based on a prior ministerial statement. I am therefore copying this letter to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. A copy goes also to the Lord Chairman of Committees in the House of Lords.

To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what consideration his Committee has given to the implications for the House of privatisation of HMSO. [5254]

The Finance and Services Committee considered the matter raised by the right hon. Gentleman during its deliberation on a new supply and service agreement with HMSO. The Committee's recommendations have been put before the House of Commons Commission which is giving the matter urgent consideration.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those (a) consultants, (b) outside organisations and (c) individuals employed by his Department in each year since 1990, indicating the purposes of their employment and the total payments made to them. [3962]

(a) This information has not been held centrally, and figures for the years before 1992–93 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. On the best information currently available, for the years 1992 to 1995 the following numbers of external consultants have won contracts, with the total spend on external consultancy as specified:

	1992–3	1993–4	1994–5
Numbers of consultants	34	63	69
Total spend	£1.2 million	£1.4 million	£1.5 million

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe mission in Chechnya. [4961]

The OSCE assistance group continues to operate in Chechnya. We receive regular reports on its activities from the OSCE. It continues to play a valuable role in promoting a peaceful settlement to the conflict, and has our full support in this work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress on the establishment of a peacekeeping force for Nagorno-Karabakh under OSCE auspices. [4960]

The Budapest ministerial conference of the OSCE—7 to 8 December—decided that the signing of a political agreement on cessation of the armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh would enable the OSCE permanent council to take a decision on the establishment of the OSCE peacekeeping operation. The co-chairman of the Minsk group reported to the conference that the parties to the conflict have declared their commitment to continue respecting the ceasefire, and to establish direct contacts to achieve agreement on the principles governing the resolution of the conflict.A high-level planning group has produced an initial report on the technical aspects of a peacekeeping operation and will make further recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline (a) his Department's position in relation to trade with Burma and (b) that of other EU members; and if he will make a statement. [4774]

There is no obstacle to United kingdom firms exploring business in Burma not covered by the European Union arms embargo. I set out to the House in some detail on July 19 the Government's policy towards Burma, including trade, Official Report, columns 1638–45.We regularly discuss policy towards Burma with our EU partners, but do not have details of their policy on trade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received regarding the use of forced labour in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [4776]

We have received representations about human rights abuses in Burma, including the use of forced labour, from a wide variety of sources including Church groups, non-governmental organisations and members of the public.Officials have consistently expressed our concern about the use of forced labour in Burma, both in international forums and directly to the ruling military regime, the State Law and Order Restoration Council. We will continue to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department has provided in the last three years to United Kingdom companies interested in trade with Burma, or in operating in Burma; what is the cost of this assistance; and if he will make a statement. [4775]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people have been held in detention on St. Helena as a result of allegations of non-payment of debts; how long they were held before their cases were heard in court; and what sentence they received. [4871]

The power of arrest arises only where an alleged debtor is about to leave St. Helena and has failed to furnish security for his appearance before a court. In the one instance during the last five years when the power was exercised, the alleged debtor was held for three hours and five minutes and was released on security being given. No question of sentence arises in such cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had with the Director General of Passenger Rail Franchising in relation to preservation of InterCity services west of Cardiff in the event of a franchise grant to the BR Western Region management and First Bus consortium. [5416]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with the franchising director. The franchising director has specified those InterCity services west of Cardiff which, in his opinion, needed to be protected in the Great Western passenger service requirement. The franchise operator will be contractually obliged to provide these services. InterCity services west of Cardiff are also provided by Cross Country and will be included in the PSR for that franchise when it is developed in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to revise the objectives, instructions and guidance issued to the franchising director under section 5 of the Railways Act 1993. [5434]

I am today writing to the franchising director amplifying his instructions in relation to risk sharing in franchise agreements, the funding of services in passenger transport executive areas and the provision of concessionary travel for railway employees. I am placing a copy of my letter in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for liberalising tourism signposting. [5656]

We shall be laying a statutory instrument tomorrow to amend the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 as they apply in England, Wales and Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the statement of the Secretary of State for the Environment of 21 November, Official Report, column 454, if he will make it his policy to review past legislation in respect of additional burdens imposed by regulations implementing European directives. [5075]

It is the policy in my Department to ensure that we do not gold-plate European directives by the addition of unnecessary burdens when implementing them in the United Kingdom. We will take every opportunity to look at existing legislation in light of this policy.

To as the Secretary of State for Transport what are the reasons for the difference between the figures for the effects of privatisation on the national railways' external financial limits in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 in his Department's press notice No. 380 of 28 November and by the equivalent figures in table 2 of "Transport Report 1995"; and if he will provide an equivalent figure for 1998–99. [5194]

The figures for the effects of privatisation given in both publications referred to are the same, except in 1996–97 where rounding in the press notice to the nearest £10 million accounts for the small difference between the figures. A figure for 1998–99 is not yet available.

To as the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the award of the contracts for the A419 Latton bypass and the A417 Cirencester/Stratton bypass. [4838]

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) non-fatal and (b) fatal accidents took place at each junction section of the M1 from London up to

	Accidents 1992				Accidents 1993				Accidents 1994
Junction section	Daylight	Darkness	Fatal	Non fatal	Daylight	Darkness	Fatal	Non fatal	Daylight	Darkness	Fatal	Non fatal
Junction 1–2	6	5	0	11	4	2	0	6	6	1	0	7
Junction 2–3	11	6	0	17	5	3	0	18	6	3	0	11
Junction 3–4	9	4	0	13	8	6	1	13	11	5	1	15
Junction 4–5	21	16	1	36	14	5	0	19	11	5	0	16
Junction 5–6	9	2	0	11	9	4	0	13	18	6	2	22
Junction 6–6a	2	1	0	3	3	2	0	5	5	0	0	5
Junction 6a–7	14	9	0	23	29	7	1	35	22	12	2	32
Junction 7–8	9	3	0	12	7	4	0	11	6	2	0	8
Junction 8–9	45	13	2	56	41	18	3	56	52	18	2	68
Junction 9–10	25	5	0	30	57	6	2	61	18	9	1	26
Junction 10–11	21	5	2	24	13	4	0	17	12	7	1	18
Junction 11–12	24	12	0	36	20	9	1	28	15	5	0	20
Junction 12–13	19	10	3	26	16	10	0	28	18	10	1	25
Junction 13–14	21	10	0	31	19	3	0	22	15	4	0	19
Junction 14–15	19	15	3	31	18	8	1	25	18	14	0	32
Junction 15–15a	12	4	0	16	11	0	1	10	10	4	0	14
Junction 15a–16	5	2	0	7	8	1	1	8	10	3	0	13
Junction 16–17	26	12	0	38	38	10	1	47	31	17	2	46
Junction 17–18	5	4	0	9	5	2	0	7	2	5	0	7
Junction 18–19	10	8	0	18	18	18	0	36	10	3	0	13
Junction 19–20	6	0	0	6	6	4	0	10	5	3	0	8
Junction 20–21	13	9	2	20	18	6	1	23	13	8	0	21
Junction 21–22	13	5	0	18	31	7	2	36	13	11	0	24
Junction 22–23	8	4	1	11	14	4	0	18	18	7	1	24
Junction 23–23a	5	5	1	9	4	5	0	9	7	3	0	10
Junction 23a–24	7	5	1	11	2	2	0	4	4	3	0	7

I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) at what point in the franchising process a comparison of the costs of the preferred bidders against those of British Rail is to be considered for each of the first three train operating companies; [4974](2) if he will publish the comparative costs of services under

[holding answer 8 December 1995]: Until franchise negotiations are complete information about the preferred bids is commercially confidential. The franchising director will award franchises to the bidders that offer the best overall value for money in terms of services for passengers and costs to taxpayers. He makes comparisons of the costs of preferred bidders against those of British Rail throughout the bidding process as these are an essential component of his value-for-money judgement.For the funding of the British Rail train operating companies in 1995–96, I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 13 July to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. McLeish),

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to make an announcement of successful regional challenge projects, and if he will make a statement. [5468]

I am today announcing the successful regional challenge projects in England which will receive grant totalling £140 million towards projects costing almost £800 million.Regional challenge is designed to enhance local partnerships, stimulate innovative local development and maximise the contribution of the private sector. The projects announced today will bring a new dynamism and efficiency to local economies across England. Local firms will play a major role in projects ranging from industrial and transport infrastructure, tourism, research and development and environmental improvement to training and job creation.I am particularly encouraged by the wide range of local bodies that have been involved in the development of regional challenge projects. The competition has encouraged the far greater involvement of the private sector. This involvement is clearly reflected in its contributions to projects which account for almost half the total costs of the winning projects, and have added considerably to quality and value for money. The value of the dialogue between the public and private sectors about what is needed in local communities is shown by the type of projects that have been put forward.Regional challenge projects are typically larger in scale, more comprehensive in their effect, and better address the specific needs of local communities. This culture of co-operation will benefit not only today's winners. I hope that, as with previous competitions, many of the partnerships brought together by regional challenge will go ahead with part or all of their projects, even though they are not winners, thus spreading the benefits of the challenge even wider.A list of winning projects is set out:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance his Department has provided in the last three years to United Kingdom companies interested in trading with Burma, or doing business there; what is the cost of this assistance; and if he will make a statement. [4769]

Over the last three years, no financial assistance has been given to United Kingdom companies interested in trading with Burma. Our assistance has been limited to providing advice and information concerning the commercial, economic and political developments in the country via officials both in Rangoon and London. The cost of this assistance is not held on a central database and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The Government's policy towards Burma, including trade, was fully set out in the speech by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley), on 19 July 1995,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations his Department has received regarding the use of forced labour in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [4772]

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes, today.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance was offered by his Department to (a) the South of England Exports Association British trade mission to Singapore and Brunei, with the option to visit Myanmar, which took place on 4 to 12 November and (b) the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry seminar "An Introduction to Burma", which took place on 5 December; what was the cost of this assistance in each case; and if he will make a statement. [4770]

(a) The DTI travel grant for Singapore and Brunei is £666 per eligible company. The South of England Exports Association was not offered any financial assistance to visit Burma and would have undertaken this leg of its planned visit as an unsupported option. In the event, the mission was cancelled due to lack of support.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in relation to (a) trade with Burma, and (b) United Kingdom companies operating in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [4768]

The Government's policy towards Burma, including trade, was fully set out in the speech by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 19 July, Official Report, columns 1641–45. There is no obstacle to UK firms exploring business in Burma not covered by the European Union embargo.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has to organise a trade mission to Burma in 1996; what assistance will be offered to United Kingdom companies attending; and if he will make a statement. [4771]

We propose to organise a trade mission to Burma next February and will be providing financial assistance to a maximum of 20 eligible United Kingdom companies, in the form of a travel grant of £1,000, towards the cost of the visit.The Government's policy towards Burma, including trade, was full set out in the speech by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 19 July,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to send its consultation documents on changes to nuclear site licences arising from the privatisation of the nuclear industry to hon. Members with nuclear power stations in their constituencies; and if he will extend the consultation period. [4872]

It is for the Health and Safety Executive, as the independent regulator of the nuclear industry, to specify those public bodies to whom applicants must provide details of licence applications and to decide on whether or not to extend the statutory consultation period.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to regulate firms providing grant information to small firms. [5256]

There are no plans to regulate such businesses.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action his Department is taking to promote the use of renewable sources of energy in the business community. [4711]

The Government are stimulating the development of new and renewable energy sources and industrial and market infrastructure through a market enablement strategy. The strategy was published as "Energy Paper 62" in March 1994. The strategy's principal measure involves stimulating an initial market for electricity-producing technologies close to commercial competitiveness via renewables orders made under the non-fossil fuel obligation—NFFO.As I announced in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Rochford (Dr. Clark) on 2 November 1995,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Government-funded research projects are currently engaged on the development of renewable sources of energy. [4712]

My Department is currently supporting 358 research projects under the new and renewable energy programme.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposal the United Kingdom intends to put to the EU Energy Council in Brussels on 14 December on ways to alleviate fuel poverty within the framework of the draft EU White Paper on energy policy. [4946]

The EU White Paper on energy policy will be presented by the Commission for the first time at the Energy Council on 14 December. Therefore the United Kingdom will not be in a position to make any proposals within its framework until its contents have been thoroughly considered.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the British Coal pumping stations which closed between 1965 and privatisation in the City of Durham constituency; and which closures after that date have been notified to his Department [5130]

The first part of the hon. Member's question is a matter for the British Coal Corporation and I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member. I understand from the Coal Authority that the nine pumping stations in County Durham transferred to the authority on 31 October 1994 are all still being operated. There was and is no requirement for my Department to be notified in such cases.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial assistance is being provided from public funds to London Electricity to transfer its customer operations functions out of London. [4786]

I understand that London Electricity is transferring part of its customer operations functions to Doxford park in the Sunderland enterprise zone. As with any other company moving into an enterprise zone, the company will be eligible for capital allowances, and be exempt from the national non-domestic rate for the remainder of the life of the enterprise zone. No direct grants are being made to London Electricity from central Government.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what definition of the personal business adviser service has been drawn up by the small firms and business link division; and if he will publish the guidelines that have been issued on the service. [4825]

[holding answer 8 December 1995]: A detailed definition of the business link personal business adviser service, including a model job description, is included in the "Business Link Services Guide", section C 25–36, which was published on 31 October 1995.A copy of the services guide is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times mobile telephones used by Ministers in his Department have been cloned during (a) the last six months, (b) the last 12 months and (c) the last 18 months; and which Ministers within his Department have had their mobile telephones cloned. [4268]

[holding answer 7 December 1995]: There have been no recorded incidents of Minister's mobile telephones being cloned within the last 18 months or prior to that period. Ministers in my Department are issued with digital mobile telephones which are inherently more difficult to clone than their analogue counterparts.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to eliminate the sale of national lottery tickets to under-age children. [4719]

Last week I welcomed the announcement made by the Director General of the National Lottery, who is responsible for regulatory matters, about the new action designed to stamp out under-age lottery sales. I am also holding discussions with the police, the Home Office and other parties about the enforcement of the law governing the sale of tickets to under-16-year-olds.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her circular letter to Members about the national lottery dated 10 November, reference C95/10129, if she will place in the Library (a) on paper and (b) on computer disk in a spreadsheet format compatible with the Library's computer information about each of the awards made from the good causes fund to date indicating in each case (i) the nature of the activity supported, (ii) the amount of money granted, (iii) the distributing body making the award and (iv) the parliamentary constituency in which the recipient body's headquarters is based. [4537]

My Department already produces a monthly report of the distribution of lottery proceeds. Included in this report are financial details of the awards made each month and the total since the lottery began, for each distributor and by region of the United Kingdom. Copies of this report are placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the statement of the Secretary of State for the Environment of 21 November, Official Report, column 454, if he will make it his policy to review past legislation in respect of additional burdens imposed by regulations implementing European directives. [5071]

It is the policy in the Scottish Office to ensure that we do not gold-plate European directives by the addition of unnecessary burdens when implementing them in the United Kingdom. We will take every opportunity to look at existing legislation in light of this policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to send its consultation documents on changes to nuclear site licences arising from the privatisation of the nuclear industry to hon. Members with nuclear power stations in their constituencies; and if he will extend the consultation period. [4992]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who are the chairman, chief executive and members of each of the new water authorities; and what are their correspondence addresses. [4456]

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: The names of each of the chairmen, chief executives and members of the new water authorities and their correspondence addresses are as follows:

North of Scotland Water Authority—Mr. J. Robertson (Chairman), Mr. A. Findlay (Chief Executive), Mr. D. Addly, Councillor R. Bissett, Councillor J. Easten, Councillor N. Graham, Mr. A. Lewis, Mr. A. MacCallum, Councillor O. Macdonald, Mr. N. McAndrew, Councillor D. Nicholson, Mr. D. Paton. Correspondence should be addressed to: North of Scotland Water Authority, Caledonia House, 63 Academy Street, Inverness, IVI 1LU.

East of Scotland Water Authority—Dr. I. Preston (Chairman), Mr. R. Rennet (Chief Executive), Mr. D. Barlow, Mr. R. Bell, Councillor I. Berry, Councillor Ian Galloway, Councillor A. Dickson, Councillor T. Kerr, Councillor P. McCafferty, Mr. H. O'Hanlon, Sir Francis McWilliams, Mr. R. Summers. Correspondence should be addressed to: East of Scotland Water Authority, 27 Perth Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5RB.

West of Scotland Water Authority—Mr. J. Jameson (Chairman), Mr. E. Chambers (Chief Executive, Mr. N. Berry, Councillor M. Bryson, Sir Robert Easton, Mr. J. Goodwin, Mr. D. Gray, Mr. P. Kennedy, Councillor W. Petrie, Councillor R. Reid, Provost L. Rosin, Councillor I. Young. Correspondence should be addressed to: West of Scotland Water Authority, 419 Balmore Road Glasgow, G22 6NU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of the calls made to the Scottish Office inquiry line since its establishment were on matters on which his Department (a) was competent and (b) not competent to deal with. [4452]

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: This information is not recorded but the inquiry officers consider that the majority of calls relate to matters for which the Scottish Office is responsible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement indicating for each calendar month since its establishment the number of calls made to the Scottish Office inquiry line and how many of these calls have been (a) interactive and (b) non-interactive. [4434]

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: The numbers of calls received are:

Year	Number
1993
October	797
November	835
December	357
1994
January	211
February	239
March	199
April	220
May	308
June	315
July	305
August	341
September	334
October	372
November	396
December	354
1995
January	276
February	346
March	348
April	317
May	257
June	159
July	199
August	276
September	343
October	293
November	1337
1 To 24 November.

Information on types of calls is not recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much in total it has cost his Department to establish, publicise and operate the Scottish Office inquiry line; and what are the annual costs of this service. [4451]

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Scotland on 18 April 1995, Official Report, columns 79–80.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce the signing of a contract for the construction of a fisheries research vessel; and if he will make a statement. [4555]

[holding answer 7 December 1995]: I still expect to reach a decision on the tenders by 31 December 1995. I shall notify the hon. Member of my decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to the replenishment of IDA11. [3310]

We are working to ensure a satisfactory outcome to the negotiations on the 11th replenishment of the International Development Association and to enhance IDA's effectiveness by strengthening its focus on poverty reduction, sound economic management and sustainable development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of United Kingdom bilateral aid on international labour migration. [3317]

The effects of United Kingdom bilateral aid cannot be assessed separately from other factors affecting international labour migration. ODA seeks to help people in aid recipient countries to improve their lives, but accepts that any influence on their decisions to migrate will be modest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place and with whom as to medical and food aid to Sri Lanka during the present conflict. [3314]

We are in frequent contact with the Government of Sri Lanka and relief agencies about the provision of emergency assistance, including medical and food aid needs, to those affected by the present conflict in the north.

To ask the Prime Minister what changes have been made in the guideline for the export of nuclear materials, equipment and technology by the United Kingdom beyond the measures set out in his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) of 13 January 1993, Official Report, column 745. [5393]

The guidelines for the export of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology by the United Kingdom remain the same with one exception. The guidelines of the nuclear suppliers' group, of which the UK is a member, will, in exceptional cases, allow such exports to non-nuclear weapon states without full scope safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Authority, where they are deemed essential to the safe operation of existing facilities and if IAEA safeguards are applied to these facilities.The NSG has also adopted guidelines for the transfer of nuclear-related dual-use material, equipment and technology. These exports are considered on a case-by-case basis.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning the transfer of (a) personnel and (b) responsibilities from Government Departments to Scotland; and what plans he has to make such a transfer. [5096]

I am not aware of any recent representations on this topic. My right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Secretary of State for Scotland have, however, recently received representations from Grampian regional council and the City of Aberdeen district council about the scope for transferring to Aberdeen additional jobs in the Department of Trade and Industry's oil and gas division. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy will be meeting representatives of the councils shortly to discuss this issue.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to hold consultations with other Prime Ministers of those countries where Her Majesty the Queen is Head of State about the future role and duties of the Princess of Wales. [4867]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the future role and duties of the Princess of Wales. [4841]

I have nothing further to add to the statement I made on 9 December 1992, Official Report, column 845.

To ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken following the disclosure of normally confidential information to the media of information concerning the application by Mr. Abiodum Igbindu, for political asylum in the United Kingdom. [4853]

[holding answer 8 December 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms Quin) on 5 December, Official Report, column 136.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost to date of consultancy payments made to firms in relation to work carried out to develop his Department's plans for the privatisation of (a) Devonport royal dockyard and (b) Rosyth royal dockyard. [5363]

During the period between 18 October 1993, when my right hon. and learned Friend the then Secretary of State for Defence announced our policy towards the future management of the royal dockyards, Official Report, 18 October 1993, columns 39–41, and 30 November 1995, expenditure charged to defence votes in respect of consultancy advice given in relation to the proposed privatisation of the dockyards amounted to some £8.4 million, including VAT. Further costs have been incurred, but final details will not be available until invoices have been presented and payments agreed. Costs attributable to one dockyard or the other cannot be separately identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by name, rank and service the former serving officers of the armed forces who (a) have applied under the business appointments procedure and (b) have had their application refused. [5323]

During the last two years, the following applications under the business appointments procedure were made by officers who had retired from the armed forces:

	Number
Admiral of the Fleet	3
Vice Admiral	2
Rear Admiral	9
Captain	3
Commander	3
Lieutenant Commander	8
Major General	20
Brigadier	2
Colonel	4
Lieutenant Colonel	4
Major	1
Captain	1
Marshal of the RAF	1
Air Chief Marshal	1
Air Marshal	4
Air Vice-Marshal	2
Air Commodore	1
Group Captain	3
Wing Commander	2
Squadron Leader	6

None of the applications was refused: restrictions were imposed on nine applications. It is not our practice to disclose the names of the officers concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 November, Official Report, column 349, how the business appointments policy for former serving officers of the armed services is enforced; and what sanctions may be imposed. [5322]

Business appointment applications are approved unconditionally or subject to a waiting period of up to two years from the applicant's last day in Crown service, or to a condition banning the applicant from involvement in a particular project or area of work for up to two years. Where a condition is imposed, both the applicant and prospective employer are informed in writing of the nature of the condition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sites of special scientific interest on his Ministry's land have been de-listed in each of the last five years. [4726]

The Ministry of Defence owns or occupies over 200 sites of special scientific interest. Available records do not show any such sites as having been de-listed in the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many instances of aircraft using reheat have been recorded by RAF police conducting covert monitoring of low flying in each year since 1990. [4486]

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft movements have been observed by RAF police conducting covert monitoring of low flying in each year since 1990. [4487]

The numbers of aircraft observed by the RAF police while conducting covert monitoring, including deployments with the Skyguard radar system, of military low flying in each year since 1990 are as follows:

• 1990: 461
• 1991: 780
• 1992: 850
• 1993: 788
• 1994: 265
• 1995¹: 236.

¹ To 30th November 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints from the public his Department has received arising from low-level flying in each of the last five years. [4730]

The numbers of complaints and inquiries about military low flying received by my Department in each of the last five years are as follows:

• 1991: 4,846
• 1992: 6,295
• 1993: 5,738
• 1994: 5,778
• 1995: ¹6,492.

¹ Up to 30 November 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the alleged Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers non-commissioned officer (a) required and (b) sought the permission of the Ministry of Defence before publishing "The Nemesis File". [4863]

Serving and former members of the armed forces are required to seek authorisation from the Ministry of Defence before publishing information gained during their service. "The Nemesis File" was not submitted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many widows have received pensions under the special provisions for pre-1950 widows; and how much has been expended on these pensions in total. [4869]

Information on the number of former pensioners and total costs of the pensions paid to them is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many widows are currently receiving a pre-1950 widow's pension; and at what rates these are currently being paid. [4870]

The number of widows currently receiving a pre-1950 widow's pension could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The current rates of special widow's pension, dependent on rank of the service man, are £12.39 to £22.19 a week. The pension is subject to the same index-linking arrangements as other public service pensions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence following the recent noise evaluation survey of properties in the vicinity of Tain bombing range, Ross-shire, if he will (a) publish the objective criteria upon which he decides subsequent eligibility for compensation and (b) provide a detailed breakdown of the findings involved; and if he will make a statement. [5016]

Under the terms of the Ministry of Defence noise insulation grant scheme, which was introduced in 1985, owners of properties severely affected by military aircraft noise are eligible for grants to cover the cost of installing noise insulation in bedrooms and up to two living rooms. Eligibility is limited to properties subject to a noise level of 70 decibels averaged over a 16-hour day. The environmental noise survey undertaken at RAF Tain air weapons range in August 1995 showed that, as a result of strictly enforced aircraft circuit patterns and an overall reduction in the number of aircraft movements, no local properties are now subject to noise in excess of the 70 decibel threshold. The noise survey report was made available to the Ross and Cromarty district council on 16 November and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to make available to the relatives of service or civilian personnel killed in military aircraft accidents the full text of the board of inquiry report into the accident. [5173]

Since December 1992, in recognition of the special position of next of kin, service board of inquiry reports have been made available to the nominated next of kin of deceased service—and associated civilian—personnel, should they so request, subject only to the essential minimum of security requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will publish a list of schools on the admissible schools list; [4624](2) if he will list the schools receiving funds from the boarding school allowance indicating the numbers of pupils at each school benefiting from the scheme. [4625]

A list of some 800 schools in respect of which boarding school allowance may be paid is kept by my Department. I am arranging for a copy of the most recent admissible schools list—June 1995—to be placed in the Library of the House. The list details the number of service children attending each school at the end of the summer term 1995 and whose parents claimed boarding school allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pupils have benefitted from the boarding school allowance in each of the past four years. [4626]

The total average number of children for whom boarding school allowance was claimed in the academic years in question was:

• 1991–1992: 16,208
• 1992–1993: 15,120
• 1993–1994:,12,567
• 1994–1995: 11,363.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pupils, and at what cost, are funded at the Quantock school, Taunton by the boarding school allowance. [4628]

The total number of service children attending Quantock school, Taunton, and whose parents have claimed boarding school allowance for the autumn term 1995, is 38. The total estimated cost to my Department for this provision is £81,969.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the annual cost of the boarding school allowance in each of the last four years. [4627]

The total cost to my Department of boarding school allowance for the years in question was:

• 1991–1992: £115.35 million
• 1992–1993: £116.72 million
• 1993–1994: £113.61 million
• 1994–1995: £107.23 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment the Service Children's Education Authority has made of the suitability of the Quantock school, Taunton to remain on the list of admissible schools. [4629]

SCEA conducts an on-going assessment of the quality of pastoral care at schools on the Ministry of Defence admissible schools list. As part of that process, an informal visit to Quantock school, Taunton was carried out in June 1995. A number of reservations were expressed concerning the quality of pastoral care available and, as a result, the suitability of Quantock school to remain on the MOD admissible schools list is being reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of British forces currently stationed in Northern Ireland; what the figure was in August in each year since 1993; and what plans there are to withdraw British forces from Northern Ireland during the coming year. [4611]

There are currently some 16,500 members of the armed forces stationed in Northern Ireland. This figure includes Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel as well as nine general service infantry battalions and six home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment. In both August 1993 and August 1994 the equivalent figure was approximately 19,000; by August 1995 this had fallen to approximately 17,500.Force levels in Northern Ireland are kept continually under review. Since the terrorist ceasefires in 1994 three major units deployed in the infantry role have been relocated from Northern Ireland to bases elsewhere. Future measure of this kind will depend on the security situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy with regard to forwarding the mail for members of the armed services serving abroad who have moved home. [4810]

The redirection of mail between British Forces Post Office addresses, whether in the United Kingdom or overseas, is a unit responsibility and no charges are made to customers for this service.Redirection from a UK civil address to a BFPO address is handled under normal post office arrangements for which a charge is made. The charge is, however, set at the inland rate irrespective of the location of the BFPO.Redirected mail from a civil UK address to an overseas civil address would be undertaken by the Post Office and its normal charges for this service would apply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the cost to his Department each year of inadequate reliability and maintainability of defence equipment. [5361]

The Ministry of Defence aims to maximise reliability and maintainability to the extent that this is cost-effective. Earlier and more systematic attention is paid to the R and M, and demonstrated achievement of R and M requirements is linked to contract payments. This approach has helped MOD achieve significance improvements compared with earlier generations of equipment, thereby saving costs and enhancing operational effectiveness. It is not possible to quantify the total yearly savings resulting from this R and M initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the relocation of the Gulf veterans medical assessment programme following the forthcoming closure of RAF Wroughton. [5315]

The Gulf war medical assessment programme is currently being relocated to the central medical establishment, Kelvin house, 32–34 Cleveland street, London W1P 6AU. The physical move will take place during the next week, and routine appointments will be available in January, after a necessary period of adjustment to re-establish the programme's facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to his Department of the Gulf veterans medical assessment programme to date. [5317]

The assessments are funded from within my Department's normal secondary care programme and cannot be identified separately.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical tests were made on examinees under the Gulf veterans medical assessment programme. [5318]

All tests offered to individuals coming forward for assessment are tailored to the particular requirements of each patient after considering the medical and occupational history, the reported symptoms and clinical signs found on detailed initial examination. Possible tests include: a full blood assay, urinalysis, X-Ray, or CT/MRI scan, electrocardiograph, endoscopy and vitalograph studies. Further tests or referrals are available when required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the (a) total Royal Air Force training hours, (b) total NATO training hours and (c) total non-RAF and non-NATO training hours flown over Scotland in the past 12 months. [4981]

[holding answer 8 December 1995]: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost per service person, including equipment, land, buildings, training and personnel expenditure for the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy, (c) Royal Marines and (d) Royal Air Force. [4984]

[holding answer 8 December 1995]: This information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of Stae for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on the housing market of his plans to sell off his Department's service housing stock. [4977]

[holding answer 8 December 1995]: The large majority of the properties transferred will initially be rented back by MOD to meet service accommodation needs. Our proposal will conduce to a more efficient release of surplus properties by MOD over time. Whether those empty properties are then sold, re-let or redeveloped will be a matter for the future owner of the stock, who will no doubt have regard to market demand at the time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings owned by his Department are (a) currently unoccupied and (b) have been unoccupied for six months or more in each parliamentary constituency in Cleveland. [3562]

[holding answer 4 December 1995]: The following empty dwellings are owned by my Department in each parliamentary constituency in Cleveland:

• Hartlepool: 3
• Langbaurgh: 1.

All four of these dwellings have been unoccupied for more than six months and are in the process of being sold.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings owned by his Department are (a) currently unoccupied and (b) have been unoccupied for six months or more in each parliamentary constituency in Essex. [3554]

[holding answer 4 December 1995]: The following empty dwellings are owned by my Department in each parliamentary constituency in Essex:

	Number
Braintree	109
Chelmsford	1
Southend East	13
South Colchester and Malden	228

Seven of the properties in Southend, East, 34 properties in South Colchester and Malden and the one vacant in Chelmsford are all in the process of being sold. Information on properties unoccupied for six months or more is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings owned by his Department are (a) currently unoccupied and (b) have been unoccupied for six months or more in each parliamentary constituency in Cheshire. [3555]

[holding answer 4 December 1995]: The following empty dwellings are owned by my Department in each parliamentary constituency in Cheshire:

City of Chester: 31

Tatton: 4

Warrington South: 24.

All the vacant properties in Tatton and seven of those in the city of Chester are in the process of being sold. Information on properties unoccupied for six months or more is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwelling owned by his Department are (a) currently unoccupied and (b) have been unoccupied for six months or more in each parliamentary constituency in Bedfordshire. [3556]

[holding answer 4 December 1995]: The following empty dwellings are owned by my Department in each parliamentary constituency in Bedfordshire:

Mid Bedfordshire: 55

South-West Bedfordshire: 54.

Of the vacant properties in South-West Bedfordshire, 35 are in the process of being sold. Information on properties unoccupied for six months or more is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings owned by his Department are (a) currently unoccupied and (b) have been unoccupied for six months or more in each parliamentary constituency in Greater Manchester. [3558]

[holding answer 4 December 1995]: The following empty dwelling are owned by my Department in each parliamentary constituency in Great Manchester:

• Ashton-under-Lyne: 4
• Bury South: 7
• Heywood and Middleton: 1
• Manchester Withington: 1
• Manchester Wythenshawe: 9
• Stretford: 3.

One of the vacant properties in Ashton-under-Lyne and all in Manchester, Wythenshawe and Stretford are in the process of being sold. Information on properties unoccupied for six months or more is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings owned by his Department are (a) currently unoccupied and (b) have been unoccupied for six months or more in each parliamentary constituency in Derbyshire. [3559]

[holding answer 4 December 1995]: My Department owns no dwellings in Derbyshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings owned by his Department are (a) currently unoccupied and (b) have been unoccupied for six months or more in each parliamentary constituency in Kent. [3560]

[holding answer 4 December 1995]: The following empty dwellings are owned by my Department in each parliamentary constituency in Kent:

	Number
Ashford	12
Canterbury	14
Dover	223
Folkestone and Hythe	142
Gillingham	106
Gravesham	20
Maidstone	21
Medway	176
Sevenoaks	15
South Thanet	34
Tunbridge Wells	2

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings owned by his Department are (a) currently unoccupied and (b) have been unoccupied for six months or more in each parliamentary constituency in Avon. [3561]

[holding answer 4 December 1995]: The following empty dwellings are owned by my Department in each parliamentary constituency in Avon:

	Number
Bath	1
Bristol East	1
Bristol North-West	2
Bristol West	3
Northavon	3
Wansdyke	1
Weston-Super-Mare	76

Information on properties unoccupied for six months or more is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dwellings owned by his Department are (a) currently unoccupied and (b) have been unoccupied for six months or more in each parliamentary constituency in Hampshire. [3557]

[holding answer 4 December 1995:]: The following empty dwellings are owned by my Department in each parliamentary constituency in Hampshire.

	Number
Aldershot	255
Basingstoke	5
East Hampshire	83
Eastleigh	1
Fareham	29
Gosport	281
Havant	7
New Forest	3
North-West Hampshire	128
Portsmouth North	66
Portsmouth South	45
Romsey and Waterside	54
Winchester	84

All the vacant properties in Basingstoke, Eastleigh and New Forest, and 33 of those in North-West Hampshire are in the process of being sold. Information on properties unoccupied for six months or more is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the principal locations of (a) the Army Base Repair Organisation, (b) the Meteorological Office, (c) the Military Survey, (d) the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency, (e) the RAF Training Group Defence Agency, (f) the Pay and Pensions Agency, (g) the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation, (h) the Defence Accounts Agency and (i) the Defence Animal Centre; and how many (i) civilian and (ii) uniformed personnel are employed at each location. [4349]

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: This is a matter for the agencies concerned. I have asked the chief executives to write to the hon. Member.