To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what investments the Church Commissioners hold in Hunting Engineering. [15164]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 February, Official Report, column 528. Hunting Engineering is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hunting plc, in which we hold no shares.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy in respect of trust councils. [15170]

We have no plans for a trust councils initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the standard spending assessment for each local authority social services department for placing young offenders in secure accommodation for each year since 1988. [15439]

There has been no separate standard spending assessment, or grant-related expenditure assessment in the case of years prior to 1990–91, for the placement of young offenders in secure accommodation. The need to spend on this function has, however, been taken into account in the personal social services element of authorities' SSAs and GREs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 13 February, Official Report, column 481, if he will list the dates, positions, and results of the National Rivers Authority monitoring of the Solent under the shellfish waters directive for each month and year for which the NRA holds records. [15553]

The NRA has monitored all designated shellfish waters in the Solent at the intervals specified in the directive since 1989 and holds records prior to this date. The location of sampling points and results of the NRA's monitoring are contained in the public registers maintained by the NRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the rough sleepers initiative outside London to make provision for night shelters for those who are prevented from using existing accommodation because they are drunk or drugged. [15911]

The Housing White Paper, "Our Future Homes", published on 27 June 1995, said that the Government would continue the rough sleepers initiative in central London beyond March 1996, when it was due to end, and that we would consider assisting the development of the successful RSI model of co-operation between statutory and voluntary sector agencies in other towns and cities where rough sleeping could be demonstrated to be a major problem.Proposals for taking forward these plans were set out in an interdepartmental consultation paper "Rough Sleepers Initiative: Future Plans", issued on 3 October 1995. A strategy paper will be issued shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received in connection with the proposal by Nickerson Biocem to release genetically modified potatoes; [15301](2) which sites are currently being reviewed by his Department as potential areas for the release of genetically modified potatoes; [15302](3) if he will list the sites from which genetically modified potatoes have been released indicating the date of release; [15303](4) what monitoring his Department carried out during the growth and release of genetically modified potatoes; [15304](5) what funding has been allocated by his Department to research relating to the release of genetically modified organisms in each of the past five years. [15305]

Two representations have been received from the public on the application from Nickerson Biocem for consent to release genetically modified potatoes. The first representation consisted of a petition signed by 17 people registering their concern over the proposed release and the time allowed for access to public information prior to the issuance of a consent. The second representation requested further details on the proposed release.Currently one application for consent to release genetically modified potatoes is being reviewed by my Department. The proposed release site for this application is Pitgaveny estate, Elgin in Morayshire.Since the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 came into force on 1 February 1993, genetically modified potatoes have been released at the following sites during the periods indicated:

Sites	Dates	Year
Trumpington, Cambridge	May—October	1993
Trumpington, Cambridge	April—October	1994 and 1995
Contrannie, Perthshire	April—October	1995
Trumpington, Cambridge	April—October	1995
Maplebeck, Nottinghamshire	April—October	1993
Maplebeck, Nottinghamshire	April—October	1993
Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire	April—October	1994 and 1995
Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire	April—October	1994 and 1995
Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire	April—October	1994 and 1995
Oathlaw, Angus	June—August	1993
Oathlaw, Angus	May—August	1994 and 1995
Rothamstead, Herts	Spring—Autumn	1994 and 1995
Rothamstead, Herts	April—September	1995
Dundee and West Linton	May—September	1995

All consents to release genetically modified organisms, including genetically modified potatoes, contain a number of specified and general conditions. These include a requirement on the consent holder for monitoring the release and to report to the Secretary of State on the outcome of the release. The consent holder is also required to keep himself, and the Secretary of State, informed of any conditions which may lead to changes in the risk assessment of the release. Compliance with the conditions of a consent is enforced by specialist inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive.Funding allocated for research relating to the release of genetically modified organisms under my Department's research programme for each of the past five years is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes have been purchased each year under the right-to-buy legislation. [15584]

The available information is in the table.

Right-to-buy sates in England, 1980–81 to 1994–95
Year	Number
1980–81	2,332
1981–82	107,588
1982–83	170,600
1983–84	109,903
1984–85	80,192
1985–86	74,814
1986–87	79,592
1987–88	96,784
1988–89	140,617
1989–90	138,476
1990–91	79,665

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to instruct the local government boundary commission to review the local government boundaries of London boroughs. [15634]

We have no plans at present to direct the Local Government Commission to review the boundaries of London boroughs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when Bristol city council will receive its supplementary credit approval for 1996–97; and what factors have led to the delay in its issue. [15472]

[holding answer 16 February 1996]: Bristol city council was asked to reconsider whether the reorganisation in its area could be implemented more economically and was asked to submit a revised bid by the end of January. An allocation was made on 15 February.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what (a) plans and (b) facilities Her Majesty's Stationery Office has to provide (i) Acts of Parliament, (ii) codes of practice and (iii) other documentation in (1) European Community languages, (2) Braille, (3) large print and (4) audio tape. [14483]

As this is a purely operational matter, I have asked the chief executive of HMSO to reply directly to the hon. Member.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress is being made towards (a) establishing lead inspectors and (b) merging different enforcement regimes as part of the Government's deregulation policy. [15589]

The deregulation task force and the local government enforcement review recommended piloting the concept of the lead inspector approach and, where different regulatory and enforcement regimes overlap, recommended merger or alignment. The Government accepted these recommendations and we have made progress in implementation.Under the joint working programme, Inland Revenue and the Contributions Agency announced plans for joint audits for some large employers, and single audit visits for all other employers, to cover both PAYE and national insurance contributions. Guidance was issued to Inland Revenue and Contributions Agency staff in December 1995 on single audit, and the new arrangements have now been implemented. Work is continuing to develop a programme of joint auditing for larger employers.The lead inspector approach is existing practice in Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. This will become part of the Environment Agency, which comes into being on 1 April 1996, bringing together a number of regulatory regimes under one umbrella. The agency will be setting up first stop shops in its local offices.As part of a wider review of regulation and inspection, the Department of Health is addressing the need for certain residential care and nursing homes to register with two public authorities. This review also puts forward for discussion alternative regulatory structures.In the food hygiene area, statutory codes of practice have clarified demarcation lines to achieve single body enforcement.In the case of community premises, we are promoting a single licensing process for a number of activities. Guidance encourages local authorities, wherever possible, to arrange for a combined inspection covering the entertainment application and any other inspections required by the premises, covering for example, food hygiene and health and safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out all the new evidence he is considering in deciding whether to refer the Carl Bridgewater case back to the Court of Appeal. [15395]

All new material weighted by my right hon. and learned Friend in reaching his provisional conclusions in this case has been made available to the applicants' solicitor; details of the main points in the case were set out in a Home Office news release dated 7 December 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his letter to the Bridgewater defendants' lawyer, what is the nature of the information which allegedly implicates Vincent Hickey and Pat Molloy in the murder. [15396]

The specific information referred to in my right hon. and learned Friend's letter is confidential. The letter makes it clear that, in reaching his provisional conclusions, my right hon. and learned Friend has placed no reliance on that information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allow licensed restaurants to be able to sell alcohol to customers who do not take food; and if he will make a statement. [15393]

We are currently considering the scope for relaxing restrictions on the sale of alcohol in restaurants. Any proposals for change would be the subject of public consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the voluntary sector in relation to statutory funding difficulties and delays in payments. [15387]

Home Office Ministers regularly meet voluntary sector representatives to discuss a wide range of issues, including funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library all research conducted by his Department concerning the effectiveness of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1944; and if he will make a statement. [15232]

Work concerned with evaluating the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is in progress, and all publications arising from this work will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the publication of the study commissioned by his Department into relations between the Home Office and the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [15233]

As my right hon. and learned Friend informed the House on 16 October 1995, the work is under way and he will report on it to the House when it is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the injection of equine flu and herpes viruses into mountain ponies bred for research purposes and the extraction of antibodies from carcases following slaughter of such ponies at different time intervals after injection; and if he will make a statement. [14242]

[holding answer 8 February 1996]: The Home Office has obtained the recent report by the organisation Animal Aid on the use of ponies in this area of research.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he reached a decision on the designation of (a) India and (b) Pakistan in respect of his determination of countries from which asylum cases are likely to prove unfounded; and what considerations underlay his decision. [15349]

[holding answer 15 February 1996]: My right hon. and learned Friend indicated to the House during Second Reading of the Asylum and Immigration Bill on 11 December 1995, Official Report, column 703, those countries which the Government currently regard as candidates for designation. No actual designations will be possible until clause 1 of the Bill has come into force and an order has been made under it. The considerations we will take into account have been outlined it the relevant background note on the Bill, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Eduction and Employment how many heads of household below retirement age and available for work have mortgages. [14300]

I have been asked to reply.The latest estimate for England is that 7,540,000 heads of household who are below retirement age, and were either in employment or seeking and available for work, have mortgages. This estimate is from the 1994–95 survey of English housing and is subject to sampling error.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what account her Department has taken when issuing the results of national tests of those children who were re-assessed for national tests at 11 years old, having initially failed them; if these children were counted more than once in the results released to date; and what estimate she has made of the number of pupils who have been doubled counted. [15372]

The aim of statutory assessment is to assess pupils' achievement against national curriculum levels. The standards at level 4 have been set to challenge typical 11-years-olds, but it is incorrect to suggest that pupils either pass or fail the tests.The collection procedures in 1995 were designed to give accurate national results while minimising schools' compliance costs. Schools were asked to indicate whether pupils were to be entered for tasks as well as tests in maths and science, but not all did so. Any double counting in the national results for those subjects is estimated to be small, at around 1 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 18 January, Official Report, column 699 on the Employment Service dispute, if she will list the percentage of employees in grades represented by the Civil and Public Services Association who received a pay award for 1995–96 of (a) less than 3.7 per cent. and (b) between 2.7 and 2.9 per cent. [15837]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions have taken place between representatives of Campbell's Soups. Stratford-on-Avon operations and the Department of Employment on matters relating to redundancy at that plant in the last two years. [15365]

No discussions have taken place between the Department and representatives of Campbell's Soups relating to redundancy at the Stratford-on-Avon plant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on how many occasions in the past two years redundancies announced by Campbell's Soups have been required to be notified to her Department. [15366]

I have been asked to reply.Information given to the Department under the statutory redundancy handling provisions is provided in confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the salaries of the vice-chancellors and principals of United Kingdom universities according to the salary bands published in the institutional annual. [15422]

My right hon. Friend has no plans to publish this information. The higher education funding councils require universities to disclose these details. They are already in the public domain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the surplus or loss on trading account of each training and enterprise council in 1994–95. [15569]

The following table lists the surpluses or losses incurred by training and enterprise councils in 1994–95. The figures are those shown in the audited statutory accounts lodged at Companies House.

Post tax operating surplus
TECS by region	1994–95 £
Northern
County Durham	(785,231)
Northumberland	884,973
Teesside	(3,941,000)
Tyneside	(1,191,000)
Sunderland City	250,264
	(4,781,994)
Merseyside
CEWTEC	359,849
Merseyside	2,683,672
QUALITEC	(130,746)
	2,912,775
North West
Bolton/Bury	(527,728)
Manchester	(215,299)
METRO	379,973
Oldham	(127,476)
Rochdale	129,225
South and East Cheshire	263,853
Stockport and High Peak	(63,548)
Cumbria	(101,023)
ELTEC	(268,183)
LAWTEC	1,866,300
NORMID	587,422
	1,923,516
Yorkshire and Humberside
Barnsley/Doncaster	232,000
Bradford	(387,183)
Calderdale and Kirklees	225,868
Humberside	760,616
Leeds	(1,816,448)
North Yorkshire	397,000
Rotheram	(122,704)
Sheffield	(372,000)
Wakefield	126,742
	(956,109)
Eastern
Bedfordshire	(143,547)
CAMBS	(55,355)
Essex	363,953
Greater Peterborough	21,450
Hertfordshire	852,000
Norfolk and Waverney	(91,000)
Suffolk	(396,331)
	551,170
East Midlands
Greater Nottingham	319,000
Leicester	(271,766)
Lincolnshire	(2,135,126)
Northamptonshire	192,807
North Derbyshire	92,217
North Nottinghamshire	701,783

Post tax operating surplus
	1994–95
TECS by region	£
South Derbyshire	(356,000)
	(1,457,085)
West Midlands
Birmingham	2,043,000
Central England	283,485
Coventry/Warwick	118,851
Dudley	(61,500)
HAWTEC	(170,417)
Sandwell	(331,901)
Shropshire	150,285
Staffordshire	(1,842,000)
Walsall	(612,779)
Wolverhampton	640,000
	217,024
South West
Westec	(399,000)
Devon/Cornwall	(1,366,000)
Dorset	318,838
Gloucester	769,047
Somerset	(140,890)
Wiltshire	(632,032)
	(1,450,037)
London
AZTEC	748,520
CENTEC	287,415
CILNTEC	(36,989)
LETEC	2,765,046
North London	3,519,426
North West London	118,023
SOLOTEC	(1,396,023)
South Thames	0
West London	(286,586)
	5,718,832
South East
Hampshire	343,021
Isle of Wight	(232,391)
Kent	(133,463)
Milton Keynes/North Buckinghamshire	32,654
Heart of England	196,567
Surrey	(727,521)
Susex	240,000
Thames Valley Ent.	(145,906)
	427,039
Grand Total	2,251,053

To ask the Secretary of State for the Education and Employment how many people in each county and region have received assistance under access to work; and in each case if she will give the number who were (a) employed and (b) unemployed at the time of their application. [15590]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will list those applications for supplementary credit approval that have been approved by her Department during the current financial year together with financial amounts involved, the number of applications received and the total cost of these projects; [15592](2) when she intends announcing further supplementary credit approvals with specific reference to the Liskeard junior school application; and if she will make a statement. [15591]

Copies of press notices listing supplementary credit approvals so far issued in 1995–96, which total over £40 million, have been placed in the Library. This figures includes some cover for Liskeard junior school. Applications so far made total around £110 million—year 1 costs—and there have been approximately 270 bids. I hope to be able to announce further SCAs for 1995–96 shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment she has made of the impact on the job prospects of newly qualified teachers of teachers who have taken early retirement returning to work; [15586](2) if she will make it her policy that teachers who have taken early retirement are not re-employed as teachers on a

The Department does not believe that the re-employment of retired teachers is having an adverse effect on the job prospects of newly qualified teachers. In 1986–87, 12,600 newly qualified teachers entered full-time teaching, 42 per cent. of all entrants. In 1993–94, the latest year for which we have information, the figures were 17,700 and 58 per cent. respectively. My right hon. Friend has no plans to make it her policy to ban re-employment of teachers who have been granted premature retirement. Teachers whose re-employment brings the total of salary and pension they receive above the rate of their previous salary are subject to abatement of pension.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what remuneration the chief executive of the Employment Service received in (a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and what is planned for 1996–97. [15672]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the number and costs of payments made erroneously to claimants as a result of industrial action in jobcentres between 30 November 1995 and 19 February 1996. [15674]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will provide a breakdown of the extra costs contracted by the Employment Service as a result of industrial action in jobcentres between 30 November 1995 and 19 February 1996. [15673]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) of 5 February, Official Report, column 68, what financial evaluation has been made of the workstart pilot scheme in (a) east Kent, (b) south London, (c) the north-east and (d) Devon and Cornwall. [15841]

The evaluation reports of the initial pilots were published on 12 December 1994 and copies are available from the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury of 5 February, Official Report, column 69, what was (a) the saving in benefits of all kinds and (b) her Department's estimate of income from income tax and national insurance contributions, which resulted from the workstart pilot scheme in (i) east Kent, (ii) south London, (iii) the north-east and (iv) Devon and Cornwall; and what was the net saving or cost of the scheme. [15842]

This information is not available. Savings to the Exchequer from any employment programme arise from long-term improvements in the functioning of the labour market and cannot be calculated in the terms requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what changes in policy and procedures have been introduced following South Thames training and enterprise council going into receivership. [15559]

[holding answer 16 February 1996]: The relationship between Government and training and enterprise councils is under continual review. TECs are private companies operating under a contract. Since 1994, when South Thames TEC was placed in receivership the contract has required TECs to pay due regard to the code of practice on the financial aspects of corporate governance—the Cadbury code—and to the "Framework for Local Accountability" published by the TEC National Council. TECs are also required to remain within the financial low risk band category as determined by the Department.Further guidance to Government offices in the regions now ensures the prompt recovery of any overpayments. Licensing arrangements require TECs to meet and maintain published standards set by the Department. All TECs must be licensed by 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the percentage of hard-to-fill vacancies in (a) the south-east, (b) London, (c) the south-west, (d) the west midlands, (e) the east midlands, (f) eastern, (g) Yorkshire and Humberside, (h) the north-west, (i) the north-west (Greater Manchester) and (j) northern areas over the previous 12 months in 1994 and 1995. [15561]

[holding answer 16 February 1996]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the change in taxation relative to an indexed 1978–79 tax regime for a married couple with two children with one adult earning (a) 25 per cent. of average earnings, (b) 50 per cent. of average earnings, (c) 75 per cent. of average earnings, (d) 100 per cent. of average earnings, (e) 200 per cent. of average earnings, (f) 300 per cent. of average earnings, (g) 400 per cent. of average earnings and (h) 500 per cent. of average earnings. [13929]

The weekly reduction in income tax liability for 1996–97 compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime and the weekly reduction as a percentage of earnings in 1996–97 is given in the table.

	One earner married couple with two children under 11
Multiple of average earnings1 1996–97	Reduction in income tax2 in 1996–97 compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime £	Reduction in income tax2 as a percentage of weekly earnings in 1996–97
¼	-3.18	3
½	-8.30	4
¾	17.24	6
1	-26.18	7
2	-50.91	6
3	-143.54	12
4	-281.82	18
5	-452.66	23
1 Full time males on adult rates, all occupations.
2 Net of child benefit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average percentage increase in property valuations for business rate purposes by the Inland Revenue for (a) Reading town centre and (b) the Oxford road, Reading, and the number of appeals received and the number of appeals completed. [13823]

Broad street is the main street in Reading town centre, and comprises mostly shops, where rateable values have increased by about 27 per cent. on average in the 1995 rating list above their previous 1990 list levels.In Oxford road, Reading, rateable values of shops have generally remained unchanged.To date, the valuation officer at Reading has received 50 appeals for Broad street shops and 46 appeals for Oxford street shops. No appeals have been settled so far but discussions with ratepayers are expected to begin soon.Outside London, rate increases, in 1996–97 are limited to 5 per cent. for small businesses, 7.5 per cent. for legal businesses and 2.5 per cent. for composite properties after inflation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the amount of advance corporation tax reclaimed by tax exempt institutions each month over the past five years. [13928]

Advance corporation tax paid by companies is not repayable to shareholders. Exempt institutions, such as pension funds, insurance companies' exempt funds and charities are, however, entitled to payment of the tax credit issued with the dividends and other qualifying distributions they receive. This recognises that the dividends have already borne tax at the company level. Tax credits to exempt institutions are not separately accounted for and precise statistics are, therefore, not available. It is estimated, however, that exempt institutions will receive around £3.5 billion in payments of tax credits from qualifying distributions in 1995–96.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how participation in a local exchange and trading scheme affects the assessment of taxable income. [15430]

Participation in a local exchange and trading scheme does not itself affect what is and is not taxable income. It is the participant's activities that mater. Thus, anyone who provides either goods or services for reward, either inside or outside a local exchange and trading scheme, is likely to be liable to income tax.However, the form of these organisations can differ and as members, activities can vary from individual to individual, it is important that the scheme's organisers contact their local tax office with the full details of their particular scheme to check whether there are any tax implications. Similarly, any scheme member who has doubts about his own tax liability should check with his own tax office.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 6 February, Official Report, columns 117–18, what was the number of (a) basic rate and (b) higher rate taxpayers in 1993–94 in each constituency in the west midlands county area. [15464]

I regret that estimates below county level are not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards completing the joint research project to establish the current compliance costs of tax/national insurance contributions legislation and systems referred to in his White Paper, "The Way Forward". [15588]

The contract to carry out the study was awarded to the Centre for Fiscal Studies at Bath university in October 1995. The work is expected to take around 18 months to complete and should give an up-to-date picture of those aspects of the system which give rise to the largest compliance costs for business. The research team has been asked to identify options for simplification of current operational procedures which could reduce those costs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were in each year from 1979 to 1994, in real terms, (a) the running costs of his Ministers' private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff and (b) the running costs of the Department. [15356]

[holding answer 15 February 1996]: The costs of the ministerial offices and the running costs of the Department are included in the running costs published in the departmental report.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the annual cost of the Government's advertising budget for each of the last five years. [15468]

There is no central advertising budget. This is a matter for individual Departments.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy that every Government Department should produce proposals to ensure that the public and private sectors are able to encourage and, where necessary, provide a wide range of out-of-school activities for 10 to 16-year-olds; and if he will make a statement. [15482]

The public and private sectors are already free to encourage or provide out-of-school activities and schools are free to use them, or not, as they wish.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to review the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967 in regard to the selection of material for retention and release. [15981]

The Government have no such plans as their policy on the release or withholding of records under the provision of the Public Records Acts was reviewed in 1992–93. The results of that review were published as chapter 9 of the White Paper on open government, July 1993 (Cm 2290).

To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy towards the correction of answers given to Parliament where civil servants responsible for drafting or Ministers or former Ministers told the Scott inquiry that they were inaccurate. [14904]

[holding answer 16 February 1996]: If the answers to any parliamentary questions require correction, they are corrected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange to keep a central register of his Department's officials' vested interests. [15179]

Yes. I have arranged for interests declared by members of the diplomatic service to be recorded centrally with immediate effect.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reduction in services offered by the British Council; and if he will list the countries affected. [14588]

The British Council is still considering how best to make the necessary adjustments to its programmes and activities following the latest public expenditure round. No decisions have been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international initiatives are being made to resolve (a) the war and (b) other problems in Sudan. [15412]

The main international initiative to settle the war in Sudan was launched in 1994 by the Inter-Governmental Authority for Drought and Development—comprising Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya and Uganda—which we have fully supported. At the UN, the UK has been active in securing the passage of resolutions critical of Sudan's human rights record and appointing a special rapporteur. The UN Security Council passed a resolution on 31 January calling on Sudan to hand over to Ethiopia three men suspected of involvement in the assassination attempt of President Mubarak of Egypt last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Sudan about the sponsorship of terrorism outside Sudan. [15414]

We have repeatedly raised with Sudan the matter of it harbouring extremist organisation. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary expressed our concern to the Sudanese ambassador in September last year. The UN Security Council, under UK chairmanship, unanimously passed a resolution on 31 January calling on the Sudanese Government to desist from engaging in activities of assisting, supporting and facilitating terrorist activities. It also called on them to give up to the Ethiopian authorities three suspects implicated in the assassination attempt on President Mubarak of Egypt.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on (a) the presence of Rwandan war criminals in Kenya and (b) progress in persuading the Government of Kenya to co-operate with the international war crimes tribunal. [15417]

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has issued four indictments against eight people. It has requested the transfer of three people detained in Belgium and it is due to make a similar request for an unspecified number detained in Zambia. None of these people is believed to be in Kenya.All countries are required to comply with the tribunal, which was established by Security Council resolution 955 under chapter VII. Judge Goldstone has confirmed that Kenya is co-operating with the tribunal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about progress in the return of refugees to Rwanda. [15416]

The United Nation's High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that about 230,000 Rwandan refugees returned to Rwanda during 1995, leaving 1.7 million Rwandan refugees in neighbouring countries at 1 January 1996. The UNCHR hopes that up to 820,000 of these will return voluntarily to Rwanda during 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions on the issue of human rights in East Timor took place during recent meetings between Ministers of his Department and the Indonesian Foreign Minister. [15730]

Ministers raised our concerns about human rights and East Timor with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Ali Alatas, during his visit to the UK in January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the return of the British ambassador to Nigeria. [15564]

After close consultations, European Union heads of mission returned to Lagos during January, including our high commissioner. He was sent back to reinforce our concerns about human rights and the transition timetable at the highest level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of potential instability within Nigeria on neighbouring countries. [15565]

We continue to monitor developments closely in Nigeria, including their possible impact on neighbouring countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is currently provided by Her Majesty's Government to west African countries bordering Nigeria. [15566]

Cameroon benefits from a bilateral aid programme, focused on conservation of forestry and biodiversity and totalling some £2.3 million in 1995–96.Niger, Chad, and Benin also receive UK aid, most notably through the joint funding scheme-£0.41 million in 1994–95.The UK provides substantial assistance to all four countries through its contributions to multilateral aid, particularly EU aid, of which our share in 1994 was about £22 million.

30DA mine clearance actions since April 1993 (as at 15 February 1996)
£
Country	Project	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Afghanistan	Halo: Mine clearance and mine awareness in the Shomali Valley	416,131	223,087	275,000
Afghanistan	UNOCHA: Minefield surveying, planning and management; mine awareness; clearance and clearance training	500,000	1,000,000	750,000
Angola	MAG: Minefield survey and marking (4 months) Luena, Moxico province. Phase I (£223,243) and Phase II (£498,825)	—	722,068	300,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what involvement (a) he and (b) British-based non-governmental organisations have in Burundi; and if he will make a statement about the political situation and any international initiatives to improve matters there. [15415]

Britain supports efforts led by the UN, the Organisation of African Unity and regional leaders to promote political dialogue and reduce violence in Burundi. We supported UN Security Council resolution 1040 of 29 January, which requested the UN Secretary-General to consider options for further action. He is due to report by 20 February. We also supported the appointment by the Foreign Affairs Council on 29 January of an EU special envoy for the Great Lakes region, who will work closely with the UN Security-General's special representatives and the facilitators appointed by the Cairo Conference. An EU troika visited Burundi on 12 February, delivering a firm message to leaders there on the need for dialogue and action to prevent further violence.British NGOs play an important role in ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need. Although the level of violence has calmed in recent weeks, we remain concerned about extremist pressures on the power-sharing Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Kenya about human rights and good governance issues. [15413]

We maintain a regular dialogue with the Kenyan Government on a wide range of issues including those of good governance and human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) of 31 January 1994, Official Report, column 496 on land mines. [15628]

Since April 1993, the ODA has funded the following humanitarian mine clearing operations totalling some £12.713 million. Details are set out in the table. In addition, the UK share of European funded projects from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1995 is over £1.936 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to repealing section 157 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (a) in total and (b) for pensioners only. [14306]

None. Charges under the Road Traffic Act 1988 provide valuable income to the national health service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about general medical practitioners claiming fees from their local health authorities for services to individual patients which they do not provide; what assessment he has made of the costs to his Department of this practice; and what safeguards exist to prevent it. [15074]

Management controls within individual health authorities should ensure that fees are paid only to general medical practitioners for services which they have provided. Payments are subject to scrutiny by both internal and external auditors. Any false fee claims will affect only the distribution of incomes to general medical practitioners but will not increase the overall cost of general medical services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if health care trusts are required to seek competitive tenders for purchases of equipment for hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [16034]

There is a statutory requirement to invite competitive tenders where the aggregate value of the national health service contracting authority's purchase, hire or lease of specified goods or equipment over a 12-month period exceeds £108,667. The only permitted exceptions are on grounds of:

• national security;
• another international procedure takes preference;
• only one supplier is available for technical or artistic reasons, or because of exclusive rights;
• extreme urgency has arisen that was unforeseeable and not due to the purchaser;
• the procurement is of a research and development nature;
• additional deliveries by the original supplier are justified within the current contract;
• following no response, or unacceptable or irregular tenders, from a competitive tender exercise.

Below the statutory threshold, competitive tenders for purchase of equipment would normally be required under a health authority's or NHS trust's standing financial instructions. Any decision to waive such a requirement, except on de minimis grounds, would require the explicit approval of the board, and reasons would be recorded for audit scrutiny.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend the powers of the health service ombudsman. [15568]

The Health Service Commissioners (Amendment) Bill is currently being considered in another place. The Bill proposes to extend the powers of the commissioner to allow him to investigate complaints involving clinical judgment and family health services. The intention, subject to Royal Assent, is to implement this change from 1 April this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many inspections on matters relating to hygiene have been carried out on the Campbells Soups plant in King's Lynn in each of the last five years; [15362](2) how many inspections on matters relating to hygiene have been carried out on the Campbells Soups plant in Stratford on Avon in each of the last five years. [15363]

The information requested is not held centrally. Enforcement of food hygiene law at local level, including hygiene inspection visits, is a matter for individual food authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations he has had with the Association of British Insurers concerning guidance given by individual insurers to insured accident patients in respect of disclosure of insurance cover when presenting at NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [15989]

None. It is departmental policy that treatment in national health service accident and emergency departments is free. If, however, patients subsequently require emergency in-patient admission, they can choose either NHS treatment or private treatment at an NHS hospital or independent hospital. Many private medical insurance policies cover emergency as well as elective in-patient admissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been agreed with the Association of British Insurers concerning the use of former ambulance trust employees on early retirement schemes to use their own cars to drive ambulant patients to out-patient clinics; and if he will make a statement. [15993]

No such guidance has been agreed. It is for local ambulance services to decide what use to make of volunteer car drivers. Ambulance services will ensure that any use of a private car is within the terms of the volunteer's motor insurance policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 February, Official Report, column 562, if he will specify the total cost of prescriptions issued per practice divided by the number of patients on the list for (a) the totality of general practice fundholders and (b) non-fundholders for each year. [15983]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 13 February, column 562. Information split between fundholding general practitioners and non-fundholding general practitioners is readily available only nationally. Analysis below the national level would involve special computer programming and substantial cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of prescriptions issued in the latest year for which figures are available; what was the total revenue from prescription charges in connection with those prescriptions; and what was the average charge per prescription in that year. [15873]

Some 456 million prescription items were dispensed in England in 1994. We estimate that for over 80 per cent. of these items, the recipients were exempt, charges were remitted, or were not payable. The time at which income is brought to account means that items dispensed in 1994 correspond most closely to receipts for the financial year 1994–95. Charge income in 1994–95, including income from prescription prepayment certificates, was £287 million. The charge for each prescription item was £4.25 from April 1993 and £4.75 from April 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what considerations led him not to exempt life-saving drugs for long-term cancer patients from prescription charge. [15774]

Exemption from prescription charges on medical grounds was introduced in 1968. A limited list of qualifying medical conditions, which require life-long medication, has applied since then.When these arrangements were established, general exemption and charge remission arrangements were not as extensive as they are today. In 1996–97, we expect about 85 per cent. of prescription items to be dispensed free, whereas in 1968 the comparable figure was about 42 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account is taken of population in setting social services standard spending assessments; and if he will make a statement. [15729]

Population size is one of the factors taken into account in calculating standard spending assessments for social services. In addition, a variety of indicators are used to reflect the relative need for social services in each local authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the "The Health of the Nation" sub-group on asthma reported to the chief medical officer; when he expects to reach a conclusion on the recommendation of the chief medical officer; and if he will make a statement. [14297]

[holding answer 12 February 1996]: The ad hoc advisory group reported to the chief medical officer in April 1995. The report is being considered in the light of that of the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants "Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution", published in October 1995. We shall announce out conclusions in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths occurred in each of the past five years as a result of (a) peanut allergic reaction, (b) Ecstasy use and (c) excessive water intake. [14344]

[holding answer 12 February 1996]: During the years 1990–94, one death occurred, in 1993, resulting from a peanut allergic reaction.One other death occurred in 1993 from food-induced anaphylaxis, where a peanut was the probable cause.The number of deaths registered in 1990–94 with a mention of Ecstasy were as follows:

Year	Number of deaths
1990	1
1991	6
1992	6
1993	17
1994	19

During the years 1990–1994, the number of deaths from excessive water intake' were as follows:

Year	Number of deaths
1990	6
1991	2
1992	3
19932	7
19942	5
1 International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision) code 276.6—fluid overload.
2 Provisional. (Deaths for 1992 and earlier years represent the number of deaths registered in each year, while deaths from 1993 onwards are deaths occurred in each year).

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the administration costs are of each benefit in percentage terms for (a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995. [12832]

The available information is in the table. The administration costs of each benefit are expressed as a percentage of benefit expenditure, for the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new claims for disability living allowance were received in 1994–95; and how many of those claims were rejected by the Benefits Agency. [15201]

The information is not available in the format requested. Figures are collected for claims processed in a year and also for disallowances. However, a claim received in one year, for example in March 1995, may not be decided until the following statistical year, for example in April 1995. Information available is set out in the table.

Disability Living AllowanceAwards and disallowances on new claims between 1 April 1994 and 31 March 19951 2 3
	Number
Claims received	504,000
Claims disallowed3	256,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will meet funeral directors' representatives to discuss the average size of funeral bills, with particular reference to cremation dues and other items excluded from DSS grants. [15377]

Meetings were held with representatives of the three main funeral directors' associations prior to the changes to the social fund funeral payment scheme implemented in June 1995. It was agreed that future liaison meetings would be held with officials. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research he has carried out to establish the costs charged by funeral directors. [15379]

The amounts charged and awarded for funeral directors' fees under the previous funeral payment scheme were reviewed before changes were made. A specification was prepared following discussions with the three main national funeral directors associations. The specification now restricts the type of coffin and number of cars allowed. It is the Government's view that an amount of up to £500 is a reasonable amount to pay for the funeral director's fees, included within the specification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish guidelines on the items to be included in or excluded from DSS assistance with funeral bills. [15376]

The information is contained in:

Regulation 3(4) of the Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Amendment Regulations 1995 (SI. 1229 1995), a copy of which is in the Library; and

Social Security leaflets: D49—What to do after a death in England and Wales; D49s—What to do after a death in Scotland: Social Security Supplement; SB 16—A guide to the Social Fund; and SF200—Social Fund Funeral Payment claim pack.

Leaflets D49 and D49S may be obtained from the office of the local registrar of births, deaths and marriages. All social security leaflets are available from social security offices and may also be obtained from the citizen's advice bureau and other advice centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to safeguard income support claimants who are unable to pay the difference between the cost of a funeral and the DSS funeral grant. [15378]

Income support claimants who are responsible for meeting the expenses of a funeral may be entitled to a social fund funeral payment.The social fund payment includes the reasonable cost of the funeral directors' fees, up to £500, and the necessary cost of disbursements for either a burial or cremation.Where funds are available from the deceased estate or the claimant has capital over £500—£1,000 if over 60—this will be taken into account when making an award.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the public expenditure cost per head of total population in each European Union country of state-provided pensions in 1995; and what it is estimated to be under present policies in the years (i) 2000, (ii) 2005, (iii) 2010, (iv) 2015 and (v) 2020, respectively. [15570]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.The 1988 EU figures are contained in "Digest of Statistics on Social Protection in Europe Volume 1: Old Age" published by Eurostat in 1992, a copy of which is in the Library.The table contains Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development forecasts of per capita spending on public pension systems in the four EU countries listed:

Local currency values—1994 prices
	Germany	France	Italy	United Kingdom
1995	4,518	13,752	3,259,156	531
2000	5,446	13,974	2,951,341	600
2005	6,084	14,298	3,203,566	679
2010	6,644	15,898	3,621,503	794
2015	7,322	18,416	4,309,383	881
2020	8,012	20,943	5,043,293	924
2025	9,316	23,785	5,975,440	1,002
2030	11,153	26,597	7,079,009	1,094
Figures for UK are based on current average pension receipt and World bank population projections, figures take into account equalisation of state pension age but do not take into account changes to SERPS.

The following table contains the Government Actuary's Department's projections for Great Britain, which take into account all the changes to date and are based on more recent population data:

Per capita spending in 1994 prices on (including SERPS) Retirement Pension (including SERPS)
	Great Britain
	(£)
1994–95	506
2000–01	587
2010–01	707
2020–01	764
2030–01	892

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social security appeals are currently adjourned pending a decision by the House of Lords. [15359]

[holding answer 15 February 1996]: The information is set out in the table.

Cases on which action has been suspended
	Number
Social security appeals	2,011
Commissioners	14,278
Court of appeal	nil
1 This figure represents both cases upon which appeals have been accepted and cases upon which applications for leave to appeal are still to be considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 13 February 1996, Official Report, column 550, what representations he has received on the achievements of the Access Committee for England; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement. [15772]

We have received a number of letters about the Access Committee for England which have been brought to the attention of the working group set up to consider the committee's future role and functions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further measures he is assessing to combat benefit fraudulent claims. [14864]

[holding answer 12 February 1996]: The Benefits Agency's comprehensive security strategy includes a five-year plan for improving security and control of the benefits system.The further measures include the continuing benefit review programme to establish the scale and patterns of fraud and incorrectness in all the major benefits; increasing the numbers of visits to, and other checks of, claimants to benefit; expanding data matching to compare information on DS S computers; investigation of employers who collude with employees who make fraudulent claims; the gradual replacement of order books and girocheques with a benefit payment card; improving the integrity and control of national insurance numbers; and the introduction in targeted areas of mobile electronic stop notice scanners in post office to stop the fraudulent encashment of order books.Local authorities administer housing benefit. New measures being introduced include the development of a central computer register to cross-check claims, ear marking of £8 million for challenging funding to encourage innovation in fighting fraud, and a strengthening of the financial incentives for local authorities to pursue fraud.