To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requests he has received for British military forces to come under local, non-British control; what has been his response; and if he will make a statement. [13266]

British military forces regularly come under non-British operational control when they take part in operations under UN, NATO or ad hoc coalition auspices. In all cases, British forces remain under UK national command.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report, "Iraq's Growing Arsenal: Programs and Facilities," prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency in July 1990. [16004]

I have no responsibility for reports prepared by a foreign intelligence agency. Matters relating to Iraq's procurement programme are dealt with in the Scott report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base and which (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16030]

None of my Department's executive non-departmental bodies has a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to board or committee meetings, or to hold open meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to (a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16017]

While none of my Department's executive non-departmental bodies is subject to (a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner or (b) the Audit Commission, they are all subject to (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) the code of practice on access to Government information, (e) performance indicators and (f) citizens charter provisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's staff formerly involved in the Al Yamamah project office have made applications under the business appointment rules. [16190]

The information is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts have been made to raise private sector finance to construct a new royal yacht. [16259]

No decision has been made on whether to replace Britannia and the Government have not invited contributions from the private sector to the costs of any replacement. A number of suggestions for a possible replacement have, however, been received from outside the Government, and some of these include private sector funding. The Government are continuing to consider the question of a replacement. An announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts have been made to raise funds from the private sector towards the financing of HMY Britannia; and if he will make a statement. [16258]

Private sector funding has not been sought for the operation of HMY Britannia. However, organisers of trade promotion events held on board the yacht meet all additional costs incurred, over and above normal running costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations led him to approve Air Vice-Marshal Howard's appointment as a consultant to Tripod Engineering Ltd. in November 1988 following his retirement in October 1988; and to what extent these considerations were based on (a) written policy guidelines and (b) assessment of the particular case. [16304]

As Sir Richard Scott's report makes clear, Air Vice-Marshal Howard did not seek permission before taking up his appointment with Tripod Engineering Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the present whereabouts and ownership of International Military Services Ltd. files relating to defence consultancies and contracts in Jordan, Iran and Iraq after 1981. [16313]

These are matters for the company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance was provided by (a) serving and (b) recently discharged British officers to International Military Services Ltd. to provide advice to the Government of Iraq between July 1981 and August 1990. [16305]

Advice given by any IMS representatives is a matter for the company. I am not aware of any serving officers being involved in any such matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date a final settlement of outstanding contractual issues with Iran in respect of contracts involving International Military Services Ltd. was concluded. [16309]

This is a matter for International Military Services Ltd., but I understand that not all of the company's outstanding contractual issues have been concluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department (a) was informed of and (b) approved the instruction of the chief executive of International Military Services Ltd. to remove material relating to Iraq from the company's files. [16394]

No. The maintenance of records is a matter for the company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the integrated weapon complex constructed in Basra, Iraq, in 1985, was subjected to allied attack in Operation Desert Storm; and what assessment his Department made of the damage caused to it. [16399]

Full details of coalition operational combat sorties are not held by the MOD, but we have no record of any RAF attacks on such a facility. Battle damage assessment reports from recent conflicts remain classified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the ownership and trading activities of the Canira Technical Company Ltd. of Northern Ireland with particular reference to its involvement with the Iraqi arms procurement programme. [16325]

There is nothing that I can usefully add to the information contained in paragraph D5.25 (xvi) of the Scott report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving British officers (a) on secondment and (b) temporarily discharged were made available for the repair of an Iranian naval base at Bander-Abbas in the period between July 1981 and August 1988 as a contribution to a contract held by IMS. [16401]

I am aware of none.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the officials in his Department who have declared a current interest; what requirements are placed on officials to declare relevant interests; in what form records of such declarations are kept; and if he will establish a central register of officials' interests. [16877]

Regulations require staff to declare to their line manager all investments in any company with which they have official dealings. These declarations should include details of such investments held by an individual's immediate family, as far as he or she is aware of those interests. Staff who are themselves directors, or partners or who hold any other appointment in a private sector commercial organisation must, if the private interest is associated in any way with their official duties, declare the interest to their line manager. Any information declared is confidential to the declarant and his or her line manager. No central records are kept, nor is it considered necessary to collect such information centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those contracts his Department currently holds with EDS, indicating for each the (a) date of inception, (b) value and (c) duration. [17451]

The central data maintained by the Ministry of Defence procurement executive shows that there are more than 150 contracts currently open with the company with a total value of in excess of £50 million. To obtain the level of detailed information requested for each contract would require considerable further research which could not be undertaken without disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he is making with his proposals to transfer the married quarters estate in England and Wales to the private sector. [17719]

The preliminary information memorandum, published on 30 November 1995, has attracted strong interest from a substantial number of companies and consortia. A full information memorandum has now been issued to prequalified bidders, on a commercially confidential basis, to enable them to submit bids for the estate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy on arms sales to Nigeria. [16967]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 12 February, Official Report, column 447.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 February, Official Report, column 358, from what sources it is proposed to raise the estimated cost of encrypting and providing decoding equipment for the SSVC television service in Cyprus; and what are the estimated numbers of expatriates in Cyprus who will not be entitled to a decoding device. [15905]

If it is decided to provide an encrypted SSVC television service in Cyprus and to supply the necessary decoders to the entitled audience, the costs will be met from the Defence budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 February, Official Report, column 722, regarding the position of sub-contractors working on the new MOD building at Abbey Wood, Bristol, if he will make a statement on the disputes between the main construction contractor and his sub-contractors. [16961]

Commercial relationships between the main construction contractor and his sub-contractors are matters for the main contractor to deal with. However, the Department understands the normal process of settling final accounts for the sub-contractors who have completed their works continues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 February, Official Report, column 722, regarding the costs of the new MOD building at Abbey Wood, Bristol, what are the estimated and budgeted costs for (a) site acquisition, (b) construction, (c) fitting out, (d) professional works management fees and (e) VAT; and if the estimated cost of construction takes account of disputed payments to the contractor. [16974]

The estimated and budgeted costs for the Abbey Wood construction project, at 1992 prices and inclusive of VAT where appropriate, are as follows:

£ million
Site acquisition and planning obligations	124.9
Construction, including fitting out	2212.6
Works project management fees	39.7
Total	247.2
1 £27.3 million at 1995 prices.
2 £235.5 million at 1995 prices.
3 £10.5 million at 1995 prices.

Elements of the fit-out works are currently subject to procurement competitions and therefore the associated costs are commercially confidential. These figures reflect the Department's estimate of the likely outturn costs for the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to paragraph C 2.62 of the Scott report, if he will list the equipment that was sent to Iraq under temporary licences and subsequently incorporated into the Iraqi weapon producing system between 1980 and 1991. [17342]

I am not in a position to state with certainty what equipment was incorporated into Iraqi weapons manufacture. Sir Richard Scott addresses these issues in detail in sections D2.46 to D2.51, D6.55 to D6.72 and D6.194 to D6.220 of his report and I have nothing to add to his description of what equipment was sent to Iraq under temporary licences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to reply to parliamentary questions concerning sales of defence equipment and arms covered by the 1991 United Nations arms register. [17124]

We intend to review the practice of successive Governments not to reveal details of the export of defence related equipment in reply to parliamentary questions.A paper is today being placed in the Library of the House which sets out current policy and practice in informing Parliament about arms sales matters. We hope that this will be a useful document to take the discussion forward. Copies of the UK returns to the UN arms register covering the export of seven categories of conventional arms have been placed in the House Libraries, on an annual basis, since the system began in 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make it his policy to permit the disclosure of information contained in section C6 of the export licence application form where the prospective export is deemed to be a dual-use militarily sensitive technology. [15969]

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the statement that I made on Thursday 15 February,

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what powers the Synod has to instruct the commissioners to (a) reduce the level of pensions already in payment and (b) reduce the level of stipends in payment. [15546]

The General Synod has no power to instruct the commissioners to reduce the level of pensions in payment. The levels are determined in accordance with the pensions regulations. Under the current arrangements, the legislation gives to the commissioners the power to increase the figures, which they customarily exercise in line with the Church's pensions policy. There is no provision for any reduction to be made in the monetary amounts payable.Stipend levels are determined on a diocesan basis by the bishop with the concurrence of the Diocesan Board of Finance in accordance with section 5 of the Diocesan Stipends Funds Measure 1953, having regard to the advice of the commissioners as central stipends authority. The commissioners were appointed as central stipends authority by a General Synod Regulation in 1972, which was revised in 1982. The Synod has the power to amend this regulation if it so wishes by appointing another authority, but cannot directly reduce the level of stipends.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much has been paid by the legal aid fund on account in respect of defendants of the Maxwell case. [15959]

To date, £8.3 million has been paid on account from the legal aid fund to lawyers representing Kevin and Ian Maxwell—Trachtenberg, Bunn, Fuller, and Stoney. That sum includes £829,000 paid in respect of the magistrates court proceedings.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number and length of statutory instruments. [15764]

In respect of the areas of law for which he is responsible, the Lord Chancellor endeavours to combine and streamline regulations wherever possible and to ensure that they are as concise as is consistent with clarity and legal certainty.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what efforts are being made to monitor the operation of section 8 orders under the Children Act 1989. [15948]

I have been asked to reply. The Lord Chancellor's Department is undertaking a review of the operation of the Children Act, with a particular emphasis on minimising delay. The Children Act advisory committee is also monitoring the implementation of the Act and a number of research projects are being undertaken.The Department collects statistics on the number of applications for section 8 orders received, orders made, orders refused, orders of no order made and applications withdrawn.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to (a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open Government, (e) performed indicators and (f) provisions under the citizen's charter. [16010]

The Lord Chancellor's Department sponsors two such bodies—the Legal Aid Board and the Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board. However, the latter has been inactive since March 1992, when the Lord Chancellor announced his decision to postpone the implementation of the authorised practitioners scheme.The Legal Aid Board is not subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission but

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base and which (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16028]

The Lord Chancellor's Department sponsors two such bodies—the Legal Aid Board and the Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board. Both have a statutory basis. However, the latter has been inactive since March 1992, when the Lord Chancellor announced his decision to postpone implementation of the authorised practitioners scheme.The Legal Aid Board does not, nor is it required to, admit members of the public to board or committee meetings or hold open meetings for members of the public.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to publish the Government's consultation paper on mental incapacity, following the Law Commission's report on the subject; how long the consultation period will be; and when he expects the results will be published. [16151]

No date has yet been set for publication of the Government's consultation paper on mental incapacity. The length of the consultation period has yet to be decided.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the consistency between his statement in The Sun on 17 February as to United Kingdom arms exports to Iraq with the details of export licences provided on pages 21. 33, 34 and 77 of the appendix A of volume V of the Scott report. [16907]

Appendix A of volume V of the Scott report confirms that the UK did not on any occasion approve the export of lethal defence equipment to Iraq. This is the point that I was making in my article in The Sun on 17 February.

To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines he has issued to Departments in respect of the retention of papers dealing with export licences since the Scott inquiry commenced. [15979]

No specific guidance has been issued on the retention of papers dealing with export licences. Central guidance on the retention of Government papers generally is issued by the Public Records Office. More detailed criteria are applied by each Government Department to meet its own needs.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the briefing note prepared for him in support of his oral answer to the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) of 12 November 1992, Official Report, column 990. [15629]

[holding answer 16 February 1996]: This document was submitted as evidence to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document which he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible. Documents which Sir Richard does not consider relevant to his report and which contain internal discussion and advice will not be made available.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will now place in the Library a copy of the chronology of United Kingdom trade with Iraq, prepared for his Office by the Cabinet Office in November 1992. [16050]

This document was submitted as evidence to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document which he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.

To ask the Prime Minister how many Ministers have resigned in each year since 1979. [16985]

This is a matter of public record.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make arrangements for the transcripts of all television and radio broadcasts made by Ministers of the Crown to be deposited in the Library. [16729]

This is a matter for departmental Ministers. The cost of making it a universal practice would be very substantial.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to measure the impact of the deregulation process. [15247]

Savings to business arising from recent deregulatory measures include £41 million a year from simplification of food temperature controls and £18 million a year by removing unnecessary gold plating from the collective redundancies directive. New guidelines on compliance cost assessment require departments to assess the impact of all regulatory proposals likely to impact on business and to place copies in the House Libraries.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions he has had with the United Kingdom representative office in Brussels with regard to deregulation in the United Kingdom and the EC. [15623]

I last discussed deregulation with the UK permanent representation to the European Union on 23 November last year. The United Kingdom representation in Brussels is fully aware of the Government's deregulatory objectives and takes every opportunity to advance the case for deregulation in its work with the Commission and other member states.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to re-assess the priorities of his Department. [15248]

I have no such plans.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in preparing the cost benefit analyses of regulations. [15249]

New guidance on measuring the costs to business of regulatory proposals was issued to departments on 25 January. Guidance on measuring the benefits of regulatory proposals is currently being prepared and we hope to publish this by April. Copies of our compliance cost assessment guidance has been circulated to Ministers in other European Union nations.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received concerning the presentation of Government policy relating to the Scott inquiry. [15250]

We have received a small number of representations concerning the Scott inquiry.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the presentation of Government policy relating to the Scott inquiry. [15252]

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Scott inquiry. [15254]

The Scott report will be debated later today.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning open government and the export of defence-related equipment to Iraq. [15261]

None.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister about the implications of the Scott report for the civil service. [15260]

My right hon. Friend has discussed a number of the conclusions and recommendations of the Scott report with the Prime Minister. Many of these have implications for the civil service.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Scott report and the workings of his Department. [15264]

The Scott report will be debated later today.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the Government's key policy priorities for presentation to the public throughout 1996. [15251]

The Government will continue to stress that their policies are designed to: pursue economic prosperity and security for all, based on an enterprise economy; create a nation of opportunity, reflecting the Government's values of choice, ownership and reward; uphold decent common-sense values in the pursuit of law, order and justice; provide the people of Britain with first-class public services; and reflect pride in the nation and its place in the world.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what responsibility he takes for circulating information on the exercise of ministerial responsibility. [15253]

This information is contained in the "List of Ministerial Responsibilities", which is published and circulated by my Department.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his proposals to improve the morale of the civil service. [15255]

Morale in the civil service is best maintained by allowing staff to perform to the best of their abilities in the career they have chosen. As the Deputy Prime Minister made clear in his recent speech on the civil service, the Government's civil service reforms enable staff to focus their attention on delivering high-quality public services. This is the best way of satisfying both them and the users of their services.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to reduce the number of forms and survey which businesses are required to complete and return to Government Departments and agencies. [15259]

Departments have been asked to report annually on the burden that they impose on business through forms and surveys by setting targets and reporting achievements in meeting them. I have also established a study group to investigate ways of reducing the compliance cost of Government surveys of business. I announced the appointment of the chairman of the study group and its terms of reference in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 9 February 1996 at column 372.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account is taken of special advisers' pay in determining the pay of Ministers. [15262]

None. Ministerial salaries are determined by the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning the presentation of Government policy regarding the export of machine tools to Iraq. [15265]

None.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Cabinet policies he has spent most time promoting in 1996. [15266]

My colleagues and I have promoted policies that pursue economic prosperity and security for all, based on an enterprise economy; create a nation of opportunity, reflecting the Government's values of choice, ownership and reward; uphold decent common-sense values in the pursuit of law, order and justice; provide the people of Britain with first-class public services; and reflect pride in the nation and its place in the world.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many copies of the booklets (a) "Getting a good deal in Europe" and (b) "Guidance on preparations of Compliance Cost Assessments" have been printed; and how many of each have been distributed to civil servants. [15882]

The numbers printed and distributed were:

	Number printed	Total distributed to date
Getting a good deal in Europe …
Deregulatory Principles in Practice	20,000	7,600
Checking the Cost of Regulation:
A Guide to Compliance Cost Assessment	15,000	3,200

Information on the numbers distributed to civil servants is not separately available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 13 February, Official Report, column 484, what improvements in the regulatory systems he has pressed for at the EU level; and if he will list the directives he has assessed as burdensome on which hopes to take action. [15906]

I refer the hon. Member to the paper "UK Priorities for European Regulatory Reform", which has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he plans to study the scope for privatisation of the Government car service. [17521]

No. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment made clear on 8 November when he announced the transfer to my department of the Security Facilities Executive, the agency of which the Government car service forms part, the only study proposed into the scope for more private sector involvement in the work of the agency was in respect of the custody service. I have nothing to add to that statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress of the next steps programme. [17520]

The Government today published the sixth Next Steps Review—Cm 3164—which was laid in both Houses. It brings together information on the 109 next steps agencies and the executive organisations of HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue established in Government at the end of 1995. Two out of three civil servants work under next steps arrangements.The review has been developed from being a report on the next steps project to one that focuses on agency performance. It shows that in different areas and in different ways, many next steps agencies are delivering services to improved standards with increased efficiency and effectiveness.For the first time, as announced in the second competitiveness White Paper "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead", the review includes results for each agency against its key targets over the last three financial years as well as the performance targets set for 1995–96. This indicates trends and facilitates comparison.The individual commentaries on each agency include new features, such as whether the agency is involved in a private finance initiative project; its progress in securing investors in people accreditation; comment on external responses to completed prior options reviews; and more consistent coverage of market testing initiatives. The competing for quality returns reveal for the first time results for individual agencies. Between April 1992 and March 1995, agencies reviewed £1.3 billion of activities under the competing for quality programme, half of all the activity reviewed in the civil service. Agencies produced annual savings of £313 million, nearly 60 per cent. of the civil service total savings. This represents an average saving of 24 per cent.Taken together, the individual entries in the review report on more than 1,400 key performance targets. Of these, the overall proportion met by agencies rose to 83 per cent. in 1994–95. This shows a continuing trend of improvement over the three preceding years when the results were 80 per cent. in 1993–94, 77 per cent. in 1992–93 and 76 per cent. in 1991–92.Within government, agencies continue to be at the forefront of implementing the principles of the citizens charter. Sixty two charter marks are now held by agencies, HM Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue, reflecting the commitment of agency chief executives and their staff to high standards of customer service.While improvements in performance and standards of service are being achieved, the data contained in the review also show that there is scope to do more. The Government's policy is to seek continuous improvement; and building on the present level of experience of target setting and monitoring, agencies will be required to demonstrate that they are delivering genuinely challenging levels of performance. Ministers will take an even closer interest in ensuring this is so.The year ahead will see most remaining candidates established as agencies. By 1997, assuming that currently identified functions are all launched as agencies, I expect around three quarters of civil servants will be working under next steps arrangements. That is a significant achievement and a tribute to the way in which staff at all levels have committed themselves to change and to improved performance. The benefits for taxpayers, customers and staff are set out in the review and are clear to see.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Government policy in respect of freedom of information. [15257]

Our policy is based on the code of practice on access to Government information, which has been operating since 1994, together with legislation covering specific areas of information that the Government have introduced or supported. We believe that this meets the aims of freedom of information in a way that is less legalistic, less rigid and less costly than a general statutory access regime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the chairman of the British Council to discuss the level of Overseas Development Administration grant in aid to the council. [15274]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs visited the British Council on 7 February. Among other subjects, he and the chairman discussed planned funding from both wings of the FCO.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government have given recently to emergency disaster relief. [15276]

Since 1 January, the ODA has responded to six new emergencies—in China, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Nicaragua and South Africa—with grants totalling £515,000. It has also continued funding actions is more than 20 other long-term situations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effect of the recommendation in the Overseas Development Administration's fundamental expenditure review that the technical assistance functions of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children's Fund and the United Nations Population Fund be consolidated. [16397]

The ODA fundamental expenditure review did not make a specific recommendation for the consolidation of the technical assistance functions of UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA. We nevertheless keep under continuous review measures for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of all UN development agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial help has been and is now being given to the people of Montserrat in relation to problems associated with increased volcanic activity in the dependency; what assessment he has made of its adequacy; what further help is being considered; and if he will make a statement. [16975]

Through the official aid programme, the Government have committed £4.6 million since July 1995 to problems raised by the volcanic emergency. A list of the main elements of this continuing programme has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.Monitoring and assessment of the existing funding is continuous through the governor's office, which is assisted by a full-time ODA consultant on Montserrat and visits from the regional office in Barbados. Further funds are available if necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people have given up their homes in Montserrat and left for Antigua and elsewhere due to increased volcanic activity on the island; what contingency plans have been made for dealing with the worsening of the situation; and if he will make a statement. [16976]

It is estimated that up to 1,000 Montserratians are now off the island. Most are working elsewhere in the Caribbean. There are no figures on the number of households involved. A range of plans for differing situations have been formulated. The lessons learnt from two recent evacuations into the northern safe zone are influencing continuing preparations for any third such event. Thanks to the co-operation of the Government of Antigua, facilities exist on Antigua should evacuation of Montserrat be necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many flights of arms and ammunition were made from Manaston airport to Nigeria in the course of the Biafra problems; and what assessment he has made of the delivery of the manifests. [17246]

I regret that to provide the information which relates to the period 1966 to 1970 would incur disproportionate costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received, and what discussions he has held, about the present funding situation of the UNHCR humanitarian operation in the great lakes region. [17025]

Representations were made by the United High Commissioner for Refugees to the ODA and UK mission officials in Geneva on 4 February and the matter was subsequently discussed by European Union ambassadors in Geneva on 5 February. The release since then of US$ 26 million by the European Commission has now alleviated UNHCR's funding problems.On 31 January, my noble Friend Baroness Chalker announced a further UK bilateral commitment of £3 million towards the water and sanitation needs of refugees and local population in Tanzania. A large proportion of this will be channelled through UNHCR.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost to public funds of the printing and publishing of the Scott report. [16218]

HMSO normally bears the costs of printing, publishing and distributing all Parliamentary publications, with the overall aim of recovering these from sales revenue.However, in this case, and at the request of Sir Richard Scott, my Department has agreed to pay a subsidy in the region of £85,000 so that the cover price can be contained at a level which ensures that the report is as accessible as possible to the general public.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received alleging an agreement on price and markets between manufacturers of pickles and other canned food products in the United Kingdom. [16229]

None. Any evidence suggesting that manufacturers of pickles and other canned food products may be acting anti-competitively should be brought to the attention of the Director General of Fair Trading, who has the responsibility to consider and, if appropriate, investigate such allegations.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the comparative efficiency of energy production of wind turbines and conventional forms of energy production. [16418]

Reviews spanning the technical, economic and environmental status of the range of technologies available or potentially available, including wind energy, to meet the UK's energy requirement over a 40-year time horizon were published in two reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. They are "ETSU R83: An Appraisal of UK Energy Research, Development, Demonstration and Dissemination" and "ETSU R82: An Assessment of Renewable Energy for the UK."

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many dogs were exported for sale from the United Kingdom in each of the past five years; and to what destinations. [17043]

The information requested is not available as the United Kingdom trade classification does not separately identify dogs.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list (a) the number of industrial tribunal cases heard involving (i) British Gas (ii) British Telecom, (iii) National Power, Powergen, National Grid and Nuclear Electric, (iv) the East Midlands Electricity, (v) Eastern Electricity, (vi) London Electricity, (vii) MANWEB, (viii) Midlands Electricity, (ix) Northern Electricity, (x) Norweb (xi) Seeboard, (xii) Southern Electricity, (xiii) South Wales Electricity, (xiv) South Western Electricity and (xv) Yorkshire Electricity in 1995, (b) in how many cases, and in what percentage of occasions, the tribunal found against the company and (c) the monetary value of any award set by the tribunal in each case. [16619]

I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list (a) the number of industrial tribunal cases heard involving (i) British Gas in 1985. (ii) British Telecom in 1983, (iii) the Central Electricity Generating Board in 1988, (iv) the East Midlands Electricity Board in 1989, (v) Eastern Electricity Board in 1989, (vi) the London Electricity Board, (vii) MANWEB in 1989, (viii) the Midlands Electricity Board in 1989, (ix) the Northern Electricity Board in 1989, (x) Norweb in 1989, (xi) Seeboard in 1989, (xii) the Southern Electricity Board in 1989, (xiii) the South Wales Electricity Board in 1989, (xiv) the South Western Electricity Board in 1989 and (xv) the Yorkshire Electricity Board in 1989, (b) in how many cases, and in what percentage of occasions, the tribunal found against the company and (c) the monetary value of any award set by the tribunal in each case. [16618]

I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of household textiles retailing in the United Kingdom were manufactured in the United Kingdom. [16831]

The information is not available for the retail market. However, in 1994, UK manufacturers' ex-factory domestic sales of household textiles represented 61 per cent. of the UK market, calculated from these and overseas trade statistics.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with Marks and Spencer since 1992 concerning its policy on United Kingdom sourcing of goods sold by it. [16832]

Ministers and officials from my Department have regular contact with Marks and Spencer, as with other major UK companies. These discussions have covered the company's strong relationship with its UK suppliers and how it can be maintained.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level of exports of (a) military goods and services, (b) dual-use goods and services and (c) other goods and services between 1974 and 1979. [16902]

Information on UK exports of identified defence equipment and total goods and services is given in the table. Information on defence services and on dual-use goods and services is not available.

Value of UK exports
£ million, current prices
Year	Military goods	Total goods	Total services	Total goods and services
1974	179	16,191	6,597	22,788
1975	198	19,429	7,678	27,107
1976	218	25,139	10,010	35,149
1977	356	31,921	11,615	43,536
1978	392	35,280	12,495	47,775
1979	393	40,400	14,427	54,827

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes have been made since the opening of the Scott inquiry into the criteria adopted by his Department in deciding whether to give substantive replies to parliamentary questions seeking details of arms or military equipment exports from the United Kingdom. [15971]

No such changes have been made. It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to disclose details about export licences that have been issued. However, the Government have from time to time released such information in exceptional circumstances where it was clearly in the public interest. I refer the hon. Member to the statement that I made on Thursday 15 February, Official Report, columns 1139–44, in relation to Sir Richard Scott's recommendations on this matter.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to paragraph C 2.62 of the Scott report, if he will list the exports of (a) machine tools and (b) other equipment sent to Iraq under temporary licences and subsequently incorporated into the Iraqi weapon producing system between 1980 and 1991. [17343]

I am not in a position to state with certainty what equipment was incorporated into the Iraqi weapon producing system. Sir Richard Scott addressed these issues in detail in sections D2.46 to D2.51, D6.55 to D6.72 and D6.194 to D6.220 of his report and I have nothing to add to his description of what equipment was sent to Iraq under temporary licences.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16539]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: A small number of civil servants in each of the main Departments concerned had access to the report prior to publication for the purpose of preparing the Government's response. Such access was in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Scott inquiry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16578]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: On Wednesday 7 February 1996.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16598]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedure agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give the cost of the work.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16562]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main departments concerned in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give their number or grades.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16494]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: During the afternoon of Wednesday 7 February 1996.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to (a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16023]

The information is as follows:Those non-departmental public bodies that are:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to review the Government's powers under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939. [17232]

The Government are considering Sir Richard Scott's recommendations and will be publishing a consultation paper.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what considerations led him to provide a freephone business link telephone service for businesses in England; and if he will make a statement. [15880]

Business link inquiries have been handled by the original enterprise initiative freephone number, 0800 500 200, since May 1995. This will be discontinued at the end of the current financial year because the enterprise initiative is no longer operational.A dedicated business link helpline was set up in October 1995 at the time of the business link national launch. The 0345 567765 lo-call number provides callers with a central inquiry point with direct switching to their nearest business link. A single national number is essential for any reference to business link in the national media.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16554]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: My officials and I have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru. Sir Richard is free to publish any document he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each year since 1985–86 the proportions attributable to awards to Iraq of (a) the amount in default and (b) the amount written off relating to export credit guarantees. [16005]

[holding answer 19 February 1996]: The information is as follows:

Claims paid and amounts written off by ECGD on Iraq by financial year from 1985–86:
£ million
Year	Claims paid	Amounts written off
1985–86	3	0
1986–87	4	0
1987–88	6	0
1988–89	28	4
1989–90	56	0
1990–91	193	0
1991–92	181	0
1992–93	104	0
1993–94	61	0
1994–95	46	3
1995–961	14	2
Total	696	9
1 To 31 January.

The above table reports all claims paid by the ECGD on Iraq. For this reason, the total of £696 million is higher than the claims figure of £683 million which I cited in my written reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 15 January 1996,

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what has been the cost of each meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee in the current session to date; and what is the estimated cost of each of those planned for the remainder of the Session. [12960]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: The information is not readily available in the form requested, because not all costs are analysed to individual meetings. The extra costs which relate to travel, accommodation, communication and additional staff time for those meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee held in Scotland have been forecast at £102,000 for the financial year to 31 March 1996 and £162,000 for the financial year to 31 March 1997. Sums expended in the current Session, to 31 January 1996, amount to £28,501.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount of debt outstanding at the time of train operations being wound up by Stagecoach on the east coast main line; how much has been repaid to date; and at what times. [17131]

This is a commercial matter between British Rail and Stagecoach. I understand that BR allowed Stagecoach Holdings plc to withdraw without penalty from its contract or provide overnight seated train services from Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh to London and return.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16535]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: No member of my Department saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to this office. [16496]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: During the afternoon of Friday 16 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for transport when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16582]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: At 3.30 pm on Thursday 15 February, when I collected a copy from the Vote Office at the House of Commons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16472]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 7 February, Official Report, column 273, what instructions he has issued since 1 January to the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising regarding the rate at which services are to be franchised. [17036]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued to the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising and the chairman of the British Railways Board regarding the inclusion of additional recovery time in timetables. [16986]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sanctions exist for refusal by private sector railway operating companies to affiliate to the Association of Train Operating Companies. [16981]

Membership of ATOC is not mandatory. However, all passenger operators are required under the terms of their licences and/or franchise agreements to participate in a number of mandatory schemes which are administered by ATOC. These are the ticketing and settlement scheme, the London Regional Transport scheme, discount card schemes for the elderly, disabled and young, the telephone inquiry bureaux scheme and the staff travel scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the rail regulator to discuss disabled persons' access to the rail network. [16781]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets the rail regulator on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of rail transport issues. His next meeting is planned for Tuesday 5 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are currently employed at the head office of Railtrack; and how many he expects to be employed in the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98. [16984]

At 3 February, the headquarters directorates of Railtrack employed a total of 1,300 people; staffing levels for the company after it is privatised will be a matter for Railtrack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each regulatory body for which he is responsible indicating for each the percentage of business people on the board. [15736]

The table lists the agencies and authorities for which the Secretary of State is responsible and which could be defined as regulatory bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many valentine cards he has received from users of the Gospel Oak to Barking line. [16230]

About 700.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish maps showing projections, at national and regional level, of future traffic congestion on the trunk road system as a basis for assessing likely requirements for improvement to the United Kingdom's infrastructure; and if he will undertake also to publish revised projections in future taking account of changes to economic and traffic forecasts. [13987]

[holding answer 8 February 1996]: I am placing maps of current congestion, and projections of future congestion, in the Library of the House together with an explanatory note. The maps will be kept up to date as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of costs arising from efforts to control oil pollution originating from the Sea Empress. [17074]

As at midday Friday 23 February, the known costs to the marine pollution control unit exceeded £2 million, excluding some significant costs where information is not yet available. We would seek to recover these costs from the ship's insurers or from the international oil pollution compensation fund. Estimates of costs incurred by others is not currently available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what quantity of oil-dispersant chemicals have so far been used on oil slicks originating from the Sea Empress. [17077]