To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent report he has received on the current human rights situation; what assessment he has made of the electoral process; and if he will make a statement about the current political situation in Kenya. [17830]

We receive reports from a variety of sources about human rights in Kenya. We have some concerns about the political situation and certain aspects of the electoral process. We draw these to the attention of the Kenyan authorities during our regular contacts. The UK is making a positive contribution to Kenya's development as an emerging democracy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Ugandan Government about the necessity of free and fair elections, with particular reference to the need to allow political parties to conduct electoral campaigns. [17602]

We have made it clear to President Museveni and his Government, to representatives of Ugandan political parties and to the Ugandan public through the local media the importance that we attach to the holding of free and fair elections, consistent with Uganda's new constitution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will itemise the United Kingdom bilateral aid to Uganda in the last year for which figures are available. [17600]

Total UK bilateral aid to Uganda in 1994–95 was £36.2 million, of which programme aid accounted for £20 million. The main sectors of support from our project aid were good government, over £4 million, power, over £3 million, and, health and population, over £2 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will itemise European Union aid to Uganda in the last year for which figures are available. [17601]

The European Union disbursed over 55 million ecu in 1994, the last year for which figures are available. Over 44 million ecu was disbursed under the European development fund—EDF VI and EDF VII—and focused on infrastructure, health, income generation and small enterprises. Nearly 11 million ecu was made available from Stabex funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the funding of the Ugandan elections. [17599]

Donors have been asked by the Government of Uganda to support the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. We and other donors are considering this request in the light of progress in putting into place arrangements which will ensure that the elections are conducted freely and fairly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have received Overseas Development Administration funding to finance police training in the United Kingdom since 1990. [16943]

The countries that received ODA financing of police training in the UK in 1994 and 1995 or who were expected to receive such support in 1995 are as follows;

• 1994
• Anguilla
• Bangladesh
• Botswana
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Czech Republic
• Grenada
• Guyana
• India
• Indonesia
• Lesotho
• Mauritius
• Namibia
• Nigeria
• Oman
• Papua New Guinea
• Poland
• St. Lucia
• St. Helena
• St. Kitts
• Sierra Leone
• Sri Lanka
• Surinam
• Tonga
• Uganda
• Vanuatu
• 1995
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Bosnia
• Botswana
• Brazil
• BVI
• Cayman Islands
• Czech Republic
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Hungary
• India
• Indonesia
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Lebanon
• Lesotho
• Madagascar
• Mauritius
• Montserrat
• Nepal
• Nigeria
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• St. Vincent
• Swaziland
• Thailand
• Uganda
• Ukraine

We have not collated this information for earlier years and it would involve a disproportionate expense to collect it now.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom police (a) training consultants and (b) technical co-operation officers have been sent to Indonesia since 1990; and what was the cost of their visits. [16942]

Under the police management training project, five police training consultants have visited Indonesia. The cost between 1990–91 and 1994–95 was £584,000. No technical co-operation officers were sent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the multilateral overseas development budget has been directed through (a) the European Union and (b) each of the UN multilateral agencies in each year between 1992 and 1995. [16396]

In 1994–95 54 per cent. of ODA's multilateral contributions were directed through the European Community programme, and 9 per cent. through UN agencies. More detailed information is set out in table 8 of "British Aid Statistics", 1990–91 to 1994–95, a copy of which is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision he plans to make for input by UN agencies to the Overseas Development Administration's country strategy papers. [16404]

In drawing up country strategy papers, ODA consults outside bodies including UN agencies where appropriate. The nature and level of this consultation will depend upon the context in which the aid programme is operating in a particular country and the overall strategy being considered.In turn, we also encourage UN agencies to consult us and other donors on their country strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what food aid has been given by the United Kingdom Government from the European Union food surplus to help the Government of Pakistan feed Afghan refugees now living in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [17159]

No food aid is being provided for Afghans who have settled in Pakistan, but 5,000 tonnes of wheat have been given to Afghanistan this financial year and a further 5,000 tonnes are expected next year.UK food aid is not provided as a means of disposing of EU food surpluses, which in any case scarcely exists any longer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of the European Community—technical aid to the commonwealth of independent states project in 1996 on retraining activities in the Russian Federation. [16909]

The European Commission, which manages TACIS, undertook in 1995 a mid-term assessment of its project for retraining discharged military officers in the Russian Federation. The current project is expected to end in December 1996, when a full independent evaluation of its achievements is planned, before proposals are put forward on any further EC support for retraining.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received concerning the safety of refugees in the United Kingdom returning to the states of the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement; [17386](2) if he will make a statement concerning the future status of refugees from the former Yugoslavia. [17385]

Applications for refugee status in the United Kingdom will continue to be carefully considered on their individual merits and in the light of the circumstances of the case and conditions in the country of origin. We have received no recent representations specifically on the safety of returns to the former Yugoslavia, but we and other Governments are in close touch with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on this subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been given to coroners as to the recording of employment status on death certificates. [17251]

Death certification is a matter for the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. I understand that guidance on how to record the occupation of the deceased person is contained in notes supplied by the OPCS to coroners to assist them in providing registrars of death with the registration particulars required.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 6 February, Official Report, column 112 (1) what is the definition of the term substantive as used in his answer in respect of the rape offences; [17111](2) which constabularies and on how many occasions issued cautions in respect of the offence of substantive rape and attempted rape in the periods January to March 1994 and from April to December 1994; [17112](3) when he will be able to give the comparable figures for the cautions issued in 1995. [17110]

[holding answer 27 February 1996]: Offences of "substantive" rape as quoted in the answer of 6 February refer to all offences of rape under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 other than attempted rape, where rape is as defined in section 142(2) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and an attempt in any act that is more than merely preparatory to the intended commission of the crime but not the crime itself.Provisional summary information on cautioning in England and Wales in 1995 will be available in the summer of 1996. Final data, including detailed information by offence and police force area, will be available in late autumn 1996.Information on which police forces issued cautions for offences of substantive rape and attempted rape in 1994 is shown in the following table.

Number of persons cautioned for substantive rape and attempted rape in (a) January to March 1994 and (b) April to December 1994 by police force area.
Police force area	Number cautioned
January to March 1994 Substantive rape
Bedfordshire	1
Cambridgeshire	1
Hertfordshire	1
Gloucestershire	2
Metropolitan Police	1
Wiltshire	1
April to December 1994 Substantive rape
Cambridgeshire	1
Devon and Cornwall	1
Staffordshire	2
West Midlands	1
Dyfed and Powys	1
Attempted rape
West Midlands	1

:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many appliances attended the site of the docklands bombing on 10 February; what time the first appliance arrived and what time the last appliance left; and from which stations the appliances were drawn; [17028](2) how many appliances attended the scene of the docklands bombing on 12 February; what time the first appliance arrived; and from which stations the appliances were drawn; [17030](3) how many appliances attended the site of the docklands bombing on 11 February; what time the first appliance arrived and what time the last appliance left; and from which stations the appliances were drawn. [17029]

[holding answers 26 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her on 26 February, Official Report, column 412.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents the fire brigades of (a) Clwyd and (b) Gwynedd attended in (i) 1980, (ii) 1994 and (iii) 1995. [17329]

The available information is given in the following table. Data for 1994 are provisional and are not available for 1995.

Incidents attended by local authority fire brigades in (a) Clwyd and (b) Gwynedd in (i) 1980 and (ii) 1994
Year	(a) Clwyd	(b) Gwynedd
19801	4,087	2,382
19942	7,102	3,887
1 Includes estimates for periods of industrial action when data were not recorded.
2 Provisional data which include special services attended between April 1994 and March 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will lift the restrictions currently placed on (a) United Kingdom police forces and (b) the North Wales police preventing them from utilising as they deem fit the 75 per cent. of reserved receipts arising from the sale of capital assets; and if he will make a statement. [17325]

The legislation and regulations governing the use of capital receipts by local and police authorities in England and Wales are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Wales.The proportion of capital receipts required to be set aside for debt redemption by police authorities is contained within the Local Authorities (Capital Finance) Regulations 1990, as amended. The Government keep these regulations under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of the Metropolitan police towards the body belt of the type involved in the death of Joy Gardner; how that policy has changed since this incident; and if he will make a statement. [17340]

I understand that, following the recommendations of the joint Home Office-police review of removal procedures in immigration cases involving the police, the Metropolitan police intend that a belt with handcuffs should be used only exceptionally and in strictly controlled conditions, taking into account the advice of a qualified medical practitioner in each case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many abnormal loads were notified to police authorities for escorted access in the United Kingdom since 1 January 1994. [17152]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date he expects to announce his decision on the outcome of the second round of funding for local projects considered by the programme development unit of his Department. [16718]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to her on 15 February, Official Report, column 706.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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' interest. [16882]

Standing guidance to staff requires that anyone who is faced with a conflict of interest must declare that interest to senior management so that the latter can determine how best to proceed. Staff who disclose relevant interests do so on the understanding that the declaration, like all employment matters, is confidential between them and their employer. No comprehensive central record of declarations of interests or holdings is kept in my Department and I have no plans to establish such a register.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the (a) incidents and (b) potential incidents involving international terrorists in (i) England, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [16037]

The list covers known terrorism believed to have international links, occurring in England and Scotland in the last 10 years. There have also been 22 terrorist-type incidents associated with opposition to Salman Rushdie, not necessarily of foreign origin. There have been no international terrorist incidents in Wales and Northern Ireland during this period. Information on those involved in international terrorist incidents and potential incidents could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

(a) Incidents of international terrorism February 1986-February 1996
Date	Location	Incidents
(i) England
17 April 86	Heathrow airport	Bomb
24 April 1986	British Airways office, London	Bomb
19 August 1986	Kensington Video Co., London	Bomb—one fatality
10 Novmber 1986	Shoebury Road, East Ham	Bomb
14 Novmber 1986	Burges Road, East Ham	Bomb
9 July 1987	ANC offices London	Kidnapping
18 July 1987	Kensington High Street, London	Car Bomb
22 July 1987	Al Qal as newspaper office, Ives Street, Chelsea	Shooting—one fatality
2 October 1987	Chalk farm Estate, Wembley	Shooting—two fatalities
11 Novmber 1987	High School Southall	Shooting—three fatalities
6 January 1988	Notting Hill Gate, London	Poisoning one—fatality
25 March 1988	Air France office London	Occupation
14 April 1988	Carlton Boiling, Yorkshire	Bomb
12 September 1988	Paddington, London	Shooting
16 January 1989	Israeli Embassy, London	Postal booby trap
22 February 1989	El Al TWA office, London	Bomb
3 August 1989	Beverley House Hotel, London	Terrorist killed by own bomb
18 August 1989	Indonesian Embassy, London	Bomb
18 Novmber 1989	Belgrave Square, London	Car bomb
13 March 1992	Turkish Airlines office, London	Bomb
13 March 1992	Heathrow Airport	Bomb
11 July 1992	Islamic Centre, Nelson, Lancs	Postal bomb
18 December 1992	Burgess Road, London	Postal bomb
29 October 1993	Turkish Airlines office. London	Petrol bomb

(a) Incidents of international terrorism February 1986–February 1996
Date	Location	Incidents
4 Novmber 1993	Turkish Embassy, London	Petrol bomb
4 November 1993	Turkish Airlines office, London	Petrol bomb
4 November 1993	London Islamic Turkish Association	Petrol bomb
4 November 1993	British Telecom office, London (Wrongly identified as TC Zjraat Bank)	Bricks and petrol bomb thrown
4 November 1993	Sabana Turkish Bank, London	Petrol bomb
26 July 1993	Israeli Embassy, London	Car bomb
27 July 1994	Balfour House, London	Car bomb
March 1995	Turkish bank, London	Paint thrown and hoax bomb planted
March 1995	Turkish Airlines office, London	Paint thrown and hoax bomb planted
April 1995	Turkish bank, London	Petrol bomb
April 1995	Turkish travel agent, London	Petrol bomb
20 June 1995	Turkish Chamber of Commerce, London	Occupation
24 July 1995	Turkish Cultural offices, London	Occupation
(iii) Scotland
20 October 1988	Glen Road, Kilcady	Shooting
21 December 1988	Lockerbie	Bombing of Pan Am flight 103

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the market testing of the Marine Services Organisation has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [18425]

Final proposals for the management of marine services support to the Department were received on 18 December 1995 from an in-house bid team drawn from the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service and from two private sector interests; a Denholm-SERCO consortium and the Ocean Group. These bids were evaluated accordingly to a pre-defined and publicised methodology.Based on the results of this evaluation, it is intended to award the management of the moorings and buoys task and the naval armaments freighting task to the in-house bid team, the RMAS. The operation of the ports task— under which services are provided to the three main naval bases—will be awarded under a five-year contract to Denholm-SERCO. This latter award followed the elimination of the in-house team for reasons of non-compliance with the management requirements of the task. RMAS personnel currently employed on ports activities will have the option of transferring to Denholm-SERCO under the terms of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981. Existing RMAS vessels required by Denholm-SERCO will be leased to the company under commercial charter terms. The vesting date for the new management arrangements is currently scheduled for 8 July 1996.All the proposals received envisaged a significant reduction in the number of vessels and posts required to undertake the tasks. The selected bids will entail a total reduction of some 500 posts—approximately 45 per cent. of the current work force—as well as some 35 per cent. fewer vessels. Consultation with the TU side on the TUPE implications of this decision and on any redundancy arrangements necessary will take place in the normal way.The MOD will benefit from the efficiencies which the market test will introduce into all the current marine service activities. It is envisaged that the Department will save some £105 million over 10 years as a result of the measures announced today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision he has made about the future occupancy of Elizabeth barracks, Pirbright. [18426]

As announced by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 5 July 1994, Official Report, column 173, it had been intended to move the Gurkha battalion based at Church Crookham to Elizabeth barracks, Pirbright at the end of 1996. We have revised this plan in the light of the decision to replace one of the three Foot Guard battalions currently engaged on public duties by a line infantry battalion, so as to enable the Foot Guards battalion to increase the proportion of its effort employed on training for its operational roles.The Foot Guards battalion concerned will continue to provide reinforcements for public duties on a surge basis, and it is therefore our intention that it should be based at Elizabeth barracks, Pirbright where it can fulfil this role and undertake effective operational training. The Gurkhas will move instead to Sir John Moore barracks at Shorncliffe in early 1999. Sir John Moore barracks will be modernised during the intervening period. We are confident that these moves make the most efficient use of the Army's resources, including the defence estate, and meet its operational priorities in the most effective way.

To ask the Secretary of State for defence if he will make a statement about the type 23 frigate order. [18427]

I am pleased to announce that an order will be placed shortly with Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd. for a further batch of three type 23 frigates to enter service with the Royal Navy around the turn of the century.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total expenditure by his Department on the Isle of Wight in 1994–95 broken down by category. [16775]

The information is not available in the form requested. However, there are no MOD establishments or employees, service or civilian, on the Isle of Wight. Sixteen defence contractors on the island received payments direct from MOD, totalling some £32 million in 1994–95; details of payments to individual firms are commercially confidential. Payments by defence prime contractors to their subcontractors are not included in the figure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the present duties of Mr. Ian McDonald, former head of the defence export sales section. [17799]

Mr. McDonald remains the head of the defence export services secretariat. The division provides the secretariat function for the Defence export services Organisation and is the focus for export licensing within my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures his Department takes to ensure that the security of Army camps and other MoD establishments against terrorist attack is fully taken into account when local authorities consider planning proposals in the near vicinity to such establishments. [17509]

It is not our practice to discuss security measures. However, all measures deemed necessary take into account the local threat and are kept under constant review by establishments.Where proposed developments require planning permission, local authorities are obliged by planning guidance to consult all adjoining landowners in both the private and public sector. Local authorities are also required to consult my Department about proposed developments near certain essential defence establishments and installations—that is, airfields, explosive establishments and technical (radar/radio) sites.

To ask the Secretary of state for Defence what procedures his Department follows to ensure that an individual applicant does not take up the appointment stated in a failed application made under the business appointment rules. [17668]

Where a condition is imposed on a business appointment application, both the applicant and the prospective employer are informed in writing and it is made clear that the employment should not be taken up before the duration of the condition has lapsed.

To ask the Secretary of state for Defence what is his current policy on the sale of (a) aircraft and (b) other armaments to Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [17558]

It is the Government's policy to support the sale of British defence equipment overseas where this is compatible with our political, strategic and security interests. All licence applications for the export of defence equipment are considered on a case-by-case basis in the light of established criteria, including the international guidelines to which we are committed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what payments were made to which companies for the storage of ammunition at the central ammunition depot at Longtown from 7 to 16 June 1988. [17700]

The Army stores its own ammunition and does not pay contractors; therefore, no payments were made to companies for the storage of ammunition at the central ammunition depot, Longtown between 7 and 16 June 1988.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in how many cases since 13 May 1985 company staff seconded to the Defence Export Services Organisation continued to have their salary and allowances paid by the original company; and what written guidelines to cover this situation have been issued. [17798]

Nine staff have been seconded to DESO under MOD's interchange programme since May 1985.Inward secondees remain the employees of their parent company. As such, the company continues to be responsible for payment of salary, pension contributions, company medical plan payments, earnings-related national insurance contribution, etcetera, in accordance with company rules. As part of the formal agreement between MOD and the company, the Department reimburses salary and other costs at the rate equivalent to the civil service grade held by the secondee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the country of origin of the land mines which have been responsible for the death or injury of British soldiers in Bosnia. [17667]

Complete information is not available. Where it has been possible to recover and examine fragments, however, the mines concerned were identified as having been manufactured in the former Yugoslavia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many tanks the Army possessed in (a) 1979 and (b) 1996. [17758]

At 1 January 1979, the Army possessed 870 main battle tanks, of which 620 were deployed in operational units, and at 1 January 1996, 470 main battle tanks, of which 350 were deployed in operational units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the submissions received from the Department of Health, the NHS executive, NHS trusts and health authorities in relation to (a) the defence medical services review in "Options for Change" and (b) the "Front Line First" review in the period 1 January 1994 until 17 October 1994. [17762]

I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many front-line aircraft the RAF possessed in (a) 1979 and (b) 1996. [17757]

The number of operational, excluding training and communications, RAF aircraft at 31 March 1979 was 628. The corresponding figure for 31 March 1996 is planned to be 512.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if railhead transfer equipment was deployed in the gulf war with the DROPS—demountable rack offloading and pick-up system—logistic supply chain; and if he will make a statement. [17761]

Railhead transfer equipment was not deployed in the Gulf because the tractor units on which it was mounted were not designed to operate in the desert conditions of the Gulf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the deployment of the Arbau-Klaus railhead transfer equipment to Bosnia; and how trains transporting British equipment unload their cargo before that deployment. [17759]

There is no requirement for the Arbau-Klaus railhead transfer equipment to be deployed to Bosnia. The unloading of cargo is currently undertaken by whichever mechanical handling system is available at each station or siding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Arbau-Klaus railhead transfer equipment is capable of unloading DROPS flatracks. [17760]

Yes. The Arbau-Klaus railhead transfer equipment fully meets the specification to handle the DROPS flatracks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many destroyers the Royal Navy possessed in (a) 1979 and (b) 1996. [17755]

On 1 April 1979 12 destroyers were in service with the Royal Navy, the same number as today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his Department's vessels which will take part in the sea exercise Purple Star with the American navy, when the exercise will take place, and if he will make a statement. [17763]

Exercise Purple Star will take place, with the United States Navy, off the eastern seaboard of the United States from late April to mid-May. It is not our normal practice to give details in advance of the composition of groups of ships taking part in exercises. The UK will, however, be making a sizeable contribution in terms of ships, aircraft and personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the strength of the (a) Army manpower, (b) RAF manpower and (c) Royal Navy manpower in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1996. [17756]

The information requested is contained in "TSP1—Tri-Service Personnel Statistics—Strengths, Intake and Outflow of UK Regular Forces", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the choice of a radar system for his Department's replacement maritime patrol aircraft. [17671]

The responses to the invitation to tender for a replacement maritime patrol aircraft are currently being assessed by my Department. The selection of particular subcontractors for subsystems is a matter for the bidders themselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Spartan vehicles will be converted from petrol to diesel engines; and if he will make a statement. [17672]

As part of the enhancement programme for the combat vehicle reconnaissance (tracked)—CVR(T)—family of vehicles, which includes Spartan, studies have been undertaken into the feasibility of replacing existing petrol engines with diesel. Further work is currently in progress, which should allow a decision on whether to proceed to be made this summer. If it is decided to proceed, the first diesel engines are expected to enter service in 1998, with production complete by 2000–01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent contracts he has signed for the purchase of advanced rifle grenades. [17663]

A contract was signed on 22 December 1995 to purchase rifle grenades from TAAS Israel Industries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many replacement maritime patrol aircraft his Department plans to purchase. [17674]

The number of replacement maritime patrol aircraft to be purchased is currently under examination in the context of our assessment of responses to the invitation to tender. At present, no decision has been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total value of the contracts placed with American companies in the last two years. [17675]

The total value and number of contracts placed with American companies over the last two years are as follows:

	Number	Value (£)
1994	270	153,965,050
1995	296	1,602,086,486
Totals	566	1,756,051,536

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will update his answer of 15 March 1995, Official Report, column 638, in respect of the roles and future strength of Royal Marines Reserve. [17831]

The role and tasking, and therefore the strength, of the Royal Marines Reserve are kept under review so as to ensure that they reflect our operational requirements. Any future changes would of course be subject to consultation in the usual way.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what procedures exist governing the issue of House of Commons passes to foreign nationals; and if he will make a statement. [17856]

A House of Commons photographic pass may be issued to a foreign national provided the appropriate application is signed by the sponsoring Member and security clearance has been obtained.

To ask the Chairman of the Committee on Standards and Privileges when he expects the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to provide guidelines to hon. Members in respect of the declaration of interest on parliamentary questions and motions. [17231]

Following recommendations to the House contained in paragraphs 55 to 60 of the first report of the Select Committee on Standards in Public Life of Session 1994–95, HC 637, the House agreed, with effect from the beginning of Session 1995–96, to extend the rules about declaring interests to cover the giving of written notices. Accordingly, on 23 October last, the Table Office issued a guidance note to Members on the application of the amended rules. Members were advised that if they had doubts about whether a declaration of interest was appropriate they should consult the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he has anything to add to his oral answer to the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) of 25 May 1993, Official Report, column 750, on the briefing of witnesses from Walter Somers before the Trade and Industry Committee. [15999]

The inquiry to which I referred has been completed, and the report was published on 15 February.

To ask the Lord President of the Council when he first consulted other Cabinet Ministers about the contents of the report of the Scott inquiry; and where and when such discussions took place and with whom. [16519]

It is not the practice to give details of ministerial meetings.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many (a) oral and (b) written parliamentary questions have appeared on the Order Paper in each of the last 30 years.

The information requested is in the following table:

House of Commons parliamentary questions
Session	Orals total	Written total
1964–65	10,878	8,270
1965–661	4,332	3,646
1966–672	17,014	16,951
1967–68	11,309	13,601
1968–69	10,721	12,743
1969–701	7,914	9,546
1970–712	13,646	20,300
1971–72	11,108	17,486
1972–73	7,781	17,950
1973–741	2,363	6,387
1974–1	3,783	11,753
1974–75	9,215	27,843
1975–76	9,081	33,239
1976–771	6,463	25,076
1977–78	9,046	28,739
1978–791	4,699	13,152
1979–802	12,453	39,112
1980–81	8,175	22,688
1981–82	8,991	23,439
1982–831	6,125	17,095
1983–842	13,386	40,119
1984–85	14,800	31,523
1985–86	18,139	31,808
1986–871	12,766	21,331
1987–882	24,940	47,726
1988–89	23,932	39,540
1989–90	24,687	41,358
1990–91	4,821	32,843
1991–921	2,383	16,050
1992–932	7,134	56,550
1993–94	4,559	41,051
1994–95	4,903	44,924
1 Unusually short session.
2 Unusually long session.

From 1972–73 Members were limited to one oral question per Minister. Priority written questions were introduced in the 1972–73 Session.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the savings for each of the next five financial years if (a) the additional value of tax allowances for (i) single and (ii) married pensioners was frozen at the current rate and (b) the allowance was frozen and remained in force only for current pensioners. [15196]

An indication of the effects of reducing the additional value of age-related personal allowances and of denying age-related allowances to those who are currently aged below 65 is given in the table. The figures are set at 1996–97 levels and, as an illustrative assumption, the increases in the retail prices index is taken to be 2¼ per cent. for the first year and 2 per cent. in subsequent years. The full-year cost of the age-related component of personal allowances is estimated to be about £960 million at 1996–97 income levels.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures are followed by his Department to ensure that when employees fall ill, their functions are fulfilled by other officials. [16197]

[holding answer 20 February 1996]: When staff are absent from work through illness, any urgent work will be carried out by colleagues within the team. Where it appears that a member of staff will be absent for a prolonged period, the line manager either rearranges the day-to-day work of the team to cover the duties of the absent officer, or puts in a temporary replacement depending on the functions involved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many decisions by local inspectors of taxes on qualifying companies for reinvestment relief have been disallowed by senior tax inspectors; and if he will list those companies that have been declared as not qualifying for reinvestment relief. [17136]

Normally, if Inland Revenue has accepted a claim for tax relief, it will not be withdrawn in respect of that particular claim. It is investors, not companies, that qualify for reinvestment relief.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers have had their reinvestment relief disallowed to date. [17138]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had in relation to the imposition of VAT at 17.5 per cent., on sanitary protection products for women; what response he has made; what action he is taking; what was the yield of the tax on these products in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [16347]

[holding answer 27 February 1996]: Because VAT is intended to be a broad-based tax on consumer expenditure generally, sanitary protection products for women have been taxed at the standard rate from the outset. The revenue yield is approximately £35 million a year. Around 160 representations for tax relief have been received since April 1995.Since the last Labour Government agreed with other EU member states in 1977 that the UK would not extend the scope of its existing zero-rates, there is no possibility now of zero-rating these products.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has evaluated from the major sellers of mortgage endowment policies in respect of estimates of shortfalls of individual policies to meet mortgage commitments. [17476]

[holding answer 27 February 1996]: The Treasury has carried out no such research. If individual policy holders have concerns, they should review their policy with the issuer of their mortgage endowment policy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) who will define the types of waste which qualify for the £2 rate as inert or inactive waste under the proposed landfill tax; and by what mechanisms disputes over the definitions will be resolved; [16918](2) if he will list the types of waste described under the waste classification scheme which will qualify as inert or inactive waste under the proposed landfill tax. [16917]

[holding answer 27 February 1996]: Customs and Excise recently carried out a consultation exercise on the scope of the lower rate of landfill tax, which ended on 31 January. The consultation exercise was carried out on a proposal to link the lower rate of tax to wastes listed in category 1 of the proposed UK waste classification scheme, on which the Department of the Environment consulted at the same time.I expect to receive a report shortly following an analysis by Customs and Excise in consultation with other interested Government Departments. An announcement of the outcome will be made in due course. A list of the wastes that will qualify for the lower rate of landfill tax will be set out in a Treasury order, which will be laid before the House in the summer.On disputes, the current Finance Bill provides for reviews, and appeals to an independent tribunal by tax payers against decisions by customs relating to tax liability.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pensioner households paid income tax in Wales at the latest available date. [17587]

Income tax is calculated on the basis of individuals. There are around 500,000 individuals in Wales aged 65 years or over. According to the 1993–94 survey of personal incomes, 130,000 or 26 per cent. of these are taxpayers.

To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to paragraph K8.1 of the Scott report relating to ministerial accountability, what additional measures he proposes to ensure his Department's compliance with paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". [17302]

[holding answer 26 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the speech made by my hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 26 February, Official Report, columns 589–606.

To ask the Attorney-General how many full-time staff there are in the confiscation unit of the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland. 117147]

The Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland has no separate confiscation unit. Two lawyers on the director's staff are nominated to deal with confiscation as part of their duties.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to strengthen the arrangements for means-testing applicants for legal aid. [18424]

The Lord Chancellor has today laid before Parliament regulations which will:

• (a) provide those assessing the means of applicants for legal aid with a discretionary power to include in the means assessment the assets of friends, relatives and children where these appear to be providing a significant material advantage to the applicant;
• (b) place a limit of £100,000 on the amount of equity value in a house that is ignored in the legal aid means assessment. The regulations also limit the maximum amount of mortgage that can be offset against the equity value of a house to £100,000 and limit the amount of mortgage repayment allowable against income to the amount due on a £100,000 mortgage.

These regulations will come into effect for applications for legal aid made on or after 1 June 1996.Both these measures are being taken as a result of the consultation exercise on legal aid for the "apparently wealthy" which was undertaken in 1995.Also as a result of the consultation exercise, the Lord Chancellor announced last year that he intended that a special investigations unit should be established to handle legal aid means assessments where the applicant's financial circumstances are exceptionally complex. He invited the Legal Aid Board to advise him on the feasibility of establishing such a unit.The Legal Aid Board has now submitted its report and I have placed a copy in the library. The Lord Chancellor has accepted the central recommendations in the report and has invited the Legal Aid Board to take the necessary steps to ensure that the special investigations unit is fully operational as soon as possible.The special investigations unit will build on the prototype of such a unit set up by the Benefits Agency in its legal aid assessment office at Preston in June 1995. This unit is already investigating certain cases.Initially, the unit will deal with applications for civil legal aid, but it will be extended as soon as possible to cover both civil and criminal legal aid. Referrals to the unit will be made, in civil cases, by the Legal Aid Board or the existing staff of the legal aid assessment office and, in criminal cases, by the court or court clerk. They will be invited to refer cases to the unit when:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he first consulted other Cabinet Ministers about the contents of the report of the Scott inquiry; where and when such discussions took place; and with whom. [16638]

It is not the practice to give details of ministerial meetings.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to paragraph K8.1 of the Scott report relating to ministerial accountability, what additional measures he proposes to ensure his Department's compliance with paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers." [17303]

I refer the hon. Member to the speech made by my hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 26 February, Official Report, columns 589–604.

To ask the Prime Minister if information communicated by the United Nations special commission to the International Atomic Energy Agency by Her Majesty's Government on British companies which supplied materials relevant to Iraqi programmes to acquire weapons of mass destruction, was communicated to the Scott inquiry in its entirety. [17321]

[holding answers 26 February 1996]: Yes, insofar as it related to the period covered by the inquiry's terms of reference.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations he received from Ministers at the time he established the Scott inquiry in respect of (a) the remit and (b) the format of the inquiry. [17701]

My discussions with Ministers are private.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Iraq note referred to on page 439 of the Scott report; [17702](2) if he will now place in the Library a copy of the information note prepared by his private secretary on 3 December 1990. [17786]

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

To ask the Prime Minister what response he plans to make to the representations made by the secretary of the Scott inquiry concerning the nature of statements by various Ministers following the press conference held by Sir Richard Scott on 15 February. [17777]

A reply has been sent to the secretary of the inquiry's letter on this matter. As the inquiry's letter has been widely quoted and reproduced in the media, this reply was made public.The inquiry wrote again subsequently making it clear that Sir Richard's view applied to any summary of his report, whether by Government, Opposition or the media.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will place copies of ministerial and departmental responses to the first draft of Sir Richard Scott's report of the inquiry into the sale of arms to Iraq in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [17819]

[holding answer 27 February 1996]: Departments' closing statements to the Scott inquiry have already been published in part B of volume V of the Scott inquiry report. I understand that Sir Richard Scott proposes to publish as soon as possible documents that he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. However, paragraph B3.ll of the report records that, in the interests of fairness, Sir Richard does not propose to publish comments submitted by witnesses on the draft report.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all the people who received copies of the Scott report in advance of the official publication date; and if he will make a statement. [17818]

[holding answer 17 February 1996]: The following Ministers received advance copies of Sir Richard Scott's report: the Prime Minister; the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary; the President of the Board of Trade; the Chief Secretary to the Treasury; the Secretary of State for Defence and the Attorney-General.In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry, the Paymaster General and the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, had access to the report prior to publication, in accordance with the terms laid down by the Scott inquiry.A small number of civil servants in the main Departments concerned also received advance copies.

To ask the Prime Minister when he first learned of the 1988 amendments to the 1985 Howe guidelines into defence-related exports to Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [17821]

[holding answer 27 February 1996]: The first time I learned that a change in the guidelines had been considered in 1988 was in a minute from my private secretary dated 13 November 1992.

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions in 1994 he met Mr. Omar al Hassan; and if he will make a statement. [17853]

As far as I am aware, once, at a speaking engagement.

To ask the Prime Minister what part he envisages that Government will play in relation to the millennium exhibition; and if he will make a statement. [18342]

The Government very much welcome the announcement by the Millennium Commission of its decision to stage a national millennium exhibition in Greenwich. This visionary and exciting scheme will enable the whole nation to mark this significant event in a wholly appropriate way. It should also encourage large numbers of overseas visitors to join in our national celebrations during the millennium year.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to meet Mr. C. H. Tung, Mr. Rong Yiren, Mr. David Choy, Mr. Tsui Tsin-tong, Mr. George Cardona and Mr. Algy Cluff during his forthcoming visit to Hong Kong. [17864]

I hope to meet a broad range of business men, politicians and other opinion formers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will announce the conclusions of the joint review of monitoring and forecasting of general practitioners' expenditure. [17802]

There is no such review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which regions the five privately owned medium secure registered mental nursing homes visited by the mental Health Act Commission are situated; and what are their names and locations. [16784]

The Mental Health Act Commission sixth biennial report 1993 to 1995 refers to visits to the following five private and charitable medium secure registered nursing homes:

Hospital	Region
Stockton Hall Hospital, The Village, Stockton on the Forest, Yorkshire YO3 9UN	Northern and Yorkshire
Llanarth Court Hospital, Llanarth, Raglan, Gwent NP5 2YD	Wales
St. John's House Hospital, Lion Road, Palgrave, Diss, Norfolk IP22 1BA	Anglia and Oxford
Kneesworth House Hospital, Bassingbourne cum Kneesworth, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5JP	Anglia and Oxford
St. Andrew's Hospital, Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5DG	Anglia and Oxford

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to paragraph K8.1 of the Scott report relating to ministerial accountability, what additional measures he proposes to ensure his Department's compliance with paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". [17310]

[holding answer 26 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the speech made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 26 February, Official Report, columns 589–604.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have closed by region in each of the last five years. [18059]

The Department does not routinely collect information on hospital closures. Information is available centrally only on proposals to close or change the use of health service facilities which are referred to Ministers for a decision following objections from a community health council. A list of such closures for the period January 1992 to December 1995 is available in the Library, and is updated quarterly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the hospital closure programme. [18060]

The Government do not have a hospital closure programme. Decisions on closing, opening, or significantly changing the use of hospital facilities are for local management.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will name the non-national health service hospitals which have reported methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections; [17088]

The public health laboratory service maintains aggregate data on MRSA as part of its national surveillance of communicable disease and infection, compiled from requests submitted by hospitals—both NHS and private—and from the community for the typing of isolates. These aggregate data do not identify individual hospitals or patients.Information about an outbreak of MRSA will be provided, as required, by the hospital's "Outbreak Control Group".MRSA is an uncommon cause of infection in the community. However, we shall shortly be issuing guidance on MRSA and infection control in general to the managers of residential and nursing homes and their registration officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on avoidance of cross contamination of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in NHS patients. [17087]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) on 22 January, Official Report, columns 16–17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department is currently undertaking into the incidence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus; and how many strains have been detected. [17083]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) on 22 January, Official Report, columns 15–16. The public health laboratory service has described 16 strains of epidemic methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths in the last 12 months for which figures are available resulted from methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infection. [17092]

In 1994, the latest year for which figures are available, there were a total of 102 deaths from staphylococcal infection, of which eight resulted from methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what priority will be given to bids for mental health challenge fund applications by those authorities that are over target according to the weighted capitation allocation formula [17753]

Bids from over target health authorities will be given the highest priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the percentage capitation target according to the weighted capitation allocation formula of each health authority in England. [17752]

A table showing planned 1996–97 health authority distance from targets in percentage terms will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will institute an inquiry into allegations of bribery at Vinney Green secure unit, Mangotsfield, Avon. [17847]

I am not aware of any allegations of bribery involving staff or residents at Vinney Green secure unit.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to paragraph K8.1 of the Scott report relating to ministerial accountability, what additional measures she proposes to ensure her Department's compliance with paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". [17312]

[holding answer 26 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the speech made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 26 February, Official Report, columns 589–604.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the religious breakdown of employees in the marketing awareness programme. [14054]

The Local Enterprise Development Unit does not monitor the religious affiliation of individuals participating in the marketing awareness programme as they are involved as representatives of the company. The monitoring of the religious composition of companies is a matter for the Fair Employment Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations have been made to the United States Government regarding visa applications from Sinn Fein members to travel to the United States since 9 February. [16349]

A decision on applications for visas to visit the United States is a matter for the US Government. We have informed the US Government of the changed circumstances of our contacts with Sinn Fein as a result of the breakdown in the IRA ceasefire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 1 February, Official Report, column 792, what factors led him not to submit his decision on the choice of a Celtic torc and a Celtic cross as symbols representative of Northern Ireland on the new £1 coin, to his Department's policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines. [16745]

The PAFT guidelines apply to the formulation of policy and delivery of services to the public. They would not normally be applied in the case of a consultation on the design of coins, where decisions are made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In any event, the consultation of the new £1 coin preceded the issue of the PAFT guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set out the costs to date of the Ulster dialect dictionary project at the Ulster folk and transport museum in terms of (a) staff and (b) computer systems; if he will make a statement on the future of this project; and what plans he has for the future of the equipment and the archives in the event of discontinuance. [16747]

The costs to date of staff have been £171,712, whilst the computer system has cost £37,745.It is planned that the dictionary will be available to all schools for the 1996–97 school year. The database and equipment will be retained by the Ulster folk and transport museum. Future development will be a matter in the first instance for the museum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has received as to the controls on sale or distribution of ingredients for the manufacture of terrorist bombs, and their equivalent, in the Irish Republic; and what assessment each jurisdiction has made as to their adequacy. [16746]

The principal and most common ingredient used by terrorists in Northern Ireland to make bombs has been ammonium nitrate-based agricultural fertiliser. The Explosives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1972 prohibit fertilisers containing more than 79 per cent. ammonium nitrate by weight except under licence issued by the Secretary of State. Broadly equivalent legislation applies in the Irish Republic.As with all counter-terrorist legislation in Northern Ireland, the 1972 regulations are kept under review to ensure that they are appropriate to the prevailing situation and can be effectively enforced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [16887]

Details of current interests declared by officials of the various Northern Ireland civil service departments are held on that individual's personal file. A central list of such interests is not held and to obtain this information from personal files would incur disproportionate costs.Civil servants faced with a conflict of interest must declare their interest to senior management so that senior management can determine how best to proceed. This requirement is set out in the respective management codes of the home civil service and the Northern Ireland civil service covering pay and conditions.Staff who disclose relevant interests do so on the understanding that the declaration, like all employment matters, is confidential between them and their employer.As NICS departmental circumstances are so different I would not propose to establish a central register of officials' interests. Officials will continue to register such interests within their own Department, as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the costs of the research the Government have commissioned into divorce law in Northern Ireland; and if he will indicate the names of the people and the bodies involved. [17114]

It is estimated that the cost of the research project on divorce law in Northern Ireland will be in the region of £35,000. The research team consisted of the following members.

• Mr. Ciaran White, Lecturer in Law, School of Public Policy, Economics and Law, University of Ulster at Jordanstown.
• Ms Monica McWilliams, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Community Sciences.
• Ms Claire Archbold, Lecturer in Law at The Queen's University of Belfast.
• Dr. Brendan Murtagh, School of Social and Community Science, University of Ulster at Magee.
• Mrs. Pat McKee, Senior Computing Officers, School of Public Policy, Economics and Law, University of Ulster at Jordanstown.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ask the Law Commission in future to consult with his Department on every new project with a view to having its research and consultation include Northern Ireland. [17116]

I regret that I am unable to do so. The Law Commission's remit under the Law Commission Act 1965 specifically excludes any law which the Northern Ireland Assembly could have power to amend.We are however committed to ensuring that the law of Northern Ireland is kept under review. The independent civil law reform function is carried out by the Law Reform Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland set up by the then Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for City of London and Westminster, South (Mr. Brooke) in 1989 in response to representations from the Law Society of Northern Ireland for an independent element in the law reform process. The committee consists mainly of senior lawyers and senior members of the judiciary and is chaired by a Lord Justice of Appeal. Its remit is to keep the civil law of Northern Ireland under review and make recommendations for its reform to my right hon. and learned Friend. As part of its working methods the committee counts widely with local interested bodies and has regular contact with the Law Commission on matters of mutual interest.The Northern Ireland Office also maintains regular contact with the Law Commission and initiates parallel consultation in appropriate instances where the law under consideration is similar to that in Northern Ireland. We arranged last year for its consultation paper on hearsay and related matters to be circulated in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the Northern Ireland Instruments relating to domestic violence; and what consideration he has given to incorporating Northern Ireland into the Family Law Bill. [17118]