To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Hawkins) on 13 February, Official Report, column 514, if he will define the term parliamentary interest. [16146]

In my answer of 13 February, Official report, column 514, the term parliamentary interest refers to cases in which a Member of Parliament or a noble Lord has made representations about the proposed removal of somebody from the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been issued to Home Office presenting officers and adjudicators regarding the period of time in which couples are expected to become self-supporting in the United Kingdom where one spouse has been granted entry clearance; when such guidance was issued; and if he will make a statement. [18206]

No such guidance has been issued to presenting officers. The period of time in which couples are expected to become self-supporting will depend on the facts of the particular case. Guidance to adjudicators is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he expects the medical report into the death of Mr. Dennis Stevens in Dartmoor prison to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the causes of Mr. Stevens' death; [17336](2) for how long Mr. Dennis Stevens was kept in a body belt in Dartmoor prison prior to his death on 18 October 1995; [17338](3) what representations he has received alleging

Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking to ensure that personnel on its prison construction sites have construction skills certification scheme accreditation. [17437]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors, other than population, determine Metropolitan police officer numbers per division. [17429]

The deployment of manpower within the Metropolitan police district is a matter for the commissioner. I understand, however, that the allocation of officers to divisions takes account of, among other things, the number of crimes reported, calls for assistance, arrests, traffic accidents and incidents of disorder. In addition, officers in charge of divisional operational command units have some flexibility within their overall budget to decide on the mix of police officers, civil staff and other resources which will best meet local policing needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent reports by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary on Metropolitan police areas 3 and 4. [18765]

Yes. I have today placed in the Library a note of the recommendations from these reports, together with the commissioner's responses and my responses, which take into account the advice I have received from the Metropolitan Police Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British companies have been granted licences under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1982 to (a) handle, (b) store, (c) distribute and (d) manufacture electric shock devices in the last two years. [17363]

Section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 prohibits the possession, purchase, acquisition, manufacture, sale and transfer of electric shock weapons without the authority of the Secretary of State. No company has been granted authority under this section specifically in respect of electric shock weapons in the last two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to magistrates courts about sentencing in respect of repeated offences of theft and shoplifting goods of significant value. [17508]

The Government do not issue guidance on sentencing. The Magistrates Association issues sentencing guidelines for its members, which are available in the Library, and guidance is provided by Court of Appeal judgments in individual cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the asylum appeals passed by the tribunal to the adjudicator in 1994 were allowed by the adjudicator; and how many of these were appeals by port-of-entry applicants; [17540](2) how many of the asylum appellants referred by the adjudicator to the Secretary of State in 1994 were granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom; and how many of these were port-of-entry applicants; [17542](3) how many of

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 February, Official Report, column 706, in respect of 9 February only, how many appliances attended the scene, what time the last appliance left and from which stations the appliances were drawn. [17518]

The deployment of appliances is an operational matter for the London fire and civil defence authority. The hon. Member may therefore wish to invite the chief officer to provide the details which she has sought.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department has taken to meet the special needs of older people in prison. [17519]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women aged over 60 and men over 65 years are being held in prison on (a) remand and (b) after sentence. [17594]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported racial attacks there were in each London borough in 1995. [17657]

Figures are not available by London borough. Racial incidents reported to the police in each Metropolitan police division for 1995 are shown in the table. A racial incident is defined as any incident in which it appears to the reporting or investigating officer that the complaint involves an element of racial motivation, or any incident in which an allegation of racial motivation is made by any person.

Classified racial incidents in the Metropolitan Police District Annual 1995
Division	Number
Belgravia	13
Notting Hill	11
Brompton	23

Classified racial incidents in the Metropolitan Police District Annual 1995
Division	Number
West End Central	2
Charing Cross	10
Marylebone	25
Paddington	21
Fulham	33
Hammersmith	29
1 Area total	167
Hampstead	40
Kentish Town	325
Holborn	78
Holloway	54
Islington	193
Harrow	108
Wembley	56
Kilburn	54
Barnet and Hertsmere	39
Golders Green	61
West Hendon	75
Ealing	45
Southall	108
Hornsey	34
Tottenham	45
2 Area total	1,315
Hackney and Shoreditch	114
Stoke Newington	83
Limehouse	389
Whitechapel	154
Barkingside	44
Chingford	55
Ilford	22
Leyton	55
Havering	45
Forest Gate	63
Dagenham	63
Plaistow	293
Edmonton	65
Enfield	104
3 Area total	1,549
Southwark	199
Peckham	87
Walworth	73
Catford	156
Lewisham	105
Bromley and Orpington	67
Plumstead	422
Greenwich	204
Bexleyheath	125
Croydon	46
South Norwood	82
Epson and Sutton	82
4 Area total	1,648
Heathrow	2
Brixton	45
Streatham	55
Vauxhall	26
Chiswick	42
Hounslow	149
Spelthorne	14
Richmond	49
Kingston	40
Battersea	26
Wandsworth	86

Classified racial incidents in the Metropolitan Police District Annual 1995
Division	Number
Hillingdon	157
Merton	129
5 Area total	821

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to prepare a register of refugees and displaced persons from Bosnia-Herzegovina living in Britain and listed according to their religious or national background, their place of origin, gender and family connections; and if the Government have received a request from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide such a register. [17710]

No formal request has been received from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees but when the UNHCR co-ordinator for former Yugoslavia briefed missions in Geneva recently, he said that accurate information was needed from countries of asylum on how many refugees and displaced persons they had; where they were from, where they wanted to return to, and when. This information is not available centrally and could be obtained only by contacting each person individually. We are considering the request.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently held in secure prison establishments in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [17551]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list those individuals who helped the police with their inquiries in connection with the murder of Carl Bridgewater indicating the periods they were kept at each police station; [17205]

No. These are all operational matters and the responsibility of the chief constable of Staffordshire constabulary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will review his allocation of funds to the fire services of Wales consequent upon the formation of the new local government unitary authorities; and if he will make a statement; [17330](2) if he will sanction new funds to enable the new North Wales fire service authority to meet its commitments in Clwyd and Gwynedd counties. [17328]

Supplementary credit approvals of up to £2.7 million have been provisionally set aside for 1996–97 to meet the transitional costs of fire service reorganisation in Wales. The allocation between the three new brigades will be reviewed during the course of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of the Prison Service in respect of the use of the body belt of the type involved in the death of Joy Gardner; when that policy was last reviewed; what plans the Prison Service has to co-ordinate its policy in respect of the belt with the police; and if he will make a statement. [17339]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of convictions in (a) Coventry and (b) the west midlands involved 16 to 24-year-olds in each of the last five years; and if he will indicate the year-on-year percentage change in this figure. [17120]

Information which is readily available centrally is restricted to indictable offences and is given in the table. For summary offences, information on the actual age of adults is not available. The information is the latest available; 1995 data will be available in the autumn.

Convictions for indictable offences of persons aged 16 to 24 and of all persons in Coventry Petty Sessional Division (PSD) and West Midlands Police Force Area, for the period 1990 to 1994.
Number of persons
	Aged 16 to 24	All ages	Percentage aged 16 to 24
Coventry Petty Sessional Division1
1990	1,709	3,058	56
1991	1,546	2,825	55
1992	1,511	2,685	56
1993	1,203	2,357	51
1994	1,182	2,333	51
West Midlands Police Force Area
1990	11,839	22,323	53
1991	10,934	20,688	53
1992	9,984	19,582	51
1993	8,205	16,784	49
1994	7,541	16,105	47
1 Includes persons convicted at the Crown Court, who were committed for trial/sentence by Coventry PSD.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of the police operation for the Euro '96 championships; and how many officers will be involved. [17848]

The Association of Chief Police Officers has estimated that the cost of policing for the European football championships 1996 could be around £5.5 million. Decisions about the number of officers involved, and their deployment, are for chief officers of the forces concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received in respect of the financing of the Merseyside fire and civil defence authority; how many of these alleged the funding was inadequate; and what was his response. [16292]

My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of such representations. Where the question of finance has been raised, the replies have made it clear that it was up to the authority to set a budget which would enable it to comply with its statutory duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his most recent assessment of the impact of the national lottery on the football pools industry; what plans he has to assist the pools industry; and if he will make a statement. [16296]

In October 1995, the Pool Promoters Association estimated that the pools industry had lost 30 per cent. of its business since the introduction of the national lottery in November 1994.The pools industry has benefited substantially from the Government deregulation initiative. In November 1994, the age limit for participation in the football pools was reduced from 18 to 16; the collection of football pools coupons in shops and other premises was legalised; and rollover of prize money was allowed. In March 1995, the prohibition on advertising the football pools on television and radio was lifted. In the Gaming Machines and Betting Office Facilities Order, which was put to the Deregulation Committee of the House in December 1995, we are proposing to allow the payment of football pools winnings in betting offices.The pools industry has also benefited from reductions in pool betting duty. In May 1995, the duty was reduced from 37.5 per cent. to 32.5 per cent. In his Budget last November, my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a further reduction to 26.5 per cent.We are currently considering a number of proposals for further relaxation of the restrictions on the pools which have been put forward by the industry. On one of these proposals, to revoke the regulation which prevents pools collectors from selling lottery tickets door to door, we have issued a consultation letter to interested parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if prisoners from Buckley Hall prison are eligible for unaccompanied visits to Rochdale as a reward for good behaviour; and if he will make a statement. [18117]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the accounts for the national Fire Service College for the year 1994–95; and what was the overall financial result. [16731]

[pursuant to his reply, 26 February 1996, c. 411]: The Fire Service College annual report and accounts were laid before the House of 28 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for he Environment what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the level of pollutants emitted by city diesel fuel. [17666]

A programme of field trials of alternative fuels, including city diesel, was set up by the Department of Transport, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in March 1994. The trials are assessing the emissions performance, energy consumption and economics of vans and buses using a number of alternative fuels. All vehicles in the trials are to be monitored in-service and up to 22 vans and 26 buses are to be emissions tested using driving cycles which best represent the real world in-service operating conditions for these vehicles. A final report of the project is expected in early 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to publish pollution information on the Internet. [17911]

I refer to hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, Central (Sir P. Beresford), on 16 January 1996, Official Report, column 491.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the use of objective 1 funds in Merseyside; what plans he has to increase Government financial assistance towards European funding; and if he will make a statement. [16295]

All claims for payment for projects approved under the programme are accompanied by a report from project sponsors outlining their progress towards delivery of required outputs. Claims received to date indicate that most of the targets are likely to be met or exceeded. In accordance with the regulations governing the structural funds, an interim evaluation of the progress made by the programme so far will shortly be undertaken. The results will be available later in the year.The structural funds contribute only a part of a project's costs. There are many sources of matching funds, from both the public and the private sectors, for the remaining costs and it is the responsibility of the applicant to explore fully the possibilities before making an application. This is not the responsibility of the Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was (a) the number of prosecutions by the Health and Safety Executive, (b) the number of convictions and (c) the average fine per conviction against employers in the construction industry in each of the last five years. [17835]

The Health and Safety Executive's primary aim is to prevent accidents and ill health. In appropriate cases, prosecution may be taken. Details of prosecutions taken by the HSE's field operations division inspectorates, information laid, the number of convictions and the average penalty per conviction in all industrial sectors in each of the last five years was set out in table 24 of the Health and Safety Commissions's statistics 1994–95. The following table provides extracts from this table concerning proceedings in the construction industry.

Prosecutions taken by the HSE's field operations division by result in the construction industry 1990–91 to 1994–95.
	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	11994–95
Information laid	746	746	701	526	629
The number of convictions	600	604	572	412	497
Average fine per conviction (£)	857	1,035	1,279	3,403	2,675
1 Provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of (a) fatalities of workers in the construction industry and (b) members of the public killed by construction accidents in each of the last five years. [17765]

The number of fatalities of workers in the construction industry and of members of the public killed by construction accidents in each of the last five years was set out in table 2 of the Health and Safety Commission's statistics 1994–95. The table provides details of fatalities reported to the enforcing authorities in Great Britain.

Fatal injuries reported to enforcement authorities in the construction industry 1990–91 to 1994–951
	2Workers	Members of the public
1990–91	124	9
1991–92	99	6
1992–93	95	5
1993–94	88	6
1994–95	74	5
1 Provisional.
2 Workers includes employees and self-employed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department is taking to collect statistics broken down by gender where relevant. [17680]

All relevant statistical information about employees of my Department is collected by reference to gender.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inspectors are currently employed by the Planning Inspectorate. [17066]

The Planning Inspectorate currently employs 209 salaried planning inspectors, 10 of whom work part time.A further 209 fee-paid inspectors are engaged either on short-term contracts or on a case-by-case basis, to undertake appeals and similar work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he commissioned consultants Wardell Armstrong to undertake an inquiry into the dangers of mine or stythe gas in the Gateshead area; and what were the circumstances which led him to commission the study. [17974]

Wardell Armstrong was commissioned to undertake a study of methane and other gases from disused coal mines in the autumn of 1993. The research has included consideration of Gateshead as a demonstration area and of stythe, among other gases. The main aims were, however, to examine the extent to which such emissions should be taken into account in planning of land use and the appropriate means of doing so. The focus, therefore, has been national rather than local.My Department had previously commissioned a series of general reviews of land instability and related geological issues in order to determine whether there was a need to take more account of these in planning. One of these, a review of naturally occurring contaminants, was undertaken by the British Geological Survey. The report indicated that gas problems associated with old mines were sufficiently widespread to merit more detailed consideration. This led directly to the commissioning of the work being undertaken by Wardell Armstrong.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Wardell Armstrong report on the dangers of mine gas was received by his Department; and if he will publish it. [17975]

The final draft of a report by Wardell Armstrong entitled "Methane and other gas emissions from disused coal mines—the planning response" is currently awaited by my Department. It is expected that the report will be published in the summer of 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce his decision in respect of calling in the application to build a supermarket in Barton-upon-Humber. [18480]

The application to which my hon. Friend refers was called in on Tuesday 27 February for determination by the Secretary of State. The application and objections to it will now be examined at a local public inquiry by an independent inspector, who will submit his report to the Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how Ministers propose to use the powers contained in clause 128 of the Housing Bill to prescribe the criteria to be used in housing allocation schemes; and if he will make a statement. [18764]

Our proposals on the allocation criteria to be used are set out in the consultation paper "Allocation of Housing Accommodation by Local Authorities", published earlier this year. Once the consultation has ended and the Government have considered their response, we intend to bring forward, on Report, amendments to set the main allocation criteria in primary legislation. There would be provision to alter them subsequently only by an order subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings his officials have held with Mr. Tommy Morrison of Leicestershire county council to discuss the A46–A47 link road; and what were the dates of those meetings. [17050]

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to Mr. Tommy Thompson, CS of LCC. During the year my officials have held regular meetings with officers of Leicestershire county council to discuss progress of all road and rail schemes within the county's transport policies and programme. There have been no meetings held solely to discuss the A46–47 link road.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations have taken place between Central Railway and the railway inspectorate. [18057]

I understand that Her Majesty's railway inspectorate met Central Railway plc last year and has commented on the company's outline design specification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [17455]

My Department has five contracts with EDS:

(a) Date of Inception	(c) Duration to
17 December 1993	31 March 1999
17 December 1993	30 June 1999

(a) Date of Inception	(c) Duration to
17 December 1993	31 December 1998
17 December 1993	30 June 1998
14 March 1994	13 March 1996

(b) The value of the contracts is classified commercial in confidence information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the inquiry into ticketing irregularities on the London, Tilbury and Southend line; when and how he intends to publish the inquiry results; and if he will make a statement. [18222]

The inquiry into ticketing irregularities on LTS Rail is being undertaken by the independent Rail Regulator, using his powers under section 58 of the Railways Act 1993. It is for him to decide whether and how the results of the inquiry might be made public. The Rail Regulator has said that he will make a statement once the investigation has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the European passenger service from Doncaster to Waterloo is adequately publicised and connects promptly with Eurostar services. [17952]

The marketing and timetabling of these services are a matter for the operators, European Passenger Services. I understand that the main marketing thrust will come when the direct Eurostar services from the regions north of London to Paris and Brussels are introduced later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the journeys he made on foot in an official capacity in the week beginning 19 February. [18182]

I often walk between my Department, meetings in Whitehall and the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what date and time the salvage tug contracted to the Coastguard agency in Stornoway was offered to the salvors of the Sea Empress; what was their response; and when it was made; [18121](2) what part of the marine pollution control unit played in the decision to introduce compressed air into the cargo holds of the Sea Empress prior to its refloating on Wednesday 21 February; [18119](3) what estimate he had made of the cargo on board the Sea Empress

These matters will be covered by the inquiry being carried out by the marine accident investigation branch, which includes the planning and execution of the salvage operation. I do not wish to prejudge the inquiry's findings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the names and positions of officials from his Department, the Coastguard agency and the marine pollution control Unit who were present in the operation control room of the Milford Haven coastguard marine rescue centre between 1600 and 1730 hours on Saturday 17 February; [18125](2) what are the names and positions of the officials in

It is the Government's policy not to publish the names of officials engaged in particular tasks unless there are exceptional reasons for doing so. The MAIB investigation will examine all the issues of the salvage operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to collect statistics broken down by gender where relevant. [17684]

Statistics concerning staff employed in my Department are normally based on pay and personnel records which include information on gender. Statistical information about personnel can therefore usually be broken down by gender. Similarly, all travel statistics collected by the Department include gender, where relevant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passenger trains run along the Catford loop line in both directions, in any 24-hour period between Monday and Friday, and Saturday and Sunday; and at what times these trains are travelling along the Catford loop line. [18197]

The number of passenger trains scheduled to travel over the Catford loop line is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many freight trains run along the Catford loop line in both directions, in any 24-hour period between Monday and Friday, and Saturday and Sunday; and at what times these trains are travelling along the Catford loop line. [18196]

The number of freight trains that run along the Catford loop in either direction is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many convictions have been secured at the sheriff court for the illegal discharge of oil or waste at sea in each of the past seven years; what were the fines imposed; what was the number and proportion of United Kingdom registered vessels involved in such cases; and if he will make a statement. [17481]

I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 24 January, Official Report, column 270, and on 31 January, Official Report, columns 807–808.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Russian Government on the present conflict on Chechnya; and what was their response. [17217]

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary last discussed Chechnya with the former Russian Foreign Minister Kozyrev in Moscow on 5 September. At that time the Russian Government were experiencing problems over the implementation of the military agreement negotiated in July 1995 with Chechen rebels but were hoping for a political solution within the Russian constitution.Since then we have been maintaining a dialogue through diplomatic channels, and supporting, with our EU partners, the efforts of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe to promote a negotiated settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries from which investigators are drawn by the UN war crimes tribunal on the former Yugoslavia. [16289]

The employment policy of the international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia is identical to that operated throughout the UN. Article 101 of the UN charter states that

"paramount consideration in the employment of staff… shall be… the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity".

The UN also aims to recruit staff from a wide geographical base. The tribunal will not divulge details of its investigators, including nationalities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the Croats indicted for war crimes by the war crimes tribunal have been indicted for crimes committed in (a) Bosnia and (b) the Krajina. [16290]

The international criminal court for the former Yugoslavia has announced indictments against seven Croats to date. All of these were indicted for crimes allegedly committed in the territory of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Bosnian Government in respect of the discovery by the implementation forces of concealed weapons in the Sarajevo area; and if the discovery is being referred to the war crimes tribunal. [16293]

We continue to urge all parties in the former Yugoslavia to meet their obligations under the Dayton peace agreement. The United Kingdom was presented at the Rome summit on 17 to 18 February where the parties reaffirmed their commitment to that agreement and took positive steps towards resolving outstanding incidences of non-compliance. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed a range of compliance issues with Bosnian President Izetbegovic, the commander of the implementation force, and the High Representative when he visited Sarajevo on 20 February. Concealment of weapons does not constitute a war crime. It does not therefore fall within the mandate of the international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will prohibit British military trade with undemocratic regimes; and if he will make a statement. [18218]

It is our policy to support the sale of British defence equipment overseas where this is compatible with our political, strategic and security interests. We defend ourselves and should not deny others the right to do the same without good reason. We observe strict responsibility in our defence exports. We consider applications for licences to export defence equipment on a case-by-case basis in the light of established criteria including the international guidelines and obligations to which we are committed. These criteria include consideration of the recipient country's human rights record. We do not export defence equipment likely to be used for internal repression.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to collect statistics broken down by gender where relevant. [17681]

Statistics concerning staff employed in this Department are normally based on pay and personnel records which include information on gender. Statistical information about personnel can therefore usually be broken down by gender.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he and (b) his Ministers have had over the last five years concerning the sale by British Aerospace to India of Hawk 100 aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [18199]

During the last five years there have been a number of occasions when Foreign Office Ministers have commended Hawk to the Indian authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what mechanisms he informs the Home Secretary when he reaches a decision on whether (a) India and (b) Pakistan is a candidate for designation as a country where there is in general no serious risk of persecution; and if he will make a statement. [18132]

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has already informed his right hon. and learned Friend Friend the Home Secretary of his agreement to the proposed list of designated countries, which includes India and Pakistan. No actual designation will be possible until clause 1 of the Asylum and Immigration Bill comes into force, and an order has been made under it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had in relation to the closure of the British Council office in Yemen. [18129]

None. The British Council is still considering how best to make the necessary adjustments to its programmes and activities following the latest public expenditure round.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16567]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: Where officials criticised in the Scott report had acted conscientiously, in good faith and in accordance with Government policy, it would not normally be appropriate to take disciplinary action against them. If there are cases where disciplinary action is considered appropriate, this would be carried out under normal departmental disciplinary procedure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to paragraph K8.1 of the Scott report relating to the ministerial accountability, what additional measures he proposes to ensure his Department's compliance with paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". [17309]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what review has been undertaken by his Department of its role in overseeing export licence applications for technologies with the capability of assisting in the manufacture of nuclear weapons since the publication of the Scott report. [17578]

[holding answer 26 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Members to the statement 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 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions Her Majesty's Government intend to take to improve the relationship between the United Kingdom and Kenya. [17101]

The United Kingdom has long-standing and deep-rooted links with Kenya, one of our most significant partners in Africa. The bilateral relationship spans wide-ranging areas of activity, many of them outside the framework of Government contacts. We maintain a close dialogue with the Kenyan authorities, one objective of which is to strengthen bilateral relations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all cases brought under fair employment legislation against (a) a Government Department and (b) a public body, indicating in each case the costs incurred in defending such action. [15150]

The number of cases registered with the fair employment tribunal under the Fair Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 1989 against (a) Government Departments and (b) public bodies is as follows:

(a) NIO/NI Departments

11 completed

31 withdrawn 33 on-going.

(b)Public bodies¹

46 completed

49 withdrawn

50 on-going.

¹This excludes public bodies for which the Department of Health and Social Services is responsible.

Information on the costs incurred in defending these cases is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what power he has, when convicted criminals initiate actions for damages against the Government or their agencies, to commence a counterclaim for (a) the costs to the state of the criminal's activities, (b) any moneys incurred by the state to aid or recompense their victims and (c) the costs of their trial and any legal aid; and if he will make a statement; [16743](2) how many claims for recompense his Department has commenced against convicted criminals in the last five years; and if there is a standing instruction to pursue this option in suitable circumstances. [16744]

My right hon. and learned Friend has no power to counterclaim against a convicted criminal who has initiated an action for damages against the Government or their agencies, except in the exceptional case where the Northern Ireland Office itself would be entitled to claim—for instance, where a criminal's activities had damaged Northern Ireland Office property.However, regardless of whether a convicted criminal is claiming damages against the Government or their agencies, the Secretary of State may apply to the county court for an order directing the offender to reimburse an amount equal to the whole or part of any compensation, paid or payable under the criminal compensation legislation, which is directly attributable to the offence of which the offender was convicted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to collect statistics broken down by gender where relevant. [17687]

A wide range of statistics are collected by the Northern Ireland Departments to inform decision making. Data on major statistical series are broken down by gender where relevant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to publish Sir Louis Blom-Cooper's third annual report as Independent Commissioner for Holding Centres. [18766]

I have today arranged for the copies of Sir Louis Blom-Cooper's annual report for 1995 to be placed in the Library.I am grateful to the commissioner for his report and for the assurance that it provides that he has found absolutely nothing that might give anyone the slightest cause for concern about the care and treatment of detainees held in the custody of uniformed officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.I shall be studying the recommendations which Sir Louis has made carefully in the light of the changed circumstances since the ending of Provisional IRA's cessation of military operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what means and on what criteria she intends to apportion vouchers distributed to parents for early-age education, where in any of the areas designated for phases 1 of the scheme the places offered by providers are fewer than the number of pupils whose parents have applied for vouchers. [17876]

No such apportioning of vouchers will take place. All parents of all eligible four-year-olds in the phase 1 authorities will receive vouchers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for each training and enterprise council (a) how much was spent on administration in 1994–95 and (b) the number of staff employed in (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95 (A) for each TEC and (B) by all TECs. [18098]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 February, Official Report, columns 483–84. This shows the amounts spent on administration in 1994–95 for each training and enterprise council and by all TECs. As TECs are private limited companies, they do not provide information to the DFEE on the number of staff they employ.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she has made of the savings to be made as a result of full implementation of the efficiency scrutiny report into the training and enterprise management fee and administrative costs. [18097]

I expect to publish shortly details of the action that the Department plans to take in response to the recent efficiency scrutiny into the training and enterprise council contract and management fee. We believe that implementation of the Department's plans will reduce costs significantly. However, estimates of total savings will need to await detailed discussions with TECs over the coming month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if asylum seekers who are currently enrolled on Government-funded training courses remain eligible to receive the full training allowance (a) if they are in-country asylum seekers, (b) if their application for asylum is refused and (c) while awaiting the outcome of an appeal; and if she will make a statement; [18128](2) if

Eligibility for Government-funded training programmes, and for training allowances, is a matter for the Department for Education and Employment.Asylum seekers remain eligible for Government-funded training programmes while they retain the Home Office's permission to work in the United Kingdom. They must fulfil the other eligibility criteria for those programmes which apply to all UK residents. Asylum seekers receive training allowances on the same basis as other trainees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the average number of unemployed claimants in 1996–97 who participate in European social fund training programmes. [18113]

It is not possible to estimate the number of unemployed claimants participating in ESF training programmes. Although the majority of participants are unemployed, they do not have to be claimant unemployed to be eligible for ESF support and this information is not therefore recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will estimate the effect on public revenues in 1996–97 and 1997–98 of making the jobmatch pilot a nationwide scheme. [18101]

At this stage of the jobmatch pilots, there is insufficient evaluation information available to be able to estimate accurately the effects on public revenues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will announce the allocation of extra assisted places among schools in England for 1996–97. [18726]

There has been an excellent response to my announcement of 29 November inviting bids for the first instalment of the expansion of the assisted places scheme from September 1996. Over 400 schools applied for more than 7,400 new entry places this year. Bids were also received for over 5,200 additional places in 1997.I have allocated over 4,000 new entry places at around 280 schools in England for the academic year 1996–97. This is a significant contribution to expansion. As successive years' entries move up through the schools, the total number of places will eventually double the 34,000 currently available in England. Over half the new places will be for secondary pupils entering at ages 11 to 13 as in the existing scheme, and about a quarter for direct sixth form entry. Subject to parliamentary approval, I also intend to make places available for children to enter the scheme below the age of 11 at schools which have an integral junior department.I am placing in the Library of the House a list of the 226 schools currently participating in the scheme which will be increasing the number of assisted places. These amount to around 2,800 new entry places.A further 60 schools will be new to the scheme and have not previously had assisted places. I am completing negotiations with these on the provision of about 1,100 new entry places, and will place a list in the Library shortly.I will also announce shortly the allocation of some 100 additional aided places under the parallel at specialist schools for talented pupils of music and dance.Every region of England will benefit from these allocations. Nearly two fifths of the new places will be in girls' schools, and the remainder in coeducational and boys schools. This new tranche of assisted places secures an equitable distribution across the scheme as a whole.Many of the independent schools in the scheme serve major urban areas. I am asking those schools where appropriate to encourage applications for places for pupils from inner-city areas and the ethnic minority communities.All the schools receiving allocations for 1996 achieve outstanding GCSE and A-level results and maintain strong sixth forms. Many of the other schools bidding for places also have excellent records, and I regret that it was not possible to accommodate them within the provision available for the first instalment. I am keen to offer further allocations of new entry places for 1997, and to extend places to separate preparatory schools for pupils aged below 11 and to encourage schools to develop distinctive facilities for pupils within particular needs.The extension of the assisted places scheme improves the opportunities for able children from less well-off families to benefit from the excellent education offered by all the schools participating in it.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total yield from higher and lower rate taxpayers in 1994–95 for each English county or tax area. [16769]

The table provides estimates based on the survey of personal incomes for 1993–94, the latest available year for which information can be provided below the United Kingdom level.

Lower and higher rate taxpayers, 1993–94
£ million
	Taxpayers liable at lower rate but not basic rate	Taxpayers liable at higher rate
	Total tax	Total tax
Cleveland	11	108
Cumbria	13	138
Durham	13	102
Northumberland	7	98
Tyne and Wear	27	166
Humberside	20	193
North Yorkshire	16	300
South Yorkshire	25	221
West Yorkshire	49	749
Cheshire	21	427
Greater Manchester	62	559
Lancashire	30	340
Merseyside	28	242
Derbyshire	19	235
Leicestershire	20	209
Lincolnshire	16	162
Northamptonshire	10	226
Nottinghamshire	27	288
Hereford and Worcester	16	313
Shropshire	7	170
Staffordshire	16	249
Warwickshire	12	249
West Midlands	48	452
Cambridgeshire	11	288
Norfolk	14	186
Suffolk	12	275
Bedfordshire	9	218
Berkshire	17	596
Buckinghamshire	12	637
East Sussex	19	278
Essex	34	857
Greater London	124	6,070
Hampshire	44	739
Hertfordshire	21	693
Kent	32	677
Oxfordshire	16	412
Surrey	29	1,300
West Sussex	15	422
Isle of Wight	5	21
Avon	22	327

Lower and higher rate taxpayers, 1993–94
—million
	Taxpayers liable at lower rate but not basic rate	Taxpayers liable at higher rate
	Total tax	Total tax
Cornwall	16	70
Devon	29	256
Dorset	18	195
Gloucestershire	12	264
Somerset	10	113
Wiltshire	13	285

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those member counties of the European Union which allow reduced VAT rates for leisure complexes; and in each case what is the ordinary rate and the reduced rate and the date on which the concession was made. [17790]

There is no common definition of leisure complexes. However, under the terms of the relevant EC agreements on VAT, member states have the option to apply reduced rates to certain specified goods and services, which include admission to sporting events and the use of sporting facilities. On the basis that those two categories most closely equate to leisure complexes, the table lists the member states that apply reduced rates. Detailed information on the date of introduction of the reduced rates is not readily available although, in general, reduced rates tend to date from the time when VAT was first introduced in the member state concerned.

Percentage
EC member state	Standard rate of VAT	Reduced rate of VAT applied admissions to sporting events	Reduced rate of VAT applied to use of sporting facilities
Belgium	21	3	3
Greece	18	8	8
Ireland	21	exempt	12.5
Italy	19	10	—
Luxembourg	15	3	3
Portugal	17	5	5
Spain	16	7 (amateur events only)	—

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outturn against the Treasury Red Book forecast of Government deficits as a percentage of gross domestic product in the last four years including 1995 using the public sector borrowing requirement and Maastricht convergence, GGFD—general Government financial deficit—methods of measurement of Government deficit. [17663]

The table sets out the information requested. Calendar year forecasts are not made. Outturns for 1995–96 are not as yet known.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the net subsidy to the nuclear generation industry from the Exchequer in 1995 prices in each year since 1996 to the proposed privatisation date of British Energy. [12474]

A public corporation's external finance requirement consists broadly of net flows of funds from the Government to the company, plus any net borrowing by the company. The external financing requirements of Nuclear Electric and Scottish Nuclear have been as follows since 1990–91, in 1994–95 prices (million):

	Nuclear Electric	Scottish Nuclear
1990–91	1,384	-2
1991–92	1,287	27
1992–93	1,039	15
1993–94	740	-29
1994–95	483	-48

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the next steps review of the Inland Revenue is now complete; and if he will make a statement [18654]

The review of the Inland Revenue's next steps arrangements was announced in December 1994, and has been carried out in accordance with the normal arrangements for periodic reviews of next steps bodies. Two of the three elements of the review have now been completed.The first element of the review required consideration of what are known as the prior options—abolition, privatisation, contractorisation or market testing of all or part of the Department's functions and reconsideration of its organisational structure. The review concluded that there is a continuing need for all the Department's core functions and that the wholesale privatisation of the work of assessing and collecting tax would not be appropriate, but the review also noted that the private sector has played and will continue to play a significant role in the delivery of the Department's business.Approaching 25 per cent. of the Department's annual running costs have already been contracted out, market tested or benchmarked against other market tests, and the Department's outsourcing contract for information technology services represents one of the largest such public sector arrangements in the world. The review reaffirmed the Inland Revenue's commitment to continue to search for further ways of involving the private sector either directly or indirectly in its work.The prior options review also concluded that the existing organisational structure based on a number of operational and service executive offices remains sound, and is right for the Inland Revenue.The second element of the review required evaluation of the effectiveness of the existing arrangements and scope for further improvements. That element took stock of the performance of the executive offices against their objectives and key targets, analysed their relationship with the centre of the Department and considered how existing arrangements might be improved. The results have been very encouraging, showing a marked improvement in performance since the establishment of the executive offices in April 1992, but areas for further development and improvement were identified and will be pursued.In the light of the findings of the review, the framework documents, which set out the policy and resources framework within which each of the Department's executive offices operates, and the authority, responsibilities and accountability of the controllers, are being revised.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, 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." [17320]

[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 Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the loss in revenue for each year since 1979 accruing from the granting of mortgage endowment policies. [17474]

[holding answer 27 February 1996]: The estimated cost of life assurance premium relief on mortgage endowment policy premiums was about £90 million in 1993–94 and £80 million in 1994–95. Information for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.These approximate estimates are based on information from the family expenditure survey.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to commission an independent review on the power to impose controls on exports from the United Kingdom. [17235]

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the speech made by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade on 26 February,

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 26 February, indicating the purpose of each meeting. [18170]

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 29 February. [16238]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his engagements for Thursday 29 February. [16239]

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is carrying out official engagements in the far east.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) on how many occasions during the past 12 months he has had meetings at 10 Downing street with (a) Sir Gerrard Neale and (b) Lord Younger; [18208](2) what facilities have been extended to Sir Gerrard Neale to have access to 10 Downing street in the past 12 months; and what access he has had to office and telephone facilities. [18207]

I have been asked to reply.As far as my right hon. Friend is aware, none.

To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions British Aerospace was represented (a) directly and (b) indirectly in groups led by (i) him and (ii) other Ministers to India in each of the last five years; if he will give the dates of such visits; and if he will make a statement. [18127]

I have been asked to reply.Representatives from British Aerospace have accompanied British Ministers to India on two occasions during the last five years in connection with our trade promotion programme for India.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had relating to the sale by British Aerospace to India of Hawk 100 aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [18133]

I have been asked to reply.The Indian air force has a requirement for a number of advanced jet trainer aircraft. British Aerospace has offered a variant of the Hawk aircraft to meet that requirement. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has commended the Hawk to the Indian Prime Minister on more than one occasion.

To ask the Prime Minister which lord-lieutenants will be affected by the changes in local government organisation that come into operation on 1 April. [18655]

On 1 April 1996 the following arrangements will come into effect.

To ask the Prime Minister how he intends to ensure that the United Kingdom derives maximum benefit from opportunities in developments in multi-media and information technology; and if he will make a statement. [18656]

The Government see the development of multi-media and information technology as an exciting area of opportunity for the United Kingdom in which much is already being achieved. These technological innovations are having an important impact on all aspects of our way of life. In the future there will be further opportunities for business to develop new products, services and ways of working; for individuals to adapt their work patterns; for consumers to improve their quality of life with new electronic products and services; and for the providers of services such as health care, education and training to strengthen their quality and delivery.The Government have been committed to the comprehensive development of these technologies since the early 1980s. By freeing up the market for our telecommunications and broadcasting industries through privatisation and deregulation and promoting the use of computers in schools we have made sure that the UK is in the vanguard of technological change. We are now undertaking a further range of initiatives, most recently through the information society initiative launched last month.A strong lead is rightly being given by the private sector's enterprise and initiative. That will continue to be supported by a focused and complementary partnership with Government. In order to reinforce that focus and driving force across Government, I have asked my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and Deputy Prime Minister to convene a ministerial group with the following terms of reference:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what review he has undertaken of export controls over dual-use goods. [17222]

Her Majesty's Government keep under constant review export controls on dual-use goods. These are mainly based on agreements reached with other member states of the European Union and partners in international export control forums. In addition, some controls are maintained by Her Majesty's Government on a unilateral basis to reflect United Kingdom national security considerations and foreign policy requirements.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral statement on the Scott report of 26 February, Official Report, columns 589–604, if he will list the specific responses made by Her Majesty's Government to each of the recommendations relating to policy contained in the report. [18176]

Specific responses to the recommendations relating to policy in Sir Richard Scott's report were set out in my speech on 26 February. I have promised to keep the House informed of progress on those that require further consideration prior to implementation. Changes to export control policies and procedures will be the subject of a consultation paper in due course, and I shall also keep the House informed of progress on this matter.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16563]