To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is his Department's policy to permit the permanent use of secondary liquid fuels. [17912]

Each application for the burning of secondary liquid fuels will be determined on its own merit and in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. If the operator of the plant has demonstrated, by trials, that there is no net adverse effect on the environment, authorisation with strict conditions under the Act is likely to be granted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning permission provisions apply to the flying of flags of non-sovereign nations, with special reference to the City of Westminster; what is his policy on this matter; what payment has to be made with a planning application to fly such a flag; and if he will make a statement. [18082]

Provisions in schedule 2 (class I) to the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 effectively enable the national flag of any country to be displayed in England and Wales, provided the flag is on a single, vertical flagstaff and there is no advertisement or subject matter additional to the flag's design. If these conditions are fulfilled, no application for planning permission or advertisement consent is required to fly a national flag. No special provisions apply in the City of Westminster.My right hon. Friend has no proposals to amend these provisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with London local authorities, Thames Water and London Underground about rising levels of groundwater underneath London; and if he will make a statement. [18299]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Austin-Walker) on Tuesday 27 February, Official Report, column 479–80.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18136]

Four serving civil servants in my Department currently hold non-executive company directorships. No fees are payable under the Cabinet Office rules:

Name	Company
Dr. Alan Apling	H. R. Wallingford Group	(ex officio)
Mr. Roger Courtney	Woods of Colchester
Mr. William Rickett	Redland Tile Business
Mr. John Stoker	Mersey Partnership Hanson Brick	(ex officio)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received in relation to the appeal over the Hare Krishna temple in Hertsmere, Hertfordshire; and when he expects to make a decision on it. [18505]

A number of representations for and against the proposals were heard at least year's public inquiry into the planning appeal. We received the inspector's report in December, and we are considering his conclusions and recommendations very carefully. It is too early to say when the Secretary of State's decision will be issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to meet the chief medical officer to discuss the potential danger to health from power pylons and lines; and if he will make a statement. [17972]

[holding answer 29 February 1996]: My right hon. Friend has no such plans. The National Radiological Protection Board advises industry, local authorities and other regulators on these matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from (a) housing organisations, (b) mortgage lenders, and (c) health organisations about the potential danger to health from power pylons and lines. [17971]

[holding answer 29 February 1996]: As far as is known, my right hon. Friend has received no direct representations from these bodies.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18141]

No central register is kept in this Dapartment of company directorships held by serving civil servants. However, members of staff are required to declare to senior management any commercial interest they may have. This requirement is set out in the Department's personnel management manual. Senior officials are not aware of any such declarations having been made by current members of staff. More detailed research would involve the examination of individual personal files and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consultations he had with the secretary to the Cabinet concerning the Government's response to the Scott inquiry; and where and when such consultations took place. [16641]

Successive Governments have not disclosed the nature or the specific sources of the advice they receive from the civil service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors led the cultural traditions group to decline to utilise Ulster Scots in its logo; and what is its policy for ensuring a funding balance between Ulster's main cultural traditions and an appropriate input at policy level from each. [16748]

The cultural traditions group continues to seek an appropriate expression of the Ulster Scots tradition for inclusion in its logo. The CTG's funding policy is to encourage respect for diversity by spreading knowledge of Northern Ireland's separate and shared traditions. It welcomes funding applications for projects reflecting any aspect of Northern Ireland's cultural heritage and considers each on its merits. Membership of the group and its sub-committees is representative of Northern Ireland's main cultural traditions and it welcomes policy submissions from any interested cultural organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those contracts his Department currently holds with EDS Ltd., indicating for each the (a) date of inception, (b) value and (c) duration. [17452]

One contract is currently held with EDS, the date of inception for which was 1 September 1995. This contract is due to last 19 months. I am unable to disclose the value of this contract as it is covered by commercial confidentiality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the arrest of Miss Rita O'Hare is still sought; and what attempts have been made to extradite her from the Irish Republic. [17099]

The arrest warrant for Ms O'Hare is still outstanding and has not been withdrawn.The Royal Ulster Constabulary made a request to have Ms O'Hare extradited from the Republic of Ireland. However, she successfully relied on the political offence defence and won her case against extradition in the High Court in Dublin in March 1978.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will review with the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland the resources allocated to the confiscation unit. [17149]

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland has in this financial year been allocated £7,089,000. The distribution and any reviews of this to specific parts of his office are matters for the director to decide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18143]

Central records indicate that we have no staff in Northern Ireland civil service departments serving as directors of companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, 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". [17313]

[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 589–604.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to ensure the confidentiality of medical checks on prisoners, including when a case of a transmissible disease is identified. [16703]

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 meetings were held by Ministers in his Department to discuss immigration cases with hon. Members in each year since 1979. [17061]

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In 1995, over 60 such meetings with hon. Members were held at the Home Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 February, Official Report, column 720, if he will list the other sources from which candidates were drawn; and how many of the shortlisted candidates were applicants arising from (a) the advertisement and (b) other sources. [18156]

The other sources from which candidates for the post of chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Commission were drawn were executive search, and lists of volunteers and nominees for public appointments drawn up in government. Of the six short-listed candidates, two responded to advertisements and four were found by executive search.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Gaming Board has endorsed the changes to the controls over gambling announced on 27 February. [18454]

The proposals are those of the Government. Nonetheless the Gaming Board has told me that it welcomes the Government's initiative in considering to what extent the controls on casinos and bingo clubs in the Gaming Act 1968 continue to meet present day requirements and in making proposals where the Government believe that controls can be updated or relaxed. The board also welcomes the fact that the Government are putting out their proposals for wide public consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with the Gaming Board over the relaxation of regulations on casinos and other locations for gambling. [18455]

We have had regular contact with the Gaming Board during the drafting of the proposals in the consultation paper published on 27 February. In particular, the board provided professional advice and comment on the factual analysis underpinning the document and on the practicability of various options for change. Its comments were taken into account in preparing the final version.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18139]

Civil servants do not need permission to undertake and be paid for work outside normal working hours, provided there is no conflict of interest. There is no specific requirement for staff in the Home Office to report directorships held privately and no central record is kept. Any fees paid for such work would in any case be a matter of individual privacy. Only one official of the Home Office and its agencies, Dr. J. Thompson, has been given permission to become a non-executive director of KPMG, for developmental purposes; the appointment has yet to taken up. Under Cabinet Office guidance on developmental directorships, the individuals concerned do not receive payment from the companies concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [16515]

[holding answer 22 February 1996]: It is not the practice to give details of ministerial meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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." [17311]

[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 589–604.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list (a) the number of kilometres of motorway renewed, (b) the number of kilometres of trunk road renewed, (c) the number of bridges assessed for structural capacity and (d) the number of bridges strengthened by his Department in each financial year since 1989–90, including plans for the current year. [18166]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of road deaths in the last year was caused by inappropriate speeds, in respect of (a) urban and (b) rural roads. [18180]

Figures are not available for percentage of road deaths caused by inappropriate speed in the last year. Various sources show that inappropriate speed is a factor in a third of all road accidents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to include a section on walking in the next transport policies and programme circular. [18178]

I am currently considering the content of the next TPP circular. We will be consulting the local authority associations on this, and will take their views into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to encourage journeys on foot within the context of transport policy. [18179]

I have had meetings with a number of interested organisations to investigate the scope for taking forward new initiatives to encourage journeys on foot. In the meantime, my Department encourages local authorities in the TPP guidance and related guidance notes to promote modal shift to walking, along with other alternatives to the car, and to take the needs of pedestrians into account in the devising of transport strategies and the design of schemes. It also issues technical advice on the design of facilities for pedestrians.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the local transport settlement in December 1995 was spent on (a) measures to improve walking and (b) traffic calming measures. [18177]

This information is not available. Pedestrian and traffic calming schemes generally cost less than £2 million each. Local authorities have discretion to allocate resources to schemes costing less than £2 million according to their own priorities. It is therefore up to them to decide, in drawing up their plans for 1996–97, what proportions of the resources allocated to them in the December 1995 settlement should be allocated to pedestrian and traffic calming schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many calls to the cones hotline (a) did and (b) did not result in remedial action; and what is the average cost per call, including his Department's internal costs. [18504]

In respect of the cones hotline, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 6 November 1995, Official Report, at column 759, and to my reply to the hon. Member's earlier question on 10 July 1995, Official Report, at column 403.Since September 1995, the cones hotline has been replaced by the Highways Agency information line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library reports commissioned by the Department of Transport on the safety aspects and specifications of the General Motors Corporation Tri-star ambulance; and if he will make a statement on its road safety record. [18556]

We have not commissioned any reports on the safety of the GMC Tri-star ambulance. Two accidents involving the vehicle were, however, examined by the Department's vehicle inspectorate as part of its routine accident investigation activities. The conclusion in both cases was that the accidents were due primarily to lack of driver familiarisation with the vehicle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what elements of public expenditure will not be eligible for reimbursement from insurers of the Sea Empress or the international oil pollution compensation fund. [18359]

The international oil pollution compensation fund will not reimburse those elements of public expenditure which fall outside the definition of pollution damage under the relevant international conventions and the criteria for admissibility which have been agreed by its executive committee. The criteria for admissibility are described in the IOPC's claims manual, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the total amounts available within the international oil pollution compensation fund; and if he will list the contributors to the fund and the amount each has contributed. [18355]

The total amount of compensation available from the vessel's insurers and the international oil pollution compensation fund is 60 million special drawing rights, which is approximately equivalent to £57 million. The contributions to the fund are levied against major oil companies in each of the 67 member states of the fund. Information on individual contributors is not held by the Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18150]

There are two civil servants in the Department who are non-executive directors of companies. John Denning is a non-executive director of Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Ltd. and David McMillan is a non-executive director of the P & O European Transport Services. No payment is made to the civil servants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish his consultation document on the distribution of search and rescue helicopters around the United Kingdom coast. [18459]

We hope to consult on the recommendations of the report of the interdepartmental helicopter review group shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government will make on the suppression of human rights in China at the forthcoming UN human rights conference in Geneva. [17959]

We continue to be deeply concerned about the human rights situation in China. We and our European Union partners are at present discussing the possibility of co-sponsoring a resolution on human rights in China at the forthcoming UN Commission on Human Rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what inquiries about the health of the Chinese pro-democracy activist Wei Jingsheng have been made recently by Her Majesty's embassy in Beijing. [17963]

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary expressed the Government's deep concern about this case during his talks with the Chinese Premier and Foreign Minister in Peking on 9 and 10 January. The case was also discussed during the second series of meetings under the EU/China human rights dialogue in Peking on 22 and 23 January.We have urged the Chinese authorities to show clemency in this case, and to allow Mr. Wei's early release.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what severance pay will be paid to the present governor of Hong Kong on his retirement; and what proportion of that sum will be tax free. [18084]

The term of employment applying to the present governor, and to others employed in the Hong Kong Government on contract terms including the governor's predecessors, provide for him to receive, upon the completion of the period of his appointment in Hong Kong, a gratuity of 25 per cent. of his total basic salary in lieu of pension. The governor's gratuity would be paid by the Hong Kong Government and would not be subject to tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of all overseas visits made by all Ministers of his Department since 1990, including (a) details of the places visited and brief reasons for the visit, (b) details of the size, composition and cost to public funds of the delegation and (c) the names of non-ministerial members of each delegation and the capacity in which each was present. [17483]

The lists for the years 1992 to 1995 have been placed in the Libraries of the House. Recovery of data for the years 1990–92 would incur disproportionate costs. A list of standard delegations accompanying my right hon. and learned Friend, the Foreign Secretary or one of his Ministers is also placed in the Libraries of the House. The need for officials to accompany Ministers is reviewed periodically on a case-by-case basis. To provide further details of the composition of each delegation, its function and its cost would also incur a disproportionate expense of public funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 26 and 27 February. [18508]

The A points listed in document 5157/96, which will be deposited in the Libraries of the House as soon as it is available, were approved except item 15.The Council took note of the European Parliament resolutions in documents 4306/96 and 4709/96, PE-RE 6 and PE-RE 9. Copies of these documents will be deposited in the Libraries of the House as soon as they are available.The Council discussed former Yugoslavia and agreed conclusions on a regional approach, refugees and reconstruction. The Council invited the Commission to prepare, at the right time, negotiating directives for agreements with all the countries of the region which meet the necessary conditions and accept the regional approach.The Council discussed preparations for the European Council in Turin and the practical organisation of the intergovernmental conference.The Council discussed the proposed mandate for an EU/South Africa trade agreement but failed to reach a decision. The matter was referred to COREPER for further work. Her Majesty's Government continue to believe that it is essential that the EU fulfils its commitments to agree a mandate for a free trade agreement with South Africa as soon as possible.The Council discussed a draft mandate for a new EU/Mexico agreement. The presidency gave a brief situation report on the preparations for the forthcoming Asia/Europe meeting on 1 and 2 March in Bangkok. The Council approved the appointment of a special envoy, Aldo Ajello, to the great lakes region for six months. The Council discussed Greece-Turkey relations.The Council discussed EU policy towards the Baltic sea region. The Council agreed a one-off 5 m ecu contribution from the EU budget to the Korean Energy Development Organisation.The Council discussed the own resources decision and noted that formal ratification by the Netherlands Parliament could follow shortly after approval by the First Chamber on 16 April. This would complete the national ratificationsIn the margins of the Council, the EU/Morocco Euro-Mediterranean Association agreement and the EC/Morocco fisheries agreement were signed. Mr. Davis signed the association agreement on behalf of the UK. On 27 February there were association councils with Slovakia and Romania; and a joint meeting with the Foreign Ministers of the associated central European countries.No votes were taken at this Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions representatives of his Department or employees of other Departments of Her Majesty's Government met Claude de Kemoularia of Banque Paribas during 1995 and 1996; and if he will make a statement. [18509]

Members of the Paris embassy have had occasional contact with Mr. de Kemoularia during the period in question. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary is not aware of any contacts he may have had with other Government Departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines are given to British tour operators on the removal of British tourists from areas abroad where there is a reported threat to health or safety. [18309]

Tour operators have access to FCO travel advice on threats to personal safety arising from political unrest, lawlessness, violence, natural disasters and epidemics. When the safety of British tourists overseas is threatened, British consular staff liaise closely with tour operators to ensure that effective action is taken.If the local security situation is serious enough for evacuation of British nationals to be considered, consuls advise tour operators to withdraw their tourists as soon as possible. The Department of Health takes the lead on threats to the health of British travellers abroad, liaising as necessary with the Federation of Tour Operators, the Association of British Travel Agents and British consular staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [17444]

The Department has no contracts with EDS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what extra resources he is making available to social services departments towards the implementation of the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995; [17546](2) what estimates he has made of the cost in 1996–97 of

The Act should not involve significant extra costs. It enshrines in statute many of the principles of good practice which we had recommended local authorities follow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the employing authorities whose payments represent the additional receipts to the NHS superannuation scheme accounts in respect of early retirements. [17804]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the NHS Pensions Agency under its chief executive, Mr. A. F. Cowan. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior managers in the NHS have either resigned after being requested to do so or had their contracts terminated and were appointed to another post within the NHS within (a) five years, (b) three years, (c) two years and (d) 12 months. [17544]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that patients turned away from the Bristol oncology centre due to its financial circumstances are promptly readmitted and receive the necessary care. [17943]

Patients are not being refused treatment. All emergency and urgent treatments are continuing as normal, and curative treatment is not affected. Patients requiring palliative care for non-curable conditions will be treated in the community by general practitioners, district nurses and St. Peters hospice. Help and advice will be provided from the palliative care team at the oncology centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what priorities govern the treatment of patients form (a) Avon, (b) Somerset, (c) Dorset and (d) Gloucester at the Bristol oncology centre. [17889]

Decisions regarding what priorities govern the treatment of patients at the Bristol oncology centre are the responsibility of the clinicians managing their care.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current work of the Bristol oncology centre in respect of treating cancer patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. [18062]

This is a mater for Avon Health Commission and the United Bristol Health Care national health service trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact the respective chairmen, Mrs. Martha Perriam and Mr. Robert McKinlay for more information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 February, Official Report, column 25, if the non-executive members of Cornwall Health Care trust sought legal advice from (a) the regional health authority and (b) the Department of Health before releasing the statements which resulted in the Kirby-Harris libel case. [18081]

It is not the function of the regional health authority or the Department of Health to provide legal advice to national health service trusts or their directors. Mrs. Kirby-Harris has accepted that the publication of the statement was not authorised by the non-executives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue guidance to NHS employers on how to prevent the employment of bogus doctors. [17953]

Guidance was issued in June 1987, PM(87)7, and updated in November 1992, EL(92)84. We are committed to reviewing the guidance in June 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he gives to health authorities and health trusts on the number of women appointees as non-executive directors. [18304]

An equal opportunities policy is adopted in the selection process for appointments. Under the Opportunity 2000 women in the national health service initiative we have set a goal to increase the number of women appointed to health authorities and NHS trusts to 43 per cent. by 30 September 1998. Currently the national percentages of women non-executive appointments is 41.62 per cent. for NHS trusts, 51.45 per cent. for district health authorities and 36.6 per cent. for family health services authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a list of all overseas visits made by all Ministers of his Department since 1990, including (a) details of the places visited and brief reasons for the visit, (b) details of the size, composition and cost to public funds of the delegation and (c) the names of the non-ministerial members of each delegation and the capacity in which each was present. [17491]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney), then Minister for Health, gave the hon. Member for Newport, East (Mr. Hughes) on 3 November 1993 at columns 222–24 for information covering the period April 1992 to mid-October 1993.Information on the dates, destinations and purpose of visits made by my right hon. Friend and ministerial colleagues since mid-October 1993 is shown in the tables. The total cost of overseas travel by Ministers and private secretaries in each financial year is also shown.Information on visits between 1990 and 9 April 1992 and full information on officials accompanying Ministers could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Financial year April 1993 to March 1994
	Destination	Purpose
Minister of State for Health-Dr. Mawhinney
7–15 November 1993	USA	Fact finding visit in connection with Ministerial responsibilities
13 December 1993	Brussels	EC Health Council
Total spend for 7 November to March 1994		£4,643

Financial year April 1994 to March 1995
	Destination	Purpose
Secretary of State for Health—Mrs. Bottomley
17–18 November 1994	Brussels	To address OECD High Level Conference of National Experts on Health Reform
1 December 1994	Paris	Worlds Aids Summit
21–22 December 1994	Brussels	EC Health Council
13–17 March 1995	Japan	Trade Mission to promote inward investment (Prescribe UK)
Minister of State for Health—Dr Mawhinney
4 March 1994	Dublin	Meeting with Irish Health Minister
30 March 1994	Brussels	EC Health Council—bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) meeting
19 June 1994	Helsinki	European Conference on environmental health
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State—Mr. Bowis OBE
3 February 1994	Strasburg	European Council Meeting on Drugs
13 May 1994	Rhodes (Greece)	EC Health Council Informal
2 June 1994	Luxembourg	EC Health Council
30 June 1994	Amsterdam	European Social Services Conference
15 September 1994	Berlin	Informal Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Family Affairs
18–24 September 1994	Netherlands, Germany and Hungary	Fact finding visit on child care, drug abuse and AIDS. Signing Health Cooperation Agreement in Hungary
3–8 January 1995	Lebanon	Bilateral visit to Health Ministers and Lebanese Government and All Party Parliamentary Group visit arranged by the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State—Baroness Cumberlege CBE
3–4 May 1994	Geneva	World Health Assembly
17–18 June 1994	Paris	AIDS Summit
Total annual spend		£30,507

Financial year April 1995 to date
	Destination	Purpose
Secretary of State for Health—Mrs. Bottomley
2–3 May 1995	Geneva	World Health Assembly
29 May—2 June 1995	USA	Fact finding visit in connection with Ministerial responsibilities
Minister of State for Health—Mr. Malone
11–14 September 1995	Singapore	Accompanied a Trade Delegation to promote International Trade and other health related issues.
14–16 September 1995	Thailand	Accompanied a Trade Delegation to promote International Trade and other health related issues.
18–20 September 1995	Malaysia	Accompanied a Trade Delegation to promote International Trade and other health related issues.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State—Mr. Sackville
25–28 April 1995	Hamburg	Trade Mission to promote health exports.
13–16 November 1995	Hanover and Dresden Colombia	To promote British Health exports and expertise.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State—Mr. Bowis OBE
1–2 June 1995	Luxembourg	EC Health Council
22 June 1995	Copenhagen	European Social Services Conference

Financial year April 1995 to date
	Destination	Purpose
30–31 November 1995	Brussels	EC Health Council
14 December 1995	Paris	WHO Conference on alcohol
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State—Baroness Cumberlege CBE
2–5 December 1995	South Africa	Commonwealth Health Ministers Conference
Total spend to end January 1996		£37,950

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 February, Official Report, column 34, in how many cases of deaths in which Ecstasy was involved, Ecstasy was identified as the main cause of death; and what other legal or illegal drugs were involved. [17844]

The table shows the number of deaths registered in England and Wales from 1990 to 1994 from drug poisoning where Ecstasy was the only drug mentioned.

Year	Deaths
1990	1
1991	6
1992	5
1993	12
1994	10

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18138]

Civil servants are permitted to undertake and be paid for work outside official time, for example, directorships, if there is no conflict of interest. Staff who disclose relevant interests to their managers do so on the understanding that the declaration, like all employment matters, is confidential between them and their employer. We do not hold central records of these declarations.

To ask the Secretary of State for health what structures are in place to ensure that when (a) the Association of British Travel Agents or (b) the Federation of Tour Operators are advised of possible health and safety hazards to tourists at a resort overseas, customers are informed. [18306]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 11 December 1995, Official Report, at column 529, which gave details of the Department of Health's agreement with the Association of British Travel Agents about notifying it of outbreaks of disease. The Department now has a similar agreement with the Federation of Tour Operators. Once in receipt of the information, it is for the travel industry to decide when it is appropriate to inform customers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that British tour operators' staff working abroad have training in control procedures concerning legionnaires and other infectious diseases; [18311](2) what plans he has to review communications concerning outbreaks of serious diseases, between the United Kingdom Government, British tour operators and holiday resort hotels used by United Kingdom tourists; [18312](3) what discussions he has had with United Kingdom tour operators in respect of the factors underlying the delay in informing British tourists of the occurrence of legionnaires disease in the Hotel Imbat, Kusadasi, Turkey. [18313]

Officials from the Department of Health and the Public Health Laboratory Service are liaising with the Association of British Travel agents and the Federation of Tour Operators to review communications between organisations and clarify what action needs to be taken in response to future reports of travel-related legionnaires disease.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will initiate an inquiry into the role of (a) ABTA and (b) the Federation of Tour Operators in allowing customers to travel to the Hotel Imbat, Kusadasi, Turkey in September 1995. [18314]

The Department of Health will follow the recommendations of the Public Health Laboratory Service's report, copies of which are available in the Library, into the recommendations into the outbreak of legionnaires disease at the Hotel Imbat, and will review, with United Kingdom tour operators, the exchange of information on outbreaks associated with tourist hotels abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action he is taking to monitor whether Public Health Laboratory Service recommendations relating to the Hotel Imbat, Kusadasi, Turkey, in 1995 are carried out by the Turkish authorities; and if he will make a statement; [18307](2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the results of recommendations made by the Public Health Laboratory Service in its report dealing with an outbreak of legionnaires disease at the Hotel Imbat, Kusadasi, Turkey, in 1995 are relayed to potential British visitors. [18308]

The Public Health Laboratory Service's report, copies of which are available in the Library, into the outbreak has been sent to the travel industry. The PHLS is in contact with the Turkish authorities through the European working group for legionalla infection to monitor that the recommendations are being followed up. A member of the PHLS investigation team is planning to revisit the Hotel Imbat to monitor that all of the recommendations relating to the hotel itself are carried out. It is for those tour operators who have contracts with the Hotel Imbat to ensure that the hotel has taken the relevant steps to safeguard the health of tourists.

To ask the Attorney-General which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18140]

There is no requirement, in the Departments and agency for which I am responsible, for civil servants to report privately held company directorships. However, civil servants faced with a conflict of interest must declare their interest to senior management in accordance with the staff handbook of each Department and agency. Staff who disclose relevant interests do so on the understanding that the declaration, like other employment matters, is confidential between them and their employer. There are no civil servants in the Departments and agency for which I am responsible who hold directorships of companies for developmental reasons or on an ex officio basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the married quarters discounted sale scheme for regular members of Her Majesty's armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [19077]

The purpose of the married quarters discounted sale scheme has been to assist service personnel into home ownership. It has been popular, but has over the years necessarily helped a relatively modest number of personnel. This, combined with the proposed sale of the married quarters estate, has resulted in consideration of a replacement scheme.We now intend to replace the MQDSS with an interest-free advance of pay for house purchase which is based on the current scheme available in the Royal Navy. The replacement scheme will come into effect on 1 August 1996.The scheme will allow us to target resources more effectively to assist retention. It will be available to all regular Army and RAF personnel aged 35 and over, on pensionable engagements or commissions. The advance will be a maximum of £8,500 and will be repayable over 10 years of service. The qualifying age for the Royal Navy scheme will reduce from 25 to 23 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of all overseas visits made by all Ministers of his Department since 1990, including (a) details of the places visited and brief reasons for the visit, (b) details of the size, composition and cost to public funds of the delegation and (c) the names of non-ministerial members of each delegation and the capacity in which each was present. [17490]

Yes. A list is being prepared and will be placed in the Library shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18134]

There are five MOD civil servants who hold non-executive directorships arranged by the Department for career developmental reasons. These directorships are with the following companies:

• Northern British Newsprint
• Rank Organisation
• Marks and Spencer Subsidiary Board
• Avery Berkel
• Thorn Security.

These appointments are unpaid, although in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, individuals may accept payment of expenses incurred while carrying out the duties of the directorship.Other staff may have privately held non-executive directorships, for example, the board of a family company. If there is no conflict of interest and the duties are performed outside official time there would normally be no bar to an individual holding a directorship and being paid accordingly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision has been made with regard to the sale of Greenham Common to the Greenham Common Management Company Ltd. [18310]

No decision has yet been reached on the sale of Greenham Common.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the advertised usage in days of (a) Okehampton, (b) Merrivale and (c) Willsworthy ranges in Dartmoor national park for live firing in the year ended December 1995; and how many days firing took place. [18350]

The advertised usage in days for the ranges in question was 78 days for Okehampton, 118 days for Merrivale and 145 days at Willsworthy. The following actual firing days took place: 53 at Okehampton, 93 at Merrivale and 107 at Willsworthy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he had with the secretary to the Cabinet concerning the Government's response to the Scott inquiry; and where and when such consultations took place. [16604]

[holding answer 22 February]: Successive Governments have not disclosed the nature or the specific sources of the advice they receive from the civil service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received in relation to arrangements, in the case of fire, for disabled employees at Kentigern house in Glasgow not to be evacuated but to go to facilities described as fire-proof; what reply has been made; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement. [17916]

[holding answer 29 February 1996]: At local health and safety and Whitley committees, the trades unions have asked what arrangements are available for staff in wheelchairs in the event of fire and the arrangements have been explained to them. The provision of fire protection areas, which can serve as refuges for disabled people including those injured in the incident itself, is in accordance with regulations and standards which apply equally to the Ministry of Defence, other Government Departments and the private sector.The trades unions are content with both existing and proposed arrangements. Action will continue, in consultation with the trades unions, to improve emergency evacuation procedures and to ensure that planned building re-development meets current building regulations and British standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cold weather payments were made in the winter of 1994–95; and what was the total amount paid. [17538]

During the period 1 November 1994 to 31 March 1995, 10,969 cold weather payments were made totalling £76,786.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18148]

Under the rules set out in the civil service management code, a copy of which is held in the Library, staff must report business interests, including directorships, which might conflict with their work in the Department. Any such details are treated as confidential and no central record is kept.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was, for each year since the project's inception, the cost of the in-work benefit project in Newcastle, breaking down costs separately for the Benefits Agency and each other agency involved. [18240]

This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate in 1996–97 and 1997–98 (a) the cost of producing and posting the child benefit statement sent to recipients each year showing the general increase in benefit rates payable as a result of the benefit uprating, and (b) the cost of new notifications of entitlement. [18099]

This is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

to ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he intends to take in respect of Sir Richard Scott's conclusion in section K8.16 that Ministers have an obligation to provide information to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [16949]

I refer the hon. Member to the speeches made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and myself on 26 February.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the cost in each case to businesses and others of complying with the regulations set out in "Compliance Cost Assessments: 1 January 1995 to 30 June 1995". [17954]

The compliance cost assessment procedure requires Departments to show a number of different costs including recurring and non-recurring costs for a typical business and for all businesses affected by the proposed regulation. Details for the period 1 January 1995 to 30 June 1995 can be found in the individual compliance cost assessments, copies of which are available in the House Libraries.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account is taken of Ministers' pay in relation to the pay of special advisers. [18503]

No account is taken of Ministers' pay in determining the pay of special advisers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many responses he has received to the Cabinet Office news release on 28 December 1995—Office of Public Service 315/95—from (a) members of the public, (b) the self-employed, (c) small business men and (d) company directors; and which rules and regulations they each identified as suitable for deregulation. [18351]

I have received 60 responses to the news release and a further 420 responses from members of the Federation of Small Businesses in response to my invitation to write to me about regulations which are hampering their business. The 60 responses are mostly from small business people and members of the public. In the majority of cases the responses do not identify specific rules or regulations but the main issues raised were planning and building; metrication; health and safety: various licensing issues: and VAT. I shall reply to each letter individually.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library a list of all overseas visits made by all Ministers of his Department since 1990, including (a) details of the places visited and brief reasons for the visit, (b) details of the size, composition and cost to public funds of the delegation and (c) the names of non-ministerial members of the delegation and (d) the names of non-ministerial members of each delegation and the capacity in which each was present. [17496]

Details of the information requested for the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Parliamentary Secretary have been placed in the Library of the House. The information covers the Office of Public Service and Science—April 1992 to July 1995—and the Office of Public Service from July 1995.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what anomalies remain since United Kingdom law relating to employment in the civil service was brought into line with EC law in 1991. [19076]

The European Communities (Employment in the Civil Service) Order 1991 brought United Kingdom law into line with European Community requirements by permitting nationals of other member states to apply for certain civil service posts, but a number of anomalies remain. One of these is that citizens of the Republic of Ireland—and of Commonwealth countries—are currently eligible for recruitment to a wide range of posts in the home civil service, including those which constitute

"employment in the public service"

in EC treaty terms, whereas nationals of other European Economic Area countries are eligible only for those posts which do not constitute such employment.It is clear that we need to amend the current rules. Recruitment schemes with closing dates for the receipt of applications on or after 1 June 1996 for posts which constitute

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the individuals, by name and company, who are engaged on temporary secondments in the Cabinet Office and Office of Public Service; and if he will list the type and nature of the secondment. [14675]

[pursuant to his reply, 16 February 1996, c. 728]: I regret that the list of staff seconded into the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, from industry and commerce was incorrect. It should have included Ms R. Haddow. The correct list is as follows:

Name	Company
Mr. M. Blessing	PA Consulting
Mr. S. Culhane	Lloyds Bank
Mr. M. B. De Ferranti	GEC/Marconi Ltd.
Mrs. L Emin	Cable and Wireless plc
Ms M. Guiot	British Telecom

Name	Company
Mr. S. Greenstreet	Coopers and Lybrand
Ms R. Haddow	Binder Hamlyn
Mr. A. Harris	Clifton Corporate Services Ltd.
Mr. S. Hoffman Womersley	Shandwick Communications Ltd.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of gas-fired electricity generation in the United Kingdom currently; and what the estimated capacity is likely to be based on section 36 consents by (a) the end of 1998 and (b) 2000. [17198]

At present, combined cycle gas turbines—CCGT—provide 9.5 GW of electricity generating capacity. Another 5.7 GW of CCGT capacity is currently under construction and should be completed by 1998. A further 7.6 GW of CCGT capacity has received section 36 consent and applications totalling 2.8 GW of CCGT capacity are currently under consideration. The decisions on whether to proceed with construction and its timing are matters for the companies concerned.The Department does not prepare forecasts of electricity capacity, but in the scenarios produced to assess energy related emissions of CO

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1990 to ensure diversity of supply in the electricity generating industry. [17199]

In considering an application for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1990, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade would as a general rule treat matters such as the choice of fuel to be used and type of plant as commercial matters for the applicant concerned.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people were killed or injured as a result of accidents involving fireworks in each year since 1990. [18298]

The number of people killed or who attended an accident and emergency department as a result of accidents involving fireworks in the last five years in Great Britain are as follows:

Year	Injuries	Fatalities
1990	805	0
1991	723	0
1992	942	0
1993	1,058	0
1994	1,574	2
1995	1—	1—
1 Figures not yet available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much was spent by (a) the previous Department of Energy and (b) the Department of Trade and Industry on research work into the decommissioning of fixed installations in the North sea in the past five years. [17840]

Research into the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations on the UK continental shelf is funded primarily by industry. In the past five years neither the Department of Energy nor the Department of Trade and Industry has commissioned research related directly to decommissioning. My Department is currently considering the scope of a generic study relating to the best practicable environmental option for the decommissioning of installations in the southern sector of the North sea.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to publish new guidelines pertaining to decommissioning of North sea installations in the oil and gas sector; and what estimate has been made of the number of fixed installations requiring to be decommissioned up to 2005. [17839]

I expect to publish guidance notes for industry on the decommissioning of offshore installations after I have had the opportunity to consider the report of the House of Lords Science and Technology sub-committee II on the subject.Depending upon field performance and economic factors at the time, current estimates indicate that some 40 fixed offshore installations on the UK continental shelf could be decommissioned by 2005.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much his Department intends to spend on research into the removal of drill workings in the North sea. [17838]

A study has recently been commissioned to assess the environmental implications of the presence of drilling cuttings piles. The cost of this study will be shared by Government and industry. Future research into the removal of drill cuttings in the North sea will be influenced by the findings of the study and funds will be made available as required. The Government do not expect to incur high expenditure as the research should be primarily funded by industry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the impact on the employment of British construction firms and workers in Germany of the recent decision by the German Government to enforce common pay and conditions on all workers in the German construction sector. [17962]

It is too early to assess the likely impact of the new law but I shall continue to monitor the situation carefully.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the work force is covered by the minimum wage in each EU state according to the latest available evidence. [16282]

The following table shows the latest available evidence on the proportions of the work force covered by the minimum wage in a number of countries in the form requested:

Country	Coverage of national minimum wage
Netherlands	All employees
Luxembourg	All employees
Spain	All employees except civil servants and local government officers
France	All employees
Greece	45–65 per cent.
Portugal	All employees over 18

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken to ensure householders are warned of the dangers of the storage and use of pet coke. [17945]

I am not aware of a particular hazard associated with the storage of petroleum coke. Suppliers of this material have been advised, in fulfilling their obligations under the General Products Safety Regulations 1994, to provide clear written instructions to anyone buying petroleum coke for domestic use.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests, indicating in each case if this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [16817]

[holding answer 27 February 1996]: I will ascertain the information requested and write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department is taking to collect statistics broken down by gender where relevant. [17690]

[holding answer 29 February 1996]: 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.The regular statistical surveys run by the DTI are business surveys, where questions on gender are not relevant. In addition, statistics on individual insolvencies are collected from official receivers' offices. There are no plans to break these statistics down by gender. The home accident and European home leisure accident surveillance systems collect gender statistics on home and leisure accidents.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from small business organisations concerning companies purporting to offer advisory services about Government and European grants available to small businesses; what proposals he has to regulate the activities of such companies; and if he will make a statement. [18130]

[holding answer 29 February 1996]: I have received representations from a number of hon. Members and from one small business organisation concerning companies offering advisory services about Government and European grants available to small businesses.There are many reputable private sector providers of grant information in addition to organisations such as local business links in England, business connect in Wales, together with local enterprise companies and business shops in Scotland, which offer easy access to such information. However, I remain concerned about the activities of some grant consultants and the DTI is doing what it can to stop such practices.Misleading claims made by sales people are a trading standards matter, and my Department is assisting trading standards departments in taking forward their inquiries. This is leading to direct action. For example, trading standards officers in Birmingham are pursuing inquiries under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 against a company known as Business Grants Advisory Group Ltd, operating in their area. My Department has also recently issued a press notice advising companies how to avoid being taken in by so called grant "cowboys" and how to find a reputable consultant.I do not believe further regulation is necessary or desirable.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will carry out a review of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. [17223]

On 15 June, Official Report, column 627, I announced in the House that Customs and Excise had set up a three-year wide-ranging review of the various Customs enactments as part of the Government's wider deregulation drive and this review is in progress. Part of this review is to rationalise and simplify both existing and new Customs provisions into consolidation Acts, including a replacement for the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.Furthermore, on 26 February 1996,

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total tax relief, expressed in terms of revenue lost to public funds in each of the last three years benefiting (a) partners and (b) closed company men. [18174]

No special reliefs are available to individuals in partnerships or to directors or participators in close companies. Information is not available about the total value of reliefs given to these two groups of taxpayers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals declared themselves as partners for the purposes of tax relief in each of the last three years. [18173]

According to the latest information available from the "Survey of Personal Incomes", the number of individuals regarded as partners for tax purposes was about 1.3 million in 1993–94 and in each of the previous two years. Individuals who carry on business in partnership are not entitled to any tax reliefs other than those they would be entitled to if they were in business on their own account.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the value of debt to Government written off in each privatisation since 1979. [18487]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor to the hon. Member for North-West Durham (Ms Armstrong) on 23 March 1995, Official Report, columns 286–88.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost to the Treasury of profit-related pay schemes in lost public revenues. [18315]

Estimates of the cost of income tax relief for profit-related pay schemes in 1994–95 and 1995–96 are published in table 1.6 of "Inland Revenue Statistics 1995", a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress HM Customs and Excise is making on simplification of tax law. [19022]

Inland Revenue produced a report on tax simplification in December 1995 under Section 160 of the Finance Act 1995 entitled "The Path to Tax Simplification". HM Customs and Excise (Customs) shares with the Inland Revenue the objective of seeking to simplify legislation and reduce burdens on business.The two departments have already started working closely together wherever possible to reduce burdens, particularly on small and new businesses. Early benefits include, for new businesses, a joint leaflet, "Starting Your Own Business" to help them assimilate information on VAT, income tax and national insurance; the provision of a joint notification form for business start-up and the availability of joint seminars. Other developments include the provision of each other's leaflets at inquiry points and the extension last year of the Inland Revenue independent adjudicator's role to cover complaints against Customs. A trial is also taking place in Scotland to assess the value to business of a single low-cost telephone number for inquiries about taxation issues.However, because of significant differences in their role, Customs is following a different approach to simplification. Like the Revenue, Customs collects taxes for the UK Government: VAT and excise duties—oils, tobacco and alcohol; insurance premium tax; and, in due course, landfill tax. Unlike the Revenue, however, Customs also has other obligations. Customs collects customs duties for the EC; operates a range of duty relief and suspension regimes; protects society and UK trade by operating import and export prohibitions and restrictions; and collects trade statistics.The separate legislation—either UK or EC or both—for each of the taxes operated by Customs creates complexity for business through the different requirements for similar activities, such as registration. Many of Customs' legal requirements also apply to non-fiscal regimes such as the collection of trade statistics or licensing. Altogether, Customs legislation encompasses over 40 Acts of Parliament and more than 500 statutory instruments, together with over 200 Community instruments.Customs recognises that these different legal requirements impose costs on business, and the importance of removing or reducing them, wherever possible, across nearly 50 duty and suspension regimes it operates. In some cases, complexities are created by exemptions and special rules introduced to meet the needs of businesses. Where appropriate, existing reliefs will need to be retained, but keeping tax legislation simple may well mean resisting the introduction of new reliefs.Customs is working through a rigorous deregulation programme, which has already included repealing a number of unnecessary or redundant provisions. Clause 20 of the Finance Bill is an example of a current proposal here. Likewise, legal consolidation contributes to deregulation, for example The Value Added Tax Regulations 1995, where 62 sets of existing regulations were brought together into a single document.As a Government we have encouraged the EC to deregulate. Some EC law, such as the Community customs code, is directly applicable and wherever opportunities are identified, Customs presses the Commission to simplify regulations. In co-operation with UK trade representatives, Customs has contributed significantly to a review of inward processing relief which, subject to agreement by a majority of member states, should result in simplification.Similarly, we have to have regard to existing Community obligations in relation to a number of fiscal regimes. Nevertheless, there have also been a number of recent simplification initiatives. The measure to simplify the EC VAT system is one which the UK has actively encouraged. Another is the relaxation in the financial security requirements for excise warehousekeepers achieved following UK representations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16471]

[holding answer 1 February 1996]: None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if access has been granted to Iraqi assets frozen in the United Kingdom in pursuance of a legal action against the Birmingham-based company BSA Tools. [16505]