To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many car and other vehicle batteries are recycled or safely reclaimed each year. [25751]

Information on the precise number and weight of automotive—lead-acid—batteries recycled or reclaimed is not held centrally.However, it is known that the vast majority of used lead-acid batteries are recycled at three plants in the UK. The industry is committed to achieving a minimum 90 per cent. recycling target for lead batteries.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the method recommended by his Department for the safe disposal of fluorescent lighting tubes. [25747]

Average unmeasured household water and sewerage bills for the ten privatised water companies
1995–96 prices
	11996–97		1995–96		1994–95		1993–94		1992–93		1991–92
	£	Per cent.	£	Per cent.	£	Per cent.	£	Per cent.	£	Per cent.	£	Per cent.
Anglian	285	(3.6)	276	(2.0)	270	(5.9)	255	(5.4)	242	(6.0)	228	(5.4)
Northumbrian	204	(2.1)	200	(4.1)	192	(8.1)	178	(6.2)	167	(5.0)	159	(6.5)
North West	196	(4.4)	188	(0.6)	187	(5.9)	176	(6.1)	166	(4.2)	159	(4.5)
Severn Trent	187	(0.3)	186	(0.9)	184	(8.6)	170	(4.2)	163	(5.2)	155	(4.3)
Southern	221	(3.8)	213	(4.7)	203	(6.5)	191	(2.4)	186	(2.8)	181	(6.9)
South West	325	(1.2)	321	(2.6)	313	(12.7)	278	(13.7)	244	(13.8)	215	(6.6)
Thames	176	(2.1)	172	(3.2)	167	(5.4)	158	(5.4)	150	(4.0)	144	(4.4)
Welsh	257	(–2.7)	264	(0.5)	263	(6.5)	247	(5.9)	233	(6.8)	218	(5.9)
Wessex	238	(0.8)	236	(2.4)	230	(6.2)	217	(6.2)	205	(3.7)	197	(4.6)
Yorkshire	212	(7.7)	197	(–0.2)	198	(6.4)	186	(4.7)	177	(2.5)	173	(3.9)
11996–97 and 1995–96 figures take account of rebates provided by certain water and sewerage companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the budget of the environment protection strategy and Europe division of his Department for the 1995–96 financial year. [25621]

The division was established on 1 November 1995. It took on most of the work of what was the environment protection central division, EPC, and part of the work of what was the environment protection Europe division, EPEUR. It is not possible to separate the costs of those parts of EPC and EPEUR which are relevant to the work of the new division. For this reason, an expenditure figure for 1995–96 is not readily available. However, the 1996–97 budget for the net administrative expenditure of the division is £1,075,330.

Fluorescent tubes must be managed and disposed of in accordance with sections 33 and 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Department does not recommend a particular form of disposal, but the waste management licensing regime ensures that such activities are carried out in a manner that does not harm human health or cause environmental damage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost of safe disposal of a fluorescent lighting tube. [25744]

The cost of disposal of fluorescent light tubes depends on the type of facility for disposal, the quantity that is disposed of at any one time and the distance they must be transported to reach the disposal facility. Central Government do not compile such information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average water bill in each household by region for 1996–97; what were the equivalent figures in each of the last five years; and what have been the percentage changes in each case. [24928]

The following table provides details of the average unmeasured household water and sewerage bill for the 10 privatised water and sewerage companies for 1996–97 and the equivalent figures for each year from 1991–92 to 1995–96. The figures in brackets show the annual percentage change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff are employed within the environment protection strategy and Europe division of his Department. [25625]

The staff in post on 1 April 1996 within the environment protection strategy and Europe division was 27.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure the continued effectiveness of county museum collections affected by the local government review in the situations of (a) abolished authorities and (b) relinquished authorities. [25554]

How best to provide services for museum and records services is a matter for the authorities concerned. However, following discussions with the Museums and Galleries Commission, the Department of National Heritage has issued guidance on the provision of suitable museum services to all authorities involved in reorganisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to conduct research into the environmental impact of fires at waste incinerators. [25923]

I have no plans to conduct research into this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to issue guidelines concerning fires at waste incinerators. [25924]

I have no plans to issue guidelines on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) minutes of meetings, (d) agendas of meetings and (e) registers of members' interests are published by registered housing associations; and if in each case it is under a statutory requirement. [25966]

Registered housing associations are required by statute to provide a copy of their audited annual accounts to the Housing Corporation which holds them available for inspection. All other requirements are non-statutory. The main ones are:

The tenants guarantee which requires associations to keep their tenants informed about their housing management performance.

Housing Corporation programme performance standards under which associations are required to conduct their affairs in an open and accountable way, disseminating widely information about their housing provision and activities.

The National Federation of Housing Association's code of governance which requires board members to declare conflicts of interest and associations to maintain records of interests of board members and senior staff and to make them available for public inspection.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners serving life sentences were released (a) when their tariff was reached, (b) up to and including 12 months after tariff, (c) up to and including 24 months after tariff and (d) longer than 24 months after tariff during each year since 1990. [25200]

Information in the form requested is not recorded centrally. Figures for all the years from 1990 to 1994 are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, a special exercise conducted in 1993 showed in regard to all life sentence prisoners first released on licence in 1992, 9 per cent. were released before, on, or within one month after, expiry of tariff and 36 per cent. were released before, on, or within 12 months of tariff.Examination of readily available information about the 60 mandatory life sentence prisoners released for the first time on licence in 1995 shows the following:

Time of release in relation to tariff expiry	Number and percentage
Before, on, or within one month of tariff expiry	8 (13 per cent.)
1-12 months after tariff expiry	23 (38 per cent.)
13-24 months after tariff expiry	3 (5 per cent.)
Over 2 years after tariff expiry	26 (43 per cent.)
Total	60

Information about discretionary life sentence prisoners released in 1995 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what organisations were consulted about changes in the retirement age and the limitation to term of office of prison boards of visitors; for what reasons these proposals were not included in the recent review of the board of visitors system; and what representations he has received on this matter. [25220]

In deciding to amend the policy on appointments to boards of visitors, I noted that a number of members of boards felt that requiring all members to retire at the next triennial review following their 70th birthday did not reflect the fact that many people are well able to carry on voluntary work beyond their 70th birthday and are keen to do so.On the other hand, it would be inappropriate for any member to be able to serve indefinitely and thus prevent an influx of new members from time to time. It is generally the case in public appointments that reappointment is not automatic and should not be repeated an indefinite number of times. In particular, members of boards of visitors in Northern Ireland have a limit of 12 years on their length of service. However, in view of the larger scale and greater numbers involved in boards of visitors in England and Wales, it seemed reasonable to set a higher limit of 15 years. This limit thus replaces the retirement age which has been abolished.The review advisory group which considered and reported in May last year focused more on recruitment of new members and the day-to-day work of members of boards rather than on the question of length of service. Although my right hon. and learned Friend endorsed the recommendations of the report, this cannot prevent Ministers from considering other changes when and if it is deemed appropriate and necessary to do so.The new policy was first announced to the National Advisory Council for Boards of Visitors and, following representations from that committee, I agreed to phase the new measures in. I have received a number of letters from boards and individual members whose comments I have noted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account he has taken, or will take, when considering the adequacy of fire appliance coverage in the area of and adjacent to that of the London Docklands development corporation of the planned industrial and business development up to the year 2000. [25542]

Statutory responsibility for the provision of an efficient fire service is a matter for the fire authority concerned. Any fire authority wishing to reduce the operational capacity of its brigade, including the number of fire appliances, must seek the approval of my right hon. and learned Friend under section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947. His practice is to grant approval only where he is satisfied that the nationally recommended standards of fire cover will be maintained. The position would be considered by reference to the category of fire risk of the area as it stood at the time of the application. In the event of future property development, it would be up to the fire authority to take account of the new circumstances. Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire service monitors performance in meeting the standards of fire cover as part of the annual inspection process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Criminal Cases Review Commission will be set up; and if he will make a statement. [25567]

The Criminal Cases Review Commission is expected to start work later this year. The chairman designate is Sir Frederick Crawford and the posts of other members of the commission will be advertised shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new proposals he has to set limits on the spending on national campaigns by parties in general elections. [26277]

We have no such proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he plans to place completed home country briefs on (a) Somalia, (b) India and (c) Pakistan in the Library; and if he will make a statement; [26235](2) if he will place in the Library a copy of a home country brief on Somalia referred to by a Home Office presenting officer at a hearing in Manchester last year and which was shown to a representative attending the hearing; and if he will make a statement. [26243]

As indicated previously, our aim is to finalise these reports as soon as is practicable. We will then make them available to those concerned with the asylum appeals system and place them in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appointments to the public bodies listed in "Public Bodies" for his Department were made during 1994–95 from names supplied by the public appointments unit; and if he will list them. [25957]

The readily available information is as follows: in 1994–95, 13 appointments were made to the public bodies listed in "Public Bodies" from names supplied by the public appointments unit. These were:

	Number
Parole Board	4
Metropolitan Police Committee	5
Advisory Board for Restricted Patients	1
Animal Procedures Committee	1
Police Complaints Authority	2

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of people held for (a) 48 hours or under and (b) over 48 hours under the provisions of the prevention of terrorism legislation for each year since 1974. [19069]

[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1996, c. 200]: An amended and extended table of the figures given for Northern Ireland is given.

Amendment to table 2 of reply
In Northern Ireland	Under 48 hours	Over 48 hours
19741	0	0
1975	3	5
1976	44	202
1977	39	123
1978	7	144
1979	36	126
1980	36	186
1981	94	401
1982	189	639
1983	447	728
1984	375	533
1985	381	557
1986	825	484
1987	1, 008	451
1988	1, 175	542
1989	1, 053	530
1990	1, 089	460
1991	1, 109	571
1992	1, 354	441
1993	1, 186	455
1994	1, 119	384
1995	431	12
1From 29 November

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appointments to the public bodies listed in "Public Bodies" for his Department were made during 1994–95 from names supplied by the public appointments unit; and if he will list them. [25951]

Two appointments were made to the Legal Aid Board during 1994–95 from names supplied by the public appointments unit. They were:

John Crosby: Appointed 5 April 1994

Colin George: Appointed 3 May 1994.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many copies were printed and what was the cost of production of the leaflet entitled "I Want to Get a Divorce-What Do I Do" published by the Lord Chancellor's Department (D184), in the most recent year for which figures are available. [25980]

The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish a companion leaflet to "I Want To Get a Divorce-What Do I Do?" entitled "I Want To Try To Stay Married-What Do I Do?" [26018]

My Department and the Court Service will be considering what information should be available in the light of the provisions of the Family Law Bill, particularly the proposed information meeting. This will include information about marriage counselling and marriage support services. Consideration of what information and services can best assist people who want to remain married also forms part of the work of the interdepartmental working party on marriage.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will deduct from the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EU the cost of compensating the British farmers for measures to eradicate bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the event of the European Union not agreeing to pay such compensation. [24256]

The Council of Ministers has agreed that a significant proportion of such costs will be financed from the European Community budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people (i) in total and (ii) by sex in England by travel-to-work area are currently in (a) temporary employment, (b) part-time employment and (c) temporary and part-time employment. [24878]

Information for travel-to-work areas is not available from the labour force survey. The available information for standard regions for autumn—September to November—1995 is shown in the table.

(a) Temporary employees by standard region
(Thousands—not seasonally adjusted)
	All	Male	Female
England	1, 377	612	765
Northern	95	50	45
Yorkshire and Humberside	133	57	76
East Midlands	106	54	52
East Anglia	67	28	39
Greater London	224	103	120
Rest of South East	324	138	186
South West	131	49	82
West Midlands	133	57	76
North West	163	75	88

(b) Part-time temporary employees by standard region
(Thousands—not seasonally adjusted)
	All	Male	Female
England	5, 426	997	4, 430
Northern	328	59	269
Yorkshire and Humberside	575	91	484
East Midlands	479	73	406
East Anglia	253	45	208
Greater London	651	174	478
Rest of South East	1,283	230	1,053
South West	611	114	497
West Midlands	588	97	491
North West	658	113	545

(c) Part-time temporary employees by standard region
(Thousands—not seasonally adjusted)
	All	Male	Female
England	624	170	455
Northern	37	12	25
Yorkshire and Humberside	56	12	43
East Midlands	50	15	35
East Anglia	34	1—	26
Greater London	95	37	58
Rest of South East	150	38	112
South West	70	14	55
West Midlands	64	15	49
North West	69	19	51
1Estimate below 10, 000 not shown.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 3 April, Official Report, column 259, if the price of exports has increased faster than the price of imports. [25541]

The prices of imported and exported manufactured goods since 1992, measured on a unit value index basis, have increased by the same amount.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on how business investment is calculated. [25549]

[holding answer 19 April 1996]: Business investment is calculated by the Office of

UK's gross and net contributions to the EC budget
£ million
Year	Gross contribution before refunds or abatement	Negotiated refunds	Abatement	Gross contribution after refunds and abatement	Public sector receipts	Net contribution after refunds, abatement and public sector receipts
1973–74	200	—	—	200	-104	96
1974–75	197	—	—	197	-232	-35
1975–76	370	—	—	370	-354	16
1976–77	544	—	—	544	-320	224
1977–78	941	—	—	941	-382	559
1978–79	1,323	—	—	1,323	-555	768
1979–80	1,665	—	—	1,665	-781	884
1980–81	1,900	-645	—	1,255	-1,022	233
1981–82	2,330	-959	—	1,371	-1,146	225
1982–83	2,820	-774	—	2,046	-1,308	737
1983–84	3,097	-239	—	2,858	-1,897	961
1984–85	3,614	-589	—	3,025	-1,892	1,133
1985–86	3,745	—	-823	2,922	-1,930	992
1986–87	5,121	—	-1,343	3,778	-2,557	1,221
1987–88	4,906	—	-1,137	3,769	-1,958	1,811
1988–89	5,167	—	-1,600	3,567	-2,400	1,166
1989–90	5,804	—	-1,317	4,487	-2,035	2,452
1990–91	6,411	—	-1,838	4,573	-2,388	2,185
1991–92	6,129	—	-2,428	3,701	-2,757	943
1992–93	6,970	—	-1,993	4,977	-2,810	2,168
1993–94	8,407	—	-2,350	6,057	-3,865	2,192
1994–95	6,892	—	-1,648	5,244	-3,603	1,641
1995–96	9,232	—	-1,564	7,668	-4,135	3,533

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the savings to be made from the privatisation of the Inland Revenue's computer system; what figure was provided for contingencies under the original agreement; and how much has been spent of this fund to date. [25883]

[holding answer 19 April 1996]: In May 1994 savings were estimated at £225 million over 10 years. In January 1996 the last phase of work was transferred to the Inland Revenue's partner, EDS Ltd. Following that transfer, estimates of savings are being

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the gross payment, receipts and net payment made by the United Kingdom to the European Union in each year since 1973. [25789]

The Government's estimates of the United Kingdom's gross contributions, receipts and net contributions to European Community institutions for the financial years 1973–74 to 1994–95, together with the latest estimate of our contribution in 1995–96, are set out in the table.updated but there is no expectation of any significant change. There is no specific amount allocated for contingencies under the contract with EDS.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date EDS reached the maximum limit on its earned profit from its contract with Inland Revenue; if excess profits are now being paid back to the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement. [25884]

[holding answer 19 April 1996]: The Inland Revenue contract with EDS includes an annual profit-sharing mechanism. At the end of its financial year, EDS provides the department with a statement showing the revenue received from the contract and the costs as included in the company's audited accounts. Where the profit exceeds a percentage target level, calculated in accordance with the contract formula, this is shared between the department and EDS equally.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the Government's expenditure on the iron and steel employees readaptation benefits scheme in each year between 1979 and 1994. [25825]

The figures requested on the iron and steel employees readaptation benefit scheme are as follows:

£ million
Financial year	Total ISERBS expenditure	Commission contribution
1979–80	22.0	6.0
1980–81	40.0	6.0
1981–82	112.0	28.0
1982–83	106.0	43.0
1983–84	47.6	31.2
1984–85	31.6	16.2
1985–86	22.7	13.1
1986–87	19.6	8.3
1987–88	17.7	5.6
1988–89	5.7	5.7
1989–90	5.2	1.5
1990–91	12.6	0.5
1991–92	31.8	3.3
1992–93	51.1	5.4
1993–94	28.7	5.2

In addition, the UK Government received European Coal and Steel Community aid from the European Commission as a contribution towards the expenditure. There is a time lag between ISERBS payments being made and receipt of the contribution for the European Commission.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many fluorescent tube lights were manufactured in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [25746]

Accurate data are available on the number of fluorescent tubes manufactured in the UK, although total exports of linear and compact tubes are recorded at 23, 767, 365 for 1994.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many major companies in the United Kingdom produce fluorescent lighting tubes. [25749]

Three major companies manufacture fluorescent lighting tubes in the United Kingdom.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many fluorescent lighting tubes were imported into this country in the last year for which figures are available. [25745]

The information is published by the Office for National Statistics in "Business Monitors" MM20 and MQ20, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Fluorescent tubes are found in section 778.22 of the standard international trade classification.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure the safe reclamation and recycling of vehicle batteries [25750]

A very high proportion of spent vehicle batteries has traditionally been recycled in the UK. Within the context of the Government's producer responsibility initiative, the industry has given a commitment to maintain a minimum 90 per cent. recycling rate.The recycling of lead-acid batteries is controlled under part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This ensures that recycling activities are not carried out in a manner that harms human health, or cause pollution of the environment. In addition, the movement of lead-acid batteries is subject to separate controls under the Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Regulations 1980.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to comply with European Union directives on the safe disposal and recycling of vehicle batteries. [25741]

The GB Batteries and Accumulators (Containing Dangerous Substances) Regulations 1994, SI 1994 No. 232, implemented certain provisions of directives 91/157/EEC and 93/86/EEC, which relate to various battery types, including those normally used for starting, lighting and ignition in vehicles.A provision requiring the separate collection of batteries caught by the directives was not transposed into law, since recycling rates in excess of 90 per cent. have traditionally been achieved for lead-acid batteries, and the industry is committed to maintaining this performance.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was his Department's (a) contribution towards and (b) participation in the conference on "One Decade After Chernobyl: Summing up the Consequences of the Accident" summing up the radiological consequences, held in Vienna on 8 to 12 April; and if he will place the papers to, and conclusions from, the conference in the Library. [26265]

The conference on "One Decade After Chernobyl: Summing up the Consequences of the Accident" was sponsored by the European Commission, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organisation. It was mainly directed at technical specialists with the aim of consolidating scientific international consensus on the health and environmental effects of the Chernobyl accident. It also reviewed the social, economic and political aftermath and considered the improvements in nuclear safety which have followed. Of the issues covered by the conference, nuclear safety is the only one which falls directly to my Department. The Government's expert representation on that issue was provided by the Health and Safety Executives nuclear installations inspectorate. The IAEA, on behalf of the sponsors, will publish the proceedings of the conference. I will arrange for a copy of the final conclusions to be placed in the Library of the House as soon as these are available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what discussions British Nuclear Fuels has had recently with Japanese electrical utilities or Japanese nuclear fuel companies for the provision of mixed oxide fuel; [26269](2) what proportion of the existing capacity at the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. at the Sellafield mixed oxide plant has been contracted for the next 10 years; which countries have placed contracts for the production of MOX fuel at the plant; and what is the total value of contracts placed to date for MOX fuel production. [26270]

Commercial and operational matters are the responsibility of the board of British Nuclear Fuels.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on (a) the current status of materials accountancy and (b) the application of nuclear safeguards at the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. Sellafield mixed oxide plant. [26259]

The Sellafield MOX plants are subject to Euratom safeguards and the terms of the UK—Euratom—IAEA safeguards agreement. The MOX demonstration facility has been in operation since 1993 and is subject to Euratom safeguards, with regular materials accountancy reports being supplied in accordance with regulation 3227/76. The Sellafield MOX plant is currently under construction, necessary documentation has been provided to Euratom and discussions are in progress on the detailed safeguard arrangements.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the figures for imports and exports and for invisible and visible trade between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China for each of the past 10 years. [25205]

Information on the UK's visible trade with the People's Republic of China between 1985 and 1994 is published by the Office for National Statistics in tables 12.5 and 12.6 of the "Annual Abstract of Statistics", 1996 edition. The same information for 1995 is published by the Office for National Statistics in table 2 of the most recent "Business Monitor", MM20. Copies of both the above publications are available in the Library of the House. Information on invisible trade between the UK and the People's Republic of China for 1994 will be published by the Office for National Statistics in the April 1996 issue of "Economic Trends". Information for previous years is not available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 22 March, OfficialReport, columns 372-73, what proportion of the difference in unit labour costs between United Kingdom employees and other EU countries' employees is attributable to the effects of the adoption of directives under the social chapter. [25553]

[holding answer 19 April 1996]: The impact of directives, individually and collectively, on costs will differ between countries depending on national regulations and practice before the adoption of the directives at a European level. To date, directives adopted under the Maastricht agreement on social policy have not been implemented in member states.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 22 March, Official Report, columns 372-73, what is his Department's estimate of the effect on the number in employment if (a) the European works council directive and (b) the parental leave directive, were introduced; and if he will place in the Library the information upon which his estimates are based. [25552]

[holding answer 19 April 1996]: Both the parental leave directive and the European works council directive would impose costs on business and reduce flexibility. This would result in the loss of jobs, both in the short and in the longer term. The number of jobs lost would depend on a range of factors—and, in particular, on how individual businesses respond to the additional cost. It is therefore not possible to make a reliable estimate of the effect the directives would have on employment.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what consultations he has had over facilitating the administration of Gallery tickets. [24748]

The Administration Committee, at its meeting on 27 June 1995, reviewed the current arrangements for the allocation of tickets to the Special Galleries and Members' parties on the Line of Route. However, my Committee did not support a proposal that a formal visits office should be established to administer the arrangements for these visits.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what changes are planned to the system of transfer of post from the letterboard in the Members' Lobby to the internal post; and if he will make a statement. [24750]

The Serjeant at Arms and Black Rod have commissioned a study into all aspects of the mail system for both Houses. This will include examination of the transfer of post which has not been collected from the Members' letterboard into the mail system.

To ask the Lord President of the Council whether he will set up an all-party review of the hours and procedures of the House. [24753]

The hours at which the House sits were reviewed by the Select Committee on Sittings of the House—the Jopling Committee—in 1992, and changes in procedure designed to reduce sitting hours were agreed to by the House last year. The procedures of the House are also kept under review by the Select Committee on Procedure, which is itself an all-party Committee.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many Government oral statements have been given in the Commons since January. [24755]

From 11 January until 3 April there were 26 oral statements given in the House of Commons.

To ask the Lord President of the Council what was the number of private Members' balloted motions debated in each of the Sessions (a) 1991–92, (b) 1992–93 and (c) 1993–94. [24757]

The numbers of private Members' balloted motions debated in each of the specified Sessions are as follows:

(a) 8

(b) 14

(c) 19.

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals to permit Heads of foreign Governments to address the House from within the Chamber. [24754]

No. I believe that the present arrangements for Heads of State or Heads of Government to address both Houses in the Royal Gallery or in Westminster Hall are satisfactory.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many Henry VIII clauses have been contained in legislation each year since 1979; and if he will list the relevant clause, Act or statutory instrument in each case. [24528]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Lord President of the Council when he last reviewed the arrangements for dealing with urgent legislation in the House. [24756]

I have not undertaken such a review, but if the hon. Member has suggestions to make in the light of recent or current experience, I should be glad to consider them or to invite consideration by the Procedure Committee.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's application to Dublin district court for the extradition of Anthony Duncan. [25617]

Anthony Duncan was arrested in the Republic of Ireland on 11 April on domestic charges. He is wanted in this country to face charges in connection with bombs in Brighton and Bognor in August 1994. Extradition between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland takes place under the Backing of Warrants (Republic of Ireland) Act 1965 and the corresponding legislation of the Republic of Ireland. In accordance with the provision of that legislation and following my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General's decision to prosecute, the Metropolitan police delivered an arrest warrant for Duncan and supporting papers to their Irish counterparts on 12 April. The original arrest warrant, however, was not produced in the Irish court. There is a conflict of evidence as to how this came about, but a fresh warrant has now been delivered to the authorities in the Republic of Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of entry clearance officers at British high commission offices in (a) Pakistan, (b) Sri Lanka, (c) India and (d) Bangladesh on 30 March. [25572]

The numbers of entry clearance officers serving at the British high commission offices in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are as follows:

(a) Pakistan:

i. Islamabad: 28

ii. Karachi: 5

(b) Sri Lanka: 4 officers

(c) India:

i. Bombay: 10

ii. Calcutta: 1

iii. Madras: 2

iv. New Delhi: 12

(d) Bangladesh: 12

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current average target time set for the United Kingdom post in Islamabad to (a) prepare and (b) dispatch to the United Kingdom explanatory statements concerning refusal to grant entry clearance; what the target times were in each quarter over the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [26237]

Since 1989, the target times for the preparation and submission of appeal statements by the high commission in Islamabad have been one month for non-settlement appeals and three months for settlement appeals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total value of commercial orders placed by his Department with British Steel plc in each year from 1988 to 1995. [25815]

We have no record of any order having been placed with British Steel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place with the French Government before the visit by the French Foreign Minister to Israel, Syria and Lebanon; and if he will make a statement. [25568]

France has kept us fully informed of the progress of the visit and negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries in which the United Kingdom has United Nations peacekeeping forces; and what are the numbers of peacekeepers in each country. [25573]

Four hundred and twenty-two British troops are deployed as follows on United Nations peacekeeping operations:

• Cyprus (UNFICYP): 388
• Kuwait/Iraq (UNIKOM): 16
• Angola (UNAVEM): 3
• Croatia (UNPF, UNMOP, UNTAES): 5
• Georgia (UNOMIG): 10

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his letter of 3 April to the hon. Member for Linglithgow, what conclusions have been drawn about funding action to counter contamination of Lake Kojanovskoe. [25532]

It is too early to consider what concrete assistance might be made available to counteract contamination of Lake Kojanovskoe. The conclusions of the EU-financed study are being considered and will be followed up with the Commission in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the situation of British nationals remaining in Liberia. [25831]

Our consular correspondent has reported that, of the 12 British nationals in Liberia, nine have elected to remain in Liberia and one is undecided. They are all well. The whereabouts and condition of the two other British nationals are unknown.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a about the proposal for a second summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe. [26279]

We support the principle of a second summit. Such a summit might best be held in 1999 when the Council of Europe will, in any event, wish to mark its 50th anniversary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what decision has been taken on the application by Mrs. Shazia Bi, Ref: IMM/C7321, to the United Kingdom post in Islamabad to join her husband in the United Kingdom; and on what date that decision was taken. [26244]

I have asked the high commission at Islamabad for details and will arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit as soon as possible.

To ask the Prime Minister which Minister will attend the world congress against commercial sexual exploitation of children in Stockholm in August; and if he will make a statement. [26098]

The congress will be attended by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-East (Mr. Kirkhope).

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the nuclear safety and security summit in Moscow. [26550]

I attended the Moscow summit on nuclear safety and security on 19 and 20 April. I have arranged for copies of the declaration and background documents to be placed in the Library of the House. The summit was chaired jointly by President Yeltsin and by President Chirac as the current chairman of the Group of Seven. Other G7 leaders attended, as did President Kuchma of Ukraine for the later part of the summit.There was unanimous agreement at the summit on the priority that needs to be given to ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants and the security of nuclear materials. We agreed that the convention on nuclear safety must be ratified and brought into force as soon as possible; the United Kingdom has already ratified the convention.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will introduce a measure to abolish the monarchy. [26282]

No.

To ask the Prime Minister what response Her Majesty's Government are suggesting to the United Nations as a reply to the initiative to the United Nations from Libya to send an inspection team to the alleged chemical weapons site at Rabta in the Libyan desert; and if he will make a statement. [26287]

We believe that if Libya seriously wishes to dispel concerns about chemical weapons activities at this or any other site, she should accede to and comply fully with the provisions of the chemical weapons convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many advisers seconded by the British Government to sub-Saharan Africa are advising on the reorganisation of (a) health services and (b) education services; [25580](2) how many advisers seconded by the British Government to sub-Saharan Africa are advising on the reorganisation of

The ODA currently employs the following professional advisers in its overseas offices in sub-Saharan Africa:

Professional discipline	Number
Health	4
Education	1
Government institutions, including the civil service and the police	1
Others	27

It also employs technical co-operation officers to work on specific programmes and projects. The number of such personnel currently engaged is:

Professional discipline	Number
Health	18
Education	24
Government institutions, including the civil service and the police	52
Others	91

In addition to the above, there are 47 military and civilian personnel advising on a range of defence issues deployed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and MOD on behalf of the British Government to sub-Saharan Africa.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the situation in Liberia. [25834]

We condemn the recent fighting in Monrovia and call on all factions to re-establish the ceasefire and abide by the terms of the Abuja agreement. We support international efforts to restore order.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the humanitarian requirements of the population of Liberia; [25832](2) what reports he has received about the withdrawal of aid agencies from Liberia. [25833]

Latest UN reports indicate that nearly all aid agencies have withdrawn from Liberia and most are temporarily based in Abidjan and Freetown pending an improvement in the security situation. The UN hopes to carry out assessments very soon but, in the meantime, the World Food Programme is achieving a modest food distribution in Monrovia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current political and security situation in Liberia. [25830]

The fighting in Monrovia is a severe setback to the peace process. We welcome the efforts of the UN and the countries of the region to restore order.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) his EU counterparts, (b) the United States of America and (c) the UN regarding the situation in Liberia. [25829]

We have participated in discussions in the UN Security Council and are in close touch with our EU partners and the US regarding the situation in Liberia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the timetable for the transition to democracy programme in The Gambia. [25828]

We regret that the Gambian Government has been unable to meet have their own timetable for transition to democracy, despite help from the donor community. We have urged the regime to press ahead and to lift the ban on political activity and release or bring to trial all detainees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has received on the health effects of the incineration of BSE-affected cattle; and how many suitable incinerators are available. [23840]

BSE—affected cattle are currently incinerated at nine incinerators authorised under part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for animal carcase incineration. The Act requires that conditions are included in authorisations to achieve the objective of ensuring that the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost are used to prevent, minimise and render harmless emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department were listed incorrectly in the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville) to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) on 4 May 1995, Official Report, column 276. [26425]

I regret that the reply given by my predecessor contained two errors. The Standing Dental Advisory Committee was incorrectly listed as publishing its advice to Government as a statutory requirement; additionally, the Health Advisory Service was incorrectly listed as publishing an annual report as a statutory requirement. In neither case is there such a requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many appointments to the public bodies listed in "Public Bodies" for his Department were made during 1994–95 from names supplied by the public appointments unit; and if he will list them. [25956]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 17 January 1995 at column 440.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which (a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20098]

[holding answer 12 March 1996]: The following Department of Health advisory non-departmental public bodies have a statutory basis:

• Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee;
• Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products;
• British Pharmacopoeia Commission;
• Clinical Standards Advisory Group;
• Committee on the Safety of Medicines;
• Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation;
• Medicines Commission;
• Standing Dental Advisory Committee;
• Standing Medical Advisory Committee;
• Standing Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committee;
• Standing Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee;
• Unrelated Live Transplant Regulatory Authority.

The following Department of Health advisory non-departmental public bodies are required to:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of a possible link between the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and forceps deliveries of babies. [25203]

Forceps deliveries have not been shown to be associated with the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children (a) in England as a whole and (b) in each standard planning region. [25204]

Information on the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not available centrally. Recent research suggests that severe hyperkinetic disorder, which is one form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is found in about one in 200 children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric beds have been provided for children and adolescents by (a) the NHS and (b) the independent sector for each year since 1979. [26186]

Information on the number of psychiatric beds provided for adolescents is not available.Data on the number of child psychiatric beds are contained in "Bed availability for England", copies of which are available in the Library. The latest year for which data are available is 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have been admitted to psychiatric care for each year since 1979. [26187]

The information is shown in the table.

Admission to psychiatric care in national health service hospitals: England 1979–1986, 1989–90 to 1994–95
	Age group
Year	0–14	15–19
1979	1,910	5,810
1980	2,040	5,960
1981	1,990	6,030
1982	1,890	5,450
1983	1,890	5,460
1984	1,870	5,530
1985	1,900	5,440
1986	1,780	5,270
1989–90	2,600	5,600
1990–91	2,600	5,000
1991–92	2,300	4,900
1992–93	2,900	5,600
1993–94	3,100	5,700
1994–951	3,100	5,400
1 Provisional figures

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the maximum number of beds permitted by his Department in (a) a nursing home and (b) a residential care home. [26188]

We make no such prescription for either category of home.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the percentages of fatal side-effects of prescription drugs which are not reported under the yellow card scheme. [26276]

Under the yellow card scheme, reports of suspected adverse reactions to licensed medicines are received from doctors, dentists and coroners. A report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean that the reaction was caused by the drug. The scheme is voluntary and not all adverse reactions are reported. The percentage of all fatal adverse reactions which are not reported through the scheme is not known.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a quarterly analysis of the number of operations cancelled in each region since figures have been published. [19497]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library figures by (a) district health authority and (b) regional health authority, of the number of operations cancelled on the day of, or the day after, admission to hospital and the number of those patients not readmitted within a month for (i) the second and (b) and third quarter of 1995–96. [19471]

[pursuant to his reply, 7 March 1996, c. 324]: I regret that my previous reply contained an error. The percentage of operations cancelled in 1994–95 should read less than 1 per cent., not 0.01 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if (a) the squadron leader in charge and (b) other British employees at Menwith Hill have signed the US Official Secrets Act. [20631]

It is not our policy to comment on specific security arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States personnel are under the command of the squadron leader in charge at Menwith Hill. [20627]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the roll-on roll-off ferries that are to be bought for the joint rapid deployment force, announced on 26 March, will be manned by British seafarers; and if he will make a statement. [25479]

No decision has yet been reached on the most appropriate manning arrangements for the roll-on roll-off ferries to support the joint rapid deployment force. An announcement will be made in the summer, once all relevant factors have been properly weighed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the capacity of the RAF to meet its commitments. [25797]

I am fully confident that the RAF continues to have the capacity to meet its operational commitments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has introduced to reduce overstretch in the RAF. [25798]

The Royal Air Force has introduced a number of temporary measures to minimise the burden on personnel during the current drawdown. These include provisions to postpone tactical and operational evaluations and scale down formal inspections and staff visits. Such measures are a sensible way of ensuring that operational capabilities are maintained over this transitional period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total value of commercial orders placed by his Department with British Steel plc in each year from 1988 to 1995. [25819]

In the years concerned, the value of the orders placed directly with British Steel plc by the Department was:

	£
1988	36,000
1989	836,000
1990	168,000
1991	80,000
1992	2,330,000
1993	297,000
1994	42,000
1995	37,000
All figures are approximate.

Most steel for the Ministry of Defence will be procured via MOD prime contractors for shipbuilding, tanks etcetera.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the decision by the Chief of the Air Staff to postpone tactical evaluations and operational evaluations on the United Kingdom's ability to fulfil its NATO obligations. [25587]

The planned postponement of Tacevals and Opevals in the period to March 1997 will have no detrimental impact on the UK's ability to fulfil its obligations to NATO.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance he is giving Air Chief Marshall Sir Michael Graydon in implementing oral communication classes at the Royal Air Force's officer training school, Cranwell; what plans he has to recommend these classes to the other armed services training establishments; and if he will make a statement. [25565]

Oral communication is already taught at the officer training colleges of all three services. The syllabuses are kept under constant review and are subject to change as appropriate by the respective commanding officers. Contrary to recent reports in the press, there are no plans to change the existing oral communication syllabus at the RAF college, Cranwell.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what explosions recorded by the British Geological Survey in the immediate vicinity of Beaufort's dyke in 1995 were related to his Ministry's activities. [25720]

From the data supplied by the British Geological Survey, one explosion in the immediate vicinity of Beaufort's dyke corresponds to the record of a controlled detonation of a second world war mine on 7 February 1995 on a beach in the West Freugh range area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preparations his Department is making for the commemoration of the bicentenary of the battle of Trafalgar and the death of Nelson. [25915]

It is too early for any arrangements or plans to have been considered by my Department for this important event in October 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the costs quoted in the original bid and what are the current estimated costs of (a) Project DI54 and (b) the nuclear refitting process for Trident strategic submarine ballistic nuclear; what are the reasons for the difference; and from what source additional expenditure will be met. [25616]

In respect of Project DI54, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 April 1996, Official Report, column 458. The financial projections which underpinned the 1993 decision to place nuclear work at Devonport took into account capital costs and total operating costs associated with conducting both nuclear and non-nuclear refitting work over a 15-year period. These amounted to some £5, 284 million for the option selected. The cost of the Trident refitting programme will be influenced by the outcome of negotiations on the sale of Devonport royal dockyard and the actual duration of refits. The information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of (a) the practical interpretation and (b) the implications of the laser weapons protocol, with particular reference to intentional and unintentional blinding. [25206]

We welcome the adoption by the UN weaponry convention review conference in October 1995 of the protocol on blinding laser weapons. We believe that the protocol meets humanitarian concerns without adversely affecting normal military uses of lasers. Our interpretation is that it would prohibit the employment of laser weapons specifically designed, whether as their sole combat purpose or as one of their combat purposes, to cause permanent blindness to unenhanced vision.As to the employment of other lasers, states parties are required to take feasible precautions to avoid the incidence of permanent blindness to unenhanced vision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the times and the days that training flights have been undertaken from RAF St. Athan indicating the land bearings below the airspace used for training. [25418]