To ask the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects the publication of the report "Ethical Issues of Information Superhighways". [25245]

The CCTA research paper on "Ethical Issues of Information Superhighways" will be published shortly.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the working hours of Sir Leonard Peach, Commissioner for Public Appointments. [25566]

Sir Len Peach's contract is for three days a week

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the Commissioner for Public Appointments intends to publish guidance on public appointments, incorporating a code of practice, in line with the recommendations of the first report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. [26747]

The Commissioner for Public Appointments, Sir Len Peach, published earlier today a code of practice and guidance on public appointments. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the explanatory statement relating to the refusal of entry to the United Kingdom of Mr. Asif Majid, Ref: GV100/31308, sent to the Immigration Appellate Authority in the United Kingdom by them post in Islamabad on 16 February 1995 was received by the IAA; and if he will make a statement. [26352]

The explanatory statement was received by the immigration appellate authorities on 24 February 1995.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many cases in each year since 1993 the courts have used the testimony of mentally handicapped individuals in order to secure a conviction. [25209]

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 what proportion of primary legislation was readily available in its current amended form (a) November 1992 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [25141]

Approximately one third of primary legislation was available in its current amended form in November 1992 and approximately the same proportion is available at the present time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement about the consequences of local government reorganisation, with particular reference to the creation of unitary authorities, for the statutory rights of objection to the proposed closure of magistrates courts where such rights are currently held by county councils; and what assessment he has made of transferring this right in all cases to district and borough councils. [24995]

After local government reorganisation in a magistrates courts committee's area, the statutory rights of appeal in relation to the proposed closure of a magistrates court will be held by any unitary authority in the area or by the county council insofar as it is not a unitary authority. The same bodies will be responsible for the funding of the magistrates courts service in their area. No assessment has been made of transferring the right of appeal to local authorities which do not contribute to the funding of the magistrates courts service, as would happen if the right were transferred in all cases to district and borough councils.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals there have been from industrial tribunals in Northern Ireland to the Court of Appeal since 1 January 1990. [24989]

The number of appeals from industrial tribunals in Northern Ireland to the Court of Appeal since 1 January 1990 is 32.The figures for each year from 1990 to 1995 are as follows:

	Number
1990	5
1991	5
1992	6
1993	3
1994	5
1995	8
Total	32

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many awards of an industrial tribunal in Northern Ireland have been altered on appeal on the grounds that the tribunal misdirected itself. [24990]

The number of awards of an industrial tribunal in Northern Ireland which have been altered by the Court of Appeal since 1990 is two.The figures for each year from 1990 to 1995 are as follows:

	Number
1990	1
1991	1
1992	0
1993	0
1994	0
1995	0
Total	2

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consultations the Land Registry has had with other parties regarding disclosure of the price paid for a property; and if he will make a statement. [24951]

The Land Registry became open to public inspection in 1990 and in December 1993 the Land Registry issued a consultation paper on a proposal to restore "price paid" information to the Land Register.Some 45 responses were received from professional bodies and other interested parties. The Lord Chancellor and the Chief Land Registrar decided that other proposals—to extend the mechanisms for bringing unregistered property on to the Land Register—should take higher priority. The Lord Chancellor plans to proceed with those proposals when there is an appropriate legislative opportunity.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to amend section 10 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981; and if he will make a statement. [25455]

The Government at present have no plans to introduce amending legislation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer of St. Thomas's hospital has been listed by the private financial panel in the Department of Health section for a private finance investment. [25529]

[holding answer 18 April 1996]: A private finance initiative project for St. Thomas's hospital was included in the illustrative list published by the private finance panel on 29 November 1995.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage growth in business investment in 1995 over its level in 1994; if he will make a statement on the differences between the growth in business investment in 1995 and his forecast in the November 1995 Red Book; and what is his revised forecast of business investment for 1996 and 1997. [25550]

[holding answer 19 April 1996]: Business investment, as defined in chapter 3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", grew by 1.8 per cent. in 1995 compared with the November FSBR forecast of 3¼per cent. This difference reflects subsequent revisions to the Office for National Statistics data for 1994 and earlier quarters of 1995. Business investment actually grew more quickly in 1995 Q3 and Q4 than forecast. The FSBR forecast shows business investment growth of 9 per cent. in 1996 and 6¾per cent. in the year to the first half of 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to his Department through the private finance initiative in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26167]

Estimated levels of private sector capital spending for private finance initiative projects within the Chancellor's departments for 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 are nil, £40 million and £40 million respectively. Further details about the private finance initiative and capital spending can be found in table 6.4 and 6.5 of the Treasury "Financial Statement and Budget Report" for 1995–96.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what use he plans to make of the data on the interactions between the economy and the environment contained in the Government's satellite environmental accounts, referred to in paragraph 154 of "This Common Inheritance" annual report 1996. [25841]

Environmental factors have performed an important role in economic policy decisions in recent year. The pilot environmental accounts will improve Government's ability to judge the environmental effects of economic policy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the average hourly earnings for (a) female part-time employees, (b) female full-time manual employees and (c) female full-time non-manual employees as a percentage of those of the equivalent male employees by standard region. [26245]

Average hourly earnings of male and female full-time manual and non-manual employees in April 1995, by standard region, are published in "New Earnings Survey 1995", part A, a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library. Average hourly earnings of female part-time employees, by standard region, is published in part F of the same publication. There are no available estimates for male part-time employees, except in the south-east where they were £6.07 in April 1995.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people died as a result of paracetamol use and the use of compounds containing paracetamol in 1992 and for the five previous years. [26434]

The data are published for each year separately in table 10 of "Mortality statistics: injury and poisoning, England and Wales" series DH4, Nos. 13 to 18, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.In table 10, the drugs are listed alphabetically, and when two or more drugs are listed together they are put under the drug which comes first alphabetically. Any such combination of drugs is not cross-referenced under the other drugs in the combination, so there is no double counting.Since the principle of showing combinations of poisons is alphabetical, it therefore follows that no conclusions can be drawn concerning which drug, if any, played the major role. In addition, the inclusion of any substance in table 10 does not necessarily imply that it is toxic.The listing of a substance on its own signifies that only that drug was mentioned on the death certificate. It does not therefore include those cases where the drug occurred in combination with other drugs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements have been made following the establishment of the Office for National Statistics for the approval of local schemes and regulations for the registration service in Wales. [26676]

Under the Transfer of Functions (Registration and Statistics) Order 1996, SI 1996 No. 273, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for approving local schemes and regulations relating to the registration service in England and Wales. The agreement of the Secretary of State for Wales will also be necessary for those local schemes for regulations relating to Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is Government policy to apply the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" to all Government policy statements where they are likely to have a significant direct or indirect effect on the environment. [25624]

The guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" stresses that policy appraisal is applicable across the whole range of policies and programmes, and not just those with environmental objectives. The guide therefore raises awareness of the role of appraisal in the development of policies which have both direct and indirect environmental impacts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used to determine when the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" is to be applied to (a) Government consultation papers, (b) Bills before Parliament, (c) White Papers and (d) planning policy guidance notes. [25623]

Systematic appraisal, as described in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment", should automatically be part of effective policy formulation where there are likely to be both direct and indirect effects on the environment. No other criteria are required to determine cases where the guidance in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" should be applied.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" pertains to (a) Government consultation papers, (b) Bills before Parliament, (c) White Papers, (d) planning policy guidance notes and (e) policy statements. [25622]

The guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" has been designed so that it is relevant for all stages of policy development, from the consultation stage through to policy statements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to reduce the quantities of toxic waste going to landfill. [25753]

Reducing the amount of waste we produce is our first priority. But it is equally important that we reduce its hazardousness. In Great Britain hazardous waste is called "special waste". Defined in this way, it covers approximately 1 per cent. of controlled waste arisings.Because of the threat posed by hazardous wastes to human health and the enviornment, we agree that it is important to minimise the quantities of these substances in waste arisings. The waste minimisation measures we have taken relating to the hazardousness of waste often take the form of regulations, such as the marketing and use directive amendments, which restrict or prohibit harmful materials such as chlorofluorocarbons, found in refrigerators, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, formerly used in electrical equipment, and now certain types of battery.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total value of commercial orders placed by his Department with British Steel plc in each year from 1988 to 1995. [25818]

A total of £77,000 was paid to British Steel plc and its associate companies during 1995–96. This figure also covers payments amounting to £39,258.50 made by Property Advisers to the Civil Estate, which was part of this Department during the period in question.Figures for preceding years are obtainable only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the connection between rising groundwater and water lost through leaks from water company pipes; and if he will make a statement. [25714]

None. Although most water leaking from the distribution system is likely to find its way into groundwater, it is unlikely to contribute significantly to rising levels of groundwater in the London area, where water in the distribution system is generally drawn from groundwater. The rise in groundwater levels in London is believed to be due chiefly to the reduction in abstractions for industrial purposes.

Table 2: Number of medical board diagnoses of disablement, range 1 to 100 per cent., from occupational asthma for males and females in each calendar year 1990 to 1994, inclusive
Year	1990		1991		19921		1993		1994
Sex	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F
All boards	167	49	236	57	438	115	390	120	3912	872
Cardiff	20	5	30	9	59	23	43	22	42	11
Swansea	12	1	7	2	8	2	8	1	16	3
Glasgow	15	3	33	6	30	12	24	10	23	4
Stoke on Trent	18	14	31	8	74	18	63	19	68	18
Sheffield	33	9	36	9	113	23	122	27	87	26
Manchester	25	6	22	9	38	13	37	9	42	13
Newcastle	14	4	36	3	64	7	59	11	74	6
London	30	7	41	11	52	17	34	21	39	6
Notes:
1The number of cases referred for medical boarding, and the number of diagnoses of disablement, increased from 1992 onwards following an increase in the number of prescribed agents for occupational asthma included in the industrial injuries disablement benefit list.
2Excludes 19 males and nine females from Edinburgh board.

Source:Medical boardings centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the revision of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 will take effect; if it will include a change in the definition of an accident to include physical injury due to an assault arising out of or in connection with work; and if he will make a statement. [25715]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the incidence of occupational asthma (a) nationally and (b) by region among (i) men and (ii) women in each of the past five years; and for each category and year what has been the change, by number and percentage, over the previous year. [25785]

The information is not available in the format requested.The surveillance of work-related and occupational respiratory disease scheme, based on reporting by specialist doctors, provides national estimates of the number of new cases of occupational asthma diagnosed by specialists. The available information from SWORD for 1991 to 1995 inclusive is shown in table 1.

Table 1: Reports of occupational asthma to SWORD, United Kingdom 1991–1995
Year	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995
Estimated total cases seen by specialists1	—2	1,047	879	941	851
Percentage male3	71	72	70	66	65
Notes:
1System of estimating total cases using one-month per annum returns from sampled physicians together with full 12-month returns from a core group was introduced in 1992 to decrease under-reporting.
2Precedes system referred to in note 1; annual average no. of cases reported for 1989–91 was 509.
3Based on reported cases where the sex was stated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the guidance he has issued to planning authorities in respect of green belt land surrounding or containing historic hospital complexes which become surplus to requirements and for which development using part of the green belt land is proposed; and if he will make a statement. [25716]

Advice on major developed sites in the green belt, including hospitals, is provided in annexe C to planning policy guidance note 2. Paragraph C11 advises that suitable re-use is to be preferred to redevelopment where the buildings are of architectural or historic interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has carried out on the number of inquiries received by private companies from members of the public in respect of the energy efficiency voucher scheme; and how many vouchers have been presented to date. [26260]

A full assessment will be carried out in the summer when further research results have become available. Preliminary results show that the promotion—which was supported by the private sector, and included the industry's own advisory service—successfully maintained awareness of energy efficiency within the "Wasting Energy Costs the Earth" campaign. So far, there have been almost 12,000 consumer responses, either through presentation of vouchers or through requests for advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance has been issued by his Department to the urban development corporations to ensure that the regeneration statements prepared for urban development areas are consistent with local development plans and other strategic plans agreed by local authorities which have a bearing on urban regeneration. [26015]

None. It is for each urban development corporation to consider the most appropriate means of regenerating its area, in the light of its knowledge of local needs and conditions. In doing so, it will naturally wish to have regard to any local authority plans which may impact upon the urban development area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what legal obligations exist to ensure that urban development corporations consult local authorities and other public bodies about (a) regeneration statements and (b) other exit strategies. [26017]

None. However, my Department encourages all urban development corporations to consult local authorities and other interested parties about both their regeneration statements and their exit strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what priority will be given for English Partnerships investment in urban development areas which contain areas of dereliction and contamination following designation. [26016]

English Partnerships has been invited by several urban development corporations to become actively involved in the succession arrangements for the areas. The agency will consider taking on responsibility for the regeneration of sites within the UDC areas where the reclamation and redevelopment of those sites fits the agency's strategic objectives and priorities. The reclamation of derelict land continues to be one of English Partnerships' key objectives and high priority is given to the regeneration of sites that are contaminated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the estimated outstanding financial liabilities incurred by each of the urban development corporations in respect of (a) property and land which cannot be sold for a positive price in its present condition, (b) public open space and infrastructure, (c) rental guarantees, grant or compensation liabilities, and (d) staff and member liabilities, including redundancy, pension entitlements and terminal bonuses; and if he will list the provisions made within each urban development corporation budget in the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98 to cover these liabilities. [26014]

Information in this form is not held by my Department. Each urban development corporation has been asked to provide details of all its remaining liabilities as part of this year's corporate plan round. However, the estimated cost of settling particular liabilities is commercially sensitive, since negotiations with potential successor bodies are still taking place. Corporations are expected to meet the cost of settling liabilities from within the resources available to them from grant in aid and receipts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on missing infected clinical waste; and what action he is taking with health trusts to deal with this problem. [26321]

My officials have written to the Environment Agency requesting that it investigate this matter. At this point, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was (a) the total sum, (b) the amount paid to the London borough of Redbridge, (c) the percentage of the total paid to the London borough of Redbridge and (d) the amount per dwelling in the London borough of Redbridge, in transitional relief in respect of the council tax in each year from 1993–94 to 1995–96. [26503]

The information is as follows: (a)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Committee of Green Ministers last met; which Departments were represented at that meeting; and which Departments were represented by a Cabinet Minister. [25847]

Green Ministers last met on 29 January. All Departments were represented, but not by a Cabinet Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the 1991 energy survey undertaken as part of the 1991 English house condition survey; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [25835]

This summer. Some key findings from the 1991 energy survey were published last year, in a guide entitled "Energy Efficiency in Council Housing: Condition of the Stock," and copies placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to publish the United Kingdom environmental health action plan. [25837]

It is proposed to publish the United Kingdom environmental health action plan in the summer of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to stimulate debate across the country on the first set of sustainable development indicators, as envisaged in paragraph 171 of "This Common Inheritance" United Kingdom annual report 1996. [25840]

The report on indicators of sustainable development for the United Kingdom published on 12 March provides a preliminary set of indicators. The report invites comments and ideas from readers which will be taken into account in developing the indicators further. Further discussions will take place with local authority associations, non-governmental organisations, and academic and research organisations.The Secretary of State has also written to his ministerial counterparts in other EU member states drawing attention to the work that the UK has done in developing indicators, inviting their views on the UK indicator package and to share their countries' experiences in this area.The Department of the Environment also intends to hold a seminar this summer for a thorough examination of the indicators, inviting participants from national and local government, industry, commerce, non-governmental organisations and the academic community.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the target set in 1992 for the percentage of public places which should have effective no-smoking policies in place by 1994; what percentage figure was achieved in 1994; and what is the current percentage figure. [25842]

In 1992, the Government's target was that 80 per cent. of public places should have effective smoking policies by the end of 1994. The statistical information is not available in the form requested. However, the report "Smoking in Public Places, 2nd Survey Report, " a copy of which has been put in the Library of the House of Commons, shows for eight categories of establishment the percentage with an effective smoking policy:

Category	Percentage
Shops	63
Advice/money transactions	48
Travel	38
Health	71
Formal education	77
Informal education	62
Food/entertainment	37
Sports/recreation	48

The report relates to a survey carried out in 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a formal response to the construction industry's paper of October 1995 about the private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement. [26785]

The Government have taken the industry's views into account in reviewing the PFI and deciding what further improvements to make to its operation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I and other Ministers met a construction industry delegation today and provided a full response to the points raised in the report.Actions taken by the Government to deal with these points include:

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on her policy in respect of the introduction of V-chips. [25350]

The Secretary of State has initiated a thorough and careful analysis of the new V-chip technology and associated issues in conjunction with broadcasters, regulators and other interested parties as well as with our partners in Europe. This is not a straightforward issue. There are practical and technical difficulties in introducing new technology of this kind and we would not wish to be rushed into a premature decision.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many manufacturing companies in the west midlands have closed since 1992. [24783]

[holding answer 16 April 1996]: On the basis of VAT registrations data, a total of 4,007 manufacturing firms became individually deregistered— for whatever reason—in the west midlands region during 1993 and 1994. In the same period, 3,354 new manufacturing businesses became deregistered in the region. Figures for 1995 are not yet available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has given to the premier league inquiry into football corruption within English football clubs. [25738]

None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, (1) what assessment he has made of the quality of auditors reports of public limited companies in England; and if he will make a statement; [25736](2) what is the supervisory role of this Department over the quality of reports made by auditors in public limited companies' annual reports with special reference to football clubs. [25737]

Company auditors and the conduct of company audit work for all companies, including those that are football clubs, are governed by the provisions of part H of the Companies Act 1989, which aims to ensure that audits are carried out only by persons who are properly supervised and appropriately qualified, and that such audits are carried out with integrity and with a proper degree of independence. Using the criteria set down in part II, five professional accountancy bodies—recognised supervisory bodies—have been recognised for the purposes of monitoring, inspecting, supervising and disciplining registered company auditors. These bodies are in turn responsible to me for the way in which they operate this self-regulatory regime, and are required to submit to me annual reports on audit regulation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the debts of the British Steel Corporation (a) assumed by central Government and (b) otherwise written off between 1979 and privatisation in 1988. [25821]

A two-stage reconstruction of British Steel Corporation's balance sheet involving the write-off of public dividend capital provided to the company was effected under the Iron and Steel Acts of 1981 and 1982 in recognition of the fact that trading losses could not be recovered out of existing assets. The 1981 Act reduced by £3 billion the sums invested in BSC by the Government under section 18(1) of the Iron and Steel Act 1975, with a further reduction of £1 billion effected in December 1982 by a statutory instrument made under the 1982 Act. In conjunction with this exercise, the Iron and Steel Act 1981 extinguished £509 million of national loans fund loans together with accrued interest thereon as at the end of the corporation's 1980–81 financial year, in respect of the long-term indebtness of the corporation.In 1988, preparing British Steel plc for privatisation, Her Majesty's Government made a number of adjustments to the company's capital structure to bring it into a form that was appropriate for a public limited company. Full details of these adjustments are given in the National Audit Office report "Department of Trade and Industry: Sale of Government Shareholding in British Steel plc", HC 210, 1989–90 Session, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the implications of the incentives being offered by the state of Alabama, USA, to British Steel plc and its partners in the Trico steel mill venture for future investment in the British steel industry. [26013]

None. This is purely a commercial matter for British Steel.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has evaluated from UK Nirex Ltd. in regard to its proposed charging scheme for the disposal of intermediate-level radioactive waste in the planned repository; what is the real rate of return on the capital employed in the disposal charges; and if he will indicate the period of capital expenditure used in calculating this rate of return. [26274]

My Department receives a variety of information from UK Nirex Ltd., but these are matters of the management of the company.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to his Department through the private finance initiative in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26169]

The capital value of PFI projets being planned by my Department is estimated to be as follows:

Year	£million
1996–97	12.2
1997–98	4.1

For the period 1995–96, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor on 7 November 1995,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many post offices in rural areas have been closed in Northern Ireland since 1979. [26232]

[holding answer 22 April 1996]: I understand from Post Office Counters Ltd that records are available only from 1987. The total number of post offices in rural areas of Northern Ireland in March 1987 was 515. In March 1996, the corresponding number was 460, a net change of 55. Some of this change was due to some rural offices being reclassified as urban offices. The majority of rural closures are due to the difficulty of finding a suitable applicant to take over the office.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of his reply to the European Commission's request for the United Kingdom's response to the Consortium of Opposing Local Authorities and Friends of the Earth reports relating to competition policy and the nuclear industry. [26524]

The Government are aware of only one report sent by the Consortium of Opposing Local Authorities and Friends of the Earth to the European Commission. This report is entitled "UK Nuclear Privatisation and Public Sector Liabilities".The Commission is aware of the Government's view that there is no basis for the concerns which were expressed by COLA on publication of that report.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated annual saving to business from the Deregulation (Insurance Companies Act 1982) Order 1996. [25763]

The order has three main purposes:

(a) the abolition of section 18(3) of the Insurance Companies Act 1982 ("the Act") which requires a five-yearly statement of a life assurance company's business. The life assurance industry has estimated that these measures will save £6 million for the industry over a five-year cycle;

(b) the abolition of section 22(2) of the Act which requires each insurance company to return a statement of connected intermediaries. This measure is estimated to save the insurance industry in excess of £500,000 annually; and

(c) amendment of sections 22(1), 42(4) and 82 of the Act in order to allow insurance companies to submit copies of their annual returns in an electronic format. This measure is for the convenience of the industry and cost savings will be small, representing the difference between the cost of production and submission of four paper copies of the return, and that of producing a diskette. The administrative cost to companies of taking corrective action, if required to do so under section 22(5) of the Act, should also be reduced.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many cases of unfair dismissal of women have been recorded in Scotland during the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [25213](2) how many cases of unfair dismissal of women have been recorded in England during the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [25215](3) how many cases of unfair dismissal of women have been recorded in Wales during the last three years; and if he will make a statement.[25211]

The numbers of unfair dismissal cases brought by women and registered by the industrial tribunals for 1994 and 1995 are set out. Figures for 1993 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the percentage change in (a) gas beach prices and (b) the price of gas to domestic consumers since 1986. [26023]

Between 1986 and 1995 the price of gas to domestic consumers excluding VAT fell by 24 per cent.—15 per cent. including VAT—in real terms. The DTI does not publish a similar series for beach prices.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Insolvency Service executive agency for 1996–97. [26723]

Against the Insolvency Service's planning assumption that compulsory insolvencies will total 27,500 cases in the year to 31 March 1997, I have set it the target of completing 26,500 cases with no more than 9 per cent. of uncompleted cases being more than 36 months old. I have also set it the target of reducing the unit cost of bankruptcy and compulsory liquidation case administration in 1996–97 by 8 per cent. Resources will increasingly be concentrated on the service's investigative effort and I expect the number of proceedings taken for the disqualification of directors of failed companies to exceed last year's outcome of 1,390, itself an increase of some 50 per cent. on the previous year. In concentrating on the more

Year-on-year changes in employees in employment, December of each year (thousands)
Industry	SIC92 Code	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95
	52
Retail	(except 52.7)	-11	61	18	1
Restaurants, cafes, takeaway food shops	55.3	7	10	10	12
Hotels and other residential accommodation	55.1-55.2	10	0	11	23
Bars	55.4	-24	-30	4	21
Manufacture of wearing apparel, dressing and dyeing of fur	18	-11	11	1	-1

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 23 April. [25034]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 23 April. [25035]

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs have been created in each region of the United Kingdom in those industries where rates of pay were previously determined by wages councils in each year since 1992. [24948]

I have been asked to reply.Information is not available by regions for industries formerly covered by wages councils. Net job councils for Great Britain are given in the following table.

This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had at the Groups of Eight nuclear safety and security summit in Moscow of radioactive contamination of Lake Kojanovskoe. [25530]

[holding answer 22 April 1996]: The specific questions of contamination levels in Lake Kojanovskoe did not arise at the summit.

To ask the Prime Minister what reasons he had from the Ukraine and Russia in respect of the signature and ratification of the Vienna convention on third-party liability. [25531]

[holding answer 22 April 1996]: I understand that both Russia and the Ukraine have indicated that they intend to join the Vienna convention. As a first step, both are currently in the process of developing compatible national legislation.

To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy in respect of requiring the feed and meat processing industries to make a contribution to the culling of the nation's cows. [24480]

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food made a statement to the House on 16 April,Official Report, columns 513-16, covering measures for the removal of cattle over 30 months of age from the human food chain, and on the possibility of a selective cull of animals potentially at high risk from bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those projects concerned with the conservation of tropical rainforests, or species within them, funded through the global environment facility, together with the sums of money which have been committed internationally to each project; and if he will indicate if each project forms part of biodiversity action plans published by the Governments of the countries in which the projects are located. [25925]

The information is not readily available. We are consulting the secretariat of the global environment facility and will reply as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been invested in public transport over the last five years; and what was the percentage change for each of those years. [25243]

The figures are given in the table. They comprise estimates of public and private investment in London Transport, national railways and local public transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fires there have been in high-speed train engine units in each of the last five years. [25505]

This information is not available in the form requested. Table 12A of Her Majesty's railway inspectorate's annual report on railway safety for 1994–95, a copy of which is in the Library, lists the number of train fires by type of vehicle but does not distinguish between the engine units and the coaches of high-speed trains. The total number of fires in high-speed trains is shown in the following table:

Type of vehicle	High-speed Trains
1991–92	12
1992–93	9
1993–94	15
1994–95	5

Figures for 1995–96 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety procedures are in place for dealing with fires in engine units of high-speed trains. [25506]

The engine compartments of high-speed train power cars are equipped with a fire detection system that is alarmed in the driving cab. A fire suppression system is also provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to investigate (a) the cause of and (b) the safety procedures following the fire in the engine unit of the 17.35 service from London to Plymouth, at Bristol Parkway station, on 7 April. [25504]

The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate has inquired into the incident.The fire was caused by a component failure in the engine fuel system. Remedial action is in hand.Safety procedures at the time of the incident involved summoning the fire service, which attended promptly, and separating the vehicle on fire from the rest of the train.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice has been issued by his Department on the implementation of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment recommendations on environmental assessment of road schemes. [25843]

Revised and expanded guidance on the environmental assessment of trunk road schemes was issued in 1993 as volume 11 of the design manual for roads and bridges. This is kept under review and updated as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new road signs have been ordered for the Bursledon-Nursling section of the M27; when they were placed in storage; at what cost they were purchased; and when he expects them to be installed. [25762]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to make it compulsory for details of accident damage to be entered on motor vehicle registration documents with the name of the insurance company where appropriate and relevant. [25419]

Such an endorsement did appear on the old-style green logbook. The practice ceased in 1971 because it was found that it could give a false impression of a vehicle's condition. Some vehicles which were assumed to be unroadworthy were in fact repaired to a high standard. This reason is still valid today.Officials are, however, discussing with the insurance industry and the police the possibility of making available to the public information on total loss vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 26 February, Official Report, column 340, in respect of projections of future road congestion, what assessment he has made of the extent to which it will be practicable and economic for the railways to enlarge their market share of goods and passenger traffic to alleviate likely road congestion; and what proposals he has to quantify this. [25865]

It is not possible to quantify the potential impact in general terms of an expansion of the railways on national road congestion, although it can make important local differences. Liberalisation and privatisation will improve the ability of rail to attract and retain passenger and freight traffic.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has given to the franchising director in respect of train operating companies guaranteeing disabled access to train services. [25503]

None. The Rail Regulator is responsible for protecting the interests of disabled rail passengers. All train and station operators are required to submit for the regulator's approval a disabled people's protection policy, as a condition of being granted a licence to operate. Details of the accessibility of rolling stock were set out in my answer of 19 April to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Ms Short), Official Report, column 632.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what decisions were taken by the executive committee of the international oil pollution compensation fund at its meeting on Tuesday 16 April in relation to compensation payments to victims of the Sea Empress disaster; and if he will make a statement. [26353]

At a meeting of the IOPC fund's executive committee held in the immediate aftermath of the Sea Empress incident the committee decided that the fund should not make any compensation payments until the position regarding the total level of likely claims was clearer. On the basis of an agreement brokered by the Government, the ship's insurers, the Skuld Protection and Indemnity Club, agreed to make payments to claimants suffering hardship. To date, 62 payments have been made totalling some £240,000.At a meeting of the fund's executive committee on 16 April the committee decided that the fund could start paying compensation to claimants, but because of continuing uncertainty about the level of total claims such payments should be restricted to 75 per cent. of the damage suffered by the claimant on the basis of the advice of the fund's experts at the time when a payment was made. It is believed that in the majority of cases the position of the claimants will be improved, but there might still be circumstances in which some claimants could still suffer genuine financial difficulty. To address this possibility, the Government have brokered a further agreement with the Skuld club whereby the club will make payments above 75 per cent. in cases of genuine financial hardship. The details of this arrangement will be discussed with representatives of Sea Empress claimants at meetings to be held in Milford Haven on 25 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the forthcoming return to the wreck fo the MV Derbyshire; and if he will make a statement. [25582]

Representation have been received from, and on behalf of, the Derbyshire Family Association. They are being considered. We hope to be able to respond to the representations in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he will publish the list of people to visit the wreck of the MV Derbyshire; and what date he has set for this investigation; [25581](2) when he proposes to make a statement on the inclusion of DFA nominated representatives in the visit to the wreck of the MV Derbyshire. [25563]

We await the final recommendations of the technical assessors and salvage advisors appointed to oversee this project. Until their recommendations have been received and considered and any necessary contractual procedures completed, it is premature to fix the possible date for a return to the Derbyshire or to list those who will be involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train operating companies are and were paying season ticket discounts under the passengers charter (a) currently, (b) 12 months ago and (c) 24 months ago. [24546]

For the purposes of the passengers charter season ticket compensation scheme, train operating companies are split into 59 route groups. The following route groups are and were triggering season ticket discounts at the end of March:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when his Department's charter of the tug Smit-Lloyd Safe for emergency salvage cover in Scottish waters ends; and if he will make a statement; [23290](2) when his Department's charter of the tug Far Turbot for emergency salvage cover in the English channel ends; and if he will make a statement. [23289]

The existing Coastguard agency charter of the tugs Smit-Lloyd Safe and the Far Turbot ends on 30 April 1966. The intention is that this provision will recommence on 1 October 1996 for a period of six months.The Coastguard agency has arrangements with four firms of UK tug brokers to make towing vessels available in an emergency. HM Coastguard rescue centres maintain databases of suitable vessels in their locality, including harbour tugs. The agency has a draft understanding with the British Tugowners Association that its members will, if possible, make tugs available for emergencies. We will continue to work closely with the tug industry to ensure the best possible access to emergency towing vessels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to his Department through the private finance initiative in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26177]

Private sector contributions under the private finance initiative for the years in question are estimated at roundly (a) £250 million, (b) £630 million, and (c) £820 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the entertainment costs at each British embassy in each EU country in 1995; and if he will make a statement. [24595]

Expenditure on official entertainment at British embassies in European Union countries in the financial year 1994–95—the latest figure available—was £1,183,614. It is our practice not to publish how this is divided between posts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the entertainment costs at each British high commission in each Commonwealth country in 1995; and if he will make a statement. [24596]

Expenditure on official entertainment at British high commissions overseas in the financial year 1994–95—the latest figure available—was £1,252,368. It is our practice not to publish how this is divided between posts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Turkey; and what plans Her Majesty's Government have to address the issue at the current UN Commission on Human Rights. [25875]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on 19 April, Official Report, column 631.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total number of staff in the British high commission in (a) Lesotho, (b) Malawi, (c) Kenya, (d) Ghana and (e) Botswana in the years 1992–93 to 1996–97. [25564]

The authorised establishment in these posts is as follows:

(a) UK-based staff
Post	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Maseru (Lesotho)	6.00	6.00	6.00	6.00	3.00
Lilongwe (Malawi)	13.00	13.00	13.00	13.00	13.00
Nairobi (Kenya)	37.00	37.00	35.00	33.00	35.00
Accra (Ghana)	22.00	19.00	17.50	17.50	17.00
Gaborone (Botswana)	7.00	7.00	7.00	6.00	5.00

(b) Locally engaged employees, in staff years:
	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Maseru	15.50	15.50	15.50	11.00	11.00
Lilongwe	58.25	58.25	58.25	59.25	60.75
Nairobi	67.50	68.50	68.50	68.50	68.00
Accra	87.50	87.50	91.50	93.50	84.50
Gaborone	17.50	17.50	17.50	13.90	13.90

In addition, the Overseas Development Administration has two development divisions in Africa. The office in Lilongwe was transferred to Harare in 1995.

Development division UK-based staff establishment
	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Lilongwe	15.00	12.00	12.00	12.00	—
Nairobi	10.00	10.00	10.00	10.00	10.00
Development division-locally engaged staff establishment:
Lilongwe	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Nairobi	14.00	14.00	18.00	18.00	18.00

Staff figures are still awaited from Lilongwe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to this Department through the private finance initiative in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26168]

We consider the use of private finance as the preferred option for all proposed capital projects. I refer the hon. Member to the capital spending estimates in table 6.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1996–97", which is available in the House Library. no capital investment took place under the private finance initiative scheme in 1995–96.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the position of Her Majesty's Government in the Council of Ministers of the EU with regard to the liberalisation of trade access by the Republic of South Africa to the EU; and if it will make it the policy to work for a fair and asymmetrical trade deal with particular emphasis on allowing as much market access for agricultural products as possible. [26093]

The UK has consistently argued for an EU trade agreement with South Africa which will help South Africa's successful transition to a prosperous and stable non-racial democracy. The agreement should cover substantially all trade, with as much market access for agricultural products as possible. The mandate agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 25 March is not as liberal as we would have liked, and we therefore abstained in the vote and made a statement expressing our concerns. We will continue to work for as liberal an agreement as possible. We expect that the Commission will need more negotiating flexibility: we will respond sympathetically to any such request, and urge our EU partners to do likewise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his recent speeches regarding the present Israeli-Lebanese conflict represent a change in Government policy in respect of the respect for territorial integrity between Lebanon and Israel as outlined in Security Council resolution 425. [26140]

We continue to support the territorial integrity of Lebanon, and have consistently called for the implementation of Security Council resolution 425. The UK co-sponsored resolution 1052 on 18 April, which called for a ceasefire and recalled SCR 425.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to support attempts by members of the international community to bring about an immediate ceasefire in the present conflict between Lebanon and Israel. [26137]

We are in close touch with all the Governments concerned. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has sent messages to Foreign Ministers Bouez and Shara'a and has spoken to Warren Christopher and the Israeli Foreign Minister. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met the Lebanese Prime Minister and has discussed the situation with Presidents Clinton and Chirac. We strongly support US efforts to mediate. We also supported UNSCR 1052, which calls for immediate ceasefire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government plan to take to support international relief efforts to alleviate the suffering of people displaced in Lebanon by the present conflict between Israel and Lebanon. [26141]

We are providing bilateral emergency aid to Lebanon of £250,000. In addition, the European Commission is providing 600,000 ecu, which will be spent on medical aid, tents, blankets, food aid and safe water supplies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure non-discrimination between the sexes in employment conditions in the public service on St. Helena. [26464]

There is no discrimination between the sexes in employment conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that no public service employee on St. Helena loses her employment because she becomes pregnant. [26463]

St. Helena Government public service orders provide that all established female officers are eligible for maternity leave. However, those engaged on temporary terms are not eligible. The St. Helena Government are reviewing the terms and conditions of unestablished employees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to remove Government control of access to the broadcasting service on St. Helena. [26465]

The Government of St. Helena are examining options for the management of Radio St. Helena, including establishing a media trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 March, Official Report, columns 531-32, for what reasons the Falkland Islands were not included in the list of United Kingdom territories. [26462]Mr. David Davis: This was due to an administration error. The answer should have included the Falkland Islands within the list of UK dependent territories as follows:

Territory	Part of EU?	Vote in EP elections?
Falkland Islands	No	No

A request for an amendment to the

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the use of anti-personnel land mines. [26722]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) yesterday.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to suspend non-essential RAF training. [25795]

RAF training is designed to fit individuals with the skills to meet the tasks expected of them both now and in the future. Not all training has to take place within fixed time frames. Accordingly, as part of the measures to avoid unnecessary pressure on personnel during transition to the future RAF manning structure, we plan to suspend refresher training in common core skills for the period to March 1997, except where this would prejudice safety standards or jeopardise support for the RAF's operational commitments. Military effectiveness will not be compromised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will obtain the details of the research experiments conducted by Dr. Mohamed Abou-Donia at Duke university medical centre in the United States into the causes of Gulf war syndrome. [26266]

My Department will consider very carefully the report on the research undertaken at Duke university medical centre when it is published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the British armed forces serving in Bosnia have available (a) armoured vehicles plated with depleted uranium and (b) depleted uranium shells for operational use. [26262]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment there were at the date of its abolition; and how many (i) full-time and (ii) part-time members are now serving in the Royal Irish Regiment in Northern Ireland. [25931]

There were 2, 990 full-time and 2, 858 part-time members of the Ulster Defence Regiment when it amalgamated with the Royal Irish Rangers to form the Royal Irish Regiment on 1 July 1992. The Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service) consisted of 3, 014 full-time and 2, 122 part-time soldiers on 31 March 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 April, Official Report, column 98, for what reason no Turkish Cypriots are employed in the western sovereign base area; what proposals he has to ensure that employment by the base reflects the composition of the population of the western sovereign base area; and if he will make a statement. [26239]

Following the events of 1974, the Turkish Cypriot population now lives in the Turkish-controlled area to the north of the UN-patrolled buffer zone. No Turkish Cypriots are registered for employment in the catchment area for the western sovereign base area. The employment of Cypriot personnel within the WSBA reflects this position.