To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total number of employees of (a) British nationality and (b) indigenous nationality employed in high commissions in sub-Saharan Africa in (i) 1991–92 and (ii) 1995–96. [35092]

On 31 March 1996, the high commissions in the 14 Commonwealth countries in sub-Saharan Africa employed 463 British nationals and 701 indigenous nationals. Equivalent information for 31 March 1992 is not available from all high commissions. The eight which were able to provide figures report 382 British and 459 indigenous nationals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Russian authorities about the imprisonment of Alexandre Nikitin; and if he will make a statement. [35636]

Our ambassador in Moscow has raised the case of the arrest of Mr. Nikitin, a Russian citizen, with the Russian authorities. He drew their attention to the interest in the west in this case, and emphasised that the international community would continue to monitor developments closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the admission of Iraq to membership of the United Nation conference on disarmament on 17 June. [35927]

We welcome the decision by the conference on disarmament on 17 June to admit a further 23 states as members. This brings the total membership to 61.The United Kingdom has long favoured the widest possible membership of the CD in order to promote universal adherence to arms control treaties.Iraq is one of the new members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Indian Government regarding negotiations to complete a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. [35963]

We maintain a close dialogue with the Indian Government on a wide range of issues. We have expressed to them at the highest level our hope that they will support the earliest possible conclusion of a universal and effective comprehensive test ban treaty and will become a party to such a treaty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of the EU's powers to ban exports from member countries to third countries. [35756]

The EU's powers to ban exports from member countries to third countries are described in the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member on 11 June, column 77. The Government's attitude to the use of these powers depends on the particular circumstances in which their use is contemplated. For example the Government oppose the BSE-related export ban on beef, but support restrictions on the export of hazardous substances, designed to implement a UN scheme, enabling importing countries of control handling to such substances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the human rights of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. [35769]

We believe that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is in the best position to monitor the situation. We continue to encourage the Governments of Nepal and Bhutan to resolve the underlying problems through bilateral negotiation. We have contributed over £475,000 through non-governmental organisations over the past three years to support the refugees in Nepal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent consultations he has had with the Appeal Movement Co-ordination Council about the situation of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal and India. [35772]

The Appeal Movement Co-ordination Council full committee called on the British embassy in Kathmandu on 7 May. It provides us regularly with reports of its activities in Nepal and India.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department has received concerning the numbers of those injured during the alleged police attack on the funeral procession of Mr. Baburam Shegdem on 21 June; what representations he has made to ensure that the injured received appropriate medical treatment; and if he will make a statement. [35771]

According to reports received by our high commission in New Delhi, around 100 people were injured during Mr. Shegdem's funeral procession on 21 June. We have raised the case with the Indian National Human Rights Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information has been evaluated by his Department about the circumstances and causes of the reported death in custody in India of Mr. Baburam Shegdem; what representations he has made to the Indian Government about the subsequent events at the funeral of Mr. Shegdem; and if he will make a statement. [35770]

Our high commission in New Delhi has received reports that Mr. Shegdem was among a number of Bhutanese detainees who were allegedly beaten in prison on 3 June. Mr. Shegdem was admitted to hospital on 11 June and died the following day. We have raised the case with the Indian National Human Rights Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 13 June, Official Report, column 263, if he will make a statement on the mechanism in his Department for keeping under review the embargo on defence sales. [34640]

The embargo on arms sales to Argentina is regularly reviewed by this Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments, taking account of all available information and any changing circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Government censorship applies to articles and letters submitted for inclusion in the St. Helena News. [36033]

There is no censorship in determining which submitted articles and letters are included in the St. Helena News. The editor relies on guidelines identical to those on broadcasting on Radio St. Helena described in my answer of 19 March 1996, column 112.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the benefits to the United Kingdom arising from the Japanese Government's peace, friendship and exchange initiative. [36447]

The UK is specifically included in this 10-year £650 million programme; under it, the Japanese Government—in close consultation with ourselves—are helping to fund historical research as well as various exchange programmes aimed at fostering mutual understanding between the peoples of the UK and Japan. Participants in the exchange visits, initiated by private organisations, include former prisoners of war and their families. These research and exchange programmes are expected to continue in coming years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently made to, or received from, the signatories of the Lusaka agreement about the political and military situation in Angola. [35590]

My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker has recently had talks with the Prime Minister, the Secretary General of the MPLA and the Angolan army chief of staff. The Minister saw Dr. Savimbi during her visit to Angola in February. The British ambassador in Luanda is in frequent contact with senior representatives of the Lusaka signatories. At every opportunity we continue to press for an early and successful conclusion to the peace process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Angolan Government and other relevant agencies and authorities about the conditions in the UNITA quartering camps. [35589]

We are aware of complaints by UNITA about conditions in some of the quartering areas. These are the responsibility of the United Nations authorities who monitor the situation on the ground. Our embassy in Luanda is in touch with the relevant organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the implications for Britain's contribution to international policy-making in the field of arts, culture and national heritage of the United Kingdom's non-membership of UNESCO; and if she will make a statement. [34823]

The United Kingdom's non-membership of UNESCO has not significantly affected the work of my Department. The question of membership of UNESCO is primarily for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The United Kingdom has no immediate plans to region UNESCO, although this issue is kept under review in the light of progress with reform in the organisation and other financial priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make it her policy to ensure that the Millennium Commission visits locations outside London and the large conurbations to discuss how millennium money has been distributed; and how it is to be distributed in future. [35356]

This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the Commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the museums review is to be published. [35328]

I hope to published the museum policy review before the summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 25 June, Official Report, column 92, (1) at whose request officers of the Royal Parks constabulary were deployed in Trafalgar square on 15 June; [34960](2) under what powers officers of the Royal Parks constabulary were deployed on 15 June in Trafalgar square. [34961]

[holding answer 2 July 1996]: Initially, officers of the Royal Parks constabulary were called to assist the Royal Parks constabulary inspector who was attacked in his car while driving through Trafalgar square on his way from Regent's park to St. James's park. They were later deployed in the square on different occasions throughout the day, at the request of the Metropolitan police, to help keep order between groups of rival fans in the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 25 June, Official Report, column 92, if officers of the Royal Parks constabulary are fully insured against injury liabilities when assisting Metropolitan police outside of the area of the royal parks. [34962]

[holding answer 2 July 1996]: The Government do not take out commercial insurance cover. An officer who is injured in the course of duty would be entitled to make a claim for compensation under the procedures that are available to all Royal Parks agency staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if officers of the Royal Parks constabulary deployed on 15 June in Trafalgar square had available to them arrest powers other than the common law powers available to other citizens; and if she will make a statement; [34958](2) pursuant to her answer of 25 June,

[holding answer 2 July 1996]: No, they have no powers outside the parks that are not available to any other citizen.The powers of a constable are conferred on officers of the Royal Parks Constabulary under the 1872 Parks Regulations Act. This gives them the same powers, duties and immunities of a constable in the same police district as the parks, but they can exercise these powers only within the royal parks.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office eyes" are currently held by her Department. [24854]

[pursuant to his answer, 18 April 1996, c. 596]: I regret that a recent review has indicated that the information given then was incorrect. At the time of answering the question, my Department held 25 files marked in this way, rather than 43 as stated earlier. One of the files has subsequently been reviewed and the marking removed, as no longer relevant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance Her Majesty's Government have given to Palestine for educational projects in (a) the west bank and (b) Gaza; and if he will make a statement. [35649]

The United Kingdom bilateral aid programme is funding a £3.2 million education project in the west bank and Gaza to secure sustained improvement in the quality of education in schools operated by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. In addition the UK is providing £10,000 to support an English language teaching specialist under a United Nations Association International Service programme to work on teacher training with MEHE.The UK is also contributing some 16 per cent. of the costs of two education projects supported by the European Union:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the age profile of those workers involved in maintenance and safety in the nuclear industry for each of the last three years. [35534]

While it is possible that individual companies may be able to produce such information, the statistics requested are not held centrally either by the industry or by this Department.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the alleged operation of a cartel in the supply of flour to bakeries. [35665]

None. Any evidence suggesting that there is a cartel in the flour market should be brought to the attention of the Director General of Fair Trading, who has the responsibility to consider and, if appropriate, investigate such allegations.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade who was responsible for the designation of the Isle of Wight under NUTS level II; and if he will set out the decision-taking process and probable timetable for the redesignation of the Isle of Wight under NUTS level III; and what decisions in respect of NUTS designation require the agreement of the European Commission. [35593]

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Community, has responsibility for the designation of NUTS areas across the Community. The Government yesterday issued a consultation document proposing changes to the UK's NUTS structure to reflect the creation of unitary authorities in England, Scotland and Wales and the decision by the Government statistical service to present regional statistics using the areas represented by the Government offices for the English regions. A copy of the consultation document, which outlines the decision taking process and likely timetable, is being placed in the Library of the House. The final decision on the NUTS areas is for Eurostat.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the feasibility study carried out by his Department into industrial tribunals and employment appeal tribunals; and if he will make a statement. [35896]

The most recent review in this area followed the commitment in the Green Paper "Resolving Employment Rights Disputes: Options for Reform" (December 1994 Cm 2707) to review the scope for agency status, in consultation with the presidents of the tribunals. It would not be appropriate to publish this assessment and advice to Ministers. However, the main areas covered were:

the scope for extending to the tribunals administration the benefits of improved efficiency and quality of service achieved by other next steps agencies;

in this context, the particular benefits of great devolution of managerial responsibility in an area of administration which has expanded considerably in recent years;

the importance of ensuring that agency arrangements for administrative staff effectively underpin the independence of the industrial tribunals, in England and Wales and in Scotland, and the Employment Appeal Tribunal, as distinct judicial bodies; the constitution of a DTI steering board, to advise Ministers and support the chief executive on strategy development;

As I announced in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Waller) on 9 May 1996,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on staff and union consultation during the process of re-engineering within the Patent Office. [35899]

Patent Office management regard consultation of the staff concerned as an essential step in winning commitment to specific proposals for re-engineering. Staff are therefore consulted before any proposals are implemented. The Patent Office management is always ready to meet the trade union side to discuss matters of interest or concern under the Whitley procedures.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the areas within the Patent Office that are under consideration for re-engineering indicating the number of staff, time scale and names of the departments involved; and if he will make a statement. [35897]

The Patent Office keeps its structure and organisation under continuing scrutiny for possible improvements to operational efficiency. In particular, it has under review certain "front end" administrative processes which are similar in nature but separately handled in the trade marks directorate and the patents and designs directorate. This exercise is still in its early stages and no detailed time scale or staffing proposals have yet been adopted. About 75 posts are covered. No compulsory redundancies are foreseen.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations his Department has received since 10 April, on the Public Interest Disclosure Bill; how many of these were in favour of the Bill; and how many indicated that the Bill would pose an undue burden on business. [36139]

In the period 10 April to 4 July, my Department received 11 letters on the Public Interest Disclosure Bill. Three of these were general inquiries about the Bill, seven were in support and one expressed concern about the Bill.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial and efficiency targets he has set for the Post Office in 1996. [36446]

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, in agreement with the Treasury and in consultation with the Post Office, has set Royal Mail a target to achieve a 20 per cent. return on capital and employed in each of the three years 1996–97 to 1998–99, and has set Parcelforce a target to achieve a return on capital employed of 1.5 per cent. in 1996–97, 3.5 per cent. in 1997–98 and 5.5 per cent. in 1998–99. The profit used when calculating the returns will be struck after interest, excluding interest on past surpluses, but before tax. The capital employed on which returns will be calculated will be the greater of either opening fixed assets or the previous year's closing capital employed. In addition, Post Office Counters Ltd. has been set a target to achieve a 2.5 per cent. return on turnover in each of the three years 1996–97 to 1998–99. The profit used when calculating the return will also be struck after interest, excluding interest on past surpluses, but before tax.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from people who, having taken out payment protection cover, find their certificate of insurance differs from their letter of acceptance. [35625]

None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to prevent insurance companies from changing conditions of payment protection cover once a letter of acceptance has been signed by both the insurer and the insured. [35626]

None. If an insurer wishes to change the terms of a policy it is incumbent on the insurer to notify the proposed changes to the policyholder. The policyholder can then decide whether to accept the new terms or to seek alternative cover elsewhere.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received about factoring companies capping the limit of the amount of money they collected on behalf of their clients; [35627](2) what representations he has received about factoring companies refusing to collect debts on behalf of their clients. [35628]

I am not aware of any representations being made about factoring companies capping the limit of the amount of money they collect, or refusing to collect debts, on behalf of their clients.If, however, the hon. Gentleman is aware of any specific problems being experienced by small businesses, I will be happy to receive full details from him.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list (a) United Kingdom legislation, (b) EU legislation and (c) international treaties, conventions or other obligations concerning animal welfare for which his Department has responsibility. [34291]

[holding answer 25 June 1996]: None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many statutory instruments his Department introduced in (a) 1994, (b) 1995 and (c) between 1 January 1996 and 1 May 1996 which had the effect of repealing one or more previous statutory instruments without replacing them with a new regulation. [35039]

[holing answer 3 July 1996]: This information is not available in the form requested. However, a list of regulations that have been repealed or amended was placed in the Library of the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 8 May 1996.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met Mr. O. J. Williams to discuss the application to burn orimulsion at Pembroke power station; and if he will make a statement. [35525]

[holding answer 4 July 1996]: Neither I nor my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has met Mr. Williams.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the shortfall between the cost of the liabilities which remain the responsibility of the public sector and the amount of moneys available to Magnox, excluding the proceeds from the sale of the advanced gas-coded reaction and pressurised water reactor nuclear power generation stations; and if he will make a statement on how that shortfall was to be met (a) in May 1995 and (b) at present. [35617]

[holding answer 4 July 1996]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 May 1996, Official Report, column 269. The estimated cost of meeting Magnox Electric's liabilities are given in the company's report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 1996, published on 10 June 1996, as £8.9 billion discounted at 3 per cent. real and £18.2 billion undiscounted. Magnox Electric's liabilities have always been in the public sector and will remain so after the privatisation of British Energy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance she has issued to employers on ways of helping their staff to make contact with bereaved families. [34659]

The Department has not issued guidance to employers on this subject. A sensitive approach to contacts with bereaved families is an aspect of good employment practice. The Health and Safety Executive provides information and advice to bereaved families following fatal accidents at work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on changes in the marking methodology for key stage 2 tests in English between 1995 and 1996. [35895]

The School Curriculum and Assessment Authority made a number of improvements this year to the external marking of the national curriculum tests at key stage 2. These included: increased training for markers; at least two checks of each markers' work at least twice; improved mark schemes; confirming the final level boundaries after a sample of actual scripts had been marked; and re-checking papers close to the level boundaries.A number of improvements were also made to the tests themselves in the light of evaluation evidence from 1995 and in order to bring the tests into line with the revised national curriculum. For the key stage 2 English tests, the writing test marking criteria were updated and a broader range of marks was provided on the handwriting test. Pre-test procedures were put in place to ensure that the standard of performance required for the award of a level was consistent between 1995 and 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the local education authorities which made bids for the new schools renewal challenge fund indicating the number of bids for each LEA and the total value of each LEA bid. [35905]

Ninety-five local education authorities submitted bids for the first tranche of allocations for the new schools renewal challenge fund. The following table lists these authorities, the number of bids submitted by each and the total of credit approvals sought.

Schools renewal challenge fund: total LEA bids for first tranche 1996–97
LEA	Number of SRCF bids	Total costs bid for £000
Barnsley	5	4,338
Bath and NE Somerset	5	1,205
Bedfordshire	3	1,388
Berkshire	4	1,620
Bexley	1	1,210
Birmingham	8	8,702
Bolton	5	4,128
Bradford	2	2,895
Buckinghamshire	1	115
Bury	15	1,254
Calderdale	5	735
Cambridgeshire	5	1,655
Cheshire	7	1,520
City of Bristol	6	1,340
City of Kingston upon Hull	4	2,315
Cornwall	1	4,390
Coventry	2	1,502
Croydon	1	2,600
Cumbria	13	234
Derbyshire	2	8,045
Devon	6	564
Doncaster	2	376
Dorset	1	8,200
Dudley	1	3,700
Durham	2	1,881
Ealing	1	5,175
East Sussex	6	1,612
Enfield	3	324
Essex	1	500
Gateshead	2	3,300
Gloucestershire	3	325
Greenwich	14	3,170
Hackney	8	2,379

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many English High Court actions in cases falling within the terms of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982, schedule 8 rule 3, were raised against defenders domiciled in Scotland in each year since 1990 and in the first half of 1996. [35944]

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 how many English county court actions in cases falling within the terms of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982, schedule 8, rule 3, were raised against defenders domiciled in Scotland in each year since 1990 and in the first half of 1996. [35942]

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 how many English High Court judgments in cases falling within the terms of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982, schedule 8, rule 3, were obtained against defenders domiciled in Scotland in each year since 1990 and in the first half of 1996. [35941]

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 how many English county court judgments in cases falling within the terms of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982, schedule 8, rule 3, were obtained against defenders domiciled in Scotland in each year since 1990 and in the first half of 1996. [35943]

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 representations he has received from Birmingham city council regarding the west midlands sheriff's offices' order to bailiffs to list the mayoral chains and mace for sale; and if he will make statement. [35902]

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 Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 26 June, Official Report, columns 144–45 if he will (a) publish and (b) place in the Library the results of the study carried out into the cause of duplicate numbers under the NHS unique patient number system. [35326]

The results of the studies have not yet been captured in a final report, although progress notes have been produced for the new NHS number programme board. However a report is being drafted, and copies will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with health education bodies to evaluate the impact of alcoholic lemonade beverages on the health of children. [35479]

None. The Government's report, "Sensible Drinking" December 1995, expressed particular concern about young people inappropriately drinking alcohol of any kind. It specifically recommended that parents and carers of children who drink alcohol should try to ensure that children are aware of its hazards and only consume alcohol in moderate safe quantities for their age group with reference to their physical development. We are currently working with the Health Education Authority to develop new health education messages based on the report for parents and young people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effect on the health of young people of alcohol in lemonade-style beverages. [35480]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the relationship between the marketing of alcoholic lemonade and similar drinks and the level of alcohol misuse among young people [34724]

The Government are aware of concerns about the appeal of certain alcoholic drinks to young people. We welcome the code of practice for the packaging, marketing and sale of alcoholic drinks which the Portman Group published in April. The Portman Group and other signatories will monitor the code and we shall be following this carefully to see how effective it is in practice. My noble Friend, Baroness Cumberlege, recently met representatives from Coca Cola GB when this issue was amongst those we discussed. Otherwise, the Department has received a limited amount of correspondence on the subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths in England and Wales were due to (a) cancers of the (i) lung, (ii) bronchus and (iii) trachea, (b) motor vehicle accidents, (c) HIV-AIDS infection, (d) tuberculosis and (e) Creutzfeld-Jakob disease in each year since 1986. [34869]

Creutifeldt-Jakob disease in the UK By Calendar year (1985-May 1996)
Year	Referrals		Deaths of definite and probable cases
		Sporadic	Iatrogenic	Familial	GSS	NVCJD	Total
1985	—	26	1	1	0	—	28
1986	—	26	0	0	0	—	26
1987	—	23	0	0	1	—	24
1988	—	21	1	1	0	—	23
1989	—	28	2	1	0	—	31
1990	[52]	26	5	0	0	—	31
1991	75	32	1	3	0	—	36
1992	96	44	2	4	1	—	51
1993	78	37	4	2	2	—	45
1994	115	53	1	2	3	—	59
1995	79	33	4	1	2	3	43
1996 end May	46	12	0	0	1	6	19

The available information on numbers of deaths in England and Wales from cancer of the lung, bronchus and trachea, and from motor vehicle traffic accidents is published:

• for 1986–92 in "Mortality statistic: cause England and Wales", OPCS Series DH2 nos. 13–19;
• for 1993–94, in "ONS Monitor DH2 96/1"; and
• for 1995, in "ONS Monitor DH2 96/2".

Copies of these publications are available in the Library.The figures on deaths in England and Wales from HIV and AIDS are shown in the table.

Year	HIV	AIDS
1986	24	262
1987	34	334
1988	42	393
1989	51	628
1990	65	736
1991	62	891
1992	85	1,009
1993	104	1,174
1994	110	1,216
1995	95	1,088

The number of deaths from tuberculosis in England and Wales is published, for 1986–92 in "Communicable disease statistics, England and Wales, 1994", ONS Series MB2 no. 21 (table 1B). Copies of this publication are available in the Library. Figures for 1993 and 1994 are shown in the table.

	1993	1994
Tuberculosis (ICD91 010–018)	423	418
Late effects of tuberculosis (ICD91 137)	84	79
Total	507	497
1 International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision.Figures for 1995 are published in ONS Monitor DH2 96/2; copies of which are available in the Library.

The data on deaths in the United Kingdom for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are shown in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the mortality rate for asthma for each of the last five years (a) among the whole population and (b) among under-16-year-olds. [35087]

The table shows asthma mortality rates per 100,000 population for the last five years in England, for all ages and for children aged under 15. Data are not available centrally for the under-16 age group.

	All ages	Under 15
1991	3.6	0.3
1992	3.4	0.2
1993	3.2	0.2
1994	2.9	0.3
1995	2.7	0.2
Rates for 1995 are provisional, based on 1994 population estiamtes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of NHS expenditure in 1995 was spent on treatment of asthma; [35374](2) if he will provide a breakdown of NHS expenditure on treatment for asthma in 1995; and what proportion of this expenditure was spent on prescription medicines alone. [35376]

The net ingredient cost of national health service prescriptions for asthma medication in 1995 was £410.9 million—provisional figure. That represents just over 11 per cent. of the net ingredient cost of all NHS prescriptions in 1995. The net ingredient cost is the basic price of a drug before discounts and the addition of dispensing costs or fees.Information on the cost of other NHS services is not available centrally for individual conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make asthma a key area in "The Health of the Nation"; and if he will make a statement. [36445]

We have considered very carefully the case for asthma to be given key area status, but decided against it. However, we have announced today consultation on the creation of an environment key area, covering both outdoor and indoor air quality and the possible respiratory effects of air pollution, including asthma. This in part reflects the report of the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants—COMEAP—"Asthma and outdoor air pollution" which found that, although air pollution did not seem to cause asthma, it did aggravate the condition in a small proportion of existing sufferers.We are also announcing today the projects commissioned as the Department's contribution to the joint research initiative with the Department of the Environment and the Medical Research Council on air pollution and respiratory disease. We have already agreed to fund projects worth £2.5 million. In addition, we shall shortly be issuing a call for research proposals for further work on the surveillance of respiratory disease, including asthma."The Health of the Nation" strategy is concerned with the prevention of ill health, rather than its management, and provides a focus for cross-Government working. We have concluded that improving the management of asthma remains the responsibility of the national health service working in partnership with organisations outside Government, and there is limited scope for additional cross-Government working. For these reasons we do not consider that an asthma key area would be appropriate or beneficial.Nevertheless, improving services for people with asthma has a high priority within the Department of Health, and we are committed to an extensive research programme. The National Asthma Campaign is managing a research strategy on behalf of the Department looking at asthma management in the national health service. It will commission research on the effectiveness of treatments and services for asthma sufferers. That programme will soon be issuing its first call for proposals.Other important work includes the current consultation on the future of primary care, and within this context we shall be critically examining comments made concerning the chronic disease management programme.The Department values very highly its productive working partnership with the National Asthma Campaign, which has done much to bring about improvements in the management of asthma and to foster research into this important condition affecting more than 2 million people in England. This partnership has provided the means for joint campaigns which have been all the more effective as a direct result of the National Asthma Campaign's participation. I look forward to the further development of this partnership following today's announcements on the latest research initiatives and the consultation on an environment key area in "The Health of the Nation" strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients or their agents requested NHS trusts to supply a more expensive wheelchair than the standard type from NHS trusts in each year since 1990. [35314]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many extra electric indoor/outdoor wheelchairs have been provided since 1 April under the scheme announced in February; and if he will give a regional breakdown of the figures. [35904]

This information is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received in the past two months regarding the proposed closure of St. Bartholomew's hospital. [35475]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has received a number of representations, both from individuals and interested groups, about the future of St. Bartholomew's.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the level of expenditure in real terms on paediatric care in (a) 1970, (b) 1979 and (c) 1996. [35477]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to eradicate CFCs from metered dosage inhalers. [35506]

The Medicines Control Agency is complying with European regulations and the Montreal protocol concerning the removal of chlorofluorocarbon propellants from the environment which undertake to remove CFCs from all medicinal products by the end of 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to doctors in respect of prescribing non-CFC inhalant medication. [35505]

No guidance has been issued to doctors regarding non-CFC inhalant medication, although factual material was included in a bulletin on such devices from the medicines resource centre in September 1995. Copies of this article are available in the Library. However, the Government are committed to the removal of CFCs from all medicinal products by the end of 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health regions in the United Kingdom have three or more consultant cardiologists; and if he will list them. [35498]

All regions in the United Kingdom have more than three consultant cardiologists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received other than from hon. Members concerning the adequacy of the capitation formula used for determining moneys paid to the East London and the City health authority; and what replies he has sent. [35632]

We have received a small number of representations from interested parties about the weighted capitation formula and its impact on East London and the City health authority. Our responses explain that homelessness and ethnicity, which are the two main areas of concern, are being considered as part of the continuous process of reviewing the formula.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what national statistics are collected on the incidence of and trends in suicide and self-harm; and if he will make a statement. [35523]

The Office of National Statistics collects data on deaths from suicide which have been published in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys series DH2.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received over the recruitment of paediatrician doctors qualified for staffing children's wards in district general hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [35719]

Correspondence about the recruitment of paediatric consultants has been received from the British Paediatric Association.I recently announced additional funding of £5.7 million in 1996–97 to provide a significant increase in training opportunities for doctors wishing to become consultants. In paediatrics, the increase for 1996–97 is 262, larger than any other specialty.Regional postgraduate deans are expected to target the available resources on those specialties, such as paediatrics, which have seen a rapidly increasing demand for consultant manpower.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that when trusts and health authorities hold a public consultation for proposals for substantial changes in services, the results are published showing summarised views and the reasons given for decisions contrary to assessed opinion; and if he will make a statement. [35843]

We expect health authorities to conduct their business in as open a manner as possible. The outcome of public consultation is normally discussed in open session of a health authority meeting and we would expect papers summarising health authority views and justifying their decisions to be available at the meeting.Where a community health council contests a proposal and it is referred to Ministers for a decision, Ministers write to the council informing them of the reasons for that decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes he has made to the guidelines for the assessment of viability of district general hospitals in mixed rural and urban areas. [35720]

None. The latest guidance, "The Operation of the NHS Internal Market: Local Freedoms, National Responsibilities"—HSG(94)55—was published on 12 December 1994. A copy has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will offer ex gratia payments to people with haemophilia who have been infected with hepatitis C through NHS treatment with contaminated blood products; [36179](2) what plans he has for providing long-term financial help to people with haemophilia who were infected with HIV through NHS treatment using contaminated blood products. [36180]

The Government's view remains that, while they have great sympathy for those infected with Hepatitis C in this way, as no fault or negligence on the part of the national health service has been proved, we have no plans at present to make special payments. We are always ready to listen to further evidence, but the best way that the Government can help at present is to encourage research and the best treatment for those infected, as well as supporting voluntary groups with them. This we are doing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what money is spent annually on (a) treatment and support services for haemophiliacs infected with hepatitis C through NHS treatment with contaminated blood products, (b) research into this problem and (c) recombinant products at (i) national and (ii) regional level. [36130]

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the estimated percentage, for each nation within the United Kingdom of (a) men and (b) women, aged (i) 16 to 64 years and (ii) 64 years and over, who were obese for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [36048]

The table shows the information available for England from 1991–1994. Prior to this, the data are less comprehensive, and information is available for 1.980 and 1986–87 for Great Britain only. For information relating to other parts of the United Kingdom I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated; on the potential effects on public health of the consumption of organically produced food; and if he will make a statement. [36051]

The Department of Health has not commissioned such research.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his letter of 17 June, what recent representations he has received on the health effects of passive smoking. [34638]

The information pack produced by Philip Morris Europe SA in conjunction with its current publicity campaign on passive smoking has been received and is being studied.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health who are the chief executives and officers responsible for purchasing HIV services with each health authority. [34851]

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances health authorities are authorised to provide ring-fenced HIV prevention money for health promotion in prisons in their areas; and if programmes supported by these funds are available to the entire prison population within the establishment. [34872]

Health authorities are allocated ring-fenced funds for locally targeted prevention and education initiatives to help curb the spread of HIV. In carrying out their needs assessment, health authorities are expected to liaise with other agencies in their areas, including those working with people in custody or care of the criminal justice services, to help identify local priorities for HIV health promotion work. The scope of such work is a matter for local agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (1) pursuant to his answer of 30 April Official Report, column 503, on pre-payment prescription certificates, what research his Department has undertaken to identify the costs of administering a weekly instalment system for pre-payment prescription certificates; [35377](2) what measures his Department is taking to publicise the availability of pre-payment certificates for prescriptions.[35458]

None.We propose to amend current regulations later this year to allow community pharmacists who wish to do so to sell prescription prepayment certificates directly to patients. At present, patients must apply to a health authority. We will take further steps to publicise the availability of prepayment of certificates once this change has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on the use of the private finance initiative by individual hospital trusts for building projects or the reorganisation of health services by health authorities; and what guidance for trusts his Department has published on this matter. [35648]

So far, 57 schemes have been approved under the private finance initiative worth over £520 million. A further 40 schemes with a capital value of over £1.5 billion are testing private finance options as part of the PFI process.For the guidance issued for trusts, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 15 January at column

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each private finance initiative scheme advertised in the contracts supplement to the European Commission Official Journal, the adviser selected and named to assist potential contractors indicating how each was selected. [35889]

The information requested is not available centrally. It is a matter for individual trusts to appoint advisers and guidance is available on the selection process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the list of advisers currently approved to assist potential contractors seeking clarification in relation to private finance initiative schemes advertised in the contracts supplement to the Official Journal of the European Commission; if he will specify the arrangements by which such advisers are allowed to collect fees in exchange for supplying pre-qualification documents to contractors; and if he will make a statement. [35892]

This information is not available centrally. Advisers are appointed on the basis of their experience and relevant expertise. The payment of fees is part of the agreement between contractor and adviser and it is for the individual parties concerned to determine when these payments occur.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the publication of hospital performance tables on the recruitment of nurses hired solely to greet patients within five minutes of arrival in casualty departments. [35887]

It is clear that, where additional nurses are in place, this is in response to increased demand for accident and emergency services and not as a result of performance tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 1 July, Official Report, column 334, if he will give the previous rank and position or outside job held by the two new deputy directors of the NHS centre for coding and classification. [35767]

Prior to being designated as deputy directors at the national health service centre for coding and classification—NHS CCC—the two individuals concerned are respectively:

Head of the clinical coding support unit based in Manchester which was part of the information management group of the NHS Executive. Then, head of the classification department at the NHS CCC.

General Practitioner in the NHS. Then, various posts at the NHS CCC including senior medical coding consultant, head of projects and head of Read code development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the outcome of the meeting of the doctors' working group to finalise its recommendations on Thursday 4 July, in respect of the accident and emergency replacement facilities at Edgware general hospital; and if he will make a statement. [35832]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) of 1 July, Official Report, columns 338–39, what was the outcome of the meeting of the doctors' working group that met on Thursday 4 July to discuss matters relating to the accident and emergency department at Edgware hospital; and if he will make a statement. [35831]

As part of the process to which I referred in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) on 1 July at columns 338–39, the working group met on Thursday 4 July to finalise its recommendations to Barnet health authority about medical input to the casualty service at Edgware hospital. The working group has endorsed the principle that there should be a medical presence within the casualty service. This helpful recommendation, which reflects the local opinions that have been voiced over many months by my hon. Friends and others, will be considered by Barnet health authority at its next meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 1 July, Official Report, column 334, if he will specify the organisation or person carrying out the study of the licensing arrangements between Computer Aided Medical Systems plc and the NHS; if that organisation was chosen by competitive tenders; when the study was started; when he expected it to be completed; and if he will place a copy in the Library of the completed report.[35768]

The review of current licensing and support arrangements for Read codes will be carried out by Silicon Bridge Research. Since it was chosen for its particular skills and experience, at a cost below the single tender limit, there was no competitive tender. The review started an 4 Jury 1996 and is expected to be completed by the end of October 1996. A report of its findings will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 May, Official Report, column 93, if he will show the amount of bad debts and claims abandoned for each health authority in each region broken down by category for the last three years. [33097]

[holding answer 17 June 1996]: The information will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost to public funds of (a) the independent review of residential care conducted by Lady Wagner and (b) its report, "Residential Care-A Positive Choice". [35146]

[holding answer 1 July 1996]: The information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many JP233 mines were left by United Kingdom forces at bomb dump M3 in Bahrain after the Gulf war; and how many of them are currently owned by the United Kingdom Government. [35360]