To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has in respect of pilots' hours; and if he will make a statement. [35915]

We have been working within the joint aviation authorities with regard to the production of new standards to be set out in joint aviation requirements operations, subpart Q.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what inspections the Civil Aviation Authority has undertaken to assess the adherence of Ghana to international civil aviation regulations. [35978]

The Civil Aviation Authority has made two inspections this year of flights originating from Ghana to assess adherence to International Civil Aviation Organisation safety standards. These checks took place in February and May respectively. Neither check revealed any safety levels that fell below ICAO requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 1 July, Official Report column 349, what conclusions (a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority reached following the inspections in Bulgaria. [36252]

[holding answer 9 July 1996]: The Civil Aviation Authority was generally content with the level of safety achieved in Bulgaria. It has made a number of recommendations on procedural and organizational matters which have been passed to the Bulgarian authority. As the audit did not reveal any significant variations from the International Civil Aviation Organisation's minimum safety standards, we will continue to permit Bulgarian airlines to operate services into the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the gross proceeds in each year since 1994–95 of the sales so far made of the former subsidiaries of British Rail and Railtrack, excluding any payments relating to profits made while these organisations were still in the public sector. [35900]

The gross proceeds of such sales received to date are as follows:

• 1994–95: £5.75 million
• 1995–96: £2,454 million
• 1996 to date: £1,054 million

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Government have undertaken a comparative cost analysis between increased investment in public transport and reconstructing new roads and improving old ones. [36281]

The relative costs and benefits of investment in roads and public transport can depend significantly on the type of schemes considered. In recognition of the wider environmental benefits that public transport can offer, the Government set out in the recent Green Paper, "Transport: The Way Forward" their intention to switch the emphasis in public spending from roads to public transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 2 July, Official Report, column 402, when he expects the European Commission to publish its proposals for a bus and coach directive. [36570]

The Commission has not yet issued a proposal for a European bus and coach directive. We do not know when a proposal will be made, but believe that it may be later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest figures for traffic growth (a) on the motorway network, (b) on other roads, and (c) by region; and how these relate to those on which the Department's traffic congestion or stress maps, published earlier this year, were based. [36059]

Over the period between 1985 and 1995 traffic on motorways increased at an annual average rate of 6.4 per cent.: on other roads the annual growth was 2.9 per cent. Figures for annual traffic growth for the regions are not available and could not be provided at reasonable cost.The Department's traffic congestion or stress maps were produced using the national road traffic forecasts high and low projections and taking account of the composition of traffic on each part of the network. The latest published NRTF forecasts (1989) predict:

Percentage per annum growth
	Low forecast		High forecast
	1995–2005	2005–2015	1995–2005	2005–2015
Cars	1.706	1.431	2.615	1.904
Goods vehicles	1.444	1.459	2.467	2.496
Others	1.688	1.717	2.828	2.901

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 June, Official Report, column 104, when work on the new car assessment programme will be completed. [36622]

It is hoped to have the assessment completed in September.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the total grants provided by the Sports Council for sporting activities in (a) Crewe and Nantwich and (b) Cheshire, for each of the last five years. [36348]

The Sports Council's grant in aid from public expenditure to all sports organisations in Crewe and Nantwich and in Cheshire for each of the last five years is as follows:

Year	Crewe and Nantwich £	Cheshire £
1991–92	20,000	251,089
1992–93	10,000	295,081
1993–94	—	279,028
1994–95	157,318	319,326
1995–96	41,822	209,452

Since the introduction of the national lottery, grants awarded by the Sports Council from the national lottery sports fund for sports projects in Cheshire total £4,716,999. These include the following grants for sports projects in Crewe and Nantwich:

£
Bunbury Cricket Club	23,560
Crewe Rollers BMX Club	9,412
Crewe Vagrants Sports Club	495,300
Nantwich Cricket Club	90,000

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what monitoring is undertaken by her Department to review the operation of legislation concerning statutory nuisance as it relates to national heritage issues. [36245]

I should first point out that the policy responsibility for statutory nuisance rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.Although this Department is responsible for listing buildings of special architectural or historic interest for their protection we do not monitor or review whether they are causing a statutory nuisance. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a duty on local authorities to investigate a complaint made by anyone living within its area about a possible statutory nuisance. It is for the local authority to decide whether a statutory nuisance exists and what action to take in the light of all the relevant circumstances. A complainant can also seek an abatement notice from a magistrates court under the 1990 Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the total grants provided by (a) her Department and (b) the Football Trust to Crewe Alexandra football club for each of the last five ears. [36349]

(a) My Department has made no direct grants to Crewe Alexandra.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the items for which the issuing of export licences was withheld on the recommendation of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art during the half-year ended 30 June, specifying in each case the valuation and whether an item was exported or retained, with particulars in the latter event of the acquiring institutions; and if she will list any items for which licences have been withheld but the final disposal of which is not yet decided, specifying in each case (a) the valuation and (b) the relevant time limit.

The information is as follows.

Description of item	Valuation £	Outcome
A painting Erminia finding the wounded Tancred, by Guercino (1591–1666)	3,500,000	Decision deferred until after 15 July 1996
A pair of paintings Portrait of Master de Winton/Portrait of his wife, by John Lewis (1765)	40,000	Export licence granted
A pair of George I gilt gesso open armchairs (c 1725)	909,935	Export licence granted
A pair of burr walnut and parcel gilt sidechairs (c 1717)	295,052	Export licence granted

Description of item	Valuation £	Outcome
A pair of French Empire armchairs by Jacob-Desmalter (c 1803–1813)	249,904	Decision deferred until after 9 August 1996
A Louis XVI bedstead by Jean-Baptiste Tilliard (1723–1797)	82,222	Acquired by Leeds City Museum
A 'ideal' marble bust by Antonio Canova(1817)	695,000	Decision deferred until after 9 August 1996
An Anglo-Saxon glass claw beaker (6th/7th century)	25,000	Acquired by Maidstone Museum
A double-sided painting The Journey of the Three Kings/The Assumption of the Virgin, by the Master of St. Bartholomew (c 1470–1480)	2,600,000	Export licence granted
An Egyptian statue of Amenhotep II (c 1426–1400 BC)	426,412	Export licence application withdrawn
A London delftware clapmash dish (1637)	280,000	Decision deferred until after 5 August 1996
A pair of George II open armchairs by William and John Linnell (c 1753)	192,307	Decision deferred until after 16 July 1996
A marble bust of Henry Fuseli by EH Bailey (1824)	128,000	Decision deferred until after 16 July 1996

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the allocations made to public institutions in the United Kingdom during the half-year ended 30 June of individual works of art and museum objects pre-eminent for national, scientific, historic or artistic interest which have been accepted in satisfaction of inheritance tax, together with information, where applicable, as to conditions or wishes expressed by testators or executors in the matter of allocation; and if she will list the works of art and museum objects which are still awaiting allocation, with the respective dates of their acceptance in satisfaction of inheritance tax. [36223]

The information which the hon. Member requests is as follows:

Item(s)	To whom allocated	Conditions/ wishes expressed
La Journiée Bleue (painting) by Yves Tanguy	Tate Gallery	Conditional
Two Girls Dressing a Kitten by Candlelight (painting) by Joseph Wright	Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission (display at Kenwood House)	Conditional
Paintings and silver	Leeds City Council (display at Temple Newsam House)	Conditional

Item(s)	To whom allocated	Conditions/ wishes expressed
Lower Woods, North Avon	Gloucester Trust for Nature Conservation	Unconditional
A collection of military orders, decorations and medals	Imperial War Museum	Conditional
A collection of six modern works of art	Tate Gallery	Wish
A Lemon and White Spaniel by a Tree in a Landscape (painting) by George Stubbs	Lincolnshire County Council (display at Usher Art Gallery)	Wish

Items awaiting allocation	Date of acceptance
The Old Man and His Grandson (watercolour) by Arthur Rackham	20 May 1996
Les Andelys (painting) by Maurice de Vlaminck	30 April 1996
Paintings by Thomas Girtin and John Opie	25 April 1996
Pair cased clock watch by Edward East	25 April 1996
An archive of family papers	25 March 1996
Two archives	13 March 1996
Four portraits by Richard Cosway and Thomas Hudson	13 March 1996
Ivory panels of 13th century triptych	7 February 1996
Furniture and drawings	1 February 1996
French Furniture	10 January 1996
Prints by Picasso, Dubuffet, Pasmore and other such items	8 January 1996
Furniture by Giacometti	21 November 1995
German Stoneware	1 November 1995
Joan of Arc Manuscript	31 October 1995
Christ Brought before Pontius Pilate (painting by Luca Cambiaso)	12 September 1995
BÖttger Teapot	16 August 1995
An archive of family papers	2 August 1995
Landscape with Lord Coventry (painting) by John Wootton	26 July 1995
A collection of items related to the theatre	25 May 1995
Musical automaton clock by Thomas Weekes	19 October 1994
Library Furniture by William Gomm	2 December 1993
A portrait of John Ker by Batoni	2 December 1993
Woodland at Tadworth	18 August 1993
George II Giltwood Pier Glasses	10 March 1992

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make it her policy not to privatise Channel 4. [36769]

Channel 4 has demonstrated great success in meeting its high quality public service broadcasting remit. However, it must be right to keep the position of any statutory body under review and to consider whether it should remain in the public sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she has accepted the recommendations made by the royal parks review group in its report on Richmond and Bushey parks; and if she will make a statement on the group's final conclusions in respect of progress made since the inception of the group. [37308]

The Secretary of State and I have now considered the group's report on Richmond and Bushey parks in detail. As with previous reviews—the first on Hyde park and Kensington gardens, the second on St. James's, Green and Regent's parks and the third on Greenwich park—the review group, chaired by Dame Jennifer Jenkins, has examined a wide range of issues relating to the role and management of the parks, and consulted with a great number of individuals and organisations before arriving at its conclusions. These conclusions were discussed at a one-day conference, of which I was able to attend a part, and were, in the main, well received. The conference delegates supported the thrust of the recommendations, with lively discussion on a number of matters and the views expressed were considered by the group in submitting the report to the Secretary of State.The group's recommendations focus on the opportunities to provide for changing demands and pressures without losing sight of the parks' prime function of providing a green open space, and I can confirm that I accept them in principle. Indeed, action has already been taken on some matters, although consultation will be required before others are taken forward. Many will be affected by the availability of financial resources.The group's principal recommendations are intended to reduce the impact of traffic on each park, with a view to improving the safety of pedestrians and wildlife, and restoring the ambience of the parks. One of the group's chief recommendations is that subject to the outcome of traffic studies, Richmond park should be closed to through traffic at busy weekends. I agree that consideration should be given to this recommendation and have asked the Royal Parks agency to consult the London borough of Richmond Upon Thames, the Traffic Director for London and local interest groups, with a view to carrying out the necessary studies within the next year. No decision will be taken until the discussions have been completed and the results of the studies carefully assessed.Commenting on the injuries caused to deer by traffic crossing the park during the hours of darkness, the group also suggests that Bushey park should be closed to traffic at dusk, rather than midnight. This would bring Bushey park in line with other royal parks, including Richmond park, many of which already close to traffic at dusk. I have asked the agency to discuss this proposal with those most likely to be affected. A decision will be taken in the light of these discussions.In considering ways in which the impact of traffic on each park might be reduced, the group expressed concern about the size and location of major car parks in the two parks: most notably the Pen Ponds car park in Richmond park and the Diana car park in Bushey park. Whilst I agree that the degree of erosion caused in the Pen Ponds area is threatening the long-term stability of the park, I also accept that for many visitors this area would otherwise be out of reach, and I have asked the Royal Parks agency to consider how the needs of less mobile visitors can be taken into account without further damage to the park's ecology. The agency will also consider whether alternative parking space can be provided elsewhere, but on the perimeter of the park.The group's proposals for the Diana car park in Bushey park are part of a wider recommendation that the size and location of all car parks should be reassessed, with a view to better integration within the landscape, and the Royal Parks agency plans to discuss options with its landscape consultants as to how this might be achieved.The group also suggests that car parking charges should be considered. Although car parking charges were introduced in Hyde park and Regent's parks during 1994, this was mainly to deter commuters and shoppers from taking up spaces which should properly be reserved for use by park visitors. The situation in Richmond and Bushey parks, where surveys have shown a far higher percentage of regular and local visitors, is quite different. I have asked the Royal Parks agency to examine the financial viability of this proposal and to consult the local authority and regular park users.The group also highlights the importance of the listed buildings in each park, and makes specific recommendations for many of these. It recommends that Pembroke lodge in Richmond park should be refurbished, to include improved catering and toilet facilities. I am pleased to report that an advertisement by the Royal Parks agency for a privately-financed development scheme has already attracted several expressions of interest.Upper lodge in Bushey park, is currently being offered for residential use on a 125 year lease by the Crown Estate, which has agreed to take the review group's recommendations into account, and this will undoubtedly benefit the future of the building.Again in Bushey park, Bushey house, currently occupied by the National Physical Laboratory is mentioned by the group, and discussions have already begun with the NPL about how the group's recommendations might be implemented. These will continue.In its report, the group asks the Government to reaffirm their commitment to opening up for public use wherever possible the various enclosures in private occupation within the royal parks, and to reaffirm the policy against new building in the royal parks unless essential for public use and enjoyment. I am pleased to do so. Discussions with the Crown Estate and others continue to address the first issue; on the second, the Royal Parks agency is assessing the role of all buildings in the parks, and considering how to make the best use of them. I can confirm that any new building would take place only if considered to be of benefit to park visitors.I was particularly interested to read the group's views on sport in the two parks, and pleased to note the group's recommendations, which assess how the changing needs of sports enthusiasts can be met in future years, without spoiling the character of the parks.Like the review group, I endorse the recommendation to relocate the golf centre to the disused nursery site at Chohole gate, and have asked the Royal Parks agency to discuss with the relevant authorities the impact of such a scheme on the surrounding road network. I note the opportunities for private investment and for improving what is already a much loved facility. Any change to the existing arrangements will undoubtedly have an effect on the current contractor and I am pleased to note that they have been involved in discussions and assured that they will be included in any future tender.As Minister responsible for the royal parks I am conscious of the fact that many organisations put back into the parks as much as they take out, and I have been pleased to note the group's recommendation that a joint sports club working party should be established to discuss the group's recommendations on how sports facilities can best be integrated into the parks.The group made a number of other recommendations to improve the ambience of the parks, including improvements to entrances, highlighting links with the Thames and other attractions and ensuring that wherever possible the landscape of each park is maintained without artificial or unsightly boundaries. Discussions have already begun on a number of these matters, which impact on sports clubs and neighbouring properties.I also note the group's comments about the potential benefits of the Longford river, of making sections more accessible to the public, and endorse the recommendation to establish a working party to discuss these with local residents and interested groups.The full cost of implementing the recommendations is not yet known as further studies are required in many instances and it will also be necessary to consider the royal parks' requirements alongside other demands on my Department's budget. In the main however, all expenditure will have to be met from the Royal Parks agency's current and future maintenance budgets. However, the agency will be seeking sponsorship, private finance or lottery funding where appropriate.With its report on Richmond and Bushey parks, the group also submitted its final conclusions, based on its findings in the five years since its inception in 1991. Many of its comments on the management of the royal parks are encouraging and applaud the progress which has been made by the Royal Parks agency over the past three years: the appointment of landscape architects for all parks, the pedestrianisation in front of Buckingham palace in St. James's park, the restoration of the Avenue gardens in Regent's park, improved catering facilities in Hyde park and Greenwich park—all carried out alongside continuing high horticultural standards.The report also refers to projects which have not, as yet, been progressed. In some cases this is due to the unavailability of necessary funds; in others the prioritisation of work had resulted in concentration on other, more pressing objectives. Nevertheless, I believe that what the Royal Parks agency has already achieved within the three year's since its creation, is truly impressive.I am most grateful for the contribution and time Dame Jennifer and her group have given to the review and for their comprehensive reports and constructive recommendations. Their work over the past five years has helped to shape the future of the royal parks and is much appreciated.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for each year since 1990 the total number of (a) distress warrants, (b) attachment of earnings orders and (c) direct deductions from income support issued by the Sunderland magistrates court for unpaid court fines of £150 or less. [35701]

(a) The information requested in respect of distress warrants for unpaid fines under £150 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the total number of distress warrants issued by the court each year for the years 1990 to 1995 is:

• 1990: none
• 1991: 462
• 1992: 808
• 1993: 882
• 1994: 956
• 1995: 1,663

For the period 1 January 1996 to 31 May 1996 the number is 595. It is estimated that 98 per cent. of warrants issued between 1991 and May 1996 were for amounts under £150.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of council dwellings owned by each metropolitan council and the total number in each sold off in each of the last three years and the total income accruing to each council for each year. [35848]

The available information reported by authorities is in the following table. Actual cash receipts will depend on the extend to which sales had been financed by loans from the authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each metropolitan district the total amount granted in supplementary credit approvals for each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [35856]

The table lists the total amount of supplementary credit approvals issued to metropolitan districts for the three years 1992–93 to 1994–95. Figures for 1995–96 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what selection procedure, was followed in respect of (a) the successful candidate and (b) the unsuccessful candidates for the position of chairman of the Plymouth development corporation. [36498]

All candidates for the post o f the chairman of the Plymouth development corporation were subject to the same selection procedure. Executive recruitment consultants were employed following a competitive tendering exercise and, through them, the post was advertised both nationally and locally and a search was conducted. A sift was conducted of the candidates identified by this process and a long list of candidates was prepared who were contacted by the consultants to confirm their suitability. This long list was then reduced to a short list by a panel comprising two officials from the Department of the Environment and an outside independent member. All candidates on this short list were interviewed by the panel. The panel then submitted their recommendation to Ministers who took the final decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the remuneration paid to each member of the Plymouth development corporation. [36496]

The remuneration paid to each member of the Plymouth development corporation is as follows:

• Chairman: £27,365
• Deputy chairman: £9,285
• Board member: £5,430

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many candidates (a) applied for the chairmanship of the Plymouth development corporation and (b) were interviewed; and how many of (a) and (b) came from Plymouth. [36499]

There were 57 applicants for the chairmanship of the Plymouth development corporation. During a detailed selection procedure a long list of candidates was identified and all candidates on the long list were interviewed by the executive recruitment consultants. A selection panel then decided on a short list of three candidates all of whom were interviewed by the panel. Of the full list of applicants 10 gave addresses in Plymouth and 22 of the others lived or worked in Devon and Cornwall and two of them live in the Plymouth area, but none within the City of Plymouth.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of people (a) injured and (b) killed in workplace accidents in (i) Crewe and Nantwich and (ii) Cheshire for each of the last five years. [36535]

The number of people (a) injured and (b) killed in workplace accidents in (i) Crewe and Nantwich and (ii) Cheshire for each of the last five years is as follows:

	Crew and Natwich		Cheshire
	Injured	Killed	Injured	Killed
1994–95	194	nil	2,891	4
1993–94	178	nil	2,896	7
1992–93	222	1	2,816	6
1991–92	196	nil	2,875	7
1990–91	279	nil	3,002	9

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants have been given formal training on the use of "Policy Appraisal and the Environment"; and what plans the Department has to increase awareness of "Policy Appraisal and Environment" among Government Departments. [35643]

A total of 248 members of my Department were given formal training on the use of "Policy Appraisal and the Environment". I understand that 93 members of Government Departments received training from the Civil Service College.As far as increasing awareness of "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" is concerned, consultants have been appointed who will evaluate the degree to which "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" has been used by Government Departments and recommend how the integration of environmental considerations into policy making in government can be reinforced. Green Ministers intend to publish a booklet of case studies which will show what measures Departments have taken to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account in policies and programmes. All directors in my Department have recently been reminded of the guidance in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" and of the need to appraise policies with a significant environmental impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 27 June, Official Report, column 222, if he will list the non-ministerial departments which will be included in the work of the consultants appointed by his Department to evaluate the degree to which "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" has been used by Government Departments. [36625]

"Policy Appraisal and the Environment" is intended to guide those in central Government who are charged with advising Ministers on policies. The evaluation will therefore aim to consider appraisal practices throughout central Government only. It will not include executive agencies or other organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the rate of underground accidents involving serious injury or fatality in British collieries in 1995; what it was in (a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and when the statistics concerning underground safety in 1995 will be published. [36327]

This information is not available in the form requested except for the period 1 October 1995 to 31 December 1995.

• The rate was:
• Fatalities: 0.18 per cent.
• Major injuries: 3.15 per cent.
• The provisional accident figures for 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996 are expected to be published on 23 July 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the letter from the Under-Secretary of State dated 16 November 1995, if he will instruct the Local Government Commission to consider the case for a parish council for Cleethorpes during its forthcoming review of the electoral arrangements for north-east Lincolnshire. [36676]

The scope of the periodic electoral reviews carried out by the Local Government Commission under schedule 13(2) of the Local Government Act 1992 does not include parish boundaries or the creation of new parishes. There would need to be a separate parish review and this would involve a substantial amount of work. To direct the commission to undertake this extra work would delay completion of the periodic electoral reviews, already well overdue in a number of places, to which we must give preference.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the (i) speeches, (ii) reports and (iii) other statements made by the Director General of Electricity Supply in relation to his statutory duties concerning the environment. [36626]

Under section 3(3) of the Electricity Act 1989 the Director General of Electricity Supply has a duty

"to promote efficiency and economy on the part of persons authorised by licences to supply or transmit electricity and the efficient use of electricity supplied to consumers".

He also has a duty to take account, when exercising all the functions in section 3(3) of the Act

"the effect on the physical environment of activities connected with the generation, transmission or supply of electricity".

The implementation of those duties is a matter for the Director General of Electricity Supply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the (i) speeches, (ii) reports and (iii) other statements made by the Director General of Gas Supply in relation to her statutory duties concerning the environment. [36627]

Under section 4 (2) of the Gas Act 1986 as substituted by section 1 of the Gas Act 1995, the Director General of Gas Supply has a duty

"to promote efficiency and economy on the part of persons authorised by or under this Part to carry on any activities, and the efficient use of gas conveyed through pipes".

She also has a duty to take into account, when exercising all the functions in section 4 (2) of the Act, as similarly substituted,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will (a) call in the application by McAlpine to the Torbay borough council local plan for a 63-acre business park on the banks of the Dart valley, south Devon and (b) set up an inquiry in public to take place before an inspector from his Department prior to the final determination of the application being made. [36730]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering whether this application should be called in for his own decision and he will reach his conclusion as soon as practicable given the complex issues involved. If the application is called in, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will appoint an inspector to conduct a public local inquiry and report to him on the merits of the proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the outcome of the prior options review of the Planning Inspectorate. [37309]

As part of the usual arrangements for next steps agencies, a prior options study of the Planning Inspectorate has been carried out. The review concluded that the core functions of the inspectorate, which is to hear appeals or objections against decisions of local planning authorities, should not be abolished, privatised or contracted out in whole to the private sector. The review recommended that the inspectorate should remain as an executive agency in the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office. The review also recommended that certain non-core functions should be considered for market testing or contracting out.The Government have accepted these recommendations which were informed by the views of a large number of organisations who responded to the invitation to submit evidence. Action is already in hand to follow up a number of other detailed recommendations to improve the service offered by the inspectorate and to subject more of its activities to competition.I have today placed a copy of the report in the Library of the House, along with a copy of the evaluation report into the Planning Inspectorate. The latter explains what the inspectorate was set up to do and how it has met its ministerial key performance targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Government will respond to the third report of the Environment Committee on "Rural England: The Rural White Paper" (HC 163 of Session 1995–96). [37420]

Our response is being published today.We welcome the Committee's report as a contribution to the continuing debate about the future of rural areas in England. The response gives our considered reaction to the recommendations made in the report.We agree with the Committee that targets are important and we shall continue our efforts to develop targets in support of rural policies. We will produce a report later this year on the progress we have made in achieving the White Paper's commitments and we shall continue to monitor and report on progress annually.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be able to publish draft regulations to give effect to producer responsibility for packaging waste. [37479]

Together with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade, and the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales I am today publishing a consultation paper, with draft regulations, which set out the Government's proposals for producer responsibility obligations for packaging waste and which will give effect to the EC directive on packaging and packaging waste—94/62/EC. Copies are being placed in the Library. This is the most outstanding example of partnership between government and industry to achieve an important environmental goal. We hope that the rest of Europe will follow this example. The regulations are based on the principles of a shared approach and the 15 December agreement as set out in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 7 May, Official Report, columns 73–75. They are the outcome of a very substantial series of discussions with business to find the best way in which we can work together to meet an environmental goal, in this case the need to recover greater value from the 8 million tonnes of packaging waste which we generate each year.This is a pioneering process of partnership and dialogue which has wider lessons for how we seek to achieve environmental objectives. Inevitably there were differences of view along the way and difficult judgments on the right balance between fairness, effectiveness and minimising burden. There will be many issues in these proposals requiring further careful consideration on which the Government are keen to obtain views. Nevertheless I believe that there is a growing consensus on the best way forward, and the active and continuing involvement of all sectors is the right way to generate a sustainable long-term approach, as well as achieving the co-operation necessary between businesses.As an example of how we can help businesses assess what is required, I am making available on request a PC-operable disc which will calculate the tonnage obligation for an individual business in relation to its own processes and patterns of trade.There are three underlying aims which the Government remain committed to achieve:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the disposal of contaminated waste following the Health and Safety Executive investigation into the burning of phurnacite in Abercwymboi; and if he will list the sites under consideration for that disposal. [34655]

I have been asked to reply.This is an operational matter for the Welsh Development Agency. I will arrange for the chief executive of the agency to write to the hon. Member and for a copy of his letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people have died in police custody from alcohol or drug-related causes in each of the last 10 years; [36133](2) how many people have died in police custody in each of the last 10 years. [36155]

The information collected and published centrally excludes the Metropolitan police and is contained in the table. Information for the Metropolitan police is published annually in the report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, copies of which are available in the Library.

Deaths in police custody or otherwise with the Police England and Wales (excluding the Metropolitan Police Service)
Year	Poisoning due to drugs or alcohol	Total
1985	9	23
1986	Not known	26
1987	3	26
1988	7	38
1989	6	36
1990	4	41
1991	3	36
1992	10	33
1993	4	18
1994	13	36
1995–961	5	48
1 These figures are provisional and relate to the period 1 January 1995 to 31 March 1996. Figures are due to be published later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to encourage the use of toughened glassware in the licensed victuallers trade; [36142](2) what consultations he has had with representatives from the licensed victuallers trade about the possibility of introducing toughened glassware for use within the industry; [36144](3) what plans he has to require the licensed victuallers trade to use toughened safety glassware; [36143](4) what estimate he has made of the possible reduction in the number of injuries in pubs, clubs and restaurants involving drinking glasses or glass bottles if toughened safety glassware were introduced into the industry. [36145]

Licensing authorities already have wide powers under both the liquor and entertainment licensing laws to require the use of toughened glass or synthetic drinking vessels on particular occasions or in particular premises if they consider the circumstances justify their doing so. We have no plans to require the licensed victuallers trade to use toughened, safety glassware. I am aware of the research which has been carried out into the relative merits, from a public safety point of view, of toughened safety glassware and ordinary, annealed, glassware.We have had no recent representations from the licensed victuallers trade on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of (a) injuries per year and (b) injuries to members of staff per year, in pubs, clubs and restaurants, which involve drinking glasses or glass bottles. [36146]

The available information is based on the 1988 and 1992 British crime surveys which estimate that annually there were about 32,000 incidents of violence—woundings and common assaults—in and around pubs, clubs and other licensed premises involving bottles or drinking glasses. Of these, about half, or 17,000, resulted in the victim receiving cuts. However, the data do not separately identify whether the cuts were due to a bottle or glass. Another 11,000 of these incidents resulted in injury of some other type, for example, bruises and scratches. Incidents against staff cannot be separately identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the Access to Health Records Act 1990 to provide for missing persons. [36031]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have access to detoxification units for use by people immediately after arrest. [36140]

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking in respect of the level of fees charged by private wheel clamping firms; what proposals he has to license such firms; if he will ensure that the clamping of vehicles on private land is governed by contracts; if he will introduce a code of conduct and a standardised complaints procedure; and if he will make a statement. [36026]

The Government are considering what action, if any, should be taken in respect of wheel clamping on private land. Matters such as levels of fees, the idea of licensing clamping firms, codes of conduct, and so on, all form part of that consideration. It is important, in the Government's view, that any measures which might be taken in this field should not hinder the proper control of genuine parking problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the crime rate in Cheshire relative to the national average for each of the last five years. [36534]

The crime rates, in terms of recorded offences per 100,000 population, are given in the following table:

Notifiable offences recorded by the police per 100,000 population
Year	Cheshire	England and Wales
1991	6,913	10,403
1992	8,228	10,943
1993	8,290	10,777
1994	7,709	10,222
1995	7,503	9,926

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of reported incidents of (a) burglaries, (b) car theft, (c) assault, (d) rape, (e) grievous bodily harm, (f) manslaughter and (g) murder in Cheshire for each of the last five years. [36533]

The available information relates to notifiable offences recorded by the police and is given in the following table:

Notifiable offences recorded by the police in Cheshire 1991–95
Year	Burglary	Theft of a vehicle	Less serious wounding	Rape	More serious wounding	Homicide
1991	16,537	8,289	2,407	37	128	10
1992	21,766	9,019	2,547	53	173	11
1993	22,034	9,005	2,764	75	135	13
1994	19,248	7,451	2,974	80	189	8
1995	18,155	6,739	3,191	63	185	12

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the board of visitors' first annual report for Doncaster prison; if he will permit the board to publish it; and if he will supply a copy to the hon. Member for Don Valley. [36394]

I refer the hon. Member to my replies to him and to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North (Mr. Howarth) on 20 November 1995, Official Report, column 15.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total number of incidents attended by Cheshire police in each of the last five years. [36474]

The information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list in respect of the list of suspected sex offenders held by the North Wales police authority (a) the number of names on the list currently (b) those who have access to the list, (c) what the list is used for and (d) under what circumstances people are placed on the list; [36517](2) if he will list in respect of the list of convicted sex offenders held by the North Wales police authority the number of names on the list currently, those who have access to the list, what the list is used for, how long it takes on average to check a reference with the list and under what circumstances people are placed on the list. [36516]

The North Wales police authority does not hold lists of convicted or suspected sex offenders. Like all police forces in England and Wales, North Wales police have access to the national collection of criminal records which holds information about every person convicted of a serious sexual offence, the paedophile index held by the National Criminal Intelligence Service and its own criminal intelligence information. Arrangements for supplying employers in the statutory sector and parts of the voluntary sector with information about those seeking to work with children on a regular, unsupervised basis are set out in Home Office circulars 47/93, 42/94 and 46/94. In the year to 31 March, criminal record checks by the North Wales police took between seven and 28 days depending on whether it was necessary for them to contact other police forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much he intends to spend on bringing security up to the minimum standards required by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [36240]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the ratio of prison officers to prison inmates in (a) each privately operated prisons and (b) prisons operated by the Prison Service. [36255]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men aged between 55 and 64 years and women aged between 55 and 59 years are currently being held in prison on (a) remand and (b) after sentence. [36259]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during the last 12 months private taxis have been used to transport prisoners (a) to and (b) from the Wolds prison; what category were the prisoners on each occasion; and if he will make a statement. [36296]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received the board of visitors' latest annual report for the Wolds prison; and if he will permit the board to publish it. [36393]

The board of visitors' annual report for Wolds for 1995 was received by my right hon. and learned Friend on 27 February.The board published its annual report and press release on 26 March. The hon. Member can obtain a copy of the report from the board's chairman, Mr. F. Henry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the use by the Metropolitan police of American Kwik-Kuffs and of the level of pain which they inflict. [36308]

A review of the use of rigid handcuffs and other self-defence, arrest and restraint techniques has recently been completed by the Association of Chief Police Officers. A training manual on rigid handcuffs has been produced which advises on the technique for applying the handcuffs, points out the injury potential of incorrect application and stresses that the handcuffs should never be twisted. I am satisfied that this manual provides useful guidance for all police forces including the Metropolitan police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the Home Office review of extra-territorial legislation in its applicability to sex tourism. [36669]

The Government will announce the conclusions of the review as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will lay before Parliament the seventh annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee. [37248]

I have today placed a copy of the annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent report by Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary on No. 2 area of the Metropolitan police. [37311]

Yes. I have today placed in the Library a note of the recommendations from the report, together with the commissioner's responses and the police authority responses, which take into account the advice my right hon. and learned Friend and I have received from the Metropolitan police committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many doses of medicinal drugs have been issued to prisoners in British gaols in each of the past five years; and how many were (a) analgesics, (b) anti-depressants and (c) other drugs; [36311](2) how many prisoners have

[holding answer 10 July 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of service personnel in the Cheshire region for each of the last five years. [36455]

The number of UK regular service personnel deployed in the Cheshire region on 1 July for each of the last five years are as follows:

• 1991: 861
• 1992: 271
• 1993: 936
• 1994: 909
• 1995: 824

Figures for 1 July 1996 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date officials from his Department were made aware of the contents of the Ferranti Cooper report into the merger with ISC; and what action was taken as a result of the conclusions of that report. [36818]

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a document which appears to be a report to the board of Ferranti Ltd. dated 8 September 1987 and entitled "Ferranti/International Signal and Control". There is no evidence that my Department was aware of the existence of this document until an extract from it was sent to the Department by the secretary of the Scott inquiry on 7 September 1994. My Department has taken no action based on the report other than to tell the Scott inquiry that there is no evidence of any previous knowledge of it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken by his Department to initiate the Critchel Down procedures in respect of the sale of RNAD Trecwn; and when these procedures were begun. [36736]

The assessment that the Critchel Down rules apply to part of this site was made in June this year. Legal advice on the applicability of the rules has been sought and as the next stage we will be seeking to identify former owners or their successors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when negotiations began between his Department and PAS-Otto over the sale of RNAD Trecwn; and what agreement was reached in December 1995. [36733]

Detailed negotiations with PAS-Otto over the sale of RNAD Trecwn commenced in March 1995, when the company was selected as the preferred bidder. In December 1995, agreement was reached with PAS-Otto on the heads of terms for the sale, subject to contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the application of the Critchel Down procedures to the sale of RNAD Trecwn. [36734]

The Critchel Down—former owner—rules apply to the agricultural land at RNAD Trecwn which is situated outside the perimeter fence of the former establishment. My officials will seek to identify the former owners and offer them the opportunity to re-purchase the land at current market value. Generally the rules apply only where land has not materially changed since the time of original acquisition. The land inside the perimeter fence has changed, and it is our judgment, therefore, that Critchel Down rules do not apply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the name of each merchant vessel, and its country of registration chartered by his Department for (a) exercises and (b) military support and re-supply operations in the first six months of 1996. [36729]

The names of merchant vessels and their country of registration chartered for (a) exercises and (b) military support and re-supply operations for the first six months of 1996 are as follows:

Name	Flag
Vessels chartered for exercises
Jenstar	Denmark
Arcade Eagle (x 4)	Norway
Dana Cimbria	Denmark
Condock V (x 5)	Germany
Belvaux (x 2)	Panama
Feederteam	Malta
Arroyo Frio Uno	Finland
Villars	Switzerland
Arcade Falcon (x 2)	Norway
Mercandian Senator	Denmark
Prince of Scandinavia	Denmark
Dana Hafnia	Denmark
Kidira	Bahamas
Kapitan Mezentsyev	Ukraine
Chodziez	Poland
Sochi	Malta
Norcliff	Norway
Aida	Sweden
Sine Boye	Denmark
Ocean Stephanitur	Bahamas
Aquamarine	Liberia
Italica	Italy
Nordica	Finland
VSV50	Britain
Vessels chartered for support/re-supply
Yuriy Maksaryov	Ukraine
Elein K	Cyprus
Kapitan Mezentsyev	Ukraine
Saint Brandan	Britain
Ben Elian (x 2)	Britain
Ben Maye	Britain
Egmondgracht	Netherlands
Villars	Switzerland
Fleur de Lyse	Spain
Vladimir Vaslayev	Ukraine
Kidira	Bahamas
Arneb	Germany
Cap Afrique	France
Indomitable	Britain
Marine Explorer	Britain
Proud Seahorse	Britain
Maersk Gannet	Isle of Man
Fionan of Skellig	Ireland
Northella	Britain
Oil Mariner	Britain
Maersk Ascension	Isle of Man
Lady Ross	Britain
Forth Constructor	Britain
Parentis	France
Sovereign	Britain
Kalil	Italy
Scarlet Star	Norway
Aquamarine	Liberia
Siren	Britain
Anglian Warrior	Britain
Tugs (x 2)	Britain
Maersk Shipper	Britain
Rasmine Maersk	Denmark
Petro Maersy	Britain
The Performa	Bahamas
Cardissa	Holland
Tugs (x 2)	Britain

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the International Court of Justice decision announced on 8 July in respect of the use of nuclear weapons. [36497]

I have been asked to reply.The court's advisory opinion is long and complex and we are studying it. We note, however, that among other things the court concluded by a large majority that there is in international law no comprehensive and universal prohibition of the threat or use of nuclear weapons as such.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the case of Robert Hussein at the United Nations General Assembly. [36703]

We have no plans to raise this case at the United Nations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations to the Kuwait Government are being made by Her Majesty's Government over the case of Robert Hussein. [36675](2) what measures the Government propose to take in the case of Robert Hussein; [36702]

We have raised our concerns about the safety of Mr. Robert Hussein at a senior level with the Kuwaiti authorities on a number of occasions. We will continue to do so, when appropriate.