To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 July, Official Report, columns 141–42, concerning membership of boards of visitors, for what reasons the Minister proposes to remove those visitors who have served for longer than 15 years as of January 1997. [37454]

It is a general principle of public appointments that appointments should neither be renewed automatically nor renewed an indefinite number of times. This principle has recently been reaffirmed by Lord Nolan and by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total number of places left vacant on prison boards of visitors on 3 July; [37452](2) what is the estimated average length of time that unoccupied places on prison boards of visitors remain vacant. [37453]

As of 3 July, 254 vacancies were recorded for boards of visitors serving prisons in England and Wales. Information on the estimated average length of time that unoccupied places on boards of visitors remain vacant can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which constituencies he has visited in the last three months on official business and which constituencies he intends to visit in the next three months; and if he will make a statement. [32337]

During the past three months, I have made official visits to the following constituencies:

• Derby, South
• Derby, North
• Maidstone
• Guildford
• Brighton, Kemptown
• Brighton, Pavilion
• Hove
• Worthing
• Wimbledon
• St. Albans
• Watford
• Scarborough
• Eastleigh
• Arundel
• Crawley
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Central
• Wallsend
• Hendon, South
• Leicester, South
• North-West, Leciestershire
• Bosworth
• Leeds, North-East
• Plymouth, Drake
• Manchester, Central
• Eccles
• Birmingham, Ladywood
• Blaby
• Vauxhall
• Dover
• Manchester, Withington
• Davyhulme
• Stretford
• South Dorset
• Poole
• Bournemouth, West
• Bristol, East
• Aldershot
• Basingstoke
• Ludlow

Details of future visits are not given for security reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that major publications from his Department are accompanied by a simultaneous electronic release of the text on the Internet. [37235]

My Department's plans to ensure that major publications are accompanied by simultaneous release on the Internet are quite well advanced. A departmental home page went live on the Internet last March. Two recent consultation documents have been loaded on to the site—"Proposed European Community (EC) Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC)"; and "Stalking: The Solutions—A Consultation Paper". The proposed EC directive will be taken off this week because the closing date for responses is 19 July.I support developments in publishing suitable information by electronic means and my Department plans to release through the Internet all future consultation documents and other major publications.The Department's immigration and nationality directorate and the research and statistics directorate have their own home pages. These include summarised background information.All Home Office material on the Internet can be reached through the main home page on www.open.gov.uk/home_off/hofront.htm

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates in (a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, (c) 1995–96 and (d) 1996–97 on which visits to himself, his Ministers or officials within his Department were made by (i) advisers, consultants or academics from the United States of America, (ii) representatives of American federal or state prison services, (iii) representatives of American companies providing private prison or associated services and (iv) other Americans in connection with criminal justice policy; if he will list the names of those visitors, who they represented, and who they met; what was the purpose of each visit and the outcome of each meeting; and what was the cost to public funds of each visit. [37976]

The information requested could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers arriving at United Kingdom ports of entry during 1995 and the first quarter of 1996 were referred to port medical inspectors for examination; what were the most common diagnoses made; and how many people have been (a) refused entry (i) wholly or (ii) partly on medical grounds and for what medical reasons and (b) required to report for further medical treatment after entry, and for what medical reason. [38058]

Four passengers were refused entry principally on medical grounds in 1995 and four during the first quarter of 1996. The other information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in each of the past five years how many people have presented claims for asylum to a British embassy or high commission; and what the number of such claims has been by country of origin of the claimant. [38195]

[holding answer 18 July 1996]: Aggregate information on the number of claims for asylum made at British embassies or high commissions is not available. However, details of applications made at specific British high commissions is given in explanatory note 14 of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, 1995", issue 9/96, a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in each of the past five years how many people have been granted visas to enter the United Kingdom as a result of presenting a claim for asylum to a British embassy or high commission; and what the number of such cases has been by country of origin of the claimant. [38194]

[holding answer 18 July 1996]: The requested information is not available.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the total sum of money paid in (a) legal aid and (b) legal advice services during 1995. [37193]

Net expenditure on criminal and civil legal aid in 1995–96 was £1,141 million. In the same period, net expenditure on legal advice and assistance, including the duty solicitor scheme, was £250 million.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure that major publications from his Department are accompanied by a simultaneous electronic release of the text on the Internet. [37236]

My Department has published a number of documents on the Internet—recent examples include the legal aid White Paper, the Lord Chancellor's Department strategic plan and the charter for court users—and will continue to do so. Such documents are normally available via the Internet within a day of publication.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number, nature and value of contracts awarded by his Department to Coopers and Lybrand, KPMG, Price Waterhouse, Ernst and Young, Deloitte and Touche, Arthur Anderson, Grant Thornton, DBO Stoy Hayward, Pannel Kerr Forster, and Robson Rhodes and their subsidiaries and associates, during 1995 and 1996. [37313]

The information requested is as follows:

Consultants	Number of Contracts	Nature	Amount £000's
Coopers and Lybrand	nil	—	—
KPMG	nil	—	—
Price Waterhouse	nil	—	—
Ernst and Young	1	External Audit	179
	1	Research and advice on civil fees	193
Deloitte and Touche	nil	—	—
Arthur Anderson	1	Training	20
Grant Thornton	nil	—	—
DBO Stoy Hayward	1	External audit	3
Pannel Kerr Forster	nil	—	—
Robson Rhodes	nil	—	—

The Lord Chancellor is responsible for four agencies; the Court Service, Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Public Trust Office. The question concerns operational matters on which the chief executives are best placed to provide answers. I have accordingly asked them to reply direct.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members have now informed the Fees Office that they do not wish to draw the recently agreed increase in salary. [38245]

I am advised by the Fees Office that, to date, four hon. Members have informed them that they do not wish to draw the full increase in salary.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members claimed car mileage allowances during the year 1995–96 for a vehicle of (a) less than 1300cc and (b) less than 1000cc. [38443]

In the financial year 1995–96, 44 hon. Members claimed for vehicles of 1300cc or less. The information relating to vehicles of less than 1000cc is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will estimate the difference since (a) the 1987 and (b) the 1992 general election between the actual cumulative out-of-London parliamentary salaries of hon. Members and the total assuming the salaries were to be at the level recommended by the review body on senior salaries reduced for previous years by the national movement in (i) earnings and (ii) prices. [36850]

The estimated gross differences are:

(a) (i): £60,000

(ii): £120,000

(b) (i): £40,000

(ii): £70,000

These figures are calculated to March 1996, as that is the latest available figure for the average earnings index, and to the nearest £10,000, that being the highest degree of accuracy obtainable on the basis of the published figures for retail prices index.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to "Still Moving After 100 Years" to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall. [38611]

I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 9 December to Friday 13 December 1996.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the British Epilepsy Association to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall. [38696]

I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 16 December to Friday 20 December 1996.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the capacity of the United Kingdom economy to meet the costs of public sector pensions which are currently unfunded when such liabilities fall due; and if he will estimate the impact in billions of pounds and as a percentage of gross domestic product such annual costs will have on public finances for each of the next 30 years based on current trends. [36392]

Broadly speaking, unfunded public service pension liabilities rise in relation to GDP as schemes mature. Thereafter, the relationship should be relatively stable, depending on trends in public service pay and employment. Not all the schemes are similarly mature, and detail figuring on the basis proposed in the question is unavailable. Nevertheless, assuming pay rises do not exceed economic growth in the long term, the Government Actuary does not expect a substantial upward movement in unfunded public service pension liabilities in relation to GDP.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total value of service charges paid by Departments on contracts signed under the PFI in 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96; and how much has so far been committed in all future financial years for which figures are available. [36577]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he intends to take in response to the current political situation in Burundi. [38251]

We remain deeply concerned about the situation in Burundi and support the efforts of ex-President Nyerere to negotiate a political settlement. We welcome the decision of regional leaders at the Arusha summit to consider Burundi's request for security assistance, and we await concrete proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new traffic rules will accompany the designation of a road as an expressway; and to what extent (a) cyclists, (b) pedestrians and (c) other classes of road user will be prohibited from using these roads. [36579]

I see the designation of expressways primarily as a way of drawing to the attention of road users and business the existence of high quality roads of near-motorway standard. Restrictions on particular categories of road user are not part of my Department's plans for expressways.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what items are presently on the agenda of the marine environment protection committee at the International Maritime Organisation; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of each of them. [37567]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to take forward the proposals outlined in the national cycling strategy; and if he will make a statement. [38018]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has already announced that the Department fully supports the national cycling strategy launched on 10 July. We shall take action wherever we can to implement the strategy, both on our own and in conjunction with others. The process of realising the detailed proposals in the strategy will be guided by the national cycling forum, and I expect a first meeting of the forum to be held this autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which sections of the national cycling strategy it is Government policy to implement. [38005]

The Government's policy towards cycling was set out in a statement in June 1994. This is relevant to all the sections of the new national cycling strategy. The Department of Transport will work with other Government Departments and organisations in the public, commercial and voluntary sectors to achieve the strategy's objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate the reasons for the delay to the Tingewick bypass in Buckinghamshire and act to expedite matters. [38229]

The reasons for the delay to the Tingewick bypass are set out in my letter of 16 July 1996. Officials will make every effort to expedite a decision on this important local scheme once these issues have been satisfactorily resolved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if X-ray security checks are undertaken on passengers and vehicles boarding Le Shuttle services at Folkestone. [38594]

All vehicles and passengers boarding Le Shuttle services at Folkestone are liable to security screening. It is not our practice to reveal details of the actual measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mechanisms the Rail Regulator has in place to ensure that competition between operators is encouraged after 31 December. [38528]

The Rail regulator has published a policy statement setting out his approach to competition issues for railway passenger services. He has concluded that no significant competitive new entry should be allowed before 31 March 1999 to allow the railway industry to settle down in the early period of restructuring. He believes the franchising process itself creates considerable potential for competition, even without allowing new entry by open access operators. Substantial restrictions will apply for three years after 31 March 1999—until 31 March 2002. The Rail Regulator intends to review the restrictions in 2001. He believes that these steps are necessary for the development of a more competitive environment for passenger services in the long term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to improve the helicopter search and rescue coverage in the Dover strait. [38556]

Following publication of the interdepartmental helicopter review group report, formal consultations are being held on, among other things, the location of the two Coastguard search and rescue aircraft on the south coast. The aim is to provide the optimum helicopter availability to meet the search and rescue requirements along the south coast including the Dover strait and mid-channel. We will await the outcome of those consultations before any decisions are made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what negotiations he (a) has had and (b) proposes to have with Shell (UK) regarding the continued operation of its offshore-based helicopter used for air rescue; and if he will make a statement. [38445]

There have been no negotiations with Shell (UK) and none are planned. The helicopter referred to has been provided by Shell Expro as an additional service and is not a declared UK search and rescue facility. Local discussions have taken place with Shell Expro about the effects of its decision, and the extra cover it will make available for night medical emergencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents have been reported in each year since 1980 involving the transport by road of radioactive material. [38331]

The information is as follows:

Year	Number of Accidents Reported
1980	0
1981	3
1982	1
1983	3
1984	1
1985	4
1986	1
1987	2
1988	5
1989	2
1990	0
1991	2
1992	2
1993	1
1994	1
1995	3

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each agency within his Department and the Central Transport Group the number of part-time employees by grade employed in each of the last five years. [38595]

I have placed the information obtained from our Department's personnel systems in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review on a regular basis under the Railway Acts the provision by the railway operating companies of adequate, prompt and clean railway through services between (a) Holyhead and London and (b) Holyhead and Cardiff; and if he will make a statement. [38565]

Under the Railways Act 1993, the franchising director has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of passenger railway services either through franchise agreements, or, where services are not yet franchised, through agreements with the British Railways Board or its subsidiaries.Levels of service are specified through the passenger service requirement, PSR, included in each franchise agreement. Each PSR is based on the British Rail timetable in operation at the time the PSR is drawn up by the franchising director. Holyhead-Cardiff services are included in the PSR for the South Wales and West franchise, which has now been finalised. This requires the franchise operator to provide on weekdays and Saturdays one through service in each direction between Holyhead and Cardiff. Other services between Holyhead and Crewe, where interchange opportunities exist with services to Cardiff and services between Holyhead and London will be considered as part of the consultation process on respectively the North West Regional Railways and InterCity West Coast PSRs.In respect of the quality of railway services, a principal objective of the franchising director is to improve the quality of services available to passengers, so franchise operators must have their own passengers charter which sets targets for operational performance. Where the commercial impetus is weak, there are financial incentives to encourage better punctuality and reliability, and a customer satisfaction monitoring regime requires franchise operators to secure an improvement in customer satisfaction during the franchise term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many retired permanent secretaries currently serve on the boards of (a) London Regional Transport and (b) London Buses Ltd. [38249]

(a) One. (b) None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the licences currently issued by his Department, indicating their function and the annual administrative costs for each. [37817]

Licences are issued by the Department in respect of the following:Driving licences—to ensure that drivers of cars, motorcycles, goods vehicles, public service vehicles meet the necessary standard of competency and maintain standards of road safety.Goods vehicle and public service vehicle operator licences—To ensure operators have sufficient financial provisions to maintain their vehicles properly, according to minimum safety standards.Testing and examining vehicles—MOT examiners/ tachograph testing centres—To ensure that vehicles are maintained according to the minimum safety and environmental standards, the latter following the recent requirement to test emissions, and that tachographs are properly installed.Approved training bodies—learner motorcycle testing—To ensure bodies have the facilities and expertise to provide instruction of learner motorcyclists.Approval of business to train for carrying dangerous goods—EU requirement which allows businesses with suitable premises and staff to run their own training courses.In-vehicle driver information system—allows access by private companies to public sector infrastructure, which would otherwise require special permission from each highway authority.Street works—allows any business to dig up the highway, other than utilities, which already have such powers.Marine licences—to ensure an appropriate level of competency for ship officers and crew.Although not issued by this Department, the Rail Regulator issues licences that allow businesses to operate networks, passenger services, stations and depots. Operators of stations, trains and networks must normally have an accepted safety case before the regulator will grant a licence for operation. The Civil Aviation Authority also issues various licences which affect air operators, carriers and travel organisers. A full list of its licences can be found in its publication, CAP 393. Similarly, taxi and private hire vehicles licences are issued by the Public Carriage Office in London, and district councils outside London.Central records are not maintained of the administrative costs of the licensing regimes, but in setting the licence fees, the Department has regard to the Treasury guidelines on fees and charges which require the recovery of costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Office of the Rail Regulator are subject to (a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [37911]

[holding answer 18 July 1996]:(a) The central rail users consultative committee, CRUCC, and the rail users consultative committees, RUCCs, are not listed in schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 and hence their activities are not subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. However, where a committee acts on behalf of the Office of the Rail Regulator to conduct an investigation, its activities are subject to investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Office of the Rail Regulator publish (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests; and if he will indicate in each instance whether this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [37913]

[holding answer 18 July 1996]: It is a statutory requirement for the central rail users consultative committee, CRUCC, and the rail users consultative committees, RUCCs to publish annual reports. The CRUCC and RUCCs' annual accounts are included in the Office of the Rail Regulator's annual accounts as a statutory requirement. The total spending for each RUCC, broken down by committee and category, is also included in the CRUCC annual report.The minutes and agendas for meetings for the CRUCC and RUCCs are available to the public. The former is a voluntary action and is limited by the statutory requirement not to disclose without prior consent information with respect to any particular business or individual. The latter is a statutory requirement but does not extend to matters from which the public will be excluded.There is currently no register of members' interests and there is no statutory requirement to produce one. A register is currently under consideration as part of the code of conduct for members of the committees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the statutory base of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Office of the Rail Regulator; and if they (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public, indicating in both instances whether this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [37912]

[holding answer 18 July 1996]: The central rail users consultative committee and the eight rail users consultative committees are independent statutory bodies established under sections 2 and 3 of the Railways Act 1993. Under schedules 2 and 3 of the Railways Act 1993, the Office of the Rail Regulator provides finance from within its running cost out of money provided by Parliament, and administrative support and accommodation for the committees.Meetings of the committees are required by statute to be open to the public. Members of the public are excluded from meetings when confidential matters or matters the disclosure of which may seriously and prejudicially effect the interest of an individual or body are discussed. In addition, sub-committee meetings are held which are not open to the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to assess customer satisfaction with the performance of the company CSC; and what conclusions he has drawn from these assessments. [37375]

Under the terms of the contract with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) Ltd. the Common Services Agency of the NHS in Scotland provides a contract management service which includes, as a prime task, continuous assessment of CSC performance and customer satisfaction. This has been achieved through a combination of correspondence, meetings of groups of representatives of the health boards and trusts and by customer satisfaction surveys.From this survey work, it is clear that the CSC service has taken time to bed in over a period in which it has had to carry out a major reorganisation, concentrating now on two sites—reduced from six—in Scotland. However, a firm implementation plan is now in place and this is being closely monitored by both sides to ensure that the standard of service delivery continues to improve. There are welcome signs of improvement, a fact acknowledged by customers. It is expected that the level of satisfaction will continue to rise and that the provisions of the contract will be met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what savings were predicted to accrue from market testing of the computing services in the NHS in Scotland during the first year of the contract with the successful bidder CSC; and what savings are now projected for the first year of the contract. [37374]

The contract with CSC for central computing and IT services agreed for the first year that a static price would be set for the first six months on the basis of current price for current usage. Thereafter, a saving of 5 per cent. would be expected over the second six months. Expected revenue to CSC for the year was estimated to be £16 million and, therefore, expected savings were in the order of £800,000. From April to June 1996, a saving of £220,000 has been made against a revenue of £4.2 million. This represents a saving of 5 per cent. These are unaudited figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the application of challenge fund principles to anti-drug efforts. [39103]

With the strong commitment of the leaders of all the main political parties in Scotland, we now have the ground-breaking and distinctive Scotland against drugs campaign. This reflects concern on all sides about the threat of drug misuse. We must keep on finding innovative ways of dealing with drug misuse—ways that counter its growth and acceptability to young people. I am therefore pleased to announce that I am offering £200,000 in the current financial year, on top of the £1 million already promised to the Scotland against drugs campaign, as a contribution to a new Scottish drugs challenge fund.Bids will be invited for projects that will help unite local communities and businesses in the fight against drug misuse. This new challenge fund, to be matched by business, will bring partnership with the private sector into local communities that seek to combat drug misuse.Young as it is, the Scotland against drugs campaign is already attracting a high level of business support. The campaign has much in common with the new challenge fund—partnership, local involvement and ownership, media and business participation, and changing the culture—and they will indeed be linked. I shall consider the best way of doing so, and from the autumn we can expect projects which put this money to good effect.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on projects dealing with (a) alternations to rural land use, (b) alteration to rural ownership patterns and (c) land management projects since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [38193]

[holding answer 18 July 1996]: Information is not held in this form, but details of expenditure on the various grants and subsidies administered on behalf of my right hon. Friend are contained in the annual expenditure plans and appropriation accounts for the Scottish Office and the Forestry Commission. Copies of these documents are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conditions are placed on grants and loans of public money made to private landed estates in pursuit of (a) environmental and (b) other strategic aims; and if he will make a statement. [37993]

[holding answer 18 July 1996]: The conditions placed on grants and loans of public money to owners and occupiers of land vary according to the nature of the scheme under which the assistance is provided. The conditions are specified in the explanatory literature for each relevant schemes, and, where appropriate, in declarations and undertaking set out in application and claim forms. They may also be set out in the legislation under which the scheme operates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the statutory base of the advisory non-departmental public body sponsored by the Scottish Courts Administration; and if it (a) publishes its advice, (b) publishes an annual report and (c) lays an annual report before Parliament; and if he will indicate in each instance whether this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [37907]

[holding answer 18 July 1996]: The Scottish Law Commission was set up by the Law Commissions Act 1965. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has an obligation under the 1965 Act to lay before Parliament any proposals for reform formulated by the Scottish Law Commission. The commission is required by the Act to make an annual report to the Lord Advocate which he likewise must lay before Parliament. The commission's reports on law reform and its annual reports are published and are available from HMSO.

	Hip replacements			Cataract operations
Median waiting times (days)	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Hospital
Aberdare general	320	1—	1—	1—	1—	1—
Amman Valley	1—	1—	20	1—	1—	1—
Breconshire War Memorial	1—	1—	1—	8	22	39
Bridgend general	1	1—	1	312	165	150
Bronglais	2—	40	7	2—	2—	2—
Caerphilly District Miners	76	145	23	1—	1—	1—
Cardiff royal infirmary	128	115	1—	1—	1—	1—
Cymla	160	1—	1—	1—	1—	1—
East Glamorgan	2—	2—	2—	211	205	79
Glan Clwyd general	245	192	173	103	68	71
Gorseinon	308	3	1—	1—	1—	1—
Llwynypia	1—	1—	1—	20	19	44
Morriston	178	224	1—	30	1—	1—
Neath general	59	78	1—	1—	1—	1—
Nevill Hall	107	114	1—	182	28	1—
Prince Charles	355	286	162	115	278	336
Prince of Wales	2—	2—	1—	1—	1—	1—
Prince Philip	8	11	18	7	7	2—
Princess of Wales	43	39	32	301	148	4
Priory Street	1—	1—	2—	1—	1—	1—
Royal Gwent	139	147	160	360	40	326
Singleton	1—	1—	1—	76	93	177

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number, nature and value of contracts awarded by his Department to Coopers and Lybrand, KPMG, Price Waterhouse, Ernst and Young, Deloitte and Touche, Arthur Andersen, Grant Thornton, BDO Stoy Hayward, Pannel Kerr Forster, and Robson Rhodes and their subsidiaries and associates, during 1995 and 1996. [37323]

During the period 1 January 1995 to 30 June 1996, the Welsh Office has awarded contracts to four of the firms mentioned. The value of the contracts awarded cannot be disclosed for reasons of commercial confidentiality. Information on the number and the nature of the contracts awarded is as follows:

Name	Consultancy	Accountancy
KPMG	1	1
Price Waterhouse	1	—
Grant Thornton	2	—
Pannel Kerr Forster	1	—

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the current median waiting periods for patients needing (a) hip replacement treatment, and (b) cataract treatment at (i) each hospital where this operation is provided and (ii) in Wales indicating the equivalent waiting times for the two preceding years. [37500]

The median time between the date of decision to admit and the date of admission is given in the table for patients admitted in 1995–96 and the two preceding years. As some results are based on a small number of operations, there are some large fluctuations from year to year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to commence (a) collection and (b) publication of statistics on total waiting times for treatment for patients referred on or after 1 April 1995 on an equivalent basis to the combined wait times published in the hospital waiting times bulletin. [38572]

Information about those patients who (i) were referred on or after 1 April 1995; (ii) are still waiting; and (iii) have a total waiting time of more than 18 months is to be collected on a quarterly basis from December 1996. Information on those with a total waiting time of more than two years will be collected from June 1997.The total waiting time is the time elapsed since referral by the patient's GP. It is not equivalent to the likely combined wait as given in the booklet "Waiting Times Information", published by the Welsh Health Common Services Authority.Publication of information about total waiting times is planned for the September 1997 issue of "NHS Wales: Quarterly Statistics".

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what statistical information he has collated on the average wait between first out-patient consultation and a decision to admit a patient by (a) health authority, (b) hospital trust and (c) specialism. [38568]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what considerations underlay his Department's decision to discontinue publication of the quarterly Welsh hospital waiting list bulletin; what consultations he undertook prior to this decision; what representations he has received on this matter; how many issues of the bulletin were published; and at what cost to public funds. [38451]

This bi-annual publication was discontinued in May 1995 as part of a package of improvements to the programme of health statistics publications which has been welcomed by the NHS in Wales.More timely aggregate waiting list figures are now published in "NHS Wales: Quarterly Statistics" which has been issued each quarter since June 1995.Detailed waiting list figures continue to be published annually in the new "Health Statistics Wales" series. As a single volume, this new publication provides a definitive official statement on health statistics each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish a patients charter standard for the length of time a patient waits between out-patient consultation and decision to admit. [38567]

It would be difficult to develop a standard that would allow for all the clinical factors that sometimes give rise to a delay between the out-patient consultation and the decision to admit. However, the total waiting times guarantee includes this period of time and encourages hospitals to adopt best practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the reasons for the fall in the number on hospital waiting lists for first out-patient appointments between 31 March 1994 and 31 March 1995; and what percentage of the change occurred because of increased number of patients seen by consultants. [38573]

The out-patient waiting list can fall for a number of reasons, including changes in the number of referrals to hospital clinics, the number of new patients seen at these clinics and patients being taken off the list as they no longer require a specialist opinion.During 1994–95, hospitals saw 25,000 more new out-patients than in the previous year, an increase of 4 per cent. Between 31 March 1994 and 31 March 1995, the total out-patient waiting list fell by 17,000. As information is held centrally only on the number of new out-patients seen, it is not possible accurately to assess what proportion of the fall in the total list is due to the number of people seen by consultants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish (a) hospital waiting list data for the year ended 31 March and (b) quarterly data for the period up to 31 December. [38571]

Information relating to the number on hospital waiting lists at 31 March 1996 was published in the release of "NHS Wales: Quarterly Statistics" issued on 12 June 1996. Copies were placed in the House Library and the Vote Office. The publication of releases including information on waiting lists for June, September, and December 1996 is planned for 18 September 1996, 18 December 1996 and 12 March 1997 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has collated on the number of whole-time equivalent (a) GPs, (b) practice nurses and (c) other staff employed at GP surgeries at any date since October 1994. [38606]

The estimated whole-time equivalent number of unrestricted general medical practitioners, based on contractual commitment, was 1,628 and 1,632 at 1 April 1995 and 1 October 1995 respectively. Reliable information on practice nurses and other staff employed by GPs since October 1994 is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional resources he plans to make available to county social service departments in Wales, following recent court cases, to ensure that they can respond adequately to the establishment needs of disabled and elderly people who require additional services to enable them to live in the community; and if he will make a statement. [38562]

The Government are considering the implications of the recent judgment by the Court of Appeal in R v. Gloucestershire County Council ex parte Michael Barry and R v. Lancashire County Council ex parte (1) Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation and (2) Beryl Gilpin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what money is made available through his Department for implementing the rough sleepers initiative in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [38566]

There is not a rough sleepers initiative in Wales on the English model because the scale and distribution of rooflessness here requires a different approach. My Department can assist specific initiatives to tackle rooflessness under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 and we have agreed to support a project in Cardiff. An advisory group on rooflessness, which includes local authorities, voluntary organisations and the police, to help us to consider what further action is required to ensure that nobody in Wales needs to sleep rough, has also been established.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consolations he has had with the chairman of the Gwent health authority concerning the commissioning of specialist legal advice by the health authority between 5 and 11 July; and when he was notified of the reasons for commissioning such advice; [38457](2) on how many occasions his special independent observer attended meetings of the working party of the non-executive directors of Gwent health authority considering the appointment of a senior manager in January 1996; how many meetings occurred in her absence; how many of these she was invited to attend; and what recommendation she has made to him. [38482]

My Department has been kept informed of the inquiry's progress, including the views of the independent adviser which are of necessity confidential. Information on her attendance at meetings is not held centrally. It is a matter for the authority to decide on the legal advice it requires, and I have had no discussions with the chairman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now take urgent steps to release the strip of land owned by the Welsh Office in the vicinity of Pool-side in Caernarfon, to enable this redevelopment plan for that area to go ahead. [38560]

I understand the land in question is in the ownership of Gwynedd county council. I have received an application from the authority under section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 seeking my agreement to its disposing of the land at less than market value. My officials have written to the authority seeking information which will enable me to make a decision.

To ask the Secretary of Wales when he proposes to publish health statistics to bring his provisional 1994–95 hospital activity figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94 new patients equivalent to those published for 1990–91 and 1991–92 and provisionally for 1994–95. [38607]

I hope that final information on hospital in-patient day case activity for 1994–95 will be published during September 1996. Figures on new out-patients for 1992–93 and 1993–94 have not been published due to inconsistencies in data definitions at NHS trusts in the former health authority area of Dyfed. These problems have now been rectified. In future, data for new out-patients will be published at the same time as in-patient and day case data, but it is not possible to amend past data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many nurses have received back-dated pay awards following successful appeals against re-grading decisions (a) eight, (b) seven, (c) six, (d) five, (e) four, (f) three and (g) two years late. [38458]

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will intervene with the Benefits Agency to safeguard the Welsh language telephone freeline. [38561]

This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security. I understand, however, that arrangements have been made to ensure customers receive appropriate advice in the language of their choice from either their local office or the office which handles any existing benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans his Department has to provide assistance to Bermuda in respect of the disposal of asbestos waste. [37573]

Decision on the disposal of Bermuda's asbestos wastes are matters for the Government of Bermuda. I understand that a number of options are under consideration, including seeking disposal on land in the United Kingdom, but no final decisions have been taken.Should Bermuda wish to export asbestos waste to the United Kingdom for disposal on land, this would require a formal agreement between the two Governments for the purpose of the Basel convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous waste and their disposal.Any request from Bermuda for such an agreement would be considered on its merits, in accordance with the policies set out in the United Kingdom management plan for exports and imports of waste, copies of which are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those sites in the United Kingdom licensed to take (a) blue, (b) brown and (c) white asbestos waste. [37571]

This information is not held by my Department. The Environment Agency is required to maintain a public register of waste management licence applications made to it and of licences which it has granted. Whether or not a particular site would take asbestos waste would depend on the terms of the licence granted by the agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the imports of asbestos for disposal into the United Kingdom from (a) OECD and (b) non-OECD countries in each of the last of 10 years. [37572]

I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each of his Department's agencies the cost of printing (a) all publications and (b) the annual report in the latest available year. [37808]

The Secretary of State for the Environment is responsible for three agencies of the Department of the Environment and for Ordnance Survey, a separate department and agency. For the four agencies, the information requested is set out in the table. The expenditure is in respect of the 1995–96 financial year.

	All publications £	Annual report £
Building Research Establishment	21,000	21,000
Planning Inspectorate	14,953	3,295
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre	12,263	12,263
Ordnance Survey	425,000	2,500

The Building Research Establishment's technical publications are published by Construction Research Communications Ltd., CRC is a commercial organisation which is jointly owned by EMAP Architecture and the Secretary of State for the Environment. The cost of printing such technical publications is not included above.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the forms his Department issues annually to businesses to gather statistics, indicating the number of each distributed. [37809]

The forms the Department of the Environment issues on a regular basis¹ to businesses to gather statistics and the number of each distributed are shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that outline planning permissions over 10 years old which have been commenced only technically shall be permitted to go ahead only if (a) the local planning authority or (b) the Secretary of State confirms their validity. [38563]

The Government do not consider it reasonable to impose a general time limit for completion as there could be many valid reasons why development could take longer than envisaged.However, section 94 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 empowers a local planning authority to serve a completion notice in an individual case. Such a notice, which requires the confirmation of the Secretary of State, terminates a planning permission at the end of a specified period if the development is not completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to announce the arrangements that will govern the handing over of Hong Kong to the Chinese authorities; and if he will make a statement. [37784]

The 1984 Sino-British joint declaration provides the legal basis for the restoration of Hong Kong to China. We are still discussing with China arrangements to mark the handover at midnight on 30 June 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry clearance as working holidaymakers have been (a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused in (i) India, (ii) Bangladesh, (iii) Australia, (iv) Canada, (v) Nigeria, (vi) Ghana, (vii) Pakistan, (viii) Sierra Leone, (ix) Gambia and (x) Jamaica during 1995 and 1996 to the latest convenient date. [38056]

The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to the letter I sent him on 30 January 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry clearance as working holidaymakers have been (a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused in (i) India, (ii) Bangladesh (iii) Pakistan, (iv) Australia, (v) Canada, (vi) Ghana, (vii) Nigeria and (viii) Malaysia during 1995 and 1996. [38077]

The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to the letter I sent him on 30 January 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) men, (b) women and (c) children were waiting in each queue in respect of entry into the United Kingdom at each post in the Indian sub-continent on (i) 1 January (ii) 30 June and (iii) the latest convenient date. [38063]

The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long a person applying for entry clearance on 31 March or the latest convenient date at each post in the Indian sub-continent could expect to wait, in each queue, for (a) a first interview, (b) referral of the case to the Home Office and the requested information being received by the post, (c) a decision after first interview and (d) for the explanatory statement prepared by the post in the case of appeal against a refusal to be dispatched to the immigration appellate authorities in the United Kingdom. [38057]

The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to the letter that I sent him on 30 January 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the present waiting times to first interview for each category of applicant in respect of entry into the United Kingdom in (a) each country and at each post in the Indian sub-continent, (b) Bangkok, (c) Manila, (d) Lagos, (e) Accra, (f) Kingston, (g) Addis Ababa, (h) Sana'a, (i) Moscow and (j) Warsaw. [38064]

The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to the letter that I sent him on 30 January 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long a person applying for entry clearance for settlement at the British post in (a) Manila, (b) Accra, (c) Lagos, (d) Kingston, (e) Nicosia, (f) Cairo, (g) Bangkok, (h) Rabat and (i) each post in each country of the Indian sub-continent on 30 June or the latest convenient date could expect to wait for (i) interview, (ii) referral of the case to the Home Office and the requested information being received by the post, (iii) decisions and (iv) an explanatory statement prepared by the post in the event of an appeal against a refusal to be dispatched to the immigration appellate authorities in the United Kingdom. [38055]

The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to the letter that I sent him on 30 January 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 July, Official Report, columns 423–24, when decisions are to be taken on the passport applications made by Tahira Jabeen, Fazal Ur Rahman Hussain and Noor Ur Rahman Hussain by the post in Islamabad; if the report requested from the Home Office was received at the post in November 1995; and if he will make a statement. [38449]

The report has been received from the Home Office. However, the passport officer in Islamabad is not yet in a position to take a decision on these applications. Further inquiries are necessary it is hoped that the matter can be resolved before the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have not supported self-rule for the Serbian minority in Bosnia-Herzegovina. [38002]

We fully support the general framework agreement for peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, under which Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two entities—the Federation and the Republika Srpska. Each entity has extensive governmental functions and powers, as set out in article III of the constitution agreed at Dayton.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's funded DNA tests to prove family relationships for immigration purposes have been carried out, by country, in each country apart from those of the Indian sub-continent, in each year since the inception of the scheme; and in how many tests the applicant was found to be related as claimed to (a) both parents, (b) one parent and (c) neither parent. [38062]

In view of the amount of detail needed to answer this question, I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implementation of the proposal of the United Nations Secretary-General for a United Nations contingency force for Burundi. [38247]

Contingency planning on Burundi is continuing in New York arid in the sub-regional area. The most likely option appears to be a sub-regional peacekeeping force, though it is not yet clear on what terms. We are considering how we might help with planning.

To ask the Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on plans for the expansion fo the international criminal tribunal for Rwanda to enable it to prosecute in Burundi. [38250]

We are not aware of any initiative within the UN to expand the remit of the international criminal tribunal for Rwanda to include Burundi.Any extension of the Rwanda tribunal's mandate would require a Security Council resolution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current policy of Her Majesty's Government towards imposing sanctions against the Burmese junta. [38248]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State the Member for Upminster (Sir N. Bonsor), to the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr. Soley) on 10 July, Official Report, column 396.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to promote dialogue between the Chinese and the Dalai Lama. [38252]

We consider that the best way forward for Tibet is through dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama, without preconditions. We have consistently urged both sides to enter into such a dialogue without delay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the value for money of the new structures in the BBC in respect of World Service programming relative to those that they replaced. [38484]

We are in consultation with the BBC about the implications for the World Service of the proposed reorganisation of the BBC, including the financial implications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the General Affairs Council and the intergovernmental conference ministerial meeting of 15 and 16 July. [38630]

The A points in documents 9021/96—add.1 and add.2—which will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as they are available, were approved.The Council noted the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament in documents EP 8001/96 PE-RE45, 8162/96 PE-RE51 and 8751/96 PE-RE56.The Council began with a televised debate on the Irish presidency programme. The President of the Council, Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring, presented his priorities, including preparation for European monetary union, employment, EU enlargement, the intergovernmental conference and work on the third pillar. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs highlighted the need to get down to discussion of specific IGC treaty language to press ahead with reform of the common agricultural policy and the structural fund which is necessary for enlargement, and the importance of progress in the middle east peace process.The Council acknowledged Slovenia's letter of application for EU membership.The Commission gave a progress report on relations with Switzerland. The Council reaffirmed the EU's wish to conclude negotiations as soon as possible.The Council had a wide ranging discussion on the Former Yugoslavia, including an exchange of views on the future of the EU's presence in Mostar. The Council approved a joint action on Mostar and agreed the appointment of Sir Martin Garrod as EU special envoy in Mostar.The President of the Council and Commissioner Van den Broek reported on their recent visit to the region.The Council agreed conclusions on Former Yugoslavia which note among other things that the requirements of the Florence European Council declaration on the peace process, including that for the removal of Radovan Karadzic from the Republika Srpska political scene, had not yet fully been complied with.The Council reached political agreement on the MEDA regulations on aid to countries in the Mediterranean.The Council adopted conclusions on the US "Helms-Burton" legislation on companies trading with Cuba, calling on President Clinton to waive the provisions of title III of the Act and identifying possible counter measures.The Council held an exchange of views on the political situation in Russia, and adopted conclusions welcoming the successful conclusion of the presidential elections. The Council also reaffirmed its readiness to continue to contribute to the reform process and to complete ratification of the partnership and co-operation agreement, but decided to convey its concern about the recurrence of violence in Chechnya to the Russian authorities.The Council discussed the middle east peace process.The Council declared its concern over the continuing deterioration of the political situation in Burma and urged the State Law and Order Restoration Council to restore democracy and respect human rights. The Council reiterated its call for a full and satisfactory explanation from the Burmese authorities of the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the death in custody of James Leander Nichols.The Council agreed a declaration welcoming the 10 July resolution of the Organisation of African Unity Heads of State and Government on Burundi.The presidency announced the appointment of Ambassador Kester Heaslip as the presidency's special representative on Cyprus.

To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to ensure that major publications from his Department are accompanied by a simultaneous electronic release of the text on the Internet. [37246]

The Crown Prosecution Service makes press notices available to the public on the Internet via the Central Office of Information. The Department has commissioned an internal study to assess the benefits of developing a separate connection to the Internet.The Serious Fraud Office is exploring with the Central Computer Telecommunication Agency the use of the Government information service website.The Treasury Solicitor's Department will assess the appropriateness of simultaneously releasing on the Internet the text of future major publications.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will publish a list showing the number, nature and value of contracts awarded by his Department to Coopers and Lybrand, KPMG, Price Waterhouse, Ernst and Young, Deloitte and Touche, Arthur Andersen, Grant Thornton, BDO Stoy Hayward, Pannel Kerr Forster, and Robson Rhodes and their subsidiaries and associates, during 1995 and 1996. [37314]

The information with respect to the firms used by the departments and agencies for which I am responsible is as follows. It related to the financial year 1995–96.

To ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how his Department plans to enforce legislation making it illegal for farmers to have outstanding stocks of banned feed on their premises when that legislation comes into force; and if he will make a statement. [37354]

On 29 March, the sale or supply of any mammalian meat and bone meal, MBM, for the purposes of feeding to farmed animals, including poultry, horses and farmed fish, was prohibited. From 4 April, it has also been an offence to use any MBM, or feed containing it, for feeding to farmed animals.The 4 April ban was set around a fortnight after the feed compounders announced an immediate voluntary ban on the incorporation of MBM in farmed animal feed. Advice from the industry supported our understanding that little MBM would, accordingly, be left on farms by 4 April.Our enforcement strategy in ensuring that the prohibition from farms, feed mills and feed merchants of MBM and feed incorporating it from 1 August has three primary strands.First, on 10 June we launched the Government-funded feed recall scheme to give farmers, feed compounders and feed merchants every opportunity to dispose of MBM and feed containing it before its presence on their premises became illegal.By the end of this month we shall have collected over 10,000 tonnes of this material, mostly, as we expected from feed compounders, with only small residual amounts to be collected from farms.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many beef meat animals, under industry defined categories, separately, were exported (a) live and (b) in carcase form to each (i) European Union country and (ii) non-EU country in each of the last two years. [29618]

[holding answer 16 May 1996]: I very much regret that the hon. Member has had to wait so long for a reply.Provisional figures for exports of live beef meat animals as recorded in the overseas trade statistics are as follows:

	Number: Thousands
	1994	1995
EC Countries
France	238	227
Netherlands	161	138
Belgium/Luxembourg	79	55
Irish Republic	1	1
Non EC countries	0	0

The number of beef meat animals exported in whole carcase form are not separately available. However provisional figures for the weight and value of exports of whole and half carcases as recorded in the overseas trade statistics, are as follows:

	1994		1995
	Tonnes	£000s	Tonnes	£000s
EC countries
Belgium/Luxembourg	87.8	101.3	181.3	379.1
Denmark	137.9	301.7	132.0	321.8
France	2,755.7	5,108.9	6,466.6	14,267.8
Germany	79.3	154.6	37.2	87.1
Greece	3.3	7.6	11.6	28.4
Irish Republic	6,563.5	13,326.2	8,457.1	16,658.3
Italy	4,816.7	10,774.0	7,358.1	17,565.9
Netherlands	103.5	237.8	516.1	1,119.0
Portugal	861.7	1,956.4	2,038.5	4,829.6
Spain	1,457.9	3,275.6	2,001.9	4,283.4
Non-EC countries
Albania	0.0	0.0	16.0	8.1
Japan	2.5	5.6	0.0	0.0
New Zealand	0.0	0.0	35.8	44.3
Pakistan	0.0	0.0	2.0	2.6
Russia	0.5	2.3	0.0	0.0

	1994		1995
	Tonnes	£000s	Tonnes	£000s
Singapore	0.1	1.6	0.0	0.0
Sri Lanka	0.2	2.2	0.0	0.0
Switzerland (including Liechtenstein)	0.2	0.8	0.0	0.0
Trinidad and Tobago	0.4	1.9	0.0	0.0
Venezuela	0.4	0.9	0.0	0.0

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which other (a) EU and (b) Organisation for Economic Co-operation countries (i) have used and (ii) continue to use phosmet. [37717]

[holding answer 18 July 1996]: The Government do not hold any information on the use, either in the past or at present, of veterinary medicines in other countries. This is a matter for the appropriate regulatory authority in any particular country. However, we understand from the industry body, the National Office of Animal Health Ltd., that phosmet is currently authorised for use as a veterinary medicine in several countries including France and the Republic of Ireland,

Product name	Marketing authorisation holder	Authorisation number	Dosage and administration
Poron 20	Young's Animal Health Ltd.	PL 1447/4007	For use in cattle
			1. Treatment of warble fly infestation or mange— 10ml/100kg bodyweight up to 350kg; over 350kg bodyweight—40ml. To be given as single dose.
			2. Treatment of lice infestation only—5ml/100kg bodyweight up to 350kg; over 350kg bodyweight—20ml. To be repeated after 10 to 14 days.
			3. Treatment of warble fly, lice and mange infestation— treat first at the warble/mange dose followed 10 to 14 days later by the louse dose.
Porect	Pfizer Ltd.	PL 11061/4001	For use in pigs to treat and control mange and louse infestation.
			This product is in a ready to use form and should be applied at a dosage rate of 1ml/10kg bodyweight.
Vet-Kem Sponge—On For Dogs	Sanofi Animal Health Ltd.	PL 12501/4003	To be used as a solution containing 30mls of sponge-on with 3.8 litres of water. Repeat treatment may be necessary after 14 days if treating for sarcoptic mange, or 16 days for the control of flea infestations.