To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what funding has been made available under section 11 in each year since 1995; what funding provision has been made for (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; how many section 11 teachers are currently employed; and what estimate he has made of the number of section 11 teachers who will be employed in 1997–98; [4077](2) what representations his Department has received regarding

Not all the information requested is available.In 1995–96, Home Office expenditure-not including projects transferred to the single regeneration budget-under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 was £54 million. Current provision for 1996–97 is £58 million. The number of approved posts specifically designated as to be filled by qualified teachers is currently 3,750 in full-time equivalent terms.In recent months, we have received a substantial number of representations, in writing or by telephone, which sought information about the funding position from next April onwards, and urged that there should be no reduction in current levels of funding.On 13 November,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been imprisoned in 1996 to date for defaulting on a fine arising from their non-payment of television licences; what was the figure for the same period in 1995; and what assessment he has made of the use of imprisonment in respect of television licence fee evaders. [2743]

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 if he will make a statement about the juvenile criminal justice system. [2873]

The Government have introduced a number of measures to improve the juvenile criminal justice system. These include strengthening the courts' powers for dealing with young offenders by increasing maximum sentence for youth custody for 15 to 17-year-olds, by introducing long periods of detention for 10 to 13-year-olds for serious offences and providing a new sentence for persistent 12 to 14-year-old offenders.New standards have been introduced for the supervision of young offenders in the community, as well as new criteria for cautioning. Amendments to the Crime (Sentences) Bill will pave the way for extending electronic monitoring of curfew orders to 10 to 15-year-olds, and giving youth courts the discretion to allow identification of juveniles convicted of an offence.In addition, the Government will be publishing shortly a Green Paper on preventing young people most at risk of offending from becoming involved in crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which countries passengers arriving in the United Kingdom are asked for their passports in the walkway immediately upon leaving the aircraft. [4769]

Passengers from any country may be subject to checks by immigration officers stationed at the exit from the aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which London borough councils in the docklands area he consulted before issuing his proposals published on 12 November for modifications of gambling legislation in selected areas in England and Wales; and what additional statutory provisions relating to defining the selected areas and specifying the regulations applying to them he plans when implementing these proposals. [4703]

Our first consultation paper on casinos, published in February 1996, did not propose casino permitted area status for docklands.We subsequently added them to the proposed list in our second consultation paper in the light of representations from the London borough of Tower Hamlets and other local interests.We have sought views on our fresh proposals from relevant local authorities including the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham, and have sent a copy to Southwark.We will reach final decisions on the choice of new permitted areas and the statutory provisions after the consultation period finishes on 31 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many contracts his Department, agencies and associated bodies have had with EDS for each year since 1985; what was the value of each contract; if he will indicate for each contract (a) if it was completed, (b) what modifications were made at the request of (i) the company and (ii) the Department and (c) if work under contract is being undertaken in-house; and if he will make a statement on the number of job reductions in his Department arising from the contracting out of work by EDS. [3797]

My Department currently has no contracts with EDS. Information on contracts completed prior to 1995 together with full information on the Department's agencies and associated bodies is obtainable only at disproportionate cost.The following contracts were completed in 1995:

Year of inception	Contract value£	Modifications
1992	358,000	Three—one at the company's request and two at DOE's request
1995	30,000	None
1995	6,000	None

No job reductions resulted as the contracts did not cover in-house tasks that were being outsourced.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the European Community directives relating to the requirement to carry out (a) environmental impact assessments and (b) environmental audits, applying to areas of the seabed between member states of the European Union in circumstances where states assess environmental contamination may have arisen in a specific location. [3834]

There are no EC directives requiring either environmental impact assessment or environmental audit for the seabed between member states in the specific circumstances where member states assess that environmental contamination of that seabed may have occurred.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the European Union member countries by order of (a) fatality rate of workers and (b) maximum working hours. [4110]

The latest available information is given in the following tables:

(a) Fatality rates per 100,000 employees/self-employed
Country	Year	Fatality rate
Netherlands	1991	0·80
Great Britain	1993	1·20
Finland	1993	2·00
Denmark	1992	2·50
Germany1	1992	3·00
Greece	1992	3·30
Belgium	1992	3·60
France1	1993	3·90
Ireland	1992	4·00
Spain1	1993	4·90
Italy1	1991	5·70
Portugal	1992	5·70

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average current period taken for the consideration of planning appeals; and what assessment he has made of the manpower levels of the Planning Inspectorate. [4119]

Responsibility for the provision of information on performance on the processing of planning appeals has been delegated to the Planning Inspectorate under its chief executive Mr. Chris Shepley. The agency is therefore responding to the question.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the documents published by his Department relating to the (a) freedom of the cities and (b) trust councils initiatives. [4121]

There are no such documents.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many official speeches he has made specifically on health and safety since his Department took over responsibilities of the Health and Safety Executive. [4122]

My right hon. Friend is responsible for a very wide range of subjects. He has addressed the launch of the Health and Safety Commission's noise at work campaign and a conference on inspection for health. As Minister with particular responsibility for health and safety at work, I have made a number of speeches on this subject and will continue to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has made in respect of tighter environmental rules for opencasting to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement. [3915]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 12 November, Official Report, column 104, on the Building Research Establishment, if he will list the criteria which were specified in April for the future operation of the Building Research Establishment. [4519]

My right hon. Friend's 2 April statement did not specify criteria as such, but it made clear that BRE should remain a single entity in the private sector. This was because BRE offers a unique range of complementary skills and technologies, and fragmentation would both substantially increase costs to customers and reduce efficiency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the bidders for the Building Research Establishment. [4570]

The competitive sale of BRE is being conducted on a two-stage basis. We shall first be considering indicative bids from parties who have pre-qualified as potential purchasers, and subsequently final bids from a short list of these. We shall be treating information about bids and bidders as commercially confidential until a preferred purchaser is identified early in 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 12 November, Official Report, column 103, on construction skills certification, what plans he has to encourage the registration of building operatives under the construction skills certificate scheme. [4520]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State spoke at the launch of the scheme and we continue actively to support it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy not to seek to destroy or weaken the protection recently afforded to enclosure and hedgerows by the courts. [4104]

The Government published draft regulations for the protection of important hedgerows on 21 October 1996. As I explained in the answer that I gave to the hon. Member on 15 October 1996, Official Report, column 844, these regulations will not override restrictions imposed by other enactments or agreements, including enclosure awards. I understand that a judgment is still awaited in respect of the protection afforded to enclosure hedgerows in the case referred to.

To ask the Attorney-General how many contracts his Department, agencies and associated bodies have had with EDS for each year since 1985; what was the value of each contract; if he will indicate for each contract (a) if it was completed, (b) what modifications were made at the request of (i) the company and (ii) the Department and (c) if work under contract is being undertaken in-house; and if he will make a statement on the number of job reductions in his Department arising from the contracting out of work by EDS. [3817]

The Departments and agencies for which I am responsible have not entered into any contracts with Electronic Data Systems Ltd.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1996; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each repeal; [1393](2) if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1996; and if he will make a statement. [2913]

[holding answer 4 November 1996]: The Treasury has consulted on the following proposals for use of the deregulation order-making power. The timing of any reference to the Deregulation Committee will depend on various factors, including the outcome of consultation.

Industrial Assurance Acts 1923 and 1948

Trustee Investments Act 1961.

In addition, the Chancellor's departments have completed consultation on the following measures, which are now subject to consideration by the Deregulation Committees of both Houses:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what has been the change in the value of the pound sterling against (a) the deutschmark, (b) the French franc, (c) the ecu and (d)1 the US dollar since January 1996; and if he will make a statement on the impact on the economy of fluctuations in (a) to (d); [3985](2) what measures he is taking to ensure a stable external value for sterling for export purposes. [3905]

Between 1 January 1996 and 12 November 1996, sterling has risen by (a)11 per cent. against the deutschmark, (b) 9 per cent. against the French franc, (c) 6 per cent. against the ecu and (d) 6 per cent. against the US dollar. The Government recognise the value of a stable exchange rate but do not have a target for sterling. The exchange rate is only one of many factors which must be taken into account in setting policy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) partnerships and (b) closed companies are registered with the Inland Revenue for tax purposes. [3904]

At the latest count, the Inland Revenue was dealing with approximately 650,000 partnerships, and an estimate of around 800,000 non-dormant close companies.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received in relation to the location of the summit meeting during the next United Kingdom presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Union. [4129]

To ask the Prime Minister when he estimates Her Majesty's Government will decide its preferred venue for the 1998 European Union summit. [4070]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has expressed support for Cardiff as a possible location for the June 1998 European Council. I am also aware of early-day motion 173 which also proposes Cardiff. An announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his response to the letter from Friendship across Frontiers, signed by the chairman, Riad El Taher, on 6 November, about the mortality rate of Iraqi children, and the UNICEF report. [4391]

So far as I am aware, my office has not yet received this letter.

To ask the Prime Minister what response Her Majesty's Government have given to the Secretary General of the Arab League's representations about the humanitarian situation in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates. [4465]

[holding answer 15 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, discussed the humanitarian situation in Iraq during the Secretary General's visit to London in May 1996, and in Cairo in June 1996, raising in particular Saddam Hussein's indifference to the suffering of the Iraqi people. Saddam Hussein continues to delay implementation of UN Security Council resolution 986 by attempting to renegotiate issues already with the UN. Like the Arab League, we want SCR 986 implemented as soon as possible; it will bring much needed relief to millions of Iraqis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to protect children in wars where the United Kingdom has an aid interest. [4263]

The Government have provided considerable humanitarian aid in a careful and targeted way in many war situations overseas. Support for children's needs is a high priority in all cases, delivered through agencies like the Red Cross, UNICEF and specialists such as the Save the Children Fund and Children's Aid Direct. Projects have benefited health, nutrition, orphan care, education, deprived families and family reunification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current need of the population of Sudan for international provision of basic foodstuffs for survival listed by area and broken down to show (a) Government-held (b) non-Government-held areas, and indicating if the delivery of such aid should be (i) via Khartoum, (ii) via east Africa or (iii) otherwise. [4659]

In northern Sudan, serious food shortages have been reported this year in Darfur and Kordofan. The UK has provided £1.5 million to the Save the Children Fund and CARE UK for food aid, purchased within Sudan, to address needs in those areas. There are also reports of food shortages in Red Sea state. In southern Sudan, the World Food Programme predicts serious deficits over the next few months in Juba, Gogrial and parts of Jonglei state including Pochalla and Pibor.The World Food Programme report that food for outstanding deficit areas in Government and non-Government held areas may be available for purchase within Sudan. They have not yet established the requirement for external provision of food aid. Precise delivery arrangements will depend on the source of food aid and the relative costs of delivery options.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what programme his Department has established to incinerate surplus ammunition; what sites are used; what environmental impact assessments have been conducted at each site; and what is the annual cost of the programme. [3926]

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military hospitals which have closed in the last 12 months; and what proportion of their work was carried out for the NHS. [3054]

This is a matter for the Defence Secondary Care Agency and I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions an overheated or failed cross-drive clutch has caused a fire in the rear fuselage of a Tornado aircraft. [2828]

In 16 years of Tornado operations there have been five confirmed cases of overheated or failed cross-drive clutches causing fires in the rear fuselages of RAF Tornado aircraft. These incidents all took place on the ground during routine engine running tests. The procedures for running Tornado engines on the ground have been reviewed and suitably amended.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Tornado GR1 and F3 aircraft will be allowed to fly before modification 1670 has been made in respect of the recirculating cross-over valve. [2829]

Yes. When modification 1670 was designed, a safety analysis confirmed that the operation of both F3 and GR1 Tornado at pre-modification 1670 standard was safe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the difference in cost between performing modification 1670 to Tornado GR1 and F3 aircraft by means of a contractors' working party as set out in his Department's contracts bulletin, volume 11, No. 2; and assuming sufficient manpower was available, undertaking such work with RAF personnel. [2831]

RAF manpower is used to embody aircraft modifications whenever appropriate. On this occasion, the circumstances were such that the use of a contractor's working party allowed the RAF to maximise aircraft availability to the front line. The final contract price is still under negotiation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the past two years a contractors' working party has been sought to carry out work on RAF aircraft because the RAF had insufficient manpower for the task. [2830]

The RAF has long used contractor's working parties as an effective means of undertaking specific tasks. A number of factors, including the complexity and specialised nature of the work, or the geographical location, can influence the final decision on whether to use a CWP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he made of the advantages of leasing the agricultural tractors required by his Department as set out in future purchase number LV2/DBG/03 in his Department's contracts bulletin, volume 11, No. 4. [2832]

The potential benefits of leasing agricultural tractors are being assessed as part of a wider study of the scope for using private finance to meet the requirement for some 4,000 mechanical handling vehicles.In the meantime, the continuing requirement for agricultural tractors will be met by purchase of vehicles through an enabling contract. This approach offers the most cost-effective way of meeting the continuing requirement by ensuring that my Department is not committed to procuring specific quantities but purchase on an as needed basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the selling price of the official service residence, Bois de Mai; when the residence was sold; when the residence was purchased and for what purchase price. [4069]

The sale of Bois de Mai was completed on 15 April 1996. The residence was sold unfurnished at close to the asking price of £1.565 million. The residence was originally purchased furnished in November 1992 at a cost of 120,000,000 Belgian francs, which equated to approximately £2.2 million at the then rate of exchange.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made by his Department in reviewing the pay deductions for British officer prisoners of war held by Germany and Italy during the period 1939 to 1945; and if he will make a statement. [4103]

The case for additional refunds for pay deductions from British officer prisoners of war held by the Italians and Germans during world war two was examined and rejected in the early 1980s. Submission of new evidence, however, led to a decision earlier this year to review the position. This work, which includes the related question of pay deduction from protected personnel, will be completed as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the country of origin of the beef served to British service personnel in Cyprus and Belize in the last year. [4472]

Beef for British service personnel serving in Cyprus and Belize is procured by local contract to achieve best value for money. Supplies to Cyprus are of southern Irish, French and New Zealand origin, while supplies to Belize are of American origin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange for right hon. and hon. Members to be given access to Menwith Hill station in North Yorkshire. [4581]

No. Access to RAF Menwith Hill by right hon. and hon. Members to receive briefings on the station facilities are generally not permitted on the grounds of disruption to the operational activities of the station and for security reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians have been invited during the past year to visit Menwith Hill station in North Yorkshire. [4582]

Approximately 3,800 civilians have visited RAF Menwith Hill within the last year in connection with social and educational events or for local planning reasons. This includes visits by local authority representatives, sports teams, charities, local schools and clubs and those who attended the 4 July open day. Such visits are generally confined to weekends and evenings to ensure they do not impact on the operational activity of the station and access is limited purely to the domestic, recreational and other unrestricted areas of the base.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet Major General Prabowo during his forthcoming visit to Britain. [4701]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence did not meet General Prabowo during his recent visit to the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assistance he proposes to give to the Indonesian special forces to enable them to study at the royal college of defence studies; [4700](2) what assistance he proposes to give to the Indonesian special forces to enable them to study at the royal college of defence studies. [4698]

In accordance with our long-standing practice, details of military assistance are confidential between Governments.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the names of the members of the Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique. [4395]

The Comité Européen de Normalisation Electotechnique consists of the national standards organisations of the 17 countries of the European economic area and Switzerland. The United Kingdom member is the British electrotechnical committee, which forms an integral part of the British Standards Institution—an independent body incorporated under royal charter.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the legal protection covering British citizens working abroad; and what assessment he has made of the advantages of introducing protection in British law. [3775]

The Government have not undertaken an assessment but are aware that different protections apply in other member states of the European Union and other countries. The Government are satisfied with the protections given to employees in this country.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the level of support allocated to space research in each of the last 10 years at current prices. [4060]

[holding answer 14 November 19961: The table gives the total UK civil space expenditure, which is co-ordinated by the British National Space Centre, in each of the last 10 years. The figures given are at 1995-96 prices.

Financial year	Total £ million
1986–87	179·08
1987–88	178·82
1988–89	188·21
1989–90	183·63
1990–91	180·75
1991–92	176,58
1992–93	182·32
1993–94	178·59
1994–95	199·05
1995–96	194·89

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what public funding is provided to Cambridge university in respect of aerial survey activities subsequently offered for sale to the private sector. [4163]

[holding answer 15 November 1996]: I understand that the university's activity in this area is self-supporting and does not involve public funds.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the procedure for the tendering process by the Natural Environment Research Council for aerial surveys; and when it next intends to tender. [4162]

[holding answer 15 November 1996]: The NERC airborne remote sensing facility bids on a responsive basis for work requiring the application of its unique set of airborne remote sensing systems. Typically there are approximately 10 such inquiries each year.The management of the Natural Environment Research Council's aircraft, including its maintenance and the provision of pilots and instrument operators, is contracted out on a five-year basis.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will list the ways in which the Commission has (a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if he will make a statement. [4537]

All works executed by the Parliamentary Works Directorate are carried out with regard to energy efficiency and environmental impact. The design of the phase 2 new parliamentary building includes the Building Research Establishment environmental assessment method and the building will have an exceptionally low energy usage.The Accommodation and Works Committee has approved projects to improve the energy efficiency of the Palace of Westminster including new boilers and a cooling plant. The Parliamentary Works Directorate operates an energy efficiency programme in accordance with the Department of the Environment Energy Efficiency Office guidelines and presents annual reports on savings achieved to Committee. Waste, including paper, arising on the parliamentary estate is recycled. Building work is commissioned using the Department of the Environment guidance on environmental considerations, and the standard specifications used for product selection and contract specification include environmental requirements. Building design and maintenance are carried out in accordance with the guidance issued by the central advisory unit of the Office of Public Service.

To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will list the companies which owe arrears to the parliamentary bookshop; and if he will make a statement. [4767]

The House of Commons Commission does not normally provide commercially confidential information about customers of the parliamentary bookshop. The accounts of all such companies are at present within their credit limits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what further support his Department proposes to promote existing projects currently experimenting with the integration of woodland-based manufacturing economies with an increase in the planting of deciduous woodland; and if he will make a statement on his assessment of the advantages of supporting existing projects;; [3226](2) what research his Department has

The area of broadleaved woodland in Britain has increased dramatically since the introduction of our broadleaves policy. We recognise the need to ensure that suitable markets for hardwood are readily available to woodland owners. In our recent rural White Papers for Scotland, England and Wales, we outlined our commitments to promoting sustainable woodland management and developing new markets for hardwood products. The Forestry Commission is involved in a range of initiatives including highland birchwoods, Cumbria broadleaves and Coed Cymru, as well as the "WoodLots" marketing information service, all of which are very successful.We are supporting a number of research projects on broadleaves forest products, including the grading of British hardwoods for structural purposes, the bonding of lower value wood into laminated veneer lumber and improving the potential of wood for fuel. The Forestry Commission currently spends some £300,000 per annum on research on all types of forest products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of suicides among under-30s, broken down by gender, in Scotland for each year since 1985. [3832]

The information requested is given in the table.

Deaths from suicide1, persons aged under 30 by gender, Scotland, 1985–952
	Both Sexes	Males	Females
1985	147	116	31
1986	163	136	27
1987	183	139	44
1988	202	160	42
1989	189	143	46
1990	215	177	38
1991	194	153	41
1992	252	195	57
1993	267	219	48
1994	232	186	46
1995	219	176	43
1 World Health Organisation International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision) codes E950-E959 and E980-E989 (excl. E988.8).
2 The table presents information on deaths registered in each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases involving claims against the Argyll and Clyde health board in relation to the mismanagement of the cervical smear screening programme at the Inverclyde Royal hospital, Greenock, have now been settled; what was the average figure of compensation paid to the women concerned; how many cases are still outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [3716]

A total of 12 cases involving claims against the Argyll and Clyde health board as a result of the mis-reading of cervical smear slides at the Inverclyde Royal hospital, Greenock, have now been settled. Negotiations are continuing to achieve a settlement in the remaining eight cases. Once all the claims have been settled, I will be in a position to give an indication of the total amount of the settlement made.This is being copied for information to the hon. Member for Renfrew West and Inverclyde (Mr. Graham).

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he had on (a) the installation of a computerised command and control radio system for the Argyll and Clyde health board catchment area and (b) the construction of an ambulance station in Greenock, when he last met the chief executive of the Scottish ambulance service; and if he will make a statement. [3701]

My right hon. Friend last met the Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service NHS trust on 18 October when he opened the service's new training college at Eddleston. The issues referred to by the hon. Member were not discussed, but I can confirm that a computerised command and control system came into use at Paisley ambulance control on 29 September 1996. Work on rolling out the new ambulance radio system into Argyll and Clyde is under way and the system is scheduled to be operational across the area by April 1998.A replacement ambulance station for Greenock is the top priority building scheme in the Scottish ambulance service's west region. Funds for this purpose have been reserved in the trust's provisional capital programme for 1997–98. Action is currently being taken to identify an appropriate site for the station.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what area of land was set aside in Scotland in 1995–96 under the arable area scheme. [4227]

Farmers in Scotland set aside 74,258 hectares of land under the 1995 arable area payments scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the costs of the proposals from (a) the Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare NHS trust and (b) the preferred private finance initiative bidder, for the East Ayrshire community hospital, what further factors have to be taken into account before a decision is made; when he now expects to be able to announce his decision; and if he will make a statement. [4436]

Details of the negotiations between the trust and the preferred PFI bidder are covered by commercial confidentiality. The estimated capital value of the project if £8.6 million. A decision on the project will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how the £30 million for capital expenditure in the health service, announced on 9 October, was distributed among trusts; and which trusts have asked for it to be converted into revenue. [4702]

The £30 million of capital expenditure announced on 9 October has been distributed on a formula basis. This is a formula devised by the management executive which takes into account trust turnover, building depreciation and equipment depreciation.None of these funds will be transferred to revenue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest estimates of the expenditure on external consultants, including management consultants, for each year since 1992, in 1996 prices, for his Department and its agencies; and what are the quantified annual cost savings which such expenditure has resulted in. [4062]

[holding answer 14 November 1996]: The expenditure figures are as follows:

Year	Expenditure	Expenditure in 1995–96 prices
	£	£
1992–93	4,370,327	4,686,979
1993–94	5,383,000	5,635,351
1994–95	4,079,000	4,177,677
1995–96	5,440,364	5,440,364

Not all of the results of consultancy projects lend themselves to measurement in identifiable savings, but major projects over this period can be summarised as:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many complaints he has received regarding the performance of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration; and what plans he has to introduce legislation proposals to improve the complaints process. [3509]

The parliamentary ombudsman is an independent Officer of the House and reports to the Select Committee chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey). I have occasionally received complaints only about the time taken by the parliamentary ombudsman to complete an investigation: this has not been a significant element of the correspondence handled by my Department, and the number of complaints has not been monitored. I have no plans to introduce legislative proposals on the complaints process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps the British Government are taking to ensure that a date is set for the holding of the plenipotentiary diplomatic conference on the establishment of an international criminal court during 1996; [4654](2) what assessment he has made of

We are active participants in the process to consider the establishment of an international criminal court. We supported the recommendations of the preparatory committee that up to nine weeks were required for further preparatory work, and that a date for an international conference should be set in 1998. Progress made by the preparatory committee in 1997 will need to be reviewed by next year's general assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently received regarding the establishment of an international criminal court. [4653]

We have received representations about the establishment of an international criminal court from hon. Members, non-governmental organisations and members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet Major General Prabowo during his forthcoming visit to Britain. [4737]

I met General Prabowo on 12 November during his private visit to the UK to thank him on behalf of the British Government for securing the safe release of the four British Hostages in Irian Jaya.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts his Department, agencies and associated bodies have had with EDS for each year since 1985; what was the value of each contract; if he will indicate for each contract (a) if it was completed, (b) what modifications were made at the request of (i) the company and (ii) the Department and (c) if work under contract is being undertaken in-house; and if he will make a statement on the number of job reductions in his Department arising from the contracting out of work by EDS. [3815]

Neither the Department of Health, nor its agencies and executive non-departmental public bodies have entered into contracts with Electronic Data Systems since 1985. Information on contracts in the Department's non-executive NDPBs and advisory bodies is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 5 November, Official Report, column 435, what are the current licensing requirements for skin piercing businesses. [3987]

The current licensing requirements for skin piercing businesses in London and in the rest of England and Wales are described in section 3 of "Regulation of Skin Piercing: a Consultation Paper" issued jointly by the Department of Health and the Welsh Office on 3 October 1996. Copies are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the delays incurred by UK citizens waiting to adopt children from Guatemala. [4199]

I understand that some prospective adopters who made private arrangements to adopt children from Guatemala have been advised by the Guatemalan authorities that these are not acceptable and that only assessments approved by the United Kingdom Government will be accepted on behalf of United Kingdom citizens. This may have led to some delays in individual cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which health authorities have specialist acute stroke units; [3982](2) what percentage of those who have had a stroke in each of the last three years for which figures are available were admitted to hospitals; [3980](3) what percentage of those admitted to hospital for strokes in each of the last three years for which figures are available

This information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities have specialist stroke rehabilitation units. [3983]

Health authorities commission appropriate specialist services for their communities in line with their local needs, resources and priorities. Information on what services each health authority commissions is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to reduce the cost of mental depression to the United Kingdom economy; and what assessment he has made of their effectiveness to date. [3894]

Mental illness is one of five key areas in "The Health of the Nation" strategy. The majority of depressive disorders are treated in primary care by general practitioners. We are taking action and promoting initiatives to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the condition in primary care. For example, we are working to develop GP training in the recognition and management of depression and to encourage audit of the management of the condition in primary care; in addition, we collaborated with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Psychiatrists on the recent "defeat depression" campaign, which aimed to improve detection and prevention of the condition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 October 1996, Official Report, column 759, if he will commission research into the impact of mental depression on the United Kingdom's economy; and if he will make a statement. [3896]

We are already undertaking a range of research into depression. For example, the Department's policy research programme has commissioned a number of studies into severe mental illness, many of which are related to depression. We expect to spend some £500,000 on these studies in 1996–97. In addition, we have made £2.4 million available over the next five years within the policy research programme's mental health research initiative. Many of the commissioned studies within the initiative relate to depression. Work currently being undertaken by the personal social services research unit under the policy research programme is looking at the economic impact of mental disorders, which include depression. The Medical Research Council, the main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research, has a comprehensive portfolio of research on depressive illness. In particular, it funds a number of trials which examine different types of treatment and therapies for depression. Total funding for this research amounted to almost £0.9 million in 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the maximum ambulance response times (a) in an emergency, (b) for discharge from hospital and (c) for an out-patient attendance. [3895]

At present all ambulance services in England are expected to respond to 50 per cent. of emergency calls within eight minutes. Urban ambulance services are expected to respond to 95 per cent. of emergency calls within 14 minutes and rural services within 19 minutes.There are no national standards of discharge or outpatient attendances but local standards may be included in individual contracts for patient transport services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many special advisers are employed by his Department; and if he will list their names. [3932]

The Department of Health employs two special advisers, Mr. Tony Hockley and Mr. Tim Rycroft.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current average cost of (a) a hip replacement operation and (b) an out-patient's appointment in the NHS in England. [3934]

In 1994–95 the average cost in England of an out-patient attendance was £57.40. The information requested on hip replacement operations is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has given trusts and health authorities to methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. [3921]

The Department issued guidance to the national health service in September 1994 on the control of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and in March 1995 on the general control of infections in hospitals. In May 1996, the Department issued new guidance on the control of infection in residential and nursing homes and a leaflet "MRSA: what nursing and residential homes need to know". Copies of this guidance are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by local authority, the funds currently allocated by his Department to fund local authority services for children who are at risk. [3978]

The total provision made for English local authorities in respect of children's services (including services for children at risk) amounts in the current financial year to £1,754.7 million. This provision, however, is not hypothecated and it is for individual local authorities to determine their own spending priorities in the light of local needs. In addition, grants totalling £9.3 million are also available to local authorities in 1996–97 for services provided by guardians ad litem and for services provided to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the dates on which European Health Ministers are to meet in the next six months and the subjects to be discussed. [4696]

The Health Council is due to meet in Luxembourg on 2 June 1997 under the forthcoming Dutch presidency of the European Union. The subjects to be discussed will not be agreed until nearer that date. No other formal meetings of European Community Health Ministers are currently planned during the next six months. European Health Ministers may attend the world health assembly in Geneva provisionally scheduled for 5 to 16 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action the Government have taken to inform the public about the health effects of E. coli 0157:117 bacteria in beef and unpasteurised milk; [3712](2) what information the Government have issued to health service providers concerning the public health effects of E. coli 0157:117 bacteria in beef and unpasteurised milk. [3714]

The Government act to improve food safety through a combination of legislation, codes of practice and advice, including leaflets. This is directed at the professions and the public, especially those in Vulnerable groups. We attach great importance to the wide dissemination of information to ensure the importance of safe handling of food is understood by all. This information is relevant to all the organisms which cause food poisoning, including E. coli 0157.Thorough cooking of food will destroy these organisms and this is stressed in all the advice we give. Members of the vulnerable groups are also advised to avoid uncooked food which carries a high risk of contamination.The Chief Medical Officer has recommended that beefburgers should be cooked until the juices run clear and there are no pink bits inside. This advice was first given in 1991 and has been repeated since. We have recently revised the leaflet, "While you are pregnant: safe eating and how to avoid infection from food and from contact with animals" which gives advice on safe eating including raw meat and unpasteurised milk. This advice is repeated in the Health Education Authority's pregnancy book. The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food have issued similar advice through their "Foodsense" leaflets. We have also published general guidance in "Food Handlers Fitness to Work: Guidance for Food Businesses, Enforcement Officers and Health Professionals". Copies of all these publications are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring procedures his Department and the Medicines Control Agency follow to ensure that the conduct of phase 1 clinical trials is in compliance with good clinical practice guidelines. [3872]

In accordance with advice from the Medicines Commission, phase 1 clinical trials are self-regulated by the professional concerned. The Department and its Medicines Control Agency have no procedures to monitor the conduct of these trials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility the Licensing Authority has for the conduct of phase 1 clinical trials in healthy volunteers. [3877]

Studies on healthy volunteers are not clinical trials within the definition of the Medicines Act 1968 and therefore are not subject to regulation by the licensing authority.In the United Kingdom, studies on healthy volunteers are self-regulated by the medical profession and pharmaceutical industry. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry established a committee in 1969 to investigate and advise on medical experiments involving pharmaceutical company staff volunteers and published a set of guidelines in 1970 which were updated in 1984 and 1990. The Royal College of Physicians published a report, "Research on Healthy Volunteers", October 1986 which made a number of recommendations to those involved in conducting healthy volunteer studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what procedures (a) his Department, (b) the Licensing Authority and (c) the Medicines Control Agency follow to ensure safety of volunteers in phase 1 clinical trials; [3878]

Most phase 1 clinical trials are carried out for pharmaceutical companies. Under Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry guidelines they must first have obtained the approval of an independent research ethics committee. These guidelines require independent research ethics committees to prepare an annual report in accordance with recommendations from the Royal College of Physicians. Where, less commonly, it is proposed to undertake these trials in the national health service, the approval of a local research ethics committee must be obtained. The Department of Health issued guidance to the NHS on the operation of LRECs in 1991, HSG(91)5, copies of which were placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in his Department's review of the vaccinations available on the NHS. [3873]

As with all policies, we review the arrangement for vaccines on an on-going basis. In particular we are considering the inconsistencies and ambiguities that have arisen in the arrangements for travel vaccines over the years as new vaccines have been developed and new recommendations for vaccine use have been implemented. The review of the current arrangements is an on-going one and any changes in policy will be communicated to those with an interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals in the United Kingdom undertake mandatory ante-natal screening for hepatitis B. [3874]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Barron) on 22 July 1996, Official Report, column 118.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of hepatitis B carriers in the United Kingdom. [3875]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Halifax (Ms. Mahon) on 12 July 1996, Official Report, column 559.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of hepatitis B carrier is accounted for by "at risk" groups. [3876]

There are no national data collected on the number of chronic carriers of hepatitis B that fall into "high risk" groups. The Public Health Laboratory Service communicable disease surveillance centre receives reports of acute hepatitis B infection through the voluntary confidential reporting by laboratories of confirmed cases. Information on risk exposure is available with approximately two thirds of these reports. For details, by former regional health authority for the three years 1993–95, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Barron) on 22 July 1996, Official Report, columns 120–21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost per annum to public funds of the health care costs of (a) the average retirement pensioner and (b) a retirement pensioner in the last two years of their life; and what proportion (c) constitutes of an individual's life-time health care costs. [4381]

Figures showing the annual cost of the health care of retirement pensioners are not collected. However, hospital and community health services expenditure for people aged 65 and over was estimated at £,195 per person in 1994–95.Statistics on the cost to public funds of health care in the last two years of a retired person's life are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish the 1995 public health common data set (a) on disk and (b) in print. [4766]

The 1995 public health common data set containing data for 1994 was released last year on disk. The printed version was published in April 1996. Both versions have been placed in the Library.The 1996 public health common data set containing data for 1995 was sent to health authorities on 15 November 1996. The printed version will be published three months later. A set of the disks is being placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what actions he proposes to take in respect of his White Paper on the health service published on 13 November, in respect of (a) legislation, (b) adjustment of methods on formulae relating to distribution of resources between health authorities and (c) recruitment and training of more doctors and nurses. [4550]

"A Service with Ambitions", the White Paper on the national health service published on 13 November, reaffirms the Government's commitment to the NHS on the basis of its founding principles. It launches three nationally-led development programmes on information, professional development and managing for quality in the NHS. These programmes will aim to refine and improve existing policies, ensuring they are part of a coherent strategy, and to identify ways of overcoming practical obstacles to progress.In addition to the publication of the White Paper, the Government will be introducing a Bill to take forward the proposals in "Choice and Opportunity" this Session, keeping the formulae used to inform the allocation of resources to health authorities under continual review, supporting medical work force planning, and supporting the commissioning of non-medical education and training through consortia and regional education and development groups. Nurse training commissions are expected to rise 14 per cent. in 1996–97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the total budget for cleaning motorways; and on what basis funds are allocated to the appropriate authorities; [4097](2) what targets his Department has set the Highways Agency in respect of cleaning motorways. [4096]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the motorway lighting on the M6 will be extended from its junction with the Ml to junction 3 of the M6. [4098]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reports he receives on a daily basis of expected and of unexpected traffic delays on national roads. [4358]

Monitoring the flow of traffic on the trunk network is an operational matter which is the responsibility of the Highways Agency. The Highways Agency provides the Secretary of State with reports of severe weather conditions and their impact on the trunk road network, and of major road accidents involving several fatalities, hazardous substances or serious structural damage.Additionally, the Secretary of State's private office staff have access to several sources of publicly available continuous traffic information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on capital maintenance on national roads in each of the past 10 years; and how much other money was available each year for national roads. [4359]

The following table shows actual expenditure on the capital maintenance of roads from 1986–87 to 1995–96. Also shown is the figure for other money budgeted for capital and current programme expenditure on national roads.

£million
Year	Capital Maintenance Roads	Other money budgeted for national roads
1986–87	180·6	755·5
1987–88	213·3	757·3
1988–89	129·4	944·6
1989–90	240·4	1,235·0
1990–91	288·7	1,639·2
1991–92	306·6	1,720·6
1992–93	364·5	1,751·0
1993–94	404·3	1,844·4
1994–95	402·2	1,820·7
1995–96	309·7	1,627·3

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to issue deregulation orders relating to the rates of pay for crew members aboard merchant ships. [4115]

There are currently no plans to issue any deregulation orders in respect of seamen's rates of pay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to issue deregulation orders relating to crew accommodation aboard merchant ships. [4114]

Current Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations have been considered in the context of the regulatory review of merchant shipping legislation. The aim has been to remove material which is over-specified and unnecessarily detailed, so far as is consistent with safety and with international treaty obligations which, in this case, are International Labour Organisation conventions 92 and 133. The Marine Safety Agency has recently undertaken formal consultation with the shipping industry on the draft Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Regulations 1996. These are not intended to reduce the present standards of accommodation or to remove provisions which go beyond the requirements of ILO conventions but to make the regulations more flexible and to make it possible for new solutions to be sought to current problems whilst maintaining existing standards of accommodation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to issue deregulation orders relating to the plimsoll line. [4113]

Current Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Regulations have been considered in the context of the regulatory review of merchant shipping legislation. The aim has been to remove material which is over-specified and unnecessarily detailed, so far as is consistent with safety. The Marine Safety Agency has recently completed formal consultation with the shipping industry on the draft Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Regulations 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the transcript of the special consultative meeting held by the International Maritime Organisation in March on the environmental and safety aspects of the transport of irradiated nuclear fuel and other nuclear materials by sea. [2705]

I have today placed in the Library a copy of the most recent draft of the proceedings of the special consultative meeting. A finalised version will be placed in the Library when it has been adopted by the International Maritime Organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will use his powers under the Railway Act 1993 before the end of 1996 to give guidance to the Rail Regulator that the routeing guide must not restrict reasonable routes to any greater extent than was the case before the guide came into effect. [4549]

The routeing guide has been issued on a trial basis until May 1997, to give an opportunity for errors and omissions to be corrected. The Rail Regulator and the Franchising Director have already given assurances that they will not approve a guide which unduly restricts the routeing flexibility that passengers enjoy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list (a) the offices and (b) the budget allocated for the Stoke on Trent project work pilot scheme; and what are the arrangements for the local administration of the scheme. [4366]

(a) There are nine Employment Service jobcentres in the Stoke on Trent travel-to-work area. These are Stoke on Trent, Burslem, Cheadle, Hanley, Kidsgrove, Longton, Newcastle under Lyme, Leek and Uttoxeter. (b) £100 million has been allocated to operate the pilots, for up to 100,000 people across the country. The pilots will be administered by the Employment Service, through local jobcentres. The Employment Service will ensure that sufficient funds are made available in each travel-to-work area to cover the numbers entering the target group for the pilots, and the help which they accept.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of those claimants referred to adjudication for refusal or failure to attend project work have (a) received a benefit sanction and (b) been adjudged to have good cause, broken down by the categories of good cause listed in the adjudication officers' guide. [4429]

In general, people whose actions fall under the categories of good cause listed in the adjudication officers' guide and in regulation 73 of the Jobseekers Allowance Regulations 1996 will be identified by a project work adviser in the local jobcentre, and not referred to an independent adjudication officer. In judging cases referred to them, sector adjudication officers are not restricted to the list referred to above, but can use their discretion to assess each case on an individual basis. To date, in every case where a sector adjudication officer has made a decision on a case referred for refusal to attend project work, a benefit sanction has been imposed. In 64 per cent. of cases where a decision has been made following referral on the grounds of failure to attend project work a benefit sanction has been imposed. The remainder of cases have been adjudged to have had a good cause.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the comparative areas used for evaluation of the existing project work pilot schemes and the monthly returns from April 1996 in respect of claimants leaving the register in pilot and comparative areas broken down by duration of unemployment. [4430]

The comparison offices are Fakenham, Barton on Humber, Chapeltown, Great Yarmouth, Hillsborough, Newport, Cardigan, Portsmouth, Portsmouth North, Cosham, Newhaven, and Stretford.On the latest available verified figures, 1,418 people left the pilot and stopped claiming benefit in the pilot areas, by the end of September, while 413 people had left benefit in the control offices. All these people have been unemployed for over two years. Over 400 of those who have left the register in the pilot areas had been out of work for more than four years, compared with 94 in the control areas. Ninety-eight of those leaving in pilot areas had not worked for over six years, compared with only nine people in the control areas.These figures apply to all those who had entered the pilot by the end of September, including many who had only just entered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the job outcomes achieved by project work participants since inception of the scheme were (a) full-time permanent employment, (b) part-time employment, (c) self-employment and (d) temporary employment. [4431]

Early results show that 20 per cent. of those who enter the pilot find a job before they complete the process. Further information is not yet available. A detailed statistical survey is being carried out on a sample of leavers from project work and this will provide information on these, and other, issues. The results of this survey will be available at the end of 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance has been issued for use by (a) the voluntary sector and (b) Church groups who operate services for young people. [4289]

The Department issues guidance to national voluntary youth organisations, including Church bodies, on its scheme of grants to those organisations. This includes advice on how to bid for funding and on good practice in voluntary youth work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to introduce measures to require elected parent representatives on governing bodies of independent schools; and if she will make a statement. [4365]

We have no plans to legislate to interfere in this way in the constitution of independent schools' governing bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to prescribe (a) the content and (b) teaching methods for teacher education.[4439]