To ask the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have to mark European Year Against Racism in 1997. [5438]

The Government believe that the European Year Against Racism will make a valuable contribution to the work already being carried out to combat racism and we intend to take a full and active part in the initiative to ensure its success.We are setting up a national co-ordinating committee which will oversee this work in the United Kingdom. The committee will be chaired by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Department, and I understand that the first meeting is due to take place on 2 December.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 21 November. [3995]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 21 November. [3996]

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

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions part 7, paragraphs (a) and (b) of the code of practice on access to Government information has been used to deny information to hon. Members in each of the last three years, broken down by Government Departments and their agencies. [5445]

The information in the detail requested is not held centrally. Monitoring reports, showing progress in implementing the code of practice on access to Government information, are produced each year by the Office of Public Service. These include a breakdown of the exemptions cited when a refusal to provide information under the code results in a review of the case, but not a breakdown of the exemptions cited when the refusal is initially made. Copies of the monitoring reports published in March 1995 and March 1996 are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he or his Ministers have had with European Union Commissioners or officials on matters to be considered at the General Affairs Council on 25 November. [5473]

We have regular discussions with our European colleagues on all matters to be considered at the forthcoming General Affairs Council.

To ask the Prime Minister who will be representing the Government at the General Affairs Council on 25 November. [5475]

My right hon. and learned Friend, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for Boothferry, (Mr. Davis) will represent Her Majesty's Government at the General Affairs Council on 25 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to monitor air quality around the Castle Cement plant in Clitheroe. [4715]

The Department of the Environment has established a fixed monitoring station in the village of Chatburn in the vicinity of the Ribblesdale plant. The station is carrying out monitoring:

for PM₁₀ (fine particles) using both the tapered element oscillating microbalance ("TEOM") automatic method and non-continuous sampling;

for NO_x using the continuous ozone chemiluminescence system;

for NO₂ non-continuously using diffusion tubes;

for SO₂ using the continuous UV flourescence method.

All pollutant measurements will be quality assured to national standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what has been the cost in the last 12 months of sending Ministers and officials to meetings in Brussels and elsewhere in Europe in connection with his Department's handling of EU business; [4944](2) what percentage of his Department's time and resources are spent dealing with administrative and policy matters connected with British membership of the European Union [4954]

This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to promote the use in the construction industry of timber produced from sustainable industries in rural areas. [4902]

The Department of the Environment is supporting a number of innovation projects to encourage the use of sustainable timber from United Kingdom forests. These should assist the development of rural industries. One such project will result in the construction of a demonstration building at Hook forest in Dorset.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the reduction in public expenditure from the measures taken over the last 15 years to restrict expenditure by local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [4907]

Since 1990–91, when capping in its current form was introduced, it has been directly responsible for reducing the budgets of those authorities that challenged their caps by a total that has now reached over a third of a billion pounds a year compared with the budgets originally set. The great majority of authorities did not challenge their caps, but set budgets within the limits implied by the capping criteria; although no direct estimate can be made, it is clear that in these cases, too, capping has been generally successful in ensuring that many authorities have budgeted at a lower level than would otherwise have been the case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to prevent local authorities setting budgets prior to the announcement of standard spending assessments; and if he will make a statement. [4825]

I have no powers to stop an authority setting its budget before the statement on the local authority finance settlement. However, it is highly unlikely that an authority would wish to set a budget before this date and I am not aware of any authority having done so in recent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken to reduce homelessness in Sheffield; and if he will make a statement. [4904]

In 1996–97, £7.8 million of grants are being paid under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 to voluntary sector organisations which prevent or relieve homelessness. Of this, nearly £2 million funds the national Homelessness Advice Service, based on Citizens Advice Bureaux, which advises people who are homeless or potentially so. The service is available from four bureaux in Sheffield and at the specialist Sheffield debt support unit.The remaining grant supports around 180 projects throughout England which offer direct practical help to single homeless people by finding accommodation and providing follow-up support. The Nomad advice centre in Sheffield, which helped over 170 people to find accommodation last year, will receive £25,780 this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to begin the independent review of insolvency protection for the construction industry; what the format of the review will be; and if he will make a statement. [4789]

I intend to put proposals for the further consideration of these issues to the Construction Industry Council shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington), of 1 November, Official Report, column 269, what assessment he has made of the reason for the named areas having high rates of asbestos-related mesothelioma; and for what reasons a breakdown by district is not available from 1991. [5066]

The high rates of mesothelioma in the districts mentioned in my reply of 1 November are related to the heavy industrial use of asbestos in the past in these areas, including shipbuilding, ship repairing and the manufacture of asbestos products.The analysis was completed by the Health and Safety Executive only up until 1991 because at the time those were the most recent data available. The analysis will be updated next year to include the data from 1992 to 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the inspectors' report into the Doncaster urban development plan to be published; and if copies will be made available to hon. Members. [5139]

The inspector's report on objections to the Doncaster unitary development plan is expected to be delivered to the Doncaster metropolitan borough council at the end of February 1997. It will be for the council to decide when to publish the report. Copies of the report would then be available on request from the council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to call in the millennium wheel planning application. [5545]

I have no plans to call in the application for the millennium wheel. The wheel is an inspired idea and an imaginative way to mark the millennium, providing unparalleled, once-in-a-lifetime views of the heart of the capital. It has caught people's imaginations and created a sense of excitement about the millennium, not least among children.It will be a boost to the economy of the south bank and will bring visitors and new life to this important stretch of the River Thames.Lambeth has consulted widely. I have no reason to believe it has not considered the application thoroughly and taken into account the range of opinion held on the wheel. I am satisfied that it will not be a permanent feature; to ensure that, I have today issued directions to the council to inform me of any future applications affecting the site of the wheel.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress his Department is making with the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting; and in respect of which financial year he expects to publish the first set of resource accounts. [4983]

The Department of the Environment will be introducing its resource accounting system during 1997-98. The Department, in common with others, is preparing to implement resource budgeting in time to form the basis of the 2000 survey. As set out in Cm 2929, the first published resource accounts for the Department will be in respect of 1999-2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of training is currently required of employees providing services under the home energy efficiency scheme; and how he proposes to ensure an appropriate level of skills training in relation to any new measures incorporated into the scheme. [5373]

This well regarded scheme has achieved high standards of workmanship and customer care through the efforts of the scheme's managers, Eaga Ltd., and the network of installers providing local delivery of the service. I expect these standards to be maintained or improved on in the future, whether or not any new measures are made available. The specification of any appropriate training requirements for employees working within the scheme is a matter for Eaga Ltd. At present, it requires anyone who gives householders energy advice under the scheme to obtain a specified qualification.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has completed its review of the home energy efficiency scheme; and if he will make a statement. [5371]

I hope to make a statement about the future structure of the scheme shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the additional financial resources needed to fund any new measures introduced as a result of the review of the home energy efficiency scheme; and if he will make a statement. [5372]

Any changes which may be made in future to the home energy efficiency scheme will be structural, intended to make it even more effective and give better value for money. They would not be linked to any particular level of annual financial allocation. We remain fully committed to helping the most vulnerable people to keep warm and use energy more efficiently, and this successful scheme, on which we have spent nearly £350 million since it started some six years ago, has now made over 2 million households more comfortable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the public inquiry into the proposal by Tesco for a retail store at Cannon lane, Tonbridge, is due to commence; and to whom and at what address representations about this proposal, including requests to give oral evidence at the inquiry, should be sent. [5444]

The local public inquiry into the proposal by Tesco for a retail store at Cannon lane, Tonbridge is due to commence at 10.00 am on Tuesday 25 February 1997 at the council offices, the air station, West Malling. Representations and requests to give oral evidence at the inquiry should be addressed to Mrs. Christine Kavanagh at the Government Office for the South East, Bridge house, 1 Walnut Tree close, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4GA.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to change the status of the British Waterways Board as a nationalised industry. [5255]

I have no plans to change the status of the British Waterways Board as a nationalised industry, but as part of the normal process of reviewing policy options I am continuing to consider jointly with the British Waterways Board whether there are options which would allow the board greater flexibility in generating additional income for the development of its canal network.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 November, Official Report, column 323, on proposals for development near Henlow, Bedfordshire, if he will list the representations he has received from individuals and organisations in respect of the development; what acreage of vacant industrial and commercial development land there is in Bedfordshire; and when he hopes to make a decision on a public inquiry about this matter. [5298]

We received a number of representations about the proposal, and those people and organisations will now have the opportunity to express their views at a public inquiry, the date of which has yet to be arranged. The availability of alternative locations for the proposed development will be an issue for the inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in establishing an independent housing ombudsman service for dealing with complaints against social landlords in England; and if he will make a statement. [5865]

The Housing Act 1996 provides for the first time that the Secretary of State may approve a scheme for the establishment of an independent housing ombudsman service for dealing with complaints against social landlords—the definition in the Act does not include local authorities. Earlier in the year we invited the current non-statutory housing association tenants' ombudsman to consult widely on a draft scheme for England which could be in place in time for 1 April 1997.Following consultation, the ombudsman has submitted a scheme which I have approved. In considering the scheme, I have been concerned to ensure continuity with the existing non-statutory service. But I have also been keen to ensure that the new service is soundly based and able to achieve value for money for members, that its administration is straightforward and accountable, that its procedure for dealing with complaints is accessible and fair, and that it has suitable and effective arrangements for safeguarding the independence of the ombudsman. The scheme will be administered by a company limited by guarantee, with equal representation on the board for member landlords, tenants and the public interest.All social landlords must subscribe to the independent housing ombudsman service. This scheme should meet their needs and those of others involved. It should also prove attractive to other landlords who may wish to join.I have placed a copy of the approved scheme in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his proposals for paying tax relief grant to non-charitable housing associations in 1997–98 and future years. [5866]

We published a consultation paper on 31 July setting out our proposals for the progressive reduction in tax relief grant payments to non-charitable housing associations. Eighty-eight responses were received.Many associations said they needed more time to plan how to respond to the progressive reduction of tax relief grant and to effect any necessary changes. I accept this concern and recognise that associations need adequate time to accomplish a smooth change. I therefore propose that we continue to pay tax relief grant claims at the current norm of 100 per cent. during 1997–98 in respect of associations' tax liabilities up to and including 1996–97.Another theme of the responses was that associations would appreciate a degree of certainty about future rates of payment. While I should not wish unreasonably to restrict future discretion in this matter, it seems to me helpful to give a clear steer to associations as to our future plans so that they can make appropriate arrangements. I therefore plan that in future years payments will be on a sliding scale. In 1998–99, in respect of tax liabilities during 1997–98, we plan to pay 75 per cent. of the first £50,000 of eligible claims, then 50 per cent. of the rest. In 1999–2000, in respect of tax liabilities during 1998–99, we plan to pay 50 per cent. of the first £25,000 of eligible claims, then 25 per cent. of the rest.The Government believe that public resources for social housing should be allocated directly towards meeting priority needs in ways which produce good value for money. The Government are not convinced that the continued availability of tax relief grant would help achieve this. We therefore remain committed to its abolition when an appropriate legislative opportunity arises. In the meantime, although the statutory discretion to pay tax relief grant will remain, the Government would normally expect that, following the planned reductions outlined, associations will take steps to manage without tax relief grant payments.

To ask the Attorney-General what progress his Department is making with the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting; and in respect of which financial year he expects to publish the first set of resource accounts. [4987]

All the Departments and agencies for which the Law Officers are responsible will be introducing resource accounting systems during 1997, apart from the Serious Fraud Office which has already done so. The Law Officers' Departments and agencies, in common with other Departments, are preparing to implement resource budgeting in time to form the basis for the 2000 survey. As set out in Cm 2929, their first published resource accounts will be in respect of 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the additional traffic at (a) Blackburn, (b) Burnley and (c) Colne when the M6-M65 link-up is complete. [5240]

When the M65 Blackburn southern bypass is complete it is expected that the traffic could increase by about 10 per cent.—4,500 vehicles per day—east of M65 junction 6 at Whitebirk, Blackburn.No estimate has been made of the increase in traffic on the M65 at Burnley or Colne.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had and with whom on encouraging heavy freight goods to travel by rail; and if he will make a statement. [5392]

Encouraging freight to travel by rail is an important element of the Government's transport policy. My right hon. Friend and I have frequent discussions with customers, operators and other interest groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consult with the Civil Aviation Authority to assess whether the existing visual flight rules procedures are adequate or in need of revision. [4804]

[holding answer 20 November]: Visual flight rules procedures in the UK comply with the minimum standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and contained in annexe 2 to the convention on international civil aviation. The Civil Aviation Authority is not aware of any problems with current VFR procedures but, as with all safety issues, they are kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the total number of passengers and crew the MV Cap Afrique was carrying when it sailed at 17.30 hours from Dover on 6 November; [5408](2) how many passengers and crew in total the vessel MV Cap Afrique is permitted to carry. [5407]

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 progress his Department is making with the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting; and in respect of which financial year he expects to publish the first set of resource accounts. [4994]

My Department will be introducing its resource accounting system on 1 April 1998. The Department is preparing to implement resource budgeting in time to form the basis for the year 2000 survey. In accordance with Cm 2929, the first published resource accounts for the Department and all other Departments will be in respect of 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards negotiating an open skies agreement for air freight between the United Kingdom and the United States; and if he will make a statement. [5460]

Talks with the US Government about UK-US air services are continuing, with formal negotiations taking place in London on 4 to 6 December. Cargo services are one of the issues for discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those people convicted with the help of assistance from the west midlands serious crimes squad who have subsequently had their convictions overturned and the amount of compensation paid to each of them. [5000]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications he has received from local authorities for CCTV installations; and if he will make a statement. [4828]

Applications to the Home Office closed circuit television challenge competitions are made by local CCTV partnerships. Such partnerships are not necessarily led by local authorities, though most will involve them in some way. There were 480 bids in the first competition and 794 in the second. The closing date for bids in the third round of the competition was 20 November 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of CCTV systems in crime reduction. [4827]

The reports that we have received from the police and closed circuit television operators confirm that there have been significant reductions in crime and the fear of crime in the areas where CCTV has been introduced. These reductions demonstrate the value of CCTV as a crime prevention measure. In addition, we have published a number of research papers examining various aspects of CCTV effectiveness, the latest of which was "CCTV in Town Centres: Three Case Studies", published in November 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many CCTV systems have been installed in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [4829]

Information about closed circuit television systems which have not received Home Office funding is not collected. Of those schemes which have received funding from the Home Office, 73 have been installed in the past 12 months. Approximately 250 more are in the process of installation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding the Government have made available for research into alternatives to animal testing in the past five years; what plans he has to increase this funding; and if he will make a statement. [5012]

Figures for the total Government spending on research into alternatives to the use of animals in scientific procedures are not available. With regard to the Animal Procedures Committee, the Home Office has in the last five years made the following funds available:

• 1991–92: £215,000
• 1992–93: £253,000
• 1993–94: £308,000
• 1994–95: £273,000
• 1995–96: £253,000.

There are no plans to increase the level of funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a list of the applications which his Department has received in the past year for licences to carry out animal tests, and the reasons why the applications were granted or not; and if he will make a statement. [5014]

Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prohibits the disclosure of such information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to ensure that research into alternative methods to animal testing and the validation of such methods by public bodies and private companies is co-ordinated; and if he will make a statement. [5016]

The United Kingdom Government helped to establish and subsequently endorsed the European centre for the validation of alternative methods—ECVAM. It is the job of the centre to co-ordinate research into alternative methods including developmental and subsequent validation work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to revise the licensing process for animal tests; if he will make it his policy to include (a) more rigorous cost-benefit analysis for the proposed testing, (b) details of what alternative tests have been considered and (c) the reasons why such alternatives cannot be used instead of the animal tests; and if he will make a statement. [5013]

We have no plans to revise the licensing process. We are satisfied that the current cost-benefit analysis required under section 5⁴ of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 is sufficiently rigorous. The need to consider alternative tests is adequately addressed by section 5⁴ of the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken at an international level to ensure that alternative methods to animal tests are accepted by regulatory authorities in other countries; and if he will make a statement. [5015]

The acceptance of alternative methods can be achieved only by their validation and incorporation into harmonisation processes and international guidelines, such as those promulgated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.To this end, the Home Office jointly commissioned, in 1995, a study of the Draize eye irritation test and is liaising closely with regulators who represent United Kingdom interests in international forums.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department is making with the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting; and in respect of which financial year he expects to publish the first set of resource accounts. [4980]

My Department, on current plans, will be introducing its resource accounting capability during 1997–98 and, in common with other Departments, is preparing to implement resource budgeting in time to form the basis for the year 2000 public expenditure survey. As set out in Cm 2929, the first published resource accounts for the Department will be for the 1999–2000 financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on (a) the retention in prison of Mr. Raghbir Singh and (b) the basis for his continued detention following the decision by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Karanjit Singh Chahal. [5149]

These matters are under review and I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when drafts of the proposed paedophile register Bill and the proposed stalking Bill were prepared; and when the Bills will be published. [5251]

Preparation of the Bills is well advanced and we will introduce them as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of (a) men and (b) women who were electronically tagged in England and Wales as at 18 November. [5507]

By 18 November, 202 male and 14 female offenders had been tagged to monitor their compliance with curfew orders since the pilot trials began in July 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make illegal the docking of dog tails for non-veterinary reasons. [5404]

There are no plans to do so.

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the ways in which his Department 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. [4540]

The Privy Council Office has no direct responsibilities for environmental auditing. In common with other Departments, the office seeks to exercise economy in the use of resources and to minimise waste.

To ask the Lord President of the Council what progress his Department is making with the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting; and in respect of which financial year he expects to publish the first set of resource accounts. [4990]

The Privy Council Office will be introducing its resource accounting system during 1997–98. In common with other Departments, the PCO is preparing to implement resource budgeting in time to form the basis for the year 2000 survey. As set out in Cm 2929, the first published resource accounts for the PCO and all other Departments will be in respect of the year 1999–2000.

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will list the ways in which the commissioners have (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. [4545]

Within their offices at No. 1 Millbank, the commissioners recycle aluminium cans and cardboard, and a paper recycling scheme is to be introduced by the end of the year. Where appropriate, the commissioners buy recycled materials. In addition, the heating system is computer controlled to minimise wastage and a heat recovery system is in operation. The commissioners are in the process of installing long-life, low-energy lamps throughout their offices.The commissioners ensure that the needs of the environment and of the local community are properly taken into account in the management of their agricultural estates. On many of the commissioners' residential estates, heat loss—and thereby energy consumption—have been reduced by double glazing, draft proofing and loft insulation. Energy-saving light bulbs are used in the common parts of many buildings and, in conjunction with the Energy Saving Trust, they are installing energy-saving boilers which emit waste that is more environmentally friendly. They also maintain a number of communal gardens on their estates and paper re-cycling is carried out at one of the estate offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of his Department's time and resources is spent dealing with administrative and policy matters connected with British membership of the European Union. [4955]

Many Foreign and Commonwealth Office home departments and overseas posts are involved, to varying degrees, in activities related to Britain's membership of the European Union. The actual percentage of time and resources spent dealing with British membership of the European. Union could be calculated only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contributions are required from United Kingdom public funds for pensions of United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament; what qualifications are required for drawing such pensions; and to what extent increased pensions are financed through voluntary contributions. [4925]

Pension arrangements for United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament are analogous to those for Members of the House of Commons. They are financed by the Exchequer and by contributions from individual MEP's at a rate of 6 per cent. of basic salary. Pensions are normally payable from age 65, based upon the MEPs, length of service and salary during the last 12 months in office. Opportunities are provided for MEPs to transfer service from other pension schemes, to purchase added years, and to make additional voluntary contributions, subject to Inland Revenue limits. Pension payments from UK public funds to former UK MEPs and dependants amounted to £159,000 in 1994–95, with a further –117,000 paid in transfer valued to other schemes.MEPs may also subscribe to the EP's additional voluntary pensions scheme, two-thirds of payments to which are made from the EP section of the EC budget and one-third by the MEP. MEPs may draw a pension from this scheme from the age of 60 and after ceasing to hold office, if they have paid personal contributions for five years or more. The 1997 EC draft budget includes 11.6 million ecu, or £8.9 million, for EP payments to the scheme. The UK contribution is not hypothecated to individual budget lines, but expressed as a gross contribution to the total EC budget. The expected cost to the UK of abated expenditure such as administration is about 5 per cent. of the total.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost in the last 12 months of sending Ministers and officials to meetings in Brussels and elsewhere in Europe in connection with his Department's handling of EU business. [4945]

Journeys to European destinations are not recorded according to the purpose of the visit and the information requested could therefore be made available only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress his Department is making with the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting; and in respect of which financial year he expects to publish the first set of resource accounts. [4982]

We are making good progress towards our aim of producing resource accounts for financial year 1998–99. As set out in Cm 2929, the first published resource accounts for this Department and all other Departments will be in respect of 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he took following the latest meeting between the hon. Member for Leicester, East and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to make representations to the Venezuelan Government concerning the cases of Paul Loseby and James Miles; when he was notified that Mr. Loseby and Mr. Miles were to be charged; and when consular officials last met Mr. James Miles and Mr. Paul Loseby. [5295]

Following representations by the British ambassador in Caracas, the Venezuelan authorities have agreed that for the time being James Miles and Paul Loseby will be kept in police custody rather than being transferred to prison.Consular officials in Caracas were told that Miles and Loseby were to be charged at 1900 hrs GMT on 19 November.Consular officials last met James Miles and Paul Loseby on 19 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he first received reports alleging that British companies were arranging indirect arms transfers to (a) Hutu refugees or (b) other groups in Zaire; [5300](2) when he was first informed of allegations of arms sales to Rwanda or Zaire by British companies after April 1994; and what steps he took to investigate; [5301](3) when the Government first received reports of the possible involvement of Mil-Tec Corporation Ltd. in the export of armaments whose final destination was

There were rumours in the press of arms shipments to Zaire in 1994. HM Customs informed this Department in early 1995 that they were investigating allegations that arms were being supplied to Rwanda or Zaire. They also investigated information received from the UN in September 1996. No evidence to support criminal proceedings was found. Recent allegations of arms supplies to Rwandan extremists by United Kingdom companies are being pursued. Her Majesty's Government continue to co-operate closely with the UN international commission of inquiry.I cannot comment in detail on individual cases in these circumstances but would urge those with the relevant background to provide it to HM Customs to assist their investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that no British companies are involved in the supply of arms to the combatants in the current conflict in the great lakes region of Africa; and if he will make a statement. [5368]

Order in Council 1993 No. 1787 as amended by No. 1637 of 22 June 1994 provides that, except under licence, no person shall:

"(a) supply or deliver

(b) agree to supply or deliver

(c) do any act likely to promote the supply or delivery of prohibited goods to Rwanda, or to, or to the order of, a person connected with Rwanda, or to any destination for the purpose of delivery, directly or indirectly, to Rwanda, or to, or to the order of, any person connected with Rwanda."

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the official residences owned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in (a) Japan, (b) Korea, (c) Singapore, (d) Hong Kong, (e) Thailand and (f) Malaysia; and if he will indicate (1) the occasions when Cabinet Ministers on official visits to those countries have (i) used the official residence and (ii) used a residence other than the official residence since 1979 and (2) the cost involved. [4733]

[holding answer 20 November 1996]: The following official residences are owned:

• Korea—Seoul
• Singapore
• Thailand—-Bangkok
• Malaysia—Kuala Lumpur

The residence in Tokyo is held on a long lease.The remainder of the information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment was made by her Department, before awarding the millennium exhibition to Greenwich, of the impact on local traffic and travel facilities of (a) the construction phase and (b) the operation of the exhibition. [3705]

The decision to hold the millennium exhibition at Greenwich was taken by the Millennium Commission. My Department had no role in the decision. I shall write to the hon. Member about the commission's assessment of the exhibition's impact on local traffic and travel facilities in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list (a) the number of projects which have received funding from the national lottery since its inception and (b) the number of projects currently under consideration by the national lottery for funding in (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales. [3864]

To date, the national lottery distributing bodies have awarded a total of £2,421,238,117 to 10,681 projects. Applications currently under consideration by the distributing bodies are as follows:

Name of distributing body	Number of applications under consideration
England
Sports Council for England	1,393
Arts Council for England	220
Millennium Commission	28
Heritage Lottery Fund	947
National Lottery Charities Board	7,222
Total	9,810
Scotland
Scottish Sports Council	487
Scottish Arts Council	129
Millennium Commission	1
Heritage Lottery Fund	116
National Lottery Charities Board	1,125
Total	1,858
Wales
Arts Council of Wales	208
Sports Council of Wales	194
Millennium Commission	0
Heritage Lottery Fund	87
National Lottery Charities Board	1,057
Total	1,546

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list (a) the number of projects in Northern Ireland which have received funding from the proceeds of the national lottery since its inception and (b) the number of projects from Northern Ireland currently under consideration for funding by the national lottery. [3843]

To date, the national lottery distributing bodies have awarded a total of £44,457,207 to 624 projects in Northern Ireland. Applications currently under consideration by the distributing bodies, in Northern Ireland, are as follows:

Northern Ireland
Name of distributing body	Number of applications under consideration
Arts Council of Northern Ireland	178
sports Council for Northern Ireland	153
Millennium Commission	6
Heritage Lottery Fund	41
National Lottery Charities Board	324
Total	702

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list (a) the number of projects which have been given funding by the Millennium Commission and (b) the number of projects currently under consideration by the Millennium Commission, for (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales. [3845]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the implementation of Government sports policies set down in the document, "Sport: Raising the Game". [3999]

In July 1995 the Government set out in "Sport: Raising the Game", its strategy for revitalising British sport at all levels from primary schools to the Olympic podium. Our aim is to put sport at the heart of weekly life in every school, to ensure that sporting opportunities continue after school, to improve the way we identify and support talented athletes, and to create a British academy of sport as the pinnacle of regional network of centres of sporting excellence and academies for particular sports.Last July, in "Sport: Raising the Game", the first year report, we provided a detailed update which showed that significant progress had been made on the 38 action points set out in the original sports policy statement. This included the publication of the prospectus inviting bids to establish the British academy of sport.Since July, further progress has been made. The Sports Council's £1 million challenge fund, to encourage schools-sports club links, has been launched; secondary schools have been invited to apply for the sportsmark and sportsmark gold awards, which recognise those schools that have particularly good policies for sport; teachers have been invited to attend free courses to help them gain national governing body of sport awards; and, on 14 November, the Sports Council launched its world class performance programme to provide support to our most talented athletes competing up to olympic and world championship level.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to decide upon the proposal to list further houses in Hampstead Garden Suburb. [3970]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will announce her decision shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what guidance she has issued to the voluntary sector in respect of (a) training arrangements and (b) checks on the suitability of personnel working with children. [4361]

The Department of National Heritage makes grants totalling nearly £12 million annually to organisations which support a healthy, cost-effective voluntary sector and promote volunteering. A number of these organisations are funded to provide a range of services to other voluntary organisations, including training.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on scholarship funding for élite athletes. [4693]

The Government are committed, as part of their overarching strategy for sport, to seeing our leading sportsmen and sportswomen compete successfully in the olympics and other international events. The launch of the world class performance programme, this month, will provide support across the United Kingdom to our most talented athletes competing up to olympic and world championship level.Up to £35 million a year will be available through the programme. Around half of this money will go to governing bodies for technical support services, such as coaching, altitude and warm weather training; the other half will go to individual athletes to cover normal living costs, personal training and travelling costs, allocated on the basis of need. Average awards to individual athletes are expected to be around £16,000 to £17,000, but the size of the individual awards will depend on personal circumstances. In return for lottery awards the sports concerned and the athletes who benefit, will be required to make a commitment to excellence in training and competition which will be closely monitored.The world class performance programme is the first of only four separate revenue grant programmes. The three further programmes will be designed to attract and stage major international events in the UK, to provide community coaching and leadership schemes, and to identify better and develop the talent in the country's schools and sports clubs.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the ways in which her Department has (a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if she will make a statement. [4528]

My Department undertakes environmental auditing primarily through environmental appraisal of policies and monitoring performance of green housekeeping matters.In respect of environmental appraisal of policies, as my Department operates mainly through a range of non-departmental bodies, they are dealt with by customised guidance. An example is "Option Appraisal of Expenditure Decisions: A Guide for the DNH and its NDPB' s", published in March 1996. Within the key heritage and tourism sectors, planning policy guidance no. 15: "Planning and the Historic Environment", and Planning Policy Guidance no. 21 are relevant.In November 1995 in partnership with the English tourist board, the Countryside Commission and the Rural Development Commission, my Department published "Sustainable Rural Tourism: Opportunities for Local Action". This gives practical advice on how to ensure rural tourism is in harmony with the environment.As far as green housekeeping is concerned we have published a strategy for our buildings and have targets to reduce energy consumption. There are also several waste minimisation policies to include recycling of paper, glass, plastic cups and cans. We are to purchase a range of greener stationery items.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the present funding of the British museum to support the staffing levels necessary to fulfil its statutory obligations. [4579]

The Government are still considering the British museum's case for funding. Among many factors to be taken into account will be the recently published report by Mr. Andrew Edwards, which was commissioned by the British museum and commented in some detail on staffing levels at the museum. Grant-in-aid allocations will be announced immediately after the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what percentage of her Department's time and resources are spent dealing with administrative and policy matters connected with British membership of the European Union. [4958]

Detailed records are not kept, which would allow such a percentage to be calculated. However, most sections of the Department are involved in some way with European Union business.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the cost in the last 12 months of sending ministers and officials to meetings in Brussels and elsewhere in Europe in connection with his Department's handling of EU business. [4948]

The cost of attendance by Department of National Heritage Ministers and officials during the period 1 November 1995–31 October 1996 at European Union meetings was £48,516.16. This includes travel costs which may be subsequently refunded by the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to promote educational and tourist interest in the British steel industry. [4842]

Britain has a unique industrial heritage which is of interest to both domestic and overseas visitors. Funding is made available through the English tourist board and the regional tourist boards for the development and promotion of tourism within England. Through their activities the tourist boards help stimulate interest in a wide range of activities and types of development all over the country, including many industry-based attractions, and the ETB designated 1993 as Industrial Heritage Year.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the museums or heritage centres covering the history and national heritage of (a) the rail industry, (b) the coal industry, (c) the car industry and (d) the steel industry. [4841]

The Museum and Galleries Commission's DOMUS database identifies the following museums as being wholly or partly devoted to the history of the rail, coach, car or steel industries:

• Railways
• Birmingham Railway Museum
• Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway
• Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
• Cheddleton Railway Centre
• Crail Museum
• Darlington Railway Museum
• Dean Forest Railway Society Museum
• Didcot Railway Centre
• Downpartrick Steam Railway
• East Anglian Railway Museum
• Embsay Steam Railway
• Festiniog Railway Museum
• Foxfield Steam Railway
• Foyle Valley Railway
• Great Western Railway Museum: Thamesdown Museums
• Service
• Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum
• Isle of Wight Steam Railway
• Kidderminster Railway Museum
• Leighton Buzzard Railway Museum
• Midland Railway Centre
• Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

• Newton Abbot Town and Great Western Railway Museum
• The National Railway Museum
• North Norfolk Railway
• North Yorkshire Moors Railway
• Railway Museum, Raven glass
• Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
• Railway Village Museum
• Railworld
• Rutland Railway Museum
• Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust Museum
• Southport Railway Centre
• Stephenson Railway Museum, Tyne and Wear Museums
• Tanfield Railway
• Timothy Hackworth Victorian and Railway Museum
• Winchcombe Railway Museum

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent discussions her Department has had with the Dutch authorities about the protection of the wreck of the Amsterdam. [4707]

[holding answer 20 November 1996]: The Dutch Government are the owners of the wreck of the Amsterdam and, therefore, have prime responsibility for decisions about its future. However, the Amsterdam is a designated site under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, for which my Department has responsibility. My Department and the Dutch Government, therefore, have discussions as appropriate about the Amsterdam and its protection.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what information is collated centrally on (a) the long-term revenue commitments and (b) any other commitments arising as a result of private finance initiative projects agreed by (i) her Department and (ii) agencies accountable to her Department. [5080]

[holding answer 20 November 1996]: The Government response to the Treasury Committee report on the private finance initiative agreed the importance of collecting and monitoring information on future spending commitments arising from contracts under the private finance initiative. Such information is now being collected twice yearly, in April and October. A joint review of the position by the Treasury and the Department is triggered if these commitments in total exceed 15 per cent. of the Department's discretionary expenditure. The response stated that aggregate projections of the level of expenditure that is anticipated to arise from signed contracts under the initiative would be published n the 1997–98 "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate she has made of the level of public funding for the arts per head of population (a) in the south-west region, and (b) in the rest of Britain. [3179]

[holding answer 18 November 1996]: Central Government funding for the arts in Britain, provided through the three arts councils, the Crafts Council and the Government's pairing scheme, amounts to £234 million in 1996–97. Additionally, local authorities spend a similar amount on the arts each year. From these sources the estimate of current level of public funding per capita on the arts in the south-west region is approximately £5.86, compared with an overall average £8.24 for England, Scotland and Wales. In addition, it is anticipated that the arts' share of lottery awards in England, Scotland and Wales will be in the region of £300 million this year, or £5.29 a head. There are also other sources of arts funding generated through Government expenditure: either directly, such as through the BBC—an estimated £300 per annum—or indirectly, such as through European spending programmes. Each of these elements of funding benefits the south-west alongside other areas of Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on plans for regional celebrations of the millennium. [2842]

[holding answer 18 November 1996]: There will be a series of national events in 1998 and 1999 associated with the millennium exhibition. The Millennium Commission has not yet decided what funding it may give to other events. In addition to events supported by the commission, there will be a range of local events, organised and funded by local authorities, local businesses, and local people.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 October, Official Report, column 61, if he will make available a list of the projects in hand on closer working between the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and the Contributions Agency. [3195]

The information requested will shortly be placed in the House Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the effective annual rate of tax on output prices of a utilities windfall tax which is fully passed on to consumers and which raises (i) £3 billion, (2) £5 billion and (3) £10 billion annually from privatised utilities in (a) the water sector, (b) the electricity sector, (c) the gas sector, (d) the telecommunications sector, (e) a, b and c and (f)b and c. [3223]

Information on the effect of a utilities windfall tax on output prices is not available and cannot readily be estimated because of the wide range of assumptions that would be involved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of suicides among under-30s, broken down by gender, in England for each year since 1985. [3833]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the impact on employee share ownership plans of the proposal by the accounting standards board to implement its urgent issues task force proposal in respect of employee share schemes; [3899](2) what discussions he has had with the accounting standards board about reporting employee share ownership schemes in profit and loss accounts. [3908]

The take-up of employee share ownership plans will be determined by a wide range of factors and it is not possible to make a precise estimate of the impact on take-up of individual factors. The Treasury has not discussed the UITF proposals with the ASB. However, I understand that the UITF has received a number of representations of concern about the inclusion of save as you earn employee share schemes within the scope of its proposals covering employee share schemes generally.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 4 November, Official Report, column 401, (1) how many of the women whose deaths

Deaths in England and Wales due to complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium, 1991 to 1993
	Underlying cause of death			Other mentions
	1991	1992	1993	1991	1992	1993
All countries	45	45	36	n/a	n/a	9
United Kingdom	34	29	31	n/a	n/a	7
Republic of Ireland	—	1	—	n/a	n/a	—
New Commonwealth and Pakistan	7	7	5	n/a	n/a	2
Other countries	4	8	—	n/a	n/a	—
Unstated countries	—	—	—	n/a	n/a	—

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the (a) percentage and (b) numerical difference in unemployment rates between the United Kingdom and (i) Germany and (ii) France in each of the past 24 months. [4360]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the ways in which his Department 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. [4534]

An environmental assessment using the Building Research Establishment "toolkit" has been carried out at the offices occupied by HM Treasury at Allington Towers in Victoria with a view to accreditation under ISO 14001. Extending the assessment to the main building in Parliament street—Government offices, Great George street—is not cost-effective, given the proposed redevelopment and the short time we expect to remain in the building in its current configuration. We are paying particular attention to the drive for energy efficiency to be fully recognised in the proposed redevelopment where an "excellent" rating under the Building Research Establishment environmental assessment method system is required.External promotion of environmental auditing is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry and the Environment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have occurred in the metal content of United Kingdom coinage in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [4817]

From September 1992 onwards, all 1 p and 2p coins dated 1992 were made of copper-plated steel instead of bronze.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes in policy his Department has made during the last 12 months in respect of (a) transport, (b) agriculture and (c) the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement. [5137]

Policy responsibility on transport lies with the Secretary of State for Transport. The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for policies on agriculture and fisheries.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount spent by his Department on advertising and publicity relating to the opportunities for people to reclaim overpayments in tax; and what proportion of this is specifically targeted at pensioners. [4734]

Since 1991 the Inland Revenue has had six national publicity initiatives encouraging savers, especially pensioners, who are paying too much tax on their savings income to claim it back. Approximately £12.9 million has been spent during this period on advertising and publicity.The campaigns have told savers who are entitled to tax back how to claim, and non-taxpayers to tell their bank and building society not to take tax off in the future.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors have delayed the availability of information regarding the incidence of oral cancer since 1991 as referred to in his answer of 15 October, Official Report, column 837-38. [2725]

[holding answer 7 November 1996]: The process of cancer registration in England and Wales is carried out by 11 regional cancer registries, over which the Office for National Statistics has no statutory or managerial control. The process of registration is often very complex and often delayed pending the completion of treatment. ONS can only produce national results once the information is available from all registries. Several have introduced new computer systems and ONS is developing its processes which should help to enable overall figures to be produced more quickly.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list figures for the number and percentage of the (a) male,(b) female and (c) total work force who have experienced at least one spell of unemployment since (i) autumn 1990 and (ii) spring 1992, and if he will provide figures by region; [2818](2) if he will list the number and percentage of the work force in each of the main occupational categories who have experienced at least one spell of unemployment since

[holding answer 12 November 1996]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.