To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many separate computer programs his Department operates. [5515]

There is no universal definition of what constitutes a computer program. A formula or a simple line of executable code could be said to be a program. Most of my Department's information technology systems are supported by outside suppliers, so this information is known only to them. The major applications which are supported in-house are those of the police national computer, which has some 10,000 programs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many lines of computer code there are in his Department's computer systems. [5514]

Most of my Department's information technology systems are supported by outside suppliers, so this information is known only to them. The major applications which are supported in-house are those of the police national computer, which have some 1.5 million lines of code.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to measure and evaluate the effect of his Department's policies on women. [5490]

Policy appraisal guidance covering consideration of equal opportunities and equal treatment issues has been in place in the Home Office since 1989. The guidance requires officials to identify policy issues which might impact differentially on women and men, and other groups, to assess whether this is justified in policy terms, and to adjust the policy if it is not. The Department received revised guidance from the Department for Education and Employment in July this year and is currently considering how best to update existing guidance in line with this.The recent Government report "One Year On" outlines action taken by Government, including my Department, to benefit women since the world conference on women, and also includes baseline statistics against which future progress can be measured.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are currently employed by his Department at each civil service grade. [6446]

The following table shows the number of women currently employed by the Home Office at each civil service grade. The statistical information has been supplied from databases, which are currently being updated, held by the information technology unit of the central personnel management unit, the Directors General of Her Majesty's Prison Service and of the Forensic Science Service, and the chief executives of the United Kingdom Passport Agency and of the Fire Service College.

Number of women by civil service grade employed in the Home Office and its agencies
All grades shown include Grade Equivalents where they exist	Number
Senior Civil Service (formerly grades 1–5)	26
Grade 6	30
Grade 7	159
Senior Executive Officer	251
Higher Executive Officer	774
Executive Officer	2,740
Administrative Officer	3,790
Administrative Assistant	2,615
Senior Forensic Scientist	48
Forensic Scientist	125
Assistant Forensic Scientist	260
Grade 4 (Prison Service)	2
Grade 5 (Prison Service)	8
Governor 1 (Prison Service)	1
Governor 2 (Prison Service)	5
Governor 3 (Prison Service)	14
Governor 4 (Prison Service)	49
Governor 5 (Prison Service)	48
Principal Officer (Prison Service)	47
Senior Officer (Prison Service)	221
Prison Officer	2,177
Prison Auxilliary	616
Nurse Grade 1	1
Nursery Manager	1
Deputy Nursery Manager	1
Nursery Assistant	1
Total	14,010

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those employed by his Department in 1992–93 were women. [6475]

In September 1992—when annual monitoring data for 1992–93 were collected—of the total staff employed by the Home Office and its agencies, 26.2 per cent. were women. However, this figure rises to 50 per cent. if the Prison Service is excluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he had had with the chairman of the Wales tourist board concerning the relaxation of the casino regulations in Welsh resorts and cities under the pilot scheme. [5906]

In July 1996, the Wales tourist board proposed that we should add Llandudno to the list of new permitted areas for casinos. We carefully considered this, but concluded that it would fall outside the criteria proposed by the Government.We have sent our 12 November consultation paper to the chairman of the Wales tourist board. Comments are invited by 31 January, and we will take these into account when we make final decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the new measures announced on 9 December 1994 for the admission of overseas domestic workers will make the written agreement between employer and employee enforceable as a contract in the British courts. [5882]

The position of overseas domestic workers is no different from that of other employees in this respect. Contractual terms are matters for employers and employees to agree. Once agreed, they are legally binding and, in cases on non-compliance, employees can take action for breach of contract through the civil courts or, in certain circumstances, through industrial tribunals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions his Department has had with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Education and Employment regarding monitoring alleged abuse and exploitation of overseas domestic workers in the United Kingdom. [5883]

Domestic workers who are abused by their employers are advised to contact the police. Information about this is set out in the leaflet issued to domestic workers before arrival in the United Kingdom. These arrangements are kept under general review by the Government Departments concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had as to the feasibility of allowing overseas domestic workers in the United Kingdom to change employers. [5881]

We have received a number of representations in support of allowing overseas domestic workers to change employers, but we consider that this would be contrary to the purpose of the scheme, inconsistent with our immigration controls and against the interest of the resident labour force. Each case involving a domestic worker who wishes to remain in the United Kingdom after having left his or her employer is carefully considered and account is taken of any compassionate circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the outcome of recent negotiations with the National Federation of Retail Newsagents on the subject of the display of sexually explicit material appearing in newspapers such as Sunday Sport. [5776]

The Government share public concern about the manner in which the Sunday Sport is displayed in many newsagents. I regret that the National Federation of Retail Newsagents has not accepted that its members should display the Sunday Sport on the top shelf only. We are now considering what further action is open to us.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued under the offensive weapons legislation in respect of the right of those selling (a) fish, (b) meat and (c) other foodstuffs from vehicles to carry in the vehicle suitable knives; and if he will make a statement. [5856]

None. Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 makes it an offence to carry a knife in public, but provides that it is a defence for a person to prove that he had good reason or lawful authority for having the knife with him, or that he had it with him for use at work, for religious reasons, or as part of any national costume.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures police forces are taking in conjunction with local education authorities to warn pupils of the dangers of drug taking. [5891]

As part of the Government's strategy "Tackling Drugs Together", each force has developed its own drugs strategy. One aspect of this is that police forces will continue to assess their role in drug prevention work in schools in close liaison with the local education authorities and school governing bodies over the three years of the strategy. Each force is taking measures which it considers would best fit in with local arrangements and priorities. For example, Greater Manchester police has appointed schools liaison officers on each division to work with schools on designing and delivering lessons on drug misuse.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of violent offences against the person consist of incidents of domestic violence. [5893]

No information regarding the relationship of victim and suspect for offences of violence against the person recorded by the police is routinely collected by the Home Office. However, the 1996 British crime survey estimates that 27 per cent. of incidents of wounding and common assault in 1995 were defined as domestic violence, which includes incidents involving partners, ex-partners, household members and other relatives, irrespective of location, and covers both male and female victims.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide continuing protection for seals under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, following the expiry of the order laid under section 3 (i) in 1990. [7031]

I have now laid before Parliament the Conservation of Seals (England) Order 1996, which provides permanent close season protection for common seals and grey seals for three years in an area stretching along the North sea coast from the border between England and Scotland to Newhaven on the south coast. The order will come into force on 19 December, to coincide with the expiry of the order laid in 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in producing a paper giving the range of policy options for Ministers on the issues raised by the Gender Identity (Registration and Civil Status) Bill introduced by the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile). [6269]

These issues are kept under continual review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library his proposals for the codes of practice on wheelclamping. [6123]

My right hon. and learned Friend has made no proposals for code of practice to regulate wheelclamping on private land. We are still considering what action, if any, should be taken to regulate wheelclamping, including proposals for codes of practice which we have received. We shall make an announcement as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a person detained in prison for an immigration offence is kept informed of reviews of their case by the immigration services. [6212]

Those detained in a prison or a detention centre under the powers contained in the immigration Act 1971 are advised in writing by the immigration service on a monthly basis of developments in their case. Detained asylum claimants receive separate monthly progress reports on their applications from the asylum directorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 November, Official Report, column 636, concerning Raghbir Singh, when he expects to give a substantive reply. [6575]

Shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 7 November, Official Report, column 644 on IT projects, what is his Department's definition of disproportionate cost. [6703]

When it is estimated that the cost of providing the information requested would exceed £450.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what child care facilities his Department provides for its employees; what facilities were provided in 1992; and how many employees have used child care facilities in each year since 1992. [6457]

The Department currently makes available 167 subsidised nursery places for children under five at 13 different locations. Emergency nursery care is usually available at these locations for employees whose normal child care provision breaks down. There are also subsidised holiday playscheme places at four different locations for children who are between five and 12 years old.In 1992, there were 91 subsidised nursery places available at six locations and holiday playschemes were provided at three locations.The number of employees who have used the nurseries and playschemes since 1992 are shown in the following:

Number of employees who have used child care facilities since 1992
Year	Nursery users	Playscheme users
1992	130	67
1993	127	84
1994	174	110
1995	183	123
1996	184	140

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that special constables, lay visitors and other volunteers providing assistance to the police are properly insured against personal accident risks; and if he will make a statement. [4648]

[holding answer 18 November 19961: The Government recognise the valuable contribution of volunteers who assist the police and agree that police authorities should have powers to enable them to provide personal accident insurance for voluntary assistance. We are considering changes to police regulations to improve the provision of compensation for injury to special constables. The Government are looking to support primary legislation on police authorities and the power to hold personal accident insurance for other voluntary assistants in the current Session.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans the House authorities have for induction courses for new hon. Members. [6619]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 17 July to the hon. Member for Warrington, North (Mr. Hoyle), Official Report, columns 522–23.In addition to the measures listed in my earlier reply, a card, of credit card size, is being printed to provide hon. Members with the extension numbers of key administrative offices and services within the House.

To ask the Lord President of the Council 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. [3819]

The Privy Council Office has had no contracts with EDS Scicon. I am not responsible for any agencies.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of those employed by his Department in 1992–93 were women. [6479]

As at 31 December 1992, 63.55 per cent. of staff in the Lord Chancellor's Department were women. As at 31 December 1993 that proportion had risen to 64.18 per cent.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women are currently employed by his Department at each civil service grade. [6447]

For the Lord Chancellor's Department headquarters and associated offices, the Court Service and the Public Trust Office, the information is set out in the table.

Civil Service grade	Number of women
Grade 1	0
Grade 2	0
Grade 3	1
Grade 4	1
Grade 5	10
Grade 6	21
Grade 7	94
SEO	133
HEO	582
EO	1,510
AO	3,555
AA	308
Support Grade	1,463

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to measure and evaluate the effect of his Department's policies on women. [5477]

In July of this year, the model guidance on policy appraisal for equal treatment was revised and circulated at Cabinet level for Departments to adapt to their own circumstances. A copy was placed in the Library of the House. This guidance requires officials to identify policy issues which might impact differentially on women and men, and other groups, to assess whether this is justified in policy terms, and to adjust the policy if it is not. The guidance has been issued to senior officials in the Lord Chancellor's Department.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what child care facilities his Department provides for its employees; what facilities were provided in 1992; and how many employees have used child care facilities in each year since 1992. [6458]

At present, subsidised child care in 13 nurseries and 18 holiday playschemes is provided to employees in the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service and Public Trust Office. In 1992, three nurseries and nine playschemes were in operation. For the years 1992 to 1995 inclusive, information on the number of employees using child care facilities is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, since 1 January 1996 to date, 54 employees used Departmental nurseries and 66 employees used Departmental playscheme places.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those prescribed circumstances which he proposes should apply in order for a party not to be required to attend an information meeting under section 8(2) of the Family Law Act 1996 indicating the qualifications necessary to be an information provider and the probable locations of information meetings. [5683]

In accordance with section 8(10) of the Act, the Department is currently consulting on the provision of information.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what conditions are to be applied by the Department in exercising the power to make grants under section 22(1)(a) of the Family Law Act 1996; if marriage support organisations with a Christian ethos are able to secure grants under this section; and what arrangements have been made for organisations to make applications for funding under this section. [5682]

The Lord Chancellor announced on 6 November that he was inviting tenders for a programme of pilot projects in order to identify types of service with particular potential for reducing the incidence of marriage breakdown and its consequent cost. The Department's standard conditions of contract will apply to the programme. All bids which meet the contract conditions will be evaluated on merit. Marriage support organisations of any religious affiliation, or none, will be eligible for funding. The closing date for submission of bids is 17 January 1997.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made on the drafting of rules, orders or regulations to accompany the Family Law Act 1996; what consultation he proposes and with which organisations; and what is the proposed timetable for the laying of the relevant statutory instruments before the House. [5681]

It is the Government's intention to implement part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 in October 1997; work has begun towards implementation of all other parts of the Act. Preliminary consultation on the court structure for part IV has already taken place with a range of interested organisations and further consultation is scheduled over the next few months. It is too early to compile a proposed timetable for laying the relevant instruments before the House.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he has taken to place contracts for the promotion of marriage counselling under section 23 of the Family Law Act 1996. [5679]

Consultation on, and consideration of, the necessary arrangements for funding marriage counselling under section 23 will be carried forward early in 1997.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for the last and current financial year, the organisations and bodies funded by his Department for the provisions of (a) marriage counselling, (b) research into the causes of marital breakdown and (c) research into the ways of preventing breakdown, indicating the amount of such funding in each case. [5680]

My Department's provision of funding by way of grant in aid in the last and current financial years to marriage support and research organisations is set out in the table. The figures in the table show funding for the complete financial years 1995–96 and 1996–97.

Funding for Marriage Guidance Services—1995–96 Financial Year
£
1. RELATE	1,634,000.00
2. One Plus One	61,555.00
3. Tavistock Marital Studies Institute	364,500.00
4. Jewish Marriage Council	16,420.00
5. Marriage Care	159,000.00
6. Family Welfare Association	22,772.00

Funding for Marriage Guidance Service—1996–97 Financial Year
£
1. RELATE	1,683,020.00
2. One Plus One	63,401.65
3. Tavistock Marital Studies Institute	375,435.00
4. Jewish Marriage Council	16,912.60
5. Marriage Care	163,770.00
6. Family Welfare Association	23,458.25

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many separate computer programs his Department operates. [5525]

There is no universal definition of what constitutes a computer program. A formula or a simple line of executable code could be said to be a program. However, the Department is at present responsible for 16 major software systems.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many lines of computer code there are in his Department's computer systems. [5524]

The Department is building an inventory of systems and software likely to still be in use in 2000 as part of its strategy for dealing with the 2000 date change issue, but compilation of the inventory is not yet complete. However, the Department has approximately 3.75 million lines of computer code in its major in-house systems which are currently in use.The Department also uses a number of proprietary software packages and for these, information on the number of programmes or lines of source code is known only to the supplier.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made by the Health and Safety Executive in its implementation project for the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994; how many visits have been made by Health and Safety Executive inspectors between 1 April 1995 and 30 September 1996 to (a) clients, (b) planning supervisors, (c) designers and (d) contractors; and how many such visits (i) have been undertaken and (ii) are planned for the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997. [6215]

The Health and Safety Executive provisional numbers of head office visits between 1 April 1995 and 30 September 1996 to the various categories were: (a) clients—559; (b) planning supervisors—586; (c) designers—457; (d) principal contractors—542. The number of visits completed since 1 October 1996 is not available centrally. In order to meet the minimum project targets, the outstanding numbers of visits are: clients—286; planning supervisors—96; designers—130; principal contractors—0. Due to the extension of the project period, these visits will be completed by 30 September 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inspectors have been specifically allocated by the Health and Safety Executive to work on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 implementation project; and for what period. [6198]

The Health and Safety Executive has allocated 20 extra inspectors to the normal construction allocation to enable 40 inspector years to be spent on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 implementation project. The project period was to be 24 months from April 1995. Following a review, the project has now been extended until the end of September 1997. The 40 inspector years will be spread over this extended period.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to increase monitoring of mine water pollution in the north-east; and if he will make a statement. [6203]

The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring the water environment in England and Wales, and carries out regular surveys of river quality as part of its general quality assessment programme. It also monitors rivers at potable water abstraction points as well as individual discharges, including those from abandoned mines. The parameters measured include those metals, such as iron, which are found in mine waters.Over the past two years, the agency has increased the monitoring of gravitational discharges from abandoned mines in the north-east in order to obtain more information on the impact of such discharges on surface waters. The individual sample results from all these surveys are publicly available.The scale and type of mine water monitoring in the future will continue to be determined by the agency and will reflect its need for the information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the sums devoted from public funds to the Energy Saving Trust; and what was the pay of the chairman for the last available year. [4855]

I am pleased to be able to announce an increase in the funding for the Energy Saving Trust. Planned funding for the years 1997–98 to 1999–2000 has been increased by a total of £21.5 million. This means that our public expenditure plans now incorporate funding of £14 million for the trust in 1999–2000 and increased funding of £32.5 million over the years 1997–98 and 1998–99. In addition, grants of up to £25 million have been made available to the Energy Saving Trust in 1996–97. The pay of its chairman is a matter for the Energy Saving Trust, which is an independent private company.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many of the jobs created in the Sheffield development corporation area, as part of developments which originated after the SDC came into existence as the planning authority for its area, were relocations of jobs from (a) within the SDC area and (b) outside the SDC area; [6080](2) how many jobs have been created in the Sheffield development corporation area as part of developments which originated after the SDC came into existence as the planning authority for its area. [6081]

By 31 March 1997, when Sheffield development corporation comes to the end of its lifetime, over 11,000 jobs will have been created in developments originating since the SDC became the planning authority.Of these, some 300 result from relocations within the SDC area and over 8,000 are in businesses new to the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he collates on the effect of development in the Sheffield development corporation area since its inception on existing development and jobs outside the SDC area. [6082]

The wider impact of Sheffield development corporation's activities on the local economy will be evaluated by consultants as part of a planned evaluation of the SDC and other urban development corporations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the criteria and basis of the calculations for the distributable amount of non-domestic rates for 1997–98. [6086]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, East (Mr. Congdon) on 27 November, Official Report, columns 242–44.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of those employed by his Department in 1992–93 were women. [6434]

In September 1992, the proportion of women employed by my Department was 41 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what child care facilities his Department provides for its employees; what facilities were provided in 1992; and how many employees have used child care facilities in each year since 1992. [6464]

My Department currently provides workplace nursery places for its employees in Westminster, Bristol and at the Building Research Establishment. It provides holiday playscheme places in Westminster, Birmingham, Bristol, Bedford and at BRE. In 1992, it provided nursery places in Westminster and at BRE and holiday playscheme places in Westminster, Birmingham, Bristol, Bedford and at BRE. The number of employees using the facilities exceeded:

Calendar year	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Nurseries	21	31	46	52	57
Playschemes	54	48	82	104	103

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many women are currently employed by his Department at each civil service grade. [6438]

The number of women currently employed by my Department and its executive agencies, the Building Research Establishment, the Planning Inspectorate and the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, at each civil service grade is as follows:

	Number
Grade 1	—
Grade 2	3
Grade 3	3
Grade 4	—
Grade 5	20
Grade 6	34

	Number
Grade 7	133
SEO and equivalents	207
HEO and equivalents	275
EO and equivalents	407
AO and equivalents	668
AA and equivalents	378
Total	2,128

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the outcome of the consultation exercise on proposed rural exemptions from the purchase grant scheme for housing association tenants is; and if he will make a statement. [7028]

In last year's rural White Paper, we announced plans to exclude small rural villages from the new purchase grant scheme for housing association tenants, using a population guideline of 3,000 people. This intention was confirmed in the debates on the Housing Bill. Some 20,000 settlements meeting this criterion were identified and, since June, we have been consulting local authorities, housing associations, rural groups and others on detailed proposed designations for every county and area of England. We indicated that we would also be prepared to consider special cases for the exclusion of other settlements above the guideline population.We have had over 350 replies raising over 800 queries about the detail of the designations. Each query has been carefully considered. As a result, over 270 settlements with a population of under 3,000 have been added to the proposed exclusions, and my Department has replied to each such query individually.In addition, around 200 of the queries concerned settlements where the population exceeded 3,000 but where a special case was made about the settlement concerned. I have accepted the cases made for Benson in Oxfordshire, and Bassingbourne cum Kneesworth and Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire where the villages are adjacent to military bases, and their combined population figures are misleading. Each special case was considered carefully, and my Department also gave a group of settlements with populations close to the 3,000 guideline a further opportunity to make a fuller case for exemption. Of these, I have accepted that Porthleven in Cornwall and Bromyard in Hereford and Worcester should be exempted because they have identified that there would be particular difficulty in providing replacement properties in these settlements.I hope to be able to lay the orders making rural designations before both Houses in the new year.My hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for housing in Wales has also consulted on a different approach to be used in Wales, and announced the outcome on 24 July 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made on the financial management and policy review of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee. [7030]

The prior options stage of the financial management and policy review of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee has now been completed. Following consideration of the need for independent advice on radioactive waste management issues, and the appropriate mechanism for its provision, I and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales are agreed that the committee should continue to operate at least for another five years.The Government remain committed to a policy of radioactive waste disposal, based on sound science, and taking into account costs and benefits. There remains a need for Government action to be guided by independent expert advice, specifically relating to radioactive waste management, that complements advice from other bodies, including the Environment Agencies.The structure and method of operation of the committee will now be considered. The review should be completed early next year, at which stage its conclusions will be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements the Government have made to fund the leasehold enfranchisement advisory service after the present grant ceases in December. [7032]

I am pleased to be able to announce that my Department has today written to the chief executive of the Leasehold Enfranchisement Advisory Service with an offer of Government support for the next three years.During the passage of the Housing Bill earlier this year, there was general agreement on both sides of the House that LEAS has provided an extremely valuable service over the last three years in guiding both landlords and tenants through the complexities of the leasehold enfranchisement procedures.The offer of further grant is conditional on LEAS expanding its role beyond providing free initial advice to landlords and tenants on leasehold enfranchisement procedures, including the amendments to that legislation set out in the Housing Act 1996. In addition, LEAS will provide advice on the new measures in the Act aimed at resolving leasehold management disputes. I envisage that, in this respect, its most important task will be to help landlords and tenants make use of the new procedures allowing leasehold valuation tribunals to resolve such disputes.LEAS is being offered a grant of £259,900 for the period from 1 January 1997 to 31 March 1998. In addition, LEAS has received offers of support from private sector organisations worth £32,250 over the same period. Subject to a satisfactory review of performance and continuing private sector support, I expect that further Government grant will be offered for the two subsequent financial years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions have been reached on the review of the local government ombudsman service in England; and if he will make a statement. [7033]

In February 1996, I announced to the House, Official Report, column 402, that we were proceeding with the second stage of the review—focusing on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Commission for Local Administration in England as an investigatory body—in parallel with consulting interested parties on the wider issues raised about the CLA's future in the review's first stage. In August 1996, the second stage reviewer presented his report to my right hon. Friend and to the chairman of the CLA, and we concluded our consultation.We have now carefully considered all the recommendations of both stages 1 and 2 of the review, together with all the comments that we received from our consultation. The CLA has also considered carefully those recommendations directed to it. I have today arranged for copies of a paper setting out our response to these recommendations to be placed in the Library of the House. I have also arranged for copies of the Review's second stage report to be placed in the Library.On the issues raised by the review's first stage, we have concluded that there needs to be a wholly independent body—an ombudsman—to which citizens who are aggrieved in their dealings with public bodies can turn, if there is to be a guarantee that complaints of maladministration will be fully and equitably investigated. Accordingly, we confirm our earlier provisional view, which I told the House on 12 February, that the CLA's principal role should continue to be as a wholly independent, investigatory body for complaints of maladministration relating to local government in England. We also confirm our earlier view that there should in general continue to be a voluntary approach to the provision of local complaints systems in local government.The review's second stage concludes that the cost of the CLA is a fraction of the cost of resolving a similar number of complaints through legal processes, and makes a range of recommendations for performance improvements covering issues of accountability, jurisdiction, powers, management systems and financial accountability, and quality of service. We believe that overall these recommendations provide a package of measures for significantly modernising and improving the local government ombudsman service in England, and we intend to take them forward as set out in the paper which I have today placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will respond to the recommendations relating to registered housing associations in the second report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement. [7197]

Copies of my response have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. I welcome the broad thrust of the recommendations as they affect the Housing Corporation and housing associations, and in future other social landlords registered with the Housing Corporation. In general, they reflect current Government policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland have a schedule of previous convictions which includes a qualifying offence as defined under clause 1 of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill. [5129]

Information supplied by the Scottish Criminal Records Office shows that currently there are some 12,700 people for whom the SCRO has a schedule of previous convictions which includes a qualifying offence as defined under clause 1 of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill. It is not known which of these people are currently resident in Scotland. Of these 12,700 people convicted of qualifying offences, 3,300 were convicted in the High Court.The information held by the SCRO does not identify whether a conviction for robbery involved a firearm. However, many of those convicted of robbery with a firearm are also convicted under one of sections 16 to 18 of the Firearms Act 1968 which counts as a qualifying offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if Her Majesty's Government will make urgent representations to the EU Commission for measures to be put in place to safeguard the United Kingdom salmon industry through a minimum import price for salmon entering the United Kingdom market. [5819]

In view of the continued depressed state of the European market for farmed salmon, my right hon. Friend wrote to Commissioner Bonino on 22 November asking for the reintroduction of minimum import prices.I trust that the Commission will respond quickly and positively to this request.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of legal aid applications in Scotland in (a) civil and (b) criminal cases are currently decided within six weeks. [6102]

In 1995–96, the percentage of civil legal aid applications which were decided within six weeks was 89 per cent. The equivalent figure for criminal legal aid applications was 100 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the report made to him by the Scottish Legal Aid Board following visits in 1995 to the USA and Canada in connection with the proposals contained in part V of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill; [6130](2) how many members and staff of the Scottish Legal Aid Board visited the USA and Canada in

No members of staff of the Scottish Legal Aid Board paid official visits to the USA and Canada in 1994–95 or 1995–96. One member of the board's senior staff holidayed in Canada in 1994–95 and took the opportunity of visiting the Public Defender's Office in Manitoba. The cost of this visit was met personally by the individual concerned. Although outwith the specified dates, in June 1996, a member of staff attended an international audit conference and took the opportunity to visit the Los Angeles county public defender. The cost of attending the conference was £1,720.No report of either visit has been sent to me.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the advantages of applying the provisions of part V of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill to advocates; and if he will make a statement. [6121]

As we estimate that only 6 per cent. of expenditure on criminal legal assistance involves advocates. It is not proposed to extend part V to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions have taken place in each year under the terms of the Methylated Spirits (Sale by Retail) (Scotland) Act 1937 since 1966. [6361]

The information required is not separately identifiable within the Scottish Office Home Department classification of crimes and offences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment his Department has carried out in relation to the continuing abuse and misuse of methylated and surgical spirits. [6362]

No assessment has been carried out by the Scottish Office in relation to the abuse and misuse of methylated and surgical spirits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria the procurators fiscal take into account when deciding what action to take in relation to the prosecution of HGV offences reported to them by the Vehicle Inspectorate; and if he will make it his policy to ensure the percentage of prosecutions of HGV offences reported to procurators fiscal by the Vehicle Inspectorate is comparable to the percentage of prosecutions in England and Wales. [6365]

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate is responsible for prosecution policy in Scotland. Procurators fiscal have a discretion as to whether to take proceedings against persons reported to them by the Vehicle Inspectorate. Procurators fiscal also have available to them a number of alternatives to prosecution. They have to decide whether it is in the public interest to initiative proceedings. In doing so, procurators fiscal will have regard to a number of factors including whether there is sufficient evidence, the seriousness of the offence and any road safety implications, the age of the offence and whether there are any mitigating circumstances. The Lord Advocate does not consider comparability with the level of prosecutions in England to be a relevant criterion for determining prosecution policy in Scotland. There are significant differences between Scotland and England both as regards the evidential requirements and the availability of alternatives to prosecution, such as conditional offers under section 302 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 which applies only to Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes have taken place in the arrangements for utilising intensive care beds across Scotland since March 1995 with reference to procedure for the admission of patients to intensive care units. [6482]

Health boards in Scotland monitor closely the availability of intensive care and high dependency facilities for their residents and make any changes to the arrangements necessary. It is important for anyone who requires emergency access to an intensive care bed to be admitted as quickly and straightforwardly as possible. The NHS in Scotland will continue to build on the valuable information being collected already by the staff working in intensive care facilities in Scotland and to develop better means of sharing that information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each financial year since 1 October 1990 the estimated savings in expenditure to dentists for NHS treatment of patients resulting from the introduction of the new payment scale for NHS dentistry. [6491]

The information requested is not available. Gross expenditure on NHS general dental services for the financial years since 1 October 1990 is contained in the table.

Gross Expenditure on NHS General Dental Services in Scotland
Financial year1	£000s
1990–91	118,470
1991–92	142,828
1992–93	141,285
1993–94	134,204
1994–95	145,586
1995–962	147,864
1The figures have been taken from the annual accounts of the 15 health boards.
2 The figure for 1995–96 should be regarded as provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each financial year since 1989–90 (a) the number of courses of NHS dental treatment for each health board area in Scotland and (b) the total number of courses of NHS dental treatment in Scotland. [6490]

The information requested is contained in the table.

NHS general dental services in Scotland: number of courses of treatment1
Health board	19892	19902	1991–923	1992–933
Scotland	3,142,700	3,371,812	2,484,539	2,569,205
Argyll and Clyde	271,769	292,528	206,277	211,504
Ayrshire and Arran	254,617	321,693	187,757	190,797
Borders	78,839	85,142	65,622	66,926
Dumfries and Galloway	94,113	100,253	71,512	69,434
Fife	220,942	234,936	160,124	163,676
Forth Valley	160,965	170,660	130,389	137,191
Grampian	303,233	306,831	267,042	277,378
Greater Glasgow	537,454	576,003	441,154	459,004
Highland	111,009	126,897	94,050	96,023
Lanarkshire	309,381	316,006	219,558	226,420
Lothian	490,115	510,014	396,777	414,624
Orkney	8,598	8,979	7,438	7,604
Shetland	7,604	8,722	6,589	6,470
Tayside	284,822	304,920	222,697	233,545
Western Isles	9,239	8,228	7,553	8,609
1Since October 1990, all routine dental treatment for children has been provided under capitation arrangements and is not therefore counted as individual courses of treatment.
Source:
Dental Practice Division of the Common Services Agency.
21989–90 are calendar data and cannot be compared with data for later years.
3 1991–92 to 1995–96 are financial data.

Health board	1993–941	1994–951	1995–961
Scotland	2,647,088	2,722,518	2,711,061
Argyll and Clyde	212,294	222,616	224,731
Ayrshire and Arran	185,686	185,176	187,172
Borders	67,664	73,619	76,209
Dumfries and Galloway	64,684	67,452	68,427
Fife	173,970	182,116	181,998
Forth Valley	144,446	150,124	148,485
Grampian	287,776	297,399	292,182
Greater Glasgow	470,973	486,912	484,217
Highland	94,009	83,788	82,629
Lanarkshire	236,699	246,579	245,710
Lothian	436,028	448,219	443,981
Orkney	7,486	7,106	5,551
Shetland	7,505	7,921	7,651
Tayside	250,004	254,480	251,909
Western Isles	7,864	9,011	10,209
11991–92 to 1995–96 are financial data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 7 November, Official Report, columns 655–56, what were the proposed annual savings for the 14 IT projects in the bands above and including £1 million to £2 million, undertaken since 1992; and what have been the realised annual savings. [6701]

Of the 14 projects, eight have been commissioned and are in active use; six are still under development.Six of the projects were necessary to fulfil statutory responsibilities under the common agricultural policy. The responsibilities were new ones, and consequently no savings were forecast or made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of those employed by his Department in 1992–93 were women. [6473]

At 1 April 1992, women—working on either a full-time or part-time basis—accounted for 42 per cent. of employees in the Scottish Office core and its executive agencies, excluding the Scottish Prison Service. In the Scottish Prison Service, women accounted for 7 per cent. of employees at that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much revenue has been raised by (a) NHS trusts and (b) health boards through the disposal of surplus property for each of the last three years; and which bodies received this revenue. [6488]

The total amount raised from the disposal of surplus property by NHS trusts and health boards for the last three years is as follows:

Health boards	£
1993–94	12,604,800
1994–95	16,513,100
1995–961	12,893,600
NHS Trusts
1993–94	3,770,000
1994–95	2,880,000
1995–961	5,549,000
1The figures for 1995–96 are provisional.

Trusts are permitted to retain a proportion of capital receipts. The remainder are remitted to the centre and used to fund the NHS capital programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the reporter of the inquiry into the proposal for a gas-fired power station at Gartcosh to take account of evidence for the economic and social impact of that proposal in other parts of Scotland. [6681]

The Scottish Office has written to the reporter outlining those matters of Government policy which my right hon. Friend considers to be most relevant to his decision upon the application to build a power station at Gartcosh. It has been made clear that decisions on the scope of the inquiry into the application are entirely for the reporter. It is therefore for the reporter to decide what evidence is relevant when conducting the inquiry and drawing up his recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list (a) the number of intensive care beds for each health board area in Scotland and the total population served and (b) the total number of intensive care beds in Scotland for each financial year since 1979. [6492]

The information is set out in the tables.

Table 1: NHSiS—Intensive care beds1 by health board area of treatment; and population2 by health board area of residence; quarter ending 31 March 1996
	Intensive care beds	Population
Scotland	266	5,136,600
Argyll and Clyde	13	432,800
Ayrshire and Arran	9	377,200
Borders	2	106,200
Dumfries and Galloway	14	147,900
Fife	6	351,600
Forth Valley	7	273,900
Grampian	10	532,800
Greater Glasgow	85	912,500
Highland	10	208,300
Lanarkshire	37	561,200
Lothian	47	764,600
Orkney	—	19,870
Shetland	—	23,090
Tayside	25	395,600
Western Isles	—	29,040
1Average available staffed beds in intensive therapy units: figures rounded to nearest whole number.
2Population estimate as at 30 June 1995.

Source:GRO(S)

Table 2: NHSiS—Intensive care beds1—years ending 31 March
	Number
1979	125
1980	135
1981	137
1982	142
1983	159
1984	166
1985	168
1986	166
1987	166
1988	166
1989	182
1990	189
1991	198
1992	219
1993	230
1994	250
1995	247
1996	266
1Average available staffed beds in intensive therapy units.

Source:ISD(S)1.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what child care facilities his Department provides for its employees; what facilities were provided in 1992; and how many employees have used child care facilities in each year since 1992. [6455]

The Scottish Office provides child care facilities for its employees in two workplace nurseries. The first nursery opened in 1992 and 12 full-time places were made available. In 1995 we opened the second, which offers an additional 36 full-time places. At present, 63 employees use these facilities on a full and part-time basis. We do not hold statistics about the cumulative number of staff using the facilities each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to issue the revised code of practice for the guidance of medical practitioners and others in accordance with the requirements of the Mental Health Act (Scotland) 1984, referred to in his answer of 24 May 1995, Official Report, column 638; and which persons and organisations are being consulted. [6660]

A revision of the current code of practice is now about to begin. This will take account of experience of recent legislation, including the new provisions relating to community care orders introduced by the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995. There will be wide consultations with all relevant interests, including voluntary and professional organisations, before the new code is laid before Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the outcome of the recent survey work at Beaufort's dyke. [7162]

Copies of the final survey report produced by the Scottish Office marine laboratory at Aberdeen have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses today. The report confirms that there is no evidence of munitions having an adverse effect on the quality of the marine environment, or the living resources that it supports. It also confirms the results of the earlier survey which found that concentrations of munitions had been deposited outwith the Beaufort's dyke munitions disposal area. The main results of the survey are as follows:

The levels of heavy metals throughout the survey area were within the ranges reported in sea bed sediments from other Scottish coastal areas, and similar to the levels previously reported in sediments from the Irish sea.

There was no evidence of the chemical warfare agents phosgene or mustard gas. Analysis for munition-related determinands confirmed that the samples did not contain nitroglycerine, 2,4,6 trinitrotoluene, RDX or tetryl.

Analysis of the edible flesh of commercially exploited fish and shellfish samples confirmed that the levels of heavy metals were within prescribed public health standards.

Analysis of the edible flesh of commercially exploited fish and shellfish species collected from the northern end of the Beaufort's dyke trench confirmed that the samples did not contain nitroglycerine, 2,4,6, trinitrotoluene, RDX or tetryl.

Side-scan sonar, underwater television and pulse induction surveys confirmed that the centre of distribution of dumped munitions and munitions-related materials is located within, and immediately adjacent to, the north-east sector of the Beaufort's dyke explosives disposal site.

Low to high densities of dumped munitions, munitions-related materials and unidentified man-made debris were found in areas outside the charted explosives disposal ground.

The presence of low to high densities of dumped munitions, munitions-related materials and unidentified man-made debris at a number of discrete points in the area crossed by the proposed routing corridor for submarine electricity cables linking Scotland and Northern Ireland was confirmed.

Dumped munitions and munitions-related materials were not found in the area crossed by the submarine gas pipeline installed between Wigtown bay and the Republic of Ireland.

The hydrographer of the Navy will arrange for the relevant Admiralty charts to be updated as appropriate. Government Departments with regulatory responsibilities for marine engineering works will take full account of the survey's findings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will respond to the recommendations of the joint study group report which examined Scottish Natural Heritage; and if he will make a statement. [7163]

The report of the joint study group which examined Scottish Natural Heritage made a number of recommendations relating to its remit and operation. The most significant of these was that a revised statement of aims and objectives should be prepared for SNH. The statement, "Natural Priorities", has been published today. Copies are available in the Library of the House. A number of other recommendations were also made and have been considered. Those recommendations concerned with SNH's expenditure commitments and priorities will be taken into account during the Government's annual public expenditure survey. The recommendation that the joint study report should be the starting point for part 2 of the quinquennial review of SNH in 1997 will be addressed nearer the time of the quinquennial review itself. The remainder of the recommendations have been addressed, either in "Natural Priorities" itself or within SNH's own recently completed review of decision-making processes and organisational structures.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what is the average amount of money spent per week on the national lottery in Northern Ireland (a) overall and (b) per capita; [3842](2) what is the average amount of money spent per week on the national lottery in

This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have, therefore, asked the Director General of the National Lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many lines of computer code there are in his Department's computer systems. [5523]

Most of my Department's computer code is contained in commercially obtained software applications, operated under licence. The number of lines of such code is known only to suppliers.We estimate that our bespoke software contains up to 10 million lines of code. We are analysing this to determine how much will be affected by the century date change, and the cost involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many separate computer programs his Department operates. [5522]

The diplomatic wing and the Overseas Development Administration use a total of 326 software applications; at least 90 per cent. are based on commercial packages, which are regularly replaced as new versions become available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the United States draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples; and if he will make a statement. [5820]

We are aware of public and parliamentary interest in this draft declaration. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has answered questions in the House and letters from colleagues on the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 November, Official Report, column 20, what were the proposed annual savings for the 12 IT projects in the bands above and including £1 million to £2 million undertaken since 1992; and what have been the realised annual savings. [6709]

Investment is agreed only if it represents value for money. This can include cash savings and additional costs avoided, which are quantifiable, and quality improvements, which are not.Quantifiable annual savings expected were £23.2 million largely in additional costs avoided rather than cash. Three projects are finished. but have not been operational long enough for full savings to be realised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 November, Official Report, column 20, what are the proposed annual savings for the seven IT projects in the £1 million to £2 million band planned for 1997–98.[6708]

Planning of these projets is still at an early stage and expected savings have not yet been fully quantified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what child care facilities his Department provides for its employees; what facilities were provided in 1992; and how many employees have used child care facilities in each year since 1992. [6452]

This Department provides 38 nursery places for children aged from three months to five years. In addition, holiday playschemes are available during school holidays. In 1992, we provided 26 nursery places and additional holiday playscheme facilities.The number of staff who used both types of child care facilities between 1992 and November 1996 is:

Year	Number of staff
1992	134
1993	136
1994	1142
1995	164
1996	155
1Does not include figure for ODA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many women are currently employed by his Department at each civil service grade. [6441]

As of April 1996, this Department was employing women at the following civil service grades:

	Number
Diplomatic service grade 2	2
Diplomatic service grade 3	3
Diplomatic service grade 4	13
Grade 5	10
Legal counsellor	3
Diplomatic service grade 5S	8
Grade 6	13
Senior assistant legal adviser	3
Senior principal research officer	5
Assistant legal adviser	6
Diplomatic service grade 5	58
Grade 7	47
Medical officer	1
Principal research officer	9
Diplomatic service grade 6	27
Museum D	1
Senior lecturer	6
Senior executive officer	29
Senior information officer	5
Senior librarian	2
Senior principal technical officer	1
Diplomatic service grade 7D	29
Diplomatic service grade 8	14
Research officer	1
Senior research officer	6
Higher executive officer (D)	1
Diplomatic service grade 7M	102
Field investigating officer 2	1
Higher executive officer	88
Higher principal technical officer	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of those employed by his Department in 1992–93 were women. [6470]

Thirty-seven per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list (a) the members of his Department who attended the Anglo-French summit in Bordeaux and (b) the positions they hold. [3619]

[pursuant to his reply, 13 November 1996, c. 214]: A list should have been included.

• London Delegation cont…
• Ms A. Pringle: Head of Common Foreign and Security Policy Department and European Correspondent
• Ms A. Balls: Personal Assistant, Head of News Department
• Ms M. T. Howley: Conference Officer
• Ms J. Pearce: Conference Officer
• Embassy Staff
• Mr. M. Jay: HM Ambassador
• Mr. M. A. Arthur: Counsellor
• Mr. P. F. Ricketts: Counsellor
• Dr. M. A. Darnbrough: Counsellor
• Mr. T. N. Livesey: 1st Secretary
• Mr. M. J. L. Kirk: 1st Secretary
• Mr. R. D. Fitchett: 1st Secretary
• Mr. H. E. Powell: 2nd Secretary
• Mr. S. P. Ferrand: Visits Officer
• Mr. R. Hardy: Technical Security Officer
• Ms C. Rowett: 3rd Secretary
• Mr. A. Painter: Assistant Visits Officer
• Ms T. Menuibe: Information Assistant
• Ms J. Taylor: Secretarial Assistant
• British Consulate general staff
• Mr. T. C. Almond: HM Consul General
• Ms A. Almond: Visits Officer
• Mr. A. Roberts: Vice Consul
• Mr. P. Dixon: Vice Consul

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will grant St. Helenians full British citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the problems arising from the definition of nationality in St. Helena. [6301]

I have been asked to reply.Provision for the acquisition and loss of British nationality by people connected with St. Helena is made by the British Nationality Act 1981. Most are British dependent territories citizens under the Act.There are no plans to alter the legislation.

	Facilities since 1992	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Cabinet Office (OPS)	The Westminster holiday playscheme	10	6	12	13	29
Civil Service College	Workplace nursery	15	15	15	15	12
Central Computer and Telecommunication Agency	Nursery scheme under HMSO	7	9	7	11	4
Central Office of Information	The Westminster holiday playscheme	3	3	1	2	3
Property Advisors to the Civil Estate	Since 01 April 1996 nursery placement	—	—	—	—	1
Security Facilities Executive	None	—	—	—	—	—
The Buying Agency	None	—	—	—	—	—
Due to machinery of government changes earlier this year, the figures for the Property Advisors to the Civil Estate; Security Facilities centrally Executive; and The Buying Agency are not held.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 11 November, Official Report, columns 52–53, what were the proposed annual savings for the seven IT projects in the bands above and including £1 million to £2 million, undertaken since 1992; and what have been the realised annual savings. [6713]

Of the seven IT projects in the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service and its agencies, in the bands above and including £1 million to £2 million undertaken since 1992 four related to the migration from centralised to decentralised IT systems to meet the

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many posts for staff within the European Parliament have been advertised within the United Kingdom since the start of 1995; and if he will list in each case the amounts (a) spent on advertising these posts and (b) spent in filling the vacancies involved. [6355]

The European Parliament is responsible for advertising its own vacancies and it would be for it to provide details relating to its recruitment costs. The European staffing unit of the Office of Public Service monitors the press and the Official Journal of the European Communities for vacancies in the European institutions as part of the vacancy information service operated for potential British candidates. Since the beginning of 1995, it has noted nine separate competitions in which the European Parliament was either wholly or partially involved. Some of these competitions were for an unspecified number of vacancies so it is not possible to give the number of posts involved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what child care facilities his Department provides for its employees; what facilities were provided in 1992; and how many employees have used child care facilities in each year since 1992. [6463]

The child care facilities provided at present and since 1992 in the Departments and agencies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible and other areas which fall to the Cabinet Office Vote are as follows:needs of the corporate restructuring of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, now the privatised The Stationery Office.A fifth project covered the costs for the development by the Chessington Computer Centre, now privatised, of an on-line integrated pay and personnel system.A project to provide contemporary office automation systems in the Central Cabinet Office is in progress; the efficiency gains which are expected to result cannot be quantified in cash terms.Within the Central Computer and Telecommunication Agency, the enhancement of existing office automation systems is estimated to have resulted in annual savings of more than £00,000 since 1992.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 11 November, Official Report, columns 52–53, what are the proposed annual savings for the seven IT projects planned for 1997–98. [6712]

The seven IT projects planned for 1997–98 in the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service and its agencies are mostly designed to bring up to date or enhance office automation and other support and communications facilities. The improved efficiency resulting from the new systems cannot be quantified in cash terms.The exception is the Civil Service College, where the introduction of a new financial management system is expected to generate savings of up to £47,000 per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reason for delay in agreement of the draft report by the National Audit Office into alleged links between British aid and arms sales to Indonesia; and when he expects a publication date. [6397]

The timing of the publication of National Audit Office reports is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General. The National Audit Office report into alleged links between British aid and arms sales to Indonesia will be published on 29 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which each country in the European civil aviation conference is screening checked in baggage and transfer baggage to a satisfactory standard; [5927](2) if he will list for each member of the European civil aviation conference the percentage of checked in baggage and transfer baggage screened for security purposes. [5928]

All international transfer and unaccompanied baggage is at present subjected to security screening in the United Kingdom, and the introduction of 100 per cent. hold baggage screening is nearing completion. All ECAC member states have accepted that measures to screen all international hold baggage should be progressively introduced. They are individually responsible for achieving implementation to defined standards. It would not be appropriate for security reasons to provide further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when officials from Transec last inspected airports within Germany; and if they were satisfied with the results of the inspections. [5929]

My Department does not inspect airports overseas, as these are under the jurisdiction of the relevant sovereign state. However, Transec inspectors do make visits to overseas airports to assess the security afforded to and conducted by British airlines.Airports in Germany were last subject to such a visit in December 1994. It would be inappropriate for security reasons to comment on the results of this, or any other, security inspection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if staff aboard freight trains using the channel tunnel are required to be fluent in both French and English. [5942]

This is not a condition for their employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of those employed by his Department in 1992–93 were women. [6476]

My Department's computerised personnel management systems record that on 31 March 1993, some 46 per cent. of the staff employed by my Department were women.