To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish the revision of mineral planning guidance note 7. [6735]

I am pleased to announce that the document was published today. Copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the plants and facilities at Sellafield belong to (a) British Nuclear Fuels plc, (b) the UK Atomic Energy Authority and (c) other bodies; and which have been subject to (i) an environmental audit and (ii) an environmental impact assessment. [5720]

I have been asked to reply.Details of which organisations own the various plants and facilities on the Sellafield site are administrative, and commercially sensitive, matters for the operators. For security reasons, it is not the practice to disclose information on individual buildings. All the operators are required to meet the applicable environmental and licensing requirements.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee in what circumstances hon. Members, officers and staff of the House can use the overnight facilities in each of the parliamentary buildings; what was the total cost of the provision of such facilities in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [5608]

This is a matter for the Serjeant at Arms. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of secondary Schools are currently grant maintained. [6758]

Grant-maintained secondary schools make up 8 per cent. of maintained secondary schools in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what proportion of the consultees on the White Paper, "Self-Government for Schools", who responded to the pupil selection proposals were in favour of increased selection. [6924]

We received 637 responses to the White Paper "Self-Government for Schools". Over three-quarters were from LEAs and LEA-maintained schools. Some 397 respondents commented on the proposals to give schools greater freedom to introduce or extend selection. Of these, 10–3 per cent.—expressed support for the proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will give a breakdown of spending on Ofsted in 1996–97 and of budgeted spending in 1997–98. [6935]

This is a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools, who heads the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Chris Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children from Islington were educated outside Islington; and how many children from outside Islington were educated in Islington in the last year for which figures are available. [6761]

As at January 1996, some 3,750 pupils aged five to 15 from Islington were estimated to be educated outside Islington. At the same date, some 3,900 pupils aged five to 15 from outside Islington were estimated to be educated in Islington.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was (a) the number and (b) the percentage of four year-olds in (i) nursery schools, (ii) nursery classes in primary schools and (iii) reception classes in primary schools, in each local education authority and nationally, at January 1996. [5953]

Information on pupils aged four in maintained nursery and primary schools for England is shown in the following table. The Department does not publish information on participation rates of individual age cohorts by local education authority.

Pupils aged four in maintained nursery and primary schools1
England	January 1996
	Number	Percentage of population
Nursery schools	20,800	3.2
Nursery classes in primary schools	134,200	20.4

Pupils aged four in maintained nursery and primary schools1
England		January 1996
	Number	Percentage of population
Infant classes in primary schools	343,400	52.2
All pupils aged four in nursery and primary schools	498,400	75.8
1 These figures are not directly comparable with those released in previous years due to changes in the data collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was (a) the number and (b) the percentages of four-year-olds in pre-school provision in each local education authority and nationality in January 1996. [5954]

Information on pupils aged four in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools for England is shown in the table. The Department does not publish information on participation rates of individual age cohorts by local education authority.

Pupils aged four in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools1
	Number	Percentage of population
Nursery schools	20,800	3.2
Nursery classes in primary school	134,200	20.4
All pupils aged four in nursery and primary schools	155,000	23.6
1 These figures are not directly comparable with those released in previous years due to changes in the data collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what developments there have been affecting his Department's relationship with the Services Sound and Vision Corporation since his answer of 15 October, Official Report, column 863; and if he will make a statement. [7270]

The contracts mentioned in the answer given on 15 October have been offered to, and accepted, by SSVC. The MOD's relationship with the SSVC is now the same as its relationship with any commercial supplier and the corporation's non-departmental public body status has been revoked accordingly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the regulations which govern which flag flies over Edinburgh castle; what plans he has to alter these regulations to ensure that the Saltire or the Lion Rampant flies over Edinburgh castle while the Stone of Scone rests in the castle; and if he will make a statement. [5944]

[holding answer 26 November 1996]: The rules governing flag flying over Army flag stations such as Edinburgh castle are set out in Queen's regulations for the Army. These state the type, size and occasions on which flags are to be flown. I have no plans to amend these regulations. The Saltire will fly from the Half Moon battery at Edinburgh castle on Saint Andrew's day and for the forseeable future thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many indemnity undertakings were given by Departments under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980 for the six-month period ended 30 September; and what was the value of (a) any contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time under that section which remain outstanding as at 30 September and (b) non-statutory Government indemnities in respect of loans handled by the Government art collection which remain outstanding as at 30 September. [7271]

The provision for the Government indemnity scheme is made by the National Heritage Act 1980. The scheme facilitates public access to loans of works of art and other items for public display made to museums, galleries and other such institutions by private owners and non-national institutions. It does this by indemnifying lenders against loss or damage to their loan. Loans covered by the scheme must be for public benefit. The scheme also covers loans of such objects for study purposes within institutions where this would contribute materially to the public's understanding or appreciation of the loan—for example through a scholarly publication.In the six-month period ended 30 September 1996, the following undertakings to indemnify were given by the relevant Departments for objects on loan to national and non-national institutions:

	Numbers
Department of National Heritage	453
Scottish Office Education Department	164
Welsh Office Education Department	70
Department of Education for Northern Ireland	30

The value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time under section 16 and which remain outstanding at 30 September are:

£
Department of National Heritage	1,388,795,250
Scottish Office Education Department	348,112,981
Welsh Office Education Department	49,547,929
Department of Education for Northern Ireland	7,013,664

The value of non-statutory Government indemnities to cover loans handled by the Government art collection and which were outstanding at 30 September 1996 is:

To ask the Prime Minister what proposals on (a) monetary union and (b) the environment he intends to table for discussion at the European Council in Dublin on 13–14 December; and if he will place copies of such United Kingdom submissions in the Library before the Council. [6806]

None.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will provide a list of the Cabinet committees on which he sits. [7355]

I chair five ministerial committees of the Cabinet, as follows:

The Ministerial Committee on competitiveness (EDC),

The Ministerial Committee on the co-ordination and presentation of Government policy (EDCP),

The Ministerial Committee on the environment (EDE),

The Ministerial Committee on local government (EDL) and

The Ministerial Group on the millennium festival (GEN 36).

I am a member of a further 11 ministerial committees of the Cabinet, as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what decisions were taken at the EU ministerial Council on the internal market on 26 November; and what matters were voted upon. [7356]

I attended the Council on behalf of the UK Government. An open debate was held on the Commission's report on the impact and effectiveness of the single market. I welcomed the report's message that the single market had benefited international competitiveness and jobs. I also supported the emphasis on effective application and enforcement and improved infractions systems. More work was needed on energy and services, including financial services.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of those employed by his Department in 1992–93 were women. [6435]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: On 1 April 1992, women comprised 41 per cent. of the total number of people employed in the Cabinet Office, its agencies, HMSO and the Central Office of Information.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many women are currently employed by his Department at each civil service grade. [6437]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: The breakdown of female staff by grade across the Cabinet Office and the Office of Public Service and its five agencies at 30 September. together with that of the Central Office of Information is shown in the table.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many women are currently employed by his Department; and what proportion this is of the total. [1257]

[pursuant to his reply, 4 November 1996, c. 336]: I regret that my answer of 4 November did not include figures for the Central Office of Information. The corrected reply follows.There are 558 women employed within the centre of the Cabinet Office and Office of Public Service which represents 46.4 per cent. of the work force. There are a total of 1,013 women within the whole of the Cabinet Office and Office of Public Service and agencies, which represents 32.4 per cent. of the work force. The divergence is attributable to the Security and Facilities Executive, where the majority of employees are male security guards. The Central Office of Information has 172 female employees, which represents 42.9 per cent. of the work force.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what were the Government's objectives in introducing nationality restrictions on employment in the civil service in June 1996; [5248](2) if the Government will scrap the nationality bar and restore the rights of Irish and Commonwealth citizens in applying for civil service posts; [5249](3) what legal provisions govern the rights of Irish and Commonwealth citizens to apply for posts in the UK civil service. [5250]

[pursuant to his reply, 21 November 1996; c. 664]: I regret that the word "Community" in the quoted reference from the British Nationality Act 1981 should have read "Commonwealth". The corrected reply follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many separate computer programmes his Department operates. [5357] Mr. Burt: There is no universal definition of what constitutes a computer programme.This Department is at present responsible for 18 major mainframe systems, and more than 1,500 small software systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lines of computer code there are in his Department's computer systems. [5348]

The Department uses a mixture of in-house developed and proprietary software packages. Information on the number of lines of source code used in the proprietary software packages is known only to the supplier.The in-house developed software contains millions of lines of code and the cost of counting these would be disproportionate. An analysis of this software is currently being carried out as part of our strategy for dealing with the year 2000 date change. This will identify what software changes are required, and the analysis will be completed by January 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people whose incapacity benefit was disallowed because of a failure to return the IB50 questionnaire belatedly returned the questionnaire and were awarded benefit. [6049]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people failed the incapacity benefit all-work test in 1995–96 as a result of a Benefits Agency medical service examination. [6048]

Between April 1995 and March 1996, around 90,000 claimants were disallowed incapacity benefit following medical examination under the all-work test.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many staff are now employed by the Benefits Agency on a casual basis; [5743](2) how many staff were last year asked to leave the Benefits Agency employment before completing two years' service. [5744]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency, on 21 November, Official Report, column 685.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the current cost of the statutory disregard of war disablement pensions and war widows' pensions for each applicable Government benefit; [6982](2) what is the cost to local authorities of the discretionary disregard of war disablement pensions and war widows' pensions for

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.Information on local authorities' discretionary schemes, other than in relation to levels of expenditure, is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many special advisers are employed by his Department; and if he will list their names. [6831]

There is one special adviser employed by my Department. His name is Peter Barnes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will amend the Social Security (Adjudication) Regulations 1995 to give appellants entitlements to an oral hearing if they request it after the expiry of the 10 days time limit. [6903]

There is no need for such an amendment. The decision not to opt for an oral hearing is not irrevocable. Requests for an oral hearing will be granted up to the point at which the tribunal decision is issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the results of his Department's commissioned research on the new car assessment programme to be published; and what information will be released at this point. [6409]

I expect the results to be published early next year. Information on front and side impact protection and pedestrian protection offered by seven super-mini-sized cars will be released.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received during the last 12 months, and from whom, about the research being carried out by his Department under the new car assessment programme and the publication of the results of this research. [6410]

During the last 12 months, I have received the following representations.:

	Number
Motoring associations	6
Industry	4
Members of Parliament	1
Members of the public	0

The motoring associations were in favour of the NCAP, industry wanted to ensure that the results are presented in a fair and objective way and the Member of Parliament requested details of the programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department (a) has spent and (b) is planning to spend on research under the new car assessment programme; and what this work involves. [6411]

To the end of November 1996, my Department has spent £1,035,000 on work connected with the new car assessment programme and, in the current phase, plans to spend a total of £1,580,000. This work involves purchasing vehicles, conducting crash tests and the collection and interpretation of data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what statutory provision highway authorities are empowered to fund the construction of noise barriers on existing motorways and trunk roads. [6950]

Highway authorities are empowered under section 282 of the Highways Act 1980.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the statutory provision under which his Department occasionally and in exceptional circumstances exercises a discretion to provide noise barriers to trunk roads built before October 1969; and if statutory provisions are subsequently amended to be disapplied to motorways and trunk roads built after October 1969. [6951]

My Department occasionally and in exceptional circumstances exercises a discretion to provide noise barriers on roads built before 17 October 1969 under section 282 of the Highways Act 1980. This section, which replaced section 23 of the Land Compensation Act 1973, provides the power to carry out works within a highway to mitigate the adverse effects of its construction, existence or use.Other sections of the Land Compensation Act 1973 provide powers to insulate residential properties against noise, and to pay financial compensation to property owners for loss of value attributable to the construction, or substantial improvement, of a road. These powers were applied retrospectively to roads built or improved after 16 October 1969.These statutory provisions remain in force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 26 November, Official Report, column 155, what investigations the Civil Aviation Authority has undertaken to ensure that International Civil Aviation Organisation standards are being met. [6974]

It is not clear to which of the answers of 26 November the hon. Member is referring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the fire and smoke risks from the transportation of polystyrene; and if he will make a statement. [6418]

Extensive research and evaluation work on the fire and smoke hazards of a wide range of materials, including polystyrene in different applications, has been carried out for the Home Office's fire research and development group, the Fire Research Station and the Health and Safety Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sanctions apply to the selling by Railtrack of land in the operational portfolio. [6009]

Railtrack cannot sell any operational land—that is, land required for rail purposes, as defined at section 39 of the Railways Act 1993—without going through rigorous statutory closure procedures. The Rail Regulator, who has a duty to have regard to the interests of all rail users, will take decisions on closure proposals, with any subsequent appeals being referred to the Secretary of State. The regulator has the power both to require Railtrack to comply with the closure procedures and to impose a fine in the unlikely event of a breach.Any profits realised by Railtrack from property sales are subject to arrangements whereby 25 per cent. of the profits over and above those taken into account by the regulator in setting the level of charges for access to the track, are clawed back and paid into the Exchequer via lower subsidy levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken to monitor the level of services on the Midland MainLine; and if he will make a statement. [4747]

The franchise agreement places obligations on the franchise operator to provide, and gives the franchising director the right to request, information about services in order to monitor compliance with the franchise obligations. The franchise agreement requires the franchise operator to monitor customer satisfaction, and to publish its own passenger's charter with terms no less favourable than those offered by British Rail. The office for Passenger Rail Franchising recently published statistics for punctuality and reliability in comparison with franchisees' passengers charter standards. Since the franchise commenced in April, Midland MainLine's punctuality and reliability has exceeded its charter targets of 90 per cent. and 99 per cent. respectively. In addition to the operational information provided by franchisees, Opraf has its own computer systems which make full use of data from Railtrack systems independently to monitor operating performance.The franchisee for Midland MainLine plans broadly to maintain the pre-franchising number of services over the first three years of the franchise, with the introduction of additional services in 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 26 November, Official Report, column 154, if he will provide further information on the air accidents occurring in 1993 [6968]

Of the accidents referred to in my reply of 26 November, Official Report, column 154, five involved aircraft struck by ground vehicles and equipment, and two involved cabin attendants falling from aircraft while attempting to close a door.The air accidents investigation branch investigated six of the seven accidents. The reports of its investigations, copies of which have been placed in the Library, were

1995–96			1994–95
	Instrumented checks	Prohibitions issued	Percentage above limit	Instrumented checks	Prohibitions issued	Percentage above limit
HGV	11,405	350	3.1	12.959	450	3.5
PSV	10,140	247	2.4	7,292	184	2.5
LGV1	15,116	954	6.3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Taxis	6,705	784	11.7	n/a	n/a	n/a
n/a = not available.
1LGV - Light Goods Vehicle.
Separate data for emissions checks of LGVs and Taxis is not available prior to 1995–96.

	1993–4	1994–95	1995–96
Number of HGV offences reported for prosecution
Scotland	1,818	2,208	2,481
England and Wales	11,514	11,300	12,217
Number of above offences pursued
Scotland	n/a	1,382	1,501
England and Wales	10,987	10,635	11,314
Total Number of HGV inspections
Scotland	30,193	25,376	29,039
England and Wales	210,186	241,841	219,635

1. Information is not available separately for England and Wales. 2. Number of HGV offences shown as reported for prosecution in England and Wales are those reported to the Inspectorate's internal prosecution service.Figures not available for Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects of undertaking comprehensive traffic measures in an area to be bypassed on the economic assessment of that bypass; and what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on this matter. [6895]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many spot checks are made each year on commercial vehicles to ensure that they comply with exhaust emission standards; what percentage of these have been found in the last available two years to be above the legal limit; and if he will make a statement. [6804]

I have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate to write to my hon. Friend.

My Department's published appraisal guidance advises that, where comprehensive traffic calming measures are proposed for an area to be bypassed, the effects of the scheme are tested with and without the traffic calming measures.The evidence suggests that traffic calming measures can enhance substantially the amenity of the bypassed town centre but generally have little impact on the volume of traffic using bypasses. No specific research has been commissioned into the economic consequences of town centre traffic calming on a bypass.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 31 October, Official Report, column 238, if he will list the total number of hours worked by consultants employed by Samuel Montague in relation to rail privatisation. [6972]

The answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has asked the Civil Aviation Authority to provide concerning benefits to the United Kingdom that would arise from the proposed British Airways-American Airlines alliance; and what factors underlie changes from the previous practice in respect of consultation with the CAA. [5657]

It is for the competition authorities to analyse the proposed British Airways-American Airlines alliance. I understand that the CAA has contributed to the analysis carried out by the Office of Fair Trading.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average time taken in the tendering process for (a) design, build, finance and operate roads projects and (b) other PFI transport projects. [5757]

[holding answer 26 November 1996]: The average time taken in the tendering process for DBFO roads projects, from invitation to tender to the awarding of the contract, is 13 months. Information for other PFI transport projects is not readily available, particularly in cases where my Department is not the project promoter, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. An average figure would in any case be meaningless, given the differences in scale and complexity between projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions have taken place between his Department and the legal authorities in England, Wales and Scotland in relation to the prosecution of offences involving HGVs reported by the Vehicle Inspectorate; [6359](2) if he will list for each of the last five financial years for

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will report progress on the Ariane project; what representations he has received from (a) Professor David Southwood of Imperial college, London, and (b) Professor Stephen Schwartz and other plasma physicists at Queen Mary and Westfield colleges, London on this matter; what reply he sent; and if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library. [6106]

Following the failure of Ariane 501, a second qualification flight is planned for April 1997. A third qualification flight, which might also carry a commercial payload, is planned for September 1997.I have received letters from Professor Schwartz and, via the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) from Professor Southwood about the Cluster mission. Copies of the correspondence have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from business organisations in respect of the European Court of Justice's ruling on the working time directive. [5821]

My Department has received a wide range of representations about the working time directive. Many of these have been from employers or employer organisations concerned about the directive's potential implications for industry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's estimate of the number of employees who will receive new entitlements to paid holidays as a result of the introduction of the working time directive. [4690]

[holding answer 25 November 1996]: The number of employees who might receive the entitlements proposed in the directive would depend on the conditions of entitlement set by implementing measures.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many personal insolvencies was recorded over each of the past five years; and how many of these were recorded as being caused through the action of the Child Support Agency. [6239]

The number of individual insolvencies in each of the last five years is shown in the table. Individual insolvencies include business insolvencies applying to individuals and are therefore not strictly personal insolvencies. Information on cause of insolvency is not available, but child support is not a provable debt in bankruptcy.

Individual insolvencies in England an Wales
1991–95
	Number
1991	25,640
1992	36,794
1993	36,703

Individual insolvencies in England an Wales
1991–95
	Number
1994	30,739
1995	26,319

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what employment protection is available to British nationals working in other European Union states, with particular reference to Germany. [6145]

Employment protection arrangements in other European Union states are primarily a matter for the Governments of those states.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the current policy of Her Majesty's Government in respect of trade access for British companies in South Africa. [6398]

The Government support the conclusion of a trade agreement between the European Union and South Africa, which will open market access in both directions. To maximise the benefits for both parties, the agreement should aim at comprehensive product coverage in line with World Trade Organisation rules on free trade areas.That was the position taken by the Government at the General Affairs Council on 25 March 1996 when the EU's negotiating position on a free trade area with South Africa was adopted. South Africa's formal response to the EU's offer of a free trade area is still awaited.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what decisions were made at the recent meeting of the Telecommunications Council on practical measures to deal with illegal and harmful content on the Internet. [6328]

The UK's "Internet Watch" self-regulatory framework for dealing with illegal and harmful content on the Internet was well received at recent meetings of the Commission ad hoc working group on this subject. In its report to the EU Telecommunications Council, the working group advocated the establishment of self-regulatory frameworks along the lines of "Internet Watch" in all EU member states.At its meeting on 28 November, the Telecommunications Council welcomed this report. It adopted conclusions inviting member states to encourage and facilitate self-regulatory systems, possibly including reporting hotlines, and encouraging the provision of Pics-enabled software, to assist in the establishment of rating and filtering system. The Council also called on the Commission to foster co-ordination of self-regulatory bodies at Community level.This is a highly satisfactory outcome, which will enhance the effectiveness of the "Internet Watch" approach.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Industry Council held in Brussels on 14 November. [7384]

The Council agreed a new steel aid code which meets main UK objectives, subject to UK parliamentary scrutiny. The negotiations secured a tightening of aid for partial closures and confirmation of the legal status of annex applying environment aid. The Commission gave a presentation of the sixth report on the control of aid to the steel industry.The Council agreed the budget for a new multiannual programme for SMEs of 127 mecu. It agreed the text of a resolution on small and micro enterprises.On state aids more generally, Council conclusions were adopted which were based on one section of the draft resolution. The conclusions recognised that the application of state aid rules requires continuous endeavours to increase legal certainty, predictability and consistency, noted the Commission's orientations regarding possible future proposals under article 94 regarding procedural rules and block exemptions in specified fields, and supported the early commencement of detailed work.The main issues of the EC merger regulation, threshold reduction and treatment of multiple notifications were discussed. The presidency noted that no qualified majority existed for reducing thresholds. Most member states agreed on the need to solve the problems for business caused by multiple notification. They agreed that further work would be done at working group level.The Council adopted conclusions on benchmarking, the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, an industrial competitiveness policy for the European chemical industry, and on the competitiveness of sub-contracting in the European textile and clothing industry.On shipbuilding, the Council agreed to conclusions noting three main action points, to report back to individual cases to the next Industry Council, to work up a policy for the strategic development of the industry and to issue new figures for the state aid level applicable to individual ships by the end of the year.Finally, the Council discussed progress in the transAtlantic business dialogue. It also discussed standardisation and the global information society.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will establish an inquiry into the export to Libya in 1992 of goods for the use of the military. [2967]

[holding answer 7 November I996]: I have no plans to do so.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what investigation he has established into the export to Libya in 1992 of goods for the use of the military; and if he will publish (a) the terms of reference and (b) the findings of the investigation as soon as possible. [2968]

[holding answer 7 November 1996]: None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he provides to Parliament about export licences. [3319]

[holding answer 11 November 1996]: The DTI places in the Library of the House of Commons a six-monthly analysis of all individual export licences which have been issued or refused. The analysis gives details of numbers of licences issued or refused, by country of destination and by category of goods as classified in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 and the Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1995. The most recent analysis covered the first half of 1996. An analysis covering the second half of the year will be placed in the Library of the House in early 1997.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer the bids from United States companies for East Midlands Electricity and Northern Electric to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement. [5702]

[holding answer 25 November 1996]: The Director General of the Fair Trading is currently considering the bids by CE Electric and Dominion Resources for Northern Electric and East Midlands Electricity respectively and will advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in due course. All representations on this matter should therefore be submitted directly to the DGFT. The President will make his decision on whether or not to refer the bids to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, in the light of the DGFT's advice.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has made to the United States Administration about protection of United States power companies from foreign takeovers; and if he will make a statement. [5701]

[holding answer 25 November 1996]: In a letter of 28 June 1996 to the Secretary of Commerce, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade raised the subject of US regulation of foreign ownership of US energy utility companies. In his response, Mr. Kantor confirmed that US law does not preclude foreign firms from owning US gas or electricity utilities. We are, however, continuing to study in such cases the detailed regulations to which both US and foreign companies are subject.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many (a) full-time jobs, (b) part-time jobs, (c) full-time jobs which are on (i) renewable and (ii) unrenewable fixed term-contracts, (d) part-time jobs which are on (i) renewable and (ii) unrenewable fixed term-contracts, (e) temporary jobs and (f) jobs classified as casual there have been in (1) his Department and (2) executive agencies of his Department for each year since 1992. [5418]

[holding answer 25 November 1996]: I have asked the Department's agencies to reply directly to the hon. Member.Historical data on the numbers of temporary staff employed in the headquarters area of the Department are not maintained, and the information is not available in the form requested.The Department currently has 48 temporary staff on fixed-term appointments and 175 casuals. Historical information of the numbers, in man years, of permanent and casual staff employed by the Department and its agencies is available from the staff numbers table on pages 120 and 121 of the Department's expenditure plans report, Cm 3205, published each March. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to issue the invitation to tender for the royal observatories; and if he will make a statement. [6119]

[holding answer 26 November 1996]: I have been informed that the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council is unable to proceed at present with tendering of the programme of the royal observatories.A series of difficulties which have significant financial and legal implications remain to be resolved before PPARC can issue invitations to tender, some of which only emerged during the detailed analysis required to prepare the tender documents. PPARC is determined to resolve these difficulties as soon as possible, but their resolution will realistically take several months.Given the length of this delay, it will not be possible to adhere to the advertised time scale for the award and commencement of contracts. Consequently, the current tendering exercise has been formally terminated. Organisations which were shortlisted to bid against the invitations to tender have been informed. Tendering will proceed once the difficulties have been resolved and the cost and benefits re-assessed. Meanwhile, the work of the royal observatories will continue on the present basis.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action his Department is taking in respect of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's investigation of the take-over of A1 Service by Stagecoach Holdings plc. [6487]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: As I explained in my letter of 26 September 1996 to the hon. Member, the Office of Fair Trading is currently seeking from Stagecoach Holdings plc the undertakings which they were asked to give following the publication of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the acquisition by Stagecoach of Al Service in November 1995. The hon. Member is aware that the obtaining of undertakings from Stagecoach was delayed because of judicial review proceedings initiated by the company, which were concluded in June 1996 when the Court of Session in Edinburgh dismissed Stagecoach's petition.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of those employed by his Department in 1992–93 were women. [6469]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: On 1 april 1992, the Department employed 5,592 female staff, which was 45 per cent. of the total number of staff and on 1 April 1993 employed 5,700 female staff, which was 44 per cent. of the total staff. During 1992, the Department of Energy joined the DTI and the figure for 1992 therefore excludes former Department of Energy staff.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many women are currently employed by his Department at each civil service grade. [6449]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: The figures for female staff in the Department by grade level, on a headcount basis, are as set out:

	Number
Senior Civil Service	32
Grade 6—level	28
Grade 7—level	149
SEO—level	82
HEO—level	301
EO—level	491
AO-level	896
AA—level	396

To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [6450]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: The Department operates a holiday play scheme in central London offering up to 32 places on any one day for at least 11 weeks of the year during school holidays. In addition, DTI staff in Government Offices may make use of local holiday play schemes. The Department's staff have had access to a holiday play scheme in central London since 1990. The following figures show the number of staff whose children used the DTI play schemes during 1993, 1994 and 1995. Figures for 1992 are not available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those administrative decisions of his Department affecting (a) United Kingdom citizens and (b) non-citizens where there is no right of appeal. [6035]

[holding answer 25 November 1996]: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means, when and at what cost, he intends to promote vouchers for pre-school children. [5864]

Details of expenditure plans will shortly be finalised. I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 14 November, Official Report, column 355, for what reasons the administration costs of the pre-school voucher scheme do not have additional start-up costs in the first year. [6090]

The cost of administering the nursery voucher scheme, including start up costs have been estimated on the basis of the three-year period of the initial contract and a detailed breakdown is not available. The answer of 14 November spread the total estimated cost for Northern Ireland of £300,000 evenly over the three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 14 November, Official Report, column 355, if he will negotiate to ensure that, in the contract with Capita over the pre-school voucher scheme, that there will be no costs falling on an incoming administration should the voucher scheme not go ahead. [6091]

The national contract with Capita does not cover Northern Ireland but contains an opt-in clause permitting coverage to be extended to the Province when the necessary legislation is in place. In line with commercial practice, the contract for the national scheme contains provision for the payment of costs related to early termination of the contract. Further details are available in the contract, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 14 November, Official Report, column 355, if he will itemise the administration tasks that have to be completed by Capita for £9.17, as the estimated cost of administration per full-time equivalent pupil. [6092]

The principal administrative tasks are:

Establishing and equipping a voucher centre office;

Issue of an initial letter and application forms to parents;

Production, issue, receipt and processing of vouchers; and

Provision of a telephone helpline.

Further details are contained in the contract for the national scheme, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what savings have been made by the Eastern health and social services board in respect of purchases from the North and West Belfast HSS trust since 5 April. [6577]

The 1995 public expenditure survey settlement included a requirement from the Department of Finance and Personnel to the health service in Northern Ireland to find 3 per cent. cash efficiency savings. However, after discussions with boards and trusts, I concluded that this would not be possible. Accordingly, instead of being prescriptive, I agreed to guidelines of 1.5 per cent. efficiency savings and 1.5 per cent. cuts in services. In seeking to achieve the necessary savings, I understand that the board negotiated with North and West Belfast HSS trust a contract for 1996–97 which proposed a service reduction equating 1.3 per cent.—£0.831 million—a total saving of 2.93 per cent.—£1.528 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what savings the Eastern health and social services board is expected to make in respect of purchases from the North and West Belfast HSS trust in the current financial year. [6578]

I understand that the board, in accordance with the guidelines that service reductions should focus on low priority acute elective activity, agreed a contract with North and West Belfast HSS trust which will realise the following savings: cost improvement of 1.56 per cent—W.831 million—and in-year service reductions on 0.66 per cent.—£0.331 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the savings to be made by the Eastern health and social services board in respect of purchases from the North and West Belfast HSS trust will affect residential homes and their staff. [6579]

I understand that the savings realised from the North and West Belfast HSS Trust for 1996–97 have had no implications for the provision of its statutory residential care homes. The contract signed with the trust has no detrimental effect on its existing levels of statutory residential care. The trust has made no approach to the board about any proposals to reduce statutory residential provision in 1996–97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients of non-fundholding general practitioners have had their surgery suspended following the announcement by the Royal Group of Hospitals that it is to suspend all non-emergency operations for non-fundholders' patients. [6580]

No admissions to the Royal Group of Hospitals that had been booked before its announcement on 30 October have had to be cancelled due to lack of funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many lines of computer code there are in his Department's computer systems. [5341]