To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which weekly newspapers from Northern Ireland he (a) receives each week and (b) has cancelled delivery of this year. [7108]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the allowances and the pension arrangements currently available to British Members of the European Parliament. [7111]

[holding answer 2 December 1996]: Members of the European Parliament may claim expenses that they incur in performance of their parliamentary duties as follows: general office costs; travel within their member state and to official meetings or conferences; subsistence costs while attending official meetings; and costs of employing secretaries or assistants.Pension arrangements for United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament are analogous to those for Members of the House of Commons. They are financed by the Exchequer and by contributions from individual MEPs at a rate of 6 per cent. of basic salary. MEPs may also subscribe to the European Parliament's additional voluntary pension scheme. Two thirds of payments to the scheme come from the EP budget, one third from participating MEPs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit Venezuela. [7308]

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans to visit Venezuela in the immediate future.I visited in May this year and met several Venezuelan Ministers, including the President.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 November, Official Report, column 504, what were the numbers and ranks of all service personnel who took part in the state opening of Parliament; what is their (a) individual daily pay rate and (b) total daily pay rates; and how many days each group was involved in preparation and de-briefing for the event. [5854]

The numbers and ranks of the military personnel who took part in the state opening of Parliament together with the individual average daily pay rates of the participating ranks and the total daily pay rates, are as follows:

Rank	Numbers (a)	Daily pay rate £(b)	Total daily pay rate£ (a x b)
Major General	1	179.88	179.88
Colonel	3	140.38	421.14
Lieutenant Colonel	3	120.78	362.34
Major	17	89.64	1,523.88
Captain	27	69.48	1,875.96
Lieutenant/2nd Lieutenant	22	53.10	1,168.20
Warrant Officer (1st Class)	7	68.52	479.64
Warrant Officer (2nd Class)	24	64.89	1,557.36
Staff Sergeant	36	60.23	2,168.28
Sergeant	95	52.36	4,974.20
Corporal	166	47.58	7,898.28
Lance Corporal	244	39.43	9,620.92
Private	855	34.59	29,574.45
Total	1,500		61,804,53

These figures represent gross daily rates of pay which are paid to service personnel irrespective of where they are serving or the nature of their duties. They are not additional costs to the MOD in respect of the state opening of Parliament. Participating units spent less than a full day in preparation for this ceremony.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration was given to leasing rather than purchasing the airportable dozer (future purchase number ELWS1A/20, the aircraft potable water/toilet servicing vehicles (future purchase number SMC41C/3457), self-propelled access platforms (future purchase number SMC31ARAF335), helicopter for empire tests pilots school (future purchase number TEBD333307), the crawler dozer (future purchase number EMD1A/151) as listed in MOD contracts bulletin volume 11 number 6. [5169]

[holding answer 2 December 19961: In each of the five cases in question, the entry in the contracts bulletin is in the "Future Purchases" section, which is intended to inform companies of MOD's forthcoming requirements at the earliest opportunity. The actual invitations to tender have not yet been finalised and when they are, or even before, there will be an opportunity for companies to submit innovative proposals such as leasing. Any such proposals which are received will be given full consideration. However, in specific cases, it may not be practical or cost-effective to lease instead of buy, as it may be necessary to modify the equipment to accommodate military service needs. For example, in the case of the helicopter requirement, the civil air register calls for different operating requirements from those which apply with the military register.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate allegations of payments requested from train operators by Railtrack in respect of trains passing through Stevenage station. [6655]

I am not aware of any such allegations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the standards of aviation regulation and safety within United Kingdom airspace; and if he will make a statement. [6966]

The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the regulation of civil aviation in the UK. It sets high safety standards and consequently the UK has a good aviation safety record.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 26 November, Official Report, column 154, what inspections are being undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that Boeing's instructions regarding defective rudders are being implemented. [6967]

No specific inspections by the Civil Aviation Authority are required. The aircraft operator is responsible for ensuring that mandatory inspections, such as those required by US Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive 96-23–51, are carried out. UK operators are aware of the importance of complying with airworthiness directives and have always been assiduous in doing so.An aircraft cannot be released to service by its maintenance organisation until all mandatory action has been carried out and recorded in the maintenance records. CAA control over this process is exercised through regular audits of organisations and their maintenance records.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will establish an independent review of United Kingdom air traffic control arrangements, with special reference to separation distances, supervision of air traffic control movements, and the inability of those concerned to meet the targets set for them; and if he will ensure that some of the members of such a review are drawn from experts outside Europe. [6965]

The good safety record of the UK National Air Traffic Services does not justify such a review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 19 November, Official Report, column 479, what criteria were used to determine that Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute was best qualified to conduct the Phase 2 survey of the MV Derbyshire; what was the role of the European Commission in making the decision; at what stage competitive tendering took place or will take place for the work; which companies have been or will be invited to tender; and if he will make a statement. [7106]

The criterion was the ability to meet the specification for phase 2 of the project drawn up by the three technical assessors, having particular regard to the availability of, and experience of using, the appropriate photographic and sonar technology and the ability to manipulate and present the data recovered. Because of Woods Hole's unique capabilities and experience, which is not matched by any commercial party, it was appointed without a formal tendering exercise. A full assessment of worldwide capabilities in this area was undertaken and the decision to appoint Woods Hole was taken jointly by the Department and the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the need for the Rainworth bypass, Nottinghamshire; and what plans he has to provide financial assistance for the scheme. [6844]

As part of its transport policies and programme submission, Nottinghamshire county council has provided information about Rainworth bypass in line with the guidance issued annually to local authorities by my Department. The case of the bypass will be considered very carefully in the light of competing bids for major new schemes and other areas of spending. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those departmental responsibilities which relate to (a) England, (b) England and Wales, (c) England, Wales and Scotland and (d) the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the approximate proportion of the time and budget of his Department which exclusively relates to each of the above categories. [5964]

This information would be disproportionately costly to compile. Page 1 of the transport report for 1994 summarises the geographical extent of the Secretary of State's main responsibilities, but this is not an exhaustive list. The transport report 1996 contains extensive information about the Secretary of State's responsibilities and expenditure plans. The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices and the Department of the Environment publish their own reports, which include information on regional and local transport matters. Some regionally disaggregated expenditure figures are also given in "Transport Statistics Great Britain" and in the public expenditure analyses published annually by the Treasury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects the road improvement works on the A40 at Gypsy Corner and Western Circus to be completed. [7048]

The timing of construction will be the responsibility of the successful DBFO company. We intend to issue a pre-qualification document shortly to gauge private sector interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy in the period until the end of the derogation, to allow the UK coach industry to operate up to 18-tonne vehicles which comply with the 10.5 tonne rear axle limit. [6769]

[pursuant to his reply 2 December. Official Report, column 475]: The Department of Transport will shortly be issuing a consultation document looking into the feasibility of allowing coaches to operate at 18 tonnes with a 10.5 tonne maximum drive axle weight. Pending the results of this consultation no decision will be made on whether or not to permit such an increase.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 7 November, Official Report, column 602, what were the proposed annual

Average percentage change in rent officer registrations in relation to house prices Mean rent, and percentage change on previous registration, unfurnished lettings
	Private tenancies		HA tenancies		DoE mix-adjusted UK house price index.
Region and year	Mean registered rent (£pa)	Two year mean percentage change1	Mean registered rent (£pa)	Two year mean percentage change1	Two year mean percentage change
Northern
1990–91	1,087	24	1,416	20	45
1991–92	1,196	27	1,540	22	9
1992–93	1,395	23	1,705	21	3
1993–94	1,532	20	1,721	17	9
1994–95	1,590	16	1,945	13	3
1995–962	1,631	17	1,892	12	-2
Yorkshire and Humberside
1990–91	1,260	25	1,577	22	39
1991–92	1,378	25	1,662	23	9
1992–93	1,539	22	1,878	20	2
1993–94	1,646	17	1,890	16	-2
1994–95	1,745	15	2,108	13	-4
1995–962	1,845	14	2,165	11	-2
East Midlands
1990–91	1,356	25	1,615	20	17
1991–92	1,491	24	1,691	21	-2
1992–93	1,640	23	1,966	21	-5
1993–94	1,764	20	1,972	17	-6
1994–95	1,914	18	2,243	14	-1
1995–962	1,995	15	2,230	14	0
East Anglia
1990–91	1,520	20	1,590	19	-5
1991–92	1,631	19	1,710	21	-14
1992–93	1,793	19	1,870	20	-10
1993–94	1,903	18	2,021	18	-8
1994–95	2,036	16	2,129	15	-2
1995–962	2,085	13	2,209	12	3
Greater London
1990–91	1,834	21	1,716	21	2
1991–92	2,056	23	1,905	23	-7
1992–93	2,266	23	2,111	23	-14
1993–94	2,497	23	2,281	21	-11
1994–95	2,755	21	2,475	19	5
1995–962	2,938	20	2,624	17	4

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: A total of £11.9 million excluding three projects for which estimates are not available. Only one project has so far been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each of the last six years the average rent registered by rent officers in each region of England for unfurnished lettings by (a) private landlords and (b) housing associations; and if he will list the average percentage increase on the previous registration in relation to the percentage change in (i) house prices and (ii) general inflation over the same period. [6122]

Available information is given in the tables. As rents registered by rent officers are typically re-registered every two years, percentage changes in respect of house prices and the retail prices index have also been quoted over a two-year period.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding rough sleepers in the north-west. [6656]

The consultation paper, "Rough Sleepers Initiative—Future Plans," was sent to all local authorities in England and to a number of voluntary and statutory sector agencies working with homeless people. It sought views on the future of the rough sleepers initiative and invited evidence on the extent of rough sleeping. Eighty-six local authorities responded. In the north-west, these were the borough of Blackburn. Copeland borough council, Hyndburn borough council, Manchester city council, South Ribble borough council and Wigan metropolitan borough council. Only Manchester city council indicated any significant problem of rough sleeping.Manchester city council was invited to take part in a detailed evaluation of the extent of rough sleeping and services available to people sleeping rough in Manchester. Similar evaluations were conducted in 22 other areas around England where consultation responses suggested the existence of a rough sleeping problem. They were co-ordinated by Shelter, on contract to the Department of the Environment. The single night headcount in Manchester, which formed part of the evaluation there, found 31 people sleeping rough. On the basis of these evaluations, the Government are extending help to tackle rough sleeping to a number of areas around England, including Manchester. These were set out in detail in my

right hon. Friend's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Mr. Merchant) on 31 October,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the rough sleepers initiative to the north-west; and if he will make a statement. [6657]

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Mr. Merchant) on 31 October 1996, Official Report, column 187.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (i) how many grants have been paid under the home energy efficiency scheme in 1996–97 to date; and how many of these grants have been paid at the lower rate; [6587](2) how many grants he expects to be paid under the home energy efficiency scheme during 1996–97; how many of these are expected to be paid at the lower rate; and if he will make a statement. [6588]

A total of 288,525 grants were paid between 1 April and 31 October, the most recent date for which figures are available; 1,351 were paid at the lower rate. I estimate that 406,000 grants will be paid in 1996–97 under this scheme, which has already helped over 2 million vulnerable households. A total of 2,300 of these grants are expected to be at the lower rate. The 1997–98 output will be boosted by the proposed 3 per cent. increase in the allocation. I intend soon to announce changes to the structure of the scheme to make it more flexible and even better value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people have been housed by each local authority in the north-west during the last five years under housing legislation relating to homelessness. [6658]

There is a table in the Library that shows the numbers of households accepted for re-housing by each local authority under the homelessness legislation, for each year since 1980.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce measures to prevent local authorities and housing associations (a) charging rent to tenants who are in custody and (b) charging rent for four weeks to offenders who relinquish tenancy on arrest. [6654]

None. Rent collection is a matter for local authorities and housing associations. The Government encourage local authorities and housing associations to collect rent due and to pursue rent arrears.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the provision in PPG13 in respect of new dwellings for agricultural and forestry workers to give greater priority to the environmental disadvantages of frequent commuting. [6787]

We have no plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if local authorities which implement a registration scheme for houses in multiple occupation under the Housing Act 1996 will be required to provide the local fire authority with details of all premises registered with them so that the fire service may make such inspections as are necessary under section 1(1)(d) of the Fire Services Act 1947 relating to the siting and layout of the properties. [5714]

Section 1(1)(d) of the Fire Services Act 1947 places a duty on fire authorities to secure efficient arrangements for obtaining information about the character of buildings for fire-fighting purposes. Local housing authorities are required by law to make available for public inspection the information contained in their registers of houses in multiple occupation. Fire authorities will therefore be able to obtain this information if required.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the revised consultation procedures between fire authorities and local authorities under section 75(3) of the Housing Act 1996; and what assessment he has made of whether such procedures will ensure the safety of tenants in such properties, in case of fire. [5715]

The Housing Act 1996 provides for a range of measures to secure improved standards in houses in multiple occupation particularly for fire safety. Local authorities will retain the prime responsibility for enforcing fire safety standards in HMOs but will be required to consult with the fire authorities where enforcement action is required in specified categories of high risk HMOs. I announced on 26 November, Official Report, column 147, the issues of a consultation paper setting out details of the secondary legislation we propose. Copies are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those departmental responsibilities which relate to (a) England, (b) England and Wales, (c) England, Wales and Scotland and (d) the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the approximate proportion of the time and budget of his Department which exclusively relates to each of the above categories. [5960]

The Department of the Environment's responsibilities, which are set out in the Department's annual report, generally relate to England only. The main exceptions are:

England and Wales

Drinking Water Inspectorate

Environment Agency

England, Wales and Scotland

Policy responsibility for the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Countryside research and long-term monitoring programme

Sponsorship of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee

CITES licensing

Registration of birds (Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)

Monitoring and encouraging action to reduce Government Departments' empty residential properties.

Maintenance of qualification list for building contractors and consultants wishing to undertake Government contracts (NB—the list is available for use in Great Britain and to a limited extent in Northern Ireland.)

Health and Safety Commission/Executive

British Waterways

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Policy responsibility and UK lead Department for:

EC Birds Directive

EC Habitats Directive

UK Biodiversity Action Plan

International Conservation Conventions (Bern, Bonn, Ramsar)

Sponsorship of HOMES (Housing Organisation and Mobility Exchange Schemes)

Environmental protection, including leading in international fora, in consultation with the relevant Northern Ireland Departments and the relevant Scottish and Welsh Offices

UK Round Table on Sustainable Development

Panel on Sustainable Development

Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

Provision of information on the proportion of time and budget relating to each of the categories could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) under what statutory provisions local authorities may levy the uniform business rate on show houses; and if he will make a statement; [6772](2) if he will make a statement on the steps which he is taking to assist the housebuilding industry with particular regard to reducing the regulatory and local government tax burden. [6773]

Show houses are non-domestic under section 66 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. Local authorities are obliged, under paragraphs 1 to 4 of schedule 9 to the 1988 Act, to levy non-domestic rates on all non-domestic property, apart from those which are exempt.The rates bill on over I million small properties in 1997–98 in England and Wales will be held at this year's level under measures recently announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget. Nearly all show houses are likely to benefit from these measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to amend the law with respect to the levelling of local government taxes on show houses following the case of Ideal Homes v Ian Walker heard by the rating tribunal in 1995; and if he will make a statement. [6774]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey. North-West (Sir M. Grylls) on Monday 2 December 1996, Official Report, column 487.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated, into the use of economic measures in the control of pollution (i) in general and (ii) in the water sector. [7156]

In 1993 the Government published "Making Markets Work for the Environment", a statement of both policy and practice, intended to facilitate the introduction of market-based methods for the improved delivery of environmental policy objectives. This was based on extensive evaluation of research conducted within Government, in academic and other research organisations and in international organisations including the OECD. Since then the Government have kept the extensive body research literature under review, and supplemented this evaluation by specific commissions covering all sectors of environment policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the environmental technology best practice programme is devoted to (a) schemes to reduce effluent discharges and (b) schemes to reduce demand for water. [7159]

Committed expenditure under the environmental technology best practice programme on water and effluent projects is currently 41 per cent. Eight per cent. of this expenditure is on projects with a focus on water minimisation; 22 per cent. is on projects with a focus on effluent reduction; and 11 per cent. is on projects that cover both areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the use of economic measures in environmental policy. [7155]

Research is routinely used when considering economic measures in environmental policies as, for example, with the landfill tax. Other recent and continuing areas of research include the use of market-based measures to address sulphur emissions, the environmental effects of pesticide use and volatile organic compounds. Further details of the Department's planned research programmes can be found in the publications "DoE Research Market" and research newsletters.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in respect of how many planning schemes he has used his call-in powers in 1996; and how many (i) have been determined and (ii) await determination. [7310]

Up to 30 November, my right hon. Friend had called in 130 applications for his determination and had decided 85 applications in 1996. Forty applications were awaiting determination at that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of outstanding planning appeals for each district authority in England. [7314]

The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the inspectorate's chief executive, Mr. Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to repeal the Alkali Etc. Works Regulations Act 1906. [7702]

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 provided for the repeal of the Alkali Act 1906. The Minister for the Environment and Countryside has today signed a commencement order giving effect to this repeal, coming into force on 16 December.The repeal of this Act marks the end of a chapter of national industrial air pollution legislation which dates back to the first Alkali Act of 1863. The systems of integrated pollution control and local air pollution control, which are implemented under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, supersede the old legislation.These two new systems are now fully operational, with well over 10,000 industrial processes in England and Wales subject to their control. The repeal of the Alkali Act is a reflection of that success.This is a further example of the Government's intention to remove redundant legislation from the statute books. This commencement order will have the effect of repealing not only the 1906 Act, but also three separate sets of regulations, and provisions in two other Acts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the total water leakage figures (a) in litres per day and (b) as a percentage of total water distribution input in each year since 1991; [7157](2) if he will publish for each water company (i) leakage figures for 1995–96 and (ii) the leakage targets for 1995–96 submitted to the Director General of Water Services in each case

The data on total leakage since 1991–92 are in the table.

	Total losses Ml/d	Total leakage (per cent.)
1991–92	4,439	26.6
1992–93	4,620	28.4
1993–94	4,604	28.5

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has completed its review of European structural fund processes in England; and what conclusions it has reached. [7703]

We have completed our review of the European structural fund processes in England. In carrying out the work we have been aware of the criticisms and suggestions by numerous bodies both within and outside Government, including those contained in the report, "Efficiency Scrutiny of Financial Information Flows between Central and Local Government", which we published on 14 November.We intend to revise radically the present administrative arrangements and to delegate to local partnerships considerable responsibility for project selection within an agreed action plan. This will ensure that partnerships are able to take a strategic view of the development of projects to deal with issues facing their areas and can bring to bear the European regional development fund and the European social fund alongside domestic regeneration programmes. Finally we propose to simplify the system of financial accounting for ERDF in England to speed up the payment of grant to successful applicants.As a result of partnerships of public, private and voluntary bodies will be able, as with the single regeneration budget challenge fund, to bid for resources to achieve key improvements for their areas, or for individual projects. Bids will be judged as now by Government, advised by the Monitoring Committees. Partnerships will need to have in place high quality project appraisal and financial management systems to ensure that the public money is well spent. They will be judged by results.We will be notifying the new arrangements to the European Commission and will be discussing the detailed implementation with the monitoring committees and others. Our aim is to put in place the system in time for the new objective 2 programmes starting next year. Our objective is high quality and fully integrated regeneration programmes which meet local needs.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those departmental responsibilities which relate to (a) England, (b) England and Wales, (c) England, Wales and Scotland and (d) the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the approximate proportion of the time and budget of his Department which exclusively relates to each of the above categories. [5957]

The Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for promoting general reforms in the civil and family law; the procedures of the civil courts; for legal aid; and the Lord Chancellor is responsible for advising the Crown on the appointment of High Court and circuit judges. He appoints High Court Masters, district judges, magistrates and certain other legal officers in his own right. He also has ministerial responsibility for magistrates' courts, which are administered locally.The Lord Chancellor's Department has two executive agencies, the Court Service and the Public Trust Office.The Department's responsibilities, including those of the Court Service and Public Trust Office, relate to England and Wales. Its expenditure in 1995–96 is set out in table 1. Explanatory notes are provided to show where a split may be made between expenditure in England and Wales. A similar split in time spent on the different categories cannot be made. The Department has no responsibilities which relate to England alone or, save in respect of the administration of certain tribunals, to Scotland, and nor do its responsibilities extend to Northern Ireland.The Lord Chancellor is accountable to Parliament for two separate Government Departments, which are also executive agencies.The Public Record Office is responsible for maintaining, supervising and co-ordinating the public record system of the Government of the United Kingdom. Its responsibilities and therefore all of its time and budget relate to the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In practice, most of its work concerns England and Wales since records of Government Departments, courts, tribunals and other bodies relating wholly or mainly to Scotland or to Northern Ireland are administered by the Scottish Record Office or by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, as appropriate. However, it has no method of attributing its expenditure on a territorial basis. The Public Record Office's budget—less extraordinary items—for 1995–96 was £26,735,000.The main statutory function of Her Majesty's land Registry, which was also established as a trading fund in April 1993, is to keep a register of title to freehold and leasehold land throughout England and Wales. On behalf of the Crown, the registry guarantees title to registered estates and interests in land. The registry's responsibilities apply equally to both England and Wales. Its expenditure is set out in table 2.The Lord Chancellor also has separate responsibility for the administration of justice in Northern Ireland, and for advising the Crown on judicial appointments and making certain appointments himself on a similar basis to that in England and Wales. These responsibilities are exercised through the Northern Ireland Court Service and in consultation with the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Court Service was created under the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 as a" "unified and distinct civil service of the Crown". Its principal functions are facilitating the business of the Supreme Court, county courts, magistrates' courts and coroners' courts; providing a facility for the enforcement of civil judgments; overseeing the administration of civil and criminal legal aid; and administering the office of the social security commissioners and child support commissioners. Its expenditure in 1995–96 is set out in table 3.

Table 1: 1995–96 spend by territory for vote categories
Section of vote	England	Wales	Total
A (HQ)1	n/a	n/a	81,680,457
B (Court Service)2	548,217,080	21,080,752	569,297,832
C (PTO)3	17,869,208	0	17,869,208
D (Legal Aid)4	n/a	n/a	1,391,909,721
E (Legal Aid Administration)4	n/a	n/a	54,899,562
F (costs from central funds)5	n/a	n/a	23,987,026
G (Magistrates Courts grants)	285,622,425	17,613,843	303,236,268
H (Magistrates Courts grants on loan charges)	16,214,760	1,565,681	17,780,441
Total			2,460,660,514
1All HQ expenditure is made in England, however it could be argued that part of it (e.g. policy, personnel, pay unit) is on behalf of the Court Service for Wales. We have no method of attributing the expenditure on a territorial basis and can only provide a total figure.
2The Court Service split has been done on a circuit basis. The Wales figure is simply the expenditure for Wales and Chester circuit: this includes part of Cheshire.
3All of the PTO expenditure should be attributed to England.
4Expenditure on Legal Aid cannot be identified separately. The Legal Aid Board administers applications and bills regionally and payments to Welsh practitioners could only be identified by scrutinising each bill at the regional offices that cover Wales. Legal aid payments through the Crown Court are not separately recorded at county level.
5Costs from central funds: payments are made through the magistrates courts and the Crown Court. Payments are not recorded separately at county level and could only be identified by examining each claim.

Table 2: 1995–96 HM land registry spend by territory
England £	Wales £	Total £
180,205,000	11,977,000	192,182,000

HM Land Registry figures for spend in Wales represent the expenditure for Swansea District Land Registry. This office is responsible for all land registration services in Wales and also for the land registration services in the County of Hereford and Worcester and certain London boroughs. It is not possible to attribute expenditure on a territorial basis and therefore only a total figure can be provided.

Table 3: Spend for Northern Ireland for vote categories
	Total £
Northern Ireland Court Service	23,551,236
Legal Aid	25,891,474
Legal Aid Administration	1,992,000
Total	51,434,710

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the European Union Development Council meeting on 22 November. [7459]

Initial discussions were held on the future of EC trade and development relations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific states after the year 2000. The Council adopted a decision and a joint action on Zaire and the Great Lakes, underlining EU commitment to the objectives of the UN resolutions, and giving priority to the return of refugees to their country of origin.The Council also adopted two regulations, setting a framework for EC rehabilitation and reconstruction operations and for EC development cooperation with South Africa. Common positions were agreed on two draft regulations governing assistance for programmes against drugs and drug addiction, and on population policies and programmes in developing countries. The Council adopted resolutions setting out policy guidelines for EC and member state programmes in the field of human and social development; and guidance for EC development programmes targeted at anti-personnel land mines. Conclusions were agreed on gender issues in crisis prevention and an evaluation of EC humanitarian aid from 1991–96.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussion he has had with the computer industry on the requirement for all appropriate products offered for sale to be clearly labelled as millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [6669]

At the Taskforce 2000 conference held on 18 October I challenged all computer companies still selling non-millennium compliant software and services to make their position clear. Following this I am pleased to note that Computing Services and Software Association, acting with Taskforce 2000, have written to all UK software suppliers. They are now making available a millennium directory of suppliers who offer services and products for the millennium date change issue.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the outcome of the informal task force of the European Commission to consult and report on the problem of the effect of the century date change on computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [6668]

I first raised the year 200 issue at the Telecoms Council on 27 June.I am not aware of any informal taskforce of the European Commission dealing with the century date change problem. However, I understand from the Commission that, using the established senior officials group for IT standards public procurement group, the Commission has been considering the implications of the century date change issue. As recently as 26 November the group met to exchange ideas on alleviating the problem both in member states own Administrations and within private sector businesses within Europe.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Post Office is taking to ensure that millennium compliance of its computer systems and those with which they are connected; what is its budget for this purpose; and if he will make a statement. [6666]

I understand from the Post Office that it has had a dedicated year 2000 project team in place for the past six months. The project is working closely with all Post Office businesses to both understand the impact and implement system changes to ensure compliancy.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the recent increase in petrol prices; and if he will make a statement. [6393]

I have received a number of representations regarding those increases in petrol prices that pre-dated the increase in duty in the Budget. Those were due to a slackening in the intense price competition of earlier this year, coupled with increases in international oil prices.Gross margins have, however, still not recovered to the levels of 1995.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost to private individuals and businesses of IRA explosions in Great Britain over the last five years; and if he will make it his policy to extend the Northern Ireland terrorist criminal injury and criminal damage legislation to the mainland. [7203]

There is no justification for extending the Northern Ireland terrorism compensation arrangements because insurance cover is readily available in Great Britain. No estimate has been made of the costs to individuals and businesses of terrorist explosions in the last five years.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what environmental audits have been conducted at oil and gas drilling rigs and storage platforms operated by companies licensed to drill in United Kingdom coastal waters or designated areas of the North sea and Atlantic ocean. [7014]

I refer the hon. Member to my earlier response to a similar question on 31 October, Official Report, column 184. Figures for the number of environmental inspections or audits will, in future, be published in my Department's annual energy report, copies of which will be held in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the largest single discharge of oil from an oil drilling or storage platform in the United Kingdom sector since 1979. [7022]

The single largest spillage of oil from an oil drilling or storage platform in the United Kingdom sector since 1979 was from the Piper Alpha installation in 1988, when 750 tonnes of oil was lost following the fatal explosion.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage change in British export unit values for the latest available year over (a) 1973, (b) 1978 and (c) 1990. [7232]

Information on UK export price indices for the latest 10 years is published by the Office for National Statistics in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", which is available in the Library of the House. Figures for earlier periods may be obtained from the central shared database, which may be accessed from the Library.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Government are taking to improve public access to new information and communication technologies. [7638]

Today, as part of the Government's information society initiative, I launched "IT for All", a four-year programme, taking us to the millennium. The information society initiative is the Government's strategy to take the United Kingdom forward into the information age. It is the single identity used for all Government activities in this area, whether they involve the Government's own delivery of services, business support, education, libraries or giving hands-on experience to private citizens. I have today published "Building the Information Society: a National Strategy" which sets out the Government's overall aims and policies for the information society, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House."IT for All" will underpin all parts of the information society initiative by focusing on the use of technology by individuals. We want to help those who are unconvinced by the benefits of information and communication technologies or are not confident about using them. "IT for All" will raise awareness of these new technologies among the general public and facilitate direct access to them. "IT for All" will show the benefits and opportunities they offer and the many ways in which they can already be used to improve the quality of daily life. The campaign aims to build positive well-informed public attitudes to the information society, particularly among those who have little or no direct contact with interactive applications at present. There will be opportunities throughout the country for people to get direct, hands-on experience, whether in libraries, shops or schools."IT for All" is based on a close partnership between business, central and local government and voluntary sector organisations. It involves many Government Departments, including the Department for Trade and Industry, Department for Education and Employment, Department of National Heritage, Cabinet Office, Department of Transport, Department of Health, Scottish Office, Welsh Office and the Northern Ireland Office.Further details can be found on the "IT for All" website at http://www.itforall.gov.uk.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Consumers Council held on 25 November. [7639]

The Council held an orientation debate on a proposal for a directive on injunctions for the protection of consumers interest.The Council also held an orientation debate in which broad agreement was reached on proposed amendments to the part of the directive on consumer credit dealing with annual percentage rates.The Council agreed conclusions on an access to justice action plan for co-operation to help consumers achieve settlement in cross-boarder disputes through out-of-court and small claims procedures.There was an open debate on consumers and the information society in which the wide ranging impact and speed of technological development in the information society were fully acknowledged. The Commission will examine existing legislation to identify the, possibly limited, scope for specifically consumer oriented action.The Commission gave presentations on the:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the EC regulation designed to counter assertions of extra-territorial jurisdiction by the United States of America in respect of Cuba, Iran and Libya to be adopted. [7640]

The General Affairs Council on 28 October agreed the text of an EC regulation which is designed to protect against the effects of the extraterritorial application of legislation adopted by a third country. The regulation specifically identifies the US Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act 1996 and other legislation relating to Cuba, and the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act 1996. It was adopted on 22 November 1996 and entered into force on 29 November 1996.The regulation applies to all legal persons incorporated within the Community and to all natural persons resident in the Community whether or not they are EC nationals as well as certain other categories of persons, for example certain shipping companies.Those covered by the regulation are obliged to inform the European Commission either directly or through their national authorities if their financial and economic interests are directly or indirectly affected by the operation of the foreign legislation in question and they are prohibited from complying with any requirements or prohibitions which may be imposed on them under the legislation. Procedures have been established whereby those affected may seek waivers allowing them to comply in circumstances where non-compliance with the foreign legislation would seriously damage their interests or those of the European Community.The regulation also provides that judgments given by foreign courts under the specified foreign legislation will not be enforceable within the European Community and that those persons covered by the regulation can recover any damages, including legal costs, caused to them by the application of that legislation or by actions based thereon or resulting therefrom. This recovery may be obtained, anywhere in the European Community where there are assets, from the natural or legal person or any other entity causing the damages or from any person acting on its behalf or from an intermediary.Member states are obliged to provide for sanctions for breaches of the notification and non-compliance obligations. We shall be proposing an appropriate order to Her Majesty in Council to accomplish this which will then be laid before Parliament.A joint action commitment agreed in parallel to the regulation commits member states to protect the interests of those natural and legal persons covered by the regulation to the extent that the regulation itself does not do so.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the areas within his Department which will he affected by the Budget reductions set out in table 5A.4 of the Red Book for 1997 to 2000. [7151]

Details underlying the figures in table 5A.4 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98" will, as usual, be contained in Departments' expenditure plans reports to be presented to Parliament in March next year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the implications of the Budget statement for the OST. [7152]

The science budget—the funding available for distribution to the research councils, the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and a number of other small programmes—has been maintained at the planning level announced in November last year (£1,330 million) for 1997–98 and represents an increase of £18 million over the level for the current year. The planning figures are shown in the table:

Science budget	£ million
1996–97 estimated outturn	1,312
1997–98 budget	1,330
1998–99 planning	1,338
1999–00 figures	1,333

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the US Government in respect of the abolition of child labour. [7007]

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has received no such representations, but the US Government are amongst those joining with the UK in supporting the International Labour Organisation's proposal to draw up a new international instrument to tackle the problem of child labour.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many children under the age of 14 years work (a) full and (b) part-time in the United Kingdom. [7011]

I have been asked to reply.Children under the minimum school leaving age are not permitted to work full-time. Children are permitted to work for a limited number of hours in suitable types of job. Statistics on the number of children working are not collected centrally. Such information as is available was published in the April 1995 edition of the "Employment Gazette", copies of which are available in the Library. Questions relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland, and for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on how many occasions (a) non-departmental public bodies and (b) executive agencies responsible to her Department, have provided answers by letter, copies to the Library but not published in the Official Report in each of the latest available two years. [3158]

When appropriate, Ministers will ask non-departmental public bodies to reply by letter to hon. Members and place copies of their replies in the Libraries of the House. These requests are recorded in the answer given to hon. Members which is published in the Official Report.When hon. Members ask questions relating to the operations of the Department's executive agencies, the Minister will ask the chief executive to reply and a copy of the letter will be published in the

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what is the total value of (a) bids received from and (b) awards made to the Asian community for millennium funding; [4927](2)how many visits have been made by each of the millennium commissioners to ethnic minority projects bidding for millennium funding; [4926](3)how many awards of millennium funds have been made to projects proposed by members of the Asian community; [4928](4)how many bids for millennium funds were received from the Asian community in each round; and if she will list them. [4910]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what amount she expects to spend on millennium projects in Wales for each year until 2000; and if she will make a statement. [5320]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to lay the consolidated regulations on television licences. [6616]

The Government intend that the new regulations will come into force from 1 April 1997. My right hon. Friend expects to announce next month details of the changes to be effected in the regulations and the level of the licence fee also coming into force from 1 April. The regulations themselves will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the annual expenditure since 1991 on (a) refunds and (b) administrative costs of refunding television licence holders for unused portions of the licence. [6557]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: We do not hold this information. Since 1 April 1991 the administration of the television licensing system, including refund arrangements, has been the statutory responsibility of the BBC.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to make an announcement concerning the appointment of the chairman of the BBC Broadcasting Council for Wales. [6624]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects to make such an announcement before the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many women are currently employed by her Department at each civil service grade. [6439]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: The number of women currently employed within the Department of National Heritage is shown in the table, listed by DNH grade with the most senior at the top.

Serving Grade	Number
Senior civil service	7
A (upper band)	2
A (lower band)	20
B	42
AT/HEOD	2
C	39
D (upper band)	38
D (lower band)	26
Total	176

The grade equivalents for the above are:Senior Civil Service: Grade 5 and aboveA (upper band): Grade 6 and equivalentsA (lower band): Grade 7 and equivalentsB: HEO/SEO and equivalentsAT/HEOD: Fast streamC: EO and equivalentsD (upper band): AO and equivalentsD(lower band): AA and equivalents.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of those employed by her Department in 1992–93 were women. [6468]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: The Department of National Heritage was still in the process of being set-up during 1992–93 and information on the gender of staff employed in that year is unavailable.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 7 November, Official Report, column 621, what are the proposed annual savings for the seven IT projects planned for 1996–97. [6705]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: The seven IT projects proposed for 1996–97 are aimed at constraining future costs rather than reducing current expenditure. One project is budgeted at less than £500,000, the others are less than £50,000 in value. The annual savings against projected future maintenance and staff costs are 5–10 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 7 November, Official Report, column 621, what were the proposed annual savings for IT projects, in the band £500,000 to £1 million, undertaken since 1992; and what have been the realised annual savings. [6704]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: None of the projects identified in the previous answer fell into the band £500,000 to £1 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what child care facilities her 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. [6465]

[holding answer 28 November 1996]: My Department, excluding agencies, offers employees a subsidised nursery place and a subsidised holiday play scheme. The nursery place has been available since November 1993. Two members of staff have made use of the place.The Westminster play scheme, which caters for children aged between five and 12 years during main school holidays, has been used by staff since the summer of 1994. Staff used the scheme on two occasions in 1994, five in 1995 and twice this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage for what reasons no funding tenders for the Philoxenia European tourism programme will be issued in January 1997; and if she will make a statement. [6990]

The Council of Ministers has not yet discussed the Commission's Philoxenia proposal. Like several other Member states, we have reservations about whether it represents good value for money. The Government want to see the tourism unit in the Commission ensuring that throughout the Commission the interests of tourism are taken into account when policy decisions are being considered. But we remain to he convinced that any extra funding is necessary to achieve this.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent representations she has received about the future of the D'Oyly Carte opera company; and if she will promote partnerships with the private sector as a means of securing its future. [7173]

I have received a number of recent representations about the D'Oyly Carte opera company. Decisions about its future are a matter for the company itself, in the light of the available options. Private sector support is clearly an important part of such considerations for any organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what areas of Northern Ireland will not be able to receive Channel 5; and for what reasons. [7191]

Viewers in several parts of the country will not be able to receive Channel 5 by means of traditional transmission across the airwaves because of a shortage of available frequencies. Maps prepared by the Independent Television Commission, indicating the predicted coverage of Channel 5 via terrestrial transmission across the UK, were placed in the Library of the House in October. Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd., expects its coverage to exceed 70 per cent. of the UK population, and 64 per cent. of the population of Northern Ireland using the transmitters at Black Mountain and Londonderry in Northern Ireland. It is open to Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd. to extend its coverage by supplementing terrestrial transmission by cable and satellite delivery.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what promotional and public information campaigns her Department is (a) currently running and (b) planning to run during the next six months; and for each campaign (i) how much it will cost, (1) in total and (2) to her Department, (ii) what agencies or bodies are undertaking the work and (iii) what is its planned duration. [7418]

Beyond its normal day-to-day activities, my Department has no plans for such campaigns. It is not, therefore, incurring any such costs or employing any outside agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list those departmental responsibilities which relate to (a) England, (b) England and Wales, (c) England, Wales and Scotland and (d) the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the approximate proportion of the time and budget of her Department which exclusively relates to each of the above categories. [5961]

My Department is responsible for a range of public bodies which relate to the territorial areas, as follows:

• England
• English Heritage
• Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
• Royal Armouries
• Historic Royal Palaces Agency
• Royal Parks Agency
• Arts Council of England
• English Tourist Board
• Sports Council¹
• English Sports Council
• The British Museum
• Geffrye Museum
• Horniman Museum
• Imperial War Museum
• Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
• Museum of London
• National Gallery
• National Maritime Museum
• National Museum and Galleries on Merseyside
• National Portrait Gallery
• Natural History Museum
• National Museum of Science and Industry
• Sir John Soane Museum
• Tate Gallery
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• Wallace Collection
• Library and Information Commission
• England and Wales
• Royal Fine Art Commission (occasionally looks at Northern Ireland)
• Football Licensing Authority
• England, Wales and Scotland
• Crafts Council
• British Tourist Authority
• Sports Council¹
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• National Heritage Memorial Fund
• Millennium Commission
• National Lottery Charities Board
• Community Development Foundation
• UK Sports Council
• Broadcasting
• British Film Institute
• National Film and Television School
• British Film Commission
• Museum and Galleries Commission
• British Library
• Public Lending Right
• Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts
• Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites
• ¹The Sports Council's royal charter provides powers to enable it to develop and improve the knowledge and practice of sport and physical recreation among the public at large in Great Britain. In terms of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, the Sports Council is responsible for the distribution of lottery funds in England for expenditure on or connected with sport. The responsibilities and functions of the Sports Council are soon to be transferred to the United Kingdom Sports Council and the English Sports Council which received royal charters of incorporation on 19 September 1996. The English Sports Council will take on the Sports Council's responsibility for the lottery sports fund.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what assessment the Committee has made of the necessity for hon. Members successful in the ballot for an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to table a parliamentary question. [6993]

At its meeting on 17 November the Administration Committee considered, and endorsed, a proposal from the Serjeant at Arms that the existing requirement for hon. Members successful in the ballot for an exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall to table a parliamentary question be ended.The Committee has therefore instructed the Serjeant at Arms to amend the relevant paragraphs of the existing regulations as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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

Table 1: Home Office Excluding Agencies
	(a) Full-time staff	(b) Part-time staff	(c) Full-time fixed term contracts	(d) Part-time fixed term contracts	(e) Temporary staff	(f) Casual staff in post
1996	8.132	784	345	19	199	174
1995	8,472	780	1—	—	—	—
1994	9,530	827	—	—	—	—
1993	8,788	590	—	—	—	—
1992	11,613	456	—	—	—	—
Temporary staff are those having neither an established nor a fixed term employment status. The 1992 figures predate the formation of the Forensic Science Service as an executive agency: staff who formed the agency on 1 April 1992 are therefore included in these figures.
1Indicates figures not known.

Table 2: Forensic Science Service (FSS)
	(a) Full-time staff	(b) Part-time staff	(c) Full-time fixed term contracts	(d) Part-time fixed term contracts	(e) Temporary staff in post	(f) Casual staff in post
1996	1,008	140	49	0	0	8
1995	605	120	1—	—	—	—
1994	591	115	—	—	—	—
1993	561	85	—	—	—	—
The 1996 figure includes staff joining the FSS from the Metropolitan Police Laboratory. All FSS casual and fixed term appointments are advertised on a basis of possible renewal or conversion to permanent status. Figures for 1993–1995 are taken from Mandate returns to Cabinet Office.
1Indicates figures not known.

Table 3: Fire Service College
	(a) Full-time staff	(b) Part-time staff	(c) Full-time fixed term contracts	(d) Part-time fixed term contracts	(e) Temporary staff in post	(f) Casual staff in post
1996	158	6	15	0	0	9
1995	172	5	12	—	—	5
1994	138	5	38	—	—	5
1993	146	6	1	—	—	—
Figures for 1993 are taken from MANDATE returns to Cabinet Office.
1Indicates figures not known.

Table 4: United Kingdom Passport Agency (UKPA)
	(a) Full-time staff	(b) Part-time staff	(c) Full-time fixed term contracts	(c) Part-time fixed term contracts	(e) Temporary staff in post	(f) Casual staff in post
1996	1,164	145	175	41	0	465
1995	1,250	161	1—	—	—	315
1994	1,274	78	—	—	—	201
1993	1,389	85	—	—	—	116
1992	1,288	16	—	—	—	92
All UKPA casual and fixed term appointments are advertised on a basis of possible renewal or conversion to permanent status.
1Indicates figures not known.

[holding answer 25 November 1996]: The tables set out avilable information for the Home Office and the executive agencies. The information for the agencies has been provided by the chief executives of the United Kingdom Passport Agency and the Fire Service College, and the Directors General of the Forensic Science Service and the Prison Service. Information under (c), (d), (e) and (f) for the years prior to 1996 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The breakdown of data under (c) and (d) is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the cost of accidents within the fire service in the last available year; and if he will make a statement; [6818](2) what measures he is assessing to reduce the cost of accidents in the fire service; and if he will make a statement. [6817]

Information on the cost of accidents within the fire service is not collected centrally, although details on firefighter deaths and serious injuries are published in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for England and Wales. Safeguarding the health and safety of firefighters is a key priority for the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council and its committees. Guidance has recently been issued on the application of risk assessment in the fire service, and consideration is being given to ways of improving accident reporting arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what occupational health schemes are in place in the fire service; and if he will make a statement. [6816]

Guidance was issued by the Home Office in 1991 to chief fire officers in England and Wales commending the use of occupational health schemes. Subsequently in its report "In the Line of Fire" in 1995 the Audit Commission endorsed such schemes, which could help reduce the numbers of ill-health retirements in the fire service. Almost all fire authorities now have such schemes, but the details of the arrangements are a matter for the individual authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet North Staffordshire Racial Equality Council to discuss the future of section 11 funding; and if he will make a statement. [6989]

The point which I understand has been of particular interest to North Staffordshire Racial Equality Council was answered by my announcement on 13 November, Official Report, column 242, that the current level of section 11 funding will be maintained until August 1998. Grant recipients have been informed, and we have also written to both Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent councils about the implications of local government reorganisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for (a) the Metropolitan police force, (b) the south-east regional crime squad and (c) the National Criminal Intelligence Service, for each of the last 10 years (i) how many officers were investigated for corruption, (ii) for how long officers under investigation were suspended, broken down by three-month intervals, (iii) the outcome of the investigation and (iv) how many officers investigated for corruption resigned their position (1) while suspended and (2) within a year of investigations being completed or discontinued. [6689]

[holding answer 2 December 1996]: Information on the number of officers investigated for corruption is not available for the period requested as records were not kept by type of allegation.Table 1 sets out, from 1990 onwards, the numbers of Metropolitan police officers who were suspended for corruption, and the breakdown of the length of the suspension. Table 1 also gives details of the outcome of the investigations, including the numbers of those under investigation who were required to resign or who resigned from the service before their case was heard by a disciplinary board.The information requested at iv. (2) is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The National Criminal Intelligence Service was formed on 1 April 1992 and the south-east regional crime squad was formed on 1 April 1993. Police officers are seconded to these organisations from the Metropolitan police service and from provincial forces. The responsibility for the conduct of any criminal or disciplinary investigation and, if appropriate, for the suspension of seconded officers rests with an officer's home force. Figures for NCIS and SERCS are included, therefore, within the Metropolitan police service figures. I understand that there have been no other corruption investigations or suspensions relating to officers seconded to these organisations from other forces.