To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has made for this year's review of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989; and how observations from interested persons or organisations should be submitted for consideration. [8294]

I am pleased to say that Mr. John Rowe QC has accepted my invitation to carry out the annual review of the Act for a further two years.Written observations on the operation of the Act should be submitted to Mr. Rowe, c/o room 647, Home Office, 50 Queen Anne's gate, London SW1H 9AT, by 15 January 1997.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department will spend on Christmas trees and decorations this year; how many Christmas trees will be bought for his Department's headquarters; and what are the type and country of origin of the trees. [7561]

Such information is disaggregated and is not readily available. No Christmas trees will be bought with public funds for the Department's headquarters.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new plans he has in respect of using set-aside land to improve the environment. [7995]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs gave him on 18 July, Official Report, column 1295. These changes have been welcomed by conservation organisations.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the legislation for Great Britain which corresponds to the statutory rules of Northern Ireland 1996, No. 524, relating to potatoes originating in the Netherlands. [7921]

The corresponding legislation is the Potatoes Originating in the Netherlands Regulations 1996, statutory instrument 1996 No. 2563. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for tradeable permits for (a) sulphur dioxide discharges and (b) water discharges for industry. [7230]

A possible role for tradeable permits in relation to sulphur dioxide emissions was discussed in the consultation paper on a national strategy for meeting the UK's commitments under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe second sulphur protocol. The outcome of that consultation will be announced later this year.The Government will also shortly be publishing a discussion paper on the scope for economic instruments to be used in respect of water pollution, including the potential to introduce tradeable permits for discharges from industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the availability of single, non-self-contained rooms in the private sector. [7241]

The rental market is flexible, as evidenced by the recent growth in student accommodation. We believe that it will respond to changes in demand arising from the new housing benefit rules that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security intends to introduce from October 1997 for single people under 60. To encourage people who have spare rooms in their house to let them out, my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget an increase in the current rent-a-room threshold of £3,250. From April 1997, rental income of up to £4,250 will be exempt from tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of (a) the number of single under-60s living in private deregulated accommodation and (b) the proportion of that accommodation which consists of single, non-self-contained rooms. [7242]

An estimated 430,000 people aged under 60 formed one-person households in the deregulated private rented sector in England in 1995–96, and of these 70,000 were in single non-self-contained rooms. A further 670,000 single people were in house-shares or flat-shares in the deregulated sector. The number of these who had single non-self-contained rooms is not known, although it is likely to be the large majority.These estimates are from the 1995–96 survey of housing in England and, like all estimates from sample surveys, are subject to sampling variability. The deregulated sector has been taken as all private lettings other than regulated lettings and those not accessible to the public. Single people have been taken as those not living as one of a couple or as a lone parent with a dependent child.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to include statistics on UK compliance with EU bathing water directive standards, in addition to those for coliforms, in the next edition of "The Environment in Your Pocket" yearbook. [7448]

The content of the 1997 edition of "The Environment in your Pocket" has yet to be decided. However, it is likely that it will again include one or two items on bathing waters, as in the 1996 edition, but there is a limit to what can be included in a booklet of this size.The information given in "The Environment in your Pocket" is a distillation of some of the key statistics published in detail in the annual "Digest of Environmental Statistics". Full, detailed statistics on performance of all bathing waters against bathing water directive standards for all parameters for which a mandatory standard is set will continue to be published in "Digest No. 19" in 1997 and on the Internet World Wide Web site—address: http://www.open.gov.uk/doe/epsim.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what direct support in (a) cash and (b) other forms his Department has offered to organisations actively engaged in caring for ill and injured seals in the United Kingdom. [7390]

[holding answer 3 December 1996]: From a search of available information, my Department has not directly offered any cash support to organisations actively involved in caring for ill and injured seals in the United Kingdom. However, in conjunction with the Welsh Office, my Department is providing significant funding for investigations of marine mammal strandings, including seals, in England and Wales in order to monitor causes of disease and death and changes in their patterns of incidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many post mortems carried out on seals from west Wales have established the presence of the herpes virus in the last two months. [7392]

[holding answer 3 December 1996]: Five post mortems were conducted on grey seals washed up on the west Wales coast in the last two months under the Government-funded marine mammals strandings project. None of the carcases had lesions consistent with seal herpes virus infection. Post mortem examination of a larger number of carcases was not possible due in some cases to the decomposed state of the stranded animals and others being washed back to sea before collection was possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what requests his Department has received for help from organisations actively involved in caring for ill or injured seals in the last 10 years. [7394]

[holding answer 3 December 1996]: From a search of available information, my Department appears not to have received any requests for help from organisations actively involved in caring for ill and injured seals in the last 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many post mortems have been carried out on dead seals on his Department's behalf by the Zoological Society of London and by Liverpool university in each of the last five years. [7391]

[holding answer 3 December 1996]: The table records the numbers of post mortem examinations of stranded seals which the Zoological Society of London has carried out under contract to my Department during the last five years.

	England		Wales
		Halichoerus		Halichoerus
Year	Phoca vitulina (Common seal)	grypus (Grey seal)	Phoca vitulina (Common seal)	grypus (Grey seal)
1991	0	10	1	8
1992	0	5	0	26
1993	4	15	0	15
1994	1	4	0	20
1995	1	3	0	5
1996	0	1	0	5
Total	6	38	1	79

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to provide information gained from post mortem reports on dead seals to those individuals and organisations actively engaged in caring for seals; and if he will make a statement. [7393]

[holding answer 3 December 1996]: Results of post mortem investigations carried out as part of the Government-funded marine mammals strandings project are periodically published in scientific journals. Data are also available via published annual and five-yearly reports.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what (a) discussions and (b) exchanges of information have taken place between his Department and the seal rehabilitation and research centre, Pieterburen, the Netherlands, and Professor Osterhaus of Erasmus university, Rotterdam, about the discovery of a herpes virus in dead Atlantic grey seal pups washed ashore in south-west Wales in recent weeks. [7395]

[holding answer 3 December 1996]: No discussions or exchanges of information have taken place between my Department and the seal rehabilitation and research centre, Pieterburen, or Professor Osterhaus or Erasmus university, Rotterdam. However, under the marine mammals strandings project, results of post mortem investigations are made available via published articles and reports. The information contributes to an international pool of knowledge on the autecology of marine mammal species.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he will take to ensure that a section 50 agreement between Scottish National Heritage and the developers of the proposed funicular railway on Cairn Gorm conforms to the requirements of the EU birds and habitats directives (79/409 and 92/43). [7097]

I understand that the Highland council has indicated that planning permission for the development of a funicular railway on Cairn Gorm will be conditional on completion of an agreement under section 50 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 and section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967, designed primarily to ensure that there is no breach of the birds and habitats directives, and the withdrawal of the objection lodged by Scottish Natural Heritage. Scottish Natural Heritage, which has a statutory duty to exercise its nature conservation functions to secure compliance with the habitats directive, will withdraw its objection only if it is satisfied that the section 50 agreement will ensure that the operation of the funicular railway would not result in a breach of the requirements of the directives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths were registered in Scotland between (a) 1 April and 30 September 1994, (b) 1 October 1994 and 31 March 1995, (c) 1 April 1995 and 30 September 1995 and (d) 1 October 1995 and 31 March 1996 for people aged (i) 60 to 69, (ii) 70 to 79, (iii) over 80 years of age and (iv) in total. [7421]

Table 1: Notifications of food poisoning by health board area: 1986–1995
	Argyll and Clyde	Ayrshire and Arran	Borders	Dumfries and Galloway	Fife	Forth Valley	Grampian	Greater Glasgow
1986	438	166	68	293	267	205	670	586
1987	317	255	71	311	280	267	790	554
1988	396	120	132	257	569	320	905	669
1989	455	182	142	291	524	299	1,080	632
1990	384	281	186	249	550	335	1,323	745
1991	213	228	228	188	587	364	1,187	771
1992	167	348	204	234	527	482	1,621	999
1993	326	411	175	315	549	365	1,150	732
1994	568	386	236	338	560	491	1,103	1,164
1995	634	446	238	343	634	411	1,771	1,293

	Highland	Lanark-shire	Lothian	Orkney	Shetland	Tayside	Western Isles
1986	163	284	1,202	—	15	285	21
1987	190	390	1,246	1	24	344	9
1988	205	490	1,242	—	27	391	11
1989	342	523	1,184	2	27	446	27
1990	366	567	1,183	1	20	513	54
1991	282	556	1,208	—	18	466	22
1992	338	788	1,549	18	38	536	28
1993	342	742	1,394	29	46	570	26
1994	329	862	1,531	8	45	627	36
1995	328	952	1,630	15	25	548	29

1. Excludes campylobacters for 1986–1989.2. Includes campylobacters from 1990.3. Figures relate to the health board of notification—this may not always be the health board of residence.

Table 2: Estimated population resident in health board areas in Scotland: 1986–95 (as at 30 June)
	Argyll and Clyde	Ayrshire and Arran	Borders	Dumfries and Galloway	Fife	Forth Valley	Grampian	Greater Glasgow
1986	445,300	376,200	101,700	145,400	346,500	272,500	504,500	960,500
1987	442,700	376,400	102,000	145,500	346,700	272,800	504,600	952,200
1988	441,300	376,000	102,300	145,700	346,600	272,200	503,500	940,400
1989	440,000	376,400	102,800	147,100	347,600	272,100	507,600	932,700
1990	439,500	376,700	103,600	147,600	348,800	273,100	510,200	924,500

The figures requested are given in the table.

Deaths by age and specific dates, April 1994 to March 19961
	60–69	70–79	80+	All ages
1 April 1994 to 30 September 1994	5,160	8,234	10,718	28,271
1 October 1994 to 31 March 1995	5,383	9,144	12,315	31,074
1 April 1995 to 30 September 1995	5,025	8,131	11,049	28,243
1 October 1995 to 31 March 1996	5,313	9,280	13,085	31,987
11996 figures are provisional

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of food poisoning have been diagnosed in each of the last 10 years in each health board area in Scotland; and how many people were resident in each health board area during this period. [7431]

The information is set out in the tables. The information in the first table relates to notifications of cases of food poisoning to the Common Services Agency for the Scottish health service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his proposals for a public defender service. 7515]

Clause 45 of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill seeks to empower the Scottish Legal Aid Board to employ solicitors to provide criminal legal assistance, the aim being to set up pilot studies to assess the realistic cost of criminal legal assistance and to compare the costs and benefits of in-house and external provision. In Committee, I undertook to clarify this power by providing for the number of solicitors to be employed by the board to be restricted to six, for the Secretary of State to be required to report to Parliament within three years of the provisions coming into force and for the provisions to lapse five years after coming into force, subject to any transitional arrangements. I shall bring forward amendments to this effect on Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much it has cost the national health service in Scotland to administer immunisations against rare or tropical diseases to people travelling abroad from the United Kingdom; [7530](2) how much the national health service spent in the last financial year treating rare or tropical diseases contracted by visitors to foreign countries. [7529]

The information requested is not collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much his Department plans to spend on celebrating Christmas and the new year. 7580]

Christmas cards will be sent to some organisations and individuals who have worked closely with the Department and its agencies during the past year. The precise numbers and total costs are not yet available. Four fir trees grown in Scotland have been purchased for buildings in Edinburgh and Glasgow at a cost, including containers, of £115 each. Decorations purchased in previous years will be reused. The total labour costs of delivering, installing, decorating, lighting, dismantling, removing and recycling the trees are estimated to be £550.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of the Budget statement on the Scotland roads programme; and if he will make a statement. [7831]

My right hon. Friend will make a statement on these matters in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the costs of preparing and producing the report on the provision of community care services in Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross. [7815]

The costs of preparing and producing the report on the provision of community care services in Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross were as follows:

Item	£
Report preparation
Manager's time	7,700
Inspectors' time (includes 20 per cent. overhead costs)	26,250
Administrative support	1,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his current estimate of the number of children dying of hunger and disease each week in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [7522]

We do not have reliable estimates. Figures produced by the Government of Iraq cannot be relied upon, given their history of deceit.This year we have spent some £6 million on emergency assistance for Iraq through non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies. Of this, some £1.6 million was targeted on children's needs—£0.5 million in northern Iraq and £1.1 million in Baghdad-controlled Iraq.The Government are pleased that Iraq has now finally agreed to the implementation of Security Council resolution 986, as we have urged them to do since its adoption in April 1995. Saddam Hussein's refusal to implement it for so long has caused much unnecessary suffering for the Iraqi people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government of Paraguay are required to settle the indigenous peoples' land claims in the Paraguayan Chaco before the second phase of the EU project on sustainable development in the Paraguayan Chaco begins; and if this is a precondition for the United Kingdom Government voting for the second phase to proceed. [7704]

:With other EU member states, we approved a proposal for the sustainable development of the Chaco region of Paraguay in September 1994. Approval was given subject to several conditions, one of them being that the Government of Paraguay would be required to settle the indigenous peoples' land claims in the project region before the start of the second operational phase. UK support for the second phase of the project remains conditional on this requirement being met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions since 1980 the prospect of arms sales for United Kingdom companies has been a factor in the granting of aid to Indonesia. [7527]

In no instance has the prospect of arms sales been a factor in decisions by the Overseas Development Administration concerning the granting of aid to Indonesia.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the eligibility for EU and lottery funds of the proposed move of Yorkshire county cricket club to Wakefield. [7037]

It would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage on the eligibility of possible applications by Wakefield metropolitan city council for European and national lottery funding for the proposed new ground for Yorkshire county cricket club in Wakefield. Any such applications will be treated on their merits. In general terms, applications to the European structural fund must demonstrate that new investment will be attracted to the region in which the project is sited, while applications for lottery moneys for sports projects must demonstrate that the proposed facilities will benefit the whole community. The Sports Council has already advised YCCC that applications to the lottery sports fund for spectator accommodation currently have relatively low priority, but the policy is under review, in discussion with a number of sports including cricket.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the status of the A205 Catford town centre improvement within the trunk roads programme; and when he expects construction to start. [7385]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what promotional and public information campaigns his 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 his Department, (ii) what agencies or bodies are undertaking the work and (iii) what is its planned duration. [7407]

Information relating to the promotional and public information campaigns run by the Department of Transport through its agencies is not collected centrally. The information below relates to the central transport group of the Department of Transport only.The bulk of the Department's promotional and public information work concerns continual campaigns to encourage safer road use.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on promotional or public information campaigns in each of the last five years; and how much he estimates will be spent on these campaigns during the (i) current and (ii) next financial years. [7539]

Information relating to the promotional and public information campaigns run by the Department of Transport and its agencies is not collected centrally. The figures relate to the central transport group of the Department of Transport only.The figures for the last five years are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 27 November, Official Report, column 265, what is the estimated time delay between an incident in mid-channel tunnel and the arrival of firefighting teams during the night. [7663]

During normal operations, firefighting teams are usually based at night in the fire equipment management centres at either end of the tunnel. The maximum estimated attendance time for teams to reach the middle of the tunnel from the FEMCs is about 20 minutes. Under the current temporary arrangements, Eurotunnel has assured the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority that firefighting teams will maintain a permanent 24-hour presence in the service tunnel while the damaged section of the southern tunnel is repaired.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 27 November, Official Report,column 265, what inspections have been undertaken by the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority since the tunnel became operational. [7662]

Numerous regular inspections have been undertaken both by members of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority and by inspectors from national authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the members of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority, together with the organisations that they represent. [7651]

There are 10 full members of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority. They are:

Roger Lejuez (current chairman of the Safety Authority), Inspecteur Général des Transports et des Travaux Publics, Ministère des Transports; Claude Charmeil, Ingénieur Général des Ponts et Chausées, Ministère des Transports; Pierre Desfray, Ingénieur Divisionnaire des Travaux Publics de l'Etat, Ministère des Transports; François Barthélémy, Chef de la Mission du Transport des Matières Dangéreuses, Ministère des Transports; and Jean-Pascal Cogez, Sous-Préfet du Pas-de-Calais.

Edward Ryder CB (current head of the UK delegation), formerly HM chief inspector of nuclear installations, Health and Safety Executive; Peter Moss, head of channel tunnel division. Department of Transport; Sandra Caldwell, head of division A—safety policy directorate, Health and Safety Executive; Jeremy Beech CBE, QFSM, chief fire officer of Kent; and Victor Coleman, deputy chief inspector of railways, HM railway inspectorate, Health and Safety Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Kent fire brigade took part in the safety evacuation exercise carried out by Eurotunnel on Sunday 1 December. [7666]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances decisions taken by the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority can be vetoed by individual members. [7652]

Decisions by the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority are taken by agreement between the UK and French delegations. There is no power to veto by individual members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the minutes of the last three meetings of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority. [7650]

The Anglo-French Channel Tunnel Safety Authority does not publish the minutes of its meetings. A summary of the safety authority's proceedings is published in the annual reports of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority, which are placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) pursuant to his answer of 27 November, Official Report, columns 264–66, if he will place in the Library the inspection reports on the maintenance checks undertaken on the decoupling device involved in the fire on 18 November; [7661]

(2) pursuant to his answer of 27 November, Official Report, columns 264–66, if he will place in the Library copies of all incident reports not yet in the public domain; [7646]

(3) if he will make public the findings of safety checks conducted by Eurotunnel; [7667]

(4) pursuant to his answer of 27 November, Official Report, columns 264–66, what factors preclude him from placing in the Library correspondence between Eurotunnel and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority relating to the design of wagons; [7664]

(5) what independent research was conducted by the Fire Research Station on the safe design of the channel tunnel; and if he will place copies in the Library. [7653]

This is precluded under the terms of the channel fixed-link concession agreement dated 14 March 1986, which states

"Each of the parties hereto and the Intergovernmental Commission and the Safety Authority shall hold in confidence all Documents and other information whether technical or commercial supplied to them by or on behalf of any other party hereto relating to the Fixed Link and shall not save as required by law or procedural practices publish or otherwise disclose the same otherwise than for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement."

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representatives from (a) his Department, (b) the Health and Safety executive and (c) the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority attended the recent evacuation exercise staged by Eurotunnel; and if he will list the independent observers attending the exercise. [7648]

Two representatives from the Department of Transport, three representatives from the Health and Safety Executive and three from the Channel Tunnel safety Authority attended the evacuation exercise staged by Eurotunnel on 1 December 1996. Representatives from Kent fire brigade, Kent county constabulary and Her Majesty's fire inspectorate were also present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations there have been between the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority and people with experience in fighting fires in coal mines with particular reference to those familiar with the foam plug technique. [7462]

The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority is able to obtain information and advice from a number of sources, including the Health and Safety executive and Kent fire brigade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the estimates of annual fatalities caused by the loss of wheels from heavy commercial vehicles which have been sent to him; what estimate he has made of the number of (a) fatalities and (b) incidents; what research he is undertaking into this problem; what assessment he has made of the availability of safety wheel nuts; and if he will make a statement. [7974]

An analysis by the Transport Research Laboratory of fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles indicates that wheel detachment occurs in about one such accident in a hundred. Applying this estimate to available road accident data would suggest that there are approximately five to six such fatal road accidents a year. A further analysis by the Vehicle Inspectorate's accident and defect database shows that between 1982 and 1994 there were approximately 320 accident cases involving the loss of wheels from commercial vehicles.I am currently investigating ways of improving the collection and collation of relevant data on wheel loss. I am pleased to announce that, following joint discussions with the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Association of Chief Police Officers, a nationwide survey of the extent of the problem is planned to take place at the beginning of February 1997. Further research will be considered in light of the outcome of this study.My Department has received many representations from manufacturers of proprietary products which claim to address the problem of wheel loss. We have not commissioned research into such products or their availability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department will spend on Christmas trees and decorations this year; how many Christmas trees will be bought for his Department's headquarters; and what are the type and country of origin of the trees. [7562]

My Department does not keep a central record of expenditure on trees and decorations. Two British pine trees will be on display in our headquarters building.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department plans to spend on celebrating Christmas and the new year. [7577]

My Department does not keep a central record of expenditure on celebrating Christmas and the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to ensure that small businesses not in the transport sector receive (a) appropriate and (b) expeditious compensation for losses arising from the French lorry drivers' dispute. [7819]

We are seeking to clarify with the French Government whether they will consider claims from non-transport businesses which suffered losses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the trunk road improvement schemes which he has reassessed following the recommendations of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment and indicate for each such scheme the impact on traffic induction forecasts and on economic appraisals. [3968]

[holding answer 25 November 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what level of (a) public and (b) private investment has been secured by his Department for the constituency of Belfast, West since 31 August 1994. [5125]

From the information available, it is estimated that direct departmental public investment commitments are in excess of £330 million for this period. Related private sector investment is estimated at £101 million. In addition some £33.8 million under "Making Belfast Work" has been spent for the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96. Figures for the Northern Ireland Office, and the Departments of Education and of Finance and Personnel are not included in these figures and can be made available only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implementation of the targeting social need initiative. [6784]

The targeting social need initiative has made a valuable contribution to addressing the problems of areas and people in greatest need. Since 1994, the results of specially commissioned research have been available to assist Departments in identifying areas of greatest need on the basis of objective criteria. These data have been used in the targeting of relevant Government and European Union programmes. Annual statements on public expenditure in Northern Ireland have highlighted specific programmes where expenditure has been increased or maintained. In 1994, management consultants reviewed the implementation of the initiative in the Department of Economic Development and recommendations were adopted, including the establishment of action plans. Other Departments are currently initiating similar strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which delegates to the forum have submitted their resignations to him and which have had their names submitted for removal by their party's nominating representatives; and which nominating representatives he has changed and for what reasons. [7187]

Thirteen members of the forum have written to my right hon. and learned Friend purporting to tender their resignation from the forum. They are the hon. Member for South Down (Mr. McGrady), Ms Brid Rodgers, Mr. Patsy McGlone, Mr. Hugh Carr, Mr. Mark Durkan, Mr. Donovan McClelland, Mr. Tommy Gallagher, Mr. Frank Feely, Mr. Arthur Doherty, Mr. Alisdair McDonnell, Mr. Alban Maginness, Ms Dorita Field and Mr. Sean Farren.No delegates have had their names submitted for removal by their party's nominating representative.Since the talks started to Secretary of State has made one change concerning nominating representatives. Following a number of representations he concluded that Councillor Mark Langhammer, who was originally designated as the nominating representative of Labour had ceased to be

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many private finance initiative schemes have been used to date and how many are planned for implementing transport schemes in Northern Ireland. [7381]

The responsibility for implementing transport schemes in Northern Ireland lies with the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and its operating subsidiaries Ulsterbus, Citybus and Northern Ireland Railways. I understand from the chairman of the NITHC that no private finance initiative schemes have been used to date but that three are being progressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what progress his Department has made in implementing a pilot cycle route in the Belfast urban area; [7373](2) how many miles of dedicated cycle routes there are currently in Northern Ireland; and if he will list them. [7374]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. J. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress his Department has made in meeting each target set out in the road safety plan published in July 1995. [7377]

The road safety plan for Northern Ireland covers the three-year period from 1995–96 to 1997–98 and is received annually with a major review and update during the third year.A report monitoring progress will be available shortly and I will place a copy in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the results of the feasibility study for park and ride facilities at bus and railway stations cited in his Department's document, "The Way Forward". [7379]

The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company in conjunction with its operating subsidiaries—Citybus Ltd., Northern Ireland Railways Ltd. and Ulsterbus Ltd.—have now audited existing park and ride facilities and their usage at key locations in Northern Ireland. They are in the course of finalising a station modernisation programme to create improved or new interchanges providing secure parking for bicycles and private cars.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what EU funds (a) have been used and (b) he proposes to use for (i) developing and improving transport within Northern Ireland and (ii) linking Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland, and if he will list the schemes. [7371]

The information requested is in the table:

	Grant committed to schemes within Northern Ireland	Grants committed to schemes linking Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland
Transportation	£39.3 million	£43.8 million
sub-programme	(47.9 mecu)	(53.4 mecu)
Interreg 11	£3.9 million
	(4.7 mecu)	nil
Programme for peace and	nil	£1.6 million
reconciliation		(1.9 mecu)

Balance of grant to be committed:1. Transportation sub-programme: £32.7 million (39.8 mecu)2. Interreg II: £4.1 million (5 mecu)3. Programme for peace and reconciliation: nilIt is not possible to anticipate how uncommitted grant will be allocated to schemes (i) developing and improving transport within Northern Ireland and (ii) those linking Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.The mecu value is provided using an exchange rate of £ = 1.22 mecu.The list of schemes to which grant has been committed is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds from the transportation sub-programme of the European Commission 1994–99 have already been spent to date; and what are the projections of expenditure for the next three financial years. [7372]

The information requested is as follows:

• Forecast outturn to the end of 1996: £51.5 million (62.9 mecu)
• Forecast outturn to the end of 1997: £22.1 million (27.0 mecu)
• Forecast outturn to the end of 1998: £16.3 million (19.9 mecu)
• Forecast outturn to the end of 1999: £23.9 million (29.2 mecu)

The information is given in calendar years consistent with Commission practice. The mecu value is provided using an exchange rate of £1 = 1.22 ecu.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress his Department has made in achieving its objectives set out in the document "The Way Forward". [7375]

Progress has been made in the key areas of management and co-ordination of public transport services and the introduction of further bus priority measures. Work is currently under way to bring forward changes in car parking policy; to extend provision of park and ride facilities; to improve cycling and pedestrian facilities; to reduce the mobility gap; and to develop a public travel awareness campaign.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans his Department has to extend the railway system in Northern Ireland.

Responsibility for operational matters, such as the extension of the railway system in Northern system in Northern Ireland, lie with the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and its operating subsidiary Northern Ireland Railways. I understand from the chairman of the holding company that, while there are no current proposals to extend the existing railway system, plans are progressing for the reinstatement of the line from Antrim to Bleach Green for passenger traffic. This line has not been used for regular passenger services for a number of years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress his Department has made in respect of the programme of bus priority schemes; and when he expects them to be completed. [7378]

Bus lanes have been in operation on the Ormeau road and Nelson street, Belfast since 1992. Further bus lanes were opened on the Albert Bridge road and Queen's square in April 1996. It is hoped to begin implementation of a further three lengths of bus lane, on Great Victoria street, Lisburn road and Malone road, in mid-January 1997. Investigations are under way into schemes on a further eight lengths of street in Belfast city centre, which have been identified as having the potential to accommodate bus lanes.A pilot study into the operational implications and potential benefits of introducing selective vehicle detection systems at signalised junctions has been under way on the Upper Newtownards road since spring 1993. Due to changing technology, this will of necessity be a protracted study. The intention is to assess the potential benefits of extending such a system to other routes in the city.All these measures, together with others being investigated from earlier studies, feed into a rolling programme of bus priority development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress his Department has made in reviewing retail planning policy; and if he will make a statement.[7376]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the public transport study of Belfast city centre to be completed. [7380]

A study was undertaken in 1995 specifically to explore the introduction of further lengths of bus priority lane within Belfast city centre. Other aspects of public transport in the city centre remain to be studied, to provide a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) of 18 November, Official Report, column 388, what is the fatality rate per 100,000 employees/self-employed in Northern Ireland. [7281]

The fatality rate in Northern Ireland for employees/self-employed, as a result of accidents at work, has been assessed at 3.96 per 100,000 for the calendar year 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each year since 1991 those beaches which complied with the EU bathing water directive standard guide for (a) total and faecal coliforms, (b) faecal streptococci, and (c) coliforms and faecal streptococci combined. [7447]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment and Heritage Service under its chief executive, Mr. Robert C. Martin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the information leaflets currently provided by health and social services trusts to individuals undergoing assessment of need for social services support. [7743]

Information relating to the range of leaflets currently provided by trusts to individuals undergoing assessment of need for social services support is not collected centrally.

To ask the secretary of state for Northern Ireland if he will list for each health and social services trust the current procedures to monitor unmet need as a result of assessment and the procedures adopted by the Department of Health and Social Services management executive to collect such information. [7747]

Health and social services boards and trusts, in their respective roles of commissioners and providers of community care services, have the responsibility for assessing the needs of their resident populations, and for meeting those needs within the context of available resources and local priorities. Trusts supply their respective boards with information on the level of services supplied to meet assessed need, but details of these procedures is not held centrally. The HSS executive liaises with boards to identify any areas of service provision which are under particular pressure for consideration within the annual public expenditure survey and allocation process.