To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when Battersea power station was closed as an electricity generating station. [8715]

I understand that operations ceased in 1982.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations his Department has had concerning the regulations making utilities liable for 18 per cent. of the costs of diversionary works for major transport schemes. [9295]

Discussions have taken place at official and ministerial level with the Department of Transport which has the main responsibility for the legislation in question and these are still continuing Consultations have also taken place with the national joint utilities group.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution he estimates the private finance initiative will make to the capital programme of local authorities. [7789]

We have announced support for up to £50 million of PFI investment in 1996–97, and £200 million in 1997–98. The public private partnerships programme has recently announced a series of PFI pathfinder projects which are expected to be signed during the next 18 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the 1996–97 and 1997–98 standard spending assessment control totals for personal social services—PSS—by sub-block, putting the 1996–97 figures on the same basis as those for 1997–98, adjusted for changes in function and with the community care special transitional grant—STG—added to PSS control totals for 1996–97; what was the percentage change in each total so calculated; and if he will relate the above figures to the totals for funding for personal social services. [9046]

The information on standard spending assessments is set out in the table. Funding for local authorities comes from specific and special grants and from the general revenues of the local authority. Specific and special grants for personal social services are proposed to be £453.9 million in 1997–98. Other forms of revenue funding are not hypothecated so it is not possible to determine their contribution to funding personal social services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the on-cost to business of the implementation of the European initiated waste management strategy; and if he will make a statement. [8961]

The European initiated waste strategy does not have any legal force and as such it has no direct cost implications for business. It is simply a review, largely summarising existing EU policies, which will provide a framework for future work.Any specific proposals which may arise as a result will of course require a compliance cost assessment to be undertaken before passing into United Kingdom law. We would also expect the Commission to produce a fiche d'impact. In negotiations for any future proposals, the UK will always take into consideration the important balance between the need to improve environmental standards and practices against the costs to industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions he has had regarding accommodation for young people with welfare agencies; [9205](2) if he will estimate the number of care leavers who are at present seeking accommodation; [9209](3) what proposals he has to assist care leavers to find accommodation; [9207](4) if he will list the figures for care leavers in (a) Coventry and (b) the west midlands seeking accommodation; [9210](5) what discussions he has had with charities with special reference to Barnardos and the Children's Society regarding accommodation for care leavers. [9208]

Ministers and officials in the Department have contact with many organisations to discuss and seek views on a range of housing issues, including the housing needs of young people such as care leavers. For example, the views of Barnardos and the Children's Society were obtained to inform the drafting of the code of guidance on parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996. On 20 January 1997, section 179 of that Act will come into force, requiring local housing authorities to ensure that advice and information about homelessness and the prevention of homelessness is available to anyone in their area, including care leavers.On 1 April 1997, provisions in the 1996 Act will come into force requiring local housing authorities to give reasonable preference in the allocation of social housing to people with a particular need for settled accommodation on welfare grounds, which can include care leavers and other young people at risk. These new measures complement social services authorities' duties and powers under the Children Act 1989 to assist care leavers, and housing authorities' duties under the homelessness legislation to ensure that vulnerable young people who become homeless unintentionally have access to suitable accommodation. My Department does not collect data on the numbers of care leavers seeking accommodation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been conducted (a) by and (b) on behalf of his Department, on the impact of the uniform business rate on small businesses in (i) urban and (ii) rural settings; and if he will publish the findings. [9211]

Research into the impact of non-domestic rates costs on different types of business, conducted by IFF Research Ltd. on behalf of my Department, was published in February 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to publish the new code of practice for housing registers. [9206]

The new code of guidance on the allocation of local authority housing and homelessness, issued under parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996, was published on 31 October. Copies have been sent to all local housing authorities in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the results of his Department's consultation on amending the planning controls regarding the installations of telecommunications antennae. [9153]

The Government expect to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to make an announcement about the distribution of housing resources for 1997–98. [9602]

I am today announcing decisions about the distribution of resources for housing in 1997–98.Councils will receive housing investment programme allocations totalling nearly £900 million for 1997–98. Under the competitive HIP process, we have again been able to direct funding to those councils which are best able to make use of them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the shortlist of prospective purchasers of the Building Research Establishment. [9555]

Following our consideration of a number of indicative offers for the Building Research Establishment, we have decided to short list two bids, the Built Environment Research Foundation, formed by University College London, and the BRE management bid team. They have been invited to submit final bids by 20 January 1997, following which a preferred bidder will be chosen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people are employed by London Transport in (a) managerial and (b) administrative posts; and, for each category, what is the annual cost. [9155]

The total number of staff employed by London Transport at October 1996 was 19,424. The total staff cost for London Transport for the year ending 31 March 1997 is forecast to be £548.3 million. My Department does not have a detailed breakdown between managerial and administrative posts. This is an operational matter for London Transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Jubilee line extension to be completed; and what was the target date for completion. [9154]

London Transport assure me that it is me still aiming for the original target opening date of 28 March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the United Kingdom's share of funds available in 1996 for priority projects and other schemes under the European Community's financing programme for trans-European transport networks. [9638]

Priority projects in the United Kingdom will receive some £27.6 million, which is over 16 per cent. of the total funds available for priority projects in 1996 and more than any other member state will receive from the EC fund, apart from Germany. A total of £20 million will go towards the Channel tunnel rail link, with £5.75 million for the west coast main line and £1.85 million for schemes along the Ireland-UK-Benelux road link. The UK will also receive almost £2 million for other schemes, of which £1.34 million is for four traffic management projects and £0.65 million for a development study of the great western line between Bristol and Penzance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the traffic capacity of the M65; and what is the current traffic volume; [8196](2) what is the traffic capacity of the A59 between Clitheroe and Skipton; and what is the current traffic volume; [8195](3) what projections his Department has made of trans-Pennine traffic growth on the M62 over the next 20 years. [8194]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which road projects (a) completed since 1991–92 and (b) not yet completed included private sector involvements. [6743]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the schemes within the 1996 trunk road programme which are expected to commence construction between (a) 1 January 1997 and 31 March 1997, (b) 1 April 1997 and 30 June 1997, (c) 1 July 1997 and 30 September 1997, (d) 1 October 1997 and 31 December 1997 and 31 December 1997 and (e) 1 January 1996 and 31 March 1998. [8445]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the Ministers in his Department how many official ministerial visits they have undertaken since 1 January; and how many of these have been abroad. [9381]

Since 1 January, Transport Ministers have undertaken the following official ministerial visits:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the annual management objectives for each of his Department's divisions. [8327]

[pursuant to his reply, 10 December 1996 Official Report column 103]: I have now agreed the following revised aims for my Department:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the impact of the jobseeker's allowance on charities which previously relied on unemployed people working voluntarily. [8075]

We do not expect the replacement of unemployment benefit and income support with the jobseeker's allowance to have any adverse impact on charities which previously relied on unemployed people working voluntarily.As with unemployment benefit and income support for unemployed people, there is no limit on the hours a person may undertake voluntary work while in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, so long as they are actively seeking work and available for work at 48 hours' notice—rather than the normal requirement to be immediately available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average level of professorial pay in the university sector currently; and what it was in 1980. [8941]

According to the new earnings survey, the average level of gross weekly earnings of full-time male "university and polytechnic teaching professionals" in April 1996 was £577. The average level of gross weekly pay for the closest comparator group—full-time male university academics—in 1980 was £250. This is the equivalent of £474 at 1996 prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the total number of truancies in days per year for each of the last three years for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Sheffield; and if she will make a statement. [8919]

Regular school attendance is important for pupils' progress, but the data collected for the performance tables now published each autumn show that significant amounts of valuable learning time are lost due to unauthorised absence. Rates of unauthorised absence at maintained schools in Sheffield for the last three years were about twice the national average, as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when schools inspectors last visited (a) Fovant school; (b) Dinton school and (c) Barford St. Martin school in Wiltshire. [8900]

Fovant church of England first school was inspected under the statutory four-year cycle by Ofsted-registered inspectors between 3 and 5 October 1994, and Barford St. Martin's church of England first school between 19 and 21 September 1994. Dinton first church of England school is due to be inspected by Ofsted in February 1997.Members of Her Majesty's inspectorate visited Fovant school in April 1996 and Dinton school in connection with Wiltshire local education authority's proposals for Fovant and Dinton schools in October 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools in Wiltshire have been given grant-maintained status during 1996. [8901]

Four schools in the Wiltshire local education authority area have become grant maintained since 1 January 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if Wiltshire local education authority has expressed itself (a) in favour of closure of the Fovant school and (b) against grant-maintained status for the school. [8902]

Wiltshire local education authority published proposals to cease to maintain Fovant school on 16 May. The authority has made a statutory objection to the proposals for grant-maintained status published by the governing body of the school.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have made representations to her or to her Department (a) in favour and (b) against grant-maintained status for Fovant school in Wiltshire. [8903]

My right hon. Friend has received two statutory objections to the proposals for grant-maintained status for Fovant school, and one non-statutory objection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have made representations to her or to her Department (a) in favour and (b) against closure of Fovant school in Wiltshire. [8904]

My right hon. Friend has received 11 statutory objections to the proposals to close Fovant school, including one from the governing body of the school.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the original application for grant-maintained status from the governors of Fovant school in Wiltshire was dated; when it was recorded as received by her Department; and when she expects to reach a decision. [8905]

Proposals for the acquisition of grant-maintained status for Fovant schools were published on 29 February 1996, and a copy received in the Department on the same date. My right hon. Friend will reach a decision as soon as is compatible with full consideration of all the relevant issues, including the separate local education authority proposals to choose the school.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the target time scale for a decision on an application by a school for grant-maintained status. [8906]

We aim, so far as possible, to reach a decision on proposals for grant-maintained status where there are conflicting proposals by the local education authority, within five months; of publication of the authority's proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the proportion of training for work leavers who six months after leaving were (a) in a full-time job with their work-experience employer, (b) in a full-time job with another employer, (c) employed in their own business, (d) in a part-time job, (e) in voluntary work, (f) on another Government training programme, (g) on a full-time education or training course, (h) unemployed and claiming benefit, (i) unemployed and not claiming benefit and (j) doing something else in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what was the proportion of training for work leavers who completed the training agreed in their initial action plan. [3928]

[holding answer 20 November 1996]: The information requested is given in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much her Department plans to spend on celebrating Christmas and the new year. [7574]

[holding answer 6 December 1996]: It is not possible to disaggregate this information except at disproportionate cost, although such costs are included in the running cost expenditure for this Department which is published in the annual report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many education units for school age in-patients there were in NHS trusts in England in each of the last five years. [8478]

This information is not held centrally. However, the following table shows the number of hospital schools in England in each of the last five years:

• 1992: 42
• 1993: 40
• 1994: 38
• 1995: 31
• 1996: 27.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his speech at the Lisbon summit of 2 December, if he will make a statement on the role of the parliamentary assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and in respect of the expansion of the activities of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. [8647]

I represented the United Kingdom at the summit meeting of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Lisbon on 2 and 3 December, accompanied by my right hon. and learned Friend, the Foreign Secretary. The meeting adopted the Lisbon summit declaration and the Lisbon declaration on a common and comprehensive security model for Europe for the 21st century. Copies of these documents will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Attorney-General how many (a) lawyers, (b) administrative staff and (c) others have been employed by the Crown Prosecution Service in each year since its establishment. [8677]

In each year since its establishment, the Crown Prosecution Service has employed staff in the following numbers.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many of the individuals appointed by his Department to public positions in the last year were first identified by the public appointments unit. [8533]

[holding answer 10 December 1996]: For these purposes, my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of the individuals appointed by his Department to public positions in the last year were first identified by the public appointments unit. [8550]

[holding answer 10 December 1996]: The Civil Service Appeals Board has made three new appointments and 10 reappointments during 1996. Of these, two of the new appointees and three of the reappointees were first identified by the public appointments unit.The deregulation task force has made two new appointments and the Security Commission has made two reappointments during 1996: none was identified by PAU.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what role his Department has in respect of applications for new nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement. [8463]

[holding answer 11 December 1996]: Proposals for new power stations in England and Wales over 50 MWs in capacity require my Department's consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. All such applications are considered on their individual merits against the background of a policy that, as a general rule, matters such as the need for a generating station, its capacity, choice of fuel used and type of plant are commercial matters for the applicant.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many claims have been settled under the coal industry pneumoconiosis compensation scheme in each year since its inception. [8351]

This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what radiation experiments on humans involving British volunteers the Atomic Energy Authority has conducted or is conducting. [8866]

Details are contained in AEA Technology's radiological protection research annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what involvement his Department currently has in radiation experiments on humans. [8865]

None.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to introduce legislation to provide consumer protection for repairs on electrical goods carried out in homes. [8843]

Under the Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1982, traders who repair electrical goods, whether on their business premises or at consumers' homes, are required to do so with reasonable care and skill and within a reasonable time. Failure to do so amounts to a breach of contract for which the consumer may seek redress. We have no plans to introduce further legislation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if Hawk training aircraft destined for Indonesia are being converted into ground-attack aircraft in the United Kingdom. [5914]

As announced to the House on 21 November, an export licence has been issued for the supply of a further 16 Hawk aircraft to Indonesia. These aircraft, which are to be supplied for external defence, have a range of capabilities, including ground attack. This was taken into account when the export licence application was considered.Neither this case, nor in respect of the first consignment, has there been modification of trainer aircraft destined for Indonesia into ground attack aircraft in the United Kingdom.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Crown Agents and its subsidiary companies require export licences when exporting or trans-shipping military, security, police or paramilitary equipment or services. [8656]

The Crown Agents and its subsidiary companies are subject to the same licensing requirements as UK-registered companies.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Crown Agents and its subsidiary companies required export licences prior to privatisation when exporting or trans-shipping military, security, police or paramilitary equipment or services. [8657]

The Crown Agents and its subsidiary companies are subject to the same licensing requirements as UK-registered companies. Privatisation will not affect this position.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if a British-based company is required to apply for an export licence for military, security, police or paramilitary goods or equipment when the goods or equipment are to be exported or shipped by the Crown Agents. [8658]

Where placing a contract and also arranging shipping, the Crown Agents would normally apply for any licence required. Where the Crown Agents act purely as a freight forwarder, the supplier of the goods concerned would have to apply for any necessary licence.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if a British-based company was required to apply for an export licence for military, security, police or paramilitary goods or equipment when the goods or equipment were exported or shipped by the Crown Agents prior to the privatisation of the Crown Agents. [8659]

Where placing a contract and also arranging shipping, the Crown Agents would normally apply for any licence required. Where the Crown Agents act purely as a freight forwarder, the supplier of the goods concerned would have to apply for any necessary licence. Privatisation will not affect the licensing requirements.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what monitoring procedures are in place to ensure that there are adequate safeguards against personal business advisers recommending services solely to generate income for themselves. [8940]

In order to become accredited, a business link must demonstrate to an independent assessor that the advice given by a personal business adviser and other advisers is both impartial and independent. To do this it must follow the guidelines on the independence of advice to customers set out in D47—D49 of the "Business Link Service Guide".This includes, among others:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of the first two business breakfasts held on 11 November at Luton and Lincoln. [4294]

[holding answer 15 November 1996]: The cost of catering, presentational materials and hire of venues for the two events including VAT, has now been confirmed as £8,780.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of commissioning the Coopers and Lybrand review of the dual support transfer for the Office of Science and Technology. [8889]

Excluding VAT, the Office of Science and Technology—OST—paid Coopers and Lybrand in total £81,862.16, comprising £76,650.00 consultant fees, £4,022.16 for expenses and £1,190 for 700 copies of the final report. VAT amounted to £14,325.88. The associated administrative costs to OST is making and managing this contract were covered routinely within the office's running costs budget.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the role of Mr. A, Mr. B, and Mr. C, whose names have been supplied to him, in the application for a regional selective assistance grant by Synex Ltd. [6234]

[holding answer 27 November 1996]: In the application by Synex Ltd, Mr. A. provided independent accountancy advice under the terms of his contract with the Government Office for the South West. Further details are contained in my reply of 10 December 1996, Official Report, column 87–88.Mr. B. and Mr. C. were, at the time of the Synex application, both members of the South West industrial development board—SWIDB—which provides independent advice on applications for regional selective assistance. The board comprises senior business people with wide experience of commerce and industry who, like Mr. B. and Mr. C., voluntarily give their time freely in support of the important work that the SWIDB performs. Details of the attendance of Mr. B and Mr. C at board meetings which considered the Synex case are contained in my replies of 10 December 1996,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what regulations prevent members of an industrial development board from advising the DTI on the merits of an RSA application while giving paid advice to the same applicant. [6230]

[holding answer 27 November 1996]: Appointments to the industrial development boards are made in accordance with the Cabinet Office's guide to public appointments procedures and the Treasury code of best practice for board members of public bodies. These cover avoidance of potential conflicts of interest and, among other things, prevent board members from offering advice on the merits of an RSA application on which they had received payment for advising the applicant. Members are required to provide the Government Offices with a list of current interest such as directorships and registers of these interests are maintained and regularly updated. The registers are checked by officials before members are included in the consideration of any case.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the potential environmental impact of the burning of orimulsion in power stations; and if he will make a statement. [8527]

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is currently considering an application for consent to extend a power station in order to enable it to burn orimulsion. Environmental information has been submitted as part of that application and objections received to the proposal but no conclusions have yet been reached in relation to the application.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to ensure the United Kingdom has a national fibre optic network; and if he will make a statement. [7606]

The provision of a stable regulatory environment has successfully encouraged the growth of competition in both telecommunications services and infrastructure. This has led to substantial investment in the sector, including rapid growth of optical fibre networks in the UK, to produce a network of seamlessly interconnecting networks. Prices have fallen by 40 per cent. in real terms, quality increased, and number of household covered risen to 93 per cent.Within the cable sector alone, investment is running at more than £2.5 billion a year, and some 45 per cent. of homes in the country already have the possibility of connection to cable operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the introduction of new laws by the Government of Azad Kashmir enabling prisoners to apply for bail if detained for up to two years without trial; how many prisoners have been granted bail under these laws; and if he will make a statement. [9203]

Since we have not received such reports, we have asked our high commission in Islamabad to obtain details. I shall arrange to pass these to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the current circumstances of Ghazanfer Ali recently granted bail after being detained in Mirpur prison; and if he will make a statement. [9279]

We understand that Gazanfer Ali, who is a Pakistani national, was released from Mirpur prison on bail on 30 November and that he was due to appear in court on 7 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will permit Sudarga de Silva, of Sri Lanka, to visit the United Kingdom to receive private medical treatment. [9134]

It is policy on grounds of confidentiality for Ministers not to comment publicly on individual applications for entry clearance. I will therefore write separately to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to be able to provide explanatory memoranda with treaties which are laid under the Ponsonby rule. [9430]

We accept that explanatory memoranda can usefully supplement the established Ponsonby procedures by bringing to the attention of Parliament the main features of the treaties with which they are laid. In future therefore every international agreement laid under the Ponsonby rule will be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum. This new procedure will apply to all international agreements signed after 1 January 1997 which are laid under the Pensonby rule, namely those agreements which are concluded subject to ratification, accession, acceptance or approval, and which are laid for a period of 21 sitting days after signature and before ratification or its equivalent.Arrangements will be made to lay copies of the note for Departments entitled "Guidelines on Explanatory Memoranda for Treaties" in the Libraries of both House.We should like to thank Lord Lester of Herne Hill, whose initiative led directly to the introduction of the new arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana. [8912]

Our assessment is that these elections were free, fair and transparent. The Commonwealth and EU observers have issued statements indicating that they share this assessment. I am placing these in the Library of the House. I understand that other international observers have reached similar conclusions. We congratulate the Ghanaian people on this reaffirmation on democratic values.

To ask the Secretary of Stale for Defence how many (a) soldiers, (b) sailors, (c) Air Force personnel and (d) medical personnel who were mobilised for Operation Granby in the Gulf war (1) served in (i) Saudi Arabia, (ii) Kuwait and (iii) Iraq and (2) were held in reserve at other locations. [9283]

I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of gross domestic product was spent on defence by (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France and (c) the United States of America in the last year for which figures are available. [9011]

The information requested, for calendar year 1995, is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the future offensive air system for the Royal Air Force. [9704]

The Ministry of Defence has decided to carry out a feasibility study into a future offensive air system. The Tornado GR1—now being upgraded to GR4

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he intends to take to support the Society of British Aerospace Companies' foresight action initiative. [9309]

The foresight action initiative proposed by the Society of British Aerospace Companies—SBAC—contains a number of very interesting projects, the aims of which are firmly supported by the MOD. My officials are now awaiting detailed submissions from SBAC before evaluating the potential of these projects and the scope for incorporation into MOD plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Bowman project. [9316]

Bowman is a new combat radio system which will replace the Clansman family of radios. Work on the project definition stage of the programme is standard—provides a long-range power projection and air interdiction capability. The study will examine a range of options for maintaining this capability beyond the planned withdrawal date of the GR4 in the second decade of the new millennium.Study contracts to the value of £35 million are expected to be placed in the new year. Options to be examined include variants of the Eurofighter and other new design and off-the-shelf combat aircraft; unmanned air vehicles; and stand-off air-to-ground missiles launched from transport aircraft. Collaborative options will be pursued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many industrial tribunals have considered cases brought against his Department in each of the last 10 years. [8791]

Information in the form requested is not held centrally, but at least 32 industrial tribunals in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have considered cases brought by civilian or service personnel against the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have applied for premature voluntary release in each of the services in each of the last five years. [8792]

The number of service personnel who have applied for premature voluntary release in each of the last five years are as follows:largely complete and equipment is being tested in field trials, which are due to end in May 1997. The MOD is currently examining the procurement options open to the Department for production, to determine the most cost-effective way forward. A decision on the way ahead will be taken as soon as possible.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new claims for unemployment-related benefits have been made by people living in the York travel-to-work area since April 1992; and how many people living in the York travel-to-work area have made one or more new claims for unemployment-related benefits in the same period. [8532]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the definition of a typical family used by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [8247]

[holding answer 11 December 1996]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 6 December, Official Report, columns 835–36, for what reason the Department of Natinal Heritage is excluded from the table. [8740]

[holding answer 12 December 1996]: The Department of Natinal Heritage was excluded in error and an incorrect figure was inadvertently given for Legal Departments. The complete table should have read as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the review of the Inland Revenue executive officers' framework documents is complete; and if he will make a statement. [9702]

Following completion of the next steps evaluation review of its executive office structure earlier this year, the Inland Revenue has now revised its executive offices' framework documents in line with the findings of that review.The department's internal services have been reorganised following the transfer of information technology functions to its strategic partner—Electronic Data Systems—and the department's senior management review. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of service executive offices. From 1 January 1997 the department will have 20 operational and four service executive offices.Copies of each of the executive offices' framework documents—which set out the statutory, policy and resources frameworks within which the offices operate—will be placed in the Libraries of the House shortly.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths that involved (a) ecstasy as the sole drug concerned and (b) alcohol poisoning, occurred after the victims consumed the substances (i) in clubs, (ii) in public houses, (iii) at raves and (iv) elsewhere, in each of the last five years. [6627]

[holding answer 2 December 1996]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 6 November, Official Report, column 580, if he will list methods of disposal that are (a) permitted and (b) currently in operation for (i) condensate and (ii) wash water from the rendering of cattle slaughtered under the 30-month scheme. [8799]

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the successful prosecutions for fisheries offences undertaken by his Department since 1 January which have resulted in fines of £5,000 or more, including details of the fishing vessels involved, country of registration and the offences committed. [9432]

A list of the successful prosecutions and the details requested are set out in the following table. Where appropriate, the fines relate to the total fines against both the master and owner of the vessel. There are other prosecution cases, but these are the subject of an appeal and are not therefore included in the table.

[holding answer 12 December 1996]: Most wash water and condensate from rendering plants is discharged to sewer. Such discharges are regulated by sewerage undertakers, who are empowered by the Water Industry Act 1991 to impose a wide range of conditions on the discharge consent issued to an individual plant.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional assistance he has produced to beef producers during the last six months. [9040]

United Kingdom farmers have received additional direct financial assistance totalling nearly £110 million. In addition, the advance payments under the suckler cow and beef special premium schemes have been paid at a rate of 80 per cent. rather than the normal 60 per cent. Market support measures, such as the expanded intervention coverage for beef and the calf processing scheme, have also served to enhance producers' income.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to amend the system of subsidies in respect of farmers who buy rather than breed beef animals. [8956]

Producers who buy male cattle to fatten for slaughter are currently able to claim under the beef special premium scheme, subject to observance of scheme rules. Those who marketed adult cattle, including heifers, for slaughter for human consumption between 20 March and 30 June were able to claim additional subsidies worth £66.76 per head of cattle marketed. A second round of marketing payments is now available in respect of cattle marketed between 1 July and 30 September. Claims must be made before 8 January. The payment rate under this second phase in likely to be around £55 per head. I have no plans to alter this position or to seek any amendments to existing subsidy schemes for this category of producer.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the profit made on animals by beef producers during the last six months. [8957]

Beef profitability varies widely and depends on the farm type and production system. Various estimates of annual profitability are published each March in "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom".

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (1) pursuant to his answer of 3 December, Official Report, column 625, on buying and selling fishing quotas and licences, when his Department first authorised the sale of fish quotas; [8954](2) pursuant to his answer of 3 December,

The Ministry has not authorised the sale of fish quotas. Fishermen's groups are free to swap or transfer between themselves quota allocated to them annually subject to the approval of the Fisheries Departments. No one has ownership rights over United Kingdom quotas.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he plans to take to sustain the present level of fishing effort in the period before the determination of the quota-hopping issue. [8958]

Discussions are still taking place in the Fisheries Council on the need for reductions in fishing effort following the expiry of the current multi-annual guidance programme at the end of this year. We are also continuing to press for treaty changes in the intergovernmental conference to deal with the problem of quota hoppers. I have, however, made it clear that I am not prepared to contemplate any further compulsory capacity or effort controls on UK fishermen while these issues remain unresolved.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the percentage of imported foodstuffs which will contain genetically engineered ingredients in (a) January 1997 and (b) January 1998; and if he will make a statement. [8960]

Of the 1996 USA soya bean harvest, about 2 per cent. has come from genetically modified plants, this is anticipated to rise to 10 per cent. in 1997. Of the 1996 USA maize harvest, approximately 0.6 per cent. comprised genetically modified plants and it is expected that in 1997 this will rise to 5 per cent.Other countries are planting genetically modified crops next year. The level of imports into the UK cannot be predicted with any accuracy at this time.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers his Ministry has to require minimum standards of training, and permanent contract conditions, for inseminators for cattle AI programmes; and if he will make a statement. [9179]

Provisions relating to the training and business status of inseminators for cattle AI are included in regulation 24(b) of the Artificial Insemination of Cattle (Animal Health) (England and Wales) Regulations 1985. Any breach of these regulations constitutes an offence under section 10(6) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress has been made to ensure that lottery funds can be used for expenditure on items other than capital items. [7607]

The National Lotteries Charities Board and the Millennium Commission have always been able to make revenue awards. In April, I announced changes to the policy directions to allow the Arts and Sports Councils to make revenue awards. The first arts and sports revenue programmes were announced in November. The National Heritage Bill will allow the heritage lottery fund the same flexibility.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to increase the percentage of national lottery funds directed to good causes. [7608]

None. The Director General of the National Lottery appointed Camelot as the operator of the national lottery because over the course of the licence it offered the best return to good causes. The National Audit Office reviewed the evaluation process and supported the director general's decision. The percentage of funds going to the good causes could be increased only through a change to the licence, with Camelot's agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will ensure that greater priority is given to projects benefiting children and young people in the distribution of lottery proceeds. [7609]

Young people and children are already benefiting greatly from the lottery. At least 1,500 awards, worth more than £175 million have already been made.I directed the distributing bodies specifically to take the needs of young people into account when I issued a new policy directions to them in April this year.The schemes launched last month by the Arts and Sports Councils under these directions will allow children and young people to benefit even further from the lottery.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the total sum contributed by the national lottery to organisations, groups and charities in the borough of Southend-on-Sea. [7613]

Twelve national lottery awards have been made in the borough of Southend-on-Sea with a total value of £2.3 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the role of the national lottery in preserving the nation's historic churches. [7614]

The national lottery provides a tremendous opportunity for the preservation of historic churches and cathedrals in this country. To date, the heritage lottery fund has made 121 grants totalling £14.8 million to preserve our ecclesiastical heritage.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many grants the national lottery funding bodies have made to protect and conserve the nation's heritage since the inception of the lottery. [7619]

The heritage lottery fund, which has responsibility for allocating lottery proceeds specifically to projects concerned with the protection and conservation of the nation's heritage, has made 604 grants totalling £368 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received about the effect on smaller charities of the national lottery; and if she will make a statement. [7622]