To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many personalised number plates there are in the Government car pool; and if he will list them. [11239]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of its framework document to the Security Facilities Executive under its chief executive, Mr. John King. The agency is therefore responding to the question.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the methodology used by his Department to calculate labour force statistics. [9889]

[holding answer 13 January 1997]: 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 if he will personally sign future explanatory memoranda supplied to the Vote Office accompanying documents deposited there by Her Majesty's Government concerning changes in the system of value added taxes from within the European Community. [10809]

No. Explanatory memoranda reflect the Chancellor's policy but are sometimes signed by junior Ministers within their own area of responsibility.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reconcile the figures published by (a) the Office for National Statistics and (b) the Department of the Environment for the number of people employed in the construction industry; and what assessment he has made of the increase in productivity in the construction industry over the last 10 years. [11031]

The Office for National Statistics and the Department of the Environment expect to reconcile the figures by the end of 1997.The index of output per person employed is published by ONS in "Labour Market Trends". The index uses value added data from DOE and employment data from the ONS work force in employment series. The index increased by 16.4 per cent. in the 10 years to the third quarter of 1996.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an assessment of the (a) number, (b) distribution and (c) benefits of (i) local exchange and trading systems and (ii) credit unions in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [10534]

[holding answer 16 January 1997]: Information about the number and distribution of local exchange and trading systems is not held centrally.As for credit unions, 554 are currently registered under the Credit Unions Act 1979.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many personalised number plates there are in the ownership of the executive agencies operated by his Department; and if he will list them. [11415]

None.

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will list the (a) total area of land administered by the Church Commissioners, (b) amount assessed as agricultural land, (c) amount of land let for the purpose of farming and (d) total number of tenant farmers; and if he will make a statement. [10519]

The commissioners administer land for investment in agricultural, residential and commercial property and, in addition, small areas occupied by bishops' residences. Statistics of total area are available only for agricultural land. As at 31 December 1995, the latest date for which figures are available, the commissioners owned 55,518 hectares—137,185 acres—of agricultural land; 52,788 hectares—130,438 acres—were let for the purpose of farming. For the purpose of calculating only the number of tenant farmers, the commissioners define a farm as an area of land over 20 hectares—50 acres. As at 31 December 1995, there were 371 tenanted farms.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if Ministers are entitled to use child care facilities supported by his Department. [11600]

Ministers of the Crown are able to make use of the child care facilities provided by the Department.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress was made towards agreeing a European directive on gas liberalisation at the EU Energy Council of Minsters meeting on 3 December; and if he will make a statement. [10823]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) on 9 December, Official Report, column 30 and the hon. Member for Blaneau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 11 December, Official Report, column 274.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what conclusions his Department has drawn from the Grant Thornton 1996 European business survey regarding (a) the percentage of United Kingdom SME which export, (b) the figures in each European Union country and (c) the European Union average. [11229]

I welcome the survey's findings that as many as 45 per cent. of United Kingdom SMEs export, and that the share is significantly higher in only six other European Union countries. SMEs clearly make an important contribution to Britain's position as the world's fifth largest trading nation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been spent to date on the prior options review of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; and from which budget these sums were paid. [11098]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 January, Official Report, columns 133–34.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many (a) United Kingdom, (b) European and (c) international committees include employees of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology as representatives of UK interests; and how many of these employees are leading the UK team on their committee; [11100](2) how many

The staff at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology are employed by the Natural Environment Research Council. The prior options process is designed to ensure that the interests of the United Kingdom are best served by these bodies. In most cases, membership in fact reflects the professional or personal qualifications of the individual. However, information on committee membership is set out in the table.

	Chair/President	Members
United Kingdom	4	40
European	1	9
International	3	24

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the expected future costs of the prior options review of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; and from which budget these sums will be paid. [11099]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 January, Official Report, columns 136–37.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been of prison inmates during the past 12 months; what were the principal offences for which they were prosecuted; and if he will make a statement. [9937]

The information is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost of custody per inmate month in adult prisons in the last year for which figures are available. [10922]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost of custody per inmate month in (a) open and (b) closed youth establishments in the last year for which figures are available. [10923]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average monthly cost of supervision under the Children and Young Persons Acts for the last year for which figures are available; [10925]

Information on monthly unit costs collated from probation service returns is given in the following table:

Estimated monthly cost per case supervised by the probation service in England and Wales, by type of order, 1995–96
	£ per case Cost
Supervision order under the Children and Young Persons Act 1969	180
Probation Order	190
Community service order	140

The figure for supervision orders relates to work by the probation service, and does not cover work by social services departments. Information on supervision orders with an additional requirement is not identified separately.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average monthly cost of bail support schemes in the last year for which figures are available. [10928]

Bail support schemes, which vary widely in scope and coverage, are organised and funded locally by area probation services and social services. No information is held centrally about their cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the consideration given to health and safety at work issues at the Fire Service College. [11231]

We are satisfied with the consideration given to health and safety at work issues at the Fire Service College. Responsibility for these matters rests with the college management, but the arrangements are monitored by professionally qualified Home Office health and safety officers, Health and Safety Executive inspectors and local authority environmental health officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are currently held in Her Majesty's prison establishments; and how many of them are accused of committing a crime. [11611]

As at 11 December 1996, the latest date for which information is available, 292 persons who had sought asylum were detained in Prison Service establishments solely under Immigration Act powers. In addition to these, a further 121 asylum seekers were detained in prisons under powers other than, or in conjunction with, those contained in the Immigration Act 1971. Information on the number of these persons who are being held on criminal charges, as opposed to those serving a court imposed sentence, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received in relation to the EC's Year Against Racism, and from whom. [11213]

The Department has received many inquiries of many different kinds about aspects of the European year from a wide range of organisations and individuals and has established a database of several hundred names.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives are planned as the United Kingdom's contribution to the European Year Against Racism. [11211]

The first major event of the year will take place on 28 January, when the Secretary of State for Employment and Education and Sir Herman Ouseley, the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, will be jointly hosting a conference to promote the business case for race equality. We shall then be launching the year formally in February. Other activities are being planned throughout the year, both by Government and by a wide range of other organisations. These are being collated into a calendar of events which will be widely disseminated in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department is the lead Department for the United Kingdom's contribution to the EC's 1997 Year Against Racism. [11214]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations his Department has held with groups and organisations in the voluntary sector, and with local authority associations about the European Year Against Racism. [11210]

In addition to informal contacts, we have set up a national co-ordinating committee which I am chairing personally. The committee met for the first time on 2 December and meets again on 26 February. The following organisations have been invited on to the committee: the Commission for Racial Equality; Association of County Councils; Association of District Councils; Association of Metropolitan Authorities; British Phonographic Industry; Confederation of British Industry; Convention of Scottish Local Authorities; Interfaith Network; Race for Opportunity; Runnymede Trust; SIA; Trades Union Congress; training and enterprise councils; Welsh Local Government Association; Home Office; Department for Education and Employment; Department of Health; Department of the Environment; and Northern Ireland Office. Lady Flather, the United Kingdom member of the European Union Consultative Committee on Racism and Xenophobia, is also a member of the committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information his Department has made available with regard to the activities surrounding the EC's designation of 1997 as a Year Against Racism; and what sums have been set aside for such activity. [11212]

I am pleased to say that the European year has generated an enormous amount of interest in the United Kingdom and my Department has responded to a large number of inquiries. We have also disseminated widely the newsletter produced by the European Commission. We are providing specific funding to the Commission for Racial Equality to run a helpline and information service for the year and the first United Kingdom newsletter will be issued very shortly to the lists of contacts collated by the Home Office and the Commission for Racial Equality.In addition, Government Departments will mark the year in appropriate ways, although no specific central budget has been set aside for this purpose.The European Commission has set aside a budget of 4.7 million ecu to stimulate action and involvement in the year. We expect the Commission to announce details shortly of how organisations in member states can apply for this funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has made of the fees likely to be received from applicants for registration under the Data Protection Act 1984 in the next three financial years; and what plans he has to transform the registration fee into a tax on data users. [11238]

The current estimates are:

Financial Years	£ million
1997–98	4.4
1998–99	6.5
1999–2000	4.9

The fee has been set at a level which will ensure that the full costs of the Data Protection Registrar's activities, since the exception of her office, are met on an accruals accounting basis. Fee income for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 may be affected by changes to the registration arrangements with the implementation by October 1998 of the European Community directive on data protection. We have not yet decided the form of the new arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of expenditure in the current financial year on the probation service in (a) England and Wales and (b) Wales; and if he will express this expenditure as a percentage of expenditure on police and prisons. [11017]

The information requested is set out in the table:

	England and Wales	Wales
Current estimate of expenditure on probation service 1996–97	£350.2 million	£18.1 million As percentage of estimated
As percentage of estimated expenditure on police	9.9 per cent.	10.4 per cent.
As percentage of estimated expenditure on prisons	21.3 per cent.	1—
1 Separate figures for expenditure on the Prison Service in Wales are not kept.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the expenditure of the probation service in each of the counties of Wales since 1992, indicating the annual percentage increases or decreases on the previous year's expenditure. [11019]

Net specified expenditure by probation areas in Wales between 1992–93 and 1995–96, and year-on-year percentage changes are given in the table. The probation areas correspond with the pre-April 1996 counties, with the exception of north Wales, which comprises the former counties of Clwyd and Gwynedd.

	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Dyfed
Expenditure (£)	1,700,530	1,845,785	2,020,753	2,144,641
Percentage change on previous year	—	+8.5	+9.5	+6.1
Gwent
Expenditure (£)	2,277,894	2,456,291	2,614,526	2,698,153
Percentage change on previous year	—	+7.8	+6.4	+3.2
North Wales
Expenditure (£)	2,991,103	3,166,670	3,439,321	3,612,692
Percentage change on previous year	—	+5.9	+8.6	+5.0
Powys
Expenditure (£)	630,889	701,511	782,941	867,437
Percentage change on previous year	—	+11.2	+11.6	+10.8
South Glamorgan
Expenditure (£)	3,307,601	3,506,904	3,791,970	4,023,999
Percentage change on previous year	—	+6.0	+8.1	+6.1
Mid Glamorgan
Expenditure (£)	3,474,121	3,725.125	3,934,732	4,064,822
Percentage change on previous year	—	+7.2	+5.6	+3.3
West Glamorgan
Expenditure (£)	2,819,039	3,034,418	3,223,813	3,307,664
Percentage change on previous year	—	+7.6	+6.2	+2.6

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what national standards or criteria are currently in force in determining the average case load of probation officers (a) dealing with community service orders, (b) dealing with offenders in custody and (c) dealing with supervision orders. [11021]

Decisions on allocation of case load to make best use of available staff resources are matters for individual probation committees, having regard to local circumstances; and no national standards or criteria have been issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the percentage change in expenditure upon the probation service in England and Wales since 1992; and what are the equivalent figures for the police and prison services. [11018]

Central Government support for the probation service in England and Wales, current and capital, between 1992–93 and 1995–96 increased by 9.6 per cent. The equivalent figures for the police and the Prison Service are 19.1 per cent. and 3.5 per cent. respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of probation officers currently dealing directly with cases in each of the counties of Wales; and what assessment he has made of the change in the number of officers following the proposed budgets for 1997–98. [11020]

The latest available published figures for the numbers of probation officers and senior probation officers¹ employed by probation committees in Wales at 30 June 1996 are given in the table.It is for individual probation committees to determine their spending priorities, including staff numbers, in the light of the expenditure limits implied by the level of their grant support in 1997–98.

	Number
Dyfed	29
Gwent	65
North Wales	64
Powys	10
South Glamorgan	71
Mid Glamorgan	67
West Glamorgan	51
1 Whole-time equivalents.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licence applications for the use of wild-caught baboons have been approved by the Animal Procedures Committee since 1994 for research; what checks were made to ensure that these animals did not suffer unduly during trapping and transport to the United Kingdom; and what was the country of origin of these animals. [11169]

Since the start of 1994, three project licences authorising the use of wild-caught baboons have been approved by the Animal Procedures Committee.We announced in 1995 a ban on the use of wild-caught non-human primates unless specific and exceptional justification could be made. Details of the trapping, housing and transport arrangements for any holding centres must now be submitted to the Home Office before animals acquired from these sources can be used in regulated procedures.All the animals originated in Kenya. Following a visit by one of the animals (scientific procedures) inspectors to the holding centre concerned, many further application to use animals acquired from this source will not be considered until adequate improvements have been made to the facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many personalised number plates there are in the ownership of the executive agencies operated by his Department; and if he will list them. [11416]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Health and Safety Executive inspectors have visited Co-Steel to speak to employees without management present since August 1996. [11083]

An HSE inspector who made three visits to investigate a fatal accident which occurred on 28 September 1996 interviewed several employees without management being present. An HSE inspector who carried out an inspection on 5 December 1996 had a discussion with two employees without management being present.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to initiate an investigation into safety procedures at Co-Steel, following the withdrawal of the British Safety Council's safety award. [11082]

The Health and Safety Executive carried out an inspection of Co-Steel Sheerness plc in May 1996 and were generally satisfied with the company's health and safety arrangements. However HSE is currently examining the arrangements for complying with the reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which elected workers representatives have access to documents relevant to workplace health and safety in derecognised workplaces. [11084]

Under the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996, employers who choose to consult their employees via elected representatives are required to provide the representatives with the information necessary to carry out their functions. Employers must let workers representatives see the records of work-related injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences which relate to the representatives' responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was paid in derelict land grant to Corby district borough council in each year since 1979. [11068]

Information about expenditure from 1979–80 to 1994–94 was given in my answer of 26 April 1995, Official Report, columns 530–31. English Partnerships paid £2,148,392 from its land reclamation programme in 1995–96. There have been no payments as yet in the current financial year, but English Partnerships expects to make a payment of £193,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ensure that landlords comply with the amendment made to regulation 35 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1996: and if he will make a statement. [10952]

Gas safety publicity is an important plank in the Health and Safety Commission's strategy for promoting compliance by duty holders with gas safety legislation. The duties enjoined on relevant landlords by the second amendment to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994, as amended, are the primary focus of the commission's current gas-related carbon monoxide poisoning publicity campaign.Enforcement of the 1994 regulations is a priority activity for the Health and Safety Executive. There was more than a tenfold increase in formal enforcement action against landlords for breaches of regulation 35A in 1995–96 compared with 1994–95. Enforcement of the 1994 regulations, including the second amendment, will continue to be a priority activity for the HSE.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce measures to ensure (a) that the direction of all telecommunications masts is properly controlled and (b) that numbers are kept to the practical minimum in (i) Dorset and (ii) the United Kingdom. [11581]

Controls over the erection of telecommunications masts are already in place. Masts over 15 m in height require a full application for planning permission wherever they are located, as do all masts in specified protected areas. Outside these areas, licensed telecommunications operators have the right to erect masts up to 15 m in height, subject to a prior approval procedure operated by local planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. To help minimise the number of masts, our planning policy guidance encourages mast sharing wherever practicable and licences issued under the Telecommunications Act require operators to consider this. These controls apply to England and Wales. Other controls are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right. hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implications of the judgment in Hull county court by Judge Cracknell concerning the preservation of ancient hedgerows. [11424]

In the case referred to, Mr Colin Seymour and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust obtained from Hull county court a declaration that Flamborough parish council is bound for ever by the Flamborough Inclosures Act 1765, and subsequent award under it, to maintain a particular hedge that is owned by the council. The judge heard only one side of the argument. However, his judgment illustrates that obligations arising under Inclosure Acts and awards may still be enforceable; and that, in appropriate circumstances, the court may find that a local resident has locus standi to challenge the failure of a local authority to perform them. As he pointed out, the outcome depended on the wording of the particular Inclosure Act and award, and others may be expressed differently. It would therefore be wrong to read too much into this case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received a copy of the memorandum by John Holmes of the Nirex science department, dated 10 December 1996, concerning the outstanding scientific matters that need attention in regard to the rock characterisation facility and proposals for the disposal of radioactive wastes. [11801]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish his decision on the public inquiry into the Stockton city challenge scheme for the redevelopment of Stockton high street. [11871]

Good progress is being made in considering the inspector's report and a significant amount of post-inquiry correspondence. Some complex issues are involved which need careful consideration, and the decision will be issued as soon as it is practicable to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will (a) make a statement on and (b) announce a decision on, the application referred to him by Spelthorne borough council to divert a footpath currently running through the playground of Christ the King school, Stanwell. [10916]

The order will be decided by an inspector appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State following an exchange of written representations between Spelthorne borough council and the objector. The exchange of representations is complete and the inspector will visit the site before making his decision on the order.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total financial allocation (a) from his Department and (b) from other Government Departments and agencies for research to be carried out by the Building Research Establishment executive agency in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [11268]

The total amount expected to be spent at the Building Research Establishment in 1996–97 by my Department will be in the order of £32 million.The Department is discussing with BRE proposed contracts for 1997–98, when it is anticipated that BRE will be in the private sector.In 1996–97, other Government Departments have commissioned work valued at £2.1 million. It is a matter for individual Departments to decide whether and when to let contracts to BRE in 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names and qualifications of the Building Research Establishment executive agency visitors. [11270]

The visitors of the Building Research Establishment executive agency are appointed by its chief executive, and I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sources of professional advice his Department will have available after the transfer of the Building Research Establishment executive agency to the private sector to enable his Department to arbitrate on plans for novel buildings; and if he will make a statement. [11272]

My Department employs its own professional officers to advise on cases referred to it under the Building Act 1984, but where appropriate advice will continue to be sought from the Building Research Establishment after its transfer to the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total amount allocated to the negotiated research programme for the Building Research Establishment executive agency for the financial year 1996–97 by his Department. [11267]

The total amount expected to be spent at the Building Research Establishment in 1996–97 under the negotiated construction research programme is £15.85 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to ensure the continuing maintenance of the Buildings Research Establishment executive agency's large building test facility at Cardington after the transfer of the agency to the private sector. [11275]

In response to a question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones) on 2 April 1996, Official Report, columns 163–64, my right hon. Friend made it clear that the Government want BRE to remain a single entity. That is the basis on which BRE is being offered for sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has undertaken to solicit the views of the construction industries throughout the United Kingdom regarding his intention to transfer the Building Research Establishment executive agency to the private sector; and if he will make a statement. [11280]

A large number of construction industry bodies were consulted as part of the review of the options for privatisation of BRE carried out by PA Consulting. In addition, three senior industry representatives were members of the advisory group which oversaw PA Consulting's work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to ensure that those parts of the land on which the Building Research Establishment executive agency is situated which are sites of special scientific interest will be protected in the event of the transfer of the Building Research Establishment to the private sector. [11278]

There are no sites of special scientific interest on the sites occupied by the Building Research Establishment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when funding for the negotiated research programme for the Building Research Establishment executive agency for the financial year 1997–98 will be allocated by his Department. [11266]

Within the Department the allocation for construction research programmes has been made. The Department is discussing with BRE proposed contracts for 1997–98, when it is anticipated that BRE will be in the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is being taken to establish the nature of the waste deposited in refuse tips on land on which the Building Research Establishment executive agency is sited at Garston, and the extent of the contamination of that waste; and if he will make a statement. [11279]

An environmental liabilities audit was commissioned by the Department as part of the preparation for the sale of BRE. This concluded that the area of the Garston site previously used for tipping does not present a risk to the current activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been carried out, and by which organisations, into building and other fire safety issues raised by the fire at Knowsley Heights in Liverpool in April 1991. [11269]

The Building Research Establishment was commissioned by the Department to investigate the fire at Knowsley Heights. This subsequently led to a programme of research by BRE into the spread of fire in relation to cladding systems, particularly those of the "rainscreen" type. The project included appraisal of some of the hygrothermal properties of cladding systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has commissioned to be carried out into the fire safety implications of the presence of lightweight polymer-cored sandwich panels in the food processing industry; and by which organisations this research was carried out. [11271]

Officials in my Department have been working on this question with colleagues in the Home Office who had commissioned the Building Research Establishment to undertake an initial review of the fire safety of large insulated sandwich panels. My Department will commission follow-up tests with larger specimens shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been carried out on his behalf, and by which organisations, into pollutants in the home in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years. [11273]

The Department of the Environment has commissioned a substantial body of research into pollutants in the home over recent years. The research contracts which have been let over the past five years, and the organisations performing these contracts, are as follows:

Contract title	Contractor	Contract duration
Indoor air quality	Building Research	1990–93
	Establishment	1993–96
		1996–99
Assessment of the risks to health and well being of occupants from exposure to various pollutants in homes	MRC Institute for Environment and Health	1994–99
ALSPAC daily health diaries	University of Bristol	1994–95
The siting of carbon monoxide detectors for use in domestic premises	Building Research Establishment (joint DoE/HSE contract) 1995–97
Size Selective Sampling of Indoor Air Quality—Exposure to Tobacco Smoke and Allergens	AEA Technology	1996–98
Estimation of Personal Exposures to Gaseous and Particulate Pollutants	University of Birmingham	1996–98

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been carried out on his behalf, and by which organisations, into the behaviour of stainless steel in swimming pool construction. [11274]

Since 1988 my Department has commissioned research at the Building Research Establishment on the risks associated with the use of stainless steel in swimming pools. The work has been carried out in collaboration with interested parties such as British Steel and the Institute of Sports and Recreation Management. BRE has published a guidance document and has provided information for several journal articles. The work has provided advice on recommended stainless steel grades, inspection and maintenance and has generally raised awareness of the issues for designers and swimming pool owners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the responses he has received into his consultation paper on competition in the water industry; and how many were in favour of extending competition into the domestic sector. [11049]

A list of responses to the consultation paper "Water—Increasing Customer Choice" is in the Library. The paper invited comments on a number of measures to extend competition. These included giving domestic customers the right to make their own connections to the water main, on which there was general support. On common carriage arrangements, our proposals related to large users of water, and we did not invite comments on extending the proposals to the domestic sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been spent by his Department and the regulator on consultancy advice on the feasibility of extending competition in the water industry. [11050]

The Department and the Office of Water Services jointly funded a report on the hydraulic, network and quality issues raised by common carriage at a cost of £21,150.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the results of his consultation exercise into extending competition in the water industry. [11051]

My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement soon about how the Government intend to proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to reassess the current robustness requirements for large buildings, following recent bomb attacks in London and Manchester; and which organisations have acted on his behalf in assessing the damage and formulating design guidance aimed at limiting the impact of terrorist attacks. [11263]

My Department did commission the Building Research Establishment, and others, to undertake limited investigations of the London bombings at St. Mary Axe in 1992 and at Bishopsgate in 1993, but not the Manchester incident. More detailed studies of such incidents are routinely carried out by experts in the explosives safety branch on behalf of the Home Office. Close liaison is maintained by my Department with ESB in order to monitor the performance of those buildings subjected to explosive attack. We have no plans to amend the Building Regulations to increase the resistance of buildings to bomb attack, although we have supported the development of design guidance specifically aimed at limiting the effect of explosions on buildings which are considered to be at particular risk of terrorist attack.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names, qualifications and employing organisations of the Government's funded representatives on each BSI committee; and what arrangements he proposes to make for Government representation on each committee in the event of the transfer of the Building Research Establishment executive agency to the private sector. [11363]

A list of representatives funded by the Department of the Environment of BSI committees has been deposited with the Library of the House. That list shows the information requested except the qualifications of each individual, which are not recorded centrally. The expertise of Building Research Establishment staff is expected to remain available to assist with the representation of government interests in the development of standards following the transfer of BRE to the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconcile the figures for the reductions in the provision for local authority capital approvals and capital grants by service in 1997–98 that were made to provide for the introduction of capital challenge with the estimated supplementary credit approvals to be allocated to each service under the capital challenge pilot scheme. [11650]

The information available is in a different form from that requested.The pool of resources for the capital challenge pilot scheme was created by transferring provision from Government Departments' budgets for support for local authority capital expenditure. Table 1 shows departmental contributions in each of the three financial years of the pilot scheme.

Table 1
£ million
Department	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	2.6	4.4	3.5
Department of Transport	44.2	74.8	59.8
Department of the Environment	66.3	108.9	87.1
Home Office	3.0	4.9	3.9
Lord Chancellor's Department	1.2	2.0	1.6
Department for Education and Employment	25.4	43.5	34.8
Department of Health	7.2	11.6	9.3
Totals	150.0	250.0	200.0

Columns may not sum due to rounding. Table 2 shows the estimated uptake of supplementary credit approvals by service over the three years of the pilot scheme.

Table 2
£ million
Service	Credit approvals sought by successful bids
Education	104.9
Housing	121.5
Personal social services	15.4
Transport	203.9
Magistrates' courts committees	7.3
Fire and civil defence	18.7
Probation committees	2.9
Coast protection/flood defence	1.3
Sport and recreation	15.0
Economic development	60.3
Waste collection	16.8
Parks and open spaces	10.0
Arts and libraries	11.6
Other	22.2
Total	611.8

A total of £600 million is available under the capital challenge pilot scheme. Ministers have approved a slight surplus of projects since it is likely that some will not proceed according to plan.The services shown cannot be reconciled directly with the departmental contributions shown in table 1 since some services, for example economic development, will include the policy interests of more than one Department. The precise profiling of individual projects has not yet been agreed with authorities, and it is not therefore possible to show estimated expenditure for each service for individual financial years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the targets agreed at the Rio summit in 1992, indicating progress so far achieved with each of them by (a) the United Kingdom, (b) each other country for which information is readily available and (c) internationally. [10818]

[holding answer 13 January 1997]: At the Rio earth summit, the Prime Minister and other world leaders agreed the Rio declaration, conventions on climate change and biodiversity, a statement of forest principles, and Agenda 21. Shortly after Rio, the United Kingdom, with other members of the European Union and the Group of Seven, adopted an action plan to give practical effect to the Rio agreements. The United Kingdom has met in full its commitments under that action plan, including the ratification of the climate change and biodiversity conventions, and the production of a national strategy for sustainable development.The strategy sets out measures and targets designed to promote the implementation of Agenda 21 and is monitored through annual White Papers which report on progress.The UN's Commission on Sustainable Development was established after Rio to monitor progress on the implementation of the Rio agreements. The United Kingdom submits annual reports to the commission, copies of which are placed in the Library. We do not keep information on other countries' progress in implementing Rio commitments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasion the British Council has provided or facilitated training for the Indonesian paramilitary or police personnel (a) in Indonesia and (b) in the United Kingdom; and if he will list the cost and content of such training and what proposals there are for future support. [10707]

The British Council has provided or facilitated training for Indonesian police personnel, in Indonesia and in the United Kingdom, under non-aid-funded arrangements, in addition to its involvement, on behalf of the Overseas Development Administration, in the national police management training project in Indonesia. Details of the latter have been provided to the hon. Lady and to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones) in earlier replies on 8 February 1995, Official Report, columns 294–95, 3 March 1995, Official Report, column 727,12 July 1995, Official Report, columns 609–12, and 16 May 1996, Official Report, columns 522–26.The British Council in Indonesia has provided English language training to prepare police personnel for training in Britain. This language training has been funded under the Chevening awards scheme by the diplomatic wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The number of

police trainees and associated costs over the past five years, and estimated figures for the coming financial year, are as follows:

Year	Trainees	Cost (£)
1992–93	1	1,000
1996–97	2	2,000
1997–98	1	1,500

Figures in respect of training arranged by the British Council in the United Kingdom for these Indonesian police personnel, all under the Chevening awards scheme, are as follows:

Year	Trainees	Cost (£)
1992–93	1	12,000
1996–97	2	29,000
1997–98	1	15,000

The four students listed have followed, or will follow, courses in police studies, business administration, banking and finance, and traffic studies.In 1993–94 and 1994–95 the British Council also provided English language training in Jakarta to two groups of 15 traffic police. This was fully funded under the auspices of a World bank project managed by a British consultancy company.The British Council has not provided for facilitated training for Indonesian paramilitary organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if consular access has been granted and made to Mr. Krishna Maharaj in Florida. [11480]

Our consular staff became aware of Mr. Maharaj's situation in October 1988. He received his first consular visit on 3 January 1989. We have been in regular touch with him ever since.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens abroad his Department estimates to have been (a) sentenced judicially to death and (b) executed in the past 10 years. [11476]

The answer is (a) eight, and (b) four.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the reason for the replacement of the judge who initially presided in the Florida murder trial of Mr. Krishna Maharaj. [11478]

The first judge was removed from the trial in order to face bribery charges in an unrelated case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens abroad outside the EU have been provided with financial resources to defend themselves or to appeal against verdict or sentence in cases that could end with judicial execution in the past 10 years. [11477]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the legal options available to Mr. Krishna Maharaj; and how much time has been made available to Mr. Krishna Maharaj to present arguments to the Florida Supreme court for a new trial. [11479]

Mr. Maharaj is able to make use of the US post-conviction appeals process. His state appeal was heard in April 1996. The Florida Supreme court ruled in December 1996 that his case should be returned to the Miami court for an evidentiary hearing to decide whether or not he is entitled to a retrial.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the United Nations regular budget in 1996 was financed by borrowing from the peacekeeping budget; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this on peacekeeping operations. [11344]

The UN regular budget at the end of 1996 was most recently forecast to have been in deficit by $195 million—down from $198 million at the end of 1995. This end of year balance of funds was cross-borrowed from the peacekeeping budget.The borrowing of funds from peacekeeping budgets to meet cash shortfalls on the UN regular budget is a short-term measure and is within UN financial regulations. It has no appreciable impact in the day-to-day work of UN peacekeeping operations. We do not, however, believe that this is good accounting practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much outstanding debt is owed to the United Nations (a) in total and (b) by the United States; how much of this is owed to the peacekeeping budget; and if he will make a statement about the financial situation of the United Nations. [11345]

At 15 December 1996, outstanding assessed contributions to the UN totalled $2.26 billion. Of this, $1.71 billion was for peacekeeping operations. The total US debt was $1.3 billion, including $926 million for peacekeeping operations.We firmly believe that all UN member states including the US, must pay their dues promptly, in full and without conditions, in accordance with their legal obligation. The EU proposals for UN financial reform include penalties for late or non-payers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review export controls and the supply of arms to Bosnia. [11587]

In my written answer to the hon. and learned Member for Harborough (Mr. Gamier) on 15 July, Official Report, column 358, I announced continuing restrictions on UK arms exports to the states of the former Yugoslavia, in line with an EU common position. We have no plans at present to review this policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to secure the release of James Miles and Paul Loseby from custody in Venezuela. [11530]

Our consular staff in Caracas are in regular contact with Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby to ensure that they are treated fairly. They have provided information about local lawyers and the Venezuelan legal system. The date of their release is a matter for the Venezuelan judicial authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to conclude a prisoner exchange agreement between Britain and Venezuela. [11531]

Yes. Steps are in hand.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many personalised number plates there are in the ownership of the executive agencies operated by his Department; and if he will list them. [11417]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place concerning the loss of life of asylum seekers trying to travel to European Union countries; and if he will make a statement. [11180]

Meetings take place on a regular basis with our European Union partners to discuss asylum matters. There has been no discussion on this specific issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Greece concerning the reported loss of life of people trying to reach Greece by sea. [11181]

None.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what guidelines are issued to hon. Members about the use of air travel funded by the House of Commons within the United Kingdom; and if he will list the airlines and airports in the United Kingdom that hon. Members are able to use. [11680]

Hon. Members may use any United Kingdom airport or any airline appropriate to their parliamentary duties.

To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost to public funds of his visit to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh; and who accompanied him on his visit. [11666]

I was accompanied by my wife and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. We took 24 members of my office and other staff, 23 members of the press and 48 representatives of British industry, although not all of them accompanied us throughout the entire visit.Detailed cost information is not yet available. The representatives from industry and the press will, of course, be charged in the normal manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the progress of the millennium exhibition project at Greenwich. [12056]

My Department issued a statement on 18 January setting out the basis on which the millennium exhibition project will go ahead. The text of the statement is reproduced as follows:

On 6 December last year, the Millennium Exhibition operating company, Millennium Central, submitted its proposals for a National Exhibition to the Millennium Commission. The Commissioners decided at their meeting on 11 December that an Exhibition will take place in Greenwich in the year 2000.

At its meeting on 13 January 1997, the Commission agreed that the indicative budget now available provides a basis on which a grant of £200 million can be made. Immediate negotiations on the terms and conditions of grant will begin in parallel with the preparation of a detailed business plan and the creation of the management team. This will be done in such a way as to drive costs down.

In addition to the Commission's grant, the Exhibition will be funded through commercial income including private sector sponsorship. The Millennium Commission has a target of £150 million for sponsorship, of which more than half has been identified. Entrance charges will be set at a level which allows as many people as possible to attend but which also maximises revenue.

The operational targets for visitor numbers and income for the Exhibition are, of course, estimates and will remain so, even when the detailed business plan is prepared. The Government will expect the business plan to be delivered within the indicative budget and will keep progress under continuous review to ensure that a first class exhibition is delivered at Greenwich in the most cost effective way. Nevertheless, the Government has taken the view that the Commission should have provision to cover variations from the estimates in the plan without prejudicing its existing grant programmes and the possibility of a fourth round of capital projects.

The National Lottery etc. Act of 1993 allows for money from the National Lottery to be channelled to the Millennium Commission only until 31 December 2000, although that period may be extended by Order. An Order will accordingly be brought forward to extend the funding life of the commission for one year. Millennium Central understands that should the need for provision to cover variations arise, it will be required to make a new application to the Commission for this purpose. But any such application will only be made for contingencies and inflation which at present cannot be predicted and both the Government and Opposition agree that everything possible must be done to keep within the existing budget.

The Government is putting in place the normal public sector procedures necessary to monitor and review a project of this sort. No public expenditure will be committed to the Exhibition beyond that which will be made available to English Partnerships to acquire and prepare the site.

The Government has decided that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Mr. Roger Freeman, should assume responsibility for Millennium Central. It would not be right for the Secretary of State for National Heritage to take this role in view of her position as Chairman of the Millennium Commission. To do so would also fetter her discretion as Secretary of State to act properly under the terms of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. Mr. Freeman will be advised by the Department of National Heritage. He will be the company's shareholder and will appoint its Board members and be answerable to Parliament for its performance.

The Government is also pleased to announce that Robert Ayling, Chief Executive of British Airways, is to be Chairman of Millennium Central and that Jennifer Page, currently Chief Executive of the Millennium Commission, will be Chief Executive of the company.

The Government has discussed the Millennium Commission's plans in detail with the Opposition, who are represented on the Commission. The Opposition remain enthusiastic about the proposed exhibition at Greenwich. They will want, if elected, to review all aspects of the project delivery, to ensure it is cost effective and properly implemented, so that it will come within the existing budget. The Government is pleased that the Shadow Heritage Secretary, Dr. Jack Cunningham, who has supported the plan for a National Exhibition from the start, has agreed the terms of this announcement.

A National Exhibition should be a landmark in the lives of British people; it should be an event of which the whole country can be proud and which other nationals will admire, and be a worthy successor to the 1851 Great Exhibition and the 1951 Festival of Britain. The decontamination and regeneration of the 300-acre Greenwich Peninsula—the largest single derelict site in Southern England, just six miles for Westminster—will be one of the great legacies of the event. Five thousand people will work to build the Exhibition. The associated national programme will involve the whole country in the celebration of the Millennium. This will be an exhibition for the whole nation.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what sources of advice on the reduction of fire risks in historic buildings are currently available to her; and if she will list the amount paid in charges for such advice for each of the last three years. [11282]

There are number of sources of advice available to me including: Sir Alan Bailey's report, "Fire Protection Measures for the Royal Palaces", produced in May 1993; and the National Research Co-ordinating Committee for Fire Safety in Historic Buildings, on which most organisations with an interest in fire safety in heritage buildings are represented. Advice has also been sought from Lawrence Webster Forrest/Klimat, International Fire Consultants, Warrington Fire Research, C. S. Todd and Associates and the Building Research Establishment. Over the last three years, the following amounts have been paid in charges for such advice: 1993–94—£52,000; 1994–95—£109,000; 1995–96— £163,000.In addition, English Heritage operates a technical research programme which can include research into the reduction of fire risks in historic buildings. The results of that research are generally made available to the public either free or at a small price.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what sources of advice on the protection of stone in historic buildings are currently available to her; and if charges are made for such advice. [11281]

English Heritage, in consultation with the Building Research Establishment, operates a technical research programme which can encompass research into the protection of stone in historic buildings. The results of such research are generally made available to the public either through leaflets or through publications. The former tend to be free; the latter tend to be at a small charge. English Heritage also offers guidance on technical issues on request, for which a charge is not levied.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what clinical assessments have been conducted by or on behalf of his Department on the health effects of malathion powder containing organophosphates. [10634]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what licensing procedures apply in respect of use of malathion by British armed forces. [10640]

[holding answer 13 January 1997]: Malathion-based dusting powder has been discontinued and replaced in the inventory of UK armed forces by coopex powder, a pyrethroid-based pesticide. Residual stocks of the malathion-based dusting powder are being disposed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what data have been collected by his Department in each year since 1979 on the occurrence of post-viral fatigue syndrome or related illness contracted by environmental health assistants serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps. [10891]

Data on post-viral fatigue syndrome are not collected in this form.

To ask the Secretary for Defence what assessment his Department's research into Gulf war syndrome made of the possible linkage between the use of vaccines against hepatitis B and post-viral fatigue syndrome manifested in Gulf war veterans. [10894]

My Department has made no specific assessment of the possible linkage between the use of vaccines against hepatitis B and post-viral fatigue syndrome manifested in Gulf war veterans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department's inquiry into Gulf war syndrome has made of articles published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association"; and what is his policy on reviewing American publications on post-Gulf war illness. [11028]

My Department is currently assessing the four articles and editorial on the health of US Gulf war veterans which were published in the 15 January edition of the "Journal of the American Medical Association". We continue to monitor articles on Gulf health issues in American publications, reviewing them and conducting detailed assessments as medical staff consider appropriate. The Medical Research Council has also agreed to review research carried out or in progress in the US on our behalf, in order to establish its relevance to UK Gulf health issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the vaccines provided for use by personnel who served during the conflict with Iraq included anti-malarial agents. [11292]

None of the vaccines provided for use by the personnel who served in the Gulf during the conflict with Iraq included anti-malarial agents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what examination his Department's research into Gulf war syndrome undertook of the transitional breakdown products of the pesticide, diazinon; and what externally produced research papers on this pesticide have been evaluated by his Department. [10898]

My Department has not undertaken any research into the health effects of pesticides containing diazinon. As was stated in the report of the organophosphate pesticide investigation team, paragraph 3.D.31, there is a possibility that during deployment to the Gulf in 1990–91 a small number of personnel could have used a pesticide containing diazinon, which was purchased locally, for a limited period. As far as the Department is aware, these are the only circumstances under which British forces may have used a pesticide containing diazinon. The Ministry of Defence has not evaluated any externally produced research papers on diazinon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to develop technology-based defence against ballistic missile attack. [11029]

We are currently assessing whether we have a national requirement for ballistic missile defence, taking into account risks posed by ballistic missiles and evaluating the options for responding to these risks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many departures from the agreed flight plan of naval helicopters on training flights occurred in each year since 1992. [11527]

This information is not available. Military aircraft are not required to file flight plans other than if transmitting through civil controlled airspace. Departures from a sortie plan can occur for a variety of emergency, operational or air traffic control reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the flight path and the stopping-off places of the naval helicopter which carried the Duke of York on a training flight on 13 November 1996. [11520]

The aircraft left its home base at Portland, delivered a flight crew to the royal naval auxiliary yard Fleetlands, Gosport and then proceeded to collect HRH the Duke of York at Sunningdale while carrying out navigation training in the London helicopter route. A visit to Cowarth Park school was then undertaken during this training and after HRH was returned to Sunningdale the aircraft proceeded to RAF Manston for a military exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who was responsible for agreeing the flight plan of the helicopter which carried the Duke of York on 13 November 1996. [11518]

The sortie was fully planned and authorised through the normal chain of command at the royal naval air station, Portland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the training flight of the naval helicopter which carried the Duke of York on 13 November 1996. [11519]

The cost of individual flights is not routinely recorded. The cost of the helicopter training flight which carried HRH the Duke of York on 13 November was accommodated within overall annual training hours and fuel allocations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Ministers are entitled to use child care facilities supported by his Department. [11598]

Ministers of the Crown are eligible to make use of the child care facilities provided by the Department. If use were made of my Department's child care facilities by my ministerial colleagues or by me, we would expect to pay the full non-subsidised cost of the care provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made to clean up the North Ponds area at AWE Aldermaston; and if he will make a statement. [11482]

The North Ponds area receives surface water from within the Aldermaston site. Radiological levels are within limits set by the Environment Agency and other regulatory bodies. The area is being remodelled as part of a scheme to improve water management at Aldermaston, with completion expected next year. Some decontamination work will then be needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many requests have been made by the United States of America for permission to transfer nuclear weapons information of British provenance to France since 1967. [11536]

We are not aware of any official requests for the transfer of nuclear weapons information under the 1958 agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and location of his Department's police within the Scottish highlands and islands. [11898]

This is a matter for the chief constable/chief executive of the Ministry of Defence Police agency. I have asked the chief constable/chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list of sunken ships which are listed as war graves indicating their approximate location. [12016]

Consideration of whether a sunken ship falls to be considered as a war grave, as now defined in the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, has been on a case-by-case basis. It has not in the past proved necessary to compile a list of such vessels, and to do so now would be possible only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to United Kingdom naval vessels regarding the assistance to be rendered when there is danger to life on the high seas in a non-combat situation. [11183]

The United Kingdom abides by customary international law, which recognises the requirement to render humanitarian assistance on the high seas whenever possible. This requirement is enshrined in the Queen's Regulations for the Royal Navy, as well as in a number of other standing instructions and general guidance. All officers in command of Her Majesty's ships, vessels and establishments are required to observe and obey these regulations, and to ensure that their ships' companies do the same.