To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council properties have been built in each of the London boroughs in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [11312]

Local authorities' primary housing tasks are the efficient management of their own stock of housing and enabling other organisations to provide new housing. Housing associations are now the main providers of new social housing.The publication "Local Housing Statistics" shows estimates of housebuilding completions for each local authority area in England, as reported to the Department. This includes all the London boroughs. It shows completions by sector, including activity by local authorities."Local Housing Statistics" issue number 105 shows figures for 1991: number 109 covers 1992; number 110 covers 1993; number 117 covers 1994; and number 118 covers 1995. Figures for 1996 as a whole are not yet available.Copies of this publication are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he plans to put forward at the 19th meeting of the United Nations environment programme governing council; and if he will place in the Library copies of the decisions taken at the last five meetings of the UNEP governing council. [12370]

The Government's main objective at the governing council will be to secure decisions which help to restore confidence in the United Nations environment programme and hence to reverse the recent decline in financial contributions, particularly from major donors. We believe UNEP needs a governing structure which provides political guidance and a clear direction so that it can concentrate on its core activities of monitoring the state of the global environment, identifying emerging problems and stimulating international action to deal with those problems. We shall be seeking to agree a programme of work for the organisation over the next biennium—1998–99—which focussed on key priorities such as work on chemicals, biosafety and the oceans.Copies of the decisions of the 18th governing council in 1995 are being placed in the Library. Those from the four preceding governing councils will follow shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the impact of the Government's requirement of cost neutrality for water quality standards in future EU bathing water directives; and if he will compare the standard produced by this formula with that indicated as necessary by his Department's bathing water epidemiological studies. [10864]

The Government have expressed no requirement for cost neutrality in any revision of the EU bathing water directive but seek to ensure that standards are based on sound science. Departments' bathing water epidemiological studies indicate that the current directive standards give adequate protection to health and do not support the introduction of more stringent standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what numerical level of mandatory standard for faecal streptococcus bacteria the Government are prepared to agree to in the revised EU bathing water directive. [10863]

In the light of the Government's epidemiological studies, we consider that the standard for faecal streptococci in any revision of the EU bathing water directive should be broadly equivalent in protective effect to the mandatory standards for coliform bacteria in the existing directive. Our current best estimates are that this would be in the region of 1,000 to 1,200 faecal streptococci per 100ml.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his letter of 14 November, if he will make a statement on his Department's co-operation with Irish colleagues to identify appropriate research to be undertaken on nutrient inputs and algae blooms in the Irish sea. [10855]

My Department has been working on these issues with Irish colleagues for a number of years. In conjunction with the Environment and Marine Departments of the Irish Republic, the Department of the Environment, together with the Departments for Agriculture and for the Environment in Northern Ireland, funded a three-year project to review research and monitoring in the Irish sea, under an Irish sea science co-ordinator. The third report was published in 1995 and identified priorities for research on the Irish sea, including nutrient inputs and the extent to which algal populations may be affected by human-derived nutrient enrichment. Officials from both countries have met to discuss the co-ordination of work on these topics within their respective research programmes.As part of the "Quality Status Report", being prepared by 2000 for the whole of the north-east Atlantic under the auspices of the Oslo and Paris Commission, the Irish Republic and the UK are jointly responsible for the section dealing with the Celtic seas, including the Irish sea. This will comprise a compilation of current knowledge about the area, an evaluation of the information to agreed criteria of environmental quality and a statement on the prevailing conditions of the area, including its marine chemistry and biology. This work will further inform future research programmes in both countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his letter of 17 September, what assessment he has made of whether United Kingdom arrangements for the protection of groundwater will need to be amended as a result of the EU's groundwater action plan. [10862]

The position on the groundwater action programme remains as set out in my letter of 17 September, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. The programme has to be discussed by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament and until its final form is agreed it is not possible to assess whether the arrangements in place in the UK would require amendment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the percentage increase on the average level of council tax in 1997–98. [11853]

I have made no estimate. The level of council taxes will depend on the spending decisions of individual authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the rate support grant capping levels for each (a) inner London borough, (b) shire county and (c) metropolitan district local education authority in 1996–97 and proposed for 1997–98. [12336]

The information is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to accept new evidence in his consideration of the planning inspector's report on the rock characterisation facility near Sellafield; [12398](2) when he expects to make a decision on the rock characterisation facility proposal at Sellafield; [12205](3) what

The planning inspector's report of the inquiry, which I received on 25 November, is currently being considered with a view to the decision being issued as soon as possible.If anyone believes that new evidence has come to light which they feel is relevant and should be taken into account when the decision is made, they should submit it to me as soon as possible.Requests that the inquiry should be reopened in the light of the information contained in the Nirex internal memorandum are still being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when Nirex (a) provided him with and (b) published its interpretation of the groundwater dataset for the proposed rock characterisation facility at Sellafield; [12201]

Nirex report SA/96/006, "Rock Characterisation Facility, Longlands Farm, West Cumbria: Report on Baseline Groundwater Pressures and Hydrochemisttry", was published on 2 January 1997. At the same time, the company published a summary of the report, together with the conclusions of a peer review of the report by a group of independent experts, as Nirex report S/96/004, "Rock Characterisation Facility, Longlands Farm, West Cumbria: Report on Baseline Groundwater Pressures and Hydrochemistry, Summary Report".A copy of report SA/96/006 was supplied to the environment agency on 6 December 1996 and a copy of report SA/96/004 on 23 December 1996. The agency will shortly be consulting publicly on the terms of an agreement, which it is minded to enter into the Nirex, setting out the basis on which the agency will assess and make public information provided by Nirex in advance of a formal application for authorisation to dispose of radioactive waste at whatever site is selected by Nirex.Nirex's undertakings in respect of the timing of availability of this information are a matter for the company.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received about Nirex' s two-dimensional model of the groundwater flow regime at Sellafield; [12200](2) when his Department received a three-dimensional model of the groundwater flow regime at Sellafield. [12199]

Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of the Sellafield potential repository zone are described in Nirex report S/95/012, "Nirex 95: A Preliminary Analysis of the Groundwater Pathway for a Deep Repository at Sellafield", which was published in July 1995.Evidence about the modelling of groundwater flow was presented to, and discussed at, the public inquiry held into Nirex's appeal against refusal of planning permission for an underground laboratory at Sellafield. I am currently considering the inspector's report of the inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when Nirex gave notice to Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution that it would withdraw from the cost recovery programmes under which the HMIP assessment of Nirex proposals was funded. [12213]

Nirex gave the required six months' notice of termination on 10 March 1994. The environment agency will shortly be consulting publicly on the terms of a new agreement which it is minded to enter into with Nirex.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee has given him in respect of the rock characterisation facility planned by Nirex at Longlands farm near Sellafield. [12301]

Advice was contained in the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's report, "Review of aspects of the scientific mission and role of the Nirex Rock Characterisation Facility at Sellafield", which was published in September 1995. Copies were placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the progress made in the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development since its establishment; and if he will place in the Library the reports issued by the commission to date; [12396](2) what proposals the United Kingdom plans to put to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development at its next inter-sessional meeting. [12397]

The Commission on Sustainable Development was established following the Earth summit to review progress with the implementation of agenda 21. It has met five times and at its last meeting, in April and May last year, it completed its first programme of work which included a review of each of the chapters of agenda 21. The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents reports to the commission on each of the issues under consideration and the commission has negotiated a series of decisions resulting from these reports. Two of the most significant of the Commission's decisions were the decision in 1995 to establish an inter-governmental panel on forests and the decision in 1996 relating to the global consideration of oceans issues. The United Kingdom Government played a significant part in the framing of both decisions. A copy of the full set of decisions from the 1996 session of the Commission has been placed in the Library. Copies of decisions from the previous sessions will follow shortly.The meeting of the Commission in April this year will be devoted to preparations for the United Nations General Assembly special session in June this year which will review progress since the Earth summit. The Government believe that the commission's mandate should be renewed at the special session and are working with their partners in the European Union to ensure the success of the special session and that the future work of the Commission concentrates on the key priorities for future action. The Government have published on 30 December a consultation document which sets out the Government's position on these matters. Comments are invited by 31 January. Copies of the consultation paper were placed in the Library.The commission's secretariat has in past years invited Governments to make reports each year on the matters to be covered in the forthcoming session of the commission. Copies of the Government's reports to the commission were placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of Nirex's report of February 1994 on expected radionuclide return times. [12203]

None. The Environment Agency will shortly be consulting publicly on the terms of an agreement, which it is minded to enter into with Nirex, setting out the basis on which the agency will assess and make public information provided by Nirex in advance of a formal application for authorisation to dispose of radioactive waste at whatever site is selected by Nirex.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of Nirex's model of radionuclide return routes. [12202]

Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution undertook assessment studies based principally on the "Post-Closure Preliminary Assessment" which Nirex provided in November 1992. Reports of these assessment studies were placed in the Library of the House in November 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements are being made for the purchase of a site for the millennium exhibition. [13022]

The Government are committed to the establishment of a national exhibition at Greenwich in 2000 to mark the new millennium and to the regeneration of the Greenwich peninsula. English Partnerships, which will be responsible for the regeneration of the Greenwich peninsula and for providing the site for the exhibition, has agreed terms with British Gas to acquire the site for £20 million. The exhibition site must be delivered to the Millennium Central, the company which will be responsible for delivering the exhibition, by September 1997. It is essential, therefore, that English Partnerships acquires the site immediately in order to commence the works essential to achieving this objective.Parliamentary approval of this new expenditure will be sought in a supplementary estimate for the regeneration countryside and wildlife vote (class VI, vote 2). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £20 million will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consult the franchising director in respect of Northstar Pennine Ltd.'s placement of an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Communities of 8 January inviting tenders for rolling stock for use on the Regional Railways north-east network. [12126]

No. The franchising director has required all bidders for the Regional Railways north-east franchise to bring forward proposals for the replacement of the existing class 308 rolling stock. Decisions on when to request expressions of interest for rolling stock procurement are a matter for bidders and not the franchising director.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department has completed its assessment of the reliability of the research undertaken as part of the new car assessment programme; what information collated under the new car assessment programme will not be published by his Department; and when the research results for other models of vehicle covered by the new car assessment programme will be published. [12134]

We are confident that the tests which we are carrying out give a reliable picture of how cars would perform in real accidents. Consumer information on all the tests and a more detailed Transport Research Laboratory research report will be published. Any information provided in confidence by manufacturers on their own internal test work will not be published.The test programme is now being taken forward jointly by an international partnership called Euro NCAP. Apart from the Department of Transport, those involved presently include the Swedish National Road Administration, the Federation Internationale de I'Automobile, Royal Automobile Club, the Automobile Association and International Testing, representing consumer organisations.Consumer information on the super-mini phase will be published under the Euro NCAP banner as will subsequent results for family cars this summer, and the Escort/Golf group in spring 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 29 November 1996, Official Report, column 417, how many vehicles have been purchased as part of the research being undertaken as a result of the new car assessment programme; and if he will name the vehicles, indicating how many of each were published and the average amount paid for each vehicle. [12135]

To date, my Department has purchased 12 car models in connection with the new car assessment programme. The seven in the super-mini group are the Fiat Punto, Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio, Rover 100, Nissan Micra, Vauxhall Corsa and the VW Polo. The five in the family group are the BMW 318, Citroen Xantia, Peugeot 406, Rover 620 and the Vauxhall Vectra. Two of each model are purchased and the average amount paid for each vehicle is £8,500 for the super-mini group and £15,000 for the family group.Additional car models will be funded by other partners in Euro NCAP for the family and subsequent groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 29 November 1996, Official Report, column 416, when he expects the information collated under the new car assessment programme to be published. [12136]

Consumer information on the front and side impact protection and pedestrian protection offered by the seven super-mini sized cars will be published on 4 February. The technical test results data will be published in a TRL report by the end of February. Copies of both documents will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the Connex South-Eastern train company. [12368]

Since Connex Rail Ltd. took over the South-Eastern train company franchise on 13 October 1996, I have received 23 representations about various aspects of its business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to issue new guidance to train operating companies on the restrictions they can place on electric scooters and batricars being allowed to board trains; [12070](2) what consultations he has had with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee over the refusal of train operating companies to allow individuals to board trains using three-wheeled electric scooters or batricars. [12071]

The regulations we will be making under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will ensure that wheelchairs, constructed to international standard dimensions, can be accommodated on new trains. In the meantime, we have begun negotiations with the wheelchair manufacturers with the aim of establishing a marking protocol which would indicate to disabled people the transport compatibility of manual and powered wheelchairs to help them make informed choices.The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee has considered the ban on scooters and large powered wheelchairs on a number of occasions. It shares concerns about the stability and manoeuvrability of scooters and it has supported the train operating companies' ban. For the larger powered vehicles which are designed to give local outdoor mobility, the committee recognises that they are simply too large to be accommodated on public transport.In the light of advice from the DPTAC, we have no plans to issue guidance to train operating companies about restrictions they can place on disabled people using electric vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amend the regulations to ensure that highway lighting for all-purpose trunk roads is treated as secondary category 1 for the purpose of repair. [12425]

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

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if Ministers are entitled to use child care facilities supported by his Department. [11594]

Ministers of the Crown for this Department are able to make use of the subsidised child care facilities provided by this Department on the same basis as civil servants working for the Department.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the five Acts of Parliament enacted since April 1992 which have generated the greatest number of statutory instruments, indicating the number in each case. [11522]

The Acts, with the numbers of statutory instruments registered with the Statutory Publications Office up to and including 7 October 1996, are as follows:

For one-earner family with two dependent children in east midlands:
percentage of earnings paid in
	Weekly earnings	Direct taxes1	VAT	Other indirect taxes	Total tax (East Midlands)	Total tax (GB)
1988–89	£232.65	19.3	4.8	8.0	32.1	33.3
1989–90	£256.25	19.5	4.8	7.4	31.8	32.9
1990–91	£281.15	19.6	4.7	7.3	31.6	32.7
1991–92	£299.35	19.3	5.2	7.5	32.1	33.2
1992–93	£311.65	18.6	5.4	7.3	31.3	32.7
1993–94	£321.10	18.7	5.3	7.4	31.4	32.8
1994–95	£331.60	20.2	5.5	8.1	33.8	34.8
1995–96	£345.55	21.0	5.4	8.5	34.8	35.7
1996–97	£358.51	20.0	5.6	8.8	34.5	35.3
1997–98	£372.85	19.4	5.7	9.2	34.3	35.1
1 Income tax and NICs.

1. Income tax payments are calculated on the assumption that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and have income only from employment. The earner is assumed to pay class 1 national insurance contributions at the contracted-in rate. Child benefit is deducted from income tax.2. Earnings are the average gross weekly earnings of all full-time males in the east midlands on adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. The figures are from the new earnings survey and financial year figures are the average of the two April figures. Estimates of earnings in 1996–97 and 1997–98 are based on earnings growth assumptions for Great Britain of 3¾ per cent. in 1996–97 and 4 per cent. in 1997–98 in line with the illustrative assumptions set out in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98.3. Figures for indirect taxes include estimates of the effects of the main intermediate taxes on households as well as the impact of taxes on final goods and services. Estimates of the impact of taxes on final goods and services assume that these taxes are fully incident on households. Estimates of the impact of intermediate taxes are based on the relation between intermediate production costs and final consumption derived using input-output techniques.4. Figures for indirect taxes since 1994–95 are estimated from expenditure patterns in the 1994–95 family expenditure survey uprated to later years using forecasts of aggregate tax receipts. For years before 1994–95, the 1985 family expenditure survey was used. All estimates are based on the illustrative assumption that 10 per cent. of disposable income is saved.5. Estimates of indirect taxes are very approximate, even where figures are shown, because spending patterns vary widely between households with the same composition and income. Because of sampling variation, there can be substantial differences between estimates obtained from family expenditure surveys for different years, so reliable comparisons cannot be made between the estimates for different years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Ministers are entitled to use child care facilities supported by his Department. [11584]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average income for a family of four in Nottinghamshire, or the nearest corresponding region, included in or including Nottinghamshire for which figures are available; and what proportion of that income was spent on tax, including VAT and national insurance in each year since 1988. [10816]

The information available is given in the table.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received about the eligibility for exemptions of developments from the landfill tax; and if he will make a statement. [11364]

[holding answer 20 January 1997]: HM Customs and Excise has received a small number of representations from trade associations questioning the way eligibility for the exemption from landfill tax is determined and from applicants seeking a review of a decision to refuse to issue an exemption certificate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it remains his policy that, where a construction site is historically contaminated, all the waste removed to landfill should be exempt from the landfill tax; what guidance has been given by his Department to HM Customs and Excise about eligibility for exemptions from the landfill tax in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement. [11365]

[holding answer 20 January 1997]: It has never been the policy of the Government that an automatic exemption from landfill tax would apply to wastes removed to landfill from construction sites where the land is contaminated. To qualify for exemption, such wastes would need to arise from a reclamation which facilitates development of the land and removes the potential for the pollutants to cause harm. The removal of the pollutants must be necessary for the development to proceed and any activity that gave rise to the pollutants must have ceased. Where these criteria are met, all wastes (whether polluted or not) arising from the reclamation would qualify for the exemption.The care and management of landfill tax is vested in HM Customs and Excise. Accordingly, guidance by HM Treasury concerning eligibility for exemption would not be appropriate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the economy in Yorkshire and Humberside. [11964]

Yorkshire and Humberside is sharing fully in the success of the British economy, which is enjoying a combination of low inflation, falling unemployment, low mortgage rates and rising living standards not seen for a generation. The unemployment rate in Yorkshire and Humberside is at its lowest for six years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of (a) malathion, (b) propoxus and (c) ficam W insecticides have been used by the Royal Army Medical Corps in the Falklands since 1982; and what insecticides are currently (i) in store and (ii) in use by the corps on the islands. [10890]

The insecticides currently in use by the Falkland Island garrison are Demon WP, Residroid and Reslin. The garrison also has stocks of the following insecticides awaiting disposal: malathion, propoxur, ficam W and insecticide space spray concentrate.Information regarding the use of insecticides in the Falkland Islands since 1982 is not available in the form requested, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 1996, Official Report, column 220, if he will list the (a) dates, (b) sites visited and (c) purpose of each of the visits made by (i) Delegation Generale pour l'Armement and (ii) Commisariat a l'Energie Atomique officials to the atomic weapons establishments indicating the department represented by the officials. [11517]

Details of visits are as follows. It is not possible to be more precise since details are not held centrally.

Date(s)	Aldermaston	Burghfield	Foulness
November 1992 March 1993	1	1	2
Financial year 1993–94	4	3	0
Financial year 1994–95	3	1	1
Financial year 1995–96	4	3	1
April 1996—October 1996	4	0	0

The other four visits referred to in the earlier response were to MOD headquarters. I have decided to withhold the information requested about the visits and those involved, under exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to Government information relating to defence, security and international relations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of occasions in each of the last five financial years that personnel from the atomic weapons establishments have visited (a) CEA and (b) DGA facilities. [11483]

Details of visits are as follows:

	Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique	Delegation Generale pour l'Armement
1991–92	5	5
1992–93	10	6
1993–94	5	3
1994–95	15	—
1995–96	8	2

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the sums allocated to the Trident programme which are currently (a) committed but unspent and (b) uncommitted. [12416]

As at the end of September 1996, £550 million had been committed but not yet spent and approximately £860 million remained uncommitted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful attempts have been made by his Department in the last four years to obtain funds from the EU's Konver scheme; and what funds have been allocated to the United Kingdom under this scheme. [12417]

My Department has made no bids for Konver funds as it is not eligible to do so. We have, however, supported a number of projects bidding for such funds where it was appropriate to do so. Matters relating to the Konver scheme as a whole are for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if (a) the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and (b) the MOD nuclear safety authority have assessed the proposed design of the new Trident safety facility at Devonport to be safe; and if he will make a statement. [12087]

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Ships Support Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he has made of the savings on the cost of flights to and from Italy and former Yugoslavia in support of the stabilisation force operation if such military flights were permitted to fly through Swiss airspace; [12387](2) if the Government of Switzerland have offered transit facilities for stabilisation force military traffic to and from UN-authorised operations in former Yugoslavia. [12386]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the proposed itinerary and engagements to be undertaken by the royal yacht Britannia up to the date set for its decommissioning. [12390]

On 20 January, HMY Britannia left Portsmouth for a seven-month deployment to the Arabian gulf, the Indian ocean and the far east. In the period up to July, it is hoped that HMY Britannia will conduct the following engagements:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many days the royal yacht Britannia was at sea in 1996; what functions were carried out; what was the total cost to his Department of the royal yacht in 1995–96; and what estimate he has made of the costs up to the date of decommissioning. [12391]

In 1996, Britannia was at sea for 116 days during which she carried out the following duties:

Date	Location	Duty
27-28 February	Ponta Delgada	Routine visit/fuel
6-9 March	Bermuda	Informal visit/fuel
12-17 March	Palm Beach	Royal visit by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
18-20 March	Savannah	Commercial events
22-26 March	Baltimore	Commercial events
28 March-8 April	Boston	Commercial events and self maintenance period
15-22 April	Toronto	Commercial events
26-27 April	Halifax	Routine visit/fuel
3 May	Ponta Delgada	Routine visit/fuel
22 June	Douglas	Royal visit by HRH The Prince of Wales
25 June	Belfast	Royal visit by HRH The Prince of Wales
26-27 June	Londonderry	Royal visit by HRH The Prince of Wales

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for a replacement for the royal yacht Britannia; and what proportion of public finance they include. [12392]

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy for securing value for money in the support of RAF aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [12920]

In defence procurement generally, our policy is to obtain equipment and services from the supplier providing the best value for money, taking all relevant factors into account. We apply that policy in the support of in-service aircraft. As an example of this, and following two keen competitions, it is our intention to award two contracts which will provide component repair and maintenance support to the RAF's TriStar fleet for the next five years: We intend to award a contract for component repair to Marshall of Cambridge (Holdings) Ltd. and one for aircraft maintenance to the Gulf Aircraft maintenance company, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of contractual negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress being made to commission the A91 liquid waste treatment plant at AWE Aldermaston. [11831]

The civil engineering contractor is well advanced with his part of the commissioning process. AWE commissioning will then take place. A91 is now expected to be operational in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to construct a size reduction facility at AWE Aldermaston; when; and at what cost; [11829](2) when the purpose-built store for storing the treated waste from the sludge solidification system at AWE Aldermaston is to be completed; and at what cost; [11832]

Plans for the treatment and storage of intermediate level waste generated at AWE are kept under continuous review. Decisions as to the necessity for further ILW storage at AWE will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of facilities such as the deep waste repository to be developed by Nirex.A scheme to provide a size reduction facility at AWE Aldermaston is under way. Present plans are for it to be operational early in the next century. The cost is still subject to negotiation and is not therefore available. There are no plans to create a new store for treated waste from the sludge solidification system at AWE. Such material can continue to be stored in existing facilities."Waste Stream 7A21" is a term used by Nirex Ltd. to designate waste contaminated by plutonium or uranium. Nirex Ltd.'s planning for future storage arrangements is proceedings. As far as my Department's responsibilities are concerned, safe and secure interim arrangements are provided, as necessary, at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated volume of nuclear waste arising from decommissioning of old plant and facilities at AWE Aldermaston which (a) cannot be disposed of at Drigg and (b) will need to be stored at AWE Aldermaston until 2010. [12121]

Approximately 2100 cu m of low and intermediate level radioactive waste, primarily resulting from the decommissioning of old plant and facilities and which cannot be disposed of at Drigg, will arise at AWE by the end of 2010. This will be safely stored at AWE in purpose—built facilities until the deep waste repository to be developed by Nirex becomes available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many glove boxes are at present stored at AWE Aldermaston; and what plans he has to dispose of them. [12063]

At present there are 41 glove boxes stored at Aldermaston. Decommissioned glove boxes are classified as intermediate level waste. It is intended that they will be stored, following size reduction and supercompaction, at the deep waste repository to be developed by Nirex Ltd. Until the DWR is available, safe and secure storage is provided at AWE Aldermaston.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library an unclassified version of AWE Aldermaston's comprehensive decommissioning and waste management plan. [12064]

Plans for decommissioning facilities at AWE and for waste management consist of a number of separate documents. Decommissioning plans contain much detailed information on facilities and their present and intended functions. Such information is highly sensitive and any attempt at an unclassified version would render the resultant document meaningless. As to waste management, considerable information is already reported to the relevant regulatory bodies and we have at present no plans to consolidate such material.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the sludge solidification system planned for AWE Aldermaston was completed; if it is operational; and what was its total cost. [12091]

The sludge solidification system is planned to be completed prior to the radioactive waste effluent treatment plant, building A91, becoming operational in 1998. The cost is commercially confidential and I am therefore withholding it under exemption 7 of the code of practice on access to Government information relating to effective management and operations of the public service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the establishments in the United States visited by employees of the Atomic Weapons Establishment under the aegis of the 1958 mutual defence agreement and the Trident sales agreement, indicating the number of visits to each, in each of the financial years 1990–91 to 1994–95. [12123]

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, a significant proportion of the visits would have been to Lawrence Livermore national laboratory, Sandia national laboratories, Los Alamos national laboratory, and various Department of Defence and Department of Energy Government offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications of the chemical tests carried out by Her Majesty's Government on West Indian islands; and for what reasons the appropriate papers were not made available under the 30-year rule. [11769]

My Department's records indicate that trials using live biological agents took place at sea off the Leeward islands in late 1948 and early 1949 to determine the practicability of conducting biological warfare trials at sea. The authorities in Antigua were consulted at the planning stages and the agreement of the governor was obtained before the trials took place. We are confident that the trials did not result in any infections among the human or animal populations of Antigua. The nature and purpose of the trials was not made public at the time, given the security considerations applying in the cold war era; however, the fact that the trials involved the release of live biological agents has been in the public domain since 1982.The United Kingdom has not possessed an offensive biological weapons capability since shortly after the second world war, and, indeed, is a co-depositary of the 1972 biological and toxin weapons convention, playing an active role in the current efforts to strengthen the convention.Official records are released in accordance with the terms of the Public Records Act 1958. Certain papers concerning the subject in question were retained in my Department under section 3(S)4 of the Act on grounds of national security. Such papers are subject periodically to re-review and the majority of papers on this subject have now been released, their sensitivity having lapsed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the award of construction contracts at RNAS Yeovilton. [12040]

A requirement exists at RNAS Yeovilton for living accommodation, hangars, stores and offices to house those moving from HMS Osprey, Portland, Dorset.It had been intended to award one design and build contract to cover all the requirements and tenders for this were received in June 1996. Following tender assessment it was concluded that best value for money would not be obtained by the one contract design and build approach. Consequently, a more traditional procurement route, of separate contracts placed following competition, has been adopted. So far two—see note—contracts have been placed:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost per year to his Department of each member of (a) the Territorial Army and (b) the volunteer reserves. [12389]

The information requested is as follows:

	£
Territorial Army1	2,728
Royal Naval Reserve	2,145
Royal Marines Reserve	1,911
Royal Auxiliary Air Force and RAF Volunteer Reserve2	3,481
1 Excludes regular and civilian staff at reserve units and non-regular permanent staff.
2 Figures relate to those personnel who could be called-out to fill an operational role; they do not include RAF volunteer reserve (Civilian Component), RAF volunteer reserve (Training) or RAF volunteer reserve (university air squadron)

The figures include pay, earnings-related national insurance contributions, bounty and training expenses allowance at 1996–97 prices. Figures for equipment development, fuel, ammunition, accommodation and utilities, food and transport attributable to the reserves could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the employed work force is qualified to NVQ level 4 or above in each English region and in Wales. [11250]

The percentage of the employed work force who were qualified to at least NVQ level 4 or equivalent in each Government office region and Wales is shown in the table:

	Percentage
England	24
South East	25
London	33
Eastern	23
South West	22
West Midlands	21
East Midlands	20
Yorkshire and the Humber	21
North West	23
Merseyside	23
North East	20
Wales	23

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of young people up to age 19 years have achieved level 2 qualifications in each Government office region. [11240]

The percentage of young people aged 19 to 21 who were qualified to at least NVQ level 2 or equivalent in each Government office region and Wales is shown in the table:

	Percentage
England	67
South East	69
London	71
Eastern	69
South West	69
West Midlands	57
East Midlands	69
Yorkshire and the Humber	62
North West	69
Merseyside	70
North East	63
Wales	62

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of young people up to age 21 years have achieved level 3 qualifications in each Government office region. [11234]

The percentage of young people aged 21 to 23 who were qualified to at least NVQ level 3 or equivalent in each Government office region and Wales is shown in the table:

	Percentage
England	44
South East	43
London	50
Eastern	41
South West	45
West Midlands	42
East Midlands	46

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the employed work force is qualified to NVQ level 3 or equivalent in each English region and in Wales. [11251]

The percentage of the employed work force who were qualified to at least NVQ level 3 or equivalent in each Government office region and Wales is shown in the table:

	Percentage
England	40
South East	42
London	48
Eastern	40
South West	40
West Midlands	36
East Midlands	37
Yorkshire and the Humber	38
North West	40
Merseyside	39
North East	39
Wales	39

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects to make a decision on the application by Menorah Foundation to become a grant-maintained school. [12127]

A decision on application will be made as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she received an application by Torah Teminah to become a grant-maintained school; and when she expects to determine the application. [12128]

The governors of Torah Temimah independent primary school, Brent, published proposals for grant-maintained status on 1 August 1996. The proposals were received in the Department shortly afterwards. They are currently under consideration and we expect to reach a decision soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the Government-allocated funding, per pupil, of school children in the Kirklees council area for each year from 1990–91 to 1997–98 for (a) under five-year-olds, (b) five to 11-year-olds and (c) 11 to 16-year-olds; and if she will make a statement. [11962]

The table sets out the education standard spending assessment per pupil in Kirklees for each year from 1990–91 to 1997–98 for (a) under-five-year-olds (b) five to 10-year-olds and (c) 11 to 16-year-olds.Education SSAs do not determine the level of school spending or the balance of funding between nursery, primary and secondary education. It is up to local authorities to decide how much they spend on schools and other services within the resources at their disposal.

Kirklees's education SSAs per pupil 1990–91 to 1997–98
	Under five years £	Five to 10 years £	11 to 16 years £
1990–91	223	1,527	2,171
1991–92	263	1,746	2,533
1992–93	284	1,853	2,710
1993–94	290	1,914	2,779
1994–95	281	1,912	2,675
1995–96	285	1,900	2,539
1996–97	304	1,971	2,637
1997–981	2139	2,066	2,721
1 1997–98 figures are provisional.
2 This figure is lower than in previous years because of the SSA deduction for the nursery voucher scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the funding of primary education in the Kirklees area. [11965]

Kirklees's provisional standard spending assessment (SSA) per primary school pupil in 1997–98 is £2,066. That is a year on year increase of £94 per pupil, or 4.8 per cent.Education SSAs do not, however, determine how much local authorities must spend on education. It is up to local education authorities under local management of schools to determine how much to spend on education within the resources at their disposal, including the allocation between primary and secondary schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers in Kirklees have retired before the age of 60 years for reasons of health and disability during each of the past six years; how many returned subsequently to supply teaching; and what was the extra cost of these early retirements. [11963]

Teachers from the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector in Kirklees LEA, who took retirement on the grounds of ill health from 1990–91 to 1995–96, are shown in the table:

Financial year	Number of early retirements due to ill health1
1990–91	38
1991–92	30
1992–93	45
1993–94	63

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many pupils in secondary schools in England were in classes of 40 pupils or more in each of the six most recent years for which figures are available; [12107](2) how many pupils in primary schools in England were in classes of 40 pupils or more in each of the six most recent years for which figures are available. [12108]

The number of pupils in single teacher classes of 40 or more pupils in maintained primary and secondary¹ schools in England, is, at January each year

	Primary schools	Secondary schools
1991	15,851	1,694
1992	18,366	1,374
1993	17,358	2,826
1994	14,057	881
1995	17,918	1,634
1996	19,875	1,016

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action she has taken to ensure that the level of qualifications required by schools for teachers of hearing-impaired children is not reduced. [12424]

Teachers who teach classes of children with hearing impairments must gain an additional approved qualification to do so. The Government have no plans to discontinue this requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total of the salary, allowances and other remuneration paid to the principal of the College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies in Birmingham; and how much this total has changed since the college left the control of the city council in April 1993. [12349]

The Department does not collect this information. However, as a further education corporation, the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies is required to publish its audited accounts each year. The college is required to disclose the principal's remuneration in the notes to the accounts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of European Union development aid has been channelled through non-governmental organisations in each of the last 10 years. [10968]

In 1993 and 1994, the percentage of European Union external assistance channelled through non-governmental organisations was 22 per cent. and 24 per cent. respectively. To answer the question for the eight previous years would involve disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of European Union development aid that goes through non-governmental organisations goes to British-based organisations; and how this percentage has changed over the past 10 years. [10969]

In 1993 and 1994, the percentage of the allocations of the non-governmental organisations co-financing budget line (B7-5010) channelled through UK organisations was 15.2 per cent. and 15.5 per cent. respectively. To provide a complete answer to the question would involve disproportionate costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in assessing the regional physical planning programme for transmigration project in Indonesia, what weight his Department attached to (a) concerns about the rights of the people affected by transmigration and the Indonesian Government's attitude to human rights and (b) possible political repercussions. [11647]

The key consideration underlying our involvement in this World bank project was the developmental benefit to be gained, in the implementation of the transmigration programme, from sound land resource planning as a basis for improved decision making.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the legal and administrative difficulties involved in the wording of the project agreement with the Indonesian authorities in relation to the regional physical planning programme for transmigration in Indonesia; what were regarded as the sensitivities of the project at the time the extension of the project was approved in 1987; and what legal advice was received by his Department in 1987 regarding the extension of the project. [11648]

The difficulties related to the question of which agency on each side should be the contracting party to the agreement. While the developmental arguments were in favour of our continued involvement, sensitivities noted at the time of the extension were public perceptions of the transmigration programme, the wider relationship with the Indonesian Government and the World bank and the views of British environmental organisations which regarded our involvement as beneficial. Legal advice was not sought.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mrs. Jackson) on 11 December, Official Report, column 216, if he will make a statement on the improvements the Government are pressing the World bank to make in its environment policy. [11924]

The Government believe that the World bank's policy of screening all investment proposals for their potential environmental impact is the right approach. We continue to monitor the bank's performance to ensure that this policy is fully implemented in its environmental impact assessments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the letter from the Minister for Overseas Development of 28 October, what recommendations resulting from the review of tied aid have been pursued. [10861]

The report made a number of recommendations. On procedures, to ensure better value for money, the ODA' s procurement procedures have been strengthened; guidelines on local procurement of goods have been revised; a staff training programme is under way; and procedures for local procurement of services are being examined. On the special programme for Africa, we pledged last month up to £250 million of new programme aid. Previous UK pledges have been 75 per cent. untied; we are currently considering the extent of untying this time around. On reporting, improvements to the ODA's management information system are under way to report statistics on aid tying to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development more accurately. We are actively supporting renewed efforts in the OECD to encourage the greater multilateral untying of development assistance programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the letter from the Minister for Overseas Development of 3 December, what action his Department is taking to promote reform of the FAO; and if he will make a statement. [10854]

The Government are promoting reform in the FAO, primarily by pursuing constructive dialogue with its secretariat, by applying pressure for efficiency savings and better focused activities in negotiation of its programme of work and budget for 1998–99, and by working for co-ordinated action for reform among its membership.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people are living in communal shelters in Montserrat; and how many homes are currently being built for them. [12348]

There are currently some 860 people living in community shelters; 188 people have already been provided with housing and the provision of new homes for a further 293 people will start shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what plans she has to extend the hotel licence scheme for television licences to cover caravan sites and holiday homes; [11537](2) how many representations she has received from caravan site owners and those letting holiday homes expressing dissatisfaction with the regulations governing television licences for static holiday caravans and holiday homes. [11538]

As announced on 18 July last year, Official Report, columns 601-02, the Government intend to bring forward regulations to take account of changes in the use of television in recent years, including use in vehicles and vessels. Since that date, the Government have received over 520 representations on the licensing requirements for second homes and caravans. Our records do not readily identify precisely how many of these were from caravan site owners and people letting holiday homes expressing dissatisfaction with the current regulations; however, we estimate that they make up only a very small proportion.Caravan sites and holiday home complexes which provide units of overnight accommodation are already eligible for the special hotel licence. In the near future, the Government will make a detailed announcement on the new licensing requirements, including any that affect static holiday caravans and holiday homes. The new requirements will be incorporated into consolidated television licence fee regulations which will be laid so as to come into affect on 1 April 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if Ministers are entitled to use child care facilities supported by her Department. [11583]

Ministers of the Crown are entitled to use the child care facilities supported by my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many representations she has received from highlands and islands residents over the past year expressing their concern about the introduction of the new BBC digital service. [11668]

We have received no such representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to increase the level of funding for the arts in the south-west. [11956]

The Government are committed to helping support a lively and accessible artistic tradition by continued public subsidy for the arts. We have continued to offer substantial support for the arts despite overall pressures on public expenditure. In November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced funding of £186 million for the Arts Council of England in 1997–98, an increase of £3.2 million over the baseline on which the Arts Council was asked to plan.It is for the Arts Council of England to determine the allocation of grant in aid to the 10 regional arts boards, including South West Arts. It takes such decisions independently of Ministers, and in the light of relative needs and priorities. In addition, the south-west continues to benefit from the proceeds of the national lottery. So far, the lottery has provided £27,000,000 towards improving and increasing the availability and quality of the arts in the region.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the total amount allocated from the proceeds of the national lottery to the small grants programme set up by the National Lottery Charities Board; and what proportion of such grants have been made to charities whose main or primary purpose is to assist people affected by flooding, fires or other disasters. [11722]

[holding answer 22 January 1997]: The National Lottery Charities Board has so far made grants in Wales under its small grants programme worth a total of £511,000. I understand that, under the programme so far, no charities have applied whose main or primary purpose is to assist people affected by disasters such as flooding or fires, so no such grants have been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the awards made from the proceeds of the national lottery to organisations involved in relieving the effects of national disasters, giving in each case (a) the name of the organisation and (b) the amount awarded. [11721]

[holding answer 22 January 1997]: No lottery awards have been made to organisations involved in relieving the effects of national disasters.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers farm organically; and what percentage this constitutes of the total number of farmers in the most recent year for which figures are available. [12092]

The number of farmers in the UK—principal farmers and partners, whole time and part time—as at June 1995 was 219,000. At the same date, there were 784 registered organic holding—0.36 per cent. of the number of farmers. These figures are, however, prepared on different bases and are not strictly comparable.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his letter of 1 November 1996, reference 101871, what study he has made of Dixon and Tawn's findings on storm surges; and what action he proposes. [10825]

Dixon and Tawn undertook a theoretical statistical analysis.Further study using actual data gathered from the national network of tide gauges has confirmed that non-random events, such as astronomic tides, influence water level estimates. Their range, between an overestimate of 250 mm and an underestimate of 100 mm, falls within the current allowance for water level estimates used for the design of sea defences.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the potential impact on United Kingdom exports of plants to Sweden of the New Zealand flatworm. [12422]

Sweden has listed the New Zealand flatworm as an indirect plant pest in its national legislation. We understand that this measure was adopted in order that the Swedish authorities could take action against any consignments which were found to be infested with the New Zealand flatworm. The UK Agriculture Departments, in consultation with the horticulture industry, have drawn up a code of practice to ensure that exported plants are free from the flatworm. The Government are also funding research into the biology of non-indigenous flatworms and methods of controlling their spread.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned by his Department into the side effects of the use of mefloquine as an anti-malarial drug. [10896]

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health has not undertaken or commissioned any formal studies into the side effects of melfloquine. Following grant of marketing authorisation, based on rigorous evaluation of quality, safety and efficacy by the Licensing Authority and its expert advisory bodies, the Medicines Control Agency has continued to monitor the safety of mefloquine. Data became available from spontaneous adverse reaction reports, published literature and ongoing studies in patients. However, the MCA continue to monitor the safety of mefloquine to ensure that its benefits in treating and preventing malaria outweigh the risk of adverse reactions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the savings which would accrue to public funds if local authority residential homes were run at the same cost as equivalent private sector homes. [11533]

We have made no such estimate. Published statistics show the different costs to local authorities of care in homes for the elderly in different sectors, but these homes may not be equivalent. We believe that purchasing care from the independent sector would be more cost effective for local authorities. To achieve these savings, local authorities need to see their role as commissioners rather than providers of services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the real terms percentage increase in funding for personal social services, indicating the figures on which the calculations are based, for each year since 1979, together with projections for such future years as are available to him. [11534]

The amount and annual increases in funding for personal social services since 1981–82 are set out in the table; figures prior to 1981–82 are not held by the Department:

	Funding for social services £ million	Percentage increase in real terms
1981–82	1,642.561	—
1982–83	1,943.401	10.4
1983–84	2,084.598	2.5
1984–85	2,204.800	0.7
1985–86	2,366.400	1.8
1986–87	2,552.900	4.7
1987–88	2,756.500	2.5
1988–89	2,912.800	-1.0
1989–90	3,269.300	4.9
1990–91	3,648.000	n/a
1991–92	4,503.000	16.0
1992–93	4,850.000	3.4
1993–94	5,585.400	11.9
1994–95	6,403.200	12.6
1995–96	6,965.900	6.1
1996–97	7,511.000	5.2
1997–98	7,846.030	2.4

Figures for years prior to 1990–91 relate to the previous local government finance system and are not comparable with figures for subsequent years. In particular, amounts provided through special and specific grants are excluded prior to 1990–91. The figures above should not be seen as expenditure targets. They are one component of the funding provided for local government services and local authorities may in the event spend more or less than the amounts above.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has held with South Yorkshire local health authorities regarding drug abuse; and if he will list the funding that is allocated for this purpose by each authority. [11663]

The Department has held no discussions with health authorities in South Yorkshire about drug misuse. Information on the total funding allocated by health authorities for combating drug misuse is not available centrally. Funds allocated by the Department to health authorities for this purpose are shown in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the figures for smoking prevalence among 11 to 15-year-olds in those years for which figures are available between 1989 and 1994. [12058]