To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Animal Procedures Committee will publish the findings and outcome of the review of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

The review of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 by the Animal Procedures Committee is still in progress. It is hoped that the committee will make a preliminary report to the Secretary of State by July 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that all people held in custody under immigration law will be given the reasons for their incarceration in writing in their mother tongue; and if he will make a statement. [13055]

All immigration detainees are fully informed of the reasons for their detention. This is done orally, in a language which the person understands, through an interpreter if necessary. The Government see no justification for providing written reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the current total of immigration detainees are (a) awaiting deportation. (b) awaiting an appeal and (c) not subject to any process. [13060]

There were 891 persons recorded as being in detention solely under Immigration Act powers on 11 December 1996. This figure excludes non-asylum port cases who have been in detention for less than a month; information on such persons is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Information on the current stage of the 891 cases is given in the table.

Persons in detention solely under Immigration Act powers on 11 December 1996
Current stage of case	Number of person
Asylum seekers
Awaiting initial decision	152
Awaiting result of appeal	379
Awaiting removal after refusal	223

Persons in detention solely under Immigration Act powers on 11 December 1996
Current stage of case	Number of persons
Other persons
Deportation cases awaiting removal	30
Deportation cases awaiting appeal decision	20
Other cases1	87
Total	891
1 Information on these cases could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of asylum seekers held in detention at the end of (i) October, (ii) November and (iii) December; in which establishments they were held; what were their (a) nationalities and (b) gender; and how many were deported and from which establishments. [12321]

The available information on asylum seekers detained, and on the number deported from detention, is given in the tables. The number deported does not include those who are removed as illegal entrants or under port refusal procedures.A comprehensive breakdown of those recorded as deported from detention, by location of detention, is available only at disproportionate cost.

Number1of asylum detainees deported2during October, November and December 1996
Month	Number of deported asylum detainees2
October	8
November	7
December	12
1 Provisional figures.
Removed under the deportation process, including those who departed voluntarily after deportation action had been initiated.
2 Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971.

Table 1: Number of people recorded as detained1 2on 5 November and 11 December 1996 who had sought asylum at some stage, by gender
Gender	As at 5 November	As at 11 December
Male	739	681
Female	69	73
Total	808	754

Persons detained only under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 Immigration Act 1971.These figures include people who have been in detention for less than a month. Because of the delay in recording receptions into, and releases from, detention and the large number of persons detained for a short period, the figures should be used with caution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people who had applied at some stage for asylum were deported from Birmingham prison during (i) October, (ii) November and (iii) December; and what were their nationalities; [12325](2) how many people who had applied at some stage for asylum were detained in Birmingham prison during (i) October, (ii) November and (iii) December; and what were their nationalities. [12324]

The available information on asylum seekers detained in Her Majesty's prison, Birmingham is given in the table.There were no failed asylum seekers recorded as being deported from Her Majesty's prison, Birmingham during each of the months October to December 1996. This does not include asylum seekers removed as illegal entrants or under port refusal procedures.

Asylum seekers detained1at Her Majesty's prison, Birmingham as at 5 November and 11 December 1996, by nationality.
	5 November	11 December
Nationality
India	9	7
Israel	4	—
Nigeria	3	—
Algeria	2	5
Others2	3	3
Total	21	15
1 Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971.
2 The "Others" category may include nationalities already listed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were deported under Immigration Act powers from the United Kingdom in (i) October, (ii) November and (iii) December; and what were their nationalities. [12328]

The information requested for October 1996 is given in the table. Reliable information for subsequent months is not yet available.

Persons removed1from the United Kingdom under the deportation process2
Nationality	October 19963
European Economic Area
Italy	1
Netherlands	1
Other Europe
Bulgaria	1
Cyprus	1
Former Czechoslovakia	1
Hungary	1
Malta	1
Poland	5
Russia	1
Other former USSR	5
Turkey	5
Former Yugoslavia	8
Americas
Brazil	1
Colombia	3
Jamaica	8
Trinidad and Tobago	1
USA	3
Venezuela	1
Other Americas	4
Africa
Algeria	1
Angola	1
Egypt	2
Ghana	12
Kenya	1
Morocco	2
Nigeria	19
Sierra Leone	2
South Africa	5
Tanzania	1
Tunisia	2
Uganda	1
Zambia	2
Zimbabwe	5
Other Africa	10
Indian sub-continent
Bangladesh	5
India	16
Pakistan	15
Middle East
Lebanon	1
Remainder of Asia
Hong Kong	1
Malaysia	4
Singapore	1
South Korea	1
Thailand	1

Persons removed1from the United Kingdom under the deportation process2
Nationality	October 19963
Oceania
New Zealand	2
Not known	4
All nationalities	169
1 Including voluntary departures after deportation action had been initiated.
2 Excluding illegal entrants removed.
3 Provisional data.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons who had completed their prison sentences were detained further under Immigration Act powers; and for how long each was detained in each of the last three years. [12331]

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who were convicted of a criminal offence, punishable by a person sentence, but not served with a deportation order as part of the sentence, were at a later date served with a notice of deportation in each of the last three years. [12329]

The total numbers of notices of intention to deport issued in respect of a convicted criminal on the grounds that the person's continued presence in the United Kingdom was not conducive to the public good, were 125 in 1994, 79 in 1995, and 80—provisional figure—in the period January to September 1996. Data for the whole of 1996 are not yet available. Separate data on those criminals who had served a prison sentence, and those who had not, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (a) the cost to date of transcribing the proceedings of the reconvened inquest into the victims of the Marchioness disaster and (b) the charge that is made to a (i) relative and (ii) other interested party to (1) peruse the transcript and (2) purchase a copy. [12414]

I understand that the cost of typing the transcription was £6,000. Under the present rules the charge for supplying a copy to an interested person, including relatives, would be £2,400. There is no charge for inspecting relevant documents.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned on the incidence of addictive gambling in (a) adults and (b) young people under 16 since the introduction of the national lottery. [12468]

The Home Office has not commissioned primary research, but in September 1996 we published a report, "The Social Implications of Casino Gambling". This examined international experience in casino regulation and problem gambling. I have placed a copy in the Library.Our second consultation paper on casino deregulation, issued on 18 November 1996, commented further on the social implications of casino gambling.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on his policy with regard to the chaining of a prisoner to an inanimate object; [11932](2) if he will list the circumstances under which restraints may be removed from a prisoner; [11933](3) if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the use of mechanical restraints on prisoners receiving hospital care; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidelines issued by the Prison Service; [11934](4) if he will arrange for a copy of the report of the Prison Service's inquiry into the death of Geoffrey Thomas to be placed in the Library; [11935](5) what is the current timetable for revising the security manual in respect of new guidelines for restraining prisoners receiving hospital care; and if he will list the major changes. [11931]

Responsibility for these matters 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 recent discussions he has had with the Governor of Hong Kong on the entry into Britain of Hong Kong residents whose status is uncertain after 1 July; and if he will make a statement. [12158]

My right hon. and learned Friend last met the Governor of Hong Kong on 9 January, for discussion of current issues of mutual concern.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy in respect of building a top-security unit at Woodhill prison, Milton Keynes; how much has been budgeted for the prison unit and for fixtures and fittings; and if he will make a statement. [11187]

[holding answer 21 January 1997]: 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 how many women prisoners have given birth while serving prison sentences in prisons other than Holloway for the last three years for which figures are available. [11775]

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 Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the (a) White Papers, (b) Green Papers, (c) consultation papers, (d) draft regulations and (e) circulars, for which his Department has been responsible issued in 1996 which his Department assesses could give rise, (i) directly and (ii) indirectly, to significant environmental effects. [12699]

My Department issued no White Papers. Green Papers, consultation papers, draft regulations or circulars last year which have been assessed as giving rise either directly or indirectly to significant environmental effects.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number of magistrates courts in operation in Wales, indicating (a) the number of cases heard by each court, (b) the cost of providing the service and (c) the catchment area served by population and maximum travel distance, on 31 December for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [12866]

The information requested is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.On 14 October 1996,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many personalised number plates there are in the ownership of the executive agencies operated by his Department and if he will list them. [11422]

This is an operational matter for the agencies, and the chief executives have been asked to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to improve the energy conservation values of the housing stock in England; [12292](2) what plans he has to introduce measures to reduce the number of extra deaths caused by cold weather. [12293]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave during an Adjournment debate on 22 January 1997, Official Report, columns 916–20.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what calculations underlie the quotas produced by county councils for the minerals local plans. [12208]

The regional guidelines for aggregates provision in England, which have been appointed to minerals planning authorities for incorporation into development plans, are set out in "Minerals Planning Guidance Note 6"—MPG6—issued in April 1994. The overall provision is based on long-term projections of aggregate demand, which were in turn derived from projections of construction activity, which take account of the relationship between economic activity and construction investment. The consultants' reports on the projections were placed in the Library of the House at the time, and are summarised in annexe C of MPG6. Taking account of the lowest growth scenario in the projections, the Government took the view that demand for aggregates in England over the period 1992 to 2006 is likely to be in the order of 4.2 billion tonnes. The Department further assumed that, in line with the policies set out in the MPG, approximately 1,165 million tonnes of aggregates supply would come from sources other than primary land-based production in England—details are given in annexe A of MPG6. The guidelines therefore advise that planning authorities in England should make provision for some 3.1 billion tonnes of primary aggregates over the period 1992 to 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to review the quotas for the county councils' minerals local plans. [12209]

The Department of the Environment is undertaking a research project to examine the overall approach to aggregates planning, including the operation of the quantified guidelines and the projections on which they are based. The next review of MPG6, which will be the subject of wide consultation, will be started when the results of the research are available, early in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution he estimates the private finance initiative will make to the capital programme of local authorities in the next financial year. [12592]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to announce the outcome of consultation on the local government finance settlement; and if he will make a statement. [13213]

I am today laying before the House the "Local Government Finance Report (England) 1997–98", the "Limitation of Council Tax and Precepts (Relevant Notional Amounts) Report (England 1997–98", and the "Special Grant Report (No. 23)". These reports establish the amounts of revenue support grant and non-domestic rates to be paid to local authorities in 1997–98, and the basis of their distribution, specify the amounts which are to be used as the basis of comparison for measuring increases in certain local authorities' budgets in 1997–98 for the purposes of capping, and provide for a special standard spending assessment reduction grant to be paid to certain authorities for 1997–98. Drafts of these reports were issued for consultation on 27 November 1996. The Department received written representations from 210 authorities and my Ministers met 79 delegations from local councils.I have considered the views of local authorities and others who have commented on my initial proposals. The local government finance settlement represents a reasonable and balanced distribution of resources in the context of what the country can afford as a whole.Within the total resources, priority has been given to education, police and the fire service. It is now up to local authorities to prove they can maintain and improve their delivery of key services, and use the flexibility we have given them through capping to adapt to local circumstances.I shall be sending copies of these report to all authorities, together with tables showing each authority's standard spending assessment and its entitlement to RSG, NDR and special grant. I have placed copies of the reports and the tables in the Library and the Vote Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what means his Department intends to ensure the Government's research into fish-eating birds is made available to anglers over the next two years; and what factors underlay the methods of dissemination chosen. [12639]

It is the intention of the Department of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to publish the results of the research into fish-eating birds.Preliminary findings are disseminated to bodies representing fishery interests at annual seminars. The seminars allow interested parties to be informed of the progress of the research, and ask questions of the researchers. Seminars were held in December 1995 and December 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) pursuant to his letter G/PSO/23151/96, what review he is undertaking with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of licences for the extraction of aggregates from the sea bed; and what is the time scale; [12182](2) pursuant to the letter from the Prime Minister G/PSO/23151/96, what is the allocation of responsibilities for the extraction of aggregates from the sea bed and sediment movements and constant erosion between

The Crown Estate, as landowner, issues licences for aggregates dredging. A prerequisite to the issue of a licence is a favourable Government view issued by the Department of the Environment, or in Wales the Welsh Office, which co-ordinates and considers the views of Government Departments, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and responses to public consultation on the proposals, before issuing of GV. Applications must be accompanied by a report on the potential impact of the proposed dredging on the coastline. If there is a risk of an adverse impact the application is taken no further. Applications are also accompanied by an assessment of the impact on the marine environment—including fish—and on commercial fishing operations. This is considered by MAFF, which is responsible for marine environmental protection, before it passes its views on the application to DOE.In Scotland, similar arrangements are operated by the Scottish Office Development Department which co-ordinates the GV and seeks comments on issues relating to marine environmental protection from the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department.Neither DOE nor MAFF is undertaking a review of licences. These are issued by the Crown Estate. The DOE has, however, undertaken a review of the GV procedures and the Government have announced their intention to introduce a statutory procedure in place of the GV procedure. In the meantime, until a suitable legislative opportunity arises, the Government will be introducing similar, interim, informal procedures following discussion with interested parties in England and Wales. A similar review of the GV procedure is currently being undertaken by the Scottish Office, which expects to reach a conclusion shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the time scale for the implementation, by the United Kingdom, of recommendations contained in the EC bathing water directive. [12497]

The bathing water directive provides for a 10-year time scale for compliance following its notification in 1976. However, the majority of United Kingdom bathing waters were not identified until 1987. The £2,000 million programme of bathing water improvements, which is now substantially complete, is intended to achieve the required standards as quickly as possible. Significant progress has been made with compliance against the coliform bacteria standards, rising from 66 per cent. in 1988 to 90 per cent. last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to issue guidelines to producers of sanitary products in respect of labelling relating to their proper disposal. [12490]

Guidance on how to dispose of sanitary products will be included in the revised version of "Waste Management Paper 25 (Clinical Waste)". The Environment Agency, which is responsible for drawing up this paper, is expected to consult industry on it in summer 1997. This consultation will include manufacturers of sanitary products.Many existing manufacturers have already revised the disposal instructions on their products either to recommend waste bins as an appropriate alternative disposal option to flushing or to advise positively against flushing.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the steps taken to ensure the accuracy of the statistics for income support claimants and their dependants used for calculating revenue support grant settlements for the city of Manchester. [12576]

The data used on income support claimants are as estimated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security. My Department is discussing with the Department of Social Security the representations made by Manchester city council about these data. There have also been direct discussions between officers of the city council and the Department of Social Security.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to protect song birds. [12498]

The biodiversity steering group report, published in December 1995, highlighted the issue of declining song bird populations as a priority issue. The report contained costed action plans to stabilise and prevent further declines in the populations of the song thrush and skylark as well as costed habitat action plans for cereal field margins, lowland wet grassland and other important bird habitats. The targets and action plans have been endorsed by the Government and further costed action plans are in preparation for a number of other song bird species.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the (a) White Papers, (b) Green Papers, (c) consultation papers, (d) draft regulations and (e) circulars, for which his Department has been responsible issued in 1996 which his Department assesses could give rise, (i) directly and (ii) indirectly, to significant environmental effects. [12704]

The Department produces a great many circulars, regulations and consultation papers; many, to a greater or lesser extent, have environmental effects. Central records are not kept of the information in the way requested. Therefore, this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of (a) the quantity of (i) white asbestos and (ii) brown and blue asbestos, removed from structures in each of the last 10 years and (b) the quantity which remains in structures. [12680]

No estimates of the quantity of asbestos removed from or remaining within structures have been made by my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many deaths have resulted from exposure to asbestos in the workplace in each of the last 10 years; [12682](2) how many deaths resulted from non-occupational exposure to asbestos in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate he has made of the number of deaths from non-occupational exposure to asbestos in each of the next three decades; [12671](3) what estimate he has made of the number of deaths which will result from occupational exposure to asbestos in each of the next three decades; [12683](4) how many deaths from occupational exposure to asbestos there were in each of the last 10 years, categorised according to type of occupation. [12687]

Exposure to asbestos can cause three serious diseases—mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. The table shows the total number of deaths with a cause of death mentioning mesothelioma or asbestosis in each of the years from 1985 to 1994 for males and females combined. These are the latest data available.Most cases of mesothelioma are believed to be caused by asbestos exposure, although there is also believed to be a background rate of mesothelioma deaths which may account for about 100 cases annually in this country. This figure is expected to remain static over the next three decades. The remaining cases of mesothelioma can be assumed to be due to asbestos exposure, and most of this exposure to have been occupational.

	Mesothelioma	Asbestosis (without mesothelioma)
1985	617	140
1986	704	166
1987	814	143
1988	872	151
1989	909	155
1990	885	164
1991	1,011	163
1992	1,082	150
1993	1,139	172
1994	1,235	174

The data currently available on deaths from mesothelioma suggest that the number of deaths in men in 10 years, time could range between 1,000 and 2,100; in 20 years, time between 1,300 and 3,000 and in 30 years, time between 1,000 and 3,200. These projections are based on a paper, "The continuing increase in mesothelioma mortality in Britain", which was published in

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the regulation of white asbestos in products imported into the United Kingdom. [12686]

The range of asbestos products which may be manufactured, imported, supplied and used in the United Kingdom is restricted by the provisions of an EU directive (91/659/EEC), which bans certain uses and a range of products containing white asbestos. This directive is implemented in the United Kingdom by the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 in Great Britain, the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1993 for Northern Ireland and the Asbestos Products (Safety) Regulations 1985, as amended in 1987.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many and what percentage of identified young vulnerable people leaving care are (a) eligible for and (b) granted (i) temporary and (ii) permanent housing; and if he will make a statement. [12809]

During the 12 months to 30 September 1996, 3,540 households containing a vulnerable young person were accepted as statutorily homeless by local housing authorities in England. Information is not held centrally either about the number of young care leavers in this category or about the type of accommodation provided. Under part VII of the Housing Act 1996, which took effect from 20 January 1997, an authority has a duty to secure suitable accommodation for at least two years for applicants who meet the statutory homelessness criteria, unless suitable alternative accommodation is available in the authority's area. Such people will also be entitled to appear on the authority's housing register, and be considered for long-term housing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent measures he has taken to help countries counter desertification. [11140]

The United Kingdom has currently committed this financial year about £57 million in bilateral assistance for projects relevant to desertification. The United Kingdom ratified the UN desertification convention on 18 October 1996 and continues to play a leading role in negotiations to finalise financial and institutional arrangements for implementation of the convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contributions the Government are making towards population and reproductive health projects for the refugees in Rwanda and Burundi. [11145]

Since 1993 we have provided £175 million bilaterally and through the EU to assist the populations of these two countries. Programmes supported include the provision of basic health care services which often encompass population and reproductive health activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures his Department proposes to assist the development of those central European countries that are applicants for EU membership. [11146]

Through the know-how fund we are providing a wide range of training and consultancy in European integration issues to the associated countries. Additionally, we also contribute to the cost of EC PHARE—Poland and Hungary Assistance for Economic Restructuring—programmes in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 14 January, Official Report, column 443, if he will make a statement on the factors underlying his Department's assessment of the benefits accruing from an extension of the second phase of the Indonesian national police training project. [12642]

Particular account was taken of the conclusions of a monitoring report of January 1994. This noted

"positive signs that the concept of public service and higher quality standards are beginning to take root in the INP".

although these were still limited to police regions in which project activity had been taking place.The report also noted, with regard to the training of the consultancy unit, that

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 14 January, Official Report, column 208, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the strategic plans produced under the national police management training project in Indonesia exclude East Timor. [12606]

The application of management skills acquired under this project, including production of any strategic plans, is a matter for the Indonesian police authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 14 January, Official Report, column 207, what specific measures his Department took to promote community policing through the national police management training project in Indonesia. [12605]

The methodology of the trainers and the nature of the training itself were designed to expose Indonesian police personnel, both in the central consultancy unit and in the regional commands, to the concept and ethos of community policing, in particular through the setting of improved standards of service to the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list those bodies in Lewisham, East to which national lottery awards have been made; and what sum was involved in each case. [12364]

There have been four awards totalling £739,488 to projects in Lewisham, East. The awards are as follows:

Body	Award date	Recipient	Award amount
Sports	31 January 1996	London Borough Lewisham (Malory School)	725,500.00
Charity	11 August 1996	Tideway Adventurers	6,468.00
Charity	11 August 1996	St. Margaret Parent and Toddler Playgroup	1,520.00
Charity	23 October 1995	Newstead Road Playgroup	6,000.00
Total			739,488.00

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the work still to be completed by Premier League and Football League clubs to bring their grounds up to the safety standards required in the report of Lord Justice Taylor; and what estimates she has made of the cost of this work. [12358]

Premier League and division one clubs were required to meet the all-seater recommendations in the Taylor report by August 1994. The great majority of clubs meet these requirements. Those few that do not have either been granted an extension to the deadline, on account of their having been recently promoted, or they are relocating to new stadia.Clubs in divisions two and three of the Football League are not required to go all-seated, but will have to meet certain minimum safety standards for retained standing terraces by August 1999. I understand that the Football Trust is carrying out a survey to establish the costs of remaining safety work.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to give early notification to local authorities planning their discretionary awards budgets of changes to methods of supporting students undertaking performing arts courses through lottery funds. [12426]

[holding answer 23 January 1997]: Plans for an interim scheme to help more students take up places at accredited dance and drama training schools in England were announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in October last year. The scheme will be administered by the Arts Council of England which is in the process of consulting on the details of its operation. As part of this consultation, a copy of the Arts Council's draft proposals has been sent to each local education authority. The Arts Council, in consultation with the Council for Local Education Authorities, hopes to be in a position to inform local education authorities of the final details of the scheme by the end of February.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) when the timetable will be published for the Government's review of area museum councils, as set out in section 7.4 of "Treasures in Trust"; [10507](2) when she will make available the terms of reference referred to in section 7.4 of "Treasures in Trust", regarding the review of area museum councils. [10508]

I am pleased to announce that Mr. Tony Pender has been appointed to lead the review of area museum councils in England. He will act as chairman of the working party on the review, whose members were announced on 18 December 1996, Official Report, columns 592–93.Mr. Pender has been asked to let my Department have the conclusions of his review by 7 April. Its broad terms of reference are to conduct a comprehensive review of the area museum councils, having regard to changes in circumstances since their creation, the contents of "Treasures in Trust" and possible future developments. The review will involve wide consultation but the details of the conduct and timetable of the review will be for the working party to decide.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects the review of the Crown classification grading scheme by the English tourist board to be completed. [12637]

In recent months the English tourist board has been working in partnership with the Wales and Scottish tourist boards and with the motoring organisations to design and agree a harmonised scheme for the rating of serviced accommodation in Great Britain. This is a complex task. I hope the ETB will be in a position to make an announcement soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what reports she has received on prospects for the continuing operation of the Foundation for Sport and the Arts. [12388]

[holding answer 23 January 1997]: The football pools companies have informed me of their intention to cease their voluntary contributions to the Foundation for Sport and the Arts. My officials are meeting the Pools Promoters Association shortly to discuss the continuing operation of the foundation.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate she has made of the costs incurred by the 26 consortia that bid for the site of the National Academy of Sport. [12360]

None. It was up to each bidder to decide how much to spend on its bid.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful attempts have been made by United Kingdom organisations in the last four years to obtain funds from the EU's (i) Media, (ii) Raphael, (iii) Ariadne and (iv) Kaleidoscope schemes; and what funds have already been allocated to the United Kingdom under each of these schemes. [12345]

Media II, the European Community's initiative to enhance the strength of member states' national audiovisual industries, began in 1996. Under the 1996 programme, 86 proposals from the United Kingdom have been successful. Information regarding the funds allocated, and the number of unsuccessful applications, is not available from the Commission.Raphael, the European Community support programme in the field of cultural heritage, has yet to be formally adopted by the European Community as an official support programme. A pilot programme was, however, run by the European Commission during 1996. Under this pilot 43 applications were received in which a UK organisation was the lead partner. Of these, 13 were accepted and awarded a total of 760,291 ecu—£560,562.55. In addition, 43 other UK organisations have benefited from funding under the pilot year in view of their participation in projects in which an organisation from another EC member state was the lead partner. Details of the amount of funding received by UK organisations is not held centrally.Ariadne is the European Community's proposed support programme in the field of books and reading. Like Raphael, it has yet to be officially adopted by the European Community. A pilot programme was run by the European Commission during 1996. Four UK-led partnerships applied for funding under the pilot programme, of which three were successful and received a total of 68,838.40 ecu—£50,754.55. A further 12 UK organisations were cited as co-organisers of successful projects which received a total of 494,136.48 ecu—£364,326.82. It is not possible to specify the precise amounts which will be received by the UK organisations.One of the benefits to the UK of the Ariadne programme is the translation of England-language literary works and their dissemination throughout the European Community. Of the 40 projects submitted for consideration under the 1996 pilot which involved English-language works for translation, 21 were successful in receiving funding support.Kaleidoscope is the European Community cultural support programme and was officially adopted as such in 1996. In this first year, 62 applications were made by UK-led partnerships. Of these, 10 applications were successful and received a total of 425,764.46 ecu—£313,916.13. A further 31 UK organisations were cited as co-organisers of successful projects, which received a total of 1,186,262.80 ecu—£874,631.56. Again, the precise allocation of funding to the UK organisations is not known.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list those independent consultants or firms that have been awarded contracts to carry our tourism-related work for each of the last four years, specifying which body was responsible for the appointments, the dates of appointment, the name of the consultant or firm, the value of the contract and the subject of the consultants' work. [12357]

The following table lists the contracts awarded by tourism division in my Department, by the British Tourist Authority and by the English tourist board,

Name of consultant	Appointing body	Date of appointment	Contract value	Subject of consultants work
University of Newcastle	DNH	May 1993	£2,240 plus VAT	Updating the estimates of day visitors to local areas
Coopers and Lybrand	ETB	August 1993	£11,500 plus VAT plus expenses	Review of Regional Tourist Board computer requirements
Touche Ross and Co.	BTA	November 1993	£25,000 plus VAT—partly funded by industry partners	To study the impact of VAT levels on UK tourism competitiveness
John Brown and Company	ETB	October 1993	£5,000 plus VAT	Study of the provision of tourist information in London
David Smart and Associates	ETB	September 1993	£3,600 plus expenses	Consultancy work in connection with the Welcome Host programme
Roger Quinton Associates	ETB/Association of District Councils	October 1993	£5,850 plus VAT plus expenses	Study on quality management issues and best practice in Tourist Information Centres
Touche Ross and Co.	ETB	May 1993	£3,675 plus VAT	Review of Tourist Resource Information Processing System Project Manager
McKinsey and Co.	BTA	April 1994	£39,450 plus expenses plus VAT	Measuring the impact of tourist spending by international tourists to Britain
McKinsey and Co.	DNH/BTA/ETB	August 1994	£150,000 plus VAT plus expenses	Development of a strategy for tourism in the UK
McKinsey and Co.	ETB	February 1994	£16,000 plus VAT	Design and Implementation of Tourism Development Fund
Coopers and Lybrand	BTA	July 1994	£5,000 plus VAT	Enhancement of resource allocation model
Coopers and Lybrand	BTA	September 1994	£11,500 plus VAT	Amendment of resource allocation software
Professor Stephen Wanhill—University of Wales	ETB	June 1994	£1,868 plus VAT	Review of United Kingdom Tourism Survey (UKTS) to test validity of sample
Roberts Miller Associates	ETB	July 1994	£5,000 plus VAT plus expenses	Review of UKTS to test value for money and potential for commercial development
Touche Ross and Co.	BTA/ETB	March 1994	£70,000 plus VAT	Study of Britain's tourism strengths and weaknesses
Career Concepts Limited	ETB	April 1994	£8,000 plus VAT	Consultancy work in connection with Welcome Host
KPMG Management Consulting	BTA/ETB	January 1994	£85,842 plus VAT plus expenses	Study of BTA, ETB and RTB information needs and IT strategy
KPMG Peat Marwick	BTA/ETB	June 1994	£20,000	Implementation of IT strategy
McKinsey and Co.	ETB	February 1994	£15,000 plus VAT plus expenses	Design of a market development strategy
Digiverter Limited	BTA	February 1994	£3,200 plus expenses plus VAT	Work on BTA resource allocation programme
KPMG Management Consulting	ETB	March 1994	£51,036 plus VAT	Crown Accommodation Classification and Grading Scheme Study
Pieda plc	ETB	March 1994	£41,101 plus VAT	TIC Networking Study
The Tourism company	The Countryside Commission (on behalf of itself, DNH, ETB and the Rural Development Commission	November 1994	£31,372.50 including VAT	To produce a guide to action based sustainable tourism
Coopers and Lybrand	BTA/ETB	September 1995	£8,000 plus VAT	Review of income tax status of self employed contractors/consultants
MVA	DNH/ETB	April 1995	£136,270.59 including VAT	Research into consumer needs and expectations about serviced accommodation as part of Crown Scheme review
KPMG	DNH	April 1995	£170,713.96 including VAT	Benchmarking Survey of small hotels
MVA	DNH	October 1995	£4,830 plus VAT	Benchmarking Survey—Regression Analysis of data
Coopers and Lybrand	BTA	September 1995	£39,000 plus VAT	VAT review
Coopers and Lybrand	ETB	July 1995	£39,000 plus VAT	Crown Scheme review—study of economic impact of change to accommodation providers
Team Saatchi	ETB	June 1996	£32,000 plus VAT	Proposals for future image and presentation of accommodation schemes plus design work
Coopers and Lybrand	DNH	February 1996	£187.177.50 including VAT	To undertake a study of the use of human resources in the tourism industry
Tourism Research Group, Exeter University	DNH/Government Office for the South West	October 1996	£9,200 plus VAT	Report on the competitiveness of the South West tourist industry
University of Newcastle	DNH	January 1996	£29,600 including VAT	Updating day visitor estimates for local areas

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will fund research into the role of competitive markets in fostering economic growth. [11113]

Open competitive markets enhance business efficiency and consumer choice, and it is for this reason that competition lies at the heart of the Government's economic policies. Relevant research, bearing on the relationship between competitive markets and economic growth, is being supported by the Economic and Social Research Council and is also undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Hoon) on 16 December, Official Report, column 427, if he will list (a) the total cost to date of business breakfasts, (b) the projected total cost until the end of the breakfasts planned, (c) the budget for the breakfasts and (d) the departmental budget from which this money is drawn. [13001]

The 11 events held so far are expected to cost approximately £51,500. The final cost of the programme will depend on the number of events. No budget has been specifically set aside for business breakfasts. The costs are being paid by the Government offices concerned: these are underwritten by the DTI's running cost provision.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many products containing white asbestos are imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [12685]

Data on the number of goods containing white asbestos that were imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years are not available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much white asbestos was imported into the United Kingdom in bulk form in each of the last 10 years. [12684]

Data on UK imports of white asbestos are given in the table:

UK imports of white asbestos
	Quantity (metric tonnes)	Value (£000)
1986	26,766	7,863
1987	23,865	6,188
1988	24,266	5,417
1989	19,702	5,757
1990	16,022	5,196
1991	11,248	3,272
1992	10,269	3,569
1993	9,681	3,715
1994	11,466	3,987
1995	10,164	3,958
January to August 1996	4,776	2,060
Source:
Overseas trade statistics of the United Kingdom with the World (including data for countries with the European Community), HM Customs and Excise.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the level of white asbestos in products manufactured in the United Kingdom. [12681]

This information is not available from official statistics.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about his "IT for All" initiative [11129]

The Government have received many practical proposals for this initiative from the organisations that have successfully applied to become partners. Many of the partners have also committed significant financial support and other resources to the project. They have welcomed "IT for All" as a valuable addition to the range of programmes already included in the Government's information society initiative.Other companies and voluntary groups are coming forward to take part.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the projected output of the wind farm schemes funded through the fossil fuel levy for each year from 1991 to 1995; and what has been the actual output; [12117](2) what has the cost been of the wind farm programme funded through the fossil fuel levy; and what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of financial support for wind farms. [12119]

[holding answer 22 January 1997]: Figures from the Office of Electricity Regulation put the total cost to the fossil fuel levy of supporting all the renewable energy projects, from the beginning of the programme in 1990 up to March 1996, at £309 million. Of this, I estimate that about a quarter has been for wind farms.The total annual turnover of the UK electricity supply industry is about £15 billion and the Government believe that, if their market enablement strategy using the non-fossil fuel obligation succeeds, wind energy could eventually capture 10 per cent. of this market. The reductions in the amounts paid for wind energy under successive NFFO rounds suggest that this strategy is indeed working.The Government do not make output projections for wind farms, but I understand that, on the whole, wind farm projects are meeting the expectations of their owners. The actual outputs, in gigawatt hours, as reported by the Non-fossil Purchasing Agency, were as follows:

1991:	2
1992:	26
1993:	213
1994:	337
1995:	340.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has collated on the steps the German Government have taken to secure compliance with the provisions of the Single European Act forbidding discrimination on grounds of nationality. [12307]

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has collated no such information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will collate information on the instances on which the German Government have not overturned decisions of German courts on the grounds of discrimination against other nationalities as required under the Single European Act. [12333]

Under the EC treaty, the issue of whether there would be a breach of the right to provide services or of the right of establishment is a matter for the European Commission which has the duty of ensuring that the provisions of the treaty and measures implementing it are applied.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek an assurance from the German Government that they will revoke the decisions of the German county court at Friedrichshafen in respect of the admissibility of evidence provided by a British lawyer on the English law of probate. [12332]

Revoking a decision of the county court is not a matter for the German Government. A court decision can usually be reversed or altered only by the same or another court within the same legal system, for example, on appeals in accordance with the rules of that system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the German Government urging that their courts accept evidence from British lawyers on the powers granted under the law of probate in the United Kingdom in cases which relate to such matters in Germany. [12308]

The German courts are, like our own, independent of Government. It would be inappropriate for us to seek to persuade the German Government to influence the decisions of the German courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the German county court at Friedrichshafen's ruling on the acceptability of evidence as to the English law of probate. [12306]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many countries have ratified the Antarctic treaty; and when he expects the secretariat to be established. [12455]

Twenty-three countries have ratified the environmental protocol. Japan, Russia and the US have still to do so. On the issue of the Antarctic treaty secretariat, the consultative parties have yet to reach an agreement by consensus on its location and date of establishment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the European Union Commission about interventions by (a) British-based and (b) non-British-based officials and Commissioners in the forthcoming general election in respect of (i) advancing or deferring Commission policies and (ii) rebutting criticisms of the Commission, the Union and its policies. [12476]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 15 January, Official Report, column 321, if he will make a statement on the police studies course under the Chevening award scheme. [12635]

One Indonesian police officer undertook an MA in police studies at Exeter university in 1992–93. The course was funded from this Department's Chevening awards scheme-diplomatic wing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the business likely to come to the United Kingdom referred to in paragraph 2.5 of the National Audit Office report on "Aid to Indonesia" (HC 101 of Session 1996–97). [12593]

Paragraph 2.5 of the National Audit Office report records the view expressed by the British embassy in Jakarta in September 1985 that failure to make a good aid offer quickly could affect a number of items of business likely to come to the United Kingdom. The embassy did not specify of which items of business it had in mind.The conclusions in the NAO report found that there was no evidence that these representations had any influence on the Administration's decision to undertake the project referred to in paragraph 2.5 of the NAO report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 January, Official Report, columns 33–34, what was the value of the turnkey project near Jakarta. [12630]

I have been asked to reply.I understand from the company that the value is £12.25 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts about the next stages of European construction. [11109]

Government Ministers regularly meet their European counterparts to discuss European issues.

to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's role in co-ordinating the Government's policies in respect of the Amsterdam summit. [11121]

This Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the Government's policy towards the European Union, including that towards the Amsterdam European Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which (a) EU and (b) UN countries have a Minister for children. [12807]

This information is not collected centrally. To answer the question would incur disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the plans and competence of the European Commission to advance a publicity campaign for the European single currency within the United Kingdom, through the Committee of the Regions. [12959]

The European Commission has confirmed that, in accordance with earlier agreements, it has no plans for a publicity campaign on the euro in the United Kingdom, either through the Committee of the Regions or by other means. Statements made in Brussels by the Commissioner responsible for information referred to plans for activities in the EU as a whole, and were not directed specifically at the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the joint working groups at present operating as part of (a) the 1958 mutual defence agreement for co-operation on the uses of atomic energy for defence purposes, (b) the Polaris sales agreement and (c) the Trident sales agreement. [12372]

Joint working groups continue to be the focal points for technical exchanges under the 1958 mutual defence agreement. Subject areas are as follows:

• Radiation simulation and kinetic effects technology
• Energetic materials
• Test monitoring
• Nuclear materials
• Warhead electrical components and technologies
• Non-nuclear materials
• Nuclear counter-terrorism technology
• Facilities
• Nuclear weapons engineering
• Nuclear warhead physics
• Computational technology
• Aircraft, missile and space system hardening
• Laboratory plasma physics
• Manufacturing practices
• Nuclear weapon accident response technology
• Nuclear weapon code development
• Nuclear weapon environment and damage effects.

Separate arrangements exist for exchanges under the Polaris sales agreement, as amended for Trident. The working groups concerned are the Trident working party group, the joint steering tasks group, the Trident joint re-entry systems working group and the joint systems performance and assessment group. I am withholding information related to the detailed activities of these groups under exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to Government information relating to defence, security and international affairs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on relations between the United States and the United Kingdom Governments in respect of implementation of the 1958 mutual defence agreement for co-operation on the uses of atomic energy for defence purposes since the agreement was last amended. [12125]

Our arrangements with the United States under the 1958 agreement for co-operation on the uses of atomic energy for defence purposes continue to contribute to our mutual defence and security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the services that Sandia National Laboratories provides in support of (i) the United Kingdom nuclear research programme and (ii) the United Kingdom Trident programme. [12374]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman), gave on 8 June 1995, Official Report, column 298.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the facilities currently available or planned to be available at AWE Aldermaston for use as part of the above ground experiments programme; and what are the estimated annual running costs. [12120]

No new facilities have so far been constructed or approved for above ground experimental work at AWE Aldermaston. Existing facilities, many of which have other purposes, are used as required.I am withholding details of those facilities and their estimated annual running costs for above ground experimental work 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 projects on which his Department is working jointly with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. [12373]

Details of the areas of research involving the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are as follows:

• Radiation simulation and kinetic effects technology
• Energetic materials
• Test monitoring
• Nuclear materials
• Warhead electrical components and technologies
• Non-nuclear materials
• Nuclear counter-terrorism technology
• Facilities
• Nuclear weapons engineering
• Nuclear warhead physics
• Computational technology
• Aircraft, missile and space system hardening
• Laboratory plasma physics
• Manufacturing practices
• Nuclear weapon accident response technology
• Nuclear weapon code development
• Nuclear weapon environment and damage effects.