To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the net (a) benefits and (b) costs to the United Kingdom economy of sterling's membership of a fixed exchange rate system. [14238]

The Chancellor considered carefully the case for joining the new exchange rate mechanism in stage 3 of economic and monetary union linking the euro with non-participating member states, but concluded that the best way to secure lasting exchange rate stability is to achieve low inflation and sound public finances. Hence, the Government have no intention of re-entering sterling into a fixed exchange rate system, such as the new ERM. The Government recognise the value of a stable exchange rate but do not have a target for sterling.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed by his Department to provide advice on the application of equal opportunities; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available. [14479]

A number of staff in personnel including the departmental equal opportunities officer provide advice on equal opportunities issues, all of whom have additional duties. A breakdown of the cost of time spent solely on equal opportunities issues is therefore not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the members of the management board of the Dorneywood trust; and if he will make a statement. [14619]

The Dorneywood trust is a private trust, for which I am not responsible and for which Ministers are not answerable to Parliament.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenues from privatisation which will be received in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–1 and (e) 2001–2; how much of the revenue in each year relates to privatisation which took place before 1 February; if he will list the additional bodies assumed to be privatised after that date; and if he will make a statement. [14817]

As published in table 5.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98", privatisation proceeds are expected to be:

(a) £2.0 billion in 1997–98;

(b) £1.5 billion in 1998–99;

(c) £1.0 billion in 1999–2000.

No estimates have been made for the years 2000–01 and 2001–02. The proceeds for 1997–98 relate to privatisations which took place before 1 February. The other proceeds estimates include the planned privatisation of the National Air Traffic Services Ltd., and reflect the Government's ongoing commitment to privatisation. The Government will announce future privatisation plans when they are ready to do so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the advice commissioned from the Securities and Investments Board on the regulatory implications of the proposed liberalisation of stamp duty on UK equity stock borrowing. [15317]

The Securities and Investments Board has submitted to the Treasury a report, "The fiscal liberalisation of stock borrowing and repo in UK equities; regulatory recommendations". This report was produced in response to a request from the Chancellor in September 1995, following the Director General of Fair Trading's report on the rules of the London stock exchange relating to market makers. Copies of the report are available in the Libraries of the House.The Government fully accept the SIB's key recommendations that there is no immediate need to tighten or extend regulation in this area, but that further work on stock borrowing should be undertaken by the SIB, to cover guidance on good practice; the disclosure regime for short selling, and the stock borrowing regime for smaller companies.The way is now clear for Parliament to consider the proposals set out in the Finance Bill for a sweeping reform of the current fiscal regime as it affects the lending and borrowing of UK equities. These proposals amount to a substantial liberalisation and modernisation of existing tax rules. Taken together with the SIB's proposed light regulatory touch, they should enhance the competitive development of this market, to the benefit of investors and market intermediaries alike.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people who have been mis-sold personal pensions have so far received compensation. [11395]

[holding answer 28 January 1997]: Accurate figures are not available for the total number of people who have received compensation for being mis-sold a personal pension.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have notified the Inland Revenue their intention of introducing a profit-related pay scheme since (a) September 1996 and (b) December 1996. [14425]

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: Between 1 September 1996 and the end of January 1997 the Inland Revenue received almost 7,500 applications to register a profit-related pay scheme. That figure includes some businesses which have previously had a registered scheme and some which have not. Of this total, about half—3,700—applied in the three months before 1 December 1996, and about half—3,800—applied in the two months following that date.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in each of the last five years computer systems have been illegally accessed by computer hackers in his Department. [14566]

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: There have been no recorded instances of hacking into Treasury computer systems in any of the last five years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of computer hacking, fraud and theft, including theft of computer chips his Department has recorded in the last five years. [14567]

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: There have been no recorded instances of hacking into Treasury computer system or their fraudulent use in any of the last five years.There have been some cases of thefts of computer equipment as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when (i) he and (ii) his officials last had discussions with Connex South Eastern about the provision of bicycle accommodation on trains between Sevenoaks and Blackfriars; and if he will make a statement. [13443]

Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have had discussions with Connex South Eastern about the carriage of bicycles on its services, which is a matter for it. The franchising director and his officials meet with Connex South Eastern regularly to discuss the operation of the franchise when any pertinent matter may be raised.In respect of the carriage of bicycles on trains generally, the franchising director has included in franchise agreements a requirement that, so far as reasonably practicable, and subject to the availability of appropriate space on its rolling stock, franchisees should ensure that facilities are made available for the carriage of cycles on trains. Franchise operators may not charge passengers unreasonable amounts for the provision of these facilities.It would, however, be impracticable to require franchisees to make facilities available on all services. For example, not all existing rolling stock is designed to carry cycles. The provisions therefore strike a balance between the desire for operators to accommodate cyclists while acknowledging that it may not always be possible for them to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people are employed by his Department to provide advice on the application of equal opportunities; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available. [14466]

The management of equal opportunities is an integral part of personnel work in the Department and its agencies, but certain staff carry specific responsibilities for particular equal opportunities issues. In the central transport group there are six, in the Highways Agency, three, in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, four, in the Vehicle Certification Agency, three, in the Driving Standards Agency, four, in the Vehicle Inspectorate, one, in the Marine Safety Agency, one, and in the Coastguard Agency, one. The cost of that part of their work, and of other staff in handling equal opportunities issues, cannot readily be disaggregated.In addition, the 18 staff in the Department's mobility unit handle issues covering disability, gender and race in relation to transport. Again, the part of their work which specifically focuses on equal opportunities cannot readily be disaggregated.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people are employed by his Department to provide advice on the application of equal opportunities; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available. [14473]

The information requested on staff employed to provide advice on the application of equal opportunities in the departments and agencies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible and other areas which fall to the Cabinet Office vote is as follows:

	Number of staff 1996–97 (full-time equivalents)	Cost £
Cabinet Office/OPS (Departmental Policy)	0.7	17,500.00
Cabinet Office/OPS (Service-wide Advice)	10.5	301,000.00
Civil Service College	0.3	8,000.00
Central Computer and Telecommunication Agency	0.2	4,500.00
Central Office of Information	0.1	1,300.00

	Number of staff 1996–97 (full-time equivalents)	Cost £
Property Advisors to Civil Estate	0.2	3,500.00
Security and Facilities Executive	0.1	1,500.00
The Buying Agency	0.2	4,000.00

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 4 February, Official Report, column 526, if he will provide a breakdown of the £723,000 spent on the running costs of Admiralty house in 1995–96. [14964]

The figure of approximately £723,000 spent on the running costs of Admiralty house in 1995–96 may be broken down as follows:

	£
Rent	250,000
Maintenance, including centrally managed maintenance costs	248,000
Security	135,000
Contribution in lieu of rates	38,000
VAT surcharge	22,000
Staff costs	16,000
Cleaning	12,000
Fuel and utilities	2,000
Total	723,000

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he is yet in a position to respond to proposals for the redevelopment of Manchester city centre following the IRA bombing. [15318]

I have kept closely in touch with the proposals produced by the task force representing Manchester city council and the private sector, under the chairmanship of Sir Alan Cockshaw, chairman of AMEC Building Ltd. and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement early next week.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has to change the Cabinet Office; Security and Intelligence Services cash limits for 1996–97. [15390]

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVIII, vote 2 will be increased by £3,750,000 from £751,058,000 to £754,808,000. The running costs cash limit will be increased by £17,631,000 from £386,973,000 to £404,604,000. The increase in running costs will be offset by savings on capital provision, and also the take up £2,670,000 running costs end year flexibility. There will be an increase in appropriation in aid of £2,000,000 and a net increase in superannuation payments of £450,000. The increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the value of contracts to supply publications entered into by HMSO before privatisation which were cancelled at the time of privatisation; and if compensation was paid by HMSO in this respect. [14702]

HMSO did not cancel any contracts to supply publications at the time of privatisation and did not therefore have to pay any compensation. All customers were given the opportunity to novate their existing contracts from HMSO to The Stationery Office Ltd.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the publications HMSO was contracted to supply to the Open university prior to privatisation and which at the time of privatisation HMSO withdrew from sale. [14703]

HMSO did not withdraw any items for sale at the time of privatisation, and as a result of privatisation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to consult on implementing provisions in the EC young workers directive requiring the creation of certain entitlements for adolescent workers; and if he will make a statement. [15231]

I am today publishing a consultation document with proposals for regulations to change employment law to give adolescent workers required entitlements to certain minimum daily and weekly rest periods and daily work breaks, and to health and capacity assessment before assignment to night work and at regular intervals thereafter.We were able to agree to the EC directive on the protection of young people at work which requires these measures—the young workers directive—because its terms also give us an opt-out from what would have been unacceptable arbitrary limits on young people's working hours.The consultation document seeks views on our proposals for enforcement arrangements to secure these entitlements, and on our assessment that, in general, employers will not have to make significant changes to their current practices in respect of employing young people. The Department of Health has already consulted on proposals for the changes which the directive requires us to make to the law regulating the employment of children, and the Health and Safety Commission about changes required to health and safety legislation.The consultation period last until 7 May. We will then consider the position in the light of responses.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the (i) value of inward investment located in Britain and (ii) number of inward investment jobs which have come to Britain from (a) Gibraltar, (b) Italy, (c) Malta, (d) France, (e) Scotland, (f) the Netherlands, (g) Sweden, (h) the Azores, (i) Bermuda, (j) the USA, (k) Mexico, (l) Jamaica, (m) the Lesser Antilles, (n) the Windward Islands, (o) the Leeward islands, (p) Portugal, (q) Greece, (r) Cyprus, (s) Russia, (t) Egypt, (u) Saudi Arabia, (v) the UAE, (w) India, (x) the Yemen, (y) Finland, (z) Denmark, (aa) Grand Canary, (bb) Ivory

New jobs
Country	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Denmark	149	654	60	150	296
Finland	13	27	0	225	623
France	1,533	362	1,836	1,409	2,348
Germany	2,274	2,264	1,567	4,811	5,613
India	20	0	0	11	0
Italy	174	427	83	57	327
Netherlands	691	509	780	115	378
Portugal	52	0	0	0	15
Saudi Arabia	0	0	56	0	100
South Africa	0	300	0	34	32
Sweden	314	291	617	281	384
USA	8,375	8,485	15,267	13,285	20,922
Yemen	141	0	0	0	0
Source:
IBB Database.

£ million
Country	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
Denmark	1,610	396	1,261	656	195
Finland	36	8	53	-41	42
France	1,551	1,333	802	-35	655
Germany	1,610	396	1,261	656	195
Greece	-2	-3	—	—	—
India	1	1	2	21	-8
Italy	-43	45	-38	82	179
Mexico	-2	—	—	—	—
Netherlands	2,085	2,334	1,135	1,245	1,691
Portugal	-9	1	7	-	8
Russia (USSR)	-27	-12	-68	50	—
Sweden	1,658	5	129	-55	37
USA	5,094	1,878	3,748	5,144	1,873
Note:
1. These flow figures include UK disposals by foreign companies. Flow figures are volatile and fluctuate year to year in part due to the cyclical nature of reinvestment profits and of mergers and acquisition actively.
2. The negative flow figures represent disinvestment in the UK by inward investors. An inward investor may for example sell a UK based company to a UK investor. This is not outward investment but negative investment.
3. Figures on a FY basis are not available.
Source:
International Direct Investment Statistics Yearbook, 1996, OECD.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners were diagnosed with dyslexia while in prison during each year since 1990; [13823](2) how many prison officer hours were spent training to deal with dyslexic prisoners during each year since 1990; [13827](3) what plans there are to introduce tests to screen prisoners for dyslexia; [13825](4) what provision is available within the Prison Service for prisoners with dyslexia; [13824]

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: Where figures for new jobs—source: Invest In Britain database—and capital flows of investment—source: OECD—into the United Kingdom are available, these are detailed in the two tables.(5) what training in dealing with dyslexic prisoners is available to staff working in the Prison Service; [13826](6) what proportion of prisoners were diagnosed with dyslexia before entering prison during each year since 1990. [13822]

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 (1) when a decision was made concerning the closure of the therapeutic community at HM YOI Glen Parva: [13831](2) what plans he has to provide alternative facilities at HM YOI Glen Parva following the recent closure of its therapeutic community; [13829](3) how many hours per month were spent by prisoners undergoing rehabilitation at HM YOI Glen Parva since January 1995; and of these hours, how many were spent undergoing rehabilitation in the therapeutic community; [13832](4) for what reasons the therapeutic community at HM YOI Glen Parva has recently closed; [13828](5) how long a period of notice of closure of the therapeutic community at HM YOI Glen Parva was given to

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 if male and female prisoners are escorted in the same vehicle; and if he will make a statement. [15222]

Male and female prisoners are escorted in the same vehicles at the same time in area 7—east midlands and Humberside—but not elsewhere. In the three years in which this practice has been followed in area 7, no problems have resulted. The vehicles are cellular; female prisoner custody officers are used to handle female prisoners; and careful loading procedures are followed to ensure proper segregation. On the basis of these safeguards, I have agreed that the practice may be extended to the other contract areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the role playing training session held on how to behave in court for those HMP Whitemoor personnel due to give evidence at the trial of the men accused of the 1994 escape from Whitemoor; who took the decision to organise the session; what legal advice was obtained regarding the lawfulness of the session prior to that decision; and if he will make a statement. [13421]

[holding answer 30 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 if he will make it his policy to publish the conclusions of reports into deaths of prisoners held by the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [13953]

[holding answer 3 February 1997]: The reports of inquiries by the Prison Service into the deaths of prisoners are not published and there are no plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the reasons for the delays in publishing each of the reports of Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons which have been received by him but not yet published. [14223]

The reports of Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons to the Secretary of State of the inspection of prison establishments generally contain much detailed information and discussion and make a number of recommendations. Before the reports are published, Ministers receive the advice of the Director General of the Prison Service on them and the Prison Service's response to their recommendations, with an indication of the action which has been or is to be taken. Action does not wait until publication of the report, but Ministers are accountable for the Prison Service and it is essential that they should be satisfied about the Prison Service response to inspection reports before they are published.Some 25 reports have been received from Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons but have not yet been published. Fifteen of these reports have been considered by the Prison Service and by Ministers and are expected to be published during February and March. They are the reports of the inspections of the following establishments: Channings Wood, Dartmoor, Dover, Featherstone, Gloucester, Guys Marsh, Hatfield, Holloway, Lancaster Castle, Low Newton, Onley, Portland, Ranby, Risley and The Verne.The remaining 10 reports are under consideration and will be published as soon as possible. They are the reports of the inspections of the following establishments: Acklington, Albany, Belmarsh, Chelmsford, Eastwood Park, Everthorpe, Shepton Mallet, Usk/Prescoed, Whitemoor and Wormwood Scrubs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown of the spending by his Department on external advice in relation to the Scott inquiry, indicating how much has been spent on legal advice and from whom it was obtained. [14527]

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: No money has been sent by my Department on external advice in relation to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of salaries since 1992 paid to persons in his Department employed on a part-time or full-time basis in any capacity relating to the Scott inquiry. [14526]

[holding answer 6 February 1997]: No officials in my Department are, or have been, wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry. Some officials have been involved on an occasional basis as part of their normal duties, but the direct salary cost is unquantifiable.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the cumulative change in the Arts Council of England grant in aid for each year since 1993–94. [13209]

The Arts Council of England has received grant in aid to fund its operating costs and grant programmes as follows:

£ million
	Grant in aid	Cumulative change
1993–94	1189.15	nil
1994–95	185.99	-3.16
1995–96	191.13	+1.98
1996–97	186.13	-3.02
1997–98	186.10	-3.05
1 The Arts Council of England came into being in April 1994. The sum shown for 1993–94 is an estimate of that attributable to England from the grant in aid to the Arts Council of Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what consultations she has had with the Department of the Environment concerning the planning implications for playing fields and sports clubs arising from the recent judgment against Thames Ditton lawn tennis club; [12820](2) what discussions she has had with

I have looked very carefully indeed at the problems experienced by the Thames Ditton lawn tennis club. My Department has had lengthy discussions with both the Sports Council and with the Department of the Environment, about the recent judgments against an application for a renewal of its lease. I have also examined the possibility of listing the club, which has not proved to be justifiable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of people engaged in the jobseeker's allowance scheme in the constituency of Alyn and Deeside; and if he will make a statement. [14052]

The administration of the jobseeker's allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison and Leigh Lewis, the chief executives of the Benefits and Employment Service Agencies. Mr. Mathison will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency offices there are currently in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales. [14603]

This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage of the population currently dependent on income support. [14821]

The information is set out in the table.

Income support beneficiaries February 1996
	Number	Proportion of the population (GB)
Beneficiaries	9,809,000	17.2 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 29 January, Official Report, column 225, if he will make a statement on the policy towards Burma that the Government will advance at the EU-ASEAN summit in Singapore. [14598]

Together with our EU partners, we shall be explaining to ASEAN representatives our concerns at recent events in Burma. We also hope to discuss ways of encouraging democratic reform and respect for human rights in Burma, as urged in the UN General Assembly resolution on Burma, which was adopted by consensus on 12 December 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people are employed by his Department to provide advice on the application of equal opportunities; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available. [14480]

In this Department, the responsibility for the provision of advice on equal opportunities is shared between seven individuals.The total estimated cost to this Department, including the Overseas Development Administration, for the current financial year is £51,659.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call for a report concerning the arrest of Mr. Syed Zahoorul on 22 January in Srinagar by the border security force. [14818]

I have asked our high commission in New Delhi to look into the alleged arrest of Mr. Syed Zahoorul, and to report the findings. I will write to the hon. Member thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Prison Service has refused access to the notes, minutes and records of the Life Sentence Review Board's decision to defer consideration of parole for Mr. Mark Gibson, in Her Majesty's prison Maghaberry, to Mr. Gibson's solicitor. [14068]

It is the practice of the Northern Ireland Office, influenced by considerations of public interest and confidentiality, not to make disclosure of reports considered by the Life Sentence Review Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons prisoners serving life sentences in Northern Ireland do not have the right of access to dossiers concerning their life sentence review; and in what ways this differs from the situation in England and Wales. [14069]

Capital allocations to Lancashire LEA and VA schools in Lancashire
All figures in £000s
	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98
Annual capital guideline	11,129	7,948	8,105	8,166	5,225
Supplementary credit approvals	1,179	448	51	762	626
Allocations to VA schools	5,577	5,367	3,085	3,081	3,425
Total	17,885	13,763	11,241	12,009	9,276

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to which policy initiative she has devoted most funding in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement on progress with each initiative. [13929]

The effectiveness of initiatives in education and employment does not depend solely on the funding allocated to them, and many of the initiatives of

It is the practice of the Northern Ireland Office, influenced by considerations of public interest and confidentiality, not to give disclosure to life sentence prisoners of dossiers concerning their life sentence reviews. This practice is set in the context of circumstances in which the majority of life sentence prisoners have been convicted of very serious terrorist-related offences. Both the law and practice in England and Wales is different, where prisoners are normally entitled to disclosure of papers which are put to the Parole Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate how many people in Northern Ireland were registered sufferers of (a) Alzheimer's disease, (b) schizophrenia and (c) other psychotic diseases in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [14664]

Sufferers of mental illness are not required to be registered. Information on the total numbers of people suffering from different types of mental illness is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what (a) private finance initiative and (b) public funding went into the education system in Lancashire in each year since 1992. [13279]

PFI is new to the schools sector and to date no contracts involving Lancashire schools have been signed. A number of Lancashire schools are considering PFI options, and St. Wilfrid's Church of England high school, Blackburn is taking forward a PFI project to rebuild the school on a new site.The following table lists capital allocations to Lancashire since 1993–94. Equivalent information for 1992–93 is not available. Allocations for grant-maintained schools are a matter for the Funding Agency for Schools.the Departments and its predecessors have been aimed at making better use of existing resources. Among the important measures in the last five years have been:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she proposes to take to change Northumberland county council's proposed finance settlement in respect of local authority recoupment relating to children being educated outside their county of residence. [12848]

[holding answer 4 February 1997]: My right hon. friend has no plans to change Northumberland county council's finance settlement in respect of inter-authority recoupment relating to pupils educated outside their area of residence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funds she provides to improve facilities for disabled children in mainstream education; and if she will make a statement. [14336]

The Government are providing support totalling £12 million over the next three years under the schools access initiative for projects to make more mainstream schools accessible to pupils with disabilities. Some 800 mainstream schools have already benefited from schools access initiative projects in 1996–97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils with physical disabilities have been refused places in mainstream schools over the last year. [14338]

This information is not collected centrally. The annual report of the Special Educational needs tribunal for 1995–96 shows that, in that year, 26 appeals were registered concerning the placement of a child with physical handicap; of these, 12 were upheld. Local education authorities have a duty to secure education in a mainstream school for children with a statement of SEN, where this is what parents wish, provided the placement is appropriate for the child and is compatible with the education of other children and the efficient use of resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children with physical disabilities have been refused places in Roman Catholic schools in the Leicester area over the last year. [14337]

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are employed by her Department to provide advice on the application of equal opportunities; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available. [14465]

This Government are committed to equal opportunities and issued to all Departments model guidance on policy appraisal for equal treatment. This ensures that the impact on particular groups, such as women, is considered as part of the policy development and review process. Specific guidance, based on this model was issued within the Department last September.Consequently, in addition to the personnel related functions in respect of the Department's own employees, advice on the application of equal opportunities is an important strand in a wide number of the Department's activities and apart from two specialised units, for which details are given, it is not possible to disaggregate either the number or the cost of staff involved.The Department's sex and race equality division has responsibility for the sex discrimination legislation, promoting equality of opportunity in education, training and at work, particularly with regard to gender and race; and to further women's issues more generally. The division has 57.2 staff with a budget for 1996–97 of £1,905,661. This includes 21 employees in the race relations employment advisory service with a budget of £669,376.The team responsible for the successful implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act has 5.6 staff and a budget for 1996–97 of £181,910.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on what date she received the Further Education Funding Council's claim for additional grant in aid for demand-led element enrolments for colleges exceeding their growth targets. [14625]

Further to my reply of 3 February, Official Report, column 460, the Department received the latest claim on 4 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she last made a statement on the availability of demand-led funding for colleges exceeding their growth targets. [14624]

On behalf of my right hon. Friend, I wrote to the Further Education Funding Council for England and to all further education colleges in England about demand-led funding on 5 February. I am placing a copy of my letter in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much of the demand-led element of funding for further education has been used as core funding in the most recent financial year. [14698]

None. The £82 million additional grant in aid that the Department is making available in the current financial year to the Further Education Funding Council for England for it to pay colleges for demand-led funding is additional to the original provision for further education set out in the estimates for financial year 1996–97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much of the demand-led element of funding for further education was consolidated into college targets for 1993–94. [14699]

Within the Department's planned provision for financial year 1993–94, the Department made available to the Further Education Funding Council for England £152,500,000 for demand-led funding including in college's enrolment targets.Financial year 1993–94 was the first year of the sector's existence. During that year, £152,500,000 was paid to colleges for demand-led funding included in colleges' enrolment targets. This sum was found within the planned provision for further education and did not require additional resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the effect on financial control in further education of moving college accounting to a year end of 31 July while maintaining a year end of 31 March for her Department's transfers to the funding council; and if she will make a statement on how the demand-led element of funding is affected by using two different year end dates. [14700]

Further education colleges have used a 1 August to 31 July financial year since the creation of the further education sector, with the exception of its first financial year which ran from 1 April 1993 to 31 July 1994. The Further Education Funding Council for England takes account of the difference in the Government and college financial years in determining its spending plans and in making payments to colleges. Demand-led funding is paid to colleges in February, April and July each year. The timing of those payments is not affected by the year end dates and I have made it clear to all colleges that demand-led payments due to them for contractual commitments for the academic year 1996–97 entered into on or before 28 January 1997 will be made under existing arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the vote incorporating the demand-led element of further education funding is cash limited. [14701]

The vote incorporating the demand-led element of further education funding is not cash limited.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to promote moral values within the educational system. [14695]

My right hon. Friend expects to receive advice from the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority later this month on the recommendations of its national forum for values in education and the community.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will provide public funding to support (a) the Scout Association and (b) the Girl Guides; and if she will make a statement. [14997]

Both the Scout Association and the Girl Guides receive funding through the Department's scheme of grants for national voluntary youth organisations. The current scheme runs from 1996–99. For 1997–98, £3.05 million had been allocated for grants under the scheme including £125,000 for the Scout Association and £40,855 for the Girl Guides. All grants are for approved programmes of work designed to promote the personal and social education of young people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is (a) the average sum per pupil and (b) the average percentage of the general schools budget, allotted by each local education authority in the current financial year for (i) mandatory exceptions from delegation, (ii) discretionary exceptions outside the potential schools budget, (iii) discretionary exceptions within the potential schools budget and (iv) the aggregated schools budget; [10401](2) what is

[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1997, c. 75–84]: The following table corrects the figures previously given in the columns showing the amount per pupil allocated through discretionary exceptions within the potential schools budget, the percentage of the general schools budget allocated through mandatory exceptions and the percentage of the GSB allocated through the cost of statements.