To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times water cannons have been used by police forces in Britain since 1967; for what reasons they were used; on what dates they were used; in what places they were used; and if police forces are currently authorised to use water cannons. [17949]

Water cannons have never been used by police forces in England, Wales or Scotland. It is for chief police officers to decide what public order equipment to deploy and how to authorise its deployment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances an individual's sexual orientation is recorded on the police national computer. [18222]

An individual's sexual orientation should not be recorded on the police national computer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from (a) Barnardos and (b) the Scouts Association about the proposed charges for criminal records checks on charities; and if he will make a statement. [17968]

We have received many representations on this matter from a range of voluntary groups, including Barnardos and the Scouts Association. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary announced to the House on Second Reading of the Police Bill [Lords] that we shall seek

"to amend the Bill … to introduce an order making power to enable free checks to be provided for specific groups, such as volunteers, if and when the money became available to cover the costs of doing so."—Official Report,12 February 1997; Vol. 290, column 359.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he is taking to track convicted child sex abusers who, on release from prison on licence, have immediately disappeared; [18355](2) what steps he is taking to track convicted child sex abusers who change their names. [18343]

The Sex Offenders Bill places an obligation on those convicted or cautioned for paedophile and other serious sex offences to notify changes of name and address to the police. Failure to do so, in the circumstances laid down by the Bill, will be a criminal offence.The police have devoted substantial efforts to managing the risks posed by paedophiles, in co-operation with other agencies, and have developed strategies to monitor the movements of paedophiles who try to escape from view. If a prisoner released on licence fails to keep contact with his probation officer in accordance with the terms of his licence, he may, depending on the circumstances, be recalled to prison.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proposals he has to publish a Green Paper on the youth justice system; and if he will make a statement. [13199]

[pursuant to his answer, 30 January 1997, columns 313–14]: The Government will be publishing a Green Paper tomorrow, setting out proposals for preventing children offending.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in which years since 1979 Government assistance was given to capital or revenue expenditure of (i) publicly owned and (ii) private water companies for (a) new reservoirs and (b) prevention of leaks in mains supplies; and in each case what was the nature of the assistance. [17740]

In 1983–84 the Government made a specific grant, repayable within five years, to Northumbrian Water towards the financing costs of major investment including the Kielder reservoir. No other financial assistance from Government since 1979 has been specifically for the provision of new reservoirs or the prevention of leaks in mains supplies, which have been matters for the former water authorities and the water companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what report he has received from the Environment Agency in respect of Nirex's assessment of the likely destruction of geological information from the construction of a rock characterisation facility at Sellafield. [17729]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has for public consultation on (a) the groundwater pressure data and (b) Nirex's revised interpretation of the base line hydrogeology before he makes a decision on the proposed rock characterisation facility at Sellafield; [17734](2) what plans he has for consulting interested parties regarding the impact on base line hydrogeology of the proposed rock characterisation facility, at Sellafield. [17735]

I am considering the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information Nirex has provided to him in respect of independent peer review of the base line groundwater pressure dataset relating to the proposed rock characterisation facility at Sellafield; [17736](2) what assessment he has made of the relevance of the hydrogeological base line dataset to the safety case of a nuclear repository at Sellafield. [17733]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 23 January, Official Report,column 678.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee has given to his Department regarding consultation with interested parties over the base line hydrogeological effects of the proposed rock characterisation facility at Sellafield. [17737]

None. However, in the response that the committee published in February 1993 to UK Nirex Limited's "Consultative Document on a Rock Characterisation Facility", RWMAC said that it would be important to ensure that the base hydrogeological regime in the region of the potential repository site and the extent of monitoring was agreed by independent peer review or other means with as many interested parties as possible and that a period of 18 months to two years of monitoring prior to the commencement of shaft sinking would be regarded as normal practice.In September 1995, the committee published a report, "Review of aspects of the scientific mission and role of the Nirex Rock Characterisation Facility at Sellafield", made in response to requests by UK Nirex Limited and Cumbria county council. In this, the committee said that its recommendations over timing remained, but were now likely to be met

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements were made for peer review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution of the Nirex proposal to begin construction work at the proposed nuclear waste repository site during the public inquiry into the proposed RCF at Sellafield. [17981]

I am not aware of any such proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what cost recovery arrangements have existed between HMIP and Nirex since the public inquiry into the proposed rock characterisation facility at Sellafield. [17980]

None. HMIP's previous agreement with UK Nirex Limited ended in September 1994, following notice of termination given by the company. The Environment Agency is currently consulting publicly on the terms of a new agreement that it is minded to enter into with Nirex.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has conducted into the re-suspension of Caesium-137 into the environment via biological pathways following nuclear accidents (a) within and (b) outside the United Kingdom. [18108]

A study of re-suspension of radioactive caesium at a number of sites within the United Kingdom and western Europe was undertaken for my Department following the Chernobyl accident. The report of this work, entitled "Environmental Radioactivity from Chernobyl", has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes have been made to his Department's commitments to action in 1997 in respect of biodiversity plans set out in section 6 of "This Common Inheritance" 1997, in his most recent departmental Minis report. [17725]

My Department is totally committed to achieving the UK biodiversity plan's actions for 1997 and beyond as set out in section 6 of the commitments table of "This Common Inheritance" 1997. The latest departmental Minis report will fully reflect this commitment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of (a) council and (b) housing association homes that will be required for the Greater London area in each of the years to 2000. [17982]

There are no official projections of council homes or housing association homes required for the Greater London area in future years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the number of new social homes required in each borough in Lancashire in each of the years to 2000. [18436]

There are no official projections of social homes required in each borough in Lancashire for future years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the name of the national heritage adviser to the Countryside Commission; and what is his professional background. [18010]

The National Heritage adviser to the Countryside Commission is Mr. Paul Walshe. His professional background is that of a landscape architect and an architect. He also has a postgraduate degree in environmental conservation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which consultants were employed by the Countryside Commission to advise it on the crossing of the River Avon by the proposed Salisbury bypass; what were the terms of reference given to the consultants; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the consultants' report. [18012]

The consultants were Novell Tullett of Bristol, assisted by Christopher Taylor, who is a landscape historian and former head of the archaeological survey for the Royal Commission on historic monuments of England.The terms of reference given to the consultants were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on aid and trade provision. [18277]

Given the success of British companies in winning business with ATP support, the ATP budget in Asia is under severe pressure. This is why companies were advised of a hold on new offers of ATP support in Asia last November.I have now finalised the future allocation of aid resources following the Budget. The allocations for ATP in the next two years have been increased by 45 per cent. and 37 per cent. respectively, to £77.7 million in 1997–98 and £70.7 million in 1998–99. The 1999–2000 allocation is £49 million.In Asia, these enhanced levels will allow ODA to meet contractual commitments; to support those projects on which offers of assistance have been made; and to proceed, subject to satisfactory appraisal, with identified projects for which appraisals are nearly complete or are close to approval. Further ahead, we shall fulfil our obligations under the concessionary finance arrangements signed with overseas Governments as aid programme resources allow. In practice, with the exception of the small number of projects mentioned above where appraisal is well advanced, no further offers of ATP in Asia are likely to be made for some time. However, ATP remains a significant element in the ODA aid effort, and the position will be reviewed again during this year's public expenditure round.In Africa where demands are fewer, business can continue as usual within the resources allocated.Companies seeking further information on ATP in either Asia or Africa should consult the ODA or Department of Trade and Industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which five companies were allocated the largest sums from the United Kingdom aid and trade budget between 1978 and 1994; how much cash was allocated during this period; and what percentage of the budget for this period their allocation represented. [18019]

I refer the hon. member to the reply given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right honourable Friend the hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley) to the hon. Member for York (Mr. Bayley) on 15 January 1996, Official Report,column 357.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of the Ivory Coast regarding measures taken against the Student Federation, Fédération Estudiantine et Scolaire de Côte d' Ivoire. [17849]

The British embassy in Abidjan recently met senior Ivorian Government officials to discuss the legal status of FESCI and the measures taken against that organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had in respect of the human rights situation in the Ivory Coast. [17850]

My ministerial colleagues and I receive occasional representations from groups concerned with human rights in Cote d'lvoire. The British embassy in Abidjan closely monitors human rights and recently met senior Ivorian Government officials to discuss the issue. Foreign Office officials have also met visiting Ivorian parliamentary opposition leaders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much direct funding Bron Dyffryn special school has been in receipt of from Her Majesty's Government during each of the last three years. [18288]

None that I am aware of. Bron Dyffryn is a local education authority maintained special school funded by Denbighshire county council in accordance with the resource allocation formula contained in its local management of schools scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what performance targets he has set for the Planning Inspectorate Agency's work in Wales for the financial year 1997–98. [18600]

The key objectives for the agency in 1997–98 continue to be to preserve the impartiality and quality of the inspectorate's work while seeing further to improve its efficiency. I have set the following key targets for the agency's work in Wales:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the average number of hours per week advertised for jobs in each jobcentre in England in the latest week for which figures are available; [17715](2) what was the average number of jobs advertised in each jobcentre in England in each week from November 1996 to the latest week available; [17724](3) what percentage of jobs advertised in each jobcentre in England were for part-time work; and what percentage of jobs advertised in each job centre in England were for jobs specifying 40 hours or more in the latest week for which figures are available; [17716](4) what percentage of jobs advertised in each jobcentre in England were for permanent employment at the latest date for which figures are available; [17717]

Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received regarding numbers of students in higher education. [17727]

My right hon. Friend regularly receives representations from a range of bodies and institutions on a number of higher education issues, including student numbers. Nearly one in three young people in Britain now enters full-time higher education, compared with one in eight in 1979. Our spending plans assume that this record participation rate will continue. Longer-term plans for student numbers will be decided in the light of recommendations from the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if, in the case of people refused incapacity benefit, her Department takes into account the information contained in the incapacity benefit application form regarding illness and incapacity, when applying the availability for work criteria to a claim for jobseeker's allowance. [17880]

A decision on incapacity benefit that a person is capable of work also applies to jobseeker's allowance. While a person may be capable of work, we recognise that some people's mental or physical condition may restrict the type of work for which they are available. That is why under JSA a person with a mental or physical condition may restrict their availability for work in any way, provided that those restrictions are reasonable in the light of their condition.In determining what is reasonable the Employment Service may, in cases of doubt, require more information about a condition which restricts availability. The IB disallowance notice sets out the level at which a person has been assessed and the functional areas in which limitations were identified; the ES may request this information from the jobseeker and this is normally sufficient. In the few cases where additional information is required an independent adjudication officer may approach the Benefits Agency Medical Service for further information about the condition. ES staff do not, however, have access to IB application forms when assessing a person's availability for work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if fluctuating disability is taken into account under the jobseeker's allowance scheme when considering a person's availability for work. [17882]

Under the provisions of the jobseeker's allowance a person with a mental or physical condition may restrict their availability for work in any way, provided that those restrictions are reasonably in the light of their condition. In determining what is reasonable the employment adviser will consider all the relevant aspects of a person's condition, including whether it is a fluctuating disability.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the contracts awarded by his Department to (a) EDS, (b) Andersens, (c) BMI, (d) Capita and (e) Sema since 1992 and the broad function to be carried out by the contractor and the value of the contract in each case. [17603]

The Crown Prosecution Service has entered into the following contracts since 1 April 1993.¹

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the extent to which public authorities, with special reference to schools and hospitals, have disproportionately favoured non-VAT registered traders when issuing contracts. [18154]

The information requested is not available as no assessments have been carried out of the extent to which public authorities contract with VAT registered and non-VAT registered traders.The Audit Commission tells me that local education authorities—schools—can recover VAT on their non-business activities under section 33 of the Value Added Taxes Act 1994, so have little incentive to favour non-VAT registered traders.For the NHS—hospitals—as for similar bodies such as banks which cannot recover their input VAT, there is an incentive to favour non-VAT registered businesses. The Audit Commission has no knowledge of this happening on a wide scale and the registration limit of £47,000 for VAT means that non-VAT registered traders may be involved only in very small scale contracts.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount raised from anti-dumping duties imposed by the EU on photocopiers in 1995. [17749]

[holding answer 28 February 1997]: Anti-dumping duty on photocopiers amounting to £906,522 was collected by HM Customs and Excise in the UK in 1995. Information on the amount collected across the EU is being collated and will be placed in the Library of the House when available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many anti-dumping duties have been imposed by the European Union (a) from 1980 to 1985, (b) from 1985 to 1990 and (c) since 1990. [17750]

[holding answer 28 February 1997]: Definitive EU anti-dumping duties were applied to the following number of products in the periods in question:

• 1980 to 1984: 40
• 1985 to 1985: 49
• 1990 to date: 99.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the anti-dumping duties imposed for the periods (i) 1984 to 1990 and (ii) 1990 to 1996 in (a) the European Union, (b) the USA, (c) Australia and (d) Mexico. [17751]

[holding answer 28 February 1997]: The table lists the definitive anti-dumping duties imposed in the European Union by year from 1984; 55 such duties were imposed between 1984 and 1989, and 98 between 1990 and 1996. Details of each duty were published in the Official Journal of the European Communities,for which references are given. This is available in the Library of the House. The annex does not list anti-dumping cases which were terminated or for which undertakings were obtained.Information on anti-dumping duties imposed by the US is available on the world wide web, reference http://www.ita.doc.gov\import_admin\records. Complete details could be reproduced in the form requested only at disproportionate cost. Information on anti-dumping duties imposed by Australia and Mexico is being collated and will be placed in the Library of the House when available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated year for decommissioning for each of the nuclear power stations in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [17963]

Decommissioning of a nuclear power station is a matter for the operator, taking into account the requirements of the regulatory authorities. This includes details of timing.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of British arms sales to overseas countries during 1996; and if he will make a statement. [17966]

Information on UK trade in defence equipment is not yet available for 1996. Information for pervious years is published in "UK Defence Statistics" which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the total amount of Government research grants allocated in each of the past five years to each university in (i) pharmacology, (ii) bio-physics, (iii) food hygiene and (iv) information technology. [17287]

[holding answer 26 February 1997]: Information on Government spending is not held centrally, but the available information on grant funding awarded to universities by the research councils is given in tables, which I have placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the minimum age requirements enforced by his Department. [15921]

The Department sets out the following age requirements in primary legislation:Under the Explosives Act 1875, sections 31 and 39, it is an offence to sell gunpowder and other explosives, including fireworks to any person apparently under the age of 16.Under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, section 50, it is an offence to send, with a view to financial gain, any document inviting a minor—a person under the age of 18—to borrow money, obtain goods on credit or hire, obtain services on credit or apply for information or advice on borrowing money for otherwise obtaining credit for hiring goods.Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, section 211, for the purposes of a redundancy payment, no period of employment counts until the employee has attained the age of 18.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 14 February, Official Report,column 329, how many inquiries have been received on the Government's telephone information services on (a) its regulatory policy and (b) its privatisation programme advertised in the document "Privatisation: Setting Enterprise Free." [17480]

The telephone numbers given in the publication "Privatisation: Setting Enterprise Free" are those of senior Treasury officials with a range of responsibilities which include providing information about the UK's regulatory policy and the UK's experience and expertise in the process of privatisation, particularly in response to inquiries from overseas. These contact points have been advertised for several years. No record has been kept of the number of specific inquiries each of the officials has received over the period.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 14 February, Official Report,column 329,if he will indicate the categories of (a) individuals and (b) organisations to whom copies of his privatisation document were sent. [17479]

Copies of the booklet, "Privatisation: Setting Enterprise Free", were sent to Members of Parliament, to delegates to the privatisation conference of 5 December, to the commercial sections of London diplomatic posts which were not represented at the conference, and to the commercial sections of UK diplomatic posts overseas.Copies have also been sent to others upon request.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 14 February, Official Report,column 329,what is the cost of operating the inquiry services on (a) UK regulatory policy and (b) the Government's privatisation policy advertised in "Privatisation: Setting Enterprise Free"; and how many staff are employed, at what cost in salaries, in each case. [17481]

Explaining regulatory policy forms a small part of the Treasury's work on utility regulation. Up to five people at various levels are involved in this work as necessary—the team also covers energy, competition and deregulation interests. The explanatory work incurs salary costs of no more than £10,000 per annum.As set out in the Government's second competitiveness White Paper, the Treasury promotes the export of UK expertise in privatisation through a dedicated unit. It devotes some 2.25 person years to this work at a salary cost of some £65,000 per annum.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the work of the women in science, engineering and technology unit; and if he will make a statement on the future of the unit. [18357]

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I have considered the report on the first two year's work of the development unit on women in science, engineering and technology, and it is clear that considerable progress has been made on the recommendations in the "Rising Tide" report. Nevertheless, further work is required and we have decided that the unit should continue for a further period. A detailed announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the growth in short-term appointments within the publicly funded science, engineering and technology base; and what actions he is taking to reduce the number of such appointments. [18358]

In principle, fixed-term contracts bring benefits to research and to researchers in terms of increased flexibility and opportunities. In recent years, there has been particularly strong growth in universities in research and in the number of research posts, most on a fixed-term basis. Tensions can arise where contract staff are, for whatever reasons, not as well managed as they might be.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the extent to which the United Kingdom has realised the proposals set down in the Cecchini report. [18119]

[holding answer 28 February 1997]: The Cecchini report of the 1988 considered the considerable potential benefits which might flow from the European single market. The European Commission completed last autumn a major review of the impact and effectiveness of the single market, which presented an assessment of its operation and the benefits which have accrued from it. The review concluded¹ that employment opportunities, income per head, productivity, and competitiveness have all increased because there has been a single market, but that there was more which could still be done to complete it and to improve its working. The Commission is now preparing an action plan and timetable to take this forward. The Government have supported the objectives of the single market, welcomed the review, and support further steps to maximise its benefits.

¹The results of the review are summarised in Commission communication COM(96) 520 of 30 October 1996.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the United Kingdom patents which have been (a) granted and (b) applied for since 1 July 1995 in respect of (i) genetically engineered animals and (ii) the processes for creating such animals. [17828]

[holding answer 27 February 1997]: There have been a total of three patent applications filed under the Patents Act 1977 and published since 1 July 1995 relating to genetically engineered animals and processes for preparing them. GB 2295395 relates to an animal model for Alzheimer's disease, GB 2291646 relates to transgenic fish and GB 2288807 relates to transgenic animals expressing an insecticidal protein. One application—GB 2265909—which was made before 1 July 1995, and which relates to a process for producing transgenic animals, has since been granted.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many scientists were employed by (a) the Agriculture and Food Research Council and (b) the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council in each year from 1979 to the present. [17655]

[holding answer 27 February 1997]: Science budget money freed up by institute restructuring will have been recycled for research purposes, either in institutes or universities where there has been significant growth in the number of researchers.The figures—staff in post—are shown in the table.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many scientists were employed at the Institute of Food Research in each year from 1986 to the latest available date. [17657]

[holding answer 27 February 1997]: Science budget money freed up by institute restructuring will have been recycled for research purposes, either in institutes or universities where there has been significant growth in the number of researchers.The figures—staff in post—are shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress being made at the conference on disarmament to start negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty. [18220]

A work programme for the 1997 session of the conference on disarmament is under discussion in Geneva. We are pressing for negotiations to begin on a fissile material cut-off treaty as a priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 November 1996, Official Report,column 321,if he will make a statement on progress in preparing draft legislation in respect of a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. [18256]

Preparatory work on legislation needed for the United Kingdom to ratify the comprehensive test ban treaty continues. We hope to include it in the next parliamentary session.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the level of the Hong Kong gold and foreign currency reserves on the date of signing the China-UK agreement on the future of Hong Kong. [18082]

The Sino-British joint declaration was signed on 19 December 1984. At the end of December 1984, the value of gold reserves held by the Hong Kong Government was HK$439 million or approximately £49 million at the then exchange rate of £1=HK$9.0344. The value of foreign currency reserves, excluding gold reserves, was HK$50,151 million or £15,550 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of gold and foreign currency reserves held by the Hong Kong authorities. [18110]

At the end of January 1997, the value of gold reserves held by the Hong Kong Government was HK$182 million or approximately £15 million at the then exchange rate of £1=HK$12.4216. The value of foreign currency reserves, excluding the gold reserves, was HK$510,200 million or £41,070 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he arrived and departed from Hong Kong during his recent visit; what official meetings he had; and with whom. [18353]

I arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday 15 February and departed on Monday 17 February. I held meetings with the Governor of Hong Kong and senior Hong Kong Government officials including the Chief Secretary Mrs. Anson Chan; with the chief executive designate of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Mr. C. H. Tung; with members of staff at the British Trade Commission and of the office of the British senior representative, Sino-British joint liaison group; and with members of the Executive and Legislative Councils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representative offices, where some staff have diplomatic immunity, the EU has around the world; what are their running costs; how many staff they employ; and what proposals he has to bring about reductions in the cost of the offices and the number of staff. [18092]

The European Commission has 128 representative offices overseas, employing about 2,400 personnel of which some 600 are Brussels-based Commission officials. The granting of diplomatic privileges and immunities for the staff of the representative office is a matter of local custom. For 1996, the budget for the representative offices was £152 million, inclusive of salaries and running costs.We take every opportunity to press for the terms of service of Commission officials to take full account of the tight budgetary constraints which affect all EU member Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the EU will be spending (a) in the current year and (b) in each of the next five years, on publicity and information offices; and what plans he has to bring about reductions in these amounts. [18093]

There is an overall budget of 110,800,000 ecu for all EU information and communication activities in 1997. The budget is set annually and so spending for the next five years has not yet been fixed. The Council agreed to cuts in this budget for 1997, but spending was restored by the European Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards the encouragement of trade with Iran. [17883]

There are restrictions on the sale of military, dual-use and other such goods to Iran as announced by the then Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd), on 1 March 1993, Official Report,column 8.Otherwise, we engage in normal trade.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the European Commission's proposal to withdraw preferences for Burma under the generalised system of preferences. [18231]

Our priority on Burma is to promote economic and political reform. We are considering the Commission's proposal on GSP against this background. The Council of Ministers has not yet been asked to take a decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response the Government are making to the European Court of Human Rights judgment on the Findlay court-martial case; and if he will make a statement. [18699]

The Government fully support the court-martial system as the appropriate and necessary framework within which to deal with military discipline.We have recently made a number of changes to reform aspects of the court-martial system as part of the Armed Forces Act 1996. As I said when announcing our preliminary proposals in the Armed Forces Bill to the House on 7 December 1995—

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to the procedures and regulations governing Royal Air Force accident investigation and the role of senior officers in relation to board of inquiry findings since June 1994. [17989]

The following changes have taken place since June 1994:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to public funds of the West Indian guardship for the year 1996. [17961]

The cost of the West Indies guardship for the year 1996 was £7.22 million. Her associated Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker was provided at a cost of £2.38 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian affairs units are established in the field Army; how many personnel are assigned to these units; and what are his plans to expand or establish additional units for this role. [17986]

A civil affairs group is currently being established. This will comprise of four Regular and 50 Territorial Army specialists. There are currently no plans to establish additional units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects approval to be given for parachute dropping of Scimitar CVR(T) vehicles from RAF Hercules aircraft; and if he will list the locations where parachute dropping of Scimitars will be permitted. [17988]

There has been no capability for the parachute dropping of Scimitar CVR(T)s since the mid-70s. However, approval for the dropping of Scimitars from RAF Hercules aircraft has been granted for the purposes of trials of a re-engineered parachute delivery system for heavy equipment. The trial drop zone locations are all within the Larkhill/Salisbury plain military training area. The trials are due to conclude later this year. Subject to a satisfactory outcome, the equipment will be dropped on routine airborne exercises at locations judged technically and operationally suitable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current weather minima for visual air-to-air training by Royal Air Force Tornado F3 aircraft at less than 5,000 feet above ground level, in terms of (a) discernibility of the horizon, (b) in-flight visibility, (c) cloud ceiling and (d) vertical and horizontal separation from cloud; and if he will list changes made to these criteria in the last five years. [17992]

The current weather minima for visual air-to-air training by Royal Air Force Tornado F3 aircraft at less than 5,000 ft above ground level are that (a) there are clear visual meteorological conditions enabling pilots to orientate themselves; (b) there is a minimum in-flight visibility of 5,000 overland and 8,000 over sea; (c) any cloud base is no lower than 1,500 ft; and (d) the pilot is able to maintain 1,500 m horizontal and 1,000 ft vertical separation from cloud. There have been no changes to these criteria in the past five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the (a) political and (b) strategic advantages of the extension of NATO to include the states of Eastern Europe. [17977]

The study on NATO enlargement, published by the Alliance in September 1995, concluded that political and strategic benefits would result from extending membership of NATO to European states. We continue to support that conclusion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many media units are established in the field Army; how many personnel are assigned to these units; and what are his plans to expand or establish additional units for this role. [17985]

Although there are no units established for this specific purpose, 87 military and civilian staff are currently providing support to media operations within the Army. This number may increase to reflect the current level of operational commitments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the minimum vertical and horizontal separation distances between intercepting aircraft and their targets when conducting visual practice interceptions of (a) other fast jet aircraft, (b) military transport aircraft, (c) civil transport aircraft and (d) helicopters. [17991]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by the Ministry of Defence since 1984 on school armouries and firing ranges on school grounds; and if he will list the cost and name of each school involved. [17884]

I regret that the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what official meetings he held during his recent visit to Hong Kong; and when he (a) arrived and (b) departed. [18352]

During my visit to Hong Kong I met the Governor, the Commander British Forces and a wide range of personnel from the garrison. I arrived at 08.50 on 26 February, and departed at 19.30 the same day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the minimum age requirements enforced by his Department. [15923]

For service personnel, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 30 January, Official Report,columns 348–49.The minimum age of recruitment for civilians is the school leaving age of 16.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his Department's latest assessment of the capability of Russia to destroy safely its stockpile of chemical weapons; [18280](2) what is his Department's latest assessment of the capability of the United States of America to destroy safely its stockpile of chemical weapons. [18279]

The Russian Federation signed the chemical weapons convention in the full knowledge of the destruction timetable it would be obliged to meet under the terms of the convention. However, Russia has yet to ratify the convention and, until it does so, it is not bound by these provisions. Although Russian fulfilment of these obligations is feasible, some technical difficulties are still to be overcome. The Russians also claim that they would not be able to do so due to financial and environmental problems, and continue to press for outside financial assistance. The UK believes it is for the Russian Government to resolve these difficulties. Early ratification of the CWC and full implementation of its provisions, may, however, help to secure financial assistance from the outside.Although the United States has not yet ratified the chemical weapons convention, it is obliged by national legislation to destroy its stockpile of chemical weapons by 2004. This date is earlier than will be required if the US ratifies the CWC before entry into force. We have no reason to believe that the United States does not have the capability or political will to meet this goal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the original estimated cost of the battlefield artillery target engagement system when the project was originally undertaken; and what was the total outturn cost of the BATES 1 facility; [18224](2) what was the original estimated cost of the BATES 2 project; what has been the total expenditure on it to date; and what is the latest total estimated outcome cost of the BATES 2 facility. [18225]

The release of cost figures for BATES phase 1 would prejudice continuing negotiations with the contractor and I am therefore withholding them under exemption 7 of the "practice on access to Government information". BATES phase 2 is expected to cost about £80 million, slightly less than the original estimated cost. Less than £1 million remains to be spent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the accounting treatments being adopted by each EU member state in their 1996 and 1997 national accounts which differ from United Kingdom practice; and what assessment he has made of the expected effect of each difference. [15333]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department estimates it cost to establish each executive agency set up by his Department since the start of April 1992. [16976]

The costs involved in the setting up of the executive agencies of the Chancellor's Departments have been included in the published running costs for the years in which the agencies were established.