To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what factors underlay the decision not to recreate the historic county of Glamorgan as a unitary authority. [18505]

The fundamental principles underpinning local government reorganisation were that: local authorities should be democratically accountable to their electorate; the roles of local authorities, and their responsibilities for service delivery, should be clearly understood by local people; local authority boundaries should, as far as possible, reflect and strengthen existing community loyalties; and local public services should be of high quality, and be efficient, economical and effective.Wherever practicable, Ministers attempted to recreate the pre-1974 counties, but a unitary authority based on the historic administrative boundaries of Glamorgan would have resulted in a unitary authority of some 1.3 million electors—far too large to accord satisfactorily with all the principles set out.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report, columns 118–19, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Lord Mayor of London's letter to him and his response on London Transport's investment programme. [15911]

I have placed in the Library copies of the correspondence referred to.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the receipts that will accrue to the Treasury as a result of the sale of London Underground. [18625]

Proceeds will depend on the structural option selected for the sale and the level of demand from bidders.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with which airlines and travel companies he has recently had discussions about the enforcement of CITES regulations; and what has been the response in each case. [17837]

[holding answer 27 February 1997]: I have written to a number of airlines and travel companies, as I explained on 13 February in my answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway), Official Report, column 448, seeking their participation in an initiative aimed at producing a video for in-flight display aimed at enhancing the CITES profile and environmentally responsible tourism.The airlines I contacted were Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Air Canada, Air France, Air India, Air UK Ltd., Alitilia Airlines, American Airlines, Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, British Midland Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., Continental Airlines, Cyprus Airways, Egyptair, El Al Airlines, Finnair, Ghana Airways, Iberia Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Olympic Airways, Pakistan International Airlines, Qantas Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Sabena Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Swissair, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.Airtours, Leisure International Airways, Iberia, Kenya Airways, and Singapore Airlines have already agreed to show the video as part of their in-flight entertainment. British Airways has asked for a meeting to discuss the technical detail. Lufthansa and United Airways have referred the matter to their head offices. Air France, Air UK, and KLM all indicated that they have no in-flight entertainment on their UK services. Other airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, have yet to respond but replies have been solicited through follow-up letters.The following tour operators and travel agents were contacted: Airtours plc, Althams Travel Services Ltd., American Express Europe Ltd., Avro plc, Bakers Dolphin, Britannic Travel Ltd., British Airways Holidays Ltd., British Airways Travel Shops Ltd., Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Co-operative Wholesale Society Ltd., Cosmosair plc, Cresta Holidays Ltd., Crystal Holidays Ltd., Dawson and Sanderson Ltd., First Choice Holidays and Flights Ltd., Going Places Leisure Travel Ltd., Gold Medal Travel Group plc, Hogg Robinson (Travel) Ltd., Hotel Plan Ltd., Inspirations East Ltd., Kuoni Travel Ltd., Lunn Poly Ltd., Midlands Co-operative Society Ltd., MTG (UK) Ltd. (AT Mays and The Travel Agents), Portman Travel Ltd., STA Travel Ltd., Sunset Holidays plc, Sunworld Ltd., Thomas Cook Group Ltd., Thomson Tour Operations Ltd., Trailfinders Ltd., The Travel Company Ltd., Travel 2 Ltd., Unijet Travel Ltd., United Norwest Co-operatives Ltd., Virgin Holidays Ltd. and Woodcock Travel Ltd.Airtours plc, Co-operative Wholesale Society Ltd., Hogg Robinson, Midlands Co-operative Society Ltd. (Co-op Travel), Trailfinders Ltd., Unijet Travel Ltd., United Norwest Co-operatives Ltd. (Co-op Travel) are lending support by agreeing to distribute associated literature. Bakers Dolphin explained that it covers the issue in its existing leaflets.Britannic Travel Ltd., Carlson Wagonlit Travel, AT Mays and The Travel Agents, and Virgin Holidays Ltd. replied that for a variety of practical reasons they were unable to participate. As with the airlines, other correspondents have yet to reply but we are optimistic of receiving further positive responses in the near future.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the revenue received from air passenger duty at (a) the lower rate and (b) the higher rate on traffic in and out of the Scottish isles in 1995–96. [17944]

[holding answer 28 February 1997]: Customs' estimate of revenue received from air passenger duty on flights in and out of the Scottish isles in the financial year 1995–96 is (a) for the lower rate of £5, about £3 million and (b) for the higher rate of £10, less than £1 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the revenue received from air passenger duty on domestic United Kingdom flights in and out of the Scottish isles in 1995–96. [17945]

[holding answer 28 February 1997]: Customs' estimate of revenue received from air passenger duty on domestic United Kingdom flights in and out of the Scottish isles in the financial year 1995–96 is about £2 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the revenue received from air passenger duty at (a) the lower rate and (b) the higher rate of traffic in and out of Northern Ireland in 1995–96. [17946]

[holding answer 28 February 1997]: Customs' estimate of revenue received from air passenger duty on flights in and out of Northern Ireland in the financial year 1995–96 is (a) for the lower rate of £5, about £13 million and (b) for the higher rate of £10, less than £1 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the revenue received from air passenger duty on domestic United Kingdom flights in and out of Northern Ireland in 1995–96. [17947]

[holding answer 28 February 1997]: Customs' estimate of revenue received from air passenger duty on domestic United Kingdom flights in and out of Northern Ireland in the financial year 1995–96 is about £12 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's latest estimate of the number of illegal firearms entering the United Kingdom (a) via the channel tunnel and (b) via other points of access in each of the last five years. [18129]

[holding answer 3 March 1997]: Customs does not hold central statistics of the number of illegal firearms entering the UK broken down in this way. The following table sets out the number of firearms seized by customs since 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the contracts awarded by his Department to (a) EDS, (b) Andersen, (c) BMI, (d) Sema and (e) Capita since 1992 and the broad function to be carried out by the contractor and the value of the contract in each case. [17610]

The contracts let by my Department since 1992 are as follows:

Contractor	Date	Function
(a) EDS	1992	Consultancy for harmonisation of equipment standards—Police Information Technology Organisation.
	1992	Consultancy for software development—Police Information Technology Organisation.
	1992	Consultancy on Neural Network Learning—Police Information Technology Organisation.
		Total: £73,000
(b) Andersen	No contracts have been awarded to this company in the period specified.
(c) BMI	No contracts have been awarded to this company in the period specified.
(d) Sema	1994	Call-off contract for the provision of computer and software services— Home Office and Agencies.
		Total: £26,000,000
(e) Capita	1993	Consultancy support to the in-house bid of Statistics Division—main Home Office.
	1994	Consultancy support for the in-house bid for market test of prisons—Prison Service.
	1995	Support for F8 Division review— main Home Office.
	1995	Provision of a temporary project director for the Procurement Management Information System (PROMIS)—Home Office.
	1995	Post implementation review—Home Office.
	1995	Standards Consultancy—Home Office.
	1996	Helpdesk performance review—Home Office.
	1996	Quantum Project Recruitment—Prison Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions have been brought against licensees for selling alcohol to people under the age of 18 years since 1988; [18150](2) how many licensees have been successfully prosecuted for selling alcohol to people under the age of 18 years since 1988; [18151](3) how many off-licence proprietors have been successfully prosecuted for selling alcohol to people under the age of 18 years since 1988; [18153](4) how many prosecutions have been brought against off-licence proprietors for selling alcohol to people under the age of 18 years since 1988. [18152]

Information collected centrally under section 169(1) of the Licensing Act 1964—selling intoxicating liquor to persons under 18—does not separately identify the type of licensee involved.The table shows the number of prosecutions and convictions in England and Wales from 1988 to 1995 for this offence.

Persons prosecuted and convicted for offences under section 169 (1) of the Licensing Act 1964—selling intoxicating liquor to persons under 18, 1988–1995
England and Wales
	Prosecutions	Convictions
1988	673	357
1989	747	388
1990	574	273
1991	309	155
1992	195	87
1993	156	70
1994	137	83
1995	198	108

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that the proposed voluntary national identity card will eventually become compulsory for United Kingdom subjects. [18246]

The Government's policy is for the national identity card to be voluntary. It may in practice be held very widely, but there are no plans for it to become compulsory.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that the proposed national identity card will be electronically linked to the police national computer database. [18219]

Decisions have not yet been taken on the practical arrangements for storing identity card data, but there are no plans for an electronic link between the national identity card and the database of the police national computer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to inquire into the assistance given by public agencies to Ms Sharon Saunders of Bolton in her efforts to break the drug addiction of her late son; if he will order a public inquiry into the case; and if he will make a statement. [18143]

As I am sure the hon. Member is aware, an inquest is to be held into the death of Philip Saunders. We will consider any issues that arise from the inquest in respect of services for which the Home Office is responsible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times during 1996 CS gas was used by police in the Metropolitan police area. [17962]

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that during 1996 the Metropolitan police has used CS incapacitant spray on 120 occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to designate Croydon as a permitted area for casino operation. [17975]

The Home Office issued consultation papers in February and November 1996 proposing 21 new permitted areas for casinos, including Croydon. We are currently considering the responses to the November proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of local authorities in relation to victim support initiatives. [18258]

I am not aware that local authorities have any formal responsibilities in relation to victim support initiatives. However, I understand that many local authorities do provide financial support to their local victim support schemes, and that the total amount of such support provided in 1995–96 was in the order of £1.4 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was his Department's financial contribution to the National Association of Victim Support Schemes in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [18259]

The information requested is as follows:

Financial year	Home Office grant (£ million)
1992–93	7.260
1993–94	8.375
1994–95	10.016
1995–96	10.817
1996–97	11.682

This generous funding has enabled Victim Support to achieve nationwide coverage with its 365 local schemes and branches and to establish a witness support service at all 77 Crown court centres. The Home Office grant meets the salary and related costs of over 600, full-time equivalent staff, who deploy over 12,000 volunteers to offer practical help and emotional support to well over 1 million victims of crime a year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons rabies is singled out for particular attention in his Department's publication "Essential Information for United Kingdom passport-holders". [18361]

It is felt desirable to warn British passport holders travelling abroad of the potential dangers of rabies as it is still endemic in certain parts of the world, such as the Indian sub-continent, where over 10,000 deaths a year are directly attributable to the disease.The "Essential Information" publication, issued with all British passports, provides helpful advice and reminders to passport holders about sensible precautions which they can take when going abroad. The inclusion of factual information about rabies is still considered highly appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for preventing children offending. [18914]

The Government attach a high priority to dealing with juvenile crime. We have acted to provide the courts with the powers they need to deal effectively with serious and persistent young offenders; and we have acted to reduce the use of inappropriate cautioning. But it would be better if young people did not offend in the first place.We have, therefore, developed proposals for a new strategy which aims to reduce the risk of children turning to crime. The strategy is based on research about the effectiveness of early intervention with children. We propose that it should be delivered by local agencies, including those in the voluntary sector, working together in partnership in a new local organisation, which might be known as a child crime team. Its task would be to identify children at risk of offending at an early age, and refer them to programmes designed to help them stay clear of crime. A Home Office research study published today—"Reducing Criminality among Young People", by David Utting—describes a selection of the kinds of programme that might be effective.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the results of the latest CCTV challenge competition; and if he will make a statement. [18915]

My right hon. and learned Friend will be announcing the results of the 1997–98 closed circuit television challenge competition on Wednesday 5 March. Details of the successful bids will be placed in the Library. A total of £15 million is being made available in this competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the responses to the March 1996 consultation paper on the EC data protection directive (95/46/EC). [18916]

I am today placing a summary of the responses in the Library.

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee if he will ensure that British beers are available as an option at all receptions booked in the House where the House catering facilities are used. [18263]

I am advised by the Director of Catering Services that British beers are available for all functions booked with the House of Commons Refreshment Department. The precise range of drinks served at any reception is a matter for agreement with the function organiser.

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members representing English constituencies addressed oral or supplementary questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland in the Session 1995–96. [18639]

The figures, supplied by the parliamentary on-line information service unit, are:

Number	Member
7	John Marshall
5	Ian Bruce
5	Simon Coombs
5	Lady Olga Maitland
5	James Pawsey
4	Jacques Arnold
4	Toby Jessel
3	Matthew Banks
3	Iain Duncan-Smith
3	Teresa Gorman
3	Neil Hamilton
3	David Shaw
3	Robert Spink
3	Anthony Steen
3	Michael Stephen
2	Thomas Arnold
2	Henry Bellingham
2	David Congdon
2	Alan Duncan
2	Jim Marshall
2	Patrick Nicholls
1	Peter Atkinson
1	Spencer Batiste
1	Peter Brooke
1	Michael Brown
1	Dale
	Campbell-Savours
	John Carlisle
	Anthony Coombs
	Stephen Day
	Tim Devlin
	Bob Dunn
	Hugh Dykes
	Nigel Evans
	Harry Greenway
	John Greenway
	Bernard Jenkin
	David Knox
	David Lidington
1	Michael Lord
	Tony Marlow
1	Piers Merchant
1	Irvine Patnick
i	Gordon Prentice
1	Andrew Rowe
1	John Sykes
	Richard Tracey
	Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which United Kingdom aid projects were not subject to competitive tendering procedures in the country in which they were to take place; how much money was involved in each case; what was the relative percentage of those cases identified of the aid budget for that year; and who were the recipients of any moneys paid in each year since 1980. [18402]

It is ODA' s policy that wherever practicable, and to ensure value for money, bilateral aid projects should be competitively tendered in the United Kingdom or in the recipient country. In many cases, however, the additional cost of tendering, particularly on smaller projects, outweighs the potential savings to the taxpayer and the recipient country. In such cases a waiver to tender is applied.In the current financial year to date, about 46 per cent. of ODA expenditure on contracts let for the provision of goods and services were subject to competitive tendering. Figures for in-country expenditure and tendering are not kept centrally in ODA. These details and those of specific projects could not, therefore be provided without disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy in respect of the 1995 EU social summit 20:20 initiative; and if he will make a statement. [18680]

The 20:20 initiative was discussed at the 1995 United Nations social summit in Copenhagen. Interested developed and developing countries agreed to allocate, on average, 20 per cent. of development assistance and 20 per cent. of national budgets respectively, to basic social services.The United Kingdom expressed reservations about certain aspects of the initiative, including lack of clarity about definitions and its excessive focus on inputs, not results. However, the United Kingdom attaches importance to development assistance in the area of basic social services and is willing to discuss the initiative with recipients who raise it on a bilateral basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the UK will be spending (a) in the current year and (b) in each of the next five years on overseas family planning programmes, indicating the amount per geographical area; and if he will make a statement. [18681]

No specific allocation is made for family planning programmes in the development assistance budget. Expenditure on population and reproductive health—which includes family planning—in 1995 was £62.3 million. The figure for 1996 is not yet available. Commitment figures from 1994 onwards are strong and we expect the level of expenditure to remain substantial in the next five financial years. So far the majority of this expenditure is in Africa and to a lesser extent Asia, with smaller amounts being spent in Latin America and the Caribbean, and central and eastern Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the United Kingdom aid programme was (a) directly and (b) indirectly devoted to promoting food production for local consumption; how much was devoted to promoting cash crop production for export; and what are these figures as a percentage of the total aid programme in each year since 1979. [18020]

ODA does not maintain data covering the specific information on food production and cash crop production in the form requested for the period 1979 to 1986. It would, therefore, not be possible to provide a detailed answer for the period 1979 to 1986 without disproportionate cost. However, from 1987–88 onwards the information requested as a percentage of the total bilateral aid programme is contained in the table.

Promotion of food production under the UK bilateral aid programme
Financial year	New commitments devoted to direct1 promotion £	New commitments as a percentage of total annual bilateral aid programme (direct)	i New commitments devoted to indirect2 promotion £	New commitments as a percentage of total annual bilateral aid programme (indirect)
1987–88	147,732,000	18.72	38,333,634	4.86
1988–89	25,120,251	2.93	16,700,176	1.95
1989–90	48,508,063	4.84	22,278,657	2.22
1990–91	46,685,531	4.45	15,900,996	1.51
1991–92	53,206,595	4.95	24,688,720	2.30
1992–93	46,370,484	4.12	37,603,350	3.34
1993–94	53,621,729	4.64	15,699,531	1.36
1994–95	25,048,368	2.24	36,022,357	3.22
1995–96	30,348,874	2.76	22,485,344	2.04
1 Direct promotion; any activity which has the promotion of food production for local consumption as a stated objective or output.
2 Indirect promotion; any activity which does not have an explicit objective to promote food production for local consumption.

Promotion of cash crop production under the UK bilateral aid programme
Financial year	New commitments devoted to direct1 promotion £	New commitments as a percentage of total annual bilateral aid programme (direct)	New commitments devoted to indirect2 promotion £	New commitments as a percentage of total annual bilateral aid programme (indirect)
1987–88	27,735,095	3.52	7,957,901	1.01
1988–89	3,143,623	0.37	5,814,928	0.68
1989–90	26,016,905	2.6	507,021	0.05
1990–91	349,391	0.03	946,866	0.09
1991–92	2,308,567	0.21	1,602,335	0.12
1992–93	19,454,644	1.72	4,117,628	0.37
1993–94	2,035,540	0.18	2,471,516	0.22
1994–95	2,360,001	0.21	3,284,624	0.29
1995–96	112,360	0.01	2,007,882	0.18
1 Direct promotion; any activity which has the promotion of exports of cash crops as a stated objective or output.
2 Indirect promotion; any activity which does not have an explicit objective to increase the export of cash crops, but addresses crops that do have export potential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in implementing the agreement reached in Tokyo last year on the 11th replenishment of the International Development Association. [18918]

Under the arrangements established at Tokyo, it was agreed that, in the first year of the new IDA triennium, the United States would aim to pay off its arrears to the 10th replenishment of IDA and the rest of the donor community would contribute to an interim trust fund for that year: procurement opportunities from this fund would be limited to contributors—and developing countries—thus excluding the United States. There would be a traditional burden-sharing arrangement for the final two years of the replenishment, with no restrictions.The interim trust fund has now been established and is operational: the selection and approval process is under way in respect of some $2.3 billion-worth of projects—out of a total of some $3.3 billion. Parliament has approved our own contribution to the trust fund and we have deposited the promissory note.However, despite this progress, the United States Administration have sought a relaxation of the procurement restrictions in order to try and ensure that Congress will approve the funds to meet both the IDA-10 arrears and their pledge to IDA-11. Following a meeting of senior officials on 6 and 7 February in Paris, it has not been agreed to adjust the trust fund arrangements. In short, an amount of uncommitted trust fund money—limited to SDR700 million (around $1 billion)—is to be held back pending the results of congressional deliberations on the United States Administration's request for finance to cover both the IDA-10 arrears and the first tranche of the US contribution to IDA-11 proper. The result will not be known until the autumn at the earliest when the issue will be discussed further among IDA contributors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues were raised during his discussions with the Israeli President during his state visit to the United Kingdom. [18624]

President Weizman's discussions with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary covered bilateral relations, which are excellent, and regional issues including recent developments in the middle east peace process.

To ask the Prime Minister what advisory function Sir Nicholas Lloyd is carrying out on his behalf; and if there is any resultant cost to public funds. [18341]

Sir Nicholas Lloyd is not carrying out any advisory functions for me as Prime Minister and therefore there is no cost to public funds.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 4 March. [17369]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 4 March. [17370]

This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister if he received a letter from Hilary Meredith of the solicitors firm of Donn and Co. in July 1995 enclosing documents concerning the use of organophosphate pesticides by British forces during the Gulf war. [18658]

My Office received correspondence in 1995, which was passed to the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to which policy initiative he has devoted most funding in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement on progress with each such initiative. [15084]

The annual transport reports give details of the Department's expenditure and progress with programmes. The 1997 transport report is due to be published on 20 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to develop satellite communication-based positive air traffic control arrangements for offshore industry helicopter operations in the North sea beyond radar coverage. [16827]

The Civil Aviation Authority's National Air Traffic Services Ltd. already provides air traffic services to helicopters over the North sea using satellite communications. Radar coverage in the UK sector of the North sea is adequate and currently there are no plans to develop satellite-based surveillance systems in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of total expenditure on traffic-calming measures by transport authorities in England in each of the last three years. [18460]

Traffic calming is one element among the traffic management techniques available to local authorities for relieving congestion, improving safety and enhancing the environment. We do not require detailed returns from authorities on expenditure of this kind.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated concerning (i) good and bad practice in respect of traffic-calming measures in England and (ii) the overall effect of such measures; and if he will make a statement. [18459]

Since April 1992, the Department of Transport has commissioned 10 research projects to study a range of traffic-calming measures, assessing their effectiveness in reducing and controlling traffic speeds and their effect on the environment:

• UG16 Traffic calming on distributor roads
• UG24 Speed control humps
• UG25 Traffic calming on roads through villages
• UG46 Innovative traffic calming measures
• UG48 Traffic calming on major roads
• UG93 Environment management
• UG127 Traffic management and vehicle emissions
• UG128 Urban activity in 20 mph zones
• UG137 Vertical and horizontal deflections
• S204F Monitoring of 20 mph zones

Details of most of these projects are in the Department's "Urban and Local Transport Compendium of Research Projects", copies of which have been placed in the Library and can be seen on the Department's Internet site.The results of this research are published in the form of research reports and traffic advisory leaflets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the disposal of the Epping to Ongar line; and what commitment will be sought from prospective purchasers about the restoration of a train service. [18441]

The conditions which the former Secretary of State attached to the closure of the Epping to Ongar line required London Underground to seek a private operator for the line. I understand that London Underground has identified a preferred bidder following an open competition. The details of the negotiations are a commercial matter for London Underground. If it seeks the Secretary of State's consent to a disposal to the preferred bidder, he will want to be satisfied that the proposed operator is committed to running a train service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of rural residents who live more than half a mile from a bus route; and if he will make a statement. [18405]

Information from the national travel survey indicates that about 12 per cent. of rural residents live further than 13 minutes, walking time from a bus stop, which equates to about half a mile in distance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the loss of revenue caused by the display of fraudulent vehicle excise licences. [18577]

This figure cannot be established separately from the estimated loss through evasion of vehicle excise duty. The amount involved is likely to be minimal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to combat the practice of motorists displaying fraudulent vehicle excise licenses. [18576]

This is a matter for the police. We have no evidence to suggest that the practice is widespread.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the loss of revenue caused by motorists not obtaining vehicle excise licences. [18568]

The estimated vehicle excise duty loss through evasion in Great Britain in 1995–96 was £170 million. This represents 4.1 per cent. of the total revenue due. Over £74 million of this total was recouped through enforcement action undertaken by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to address the problem of motorists failing to display vehicle excise licences. [18569]

The offence of failure to display a vehicle licence is dealt with by the police under the fixed penalty procedures. In addition, police and traffic wardens pass offence reports to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for enforcement action if the vehicle is unlicensed. Last year successful action was taken against nearly 500,000 unlicensed motorists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his objection of clearing the investment backlog within five years of privatisation of London Underground will be a contractual commitment for purchasers. [18660]

The privatisation of London Underground will be structured so as to ensure that the underground's infrastructure is modernised as soon as possible. Our aim is to achieve this within five years. The exact mechanism for delivering this commitment depends on the structural option chosen. Further details will be included in the White Paper that we aim to publish this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what mechanisms he will put in place to ensure that fares will not rise following the privatisation of London Underground; and if purchasers will be under a contractual obligation not to increase fares; [18662](2) what safeguards will apply to employees' pension rights and travel concessions in legislation introduced to privatise London Underground; [18629](3) what proposals he has to ensure that a guaranteed minimum level of service is maintained following the privatisation of London Underground; [18647](4) by what means

The Secretary of State has given clear commitments in all these policy areas—Official Report, columns 149–65. We shall now develop the precise mechanisms for delivering them, which in almost all of these cases will depend on the structural option that we choose. Further details will be included in the White Paper that we aim to publish in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those companies invited to tender for the provision of advice for the sale of London Underground, indicating which were successful; [18649](2) on what date his Department began the process of appointing advisers for the process of the sale of London Underground; [18648](3) what budget he has allocated for the provision of advice and consultancy fees for the sale of London Underground. [18650]

We have not yet appointed any advisers on the privatisation of London Underground, nor have any potential advisers yet been invited to tender. We shall be starting the process of appointing advisers shortly. No estimates have yet been made about the cost of advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the investment backlog of the London Underground. [18659]

London Transport estimates the size of the investment backlog to be around £1.2 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the total income received by London Underground for advertising in each of the last five years. [18622]

London Underground has provided the information requested which is set out in the following table.

Year	Advertising income £ million
1996–97	115.5
1995–96	12.8
1994–95	15.1
1993–94	18.1
1992–93	18.0
1Current forecast.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the amount of surplus available for other transport investment following the sale of London Underground. [18661]

We believe that there should be sufficient proceeds from the privatisation of London Underground to fund not only the modernisation of the underground's infrastructure but additional transport investment. The amounts involved will depend on the structural option chosen for privatisation and the level of demand from the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the income received from the marketing of products bearing the London Underground logo for each of the last five years. [18620]

This information is not readily available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the income received by London Underground from the lease of its properties in each of the last five years; and if he will list the income he expects for each of the next five years. [18619]

London Underground has provided the following figures showing income from property leasing since 1992–93. It has not been able to provide forecasts for income expected in the next five years from this source.

Year	Income from property leasing £ million
1992–93	20.6
1993–94	20.4
1994–95	22.3
1995–96	24.7
1996–971	24.8
1 Current forecast.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) of 25 February, Official Report, column 164, if he will make a statement on the treatment of future public and private investment in London Underground Ltd. in respect of limits on public borrowing set out in the convergence criteria in the Maastricht treaty. [18354]

[holding answer 3 March 1997]: The general government financial deficit is the measure used in the Maastricht criteria. The general government sector excludes public corporations, such as London Underground. Net borrowing by a publicly owned London Underground would however score against London Transport's external finance limit and against the public sector borrowing requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the new Scottish air traffic control centre to be fully operational. [18618]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 25 February 1997, Official Report column 141, to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the income of the London transport museum for each of the last five years. [18621]

The income generated by the London transport museum, excluding Government grant, is as follows:

• 1991–91: £1,201,000
• 1992–93: £1,429,000
• 1993–94: £.1,172,000
• 1994–95: £2,043,000
• 1995–96: £1,977,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the level of subsidy paid by London Underground Ltd. to London Buses Ltd. in each of the last five years. [18623]

The distribution of resources by London Transport to its businesses is an operational matter for LT. The cash it allocated to London Buses activities in each of the last five years is shown in the table.

Year	Cash paid (£ million outturn prices)1
1991–92	157
1992–93	174
1993–94	78
1994–95	43
1995–96	44
1 Figures supplied by London Transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has approved the request from North Lincolnshire district council to allow it to implement a policy of vehicle age limits when licensing taxis in the former Glanford borough area. [18592]

The council does not require the consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to implement such a policy. My right hon. Friend has consulted on a proposal to make an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 which would prohibit the imposition of age limits on taxis and private hire vehicles; the responses are being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, column 69, if he will list the consultants commissioned to test the capabilities of station ticket offices, indicating the cost of employing them. [18656]

Following a competitive tendering exercise in 1995, the Rail Regulator commissioned Steer Davies Gleave to verify the capabilities of station ticket offices. The cost involved is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, column 69, if he will list the market research organisation commissioned to survey rail ticket outlets. [18655]

Following a competitive tendering exercise in autumn 1996, the Rail Regulator commissioned NOP Mystery Shopping to survey rail ticket outlets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, column 69, if he will list the stations included in the Rail Regulator's survey of ticket outlets. [18657]

No. The Rail Regulator's survey is a Mystery Shopping exercise. It would be inappropriate to identify the stations involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, column 70, on what basis he believes it could be prejudicial to release information on the channel tunnel fire. [18654]

The investigations into the causes and consequences of the channel tunnel fire are continuing to examine evidence and establish the facts relating to the incident. Until the results of these investigations are known it could be misleading to release partial information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total amount paid by London and Continental Railways to Her Majesty's Government for its acquisitions during the privatisation of the railways. [18640]

Nil. London and Continental Railways—LCR—was appointed in February 1996 to design, building and operate the channel tunnel rail link as part of the private finance initiative. An explanatory memorandum describing the Government's agreements with LCR was deposited in the House Library in March 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the sale of the Department's former research site at Crowthorne. [18901]

My Department has exchanged contracts with Legal and General Assurance Society Ltd. to dispose of the research site at Crowthorne, to take effect from 25 March. The price is £18.2 million with a clawback provision on the undeveloped part of the site. The disposal represents a good deal for the taxpayer and the local community at Crowthorne which will have the benefit of a respected financial institution as the new landlord. The Transport Research Laboratory has a long lease for most of the site which has 14 years to run. TRL will be able to continue its excellent research, for which it is world famous.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) who is responsible for the maintenance of fences alongside railway lines; [18240](2) what are the regulations governing the height and strength of fences alongside railway lines; and if these differ between built-up and rural areas. [18241]

Responsibility for maintaining railway fencing rests the infrastructure controller, Railtrack, in the case of the main network.The controller's general duties under sections 3 and 4 of the Health and Safety at Work Act, etc. 1974, to protect the public from its premises and activities, extend to taking reasonably practicable measures to prevent unauthorised access. This obligation will be made explicit in the Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1977 which come into force in early May. The new regulations will replace an existing fencing requirement in section 10 of the Railway Regulation Act 1842.Guidance published by the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate gives detailed advice on standards of railway fencing distinguishing between built-up and rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the purpose of his Department's press briefing to be held at the new en route centre at Swanwick on 6 March; how many previous press briefings at Swanwick have taken place in the last 24 months; by whom they were organised; who attended; and if he will make a statement. [18290]

[holding answer 3 March 1997]: The press briefing at Swanwick on 6 March is not being held or organised by the Department of Transport. It has been arranged by the Civil Aviation Authority's corporate communications department—CCD.The purpose is to demonstrate the systems integration achieved to date, prior to the commencement of air traffic controller training at the centre in the near future.I understand that this is the first major press briefing to be held at the Swanwick centre in the past 24 months although numerous individual journalists have made visits during that period. All these visits have been co-ordinated by the CAA's corporate communications department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much her Department estimates it cost to establish each executive agency associated with her Department. [16965]

The Employment Service is the executive agency associated with the Department for Education and Employment. The Teachers Pensions Agency was an agency until it was contractorised in October 1996. The cost of setting up these agencies can be calculated only at disproportionate cost and would, in any case, be marginal when set against their overall budgets.Both the Employment Service and the Teachers Pensions Agency carried out broadly the same functions before they become agencies. Therefore, although no actual figures are available, the cost of setting up these agencies is likely to have been marginal. The benefits in setting up these organisations as agencies can be seen in their clearer roles and responsibilities and in the freedom to meet targets they are set by Ministers and the successful performance against those targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for High Peak (Mr. Hendry), of 10 February, Official Report, columns 54–55, (i) what factors underlie the variations in the amounts of money in the general schools budget which are not delegated to schools; [18407](2) what assessment she has made of the reasonableness of the amounts of money in the general schools budget which

Within the general schools budget, funding is retained centrally by local education authorities for a wide variety of purposes, of which the most significant include capital expenditure; programmes supported by grants for education support and training and other specific grants; home-to-school transport, school meals, and various aspects of special educational needs. A number of these items are generally acknowledged to be particularly difficult to delegate, and in certain cases, known as "mandatory exceptions", delegation is currently forbidden by law.There may therefore be many reasons why one LEA delegates a higher percentage of its GSB. In the case of the two LEAs referred to in the hon. Member's second question, the most significant factor would appear to be Buckinghamshire's proportionately higher provision for capital expenditure, which is a "mandatory exception".

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the educational institutions in Kirklees that provide post-16 places; and how many post-16 pupils attended each in the most recent year for which figures are available. [18410]

The following table shows the educational institutions in Kirklees that provide post-16 places and how many post-16 pupils attended each one on the latest date for which figures are available.

School (January 1996)	16+ pupils
All Saints RC High School	107
Batley Boys High School	117
Colne Valley High School	124
Heckmondwike (GM) Grammar School	150
Honley High School and Sixth Form Centre	145
Howden Clough High School	208
Mirfield Free Grammar School	190
St. John Fisher RC High School	129
Shelley High School	332
Whitcliffe Mount High School	175

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations she has received from the Audit Commission about the provision of post-16 places in Kirklees; [18413](2) what advice he has received from the Audit Commission about the number of educational institutions for post-16 pupils. [18414]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many surplus post-16 school places there were in Kirkless in the latest year for which figures are available; [18415](2) what is the cost of maintaining surplus places for post-16 pupils in Kirklees; and what is the cost per surplus place. [18416]

The information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will list the educational institutions within five miles of Castle Hall grant-maintained school that provide post-16 places; [18411](2) if she will list the educational institutions in Kirklees available for year 11 pupils leaving Castle Hall grant-maintained school in the summer of 1997 to attend. [18412]

The following educational institutions, all within five miles, are available in Kirklees for year 11 pupils leaving Castle Hall GM school in the summer of 1997 to attend:

• Colleges of further education
• Dewsbury College
• Greenhead College
• Huddersfield New College
• Huddersfield Technical College
• Schools
• All Saints RC (VA) High School
• Batley High School for Boys
• Batley Grammar (independent mixed selective) School
• Colne Valley High School
• Heckmondwike GM Grammar (selective) School
• Honley High School and College
• Howden Clough (Girls) High School
• Mirfield Free Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre
• St. John Fisher RC (SA) High School
• Shelley High (VC) School
• Whitcliffe Mount High School

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of (a) 16, (b) 17 and (c) 18-year-olds are in full-time education in each local authority area. [18610]

This information is published for 16 and 17-year-olds in the Department's "Statistical Bulletin 8/96: Participation in education of young people aged 16 and 17 in each local education authority and region of England, 1990–91 to 1994–95". Information on 18-year-olds could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students residing in Lancashire receive their education under the assisted places scheme in schools (a) located in each of the district council areas of Lancashire and (b) in other local education authority areas; and if she will list those areas. [18387]

Information about the district council area or the local education authority area from which assisted pupils originate is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many successful applicants there were under the assisted places scheme in (a) Crewe and Nantwich and (b) Cheshire indicating the total value of the payments made in the last three years for which figures are available. [18642]

No schools in the Crewe and Nantwich constituency were successful in joining the assisted places scheme. Abbey Gate college, Chester and the Grange school, Northwich joined the scheme in September 1996 and Beech Hall preparatory school, Macclesfield has been successful in its bid for participation from September 1997. Four other schools in Cheshire—King's school, Chester; King's school, Macclesfield; Mount Carmel school; and Queen's school, Chester—were already participating before 1996.The total amount spent on the scheme at the existing four participating schools in Cheshire in the academic years 1993–94 to 1995–96, the latest year for which information is complete, is given in the following table:

Assisted places scheme: Cheshire schools
Academic Year	1993–94		1994–95		1995–96
	Pupils	£000s	Pupils	£000s	Pupils	£000s
King's School, Chester	95	220	89	212	87	234
King's School, Macclesfield	173	553	179	619	193	670
Mount Carmel School	25	74	30	94	35	109

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what requirements there are for the teaching of first aid in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools; and what data she collates on the numbers of schoolchildren achieving first aid qualifications. [18393]

There is no specific requirement on schools to teach first aid. However, all maintained schools are required under section 351 of the Education Act 1996 to deliver a curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society; and prepares such pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. This can include teaching about first aid.The Department does not collate information centrally on the numbers of schoolchildren achieving first aid qualifications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she has made of the number of students who, on completion of a postgraduate certificate of education or equivalent qualification, will gain qualified teacher status in (a) mathematics and (b) physics, for each of the years 1997 to 2000. [18248]

The information is given in the following table. Estimates for undergraduate completers are based on students who entered such courses between 1993–94 and 1996–97, assuming a four-year course length. Estimates of postgraduate completers in 1997 are based on actual entrants in 1996–97, and for later years on the anticipated intakes for postgraduate courses, assuming that intake targets are met. Estimates for completers reflect the average in-course wastage by type of course; 25 per cent. in the case of undergraduate and 11 per cent. for postgraduate courses.

Year	Maths completers	Science completers
1996–97	1,550	2,600
1997–98	1,900	2,850
1998–99	1,650	2,600
1999–2000	1,600	2,650
Figures shown to nearest 50.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps her Department is taking to encourage new entrants into the teaching profession in (a) mathematics and (b) physics. [18249]

Responsibility for promoting teaching as a profession rests with the Teacher Training Agency. I will ask the chairman of the agency, Geoffrey Parker, to write to the hon. Member direct.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the training of teachers in (a) mathematics and (b) physics. [18250]

From this September, there will be a national training curriculum for initial teacher training in primary mathematics. A curriculum for secondary mathematics and science and primary science will be introduced next September.In addition, the Teacher Training Agency is developing national standards for classroom teachers, subject leaders and head teachers. The national standards will provide a focus for teachers' continuing professional development, whatever subject they teach. It is for schools and teachers to decide what individual training needs are appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions she has had with universities and their representatives over changes in the number of university physics courses; and what assessment she has made of the impact of those changes on the number training to be physics teachers. [18252]

None. My right hon. Friend continues to attach importance to the supply of places in science and engineering, but it is for individual universities to decide which courses to offer in the light of demand from suitably qualified applicants and other factors. The latest available information from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service suggests that the number of applicants for higher education physics courses has risen compared with this time last year. The number of students commencing initial teacher training courses in science, including physics, has increased significantly since 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment under what statutory authority orders have been made prohibiting (a) the proposed closure and (b) the sale of Enborne Lodge school in Newbury. [18583]

There are no orders that prohibit either the sale or the closure of Enborne Lodge school. The school was transferred by the Education (Inner London Education Authority) (Property Transfer) Order 1990 to Lambeth local education authority subject to a condition that should the authority cease to use it wholly or mainly for its education functions or should it wish to sell the school it must first offer it to all other inner-London councils for transfer at nil consideration. Statutory proposals to close the school were published on 4 February 1997 and are currently under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to whom the proceeds of the sale of Enborne Lodge school in Newbury would be payable. [18584]

Enborne Lodge is currently subject to conditions in the Education (Inner London Education Authority) (Property Transfer) Order 1990 which specify that proceeds of sale would be divided among the inner-London councils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on proposals (a) to amend the Education Reform Act 1988 and (b) to issue new orders under the Act. [18585]

The Education Act 1996, which is a consolidated Act, made amendments to and superseded most of the Education Reform Act 1988. The Education Bill, which was introduced in the House on 30 October 1996, proposes amending section 218 of the ERA, which concerns the employment of teachers and others in positions involving regular contact with young people under the age of 19.Part III of the ERA confers a number of order-making powers on the Secretary of State. The Government have recently consulted about proposals to exercise those powers in order to relax conditions on certain former Inner London education authority properties which were transferred to the inner-London boroughs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the average class size for (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools for (i) the constituency of Crewe and Nantwich and (ii) Cheshire; [18641](2) how many schools in

Average class sizes of classes as taught by one teacher in Cheshire local education authority area in January 1996 were 27.4 for primary schools and 21.3 for secondary schools; 53 primary schools and no secondary schools had average class sizes over 30.Information on average class sizes in schools in the constituency of Crewe and Nantwich is not collated centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent by each training and enterprise council on (i) administration, (ii) youth training, (iii) training for work and (iv) other areas in 1995–96. [18710]

Information on training and enterprise council spend for administration is published by each TEC in its annual statutory accounts, a copy of which is placed in the Library. Information on TEC expenditure on youth training, training for work and other areas is stated in an annual amalgamated income and expenditure account for all TECs, which will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures she is planning to introduce to reduce long-term unemployment. [16086]

Long-term unemployment has fallen by 36 per cent. over the last three years. We are continuing to build on the success of our economic and labour market policies by introducing this year a new package of measures to help people unemployed for two years or more.From February project work will be extended to help up to 100,000 people. The new pilots will include an emphasis on identifying and tackling basic skills problems which might be preventing some individuals from returning to work. In addition, a new contract for work pilot initiative will explore ways in which the talents of the private sector might be used to help more very long-term unemployed people back to work. From April, under a new jobfinder programme, people reaching two or more years' unemployment will benefit from an intensive series of one-to-one interviews with an Employment Service adviser which will focus on helping the individual jobseeker back to work. We will also be making the jobmatch programme—which helps people to leave unemployment for a part-time job—available nationally to those aged under 25 who have been unemployed for two years or more; and within the existing training for work programme, there will be new opportunities for long-term unemployed people whose job prospects can best be increased through training designed to improve their basic skills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research her Department has undertaken with regard to the best way of implementing home-school agreements; and if she will make a statement. [16932]

The Department has not commissioned research in this area beyond that referred to in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 29 January by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan), Official Report, column 256. A good deal of work has however previously been undertaken on home-school agreements. This includes the two-year project "Home-School Contract of Partnership" carried out jointly by the Royal Society of Arts and the National Association of Head Teachers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to reduce discrimination against potential employees on the grounds of age. [16084]

The Government are fully aware of the problem of age discrimination against older employees. That is why this Department promotes the Government's campaign for older workers which persuades employers to recruit, train, and retain them on merit, disregarding age.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the work of the Science, Technology and Mathematics Council; and if she will make a statement on the future of the council. [18356]

[holding answer 3 March 1997]: Since it was set up in 1994, the Science, Technology and Mathematics Council has successfully undertaken a range of development activities in support of national vocational education and training policies including national vocational qualifications and Scottish vocational qualifications.I understand that the council intends to bid for national training organisation status later this year. Bids for recognition will be judged by an independent recognition panel chaired by Gordon Beaumont, against national criteria. The future of the Science, Technology and Mathematics Council as an NTO is, therefore, dependent upon its ability to meet the recognition criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the definition of fuel poverty. [15238]

The term fuel poverty has no precise meaning and is not adopted by the Department.Extra help has been made available through the benefit scale rates and premiums—which includes help with payment of VAT on fuel—and is worth around £1.4 billion a year to low-income families with children and £1.1 billion a year to poorer pensioners. Cold weather payments, which provide help to those most in need during periods of exceptional cold weather, the home energy efficiency scheme and the direct payments scheme, which plays an important role in protecting benefit recipients who might otherwise be at risk of having fuel or water supply disconnected, are further examples of our commitment to helping the most vulnerable.Fuel bills have fallen by more than 1 per cent. in real terms over the last two years, while the main income-related benefit rates have continued to be increased in line with inflation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department estimates it cost to establish each executive agency set up by his Department since the start of April 1992. [16971]

The Department of Social Security has set up two agencies since April 1992. The total cost of setting up the Child Support Agency was approximately £146 million which includes the cost of the work transferred from the Benefits Agency, the costs of computers, accommodation, recruitment and training of staff in the administration of new legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances, in answering questions to Ministers regarding appeal tribunals, it is his policy to (a) provide the information requested, (b) inform the questioner that the president of the independent tribunal service will write to him and (c) inform the hon. Member that it is a matter for the independent tribunal service; and in what respects the policy changed between 23 January and 17 February. [17402]

Responsibility for the judicial functions and administration of appeal tribunals is vested by statute in the president of the independent tribunal service.Where the information requested by an hon. Member lies wholly within the responsibilities of the independent tribunal service, Ministers may decide either to obtain the information from the independent tribunal service in order to reply to the hon. Member, or suggest that the hon. Member deal directly with the independent tribunal service. As the hon. Member's recent questions related to matters within the responsibility of the independent tribunal service, I judged it more appropriate to direct the hon. Member to the service for the information requested.Questions on the Government's policy in relation to appeal tribunals will, of course, continue to be answered by Ministers.