To ask the President of the Council if she intends to propose the setting up of a Select Committee to oversee the security services. [78]

There is already an Intelligence and Security Committee established under the Intelligence Services Act 1994 to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Secret Intelligence Service, Security Service and GCHQ. It reports annually to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister who is required to lay a copy of the Committee's annual report before each House of Parliament. My right hon. Friend is in the process of considering the appointment of hon. Members to that Committee within the terms of the Act and will make an announcement in due course.

To ask the President of the Council if she will consult as to whether it is appropriate for wigs and gowns to be worn in the Chamber by senior officers of the House. [83]

This is a matter which could be considered by the new Committee on the modernisation of the House, which I hope will be established soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reinstate the right of appeal against the refusal of a visitor's visa. [283]

Our manifesto commits us to providing a streamlined system of appeals for visitors denied a visa. We are examining the options for doing this.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications of the judicial review of Kavanagh and Quigley ex parte Secretary of State for life sentence tariffs; and if he will make a statement. [152]

We are considering the judgment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the report of Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture on its visit to the special secure unit at HMP Full Sutton; and if he will make a statement. [156]

A delegation from the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe visited Frankland, Full Sutton and Belmarsh prisons on 12 and 13 May 1997. The Prison Service will consider and respond to any report prepared by the committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in considering the request of Danny McNamee currently detained in the Special Secure Unit at HMP Full Sutton for a temporary transfer to Northern Ireland. [160]

Mr. McNamee's request for transfer to Northern Ireland is currently under consideration. A decision will be made as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently held on temporary extended transfer to Northern Ireland; and if he will consider making those transfers permanent. [151]

Nineteen prisoners are currently transferred on a temporary basis from England and Wales to Northern Ireland. It is open to any of the prisoners concerned to request a permanent transfer. Any such request will be considered on its individual merits in accordance with the criteria announced to Parliament on 23 November 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a personal inspection of the condition of prisoners currently detained in special secure units. [157]

I intend to visit a number of prisons in the near future and will inspect a special secure unit as part of this programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a citizen of Algeria was refused asylum in this country and is now reported to have been murdered. [80]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has investigated the claim made on 9 May by the Refugee Council that an asylum seeker whose application was turned down had been killed on his return to Algeria. The Government have received categorical assurances from the Government of Algeria that the individual is alive and well, and our ambassador met the former asylum seeker on Sunday 18 May. We are therefore satisfied that the claims made are unfounded. Removals of failed asylum seekers to Algeria will now resume where appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library all the papers and other documents relating to the dismissal of Derek Lewis; and if he will make a statement. [81]

It is not possible for me to meet my hon. Friend's request. I am not responsible to Parliament for events which took place under the last Administration; nor do I have access to their papers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet Mrs. Doreen Lawrence to discuss racist attacks. [393]

Yes. I would be happy to meet Mrs. Lawrence. My office will be in touch with my hon. Friend to make the arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will restore residence rights in the United Kingdom for citizens of St. Helena. [139]

We have no present plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to ensure that passengers receive impartial advice when purchasing rail tickets. [54]

Train operators have a legal obligation to sell tickets impartially and to provide accurate information about ticketing and fares options. Serious and persistent contravention of their impartiality obligations will trigger formal action by the independent Rail Regulator. The Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Transport and I will be meeting the Rail Regulator shortly to discuss how we might achieve more effective regulation of the railway industry. We have already commissioned a report on the shortcomings of the sanctions currently available to the regulatory authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to increase the powers of the Rail Regulator. [55]

The Government have clearly stated that they intend to establish more effective and accountable regulation by the Rail Regulator. We are currently considering the options.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total amount paid in subsidy to South West Trains by week for each of the last six months. [31]

The Office of Passenger Rail Franchising makes four-weekly support payments to all franchise operators on the basis of the rail industry periods. The four-weekly amounts paid to South West Trains covering the last six months—13 October 1996 to 26 April 1997—are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to publish a White Paper on UK aviation policy. [53]

My right hon. Friend has no plans to publish an early White Paper on aviation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was (a) the total number and (b) the number in each local education authority of (i) head teachers, (ii) deputy head teachers and (iii) teachers who took early retirement on the grounds of ill-health in 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [165]

Teachers in service in the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special education sector in England at 31 March 1995 who were awarded ill-health retirement in the financial year 1995–96 are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will announce a decision on the application by Mount St. Mary school, Exeter, for grant-maintained status. [88]

My right hon. Friend expects to make a decision on the proposals to establish a new grant-maintained school at Mount St. Mary's shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places, at what schools and at what cost were provided under the assisted places scheme in Nottinghamshire in 1995–96 and 1996–97. [128]

The number of assisted places taken up and the cost of those places for each participating school in Nottinghamshire in academic years 1995–96 and 1996–97 is given in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish a White Paper regarding the Government's proposals on Welsh devolution.

We expect to publish the White Paper on a Welsh Assembly as soon as possible after the Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill has received Royal Assent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many payments were made and what was the total amount paid under the arable area payments scheme in 1996–97. [125]

During 1996–97 the Welsh Office dealt with 2,486 claims and the total amount paid is estimated at £11,856,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to lift the ban on trade unions at GCHQ. [77]

Yes; I issued the following press statement on 15 May which was placed in the Libraries of the House.The Government have signalled their commitment to open and fair relations in the work place. As part of that commitment, I want today to right a long-standing wrong. Since 1984, we have been pledged to restore normal trade union rights to the staff of GCHQ. We are now honouring that pledge. I can announce that the conditions of service of staff at GCHQ have today been changed: they once again have the freedom they previously enjoyed to join any trade union they choose. Talks with the unions will begin as soon as possible to settle future arrangements for staff representation and to secure a collective agreement

on no disruption to the work of GCHQ which will ensure that GCHQ's operations are protected from any threat of industrial action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the rehabilitation of elderly citizens; and if he will make a statement. [142]

We have received some representations from medical and social care professionals and members of the public concerning the provision of national health service rehabilitation services, and expect to receive more in the near future.Effective recovery and rehabilitation of patients is particularly important for older people, who may need a longer period to recover, especially after a spell in hospital. It is increasingly recognised that access to hospital and community-based rehabilitation and recovery services for patients who need them in one way to ensure older people retain optimal independence and to avoid unnecessary admissions into long-term care.This Government are committed to the provision of an NHS recuperation service which will combine nursing and rehabilitation therapy services to those patients who have been assessed by a medical professional or multi-disciplinary team as being able to benefit from a rehabilitative programme of care.

To ask the Prime Minister what consultations he undertook with Opposition parties before proposing the abolition of Prime Minister's Questions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. [304]

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions were held with representatives of the Opposition parties and with the House authorities before the announcement of the decision to change the arrangements for Prime Minister's Questions. [123]

I discussed the Government's intention to change the timing of Prime Minister's Questions with the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats shortly before the change was made public. The change is the first step to meeting our clear manifesto commitment to make Prime Minister's Questions more effective.

To ask the Prime Minister what action he proposes in respect of (a) fishermen, (b) beef farmers and (c) taxpayers in his first month of negotiations in Brussels. [301]

My right hon. Friends, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have already visited Brussels to pursue the United Kingdom's interests. We are working within the intergovernmental conference negotiations for a solution to the problem of quota hopping; pursuing a progressive relaxation of the ban on exports of British beef; and seeking to ensure that the money British taxpayers contribute to the Community budget is used efficiently and effectively towards goals which the British people support. In the IGC we have already announced our intention to table new proposals to tackle fraud against the Community budget.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will ban (a) import and (b) use of asbestos; and if he will make a statement. [51]

The Government are determined to deal effectively with the problems of asbestos, in line with advice from the Health and Safety Commission. Negotiations are being renewed at EU level which are likely to lead to further widespread prohibitions on the supply of asbestos. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will be advised by the Health and Safety Commission on developments and on the balance to be struck between EU and domestic arrangements.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce freedom of information legislation. [84]

As announced in the Gracious Speech, we shall shortly be setting out in a White Paper our proposals for a freedom of information Bill.

To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements he intends to make for parliamentary scrutiny of the security services; and if he will make a statement. [79]

Under the terms of the Intelligence Services Act 1994, an Intelligence and Security Committee of nine Members from the House of Commons and the House of Lords is established to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Secret Intelligence Service, Security Service and GCHQ. It reports to me and I am required to lay a copy of the Committee's annual report before each House of Parliament. Following consultation with the Leader of the Opposition I will be appointing members to the Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce the outcome of the competition for a weapon to meet the RAF's requirement for a beyond visual range air-to-air missile for Eurofighter. [709]

After careful consideration of the responses we have received to the invitation to tender for missiles to meet Staff Requirement (Air) 1239 for a beyond visual range missile for Eurofighter, we have concluded that there is a need for further work to reduce risk in performance and time scale before we let a development and production contract. We therefore intend, subject to satisfactory negotiations, to place contracts with Matra British Aerospace (UK) Ltd. and Hughes (UK) Ltd. for project definition and risk reduction work on their respective solutions to the staff requirement. We expect to let these contracts in July and their duration will be about 12 months. We plan to make a contribution of £5 million to the costs of each contractor for this phase of the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the future of the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation and the continuing use of Boscombe Down airfield will be included in his proposed defence review. [75]

Our country's security needs and foreign policy objectives must be fully reflected in the roles, missions and tasks of our armed forces. The Government have decided therefore to hold a strategic defence and security review. All aspects of defence will be considered in this process.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many payments were made and what was the total amount paid under the arable area payments scheme in 1996–97. [127]

During 1996–97, the Ministry dealt with 46,844 claims under the arable area payments scheme and the total amount paid is estimated at £1,101 million.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to require a universal £20 application fee for legal aid. [398]

The idea of universal contribution for legal aid came from the hon. Member's party. We propose to take forward our manifesto commitment to review civil justice and legal aid. In any event, the guiding principle in relation to such matters will be access to justice.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to ensure that legal aid is available only to those in genuine need. [400]

We shall be carrying forward our manifesto commitment to a review of civil justice and legal aid, but we shall in any event seek to ensure that legal aid is appropriately targeted.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans Her Majesty's Government have to expand eligibility for legal aid. [401]

There are no plans at present to expand eligibility for legal aid.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to alter the current political balance among magistrates. [399]

While politics play no part in the work of the bench, the Lord Chancellor considers that there should not be an undue number of supporters of any political party on any bench. He requires his Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace to strive to ensure that those recommended for appointment are drawn from a broad cross section of the community, taking into account, amongst other matters, their political affiliations and the voting figures for the area. Anyone may apply to become a magistrate. I would, of course, welcome any assistance that hon. Members can give in encouraging those they regard as personally suitable to apply for appointment.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects the review of limitation legislation to be completed. [402]

The Law Commission is undertaking a comprehensive review of the law of limitation and expects to publish a consultation paper on the subject later this year. A period of consultation will follow before the Law Commission begins work on the final report.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the importance of retaining small, rural magistrates courts. [403]

Magistrates courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates courts committee. Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although the paying authority may appeal to my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. Each case will be dealt with on its merits.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he will take to deal with the backlog of appeals to the Immigration Appeals Tribunal. [404]

The immigration appellate authorities have been resourced to deal with over 9,000 more cases this financial year than last. More adjudicators will be recruited over the summer, and our plans to reform the primary purpose rule should have a significant effect on the backlog.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on advice given to judges about bail for those accused of murder. [390]

No advice has been given. The granting of bail is subject to legislation, principally the Bail Act 1976.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what meetings he has had with representatives of the tourism industry about the social chapter and the minimum wage. [373]

Tourism, with its potential to generate employment, is one of the priorities we have set for the Department. We shall of course be taking every opportunity to meet representatives of the tourism industry to discuss a range of issues which affect it. The evidence is that most employers and employees in the tourism industry support a minimum wage. Minimum wages and basic standards of employment, by creating a better rewarded and motivated work force, can help to improve business of performance.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the impact on the tourism industry of a national minimum wage. [377]

Tourism, with its potential to generate employment, is one of the priorities we have set for the Department. The UK tourism industry must compete on the quality of its product and service. The introduction of a national minimum wage, by helping to create a better rewarded and better motivated work force, will drive up standards and increase business.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to promote the British tourism industry. [389]

Because we fully recognise the importance of tourism to the economy of this country and its potential for employment generation, we shall be acting with the industry, the tourist boards, local authorities and others to achieve our policy aims. These include: a positive approach from Government for the industry; effective marketing of Britain overseas; reinvigorating domestic tourism; improving the quality of the product; jobs, training and investment in people; and sustainable development.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to make the national lottery more responsive to the views of ordinary people. [374]

The Government's proposals to reform the national lottery are specifically designed to meet the concerns of the public over the way it has worked to date. The new good causes are ones which have overwhelming public support and our plans to seek a not-for-profit operator will help maintain the public's faith in the lottery by maximising the amount going to the good causes.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much lottery money he plans to divert to health and education. [375]

We intend to invest £1 billion between now and 2001 in health, education and establishing a national endowment for science and the arts, while maintaining our commitment to the existing good causes.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the estimated amount that will be available for good causes in the current financial year from the national lottery. [376]

Income to the good causes depends on sales levels of national lottery tickets and other factors such as the interest gained by the good cause fund. We expect that between £1.6 billion and £1.8 billion will be raised for the good causes in this financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on his proposals to use funds generated from the midweek lottery to finance health and education projects. [379]

The lottery reform Bill will allow lottery funds to make a greater impact than ever before on communities all over the country. The first areas to benefit will be: IT training for teachers, to give them the skills and the materials to exploit new technologies in schools; after-school clubs, to provide homework centres and extra-curricular opportunities in the arts and culture; and healthy living centres, to establish a national network of one-stop centres promoting health and fitness.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when funds from the lottery will be diverted to educational projects. [380]

The Government will invest £1 billion between now and 2001 in spending on health and education projects and establishing a national endowment for science and the arts. The programme will start as soon as the necessary legislative changes have been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultations he intends to undertake with health authorities requiring the use of lottery funds for health service expenditure. [386]

We will undertake wide consultation on our plans for the national lottery in the coming months and will publish a White Paper in the summer. We will make sure everyone with an interest in the national lottery, including health authorities, has an opportunity to present their views.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to restructure the national lottery. [363]

The Bill to reform the lottery will widen access to the benefits of the lottery and introduce a more strategic and co-ordinated approach to distribution of the proceeds. We will also seek a competitive and efficient not-for-profit operator so that the maximum amount of money possible goes to the good causes.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to meet the chairman of the BBC to discuss matters related to broadcasting. [378]

I met the chairman last week for an initial discussion of broadcasting issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has for making funds available to preserve and develop piers. [381]

Public funding for the built heritage is available from English Heritage and the National Heritage Memorial Fund. English Heritage has so far contributed ELI million for works to piers. The National Heritage Memorial Fund has provided a further £4.5 million, the greater part of which has been lottery funding. Under the terms of the National Heritage Act 1997, the National Heritage Memorial Fund trustees will for the first time be able to consider funding applications in respect of privately owned piers.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on his Department's plans for millennium celebrations. [384]

My Department is responsible for co-ordinating the Government's interests in the millennium. Through the Millennium Commission we will be spending nearly £.8 billion of national lottery money on projects—great and small—to mark the year 2000. My Department is also working with other organisations involved in the process of planning for the millennium, to ensure proper co-ordination.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase funding for inner-city theatres. [385]

I am a great believer in the power of the arts to help regenerate and build local communities, in inner-city areas in particular. Decisions on the distribution of funds are made by the Arts Council of England and the regional arts aboards in conjunction with local authorities and other funding partners, and I know that they are all aware of the wider benefits which the arts can bring to communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he expects to make an announcement on the setting up of a British Academy of Sport. [387]

The Government are committed to the development of a British Academy of Sport and I am currently considering carefully the three shortlisted bids from the Central, Heyford and Sheffield consortiums. I also intend to visit the sites in the next few weeks. A joint announcement with the United Kingdom Sports Council will be made as soon as possible thereafter.