To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the Working Group on Residential Care Home Registration Procedures; and if he will make a statement. [129]

We will be consulting this month on draft guidance to local authorities on a wide range of measures recommended in the Working Group's report. A Bill on the regulation and inspection of residential and domiciliary care will be introduced at a suitable opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the cost to public funds of the mental illness specific grant in each of the last seven years; what sums have been allocated for (a)1997–98 and(b) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [117]

Expenditure on projects supported by the mental illness specific grant in each year since 1990–91 has been £0, £2.3 million, £5.7 million, £9.9 million, £14.0 million, £18.0 million and £18.0 million. The allowance for 1997–98 is £18.0 million. The allowances for community-based services for people with mental health problems in 1998–99 will be considered along with other elements of the local government settlement. The grant has been the subject of a Scottish Office review and an independent evaluation which will be published later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he proposes to reply to questions about the Scottish Prison Service. [1068]

In view of the special sensitivity of prison matters, I have decided that all Questions about the Scottish Prison Service will be answered by a Scottish Office Minister and not by the Chief Executive of the Service. This is no reflection whatever on the Chief Executive who has discharged well his responsibilities in this regard, nor does it have any implication for the Scottish Prison Service as an Agency; but it recognises particular concerns that Ministers should answer personally on matters relating to imprisonment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many invitations to tender were issued, and to whom, in respect of maintenance of water treatment plants on or near Salisbury Plain during 1996, listing the establishments; and which contractors were successful. [97]

The Army's water and sewage treatment plants on or near Salisbury Plain are managed from the five military stations at Upavon, Larkhill, Warminster, Netheravon and Tidworth. All are maintained in accordance with our normal practice of appointing a Works Service Manager from the commercial sector whose responsibility it is to maintain the estate and to issue invitations to tender for the work involved. The Works Service Manager contract in respect of the plants managed from Tidworth was reviewed in 1996. The contract was awarded to BP Defence following competition in which the following firms were also invited to tender: Serco, Laings, Trant, Amey and Trafalgar House. Invitations were also issued in 1996 to companies interested in making proposals for the provision of water and sewage treatment at Tidworth under a Private Fiance Initiative exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the pension entitlements of widows of service men (a) who retired before March 1973 and (b) who retired after that date; what effect remarriage of a widow under either of these circumstances has upon that widow's entitlement; and if she will make it her policy that such widows receive pensions equal to at least half of the pensions to which their husbands would have been entitled. [651]

I am replying to this question as it concerns benefits payable to Service widows under the provisions of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS).Under the provisions, a widow of a Serviceman who retired before 31 March 1973 is entitled to a pension equal to one third of her late husband's pension. A Service widow whose husband retired on or after that date is entitled to a pension equal to one half of her husband's pension. On remarriage a Service widow's entitlement to an AFPS pension ceases. However, if the subsequent marriage should end, there is discretion to restore the original Forces Family Pension. 80 per cent. of such applications are successful. In the case of those widows whose husband's death is accepted as attributable to their military service the original Armed Forces pension is automatically restored.One of the principles which underpin the way in which the major public service schemes operate is that improvements to the scheme should not be retrospective. An extension of widows' pensions to half rate would breach this principle. If improvements to pensions schemes were to include the cost of backdating, it would become very difficult for schemes to afford any worthwhile changes. The AFPS therefore operates on the principle that when Service personnel retire, they and their dependants are entitled only to the provisions of the pension scheme in force at the date of retirement

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make available for public inspection her Department's inspectors report on Lord Archer's share dealings; and if she will make a statement. [277]

No. Reports of inspections under section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986 are not published and are therefore prepared on that basis. The inspectors undertake their task with the knowledge that there is no power in the Act providing for publication and that they need not, therefore, be inhibited in expressing their views. Individuals who are criticised in a section 177 report are not given any opportunity to comment upon the criticisms, as would be the case if the report was to be published. Section 177 reports are prepared to enable the Secretary of State to consider further action including possible criminal proceedings.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on late payment of debt by companies. [69]

My Department is aware of the continuing difficulties experienced by small businesses as a result of the late payment of commercial debts. Although this Department has not commissioned any research on this matter it has closely analysed the findings of other key pieces of research including the recent work undertaken by NOP which showed that 80 per cent. of British businesses wanted a statutory right to interest. These findings are supported by similar research undertaken by Lloyds Bank and Office World which show that the majority of small firms are in favour of legislation.The Government is determined to change the payment culture in the UK and that is why we have responded to the calls from small businesses and announced in the Queen's Speech that we will introduce the Fair Payment of Commercial Debts Bill. The Government will consult on the most appropriate way of introducing legislation and plans to bring forward a Green Paper in the Summer to enable interested parties to put their views forward.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact on jobs of setting a minimum wage at different levels. [70]

The independent Low Pay Commission will recommend to Government the initial level at which the National Minimum Wage might be set according to the economic circumstances of the time.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many civil servants, of each grade, in her Department, were of Asian origin, on 5 May. [732]

On 5 May 1997 the DTI employed, on headcount basis, 241 staff of Asian Origin in the following grade levels:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to increase the number of ethnic minority employees in her Department. [733]

My Department's recruitment procedures take full account of the need to attract ethnic minority applicants when posts are available. This includes the use of ethnic minority press to advertise vacancies; advertising in inner city job centres; race awareness training and guidance for those involved in recruitment activity; and detailed monitoring of recruitment campaigns.However, the number of staff in the Department has reduced significantly in recent years, and there has been little recruitment at any level. When there is a need to recruit new staff, the Department will actively seek to attract applications from all sections of the community. It will also keep under review the effectiveness of the Department's recruitment procedures in this respect.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will commission a report into the liquidation of BCCI. [712]

My officials expect to receive the annual report of the liquidators as to the progress of the liquidation of BCCI shortly. It will cover the fifth year of the liquidation ie the 12 months to 14 January 1997 and will be made available to creditors. I undertake to send my hon. Friend a copy of that report and to place a copy in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to meet the liquidators of BCCI. [711]

I understand that my predecessor met my hon. Friend and others in November 1996 and met the joint liquidators of BCCI in December 1996. I do not have any present plans to meet the joint liquidators but would be grateful if my hon. Friend would write to me if there are any matters to do with the liquidation to which he particularly wishes to draw my attention.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes she plans to make to the Insolvency Service. [713]

I have no plans to make changes to the Insolvency Service but if there are any matters in relation to its operations to which my hon. Friend wishes to draw my attention I should be grateful to hear from him.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses. [701]

As we made clear in our manifesto, we are committed to relieving the regulatory burdens on businesses, particularly on small businesses. To achieve this we plan to work in partnership with business to cut red tape for small firms, ensure that new regulations are simple and fair, and establish simpler means by which businesses can undertake their dealings with Government.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what future provision is being made for the support of trade fairs abroad. [1199]

My officials will shortly be writing to potential sponsors inviting bids for trade fair and seminar support in 1998–99 under the Trade Fair and Seminar Support Schemes and with a view to announcing the successful ones later this year. Industry had told us that it believes a separate scheme is more effective than including trade fairs in a Challenge approach. In the light of these representations we have decided that support for trade fairs will not be included in any future round of the Sector Challenge. Together with industry we will be reviewing all forms of export assistance, including trade fairs, through the new Export Forum. These actions fulfil commitments made in our business manifesto to review the previous government's decision to change the arrangements for supporting British participation in trade fairs.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact on (a) business and (b) small businesses of the Price Marking Order 1991; and if she will make a statement. [100]

A compliance cost assessment was prepared prior to the making of the Price Marking Order 1991.Implementation of the new Price Indications Directive—currently at an advanced stage of negotiations—will require the making of a new Price Marking Order and the revocation of the 1991 Order. My Department will consult business organisations and others, and will prepare a new compliance cost assessment before the new Order is laid before Parliament.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contact has been undertaken by her Department with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company in respect of measures to reach an agreement with the dismissed employees. [513]

[holding answer 20 May 1997]: My Department has had no contact with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company concerning the resolution of this dispute. However, I understand the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has been in touch with the two sides to this dispute and remains ready to provide assistance if both sides agree.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many prosecutions for television licence evasion in the Preston TVLEO area took place in each year since 1992. [705]

From 1993–94, the Preston Television Licensing Enquiry Office (TVLEO) area also included Morecambe. From December 1996, the Preston TVLEO area was incorporated into TV Licensing's Northern Region and prosecution figures for the Preston area are no longer separately recorded. The number of prosecutions for television licence evasion during the period in question was:

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to increase the number of employees from ethnic minorities within his Department. [240]

The Department has increased the complement of staff engaged in Equal Opportunities work from 1997–98 which will enable plans to be developed for improving the opportunities for employees from ethnic minorities. Current figures show that the percentage of ethnic minority employees in my Department is above the Civil Service average.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to encourage more people to participate in sport. [388]

The Government will take the lead to extend opportunities for participation in sport through a national strategy for sport which will embrace all sections of the community regardless of where they live, social background, age or ability. This will be dedicated to providing excellence at all levels and improving sporting performance, while increasing sporting opportunities for the many not the few.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if the statement made by the Minister of Sport that the support of Lord MacLaurin, former chairman of the United Kingdom Sports Council, for the Conservative Party was not a good career move, represents Government policy.[606]

My right hon. Friend has accepted Lord MacLaurin's resignation, which was tendered by him for his own reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of lottery grants has been made to (a) large and (b) small-scale projects. [804]

The following table shows the proportion of lottery awards to date by value.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the share of lottery proceeds distributed to the regions.[802]

It is clear that some areas of the country have benefited a great deal more from the Lottery than others. We will be looking at the reasons for this as part of our overall review of Lottery distribution and considering what changes might be made as a result.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of lottery proceeds currently goes to ethnic minority projects; and what steps he is taking to ensure that ethnic minority projects are well represented and supported. [803]

Our best estimate suggests that over 3 per cent. of Lottery awards so far announced, representing around 2 per cent. of total value of awards have been to ethnic minority projects, though many other projects provide benefits for people from ethnic minorities. I am conducting a thorough review of the distribution of Lottery proceeds including how best to ensure that all sections of the community benefit fully from the National Lottery.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the mechanisms for the public accountability of the operation of the lottery. [807]

The operation of the National Lottery is regulated by the Director-General who is appointed by the Secretary of State for National Heritage under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Director-General is head of the Office of the National Lottery (OFLOT) which is an independent, non-Ministerial Government Department. As its head, the Director-General is accountable for the exercise of his statutory functions under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, and for the financial operation of his Department.The Director-General must report each year to me on the exercise of his functions. This report is then laid before Parliament. He is also accountable to Parliamentary committees. The Director-General must also provide me with information relating to the National Lottery, or a lottery forming part of it, as I may direct.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage over what timetable he proposes to divert proceeds from the midweek lottery to health and education projects; and to which type of health and education projects he intends funds to be allocated. [805]

I intend to publish a White Paper in the summer setting out our plans for reforming the National Lottery and to introduce the National Lottery (Amendment) Bill before Christmas. The first priorities will be after-school clubs to provide homework centres and extra-curricular opportunities in the arts and culture; establishing a national network of one-stop healthy living centres promoting health and fitness; training teachers in the IT skills they need in the information age; and the establishment of the National Endowment for Science and the Arts. These programmes will begin as soon as the necessary legislation is in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to reform the distribution of the proceeds of the national lottery. [383]

[holding answer 19 May 1997]: In addition to establishing new good causes to benefit from the National Lottery, we will review the existing distribution system to ensure that there is the widest possible access to Lottery funds throughout the UK. We will consider particularly the need for a proper strategy for the distribution of funds and co-ordination between the distributing bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to limit the level of the national lottery operator's profits. [806]

I do not have the powers to restrict the level of profit which Camelot makes under its current licence. We will seek a competitive and efficient not-for-profit operator to run the National Lottery when Camelot's licence runs out so that the maximum amount of money possible goes to the goods causes.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he plans to take to ensure that the fullest practicable archaeological investigation is made of the original Globe Theatre site.[605]

When the Globe's remains were discovered in 1989, part of the site was excavated and fully recorded. English Heritage is prepared to consider the case for further archaeological investigations beneath the basement of Anchor Terrace, provided it can be shown convincingly that there is a high probability of discovering valuable and particular information about the Globe as a result.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the computerised inventory of the Royal Collection will be completed. [702]

I understand from the Royal Household, which is responsible for the Royal Collection Department, that they expect the inventory to be completed by the end of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans his Department has to celebrate the Millennium. [369]

My Department is responsible for co-ordinating the Government's interests in the Millennium. Through the Millennium Commission we will be spending nearly £1.8 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 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss Gibraltar with his Spanish counterpart. [717]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will be meeting his Spanish counterpart on a number of occasions in the coming weeks. As well as EU issues, he will discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, including Gibraltar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to give support for the programme for preventing and combating illicit trafficking in conventional arms put forward by the Netherlands Government during their presidency of the EU. [621]

Yes. We hope it will be possible for the programme to be adopted during the current EU Presidency, and will play a full part in taking it forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to advance an EU code of conduct on the arms trade at the EU intergovernmental conference. [622]

We are committed to working for the introduction of an EU Code of Conduct on arms exports, setting out high common standards. Work is in hand on ways to implement this commitment, which we intend to discuss with our EU partners at an early stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the summit meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation; and if he will make a statement.[746]

The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation can play an important role in promoting trade liberalisation, stability and security within the region. The Summit in Male from 12 to 14 May saw a number of positive developments on these issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit the UN to discuss the supply of arms to third world regimes. [319]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had no immediate plans for such a visit. As a major arms exporter, the UK will exercise its responsibility to ensure that the arms trade is properly regulated. We have made a number of commitments in this area. In particular, we will not permit the export of arms to regimes which might use them for internal repression or international aggression. We shall work for increased transparency on defence exports at the national and international level. We shall also work for the introduction of an EU code of conduct setting high common standards to govern arms exports from all EU countries, and for the strengthening of the UN Register on Conventional Arms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the import, export, transfer, manufacture and use of anti-personnel land mines. [1067]

As announced earlier today by my right hon. Friend we shall implement our manifesto commitment to ban the import, export, transfer and manufacture of all forms of anti-personnel land mines.We will accelerate the phasing out of our stocks of anti-personnel land mines, and complete it by 2005 or when an effective international agreement to ban their use enters into force, whichever comes first. In the meantime, we have introduced a complete moratorium on their operational use, while we participate constructively in the Ottawa Process and push in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva for a wider ban.That moratorium will be suspended only if we judge that for a specific operation the security of our Armed Forces would be jeopardised without the possibility of the use of anti-personnel land mines. In such an exceptional case we would report to Parliament the decision, and the circumstances which led to it.We shall also examine how we can make more progress in removing mines already laid across the world.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of households in (a) Hull and (b) Kingston upon Hull, North without a wage earner.[164]

[holding answer 19 May 1997]: 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 Attorney-General what plans he has for improving the effectiveness of prosecution arrangements. [1198]

The pledges we made in our manifesto and the paper "The Case for the Prosecution" published before the election envisaged a change to the organisational structure of the Crown Prosecution Service so that there would be a one-to-one relationship between a police force and its corresponding CPS area as equal partners. In addition, we undertook to establish a review under the auspices of a person of the calibre of a High Court Judge to examine more closely the internal structures of the CPS, together with its policies and procedures and in particular whether they have been a factor in the extent to which convictions have fallen—by more than a third—whilst crime has risen so dramatically in recent years.Immediately on taking office I asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to work up proposals for dividing the Crown Prosecution Service into 42 areas each having its own Chief Crown Prosecutor ie. one for each police force outside London with the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police beings served by one CPS area. She has now done so. The basic timetable of the arrangements to be implemented is as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lanscaster how many civil servants there are currently. [1045]

At 1 January 1997 there were 482,770 permanent civil servants. There were also 23,450 casual staff. Information for 1 April will be available shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to enable councils to modernise houses with defective windows and doors and install central heating; and if he will make a statement.[631]

We are taking forward the Manifesto commitments to a phased release of capital receipts for building new houses and rehabilitating old ones; to support effective schemes, involving partnership with the private sector and registered social landlords, and to deploy private finance to improve the public housing stock and to introduce greater diversity and choice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the nursery voucher scheme. [633]

I announced on 12 May that nursery vouchers in Wales are to be abolished from the end of this term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to move young people aged 24 years and under from benefits to work or training; and if he will make a statement. [635]

The Government's Welfare to Work proposals will ensure that no young person between the ages of 18 and 24 need be unemployed for longer than 6 months. We intend to offer these young people the choice of working and training with employers, voluntary or environmental organisations or participating in full time education or training. The Government is determined to break the vicious cycle of unemployment, frustration and alienation experienced by too many young people in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average cost of NHS treatment per patient in Wales. [649]

The average cost of NHS treatment per patient for primary healthcare in Wales is not available centrally. For secondary healthcare the 1995–96 average cost per episode, for cases using a bed, is £1,053 in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the outstanding repair and maintenance backlog at NHS facilities by health authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [780]

Backlog Maintenance statistics were collated by Health Authority area until 31 March 1995 but following reorganisation are collected and presented on a Trust basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions in each of the last five years patients have been removed from GPs' lists (a) in Wales and (b) in each health authority. [788]

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that persons who have been resident in the United Kingdom for at least 10 years and whose application for British citizenship has been turned down will be given the reason for refusal. [263]

The question of giving reasons for decisions on applications for British citizenship is currently before the courts. We are reviewing our practice and shall continue to do so in the light of the judgment of the House of Lords. It would not be appropriate for the length of a person's residence in the United Kingdom alone to determine whether reasons are given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for permanent residency in the United Kingdom have been received from non-Chinese ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.[269]

The information requested is not available as the ethnic origin of persons seeking settlement in the United Kingdom is not recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what environmental impact assessment he has carried out of the proposals for a new Category `B' Prison at Onley. [130]

An assessment of the visual impact of the proposed new prison has been carried out by independent consultants. An illustrative landscape scheme has been prepared on the basis of this assessment: a wildlife study will follow.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a final financial compensation offer to Judith Ward, wrongly convicted of the 1973 M62 coach bombing. [181]

Judith Ward's final claim for compensation was only received in the Home Office in April 1997. The next stage involves reaching agreement with Ms Ward on the terms of a memorandum setting out the details of her claim, which will then be forwarded to the independent assessor who is responsible for determining the amount of compensation to be offered. In the circumstances, it is not possible to say precisely when the final offer will be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims for financial compensation in the case of individuals who were found by the Court of Appeal to have been wrongfully convicted were settled in 1996–97; and on what dates their convictions were quashed. [183]

Sixty-five compensation claims were settled during 1996–97, including 50 stemming from the quashing of a high number of drink-driving convictions in Greater Manchester following possible contamination of blood samples. No central record is maintained of the dates on which the convictions were quashed in those cases involving wrongful conviction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the policy under which inmates in prison special secure units may only receive visits if they are physically separated from their visitors by a glass screen. [184]

The policy of mandatory closed visits for exceptional risk prisoners will be kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take in respect of the March 1997 Amnesty International report relating to conditions in the special secure units at HMP Full Sutton, HMP Belmarsh and HMP Whitemoor. [309]

Ministers will consider the Amnesty International report and a response will be submitted in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Mohammed Al Fayed has lodged a fresh application for British citizenship. [1023]

It would be for Mr. Al Fayed to disclose any such details.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long prisoner Ellis Sherwood has been on hunger strike; and if he will make a statement. [159]

[holding answer 19 May 1997]: Mr. Sherwood first began his food refusal on 12 April 1997 in protest at being held on the basic regime wing at Long Lartin prisonMr. Sherwood suspended his protest between 20 and 24 April during a short stay in the Health Care Centre. He was moved back to normal location on 24 April and re-commenced his protest on 27 April. His health is being monitored daily by a doctor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in considering the request of Danny McNamee currently detained at HMP Full Sutton for his exceptional risk security classification to be reduced and for him to be moved out of the special secure unit. [161]

[holding answer 19 May 1997]: Mr. McNamee's security categorisation and escape risk classification were reviewed by the category A committee of the Prison Service on 23 April 1997. The committee's recommendation, approved by the Director of Dispersal Prisons, was that he should remain a category A prisoner and continue to be classified as an exceptional escape risk. Mr. McNamee will be notified shortly of the reasons for this decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the public sector equivalent cost assessments for each project which is the subject of a PFI funding bid application currently under consideration by his Department. [18]

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that community health councils are given access to information on each relevant PFI funding application for NHS facilities. [20]

Health authorities have a statutory duty to consult their local Community Health Councils (CHCs) on proposals brought forward by National Health Service trusts for substantial developments or variations in services. In any major private finance initiative scheme, the views of CHCs will therefore have to be considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review each NHS PFI bid where the projected number of specialty beds is less than currently provided for under existing facilities.[27]

Any private finance initiative proposal must have the full backing of its purchaser health authorities before it is approved. Purchasers must be consulted so that they can satisfy themselves that a PFI scheme is affordable, is consistent with their healthcare strategies and represents the best way of meeting patient needs. The number and types of bed required will be one of the factors they will take into consideration. The local health authority must, in turn, consult the relevant Community Health Council—who represent the public interest in the health service—when any major service change, including major changes in bed numbers, is proposed by a trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from NHS purchasers of cases of repeat invoicing by Life Support Engineering Ltd. [16]

We have received no representations from National Health Service purchasers about this company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to reduce the number of deaths (a) resulting from the use of medicinal drugs and (b) of those addicted to medicines. [107]

No medicine which is effective is completely risk-free. Therefore, there are well-established systems for licensing and monitoring the safety of all medicines available in the United Kingdom. These ensure the benefits of medicines outweigh any risks and prevent users coming to unnecessary harm.The clinical needs of the patient can be decided only by the doctor treating the patient at the time. To assist doctors, the Department of Health provides and funds a full range of educational information and advice. The Medicines Control Agency alerts health professionals to unexpected drug hazards.These measures are kept under regular review and we will take action as appropriate to maintain necessary safeguards to protect public health.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review section 5 of the Public Records Act 1958 to allow public inspection of classes of public records earlier than 30 years after they were created. [270]

Section 5 of the Public Records Act 1958 already gives power to the Lord Chancellor to prescribe a public access period of less than 30 years for particular public records in the Public Records Office. For example, records of British Coal and of the Treasury Solicitor concerning the Aberfan Disaster in 1966 and the subsequent inquiry were all opened together, although a number of them were less than 30 years old.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his proposal to cut class sizes, stating the maximum class size that will be allowed and the estimated cost of achieving that.[596]

Our policy is to phase out classes of over 30 for all five, six and seven-year-olds during the lifetime of this Parliament. The detailed costs of achieving that objective will depend on how LEAs and school implement reductions in class sizes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the savings that will result from phasing out the assisted places scheme. [597]

Phasing out the assisted places scheme will lead to savings of about £100 million in total by the year 2000 which will be used to reduce class sizes for five, six and seven-year-olds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will name the independent schools and number of assisted places in each presently available in the Cambridge constituency. [602]

The number of entry places available at each of the three participating schools in the Cambridge constituency in academic year 1996–97 is given in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the eventual savings from phasing out the assisted places scheme in the schools located in the Cambridge constituency.[603]

Estimates of the eventual savings from phasing out the assisted places scheme have not been compiled on a local education authority or constituency basis. The current annual cost of the scheme at the three participating schools in Cambridge totals some £750,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils have been accepted on to the assisted places scheme for September 1997; if these pupils will be allowed to take up their places in independent schools; and if he will make a statement. [752]

The number of children who will have taken up assisted places at the start of the academic year 1997–98 will not be available until participating schools have made their statistical returns by the middle of the Autumn term 1997. Some 10,700 assisted places on entry will be available at 1 September, and we propose to allow any pupil selected during the current school year to take up such a place, provided he or she joins the school at the start of the 1997–98 school year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of children were in nursery education in Lancashire in each year since 1992. [699]

The information available is shown in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he has received an application from the governor of Doodfield primary school, Hawk Green, Stockport, to opt out of LEA control; what criteria he will use in determining such applications; and what factors govern his timetable in making such decisions. [627]

An application for grant maintained status was published on 23 April by the governors of Doodfield primary school and has been received in the Department. All proposals in respect of schools will be considered on their individual merits, taking account of all relevant considerations. There is a two-month period following publication during which statutory objections may be made to the proposals. We would aim to reach a decision as soon as is compatible with consideration of all the relevant issues, including consideration of any related statutory proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average cost of each full-time primary school teacher in the present financial year. [764]

The Department's estimate of the average cost of each full-time primary school teacher in the present financial year is around £25,600. This includes salary, national insurance and employers' superannuation costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average cost per full-time pupil in secondary education, excluding pupils in receipt of special needs provision, in the present financial year. [765]

In 1995–96, the latest year for which data are available, the net institutional expenditure per pupil in LEA maintained secondary schools, excluding special schools, in England was £2,286.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of pupils currently reach level four in (a) literacy and (b) numeracy standard assessment tests; and if he will make a statement. [750]

In 1996, the percentages of 11 year old pupils achieving level 4 or above in English and mathematics in England were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many classes in the new county of Wiltshire have over 30 children in (a) primary schools, (b) first schools and (c) middle schools.[98]

The information requested is shown in the following table.