To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will appoint a Minister to have responsibility for policy on disabled people. [2291]

My Ministerial responsibilities include disability issues and I will be working with Ministerial colleagues to ensure that all the needs of all disabled people are addressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to allow Scottish Homes tenants the option of a local authority landlord in the event of a housing stock transfer. [2479]

We are reviewing the arrangements for the transfer of Scottish Homes' houses in the light of the Government's commitment to give tenants choice in their landlord.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to tackle homelessness in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [2724]

A revised Code of Guidance on Homelessness will shortly be issued. It will give clear encouragement to local authorities that they should seek to secure, either at their own hand or from other housing providers, permanent rather than temporary accommodation for unintentionally homeless people in priority need. We have also allocated an additional£1 million for the Rough Sleepers Initiative this year, bringing the total available funding to £16 million over three years; and we are making available a further £2 million as the first instalment in a new long term initiative to bring empty homes back into use. Subject to a satisfactory evaluation, we will make additional funding available to the Scottish Homeless Advisory Service to extend it throughout Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to tackle poverty in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [2725]

The Government are committed to mounting a concerted attack against the multiple causes of social and economic decline. For many, the best path out of poverty is work, where it is appropriate. Our New Deal initiative will give young people opportunities to do so as part of our Welfare to Work programme. We also intend to provide help for people over the age of 25 who have been out of work for 2 years or more.The Government's commitment is not restricted to those seeking work, but to all of the most deprived in our society. A significant way in which this is taken forward in areas with the worst concentrations of deprivation is through the multi-agency partnership approach to regeneration, established under Programme for Partnership, where comprehensive strategies are taken forward to improve the conditions in which local people live.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total subsidy for air services to Islay in (a) 1995 and (b) 1996; to which company the subsidy was awarded; and what obligations are placed on the company to run weekend services. [2855]

No subsidy is provided by either central or local government for scheduled air services to and from Islay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response the Government have made to the recommendations of the Pennington report. [3509]

The Government accept all the recommendations in the final Pennington Report. We are fully committed to introducing the measures which we believe will help strengthen existing food safety legislation.Central to the Pennington Report are the recommendations to license butchers who are handling raw and cooked meat to ensure adequate separation. The Government are actively considering the detail of these proposals and will shortly seek views from health professionals, consumer organisations and the trade on issues such as the premises to be covered, the degree of physical separation and on timescale for implementation. Final decisions on all these matters will have as its overriding concern the protection of public health.The Government will also promote the introduction of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles into the meat production chain, from slaughterhouse to butcher shop. This internationally recognised approach to identifying and controlling food hazards will secure improved levels of food safety in the longer term.As Professor Pennington has recognised, many of the recommendations will require careful development to ensure that they are effective when introduced. At the same time we are fully aware of the need to have the measures in place quickly to strengthen food safety and restore public confidence, particularly given the recent new outbreaks of E.coli in Scotland.Finally, the Government wish formally to record its appreciation of the work carried out by Professor Pennington and the members of the expert group. Our acceptance of all the Group's recommendations illustrates our commitment that the safety of public health will be of the highest priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the impact of the introduction of CCTV on the crime level in the centre of Chelmsford; how many arrests have been made as a result of CCTV; and by how much the crime rate has fallen in that part of Chelmsford. [2251]

The police in Chelmsford report that, in the 12-month period since the cameras became operational (January 1996-January 1997), 200 arrests were directly attributed to the presence of the cameras, and town centre crime overall fell by 21 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were (a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full,(d)retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g)otherwise unaccounted for. [2513]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department today.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to increase animal welfare standards in puppy farms; and if he will make a statement. [2989]

The Government is giving careful consideration to the laws regulating dog breeding establishments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of asylum seekers held (a) in gaol and (b) otherwise in custody on the first day of each month for the years (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996 and (iv) 1997 to date. [2845]

The available information on detained asylum seekers for selected dates during 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 is given in the table.

Table 1. Number of people recorded as being detained 1,2, who had sought asylum at some stage, by location of detention, as at selected dates in 1994, 1995, 1996. and 1997.
Detained as at	Prison Service establishments	Detained in Other places of detention	Total
18 November 1994	278	376	654
13 January 1995	257	315	572
29 March 1995	274	345	619
10 May 1995	240	406	646
3 July 1995	323	367	690
21 November 1995	378	398	776
31 January 1996	432	301	733
29 February 1996	346	356	702
29 March 1996	344	341	685
30 April 1996	353	372	725

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will put on hold all immigration appeal cases for established same sex partnerships, pending a review of immigration policy. [3052]

No. Home Office Presenting Officers have, however, been instructed not to oppose requests for adjournments in same sex relationship appeals unless there are strong reasons on other grounds for proceeding with the case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to review the use of CS gas by the police; and if he will make a statement; [2138](2) what research his Department has commissioned into the effects of CS gas; and if he will make a statement; [2136](3) if he will make a statement on the regulations governing the use of CS gas by the police. [2137]

My right hon. Friend has no plans to review police use of CS at this stage. In 1969, the then Home Secretary, my noble Friend Lord Callaghan, set up an inquiry into the medical and toxicological aspects of CS following its use in Londonderry. The report of the inquiry was published, in two parts, in 1969 and 1971 (Cm 4173 and Cm 4775 respectively). The possible use of CS cartridges and grenades by police forces as a last resort in dealing with serious disorder is the subject of confidential Home Office guidelines. The Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch reviewed all the available scientific data relating to CS which, along with advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the Ministry of Defence, was taken into account by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in deciding to recommend CS spray as an aerosol incapacitant for police defensive use. ACPO has provided chief officers with guidance on the use of CS spray, copies of which are in the Library. The use of any force by officers is governed by section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, which provides that a person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average fine imposed by (a) justices of the peace and (b) stipendiary and metropolitan stipendiary magistrates in relation to cases of driving with no insurance in each of the last three years.[2939]

[holding answer 10 June 1997]: The information collected centrally does not allow a distinction to be made between the types of magistrates who deal with a case.However, the following table shows the average fine imposed by all magistrates' courts for driving uninsured against third party risks in England and Wales in the years 1993, 1994 and 1995. Figures for 1996 are not yet available. It also shows separately figures for metropolitan police forces, where stipendiary and metropolitan stipendiary magistrates are most likely to operate, and other police forces. Those fined for driving without insurance are often dealt with for other offences as well. It is difficult to know whether there is a significant difference in the case profiles of offenders dealt with by courts in different areas.

Average fine in England and Wales for the offence of using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks
	All magistrates' courts(£)	Magistrates' courts in, metropolitan forces (£)	Magistrates'courts in other police forces (£)
1993	188	180	194
1994	209	205	212
1995	223	224	223

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are to be taken to ensure proper observance of the regulations introduced under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [3005]

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 remains one of the most rigorous pieces of legislation of its type. All those who work under the Act have a duty to ensure that its regulations, including the terms and conditions of the relevant licences and certificates, are fully observed. The holders of Certificates of Designation have a particular responsibility to ensure that animal work within their establishments is properly controlled.The Home Office, through the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate, carries out spot checks on establishments to monitor compliance with the regulations, but inspectors cannot be at establishments at all times and observance of the law must lie primarily with the scientists and animal technicians.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue a pardon for James Hanratty. [2815]

My right hon. Friend has no current plans to issue a pardon for James Hanratty. Representations on the case of James Hanratty have been passed to the Criminal Cases Review Commission for its consideration and it will be for it to decide if the case should be referred to the Court of Appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to increase the percentage of (a) persons aged over 18 years, (b) people from ethnic minority backgrounds and (c) people in rented accommodation who are registered to vote. [3073]

We are considering how best to publicise this autumn's canvass for electoral registration and in particular how to reach groups whose members tend to be more likely not to register. These include the young, members of ethnic minority groups and people who are not in settled accommodation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost to public funds in the last year for which figures are available of an appeal to an adjudicator against a decision by an entry clearance officer to refuse family settlement to an applicant, from the time of the refusal to the issue of a determination by the adjudicator. [2531]

The information requested is not held centrally, but I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were (a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2510]

No document falls due for transfer to the Public Record Office until it is 30 years old. The suitability of a document for selection for permanent preservation under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958 will be reviewed during that period. The Act does not require statistics to be kept in the form requested. To do so would incur disproportionate cost. However, in order to comply with their duties under the Act, Departments are obliged to make arrangements for the safe keeping of their records, with a view to their possible selection and transfer to the Public Record Office and eventual release to the public. The general arrangements for extended closure or retention of public records are set out in Chapter 9 of the White Paper on Open Government of July 1993 (Cm 2290).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Government's proposals for the future of the private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement. [2569]

I have asked Malcolm Bates to conduct a rapid review of present arrangements. I have placed a copy of his terms of reference in the Library. Mr. Bates is due to report to me by 13 June, and I expect to announce the Government's response to the findings of that review shortly thereafter.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about Government policy on mutuality, with special reference to the Nationwide Building Society; and what assessment he has made of the possible impact on homeowners of building societies converting into banks. [2981]

The Government welcomes diversity and competition in the mortgage market, where both the mutual building societies and plc banks provide a range of varied and innovative products.As only one building society has converted to a bank before this year, it is too early to say what the impact on homeowners will be.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the long term impact (a) on interest rates for homeowners and savers and (b) on choice of lending and saving institutions, of mutual building societies converting into banks. [2985]

As all but one of the societies converting to banks are either about to do so, or have done so very recently, it is too early to say what the long term impact on interest rates for homeowners and savers will be.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual contributions of £ 1 coins the Treasury has received in the last 12 months from supporters of Christian Aid's Change the Rules campaign; and what he proposes to do with the sum contributed. [2837]

[holding answer 10 June 1997]: The Government has received a total of £3,624.67 as of 10 June. All the money received as part of the £1 coin campaign is being paid into the Consolidated Fund at the Bank of England and will be used to provide additional debt relief for Tanzania.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether NHS trust and health authority deficits, actual and projected, have been included in the public sector borrowing requirement calculation for (a) 1995ߝ96, (b) 1996ߝ97 and (c) 1997ߝ98. [2207]

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: Outturns for the public sector borrowing requirement in 1995ߝ97 and 1996ߝ97 cover the cash borrowing requirements of all public sector bodies, including NHS Trusts and health authorities. The forecast of the public sector borrowing requirement for 1997ߝ98 made in the last Budget was based on the previous Government's spending plans. It included the planned borrowing of NHS trusts and assumed that health authorities' expenditure remained within their allocated cash limit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for a married taxpayer with earned income and no other income of (i) £5,000, (ii) £10,000, (iii) £15,000 and (iv) £20,000 and a single taxpayer with earned income and no other income of (a) £5,000, (b) £10,000 (c) £15,000 and (d) £20,000, how much they would gain each week from the introduction of a 10p starting rate of income tax on the first (1) £1,000, (2) £1,500, (3) £2,000, (4) £2,500 and (5) £3,000 of taxable income to replace the first £2,000 of the current 20p income tax band while leaving all other tax rate bands and allowances unchanged. [1859]

[holding answer 2 June 1997]: Based on the right hon. Member's assumptions, the weekly gains from a new lop starting rate of income tax are given in the table. 1997ߝ98 allowances and rates are used.

Gain per week (£) Width of 10p band
Earnings	£1,000	£1,500	£2,000	£2,500	£3,000
£5,000	1.84	1.84	1.84	1.84	1.84
£10,000	1.92	2.88	3.85	4.81	5.77
£15,000	1.92	2.88	3.85	4.81	5.77
£20,000	1.92	2.88	3.85	4.81	5.77

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much reserve would be forgone by the introduction of a starting rate of income tax at lop on the first (a) £1,000, (b) £1,500, (c) £2,000, (d) £2,500 and (e) £3,000 of taxable income to replace its first £1,000, £1,500, £2,000, £2,500, £3,000 respectively, of its current 20p income tax band, while leaving all other tax rate bands and allowances unchanged. [1860]

[holding answer 2 June 1997]: The estimated full-year costs, based on the right hon. Member's assumptions and assuming that all other allowances and tax rates in 1997ߝ98 are left unchanged, are given in the table:

New 10p starting rate on first	Full year cost at 1997–98 income levels(£ billion)
£1,000	2.5
£1,500	3.6
£2,000	4.8
£2,500	5.9
£3,000	6.9

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a starting rate of income tax at 10p on respectively the first £1,000, £1,500 to £2,000; £2,500, £3,000 of taxable income replacing the first £1,000, £1,500, £2,000, £2,500 and £3,000 of the current 20p income tax band, at what starting point of taxable income the basic rate would have to be set to ensure no overall loss of tax receipts either in the year of assessment for which these changes were made or in either of two following years. [1875]

[holding answer 2 June 1997]: Based on the right hon. Member's assumption of no loss of tax revenue in a full year, the basic rate limit would need to be set at the levels given in the table. These assume 1997ߝ98 income levels and that all other allowances and tax rates in 1997ߝ98 are unchanged.

New 10p starting rate on first	Value of basic rate limit
£1,000	£21,100
£1,500	£19,400
£2,000	£18,000
£2,500	£16,850
£3,000	£15,850

To repeat the same analysis in terms of no overall loss of tax receipts in 1997ߝ98 and the following two years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the basic rate limit would have to be reduced to ensure that with a starting rate of tax of lop on the first (a) £1,000, (b) £1,500, (c) £2,000, (d) £2,500 and (e) £3,000 of taxable income to replace the first £1,000, £1,500, £2,000, £2,500 and £3,000 respectively, of the current 20p income tax band, while leaving all other tax rate bands and allowances unchanged, nobody currently paying tax at the higher rate of 40p would experience any reduction in their aggregate income tax liability. [1858]

[holding answer 2 June 1997]: Based on the right hon. Member's assumptions that the higher rate taxpayers do not gain from a new 10p starting rate, the basic rate limit would be as shown in the table below.

Width of 10p band	Reduce basic rate limit to
(a)£1,000	£25,512
(b) £1,500	£25,218
(c)£2,000	£24,924
(d)£2,500	£24,629
(e)£3,000	£24,335

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of mortgage interest tax relief in (a) 1997ߝ98, (b) 1998ߝ99 and (c) 1999ߝ2000. [1642]

[holding answer 2 June 1997]: The estimated total cost of mortgage interest tax relief in 1997ߝ98 is £2.4 billion. The estimate is based on the assumption, by convention, of no change from the latest available estimated average building society interest rate of 6.66 per cent. The cost of the relief in 1998ߝ99 and 1999ߝ2000 would depend on future interest rates, the future distribution of the number and value of outstanding mortgages.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the Finance Bill; and when he will make notes on the Bill's clauses available to hon. Members. [3506]

We expect the Finance Bill to be published the day after the conclusion of the Budget debate. Explanatory Notes on the Bill's clauses will be placed in the Vote Office and the Libraries of the House that day. Members of the public will be able to obtain copies of the Explanatory Notes from the Treasury; these will also be available on the Treasury's internet site (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are in place to monitor and enforce fair employment and equal opportunities policies in Customs and Excise in Northern Ireland. [1912]

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: Customs and Excise, along with all other civil service departments and agencies with staff in Northern Ireland, submit an annual return via the Cabinet Office to the Fair Employment Commission. This covers the perceived religious composition of the workforce in Northern Ireland and those who apply for vacancies.Customs also undertakes a full review of its policies and procedure relating to equality of opportunity in employment in Northern Ireland for the Fair Employment Commission every three years. The last such review was in 1996.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been (a) the rate of and (b) the revenue raised through capital gains tax in each financial year since 1987ߝ88. [2791]

[holding answer 9 June 1997]: Figures on receipts are shown in Table 1.2 and rates of capital gains tax in Appendices A.5 and A.2 of the Inland Revenue Statistics 1996, a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department has obtained concerning capital gains tax rates, thresholds and tapers in each of the other member countries of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [2795]

[holding answer 9 June 1997]: The taxation of capital, including capital gains, varies widely between different member States.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been (a) the rate of and (b) the revenue raised through inheritance tax in each financial year since 1987ߝ88. [2792]

[holding answer 9 June 1997]: Figures on receipts are shown in Table 1.2 and rates of inheritance tax in Appendix A.6 of Inland Revenue Statistics 1996, a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the relationships between capital gains and inheritance tax rates, investment decisions and Exchequer revenues in advance of the Budget. [2794]

[holding answer 9 June 1997]: This is a matter for the Chancellor in considering his Budget.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the number of documents passed to the Public Record Office in 1996 from all Government departments. [2504]

The Question concerns a specific operational matter on which the Chief Executive of the Public Record Office is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the Chief Executive to reply direct.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department of the documents passed to the Public Record Office from all Government departments in 1965 what percentage he estimates have been (a) released under the 30-year rule in their entirety, (b) released under the 30-year rule in part only, (c) retained with a specific future date identified for release into the public domain, retained with no specific future date identified for release into the public domain, (e)destroyed, (f)otherwise disposed of and (g)otherwise unaccounted for; and what is the total of (a) to (g) as a percentage of all those documents passed to the Public Record Office in 1965. [2505]

The Question concerns a specific operational matter on which the Chief Executive of the Public Record Office is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the Chief Executive to reply direct.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were (a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, destroyed, (f)otherwise disposed of, and (g)otherwise unaccounted for. [2508]

No document falls due for transfer to the Public Record Office until it is 30 years old. The suitability of a document for selection for permanent preservation under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958 will be reviewed during that period. The Act does not require statistics to be kept in the form requested. To do so would incur disproportionate cost. However, in order to comply with their duties under the Act, departments are obliged to make arrangements for the safekeeping of their records, with a view to their possible selection and transfer to the Public Record Office and eventual release to the public. The general arrangements for extended closure or retention of public records are set out in Chapter 9 of the White Paper Open Government of July 1993 (Cm 2290).

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Government have to extend the eligibility for civil legal aid to hearing before (a) industrial tribunals and (b) social security appeal tribunals; and if he will make a statement. [2843]

There are no immediate plans to increase the scope of the legal aid scheme. There is to be a review of civil justice and legal aid and we will be able to consider the current scope of the scheme in the light of the outcome of that review.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review in the public interest the effectiveness of the self-regulatory Office for the Supervision of Solicitors and the powers of the Legal Services Ombudsman. [2220]

The effectiveness of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors is, in the first instance, a matter for the Law Society. My Department intends later this year to carry out the first review of the office of the Legal Services Ombudsman since it was established at the beginning of 1991.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will call for a report from the Legal Aid Board into the case of Abbas Gokal. [1913]

It is the courts not the Legal Aid Board that consider applications for legal aid in criminal cases. The Central Criminal Court granted legal aid in the case of Mr. Gokal. I obtained a report from the court about Mr. Gokal's application for legal aid in the light of the publicity following the jury's verdict in the case. I have since asked the Administrator at the court to review the court's procedures in relation to legal aid. I have also asked for all Crown Court centres to be alerted to the need for great care in the processing of applications for legal aid.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what research has been commissioned and what estimates have been made by his Department, and what information presented to him, regarding the costs per annum to his Department's budget of the introduction of a minimum wage at (a) £3.50 an hour, (b) £ 4 an hour and (c) £4.40 an hour; and if he will make a statement. [2108]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 9 June 1997, Official Report, column 310.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will change the rules of the television licence concessionary scheme for retired persons in sheltered complexes with wardens to enable the concession to continue once granted in circumstances where the warden's hours of work are reduced; [2883](2) if he will introduce a personal concession for retired persons in sheltered complexes of the kind granted in May 1988 to protect the television licence concessionary scheme for those in receipt of the concession at 1 January; [2884](3) what plans he has to extend the television licence concessionary scheme to retired residents in sheltered complexes with wardens working on site for 16 hours each week. [2882]

Entitlement to the concessionary television licence fee is linked primarily to the accommodation occupied and the way in which it is provided or managed, rather than being a personal and portable benefit. The requirement for qualifying sheltered accommodation to have a carer who either lives within the scheme or works on site for at least 30 hours a week is designed to limit the scheme to sheltered housing directly comparable to a residential home. The Government has no current plans to amend the concessionary licence fee regulations.

:To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list (a) the name, (b) the salary,(c)the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in his Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2415]

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: I have two Special Advisers, Mr. Julian Eccles and Mr. John Newbigin. Mr. Eccles was previously employed as an Associate Director with the Public Affairs Division of Hill and Knowlton. Mr. Newbigin, who works three and a half days a week for me, continues to work for Enigma Productions for one day and a half.The terms and conditions of each appointment are set out in the draft model contract, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.Special Advisers are paid within a range of £24,349 to £73,484. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential within this range. Details of this and previous salary are not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.These are personal appointments made by me following consultation with the Permanent Secretary of my Department and the Prime Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement concerning the sale of school playing fields by local education authorities; and what plans he has to change present policy. [2145]

To aks the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to change Government policy regarding the sale of school playing fields. [3621]

We intend to make sure that those playing fields which schools and their local communities need are not sold in future.My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Secretary of State for National Heritage are discussing this as a matter of urgency. We are looking at a wide range of options to ensure that all school pupils will have access to proper sports facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many acres of playing fields and at what locations have been sold over the last 10 years by the Durham local education authority. [2462]

Local education authorities are not required to report their disposals of playing fields to Central Government.

LEA	1991£92 imports 11 to 15	Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.	1993£94 imports 11 to 15	Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.	1996£97 imports 11 to 15	Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.
City	0	0	4	50	7	88
Camden	4,423	52	4,453	50	4,460	50
Greenwich	2,074	16	2,292	18	2,094	17
Hackney	1,258	17	1,075	14	991	13
Hammersmith	2,714	48	2,702	47	2,590	48
Islington	1,863	28	2,371	34	2,440	33
Kensington	1,893	68	1,562	56	1,980	68
Lambeth	1,375	21	1,226	17	1,276	18
Lewisham	2,305	24	2,016	20	1,957	19
Southwark	2,548	28	2,544	28	2,379	25
Tower Hamlets	1,080	10	785	7	784	6
Wandsworth	2,467	30	2,550	30	2,481	28
Westminster	3,321	53	3,670	57	3,606	54
Barking	741	9	969	11	933	10
Barnet	3,052	20	3,887	24	4,020	24
Bexley	1,016	8	1,474	11	1,349	10
Brent	551	6	1,162	11	1,188	10
Bromley	903	7	2,006	13	2,105	13
Croydon	1,501	11	1,470	10	1,835	12
Ealing	627	5	824	7	822	6
Enfield	1,186	8	2,133	14	2,192	14
Haringey	918	12	1,305	16	1,358	15
Harrow	770	8	1,384	13	1,295	12
Havering	1,003	7	1,127	8	1,201	9
Hillingdon	562	5	840	7	919	7
Hounslow	1,956	17	3,016	24	3,015	23
Kingston	1,002	16	1,498	22	1,558	23
Merton	1,026	14	1,338	18	1,382	18
Newham	687	5	511	4	539	4
Redbridge	854	7	1,340	10	1,356	10
Richmond	2,434	34	3,120	40	3,233	42
Sutton	1,549	17	1,921	20	1,791	17
Waltham Forest	318	3	485	4	493	4

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils in each local education authority in England and Wales in each academic year from 1988ߝ89 to 1996ߝ97 who were educated in either grant-maintained or local education authority secondary schools came from outside the local authority area; and what percentage of the total school population that represents in each case. [2214]

The following table sets out the number of pupils aged 11ߝ15 in each English local education authority who were educated in maintained schools and who came from outside the area of the local education authority in which they were educated. These numbers are expressed as a percentage of the total numbers of pupils aged 11ߝ15 educated by the authorities. Data are available only for the academic years 1991ߝ92 and 1993ߝ94 and 1996ߝ97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list (a) capital projects in schools which have taken advantage of PFI and (b) planned and actual costs to public funds of each of these schemes over their lifetime; and if he will make a statement. [3020]

A number of schools PPP/PFI projects are being actively considered, and some are approaching contract signing stage. My right hon. Friend the Paymaster General is conducting a wide ranging review of PPP/PFI, and we plan to encourage the use of PPP/PFI to improve the condition of school buildings, in the light of the outcome of that review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what provision is made by his Department to assist adults with dyslexia; [2446](2) what grants are available from his Department for adults with dyslexia; [2447](3) what steps he proposes to take to improve access to education and resources for adults with dyslexia; [2448](4) what plans he has to improve the funding available for adults with dyslexia. [2450]

The Department provides financial help to adults with dyslexia in a number of ways of which the following are among the most significant.In higher education, dyslexic students, who are eligible for a mandatory award from their LEA, may qualify for one or more of the Disabled Student's Allowances available as part of their maintenance grant. The cost of these grants is met in full by my Department. The Department has also provided £28 million to further education colleges and universities for 1997ߝ98 for Further and Higher Education Access Funds. These funds are available to students whose access to further and higher education might be inhibited by financial considerations or who, for whatever reason, including learning difficulties, face financial difficulties.The Further and Higher Education Funding Councils make some funding available specifically in respect of provision for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, including dyslexia.There are no current plans for the Department to make additional provision in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funds are available to local authorities to provide grants for adults with dyslexia. [2449]

The total education spending allowed for within the revenue support grant settlement for 1997ߝ98 was £18,088 million. It is for individual local authorities to decide how to allocate the funding they receive between and within the services they provide, including whether to make grants available to adults with dyslexia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of the average maintenance (a) grant and (b) loan awarded to mature students in each year of study; and if he will make a statement; [2749](2) what estimate he has made of the average maintenance

The available information on student awards does not identify separately those awards received by mature students. Information on the average student loan is not available in the form requested, either in the Department or in the Student Loans Company. However, the average loan to students aged 26 years and over at the start of their course in the academic year 1995ߝ96 according to place of study is given in the table.

Student loans: average loan (£)1 to those aged 26 and over
Academic year	1995–96
England2	1,190
Wales2	1,110
United Kingdom	1,170

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of (a) how many and (b) what percentage of those studying for (i) undergraduate degrees and (ii) equivalent vocational qualifications are mature students; and if he will make a statement; [2746](2) if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on mature students. [2747]

There are no direct equivalences between undergraduate degrees and vocational qualifications. The table below provides an analysis by qualification aim of those studying at undergraduate level in HE institutions in England in 1996ߝ97.

Undergraduate students in higher education establishments1 in England 1996–97 (thousands)
Qualification aim	Mature students2	All students	Percentage mature
First degree	471.1	866.8	54.4
Professional qualifications	13.0	13.4	97.2
Diploma/Certificate in HE	41.3	48.9	84.5
HND/HNC	26.8	56.4	47.5
NVQ/SVQ levels 4 and 5	1.7	1.7	99.3
Institutional credit	53.8	56.3	95.6
Foundation course	3.0	3.9	77.5
Other undergraduate	60.7	63.9	95.1
Total	671.4	1,111.2	60.4
1Excludes He in FE establishment.
1Students aged 21 or over in the current academic year.

My right hon. Friend welcomes the substantial increase that has taken place in the number of mature students in higher education, to the point where the number of mature entrants now exceeds the number of 18ߝ21 year olds starting in higher education. Our policy is to widen the opportunities for all individuals to enable them to fulfil their intellectual and personal potential and to engage in learning throughout life and we shall be considering very carefully the relevant recommendations of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, which is expected to report next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of (a) how many and (b) what percentage of mature students studying for (i) undergraduate degrees and (ii) equivalent vocational qualifications currently (1) are entitled to and (2) claim grants for (A) teaching fees and (B) maintenance, broken down into local authority areas; and if he will make a statement; [2748](2) what estimate he has made of

The information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of the average amount owed by further education (a) students and (b) mature students in Wales to (i) the Student Loans Company and (ii) personal banks as a result of and at the end of their period of study, broken down into local authority areas; and if he will make a statement; [2737](2) what estimate he has made of the average amount owed by further education

Information on student indebtedness to banks is not collected centrally. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company to write to the hon. Member about average debt to the Student Loans Company at 31 March 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to publish a timetable for (a) the removal of the differences in funding between grant-maintained and local education authority schools, (b) the removal of grant-maintained status, (c)transferring responsibility for planning of all school places to the local education authorities and (d)introducing legislation to reverse the Greenwich judgment; and if he will make a statement. [3028]

Our plans for schools will be set out in a White Paper which we shall be publishing shortly. That will be followed by legislation in the Autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the time scale for the publication of the current review of SSA methodology for 1998ߝ99; and if he will make a statement. [3034]

The review of the SSA methodology for 1998ߝ99 is following broadly the same timetable as in previous years. Consultative meetings between central and local government representatives are taking place over the summer leading up to a report on options for possible SSA changes to be published in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to reduce the paperwork associated with the SATs; and if he will make a statement. [3030]

We are determined to reduce the administrative load on teachers wherever possible. We have already combined the Department's separate annual consultations on assessment and reporting into a single consultation paper. And we are setting up a new Working Group to find ways of cutting bureaucratic burdens on teachers from whatever source.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the number of assisted places available in the (a) Birmingham, Yardley, (b) North Tyneside and (c) Sheffield, Brightside constituencies. [3079]

There are no schools participating in the assisted places scheme in any of the constituencies mentioned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the average class size in each grant-maintained and LEA-controlled primary and secondary school, in the west Chelmsford constituency on 31 March, or the latest available date before that. [2252]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 10 June 1997, Official Report, column 365 which explains the Department's present position on the publication of data for individual schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many classes of five, six and seven-year-olds in each local education authority had more than 30 children on 1 January 1997 based on returns from the All Schools Census; and what this figure is as a percentage of the total number of classes of five, six and seven-year-olds in each case. [3192]

Information on classes of five, six and seven-year-olds was not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were (a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2511]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to how many pages the full Schengen Agreement runs; and how many of these pages are not released for public perusal. [2008]

The Schengen Agreement of 1985 consists of 11 pages, which are in the public domain. The Schengen Convention of 1990 consists of 81 pages, also in the pubic domain. In addition, we understand that there are a number of technical and operational documents relating to implementation of these agreements, which are not in the public domain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss the issue of unexploded bombs in Laos with (a) the Laotian Government, (b) the American Government, (c) the UN and (d) other relief agencies. [2972]

We are in touch regularly with the United Nations, who co-ordinate international assistance towards unexploded ordinance projects with the Lao Government. We have contributed more than £600,000 through various relief agencies in the last two years. There are no immediate plans for direct discussions with the Lao or United States Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the EC Commission on the use of leghold traps in the importation of wild caught fur; and if he will make a statement. [3044]

The Commission reported to the 2 June General Affairs Council on the negotiations with Canada and Russia to conclude a Framework Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards. A decision on the Framework Agreement will be taken by the 19ߝ20 June Environment Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government will introduce the legislation necessary for the United Kingdom's ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban treaty. [2722]

Legislation is being drafted and we hope to introduce it as soon as possible.