To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review procedures related to asylum seekers from Sierra Leone and its neighbouring states. [3060]

Following the coup in Sierra Leone on 25 May, my Department has suspended the consideration of asylum applications from Sierra Leone nationals. A review of the handling of these cases is being conducted in close cooperation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, but no decisions will be made on these asylum applications until the situation in Sierra Leone stabilises. The independent appellate authorities have been asked to suspend all appeal hearings relating to Sierra Leone nationals, and compulsory returns of refused asylum seekers have also been suspended. No one will be returned to Sierra Leone until we are satisfied it is safe to do so

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the total amount of legal and other costs so far spent by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board regarding the claim of Mr. Norman Cobb of Sunderland. [3236](2) how long has elapsed since Mr. Norman Cobb of Sunderland

Although the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Scotland have responsibility for general oversight of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, Ministers have no locus to intervene in, nor do they comment on, the Board's handling of individual applications or their interpretation of the Scheme. Enquiries about individual cases should accordingly be addressed directly to the Board or, in the case of applications lodged on or after 1 April 1996, to its successor body, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.However, I understand from the Board that:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many certificates of registration have been issued in England and Wales under the Performing Animals Act 1925 since 1967. [3554]

The numbers of certificates notified are:

• 1977: 30
• 1978: 19
• 1979: 10
• 1980: 18
• 1981: 27
• 1982: 27
• 1983: 15
• 1984: 33
• 1985: 21
• 1986: 22
• 1987: 19
• 1988: 17
• 1989: 23
• 1990: 24
• 1991: 36
• 1992: 38
• 1993: 44
• 1994: 16
• 1995: 18
• 1996: 12
• 1997 (to 16 June): 20

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the C3 Department was informed by Devon and Cornwall police that a second witness was claiming to know the identity of the killer of Mrs. Ivy Batten; on what date this man's statement was made available to solicitors acting for Mr. Brian Parsons; and if he will make a statement. [3511]

A supplementary report on the case was completed by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary on 26 November 1996 and sent to the Home Office, although records do not show the exact date on which the report was received. A summary of the new evidence was contained in a Home Office letter to Mr. Parsons' solicitors dated 26 March 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which British (a) police and (b) security forces have been issued with the Manroy L80 Manpack CS Mist Backpack Sprayer. [3587]

This equipment has not been issued to police or security personnel, neither is this under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his plans to amend the law on corruption will extend to bribes offered by hon. Members and parliamentary candidates. [3212]

[holding answer 12 June 1997]: Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will continue to apply the provisions announced in 1985 for ex gratia payment of compensation for wrongful conviction or charge. [4435]

I can confirm that I shall continue to be bound by the provisions for ex-gratia payment of compensation as set out in the statement of the then Home Secretary, the right hon. Douglas Hurd to the House on 29 November 1985, Official Report, columns 691–92 My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has also agreed to continue to apply these provisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many warrants authorising the interception of telecommunications were issued by the Home Secretary under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 in 1996. [4436]

A total of 1,073 warrants authorising the interception of communications were issued by the then Home Secretary, the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe, in 1996. This figure is contained in the report of the Interception of Communications Commissioner which was published on 12 June. I regret that the answer given to my hon. Friend on 11 March, Official Report, column 148, gave an incorrect number.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the task force on youth justice. [4437]

The role of the Task Force on Youth Justice is to advise Home Office Ministers on Government proposals for the development of youth justice policies and, in particular, to provide advice on taking forward an action plan as agreed by the interdepartmental Ministerial group on Youth Justice.The Task Force may provide advice to the Home Secretary on policy papers prepared by Government officials for consideration by the Ministerial group and may propose to the Home Secretary action on any other youth justice issue.The members of the task force are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to permit the shooting of wild boar in self-defence. [3921]

I have been asked to reply.Current legislation does not prohibit anyone that legally owns a firearm from shooting a wild boar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will end the practice of private slimming clinics prescribing slimming pills. [3555]

The prescribing of slimming pills is the clinical responsibility of physicians, whether in the national health service or in private clinics. A recent report by the Royal College of Physicians provides guidance for practitioners on the use of slimming pills in the treatment of obesity.The report identifies those pills which are of no value in the treatment of obesity and others which are. These are licensed for the treatment of obese patients—body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m2 or greater—who have not responded to an appropriate weight reducing regimen. It also recommends that patients are subjected to regular review by the prescribing physician and where treatment is initiated by another physician that the patient's general practitioner should be notified in writing. Anyone who considers that physicians are prescribing inappropriately, should notify the General Medical Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the drawing up of a timetable for the phasing out of tobacco advertising. [3761]

Details of the Government's strategy to reduce smoking, including legislation to ban tobacco advertising, will be set out in a White Paper, which will be published later in the year. The White Paper will be informed by the summit of national and international experts in the field of smoking reduction, arranged for 14 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people failed to keep their appointments at NHS hospitals in 1996 in (a) North Derbyshire health authority and (b) England and Wales; and what was the estimated cost of non-attendance to the NHS. [3341]

The figures available for 1995–96 for England and National Health Service trusts in North Derbyshire are set out in the attached table. My hon. Friend may wish to contact my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales about figures for Wales.The Department of Health does not collect financial information about patients who fail to keep hospital appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the outcome of the June EC Health Council meeting. [3420]

I represented the Government at the meeting of the Health Council on 5 June in Luxembourg.Following conciliation with the European Parliament, the Council adopted a joint text for a decision establishing a programme of Community action on Health Monitoring. The Council also adopted a common position on the Commission's proposal for a decision creating a Community network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases. The Council agreed the text of a resolution on migrant doctors and conclusions noting recent developments of interest to Health Ministers in the drugs-related health field. The Council requested the European Commission to study current practice in the Member States concerning cross-border cooperation in the supply of organs and tissues of human origin for medical purposes. There was a short orientation debate on the Commission's communication on measures to combat tobacco consumption and a brief discussion of a Presidency paper on blood safety and self-sufficiency in the Community. The Council took note of developments since its last discussion of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies and agreed to keep the subject under review. The Council also took note of progress made by the taskforce set up to develop a global early warning system and response network for communicable diseases within the context of the EU—US action plan agreed in December 1994 and of new Commission proposals for programmes of Community action on rare diseases and injury prevention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young people between the ages of (a) 11 and 16 and (b) 16 and 25 years (i) are undergoing and (ii) have undergone psychiatric treatment under the NHS; and in each case what were the figures in (1) 1987 and (2) 1992. [3451]

The information available centrally relates to inpatients treated in National Health Service hospitals. The table shows the number of finished consultant episodes where the patient was under the care of a consultant with a main specialty of mental illness. Comparable figures are not available for 1987.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to allow pen needles to be made available on prescription for people with diabetes who require insulin; and if he will make a statement. [4138]

We are currently considering whether general practitioners should be allowed to prescribe insulin injection pen needles on the national health service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on reviewing breast screening services in Devon; and if he will make a statement. [4434]

I have asked Sir Kenneth Calman, the Chief Medical Officer to undertake a review with a remit:

• to visit the Royal and Devon and Exeter Hospital Trust to establish the facts surrounding the provision of breast services;
• to report the findings of the Review team to me;
• in the light of these, to consider the implications for breast services as a whole;
• to report on the conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the waiting times at the East Surrey hospital for first routine out-patient appointments and admission for elective surgery treatment by each specialty area as at April 1997. [2313]

The latest available information on waiting times for first outpatient appointments is contained in "Waiting Times for First Outpatient Appointments in England: Detailed Statistics, Quarter ended 31 December 1996", copies of which are available in the Library. This shows, by individual trust and specialty, the numbers of patients seen during the quarter following written referral to a consultant by a general practitioner and how long they had waited, by timeband.Inpatient and day case waiting time information collected centrally does not identify separately those patients waiting for surgery. The information that is available covers all patients awaiting admission to hospital, whether it be for surgery or some other form of treatment. The latest gives the provisional position on 31 March 1997 and shows that on that date there were 4,508 patients awaiting admission to East Surrey Hospital of whom 4,282 had been waiting less than 12 months. Provisional information is not available by specialty. Final figures due to be published next month in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England at 31 March 1997" will be presented on a trust and specialty basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to respond to the recommendations made in the report by the Carers National Association, "Still Battling—the Carers Act" one year on;. [3080](2) if he will ensure the implementation of all the provisions of the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995. [3186]

We strongly support the principles of the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act. We welcome Carers National' Association's report which considers the impact of the Act, in particular carers' take-up of rights under the Act and the approach taken by local authorities to implementing its provisions. The report also notes the value of the Department's guidance on implementation, which was issued to authorities in February 1996.We have regular and close contact with the Association through which we wish to explore and to clarify a number of the points raised in the report.As part of our programme of research into community care outcomes, we are looking at the impact of the Act. In the more immediate future, a Social Services Inspectorate inspection on care support is in preparation. Taking forward earlier work, this will concentrate on how local authorities are implementing the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his Department's policy to extend the community care direct payment scheme to people aged 65 years and over. [3187]

We want to improve the quality and choice of support that is available to disabled people, and so we will certainly examine very carefully the possibility of extending eligibility for direct payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to introduce guidelines for hospitals in respect of mixed wards; and if he will make a statement. [3411]

Guidance on single sex accommodation was issued in an Executive Letter to the National Health Service in January. Further action is being considered following recent survey of health authorities' target dates for meeting the key objectives set out in the guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs completed training and commenced practice in each of the last five years; how many he expects to commence practice in each of the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [3410]

The available information is shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs took maternity leave in each of the last three years; what percentage of them have not yet returned to work afterwards; and if he will make a statement. [3409]

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of trench foot were reported in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [3408]

The table gives, for the most recent five years for which data are available, the estimated number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs: ordinary admissions and day cases combined) in National Health Service hospitals in England with a primary diagnosis of trench foot:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by region, the cottage and community hospitals which are currently subject to proposals for closure; and if he will make a statement. [3407]

It is difficult to define comprehensively what is meant by "community" or "cottage" hospital. They differ from place to place in the scale, range and volume of services they offer. What characterise nearly all of them is that they provide a local service and admit patients under the care of a general practitioner. The list has been compiled on that basis and shows hospitals that are currently, or have recently been, the subject of local consultation about full closure.

Anglia and Oxford

• None.

North Western

• Ulverston Hospital, Ulverston

North Thames

• None.

Northern and Yorkshire

• None.

South Thames

• Battle Hospital, Battle
• Eversfield Hospital, St. Leonard's-on-Sea

South West

• Belmont Hospital, Tiverton
• Lynton Community Hospital¹
• Odiham Cottage Hospital
• Winsford Community Hospital ¹

Trent

• None.

West Midlands

• None.
• ¹Temporary closures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much his Department has spent on research into food poisoning in each of the last five years, broken down to show the funds dedicated to (a) E.coli, (b) campylobacter and (c) salmonella; [3612]

Funding for food poisoning research comes principally from the Department's Microbiological Food Safety surveillance and research budget (1997–98 allocation £2.3 million), supplemented by further amounts from the Department's general research and development budget and through core funding of the Public Health Laboratory Service and the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research. The total budget allocation, and expenditure before 1993, could only be derived at disproportionate costs.Information on funding since the 1993–94 financial year is given in the table;

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers NHS trust hospitals have to refuse non-emergency treatment; and what checks are operated to ensure that such powers are exercised reasonably. [4148]

We will continue to give priority to meeting emergency needs. We look to the National Health Service to plan carefully to meet this duty while minimising the need to cancel non-emergency work.Under the current arrangements it is for health authorities and general practitioner fundholders, taking into account local needs, to agree what care should be provided and to set and monitor contracts with NHS trusts. Where changes are proposed, for example to respond to changing local circumstances, these should be discussed and agreed between the parties. Decisions on the admission of individual patients are for the clinicians concerned.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the latest figures showing the volume of correspondence received by Ministers and agency chief executives from hon. Members, the targets set for reply and the percentage of replies sent within target. [4273]

It has been customary to publish these figures annually. I attach therefore a table setting out the correspondence figures for the 1996 calendar year. The table also sets out the figures for 1995, first published on 20 June 1996, Official Report, columns 526–30. Members' attention is drawn to the footnotes which accompany the table and which provide general background information on how totals have been calculated.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average cost of training a new magistrate for (a) criminal work, (b) youth court work, (c) family court work and (d) licensing court work. [3720]

No figures are collected nationally on the cost of training newly appointed law magistrates or the cost of training magistrates when they are first appointed to serve on the youth, family or licensing panels.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the running costs per hour of the magistrates court (a) at Ripon, (b) at Harrogate, (c) at Skipton, (d) in North Yorkshire as a whole and (e) in England and Wales as a whole. [3717]

The average running cost per court sitting hour in North Yorkshire in 1996 was £225.67, and in England and Wales as a whole was £272.84. The information requested is not available at PSD level.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average length of service of magistrates (a) on the Ripon bench, (b) in North Yorkshire and (c) in England as a whole. [3721]

The average length of service of magistrates on (a) the Ripon Bench is 12 years and (b) in North Yorkshire is 10 years; (c) information covering England and Wales as a whole could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the additional costs to the Probation Service following the proposed closure of Ripon Liberty magistrates court resulting from (a) travel to and from Harrogate court, (b) the possible increase in the number of adjournments and (c) additional time spent travelling. [3725]

None. Magistrates' courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates' courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although a contributing local authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of (a) the additional costs to defendants following the proposed closure of Ripon Liberty magistrates court resulting from (i) travel to and from Harrogate court and (ii) the possible increase in the number of adjournments and (b) the additional time spent by defendants (1) travelling and (2) waiting; and what assessment he has made of the difficulties defendants and witnesses living in outlying townships would face in reaching Harrogate court by public transport in time for the start of business. [3724]

None. Magistrates' courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates' courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although a contributing local authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.Whilst a consultation process has been undertaken on possible closures, North Yorkshire MCC has made no determination to close any courts, at this time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average number of cases listed for hearing in the criminal court at Ripon on a Wednesday in the past year; and what proportion involved defendants living within the current Ripon Liberty petty sessional division. [3728]

The information requested is not available in its entirety and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, in a survey carried out throughout some of North Yorkshire's rural courts in October and November 1996, 62 per cent. of the 99 criminal cases completed at Ripon involved defendants who lived in the Ripon Liberty PSD. There are no statistics available to show the average number of cases which were listed.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many townships are covered by the Ripon Liberty petty sessional division. [3719]

There are only two "townships" in the Ripon Liberty PSD: Ripon (population c. 15,500) and Pately Bridge (population 2,000).

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the additional costs to magistrates following the proposed closure of Ripon Liberty magistrates court resulting from (a) travel to and from Harrogate court and (b) adjournments resulting from defendants failing to appear; and what assessment he has made of the additional time magistrates would spend travelling. [3723]

None. Magistrates' courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates' courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although a contributing local authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.Whilst a consultation process has been undertaken on possible closures, North Yorkshire MCC has made no determination to close any courts, at this time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of defendants appearing at Ripon court were local in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what was the equivalent figure for courts in North Yorkshire as a whole. [3729]

Figures for a full year are not readily available as these are not routinely collected. A substantive answer may only be produced at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the additional costs to the police following the proposed closure of Ripon Liberty magistrates court resulting from travel to and from Harrogate court (a) as witnesses and (b), pursuant to executing warrants. [3715]

None. Magistrates' courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates' courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although a contributing local authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.Whilst a consultation process has been undertaken on possible closures, North Yorkshire MCC has made no determination to close any courts, at this time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact of closure of Ripon court on applicants seeking emergency powers in family proceedings. [3727]

None. Magistrates' courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates' courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although a contributing local authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.Whilst a consultation process has been undertaken on possible closures, North Yorkshire MCC has made no determination to close any courts, at this time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what were (a) the average sitting hours per courtroom and (b) the percentage change in those hours at Ripon magistrates court during the period 1993 to 1996; and what were the equivalent figures for magistrates courts in North Yorkshire as a whole. [3731]

The information is given in the table.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many townships within Harrogate district are not in the Ripon Liberty petty sessional division; and what consideration is being given to extending Ripon Liberty petty sessional division to cover nearby townships. [3718]

Four townships, from the area covered by Harrogate Borough Council, do not lie within the Ripon Liberty PSD.Decisions on proposed PSD boundary changes are made by the Lord Chancellor pursuant to an application from the relevant MCC. Whilst a consultation process has been undertaken with a view to amending some boundaries locally, no final decision has been made and my Department holds no application for change at this time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the annual cost of paying for clerks to travel from Ripon to Harrogate following the closure of the administration office at Ripon court. [3722]

The annual cost of paying home to work mileage allowance to the two members of staff whose posts were transferred to Harrogate, since the Ripon Magistrates' Court Office closed in September 1995, has been in the region of £2,000.00.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the additional costs to the legal aid system following the proposed closure of Ripon Liberty magistrates court resulting from (a) travel to and from Harrogate court by Ripon solicitors, (b) the possible increase in the number of adjournments, (c) solicitors having to spend additional time travelling, (d) increased waiting time for solicitors and (e) defendants' costs. [3726]

None. Magistrates' courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates' courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although a contributing local authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.Whilst a consultation process has been undertaken on possible closures, North Yorkshire MCC has made no determination to close any courts, at this time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost of running Ripon Magistrates Court as a percentage of the North Yorkshire Magistrates Court Committee's total budget for buildings in the last financial year; and what is the estimated figure for the present financial year. [3730]

No figures are collected nationally on the running costs of individual magistrates courts buildings. The North Yorkshire Magistrates' Courts Committee estimate that the premises running costs of the Ripon Courthouse for 1996–97 were £6,200 or 1.6 per cent. of total premises running costs.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much money he estimates would be saved by the closure of Ripon Liberty Magistrates Court. [3716]

I have made no estimate. Magistrates' courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates' courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although a contributing local authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.Whilst a consultation process has been undertaken on possible closures, North Yorkshire MCC has made no determination to close any courts, at this time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the additional costs to the Crown Prosecution Service following the proposed closure of Ripon Liberty Magistrates Courts resulting from (a) travel to and from Harrogate Court, (b) the possible increase in the number of adjournments and (c) additional time spent travelling. [3714]

None. Magistrates' courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates' courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although a contributing local authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.Whilst a consultation process has been undertaken on possible closures, North Yorkshire MCC has made no determination to close any courts, at this time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the projected future costs of compensating clerks who have been moved from Ripon to Harrogate for home to work travel expenses following the proposed closure of Ripon Court. [3808]

I have made no estimate. Magistrates' courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates' courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although a contributing local authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.Whilst a consultation process has been undertaken on possible closures, North Yorkshire MCC has made no determination to close any courts, at this time.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will ensure that an urgent investigation is carried out into the loss by Croydon County Court of evidence sent by Mr. Gary Osborn to Croydon County Court in March and May 1997 relating to case CR 75 00 67. [4085]

The question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on Government revenues of the increase in use of the Internet; and if he will make a statement. [3193]

The Government are examining the tax implications of increased use of the internet in close consultation with other Governments, at OECD and in other fora, and with the business community.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his target for the overall burden of taxation as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product. [3356]

The Government's fiscal policy is directed at reducing borrowing. The intention is that, over the economic cycle, the government borrow only to finance public investment and not to fund current expenditure. Public debt as a proportion of national income is held at a stable and prudent level. Forecasts and projections of the tax burden will be published int he Red Book on 2 July.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what calculations the Treasury has made as to the effect on average household bills for (a) gas, (b)telephone services, (c) water and (d) electricity of a windfall tax on the profits of privatised utilities. [3680]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer will be considering a wide range of factors in reaching his view on the windfall tax. Household bills are affected both by demand and price: where services are subject to price caps, these are a matter for the regulators.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 3 June, Official Report, column 147, if he will make a statement defining numerically what constitutes lasting economic stability for the financial years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, and (c) 1999–2000. [3335]

Lasting economic stability is built on prudent economic management and sound finance. The Government regard price stability as an essential pre-condition for high and stable levels of growth and employment. The Chancellor set out his inflation target in the remit to the Monetary Policy Committee on June 12 which can be obtained from the House of Commons Library. Sound public finances are also important for lasting economic stability. The Government's fiscal policy will be spelt out in the Budget on July 2, along with forecasts and projections for Government borrowing.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase the underlying growth rate of the British economy. [3327]

The Government are setting up a framework to deliver lasting economic stability which is an essential pre-condition for high and stable levels of growth and employment. The Government also aim to rebuild British economic strength with a modern industrial base, high levels of investment and a culture of entrepreneurship that will unlock British economic potential.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact on tax revenues of a 1 per cent. increase in gross domestic product. [3443]

The estimate reported in Treasury Occasional paper No. 4, "Public Finances and the Cycle", is that a one per cent. increase in output relative to trend increases tax revenues by over 1 per cent. a year later. This estimate is of course subject to a margin of error and the precise effect on tax revenues will depend in part on the composition of the increase in GDP.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average level of tax raised from all sources of taxes, per capita in the last year for which statistics are available. [2253]

[holding answer 16 June 1997]: In 1995–96 the average level of total taxes and National Insurance contributions per capita was £4,370, compared with an average level of £1,526 in 1980–81. The average level in 1980–81 in 1995–96 prices was £3,309.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average delay in the publication of statistics on income and tax after the end of each annual exercise in the collection of statistics; and if he will make a statement . [2254]

[holding answer 16 June 1997]: The Inland Revenue publishes an annual volume entitled Inland Revenue Statistics which includes a large variety of different statistics on income and tax. Updated figures are usually available on request in advance of publication and each section of Inland Revenue Statistics includes details of when new figures are likely to become available and how they can be obtained.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria are used by HM Customs and Excise for seizing pornographic material being imported into the United Kingdom. [3396]

[holding answer 16 June 1997]:The question of whether an item is indecent or obscene is a matter for the Courts. Customs seek to prohibit material which cannot lawfully be traded in the UK and would be in breach of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 or the Protection of Children Act 1978.Customs Officers are issued with guidance which covers the type of activity that is likely to be considered by the Court's to be indecent or obscene.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the feasibility of allowing local authorities to retain the money that is derived from fining speeding motorists and hypothecating that money to local authorities to further discourage traffic speeding through increased traffic policing. [3007]

It is for highway and police authorities to decided on the appropriate level of resources to devote to speed enforcement, in accordance with their priorities. Hypothecating the revenue from speeding fines would result in expenditure on traffic enforcement being determined by the income generated, rather than the relative priority of the activity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure savings have been budgeted by the Treasury for (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 as a result of the proposed abolition of the assisted places scheme. [3642]

I have been asked to reply. I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) on 5 June, Official Report, column 245.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library his Department's briefing for inward investors on the improvement in industrial relations and the reduction in days lost in strikes since the winter of 1978–79. [3454]

No current published inward investment material contains reference to the reduction in days lost in strikes since 1978–79.This Department's Invest in Britain Bureau has produced a promotional leaflet "Britain—The Preferred Location". A copy of this document has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy that liberalisation of Gibraltar airport is an integral part of the completion of the single market. [3996]

In the absence of any agreement over the airport, Gibraltar has been suspended, since 1987, from EC air liberalisation measures. We are prepared to consider any practicable proposal for the development of the airport.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what further market testing she expects to be conducted in her Department. [3997]

There are no plans for market tests but future efficiency reviews will consider each of the alternative options for improving value for money including the scope for competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what provision she has made for future development aid for Vanuatu; and if she will make a statement. [3998]

British aid to Vanuatu is provided under a regional programme for the Pacific. The future level of all our programmes will be considered this year in our Departmental spending review.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will review the funding of the British Tourist Board and regional tourist boards. [3162]

My Department's direct financial support for the domestic tourism industry is provided through the English Tourist Board, which in turn funds the ten non-statutory Regional Tourist Boards for the delivery of its national programmes. Funding for the promotion of Britain overseas is directed through the British Tourist Authority.I shall be considering the funding for the English Tourist Board, and for the British Tourist Authority, alongside that for all the other areas for which I am responsible, in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will take steps to promote British seaside resorts (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad. [3164]

Breaking New Ground identified the promotion of traditional tourist destinations as a priority for the English Tourist Board, to help them achieve the standards visitors now demand. In promoting Britain abroad, the British Tourist Authority seeks to identify groups of consumers most likely to be persuaded to come to Britain and to build its campaigns, like Waterfront Britain, which promotes holidays in coastal regions, around their interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 9 June, (Official Report column 311, if he will review the effect of the sale of British Rail International on British tourism. [3693]

My Department has no plans at the moment to review the effect of the sale of British Rail International Ltd. on British tourism.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when her officials last met British Coal to discuss the progress made to date with the introduction of a no faults liability scheme for former miners suffering from vibration white finger. [1697]

I understand from British Coal that, over recent years, they have received 12,000 or so claims from former staff that they now suffer from vibration white finger, a condition whose symptoms include blanching and tingling in the fingers. A trial of a small number of "lead" cases, to help establish any liability the Corporation might have, began in Autumn 1995, was taken to the Court of Appeal in Autumn 1996, and resumed in Newcastle this Spring. Departmental officials have been kept abreast of developments, as DTI provides the necessary finance for British Coal's activities and will be directly responsible for their management when the liability is transferred from the Corporation at the end of the year. I understand that some unlitigated claims are being settled on a normal common law basis, but that no proposals for a "no fault" scheme are under discussion.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to review the credit rating system; and what steps she intends to take to ensure that people who have cleared their debts or people who have had unsettled debts of more than six years distant are able to obtain loans on the same terms as others. [2640]

I am always keeping under review representations made to me about credit reference agencies, as is the Director General of Fair Trading, along with other aspects of the Consumer Credit Act and developments in the consumer credit field.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she will take to protect consumers from bill increases which may result from the proposed windfall tax on utility companies. [2639]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer expects to announce the arrangements for the proposed windfall tax in the summer budget on 2 July.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she will take to promote British exports from small businesses. [3955]

My noble Friend the Minister for Trade announced on 22 May his intention to establish an Export Forum, with representation from business as well as from Whitehall. The Forum will review existing official export promotion activities and make recommendations for a new export initiative.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the advantages of decreasing Government subsidies to fossil fuel industries. [3019]

[holding answer 16 June 1997]: The Government do not pay any direct subsidies to the fossil fuel industries.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she will take to promote services, provided by Government and local government, to businesses on grant provided by European Union and United Kingdom Government. [3270]

Companies have access to impartial advice on grant availability through their local Business Links in England, and through equivalent networks in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Local authorities are partners in Business Links.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the number of professional newsagents in operation (a) currently and (b) in each of the last five years. [4174]

This information is not available from official sources.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance her Department will make available to employees of Marconi Communications in Chelmsford who have been made redundant to help them retrain and get back into work; and if she will make a statement. [3783]

[holding answer 16 June 1997]:Representatives of local partners and Marconi Communications are meeting today to develop an action plan in response to the redundancies.The local partners represented at the meeting include: Essex County Council, Chelmsford Borough Council, Essex Training and Enterprise Council, Business Link Essex, The Employment Service, Essex Careers and Business Partnerships Ltd. and the Government Office for Eastern Region.The Action Plan will build on national programmes such as the Training for Work Scheme for the long-term unemployed and assistance available from the European Union Structural Funds under the Konver II initiative for diversifying the economic base of areas heavily depending on the defence industry.Essex Training and Enterprise Council and the Employment Service have already agreed to allow Marconi employees immediate access to the Government's Training for Work Programme waiving the normal qualifying period of six months unemployment.Further measures being considered for the Action Plan include advice and guidance, training course, help with job search and assistance to individuals and groups interested in starting their own businesses.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what help she will make available to defence-related companies in the Chelmsford area to diversify into non-military activities to offset redundancies in the defence industry. [3785]

[holding answer 16 June 1997]: Small and medium sized enterprises in the Chelmsford area are eligible to apply for grants from European Union Structural Funds under the Konver II initiative to assist diversification from defence-related activities.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when her officials last met British Coal to discuss progress with the current review of the Coal Industry pneumoconiosis scheme. [1696]

[holding answer 2 June 1997]: I understand that British Coal are currently well advanced in negotiations with the mining trades unions about revisions to their pneumoconiosis compensation scheme (PCS). Departmental officials have been kept abreast of the discussions, as DTI provides the necessary finance for British Coal's activities and will be directly responsible for their management when the liability is transferred from the Corporation at the end of the year. This "no-fault" scheme is an alternative to common law litigation for former miners who had ten years in the coal industry and who have been certified by a DSS Medical Board as having pneumoconiosis. It provides a faster and cheaper means of obtaining compensation, with lump sums being awarded according to the severity and starting date of the condition, and weekly payments made in appropriate cases to compensate for loss of earnings.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the export credit guarantees given by the British Government to private companies in order to promote exports to Zaire since 1967. [2572]

[holding answer 11 June 1997]: Apart from a specific project during the 1980's with an insured value of £29.7 million, cover has not been available from ECGD for exports to Zaire since early 1975.However, between 1967–75 and the specific project in the 1980's, the number of different companies involved means that it is not practicable or cost-effective to provide detailed information by company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department currently provides to the Governments of (i) Jamaica, (ii) Trinidad and (iii) Belize; and what assistance he is proposing to provide in each case over the next three years. [3043]

Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Belize all benefit from training in the UK subsidised either by the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices's United Kingdom Military Training Assistance Scheme (UKMTAS) or by my Department's Defence Military Assistance Fund. In addition, an exercise which provides training for the Jamaican Defence Force takes place in Jamaica and the UK each year. Exercises also take place from time to time in Trinidad and Tobago. Loan Service Personnel are currently based in Belize and visits by Short Term Training Teams also take place. No firm decisions have been taken beyond the current year, but we would expect assistance to continue to be provided to all three countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which sites under the ownership of his Department are currently in the process of disposal; and to what extent environmental, social and community factors have been taken into account in respect of each disposal. [3280]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Estate Organisation. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of Scottish service personnel whose last address was in Scotland and who are currently serving elsewhere in the United Kingdom. [3198]

The information held on this subject is limited. For the Army and RAF, it is estimated that there are 961 personnel who were born in Scotland, whose previous Service address was in Scotland and who are currently serving elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Information on Navy personnel is not held in a form which enables an estimate to be made.