To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reopen the inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster; and if he will make a statement. [4160]

My right hon. Friend is considering the representations which have been made, calling for a next inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster. He will announce his decision as soon as he can.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's policy towards the use of the 1979 pay formula to determine firefighters' pay. [4233]

The pay of firefighters is negotiated between the employers and employees in the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades. The Government have no proposals for changing the present arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the pay of firefighters. [3967]

The determination of firefighters' pay is a matter for the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review Circular 5/92 to take account of the interpretation of his powers under section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947 made by the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority in 1996. [3970]

My right hon. Friend will wish to consider whether generally there is a need to update and amend existing fire service legislation. This will be among the matters to be addressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the criteria for identifying fire risk areas A to D in London. [3968]

Guidance on fire risk is given in Fire Service Circular No. 4/1985, which was issued on 22 May 1985. A copy is held in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria determining privileged nationalities for the purpose of admission of au pairs; and what plans he has to review these criteria. [3966]

Past criteria for inclusion in the au pair scheme reflected restriction to unmarried young people mainly from western European countries and the exclusion of countries which proved a significant source of immigration abuse. We have no plans at present to review the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the prison service budget for 1996. [3792]

The provision available to the Prison Service in 1996–97, as set out in the Main and Supplementary Supply Estimates presented to Parliament, was £1,642,316,000. Details of expenditure against this provision will be contained in the Appropriation Account for Class VII, Vote 2 (Prisons, England and Wales) due to be published towards the end of 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of Colchester's role as a garrison town in evaluating the sums to be provided to the town for CCTV; [3977](2) if he will provide Colchester borough council with £100,000 to complete the town's closed circuit television system. [3915]

Bids under round three of the closed circuit television challenge competition were assessed against the criteria set out in the published bidding guidance. Colchester was awarded £135,000; no bid received more. No more funds are available from the Home Office for CCTV in the current financial year. A decision on whether funds will be available in 1998–99 will be made later in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the percentage of prison inmates who were unemployed immediately prior to their incarceration. [3788]

No information is available centrally on prisoners' employment status immediately before reception into prison.However, the National Prison Survey, conducted in January and February 1991, found that 49 per cent. of prisoners were not in paid work just before they came to prison; this included 33 per cent. who said they were unemployed. No more up to date figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the prison population in June 1996 and what is the prison population currently; and if he will make a statement. [3791]

The prison population in England and Wales on 30 June 1996 was 55,256. Provisional information for 13 June 1997 shows the prison population to be 60,871.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were accommodated at (a) Camphill, (b) Albany and (c) Parkhurst prisons on the Isle of Wight on 1 April in each of the last five years. [4083]

The available figures detailed in the attached table show the population recorded on 31 March on each of the last five years in the three Isle of Wight prisons.

Isle of Wight prison population
	31 March 1993	31 March 1994	31 March 1995	31 March 1996	31 March 1997
Camp Hill	327	377	411	406	471
Albany	247	378	425	423	430
Parkhurst	205	239	222	266	289

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the capital expenditure at Parkhurst prison on the Isle of Wight in each of the past five years; and if the capital expenditure was required to maintain the prison's former category or current category. [4080]

Capital expenditure at Parkhurst for the past five years was:

Financial year	£000s
1992–93	6,387.7
1993–94	2,583.3
1994–95	12,230
1995–96	9,032.1
1996–97	2,627

Of the £32,560,200 spent on capital projects between 1992 and 1997, £9,600,000 can be directly attributed to security and of this £5,423,000 was specifically spent on maintaining Parkhurst's former category A status.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his plans in respect of the categorisation of (a) Camphill, (b) Albany and (c) Parkhurst prisons. [4082]

The Prison Service has no present plans to change the security categories of the three Isle of Wight prisons. These will remain as:

• Camp Hill: category C training prison
• Albany: category B training prison
• Parkhurst: category B training prison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have been made at (a) Premier League and (b) Football League grounds in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [4167]

The available information is as follows:

Season	Arrests at Premier League matches	Arrests at Football League matches
1991–92	2,114	2,892
1992–93	1,647	2,941
1993–94	1,630	2,597
1994–95	1,713	2,127
1995–96	1,697	1,740

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the right to object to the granting of pub licences to persons in addition to the police. [4078]

Under the existing licensing law, anyone may object to an application for a liquor licence.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the Next Steps Agencies currently in operation, indicating the number of civil servants employed in each. [3736]

The Next Steps Agencies currently in operation and the number of civil servants employed in each is set out in the table.

Total civil servants working in Agencies and on Next Steps lines (including Northern Ireland Civil Service and Forestry Commission)
Agencies	Number of civil servants1
Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency	845
Army Base Repair Organisation	2,950
Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency	3,695
Army Individual Training Organisation	4,410
Army Personnel Centre	1,270
Army Technical Support Agency	800
Business Development Service	245
Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments	180
CCTA	175
Central Office of Information	305
Central Science Laboratory	520
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science	410
Civil Service College	230
COASTGUARD	655
Companies House	800
Compensation Agency	110
Construction Service	625

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what percentage of civil servants have been employed by Next Steps Agencies in each of the years since their establishment; and if he will make a statement. [3734]

The figures show the number and the percentage of Home Civil Servants working in Next Steps Agencies and on Next Steps lines as at 1 April of each year from 1 April 1988 to 1 April 1997.

Year	Number of home civil servants working and on Next Steps lines as at 1 April	Proportion of home civil servants working in Agencies and on Next Steps lines as at 1 April (per cent.)
1988	0	0
1989	5,844	1
1990	155,660	27
1991	206,870	37
1992	291,969	51
1993	240,036	61
1994	339,621	63
1995	345,342	67
1996	350,408	71
1997	364,563	77

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many Next Steps Agencies have been in operation in each of the years since their establishment; and if he will make a statement. [3735]

The first Next Steps agency was set up in August 1988. The figures listed show the number of Next Steps Agencies which have been in operation since 31 December 1988 and in each year to 31 December 1996.

Year	Number of Agencies as at 31 December
1988	3
1989	10
1990	34
1991	157
1992	278
1993	294
1994	2104
1995	2111
1996	2131
1Figure includes HM Customs and Excise which is a department operating fully on Next Steps lines.
2Figure includes HM Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue which are departments operating fully on Next Steps lines.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what studies his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the efficiency of the Next Steps Agencies; and if he will make a statement. [3732]

In the first instance, it is for the Minister responsible for each particular agency to ensure that it is operating efficiently and the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review will help this process. In addition, agencies submit their proposals on efficiency as part of the efficiency planning process and in the 1996 Next Steps Review published in March, there is a great deal of comparative data for agencies including an evaluation of their performance against their efficiency targets. We are committed to providing government which costs less and delivers more which includes Next Steps agencies operating efficiently by emphasising the need for training and enhancing the use of benchmarking and target setting.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he proposes to reform the Next Steps Agencies; and if he will make a statement. [3733]

The Government will continue to develop Next Steps Agencies by improving performance and efficiency in order to deliver high quality services.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the results of the recent LSE study into performance-related pay in the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement. [3660]

The LSE study into performance-related pay looks at only one Department, that of the Inland Revenue. The study was sponsored by the Public Services Tax and Commerce Union and covers perceptions about performance management and performance pay amongst 1,200 of the Inland Revenue's 55,000 staff. The study is not yet complete and has not been released. I am therefore unable to comment on it at this stage. If the study does raise issues of general staff concern, the Inland Revenue, as a good employer, will discuss these with the staff and trade unions involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS spending is absorbed by managers' salaries. [3700]

The information requested is given in the table:

	1995–96
Salaries and wages—General and senior managers	£789,507,000
As percentage of total salaries and wages	5.28 per cent.
As percentage of total revenue expenditure	3.30 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for tackling levels of obesity and obesity-related illnesses in the United Kingdom. [3515]

Tackling obesity is a particularly challenging problem. "The Health of the Nation" target is to reduce the percentages of men and women aged 16 to 64 who are obese 6 per cent. for men and 8 per cent. for women by 2005. However in 1995 15 per cent. of men and 16.5 per cent. of women were obese, highlighting the gravity of the problem. Obesity is a long-term problem and needs a long-term strategy. We will continue to support the action on obesity and obesity-related illness initiated by the Nutrition Task Force and the Physical Activity Task Force which addresses:

(a) prevention of increasing fatness in the whole population;

(b) the particular problems of high risk groups e.g. those already overweight;

(c) treatment of those who are already obese.

We also recognise how important a balanced diet is for giving young people a healthy start in life. This is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has recently proposed the introduction of nutrition standards for inclusion in school meals contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about fluoridisation of water; and if he will make a statement. [4063]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for health what was the incidence of asthma (a) in the Colchester parliamentary constituency and (b) nationally in each year since 1987. [4178]

According to the available data provided by North Essex Health Authority, the number of in-patient finished consultant episodes for asthma, for people whose home address was in Colchester, was as follows:

• 1994–95: 909
• 1995–96: 1,023
• 1996–97: 1,075

1996–97 is a forecast figure as data are only available until end of February 1997. Nationally, there are no comprehensive data on the number of people with asthma.According to data collected by the Royal College of General Practitioners, the mean weekly incidence of new GP episodes of asthma per 100,000 population in England for each year since 1987 was as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of food additives in use in the United Kingdom are (a) proven and (b) suspected animal carcinogens, teratogens or both; and if he will make a statement. [2635]

Food additives are not included in permitted lists unless there is a technological need for them and they are considered safe-in-use. Currently, a number of regulations made under the United Kingdom's Food Safety Act 1990 control the use of food additives, which are approved through the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food (SCF). Safety is the paramount consideration and positive evidence of this, including the results of specified toxicological tests, is required before approval is given. Known human carcinogens or teratogens are not permitted for use as food additives.It is not possible to give a percentage of additives which may have been suspected of being carcinogenic or teratogenic in animals, nor are internationally agreed classification systems available that permit the categorisation of food additives as proven animal carcinogens or teratogens.Research into food additives is kept under constant review and if any adverse evidence should come to light the SCF would be asked to reconsider their advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from Jubilee 2000; and if she will make a statement. [3807]

Jubilee 2000 have been in touch with me on a number of occasions, most recently on 11 June, when I met representatives of the Debt Crisis Network to discuss their latest proposal for reducing the debts of the poorest countries.I welcome the efforts of the Debt Crisis Network, and other non-governmental organisations, in raising awareness in the UK and elsewhere of the debt problems faced by many developing countries. We share a common objective—the eradication of poverty in developing countries. The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries debt initiative, which aims to reduce the debts of qualifying countries to affordable levels, will play an important part in helping to achieve this. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I shall be pressing for early and flexible implementation of this initiative in the appropriate fora, such as this week's G7 Summit in Denver.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time persons employed by her Department and its agencies are paid (i) less than £4 an hour, (ii) less than £3.50 an hour and (iii) less than £3 an hour. [4197]

The table provides the figures requested:

	Numbers earning less than £4.00 per hour	Numbers earning less than £3.50 per hour	Numbers earning less than £3.00 per hour
Full-time	27	21	Nil
Part-time	3	1	Nil

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what development assistance is being provided by the government to Kenya in the current year. [4040]

Development assistance is being provided for a range of activities, in particular those which will improve access by the poor to essential health services and basic education and increase incomes of smallholder farmers and the urban poor. Support for the Government of Kenya's economic reform programme is also being provided to fulfil a commitment made by the previous British Government. Total bilateral aid expenditure is expected to be about £30 million in the 1997–98 financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress made in respect of the rights and status of women since the 4 UN World Conference on Women in 1995. [3755]

The Beijing Conference was a landmark for gender equality. We are building on the progress previously noted in the development section of the UK's National Report published by DfEE last November, copies of which were placed in the Library of the House. We assess and address inequalities between women and men, girls and boys in relation to all the strategic objectives established in the Beijing Platform for Action. Progress has included more systematic tackling of gender inequalities as part of all our development co-operation activities. We have also increased the number of focused initiatives to enhance women's empowerment and strengthened our dialogue with multilateral organisations. I will outline future plans in my speech at the Commonwealth Institute later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will place in the Library a copy of the correspondence referred to in paragraph 40 of the National Audit Office report,"Aid to Indonesia", relating to aid proposals and defence sales. [2278]

I have been asked to reply.The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) will write to the hon. Member shortly. Copies of the letter will he placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has for consultation with women about appropriate ways to promote sustainable development; and if he will make a statement; [3747](2) what plans he has to ensure opportunities for women to participate in decision-making on environmental matters; and if he will make a statement. [3748]

Our sustainable development strategy involves environmental, economic and social goals and is about improving the quality of life for all. Women's groups will be consulted with others as we draw up proposals for revising the strategy over the coming months and we will continue to consult widely—including with appropriate women's organizations—as the Department works up its environmental programmes. As part of our initiative to increase the influence of women in decision-making we are in the process of setting targets for higher levels of representation by women in our public bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how the Government will ensure that environmental protection is fully integrated into the OECD Multilateral Agreement on Investment; [3962](2) what is the Government's policy on

The Government would not want to see a Multilateral Agreement on Investment which damaged our commitment to sustainable development and to environment protection. We shall also want to ensure that obligations under multilateral environmental agreements are fully safeguarded. We are aware of the concerns raised by environmental non-governmental organisations and support both formal and informal consultation with them as negotiations continue. We will discuss with negotiating partners in the OECD whether there is a need for an impact study of the Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received from council tax payers in Oxfordshire concerning the level of the council tax levied by Oxfordshire county council for 1997–98. [3801]

We have received three letters from local tax payers complaining about the level of council tax set by Oxfordshire County Council for 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to monitor the incidence of illegal fly tipping of waste following the introduction of the landfill tax; and if he will make a statement. [3779]

Responsibility for monitoring illegal fly tipping, clearance of the wastes involved and pursuing offenders, lies with a number of organisations. The Environment Agency is actively working with these organisations to gather reliable information on fly tipping and other forms of illegal waste disposal.Most notably a co-operative exercise is planned between the Environment Agency, Local Government and the Tidy Britain Group to survey the incidence of fly tipping twelve months on from the introduction of the landfill tax. A report summarising the finding is due to be published in the first half of 1998.Further co-operative surveys are planned with the emphasis on improving the quality of data collected by using standard definitions of waste types and quantities.The evidence of increased fly tipping gathered to date is not conclusive, and may reflect increased public awareness and concern over fly tipping rather than a demonstrable increase in incidents. Nevertheless the Environment Agency are treating this matter very seriously and are working with local authorities to co-ordinate any necessary enforcement action.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many City Challenge schemes are currently in train; how many (a) public and (b) private money has been received by each; and if he has received (i) the exit strategies and (ii) the date of the completion of each scheme. [4007]

There are 20 City Challenge schemes currently in train.The latest published figures for the total amount of public and private money received or attracted by each of these schemes are:

Partnership	Actual public funding to 31 March funding to 31 March 1996 (£000)1	Actual private sector funding to 31 March funding 1996 (£000)
Barnsley	57,545	23,611
Batley (Kirklees)	54,651	49,579
Blackburn	48,020	98,984
Bolton	47,653	33,843
Bootle (Sefton)	42,894	101,161
Brixton (Lambeth)	46,006	34,547
Dalston (Hackney)	92,404	52,415
Derby	49,232	18,371
Harlesden (Brent)	37,616	107,579
Hartlepool	40,781	40,431
Leicester	27,956	34,301
Newtown South	70,152	45,305
Aston (Birmingham)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress by the water companies in cleaning bathing water on British coastlines, and what further measures he proposes to obtain higher standards of effluent treatment disposal by water companies. [3814]

The improvement programme undertaken by the water companies in England and Wales, the water authorities in Scotland and the water service in Northern Ireland has led to 90 per cent. of UK bathing waters meeting the EC Bathing Water Directive's mandatory coliform bacteria standards in the 1996 bathing season. This compares with compliance rates of 67 per cent. and 80 per cent. in 1988 and 1993 respectively. Compliance rates should further increase as more schemes are completed over the next few years under this Directive and under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposed amendments have been tabled by the Dutch Presidency on behalf of European Union member states to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in preparation for the review conference in Kyoto on the convention. [3818]

I have placed a copy of the European Union proposal for a Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, together with a copy of a proposed EU amendment to the Convention itself, in the library of this House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give greater powers to local planning authorities to restrict inappropriate siting of transmitter masts for cellular phone networks more than 10 metres in height. [4018]

Local planning authorities already have adequate powers to influence the siting of transmission masts for cellular phone networks that are more than 10 metres in height. Under the prior approval procedure of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, local planning authorities have the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of the siting and appearance of permitted mast development of up to 15 metres high proposed by licensed telecommunications code system operators outside protected areas. The authority is able to refuse approval if it considers there to be a serious threat to amenity. A full planning application must be made to the local planning authority for all masts proposed in protected areas, such as a National Park, area of outstanding natural beauty or conservation area, and for all masts of more than 15 metres in height elsewhere.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the air quality in London in relation to that of other EU capitals; and if he will make a statement. [3664]

The Department in co-operation with local authorities, currently monitors air quality at 24 automatic, and over 100 non-automatic stations in Greater London. A variety of pollutants are monitored at these sites including nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, fine particles (PM10), hydrocarbons and lead. Levels of these pollutants, in London and other UK cities, together with exceedences of air quality standards and guidelines, are presented in the Department's 18th Edition of the Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics. A copy of the Digest is available in the House of Commons Library. The 19th edition of the Digest, containing information on air quality during 1995 will be published in July.Information on levels of pollution in major cities elsewhere in the European Union is not held centrally. A European Topic Centre on air quality has been established by the European Environment Agency to improve the availability and comparability of information on air quality at the European level, including urban air quality, and to report on key issues on a regular basis. The Agency is expected to publish a report entitled "Air Pollution in Europe in 1997" during the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if information on hedgerow removal notices being held on public registers by local planning authorities will be co-ordinated centrally and published on a regular basis. [4161]

My officials are consulting representatives of local government about the collection of information on hedgerow removal notices. Decisions will be taken in the light of the consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government plans to issue its response to the House Environment Select Committee's third report of the 1996–97 session, on the environmental impact of cement manufacture. [4830]

The Government's response to the Environment Committee's Report has been issued today and copies have been placed in the Library. The response addresses the Committee's conclusions and recommendations relating to Government policy on pollution control, planning, waste management and health issues. It also comments on the Committee's criticism of the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency has issued its own response, which covers the majority of the Committee's recommendations, since these concern the Agency's enforcement role.The Government has welcomed the Select Committee's careful consideration of this issue and sees the report as a very valuable contribution to public debate, not only on this important subject, but also on broader issues of environmental protection. The Government's response affirms its commitment to regulation industry to prevent harm to human health and minimise impacts on the environment as a whole. The Committee has made a number of trenchant criticisms of the Environment Agency's regulation of the cement industry. In particular it found inadequacies in the Agency's public consultation procedures, lack of consistency in application of environmental standards and deficiencies in the regulation of Castle Cement's Clitheroe works. The Government is deeply concerned that the Committee should have felt it necessary to make such criticisms. The Environment Agency has accepted the Committee's criticism and responded to it positively, with an extensive plan of action designed to bring about better public consultation, improve research and guidance and contribute to further studies of the health effects of pollutants.I have made clear in discussions with the Agency that the Government expects it to be a fair and rigorous regulator in all its dealings with industry. It must set appropriate standards which fully protect public health and the environment, and then enforce them firmly. The Agency's management has assured me that it is committed to the changes which are needed to ensure that industrial pollution is controlled in a manner which will command the full confidence of Parliament and the public. I can assure Members of this House that I intend to hold the Agency to that promise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the current United Kingdom target of 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010 is dependent on other EU countries meeting their targets; and if he will make a statement. [3209]

The Government has set itself a challenging domestic target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. from 1990 levels by 2010 and we are currently looking at the policy options which could contribute towards that target.Backed by our target, we shall press for an agreement at the Kyoto Climate Change Conference which sees challenging targets for all developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2000. However, we do not propose to take on a higher, legally-binding target under the Climate Change Convention so that other EU Countries can have lower targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the channel tunnel Safety Authority to publish its annual report for the year 1995–96. [4574]

The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority has today published its eighth Annual Report, covering the period from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996. Copies of the Report have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to reduce traffic (a) levels and (b) pollution in London; and if he will make a statement; [3666](2) what plans he has to encourage the use of public transport in London; and if he will make a statement; [3656](3) what plans he has to meet representatives of environmental organisations to discuss the level of traffic congestion and pollution in London and other major United Kingdom cities; and if he will make a statement. [3657]

The Government announced earlier this month that it was launching a fundamental review of the actions required to deliver an integrated transport policy which meets the environmental and transport needs of all regions of the country, including London. The need to address the problems caused by increasing traffic levels and opportunities to encourage the use of public transport will be central to this work. Ministers have already met representatives of a wide range of bodies with an interest in transport issues, including environmental organisations, and will continue to do so throughout the course of the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and what percentage of eligible (a) men and (b) women hold a current full driving licence, in each 10 year age band; and if he will make a statement. [3661]

The number of male and female full driving licence holders by 10 year age band is as follows:

	Male	Female	Total
16–20	614,431	470,576	1,085,007
21–30	3,412,350	2,895,369	6,307,719
31–40	4,057,396	3,345,138	7,402,534
41–50	3,725,406	2,905,747	6,631,153
51–60	2,983,777	1,995,056	4,978,833
61–70	2,409,678	1,253,960	3,663,638
71–80	1,097,860	497,021	1,594,881
81–90	242,753	90,914	333,667
91–100	6,538	2,043	8,581
Total	18,550,189 (85.3 per cent. of total adult male population of 21,572,667)	13,455,824 (57.9 per cent. of total adult female population of 23,004,762)	32,006,013 (70.4 per cent.of total adult population of 44,576,429)

Some of the population are ineligible to apply for a driving licence on medical grounds. Figures for the total number of men and women eligible to apply for a driving licence are not available and a percentage comparison between those who hold and those who are eligible to apply for a driving licence could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the Government's policy towards the transport of radioactive nuclear waste by air; [3851](2) what legislation governs the transport of radioactive nuclear waste by air over the United Kingdom. [3852]

The transport of all radioactive material by air is governed by The Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 SI No. 3187, as amended by The Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) (Amendment) Regulations 1996 SI No. 3100. As a Contracting State to the Convention an International Civil Aviation, the UK is obliged, under Annex 18, to ensure compliance with the latest edition of the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, published biennially by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for legislation to make illegal the practice of car clocking; and if he will make a statement. [3855]

The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 already makes it an offence to sell a car, in the course of a business, with a false odometer reading. Some prosecutions are also taken under the Theft Act 1968. However, I am concerned that there can be difficulties in gathering the necessary evidence of a car's true mileage, and in tracing previous owners, and the Government is looking at ways of tackling these problems. The Director General of Fair Trading is expected to report shortly on the outcome of his recent consultation exercise on problems concerning used cars, including clocking. I and Ministerial colleagues will consider his findings and recommendations extremely carefully.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from trading standards chairmen calling for action against the practice of car clocking. [3836]

The Institute of Trading Standards Administration and the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body for Food and Trading Standards responded in 1995 to the consultation paper on new arrangements for vehicle registration. They supported the proposal that the provision of mileage information to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency when a vehicle changes hands should be made mandatory.The question of making the provision of mileages a mandatory requirement of the registration system is currently under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will visit Wyre Piddle, Worcestershire, to discuss the case for the proposed bypass. [3999]

I hope to visit the West Midlands Region at some point in the future and shall bear in mind the possibility of a visit to Wyre Piddle when planning a programme. I should stress, however, that resources are tight and it appears unlikely that there will be funding available in this year's Local Transport Settlement for any new major scheme starts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) of 2 June, Official Report, columns 55–56, concerning evasion of road tax, if he will negotiate an agency agreement with those authorities who employ their own staff for parking enforcement to monitor unlicensed vehicles in the same way as traffic wardens do. [4065]

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) already operates a scheme with London boroughs where local authority parking attendants report unlicensed vehicles to the Agency. Parking attendants detect such vehicles in the course of their day to day duties. Negotiations with a further six London boroughs are in hand and there are plans to extend the scheme to other local authorities outside London who are implementing their own parking enforcement regimes under the decriminalised parking powers now available across the country.

To ask the Prime Minister what are his plans for reducing the number of quangos. [2587]

The Government believes that the previous Administration created too many unelected, undemocratic quangos. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has announced a review of quangos with the aim of reducing overall numbers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that British companies do not undermine current US restrictions on the supply of specific military, security and police transfers to Indonesia; and if he will make a statement. [3586]

We announced on 22 May, Official Report, column 135, an urgent review of the detailed criteria used in considering licence applications for the export of conventional arms worldwide. Current US policy in this field will be taken into account. All countries will be judged against the new criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 June, Official Report, column 82, on waiting times for visa applications, when he expects the Under Secretary of State to write to the hon. Member for Leicester, East. [4014]

The information the hon. Member requested is as follows. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will therefore not be writing to the hon. Member.

Post	Waiting time for a straight forward visit application	Waiting time if an interview is required for a visit visa	Waiting time for a settlement interview
Bombay	same day	same day	6 months
Islamabad	same day	14 days	Q1 3 months
			Q2 wives
			18 weeks
			Q2 husbands 7 months
			Q3 6 months
			Q4
			11.5 months
New Delhi	same day	same day	Q1 same day
			Q2 11 weeks
			Q3 19 weeks
			Q4 6 months
Calcutta	30 minutes	2 days	7 days
Karachi	same day	3 days	5 months
Dhaka	same day	same day	Q1 3 months
			Q2 6 months
			Q3 3 months
			Q4 8 months
Washington	same day	same day	within 24 hours
New York	same day	4 days	same day

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment was made of the human rights record of the country for which the trans-shipment of electro-shock batons was licensed in 1993. [3943]

A search of departmental records has so far not revealed any details of assessments made prior to the granting of this license. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for Leeds Central will write to the hon. Member once officials have completed their enquiries. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal procedures there are to monitor the use of military, police or security equipment supplied subject to assurances that the purchasers would not use such hardware for internal repression. [3944]

No such formal procedures have previously existed. But we are considering how best to take forward our commitment to prevent British companies from manufacturing, selling or procuring equipment primarily designed for torture and strengthen the monitoring of end-use of defence exports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to obtain the balance of compensation owed by Iraq to former British hostages held in Kuwait, following the Iraqi invasion in 1990; and if he will make a statement. [4171]

Payment of outstanding compensation depends on the flow of money into the Compensation Fund under UN Security Council resolution (SCR) 986 (oil for food). The UK co-sponsored the renewal of this resolution on 4 June (SCR 1111) permitting Iraq to export up to US$2 billion of oil for a further six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the Minister without Portfolio has in the formulation of policy relating to the European Union. [4206]

The Minister without Portfolio is a Member of the sub-committee on European issues of the Cabinet Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (E) DOP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports the United Kingdom observers to the Algerian elections have made to his Department concerning the conduct of the elections. [3766]

As members of the UN-coordinated election observer team, the two observers from the UK participated in the formulation of the United Nations report on the Algerian legislative elections. The overall conclusion of the UN report was positive although a number of concerns were noted, including on the question of special/mobile polling stations and on the number of ballot boxes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom observers to the Algerian elections were allowed the freedom usually accorded to international observers at domestic elections; and if they were allowed access to the count. [3767]

The two British observers who participated in the UN-co-ordinated election observer team in Algeria were able to exercise their role within the confines of the extensive and necessary high level of security provided by the Government of Algeria: and they were allowed access to the count.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations his Department (i) has already carried out and (ii) plans to carry out with organisations of and representing disabled people in relation to incorporating references to disability discrimination into the treaty on European Union. [3618]

We strongly supported a reference to non-discrimination on the grounds of disability in the revised Treaty text. The Department for Education and Employment, who have the policy lead on this issue, have consulted a number of non-governmental organisations representing disabled people about both the proposed language on non-discrimination and to ensure that the Community's institutions take the needs of the disabled into account when framing single market legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the General Affairs Council held on 2 and 3 June. [4573]

The 23 A Points listed in document 8568/97, the text of which will be placed in the House Library, were approved.The Council noted the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament, listed in Documents 7145/97 and 8018/97. A copy of these documents will also be placed in the House Library as soon as they are available.The Presidency gave a brief presentation on the themes for the European Council in Amsterdam on 16–17 June, emphasising that the priority would be bringing the Inter-Governmental Conference to a successful conclusion.Conclusions were adopted on improving trade access for the Least Developed Countries. HMG hopes that other WTO members will respond positively to the Council's call that they make similar commitments.The Commission reported on the outcome of negotiations with Canada and Russia on a Framework Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards. The Council Conclusions welcomed progress made, noted the Commission's intention to issue proposals for concluding an Agreement and urged the Commission to report on progress in similar negotiations with the USA. A final decision will be taken at the 19–20 June Environment Council.The Council adopted the Regulation creating a Monitoring Centre for Racism and Xenophobia. The Council also adopted the directives for negotiation between the Community and the Council of Europe concerning co-operation between the Monitoring Centre and the Council of Europe. It was decided that the Monitoring Centre will be based in Vienna.The Council welcomed the results of the 28 May EU/US summit in The Hague, and noted preparations for the EU/Canada summit at Denver on 20 June. The EU/US summit was a success: key agreements were reached including on customs co-operation; there were detailed discussions also on drugs and crime as well as democracy and human rights. The EU/Canada summit will provided an opportunity to assess the implementation of the EU-Canada Joint Declaration and Joint Action Plan.The Council noted the forthcoming EU/Japan Sixth annual summit in The Hague on 25 June. Political dialogue will focus on the Korean peninsular and Hong Kong. The Commission will raise Japan's deregulation programme.The Council agreed Conclusions setting out the EU's future policy towards Hong Kong after the transfer of sovereignty on 30 June. The Council welcomed the recent Commission Communication on future relations with Hong Kong and said that future policy should be based on a number of key guidelines, including Hong Kong's continuing high degree of political and economic autonomy under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the technical and operational documents relating to implementation of the Schengen Agreement; and if he will make a statement. [4230]

I have been asked to reply.We have examined a number of documents relating to implementation of the Schengen Agreement, in connection with the proposal of the Inter-Governmental Conference to incorporate the Agreement into the structures of the European Union. The Government have no intention of signing the Schengen Agreement because it would require the removal of United Kingdom frontier controls with other member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what discussions his Department has had with other Departments on the proposed ban on tobacco companies' sponsorship of sport; [4131](2) what consultations he has had with sports organisations and participants who may be adversely affected by a ban on tobacco sponsorship. [4134]

We are looking very carefully at how best to achieve an end to the advertising and promotion of tobacco at sports events in a way which will minimise any damage to the sports concerned. Discussions are underway within Government on how best to achieve this and I will be consulting the sports concerned shortly. The Government will publish a White Paper later this year setting out their plans for this and other measures to tackle tobacco consumption. Any legislation will include a transitional period.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of (a) the number of people employed in sports which receive sponsorship from tobacco companies and (b) the likely consequences on employment of a ban on sponsorship by tobacco companies. [4132]

I have made no assessment of the number of people employed in sports which receive sponsorship from tobacco companies. We intend to minimise any damage to sports. Discussions are underway within Government on how best to achieve this, and we will be consulting the sports concerned shortly. The Government will publish a White Paper later this year. Any legislation will include a transitional period.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action he intends taking to make darts a sport recognised by his Department. [1554]

I would like to see greater recognition of the enjoyment and recreation the game of darts brings to its millions of followers. Grants to individual sports come mainly from the English and United Kingdom Sports Councils, and they decide which activities and organisations should be eligible. The Sports Councils keep priorities under review.I urge them to recognise the hugely popular sport of darts and I hope to discuss this matter with them.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans the Government have for improving the range and accessibility of sporting facilities throughout the country for young people. [3159]

The Government will take the lead in extending opportunities for participation in sport through a national strategy for sport which will embrace all sections of the community regardless of where they live, social background, age or ability. This strategy will embrace facility provision and the accessibility of sports facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to increase inner-city school children's access to sporting facilities; and if he will make a statement. [2708]

The Government will take the lead in extending opportunities for participation in sport through a national strategy for sport which will embrace all sections of the community regardless of where they live, social background, age or ability. We will aim to build on the range of existing initiatives aimed at providing access to sporting facilities for inner city school children, including the Lottery Sports Fund which provides support to deprived areas through the Priority Areas Initiative and the School Community Sports Initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to encourage year-round tourism in national parks. [4016]

My Department encourages efforts to promote year-round tourism so as to maximise the economic benefits to, and spread the pressure of visitor numbers on environmentally sensitive areas. The National Park Authorities have a statutory duty to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of their areas by the public. They are encouraged to develop policies for visitor management, in co-operation with local authorities, Tourist Boards and others with tourism or recreational responsibilities in their areas. In doing so they take into account the need to conserve the special qualities of the Parks and the principles for sustainable tourism.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many Lottery grants have been awarded to organisations and groups in Cleethorpes constituency; and what are the values of those grants.[3165]

As at 10 June 8 grants totalling £654,635 Had been made to organizations and groups in Cleethorpes. The details are as follows:

Distributing Body	Award date	Recipient	Award amount £
Arts Council of England	15 November 1995	Cleethorpes Borough Council	286,199
National Lottery Charities Board	17 December 1996	Cleethorpes Help the Aged	92,535
National Lottery Charities Board	11 August 1996	Senior Citizens Club	47,976
National Lottery Charities Board	19 December 1995	Grimsby and Cleethorpes Pathfinder Project	44,043
National Lottery Charities Board	11 August 1996	Grimsby and Cleethorpes Home-Start	7,175
National Lottery Charities Board	11 August 1996	4th Cleethorpes (St. Peters) Scout Group	725
Sports Council	02 August 1995	Cleethorpes Borough Council	169,920
Sports Council	05 February 1997	Humber Mouth Yacht Club (Sailing School)	6,062
Total			654,635

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the members of the United Kingdom Sports Council, the countries and sports they represent, their period of tenure of office and any moneys paid to them as members. [2754]

[holding answer 9 June 1997]: The UKSC's Royal Charter provides for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for National Heritage, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to nominate one member each from their respective Home Country Sports Councils as a member of the UKSC. Other members of the UKSC are appointed in a personal capacity, solely on the basis of merit and their suitability for the post, and not to represent particular countries or sports. While the Royal Charter provides for the remuneration of the Chairman and members of the Council, if the Secretary of State so directs, no members of the UKSC currently receive remuneration for their services.The current members of the United Kingdom Sports Council are:Sir Rodney Walker—appointed as a member on 19 September 1996 for 3 years and Acting Chairman since 14 May 1997.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Lord Chancellor's Department has to support National Marriage Week 1998. [3161]