To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department plans to spend on advertising the availability of postal votes before the proposed referendums on (a) Welsh devolution and (b) a greater London authority. [5855]

There will be no Home Office expenditure for these purposes.Responsibility for publicity on the availability of postal votes in the Welsh devolution referendum and the referendum on the strategic authority for London will be the responsibility of the Welsh Office and the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department spent on advertising the availability of postal votes before the General Election. [5857]

Absent voting facilities were publicised at the general election through a television campaign and advertisements in the national press, at a cost of £700,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if sufficient collection centres will be made available in each police constabulary area to ensure that firearm certificate holders do not have to travel unreasonable distances to hand in weapons prohibited by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; [5828](2) what guidance he has given to chief constables on reasonable distances between collection centres which are used for weapons to be handed in as a result of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; [5827](3) if he will list the police constabularies which intend to make available only one collection centre in their area for weapons which are to be handed in as a result of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997. [5830]

Decisions about the collection arrangements for weapons and equipment surrendered under the terms of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 are for the chief officer of police for each force area and we are grateful for their co-operation in this important task. The arrangements in place will differ from one area to another, taking into account such factors as the need to ensure public safety, numbers and locations of firearm certificate holders and registered firearms dealers and police resources. These are matters for local decision and we have not sought to establish a central record of the arrangements in each area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of disabled access to polling stations in Wales in the last General Election; and if he will ensure that failures to provide adequate access are remedied before their next use. [6086]

Information on the accessibility of polling stations in use in Wales for the General Election is not available centrally. County and County Borough Councils in Wales are statutorily required to designate as polling places for parliamentary elections, so far as is reasonable and practicable, only places which are accessible to the disabled. Acting returning officers may apply to the Home Office for grants towards the cost of providing temporary ramps, where it is not possible for them to use a building for the purpose of a polling place at a parliamentary election which affords easy access for the disabled. Grants are also available for specially adapted polling screens for use by the disabled.The same provisions will apply at the forthcoming referendum to be held in Wales. In this instance, grants will be available from the Welsh Office towards the cost of temporary ramps.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to ensure that children are protected from convicted sex offenders. [5601]

The Government give a very high priority to ensuring that children are protected from sex offenders. There are a number of proposals under consideration, including legislating to enable sex offenders on release from prison to be supervised by the probation service for much longer periods of time, and making it an offence for a convicted sex offender to seek work with, or offer services to, children.We also plan to implement the Sex Offenders Act 1997 as soon as possible. It will require offenders convicted of serious sex offences against children to notify the police of their name and address and any change in these details and we are determined to make sure the information is used to protect children rather than gathering dust in a file or sitting unused on a computer database.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were deported from (a) Manchester, (b) Gatwick and (c) Heathrow airports in each month of 1997. [5871]

[holding answer 30 June 1997]: I regret that the information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of electors who had moved into new polling districts between the commencement of the operation of the current electoral register and the last general election; and if he will make a statement. [6015]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: None. No information is held centrally which would allow such an estimate to be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were brought for (a) murder or manslaughter and (b) causing death by dangerous or careless driving in respect of fatal road traffic accidents in England and Wales in each of the last three years; and in each case how many resulted in (i) conviction and (ii) a custodial sentence. [5967]

The table below gives the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce (a) random breath testing of motorists by police, (b) a reduction in the current legal limit for drink driving, (c) a complete ban on drinking and driving, (d) a ban on carrying alcohol in lorry drivers' cabs and (e) all-year-round campaigns against drink driving. [5968]

We have no plans to introduce random breath testing, a complete ban on drinking and driving or a ban on the carrying of alcohol in lorry cabs.The law already provides the police with wide powers to test drivers for drinking and driving: they may administer a test in the event of an accident, a moving traffic offence or if they have cause to suspect a driver of having alcohol in his body. These powers are used extensively; in England and Wales in 1996 it has been calculated that some 781,000 roadside breath tests were carried out, the highest number ever.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to encourage councils to introduce byelaws to restrict on-street consumption of alcohol by those aged under 18 years. [5944]

A model byelaw is available to local authorities to prohibit the consumption of intoxicating liquor in designated areas. Byelaws do not apply selectively to particular age groups.We will be implementing the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997. Under this legislation, a police constable may confiscate alcohol from under-aged drinkers and it will be an offence to refuse to hand over the drink.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further internal inquiries are planned into the handling of the murder of Abdul Kamal Samad. [5804]

The Commissioner informs me that the Head of Number 2 Area Complaints Unit in the Metropolitan Police District has been appointed to investigate the initial response to Mr. Samad's murder, which occurred on 21 May 1997. Upon receipt of his report, a decision will be made as to whether a full disciplinary enquiry is required. At this stage no formal complaint against a Metropolitan Police officer has been made. The murder of Mr. Samad is currently being investigated by a team of detectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his meeting with the parents of Stephen Lawrence. [5679]

I met Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence on 24 June. I was deeply moved listening to the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of their son Stephen. We also discussed broader issues, including racially motivated crime and the relationship between the police and ethnic minority communities. I recognise that a strong case has been made by Mrs. Lawrence for some form of inquiry and I am actively considering what she put to me. I will also consider carefully the other issues that were raised during our meeting and reflect on the best way to address the widespread concern resulting from this case. I hope to make an announcement soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review mandatory drug sentences for Class A drug users, including first time offenders. [5668]

We will make an announcement as soon as possible about implementation of provisions in the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 which establish minimum sentences of seven years' imprisonment for those convicted for a third time of trafficking in class A drugs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the number and percentage of schools in Wales which were closed, wholly or partly, on 1 May for use as polling stations; and what percentages of pupils were affected. [6072]

Information of the kind is not collected centrally either by my Department or by the Welsh Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the ages of the members of the Youth Justice task force; and what plans he has to ensure that there is representation of young people's organisations on the task force. [6328]

The ages of the task force members are listed below. Members are appointed on the basis of their relevant knowledge, experience and individual merit rather than to represent particular organisations.

• William Atkinson: 47
• Jonathan Black: 40
• Cathryn Bowker: 37
• Anthony Butler: 52
• Paul Cavadino: 48
• Ann Fuller: 60
• Cedric Fullwood: 57
• Thomas Luce: 57
• Jenny Rowe: 41
• Ian Johnston: 51
• John Lyon: 49
• David Norgorve: 49
• Teresa Reynolds: 41
• Denise Platt: 52
• Norman Warner: 56
• Joan Webster: 52
• Geoffrey Wicks: 62
• Andrew Williamson: 49.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures govern the transfer of areas from one police force area to another. [6224]

These procedures are set out in sections 32 to 34 of the Police Act 1996. The main points are as follows:The Secretary of State may by order make alterations in police areas in England and Wales, other than the City of London police area. These alterations may result in increases or reductions in the number of police areas, but not in the abolition of the Metropolitan Police District.The Secretary of State may not exercise this power unless either he has received a request to make the alterations from each of the police authorities affected or if it appears to him to be expedient to make the alterations in the interests of efficiency or effectiveness.The Secretary of State must give notice of his proposed alterations to the police authorities and local authorities for every area affected. He must consider their objections and give further notice stating whether he accepts the objections and, if he does not, giving his reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the outcomes of the Council of EU Education Ministers held on 26 June. [6786]

The Council of Education Ministers, at which my noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment and my hon. Friend the Minister for Education and Industry, Scottish Office represented the UK, reached agreement on the adoption of a common position on the European Commission proposal to increase the budget of the SOCRATES education programme. The common position will provide for the budget to increase from 850 million ECU¹ over 5 years to 875 million ECU².The Council adopted Conclusions on Safety at School, on Information and Communications Technology and Teacher Training, and on the Commission White Paper "Teaching and Learning: Towards the Learning Society". The Council received reports on the Commission's draft Recommendation on Quality Assurance in Higher Education and on the Fifth Research and Development Framework Programme.Ministers also discussed the Commission Green Paper "Education. Training, Research: The Obstacles to Transnational Mobility" and language teaching.The Council minutes will be placed in the Library as soon as they become available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Social Affairs Council on 27 June. [6785]

The UK was represented by the Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry, the Minister for Employment and Disability Rights and me.The UK was welcomed to the Government's first Social Affairs Council by the Presidency, at the start of the meeting. I replied by setting out the Government's intention to take a positive approach to European employment and social affairs matters, including playing a full part in discussions of matters being taken forward under the Social Chapter. I also set out the Government's view that the key should be to tackle unemployment, particularly by taking action to develop people's employability and to promote labour market flexibility.Political agreement was reached on the common position of the draft Directive on the Burden of Proof in sex discrimination cases, incorporating UK amendments bringing the Directive into line with the approach of UK Courts in this field.The Council also reached political agreement on the proposed Directive on Chemical Agents, which will lay down minimum standards for the protection of workers from exposure to chemical agents.There was discussion of the Commission's follow-up to its 1995 Communication on social protection. The UK highlighted the need for innovative approaches to moving people out of dependency and into work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each education authority in England, and by class and in total, the amount of balances held in reserve for each year since 1990. [6342]

Local education authorities have reported the information set out in the following tables on the level of general fund revenue reserves held each year since 1990. The figures include reserves held by schools under local management, and funds, which may be substantial, held for specific purposes which may not be available for general expenditure. Comparisons made between financial years may be affected by changing accountancy practices, particularly the reclassification of some provisions as reserves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the availability of discretionary awards from local education authorities in the United Kingdom and the steps he is taking to encourage young people on low incomes to continue their studies to further education. [5054]

Discretionary Awards are a matter for local education authorities. Each local authority is free, in the light of its own priorities, to determine its own budget and how the money is spent. We are committed to reviewing educational finance and maintenance for those older than 16 to ensure higher staying-on rates at school and college and that resources are used to support those most in need.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to announce the decision on the application for sixth form status for Brixham and Dartmouth community colleges; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay. [5702]

[holding answer 30 June 1997]: The proposals for sixth forms for these schools are under consideration. We shall announce a decision as soon as possible, consistent with full consideration of the proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what levels of funding Leicestershire training and enterprise council have received in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97; and what level of balances they carried forward in (1) 1994–95; (2) 1995–96 and (3) 1996–97. [6220]

The total amounts paid by the Department for Education and Employment to Leicestershire Training and Enterprise Council, and the amounts of reserves carried forward by the TEC are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the Civil Service Compensation Scheme provision for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (a) requires or (b) permits payments above the statutory minimum to members of staff being made (i) compulsorily and (ii) voluntarily redundant: and to what extent the arrangements for staff taking voluntary early severance or voluntary early retirement differ from those for staff being made voluntarily redundant. [5834]

The terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme for Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme members require set benefits to be paid to staff made compulsorily or voluntarily redundant. These are usually above the statutory minimum. As explained in my reply on 16 June, Official Report, columns 49–50, no members of staff have been made either voluntarily or compulsorily redundant from this Department (including the Employment Service) over the last 12 months, but a number have taken voluntary early retirement or voluntary early severance.Where an early release has been agreed on compulsory terms, there is no difference between these arrangements and those which would apply in the case of redundancy. Where the release has been agreed on flexible terms, the main differences between these and the terms which would apply in the case of voluntary redundancy are in the length of notice required to be given or compensation payment made to those individuals concerned.

To ask the Prime Minister what action the Government are initiating to promote disarmament and non-proliferation. [4976]

We are strongly committed to preventing the proliferation of all types of weapons of mass destruction. We shall pursue this vigorously through maintaining and strengthening the relevant treaties (Non-Proliferation Treaty, Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological Weapons Convention) and international export control regimes (Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group).We have also made clear our commitment to the goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons and our commitment to press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in such weapons. We will be considering how best to implement these commitments, particularly in the context of the Strategic Defence Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about including cystic fibrosis in the list of treatments set out in the NHS (Remission of Charges) Regulations 1988; and if he will make a statement. [6165]

We receive regular representations from Cystic Fibrosis sufferers.Prescription charges, and all other aspects of Government spending, are being reviewed as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the recruitment and retention of general practitioners in the national health service. [5869]

We are aware that recruitment and retention difficulties are occurring in some areas. We are talking to the profession about ways in which some of the difficulties might be tackled; in particular how family friendly policies might be pursued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the causes of fluorosis in children; what links have been identified between fluorosis and the fluoridation of water supplies; and if he will make a statement. [5965]

The Department of Health has not itself commissioned any research into the causes of fluorosis in children. Extensive research over many decades undertaken independently of the Department, confirms a link between water fluoridation and dental fluorosis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications for the NHS of developments which allow prognosis of an individual's future health based on analysis of genetic material. [5948]

The Department of Health and the Medical Research Council are currently jointly establishing an Advisory Group on Scientific Advances in Genetics (AGSAG) to advise the Department and the Medical Research Council on the implications of advances in genetic science for the National Health Service, public health and medical research. AGSAG will advise the Chief Medical Officer and the NHS Director of Research and Development on the likely implications for public health and for the NHS of scientific advances in genetics and will also advise the NHS Executive Board on the establishment and evaluation of innovative genetic services and their longer term development.The department also takes advice from a number of other specialist bodies including the Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing which advises United Kingdom Health Ministers on genetic testing issues, and the Expert Advisory Group on Cancer which advises the Secretaries of State for Health and Wales and the Chief Medical Officers for England and Wales on the organisation of cancers services including the implications of cancer genetics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent discussions he has had with the British Medical Association on the legislation of cannabis for medical use; [6067](2) what recent assessment he has made of professional opinion in respect of the legislation of cannabis for medical use. [6068]

We have not had any discussions with the British Medical Association on this subject. Department of Health officials, including professionals, are keeping the available research into the medicinal use of cannabis under review. At present, the evidence is inconclusive. The key point is that a cannabis—based medicine has not been scientifically demonstrated to be safe, efficacious and of suitable quality. This is what has to happen before any drug can be licensed for medicinal use. Misuse of drugs legislation allows for research involving cannabis under Home Office licence. Any proposed clinical trial would have to be submitted to the Medicines Control Agency for approval or exemption in accordance with the Medicines Act 1968. Any application for a licence or a certificate, or both, would be carefully considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates members of the Board of Carlisle North Cumbria Health Care Trust are due for reappointment. [5867]

The terms of office of the non-executive directors of the North Lakeland Healthcare National Health Service Trust expire on the following dates:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of the potential health risks posed by mobile phone usage; and if he will make a statement; [2723](2) what assessment he has made of the possible health risks connected to the use of electric blankets; and if he will make a statement. [2710]

[pursuant to her reply 10 June 1997]: I regret that there was an error in my previous reply. The last paragraph should read as follows;"The NRPB's advice is that there is no convincing scientific evidence of exposure to either microwave radiation associated with mobile phone usage or electro-magnetic fields associated with electric blanket usage being harmful to human health."

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received from the (a) British Dental Association, (b) British Fluoridation Society, (c) Northumbrian Water Ltd., (d) NHS Executive and (e) Water Services Association regarding the Water Fluoridation Order 1987; [3206](2) what plans he has to review the Water Fluoridation Order 1987; and if he will make a statement. [3207]

I have been asked to reply.I have received no representations from the organisations mentioned and have no plans to review the Water Fluoridation Order 1987. Fluoridation continues to be part of dental health promotion policy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many members of non-departmental public bodies have been found guilty of fraud offences in each of the last three years. [4949]

This information is not collected centrally. The arrangements for fraud reporting, which are described in Chapter 37 of Government Accounting, do not require non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) to report frauds to the Treasury. Rather, they report to sponsoring Departments, which are asked to tell the Treasury only of any novel or usual frauds occurring in NDPBs. This approach, which was adopted some years ago, was part of an effort to encourage sponsoring departments to take closer and more direct responsibility for the oversight of NDPBs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will name the ministers, officials and political advisers in his Department who will be involved directly in the Strategic Defence Review. [5611]

As in any review of this nature the identity of the Ministers, officials and political advisers involved in the Strategic Defence Review will depend on the issues that arise, and on the detailed allocation of responsibilities at the time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce his detailed proposals for the construction industry tax scheme outlined in paragraph 6B.17 of the 1997–98 Financial Statement and Budget report. [3377]

Legislation is contained in the 1995 and 1996 Finance Acts to provide for changes to be made to the construction industry tax scheme. The Inland Revenue are continuing to consult with industry representatives on the more detailed proposals which will be included in regulations. An announcement will he made shortly about the implementation of the new scheme.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, under present conventions, the spending of local authority capital receipts counts as public spending. [3261]

Local authority expenditure (including expenditure financed by local authority capital receipts) is scored as part of General Government Expenditure, except when other local authorities or central government receive the expenditure.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to secure a multi-national agreement on the cancellation or reduction of third world debt. [5850]

The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative to reduce the debt burdens of the poorest countries to sustainable levels was launched at the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings last September. At the recent Summit of the Eight held at Denver, the other Finance Ministers followed my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in calling for rapid implementation of this initiative. However, there is no room for complacency, and we shall continue to press for the international community to provide further debt relief.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the decisions to close the Redruth, Penzance and Truro Inland Revenue offices were taken, what were the criteria for these decisions; what are the terms of reference for the Inland Revenue rationalisation No. 3; and if he will make a statement. [3518]

Since 1993, the Inland Revenue has been carrying out a 10-year programme to reorganise its whole network of local offices. I have now asked the Revenue to review all of the proposed reorganisations which would result in closure of the only local office in a particular town. This includes Truro and Penzance but not Redruth which is not proposed for closure.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value of the VAT receipts which HM Customs and Excise has been obliged to return to opticians as a result of the High Court and Appeal Court hearings of the case brought by Leightons Opticians. [5245]

To date, Customs and Excise have refunded in the order of £211 million VAT and £63 million in statutory interest as a result of the aforementioned High Court decision.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to H.M. Treasury press release 60/97 of 4 June 1997, what specific measures are required to complete the single market; and which of these the Government supports. [3359]

The Commission presented an "Action Plan for the Single Market" to the European Council in Amsterdam, describing in detail the steps it regards as necessary to complete the single market. A copy of the text has been placed in the House Library. The Government welcomes the Commission's initiative in bringing forward this plan and supports in particular its strategic targets for improving transposition and enforcement of existing rules, ensuring that competition policy is effective, simplifying legislation and reducing the level of state aids. Taking significant steps towards the completion of the single market will be a top priority for the British presidency of the European Union in the first half of 1998.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Her Majesty's Treasury will publish quarterly reports of progress on preparations for the introduction of a European single currency. [3529]

The Bank of England publishes quarterly reports entitled "Practical Issues Arising from the Introduction of the Euro". The most recent report was published on 24 April. The Government is considering whether additional information would he useful to help businesses prepare for the practical implications of economic and monetary union, some of which will arise whether or not the United Kingdom participates.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his estimates of the future share of health spending as a percentage of gross domestic product. [3707]

The plans for health spending in 1997–98 and 1998–99 were published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98 at the time of the 1996 Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rates of beer duty applicable, by value and alcohol content, in (a) France, (b) the Netherlands and (c) Belgium. [3424]

The rates of duty are listed in ECUs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the ability of blind people to identify the different proposed Euro coins. [5296]

Organisations representing visually impaired people have been involved in discussions organised by the European Commission about euro coins. The Royal Mint has separately been in contact with organisations representing visually impaired people in the United Kingdom. During negotiations on the specifications of euro coins, the Government has supported the use of features to assist their recognition by visually impaired people.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Government propose to reflect local government reorganisation in the European regional classification known as NUTS. [6788]

The Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics (NUTS) is the European Commission's classification of sub-national areas for statistical purposes, and is managed by Eurostat, the Commission's statistical office. The Government Statistical Service has drafted a new NUTS structure for the UK which takes account of Government Office regions and local government reorganisation. The draft structure was the subject of wide consultation last summer, and the results of that consultation are incorporated in the final proposals. Dr. Holt, the Director of the Office for National Statistics, has submitted the proposals to Eurostat for their consideration. Copies of the proposals, and a report on the consultation of last year, are being placed in the Libraries of the House today.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Bank of England to place in the Library the press notices which it issues announcing each month's decision of its Monetary Policy Committee in respect of the official dealing rate. [5878]

[holding answer 30 June 1997]: The announcements of the Monetary Policy Committee's decisions will be placed in the House of Commons Library by the Bank of England.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the implications of the policy of open government for the release of Treasury analysis of the effects of proposed taxation at the time of the Budget statement. [5981]

[holding answer 30 June 1997]: Information and analysis of the effects of the Budget are widely available by a number of means, in accordance with open Government Principles.The main source is the Financial Statement and Budget Report (FSBR), but information is also published in a Pocket Budget format, on computer disc and Treasury press releases. All published Treasury material is also available on the Internet. Other Government Departments and agencies also publish relevant Budget Information.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list (a) the current formula for the determination of Scottish block expenditure, (b) each area of English expenditure to which it applies, (c) the changes that have been made to the formula since 1978 and (d) the level of Scottish block expenditure (i) planned, (ii) forecast and (iii) outturn, in each year between 1978–79 and 1997–98 at current and constant prices; and what plans he has to review the formula. [4218]

[holding answer 19 June 1997]: The existing Block arrangements are governed by the Barnett formula established in 1978.The Scottish Block changes by 10.66 per cent. of any changes made to provision for analogous English programmes in the course of the public expenditure survey and 10.06 per cent. of any changes to provision for analogous programmes which cover England and Wales. The Block covers all expenditure by the Scottish Office and associated Departments except for that on Agriculture and Fisheries and on Nationalised Industries. The areas of comparable English, or English and Welsh, expenditure are: industry enterprise and training; roads and transport; housing; other environmental services; law, order and protective services; education and sport; arts and libraries; health; social work services; other public services; central government support to local authorities.Since the introduction of the Block the only significant change to the 1991 population based formula was made in 1992 to reflect the 1991 population Census.The Government will set out its proposals for the future financing of public expenditure in Scotland under devolution, in a White Paper which will be published before the recess.Information on the Scottish Block from 1985–86 is contained in the Scottish Office Departmental Reports published since 1991. Information for earlier years is contained in the Scottish Chapter in Part 2 of the Public Expenditure White Papers. (It will be noted that the composition of the Scottish Block has changed over time and that the price bases are different).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use his Department is making of the new engineering contract in construction work for which it is responsible. [3429]

My Department has not let any contracts under New Engineering Contract (NEC) terms to date, but future use of the NEC is being examined as part of a review of our contractual arrangements conducted against the background of the Latham Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many series of technical papers or reports have been produced by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment since 1967; what were the titles of each series; what were the dates of each paper; how many papers or reports were published in each series; and how many of the papers and reports in each series are currently unclassified. [5682]

Because of classification considerations and the volume of documentation it is not possible to respond in precisely the terms asked. However, between 1953 and 1970, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment produced four main series of technical reports: B, (Bomb); E, (Weapon Effects); 0, (Research); and T, (Trials). Further separate series covered administrative and contractual matters and reports by AWRE Divisions. About 300 reports from the B and E Series from that period are due for transfer to the Public Records Office by October 1997. My noble Friend, the Minister for Defence Procurement will write to the hon. Member at that time with details of these reports and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will take action against companies which fail to meet claims for compensation on credit card transactions made overseas. [5690]

It is primarily a matter for the individual concerned to take action in such circumstances, through the courts if necessary. In so far as there may be a question of a company's fitness to hold a consumer credit licence, I look to the Director General of Fair Trading to act with his usual vigour.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will review the adequacy of consumer protection measures contained in section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. [5689]

I am considering all aspects of the Consumer Credit Act. The Director General of Fair Trading monitors the working of the Act and administers the consumer credit licensing system, and I have asked him to advise me on this matter.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to make a decision on the proposed merger between Stena and P&O Ferries. [4388]

The Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) report on the proposed merger between P&O and Stena will be published as quickly as is practicable. I cannot comment on the likely publication date of the MMC report or its contents, which remain confidential until publication. Copies of the report will be laid before Parliament at the same time as it is published.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will consider the application of section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, to cover credit card transactions made overseas. [5858]

I am considering all aspects of the Consumer Credit Act. The Director General of Fair Trading monitors the working of the Act and administers the consumer credit licensing system, and I have asked him to advise me on this matter.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list each person advising or assisting her Department who has (a) membership of and (b) involvement in (i) the European Round Table of Industrialists, (ii) the European Centre for Infrastructure Studies, (iii) the Competitiveness Advisory Group, (iv) Transatlantic Business Dialogue, (v) the Association for the Monetary Union of Europe, (vi) Union of Industrial and Employers Confederations of Europe, (vii) Europe Bio and (viii) the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. [5311]

Membership of the European Round Table of Industrialists, the Competitiveness Group and the Transatlantic Business Dialogue is on a personal basis. Sir Peter Bonfield is a member of the European Round Table and also advises the Department as a member of the Table Policy Forum.Membership of the European Centre of Infrastructure Studies, the Association for the Monetary Union of Europe, the Union of Industrial and Employers Confederations of Europe, Europe Bio and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development is on a corporate basis. Representatives from companies and organisations involved with these groups may advise Departments from time to time.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to visit Indonesia. [6077]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: I have no plans to visit Indonesia at present.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will take steps to ensure that accountancy firms criticised in her Department's inspectors' reports are required to (a) state that they have understood the criticisms and (b) demonstrate that they have taken the required steps to deal with the shortcomings. [4825]

[holding answer 25 June 1997]: Any consequential and continuing regulation of accountancy firms criticised in Inspector's reports is a matter for the firms recognised supervisory bodies.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will list those accountants disqualified from public practice as a result of the criticisms of their conduct in her Department's inspectors' reports; [4818](2) if she will list those accountancy firms whose affairs have been investigated following criticisms of their conduct in her Department's inspectors' reports. [4820]

[holding answers 25 June 1997]: The investigation and disqualification from public practice of accountants and accountancy firms is a matter for their recognised supervisory bodies.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will recommend to the European Commission that Cornwall should be designated as a separate NUTS 2 region. [5428]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: The Government Statistical Service is this week sending its proposals for the UK's NUTS structure to Eurostat (the European Commission's statistical office). A copy of the full set of proposals will he placed in the Library of the House. The Government Statistical Service's proposals include, amongst others, the suggestion that Cornwall should be a separate NUTS level 2 area.