To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects his review of economic regeneration in Wales to be completed; and if, and in what form, he intends to publish the results. [5161]

My right hon. Friend and I intend to publish our proposals for an economic powerhouse for Wales in the White Paper which will issue before the summer recess and certainly well before the referendum. I will also be setting out my strategy for the Welsh economy in the coming months on which I will be consulting widely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if there will be a requirement in job advertisements for the Welsh Assembly that fluency in Welsh would be essential or desirable. [5299]

That will be a matter for the Assembly to decide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the date of the Welsh Assembly referendum. [6103]

The Welsh referendum will follow shortly after the Scottish. Announcements will be made in due course about the precise dates of each referendum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to avoid the need to close schools for use as polling stations in the forthcoming referendum on devolution. [6073]

The organisation of the poll in each local authority area is a matter for the relevant returning officer. Polling places to be used in the referendum are to be the same as those used in council elections, but the returning officer has discretion, if he considers special circumstances exist, to designate some other place for taking the poll. In areas where schools are used for polling, it is therefore open to returning officers, if they consider special circumstances to exist, to designate other places as polling places for the referendum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to integrate transport in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [6099]

I welcome my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's announcement on 5 June honouring our election manifesto commitment to developing an integrated transport policy. This will, of course, embrace Wales and Welsh Office Ministers and officials will participate fully in drawing-up proposals for implementing the new policy, taking into account the views of a wide range of interested organisations.We will, in any case, be looking closely at all transport issues in Wales during the course of the next few months, including priorities for the roads programme as part of the strategic review promised in the Welsh election manifesto. I intend to set the strategic review of the roads programme in the broader context of the development of a balanced, integrated transport policy for the Principality. The review will, therefore, consider not only the relative priority of particular routes and schemes within the programme, and the scope for altering those priorities, but wider issues including the need to manage the network more effectively and the scope to promote alternative transport modes where appropriate.The review will consider afresh all schemes currently in the Welsh roads programme with the exception of the A55 dualling across Anglesey. In that case, I have decided that the strategic importance of the improvement is so great that it must proceed without delay subject, of course, to the successful completion of the legal and statutory procedures.I will be initiating a process of wide public consultation on the review, and will publish a consultation document shortly. This consultation document will set out the present position, summarise the issues for consideration and suggest possible options for change, and will invite views from the widest possible range of organisations. I hope to announce the conclusions of the review next spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if postal votes will be available in the proposed referendum on devolution in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [6347]

Postal votes will be available in the usual way for those voters who need them for the referendum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been his Department's expenditure in each of the last five years on the boards of non-departmental public bodies; and if he will make a statement. [6323]

Details of expenditure are published annually in the Cabinet Office publication, "Public Bodies", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the non-departmental bodies which will be abolished in the event of a Welsh Assembly; what will be the savings to public funds of this process; and if he will make a statement. [6325]

Details of our proposals will be included in the White Paper on a Welsh Assembly which we shall be publishing shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the contracts of chairmen and chief executives of Welsh NHS trusts which terminate in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [6498]

The appointments of the following chairmen terminate as listed. Details of Chief Executives' contracts are not held centrally but in the NHS generally they have permanent or three year contracts which are rolled forward annually.

Appointments of NHS trust chairmen
	Trust
(a) 1997–98
Mr. B. Thompson	Carmarthen and District
Mrs. L. George	Pembrokeshire and Derwen
Mr. I. Kelsall	East Glamorgan
Mr. R. H. Davies	Gwynedd Community Health
Mr. G. Drake	Gwynedd Hospitals
Sir Donald Walters	Llandough Hospital
Mr. R. Jenkins	Llanelli/Dinefwr
Mr. E. Rea	Mid Glamorgan Ambulance
Dr. G. Jones	Nevill Hall and District
Dr. B. Wolfenden	North Wales Ambulance
Mr. W. B. Davies	Rhondda Health Care
Mr. A. E. Robarts	Wrexham Maelor Hospital
(b) 1998–99
Mr. F. P. Crawley	Bridgend and District
Mr. D. L. Crobsy	Cardiff Community Healthcare
Mr. R. Hopkins	Glan-y-Môr
Dr. T. Williams	South and East Wales Ambulance
Mr. A. S. Gould	University Dental Hospital
Mr. D. W. C. Morgan	UHW Healthcare
Mr. J. P. R. Hayes	West Wales Ambulance
(c) 1999–2000
Ms E. Ebenezer	Ceredigion and Mid Wales
Mr. E. L. Fitzhugh	Clwydian Community Care
Mr. E. M. W. Griffith	Glan Clwyd
Mr. D. F. Jessopp	Glan Hafren
Mrs. F. N. Peel	Gwent Community Health
Professor Michael Vickers	North Glamorgan
Hon. L. A. T. Lewis	Powys Health Care
Mr. J. H. Button	Swansea

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by name and rank the Indonesian military, police, security and paramilitary police officers in respect of whom visa applications have been made to attend the International Police and Security Expo 97; and if he will identify those which were granted. [5692]

[holding answer 27 June 1997]: We have not been asked to issue visas specifically for Indonesians attending the International Police and Security Expo 97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visas have been granted to Indonesian (a) military, (b) security, (c) police, (d) paramilitary and (e) special forces personnel visiting Britain in the last 12 months for which figures are available; for what purpose; and what is the policy of the Government on granting visas to the above categories of personnel. [5693]

[holding answer 27 June 1997]: The British Embassy in Jakarta issued 29,931 visit visas for the United Kingdom last year. Statistics are not kept for the different categories of applicant and the information requested could therefore only be produced at disproportionate cost. All visa applications are processed in accordance with the criteria contained in the Immigration Rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from what budget the United Kingdom will fund its additional contribution to the UN. [6353]

Negotiations on the level of assessed contributions to be paid by Member States to UN budgets for 1998 and beyond will resume at the UN General Assembly in October. It is therefore too early to predict what change, if any, there might be in the level of the United Kingdom's assessed contribution.The United Kingdom's assessed contribution to the UN Regular Budget will continue to be met from Vote 2 of this Department's budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relationship between United Kingdom membership of (a) the WEU and (b) NATO in respect of United Kingdom security policy. [5723]

NATO is the foundation of our defence and security. The Western European Union (WEU) is developing its capacity to contribute to European security and plays a key role in building the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) within the Alliance. It is pursuing its operational development as a means for Europeans to run crisis management operations, including operations using NATO assets and capabilities. The requirement that full members of the WEU are also NATO members, and the role of WEU in the arrangements for ESDI in the Alliance, mean that action taken by the WEU must be consistent with obligations in NATO.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to answer the letter from the hon. Member for Aldershot, dated 13 May, concerning Mr. Peter Lowes. [6562]

The subject matter of the hon. Member's letter of 13 May was complicated and required wide consultation. A substantive reply has been sent by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to accede to those international human rights instruments to which the United Kingdom is not yet party. [6915]

We will review over the next year the United Kingdom's position under various international human rights instruments. This will include the question of accession to Protocols to the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and acceptance of the rights of individual petition under other UN human rights treaties. We shall also examine whether any of the United Kingdom's reservations to human rights treaties can be withdrawn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom submitted its 1996 return to the UN register of Conventional Arms; and if he will place a copy of the submission in the Library. [6916]

The UK's return to the UN Register covering calendar year 1996 was submitted to the UN Secretary General on 29 April 1997. A copy of the return has been placed in the Libraries of the House and is available to members of the public on request.As part of our commitment to increasing transparency in the field of defence exports, we shall work to strengthen the UN Register of Conventional Arms, encouraging greater disclosure of information on arms exports and arms transfers by all countries. We hope that the work of the UN Panel of Experts currently reviewing the operation and development of the Register will contribute to achieving this objective.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about better regulation. [7045]

The Government is committed to making government work better. My Department's White Paper on 'New Government', to be published later this year, will set out a unified programme for the renewal of government. Better regulation is an integral part of this renewal. Our aim is to ensure that regulations are simple, helpful and fair for business and the citizen.It is essential that we involve those who are affected by regulation. We are committed to giving small business and ordinary citizens a greater voice on the Better Regulation Task Force. I have today appointed Christopher Haskins, Chairman of Northern Foods plc, to chair the Task Force. Their terms of reference are to advise the Government on action which improves the effectiveness and credibility of government regulation by ensuring that it is necessary, fair and affordable, and simple to understand and administer, taking account of the needs of small business and ordinary people.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellors Department what was (a) the annual cost of legal aid for personal injury litigation before cost recovery and retention of contributions, (b) the amount of costs recovered, (c) the amount of contributions retained and (d) the net cost after deduction of costs recovered and contributions retained, for (i) all personal injury litigation, (ii) medical negligence cases only and (iii) personal injury cases only, excluding medical negligence, in each of the last four financial years. [5808]

A breakdown of legal aid expenditure and receipts in respect of personal injury litigation in each of the last four years for which information is available, in respect of cases that were closed in each year, was as follows:

£ million
	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Gross payments
All personal injury litigation	143.5	195.6	238.2	284.7
Medical Negligence	20.6	34.1	38.6	50.2
All personal injury (excluding medical negligence)	122.9	161.5	199.6	234.5
Costs recovered
All personal injury litigation	104.3	138.7	166.4	205.2
Medical Negligence	9.4	11.2	13.3	22.0
All personal injury (excluding medical negligence)	94.9	127.5	153.1	183.2
Contributions retained
All personal injury litigation	1.1	1.6	1.8	2.1
Medical Negligence	0.3	0.6	0.6	0.7
All personal injury (excluding medical negligence)	0.8	1.0	1.2	1.4

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) management, (b) teaching and (c) support staff (i) were employed in 1992–93 and (ii) are employed in the current financial year by further education colleges in England and Wales. [5326]

Comprehensive information on the number of full and part-time further education staff for academic year 1992–93 is not available. The total "full-time equivalents" of further education lecturers in FE and sixth form colleges, as well as HE institutions, in England for 1992–93 are shown below.

Full-time equivalent lecturers providing FE in FE or HE institutions (including sixth form colleges)
Academic	Number
1992–93	67,700

The figures available for 1994–95 and 1995–96 academic years for full-time equivalent staff in further education (including sixth form) colleges in England are shown below. Management staff are included in "other support" but cannot be identified separately. These figures are based on incomplete data sets: the number of colleges included for each year are noted.

1994–95	Full-time equivalents (FTEs)
Teaching and learning	56,000
Supporting teaching and learning	12,000
Other support	34,000
Total	102,000

Based on data from 374 out of 446 colleges.

1995–96	Full-time equivalents (FTEs)
Teaching and learning	56,000
Supporting teaching and learning	13.000
Other support	37,000
Total	106.000

Based on data from 342 out of 452 colleges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are his proposals for the youth service; and if he will make a statement. [6078]

The Government is committed to raising the profile of the youth service which it values as an important provider of personal and social education for young people. Details about our proposed legislation to place the youth service on a clearer and more specific statutory basis will be included in the White Paper on Lifelong Learning.We are taking forward proposals for an audit of youth service provision in local authorities and are also considering how the youth service can contribute to educational policies more generally.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the awards made to date by (a) the Millennium Commission and (b) the Heritage Lottery Fund in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland. [5559]

The Heritage Lottery Fund has made one award of £77,000 to Cleveland county council for the Margrove Heritage Centre. The Millennium Commission has made no awards in the Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will meet representatives of the Independent Television Commission to discuss the implications of the recent High Court ruling on the impact of advertising by McDonald's on children. [5852]

The Commission maintains and enforces a code of advertising standards and practice for broadcasters, which includes detailed guidance on advertising and children, and which is from time to time reviewed to ensure it reflects current best practice. I understand that the Commission has no plans to revise the code in light of the judgment referred to, though it would naturally consider carefully any complaints made to it concerning particular advertisements and their potential impact on children. The Government recognise their special responsibility to protect children from exploitation, but the existing Code allows the ITC scope to act in their defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the impact of unitary authorities on the future funding and operation of county record offices and the Victoria County History. [5953]

My Department has issued guidance on the care and maintenance of local authority archives to every local authority affected by local government reorganisation, and monitored closely the effect of reorganisation on archives services, to help ensure that standards are maintained.I am aware that the Victoria County History project has experienced difficulties due to the reduction or withdrawal of local authority funding in some cases. The National Heritage Act has widened the scope of the Heritage Lottery Fund to include support for the compilation and maintenance of archives. I understand that Victoria County History intends to bid for Lottery funds next year to support its important work.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the availability of suitably qualified candidates from colleges and universities for the new jobs in broadcasting that may be expected from the advent of digital broadcasting. [6147]

The Government are committed to the objective that all new entrants into the industry should have a suitable qualification by 2000. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and I will be working closely with broadcasters and training providers to ensure that this target is met.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate he has made of the number of jobs which will be created as a result of the successful bid by British Digital Broadcasting in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Greater Manchester. [6146]

It is not possible at this stage to identify the number or location of new jobs which will be created. Undoubtedly, however, the successful launch of digital television in the UK offers the prospect of a large number of jobs across the country, in broadcasting, production, equipment manufacturing and associated services.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate his Department has made of the extent of sponsorship by drink manufacturers of (a) sporting events in the United Kingdom, (b) United Kingdom sportsmen and women competing abroad and (c) arts events and institutions in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [6302]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: Total reported sponsorship of sport in the UK by alcoholic drink manufacturers was an estimated £23½ million in 1994, £27½ million in 1995, and £22 million in 1996. My Department has made no estimate of the extent of sponsorship by alcoholic drink manufacturers of United Kingdom sportsmen and sportswomen competing abroad or sponsorship by other sorts of drinks manufacturers.Figures for sponsorship by drink manufacturers of arts events and institutions are unavailable. However, the amount of sponsorship matched by all drinks companies under the National Heritage Arts Sponsorship Scheme was £1,182,277 in 1996–97; £774,375 in 1995–96; and £516,500 in 1994–95.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his Department's policy with regard to the funding of university museums; and if he will make a statement. [6317]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: My Department is keen to support and enhance the vitality of the cultural sector in this country and museums, including university museums, form a valuable part of that sector. Several university museums were included among those museums recently given designation status. Responsibility for the funding of university museums lies with their parent universities, together with the Higher Education Funding Councils and the appropriate Government Departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to co-ordinate policy with the Department for Education and Employment and the Scottish Office with regard to the funding of university museums; and if he will make a statement. [6305]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: The Department for Education and Employment, the other education departments and the Department of National Heritage work together closely on policy for funding university museums. Funding for university museums in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of my right, hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the museums in England and Wales registered under the Museums and Galleries Commission's registration scheme. [6313]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: There are about 1,000 museums in England and Wales which are currently registered under the Museums and Galleries Commission's registration scheme. Copies of the list have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the museums in England and Wales (a) owned and (b) managed by universities. [6315]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: A list of university museums in England and Wales owned or managed by universities, and registered with the Museums and Galleries Commission, has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The list contains nearly 60 such museums. The Commission are in the process of completing a survey of all university collections in this country.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who will be responsible for supplying digital terrestrial television signals to those segments of the United Kingdom population what are most expensive to reach. [6356]

The BBC and Independent Television Commission are responsible for television transmission arrangements in the UK. The invitation to apply for the digital multiplex service licences issued by the Independent Television Commission set out the predicted coverage for each of the six digital multiplexes as a percentage of the total UK population. The multiplex service licensees must ensure that the ITC coverage requirements are met, and the BBC is committed to achieving similar targets on the multiplex awarded to it.The planned transmission coverage of digital terrestrial television does not at this stage extend to 100 per cent. of the UK population because of technical constraints.

Millennium Commission
Role	Name	Start date of present term	Expiry date of present term
Chairman	Rt. hon. Chris Smith MP	19 May 1997	31 December 2000
Member	Rt. hon. Michael Heseltine MP	17 February 1994	31 December 2000
Member	Rt. hon David Clark MP	19 May 1997	31 December 2000
Member	Dr. Heather Couper	17 February 1994	31 December 2000
Member	Earl of Dalkeith, DL	17 February 1994	31 December 2000
Member	Sir John Hall, Bt	17 February 1994	31 December 2000
Member	Mr. Simon Jenkins	17 February 1994	31 December 2000
Member	Ms Patricia Scotland	17 February 1994	31 December 2000
Member	The Lord (Robin) Glentoran, CBE DL	17 February 1994	31 December 2000

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to promote greater use of recombinant Factor 8 clotting products for haemophiliacs. [5124]

We have no plans to recommend the greater use of recombinant Factor 8. The Department of Health has advised health authorities that they should weigh the claimed benefits of recombinant Factor 8 against the high costs, bearing in mind the good safety record of the plasma-derived product since the introduction of viral inactivation processes in 1985.We have made clear our policy that treatment decisions should focus on high quality research evidence about clinical effectiveness, safety and long-term patient outcomes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many home visits were made by general practitioners during each of the last three years in the United Kingdom. [5478]

The information requested is not available on a United Kingdom basis. However, sample information is available within the General Household Survey (conducted by the Office for National Statistics), which gives the proportion of National Health Service general practitioner consultations within Great Britain. In the last three years for which information is available—1993, 1994, and 1995—the proportion of NHS GP consultations at patients' homes as a percentage of total NHS GP consultations was 9 per cent., 10 per cent. and 9 per cent. respectively. Copies of the report on the 1995 General Household Survey—entitled "Living in Britain"—are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the names, designations and salaries of the Members of the Board of the Millennium Commission. [6127]

The names of the Millennium Commissioners, who are unpaid, are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the reform of adoption law to address (a) the problem of drift for children in care and (b) issues arising from inter-country adoption and the United Kingdom's responsibilities under The Hague convention. [5940]

Preparation has already begun to mount a series of national seminars towards the end of the year which will focus on improving the quality of management within the adoption service; the seminars will address important issues such as delay in placing children and preventing children from drifting within the care system. We are currently considering a number of possible options which will enable the Government to ratify the 1993 Hague Convention and address issues arising from intercountry adoption.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of bed blocking in hospitals. [5976]

We shall explore proposals to address the difficulties around hospital discharge procedures and the problems which are caused by ensuing delays. We acknowledge that there are concerns about the current level of delayed discharges in some areas. Responsibility for hospital discharge delays rests with one agency but sometimes delays occur through the local authority or the health authority and sometimes in meeting the particular needs of the individual patient and their family.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to assess the cost to the economy of a period of serious ill health of men and women (a) in full-time employment and (b) not in paid employment. [6079]

No such assessment has been made by the Department of Health. The Health and Safety Executive estimate that the total cost to the economy of work-related ill health was between £2 billion and £2.5 billion in 1990. The next updating of these costs by the Health and Safety Executive will be in 1998. The updating will cover costs for 1995–96, using the necessary data from the Labour Force Survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make representations to the Independent Television Commission urging it to give prominence to public health considerations in its code of programme sponsorship. [5853]

The Independent Television Commission's code of programme sponsorship already takes account of health considerations and the Commission keep the code under regular review. For instance, companies are prohibited from sponsorship if their name is known to the public chiefly through their tobacco business, even if they also market other non-tobacco goods and services. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage, whose Department has policy responsibility for broadcasting, has noted the hon. Member's suggestion on public health considerations for programme sponsorship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the material used in the workshop on sexuality supported by the European Commission, as detained in COM(96)720; and what funds were used to support the project. [6095]

We understand that the workshop on sexuality was a project submitted in 1993 to the European Commission by a Spanish non-governmental organisation, and that it received funding in 1994 of 61,301 ECU (£43,830 at current exchange rates). From the information available, the purpose of the project was to train instructors in providing sex education for 13 to 21 years olds with the aim of preventing HIV/AIDS and of enabling young people to discover values to assist them in their personal sexual development. The materials used included three videos about love and sexuality and a guidebook for trainers. We are informed that 56 people were trained under the project in Spain, and 10 in the United Kingdom.As we have not been able to obtain much information about the project in the time available, I will write to the hon. Member shortly with further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has undertaken on the outcome of the contracting out of NHS trust non-clinical services to private sector providers; and what assessment he has made of (a) those studies and (b) the experience of contracting out for the PFI programme. [6162]

National Health Service trusts have supplied the NHS Executive with information on the outcome of market tests. In the areas covered by compulsory market testing (cleaning, catering and laundry services) about 30 per cent. of contracts by value have been awarded to commercial contractors. Overall some 86 services have been market tested and about half by value have been awarded to commercial contractors. A review of the operation of the market testing policy is currently being undertaken by Departmental officials. In drawing up our programme for the review of Private Finance Initiative we have taken into account the experience of market testing in the NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 June, Official Report, columns 427–28, if he will make a statement about the PFI in the NHS. [7128]

In my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggant) I announced my intention to review the 43 major acute sector Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes in the National Health Service. I have today arranged for copies of the full results of the review to be placed in the Library. I have also written to all Members and stakeholders in health PFI, enclosing copies of the results. Fourteen major acute schemes have been selected, representing almost £1.3 billion of new capital investment in NHS hospitals.The review was undertaken by officials and all schemes were graded according to three criteria: (i) their service need; (ii) status—how far and well negotiations have progressed and (iii) "PFI ability"—how well the scheme fits with the PFI process and hence its likelihood of delivering a successful outcome.This process was both fair and open. Officials from the Department shared with the trusts the criteria against which the projects were judged and their relative markings. I, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health as far as the schemes in the Northern and Yorkshire region are concerned, examined the gradings and the reasons why officials recommended schemes either be included or excluded. We also received representations from many Members.The 14 schemes which most successfully met the three criteria will be asked to continue with their PFI proposal, with the objective of reaching an early and acceptable financial close over the next 18 months. A complete table listing all the scores, along with a note explaining the criteria, has been placed in the Library. We have instructed officials to prepare programmes and milestones for every successful scheme. The schemes will be subject to the normal rigorous approval processes and any of these 14 schemes that subsequently fail to deliver to time or price will be cancelled.Those schemes not selected will be asked to cease any further action on their contract. They should stand down their partners if they have selected one and cancel all tendering procedures.Any trust or consortium whose scheme has to met the three criteria and which wishes to make representations to the Secretary of State should do so within the next 10 days. Otherwise such trusts should now take steps to stand down their partners or cancel the tendering procedure.Those schemes not selected will be eligible for consideration as part of a national capital prioritisation exercise by the NHS Executive's Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group. This group will review major acute schemes for health service need and will recommend those which should go forward either as part of the next tranche of PFI schemes which we plan to announce in spring 1998, or for funding from the public sector capital that is available.The exercise did not consider the schemes affected by the London review which is due to report in the Autumn. These schemes are also listed in papers deposited in the Library.The longer term review of the PFI product and process will report its recommendations later this year. This will look to consolidate the improvements in the PFI begun with this prioritisation exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will ensure that Turner Village mental hospital, Colchester, is retained and upgraded; and if he will make a statement; [6279](2) what representations he has received concerning the future of Turner Village mental hospital, Colchester. [6280]

We are not aware of any such representations. Decisions about services for people with learning disabilities are for local determination. We understand that North Essex Health Authority has consulted on and agreed proposals which will provide the patients of Turner Village with a choice over where they are to live including community homes and an existing village community.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment of the health effects of the CS gas solvent, methyl isobutyl keytone, has been made by the medical officers of his Department since 1990; how many (a) published and (b) unpublished reports have been written by his Department's medical officers since 1990; and how many of these reports are currently unclassified. [6361]

Medical officers of the Department have not made any assessment of the CS gas solvent, methyl isobutyl ketone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which organisations he will be consulting in developing his proposals for a General Social Services Council; [5883](2) when he expects to publish his proposals for a General Social Services Council; [5884](3) what is his policy in respect of procedures for involving users, carers and the public in a General Social Services Council; [5885](4) if he will consult

We expect to publish our proposals for a General Social Services Council in a consultation document in autumn 1997. We intend to consult all those with an interest in such a Council including employers, users and carers, staff and the wider public. Our proposals will outline how the essential interest of those who use social services, their carers and the general public will be secured in the arrangements for a Council.

To ask the Prime Minister what additional responsibilities he has given to the Minister without Portfolio since 2 May. [5424]

[holding answer 25 June 1997]: I have asked my hon. Friend to take responsibility within Government for the Millennium Experience at Greenwich. My hon. Friend is also now the shareholder for the operating company, Millennium Central Limited, thus ensuring the position of the shareholder is clearly separated from that of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for National Heritage as Chairman of the Millennium Commission. My right hon. Friend retains overall responsibility for matters relating to the Millennium Celebrations.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those projects for which the Minister without Portfolio has specific responsibility; and if he will make a statement. [6167]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: My right hon. Friend has specific responsibilities in relation to the implementation and presentation of Government policy, and the Millennium Experience at Greenwich.

To ask the Prime Minister what factors underlie the allocation of new responsibilities for specific projects to the Minister without Portfolio. [6141]

[holding reply 1 July 1997]: I invite my hon. Friend, the Minister without Portfolio, to take responsibility for specific projects if I consider him to be the most appropriate person within Government to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to appoint the member of the Intelligence and Security Committee. [6292]

I will be consulting the Leader of the Opposition shortly under the terms of the Intelligence Services Act 1994 and will appoint members to the Committee after that.

To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to securing value for money in respect of transport costs for Ministers attending overseas engagements. [6285]

Ministers attending overseas engagements are under a responsibility to ensure that their travel arrangements represent best value for money consistent with propriety.

To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list (a) the departmental policy reviews established by the Government and (b) the names of those individuals other than civil servants and Ministers assisting those reviews (i) as chairman and (ii) in other capacities. [4002]

{pursuant to his answer, 26 June 1997, c. 605–607}: The following reviews, which were also initiated before 20 June, should have been included:

A fundamental review of transport policy in Scotland leading to the publication of a White Paper on our long-term strategy for an integrated transport policy.

A review of the Scottish roads programme.

A review of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Chairman: The right hon. Sir Ian Glidewell, retired Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Geoffrey Dear, retired HM Inspector of Constabulary Mr. Robert McFarland, former senior executive, British Oxygen.

A review of the tax and benefits system.

Chairman: Martin Taylor, Chief Executive Barclays Bank.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Sustainable Development. [6460]

The Special Session reviewed the progress made on sustainable development since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. One of the most important problems discussed was the need to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and thus limit the problems caused by climate change. In my address to the General Assembly, I urged other developed countries to recognise their responsibilities in this area, by pointing to the example that the United Kingdom and other European Union countries have already set. Later in the week, President Clinton acknowledged the role of the European Union in focusing the debate on this issue, and gave his personal commitment of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I expect this to be translated into action at Kyoto. Unfortunately, the agreement at Special Session on climate change did not have the specific commitment to reductions that we had sought. Much hard negotiating work remains to be done, but the UK will continue to make every effort to get developed countries to agree legally binding targets for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at Kyoto in December.I also emphasised the UK Government's commitment to reversing the decline in Britain's development assistance and improving its quality by refocusing our efforts in eradicating poverty. Although some other developed countries could not go as far as the UK, the meeting stressed the need to increase aid towards the UN target of 0.7 per cent. and pledged to negotiate a satisfactory replenishment of the Global Environment Facility. We cannot expect the poorest countries to take action themselves, if the developed world is not more constructive about its aid programmes.The continuing threat to the world's forests was a key issue for the Special Session. Although the European Union pressed hard for a Convention on forests, we were unable to secure agreement from other major countries. Nonetheless the establishment of an Intergovernmental Forum on Forests is a good step forward. The Forum will report in 1999 on the possible elements of a Forest Convention, and will also consider finance and trade issues. In addition it will monitor implementation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests 1997 report, which contained over a hundred action points. As the United Kingdom's contribution to this effort, I announced that the United Kingdom intended to adopt a new Forest Standard to provide a benchmark for the regeneration of our forests. I also promised an increase in our development assistance for forestry management.Together with our partners from the European Union, we have secured agreement for a plan of action to provide universal access to clean water and sanitation. One fifth of the world has no access to clean water and one half has no proper sanitation, so a new initiative is urgently needed. A series of meetings will take place to prepare for the 1998 meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development when there will be negotiations on the plan. A successful outcome of these negotiations will be a key objective for our presidency.The European Union pressed for international action on sustainable energy management, and was successful in securing commitment to preparatory discussions in advance of the debate on energy in the 2001 session of the Commission on Sustainable Development. There was also agreement on the importance of energy management for both developed and developing countries, and on the need for energy prices to reflect their true environmental costs, as well as a gradual elimination of subsidies that inhibit sustainable development. The Special Session confirmed the importance of promoting integrated transport policies, since transport is the largest end user of energy in developed countries and the fastest growing one in most developing countries.Under strong pressure from the European Union the Special Session agreed that the possibility of an aviation fuel tax should remain on the international agenda. Studies will continue in international fora, especially the International Civil Aviation Organisation, on the use of economic instruments for the mitigation of the negative impacts of aviation.Lastly, the European Union ensured that there would be further work at a global level to address the problems facing the world's oceans, especially the depletion of fish stocks.There were also discussions on the financial implications of the Convention on Desertification. We supported the conclusion that the Convention should help channel existing resources more effectively, but should not create a new and dedicated fund.In conclusion a number of modest but positive steps were made at the Special Session. Nevertheless much remains to be done, and the UK will continue to use its best endeavours to pursue these issues in the months to come.The United Kingdom delegation included people representing the broad range of sustainable development interests in the UK, and dependent territories. As a result of our strong commitment and constructive approach, the UK has now established itself as one of the leading players in international negotiations on sustainable development.I will place a copy of the final text of the document in the Library as soon as it is available.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 18 June, Official Report, column 314, concerning the outcome of the European Council Meeting in Amsterdam, what further Community legislation is required to complete the single market. [6484]

I refer the hon. Member to the Single Market Action Plan agreed at Amsterdam, setting out a programme for improving and completing the single market. A copy of the Plan has been deposited in the Library of the House.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the agenda of his visit to Madrid between 8 and 9 July for the NATO summit. [6918]

I plan to join the other NATO Heads of Government in Madrid on 8 July. We will discuss the enlargement of NATO and expect to announce that a small number of countries should be invited to begin accession negotiations. I would be content for the number of countries to be set at three. We will also review progress on the development of the European Security and Defence Identity in NATO, following the decision taken by NATO Foreign Ministers at Berlin in 1996; and on the development of a new NATO Command Structure.On 9 July we will sign with President Kuchma of Ukraine the NATO/Ukraine Charter which will symbolise Ukraine's importance to European security and provide for increased NATO/Ukraine co-operation.Heads of Government will also discuss greater co-operation with NATO's partner countries in the EURO-Atlantic Partnership Council, including military co-operation through NATO's programme of Partnership for Peace.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the position of victims within the criminal justice system. [5566]

The Government are committed to improving the position of victims and those who give evidence to the police and in court. Our election manifesto said: "Victims of crime are too often neglected by the criminal justice system".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to prevent people with convictions for serious sexual offences involving children and teenagers from being accepted as volunteers to work with young people. [5876]

The Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires people convicted of serious sexual offences to register their address and any change of address with the police and we are working on plans to ensure that this information is used effectively, principally for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. In addition, part V of the Police Act 1997 provides a statutory basis for criminal record checks to be carried out on any person applying for a position, paid or as a volunteer, which will involve regular contact with children and young people under the age of 18. We are currently considering how best to implement the provisions of this part of the Act. In addition, a consultation paper was issued in January 1997 setting out options for making it an offence for a convicted sex offender to seek work with or offer services to children. The responses are currently being analysed. It is intended that new vetting arrangements should complement good practice in respect of the recruitment, supervision and management of volunteers set out in the Home Office guidance "Safe from Harm".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to introduce ID cards. [6161]

We have yet to decide whether national identity cards should be introduced in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of call-outs that (a) Cefn Forest fire station, (b) Abercarn fire station and (c) Risca fire station in Islwyn received in each year since 1990. [6250]

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for Cookham Wood secure training centre. [6736]

The Government are committed to ensuring, as a priority, that courts have appropriate powers to deal with the small group of persistent young offenders who wreak havoc in their communities. Our aim is to provide the courts with a more coherent and flexible set of powers to deal with persistent juvenile offenders than those left by the previous Government.In the meantime, the Government have inherited a contract signed by the previous Government in March 1997 for a secure training centre at Cookham Wood, Kent, for persistent offenders aged 12 to 14. The contract involves significant monthly payments to the contractor from April 1998 whether the facility is used or not.To avoid the waste of public money which would be involved in withdrawing form the previous Government's commitment, and to enable the courts to deal with those persistent young offenders who fail to respond to community sentences, I intend to continue with the contract to develop Cookham Wood. This will involve introducing the secure training order provided in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and taking forward plans to procure four other centres to provide facilities across England and Wales. However, I am determined to ensure that Cookham Wood provides a high standard of education and training and that it helps young offenders to face up to their crimes and address their offending behaviour.I am commissioning a review of the whole range of secure accommodation for young offenders, and I will be receiving advice on this issue, and on the nature of the custodial penalties available to the courts, from the new Youth Justice task Force. I shall ensure that plans for the four other secure facilities, and the use of Cookham Wood, are sufficiently flexible to be consistent with the outcome of this review.The Government remain committed to ending prison remands for 15 and 16-year-old boys as quickly as possible and hope that their review of secure accommodation will help in this regard. The original commitment was made in February 1991. Although a building programme of 170 new secure local authority places is nearing completion, the number of 15 and 16-year-old boys held in prison has increased substantially since 1991. This makes implementation of the provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 1991 for court-ordered secure remands, which would end the need for prison remands for juveniles, much more difficult.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to (a) reduce the consumption of alcopops, particularly by those under the age of 18, (b) persuade more retailers to stop stocking alcopops and (c) encourage voluntary changes of behaviour by the advertising and brewing industries in respect of alcopops. [6581]

As chairman of the Ministerial Group on Alcopops, I have had urgent talks with the drinks industry and other interests about under-age drinking. I expect to make an announcement later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will commission a comparative study of the forms of electoral registration used (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas. [6023]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: We have no immediate plans to do so but we will keep the matter under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the factors underlying non-registration on the electoral roll; and if he will make a statement. [6018]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: Research commissioned by the Home Office after the 1991 Census indicated that a number of groups were less likely to register than others. These included people aged under 30, those living in private rented accommodation and inner city areas, people who changed addresses frequently, and members of ethnic minority communities. We are considering how best to publicise this autumn's canvass for electoral registration to encourage members of such groups to register.

To ask the secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate his Department has made of numbers and percentage of people missing from electoral registers who are entitled to be registered (a) in total and (b) in the categories (i) those living in private rented accommodation, (ii) residents of inner London, (iii) 21 to 24-year-olds, (iv) attainers, (v) ethnic minorities, (vi) new commonwealth citizens, (vii) those who moved in the year before a general election, (viii) homeless people and (ix) disabled people. [6011]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: On (a), I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 2 June, Official Report, columns 90–92. On (b), the most recent material on which to base estimates for most of the categories listed is the study carried out after the last census by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on behalf of the Home Office and the Scottish Home and Health Department, entitled "Electoral registration in 1991". No information is available on homeless or disabled people.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the turnout at the last general election as a percentage of those able to vote. [6009]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: The turnout at the last general election has been reported in the media as around 71 per cent. Official figures provided by acting returning officers will be published in due course, together with information on election expenses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate his Department has made of the electoral participation rates of (a) those living in private rented accommodation, (b) residents of inner London, (c) 21 to 24-year-olds, (d) attainers, (e) ethnic minorities, (f) new commonwealth citizens, (g) those who moved in the year before a general election, (h) homeless people and (i) disabled people. [6012]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: No estimates have been made of the extent to which members of any of these groups take part in the electoral process. 521,083 attainers were included in the 1997 Electoral Register but information on the other categories listed in the question is not required by the electoral registration officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he will take to ensure that (a) illegal immigrants and (b) overstayers in the United Kingdom who have children born and raised in the United Kingdom are not separated from their families by being deported. [5464]

The existence of children is always taken into account when considering whether a person should be deported or removed as an illegal entrant. Where, in the light of all the circumstances of the case, it is decided to proceed with deportation or removal, it is our practice to offer to meet the costs of departure for any dependants who wish to accompany the person abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to allow Abdul Onibiyo to re-enter the United Kingdom. [5465]

It is open to any person to apply for an entry clearance for the purpose of seeking entry to the United Kingdom and a decision to refuse such a request, other than as a visitor, attracts a right of appeal to the independent Immigration Appeals Authority. The details of applications from individuals are normally treated in confidence unless the applicant initiates or consents to their disclosure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the time scale for the present review of detention of asylum seekers and immigration detainees. [5467]

The review is being conducted internally in the Home Office. We expect the results to be available by the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will reimburse local authorities in England and Wales for the loss of railings removed form council land during world war II. [5461]

We have no plans to make such reimbursements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions through what mechanism regional development agencies will take into account environmental considerations. [5836]

On 11 June the Government launched a wide ranging consultation on our proposals for regional development agencies in England. As we take forward these proposals in the light of the consultation, we will want to ensure that regional development agencies take proper account of environmental considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce measures to assist councils to obtain the matched funding necessary to access ERDF grants. [6160]

European Structural Funds, including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), make an important contribution to economic development in the regions. The issues behind matched funding requirements for ERDF and the need for synergy between European and domestic regeneration programmes are being considered in the comprehensive review of regeneration expenditure in England now underway. However, as a net contributor to the EU budget, the UK also has an interest in ensuring that the best value for money is obtained from Structural Funds' expenditure. Requiring applicants to provide some level of matching funding gives them a strong incentive to produce projects which do represent good value for money and to make a real choice between competing priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the impact of (i) recycling and (ii) burning secondary fuels; and if he will make a statement. [6245]

My Department has not commissioned any research on these subjects. However, both the recovery of solvent waste to make fuel and the burning of secondary liquid fuels (SLF) are regulated by the Environment Agency under the Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) regime. Each application for authorisation to burn SLF requires assessment of the likely environmental impacts. Details of these assessments must be placed in public registers in the relevant locality.In addition, on 14 June, the Agency published the results of an extensive air monitoring study in the Clitheroe area of Lancashire. This study comprised emissions monitoring from industrial sites including Castle Cement's Ribblesdale cement works—which burns blended waste solvents together with traditional fuels—together with ambient air quality testing. The full results of the study have been forwarded to the Department of Health for evaluation.The Environment Agency's response of 16 June to the House Environment Committee's report on the Environmental Impacts of Cement Manufacture also commits it to carry out further research and to publish guidance in respect of appropriate disposal routes for waste solvents.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that affordable housing continues to be available following transfers of council housing stock. [6163]

Local authority housing will be transferred to registered social landlords only on the basis that it will remain in the social rented sector with affordable rents. Following transfer the Housing Corporation proposes to monitor the rents charged by the new landlord to ensure they remain affordable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to set up a commission to review the area cost adjustment; what time scale he proposes; and if he will make a statement. [6154]

The work of the review of the area cost adjustment during 1996 provided an examination of the issues, though not one which the local authority associations wanted implemented for 1997–98 SSAs. The Department has recently commissioned research to examine some of the concerns of local government about the review's proposals. It will report this month and we shall discuss with local government both the findings and the way forward on the area cost adjustment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much grant has been given to English Partnerships in each year since 1993; and if he will make a statement. [5720]

[holding answer 2 July 1997]: The grant given to English Partnerships in each year since 1993 is as follows:

£ million
Year	Grant-in-aid	Derelict Land Grant1
1993–94	21.728	Nil
1994–95	118.306	72.079
1995–96	155.721	54.391
1996–07	2190.965	13.002
1 English Partnerships acts as the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions' agent for making Local Authority Derelict Land Grant payments on projects approved before 1 April 1994. The number of projects remaining to be completed is declining quickly.
2 Excludes funding for the Greenwich project.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the Mobile Homes Act 1983 in respect of the entitlement of the owners of the land on which mobile homes are sited to deduct 10 per cent. of the sale price of a home. [6227]

This is one of a number of issues relating to mobile homes which my Department is currently reviewing at the instigation of the all party working group on mobile homes. At this stage, it is too early to say what will be the outcome of that review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what means a disabled person will be able to challenge an approving body's assessment of a public building designated as providing reasonable access. [5845]

[holding answer 2 July 1997]: Part M of schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 1991, which is applicable to most new building work other than dwellings, requires that reasonable provision shall be made for access and facilities for disabled people. Building work to which the regulations apply will be subject to building control by either the local authority or an approved inspector. With regard to these approving bodies, the Building Act 1984 provides for action to be taken against an approved inspector who recklessly gives a final certificate. Section 113 of the Act allows proceedings in respect of an offence under the Act to be taken by a party aggrieved. Whilst there is no parallel provision to challenge local authorities within the Building Act, they are subject to action for judicial review.There is no requirement for public buildings to be assessed by an approving body under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the relationship between Part M of the Building Regulations 1991 and proposals contained in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [5846]

[holding answer 2 July 1997]: Part M of the Building Regulations applies only to the control of new building work. The DDA places duties on employers and service providers to make adjustments to existing premises which are reasonable in all the circumstances of the case. There is no requirement for such adjustments to comply with Part M.Under the Disability Discrimination (Employment) Regulations 1996 employers cannot be required to alter any physical characteristic which satisfied the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations at the time building works were carried out, and which continues to meet those requirements. This protects employers against being required to meet differing requirements in respect of the same physical feature under different regulations. Similar protection for service providers will be considered when regulations for implementing that part of the Act are prepared.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the completed study carried out by his Department and the Housebuilders Federation into the costings of extending Part M of the Building Regulations to include new residential dwellings. [5848]

[holding answer 2 July 1997]: This study had not yet started. Before deciding whether or not to let this I want to see the results of some work done jointly by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the House Builders Federation. If the study does go ahead, it should provide additional information for the compliance cost assessment which will be prepared to accompany our proposals to amend Part M of the Building Regulations. The finalised compliance cost assessment will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament at the time any amending regulations are laid.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to restrict the use of personal watercraft (a) along Britain's beaches and (b) on inland waters. [6321]

[holding answer 2 July 1997]: Section 76 of the Public Health Act 1961 provides for local authorities to make byelaws to regulate seaside pleasure boats for the prevention of danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons bathing in the sea or using the seashore. It is likely that personal watercraft can be regulated as pleasure boats under this Act, although a definitive interpretation is a matter for the courts.My Department is leading an inter-departmental working party which is undertaking a review of byelaw powers for the coast. A discussion document issued in December 1996 identified coastal recreation management as a major issue and the many responses to this document are being analysed. The working party will meet again before the end of the year to consider this analysis and agree an appropriate way forward.Local authorities, water companies and some navigation authorities have powers to regulate the use of inland waters to ensure their safe use and enjoyment. There are no plans to amend the powers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the planning appeal decisions by his Department in the last three years where his inspectors have upheld a planning authority's decision to refuse permission for drive-through, fast food restaurants; and what planning reasons were upheld in each case. [6052]

The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.