To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for (i) increasing the use of information technology in communications and information management in the health service and (ii) achieving better value for money and functional effectiveness in these investments. [6069]

The role of information technology in the National Health Service is currently under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances HIV tests may be carried out on health professionals without their explicit and informed consent. [6593]

HIV tests should not be carried out on health professionals without their explicit and informed consent. In very rare and exceptional circumstances where there is a serious public health risk, a magistrate may, on the application of the local authority supported by a certificate from the local authority's medical adviser, order that a person believed to have suffered or to be suffering from a specified disease, including AIDS, or carrying an organism capable of causing the disease, be medically examined and tested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) annual and (b) other disclosure he proposes in respect of profits made by consortiums involved in NHS PFI schemes. [6554]

The private sector companies which comprise a consortium involved in a Private Finance Initiative project with a National Health Service trust usually establish a new corporate entity known as a "special purpose vehicle". This is a limited company whose sole purpose and activity will be to sign the contract and take on the responsibilities under that contract. As a limited company it must observe the provisions of the Companies Acts and publish annual accounts; these must be lodged with the Registrar of Companies where they are available for public inspection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if consortiums involved in NHS PFI schemes for NHS trusts are restricted in their ability to market or promote private health insurance. [6552]

There is no specific national policy in place which restricts consortia involved in private finance initiative projects with National Health Service trusts from marketing or promoting private health insurance. However, all NHS trusts must ensure that the interests of NHS patients remain paramount and that the public service values of accountability, probity and openness underpin all decisions they take, as set out in the guidance documents Code of Conduct and Accountability" (1994) and "Standards of business conduct for NHS staff (1993). Particular emphasis is placed based on identifying and avoiding possible conflicts of interest and inducements.Individual NHS trusts are required to draw up a local code of conduct and accountability which must be based on the national guidelines and take into account local circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources the Government are providing to implement the recent agreement on junior doctors' hours. [6592]

In 1997–98 £1.6 million central funding has been provided to support local medical workforce advisory groups and New Deal task forces, who will work together to reduce junior doctors' hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government intends to make funding the implementation of the Calman report on higher specialist training a priority for purchasing authorities. [6595]

Implementation of the reforms of higher specialist training was agreed by the previous Government in December 1993 on the basis that it would be managed at a pace and in a manner which minimised additional costs and enabled these to be absorbed. Continuing the phased implementation of the specialist registrar grade is a specific objective for health authorities and National Health Service trusts in the Priorities and Planning Guidance for the NHS: 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the terms of reference of the fundamental review of NHS spending; [6542](2) which

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, in his statement to the House on 11 June, column 1143, said that terms of reference for Departmental reviews would be published shortly; that the review would take 12 months to complete, and its conclusions would inform a new set of public spending plans for the rest of this Parliament. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, said to the House on 25 June, column 916, that the review would involve Health Department officials, National Health Service staff and people from outside both services, and that Ministers would be involved at all stages. Treasury officials are also involved in the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the health authority funding arrangements. [6419]

An announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the annual cost of prescription fraud in Bolton, West; [6473](2) what measures Bolton NHS Trust has taken to tackle prescription fraud; [6472](3) what estimate he has made of the savings which will be made in Bolton West due to the proposed measures to tackle prescription fraud. [6471]

The report of the Efficiency Scrutiny into Prescription Fraud, which was published last month, estimated levels of prescription fraud in England and Wales as £85 million to £115 million per year. It is estimated that the loss of revenue from patient charge evasion in Bolton Family Health Services Authorities in 1995–96 was approximately £0.1 million. We are not able to estimate the level of other forms of prescription fraud for the period.While we are in the process of implementing a number of measures aimed at reducing the level of prescription fraud as well as improving its detection, it is impossible to estimate the amount of savings that will result in particular health authorities.Guidance on the secure handling of prescriptions has been issued to all hospitals. We do not hold centrally information on the measures being taken by Bolton National Health Service Trust to tackle prescription fraud, but my hon. Friend may wish to contact the chairman of the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust, Mrs. Peacock, Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 OJR.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on prescription policy, with special reference to the continuing availability of vitamin and dietary supplements on prescription. [6418]

Any vitamins and dietary supplements which are licensed as medicines under the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc) Regulations 1994 and the Medicines Act 1968 may be prescribed on the National Health Service by general medical practitioners unless they are listed in schedule 10 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992. Unlicensed vitamins and dietary supplements, unless they are listed in this same schedule, may also be prescribed on the NHS by general practitioners but such prescriptions may be subject to challenge by health authorities who may, subject to an appeals mechanism, require the practitioner to pay for them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Government plans to implement the medical work force standing advisory committee recommendation on increasing medical student numbers. [6591]

The Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee's second report (June 1995) recommended an increase in medical student intake to 4,970 by the year 2000. This is currently being implemented by the Higher Education Funding Councils ahead of schedule and within existing undergraduate medical schools. Figures are provided in the table.

Table 3. Entrants to United Kingdom medical schools
	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
Target	4,119	4,119	4,119	4,470	4,470	4,736	4,834
Actual	4,320	4,449	4,531	4,778	4,699	4,820	n/a

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the actions he proposes to take to ensure that guidance issued to health trusts on the allocations of power-assisted wheelchairs to severely disabled children is properly implemented. [6737]

The Health Service Guidance about powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs, which was issued in May 1996, states clearly that the National Health Service should provide powered chairs for severely disabled people, including children, who could benefit from them. It is the duty of the health authority to assess local needs and determine local eligibility criteria for the supply of powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs, within the broad national framework set out by the NHS Executive. One of the criteria is that the disabled person should be able to handle the chair safely. It is therefore a matter of local decision whether individual disabled children are deemed to be capable of handling a powered chair safely. Health authorities are not allowed to refuse to supply a powered wheelchair solely on age grounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors were in the service of the NHS in 1996; and how many he estimates the service will require in each of the next five years. [6745]

The statistics from the Department of Health Census of Hospital Medical and Dental Workforce of 30 September 1996 should be published at the end of July. The number of doctors working in general medical services on 1 October 1996 are given in the table.

	Number
Unrestricted principals	26,855
Restricted principals	115
Assistants	662
Trainees	1,305
All practitioners	28,937

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will name each member of each NHS trust and health authority in Nottinghamshire; when they were appointed; and when their appointment terminates. [6794]

The information requested is as follows:

	Appointed from	Appointed to
Bassetlaw Hospital and Community Services NHS Trust
Mrs. Valerie Dickinson (Chairman)	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Mr. Richard Hassctt	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Mrs. Linda Turner	1 December 1995	30 November 1999
Mrs. Jennifer Lee	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Mr. Peter Reynard	1 December 1995	30 November 1999
Mr. Robert Goslin	23 December 1996	30 November 2000
Central Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Mr. George Vere-Laurie (Chairman)	1 November 1996	31 October 1998
Mrs. Elizabeth Hanson	1 November 1996	31 October 1999
Mrs. Stephen Brown	1 November 1994	31 October 1998
Mr. Martin Everitt	1 November 1994	31 October 1998
Ms. Ann Vinter	1 November 1994	31 October 1998
Mr. David Hunt	1 November 1996	31 October 1999
King's Mill Centre for Health Care Services NHS Trust
Mr. Derrick Venn (Chairman)	1 November 1995	31 October 1997
Mr. Derrick Willingham	1 November 1995	31 October 1998
Mrs. Frances Stein	1 November 1995	31 October 1999
Mr. Brian Meakin	1 November 1995	31 October 1999
Mrs. Angela Donen	1 November 1995	31 October 1998
Mr. Michael Cannon	1 November 1995	31 October 1997
Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust
Mr. Norman Deakin (Chairman)	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Mr. Reginald Ilingworth	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Mr. Angus Walker	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Miss Sharon Turner	1 December 1995	30 November 1997
Mr. Graham Martin	1 December 1995	30 November 1999
Professor Ian Johnson	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Nottingham Community Health NHS Trust
Mr. Ian Maclean (Chairman)	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Mr. A. Ripley	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Mrs. J. Sterck	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Mr. Brian Cooke	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Mr. Vivian Oliver	1 December 1995	30 November 1999
Professor Clair Chilvers	1 December 1993	30 November 1997
Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust
Mr. Robert Little (Chairman)	1 November 1995	31 October 1999
Mrs. Hilary Markson	1 November 1995	31 October 1999
Mrs. Usha Sood	1 November 1995	31 October 1997
Mr. John Tarrant	1 November 1995	31 October 1999
Mr. Gordon Waine	1 November 1995	31 October 1997
Professor Alan
Aitkenhead	1 November 1995	31 October 1997

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for the review of the law on surrogacy; and if the public and interested bodies will be able to make submissions to the review team. [6433]

We expect the review team to issue a consultation document to a wide range of interested bodies later this summer, with copies being available to anyone else who asks for it. We shall make an announcement about the availability of the document and details of how to obtain a copy at the time it is issued. Following a sufficient period to allow responses to be made, we expect to receive the team's report early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many working days notice were given to hon. Members to make suggestions to him as to appointments to trust boards; and if he will make a statement. [6775]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health's letter to hon. Members inviting nominations for appointments to trust boards was an addition to the normal consultation processes, designed to widen the field of candidates to include more members of the local community. His letter of 26 June asked for nominations to reach him by 7 July, allowing seven working days in which to respond.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many disabled people are employed by each hospital trust in England and Wales. [7059]

All employers in the National Health Service with over 20 staff must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995, which changed the definition of disability from that previously used. We are working with the NHS to consider how to monitor both the letter and the spirit of the law. Historic figures under the previous definition of disability are available in the annual "Employment Gazette/Labour Market Trends", copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's definition of rural for the purposes of health care provision; and if the definition used is the same as that set out on page 9 of the Department of Health publication of November 1996, Developing Health and Social Care in Rural England. [6960]

There is no generally used definition of "rural" for the purposes of health care provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish her Department's submissions relating to freedom of information legislation. [6036]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 4 July 1997 by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, Official Report, column 294.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the recent natural disasters in Montserrat. [6416]

The Soufriere Hill volcano has been active since July 1995. There was an escalation in volcanic activity on 25 June that resulted in the loss of 8 lives. My department immediately deployed the services of 4 helicopters, for search and rescue purposes. 17 people were rescued.Following an on-the-spot assessment, my department gave immediate approval for vital emergency work such as setting up communications equipment and maintaining fuel and food supplies and sanitation. With the airport out of commission, a daily ferry service was set up operating from the Little Bay Jetty (recently constructed with DFID funds) to Antigua for the use of foot passengers and for the transportation of goods to ensure safe and sustainable conditions in the north of the island. HMS Liverpool was also sent to the scene and is assisting in the rescue effort. Further temporary shelter has been identified as the highest priority for immediate action and we are looking urgently at the best way of providing it.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to secure the early implementation of Uganda's debt relief under the highly indebted poor countries initiative. [6816]

The World Bank, IMF and Paris Club of government creditors have agreed that, on the basis of the government's continued implementation of its economic reform programme, Uganda will receive debt relief in April 1998. My Department is ready to help the African Development Bank meet some of its costs in giving debt relief in Uganda.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she is taking to ensure that the OECD Multilateral Agreement on Investment takes account of the principles of Agenda 21. [6391]

The Government will work to ensure that its commitments to sustainable development and environmental protection are fully taken account of in the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. We are fully aware of the concerns raised by NGOs in this respect and support consultations with them as the negations continue.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidelines govern the ethical conduct of the recognised supervisory bodies; and who ensures their compliance with such guidelines.[6468]

There are no specific guidelines on the ethical conduct of the Recognised Supervisory Bodies (RSBs). Complaints about their general conduct are a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.The standards which must be applied by the RSBs in their regulation of those auditors for whom they are responsible are set out in Schedule 11 to the Companies Act 1989. These include standards covering professional integrity and independence, procedures for the investigation of complaints and procedures for discipline. Section 37 of that Act gives my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade the power to require information from RSBs for the exercise of her functions under Part II of the Act. Reports which are received under this section are laid in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions accountants and auditors have notified the banking, building societies and financial services regulators of suspicious transactions, (a) with and (b) without the knowledge of their audit clients. [6477]

The National Criminal Intelligence Service (NICS) is the authority which, under the guidance supporting the money-laundering legislation, must be notified of suspicious transaction involving money-laundering. The number of such reports received in the past five years was as follows:

• Year
• 1996: 75
• 1995: 44
• 1994: 6
• 1993: 2
• 1992: 1.

It is a criminal offence for the client to be informed that such a notification has been made.Figures for the sources of other notifications of suspicious transactions to the regulatory authorities are not held by the authorities concerned.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation was undertaken with trade unions prior to her Department's announcement of a proposed private finance participation in the Quadrant Catering operation in the Post Office; and if she will make a statement. [6602]

Consultations with trade unions on matters relating to the Post Office are the responsibility of Post Office management. The Department's approval of the proposed joint venture arrangement between Quadrant and a private sector partner is part of the process of granting greater commercial freedom to the Post Office in line with our Election manifesto commitment. A joint venture arrangement will open up wider job and career opportunities within the larger organisation to all Quadrant staff.

To ask the Prime Minister which Department has primary responsibility for regional selective assistance and other forms of regional aid. [6297]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: My right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, has primary responsibility for the Industrial Development Act 1982 which provides the powers for granting financial assistance to industry assisted areas.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 24 June, Official Report, column 677, what factors underlie the length of time to be taken over the police investigation into the contents of the Channel 4 programmes relating to the death of WPC Yvonne Fletcher. [6174]

The Metropolitan police's review of the contents of the programme involves a good deal of detailed analysis of the extensive documentation already generated by their investigation.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the letter written on his behalf by Mr. Philip Barton, Private Secretary at 10 Downing Street, to Mrs. Pamela Dix, Secretary of UK Families Flight 103, what is the result of the careful consideration he undertook to give to representations received about Lockerbie; and what is the result of the continuing discussion of the issues involved with the United States administration. [6143]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave him on 18 June, Official Report, column 309. The Lockerbie evidence is kept under continual review. The United Kingdom, along with the United States, will argue for the UN sanctions against Libya to be maintained until Libya complies with the UN Security Council resolutions.

To ask the Prime Minister what response he has sent to the letter of 22 June to him from ex-police surgeon Dr. David Fieldhouse of Bradford, about the circumstances of the body count after the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie. [6652]

Dr. Fieldhouse's letter is being studied carefully. A reply will be sent shortly.

To ask the Prime Minister what response he has sent to the letter of 23 June to him from Peter Anderson of Simpson Marwick WS about the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie and the legal implications. [6653]

Mr. Anderson's letter raises a number of points about the Lockerbie investigation. Those responsible for that investigation are currently studying the letter carefully. A reply will be sent shortly.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the proposal made to the UN Security Council by the Secretary General of the Arab League and the Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity that the Libyans accused of the Lockerbie Pan Am bombing be tried by Scottish judges under Scottish law in a neutral country. [6654]

I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave to him and the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir Teddy Taylor), on 18 June, Official Report, columns 309–10.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions took place between British and Chinese representatives during his recent visit to Hong Kong on the subject of Tibet; and if he will make a statement. [6900]

At the Hong Kong handover, my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, and I met Chinese leaders for the first time since taking office. This was an historic occasion and provided a unique opportunity for general discussion of our future relations, including human rights. It also laid the foundations for more substantive discussions, including on Tibet.

To ask the Prime Minister how many representations he has received (a) in favour and (b) against the proposals to construct the Millennium Dome. [6897]

I have received a number of representations expressing a wide range of opinion about the Millennium Dome.

To ask the Prime Minister if Ministers disclosed to journalists any information regarding the Budget proposals for ACT prior to the Budget statement; and if he will make a statement. [7068]

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on contact between his Ministers and journalists on the Financial Times prior to the Budget statement; [7075](2) what breaches of Budget secrecy took place prior to the Budget statement; and if Ministers were responsible. [7073](3) what inquiries have been initiated concerning possible premature disclosure of information in the Chancellor's Budget Statement; [7123](4) if

I have nothing further to add to the replies that I gave to the right hon. Member, the Leader of the Opposition, on 2 July, Official Report, columns 288–89.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the use by the Treasury of bank accounts overseas, indicating (a) what funds are held overseas, (b) in which countries these funds are held and (c) how much interest has been raised in each of the past five years for which figures are available. [5019]

The Government's gold and foreign currency reserves are managed by the Bank of England in the Exchange Equalisation Account. Some of the assets of the Account are held with overseas banks. For reasons of security and confidentiality, no further details are published. Under section 4 of the Exchange Equalisation Account Act 1979, the Comptroller and Auditor General is required to certify to the House of Commons that operations on, and transactions in connection with, the Account have been in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated regarding the relationship between the level of capital investment in social housing and the level of the housing benefit budget. [5295]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under-Secretary with responsibility for London and construction, my hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford), on 26 June 1997, column 593.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he proposes to take to reduce the volume of illegally imported beer. [6235]

A review aimed at reducing alcohol and tobacco smuggling and fraud was announced on Budget day. This will look at finding new ways to protect the revenue and reduce illegal activity and consider health issues. In the meantime Customs continues to take action to counter fraud and smuggling.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to the Exchequer of landowners' tax exemption for allowing some public access to their land in each of the last three years. [5970]

The information requested is as follows:

Year	Estimated cost (£ million)
1994–95	negligible
1995–96	5
1996–97	5

(These estimate are particularly tentative).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what regulations there are governing the advertisement of access to land owned by landowners who have negotiated conditional exemption from tax payment. [5969]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 6 June, column 278.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of money released in the current calendar year from building society conversions; and what assessment he has made of its effect on (a) consumer demand, (b) interest rates and (c) the balance of payments. [6240]

A full account of recent economic developments and prospects, including the effect of money released from building society conversions and takeovers, was published with the Budget on 2 July.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the reduction or removal of VAT from sanitary protection; and if he will make a statement. [5821]

[holding answer 1 July 1997]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bury, South (Mr. Lewis) on 18 June, column 230.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics his Department collates on the incidence of Erb's palsy; and what are the figures for its incidence in each of the last 10 years. [6364]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the registered number of unemployed in (a) the former Chipping Barnet constituency area and (b) the new enlarged area for (i) April and (ii) May; and if he will make a statement. [6425]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of whether economic stability is a precondition for high and stable levels of growth and employment; and if he will assess the correlation between those factors in the period 1977 to 1997. [6845]

I refer my hon. Friend to the Financial Statement and Budget Report laid before the House on 2 July, and in particular chapters 1 and 3.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to amend the rules relating to VAT on commercial activities conducted on the Internet; and if he will make a statement. [6273]

[holding answer 3 July 1997]: Customs are closely involved in initiatives with both the European Union and the OECD which are seeking to identify solutions to the perceived problems with trading over the Internet. It is important that any changes made are done so in concert with other countries so that the risk of double or non-taxation of these supplies is avoided.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money he estimates is lost to the Treasury by people failing to pay duties on commercial transactions conducted over the Internet; and if he will make a statement. [6274]

[holding answer 3 July 1997]: There is no reliable estimate of revenue lost in this way.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy in respect of reducing VAT on equipment specially (a) designed and (b) adapted for disabled use. [6430]

[holding answer 3 July 1997]: There is already VAT relief on equipment designed solely for use by disabled people and the service of adapting goods for use by them. Such supplies are zero-rated for VAT purposes.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many county courts have been closed in each of the last five years. [6237]

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

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions a party to a case which is subject to automatic reference to small claims arbitration has (a) applied for and (b) been granted an application for recission of the reference in the last 12 months. [6229]

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

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will estimate the total number of litigants entitled to a refund of court fees paid between 15 January and 13 March and the total cost to the Court Service of repaying fees. [6231]

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

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many litigants have (a) applied for and (b) were granted a refund of court fees paid between 15 January and 13 March in (i) county court proceedings. (ii) high court proceedings and (iii) family proceedings. [6234]

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

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many litigants in person have issued proceedings in (a) the county court, (b) the county court under the small claims procedure, (c) the High Court and (d) the Court of Appeal in each of the last five years. [6230]

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

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many litigants who have (a) applied for and (b) been granted a refund of court fees paid between 15 January and 13 March were in receipt of (i) income support, (ii) income-related jobseeker's allowance. (iii) family credit, (iv) disability working allowance and (v) housing benefit. [6232]

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

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the cost of the current refurbishment of offices used by his Department within the Palace of Westminster. [6567]

There is currently no refurbishment work being carried out in the offices used by the Lord Chancellor's Department within the Palace of Westminster. There is however, a proposal to refurbish, in a way consistent with the conservation and preservation of a building of such outstanding national importance, the Lord Chancellor's Official Residence together with the office he uses in the Palace of Westminster. This is shortly to be considered by the House of Lords Administration and Works Sub Committee who will decide how to proceed on the basis of a memorandum submitted by Black Rod, who is independent of the Lord Chancellor and responsible for the care and upkeep of the House of Lords accommodation within the Palace of Westminster. They still have to take a number of decisions which will affect the costs of the proposal, but it is estimated that the total cost of both projects will be in the region of £650,000.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to act on the Law Commission report (Law Com 231) to clarify the law on mental incapacity. [5524]

The Government recognises the importance of clarifying the law in this area to provide a clear framework for those involved in making decisions on behalf of incapacitated adults and to ensure that the welfare and interests of the incapacitated person are adequately protected. It is hoped that progress will be made on the subject at an early opportunity.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio under what circumstances he will speak in the House in respect of his ministerial responsibilities; and if he will make a statement. [6888]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Worthing, West (Mr. Bottomley) on 3 June, Official Report, column 134; and to my subsequent reply to the hon. Member himself today.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make himself available on a regular basis to answer oral questions to take account of his responsibilities for (a) the Royal Yacht and (b) the Millennium Dome. [6887]

On (a), I have no responsibilities in this respect. On (b), yes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many complaints have been referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration since 1 May under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [6893]

Three.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many requests for information have been received since 1 May under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; and if he will make a statement. [6892]

This information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The contribution of the code of practice on open government is, however, an important issue and I shall continue the existing practice of publishing an annual report on the workings of the Code which will contain an analysis of code requests received on a calender year basis.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to narrow the terms of the classes of exempt information listed in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [6894]

I would like to see the proposed Freedom of Information Act have fewer exemptions than the present Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. In the period before the Act comes into force the Government will make full use of the discretion available under the Code of Practice to disclose as much information as possible. Should it become clear that the wording of the Code is proving over-restrictive, even under this more liberal interpretation, I will consider amendments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much has been spent since 1 May to publicise the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; how many copies of the code have been (a) published and (b) issued since 1 May; and if he will make a statement. [6891]

No new advertising campaigns have been launched since 1 May but I plan to use the launch of the forthcoming White Paper on Freedom of Information to publicise the continuing role of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the period before the Act comes into force.Information on the total number of copies of the Code issued by Departments in the period since 1 May is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. I can say however that the central Citizen's Charter Publications Line has issued some 250 copies of the Code in response to requests in that period and my own Department has responded to 30 requests.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library (a) departmental and (b) other responses to the White Paper and draft bill on Freedom of Information before legislation is introduced. [6890]

I shall place in the Library the results of both consultation exercises before the legislation is introduced. These will include copies of the responses received from outside government except where confidentiality has been specially requested. I shall also be considering how exchanges between Government Departments on Freedom of Information can best be treated in a way which contributes to the public debate while at the same time preserving the necessary collective responsibility needed in the drafting of major legislation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, given that virtually the only citizens who have to go to school are children, will the hon. Gentleman consider extending the citizens charter to make it clear that schools are expected to deliver children's ability to read, write and figure?

[pursuant to his reply 2 July 1997, Official Report, column 287]: The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that one of the forums that I shall soon be meeting will consist of young children, the future citizens of this country. Moreover, we have worked in partnership with the Centre for Citizenship Studies in Education at Leicester University and in consultation with the National Consumer Council to ensure that more than 1,700 secondary schools in England that wished to do so received a pack relating directly to their interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the outcome of the Culture Council on 30 June. [7400]

EU Ministers of Culture met on 30 June in Luxembourg. Ministers held a public debate on the future direction of EU cultural action, and agreed a decision to ask the Commission to study the options for future cultural action and to bring forward proposals by 1 May 1998. Ministers also agreed a decision to ask the Commission to study whether article 128(4) is relevant to the Community's approach to cross-border fixed book pricing.The Council resolved to continue to seek agreement, in conciliation, for the Raphael programme. It discussed the future of the European Cities of Culture initiative.Ministers then held an exchange of views on audiovisual issues, discussing proposals for a Community Guarantee Fund for film production and the Commission's Green Paper on the protection of minors and human dignity in audiovisual and information services.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will list the successful national lottery bids in Stoke-on-Trent, North, by category of national lottery funding, indicating the percentage they comprise of the total sums awarded nationwide in each category; [6281](2) how many applications for each category of national lottery funding have been received from Stoke-on-Trent, North; and how many of these have been

[Pursuant to his written reply 4 July, Official Report, column 290]: The tables of awards and applications were omitted from the answer. The full information is as follows.To date over £3.7 billion has been awarded to 23,570 projects throughout the UK. Twelve of these awards are to projects in Stoke-on-Trent, North, worth £2,938,508. The first table lists these together with the percentage they represent of the total sums awarded across England and the UK. The second table shows the number of applications received from Stoke-on-Trent, North.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between and Kenya. [4875]

We recognise the positive role which Kenya has played over the years as a force for regional stability. During my recent visit there between 25 and 28 June, I met President Moi and had talks with some of his Ministers, members of the Opposition, Church leaders and other representatives of Kenyan society. I made clear to all parties our hopes and expectation that the forthcoming elections will be free and fair and that they will be conducted in a peaceful environment. In this context, I stressed the importance of dialogue between the parties concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish his Department's submissions relating to freedom of information legislation. [6025]

[holding reply 2 July 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minster on 4 July, Official Report, column 293–94.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will meet the hon. Member for Leicester, East to discuss visitors visas. [6586]

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was not aware of the hon. Member's wish for a meeting to discuss visitors' visas. She will contact my hon. Friend to arrange a mutually convenient time for such a discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has had with hon. Members to discuss refusals of visitors' visas. [6585]

There has been one such meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the case of Mrs. S. U. Patel (R/92/3687). [6583]

We have asked our Deputy High Commission in Bombay to provide a detailed account of the position. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend within a week of receiving that account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if a Minister from his Department will meet the hon. Member for Leicester, East to discuss the case of Kailashchandra Sukdev Roy (ref. R/97/962-Bombay); [6587](2) if he will make a statement in the case of Sukdev Roy (ref. R/97/962-Bombay). [6624]

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend about Mr. Roy's application within a week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Department of Education and Employment concerning the case of Kailashchandra Sukdev Roy (ref. R/97/962-Bombay). [6588]

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend about Mr. Roy's situation within a week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the visa will be granted in the case of Jaswinder Kaurr (ref. ECR/474/95s-New Delhi). [6584]

We have asked our high commission in New Delhi to provide a detailed account of the position. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend within a week of receiving that account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the decision of the entrance clearance offer in New Delhi concerning the case of Bhag Singh and Rattan Kaur (ref. IMM/ECR/2983/97/NS). [6590]

We have asked our high commission in New Delhi to provide a detailed account of the position. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend within a week of receiving that account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the presidency of the inter-governmental conference of the European Union concerning the provisional pre-signature text of the draft Amsterdam treaty; by what procedures each item in the presidency draft was considered; if written copies of amendments were circulated prior to decisions on the amendments; and what period of notice for (a) verbal and (b) oral amendments was required by the conference. [6628]

Discussions on the draft Amsterdam treaty text are continuing in Brussels, both among the 15 member states, and bilaterally with the Presidency and former Presidency.The terms of the Presidency text were discussed at the European Council at Amsterdam. In many cases written amendments were circulated. In others amendments were discussed orally by Heads of Government. There was no period of notice required by the conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Indonesian Foreign Minister in Hong Kong about defence sales. [6649]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary held a wide-ranging meeting with Mr. Alatas during which he was able to explain the background to the review of criteria used in considering licence applications to export conventional arms that he announced to the House on 22 May. He pointed out that the review does not focus on particular countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the EU Commission is spending to promote the euro and emu (a) in Europe and (b) in the United Kingdom. [6851]

In the 1997 EC Budget a total of 45 million ecu is provided in budget lines B3–306 and B0–40 for information activities in connection with specific policies, including the single currency. The Commission has provisionally allocated 23 million ecu of this money to a campaign to publicise the euro. None of this money will be present in the UK as the euro information campaign is not being prsued here.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will announce the timetable for the defence sales policy review. [6647]

The review of criteria used in considering licence applications for the export of conventional arms is being taken forward as a matter of urgency. The new criteria will be made available to the House when the review is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the criteria for arms sales and the countries affected by the defence sales policy review. [6646]

As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 22 May, Official Report, column 294, we have initiated an urgent review of the detailed criteria used in considering licence applications for the export of conventional arms. The new criteria will be made available to the House when the review is complete. As we have made clear repeatedly, the review is looking at criteria to be used for all destinations and does not focus on particular countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 June, Official Report, column 18, if the Gibraltar Government were consulted before Her Majesty's Government made its decisions at the Amsterdam summit regarding the Schengen arrangements. [7058]

The Chief Minister was briefed in London before the summit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the obstacles to enfranchisement of Gibraltarians in elections to the European Parliament. [6991]

The 1976 EC Act on Direct Elections confines the franchise for European Parliament elections to the United Kingdom alone. The Act has treaty' status. Any amendment would require the agreement of all Member States.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals for developing Gibraltar airport have been evaluated by his Department. [6992]