To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to receive the Third Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement. [7541]

The Third Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, under the Chairmanship of Lord Nolan, is being published today as Command Paper 3702. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Vote Office and the Library of the House.We are committed to ensuring the highest standards in public life in this country. I am grateful to Lord Nolan and his colleagues for the significant contribution that they continue to make towards improving the standards of conduct throughout the public sector. Their Third Report covers local government in England, Scotland and Wales.The Committee received wide-ranging written submissions and heard extensive oral evidence in open proceedings. It has concluded that there are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to work towards a uniform electoral system for the 1999 elections to the European Parliament. [5735]

The Government remain committed to the introduction of a proportional voting system for elections to the European Parliament but no decision has yet been taken on the timing of a change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the police widows pension regulations. [5777]

We will be giving early consideration to taking forward the recent review by the Home Department and the Treasury of the police pension scheme in general, including the question of a consultation exercise, but we have no present plans to extend the scope of the police widows pension.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in the Metropolitan Police are currently awaiting a placement with a police station and assigned no other specific duties; and what is the estimated cost of these police officers in salary or costs. [6450]

The Commissioner informs me that there are no officers within the Metropolitan Police District currently awaiting a placement with a police station and assigned no other specific duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has made of the cost of providing the necessary retraining arising from his Career Management policy. [6451]

The Commissioner informs me that there will be no increase in the Metropolitan Police's training budget as a result of the introduction of the new tenure policy. Any additional demands for training will not be significant and will be met from within existing budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the cost of policing the British Field Sports Rally in Hyde Park on 10 July. [7125]

The Commissioner informs me that the estimated staffing cost to the Metropolitan Police for policing the British Sports Rally in Hyde Park on 10 July is £119,374, on the basis of a complete eight hour tour of duty for all staff. The figure covers the cost of the normal duties the officers would have otherwise undertaken. No figure is available for the costs of support services, such as catering and transport. The extent to which officers are deployed to police a public order event is an operational decision for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the date and title of the oldest document or archival unit retained by his Department which has not been passed on to the Public Record Office for release for public inspection. [7203]

The oldest documents retained in the Home Office under section 3(4) of the Public Records Act 1958 date from 1876. They are concerned with matters relating to national security. It had earlier been decided that it would not be in the public interest to disclose their nature. Now that the matter has been drawn to my attention by the hon. Member's question, I have asked that this decision be reviewed, given the antiquity of the files in question.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's timetable for dealing with the Year 2000 Computer Problem; who is in charge of the project; how many staff are working on it; what is the projected cost of resolving the problem; and whether the project is on schedule. [7142]

The Year 2000 computer problem will impact directly on the business of the Department. For this reason, the Director of each business area in the Home Office has appointed a Year 2000 manager who is responsible for ensuring that computer systems within their area are Year 2000-compliant. Initial inventory and audits were completed by December 1996 and costed plans for resolving the problem are to be produced by each business area by October 1997. The aim is for all system changes to have been implemented and tested by December 1998, and for the cost of preventive and remedial action to be met from within existing provision. At present, the project is on schedule to meet these dates.The Corporate Resources Director is chairing a Year 2000 Steering Committee, the terms of reference for which include the monitoring of action taken across the Department to ensure that the timetable is met and the sharing of information to ensure that business areas benefit from experience elsewhere and that they co-operate where appropriate. My Department is represented on the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency's (CCTA) Year 2000 Public Sector Group and is using the guidance issued by CCTA "Tackling the Year 2000".

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what monitoring takes place of the quality of surgery carried out in general practitioners" surgeries in Wales; how this compares with the monitoring of similar surgical work in hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [5321]

Since 1 April 1996, GPs providing secondary care services in a primary care setting are required to obtain Health Authority approval to ensure the safe and effective provision of such services. Health Authorities must also satisfy themselves of a GPs competence to undertake and continue to undertake minor surgical procedures, as part of their normal general medical services commitments. Authorities must ensure the strict criteria for admission to their minor surgery list is met prior to agreeing to pay for these services, as with any other provider for whom it has a contract to purchase services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the steps which are being taken by his Department to end in Wales the internal market of the national health service. [5874]

I have deferred approval of the eighth wave of GP fundholding until July 1998 to allow breathing space to develop alternative commissioning models. I recently announced that I would be inviting proposals to pilot new arrangements for locality commissioning, supported by some of the savings generated by the postponement.Officials have notified health authorities and GP fundholders that revised budgetary arrangements will be developed to remove some of the disadvantages experienced by patients of non-fundholding practices. Detailed guidance will issue shortly.I have also asked the Welsh Association of Fundholding Practices (WAFP) and the General Medical Services Council (GMSC) for Wales to work with me to determine the direction of health care in the principality, building on current best practice.On 25 June the Government announced a White Paper on the National Health Service's internal market. It will be the subject of extensive consultation throughout Wales in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that, in reviews of the common agricultural policy (a) the future of hill livestock compensatory allowances is safeguarded and (b) such allowances are at adequate levels to sustain the agricultural activity of the less favoured areas. [6388]

The Government will take account of the interests of sheep and suckler cow producers in less favoured areas during its negotiations on common agricultural policy reform in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers: and in setting the annual rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average market price of beef in Wales in the months of April and May; what were the corresponding figures for April and May in (a) 1995 and (b) 1996; and if he will make a statement on the impact of these facts on Government policy in relation to the beef sector in Wales. [6389]

The average market prices were as follows (in pence per kg liveweight for steers, heifers and young bulls):

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his statement to the Welsh Grand Committee of 30 June, Official Report, column 25, in relation to the replacement of radiotherapy machines at Velindre hospital, if he will list (a) the date on which the business case for replacement was sent to his Department by the Trust, (b) the date on which the PFI proposal is to be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities, (c) the approximate capital cost of the scheme, (d) the indicated length of contract for the PFI proposal and (e) the date on which he expects work to commence. [7211]

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the date and title of the oldest document or archival unit retained by his Department which has not been passed on to the Public Record Office for release for public inspection. [7198]

Safeguarding of Airfield Site plan 1945.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for raising educational standards in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [7644]

I have today laid before the House a White Paper, the first in modern times to focus exclusively on education in Wales. Called "Building Excellent Schools Together", it sets out our vision of improving standards through co-operation to create an education system designed to benefit the many, not the few.Central to the White Paper are our key principles. We have promised to make education and training the cardinal priority of government in Wales. We shall work with teachers, recognising their efforts and encouraging them to succeed in lifting achievement and attainment across the board. We shall focus on standards, rather than a damaging concentration on structures'and we will not tolerate underperformance. We shall also ensure that government policy is applied in a way that reflects the distinctive needs and circumstances of Wales.Raising standards of literacy and numeracy will be at the heart of our programme of reform. Following my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement to the House on 2 July, substantial extra funding will be allocated to education in Wales and we shall use this where we can achieve the best results. We shall also provide leadership and support to all those who have a contribution to make in the drive to raise standards overall. This will draw in the help of everyone with a stake in excellent education for all pupils at school in Wales; teachers, parents, governors, education authorities and business people alike.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the date and title of the oldest document or archival unit retained by her Department which has not been passed on to the Public Record Office for release for public inspection. [7205]

The oldest archival unit held in DFID, which will be eligible for eventual release to the Public Record Office, dates from June 1961, and is titled "Security Arrangements". The papers have been retained because of their Security significance.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will visit the offices of WaterAid to discuss the funding and activities of the charity: and if she will make a statement. [6771]

We welcome an active dialogue with WaterAid. We are currently co-funding 12 WaterAid projects with a total cost of £950,000 this financial year. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for International Development met WaterAid's Director on 3 July. My officials are in regular contact. I have made it clear that access to safe water and sanitation is a priority in combating poverty. I certainly intend to meet WaterAid, and the other NGOs active in developing countries as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's timetable for dealing with the Year 2000 Computer Problem; who is in charge of the project; how many staff are working on it; what is the projected cost of resolving the problem; and whether the project is on schedule. [7138]

We expect to have resolved problems relating to the year 2000 on information systems critical to the business of the Department by the end of 1998. We are working in parallel on smaller systems established by various sections within the DFID, and expect to resolve them by mid-1999. The identifiable cost of dealing with Year 2000 issues is around £200,000 although this figure is an underestimate of the total since other Year 2000 costs have been subsumed within the costs of rewriting critical systems for a new operating environment. The official in overall charge of dealing with the Year 2000 is the head of the Information Systems Department. The number of staff working on the project is around five, supplemented by resources brought in from consultants.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the total value of exports receiving aid and trade provision assistance over the past three years by country. [6883]

The following table lists by country the ATP projects with their total export value agreed during the last three years:

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many national lottery grants have been awarded to organisations and groups in Blackpool, South; and what are the values of those grants. [6577]

To date 13 grants totalling £1,681,676 have been made to organisations and groups in Blackpool, South. The details are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to discuss with the national arts councils ways in which greater regional input can be obtained in respect of their grant-making procedures, with particular reference to the Government's proposals for regional development agencies. [6574]

The Government is committed to encouraging more decision making at local level. It is consulting on the potential role and functions of the regional development agencies and how they can work with other regional development agencies and how they can work with other regional and national bodies. Furthermore, we will be publishing a White Paper on Lottery distribution later this month which will set out the Government's thinking about ways to achieve a more strategic and co-ordinated system of Lottery distribution.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will ensure that highlights of the Ryder Cup will be available on terrestrial television. [6875]

The Ryder Cup is not one of the events listed under Part 4 of the Broadcasting Act 1996. The arrangements for broadcasting the event are a matter for the rights holders and the broadcasters to determine. However, I understand that the owners of the rights to the European tournament are committed to the voluntary agreement on "unbundling" the various broadcast rights. The review of listed events will need to assess the effectiveness of the present arrangements for "unbundling" as a substitute form of access to some events.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what plans he has to review the entitlement to reduced television licence fees for retirement pensions; [6635](2) what representations he has received concerning the position of retirement pensioners in sheltered housing paying a reduced television licence fee whose resident warden is replaced by a community alarm system. [6638]

The Government will be reviewing the arrangements for funding the BBC from 2002 before that date and this review will include consideration of the concessionary arrangements. We have received approximately 160 letters on various aspects of the concessionary television licence scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what reduction in television licence fees a registered blind person is entitled to; for how long this entitlement has been in operation at its current level; and if he will make a statement. [6611]

[holding answer 7 July 1997]: The reduction in the television licence fee for registered blind people is £1.25. The reduction has remained at its present level since 1965. The Government will be reviewing the arrangements for funding the BBC from 2002 before that date and this review will include consideration of the concessionary arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will place particular priority on local radio for live commentary in his review of the protected list of sports events; and if he will make a statement. [6869]

The arrangements for listing under the Broadcasting Act 1996 refer only to live television broadcasts of major events. However, the review of listed events will need to assess the effectiveness of the voluntary arrangements for unbundling the various types of broadcasting rights as a substitute form of access to some events. In doing so, we may also consider whether more needs to be done to secure live radio commentary on major events.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) how many copies of the OFLOT annual report 1996–97 OFLOT purchased from The Stationery Office; and what was the cost incurred; [6776](2) how many copies of the OFLOT annual report 1996–97 OFLOT distributed free of charge; and what was the cost incurred: [6777](3) what percentage of OFLOT's annual budget has been devoted to the purchase and distribution of the annual report in each year since its establishment. [6779]

[holding answer 4 July 1997]: This is a matter for OFLOT. I have asked the Director-General, to write to the hon. Member, and copies of his response will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what guidance he gave to OFLOT regarding the production of the annual report. [6778]

[holding answer 4 July 1997]: The Director-General of the National Lottery is required by section 14 of the National Lottery ect. Act 1993 to provide an annual report about the exercise of his functions during the year.The report is presented to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State who lays it before Parliament. The content of the annual report is a matter for the Director-General.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he spoke to journalists from the Financial Times concerning his budget proposals for ACT prior to the Budget statement. [7194]

No.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the last 14 years accurate disclosures of budget information appeared in the Press prior to the Budget; which media outlets they appeared in; and if he will make a statement. [7263]

More than once. Speculation, of varying degrees of accuracy, is a traditional feature of the Budget process.The specific information sought could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) Crown servants and (b) other advisers to Ministers who (i) gave interviews to, (ii) made statements to and (iii) answered questions from journalists or representatives of the Financial Times in the period of 48 hours before the Budget Statement. [7266]

No pre-Budget briefings were given to the press on Budget measures. Details of the Budget were not given to journalists in advance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who in his Department was responsible for giving pre-Budget briefings to the press; how recently such briefings were given to the Financial Times; what specific subjects they covered; and if details of the Budget statement were given to any journalists before he presented them to the House. [7077]

[holding answer 7 July 1997]: No pre-Budget briefings were given to the press on Budget measures. Details of the Budget statement were not given to journalists in advance. However, I and my Ministerial colleagues made clear that we would use the Budget to meet the promises before taking office. We delivered on those promises.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the port of Tilbury will be subject to the windfall tax. [7067]

[holding answer 7 July 1997]: No. Details of those companies falling within the scope of the windfall tax were set out in the Inland Revenue press notice on the windfall tax issued after the Chancellor's Budget statement on 2 July.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate the disclosure of information relating to the windfall tax contained in the Budget to managers of the privatised industries prior to the Budget statement. [7092]

[holding answer 7 July 1997]: No. I see no reason for such an investigation as there was no such disclosure. In designing the windfall tax the Government deliberately sought representations from organisations on the technical aspects of the tax: over 50 responded. This process, and the extensive consultations with the regulators, helped the overall design of the tax. All this is public knowledge.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Treasury press release 60/97 of 4 June 1997, which European institutions will have direct responsibilities for creating jobs for all those living in Europe. [3358]

It is for the Governments of the member states to have the policies in place which create the economic conditions which enable employment to flourish, rather than for European institutions to create jobs. But the European institutions do have important roles to play in extending and policing the internal market in the EU and in facilitating dialogue between the member States on how to tackle unemployment.

To ask the Chancellor of Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue which would be raised by the privatisation of Channel 4. [3324]

The proceeds from any hypothetical privatisation depend on the method of sale.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what study his Department has undertaken of the likely effect on prices of the rounding up of the sterling-euro fractional differential if the United Kingdom adopts the euro. [6097]

My department has not undertaken any studies of the possible effects on prices, if any, of rounding the results of converting between sterling and the euro if the United Kingdom were to adopt the single currency.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Nordic gold would be required if the United Kingdom were to join the euro: what the total requirement for the euro zone would be; and what the current stocks are. [6852]

The proposed Council Regulation (EC) on denominations and specifications of euro coins intended for circulation in countries which adopt the single currency has not been formally adopted. It proposes that three of the eight denominations of euro coins should be made of an alloy called Nordic gold. It is estimated that if this proposal were adopted, and if the United Kingdom were to participate in the single currency, approximately 20,000 tonnes of Nordic gold would be required to manufacture the necessary coins for circulation in the United Kingdom. The total required within the European Community if the proposal were to be adopted would depend on which countries participate in the single currency. Materials for coin production would be produced to order as required in such circumstances.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of gross earned income for a married couple with average household income was taken by (a) income tax, (b) national insurance, (c) VAT and (d) excise duties, during the year 1996–97. [3349]

The information requested can be obtained from Table 13.7b of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual 1997–98 Edition, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what European Union funds have been deposited in banks that have subsequently collapsed; and what sums have been lost. [6770]

None in the United Kingdom or, so far as we are aware, elsewhere, but only the European Commission would be able to provide a definitive answer.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people aged under 25 years in (a) Newham, (b) Tower Hamlets, (c) Hackney, (d) Redbridge, (e) Waltham Forest, (f) Barking and Dagenham and (g) the United Kingdom have been unemployed for more than six months; and, in each case, what percentage this figure is of all economically active people aged under 25 years; [6811](2) how many people aged over 25 years in

[holding answer 7 July 1997]: 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 given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) males and (b) females in the constituency of Stoke-on-Trent. North have been unemployed for (i) under six months, (ii) over six months. (iii) over 12 months and (iv) over 18 months. [6864]

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 how many people aged 18 to 24 years have come off unemployment benefit in each of the last live years in the constituency of Stoke on Trent, North and into what activity they moved. [6865]

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 estimate he has made of the number of people in (a) Newham, (b) Tower Hamlets, (c) Hackney, (d) Redbridge, (e) Waltham Forest, (f) Barking and Dagenham and (g) the United Kingdom who earn less than (i) £2.50, (ii) £3, (iii) £3.50 and (d) £4 per hour: and what this figure is as a proportion of all employees. [6814]

[holding answer 7 July 1997]: 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 how many people in the constituency of Stoke-on-Trent, North earn (a) less than £4 per hour, (b) £3.50 per hour and (c) £3 per hour. [6866]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of households (a) in Stoke-on-Trent, North, (b) by region and (c) nationally have no-one in full-time employment. [6868]

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 lo be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to (a) publish and (b) introduce the outcome of the consultation exercise on the future presentation and dissemination of labour market statistics by the Office for National Statistics. [6867]

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 Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions an application for emergency legal aid to seek an injunction in a domestic violence case has been (a) granted or (b) refused in each of the last five years. [6375]

The information requested is not available. The data gathered by the Legal Aid Board do not identify separately applications for emergency civil legal aid.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions the decision to exceed the Green Form financial limit by a solicitors practice with developed powers under a legal aid franchise has subsequently been overruled by a legal aid area office in each of the last three years. [6377]

This information prior to June 1995 has been archived and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. As a result, figures can be provided for each of the last two years only. It is set out in the following tables.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many solicitors" firms have been granted a legal aid franchise and in what areas of law: and how many franchised firms have devolved powers in relation to (a) emergency aid, ( b) the Green Form scheme and (c) assistance by representation. [6376]

As at 30 June 1997 there were 1,852 franchised solicitors" offices. The following table provides a breakdown of the franchise categories and the number of franchised offices with devolved power in emergency aid, the Green Form and assistance by representation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for a new initiative to secure the lifting of the beef export ban. [7711]

The Government has decided to adopt a twin-track approach of pursuing a revised Export Certified Herds Scheme, and developing a new proposal for a date-based export scheme. We have put our ideas to the Commission about both schemes, and will press both with equal vigour.The Export Certified Herds Scheme is being revised taking account of criticisms made earlier by the EU Scientific Veterinary Committee. Eligibility for the scheme would be more restricted than initially proposed, but it would still be open in principle to producers in all parts of the United Kingdom.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what guidance SEAC gives to hauliers concerning the cleaning of vehicles carrying specified bovine material: and if he will make a statement. [6749](2) how many inspectors are available to carry out examination of the cleaning of vehicles carrying specified bovine material: and if he will make a statement: [6686](3) how many inspections have been carried out of the cleaning of vehicles used to transport specified bovine material since 1 August 1996; how many vehicles have failed such an inspection; and if he will make a statement. [6664]

The cleansing requirements for vehicles transporting waste material form the slaughter of cattle, including Specified Bovine Material (SBM), were considered by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) in May last year. It concluded that decontamination and proper cleaning of vehicles was important but that given the extreme nature of the chemicals which had to be used if chemical disinfection were to be relied upon it was more important to use dilution and washing with large quantities of water and detergent to ensure that vehicles were returned to a suitable state for further use.The Specified Bovine Material Order 1997 requires any person transporting SBM to ensure that the vehicle, or part of the vehicle, in which it is conveyed is impervious and contains nothing but SBM. It must be kept covered at all times except for loading or unloading or inspection by an authorised officer of an enforcement authority. It also requires that any person transporting SBM shall ensure that the part of the vehicle in which SBM is carried is thoroughly washed and disinfected before any food, feeding stuff or other animal material or any cosmetic, pharmaceutical or medical product is subsequently placed in that part of the vehicle.Enforcement of the vehicle cleansing requirements set out in the Specified Bovine Material Order 1997 is the responsibility of local authorities. No central record is kept of the number of local authority inspectors that examine vehicles transporting SBM or how many inspections they have made since 1 August 1996 or how many vehicles failed local authority inspections and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that veterinary surgeons have unrestricted access to the inactivated rabies vaccines approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [6827]

[holding answer 7 July 1997]: The British Isles is an internationally recognised rabies free zone for terrestrial animals. We do not allow unrestricted access to rabies vaccine because its use, except for animals going for export or those going into quarantine, is unnecessary.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in concluding the revised protocol on the rabies antibody test referred to in the Official Report, 19 February, column 513; and if the mutual recognition of the test results referred to in the Official Report, 3 March, column 444, has been agreed. [6440]

The International Office for Epizootics (OIE) has considered the revised protocol and published it as the OIE standard recently. Whilst this is a small step in overcoming the problems of test result variability, we understand that only two laboratories are using the new protocol. The OIE is also making arrangements for a new canine standard serum to be calibrated and validated for use with this test to ensure that different laboratories produce comparable results. As far as we are aware these arrangements are still being made and no timescale for completion of the work is known.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers have been found to have been in possession of BSE-contaminated feed since August 1996. [4863]

Remnant work on the Feed Recall Scheme brought to our attention one farmer who has, since 1 August 1996, been in possession of feed containing mammalian meat and bone meal (MBM). The feed in question was not fed to livestock and has now been safely disposed of. It is impossible to say whether this feed was contaminated with the BSE agent but the controls on Specified Bovine Materials, which require the destruction of all tissues known to harbour BSE infectivity, mean that the likelihood of infectivity being present is very low.In another incident, a farmer was found to have been storing mammalian MBM in a farm store together with ingredients used in the production of livestock feed. The MBM was disposed of in landfill. Thorough sampling showed no evidence that cross-contamination had occurred, and the premises were

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has undertaken into the possible (a) agricultural and (b) animal welfare implications of the draft European Parliament and Council directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions; and if he will make a statement. [7353]

This draft Directive—which is still under discussion—would not in general either limit or increase the availability of patent protection as compared to that already provided in UK law. The Ministry has not commissioned research into the implications for agriculture or animal welfare. We do not consider that the patent system is the right approach for dealing with ethical and related issues arising from biotechnology. The purpose of patenting is to prevent others claiming to own or trying to use inventions. However, patent holders must also comply with all other relevant legislation and regulations which, for example, give protection to the welfare of animals.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food what progress his Department has made in meeting the service delivery targets set out in "Commitment to Service". [7544]

The following table sets out the performance achieved by Regional Service Centres against the targets set in "Commitment to Service", second edition.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her Department's timetable for dealing with the Year 2000 Computer Problem; who is in charge of the project; how many staff are working on it; what is the projected cost of resolving the problem; and whether the project is on schedule. [7141]

Following an impact assessment study in 1996, a programme of remedial projects and related activities was initiated earlier this year. The total cost is expected to be of the order of £2.7 million over the period to Spring 1999. The programme covers the core Department's IT systems and separate programmes are in place to deal with the issue in Next Steps agencies.The core Department's Year 2000 programme is being overseen by a steering goup chaired by the Department's Director of information Management and Technology. The resources involved vary according to the requirements of individual projects and will peak at 16 personnel in September/October 1997. Those resources are being provided by private sector contractors and the programme is being supervised by the Department's own Project Manager. All required parts of the core programme are currently on schedule.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Business Links have been set up. [6982]

There are 89 Business Link partnerships and 241 separate Business Link outlets.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has for the future of local telecommunications advisory committees: and if she will make a statement. [6164]

On 30 June the President announced an inter-departmental review of utility regulation which will include an examination of the various models of consumer representation currently operating in the utilities, including in the telecommunications industry. If the review concludes that changes are necessary we will publish a consultation document setting out the options and reasons underlying the case for change.In addition OFTEL is currently considering the responses received to its consultation document on the role of organisations who represent consumers on telecommunications matters, including the telecommunications advisory committees, and will publish a statement of its recommendations shortly. We will consider any recommendations on the telecommunications advisory committees as part of the inter-departmental review.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her Department's policy towards multi-level marketing. [6252]

Legitimate multi-level marketing schemes give people the opportunity to run their own small businesses and are therefore to be welcomed.We do, however, need to guard against those pyramid selling schemes whose structures and reward mechanisms are such that individuals can be exploited. My Department has taken action successfully to wind up companies which are running illegal schemes.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has made to the Government's legal officers concerning the prosecution of United Kingdom companies involved in the export of instruments of torture. [6629]

The investigation and prosecution of any breaches of UK export controls is a matter for HM Customs and Excise and we would urge anyone in possession of information which might suggest that offences have been committed to make it available to them.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received concerning the export by United Kingdom companies of electric shock devices. [6636]

My Department regularly receives representations from individuals and organisations proposing that the Government should ban the export of such devices. We are committed to preventing British companies from manufacturing, selling or procuring equipment designed primarily for torture and to press for a global ban. Work is in hand on how best to take forward this commitment.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the requirement for employers to obtain re-authorisations from their employees every three years for the deduction of trade union subscriptions direct from pay. [7645]

The Government believes this requirement is unnecessary and burdensome for employers and unions. We propose to repeal it by a deregulation order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. After we have consulted with interested parties this summer on the scope and content of a deregulation order, we intend to start the Parliamentary stages in the autumn, and complete the repeal next year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the terms of reference given to those undertaking the review of the Post Office and the timetable set for the review; and what interim requirements have been set for the review. [7271]

The terms of reference for the review of the Post Office are to identify practical options for introducing greater commercial freedom in accordance with our election manifesto commitment. A scoping exercise is currently in progress to establish what changes can be introduced quickly and to set a timetable for addressing more complex issues. I hope to announce the results of the initial exercise in the Autumn.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects the review of the Post Office to be completed. [7270]

We are aiming to make good progress but it is too early yet to say when the review will be completed.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what sanctions his Department is able to impose on individuals criticised in DTI inspectors" reports. [6470]

A criminal investigation and/or disqualification proceedings may be commenced against individuals criticised in inspectors" reports. The reports may also be disclosed to recognised professional and regulatory bodies.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many individuals from accountancy firms criticised by the DTI inspectors are currently seconded to her Department; and at what cost to public funds. [6469]

There are currently 3 individuals seconded to the Department from accountancy firms which have in the past been criticised in Inspectors" reports. The annual cost is approximately £120,000 plus VAT. None of the individuals have been personally criticised by Inspectors. The criticism of their firms was in reports published prior to 1993.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will establish an inquiry into the auditing of Resort Hotels plc. [6059]

Resort Hotels plc collapsed in 1994 with substantial debts. The managing director of Resort Hotels, Mr. Robert Philip Feld, was found guilty on 1 April 1997 of fraud and forgery and was jailed for eight years; the audit of the accounts was referred to during his trial. Under Part II of the Companies Act 1989 the Recognised Supervisory Bodies (RSBs), are responsible for dealing with complaints against registered auditors. In the case of Resort Hotels the responsible RSB is the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales who are inquiring into the auditing of Resort Hotels in the light of Mr. Feld's trial. I shall write to my right hon. Friend when I hear the outcome of their inquiries.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will set out her assessment of the prospects for future inward investment in the United Kingdom. [5736]