To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in his review of avoidance of direct taxes, he will examine the use of Jersey-based capital gains tax avoidance schemes by British companies. [12587]

Yes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the legislation which would need to be enacted prior to the United Kingdom joining a single currency. [15338]

The European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 requires an Act of Parliament before the UK would be able to move to the third stage of economic and monetary union. In addition, as confirmed in the Chancellor's statement on 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 583–88, whenever a decision to enter is taken by the Government, it should be put to a referendum of the British people, and this would require legislation. Separately, the Bank of England would need to be compatible with the terms of the Treaty which apply if we were to join and there would be changes needed to related UK legislation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what decisions relating to the European Single Currency—other than those determined in treaties or protocols concerning the operation of the European Monetary Institute, the European System of Central Banks or the statutes and duties of the European central banks— member states unable or unwilling to participate in the single currency, or the representatives of their respective central banks, will be excluded. [15436]

All decisions relating the European Central Bank (ECB) will be taken pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community, including its various Protocols, in particular Nos. 3, 4, 8 and 11, which collectively lay down the rights and obligations of participating and non-participating member states and their National Central Banks.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representation he has made concerning the formation of a working group of first-round EMU participants distinct from the ECOFIN group. [16987]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the proposal of the French Government for a Conseil de 1'Euro. [17002]

[holding answer 19 November 1997]: The UK is in agreement with all other Member States that the ECOFIN Council will remain the decision-making body for economic and financial issues after the start of stage three of EMU, as it is now.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the members of the Tax and Benefits Task Force chaired by Mr. Martin Taylor. [16845]

Martin Taylor chairs a Task Force on which the Treasury, Inland Revenue, the Department of Social Security and Department for Education and Employment are represented by senior officials. It is not the usual practice to name individual officials.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many public appointments he has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these (a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16782]

The Chancellor's Department and Agencies have made 31 public appointments since 1 May 1997, of which eight (26 per cent.) receive remuneration. The information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has provided information for all departments in an aggregated form.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will calculate the revenue impact of imposing an additional 1 per cent. annual tax on individuals whose assets exceed £1 million. [17040]

It is not possible to assess precisely the number and wealth of millionaires in the United Kingdom at any one time. The only available estimates are derived from inheritance tax data on a year-of-death basis. On this basis it is provisionally estimated that living individuals with net marketable wealth—that is, excluding pension rights—exceeding £1 million in 1994, the latest available year, owned assets totalling £116 billion, of which 1 per cent. represents just over £1 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 13 November, Official Report, column 625, on exchange rates, if he will publish the available evidence which suggests that the use of foreign currency is fairly stable over time. [16899]

[holding answer 20 November 1997]: The following figures, which are the most recent available, show exports and imports invoiced in foreign currency from 1979–88. It suggests that the proportion of trade invoiced in foreign currency was generally stable over that period, after allowing for a likely once-off adjustment by businesses to the lifting of foreign exchange controls.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the reasons for his Department not having approved the grant of launch aid to British Aerospace in respect of its involvement in the Airbus A340–500 and 600 aircraft. [17255]

[holding answer 21 November 1997]: The Government have yet to announce their decision concerning the application for assistance from British Aerospace.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to publish the National Asset Register. [17817]

I am publishing The National Asset Register today. Copies are available in the Vote Office.The National Asset Register fulfils the Government's Manifesto commitment to publish a thorough inventory of the assets they own. Publication demonstrates the Government's commitment to greater openness and accountability by letting the nation see what assets the nation owns.This is the first time that any Government have had such a comprehensive picture of all the assets they hold. The National Asset Register will be an invaluable starting point in helping departments to identify whether they are making the best use of their assets and achieving value for money. It demonstrates the Government's commitment to maintaining prudent and sound financial management.To help departments do this the Treasury has also introduced two new measures to encourage departments to get the best from their assets:First, at present any receipts from the sale of surplus assets must be surrendered to the Consolidated Fund unless the Treasury agrees that the department concerned can retain them to increase its gross spending power. (The receipts then count as negative public expenditure so do not increase net spending or the Control Total.)From 1 April 1998 until 1 April 2001 when the new resource budgeting arrangements are in place, the Treasury will allow departments to retain 100 per cent. of the receipts from assets of which they dispose, subject to certain limits. These limits are that:

To ask the President of the Council what is her policy in respect of the faxing of press releases on the day of release to Opposition party spokesmen; what changes have been introduced since 1 May; and if she will make a statement. [16283]

All press releases issued on my behalf are posted to the relevant Opposition spokesman on the day of release. Press notices are not routinely faxed to Opposition party spokesmen unless requested. There has been no change since 1 May.

To ask the President of the Council if she will place in the Library a copy of the internal departmental guidance on the dissemination of information; and if she will make a statement. [16284]

In my small Department it has not bee necessary to issue detailed guidance on the dissemination of information.

Maximum loan available to students and estimated length of repayment under new student support arrangements
Earnings (as a percentage of average earnings)
Number of years of study	Maximum loan available (1990–00 prices) (£)	50 per cent.	75 per cent.	85 per cent.	100 per cent.	125 per cent.	150 per cent.	200 per cent.	300 percent.
		Number of years taken to repay loans
3	10,395	1—	17	13	10	7	5	4	3
4	14,020	1—	21	16	12	9	7	5	3
5	17,645	1—	25	19	15	10	8	6	4
6	21,270	1—	28	22	17	12	9	7	4
7	24,890	1—	32	25	19	14	11	8	5
8	28,520	1—	34	27	21	15	12	8	5
1 Loans never fully repaid. 'Average earnings' have been taken from the 'New Earnings Survey 1997'. Average graduate earnings would be expected to increase more rapidly than average earnings for full-time workers as a whole, thus reducing the average length of the repayment period for any given amount of loan;
Repayments will not begin until a graduate has a gross annual income of £10,000 and will stop if at any time their income falls below this threshold;
The figures for 'maximum loan available' are based on the assumption that the graduates enter higher education in 1999–2000 and are therefore eligible for a 100 per cent. maintenance loan (as opposed to the 75 per cent. loan available in the 1998–99 transitional year). They also assume that loans will be uprated annually in line with inflation

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to build on the Child care Consultation carried out by the last Government. [17274]

We have already taken action to improve childcare by extending the childcare disregard and offering young people the opportunity to obtain training and work experience in childcare as part of the New Deal programme. We are currently developing a National Childcare Strategy which will help parents, especially women, to balance family and working life and I will make an announcement in the first part of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the total loan available to students whose parents are not required to provide a parental contribution for those undertaking higher education for (a) three years, (b) four years, (c) five years, (d) six years, (e) seven years and (f) eight years; and what is his estimate of how long the loan will take to repay in each case if a graduate earns (i) 50 per cent. average earnings, (ii) 75 per cent. average earnings, (iii) 85 per cent. average earnings, (iv) average earnings, (v) 125 per cent. average earnings, (vi) 150 per cent. average earnings, (vii) twice average earnings and (viii) three times average earnings. [16429]

[holding answer 17 November 1997]: The table following sets out the estimated maximum amount of loan available to students studying outside London and living away from home during their studies, and the estimated number of years it would take to repay these loans. It should be noted, however, that the vast majority of students will be on courses lasting not more than four years. Of those few on courses lasting longer than four years, medical and dental students might also be eligible for income-related bursaries from the Department of Health to help with living costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those non-degree education courses which will be subject to the Government's new student fees policy. [16541]

Undergraduate full-time courses of higher education leading to an HND or DipHE or to a certificate, diploma or other academic award comparable to a first degree will be subject to the new arrangements for student support starting in autumn 1998. Postgraduate and part-time courses of initial teacher training will also be covered. However, we have already announced that students on PGCE courses will continue to receive free tuition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the percentage of teachers who achieve advanced skilled teacher status. [16909]

The Government intends to introduce a new career grade of Advanced Skills Teacher to reward the best teachers who are prepared to take on additional roles contributing to the quality of teaching in their schools. In the first instance, it is proposed that the new grade could be introduced on a pilot basis in September 1998. Further decisions will be taken following the pilots.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of undergraduate students admitted to Oxford and Cambridge universities came from outside the European Union in the last year for which figures are available. [16760]

The most recent data available are for academic year 1996–97 and are given in the table:

Entrants1to undergraduate courses 1996–97
University	Percentage of non-EU undergraduate entrants
Oxford	7.2
Cambridge	8.0
1 Students on their first year of study.

Mandatory awards in England and Wales1
Academic years 1991–92 to 1995–96	Percentage of award holders receiving full, partial and nil rates of grant
	1991–922	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96
Full maintenance grant	39	42	44	45	45
Partial maintenance grant	36	34	33	32	30
Nil maintenance grant	25	24	22	23	24

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the amount of university funding per student in England in (a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97 and (d) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [16935]

Public funding in cash terms per higher education student in England paid through grants to the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Teacher Training Agency and through publicly funded tuition fees was £4,973 in 1994–95; £4,976 in 1995–96; £4,803 in 1996–97; and is £4,858 in 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the protection afforded under (a) European Union and (b) United Kingdom law to employees against age discrimination. [17044]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of undergraduate students admitted to Oxford and Cambridge universities came from grant-maintained schools in the most recent year for which figures are available. [16857]

The information requested is not held centrally. I understand that the Admissions Offices of both universities do produce annual statistics along these lines and my hon. Friend might care to speak to them directly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many (a) first-year, (b) second-year, (c) third-year and (d) fourth-year undergraduate students at Oxford and Cambridge universities qualified for a maintenance grant in each of the last five years; [16758](2) if he will list the proportion for each year of the last five years of

Information is not collected centrally on maintenance awards by year of course nor on awards made to students at individual universities. The table below shows the percentage of mandatory award holders from England and Wales who received full, partial and nil maintenance grants in each of the last five years.

Employees in the UK are afforded protection under employment legislation. However, there is no specific age discrimination legislation in either the United Kingdom or the European Union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his agencies issue to (a) employers and (b) employees about age discrimination in the work place. [17041]

My colleagues and I take every opportunity to explain to employers the benefits of a diverse workforce. The Employment Service encourages employers to recruit on merit, irrespective of age. It also encourages jobseekers to treat age as a positive asset in jobsearch and provides advice on handling objection to employment which may be due to age.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the Government's policy on age discrimination in the work place; [17042]

The Government believes that age discrimination in employment is unfair and makes no economic sense, either for business or society. I told my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall North on 22 May 1997,Official Report, column 825, that I intended to consult widely on the best approach to this issue. The consultation is taking place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria are laid down by his Department for LEAs obtaining support for bids under the New Deal scheme for replacing old school buildings; and if he will make a statement. [17024]

We issued guidance to Local Education Authorities (LEAs) on how to bid for the next tranche of New Deal for Schools funding on 5 November. In deciding allocations, we shall consider LEAs plans to meet their most urgent building needs as a whole. We are asking LEAs to assess the condition of their school buildings objectively in four priority bands. This will allow us to compare the needs of LEAs consistently across the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the procedure followed by his Department in approving funding for design work on the replacement of old school buildings and in allocating funding for the replacement of such schools. [17025]

For county schools, we do not allow separately for design fees when we allocate Annual Capital Guidelines (ACGs) or Supplementary Credit Approvals (SCAs); design fees are part of the project costs which LEAs meet from borrowing and other sources of funding at their disposal. For voluntary aided and special agreement schools, LEAs may bid for grant aid for design fees in the annual capital bidding round in October each year or, in the case of statutory proposals, before publication. The annual bidding letter sets out the priorities for distributing resources to schools. Authorities may bid to replace a school in the Exceptional Basic Need (EBN) category. EBN funding is only given if the building will have to be taken out of use within the next twelve months; repair is impracticable; and no alternative provision exists.For New Deal for Schools allocations in 1997–98, we gave priority to bids to cover the development costs of innovative Public Private Partnerships and building work which could be completed between 30 September 1997 and 31 March 1998. No whole-school replacements were supported.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those schemes included in the 1997–98 financial year bids for school replacements which are due for completion by 31 March 1998. [17026]

No Annual Capital Guideline or Supplementary Credit Approval cover, grant aid for governors costs, or grant through the New Deal for Schools is being provided in 1997–98 for whole school replacements scheduled for completion before 31 March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the allocation of additional resources to Lancaster Adult College. [17546]

On 12 November, my right hon. Friend set out the Government's vision and priorities for further education. He announced additional funding for the sector next year, totalling £83 million. The Further Education Funding Council will take decisions, in the light of guidance from my right hon. Friend, on the general principles to be applied to funding for the academic year 1998–99. Allocations of funding to sector colleges, and external institutions like Lancaster Adult College, are the responsibility of the Council which will make them early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to meet local government associations and council leaders for authorities covering South-East England since 1 May. [16504]

My Ministerial colleagues and I have met on a number of occasions with representatives of the Local Government Association, the Association of London Government and individual council leaders since 1 May, to discuss a wide range of topics, including the London and South East Regional Planning Conference (SERPLAN).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government intend to continue the updating of statistics which the 1995 White Paper on Rural England and its 1996 update emphasised the importance of updating; and if he will make a statement. [16506]

We have no plans to publish an update of the commitments set out in the previous Administration's White Papers on Rural England, but statistics on issues affecting the countryside continue to be collected and updated. Much of this information is published.For example, we will be undertaking a major national survey of the habitats, plants, landscape features and land types of the British Countryside to mark the end of the Millennium. Countryside Survey 2000 will update and extend previous surveys undertaken at intervals over the last 20 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the total projected costs to British business of the amended European Union directive on the placing of biocidal products on the market; and what discussions he has had with British business interests on this matter. [16984]

I have had no direct discussions with British business about the Biocidal Products Directive. The Health and Safety Executive have consulted business on all aspects of this directive through regular meetings of a working group on biocides.When the directive is implemented, British business will benefit from the opening up of the EU-wide market in biocidal products and from the introduction of a single risk assessment procedure for approval of products, involving mutual recognition of product authorisations in all member states. HSE's estimate of the costs to industry of implementing the directive are set out in the cost benefit assessment (CBA) appended to the Department's Explanatory Memorandum 9600/97 submitted in August 1997. A copy has been placed in the Library.Costs are estimated on the basis of the additional costs over and above those which would be incurred by a compliance with existing chemical control regimes. The CBA shows estimated one-off costs in the range of £5–£20 million, with annual costs of around £6.7 million, depending on the number of new products placed on the market. This estimate of annual costs takes account of the significant reduction in costs achieved by the simplified administrative procedures negotiated by the United Kingdom. HSE are currently updating the cost estimates in the CBA in discussion with the Chemical Industries Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the locations of the permanently manned coast stations planned for 2001 which will have responsibility for marine and coastal safety in the Irish Sea; [16977](2). if he will make a statement on the provision of coastguard services for the North West of England following the proposed closure of the Liverpool Centre in 2000. [16973]

The Coastguard Agency plans that in the year 2001, the following permanently manned coastguard stations will have responsibility for marine and coastal safety in the Irish Sea:

• Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Belfast
• MRSC Holyhead
• MRSC Milford Haven

Following the closure of Liverpool in 2000, the level of provision of coastguard services in the North West will be unaffected. Radio sites will remain at Calbeck, Walney Island, Blackpool, Liverpool and Heswall and will be controlled by MRSC Holyhead. An additional Sector Manager will be located at Liverpool.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by how much local authority spending increases for each 1 per cent. rise in the GDP deflator. [16870]

There is no automatic link between inflation in the economy generally, as measured by any rise in the GDP deflator, and local authority spending. The impact would depend on the rate of increase in prices for the particular services and goods purchased by authorities, and on authorities' budgetary reactions to these pressures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been spent on bus lane cameras since 1 May. [16840]

The Traffic Director for London is currently developing a trial in north London as part of a project to test the use of cameras to enforce bus lanes, but nothing has been spent on cameras since 1 May. We understand that the London local authorities are also working towards using cameras to enforce bus lanes but we have no information on how much money they might have spent on cameras.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people have been successfully prosecuted for driving in bus lanes since 1 May. [16841]

The information requested is not separately identified in the statistics collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average number of police man hours spent each week studying the film from bus lane cameras. [16843]

From 5 December prosecutions will begin in the Traffic Director for London's project in north London to test cameras to enforce bus lanes. He estimates that it will then require about two police man hours per week to study the film from the cameras.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the revenue expected from fines for driving in bus lanes during the next financial year. [16842]

No estimates are made of future fine revenue for specific offences.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what annual targets have been set for social housing construction. [16974]

My Department has not set annual targets for social housing construction. Official estimates of the newly arising need for social housing in England over the period 1991–2001, published in 1995, indicate a requirement for 60,000 to 100,000 lettings per year.My Department has commissioned the Department of Applied Economics at Cambridge University to carry out a feasibility study of an economic model of housing need for the period 1996–2006. Ministers have not yet reached conclusions on this research, or on the proportion of housing need which will be met by means other than new construction. A report on the research will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will seek to negotiate an enforcement mechanism for reviewing carbon dioxide emission targets at Kyoto. [16868]

Both the UK and the EU believe that the targets to be agreed in Kyoto should be legally binding. We consider that targets, as well as other commitments in the Protocol, must be backed by a strong compliance regime. However, the details of the regime provided for in the Protocol will be elaborated after Kyoto.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met Lord Sainsbury in an official capacity; and what subjects were discussed. [16836]

I met Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 20 October 1997 for the first and only time since the General Election. We had a wide-ranging discussion on a number of issues relating to the policy areas of my Department. In particular, the meeting covered rail freight, lorry weights, mixed-use housing and retail developments and the speed and consistency of the planning process generally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by how much the interest rate bill of local authorities rises for each 1 per cent. rise in interest rates. [16861]

I estimate that English local authorities currently hold about £5 billion in variable rate debt, on which additional interest payments of £50 million would arise if interest rates rose by 1 per cent. generally.Further, if authorities borrow an additional £2 billion in 1997–98, broadly in line with the issue of new credit approvals, then a 1 per cent. rise in interest rates would increase interest payments on this new borrowing by about £20 million.Local authorities currently hold around £10 billion in bank deposits and other short-term investments and might therefore earn additional interest of up to £100 million, if rates rose by 1 percent.However, the additional costs or income arising from the increase in interest rates would tend to be offset over time by compensating changes in HRA subsidy and Revenue Support Grant paid to local authorities by central government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of parking facilities for tourist coaches in London; and what plans he has to make improvements. [16791]

In London, the provision of coach parking and its enforcement is generally the responsibility of the local authorities. We aim to encourage the local authorities, the coach and tourist industries and other interested parties to discuss and implement measures to assist the operation and parking of coaches.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of acid rain on Britain's trees. [17170]

Maps of acid deposition in the UK based on work carried out for my Department have recently been published in reports by the Review Group on Acid Rain and the Critical Loads Advisory Group. Copies have been deposited in the House of Commons Library.Research into the sensitivity of trees to acid deposition is being carried out both in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. From the research, maps of the sensitivity of forest ecosystems to acid deposition have been developed on a UK and European scale. The areas of the UK forest at risk of damage can be identified by combining the maps of sensitivity and acid deposition.In addition, surveys of woodland tree condition in the UK are carried out annually. While these do not assess directly the impact of acid rain, the have provided evidence that, during the past few years, the previous decline in tree health has been reversed.Acid rain and damage to sensitive ecosystems including trees is an on-going transboundary problem. The UK was one of the first countries to ratify the Second Sulphur Protocol under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution. This commits the UK to an 80 per cent. reduction in its 1980 sulphur emissions by 2010. My Department is currently taking an active part in negotiations in the EU and UNECE aiming to provide further protection to the environment from acid deposition.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, by region, the amount of money in each of the last five financial years which English Partnerships allocated to (a) housing development, (b) employment, and (c) retail development. [16894]

[holding answer: 20 November 1997]: English Partnerships became fully operational in April 1994, with statutory objectives focusing on the sustainable regeneration of areas of need promoting job creation, inward investment and environmental improvements through the reclamation and development of vacant, derelict and underused land and buildings. It operates through broadly based strategic partnerships throughout the English regions with local authorities, the private sector, voluntary bodies and others.Although English Partnerships does not keep information in the form requested, the table sets out, by region, English Partnerships' approved investment by development type under its Partnership Investment Programme, over its first three years of operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 November, Official Report, column 127, (1) if he will list the organisations and other interested parties which were consulted over the proposed Code of Safe Working Practices for Fishing Vessels' and if he will make a statement; [17553](2) when the new code of safe working practices for fishing vessel will be published. [17552]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the Government (a) abstained from the vote to down list three populations of African elephants at the CITES conference and (b) agreed to an exemption to the ban on ivory sales by Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. [17578]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, East and Mexborough (Mr. Ennis) on 8 July, Official Report, column 449, which reports the main decisions taken by the Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department is taking to encourage more children to walk to school. [17432]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Dawson) on 18 November, Official Report, columns 137–38.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the level of Objective 5b funding in the less-favoured areas of the North of England in (i) 1993, (ii) 1994, (iii) 1995 and (iv) 1996. [17310]

European Funds under Objective 5b became available for the Northern Uplands from 1 January 1994. However they must be supplemented by other funds from the public and private sectors. The full amount of the funding available is as follows:

£ million
	European structural funds	Public/private sectors	Total
1993	—	—	—
1994	8.8	12.4	21.2
1995	11.5	16.4	27.9
1996	13.1	18.8	31.9

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about a timetable for public consultation on the long-term structure for the management of the South Downs; and if he will indicate the form that consultation will take. [16723]

At our request, the Countryside Commission is carrying out the consultation on the long-term arrangements for the South Downs. A conference will take place in Brighton on 26 November to launch the consultation document and mark the beginning of the further debate on the future of the Downs. Copies of the consultation document will be available from the Commission's London office from that date. Copies will also be freely available at libraries within the South Downs and surrounding towns from the following week. Written views are requested by 12 January 1998 when the Commission will start its analysis, but any significant points made later in January can still be taken into account. The Commission will analyse the responses and bring the results and advice to Ministers next spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many examples of the horizontal transmission of genetic material from genetically modified organisMs approved for (a) field testing and (b) marketing his Department has evaluated. [17339]

The risks of all types of gene transfer, including horizontal gene transfer, are evaluated when considering all applications for consent to release or market genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the UK. To date 134 applications for the experimental release of GMOs in Great Britain and 24 notifications for marketing GMOs in the European Community have been considered since the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 came into force on 1 February 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the members of the Honorary Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes, with their relevant expertise and date of appointment. [16901]

The members of the Honorary Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes, and their date of appointment to the Panel, are as follows:

	Appointed
Dr. Peter J. Watkins (Chairman since 1977)
Kings College Hospital, London	1985
Professor John D. Ward
The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield	1985
Dr. John L. Day
Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk	1985
Dr. Nina Essex
Mayday Hospital, Thornton Heath, Surrey	1989

	Appointed
Dr. Brian Frier
The Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh	1996
Dr. Stephen G. Gilbey
St. James's University Hospital, Leeds	1997
Dr. Anthony B. Stevens
Royal Hospitals Trust, Belfast	1997
All are consultant physicians who specialise in diabetes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to make British members of the EU Committee of the Regions directly elected by the regions they represent; [17197](2) what plans he has to review the method of appointment of British members of the EU Committee of the Regions; and if he will make a statement. [17340]

My right hon. Friend has no such plans. Members of the Committee of the Regions are appointed by the Council of Ministers of the European Union following nominations by member states. Under the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 United Kingdom members of the Committee must be elected members of a local authority at the time of their nomination. Any change to the method of appointment, including the direct election of members, would require a Treaty amendment agreed by all European Union member states acting unanimously.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses to the Green Paper "New Leadership for London" (a) expressed satisfaction with the proposals, (b) expressed concerns over (i) the length of time between the publication of the White Paper and the Referendum, (ii) the number of questions in the Referendum and (iii) the proposal for a directly elected mayor and (c) expressed opinions on the election of mayor; what percentage (a) to (c) constituted of the total number of responses; and if he will make a statement. [17586]

An analysis of the responses to the Green Paper "New Leadership for London" will be included in the White Paper.On 21 November copies of the responses were placed in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions main library, 2 Marsham Street, SW1P. Lists of individuals and organisations who responded, were placed in the House of Commons Library on the same day.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statistics his Department collates on the amount of empty office space in each region of England; and what estimate he has made of the amount of office space that has been empty (a) for more than six months and (b) for more than a year. [17716]

None. Information on vacant office space in the major centres is available from leading commercial agents, but is not collated centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on his Thames 2000 river transport initiative. [17708]

I am pleased to announce that excellent progress has been made as a result of my Thames 2000 initiative on proposals to establish new passenger transport services on the River Thames by the Millennium, and to leave a permanent legacy thereafter.Today I can announce three new developments which, taken together, should provide the blueprint for securing a new future for passenger transport on the Thames, which I believe is an important ingredient in developing a modern, integrated transport system for the capital. As well as providing an important access route to the Millennium Experience, the aim is to secure a lasting legacy of new investment and high-quality services, which will provide a convenient and attractive new means of travel for Londoners and for visitors.The initiative has been taken forward at my request by the Cross River Partnership, which includes the London Boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth, the Cities of Westminster and London, the Port of London Authority, London Transport and others, in collaboration with the New Millennium Experience Company and the Government Office for London.First, the Cross River Partnership and the New Millennium Experience Company have formally invited a shortlist of potential operators to tender to run new River services. Some of these would serve the Millennium Experience, with direct services from dedicated central London piers and downstream "park-and-sail" sites, as well as a shuttle service to Greenwich. Operators are also being invited to tender for longer-term services, including a "hopper" service linking key central London destinations, and "express" services to central London from both up-stream and down-stream. Potential operators may bid for any or all of these services.Second, the Partnership has drawn up a programme of new infrastructure works along the River. This will provide high-quality new piers at key locations, including close to Waterloo and Blackfriars Stations. It will also secure the much-needed improvement of some existing piers, and improved linkages with other public transport

Board Members of the Housing Corporation
Name	Appointed to the Board	Current appointment ends	Remuneration (per annum)£	Main areas of expertise
Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde (Chairman)	6 November 1997	31 March 2001	37,958	Regulation, management and organisational expertise
George Cracknell (Deputy Chairman)	1 December 1994	30 November 1997	21,706	Finance and banking
Eric Armitage	1 October 1997	30 September 2000	9,899	Registered Social Landlords
Sheila Button	1 October 1997	30 September 2000	9,899	Social housing sector
Sylvia Denman	1 March 1996	28 February 1999	9,899	Legal
John Foster	1 June 1996	31 May 1999	9,899	Local government
Ken Griffin	1 October 1995	31 May 1999	9,899	Business
David Kleeman	3 September 1990	30 September 1998	9,899	Business

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from employees of Manchester United regarding the club's planning application to build on green belt land at Carrington Moss. [17329]

The Secretary of State received no representations from employees of the club on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the directors of the Housing Corporation, indicating the tenure of their directorships, their remuneration and the qualifications which led to their appointments. [14730]

[pursuant to his answer, 11 November 1997, c. 483–84]: Details of the directors of the Housing Corporation are in the table.In making appointments to the Board of the Housing Corporation, candidates are sought who, in addition to their individual areas of expertise and knowledge, are able to take a broad view of housing policy and related issues. Candidates should be able to contribute usefully in directing a major Non Departmental Public Body and to make constructive contributions to the development of social housing policy at the national level. The Board needs members with a range of skills and expertise extending from knowledge of finance and regulation to an understanding of how housing policy impacts on other areas of social welfare.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish the results of the monitoring conducted by his Department into the effects on waiting times of the last increase in the small-claims limit. [17456]

The last increase in the small claims limit was made on 6 January 1996 and, as the monitoring of waiting times was introduced that year, the information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to increase the resources of the small claims court to ensure that the proposal to raise the small claims limit from April 1999 does not result in increased delays. [17408]

The proposed increase in the small claims limit must be considered along with the other civil justice reform proposals. Resources will be allocated to reflect changes in workload consequent upon implementation of the reforms as a whole.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give a breakdown of the length of time taken by small claims cases in county courts by type of case; and what assessment he has made of the factors underlying delays. [17455]

The table below shows the average length of time taken for small claims cases in 1996 from the issue of the summons to the hearing. It was previously published in "Judicial Statistics 1996" (CM 3716) in July 1997. These cases take a substantially shorter time than those which proceed to trial.

Average waiting times1 for arbitrations, by nature of claim, 1996
Nature of claim	Average waiting time in weeks (issue of summons to arbitration)
Debt	21
Negligence—personal injury	23
Other negligence	22
Non-possession housing dispute	26
Other	22
Total	21
1 Figures are based on three months sample data from selected county courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list all recorded instances of arson attacks on (a) Protestant churches, (b) Catholic churches, (c) orange and other loyal institutions' premises and (d) Gaelic Athletic Association premises in the period and since July, indicating the estimated cost of damages. [14183]

[holding answer 5 November 1997]: Recorded instances of fire caused by arson in these categories are listed below. Estimated costs of damage are not held centrally and are therefore unavailable.

• Arson attacks on protestant churches
• 6. July 1997: 1st Kilrea Presbyterian Church, Church Street, Kilrea;
• 6. July 1997: Presbyterian Church Hall, Dunloy
• 9. July 1997: Presbyterian Church Hall, Castle Street, Ballycastle
• 9. July 1997 Apostolic Church, Melmount Road, Strabane
• 9. July 1997: Carnmoney Parish Church, Church Road, Carnmoney
• 9. July 1997: Strathfoyle, Londonderry
• 10.July 1997: Presbyterian Church Hall, New Street, Dungiven
• 17. August 1997: Presbyterian Church, Ballyhoe, Newtownbutler
• 30. August 1997: Church of Ireland Manse, Main Street, Dundrum
• 31. August 1997: Whitehouse Presbyterian Church, Shore Road, Glengormley
• 14. September 1997: St. Columbanus Church Hall, Groomsport Road, Bangor
• 21 September 1997: May Street Presbyterian Church, May Street, Belfast
• 26 October 1997: St. Stephens Church, Millfield, Belfast

• Arson attacks on catholic churches
• 12. July 1997: Killowen Chapel, Kylesbrae, Coleraine
• 29 September 1997: Tanaghmore RC Church, Fernisky Road, Kells

• Arson attacks on orange halls
• 4 July 1997 College Square, Bessbrook
• 6 July 1997 Old English Road, Dungannon
• 6 July 1997 Newry
• 6 July 1997 Antrim Road, Glengormley
• 7 July 1997 Orritor Road, Cookstown
• 7 July 1997 Tirooney Road, Sixmilecross
• 7 July 1997 Brackey Road, Beragh
• 7 July 1997 Armagh Road, Newtownhamilton
• 7 July 1997 Coleraine Road, Ballycastle
• 8 July 1997 Station Road, Dunloy
• 9 July 1997 Athernee Road, Carrickmore
• 11 July 1997 Bond Street, Londonderry
• 12 July 1997 Great Georges Street, Warrenpoint
• 12 July 1997 Rasharkin, Ballymoney
• 15 July 1997 Gortvale Road, Rock, Ballymoney
• 6 August 1997 Dyan, Caledon
• 6 August 1997 Newry
• 12 August 1997 Ballycoran Road, Carryduff
• 26 August 1997 Armagh Road, Newtownhamilton
• 8 September 1997 Aughintober Road, Dungannon
• 1 October 1997 Darkley Road, Keady
• 14 October 1997 Main Street, Rasharkin

• Arson attacks on GAA premises
• 13 July 1997 GAA Club, Mary's Lane, Killyleagh
• 28 August 1997 GAA Clubhouse, Crosskeys Road, Ahoghill

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list each of the overseas trips made by herself and other members of her ministerial team since 2 May, specifying in each case (a) the participating Minister or Ministers, (b) the destination of the trip, (c) the purpose of the trip and (d) the cost of the trip; and if she will make a statement. [15252]

[holding answer 11 November 1997]: The information is as follows:

(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)
Secretary of state	Washington (USA)	Briefing influential audiences on Government Policy on Northern Ireland	£15,209.25
Paul Murphy	Washington (USA)	Briefing Americans on political situation in Northern Ireland	£6,173.80
	Brussels	Introduction as Northern Ireland Minister for European Affairs	£2,586,88
Adam Ingram1	Paris	To attend Paris Air Show	£1,187.80
	Boston (USA) Washington	Inward Investment Visit	£5,961.60
	Chicago Minneapolis (USA) St. Louis New York Washington	IDB Trade Mission	£6,818.70
Lord Dubs	New York (USA)	Delegate to 43rd Annual Conference of the International Downtown Association	£4,941.70
1 The costs refer to expenditure on flights only. However they do not include internal US flights, accommodation, or any miscellaneous expenditure, as this information is not readily available and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Joint Framework Document is the preferred option of Her Majesty's Government for a settlement in Ireland. [15678]

[holding answer 13 November 1997]: Our primary aim is to secure agreement amongst unionists and nationalists. So far as the Government is concerned, no outcome is either predetermined or excluded in advance, or limited by anything other than the need for agreement. The Joint Framework Document describes a shared understanding reached between the British and Irish Governments on the parameters of a possible outcome to the talks process. We believe it is, as the Prime Minister said in May, a reasonable basis for negotiation. The development under this Government of a wider constitutional reform programme, including our commitment to devolution elsewhere in the United Kingdom and to better protection of human rights through incorporation of the ECHR, may also have helpful implications for an agreed outcome to the current negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish her key policing objectives and key performance indicators for the year 1998–99. [17816]

I am arranging for copies of the key objectives and key performance indicators for the year 1998–99 to be placed in the Library on Tuesday 25 November at 11.00.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has proposed for the NHS to ensure that the interests of pensioners are not overlooked, with particular reference to (a) hip and other joint operations and (b) bed blocking. [16105]

While the National Health Service in Wales does not discriminate against pensioners, who receive access to services on the same basis as other patients, I am keen that the interests of elderly people are not overlooked. I stressed the point when announcing recently the provision of an extra £9.5 million this year for the NHS in Wales. Whilst I urged the Service to use the money to improve their emergency services, reduce the need for people to be admitted to hospital and reduce delays in discharging patients, I stressed that Trusts must not forget their elective surgery obligations.The Patient's Charter guarantees that

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning applications for regional development assistance for the A340–600 aircraft project by British Aerospace. [16099]

I expect to make a decision on the company's application for Regional Selective Assistance shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the level of university funding per student in Wales in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [16936]

The level of funding per student in Wales in 1998–99 will depend upon the allocation for higher education within the Department's expenditure plans for next year which will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the amount of extra funding which will be available for Welsh (a) further and (b) higher education in 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [16855]

The final claim from the Further Education Funding Council for Wales for extra funding under the Demand-Led Element scheme is currently being considered. There are no plans to increase the 1997–98 budget of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what consultations the Sports Council had with anglers and walkers before deciding to support the opponents of the proposed speed limit on Lake Windermere at the public inquiry; [14604]

Minister	Date	Location	Purpose	Cost to nearest £100
Mr. Clarke	12 May-14 May	Cannes	Support for the British film industry	1,700
Mr. Smith	14 May-16 May	Cannes	Support for the British film industry	1,500
Mr. Banks	10 June-11 June	Paris	Support for the FA bid for the World Cup 2006 and attend the Turnoi de France	1,600
Mr. Fisher	28 June-1 July	Rome/Luxembourg	Attending State opening and Culture Council	1,900
Mr. Fisher	28 July-same day	Brussels	Meet representatives of the EP Culture and Media Committee	1,600
Mr. Clarke	31 August-3 September	Venice/Rome	Support for the British film industry/Meeting with Italian DPM	2,600
Mr. Clarke	2 October-5 October	Brittany	Support for the British film industry	500
Mr. Clarke	8 October-15 October	Far East	Promotion of British tourism	10,200
Mr. Banks	10 October-same day	Rome	Support for the FA bid for the World Cup 2006 and attend the England v Italy qualifier	1,600
Mr. Fisher	15 October-16 October	Frankfurt	Promotion of the British publishing industry and attend the European Book Fair	1,200
Mr. Banks	23 October-30 October	USA/Trinidad/Costa Rica	Support for the FA bid for the World Cup 2006	9,800
Mr. Smith	21 October-26 October	USA	Promotion of British creative industries	112,100
Mr. Smith	11 November-same day	Brussels	Visit to the European Commission	1500
			Total	46,800
1 Denotes full figures not yet available.

The then GB Sports Council (GBSC) consulted a wide range of sports interests groups before deciding to support the opponents of the proposed speed limit upon Lake Windermere. Anglers and walkers organisations included:

• Salmon and Trout Association;
• Furness and South Cumbria Fisheries Consultative Association;
• Northern Federation of Sea Angling Societies;
• Fly Dresser' Guild;
• Ramblers Association; and
• Northumberland Long Distance Walkers' Association.

In 1996–97, the GBSC and its successor, the English Sports Council (ESC) spent £7,200 on the Lake Windermere speed limit issue. In 1997–98 to date, the ESC has spent £4,600. Information on GBSC spending in previous years could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.The Lake District National Park Authority successfully appealed to the High Court to have the original decision not to introduce a speed limit quashed. A hearing took place on 18 November at which the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions did not oppose the Authority's legal challenge. He is now required to re-consider the whole issue afresh and a further round of representations is necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list each of the overseas trips made by himself and other members of his ministerial team since 2 May, specifying in each case (a) the participating Minister or Ministers, (b) the destination of the trip, (c) the purpose of the trip and (d) the cost of the trip; and if he will make a statement. [15208]

[holding answer 11 November 1997]: The information requested is set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Answer from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 10 November 1997, Official Report, column 441, if he will list the e-mail addresses of (a) Ministers, (b) senior officials and (c) chief executives of agencies for which he is responsible. [15869]

[holding answer 13 November 1997]: E-mail addresses exist for all Ministers at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Ministers can be reached at: chris.smith@culture.gov.uk, tom.clarke@culture.gov.uk, mark.fisher@culture.gov.uk and tony,banks@culture.gov.uk. The Permanent Secretary can be reached at hayden.phillips@culture.gov.uk. The Chief Executives of the Department's two agencies do not currently have e-mail addresses. More information on contact details can be obtained from the Department's website at www.culture.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his policy in respect of the faxing of press releases on the day of release to Opposition party spokesmen; what changes have been introduced since 1 May; and if he will make a statement. [16307]

My Department has made arrangements to fax press notices on the day of release to the main Opposition Spokesman, as was the practice before 1 May. On request we would do the same for other Opposition Parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports what has been the sum given in

Table 2: Awards announced in the Wansbeck constituency
Distributing body	Recipient	Project title description	Award date	Award amount (£)
Heritage Lottery Fund	Northumberland County Council	West Wylam Bridge, Tyneside Riverside Country Park, West Wylam	3 April 1996	157,000
National Lottery Charities Board	Northumberland Womens Aid	To improve inadequate staffing levels and provide transport	23 October 1995	124,742
National Lottery Charities Board	Chevington Community Initiative	Encourage social cohesion by integrating disaffected youth into the community	23 October 1995	119,150
National Lottery Charities Board	Trinity Youth Association	Provides leisure, recreational and educational opportunities to targeted vulnerable groups of young people	11 June 1996	115,809
National Lottery Charities Board	Northumberland Federation of YMCAs	Promote and develop a range of youth and community initiatives for groups of young people living in rural areas	11 June 1996	106,090
Arts Council of England	Ellington Colliery Band	Purchase of new instruments and equipment.	16 July 1997	54,478
National Lottery Charities Board	Spital Estate Community Association Ltd.	A community training centre for the use of all community members on the estate	11 June 1996	47,915
National Lottery Charities Board	General Access Northumberland Group (G A N G)	To improve access for disabled people to the built environment	17 December 1996	39,564

To date the National Lottery distributing bodies have announced awards worth £4.49 billion to over 30,000 projects throughout the UK. Table 1 below provides a breakdown by country and English region. Wansbeck has received awards worth over £1 million covering 31 projects; these are detailed in Table 2.Information on all Lottery awards is now available on the Department's website www.lottery.culture.eov.uk.

Table 1: Breakdown of awards announced by value
	Total £	As percentage of total awards
England
London (Local)1	368,519,487	8.2
London (National)1	622,407,546	13.9
North West	376,894,368	8.4
North East	232,927,750	5.2
Yorkshire and Humberside	283,570,947	6.3
Eastern	224,875,804	5.0
East Midlands	183,698,156	4.1
West Midlands	314,142,340	7.0
South West	304,968,472	6.8
South East	330,806,176	7.4
Merseyside	91,801,641	2.0
England wide	9,938,161	0.2
Total	3,344,550,848	74.5
Scotland	446,629,736	9.9
Wales	214,094,982	4.8
Northern Ireland	132,105,934	2.9
Total	4,137,381,500
UK wide	329,499,704	7.3
Overseas	24,600,000	0.5
Grand total	4,491,481,204	100.0
1 Awards to bodies based in London include many to institutions that are of national importance and are of benefit to the country as a whole. These are therefore separated from local awards in London.