To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings (a) he and (b) his officials have had with representatives of Children 2000 to discuss the possibility of a children's and schools' radio channel. [13369]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not held any meetings with representatives of Children 2000. I understand that when they met his officials to discuss the White Paper "The People's Lottery" they set out their plans for a children's and schools' radio channel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans he has to support the establishment of a children's and schools' radio channel; [13371](2) what plans he has to ensure that one of the available digital radio channels on one of the new multiplexes will be devoted to children's and schools' broadcasting. [13370]

My right hon Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to direct the Radio Authority in exercising its statutory responsibility to award independent radio licenses in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the technology and planning permission issues have been addressed in respect of the transmission of the available 225kHz channel. [13368]

The Radio Authority is presently considering the feasibility of using 225kHz for independent radio licensing. Any proposals put forward by the Radio Authority would need to be discussed with other countries by the Radiocommunications Agency under the International Telecommunication Union procedures which are designed to ensure that services can co-exist without causing interference with each other.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he plans to award a national radio franchise on the available 225kHz frequency. [13372]

The award of national radio licences is a matter for the Radio Authority and not for Ministers. The Radio Authority is still considering the technical feasibility of using 225kHz for an independent national service.

To ask the President of the Council what criteria will be applied to assess the efficiency of the work of the Drugs Tsar in respect of (a) prisons, (b) raves, (c) schools and (d) the use of illegal drugs by those who have MS. [13806]

The immediate priorities for Keith Hellawell—the recently appointed UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator—will be to review existing action against drug misuse, and then, as soon as possible, submit proposals to Ministers to develop the strategy to tackle drugs problems through effective enforcement, prevention, education and treatment. In drawing up his proposals, Mr. Hellawell will assess the effectiveness of the work currently being undertaken, which will help focus future efforts against drug misuse. The new strategy will contain objectives against which the Government's progress can be assessed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to remove VAT from the repair and maintenance of historic buildings. [14182]

[holding answer 5 November 1997]: I have no plans to remove VAT from the repair and maintenance of historic buildings.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of his Department's expenditure on (a) tax consultants and (b) other external tax advice in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [13535]

[holding answer 30 October 1997]: The Treasury has not sought external tax advice or employed tax consultants in order to reduce the Department's tax payments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on direct tax harmonisation in Europe. [13529]

[holding answer 30 October 1997]: Direct taxation is a matter for Member States at national level. Proposals for action at the Community level must respect the principles of subsidiarity and unanimity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussion took place at the most recent ECOFIN meeting about tax harmonisation; and if he will make a statement. [14087]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the October ECOFIN agreement on a code of conduct for taxation levels in the European Union. [13530]

[holding answer 3 November 1997]: I refer to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 3 November 1997, Official Report, column 16.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he instructed the public sector pay review bodies not to allow their recommendations to be influenced by the headline rate of retail price inflation; and if he will make a statement. [13647]

Pay settlements next year must be affordable and will need to take account of our commitment to keep to the existing spending plans. We have asked the pay review bodies to give this priority over other considerations, including headline RPI where the current rate is high in relation to the 2½ per cent. inflation target. Keeping pay settlements under control will help Departments to maintain the delivery of services within their budgets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the policy of the Government to make a declaration of intent regarding the European Single Currency on 21 November, and if he will make a statement. [13283]

My statement to the House on 27 October set out clearly the Government's position on the European Single Currency.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the conclusions of his Review of the Tax and Benefits System; and if he will make a statement.(13290]

The work of Martin Taylor's task force on tax and benefits will inform my right hon. Friend's next Budget Statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the date on which he intends to present the Budget in 1998. [13285]

I will present the Budget Statement in the Spring. I will make an announcement of the date in due course.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he plans to publish his consultative paper on the 1998 Budget; and if he will make a statement. [13289]

I refer to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, column 884.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review; and if he will make a statement. [13288]

It is intended to complete the Review in the middle of next year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the present accounting procedures relating to Government loans made to support the introduction of higher education tuition fees in order to distinguish between Government spending and Government lending; and if he will make a statement. [13646]

[holding answer 5 November 1997]: A response will be made to the Dearing Inquiry recommendation on the treatment of student loans in due course.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for taxes on opencast coal mining, gravel extraction and limestone quarries in accordance with the polluter pays principle; and how these would be administered. [14282]

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his July Budget, work is being carried out on the environmental costs attached to quarrying. The results will inform consideration of whether there is a case for tax or other measures to ensure that these costs are reflected in prices.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure the continuation of duty free within the EU beyond 30 June 1999. [14288]

Any extension of intra-EU duty-free sales beyond 30 June 1999 would require a fresh proposal from the European Commission and unanimity amongst all 15 Member States.Duty-free sales for travel outside the EU will continue after 30 June 1999.

To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions the Government have released market sensitive information to a selected individual or individuals and not the market as a whole. [13516]

The Government act only in line with long-established practice.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the Government's policy on the release of market sensitive information. [13517]

To act in line with long-established practice.

To ask the Prime Minister when the letter to the Prime Minister from Mr. Robert Mouland of Folkestone, on the subject of seal pups, dated 30 September 1997, and faxed to the British embassy in Moscow, was shown to him. [14083]

[holding answer 3 November 1997]: I have not seen the letter. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office sent a reply on 30 October 1997.

To ask the Prime Minister if he raised the killing of baby seals in his recent talks with President Yeltsin. [14081]

[holding answer 3 November 1997]: No. The Russian Government are well aware of public concern in the United Kingdom about seal culling. The British embassy in Moscow are in regular contact with the relevant Russian authorities on this matter.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had at his recent meeting with Mr. Bill Gates concerning (a) the computer millennium compliance problem and (b) other issues; and what was the outcome of these discussions. [14191]

I held a constructive meeting with Mr. Gates on 7 October at which a number of issues relating to information and communications technology were discussed, including the Government's proposals for the National Grid for Learning, which I launched that day. Mr. Gates briefly commented on the current status of the computer millennium compliance problem, action in respect of which was announced on 29 September by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had at his recent meetings with President Yeltsin concerning (a) the new Russian law on religion and (b) other issues; and what was the outcome of these discussions. [14192]

I did not discuss the law on freedom of conscience and religious association with President Yeltsin, but the British ambassador in Moscow has been assured by the Russian authorities that implementation of the law will not contravene Russia's international human rights obligations. My discussions in Moscow centred on political and economic reform, international trade issues, bilateral and foreign policy interests and the growing prospects for British business in Russia.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to meet members of the business community to discuss millennium projects. [14245]

I am planning to meet members of the business community to discuss the Millennium Experience early in the new year.

To ask the Prime Minister how many public appointments he has made since 1 May. [14246]

Ten.

To ask the Prime Minister what communication he has had with President Mandela since the Commonwealth conference relating to the Lockerbie bombing and the imposition of sanctions against Libya. [14413]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: I have had no communication with President Mandela since the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

To ask the Prime Minister what subjects were discussed with the Australian Prime Minister when he visited Downing street; and if he will make a statement. [13993]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: Subjects discussed included the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, climate change and a range of other bilateral and international issues.

To ask the Prime Minister, further to his statement at the conclusion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, what criteria will be applied to indebted countries to enable them to write off debts. [13996]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: We are willing to cancel aid debts for those countries who are committed to the internationally agreed development targets, are pursuing good government, are encouraging transparency and bearing down on corruption, and are applying economic policies which benefit the poor and encourage sustainable economic development.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that the royal yacht Britannia is made available for visits by residents in Thames boroughs during the vessel's last voyage along the Thames. [14214]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: HMY Britannia will be moored in the Pool of London from 13 to 21 November. During that time a large number of visitors will be invited to attend charitable and other events on board, and the fullest possible access is being arranged for local and national media. This approach, involving maximum use of the yacht for organised visits and events, has been adopted throughout the yacht's final tour of the British Isles; whilst she is still operational it is not safe or practicable to arrange unrestricted access for members of the public. HMY Britannia will sail under floodlight on the evening of 21 November, arriving in Portsmouth the following day to begin de-storing and other preparations for paying-off.

To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers are responsible for better regulation in each Government Department. [13963]

[holding answer 5 November 1997]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has overall responsibility for better regulation matters. However, all Ministers have a responsibility for ensuring good regulatory practice and the avoidance of unnecessary red tape. In order to give this initiative additional focus each Government Department has named a lead Minister responsible for better regulation. These are:

	Department
Brian Wilson MP, Minister of State	Scottish Office
The right hon. the Lord Gilbert, Minister of State	Ministry of Defence
Baroness Margaret Jay, Minister of State	Department of Health
The right hon. Tom Clarke MP, Minister of State	Department for Media, Culture and Sport
Andrew Ingram MP, Minister of State	Northern Ireland Office
Lord Donoughue, Minister of State	Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Geoffrey Hoon MP, Parliamentary Secretary	Lord Chancellor's Department
Peter Kilfoyle MP, Parliamentary Secretary	The Office of Public Service
John Denham MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State	Department of Social Security
Angela Eagle MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State	Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Peter Hain MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State	Welsh Office
George Howarth MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State	Home Office
Dr. Kim Howells MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State	Department for Education and Employment
Glenda Jackson MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State	Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Barbara Roche MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of state	Department of Trade and Industry
Geoffrey Robinson Mp, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State	Her Majesty's Treasury

To ask the Attorney-General when he last discussed care of victims and witnesses with the Director of Public Prosecutions. [12643]

I meet the Director of Public Prosecutions frequently to discuss matters of mutual interest. The CPS is, of course, involved in a number of major interagency initiatives to improve the service to victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system.

To ask the Attorney-General what recent advice his Department has given on requests from other countries for extradition of people detained in British prisons. [12642]

It is not the practice to disclose such advice or to disclose whether or not advice has been given.

To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to seek an extension of his power to refer sentences to the Court of Appeal for review. [12639]

I am in discussion with colleagues about the best way to implement our manifesto commitment to extend my powers to refer cases to the Court of Appeal for review where it appears to me that the sentence is unduly lenient.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the usual days and hours of manning United Kingdom embassies, including provision for answering telephone calls; and if he will make a statement. [13158]

The days and hours UK embassies open for business vary from country to country, according to local custom; details are available from Consular Division within this Department. All embassies operate a duty officer system to deal with emergency telephone calls out of office hours and this Department is always ready to answer queries about embassy services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the texts of any declaration, now appended to the treaty of Amsterdam not contained in the version of 16 June, stating for each (a) if it was agreed to by a Minister of the Crown at the preceding Inter-Governmental Conference and (b) what steps have been taken to publicise it. [13528]

[holding answer 30 October 1997]: Four Declarations were agreed after the Amsterdam European Council and attached to the draft Final Act of the intergovernmental conference. These are numbers 3, 10, 21 and 45. Three declarations (numbers 14, 40 and 51) were agreed before Amsterdam and were attached to the Final Act subsequently. In addition, there were eight national declarations of which the conference took note. None was made by the UK.Ministers have agreed the text which was signed at Amsterdam on 2 October, including all declarations attached to the Final Act. All declarations are included in the final texts which have been deposited in the Library of the House and are set out in Cm 3780.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many former employees of GCHQ remain eligible for reinstatement as a result of the Government's decision to restore trade union rights at this establishment; and if he will make a statement; [14100](2) how many of those eligible for reinstatement at GCHQ have applied; and how many of those applications were approved. [14101]

About 130 staff left GCHQ as a result of the 1984 union ban, of whom 14 were actually dismissed. The remainder fell into various categories—for example, transfer to other Government Departments and early or normal retirement. I informed the House on 19 May of the procedures needed to restore normal trade union rights to the staff of GCHQ and a copy of this statement was sent to those who had been dismissed, together with an invitation to contact GCHQ's Head of Personnel to discuss re-joining on reinstatement terms. It is open to any former civil servant to apply for reinstatement, though there is no right to be reinstated, and applications are considered in terms of existing vacancies and the suitability of an applicant for a particular vacancy. Of the 14 who were dismissed, only seven were still below retirement age by the time initial discussions on the procedure for people to rejoin had taken place; discussions with these have reached varying stages. It is not known how many of the roughly 115 people who were not dismissed but who left GCHQ by other means are still below normal retirement age but GCHQ has received a total of five expressions of interest in reinstatement or transfer back to GCHQ and discussions have again reached varying stages.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many sub-bases of GCHQ are presently maintained in Northern Ireland. [13082]

It is long-standing practice not to disclose the details of the operations of the security and intelligence services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all (a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14382]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 5 November 1997, Official Report, column 216.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases of persons missing in Sri Lanka his Department is dealing with; and if he will make a statement. [14099]

We are currently dealing with two cases of missing persons in Sri Lanka.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many outstanding replies his Department is waiting for from the Sri Lanka Government with respect to requests for information on missing persons; and what is the average length of time taken for that Government to respond to letters on the subject of missing persons. [14098]

We have no replies outstanding from the Sri Lankan Government on requests for information on missing persons; on the basis of the two recent cases, the average length of time for the Sri Lankan Government to respond substantively to letters on missing persons is 10 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the citizens of Montserrat. [14297]

The safety of Montserratians is paramount. Scientific advice indicates that the North of the island is relatively safe. We are committed to helping to sustain a viable community there for as long as it is safe to remain. If, however, Montserratians wish, and need help, we shall provide them with financial assistance for them to relocate elsewhere in the Caribbean or the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from the British Antarctic Survey on the depletion of the ozone layer over the southern polar regions. [14217]

[holding answer 5 November 1997]: The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Meteorological and Ozone Monitoring Unit issues regular bulletins to interested scientists, Government officials and the media. These bulletins and further background information are available on the world wide web from the BAS home page (http://WWW.nbs.ac.uk).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement indicating the current state of negotiations on the proposed contract for the supply of Land Rovers to Indonesia. [13797]

Contractual negotiations are a matter for the company concerned.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the report of the Review of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) will be published; and when the Lord Chancellor expects to respond to it. [15143]

The report of the Review of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) has been published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give people the statutory right to draw up an advance directive setting out their wishes with regard to future medical treatment should they become incapacitated in the future. [13909]

The Law Commission report on mental incapacity published in 1995 includes recommendations relating to advance statements (sometimes referred to as advance directives). As I indicated in my written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Hope) on 28 October 1997, Official Report, column 787, the Government do not consider that it would be appropriate to legislate on the basis of these recommendations without fresh public consultation. It is hoped that a consultation paper will be issued by the end of the year.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the time taken for courts to dispose of cases since May. [12644]

The time taken from first listing to completion for indictable cases in magistrates courts is surveyed by the Department's time intervals survey. The June 1997 survey, the latest from which results are available, reports that the average time from first listing to completion for defendants in indictable cases was 58 days, and 21 and 29 days for defendants in summary non-motoring and summary motoring cases respectively.For defendants committed to the Crown Court for trial, information is collected on the time from committal to arraignment or start of trial. The average time for defendants over this interval since May 1997 has been as follows: May 1997, 11.79 weeks; June 1997, 11.95 weeks; July 1997, 12.49 weeks; August 1997, 11.74 weeks; and, September 1997, 11.74 weeks.In the county court and High Court, information on the time taken to deal with cases is recorded each March and September. Results for September 1997 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met Commissioner Kinnock to discuss EU transport issues; and if he raised the problems United Kingdom lorry drivers and haulage companies face when transporting goods through other EU countries. [13035]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions maintains regular contact with Commissioner Kinnock on a wide range of issues. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport last met Commissioner Kinnock at the Transport Council on 9 October, where the weekend lorry ban imposed by some member states was one of the issues discussed. In addition, my noble Friend, the Minister for Roads, met Commissioner Kinnock on 6 October to discuss a range of road related issues—including freight transport in the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into ways in which (i) existing housing stock and (ii) new housing could meet changing household needs better over individual lifespans. [13011]

The Department has commissioned three relevant studies:

(i) a study has recently been completed on the conversion of local authority housing to meet the changing needs of tenants;

(ii) research has just been commissioned on conversation, demolition and redevelopment, which will examine the potential of converting the existing housing stock of redeveloping sites to meet the increased demand for housing;

(iii) a feasibility study to develop an economic model of the demand and need for social housing has also just been completed;

(iv) a study has recently been completed into the cost implications of extending the building regulations to make new dwellings more accessible to disabled and elderly people.

Since (ii) has just started and (i) and (iii) have recently been completed, the Department has not yet evaluated the outputs from these studies. Evaluation of study (iv) has been taken into account in reaching conclusions on extension of the building regulations, which will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about recent negotiations in Bonn on a draft treaty on climate change. [13128]

The negotiating meeting in Bonn from 20 to 31 October made slow progress. The UK remains determined to work to ensure a successful outcome at Kyoto. To this end, the Deputy Prime Minister will be chairing an important meeting of developed countries in Tokyo on 8-9 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to increase the level of scrutiny of the performance of the newly privatised rail companies; and if he will make a statement. [13173]

Ministers have given the Franchising Director new objectives, instructions and guidance under the Railways Act 1993. These require him to maintain a comprehensive and rigorous programme of performance monitoring, and to publish a quarterly bulletin describing the operating performance of franchise operators. Comprehensive monitoring is also carried out to secure compliance with franchise agreements and to operate performance incentive regimes. Passenger Transport Executives carry out additional monitoring of performance within their areas.The Government intend to strengthen the regulation of the railway in the interests of passengers and to establish a new Strategic Rail Authority. Decisions about what new powers are required, and whether further scrutiny would be appropriate in the future, will be taken within our review of transport policy which will lead to a White Paper next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the compliance of the proposal by the European Commission to harmonize and review blood alcohol limits with the obligation of subsidiarity; and if he will make a statement. [13693]

We are actively considering the case for changing the UK blood alcohol limit. Our assessment of the European Commission proposals, including the relevance of subsidiarity, will be made in the light of what we conclude is appropriate for drivers in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to restore to local authorities the power to provide municipal public transport; and if he will make a statement. [13694]

There are no current plans to change the powers of local authorities in this respect but my Department is reviewing all aspects of the provision and regulation of local bus services as part of the development of an integrated transport policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information his Department has collated on the rate of destruction of dry stone walls. [14396]

The latest information on national losses of dry stone walls is derived from Countryside Survey 1990. This estimated that the total length of dry stone walls in Great Britain was 191,000 km in 1990, and that the overall length of dry stone walls had decreased by about 10 per cent. since 1984.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure the protection and good maintenance of dry stone walls in upland rural areas. [14398]

I refer to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend on 9 July 1997, Official Report, column 495, which described the grant assistance available from the Government and powers available to local authorities and National Parks for the protection and maintenance of dry stone walls.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated to determine the effect on the biodiversity of the countryside and upland areas of the dismantling of dry stone walls. [14397]

My Department has not commissioned any such research. We are not aware of any directly relevant research on this subject, although the results of Countryside Survey 1990 showed that linear features in general were an important source of botanical diversity in the countryside.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to review the long-term policy proposals set out in the 1995 Rural England White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [14298]

The Government are committed to developing an integrated approach to tackling the problems of rural areas. Current policies and programmes are being reviewed as part of the Government's comprehensive spending reviews; notably the Countryside and Rural Policy spending review, conducted jointly by my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the level of untreated sewage discharge released by storms or flash floods. [14036]

Sewerage systems are designed to handle the expected normal sewage load through continuous, controlled and treated discharges. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) operate when this predetermined level is exceeded as a result of rainfall run-off entering the sewer. The sewage will be considerably diluted by the rainwater causing the overflow.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the level of sewage leakage for each of the water companies in the last year for which figures are available; [14035](2) what plans the Government have to implement targets for a decrease in sewage leakage. [14037]

Leakage from sewers cannot be measured in any meaningful way and there are no plans at present to set sewage leakage targets. However, information on the condition and serviceability of assets was collected by the Director General at the last periodic review. Only 3 per cent. of critical sewers and 2 per cent. of non-critical sewers were in the worst condition grade. The Director General has asked companies to report on the state of their sewers in the asset inventory and serviceability return to Ofwat next summer, as part of the periodic review process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to implement the recommendations contained in the Twentieth report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in respect of the United Kingdom's funding for the European Commission's Car of Tomorrow project. [14423]

The Government are committed to working in partnership with industry to develop and promote less polluting vehicles, as demonstrated by yesterday's announcement by my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, at the launch of the Foresight Vehicle LINK programme. The Government will continue to attach considerable importance to the potential contribution that European research and development can make to the development of cleaner vehicles as it discusses the make-up of the fifth framework programme with the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to investigate the speed with which cases are processed through the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal; and if he will make a statement. [14095]

My Department is working with the Presidents of the Tribunals to minimise delays in the procedures which are within their control. I understand that the West Midland Leasehold Valuation Tribunal typically issues decisions within a month of the hearing. My hon. Friend may, however, have in mind three cases relating to properties in Redditch which were heard in June. These are unusually important and sensitive cases on which the tribunal has found it necessary to deliberate at considerable length. It hopes to be able to issue its decisions later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which draft county structure plans the Government office for each region has (a) responded to and (b) commented on since 1 May. [14076]

Since 1 May 1977, formal interventions have been made by Government Offices on behalf of the Secretary of State in respect of the deposited County Durham structure plan (objection submitted by Government Office for the North East) and the Cornwall structure plan (withdrawal of direction not to adopt by the Government Office for the South West).In addition, comments have been submitted by Government Offices in respect of the reviews of the following structure plans:

	County
Government Office for the West Midlands	Shropshire
	Staffordshire
	Warwickshire
Government Office for the Eastern Region	Essex
Government Office for the South East	Oxfordshire

More generally, Government Offices maintain ongoing discussions with all structure planning authorities in their areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to legislate for the control of light pollution from domestic and commercial security lighting systems and general floodlighting systems. [14013]

The Government believe that any problems caused by such lighting are best dealt with by raising public awareness and by providing guidance on how these problems might be avoided.My Department, in conjunction with the Countryside Commission, has recently published a good practice guide, "Lighting in the Countryside", which provides advice to local authorities, developers, professionals and members of the public on the effects of lighting and how best to minimise its intrusiveness. Much of the advice it contains is equally applicable to urban areas.Other wider concerns about light pollution are being considered by my officials. Any decisions on action will be taken once their work is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has undertaken to assess how many bridges, owned by local authorities, will need strengthening in order to meet the requirements under directive 85/3/EC. [14194]

My Department regularly monitors progress made by local authorities in implementing the programme of bridge assessment and strengthening, initiated in 1987.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review planning policy guidance to facilitate increased job creation in the rural economy. [14177]

The Government's planning policy for rural areas is contained in Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG)7 which was revised in February 1997. This reaffirms that the guiding principle in the countryside should be that development should both benefit economic activity and maintain or enhance the environment.The revised PPG7 encourages business diversification and allows for greater discrimination in favour of re-use of rural buildings for business rather than for residential purposes.It also makes it clear that the range of industries which can be successfully located in rural areas, without causing unacceptable disturbance, is expanding. It advises local authorities to make provision for commercial development in their local plans, and gives greater encouragement to, and guidance on, development proposals for agricultural diversification.We have no plans to review PPG7.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many public appointments he has made since 1 May. [14244]

The Secretary of State has made the following appointments to non-departmental public bodies and nationalised industries sponsored by the Department since 1 May.

	Number
NDPBs:
Executive	42
Advisory	30
Tribunals	59
Nationalised Industries	2
Total	133

The Secretary of State also makes appointments to various small, mainly local, public bodies and other miscellaneous appointments. Details of these appointments are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list all (a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14381]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster yesterday, 5 November 1997, Official Report, column 216.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further legislative steps he plans in order to deal with radioactively contaminated land. [14360]

The Environment Act 1995 contained powers to establish regimes for both radioactively, and non-radioactively, contaminated land by secondary legislation. The Government are considering how best to apply the provisions of this Act, and we expect to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to require the obtaining of planning permission for the erection of all telephone and radio masts. [14012]

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants a general planning permission for certain telecommunications masts providing:

the mast is erected by a telecommunications code system operator licensed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984;

the mast does not exceed 15m in height;

the mast is not erected in a National Park, area of outstanding natural beauty, conservation area, or the Broads; and

the mast is not refused prior approval by the local planning authority within the period allowed under the Order. The authority must be given the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of the mast's siting and appearance. The authority may refuse approval if they consider there to be a serious threat to amenity.

A full application for planning permission is normally required for any mast which does not meet these criteria. There are no current plans to amend the regulations in this respect.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans she has to change the current guidance, in Policy Planning Guidance and the Town and Country Planning Acts, in respect of their presumption in favour of development. [14358]

Section 54A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requires a planning application to be determined in accordance with the adopted development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. As explained in PPG1, this establishes a presumption in favour of proposals that conform to the prevailing development plan, rather than a general presumption in favour of development. The Government have no plans to change this "plan-led" system. Any changes to Planning Policy Guidance or Minerals Planning Guidance will be announced in the normal way.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to include crime statistics as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications relating to change of use. [14176]

DoE Circular 5/94, "Planning Out Crime", advises that crime prevention is capable of being a material consideration when planning applications are considered. As with other material considerations, the weight that is given to it will depend on the individual circumstances of the case. Crime statistics may be useful in making this assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to amend the Planning Regulations so that public houses and hot food takeaway premises do not fall within the same use class; and if he will make a statement. [14014]

The Use Classes Order 1987 groups together various types of land use because, in planning terms, they have a similar impact on a neighbourhood. As public houses and hot food takeaway premises tend to raise the same land use issues, they are both included within Use Class A3, the Food and Drink Class. There are no plans to amend this class, although we keep the arrangements under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to remove permitted development rights and same category use rights from the privatised utilities and public bodies for buildings or land which formerly had the benefit of Crown immunity, but have subsequently ceased to be used in full or part for the original purpose, and to require the submission of planning applications for any changes of use which have been implemented or planned since privatisation. [14032]

We have no plans to remove permitted development rights or same Use Class rights from privatised utilities or public bodies. Last year my Department commissioned research to establish the extent to which statutory undertakers rely on permitted development rights and to consider whether any changes are needed. The research project is now complete and we are considering the findings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to change the licensing regulations for older motorists. [14203]

There are no plans at present to change the present arrangements. Those aged 70 and over may renew their driving licences for periods of up to three years subject to satisfying the health requirements. All drivers are under a statutory obligation to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of any relevant disability from which they suffer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the road schemes by each local authority which make up the existing commitments in the local transport settlement 1997–98, indicating for each (a) the total costs and (b) whether contracts have been entered into between local authorities and construction firms. [14195]

The schemes which are being supported in 1997–98 are listed in the table. Information on contracts could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

Authority	School name	Total cost £000
Bexley	A201 Erith-Thamesmead Spine Road (phase IV)	33,339
Enfield	A110 Nags Head Road/High Street Ponders End	4,857
Greenwich	A206 Woolwich Road/improvements	24,159
Harrow	A409 Wealdstone bypass	16,517
Harrow	A409 Sheepcote Road widening for two-way traffic	2,905
Hillingdon	A402 Uxbridge Town Centre improvements	2,281
Hounslow	A315 Hounslow Town Centre-Urban Relief Road	10,885
Kensington and Chelsea	A404 Harrow Road Junction/Ladbroke Grove Canal Bridge	9,171
Kingston	A240 North-South Strategy-A240 Corridor improvements	4,494
Newham	A 117 East Ham Town Centre Relief Road/pedestrianisation	13,864
Newham	A 11 Stratford Gyratory modifications	3,756
Westminster	A404 Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove widening	4,398
Manchester	A601 Intermediate Ring Road stage 2	44,072
Oldham	A62 A62/A627 Oldham Way improvements	5,850
Salford	A506 Trafford Road (The Quays-White City)	20,782
Trafford	A56 City Link/White City interchange	36,721
Trafford	A506 Trafford Road improvements	23,952
Knowsley	A530 Link Road M57 to A562	47,334
Sefton	A59 Aintree Park Lane improvements	3,300
Wirral	A502 Birkenhead Freeport route	4,687
Barnsley	A619 Dearne Towns link road	39,510
Doncaster	A630 Wheatley Hall road	8,608
Sheffield	A610 Outer Ring road (Darnall) stages II, Ill & IV	20,669
Newcastle upon Tyne	A608 West Central route	20,996
Birmingham	A512 Lichfield Road improvements phase 1	19,004
Birmingham	A47 Heartlands Spine Road Phase 3	26,004
Birmingham	A47 Heartlands Spine road phase 2	58,220
Birmingham	A34/A435 South Birmingham improvements phase 1	3,548
Coventry	A444 North-South road phase 1	22,586
Coventry	A444 North-South road phase 2	22,270
Dudley	A461 Dudley Southern bypass	55,000
Sandwell	A403 Churchbridge improvements Sandwell	3,840
Solihull	A45 West Midlands Renaissance Area improvements	18,528
Wolverhampton	A412 Wednesfield Bypass and Industrial Access	25,325
Leeds	Leeds inner ring road stages 6 and 7	78,821
Leeds	Leeds City Centre Loop phase 3	8,079
Wakefield	A628 Hemsworth bypass	10,161
Redcar and Cleveland	A174 Skelton and Brotton bypass	12,260
Stockton on Tees	A104 Portrack land dualling	7,791
Kingston upon Hull	A103 Ennerdale link road	30,487
North East Lincolnshire	A16 Grimsby Peakes parkway	25,048
York	B1228 Peasholme Green Bridge	4,728
Peterborough	A415 Werrington to Glinton phase 2	9,578
Buckinghamshire	A413 Wendover bypass	13,971
Buckinghamshire	A421 Tingewick bypass	12,802
Cheshire	A533 Davenham bypass	18,150
Cheshire	A534 Wheelock bypass	11,548
Cheshire	Chester park and ride phase 2	6,847
Cornwall	A39 Trispen bypass and A30 link	6,050
Cumbria	A595 Dalton in Furness to Askam in Furness improvements	4,618

Authority	School name	Total cost £000
Derbyshire	A6 London road diversion	14,595
Dorset	A37 improvements	8,869
East Sussex	A22 New route (Dittons to seaside)Eastbourne	27,866
Gloucestershire	A430 Gloucester south west bypass	22,290
Hampshire	A331 Blackwater valley route (centre section)	39,338
Hampshire	A325 Woolmer link road	2,803
Hertfordshire	Al21 Cheshunt link road	16,297
Kent	A299 Thanet way dualling Sections 1-7A)	184,605
Kent	A206 South Thames-side development route stage 1	20,850
Kent	A228 Hale street bypass	10,400
Kent	A256 Whitfield to Eastry/Whitfield bypass	37,700
Kent	A28 A20 Barracks link Ashford	3,950
Kent	A226 South Thames side development route stage 4	18,354
Kent	A289 Wainscott northern bypass	58,071
Lancashire	A6 South Ribble: M65 Interface improvements	12,727
Lincolnshire	A57 Lincoln: Ropewalk to Carholme road. improvements	11,090
Lincolnshire	A15/1 Market Deeping bypass	10,561
Northamptonshire	A605 Warmington bypass and Tansor improvements	4,810
Northumberland	A189 North Seaton duplication stage I	10,645
Nottinghamshire	A609 Awsworth and Cossall bypass	4,821
Nottinghamshire	A611 Mansfield eastern outer ring road (phase 2)	3,007
Nottinghamshire	A608 M1 to A611 improvement Annesley	5,099
Oxfordshire	B403 improvements between A421 Tingewick and A43	6,073
Somerset	A39 Wells Relief road	14,163
Somerset	A37 Yeovil to Dorset boundary phase 1	5,813
Staffordshire	A50 Uttoxeter town centre bypass phases I and II	17,224
Staffordshire	A527 Tunstall western bypass phases I and II	2,788
Surrey	A331 Blackwater valley route (Aldershot road-Lynchford road)	78,586
West Sussex	A230 Burgess Hill link road	6,032
Worcestershire	A44 Broadway bypass	8,405
Worcestershire	A422 Worcester Western bypass and link roads	13,770

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) new and (b) existing rural packages which have been submitted by local authorities in their Transport Policies and Programmes for 1998–99 and the amount bid for in each. [14193]

The packages which are targeted substantially on rural areas are:

Local authority	Package	1998–99 bid £000s
(a) New
Kent CC	Romney Marsh	375
Surrey CC	STAR2	502
West Sussex CC	SCRIPT Telematics Rural	240
Devon CC	Rural	220
Cumbria CC	Lake District	640
North Yorkshire CC	North York Moors	193
North Yorkshire CC	Yorkshire Dales	203
Suffolk CC	Rural	400
(b) Existing
East Sussex CC	Ashdown Forest	400

Local authority	Package	1998–99 bid £000s
Hampshire CC	New Forest	500
Cornwall CC	Falmouth	907
Devon CC	Dartmoor	329
Derbyshire CC	Hope/Derwent	322

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further steps will be taken to review flight paths and container safety standards in respect of the transport of mixed oxide fuel by air. [14285]

I am satisfied with current operational procedures which require that such flights should be made over water as far as possible, avoiding large conurbations.Container safety standards for the transport of radioactive material are kept under continuous review by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and made mandatory for air transport when incorporated into the International Civil Aviation Organization's

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to relax the current controls on local authorities re-investing their non-housing capital receipts. [14027]

The Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit Approvals) Act 1997, which has just come into force, will enable Ministers to take account of most receipts set aside by local authorities for debt repayment in determining amounts of supplementary credit approvals. The measure will allow the additional resources we have made available under our housing capital receipts initiative to be distributed to local authorities taking account of historically generated housing capital receipts, as well as need. The Government's immediate priority is for a housing initiative to get extra resources into tackling the backlog of housing need. We have no plans at present for a similar initiative for other services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to establish new (a) national parks and (b) marine nature reserves; and if he will make a statement. [13684]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: The designation of new National Parks in England is the responsibility of the Countryside Commission, subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State. The Countryside Commission proposes to bring together the results of current work on landscape designated areas next spring. Its report to Ministers will include advice on whether National Park status might be effective and appropriate for any areas where the landscape may be considered in need of greater protection.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the environmental protection measures in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996 are adhered to. [14554]

London and Continental Railways are contractually obliged to the Government to comply with the Environmental Minimum Requirements provided for under the Channel Tunnel Rail Link development agreement. These include a range of planning, environmental and heritage memoranda and agreements with local authorities and statutory environmental bodies, and the various undertakings and assurances given during the passage of the CTRL Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of designated footpaths and byways exist in England and Wales. [14613]

In 1994, the last survey of rights of way in England indicated that there were 82,025 miles of footpaths and 1,864 miles of byways open to all traffic recorded under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. A similar survey in Wales carried out in 1994–95 indicated that there were 19,441 miles of footpaths and 404 miles of byways.In addition, there were also estimated to be 18,021 miles of bridleways in England and 3,440 miles in Wales, and 3,107 miles of roads used as public paths in England and 1,485 miles in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to assist the re-establishment of ancient bridleways. [14179]

Local authorities are responsible for recording bridleways and ensuring that they are open and free from obstructions. They also have powers to create bridleways by agreement or order. With our statutory advisers, the Countryside Commission, we shall encourage authorities to make good use of their powers. As part of the Government's comprehensive spending review, we shall be considering the balance of expenditure between different recreational activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will receive deputations from local authorities in England to discuss this year's provisional local authority grant settlement. [14617]

I am keen to ensure that we hear the views of those authorities that have constructive points to make on the settlement, whether in writing, face to face or otherwise. I am currently looking into the possibility of using local video-conferencing facilities to meet with local authorities. This could save some local authority delegations from having to incur the expense and time that would be involved in travelling to London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines his Department issues to those handling tissue from the nervous system of cows infected with BSE; and if he will make a statement. [13805]

Occupational exposure to the agent BSE in nervous tissue may occur during work in research laboratories, post mortem rooms and during the slaughter and disposal of infected cattle. In view of the uncertainty about the risks from BSE, prudent and precautionary worker safety measures have been recommended since 1989. Guidance has been prepared on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP).Guidance from ACDP on the health and safety requirements for laboratory and post mortem workers was published in 1994. It recommends the use of special containment conditions, safety equipment and decontamination measures for all work with BSE. General ACDP guidance for other occupational groups was published in August 1996. It recommends the maintenance of high standards of occupational hygiene when working with cattle and new methods of working to avoid or minimise exposure to tissues of cattle that may carry the agent of BSE infectivity. Copies have been deposited in the House of Commons Library.Recent evidence on the link between BSE and the new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD) in humans means that BSE must now be considered a biological agent (human pathogen) within the meaning of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994. ACDP have advised that to date there is no evidence of occupational transmission of either BSE or CJD and that none of the cases of nvCJD has any obvious link with occupational exposure to BSE. ACDP consider that the existing published guidance on BSE continues to provide adequate control. The 1994 guidance is being revised and updated in any event and will be published early in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Franchising Director plans to publish his criteria for the appraisal of passenger railway services. [14616]

The Franchising Director has today published "Appraisal of Support for Passenger Rail Services—Planning Criteria: An Interim Guide", which sets out the basis on which he intends to appraise the costs and benefits of new passenger rail investment and changes in service levels. I have approved these criteria on an interim basis, and instructed the Franchising Director to keep them under review, revising the criteria as necessary in the light of the wider review of economic appraisal being undertaken as part of the Government's integrated transport strategy. Copies of the criteria have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy in the European Council to support those member states of the European Community which have banned genetically modified maize. [14558]

At the Article 21 Committee on 5 November, Austria requested that the vote on the Commission proposal to require Austria and Luxembourg to repeal their bans on GM maize be postponed. The United Kingdom delegation, among others, supported the Austrian request, and consideration of the Commission's proposal has been deferred until the next meeting of the Article 21 Committee, in about two months time. In the meantime it is expected that the Commission will endeavour to find compromise wording for the proposal and the Government will consider its position in the light of these developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to issue new objectives, instructions and guidance to the Rail Franchising Director. [14614]

I have today written to the Franchising Director, enclosing a new set of Objectives, Instructions and Guidance, issued to him under section 5 of the Railways Act 1993. Copies of my letter and of the Objectives, Instructions and Guidance have been laid before the House and also placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on coastguard provision in the Solent/Spithead area. [14684]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Coastguard agency, Mr. C. J. Harris, to write to the hon. Gentleman.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to improve the regulation of the rail industry. [14615]

I have today signed a voluntary Concordat with the independent Rail Regulator which provides a framework for better regulation of the railways. The Concordat includes a statement of the Government's objectives for the rail industry, the Rail Regulator's aims and objectives, and a framework for communication between Ministers, the Franchising Director and the Rail Regulator. Copies of the Concordat have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is to be the next Chief Inspector of Fire Services. [15140]

Mr. Graham Meldrum CBE, the Chief Fire Officer of the West Midlands Fire Service, will become Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services in succession to Sir Bryan Collins OBE, who retires on 31 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to alter the draft code of practice on intrusive surveillance to (a) ensure equal rights for tenants as for property owners and (b) include a definition of urgency; and if he will make a statement. [13710]

We have received more than 60 responses to the public consultation exercise on the draft code of practice. Both of the issues raised by the right hon. Member were raised by respondees and are receiving careful consideration, along with other matters raised during the consultation process. We will table a revised draft when that consideration has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to record the number of animals (a) bred and (b) killed purely for body parts and tissue use in UK laboratories; and if he will make a statement; [13800](2) what estimates he has made of the number of animals which have been

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulates the use of living animals in scientific procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department plans to publish the revised (a) "Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986" and (b) "Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Used in Scientific Procedures". [13643]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: Work has already commenced on updating the "Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986". The revisions will, in part, depend upon exactly how we implement a number of the planned changes to the operation of the Act, including those recommended by the Animal Procedures Committee in its interim report on the review of the Act. A firm publication date cannot therefore be given at this stage.Work on the "Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Used in Scientific Procedures" will follow the revision of the Guidance. This will allow us to ensure that any changes made take full account of changes being made in Europe. The Council of Europe is currently setting up working groups to review Appendix A of the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes, ETS 123. This Appendix sets out guidelines on the care and accommodation of laboratory animals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on funding the Home Office Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate in each of the last five years; what is the projected expenditure for each of the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [13638]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: In the last five years, (a) the pay budget and (b) the travel and subsistence budget for the Inspectorate have been as follows:

	(a)£	(b)£
1993–94	1,037,000	140,000
1994–95	1,031,000	102,000
1995–96	991,000	112,000
1996–97	1,047,000	129,000
1997–98	1,033,000	135,000

Budgets for 1998–99 and for 1999–2000 have not yet been finalised, but an increase to cover two or three new inspectors has been agreed.Accommodation and other running costs are funded jointly with the administrative unit which operates the licensing system. They cannot easily be separated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much has been spent by his Department on work to find alternatives to the use of animals in scientific procedures in each of the last five years; what is the projected expenditure for each of the next two years; and if he will make a statement; [13677](2) what assessment he has made of section 62 of the report of the Animal Procedures Committee for 1996; and if he will make a statement. [[13681]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: During the past five years, the budget made available to the Animal Procedures Committee to sponsor research to reduce, refine or replace animal experimentation has been as follows:

• 1993–94: £308,000
• 1994–95: £273,000
• 1995–96: £253,000
• 1996–97: £242,000
• 1997–98: £182,000.

Paragraph 62 of the Committee's annual report repeats the Committee's concern about the reduction in the 1996–97 budget and says that the Committee was

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) inspectors and (b) administrative staff are employed (i) full time and (ii) part time as part of the Home Office Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate. [13637]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: Since June, three new Inspectors have been appointed to restore the complement of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate to 18 full-time inspectors and one full-time personal secretary. We have secured additional funding from next year for another two or three inspectors.In addition, there are 11 full-time and six part-time administrative staff in a separate unit which operates the licensing system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the ban on the use of animals in the testing and development of weapons will come into force; and if he will make a statement. [13676]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: No animals are being used to develop weapons. Animals can be used, however, to test and develop means of protecting United Kingdom service men and women against terrorist and battlefield weapons and to improve treatments. I have no plans, at this time, to ban such use.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce compulsory training programmes for scientists and technicians killing animals by methods outlined in Schedule 1 to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [13640]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: We have accepted a recommendation made by the Animal Procedures Committee in its interim report on the review of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 that all those killing animals by Schedule 1 methods should be trained and competent to do so.We will be consulting the Institute of Biology, the Universities Group for the Accreditation of Training and other relevant bodies to develop a suitable training scheme. We then propose to add conditions to all Certificates of Designation to require establishments to maintain lists of all those who have been trained and are competent to kill animals by specified Schedule 1 methods.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to introduce compulsory training programme for certificate holders in respect of the specific responsibilities they hold under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; [13639](2) on what date he plans to meet certificate holders under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to discuss specific problems and best practice relating to the Act. [13641]

[holding answer 4 November 1997]: In their interim report on the review of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, the Committee recommended that

"training be developed to assist Certificate holders in carrying out the specific responsibilities they hold under the 1986 Act"

and that

"the Home Office arrange a meeting of certificate holders to consider specific problems and best practices".

We have accepted these recommendations.The Animal Procedures Committee had previously recommended that all new applicants for Certificates of Designation should attend module 1 of an accredited training programme. This has already been implemented. We will now be consulting with the Institute of Biology, the Universities Group for the Accreditation of Training and other relevant bodies to develop additional training for Certificate holders.No date has yet been set for a meeting of Certificate holders, but informal discussions have already been held with several Certificate holders at both Ministerial and official level.