To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 October, Official Report, column 721, on workplace injuries, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the increase in major injuries reported between 1995–96 and 1996–97 which is accounted for by the extension of the definition of major injuries in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. [14472]

Based on provisional figures for 1996–97 it is estimated that at least 45 per cent. of the increase in major injuries to employees, and all of the increase in major injuries to the self-employed reported to HSE and local authorities between 1995–96 and 1996–97 is accounted for by the extension of the definition of major injury in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. The remaining 55 per cent. of the increase in major injuries to employees could be due to extensions to the definition of injuries reportable under RIDDOR 1995. These cannot be separately identified since they are classified within general categories previously reportable as major injuries.Figures for 1997–98 will be available next summer. At that stage we will be able to make a better assessment of the effects of the changes brought by RIDDOR 1995. However, there is no room for complacency, any accidents at work are unacceptable and we have asked the Health and Safety Commission to analyse the statistics further and to try to identify the main influences.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 October, Official Report, columns 713–14, relating to bridge strengthening, how many bridges on the trunk road network have been strengthened to date; when he expects local authorities to complete their assessment of their bridge stock; and by what criteria and by whom decisions on which require strengthening will be made. [150331]

With regard to bridges on the trunk network, the position at 1 April 1997 was that 528 had been strengthened. Work on the strengthening programme continues and I shall write to my hon. Friend in due course providing an update on progress.The vast majority of local authority assessments will have been completed by 31 March 1999. However, it seems likely that a small number, on roads of less strategic importance, will remain to be assessed in 1999–2000. It is for local authorities to decide, in the light of local needs and circumstances, whether to strengthen individual bridges or to make use of alternative measures such as weight restrictions or traffic management.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to make an announcement on the widening of the M6. [15644]

The two schemes for widening the M6 between Junctions 11A and 19 are subject to consideration within the strategic trunk road review which my right hon. Friend announced in June. We expect to announce the outcome of the review next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the expenditure by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on official hospitality for (i) 1980–81, (ii) 1987–88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991–92, (v) 1992– 93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994–95, (viii) 1995–96, (ix) 1996–97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997.[15230]

[holding answer 11 November 1997]: Figures for years (i) and (ii) are not available. Figures for the Department and its Agencies, where these are available, for years (iii) to (x) are as listed. This information is not held centrally for Non-Departmental Public Bodies and the information could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.

£000
	Department	Agencies
(iii) 1990–91	92	14
(iv) 1991–92	131	27
(v) 1992–93	389	36
(vi) 1993–94	408	23
(vii) 1994–95	359	102
(viii) 1995–96	253	111
(ix) 1996– 97	318	130
(x) 1 May to 30 September 1997	115	44

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the new sites granted SSSI status by English Nature in each year since 1990. [15675]

An up-to-date list of sites notified since April 1991 (when English Nature was set up) has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce procedures to enable local planning authorities to extend the 28 day limit in their determination of prior approval for telecommunications developments; and if he will make a statement. [15662]

An application for prior approval determination in respect of telecommunications development provides the local planning authority with the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of its proposed siting and appearance. Currently we have no plans to extend the 28-day period allowed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the 28 day prior notification limit for telecommunications developments on (a) consultation with parish or town councils and councillors, (b) the opportunities for comment from local residents and (c) the opportunities to negotiate and amend proposed schemes; and if he will make a statement. [15663]

Where an application for prior approval determination is to be made, Appendix E to the Department' s Circular 9/95 emphasises the importance of discussions between the operator and the local planning authority to minimise any difficulties about the proposal and avoid delay in processing the application. It also encourages publicity for such proposals so that people likely to be affected can make their views known to the local planning authority. It is important that authorities make satisfactory arrangements to enable them to deal with these applications. The Department's Code of Best Practice on telecommunications prior approval procedures as applied to mast/tower development provides guidance on how local planning authorities and operators can co-operate to make it easier for prior approval applications to be dealt with effectively within the 28 day period allowed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce national guidance in respect of (a) the circumstances in which the public health impact of telecommunications developments should be a planning consideration and (b) the weight which should be given to public health issues by local planning authorities; and if he will make a statement. [15665]

Planning Policy Guidance note 1 advises local planning authorities that any consideration which relates to the use and development of land is, in principle, capable of being a planning consideration. The issue of whether, in any individual case, a particular matter is a material consideration will depend on the prevailing facts and circumstances. It is for the body determining the application (usually the local planning authority) to decide which are the material considerations applicable in the first instance. This is the planning position. Any organisation engaged in telecommunications development should comply with Health and Safety legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the findings of the Medical Research Council's Institute for Environment and Health's preliminary assessment of health risks associated with the domestic use of medium-density fibreboard. [16069]

The Medical Research Council's Institute for Environmental Health has not yet undertaken a formal assessment of the risks associated with the domestic use of medium-density fibreboard. Without wishing to prejudice the outcome of the assessment, the Institute has expressed the preliminary opinion that inhalation of dust from operations involving medium-density fibreboard is more likely to be an occupational rather than a domestic hazard. Although inhalation of any dust is to be avoided (especially very fine particles which can reach the deep lung) the Institute does not consider occasional "DIY" activities involving medium-density fibreboard to pose a particular risk. Good working practice when cutting or sanding medium-density fibreboard, would be to wear a suitable dust mask or where possible, perform this work out-of-doors. Like other types of particle board, medium-density fibreboard can give off formaldehyde gas (used in resin bonding) but only in exceptional cases is this likely to cause problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to encourage the use of (a) alternatives to medium-density fibreboard and (b) low or zero formaldehyde emission fibreboard in do-it-yourself home construction. [16065]

The Department does not consider medium-density fibreboard a risk to health to individuals involved in do-it-yourself activities. Therefore, the Department does not have a policy to encourage the use of alternatives.Like other types of particle board, medium-density fibreboard can give off formaldehyde gas (used in resin bonding) but only in exceptional cases is this likely to cause problems—such as acute sensory irritation. However, fibreboard with low or zero formaldehyde emissions is available on the market and my Department is encouraging its use in general advice to professionals and the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will (a) publish and (b) place in the Library on or before 17 November (i) a list of those individuals and organisations that have responded to the Green Paper on the future on London government and (ii) the evidence submitted by them. [15883]

[holding answer 13 November 1997]: By 1 December we will place in the House of Commons Library a list of individuals and organisations who responded to the Greater London Authority consultation exercise. We will place copies of the correspondence in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions main library, 2 Marsham Street, SW1P on the same day.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has received for the transfer of maps and records of the sewerage network from the relevant local authorities to the statutory undertakers; and what response he plans to make. [15632]

[holding answer 13 November 19971]: No such proposals have been received. Under section 199 of the Water Industry Act 1991 sewerage undertakers are required to keep records of the location and other relevant particulars of every sewer or disposal main vested in the company. Such records should include particulars shown on 31 August 1989 on sewer maps kept by local authorities under section 32 of the Public 32 of the Public Health Act 1936.Sewerage undertakers are not required to keep maps or records of sewers which have not been adopted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 1997 Official Report, column 54, if the results of the feasibility study to develop an economic model of the demand and need for social housing between 1996 and 2000 will allow for the unprotected expansion in the private rented sector since 1991. [16401]

The economic model of the demand and need for social housing developed by the feasibility study estimates the numbers of households in the private rented sector for England between 1991 and 2006. The model allows for an expansion of the private rented sector in the period 1991 to 1995 and the aim is to be able to model a range of scenarios for 1996 to 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the correlation between the level of waste collected per head of population by waste collection authorities and the size of dustbin available. [15708]

Figures provided by district councils in a new DETR/Welsh Office survey of municipal waste management suggest that weekly arisings per household are up to 3kg higher in areas where households are provided with wheeled bins than in areas provided with plastic sacks. However, a direct relationship between bin size and waste volume cannot be assumed, as there are other factors which can influence the amount of waste generated, for example the socioeconomic characteristics of households and the type of housing. Local authorities may take these factors into account in any decision to introduce wheeled bins in a particular area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to limit further the exemptions relating to the holding of information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992; [15705](2) if he will appoint an independent commissioner in respect of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992; [15702](3) if he will require privatised utilities to comply with requests for information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992; [15700](4) if he will make it his policy to create a list of relevant persons in respect of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992;[15701](5) what steps he plans to take to secure greater public access to information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992. [15703]

The Government are committed to a policy of greater openness, including improving public access to environmental information. A Freedom of Information Act is a key pledge in our manifesto. Issues relating to access to environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992, are now being carefully considered in the context of that wider legislation. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be publishing a White Paper shortly.We are determined that there should be no abuse of exemptions relating to the disclosure of information, and the nature of any exemptions is therefore being considered very carefully in the work on a Freedom of Information White Paper. Making any exemptions subject to a harm or public interest test is an option being considered.As to establishing an independent commissioner, the Freedom of Information White Paper will set out the Government's proposals for an independent appeals procedure on freedom of information issues generally, including environmental information. The establishment of an Information Commissioner is being considered.The option of listing bodies to ensure clarity about the coverage of freedom of information legislation, including the status of privatised utilities, is also being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the reduction in use of virgin resources. [15709]

Prudent use of natural resources is an integral part of the Government's approach to sustainable development. We are currently reviewing the previous Government's Sustainable Development Strategy and a consultation paper is planned for early next year.Areas which the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is currently pursuing include:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in relation to the damage caused to native (i) oak and (ii) ash trees arising from (a) air pollution and (b) climate change. [15685]

An annual survey of woodland tree condition in the UK is carried out on behalf of my Department. While there was evidence of decline in the health of woodland oak over the period 1989 to 1993, this trend has been reversed during the past four years. Previous analysis for this survey has indicated that air pollution, such as acid deposition and low level ozone, could account for only a small proportion of the observed changes in tree health. Other stresses, including climatic factors, such as drought stress, are thought to be of much greater significance. Ash, which grows on lime-rich soils, is not susceptible to damage from acid deposition.Other research and monitoring, commissioned by my Department into the health of non-woodland trees, however, does show that both native ash and oak have experienced damage in recent years, probably due to drought stress. It is too early to say whether recent warm, dry years are a part of a long-term climate change, but they give an indication of the kind of damage which could, in future, become more prevalent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the risks his Department considers for assessment purposes with respect to applications for the release of genetically modified organisms for (a) field-testing and (b) marketing. [16198]

The potential hazards and risks considered for field testing and marketing of genetically modified organisms are as follows: capacity to survive, establish and disseminate; potential for gene transfer; products of expression of inserted genes; phenotypic and genotypic stability; pathogenicity to other organisms; and, potential for any other effects including non-target effects. In accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment detailed information on the risk assessment has been published by the Department as DOE/ACRE Guidance Notes and these have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his Department's policy to differentiate between risk assessment and hazard assessment with respect to the interaction of genetically modified organisms with their environment. [16155]

An assessment of the potential hazards is an integral part of the risk assessment with respect to the interaction of genetically modified organisms with their environment. This approach to the risk assessment is in accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. Detailed guidance on the risk assessment has been published by the Department as DOE/ACRE Guidance Notes and placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what (a) risk and (b) hazard assessments have been (i) performed and (ii) evaluated by his Department with respect to genetically modified soya that has been treated with glyphosate-based herbicide. [16149]

The hazard and risk assessment performed by Monsanto Europe for their consent application to market soya beans genetically modified for tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicide has been evaluated by the Department and the statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. The application was then forwarded to other European Member States for evaluation and following their agreement, the Department granted a consent on 7 May 1996 for import, storage and processing of the genetically modified soya beans. The procedure followed to assess this application was in accordance with the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safeguards exist to prevent the horizontal gene transfer of patented genes from genetically modified crops to certified organic crops. [16151]

The frequency of horizontal transfer of any genes of genetically modified crops to certified organic crops is very low and no formal safeguards exist to prevent this occurring with respect to the release of genetically modified crops. Where gene transfer between compatible species (vertical transfer) is feasible, consent conditions (including isolation distances) can be imposed to minimise undesirable effects.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements exist to monitor the horizontal transfer of patented genes to wild species. [16153]

The frequency of horizontal transfer of any genes to wild species is very low and no formal arrangement exists to monitor this with respect to the release of genetically modified organisms.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the advisory bodies his Department would consult in advance of a decision to invoke Article 16 of Directive 90/220. [16200]

My Department would consult the statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include bungalows for elderly and disabled people with the right-to-buy scheme. [16483]

Disabled or elderly people are already able to buy bungalows under the right-to-buy scheme, unless the dwelling is sheltered accommodation which is specially built for people with disabilities, or let to elderly people and part of a group of dwellings with support services or facilities provided nearby. Under paragraph 11 of Schedule 5 to the Housing Act 1985, landlords may exclude from the right to buy non-sheltered bungalows if they were first let to elderly people before 1990 and are particularly suitable for such people; however, tenants who disagree with their landlords have a right to appeal to the Secretary of State against such decisions. Housing which has been adapted to make it suitable for disabled people is not excluded from the right to buy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to undertake a review of the Local Government Commission for England; and if he will make a statement. [16713]

We have today set up a finance, management and policy review of the Local Government Commission for England (LGC), as part of a programme of reviews of non-departmental public bodies.This review will be conducted in two stages. The first will be a "prior options" study focusing on whether the functions carried out by the LGC are needed and, if so, whether those functions are best undertaken by the LGC or some other body. Subject to the outcome of this first stage, the second stage will consist of a more detailed review of the LGC's structure, funding, financial management and methods of operation.I have appointed Robert Hazell, Director of the Constitution Unit in the School of Public Policy at University College London to undertake the prior options study. To oversee the review, I am establishing an Advisory Group, on which we are inviting representatives from the Local Government Association; Departmental officials and the Chairman and Chief Executive of the LGC will also serve on the Group.In carrying out the study it is intended that Mr. Hazell will consult with a wide range of interested parties and would welcome written representations from anyone who has views on the Commission and its work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the search and rescue co-ordination provided by Her Majesty's Coastguard. [16728]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the coastguard service; and if he will make a statement. [16176]

To improve still further the high level of service provided by Her Majesty's Coastguard I am able to announce today that I have endorsed a strategy for HM Coastguard which involves a substantial investment in new technology and which will take the Service into the next century. That investment will introduce operational flexibility which will increase the safety of those who use our sea and shores, and will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of an already highly proficient Service. The key to the strategy is the introduction of digital communications technology at Coastguard rescue centres and remote radio sites to replace aging equipment. Once the new technology is in place HMCG will be able to concentrate their operational expertise within fewer rescue co-ordination sub-centres by closing the rescue sub-centres at Oban and Pentland (Orkney) by the end of 1999, and Tyne-Tees and Liverpool by the end of 2000. Portland and Solent rescue sub-centres at present in unsuitable buildings will be bought together under the same roof by March 2002.By carefully planning the process we expect to be able to achieve the reduction of staff by a combination of natural wastage, early retirement and early severance. Staff and trade unions will be closely involved in the implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the total expenditure on official hospitality by his Department in the current session. [12583]

[pursuant to her reply, 4 November 1997, c. 138]: The correct figure for total expenditure is £103,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to review funding for the private education of diplomatic personnel provided by his Department; and what is the estimated cost of such funding in the current financial year. [15823]

An independent review of Diplomatic Service allowances was carried out last year by Sir Derek Hornby. The review confirmed the need for allowances to ensure continuity of education for many Diplomatic Service children. It also recommended some adjustments in the way the allowances are administered. Further detailed work is being carried out on these recommendations. The cost to this Department for the education of Diplomatic Service children worldwide during the current financial year is estimated to be £10.9 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese Government concerning the environmental impact of the damming of the Yangtse. [15732]

We have not raised the "Three Gorges" project with the Chinese.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the ownership of mineral rights around the Chagos Archipelago. [15829]

The mineral rights on the continental shelf around the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) are vested in the Crown. But the Territory and the mineral rights will be ceded to Mauritius when the Territory is no longer required for defence purposes. Meanwhile we have no intention of allowing mineral prospecting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has obtained about Camilla Can and Jon James; and what steps are being taken to ensure their will-being. [16036]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) on 10 November 1997, Official Report, column 389.There has been no news of Camilla Carr and Jon James for several weeks. We do not know who has taken them, or where they are held. Their employers, the Centre for Peacemaking and Community Development, and we are doing what we can, in the difficult conditions of Chechnya, to contact anyone who may be able to help secure the couple's safe release.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the Government of the People's Republic of China for the early release of the Tibetan nun Ngawang Sangdrol. [16050]

We are deeply concerned about many individuals detained in China, including Tibetans. We take every opportunity to raise with Chinese authorities our concerns about religious and political freedoms in Tibet. I last did this when I met the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister on 3 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the report by the United Nations Human Rights Committee's inquiry of 30 July into breaches of human rights in India. [15932]

Parties to the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights are obliged to report to the Human Rights Committee every five years. The inquiry to which my hon. Friend refers is the Committee's routine examination of India's latest periodic report. We welcome the Indian Government's constructive responses to the points of concern raised by the Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Budget on the United Kingdom film industry's capacity. [15444]

The introduction in the Budget of accelerated 100 per cent. write-off on film production and acquisition has been widely welcomed as an incentive to increase investment and hence capacity. The British Screen Advisory Council has estimated that the new tax relief will generate a 31 per cent. increase in investment in film production over the next three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of United Kingdom and co-produced films were (a) released nationally,(b) released in the West end and arthouses only and (c) unreleased in the last year for which figures are available. [15445]

In 1995, 23.1 per cent. of United Kingdom and co-production films were released nationally; 34. 6 per cent. were released in the West End and arthouses only; 42.3 per cent were unreleased.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans his Department has to encourage the wider distribution of a greater number of United Kingdom and co-produced films; [15446](2) what discussions his Department has had with the main film distributors in the United Kingdom to encourage a greater distribution of United Kingdom and co-produced films. [15447]

We have established an all industry working group, headed by myself and Mr. Stewart Till, President of International at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, with the aim of doubling the domestic market share for British films. The working group includes representatives from several of the main distributors in the UK and has also invited evidence from the distribution sector. The recommendations of the Film Review will be published early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if there are proposals to alter the extent or content of advertising in broadcast or non-broadcast media for any categories of products other than those contained in the forthcoming White Paper on Tobacco. [15625]

The Government have no such proposals. The Independent Television Commission and the Radio Authority produce detailed guidelines for broadcasters on the scheduling and content of broadcast advertisements. These are reviewed from time to time in consultation with Government and broadcasters, but no reviews are currently under way or planned. For non-broadcast advertisements, the advertising industry also produces a code of practice for advertisers which is administered by the Advertising Standards Authority. The industry is currently conducting a general review of the code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate for the expenditure by (a) his department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on overseas travel for (i) 1980 –81, (ii) 1987 –88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991 –92, (v) 1992 –93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994 –95, (viii) 1995 –96, (ix) 1996 –97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997; and if he will provide a breakdown to show (1) air fares and (2) other expenditure relating to overseas travel. [15207]

[holding answer 11 November 1997]: The available information on expenditure on overseas travel and subsistence is given in the following table:

£000
	1992–93 (actual)	1993–94 (actual)	1994–95 (actual)	1995–96 (actual)	1996–97 (actual)	1 May–30 September 1997
Department for Culture, Media and Sport	86	99	161	133	163	33
Historic Royal Palaces Agency	Nil	1	5	17	22	10
Royal Parks Agency	n/a	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil

A breakdown in the format requested and information on our non-departmental bodies is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. An estimate of the expenditure for the earlier years, prior to the establishment of my department in April 1992 and Royal Parks becoming an Agency in April 1993, is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the members of the creative industries task force. [16035]

The membership of the task force is as follows:

• Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Chairman) Minister and officials from:
• The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• The Department of Trade and Industry
• HM Treasury
• The Department for Education and Employment
• Department of Social Security
• The Scottish Office
• The Welsh Office
• The Northern Ireland Office
• The Minister without Portfolio
• HM Government's Chief Scientific Adviser.
• Officials from:
• The British Council
• The Office of Science and Technology
• No. 10 Policy Unit
• The Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Lord Puttnam
• Richard Branson
• Alan McGee
• Paul Smith
• Waheed Alli
• Gail Rebuck
• Eric Salama
• Janice Hughes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of the expenditure by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on official hospitality for (i) 1980–81 (ii) 1987–88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991–92, (v) 1992–93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994–95, (viii) 1995–96, (ix) 1996–97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997. [15206]

[holding answer 11 November 1997]:The avail able information is given in the following table:

£000
	1992–93 (actual)	1993–94 (actual)	1994–95 (actual)	1995–96 (actual)	1996–97 (actual)	1 May–30 September 1997
Department for Culture, Media and Sport	22	18	15	26	41	7
Historic Royal Palaces Agency	18	17	16	46	33	18
Royal Parks Agency	n/a	9	26	17	14	11

Information on our non-departmental bodies is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportion cost. An estimate of the expenditure for the earlier years, prior to the establishment of my department in April 1992 and Royal Parks becoming an Agency in April 1993, is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of the total expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95, (iii) 1995–96, (iv) 1996–97, (v) the 1997–98, year to date, (vi) the 1997–98, full year estimate and (vii) the 1998–99 planned expenditure. [15209]

[holding answer 11 November 1997]: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (formerly the Department of National Heritage) has incurred no expenditure on advertising over the past six years, except in respect of advertising for vacant posts.Figures for publicity expenditure over this period are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans his Department has (a) to ensure maximum commercial access to opportunities for digital broadcasting and (b) to prevent monopoly control of (i) critical technology and (ii) customer data. [15826]

The Government encourage commercial access to the opportunities for digital broadcasting via terrestrial, cable and satellite delivery by maintaining the lightest regulatory regime compatible with protecting the public interest and with the capacity constraints of each delivery platform. Those with proposals for digital television services may approach the digital terrestrial multiplex operators; companies holding cable franchises or operators of digital satellites. Authority to provide programme content on digital broadcasting services is via the appropriate programme service licences, which are available effectively on demand from the Independent Television Commission to any fit and proper applicant. Plurality of voice is underpinned by the requirement that no single person may control licences which together have more than 15 per cent. of the total television audience.General competition law provides powers to act against the abuse of monopoly position or anti-competitive behaviour. The new Competition Bill will introduce two prohibitions which will prove a highly effective deterrent against cartels and abuses of dominance. The provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1996; the Advanced Television Service Regulations 1996 and the Class Licence for the running of telecommunications systems for the provision of conditional access services granted on 7 January 1997 by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 collectively safeguard the use of critical technology and customer data.

To ask the Prime Minister which advertisements for Civil Service positions other than for departmental heads of information require applicants to be in sympathy with Ministers. [15731]

There is no question of appointments to the permanent Civil Service requiring applicants to be in sympathy with Ministers. The first Civil Service Commissioner in a recent letter to the press has emphasised that candidates for advertised posts are judged solely on their merits in the context of the job specification. Recruitment to the Civil Service follows the fundamental principle of selection on merit.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if sports and pastimes other than Formula One motor racing were invited to make a presentation relating to partial exclusion from a comprehensive tobacco sponsorship ban; [16112](2) what discussions he, other ministers or government advisers have had on tobacco sponsorship with representatives of international sports and pastimes other than Formula One motor racing. [16111]

My hon. Friend the Minister for Sport and officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Health have met with representatives from governing bodies of sports currently in receipt of tobacco sponsorship. These meetings were at the initiation of the Department and will help determine how we achieve an end to the advertising and promotion of tobacco at sports events while minimising any damage to the sports concerned. The Government are also engaged in discussions with their EU partners on these issues. In addition, the Government will publish a White Paper next year setting out their plans for a range of measures to tackle tobacco consumption.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 November 1997, Official Report, columns 898–99, if he will list those Ministers whose knowledge of the donation referred to by him gave rise to a possibility of a conflict of interest; and if he will list the meetings attended by those Ministers with the donor or his representatives. [16463]

No conflict of interest arose for any Minister.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he and his advisers or Ministers have met representatives of Formula One motor racing; [16109](2) how government meetings with representatives of Formula One motor racing were arranged; and who took the initiative in each case. [16110]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Mid Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 12 November 1997, Official Report, columns 898–99.

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 1 May the Civil Contingencies Committee has met; and what matters have been discussed. [15691]

[holding answer 3 November 1997]: It is not the practice to disclose details of proceedings of the Civil Contingencies Committee.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the membership of the Civil Contingencies Committee. [15692]

[holding answer 13 November 1997]: The composition of the Civil Contingencies Committee is as follows:

• Home Secretary (Chairman)
• Head of the Economic and Domestic Secretariat, Cabinet Office (Deputy Chairman)
• The Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary Representatives of:
• Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
• HM Treasury
• Home Office
• Department for Education and Employment
• Ministry of Defence
• Department of Health
• Department of Culture, Media and Sport
• Northern Ireland Office
• Welsh Office
• Office of Public Service.

To ask the Prime Minister if he requires lobbyists and people asking ministers directly to make decisions favouring particular interests to disclose (a) in private and (b) in public any substantial help, services or funding provided to the minister's political party. [16114]

Ministers are required to take decisions on the merits of each case, not on the basis of whether the people concerned have provided assistance or funding to their political party.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will incorporate in the rules for ministers a requirement for disclosure before September 1998 of knowledge by ministers of help, services or funding exceeding £5,000 provided before May 1997 to the minister's political party. [16113]

I have asked the Committee on Standards in Public Life—chaired by Sir Patrick Neill—to undertake a wide ranging review of party funding and make recommendations to the Government.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the President of Yemen. [16471]

President Saleh's visit was the first by a Yemeni president to the UK. We discussed a number of bilateral and regional issues on 11 November, including trade and economic co-operation, UK aid to Yemen, the situation in Iraq, and Yemen's application to join the Commonwealth. I welcomed President Saleh's recent political reforms, and thanked him for the Government of Yemen's help in securing the release of the British hostage who was kidnapped in Yemen last month.

To ask the Prime Minister which Department has lead responsibility for the Environment Agency. [16211]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions is the lead Minister responsible for the Environment Agency.

To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) of 30 October 1997, Official Report, column 861, on the interception of telephones of hon. Members, if the policy applies to other forms of electronic surveillance. [15728]

I can confirm that the policy described in my previous Answer applies in relation to the use of electronic surveillance by the Security Service as well as to telephone interception.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has made to the Investors Compensation Scheme in respect of its handling of compensation for Knight Williams and Co. clients. [15944]

Officials keep in touch with developments in the Knight Williams case but the handling of claims for compensation is a matter for the Investors Compensation Scheme itself.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his oral statement of 27 October, Official Report, columns 583–84, concerning the constitutional issues relating to European economic and monetary union, if he will list the issues; what published sources Ministers of the Crown assessed in reaching their conclusions; what consultations they had with constitutional lawyers concerning their assessment; and if he will place in the Library the written documents relating to that assessment. [15031]

As I said in my Statement to the House, joining the single currency would involve a pooling of national sovereignty in relation to aspects of economic and monetary union pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Treaty of Rome as amended by the Treaty of Maastricht. Provided this step was endorsed by Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 and had been endorsed by the people in a referendum, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I are satisfied that there is no overriding constitutional bar to participation by the United Kingdom in stage 3 of economic and monetary union.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to revise the Government's public expenditure plans for (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [13291]

[holding answer 6 November 1997]: New plans for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 will be announced following the conclusion of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many and what percentage of (i) male and (ii) female employees had total earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions; and what percentage of these were part-time workers in (a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) the most recent available figures; [155091

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

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that genetically modified foods are labelled as such. [15842]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 June 1997, Official Report, columns 356–57.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence his Department has evaluated with respect to (a) the effects of changes in the composition of diet and (b) the effects of genetic modification of food on the toxicity of pesticide residues in the human body; and if he will make a statement. [16203]

When applications for pesticide approvals are evaluated, or existing approvals are reviewed, food consumption patterns are routinely taken into account. This information is derived from the National Food Survey and other sources.No approvals have been granted for the use of any pesticide specifically on a genetically modified crop. Where the genetic modification would be expected to alter the way the crop metabolises the pesticide, the resultant risks would be assessed. This is most likely to be an issue with genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops and I am taking steps to ensure that such new uses of herbicides will require specific evaluation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has received from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes with respect to elevated oestrogen levels in genetically modified soya. [16202]

When the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes carried out its safety evaluation of the genetically modified soya produced by Monsanto—the only soya which it has evaluated to date—it found no differences in oestrogen levels compared with traditional soya.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated with respect to elevated oestrogen levels in genetically modified soya. [16197]

When the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes evaluated the safety of the genetically modified soya produced by Monsanto, it found no differences in oestrogen levels compared with traditional soya and there was therefore no reason to commission further research on this point.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has received from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes with respect to the bla gene in Ciba-Geigy's genetically modified maize line CG00526–176. [16199]

The report of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes on this genetically modified maize is contained in Appendix XII of its Annual Report for 1996, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that farm feed products are labelled so as to reveal their full contents. [15827]

Ingredient listing of compound feed, either by specific ingredient or by category, has been a requirement of EC legislation since 1991. Commission Directive 97/47/EC, which takes effect in the UK in the New Year, deletes the "Land Animal Products" category and requires any animal material still permitted in compound feed to be separately identified. The European Commission is now considering the complete removal of the category option, which would receive UK support.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's agriculture, fisheries and food priorities for the period of the United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union. [16348]

There is still some substantive agriculture, fisheries and food business to be completed under the Luxembourg Presidency. It would, therefore, be inappropriate to go into the detail of priorities for the UK Presidency at this time.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which European countries currently allow the use of unpasteurised milk in the production of dairy products of any type. [16378]

All members of the European Union allow the use of unpasteurised milk in the production of dairy products. This is permitted and closely controlled by the EC Milk and Milk Products Hygiene Directive.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his reasons for seeking to bring the English and Scottish policies into line on the use, consumption and production of unpasteurised milk. [16379]

Having studied the issues closely, the independent Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food has expressed concern about the microbiological quality of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking and has recommended that the sale of such milk be banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Consequently, I have initiated a public consultation on a proposal to ban the sale of raw cows' milk for drinking, which aligns with the policy in Scotland.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his scientists' 1997 assessment of the state of fish stocks which are subject to annual consideration in terms of total allowable catches and community quotas; and if he will list the changes in that assessment from the 1996 assessment. [16380]

The scientists of the Ministry's agency, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, monitor fish stocks in order to contribute to the annual assessments made by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The 1997 ICES' assessments are expected to be published shortly.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish his White Paper on the Food Standards Agency. [16386]

As soon as possible.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the compensation available to farmers of certified organic crops in the event of the spread of a patented gene to that crop by a process of horizontal gene transfer. [16150]

The issue of compensation for farmers of certified organic crops affected by actions on neighbouring farms is a civil matter to be pursued between those concerned.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the outcome of his consideration of the rates for Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance in 1998. [16377]

I expect to make an announcement within the next month.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his current estimate of the costs involved in moving his Ministry's offices from Whitehall Place to Nobel House. [16388]

The latest estimate of the costs involved in moving my offices, and those of officials, from Whitehall Place to Nobel House remains at £120,000.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish his conclusions on the quarantine law consultation exercise. [16381]

I have asked Professor Kennedy, Professor of Health Law, Ethics and Public Policy at University College, London to carry out an assessment of alternatives to quarantine and of the current policy of quarantine. The assessment will consider the risk of introduction of rabies into the United Kingdom, the practical aspects of enforcement and the costs and benefits involved. The assessment will take several months. I will publish Professor Kennedy's report, and will thereafter hold a full public consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions he has had with the Welsh Development Agency about the Government's policy on the sale and supply of military, security and police equipment to oppressive regimes; and if he will place the minutes of the meeting in the Library; [15750](2) what

Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have had any discussions with the Welsh Development Agency on this matter, but Welsh Office officials have written to the Agency to ensure that they are aware of the Government's policy announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary which requires defence exporters to take account of ethical considerations. A copy of that letter has been placed in the Library.

Expenditure by Welsh LEAs
	SSR (£k)	Admin (£k)	GSB (£k)	PSB (k)	ASB (k)	Pupil Number
1993–94
Clwyd	352	1,725	135,373	111,116	95,906	62,008
Dyfed	*	1,529	139,792	114,048	96,363	56,369
Gwent	555	1,734	169,795	140,482	119,164	72,445
Gwynedd	390	682	86,131	70,727	60,520	35,059
Mid Glamorgan	696	2,447	220,211	183,546	158,243	96,181
Powys	*	0	42,332	36,313	33,411	18,725
South Glamorgan	63	1,286	132,463	111,343	97,503	65,041
West Glamorgan	1,303	1,570	130,449	110,561	92,267	58,368
Wales Total	3,359	10,973	1,056,546	878,136	753,377	464,196
1994–95
Clwyd	359	1,262	145,458	118,145	99,312	62,878
Dyfed	*	1,301	148,092	120,145	101,431	56,889
Gwent	642	2,000	176,436	145,710	123,273	73,706
Gwynedd	400	695	90,206	74,613	65,455	35,533
Mid Glamorgan	696	554	234,886	192,712	169,859	97,166
Powys	352	54	52,609	39,326	35,161	19,112
South Glamorgan	57	1,232	146,848	120,456	105,131	65,544
West Glamorgan	1,962	1,552	145,961	119,690	103,545	58,848
Wales Total	4,468	8,650	1,140,496	930,797	803,167	469,676
1995–96
Clwyd	366	1,116	153,770	121,636	103,150	63,246
Dyfed	*	1,139	152,134	123,267	104,514	56,988
Gwent	1,031	1,711	244,161	198,025	174,638	74,416
Gwynedd	400	731	93,306	77,289	67,489	36,022

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce the new configuration of NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement. [ 16101]

Our plan is to consult formally on a new shape of trusts in Wales over the summer of 1998. I hope to be able to make an announcement early in October 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much extra money he has announced for the NHS since 2 May; and if he will make a statement. [16103]

I recently announced an additional £9,548 million for health authorities this year to alleviate pressures on emergency admissions and hospital waiting lists. This is in addition to the package of measures for primary care which I announced in the summer for which I have set aside £2.5 million and funding of £1.747 million to improve cancer services. We have also earmarked an additional £60.2 million for the NHS in 1988–99.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each local education authority in Wales for each of the three recent years (a) the actual expenditure on service strategy and regulation, (b) the actual expenditure within the general schools budget on education, management and administration, (c) the outturn expenditure within the general schools budget, (d) the outturn expenditure within the potential schools budget, (e) the outturn expenditure within the aggregate schools budget and (f) the number of pupils in the relevant year. [16095]

Information is available up to and including 1995–96. The details which relate to the former county councils are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what representations he has made about the projected incomes for 1997–98 for Welsh hill farms to other Government Ministers; and if he will make a statement; [16382](2) if he will make a statement on the reasons underlying his support for applying the 1996 levels of hill livestock compensatory allowance in 1998. [16383]

The Government are in the process of deciding the HLCA rates for 1998. My right hon. Friend and I met both Welsh farming unions recently and heard their concerns about hill farming in Wales. I share much of that concern, as I made clear in my speech in the House on 5 November.It is also important not to raise false expectations. The Government have indicated that they intend to live within public expenditure targets set by the previous Government. That Government provided an extra £60 million for HLCAs in 1997 only.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reference was made to (a) the Robson statistics on deprivation and (b) geographical rural isolation in the formulation of the capitation system of funding for health and social services boards. [15050]

The Robson statistics on deprivation are not suitable for use in the capitation system of funding health and social services boards as they do not enable finance to be allocated in proportion to the need for health and social care. This is because differences in Robson statistics are not proportionate to differences in deprivation. For example, an area with a Robson score twice that of another area may not necessarily be twice as deprived. In addition, Robson is not the most focused measure of health and social care need. It is a very broad measure of general deprivation, combining a large number of indicators from areas such as environment and education as well as health and social care.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list (a) her Department's policies and initiatives designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and (b) the departmental policies and initiatives designed to reduce other greenhouse gases; if she will estimate for each the annual reduction in tonnage of greenhouse gas emissions achieved in the most recent year for which figures are available compared with those for 1990; and what estimate she has made of further reductions, or increases, predicted for 2000 and 2010, assuming continuation of current policies. [15540]

I refer the hon. Member to the United Kingdom's Second Report under the UN Framework Convention in Climate Change which was published in February 1997. It reports the UK's progress in implementing its programme for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and gives a projection of what the programme is expected to deliver by 2000. The report projects forward what the current programme is expected to achieve to 2020.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those health authorities which have notified her Department of (a) reductions or increases in chiropody services in 1996–97 relative to 1995–96 and (b) planned reductions or increases in chiropody services in 1998–99. [15377]

Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts are not required to notify the Department of reductions or increases in particular services. It is for Boards and Trusts to assess the needs of their populations in respect of health and personal social services, including chiropody services, and to provide services accordingly in the light of available resources and local priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total numbers of (a) face to face contacts and (b) initial contacts, with chiropody and podiatry staff for (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1994–95. [15366]

The total number of contacts with Chiropody/Podiatry staff in Northern Ireland is shown in the following table. Information on initial contacts is not separately available.

Year	Total contacts
1994–95	262,350
1995–96	297,612
1996–97	312,684

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the guidelines that are issued and health needs assessments that health authorities undertake to ensure the availability of chiropody and podiatry services to meet the needs of their local populations. [15367]

It is a matter for Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts to carry out appropriate needs assessments of their local populations, including their need for chiropody services. In seeking to meet that need they have to take into account the total resources available to them, but Boards and Trusts have been asked to give priority to elderly people, those with disabilities, expectant mothers, schoolchildren and people with diabetes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the NHS expenditure on NHS chiropody and podiatry in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1994–95. [15376]

This information is not available in the exact form requested. The following table discloses expenditure on chiropody and podiatry by the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services Boards for 1994–95 and 1995–96. The expenditure on chiropody and podiatry for 1996–97 is not yet available.This information has been extracted from supplementary statements produced by HPSS Boards and HSS Trusts to provide further analysis of the expenditure

	Chiropody staff in Northern Ireland at September
	1994		1995		1996
	Headcount	WTE	Headcount	WTE	Headcount	WTE
Unit Senior Manager 11	1	1.00	1	1.00	0	0.00
Technical Instructor 3	0	0.00	1	1.00	1	1.00
Area Chiropodist Chf 2	2	2.00	1	1.00	1	1.00
Chief Chiropodist 2	3	3.00	3	3.00	2	2.00
Chief Chiropodist 3	10	10.000	12	12.00	8	7.93
Chief Chiropodist 4	3	3.00	6	6.00	5	5.00
Senior Chiropodist 1	32	30.06	29	26.08	28	24.61
Senior Chiropodist 2	87	76.69	95	84.23	98	86.41
Chiropodist	2	2.00	3	3.00	7	7.00
Foot Care Assistant	2	2.00	6	5.01	5	5.00
Total	142	129.75	157	142.32	155	139.95

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which schools teaching in the medium of the Irish language (a) are and (b) are not under the management of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. [15613]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the budget for each health authority or health board allocated for spending on chiropody and podiatry services in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1995–96. [15375]

Health and Social Services Boards' general allocations are not hypothecated and it is for individual Boards and general practitioner fundholders to use their funds to best meet the health needs of their local regulations. Spending on specific services can only be determined accurately in retrospect once a Board and Health and Social Security Trust accounts have been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the staffing and personnel figures by all NHS grades and whole-time equivalent staff for chiropody and podiatry for the years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1994–95. [15368]

The information requested is set out in the table.

No schools are managed by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. Eight grant-aided Irish-medium schools are managed by Boards of Governors and five registered independent Irish-medium schools are managed by their proprietors. In addition there is one Irish-medium unit in a maintained primary school.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to ensure that Irish-medium teacher training courses are not located in venues associated with only one religious denomination. [15614]

There are no plans to use other venues as the one grant-aided provider of Irish-medium teacher training for those intending to teach in Irish-medium schools is sufficient to meet needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the responses not submitted on the tear-off slips to the White Paper, "Excellence in schools", came from (a) representative organisations, (b) local education authorities, (c) LEA-maintained schools, (d) grant-maintained schools and (e) individuals. [16375]

We received over 8,000 responses to the White Paper of which some 3,500 were written responses to the full version. The remainder were a combination of tear-off slips and other forms of communication.Of the 3,500, 138 were from Local Education Authorities and about 600, 2,100 and 700 came from representative organisations, schools and individuals respectively. A breakdown between grant-maintained and LEA-maintained schools is not currently available.Most responses addressed issues from more than one chapter and many ranged beyond the specific questions posed. There was broad support for the contents of the White Paper.We continue to consider all the responses in detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many local education authorities, commenting on Chapter 7 of the White Paper "Excellence in schools", expressed (a) support for and (b) opposition to the proposed framework of community, aided and foundation schools; and in each case, how many (i) were and (ii) were not Labour controlled; [16053](2) how many responses to the White Paper, "Excellence in schools", expressed

[holding answer 14 November 1997]: The White Paper "Excellence in schools", published in July, has received widespread support from national organisations, LEAs, schools and others. Some 140 local education authorities have commented on Chapter 7 and/or the Technical Consultation Paper on the new framework for schools. Of these, around 30 per cent. either expressed support for the basic framework of community, foundation and aided schools or took it as their starting point, of which around half are Labour-controlled authorities. Some 70 per cent. of LEAs raised concerns about the foundation school category, of which some two thirds are Labour-controlled authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will assess the benefits of establishing an Arts Education Task Force. [15186]

We recognise the benefits that a good aesthetic education can bring to any child's learning and believe all children should be given opportunities to experience the arts as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. However, we are working closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to make sure that the benefits that Arts can bring to education are recognised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate how many and what proportion of the total number of students studying in higher education expect their post-18 education to last (a) one year, (b) two years, (c) three years, (d) four years, (e) five years, (f) six years, (g) seven years and (h) more than eight years. [16431]

The available information, which shows the expected course length of students currently enrolled on higher education courses, is given in the following table. The information covers the current course of students only; it does not cover previous or future courses which students have undertaken or intend to undertake.

Home and overseas higher educations students in higher education institutions in the UK
1996–97
	Postgraduates		Undergraduates
Expected length of course	Numbers	Percentage1	Numbers	Percentage1
Full-time
1 year or less	76,892	56.8	27,552	2.9
More than 1 year, up to 2 years	20,717	15.3	54,625	5.7
More than 2 years, up to 3 years	29,022	21.4	544,290	56.4
More than 3 years, up to 4 years	6,039	4.5	301,862	31.3
More than 4 years, up to 5 years	1,371	1.0	33,578	3.5
More than 5 years, up to 6 years	421	0.3	2,927	0.3
More than six years	995	0.7	73	0.0
Unknown2	2,766	—	22,840	—
Total	138,223	—	987,747	—
Part-time
1 year or less	39,303	22.5	43,657	24.0
More than 1 year, up to 2 years	60,151	34.5	41,784	23.0
More than 2 years, up to 3 years	40,830	23.4	25,802	14.2
More than 3 years, up to 4 years	13,320	7.6	20,869	11.5
More than 4 years, up to 5 years	11,295	6.5	29,656	16.3