To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the consultation procedures for the inter-departmental review of asylum; which organisations have been invited to comment; and which organisations or individuals have made submissions. [17418]

When the Comprehensive Review of asylum was announced, those interested were invited to comment direct to the Study Team. The following individuals and organisations have made submissions:

• London Borough of Merton
• Westminster City Council
• The Progressive League
• The Central London Interfaith Refugee Network
• Praxis
• Michael Symth Esq.
• The Churches Commission for Racial Justice
• The Housing Associations Charitable Trust
• Hackney Community Law center
• UNLEASH (Church Action on Homelessness in London)
• The Disability Alliance
• Newham Council Anti-Poverty and Welfare Rights Unit
• The London Advice Services Alliance
• The Hackney Refugee Training Consortium
• Turkish Speaking People's Culture center
• The Independent Immigration Support Agency
• The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Housing and Social Services Department.

In addition, the Team has held discussions with:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future ownership of the National Stud. [18141]

The National Stud is the responsibility of the Horserace Betting Levy Board. There are no current plans to change its ownership.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the advantages of instigating a publicity campaign to raise public awareness of the benefits of installing smoke alarms in homes. [18483]

I am well aware that publicity campaigns offer the potential for achieving wider installation of smoke alarms in homes. The Community Fire Safety Task Force have recently reported with a strategy and recommendations to secure significant reductions in the number of fires, deaths and casualties in homes. We are consulting widely on their proposals and will assess carefully the responses we receive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of illegal immigrants who have been smuggled into Britain by criminal gangs in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [18819]

No reliable estimate can be made of the number of illegal immigrants smuggled into Britain by criminal gangs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the allocations of police grant for individual police authorities in 1998–99. [19097]

I have today put a copy of my proposals for the allocation of police grant for 1998–99 in the Library. I intend to implement these proposals subject to consideration of any representations I receive about them.The police service has indicated its support in principle for the continued distribution of police grant in accordance with a needs-based formula, and I am therefore proposing to continue to allocate the greater part of police grant according to the police funding formula.I am however proposing several changes to the formula to reflect the latest data now available, and in response to the representations I have received. The principle changes I propose are: to reduce from 30 per cent. to 20 per cent. the share of funding allocated on the basis of forces' past establishments: and to increase from 12.9 per cent. to 13.2 per cent. the proportion of funding allocated on the basis of forces' pensions commitments.I have also set the amount of the special payment to the Metropolitan Police, in recognition of its national and capital city functions, at £151 million in 1998–99.An additional £40 million of police grant has been made available in 1998–99. This allocation is to ensure that police authorities and the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District have funds available which would allow them to increase spending on meeting the key objectives for the police in 1998–99 over and above that available through the principal formula.Other police funding proposals within the local government finance system are being announced today by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and for Wales. These proposals and mine would increase the total spending power of police authorities in England and Wales by 3.7 per cent. or around £258 million over 1997–98.The table below shows, by police authority, the effect of my proposals for 1998–99. It also shows the allocations approved by Parliament for 1997–98.

£ million
	1997–98	1998–99
Police Authority	1funding	1funding
English Shire forces
Avon and Somerset	158.7	164.2
Bedfordshire	58.9	60.9
Cambridgeshire	68.2	72.0
Cheshire	101.1	104.7
Cleveland	75.2	80.4
Cumbria	58.6	59.0
Derbyshire	95.3	97.7
Devon and Cornwall	158.6	167.5
Dorset	66.6	67.8
Durham	73.3	78.1
Essex	155.9	158.4
Gloucestershire	60.1	61.5
Hampshire	180.0	189.2
Hertfordshire	92.4	94.1
Humberside	105.9	110.6
Kent	168.5	179.0
Lancashire	167.7	175.0
Leicestershire	97.3	99.1
Lincolnshire	61.5	60.7
Norfolk	78.1	80.9
North Yorkshire	71.9	75.7
Northamptonshire	60.0	62.9
Nottinghamshire	119.3	123.0
Staffordshire	111.8	111.1
Suffolk	63.4	66.0
Surrey	91.8	84.2
Sussex	155.2	162.6
Thames Valley	208.2	219.3
Warwickshire	50.6	51.1
West Mercia	106.3	110.0
Wiltshire	62.2	63.4
English Metropolitan forces
Greater Manchester	351.2	364.9
Merseyside	227.3	233.3
Northumbria	193.4	205.4
South Yorkshire	158.8	165.4
West Midlands	353.4	372.0
West Yorkshire	267.5	279.6
London forces
Metropolitan Police2	1,688.0	1,715.6
City of London3	61.6	57.1
English Total	6,483.9	6,683.4

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the advice he received from the Task Force on Youth Justice and the responses to his consultation papers on youth justice. [19126]

Yes. Copies of the two reports submitted by the Task Force on Youth Justice, in August and October, have been placed in the Library.Several hundred responses have been received to my consultation paper on youth justice and these are currently being assessed. We will provide Parliament with a report as soon as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by regions defined by the boundaries of the regional government offices, the lowest hourly rate paid by his Department to (a) full-time employees, (b) part-time employees, (c) persons employed under personal contract and (d) persons employed by firms undertaking contracted-out services for central government offices, defining the job title in each case. [18113]

Information in respect of (a), (b) and (c) is given in the attached table and covers the Home Office and its agencies. Information in respect of (d) is not available; figures could be provided only if all our contractors were prepared to waive commercial confidentiality considerations so as to allow disclosure.

Region	Category	Job title	Hourly rate
London	(a)	Administrative Assistant	4.61
	(b)	Administrative Assistant	4.61
	(c)	Administrative Assistant	4.61
East Midlands	(a)	Administrative Assistant	3.84
	(b)	Administrative Assistant	3.84
	(c)	Administrative Assistant	3.84

To ask the Prime Minister what steps were taken by Cabinet Office staff to establish the state

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 13 November 1977, Official Report, column 654, if he will provide a further breakdown, by grade, of the ethnic origin and gender of employees in the Immigration and Nationalities Department. [18627]

Details of the ethnic origin of Immigration and Nationality Directorate staff by gender and grade are set out in the following table. In some cases, grades have been amalgamated in order to avoid disclosure of individual ethnic origin.The breakdown refers to staff figures as at 28 November 1997. These differ slightly from the figure provided in my answer to my hon. Friend's question on 13 November 1997,

The Cabinet Office staff have always taken excellent care of Humphrey the cat. He was taken to a Veterinary Clinic at least every six months for the last five years where his kidney complaint was treated and his inoculations were kept up to date. His last visit was on 6 August 1997.In the weeks prior to his retirement from the Cabinet Office, the staff who looked after him were concerned about his loss of appetite and the general deterioration in his condition.Since retiring to a home environment it is reported that he has responded very well and put on weight.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations of the successful outline bids for round 4 SRBs, indicating the names and political control of those local authorities concerned; and if he will make a statement. [17311]

Bids for round 4 of the SRB Challenge Fund are not defined at the outline stage as successful or unsuccessful. I have placed a table which contains details of all 371 outline bids received by Government Offices for the Regions in the House Libraries.Government Offices for the Regions currently are considering outline bids, to determine the extent to which these meet the objectives and criteria for the Challenge Fund and merit working up into final bids.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authorities submitted bids for each round of (a) the Single Regeneration Budget and (b) Capital Challenge; and how many were successful in each round. [18740]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the costs incurred by local authorities in preparing and submitting bids in each round of (a) the Single Regeneration Budget and (b) Capital Challenge. [18739]

For the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund, my Department commissioned the Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge to evaluate rounds 1 and 2. An interim report explored the level of resources committed by ten local partnerships, including those with local authority partners, which submitted unsuccessful bids. The average time committed by each partnership to the bidding process was 16 weeks, at a cost of £10,000.None of the unsuccessful bidders regarded the bidding process as a waste of resources, nor did they regard it as more costly than preparing proposals under other funding regimes. The benefits of the bidding process were recognised, particularly in improving inter-agency partnership working.For Capital Challenge, the Local Government Research Programme Report "Evaluation of the Experience of Authorities during the Capital Challenge Pilot Scheme Bidding Round" estimated that the average value of resources used in the preparation of bids was £14,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which organisations he has met in the last six months to discuss the future of (a) London Underground and (b) the Piccadilly Line; and if he will make a statement. [17527]

My colleagues and I have discussed the future of the Underground with a number of organisations, including London Transport, representatives of Transport Unions, and organisations representing business and other interests in London. No meetings have been held specifically on the future of the Piccadilly Line.We are urgently considering a range of options for public—private partnerships to improve the Underground.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library responses to his consultation paper on RDAs. [17890]

In accordance with guidelines on deposited papers issued to Government Departments by the House of Commons Library, I placed in the Library on 18 November a list of the responses to the Department's Issues Paper on Regional Development Agencies. The guidelines say that, for reasons of space, consultation paper responses should not be deposited in the Library. Consistent with the guidelines, copies of the responses to the RDAs consultation paper are deposited in the Department's library, and can be made available to Members there.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will seek to amend section 77(3)(b) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 so as to make it a criminal offence for travellers having been evicted to return to any land in the same district within three months; [18214](2) if he will seek to amend the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to enable agents acting for local authorities to confiscate property belonging to travellers subject to eviction orders as compensation for damage done to public land and legal costs incurred in securing evictions. [18215]

We have no plans to amend the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in the way that the hon. Gentleman suggests.The 1994 Act already makes it a criminal offence for unauthorised campers who have been directed to leave land, to return to the same land with a vehicle within three months of the date of the direction. We do not think it would be reasonable to make the whole of a local authority's area out of bounds to campers, because they have been evicted from one site in that area. The stronger the powers, the more difficult it would be for a local authority to persuade the courts that it was acting reasonably in seeking an eviction order.Consultation preceding the introduction of the 1994 Act powers revealed a majority of respondents, including local authorities, opposed to local authority powers to seize vehicles belonging to unauthorised campers. This was thought to be unreasonable and impracticable, and the proposal was dropped.The Government considers that the 1994 Act powers strike a reasonable balance between the need to control what can be a public nuisance and the rights of the campers concerned, in line with the European Convention on Human Rights. We have commissioned research to look at how local authorities deal with unauthorised camping in their areas, and will be issuing good practice advice based on that research in Spring next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on which dates since 1 May was (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials met representatives of the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development to discuss increasing the Government's target of new residential development to be built on previously used land. [18319]

Neither Ministers nor officials have met representatives of the UK Round Table specifically to discuss the Government's target of new residential development to be built on previously used land. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment has, however, had general discussions with the Chairman about Round Table recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of new homes provided in each year since 1981 through (a) urban infill and (b) house conversions. [18302]

Estimates of the number of dwellings provided through conversions are shown below.

Net gain in dwellings from conversions and changes of use
England
Thousands of dwellings
1981	14.6
1982	17.6
1983	16.2
1984	17.3
1985	16.6
1986	17.1
1987	17.3
1988	14.8
1989	14.6
1990	12.4
1991	13.1
1992	10.1
1993	7.7
1994	9.3
1995	9.2
1996	8.9

Estimates of number dwellings through urban infill are currently not available, but should be available soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what in each of the last three years for which information is available, was the proportion in each region of the amount of new residential development built on previously used land; and what (a) meetings he has had and (b) other actions he has taken in respect of these regions where the proportion was under 50 per cent. [18321]

The table below shows the percentage of new residential development that is on land previously developed for urban uses, by Government Office Region, for the latest three years for which reliable estimates can be made.The Government has held a number of meetings at which the issue of land recycling and other household growth matters have been discussed. The Government has also made it clear that, in making their housing land allocations, local authorities should make the best possible use of previously used sites for new housing. This applies in particular to those authorities who are achieving low levels of land recycling. The Government is considering these and other issues, taking into account the public consultation earlier this year, and will announce decisions in due course.

Per cent.
Government Office Region	1991	1992	1993 (provisional)
North East	43	46	40
North West and Merseyside	49	56	59
North West	49	54	55
Merseyside	48	65	76
Yorkshire and the Humber	38	42	48
East Midlands	33	34	33
West Midlands	44	46	49
Eastern	41	46	49

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the seminars which his Department (a) has held since 1 May and (b) plans to hold to debate the issues raised in the Green Paper "Household Growth: Where Shall We Live" (Cm 3471). [18318]

No public seminars have been held by the Government specifically on this subject since 1 May, nor do we have any current plans to hold such seminars in the near future. Officials attend independently arranged seminars on this subject as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many appeals his Department has received in each year since 1988 involving the refusal of planning consent for the conversion of redundant farm buildings into (a) houses and (b) other uses; when the Department last issued new guidance on this subject; and what plans he has to issue revised guidance. [18301]

The following information has been provided by the Planning Inspectorate. Information is not available for the period before 1990. The data do not reveal whether the appeals related to redundant farm buildings. The number of unsuccessful appeals against refusal of planning permission for conversion of farm buildings to residential use was as follows:

Number
1 January to 31 December
1990	523
1991	419
1992	298
1993	194
1994	198
1995	196
1996	188
1 January to 1 November
1997	88

In 1990 there were 3 unsuccessful appeals against refusal of planning permission for conversion of farm buildings to industrial use. There have been none since.

The Government's guidance on the conversion of redundant farm buildings is contained in Planning Policy Guidance note 7 "The Countryside—Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development", which was revised in February 1997. This allows greater discrimination than formerly in favour of re-use for business rather than residential use. There are at present no plans to issue revised guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the report "Options for the Future Development of Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance", prepared for him and the President of the Board of Trade OXERA Consultants. [18271]

I have placed a copy of the report in the Library. The analysis of options provided by the report will be taking into account in the Government's consideration of future regulation of the energy industry and of the achievement of energy efficiency climate change targets. There will be consultation on both issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will empower the Health and Safety Executive to examine with the permission of the patient the medical records of any person who suffers accidental exposure to organophosphates and other chemicals which results in admission to hospital or consultation with a doctor. [18162]

HSE may already examine medical records when it investigates reports of ill-health because of exposure to chemicals if the sufferer gives permission, except in special cases where the doctor judges that disclosure would itself put the patient at risk. Reported incidents of ill-health resulting from exposure to pesticides, veterinary and human medicines (including organophosphates) are assessed by expert panels who routinely examine medical records on this basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage tree planting and the conservation of mature trees in urban areas to reduce storm water run-off. [18479]

My Department encourages local authorities to develop long term strategies to guide the planting, maintenance, conservation and replacement of all trees in their area. Such strategies should contain an appraisal of how trees might contribute to the local environment, taking account of local circumstances and conditions. This might include their role in reducing storm water run-off.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the duty to fence off railway lines with a view to requiring Railtrack plc to prevent trespass on railway lines. [18372]

Following a recommendation by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), a review of railway safety legislation was completed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 1996. As a result, the Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1997, which came into force on 10 May, place a new duty on Railtrack to take reasonably practicable measures to prevent unauthorised access by trespassers. Guidance on these Regulations, issued by the HSE, gives advice on the type of fencing or other physical barriers that should be provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the legal responsibilities of water and sewerage companies in respect of the control of rats. [18501]

There is no specific duty on water and sewerage undertakers in relation to the control of rats in sewers. However, all sewerage undertakers have programmes to control and reduce the number of rats in their systems. This includes the use of baits in pumping stations and air vents to stop rats entering the system and within sewers. In addition, I understand that the water industry will be undertaking some research into the issue of rats in sewers early next year. Finally, under Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities have a duty to inspect their area for statutory nuisances such as

"any premises in such a state as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance."

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were living in bed and breakfast accommodation in each of the London boroughs on 1 November. [18582]

Information is published on households accommodated under statutory homelessness provisions in a quarterly Information Bulletin, "Statistics of local authority activities under the homelessness legislation: England". The Bulletin includes a table on homeless households temporarily accommodated and this identifies those in bed and breakfast accommodation.Copies of the Bulletin are in the Library and the latest provides statistics for the second quarter of 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, by regions defined by the boundaries of the regional government offices, the lowest hourly rate paid by his Department to (a) full-time employees, (b) part-time employees, (c) persons employed under personal contract and (d) persons employed by firms undertaking contracted-out services for central government offices, defining the job title in each case. [18115]

In London, the lowest rate paid by the Department to full-time employees is £4.39 an hour. £3.17 per hour is the lowest hourly rate paid in the English regions, by a Departmental Agency.Part-time and full-time staff are paid the same hourly rates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list (1) for each class of authority and (2) for each individual local authority and Police authority in England (a) 1998–99 standard spending assessments in total and by major service block, (b) changes in standard spending assessments in total and by major service block, between 1997–98 and 1998–99, expressed in (i) monetary and (ii) percentage terms, (c) changes in standard spending assessments in total and by major service block, between 1997–98 and 1998–99, expressed (i) in monetary and (ii) percentage terms and adjusted to take account of changes in local authority functions and responsibilities (d) resident population, (e) tax base, (f) standard spending assessment, (g) standard tax income, (h) business rate income,(i) revenue support grant, (j) standard spending assessment reduction grant and (k) total external support, for 1998–99; [18632](2) what is the

This information will be available in the Library following my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Region statement on local government finance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the basis of his calculations of the distributable amount of non-domestic rates for 1998–99. [18804]

The distributable amount of non-domestic rates in England for 1998–99 will be £12,524 million. This is based on a non-domestic rate multiplier of 0.474 and includes an allowance of £360 million for an Exchequer payment to the non-domestic rates pool, to compensate for the shortfall which would otherwise occur as a result of the regulations under section 58 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to phase in the effects of the 1995 revaluation on rate bills.

National non-domestic rates—Calculation of distributable amount
£ million
	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
	final outturn	provisional outturn	provisional outturn	estimated in-year contribution
1. Income from local lists
Multiplier (p)	43.2	44.9	45.8	47.4
Gross rate yield	12,781	13,369	13,518	13,843
(i) Reliefs
(a) Net transitional relief	-731	-546	-497	-616
(b) Empty properties	-1,054	-1,014	-1,098	-1,137
(c) Charitable	-445	-482	-535	-535
(d) Discretionary	-26	-77	-181	-50
Net yield after reliefs	10,524	11,251	11,207	11,504
(ii) Collection costs/reductions to contributions
(a) Costs of collection	-75	-76	-79	-79
(b) Losses on collection	-144	-148	-154	-160
c) City of London offset	-7	-7	-7	-7
Total contribution in respect of year	10,299	11,020	10,968	11,259
(iii) Adjustments
Repayments/interest payments	-1,005	-363	-350	-426
Total adjustments	-1,005	-363	-350	-426
Net local yield	9,294	10,657	10,618	10,833
2. Income from central list
Net central list yield	1,192	1,221	1,200	1,211
3. Income from crown contributions in aid
Net crown yield	481	487	485	445
Total NDR yield	10,967	12,365	12,303	12,489
4. Exchequer contributions
Total exchequer contributions	505	429	400	360
Total NNDR pool payments (1+2+3+4)	11,472	12,794	12,703	12,849
5. Adjustments
Surplus brought forward	-1,177	-1,059	-1,002	-326
Combined total	10,295	11,734	11,701	12,524
Distributable amount	11,354	12,736	12,027	12,524
Surplus carried forward	-1,059	-1,002	-326	—

The amounts shown are those recorded in the post end-year (NNDR3) returns. For 1997–98 the amounts shown are the estimated outturn for the year based mainly upon authorities' provisional contributions to the non-domestic rating pool.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to ratify the European Charter on Local Self-Government. [18865]

Subject to the views of this House and those of Another Place, the Government intends to ratify the European Charter on Local Self-Government as soon as practicable in the new year.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research he has undertaken to discover (a) the number of people, who since their introduction, wanted to pursue civil claims on a conditional fee arrangement but whose cases were not accepted by solicitors and (b) the reasons for which those cases were not accepted by solicitors. [18733]

None. Lawyers decline to accept cases from clients for many reasons whether the client wishes to fund these through conditional fee agreements or otherwise.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research he has undertaken to discover the suitability of conditional fee arrangements in (a) medical negligence, (b) breach of contract, (c) professional negligence, (d) defamation and malicious falsehood and (e) false imprisonment and malicious prosecution cases; and if he will publish it. [18732]

None. The suitability of conditional fee arrangements in any given case must be a matter for the client and their lawyers. Our proposals to extend the availability of conditional fee agreements simply widen the options available to lawyers and their clients and thus increase the ways in which people can obtain access, to justice, even when they are unable to bear the costs of lawyers' fees but do not qualify for legal aid.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of the damages awarded to plaintiffs in cases brought under a conditional fee arrangement were paid to (a) solicitors and (b) barristers as success fees in each year since their introduction. [18734]

The information the hon. and learned Member seeks is not available. No arrangements were put in place by the hon. and learned Member's party when in Government to monitor this, which is, in fairness, dependent on the private contractual arrangements clients make with their lawyers. The PSI research did, however, show that in 97 per cent. of the agreements under study the solicitors had applied the voluntary cap of 25 per cent. of damages on their success fee.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research he has undertaken into the public's attitude to conditional fee arrangements; and if he will publish it. [18735]

Over 28,000 cases in just over two years and new agreements being made at a rate of 1,500 a month appear to me substantial proof that the public have welcomed conditional fees and have made considerable use of them.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of insurance available (a) between 1995 and 1997 inclusive and (b) from 1 April 1998 to cover plaintiffs' liabilities for (i) their own costs and disbursements and (ii) defendants' costs and disbursements. [18736]

There are a considerable number of legal expenses insurance products available to protect against one's own costs of going to law. Many people have them added to their household or motor car insurance policies at very modest cost. I have no reason to believe these are likely to reduce from 1 April 1998. There clearly has been sufficient availability of insurance to allow over 28,000 claims to be brought in a little over two years. New products are still being launched. I see no reason why other insurance products should not become available on or after 1 April 1998.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list, by regions defined by the boundaries of the regional government offices, the lowest hourly rate paid by his Department to (a) full-time employees, (b) part-time employees,(c) persons employed under personal contract and(d) persons employed by firms undertaking contracted—out services for central government offices, defining the job title in each case. [18226]

This answer covers the Headquarters of the Lord Chancellor's Department (with Associated Offices), the Court Service, Public Trust Office, Land Registry, Public Record Officer and Northern Ireland Court Service. Minimum salaries currently payable to full-time staff, expressed as minimum hourly rates, are shown in the tables below. Part-time salaries are pro rata those of full-time staff. Staff are categorised by current grade. Information as to location is not held in the form requested, but separate details are given—where applicable—for staff in London and elsewhere.Details of the range of pay of staff employed by firms undertaking contracted out services are not held and could be provided only if contractors were prepared to waive commercial confidentiality considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Chairman of Cardiff Bay Development Corporation about progress relative to the contract on the Barrage lock gate contract awarded to Messrs Noell of Würzburg, Germany. [18212]

None. Responsibility for monitoring progress on the Barrage lock gate contract is an operational matter for the Corporation. It would not be appropriate for the Department or the Corporation to get involved or indeed to comment on sub-contractual arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for local government revenue spending and grant support in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [19122]

Following consultation with representatives of local government in Wales, I propose that the provision for local authority revenue expenditure (total standard spending) in 1998–99 should be £3,090.5 million. This represents an increase of £120 million, or 4 per cent. on the comparable level of funding for 1997–98. The provision includes £190.2 million for care in the community, the additional £50.3 million revenue spending for schools I announced on 2 July, and extra provision to help local authorities achieve the Government's policy objectives for nursery education.For local authorities, I intend to set provisional capping principles which will allow, on average, for a basic increase of 3 per cent. on 1997–98 budgets, an average of 4.6 per cent. when a number of capping disregards and the passporting of standard spending assessment increases in full are taken into account. The provisional capping principles allow local authorities further headroom for expenditure in addition to that provided by total standard spending.I propose to set central government support for total standard spending through aggregate external finance at £2,702 million. Within this support, I propose to make available £1,831.1 million in revenue support grant/council tax reduction grant (includes an extra £6 million to help limit council tax increases); £612 million in distributable non-domestic rates; and £258.9 million in specific grants.If local authorities spend in line with the proposed capping principles, council tax bills for band D properties should, on average, increase by about £1.20 a week. However, if councils use only a small part of planned efficiency savings to keep council tax bills down, or draw from reserves, I believe that average increases in council tax bills next year for band D properties should not exceed about £50 a year or £1 a week. The council tax reduction scheme is designed to limit the maximum increase in any authority for spending at the capped level to under £1 a week for band A properties to around £2.50 a week for band H properties.Looking further ahead, the Welsh Local Government Association has sought stability for the next two or three years and asked for a fundamental review of the system for distributing grant in readiness for the National Assembly for Wales. I have agreed to both these requests and plan to commission jointly with the Association an independent assessment of the current arrangements for calculating standard spending assessments. I hope that an interim report will be available next summer.Further information on the proposed settlement, including details for individual authorities, will be announced next week.I am making a separate announcement today giving details of the settlement for police authorities.My Department has written today to the Welsh Local Government Association and all local authorities in Wales to initiate a consultation on my proposals for next year's settlement. Copies of the consultation letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for police authority revenue spending in 1998–99. [19123]

I propose to make £353 million available from total standard spending in Wales to fund police services in 1998–99. This sum comprises £179.6 million in cash-limited police grant, to be paid by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, and £173.4 million in standard spending assessments (SSA). It represents an overall increase of £12.4 million, or 3.6 per cent. on 1997–98.The sums for each police authority are set out in the following table:

£ million
	Police grant	SSA	Total
Dyfed-Powys	26.0	25.1	51.1
Gwent	34.3	33.0	67.3
North Wales	37.4	35.8	73.2
South Wales	81.8	79.5	161.3

My Department is today writing to each police authority in Wales consulting them on their provisional standard spending assessment for 1998–99. The figures may alter slightly if the balance of funding between English and Welsh police authorities, which is determined by a joint formula, changes as a result of consultation.My provisional capping principles for police authorities allow for an increase in spending power of 3.7 per cent. I will make my final decisions on capping principles in the light of budgets set by police authorities.Copies of the consultation letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for the Welsh non-domestic rate poundage for the next financial year. [19124]

I propose that the national non-domestic rate poundage for Wales should rise to 42.9 pence to reflect the annual increase in the retail prices index to September 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, the lowest hourly rate paid by his Department to (a) full-time employees, (b) part-time employees, (c) persons employed under personal contract and (d) persons employed by firms undertaking contracted-out services for central government offices, defining the job title in each case. [18108]

(a) Full-time casual administrative assistants earn the hourly equivalent of £3.30 per hour.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received in relation to the future management of the Brecon Beacons National Park. [18836]

I have received representations from a number of members of the Park Authority. On 20 November, the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) requested a report from the Chairman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many entry clearance officers there are in (a) Bombay and (b) New Delhi. [18308]

Bombay currently has 10 Entry Clearance officers (ECOs) and 2 Entry Clearance Managers (ECMs). New Delhi has 12 ECOs, 2 ECMs and a full time Head of Immigration (who is also the Consul).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the application for admission of Mr. Sayed Muhamed Azim Nazis in Bombay (reference E/97/3255). [18311]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average length of time taken in (a) Bombay and (b) New Delhi to dispatch an explanatory statement followed a refusal of entry clearance in 1997. [18309]

In 1997 the average time taken to despatch an explanatory statement following a refusal of entry clearance in Bombay and New Delhi are two months in both cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received from (a) hon. Members and (b) others concerning the operation of the entry clearance office in (i) Bombay and (ii) New Delhi. [18307]

Our correspondence statistics are not broken down in such a way as to be able to give precise figures of representations on the operation of the entry clearance offices in Bombay and New Delhi.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens were murdered in South Africa in the last 12 months; and what measures he plans to take to promote the protection of British nationals resident in or visiting South Africa. [18216]

Eight British citizens have been reported to British missions in South Africa as murdered in the last 12 months. There are approximately 1.2 million Britons living in South Africa; and some 200,000 Britons visit each year. This Department has a duty to protect their interests and to provide them with relevant information about threats to their personal safety. In South Africa this is undertaken by consular staff at the six British missions there and by the provision of Travel Advice. Since February 1997 Travel Advice on South Africa has been warning potential visitors about the high level of violent crime there. It also advises against visiting isolated areas throughout South Africa and names specific locations in the major cities where care should be taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the World Summit for Children project; and if he will make a statement. [18482]

The 1990 Summit focused international attention on the plight of millions of children who are victims of poverty, neglect, cruelty and exploitation. Implementation of the Summit Plan of Action requires a universal effort by governments, the United Nations, other international and regional organisations and all sectors of civil society. We support the follow up work of the United Nations, including to promote implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the action Her Majesty's Government has taken to implement Clause 22 of the Declaration of the United Nations World Summit for Children 1990. [18481]

We fully support implementation of paragraph 22 of the Plan of Action for Implementing the World Summit Declaration. The United Kingdom makes a major contribution to promoting the rights of children in especially difficult circumstances. This includes support for UN organisations such as the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 24 July 1997,Official Report, column 704–05, what were the total costs of European Commission delegations to third countries for 1996. [18500]

In 1996, the total expenditure of Commission Delegations in third countries was 194,558,200 ecu (£132.8 million—November 1997 exchange rate).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in the Republic of Slovakia. [18576]

Slovakia is party to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and has ratified the Framework Convention on National Minorities. We expect Slovakia to abide by its commitments under these instruments. We are also encouraging the Slovak Government to address the shortcomings in democratic standards identified in the Commission's Opinion on Slovakia's application for EU membership.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the proliferation risks posed by the use of mixed oxide fuel by European Union countries and its transport from European Union suppliers to Japan. [18491]

The proliferation risks posed by the use of Mixed Oxide Fuel (MOX) by European Union countries and its transport from EU suppliers to Japan are assessed as being extremely low. Indeed, the use of MOX fuel reduces proliferation risks by gradually reducing plutonium stockpiles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each planned visit (a) by British Ministers to Albania and (b) by Albanian Ministers to the United Kingdom. [18475]

There will be an opportunity for substantial discussion at Ministerial level when the Albanian Prime Minister, Fatos Nano, visits Britain from 14 to 17 December. We intend to continue regular Ministerial contacts but no dates have been fixed either for visits by British Ministers to Albania or further visits by Albanian Ministers to the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision will be made on the visa application by Abdul Rehman, Islamabad High Commission ref. IMM/E2002. [18832]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the precedents for bilateral agreements between an EU member state and the EU Presidency being concluded after the hearings at a summit. [18671]

At negotiations such as the IGC, it is not unusual for the Presidency to reach tentative understandings with a Member State on how to handle a point of key concern to them. But such understandings would normally be considered subsequently by the full meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement on 25 November 1997, Official Report, column 754, when he was first informed of the bilateral agreement between Spain and the Dutch Presidency. [18669]

We first learned of the change to the text when we received a revised Treaty text after the Amsterdam summit on 19 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral statement of 25 November 1997, Official Report, column 754, when the bilateral agreement between Spain and the Dutch Presidency of the EU was concluded. [18668]

We believe that the text reflected discussions in the margins of the Amsterdam European Council on 16–17 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if another EU member state can block the UK acceding to the Schengen Acquis. [18672]

Unanimity is required where the UK and Ireland apply to take part in a measure within the existing Schengen Acquis. The Declaration on Article 4 of the Protocol, integrating the Schengen Acquis, makes provision for the Council to seek the opinion of the Commission before it decides on a request from the UK or Ireland to take part in some or all of the provisions of the Schengen Acquis. Other Member States also undertake to make their best efforts to allow the UK or Ireland to participate. The UK cannot be blocked from opting into proposals and initiatives which build upon the Schengen Acquis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral statement of 25 November 1997, Official Report, column 754, what representations he made to the Presidency of the European Union about the bilateral agreement between Spain and the Dutch Presidency; and when. [18670]

The UK made a number of representations on this matter at Ministerial and official level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take in response to Recommendation 1335 (1997) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. [18366]

I have been asked to reply.We are closely monitoring the situation of displaced persons in the Transcaucasus. United Kingdom assistance has concentrated on promoting livelihood security through strengthened co-ordination of humanitarian aid, improved targeting of vulnerable groups and stronger dissemination of international humanitarian law. The Department for International Development has also funded quick impact income generation projects as well as relief items. The total value of UK humanitarian aid since the beginning of 1996 has exceeded £4.3 million.A UK assessment mission to the Transcaucasian countries is due within the next couple of months and Recommendation 1335 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will be taken into consideration when drawing up our strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with national youth organisations in the United Kingdom over the European Voluntary Service for Young People as set out in Corn (97) 347; what his Department's policy is in respect of Article 1(2) as modified by the European Parliament; to what extent personal security will be taken into account as concerns article 2(1a); what is entailed in the reference to analysis and dissemination of data in article 5.3(2); and if he will make a statement. [18094]

I have been asked to reply.I attended the European Council of Youth Ministers in Luxembourg on 28 October, at which a common position was reached on the Commission's draft proposal for a European Voluntary Service for Young People, subject to a UK Parliamentary Scrutiny Reserve. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemsworth (Mr. Trickett) on 19 November,

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arms have been licensed for export to Indonesia since 1 May; which arms have been denied such a licence; and on what grounds. [16076]

I have been asked to reply.The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results obtained.Between 2 May and 13 November, decisions were taken on 27 applications for standard or open individual licences to export to Indonesia goods controlled under entries in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (the so-called "Military List"). The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating.

Decisions on applications for standard individual export licences during the period
Rating	Number of licences granted covering goods with this rating	Number of applications refused covering goods with this rating
ML1	0	2
ML4	2	0
ML5	1	0
ML6	0	1
ML7	1	0
ML10	5	0
ML11	11	0
ML13	1	0
ML14	1	1
Total	22	4

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of her Department on the purchase of tax avoidance advice; and if she will make a statement. [13272]

[holding answer 5 November 1997]: The policy is that when tax advisers are used it should only be to enable Northern Ireland departments to fulfil their statutory tax obligations rather than for tax avoidance purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the total cost of policing the marches, demonstrations and associated disturbances during July and August; [15046](2) what was the total cost of policing the parades which took place in Northern Ireland from 1 April to 30 September. [15052]

Policing marches and demonstrations is part of normal police duties and as such separate costings for these activities are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been charged with terrorist offences other than those in connection with paramilitary beatings in 1997. [16032]

Between 1 January 1997 and 2 December 1997, a total of 334 persons were charged with terrorist type and Serious Public Order offences within Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to her Answer of 7 November, Official Report, column 692, what was the rank of the officer to whom notice was given by the Glassdrummond Band on 2 November. [17031]

The rank of the officer to whom notice was initially given by the Glassdrummond Band on 2 November 1997 was Reserve Constable. The Constable consulted with his Sergeant who granted permission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list (a) those public bodies to which she makes appointments, (b) the number of persons whom she appoints and the total number of the members of each body, (c) the period of each appointment, (d) the remuneration of each appointment and (e) the sums of public money available to each body in the last year for which figures are available. [17321]

Information relating to parts (a), (b), (d) and (e) of the question can be found in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1996". The 1997 version of this document will be available on 16 December 1997. Information in the form requested at (c) is currently being assembled, and will be made available as soon as that exercise has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to her answer of 20 November 1997, Official Report, column 272, who made the decision not to fly the Union flag at the Southern Area Health and Social Services Board, Tower Hill, Armagh, on 9 November; and if she will make a statement. [17820]

A letter was sent to all Health and Social Services Boards on 1 May 1997 advising them of the days in 1997 on which the Union Flag should be flown on Central Government Buildings. There is, however no requirement for the Boards to fly the Union flag on these dates. It is at the discretion of each organisation whether the flag should be flown on those buildings occupied by their staff.There was no specific decision made to fly or not to fly the Union Flag at the Southern Health and Social Services Board Tower Hill, Armagh on 9 November 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans are in place to train the skilled staff required for the district cancer centers. [17765]

[holding answer 25 November 1997]: The Cancer Working Group (CWG) Report "Cancer Services—Investing for the Future" recommended a minimum target of 13 consultants in non-surgical oncology by the year 2005. Currently there are eight consultant clinical oncologists in post. To move towards the recommended target the number of trainees in Clinical Oncology has been increased from four to five in 1997–98. Also, a new training post in Medical Oncology is planned for next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the shortest period spent on a waiting list for (a) non-fundholder and (b) fundholder patients for the fitting of a prosthesis following the amputation of an arm in the last year for which figures are available. [17896]

No one has had to wait longer than the three week timescale for the fitting of a prosthesis during the past 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prostheses the Eastern Health and Social Services Board has contracted for in the current financial year; and what funds have been committed to purchase these services. [17903]

The information is not available in the form requested. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board's contract with Green Park Healthcare Trust is for prosthetic services not the provision of a specified number of prostheses. The value of the contract in the current financial year is £1,005 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the longest current waiting time for (a) non-fundholder and (b) fundholder patients for the fitting of a prosthesis following the amputation of (i) an arm and (ii) a leg. [17898]

No one is currently waiting outside the three week timescale for the fitting of a prosthesis.