To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many United Kingdom bathing waters pass the (a) mandatory standard and (b) the guideline standard of the European Union Bathing Waters Directive. [19241]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 4 December 1997, Official Report, columns 289–91, to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he will take to encourage water companies to ensure that the supply of water for domestic use satisfies the projected housebuilding programmes in Hampshire. [19472]

Water companies are subject to a statutory duty to develop and maintain efficient and economical systems of water supply within their areas. In respect of residential development, water companies have a duty to provide supplies of water sufficient for domestic purposes. This duty extends to all new premises. Current planning guidance advises local authorities to consult infrastructure providers such as water companies when drawing up their development plans, to ensure that the demands of new development do not exceed the capacities of existing or planned water supply systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in establishing an interdepartmental working group on fuel poverty; which individuals and Government departments will be represented on the working group; which non-governmental organisations will be invited to participate in the work of the group; and if he will make a statement. [19701]

At my request, officials from my Department have set up an informal group to examine the issue of fuel poverty. In particular, the group will look at the impact of current policies and programmes and consider whether existing expenditure could be made more effective. Other Departments represented are Social Security, Health, Trade and Industry and Treasury, together with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices. The group has met once so far. Non-governmental organisations may be invited in future to contribute to the work of the group as it progresses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about changes to leasehold legislation; and what plans he has in this area. [19514]

I have had a number of representations from organisations and individuals. We have a commitment to bring forward a package of reforms to assist leaseholders, and are currently considering the scope and practicability of possible measures. An announcement and public consultation are scheduled for the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made towards implementing European Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources; and if he will make a statement on the establishment of draft action programmes. [19667]

The Government have implemented all of the Directive's requirements, except the establishment of action programmes. We expect to issue draft action programme regulations for consultation before the end of 1997, with the aim of laying them before Parliament early in 1998.The Government are currently finalising the detailed assessment of the monitoring data required by the first review of designations, which forms the next phase of the Directive's implementation. Any changes proposed as a result will be issued for public consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish an analysis of work carried out since revisions to the home energy efficiency scheme showing the numbers of different measures installed, the average cost of individual measures and the average value of a home energy efficiency scheme grant; and if he will make a statement. [19699]

The latest data available cover the period from 1 July 1997, when the revisions to the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme took effect, until 30 September 1997. Forty thousand and seven grants were paid for work under the revised scheme. Some work carried out during this period will not be included because the claims for payment will have been processed in the following quarter. An additional 52,308 grants were paid during this period in respect of work carried out under the preceding scheme, which contained a more limited range of energy efficiency measures.The breakdown of these 40,007 grants, by the main measure installed, was:

Draught Proofing	Loft Insulation	Cavity Wall Insulation	Heating Control Upgrade
29,690	7,331	3,986	nil

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial resources will be available to fund the cost of energy efficiency work carried out under the Environmental Task Force Programme; and if he will make a statement. [19697]

The Environment Task Force is one of four options available to the young unemployed under the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds, and will be funded from the windfall levy on the excess profits of the privatised utilities.The level of funding available for projects carried out by the Environment Task Force, including energy efficiency work, will vary according to the administration and material costs of the placements, and will be subject to a competitive tender process, managed by the Employment Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the carbon savings that will occur each year as a result of the reduction in the level of VAT levied on activities undertaken under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; and what estimates he has made of the carbon savings that would have occurred each year, had the same reduction in the level of VAT been levied on all purchases and installations of such energy-saving items as are deemed eligible under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, but currently undertaken outwith that scheme. [18544]

I have been asked to reply.Customs' recent report on the scope of a reduced rate of VAT for energy-saving materials concluded that a reduced rate of VAT targeted through HEES and similar grant-funded schemes would help more of the less well-off keep warm. The report also suggests that the environmental benefits of such a limited reduced rate would be small, because the benefit to such households may be taken in warmer houses rather than reduced fuel consumption.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the planning application for the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames was (a) first considered by the Inspector and (b) approved by the Inspector; and if he will give the dates on which Ministers were notified of the Inspector's preliminary and final decisions; [19924](2) if he will list the dates on which the Inspector considering the planning application for the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames contacted his Department; giving the reasons for the contacts and advice given. [19925]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those public relations companies who were involved in presentations to (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) Inspectors in connection with the planning application for the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames. [19922]

No representations were made either to Ministers or to officials, as the decision on the appeal was made by a planning inspector. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member about the representations made to the inspector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the (a) architects and (b) planning consultants involved in presentations to (i) Ministers, (ii) officials and (iii) Inspectors in connection with the planning application for the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames. [19923]

No presentations were made either to Ministers or to officials. I have asked the Planning Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member about the representations made to the Inspector who was appointed to decide the appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representation he has received from hon. Members in connection with the proposed Sainsbury's development at Richmond-upon-Thames. [19921]

Ministers received no representations prior to the issue of the Inspector's decision letter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department has spent to date on its legal action against South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive over the funding of the South Yorkshire Super Tram. [19811]

My Department has spent £9,792.57 to date in defending the legal action brought against it by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and others.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents of vehicles failing the vehicle inspectors' roadside test there have been in the last six months. [19690]

[holding answer 10 December 1997]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate, Mr. Ron Oliver, to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the total non-domestic grant allocated to each local authority in the current financial year. [20129]

I have placed this information in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire to receive a reply to his letter of 11 September to the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency. [20273]

The Highways Agency replied to the right hon. Member's letter on 3 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 30 July 1997, Official Report, column 405, when he expects to announce a decision in relation to supermarket planning matters in Cockermouth. [20262]

I expect to announce a decision shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers exist to reduce (a) business rents and (b) business rates; and if he will make a statement. [19861]

There are no powers to intervene in the setting of business rents.I take it that in referring to powers to reduce business rates, the hon. Member refers to powers to vary the rates payable by individual ratepayers or groups of ratepayers rather than to the national systems for determining the National Non-Domestic Rate and for giving transitional relief. Local authorities have powers to reduce the bills of certain ratepayers; relief may be granted to charities, non-profit making bodies and ratepayers suffering hardship provided that the relevant criteria are met. Charities have their rates bills reduced by statute provided that certain conditions are met; as do those liable for rates in respect of empty property. From 1 April 1998 relief will also become available to certain village shops.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instigate a report into the current signalling problems on the Central Line. [20153]

Managing investment projects is a matter for London Underground Ltd. I am aware of the problems and know that London Underground is making every effort to minimise the disruption to its customers during the current programme of Central Line modernisation works and to bring the project to a successful conclusion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the implementation of Directive 96/61/EC on integrated pollution prevention and control; and if he will make a statement. [20735]

The Government issued a consultation paper on 15 July seeking views on implementation of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. To date 209 responses have been received from a range of industry and regulatory bodies, and from environmental groups and the public. I am today placing a list of those responses in the Libraries of both Houses, and making arrangements for individual responses to be available to those who wish to see them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consideration he has given to the Audit Commission's recent report on the Public Library Service, "Due for Renewal". [20736]

The Government welcome the publication of "Due for Renewal". We recognise the importance of the public library sector, and are committed to its future. However, we also recognise that there are a number of challenges that public libraries are having to face as they approach the Millennium. "Due for Renewal" usefully identifies some of the main issues, and provides valuable advice about service planning and the scope for achieving further efficiency savings. This work complements the Government's requirement for library authorities in England to produce Annual Library Plans from 1998. I hope that library authorities will respond positively to the report's recommendations in considering their own services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has in respect of the level of next year's television licence fee; what account this level takes of the five year formula announced by the previous government; and if he will make a statement about future licence fee levels. [20737]

In December 1996, following a report by independent consultants, Braxton Associates, on the BBC's expenditure needs, the previous Government announced a television licence fee formula for the five years from April 1997. Under this formula, licence fee increases for the period as a whole were set just below inflation as measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI). However, the increases from 1 April 1998 were set at RPI plus 3 per cent., reflecting primarily the additional costs faced by the BBC in launching its new digital services.The Government have carefully considered the five year formula and have concluded that it remains appropriate. It allows the BBC to plan its business properly for the period as a whole and is based on an independent assessment of its financial needs. The real-terms increase this year is paying for new digital services for licence fee payers. The 1999–2000 increase under the formula will also be marginally above inflation, at RPI plus 0.5 per cent. However, the formula specifies changes in the licence fee in 2000–01, and 2001–02 at RPI minus 1 per cent. and RPI minus 2.5 per cent. respectively. Application of the RPI figure of 3.6 per cent. for the year to September 1997, plus 3 per cent., to the current unrounded licence fees produces new rounded totals of £97.50 for a colour licence and £32.50 for a black and white licence. The necessary regulations to bring these fees into force will be laid before the House in due course.The Government's existing Agreement with the BBC guarantees the licence fee until the end of the five-year period (i.e. until the end of March 2002). The Government intend to conduct well before then a wide-ranging review of the future level of the licence fee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankans have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom during the current year. [19558]

During the period from 1 January to 31 October 1997, a total of 1,405 applications for asylum, excluding dependants, were lodged in the United Kingdom by Sri Lankan nationals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning allegations of corruption in the Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement. [19696]

My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet the Commissioner to discuss issues concerning the policing of London. We are extremely concerned that there should be adequate means for dealing with corrupt officers. We look forward to the report from the Home Affairs Committee and intend to consult with interested bodies before deciding on a way forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of unlicensed sex shops under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 have occurred in the last five years; and what proportion was successful. [19562]

In 1989, there was one prosecution under schedule 3 of the Act. This resulted in a conviction.Information collected since then has not identified individual offences committed under this specific Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the effectiveness of the significant degree rule for the regulation of shops selling sex articles. [19561]

We keep the operation of section 2 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, including the "significant degree" rule, under general review. The City of Westminster Act 1996 contains measures to improve the enforcement of the 1982 Act provisions and we will be considering whether experience of its operation suggests the need for more general changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has made of the extent of cattle and sheep rustling in (a) Lancashire and (b) England. [19695]

No estimates are available centrally. Such offences would be recorded under the "Other theft or unauthorised taking" offence classification and not separately identifiable. Prior to the introduction of the Theft Act 1968, offences of "Larceny of horses and cattle" were published annually in the "Criminal Statistics" command paper, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the advice he received from the Youth Justice Task Force. [20296]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Mr. Shaw) on 2 December 1997, Official Report, column 102.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported cases of the use of illegal drugs in prisons there have been to date in 1997. [19779]

From 1 January 1997 to 31 May 1997 (the latest month for which final figures are available), 9,353 prisoners tested positive in mandatory drug tests for the illegal use of drugs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government classified Sierra Leone as a country in upheaval. [18286]

[holding answer 28 November 1997]: In view of the situation in Sierra Leone, following the overthrow of the democratically elected government by rebel soldiers, we decided to declare that the country had undergone such a fundamental change in circumstances that we would not normally order the return of a person to that country for the time being. The declaration was made on 1 July 1997.The situation in Sierra Leone remains uncertain and it is being monitored closely in co-operation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Although the positive developments following the Conakry Accord are encouraging and we are looking forward to further improvements, no-one will be returned to Sierra Leone unless we are satisfied that it is safe to do so.The effect of making such a declaration is that a Sierra Leone national who was stranded in the United Kingdom and applied for asylum within three months of the declaration being made also became eligible to make a claim for social security benefits while his application was being considered by the Home Office, providing that claim for benefits was lodged within the three-month timescale.All applicants who claim asylum at the port or airport of arrival are eligible to claim social security benefits in a similar way.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women who were classified as category A prisoners were being held in prisons on 1 November. [19780]

On 1 November 1997, 870 men and four women were classified as Category A prisoners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints his Department has received about delays in paying compensation to gun owners who handed in firearms. [19808]

Around 500 complaints have been received about the timescale for compensation payments, and the need to respond to these complaints, proving a substantial distraction from the main work of the Firearms Compensation Section. The section is endeavouring to process claims as quickly as possible but complaints and other specific inquiries are factors slowing the rate of payments.I appreciate that the time taken to settle compensation claims is irritating to those who are opposed to the legislation and that all individuals who have handed in their weapons would like to be paid without delay. However, it was made clear at the outset that the number and difficulty of the claims received would make delays inevitable. All efforts are being made to complete the task as quickly as possible, and this would be achieved much sooner if there were fewer inquiries about the progress of individual claims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the (a) first and (b) last deliveries of Eurofighter are expected; and what is the current yearly schedule. [20072]

The first Eurofighter is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Air Force in June 2002 and the last in 2014 with the rate of delivery building up to 20 a year by 2005.

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Under 25 per cent. of cases resolved
DBS	598	19	68	59	9	6	1	14
Burns Anderson	922	46	100	79	21	17	2	15
Gan	10,424	400	1,831	274	1,557	1,030	10	16
Lincoln National	12,938	1,026	2,284	735	1,549	1,118	9	22
Countrywide	2,692	455	214	208	6	8	0	25
25–50 per cent. of cases resolved
Windsor Life	8,325	1,508	895	95	800	572	7	26
Financial Options	295	72	11	7	4	3	1	28
Canada Life	5,454	196	1,834	402	1,432	1,126	21	32
Friends Provident	6,675	825	1,927	325	1,602	1,222	18	36
London and Manchester	7,935	662	2,809	389	2,420	1,907	24	37
Royal and Sun Alliance	15,342	1,704	5,406	736	4,670	3,643	24	40
Brittanic	18,290	3,414	4,522	1,906	2,616	1,960	11	40
CIS	43,285	2,724	16,260	11,294	4,966	3,392	8	40
United Assurance	12,326	742	4,894	1,565	3,329	2,843	23	42
Standard Life	6,672	449	2,517	952	1,565	1,405	21	42
Abbey Life	16,883	3,836	3,872	839	3,033	2,436	14	42
Hill Samuel	5,931	743	2,123	434	1,689	1,345	23	43
Sun Life of Canada	25,937	6,374	6,580	1,188	5,392	3,531	14	43
Colonial	8,048	1,879	2,193	297	1,929	1,385	17	44
Allied Dunbar	18,186	2,508	6,446	2,475	3,971	3,088	17	44
Godwins	1,358	47	648	287	361	291	21	46
Albany Life	2,844	503	1,330	95	1,235	721	25,	46

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by pensions firms in providing redress to the victims of mis-selling in the period up to the end of November. [20718]

In a statement to the House on 18 November 1997, Official Report, columns 155–163, I set out the progress that had been made by firms in redressing victims of mis-selling up until the end of October. I have now received an update from the 41 firms whose progress I have been monitoring, and these are set out in the table. For those firms that fail to make sufficient progress, regulatory discipline is a real prospect. For most of these 41 firms, the regulators' deadline of 31 December, by which 90 per cent. of the most urgent cases must be resolved, is fast approaching. It is now up to each firm to make every effort to make rapid progress so that disciplinary action against them is not called for.In general most firms have improved their performance over the month. Once again however, the figures show a wide divergence in performance, with some firms making good, if belated progress, and others that still have a disgracefully large task which remains to be tackled.Of course many firms other than the 41 listed have cases to review. These, too, must be completed within deadlines set by the regulators. Of these firms, the vast majority are independent financial advisers (IFAs), ranging from large firms, employing hundreds, if not thousands, of people, to small sole traders. Few firms are innocent, and no firm will be let off the hook: the customer who has been disadvantaged by the mis-selling of a small IFA has as much right to speedy redress as the customer of the largest pension provider. All firms must complete their reviews without delay, and to the standards set out by the regulators.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is proposing to increase public service pensions from April 1998. [20719]

Legislation governing public service pensions requires public service pensions to be increased annually by the same percentage as State earnings related pensions (additional pensions). My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced on 2 December 1997, Official Report, column 186 that additional pensions will be increased by 3.6 per cent., in line with the annual increase in the Retail Prices Index up to September 1997. Public service pensions will therefore be increased by 3.6 per cent., from 6 April 1998, except those which have been in payment for less than a year, which will receive a pro rata increase.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his current estimate of the cost of answering a written parliamentary question and an oral parliamentary question. [20721]

As at April 1997, the average cost of answering a written parliamentary question and an oral parliamentary question was £112 and £260 respectively.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of the European Commission information pack, "Infeuro," will be distributed to the United Kingdom; and to which groups. [20259]

"Infeuro" is a newsletter published by the European Commission, which is responsible for its distribution.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets have been set by his Department for the recovery of VAT from NHS trusts in each year since 1990. [19998]

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total VAT recovered from NHS trusts in each year since 1990. [19999]

None. NHS trusts regularly receive repayments from Customs and Excise.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures are in place for consulting the National Health Service on the implementation of new procedures for the payment and recovery of VAT from NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement. [19997]

Customs and Excise has regular meetings with the VAT Committee of the Healthcare Financial Management Association to discuss issues of mutual concern and future development.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what terms he has attached to money lent or committed to South Korea as part of the IMF rescue package or otherwise. [19914]

IMF financing under Korea's Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) is conditioned on a strong programme of adjustment. This involves a tight macroeconomic framework; a comprehensive strategy to restructure the financial sector; further trade and capital account liberalisation; and improvements in corporate structure and governance. The Presidents of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank have also indicated that they are both ready to provide financial support to Korea, conditioned on strong programmes of reform. It is expected that these programmes will focus on financial sector restructuring and institutional reform.Full implementation of these programmes will help restore market confidence and provide Korea with a solid foundation for more sustained growth. Programmes will be reviewed regularly and future disbursements of funds will be linked to successful completion of the reviews.In addition, the UK—together with a number of other countries—has agreed to consider the provision of further financial support for Korea. This will be made available only if unanticipated circumstances create the need to supplement resources provided by the international financial institutions, while Korea remains in compliance with IMF arrangements.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the recent United Kingdom contribution to the rescue packages from (a) the IMF, (b) other institutions and (c) directly to (i) South Korea and (ii) other Asian countries. [19912]

Four Asian countries have recently agreed IMF programmes under the IMF's Emergency Financing Mechanism. They are the Philippines (July), Thailand (August), Indonesia (October) and Korea (November). The latter three countries have in addition agreed, or are negotiating, programmes with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (AsDB). The financing to be provided by international financial institutions (IFIs) is likely to amount to the following:

$ billion
	International Financial Institution Finance			Total IFI Financing
	IMF	World Bank	AsDB
Philippines	1	—	—	1
Thailand	4	1.5	1.2	6.7
Indonesia	10	4.5	3.5	18
South Korea	21	10	4	35

The UK is a major shareholder in the international financial institutions—the UK quota share at both the IMF and World Bank is approximately five per cent., and at the AsDB is two per cent.—and has strongly supported all these programmes of adjustment and the high levels of IFI financing involved. Programmes will be reviewed regularly and future disbursements of funds will be linked to successful completion of the reviews.In the case of Korea, the UK, together with a number of other countries has in addition agreed to consider the provision of further financial support for Korea. This will be made available only if unanticipated circumstances create the need to supplement resources provided by the international financial institutions, while Korea remains in compliance with IMF arrangements. The UK is willing to consider a contribution of up to USD1.25 billion.In the case of Thailand, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) issued a statement on behalf of the monetary authorities of the G10—including the Bank of England—and several other countries, explaining that they stand ready, if need be, to provide a short-term bridging loan to the Thai authorities. So far the need for such a loan has not arisen.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the overall cost of subsidies to industry in the form of (a) tax allowances, (b) direct grants, (c) tied research and infrastructure programmes, (d) business rate exemptions and (e) export credit guarantee payments for the last year for which figures are available. [19817]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations have been made to Treasury Ministers on the subject of insurance premium tax for the travel industry since the last General Election. [19666]

Treasury Ministers have received a number of representations on this issue, including six Parliamentary Questions excluding this and the other recent questions raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) and about 200 letters from Members of this House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the inability to value-shift on non-EU holidays sold by tour operators or travel agents. [19662]

I have received a number of representations on this issue. Value-shifting by travel agents and tour operators does take place on non-EU holidays but since such holidays are not subject to VAT there has never been any question of a VAT motive or a VAT effect in this area. On grounds of simplicity, efficiency and effectiveness it was nevertheless considered right that insurance sold with all holidays should be made subject to the higher rate of insurance premium tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's current position and timetable on their review of the differential between the rate of insurance premium tax currently levied for policies sold by tour operators and travel agents and for similar travel insurance policies sold through building societies, BUPA and other retailers. [19660]

I have asked officials in Customs and Excise to monitor the effect of the introduction of the higher rate of insurance premium tax. It is too early yet to draw any conclusions from this monitoring process.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on European Union negotiations on taxation on aviation fuel. [19758]

There are no Commission proposals before the Council at present to end the current exemption of aviation fuel used in international commercial traffic. The Commission has been asked by the ECOFIN Council, on 9 June 1997, to study the environmental and economic effects in Europe of ending the current exemption of aviation fuel. The study is not likely to be completed before May 1998.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what taxes are levied on aviation fuel in the United Kingdom. [19743]

Aviation turbine fuels for aircraft use are not subject to excise duty. Aviation gasoline is charged at the rate of £0.2255 per litre (£1.025) per gallon). Supplies of both types of fuel for commercial flights within the United Kingdom and for all private flights are liable at the standard rate of Value Added Tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue would be raised if aircraft fuel was taxed at the same rate as commercial fuel for road transport assuming no alteration in demand. [19744]

The estimate requested by the hon. Member on taxing aviation fuel at the same rate as diesel would raise approximately £4 billion, assuming no alteration in demand.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each of the overseas trips made by himself and other members of his ministerial team since 2 May, specifying in each case (a) the participating Minister or Ministers, (b) the destination of the trip, (c) the purpose of the trip and (d) the cost of the trip; and if he will make a statement. [15240]

[holding answer 11 November 1997]: The available data for the official overseas trips taken by myself and my Ministerial team (along with officials in support) since 2 May are as follows:

Date	Destination	Cost1	Number in party	Purpose
Chancellor
11–12 May	Brussels	£2,324	7	ECOFIN
8–9 June	Luxembourg	£2,641	7	ECOFIN
15–17 June	Holland	£3,275	7	European Council
20–22 June	Denver	£10,967	5	G7 Summit
7 July	Brussels	£1,581	7	ECOFIN
9 July	Luxembourg	£2,149	4	Meeting with Prime Minister Juncker
12–23 September	Luxembourg	2£22,699	5	Informal ECOFIN
	Mauritius		6	Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting
	Bangkok		5	ASEM Finance Ministers
	Hong Kong		5	Annual Meetings of the World Bank/IMF
6 October	Paris	1—	5	Meeting with Finance Minister Strauss-Kahn
13 October	Luxembourg	1—	7	ECOFIN
5 November	Brussels	1—	9	ECOFIN
17 November	Brussels	1—	7	ECOFIN

Date	Destination	Cost1	Number in party	Purpose
1 December	Brussels	1—	5	ECOFIN
4–5 December	New York	1—	4	Speech to the British-American Chamber of Commerce
Chief Secretary
None
Paymaster General
None
Financial Secretary
20 June	Brussels	£1,147	3	Monti Tax Policy Group
18 September	Brussels	£2,030	4	Monti Tax Policy Group
20 October	Brussels	£2,114	4	Monti Tax Policy Group
4 November	Bonn	£2,139	4	Meeting with State Secretary Hauser
6 November	Czech Republic	£1,819	3	To see UK Customs and Excise international assistance programme (anti-drugs activity)
1 December	Brussels	£706	2	ECOFIN
Economic Secretary
8 June	Brussels	£987	3	EC Budget Council Members
24 July	Brussels	£1,169	3	EC Budget Council
26–28 September	Italy	1—	1	Pontignano Conference
5 November	Brussels	1—	2	ECOFIN
7 November	Stockholm	1—	2	Meeting on European issues
17 November	Brussels	1—	2	ECOFIN
27 November	Brussels	1—	4	EC Budget Council
3 December	Luxembourg	1—	4	Meeting member of the European Court of Auditors
1 Costs are as billed and may not be complete or available.
2 Some of the Annual Meeting costs are subject to reimbursement by World Bank/IMF.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the development project for a network of bridges in the Philippines and for its applicability in other countries. [20252]

We are providing support from the Aid and Trade Provision for the construction of 218 road bridges in less developed and disaster-prone areas. When appraised in 1995, the programme was considered to be of high developmental value. A second proposal is now under appraisal. This involves support for construction or replacement of bridges located on national highways and our support will depend on whether such bridges bring significant benefits to poor people.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the reservations expressed by Her Majesty's Government on the recommendation on the status of higher education personnel, passed by UNESCO General Conference in November. [19745]

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 5 December 1997,

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the names of all those people whom he has appointed to public bodies since 1 May, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed, and whether they receive remuneration. [19971]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made or approved the following appointments since 1 May 1997:

• British Council:
• Dr. David Drewry,
• Director General (wef 1/11998)
• Remuneration: £92,480.
• Commonwealth Institute:
• David French,
• Director General
• Remuneration: £60,000.
• Westminster Foundation for Democracy:
• Menzies Cambell CBE, QC, MP,
• Governor
• Remuneration: Nil
• Gary Streeter MP,
• Governor
• Remuneration: Nil
• Mary Calder,
• Governor
• Remuneration: Nil
• Richard Page MP
• Governor
• Remuneration: Nil.

The names, positions and remuneration of all the public appointments handled by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary are published on an annual basis in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Departmental Report in March. This information will also be available on the world wide Internet once the current update has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the type and number of weapons destroyed by the United Nations inspection team in Iraq since the ending of the Gulf war; and what types of nerve gas and related items the inspectors believe to be still held by the Iraqi regime. [19687]

[holding answer 8 December 1997]: The UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) are able to account for 817 and 819 missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometres known to have been acquired by Iraq. Forty-eight of these have been destroyed by UNSCOM. In addition, UNSCOM have been responsible for the destruction of 30 warheads, 690 tonnes of chemical weapons, 38,537 filled and empty munitions and more than 3,000 tonnes of precursor chemicals, as well as the main biological weapons production plant at Al Hakm, and large quantities of growth media. Further details can be found in the latest report by the Executive Chairman of UNSCOM, placed in the Library on 10 November 1997. UNSCOM have not published estimates of quantities of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) which may still be held by Iraq. Iraq has worked on a large number of agents including VX, Sarin, Botulinum toxin, Aflatoxin, and Anthrax. UNSCOM remain seriously concerned that they have not been able fully to account for Iraq's known imports and production of material for chemical and biological weapons, and that Iraq retains the expertise and capability to re-commence its WMD programmes at very short notice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers and (b) trade associations representing the policing and security sector concerning the continuation of the work undertaken under the Home Office Export Initiative. [20018]

Officials from this Department and the DTI are in discussion with the trade associations representing the policing and security sector. My noble Friend the Minister for Trade has also received representations from the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers. I am not aware of any discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the additional cost to his Department of undertaking work previously administered by the Home Office Export Initiative; and from which budget it will be found. [20017]

There will be no additional cost to this Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what arrangements the work of the Export Initiative previously administered by the Home Office will be carried out by the overseas trade services section of his Department. [20019]

This Department and the Department of Trade and Industry, under the banner of Overseas Trade Services, will continue to give advice and assistance to all UK companies seeking to trade overseas, including those companies from the security industry. This includes access to help provided under the Export Promoter Initiative and Trade Fair and Overseas Seminar Support Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Presidency of the EU commissioned the report on the circumstances surrounding the agreement leading to the final text of Article 4 of the Protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty integrating the Schengen Acquis into the framework of the European Union; when he received it; when he received a letter from the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands on this matter; and if he will publish it. [19951]

[holding answer 9 December 1997]: The Presidency of the EU did not commission any such report. The Permanent Representative of the Netherlands wrote to the UK Permanent Representative on the matter on 16 July. It would not be appropriate to publish this piece of diplomatic correspondence sent by another government to HMG.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking in support of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, with particular reference to through-bonded child labour. [20008]

We strongly support the work of United Nations organisations such as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to promote full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 1998 negotiations will begin on a new ILO Convention on child labour. We will help to ensure that the new convention makes a vital contribution to eliminating the most abhorrent forms of child labour, including bonded labour.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government intend to ratify the treaty banning anti-personnel mines; and what steps he is taking to encourage other countries to ratify the treaty. [20152]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell) on 24 November 1997, Official Report, columns 398–99, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 4 December 1997, Official Report, column 300.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the General Affairs Council held on 8 December in Brussels. [20461]

At the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 8 December, the seven A points in document 13048/97 were approved, and the European Parliament Resolutions of 17–21 November in document 11493/97 were noted. The text of both documents will be placed in the Libraries of the House as soon as they become available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the Chinese authorities to allow a parliamentary delegation to visit Tibet during his proposed visit to China in January 1998. [20145]

We are deeply concerned about the human rights situation in China, and welcome the possibility of a parliamentary visit to Tibet. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary looks forward to discussing a wide range of issues, including Tibet, during his planned visit to China.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of current average class sizes in primary schools. [18763]

In January 1997 the average class size for primary schools was 27.5

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress in achieving the national education and training targets. [18764]

There has been mixed progress towards achieving the current National Targets. It looks possible that we could get close nationally to achieving several of the Targets, but achievement of Foundation Target 2 and Lifetime Target 1 is more problematic.Earlier this week we published a consultation document which sets out how we might take forward National Targets over the next few years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he plans to take in respect of those students who fail to meet their payments on tuition fees; and what provision he has made for this. [18765]

It will be for universities and colleges to decide what action to take if students fail to make the private contributions to undergraduate tuition fees, just as they have to for part-time, postgraduate and overseas students. The higher education funding plans for 1998–99 assumed that institutions in England would collect £130 million from private contributions to fees. This figure allowed for costs of some 5 per cent. for collection and any default.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the proportion of students who will have their tuition fees waived. [18780]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the proportion of students who will have their tuition fees waived. [19187]

We have estimated that, under the new arrangements, about 30 per cent. of students, where parental income is taken into account, will make no contribution to the cost of their tuition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of changes in numbers of applicants for higher education places in 1998–99 against the previous year. [18766]

Applicant numbers are at present slightly down compared with last year; but we expect further applications to be submitted before and indeed beyond the closing date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of potential students qualifying for admission to higher education he estimates will be unable to attend under the terms of his proposed basis for student support owing to financial pressures. [18776]

The new funding arrangements are fair and progressive and will target support. I see no reason why they should prevent any student from attending higher education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people aged between 18 and 24 years, unemployed for over six months, will benefit from the new deal in its first year. [18768]

It is not possible to provide precise estimates of the total numbers of young people who will require help from the New Deal. In its first year, we will offer help to everyone who becomes eligible for the New Deal, and sufficient places will be available to meet this commitment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the response of employers in the tourism, leisure and hospitality industries has been to the new deal for young unemployed people. [18770]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply 1 gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Mr. Wright).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if there will be the opportunity for young people entering the gateway phase of the new deal to gain some work experience without losing benefits entitlement. [18779]

People claiming the Jobseeker's Allowance are able to benefit from work experience as part of an employment or training programme without losing benefit entitlement. This includes young people on the Gateway phase of the New Deal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how Rotherham and the Dearne will benefit from the Environmental Task Force and voluntary sector options of the New Deal for young unemployed people. [18772]

In Rotherham, plans are well advanced to offer placements on the Environmental Task Force and voluntary sector option. It is projected that around 480 young unemployed could take up this provision in the period to March 1999. In Dearne, which is not a Pathfinder area, invitations to tender are being issued with a view to offering contracts to run from April 1998. The precise number of places has yet to be decided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people between 18 and 24 years old will benefit from the New Deal in the (a) constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East and (b) Teesside Region in the first year of operation. [19254]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the object of the New Deal policy in respect of increasing (a) employment and (b) employability; [19173](2) by what criteria the success of the New Deal will be measured. [19225]

The aim of the New Deal is to increase the long-term employability of young and long-term unemployed people by offering the opportunity to participate in a job, training or useful work experience. The Government believe that this has an important part to play in developing a more skilled workforce and efficient labour market which will assist sustainable job-generating, economic growth.The success of the New Deal in achieving its aims will be evaluated through the analysis of data gained from a range of qualitative and quantitative surveys with New Deal participants, employers and organisations involved in the delivery of the New Deal. We are currently finalising the exact criteria that will form our evaluation strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the role of the Territorial Army in the delivery of the New Deal. [19475]

I have been asked to reply.As I said in my written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 14 November 1997,

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve the range and quality of opportunities for young people to link their education to work. [18771]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has this week launched Investing in Young People, a major new strategy aimed at improving the range and quality of education and training available to all young people aged 16 to 19. The measures which make up this strategy are aimed at giving everyone the chance to gain recognised qualifications which will give them the best possible start in the workplace. They include measures to tackle underachievement among this age group, and bring back into education those who have dropped out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many responses he has received to the consultation document, "Excellence in schools". [18773]

We have received around 8,500 responses to the White Paper. Some 3,500 were responses to the full document and the remainder were responses to the summary version.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of school leavers leave school with no qualifications. [18774]

The figure for those who leave education at 16 is not centrally collected. In 1997, 7.7 per cent. of young people completing their compulsory education had no qualifications. The White Paper, "Excellence in schools," outlines measures to reduce this figure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the demand-led formula on the financing of further education colleges; and what proposals he has to address the current financial problems of further education colleges. [18775]

The demand-led element was withdrawn by the previous Government. The additional funding for further education next year, announced by my right hon. Friend on 12 November, provides for the resumption of growth on a financially sound basis. The funding provides for an additional 20,000 full-time equivalent students, with the efficiency squeeze on the sector restricted to the costs arising from inflation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial resources are being made available to further education colleges in England in advance of the New Deal. [20743]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial resources are being made available to further education colleges in England in advance of the New Deal. [20878]

I am announcing today that we intend to provide £6.05 million of additional resources for Further Education colleges to be financed from Windfall Tax receipts. This will enable them to provide relevant courses from January to JSA claimants under the New Deal in advance of its implementation in April. The additional money will enable FE colleges to make better use of their capacity to tackle unemployment amongst young people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the effect on further education college budgets of the proposed changes to EU Social Fund provision. [19139]

Colleges will have the opportunity in 1998 and 1999 to bid for some £140 million available from Objective 4 of the European Social Fund, to help prepare workers for industrial change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the surplus or deficit of each further education college ordered by region. [19140]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Further Education Funding Council to write to the hon. Member concerning this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what proposals he has to address the current funding deficit in respect of further education colleges; [19228](2) what assessment he has made of the effect of ending the demand led formula in respect of funding further education colleges on the financial situation of such colleges; [19229](3) What plans he has to compensate further education colleges for the loss of the demand led element in Janaury; and if he will make a statement. [19135]