To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will give a breakdown of the country of origin of meat bought for the armed forces, in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [20243](2) if he will ensure that all meat bought for the armed forces is of United Kingdom origin; and if he will make a statement. [20244]

The procurement of food for the Armed Forces is contracted to Booker Foodservice which took over the contract from NAAFI on 1 October 1997. The Ministry of Defence does not specify the source from which Booker Foodservice should obtain meat, but expects it to seek the best market prices for these and all other products. It is required to give full consideration to British products. Booker Foodservice has advised the following estimate for the breakdown of country of origin for meat purchased for the Armed Forces, based on value, for the 12-month period ending September 1998:

	Per cent.
Pork
United Kingdom	100
Lamb
New Zealand	52
Uruguay	48
Beef
Australia	30
New Zealand	24
Uruguay	22
United Kingdom	13
Holland	4
Ireland	4
Brazil	3

These figures will be subject to variation dependent upon markets providing the best value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are currently employed at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down; and what plans he has for staffing levels over the next five years. [22514]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Chemical Defence Establishment's evaluation of the effects of short-term exposure to lewisite. [22515]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary for Defence what is his Department's estimate of the value of free board and loading to an employee expressed as an hourly pay rate. [22642]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to upgrade Hawk trainers with digital cockpits. [22692]

There are currently no plans to fit the RAF's Hawk aircraft with a digital cockpit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the PR9 Canberra reconnaissance aircraft each came into service; what was their design life; and what is the date on which they are expected to leave service. [22696]

There are five Canberra Mk PR9 aircraft. The aircraft all entered service between 4 March 1959 and 4 August 1960. It is assessed that sufficient fatigue life remains on the Canberra Mk PR9 aircraft to enable them to achieve their predicted out of service date of 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to sign a memorandum of understanding with the USA to combine the TRACER and Future Scout and Cavalry system requirements. [22695]

Ministers are currently considering the case for signature early this year of a Memorandum of Understanding covering the combine TRACER/Future Scout and Cavalry System requirement. I will write to the hon. Member when a decision is made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which EU standards on contaminated land have not been implemented by the United Kingdom Government. [22755]

There are no EU standards on contaminated land.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when his Department expects to complete a register of contaminated land; [22753](2) when his Department expects to formulate a definition of contaminated land. [22754]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside, (Ms Ellman) on 22 December 1997, Official Report, column 439. The legislation referred to in that answer provides a definition of contaminated land. The legislation will also place a duty on enforcing authorities to maintain registers of land which meet that definition. These registers will also contain prescribed particulars of enforcement action taken and of remediation works carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Enviornment, Transport and the Regions how many inland waterway freight grants have been issued since 1981; and if he will list them by location and value. [22760]

10 inland waterway freight grants have been awarded:

		£
1983	Millgate Investments, Gainsborough, Lincs	369,340
1984	Varma Services Ltd., Deptford, London SE	859,200

		£
1984	Sheffield Haulage and Storage Ltd., Rotherham	61,375
1985	West Country Fuels Ltd., Gloucester	26,950
1986	Colwick Petroleum Ltd., Nr. Nottingham	63,494
1990	Sand and Gravel Ltd., Leeds	20,640
1991	Wimpey Hobbs Ltd., Greenwich, London SE	402,832
1993	Huntsman Chemical Co. Ltd., Carrington, Manchester	415,000
1996	Medway Shipping Ltd., Gillingham, Kent	47,338
1997	J. J. Prior (Transport) Ltd., Fingringhoe, Essex	121,410

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review and update the waste management policies set out in the 1995 White Paper "Making Waste Work: A Strategy for Sustainable Waste Management in England and Wales". [23176]

Reducing the waste we generate, making better use of waste, and ensuring that the remainder is disposed of safely, are all critical components of a more sustainable society. The Government set a high priority on improving our waste management. That is why I am announcing today the preparation of a new waste strategy for England and Wales.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have asked officials, working with the Environment Agency and other interested parties, to begin preparation of the new strategy which will fulfil the requirements of the Environment Act 1995. The first step towards this goal will be a wide public consultation beginning in the Spring of this year, leading to publication of a White Paper in 1999.The 1995 White Paper "Making Waste Work" set out the previous Government's policy framework for the management of waste, identified ways in which waste could be managed in a more sustainable way and set a number of targets for achieving that aim. It recognised the principles of the waste hierarchy and best practicable environmental option as being at the heart of waste policy, and set out a number of options by which central Government, local authorities, industry and commerce, the waste management industry, householders, and the voluntary and community sectors could help achieve that strategy's aims.This Government support the broad thrust of the policies set out in the 1995 White Paper but nevertheless believe that the time is now right for a comprehensive review of waste management in England and Wales. I am sure that this will be welcomed by all interested parties. They will want to know what our future priorities will be so that they can plan and invest for them.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applications to have housing cases rescinded from the small claims procedure have been granted since the introduction of the higher small claims limit in January 1996. [21313]

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what (a) monitoring and (b) research his Department has undertaken into the impact on housing cases of the increase in the small claims limit from January 1996. [21315]

Claims for possession, which form the overwhelming majority of housing cases, are excluded from the small claims regime. The collection of more detailed statistical information in relation to small claims was introduced by the Court Service in 1996 as part of the exercise in monitoring the effects of the rise in the limit to £3,000. One of the categories is "non-possession housing disputes". This Department has not undertaken any research specifically in connection with housing cases, however, a wider study of litigants' experiences of small claims by Professor John Baldwin was published in December 1997.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the impact on (a) the volume of legal aid certificates and (b) legal aid expenditure of the increase in the small claims limit made in January 1996. [21319]

It is estimated that the increase in the small claims limit made on 1 January 1996, from £1,000 to £3,000, has resulted in a reduction of 18.8 per cent. in the number of certificates issued during 1996–97 for money claims (excluding personal injury claims).

Certificates issued
Year	Money claims (excluding PI)	Annual change (per cent.)
1995–96	148,364	—
1996–97	120,492	-18.8

It is not possible to identify separately any overall savings resulting from the small claims limit.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the potential savings accruing from the removal of money and damages claims from the scope of legal aid. [21314]

Our spending plans remain unaffected by the proposed removal of money and damages claims from the scope of legal aid. The aim is to use the existing budget better. Until we have reached final decisions on the types of case that are to be excluded and other matters of important detail the expenditure implications cannot be quantified. That will not be until we have completed the extensive consultation we are currently undertaking.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what delegations were made in 1997 under the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992; to whom those delegations were made; and what were the main conditions attached to them. [23096]

Since the last report to Parliament on, 14 January 1997, Official Report, columns 187–88, Ministers and statutory office holders in charge of departments' have been given delegated authority (from 1 April 1997) under the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992 to determine in respect of home civil servants in their respective departments the allowances for members of the Senior Civil Service.In some cases, for staff appointed by statutory office holders, the Minister for the Civil Service was statutorily required to give consent to terms and conditions of service. For such staff, delegation has been effected by waiving that requirement, subject to the conditions attaching to delegation.The delegation was subject to the condition that recipients comply with the provisions of the Civil Service Management Code as amended from time to time. Copies of the Civil Service Management Code are available in the Libraries of both Houses.A similar authorisation was also made to the Health and Safety Executive. This came into effect on 12 May 1997 and was similarly subject to the condition that they comply with the provisions of the Civil Service Management Code as amended for time to time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to raise standards in the basic skills of literacy and numeracy in Wales. [22861]

Responses to our White Paper "Building Excellent Schools Together" have strongly endorsed the Government's overriding emphasis on strengthening the basic skills of literacy and numeracy and the targets set for attainment in the core subjects in primary schools. The broad purpose and content of the curriculum in Wales—notably as regards the Welsh language and the Curriculum Cymreig—is also well understood and appreciated. The responses did, however, show that many teachers are concerned about overload within the curriculum taught in primary schools in Wales and feel that this might work against the drive to improve standards of literacy and numeracy.I take these concerns very seriously and I have therefore asked for urgent advice from the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC) on ways in which the curriculum might be slimmed down in a way which reflects the distinctive nature of the curriculum in Wales. I have also written to every primary school head teacher to emphasise the Government's commitment to the targets set in the White Paper and to explain what I have asked ACCAC to do.In the light of the responses to the White Paper, I want to be sure that the position of Welsh and more generally of the Curriculum Cymreig have been weighed along with our broader objectives to ensure rigorous standards of teaching and learning together with a sound progression into secondary school education. I do not assume that a reduction in overload would of itself result in a better use of available time and I have, therefore, asked Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools to provide further guidance to deal with this point.I expect to receive advice by March. I will then set out an agenda for action and will consult teachers and others before changes are introduced. This timetable will allow for the option of modifying the Welsh curriculum from September 1998 in line with the announcement today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education.Copies of my letters to head teachers and ACCAC have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children took part in the summer school scheme in 1997; and what estimate he has made of the number taking part in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [20101]

A total of 736 children took part in the 1997 Wales Summer Literacy Programme. Provision for expansion is being made. The Scheme is to be extended to every authority for 1998 and they are currently working up their delivery plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of the summer school scheme in 1997; and what estimate he has made of the cost in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [20100]

The 1997 pilot programme was implemented as a joint initiative between Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs). Seedcorn funding of £75,000 was provided by the Welsh Office.Subject to Parliamentary approval there will be £220,000 available through the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) programme in 1998–99. Provision beyond 1999 is the subject of the Department's Comprehensive Spending Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the budget for each trust in Wales for NHS chiropody and podiatry services in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1995–96 and (d) 1994–95. [22542]

Figures on NHS Trust budgets are not available centrally. Expenditure on community chiropody services by NHS Trusts in Wales for the years 1994–95 to 1996–97 is given in the table. Expenditure for 1997–98 is not yet available.

£000
NHS Trust1	1996–97	1995–96	1994–95
Bridgend and District	238	n/a	n/a
Cardiff Community	722	634	2967
Carmarthen and District	185	185	180
Ceredigion and Mid Wales	117	111	107
Clwydian Community Care	760	751	656
Glan y Mor	1,022	n/a	n/a
Gwent Community	843	848	811
Gwynedd Community	569	464	392
Llandough Hospital	259	213	n/a
Llanelli Dinefwr	239	220	232
Pembrokeshire	246	234	301
Powys Healthcare	375	347	462
Rhondda Healthcare	28	75	120
All Wales total	5,603	4,082	3,261
1Source: Annual financial returns of NHS Trusts, (not audited).
2:Source: Annual financial returns of health authority directly managed unit, (not audited).
n/a = not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) financial, (b) food and (c) medical aid has been given by Her Majesty's Government to Sri Lanka since 1 January. [21891]

The total expenditure on bilateral assistance given to Sri Lanka in 1997 by Her Majesty's Government was about £6 million. This included some assistance to projects in the health sector; in particular for a project to improve health of mothers and children displaced by civil conflict. No food aid was provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding unpaid claims there were for compensation under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 on 1 January 1998; and what was the average delay between claim and payment for categories A, B and C on that date. [22210]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: On 1 January 1998, there were 20,779 claims awaiting processing under Options A and B and 9,628 claims awaiting processing under Option C, the great majority of which are mixed claims on which the Option A and B elements have been paid. The average turn round time between receipt of claims from the police and processing of Options A and B was 19 weeks. Regular processing of Option C claims is expected to begin later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make payment for the confiscated pistols of C. J. A. Foules, West Charleston Grange, near Kingsbridge, Devon. [22527]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: Claims under the Firearms Compensation Scheme are dealt with in the order in which they are received from the police. This claim was received on 23 September 1997, towards the end of the three month hand-in period, and is defective, in that the claimant has declined to sign the required declaration relinquishing ownership of the surrendered weapons. Until this is done, no payment can be made. The claim is therefore being returned for completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) of 4 December 1997, Official Report, column 292, on compensation for special constables, for what reasons he does not plan to consult organisations representing business and industry on his proposals for new regulations governing the Special Constabulary. [22215]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: We have not consulted organisations representing business and industry because the proposals contained in the consultation papers do not have direct implications for these sectors. If, as a result of the consultations with the police and local authority associations and the special constabulary, the proposals are revised so that they do have such implications, then we shall, of course, consult these organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the efficacy of the common travel area between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in relation to immigration matters and asylum. [22545]

The Common Travel Area is an important part of our immigration control arrangements, recognising geographical proximity and shared close interests. Its operation is kept under constant review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has published the draft Bill to restrict the frequency of lottery draws. [23094]

I published the draft Lotteries (Frequent Draws) Bill on 7 January for comments by 30 January.This follows my announcement on 13 November that the Government intend to introduce legislation seeking to restrict the frequency of on-line lottery draws under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976.The draft Bill restricts the frequency of such draws to one a day on any particular premises in Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what were the bonuses, benefits and pay of Ms Mary Allen during her time at the Arts Council. [20776]

The table gives details of Ms Allen's remuneration for the time that she was at the Arts Council. From 1995–96 onwards, these figures were published in the Arts Council's annual reports.

1 June 1992–31 August 1992 Temporary contract

1 September 1992–31 March 1994 Deputy Secretary-General

1 April 1994–23 May 1997 Secretary General

£
Financial year	Salary	Pension costs	Other	Total
1992–93	31,805	3,100	—	34,905
1993–94	48,676	5,549	—	54,225
1994–95	60,509	7,987	—	68,496
1995–96	62,446	8,242	—	70,688
1996–97	63,806	5,615	—	69,421
1997–981	25,819	1,487	2750	28,056
Total	293,061	31,980	750	325,791
1 Payment in lieu of notice was agreed at £5,000 a month (for three months), the second and third payment being subject to her not taking up remunerated employment in those periods.
2 This was a contribution to legal costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Government and lottery money was allocated to cricket through (a) the Sports Council and (b) other mechanisms in each of the last five years. [22255]

I have been advised by the English Sports Council and Sportsmatch that the sums are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been received from the National Lottery for sports funding since November 1994. [21393]

From November 1994 to December 1997, the Sports Councils for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have received in total £950.3 million of Lottery money to fund sports projects of which £768.8 million has already been awarded. In addition the Millennium Commission has made two awards to sports related projects totalling £69 million.Information on Lottery awards is now available on the Department's website www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the date, value and recipient of each award of Lottery funding to good causes in Scotland. [22416]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: As at 31 December 1997, 4,105 Lottery awards worth £498,679,648 have been made to organisations and individuals in Scotland. A full list will be placed in the Library.Details of Lottery awards can be found on the Department's internet website www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who was responsible for selecting the new Chairman-designate of the Football Trust; how many candidates were considered; what was the process of interviewing and consultation prior to the announcement;and what will be the remuneration of the Chairman-designate. [22668]

The appointment of the Chairman-designate of the Football Trust was wholly a matter for the Trustees. I was consulted by Trustees on their nomination of my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry), as the Trust Deed provides, and was very pleased to be able to support that nomination. My hon. Friend has considerable experience of all aspects of football and is widely acknowledged as a key figure in sports policy making. I understand the question of remuneration is to be considered at the first meeting of the new Trust. I would like to pay tribute to the excellent work Lord Aberdare has done as Chairman of the Football Trust since 1979, and to wish my hon. Friend well when he succeeds Lord Aberdare shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what statutory basis he has ordered the diversion of money from the National Lottery to causes other than those originally approved by Parliament. [22574]

No funds have been diverted from the existing good causes. Funds continue to be allocated between the existing five good causes according to the percentages approved by Parliament. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 1 October 1997 that, from 14 October, and with the agreement of existing Lottery distributors, "shadow" accounts would be maintained, setting aside funds for the New Opportunities Fund and NESTA on the basis of the proposed percentage shares outlined in the National Lottery Bill. The existing distributors are planning their commitments and expenditure on the basis of these "shadow" accounts. Subject to Parliamentary approval of the relevant provisions of the Bill, resources will be transferred to the New Opportunities Fund and NESTA in line with these accounts after Royal Assent. If the legislation were not passed, for whatever reason, the funds would simply remain in the accounts of the existing distributors, as currently provided.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's preferred method for companies to interface with the Inland Revenue for millennium computer compliance; and if he will make a statement. [21892]

The Inland Revenue has adopted a "no change" policy for handling Year 2000 dates across interfaces between its computer systems and those of other organisations, including companies, so that current protocols will continue to apply in the new millennium.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend beyond seven years the period within which gifts between individuals are free of inheritance tax. [22238]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer keeps under review all aspects of the tax system to ensure that it continues to meet the Government's objectives.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many works of art, on which there is conditional exemption of inheritance tax by virtue of public access, are on the Inland Revenue's register; and what was the figure in 1992. [22237]

In December 1997 there were 19,716 items listed on the Register of conditionally exempt works of art and other objects and the estimated figure for December 1992 is about 8,500.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information the Inland Revenue receives from the Guernsey authorities about (a) the deeds, (b) trustees and (c) letters of wishes of trusts established in Guernsey with discretionary beneficiaries in the United Kingdom.[22588]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: The exchange of information between the UK and Guernsey tax authorities is governed by the provisions of Article 10 of our Double Taxation Arrangement with Guernsey (S.I. 1952 No. 1215).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which EU meetings in Brussels the Paymaster General (a) has represented and (b) plans to represent the UK. [22278]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: Treasury European issues are not the responsibility of the Paymaster General. He has never represented the UK at any EU meeting in Brussels and he has no plans to do so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when the Permanent Secretary received the documentation in support of the assurances made to him by the Paymaster General in respect of the Orion Trust; and what assessment he has made of that documentation; [22814](2) if he will publish the questions upon which the Paymaster General sought advice from Sir Terrence Burns about his personal financial affairs. [22345]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: On his appointment as a Minister, the Paymaster General sought advice about his personal financial affairs from his solicitors, Titmuss Sainer Dechert, and the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury. In line with the Ministerial Code, his beneficial interests have been placed in a blind trust.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the cash limit and net running cost limit for the Government Actuary's Department for 1997–98. [22971]

The net running cost limit for the Government Actuary's Department, Class XVI, Vote 12, will be decreased by £120,000 from £384,000 to £264,000 and the cash limit will be reduced by £120,000 from £604,000 to £484,000. The decrease follows the breach of the net running cost limit in 1996–97. The Government Actuary's Department has reviewed its systems and procedures to prevent a recurrence of the breach.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the Student Awards Agency for Scotland to ensure that all eligible students at Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education receive payment of their grants before Christmas. [20486]

[holding answer 12 December 1997]: I have been monitoring the progress made by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland since it became clear that there were delays in the payment of student grants for academic year 1997–98.The Agency is confident that all new students at Falkirk College who submitted properly completed applications by mid November would have had them processed before Christmas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will request the Scottish Qualifications Authority to consider certificating pre-employment courses. [22271]

All existing SQA courses and awards, to varying degrees, prepare people for employment. Academic qualifications such as Standard Grades, Highers and CSYS provide a foundation of knowledge in preparation for later life. Work-related qualifications such as National Certificate, HNC and HND combine knowledge and practical experience in a wide range of subject areas to prepare for employment. Work-based Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), which are assessed in workplace conditions and recognise that individuals are competent for specific occupations, can in certain situations also be taken in preparation for employment.Broadly-based General SVQs were introduced in Scotland in 1991 specifically to assist people acquire the skills and knowledge required for employment, incorporating core skills in communication, numeracy, information technology, personal and interpersonal skills, and problem solving. The GSVQ concept, to be known as Scottish Group Awards, is being incorporated in the new Higher Still structure which, in 1999–2000, will reform the existing Highers, CSYS and National Certificate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will phase in the changes in the method of calculating the funding of further education colleges, so that they will not take full effect until August 1999. [22267]

We have yet to take decisions on changing the funding methodology for further education colleges, in light of responses to consultations following a recent review. When we do, we shall wish to consider appropriate transitional arrangements, including the possibility of phased introduction of certain elements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on GDP per capita in relation to (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) the United Kingdom for each year since 1978–79. [22414]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: Provisional data for 1996, together with information for 1986 to 1995 will be published in an article called "Regional Accounts 1996 Part 1" in the January edition of the Office for National Statistics Publication, "Economic Trends". This will be available from the House of Commons Library from 15 January. Data for earlier years are currently available from the Library.Data covering years to 1995, now about to be revised, were published in the January/February 1997 edition of "Economic Trends".

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year since 1978–79 the average class sizes in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in Scotland. [22418]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: The information is as follows:

Education Authority Schools
Average number of pupils per class September1
	Primary2	Secondary
1978–79	24.9	19.4
1979–80	23.9	18.9
1980–81	23.8	19.0
1981–82	23.8	19.1
1982–83	23.8	19.0
1983–84	25.3	19.5
1984–85	25.2	n/a
1985–863	n/a	n/a
1986–87	n/a	n/a
1987–88	24.9	18.8
1989–90	24.7	18.6
1991–92	24.7	18.9
1993–94	24.7	19.3
1995–96	24.8	19.5
1 Since 1983 for secondary schools and 1987 for primary schools, this information has only been collected biennially.
2 Until the 1983 School Census, classes for small numbers of primary pupils withdrawn for short periods of time from their normal classes were included in the calculation of average class size. From 1983, all pupils were counted against their normal class for statistical purposes.
3 Information for 1985–86 and 1986–87 is unavailable because of industrial action in some schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings he has had with Capita. [22406]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no meetings with Capita.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much it will cost to cancel the Government's contract with Capita following the abolition of the Nursery Voucher Scheme. [22380]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: The amount of the termination fee the Government have negotiated with Capita is commercial in confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year since 1978–79 the number of small businesses in Scotland. [22393]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: There is no single official definition of a small business. For Scotland, the best guide to trends in the number of small businesses is given by the number of VAT-registered enterprises.

VAT registered businesses: Scotland, 1980–961, 2
	Stock at start of year
1980	100,015
1981	100,965
1982	102,715
1983	103,785
1984	106,000
1985	108,210
1986	109,735
1987	111,485
1988	113,165
1989	115,455
1990	119,090
1991	122,770
1992	119,140
1993	118,755
1994	119,825
1995	118,610
1996	117,785
1997	118,125

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the membership and remit of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament. [23095]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced on 14 November 1997 his intention to establish an all party Consultative Steering Group to take forward consideration of how the Scottish Parliament might operate.

To ask the President of the Council what assessment she has made of the demand on IT specialists and systems of the Government's legislative programme other than that caused by preparations for EMU and the year 2000 computer date change problem. [19612]

[holding answer 17 December 1997]: A Compliance Cost Assessment is required for any Bill which has cost implications for Business, Charities and Voluntary Organisations and should include any IT Costs.

To ask the President of the Council if she will list the executive functions of the Privy Council. [22261]

The Privy Council approves amendments to the byelaws and statutes of Chartered institutions. It also approves rules made by the statutory registration councils responsible for the medical and certain other professions, and makes instruments of government for higher education corporations. In addition, it makes certain appointments to statutory bodies and to the governing bodies of universities and colleges.

To ask the President of the Council if she will list the Committees of the Privy Council, the number of times each has met since May and the quorum in each case. [22262]

The standing Committees of the Privy Council are:

• The Judicial Committee;
• The Universities Committee;
• The Scottish Universities Committee;
• The Committee for the purposes of the Crown Office Act 1877;
• The Committee for the Affairs of Jersey and Guernsey;
• The Baronetage Committee;
• The Political Honours Scrutiny Committee.

None of these Committees has met since May 1997 other than the Judicial Committee, which has sat throughout the Easter, Trinity and Michaelmas terms, and the Honours Committee, which has met three times. The quorum for the Judicial Committee is three. No quorum is stipulated for the Honours Committee.In addition, ad hoc Committees are constituted when required. None has met since last May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what further plans he has to ensure that priority is given to the basics of literacy and numeracy within the primary curriculum. [22798]

I am announcing today plans that will free up primary teachers' time so that they can give a clear priority to the teaching of literacy and numeracy and to meeting our literacy and numeracy targets. From September 1998 the priorities in the primary curriculum will be English and mathematics. The position of science, information technology and religious education will remain unchanged.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the universities in the United Kingdom which now provide tuition in remedial English for students unable to write to an appropriate standard. [22614]

Individual universities and colleges are responsible for assessing the skills and tuition needs of their students. Information on supplementary tuition for students who need to improve their communication skills is not available centrally. The Department is committed to improving literacy and other key skills at all levels of the education system, and has supported a number of projects to develop key skills in higher education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many claimants have been referred to project work in each quarter since April 1996; and how many of these have had their benefit cut for (i) two weeks and (ii) four weeks for failure to attend or complete their work placement. [21519]

[holding answer 18 December 1997]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under it's Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what have been the destinations of (a) claimants leaving or completing project work and (b) claimants in the selected control areas broken down to show those (i) in full-time employment, (ii) in self-employment, (iii) in part-time employment, (iv) in full-time education or training course, (v) on another Government programme, (vi) unemployed and claiming jobseekers's allowance, (vii) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (viii) in receipt of another benefit and (ix) doing something else. [21517]

[holding answer 18 December 1997]: 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 what will be the total level of his Department"s budget, in 1995–96 prices, for further education in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; what such figurers would be for (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99 on the basis of the estimates of the gross domestic product deflator contained in the November 1996 Budget; and if he will make a statement. [22109]

The total level of the Department"s budget for further education in 1997–98 at 1995–96 prices is £2.973 billion. Planned provision for 1998–99 at 1995–96 prices is £2.870 billion. Comparable figures using the GDP deflators contained in the November 1996 Budget are £3.001 billion and £2.920 billion respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact on per capita funding levels in further education of the measures contained in his announcement of 12 November. [22111]

Part of the additional funding available to the further education sector is to restrict the squeeze on unit costs in the 1998–99 teaching year to no more than the rate of inflation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the expenditure per student on capital projects within the further education sector for (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [22113]

This information is not yet available.Figures for individual colleges' capital expenditure in 1996–97 will not be available until January 1998 as the information is taken from colleges' audited accounts which are received by Further Education Funding Council on 30 November 1997. Figures for capital expenditure in subsequent years will follow a similar timetable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the additional administrative responsibilities placed on current facilities and infrastructure in colleges in further education by recent schemes announced by Her Majesty's Government; what provision he has made for additional administrative responsibilities; and if he will make a statement. [22108]

It will be for Further Education colleges to assess the additional administrative responsibilities and costs when bidding for funds made available through these schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what studies he has commissioned on the relative costs of providing further education in urban and rural areas. [22667]

None. The Further Education Funding Council has recently consulted on a funding methodology for colleges in 1998–99 in order to reflect the need to widen participation in further education in all areas, whether rural or urban.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he proposes to publish draft regulations governing the detailed application of the new rules for finance of students in further and higher education. [21915]

[holding answer issued 22 December 1997]: The rules applying to maintenance grants and tuition fees in 1998–99 will be set out in the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1998, which we plan to lay before the House as soon as possible.Provisions relating to income contingent student loans are contained in the Teaching and Higher Education Bill. The associated regulations will be laid before the House once the Bill receives Royal Assent in line with normal practice. We are taking steps to ensure that hon. Members are fully informed about how the proposed arrangements will operate in detail in advance of the publication of the regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the effect of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposal to move to a new system of public expenditure planning by 2001–02 on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Dearing Report relating to resource accounting. [22373]

The Government's proposal to move to a system of full resource accounting and budgeting in 2001–02 will result in a different treatment of student loans from grants. This will be consistent with the recommendation by the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many secure cycle spaces there are in his Department. [22674]

There are 162 secure cycle spaces on DfEE HO sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has for the inspection of independent schools; what will be the role of Ofsted in such inspection; what representations he has received about the inspection of independent schools; and if he will make a statement. [22532]

[holding answer 12 Janaury 1998]: Independent schools in England are currently inspected by Her Majesty's Inspectors (HMI) from Ofsted on a broadly 5-year cycle, and periodically by local fire brigades and—in the case of boarding schools—by local social services departments. Newly registered schools, or those causing concern, are inspected mor frequently and at least annually. Save in exceptional cases, these inspections do not normally lead to published reports.Discussions are under way with the independent school organisations on proposals to develop their own inspection arrangements so as to yield regular published reports consistent with the inspection framework and standards operated by Ofsted. This would allow Ofsted to concentrate more on strengthened inspection with published reports on schools which are not covered by those arrangements and which include pupils assisted from public funds. We will announce the new arrangements when they are finalised.Additionally our Green Paper "Excellence for all children: Meeting Special Educational Needs" proposes that all independent schools that provide specifically for children with Special Education Needs, but are not approved for this purpose under section 347(1) of the Eduction Act 1996, should be inspected at least every five years by HMI. Independent schools approved under that section are already inspected by Ofsted in the same way as maintained schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what budget he has agreed for the estates element of the South Devon District New Deal Delivery plan. [22541]

The New Deal for 18 to 24–year-olds does not commence in the South Devon District until 1 April 1998. At this stage no budget has been agreed for estates work in that District. The needs of the South Devon offices will be assessed in the near future and an appropriate budget agreed for any changes required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what response he plans to make to Irish Government proposals for a Programme and Joint Management Structure for youth exchanges between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. [22506]

A joint working party is being established to define the range and content of the youth exchange programme and to decide how it will operate. The Department will appoint representatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what response he plans to make to the proposal from the Irish Government for a joint forum to facilitate discussion and co-operation in educational matters. [22501]

Following the joint statement issued by the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach on 12 December, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment met the Irish Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Michael Martin TD, on 17 December. They agreed that there should be regular contact between officials of their Departments to discuss ways of enhancing teaching and learning through new technologies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many meetings of the Anglo-Irish Inter-Governmental Council Working Group on Education and Culture have taken place in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [22565]

The Working Group on Education and Culture has met five times during the last three years, on 3 February 1995, 26 April 1996, 7 February 1997, 8 May 1997 and 14 November 1997. The Working Group provides a valuable forum for the discussion of Anglo-Irish co-operation in the fields of education and culture.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many projects his Department funds under the Leonardo vocational training programme which involve Irish organisations. [22505]

During the first three years of the Leonardo da Vinci vocational training programme, UK organisations have led 757 transnational projects of which 149 involve partners from the Republic of Ireland. The Leonardo da Vinci programme is funded by the European Community, not the DfEE, and runs from 1995–99.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many meetings his Department has had with the Irish Department of Education in relation to the National Grid for Learning and the University for Industry. [22500]

There has been one formal meeting of officials in relation to the National Grid for learning and none in relation to the University for Industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students from the Republic of Ireland are studying at British universities; and how many are in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [22503]

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency for the academic year 1996–97 showed that there were 14,550 students from the Republic of Ireland studying in higher education institutions in the UK, of whom 7,552 were studying in England, 1,570 in Scotland, 1,546 in Wales and 3,882 in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students from the Republic of Ireland are participating in further education in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [22504]

In 1995–96, the latest year for which data were available, there were 1,700 students from the Republic of Ireland studying in further education institutions in England.The numbers of such students studying in other parts of the United Kingdom are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he intends to take to encourage participation by English and Welsh schools in the European Studies Project. [22502]

The Government welcome the fact that a growing number of UK schools are forming partnerships with Irish schools through their participation in initiatives such as the European Studies Project and the EC SOCRATES programme. Following a meeting between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Irish Minister of Education and Science on 17 December 1997, the Government are considering whether there is a need for additional measures to encourage co-operation between educational institutions in the UK and in Ireland.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many secure cycling spaces there are in his Department. [22676]

Many of the Department's 240 sites now provide secure accommodation for cycles. In our London HQ buildings there are about 100 spaces (some shared with other Departments) while the Department's HQ offices at York, Tolworth and Guildford have approximately 140 spaces between them. It is the Department's policy to provide secure cycle spaces where there is a demand for them and where this is physically possible.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much milk was (a) produced and (b) consumed in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [22528]

1996 is the last year for which United Kingdom milk production and consumption figures are available. The figures are as follows:

United Kingdom milk production, supply and utilisation: 1996
	Million litres
Gross production of milk from the dairy and beef herds1	14,224
Imports of raw milk2	111
Exports of raw milk2	173
Total supply	14,162
Utilisation by dairies for drinking milk3	6,806
Utilisation by dairies for manufacturing dairy products4	6,979
Dairy wastage and stock change	76
Other uses5	301
Total domestic use	14,162
1 Includes 7 million litres of milk from the beef herd. Excludes suckled milk.
2 Milk imported or exported as packaged drinking milk is excluded.
3 Represents consumption of drinking milk in the UK, as little is imported or exported. In 1996 imports of packaged drinking milk were 41 million litres, exports were 53 million litres.
4 A proportion of dairy products manufactured will be exported and not consumed in the UK.
5 Includes farmhouse consumption, milk fed to stock and on farm waste. Excludes suckled milk.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much (a) fresh and (b) UHT milk was imported into the United Kingdom in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [22529]

A total of 153,300 tonnes of milk were imported into the United Kingdom in the 12 months to the end of September 1997. Trade statistics do not distinguish between fresh and UHT milk.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will commission research into the operation of vertically integrated co-operatives for the dairy industry. [22447]

I have no such plans.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy relating to Milk Marque. [22448]

Issues concerning Milk Marque's commercial operations and those of other companies in the dairy sector are a matter for the competition authorities.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the total United Kingdom consumption of beef and beef products was derived from home production in (a) 1972 and (b) 1997. [22489]

Home fed production of beef and veal as a proportion of new supplies was 78 per cent. in 1972 and 77 per cent. in the 12 months to September 1997.New supplies of beef and veal are defined as home fed production plus imports of carcase meat plus the meat equivalent of fat animals imported for direct slaughter minus exports of carcase meat minus the meat equivalent of live exports.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the per capita consumption of beef and beef products in (a) 1972 and (b) 1997. [22488]

Per capita consumption of beef, beef sausages and corned beef in Great Britain measured by purchases for consumption at home in the National Food Survey is given in the following table:

grams per person per week
Purchases of	1972	1996–971
Beef	195	109
Beef sausages	42	15
Corned beef	13	13
1 October 1996 to September 1997. Beef here includes a very small element of veal.

Data on the consumption of beef outside of the home and in the form of other processed products are not available. To help complete the picture, the table provides the total amount of beef available for domestic usage in 1996–97 and the nearest equivalent measure (total new supplies) for 1972–73. Domestic usage is derived as total UK production plus imports less exports and adjusted for stock changes. Total new supplies excludes the adjustment for stock changes.

United Kingdom	1972–73	1996–971
Total domestic usage of beef ('000 Tonnes)	21,173	840
1 October 1996 to September 1997.
2 Total new supplies in the period April 1972 to March 1973.

Total domestic usage and new supply figures are in carcase weight equivalent, whereas the per capita consumption estimates above relate to the actual weight purchased.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average liveweight price of steers in (a) 1972 and (b) 1997. [22490]

The average liveweight price of steers in Great Britain in 1997 was 97.5 p/kg. An equivalent price for 1972 is not available.However, comparable figures for the United Kingdom for 1972 and 1997 are available for all clean cattle. In 1997, the average all clean cattle price was 95.4p/kg liveweight and in 1972 the average fat cattle market price was 30.3p/kg liveweight. The 1972 price relates to animals certified under the Fatstock Guarantee Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the recommendations of the Export Forum, if he will make a statement on his Department's export promotion work. [20427]

This Department welcomes the report of the Export Forum, and supports the thrust of their proposals, which will form an important basis for a new export initiative. Supporting British business abroad helps create prosperity at home, and is one of this Department's key roles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures he will take to assist small and medium enterprises in their export efforts. [20428]

Our new Export Initiative, based on the recommendations of the Export Forum, will have a particular focus on the needs of small and medium enterprises which are exporters, or have the potential to export.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken to promote job creation in the EU. [20431]

My Department has worked with other government departments to encourage EU policies which promote job creation. We supported the inclusion of an Employment Title in the Treaty of Amsterdam and at the Employment Summit in Luxembourg. We secured a text that reflected HMG's priority of bringing jobs and opportunities for the long-term unemployed. At the forthcoming Cardiff Summit we will be reviewing the Action Plans by member states drawn up under the guidelines approved at Luxembourg.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British relations with India. [20432]

We enjoy good and close relations with India and, as I made clear in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, East (Jane Griffiths) on 8 July 1997, Official Report, column 415, we look forward to strengthening this important relationship still further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in the middle east.[20433]

We are concerned by the current stalemate. We attach the highest importance to full implementation of existing commitments under the Interim and Hebron Agreements, and will give that issue high priority during our conduct of the EU Presidency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the European Union's role in the middle east peace process during the United Kingdom's presidency. [20435]

Working to re-inject momentum into the peace process will be one of the most important foreign policy priorities of our Presidency. We will endeavour to keep up the pressure for progress in implementing existing agreements and ensure that EU and US efforts are complementary in moving the peace process forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process. [20440]