To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of Professor Ian Kennedy's review relating to the risks of importing rabies. [22794]

The Advisory Group on Quarantine, under the Chairmanship of Professor Kennedy, has so far met on three occasions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made on the impact of the limiting of tax relief to £50,000 on investments in TESSAs and PEPs on retirement incomes. [21914]

[holding answer 22 December 1997]: The impact on retirement income of capping ISAs at £50,000 will depend on the way in which people decide to invest the balance of their investments and their other sources of income.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements exist for the exchange of information on tax avoidance between the Belgian tax authorities and the Inland Revenue. [22280]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: Exchanges of information between the Belgian tax authorities and the Inland Revenue are made under the EC Mutual Assistance Directive (No. 77/799/EEC) and the UK Double Taxation Agreement with Belgium (Statutory Instrument 1987 No. 2053).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to withdraw enhancement benefits for early or medical retirement from members of public sector superannuation schemes later found guilty of, or responsible for, improper activities that involved costs to the relevant employer. [23021]

Legislation exists to enable public service schemes to forfeit the pension rights of public servants who are convicted of serious offences committed in connection with their employment, or for treason or offences under the Official Secrets Act. Schemes may also have rules or regulations, or rely upon DSS regulations, to use pension rights to recover moneys owed to the employer.It is a matter for those who run the schemes to determine when and how to apply the relevant legislation and regulations in individual cases.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997, Official Report, column 246. for what reasons a breakdown of replies signed by his private secretary and himself is not available. [23051]

The breakdown could have been provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the relationship between the Orion Trust and the Robinson Family No. 1 Trust. [23655]

I refer the right hon. Member to the first of the answers I gave on 10 December 1997, Official Report, column 575.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of progress made by pension firms in providing redress to the victims of mis-selling. [24328]

The table shows what progress has been made in the period up to the end of December 1997 by the 41 firms I have been monitoring. Since November, most of these firms have made continuing progress, and between them the firms concerned have now resolved over half of the cases identified for review.For 29 of these firms, the Personal Investment Authority (PIA) set a deadline of 31 December for 90 per cent. of the most urgent cases to be resolved. It made clear that failure to take all reasonable steps to meet the deadline would be grounds for disciplinary action. The PIA announced today that the initial indications are that while most the firms concerned had indeed made their best endeavours to meet this first deadline, five appear to have failed to do so. It also announced its intention to make further investigations to see what further action is warranted.The first deadline has now passed and most of the large firms appear to have met it. Those who have not must face the consequences. The PIA is considering what the consequences should be. The 41 firms still have a huge task ahead of them: none of them have yet resolved all their priority cases. For most firms, including the many that are not included in the table, a deadline of 31 December 1998 has been set for completion of this task—for some firms it is as early as 30 April 1998. There will be no let up—from the Government or from the regulators—until it has been achieved, and I will continue to monitor progress month by month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he is taking to attract private sector money into school sporting activity. [19493]

Sportsmatch, the Government-funded business incentive scheme for sport, offers pound for pound matching funding for sponsorship of grass roots expense. Failure to conduct the reviews properly is as serious an omission as failure to process cases quickly.sport. One million pound out of the annual Sportsmatch budget of £3.2 million is reserved for schools and schools-related activities. I announced recently that the minimum award for schools has been reduced to £500 to increase the opportunities for securing private sector sponsorship. In addition, the Lottery Sports Fund School Community Sports Initiative is designed to help schools find matching funding, including private sector investment, having already supported 24 projects with awards totalling over £10 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of students who dropped out of higher education courses in (a) 1995–96, and (b) 1996–97; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such drop out. [21896]

The information requested is not yet available centrally. I will write to the hon. Member when the figures for Wales become available in the Spring.The latest available figures for drop-out among full-time and sandwich first-degree students in former Universities Funding Council institutions in the UK and former polytechnics in England are shown in the following table.

Full-time and sandwich first degree drop-out rates in former UFC universities in the UK and former polytechnics in England1
Per cent.
	Higher education
1989–90	16
1990–91	15
1991–92	17
1992–93	17
1993–94	217–18
1994–95	217–18

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the guidelines whereby victims of crimes committed by perpetrators diagnosed as being mentally ill are not informed about the release or rehabilitation of those perpetrators. [22859]

Both the Home Office and the Department of Health are committed to improving the level of information provided to the victims of crimes committed by people with mental disorders. The issue is complicated by consideration of confidentiality of personal information, but we are undertaking work on this issue and I hope it will be possible to make real progress in the next few months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report by the Home Office Police Research Group into deaths in police custody will be published. [23041]

Due to unavoidable personnel changes, completion of the report has been delayed and it is not now expected to be published before early summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997, Official Report, column 255, in respect of each of the licences granted for research into the medical use of cannabis, if he will list the publications containing the results indicating the date of publication. [23219]

This information is not collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997, Official Report, column 255, what are the rules which determine when a licence to research and trial the medical use of cannabis will lapse. [23149]

Research licences are valid for three years in accordance with administrative policy; they may be extended as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997, Official Report, column 255, where the researchers examining the medical use of cannabis obtain their cannabis. [23221]

Supplies have been obtained under licence from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist and the University of London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997, Official Report, column 255, if he will list the licences granted for research, other than medical research, into cannabis, indicating in each case the purpose of the research, the result and if the licence is still valid. [23220]

There are sixteen licences currently valid for cannabis research not directly related to medical research. They are all held for academic purposes. Information on results is not collected. The licence holders are:

• Dr. C. Hunter, University of the West of England;
• Dr. G. Hall, De Montfort University;
• Professor D. Cowan, Kings College London;
• Dr. D. Harvey, University of Oxford;
• Professor F. Evans, University of London;
• Dr. M. Cole, University of Strathclyde;
• Professor M. Rubenstein, Liverpool John Moores University;
• Professor P. Redfern, University of Bath;
• Dr. R. Morgan, University of Sunderland;
• Dr. K. Brain, University of Wales;
• Dr. J. Smart, University of Portsmouth;
• Dr. P. Dewick, University of Nottingham;

• Dr. G. Lockwood, University of Manchester;
• Mr. M. Aitken, University of Brighton;
• Dr. P. Houghton, Kings College London;
• Professor R. Richards, The Robert Gordon University.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997, Official Report, column 255, if all the doctors researching the medical use of cannabis are qualified in pharmacology. [23222]

This information is not held, as a qualification in pharmacology is not a licensing requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation orders with a requirement of treatment for drug dependency were (a) made and (b) subject to breach proceedings in each of the last 10 years. [23121]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: Requirements for drug treatment are not identified separately from alcohol treatment in the national probation statistics. The information below was published in "Probation Statistics England and Wales 1996" in September 1997 (table 3.10).

Table: Number of persons commencing probation service supervision by type of additional requirement (England and Wales)1
	Residential drugs/alcohol treatment	Non-residential drugs/alcohol treatment	Drugs/alcohol by or under a qualified medical person
1992	50	99	70
1993	269	444	375
1994	338	601	420
1995	374	769	564
19962	334	887	538
1 New requirements added from 1 October 1992 under the Criminal Justice Act 1991.
2 Provisional

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the review of the treatment of victims and vulnerable witnesses by the criminal justice system which he announced on 13 June 1997 to be completed. [23115]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: We hope that the review will be completed shortly and a final report submitted to Ministers in the spring. We will consider the report as quickly as possible thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place for notification of the UK authorities by other countries of sex offences committed by UK citizens within their jurisdiction. [23113]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: While there is no formal requirement for other countries to notify us of convictions of British citizens, I understand that existing arrangements via the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) work well. These allow Interpol member countries, of which there are 178 throughout the world, to use the Interpol Notice system to notify criminal activities of citizens to national authorities.Interpol International Notices are circulated to all member countries via the Automated Search Facility (ASF) and give the identity particulars, physical description and, where possible, the fingerprints and photograph of an individual.The Interpol Green Notice is used to seek information on people who have committed or are likely to commit offences affecting several countries and are often used to exchange information on travelling paedophiles. With 178 Interpol member countries, including the principal sex-tourism destinations, this offers an effective and efficient method of information exchange.It is our policy to encourage the use of the system to inform preventive strategies for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. It is also out intention to use this system to ensure that the proposed Sex Offenders Orders can be used to maximum effect against sex offenders convicted abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average number of electors per constituency in the UK; and what effect the application of that United Kingdom population average would have on the numbers of hon. Members in (a) Great Britain, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland. [23022]

The average number of electors per constituency in the United Kingdom is 67,077.The effect of the application of that United Kingdom population average on the number of hon. Members for the component parts of the United Kingdom would be as follows:

	Number
(a) Great Britain	641 (no change)
(b) England	549 (+20)
(c) Scotland	59 (-13)
(d) Wales	33 (-7)
(e) Northern Ireland	18 (no change)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce an independent body to investigate complaints against the Police. [23492]

We are committed to finding ways of increasing public confidence in the investigation of complaints against the police, including examining the scope for introducing a greater degree of independence into the system. We are currently considering these issues in the light of the Home Affairs Committee's recently published report on the police complaints and discipline system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for improving the conditions of women prisoners. [21298]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: The Prison Service is planning to build a purpose-built women's prison. The preferred location should serve East Midlands, East Anglia and North London.Additional prison places for women have already been made available by changing the role of existing accommodation at Brockhill, Foston Hall and Highpoint North and by providing new accommodation at New Hall and Eastwood Park.At six women's prisons, building projects are in progress to maintain or upgrade existing services and facilities. A further 17 projects at these prisons are under consideration.As part of the Prison Service Review, the Government ensured that the appointment of an Assistant Director for Women Prisoners will focus particularly on the needs of women. This will include the need for offending behaviour programmes for women and special regimes for young female offenders.The Government are also examining the recommendations of the Chief Inspector's Thematic review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of HMP Weare. [21300]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: Her Majesty's Prison Weare was commissioned by the previous administration for an initial period of three years to help the Prison Service accommodate the very high number of prisoners. Its occupation and location will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about education spending in prisons. [21305]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: Prison Service expenditure on prisoner education was £36,956,000 in 1995–96, £34,481,000 in 1996–97; and the Service estimates that in 1997–98 it will have spent £36,266,000.The very high numbers of prisoners combined with the need for financial restraint have placed education budgets under pressure. However, we are committed to the provision of constructive regimes for prisoners and wish to see prison education making a positive and cost-effective contribution to the overall aim of protecting the public from crime. The £43 million which the Government have made available to the Prison Service over this year and next is intended not only to help it house the higher than expected population, but also to maintain quality of regimes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating (a) who accompanied him or her (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23253]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: Travelling expenses have been paid in accordance with Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code in respect of visits to the following Crown Dependencies:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many racial attacks were recorded in each of the past 10 years where the attacker was a white person. [22206](2) how many racial attacks were recorded in each of the past 10 years where the victim was a white person. [22207]

[holding answers 12 January 1998]: The number of racial incidents recorded by the police is submitted by each police force to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary at the end of each financial year. The figures show racial incidents recorded by the police under the Association of Chief Police Officers' definition of a racial incident:

"any incident in which it appears to the reporting or investigating officer that the complaint involves an element of racial motivation, or any incident which includes an allegation of racial motivation made by any person".

This definition covers all racial incidents, not only racial attacks.These figures do not include a breakdown, by ethnicity, of either the victim or the offender in a racial incident. However, data on the ethnic classification of victims and offenders involved in racial incidents were collected by the Home Office's Police Research Group for the financial year 1996–97 in connection with a research project on policing racial incidents which was published in November 1997. These data are incomplete because data were not available from all police forces, but the available figures are set out in the table.

Ethnic breakdown of victims/offenders involved in racial incidents recorded by the police in 1997–971
	Number
Victims2
White	2,044
Non-white	7,185
Not recorded	262
Total	9,491
Offenders3
White	6,180
Non-white	2,613
Not recorded	781
Total	9,574

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many secure cycle spaces there are in her Department. [22681]

There are no separate records maintained on the number of secure cycle spaces at Government premises in Northern Ireland and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Cyclists are able to leave their bicycles in all Government-owned car parks with the same level of security as for motor vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the progress of the Local Enterprise and Development Unit in generating self-employment and small business development in the last year. [22741]

LEDU, the Small Business Agency for Northern Ireland, measures the performance of its client companies by way of an annual survey, of which the most recent was completed in March 1997. Its findings reveal that LEDU assisted 1,543 new businesses to start-up during 1996–97, 136 of which represented businesses with potential to engage in future export-led growth (an increase of 72 per cent. over the previous two years).Jobs created through new business starts were at an all time high of 3,425 and losses due to business closures were at their lowest level since 1991. In overall terms, a net 3,525 increase in full-time employment was recorded in LEDU's client bank; an increase of 15 per cent. over the previous year.LEDU's growth category businesses have an estimated aggregate annual turnover of £750 million (8.5 per cent. increase from the previous year) and support the employment of 11,670 people (6 per cent. up on the previous year). Overall, LEDU's growth companies increased their sales to external markets by nearly 14 per cent. to an annual value of £300 million and improved their sales per employee by 2 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on her strategy for re-negotiating European Union Structural Funds after the year 2000. [22745]

A number of key issues regarding the European Union Structural Funds after 1999 have still to be decided by the Member States. Every effort will be made to secure the best deal possible for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland strategy to achieve this will be developed and implemented in consultation with other interested Whitehall Departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the progress made by the Industrial Development Board in promoting inward investment since July 1997. [22740]

The Industrial Development Board continues to make steady progress in promoting inward investment in Northern Ireland. Since the beginning of July 1997, 16 projects offering 2,144 jobs and representing promised investment of some £266 million, have been announced by externally owned companies. The climate for investment remains strong and the consolidation of the peace process through a political settlement will have significant impact on the promotion of Northern Ireland as an investment location.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she proposes to announce the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review in respect of (a) Departmental and (b) spending priorities; and if she will make a statement. [22742]

The outcome of the Northern Ireland spending review will not be available until after the national review has been completed. The national review is expected to be concluded in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when her Department will be able to provide statistical information based on the constituency boundaries in force at the General Election in 1997. [22807]

Data from the 1991 Census of Population have been re-worked to the new Parliamentary Constituencies and published in the "1991 Census Monitor for New Parliamentary Constituencies in Northern Ireland," a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons library. The Department of Economic Development also provides Claimant Unemployment and Census of Employment statistics by Parliamentary Constituency. Certain other socio-economic data are held at postcode level which can be amalgamated to approximate Parliamentary Constituency boundaries as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many penalty tickets have been issued and what was the amount paid in relation to those tickets in respect of the Bangor Market parking area now suspended; and what steps her Department is taking to cancel outstanding proceedings and return monies to those who have paid penalties and fines; [22803](2) what assessment her Department made of the effect on numbers using public transport to travel to work in Belfast of the introduction of parking charges in Bangor Market; and if she will make a statement. [22804]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W.J. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will review the decision by the Department of Finance and Personnel not to exercise its discretion to allow a late transfer of the superannuation rights of Mr. W. J. Allen to the Department of Education; and if she will make a statement about the types of extenuating circumstances which have applied to such transfers. [22806]

The Department of Education for Northern Ireland and the Department of Finance and Personnel are examining the issues raised in this matter. It is not possible to respond fully within the specified timescale but a Ministerial reply will be issued as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what operating procedures were issued to prison officers dealing with the prisoners' children's Christmas 1997 parties at HM Prison Maze; in what order prisoners and visitors left after the party; and if this procedure was based on previous practice. [22785]

It would not be appropriate for me to answer this now because the security arrangements for the parties are among the matters currently being investigated by a special inquiry team. Their report will be published in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many operators have been trained to use the Rapiscan equipment at HM Prison Maze; and by whom operating instruction is provided. [22783]

A total of 83 staff at HM Prison Maze have been trained in the use of Rapiscan equipment. Training is provided locally by the Training Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use is made of the Rapiscan baggage scanner installed at the main gate staff search area at HM Prison Maze; and if every item of (a) staff and (b) official visitors' baggage and property is scanned. [22782]

All staff and official visitors' baggage must go through the Rapiscan located at the staff search area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the provision of new cutlery and crockery at HM Prison Maze; and if she will make a statement. [22791]

The total cost of supplying the metal cutlery and crockery to inmates was £2,800.00. This produces significant savings against the polycarbonate items previously issued as the annual cost of replacement of these was £4,200.00.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what refresher courses in the use of Rapiscan baggage scanner equipment have been provided at HM Prison Maze during the three-year period ending 30 November 1997. [22784]

Once staff have completed the initial Rapiscan training course, their skills in the use of the equipment are kept up to date through frequent use of it and it is considered that refresher training is not required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what risk assessment was conducted by her Department prior to the introduction of metal cutlery in HM Prison Maze. [22813]

A full risk assessment was carried out jointly by the Health and Safety Officer and Security Governor prior to the issue of metal cutlery in HMP Maze.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prison officers in HM Prison Maze are fully trained in the operation of walk-through metal detection scanners; and how often refresher training courses have taken place during the past three years. [22779]

Records are not available to confirm the numbers of officers trained in the use of this equipment, however walk-through metal detection scanners are no longer in use as there are more efficient and effective detection systems now in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for how long the two walk-through metal detection scanners in the prisoner search area at the rear of Visits in HM Prison Maze have been inoperative. [22778]

The two walk-through metal detection scanners referred to have been inoperative for three years. However, staff were issued with hand-held metal detectors from that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if there was a full search of HM Prison Maze carried out during the 17 days between the Averill escape and the murder of Mr. Wright. [22789]

A search of HMP Maze was carried out immediately following the Averill escape to ensure that he was not hiding or being hidden. In addition to the search of the residential blocks, all other areas of the prison were searched using trained search dogs, and the external areas were searched by the RUC and Army.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations were made to the Governor of HM Prison Maze on 6 August 1996 concerning difficulties arising from large numbers of prisoners being returned from recreational areas who failed to co-operate with the returning of numbers procedures; and whether action was taken to deal with this problem. [22786]

There is no record of any complaint being made to the Governor in relation to this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many PTZ spy-in-the-sky cameras are installed at HM Prison Maze; if that which gave coverage of H Block 6 where Mr. Wright was murdered was in full working order at the time of the killing; and if she will make a full statement. [22788]

It would not be appropriate for me to answer this now as security arrangements are among the matters currently being investigated by a special inquiry team. Their report will be published in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if Key Function 1.6 of the Business and Corporate Plan relating to HM Prison Maze has been fully implemented, taking account of the 1994 Woodcock Report and the RUC Review; and if she will indicate the number and description of unauthorised articles found during searches of (a) Loyalist and (b) Republican residential areas during the year to 30 November 1997. [22790]

The Northern Ireland Prison Service Corporate and Business Plan does not contain a Key Function 1.6. However, the hon. Member may be referring to the Governor/Headquarters establishment contract of which key function 1.6 refers to searching. An effective searching programme is now in place. The information about the seizure of unauthorised articles in the format requested could not be extracted in time to answer this question. However, I will write separately when the information is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use is made of the Rapiscan baggage scanner installed at the visitors' reception area at HM Prison Maze; and if every item of prisoner visitors' baggage and property is scanned. [22781]

There are standing instructions that all parcels clothing and property entering the prison go through the Rapiscan baggage scanner at visitors' reception.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if there are walk-through metal detection scanners installed and in use at the visitors' reception area at HM Prison Maze. [22780]

There are no walk-through metal detection scanners installed at the visitors' reception area. Staff use hand held metal detectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will now make available to hon. Members the Steele Report on the tunnel escape attempt inquiry. [22787]

No. The Steele report will not be made available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what respect the implementation of the best value regime is intended to lead to more responsibility being devolved to local authorities in Northern Ireland. [22777]

The question of greater responsibilities for local authorities will be a matter for consideration as part of the current political talks process. The introduction of a Best Value regime for District Council services in Northern Ireland will encourage greater local accountability by giving District Councils greater flexibility in determining how best to achieve increased efficiency and improve quality of service. To ensure that local government is involved in developing Best Value proposals, a Consultation Paper was published on 10 December 1997 with a closing date of 5 February 1998. A copy of the Paper has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the estimated costs to local government authorities during each of the next five years of the transition from compulsory competitive tendering to best value; and if she will make a statement. [22776]

The Government are currently in the process of consulting all interested parties on their proposals for a Best Value regime for District Council services in Northern Ireland. It will be a matter for each District Council to decide how to respond to the challenge of Best Value, and so it is not possible to estimate future costs at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many local councils are investigating the development of waste incineration plants; what financial resources have been involved; whether the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has established a co-ordinating facility to encourage and assist local government attempts; and if she will make a statement. [22800]

While district councils in Northern Ireland continue to explore new options for waste management, none has undertaken a detailed study of the development of waste incineration plants, nor has the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland established any co-ordinating facility to encourage and assist such developments. The Government are currently formulating proposals for a Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy which will address the issue of how incineration should contribute to the overall management of waste. The Department is considering applications from two companies—NIGEN Ltd. and Belfast Waste Services Ltd.—for planning permission to develop municipal waste incinerators in the Belfast harbour area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to (a) privatise and (b) alter the present organisational structure of the water service in Northern Ireland. [22756]

No decisions have been taken on the future organisational arrangements for the provision of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. The options are currently under review and it is hoped to publish a consultation paper early in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she was notified of the resignation of the Rev. Roy Magee as a member of the Parades Commission; and if she will make a statement. [22493]

Rev. Roy Magee advised my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in a letter dated 5 December of his intention to resign at the end of December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by overseas post (a) the number of diplomatic staff, (b) the number of British-based non-diplomatic staff and (c) the number of locally recruited staff currently (i) authorised for and (ii) actually based at each overseas post; and if he will indicate in (1) numerical and (2) percentage terms how each of theses authorised and actual numbers have changed since (A) five years ago and (B) 10 years ago. [22819]

I have placed in the Library of the House tables showing for each overseas Post (i) the current FCO authorised establishment of UK-based staff, together with the figures for 1993; and (ii) the number of Locally Engaged staff-years being worked currently, together with the figures for 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by overseas post (a) the current annual cost and (b) the cost in 1990–91 of employing (i) diplomatic staff, (ii) British-based non-diplomatic staff and (iii) locally recruited staff; and if he will indicate (1) numerically and (2) in percentage terms how each of these costs have changed since 1990–91. [22817]

I have placed in the Library of the House a table showing for each overseas Post the full cost of staff slots at a representative sample of FCO grades (both UK-based and Locally Engaged). The figures show the estimated total cost to the FCO of maintaining an officer at Post in 1995–96 and are the latest available. They comprise: (i) direct costs (such as paybill, National Insurance Contributions, superannuation, allowances, accommodation and travel); (ii) a proportionate share of support functions at Post (such as communications and security); and (iii) a proportionate share of UK administration costs (such as personnel, finance, estate management and IT management).No directly comparable figures for earlier years are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of (a) ethics and (b) morality in his Department's foreign policy. [23130]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: As we made clear in the FCO Mission Statement last July, we are committed to work through international forums and bilateral relationships to spread the values of human rights, civil liberties and democracy which we demand for ourselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government's ethical foreign policy extends to a concern about how men treat women in other countries. [23212]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: We are fully committed to the promotion of human rights for all. We support the efforts of the European Union and other regional groups of which we are a member to promote gender non-discrimination and women's rights. The United Kingdom is an active member of the United Nation's Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission for Human Rights, and is committed to the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost of the staff employed by the European Commission who are based in countries outside the European Union; and how many such staff are employed. [23029]

We do not hold this information. I will write to the hon. Member in due course, having contacted the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff employed by the European Commission are based in Barbados; what are their functions; and what is their cost to public funds. [23028]

The Commission has six Brussels-based staff at its Delegation in Bridgetown, Barbados, as follows: Head of Delegation, two Economic Advisers, Rural Development Administrator, Social Development Adviser and Technical Adviser.They are mainly involved in administering the Community's aid programme.The cost of running the Delegation in Barbados comes from an overall budget for Commission Delegations in third countries which in 1996 was ECU 194,558,200 (about £130 million). The UK share of this sum was approximately 15 per cent. or £20 million.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations the Government has made to (a) P&O and (b) the Indian Government regarding the proposed port development by P&O at Vadhavan in Dahanu Taluka, India; [22455](2) what action she has taken in response to representations she has received regarding the proposed port development by P&O at Vadhavan in Dahanu Taluka, India; [22456](3) how many representations received by Her Majesty's Government regarding the proposed port development by P&O at Vadhavan in Dahanu Taluka, India have been

To date, HMG have received seven representations regarding the proposed port development by P&O at Vadhavan. No representations were in favour of the project, and one came indirectly from the local people via the Dahanu Taluka Environment Welfare Association.All the representations have been replied to by letter (except for the most recent one for which a reply is pending) explaining that the actual award of the contract to P&O Australia is for the Government of Maharashtra to decide and that the UK Government have no role in such an award. The replies also make it clear that the Vadhavan port development is not a British aid-funded project but purely a commercial transaction between P&O Australia and the Government of Maharashtra and, therefore, that interested parties may wish to express their concerns to the Maharashtran Government.To date there have been no representations from the UK Government to either P&O or the Indian Government regarding the proposed port development at Vadhavan, nor has the UK Government received any representations from P&O with respect to the same issue.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make it an offence to transmit unsolicited commercial communications through facsimile machines. [22896]

Measures are already in place to deal with the problem of unsolicited faxes. The telecommunications and telephone selling industries have established a Fax Preference Service to help residential customers reduce the number of faxes they receive. Customers who have a fax machine in their residential premises may register for inclusion in a database against which companies selling via fax "clean" their mailing lists. In addition, under the Telecommunications Act 1984, UK companies using fax marketing are subject to a class licence which contains measures aimed at limiting the nuisance which can be caused by unsolicited faxes. Anyone sending unsolicited faxes must cease doing so to any particular person on receipt of a written request from them, or face possible enforcement action, including the removal of their right to operate a telecoms system, by Oftel.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she received a request for launch aid in respect of the A340 500/600 Airbus project; what decision has been made and on what grounds; and if the matter remains under review. [23040]

My department received an application for launch aid in respect of the A340–500/600 from British Aerospace on 8 July 1997. The application continues to be considered very carefully.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what official engagements the Minister for Consumer Affairs has undertaken since 1 December 1997. [23531]

I have carried out a wide range of engagements both at the DTI and outside since 1 December in fulfilment of my role as Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to consolidate the analysis and reporting of IT-related statistics, with particular reference to the economic impact of the industry on GDP and GNP; and what assessments she has made of the current economic impact of the IT industry and the user IT dependent business. [23815]

Collection and analysis of statistics on the IT and IT-related industries is the responsibility of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The surveys conducted by the ONS are mainly to provide information for National Accounts purposes, and not for policy purposes. However, the Department of Trade and Industry regularly has an opportunity to comment on the relevant surveys; some information is collected specifically on behalf of DTI, and the Department has access to the results of the surveys. DTI has no plans at present to alter these arrangements.The IT, electronics and communications industries have a turnover of over £90 billion and add some £40 billion to UK GDP. They are growing at around seven per cent. per annum. The products and services of this sector impact on nearly all other sectors of the economy to differing degrees. No overall assessment of the economic impact on user IT dependent businesses has been undertaken.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress she has made in setting up the IT Skills Project Office. [23594]

The Skills Project Office was established in July 1997 and submitted its preliminary findings in October 1997. The Office is currently working with Action 2000 on an initial tranche of 12 projects which will help industry tackle the century date change problem, which form part of an overall package of 53 projects aimed at the general IT skills shortage.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what budget has been allocated to Action 2000. [23627]

Don Cruickshank, Chairman of Action 2000, has been told that the budget for Action 2000 would be up to £1 million per financial year in each of the years 1997–98 to 1999–2000 inclusive. One million pound has been set aside in the current financial year. Before 1998–99 we expect to receive from Mr. Cruickshank his advice on what costed programme is needed, and the budget for future years can then be fixed.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the promotional plans for Action 2000 to promote awareness of the year 2000 problem. [23592]

Action 2000 will shortly be launching its Millennium Bug Campaign and a copy of the promotional material will be placed in the library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many officials, and at what grade, are working on millennium compliance issues. [23632]

(a) The sources devoted to the millennium compliance of the core Department's own systems are subject to regular change as individual projects start and conclude. Currently, approximately 23 staff from private sector contractors and three in-house staff, two Directors and one range 10, are engaged on such work. (b) The number of staff involved in helping to establish the Department's Action 2000 initiative to support UK businesses is four full time officials, a Director, two range 10, one support staff and one consultant.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when Action 2000 will establish a millennium helpline; and what that telephone number will be. [23626]

Action 2000 plan to announce a package of support aimed primarily at SMEs in the private sector before the end of this month. This will include a millennium hotline and the number will be announced at a press conference.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will place the business plans of Action 2000 in the Library. [23629]

Following the launch of the Millennium Bug Campaign later this month, Action 2000 will be completing its business plan and submitting full costed proposals to the President of the Board of Trade for her approval. Copies of relevant documents will then be placed in the Library.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the terms of the contract of employment with Don Cruickshank of Action 2000. [23631]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 17 and 19 November 1997, Official Report, columns 50–51 and 190–91.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many members have been appointed to the advisory board of Action 2000. [23628]

The Chairman of Action 2000 is currently consulting about these appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the residential allowance payable to occupants of private and voluntary residential and nursing homes; if he will extend this payment to occupants of local authority residential and nursing homes; what further initiatives he plans for the residential care sector; and if he will make a statement. [18610]

I have been asked to reply.The Government are undertaking a number of reviews of key policy areas, including a review of the funding of long term care. The future payment of the Income Support Residential Allowance will be included in these reviews.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many officials, and at what grade, are working on millennium compliance issues. [23616]

The Department has established a Year 2000 Programme led by the Information Technology Services Agency (ITSA) to co-ordinate the extensive activity across the Department. The Departmental Board, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, is receiving regular reports on progress. An ITSA Director (a senior civil servant) leads the work, reporting to the ITSA Chief Executive who chairs the Project Steering Group. There is a Programme Manager (Unified Grade 6) and a core team of five staff (two SEOs, one HEO and two EOs).As part of this programme, there are, in addition, a network of Year 2000 teams across all areas of the Department working towards compliance. For some staff Year 2000 is a specific responsibility; for many others it is a priority activity within their normal work area.

Table 1: Level of basic pension for men and wormen on earnings levels shown—uprated in line with prices but expressed in 1997–98 prices. Amounts expressed as proportion of national average earnings
	Average full-time earnings Men		Average full-time earnings Women		Half average full-time earnings Men		Half average full-time earnings Women
	£	Per cent.	£	Per cent.	£	Per cent.	£	Per cent.
1997–98	62.45	16.7	62.45	16.7	62.45	16.7	62.45	16.7
2015–16	62.45	12.8	62.45	12.8	62.45	12.8	62.45	12.8
2025–26	62.45	11.0	62.45	11.0	62.45	11.0	62.45	11.0
2035–36	62.45	9.5	62.45	9.5	62.45	9.5	62.45	9.5

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she intends to change the national insurance contribution contracting-out rebates. [24282]

I announced on 4 December that I was asking the Government Actuary for this views on the level of the National Insurance contracting-out rebates. He has now responded.I have considered both the Government Actuary's advice and the impact of trends in the pensions industry on the resources available to the National Insurance Fund. From April 1999, the first opportunity available, I propose to:

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish figures showing the level of the basic pension and SERPS addition for men and women on (a) average full-time earnings for their sex, (b) half average earnings and (c) earnings of £40 a week, and its equivalent as a proportion of average earnings in later years, expressed in today's prices and as a percentage of average earnings in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 2015–16, (iii) 2025–26 and (iv) 2035–36, based on the assumption of (1) price indexation and (2) earnings indexation. [20809]

[holding answer 15 December 1997]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables. Where someone is earning £40 per week in 1997 terms, as this is well below the lower earnings limit for National Insurance contributions, they would not qualify for any basic Retirement Pension or SERPS in respect of these earnings.