To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the (a) net surplus/deficit, (b) the total remuneration of the Chief Executive and (c) the resident population of the Morgannwy Health Authority for the year ended 31 March 1997; [23601](2) what was the

The information is in the following table.

	Morgannwg HA	Dyfed Powys HA
(a)Net surplus/(deficit)(£000)	785	(1,913)
(b)Total remuneration of Chief Executive (£000)	70	87
(c)Resident population(thousands)	499.7	476.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the qualifications required of appointees to non-executive posts on health trusts and authorities in Wales. [20727]

Strong links with the area served by the Trust or Health Authority are required together with relevant experience such as one or more of the following: the Voluntary Sector; the Public Sector or Business, at a senior level; previous NHS employment/experience.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will request the Coastguard Agency to publish its five-year plan. [22845]

I announced on 17 November 1997, Official Report, columns 9–10, a proposed five-year strategy for Her Majesty's Coastguard and it was agreed that the Coastguard Agency would issue a document for consultation. This document is being published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are his functions in relation to the Coroner's Service. [23180]

My right hon. Friend has no responsibilities for the Coroner's Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much untreated sewage was disposed of on or in agricultural land in each year since 1991; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 on these figures. [22865]

Sewage may be spread on agricultural land under the terms of a waste management licence issued by the Environment Agency under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The objective of the licensing system is to ensure that waste is recovered or disposed of in ways which protect the environment and human health.The Environment Agency does not maintain a central record that distinguishes the licensed spreading of sewage from the licensed spreading of other wastes. It is not possible, therefore, to make an assessment of the impact of the 1990 Act on the quantities of sewage which are spread. However, the Department and the Environment Agency have commissioned the Water Research Council and the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) to develop further the criteria that determine the circumstances in which the spreading of wastes is of benefit to agriculture. The research project is expected to be completed by the end of March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines exist for local authorities for the gritting of roads in the event of sub-zero temperatures. [23194]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many written representations his Department has received from (a) organisations and (b) members of the public about the Polegate Bypass in the last three months. [22996]

We have received a considerable number of representations about the Polegate Bypass. We are unable to give a breakdown covering the last three months; however, since the start of the Roads Review consultation exercise in July 1997, we have received 96 representations from organisations and businesses, and 2,689 from members of the public, of which 699 were letters; 1,768 were local press campaign coupons; and 222 were in the form of petitions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to simplify the rules governing the purchase of freeholds by leaseholders; and what plans he has to introduce a new commonhold form of tenure. [23327]

We are committed to simplifying the rules governing the purchase of freeholds by leaseholders and we intend to bring forward a new package of reforms to assist leaseholders. We are currently considering the scope and practicability of possible new measures. We expect to make an announcement about our proposals and invite comments from interested parties in the Spring.The introduction of Commonhold is a matter for the Lord Chancellor. However, I understand that his Department are currently considering the best way to handle the various proposals which have been made about commonhold schemes in the recent past.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many local authorities in all classes have been awarded a provisional SSA settlement for 1998–99 for the education block of less than a 5.7 per cent. increase; and if he will list these authorities with their respective figures; [23293](2) how many Metropolitan district authorities have been awarded a provisional SSA settlement for 1998–99 for the education block which is less than a 5.7 per cent. increase; and if he will list these authorities with their respective figures. [23292]

Eighty four local education authorities have been awarded a provisional SSA settlement for 1998–99 for the education block of less than a 5.7 per cent. increase. Of these, eighteen are metropolitan district authorities. The authorities are listed in the table.

Education standard spending assessment change— adjusted 1997–98 to consultation 1998–99
Local authority	Adjusted 1997–98 Education SSA (£ million)	Consultation 1998–99 Education SSA (£ million)	SSA Change (per cent.)
Greater London
City of London	0.877	0.818	-6.7
Camden	81.386	83.841	3.0
Greenwich	115.354	120.621	4.6
Hackney	96.311	99.145	2.9
Hammersmith and Fulham	57.530	60.115	4.5
Islington	83.299	87.978	5.6
Lambeth	100.611	105.060	4.4
Southwark	111.181	116.858	5.1
Wandsworth	91.681	93.739	2.2
Westminster	60.952	62.933	3.3
Barnet	122.305	128.973	5.5
Brent	113.327	117.836	4.0
Haringey	98.795	103.651	4.9
Harrow	74.287	77.969	5.0
Hillingdon	97.883	102.688	4.9
Hounslow	98.522	102.119	3.7
Kingston upon Thames	48.814	50.913	4.3
Merton	60.425	63.347	4.8
Richmond upon Thames	48.089	49.857	3.7
Sutton	70.654	74.468	5.4
Waltham Forest	99.516	104.442	4.9
Greater Manchester
Oldham	98.466	103.665	5.3
Trafford	80.841	84.861	5.0
Wigan	113.230	119.463	5.5
Merseyside
Knowsley	77.161	81.506	5.6
Wirral	135.458	142.389	5.1
South Yorkshire
Barnsley	79.127	83.310	5.3
Rotherham	105.402	109.939	4.3
Sheffield	174.938	184.605	5.5
Tyne and Wear
Gateshead	71.781	75.100	4.6
Newcastle upon Tyne	101.361	106.520	5.1
North Tyneside	70.464	74.457	5.7
Sunderland	117.965	123.893	5.0
West Midlands
Birmingham	458.879	484.482	5.6
Coventry	123.607	130.488	5.6
Walsall	112.742	118.205	4.8
Wolverhampton	101.401	106.549	5.1
West Yorkshire
Bradford	215.623	225.110	4.4
Calderdale	79.504	83.537	5.1
All Purpose Authorities
Blackburn	64.883	68.166	5.1
Bournemouth	50.588	52.705	4.2
Bracknell Forest	38.489	39.684	3.1
Bristol	122.005	127.784	4.7
Derby	87.194	91.878	5.4
Halton	54.651	57.018	4.3
Kingston upon Hull	105.033	110.027	4.8
Leicester	125.196	129.804	3.7
Luton	80.479	83.584	3.9
Medway Towns	107.290	112.366	4.7
Middlesbrough	62.787	65.583	4.5
Milton Keynes	85.526	88.693	3.7
Newbury	55.021	57.620	4.7
North East Lincolnshire	66.563	70.101	5.3
North Somerset	61.234	64.601	5.5
Nottingham	106.722	111.057	4.1
Peterborough	73.070	76.663	4.9
Plymouth	99.020	102.180	3.2
Poole	45.175	46.932	3.9
Reading	43.654	45.559	4.4
Rutland	10.916	11.246	3.0

Education standard spending assessment change— adjusted 1997–98 to consultation 1998–99
Local authority	Adjusted 1997–98 Education SSA (£ million)	Consultation 1998–99 Education SSA (£ million)	SSA Change(per cent.)
Stockton on Tees	74.022	77.854	5.2
The Wrekin	59.219	62.565	5.6
Torbay	44.248	46.710	5.6
Windsor and Maidenhead	47.071	48.951	4.0
Wokingham	53.150	55.573	4.6
Isles of Scilly	1.156	1.200	3.8
Shire counties
Bedfordshire	146.083	154.038	5.4
Buckinghamshire	175.930	183.785	4.5
Cambridgeshire	170.782	180.209	5.5
Cornwall	171.300	179.349	4.7
Cumbria	176.084	186.094	5.7
Derbyshire	244.681	257.662	5.3
Durham	184.515	194.500	5.4
Leicestershire	204.883	215.263	5.1
Norfolk	257.396	270.332	5.0
Northumberland	118.090	123.316	4.4
Nottinghamshire	268.254	280.511	4.6
Oxfordshire	199.130	207.934	4.4
Shropshire	91.113	95.362	4.7
Suffolk	226.258	237.019	4.8
Surrey	320.831	338.100	5.4
West Sussex	241.347	254.553	5.5
Wiltshire	142.019	149.402	5.2
Worcestershire	180.787	188.027	4.0

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1997, Official Report, column 36, what progress has been made by the Drinking Water Inspectorate in considering prosecution in the alleged cryptosporidium incident at Bingley in June 1993; and if he will make a statement. [23475]

The Drinking Water Inspectorate has completed its investigation of this incident involving an outbreak of cryptosporidiois. On 14 January 1998, it wrote to Yorkshire Water Services Limited informing the Company of its conclusions and recommendations arising from the incident. A copy of this letter has been sent to the health authority, local authority and the Yorkshire Customer Service Committee. I have arranged for a copy of the letter to be sent to the hon. Member and for copies to be placed in the library of the House.The main conclusions of the Inspectorate were that:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent inspections have been conducted to establish the air worthiness of Concorde. [23375]

There are seven Concorde aircraft on the UK register, all operated by British Airways. They are all subject to regular airworthiness inspections under the British Airways Concorde Maintenance Schedule, which is approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of the storms of early January. [23560]

None. The information is not collected centrally. Local authorities have statutory powers to deal with emergencies and are expected to budget accordingly. They may apply for additional financial assistance where there is a case for doing so under existing rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages of introducing guidelines for safe ferry departures from port in inclement weather independently of the captains of the ships concerned. [23321]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency, Mr. Robin Bradley, to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were employed by Northumberland County Council (a) full time and (b) part time, excluding teachers in each year since 1992. [23991]

The numbers of people employed by Northumberland County Council (excluding lecturers and teachers), at June of each year, from 1992 to date are:

	Full-time	Part-time
1992	n/a	n/a
1993	3,263	5,722
1994	3,256	5,972
1995	3,744	5,218
1996	3,646	5,533
1997	3,478	5,363

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow the continued use of classic cars when leaded petrol is withdrawn from general sale. [23827]

To meet concerns raised by owners of classic car owners about supplies of leaded petrol from 1 January 2000, when the proposed EU ban comes into effect, the Government have negotiated a derogation to allow continued supply to a limit of 0.5 per cent. of total petrol sales to be distributed through "specialist interest groups". For widespread use of many older, non-classic, cars whose owners currently use leaded petrol, the British Standards Institution are consulting on a specification for unleaded petrol containing a non-toxic lead replacement additive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assurances he has sought from the Civil Aviation Authority that the air traffic control system in the United Kingdom will be fully millennium compliant. [24249]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 19 June 1997, Official Report, column 277.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Statement of Claim has been received by his Department in the legal claim brought by the Trustee of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust against his Department; what legal advice he has taken on the merits of the claim; what future action he proposes in respect of this matter; and if he will make a statement. [24126]

The Statement of Claim has been received. The advice of Counsel has been obtained and Ministers are currently considering next steps on this matter in the light of that advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many shipments and how much plutonium was transported via United Kingdom destinations on roll-on roll-off ferries between 22 December and 12 January; and what advice he has received from marine safety experts on this transport. [24091]

One such notifiable shipment took place carrying 42.809kg of plutonium. I am advised that the ship used carried the usual certification and a document of compliance under the International Maritime Organisation' s Code for the Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Flasks on Board Ships (INF Code) and the packages used were approved by my Department in accordance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the relationship between effective competition on routes between (a) Heathrow and European destinations and (b) Heathrow and North American destinations. [24263]

None. If the question is referring to the competition analysis of the proposed British Airways/American Airlines alliance, and whether this should include an assessment of European routes from Heathrow, it is a matter for the relevant competition authorities, not my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish new guidelines on the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through residential areas. [24247]

An extensive study, Major Hazard Aspects of the Transport of Dangerous Substances: Report of the Sub-committee of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances (HSC, ISBN 0 11 885676 6), published in 1991, found that the risks of such transport were tolerable. Regulations Approved Requirements and Guidance on the transport of dangerous goods are regularly reviewed in the light of technical developments and lessons learned from reported incidents. Additionally, the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail Regulations 1996 will soon be revised in accordance with Commission Directive 96/87/EC to apply the latest provisions of the COTIF regulations concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail (RID).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the current guidelines for governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through residential areas; [24254](2) if he will list the safety responsibilities of

The current regulations, which apply to transport throughout Great Britain, are as follows:

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods By Rail Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2089),

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2092).

The Regulations set out the duties and responsibilities on all parties concerned with the transport and dangerous goods including vinyl chloride monomer. These are supported by the following Approved Requirements and Guidance:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the terms of reference of the Railway Inspectorate's inquiry into the Cadoxton derailment in the Vale of Glamorgan on 27 December 1997; [24248](2) what steps he will take to ensure that the inquiry undertaken by the Railway Inspectorate into the Cadoxton train de-railment will consider

There are no terms of reference for the investigation by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate into the incident at Cadoxton, South Wales. Following HSE's normal practice, the inspectorate will conduct a thorough investigation with a view to establishing both the immediate and any underlying causes, including systems failures; learning any lessons and taking any action which appears necessary to prevent a recurrence or to improve the way any future incidents are handled. The HSE have advised that the findings (and any recommendations) of HM Railway Inspectorate's investigation will be published by HSE.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account he has taken in respect of flooding when drafting regulations in respect of front door steps. [24173]

The risk of water ingress at front door steps, including flooding, is one of the considerations being taken into account in considering what guidance might be reasonable to make front doors accessible for disabled people, in the event of regulations being made to improve the accessibility of new housing for disabled people. It is hoped that it will be possible to make a fuller statement on this shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the objectives of the Government's policies for the Green Belt. [24172]

The Government are committed to the Green Belt and our policy remains as set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 2 (PPG2). The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open for as far ahead as can reasonably be foreseen. The protection of Green Belts must be maintained as far as can be seen ahead, although local planning authorities may propose alterations to Green Belt boundaries in exceptional circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23552]

Officials from my department and the Scottish Office are discussing the need for a non-statutory agreement between the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Scottish Executive covering the exchange of information, advance notification and joint working in line with the principles set out in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance to local planning authorities on how they can use their planning powers to help prevent dereliction. [24523]

We have, today, published Circular (02/98) which provides guidance to local planning authorities on the practical measures that they can take to help prevent land in their areas from becoming derelict.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the voting arrangement for admitting opt-out Schengen states applying to join Schengen were discussed at any point during the treaty negotiations at Amsterdam in the presence of United Kingdom delegates after the private meeting had taken place between the Dutch Presidency and the Spanish delegation. [23223]

I refer the hon. Member to previous statements made on this subject, in particular my reply to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard), 12 December 1997, Official Report, column 710.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what hour (a) the Protocol integrating the Schengen Acquis into the Framework of the European Union (b) the protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland pertaining to Schengen and (c) Declaration 45 on Article 4 of the Protocol integrating the Schengen Acquis into the framework of the European Union, were noted as agreed during the course of the Amsterdam negotiations by the Presidency. [23224]

The Presidency did not single out either the Protocol integrating the Schengen Acquis into the framework of the European Union or the Protocol on the Application of Certain Aspects of Article 7A of the Treaty Establishing the European Community to the United Kingdom and to Ireland as having been agreed separate from other elements of the text. Declaration 45 was agreed after the Amsterdam European Council by all Member States in the light of the differences of view over Article 4 of the Schengen Protocol and included in the final version of the Treaty signed by all Member States on 2 October 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 December 1997, Official Report, column 649, what official response followed the letter of the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Kingdom Permanent Representative of 16 July last. [23612]

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: The official response was in the form of a letter from the UK Permanent Representative to the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish government as to the continuing imprisonment of elected members of the Turkish National Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [23801]

We have raised the imprisonment of the four former Democracy Party (DEP) MPs with the Turkish government on a number of occasions. We have made it clear to the Turkish authorities that the imprisonment of democratically elected politicians for the non-violent expression of their views can only damage Turkey internationally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on compliance by Turkey with judgments under international conventions in respect of human rights. [23767]

Turkey is a State Party to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and is therefore under an obligation to comply with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. Responsibility for supervising the execution of the Court's judgments lies with the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. We welcome the undertaking given by the Government of Turkey that they will honour their obligations in respect of the Convention and the judgments of the Court.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of civil and political rights afforded to women in Afghanistan. [23820]

There is little respect shown for civil and political rights in general in Afghanistan. Women and girls have suffered particularly in Taliban-held areas by being prevented from working and receiving education. We have urged all factions to respect human rights, especially the rights of women. We subscribe to a common donor position which ensures that support goes only to aid programmes which actively attempt to promote the equitable participation of both men and women.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature and extent of the United Kingdom's diplomatic contact with Afghanistan. [23821]

No UK diplomats are based in Afghanistan. UK diplomats based in London and at the High Commission in Islamabad regularly meet representatives of all the Afghan factions to raise human rights and other concerns. Afghanistan is represented in the UK by a Chargé D'Affaires with whom we have working level contact.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he raised with Vice-President Gore, in this meeting on 15 January, the further joint release of official documents concerning the 1958 United States/United Kingdom Mutual Defence Agreement on Atomic Energy Matters. [23799]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not meet Vice-President Gore and did not raise this issue in his other meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the record of the vote at the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1997 on the resolution on multilateral disarmament, indicating how the United Kingdom voted, and the reasons for its vote. [23838]

The United Nations General Assembly did not adopt a resolution on "multilateral disarmament" as such on 9 December 1997. The United Kingdom did, however, support resolutions tabled by Japan on the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, tabled by the USA and Russia on bilateral arms negotiations, and resolutions on Nuclear Weapon Free Zones in Central and South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.The United Kingdom also supported resolutions on anti-personnel land mines, small arms, the consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures, conventional arms control at regional and sub-regional level, and regional confidence-building measures. For the reasons given in my reply to the my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Inverclyde (Mr. Godman) on 24 November 1997, Official Report, column 398, the United Kingdom voted against a Malaysian resolution on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to publish the second of the reports to Parliament on Hong Kong and the implementation of the Joint Declaration. [24719]

The second report in this series, covering the period July-December 1997, was published today and a copy of the report has been placed in the libraries of the House. The report includes a foreword written by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. I commend the report to the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the potential areas for co-operation between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom identified in the joint statement by the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach in the margins of the European Council at Noordwijk on 23 May 1997. [24720]

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach discussed progress in the margins of the European summit in Luxembourg on 13 December. Copies of their joint statement and report summarising progress since the European Council in May have been placed in the libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the recommendations of the UN Committee on Social, Cultural and Economic Rights following its deliberations on the most recent United Kingdom Periodic Report; what response the Government will make to each; and to which Government departments, agencies and other bodies these recommendations have been, or will be, communicated. [24090]

The Committee's written Observations in United Nations document E/C.12/1/Add.19 are currently being edited. When finalised, they will be available on the Internet. An unedited version has been placed in the libraries of the House.Copies have been sent to the Departments involved in preparing the United Kingdom's report: the DfEE; DTI; Department of Health; DETR; DSS; Home Office; Northern Ireland Office; Scottish Office; Welsh Office; DfID; Office of Science and Technology; MAFF and DCMS. We will consider the Committee's Observations and will report on progress under them in our fourth periodic report in June 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has received on measures required to take account of General Comment 5 on Article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights adopted by the UN Human Rights Committee. [24089]

We are aware of the views of the Human Rights Committee as set out in their 1981 General Comment Number 5.My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has made it clear that the introduction of a judicial element into the process for extending detention will be one of the matters considered in the forthcoming consultation paper on counter-terrorism.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23548]

Officials from his Department and the Scottish office are discussing the need for a non-statutory agreement between the FCO and the Scottish Executive covering the exchange of information, advance notification and joint working in line with the principles set out in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament".

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his holding answer of 15 January 1998, on the role of ethics and morality of his foreign policy, for what reasons he was not able to give a substantive answer on the day named. [24380]

It is accepted practice to issue holding replies where circumstances merit it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what correspondence with (a) the Commission, (b) the General Secretariat of the European Council and (c) foreign ministries of European Union states has occurred as a consequence of the matters leading to the letter of the Permanent Representative of The Netherlands to the United Kingdom Permanent Representative of 16 July; and if he will make a statement. [23582]

Although there were contacts with a number of member States, the Council Secretariat and the Commission, correspondence in writing was with The Netherlands, which held the Presidency at the time of the Amsterdam European Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter dated 9 December 1997, concerning the husband of a constituent, reference IMM/D2969, and appeal reference TH/2894/96; and for what reason no acknowledgement was sent. [24109]

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary sent a letter to my hon. Friend about this application on 19 January.Letters from Members have been acknowledged by a card since mid-November. My hon. Friend should have received such a card and I am sorry if this was not the case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers of electronic intercept Europol will possess under the Treaty of Amsterdam; and if he will make a statement. [22672]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: I have been asked to reply.Europol will have no such powers. It will be a central co-ordinating body within the European Union for the exchange and analysis of criminal intelligence. It will have no operational powers and its staff will have no executive policing functions. The Amsterdam Treaty envisages a developing role for Europol, but one centred on facilitation of and support for the operations of the member states' law enforcement agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Cuban nationals granted entry visas in the past two years have exceeded the period of time in the United Kingdom specified in their visa. [22566]

I have been asked to reply.I regret that comprehensive information on the number of persons who overstay their period of leave is not available. Data are, however, available on the number of persons issued with a notice of intention to deport on the grounds that they have overstayed. No more than two Cuban nationals were issued with such a notice between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1997. These data are provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23545]

I have not yet had such discussions. However, they will take place as necessary in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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 (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23261]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: There have been no overseas visits on which I or Ministers in my Department have been accompanied under rule 83 of the Ministerial Code.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her dialogue with business in preparation for the Competitiveness White Paper. [24652]

This Government recognise that business itself is often best placed to advise on what it needs to prosper. That is why I am committed to forging a strong partnership with business to raise national prosperity.The White Paper on Competitiveness, to be published later this year, will be a key element of that process, not least because, for the first time, it will be a White Paper drawn up in partnership and in consultation with business. The White Paper will set out the Government's policy towards business for the long term—based on promoting strong markets, modern companies and an enterprising nation.The work of preparing for the White Paper is being carried forward through six business-led groups. They are looking respectively at how Government and business can work together to improve investment performance, encourage innovation, use best practice, adapt to the Information Age, and ensure that EU policies best serve our competitiveness needs.The Working Parties comprise around ninety people. Their membership reflects the different strands and diversity of business in Britain today: people drawn from small business as well as large; people from different sectors, backgrounds and experience; people who have in the past had few opportunities to influence policy development; but above all people who can contribute practical ideas.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Minister with responsibility for science and technology has invited (i) British scientists, (ii) scientific organisations and (iii) companies to contribute to the content of the Millennium Dome. [24374]

My officials have put specific proposals to the New Millennium Experience Company reflecting the view of companies, the science base and Foresight Panels that the Experience should be a showcase for British creativity, excellence in leading edge science and world class products and services. The Department is also promoting and funding the Millennium Products Awards Scheme to identify state of the art products and service, of which 200 will feature in the Dome.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to encourage business angels to invest in small private companies. [23553]

My Department continues to look at ways of encouraging business angel activity in the UK. It is important to raise awareness of business angel finance and to provide effective mechanisms for bringing together business angels and businesses seeking this type of investment. My officials are working closely with business angel networks, clearing banks and others to encourage greater co-operation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with the Office of Fair Trading with regard to the purchase of Coral by the Ladbroke Group. [24368]

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has had no discussions with the Office of Fair Trading concerning this merger.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what she expects the Office of Fair Trading to announce its decision on referral to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to Ladbroke Group with regard to their purchase of Coral. [24369]

It is for the Director General of Fair Trading to advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on whether or not the merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. He will advise in time to allow a decision to be taken by the statutory deadline of 30 April 1998.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on the purchase of Coral by the Ladbroke Group. [24370]

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will take a decision whether or not to refer the purchase of Coral by Ladbroke in the light of the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which she or any other Minister in her Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating (a) who accompanied him or her and (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23265]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: Since I May, DTI Ministers have been accompanied at public expense on the following overseas visits:The President of the Board of Trade was accompanied by Mr. Lionel Beckett.

		Cost £
15–22 November 1997	India and Australia	7,000
10–21 January 1998	China, Hong Kong and Pakistan	5,600

The Minister for Trade was accompanied by Lady Clinton-Davis.

		Cost £
21–29 September 1997	Korea and Japan	6,130

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 21 July 1997, Official Report, column 451, if the four licence applications for the export of sub-machine guns and other automatic weapons to Indonesia have been granted; how many weapons these applications cover; who they were destined for; and which company supplied them. [23050]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: Of these four applications, three have been refused and one is still pending a final decision. Inquiries are being made under the non-statutory Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as regards the disclosure of further information. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the benefits and disbenefits to the consumer of BT's monopoly of directory inquiries. [23380]

The regulation of directory inquiries is a matter for OFTEL. OFTEL is currently carrying out a review of telecoms directory services and products. In September, OFTEL issued a consultative document which assesses customers' needs and privacy concerns, whether these needs are met by current arrangements, whether they would be better met by introducing competition into this market, and what the barriers to competition are. The document sets out proposed remedies to address these barriers so that competitors can enter the market. OFTEL is due to issue a Statement on directory information services and products this year and the Department will consider it at that time.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on the effects of the minimum wage on the pay of women in East Anglia. [23284]

I have received representations on the effect of the national minimum wage on women's pay from a number of organisations who share the Government's view that women throughout the United Kingdom will benefit from its introduction.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on Government investment in the aviation industry in Scotland, including air traffic control. [24124]

I have been asked to reply.As my hon. Friend is aware, the major new air traffic control project in Scotland is the New Scottish Air Traffic Control Centre at Prestwick. This is being developed under the Private Finance Initiative, and will not involve Government investment, but will nonetheless provide a state of the art service, with the capacity to deal with increasing levels of air traffic well into the next century. The Government have also approved more than £30 million of projects in connection with the New Scottish Centre; these projects will connect the Centre with the rest of the UK's air traffic control network, and allow it to realise its full potential.Financial support to the aviation industry is also made available by the Scottish Office in the 1997–98 financial year as follows:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the state of the London art market. [21462]

[holding answer 19 January 1998]: My Department has received representations about the Commission's proposals to harmonise artists' resale right in the EU, and the liberalisation of auctioneering services in France.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he took of (a) public holidays in any part of the United Kingdom in fixing the date of his Budget and (b) the relevant precedents. [24170]

A number of factors are taken into account in deciding the date of the Budget. These include the availability of economic data; international meetings; the timetable for developing budgetary policy and national events including public holidays. On balance, I decided that 17 March would be the most suitable day for this year's Budget. The Budget was also held on 17 March in 1987.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what increase in national average earnings would result from a national minimum wage at one half of average earnings with (a) full restoration of differentials, (b) half restoration of differentials and (c) one-quarter restoration of differentials; [24413](2) what increase in national average earnings would result from a national minimum wage at 40 per cent. of average earnings with

The effect of the minimum wage on national average earnings will depend on a number of factors, including the level it is set at, its coverage, and the state of the labour market when it is introduced. The terms of reference of the Low Pay Commission ask it to take into account the wider effects on the economy, including the effects on inflation and employment, in making its recommendations on the minimum wage.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the Government will exempt earnings up to the level of the minimum wage from income tax; [24298](2) if he will raise tax thresholds to a level which ensures that no-one pays income tax on pay up to the minimum wage level. [24297]

Decisions on tax are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the basis for the calculation of the Retail Prices Index. [23394]

[holding answer 19 January 1998]: The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) advises me on methodological questions concerning the Retail Prices Index (RPI) and also services an RPI Advisory Committee (RPIAC) to which I refer major methodological issues. The RPIAC is convened if and when required.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22936]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: I last used a train in the course of my official duties on 10 November 1997, when I travelled to Birmingham for the CBI Conference.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department made of the likely changes to the capital structure of companies arising as a result of the abolition of repayable tax credits on dividends received by pension funds and from the abolition of advance corporation tax prior to these changes being introduced. [22893]

The capital structure of companies depends on many factors. The changes in company taxation announced in the July 1997 Budget and the proposals made in the Pre-Budget report in November are unlikely to have a significant impact in the short term. Longer term effects are expected to reflect the benefits to the economy and to companies of deciding their capital structure under a more neutral tax system.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's estimate of the corporation tax revenue consequences arising from the change to the capital structure of companies resulting from the abolition of repayable tax credits on dividends received by pension funds and from the abolition of advance corporation tax. [22889]

The current view remains that any change in capital structure would not significantly affect the published estimates of corporation tax revenues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department made of the corporation tax revenue consequences arising from the change to the capital structure of companies resulting from the abolition of repayable tax credits on dividends received by pension funds and from the abolition of advance corporation tax at the time of making these changes. [22890]

Any change in capital structure would not significantly affect the published estimates of corporation tax revenues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that all publicly financed bodies comply with accounting standards on off-balance sheet transactions. [23459]

The relevant accounting standard for dealing with off-balance sheet transactions is Financial Reporting Standard 5 "Reporting the substance of transactions", which forms part of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP) in the UK.The Treasury already requires departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies to prepare their accounts and public expenditure returns in accordance with GAAP, to the extent that it is meaningful and appropriate in the public sector context. It is the duty of the responsible Accounting Officer to ensure that this requirement is adhered to.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has for the anticipated revenue from (a) insurance premium tax and (b) higher rate insurance premium tax for the year 1997–98. [22620]

The latest estimate for receipts of insurance premium tax in 1997–98 is £1.1 billion. No separate estimate is available for receipts at the higher rate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the number of jobs lost in the (a) travel agency sector and (b) retail sector since the introduction of higher rate insurance premium tax. [22622]

I have received a number of representations from the travel agency and retail sector about this tax measure, some of which express concerns about the possibility of consequential job losses. I have not received any representations about actual job loss which can be attributed to this measure.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the (a) benefits and (b) disadvantages of reintroducing a single rate of insurance premium tax to remedy distortions in the insurance market. [22624]

The higher rate of insurance premium tax, set at the same rate as the standard rate of VAT, has prevented the tax loss (and distortion of trade) previously suffered where suppliers of taxable goods and services switched margins into ancillary sales of VAT exempt insurance. To return to a single, low rate of insurance premium tax would re-open this tax loophole and there are therefore no plans to go down this path. However, the impact of this tax measure is being kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of arms sales to the Philippines in each of the last five years. [22995]

The estimated value of UK defence sales, including services, to the Philippines in each year since 1993 is as follows in £ million:

• 1993: 0.85
• 1994: 0.05
• 1995: 83.71
• 1996: 3.34
• 1997: 0.65.

These figures are based on voluntary returns from industry, are expressed in current prices, and relate to new contracts signed rather than to financial receipts or actual deliveries.The figure for 1997 may not be complete as full final quarter information will not be available until April of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the value of arms sales by each member of the European Union in each year since 1990. [22809]

The value of UK defence exports in each year since 1990, in £ billion, is estimated at:

• 1990: 4.8
• 1991: 3.6
• 1992: 5.3
• 1993: 7.1
• 1994: 4.5
• 1995: 5.0
• 1996: 5.1
• 1997: 5.2

These figures are expressed in current prices and relate to contracts signed rather than to receipts or actual deliveries, and are based on voluntary returns from industry.Other EU countries publish export figures on various bases, but no consistent and comprehensive official figures for EU-wide exports have been published. The World Military Expenditures and Arms Transfer, published by the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, provides details on world defence equipment deliveries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure, in which financial years, was committed by the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the European Fighter Aircraft project; what proportion of the total estimated expenditure on EFA this represents; whether such expenditures will be subject to exchange rate variations, and what is the present estimated unit cost of each of the 232 EFAs. [22983]

Signature of the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on 22 December 1997 committed the UK and its collaborative partners to the Production Investment (PI), Production and Support phases of the Eurofighter programme. We estimate the cost to the UK of PUProduction and initial support will be approximately £11.5 billion (at 1997 prices) which is some 72 per cent. of the total procurement cost. Contractual negotiations are currently being finalised with the aim of signing the relevant contracts in the coming weeks. Expenditure will occur during the period 1998 to 2014 when the last aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Air Force. Aircraft will be ordered in three tranches and, with a few exceptions, the underlying funding principle is that each nation will pay for the work carried out in its own country. The extent of expenditure which will be subject to exchange rate variation, therefore, will be relatively small. The Unit Production Cost of each aircraft is some £40.2 million at 1997 prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the projected maximum (a) offensive payload, (b) range and (c) cost of (i) the Joint Strike Fighter and (ii) the Sea Harrier. [22895]

US Department of Defence projections for the Short Take Off, Vertical Landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter include a maximum offensive payload in excess of 15,700 lbs, a range of at least 550 miles and a unit production cost of $35 million (£21.6 million) at 1994 prices. Comparable figures for the Sea Harrier F/A2 are 5,000 lbs, 300 miles and £14.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any naval personnel were on the fishing vessel Gaul on its final fishing trip; whether any had sailed on her on earlier trips in the 1970s; and whether any of his Department's equipment was installed on her. [23529]

No Royal Naval personnel were on board during the Gaul's last voyage. There is no evidence that personnel or equipment had been embarked on the vessel at any time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will carry out an assessment of the impact of his Department's current policies on the (a) income, (b) employment opportunities and (c) living standards, of the poorest 30 per cent. of the population. [23334]

We have no plans to do so. The Department carries out assessments of the impact of its policies in terms of overall value for money and upon the defence industries and regional employment. Such assessments do not attempt to separate the effects upon the poorest 30 per cent. of the population, or any other sub-division of the population by income.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances the instrument flying qualifications of Army helicopter pilots are recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority. [23942]

The CAA recognises the training given to Service helicopter pilots, which, after qualification, permits military helicopters to fly in most civil controlled zones. Once they have left the Services, helicopter pilots who wish to obtain a civil licence, must re-test to gain the appropriate CAA qualification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training to fly, using instruments in bad weather conditions, helicopter pilots receive. [23937]

Instrument flying training for potential helicopter pilots starts at the Joint Elementary Flying Training School where about five and one half hours of instrument training is given. Helicopter pilots then receive 23 hours of theoretical, simulator and flying training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School, RAF Shawbury. After instrument flying qualification, helicopter pilots receive further instrument training on particular helicopter types at respective Service training squadrons. Indicative examples are as follows:

	Simulator	Actual flying
Royal Navy Sea King ASW	9 hours	9 hours 15 mins
Army Lynx	7 hours	6 hours 12 mins
Royal Air Force Chinook	11 hour	3 hours 30 mins

Thereafter, all military helicopter pilots undertake regular further training and are tested every 12 to 13 months on a common tri-Service instrument rating.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Hull Trawlermen signed the Official Secrets Act in the 1970s. [23944]

This information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 December 1997, Official Report, column 214, concerning intelligence gathering by trawlers, which three Hull trawlers were used for specific intelligence gathering; on what date in 1973 these operations ceased; and how many trawlers were used in non-specific intelligence gathering. [23948]

MV Arctic Galliard, MV Lord Nelson and MV Invincible were used for specific intelligence gathering on a combined total of five occasions in the 1960s and 1970s. The last such use was in September 1973.Incidental intelligence gathering occurred throughout the Cold War period as trawlers went about their normal business of fishing. No records have been found of the names of the trawlers concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amount was allocated from the Trident (a) procurement and (b) operating budget towards the cost of the order for Trident-related equipment placed with the United States of America for US fiscal year 1998. [23978]

Trident procurement orders for the UK during US fiscal year 1998, which include the seven missile bodies announced last October, are currently expected to cost up to $157 million over the duration of the various contracts. Orders placed this year by the US in respect of the operation of the UK Trident programme are expected to take the total up to some $260 million, but such costs are in support of the programme at large and are not tied to an individual year's procurement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what editorial independence will be granted to the editor of the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24095]

No constraints, other than those laid down in Queen's Regulations, will be placed on the independence of the editor of the Armed Services Forum by the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which serving officer or civil servant gave permission to Major Eric Joyce to publish the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24093]

Individual Service personnel do not need formal authority to publish such a journal. All Army personnel are entitled to publish any magazine, journal or periodical provided publication does not contravene Queen's Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs to his Department will be incurred by the publication of the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24096]

The proposed publication of the Armed Services Forum will be an entirely private venture. No additional costs will accrue to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the editorial board of the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24094]

The proposed publication of the journal "The Armed Services Forum" is a private venture and the composition of the editorial board will be a matter for the publisher.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what ministerial responsibility he had for the decision to give permission to Major Eric Joyce to publish the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24097]

Major Joyce does not need formal authority to publish his journal "The Armed Services Forum". His request was clearly a matter for the Military authorities and was dealt with in the normal way, without consulting Ministers. All Army personnel are entitled to publish any magazine, journal or periodical provided publication does not contravene Queen's Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the guidance given to serving officers who edit journals or magazines about current British defence policy and the organisation and culture of the armed forces. [24098]

No specific guidance exists for serving officers who produce defence related journals or magazines on defence related subjects. Queen's Regulations cover the requirement for clearance before publication. A copy of QRs is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23549]

My right hon. Friend and I have agreed that there is likely to be a need for a non-statutory agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the Scottish Executive covering the exchange of information, advance notification and joint working in line with the principles set out in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament".

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the arrangements applying to the merger and reorganisation of museums in Northern Ireland. [22737]

I refer my hon. Friend to the draft Museums and Galleries (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 which is currently before Parliament for consideration. The draft Order was considered by the House of Commons Standing Committee on 10 December 1997 and is due to be considered in another place in the near future. The Museums will shortly announce the appointment of a Director-Designate and, following the recent public advertisement, the Government are moving towards the appointment of the Trustees of the merged institution, in accordance with the public appointment procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she relaxed the search regime for visitors to HMP Maze between 1 May and 25 December 1997. [24372]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many head counts took place in each block of HMP Maze between 1 May and 25 December 1997. [24371]

Each day there are two formal head counts a.m. and p.m. These took place on every day during the period in question except for four occasions when non co-operation by prisoners resulted in sanctions being applied by management.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times she has (a) visited RUC headquarters and (b) met the Chief Constable of the RUC. [22176]

Since I took office I have met the Chief Constable on 40 occasions at different locations. I have not yet visited RUC headquarters.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 12 January 1998, Official Report, column 42, if he is prepared to treat all proposals for primary legislation as questions which significantly engage the collective responsibility of the Government because they raise major issues, or because they are of critical importance to the public, as set out in the Ministerial Code. [23535]

The way in which proposals for primary legislation are considered by my Government will depend on the nature of the proposals.

To ask the Prime Minister what will be the cost to the Exchequer of the series of welfare state roadshows which he announced on 11 January. [23134]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: The cost of visits to promote understanding of the Government's policy on welfare reform will be met from the Prime Minister's existing visits budget. A final figure for this cost is not yet available. The cost of visits to promote understanding of the Government's policy on welfare reform within the Labour Party will not fall to the Exchequer.

To ask the Prime Minister if paragraph 83 of the provisions of the ministerial code concerning travel at public expense by Minister's spouses also applies to such travel by Minister's partners who are not spouses in circumstances where the Minister has a spouse; and if he will make a statement. [23384]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish guidelines to govern the arrangements applying when a Minister's personal friend other than a spouse may accompany him on official business at public expense. [23486]

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: The guidance on travel in the Ministerial Code remains unchanged. Public funds may be used only where it is in the public interest and with my prior consent.

To ask the Prime Minister what position Her Majesty's Government took and for what reasons, at the International Criminal Court Preparatory Committee meeting held in New York in December 1987 in respect of (a) chemical weapons, (b) biological weapons and (c) nuclear weapons. [23408]