To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the suicide of a prisoner within Lewes Prison on Tuesday 20 January. [25000]

The inquest into the apparent suicide of a prisoner in Lewes prison on 19 January has been opened and adjourned. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage in detail on the circumstances surrounding the death.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many secretarial and support staff work full-time in support of his political advisers. [25195]

Three—the same number as supported the previous Administration's special advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of media presentations and press conferences which he has given, other than those held at his Department. [25147]

Media presentations and press briefings on Home Office subjects are, by and large, held at the Home Office. Where I meet the media on, for example, regional visits, there is little or no additional cost added to the visit costs. I have not held any media presentations outside the Department which have attracted expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overseas visits have been made by his Department's political advisers at public expense since 1 May. [25149]

One—to Brussels to attend the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce national standards for the supervision of serious sexual offenders; and if he will make a statement. [25051]

I am awaiting the report of a recent thematic inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation on the role of the probation service in protecting the public from sex offenders; and will consider what further guidance or standards might be useful in the light of the report's conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of recent discussions regarding the release from prison of convicted paedophiles; and if he will make a statement. [24663]

We are still considering, in the light of problems arising in recent cases involving the placement of sexual offenders following release from prison, what further legislation or other changes would help to protect the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisons that are participating in willing anonymous salivary HIV/Hepatitis B surveillance studies conducted under the auspices of the Public Health Laboratory Service at Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London, in collaboration with HM Prison Service's Directorate of Healthcare. [25057]

The following prisons are participating in the unlinked anonymous survey of HIV and hepatitis in the prison population of England and Wales: Dartmoor; Feltham; Ford; Holloway; Leyhill; Littlehey; Manchester; and Wakefield.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average queuing time for the Public Inquiry Office at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in Croydon; what is the average time taken to answer (a) telephone inquiries and (b) inquiries by letter to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in Croydon; and if he will make a statement. [23915]

During the last quarter of 1997, the average time for a case to be decided in the Croydon Public Inquiry Office was 5 hours 30 minutes and, for telephone inquiries to the Telephone Inquiry Bureau to be answered, 3 minutes and 24 seconds. A sample of 2,370 letters of inquiry between June and September 1997 showed that in 92 per cent. a full or holding reply had been given within the target of 20 working days.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [23337]

Crime and the fear of crime disproportionately affect those who are most disadvantaged in our society. Our policies for tackling crime and its causes are designed therefore to have a particular impact on those estates and neighbourhoods where crime and antisocial behaviour are most prevalent. We are also pursuing initiatives to strengthen the family, promote a vigorous voluntary sector and tackle social exclusion (including by enhancing training and treatment programmes for offenders). The Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate will continue to manage a varied programme of research to evaluate the effectiveness of our policies, including their impact in reducing social deprivation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [23341]

The Department evaluates policies against a number of criteria for their impact. One of our key priorities is to reform the Common Agriculture Policy of the European Union on more rational lines and reduce its costs as the CAP imposes costs on consumers of food as well as tax payers.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy towards (a) capping of aid to individual farms, (b) livestock quotas, (c) the future of milk quotas, (d) the linkage of aid to production units and (e) the linkage of aid with environmental measures. [25071]

The Government's long-term objective is to secure a Common Agricultural Policy free from production controls, moving away from production-related farm support and with many resources directed to targeted agri-environmental and rural development objectives.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what extra funding is being made available for flood defences in Sussex; and if he will make a statement. [24850]

I should like to express both my sympathy for residents in Sussex who suffered distress and damage in the recent storms and my appreciation to the staff of local operating authorities in responding to the immediate effects.There are two main sources of funding for the Environment Agency's flood defence programme; this Department provides grant aid towards the cost of capital works and local authorities provide cover for maintenance and the balance of capital expenditure. Discussions are continuing between the Ministry and the Agency to clarify the break down of any additional spending in Sussex between those two sources. Until that issue is resolved, no decisions can be taken on any change in funding allocations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his statement of 12 January 1998, OfficialReport, column 32, what advantages in Brussels have accrued to (a) Catalonia, (b) Andalucia and (c) Baden-Württemberg which are not currently available to the Scottish Office in Brussels; and if he will list the special arrangements which exist within the (i) European Commission and (ii) Council of Ministers for dealing with matters relating to devolved legislative entities within member states. [23310]

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: From the contacts I have had with the Catalonia and Baden-Württemberg offices, I conclude that these offices have contributed to improving the quality of information available to their regional governments and have helped those governments contribute to their domestic debate on European proposals. Although there are frequent informal contacts between devolved governments and the European institutions, there are no special arrangements for dealing with matters relating to devolved legislative bodies within the Commission and the Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future provision of council leisure services with particular reference to outsourcing. [23832]

It is the responsibility of local authorities to decide how best to provide services for their communities, and in particular to decide whether those services are provided directly by the council, or outsourced and supplied by a private sector contractor or another body. In making such decisions, councils must of course abide by any relevant legislation, including Regulations dealing with any relevant transfer of employees affected, and in particular have to bear in mind their statutory obligation to make arrangements to secure the best value for money in the services they provide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is able to announce the remit and membership of the proposed commission on local government and the Scottish Parliament. [25431]

I can today announce the remit and membership of the Commission on Local Government and the Scottish Parliament.The Commission will:

To Ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the categories of meteorological data which are currently available from the weather stations at (a) Manchester Ringway and (b) Buxton; [24086](2) if he will give the

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 1998, Official Report, columns 408–09, if he will investigate the origin of the statement from an MoD source contained in the Press Association report of 1 December. [24986]

The author of the Press Association report in question contacted my Department's Press Office on 30 November, following up a story in that day's Sunday Telegraph. He was informed by my officials that the Army Prosecuting Authority, an independent body, had decided not to prosecute Major Joyce at that time. Responding to a question about the reference in The Sunday Telegraph to a letter from the Lord Chancellor, my Department's Press Office drew on the reply I gave the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) of 17 November 1997, Official Report, column 69.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his plans to include the environment as one of the themes within the New Opportunities Fund. [24466]

The National Lottery Bill currently before Parliament will establish the New Opportunities Fund to support time-limited initiatives in health, education and the environment. The first three initiatives will provide ICT training for teachers and librarians and content digitisation; out of school hours activities; and healthy living centres. The Bill also provides for future initiatives to be determined by Order, after consultation. Those future initiatives will include support for the environment, which will also continue to benefit from Lottery funding through the other good causes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 19 December 1997, Official Report, column 335 concerning VAT on church and cathedral maintenance, what criteria the Financial Secretary used to arrive at the response given; when the decision was discussed; and who the decision was discussed with. [23203]

The Government believe that using the VAT system to relieve the expenditure of churches is an inefficient way of preserving the heritage. We prefer to target direct support through grants. A relief of the kind envisaged would contravene our agreements with our European partners.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of current and future pensioners with private pension plans who will be affected by the changes to advance corporation tax. [23910]

No such estimate is available. A large number of factors influence the private pensions people can expect to receive. It is therefore not possible to produce meaningful estimates for the effect of particular factors in isolation. The corporation tax changes introduced in the last Budget will be good for the economy as a whole and so should benefit pensioners along with everyone else.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultation he intends to introduce with respect to future Government plans for public expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [24718]

[holding answer 22 January 1998]: New plans will be announced following the conclusion of the Comprehensive Spending Review which involves 24 departmental reviews and six cross-departmental reviews. The terms of reference of these reviews have been made public to encourage comments from those interested; departments are also consulting interested bodies. The results of the reviews will be announced to Parliament for scrutiny and examination in keeping with the principles of openness to which the Government are committed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's policy regarding the recycling of information technology equipment within his Department and relevant agencies and to other Government departments or agencies; and what arrangements have been made in this respect. [23281]

[holding answer 21 Janaury 1998]: The disposal of information technology (IT) equipment within the Treasury is governed by the objective of obtaining the best value for money. Our current procedure is firstly to see if it can be used elsewhere in the Department, and then if internal recycling is not possible to dispose of it to a third party organisation for refurbishment and recycling elsewhere.Until the latter part of last year we had a contract for the disposal of surplus IT equipment with RD Computers Ltd., which was awarded following a procurement competition initiated about two years ago. We currently have arrangements with the Disposal Sales Agency of Ministry of Defence and ware constantly seeking for companies who can improve the value for money aspects of this process.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue which would be raised from taxing child benefit, assuming no change to separate taxation of spouses. [24127]

[holding answer 20 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Paymaster General gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 22 December 1997, Official Report, column 470.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the average annual GDP growth over the three years 1998 to 2000 in (a) South West Wales and (b) Wales; and what was the corresponding average in each case for each of the three years 1995 to 1997. [23602]

The Welsh Office has not made a forecast of annual GDP growth over the three years 1998 to 2000. No GDP data exist for South West Wales. The most recent GDP figures for Wales and for the old counties of Wales, relative to the UK, are given in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has to encourage the more frequent use of Hawarden Airport; [24162](2) if he will visit Hawarden Airport; and if he will make a statement. [24163]

The development of Hawarden Airport is a matter for British Aerospace, the owners of the Airport.As part of my continuing discussions about the scope for developing north-south transport links, I am due to visit Hawarden on 6 February to meet senior representatives of British Aerospace. I would hope to hear the company's views about making use of Hawarden for scheduled air services, and to see the facilities at the Airport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the personal disposable income per head for Wales as a percentage of the United Kingdom average in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [23596]

The information requested, for the years 1993, 1994 and 1995, is given in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to ameliorate the impact upon Deeside of the proposed redundancies announced by Kimberley Clark at Deeside Industrial Park. [24160]

The TEC (CELTEC) and the Employment Service in North Wales are liaising with the company's consultants to see what help can be given to the staff who are to be made redundant. The TEC consider this redundancy to be a significant one and covered by the definition of "significant redundancy". This means that employees can be considered for Training for Work immediately (rather than having to wait six months). The local authority, as well as the Welsh Office and its other agencies, also stand ready to offer every possible assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet Shotton and Buckley town councils to discuss investment in the rail infrastructure; and if he will make a statement. [24164]

My right hon. Friend and I have no plans to meet Shotton and Buckley Town Councils to discuss investment in the rail infrastructure, which is principally a matter for Railtrack. However, I understand that the company confirmed during 1997 target dates for investment at seven local railway stations—Shotton High Level, Hawarden, Buckley, Penyffordd, Hope, Caergwrle and Cefn-y-Bedd. In addition, North Western Trains are taking forward over the next few years a £5 million programme of enhancements, including the provision of real-time information and improved security and lighting, which I understand will include stations in the Shotton and Buckley areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with Railtrack and Northwest Railways concerning the establishment of a rail station in the vicinity of Deeside Industrial Park. [24161]

The provision of railway infrastructure, including track, signalling and stations is principally a matter for Railtrack. However, I was pleased to announce on 10 December 1997 as part of the 1998–99 Transport Grant settlement the award to Flintshire County Council of £480,000 in support of the Deeside Integrated Transport Strategy.Part of this award will be used by the County Council to begin to develop plans for a railway station to serve the Deeside Industrial Park. The first stage is expected to comprise mainly preliminary and design studies to identify, for example, the required size and location of a new station and the necessary associated infrastructure. In taking forward this work, I understand that the County Council plans to collaborate closely with local public transport operators, neighbouring local authorities and Railtrack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many modern apprenticeships have been started in 1997–98 in each TEC area to the latest date, and which of the TECs have exhausted their approved starts and budgets for 1997–98. [24358]

The number of Modern Apprenticeship starts up to 30 November 1997 by TEC area in Wales is shown in the following table. These figures will be subject to updates in future periods. At this date none of the TECs in Wales were indicating that they had exhausted their approved starts and budgets for 1997–98. Welsh Office officials are monitoring the situation closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the average amount spent per pupil of (a) primary and (b) secondary school age in each of the local authorities in Wales. [24168]

The information requested is given in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from rail users concerning the differences between fare levels for journeys within Wales and for journeys from Wales to English or Irish destinations; and if he will make a statement. [24295]

I have received one representation about this matter. The regulation of rail fares is the responsibility of the Franchising Director. I understand that he has powers to regulate fares where it would be in the interests of passengers to do so.The Franchising Director has imposed a cap on the price of key fares and operators are not able to increase such fares overall above the rate of inflation. From January 1999, those fares will be capped at one percentage point below the rate of inflation for each of the next four years.Train operators are free to make available discounts which they believe will attract more passengers and fill seats which would otherwise remain empty. Such discounts are a commercial matter for the operators and outside the scope of the Franchising Director's regulation of fares. However, operators are under no obligation to offer discounts between particular destinations, or to price their services in a way which reflects the inclusive deals offered by other operators or agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will announce his proposed reconfiguration of hospital trusts; and if he will make a statement. [25319]

I hope to be able to make an announcement by early April this year about the proposed shape of trusts on which public consultation will take place. A final decision can be taken only after detailed consideration of the response to that consultation. I expect this to be in about October or November 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many sewage treatment plants in the United Kingdom include ultra-violet treatment systems; and if he will list their locations. [23716]

A list from the Environment Agency on locations of the thirty-five sewage treatment works which include ultra-violet treatment in England and Wales is attached in the table. The information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funds remain available in the current financial year and until 1999 allocated to the Northern Uplands Programme; and if he will list the programme of expenditure for the current and succeeding financial years. [23661]

Within the Northern Uplands Objective 5(B) Programme unallocated funds of £40.39 million are still to be committed to projects. This amounts comprises ERDF, ESF and EAGGF. Projects may continue to be submitted for approval up to the end of 1999 with those gaining approval then having a further two years in which to incur expenditure.We would assume that of the total programme funding of £86.93 million the expenditure, in terms of grant claimed in respect of projects, would follow the following schedule.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on Colne of the increased traffic resulting from the completion of the M65-M6 link; and if he will make a statement. [23373]

The M65 Blackburn Southern Bypass, Junctions 1 to 6 opened on 15 December 1997 linking the existing M65 at J6 Whitebirk with the National Motorway network at the M61 and M6.During the planning stages, the Highways Agency predicted that completion of the road would result in a 10 per cent. increase in traffic on the existing M65 east of Blackburn (Junctions 6 to 7).Colne is some 15 miles east of the end of the Blackburn Southern Bypass and we have no reason to believe that the traffic impact on Colne will be any greater than that 10 per cent. estimation. We will be monitoring traffic flows on the new section of M65 as soon as possible during the coming year once traffic patterns have settled down.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the number of local authority tenants not in receipt of housing benefit in Blyth Valley. [24029]

Precise figures are not collected by the Department but it is estimated that about one third (around 3,000) of the local authority tenancies in Blyth Valley were not in receipt of housing benefit in May 1997, the latest date for which data are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what new measures he plans to improve road safety in the vicinity of schools. [23829]

Much of what the Government need to do to improve road safety in the vicinity of schools involves advising local authorities about the measures that are known to be effective.DETR guidance to local authorities on their 1998–99 TPP submissions stressed the priority we attach to bids that focused on safer routes to school projects. Despite severe financial pressures, we have supported packages which seek to improve the road safety of children going to and from school in Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Surrey. Local authorities can also implement safety engineering schemes in the vicinity of schools using the local safety scheme element of their TPP allocation. Self enforcing 20 mph zones, employing traffic calming measures, may be installed to slow traffic in the vicinity of a school. It is for the local highway authority to decide if and where such zones would be suitable.Helping children develop the skills needed to cope with traffic is a high priority for local authorities. Publicity plays a role and we are launching a new "Hedgehog" child safety campaign later this month promoting the 'Stop. Look, Listen, Live' message.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times his wife has accompanied him on overseas visits; and what was the cost of her travel and other expenses. [25158]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 15 January 1998, Official Report, column 265.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many secretarial and support staff work full-time in support of his political advisers. [25194]

The special advisers to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions are supported by one administrative officer and one personal secretary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the changes in SSA methodology introduced for 1998–99, showing the effect of each change on (a) SSAs for each class of authority and (b) SSA for each local authority in England in (i) percentage and (ii) cash terms. [24521]

Tables showing the effects of the proposed methodology changes have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each local authority the total amount of council tax benefit paid to residents and the figure in each case expressed as a percentage of the total council tax collected in each local authority. [24522]

I have today placed in the Library of the House a table showing the amounts which each billing authority estimated as the amount of Council Tax benefit granted to Council Tax payers in respect of 1996–97 Council Taxes, and the figure in each case expressed as a percentage of the sum of the estimated 1996–97 Council Tax receipts in 1996–97 and the estimated amount of Council Tax benefit granted to Council Tax payers in 1996–97.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the Safety Assessment Federation and CEOC have not been invited to participate in the International Conference on the Importance of Good Design and Manufacture of Machinery in Improving Safety in the Workplace to be held by his Department in April. [25029]

Registration forms for the 'Safety by Design' Conference, should be available in early February. Copies will be sent to the Safety Assessment Federation and CEOC. I hope that they will apply for registration and participate in the Conference, which will be in Manchester on 29–30 April.The Conference is aimed at an international audience and industry: Speakers reflect that audience. The role of conformity assessment and the involvement of Notified Bodies in securing high levels of safety on machinery will be addressed by the Swedish Board for Accreditation and Conformity Assessment and an official from the European Commission who has specific responsibility for this area of work.I hope that the hon. Member will join me in wishing this important conference, which is being run as part of the United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Council of Ministers, every success.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the Planning Inspectorate's Annual Report and Accounts for 1996–97. [25604]

The Planning Inspectorate's Annual report and Accounts has been published. Copies are available in the Library of the House.The Inspectorate have just completed the first year of a demanding three year programme to restore appeal handling times to optimum levels. They have succeeded in meeting the majority of their business targets in 1996–97 and even on those that were missed substantial progress has been made: handling times have improved; new inspectors have been appointed; and measures taken to reduce the time to arrange inquiries and hearings.The Agency has also been able to maintain the programme of development plan inquiries and has once again met its targets for handling this work. This will help ensure that full coverage of up to date development plans is achieved as soon as possible, providing greater certainty for all involved in the planning process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in relation to the conditions of mentally and physically handicapped children in institutions in Greece. [24530]

We have discussed the treatment of mentally and physically handicapped children with the Greek authorities. The Greek Health and Welfare Minister announced on 20 January that a bill was currently being drafted to reform the welfare system in Greece. The Greek Under-Secretary for Welfare has said that the national welfare system (PIPKA) is to be merged with the children's foundation (MITERA), so that services can be better organised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 January 1998, Official Report, column 22, when he expects Israel to provide copies of the internal legislation relevant to the implementation of the origin and mutual assistance protocols annexed to the EC/Israel Interim Agreement. [24555]

In accordance with the agreement at the 28 November EC/Israel Co-operation Committee, Israel has now provided the European Commission with copies of this internal legislation. These are being examined by EC officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Israel's current internal legislation on the application of rules of origin to exported goods (a) incorporates the same definition of the borders of Israel as that accepted by the EC and (b) distinguishes between goods produced within the internationally recognised borders of Israel and those produced in Israeli settlements outside these borders; and how the current legislation differs from that in effect from 1 January 1996 in relation to control mechanisms envisaged in the EC/Israel agreement. [24556]

The EC/Israel Interim Agreement came into force on 1 January 1996. Israel has since revised its internal legislation to ensure that the conditions for benefiting from preferential rates of duty in the EC are respected. Copies of this legislation are now being examined by EC officials. This internal legislation gives no definition of the borders of Israel nor makes any reference to Israeli settlements. Certain goods produced in the West Bank and Gaza are eligible for preferential access to EU markets under the EC/PLO Interim Association Agreement. No information is available on the internal legislation in effect before 1 January 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Israel will repay to the EC the import duty lost by mislabelling of Brazilian orange juice as Israeli. [24557]

Under EC law, it is the importer or his representative, not the exporting country, who is liable for any customs debt which arises where goods imported at a preferential rate are found not to meet the appropriate rules of origin. Any financial assistance provided by the exporting country to the EC importer is therefore a commercial matter between the two parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions since 1968 the US Goverrment have notified Her Majesty's Government of changes in their policy towards the importing of plutonium from the UK under the UK-US Mutual Defence Agreement 1958; and what form such notifications took. [23807]

I have been asked to reply.The United States Government have not notified the United Kingdom of any policy changes regarding the importation of plutonium during this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations the United States Government had with Her Majesty's Government prior to the release on 22 December of a US Department of Energy fact sheet on the quantity of plutonium acquired by the United States from the United Kingdom under the US-UK 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement on Atomic Energy matters. [23796]

I have been asked to reply.There was full consultation between the Ministry of Defence and the United States Department of Energy prior to the release of the fact sheet, during which we gave our agreement to the text.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what variations have been made to Article 2 of the Amendment of 27 September 1968 to the agreement for co-operation on the uses of atomic energy for mutual defence purposes, of 3 July 1958. [23793]

I have been asked to reply.Article 2 of the 1968 amendment refers to Article III bis of the 1958 UK-US Mutual Defence Agreement. Variations made to the wording of Article III bis since 1968 have been to extend the time limits for transfers of special nuclear materials together with two textual amendments. An amendment, Cmnd 9434, which entered into force on 16 November 1984 added a new paragraph C referring to the transfer from the United States of enriched uranium for military purposes. The most recent amendment to Article III bis is Cm 2785 which entered into force on 23 December 1994. This amendment

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what quantities of plutonium with a plutonium-240 content in the range two to 10 per cent. the United Kingdom has exported to the United States under the provisions of the 1958 US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement on atomic energy matters. [24049]

I have been asked to reply.Between 1960 and 1979 the United Kingdom exported 0.1 metric tonnes of plutonium with a pu 240 content between 2 per cent. and 10 per cent. to the United States under the provisions of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement. I am withholding further information concerning other transfers under Category 1 of the exemptions to the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information concerning defence, security and international relations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made to date in the consultations with interested parties, with particular reference to future TSN values and methods of allocations and funding for grounds. [21229]

Under changes announced to LMS formulae for 1998–99 the overall TSN allocation to the voluntary grammar school sector will be reduced to reflect the fact that they do not have significant problems of educational disadvantage. Further consultations with educational interests on the allocation of TSN resources will begin later this year. Those consultations will focus on more effective targeting of TSN money at the most needy schools.Funding for voluntary grammar schools' grounds and pitches will be retained in 1998–99, at a reduced rate, pending further consideration of the issue. A further round of consultations with schools on this and other proposals for further changed in the formula finding arrangements will also be held later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will give the RUC the power to obliterate or remove graffiti and markings of a sectarian nature; and if she will make a statement. [23689]

Article 18 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1985 provides District Councils with the power to remove or obliterate graffiti which is considered detrimental to the district; the exercise of such powers is a matter for district councils.The Roads (NI) Order 1993 provides power for the Department of the Environment (NI) to remove graffiti from the public road: the Roads Service of the Department uses these powers where it considers it appropriate to do so.There are no plans to transfer responsibility for this work to the RUC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what respects her Department applied different procedures in respect of (a) the leak of the Drumcree memorandum differently, (b) the leak of personnel files from the Department of Agriculture Private Office; what factors underlay differences in procedure; and if she will make a statement. [23693]

The letter I sent to the hon. and learned Member on 14 August 1997 explained the background to these cases. When it became clear that the investigation into the leak of personnel files from the Department of Agriculture involved only members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, each individual was informed of their right of silence under paragraph 1081 of the NICS Pay and Conditions of Service Code. Given the particular seriousness of the leak of the Drumcree memorandum which might have put at risk the lives of a number of civil servants, as well as threatening to undermine the Government's handling of the marching issue, all individuals questioned were informed of their right of silence but no undertaking about not drawing adverse inferences was given. In the event of the Drumcree inquiry no member of staff who was questioned chose to exercise their right of silence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many awards were made in 1997 to Post Office staff for assistance in relation to DHSS giro fraud; and what was the total expenditure on such awards; [23690](2) if she will require originals of replaced giros to be held back by the Post Office on encashment for inspection by her Department for evidential purposes. [23691]

Responsibility for the subject has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Thompson. I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff are employed in each Northern Ireland Office/Civil Service Department on preparing legislation; and what are the total and average staff costs in each Department. [23694]

Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the answer of 10 December 1997, Official Report, columns 554–58, concerning weapons stolen from the Army during the past 10 years, how many of the recovered weapons were known to be in the possession of (a) Loyalists, (b) Republicans and (c) others. [22801]

I have been asked to reply.The information requested is set out below for all British Army weapons lost, stolen or otherwise unaccounted for in Northern Ireland in each of the past ten years.

To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy in respect of gifts received by the sovereign or members of her family on behalf of the nation in respect of their retention, their public availability and the availability of information in respect of all gifts so received. [24301]

[holding answer 20 January 1998]: Details of official gifts to the Sovereign or other Members of the Royal Family are generally made public through press releases at the time they are received. All official gifts are recorded and retained in public museums, the Royal Library or royal palaces, and are displayed to the public or used on public occasions where possible. Requests from members of the public for information about gifts to The Queen and other Members of the Royal Family are answered by members of the Royal Household.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what access and toilet facilities No. 10 Downing Street provides for people who are wheelchair users; [23776](2) what plans he has to make adaptions to No. 10 Downing Street to improve access facilities for wheelchair users. [23777]

[holding answer 20 January 1998]: No. 10 Downing Street has a number of facilities for the disabled. Portable ramps are available to give access to the house; a passenger lift which can accommodate wheelchairs and which gives access to all floors; a stair climber to enable wheelchairs to be taken up the main stairs; and a wheelchair lift to facilitate access to the State Rooms. A disabled toilet has also been installed.Whilst no further work is planned, provision for the disabled is kept under review.

To ask the Prime Minister if he was consulted about the proposed new restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6 prior to the announcement; and what representation he was received and what discussions he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on this subject. [24307]

[holding answer 20 January 1998]: I have received a large number of representations on the subject of the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6.The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will be consulting on the draft regulations to introduce new controls.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the division of responsibility within Government in respect of the year 2000 problem. [24733]

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is co-ordinating action across the civil service and its agencies. A Ministerial Group (MISC 4), chaired by the President of the Board of Trade, is co-ordinating work to ensure that the national infrastructure is not damaged by the failure of electronic systems related to the 2000 date change. Secretaries of State are responsible for action within their own Departments.

To ask the Prime Minister how many receptions he has held at Chequers since he took office; how many people have attended; and what was the cost of these events. [25141]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, column 858.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he intends to take to reduce premature mortality rates in deprived areas; and if he will make a statement. [24828]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesham (Mr. Pond) on 20 January 1998, Official Report, column 499.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence his Department has assessed over the last 10 years which indicates a relationship between incidences of (a) dental caries and (b) angina with diet; and what new steps he plans to take to tackle these diseases. [24463]

The evidence linking diet with dental caries which the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) considered is cited in its reports Dietary Sugars and Human Disease published in 1989, and Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom published in 1991. Evidence also came from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey: children aged 1½ to 4½ years Volume 2 Report of the dental survey published in 1995. Copies of these reports are available in the Library. Angina is a symptom of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the evidence reviewed by COMA linking diet with CVD is cited in its report Nutritional Aspects of Cardiovascular Disease published in 1994.We will be setting out our new strategy to reduce the burden of CVD shortly in our Green Paper

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to increase the provision of district nurses in areas with the greatest health care needs. [24827]

The Government are employing a twin strategy to match supply and demand by investing in more training and strategies to improve the recruitment, retention and return to practice of trained staff.In 1997–98, a total of £766 million is being spent on non-medical education and training which incudes: provision for an extra 1,300 new nurse training places, and an allocation of £10.4 million to support recruitment and retention initiatives such as return to practice programmes.In 1998–99, a further £50 million will be invested in health professional training—including a further £30 million for new nursing and PAMs training commissions. The extra money will also support improved facilities for expanding training opportunities in primary care.Community nurses, working within Primary Care Groups, will play a key role in delivering the aims of the Government's new NHS White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend the regional database of drug users into a reconstituted national database; and if he will make a statement. [23924]

The Regional Drug Misuse Databases hold anonymised information about people presenting to services for problem drug users for the first time or for the first time for six months. Data from each of the databases are collected and analysed centrally by the Department of Health and published as the Statistical Bulletin "Drug Misuse Statistics", which presents data both at national and regional levels. Copies of the most recent bulletin for the six month period ending 31 March 1996 have been placed in the Library.The Department is currently at an early stage of work with health authorities, database managers and other interests on the strategic development of the Regional Drug Misuse Databases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence his Department has assessed on the relationship between the incidence of hypertension and the consumption of salt in the diet. [24462]

The evidence assessed by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy is cited in their 1994 report Nutritional Aspects of Cardiovascular Disease. Copies of the report are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with pharmaceutical companies in respect of the British medical Association's report on the therapeutic uses of cannabis; and if he will make a statement. [24836]

We have had no official discussions with pharmaceutical companies in respect of the British Medical Association's report on the therapeutic uses of cannabis. However, the Home Office and the Medicines Control Agency have always indicated that they are prepared to look at well founded research proposals in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to subject the accounts of private residential and nursing homes to a public auditing procedure. [24821]

We have no plans to do so.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many libel actions have been decided by (a) a judge and (b) a jury in each of the last 10 years. [24000]

The information is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what conditions have to be satisfied for the courts to allow a libel action to proceed without a jury. [24036]

It is a matter of judicial discretion as set out in the Rules of the Supreme Court Order 33 rule 5.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list, by country, those localities where magistrates courts have been closed in each of the last five years and those localities where magistrates courts have been proposed or agreed for closure in 1998. [23958]

The information requested is not collected centrally and could be collected only at a disproportionate cost.Magistrates courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates courts committee (MCC). Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, although the paying authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure.The administration of the magistrates courts is based on units known as MCCs, not counties. Whilst MCCs have tended to be based on the old county boundaries, the effect of local government reorganisation and the amalgamation of MCCs means this is now changing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each education authority the number and percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary pupils statemented as having special needs. [23654]

The information requested is shown in the following table.