To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 3, concerning consultation on legal aid changes, if he will list the representations received, those making them and the date of them, indicating which were in favour of his proposals and which against. [26508]

The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In any event, before I made public the names of those who had written or had discussion with us and the substance of their representations, I would wish to ensure that I had their permission to do so. A full list will be maintained of those who respond to the formal consultation paper, which I expect to issue in the near future, which will make it clear that the names of those responding may be made public unless they request the Department not to do so.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what mechanisms are in place to establish whether a person has previously been in receipt of legal aid certificates, and what methods are used to determine if the person has a history of previous fraudulent claims. [25306]

The Legal Aid Board's existing computer systems do not enable it to identify easily whether an applicant has any previous legal aid history. The Board is currently implementing a new computer system which will enable it to identify any previous transactions involving that person and search those transactions to identify any previous fraudulent activity. The new computer system is already in place in one of the Board's 13 area offices and will be implemented nationally by the end of 1998.The Board will complete, in February 1998, the transfer of responsibility for civil means assessment from the Benefits Agency. This will enhance the Board's ability to identify, from its own case records, any previous fraudulent activity by an applicant for legal aid.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will identify the insurance companies he has held discussions with about the wider introduction of conditional fees arrangements between (a) 1 December and 31 December 1997 and (b) 1 January and 31 January 1998; and what meetings with individual representatives of insurance companies (i) he and (ii) the Lord Chancellor have planned for 1 February to 31 March. [26411]

Although I did not meet with any insurers between 1 and 31 December 1997, I have already given the hon. Gentleman the details of the meetings that took place between 18 October and 15 December 1997, Official Report, 15 December 1997, column 43. Since then, my officials attended a meeting of the joint Insurance Industry and LCD working group on 12 January and are due to attend a further meeting on 6 February. Further meetings will be arranged as necessary. Given the existence of the working group neither my noble and learned Friend nor I have future meetings planned with representatives of insurance companies, though if requested we would be prepared to meet representatives of the industry.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will request a report from the Law Society on the matter of exclusion clauses that limit a solicitor's liability when acting as a trustee; and if he will make a statement. [25263]

I have no plans to do so. This is a matter for the Law Society. I am advised that the Law Society will be reviewing the issue of liability exclusion clauses shortly.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what procedures are employed by the Independent Tribunal Service to appoint the chairs and other members of (a) SSATs, (b) DATs and (c) MATs. [25405]

The Lord Chancellor appoints full-time legal Chairmen after consultation with the Lord Advocate. The statutory qualification for such appointment is to have a five-year general qualification (in England and Wales) or to have been a solicitor or advocate in Scotland of at least five years' standing. Appointments are made following advertisement and interview, usually from among the ranks of part-time Chairmen, of those who are best able to demonstrate that they satisfy the selection criteria. Part-time legal Chairmen are appointed by the Lord Chancellor in England and Wales and currently by the Lord President of the Court of Session in Scotland. The statutory qualifications are the same as for full-time Chairmen. Vacancies are advertised and appointments made following interview of those best able to satisfy the selection criteria.The President of the Independent Tribunal Service at present appoints all other members of those tribunals within his jurisdiction, including Social Security Appeal Tribunals (SSATs), Disability Appeal Tribunals (DATs), Medical Appeal Tribunals (MATs) and Child Support Appeal Tribunals (CSATs). Interested individuals satisfying the statutory requirements and certain other selection criteria such as age are interviewed locally by the relevant Regional Chairman and a report and recommendation are submitted by them to the President for his decision.

To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions were not proceeded with in 1997 on the grounds that to do so would not be in the public interest. [25835]

A total of 161,461 cases were not proceeded with in the magistrates courts during 1997. Additionally, 7,514 cases were not proceeded with in the Crown Court. However, the Crown Prosecution Service holds no central records on the reasons why cases are discontinued. The information is held only on individual cases files in each branch and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.A survey of all cases not proceeded with in the magistrates courts was conducted during November 1994. The survey showed that during this period, 28 per cent. of discontinuances were undertaken on the grounds that a prosecution was not in the public interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account is taken under section 5(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 of the length of journey time in determining whether to grant a project licence for experiments on non-human primates. [25750]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 48.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Salisbury may expect a reply to his letter of 1 December 1997 to the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) about the police raid in Donhead St. Andrew on 21 November 1997. [25725]

I wrote to the hon. Member on 24 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 3 December on behalf of Mr. Chatfield. [26369]

I wrote to the right hon. Member on 29 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to prevent violence and disorder among England and Scotland fans during the forthcoming Soccer World Cup. [25892]

The Government are determined to do everything possible to see that genuine British football supporters attending the World Cup in France this summer are able to enjoy the tournament free from disruption by hooligans. To this end, we have established a World Cup Co-ordinating Group which brings together official, policing and football representatives from both England and Scotland. Both English and Scottish representatives have established good communications with the French authorities to ensure a co-ordinated approach to preventing violence and disorder involving England and Scotland fans en route to and during the tournament.In February, my right hon. Friend will be hosting a seminar in Blackburn on the policing of football, which will bring together relevant experts from across the European Union. This will enable them to discuss policing, safety and security arrangements for the World Cup and to share advice and expertise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the outcome of the inter-departmental review of the way in which vulnerable and intimidated witnesses are treated by the Criminal Justice Court with particular reference to the cross-examination of victims of rape by unrepresented defendants. [26082]

We hope that the review will be completed shortly and a final report submitted to Ministers in the spring. We will consider the report as quickly as possible thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 45, on what date and for what reasons, the Laboratory of the Government Chemist discontinued supplying cannabis to medical researchers; and who took the decision. [26272]

These are matters for the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, which is a private company.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review whether the use of the drug Gammahydroxybutyrate should be controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. [26719]

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), an independent body established under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to advise the Government on drug misuse issues, has a duty to keep under review drugs which are being, or appear to them likely to be, misused and to advise the Government on measures for preventing their misuse or dealing with social problems connected with their misuse.The Advisory Council considered the misuse of Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) in November 1996. After examining the available evidence, the Council reached the view that the harmful effects of the misuse of the drug in the United Kingdom were not sufficient to constitute a social problem, a criterion which is laid down by the Act. It concluded that GHB should not therefore be recommended for control but that its misuse should continue to be monitored. We continue to keep the matter under review.Although not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, GHB is subject to control under the Medicines Act 1968.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 1998, Official Report, column 555, on vessels (fire services), how many members of the fire-fighting teams were injured during their deployment in the United Kingdom Search and Rescue Region. [25875]

Information is given in table 9 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Issue 1/98, Summary Fire Statistics United Kingdom 1996, published on 21 January. A copy is in the Library. Details of injuries on vessels are not separately available and could only be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what prospective occasions he assesses to be suitable for the awarding of city status. [25999]

[holding answer 38 January 1998]: City status is a rare honour conferred by the Sovereign, by Letters Patent. Nowadays, grants are usually made on occasions of particular Royal and national significance. It will be for Her Majesty to decide if and when she wishes to create a further city.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what investigation he has made into the use of chief constables' discretion in relation to keeping on full pay those police officers who have been injured in the course of carrying out their duties; [25872](2) what discussions he has had with the Police Federation and ACPO on the variations in the way officers injured while carrying out their duties are treated by chief constables; [25874](3) what steps he has taken to ensure that police officers injured while carrying out their duties are not placed under financial pressure to return to work while still unfit. [25873]

[holding answer 29 January 1998]: Regulation 46 of the Police Regulations 1995 sets out the arrangements for managing the pay of police officer during sick leave. The regulation provides for a police officer on sick leave to receive full pay during the first six months of sick leave, half pay for the second six months, and no pay if sick leave continues beyond 12 months. The regulation also provides that, subject to the discretion of the chief constable, an officer on sick leave entitled to half pay may continue to receive full pay, and an officer on sick leave entitled to no pay may be paid half or full pay.The regulation is clear that it is only the chief constable who may exercise such discretion and is therefore not an issue which ordinarily I would wish to raise in the course of my discussions with individual chief constables or the Association of Chief Police Officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that sufficient police surgeons are available in each area of the country to carry out intimate body searches on those suspected of carrying illegal drugs. [26079]

[holding answer 29 January 1998]: It is for chief constables to decide how many police surgeons are needed to carry out the range of services required of police surgeons in the police area and then to appoint them. Under Code of Practice C issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1994, intimate body searches of those suspected of carrying illegal drugs may be carried out either by a registered medical practitioner or by a registered nurse.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the code of practice relating to sexual harassment within the RUC. [22424]

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: The RUC have produced a booklet covering both sexual and religious harassment. This is not a published document but I have arranged for a copy to be sent to my hon. Friend and placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the yearly costs to the NHS in Northern Ireland of meeting the nursing costs of long-term care. [25915]

No separate assessment has been made centrally of the nursing costs of long-term care.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she will next conduct the quinquennial review of the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland. [27080]

A review of the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland (FANI) is now under way. As an executive non-departmental public body, the performance of FANI will be considered and its activities subjected to a prior options study.Comments and contributions from those with an interest in FANI would be welcome and should be sent by 31 January 1998 to Mr. Tony McCusker, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, Clarence Court, 10–18 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GB.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how expenditure by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland on the promotion and development of Parliament Buildings and the Stormont Estate as a public amenity and visitor attraction will be funded. [27081]

The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is responsible for the management of the Stormont Estate under the Stormont Regulation and Government Property Act (Northern Ireland) 1933. The legislation does not, however, empower the Department to incur expenditure

List of delegations made under the Civil Service (Management Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994
Delegation	Nature of delegation	Recipients	Main conditions
1. Pay and Grading	Authority to determine pay and grading arrangements, shift disturbance and night duty allowances and other allowances in the nature of pay for Northern Ireland civil servants below the senior open structure.	The Permanent Head of NIO in respect of that department and also for the following organisations: The Police Authority for Northern Ireland The Compensation Agency The Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Prison Service Agency.	The recipient must ensure that any changes (i) comply with the NICS Equal Opportunity Policy; (ii) provide value for money; (iii) do not jeopardise essential public expenditure safeguards.
2. Pay and Grading	Authority to determine pay and grading of Northern Ireland civil servants below the senior open structure based in Next Steps Agencies.	Permanent Heads of NI departments responsible for the following organisations: Child Support Agency Health Estates Agency Social Security Agency Industrial Research and Technology Unit Training and Employment Agency Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency Ordnance Survey NI Public Record Office (NI) Rate Collection Agency Environment and Heritage Service Land Registers of Northern Ireland Planning Service Roads Service Water Service Construction Service Valuation and Lands Agency Business Development Service NI Statistics and Research Agency Government Purchasing Service.	The recipient must ensure that any changes (i) comply with the NICS Equal Opportunity Policy; (ii) provide value for money; (iii) do not jeopardise essential public expenditure safeguards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what delegations have been made since the Civil Service (Management Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 came into operation on 20 September 1994; to whom those delegations were made; and what were the main conditions that were attached to them. [27082]

The table lists delegations made to date under the Civil Service (Management Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994.

List of delegations made under the Civil Service (Management Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994
Delegation	Nature of delegation	Recipients	Main conditions
3. Certain conditions of service	Authority to determine the rules on hours and attendance, annual leave and sick absence, inefficiency procedures, arrangements for probation, personal review and arrangements for the payment of overtime of Northern Ireland civil servants below the senior open structure.	The Permanent Head of the NI department responsible for the following organisations: The Child Support Agency The Social Security Agency.	In the exercise of the delegation the recipient must: (i) act within the law and within any Codes of Practice which from time to time may be issued for the guidance of employers; (ii) have regard to NICS Equal Opportunity Policy and to any relevant Government policies or Ministerial commitments; (iii) have regard to the reputation of the NICS for good, fair and equitable employment practices; (iv) not alter existing rights and duties arbitrarily but consult or negotiate, as appropriate, with Trade Union Side; (v) continue to abide by the terms and conditions of service contained in the NICS Pay and Conditions of Service Code unless and until changes are effected; (vi) make clear to staff in a readily accessible form any changes which do apply; (vii) ensure proper protection of public funds and value for money; (viii) have regard to the possible implications for departments within the NICS and be prepared to work with the Department of Finance an Personnel and other departments to deal with any adverse consequences which may arise; (ix) other detailed conditions in line with those applying to similar delegations granted to Home Civil Service departments and contained in the Management Code.
4. Certain conditions of Service	Authority to determine the rules on hours and attendance, annual leave, special leave, sick absence, inefficiency procedures, personal review and arrangements for the payment of overtime of Northern Ireland civil servants below the senior open structure.	The Permanent Head of NIO in respect of that department and also for the following organisations: The Compensation Agency The Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland Prison Service Agency.	As above.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures she proposes to deal with domestic violence; what funds she is making available to (a) local authority and (b) voluntary association projects; and if she will make a statement. [25833]

The Government are committed to a concerted inter-agency attack on domestic violence. A Regional Forum established in 1995 brings together the main statutory and voluntary interests, including Women's Aid, Victims Support, the RUC, the Probation Service, the NI Court Service and social services. We are also bringing forward new legislation which develops and strengthens the civil law on domestic violence. Government funding towards the regional administrative costs of the NI Women's Aid Federation will be at least £158,000 in 1997–98. Capital costs for women's refuges in Northern Ireland are met by the Department of the Environment and amounted to £1.6 million in 1996–97. Revenue support through the housing benefit system amounted to £1.9 million in 1996–97.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many non-career civil servants have been appointed to his Department since 1 May 1997. [25844]

Two hundred and six non-career civil servants have been appointed to my Department since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what inter-departmental discussions have taken place on the use of the Clapham deep shelters. [25988]

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress is being made in tackling the millennium computer problem within central Government. [27140]

On 27 November, I wrote to Ministerial colleagues requesting additional information on three general themes arising from the October plans: skills and resources; embedded systems; and, contingency planning. I asked for information about these points to be sent to my officials by 18 December 1997.I am arranging for all the additional material provided by departments and agencies to be placed in the library of the House and published on the Internet.On the question of skills and resources, the responses from departments and agencies indicate that programmes are currently assessed to be adequately resourced. Many are using outsource companies to resource the projects. Most embedded systems projects are still in the inventory or audit process. Many departments and agencies are in dialogue with the suppliers of equipment. All departments have given some consideration to contingency planning ranging from making provision within the year 2000 programmes for project overruns to full disaster recovery planning. These issues will be kept under close review as part of the reporting and monitoring process.On 29 January, I chaired the inaugural meeting of the Ministerial Sub-Group which is monitoring and driving the action by departments and agencies to address the millennium date change problem in central Government.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio who is to be invited to the Millennium celebrations at the Dome on 31 December 1999; and who is to be responsible for the compilation of the invitation list. [25271]

No final decisions have been made about the composition of the invitation list for the celebrations at the Dome on 31 December 1999 at this stage. The New Millennium Experience Company will work closely with Government on its compilation and composition at the appropriate time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his proposals for a tax credit for people on low earnings with dependent children will be based on the policy that benefits and credits for children should always be paid to the mother of the children so long as she has or shares the custody of them. [24705]

The "Working Families Tax Credit", which the Chancellor announced in his pre-Budget Statement, is part of a package of measures which are designed to make work pay. The WFTC will build on the success of Family Credit. Various options are being examined and the Chancellor will announce his decision in his Budget Statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many non-career civil servants have been appointed to his Department since 1 May 1997; and how many have been appointed to the Parliamentary Secretary's Office. [25850]

The number of casual, fixed-term appointees and Special Advisers appointed since 1 May 1997 is 54. Appointments to the Parliamentary Secretary's Office are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreement reached by the Paymaster General with the power generators. [25427]

[holding answer 26 January 1998]: No agreement was reached between the Government and power generators. Arrangements for coal deliveries were reached between the relevant parties. My role was to act as facilitator to those discussions. My hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry will be happy to place a record of these discussions, agreed with the parties, in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number and the percentage of the total of those mis-sold personal pensions who have now (a) died, (b) been fully compensated for their financial loss, (c) been partially compensated and (d) not been compensated. [26476]

As the pensions mis-selling review continues, the number of personal pension cases to be reviewed rises. I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 16 January 1998, Official Report, columns 322–24, for data on the progress made by the 41 firms whose cases account for the bulk of policies requiring review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin) of 15 January 1998, Official Report, columns 267–68, for which grace and favour residences the new non-departmental public body for the historic royal palaces will be responsible. [24773]

[holding answer 22 January 1998]: The Historic Royal Palaces Agency are currently responsible for nine Grace and Favour residences within the Unoccupied Royal Palaces, and this will not alter when the Agency becomes a non-departmental public body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grants were made available to football clubs in England and Wales to improve their ground facilities for spectators during 1997. [24873]

Grants made by the Football Trust in 1997 to football clubs in England and Wales to improve their spectator facilities are detailed in the following table.

Football Trust Grants to football clubs in England and Wales—1997
Grant scheme	Total value of grants made (£)
Reduction in Pool Betting Duty
Grants offered from the RPBD for work required to meet Taylor recommendations	3,900,000
Safety
Grants offered for work required under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975	1,144,589
Improvement
Grants offered for the improvement or provision of toilet facilities or spectating facilities for those with disabilities	74,169
Transport improvement
Grants offered for the improvement of car and coach parks, railway stations, and signage to grounds	30,820

Football Trust Grants to football clubs in England and Wales—1997
Grant scheme	Total value of grants made (£)
CCTV
Grants offered for the improvement or provision of CCTV surveillance equipment	151,819
Stewarding
Grants offered for the cost, training, and equipping of stewards (radios and jackets)	82,300
League of Wales
Grants offered for the improvement of spectator facilities at clubs in the League of Wales	170,000
FA Contribution Account
Grants offered for the community dimension of Taylor related work	250,000
FA/Football Trust Grants Scheme
Grants offered to non-league clubs for ground and changing facility improvement, from a joint fund with contributions from the Trust and the FA347,894
Grand total	6,151,591

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the difference in real terms between his Department's grant in aid allocations to the Arts Council of England in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [25895]

The Government committed themselves, before the General Election, to keep to the spending plans of the previous administration in 1997–98 and 1998–99. The difference in the Arts Council of England's allocation in real terms between 1997–98 and 1998–99 is a decrease of 3.5 per cent, or £6.5 million in 1997–98 prices. These figures are derived from the cash allocations of £186.1 million in 1997–98 and £184.6 million in 1998–99, and a 2.8 per cent. increase in the GDP deflator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the need to ensure that the England football team has an effective World Cup song. [25760]

The history of Englands football anthems is very mixed. In 1990 and 1996, they were hugely popular. In some other years they have rivalled bubonic plague in their appeal. Perhaps the Football Association should hold a competition among English song writers to try and establish a permanent football anthem. For me Tina Turner's "Simply the Best" would be the ideal World Cup song.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to support England's bid to host the 2006 Soccer World Cup. [25890]

The Government are providing the fullest diplomatic and promotional support for the FA's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup. I hold regular meetings with the FA Campaign Team. I have personally discussed the bid with several members of the FIFA Executive 30,820 Committee, either here in London or in their home countries. I will continue to accompany FA delegations to promote the bid, as Parliamentary business allows. I have discussed the bid with the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) and I have written to hon. Members urging them to use every opportunity to support the bid. I have been heartened by the positive response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998, Official Report, column 471, what representations he has received from Government Departments concerning the format and aims of a non-statutory agreement between his Department and the Scottish Executive; how many representations were received from each department; and if he will make a statement. [25505]

[holding answer 28 January 1998]: Discussions are being held between Departments, both at official level and Ministerial level, on all matters relating to non-statutory agreements between the UK Government and the Scottish Executive. In most cases, these discussions are in their early stages in the light of the fact that such agreements cannot be finalised until the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive are established. Parliament will be kept informed of progress on these matters.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review (a) the role and (b) the membership of the Meat and Livestock Commission. [26556]

An efficiency review of the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC), under Government procedures for the operation of Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), will begin later this year. This review is required to consider whether there is a continuing need for the MLC and, if so, what its functions and structure should be and to make recommendations for any necessary changes. It will also need to take account of the changes to Government brought about by devolution.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will lift the weight restriction on cull cows under the over-30-months scheme. [26551]

We have no plans to do so. The 560 kilogram compensation weight limit under the over-30-months slaughter scheme is necessary in order to contain expenditure on this demand led scheme.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review his decision to ban beef on the bone. [26555]

I refer to my reply to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) on 17 December 1997, Official Report, column 232.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will undertake a review of the over-30-months scheme. [26550]

The over-30-months Slaughter Scheme is a public health measure under which very considerable public expenditure is made. It is therefore reviewed regularly in the light of new scientific information and the budgetary provision available. Maintenance of the Scheme, which is enshrined in EU legislation, is a precondition of the Florence Agreement. Changes to the composition of the Scheme would therefore require EU approval.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to allow public bodies subject to compulsory competitive tendering procedures to give priority to purchase of British beef for catering purposes. [26557]

None. Public Bodies are generally required to look for best value for money in their procurement decisions, and it would contravene the Treaty of Rome to operate a buy British Policy. Nevertheless we have recently been discussing with the Ministry of Defence how we might increase the amount of British beef purchased by the armed forces.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on farm incomes. [27079]

Estimated figures show that Total Farm Income from Farming fell by 37 per cent. in real terms in 1997. The fall shows substantial increases in incomes in recent years and reflects the lower prices for many agricultural commodities. A major factor is the strength of the pound sterling which affects all sectors of the economy. Detailed estimates of the income, output and productivity of United Kingdom Agriculture in 1997 were published this morning and have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 16 December on behalf of Mrs. Stables; [26373](2) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 16 December on behalf of Mr. Williamson. [26377]

These letters—and a number of others I have received from right hon. and hon. Members—ask about the Government's attitude to near-identical private Member's and private Peer's Bills which have been introduced with the aim, inter alia, of banning the tail docking of piglets. The Government's attitude to such a measure was made clear in a debate in the House of Lords on 26 January: I am therefore now in a position to reply to the right hon. Gentlemen's two letters of 16 December and to the other letters we have received on the subject.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the occasions since 1 January 1996 on which grades 1 and 2 officials from his Department have visited each of the food research institutions on the Norwich Research Park. [26250]

There have been no such visits in the time period specified.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the time scale for the payment of the £85 million package he announced on 22 December 1997, Official Report, columns 677–79, and what proportion will be distributed to farmers in Wales. [26552]

Consultation with the European Commission on the package is still in progress. Our right hon. Friend the Minister hopes to be able to make a statement very soon.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the operation of the Meat Hygiene Service. [26554]

I refer to my reply to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) on 14 January 1998, Official Report, column 234.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of new homes that will need to be built in Scotland to accommodate projections of household growth. [25644]

The published projections of household growth, and their implications for the number of new homes required, are currently embodied in local authorities' Structure and Local Development Plans. In addition, a steering group has been established to oversee the production of a national housing needs assessment. The group will be chaired by the Scottish Office and have representatives from COSLA, Scottish Homes, Shelter, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the Chartered Institute of Housing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local government staff in Scotland are restricted from standing for the Scottish Parliament elections in 1999 under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (a) on grounds of salary levels in excess of £25,000 per annum and (b) on other grounds. [25680]

[holding answer 29 January 1998]: Figures provided by the Local Government Political Restrictions Exemptions Adjudicator, collated from lists provided by local authorities, show that:

(a) an estimated 4,978 posts are politically restricted under the 1989 Act by virtue of salary;

(b) an estimated 265.5 posts have been identified as being below the relevant point on the APT&C salary spine point 44 (currently £26,391), but meeting the criteria of the Act.

Heads of paid service, chief officers, deputy chief officers, monitoring officers and other officers specified at Section 2(1) of the 1989 Act are politically restricted by virtue of their office; the Political Restrictions Exemptions Adjudicator does not hold figures for the numbers of these officers, but a number of these officers are likely to be included in the figures given above.The Government believe that it is important that councils and the people they serve can rely on politically disinterested service from their officials. This principle was recently upheld by the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life on local government conduct. To that end, the Government intend that those local government officials who are in the most senior or sensitive positions should not be able to stand for election to the Scottish Parliament. The Government do, however, intend to consult on the possible reduction in the numbers or categories of officer who are affected by political restriction under the 1989 Act.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the journeys made at public expense by his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, indicating the dates and destinations of any visits overseas; and what has been the total cost of these journeys to the public funds. [26712]

Mr. Wegg-Prosser has not made any journeys at public expense.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement indicating the access received by his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, to official papers, separately identifying his access to (a) defence, (b) security and (c) intelligence information. [26363]

Mr. Wegg-Prosser has access to papers which do not carry a security classification. My Private Secretary is responsible for copying to Mr. Wegg-Prosser, on my instructions, any papers which he may need to have.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio what publicly-funded accommodation and facilities are provided for his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. [26366]

Mr. Wegg-Prosser acts as a political adviser to me as Minister without Portfolio. The appointment carries no remuneration or reimbursement from public funds. A desk in No. 70 Whitehall is provided for his use, which includes a telephone extension and access to the Cab-e-net system. He may also make use of internal messenger services.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list all meetings on Government business attended by his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, from 12 to 23 January, separately identifying those (a) relating to millennium business and (b) on other matters. [26367]

Mr. Wegg-Prosser did not attend any meetings on Government business from 12 to 23 January.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the age, professional or academic qualifications and previous career, of his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. [26368]

Mr. Wegg-Prosser is appointed as a political adviser. He is not paid from public funds. He previously acted as an adviser to me for the Labour Party.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central (Mr. Cousins) of 23 June 1997, Official Report, column 296, on Dixons plc and to the hon. Member for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale (Mr. Morgan) of 8 December 1997, Official Report, column 462, on Guinness plc, what factors underlay her decision to give reasons for her action in the case of the individuals referred to in her Department's report on Guinness plc. [22664]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: The conduct of a number of individuals was criticised in the Guinness report. The DTI statement accompanying publication of the report explained why I had decided to take no action in relation to these individuals.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will set up an inquiry into the failure of the MANWEB electricity supply company to reconnect within a reasonable period those houses and farms who had lost electricity supplies over the Christmas period in the north of Wales. [23273]

[holding answer 15 January 1998]: I have asked the Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER) to look into the electricity supply interruptions over the Christmas period.The Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER) is looking at the steps taken by the Public Electricity Suppliers, including MANWEB, to restore supplies and keep customers informed of the situation and likely restoration times. I have asked to see the conclusions of OFFER' s inquiry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Minister is currently responsible for policy in respect of coal contracts. [24405]

[holding answer 20 January 1998]: Ministerial responsibility for all aspects of energy policy rests with my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, reporting to me as necessary.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the number of jobs in the coal industry dependent upon the current contracts with the generators. [24409]

[holding answer 20 January 1998]: Taking deep-mined and opencast together, around 15,000.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many workers were employed in the coal mining industry in (a) May 1997 and (b) January 1998. [24768]

[holding answer 22 January 1998]: Employment in UK coal mines, opencast and deep mined taken together, was 17,300 at the end of March 1997. Official figures are not yet available for May 1997 and January 1998.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the members of the Ministerial Group on the Year 2000 Problem. [24376]

[holding answer 20 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) on 21 January 1998, Official Report, column 570.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will ensure that all computer sales are accompanied by written guarantees of millennium compliance in order to protect the consumer. [25651]

[holding answer 27 January 1998]: Consumers buying computers enjoy the same statutory rights under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 as when buying any other type of good. Manufacturers are being encouraged by Action 2000 to do all they can to ensure that their products are Millennium compliant.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations she has had since July 1997 with representatives of the power generators to discuss the impact on their current business and investment programmes of the windfall tax. [24322]

[holding answer 21 January 1998]: The windfall tax is a matter for HM Treasury. Ministers, including Treasury Ministers, meet representatives of the power generators from time to time to discuss a variety of issues.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations took place with representatives of the gas industry before a moratorium on the building of gas-fired power stations was announced. [24319]

[holding answer 21 January 1998]: None. The gas industry, like other parties, will be able to contribute to the Review.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons a moratorium was imposed on the building of gas-fired power stations. [24316]

[holding answer 21 January 1998]: The Government are undertaking a review of energy sources for power generation. Its conclusions will inform the policy on consents for power stations. While the review is in hand, it seems sensible, in general, to defer decisions on applications for such consents.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her policy on the building of gas-fired power stations over the longer term. [24317]

[holding answer 21 January 1998]: The Government are carrying out a review of energy sources for power generation. The terms of reference for the review were published in an answer to a parliamentary question on 22 December 1997, Official Report, column 519. The review will make recommendations on the energy policy considerations relevant to the consents needed for the building of power stations.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans (a) the Government and (b) the Director General of Fair Trading have to refer the copier industry for a competitive review. [24757]

[holding answer 22 January 1998]: The decision on whether to make a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures are in place to prevent the importation of gem stones illegally irradiated to alter their colour; and if she will make a statement. [25883]

There are no import controls to prevent irradiated gem stones from entering the UK. However, the description of these products is controlled by the Trade Description Act 1968 and their safety, as consumer products, is controlled by the General Product Safety Regulations 1994.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [25475]

[holding answer 26 January 1998]: I am regularly in contact with my ministerial colleagues, including my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, about future arrangements for the co-ordination of inward investment. New arrangements will be published in the concordat when Ministers are satisfied that they represent an acceptable way forward for all parts of the United Kingdom.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the average level of regional selective assistance grant made in 1997 in each of the Government office areas. [25747]

The average of regional selective assistance offers made in 1997 was as follows:

£
Government Office	Average (cost per job) development area	Intermediate area
East	—	2,297
East Midlands	4,688	3,116
London	—	2,670
Mersey side	3,162	—
North East	3,104	2,378
North West	2,453	2,588
South East	5,376	2,892
South West	4,803	3,894
West Midlands	7,045	8,794
Yorkshire and the Humber	2,696	2,922
England average	4,326	3,699

Further detailed information on RSA grants is published in the Annual Report of the Industrial Development Act 1982.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many regional selective assistance grants were made at the maximum level and how many grants were made in total in each of the Government office areas in 1997. [25748]

Maximum aid limits are defined by EU State Aid rules and limit the maximum percentage of a project's capital cost that can be provided as aid. The present limits for GB are 30 per cent. in Development Areas and 20 per cent. in Intermediate Areas. There were no offers of RSA grant made at the maximum limit in 1997. In all cases the amount of grant offered is the minimum necessary for the project to go ahead. The total number of offers of regional selective assistance made in 1997 was as follows:

Government Office	Number of offers made
East	17
East Midlands	100
London	49
Merseyside	99
North East	221
North West	148
South East	60
South West	42
West Midlands	156
Yorkshire and the Humber	191
Total for England	1,083

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the underspend on the ESF and ERDF budgets for the North-west in the period 1994 to 1996. [24692]

[holding answer 26 January 1998]: For the two 1994–96 Structural Funds Objective 2 programmes covering the North-west, current estimates are that there will be no underspend of the Manchester/Lancashire/ Cheshire programme but that the West Cumbria and Furness programme may be underspent by 6 per cent. (about £0.9 million ERDF and £0.2 million ESF). These estimates will be affected by future exchange rate movements and final project costs.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of providing a car and a driver for each Minister in her Department in the month of June 1997; and what was the average weekly overtime worked by the drivers in that month. [25828]

[holding answer 28 January 1998]: The costs per Minister were similar to the cost for the equivalent period in the previous year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the introduction of the Social Chapter on the level of employment in the United Kingdom. [24193]

[holding answer 29 January 1998]: Measures under the Social Chapter will improve conditions of employment. The Government consequently expect the Social Chapter to have a positive impact on employment and competitiveness.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on further measures taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement the international guidelines on plutonium. [27291]

In my answer on 2 December 1997, Official Report, column 164, I informed the House that the UK accepted a commitment under the guidelines to publish occasional statements explaining our national strategy for nuclear power and the nuclear fuel cycle, including our general plans for managing national holdings of plutonium. I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of the document outlining our policy on this subject. In accordance with the requirements of the guidelines, I have also today sent a copy of the document to the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who will be circulating it to Member States in due course.

To ask the President of Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's evidence to the Low Pay Commission. [27290]

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date the Government will submit their evidence to the Low Pay Commission. [24675]

The Government have today sent a copy of the Government's evidence to the Low Pay Commission. It sets out the Government's approach to the national minimum wage and provides background material to aid the Commission in its deliberations.In particular, the evidence sets out:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions since 1980 when nuclear reactors have been shut down for safety reasons, indicating in each case the date of shut down, the reason for the shut down and the date on which power generation recommenced. [24754]

[holding answer 22 January 1998]: Naval nuclear propulsion plant is designed with significant redundancy in the protection system to ensure that the reactor is shut down safely in the event of a fault. Naval nuclear plant operators are trained to shut down plant early to investigate possible defects. Reactors have therefore been shut down on some 500 occasions since 1980 for precautionary defect investigations. It would be incorrect, however, to ascribe these shutdowns specifically to safety reasons.Availability is a major factor in the design of naval nuclear propulsion plant. On all occasions following reactor shutdown at sea it has been possible to resume reactor operation safely within a few hours. Since 1980, all submarines have been able to return safely to harbour under nuclear power.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 32, how many of the 30 project licence applications submitted by DERA in respect of Porton Down since March 1995 have been (a) rejected by his Department and (b) amended. [26282]

[holding answer 29 January 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the Royal Marines are assured a full and independent role in the defence structure of the nation as an outcome of the Defence Review. [26362]

The role of the Royal Marines, together with all the other elements of our Armed Forces, is being considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review. The Review has yet to reach its final conclusions and no decisions have been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much maintenance money is currently outstanding after assessment by the Child Support Agency in (a) Devon and (b) the United Kingdom; and how many children this relates to in (a) and (b). [23323]

We are looking for substantial and sustained operational improvements from the Agency, in particular in getting more maintenance paid, reducing the backlogs and improving customer service.The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time between assessment by the Child Support Agency and first payment. [23505]

We expect the Child Support Agency to provide an efficient and effective service to all its clients.The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Devon are being pursued by the Child Support Agency; and what is the figure per 1,000 residents in the United Kingdom. [23324]

Children are entitled to the financial and emotional support of both parents wherever they live. It is not right that so many absent parents should seek to avoid paying the maintenance they owe.The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security is she will provide a breakdown of the numbers of staff employed by the Child Support Agency working on Teesside; and if the review of the CSA is examining their caseload. [24514]

Children are entitled to the financial and emotional support of both parents wherever they live. We are looking closely at all aspects of the Agency's work to ensure that it provides a consistent, fair and efficient service to all its clients. We aim to bring forward proposals by the Summer.The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will make a statement on the future of the Child Support Agency; [26727](2) when she will announce the outcome of her review of the Child Support Act 1995. [26728]

We are looking closely at all aspects of the child support scheme to see where improvements can be made. We expect to bring forward proposals by the Summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the number of current and future pensioners with personal pension plans who will be affected by the changes to the Act. [24225]

The package of measures in the July budget will ensure that we create and maintain the right conditions for long-term investment and growth. This is the way to ensure that wealth is created to sustain pensions in the future.The Government are taking the long-term view of the economy, and a long-term view on pensions.There is some short-term risk that some people with appropriate personal pensions may have been best advised to rejoin SERPS. The Government have responded to these fears by increasing their rebating to ensure contracting out remains attractive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people with multiple sclerosis receive the disability living allowance at the higher rate for (a) the mobility component and (b) the care component of the benefit. [24068]

The information requested is set out in the table.

Recipients of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with multiple sclerosis1
	Number
All recipients	245,100
with higher rate of mobility component	43,500
with higher rate of care component	18,300

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 13 January 1998, Official Report, column 251, if she will estimate how many of the (a) lifetime and (b) renewable disability living allowance awards disallowed, (i) were transferred to income support and housing benefit, (ii) became dependent on partners or carers and (iii) returned to work. [24736]

The information needed to make such an estimate is not available. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free, non-contributory and non income-related benefit intended to help with the extra costs associated with disability. Its financial value is wholly disregarded when assessing a person's eligibility for benefits such as Income Support or Housing Benefit, although receipt of DLA would result in an additional premium being paid. Disallowance of DLA would not normally lead to a transfer on to these benefits. No information is recorded as to a claimant's circumstances following disallowance of DLA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Benefits Integrity Project will review those applications for disability living allowance which have been refused. [24516]

One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent.

Disability Living Allowance by disability and regions
	United Kingdom1,2		North-east4		Tyneside4		Newcastle upon Tyne5
Main disabling condition	Awards of care	Awards of mobility	Awards of care	Awards of mobility	Awards of care	Awards of mobility	Awards of care	Awards of mobility
All disabling conditions	1,444,610	1,802,520	86,600	115,530	10,330	14,520	8,780	10,720
1 Arthritis	274,660	407,940	19,380	30,540	2,630	3,970	1,720	2,510
2 Muscle/joint/bone disease	107,260	131,160	6,310	8,900	560	900	640	730
3 Blindness	42,120	49,350	2,000	2,290	290	330	170	170
4 Stroke-related	74,900	80,990	4,200	4,660	470	450	480	540
5 Learning difficulty	161,710	174,180	7,860	8,180	1,170	960	810	770
6 Other mental health causes	162,760	159,170	8,090	8,610	810	890	910	1,060
7 Epilepsy	46,490	41,350	2,870	2,560	370	350	400	400
8 Deafness	16,550	12,130	770	480	60	40	170	60
9 Malignant disease	35,800	34,960	2,220	2,530	230	380	190	230
10 Chest disease	46,170	85,610	3,360	6,250	390	900	290	520
11 Back ailments	110,660	162,100	9,070	14,000	1,170	1,940	570	1,040

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) of 13 January 1998, Official Report, columns 203–04, if she will provide figures on the same basis for (a) each of the categories included in her previous answer, (b) ME, (c) limb loss, (d) stress, and (e) occupational diseases for (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) the Northern Region, (iii) the benefit districts approximating to the North-East counties, (iv) the benefit district approximating to Tyneside and (v) Newcastle upon Tyne. [24727]

The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many (a) women of 60 years or over and (b) men of 65 years or over claim disability living allowance; and what proportion they are of the total number of disability living allowance claimants. [26714]

On the basis of the latest figures available, there are 341,600 women aged 60 and over, in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and they represent 17 per cent. of all recipients. 198,400 men aged 65 and over are in receipt of this benefit and they represent 10 per cent. of all recipients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for incapacity benefit have so far been assessed under the Benefits Integrity Review; and how many claims have been (a) set aside, (b) reduced and (c) increased (i) in total and (ii) by region. [24721]

One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. Benefits should go to those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have continued with Benefits Integrity Project.The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of attendance allowance claims were dealt with within (a) 30 working days and (b) 55 working days for each year since 1992. [24870]