To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are planned to labour market statistics. [27823]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government expects to publish the conclusions of the Office of National Statistics review of unemployment statistics. [27185]

The Office for National Statistics is announcing today a new approach to the presentation of labour market statistics following widespread public consultation. This will deliver a more rounded assessment of the UK's increasingly complex labour market.From April, one news release a month will present a coherent picture of the labour market. It will use all available statistics. There will be no change to any definition of unemployment. But greater weight than previously will now be given to the Labour Force Survey which uses internationally agreed definitions as recommended by the International Labour Organisation. The release will focus on people in employment, on unemployed people who are seeking work and, people who are economically inactive. All three sectors are equally important in understanding the labour market.The programme of improvements is designed to make labour market statistics both user relevant and user friendly, and includes: an extension of the range of indicators on a monthly basis; LFS information will be released every month as an average of the latest three months' data; for the first time whole economy employment and ILO unemployment statistics will be published monthly on a consistent basis; the publication of labour force survey data on a UK basis; the incorporation of labour force survey data in the regional labour market first releases; the publication of new indicators relating to jobs and businesses derived from employers' survey; improved earnings data to reduce the number of revisions.The ONS will be organising a series of workshops and seminars. These will build on recently published articles explaining how the various statistical measures inter-relate.The announcement follows an extensive period of consultation with data users. Independent academic experts have been consulted about changes to the methodology ONS uses in producing its labour market statistics.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total reduction in annual tax revenue, if the personal tax allowance was increased to £10,000. [26528]

The estimated cost at 1998–99 levels of increasing both the non-aged personal allowance and the aged personal allowance to £10,000 is £29 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the argument advanced by the Bank of England in the papers circulated at the symposium from 20 January on the application of regulations stemming from Article 109I of the Maastricht Treaty to the United Kingdom and their treatment by English courts; and if he will make a statement. [26720]

[holding answer 2 February 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 January 1998, Official Report, column 158.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what has been the cost to United Kingdom public funds of support to Asia in respect of the recent economic problems; [26382](2) if he will list the total cost to UK public funds of financial aid to the Far East arising from economic instability. [27061]

[holding answer 30 January 1998]: To date, there has been no direct cost to the Exchequer of support to Asia in respect of the recent financial difficulties. The UK contribution to the financial assistance provided to several Asian countries has been through loans from the international financial institutions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many senior staff employed on short-term contracts with regulatory bodies established under the Financial Services Act 1986 are entitled to the full benefits of the public service final year salary pension scheme; and for what reasons they are so entitled. [26484]

There are no senior staff working in the Financial Services Authority or any of the Self-Regulatory Organisations who are entitled to benefits under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the Chief Executive of the Personal Investment Authority gave notice of her resignation; on what date it took effect; what was the basis of her financial settlement with the Authority; and what would have been the saving to public funds if she had been paid within the strict terms of her contract. [26486]

The Personal Investment Authority is a private body. No public funds are involved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if lone parents will be allowed to hold ISAs in excess of £50,000 in the event of transfer of savings or resources from an absent parent as part of a divorce or separation settlement. [22972]

No such proposal is included in the consultative document on the individual savings account (ISA) published on 2 December.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the holder of the new individual savings account who invests up to the proposed £50,000 limit and whose investment increases beyond the limit will be able to withdraw the excess and re-invest it irrespective of the limit on annual contributions. [26235]

The £50,000 overall limit for the ISA is a limit on contributions. An ISA will be able to grow to over £50,000 and full tax relief will be given on it. As proposed, any amounts withdrawn from the ISA will be able to be re-invested subject to the annual and overall investment limits.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue implications if (a) 50 per cent. and (b) 75 per cent. of those holding more than £50,000 in TESSA and PEP investments transferred into the new individual savings account transferred the excess into tax-favoured national savings products. [26232]

The cost would depend on the amounts individuals held above the proposed £50,000 overall investment limit for individual savings accounts, and the extent to which they were able to take advantage of the different limits for the various tax favoured national savings products.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to establish the level of savings providers' proposed administrative and selling charges to savers of up to (a) £100, (b) £250 and (c) £1,000 per annum under the ISA scheme. [25226]

Charges will depend on the final form of the scheme. In designing the ISA we have sought to replicate so far as possible existing PEP and TESSA procedures, and we intend to keep costs to providers as small as possible.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to recruit additional staff in the Inland Revenue to administer the ISA scheme. [25231]

The number of staff required by the Inland Revenue will depend on the final form of the scheme.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax the Treasury expects to forgo annually with the introduction of ISAs and what tax has been forgone on an annual basis since the introduction of PEPs and TESSAs. [22570]

The Government are planning to spend at least as much on the introduction of individual savings accounts as on PEPs and TESSAs, and have budgeted accordingly. The estimated annual costs of PEPs and TESSAs since their introducion are as follows.

£ million
Year	PEPs1	TESSAs	Total
1986–87	Negligible	—	Negligible
1987–88	5	—	5
1988–89	15	—	15
1989–90	20	—	20
1990–91	65	25	90
1991–92	120	200	320
1992–93	170	250	420
1993–94	230	300	530
1994–95	325	350	675
1995–96	450	450	900
1996–972	600	350	950
1997–982	800	450	1,250
1 Including the CGT cost of capital gains within personal equity plans.
2 Provisional.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the amendments required to legislation on (a) banknotes and (b) the Bank of England in the event of the UK adhering to stage 3 of EMU. [26071]

Under Article 105a(1) of the Treaty (Article 16 of the ESCB Statute) the Governing Council of the ECB has the exclusive right to authorise the issue of banknotes within the Community. The ECB and the national central banks may issue such notes. Banknotes issued by the ECB and the national central banks shall be the only such notes to have the status of legal tender within the Community. In the event of the UK proceeding to Stage Three of EMU, Article 105a(1) would apply to the UK.The Treaty requirements for central banks in Stage Three of economic and monetary union are described in Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty and in the ESCB Statute (Protocol No. 3 to the Treaty). In the event of the UK joining EMU, national legislation, including the Statutes of the Bank of England, would have to be made compatible with the Treaty and the Statute. The Bank of England would also have to meet the Treaty specification for central bank independence.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many public limited companies bought back their own shares between (a) 1 July and 31 December 1997, (b) 1 July and 31 December 1996 and (c) 1 July and 31 December 1995. [22892]

Companies House does not record share buy-backs by type of company. The London Stock Exchange records "purchases of own securities" by listed companies, but these include other securities as well as shares.Companies House does not provide a break-down by type of company for those who have bought back their own shares. It does, however, have a form ("Section 169") which a company is required to return to Companies House when it undertakes the purchase of its own shares.Total returns from all companies (including private as well as public limited companies) recorded under "Section 169s", for the dates asked for were as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1 May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to whom each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. [26918]

The information requested is as follows in respect of Treasury officials:

(a) one has resigned;

(b) none have retired before pensionable age; and

(c) two have moved to different responsibilities within the department.

All are responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress to date in implementing the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. [27170]

The Executive Boards of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have reached decisions on the timing and scale of relief for four countries under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. Uganda will be provided with relief in April this year. Bolivia will benefit in September, and Guyana will be the third beneficiary in December. Agreement has also been reached that Burkina Faso will be granted HIPC relief in April 2000 if it too continues with its IMF-backed economic reform programmes. Decisions by the Boards in favour of granting HIPC relief to Mozambique, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Mauritania are expected to be made soon.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assets have been identified in the National Register which are surplus to requirements; and what is the timetable for their disposal. [26808]

It will be for each department individually, as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, to identify those assets which are surplus to requirements and make arrangements for their disposal.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate (i) the revenue forgone in the operation of (a) PEPs and (b) TESSAs in each full year of their existence, (ii) the take up of TESSAs and PEPs in (1) each decile of income and (2) each region and nation of the United Kingdom and (iii) the revenue forgone in respect of CGT separately. [23659]

Available information is in the tables. The regional distribution of take-up is based on current estimates that about 4 1/2, million people have a TESSA, and over 3 million people have one or more PEP, representing 10 per cent. and 8 per cent. of the UK adult population respectively.

Estimated cost of tax relief for PEPs and TESSAs
£million
Year	Income tax	PEPs CGT	Total	TESSAs
1986–87	neg	neg	neg	—
1987–88	5	neg	5	—
1988–89	15	neg	15	—
1989–90	20	neg	20	—
1990–91	45	20	65	25
1991–92	90	30	120	200
1992–93	120	50	170	250
1993–94	140	90	230	300
1994–95	200	125	325	350
1995–96	300	150	450	450
1996–971	400	200	600	350
1997–981	500	300	800	450
1 Provisional.

neg=negligible.

Per cent.
Region	Estimated regional take-up1of
	TESSAs	PEPs
United Kingdom	10	8
England	11	8
North	10	7
North West	9	7
Yorkshire and Humberside	11	7
East Midlands	10	6
West Midlands	10	7
East Anglia	12	9
South East	11	9
South West	10	10
Wales	10	7
Scotland	8	7
Northern Ireland	10	5
1Based on the population aged 18 and over.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of void (a) PEPs and (b) TESSAs identified in each year of the last three years and the average number of years of tax liability recovered in respect of each void PEP or TESSA. [23658]

Numbers of PEPs and TESSAs made void because the holder had subscribed to more than one PEP or TESSA in a tax year are as follows:

	PEPs	TESSAs
1994–95	1,118	1,406
1995–96	1,028	473
1996–97	1,954	905

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the distribution of (i) TESSA and (ii) PEP holders and the tax revenue forgone to those holders amongst the regions and nations of the United Kingdom. [23660]

Regional distributions of PEP and TESSA holders based on Inland Revenue records for 1995–96 are given in the table. The value of funds held in TESSAs follows the same pattern as the distribution of holders, and the regional distribution of the cost of tax relief is expected to be broadly similar. The regional distribution of the value of funds held in PEPs is not available from Inland Revenue records.

Per cent.
Region	Regional distribution of holders of
	TESSAs	PEPs
United Kingdom	100	100
England	86	86
North	5	4
North West	10	10
Yorkshire and Humberside	9	7
East Midlands	7	6
West Midlands	9	8
East Anglia	4	4
South East	34	36
South West	8	11
Wales	5	4
Scotland	7	8
Northern Ireland	2	2

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the average weekly earnings (A) including and (B) excluding overtime for part-time workers in (a) Scotland, (b) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (c) Great Britain, broken down for men and women in (i) manual employment, (ii) non-manual employment and (iii) in total; [27331](2) if he will list the proportion of full-time workers in

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the numbers of lone parents in (a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1995 in each region and nation, together with an estimate of what proportion of families with children such lone parents represent; and what proportion are (i) under 18 years, (ii) under 25 years, (iii) 26 to 40 years and (iv) 40 years and above. [26942]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children under five years of age there are in the United Kingdom; and what are the projections for such numbers in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [27073]

[holding answer 2 February 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what use is made of (i) computer-aided personal interviewing and (ii) remote telephone or postal interviewing in (a) the Family Expenditure Survey, (b) the Family Resources Survey, (c) the British Household Panel Survey, (d) the New Earnings Survey, (e) the General Household Survey, (f) the Social Attitudes Survey and (g) other government surveys. [26086]

Inactivity by age and whether available to start work within two weeks
Great Britain
	All working age1	16–24	Age 25–44	45–54	55–59	60–64 (men)
Total economically inactive (thousands)	7,174	1,452	2,670	1,360	1,059	635,000
of which
Available	741	189	317	116	66	52

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of people of working age who are economically inactive who are aged (a) 25 or under, (b) 26 to 45, (c) 46 to 54, (d) 55 to 59 and (e) 60 to 65 years who are (i) available for work, (ii) long-term sick/disabled, (iii) looking after family home, (iv) carers, (v) students, (vi) early retired and (vii) other. [26185]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Attorney-General what was the cost of prosecuting children under the age of 16 years for soliciting in the last year for which figures are available. [26167]

The information sought is recorded only on individual case files and is not collected or collated centrally. This information requested could therefore be collected by the Crown Prosecution Service only at disproportionate cost. Home Office statistics from 1989 and 1994 show a decline in convictions for this offence in the 14 to 17 year old age group.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will cease the prosecution of children under the age of 16 years who engage in prostitution; and if he will make a statement. [26168]

Prostitution itself is not a criminal offence. However, a person who loiters or solicits for the purposes of prostitution does commit a criminal offence. The overriding principle is that the young person is protected from harm. In such cases the public interest may require the prosecution of a young person who persistently and voluntarily returns to prostitution. Each case is considered on its own merits.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to use the same definition of partner when deciding whether a Minister can be accompanied on an overseas visit at public expense by someone other than his or her spouse as is used in immigration cases. [25866]

[holding answer 27 January 1998]: No. Where a Minister wishes to be accompanied on an overseas visit at the public expense it must be for official purposes; it must be in the public interest; and it must receive my prior approval.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will state, for the purpose of authorisation of ministerial travel, the definition of partner. [26691]

The key principle governing travel remains the same as that which applied under the previous Administration: anyone who accompanies a Minister at a cost to the public purse, be they spouse, partner or official, must do so for official purposes; it must be in the public interest; and it must be with my prior approval. The Government will continue to adhere to this principle.

To ask the Prime Minister when permission was first given under paragraph 83 of the Ministerial Code for someone not married to a Minister making an overseas trip to accompany him or her at public expense. [25772]

[holding answer 27 January 1998]: It is not the practice to disclose details of Ministerial correspondence.

To ask the Prime Minister for what reason he does not identify budget heads separately for MI5, MI6 and GCHQ within the Cabinet Office (Security and Intelligence Services) Class XVIII Vote 2. [26281]

[holding answer 29 January 1998]: The individual budgets for the Intelligence and Security Agencies have not been identified within the Single Intelligence Vote for reasons of national security. I keep this under review.

To ask the Prime Minister how many career civil service posts have been filled by special advisers since 1 May 1997. [26938]

Two Special Advisers in my office-Jonathan Powell and Alastair Campbell-are employed under the terms of the amended Civil Service Order in Council allowing them to undertake some duties which would previously have been performed by career civil servants.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that the Minister responsible for co-ordinating the green Ministers is a member of the Cabinet. [26788]

[holding answer 2 February 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions leads our "greening Government" initiative, and chairs the Cabinet Committee on the Environment.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 67, relating to the letter sent to him by Mr. Graham Horwood of 66 St. Andrews Road, Shoeburyness, on 17 August 1997, when the letter was forwarded to the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry; and when a reply was sent by that Minister to Mr. Horwood. [26509]

[holding answer 2 February 1998]: The letter was inadvertently forwarded to the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions before being passed to the Department of Trade and Industry for reply at official level. Unfortunately, there is no record of receipt of this letter, but action was initiated on receipt of Mr. Horwood's later letter and I understand a response has been sent.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from other member states concerning note-keeping procedures at European Council meetings. [27258]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he plans to allocate police grant in 1998–99. [27704]

I laid before the House yesterday the Police Grant Report (England and Wales) 1998–99 (HC 492). The Report sets out my determination for 1998–99 of the aggregate amount of grants that I propose to pay under section 46(2) of the Police Act 1996, and the amount to be paid to each police authority including the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District.Allocations for each police authority are set out in the table. The table also shows allocation approved by Parliament for 1997–98.

£ million
Police authority	1997–98 allocation1	1998–99 allocation1
English Shire forces
Avon and Somerset	158.7	164.3
Bedfordshire	58.9	60.9
Cambridgeshire	68.2	71.9
Cheshire	101.1	104.7
Cleveland	75.2	80.4
Cumbria	58.6	59.0
Derbyshire	95.3	97.7
Devon and Cornwall	158.6	167.4
Dorset	66.6	67.8
Durham	73.3	78.1
Essex	155.9	158.4
Gloucestershire	60.1	61.5
Hampshire	180.0	189.1
Hertfordshire	92.4	94.1
Humberside	105.9	110.6
Kent	168.5	178.9
Lancashire	167.7	174.9
Leicestershire	97.3	99.1
Lincolnshire	61.5	60.7
Norfolk	78.1	80.9
North Yorkshire	71.9	75.6
Northamptonshire	60.0	62.8
Nottinghamshire	119.3	123.0
Staffordshire	111.8	111.1
Suffolk	63.4	66.0
Surrey	91.8	84.2
Sussex	155.2	162.6
Thames Valley	208.2	219.3
Warwickshire	50.6	51.1
West Mercia	106.3	110.0
Wiltshire	62.2	63.4
English Metropolitan forces
Greater Manchester	351.2	364.8
Merseyside	227.3	233.3
Northumbria	193.4	205.4
South Yorkshire	158.8	165.4
West Midlands	353.4	371.9
West Yorkshire	267.5	279.5
London forces
Metropolitan Police2	1,688.0	1,715.3
City of London3	61.6	57.1
English total	6,483.9	6,682.6
Welsh forces
Dyfed-Powys	49.9	51.1
Gwent	64.5	67.3
North Wales	71.2	73.2
South Wales	155.1	161.3
Welsh total	340.8	353.0
Total	6,824.7	7,035.5
1Rounded to the nearest £100,000. The Allocation is the sum of all police grant, SSAs and damping grant.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the percentage of rapes in 1997 which involved the drug Rophypnol. [26469]

There are insufficient data on which to make such an estimate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the costs of policing the state opening of Parliament in each of the last five years; and how many police manpower hours were used. [26477]

The policing costs for the state opening of Parliament for 1993 are not available. The policing costs for 1994 to 1997, at current rates, are as follows:

	£	Police manhours
1997	376,328	14,712
1996	345,293	13,384
1995	350,390	13,536
1994	350,709	13,544

These costs reflect the direct opportunity policing costs incurred on the day. They exclude the costs incurred by the Metropolitan Police in providing the permanent security service within the grounds and buildings of the Palace of Westminster but include an estimate of the overtime costs incurred by these officers. They also include catering costs and erection of barriers. They do not include the opportunity costs involved with pre-event planning and post-event debriefs.

Cannabis offences dealt with by type of offence, United Kingdom, 1986–1995
Type of offence and how dealt with
	Unlawful possession				Procession with intent to supply unlawfully				Unlawful supply
Year	Caution	Prosecution	Fine	Custody	Caution	Prosecution	Fine	Custody	Caution	Prosecution	Fine	Custody
1986	4,048	11,493	7,998	983	16	954	141	598	31	849	166	495
1987	5,778	11,878	8,130	929	9	1,122	152	676	48	1,046	216	522
1988	8,273	14,049	9,752	987	10	1,146	185	660	55	943	200	441
1989	11,674	17,654	12,329	1,145	53	1,514	266	758	58	1,101	244	513
1990	16,185	19,281	12,975	909	43	1,638	340	685	129	1,277	294	519
1991	19,256	18,470	11,514	1,041	60	1,605	338	631	145	1,212	262	470
1992	21,824	14,875	8,828	717	101	1,648	291	619	203	1,045	197	389
1993	30,404	18,846	10,010	614	207	2,292	282	686	313	1,405	191	384
1994	38,602	24,025	13,358	769	234	2,883	351	873	394	1,532	190	450
1995	40,391	24,386	13,355	930	271	3,294	299	1,125	349	1,893	220	575

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the changes in the numbers of (a) cautions for cannabis possession or dealing, (b) prosecutions for cannabis possession or dealing, (c) fines for cannabis possession or dealing and (d) prison sentences for cannabis possession or dealing in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [26482](2) how many

Information for 1986 to 1995 (the latest available) is given in the table. Data are not available in the form requested before 1986.Between 1986 and 1995, the number of cautions for possession of cannabis increased nine-fold. The number of prosecutions doubled. The use of fines went up by two-thirds and the number of custodial sentences stayed much the same but with variations from year to year.The use of cautions for possession with intent to supply cannabis unlawfully increased sixteen-fold and the number of prosecutions went up two and a half times. The use of fines and custodial sentences for such offences about doubled over the period covered with variations from year to year.Cautioning for the unlawful supply of cannabis showed a ten-fold increase, while prosecutions doubled. Like offences for possession with intent to supply unlawfully, the use of fines and custodial sentences varied from year to year but essentially stayed about the same over the period.As a proportion of those dealt with for possession of cannabis, the use of cautioning increased from 35 to 62 per cent. The equivalent figures for possession with intent to supply unlawfully rose from less than 2 per cent. to just under 8 per cent.; for unlawful supply the respective figures were less than four and less than 16 per cent. The use of fines for simple possession offences fell from just over a half in 1986 to about one fifth in 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications to accept offers of outside employment have been made by officials of his Department which have been (a) approved, (b) approved with conditions and (c) disapproved; how many offers of employment have been reported (i) in total, (ii) by officials in procurement and contract work where there was an intention to take up the offer and (iii) by officials in procurement and contract work where there was no intention to take up the offer; if he will set out the information by category of employer; and if he will make a statement. [25980]

The Business Appointment Rules in their current form were introduced with effect from 1 April 1996. Since then, 24 applications to accept offers of employment have been approved, two of which were approved with conditions. No applications have been refused.There have been reports of offers of employment (which did not lead to applications) from five members of staff across the Department and the agencies (but comprehensive information is not available from the Prison Service). No applications have been received in the period from staff engaged exclusively in procurement and contract work.The variety of prospective employers is such that they do not fall into readily identifiable categories for purposes of presenting this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been waiting for (a) more than one year, (b) more than three years and (c) more than five years for an initial decision on their asylum applications. [26711]

As at 31 December 1997, there were 51,795 applications for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, awaiting an initial decision. The available breakdown of these cases, by year of application, is given in the table.

Asylum applications awaiting an initial decision as at 31 December 1997, by year of application1
Year of application	Percentage
Pre 1994	25
1994	15
1995	25
1996	15
1997	20
Total	51,795 (100)
1Estimates rounded to the nearest 5 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates of recorded attempted suicides in Lewes Prison since 1 January 1997. [26826]

[holding answer 2 February 1998]: There have been no incidents of attempted suicide reported at Lewes prison from 1 January 1997 to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total value of compensation claims made under option C for the surrender of handguns; and how many claims are outstanding. [26341]

On 21 January 1998, there were 10,411 claims awaiting processing under Option C, the great majority of which came from claimants who have made mixed claims on which the Option A and B elements have been paid. In addition, a proportion of the 18,482 claims received but not yet examined will be mixed claims containing an Option C element. The total value of Option C claims will not be known until they have all been examined and the evidence of value provided is assessed under the terms of the compensation scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce a date by which all outstanding payments under the compensation for handguns scheme will have been completed. [26731]

It is impossible to be precise at this stage, but we are on target to satisfy the projections which I reported to the House on 26 November 1997, Official Report, column 542–43. The great majority of claims submitted under Options A and B will have been settled by the end of March 1998, and the great majority of claims submitted under Option C will be paid by end of 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long on average it takes his Department to answer letters from hon. Members; what target date his Department sets; what percentage receive replies within the target date; and what assessment he has made of how long it takes to deliver a letter after it has been typed. [27037]

[holding answer 2 February 1998]: On average it currently takes my Department 35 days to reply to letters from hon. Members. Taking the Home Office, Immigration Service and United Kingdom Passport Agency together, 13 per cent. of replies meet the target time of 15 days to answer. Her Majesty's Prison Service answers 18 per cent. of letters within its target of 20 days. The delivery of a reply depends, among other things, upon the availability of a Minister for its signature upon return from typing. Signed replies are then delivered to the House. There has been a significant increase in correspondence since last May, and one result is that average times have increased.I am not satisfied with the way my Department deals with correspondence from hon. Members, and a project to improve the handling of correspondence is therefore underway, which should ensure a more timely and efficient service both to hon. Members and to the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the immigration status of those same-sex couples in registered partnerships from Denmark, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands (a) where both of the partners are EU citizens, (b) where one partner is of non-EU origin, (c) where one partner is of non-EU origin and has gained the right of abode in an EU country by virtue of the registered partnerships and (d) where one partner is of non-EU origin and has been granted citizenship of an EU country by virtue of the registered partnership; and if he will make a statement. [26778]

All couples wishing to reside in the United Kingdom by virtue of their unmarried relationship must meet the requirements of the unmarried partners concession which was announced on 10 October 1997. This includes couples whose partnerships have been registered in Denmark, Greenland, Norway, Sweden or the Netherlands. The concession would not necessarily apply to them because European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who are in the United Kingdom by virtue of the provisions of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994 may reside here freely as long as they continue to be covered by the 1994 Order. This means that where the couple are both EEA nationals (regardless of their origins) they may both reside here by virtue of their nationality and would not have to qualify under the concession. Where one partner is of non-European Union origin they will need to qualify for admission under the concession even if they have gained a right to permanent residence in another EEA country.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures the Government are taking in advance of the World Cup 1998 to ensure that crowd trouble at the event is avoided; what estimate he has made of the number of British fans who will travel to France for the World Cup; and how many tickets are available to English football fans for the World Cup games. [26491]

The Government are determined to do everything possible to protect the interests and enjoyment of the respectable British football supporter attending the World Cup in France this summer and to prevent disruption of the tournament by hooligans. For this purpose, we have established a World Cup Co-ordination Group which brings together official, policing and football representatives from both England an Scotland. They are working closely with the French authorities, who are responsible for the management and security of the tournament, to ensure a co-ordinated approach to preventing crowd trouble among England and Scotland fans during the tournament.My right hon. Friend will also be hosting a seminar in Blackburn on the policing of football which will bring together relevant experts from across the European Union to discuss policing, safety and securing arrangements for the World Cup.There is no reliable estimate at this stage of how many supporters may travel to France. The strong advice of the Government to supporters is that they should not travel to France unless they have a ticket for the match. French legislation against touting is strict, and supporters should not expect to buy a ticket in France.The overall ticket allocation by the French Organisation Committee (CFO) has been as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications by Turkish Cypriots for entry into the United Kingdom have been submitted in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [26349]

I regret that Turkish Cypriots are not separately identifiable within the statistics. The available information relates to all asylum applications submitted by nationals of Cyprus.During 1997, a total of 495 applications for asylum in the United Kingdom were lodged by nationals of Cyprus. Of these, 455 were made at the port of arrival and 40 were made in-country. Equivalent information for the years 1993 to 1996 is given in table 2.2 of the Home Office Statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1996" issue 15/97, a copy of which is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many representations he has received in favour of the destruction of Security Service files from (a) Labour hon. Members, (b) Labour Peers, (c) Ministers, (d) trade union officers and (e) journalists; [23672](2) what representations he has received from the Minister without Portfolio for his MI5 file to be destroyed; and if it is to be destroyed. [23621]

If I receive any representations from individuals about the possible existence of Security Service files, my practice is to explain the approach of the Security Service to destroying files. It is not my practice to give information about any representations from hon. Members or Ministers or from the other sources listed any more than it would be for me to disclose whether the Service holds or has held files on any individuals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-career civil servants have been appointed to his Department since 1 May 1997. [25852]

The number of casual, fixed term appointees and special advisers appointed since 1 May 1997 is 1,842. These figures include those appointed to Her Majesty's Prison Service, the United Kingdom Passport Agency, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, the Fire Service College and the Forensic Science Service as well as the central Home Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms he has put in place to ensure the Government's objective of promoting sustainable development is reflected in the outcome of the comprehensive spending reviews for his Department. [25903]

The policy aims of the Comprehensive Review, including enhancing sustainable economic growth, are reflected in the terms of reference for the Comprehensive Spending Review of the Home Office spending programme.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which regions or part of members states of the EU the sale of unpasteurised milk is banned. [27189]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler) on 2 February 1998, Official Report, column 549.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present number of milk quotas in England and Wales. [26049]

As at 28 January 1998, there were 23,468 registered milk producers in England holding 10,053 million litres of milk quota. In Wales, 5,085 registered producers hold 1,443 million litres of quota.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the President of the Board of Trade on representations from United States senators about his proposed new restrictions on vitamin B6 supplements. [26356]

Officials from the Ministry have discussed with officials from the Department of Trade and Industry the representations received from the US senators on the Government's proposed new restrictions on vitamin B6 supplements.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was paid by (a) the EU and (b) the UK to subsidise the tobacco growing and marketing industries in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [26472]

In 1996 the EU spent 1,026 million ecu (£852 million)' on subsidies under the EU tobacco regime. None of these payments were made in the UK. There are no EU subsidies to the tobacco marketing industries.Note:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to change current arrangements for OTMS cattle, with particular reference to the Meat Hygiene Service clean cattle strategy. [25625]

The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) Clean Livestock Policy is aimed at improving the standard of cleanliness of livestock presented for slaughter at all slaughterhouses in Great Britain. The slaughter of dirty and/or wet livestock can compromise the hygienic operation of the slaughterhouse. Appropriate action will be taken by MHS staff if dirty or wet animals are presented for slaughter.Action has been taken to implement the Clean Livestock Policy within the Over Thirty Months Slaughter Scheme. Slaughterhouses processing OTMS cattle are expected to work to the same hygiene standards as those killing for human consumption. This includes the application of the Clean Livestock Policy. However in the case of OTMS animals that would have been rejected for slaughter as too dirty or wet, these are not returned to the farm, but on animal welfare grounds are permitted to be slaughtered.This approach works well in practice and I have no plans to change the current arrangements as regards the application of the Clean Livestock Policy to OTMS cattle.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what rates of aid will be paid to beef and sheep producers as a result of the package announced on 22 December; and if he will make a statement. [27628]

I indicated in my statement that consultation with the Commission would be necessary. The Commission was not able to approve my proposals for an increase in HLCA rates for one year only, but Commissioner Fischler has co-operated with me in devising an acceptable alternative which maintains the overall value of the package at £85 million and divides the benefit between sheep and beef producers as I had originally proposed. I shall now therefore be utilising £85 million of the EU compensation available to off-set the effects of sterling green rate revaluations. £72.5 million will go to suckler cow producers on the basis of their 1996 claims; £12.5 million will go to sheep producers on the basis of their 1997 ewe premium claims. The latter sum will be drawn from compensation to be calculated in respect of the livestock headage payments whose rate is determined each year by the green rate applying on 1 January.For suckler cows, the rate of aid will be £44.20 per head. Precise figures for sheep will be determined shortly but I expect them to be around 50p per head at the basic rate and 73p per head in the LFA.I will separately be laying an order maintaining HCLA rates for 1998 at their 1996 levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her G7 counterparts on the deforestation in the Brazilian rainforests. [27084]

As active participants in the G7 Pilot Programme to Conserve the Brazilian Rain Forest, we maintain a regular and extensive dialogue with our G7 counterparts, both at routine programme review meetings and on a continuous basis through our programme co-ordination office in Brasilia.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the International Monetary Fund regarding the misuse of funds allocated to regulate the logging of the Brazilian rainforest. [27088]

We have had no discussions with the International Monetary Fund on this subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the World Bank regarding the destruction of the Brazilian rainforest. [27089]

Discussions with the World Bank and other participating agencies are held regularly in the context of the G7 Pilot Programme to Conserve the Brazilian Rain Forest, for which the World Bank has a co-ordinating role. The most recent Pilot Programme participants' meeting took place in Manaus, Amazonia, in October 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will take steps to ensure that the funding that (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EU Governments provide to Brazil to regulate the logging companies in the Amazonian rainforest is not directed to other purposes. [27095]

We seek to ensure that our (co-operation) programmes, both bilaterally and through the G7 Pilot Programme, assist the Brazilian Government to strengthen environmental policy and effectively implement Brazilian laws regulating logging in the Amazonian rainforest. This is done by the exercise of project management procedures which monitor progress against agreed objectives, and through partnerships with the EU and other donors. However, neither we nor, to our knowledge, other EU governments provide development funds directly for the purpose of regulating logging companies in Brazil.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what new proposals she has to prevent the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest. [27085]

In addition to our substantial existing programme of environmental assistance to Brazil, involving commitments of some £22 million, we are currently in the process of identifying new technical assistance proposals to help provide further help in preventing destruction of the Amazonian rain forest. This assistance will be provided under the UK's bilateral co-operation programme with Brazil, and also under the G7 Pilot Programme to conserve the Brazilian Rain Forest. The recent publication of the latest deforestation figures by the Brazilian Government has emphasised the importance of effective international co-operation in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many civil servants in her Department at each grade for grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the department since 1 May 1997; if she will indicate the Minister to whom each was responsible; and if she will make a statement. [26930]

(a) None, (b) none, (c) three, each of whom reports to the Secretary of State and myself.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what extra resources she proposes to make available to finance development education. [26747]

As outlined in the recent White Paper on International Development, the Government attach great importance to increasing development awareness in the UK, and the first meeting of the new Development Awareness Working Group will take place in March. The question of financial resources is currently being considered as part of the Resource Allocation Round within the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid her Department is giving to Burma. [26745]

Under the terms of a European Union common position agreed in 1988, assistance is provided only for humanitarian aid and activities through NGOs. Our assistance for Burma came to £314,000 in 1996–97. Of this amount, £272,000 was in the form of emergency assistance, including relief for flood victims and support for refugees from Burma in border areas of neighbouring countries. Support is also being provided for an integrated community health project run by World Vision. A number of other proposals from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are presently being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 21 January 1998, Official Report, column 563, relating to her discussions with Commissioner Pinheiro concerning the marketing of bananas, (a) which rule of the World Trade Organisation prevents the continuation of the previous Lome arrangements for this market, (b) when and by which body that rule was agreed, (c) who represented the United Kingdom and interested Commonwealth Caribbean States, (d) who represented the United Kingdom and interested Commonwealth Caribbean States on the occasion when the World Trade Organisation appeal was decided and (e) what was the time and place of that appeal hearing. [27021]

The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) found that a number of the provisions of the EU regime were incompatible with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and of the General Agreement on Services (GATS). The reports of the Dispute Settlement Panel and Appellate Body of the WTO on the EU's arrangements for banana imports are lodged in the House of Commons Library. The two aforementioned Agreements were signed by all Contracting Parties to the Marrakech Agreement establishing the WTO in April 1994.As in all WTO cases where the EU's arrangements are challenged, the European Commission acted in defence of EU interests. The Commission represented the EU both in the Panel proceedings and in the subsequent appeal to the WTO Appellate Body; the hearings were attended by UK officials. The Commonwealth Caribbean States were represented by the Ambassadors to the WTO of Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean and their lawyers. The hearing before the Appellate Body was held in Geneva on 21–23 July 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution her Department is making towards the international effort to test existing AIDS vaccines. [27247]

Our collaboration with UK groups such as the Medical Research Council, with researchers in developing countries and with multilateral agencies (such as UNAIDS, the World Health Organisation and the EC) involves the generation, disseminating and sharing of new knowledge important in the development of a vaccine against HIV strains prevalent in poorer countries. Such work does not yet extend to vaccine testing.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of GNP she will commit Her Majesty's Government to spending on official development assistance by the end of the present parliament. [26744]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 2 February 1998 to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Singh), Official Report, column 472–73.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much vacant office space, by reference to (a) the number of offices and (b) floor space, is unoccupied in (i) the Treasury building, (ii) the old MAFF building and (c) other Government buildings within the range of the House of Commons Division bell; and if he will make a statement. [26262]

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 my hon. Friend.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what is his estimate of the value of empty Government properties in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement; [26402](2) what percentage of Government accommodation in

Responsibility for these matters have 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 Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how many (a) hon. Members, (b) hon. Members' staff and (c) House of Commons staff are placed in office accommodation without natural light. [26770]

Twenty-five of the rooms in the Parliamentary estate, which are allocated to hon. Members and their staff, do not have the benefit of natural light. A further 39 rooms have natural light only via a skylight. The number of Members' staff using the rooms cannot be separately identified. Some 100 staff of the House of Commons are placed in office accommodation without natural light.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what was the number of House of Commons passes issued to research assistants working for hon. Members at 1 January 1998. [27406]

390.

To ask the President of the Council if she will publish a compliance cost assessment for each (a) public bill, (b) statutory instrument and (c) proposed EU directive or regulation, which affects business costs. [26197]

It is already a requirement that a Compliance Cost Assessments is published alongside all draft primary, secondary and EC legislation having an impact on business when it is presented to Parliament. CCAs are placed in the Library of both Houses and a Command Paper is published every six months listing the CCAs published in the previous six months.

To ask the President of the Council what additions to hon. Members' allowances are paid to hon. Members with disabilities. [26293]

None, although certain Members with disabilities are entitled to a higher limit of the Office Costs Allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms he has put in place to ensure the Government's objective of promoting sustainable development is reflected in the outcome of the comprehensive spending review for his Department. [25905]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary revised the Department's objectives in line with his Mission Statement at the start of the CSR. These include objectives to improve economic opportunities for a prosperous UK through development and implementation of arrangements to further free, fair and sustainable international trade and economic relations: and to improve the quality of life worldwide through effective international action to protect the environment. The CSR is tasked with looking at ways to improve the delivery of these objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds are available from the European Commission to (a) the United Kingdom Government and (b) other organisations within the United Kingdom for information projects on (i) the EU and (ii) the euro; and if he will make a statement. [26521]

In the 1998 EC budget a total of 79.35 million ecu (£52.96 million at current exchange rates) is available for different types of information activity within the EU (budget lines B3–300, B3–301, B3–304 and B3–306). These budget lines are not broken down by Member State. It is therefore not possible to give an overall figure for the funds available for information projects in the UK.We believe that people have a right to accurate and easily accessible information about the EU's policies and activities. The Community budget has a legitimate role in the provision of such information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to send an ambassadorial mission to East Timor during the British presidency of the EU. [26843]

We are discussing with our EU partners detailed arrangements for an EU Troika Ambassadorial visit to East Timor during our Presidency. The timing has yet to be decided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on inter-ethnic disputes and difficulties with the security forces involving Ogonis outside Ogoniland. [26750]

We have received no recent reports of inter-ethnic disputes and difficulties with the security forces involving Ogonis outside Ogoniland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth what reports he has received on persecution of the Ogonis by the Nigerian authorities solely on account of their origin or membership of MOSOP. [26751]

We have received reports that suggest that high profile members and MOSOP activists can be subject to harassment and persecution. However there is no evidence to suggest that Ogonis face persecution solely on their ethnic origin or membership of MOSOP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with Nicaragua. [26752]

Bilateral relations with Nicaragua are good. Through the EU/San José process, in which Nicaragua participates, we have given substantial economic and political support to the peace process in Central America. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) will meet the Foreign Minister, Dr. Emilio Alvarez, at the EU/San José Group meeting in San José on 10–11 February 1998.An investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) was signed with Nicaragua in 1996. The value of Nicaraguan exports to the UK rose significantly in 1997, although UK exports to Nicaragua remain relatively low, valued at pounds 3.54 million in 1997.