To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the levels of recorded homelessness over the last 10 years (a) in Hampshire, (b) in Winchester City Council area and (c) nationally. [24550]

[holding answer 22 January 1998]: The available data on the numbers of households in the years since 1987 that were in priority need, and for which local authorities in England accepted responsibility to provide accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985, are set out in the table.

Year	Winchester	Hampshire	England
1987	169	not available	98,890
1988	111	not available	102,500
1989	161	2,266	110,380
1990	159	2,639	128,090
1991	142	3,225	137,250
1992	185	3,216	138,740
1993	131	2,874	127,630
1994	118	2,787	118.490
1995	125	2,904	117,490
1996	154	3,021	113,560
1 data for 3 quarters only.

There was a change in recording practice from the second quarter of 1991 which relates to the recording of intentionally homeless households which have been excluded from acceptance figures since then. Estimated figures for England on this revised basis have been produced for the period prior to the change and the answer uses these adjusted figures. Similar estimates have not been made at county or local authority so the figures for Winchester and Hampshire for the years up to 1991 may include some acceptances of intentionally homeless households.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that minicabs tendering for rail replacement services will be required to provide vehicles with disabled access. [25955]

In the event of a disruption to passenger train services, franchise operators are required by the terms of their Franchise Agreement to use all reasonable endeavours to provide or secure the provision of such alternative transport arrangements for their passengers as are reasonably feasible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on punctuality of the delay caused by the recent trespass incident on the Paddock Wood to Tonbridge line by the West Kent Hunt. [26767]

Railtrack have advised me that the railway line was blocked for 41 minutes on the 20 January 1998. Three scheduled services were cancelled and there was a total train delay of 603 minutes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the report by the British Transport Police on incidents of trespass on the Paddock Wood to Tonbridge railway lines. [26766]

The British Transport Police have not produced a report on incidents of trespass on this line.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on an incident of trespass by the West Kent Hunt on the railway line between Paddock Wood and Tonbridge; and if he will make a statement. [26769]

I have received no representations concerning this incident. Inquiries by the British Transport Police have revealed that only the dogs went onto the track. Huntsmen did not enter the track until they were instructed by rail staff to remove the carcases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the completion of the NATS research to determine the accuracy of Mode C data when aircraft are in close proximity. [27011]

I am advised by National Air Traffic Services Ltd. that they expect to complete this research in April 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the audit of the flow management arrangements for the London Area and Terminal Control Centre to be completed. [27013]

I am advised by National Air Traffic Services Ltd., who run the London Area and Terminal Control Centre (LATCC), that the audit of the flow management arrangements for the LATCC by the Safety Regulation Group of the Civil Aviation Authority should be completed by the end of next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate the CAA and National Air Traffic Services have made of the time required to complete work on the air traffic control system to deal with the millennium computer compliance issue; [27010](2) what is the compliance date for the computer system in operation at the Scottish Air Traffic Control Centre to address the millennium computer compliance problem. [26998]

National Air Traffic Services Limited's plans for Year 2000 compliance commenced in early 1996 and include compliance of its operational systems and service by the end of 1998. This process includes all relevant testing and assurance activities. The operational systems at the Scottish Air Traffic Control Centre are an integral part of these plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of occasions that the application of reduced separation on final approach at Heathrow and Gatwick has been used during the last two years. [27014]

I refer to my answer of 29 July 1997, Official Report, column 212.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by month for each of the last three years the number of CHIRP reports submitted by air traffic controllers. [27009]

The CHIRP Charitable Trust, which manages the UK Confidential Human Factors Incident Report Programme, has supplied the following monthly figures for confidential reports submitted by air traffic controllers for the year 1995 to 1997 inclusive:

CHIRP Reports by air traffic controllers per month 1995–1997
Month	1995 CHIRP Reports	1996 CHIRP Reports	1997 CHIRIP Reports
January	0	0	1
February	0	0	2
March	0	0	1
April	0	4	2
May	0	3	10
June	6	5	2
July	2	6	1
August	1	3	7
September	2	1	1
October	2	0	2
November	2	2	7
December	1	0	3
Total	16	24	39

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much land was removed from the Green Belt during the period May 1979 to May 1997. [26761]

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for development of the Green Belt were granted on appeal for each year since May 1979. [26763]

The following information has been provided by the Planning Inspectorate. The number of appeals allowed since 1991, in which green belt policy was an issue in deciding the appeal, is set out in the table. The information requested is not available prior to April 1991.

Year	Number of appeals allowed
1 April 1991–31 March 1992	627
1 April 1992–31 March 1993	518
1 April 1993–31 March 1994	458
1 April 1994–31 March 1995	378
1 April 1995–31 March 1996	337
1 April 1996–31 March 1997	361
1 April 1997–30 January 1998	327
Total	3,006

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [27040]

[holding answer 2 February 1998]: The Department has a target of 15 working days from receipt to answer letters from hon. Members. In 1997, the number of replies to reach this target has been 59 per cent., while the average reply time was 20 working days. Once a letter is typed, it is signed as soon as possible, usually overnight the same day, and despatched the following day.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to ensure that ROSCOs invest adequate amounts in improving the quality of rolling stock on the United Kingdom's railways; [27100](2) what plans he has to ensure that ROSCOs do not over-charge rail operators; [27101](3) what plans he has to ensure that the public subsidy to the railways is devoted to improving services, with particular reference to the quality of the rolling stock. [27102]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 21 January that he had asked the Rail Regulator to conduct an urgent and wide-ranging inquiry into the operation of the rolling stock market. The Regulator has been asked specifically to examine the scope for the rolling stock companies to abuse their market power either through excessive pricing, through inadequate investment in new or refurbished rolling stock or more generally through their response to the requirements of train operators to secure improvements in performance. The Regulator has been asked to report by the middle of April. The Government will then consider, in the light of the Regulator's recommendations, whether further action should be taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the benefits of a minerals extraction tax. [27390]

Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The economic and social benefits of extracting minerals have to be set against the costs, in terms of noise, dust, traffic and impacts on amenity, landscape and habitats. My Department is currently conducting research into these costs and benefits to inform the Chancellor's consideration of whether to proceed in principle to develop a minerals extraction tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if mobile home dwellers are eligible for assistance under sections 76 to 78 of the Housing Grants and Regeneration Act 1996. [27344]

Sections 77 and 78 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 set out the criteria under which mobile home owners may be eligible for home repair assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will undertake a review of the provisions of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, governing the eligibility of ethnic groups living in caravans on local authority sites for home repair assistance under sections 76 to 78; and if he will make a statement. [27347]

Grants under Part I of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, including Home Repair Assistance, do not and should not depend on the ethnic grouping of the applicant. They are housing grants and eligibility depends on the type and age of the dwelling and the applicant's interest in the property. My Department is currently reviewing the criteria for eligibility for Home Repair Assistance in so far as they relate to the site on which a mobile home is situated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a successor to the Blennerhassett review on drinking and driving with the remit to consider effects on society as well as road safety considerations. [27353]

[holding answer 4 February 1998]: The publication earlier this week of the consultation document on drinking and driving will provide a full opportunity for those in all areas of society to comment on the proposed package of measures to reduce the level of drinking and driving. The establishment of a further review could hold up new initiatives at a time when we are anxious to move forward. Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the scientific evidence which indicates that reducing the limit for drivers from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 50 milligrams will have a significant effect on road safety. [27352]

[holding answer 4 February 1998]: The effect of a reduction in the legal limit from 80 to 50 milligram per 100 millilitres has been the subject of much detailed research. There is reference to a number of the scientific papers containing details of that research in the consultation paper on drinking and driving which was published earlier this week. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House and I am sending one directly to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers and magazines in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will list the newspapers and magazines purchased or subscribed to on a regular basis. [26657]

The estimate of my Department's expenditure on newspapers and magazines from 1995–96 is of the order of:

Year	£
1995–96	622.1k
1996–97	606.4k
1997–98 to 31 January 1998	532.24k
1997–98 Full year estimate	619.1k

Some of the information requested is not held centrally and gathering it would involve disproportionate cost. Titles include daily and regional newspapers, weekly magazines and trade and technical journals. To list each title would involve disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what expenditure has been incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (a) in 1996–97 and (b) since 1 May 1997 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each; and if he will make a statement. [26653]

Since 1996, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Transport and latterly the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has commissioned over 100 market research exercises with a value of over £4,000,000. These range from evaluation of attitudes to cycling initiatives, traffic management schemes, eco-labelling schemes, the housing market, environmental issues etc., to customer satisfaction surveys and evaluating of publicity. Details of these projects along with expenditure, have been placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the cost of (a) Ministerial cars and drivers and (b) the Department's bill for taxis in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year. [27801]

The estimated costs for the use of Ministerial cars and drivers is as follows:

	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98 to date	1997–98 full year
DOE	361,317	348,466	—	—
DOT	247,292	190,544	—	—
DETR	—	—	424,285	509,000
Total	608,609	539,010	424,285	509,000

The figures for 1997–98 includes expenditure incurred by the former Departments of the Environment and Transport prior to merger.As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 26 January 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the expenditure of his (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on external consultants in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year; and if he will also estimate the cost savings resulting from the employment of such consultants for each of the above years. [26654]

Estimated expenditure on external consultants¹ since 1995–96 is as follows:

£ million
	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98 to date	1997–98 full year estimated
DETR	70.52	17.52	9.48	13.41
Agencies	4.48	5.48	2.51	3.38
NDPBs	24.23	30.52	24.54	34.59
1The definition of external consultants is that used for the 1994 Efficiency Scrutiny on the use of external consultants.

It is not possible to estimate the annual cost savings resulting from this expenditure, the vast majority of which was for specific programme deliverables.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by grade the number of officials in his Department at grade 3 or above who have (a) taken early retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27462]

Since 1 May 1997 (a) two senior civil servants have retired before pensionable age, (b) no central record is kept of official leave taken, (c) no senior officers have been dismissed, (d) 14 senior staff have changed jobs within the Department largely as a result of the merger of the Departments of the Environment and of Transport which took place in June 1997, (e) 1 senior officer has moved to another Department (f) no senior officers have formally been offered and rejected posts in either this Department or any other Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the agencies established in 1997 in the United Kingdom under the SAVE II programme; and if he will make a statement on the objectives of these agencies. [27531]

I understand that the European Commission propose, under the 1997 round of their SAVE II energy efficiency programme, to support energy agencies in the London Borough of Southwark, and in Milton Keynes. The Commission describes the aim of this element of the SAVE II Programme as to

"help local authorities to formulate their energy strategy and to support them in providing all consumers, particularly the general public, with information and assistance".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions he has drawn from the consultation exercise on managing vehicles on byways conducted by his Department. [28561]

Motor vehicles on byways can cause considerable localised damage. There may be a need for better management of byways at local level. We therefore:

acknowledge that there may be a case for changes to the road traffic regulation powers of highway authorities. We intend to consider whether the scope of the circumstances for making traffic regulation orders should be widened to include nature and landscape conservation. We also intend to look at the scope for streamlining the procedures surrounding traffic regulation orders;

are publishing today a practical guide to managing vehicles on byways Making the Best of Byways. Copies are being distributed to highway authorities and others with an interest; and

wish to encourage the promotion of codes of conduct for members of vehicle groups.

However, we have found no compelling evidence of widespread problems being caused by recreational use of motor vehicles on byways and have concluded that there is no case for a general ban.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the Cotswold Way. [28562]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today approved without modifications the Countryside Commission's proposals for a Cotswold Way National Trail. The Trail will be a long distance walking route between Bath and Chipping Campden, mainly within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, following broadly the route of the existing Cotswold Way path.Establishment of this new National Trail will safeguard the Cotswold Way for future generations. It will increase the enjoyment of users through better safety and overall facilities, and introduce new recreational opportunities for many people of varying abilities. It will bring economic benefits to businesses in the area and provide increased protection for wildlife and historic sites. The decision took account of the strong local support for the Commission's proposals and local people will be involved in the planning and development of the route.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many employees aged under 16 years were (a) killed and (b) injured at work in each year since 1990. [27121]

The following is the information

Numbers reported to the health and safety enforcing authorities are:
Year	Fatal	Non-Fatal	Total
1990–91	—	58.00	58.00
1991–92	—	30.00	30.00
1992–93	1.00	35.00	36.00
1993–94	1.00	33.00	34.00
1994–95	1.00	35.00	36.00
1995–96	—	37.00	37.00
1996–97P	1.00	38.00	39.00
1997–98P	1.00	46.00	47.00
Total	5.00	312.00	317.00
PProvisional

To ask the Minister without Portfolio under what arrangements (a) he and (b) his office report to other Ministers on meetings he holds with their EU counterparts; and if he will list those meetings arranged at the instigation of his office. [27893]

Such meetings are generally reported by letter or FCO telegram. They are generally arranged as part of a wider programme of calls, and not instigated by my office.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 1998, Official Report, column 331, on Club of Three meetings which of his Ministerial responsibilities led to his presence at the meeting; and from which Department attending civil servants came. [27889]

I attended the meeting as Minister responsible for the strategic implementation of Government policy and its effective presentation. I was accompanied by HM Ambassador, Bonn.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will increase small business representation on the Deregulation Task Force. [25699]

The Deregulation Task Force has been replaced by the Better Regulation Task Force. This new group was appointed in September 1997. The change of name reflects the change in approach from deregulation to the wider issue of ensuring regulations are necessary, fair and effective for all concerned. The terms of reference of the Task Force reflect the importance given to the small business representation; they are

"to advise Government … taking particular account of the needs of small businesses".

The establishment of the new Task Force fulfilled the Government's manifesto commitment for half of the members to represent small business. There are therefore no plans to increase small business representation on the Task Force. Other members represent citizen and consumer issues, the voluntary sector, larger businesses and the enforcement community.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those applications under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code which he has received since 1 May indicating (a) the Minister on whose behalf the application was made, (b) the accompanying person, (c) the purpose, venue and dates of the visit and (d) if the application was approved or refused. [23740]

[holding answer 19 January 1998]: The principles governing foreign travel by Ministers have not changed and are the same as those followed under the previous Administration.It is not the practice to publish exchanges of Ministerial correspondence.

To ask the Prime Minister what factors underlay the decision that Lady Irvine's attendance was clearly in the public interest when granting permission under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code for her to accompany the Lord Chancellor to Trinidad and Tobago between 4 and 11 January 1998. [24498]

[holding answer 22 January 1998]: The key principle governing travel remains the same as that applied by the previous Administration, as set out in the Ministerial Code. Anyone who accompanies a Minister at a cost to the public purse must do so for official purposes; it must be in the public interest, and it must receive my prior approval. My Government will continue to adhere to that principle.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to the President of the Board of Trade to take her husband (a) to India and Australia from 15 to 22 November 1997 and (b) to China, Hong Kong and Pakistan from 10 to 21 January 1998; [25568](2) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to the Attorney-General to take his wife to Dublin on 17 and 18 September 1997; [25570](3) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to Lord Clinton-Davis to take his wife to Korea and Japan from 21 to 29 September 1997; [25569](4) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to Lord Williams to take his wife

[holding answer 26 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him today.

To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines he has issued about the granting of diplomatic immunity to Ministers on overseas visits. [27254]

None. There is no provision in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations for Ministers to be afforded diplomatic immunity whilst on overseas visits.

To ask the Prime Minister what definition of partner will apply to paragraph 83 of the ministerial code of conduct. [25462]

[holding answer 26 January 1998]: 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 Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his Department's policy in respect of the provision of conference facilities for overseas visitors in (a) London and (b) the United Kingdom. [26840]

Conference facilities are an important part of business tourism which is why an industry led Working Group has been asked to look at this. Its findings will feed into the strategy for tourism we aim to publish in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received concerning the ticket allocation system for the 1998 Football World Cup; and if he will make a statement. [26266]

I have received a number of representations about the ticket allocation for England and Scotland supporters for this summer's World Cup Finals. Ticketing is a matter for the football authorities. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him and the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on this subject on 4 February 1998, Official Report, columns 673–74.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what data he has collated about plans by (a) Government departments, (b) agencies, (c) independent organisations, (d) local authorities and (e) churches to celebrate the millennium; and if he will make a statement. [26496]

My Department is aware of a great many Millennium projects being undertaken by a wide variety of organisations and an up-to-date list has been placed in the Libraries of the House.From April 1998, the British Tourist Authority (BTA), through its Regional Tourist Boards, will be collecting information on Millennium-specific events, which will be available from BTA offices or via the Internet at "www.visitbritain.com". This will supersede the paper record kept by my Department in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many working days were lost in Scotland as a result of industrial action in each year since 1978–79. [22379]

[holding answer 12 January 1998]: The table shows the number of working days lost (in thousands) and the working days lost per 1,000 employees in Scotland in each year since 1978.The annual figures are given in the table.

	Working days lost (thousands)	Working days lost per 1,000 employees in Scotland
1978	886	429
1979	3,298	1,569
1980	1,447	695
1981	599	299
1982	634	328
1983	308	162
1984	2,333	1,210
1985	681	358
1986	312	166
1987	425	226
1988	205	107
1989	541	276
1990	122	62
1991	121	60
1992	55	27
1993	111	57
1994	16	8
1995	71	36
1996	119	60

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners have been apprehended while consuming alcohol in the past three years; how many were charged and found guilty and which prisons were involved; and if he will make a statement. [25830]

[holding answer 30 January 1998]: Prisoners who are suspected of consuming alcohol in prison may be charged under Rule 94, Schedule 3(v) of the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 1994 which states that

"a prisoner shall be guilty of a breach of discipline if he consumes, takes, injects or ingests any substance which is a prohibited article". Information concerning those charged with consuming alcohol specifically is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial assistance will be available to those nursing, midwifery and the professions allied to medicine students who are unsuccessful in applying for maintenance bursaries. [26560]

[holding answer 30 January 1998]: All students gaining a place on a diploma level nursing or midwifery course in Scotland will have access to non means-tested bursaries. Scottish domiciled students undertaking full-time degree courses leading to qualifications in nursing and midwifery, and those undertaking courses in the professions allied to medicine will have access to means-tested bursaries. Those who do not secure a bursary will be assisted on the same terms as other entrants to full-time higher education from academic year 1998–99 onwards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with implementing the route action plan for the A90 agreed by his Department in 1989, with particular reference to (a) grade separated junctions and (b) the installation of central reserve safety fencing. [27087]

The first of the four grade separated junctions announced within the route action plan was opened to traffic in August 1996 at Longforgan. The second, at Inchmichael, was the subject of a Public Local Inquiry last July, and the Reporter's findings and recommendations are now with the Secretary of State for consideration. Publication of the Orders required for the third, at Inchture is scheduled for next month. Preparation work on the last, at Glendoick, along with an additional junction at Kinfauns is at an early stage.Safety fencing has been installed on the A90 between Perth and Dundee with the exception of the sections between Halfway and Inchmartine and Longforgan to Swallow Roundabout. Safety fencing is planned to be introduced as part of a package of road improvements on these sections. Proposals for the former were subject to consideration as part of the Public Local Inquiry into Inchmichael Interchange, whilst negotiations are underway to resolve issues arising from the publication of draft Orders for the latter section.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of fatalities and seriously injured involved in accidents on the A90 in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [27086]

The table lists the numbers of fatal and serious casualties on the A90 between Perth and the Aberdeen City Boundary from 1988 to 1997 inclusive.

A90 Fatal and Serious Casualty Numbers (1988–19971)
Year	Fatal	Serious	Total
1988	17	93	110
1989	27	104	131
1990	23	87	110
1991	12	83	95
1992	14	75	89
1993	13	74	87
1994	5	51	56
1995	21	58	79
1996	9	52	61
19971	2	15	17
Total	143	692	835
1Figures are only part year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many sports his Department recognises for the purpose of funding; [27129](2) if he will list the chairpersons or chief executives responsible for the governance of sport in Scotland; indicating those who have represented their country; [27130]

The recognition of sports in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Sports Council. In the financial year ended 31 March 1997, the Council provided grants totalling £2.549 million to the 52 governing bodies set out as follows.Details are not held centrally of the names or sporting backgrounds of chairpersons and chief executives of governing bodies, or the numbers of members on governing body councils or executives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 10 December 1997, Official Report, column 627, if he will estimate how many individuals made complaints against the police in 1996–97. [27416]

As indicated in my previous answer on 10 December 1997, Official Report, columns 627–28, there were 1,333 complaint cases against the police in Scotland in 1996–97. It is not possible, however, to distinguish from the records held centrally on these cases the total number of individuals who made complaints.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Green Paper on improving Scotland's health will be published; and if he will make a statement. [28494]

The Green Paper, "Working Together For A Healthier Scotland", is published today. Copies have been laid before the House and are available in the Library of the House and the Vote Office.The Green Paper seeks views on a range of proposals for improving health in Scotland, in a way which recognises the relationship with poverty, poor housing, unemployment and the environment as well as the importance of healthy lifestyles in addressing Scotland's major health problems such as coronary heart disease and cancer. Particular emphasis is placed on the need for a concerted approach across Government and involving local authorities and other bodies whose policies impact on health.The Green Paper will be widely distributed and comments are invited by 30 April 1998, with a view to the publication of a White Paper later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenditure has been incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (a) in 1996–97 and (b) since 1 May 1997 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each; and if he will make a statement. [26639]

The information sought is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met national officers of the Prison Officers Association; and what issues were discussed. [27399]

My right hon. Friend last met the Prison Officers Association on 18 December 1997. He discussed industrial action in the Prison Service and the role of the Prison Officers Association and the Government's position on private prisons.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects a final settlement of compensation to be made to Judith Ward. [27414]

I understand that the assessor expects to complete his final assessment of the amount of compensation payable to Judith Ward within a few weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many meetings he has had with the President of the Council in order to discuss educating young people about the dangers of illegal drugs; [26295](2) how many meetings he has had with the Secretary of State for Education in order to discuss educating young people about the dangers of illegal drugs. [26294]

The Cabinet sub-committee on Drug Misuse, on which my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) represents the Home Office, takes the lead in co-ordinating policy on this subject. I have therefore had no formal meetings on this issue with my right hon. Friends, but I have had many informal discussions with them and we correspond regularly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the setting of tariffs for Eddie Bolton, Harry Duggan, Joe O'Connell and Hugh Doherty. [27415]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 4 February 1998, Official Report, column 720.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives he has undertaken since 1 May 1997 to promote more active regimes within young offenders institutions. [26305]

My right hon. Friend announced in a speech on 2 February 1998 that the Prison Service will be piloting welfare-to-work programmes over the coming year in nine young offender institutions. Intensive eight-week courses of job preparation and skills training will be designed so that on release the young offenders can gain maximum benefit from the Government's New Deal for 18 to 24 year-olds.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consideration he has given to re-investing the projected efficiency savings from the computerisation of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in order to eliminate the backlog of asylum applications; [26518]

The Immigration and Nationality Directorate Caseworking Programme is a privately financed project where the supplier, Siemens Business Services, shares the efficiency benefits as payment for the Programme. Any substantial increase in casework output in order to reduce backlogs would require additional funding. The future funding levels will be decided in the light of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Reviews. Siemens Business Services forecast that, when fully effective, the new systems will improve efficiency by 40 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [26919]

No senior civil servants in the pay band covering posts at the level equivalent to grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age or (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1 May 1997.

Persons cautioned and defendants prosecuted and found guilty at magistrates' courts for offences relating to the employment of children by type of offence and result, 1990–1996
England and Wales
Offence description/ Year	Total cautioned	Total proceeded against	Total found guilty	Total sentenced
Causing a child or young person to be in any street, &c. for purpose of begging [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, S4]
1990	—	7	5	5
1991	1	6	6	6
1992	1	21	19	19
1993	2	29	25	25
1994	4	14	11	11
1995	2	39	31	31
1996	1	32	29	29
Causing or allowing person under 18 to go abroad to perform for profit [Children and Young Persons Act 1933 S25 & 26]
1992	—	1	1	1
1994	—	2	2	2
1995	—	7	7	7
Offences against the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act 1920, S1—so far as relates to industrial undertakings other than mines, factories and workshops
1990	—	2	2	2
Offences against the Education Act 1944, S58 to 60—including offences against byelaws as to employment of children (except offences relating to mines, factories or workshops)
1991	3	2	2	2
1993	—	2	1	1
1994	—	8	4	4
1995	—	2	1	1

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has issued advice to chief constables in respect of the allocation of police resources to target drinking drivers. [27349]

[holding answer 4 February 1998]: No advice has been issued because the allocation of resources to particular areas of police activity is a matter for individual chief officers and their police authorities to determine in accordance with local needs and priorities.Chief officers attach high importance to the enforcement of drink driving legislation. Police forces in England and Wales administered a total of 781.100 screening breath tests during 1996. This figure represented an 11 per cent. increase over the number of tests taken in 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences relating to the employment of children were recorded for each year since 1990; and what were the average penalties imposed for each type of offence. [27119]

Offences relating to the employment of children are summary offences and do not form part of the notifiable offences series (recorded crime).The table shows the number of persons cautioned and defendants prosecuted for offences relating to the employment of children by type of sentence given from 1990 to 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of cats being illegally shot with air weapons have been reported to the police in (a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [27134]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been (a) killed and (b) injured in attacks with air weapons in each year since 1988. [27133]

The information requested is contained in the table:

Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which a police officer on duty was injured by an air weapon
	Fatal injury	Other injury	Total
1988	—	4	4
1989	—	3	3
1990	—	2	2
1991	—	—	—
1992	—	4	4
1993	—	2	2
1994	—	7	7
1995	not available centrally
1996	not available centrally

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter of 24 October from the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East about his constituent Mr. Jonathan Edwards and the final payment under the Firearms Compensation Scheme, and to the further letters on the same issue sent on 5 November 1997 and 16 January 1998. [27162]

The reply was incorporated in my composite letter of 30 January 1998 to each hon. Member about the present position on the compensation scheme. I regret that the volume of correspondence received about the progress of individual claims had delayed a reply in this particular case, although I have replied to the hon. Member on other cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will require those establishments given project licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to keep full records of animals bred for experimentation and subsequently destroyed or sold on without being so used. [27542]

Project licences authorise programmes of work regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. They are not granted to establishments but to individuals.Under sections 6 and 7 of the Act, establishments where animals are used in scientific procedures or where animals listed in Schedule 2 of the Act are bred or supplied for such use must be designated in a certificate issued by the Secretary of State. The standard conditions which apply to all designated user establishments include:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the practice of MI5 of withholding all information from persons on whom records are held in respect of non-security matters; and what data protection requirements apply to MI5 in this respect. [27543]

Section 27 (1) of the Data Protection Act 1984 provides that personal data are exempt from the Act's registration and subject access provisions if the exemption is required for the purpose of safeguarding national security. The previous Administration determined in 1986, under section 27 (2) of the Data Protection Act 1984, that all personal data held by the Security Service were required to be exempt from the registration and subject access provisions of that Act in order to safeguard national security. Similar determinations were made for all personal data held by Security Intelligence Service and Government Communication Headquarters.My Department has been considering with the Security Service and the intelligence agencies whether such a blanket exemption will still be necessary under the Data Protection Bill now before Parliament. That consideration is not yet complete. Its outcome will be announced in due course.As regards the wider question of access to information about whether the Service holds files on any individual, I am unable to add to the answer by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 29 January 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has held with the Department of Transport over use of the new format driving licence as an identity document; what representations he has received on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [27527]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and I have made it clear that the Government will be issuing the photocard driving licence solely as a driving licence, not as an identity document.I regularly receive representations for and against national identity cards from hon. Members, members of the public and interest groups. We have no current plans to introduce national identity cards in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many penal institutions (a) regularly, (b) occasionally and (c) never allow drug-detecting dogs to roam during prison visit sessions; [27513](2) how many penal institutions have

Passive drug detection dogs were used in 28 establishments in 1997 to search visitors and staff for drugs on entry into the establishment or the visits area. Active drug dogs are used occasionally to search visits areas before or after visits. Although drug detection dogs may pass through visits areas as a deterrent during visits it is not policy to allow dogs to roam in visits areas during visiting times.There are currently:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the time elapse after which it is not possible to detect heroin in prisoners using present drug detecting equipment. [27512]

Using the testing processes and cut-off levels employed on behalf of the Prison Service, it is possible to determine that a positive test result was definitely due to heroin in a urine sample taken up to 12 hours after last use. Heroin degrades to morphine, which can be detected for up to seven days after last use. In these circumstances, it is not possible to be certain that heroin was the drug used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the results and dates of the last three mandatory drug tests in each penal institution in England by (a) numbers tested, (b) the number of tests found positive and (c) the percentage of positive tests. [27517]

Figures are provided in tables for the last three mandatory drug tests undertaken at each establishment in England prior to 1 December 1997, which is the most recent period for which reliable data are available. A copy of these tables has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the results and dates of the last three random drug tests in each penal institution in England by (a) numbers tested, (b) the number of tests found positive and (c) the percentage of positive tests. [27516]

Figures are provided in tables for the last three random mandatory drug tests undertaken at each establishment in England prior to 1 December 1997, which is the most recent period for which reliable data are available. A copy of these tables has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by each penal institution in the country the number of people charged with supplying drugs to prisoners and the number found guilty in the last year for which figures are available. [27515]

The following table gives, for each penal institution in England and Wales, for the twelve months ending 31 December 1997, the number of visitors to prisons who were arrested by police in connection with possible drug related offences. The Prison Service does not record what action was subsequently taken by the police.

Establishment	Number arrested
HMP Acklington	19
HMP Albany	2
HMP Aldington	2
HMP Ashwell	7
HMP Aylesbury	2
HMP Belmarsh	2
HMP Buckley Hall	10
HMP Blundeston	14
HMP Bedford	8
HMP Brockhill	2
HMP Bristol	8
HMP Birmingham	2