To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action his Department is taking to assist the Government's initiative on social exclusion. [27592]

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in combating social exclusion. [27610]

My Department is working with the Social Exclusion Unit to ensure that we make the fullest use of opportunities for all DCMS sectors to play their part in helping to tackle the problems of social exclusion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the management of the Royal Opera house. [27596]

My Department has received approaching 1,300 letters on the issue of opera. A number of these has addressed the question of management of the Royal Opera House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with Rupert Murdoch or his representatives on diversity in the British media; and if he will make a statement. [27597]

I have not held any meetings with Mr. Murdoch or his representatives from News International or News Corporation since the election last May. I have indeed met Mr. Mark Booth, the Chief Executive of BSkyB, in which News International has a 40 per cent. shareholding, to discuss a range of broadcasting issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to encourage the use of libraries by children. [27599]

It is very important that children are introduced to the wealth of information available in libraries at an early age. This is primarily the responsibility of local library authorities, but the Government have role in establishing the framework for the delivery of public library services. My Department therefore requires all library authorities to report on their services to children in their Annual Library Plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to encourage use of information technology in libraries. [27605]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, South (Ms Moran).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the equity of lottery funds distribution as between London and the rest of the United Kingdom. [27602]

In our White Paper, "The People's Lottery" we made it clear that we wish to see Lottery funds allocated fairly and equitably in the light of need across all regions and parts of the United Kingdom. I am pursuing this through measures in our Lottery Bill and through changes to the Policy Directions which I issue to distributors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to meet the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission to discuss its code of practice. [27604]

On 25 September 1997 I welcomed Lord Wakeham's proposals for strengthening the newspaper industry's code of practice, and added that I intended to discuss further protection for people in all walks of life with him. I propose to do so in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure that national lottery distributors take account of local needs in the East Anglian region. [27607]

The Lottery Bill will require distributors to produce strategic plans for their funding activities, which reflect their assessment of needs. The plans will be drawn up after wide consultation, which will include local authorities and other local and regional interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the new Tourism Forum will help the tourism industry in the Yorkshire region. [27612]

I am working closely with the Tourism Forum and its Working Groups to develop an effective, comprehensive strategy for tourism which will benefit all regions, including Yorkshire, into the next century.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on his proposals for a sixth good cause from health care projects in the Bexley and Greenwich area of south-east London. [27613]

I have received no such representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure women's interests are properly reflected in lottery awards. [27608]

Securing access to the benefits of the Lottery for everyone is a fundamental aspect of our policy on Lottery distribution. Among our proposals which I expect to benefit women particularly are funding for out of school child care and healthy living centres, and distributors' plans for a one-stop shop service for community grants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those categories of person entitled to concessionary television licences; if he will review the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [29274]

[holding answer 13February1998]:Entitlement to the concessionary television licence is determined by the accommodation occupied and the way it is provided or managed. Details of the qualifying criteria are set out in a leaflet prepared by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.The Government's Agreement with the BBC provides for a review of future funding arrangements prior to March 2002. We shall conduct that review in good time to allow decisions to be taken before then. It will include a detailed consideration of licence fee concessions. However, there are no plans for changes to the concessionary scheme in advance of that review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to encourage overseas film-makers to use British studios and expertise. [27703]

I am currently co-chairing with Stewart Till of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment a Film Policy Review which, amongst other things, is looking at further ways of promoting inward investment into the UK.The British Film Commission and the network of regional film commissions already undertake work to encourage overseas film production to this country.In addition, the introduction in the Budget of accelerated 100 per cent. write-off on film production and acquisition has been widely welcomed as an incentive to increase investment. The British Screen Advisory Council has estimated that the new tax relief will generate a 31 per cent. increase in investment in film production over the next three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent estimate has been made by his Department or its non-departmental public bodies or consultants reporting to his Department of the number of radioactive packages (a) imported into, (b) exported from and (c) transported within the United Kingdom within the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will outline the conditions under which any shipment of radioactive material has to be notified in advance to his Department. [27988]

Data on the number of radioactive packages transported into, from and within the UK are not collected by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions or by the Environment Agency. However, it can be estimated that of the order of 500,000 packages of radioactive material are carried by road annually in the United Kingdom (source: Radiation Exposure from the Normal Transport of Radioactive Materials within the UK 1991 Review, by R. Gelder, NRPB Report NRPB-R255, a copy of which is held in the Library).Requirements for notification in advance of shipment are given in paragraph 456 of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 1985 Edition (As Amended 1990), a copy of which is held in the Library. Notification is required for:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the amounts of freight transported in England and Wales in 1996. [28009]

1,724 Million tonnes of freight was loaded for transport by road, water and pipeline in England and Wales in 1996. Information for rail freight is available only for GB as a whole. In 1996 a total of 100 million tonnes was loaded for transport by rail for delivery within GB. There will be an element of double counting in these figures as some freight shipments will be transported by more than one mode in a single journey.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the percentage of scheduled rail services cancelled or which failed to reach their final destination, (b) the percentage of scheduled rail services which ran to within 10 minutes of the scheduled arrival time and (c) the subsidy per 1,000 km of scheduled train mileage in (i) 1997 and (ii) 1992. [28611]

Passenger's Charter Performance figures for the years in question are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what independent scientific advice he has evaluated on the quality of emissions from energy to waste facilities. [28508]

The Environment Agency is responsible for authorising emissions to air, water and land from large scale energy from waste facilities under the integrated pollution control system.The Agency publishes guidance to its inspectors on the standards with which such plant should comply. This guidance takes account of the Agency's own technical expertise, advice of consultants, non-governmental organisations and industry, and other relevant studies and reports from the UK and around the world.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has undertaken into the safety aspects of people buying alcohol from garages and petrol stations when driving. [28325]

I appreciate my hon. Friend's concern about the sale of alcohol at garages and petrol stations. At present there are few outlets of this kind and it would be difficult to mount a representative survey. We are not aware of any significant problem of drivers who consume alcohol purchased at off-licences during journeys. Driving after drinking at public houses and similar establishments is a far more widespread problem.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to tighten the regulatory regime under which Railtrack operates. [28605]

We want to make regulation of the rail industry more effective and accountable. We shall announce proposals in the Spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if pollution in Langstone Harbour has resulted in the reclassification of shellfish; what assessment he has made of the effects on the local fishing industry; and if he will make a statement. [28651]

Classification of shellfish production areas, as required by the Shellfish Hygiene Directive, lays down health conditions for the production and marketing of live bivalve molluscs (such as oysters, mussels, clams). Under this system, shellfish harvesting waters at the northern end of Langstone harbour were downgraded in 1994 from category B to category C (which meant that shellfish products required a longer period of cleansing or heat treatment, before being offered for sale). Waters elsewhere in the Harbour remained category B. This reflects a monitored deterioration in water quality which may have been due to increased pollution from one or more sources such as a sewage treatment works, riverine inputs or run-off from agricultural land. There has been no further reclassification of shellfish waters in Langstone Harbour.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of capital investment restrictions on the amount of finance water companies put into the upgrading of waste water treatment facilities. [28647]

We do not place restrictions on capital investment by the private sector water companies in England and Wales. In setting price limits, the Director General of Water Services takes account of the needs of water companies to finance the investment necessary to meet required standards, including standards for waste water treatment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are OFWAT's K factor predictions for each of the next 10 years. [28648]

The table lists the K factors determined by the Director General of Water Services, taking into account any subsequent adjustments, for each of the water and sewerage companies and water supply companies in England and Wales for each of the years 1997–98 to 2004–05. K factors for the years 2000–01 to 2004–05 will

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps OFWAT is taking to improve water quality standards. [28701]

The regulation and enforcement of water quality is principally the responsibility of the Environment Agency, in respect of the water environment, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, in respect of drinking water quality. Water companies themselves have the responsibility to ensure that they meet the quality standards set by legislation and enforced by those regulators. The Director General of Water Services has a primary statutory duty to secure that water companies properly carry out, and are able to finance, their functions. He also has general duties including one to further conservation of, among other things, flora and fauna, and one to take account of the effect of proposals on flora and fauna, but he is not responsible for improving water quality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the relationship between the Environment Agency, OFWAT and the water companies. [28634]

The Government are reviewing the regulation of the utilities, including the water companies and the role of the Director General of Water Services. There are no present plans to review the relationship between the Environment Agency and either the Director General or the water companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress his Department has made with regard to future policy for water charges; and if he will make a statement. [28683]

The Government are reviewing the system of charging for water and sewerage services and will make proposals on water charging in a consultation paper to be issued shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the number of domestic water consumers (a) who have chosen to have water meters installed and (b) who now live in properties with water meters where there is no rateable value. [28682]

(a) The Office of Water Services reports that between 1990–91 and 1996–97 inclusive, 500,453 household customers in England and Wales opted to have water meters installed. Figures for earlier years do not identify whether meters were installed at the customer's request.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce an obligation on water companies to provide a free meter installation service for customers. [28721]

Most water companies already provide free meter installation in some or all circumstances for household customers on request. The installation and use of meters is being considered as part of the Government's review of the system of charging for water and sewerage services. We shall make proposals on water charging in a consultation paper to be issued shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to ensure that any undertakings made by London and Continental (Union Railway) to affected parties on the route of the CTRL outside their parliamentary undertakings will be honoured by any successor company. [28679]

As my right hon. Friend explained in his statement of 28 January 1998, Official Report, columns 461–74, the CTRL Development Agreement provides for London and Continental Railways to come forward with revised funding proposals in the following 30 days. The question raised by the hon. Member does not, therefore, arise at this point.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what noise and pollution alleviation measures for residents in London will be required for those proposing to construct the high speed Channel Tunnel rail link. [29497]

In designing and constructing works authorised by the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996, the nominated undertaker must comply with certain Environmental Minimum Requirements, including a Code of Construction Practice. In preparing submissions for approval by local planning authorities under the Act, the nominated undertaker must take into account various objectives and measures set out in the Code. The Code also requires the preparation and implementation of several Environmental Management Plans, including ones for Traffic, Dust and Noise and Vibration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require drivers aged 70 years and over to have their health questionnaire from the DVLA countersigned by their family doctor. [28895]

We have no current plans to change the present arrangements under which applicants, of whatever age, for issue or renewal of ordinary driving licences are required to declare any relevant or prospective disabilities. False declaration is a serious offence. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency makes further inquiries of doctors or specialists where necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will limit the charges vehicle manufacturers can levy to issue a certificate of compliance when importing vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [28958]

There are no current plans to introduce a limit. The charge manufacturers may make for issuing a Certificate of Conformity in relation to a vehicle Type Approval is effectively part of the cost of the vehicle and is not prescribed. To assist the movement of vehicles between member states in the EU, the European Commission has issued guidance which says that charges should be reasonable and not exceed about £67.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department took to ensure that drivers of 3.5 tonne vehicles were properly notified of the change in status of their vehicles to heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [28957]

There has been no change in the classification of goods vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, which remain "light goods vehicles". The only recent change relating to such vehicles concerns driving licences. Since 1 January 1997 higher health standards and a separate driving test have applied to new drivers. The higher health requirements have also applied since 1 January 1998 to pre-1997 car licence holders with automatic entitlement to drive such vehicles wishing to renew that entitlement group when their car licence expires. These requirements also apply to minibuses with 9–16 passenger seats. This change was publicised in a Department of Transport Press Notice (No. 129) of 12 June 1997. The driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency also notify drivers before their existing licences expire.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on charging one-way tolls on the Severn Bridge; if he will review the policy of one-way tolls on the bridge; and if he will make a statement. [28363]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: Representations from local authorities have been received on this matter and in liaison with those authorities we have carried out studies to determine to what extent one-way or two-way tolling can lead to traffic diversion. These studies have not provided evidence that the benefits of a change to two-way tolling would justify the costs involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to make parish councils statutory consultees when awards of goods vehicle operator licences are being considered. [28364]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: I am aware that a number of parish councils favour a statutory right of objection to applications for goods vehicle operator licences. This would require primary legislation and there would first need to be full consultation. We are currently reviewing this issue, but I would encourage local authorities to take the views of parish councils into account when considering whether to use their statutory right of objection.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what proportion of road deaths he estimates alcohol is a contributing factor; and if he will make a statement. [28953]

In 1996, a total of 15,500 people were killed or injured in accidents involving a driver over the legal limit of 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Of those, an estimated 540 were fatalities. Records of the blood or breath alcohol reading of a driver involved in an accident are not normally kept in cases where the level is below the legal limit.The consultation paper "Combating drink driving: next steps" reviews the available data on drink-drive accidents and estimates the likely effect of a reduction in the legal blood alcohol limit. Copies have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of road accidents and deaths are caused by (i) excessive lorry driver hours, (ii) tachograph interference and (iii) defective lorries; and if he will make a statement. [28954]

Comprehensive information is not collected on causation factors in road accidents. It is not therefore possible to supply the specific information requested. The Department is, however, undertaking a number of research projects in order to improve its knowledge of accident causation generally. We are also planning research into the relationship between driving and working hours and fatigue related accidents.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what environmental appraisal will be undertaken of the implications of the Integrated Transport White Paper. [29019]

Environmental issues will be at the heart of the Integrated Transport White Paper. The policies under consideration for the White Paper are being appraised against their potential to contribute to the Government's overall environmental objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" is currently that used by Government departments undertaking environmental appraisals. [29022]

Yes, the guidance in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" still applies, though further guidance is being prepared in the light of the July 1997 KPMG report. This report was commissioned by the last Administration to gauge how far they were meeting their commitment to assess the potential environmental impact of new policy proposals; it showed that more needed to be done to ensure that policies were systematically considered.The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will shortly be issuing Policy Guidance for non-specialist staff across Government, explaining in relatively simple terms when and how to carry out an environmental appraisal.The Department is also working on further technical guidance for appraisal specialists, in co-operation with the Government Group on Environmental Costs and Benefits. A contract for a scoping study has been awarded to Dr. David Pearce, who is due to report in the Spring. This work will inform decisions on the nature and format of new guidance scheduled for the Autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the total number of (a) incidents, (b) incidents requiring co-ordinating action and (c) false alarms or hoaxes handled by each of the maritime rescue co-ordination centres in 1996; [29412](2) if he will list the total number of

The information requested is detailed in the tables:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the cost of setting up the integrated coastguard communications system project. [29414]

The overall cost of setting up the Integrated Communications System for the period May-December 1997 was £30,041. We have yet to invite tenders on this project and to disclose the anticipated cost of the system at this time would distort the process of competitive tendering.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent studies (a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority have commissioned into the economic value of the aviation industry to the United Kingdom. [29706]

No studies have been conducted by the Department or Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on the economic value of the aviation industry to the UK, but studies have been undertaken on additional capacity. Such studies include the RUCATSE study on runway capacity in the South East published in 1993, the evidence submitted by the Department and the CAA to the T5 Inquiry and a study by CAA (CAP 638) on the economic value of new air services to regional airports.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines his Department issues relating to beach (a) hygiene and (b) safety. [29543]

My Department provides support to the Tidy Britain Group which promotes the Seaside Awards and Blue Flag awards, both of which are designed to encourage cleanliness and safety standards on beaches.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of beaches in the United Kingdom fail to comply with EU standards. [29545]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 4 December 1997, Official Report, columns 289–91, to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow local highway authorities to set 20 mph limits within urban areas without reference to his Department. [29603]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 11 February 1998, Official Report, column 228.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to prevent the sale by British Rail of land in Newhaven.[29446]

The Government have endorsed the policy that BR should continue to dispose of its surplus land at market value. Interest in the Newhaven site has been expressed by more than one party including railway interests and BR is proposing to put it out to tender.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring of the impact of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips on (a) the aquatic environment, (b) the soil environment and (c) fisheries (i) has been carried out and (ii) is planned by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [29724]

The Environment Agency, which is responsible for monitoring the aquatic environment and for day-to-day management of freshwater fisheries in England and Wales, has initiated monitoring programmes to assess the impact of sheepdip compounds (including synthetic pyrethroids) on the chemical quality of the aquatic environment (including any effects on fish populations). Monitoring has been targeted on the most intensive sheep rearing areas, including Wales and the Midland region. There is no specific monitoring of soil.Last month the Government published draft groundwater regulations relating to England, Wales and Scotland which specify additional monitoring requirements for groundwater, including synthetic pyrethroids.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress she has made in developing her policy of applying sanctions which are targeted at elites rather than ordinary people. [29748]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 28 January 1998, Official Report, column 288.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the conferences held by her Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the (a) purpose and (b) estimated cost. [27734]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: I have listed the conferences held by my Department since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to ensure that flows of foreign direct investment benefit poorer countries and contribute to development. [29690]

My Department is working extensively to increase the amount of beneficial trade and investment flowing to the developing world, particularly the poorer countries. The best way to increase such trade and investment is likely to be through efforts to secure a more open and transparent international trading regime. Apart from engaging in the international policy debate over fairer trade policy, we are working with our partner governments to encourage growth of the private sector within poorer countries. The Department's support for economic reform packages assists countries achieve macro-economic stability. Our good governance agenda aims to increase the competence and strength of government, including the key interfaces with the private sector such as the judicial system and revenue collection.I have also provided a grant to support the Ethical Trading Initiative which brings together the private sector, NGOs and unions to work on the implementation of ethical codes of practice for the production of goods sold in our shops. This will help promote best practice in overseas enterprises including many financed through foreign direct investment by improving the working conditions of their employees.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support the British Government are contributing to the land reform programme in the Philippines. [29118]

We are not making any direct contributions, but Christian Aid are using their block grant from my Department to part-fund a project to educate farmers in Cebu and Leyte of their legal rights under the Agrarian Reform Law and to establish People's Organisations capable of representing their interests. Similarly, Oxfam have been using their grant on a legal training project with indigenous peoples which includes issues of land and ancestral rights. The European Union is financing a 20 million ecu Agrarian Reform Support project.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the family court welfare work of the Probation Service and other related services. [30171]

As part of the comprehensive spending review, my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I are considering the range of services currently provided to the courts on child welfare matters within family law by the Probation Service. Guardian ad Litem and Reporting Officer Service and the Official Solicitor's Department. We believe that a new integrated service subsuming the work of each of the above could provide an improved service to the courts, better safeguard the interests of children, reduce wasteful overlaps and so increase efficiency.I have therefore agreed with my right hon. Friends that further detailed work involving practitioners and other users of the services should be undertaken to form the basis for public consultation.The detailed terms of reference for the work are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review alternative methods to jury trial in serious fraud cases. [30172]

The Government are determined that there should be effective measures in place for tackling financial fraud.The Government recognise that there are concerns that the present system for handling some major complex fraud trials is not working satisfactorily. Therefore, I have today issued a consultation document which has been placed in the Library. This invites views on the principle of whether the system is likely to operate better and with a greater degree of public confidence if, in a small number of complex fraud trials, a traditional jury were to be replaced by another method of determining the facts. Views are also sought on four possible alternative methods of trial. The Government have not reached a conclusion on whether the ending of a jury trial in serious fraud cases is desirable in principle or formed an opinion on any particular option for change and will not do so until the consultation process is complete. The purpose of the consultation is to provide a full opportunity for the principle of change to be considered in the context of the problems presented by these case and possible alternative trial methods.Comments on the document are invited by 31 May 1998 and we shall consider them all carefully before reaching any conclusions as to whether any changes should be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in relation to the Data Protection Bill [Lords], he will ensure that the Data Protection Commissioner is empowered to enforce the rights granted to data subjects by Clause 12 of the Data Protection Bill [Lords]; and if he will make a statement. [29042]

Clause 12 empowers courts to order the rectification, blocking, erasure and destruction of inaccurate data and opinions based on them. Clause 38 enables the Commissioner to serve enforcement notices in respect of such material.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce data protection measures to ensure that any information concerning fair obtaining is given to the data subject, in advance of any processing by the data controllers, and if he will make a statement. [29040]

Paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 of the Data Protection Bill, introduced in another place on 14 January, specifies the content and timing of such declarations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost to the police of protecting Hillgrove Farm in Witney in 1997. [28997]

I understand from Thames Valley Police that the total cost of policing Hillgrove Farm in 1997 was £415,935.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the PA Consultancy has been asked to recommend whether his Department should (a) continue with its current timetable for the awarding of the planned PFI contract for providing information technology services, (b) award the contract several months earlier than currently proposed or (c) discontinue the PFI. [29389]

[holding answer 13 February 1998): Given the speed of change in information technology (IT), the Home Office will continue to keep under review the options for taking forward its IT projects. PA Consulting has been commissioned to examine the interface between the planned Private Finance Initiative procurement, the Department's Year 2000 compliance projects, and other planned upgrades of office systems. It is too early to say whether this work will lead to changes in current plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects Part III of the Charity Act 1992 to be implemented; and if he will make a statement. [29304]

[holding answer 13 February 1998]: Consideration is currently being given to the implementation of Part III of the Charities Act 1992, which seeks to rationalise the provisions for the licensing of street collections and house to house collections currently contained in the Police, Factories, etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 and the House to House Collections Act 1939. It is not envisaged that Part III will be in force before the end of 1998; the practical issues involved are complex and it is essential that these are fully examined before any decision is made. Later this year, I hope to be in a position to announce proposals for taking this matter forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the engagements he undertook in the United Kingdom in the course of his duties during January indicating in each case which were accessed by (a) car, (b) train, (c) aeroplane and car, (d) aeroplane and train and (e) other means. [28936]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: The information requested for official and constituency engagements in January is as follows. In addition, I attended a number of meetings within central London by car.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions on which the Animal Procedures Committee has met (a) representatives from Imutran and (b) representatives from Novartis giving in each case the purpose and outcome of the meetings. [29445]

Representatives from Imutran, led by the Director of Research, made presentations to the Animal Procedures Committee on two occasions. The first was made to the primate sub-committee on 23 January 1997. The second was made to the whole Committee on 29 January 1998.On both occasions, the presenters outlined the benefits of xenotransplantation for human patients and examined the current research programme involving the transplantation of genetically modified pig hearts to baboons, with particular reference to immunosuppression.The purpose of these presentations was to provide the Animal Procedures Committee with up to date information on the Imutran research programme and to facilitate consideration of applications from Imutran for project licence authorities under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.Imutran was taken over by Novartis in April 1996. There have been no meetings with the Animal Procedures Committee by representatives from Novartis outside these two occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his budget for defence of the civil community from nuclear attack and aid from his Department in the event of terrorist and other nuclear incidents in the current year; and if he will make a statement; [29717](2) what is his budget for defence of the civil community from chemical and biological attack and for aid from his Department in the event of terrorist and other chemical and biological incidents in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [29718]

The Home Office is responsible for civil defence and provides grants to some local authorities as a contribution towards the cost of their emergency planning arrangements. In the current financial year, the total civil defence grant available is £14,457 million. The grant is provided to support emergency planning for the complete range of incidents, however caused.A series of classified contingency plans exist for responding to a wide range of terrorist threats, including those which might involve the threatened or actual use of nuclear, chemical or biological materials.The Department of Trade and Industry is the lead Government department for nuclear incidents at civil installations in England and Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been cautioned for possession of cannabis (a) once, (b) twice and (c) three or more times, by police force region, in each year since 1986. [29249]

This information is not available since data are not routinely collected on whether a particular caution is the first or a subsequent one given by the police to an individual. However, special exercises were carried out for the 1991 and 1994 Criminal Statistics using information from the Home Office Offenders Index. These indicate that in 1994, of those cautioned, 15 per cent. had a previous caution, compared with 20 per cent. in 1991. The later sample was drawn after Home Office circular 18/1994 had been issued. This circular specifically discouraged repeat cautioning and cautioning for the most serious offences.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to pass funds raised from fines for speeding identified using a speed camera to the police forces concerned. [29761]

None. Hypothecating the revenue from speeding fines would result in expenditure on traffic enforcement being determined by the income generated rather than the relative priority of the activity. We are examining the current funding arrangements for the cameras to see what more might be done.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure the safety of British fans at the World Cup finals in France. [27590]

The Government are determined to do everything possible to help ensure that British fans attending the World Cup Finals in France this summer do so in a safe and secure environment. To achieve this, we have established a World Cup Co-ordinating Group which brings together official, policing and football representatives from both England and Scotland. They are all working closely with the French authorities, who are responsible for the management and security of the tournament. This is to ensure a co-ordinated approach to maximise the safety and security of supporters en route to and from France and whilst attending matches during the tournament.We are very pleased that the French Organising Committee (CFO) are adopting the stewarding methods used in this country so impressively during Euro '96. We are also aware that the French authorities have studied the British system of crowd safety management. There has been considerable liaison and consultation between the French authorities and British representatives and we will continue to ensure that we provide that high level of co-operation up to and throughout the tournament.Later this month, my right hon. Friend will be hosting a seminar in Blackburn on the policing of football which will bring together relevant experts from across the European Union to discuss policing, safety and security arrangements for the World Cup and to share advice and expertise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of CCTV on the crime rate in neighbouring areas; [29364](2) what statistical evidence his Department has collated on the impact on crime levels of the introduction of CCTV. [29365]

The Home Office Police Research Group study, "CCTV in Town Centres: Three Case Studies" has shown that closed circuit television (CCTV) can be effective in reducing crime and fear of crime, particularly when it is deployed as part of a wider crime reduction strategy. This research, and also research sponsored by the Scottish Office on a CCTV scheme in Aidrie, revealed no evidence of displacement of crime from areas which had CCTV coverage to neighbouring areas which did not. The Department keeps under review the research literature on CCTV and we will be assessing the evaluations of effectiveness produced by the schemes which have received funding under the CCTV Challenge competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if (1) the Advertising Standards Authority, (2) the Association of British Travel Agents, (3) the Automobile Association, (4) the Bar Council, (5) the BBC, (6) the Broadcasting Standards Council, (7) British Airways, (8) the British Medical Association, (9) British Midland, (10) British Railways Board, (11) the British Tourist Authority, (12) BT, (13) Cable and Wireless, (14) Cambridge Water Company, (15) the Charity Commission, (16) the Church of England, (17) the Church of Scotland, (18) the Confederation of British Industry, (19) the Defence Research Agency, (20) the Financial Services Authority, (21) the Football Association, (22) the Gaming Board for Great Britain, (23) the General Dental Council, (24) Great Western Trains, (25) the Independent Television Commission, (26) the Law Society, (27) the London Stock Exchange, (28) London Weekend Television, (29) the Millennium Commission, (30) National Express, (31) the National Heritage Memorial Fund, (32) National Power, (33) National Savings, (34) the National Trust, (35) the Newspaper Society, (36) the Office for Standards in Education, (37) the Office of Electricity Regulation, (38) the Office of Telecommunications, (39) the Press Complaints Commission, (40) the Prince's Trust, (41) PowerGen, (42) the Radio Authority, (43) Railtrack, (44) Ridge Parish Council, (45) the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster, (46) the Royal Opera House, (47) the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, (48) the Rugby Football Union, (49) Southern Electric, (50) the Sports Council, (51) Stagecoach, (52) Transco, (53) United Utilities, (54) the Universities and Colleges Admissions Scheme, (55) the University of Cambridge, (56) Virgin Trains and (57) Yorkshire Water are organisations (a) whose acts or omissions it is intended should be able to be challenged and (b) which perform functions of a public nature under the Human Rights Bill [Lords]. [29529]

[holding answer 13 February 1998]: Clause 7(1) of the Human Rights Bill enables an act of a public authority to be challenged on the ground that it is unlawful under clause 6(1) of the Bill because it is incompatible with a Convention right. As to the definition of "public authority" under clause 6 of the Bill, I refer the right hon. Member to the replies I am giving today to his earlier Questions on this matter. It would be for a court or tribunal to decide in individual cases whether an organisation is obviously a public authority or, if it is not, whether it is nevertheless to be regarded as a public authority because it performs functions certain of which are of a public nature. In the latter case, it would also be for the court to determine whether the particular act or omission which it was sought to challenge was of a private nature.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if, to constitute a public authority for the purposes of the Human Rights Bill [Lords], a body must (a) receive public money and/or (b) fulfil a statutory responsibility and/or (c) have on the governing body one or more persons appointed by the Government; [29171](2) if a body which

[holding answer 12 February 1998]: Clause 6 provides for a non-exhaustive definition of "public authority" for the purposes of the Human Rights Bill. The term includes (i) organisations, such as central government and the police, which are so obviously public authorities that it is not necessary expressly to define them as such; (ii) a court or tribunal; and (iii) any person certain of whose functions are functions of a public nature, except where the nature of the act is private. The definition specifically excludes either House of Parliament or a person exercising functions in connection with proceedings in Parliament. Following amendments to the Bill in Another place, the definitions in (ii) and (iii) above are currently qualified by clauses 6(5) and 6(6) respectively.It will be for a court or tribunal to decide in individual cases which come before it whether a person falls within the above definition.

To ask the Prime Minister what was the occasion of the official function held on 7 May at No. 10 Downing Street; who attended; and at what cost to public funds. [23836]

This was an official reception for Ministers. The approximate cost was £250.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 66, if he will list for the period since 1 May 1997, the items and costs of refurbishment of and improvements to the domestic living accommodation in Number 11 Downing Street. [26215]

I do not propose to list every item in the domestic living accommodation in No. 11. I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 66, where I have accounted fully for refurbishment costs.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list by item the furniture, fittings and decorations purchased since 1 May with public funds for his official flat in Downing Street indicating the cost of each item not subjected to a formal competitive tendering process; if he will list for each item the reasons it was not subjected to competitive tendering; if more than one quotation was sought; whether the lowest price was accepted; what was the lowest quotation submitted; and what factors led to more than one quotation not being sought in respect of certain items; [26063](2) if he will list by item all furniture, fittings and decorations purchased with public funds since 1 May for his official flat in Downing Street indicating the cost of each item subjected to a formal competitive process; and what was the lowest tender price submitted for each item; [26065](3) if he will list the country of origin of each item of furniture, fittings and decoration purchased with public funds since 1 May for his official flat in Downing Street; and what factors led to the purchase of items whose country of origin was not the United Kingdom; [26067](4) if he will list the date and time of delivery to Downing Street of each item of furniture, fittings and decorations purchased with public funds since 1 May for his official flat in Downing Street; and what factors governed the delivery time of each item delivered outside normal working hours. [26068]

[holding answers 30 January 1998]: No. I do not propose to list every item in the domestic living accommodation in No. 11. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) on 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 66, where I have accounted fully for refurbishment costs.

To ask the Prime Minister what evidence underlay the press briefing by his official spokesman that Ms Anne Bullen's appointment was a political one. [27282]

[holding answer 3 February 1998]: Ms Anne Bullen was selected for the post of Diary Secretary by the then Foreign Secretary, Lord Hurd. Ms Bullen was appointed under Paragraph 2(i) of Schedule 2 of the Diplomatic Service Order in Council 1991 which allows for exceptions to the normal Civil Service rules of recruitment.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what meetings he has had with Mr. Gavyn Davies of Goldman Sachs in the last three months; and if he will make a statement; [27689](2) what contact there has been between the No. 10 Downing Street Policy Unit and Mr. Gavyn Davies of Goldman Sachs over the last three months; and if he will make a statement. [27690]

[holding answers 5 February 1998]: My staff and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals.

To ask the Prime Minister if Mr. Gavyn Davies of Goldman Sachs will be part of the Government team visiting the United States of America this week; in what capacity he will be attending the talks in Washington; and if he will make a statement. [27691]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: Mr. Davies was not a member of the official delegation.

To ask the Prime Minister with whom Mr. Gavyn Davies will be attending meetings during his visit to Washington with the Prime Minister over the period 4 February to 7 February; and if he will make a statement. [28353]

[holding answer 9 February 1998]: Mr. Davies was not a member of the official delegation, although he did attend an informal seminar at my invitation.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the cost to public funds of taking Mr. Gavyn Davies to Washington for meetings with the US Administration; and if he will make a statement. [28367]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: Mr. Davies met his own travel and accommodation costs for the trip to Washington.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the engagements he undertook in the United Kingdom in the course of his duties during January indicating in each case which were accessed by (a) car, (b) train, (c) aeroplane and car, (d) aeroplane and train and (e) other means. [28938]

[holding answer 10 January 1998]: During January I have undertaken fourteen engagements in the London area where I have used a car; one engagement outside London where I have used a car, and; two engagements outside London where I have used a combination of car and train.

To ask the Prime Minister if, under paragraph 69a of the Ministerial Code, Cabinet Ministers may take their spouses or permanent partners overseas at their own expense on official visits without his written permission. [28949]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: 1 refer the hon. Member to the final sentence of paragraph 70 of the Ministerial Code, a copy of which was placed in the Library in July 1997.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint one Minister with overall responsibility for overseeing the millennium computer compliance problem. [29505]

[holding answer 13 February 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 12 February 1998, Official Report, columns 327–28.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the full-year annual cost of reducing the rate of value-added tax on hotel accommodation to (a) 8 per cent. and (b) 5 per cent. taking into account the revenue effect deriving from the elasticity of demand for this service; and if he will make a statement. [28396]

[holding answer 11 February 1998]: There are no reliable figures available on the amount of Value Added Tax paid on hotel accommodation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many official cars are available for use by Ministers in his Department; and how many new cars have been acquired for the use of Ministers in his Department since 1 May. [25182]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: Each Treasury Minister has one official car available for use. The Government Car Service renews all official cars on a cyclical basis.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the estimate of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Community for 1998–99 on the same basis as the figure in Table 5.A4 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98, page 123. [29606]

The Government's latest estimate of the United Kingdom's net payments to European Community Institutions for 1998–99 is £2,440 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the response of taxpayers to the introduction of self-assessment; and if he will make a statement. [28365]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: Eight million taxpayers sent in their self assessment tax returns by the 31 January deadline. It is particularly reassuring to know that over 95 per cent. of those taxpayers without professional tax advisers met the deadline. This illustrates that the vast majority of ordinary taxpayers understood what they had to do and dealt with this aspect of the new system.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages of exempting pensioners from fines resulting from the late completion of self-assessed income tax returns. [28206]

Only a small minority of pensioners are required to complete self assessment tax returns. And the large majority of people who are not represented by tax advisers, into which group many tax paying pensioners will fall, submitted their completed tax returns to the Inland Revenue well within the deadline. Anyone who had a reasonable excuse for failing to submit a tax return on time may appeal against the penalty.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he took to ensure that taxpayers who (a) completed their self-assessment tax returns before 30 September 1997 and (b) before 31 January 1998 were aware that they had to make a payment on account for the tax year 1997–98 in addition to their 1996–97 payment; what are the penalties for failing to make a payment on account for 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [28366]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: Information identifying the need to make a payment on account on 31 January 1998 for the tax year 1997–98, and how to calculate it, was included in the tax return package issued to all self assessment taxpayers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how much the income tax take will be (a) as a percentage of gross domestic product and (b) in cash terms in each year from 1997–98 to 2002–03 on current taxation plans; and how much of this is attributable to the abolition of dividend tax credits. [29194]

[holding answer 12 February 1998]: Projections for income tax as a percentage of GDP were published in Table B3 of the November 1997 Pre-Budget Report. Figures for income tax in cash terms for the years 1997–98 and 1998–99 were published in Table S2.4 of the Supplementary Document to the November 1997 Pre-Budget Report. Projections of money GDP were published in Table B2 of the November 1997 Pre-Budget Report. Figures for the effects of the abolition of dividend tax credits on income tax receipts were published in Table 2.2. line 5. of the July 1997 FSBR.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss in revenue resulting from an increase in the single person's income tax allowance of (a) £50, (b) £100, (c) £150, (d) £200, (e) £250 and (f) £300; and how many people would be taken out of tax in each case. [29184]

[holding answer 12 February 1998]: Estimated full year costs at 1998–99 income levels are given in the table.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the impact on employment of changes in the petro-currency status of the national currency upon the United Kingdom's accession to the euro zone, with particular reference to periods of international crisis. [28742]

[holding answer 12 February 1998]: The Chancellor has set out the five economic tests which will be used to assess whether it is in the UK's economic interest to join the single currency, and has made it clear that the bottom-line is the impact on UK employment and growth. The Treasury paper "UK Membership of the Single Currency: As Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" (published in October 1997) sets out the factors that would need to be considered, and identifies the UK role as an oil exporter as one of these factors.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the extent to which United Kingdom industry and commerce will price their goods and services in the euro after its introduction but before the decision is taken on United Kingdom membership. [26809]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not made any estimate of the extent to which United Kingdom industry and commerce will price their goods and services in the euro.However, the work of the Business Advisory Group indicates that the euro is likely to be used more widely by business than other foreign currencies are today. Firms with operations in, and firms that export to, countries which join the single currency are most likely to decide to price their goods and services in euro. In addition, although the euro will not be legal tender in the UK in 1999, firms will be able to use it here for various commercial purposes if they wish.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations his Department has received since the enactment of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1997, on measures contained in the Act. [24883]

[holding answer 26 January 1998]: I received a number of representations prior to the enactment of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost of reducing duty on ultra low sulphur diesel to 2p per litre less than the duty on ordinary diesel. [26353]

Customs estimate that the cost of a 2p differential between duty on a litre of ordinary diesel and a litre of ultra low sulphur diesel from April 1988 would be about £5 million in financial year 1998–99.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the revenue cost in (a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 of a 4 per cent. cut in spirits duty, commencing on 6 April 1999. [26354]

Cutting the spirit duty by 4 per cent. on 6 April 1999 will have no effect on revenue in 1998–99, but will cost approximately £30 million in 1999–2000.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many estates in the most recent year for which figures are available were entitled to the inheritance tax exemption for farmland; and what revenue he estimates was lost as a result of this exemption. [26195]

Available information is in terms of inheritance tax relief for all agricultural property which covers farmland and other related assets. In 1997–98 it is estimated that about 1,200 death estates will benefit from agricultural property relief, at a cost to the Exchequer of around £70 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of hypothecation of taxation. [27163]