To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many overseas visits have been made by his Department's political advisers at public expense since 1 May. [25159]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: Special Advisors have accompanied Ministers on 15 occasions, in accordance with the guidelines set out in paragraph 84 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct and Guidance on Procedures published in July 1977. These guidelines are the same as those operated by the previous Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a video copy of his address to a joint meeting of the staff of the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport in Central Hall, Westminster. [28910]

No. The Deputy Prime Minister's address to staff of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in Central Hall, Westminster was an internal departmental matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) cyclists and (b) pedestrians have been (i) killed and (ii) seriously injured by motor vehicles in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [29377]

The information requested is shown in the following table.

Cyclist and pedestrian casualities in accidents involving motor vehicles: GB 1996
Casualties
Road user	Fatal	Serious	All
Pedestrian	995	10,514	46,018
Pedal cyclist	186	3,260	23,340

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many pedestrians have been (a) killed and (b) seriously injured by cyclists in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [29376]

The information requested is show in the following table.

Number of pedestrian casualties in accidents involving a cycle: GB 1996
Casualties
Severity	Number
Fatal	2
Serious	90
All	364

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the projected increase against current levels in freight use of the Channel Tunnel once the high-speed rail link is opened. [29495]

The Channel Tunnel Rail Link will have the potential to be used by high speed freight services, but its main contribution to increased rail freight will come through the capacity that its use by Eurostar services will release on the existing network. The take-up of the available capacity will depend on demand.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) passenger and (b) freight trains per day are projected to use the high-speed rail link. [29498]

The extra capacity provided by the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) under the Development Agreement with London and Continental Railways, will enable the number of international Eurostar services in peak periods to be more than doubled to eight an hour in each direction. For domestic passengers, the Development Agreement reserves capacity of up to eight trains an hour for new Kent commuter services during the morning and evening peak periods. The CTRL is also required to have the potential for use by high speed freight services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each year since 1995 those sites specified in authorisations issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 to receive low level radioactive waste, indicating the annual volume and isotopic content of wastes received at each site and the origin of such wastes; and if he will make a statement. [29418]

I have been advised by the Environment Agency in respect of England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and by the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland that the information requested is not held centrally.The BNFL site at Drigg in Cumbria receives the largest volume and activity of low level radioactive waste in the United Kingdom. The majority of waste sent to Drigg for disposal arises from the nuclear industry. Data relating to disposals of low level radioactive waste at BNFL Drigg for 1995 and 1996 are as follows:

	Radioactivity disposed (TBq)
Radionuclide	1995	1996	Authorised Limit (TBq)
Tritium	0.34	0.41	10
Carbon-14	0.010	0.005	0.05
Cobalt-601	0.36	0.25	2
Iodine-129	0.0018	0.00017	0.05
Others2	6.0	3.6	15
Radium-226 and Thorium-232	0.005	0.005	0.03
Uranium	0.024	0.10	0.3
Other alpha3	0.09	0.10	0.3
Volume (m3)	13,200	10,500
1The cobalt-60 figure is included in the 'other' as well as shown separately.
2 Defined in the current authorisation as:
i. iron 55 and beta emitting radionuclides with half lives greater than three months (excluding carbon-14, iodine-129 and tritium)
ii. not more than 2 TBq may be Cobalt-60.
3 Alpha emitting radionuclides with half-lives greater than three months excluding uranium, radium-226 and thorium-232.

The site in Scotland at which the largest volume and activity of low level radioactive waste is disposed is at Dounreay, Caithness. Virtually all of the waste disposed of at Dounreay arises from the nuclear industry. Data relating to disposals of solid radioactive waste at Dounreay for 1995 and 1996 are as follows:

Year	Volume (m3)	α(Gbq)	βγ(GBq)
1995	446	39	223
1996	153	15	367

Only one site in Northern Ireland, at Dargan Road near Belfast, has been used for the disposal of low level radioactive waste since 1995. The volume of radioactive waste disposed of each year at this site is approximately 50 cubic metres. Details of the activity are in the table.

Radionuclide	Radioactivity Disposed (MBq)
	1995	1996
Tritium	92.807	31.295
Carbon-14	6.03	736.276
Other isotopes with a half life less than 1 year	2199.67	884.4
Other isotopes with a half life greater than 1 year	9.5	0
Waste Technetium-99 columns1	50	0
1 The level of radioactivity associated with each column is of the order of 0.01 MBq.

There are in addition 12 landfill sites in England and Wales, 12 in Scotland and three in Northern Ireland where disposal of low level radioactive waste is authorised. I refer the hon. member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 19 November 1997,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages of imposing an annual noise limit on aircraft movements at each of the main United Kingdom airports. [29752]

There are at present no provisions to impose limits of this kind centrally, though they may be applicable under planning conditions at particular airports. We are currently reviewing policy on aircraft noise near airports in the light of responses to the consultation on integrated transport policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many flights at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted arrived or departed within the night quota period but were not counted against this quota in the last three years; and for what reasons. [29705]

The following information on aircraft not counted against the movements limits and noise quotas is taken from the regular monitoring returns provided by the three airport companies. The night restrictions are set on a seasonal basis. The seasons change with the clocks.

Heathrow
Season	Exempt	Early	Not Counted
	Types	Note 1	Note 2	Note 3	Note 4
Summer 1997	113	0	0	1	5
Winter 1996–97	191	20	94	4	8
Summer 1996	256	36	1	3	14
Winter 1995–96	186	13	99	4	19
Summer 1995	268	4	8	12	10
Winter 1994–95	179	11	79	9	4

Gatwick
Season			Not Counted
	Exempt Types	Early Note 1	Note 2	Note 3	Note 4
Summer 1997	817	11	9	2	2
Winter 1996–97	585	18	6	0	0
Summer 1996	807	28	16	0	0
Winter 1995–96	586	16	9	0	0
Summer 1995	844	38	4	0	0
Winter 1994–95	647	20	0	0	0

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on the powers of regional development agencies. [29663]

The Multilateral Agreement on Investment is currently being negotiated at the OECD. Parties to the Agreement will be required not to discriminate against foreign investors. Since Regional Development Agencies will not discriminate in this way, there is no reason why the Agreement should have an impact on them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects to announce the outcome of the housing spending review; [29668](2) if he will make a statement on the procedures for consultations on proposals arising from the housing spending review. [29669]

The Housing Comprehensive Spending Review has received detailed submissions from all the major housing bodies and from other groups with an interest in housing policy. Their views have been taken into account throughout the Review. Discussions have been held with many of the bodies concerned and there will be further meetings as the review is carried forward. The findings of the Review will emerge in Summer as part of the Government's future spending plans. We will consult as necessary on the implementation of proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his assessment of the timetable for the revision of Council Directive 90/220/EEC; and if he will make a statement. [29713]

The European Commission presented a proposal for revision of directive 90/220 at the last Environment Council, and is expected to publish the formal proposal in the next few weeks. The UK intends to hold a preliminary discussion at the June Council.Following normal procedures, we would expect it to take several years before agreement on the directive could be reached across the Community.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investigations of Novartis genetically-modified maize he has commissioned; and if he will make a statement. [29714]

Competent Authorities from Member States have considered two applications for approval to market genetically modified maize under the provisions of Directive 90/220/EEC from companies which are now part of the Norvatis group. In the UK, the dossiers of information including an assessment of the risks to human health and the environment have been considered by officials and expert advice was sought from the relevant Advisory Committees. In addition in both cases the applications have been considered by the Commission's expert committees. My Department sees no need to commission any further investigation into Norvatis genetically modified maize.An application (C/F/4/11–3) was submitted by Ciba-Geigy to the French Competent Authority for unrestricted marketing of maize resistant to corn borers. After due consideration by the French Authorities, other Member States and the appropriate commission scientific committees it was granted an approval by the French Authorities on 5 February 1997.An application (C/GB/96/M4/1) was submitted by Northrup King Company to the Great Britain Competent Authority to market maize resistant to corn borers to be imported, stored and processed to non-viable products and to be used for animal feeds. After due consideration the dossier has been forwarded to the European Commission with a favourable opinion. A decision from other Member States is awaited following consideration by the Commission's scientific committee.A summary of these dossiers is on the public register at the Department and a copy of the dossiers is available on request.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of the clean up operation following the 'Sea Empress' disaster; and what estimate he has made of the cost of the disaster to (a) the fishing industry in the area and (b) the local tourist industry. [29685]

The Government recently presented the following information, which gives our official estimates of the costs arising from the Sea Empress grounding, at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund.

£ millions
	Low	High
Clean-up operations	22	23
Fishing Industry	8	11
Tourist Industry	2	3
Total	32	37

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the methodology and (b) the mathematical processes used to calculate the 1992-based household projections. [29801]

Descriptions of the methodology and main statistical assumptions underlying the 1992-based household projections are set out in the annexes of "Projections of Households in England to 2016", published by the Stationary Office in March 1995. A copy of this publication is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice his Department has given to other Government Departments about the use of environmental appraisals in respect of new policy. [29807]

The importance of environmental appraisal was discussed at the first meeting of Green Ministers following the Election, on 31 July 1997. At that meeting Green Ministers committed themselves to ensure that environmental issues were considered in the development of all Government policies.Details of current and proposed guidance by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to Government Departments on environmental appraisal are set out in the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment gave to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) on 16 February 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to combat air pollution with particular reference to ground level ozone. [29815]

Ground level ozone is a problem which requires action at the international level. Several initiatives will help to combat ground level ozone. The Government hope to achieve common position under the UK Presidency on a Solvents directive reducing the emissions of ozone pre-cursors. The Government are negotiating under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe a Protocol on Nitrogen Oxides and related substances which will deal, amongst other issues, with ground level ozone. The UK is participating in the technical work that will contribute to the European Commission's proposed Ozone Strategy. The Commission is also preparing a directive on ground level ozone which will set environmental quality objectives. The Government intend to produce a consultation paper later in the year on a scheme, known as "Stage II", to reduce petrol vapour emissions from petrol filling stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to test drivers suspected of being under the influence of illegal drugs. [30155]

Under existing legislation the police have powers to arrest a driver whom they suspect of being impaired through drugs, and to require the provision of a specimen for testing. We have at present no plans to extend those powers.We announced on 11 February a forthcoming roadside trial of drug screening devices by the police. Its purpose is to establish whether the devices are sufficiently robust and practical for conditions likely to be encountered at the roadside, and not to test for the presence of drugs or to assess the accuracy of the devices. Drivers will be asked to volunteer to participate in the trial but those who are obviously impaired through alcohol or drugs will not be asked to volunteer, and will be dealt with by the police using their existing powers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which illegal drug use is a contributory factor to road accidents. [30154]

The Department is currently conducting a study into the incidence of drugs in road accident fatalities. While this is a useful step towards understanding the nature and scale of the problem the findings do not indicate whether drugs were a contributory factor in the accidents concerned. It is very difficult to obtain precise data. A number of institutions world wide are considering the problem and the Department is carefully monitoring evidence in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which medicinal drugs were detected in the Government's recent study of drug driving; and what percentage of medicinal drugs which can impair drivers' reactions could not be traced by the test used. [29844]

[[holding answer 17 February 1998]: The Department's recent study tested for three of the major groups of medicinal drugs known to impair drivers' reactions: benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and opiates.The only significant group of medicinal drugs not traced in the tests, but which can impair drivers' reactions, were antihistamines. In a similar study carried out in 1985–87, antihistamines were present in only 0.9 per cent. of cases. The incidence of those medicinal drugs tested for has not changed significantly since the last study and we have no reason to assume that there would be significant changes in the incidence of antihistamines either.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what percentage of the bodies of road fatalities in which traces of cannabis was detected in his recent test alcohol was also found. [29840]

[holding answer 17 February 1998]: Alcohol at some level above 10mg per 100 ml of blood was present in about one-third of the fatalities in which traces of illegal drugs—including cannabis—were detected.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 December 1997, Official Report, column 222, on nuclear emergency plans, what payment W. S. Atkins received from the HSE for carrying out the review; for how many hours work; and if he will make a statement. [29821]

The payment made by the Health and Safety Executive for the professional services rendered by W. S. Atkins Science and Technology for the review of extendibility of local authority plans for responding to nuclear emergencies was £6,700. The time spent by W. S. Atkins in researching and writing the report was approximately 100 staff hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many contracts of a value greater than £10,000 his Department has with companies in (a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [30138]

It is not possible to provide details of contracts with companies in each area as this information is not centrally held.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on (a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30137]

The information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the public funding given to (a) London Underground and (b) the London Docklands Development Corporation in each of the last 15 years. [30140]

Government funding is provided to London Transport, rather than its constituent businesses. The distribution of grant by LT between London Underground Limited and its other businesses is a matter for LT, subject to some grant being ringfenced by the Government for certain purposes. Total public funding in 1997–98 prices provided to London Transport and the London Docklands Development Corporation in each of the last 15 years is shown in the table.

Government Grant (£ million constant 1997–98 prices1
Year	London Transport	London Docklands Development Corporation2
1983–84	3636	117
1984–85	599	104
1985–86	543	90
1986–87	481	106
1987–88	314	128
1988–89	245	169
1989–90	336	347
1990–91	608	418
1991–92	678	293
1992–93	1,000	273
1993–94	763	147
1994–95	4852	108
1995–96	954	107
1996–97	969	77
1997–985	759	92
1 These figures are different from those previously announced because cash figures have been converted to constant prices using the latest HM Treasury GDP deflators, published in November 1997.
2 LDDC acquired Docklands Light Railway on 1 April 1992. Figures include-grant-in-aid-for the Docklands Light Railway from 1992–93 onwards.
3 London Transport figure refers to calendar year 1983.
4 In addition to grant, LT benefitted in 1994–95 from £144 million (1997–98 prices) proceeds from the sale of London Buses Limited subsidiaries.
5 London Transport figure is a forecast out-turn which does not take account of possible carry-forward of grant to 1998–99 of up to £ 129.5m.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial assistance his Department has given to date to the Jubilee Line extension; and what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on this project for each of the next five years. [30142]

The Department provides ringfenced grant to London Transport towards the cost of the Jubilee Line Extension (JLE) Total ringfenced grant up to 1996–97 was £1,574 million. The remaining £341 million ringfenced grant will be paid over this financial year and next financial year: £295 million in 1997–98 and £46 million in 1998–99.The Department also provides London Transport with non-ringfenced grant for its various businesses. London Transport allocates some of this to the JLE (£48 million up to 1996–97). LT's most recent forecast of future allocation of non-ringfenced grant to the JLE is £216 million in 1997–98, £165 million in 1998–99, £117 million in 1999–2000 and nothing thereafter.These figures exclude investment in the core network being carried out as part of the JLE project.The private sector has also contributed over £100 million to the cost of the project and will provide further contributions totalling over £300 million in instalments over a 25-year period.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total value of financial assistance packages, including tax and rates relief, offered to companies in enterprise zones in (a) the City of London, (b) Docklands, (c) London, (d) the South East of England, (e) England and (f) total in the last year for which figures are available. [30169]

The only Enterprise Zone in London was the Isle of Dogs Enterprise Zone designated 26 April 1982 and de-designated on 25 April 1992. The only Enterprise Zone in South-East England was North West Kent designated 31 October 1983 and de-designated on 30 October 1993 with an extended area designated on 10 October 1986 and de-designated on 9 October 1996. The total value of financial assistance packages, including tax and rates relief, offered to companies in Enterprise Zones in 1991–92 (the last full year of the Isle of Dogs Enterprise Zone) was as follows:

£,000
Type of financial assistance	Docklands(Isle of Dogs EZ)	SE England (NW Kent EZ)	England EZs (21)	All EZs (28)
Rate revenue foregone	28,100	3,900	62,405	69,796

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the total financial support his Department has given to transport projects in (a) London, (b) the South East of England and (c) England for each of the last 10 years.[30141]

Expenditure by central Government on transport projects is not in all cases broken down by country or region, and there are therefore practical difficulties in providing an accurate and consistent breakdown in this way. The following table provides estimates of how General Government Expenditure for transport programmes benefits the relevant populations of England and South East England. The figures include the Department's direct financial support for transport (including the support the Department gives to local authorities for transport-related expenditure), local authorities self financed transport expenditure and Government support for nationalised industries and public corporations.

£ million
	England1	South East England2	Unallocated3
1987–88	3,852	1,189	462
1988–89	3,924	1,198	345
1989–90	4,737	1,563	481
1990–91	5,609	2,303	677
1991–92	5,982	2,573	127
1992–93	6,688	2,967	287
1993–94	6,530	2,754	177
1994–95	8,604	2,710	1,960
1995–96	8,442	4—	4—
1996–97	4—	4—	4—
1 General government expenditure on transport identified from available records as having been incurred for the benefit of the English population.
2 Expenditure which can be identified from available records as having been spent in the South East of England including London.
3 This line indicates the amount of expenditure in England which cannot for practical reasons be allocated to specific regions. As a proportion of this expenditure may also have been incurred for the benefit of the South East, expenditure figures for England cannot readily be compared with those for the South East.
4 Figures not yet available.
Note:
1,2and 3 Care should be taken in drawing comparisons between different years due to differences in the amount of expenditure which could be disaggregated between countries or regions at the time of data collection.
Source:

Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses.The figures for London in the following table are not directly comparable with those for England and South East England as they are derived from a different source and include different elements of expenditure. Figures include grant for London Transport, support for local authority expenditure via Transport Policies and Programmes and some Government Office programme expenditure. However, figures exclude expenditure on trunk roads in London and local authorities self financed expenditure.

£ million
	London
1987–88	316
1988–89	300
1989–90	386
1990–91	625
1991–92	711
1992–93	1,023
1993–94	859
1994–95	942
1995–96	1,062
1996–97	1,087

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill (a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [30135]

We do not hold a central record of the staff costs by region for the centre, the 9 Executive Agencies and staff employed in the Government Offices. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents were handled by each of the marine rescue co-ordination centres and marine rescue sub-centres of Her Majesty's Coastguard in (a) 1996 and (b) 1997; and how many of these were (i) false alarms and (ii) hoax calls. [30001]

The information requested is detailed in the tables.

1996 Statistics
	Assistance rendered	Assistance not rendered	Hoax calls	Total incidents
Co-ordination Centre
Aberdeen	188	469	13	670
Clyde	256	150	9	415
Dover	258	294	7	559
Falmouth	345	544	6	895
Swansea	515	411	32	958
Yarmouth	191	303	11	505
Sub Centre
Belfast	174	114	15	303
Brixham	456	255	9	720
Forth	160	137	19	316
Holyhead	322	210	21	553
Humber	375	129	4	508
Liverpool	274	235	14	523
Milford Haven	253	180	12	445
Oban	180	70	5	255
Pentland	85	46	2	133
Portland	548	318	8	874
Shetland	90	32	1	123
Solent	751	418	38	1,207
Stornoway	149	74	1	224
Thames	512	252	7	771
Tyne Tees	219	98	17	334

1997 Statistics
	Assistance rendered	Assistance not rendered	Hoax calls	Total incidents
Co-ordination Centre
Aberdeen	217	536	10	763
Clyde	267	176	14	457
Dover	266	340	13	619
Falmouth	357	612	6	975
Swansea	471	309	15	795
Yarmouth	223	268	16	507
Sub Centre
Belfast	167	113	12	292
Brixham	476	286	14	776
Forth	176	149	5	330
Holyhead	384	239	15	638
Humber	331	153	5	489
Liverpool	351	321	19	691
Milford Haven	266	208	8	482
Oban	222	41	4	267
Pentland	101	39	0	140
Portland	494	307	13	814

1997 Statistics
	Assistance rendered	Assistance not rendered	Hoax calls	Total incidents
Shetland	133	20	0	153
Solent	768	331	59	1,158
Stornoway	154	84	0	238
Thames	476	196	33	705
Tyne Tees	256	108	14	378

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the allocations for the 1998–99 round of the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund. [30676]

I shall be announcing allocations for the 1998–99 round of the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund tomorrow and shall place copies of the press notice detailing the successful authorities in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department has replied to a request from NBC Pension Trustees Ltd for funds to commence a legal action on the National Bus Pension Fund following a decision by the Pensions Ombudsman. [30678]

After fully considering the legal advice and the relevant background, I have authorised my Department to reply to NBC Pension Trustees Ltd. offering to meet the trustees' costs with respect to a legal action on the National Bus Pension Fund.This offer is consistent with my hope that all outstanding legal matters concerning the former National Bus Company pension funds are satisfactorily resolved as soon as possible.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 February. [29276]

This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. Later today, in addition to my duties in the House, I will attend a dinner in the City with Chancellor Kohl.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new information and advice will be offered under the planned expansion of Action 2000's telephone helpline service. [29746]

I understand from Action 2000 that they plan to expand their telephone hotline service to offer a wider range of advice and good practice material, routes to training and employment opportunities and further case study material.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she has proposed exemptions for United Kingdom local authorities under the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [29667]

The key principle of MAI is non-discrimination against foreign investors. The UK has submitted national exceptions as part of the MAI process to cover those areas where our policy towards investors may discriminate on the basis of nationality. The MAI will not stand in the way of non-discriminatory regulation and, as discrimination against investors on the grounds of nationality is not a factor in UK local authority decisions, such exceptions are unnecessary.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the responsibilities of transnational corporations will be defined and clarified in the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [29664]

Most recent SPUR and SMART projects in the Lancashire area £
Scheme	Company	Offer date	Offer amount	Project title
SMART	Fluorogas Ltd., Thornton, Cleveleys	16.12.97	41,512	High Purity Fluorine Generator
SPUR 95	B & M Longworth Ltd., Blackburn	07.07.97	53,586	Chemical Reclamation System
SPUR95	Consultant Gas Eng. Ltd., Skelmersdale	31.07.97	147,000	Continuous Conveyor Kiln unit
SPURA	Custom Knight International Ltd., Preston	31.07.97	102,000	Crusader Golf
SPUR95	Gledhill (Water Storage) Ltd., Blackpool	16.10.97	67,921	Electric Combi
SPUR95	Group Eng Ltd., Leyland, Preston	11.09.97	147,000	Lighting Panel Explosive Envir
SPUR 95	H W Communications, Lancaster	22.05.97	103,515	Multifunctional Nested Codec
SPUR95	Helical Springs Ltd., Lytham St. Annes	10.07.97	32,967	Small Gas Turbine System
SPUR95	Have Fun (Footwear Ltd.), Aecrington	19.09.97	109,795	Low Cost Pu Wellington Mfg
SPUR95	J Fairburn Ltd., Burnley	20.05.97	32,558	Portable Pipe Cutting Machine
SPURA	Milbrook Instruments Ltd., Blackburn	27.01.97	123,000	The Chemical Microscope
SPUR95	Noral Micrologists Ltd., Blackburn	22.05.97	101,498	Flex Bdm Project
SPUR 95	Systems Eng Lancaster	18.07.97	101,498	Electric Cavity Scanning Sonar
SPUR95	J&W Gardner Eng., Lancaster	23.04.97	37,500	First Six Wheel Tractor

To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have agreed to exempt military plutonium in the United Kingdom from safeguards applied by the International Atomic Energy Agency's guidelines for the management of plutonium. [28470]

The guidelines for the management of plutonium were agreed among an informal group of nine countries, including the United Kingdom, to improve transparency and public confidence in the management of national holdings of civil plutonium. (I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry gave on 2 December 1997, Official Report, column 164. The guidelines apply to the management of all plutonium in all peaceful nuclear activities, and to other plutonium after it has been designated by the Government concerned as no longer required for defence purposes.All nuclear material, including plutonium, which is required by the United Kingdom for national security reasons is specifically excluded from IAEA safeguards

Companies are always subject to the national laws of the countries in which they operate. We are, in addition, pressing for the MAI to have closely associated with it the 1976 OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which encourage good corporate behaviour.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 27 January 1998, Official Report, column 162, on research and development, what research her Department is assisting in Lancashire; and if she will list the assisted projects in Chorley. [28453]

We are assisting several projects in Lancashire through SPUR (Support for products under research) and SMART—feasibility projects for companies with up to 50 employees. SPUR ended in April 1997 and became incorporated in the new SMART scheme. Grants for the last year are listed. No projects have been funded in the constituency of Chorley.The Office of Science and Technology also provides funding through its LINK programme. Support is also provided for basic and strategic research undertaken in Higher Education Institutes. Information on expenditure by County is not held centrally.under Article 1(a) of the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement (INFCIRC/263) of October 1978. Although the plutonium guidelines themselves do not deal with safeguards, in its Note Verbal associated with the guidelines, the United Kingdom reaffirms it commitment to submit to safeguards by the IAEA on a voluntary basis under its safeguards agreement with the IAEA and Euratom, or by the Commission of the European Community under the Euratom Treaty, all plutonium in peaceful nuclear activities, including any plutonium transferred from military activities to peaceful nuclear activities.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 4 February 1998, Official Report, column 662, on payments due on arms sales to far eastern countries, if she will list (a) the countries involved, (b) the currencies involved and (c) the amounts involved, where payments may be due in a currency other than sterling or US dollars. [28531]

Only on some long standing defence equipment cash contracts on Malaysia has ECGD a contingent liability in a currency other than sterling or US dollars. This is in Malaysian ringitts and is currently estimated at £21 million.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total sum paid to Nabarro Nathanson solicitors for legal services in (a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [28268]

[holding answer 9 February 1998]: Payments by the DTI amounted to £48,495 in 1995–96. There were no payments in 1996–97.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a request to the European Commission under the terms of the European Merger Regulation to ensure UK jurisdiction over the regulatory aspects of any takeover bid made for a UK regional electricity company. [28337]

[holding answer 9 February 1998]: I understand from Directorate General IV of the European Commission that currently no bids for UK regional electricity companies have been notified to them under the European Community Merger Regulation. Were such a bid to be so notified my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade would consider the handling of the case on its merits at the time.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to regulate door to door selling by gas suppliers. [29602]

[holding answer 16 February 1998]: During meetings with the Director General of Gas Supply, I expressed my concerns over the misleading marketing techniques adopted by some gas suppliers. At the end of January the Office of Gas Supply introduced a new licence condition to regulate such activities. My Department will consult in the near future on possible modifications to strengthen the Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987. Both of these initiatives should enhance consumer protection with regard to doorstep selling.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received regarding the dumping of textile products onto the world market, with particular reference to thread from Thailand; and what action she is taking on this matter. [26223]

When dumping is alleged to be taking place in the European Commission that has the power to investigate complaints by the EU industries concerned and to propose anti-dumping measures, as necessary. In recent months, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has received a considerable number of representations about Commission investigations into unbleached cotton fabric and bedlinen originating in a number of countries, but not about the dumping of thread from Thailand.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the assistance she has provided to enterprise bodies in (i) the Docklands area, (ii) London, (iii) the South East of England and (iv) England in the last year for which figures are available. [30165]

My Department provides assistance to enterprise bodies primarily in the form of a contribution towards the development of services provided by Business Link partnerships. Funding is available for both setting up Business Links (pump-priming grants) and as a continuing contribution to the cost of services. The table sets out such expenditure in 1996–97, the last full year for which expenditure is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list military exercises in Europe in 1997 to show (a)British participation in major NATO exercises, (b) British national exercises involving forces from other nations, (c) exercises conducted in Europe with participation of British forces and (d) British participation in NATO/PfP exercises, in each case indicating the nations involved. [29447]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each country where British armed forces are deployed by (a) service and (b) ship, unit or aircraft excluding loan service personnel, minor short-term training deployments and personnel in administrative and command posts overseas. [29451]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the projected maximum offensive payload and range of the Eurofighter;[28022](2) what is maximum offensive payload and range of the Tornado GR7, the Tornado F3 and the Jaguar GR4. [28023]

The table provides details of the maximum offensive payload for each of the aircraft types listed. The actual payload configuration will, of course, reflect the particular needs of an operation which, in turn, would determine the range of an aircraft operating without air to air refuelling. The range figures quoted therefore represent a typical radius of operation.

Aircraft type	Maximum offensive payload (Kg)	Combat radius of operation (nm)
Tornado F3	1,500	600
Tornado GR1/1A/4	4,500	550
Harrier GR7	3,000	500
Jaguar GR1A/3	2,900	400
Eurofighter	16,500	1750
1 Representative figures quoted by Eurofighter GmbH, the prime contractor responsible for development and production of the aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy for responding to letters received in the (a) Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28049]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: The MOD complies with the Welsh Language Act 1993 which established the principle of equality between the English and Welsh languages in all public business. Letters written in Welsh therefore receive a signed reply in Welsh. Under our current policy letters written in Scottish Gaelic, Urdu, Hindi and Chinese receive a signed reply in English only.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [28930]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: During January 1998 I undertook the following engagements in the course of my duties:

Date	Event	Accessed by
15 January	Address at Joint Service Command and Staff College, Bracknell	Car
15 January	Dinner with Defence Secondary Care Agency, London	Car
19 January	Hosted lunch for the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Hungary	Car
20 January	Seminar with Council of Territorial Auxiliary Volunteer Reserve Associations, London	Foot
23 January	Dinner at HM Naval Base, Faslane	Car
26 January	Bilateral meeting with Dutch Defence Minister, Salisbury	Aeroplane, car and helicopter
29 January	Lunch with Charterhouse Bank London	Car
29 January	Visit to Northern Ireland	Aeroplane, car and helicopter

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) past and (b) present Rosyth Dockyard employees have (i) made a claim for compensation and (ii) been awarded compensation under the Government's compensation scheme. [29438]

[holding answer 16 February 1998]: Former MOD employees and those currently employed by Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited (BRDL) at Rosyth Dockyard are entitled to compensation under the nuclear industry's no fault Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases. My Department joined the scheme in August 1994 and BRDL joined in 1997. Since August 1994, seven compensation claims have been submitted in respect of civilians who have at some time worked at Rosyth, including those now employed by BRDL. No-one has yet been awarded compensation but five of the claims are currently under investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to publicise the health and compensation schemes available to Rosyth Dockyard workers. [29441]

[holding answer 16 February 1998]: MOD joined the nuclear industry's Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases in 1994. Since then the Department has publicised the Scheme to current MOD employees through Defence Council Instructions and is currently considering a number of options for advertising the Scheme more widely to former MOD employees and their families.MOD civilian workers at Rosyth Royal Dockyard became employees of Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited (BRDL) on 1 April 1987. Ownership of the Dockyard passed to BRDL on January 1997, the same year in which the company became a member of the nuclear industry's Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases. BRDL publicised the scheme in its weekly newsletter of 23 January 1998, a copy of which was issued to all employees.The Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985 require the Appointed Doctor, a recognised physician appointed by the Health and Safety Executive's Employment Medical Advisory Service, to undertake an annual health review of classified radiation workers. Rosyth Royal Dockyard workers are made aware of the annual health reviews through the company's radiation safety training.In addition, BRDL issued a Company Notice to all industrial employees on 4 June 1997, publicising the MOD's scheme for the counselling of radiation workers and giving details of the company's own scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place for the enrichment of uranium for defence purposes. [29459]

[holding answer 17 February 1998]: The United Kingdom has sufficient enriched uranium for current defence purposes and enrichment will not again be required for some time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on (a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30072]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list expenditure on (a) defence procurement, (b) research and development, (c) running costs and (d) service wages and costs for (i) London, (ii) the South East of England, (iii) England, (iv) Scotland, (v) Wales and (vi) Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available. [30131]

My Department collects only a limited amount of information about spending in the various regions of the UK. Table 1.9 of Defence Statistics 1997, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, provides a breakdown, by region, of total expenditure by the MOD on defence equipment. No similar breakdown of expenditure on running costs or service pay is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current location in the United Kingdom of each Army regiment, the number of service and support personnel at each site, and the total wage bill for each site in the last year for which figures are available. [30128]

Much of the information requested is not held centrally but I am investigating what may be gathered. I will write to the hon. Member once my inquiries are complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and running costs of (a) Royal Naval shore stations and (b) Army core headquarters in (i) the South East of England, (ii) England, (iii) Scotland, (iv) Wales and (v) Northern Ireland. [30127]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of the nationality criteria for entry into the armed forces will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [30545]

A comprehensive review of all nationality issues for employment in the Armed Forces has just been completed. It has now been agreed that, with effect from 1 April 1998, the rules relating to nationality extraction, that is the nationality of an applicant's parents, should be relaxed in line with the changes made for Civil Servants. In the majority of cases parents of applicants will no longer need to be British or Commonwealth citizens, or Republic of Ireland nationals. In certain circumstances, where security is of paramount importance, applicants will be looked at on a case by case basis.It has also been agreed that the residency rules should be changed. The 5 year UK residency requirement for most applicants is to be relaxed to allow those who have spent less than 5 years in the UK entry into the Armed Forces.I believe that these rule changes will ensure that the Armed Forces become more open for potential recruits, particularly amongst the ethnic minorities.We have concluded that the existing rules relating to an applicant's own nationality should remain extant, namely that an applicant should be a British, British Dependent Territories or Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland national.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many meetings he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to discuss the future of Welsh farming. [28408]

I meet my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food frequently to discuss the issues of common interest including the future of Welsh agriculture. The last formal occasion was on Wednesday 11 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last held talks with Welsh farming representatives; and what matters were discussed. [28417]

I met representatives of the Welsh agriculture industry on 4, 5 and 9 February. We discussed the problems currently facing the industry at the first two meetings and the long term future of Welsh agriculture at the third meeting. I also addressed the Welsh Forum of the National Farmers' Union's Annual Conference on 3 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has had with pensioners' groups in Wales to discuss cold weather payments. [28409]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress in setting up the Welsh assembly. [28410]

Excellent progress is being made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which locations in Wales have applied to house the Welsh assembly. [28411]

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from organisations based in Wales regarding the siting of the Welsh assembly. [28426]

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley).

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to broaden the background of candidates for the Welsh assembly. [28416]

The selection of candidates for the elections to the National Assembly for Wales is a matter for the political parties. I would expect the parties to ensure through their selection processes that people of ability and from the widest possible range of interests are chosen to stand in the elections.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the venue and estimated cost of the Welsh assembly. [28420]

I have not yet come to a decision on the venue of the National Assembly for Wales. Any decision needs to provide good value for money and be affordable within the resources available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from hon. Members regarding the siting of the Welsh assembly. [28423]

I have received representations both in response to my consultation paper and prior to its issue. They were both in the form of correspondence and questions in the House and came from:

• Llanelli: The right hon. Denzil Davies
• Swansea West: The right hon. Alan Williams
• Delyn: David Hanson
• Swansea East: Donald Anderson
• Clwyd West: Gareth Thomas
• Cardiff North: Julie Morgan
• Gower: Martin Caton
• Wrexham: Dr. John Marek
• Vale of Clwyd: Chris Ruane
• Alyn and Deeside: Barry Jones
• Cardiff West: Rhodri Morgan
• Caernarfon: Dafydd Wigley
• Ribble Valley: Nigel Evans
• Lichfield: Michael Fabricant
• Worthing East and Shoreham: Tim Loughton
• Shropshire North: Owen Paterson
• Ashford: Damian Green
• Ruislip Northwood: John Wilkinson
• New Forest East: Julian Lewis
• Chipping Barnet: Sir Sydney Chapman
• Cambridgeshire South: Andrew Lansley
• Guildford: Nick St Aubyn
• Beckenham: Jaqui Lait.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held about the creation of a historic chapels trust for Wales since the publication of the Government's response to the second report of the Welsh Affairs Committee of Session 1992–93 on the preservation of historic buildings and ancient monuments. [28412]

Discussions have taken place between Cadw and the Redundant Historic Chapels Working Group, the Historic Buildings Council and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. As a result my Department has agreed to provide a grant of £92,000 over two years to the Wales Council for Voluntary Action to fund the establishment of a Chapels Conservation Trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to increase the representation of women on public bodies in Wales. [28413]

I am very anxious to increase the representation of women on public bodies in Wales.My Department is developing a programme with representative organisations to increase the pool of good candidates from a variety of backgrounds, making the public appointments process more accessible; making criteria more explicit and laying them open to comment; making sure that independent assessors also reflect diversity; and giving applicants more feedback and constructive suggestions about routes into public life.As part of this programme, the Department has at my request developed proposals for two exciting and innovative pilot projects which will be put into action in consultation with Welsh women MPs, local MPs and other interested organisations. I will announce further details of these projects shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the NHS trust re-configuration exercise. [28414]

I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Mr. Davies).

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what he expects will be the cost of setting up and running the partnership council in Wales. [28415]

It will be for the National Assembly and local government in Wales to decide on the size and work of the Partnership Council and, therefore, its costs. However, there is no reason why the overall costs of running the Council should be significantly different from those associated with the Central Local Partnership Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with the Minister without Portfolio about the representation of Wales in the millennium dome, Greenwich. [28418]

I am assured by my hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio that following the Prime Minister's five commitments made in June last year, the Millennium Experience will involve the whole UK. Its content will appeal to and be relevant to people of all ages and interests wherever they may live. The overarching theme, "Time to Make a Difference", and the way that this will be presented at Greenwich, will engage, inspire and educate all who visit the Experience.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his priorities in respect of school standards in Wales. [28419]

The Government's priority is to work with teachers to raise the standards of education achieved by all our young people. We have placed a particular emphasis on the need to improve literacy and numeracy skills in primary schools within the context of a broad and balanced curriculum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the (a) short-term and (b) long-term prospects of the agricultural sector in Wales. [28421]

I do not underestimate the serious nature of the difficulties that the agricultural sector in Wales is currently facing. For the longer term, general commodity markets are likely to be increasingly competitive. The way for Welsh agriculture to compete is to develop well-branded products, which can command premium prices, with a greater degree of value being added in the food supply chain in Wales. In this context, I want to see Wales developing a strong reputation for extensive, farm-assured production, including organic food.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy concerning road and canal transport. [28422]

The role that all transport modes should play in improving transport links is being considered as part of our plans to develop an integrated transport policy. The consultation exercise launched last August will lead to a UK-wide White Paper on transport later this year. At around the same time, a Welsh Transport Policy Statement will be published drawing out those issues of particular relevance and importance to Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the closure of the Optec DD factory at Buckley, Flintshire. [28424]

We were very disappointed to hear of this closure and greatly regret the job losses involved. But such decisions must remain a commercial matter for the company. The Welsh Office and its agencies nevertheless stand ready to assist wherever they can.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the expansion of health clinics in Wales. [28425]

The delivery of health care is a matter for local consideration, and it is for Health Authorities to make detailed arrangements in response to local needs. This may include the provision of health clinics by general practitioners.In July 1997, I announced a package of £2.5 million to support the development of primary and community health care in Wales. The Package, which is intended to help provide more local flexibility, included an Equity Fund of £500,000 to address inequalities in the provision of primary care services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made for road traffic growth in Wales in 1998. [28427]

The National Road Forecast (Great Britain) 1997 publication predicts that road traffic will grow between 0.65 per cent. and 2.79 per cent. during 1998. The average growth on trunk roads in Wales over recent years has tended to follow the higher prediction and I expect this to continue this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by his Department in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996 –97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will make a statement. [26616]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: Such costs are included within my Department's general administrative expenditure which is published every year in the Annual Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [26615]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: My Department purchases a range of publications. Approximate expenditure is as follows:

(a) £80,000, (b) £87,500, (c) £50,000, (d) £65,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the rates of absenteeism in his (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, for (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98 to date; and if he will make a statement. [26613]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The average number of working days sickness absence per member of staff for the Welsh Office, including the Cadw Agency, during the 1995 and 1996 calendar years was 10 and 9.03 days respectively. Statistics for the 1997 calendar year are not yet available. Separate statistics are not available for Cadw.Details of absenteeism in non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my department are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [26611]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The following expenses have been incurred by my agencies and non-departmental public bodies:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what functions he exercises in England. [29023]

In addition to the functions which I exercise collectively for the whole of the UK as a member of the Cabinet, there are certain specific functions I exercise which extend beyond Wales.I have functions with respect to the water industry, flood defence, internal drainage and the aquatic environment which extend to parts of England.For instance, the boundaries of water companies are dictated by the course of natural watersheds and so do not follow the boundary between Wales and England. Under the Water Industry Act 1991, I exercise various functions with respect to Dwr Cymru and Chester Waterworks Company whose areas extend into England, while my right. hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister exercises functions with respect to Severn Trent Water Ltd. whose area includes Montgomeryshire.I have a range of functions which Acts of Parliament require me and other Ministerial colleagues to exercise jointly. Some of these functions relate to Wales and England; others to Great Britain and others to the United Kingdom. The majority of these joint functions are to be found in legislation on agriculture. The practical effect of the legislation is that I have functions with respect to areas outside Wales, although I cannot exercise them on my own because they have to be exercised jointly.Under section 487 of the Education Act 1996, regulations make provision for me to pay local education authorities and other persons grants for education in Welsh. Although it is not the case at present, I could exercise my functions so as to pay grants in England for this purpose.My functions under the Welsh Language Act 1993 potentially affect any public body providing services to people in Wales, regardless of where the body may be located. In that sense, my functions under the 1993 Act extend beyond Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of progress in introducing playgroups in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [29431]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 4 February 1998, Official Report, columns 677–78.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he is taking to reduce the number of jet ski-related accidents in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [29378]

The issues raised by the use of jet skis are currently being considered as part of an interdepartmental review of by law powers for the coast. A discussion paper was issued for consultation in Wales in February 1997 in parallel was a similar exercise in England. The responses to these exercises are being taken into account by an Interdepartmental Working Party which will provide advice to Ministers. The Coastguard Agency is leading further work specifically to analyse the problems and identify solutions for dealing with personal watercraft, involving the Marine Safety Agency and relevant Departments.