To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates re-offended within six months of release from prisons in Wales in 1997. [31365]

It is difficult to provide figures in precisely the form requested. Figures routinely available centrally are rates of reconviction for "standard list offences" within two years of release. The latest available figures are for prisoners discharged in 1993, when the reconviction rate for those released from prison in Wales was 60%.Standard list offences include all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences (a complete list of standard list offences can be found in Appendices 4 and 5 of Criminal Statistics England and Wales, 1996, Cm 3764).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures were taken by the police during the last 12 months to raise public awareness of domestic violence. [31359]

Domestic violence is a serious crime which we are determined to tackle. All police forces now have a domestic violence policy and a unit with specific responsibility for domestic violence. How particular forces raise awareness of this issue is a matter for the chief officer of the individual police force. A new Inter-Departmental publicity campaign on domestic violence is currently under consideration by Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure the Animal Procedures Committee is giving full consideration to independent objections to the application for a project licence from Imutran before deciding whether to issue such a licence. [31690]

The Animal Procedures Committee does not issue licences, but it can advise the Secretary of State on matters relating to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.We and the Committee are well aware of objections to xenotransplantation and related research using protected animals. The Committee itself contains a wide spread of opinion on this subject and two of its members sat on the Department of Health committee, chaired by Professor Kennedy, on the ethics of xenotransplantation.The Home Office has also considered the views expressed in a report entitled "Animal-to-human organ transplants: A medical and legal perspective" which was recently submitted by Doctors and Lawyers for Responsible Medicine. Xenotransplantation Concern has also recently contacted the Home Office. Officials have invited the organisation to submit its concerns in writing.The Animal Procedures Committee considered at its January meeting Imutran's application to continue an existing, licensed programme of work. It recommended, inter alia, that before deciding whether to grant the licence the Secretary of State should consult with the Department of Health and the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority on the issues of the transmission of retro-viruses from pigs to humans and on whether clinical xenotransplantation was still perceived as a likely eventual outcome of the ongoing research. A final decision on Imutran's application will not be made until we have received their reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 1998, Official Report, column 387, what percentage of procedures for animal testing approved by his Department led to published research in each of the last 10 years. [31748]

Records containing this information are not kept centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to amend the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 to bring circus permanent holding facilities within its scope. [31688]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his Questions on 12 February 1998, Official Report, columns 346–47.There is already legislation which applies to circus winter training quarters: the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925.The All Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare is currently preparing a full report on the welfare of circus animals. In considering the legal framework required for circuses, the Government will examine carefully its recommendation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to reply to the letter of 24 October 1997 from the National Anti-Vivisection Society; and if he will place a copy of the correspondence in the Library. [31684]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 27 November 1997, Official Report, columns 611–12.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total value of seizures of heroin by (a) customs and (b) police in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage he estimates those figures represent of the totals of heroin consumed in the United Kingdom. [31485]

The value of heroin seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the last ten years was as follows:

Year	Value (£ million—not inflation adjusted)
1987	48.9
1988	59.3
1989	85.3
1990	81.2
1991	40.0
1992	51.6
1993	97.9
1994	57.4
1995	115.6
1996	59.3

Whilst Customs produce estimates of the value of their drug seizures, police forces do not make similar estimates. This is because value varies from time to time and from place to place, and is dependent on purity. Information on established street value is not collected centrally.Since drug misuse is by its nature a clandestine activity, there is no reliable information on the estimated quantity of drugs consumed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate of the eventual amount of compensation on Options A, B and C of the Firearms Compensation Scheme; and when he expects to be able to finalise payment, under each category. [30799]

Based on the values of the claims examined so far, we now believe the overall cost of the compensation schemes for large-calibre handguns and small-calibre pistols, including Home Office and police administrative costs, will be about £128 million. This figure is subject to further revision as the values of those items being claimed under the small-calibre Scheme are received in the Home Office Firearms Compensation Section, and the exact details of the claims under the large-calibre Scheme still to be registered, become known. The great majority of payments under Options A and B of the large-calibre compensation scheme should he completed by the end of March, and most, if not all, of the payments under Option C should be made by the end of the year. Payments under the statutory surrender scheme for small-calibre pistols should also be completed by the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on disclosure of details of military and related police assistance provided to foreign governments; and if he will make a statement. [32535]

Military and related police assistance is provided in support of a range of foreign and defence policy aims. It can be an important factor in the development of the United Kingdom's relations with countries in all parts of the world, and can make a significant contribution to regional stability by promoting military effectiveness, which helps to deter aggression. This assistance is a key element of defence diplomacy. All requests for military assistance are considered in the light of the Government's wider foreign policy.Many foreign governments regard such assistance as contributing to their national Security and are thus sensitive about public disclosure of information about it. Because of this sensitivity it has been the practice of Ministers to decline to answer questions concerning the detail and nature of training assistance. This convention has continued to apply since the introduction of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which recognises defence, security and international relations as reasons for withholding information.My Department, in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth office and others, has been considering this practice against the Government's commitment to openness. As a result, my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I, have decided that the public interest would be served by greater disclosure of the details of military and related police assistance provided to foreign governments. In future, details of the amount of assistance provided by our Armed Forces will be produced annually and published in my Department's Performance Report, starting with that to be produced following the end of this financial year. These details will include the numbers of overseas personnel trained, by country, the numbers of United Kingdom personnel involved in providing training or assistance overseas, again by country, and levels of any subsidies provided by my Department. My hon. Friend will publish details of the training subsidy programme funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This information will also be made available to the public on request.All other requests for information in relation to training and assistance provided will, with immediate effect, be considered on their individual merits, but with a presumption towards disclosure unless this would be against the public interest as governed by the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. In practice it is possible that information may need to be withheld where foreign countries have legitimate security concerns, where our bilateral relations might be damaged or significantly weakened by disclosure, or where disclosure would harm our own national security. We would also not normally intend to make available personal details of students or training personnel, for reasons of personal privacy, or provide information which might threaten the safety of individuals. Where specific harm could be demonstrated by a contractor to his sales prospects as a result of releasing information on military assistance, this would be weighed against the public interest in deciding to what extent disclosure should proceed. But the amount of information withheld will be kept to the minimum.This new practice represents an appropriate balance between the need to ensure that genuine defence and foreign policy interests are protected, and legitimate Parliamentary and public interest in these matters. It will ensure that significantly more information is available than has previously been the case.I will be writing to those Members who have been given holding responses to questions about the details of our military assistance programmes while the review has been underway, and will place copies of my letters in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many secretarial and support staff work full-time in support of his political advisers in his Department. [25192]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: One.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many overseas visits have been made by his Department's political advisers at public expense since 1 May. [25169]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: Four.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the future land and accommodation requirements for Marchwood Military Port. [31304]

An assessment of future land and accommodation requirements for Marchwood Military Port will be made once the future forces structures, deployment time frames and sustainment requirements of a deployed force have been agreed as part of ongoing Strategic Defence Review work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to dispose of land at Marchwood Military Port. [31305]

There is no current intention to dispose of land at Marchwood Military Port.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the rules for the roulement of army, navy and RAF forces in peacekeeping deployments. [31343]

There are no hard and fast rules for the roulement of British forces engaged in peacekeeping deployments. We do, however, take very seriously indeed the need to minimise the disruption caused by overseas deployments. In general, we aim, where possible, to rotate personnel engaged in peacekeeping operations at intervals of between two and nine months.In all cases, consideration of the length of any given deployment reflects the nature of the task, the size of the pool from which the deployed personnel are drawn and the time elapsed since the last deployment (of either the individual or unit). Other factors may, however, cause certain categories of personnel to be rotated more frequently than others. The specialist surgeons, physicians and anaesthetists deployed to Bosnia, for example, are frequently rotated, thereby allowing them to maintain currency in specialist skills that cannot be trained for in theatre. Conversely, where individuals or units with more unique capabilities are deployed, and where their skills cannot easily be replaced in theatre, such personnel may be rotated less frequently than others.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many foreign service men and women are currently stationed in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Wales. [31368]

This information is not held centrally. However, from the records that are available, the information requested is as follows:

• United Kingdom: 12,249
• Wales: 11.

These figures include overseas personnel on training courses in the UK; United States and other NATO personnel based in the UK; military personnel attached to Embassies and High Commissions; and foreign personnel serving on exchange appointments with our Armed Forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to announce the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review before 31 July. [31455]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) on 25 November 1997, Official Report, columns 499–500.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many qualified lawyers are employed by Army Legal Services (a) in the UK, (b) in Germany and (c) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [31475]

[holding answer 26 February 1998]: There are presently 41 qualified lawyers employed as Army officers in the UK, 15 in Germany and five elsewhere. The establishment is expected to increase over the next year to approximately 70, reflecting an increased workload, consequent upon changes to national and European legislation and a major reorganisation of the Army disciplinary system arising out of the Armed Forces Act 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total deployment of (a) Navy, (b) RAF and (c) Army personnel and equipment around Iraq since the start of the current crisis. [31486]

Since the start of the current crisis in mid-January, the UK's military presence in the Gulf region has been augmented by some 1,000 RN, 600 RAF and 50 Army personnel as a result of the deployment of HMS Invincible with her complement of RN and RAF Harrier aircraft, the RFA Fort Victoria, and a detachment of Tornado aircraft to Kuwait. Additional support aircraft have also been deployed to Bahrain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total additional cost of deployment of service personnel and equipment in the Middle East has been to date. [31487]

Up to 24 February 1998, the total additional cost to the MOD of the United Kingdom forces currently deployed in the Gulf amounted to £3.2 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military personnel on non-NATO duties have been stationed in (a) Turkey and (b) Iraq in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [31490]

Operation Warden, the UK contribution to coalition air patrols at the northern no-fly-zone over Iraq was established in 1991. Since then, there have been, at any one time, an average of 185 UK military personnel based in Turkey supporting the operation. Two military officers are employed in the Defence Section of the British Embassy in Ankara.Five UK military personnel were based in Zakho in northern Iraq as part of the military coordination committee (which provided a military presence to reassure Kurdish areas of northern Iraq and to liaise with aid agencies in the area) between 1991 and September 1996. One member of the UK armed forces is based in the Baghdad monitoring and verification Centre as part of the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) aerial inspection team. A number of other UK military personnel have served with UNSCOM on inspection duties for short periods of time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will establish an Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objection for members of the British armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [31675]

The Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objectors, which is a Non-Departmental Public Body, was established by administrative action in 1970. It is responsible for advising the Secretary of State for Defence on all claims of conscientious objection to further service made by officers and other ranks of the Armed Forces whose applications for permission to retire, or to resign their commissions, or for discharge, have been refused by the Service authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she has taken to protect indigenous people and the wider environment in the area subject to forest fires in Indonesia. [31682]

Protection from present fires in Indonesia is of course the responsibility of the Indonesian authorities. We are helping pilot improvements to the way forests are managed that will give poor forest-dependent people a greater say, and will be seeking changes to the incentives that encourage forest to be converted to other uses.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many works of art she has borrowed for use in her offices; which organisations she has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance she received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31566]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the total official debt owed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what was the amount spent by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the former Zaire on (a) debt service, (b) health and (c) education, in terms of (i) US dollars, (ii) US dollars per capita, (iii) percentage of GNP and (iv) percentage of government expenditure, in each of the last three years. [31669]

Reliable budgetary statistics are not available. However, the World Bank estimated total outstanding debt in 1996 at US$ 12.8 billion, equivalent to 200% of GNP. It was 36% in arrears. There is little detailed information on public expenditure. The World Bank is mounting a mission next month to tackle this. We hope to provide an expert for the team.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the total official debt owed by Rwanda; and what was the amount spent by Rwanda on (a) debt service, (b) health and (c) education in terms of (i) US dollars, (ii) US dollars per capita, (iii) percentage of GNP and (iv) percentage of government expenditure in each of the last three years. [31670]

Reliable budgetary statistics are not readily available. However, the World Bank estimates total external debt, including arrears at about US$1 billion (84 per cent. of GDP), and the domestic debt including arrears at US$223 million. In 1997, debt service payments accounted for 12 per cent. of the budget. Spending on the social sectors has increased in recent years, representing 43 per cent. of recurrent expenditure in 1997, compared to 23 per cent. in 1996. In addition, over 50 per cent. of the development budget is allocated to the social sectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list those visits made within the United Kingdom since 1 May on which (a) she and (b) other Ministers within her Department have been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code indicating (i) those persons accompanying and (ii) the cost to public funds. [23760]

Neither myself or my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, have been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps she intends to take to ensure that officers from the Benefits Agency are trained in dealing with stroke victims. [31388]

This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account was taken of the barriers to employment faced by lone parents with disabled children in receipt of the carer's premium when deciding to abolish the lone parent premium for income support. [31858]

The benefits system recognises that parents who are caring for a disabled child have additional costs. That is why Income Support includes a carer premium and disabled child premium which may be paid in addition to any other premium. The premiums are also available to working lone parents who qualify for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many works of art she has borrowed for use in her offices; which organisations she has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance she received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31569]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons the standard interest rate used for income support mortgage interest payments excludes lenders who are not building societies. [31881]

Building societies continue to provide a broad range of products in a very competitive market. The standard rate is based on variable rates of mortgage interest and excludes discounted and fixed rate mortgages which are available to many borrowers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when her Department expects to reply to the letter dated 20 September 1997, from N. G. Wells of Applegarth, Water End Road, Beacons Bottom, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, which was forwarded to her from HM Treasury on 6 October 1997. [31672]

A reply was sent on 26 February and will be copied to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 24 February 1998, Official Report, column 217, relating to social security expenditure, if she will express the figures in 1996–97 prices using the gross domestic product deflator; and if she will provide figures for the years after 1996–97 for which departmental public expenditure plans exist. [31882]

The information is set out in the table.

£ million
Year	Total Social Security (1996–97 prices)	Cyclical Social Security (1996–97 prices)
1978–79	51,072	5,020
1979–80	51,691	4,491
1980–81	52,857	6,049

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what share of the cost of clearing the Holyrood site is to be borne by the purchaser and what share will be met from public funds, with respect to (i) known asbestos hazard and (ii) unforeseen asbestos hazard. [30853]

Asbestos within the existing buildings at Holyrood is stable and safe if it is handled appropriately. It will be removed by Scottish and Newcastle at their expense, or by the main contractor at no extra cost to public funds. The commercial arrangements for dealing with any unforeseen conditions on the site were set out in the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member on 17 February 1998, Official Report, column 581.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the baseline survey on areas likely to be affected by the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm began; and if he will request Scottish Natural Heritage and the Highland Council to publish their results and engage in public consultation prior to its approval. [31230]

The baseline survey began in September 1997 and will be carried out over a 12 month period. The survey is intended to provide a factual description of the existing condition of an area delineated under the terms of the S50 Agreement involving the Highland Council and the developer. Scottish Natural Heritage and the Highland Council intend to make the survey results publicly available, unless there are good reasons for withholding certain information, for example to safeguard the location of specific nest sites. SNH and the Council will consult over the survey results if they consider it necessary but the information will essentially be factual and uncontentious.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the areas protected by the S.50 agreement relating to the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm. [31241]

The agreement to which Scottish Natural Heritage is a party and the associated Visitor Management Plan will provide protection for land around Cairngorm including parts of the Cairngorms Special Protection Area and candidate Special Area of Conservation and the related SSSIs. These areas include woodland, moorland and montane habitats stretching from Loch Morlich to the montane plateau.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings (a) he and (b) his officials have had with officials of the European Commission to discuss (i) the boundaries of the SPA/SAC on Cairngorm and (ii) the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm. [31237]

Neither my hon. Friend nor any of his officials have had formal discussions with officials of the European Commission to discuss the boundaries of the Cairngorms SPA or candidate SAC.The award of ERDF grant to the proposed funicular railway has been discussed by his officials with the Commission officials on many occasions, as is usual for all large projects. The latest discussion took place on 19 January 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will request (a) Highland Council and (b) Scottish Natural Heritage to publish the proposed monitoring scheme for the funicular railway on Cairngorm and to consult the public and interested parties prior to its approval. [31245]

Both the Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage have expressed their intention to undertake a public consultation on the proposed monitoring scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he consulted the Chairman of the Cairngorms Partnership on the proposed Cairngorm funicular; and what advice he was given. [31214]

Consideration of the planning application for the proposed Cairngorm funicular was a matter for the planning authority, the Highland Council, which granted planning approval on 27 March 1997. My right hon. Friend had no reason to consult the Chairman of the Cairngorms Partnership on this subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the non-statutory agreements to be drawn up between departments of the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Executive. [32205]

The White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" noted that the Scottish Executive and Departments of the UK Government will need to develop mutual understandings covering the appropriate exchange of information, advance notification and joint working.The Government have produced guidance for departments setting out the main principles which might govern such non-statutory agreements. Their aim will be to ensure that the business of government in Scotland and at the UK level is conducted smoothly, by setting the ground rules for administrative co-operation and exchange of information. Their purpose is not to create legal obligations or restrictions on any party, or to constrain the discretion of the Scottish Executive, or Parliament, or that of UK Government Departments.Work on draft concordats will proceed before devolution, but they cannot be agreed until the Scottish Executive is established. The coverage of each agreement would be a matter for the Scottish Executive and the UK Government to agree. Likely common topics include: consultation arrangements in relation to proposals for legislation and executive action; exchange of policy papers, analysis and statistics; participation in working groups and official committees; liaison on EU and international matters; and consultation about UK/GB public bodies.Copies of the guidance have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many works of art he has borrowed for use in his offices and official residence; which organisations he has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance he received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31559]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the (a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) his Department, (ii) his agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which he has responsibility, in (A) 1995–96, (B) 1996–97, (C) 1997–98 to date and (D) 1997–98 full year. [26663]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The cost to the FCO for empty or under-utilised properties in the UK has been: (A) 1995–96: £178,617; (B) 1996–97: £131,051; (C) 1997–98: £541,500 and (D) 1997–98 full year projection: £770,162. 1997–98 figures include the Old Admiralty Building in Central London which was vacated in November 1997 pending refurbishment beginning this month.The FCO's Agency Wilton Park, has no empty or under-utilised properties.In respect of the Overseas Estate and FCO's non-Departmental public bodies, the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the conferences held by his Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the (a) purpose and (b) estimated cost. [27799]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: This Department has held the following international conferences since 1 May 1997:

24–27 October 1997:Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). CHOGM's are held every two years to enable Commonwealth Heads of Government to discuss key issues, and give political direction to the work of the Commonwealth. We were glad to host CHOGM as a demonstration of our commitment to the Commonwealth. The estimated cost is £7,05 million inclusive of VAT.

2–4 December 1997:The London Conference on Nazi Gold. The aim was to pool international information on gold looted by the Nazi's from countries and individuals and what subsequently happened to it. The conference established a sound body of fact which Governments and other decision takers can use as a basis for future actions. The estimated cost is £300,000 inclusive of VAT.

8 January 1998:UK/EU Commissioners Meeting. The purpose was to discuss priorities for the UK Presidency of the European Union. The estimated cost is £76,767 exclusive of VAT.

12–13 February 1998:UK/Caribbean Forum. The Forum achieved its objective, a fresh opportunity for the UK, at an early stage in its EU Presidency, to demonstrate its interest and concern for the problems of the Commonwealth Caribbean. The estimated cost was £150,000 inclusive of VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on man-made river projects in Libya; and if he will make a statement. [31358]

The Great Man Made River (GMMR) is a Libyan Government Project to transport water by pipeline from underground acquifers in the central desert to the coastal areas to provide water for irrigation, industry and domestic consumption.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the Libyan facility at Tarhuna; and if he will make a statement. [31357]

We are concerned about recurring media reports of the development of a chemical weapons plant at Tarhuna in Libya. We follow developments closely. We look to Libya to allay suspicions of its involvement with chemical weapons, including by accession to the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention which came into force in April 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to secure the release of the Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima; what recent representations he has made to the Chinese authorities on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [31689]

Nyima's case is one of a list of individual cases raised with Chinese leaders by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary when he visited China in January. Nyima's case was also raised during the latest round of EU/China talks on 24 February. We are concerned about his continued detention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to secure compliance with the outstanding UN resolutions in respect of Tibet. [31687]

We continue to share the concerns about human rights in Tibet which have been the subject of past UN resolutions. We will continue to raise the issue with the Chinese at every opportunity. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did this most recently when he met Chinese leaders in January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has undertaken with representatives of the rival groups in Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [31676]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 23 February 1998, Official Report, column 34.It is our view that the legitimate government of President Kabbah should be restored to power in Sierra Leone. We have called for the restoration of the democratically elected President, the establishment of a broadly based government and for all parties to move to a process of disarmament and demobilisation.I discussed the situation in Sierra Leone with President Kabbah on 20 February 1998. Our Deputy High Commissioner returned on a reconnaissance visit to Freetown on 23 February 1998 and is in contact with various groups in the city. It remains our belief that there is a need for rapid United Nations engagement, which we are discussing with members of the UN Security Council and the Secretariat.The Commonwealth Ministerial Action group will discuss the situation in Sierra Leone at its meeting on 2–3 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring of Turkey's armed activities in Iraq have been undertaken by FCO officials; and what representations have been made to the government of Turkey. [31489]

We are aware of recent reports of Turkish military activity in northern Iraq. These have however been denied by the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have offered no confirmation of these reports.As for the previous military activity in northern Iraq undertaken by Turkey in October last year, I raised our concerns with the Turkish Foreign Minister in Ankara. I stressed then that Turkey's intervention on behalf of the KDP was at odds with Turkey's role as co-sponsor of the Ankara process of reconciliation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many works of art he has borrowed for use in his offices and official residence; which organisations he has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance he received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31563]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the United Kingdom holding the EU Presidency. [31393]

The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.However, the current estimated forecast cost to the FCO for the European Council and other FCO-led Presidency events stands at £11.337 million (excluding VAT).

To ask the Prime Minister what is the maximum number of guests that can be accommodated for (a) official receptions and (b) official lunches or dinners at 10 Downing street in the state reception and dining rooms. [31452]

Downing street can accommodate usually no more than 200 people at a general reception, and at most 65 at a lunch or dinner in the State Dining Room.

To ask the Prime Minister how many works of art he has borrowed for use in his offices and official residence; which organisations he has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance he received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31554]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the provision of inadequate (a) travel insurance and (b) motor vehicle warranties from non-specialist sources since the introduction of higher insurance premium tax.[31113]

[holding answer 25 February 1998]: I have received no such representations about motor vehicle warranties. Some travel agents have included within their representations against the higher rate of insurance premium tax concerns about the service provided by non-travel specialist outlets to buyers of travel insurance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the number of welfare-to-work receptions he plans to hold at 11 Downing street in 1998, including the dates of the proposed receptions, how much each reception is budgeted to cost, and who will be paying for each reception; [31681](2) if he will list the welfare-to-work receptions he has held at 11 Downing street since 1 May 1997, stating the dates of the receptions, how much each reception cost and who paid for each reception. [31680]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 26 February 1998, Official Report, columns 358–59.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of revenue forgone by the Exchequer since barn conversions were zero-rated for VAT. [30972]

Specific details for barn conversions are not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give per capita gross domestic product figures for Staffordshire as a proportion of the EU average in (a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [31322]

I have been asked to reply.The latest figures published by Eurostat (the Statistical Office of the European Community) are for 1994, and were published in April 1997. These show that the GDP per head for Staffordshire in 1993 and 1994 was 78 and 77 per cent. respectively of the European Union average. Figures for 1995, together with revisions for earlier years, are expected to be published by Eurostat in March 1998.

To ask the President of the Council how many works of art she has borrowed for use in her offices; which organisations she has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance she received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31568]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many works of art he has borrowed for use in his offices; which organisations he has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance he received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31557]

I am replying on behalf of all the Ministers to whom the hon. Member has addressed her questions.A total of 186 works of art have been borrowed since 1 May 1997 from or via the Government Art Collection (GAC) for the offices and official residences of the Ministers named in the hon. Member's questions. The basis on which the GAC has made works of art available is exactly the same as under the previous administration.Other than the GAC, the following organisations have lent works of art via the GAC:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his policy for responding to letters received in the (a) Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28066]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: My Department's policy is to attempt to reply in the language of the letter received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from which insurance companies his Department's library has sought the most recent annual report and accounts in the last year. [31323]

The Library keeps full records of requests for information only for two months. During this period the DCMS Library has sought the 1996 annual report and accounts from Benfield Reinsurance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 23 February 1998, Official Report, column 28, on the new opportunities fund, for what reason the Minister for Arts described the National Lottery Bill [Lords] as the statutory authority for the shadow accounts in his oral answer of 16 February 1998, Official Report, column 750. [31484]

[holding answer 26 February 1998]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Arts was seeking to explain that the National Lottery Bill, if and when it is passed, will provide statutory authority for the reallocation of funds between the good causes which the shadow accounts prefigure. Neither the distributing bodies nor my Department need any specific statutory authority to maintain those shadow accounts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which regions of Britain are served by a regional film commission. [31530]

[holding answer 26 February 1998]: In addition to the British Film Commission, there are 24 film commissions serving the whole of the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to provide financial support to the London Film Commission. [31529]

[holding answer 26 February 1998]: I am currently considering this matter with the London Film Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from the Creative Taskforce and the Film Industry Review Group concerning the future of the London Film Commission. [31528]

The Film Policy Review Group considered the position of the UK network of film commissions, including the London Film Commission (LFC), during its deliberations. The review's conclusions will be published on 25 March.Documents considered by the Creative Industries Taskforce have also noted the role of the LFC within the context of film industry support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received regarding the future of the London Film Commission. [31527]

[holding answer 26 February 1998]: I have received representations regarding the future of the London Film Commission (LFC) from Mr. David Potter and Ms Christabel Albery of the LFC, the hon. Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Ainsworth), Mr. Richard Ross, Vice President of Production at Universal Studios, and from the right hon. Member himself.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many works of art he has borrowed for use in his offices; which organisations he has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance he received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31562]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students applied for student loans in 1996–97; how many students who graduated in each year between 1989 and 1997 are in debt to the Student Loans Company; and if he will make a statement. [30843]

These are matters for the Student Loans Company. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children at Key Stage 1 are in classes of 30 children or more. [31855]

681,092 pupils were in Key Stage 1 classes of 30 or more pupils taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in England in January 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if it is his intention to continue with the New Deal programme once the revenue from the windfall tax is exhausted. [31857]

Money from the Windfall tax will finance the New Deal for the full Parliament. We will be monitoring and evaluating the New Deal carefully and will take decisions about the future based on evaluation evidence and the availability of resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he proposes to undertake a quinquennial review of the Further Education Funding Council for England. [32272]

In accordance with the Government's policy of quinquennial reviews of non-departmental public bodies, the Department will conduct a thorough review of the Further Education Funding Council in 1998. The first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study with the following terms of reference:

(i)to review the Further Education Funding Council's functions, and the likely need in future for those functions;

(ii)to consider the powers, terms of reference, constitutional status, membership and activities of the Further Education Funding Council;

(iii)to consider whether some or all of the functions of the Further Education Funding Council can be performed through other means;

(iv)to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Further Education Funding Council in carrying out its functions.

This study is now underway and I should welcome comments from interested parties. Comments, which may be made public unless respondents specifically request otherwise, should be sent by Tuesday 31 March to: Mr. Adrian Shaw, Divisional Manager Further Education Division, Department for Education and Employment, Room 1.82, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what actions he is taking regarding the concerns expressed about the standards of pupil welfare at the Royal Ballet School. [32273]

We have taken firm steps to deal with those concerns. Richmond upon Thames Social Services Department has reported to me on the findings of its inspection of pupil welfare arrangements at the Royal Ballet School. It has recommended that the School should develop written policies and procedures for implementing equal opportunities and for dealing with complaints and with bullying; improve its pastoral support system and its methods of communicating with parents; review aspects of its approach to ballet teaching and pupil assessment; and enhance staff supervision, support and training. The Government endorse these recommendations. We have asked the School to prepare an action plan to implement these recommendations within a specified timescale, and the Social Services Department to monitor progress and undertake a follow-up inspection in the Autumn. We are also inviting OFSTED to undertake a full inspection of other aspects of the School's working during 1998–99.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many teachers who left the teaching profession in Wales last year, by education authority, did so on grounds of stress and ill health. [31367]

The following table shows the latest available data on the number of teacher retirements due to ill-health. Details of stress-related retirements are not held centrally:

Number of teacher retirements due to ill-health 1996/971
LEA 2	Maintained Schools3	Other4
Clwyd	21	1
Dyfed	25	2
Gwent	16	2
Gwynedd (Pre LGR)	9	4
Mid Glamorgan	28	4
Powys	8	1
South Glamorgan	5	3
West Glamorgan	10	2
Anglesey	8	0
Gwynedd (Post LGR)	11	2
Conwy	5	2
Denbighshire	8	0
Flintshire	4	1
Wrexham	8	1
Powys	8	0
Ceredigion	22	1
Pembrokeshire	9	0
Carmarthenshire	17	2

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement regarding the concordats to be drawn up between departments of the United Kingdom Government and the National Assembly for Wales. [32534]

The White Paper "A Voice for Wales" noted that the Assembly would need to work in close partnership with those Whitehall departments responsible for developing policies or preparing secondary legislation for England, on matters which in Wales, would be the responsibility of the Assembly. It also noted that the Assembly's officials and their Whitehall counterparts would need to consult each other on a range of issues; the basis of the consultations would be set out in concordats.The Government have produced guidance setting out the principles which might govern the concordats. Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to respond to the Report of the 'Sea Empress' Environmental Evaluation Committee. [32533]

I welcome the Report, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. I am grateful to the Committee, under the Chairmanship of Professor Ron Edwards, for their work. I would welcome comments on the recommendations by the end of March and hope to be able to respond to the Report in May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many works of art he has borrowed for use in his offices; which organisations he has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance he received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31565]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today. In addition, there are four works of art from the National Museums and Galleries of Wales in my office in Cardiff.

To ask the Attorney-General how many of his officials attended conferences (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas; and how many and what percentage made (i) oral and (ii) written contributions to the matters under discussion in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [31182]

Figures are not kept centrally but from an examination of records in Treasury Solicitor's Department and in my own Department the position for 1997 would appear to be as follows:

Treasury Solicitor's Department

During 1997 the Treasury Solicitor's Department sent 22 delegates to a variety of seminars and conferences all of which were in the United Kingdom. Two delegates (9 per cent.) made oral contributions. No written contributions were made.

Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

To ask the Attorney-General what advice he has issued to the Government on the legality of an attack by the United Kingdom on Iraq under existing United Nations resolutions. [31228]

There is a long-standing convention, followed by successive Law Officers, that neither the substance of the Law Officers' advice, nor the fact they have been consulted, is disclosed outside Government. I see no reason for departure from that convention on this occasion.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list by computer system, the contractors employed by (a) his Department, (b) non-departmental bodies and (c) agencies

Organisation	Major systems commissioned 1993–94 to 1997–98	Main contractors
Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters	NEXUS Office Automation System	Headquarters staff specified and purchased software and hardware with assistance from a number of contractors.
Court Service	CCBC County Court Processing System	Digital Equipment Co. Ltd; Hoskyns Group pic (CAP GEMINI); Myriad Computer Services Ltd.
	BACCHUS Case Management System	Admiral Computing Ltd.
	MIDAS Management Information and Accounting System	Digital Equipment Co. Ltd; Grasshopper Computers Ltd.
	MANIFEST Accommodation Management System	Digital Equipment Co. Ltd; Information Initiatives Ltd; CSS Trident
	SOAP Office Automation System	Court Service staff specified and purchased software and hardware with assistance from a number of contractors.
Public Trust Office	REACS Receivership Accounting System	Miles 33 pic.
	AAS Accruals Accounting System	K2 Ltd.
	Management Information System	Intellect Ltd. (software) Siemens Nixdorf (hardware)
	OASIS Office Automation System	Public Trust Office staff specified and purchased software and hardware with assistance from a number of contractors.
Public Record Office	Records Information System	Logica
	Internal Communications Network	PRO staff specified and purchased software and hardware. Minimal use of contractors.
Northern Ireland Court Service	Belfast and Newtownabbey Magistrates Court System	ICL
	Court Funds Office System	ICS Computing Ltd.
	Chancery Division System	Vision
	Fee Collection System	ICL
	Resource Accounting System	Siemens Nixdorf
	Central Office System	ICL
	Fixed Penalty System	MDIS
	Personnel & Payroll System	Cyborg Systems
	PHOENIX Legal Aid Department System	ICL
Legal Aid Board	Corporate Information System	Designed and developed in-house using a combination of permanent staff and a range of individual computer specialists.

under his responsibility, for work on major computer systems commissioned between (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1997–98. [31856]

The major computer systems commissioned by the Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies between 1993–94 and 1997–98 and the main contractors employed on their development are shown in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residential homes caring for the elderly there are in each London borough. [31217]

The information requested is published in "Community Care statistics Residential personal social services for adults Detailed statistics", copies of which are in the Library. Tables L4 and L8 of the latest volume, as at March 1997, cover homes primarily for elderly and elderly mentally ill clients. Some homes primarily for other client groups may also accommodate a minority of elderly clients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many volunteer drivers for the Ambulance Service receive expenses which exceed the national average wage;[31354](2) how many volunteer drivers in the Ambulance Service work more than 30 hours per week. [31355]

Volunteer drivers are used by the ambulance service as a means of transporting non-emergency patients. They are paid by the mile and ambulance services do not keep records of hours worked. The amounts earned are not collected by the Department but it is likely that the vast majority receive expenses amounting to less than the national average wage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria will be applied to determine whether the disease transmission risks associated with xenotransplantation are of a magnitude to rule out the commencement of clinical trials. [31686]

The rapid rate of progress in the scientific knowledge surrounding xenotransplantation is such that any set criteria used to determine disease transmission risks would quickly become outdated. Nevertheless, the safety of the individuals concerned and of the public in general must be foremost in the consideration of any proposal to undertake a xenotransplantation procedure. Our position remains that clinical trials in xenotransplantation involving humans will be allowed to take place only when we are fully satisfied that the risks associated with such procedures are acceptable, taking account of all the available evidence at the time.We are advised by the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA) on these issues and on the acceptability of applications to undertake clinical trials in xenotransplantation involving humans. Any application will be assessed on its own merits and will be expected to include a full assessment of the microbiological risk of the proposed procedure. The UKXIRA will be assisted in its deliberations by independent assessors who will offer expert advice in all the relevant fields. The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens has agreed to set up a subgroup to look at the risks of various types of xenotransplant and will be a further source of advice to the UKXIRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many works of art he has borrowed for use in his offices; which organisations he has borrowed these works from; what the insurance value is of these works; what guidance he received on the acquisition of these works; if the works have yet been removed for temporary public exhibition elsewhere; and if the works have been or will be replaced on a regular basis. [31564]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state (a) for each NHS trust and (b) nationally, of the nominations received from hon. Members and local authorities for non-executive positions on NHS trust boards, the numbers who are members of the (i) Labour, (ii) Conservative and (iii) Liberal Democrat parties. [31851]

Information is not collected on the party membership of nominees or of those subsequently appointed to trust boards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the availability of domiciliary eye examinations in special schools for children with learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement. [31774]

There are no plans specifically to review the availability of domiciliary eye examinations for children at special schools. We are reviewing the domiciliary sight test scheme which, because it provides for visits to patients only at their place of residence, does not cover children at non-residential schools.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how many engagements he undertook in January which required official transport. [31778]

I have meetings with ministerial colleagues and others which require official transport in London on most working days.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will extend the proposed registration of Freemasons into all areas of public life. [31013]

Many public sector organisations have adopted codes of conduct which make provisions for the disclosure of private interests of their members and staff. Such codes reflect the specific circumstances of individual organisations, and seek to balance the privacy of individuals and the interests of the public. The main provisions are as follows:

Civil Servants. The conduct rules for civil servants require staff to disclose any interests, including membership of the freemasons, which conflict with their official duties. Civil servants in the Crown Prosecution Service will be covered by the arrangements proposed by the Home Secretary for the criminal justice system.

Executive non-departmental public bodies. Codes of conduct for staff and board members are mandatory and should include rules for publicly declaring potential conflicts of interest.

NHS Bodies. Codes of accountability for NHS Boards contain rules on publicly declaring conflicts of interest which arise in the course of conducting NHS business.

TECs and LECs. Codes of practice, employee handbooks, and guides for directors contain guidance relating to handling of potential conflicts of interest.

Further and higher education institutions. Governing bodies have issued guidance on declaring potential conflicts of interest.

The existing national code of local government conduct makes provision for the handling of non-pecuniary interests of local councillors. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, has also been considering with the Local Government Association and other interested bodies how best to develop a new ethical framework designed to ensure the highest standards of conduct by all those involved in local government. He intends to publish his proposals in the next month, and revisions will be considered in the light of these.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will commission independent research into the economic value in terms of regional regeneration of the aviation industry to the United Kingdom. [29929]

The need for research to evaluate the potential contribution from the development of regional airports to the regeneration of the regional economy which they serve is being addressed as part of the preparations for the Integrated Transport White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if, following the consultation exercise on integrated transport policy, he will develop a long-term national aviation strategy for inclusion in the Transport White Paper. [29932]

The Integrated Transport White Paper to be published later this year will establish an overall framework of integrated transport policies within which policy relevant to specific modes, including aviation, can be developed subsequently.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 1998, Official Report, column 549, on air misses, how many air misses took place in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years in categories (i) A (real risk of collision), (ii) B (possible risk of collision) and (iii) C (slight risk of collision). [30418]

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has supplied the following breakdown of Air Proximity (Airprox) incidents in UK airspace in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. The figures include both civil and military incidents. The totals differ from those provided in the Official Report, 21 January 1998, column 549, because the latter, which were taken from the CAA Annual Report and Accounts 1996–97 page 71, excluded military incidents. The definitions of categories have been adjusted to reflect the formal definitions used in Airprox reports. I have arranged for a copy of Aircraft Proximity Reports (Airprox C) Volume Twelve to be placed in the Library.

	Category A		Category B		Category C
	Airprox	Airprox	Airprox	Airprox	Airprox	Airprox
Year	P	C	P	C	P	C
1987	20	—	58	—	113	—
1988	33	—	59	—	120	—
1989	30	—	55	—	118	—
1990	25	—	51	—	119	—
1991	21	1	53	18	68	49
1992	22	4	39	13	95	46
1993	12	3	66	13	89	34
1994	12	3	51	11	91	44
1995	16	1	40	17	95	38
1996	30	7	36	22	74	42

Notes:1. Airprox (P)—reported by pilots—and Airprox (C)—reported by air traffic controllers—are categorised as A (Risk of collision); B (Safety not assured); and C (No risk of collision).2. Airprox (C) data are only available from 1991.3. Copies of the 4-monthly "Analysis of Airprox (P) in the UK" are placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library all responses to his Department's consultation on international access to regional airports. [30310]

[holding answer 19 February 1998]: No. In conducting the consultation exercise the Department made it clear to those organisations consulted that their responses would be treated on a commercially confidential basis. To place those responses in the House Library would breach that undertaking.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a list of (a) airlines and (b) other organisations which have been consulted by his Department for their views on international access to regional airports. [30309]

[holding answer 19 February 1998]: The following airlines and organisations were included in the consultation exercise, on the basis that they either operated to, or in the case of airports had regular services to, international destinations beyond the European Economic Area:

• Airtours International Limited
• Air 2000 Limited
• Air UK Limited (now KLM UK)
• Birmingham International Airport Limited
• Britannia Airways Limited
• British Airports Authority plc
• British Airways plc
• British Mediterranean Airways Limited
• British Midland Airways Limited
• Caledonian Airways Limited
• Civil Aviation Authority
• Easyjet Limited
• GB Airways Limited
• Manchester Airport plc
• Monarch Airlines Limited
• Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the cost to local authorities of cleaning up areas which have been temporarily inhabited by travellers.[31049]

The cost to local authorities of cleaning up traveller sites is not collected centrally.My Department provides guidance to local authorities in Circular no. 18/94 "Gypsy Sites Policy and Unauthorised Camping" advising that they should consider providing emergency stopping places for gipsies who visit their area regularly. The provision of such sites, perhaps with basic sanitary and refuse collection facilities, may deter gipsies from camping on more unsuitable public and private land.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the current number of travellers in the North West Region. [31053]