To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many official cars are available for use by Ministers in his Department; and how many new cars have been acquired for the use of Ministers in his Department since 1 May. [25171]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: Four official cars are available for use by Ministry of Defence Ministers and no new cars have been acquired for this purpose since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each information, promotional, marketing and opinion survey contract, with its value, concluded by his Department and its agencies for the years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–2001 and (e) 2001–2002. [32013]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance on the prevention of hearing damage has been issued to the 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards since 1979. [32588]

The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards no longer exists, having amalgamated with the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in 1992 to form the Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG). Since their formation the RDG have complied with MOD policy on occupational noise as laid down in Joint Service Publication 375 (the MOD Health and Safety Handbook) Volume 3, Chapter 13, a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House. We have no record of guidance which might have been issued separately to the 4/7 RDG before 1992 as documents which pre-date the amalgamation were not retained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of maintaining the Army presence in Northern Ireland in each year since 1995; and what is the projected figure for 1998. [32777]

The overall budgets held by the General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland) for 1995–96 to 1997–98 are as follows:

£ million
Financial year	General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland)'s budget final outturn
1995–96	475
1996–97	1514
1997–98	2508
1 This figure represents the estimated outturn given in Vote 1, section B of the 1997–98 Class I Supply Estimates (HC 335).
2 This figure represents the provision made in Vote 1, section B of the 1997–98 Class I Supply Estimates (HC 335).

The 1998–99 Estimate for the General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland)' s budget has yet to be finally approved but will be published in the Supply Estimates next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact of the delay to the Deep Waste Repository on the afloat storage of decommissioned nuclear submarines. [33272]

Afloat storage is not time limited and is safe. However, space at Devonport Naval Base and at Rosyth Royal Dockyard is finite and is expected to reach its capacity some years before any Deep Waste Repository may become available. As a result, my Department is now investigating other options, including interim land storage and other sites for storage afloat. Safety to the public and to the environment will be of paramount importance when considering the way forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy for responding to letters received in the (a) Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28055]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: A reply, where one is needed, is given to letters received in these as in other languages. The overwhelming majority of letters received a reply in English but replies to letters received in Welsh are given in Welsh. If the hon. Member has information that this policy has given rise to any difficulty I would be glad to have it and to look at the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many social workers are employed in each of the London prisons. [30571]

None. However, probation officers employed by the London prisons will normally hold social work qualifications. A total of seven senior probation officers and 41.5 probation officers are currently employed in the seven London prisons.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on 15 and 16-year-old offenders of sharing a secure young offender unit with offenders in the age group 17 to 21 years; [31279](2) if he will reduce the age range of the intake at Feltham Young Offender Unit. [31262]

No final assessment has been made of the effect on 15 and 16-year old offenders of sharing a secure young offender unit with offenders in the age group 17 to 21 years. However, the Government take the view, which has also been taken in Court Judgments and by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, that separation of juveniles is desirable. The Government are also reviewing the juvenile secure estate as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.Feltham is used exclusively for young offenders and is the only establishment which covers London. There are currently no plans to reduce the age range of its intake, but the Prison Service is reviewing provision for 15 to 17-year-olds.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the paper of 17 December 1997 written by Professor Ian McLean of Oxford University on the effect of different proportional representation formulae on the allocation of seats to parties in the European elections with particular reference to his conclusions on the use of the d'Hondt and Saint-Lague divisions. [30826]

[holding answer 23 February 1998]: Professor McLean's paper has been read with interest. The Government remain of the view that the d'Hondt divisor is the most suitable one to use for European Parliamentary elections, a view which was endorsed in a division on 26 February when the Committee of the whole House considered the European Parliamentary Elections Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegally held firearms, by category, have been handed in to the police in each of the last five years; if he will indicate how many were handed in as part of a firearms amnesty; and if he will make a statement. [31955]

Information on the number of illegal firearms handed in to the police in general is not held centrally.During the national firearms amnesty held in June 1996, the number of items surrendered was 22,823, consisting of 4,442 handguns, 1,859 rifles, 8,649 smooth bore guns, 5,361 air weapons and including 1,937 imitation firearms and 575 other.At the request of the local community and the police, my right hon. Friend endorsed a recent local amnesty held in November in the London Borough of Lambeth. A total of 24 firearms were surrendered, consisting of 16 handguns, four shot guns, two rifles and two air weapons. Additionally, four imitation firearms and a canister of pepper spray were handed in.We will continue to endorse similar initiatives which have the same excellent level of community and public support.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people the police have successfully prosecuted each year since 1990 for the offences of (a) dangerous driving, (b) careless driving and (c) failing to exercise proper control of a vehicle; and what percentage of these were using a mobile phone while driving. [31951]

Information on the number of convictions for dangerous driving and careless driving are published annually in Statistical Bulletin 'Motoring Offences, England and Wales' (table 11), a copy of which is in the Library. Careless driving includes offences of failing to exercise proper control of a vehicle, but are not separately identifiable.The proportion of offences involving the use of a mobile phone while driving is not available, as the detailed circumstances are not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons resident in Pakistan whose asylum applications were determined in each of the last three years had to wait more than (a) five years, (b) six years, (c) seven years, (d) eight years, (e) nine years and (f) 10 years for them to be finally determined. [32219]

The available information is given in the table and relates to the time taken to reach an initial decision on those asylum applications lodged in the United Kingdom by nationals of Pakistan.

Number of initial decisions made in 1995, 1996 and 1997 on asylum applications lodged in the United Kingdom for nationals of Pakistan, by time taken to reach an initial decision1
Percentage1
	Year of initial decision
Time between application and initial decision	1995	1996	1997
5 years or less	98	98	87
Between 5–6 years	1	1	7
Between 6–7 years	—	—	6
Between 7–8 years	—	—	1
Between 8–9 years	—	—	—
Between 9–10 years	—	—	—
10 years or more	—	—	—
Total	1,680(100%)	2,640(100%)	2,925(100%)
1 Estimated proportions rounded to the nearest one per cent. Due to rounding individual columns may not total 100 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by the Prison Service on (i) fuel and (ii) food in each of the last five years. [32406]

The available information is as follows:

Expenditure on all forms of fuel, namely electricity, gas, solid fuels and liquid fuels:
	£000
1992–93	29,304
1993–94	30,535
1994–95	27,683
1995–96	26,721
1996–97	26,449

Expenditure on inmates' food
	£000
1992–93	13,002
1993–94	16,321
1994–95	17,865
1995–96	19,520
1996–97	21,410

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if legal aid and a reimbursement of travel costs will be available to appellants to the Appeal Committee of the Joint Supervisory Body of Europol; [32403](2) where the proposed Joint Supervisory Body of Europol and its Appeal Committee are to be located. [32402]

These matters have not yet been decided. Both the location of the Joint Supervisory Body of Europol, and any arrangements for the provision of assistance and the reimbursement of costs to applicants to its Appeals Committee will be settled in the context of its Rules of Procedure, which are still under discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to bring forward proposals for tackling crimes of violence against women. [31786]

[holding answer 2 March 1998]: We are closely monitoring the working of the criminal justice system in relation to crimes of violence. One example of a recent initiative is the adoption by the police and other agencies of new procedures for handling cases of domestic violence. Ministers across Whitehall are co-operating in efforts to co-ordinate work to provide help and information to the victims of domestic violence.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security and Minister for Women announced in the House on 27 February 1998 the drawing up of a National Strategy to tackle all forms of violence against women.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice has been received by Ministers on the future role and funding of emergency planning on the basis of the recent consultation exercise; and for what reasons Home Office officials have declined to provide this advice to interested organisations. [32430]

A working document entitled "The future role and funding of local civil protection in England and Wales" was issued in November 1997 for discussion in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). The CSR is reviewing all aspects of public expenditure, with a view to ensuring that taxpayers' money is being spent effectively in order to fulfil the Government's manifesto commitments.It is not current practice to publish the advice given by officials to Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the statistics of the replies to the survey questionnaire on emergency planning by categories of council. [32431]

A working document entitled "The future role and funding of local civil protection in England and Wales" was issued in November 1997 for discussion in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). The CSR is reviewing all aspects of public expenditure, with a view to ensuring that taxpayers' money is being spent effectively in order to fulfil the Government's manifesto commitments.The document was sent to all the major stakeholders, including local authority Chief Executives, local authority Emergency Planning Departments, the Local Government Association, the Emergency Planning Society, the emergency services and voluntary organisations. Recipients of the working document were not asked to identify themselves when returning the questionnaire and it is therefore not possible to publish the statistics of the replies by categories of council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation process on emergency planning took place at the Home Office Emergency Planning College in Easingwold, near York, on 15 and 16 January 1998; and what was the agreed basis for a review of the future of emergency planning. [32429]

As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review across central government, the Fire and Emergency Planning Directorate of the Home Office have issued a number of Working Documents for consultation. One of these is on the future role and funding of local civil protection in England and Wales. The Workshop which took place at the Emergency Planning College on 15 and 16 January was part of this consultation process. All the major stakeholders, including the Local Government Association, the Emergency Planning Society, the emergency services and the voluntary organisations were invited to send representatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the (a) number, (b) place and (c) age and status of each victim of self-inflicted deaths in private prisons in the last five years. [32195]

[holding answer 2 March 1998]: The information requested is as follows:

Prison
Blakenhurst
1995	1 sentenced prisoner aged 37
1996	1 sentenced prisoner aged 40
	1 unsentenced prisoner aged 26
Buckley Hall
1996	1 sentenced prisoner aged 29
Doncaster
1994	2 sentenced prisoners aged 20 and 31
1995	2 unsentenced prisoners aged 20 and 16
1996	1 unsentenced prisoner aged 18
Parc
1997	1 unsentenced prisoner aged 29
The Wolds
1993	1 unsentenced prisoner aged 30
1995	1 unsentenced prisoner aged 32
1996	1 sentenced prisoner aged 33

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the workings of the Family Court Welfare Service; what plans he has to reform it; and if he will make a statement. [32047]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The performance of probation services, including work on family court welfare matters, is subject to independent review to ensure they provide a satisfactory service to the courts and the public by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation. They recently published a report of a review of family court welfare work. This found that judges and magistrates praised and valued the work of court welfare officers.As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the full range of services provided to the courts on child welfare matters within family law, including that provided by the Probation Service, is under consideration.I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer) on 16 February 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of employee travel on office business, broken down into (a) fuel allowances, (b) unproductive time during travel, (c) other costs related to car transport and (d) costs related to public transport, for (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97 and (iv) 1997–98. [32441]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: For the core Home Office (excluding the Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies) the estimates are:

(a) No fuel allowances are paid.

(b) Not available, neither productive nor unproductive time during travel is measured centrally and no reliable estimate can be made.

(c) Motor mileage allowance is paid to officials when they use their own private motor vehicles for journeys recognised by the Department as appropriate for official travel by private motor vehicle. For the years in question, the amounts paid are:

Year	£
1994–95	Disproportionate cost
1995–96	1,196,690
1996–97	1,090,207
1997–98 (year to date)	777,270

(d) Public transport costs for the years in question are:
£
Year	Overseas	Inland	Total
1994–95	638,544	Disproportionate cost	638,544
1995–96	993,768	260,448	1,254.216
1996–97	1,096,901	343,495	1,440,396
1997–981	941,404	257,333	1,198,737
1 Year to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings (a) Prison Service and (b) Probation personnel have had which involved consultation on the options for the Prison-Probation review; and if he will make a statement. [32485]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Review is being led by myself, in light of my ministerial responsibility for both services, and I am in regular touch with service representatives on this and other issues. I have appointed a Project Board to steer the work of the Review. The Board includes members of both services, and the two chief inspectors. The Board has so far met seven times. Since my right hon. Friend announced the Review on 16 July 1997, a variety of meetings have been held at which management and staff from both services have been briefed on progress and given opportunities to make their views known.Twenty-five meetings have been held with Prison Service staff, at ten of which probation staff were also present; and five with probation committee chairs and chief probation officers. In addition, consultants who are assisting the Review on costing identified options have had a number of discussions with staff from both services.As my right hon. Friend announced in July 1997, the main public consultation with all concerned will follow my consideration of the Review's examination of options for improving on present arrangements. There is no predetermined outcome; and my right hon. Friend and I shall take the views of all concerned into full account before we decide on the best way forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money was spent by the Metropolitan Police on undertaking road blocks, in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will list the occasions when road blocks were undertaken in conjunction with other agencies, other than for national security reasons. [32584]

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that there is no current requirement within the Metropolitan Police Service to keep account of the costs for road checks. The checks are a core function of the Metropolitan Police Service's work and do not incur any additional expense to the budget.During 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1997, nine road checks were carried out. Two checks were for the purpose of ascertaining whether a vehicle was carrying a person reasonably suspected of having committed a serious arrestable offence and seven checks were where it was suspected that the vehicles carried a witness to a serious arrestable offence.Operation Mermaid, a nationally co-ordinated road check involving most United Kingdom police forces targets the safe operation of commercial vehicles. The checks are undertaken on the same day and for the same duration by each participating police force.The checks for 1997 were conducted on:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take following the inquest into the death of Jason Marcus Sebastian; and if he will make a statement. [32699]

The Prison Service has now received the coroner's comments following the inquest into the death of Jason Marcus Sebastian at Belmarsh prison on 19 September 1997. The evidence which was presented at the inquest and the comments made by the coroner are being carefully considered.In the light of an internal Prison Service investigation, the governor of Belmarsh has already implemented a number of changes in the prison's procedures and personnel, and carried out a full review of the prison's suicide awareness policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions have been held in his Department since he took office; how many people have attended; and what was the total cost of these events. [25178]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: Since 1 May 1997, FCO Ministers have hosted 17 receptions attended by approximately 3,400 people at a cost of £42,786.51 (two bills are outstanding).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what categories of persons, other than his Department's staff, are permitted to use the sports and recreation facilities provided at the British High Commissions in (a) Nairobi, (b) Dar es Salaam, (c) Kampala and (d) Harare. [32631]

Sport and recreational facilities at the four British High Commissions mentioned can be used by the UK-based staff of the mission (and their dependants), other Crown Servants (and their dependants) and their invited guests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total weekly usage by officials and their families of the sport and recreation facilities provided at the British high commissions in (a) Nairobi, (b) Dar es Salaam, (c) Kampala and (d) Harare for the first week in (i) March, (ii) June and (iii) November 1997. [32629]

No records are kept of weekly usage of the sport and recreation facilities provided at the four British High Commissions mentioned. The facilities are used on a regular basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the costs for the financial year 1996–97 attributable to the operation of the sports and recreation facilities provided for officials and their families at the British high commissions in (a) Nairobi, (b) Dar es Salaam, (c) Kampala and (d) Harare. [32627]

The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Presidency has access on request to tapes held by the General Secretariat of the European Council. [32295]

The Secretariat's tapes are for the use of the Secretariat, who assist the Presidency of the day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 February 1998, Official Report, column 597, on funding for EU information projects, if he will estimate the amount spent in the United Kingdom in the current financial year. [32196]

[holding answer 2 March 1998]: The Commission Representation in the UK does not compile accounts showing all EU spending on information projects in the UK. It is therefore difficult to estimate the amount spent in the current financial year, but it is probably less than 10% of the total EU budget for such projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for March and the major European Union events for the next six months. [32950]

The information requested has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will support the appeal made by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for funds in support of the Prosecutor's 1998 programme of exhumations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [32951]

We fully support the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Progress with the exhumations work is of great importance not only for the investigation and prosecution of suspected war criminals, but for the people of the region who have lost friends and relatives during the war. I am pleased to announce that the Government are making an immediate contribution of £1.22 million ($2 million) to the Tribunal's Trust Fund so that the 1998 exhumations programme can begin on schedule on 1 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will offer financial support to the United Nations' programme to develop democratic, professional police forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a key element in implementing the Dayton Agreement. [32952]

We fully support the work of the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in particular its programme to develop a professional, effective, and democratic police force. I am pleased to announce that the Government are making an immediate contribution of up to £3 million to the UN Trust Fund for Police Restructuring, to provide equipment and training for the local police forces in both Entities, under the programme managed by the UN's International Police Task Force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he appointed a Green Transport co-ordinator; and on what date the appointment took effect. [32477]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Guide to Green Transport Plans circulated last September by the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Mr. Jackson), encouraged Departments to appoint green transport co-ordinators. My Department is actively considering this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has (a) to reduce the number of car parking spaces available for use by staff and (b) to introduce charges for staff using workplace car parking spaces. [32458]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: In line with the Guide to Green Transport Plans circulated last September by the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend The Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms Jackson) my Department will actively be considering the issue in preparing Green Transport Plans for its key buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security of supply of Britain's gas imports over the next 25 years. [32054]

I have been asked to reply.This issue is being addressed as part of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has for the reform of company law; and if she will make a statement. [33143]

I am today publishing a consultation paper, "Modern Company Law for a Competitive Economy". The paper sets out my plans for a major review of company law and its relationship with corporate governance codes. The review will focus on the Companies Act 1985. Insolvency and Financial Services legislation will not in general fall within its scope.The review is an important part of the Government's strategy to modernise the nation. While much of the relevant statute has stood the test of time, the review will ensure that company law statute can continue to underpin the growth, competitiveness and accountability of British companies into the 21 Century. It will, for example, consider whether, taking account of partnership law and the proposed Limited Liability Partnership, business has the right choice of legislative vehicles for growth. It will address the complexity of the current legislation, and ensure a structure that is clear to users; and it will seek a flexible framework of regulation which is cost effective for companies, and fair to all interests.The review will be a considered, consultative and long-term process. A Steering Group, chaired by my Department, will manage the review process; and there will be a widely-based Consultative Committee to ensure active representation of all wider interests. Full public consultation will continue at the end of this year with the first report of a first expert working group, and will continue throughout the process.The review will culminate in the publication of a White Paper on proposed company law reforms, towards the end of this Parliament.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to require employment and labour agencies to register with her Department. [32122]

My officials are considering the regulatory structure for the recruitment industry. In due course we plan to issue a consultation document on the existing regulations governing agency conduct, and I am also ready to listen to all suggestions concerning the wider regulation of the industry, including proposals for a registration system.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much (a) public, (b) private and (c) overseas money has been spent on modifying UKAEA's D2670 plant at Dounreay Nuclear Establishment to enable the reprocessing of spent fuel from the ICI TRIGA reactor at Billingham; if she will list the countries of origin of the overseas money; and if she will make a statement. [31749]

No public money will be spent on modifying the D2670 plant to undertake this work as the contractual arrangements with ICI allow for the full recovery of UKAEA's costs. Any funds required from the private sector and their sources are a matter for ICI.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action her Department is taking to express the views of the United Kingdom within the European Union on the proposed abolition of the European Duty Free purchasing schemes in 1999. [24080]

European Community excise and VAT issues are discussed in the Economic and Finance Council where the United Kingdom is represented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the Pieda Report on the impact of the abolition of duty free sales on the Scotch whisky industry; and if she will make a statement. [29456]

[holding answer 17 February 1998]: My Department is currently examining the contents of the report.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her policy for responding to letters received in the (a) Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28064]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: My Department seeks to respond in the language of the letter received.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish in the Official Report her letter of 25 February 1998 to the hon. Member for Wokingham concerning the BEUA. [32686]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: No.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions regional selective assistance has been granted to an investor in an area of intermediate assisted area status at a level higher than usual level because of the potential impact the investment will have on an adjacent area with full assisted area status in each region of England in 1997. [32556]

The ceilings for regional selective assistance in intermediate and development areas are fixed by the EU and cannot be exceeded. The Government also impose cost per job limits on the total RSA that can be offered to individual projects. Within these limits each case is judged on its own merits. One case was approved for exceptional treatment above the internal limits in 1997.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Government will announce its conclusions on the sulphur protocol, and its impact on the coal industry. [31880]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: The UNECE Second Sulphur Protocol was signed in 1994 and ratified in 1996 by the previous Government. The Government have no plans to announce retrospective conclusions on the Protocol and its impacts.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the agreements by the generators to bring forward purchases of coal from the third to the second quarter of 1998 are enforceable. [32692]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The implementation of the terms of the arrangements made in December between the electricity generators and RJB Mining is a matter for the parties concerned.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what ceiling she plans to place on offers of grant made by the regional development agencies to inward investors. [32680]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Government have made clear in their White Paper "Building Partnerships for Prosperity" (Cm 3814), that Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) will remain the responsibility of my Department. The Regional Development Agencies will have no responsibility for making offers of RSA scheme grants.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what communications she has received from the Northern Development Corporation concerning the concordat on Inward Investment; and if she has replied. [32679]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: My Department and the Northern Development Company communicate with each other on a regular basis on a wide range of business. I regard this correspondence as confidential.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much loan and cover is required from the Export Credits Guarantee Department for the 16 Hawk jets which were to be supplied to Indonesia after 1 May 1997. [32683]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: ECGD supported a £280 million loan for these aircraft in March 1996. The principal and interest guaranteed in respect to this loan totals £362 million.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action her Department is taking in the development of technology transfer to developing countries under the auspices of the convention on biological diversity. [31988]

My Department's approach to technology co-operation relevant to the objectives of the convention on biological diversity is the same as that which applies to environment-related technologies more generally. It continues to promote a framework of policies nationally and internationally, including effective protection of intellectual property rights, which encourages private investment in developing, commercialising and diffusing technology.To provide practical help, following the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 where the Convention on Biological Diversity was agreed, the UK launched the Technology Partnership Initiative. TPI, which is run by the Joint (DTI/DETR) Environmental Markets Unit (JEMU), aims to improve access by business in developing countries to information on up-to-date technological solutions and best practice available from UK companies, and foster improved business to business contacts.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many claims for compensation have been submitted to the French authorities since 1 January 1995 following lorry blockades; and how many have been (a) paid in full, (b) paid in part and (c) not paid at all. [31923]

[holding answer 2 March 1998]: I have been asked to reply.I regret that this information is not available. My Department provided detailed advice and assistance in respect of the 1996 blockades, during which many UK hauliers were stranded, and forwarded those claims that were routed through it. Other claims were submitted direct to the French authorities and so we do not know the total number. Settlement and payment of claims is a matter between the French authorities and individual claimants. My Department is continuing to work closely with the French authorities to ensure that claims are dealt with fairly within the framework of French law.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how much has been spent on (a) building and (b) refurbishing works in the parliamentary estate in each of the last five years. [32545]

The responsibility of the Accommodation and Works Committee extends only to areas of the Parliamentary estate administered by the House of Commons. Gross expenditure from the House of Commons Works Vote in each of the past five years is as tabulated.

£ million
Financial Year	New works	Maintenance
1993–94	16.448	8.898
1994–95	13.458	8.663
1995–96	25.331	7.556
1996–97	41.268	6.351
1997–98 (to date)	39.895	7.756

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings have been requested with his Department's Ministers by (a) Labour and (b) Conservative hon. Members; and how many meetings have been granted in each category. [31290]

Ministers at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions receive numerous requests for meetings from both hon. Members and organisations on the full range of the Department's responsibilities. Since 1 May 1997, Ministers have held 277 meetings at which hon. Members were present.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1998, Official Report, columns 21–25, if he will now reduce the targets for new housebuilding in the West Midlands region in the current plan period. [31512]

No. The revised provision of 335,000 for the region was based on comprehensive advice from the West Midlands Forum of Local Authorities who worked with both the House Builders Federation and the Council for the Protection of Rural England in arriving at that advice.This level of provision over the 20 year period 1991–2011 requires no more than maintaining the level of housebuilding achieved in the region during the 1990s.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of the development of new towns on green-field sites; and what representations he has received on Eagle Star's proposals for Micheldever Station, Hampshire. [31874]

National planning policy guidance on new settlements is set out in PPGs 3 and 13, and the recent policy document "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cmd 3885). It is for local authorities to decide their policy on new settlements in the light of their development plan strategy and the need to promote sustainable patterns of development.Since the publication of the Hampshire Structure Plan EIP panel report the Government have received around 30 letters of representation concerning the new settlement proposals at Micheldever Station. Lord Lucas also tabled a Lords question in June 1997. The Dever Society has recently sent me a copy of a Sustainability Assessment of BAT/Eagle Star's proposal, prepared for them by Land-Use Consultants.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance local authorities are able to offer to leaseholders who are unable to meet their share of the cost of improvement works; what additional assistance the Government propose to offer; and if he will make a statement. [31652]

There are a number of options available to local authorities to assist their leaseholders. The previous Government issued directions to local authorities and other social landlords, allowing them to reduce charges for works of improvement, repair and maintenance in some cases, and requiring them to do so in certain cases where central Government funding was being sought. Other options available to authorities include deferring charges, abating charges in extreme hardship cases, or offering discretionary loans. Local authorities also have powers to repurchase properties. It is for each authority to decide what help it can give, having regard to its existing housing priorities and its available resources.We are considering, in the context of our Comprehensive Spending Review, whether further measures are needed to help leaseholders. We intend to publish a consultation paper later this Spring on a range of issues of concern to leaseholders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what new steps his Department is taking to increase the number of bathing waters in the Blackpool/Fylde coast area that comply with EU standards. [31661]

Following my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment's call on the Environment Agency and North West Water to work together to identify the causes of failure of these bathing waters and improve performance, they announced on 26 February plans for action both in the short and long term to increase compliance with the EU standards. The Government welcome this announcement and the high priority being given to improving bathing water quality standards along this stretch of coast.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what statutory authority local authorities make a financial charge for sending out copies of district auditors' public interest reports. [31744]

Section 18(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982 requires a local authority to include with the documents open to public inspection before a meeting, a copy of any report prepared by an auditor under section 15(3) of the 1982 Act, which is to be discussed at the meeting. Section 100H of the Local Government Act 1972 provides that members of the public may require copies of such documents upon payment of a reasonable fee. Section 18A of the 1982 Act requires a local authority to provide to any member of the public on request, on payment of a reasonable sum, a copy of, or of part of, any report by an auditor under section 15(3) of the Act made to the authority before the conclusion of the audit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the information about planning requirements required to be given in response to house purchase searches in respect of listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas; and if he will make a statement. [32096]

I have no such plans. Except for information recorded on the Local Land Charges Register, the present system for dealing with search inquiries on these matters rests on voluntary arrangements agreed between local authorities and the Law Society. The Government do not determine the content of these inquiries or the information given to inquirers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what action he has taken following the failure of the database computer at Liverpool Coastguard Station on 31 January 1998; and what action he intends to take to ensure that a full maintenance programme is in place; [31948](2) if he will list by coastguard station the dates on which the station has been staffed below the recommended watch level since 1 January; [31950](3) if he will list the number of occasions telephone communications between the coastguard station on the Shetland Islands and the Scottish mainland have failed during the last 12 months. [31949]

Number of hours when watch levels fell below assessed level
	MRSC
1998	Shetland	Pentland	Forth	Tyne-Tees	Humber	Thames	Solent	Portland	Brixham	Milford Haven	Holyhead	Liverpool	Oban	Stornoway	Belfast
1 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—
2 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
3 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
5 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—
6 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—
7 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
8 Jan	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
9 Jan	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
10 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
11 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
12 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12
13 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
14 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
15 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12
16 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
17 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
18 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
19 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12
20 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
21 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
22 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—	—	—	12	—
23 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
24 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
25 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
26 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
27 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
28 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
29 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—
30 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—
31 Jan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—
1 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
3 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
5 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	5	—	—	—
6 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—	—	12	—	—	—
7 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	7	—	—	—
8 Feb	—	—	10	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
9 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—
10 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
11 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	6	—	—	—	—	—	—
12 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
13 Feb	—	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
14 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
15 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
16 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—
17 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—
18 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
19 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	5	—	—	—
20 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	7	—	—	—
21 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
22 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
23 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—
24 Feb	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—
25 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12	—
26 Feb	—	5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
27 Feb	—	7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
28 Feb	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

The failure of the Action Data System at Liverpool on 31 January was dealt with under the current 24 hour maintenance contract within the required response time. There are no plans to change this contract.In the last twelve months there have been no known occasions when the telephone communications between Shetland Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre and the Scottish Mainland have failed.There are no recommended watch levels for Her Majesty's Coastguard co-ordination centres. Suggested watch levels were set out in the "Focus for Change" review and can be varied locally following an assessment of perceived and actual operational demand and risk. The attached matrix shows, by station and date, the number of hours when watch levels were below suggested levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each information, promotional, marketing and opinion survey contract, with its value, concluded by his Department and its agencies for the years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–2001 and (e) 2001–2002. [32007]

The Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport published annual information on surveys and this practice will be continued by the combined DETR Survey Control Unit. I refer the right hon. Member to earlier responses given on this subject on 10 February 1998, Official Report, column 127 and 5 February 1998, Official Report, column 728.It is not possible to provide costs for opinion surveys that the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and its agencies have yet to carry out.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the level of the SSA on social services on elderly people in Oxfordshire. [31992]

No such assessment has been made, because the impact of any change in the level of the SSA for Personal Social Services for elderly people depends upon local authorities' decisions on the size and allocation of their budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what length of hedgerow in England and Wales has (a) been destroyed in each year from 1992 to 1997 and (b) been created in each year from 1992 to 1997. [32246]

The latest survey into changes in countryside hedgerows in England and Wales, which was undertaken by the Institute for Terrestrial Ecology, covered the years 1990 to 1993. This estimated that on average some 3,600 km of hedgerows were lost due to outright removal each year, whilst an average of 4,400 km of new hedgerows were planted per year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much land in Wales previously owned by British Rail has been disposed of for (a) industries, (b) housing and (c) other developments since privatisation; [32240](2) how much land previously owned by British Rail has been disposed of for

I regret that information on sales of land by British Rail since privatisation is not kept in the form requested. Disposal of land transferred by British Rail to Railtrack and other railway businesses at privatisation is a matter for the companies concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the proposals to improve access to open country apply to set-aside land. [32098]

Access to set-aside is already encouraged under MAFF's Countryside Access Scheme. The Government's proposals, set out in their consultation paper, "Access to the Open Countryside", identify mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land as the types of land to which priority for greater access should be given. The Government's proposals do not apply to developed land or to land used for agriculture (including set-aside), other than for extensive grazing.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of (a) changes in the population of birds of prey on grouse moorlands since 1990 and (b) the reasons for such changes. [32211]

Two species of birds of prey are associated with predation of red grouse on grouse moors, the hen harrier and the peregrine falcon. The last survey of the hen harrier was undertaken in 1988, and a further survey will commence in the summer of 1998. However, recent work on the hen harrier has indicated that their survival rate on grouse moors was lower than on other moorland habitats, and this has been attributed to illegal persecution.The peregrine falcon has significantly increased in recent years following a decline caused by the use of organochlorines in the 1950s and 1960s. However, persecution and environmental pollutants may restrict the population in some areas.