Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Thursday 12 March 1998

Environment, Transport And The Regions

Drinking Water

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will enable the Drinking Water Inspectorate to seek authorisation for a wider range of remedial works before a failure occurs. [33034]

Water companies have a duty to supply drinking water which is wholesome and it is for each company to decide how to maintain their assets to avoid future breaches of the standards. If water fails to meet quality standards, the Drinking Water Inspectorate will take enforcement action against the company, or prosecute them for supplying water unfit for human consumption.

Government Car Service

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the cost of leasing the Jaguar 4.0i LWB for the use of the Deputy Prime Minister from the Government Car Service. [32992]

[holding answer 5 March 1998]: The current weekly cost to the Department of leasing the car and a full-time driver from the Government Car Service is £1,185. The car is not provided for the exclusive use of the Deputy Prime Minister but undertakes other activities, such as the delivery of urgent papers and Ministerial boxes. The basis on which the leasing costs are determined are the same as those which applied to the previous Administration and apply similarly to the current arrangements under which the Government Car Service provides a car for the use of the Leader of the Opposition.

Science, Engineering And Technology Week

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contribution his Department plans to make to the Government's National Week of Science, Engineering and Technology on 13 to 22 March, in respect of environmental and clean-technology research. [33028]

Research teams and scientists currently working under contract to the Department's Research Programmes will be taking part on their own initiatives but with the encouragement of the Department, in National Science, Engineering and Technology Week events. The Foresight Vehicle programme, to which the Department contributes support, is one clean-technology project that will be on display.

Publications

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those European Commission (a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which his Department subscribes. [33658]

The Department including its Executive Agencies subscribes to a range of titles; currently the main ones are:

(a) Newsletters
EUR-OP News

(b) Magazines
Bulletin of the European Union, including supplements
European Court Reports
Official Journal—C Series Paper and CD Rom Version
Official Journal—L Series Paper and CD Rom Version
Official Journal—S Series Paper and CD Rom Version

(c) Occasional Publications
Basic Statistics of the Community
Demographic Statistics
Energy Yearly Statistics
Europe in Figures
General Report on the Activities of the European Union
Interinstitutional Directory of the European Union
National Accounts, main Aggregates and Detailed Tables
Operation of Nuclear Power Stations
Report on Competition Activity
Research and Development Annual Statistics.

Household Projections

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review how the migration assumptions used in the sub-national population and household projections are calculated, in respect of the emphasis laid on forecasts of future regional and sub-regional economic activity rather than past trends. [33827]

The 1996-based sub-national population projections are due to be published in the autumn of this year. Production of the household projections will follow some months later. As in the past, local authorities will be consulted on the migration assumptions within the population projections. At a consultation meeting last December, local government and academic representatives supported the view that both the population and household projections should be based on past trends. It should be noted that regional economic factors are taken into account alongside the household projections when deciding on appropriate housing figures for Regional Planning Guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends that regional planning conferences should start producing the annual reports on indicators relevant to housing provision proposed in paragraph 31 of Planning for the Communities of the Future (Cm 3885). [33822]

As explained in paragraphs 33 and 34 of the document, the Government wish to implement the new arrangements as quickly as possible. When RPG is already under review the Government office will discuss with the Regional Planning Conferences the scope for adopting the new approach in completing those reviews. Arrangements for monitoring would be a feature of those discussions. Additionally, the Department intends shortly to publish advice on monitoring indicators.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to make chairmen of county structure plan examinations in public, who have not yet finalised their reports, aware of the policy and priority changes proposed in "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cm 3885). [33823]

As a matter of Departmental policy, all those who serve as Chairmen of structure plan Examinations in Public are sent copies of new national planning policy statements and guidance when they are published. This includes copies of "Planning for the Communities of the Future", though it should be noted that some elements of that document are, or will be, the subject of public consultation before being finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will define local ownership of the housing figures as referred to in paragraph 25 of "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cm 3885). [33828]

As explained in "Planning for the Communities of the Future" the new system will make local authorities more responsible for assessing their housing requirements, in partnership with the Government Offices, and more accountable for the results. This should increase their sense of ownership of the resulting housing figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to implement the provisions of (a) paragraph 76, in respect of low density greenfield development and (b) paragraph 86, in respect of a mix of size of housing units to reflect increasing demand by small households, of "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cm 3885). [33821]

Current planning policy guidance (PPG3) already enables local planning authorities to seek a reasonable mix and balance of house types and sizes to cater for a range of housing needs. Nevertheless, as the policy document "Planning for the Communities of the Future" indicates, PPG3 needs to be revised to bring it up to date. The Government's policies on housing density issues will also be considered as part of that review. We hope to issue a draft PPG3 for consultation by the summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to publish detailed advice and requirements on how the sustainability appraisal of draft regional planning guidance on housing projections, proposed in paragraph 28 of "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cm 3885) will be implemented. [33826]

As indicated in the consultation paper on the future of Regional Planning Guidance (RPG), published on 15 January, when copies were placed in the Library, the intention is that future reviews of RPG will be subject to a full environmental appraisal. However, it goes on to say that we are also considering the scope to move towards a more broadly based "sustainability appraisal" of RPG. We will be letting a research project in May to determine how best to undertake a sustainability appraisal of RPG and produce good practice guidance on undertaking such an appraisal. It is intended to publish the results of the research in March 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for a public information campaign on the issues involved in the projections for and planning of new homes; and how much he plans to spend on this in (a) the current year and (b) subsequently. [33824]

These issues continue to be well-aired in public debate. In addition, my right hon. and hon. Friends and I will be making speeches, and my Department will be organising meetings, over the coming months, in connection with the recently published policy document, "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cm 3885). We do not, at this stage, see a need for a paid public information campaign.

Rail Freight

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with Railtrack on the (a) sale of land and (b) retention of land for future rail freight terminals. [33672]

My right hon. Friend has met Railtrack on a number of occasions to discuss a variety of railway issues, including the sale of land and the need to encourage the development of the rail freight market. We are considering what measures are necessary to safeguard and further develop future rail freight opportunities as part of our integrated transport strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what obligations have been imposed on Railtrack to encourage rail freight. [33700]

Railtrack's obligations to its freight customers are contained in track access contracts which are approved by the Rail Regulator.

Fishing Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. George) of 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 546, on the fishing industry, what estimate he has made of the costs of implementing the EC Directives on health and safety; and if he will list the directives concerned. [33889]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency, Mr. Robin Bradley, to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from R. M. Bradley to Sir Richard Body, dated 12 March 1998:

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your question about the costs of implementing the EC Directives on health and safety for fishing vessels. I attach a complete list of the EC directives on occupational health and safety, all of which apply to fishing vessels although some will have minimal effect.

The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/2962), which come into force on 31 march, implement three EC directives:
Council Directive 89/391/EC—the "Framework directive";
Council Directive 91/383/EC—the "temporary workers directive"; and
Council Directive 92/85/EC—the "pregnant workers directive".

A Compliance Cost Assessment (CCA) was published with the draft regulations at public consultation stage, as is standard procedure for new regulations which have cost implications for businesses, charities or voluntary organisations. A copy has been placed in the House of Commons library. The CCA shows estimated set up costs between £400 and £1,000 per vessel, and ongoing costs of between £300 and £800 per vessel per year—this however is considered to be very much a worst case estimate.

Work is in progress to implement three further daughter directives:
Council Directive 93/103—the "fishing vessels" directive;
Council Directive 90/269—the "manual handling" directive; and
Council Directive 94/33/EC—the "young workers" directive.

Fishing Vessels Directive
In order to implement the fishing vessels directive, amendments are due to be made to:
Fishing Vessel (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975
Fishing Vessel (Life Saving Appliances) Regulations 1988
Merchant Shipping (Fishing Vessel) Crew Accommodation Regulations 1975.

Many of the provisions of the directive are already required by existing domestic regulations for vessels of 24m and over. The amendments will extend those provisions to new vessels of 15m and over with immediate effect and to existing vessels of 18m and over from November 2002. Currently there are some 850 existing vessels of 18m and over. A CCA was published at public consultation stage. This gives a worst case estimate for set up costs of £15,400 per new vessel and £11,700 per existing vessel, with recurring costs of £2,500 per vessel.

Manual Handling Directive
Public consultation is now in progress on regulations to implement the manual handling directive. Our initial view is that there will be no compliance costs additional to those already identified for the framework directive.

Young Workers Directive
Draft regulations are being prepared to implement the young workers directive and we are seeking advice from industry on the likely compliance costs of those provisions which apply to fishing vessels.
Work on implementing the remaining daughter directives, which in each case will include consideration of the compliance costs in consultation with industry, will proceed in due course.

EC OHS Directives:
89/391/EEC Framework Directive

The daughter directives
89/655/EEC Use of Work Equipment
89/656/EEC Personal Protective Equipment
90/269/EEC Manual Handling
90/394/EEC Carcinogens
90/679/EEC Biological Agents
91/383/EEC Temporary Workers
92/58/EEC Safety Signs
92/85/EEC Pregnant Workers
93/103/EEC Fishing Vessels
94/33/EEC Young Persons.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the Government's liability under the rules governing the Private Finance Initiative in respect of London and Continental Railways Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [33905]

London and Continental Railways raised some £430 million of debt to fund the Development of the CTRL and Eurostar operations for the period up to the main fund raising for construction. If LCR were to fail then the Eurostar business, along with all of its assets and liabilities including this debt, would transfer back into public ownership. The funding agreements with the lending banks provide for the debt to be repaid from Eurostar revenues.

Fertilisers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the imposition of taxes on fertilisers. [33738]

[holding answer 10 March 1998]: The Government issued a discussion paper 'Economics Instruments for Water Pollution' in November 1997. This included consideration of some possible uses of economic instruments to help reduce the environmental impact of nutrients, including a charge on chemical fertilisers. We are currently considering the responses to the paper.

European Documents

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will arrange for European (a) Commission and (b) Parliament documents, due to be discussed by Ministerial Council meetings during the United Kingdom presidency, which have environmental implications, to be placed in the Library 10 working days before the appropriate Ministerial Council meeting. [33974]

In accordance with House of Commons Standing Order 143 which governs the operation of the Select Committee on European Legislation, a range of European Community documents is deposited in Parliament for consideration by that committee. This includes European Commission proposals for Council legislation and other policy documents, such as Commission communications, reports and consultation papers submitted to the Council of Ministers. These are available from the Vote Office and the Library of the House; and the vast majority are deposited at least 10 working days before they are considered by the Council of Ministers. The Government provide an explanatory memorandum on all these documents, commenting on the policy implications including environmental implications.

Roads Review

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the new appraisal criteria to be used in respect of the proposals currently being submitted from regional offices to the Roads Review. [33880]

The new appraisal framework which we are developing to help us determine the new trunk road investment programme uses our previously published criteria of integration, accessibility, safety, economy and environmental impact. We expect to publish further details with the report of the Roads Review later this year.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32708]

None.

Anglia Railways

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the value of the rolling stock leased by Anglia Railways which was supplied by Eversholt, Angel Train Contracts and Porterbrook; [34035](2) how much public money Anglia Railways spent on leasing rolling stock from Eversholt, Angel Train Contracts and Porterbrook. [34036]

Anglia Railways receives fixed subsidy from the Franchising Director of £35.9 million in the 1997/98 financial year, progressively declining to £6.3 million in 2003/04. What costs they incur in meeting their service obligations under their franchise agreement and how these costs are met are matters for the Company. The value of the relevant rolling stock is a matter for the owners.

Single Regeneration Budget Bids

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding Round IV SRB bids. [33401]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received several representations in support of Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) Challenge Fund Round 4 bids.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make announcements regarding Single Regeneration Budget Round IV bids. [33400]

We expect to announce the successful Round 4 bids shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that bids from non-conurbation localities which have areas of multiple deprivation comparable with conurbation areas can compete on equal terms in respect of SRB Challenge Fund. [33402]

The Government's supplementary guidance for Round 4 of the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund issued in July 1997 stated:

"Although the emphasis should be on tackling need which is substantial in scale and intensity, the Government recognises that isolated pockets of severe need may require action."

This guidance has, on initial analysis, been reflected in the final bids submitted under Round 4.

Accidents (Unqualified Electricians)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many accidents resulting from faulty work by non-qualified electricians have been recorded by the Health and Safety Executive in the last three years. [33513]

Accurate, comprehensive information in the form requested is not available. HSE publishes general figures for electrical accidents in its annual publication Health and Safety Statistics 1996–97. The figures for the last 3 years are:

Injuries involving contact with electricity or an electrical discharge 1994–95 to 1996–97¹
Year	Fatal	Major	Over 3 day	Total
1994–95	14	296	614	924
1995–96	17	305	608	930
1996–97¹	16	224	582	822
Provisional.

Notes:

1. As reported to all health and safety enforcing authorities.

2. 1996–97 injury figures, except fatalities, cannot be directly compared to previous years as they were reported under the new RIDDOR 95 regulations.

Cardiff Bay Barrage

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the percentage of the United Kingdom (a) dunlin and (b) redshank over-wintering population covered by conservation agreements in connection with the agreements signed with the European Commission Environmental Protection Directorate at the time of approval for the Cardiff Bay Barrage; and if he will make a statement; [34173](2) what was the timetable agreed in undertakings given to the Environmental Protection Directorate of the European Commission at the time of the approval for the Cardiff Bay Barrage for the establishment of conservation agreements for habitats of

(a) dunlin and (b) redshank expressed as a percentage of the over-wintering populations in any one year. [34174]

When the UK Government agreed compensatory measures for the loss of Cardiff Bay with the European Commission, it was estimated that some 80 per cent. of dunlin and 85 per cent. of redshank wintering populations would be covered by the eventual UK network of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) classified under the EU Birds Directive. There was no agreed timetable. We now know that the original population estimates, which were calculated using the total of the peak mean counts for the major sites identified in the UK's preliminary list of potential SPAs, as a percentage of the UK total wintering populations for both species, were too high. According to the most recent count data available (January 1996), 58 per cent. of all counted dunlin and 42 per cent. of counted redshank were on classified SPAs. Revised figures show that the completed SPA network will eventually cover 63 per cent. of the wintering dunlin and 48 per cent. of the wintering redshank populations. The European Commission has been informed of these revised figures.

Planning Procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the Outline Planning Permission procedure and system; and if he will make a statement. [34092]

We have no plans to review the system for making and determining applications for outline planning permission.

Traffic Congestion (South Devon)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding traffic congestion in the Kingskerswell area of South Devon; and if he will make a statement. [34034]

During the consultation on the Roads Review, my Department received seven representations, including ones from Devon County Council and Torbay Borough Council in favour of a Kingskerswell Bypass. We have also recently received three representations from organisations representing local business interests, supporting the project.Following the decision in November 1996 to withdraw the scheme from the trunk road programme, Devon County Council has been looking at how it can take forward a bypass as a local road scheme under the Private Finance Initiative. On 17 November Devon County Council submitted a summary report outlining a private finance project to include the Kingskerswell Bypass.

Green Belt

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 559, on planning consents in the green belt, if he will list the Parliamentary constituencies in which the 573 dwellings are located and the number in each. [33747]

The answer from my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling of 3 March refers to 373 dwellings in the Green Belt which have received planning consent on appeal since 1 May 1997. Information from the Planning Inspectorate received since reveals a total of 382 dwellings. Information on the location of these dwellings is not collected by reference to Parliamentary Constituency in which these consents were granted. The following table sets out the location of these dwellings by local authority area.

Local planning authority	Number of dwellings
Ashfield	1
Barnet	1
Bassetlaw	2
Brentwood	6
Bridgnorth	1
Bromley	6

Local planning authority	Number of dwellings
Bromsgrove	2
Broxbourne	1
Broxtowe	1
Calderdale	2
Chiltern	9
Croydon	1
Elmbridge	1
Epping Forest	4
Guildford	5
Hammersmith and Fulham	4
Harrogate District Council	3
Harrow	1
High Peak outside Peak District National Park	1
Hillingdon	8
Kirklees outside Peak District National Park	1
Leeds	2
Macclesfield	4
New Forest	3
Newark and Sherwood	1
North East Derbyshire outside Peak District National Park	1
Northavon	11
Reigate and Banstead	1
Rochford	2
Rotherham	4
Rugby	1
Runnymede	2
Sevenoaks	7
South Bedfordshire	2
South Buckinghamshire	8
South Gloucestershire District Council	1
South Ribble	1
South Staffordshire	1
Stafford	1
Tandridge	171
Tewkesbury	1
Thamesdown Council	2
Trafford	2
Tunbridge Wells	1
Vale of White Horse	1
Vale Royal	1
Waverley	5
West Lancashire	3
Windsor and Maidenhead	14
Wychavon	66
Wycombe	1

Source:

PINS.

Thameslink 2000

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has decided whether a public inquiry is to be held into Railtrack's application for an order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 in respect of the Thameslink 2000 project. [34676]

The Secretary of State has decided to defer until 25 September the date by which he must reach a decision on whether to hold a public inquiry into Thameslink 2000 (the "operative date"). This does not mean that there will necessarily be a further delay of 6 months in taking forward this application; the decision could be taken at any time up to 25 September.

Mv Derbyshire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the Assessors' report into their survey of the "Derbyshire"; if he will order the reopening of the formal investigation into the loss of the vessel; and if he will make a statement. [34677]

The Assessors' report into the survey of the Derbyshire, commissioned by my predecessor and the European Transport Commissioner is published today. Copies of the full Report and its Summary have been placed in the Library of the House.As the Assessors' Report, and the survey material on which it is based, represents new and important evidence which could not be produced at the original investigation, I shall order the reopening of the Formal Investigation into the loss of the Derbyshire. Before I do so I am inviting interested parties to submit written representations within twelve weeks on whether the Formal Investigation should be reopened in whole or in part, on what questions it should address, and on whether the rehearing should be held by a wreck Commissioner or by the High Court.Arrangements are being made to allow interested parties to examine the survey material collected by the Assessors.

Minister Without Portfolio

Millennium Exhibition (Sponsorship)

To ask the Minister without Portfolio how many firms have pledged to provide sponsorship for the Millennium Exhibition. [31197]

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) on 24 February 1998, Official Report, column 204.

Duchy Of Lancaster

Surveys

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. [32017]

For this answer my Department includes the Prime Minister's Office and the Central Office of Information.The survey contracts or contracts that have included surveys that my Department has that extend across or expire in the years in the question are as follows:

A survey to establish the level of customer satisfaction in the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE); value—£21,800; duration 1996–97 to 1997–98.
A framework arrangement to consult members of the public on public services; the value depends on how often the arrangement is used (expenditure to date—£52,845); October 1996 to October 1998.

Advice on options for the provision of accommodation for the use of the Civil Service College including an assessment of private sector interest; value—£25,000; October 1997 to January 1998.
A survey to assess the extent to which citizens and small business in the UK would use electronically delivered public services; value—£440,000; October 1997 to July 1998.
A marketing survey to assist the Government Care and Despatch Agency formulating a new marketing strategy; value—£22,600; January to March 1998.
A framework arrangement to facilitate consultation with members of the public about the delivery of public services; value depends on how often the framework arrangement is used over its life; February 1998 to January 2001.
A survey of civil servants' views and experiences on lifelong learning; value—£54,788; March to July 1998.

Civil Service

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of the administration trainees who joined the Civil Service in the last available year (a) were arts graduates, (b) were graduates of Oxford or Cambridge and (c) attended public schools. [33042]

[holding answer 6 March 1998]: In the 1997 General Fast Stream competition, 170 candidates were recommended by the Final Selection Board for appointment to the Fast Stream Development Programme of the Civil Service. Of these: (a) 66.5% were graduates in arts-related subjects; (b) 43.5% were graduates of Oxford or Cambridge; and (c) of the 82% of candidates where the information is available, 50% attended independent schools.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the future of the Next Steps policy of management reform in the civil service and about the 1997 Next Steps report. [34414]

The Government have today published the 1997 Next Steps Report, CM-3889, which has been laid in both Houses. This report brings together performance and trend data on 138 executive agencies and four departments operating on Next Steps lines. It is now 10 years since the Next Steps policy was launched. As the report makes clear, the percentage of civil servants working in Next Steps agencies or in departments organised on Next Steps lines last year passed the target of 75 per cent. set during the early days of the project. This is a considerable milestone in a project which, with cross-party support, has brought improvements in efficiency and customer focus across a wide range of services provided by government.The Government believe that the benefits from this change to civil service organisation can be developed further. Analysis of agency performance data shows that the need for continuous improvement has not always been given sufficient attention, in part because it has been overshadowed by the emphasis on agency creation. The Government are therefore marking a change in priorities by moving on from the agency creation phase of the Next Steps policy, and launching a new phase with the focus on performance. While agencies will continue to be created, the primary focus will be on further improving the quality, efficiency and convenience to users of agency services.

Ministers will be concerned to ensure that agency targets set out sufficiently clearly the level and direction of achievement required. Agencies will be encouraged to share best practice, including harnessing the full potential of IT and cooperating with other bodies beyond the agency boundaries. These themes will be further developed in the Better Government White Paper to be published later in the Spring. Building on the sound principles of Next Steps, it is our intention to see that the agencies of government are among the world leaders in delivering high quality, efficient and effective public services for the new Millennium.

Freedom Of Information

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many (a) individuals, (b) companies, (c) campaign groups, (d) hon. Members of either House, (e) Members of the European Parliament and (f) government departments or agencies had responded to his consultation paper on freedom of information by the end of the consultation period; what proportions of each category responded by e-mail or participated in his on-line discussion forum; and if he will place in the Library (i) a list of respondents and (ii) copies of submissions not requesting confidentiality. [33118]

By 10 March nearly 550 responses had been received to the consultation on the White Paper Your Right to Know, the Government's proposals for a Freedom of Information Act. The exact breakdown requested is not available but responses can be broken down as follows:

	Total number of responses	Responses by e-mail	On-line discussion
(a) individuals	159	102	38
(b) businesses	65	11	2
(c) media	6	1	0
(d) academics	59	14	0
(e) charities, lobby groups and campaign groups	79	20	4
(f) hon. Members of either House	4	0	0
(g) public authorities	145	15	1
(h) Members of the European Parliament	0	0	0
(i) others	26	7	3
Total	543	170	48

This table broadly covers categories

(a) to (e) in the question. As far as category (f) is concerned the White Paper "Your Right to Know" contains the Government's collectively agreed proposals for a Freedom of Information Act. The consultation on the White Paper was therefore designed for members of the public and other outside interests, not Government departments or agencies, to submit their views on the proposals.

I will be placing a list of all respondees and copies of all submissions not requesting confidentiality in the Library shortly.

Public Bodies (Reports)

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the bodies within the responsibility of his Department currently required by legislation to lay a report before Parliament. [33550]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: The bodies that fall within the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's Department (the Office of Public Service) and which are required to lay a report before Parliament are:

The Civil Service College
Security Facilities Executive
The Buying Agency.

The Central Office of Information is an executive agency and a separate Department within the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. It is also required to lay a report before Parliament.All are covered by Treasury Accounts Directions and are therefore required by legislation to have their annual reports and accounts laid before Parliament.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32702]

No parliamentary question tabled to my Department since 1 May 1997 has taken more than eight weeks to answer.

President Of The Council

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the President of the Council if she will list those parliamentary questions she has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32701]

None.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Ministerial Transport

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the engagements he undertook in the United Kingdom in the course of his duties during January indicating in each case which were accessed by (a) car, (b) train, (c) aeroplane and car, (d) aeroplane and train and (e) other means. [28934]

[holding answer 10 February 1998]: My UK engagements in January were all within central London or Chevening and were accessed by car, except for two visits to my constituency which also required domestic scheduled flights. I also attended engagements in Washington, Ottawa, Beijing, Hong Kong, Strasbourg and Brussels, which were accessed by aeroplane and car.

Millennium Compliance

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to discuss his Department's progress towards millennium compliance. [32664]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Officials from this department maintain regular contact with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice has been given to British embassies and consulates overseas concerning the need to achieve millennium computer compliance; and what funds he will make available for this purpose. [32670]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: All Strategic IT systems used in Embassies and Consulates (Posts) are supplied and maintained from the UK and compliance is addressed through our Millennium Programme. Regular Advice and progress reports are sent to Posts. No additional funds will be made available to Posts to address millennium issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the cost to his Department of (a) consultants and (b) contractors engaged by his Department to address millennium computer compliance problems; and if he will list them. [32665]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Details of specific Year 2000 Consultants and Contractors are in the following list.

Estimated total cost of consultants: £25,000
Estimated total cost of contractors: £550,000
Consultants to date
Firmin Jack: £2,750
Mott Macdonald: £1,500
Provision for future expenditure: £20,750
Contractors to date
Lorien Computing: £40,000
Lorien Computing: £80,000
Satchwell: £5,000
Provision for future expenditure: £425,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from which budgetary sub-head the costs of millennium compliance will be met by his Department. [32663]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Costs will be met from the Running Costs and Capital Expenditure sub-heads of Vote 1 (Overseas Representation).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials or individuals working within his Department on millennium compliance have (a) given notice of their intention to leave and (b) left his Department within the last six months. [32667]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]:(a) None; (b) none.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when all testing on year 2000 computer compliance will be completed within his Department. [32666]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: All year 2000 testing of key IT systems in the FCO will be complete by December 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will be fully millennium compliant by September 1999. [32669]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The FCO's plan is to have all of its key IT systems millennium compliant by the end of September 1999. We are on schedule to achieve that.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the cost to his Department of his Department achieving millennium compliance. [32668]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The current estimate of the cost to the FCO of achieving millennium compliance is £2,342,000.

Indonesia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Indonesian Government's recent application of Indonesia's Criminal Code, Law 5/1969. [32987]

We continue to monitor the situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Indonesian Government's use of armed forces during recent riots. [32983]

We have urged the Indonesian authorities to respond to civil unrest with restraint.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to alleviate the current economic crisis in Indonesia. [32982]

In conjunction with G7 and EU colleagues we are encouraging Indonesia to adhere to the IMF programme for Indonesia. I made this point directly to President Soeharto last week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support a system of plural nominations in the forthcoming Indonesian presidential elections. [33008]

President Soeharto's reappointment took place in accordance with the Indonesian constitution. We support democracy, including free and fair elections, in all countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will impose an immediate moratorium on all defence equipment being sold to the Indonesian Government; and if he will make representations to other EU states to act in the same manner. [32986]

No. We consider all export licence applications case by case against the criteria published in July 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) system of elections, (b) freedom of assembly or association, (c) freedom of speech and (d) establishment of non-governmental organisations in Indonesia. [32981]

We watch the Indonesian political scene closely. We encourage all countries to follow the highest standard of governance.

Caribbean (Nuclear Waste)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 24 February 1998, Official Report, column 191, on the basis of what advice he was able to give reassurances over the safety and liability of nuclear waste shipped through the Caribbean; if he will make a statement on the comments he made on this matter at a press conference in Nassau; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the Communiqué of the Caribbean-UK ministerial meeting. [33131]

The International Maritime Organisation and the International Atomic Energy Agency set extremely high standards for shipments of nuclear waste. My right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary was able to assure Caribbean Ministers that the ships that BNFL use for such cargoes fully meet or exceed these standards. The casks containing the waste are massive steel structures designed to withstand collision, fire and submersion. The waste itself is in a solid glass-like form which could not cause widespread contamination in any credible accident scenario. These are regular commercial shipments; the companies involved are substantial and are required to carry liability insurance. I have placed copies of the Statements issued at the end of the UK/Caribbean Forum in the Libraries of both Houses.

European Community Legislation

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of draft European Community legislation in 1997 was not subject to discussion at the College of Commissioners prior to submission to the Council of Ministers; what proportion of legislation the Council of Ministers was not required to approve before enactment; and what assessment he has made of the procedures in respect of such legislation. [33884]

All Commission proposals for legislation to be adopted by the Council of Ministers are first approved by the College of Commissioners.In addition, the Commission has the power to make legislation under powers which are delegated in specific cases under primary legislation approved by the Council of Ministers. Such measures constitute more than 90 per cent. of Community legislative acts, the majority being detailed market management measures. They are normally subject to scrutiny by a committee of Member States' representatives, and may in some cases be referred to the Council of Ministers.A review of the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission is envisaged in Declaration No. 31 attached to the Final Act of the Amsterdam Treaty.

Qualified Majority Voting

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 511, on qualified majority voting, if he will define matters other than the approximation of laws; which body will determine if a measure falls into this category; and what measures are planned to be implemented under this provision. [33919]

Under Article 34(2)(c) of the Treaty on European Union as introduced by the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Council may adopt decisions for any purposes consistent with the objectives of Title VI (provisions on police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters) which do not involve approximation of the laws and regulations of the Member States. These might include decisions concerning measures of practical co-operation or expenditure programmes in the police and judicial field, but it is too soon to anticipate what measures might be adopted under this provision.It will be for the Council to determine whether measures will fall into this category.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32709]

None.

Chile

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if representatives of the British Embassy in Santiago, Chile will attend the swearing in of General Pinochet as a senator for life; and if he will make a statement. [34093]

No member of the British Embassy in Santiago attended this ceremony.

Visa Applications

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision will be made on the visa application by Adul Rehman, Islamabad reference IMM/E2002. [34161]

Our High Commission in Islamabad have referred the application to the Home Office and await their decision on the application. My noble friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend within one week of Islamabad receiving those instructions.

Partners In Europe

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the distribution of the Partners in Europe information pack. [33013]

I have been asked to reply.The DfEE has received widespread positive feedback from those receiving the pack: teachers in particular have indicated that they have found it helpful for their curriculum work. The pack has also prompted nearly 600 entries for the "Celebrating Europe" competition. We have received 8 complaints about the pack relating to its cost or relevance.

Prime Minister

Overseas Visits

To ask the Prime Minister how many overseas visits have been made by his political advisers at public expense since 1 May. [25140]

[holding answer 23 January 1998]: My Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary have usually accompanied me on visits overseas. Apart from them, I have been accompanied by special advisers on five overseas visits.

Royal Prerogative

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to increase democratic involvement and accountability in matters currently dealt with under the Royal Prerogative. [33645]

[holding answer 10 March 1998]: The Government are committed to the renewal of democracy in the United Kingdom and have already begun a programme of constitutional reform to this end. There are no plans at present to legislate on matters dealt with under the Royal Prerogative.

Bloody Sunday

To ask the Prime Minister to which parts of the Government's archives, relating to the events in Derry on Bloody Sunday, the 75 year rule will apply. [33980]

[holding answer 11 March 1998]: Following the completion of the public inquiry into the events of 30 January 1972 in Londonderry (the Widgery Tribunal) the inquiry papers and evidence were transferred to the Public Record Office where they are open for public inspection. Only one piece, HO219/56, remains closed for 75 years, until 2048, for reasons of personal sensitivity.

A number of Government Departments may still have papers relating to the events of Bloody Sunday, but these will not yet have been reviewed under normal 30 year rule procedures.

Attorney-General

Barristers

To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 539, if he will make it his policy to collect information on the numbers of barristers from the ethnic minorities on the panels he uses for common law and chancery work. [33376]

I have set up a working party to review how appointments of counsel concerned with the Crown's civil work are made, to consider monitoring of the use of counsel once appointed and to make recommendations to me. The working party, which is being chaired by the Solicitor-General and includes two representatives of the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales, will consider specifically whether a formal data collection mechanism should be established. After the working party has reported to me, I shall consider their recommendations and I shall announce any changes in policy which I propose to implement.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Attorney-General if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32703]

I have not had any parliamentary questions since 1 May 1997 that have taken eight or more weeks to answer.

Education And Employment

Market Research

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what expenditure has been incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (a) in 1996–97 and (b) since 1 May 1997 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each; and if he will make a statement. [26681]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The Government are committed to consulting and involving the public in order to help inform both policy formulation and the delivery of quality public services, and to ensure that we receive the best value for money from our publicity spend.Details of expenditure incurred by the Department, through the Central Office of Information, on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research are shown in the following table.Information about market research commissioned by the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally.

Description of research contract	Date	Type	Value (£)
(a) 1996-97
Free your potential campaign development research	June 1996	Qualitative	10,667
Primary school performance tables development research	July 1996	Qualitative	5,441
Free your potential creative development research	July 1996	Qualitative	10,667
Jobcentres campaign development research	August 1996	Qualitative	18,812
Nursery voucher scheme campaign creative development research	September 1996	Qualitative	14,359
Adult learners week awareness research	September 1996	Quantitative	19,139
Career development loans campaign evaluation research	September 1996	Quantitative	26,579
Disability Discrimination Act consultation research	September 1996	Qualitative	19,799
National traineeships development research	September 1996	Qualitative	22,173
Nursery voucher scheme pre-campaign evaluation research	October 1996	Quantitative	51,148
1996 Secondary schools performance tables pre- and post-campaign evaluation research	November 1996/
	January 1997	Quantitative	52,617
Assisted places scheme creative development research	November 1996	Qualitative	4,818
Grant-maintained schools tracking research	November 1996	Quantitative	9,272
Nursery voucher scheme tracking research among parents	November 1996	Quantitative	15,064
Nursery voucher scheme providers' pack survey	November 1996	Quantitative	17,354
Analysis of response to action special broadcasting initiative	November 1996	Quantitative	9,248
Nursery voucher scheme information line research	December 1996	Quantitative	19,176
National traineeships development research	December 1996	Qualitative	19,905
Nursery vouchers scheme tracking research among parents	February 1997	Quantitative	17,061
Nursery voucher scheme research among non registered providers	February 1997	Quantitative	11,186
Research into the information needs of parents with school age children	February 1997	Qualitative	5,510
Disability discrimination act tracking research among employers	February 1997	Quantitative	30,351
Primary school performance tables pre-campaign evaluation research	February/March 1997	Quantitative	32,148
Evaluation of Schools Update Newsletter	March 1997	Qualitative	5,946
Nursery vouchers scheme post-campaign evaluation research	March 1997	Quantitative	22,000
Career development loans creative development research	March 1997	Qualitative	21,720
Disability booklet development research	March 1997	Qualitative	18,037
Career development loans response campaign	March 1997	Quantitative	14,247
(b) Since 1 May 1997
Evaluation of Schools Update Newsletter	May/June 1997	Qualitative	22,407
Research into design and content of the national record of achievement	June 1997	Qualitative	35,720
Analysis of the responses to the Excellence in schools white paper consultation	July 1997	Quantitative	31,150
Secondary schools performance tables development research	September/
	November 1997	Desk Research	4,460
Research into jobcentre corporate identity	September 1997	Desk Research	4,200
Research into new jobcentre corporate identity	September 1997	Qualitative	43,908
Learning entitlement development research	October 1997	Qualitative	13,137
Research to explore the reactions of unemployed and jobcentre staff and managers to the new deal	November 1997	Qualitative	43,152
Research to explore reactions to the new deal among partners	November 1997	Qualitative	21,004
Student support advertising campaign awareness	December 1997	Quantitative	15,969
Research among students and employers to the Government's proposals for 16–19 qualifications	December 1997	Qualitative	32,736
Employment service values staff survey	December 1997	Data Processing	13,484
Career development loans direct mail research	December 1997	Qualitative	16,650
New deal campaign development research	December 1997	Qualitative	26,003
Analysis of the responses to the consultation on the Government's proposals for 16–19 qualifications	January 1998	Quantitative	27,262
Research among mature students to the Government's proposed changes to tuition fees	January 1998	Quantitative	9,336
Research into levels of awareness of the national training organisations among employers, partners, and TECs	January 1998	Qualitative	19,693
New deal leaflet creative development research	January 1998	Qualitative	20,898
Careers service corporate identity research	January 1998	Qualitative	17,590
DfEE Website evaluation	February/March 1998	Qualitative	37,530
Disability discrimination act small employers consultation analysis	February/March 1998	Quantitative	19,881
Disability discrimination act creative development research	February 1998	Qualitative	14,335
Disability discrimination act research among general public	February 1998	Quantitative	17,202
Research among potential target audience into perceived need for individual learning accounts	February 1998	Qualitative	17,496
National traineeships creative development research	February 1998	Qualitative	14,300
Disability discrimination act information line research	March 1998	Quantitative	16,685
Careers service publications research	March 1998	Qualitative	34,463
Career development loans campaign response research	March 1998	Quantitative	12,500
Career development loans awareness research	March 1998	Quantitative	12,500

University Applications

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the announcement of the introduction of tuition fees on applications for university places in 1998. [29977]

The latest figures from the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show that the fall in applicant numbers by 15 December was—at some 4 per cent.—even lower than the figure it announced before Christmas (6 per cent.); and by 5 February the fall in applicant numbers compared with the same date last year was down to just under 3 per cent. It is still too early to use these figures as a definitive guide to final applicant or entrant numbers. Last year, applicant numbers as at 15 December represented about 75 per cent. of the final number received. However, they are a welcome sign that many prospective students and their parents now understand the fairness of the Government's proposals.

Music Teachers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what minimum qualifications are required to allow a person to teach pupils to play musical instruments in schools. [33364]

Musical instrument tuition is usually given by peripatetic instructors. It is the responsibility of schools and LEAs to decide if instructors are adequately qualified. No minimum qualification requirements are laid down nationally. If, however, such instruction in a state funded school is given by a person who is employed as a teacher, it is a condition of their employment that they should normally hold qualified teacher status.

Pgce Courses

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to remove the upper age limit for entrants to PGCE courses. [33792]

The Department's requirements for courses of initial training do not stipulate age limits for entry to PGCE or other initial training courses. Providers, who are responsible for the selection of candidates, are expected to use their discretion to ensure that all trainees who successfully complete a course will be employable.

Class Sizes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many classes at KS1 in each LEA had more than 30 pupils in (a) January 1996 and (b)January 1997. [33836]

[holding answer 10 March 1998]: The available information on number of classes at key stage 1 of more than 30 pupils taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools is shown in the table.

Number of classes at key stage 1 of more than 30 pupils taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools by local education authority area
January
	1996	1997
England	13,502	14,584
North East	643	725
Cleveland	92	¹—
Hartlepool	¹—	32
Middlesbrough	¹—	27
Redcar and Cleveland	¹—	33
Stockton-on-Tees	¹—	31
Durham	181	229
Northumberland	121	112
Gateshead	22	19
Newcastle upon Tyne	79	90
North Tyneside	69	67
South Tyneside	40	40
Sunderland	39	45
North West and Merseyside	2,580	2,761
North West	2,119	2,277
Cheshire	308	329
Cumbria	138	117
Bolton	143	142
Bury	88	88
Manchester	93	105
Oldham	105	120
Rochdale	93	104
Salford	89	96
Stockport	95	129
Tameside	131	132
Trafford	95	106
Wigan	131	140
Lancashire	610	669
Merseyside	461	484
Knowsley	49	69
Liverpool	139	160
St. Helens	64	73
Sefton	137	115
Wirral	72	67
Yorkshire and Humberside	1,455	1,699
Humberside	272	¹—
East Riding of Yorkshire	¹—	95
City of Kingston-upon-Hull	¹—	107
North East Lincolnshire	¹—	71
North Lincolnshire	¹—	53
North Yorkshire pre April 1996	142	¹—
York	¹—	33
North Yorkshire post April 1996	¹—	148
Barnsley	70	98
Doncaster	108	118
Rotherham	45	77
Sheffield	97	92
Bradford	165	202
Calderdale	76	74
Kirklees	134	164
Leeds	264	240
Wakefield	82	127
East Midlands	1,019	1,154
Derbyshire	363	408
Leicestershire	184	215
Lincolnshire	126	126
Northamptonshire	149	160
Nottinghamshire	197	245

Number of classes at key stage 1 of more than 30 pupils taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools by local education authority area
January
	1996	1997
West Midlands	1,778	1,763
Hereford and Worcester	137	137
Shropshire	111	109
Staffordshire	374	338
Warwickshire	214	203
Birmingham	329	342
Coventry	109	100
Dudley	88	95
Sandwell	130	134
Solihull	117	115
Walsall	73	77
Wolverhampton	96	113
Eastern	1,130	1,273
Bedfordshire	174	156
Cambridgeshire	164	223
Essex	311	332
Hertfordshire	261	352
Norfolk	127	110
Suffolk	93	100
London	1,472	1,555
Inner London	189	218
City of London	0	0
Camden	4	7
Hackney	13	17
Hammersmith and Fulham	10	17
Haringey	18	17
Islington	14	10
Kensington and Chelsea	2	3
Lambeth	12	15
Lewisham	18	15
Newham	23	40
Southwark	22	25
Tower Hamlets	11	15
Wandsworth	35	31
Westminster	7	6
Outer London	1,283	1,337
Barking and Dagenham	23	28
Barnet	23	39
Bexley	123	126
Brent	24	23
Bromley	159	187
Croydon	109	116
Ealing	78	83
Enfield	113	135
Greenwich	15	25
Harrow	60	44
Havering	76	77
Hillingdon	43	49
Hounslow	72	63
Kingston-upon-Thames	100	88
Merton	58	53
Redbridge	99	70
Richmond-upon-Thames	44	51
Sutton	32	51
Waltham Forest	32	29
South East	2,077	2,260
Berkshire	151	151
Buckinghamshire	220	228
East Sussex	277	315
Hampshire	532	586
Isle of Wight	28	23
Kent	461	524
Oxfordshire	72	87
Surrey	213	230
West Sussex	123	116

Number of classes at key stage 1 of more than 30 pupils taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools by local education authority area
January
	1996	1997
South West	1,348	1,394
Avon	312	¹—
Bath and NE Somerset	¹—	29
City of Bristol	¹—	115
North Somerset	¹—	51
South Gloucestershire	¹—	114
Cornwall	135	144
Isle of Scilly	0	0
Devon	233	241
Dorset	253	284
Gloucestershire	157	153
Somerset	132	152
Wiltshire	126	111
¹ Not applicable.

County Music Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many county councils have music services; how many local education authorities support and finance county music centres; and how many county councils and local education authorities finance youth orchestras and boards. [33746]

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures the Government are taking to enable county councils and local education authorities to ensure a secure financial basis for music services. [33745]

It is for local education authorities and governing bodies to decide what proportion of their budget to spend on central music services. The Government are currently considering ways in which it might be possible to increase opportunities for children to have equitable access to high quality musical instrument tuition.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32707]

Two thousand, five hundred and seventy six Parliamentary Questions have been tabled to the Department between 1 May 1997 and 12 March 1998. All have been answered within eight weeks of being tabled.

Culture, Media And Sport

Sports Funding

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much National Lottery money was received by the governing bodies of sport and recreation in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [33306]

Most applications are made by local organisations. Awards made by the English Sports Council from the National Lottery Sports Fund to the governing bodies of sport themselves are as follows:

£000
	1996–97	1997–98
Capital awards¹	93	2,703
Revenue awards¹	>—	²23,448
Total	93	26,151
¹Includes awards made to English and UK/GB governing bodies of sport.
²Includes £8.9 million subsistence costs awarded direct to athletes in response to applications from governing bodies of sport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the total grant-in-aid awarded to the national governing bodies of sport and recreation in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [33304]

The total grant-in-aid awarded by the United Kingdom and the English Sports Councils for the years in question is set out in the table. Many governing bodies also benefit from a number of services and programmes provided by the Sports Councils or organisations funded by them, and from the use of facilities and services provided by the six National Sports Centres. My Department provides grant-in-aid directly to the British Chess Federation.

£000
	1996–97	1997–98¹	1998–99²
UK Sports Council grants	³1,616	5,481	5,203
English Sports Council grants	³1,574	4,782	5,535
GB Sports Council grants	⁴8,126	—	—
British Chess Federation	49	49	49
Total	11,365	10,312	10,787
¹Forecast outturn.
²Budget figure.
³The United Kingdom and the English Sports Councils became fully operational on 1 January 1997, when they took over the responsibilities and functions of the GB Sports Council. The figure, therefore, covers the period 1 January 1997–31 March 1997.
⁴The figure covers the period 1 April 1996–31 December 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the amount of grant-in-aid to (a) the United Kingdom Sports Council and (b) the English Sports Council for the years (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98 and (iii) 1998–99. [33305]

The amount of grant-in-aid to the United Kingdom Sports Council and the English Sports Council for the years in question is set out in the table.

£000
	1996–97	1997–98¹	1998–99²
UK Sports Council	³4,047	11,824	11,600
English Sports Council	³15,679	33,725	33,289
Total	19,726	45,549	44,889
¹Forecast outturn.
²Provision.
³The United Kingdom and the English Sports Councils became fully operational on 1 January 1997, when they took over the responsibilities and functions of the GB Sports Council. The figure, therefore, covers the period 01/01/97–31/03/97. The GB Sports Council received £27.676 million in grant-in-aid during the period 01/04/96–31/12/96.

Concessionary Television Licences

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) of 16 February 1998, Official Report, column 747, what was the basis of the calculation of the figure of £450 million a year with reference to the cost of extending the concessionary television licence scheme. [33502]

The figure of £450 million a year referred to in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) relates to the estimated cost in lost television licence fee revenue of providing concessionary television licences for all pensioner-only households. These costs are estimated at £463 million in the case of free licences and £437 million for £5 licences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what would be the cost of introducing a concession of 50 per cent. on television licences for all pensioner households; [33468](2) what would be the cost of extending the present entitlement to concessionary television licences to all pensioners over

(a) 75 and (b) 80 years of age. [33469]

To provide a 50% reduction in the licence fee for all pensioner-only households would cost approximately £232 million annually in lost television licence fee revenue. To extend the existing £5 concessionary television licence scheme to households where all members are aged 75 or over would cost an estimated £153 million a year; to extend the scheme to households where all members are aged 80 or over would cost approximately £79 million a year.

Out-Of-School Clubs

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the proposed out-of-school clubs are to be funded; and if he will specify the percentage of funding coming from each source. [34170]

Subject to the passing of the National Lottery Bill, the New Opportunities Fund will allocate £400 million from the new Lottery good causes to the out-of-school hours activities initiative. Of this, £180 million will be directed towards out-of-school hours learning activities and £220 million will support out-of-school child care, including £20 million for integrated childcare and education schemes. The New Opportunities Fund, like other Lottery distributors, will seek a partnership contribution from applicants for projects, but this will be flexible and will take account of applicants' ability to obtain such support.The Government are, separately, making available an additional £80 million for child care from Exchequer sources: £30 million from receipts from the windfall tax and £50 million from the Out-of-School Child care initiative

¹ .

¹In England only.

Scotland

Contaminated Land

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of hectares of contaminated land in each of the last 12 years in each county and region. [33036]

Information on contaminated land in each of the last 12 years is not available centrally. However, the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 1996 provides some information on contamination. Of the 8,482 hectares (2,546 sites) of derelict land recorded in the survey, 1,672 ha (279 sites) are suspected to be contaminated and 1,490 ha (181 sites) are known to be contaminated. The known contamination of derelict land by local authority area is as follows:

Known contaminated derelict land by council area 1996
Council	Area(ha)	Number of sites
Aberdeenshire	2	1
Angus	9	4
Argyll and Bute	8	3
West Dunbartonshire	4	3
Dumfries and Galloway	129	2
East Dunbartonshire	14	3
East Lothian	2	2
East Renfrewshire	16	1
Falkirk	34	4
Fife	428	12
Glasgow	161	19
Highland	107	8
Inverclyde	0	1
Midlothian	66	8
North Ayrshire	224	77
North Lanarkshire	151	16
Perthshire and Kinross	3	1
South Ayrshire	3	1
South Lanarkshire	60	11
Stirling	33	1
West Lothian	39	3
Scotland	1,490	181

Notes:

1. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

2. Unlisted Councils report no known contaminated land.

Copies of the full report on the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey are available in the House of Commons Library.

History Teaching

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that all pupils leaving Scottish schools have studied some Scottish, British and other history. [33386]

A number of opportunities already exist for pupils to study a wide range of history in Scottish schools. The National Guidelines on Environmental Studies 5–14 for pupils between those ages recommend that historical studies are drawn from 5 periods and include Scottish, British and other (European and World) contexts. Standard Grade courses for pupils aged 14–16 provide opportunities to study history in Scottish, British and other wider contexts. Further opportunities for the study of Scottish, British and other areas of history are provided in the current Revised Higher and Certificate of Sixth Year Studies courses. Provision for the post-16 age group will be enhanced following the introduction of Higher Still in 1999. Courses and units will be available at 5 levels. Students undertaking the new History courses at Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2 or Higher levels will study at least one Scottish/British topic and at least one European/World topic.

Public Bodies (Reports)

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the bodies within the responsibility of his Department currently required by legislation to lay a report before Parliament. [33549]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: The information is as follows:

Accounts Commission for Scotland
Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland
Crofters' Commission
Deer Commission for Scotland
East of Scotland Water Authority
Forestry Commission
Gaelic Broadcasting Committee
General Register Office for Scotland
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Historic Buildings Council for Scotland
National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland
National Galleries of Scotland
National Museums of Scotland
North of Scotland Water Authority
Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland
Parole Board for Scotland
Registers of Scotland
Royal Botanic Garden
Scottish Children's Reporter Administration
Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
Scottish Higher Education Funding Council
Scottish Homes
Scottish Hospital Trust
Scottish Hospital Endowment Research Trust
Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board
Scottish Land Court
Scottish Law Commission
Scottish Legal Aid Board
Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Office Pension Agency
Scottish Prison Service
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Scottish Record Office
Scottish Sports Council
Scottish Tourist Board
Scottish Transport Group
Student Awards Agency for Scotland
West of Scotland Water Authority.

Notes:

1. Reports have been taken as including Accounts, where these are produced separately.

2. The list includes bodies which lay a report before Parliament by virtue of foundational requirements other than primary legislation.

3. In some cases the reports are required to be submitted in the first instance to the Secretary of State who is responsible for laying them before Parliament.

Regional Selective Assistance

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, for each offer of regional selective assistance made during 1997, the percentage of the project's capital cost represented by the grant offered; and if he will indicate, for each offer, if it related to an area of full or intermediate assisted area status. [33704]

Each year there are more than 200 offers of Regional Selective Assistance in Scotland. Information about the capital costs of individual projects is commercially confidential. The percentages of grant to capital costs for the total of RSA offers in 1997 in the Scottish Development Areas range from a minimum of 2.8 per cent. to a maximum of 29 per cent., and 2.8 per cent. to 14.9 per cent. respectively in Intermediate Areas. These figures are calculated on the basis of Net Grant Equivalent, which is expressed as the discounted value of grant, net of tax, as a proportion of the discounted fixed capital costs. These vary widely according to the type of project and reflect the selective nature of the RSA scheme whereby projects are secured for the minimum necessary costs.

Creagan Bridge

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when work on the construction of the Creagan Bridge will begin; and what is the forecast date for its completion. [33682]

The contract will be awarded later this month with construction work expected to commence in late April. The anticipated completion date for the contract is Spring 1999.

Cairngorm Funicular Railway

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conditions he has placed on the Highland and Island Enterprise's expenditure on the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm. [33608]

The approval of my right hon. Friend to the financial contribution of Highlands and Islands Enterprise to the Cairngorm funicular railway project was made subject to the following conditions:

1. that the project succeeded in securing the remaining capital funding needed to carry it out;

2. that there should be no further financial contribution to the project from Highlands and Islands Enterprise or from any other source funded by the Secretary of State; and

3. that Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise, the local enterprise company for the area, should exercise its right to appoint a director to the Board of the Cairngorm Chairlift Company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if his economic evaluation prior to his decision to agree to Highland and Islands Enterprise's expenditure on the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm included estimates of the likely impact on the (a) summer and (b) winter business of other Scottish ski centres; [33676](2) what estimate he has made of the number of summer visitors to the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm; and if he will make a statement on the basis for this prediction; [33609](3) if he will publish the economic evaluation he conducted prior to his decision to agree to Highlands and Island Enterprise's expenditure on the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm. [33602]

My right hon. Friend has not undertaken any separate economic evaluation of the proposed Cairngorm funicular railway. The economics appraisal of the project was an operational matter for the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network. I have asked the Chairman of that organisation to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the estimated increase in turnover of the Cairngorm ski area following the introduction of the proposed funicular railway; how many new full-time equivalent jobs are predicted to be created; and what the average rate of pay is likely to be for those jobs; [33607](2) what aspects of the original scheme for a funicular railway on Cairngorm have been dropped under recent proposals to reduce the projected cost; and what estimate has been made of the impact of these changes on the projected number of summer visitors. [33671]

These aspects of the appraisal of the Cairngorm funicular railway project are an operational matter for the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network which conducted that appraisal. I will ask the Chairman of that organisation to write to the hon. Member.

Tourism

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the percentage of (a) domestic holiday makers and (b) overseas visitors to the United Kingdom who spend their holiday in Scotland. [33817]

In 1996, the latest year for which figures are available, 9.9% of domestic holiday trips were made to Scotland, while 10.4% of overseas holiday trips to the UK included Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what tourism initiatives he is undertaking in respect of (a) accommodation schemes and quality standards, (b) promoting Scotland, (c) trade communication, (d) market and product intelligence and research, (e) training and (f) market access and information. [33813]

A new quality assurance scheme for accommodation providers and for visitor attractions has been introduced by the Scottish Tourist Board.Promotional activity for tourism in Scotland will benefit from the Government's decision to allocate £19.3 million to the Scottish Tourist Board in 1998–99, an increase of £1 million over the planned provision by the previous Administration.The Scottish Tourist Board, with assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry sector challenge fund, is implementing an information technology strategy for the industry. This will enable tourists to access information and make bookings more easily. Trade communication has benefited from the work of the Scottish Tourism Forum, an industry representative body established by The Scottish Office.I announced in October 1997 the establishment of a group to consider and advise on how the tourism industry in Scotland can maximise its performance as we enter the new Millennium. The group will be chaired by Lord Gordon of Strathblane, the new Chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board, and will report to the Scottish Tourism Co-ordinating Group, which I chair.I am announcing later this month further action designed to promote tourism training and tourism as a career.Further details about these and other initiatives are set out in the "Scottish Tourism Strategic Plan Progress Report 1998", which I will publish next week. I shall ensure that the hon. Member receives a copy, and that copies are placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32715]

Regrettably this information is currently not held centrally. However, arrangements have been made to ensure that it will be recorded from 1 March onwards.

Police Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the police forces in Scotland which have not followed the guidance of the Police Advisory Board for Scotland to provide serving officers with the opportunity to purchase a police house they inhabit at terms comparable with those available under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. [33991]

Police houses are the property of the police authorities who have discretion to decide whether or not to dispose of particular houses and whether a discount should be offered in such cases on terms comparable with those available under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. Information about the terms of sale of police houses is not held centrally.

Schools

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the proportion of schools in (a) the Strathclyde area and (b) Scotland as a whole, which do not have school boards; and if he will make a statement. [33691]

The information held centrally is given in the table. It is taken from statistical returns by education authorities to The Scottish Office on the results of the biennial elections in 1995–96.

Education authority primary, secondary and special schools: May 1996
		Schools with no board
	Number of eligible schools¹	Number	Percentage²
Scotland	2,828	671	23.7
Ex Strathclyde	1,124	189	16.8
Argyll and Bute	98	3	3.1
East Ayrshire	66	3	4.5
East Dunbartonshire	47	0	—
East Renfrewshire	32	0	—
City of Glasgow	280	98	35.0
Inverclyde	42	4	9.5
North Ayrshire	67	6	9.0
North Lanarkshire	170	34	20.0
Renfrewshire	69	2	2.9
South Ayrshire	54	6	11.1
South Lanarkshire	153	24	15.7
West Dunbartonshire	46	9	19.6
¹Twenty-five schools in Scotland, including nine in the former Strathclyde area were not required to form a School Board because of their small roll.
²Percentage of eligible schools.

Police Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the (a) population served, (b) geographical area covered and (c) strength of each police force in Scotland and the ratio of (c) in each force area to (a) and (b); and what is the ratio of police officers (i) per head of population and (ii) to geographical area in Scotland as a whole. [33327]

The information requested is set out in the tables.

Force	police Strength (31.12.97)	population	Ratio of Police strength to Population served
Central	693	274,600	1:396
Dumfries and Galloway	441	147,600	1:335
Fife	852	349,300	1:410
Grampian	1,195	531,200	1:445
Lothian and Borders	2,699	873,900	1:324
Northern	645	280,400	1:435
Strathclyde	7,377	2,277,400	1:309
Tayside	1,148	393,600	1:343
Total	15,050	5,128,000	1:341

Force	Police strength (31.12.97)	Geographical area covered (sq km)	Ratio of police strength to geographical area covered
Central	693	2,652	1:3.83
Dumfries and Galloway	441	6,439	1:14.6
Fife	852	1,323	1:1.55
Grampian	1,195	8,742	1:7.32
Lothian and Borders	2,699	6,455	1:2.39
Northern	645	31,348	1:48.6
Strathclyde	7,377	13,617	1:1.85
Tayside	1,148	7,558	1:6.58
Total	15,050	78,134	1:5.19

Northern Ireland

Tourism

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what tourism initiatives she is undertaking in respect of (a) accommodation schemes and quality standards, (b) promoting Northern Ireland, (c) trade communication, (d) market and product intelligence and research, (e) training and (f) market access and information. [33814]

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has recently published 'A Strategy for the Development of Tourism in Northern Ireland' which contains proposals and recommendations for the future of Northern Ireland's tourism industry.

(a) NITB operates a number of programmes of selective financial assistance for developing tourist accommodation, subject to published priorities. All accommodation for sale to tourists in Northern Ireland must be certified by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

(b) During 1998–99, NITB will invest in excess of £3.3 million in the promotion of tourism. This will be supplemented by private sector marketing investment and benefits derived from joint promotional campaigns with the Irish Tourist Board.

(c) In recognition of the importance of effective trade communication, NITB has established a Marketing Advisory Group involving partners deriving tourism benefits from both the public and private sector.

(d) NITB's Research Department continually monitors key economic indicators in connection with the performance of the Northern Ireland tourism industry. It also conducts specific evaluations appropriate to the needs of industry.

(e) NITB co-ordinates a training initiative "Welcome Host" which recognises the importance of excellence in customer service not only in the core tourism industry, but in all sectors that benefit from tourism.

(f) NITB continues to work with air and sea carriers to encourage them to improve direct gateway access to Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the percentage of (a) domestic holiday makers and (b) overseas visitors to the United Kingdom who spend their holiday in Northern Ireland. [33818]

In 1996, it is estimated that 1.5 per cent. of all domestic holiday trips taken by UK residents were taken in Northern Ireland, and that 1.9 per cent. of all overseas holiday visitors to the UK visited Northern Ireland.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those parliamentary questions she has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32712]

Between 1 May 1997 and 1 March 1998 this Department failed to answer one question, UIN number 10273, from the hon. and learned Member for North Down (Mr. McCartney), concerning the purchasing of electoral voting and non voting lists covering the 1996 Forum elections, within 8 weeks of the date it was due for answer.

Royal Ulster Constabulary

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the (a) population and (b) geographical area served by the RUC; and what is the ratio of police officers (i) per head of population and (ii) to geographical area in Northern Ireland. [33989]

The population of Northern Ireland, based on the last census, is 1,547,300; the geographical area is 3,495,255 acres. The ratio of police officers, including full and part-time Reserve Officers, per head of population is 1:115 and the ratio to geographical area is 1:260 acres.

International Development

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list those parliamentary questions she has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32713]

No parliamentary questions to my Department since 1 May 1997 have taken eight weeks or more to answer.

Bhutanese Refugees

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance the United Kingdom is providing to the Bhutanese Refugee Assistance programme. [33748]

The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently providing assistance to the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal through support for a Save the Children project. The project covers disease control, disability/community based rehabilitation, vocational training for income generation, refugee managed community health training, and a children's play programme.The amounts of the grants provided to this Save the Children project over the last 3 years are shown in the table.

£
	Amount
1995–96	100,000
1996–97	75,800
1997–98	85,849

Iraq

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures she is taking to alleviate the suffering of people living in Baghdad-controlled Iraq. [34609]

Britain co-sponsored the UN Security Council Resolution passed on 20 February, which increased the oil-for-food provision to $5.256 billion over 180 days, and is sponsoring a meeting to work with the UN to improve implementation of Security Council Resolution 1153.I am pleased to announce that we are also starting a new bilateral programme worth about £7 million to relieve the suffering inflicted on the ordinary people in Iraq, particularly the children, by Saddam Hussein.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide support to the Baghdad office of the World Health Organisation in its planned research into the health effects on people in southern Iraq of the dispersal of depleted uranium dust. [33975]

We have no information that the World Health Organisation is seeking assistance for such a study.

Centre For International Briefing

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to visit the Centre for International Briefing at Farnham; and if she will make a statement. [33920]

I have no plans to visit the Centre for International Briefing at Farnham. However, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State plans to visit the Centre on 15 July 1998.

Chechnya

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is currently providing in Chechnya. [33894]

The Department for International Development is not providing bilateral assistance to Chechnya at present. But the Department is contributing to multilateral agencies such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross, who have programmes in the region.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Ministerial Transport

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the cost of (a) Ministerial cars and drivers and (b) the Department's bill for taxis in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year. [27771]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The cost of Ministerial cars is as follows:

£
1995–96	233,261.56
1996–97	230,849.91
1997–98 to date	223,822.87
1997–98 full year	228,350 (forecast)

The information relating to the expenditure on taxis could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Casualty Stock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of (a) ending subsidies and (b) banning hunting on the (i) problems and (ii) expense to livestock farmers who need to dispose of casualty stock. [33004]

The objective of the support to the rendering industry was to avoid the disorderly collapse of the meat chain in the immediate aftermath of the BSE crisis. This was achieved. A wide range of industry bodies and representatives were involved in drawing up the Schemes, which were always intended to cover only the financial years 1996/97 and 1997/98, and to provide reduced support in the second year to allow the meat chain to adjust to the post BSE economic and regulatory realities.The Government are neutral on the issue of hunting. They have made no specific assessment of how a hunting ban would affect livestock farmers who dispose of casualty stock. The Government are, however, fully aware of the current difficulties faced by farmers in the disposal of fallen stock and the important role played by hunt kennels in the disposal chain. Officials are liaising with farming representatives to consider how fanners should, in future, dispose of fallen stock and to encourage the industry to put suitable arrangements in place.

Public Appointments

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the appointments to public bodies which he has made since 1 May 1997 have been from the Public Appointments Unit list. [33250]

Of the 147 appointments made since 1 May 1997, 13 have been from the Public Appointments Unit List.Nominations of candidates for MAFF public appointments come from a wide range of sources, including the Public Appointments Unit and advertising, to ensure that there is the widest possible dissemination of information about vacancies.

Dietary Supplements

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his proposed regulations on the retail sale of vitamin B6 have been passed for approval to the European Commission; if he will identify the EC Directive under which such approval must be obtained; if he will indicate the procedures and timetables through which a company in another member state may raise a formal objection to t he proposals under the provisions of that Directive; and if he will make a statement. [33515]

The draft regulations which will implement the Government's proposed restriction on the levels of vitamin B6 in food supplements will shortly be notified to the European Commission under Directive 83/189 (the technical Standards Directive) and Directive 79/112 (the Food Labelling Directive). The Technical Standards Directive requires that there shall be a three-month standstill period from the date of notification. During this period, the Commission and other member states have the opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations. It is a matter for individual member states whether, and on what basis, they choose to consult outside interests about measures notified under these procedures.

Public Bodies (Reports)

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the bodies within the responsibility of his Department currently required by legislation to lay a report before Parliament. [33555]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: The following bodies, for which my right hon. Friend has responsibility, are currently required by legislation to lay a report before Parliament:

Department and Executive Agency
Intervention Board

Executive Agencies
Central Science Laboratory
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Farming and Rural Conservation Agency
Meat Hygiene Service
Pesticides Safety Directorate
Veterinary Laboratory Agency
Veterinary Medicines Directorate

Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies
Apple and Pear Research Council
Home-Grown Cereals Authority
Horticultural Development Council
Meat and Livestock Commission
Milk Development Council
Potato Industry Development Council
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Public Corporation
Covent Garden Market Authority.

Previously, the Department has advised that the Veterinary Products Committee had a statutory requirement to publish an annual report and to lay the report before Parliament. It has now been established that this is not the case.

Publications

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those European Commission (a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which his Department subscribes. [33653]

The Department subscribes to a range of publications to support its work. A central list of those supplied by the European Commission could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Public Engagements

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the public engagements arranged by his Department which were carried out by the Parliamentary Secretary in the House of Lords since 1 June on Fridays and Saturdays. [33673]

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has undertaken the following public engagements since 1 June on Fridays and Saturdays.

Date	Visit
6 June	Farm visit
11 July	Regional visit
18 July	Regional visit
12 September	Overseas visit—Eastern Europe
20 September	Regional visit
26 September	Regional visit
10 October	Speaking engagement—London
18 October	Overseas visit—Indonesia
24–25 October	Overseas visit—Indonesia
7 November	Speaking engagement—London
19 December	Regional visit
16 January	Speaking engagement—London

Pet Passports

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the RSPCA report, "Passport for Pets and Vets in Support of Change". [33958]

I have read the recommendations in the Quarantine Reform Campaign's report 'The case for change' with interest. I agree with the final recommendation in the report that

"decisions in this area must be based on science and not emotion".

This is why we have asked the Advisory Group on Quarantine, under the chairmanship of Professor Kennedy, to carry out an independent scientific assessment of quarantine and alternatives to quarantine.

Forestry Commission Land Sales

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of Forestry Commission land which has been sold in England (a) since 1981 and (b) since 1 May 1997 has a public access agreement in place. [33742]

The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its Chief Executive, Dr. Bob McIntosh, to reply to my hon. Friend direct.

Letter from Bob McIntosh to Mrs. Diana Organ, dated 12 March 1998:

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your Question about the percentage of Forestry Commission land sold in England with access agreements.

The Commission's disposal policy originates from 1981 but the arrangements for the protection of public access were only introduced in 1991. I have, therefore, limited my answer to the period since 1991, up to 31 December 1997, the latest date for which figures are available on public access agreements.

For the period 1 April 1991 to 31 December 1997 the Forestry Commission sold 10,155 hectares of forest land in England of which 5% (533 hectares) were sold with an agreement to protect public access. For the period 1 May 1997 to 31 December 1997 the respective figures are 860 hectares sold, with 8% (65 hectares) subject to an agreement.

In addition during the whole period 248 hectares of the forest land sold had access protected through a sale to a Local Authority or other benevolent purchaser such as the Woodland Trust.

Finally, the Commission does notify Local Authorities of all forest land sales but in many cases is prevented from formally offering or entering into an agreement because of title constraints and third party rights.

Central Science Laboratory

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 596, if he will list the figures for the number of non-scientific staff employed at Sand Hutton, York, for 1996–97 and projected for 1997–98;[34411](2) what were the annual overhead costs of the Central Science Laboratory site at Sand Hutton, York, for 1996–97 and projected for 1997–98.[34412]

In respect of the information requested for 1997–98, I refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to him on 11 March 1998, Official Report, column 256. Information for the period 1996–97 is not available solely in relation to the Sand Hutton, York site, to which the Central Science Laboratory moved over a period of months from sites at Slough, Worplesdon, Harpenden and a number of other sites, beginning in the autumn of 1996.

Bse

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE have been confirmed in live dairy stock imported from EU countries.[33878]

We have confirmed BSE in five dairy animals imported from other Member States. These animals are classified by the type of herd in which they resided at the time the disease was reported. It is possible that all five animals were infected with BSE in the UK.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997.[32705]

Since 1 May 1997, two parliamentary questions took more than eight weeks to answer. One question from the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) was answered on 27 January 1998, Official Report, column 205 and a question from the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) was answered on 11 February 1998, Official Report, column 276.

Dutch Ware Potatoes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment has been made of the benefits of further restricting imports of Dutch ware potatoes through (a) clinical testing and (b) a ban; what assessment he has made of the (i) risks associated with the spread of and (ii) difficulties in eradicating brown rot; and if he will make a statement.[33988]

Measures against potato brown rot are kept under review, in the light of findings in the UK and other Member States and the results of research. Since the Netherlands announced a number of outbreaks in 1995, the Department has increased the number of inspections and laboratory tests on Dutch ware potatoes, but has not confirmed any findings of brown rot. In these circumstances, a ban would not be justified. There is evidence that, although in certain conditions brown rot could cause significant damage to UK crops, localised outbreaks can be eradicated. The Department is discussing with interested parties plans for eradicating the bacterium from infected watercourses, where it could present a risk of further spread.

Lord Chancellor's Department

Magistrates (South Yorkshire)

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates sit on the Barnsley magistrates' bench; and how many of those magistrates reside in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency. [33208]

There are currently 123 active magistrates on the Barnsley Bench of whom 14 reside within the constituency of Barnsley, East and Mexborough.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates sit on the Doncaster Magistrates' bench; and how many of those magistrates reside in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency.[33261]

There are currently 190 magistrates on the Doncaster Bench, of whom 18 magistrates reside in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency.

Public Appointments

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many of the appointments to public bodies which he has made since 1 May 1997 have been from the Public Appointments Unit list.[33254]

None of the appointments made by the Lord Chancellor to his public bodies has been from the Public Appointments Unit list, although we have consulted them. The Department has increasingly been using advertising to identify candidates for the Lord Chancellor's more significant advisory bodies. However, in terms of numbers most of the appointments are to the locally based Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace or General Commissioners of Income Tax, where the appointment is made on local recommendation.

Amsterdam Treaty

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those paragraphs of Articles 1,2 and 3 of the Treaty of Amsterdam which relate to aspects of judicial proceedings in the United Kingdom and in each case the person, persons, or bodies who will be responsible for their implementation in the United Kingdom; and what consultation Her Majesty's Government had with them prior to 14 June 1997. [33210]

The relevant provisions are to be found in:

(a) Paragraph 11 of Article 1 of the Treaty of Amsterdam, in particular new Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, which relates to judicial co-operation in criminal matters; and

(b) Paragraph 15 of Article 2, in particular new Article 73(m) of the EC Treaty, which relates to civil judicial co-operation and which is subject to the Protocol excluding the United Kingdom from the operation of measures in that field unless the United Kingdom indicates that it wishes to take part in any such measure.

The Government themselves are responsible for the implementation of these provisions in the United Kingdom.

Legal Aid

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reasons he has assessed the granting of legal aid to be inappropriate in claims for compensation.[33144]

The Government's reasons for beginning to remove money and damages claims from legal aid to be financed through conditional fees are set out fully in the Consultation Paper Access to Justice with Conditional Fees, a copy of which I have sent to the hon. Gentleman.

Treasury

South-East Asia

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further discussions he has held with the International Monetary Fund concerning the problems faced by south-east Asian economies. [32500]

I had useful recent discussions with IMF Managing Director Michel Camdessus on the current financial problems in Asia, at both the ECOFIN meeting of EU Finance Ministers on 16 February and at the meeting of G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on 21 February. In addition, I have been keeping in close and regular touch with the UK's Executive Director to the IMF in Washington. I am encouraged that confidence is beginning to return in those countries where reforms are being implemented with vigour. But the situation in Indonesia remains of serious concern, and renewed commitment to the IMF programme will be vital if financial stability is to be restored.

Individual Savings Account

16.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what submissions he has received opposing his ISA proposals. [32508]

We have received a large number of submissions in response to the proposals in the ISA consultative document. Our objective of encouraging more people to save has been widely welcomed. A variety of comments have been made on our specific proposals and we are considering them all carefully.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received on his proposals for the individual savings account; and when he expects to make progress on extending the opportunity for tax-exempt savings to the smaller saver. [32523]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has received many helpful and constructive comments for which he is grateful. A fuller announcement will be made.

Windfall Levy

17.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current level of receipts from the windfall levy for spending on the welfare-to-work programme. [32509]

The first tranche of the windfall tax was paid on time and in line with our forecast of some £2.6 billion, on 1 December. We are grateful to the companies for their co-operation.

35.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts on his policy to spend the windfall levy on a welfare-to-work programme. [32527]

I have discussed the Government's Welfare to Work programme on many occasions with other European Union Finance Ministers, including at ECOFIN. My Ministerial counterparts have been very interested to learn about how the Government is turning its plans into action. I will continue to use the UK's Presidency of the EU to advocate policies such as the Welfare to Work programme which ensure that all young people across the Community are equipped with the skills they need to find and keep work.

Income Tax

19.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he has had about the number of tax bands in the income tax structure. [32511]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor receives a wide range of representations every year, on all aspects of the income tax system.

Public Expenditure

20.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages of increasing public expenditure in the forthcoming financial year. [32512]

We have always made it clear that we intend to stick to the spending totals we inherited for the first two years of the Parliament, 1997–98 and 1998–99, while we undertake a Comprehensive Spending Review to set the plans for the medium term. But we have also made a significant difference in the short term through measures to reallocate spending within and between departments to reflect our key priorities including education, employment and the health service.

Balance Of Payments

21.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of recent trends in manufactured exports on the balance of payments. [32513]

During 1997 as whole, UK exporters performed well in difficult circumstances and export volumes of goods grew by around 8 per cent. Export growth is likely to slow in 1998, and the current account balance is forecast to move into deficit. But the deficit is expected to remain small by historical standards.

Indebted Countries

22.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had from Church leaders concerning the problem of international debt. [32514]

25.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from Church leaders about Government policy to reduce third world debt. [32517]

Since my Mauritius Mandate statement to Commonwealth Finance Ministers last September, I have held a number of meetings with religious leaders, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Hume, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland and many others. The UK firmly supports debt relief for the poorest, most indebted countries and is seeking an early solution to many of the problems experienced by them, not least at the moment in finding a solution to the debt problems of Mozambique. The Government take seriously their responsibilities to debt reduction internationally.

26.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts on the Mauritius mandate. [32518]

In September, I wrote to all EU Finance Ministers with the text of my Mauritius Mandate speech, and again in January following the seminar on debt issues that I held at No. 11 Downing Street in December with religious leaders and Non Governmental Organisations' directors. I discussed debt issues with three of my EU colleagues at the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting last month.

27.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on reducing the debt burden of the poorest countries. [32519]

37.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on reducing the debt burden of the poorest countries. [32529]

The Government are fully committed to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative that was launched by the IMF and World Bank in September 1996. In my speech to Commonwealth Finance Ministers in Mauritius last year, I called on the international community to commit itself to dealing with the problem of unsustainable debt burdens faced by the world's poorest countries once and for all. I urged creditors and debtors to undertake concrete action in order to ensure that at least three-quarters of the twenty countries, initially identified by the World Bank and IMF as probably needing debt relief under the HIPC initiative, have had decisions on the size and timing of their relief by the year 2000. I also encouraged all countries identified under the initiative to embark on the process of securing debt relief by the millennium. The Government propose to continue their efforts to ensure that these targets are met.In the IMF and World Bank Executive Boards, we have actively supported debt relief under the HIPC initiative for the four countries that have so far had decisions—Uganda, Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Guyana. The Government have also taken a lead in pressing for action to help another indebted country, Mozambique. We have offered to provide up to $10 million to help Mozambique achieve debt sustainability on top of the debt relief and assistance that the UK has already committed.

28.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on his policy to reduce the debt burden of the poorest countries. [32520]

I have received support for the targets that I set out for dealing with the unsustainable debt burdens of the world's poorest countries in the Mauritius Mandate from a number of sources, including the President of the World Bank, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Basil Hume and other religious leaders.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total debt owed to (i) the Government and (ii) Export Credits Guarantee Department, by developing countries, excluding Eastern European countries and the countries of the former Soviet Union. [33202]

(i) The total debt owed to the government at the end of 1997, by all low income countries (excluding Eastern European countries and the countries of the former Soviet Union), as listed in the World Bank Book Global Development Finance, is £4.71 billion.(ii) ECGD is owed £4.69 billion of this money. The rest is owed to DFID.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each developing country the total stock of its outstanding debt owed to the United Kingdom on 31 December 1997. [33205]

The debt stock owed to ECGD at the end of 1997, by each of the low income countries (excluding Eastern European countries and the countries of the former Soviet Union), as listed in the World Bank Book Global Development Finance, is as follows:

£
Country	Debt owed to ECGD
Afghanistan	nil
Albania	nil
Angola	91.2 million
Bangladesh	nil
Benin	2.7 million
Bhutan	nil
Bolivia	17.5 million
Burkina Faso	1 million
Burundi	nil
Cambodia	nil
Cameroon	61.5 million
C.A.R.	0.5 million
Chad	nil
China	nil
Comoros	0.04 million
Congo-Brazzaville	123 million
Cote d'lvoire	30.5 million
DR Congo (ex Zaire)	129.4 million
Equitorial Guinea	nil
Eritrea	nil
Ethiopia	11.7 million
Gambia	nil
Ghana	3.5 million
Guinea	5.1 million
Guinea Bissau	nil
Guyana	44.2 million
Haiti	nil
Honduras	0.36 million
India	1.6 million
Kenya	43.5 million
Lao PDR	1400
Liberia	14.5 million
Madagascar	27 million
Malawi	0.7 million
Mali	4.1 million
Mauritania	7.1 million
Mongolia	nil
Mozambique	86.3 million
Myanmar	25 million
Nepal	nil
Nicaragua	1 million
Niger	10.8 million
Nigeria	3,100 million
Pakistan	0.68 million
Rwanda	nil
Sao Tome et Principe	nil
Senegal	2.9 million
Sierra Leone	3.5 million
Somalia	27.5 million
Sri Lanka	4000
Sudan	404.8 million
Tanzania	125.7 million
Togo	14.2 million
Uganda	14 million
Vietnam	10.4 million
Yemen	6.2 million
Zambia	234.1 million
Zimbabwe	0.1 million

Public Sector Borrowing Requirement

23.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on his policy to ensure economic stability through greater control of the public sector borrowing requirement. [32515]

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations in advance of his Budget later this month.

Small And Medium Businesses

24.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy to ensure economic stability for the small and medium business sector. [32516]

The Government are seeking to promote the economic stability that will give all sectors of the economy, including small and medium sized business, the confidence to plan and invest for the future.

Bank Of England

29.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the reduction in staffing at the Bank of England following the establishment of the proposed European central bank. [32521]

In view of the fact that the United Kingdom has opted not to join EMU at the outset, the Bank expects the establishment of the European Central Bank will have no implications for the staffing of the Bank of England.

Tax And National Insurance

30.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has evaluated into the advantage of equalising lower earnings levels at which tax and national insurance are first paid. [32522]

The Government keep the tax and NIC systems under constant review.

European Union Contribution

32.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net cost to HM Treasury of the United Kingdom's contribution to the EU under the next quinquennial financial perspective. [32524]

In July 1997 the European Commission issued outline proposals for the next Financial Perspective, which they proposed should run from 2000 to 2006. These formed part of the Commission's Agenda 2000 communication, which also dealt with the enlargement of the Union to Cyprus and the states of central and eastern Europe, and the reform of its main policies.Enlargement of the EU will deliver substantial economic benefits, as well as reinforcing freedom and democracy throughout the continent. This is the context for the Commission's financial proposals, which would imply a significant increase in net contributions, or reduction in net receipts, for all existing member states.It would be premature to issue estimates of the amounts involved in advance of the Commission's more detailed proposals, which are expected shortly. In any case any assessment could reflect only the views of the Commission rather than the actual outcome, which will depend on negotiation between member states of the final Agenda 2000 package. The UK will, of course, argue in those negotiations for an approach to the EU's finances which matches the discipline which member states are applying to their domestic budgets.

European Single Currency

33.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the steps currently being taken by his Department to prepare for the single European currency. [32525]

I have set up a Euro Preparations Unit (EPU) in the Treasury to play a coordinating role in helping both British business and the public sector prepare for the single currency. The Unit will look at the implications of the introduction of the euro on 1 January 1999 as well as how we would join and introduce the single currency in the United Kingdom if we decided to do so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will press for Greek membership of the Euro. [33806]

Decisions on which countries meet the necessary conditions to go forward to Stage III of Economic and Monetary Union will be taken by Heads of Government in May.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the British Government will support the triangulation method for currency conversion between member states; [34087](2) what assessment he has made of the measures which British companies will be required to take in order to prepare their accounts in euros under the triangulation method. [34089]

After the launch of the euro on 1 January 1999. the national currencies of participating countries will continue to exist as national currency denominations (or units) of the euro during a transitional period of three years. Conversion from one of these national denominations to another national denomination will need to be effected via a conversion to the euro unit, or by another process producing the same result, to ensure that mathematical discrepancies do not arise. This process is described as triangulation and is set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 1103/97 on certain provisions relating to the introduction of the euro, adopted on 17 June 1997. Given that it applies to conversion between national currency units of participating countries and not the euro unit itself, its use will not arise for the calculation and presentation of accounts in euro.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what role the Bank of England will have in assisting the European system of central banks to support the value of the currencies participating in monetary union after 2 May. [34090]

There can be no presumption that such support will be necessary, but in any event the Bank of England will have no formal obligations to assist the ESCB to support the value of currencies participating in monetary union after 2 May. The Bank will continue to stand ready to assist other central banks in their operations from time to time.

Tobacco And Alcohol

34.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he is making at ECOFIN in persuading European Union Finance Ministers to increase excise duty on tobacco and alcohol. [32526]

The issue of excise duty rates on tobacco and alcohol has not been raised in ECOFIN so far during the UK Presidency. We await the commission's report on their reviews of the minimum rates of duty on tobacco and alcohol.

40.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from associations representing tobacco retailers and/or manufacturers concerning illegal resale of tobacco imported from Belgium. [32532]

The tobacco trade associations have made a number of written representations concerning the illegal re-sale of tobacco imported from Belgium. In addition I met with the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association on 4 March 1998.

Business Cycles

36.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent to which the British and continental European business cycles are becoming more synchronised; and if he will make a statement. [32528]

The Chancellor set out the Government's views on the convergence of the British and continental European business cycles in his statement on EMU on 27 October 1997. In addition the Government published the Treasury's assessment "UK Membership of the Single Currency: an Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" which also discussed this subject.

Local Authority Expenditure

38.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total local authority expenditure is met by (a) central Government funds, (b) business rate payers and (c) council tax payers. [32530]

In 1995–96, across Great Britain as a whole, central government funds to local authorities had a value of 61 per cent. of total local authority expenditure, business rates payments 18 per cent., and council tax 15 per cent.

Interest Rates

39.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to promote long-term stability in interest rates. [32531]

The Government have put in place a credible monetary and fiscal policy framework that will deliver consistently low and stable inflation over the long term. These measures should help promote interest rate stability in the long run, improving the environment for long-term investment.

Company Taxes (Euro)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who will bear the exchange costs relating to company taxes paid in euros. [33119]

A working group, which will report in April, is looking at steps that the Government might take to help businesses that choose to use the euro from 1 January 1999 and the associated implications for departments.Included in this work is an analysis of the implications of meeting the Government's commitment to allow certain taxes to be paid in euro.

Taxation (Professional Businesses)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received as to the legality of the Government's proposals to withdraw the cash basis practice for the taxation of professional businesses, with particular reference to the provisions of the Equal Treatment Directive (76/207). [33030]

A large number of representations and comments were received, including some referring to the provisions of the Equal Treatment Directive. We are now in the process of reviewing the comments received. The outcome of that review will not be announced before my right hon. Friend's Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the double taxation effect of the proposed catch up charge contained in the proposals to withdraw the cash basis of taxation for professional businesses. [33032]

We have received a large number of comments and representations on the proposal to withdraw the cash basis practices. A few of these suggested that there was a double taxation effect of the proposed catch up charge, but we do not accept that there is. The catch up charge brings into account, only once, the receipts which would have been included had the business always been taxed on the accruals basis, and which would otherwise escape tax altogether on moving to that basis, because they were earned in an earlier period.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Ms Lawrence) of 22 December 1997, Official Report, column 471, on business profits, in what way the imposition of the catch up charge proposed in the Government's proposals to withdraw the cash basis of taxation for professional businesses (a) corrects an anomaly and (b) creates a level playing field for all businesses. [33200]

The normal way in which those carrying on a business compute profits for tax is on the `earnings' or 'accruals' concept under which items are brought into account not as money is received or paid, but as receipts are 'earned' or expenses 'incurred'. However, the Inland Revenue had long-standing published practices under which self-employed people carrying on a business which counts as a 'profession or vocation' may choose a special basis for computing their tax profits, often called a 'cash' basis. Professionals on a cash basis can, subject to certain conditions, compute their tax profits by bringing into account money only as it is received or paid out. Many professional businesses do not adopt a cash basis, but the tax profits of those that do are generally lower than they would be if they were computed on an earnings or accruals basis.The idea of withdrawal of the cash basis was to level the playing field for all businesses. The catching up charge is necessary to ensure that the transition from cash to accruals basis does not leave out tax receipts, less any expenses, which have not yet been included in their tax returns, but which would have been included if the accruals basis had always applied.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the tax liability of a barrister (a) under the current practice and (b) under the potential future practice under the Government's proposals to withdraw the cash basis of taxation from professional businesses whose earnings correspond with each of the two examples given at Appendix B of the Bar Council's response dated 12 February. [33029]

The proposal to withdraw the cash basis practices available to professionals was the subject of a consultation process which was started by the issue of an Inland Revenue Press Release on 22 December 1997. Comments were invited by 14 February 1998. Now we are in the process of reviewing the many comments received. The outcome of that review will not be announced before my right hon. Friend's Budget. A barrister's liability under the potential future practice will of course depend on the final shape of the proposal yet to be announced. A comparison at this stage is not therefore possible.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received as to the effect on the taxation of partnerships of the Government's proposals to withdraw the cash basis practice for the taxation of professional businesses. [33031]

We have received a large number of comments and representations on the proposal to withdraw the cash basis practices. Many of these raised issues about the effect of the proposal on partnerships. Now we are in the process of reviewing the comments received. The outcome of that review will not be announced before my hon. Friend's Budget.

Public Appointments

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the appointments to public bodies which he has made since 1 May 1997 have been from the Public Appointments Unit list. [33256]

Treasury Ministers use a wide range of sources, including the Public Appointments Unit, to identify candidates for public appointments. Of those appointments made since 1 May 1997, one has been identified as having been as a direct result of the PAU list. However there may be other appointees, identified from other sources, who are also on the PAU list.

Housing (Vat Rates)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 February 1998, Official Report, column 132, if he will place in the Library copies of the requests for advice sent to the European Commission as to which government policy measures qualify for a lower rate of VAT because they are defined as the supply, construction, renovation and altering of housing as part of social policy under Annex H of the Sixth VAT Directive and copies of the advice which he received from the European Commission. [33362]

No. Publication of this correspondence is inappropriate under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Millennium Compliance

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress to date towards (a) millennium compliance and (b) single currency compliance, of the computer systems involved in the introduction of European Monetary Union in the central Governments of each EU member state. [33361]

The Government have a full programme for ensuring that its computer systems are millennium compliant. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster reports progress to the House regularly. The programme covers all government computer systems including any which relate to the introduction of the euro. Departments that have dealings in foreign currencies are also carrying out work to ensure that they are able to accommodate the introduction of the euro.The millennium compliance and euro compliance of IT systems involved in the introduction of the single currency in other member states is a matter for the Governments concerned.

Tenants (Tax Liability)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make the tax liability of tenants for improvement of their property applied to (a) tied cottages and (b) Church of England clergy, the same as that applied to accommodation provided on the basis of being wholly necessary for the discharge of an individual's employment. [33805]

All employees who are provided with living accommodation by reason of their employment are already subject to the same tax rules in respect of the benefit arising from the provision of that accommodation.

Resuscitation Training Models

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the treatment of resuscitation training models as items of medical equipment for tax purposes. [33793]

In recent months Treasury Ministers have received representations on the VAT liability of resuscitation training models from St. John Ambulance through nine letters from MPs and a further letter enclosing correspondence from the Royal Free Hospital. In the last year Customs have also received representations from the Charities Tax Reform Group and a number of charities. This matter is now the subject of an appeal to the VAT and Duties Tribunal, which is the proper forum for resolving questions of liability.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay the decision by Customs and Excise to withdraw relief from VAT for St. John Ambulance's Resuscitation Training Models under notice 701/6 in March 1997. [33604]

The supply of training equipment, such as resuscitation training models, has always been subject to VAT. The position was made clear in March 1997 in an updated Public Notice.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay the decision to term St. John Ambulance's Resuscitation Training Models as not being items of medical equipment. [33603]

Customs interpret medical equipment as covering articles required for the purpose of diagnosing or treating injury or illness or the preservation of health.

Duty-Free Sales

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy in respect of the duty regime which will apply following the planned abolition of duty free sales in the EU. [33923]

Operators currently dealing in intra-EU duty free sales will, following abolition, be required to account for duty and tax on the sales they make in accordance with the principles laid down in the relevant EC directives. Customs and Excise are in discussion with UK trade interests to explore the practicalities of implementing this duty paid regime.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards tax harmonisation in the EU; and what account will be taken of that progress in any decision to abolish duty free in the EU in 1999. [33924]

The mechanism for progressing harmonisation of excise duty rates on alcohol and tobacco is through the Commission's biennial reviews of the minimum rates of excise duty. Their current reports are overdue.The decision to end intra-EU duty-free sales has already been taken by the Council of Finance Minister, in 1991. The harmonisation of duties and taxes was not a factor in that decision.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the current position of each member state of the EU in respect of commissioning an impact assessment of the effect on employment of abolishing duty free sales in the EU.[33925]

There was a brief discussion of the matter among Economic and Finance Ministers on 9 March, but I regret that the information in the form sought by my hon. Friend is not available.

Brewing Industry

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed (a) directly and (b) indirectly in the United Kingdom brewing industry. [33913]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, dated 12 March 1998:

As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on employment in the brewing industry.

Information from the Annual Employment Survey (AES) shows that at September 1996 there were 24,000 employees in the manufacture of cider and other fruit wines, beer and malt, and 410,000 employees in bars and the retail sale of alcoholic and other beverages. This information is for Great Britain and not the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland estimates are not available at this level of detail.

Pensions Mis-Selling

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards resolving cases of personal pensions mis-selling; and what further action will be taken to see that all those missold a personal pension receive redress. [34007]

I have today placed in the Library a table showing what further progress has been made in the period up to 28 February 1998 by the 41 firms the Government have been monitoring.Continuing the trend established in recent months, the table shows that the firms have made further progress during the month, and that about 65 per cent. of the cases identified for review are now completed.The general trend hides a wide range of different performances. A few firms—8 in all—have yet to complete even half their cases. One is still some way short of the 10 per cent. mark. At the other end of the scale seven of the 41 firms I am monitoring have now completed over three quarters of their cases identified for review.In previous announcements, I have underlined the importance that both the Government and the regulators attach to all firms, including small firms, taking all possible steps to complete their reviews. I have also made it clear that firms will not escape sanction if they fail to act. That was not an empty threat. Two days ago, the Personal Investment Authority (PIA) announced it was investigating apparent failures to meet the regulator's targets for completing the most urgent case reviews in respect of about 600 small firms, with a view to taking disciplinary action. The firms concerned should have completed at least 90 per cent. of the top priority cases—which include people who are already retired or have died—by the end of December 1997. Far too many small firms appear to have failed to tackle even these most pressing cases. This is simply not acceptable, and PIA's action is to be commended.As noted above, a number of large firms have resolved over three quarters of their cases. Some of these firms are now getting close to the point where they will have completed their priority cases. This is welcome news. However it highlights the importance of looking forward beyond the first phase of the review of pensions mis-selling. The first step has rightly been to address the more pressing categories of cases, for example the cases of those who are most likely to have lost out and those either in or close to retirement. But they are not the only victims of pensions mis-selling and it is now important to look ahead at how to address the less pressing cases, which have in the past been referred to as "non-priority" cases.The regulators—Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the PIA—have today issued a consultation document setting out proposals for taking forward the review of personal pensions mis-selling into its second phase. Copies have been placed in the Library. The Government welcome this step forward, which reflects the outcome of research on the extent of the problem.The document sets out the regulators' proposed approach for firms to tackle the second phase of the review, building on experience of the first phase. It is important to note that this policy is not yet finalised. The way forward must be practicable. It must work. That is why the regulators have chosen to consult.This is particularly important given that initial research commissioned by the FSA suggests that it will be a large task—potentially involving as many as 1.8 million cases. Whatever the final figures turn out to be, it is clear that the scale is such that it is in everyone's interests that the process adopted is the right one. To that end I urge everyone that is involved or has an interest to participate in the consultation—including investors, occupational pension schemes and of course the firms themselves. In doing that I hope that everyone will make constructive contributions. That is the only way to see that the final policy that the regulators adopt is the best way forward, in the interests of investors and ultimately in the interests of the industry.

Progress by pensions firms in completing reviews of personal pensions mis-selling in the period to the end of February 1998
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Under 25% of cases resolved
DBS	2506	37	199	64	135	72	3	7
25–50% of cases resolved Gan
Gan	11,111	802	3,719	482	3,237	2,328	21	33
Lincoln National	13,239	1,358	4,148	1,015	3,133	2,164	16	34
Financial Options	339	100	32	18	14	11	3	38
Burns Anderson	1,035	247	164	96	68	53	5	38
Countrywide	4,684	1,594	252	159	93	74	2	39
Windsor Life	9,451	2,559	1,706	264	1,442	1,179	12	42
Abbey Life	17,251	4,107	6,288	889	5,399	3,272	19	48
50–75% of cases resolved
Friends Provident	6,831	932	2,791	418	2,373	2,069	30	50
Canada Life	5,498	280	2,961	520	2,441	1,953	36	50
Standard Life	6,899	593	3,028	967	2,061	1,898	28	50
Colonial	8,167	2,118	2,832	339	2,493	1,737	21	51
CIS	42,536	3,402	20,969	12,683	8,286	6,355	15	53
London and Manchester	8,182	1,045	3,802	483	3,319	2,875	35	54
Royal & Sun Alliance	15,672	2,146	7,399	906	6,493	5,513	35	55
Hill Samuel	5,987	760	2,894	586	2,308	1,962	33	55
IFA Network	251	40	104	75	29	26	10	56
Sun Life of Canada	26,660	7,046	9,546	1,836	7,710	6,312	24	57
Britannic	18,722	4,413	9,664	2,547	7,117	3,824	20	58
United Assurance	12,793	900	7,879	1,855	6,024	4,810	38	59
NatWest	14,450	3,988	5,743	981	4,762	3,646	25	60
Allied Dunbar	18,689	3,139	9,677	3,005	6,672	5,195	28	61
Albany Life	2,913	567	1,662	148	1,514	1,169	40	65
Godwins	1,478	100	941	355	586	507	34	65
Equitable Life	7,303	1,563	3,482	1,422	2,060	1,806	25	66
Guardian	8,884	1,097	5,738	882	4,856	4,075	46	68
Commercial Union	7,678	1,192	4,705	751	3,954	3,434	45	70
Sedgwick	15,487	7,702	3,456	1,322	2,134	1,904	12	71
Berkeley Independent	126	73	17	14	3	2	2	71
Lloyd's TSB	48,853	10,100	27,292	5,952	21,340	18,503	38	71
Legal & General	36,480	14,441	14,856	1,537	13,319	10,504	29	73
M&E Network	290	159	58	22	36	31	11	73
Royal London	12,075	1,082	8,891	1,369	7,522	6,439	53	74
Norwich Union	7,344	2,189	3,702	661	3,041	2,633	36	75
Over 75% of cases resolved
Pearl	45,927	3,080	37,302	5,557	31,745	26,562	58	77
Wesleyan	4,156	247	3,164	918	2,246	2,031	49	77
Prudential	72,580	18,970	50,412	3,779	46,633	35,884	49	81
Midland	4,828	384	3,956	570	3,386	3,033	63	83
AXA Equity and Law	3,925	718	2,736	617	2,119	1,950	50	84
Hogg Robinson	2,039	795	1,018	357	661	556	27	84
Barclays	16,924	6,147	8,985	2,091	6,894	5,942	35	84

A: cases identified as requiring review.

B: of A, cases where investor was informed that information gained during assessment excluded cases from review.

C: number of assessments completed.

D: cases where the investor has been informed that no redress is due.

E: cases where redress has been offered.

F: cases where redress has been accepted.

G: cases where redress has been accepted as a percentage of cases identified for review ((F/Ax 100).

H: cases completed, including exclusions, as a percentage of cases identified for review (((B+D+F)/A)x 100).

Gdp Calculation

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implications of the proposed change in the calculation of the main figure for GDP from factor cost to market prices. [34001]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tony Colman, dated 12 March 1988:

As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the implications of the proposed changes in the calculation of the main figure for GDP.

From September 1998 the UK will implement the new European System of Accounts (ESA95), both for UK publication and for data provided to Eurostat and other international organisations. As part of this process, GDP at market prices would become the main figure reported for GDP. This is one of a number of changes being considered which would affect the presentation of the UK national accounts. The change to market prices would bring UK practice into line with most other countries and hence help to make international comparisons more meaningful.

The ONS has been consulting users about these changes and intends to announce the outcome of the consultation in a News Release during April.

Ecofin

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Council Meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers of the European Union held on 9 March. [34326]

I chaired the Economic and Finance Council—ECOFIN—of the European Union in Brussels on 9 March. The Economic Secretary represented the UK.The Council began by discussing its recommendation to the Parliament that they discharge the Budget for 1996. Prof. Friedmann, President of the European Court of Auditors (ECA), gave a full presentation of the key findings from his report on the implementation of the 1996 Budget. Both Commissioner Liikanen and other colleagues responded. Although I was able to congratulate Prof. Friedmann on an excellent and thorough report, and Commissioner Liikanen on the significant steps forward in financial management, I also noted the Council's disappointment that the ECA was again unable to provide us with a positive Statement of Assurance on the implementation of the Budget.I also drew colleagues' attention to my intention to use the 19 May ECOFIN for a wide-ranging discussion of Community financing issues, including follow-up to the criticisms made in the ECA report, the next Preliminary Draft Budget (for 1999), and the future financing of the Community (on the basis of the Commission's Agenda 2000 proposals).The Council next considered the follow-up to the code of conduct for business taxation agreed at the 1 December ECOFIN. We agreed the setting up of the assessment group provided for in the code. Commissioner Monti presented his draft directive regarding the taxation of interest and royalty payments between associated companies in different states.The Council considered a memorandum on a coordinated European response to the challenges posed by the development of electronic commerce. After some contributions from Commissioner Monti and other colleagues, I noted that this was a matter of some interest to ECOFIN, and that we should return to it.Under the preparation of Stage 3 of EMU, the Council received information from the Presidency, Commission, and Council Secretariat on the timetable for the EMU decision-making process. I also took the opportunity to remind colleagues of the importance of ensuring that national legislation, including the statutes of national central banks, is made compatible with the Treaty requirements for EMU.On the basis of a presentation from Commissioner de Silguy, and a response from Sir Brian Unwin (President of the European Investment Bank), the Council discussed the principle of the Community guaranteeing EIB lending to Bosnia-Herzegovina. After some discussion, I concluded that there was a broad consensus that the Commission should bring forward a proposal, and noted particularly that some Member States had asked the Commission to keep budget discipline in mind when doing so.

Employment Statistics

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to produce employment and unemployment statistics which can be directly compared with those of the UK's EU partners. [34185]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Barry Sheerman, dated 12 March 1998:

As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on producing employment and unemployment statistics which can be directly compared with those of the UK's EU partners.

The ONS recently announced major improvements to UK labour market statistics. In recognition of the increasing complexity of the labour market in the United Kingdom, the new ONS presentation will focus on employment, unemployment and inactivity (out of work but not unemployed) as being equally important in describing the changing labour market.

From April 1998, the ONS's assessment will give more weight to the Labour Force Survey, which in future will be published twelve times a year for an average of each three month period. Existing internationally agreed definitions as recommended by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) will continue to be used. Each EU member state is required to carry out a Labour Force Survey on the ILO definitions and the survey results can therefore be directly compared.

A new regulation is due to be adopted by the EU Council of Ministers that will lead to improved harmonisation of employment and unemployment statistics across EU countries on the basis of quarterly Labour Force Surveys.

Women

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number and the percentage of women who have (i) a dependent child aged (1) 0–4, (2) 5–10 and (3) 11–15 years and (ii) no dependent children who are (a) working full time, (b) working part-time, (c) registered unemployed and (d) economically inactive, indicating separately the numbers of women in each group who are (A) married or living with another person and (B) not married or living with another person. [34002]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Denis MacShane, dated 12 March 1998:

As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question asking for a breakdown of women by economic and marital status and age of youngest dependent child.

This information is shown in the attached table using estimates available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The ONS measure of unemployment, derived from the LFS, is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks

Women aged 16–59 by economic and marital status and age of youngest dependent child Summer 1997 (not seasonally adjusted)
United Kingdom
		Age of youngest dependent child
	All women	0–15	0–4	5–10	11–15	No dependent children under 16
Thousands:
All persons
All women aged 16–59	17,033	6,800	3,067	2,203	1,530	10,233
Economically active	12,310	4,408	1,684	1,553	1,171	7,902
In employment¹	11,511	4,119	1,563	1,448	1,108	7,393
Full time²	6,545	1,579	562	507	510	4,966
Part time²	4,962	2,538	1,000	940	597	2,424
ILO unemployed	799	289	121	105	63	509
Economically inactive	4,723	2,392	1,383	650	359	2,331
Married/cohabiting
All women aged 16–59	10,978	5,275	2,425	1,648	1,202	5,703
Economically active	8,070	3,658	1,468	1,243	948	4,412
In employment¹	7,767	3,496	1,392	1,188	916	4,271
Full time²	4,082	1,313	502	401	411	2,769
Part time²	3,683	2,182	890	787	505	1,501
ILO unemployed	303	162	76	54	32	141
Economically inactive	2,908	1,617	957	405	255	1,291
Non-married
All women aged 16–59	6,055	1,525	642	555	327	4,530
Economically active	4,240	750	216	311	223	3,490
In employment¹	3,744	623	171	260	192	3,122
Full time²	2,463	266	61	106	100	2,197
Part time²	1,279	356	110	154	92	923
ILO unemployed	496	127	45	51	32	368
Economically inactive	1,815	775	426	245	104	1,040
Per cent.:
All persons
All women aged 16–59	100	100	100	100	100	100
Economically active	72	65	55	70	77	77
In employment¹	68	61	51	66	72	72
Full time²	38	23	18	23	33	49
Part time²	29	37	33	43	39	24
ILO unemployed	5	4	4	5	4	5
Economically inactive	28	35	45	30	23	23
Married/cohabiting
All women aged 16–59	100	100	100	100	100	100
Economically active	74	69	61	75	79	77
In employment¹	71	66	57	72	76	75
Full time²	37	25	21	24	34	49
Part time²	34	41	37	48	42	26
ILO unemployed	3	3	3	3	3	2
Economically inactive	26	31	39	25	21	23
Non-married
All women aged 16–59	100	100	100	100	100	100
Economically active	70	49	34	56	68	77
In employment¹	62	41	27	47	59	69
Full time²	41	17	9	19	30	48
Part time²	21	23	17	28	28	20
ILO unemployed	8	8	7	9	10	8
Economically inactive	30	51	66	44	32	23
¹Includes those who did not state whether they worked full or part-time.
²Full/part-time classification is based on respondents self-assessment.

Note:

Less than 10,000 in cell: figure too small for reliable estimate.

Source:

Labour Force Survey.

or are waiting to start a job already obtained. The ILO measure of unemployment has been used in this reply instead of "registered unemployed" for consistency with the rest of the table.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32704]

The eight questions listed did not receive answers within eight weeks of the due date for answer. This represents 0.36 per cent. of the 2,215 written questions tabled to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the present Session.

Member	Table Office serial number
Tim Boswell	15967
Malcolm Bruce	20683
Jim Cousins	23034
Nick Gibb	19771
John Horam	20952
Peter Lilley	19704
Austin Mitchell	12339
John Redwood	20894

Eu Code Of Conduct Group

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the aims and objects of the EU Code of Conduct Group established by ECOFIN. [34031]

The purpose of the Code of Conduct Group is to assess harmful tax measures which may fall within the scope of the Code of Conduct. The Code itself, which covers business taxation, is designed to curb harmful direct tax measures which may affect in a significant way the location of business in the European Community.

Ecu Bonds

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government propose to provide for the compulsory conversion of Ecu bonds into Euro bonds by 1 January 1999. [34088]

All Ecu bonds issued by the UK Government will automatically become denominated in euro at the start of Stage 3 under European Council Regulation No. (EC)1103/97.

Correspondence

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 22 January, reference: 0603/15. [34032]

My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury responded on 11 March.

Defence

Gulf (Inoculations)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made to inoculate British forces and medical auxiliaries currently dispatched to the Gulf against (a) anthrax, (b) botulism and (c) chemical weapon agents; what range of insecticides have been sent; and if serving personnel have been given an option not to receive inoculations. [30830]

A programme of immunisation against anthrax is currently being offered to UK Service personnel and MOD civilians in the Gulf region. Details of this programme, which whilst strongly recommended is not compulsory were given in the reply by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 535. UK forces currently deployed in the Gulf region have been equipped with a range of medical countermeasures against chemical and biological warfare agents. However, no other prophylactic medical countermeasures are currently being used by these forces.Up to three types of pesticide from Service stocks are available for use by UK forces in the Gulf region, according to their location. These are pyrethroid-based insecticides for general insect control, a bendiocarb-based insecticide cockroach control and difenacoum-based rodenticides.

Riot Control Agents

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what stockpile his Department holds of CR; and for what purpose the material is held; [31274](2) what assessment he has made of the United Kingdom's obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention in his policy on the use of CR; [31269](3) where his Department's stockpile of CR is held; and what is the estimated annual cost of storage. [31270]

CR gas is a riot control agent designed to cause temporary irritation. The Ministry of Defence currently holds stocks of approximately 260kg for use if necessary by those units responsible for maintaining an effective counter terrorist response capability. This policy is consistent with the Chemical Weapons Convention, which permits the use of certain toxic chemicals for law enforcement purposes. Stocks of CR are held at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's Chemical and Biological Defence sector at Porton Down and at the relevant unit level. Figures for the annual cost of storing CR cannot separately be identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of riot control agents are held by his Department; what quantities of each agent are held by his Department; what is the intended purpose of each agent; and where the stocks are held. [33888]

CS irritant is the only riot control agent held by my Department. Its purpose is for Nuclear Biological and Chemical Defence training and as a contingency in case the armed forces should ever be asked to support the civil power in riot control. The quantity of CS held is currently under review, although at present it stands at:

1.5 inch Cartridges: 7,209 (+ 14,541 obsolete variants awaiting disposal).
Hand Thrown Grenades: 12,799 (+ 640 obsolete variants or shelf life expired grenades awaiting disposal).
Discharged Grenades: 19,152 (+ 250 shelf life expired grenades awaiting disposal).
A further quantity of 2,500 kilogrammes of CS.

The locations of the agent are being withheld under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Casualties (Training Exercises)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers have been (i) injured and (ii) killed during training exercises in the United Kingdom in each year since 1992 to date. [31740]

Figures for the number of deaths and injuries to Army Officers and Soldiers during training exercises for each year since 1992 are provided in the table.

Year	Deaths	Injuries
1992	2	367
1993	1	333
1994	2	494
1995	1	377
1996	0	462
1997	1	325
1998 (to 27 February 1998)	1	0

Note:

The figures for 1997 and 1998 are provisional as specific details of some incidents remain to be verified.

Mod Sites (Wales)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MoD sites in Wales have been disposed of (i) since 1 May and (ii) between November 1996 and May 1997; and to which bodies. [33697]

The properties in Wales which have been sold and the date are shown in the table. With the exception of the sales of St. David's airfield (January 1997), the sites have been sold to private individuals or companies the details of which are withheld under exemption of 14 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

MOD sites in Wales: disposals
Date	Site	Purchaser
(i) Since 1 May 1997
May 1997	Part of St. David's Airfield	Private Individual
Sept 1997	No. 3 Scarborough Road, Newport	Private Individual
Sept 1997	2/3 Church Cottages, Beachley	Private Individual
Oct 1997	12 Ellis Avenue, Haverfordwest	Private Individual
Nov 1997	1 Church Cottages, Beachley	Private Individual
Dec 1997	6 Duke's Meadow, Pendine	Private Individual
Dec 1997	14 Ellis Avenue, Haverforewest	Private Individual
Jan 1998	Area of RNAD Trecwn, Pembroke	Private Consortium
(ii) Between Nov 1996 and May 1997
Dec 1996	22 Woodend, Pendine	Private Individual
Dec 1996	Land adjoining Cawder Bks, Brawdy	Private Individual
Jan 1997	Rinston Farm, Beachley	Private Individual
Jan 1997	Part of St. David's Airfield	Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Jan 1997	2 Duke's Meadow, Pendine	Private Individual
Feb 1997	7 Duke's Meadow, Pendine	Private Sale
Feb 1997	Land at Vauxhall Camp, Monmouth	Private Individual
Feb 1997	Berrybush Aerial Site, Brawdy	Private Individual
Feb 1997	4 Scarborough Road, Newport	Private Individual

MOD in Wales: disposals
Date	Site	Purchaser
Mar 1997	Part of St. David's Airfield	Private Individual
Mar 1997	Beachley House, Chepstow	Private Individual
Apr 1997	Part of St. David's Airfield	Private Individual
Apr 1997	Part of St. David's Airfield	Private Individual

Note:

This does not include the sale of 263 Married Quarters to Annington Homes Limited in November 1996 which were part of a national transaction.

Porton Down

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times since 1990 the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down has supplied information about former volunteers to the War Pensions Agency when those volunteers have submitted a claim to the Agency. [33803]

Since 1990 the Chemical and Biological Defence sector (CBD) of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) has responded to approximately eighty requests from the War Pensions Agency for information relating to former volunteers. CBD also responds to requests received from individual volunteers, their representatives and the Army Historical Branch.CBD responds to each request for information with all available details from the surviving records and as full an explanation as possible concerning the trials in which the volunteer participated.

Defence Council Instructions

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of the titles and subject matter of the unclassified Defence Council Instructions which were issued between 1 September 1997 and 30 November 1997. [33847]

Yes. I am placing a list today.

Nato Working Papers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the NATO working papers agreed at the NATO summit in November 1997. [33677]

The last NATO Summit took place in Madrid on 8-9 July 1997. The last meetings of NATO Defence Ministers and NATO Foreign Ministers took place in Brussels on 2 and 16 December 1997 respectively. The working papers presented at such meetings are classified documents. Copies of the "Madrid Declaration on Euro-Atlantic Security and Cooperation" issued at the Madrid Summit, and the communiques of the latest meetings of NATO Defence and Foreign Ministers, have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32706]

There has been one such question. I answered a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 17 February 1998, Official Report, column 562. The information he requested was not held centrally and significant effort over a period, including the Christmas break, was required to collate the information that was readily available.

Wales

Training

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent from public funds on training how many people (a) in Wales and (b) in connection with LG companies in 1996–97; and if he will estimate expenditure and numbers in respect of (a) and (b) in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99. [33285]

Welsh Office expenditure on the main youth and adult training programmes delivered via Training and Enterprise Councils in 1996–97 amounted to £83.2 million and covered 37,734 starts by people on the programmes. Comparable provision in the current financial year amounts to £386.1 million and it is estimated that, by the outturn, there will have been some 31,540 starts. For 1998–99, the equivalent figures are £77 million and 29,000 starts, although target activity and funding levels are subject to on-going contractual negotiations with the TECs. These figures do not include training linked to TEC funding from their Business Growth and Start-Up budget and Local Initiative Fund, or training under the New Deal.No public funds were spent on training in connection with LG companies in 1996–97. The above figures for 1997–98 and 1998–99 include 32 Modern Apprentices in training linked to LG companies, supported by Welsh Office funding of £50,000 in 1997–98 and £125,000 in 1998–99. In addition, in 1997–98, Gwent TEC has been allocated £2 million for the training of 547 people from LG companies. The equivalent figures for 1998–99 are £6 million for 1,660 people. Finally, LG (Electronics) has free occupancy of a Welsh Development Agency building to use as a training centre for 3 years. The value of this is estimated at some £206,000 a year for 1997–98 and 1998–99. The costs of training at the Centre are being met by LG (Electronics), drawing on the funding assistance noted above.

Contaminated Land

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of hectares of contaminated land in each of the last 12 years in each county by region. [33037]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on Friday 6 March 1998, Official Report, columns 812–13

Schools

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of schoolchildren from England receiving education in Welsh schools. [33280]

The information requested is not available centrally.

Transport Links

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to upgrade (a) road, (b) rail and (c) air links in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [33533]

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

Coal Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of the coal industry in Wales. [33527]

The Government are currently undertaking a full review of energy policy including the position of coal within it. The future of the Welsh coal industry depends on a number of factors, including the ability to compete and the availability of markets. These issues were considered at the Coal Workshop in Cardiff last December, the report of which will be issued for comment shortly.

Empty Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many vacant dwellings there are in each local housing authority in Wales. [33526]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Brake) on 2 March 1998, Official Report, column 4.

Long-Term Unemployed

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many long-term unemployed people there are in Wales, by each Parliamentary constituency. [33535]

The information requested is given in the table, and is available from the NOMIS database, which can be accessed by the staff of the Library of the House.

Long-term unemployed (claimant count), January 1998¹
Constituency	Male	Female	Total
Aberavon	233	33	266
Alyn and Deeside	278	40	318
Blaenau Gwent	694	99	793
Brecon and Radnorshire	199	52	251
Bridgend	320	73	393
Caernarfon	631	96	727
Caerphilly	522	91	613
Cardiff, Central	563	109	672
Cardiff, North	183	27	210
Cardiff, South and Penarth	772	116	888
Cardiff, West	722	104	826
Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr	280	66	346

Long-term unemployed (claimant count), January 1998¹
Constituency	Male	Female	Total
Carmarthen, West and South Pembrokeshire	562	110	672
Ceredigion	285	61	346
Clwyd, South	214	41	255
Clwyd, West	302	63	365
Conwy	541	107	648
Cynon Valley	381	60	441
Delyn	237	42	279
Gower	207	35	242
Islwyn	173	34	207
Llanelli	518	79	597
Meirionnydd Nant Conwy	308	79	387
Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney	394	73	467
Monmouth	267	48	315
Montgomeryshire	89	18	107
Neath	286	48	334
Newport, East	444	86	530
Newport, West	537	98	635
Ogmore	313	55	368
Pontypridd	372	59	431
Preseli Pembrokeshire	572	117	689
Rhondda	475	79	554
Swansea, East	367	39	406
Swansea, West	408	68	476
Torfaen	323	45	368
Vale of Clwyd	328	54	382
Vale of Glamorgan	453	94	547
Wrexham	275	64	339
Ynys Mon	795	172	967
Total	15,823	2,834	18,657
¹Claimant unemployed for over 52 weeks. These figures are not seasonally adjusted.

Source:

Office for National Statistics.

Tourism

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what tourism initiatives he is undertaking in respect of (a) accommodation schemes and quality standards, (b) promoting Wales, (c) trade communication, (d) market and product intelligence and research, (e) training and (f) market access and information. [33812]

The Wales Tourist Board is responsible for a range of initiatives under its "Tourism 2000" strategy which are aimed at these areas. The Board is in the process of reviewing and updating its strategy to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the industry into the future.

Housing Department

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will announce the outcome of his consultation on the new housing department within the Welsh Office. [34539]

We have sought powers in the Government of Wales Bill to wind up Tai Cymru and transfer its functions to the Secretary of State for Wales. We intend to transfer these functions to the Assembly when it is established.In my written reply to my hon. Friend of 4 December 1997,

Official Report, column 306, I announced the setting up of a new Housing Department of the Welsh Office to combine all of the existing functions of Tai Cymru and the Welsh Office Housing Division. I also

announced the issue of a consultation paper on the organisation and role of the Housing Department and its relations with other bodies including an enhanced role for local authorities in planning the provision of housing in their areas. Copies of the consultation paper "Streamlined, Efficient, Accountable: A New Housing department for Wales" were placed in the Library of the House.

Consultation ended on 23 January. There were 52 responses. Our proposals were widely supported. My right hon. Friend and I have therefore decided to confirm the proposals set out in the paper.

A number of the responses raised particular points about the way in which the new Department will operate and its relations with other bodies. We shall bear these in mind as we are putting the new organisation together.

A list of respondents has been placed in the Library of the House.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32718]

There are no parliamentary questions that my Department has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1998.

Elective Surgery (Bro Taf)

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Chairman of the Bro Taf Health Authority in relation to the suspension of major elective surgery for the remainder of the 1997–98 financial year. [34172]

None. Contractual issues are management responsibilities for health authorities and their provider hospitals.

Trade And Industry

Exports (Kenya)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many licence applications have been granted in the past five years for the export of tear gas and plastic bullets to Kenya. [24331]

These goods, and others, are controlled under different entries in Part 1 of Schedule III to the Export of Goods (Control) Order which are known as the ratings for these goods: tear gas under entry ML7; and plastic bullets under entries ML3 or PL5021.The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated, and the following results were obtained. Between 1 January 1992 and 12 January 1998, 73 standard individual export licences were issued for the export to end users or consignees in Kenya of goods with these ratings. 61 of these licences covered goods rated ML3 and 12 covered goods rated PL5021; none covered goods rated ML7. Between 1 January 1994 and 12 January 1998, one Open Individual Export Licence was issued for the export to end users or consignees in Kenya of goods rated ML3 and none covering goods rated ML7 or PL5021. The paper record of this case has been examined and the licence did not cover tear gas or plastic bullets.This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997,

Official Report, columns 870–71.

Information on Open Individual Export Licences issued before 1 January 1994 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It would also entail disproportionate cost to determine which, if any, of the standard individual export licences set out above covered the specified goods.

Goods with the relevant ratings may also have been exported to Kenya under the following Open General Export licences: OGEL (export after repair: military goods) and OGEL (export after exhibition: military goods), both of which were first issued on 1 March 1994.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what licences have been granted for the export of tear gas, plastic bullets and other security equipment to Kenya; and to which units in Kenya these transfers were destined. [28839]

The entry in the legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The export of tear gas is controlled under entry ML7 of Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order (the so-called "Military List"), and that of plastic bullets under entries ML3 or PL5021. Certain security and paramilitary police goods are specified under entry PL5001, but other goods with possible security uses may be controlled under various other entries in the Military List.The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the results are as follows. Between 1 January 1992 and 12 January 1998, 380 standard individual licences were issued for the export to end users or consignees in Kenya of goods described on the Military List. Between 1 January 1994 and 12 January 1998, 49 Open Individual Export Licences were issued for such exports. None of these licences covered goods rated ML7. Individual export licences can cover a range of goods, controlled under several entries in the legislation. Where this is so the licence is included in the Table in the total shown against each of the relevant ratings.

Rating	Number of standard individual export licences¹	Number of open individual export licences²
ML1	175	1
ML2	5	2
ML3	61	1
ML4	12	5
ML5	6	8
ML6	17	3
ML8	0	2
ML9	5	2
ML10	15	22
ML11	33	7
ML13	6	5
ML14	0	2
ML15	2	3
ML18	1	3

Rating	Number of standard individual export licences¹	Number of open individual export licences²
ML21	0	1
ML22	0	4
PL5001	1	2
PL5002	1	1
PL5009	4	0
PL5017	1	3
PL5018	45	0
PL5021	12	0
PL5027	0	1
¹Issued between 1 January 1992 and 12 January 1998 covering the export to Kenya of goods with this rating.
²Issued between 1 January 1994 and 12 January 1998 covering the export to Kenya of goods with this rating.

In addition, 48 Media OIELs were issued during the period. Media OIELs are a special category of Open Individual Export Licence authorising the export to any destination of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists when working in areas of conflict.

This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.

It would entail disproportionate cost to determine which, if any of the licences set out in the table covered the specified goods, or to identify the end users in each case.

Officials (Telephone Calls)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what departmental guidelines are issued regarding her officials returning telephone calls from members of the public. [31956]

The DTI is committed to providing a high quality of service to all its contacts. Staff are expected to deal with telephone calls in an efficient, effective and courteous manner, and this includes ensuring that calls from members of the public are returned. Tailored training is available for staff to help them meet this requirement. Consideration will also be given to introducing guidelines on call handling as part of the induction process for new staff.

Arms Exports (Indonesia)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for licences for the export of military equipment to Indonesia have been (a) granted, (b) refused and (c) revoked since 13 November 1997. [32848]

The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the results are as follows for the period between 13 November 1997 and 6 February 1998 in respect of applications for individual licences to export to endusers or consignees in Indonesia goods controlled by Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order (the so-called "Military List").

	Licences issued	Licenses revoked	Applications refused in full
Standard Individual Export Licences	26	0	2
Open Individual Export Licences	0	0	0

This information should be considered in light of my answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997,

Official Report, columns 870–71.

Two of the standard individual export licences included in the table were issued on 13 November, and so are also included in the table in my answer to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin), on 2 December 1997, Official Report, columns 124–26.

Arms Sales

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make it her policy to disaggregate figures for ECGD guarantees relating to the export of lethal weapons from other defence-related business in statistics for future years. [32816]

ECGD already provides a disaggregation in its annual report of new guarantees in respect of defence-related equipment between military aircraft, vehicles, naval vessels, communications and ancillary equipment.

Environmental Protection And Waste Management Technology

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance her Department provided to British firms to help them participate in the ENVITEC Environmental Protection and Waste Management Technology Trade Fair held in Dusseldorf in March. [33027]

The industry put in a very late bid for support which was considered carefully by the DTI. On balance, a decision was taken not to accept it. However, we expect to support nine other environmental events in the coming year.

Pharmaceuticals

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the impact of the loss of resale price maintenance on over-the-counter medicines on the pharmacy sector. [33489]

The Director General of Fair Trading has published details in his January 1998 report "Material Changes in the Medicaments Market since 1970", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.The report shows that branded over-the-counter medicines are estimated to account for up to 8 per cent. of chemists' turnover in 1995, compared with up to 13 per cent. in 1970, and that the proportion of turnover accounted for by regulated NHS business has increased from 35 per cent. to 45 per cent. in 1970 to around 70 per cent. in 1995.

Heinz (Wigan)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on the negotiating right of the MSF union at Heinz factory, Wigan; and if she will make a statement. [33968]

I have received no representations on this matter.

Market Access (Taiwan)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the outcome of the recent EU Taiwan market access negotiations. [33882]

The 12th round of market access negotiations between the European Union and Taiwan relating to Taiwan's accession to the World Trade Organisation was held between 24–26 February in Taipei. The European Commission will formally report back on the talks to Member States in Brussels on 13 March. Our understanding from initial reports is that good progress was reached in a wide range of areas but that agreement has still to be reached on a number of issues, notably on Taiwan's taxation of alcoholic spirits and in particular of Scotch Whisky where the UK has a strong interest. UK officials will continue to keep in close contact with the European Commission on this issue and to work hard towards a mutually acceptable solution.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list those parliamentary questions she has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32717]

Since the State Opening of Parliament on 14 May, three questions have received answers eight weeks or more after the due date. These were question 1117 from the right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke), 31 July 1997, Official Report column 630; question 12695 from the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor), 22 December 1997, Official Report, column 517; question 13042 from the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood), 12 February 1998, Official Report, column 393.

Foreign Shareholdings

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about the requests from British Aerospace plc and Rolls-Royce plc for changes to their foreign shareholding limits. [34678]

The Government as holders of the special shares in British Aerospace plc and Rolls-Royce plc, have today agreed to the changes requested by these two companies.When British Aerospace and Rolls-Royce were privatised, a limit was imposed on total foreign shareholdings in each company, in order to maintain UK control of these companies because of their strategic importance to the UK's defence interests. These limits can be varied only with the consent of the Government, under the powers of the special share which it holds in each company. These foreign shareholding limits are currently set at 29.5 per cent. and the companies have now proposed that these limits be increased to 49.5 per cent., together with a new limit of 15 per cent. on any individual foreign shareholder. These revised limits will take effect only if they are also approved by the shareholders of the two companies. I understand that resolutions to make these changes will now be put to the forthcoming Annual General Meetings of the respective shareholders of both companies.These changes are designed to promote the competitiveness of these companies, by increasing their freedom to operate commercially in world markets.

Mauritius

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 6 March 1998, Official Report, column 808, for what reason the visit to Mauritius by one of her junior ministers has been cancelled. [34187]

I was planning to visit Mauritius in April. Unfortunately an ACP/EU Parliamentary meeting was re-scheduled which coincided with the dates of this visit. Given that the Mauritian authorities would inevitably be fully engaged in hosting this important meeting which will be attended by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, it was decided that it was best to postpone my visit. I hope to be able to visit at a later date.

Home Department

Millennium Compliance

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he or his Ministers last met a Treasury Minister to discuss the costs of millennium compliance in his Department. [32296]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Neither I nor my Ministerial colleagues have met a Treasury Minister to discuss the costs of Year 2000 compliance in my Department.A Ministerial grozup is chaired by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to drive action across the public and private sector. Her Majesty's Treasury are represented on this group and my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) represents my Department.

Hunting

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the implications of the Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill for the UK's adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights; if he will place copies of such representations in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [33474]

I will write to my hon. Friend

Prisons (Foreign Nationals)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals who received a prison sentence were deported on completion of their sentence, in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [33680]

Regrettably, the information requested is available only at disproportionate cost through the examination of individual case files.The available information relates to persons removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process following a court recommendation, or on grounds conducive to the public good having been convicted of a criminal offence, and is set out in the table. The data may include cases where no prison sentence was served. Removals under illegal entry and port refusal procedures are excluded.

Persons removed¹² from the United Kingdom under the deportation process following a court recommendation, or on grounds conducive to the public good having been convicted of a criminal offence³, 1994 to 1997⁴
	Number of persons⁵
	1994	1995	1996	1997¹
Court recommendation	225	225	272	245
Conducive to the public good—criminal conviction³	99	81	101	114
¹Includes voluntary departures after deportation action had been initiated.
² Excludes removals under illegal entry and port procedures.
³Where the court did not make a recommendation for deportation.
⁴1997 data are provisional.
⁵May include persons who did not serve a custodial sentence.

Restorative Justice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the impact of measures contained in the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] on restorative justice initiatives being undertaken at present. [33678]

The Government believe that offenders—especially young offenders—should be made to face up to the impact of their offences on other people. We are following closely the development of restorative justice both in this country and abroad and recognise that, in appropriate circumstances, this approach may well be able to provide a useful tool for addressing law and order problems, particularly where young people are involved. We welcome the work to develop these ideas, such as that undertaken by the Thames Valley Police and the Northamptonshire Diversion Scheme.We plan to reflect existing best practice in guidance to support the implementation of the new Final Warning Scheme introduced by the Bill. The new Reparation Order also introduced by the Bill and our proposals for reform of the youth court, set out in the White Paper "No More Excuses", are likewise consistent with the principles of restorative justice.

Birmingham Six

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the outstanding issues relating to the compensation payments to the men wrongly convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings have been resolved; when his officials last met representatives of the men to discuss compensation; what interim payments have been made to date to them; and what factors underlie the length of time taken to finalise the compensation. [33597]

Final assessments of the amount of compensation payable were made some time ago by the independent assessor; in March 1995 in the cases of five of the men, and in the sixth case in July 1996. These have not been accepted. Significant interim payments have been made in all six cases, but it is not the practice to disclose the amount of such payments in individual cases. The assessor has considered further representations on behalf of all six men: the outcome of his consideration of the most recent representations in the cases of five of the men was communicated to their representatives last August and we await their response. The assessor has just completed his consideration of representations on behalf of the sixth man, and my officials will write to his representatives shortly. My officials have not met representatives of the six men to discuss compensation; nor would such a meeting be appropriate as the assessment of the amount of compensation payable is solely a matter for the independent assessor.

Publications

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those European Commission (a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which his Department subscribes. [33661]

The titles of magazines, newsletters and occasional publications published by the Commission of the European Communities and subscribed to by the Home Office are listed.

(a) Magazines
Women in Europe

(b) Newsletters
Bulletin of the European Union Commission of the European Union: Briefing Official Journal of the European Communities: Information and Notices (C series)
Official Journal of the European Communities:
Legislation (L Series)
Supplement to the Official Journal (S Series)
The week in Europe

Occasional Publications
Basic Statistics of the Community
Directory of Community Legislation in Force
European Parliament: List of Members
Eurostat Yearbook
General Report on the Activities of the European Union
Guide to the Council of the European Union
Interinstitutional Directory of the European Union
Labour Force Survey.

Immigration Service

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total cost in the current year of the UK Immigration Service. [33875]

The Immigration Service consists of the Ports Directorate and the Enforcement Directorate within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. Their expected expenditure out-turn for 1997–98 is £92.3 million (gross) and £42.4 million respectively. Additional expenditure on some support costs is met centrally.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been completed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission to date; how many cases are (i) currently under investigation and (ii) have been referred and are still pending; what has been the average length of time taken to complete each case; and in how many cases investigated to date the person originally convicted had died prior to the Commission taking up the case. [33598]

At the end of February, the Criminal Cases Review Commission had completed 288 cases, was substantively reviewing 215 cases, and had done preliminary work on a further 749. In 222 of the 288, the Commission had determined that the applicant did not meet the eligibility criteria laid down by the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. Of the remaining 66, the Commission had decided to refer 12 to an appeal court, of which two have so far been heard. The average length of time taken to complete the 66 cases was 108 days. In three completed cases, and two cases currently being reviewed, the person originally convicted had died before the Commission took up the case.

Political Publicity

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought under section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986 to date. [33623]

The Court Proceedings database, held centrally, does not separately identify proceedings under section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986, as amended by section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988. However, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions advise that they are not aware of any prosecutions brought under section 28.

Speeding Offences

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions in respect of offences of speeding on the motorway network have been secured in each of the last four years. [33624]

The information requested is not separately identifiable in the statistics collected centrally.

All Ports Warning System

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the use of the All Ports Warning System to detect the departure from the United Kingdom of people included in that system. [34167]

The All Ports Warning System has had only limited success as a means of detecting departing passengers who are included in that system. I believe that there is potential for operating the system much more efficiently and effectively and this is something which my officials are currently examining.

Illegal Immigrants

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the contribution of immigration checks to the detection of illegal immigrants. [34168]

Experience has shown that it is highly ineffective and wasteful of resources to use such checks as a means of pursuing inquiries in individual cases. For many years now, and to much greater effect, enforcement inquiries have been intelligence based.

Passenger Checks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what obligations carriers have to check the documents of passengers departing from the United Kingdom. [34169]

The Convention on International Civil Aviation requires airlines to ensure that embarking passengers have the correct documenttation—passports, visas etc—for their journey.

Seat Belts

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions have been successfully brought against those persons who have failed to ensure that children are wearing suitable restraints or seat belts in cars, in each of the past 10 years; [34148](2) how many successful prosecutions have been brought against adults who have failed to wear seat belts as

(a) drivers and (b) passengers in each of the past 10 years. [34147]

It is not possible, in the statistics held centrally, to distinguish between passengers and drivers prosecuted for not wearing seat belts, or whether children are involved.The table gives the available information. As the majority of seat belt offences are dealt with by the issue of a fixed penalty notice, these are also included in the table, although the numbers of fixed penalties paid for these particular offences are not available centrally (around 65 per cent. of all fixed penalties issued where the driver is present are paid).

Driving or riding in a motor vehicle while not wearing a seat belt England and Wales, 1987–1996
Year	Number of convictions	Number of fixed penalties issued
1987	7,504	n/a
1988	6,837	n/a
1989	7,275	n/a
1990	8,466	n/a
1991	9,856	n/a
1992	8,503	102,322
1993	7,083	106,153
1994	6.597	114,712
1995	6,577	126,251
1996 (provisional)	6,676	154,345

Police Discipline Appels

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the holder of his office has been successfully challenged over the last five years over a ruling which he has given in a police disciplinary case. [34095]

There have been 295 police discipline appeals determined during the last five years. Eleven applications for judicial review have arisen from these decisions of which two were successful and one is still proceeding.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last five years the holder of his office has overruled the recommendations of tribunals in police discipline cases. [34094]

Since April 1994, which is as far back as reliable statistics are available, the Home Secretary has not accepted the recommendations of tribunals appointed to consider police discipline appeals in 27 out of 169 cases (approximately 1 in 6). The figures for each year are shown.

	Against tribunal	Total dealt with by tribunal	Total appeal cases determined
1994–95	3	35	48
1995–96	8	56	81
1996–97	7	52	66
1997–98¹	9	26	40
¹Until 11 March 1998.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32711]

There have been no parliamentary questions which we have taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997.

European Elections

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 1998, Official Report, columns 17–18, to the hon. Member for Basildon (Angela Smith), what evidence he had estimated in support of his statement concerning the failure of voter preferences for individual candidates to be translated into electoral success under the Belgium electoral system prior to his comments on the Belgian electoral system on 25 November. [34189]

As my right hon. Friend said during the Second Reading debate on the European Parliamentary Elections Bill on 25 November 1997, Official Report, columns 803–17, he had looked at the operation of the Belgian electoral system. He recognised that, by the very nature of the way the system operates, those candidates who gained the most personal votes would not necessarily be elected.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 1998, Official Report, columns 17–18, to the hon. Member for Basildon (Angela Smith), (a) when the numerical examples he has placed in the Library were worked out and (b) when he received them. [34188]

The numerical examples were worked out by Home Office officials on 6 March and received by my right hon. Friend on the same day.

Immigration Detainees

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) suicides and (b) attempted suicides have been recorded amongst immigration detainees in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [33749]

There have been no suicides in immigration detention centres since 1992. One immigration detainee committed suicide in Her Majesty's Prison Norwich on 25 August 1995, where he had completed a prison sentence and was awaiting deportation.Information concerning those who may have attempted suicide is not available in the form requested. However, statistics concerning incidents of self-harm in immigration detention accommodation are reproduced in the table. It is not possible to say how many, if any, of the incidents can be regarded as attempted suicide.Information concerning incidents of self-harm in relation to immigration detainees held in Prison Service accommodation is available only at disproportionate cost.

Year	Immigration Detention
1992	10
1993	16
1994	¹5
1995	14
1996	14
1997	10
¹Statistical information incomplete.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place between officials of the Immigration Service and Group 4 concerning treatment of detainees; and what specialist training is given to staff involved with detainees. [33842]

Discussions between the Immigration Service and Group 4 about the management of Detention Centres are routine and regular. Immigration Service staff based at centres provide routine monitoring of performance against contracts and, in the case of Campsfield House, there is thorough external monitoring under the provisions of the IS 9002 quality assurance programme. In addition, senior staff pay regular visits to Detention Centres and have discussions with local managers and company directors.

All personnel employed by Group 4 [Total Security] Limited are required to undergo a training programme which includes duty of care, health and safety, suicide prevention, security management, race relations, cultural and ethnic considerations and first aid.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates on which disturbances took place at Campsfield House between January 1993 and July 1997 and in each case the numbers of detainees involved, the action taken by security staff, police and immigration officials and the subsequent Ministerial action. [33843]

Campsfield House immigration detention centre opened on 29 November 1993. Up until July 1997, there had been 4 incidents best described as disturbances.

Dates	Nature of incident	Number of detainees
24 December 1993	Concerted indiscipline	40–50
5–6 June 1994	Concerted indiscipline	60–70
29 November 1996	Rooftop protest	1
21 May 1997	Rooftop protest	16

The incidents of concerted indiscipline which occurred in 1993 and 1994 required the presence of officers from Thames Valley Police to restore order. As a result of these incidents, the then Chief Inspector of Prisons, Judge Stephen Tumim, was invited by the former Home Secretary to inspect Campsfield House. His report, which was published on 21 April 1995, included a number of recommendations which were implemented at Campsfield House.The remaining disturbances did not necessitate a large scale police presence and were successfully resolved by the centre contractors, Group 4 Total Security Limited.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the detention costs per head of each immigration detention centre for each of the last three years; and what was the average cost of (i) prison and (ii) police station detention per head for the same period.[33750]

The information requested is in the table. Costs are per person per week, and include headquarters overheads. Costs for the 1997–98 financial year are based on estimated outturns.

£
	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98
Harmondsworth	511	532	532
Campsfield House	490	504	735
Meadvale Buildings (closed May 1997)	580	532	546
Tinsley House (opened May 1996)	—	658	546
Prisons (average cost per prisoner place)	464	476	¹—
Police stations	2,086	2,849	2,800
¹Not yet available.

The costs for Meadvale Buildings (a temporary facility near Gatwick Airport) in 1995/96 and Tinsley House in 1996/97 reflect the start-up costs and phased build-up of these centres.

The sharp rise in unit costs at Campsfield House in 1997/98 is a result of reduced capacity, to about half, and increased security costs resulting from the disturbances there in August 1997. Once the centre is operating at full capacity, unit costs there will fall in line with previous years.

The figure for detention in police cells is a weighted average across all forces. Detention of people under Immigration Act powers in police cells is limited to a maximum of five days, or seven if removal directions have been given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the review of asylum and immigration detention was announced; from whom submissions were sought; if he will list the organisations and individuals that have responded; and when he plans to make a statement on future policy. [33841]

The review of detention was commissioned in May 1997. At the beginning of September, I wrote to 12 non-governmental organisations inviting their comments on the major policy areas covered by the review. Submissions were received from the following groups:

United Nations High Commission for Refugees
Amnesty International
Immigration Advisory Service
The Law Society
The Refugee Council
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
Churches Commission for Racial Justice
Refugee Legal Centre
Charter 87
Immigration Law Practitioners Association
The Medical Foundation
Justice.

A number of other bodies put forward submissions on this issue, both before and during the review.The findings of the review are currently being considered and I expect to announce the results in due course.

Gambling

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to raise the minimum age for playing slot machines and scratchcards to 18 years. [34155]

There is already a minimum age of 18 for £10 all-cash amusement-with-prizes machines in amusement arcades.There are no current plans to extend this limit to machine gambling generally or to raise the age limit for scratchcards. However, the Government keep the age limits under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has evaluated in respect of the numbers of people under the age of 18 years playing Pronto. [34160]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has evaluated concerning under age gambling on slot machines in public houses; and what action he proposes to take as a result. [34154]

There is no minimum legal age for machine gambling in public houses.Dr. Sue Fisher's report for OFLOT on young people's gambling, published last month, was based on a survey last summer of 9,774 schoolchildren aged 12–15 years.Thirty per cent. said they had played amusementwith-prizes machines (commonly known as fruit machines) in the past week, 19 per cent. with their own money. Of the 19 per cent., 44 per cent. had played machines in public houses.Four per cent. of the total were identified as problem fruit machine gamblers.We are carefully considering the implications of Dr. Fisher's study and whether we should take any action as a result.

Lotteries (Frequent Draws) Bill

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likely financial impact on the voluntary sector of his Draft Lotteries (Frequent Draws) Bill. [34156]

The likely effect of the draft Bill on the voluntary sector's fundraising capacity is one of the factors we will consider in evaluating the response to the consultation on it.We aim to report the outcome of the consultation shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is still receiving submissions in respect of his Draft Lotteries (Frequent Draws) Bill; when the last submission was received; and if those received after 13 February will be considered. [34157]

The last submission was received on 4 March. All submissions received to date will be taken into account.

Police Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the (a) population served, (b) geographical area served and (c) strength of each police force in England and Wales and the ratio of (c) in each force area to (a) and (b); and what is the ratio of police offices (i) per head of the population and (ii) to geographical area in (1) England and (2) Wales. [33990]

The information requested is set out in the table.

Force	Population mid 1996¹ (million)	Hectares²	Strength as at 30.09.97	Police/population ratio	Police/hectares ratio
Avon and Somerset	1.467	480,340	2,973	1:493	1:162
Bedfordshire	0.549	123,470	1,081	1:508	1:114
Cambridgeshire	0.703	340,900	1,292	1:544	1:264
Cheshire	0.980	233,280	2,029	1:483	1:115
Cleveland	0.558	58,280	1,481	1:377	1:39
City of London	0.005	320	836	1:6	1:04
Cumbria	0.491	680.990	1,62	1:423	1:586
Derbyshire	0.962	262,800	1,757	1:548	1:150
Devon and Cornwall	1.543	1,024,090	2,910	1:530	1:352
Dorset	0.682	265,260	1,279	1:533	1:207
Durham	0.608	243,400	1,479	1:411	1:165
Dyfed-Powys	0.477	1,094,380	1,008	1:473	1:1086
Essex	1.514	359,420	2,944	1:514	1:122
Gloucestershire	0.556	265,500	1,107	1:502	1:240
Greater Manchester	2.576	129,480	6,908	1:373	1:19
Gwent	0.556	155,600	1,229	1:452	1:127
Hampshire	1.753	416,100	3,481	1:503	1:120
Hertfordshire	0.863	148,730	1,738	1:497	1:86
Humberside	0.887	350,790	2,030	1:437	1:173
Kent	1.557	373,190	3,301	1:472	1:113
Lancashire	1.425	305,510	3,281	1:434	1:93
Leicestershire	0.927	255,280	1,958	1:473	1:130
Lincolnshire	0.616	591,750	1,189	1:518	1:498
Merseyside	1.420	64,750	4,223	1:336	1:15
Metropolitan Police	7.564	200,990	26,391	1:287	1:8
Norfolk	0.777	538,500	1,440	1:540	1:374
North Wales	0.656	629,220	1,371	1:478	1:459
North Yorkshire	0.735	831,210	1,383	1:531	1:601
Northamptonshire	0.604	236,730	1,181	1:511	1:200
Northumbria	1.435	556,440	3,689	1:389	1:151
Nottinghamshire	1.032	220,880	2,317	1:445	1:95
South Wales	1.232	207,190	2,990	1:412	1:69
South Yorkshire	1.305	156,050	3,158	1:413	1:49
Staffordshire	1.056	271,610	2,230	1:474	1:122
Suffolk	0.662	379,480	1,198	1:553	1:93
Surrey	0.777	149,940	1,608	1:483	1:124
Sussex	1.472	378,470	3,040	1:484	1:124
Thames Valley	2.066	574,850	3,705	1:558	1:155
Warwickshire	0.501	197,890	914	1:548	1:217
West Mercia	1.118	742,900	2,031	1:550	1:366
West Midlands	2.642	89,920	7,079	1:373	1:13
West Yorkshire	2.109	201,460	5250	1:402	1:38
Wiltshire	0.593	347,600	1,167	1:508	1:298
England	49.089	13,048,530	98,424	1:499	1:133
Wales	2,921	2,086,390	6,598	1:443	1:316
England and Wales	52.010	15,134,920	124,815	1:417	1:121
¹Source if the Office for National Statistics. Population figures form mid 1996 are the latest available.
²Source is the Annual Statistical Return to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for 1996–97.

Health

Un Convention On The Rights Of The Child

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to withdraw or alter the reservations and declaration by the United Kingdom Government regarding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. [24344]

During 1998 the Government will be preparing the Second United Kingdom Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in accordance with the requirements of Article 44 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. That process will also allow a review of the original reasons for the UK's reservations to the Convention made in 1991 and to what extent they remain valid in 1998. One particular reservation with respect to Article 37(d) was withdrawn by the previous Government on 18 April 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to involve young people in the process of preparing the Government's response to the report on the United Kingdom's performance in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. [24341]

During 1998 the Government will be preparing the Second United Kingdom Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in accordance with the requirements of Article 44 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. Early in that process there will be a UK wide launch conference at which children will be making a presentation. The advice of government departments and non-governmental organisations closely involved with children is being sought to ensure that children's views are reflected in the report's preparation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on (a) central and (b) local government progress in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. [24335]

During 1998 the Government will be preparing the Second United Kingdom Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in accordance with the requirements of Article 44 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. The main focus of the report will be central and local government progress in implementing the Convention. The report will be publicly available early in 1999.

Children's Rights Officers

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to extend the network of children's rights officers. [24334]

We have no such plans. Children's rights officers are usually appointed by local authorities. There is no statutory requirement that authorities should have such a post and it is up to each authority to determine the priority for this type of development.

Minister For Children

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will establish a Minister for Children. [24337]

We have no plans to establish a Minister for Children with responsibilities for England. There are already systems in place to ensure cross-departmental co-operation in areas of shared interest. The Scottish and Welsh Offices have appointed Ministers for Children, but in their case, unlike in England, all social affairs responsibilities rest in the same department.

National Health Service Budget

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the NHS budget is spent on (a) maternity services, (b) infertility treatment, (c) joint replacement and (d) immunisation prior to visits abroad. [29278]

In 1996–97 4.2 per cent. of the total National Health Service budget was spent on maternity services. At present, information on specific expenditure on infertility treatment, joint replacement, and immunisation prior to visits abroad, is not collected centrally.

Sheep Dips

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department has taken to ensure that doctors are aware of the contents of the leaflet "Sheep Dipping" published by HSE, VMD, MAFF and Department of Environment (9AS 29 (rev) 3/95 C250). [32057]

We have been advised that the leaflet AS29 issued by the Health and Safety Executive and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) has recently been revised and the latest version is to be launched on 12 March. It is aimed at farmers and primarily gives advice on the safe use and disposal of sheep dips. The leaflet also refers to issues of health surveillance of people regularly using organophosphate sheep dips. We would expect occupational hygienists or occupational health professionals to be better placed to assist farmers on these matters than local general practitioners or hospitals. If contractors or employers need advice on health surveillance of employees, the HSE Employment Medical Advisory Service can and does provide it.However, the Department has taken steps to increase awareness among medical practitioners. The Chief Medical Officers have written to doctors on a number of occasions since 1991 to remind them of the possibility of adverse effects from exposure to pesticides and certain veterinary medicines and to remind them of the reporting schemes. We are currently considering whether any further action may be necessary to advise doctors in this area and I will write to the hon. Member when a decision has been taken.

Malnutrition

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of British children suffer from malnutrition; and what was the figure in 1990. [32550]

Malnutrition can mean over-nourishment as well as under-nourishment. As there is no clearly defined or accepted definition of malnutrition, the Department does not have information in the form requested.Nevertheless, the nutritional status of children can be assessed in several ways. The most widely adopted measure is height. An increase in height indicates an improvement in the nutrition of children. A continuous survey of English and Scottish children aged 5–11 years between 1972 to 1994 showed a year by year increase in the average height of all age groups. The same survey showed an increase in the mean weight for height index (an indicator of fatness) since about 1982, especially in girls. Another measure of fatness is Body Mass Index (BMI) and a recent survey indicated that the BMI of English children aged 2–15 years was generally higher than the 1990 reference figures. This indicates that children are generally getting fatter which represents an unsatisfactory trend.The Health Survey for England 1996 provides some information on anaemia in children, which can be caused by iron deficiency. It indicated that in the 12–14 age group, about 3 per cent. of white boys and girls might have had an iron deficiency. A survey in 1992–93 of British children aged between 1½ and 4½ years indicated that over 8 per cent. might have been deficient in iron. However, there is no comparable information for 1990. The problems of deficiencies of iron are being investigated to identify how best to prevent the disorder in all population groups.

Trust Boards (South Yorkshire)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many directors serve on National Health Trust Boards operating in (a) Doncaster and (b) Barnsley; and how many of those directors reside in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency. [33207]

Barnsley Community and Priority Services NHS Trust
Name	Post type	Term	Post town
Cllr. Thomas Douglas Sheard	Chairman	1 December 1997–30 November 2001	Barnsley
Mr. Keith Ellis	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1995–30 November 1998	Barnsley
Mrs. Josephine Ruth Lees	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1996–30 November 1999	Barnsley
Mrs. Margaret Michaels	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1997–30 November 2001	Sheffield
Mr. William Newman	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1997–30 November 2001	Barnsley

Barnsley District General Hospital NHS Trust
Name	Post type	Term	Post town
Mr. Alan William Sherriff	Chairman	1 November 1994–31 October 1998	Rotherham
Ms Lynn Joyce Ambler	Non-Executive Director	1 November 1996–31 October 2000	Barnsley
Mr. Brian Levitt	Non-Executive Director	1 November 1994–31 October 1998	Barnsley
Mr. Maurice Alfred Robbins	Non-Executive Director	1 November 1994–31 October 1998	Barnsley
Mr. Robert Walker	Non-Executive Director	1 November 1996–31 October 2000	Sheffield
Mrs. Judith Watts	Non-Executive Director	4 November 1997–31 October 2001	Barnsley

Doncaster Healthcare NHS Trust
Name	Post type	Term	Post town
Mr. David Bertram	Chairman	19 December 1997–30 November 2001	Doncaster
Mrs. Sheila Bryant	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1996–30 November 2000	Doncaster
Cllr. Jean Maureen Elwick	Non-Executive Director	16 December 1997–30 November 2001	Doncaster
Mr. John Lucas	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1995–30 November 1998	Lincoln
Mr. David Charles Miller	Non-Executive Director	11 December 1996–30 November 2000	Doncaster

Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montague Hospital NHS Trust
Name	Post type	Term	Post town
Mr. Richard D. Kitson	Chairman	1 December 1996–30 November 2000	Doncaster
Mrs. Janet Conroy	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1996–30 November 1998	Near Doncaster
Mrs. Rachel Cottrell	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1994–30 November 1998	Doncaster
Mrs. June Hawley	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1997–30 November 2001	Near Doncaster
Mrs. Carol Shekle	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1996–30 November 2000	Doncaster
Mr. Clifford Spiller	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1996–30 November 1999	Doncaster

South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust
Name	Post type	Term	Post town
Dr. Bernard Kingston	Chairman	16 January 1998–31 May 1999	Sheffield
Mrs. Patricia Battersby	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1995–30 November 1998	Sheffield
Mrs. Sandra Holland	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1997–30 November 2001	Doncaster
Mr. Sean Mahon	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1995–30 November 1999	Sheffield
Mr. Peter Threlfall	Non-Executive Director	1 December 1995–30 November 1998	Sheffield

Ante-Natal And Maternity Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many district health authorities require women to pay for ante-natal or maternity care. [33367]

The National Health Service provides all clinically necessary ante-natal and maternity care free of charge. Some NHS trusts may offer private tests which are not provided because they are not clinically effective or deemed to be clinically necessary by the NHS.

The current non-executive directors serving on the boards of National Health Service trusts operating in Barnsley and Doncaster are shown in the tables. Information is not held centrally on the parliamentary constituencies in which directors reside.

Public Appointments

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the appointments to public bodies which he has made since 1 May 1997 have been from the Public Appointments Unit list. [33247]

Of the appointments made to the Department's public bodies since l May 1997, five have been candidates whose names were obtained from the Public Appointments Unit's list. When seeking nominations for candidates for appointments to public bodies we use a wide range of sources, of which the Public Appointments Unit is one, to ensure that there is the widest possible dissemination of information about vacancies.

Accident And Emergency Services, Solihull

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent change there has been in the arrangements for the provision of accident and emergency services at Solihull Hospital. [33461]

Following a meeting on 18 February, the Royal College of Surgeons decided to withdraw accreditation for the training of junior doctors at Solihull Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department, with effect from the end of July 1998. The Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull National Health Service Trust plans to replace the doctors in training with fully qualified doctors to enable the service to continue as before.

Community Pharmacists

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has evaluated into the financial savings to the NHS of healthcare advice provided by community pharmacists; and what estimate he has made of the impact on NHS costs of the closures of community pharmacies over the last three years. [33475]

Pharmacists provide a most useful service to the community through the provision of advice, particularly on minor or common ailments. We have made no evaluation of potential financial savings to the National Health Service of healthcare advice given to patients by community pharmacists.The overall number of community pharmacies in England and Wales has remained virtually unchanged over the last three years. It is difficult to estimate the cost, if any, to the NHS of any particular closures that have occurred during this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data his Department has collected on the numbers of people without access to public transport who use community pharmacies. [33741]

None.

Departmental Buildings

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the cost of (a) the original refurbishment of Richmond House as the Department of Health headquarters and (b) refurbishing (i) Skipton House and (ii) Quarry House, Leeds, in each of the last 10 years. [33675]

The refurbishment of Richmond House for the Department of Health and Social Security in 1988–89 was undertaken by the Property Services Agency. Details of the costs incurred are not held by the Department.Skipton House was acquired by the Department in 1992. The costs of fitting out the shell and core were £14,735,000 in 1992–93 and £1,192,000 in 1993–94. Subsequent expenditure on the building structure and services, excluding routine maintenance, was £368,115 in 1994–95, –500,619 in 1995–96 and £543,394 in 1996–97.

Quarry House, Leeds, was purpose built for joint occupation by the Department of Health and the Department of Social Security (who met the costs of construction and fit-out). It was first occupied in 1992–93 since when the Department of Social Security has been responsible for managing the building. Expenditure on the building structure and services by the Department of Health on the accommodation that it occupies was nil in 1993–94 and 1994–95, £139,000 in 1995–96 and £180,000 in 1996–97.

Publications

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those European Commission (a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which his Department subscribes. [33652]

These European Commission publications are taken on subscription by the Department:

Basic statistics of the European Union (annual)
General report on the activities of the European Union (annual)
Journal of the European Communities:
- Series C—Information and Notices
- Series L—Legislation
- Series S—Supplements
Mutual Information System on Social protection in the Community (annual)
Public Health in Europe
Who's Who in the European Union (annual).

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions there are for specific training for GPs (a) before and (b) post qualification for the diagnosis and treatment of ME. [33711]

There are currently no provisions for specific training for general practitioners before or post qualification for the diagnosis and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).It is not practicable or desirable for the Government to prescribe the exact training that any individual doctor will receive. In general practice each trainee general practitioner will, during their year of general practice training, regularly see patients who present with those illnesses which are most common, which may well include patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/ME. This is in addition to the training received in medical school and during the pre-registration year and during their two-year hospital rotation.Additionally, doctors are encouraged to continue with their medical education after qualification and it is expected that they will spend some of this time learning about the illnesses they most commonly encounter.

Asylum Seekers

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many asylum seekers have been transferred from London authorities to Wales in the last 12 months; and if he will ensure that Welsh local authorities are not required to contribute to their support. [33698]

We are not aware of any asylum seekers being transferred by a local authority from London to Wales. If an authority makes arrangements under the National Assistance Act 1948 or the Children Act 1989 to place someone outside its boundaries, the financial responsibility remains with the placing authority.

Gp Lists

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of patients struck off GP lists in each of the last three years, for each health authority; and if he will make a statement. [34028]

General practitioners' terms of service provide that a doctor may have a person removed from their list.The number of patients struck off GP lists for the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96, for each former family health services authority, is published in the General Medical Practitioner Census Additional Data Collection 1995–1996, copies of which are in the Library.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those parliamentary questions he has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32710]

The Department has received over 3,400 Parliamentary Questions since 1 May 1997. 15 questions, or half of one per cent. of the total, were not answered within eight weeks.

Vote office Reference	Name of hon. Member	Date due for answer
10422	Mr. Simon Hughes	30 July 1997
10416	Mr. Simon Hughes	31 July 1997
12915	Paul Flynn	27 October 1997
16716	Mr. Simon Hughes	19 November 1997
17338	Mr. Simon Hughes	24 November 1997
18270	Mr. Elfyn Llwyd	27 November 1997
19983	Mr. Keith Vaz	8 December 1997
21400	Mr. Simon Hughes	18 December 1997
20702	Mrs. Jackie Ballard	12 January 1998
20703	Mrs. Jackie Ballard	12 January 1998
23005	Ann Clwyd	14 January 1998
23010	Ann Clwyd	14 January 1998
23011	Ann Clwyd	14 January 1998
23013	Ann Clwyd	14 January 1998
23014	Ann Clwyd	14 January 1998

Mobile Phones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he or his Department have had with representatives of the mobile phone industry concerning the possible medical effects of the use of mobile phone handsets; [34152](2) what research he has commissioned into the possible medical effects of

(a) telecommunication masts and (b) the use of mobile phone handsets. [34153]

The Department has had no discussions with the mobile phone industry about possible health effects associated with handsets. The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) provides advice to Government on the risks to human health from both ionising and non-ionising radiations. NRPB' s view is that mobile phone handsets currently used in the United Kingdom comply with the recommended exposure restrictions.At locations accessible to the public, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phone transmitters is below maximum exposure levels recommended by the NRPB, published in Documents of the NRPB, Vol 4, No 5, 1993, copies of which have been placed in the Library.Wider concerns about the alleged health effects of long term use of mobile phones are currently being addressed by a range of research undertakings. The Department has commissioned three studies on biological effects of mobile phone microwave frequencies. The first is investigating the influence of radiation on learning ability and behaviour, the second is a laboratory study looking for biological responses of human cells in an electromagnetic radiation field and the third is a human volunteer study investigating possible effects of mobile phone usage on cognitive ability.The Department is also currently supporting the following initiatives:

the review of possible health effects of electromagnetic fields, including microwave frequencies, being undertaken by the Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation to the NRPB;

the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields Project which includes health effects of microwave frequencies.

In addition a European Commission Expert Group has recommended a programme of scientific research to address the subject of mobile telephony and human health.

Social Security

Poor People

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will carry out an assessment of the impact of her Department's current policies on the (a) income, (b) employment opportunities and (c) living standards, of the poorest 30 per cent. of the population. [23342]

Our society is more divided than it has been for generations, and our policies are aimed at addressing these inequalities. We aim to offer educational and employment opportunities for all. The best way of improving the living standards of most people at the bottom of the income distribution is to help them into work, and we are implementing a range of policies under the New Deal to achieve this aim. We have also established a Social Exclusion Unit to co-ordinate action across Government to find new and more integrated ways of tackling the worst problems.We continually evaluate our policies using a variety of methods. In particular, the annual Government Statistical Service publication "Households Below Average Income" contains detailed data on the position of those at the lower end of the income distribution.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list those parliamentary questions she has taken eight weeks or more to answer since 1 May 1997. [32716]

There have been two parliamentary questions which have taken more than 8 weeks to answer (not including recesses):

Hon. Member received from	Date of Order Paper	Date answered
Argyll and Bute	22 May 1997	29 July 1997
Sutton and Cheam	23 May 1997	29 July 1997

Note:

Information taken from the Department's Parliamentary Question database which may be subject to some degree of error.

Benefit Claimants (Millennium Awards)

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if Millennium Award grants given to benefit claimants will affect the levels of benefit which they receive. [34121]

Guidance issued by the Millennium Commission to organisations wishing to take part in the Award scheme (known as Award Partners) makes it clear that they are expected to take account of the implications an award might have for individuals, including eligibility for benefits, and to set out how this will be addressed so that individuals receiving benefits are not penalised. Prospective Partners normally discuss their proposals with this Department, as the potential effect of an award in an individual case would depend on a number of factors. These include the type of benefit concerned, the purpose of the award, whether any cash payment was to be made to the individual and, if so, whether it was to be paid as a one-off grant or a regular series of payments.

National Insurance Fund

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will estimate the effect on the National Insurance Fund in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02 of (i) leaving unchanged the expenses loading for contracted out money purchase schemes and (ii) increasing the rebate for contracted out salary-related schemes from 4.6 per cent. to 4.79 per cent; [34097](2) if she will estimate the effect on the National Insurance Fund in

(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02 of her proposed amendments to rebates for approved personal pension schemes. [34096]

The information is set out in the tables.

Estimated amount of revenue forgone in respect of contracted out money purchase schemes (COMPS) for the tax years 1999–2000 to 2001–2002
Year	£million
1999–2000	69
2000–01	142
2001–02	144

Note:

It is based on the assumption that the rebate remains unchanged, and that the number and type of schemes which attracted that rebate do not alter.

As the report by the Secretary of State for Social Security on Certain Contracting-out Terms (Command 3888) explains, there is evidence to show that a significant percentage of schemes which previously contracted-out on a salary-related basis are switching to contracting-out on a money purchase basis. Some are doing this to take advantage of the higher age-related rebates, and others for business reasons unconnected to the rebate. Irrespective of the reasons why schemes are switching to become COMPS, given that many will now be larger schemes, the expense margin contained within the rebate is inappropriate.

Both this Government, and the previous one, made it clear that action would be taken to prevent further losses from the National Insurance Fund if it became apparent that the nature of COMP provision was changing. It is impossible therefore to provide a reliable estimate of what the various changes and behavioural effects imply for the National Insurance Fund. But clearly there would be huge costs if all schemes switched to take advantage of the current higher average rebates for COMPS.

Additional estimated amount of revenue forgone from the national insurance fund should the rebate in respect of contracted out salary-related scheme be increased to 4.79 per cent.
Year	£ million
1999–2000	225
2000–01	250
2001–02	250

Extra amount of revenue forgone from the national insurance fund, as a result of increasing the rebates for appropriate personal pensions
Year	£ million
1999–2000	—
2000–01	144
2001–02	154

Note:

There is no change to the amounts paid in the tax year 1999–2000 because the age related top up due for that period is not paid until the following tax year.

Volume 308: debated on Thursday 12 March 1998

Written Answers To Questions

Environment, Transport And The Regions

Drinking Water

Government Car Service

Science, Engineering And Technology Week

Publications

Household Projections

Rail Freight

Fishing Industry

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

Fertilisers

European Documents

Roads Review

Parliamentary Questions

Anglia Railways

Single Regeneration Budget Bids

Accidents (Unqualified Electricians)

Cardiff Bay Barrage

Planning Procedures

Traffic Congestion (South Devon)

Green Belt

Thameslink 2000

Mv Derbyshire

Minister Without Portfolio

Millennium Exhibition (Sponsorship)

Duchy Of Lancaster

Surveys

Civil Service

Freedom Of Information

Public Bodies (Reports)

Parliamentary Questions

President Of The Council

Parliamentary Questions

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Ministerial Transport

Millennium Compliance

Indonesia

Caribbean (Nuclear Waste)

European Community Legislation

Qualified Majority Voting

Parliamentary Questions

Chile

Visa Applications

Partners In Europe

Prime Minister

Overseas Visits

Royal Prerogative

Bloody Sunday

Attorney-General

Barristers

Parliamentary Questions

Education And Employment

Market Research

University Applications

Music Teachers

Pgce Courses

Class Sizes

County Music Services

Parliamentary Questions

Culture, Media And Sport

Sports Funding

Concessionary Television Licences

Out-Of-School Clubs

Scotland

Contaminated Land

History Teaching

Public Bodies (Reports)

Regional Selective Assistance

Creagan Bridge

Cairngorm Funicular Railway

Tourism

Parliamentary Questions

Police Housing

Schools

Police Statistics

Northern Ireland

Tourism

Parliamentary Questions