To ask the President of the Council (1) if she will list the hon. Members who (a) retired at the 1997 Dissolution and (b) were defeated in the 1997 general election who have claimed a full year's office cost allowance for 1997–98, broken down by party; [34690](2) if she will list the hon. Members who

No.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the Legal Aid Board's responsibilities when a franchised solicitor is responsible for delays in the proceedings of a case beyond the three-year time limit. [33600]

The Legal Aid Board has no power to investigate allegations of professional negligence in the legal sense. A client can seek redress for loss caused by his/her solicitor's alleged negligence through the courts. The Office for the Supervision of Solicitors (OSS) does not have the power to investigate allegations of negligence. It can, however, refer the client to a solicitor who is a member of the Negligence Panel Scheme for further assistance if the OSS believe there may have been negligence in the client's case.The Legal Aid Board undertakes audits of a sample of franchisees' files to ensure that the solicitors continue to comply with the requirements of the Franchising Specification. It also investigates any complaints made by clients about the quality of service given by a franchised solicitor.One of the requirements under the Franchising Specification is a system to maintain a back-up record of key dates relevant to a case. If, during an audit, it was evident that no back up system was in place, the Board would categorise that as a major non compliance.However, a single incident of a missed time limit would not necessarily lead the Board to conclude that a back-up system was not in place. The Board would investigate all the circumstances before deciding if action was appropriate under the franchise. If appropriate, the Board would require corrective action to be taken within twenty one days. A follow-up audit would be made to ensure that action had been taken. Failure to do so could lead to the Board either suspending the contract or terminating it, if necessary, to protect both the client's interests and those of the Legal Aid Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent correspondence his Department's ministers have had with Swedish authorities acting on behalf of the Nordic Council of Environment Ministers concerning radioactive discharges from Sellafield and Dounreay; and what response has been received. [33026]

Mrs. Anna Lindh, Swedish Minister for the Environment, wrote to me on 27 February in her capacity as Chairperson of the Nordic Council of Environment Ministers, regarding discharges of technetium-99 from Sellafield. She enclosed a copy of a report from the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, entitled "Technetium-99 contamination in the North Sea and Norwegian coastal areas, 1996 and 1997". I am placing copies of Mrs. Lindh's letter, my reply and the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority's report in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what timetable he proposes for the revision of planning guidance and the publication of the discussion papers, advice and research referred to in paragraph 93 of "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cm 3885). [33825]

The Government hope to issue a consultation draft of a revised PPG3 by the summer recess. We hope to publish the discussion paper on regional targets before we consult on the draft revised PPG3. The Department intends to issue a discussion paper on monitoring indicators during the Spring, with a view to incorporating the results in a draft PPG3 which we hope to issue for consultation by the summer recess.With regard to research, the following timetable applies:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what grants will be available to regional development agencies to assist the tourism industry; and what assessment he has made of the level of grants available to Scotland and Wales. [33908]

Government financial support for the tourism industry in England is currently being considered as part of the comprehensive spending review process. Arrangements in Scotland and Wales are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will visit the Royal Ordnance site in Euxton, Chorley, to assess its potential for development. [33910]

The future of the Royal Ordnance Site is an important matter for Chorley and the North West. However, because of the potential quasi-judicial role of the Secretary of State should any proposal come before him for determination, it would be inappropriate for Ministers to visit at this stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set up regional banks to support research and development in industry. [33909]

The Government have no proposals to set up regional banks. However, Regional Development Agencies will be responsible for promoting competitiveness and exchange of best practice, including technology transfer, from innovative companies and higher education to the wider business community.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Integrated Transport White Paper will include specific targets for improving the environment around airports, with particular reference to the impact of noise and congestion; and if he will make a statement. [34115]

The Integrated Transport White Paper will set the framework within which detailed policies will be developed and implemented in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlie the number of emergency take-offs and landings at Heathrow during the past three years; and what assessment he has made of the public safety implications of trends in these figures. [34111]

The number and type of emergency situations declared by pilots of aircraft landing at or taking off from Heathrow Airport in the last three years are listed in the following table. The majority of these emergencies were declared as a precautionary measure and involved no immediate danger to the aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he plans to take to strengthen the protection of sites of special scientific interest.[34118]

The Government are currently considering how best to improve the protection and management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Officials are preparing a consultation paper seeking views.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the flow of public transport on roads in urban areas in England. [34490]

The Government will announce their policies on all aspects of transport in the Integrated Transport White Paper due to be published this Spring. In the meantime, my Department is already supporting packages of integrated transport measures in the great majority of urban areas in England. £85 million have been allocated to transport packages in 1998–99 under the Transport Policies and Programme system. Improved facilities for public transport, including bus priority routes, feature in virtually all urban packages. We are also funding the development of a comprehensive bus priority network in London. £11 million are going to that project in 1998–99 alone.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the last date on which applications for consideration for membership of boards of regional development agencies may be made. [34680]

Applications for membership of regional development agency boards should be received in the relevant Government Office by Friday 27 March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will extend the right of appeal against decisions by local planning authorities to include objectors to planning applications. [34761]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 1 December 1997, Official Report, column 36.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what volume of domestic refuse was recycled by each London borough in each of the last three years; and what his estimate is for 1998–99. [34301]

The table shows the total tonnage of domestic refuse collected for recycling by each London borough during the financial year 1995–96. Figures exclude quantities diverted to home composting.Where no figure is given, either the local authority has not responded to the Department's survey or the authority was unable to provide weight data.Figures for 1996–97 are being processed and will be published as soon as they are available. No estimates are made for future years.

Domestic refuse collected for recycling in 1995–96	Tonnes
Corporation of London	2,120
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham	—
London Borough of Barnet	9,269
London Borough of Bexley	1,792
London Borough of Bromley	16,071
London Borough of Camden	5,567
London Borough of Croydon	1,341
London Borough of Ealing	4,884
London Borough of Enfield	3,918
London Borough of Greenwich	2,766
London Borough of Hackney	936
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham	3,215
London Borough of Haringey	2,265
London Borough of Harrow	3,363
London Borough of Havering	—
London Borough of Hillingdon	—
London Borough of Hounslow	4,040
London Borough of Islington	1,710
London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea	6,232
London Borough of Kingston Upon Thames	10,238
London Borough of Lambeth	2,880
London Borough of Lewisham	2,736
London Borough of Merton	2,903
London Borough of Newham	961
London Borough of Redbridge	6,597
London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames	7,917
London Borough of Southwark	1,785
London Borough of Sutton	3,163
London Borough of Tower Hamlets	802
London Borough of Waltham Forest	2,759
London Borough of Wandsworth	4,214
Westminster City Council	522
Total, all reporting London boroughs	121,583

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the proportion of waste (a) paper, (b) glass and (c) metal nationally has been recycled from domestic waste in each of the past three years; and what his estimate is for 1998–99. [34302]

The table shows the total reported tonnage of paper and card, glass and metal cans/scrap metal which was collected for recycling by local authorities in England and Wales during the financial year 1995/96. The data are based on information provided by local authorities representing 95 per cent. of the households in England and Wales.It is not possible to provide the proportions as requested as there is insufficient national data on waste composition to express the tonnage of each material collected for recycling as a proportion of the total of each material in the domestic waste stream.Figures for 1996/97 are being processed and will be published as soon as they are available. No estimates are made for future years.

Amounts collected for recycling by local authorities in England and Wales
	Tonnes
Glass	278,800
Paper	262,700
Card	16,900
Mixed paper and card	152,000
Total paper and card	431,600
Steel cans	4,400
Aluminium cans	1,900
Mixed cans	10,200
Scrap metal/white goods	153,000
Total metal cans/scrap metal	169,500

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to alleviate severe traffic congestion in urban areas. [34041]

This is a subject that the Government will address in their forthcoming White Paper on integrated transport policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place copies in the Library of the current notional railway timetables for Summer 2002 and 2005. [34314]

Railtrack is responsible for producing the biannual Great Britain Passenger Timetable, in consultation with the train operating companies. The timetables do not cover notional services that may be under consideration for future editions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Office of Water Services has the power to specify that water companies should consult with other organisations regarding their joint response to an emergency or a potential emergency; and if he will make a statement. [34178]

No. The Office of Water Services has no such powers. Under section 208 of the Water Industry Act 1991, the Secretary of State has the power to direct water companies to do whatever is deemed necessary to mitigate the effects of an emergency which includes consulting other organisations as necessary. Water companies already work closely with other organisations on emergency planning matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if the Office of the Passenger Rail Franchising has the power to specify that rail franchisees should consult with other organisations regarding their joint response to an emergency or a potential emergency; and if he will make a statement; [34179](2) if the Office of the Rail Regulator has the power to specify that rail companies should consult with other organisations regarding their joint response to an emergency or a potential emergency; and if he will make a statement. [34180]

All railway operators are required by the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994 to prepare and have accepted a Railway Safety Case (RSC) which includes amongst other things, particulars of their arrangements for dealing with accidents and emergencies. The guidance which accompanies these Regulations makes it clear that these arrangements should make adequate provision for liaison with emergency services, and for co-operation and co-ordination with other railway operators.The Director of Passenger Rail Franchising and the Rail Regulator have wide powers to specify the content of franchise agreements and of licences respectively. I understand that provisions relating to consultation on emergency responses have not been specified because of the wider requirements relating to safety cases and Railway Group Standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department is taking to ensure that motorists are made aware of the dangers of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving; and if he will make a statement. [34859]

My noble Friend the Minister for Roads is today launching a publicity campaign to make clear to motorists the dangers of using hand-held phones while driving. The campaign includes advertisements in national newspapers and an advisory leaflet reminding motorists of the dangers of using hand-held phones and offering advice on hands-free phone use. Copies of the leaflet have been placed in the Library.I am pleased to say that the campaign is supported by the mobile phone industry and four major mobile phone network operators who are producing complementary leaflets for their customers. This will help ensure that the message reaches the relevant audience.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he is putting in place to improve the delivery of local plans and unitary development plans; and if he will make a statement. [34937]

The statement "Modernising Planning", published on 15 January, set out our policies to improve the operation of the planning system. In accordance with those policies, my Department has today published a consultation paper on proposals for changes to the arrangements for the preparation and adoption by local authorities of Local Plans and Unitary Development Plans. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library.The Government are committed to the plan-led system of development. This provides the essential framework for rational and consistent planning decisions, and plays a vital role in promoting development and growth which respects the environment. But if the plan-led system is to work there must be plans which cover all parts of the country and an effective system to keep those plans up to date.The previous Government agreed a target date with local authorities for substantial coverage of local plans by the end of 1996. Only 43 per cent. coverage was achieved by that date. The figure is expected to be about 70 per cent. by the end of 1998. We therefore propose to introduce changes to national policy guidance and to procedures aimed at:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total expenditure by his Department on (i) building maintenance and (ii) office running costs, on the last year for which figures are available, (a) in total and (b) broken down by offices and buildings in (i) London and (ii) Scotland. [34226]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London, on 2 March 1998, Official Report, column 421. Maintenance costs are included in the running costs quoted for each building. A further breakdown of these costs is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely effect on the availability of High Street solicitors of the Government's proposals for the withdrawal of the cash basis practice for the taxation of professional businesses. [33317]

The overall effect of the proposals on any professionals will of course depend on the final details to be announced in my right hon. Friend's Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors governed the length of time taken to answer the question from the hon. Member for Chichester (ref. 28925) of 8 February, relating to Mr. C. Whelan. [34419]

[holding answer 13 March 1998]: It has always been the case that the length of time to answer parliamentary questions varies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the implications of VAT harmonisation in the EU on the United Kingdom art market. [32907]

I have received representations from the British Art Market Federation and from members of the art trade, and am aware of concerns about the effects on the UK art market of harmonisation of VAT on imports of works of art.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to strengthen economic stability. [35081]

I propose to implement a Code for Fiscal Stability. The Code, which will be underpinned by legislation in the Finance Bill, will enhance economic stability by ensuring that fiscal and debt management policy operate in accordance with the principles of transparency, stability, responsibility, efficiency and fairness. Copies of the paper which sets out and explains the Code for Fiscal Stability have been placed in the Vote Office and in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the benefits to organisations with both travel and insurance interests of the different rates of insurance premium tax levied on travel insurance. [29537]

Organisations with both travel and insurance interests, the most typical examples being travel agents, will usually be paying the higher rate of insurance premium tax. However, travel agents often offer free insurance to assist their marketing of holidays, and in such cases they benefit from the standard rate of IPT on premiums paid to their insurance companies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of how many employees the employers' marginal rate of contribution would be (a) higher and (b) lower than at present if the three steps increases in employers NICs were eliminated and this was financed by raising the rate of NIC to 12.2 per cent. [33511]

[holding answer 9 March 1998]: I have been asked to reply.If the steps for employers' contributions at £110, £155 and £210 were eliminated and the employers' contribution rate increased to 12.2 per cent., the marginal rate for employers would be lower in respect of employees earning immediately below £110, £155 and £210. The marginal rate for employers would be higher in respect of all other employees whose earnings attract employers' contributions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 February 1998, Official Report, column 486, if he will place a copy of the Defence Export Services Organisation five-year Strategic Plan in the Library. [31319]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: The Defence Export Services Organisation's, DESO, Five-Year Strategic Plan is the Ministry of Defence's detailed assessment of future market prospects and the UK's marketing objectives. It is built up on the basis of sensitive information provided by companies and other Governments on the understanding that it would not be made public. It is normal practice for companies to withhold detailed information on their forward marketing plans because these provide information which could be an advantage to commercial competitors.Publication of the DESO Strategic Plan would harm the UK's commercial and national interests. I am therefore withholding the document under the provisions of Exemptions 1, 13 and 14 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has for the international testing of computer systems for their millennium compliance with NATO allies; and if he will make a statement; [33383](2) what discussions are taking place in (i) the NATO Forum (ii) NATO Partnership for Peace and (iii) the OSCE on the millennium compliance of computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [33381]

The UK is active in generating awareness of the millennium problem within NATO. The MOD has provided briefings to NATO Allies, with Partnership For Peace members in attendance, on its experience and progress in addressing the problem nationally. We have highlighted the need for a corporate commitment to address the problem in both NATO and national systems, and the need for a collaborative approach to checking and testing to ensure that critical systems and vital inter-operation are not jeopardised by the problem. In the context of the OSCE, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the issue of 'millennium compliance' of the OSCE national consultation network is being raised at a meeting in Vienna later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in ensuring the millennium compliance of computer systems in the Royal Navy, and on plans to undertake the action necessary on ships on operational duty at sea. [33382]

All computer systems currently in service with the Navy are being assessed for millennium compliance as part of the wider MOD activity currently being conducted. Any action required to make systems compliant will, as far as possible, be carried out as part of routine maintenance schedules, taking account of the high priority we attach to this issue.We are liaising with suppliers to ensure that all future systems, including Naval computer systems, are designed and built with millennium compliance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department is planning to seek a full product licence from the Medicine Control Agency for its proposed nerve agent pre-treatment using a combination of physostigmine and hyoscine. [33801]

The research currently being carried out by the Chemical and Biological Defence sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into a proposed nerve agent pre-treatment using a combination of physostigmine and hyoscine is due to be completed in June 1999.If the pre-treatment proves effective against nerve agent poisoning, it is likely to undergo a full safety evaluation prior to submission for approval for a full product licence from the Medicines Control Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Weapon Engineering Division at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, was set up; what is the purpose of this division; how many series of technical papers or reports are currently being produced by this division; and what are the names of each series. [33859]

The "Weapon" Engineering Division at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, which is more properly known as the Warhead Engineering Division, was set up in 1954. The Division is now part of the Systems Engineering area. Its purpose is to undertake scientific warhead design through to an engineered system. This work enables AWE to underwrite the performance and safety of the warhead.One untitled series of reports is currently being issued. There are also a number of general engineering technology studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 1998, Official Report, column 345, on the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, how many unclassified papers were produced in each of the two series of reports produced by the chemical technology division of the Atomic Weapons Establishment between 1968 and 1991. [33855]

Not all of the information sought is available. The Technical Memoranda series contains some 95 unclassified reports. The other series contained a large number of informal reports and documents and there was no requirement to record how many of these were unclassified. To obtain the information now, a very large number of files not in current use would have to be retrieved and examined and this could be done only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 1998, Official Report, column 261, on the Warhead Hydrodynamics Division, how many unclassified papers were produced in the series known as Hydrodynamics Department-Technical Reports, R Series; and of which directorate the Hydrodynamics Department is now a part. [33856]

There are 99 unclassified papers in the Hydrodynamics Department Technical Reports R Series. Hydrodynamics is part of the Physics Research Directorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of (a) the Specialist Procurement Services Agency of his Department (b) the Naval Bases and Supply Agency and (c) the RAF Maintenance Group; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [33858]

This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998, Official Report, column 480, whether Hull trawlermen were at any time required to sign the Official Secrets Act. [34131]

No information is available to indicate that trawlermen were required to sign the Official Secrets Act, nor is it considered likely that they would have been so required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of maintaining (a) Land Command 2nd Divisional Headquarters and (b) Headquarters 15th Brigade in York. [34503]

The estimated cost of maintaining these headquarters next financial year will be:

	£
(i) HQ 2nd Division, York	7,629,000
(ii) HQ 15 Brigade, York	2,017,000

These figures include pay and running costs of the headquarters and maintenance of the buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by economic planning region the number of Ministry of Defence (a) service personnel and (b) civilian employees based in the United Kingdom in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996 and (iii) 1997. [34504]

The information requested has been published in the UK Defence Statistics 1997 on page 28, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the (a) number and (b) annual cost of surplus civilian staff retained on the payroll in each of the United Kingdom Land Command divisional areas. [34505]

As at 31 December 1997, which is the most recent date for which verified figures are available, Land Command employed no surplus civilian staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the (a) number and (b) annual cost of surplus civilian staff being retained on the payroll in each of the MoD top level budget areas. [34506]

As at 31 December 1997, the most recent date for which verified figures are available, the number of surplus non-industrial civilian staff retained on the payroll in each Top Level Budget area were as follows:

	Number
CINCFLEET	3
CFS	33
2SL	3
HQ LAND	0
QMG	4
AG	21
HQNI	0
RAF STC	0
RAF LOGISTICS COMMAND	16
RAF P&T COMMAND	1
CDP	12
2nd PUS (incl VCDS)	38
Total	131

Surplus staff are defined as non-industrial civilian staff with a full mobility obligation whose posts have either been abolished or will be abolished within 6 months. The number of staff who are temporarily surplus varies from month to month, as some are found permanent posts and others are declared newly surplus. Accordingly, it is not possible to estimate the annual cost of those staff who may be temporarily surplus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) outside agencies, (b) middlemen and (c) trading organisations that have been used in arms or equipment purchases connected with the Al-Yamamah project (i) prior to and (ii) after the awarding of the contract. [34033]

[holding answer 12 March 1998]: The British Government have not employed business agents, nor individuals, or organisations of the type described in the Question either prior to, or after, the award of the Al-Yamamah contract. Negotiations concerning the role of the British Government in the Al-Yamamah programme have been conducted by diplomats and civil servants in the normal way. Any use of agents by companies associated with Al-Yamamah is a matter for those companies, but the prime contractor, British Aerospace, has assured us that it operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of Saudi Arabia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training has been (a) requested from and (b) given by his Department to members of the Kenyan Ministry of Special Protection in each of the last three years. [34240]

I am not aware of a Kenyan Ministry of Special Protection. I can, however, confirm that no training in riot control or internal security techniques has been requested from, or provided to, the Kenyan authorities by members of the Ministry of Defence or the UK Armed Forces in any of the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will establish a register of all war memorials in the United Kingdom erected since the First World War, for conflicts other than World Wars One and Two. [34272]

No. These war memorials are already included in the National Inventory of War Memorials, which is jointly managed by the Imperial War Museum and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which recent independent studies on links between military nuclear weapons production sites and childhood leukaemias have been evaluated by his Department; and what assessment was made of each. [34453]

The most recent independent study, published in the British Medical Journal on 8 November 1997, concerned the incidence of leukaemia among children whose fathers have been exposed to radiation at work. Data on Atomic Weapons Establishment staff were included in the study. My Department accepts and agrees with the study's conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 March 1998,Official Report, column 149, concerning RAF Leeming, if he will list the bodies for which money was raised. [34764]

Since 1 May 1997, RAF Leeming has donated tours of the Station as "prizes" in fund-raising draws to the following bodies: Dales Special School, Moreton-on-Swale, Starbright Childrens Cancer Fund, Broomfield Primary School, Northallerton, 'Dreamflight' (underprivileged children), East Cowton School, the Variety Club of Great Britain, British Field Sports Society, Allertonshire School, Northallerton and Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what monitoring of the activities of the Turkish armed forces in Iraq is undertaken by British troops; and if he will make a statement. [34309]

None. The RAF contributes to coalition patrols of the northern no-fly-zone over Iraq. This was established in 1991 to monitor Iraqi compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 688, which requires Iraq to cease repression of the civilian population of Iraq. These patrols do no monitor the activities of Turkish armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the procedure relating to the issuing of a challenge current in the 1 Battalion Scots Guards in September 1992; on how many occasions since 1 September 1992 such procedures have not been complied with; and what revision to procedures has taken place since that date. [34312]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 538, what action he is taking to press the American Government to contribute to the cost of clearing up Holy Loch. [34295]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the defence procurement contracts with value of greater than £5 million for each year since 1987; and what were the companies involved in each of these contracts. [34183]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the original projected cost of the implementation of the MRPII Scheduling System at (a) NARO Almondbank and (b) NARO Fleetlands; and what has been the actual cost of implementation; [34592](2) what was the original projected timescale for the implementation of the MRPII Scheduling System in (i) NARO Almondbank and (ii) NARO Fleetlands; and what has been the actual timescale for implementation; [34594](3) what were the original projected cost savings to be gained from the implementation of the MRP II Scheduling System at

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation (NARO). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide finance to keep open the Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment Museum in Rotherham. [31436]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 1 December 1997, Official Report, column 24.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those European Commission (a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which his Office subscribes. [33656]

My office makes use of a wide range of publications held within 10 Downing Street and other Government Departments.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will introduce measures to make Ministers liable for losses to the taxpayer if public assets are sold at less than their market value.[33610]

No. Such a proposal would be impractical. In selling public assets Ministers are accountable to Parliament in the normal way. The Government see no reason to change these arrangements.This Government's approach to public-private partnerships is designed to ensure that the taxpayer's interests are fully safeguarded.

To ask the Prime Minister what meetings he has held since 1 May 1997 at which (a) Yemen and (b) Oman were discussed; and how many meetings he has had with representatives of the (a) Yemeni and (b) Omani Government. [34560]

I received President Ali Abdullah Saleh in November 1997 and Dr. Omar Zawawi, the Sultan of Oman's special emissary, earlier this month. The Omani and Yemeni Ambassadors were also present at a meeting of Arab Ambassadors at Downing Street in February.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit (a) Yemen and (b) Oman. [34559]

At present, I have no plans to visit either Yemen or Oman.

To ask the Prime Minister how many ministerial visits there have been to (a) Yemen and (b) Oman in the last three years. [34558]

There have been 4 ministerial visits to Yemen and 14 ministerial visits to Oman over the last three years.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the oral answer of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of 10 March 1998, Official Report, columns 307–8, what criteria he will use to determine the extent of Iraq's compliance with the recent agreement between Iraq and the UN to allow inspections to take place; and if he will submit these criteria to the scrutiny of the French, Russian and Chinese authorities as members of the Security Council. [34770]

Security Council Resolution 1154 was adopted unanimously by the Security Council. All members agreed that further violations of Iraq's obligations under relevant Security Council Resolutions and the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Baghdad would be followed by the severest consequences.The question of Iraqi compliance will be dealt with in reports to the Security Council from the United Nations Special Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

To ask the Prime Minister what is his current estimate of the expenditure of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on hospitality since 1 May 1997. [27810]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) on 26 February 1998, Official Report, column 311.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those European Commission (a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which his Department subscribes. [33651]

The Scottish Office subscribes to the following European Commission publications:

• Com Documents of the commission of the European Communities;
• Directory of Community legislation in force and other Acts of the community institutions;
• Official Journal of the European Communities, Series C, Series L, Series S;
• Index to the Official Journal of the European Communities;
• Debates of the European Parliament

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conditions the planning agreement for the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm place on Highlands and Island Enterprise; and how expenditure to be incurred in fulfilling these conditions is to be approved. [33601]

There are a number of references to Highland and Islands Enterprise in the Agreement relative to the funicular railway on Cairngorm entered into under section 50 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 and section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967. The majority of the references concern the need for HIE to be consulted or notified in certain circumstances, or for that body to have discussions with the other parties to the Agreement in certain circumstances. The Agreement also provides for HIE to be given a period in which to seek an alternative operator for the funicular railway in the event of the Cairngorm Chairlift Company Limited discontinuing its operation. If an alternative operator cannot be found, there is a duty placed on that Company to dismantle the railway and reinstate the site. Should the Company fail to fulfil that obligation, the Agreement requires HIE to fulfil it.Any future expenditure on the funicular railway incurred by Highland and Islands Enterprise as a result of the application of these conditions would be subject to the usual approval arrangements which apply to the annual grant in aid to that body and to any specific approval arrangements which apply to projects involving expenditure beyond the budgetary limits delegated to that body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 1998, Official Report, columns 778–79, on Dounreay, if it is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive to monitor the stability of the contents of the storage shaft and other radioactive waste repositories at Dounreay. [34165]

Responsibility for safety at the Dounreay site, including monitoring the stability of radioactive waste, lies with the site operator, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he proposes to improve safety on school bus services in Scotland. [34029]

The Government recognise the importance of high safety standards on school transport. Regulations, which are already in place, cover issues such as bus and coach construction, operator licensing and conduct and these apply equally across the board to all Public Service Vehicles. Construction regulations have recently been amended to require seat belts for children on minibuses and coaches when used on specific journeys. Decisions about the provision of supervision on school transport are for education authorities, as part of their overall responsibilities to provide a school transport service. Guidance on the provision of school transport, including safety matters, was issued by The Scottish Office to local authorities in April 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the size of the membership of the Scottish Parliament following the next report of the Boundary Commission, pursuant to Clause 81 of the Scotland Bill. [34276]

[holding answer 13 March 1998]: None. I cannot anticipate the recommendations of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to attend a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the European Union in relation to agriculture. [34278]

[holding answer 13 March 1998]: My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for agriculture, the environment and fisheries in Scotland attended two Agriculture Councils last year and will attend future meetings as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of (a) claims brought and (b) occasions when compensation was paid, by Scottish courts in respect of injuries received at work for each of the last five years indicating the number of injuries recorded per 100,000 persons at work in Scotland in each year or as much information as is readily available to him. [34572]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from student representatives at Scottish universities about (a) the introduction of tuition fees in higher education and (b) the different treatment of students from Scotland and Europe as against those from England, Wales and Northern Ireland in relation to tuition fees for the fourth year of a Scottish degree course. [34586]

I have received representations on both matters from the National Union of Students (Scotland), the Students' Associations of Dundee, Edinburgh, and St. Andrews Universities; and the Students' Representative Councils of Aberdeen and Glasgow Universities. Napier University Students' Association made representations on the introduction of tuition fees in higher education; Heriot Watt University Students' Association made representations on the different treatment of English, Welsh and Northern Irish students compared to those from Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking in respect of the representation of Scottish fishing interests in the European Council of Ministers after the setting up of the Scottish Parliament. [34589]

The Government remain committed to involving Scottish Ministers in relevant Council meetings, which could include Scottish Ministers speaking for the UK in appropriate cases. Whoever speaks will do so on behalf of the UK as a whole and to an agreed UK position. Scottish fishing interests will therefore continue to be properly represented.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to further the Middle East peace process through the targeting of (a) the UK's and (b) the EU's aid to the region. [34727]

The Department for International Development plans to continue a programme of high quality development projects in the West Bank and Gaza, which are designed to be supportive of the Middle East Peace Process. Our projects are targeted at reducing poverty, strengthening the private sector and building up the Palestinian Authority's (PA) administrative capacity. We will do what we can to help give a new impetus to the peace process.The EC aid programme to the PA, which is due to expire in 1998, has helped the Peace Process survive under very difficult circumstances. The UK will support its renewal which would demonstrate the EU's continuing commitment to the process. The programme is currently being evaluated by the European Commission and we will be seeking to ensure that lessons learned about quality and effectiveness are fully taken into account in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in her plans to develop sanctions which hit elites rather than the mass of the people. [34769]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the cost to each council which put forward a bid for the site of the National Assembly for Wales of that bid. [33279]

This is a matter for each individual Council, who will have determined the level of expenditure appropriate to the submission of their proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking in respect of the representation of Welsh farming interests in the European Council of Ministers after the setting up of the National Assembly for Wales. [34587]

Assembly Secretaries will be able to play a part in relevant meetings of the Council of Ministers as part of the UK team. As the UK lead Minister, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will have overall responsibility for the UK's line in agricultural negotiations. Assembly Secretaries will be able to speak, with the Minister's agreement, to advance the UK line in Brussels.The arrangements will be spelled out in concordats which will be agreed in due course between the Assembly and the Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many non-career civil servants were appointed to his Department between 1 May 1996 and 30 April 1997. [33275]

Between 1 May 1996 and 30 April 1997, my Department appointed 293 non-career civil servants on short term, temporary appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many TB cases there were in Wales in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [33536]

The information is given in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if, in respect of the projects for which Gwent Tertiary College successfully requested EU funding in the past three years, he will list the projects which (a) have and (b) have not received that funding and in each case the amounts received by (i) the college and (ii) the project; [34532](2) if he will list the projects for which Gwent Tertiary College received European Union funding in each of the last three years; [33904](3) if he will list the projects submitted by the Gwent Tertiary College for European funding in the past three years; which were successful; and what sums they involved. [33457]

A list of the projects has been placed in the Library of the House. ERDF Payments are made in arrears on receipt of claims submitted quarterly for the actual expenditure incurred by the college on a project. ESF payments are made to the successful applicant and not directly to projects. The applicant organisation is then responsible for delivering the project in line with the approved project specification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the grant-in-aid to the Welsh Tourist Board in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [33503]

Welsh Office grant-in-aid for the Wales Tourist Board in the period 1996 to 1999 is as follows:

£ million
	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
	Outturn	Forecast outturn	Plans
Net provision	14.7	15.0	14.4

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the total sum paid to farmers in Wales under the (a) sheep annual premium, (b) suckler cow premium, (c) hill livestock compensation allowance, (d) arable area payment, (e) Tir Cymen and (f) environmentally sensitive area payment schemes in the last full year for which figures are available. [34510]

Total expenditure in Wales during 1996–97 was as follows:

	£000
(a) Sheep Annual Premium Scheme	131,481
(b) Suckler Cow Premium Scheme	38,320
(c) Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances Scheme	27,852
(d) Arable Crops Area Payments	11,983
(e) Tir Cymen	4,900
(f) Environmentally Sensitive Areas	3,456

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the amount spent by each unitary authority on road maintenance in each of the last five years. [34350]

The available information is given in the following table. Information for unitary authorities is not available prior to 1996–97.

Local authority expenditure on road maintenance1
£000
Net current aexpenditure	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	21996–97	31997–98
Blaenau Gwent	—	—	—	3,704	3,525
Bridgend	—	—	—	6,398	6,283
Caerphilly	—	—	—	7,919	7,922
Cardiff	—	—	—	12,694	13,308
Carmarthenshire	—	—	—	13,192	12,945
Ceredigion	—	—	—	7,178	6,945
Conwy	—	—	—	5,732	5,409
Denbighshire	—	—	—	5,327	5,055
Flintshire	—	—	—	6,805	7,064
Gwynedd	—	—	—	9,007	9,562
Isle of Anglesey	—	—	—	4,214	4,572
Merthyr Tydfil	—	—	—	2,464	2,335
Monmouthshire	—	—	—	4,728	4,259
Neath Port Talbot	—	—	—	7,362	7,379
Newport	—	—	—	4,059	4,212
Pembrokeshire	—	—	—	7,965	8,043
Powys	—	—	—	12,999	12,337
Rhondda Cynon Taff	—	—	—	7,012	7,483
Swansea	—	—	—	8,487	8,430
The Vale of Glamorgan	—	—	—	5,261	4,766
Torfaen	—	—	—	3,265	3,149
Wrexham	—	—	—	5,269	5,373
Total Wales current expenditure	146,090	149,550	157,134	151,041	150,356

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide a comparative list of Welsh district health authorities, or combinations of district health authorities, as constituted before and after 1 April 1996. [34355]

Prior to 1 April 1995, there were 9 district health authorities (DHAs) in Wales: Gwynedd, Clwyd, Powys, East Dyfed, Pembrokeshire, West Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, South Glamorgan and Gwent. On 1 April 1995, the East Dyfed and Pembrokeshire DHAs merged to form Dyfed DHA. There were thus 8 DHAs, matching the 8 family health service authorities (FHSAs) and 8 former counties.On 1 April 1996, health authorities and local government in Wales were reorganised. The 8 DHAs and 8 FHSAs were reformed into 5 unified health authorities, as follows.A new North Wales Health Authority was created covering the former Gwynedd and Clwyd (with a minor change to the boundary between the former Clwyd and Powys, to reflect new local authority boundaries). A new Dyfed Powys Health Authority was formed covering the former Dyfed and Powys. The new Morgannwg Health Authority covered former West Glamorgan plus that part of the former Mid Glamorgan DHA area that fell within the new county borough of Bridgend. The new Gwent Health Authority included the former Gwent DHA area plus that part of the former Mid Glamorgan DHA area falling within the new county borough of Caerphilly. The new Bro Taf Health Authority covered former South Glamorgan plus the remaining parts of the former Mid Glamorgan DHA area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide additional assistance to companies in Wales to relieve the effects of (a) changes in the exchange rate since 1 May 1997 and (b) changes to the ACT rules in July 1997. [33618]

No. The Government recognise the difficulties for exporters and manufacturers affected by the strong pound and the effect on exchange rates and exports is a factor that the Bank of England takes into account in determining interest rates. The Government are committed to delivering a stable macro-economic framework in which businesses will be better able to plan for the long term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those European Commission (a) newsletters, (b) magazines and (c) occasional publications to which his Department subscribes. [33654]

The Welsh Office subscribes to the following European Commission publications:

• COM and SEC series papers
• Eurobarometer
• European Economy
• European File
• Eurostat Quarterly National Accounts
• The Week in Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [33706]

In 1997, companies in Wales accepted 161 offers of Regional Selective Assistance. Information about the capital costs of individual projects is treated as "commercial in confidence". The relationship between offer levels and capital costs varies widely according to the type of project and reflects the selective nature of RSA whereby projects are secured for the minimum necessary cost.In development areas offer values ranged from 8.5% to 29.4% of capital costs and in intermediate areas from 1.97% to 18.7%.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to protect Welsh farmers from further falls in their income. [33713]

The Government have announced an agrimonetary aid package for the livestock industry of £85 million, of which just over £12 million will go to farmers in Wales. A further £70 million was announced in February to meet the costs of the Specified Risk Material Controls on cattle, sheep and goats and the entire start-up costs of the Cattle Traceability System.In addition, my right hon. Friend is engaged in constructive dialogue with farmers' leaders about how a viable long-term future for Welsh agriculture can be created.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve the administration of payments to farmers in Wales. [35065]

Staff in the Welsh Office are working extremely hard to make payments to farmers, within the constraints of the current administrative arrangements. I am very conscious, however, that those arrangements need to be improved. As part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review process, the Welsh Office is, therefore, inviting consultants to tender for a study to assess the options for securing an improved service. I am writing to all hon. Members for Welsh constituencies with more information on the study, sending a copy of my letter to the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) for information, and placing a copy in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) powers of entry or (b) rights he has created or is currently creating in legislation since 1 May 1997. [34588]

There are none.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what cost-sharing arrangements apply with respect to the void office areas in the leasing arrangements between his Department and the Welsh Health Common Services authority. [34767]

All of the lease costs of Crickhowell House are paid direct by WHCSA to the landlord, Grovenor Waterside; no payments are made to the Department. The costs of vacant space have been covered from WHCSA reserves whilst the lease of Crickhowell House has been put on the market by WHCSA to obtain alternative tenants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the remaining units of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority which have (a) been successfully market-tested and (b) remain in Crickhowell House; and if he will list the square footage occupied, and the rental or equivalent paid to his Department as head-lessees per square foot per annum. [34766]

The units of WHCSA which have been market tested and retained within the Authority and remain in Crickhowell House are:

• Prescription Pricing Service
• Health Solutions Wales
• Welsh Health Supplies.

These three units occupy 27,945 sq ft of space. Other units of WHCSA occupy a further 71,051 sq ft of space.All rental costs of Crickhowell House are paid directly by WHCSA to the landlord Grovenor Waterside. No payments are made to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the rental and service charge arrangements currently applying as between (a)Associated British Ports and his Department and (b) his Department and the Welsh Health Common Services Authority. [34768]

The details of arrangements with the landlord, Grovenor Waterside, are commercially confidential, under Sections 7 and 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. All moneys due to Grovenor Waterside are paid through WHCSA from the resources available to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation there was with health boards and trusts about the required post-qualification experience of applicants for the post of Chief Legal Adviser in the Central Services Agency prior to the most recent advertising of the post. [33588]

It is most unusual for Health and Social Services bodies to consult with each other on the contents of Personnel Specifications for such posts. There was no consultation in 1995 or for the current vacancy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many years post-qualification experience was required when the post of Director of Legal Services and Chief Legal Adviser in the Central Services Agency was advertised in (a) 1973, (b) 1984, (c) 1987 and (d) 1995. [33586]

10 years post-qualification experience was required in 1987 and 1995. The job files relating to 1978 and 1984 have been destroyed and thus the information is not available for these years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long the current Chief Executive of the Central Services Agency has been in post; and how many directorates appointed during this period have been filled by (a) Roman Catholics, (b) Protestants and (c) others. [33590]

The current Chief Executive was appointed to the position in April 1997. Since then, no Director posts have been filled.