To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what guidance the Church Commissioners give to cathedrals on ethical investments. [36252]

The Church Commissioners' ethical investment policy is developed in consultation with the Ethical Investment Working Group which includes all of the Church of England's central investing bodies. Information about the Commissioners' ethical investment policy, including an annually updated list of the Commissioners' larger equity investments, is widely disseminated.The Commissioners do not take investment decisions or make ethical investment policy for other bodies in the Church; this is a matter for the trustees of their own funds. Cathedrals are required to make investment decisions on advice from the Commissioners. The making of ethical investment policy is also a matter for trustees, but the Commissioners explain the rationale and working of their ethical investment policy to other Church bodies, including cathedrals, when approached.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to promote the use of travelcards for public transport. [35523]

Greater use of travelcards is being considered in the context of developing an integrated transport policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the projections of passenger numbers for Eurostar in the years 1998 to 2005. [35392]

There is no single, definitive set of traffic forecasts. A number of forecasts have been produced, including those commissioned by LCR, who own Eurostar (UK) Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 4 March 1998, Official Report, column 648, on the Kyoto Protocol, if he will list his objectives in respect of each of the outstanding issues. [35616]

Consistent rules, modalities and guidelines for the operation of each of the flexible mechanisms of emissions trading, joint implementation and the clean development mechanism must be put in place at the earliest opportunity. They should ensure that the mechanisms provide real, cost effective and verifiable environmental benefits and do not create loopholes that undermine the objectives of the Protocol.It is also a priority for the UK and its EU partners to continue the dialogue with developing countries at the 4th Conference of the Parties and beyond about how to take forward the issue of increasing participation in global efforts to combat climate change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how the success of RDAs will be (a) evaluated and (b) monitored (i) in general, (ii) with reference to rural areas and (iii) with reference to the environment; and who will be responsible for evaluating and monitoring the programmes and strategies of RDAs; [35915](2) if he will make it his policy to encourage RDAs to create strategies which relate specifically to rural areas. [35914]

We are currently considering what guidance to give to Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) about the preparation of their strategies. We are also considering what arrangements need to be put in place to monitor the work of RDAs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the risks posed to food safety by the use of treated sewage sludge on agricultural land; [36061](2) what progress is being made towards the target of 100 per cent. of sewage sludge being treated by 2002; [36059](3) what changes he is considering to the 1996 Code of Practice for the Agricultural use of Sewage Sludge; [36060](4) if he will take measures to encourage the disposal of treated sewage sludge on agricultural land. [36062]

The Government consider that the controlled use of sewage sludge on agricultural land is the best environmental option for most sludges—particularly where there is ready access to suitable land. Government measures to encourage this use, and to maintain the confidence of farmers and their customers in it, include a review of the adequacy of the current controls in The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 and the associated Code of Practice. This review, which contains an assessment of the controls to protect food safety, taking into account the latest scientific evidence, will be scrutinised by independent experts and published in the next few months. Decisions on proposed changes to the 1989 Regulations or the Code of Practice, including any targets on treatment requirements, will be based on the results of the review and will take into account the recent recommendations of the Environment Sub-Committee of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the economic impact of the EC Groundwater Regulations on farmers in the tenth decile rank of income who use sheep dip. [36050]

The Government are currently consulting on proposed regulations to improve the transposition of the EC Groundwater Directive. Their potential impact on all economic sectors, including sheep farming, is being addressed as part of the consultation process, and a compliance cost assessment of the proposals will be published when the Regulations are laid before Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the proportion of registered sheep dips in England which have a direct drain into watercourses. [36049]

This information is not held centrally. However, the Government issued a consultation paper in January on proposed regulations to improve the transposition of the EC Groundwater Directive (a copy of which is in the Library of the House). These would provide for enhanced controls over activities such as sheep dipping and the disposal of spent sheep dip. As a result of these measures, information on the number and location of sheep dips will become available to the Environment Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to reduce the environmental impact of poorly managed sheep dips. [36051]

The proposed regulations to improve the transposition of the EC Groundwater Directive on which the Government are currently consulting, provide for enhanced controls over activities, including sheep dipping, or the disposal of waste, including spent sheep dip, which pose a threat to groundwater.Clear advice on what farmers must do to avoid pollution is already contained in the leaflet 'Sheep Dipping', issued jointly by the Health and Safety Executive, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Environment Agency and SEPA. A revised version of the leaflet was launched on 12 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the yield in 1996–97 and what is the latest estimate of yield in 1997–98 from (a) fuel duty and (b) vehicle excise duty broken down by (i) cars, light goods vehicles and taxis, (ii) motorcycles, (iii) buses and coaches, (iv) goods vehicles over 3.5 GVW and (v) other vehicles. [35967]

The revenue yield in 1996–97 is as follows:

Revenue yield 1996–97	£ million
Fuel duty	17,174
Vehicle excise duty of which:	4,252
Cars, light goods and taxis	3,604
Motorcycles	27
Public service buses and coaches	23
Goods over 3.5 tonnes gross weight	552
Others	46

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much of the additional funding for public transport announced in the Budget will be available for ferry travel to and from offshore communities; [36218](2) what proportion of the rural transport subsidy announced in the Budget will be available for ferry travel to and from offshore communities. [36219]

The Budget included provision for an additional £500 million in total for public transport over the next three years. There is no specific provision for ferry services. £365 million is being made available for London Transport. There is also an additional £50 million a year across the UK for rural public transport. £45 million of this will be used to support additional bus services in rural areas. The rest will be made available for community-based transport schemes. Criteria will be developed to ensure a fair and comparable distribution process, and to make sure the money gets to where it is most needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the members of the Honorary Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes, together with their qualifications. [36401]

The information requested is as follows:

• Dr. Peter J. Watkins, BChir 1961, MB Camb. 1962, MD Camb. 1968, FRCP Lond. 1975 (Member since 1985, Chairman since 1997)
• Professor John D. Ward, Bsc Lond. 1958, MB BS Lond. 1961, MD 1971, FRCP Lond. 1976 (Member since 1985)
• Dr. John L. Day, MB BS 1963, MD Lond. 1973, FRCP Lond. 1979 (Member since 1985)
• Dr. Nina Essex, MB BS Lond. 1965, FRCP Lond. 1985 (Member since 1989)
• Dr. Brian Frier, BSc (1st cl. Hons. Physiol.) Ed. 1969, MB ChB Ed. 1972, MRCP (UK) 1974, MD Ed 1981, FRCP Ed. 1984, FRCP Glas 1986 (Member since 1996)
• Dr. Stephen G. Gilbey, BA Oxf. 1975, MB ChB Birm 1981, MRCP (UK) 1984, MD Birm. 1989 (Member since 1997)
• Dr. Anthony B. Stevens, MB BCh BAO Belf. 1982, MRCP (UK) 1985, MD Belf. 1991, MFOM RCP Lond. 1991, AFOM 1989 (Member since 1997)

All are consultant physicians who specialise in diabetes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many dwellings situated in the Green Belt in Hertfordshire he has given planning consent to on appeal since 1 May 1997. [36362]

The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the right hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the level of grant provided to the Access Committee for England in the financial years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [36332]

Grant payments by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions for the years in question are:

1996/97: £10,000

1997/98: £10,000

1998/99: 0.

The grant payments in 1996/97 and 1997/98 were made as part of an inter-departmental agreement by the previous Government to provide funding to the Access Committee for England for the two years ending 31 March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the results of his Department's inquiry into the incinerator at Hillingdon Hospital to be published. [36321]

I hope to announce decisions and release the inspectors' report of this inquiry very shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if she will list the (a) location of, (b) running costs of, (c) salary costs of and (d) staff numbers at the head office of the UK Ecolabelling Board; what percentage of staff are based in (i) London and (ii) Scotland; and what percentage of salary and running costs relate to (1) London and (2) Scotland. [36128]

The UK Ecolabelling Board is located in central London. The Board's running costs for 1997/98 are £0.6 million, of which £0.3 million are salary costs. The Board has 14 members, five full-time officers and one part-time officer, all of whom work at the London office. It is not possible to identify the proportion of the Board's staff and running costs that relate to each part of the United Kingdom as its main activities, the negotiation of ecolabelling criteria within the European Community and the promotion of the scheme nationally, relate to the United Kingdom as a whole.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 23 March. [36939]

I chaired the first Environment Council of the UK Presidency on 23 March 1998. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle), represented the UK.I am happy to report a very satisfactory outcome with the Council reaching four common positions, agreeing four sets of Conclusions and making good progress on a number of other issues.The Council agreed common positions on three directives: on landfill, emissions from light vans (part of the Commission's Auto-oil programme) and emissions of volatile organic compounds from certain industrial processes. These had been discussed and significant progress made under preceding Presidencies, but the Council had been unable to agree a common position in the absence of the European Parliament's opinion.As part of a heavy climate change agenda, the Council reached common position on a revised mechanism for member states to monitor their CO

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish (a) the number of places on each of her Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1 May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1 May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1 May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1 May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1 May 1997. [35278]

[holding answer 19 March 1998]: The number of places on each of my Department's non-departmental public bodies and the number of places unfilled for public body are shown on the lists.Since 1 May 1997–61 have resigned; 63 have retired; 47 have not had their appointments renewed; 2,889 have remained in place; and 165 have been appointed.

Department of trade and industry non-departmental public bodies
	(a) Number of board places	(b) Number of unfilled places
National Consumer Council	16	0
Scottish Consumer Council	14	0
Welsh Consumer Council	13	0
Gas Consumer Council	11	0
Hearing Aid Council	13	0
English Advisory Committee on Telecommunications	12	0
Post Office Users National Council	13	0
Post Office Users Council for Northern Ireland	11	0
Northern Ireland Advisory Committee on Telecommunications	11	0
Post Office Users Council for Scotland	12	0
Scottish Advisory Committee on Telecommunications	12	0
Post Office Users Council for Wales	11	0
Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications	14	7
Biotechnology & Biological Science Research Council	16.	0
Economic & Social Research Council	14	0
Medical Research Council	16	0
Natural Environment Research Council	16	0
Particle Physics & Astronomy

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures her Department is proposing to take to protect brand manufacturers from look-alike products. [35775]

[holding answer 25 March 1998]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs met representatives of the British Brands Group (BBG) and Anti-Copying in Design (ACID) on 20 January to discuss the concerns they have about look-alike products. We understand the BBG and ACID propose to make further representations to this Department following that meeting. My hon. Friend made it clear at that meeting that we would also need in due course to consider the views of others with an interest in this issue. In particular the Government are concerned to ensure that the interests of the consumer are fully represented and considered.During the debate on the Competition Bill in another place, Lord Haskel made it clear that the Government believe that the Bill is not an appropriate vehicle to deal with this issue.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her letter of 8 December to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, concerning the concordat on inward investment, what are the principles on which the proposed concordat will be founded. [34774]

[holding answer 23 March 1998]: The underlying principle is co-operation between all parts of the United Kingdom to allow effective negotiations to attract large inward investment projects. The proposed concordat on financial assistance will be an agreement between all parties seeking better co-ordination and co-operation, the sharing of best practice, and transparency.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if volunteer workers who receive board and lodging but no other remuneration for their work will continue to be regarded as volunteers and not employees for purposes of the application of the national minimum wage. [29806]

[holding answer 16 February 1998]: Yes. The Government introduced a new clause to the National Minimum Wage Bill at Report stage to address this point, after consultation with various voluntary organisations and members of the Standing Committee. The clause ensures that volunteer workers who are employed by a charity, voluntary organisation, associated fund-raising body or a statutory body and who receive genuine and reasonable expenses, subsistence and accommodation but no other remuneration or payment in kind will be outside the scope of the national minimum wage.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on the ability of devolved executives to establish new discriminatory measures (a) to secure desired environmental standards and (b) to control foreign land ownership. [35617]

The MAI will prohibit new measures which discriminate against investors on the basis of nationality unless explicitly provided for; and it will apply to all levels of government.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity of (a) oil, (b) gas and (c) electricity purchased for the heating, lighting and powering of all accommodation occupied by the Department within the United Kingdom in each year since 1989–90; and what was the total cost in real terms for (a) to (c) in each year. [36163]

The quantities for the last two years are as follows:

	Gas		Oil		Electricity
Year	MWh	£000	MWh	£000	MWh	£000
1996–97	25,238	1309	3,578	78	32,460	1,891
1995–96	29,112	357	2,884	46	41,666	2,316
1 Estimate

Quantities for previous years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on Government policy on trade union recognition in the workplace. [34911]

The Government believe that unions should be recognised where a majority of the relevant workforce vote in a ballot for the union to represent them. We will set out our proposals in a White Paper in the first half of this year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she will announce her decision on the North Yorkshire electricity line. [36992]

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has today brought to a conclusion the long running saga of the North Yorks line. She has granted consent to install a new 400 kV overhead electric line over much of the route between Lackenby and Shipton via Picton. However, consent has been refused for two short sections at Nunthorpe and near Newby. It will now be for the National Grid Company to consider undergrounding those stretches.The decision announced today is in line with the recommendations of independent Inspectors appointed to consider the conflicting views and competing concerns raised by this development. In reaching her conclusion, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has carefully considered the views expressed by members of the local communities, hon. Members and all the material that has built up on the case. The full reasons for this decision are contained in the letter which has today been sent to NGC confirming the decision, copies of which have been placed in the Library and are also being sent to the local authorities and other interested parties. I cannot here repeat in full the contents of that very long letter but will outline some of the points which will be of particular interest to hon. Members.In coming to her decision the Secretary of State is satisfied that the technical need for this line has been established. As well as the Inspectors' conclusions, and the opinions of interested parties, she has had regard to the views of the Director General of Electricity Supply on system planning standards and his concern that the current supply system in the North East of England does not meet the required standard and that a long term solution is required.In reaching her decision the Secretary of State has considered the environmental impact of the proposed line. She recognises that the environment should have a high level of protection and that sufficient regard should be had to environmental effects in reaching her decision. She notes that NGC has reflected concerns expressed at the first inquiry by proposing diversions to the originally proposed route, that in two sections consent for overgrounding is being refused, and that as a result of the decision an existing line from Lackenby to Norton will be removed to the significant environmental benefit, as the Inspectors indicated, of the large number of people living close to that line, some 4,400 houses being within 200 metres of that existing line.While a number of possible alternative routes for the line were explored during the course of consideration of this development, the Secretary of State notes that these were not without their own difficulties, and she is satisfied that in announcing consent today she has identified an acceptable way forward to meet the identified technical need.This decision follows a lengthy history of applications first submitted in 1991, the two public inquiries in 1992 and 1995 into the proposed line and possible diversions along its route, other public inquiries and hearings into aspects of the line proposals, and continued representations since the last Inquiry closed in April 1995. All this has produced a fair amount of material which the new Administration has had to consider since coming into office.As I have said, the full reasons for the Secretary of State's decision are set out in the letter which is being sent to NGC, copies of which I am placing in the Library of the House, along with copies of the Inspectors' report from the 1995 public inquiry. Copies of the Inspectors' report from the 1992 public inquiry are already available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) football, (b) cricket, (c) rugby league and (d) rugby union matches the Minister for Sport has attended in his official capacity since 1 May 1997; and where each took place. [34738]

Since my hon. Friend's appointment as Sports Minister on 1 May, he has attended in his official capacity the following:

• 20 Football matches at Stratford, Wembley, Upton Park, Old Trafford, Leicester, Northampton, Romford, Reading, Stevenage, Stamford Bridge, Sunderland, The New Den, Paris, Italy and Marseilles.
• 3 Cricket matches at the Oval and Lords.
• 1 Rugby League match at Wembley.
• 0 Rugby Union matches.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many times the Minister for Sport has attended meetings with the (a) British Athletic Federation, (b) Cricket Council, (c) Football Association, (d) Rugby Football Union, (e) Rugby Football League, (f) Central Council for Physical Recreation, (g) British Association for Physical Training, (h) British Olympic Association, (i) National Coaching Foundation, (j) National Playing Fields Association and (k) Sports Nutrition Foundation since 1 May 1997. [34736]

Since 1 May my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport has attended meetings with the following organisations.Although my hon. Friend has had no meetings with the British Federation, he has recently met the British Athletes whilst he was in Nagano during the Winter Olympics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his funding proposals for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. [36153]

The allocation of funding between art forms, and to individual arts companies, is a matter for the Arts Council of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the (a) location of, (b) running costs of, (c) salary costs of and (d) number of staff based at the Head Office of the Museums and Galleries Commission, the percentage of total staff based (i) at HQ, (ii) in London and (iii) in Scotland and the percentage of salary and running costs incurred in (A) Scotland and (B) London. [36109]

[holding answer 24 March 1998]: All staff of the Museums and Galleries Commission are based at its headquarters offices at 16 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AA. For the financial year 1997–98, running costs were £507,000 and salary costs were £1,054,951 for a total of 43 staff. With all staff being based at the headquarters offices, 100 per cent. of running costs and salary costs are incurred in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list the (a) location of, (b) running costs of, (c) salary costs of and (d) number of staff based at the head office of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission; what percentage of total staff are based (i) at head office, (ii) in London and (iii) in Scotland; and what percentage of salary and running costs are incurred in (1) London and (2) Scotland; [36123](2) if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission in Scotland. [36122]

[holding answer 25 March 1998]: The former Broadcasting Standards Council and Broadcasting Complaints Commission were succeeded on 1 April 1997 by the Broadcasting Standards Commission. It has UK-wide jurisdiction to act as a forum for public concern on standards of taste, decency and fairness on television and radio. It considers and reaches findings on complaints received from the public, monitors programmes, commissions research, and draws up and maintains codes of practice on fairness and standards of taste and decency.It receives grant-in-aid of £1.971m, of which salary costs for the current financial year are expected to total £621,000. All its 25 staff are employed at its London headquarters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the holders of the three national commercial radio licences who were offered guaranteed capacity on digital radio have accepted that offer; and if he will make a statement on the regulatory framework for digital radio broadcasting. [36830]

Classic FM plc, Talk Radio UK Ltd. and Virgin Radio Ltd. each informed the Radio Authority by 1 March of their intention to take up the guaranteed capacity on the sole digital national commercial radio multiplex offered to them by the Government.The radio industry have voiced concerns to me that the current restriction to 10 per cent. of digital capacity for licensed additional services does not permit sufficient advertising on data services to support the investment in and development of digital radio. Having consulted the Radio Authority, I have decided to bring forward, shortly, an order under section 54(3) of the Broadcasting Act 1996 to raise to 20 per cent. the limit of capacity on digital multiplexes that can be used for digital additional services. However, the spectrum which has been allocated to digital radio should be used principally for communicating to the general public. The Government do not want to see a significant amount of the capacity that has been assigned for digital radio additional services used for services addressed to closed-user groups, when such services can be and are delivered by other means. I have therefore asked the Radio Authority to monitor the digital additional services that are broadcast and to report to me on the second anniversary of the start of digital radio services on the use made of additional service capacity. I shall consider in the light of the Authority's report whether the limit needs to be revised.I welcome the suggestion by the Commercial Radio Companies Association that the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre regulate the content of advertisements carried on digital additional services. I have asked the Radio Authority, when reporting to me on additional services, to include an assessment on the effectiveness of the RACC' s regulation.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many immigration adjudicators are currently employed by his Department; how many have been employed in each of the last five years; how many cases have been dealt with in each year; and what have been the administrative costs in each year. [36320]

The number of adjudicators (in addition to the Chief Adjudicator and Deputy Adjudicator) is currently:

• 33 Adjudicators (full-time)
• 161 Adjudicators (part-time).

Information is not available on a year by year basis and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The overall adjudicator disposals (including asylum and non-asylum appeals) for the past 5 financial years are:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what procedures he uses to ensure that appointments made in his Department observe principles of equal opportunity. [36439]

Ministerial responsibility for judicial appointments rests with the Lord Chancellor. It is the Lord Chancellor's policy to appoint to judicial office those who appear to him to be the best qualified regardless of ethnic origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religion or (subject to the physical requirements of the office) disability. Merit is established by an assessment of the candidate against the criteria for appointment. In respect of non-judicial public appointments, the Department has issued guidance on policy and practice and has distributed widely the Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidance. In respect of all other appointments, standard procedures set out in the Civil Service Management Code and the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code are used to ensure that appointments in the Lord Chancellor's Department observe principles of equal opportunity. Of the staff employed in the Lord Chancellor's Department 9.43% are of ethnic minority origin, 3.33% have declared a disability and 62.7% are women.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the salaried appointments he has made which have not been advertised. [36443]

The salaried appointments made by the Lord Chancellor since 1 May 1997, which have not been advertised, are:

• the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct (on 10 October 1997);
• a Senior Circuit Judge at Preston Combined Court (on 1 December 1997);
• a Permanent Circuit Judge at the Central Criminal Court (on 1 January 1998); and
• the Expert Adviser (on 5 March 1998).

The Lord Chancellor has also provided advice to the Crown on 14 senior judicial appointments since 1 May 1997.This excludes casual appointments within the Lord Chancellor's Department, records of which are not centrally held, and appointments resulting from the internal redeployment of existing members of staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1 May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1 May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1 May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1 May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1 May 1997. [35280]

[holding answer 19 March 1998]: MOD has 17 Non-Departmental Public Bodies; the answers to questions (a) and (b) are as follows:

	Number of places on each NDPB (a)	Places currently unfilled (b)
Executive NDPBs
Fleet Air Arm Museum	8	1
Royal Naval Museum	11	2
Royal Marines Museum	8	0
Royal Naval Submarine Museum	12	3
National Army Museum	12	1
RAF Museum	111 (plus 2 ex officio)	—
Oil and Pipelines Agency	2	0
Advisory NDPBs
Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objectors	51	—
Dartmoor Steering Group and Working Party	1 (plus 13 ex officio)	0
Defence Scientific Advisory Council	1901	—
Independent Board of Visitors for the Military Corrective Training Centre	10	5
Royal Military College of Science Advisory Council	21	0
National Employer Liaison Committee	14	0
Nuclear Powered Warships Safety Committee	12	0
Nuclear Weapons Safety Committee	12	0
Review Board for Government Contracts	5	0
Royal College of Defence Studies Advisory Board	10	0
1 There is no fixed number for appointments

Regarding questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken to maintain minimum noise output on the Eurofighter aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [35949]

As with military aircraft already in Service, the Ministry of Defence will place appropriate restrictions on the heights, speeds and operating procedures for the Eurofighter during training sorties to ensure that noise levels experienced on the ground are minimised as far as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is currently assessing relating to the work of secondary teachers in Scotland. [35839]

My first concern is to raise standards in our schools. Teachers have a large part to play in securing that objective. I await with interest the report of the Millennium Review of School Education (which is being conducted by COSLA and the teacher unions) and any proposals it may have to improve teacher effectiveness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of (a) TB and (b) drug resistant TB have been identified in Scotland in each of the last three years. [36015]

The table shows the number of notifications of tuberculosis by medical practitioners to Health Boards in Scotland and the numbers of cases where laboratories have confirmed resistance to one or more of the drugs commonly used in treatment.

Year	Number of1Respiratory and Non-Respiratory Cases	Number of2Drug Resistant Cases
1995	478	9
1996	509	13
	441	Not yet confirmed
1997	(provisional)	but less than 10

Note:Of the cases of drug-resistance, there was in 1995 one case of multi-drug resistant TB, three in 1996 and none in 1997. Multi-drug resistant TB is defined as TB resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin, and perhaps to other drugs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what immunisation rates for TB have been achieved in each of the last three years. [36016]

BCG vaccination is delivered to schoolchildren in Scotland around the age of 12. However, relatively low numbers were tested and vaccinated in 1995, because some Health Boards had concentrated their resources on the measles and rubella vaccination programme based on schools at that time. The figures for 1996 suggest there was then a degree of "catching-up" in that year. The BCG vaccination rate in those years can therefore only be estimated and between 1995 and 1997 it is estimated that more than 80 per cent. of 12 year old children were vaccinated. A further 4 per cent. of children were found to be positive on tuberculin skin testing—ie not in need of vaccination.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Scottish Cashmere Producers Association to discuss the EU Sheep and Goatmeat Regime; and if he will make a statement. [36033]

My right hon. Friend has no plans to discuss the EU Sheepmeat and Goatmeat Regime with the Association, the matter having been raised last year at a meeting with my noble Friend Lord Sewel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the recommendation of the Scottish Affairs Committee in its Third report of Session 1995–96 (HC 629) on allowing individual farmers to choose support for deer or goats as an alternative to sheep under the EU Sheep and Goatmeat Regime. [36031]

My right hon. Friend has no plans to seek to extend the EU Sheepmeat and Goatmeat regime to deer or cashmere goats.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce guidelines for the siting of sewage plants in residential areas; and if he will make a statement. [35944]

I have no plans to introduce guidelines for the siting of sewage plants in residential areas. It is a matter for planning authorities to consider any planning applications for proposed sewage plants which come before them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reasons his Department sets aside grant relief to domestic customers in respect of sewerage charges. [36041]

Prior to Scottish local government reorganisation in April 1996, expenditure on domestic sewerage was included in a householder's Council Tax bill. Since then the new water authorities have made a separate charge for the sewerage service. Transitional relief was introduced to give householders time to adjust to the new arrangements. This relief is being phased out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures are being taken to improve treatment for drug addicts in prisons in Scotland. [35899]

All prisons in Scotland have a range of support measures for drug abusing prisoners. These include new drug reduction units at Barlinnie and Shotts Prisons; new relapse prevention programmes to tackle the long term needs of reformed addicts; and clinical prescribing to alleviate the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. The approach is multi-disciplinary and evidence based, and involves collaborative work with external agencies, to ensure so far as possible that the range of support measures inside prison reflects those available in the community and that there is adequate throughcare.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the Charity Commission in Scotland. [36135]

The Charity Commission for England and Wales has no responsibilities in Scotland. The supervision and regulation of charities in Scotland is governed by the terms of Part I of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 and supporting regulations and is carried out by the Scottish Charities Office under the authority of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate.

To ask the Attorney-General how many cases in each of the last three years were referred to the Court of Appeal to review apparently lenient sentences; and how many of those reviews resulted in stronger sentences. [35718]

The figures for references by the Law Officers of sentence to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) under Part IV of the Criminal Justice Act 1998 are as follows:

For England and Wales
Year	Number of sentences referred	Number of sentences increased	Number of references withdrawn	Number of references waiting to be heard
1995	77	67	4	1
1996	68	49	2	0
1997	70	41	1	11
1998 (to 24 March 1998)	19	1	0	18

For Northern Ireland
Year	Number of sentences referred	Number of sentences increased	Number of references withdrawn	Number of references waiting to be heard
1995	4	3	0	0
1996	2	2	0	0
1997	0	0	0	0
1998 (to 24 March 1998)	0	0	0	0

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what external independent body can be approached by a member of the public when a complaint against a probation officer has been investigated at the various levels of the Probation Service, including the area Probation Committee, and the complainant is still not satisfied with the outcome. [34754]

If a member of the public is not satisfied with the way in which the chief probation officer concerned has dealt with a complaint against a member of the service he may ask the responsible probation committee to look into it. The committee comprises magistrates and other local members who provide, under the present statutory framework, local accountability for the work of the probation service. It is also open to the Home Secretary to ask Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation to inquire into and report on any matter concerning that work; and this power could be used if there were evidence that a probation committee had not dealt with a complaint properly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what statutory authority outreach workers will be employed at the Rebound Secure Training Centre; and if he will make a statement. [35343]

Under the terms of its contract with the Home Office, the operator of Medway Secure Training Centre, ECD Ltd, will provide outreach workers, who will be social workers employed at the Secure Training Centre. The workers will be employed under contract rather than statutory authority. The statutory authority for making the contractual arrangements rests with the Home Secretary and in the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. The outreach workers will play a key role in developing the two week induction programme in which each trainee will take part. They will consult the trainee's family or carer for views on their strengths and weaknesses. These views will be taken into account when the Training at the end of the induction period. Along with the supervising officer, the outreach worker will provide the main focus for maintaining links between the trainee and his or her home community during the custodial part of the Order.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans there are to (a) expand permanent parking facilities at HM Prison Bristol and (b) return temporary parking places to their former use; and if he will make a statement. [35752]

There are no plans to expand permanent parking facilities at Her Majesty's Prison Bristol, but the establishment is exploring the possibilities for finding a suitable off-site parking facility. There are no temporary parking places at the prison.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will release the conclusions of the report of the Operation Countryman investigation. [35698]

No. Disclosure is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. Investigating officers' reports are as a class regarded by the courts as subject to public interest immunity. In our response to the Home Affairs Committee Report on Police Disciplinary and Complaints Procedures, we said that we will consult on the scope for greater openness in respect of investigation reports, either generally or individually.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to ensure that commercial activities undertaken by prisons do not compete unfairly with local enterprises; and if he will make a statement. [35890]

It is Prison Service policy that commercial activities should not be undertaken by prisons at the expense of private sector businesses or employment in this country. Prisons should seek work which substitutes imports, or which uses their facilities for work which would be uneconomic for outside contractors, for example because it involves short production runs or is labour intensive.Prison Service goods and services should be offered at a fair market price, which recovers direct manufacturing costs plus a contribution to the recovery of overheads. Prison overheads are much higher than outside because of high fixed costs (such as the cost of supervision, a short working week and low productivity rates).Rather than competition, the Prison Service is keen to see private sector businesses make use of prison labour and facilities through partnerships.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the compatibility of his proposal for local child curfews with the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement. [36047]

I am satisfied that the proposals for local child curfew schemes as set out in the Crime and Disorder Bill are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. They are designed to protect the interests of children and the wider community.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what existing sources of free competent legal representations are available to destitute asylum appellants ineligible for benefits to pursue appeals against refusal of refugee status. [35904]

The Immigration Advisory Service and The Refugee Legal Centre provide free legal representation to asylum appellants. It is also open to appellants to seek assistance from other voluntary bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the success rate for asylum appellants at appeals hearings before the Immigration Appellate Authority who are (i) legally represented and (ii) unrepresented in the latest period for which figures are available. [35907]

I regret that the requested breakdown is not available because the figures are not held in a form which would enable us to provide the information accurately.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision he has made to ensure that destitute asylum appellants who are ineligible for benefits can afford to pay for legal representation on their appeals against refusal of refugee status. [35905]

The Home Office makes grants under section 23 of the Immigration Act 1971 to the Refugee Legal Centre and the Immigration Advisory Service which provide free advice and representation to people with rights of appeal under immigration and asylum legislation. In 1997/98, the total grant paid to the two organisations will be just under £5.9m.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria used to determine which asylum seekers will be sent to Category A prisons; and on what grounds asylum seekers are currently held in such prisons. [36227]

About half of those people detained under Immigration Act powers are housed in immigration detention centres, which are run on the lines of secure hostels. Some, however, are held in Prison Service accommodation, generally because their current behaviour or past history indicates that they require a greater level of control or supervision than can be provided in immigration accommodation. Such persons who are placed in prison custody, some of whom will be asylum seekers, are subject to Prison Rules made under section 47(1) of the Prison Act 1952 which empowers the Secretary of State to make rules for, among other things, the classification, discipline and control of prisoners. Rule 3 of the Prison Rules 1995 provides for the classification of prisoners

`in accordance with any directions of the Secretary of State, having regard to their age, temperament and record with a view to maintaining good order'.

In accordance with guidance contained in the Prison Service Manual on Security, prison staff are required, on reception into prison custody, to report to Prison Service Headquarters the cases of those prisoners who, on the information available, may need to be placed in Category A. Category A, the highest security category, is applied to those prisoners whose escape would be highly dangerous to the public or the police or the security of the State, no matter how unlikely that escape might be; and for whom escape must be made impossible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to grant (a) an amnesty and (b) exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom to those whose asylum appeals are still outstanding. [36440]

We are reviewing all aspects of the asylum system, including how best to deal with the backlogs inherited from the previous administration, but have no plans to grant a general amnesty.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on travel document fees. [36749]

In line with the increase in the fee for a British passport which I announced on 13 February 1998, Official Report, column 402, the fee for a Refugee Passport and for a Stateless Persons Document will be increased from £18 to £21 today.The cost of a Refugee Passport and of a Stateless Persons Document is directly linked to the cost of a British Passport. A fee of £21 still represents very good value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have died in each of the past 18 years following heroin misuse; and how much was spent in each year to counteract (a) heroin misuse and (b) all illegal drugs misuse. [36253]

We understand from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that the number of deaths from heroin during the period 1979–1992 were published by ONS in Series DH4 "Mortality Statistics": Injury and Poisoning" Numbers 6–18, copies of which are available in the Library. Deaths in the following four years are as follows:

1993: 52

1994: 88

1995: 130

1996: 186.

Data for the period 1993–96 are not directly comparable to those given for earlier years in the DH4 Series. Since 1993, deaths from misuse of drugs have included those certified as due to drug dependence and non-dependent abuse of drugs. Series DH4 included only deaths certified as due to Suicide, Accident and Undetermined injury.Information on how much was spent in each year to counteract drug misuse, including heroin misuse, is not recorded. It was estimated in 1995 that at least £526 million was spent on tackling drug misuse across the United Kingdom in 1993/94, but that estimate appears not to have taken account of all Government spending connected with drug misuse. A more comprehensive estimate is being developed and will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 28 January 1998, Official Report, column 278, if the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has completed his investigation of the leak to a journalist of targets of police raids on 21 November 1997; what were his conclusions; and if he will make a statement. [36046]

This is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. However, he tells me that one of the Metropolitan Police's Complaints Units has carried out an investigation. This included questioning a journalist who had knowledge of the source of the leak. The journalist, whilst not revealing the identity of the source, has categorically assured the investigators that the leak did not come from the Metropolitan Police.The Metropolitan Police's role in the raids was to act as a facilitator in the co-ordination of intelligence in the raids. The Commissioner tells me that there are several prosecutions pending as a result of the police raids.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the (a) location, (b) running costs and (c) salary costs of the head office of the Charity Commission; what percentage of total staff are based in (i) head office, (ii) London and (iii) Scotland; and what percentage of salary and running costs are incurred in (A) London and (B) Scotland. [36136]

The Charity Commission does not have a head office, but operates from three sites in London, Liverpool and Taunton. The running costs for the financial year 1996–97 were £20.724 million, of which £12.135 million represented staff pay costs. In 1996–97, it employed an average of 577 staff, of which 199 (34.5 per cent.) were located in London, 197 (34.1 per cent.) in Liverpool and 181 (31.4 per cent.) in Taunton.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution her Department has made to privatisation projects in Africa. [35728]

Our policy is to help African governments create a suitable environment for increased investment, public and private. Privatisation, with appropriate incentives and regulation, can help. We have specifically provided support for the privatisation process in several, including £1,350,100 for Assistance to the Divestiture Implementation Committee in Ghana, £410,000 for the Dairiboard and £115,000 for other Agricultural Parastatals in Zimbabwe and a commitment of £3 million over 3 years for the Presidential Parastatal Sector Reform Commission in Tanzania.We are also currently looking at providing support for privatisation in other countries, including Uganda.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what representations have been received on the air conditioning systems in the House. [36323]

I have received no representations on this subject, but I understand that the Serjeant at Arms has recently received a letter from the hon. Member on this subject, to which he is replying.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the risk that light weapons or armoured vehicles exported to Turkey could be used for internal repression. [36158]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 24 March 1998, Official Report, column 98.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge the Turkish Government at the UN Commission on Human Rights to facilitate the visits of, and co-operate with, the Working Group on Involuntary and Enforced Disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on Torture in 1998. [36156]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 23 March 1998, Official Report, column 29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the evidence presented in 1996 by Her Majesty's Government to the International Court of Justice on the legality of nuclear weapons remains Government policy. [36154]

We have considered the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion. It does not require a change in our purely defensive policy of nuclear deterrence.It is not our practice to comment on submissions made by previous Governments in the course of legal proceedings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department's review of military training assistance has been completed. [36496]

The review of the FCO's UK Military Training Assistance Scheme (UKMTAS) was launched as part of our Comprehensive Spending Review. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary concluded that for 1998–99, UKMTAS will be replaced by a new programme called Assistance to Support Stability with In-Service Training (ASSIST), and that we will set up a specific Human Rights Project Fund.The ASSIST programme will be worth £11.15 million in 1998–99. The criteria will be:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the total financial assistance provided to (a) the Commonwealth Institute and (b) the Westminster Foundation for Democracy; and if he will list the locations of the (i) head office and (ii) other buildings used by these bodies in the United Kingdom, providing a breakdown of (1) staff numbers, (2) salary costs and (3) running costs for buildings in (A) Scotland and (B) London. [36190]

During the financial year 1997–98, this Department provided the Commonwealth Institute with a grant-in-aid of £800,000. It also provided an additional £316,000 to pay for redundancies. The Commonwealth Institute has 30 staff. The salary costs for the financial year 1997–98 were £1.25 million. This figure includes National Insurance, pension contributions, seasonal staffing and the chairman's honorarium.The Commonwealth Institute is in Kensington High Street, London. In the current financial year the running costs of this building were approximately £470,510. This figure was broken down as follows:

Breakdown	£
Maintenance and site service charges	171,000
Site security	92,000
Business rates	72,000
Electricity, fuel and gas	72,000
Water charges	40,500
Cleaning	23,000
Rental	10

The Institute also used to have premises in Edinburgh. This building, however, is no longer in use and we are currently seeking the agreement of the Trustees that it may be sold. Although empty, the Edinburgh building still generates running costs, for which this Department is liable. During the financial year 1997–98, the running costs for the building in Edinburgh totalled £8,452.15. This is broken down as follows:

Breakdown	£
Council tax/water/sewerage	693.18
Rates	3,404.22
Electricity	37.14
Maintenance work	4,317.61

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the location of BBC World Service buildings in the United Kingdom, providing a breakdown of (a) staff numbers, (b) salary costs and (c) running costs for buildings in (i) London and (ii) Scotland. [36192]

The BBC World Service directly employs 1,057 equivalent full-time staff with an average basic salary of £25,117.The World Service does not itself own any premises; all buildings are owned or leased by the BBC as a whole, and the World Service pays a central accommodation charge for the use of these buildings, which are all located in London. At present "running costs" are:

Location	Running costs (£)
Bush House (World Service share only)	5,008,000
Beaumont House	112,000
Macklin Street Nursery	65,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the inward missions organised for foreign companies to the United Kingdom in 1996–97; which nations were involved in each; and what percentage of the missions included visits to sites in (i) London, (ii) England and (iii) Scotland. [36188]

The Invest in Britain Bureau (IBB) which is jointly managed by DTI and FCO organises visits by groups of foreign companies interested in the UK as an inward investment location. In 1996 and 1997 IBB organised 11 missions. Members of these missions visited London, England and Scotland as follows:

Country	London	England	Scotland
1996
Germany		X
Japan1		X	X
Korea1		X	X
Taiwan1		X	X
Hong Kong1		X	X
Malaysia	X	X	X
1997
Germany		X
Japan—General
Mission1		X	X
Japan R and D	X	X	X
Korea1		X	X
Taiwan1		X	X
1 Specific site visits in London were programmes although a general briefing on London was provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the university and careers fairs attended by his Department's officials in 1996–97. [36191]

University	Careers fair/Careers presentation
		1996
Bristol	Presentation
Cambridge	Fair
Durham	Presentation
East London	Fair
Hull	Presentation
Leeds	Presentation
Kings College (London)	Presentation
Liverpool	Fair
London	Graduate recruitment fair
London School of Economics	Presentation
Loughborough	Fair
Middlesex	Presentation
Newcastle	Fair
Southbank	Fair
Sheffield	Presentation
School of Oriental and African Studies	Presentation
Warwick	Fair
Aberdeen	Presentation
Glasgow	Scottish graduate recruitment fair
Napier	Fair
Stirling	Fair
St. Andrews	Presentation
Cardiff	Fair
1997
Durham	Presentation
Leeds	Presentation
Southbank	Fair
Liverpool	Fair
Oxford	Fair for women
Warwick	Fair
Birmingham	Fair
Sussex	Presentation
Hull	Presentation
Lancaster	Fair

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the capital projects funded by his Department in the United Kingdom for which cumulative costs have exceeded £1 million, indicating the percentage of projects in (a) Scotland and (b)England. [36193]

The estimated outturn of the current FCO capital projects in the United Kingdom exceeding £1 million is as follows:

1990–98	Outturn(£)
Old public offices refurbishment	74,339,500
Hanslope Park development	38,874,000

100 per cent. of this spend has been incurred in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to discuss the Department's progress regarding millennium compliance. [32308]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: I attended the Ministerial sub-group on the millennium date change problem, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 5 March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health from which budgetary sub-head the costs of millennium computer compliance will be met by his Department. [32309]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Costs for millennium computer compliance are met from the Department's Vote 2 running costs allocation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many officials or individuals working within his Department on millennium compliance have (a) given notice of their intention to leave, or (b) left the Department in the last six months. [32306]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: In the last six months one permanent member of staff and one contractor working on the Department's Year 2000 programme have left or given notice of their intention to leave. Both staff have been replaced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met a Treasury Minister to discuss the costs of millennium computer compliance. [32307]

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: I attended the Ministerial sub-group on the millennium date change problem (MSG), chaired by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 5 March. Her Majesty's Treasury was represented at MSG by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many community hospitals have been (a) placed under review and (b) closed since 1 May 1997; [34443](2) how many community hospitals in the United Kingdom are currently under review. [34436]

[holding answer 13 March 1998]: It is difficult comprehensively to define what is meant by "community" or "cottage" hospital. They differ from place to place in the scale, range and volume of services they offer. What characterises nearly all is that they provide a local service and admit patients under the care of a general practitioner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the numbers of deaths from solvent abuse in each of the past 18 years; and how much was spent in each of those years on anti-drug use publicity and education. [36251]

Data relating to deaths associated with solvent or volatile substance abuse are collected on the Department's behalf by St. George's Hospital Medical School; copies of the latest annual report "Trends in Deaths Associated with the Abuse of Volatile Substances 1971–1995" are in the Library and can be accessed on the world wide web at http://www.sghms.ac.uk/phs/index.htm. Information on expenditure on anti-drugs publicity since 1979 is not readily available, although the Department has held a contract with the Health Education Authority since 1995–96 valued at £5 million per year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the level of grant provided to the Access Committee for England in the financial years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [36333]

The Department has provided a grant of £85,000 in 1996/97 and £65,000 in 1997/98, towards the central administrative costs of the Access Committee for England (ACE). This is in addition to project funding of £24,000 in each of these two years. This Department will not be providing funding to ACE in 1998/99.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has made to the European Commission about the European Specialist Medical Qualifications Order 1995; and if he will make a statement. [35438]

The Department consulted officials at the European Commission on both the European Specialist Medical Qualifications Order 1995 (which came into force on 12 January 1996) and the European Specialist Medical Qualifications Amendment Regulations 1997 (which came into force on 31 December 1997).

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many air quality monitoring sites there are in Wales; and what plans he has to increase the number. [35521]

At the end of October 1997 there were 44 continuous and 377 non-continuous air quality monitoring sites in Wales. A variety of pollutants are monitored at these sites including nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, fine particles (PM 10) and hydrocarbons.The Government keep their monitoring network and the need for additional sites under review. In partnership, with local authorities throughout Wales and the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, the Welsh Office has established an air quality forum to share information and to assist in providing an effective air quality monitoring programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses have been sold by each unitary authority; how many remain under their ownership; what the capital receipts are for each authority; and if he will make a statement on the future role of councils in providing social housing in Wales. [35525]

The available information is set out in the table. Local authorities are required to set aside a proportion of the receipts from Right to Buy sales for credit liabilities in accordance with the provisions of section 59 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.