To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the future of London Transport travelcards, with particular reference to full-time students; and if he will make a statement. [35522]

The Government have received a number of representations about the future of the London Transport Travelcard, including some from the University of London Union, which were specifically about discount schemes for full-time students. I understand that a recent trial revealed that, while a discount scheme would be workable, it would only be partly self-funding. In the light of this, London Transport (LT) were not sufficiently persuaded of the benefits to proceed.Fares and ticketing, including student tickets, are the statutory responsibility of London Transport. On 4 January 1998, LT introduced a new ticket, providing a 30% discount for all 16 and 17 year olds on period LT cards, which can be used on Underground, LT Buses and Docklands Light Railway services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safety procedures are required during railway line maintenance; and what measures are taken to ensure that they are enforced. [35540]

All those involved in the maintenance of the railway throughout Great Britain must comply with their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994 and the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994. Work on Railtrack's network must comply with the requirements of their Rule Book and the Railway Standards (the provisions of which are mandatory on Railtrack PLC and its contractors by virtue of Railtrack's Railway Safety Case and related contractual arrangements).Inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate are responsible for enforcing legal requirements relating to health and safety on the railways, including the detailed requirements of the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of future growth in road traffic within the Greater London area. [36583]

Forecasts using the Department's strategic multi-modal transport model, known as "LTS", suggest that traffic volumes in the peak periods will be around 15% higher by 2011 within the Greater London area. For the inter-peak period, traffic is estimated to grow by 20%. These forecasts take no account of policies that will follow the Government's forthcoming White Paper on Integrated Transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding traffic congestion on the A3 at Hindhead; and if he will make a statement. [36579]

During the course of the Government's Roads Review consultation, we received over 60 written responses about Hindhead issues. I also responded to an adjournment debate on 19 January 1998 about the A3 at Hindhead and two Parliamentary Questions on the same subject.The Government's strategic review into highway improvement schemes presently taking place is aimed at determining the role which roads will play in an integrated transport policy, and developing a strategy which will address the problems of congestion and pollution and improve the environment in which we live. The conclusions of the review will be announced later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many cars pass through the single carriageway stretch of the A3 at Hindhead per day, in each direction. [36577]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the (a) benefits and (b) disadvantages of giving local planning authorities the power to determine planning applications on Crown land when the land for development (i) is in the Green Belt, (ii) is in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and (iii) would conflict with policies in adopted structure or local plans; and if he will make a statement. [37029]

This Government believe that it is usually most appropriate for local planning authorities to determine planning applications, whether such applications come from the Crown or from any other body. That is why we shall remove the Crown's immunity from statutory planning controls as soon as a suitable legislative opportunity arises.In the mean time, the Secretary of State, when determining disputes which arise when a local planning authority objects to a notice of proposed development issued by a Crown body in accordance with the provisions of DOE Circular 18/84, will continue to have regard to the adopted local plan, and such other matters as the need to protect the green belt and other areas of outstanding natural beauty. Applications for planning permission under s299 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which the Crown may be required to make to local planning authorities will continue to be determined in the usual way.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Northern Ireland will be included within the remit of his Department's research project into how driving instructors are (a) trained and (b) tested. [36813]

The operation of the register of Approved Driving Instructors in Northern Ireland has not been included in terms of the research project we have recently commissioned. However, the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency will, I understand, look closely at whether the study's findings could be applied in Northern Ireland. The research project will be completed in 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities which have produced local Agenda 21 strategies. [37214]

We have been working closely with the Local Government Association (LGA) to encourage all local authorities in England to produce and review their Local Agenda 21 strategies by 2000 to meet the Prime Minister's target. When launching in January with the Prime Minister, the joint document showing why and how to produce such strategies, the Chairman of the LGA asked all authorities to send him a copy of their first or revised strategy by 15 December 2000. We believe it is right for the LGA rather than central Government to take the lead in monitoring the production of such strategies and encouraging the sharing of good practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications his Department has had with Cheshire County Council about the future of 3C Waste. [37080]

My department has had no recent correspondence with Cheshire about their Local Authority Waste Disposal Company (LAWDC) 3C Waste. Cheshire completed divestment of their waste disposal facilities and functions to 3C on 1 February 1993. 3C is still 100 per cent. owned by the County Council but I understand that they are considering transferring it to private sector ownership. This is entirely compatible with current legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications his Department has had with Cheshire County Council about local waste disposal policy. [37082]

Officials in my department commented on Cheshire's draft Waste Local Plan in November last year. It appeared to conform with the most recent statement of Government policy on waste management, the 1995 White Paper Making Waste Work. The Council are now considering these and others' comments. I understand that the Deposit Waste Local Plan will be published later this year. A six week public consultation period and a public local inquiry chaired by a independent inspector will follow as normal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy towards (a) incineration, (b) landraising and (c) landfill, as a method of waste disposal. [37083]

This Government are aiming for more sustainable waste management with high standards of environmental protection. Incineration with energy recovery is, in principle, and in accordance with the waste management hierarchy, preferable to landfilling (including landraising). However, which option is employed for a particular waste stream and in a particular area depends on the Best Practicable Environmental Option.On 13 January 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications his Department has had with North West local authorities about options for future waste disposal in the Mersey Belt; and if he will make a statement. [37084]

The Government Office for the North West have asked local authorities through the North West Regional Association (Regional Planning Conference) to provide a report on the facilities for the disposal of waste in the North West Region. According to RPG13, the region should seek to provide a network of waste management facilities located, wherever possible, in close proximity to the source of the arisings and that these should be identified in Development Plans. The NWRA are preparing the report and will forward it to the Regional Office in due course.In addition, officials from the Government Office for the North West regularly attend Local Authority Recycling Officers forums and the North West Central Region recycling forum, to discuss waste and recycling issues with officers from all of the authorities in the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what health and safety regulations apply to landfill sites. [37151]

Health and safety regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 generally apply to landfill sites where there is employment. Regulations place duties on employers, the self-employed, and others, in relation to the management of health and safety and risks arising from, for example machinery, processes and work activities. The application of specific regulations made under that Act will depend on the nature of the work activity.In addition, the following legislation, which has some health and safety impact, may also apply: the Environment Protection Act 1990; the Fire Precautions Act 1971; and the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, if pesticides are used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 13 February 1998, Official Report, column 419, concerning lead in water, what steps he will take to encourage the removal of potential lead contamination stemming from the pipework within a property. [37228]

Lead pipework within a house is the responsibility of the owner. We want to be able to take informed decisions on whether they need to replace their lead pipes and on what other action they can take to reduce exposure to lead.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives are being pursued to reduce the number of vehicles that are not legally roadworthy used on Welsh roads. [37055]

There are two main elements to the enforcement of vehicle roadworthiness in Wales, as in the rest of Great Britain. Almost all vehicles are required to pass an annual roadworthiness test to confirm that key safety and environmental standards are met. Vehicles are also subject to random enforcement checks by examiners from the Department's Vehicle Inspectorate and the police. The Inspectorate prohibits the use of vehicles found not to comply with construction and use or lighting requirements until the defects have been rectified (almost 15 per cent. of vehicles checked during 1996–97 in the South Wales Area were given prohibitions). The police assist the Inspectorate but also carry out enforcement under their own initiatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what instruction or guidance his Department has given to the Housing Corporation on the attribution by housing associations of service charges to (a) tenants in service accommodation and (b) other tenants. [37115]

[holding answer 31 March 1998]: Under Section 36(3) of the Housing Act 1996, draft guidance prepared by the Housing Corporation on the management of housing accommodation by registered social landlords (mostly housing associations) is approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions before being issued by the Corporation. Under Section 36(2) of the Act, guidance may include the principles upon which rents should be determined.Following consultation, my right hon. Friend approved management guidance issued by the Housing Corporation in December 1997 which included guidance on rents and service charges. This advises registered social landlords that they should endeavour to charge rents that are below equivalent market rent levels, are affordable to those in low paid employment and that do not increase each year by more than the guideline limit of the increase in the Retail Price Index plus 1 per cent.I have asked the Housing Corporation to contact the hon. Member to answer any specific concerns about service charges.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what performance targets he proposes to set for the Planning Inspectorate Agency for the financial year 1998–99. [37604]

I have today set new performance targets for the Planning Inspectorate Agency under which it will be expected to achieve significantly improved handling times for its work whilst preserving the impartiality and quality for which it is deservedly highly respected, and whilst seeking also to improve efficiency. The targets are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government will publish policy guidance on policy appraisal and the environment. [37719]

We are determined to ensure that environmental issues are considered in the development of all Government policies to deliver an improved and lasting quality of life. Today, we publish new guidance to remind policy makers when and how to consider potential environmental impacts as part of the appraisal of specific policies and programmes. The guidance reminds staff of the need to incorporate environmental considerations into policy appraisals where the impact on the environment might be significant, and to set out the steps that ought to be taken in doing so.I am placing copies of the guidance in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which projects, not related to the year 2000 compliance problem, are being (a) restricted and (b) terminated in order to free information technology resources. [37484]

For DETR Central, priority projects have been identified, including existing commitments for projects already under-way and provision for Y2000 compliance work. Other projects require further work before needing an allocation of resources, but we may be able to accommodate these in the IT Investment Programme later in the year. At this early stage in the year, no projects have been specifically restricted or terminated. The IT investment programmes in the Department's Agencies are also in this position.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what health consequences, expressed in terms of numbers of mesotheliomas or lung cancers in smokers and non-smokers per million persons exposed, are assumed to result from occupational exposure to chrysotile asbestos at airborne fibre concentrations of (i) 0.6, (ii) 0.5 and (iii) 0.3 fibres/millilitre for 40 hours per working week for 20 years; and if he will make a statement; [36744](2) what health consequences, expressed in terms of numbers of mesotheliomas or lung cancers in smokers and non-smokers per million persons exposed, are assumed to result from environmental exposure to chrysotile asbestos at airborne fibre concentrations of (i) 0.01, (ii) 0.001 and (iii) 0.0001 fibres/millilitre for 140 hours per week for

Whilst the risks to health of white asbestos are scientifically established, there is considerable quantitative uncertainty about the health consequences of exposure to chrysotile asbestos. This is illustrated by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates shown in the following tables, based on two key occupational cohorts: the Quebec chrysotile mines, and an asbestos textile plant in Carolina. The estimates are extrapolated from observations made at very much higher exposure levels.

Average lifetime risk of lung cancer per million men exposed to chrysotile
	Duration of exposure (years)	Cohort study used to estimate risk
Exposure scenario		Textiles	Mining
Per week	10.00	500.00	25.00
140 hours per week at 0.01 f/ml	20.00	1,000.00	50.00
at 0.01 f/ml	40.00	1,750.00	90.00
40 hours per week at 0.6 f/ml	20.00	17,500.00	850.00

Average lifetime risk of mesothelioma per million men exposed to chrysotile
	Duration of exposure (years)	Cohort study used to estimate risk
Exposure scenario		Textiles	Mining
Per week	10.00	35.00	6.00
140 hours per week at 0.01 f/ml	20.00	55.00	8.00
at 0.01 f/ml	40.00	60.00	9.00
40 hours per week at 0.6 f/ml at 0.6 f/ml	20.00	900.00	125.00

The risks are average estimates from working populations with a mixture of smokers and non-smokers. Smoking does not affect the risks for mesothelioma but smokers are estimated to have a 50 per cent. higher risk of lung cancer than shown in the table and non-smokers a risk about ten times lower. Based on past smoking patterns, women's average risk will be about half the average male risk.Risks at exposure concentrations other than those shown can be estimated pro-rata, although this may be an overestimate at very low exposures.The environmental risk from asbestos has been examined in a report commissioned by Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions from the Medical Research Council's Institute for Environmental Health—'Fibrous Materials in the Environment'. The report identifies background ambient levels of respirable asbestos fibres may range from 0.000001 to 0.0001 f/ml. Most indoor air concentrations of asbestos are below 0.0002 f/ml which rises to around 0.0005 f/ml in buildings which contain asbestos in good condition. At these low levels of exposure, there is no significant risk of mesothelioma or lung cancer. Cigarette smoking remains the major cause of cancer.I am pleased that Health and Safety Commission (HSC) will be issuing a consultative document on asbestos within the next four weeks proposing a wide range of additional legislation to protect workers. The current occupational exposure control limit for chrysotile is 0.5 f/ml (averaged over any continuous four hour period) and HSC propose to lower this limit to 0.3 f/ml and to impose duties on employers to ensure that exposure is controlled as far below this level as is reasonably practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account the decision not to implement a total ban on the importation and use, or re-use, of chrysotile asbestos took of the relative risks to health associated with chrysotile asbestos and possible substitutes; and if he will make a statement. [36746]

The decision of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) to delay consultation on further restrictions on the use of chrysotile asbestos was taken in the light of an interim opinion by a European Commission Scientific Committee. This Committee concluded that insufficient evidence had been provided to justify a conclusion that substitute fibres are safer than chrysotile. The Government's resolve to pursue further necessary restrictions on chrysotile asbestos remains. HSC is expediting the presentation of further scientific justification for the use of substitutes to the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the current shortfall in established information technology staff, consultant and contractor support posts within his Department; and if he will list the posts by grade indicating for each post how long it has been vacant and when it is expected to be filled. [37485]

For DETR Central, there are currently no IT posts which are unfilled, this is primarily because the merger of DOE and DOT has enabled some economies of scale in IT staff.Most of the work involved in the development of new information systems is undertaken by commissioning IT consultancy services. We are beginning to see some signs of the industry having some difficulty in responding to the demand.The Department's Agencies report two vacancies in total. The Vehicle Inspectorate have had one Executive Officer (EO) vacancy for three months which will be filled in May. The Planning Inspectorate have had one EO vacancy for two months which will be filled in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the Special Waste Regulations 1996. [37720]

The Special Waste Regulations, which came into force on 1 September 1996, implement the EC Hazardous Waste Directive (91/689/EEC) which covers the most difficult and dangerous wastes. The Regulations provide for movements of hazardous ("special") waste to be pre-notified to the Environment Agencies and to be tracked through a system of consignment notes.With some 18 months having elapsed since these Regulations came into force, it is clear that some fine-tuning is desirable, in the light of operational experience by the Environment Agencies and of representations from industry. My Department, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office have therefore today issued a public consultation paper proposing a number of changes to the Regulations. These include certain relaxations to the procedures under which multiple loads can be moved for a single fee, designed to assist small businesses, including those involved in recycling lead acid batteries; minor changes to the format of the consignment note to assist monitoring and enforcement; and technical changes to ensure that island communities are not penalised by the fees system.We are also proposing a small number of adjustments to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1056, as amended) aimed at encouraging the recovery/recycling of waste, particularly waste affected by the revised definition of 'Special waste' contained in the 1996 Special Waste Regulations.I have placed copies of the consultation paper and association draft Regulatory Appraisal in the libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list, by individual governing body, the grant-in-aid made available by the Great Britain Sports Council to governing bodies of sport for the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96. [34265]

Information on funding for governing bodies, paid by the then GB Sports Council in 1994–95 and 1995–96 has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Similar information for 1992–93 and 1993–94 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, information on funding by sport for these years has also been placed in the House Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the budgeted figure for expenditure under acceptances of works of art as property in lieu of inheritance tax for (a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [36773]

Under the arrangements announced in the Spring Budget, no acceptances in lieu will in future require expenditure by the Department. Instead, the Revenue will forgo taxes without seeking reimbursement from the Secretary of State.At present we are aware of about £52 million of offers which are fairly advanced in the pipeline. However, the level of acceptances depends on whether offering estates wish to maintain that offer, whether Ministers agree to acceptance and whether the Commissioners of Inland Revenue accept the offered property in lieu of the capital taxes applying. Therefore this figure can be only a very broad approximation and it is difficult to give a reliable estimate of how amounts might fall into any single financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the contribution of the performing arts to inward tourism into the United Kingdom. [36852]

The performing arts in the United Kingdom are of outstanding quality, and are undoubtedly an important incentive for overseas visitors to visit the United Kingdom. In a recent survey of overseas leisure visitors to Britain, 18 per cent. of those sampled cited the performing arts as a stimulus to visit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made towards achieving equality of opportunity in the Civil Service. [37893]

I have today published two reports on equal opportunities in the Civil Service: Equal Opportunities in the Civil Service—A Progress Report 1995–97 and Equal Opportunities in the Civil Service. Data Summary 1997. Copies of both reports have been placed in the libraries of the House and will be made available on the Internet.Against a background of falling Civil Service numbers, progress continues to be made in this important area. For example, at HEO level, the representation of women has increased to nearly 30 per cent., from 28 per cent. in 1996; ethnic minority representation at first management level, Executive Officer, has risen to 4.8 per cent. from 4.4 per cent. in 1996; and the proportion of staff with disabilities now stands at 3.8 per cent.However, the reports counsel against complacency. They show that women are still under-represented at middle and senior management levels. Ethnic minority and disabled staff are still predominately concentrated in junior grades.To help increase the representation of these groups at all levels in the Service, the Progress Report recommends that Departments and Agencies concentrate on the following key areas: organisational commitment; action plans; monitoring and mainstreaming.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce ethnic monitoring in the reserve forces. [38100]

My Department is fully committed to promoting within the Armed Forces an environment which is free from harassment and racial discrimination. As part of our efforts to further that commitment, we have decided to begin monitoring the ethnic origin of members of the reserve forces. Monitoring began on 1 April, and will cover all those who are in service, and all those who join the reserve forces in future. Altogether, we expect around 68,000 members of the reserve forces to be included in the survey. The Services are writing to units and individuals to invite them to take a full part in it.The initiative we are taking underlines the commitment that the Armed Forces have made to ensure equal opportunities irrespective of race. The methodology we shall follow for monitoring the reserves is based closely on that which is already in use for the regular Armed Forces. The statistical information derived from monitoring will allow the reserve force managers to analyse recruitment, wastage and other trends; and it will enable them to develop and pursue policies which ensure that racial discrimination of any kind is eradicated from the reserves.The reserve forces involved are principally those which recruit directly from civilian life. Specifically they are: the Royal Naval Reserve; the Royal Marines Reserve; the Territorial Army; the Royal Auxiliary Air Force; the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training); the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (University Air Squadron); and volunteers to the Royal Air Force Reserve.Because our reserves are recruited locally, and because many of them serve part time, we do not expect the first statistics from the survey to be available until towards the end of this year. Thereafter, the information will be available quarterly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines exist for the monitoring of ethnic minority personnel in the armed forces; and what steps are in place to ensure that monitoring practices are continually updated. [36839]

On 25 March 1998, the MOD and Commission for Racial Equality signed a Partnership Agreement, which ensures that we shall continue to work together with them for a further five years to promote racial equality practices throughout the Services. Effective Ethnic monitoring is a key part of the Agreement to ensure that no policies or practices in the Services are racially discriminatory. We are determined that the quality of our ethnic monitoring of applicants, entrants and in-Service personnel continues to be improved. As well as looking at current and future analysis for emerging trends, and ensuring that sufficient resources are put into making any necessary changes, we will be looking more closely at areas such as performance across all ethnic groups and career progression as more information becomes available.A copy of the relevant extracts have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the key targets for the Chief Executive of the Army Technical Support Agency for 1998–99. [38102]

The Chief Executive of the Army Technical Support Agency has been set the following Key Targets for 1998–99.

1. To influence equipment design by obtaining formal tasking from Project Managers/Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) Managers in influencing equipment design in at least 80% of appropriate ILS projects.

2. To recommend a 10% gross cost saving in Advanced Order Spares purchasing for appropriate non-ILS projects without reducing the equipment sustainability or availability.

3. To provide a complete and accurate answer to 92% of ad hoc inquiries within 2 working days.

4. To dispatch new and reprinted technical publications within the period from receipt of demand as follows:

a. For priority demands, 90% within 5 working days.

b. For routine demands, 90% within 24 working days.

5. To complete 90% of Operational projects and 75% of Priority A projects before the agreed target date.

6. To satisfy 90% of customers when undertaking technical projects.

7. To provide a considered response to 90% of Equipment Failure Report (or equivalent) submissions within 10 working days from receipt.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average (a) numbers of pupils involved in and (b) cost of the Combined Cadet Force per school in the last year for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the percentage of a year's intake which goes on to join the regular forces. [36695]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: In FY 1996–97, 241 schools had contingents of the Combined Cadet Forces established within their premises, with 39,716 pupils who were cadets. Producing an average CCF pupil to school ratio could, however, be misleading since the size of individual contingents varies significantly.In the same period, the Ministry of Defence allocated £6.2M to these schools in support of the Combined Cadet Forces. I regret that my Department keeps no separate records detailing the overall costs attributable to individual schools. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Whilst my Department sets no annual recruiting targets for schools, the percentage of officer entrants into the Regular Forces during FY 1996/97, who had previously been members of the Combined Cadet Forces, were: Royal Navy 26.03%, Army 49%, Royal Air Force 26.45%. From a total intake of 18,737 ratings/soldiers/ airmen into the Regular Forces in FY 1996/97, 280 had former service in the CCF.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what legal advice he has obtained on whether the UK would be in contravention of the Non- Proliferation Treaty if it were to replace or upgrade Trident warheads; [36586](2) if he has sought legal advice on whether the UK would be in contravention of the Non-Proliferation Treaty if it were to replace or upgrade Trident warheads. [36585]

There is nothing in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to prevent the recognised nuclear powers taking steps to ensure the effectiveness of their nuclear forces. The UK has, however, no current requirement or plans for any upgrade or improvement to the Trident warhead or missile.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Mark Wright and James Fisher, currently serving life imprisonment (a) have been dismissed from the British Army and (b) receive wages or other payments from the British Army; and whether his Department has provided transport assistance to their families travelling to visit them in prison. [37239]

[holding answer 31 March 1998]: Guardsmen Fisher and Wright have not been dismissed from the Army. They are not, however, entitled to any pay during the term of their imprisonment. The families of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright have their flights to Northern Ireland paid for by the Scots Guards own charitable funds but the Department does provide transport to and from the Maghaberry Prison.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what action he is taking to assess the work of Ron Davies of Rydon House acute psychiatric unit in Taunton, on the effects on mental health of exposure to pesticides. [36811]

I have instructed my officials to assess the implications of the work of Dr. Davies when it is published in an appropriately peer-reviewed medical or scientific journal. We have not yet seen the results of his research and continue to await publication with interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the figures contained in his letter of 20 March to the hon. Member for Totnes, relating to live firing on Dartmoor ranges. [37065]

The advertised and actual number of days on which Army firing took place on the range areas of Dartmoor Training Areas for the year ending 31 December was as follows:

Range	Advertised	Actual
Okehampton	81	44
Willsworthy	129	85
Mervivale	148	98

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries from which the supply of (a) beef and (b) sheepmeat were sourced for each year that the NAAFI held the Ministry of Defence's public-funded messing contract. [28348]

[pursuant to his reply, 9 February 1998, c. 67]: I regret the answer given was incorrect because some information is held by NAAFI although not by individual years. They have advised that approximately 30 per cent. of beef by volume was sourced from the UK with some 70 per cent. from overseas mainly from Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia. All lamb was sourced from overseas with approximately 70 per cent. of volume coming from New Zealand.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will introduce the rules for disclosure of Masonic membership of persons involved in the criminal justice administration of England and Wales proposed by the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the Northern Ireland criminal justice administration; and if she will introduce similar rules relating to membership of the (i) Orange Order and (ii) other similar organisations. [31621]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: I shall give very careful consideration as to the applicability to Northern Ireland of the recommendations in the Home Affairs Select Committee's report, "Freemasonry in the Police and Judiciary".

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will investigate the reasons why written terms of reference were not provided to the valuers for the privatisation valuation assignment on Belfast International Airport. [37162]

The sale of Belfast International Airport was the subject of a Public Accounts Committee hearing in December 1997. Matters relating to the valuation of Belfast International Airport were addressed at that hearing. The Government cannot comment on the sale until the Committee has reported.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will restrict the number of mobile phone base stations that can be mounted on one (a) mast, (b) building and (c) other structures. [37098]

No. There are no plans to use planning controls to restrict the number of base stations in this way. The sharing of masts etc., reduces the overall numbers required, and their impact on the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals she has for changes in security measures, including emergency legislation, following a peaceful settlement in Northern Ireland. [37667]

A sub-committee of the multi-party talks discussed the desire for a return to normality in Northern Ireland as soon as possible. The Government laid before the Parties a paper which set out our determination to return Northern Ireland to a situation where the police can resume normal policing duties, the Army can return to barracks and the need for emergency legislation is removed.Others have a part to play in ensuring all in Northern Ireland can live in peace without fear of threat or violence from paramilitary groups. The Government are keen to reduce the impact of security but not until it is safe to do so. A copy of the paper, entitled "Responding to a changing security situation—the Government's Approach" has now been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has for reforming the firearms legislation in Northern Ireland for the control of handguns. [37889]

I have recently concluded a review of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 which was instigated by the previous Government in November 1995.The purpose of the review was to take a fresh look at the law to see whether it was relevant, effective and proportionate to today's conditions. It has been a wide-ranging examination with no topic excluded. The principal objectives were to maintain rigorous safety standards and sustain public confidence in the authorities' ability to enforce the law effectively while recognising the reasonable expectations of the responsible shooting community and firearms trade. I believe that the proposals for legislative reform which I am publishing today for wider consultation will meet those objectives. Copies of the Consultation Paper have been made available in the libraries of both Houses.On the particular issue of handgun controls, I have studied carefully the various recommendations made by Lord Cullen in his report into the terrible events at Dunblane, published in 1996. Although his Tribunal did not inquire into the control of firearms in Northern Ireland, it was only right that I should consider whether his Report contained any important lessons for the Province. I believe it does and my findings are explained at length in the Consultation Paper.After much thought, I am not persuaded of the need to prohibit the possession and use of target handguns in Northern Ireland. Nor do I believe it would be appropriate to prohibit the possession of handguns licensed by the Chief Constable, for the personal protection of those individuals under threat of attack and their families. I realise that my decision may disappoint some people who feel strongly, as do I, about firearms control and safeguarding the public. But I would ask them and others to consider carefully the far-reaching proposals for improving firearms safety and making the law more effective which I am publishing today, and let me have their views thereon.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he plans to implement Part II of the Family Law Act 1996; and if he will make a statement. [37939]

The Government remain committed to implementing Part II of The Family Law Act 1996. A very extensive series of pilots testing a number of different models of information meetings will operate until at least March 1999. It would be wrong to anticipate the results of these pilots. Given the timetable for the pilots, and the inevitable time that will be needed to establish a comprehensive system once a preferred model of information meeting is decided upon, it would be safe to assume that the Lord Chancellor will be unable to implement Part II until at least the end of 1999 or even early in the year 2000.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the impact of measures set out in COM (97) 609 on domestic law. [37002]

The European Commission's document COM (97) 609 contributes to work being carried on in the Council to make it easier for individuals and companies to enforce any Member State's civil judgments in any other Member State. The Government broadly support the principles underlying the Commission's proposed measures in part 1 of its document. If implemented, they would necessitate changes to the Brussels Convention of 1968 and the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982. Part 2 of the communication is intended to prompt debate on wider questions relating to the enforcement of judgments in the European Union, but it contains no legislative proposals. The Government will be submitting their comments before the 30 April deadline.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which county courts are under review for closure. [36594]

The Lord Chancellor has agreed to public consultation on the proposed closure of Camborne and Redruth, Evesham, Hemel Hempstead, Poole and Shrewsbury county courts. Following public consultation I and the Lord Chancellor are currently considering whether to approve the closure of Holywell and Rochdale county courts. Managers in the Court Service are constantly reviewing the viability of the court network in the light of changing business needs and workload trends. Other courts may therefore be proposed for closure in the future.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those county towns in England which do not have county courts. [36595]

The following county administrative centres do not have a county court within the town: Matlock, Dorchester and Northallerton.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beds will be provided following the redevelopments at (a) Law Hospital and (b) Hairmyres Hospital. [36728]

Law Hospital will have 613 in-patient beds (of which 336 will be acute beds) and 56 places for day surgery. Hairmyres Hospital will have 364 in-patient beds (all acute) plus 52 day surgery places.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates he has made of the increase in travel time from East Kilbride to hospital in the case of an obstetric emergency following the transfer of services from Bellshill Hospital to Law Hospital. [36719]

The increased time requirement for emergency travel is estimated to be between 2–5 minutes on average. The Scottish Ambulance Service have also agreed that rapid access to specialist medical cover will be available 24 hours a day if emergencies arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of refurbishing and redeveloping (a) Law and (b) Hairmyres hospitals. [36727]

Neither hospital is suitable for refurbishment. The estimated construction costs for the new build Law and Hairmyres hospitals are £85 million and £67.5 million respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about a potential increase in morbidity as a result of the relocation of obstetric services from Bellshill to Law Hospital. [36720]

None. However, Lanarkshire Health Board have received representations on this issue from individual obstetricians, paediatricians and midwives from Monklands and Bellshill Hospitals NHS Trust. The Board believe there is no reason to predict any increase in morbidity arising from the relocation of obstetric services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment he has made of the limitations on the height of the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as a result of discoveries during the surveying undertaken there; [36722](2) if the site of the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is undermined by old mine workings. [36724]

No limitations on the height of the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh are required as a result of discoveries during surveying undertaken there. There is, however, a 3 storey height limit imposed upon the development by the planning authorities to protect sight lines from various vantage points around the site. The site of the new Royal Infirmary is not undermined by old mine workings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the costs of building the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. [36726]

The New Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is being provided through the Private Finance Initiative and it is estimated that the capital cost of the building at current prices is £188.5m.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of the cost of the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on primary health care funding in Edinburgh and the Lothians. [36723]

The planned configuration of acute hospitals, including the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, in Edinburgh and the Lothians will result in an additional £10m per annum being invested in primary care and community services to improve the range and quality of services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beds are currently planned for the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. [36725]

869.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what specific changes to departmental transport arrangements have to date been implemented following the receipt of the Green Transport Plan; [36642](2) on what date he plans to introduce a green commuting plan. [36660]

[holding answer 27 March 1998]: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions circulated to all Departments in September last year a "Guide to Green Transport Plans". My right hon. Friend is considering its recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many trusts and health boards in Scotland have implemented the recommendation by the Management Executive of the Scottish Office that midwives should be placed on a minimum of Grade F of the clinical grading structure. [37225]

Current NHS in Scotland Management Executive guidance issued as NHS MEL (1995) 81 requires that

"where the nurse clinical grading structure is used and a midwife has a defined caseload of women to whom he/she gives the full range of midwifery care the grades 'F' or 'G' will normally be appropriate".

It is for employers to determine the appropriate grading in the light of local circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that the grading of midwives in Scotland is in line with that in other parts of the United Kingdom. [37224]

Comparable guidance taking account of the Scottish perspective was issued in Scotland in 1995 as NHS MEL (1995) 81.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many midwives in Scotland are currently employed on Grade D of the clinical grading structure. [37226]

There were 6 qualified midwives employed in the NHS in Scotland on Grade D at 30 September 1997, the latest date for which information is available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the Review into Eye Transplantation and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; and if he will make a statement. [37895]

Sir William Stewart submitted his report to me and my hon. Friends the Health Ministers for England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 27 February. I am grateful to him for the hard work he and his team put into the Report and for the conclusions he reached. I have placed a copy of the Report in the Library.Sir William reviewed the circumstances surrounding the use for transplantation of eye tissue from a donor who was later found to have been suffering from the classic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. His Report clearly sets out the facts surrounding the occurrence, and makes 18 recommendations covering both specific improvements which should be made to procedures and more general issues arising from the Review. The Government welcome the recommendations and are considering them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he or his Ministers authorised a written briefing for the Press on the subject of the debates on the Scotland Bill in Committee on 30 March that was issued prior to those debates; and if he will place a copy of the briefing in the Library. [37505]

I briefed the Parliamentary lobby correspondents on 30 March on the background to the debates expected to take place on the last two days of the Committee Stage of the Scotland Bill. I am placing a copy of the written briefing note in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Crown Office was informed of a problem relating to the statutory basis for Intermediate Diets in Summary Criminal Procedure; and if he will place in the Library copies of the correspondence between the Crown Office and offices of the Procurators Fiscal bearing on the case of Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow), 1998 SCCR:790. [37232]

[holding answer 1 April 1998]: The Crown Office was informed of the problem when the opinion of the court in Vannet v. Milligan was delivered on 12 March 1998, although it became aware of the potential problem when the decision of the court in Mackay v. Ruxton was delivered.Communications between the Crown Office and Procurators Fiscal are confidential. However, on 19 November 1997, when the decision in Mackay v. Ruxton was announced, immediate steps were taken by the Crown to minimise any potential effect arising from it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the number of cases affected by the decision in Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow) which have already been determined. [37235]

[holding answer 1 April 1998]: On 19 November 1997, in the case of Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow) 1998 JC 51, the High Court of Justiciary held that in Scotland, the fixing of an intermediate diet when a summary trial was adjourned was not what Parliament intended. In the case of PF (Glasgow) v. Milligan, decided on 12 March 1998, the court held that a Sheriff had no power, at an "unintended" intermediate diet, to adjourn the trial diet and by implication discharge a trial diet already fixed, and that the instance fell if the case was not called on the date originally fixed.No cases are directly affected by the decision in Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow) but the Crown Office estimate that around 1,000 current cases are likely to be affected by the subsequent decision of the court in PF (Glasgow) v. Milligan, decided on 12 March 1998. Several thousand concluded cases may be involved as well. However, the precise number of cases which may be affected by the decision in PF (Glasgow) v. Milligan cannot be established without disproportionate costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of those cases affected by the decision in Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow) which have already been determined (a) are outside the time limit for appealing by way of Stated Case in terms of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 section 176 and (b) have been affected by undue delay as currently understood where a Bill of Suspension might otherwise be brought; and what action the Crown will take in response to any appeal in respect of those cases. [37236]

[holding answer 1 April 1998]: No cases are directly affected by the decision in Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow) but it has been estimated that several thousand cases may be affected by the subsequent decision of the court in the case of PF (Glasgow) v. Milligan, decided on 12 March 1998.Any application for stated case must be lodged within seven days of the final determination of the case, although there is provision for the time limit to be extended by the High Court of Justiciary.There is no time limit for bringing an appeal by Bill of Suspension, although delay in doing so may result in the appeal being refused on the ground of acquiescence. There is some doubt however whether such delay would be a bar to the bringing of an appeal based on fundamental nullity of the proceedings.The Crown will consider the merits of any appeal brought.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many of those cases affected by the decision in Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow) convictions followed upon pleas of guilty. [37237]

[holding answer 1 April 1998]: No cases are affected by the decision in Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow) but the Crown Office estimate that up to 1,000 current cases may be affected by the court's subsequent decision in the case of PF (Glasgow) v. Milligan, decided on 12 March 1998. Several thousand concluded cases may be involved as well. However, the precise number of cases which may be affected by the decision in PF (Glasgow) v. Milligan cannot be established without disproportionate costs. Accordingly it has not been possible to establish how many of the affected cases involved convictions following upon pleas of guilty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the consequences of the judgments in Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow), 1998, SCCR:790 and PF (Glasgow) v. Milligan, unreported; and if he will list the categories of offence affected by the problem identified in these judgments. [37233]

[holding answer 1 April 1998]: The judgments may affect any crime prosecuted on summary complaint, including: assault; sexual crimes; dishonesty; drugs offences; and driving offences including disqualified dangerous and drunk driving.The hon. Member will be aware that a Bill was introduced to the House yesterday in order to address the implications of the High Court's judgments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the number of cases affected by the decision in Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow) which have not yet been determined in (a) the district courts and (b) the sheriff courts; what percentage involve (i) statutory offences and (ii) common law offences; and in respect of those involving statutory offences, in how many of them is the Crown time-barred from raising fresh complaints. [37234]

[holding answer 1 April 1998]: No cases are directly affected by the decision in Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow) but the Crown Office estimate that up to 1,000 current cases may be affected by the court's subsequent decision in the case of PF (Glasgow) v. Milligan, unreported.It is not possible however to establish precise figures by reference to court or offence, without disproportionate costs.In some cases affected it may be possible for the Crown to bring fresh proceedings. The extent to which the Crown will do so may depend on any time-bar which applies to the individual charges. For the reason given, no figures are available for the number of cases in which the Crown would be time-barred from raising fresh complaints.

To ask the Attorney-General when the Glidewell report on the Crown Prosecution Service is to be published; what is the cost to the CPS of the retention of Crown Communications to represent that service; and if he will make a statement. [37710]

Sir Iain Glidewell was unable to finalise his report in March as he had hoped. He informs me that he has a small amount of further work to complete but finalisation will be dependent largely on the time taken to complete the necessary consultation.The Crown Prosecution Service has explored the use of suitable consultants to assist with internal communications as part of the change management associated with implementation of those recommendations of the CPS Review Team which are accepted by the Government. Crown Business Communication Ltd. have been identified as the most suitable but no contract has yet been signed and there is no commitment to any specific expenditure. The extent and value of any work which that company may be asked to undertake will be dependent on decisions to be taken in the light of the report of the CPS review team once it is received.

To ask the Attorney-General what guidance is given to judges for dealing with applications to terminate prosecution cases on the basis that the lapse of time since the alleged offence was such that it would not be possible to have a fair trial. [36942]

There has been no such guidance issued to judges.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount was received by the Treasury from taxes and duties on the casino industry in the last year for which figures are available. [36826]

[holding answer 31 March 1998]: The level of revenue in 1997 from Gaming duty was £90 million. Separate figures are not available for other taxes such as VAT and Corporation tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the top rate of gaming duty is in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) Belgium, (e) the Netherlands and (f) the Republic of Ireland. [36186]

[holding answer 25 March 1998]: Gaming Duty is not levied in exactly the same way in each of these countries but information, taken mainly from the latest version of the "Inventory of Taxes levied in the Member States of the European Union" (16th Edition), shows that, at 1 January 1996, the situation was as follows:

(a) In the United Kingdom, the highest current rate of gaming duty is 33; per cent.

(b) In France, the takings of gambling clubs and houses are subject to a progressive rate on their annual takings. The rates are not specified, but previous information suggests that the top rate has been 80 per cent.

(c) In Germany, bets on the results of horse and greyhound races, lotteries, bingo and similar games of chance and football pools are subject to a tax on the amount of the bets or prizes of 16; per cent. Separate information suggests that this has been supplemented by a special casino fee charged at up to 80 per cent. of gross gaming yield.

(d) In Belgium, the maximum rate on the gross gaming yield is 40 per cent., except in the Flemish community where it is 44 per cent.

(e) In the Netherlands, a duty of 33; per cent. is levied on all the gross gaming winnings of a casino.

(f) Casinos are prohibited in the Republic of Ireland.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 1998, Official Report, column 671, concerning the VAT Tribunal and continence products, if he will list (a) the cases when VAT relief applied and (b) the cases where VAT relief did not apply. [37168]

[holding answer 1 April 1998]: The VAT Tribunal in Molnlycke Ltd. examined four contracts. It decided that supplies of continence products under the contracts with Aylesbury Vale Community Health Care Trust and Chester and Halton Community NHS Trust for patients in their own homes were zero-rated. However, it ruled that supplies of those goods for residents under the contract with Westgate House Nursing Home and for the majority of patients of Edinburgh Healthcare NHS Trust were standard-rated.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 1998, Official Report, column 671, concerning the VAT Tribunal decision in respect of continence products, for what reasons he decided to reimpose VAT in each case where the tribunal had ruled that relief should apply. [37169]

[holding answer 1 April 1998]: The VAT relief for continence products was used by several NHS Trusts, which entered into contractual arrangements with a third party to gain a tax advantage. As NHS Trusts are funded for the VAT they cannot recover, the tax advantage amounted to double funding. We therefore introduced a change of law to restore the status quo.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate a study on the transfer of Government offices from London. [35817]

[holding answer 1 April 1998]: There are no plans for such a study. The Government's policy on relocation is not centrally directed. The respective departmental minister will need to evaluate each decision on its merits considering best value for money, operational efficiency, impact on local labour markets and available resources.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in estimating the cost to the Exchequer of the proposed children's tax credit, what was the assumed take-up rate. [36249]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him and the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 1 April 1998, Official Report, column 554.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of extra people who will be persuaded in each year to 2002 to move from dependency on out of work benefits into jobs by the changes in family credit/working families tax credit announced in the Budget. [36367]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: The Government expect that their programme of tax and benefit reform to make work pay will, like their New Deals, help people move off welfare and into work.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the value of working families tax credit which will be paid direct to non-employed mothers. [36391]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: No such estimate has been made. Couples will have the choice whether the Working Families Tax Credit is paid to the man or the woman.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the extra costs incurred in the introduction of the disabled person's tax credit. [36410]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: Additional annual costs are likely to be £7 million to £10 million by the years 2001/2002. These costs reflect the higher earnings thresholds and lower tapers of the Disabled Person's Tax Credit, as well as the expected increase in recipients.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there will be a childcare tax credit within the disabled person's tax credit. [36411]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: Yes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the disability working allowance will cease to be paid. [36409]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: When it is replaced by the Disabled Person's Tax Credit in October 1999.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what level the disabled person's tax credit will be paid. [36414]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: The rates at which the Disabled Person's Tax Credit will be paid will be the same as for the Disability Working Allowance (DWA) which it will replace in October 1999. Where it differs is in having higher earnings thresholds of £70 for a single person and £90 for a couple, compared with £57.85 and £77.15 respectively in the DWA; a lower taper of 55 per cent. compared with 70 per cent. for the DWA; and in the childcare credit that replaces the present disregard, which will meet 70 per cent. of childcare costs up to £100 for families with one child and £150 for families with two or more children.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of disabled people expected to benefit from the new disabled person's tax credit. [36415]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: The Disabled Person's Tax Credit will benefit the 14,000 people currently receiving Disability Working Allowance. In addition, we would expect that the changes to the structure of the provision will cause the caseload to increase by a further 10 per cent. to 15 per cent.However, we would expect this and the New Deal for disabled people will enable many more sick and disabled people to move into work.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to introduce the disabled person's tax credit. [36413]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: October 1999.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the expenditure on the (a) working families tax credit, (b) childcare tax credit, (c) disabled persons' tax credit, and (d) other newly introduced tax credits in (i) 1998–99, (ii) 1999–2000, (iii) 2000–01, (iv) 2001–02 and (v) 2002–03; and for each of these years, what is the related reduction in other social security expenditure as a consequence of the introduction of the new tax credits. [36451]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: Estimates of the net Exchequer cost of the Working Families Tax Credit and the Disabled Person's Tax Credit were given in lines one and five of Table C.l of the Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC620). These estimates take account of the ending of Family Credit. The cost of the childcare tax credit within the WFTC was given in a reply to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 1 April 1998, Official Report, column 554.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the numbers of (a) new recipients of social security benefits and (b) new recipients of tax credits who were not previously claiming family credit in (i) 1998–99, (ii) 1999–2000, (iii) 2000–01 and (iv) 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [36376]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: Estimates of the caseload for the various Social Security benefits will appear in the Department of Social Security's departmental report on 7 April.The Government estimate that, in its first full year of operation (2000–01), about 400 thousand more families will be entitled to the Working Families Tax Credit that were entitled to Family Credit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlie the additional net costs of the working families tax credit compared to family credit for (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [36395]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: The relevant factors are the higher withdrawal threshold, the lower taper, the increase in the child tax credits and the increase in the amount of support for childcare provided by the childcare tax credit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update table 1.2 in the Red Book allowing for the Control Total for public spending to grow at 0.75 per cent. in real terms after 1998–99. [36449]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: The information requested for the PSBR, the GGFD and the Current Balance—all based on the 1998 Budget—can be calculated from Section A of table B5 in the Financial Statement and Budget Report and the projections for money GDP contained in table Bl. The effects of Budget measures and the effect of forecasting changes are unchanged by the assumption. Therefore, the PSBR in the 1997 Budget can be derived as the residual.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cyclically adjusted public sector current balance in cash terms for (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01, (d) 2001–02 and (e) 2002–03. [36453]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: The information requested can be calculated from the estimates of the cyclically adjusted public sector current balance as a percentage of GDP in table B6 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report and the projections of money GDP in table Bl.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on what date he plans to introduce a green commuting plan; [36669](2) what specific changes to departmental transport arrangements have to date been implemented following the receipt of the Green Transport Plan. [36654]

[holding answer 27 March 1998]: The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions circulated to all Departments in September last year a "Guide to Green Transport Plans". The Treasury is considering how to respond to its recommendations and is currently preparing draft green transport plans.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to improve work incentives by tackling high marginal deduction rates resulting from housing support mechanisms; and if he will make a statement. [36377]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: The Budget tackled high marginal reduction rates faced by people receiving Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in two ways. First, it will change disregards so as to remove instances where people could be worse off if they increased their earnings. Second, the Working Families Tax Credit will mean that 50 thousand families will no longer face penal marginal rates as a result of being on both the WFTC taper and Housing Benefit taper. And all people on the Family Credit taper will find that their return from working increases by one half: half a million families will see the return from increase in their earnings rise by one-half.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the planned social security expenditure as a percentage of GDP in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01, on the basis of (i) the pre-Budget estimates and (ii) the post Budget estimates, assuming that expenditure on the tax credits introduced in the Budget counts against social security spending; and if he will make a statement. [36394]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: Total DSS expenditure in 1996–97 was equivalent to 12 per cent of GDP. Forecasts for DSS expenditure published in the recent Financial Statement and Budget Report for 1997–98 and 1998–99 show that this ratio is expected to fall to 11½ per cent. in both years. The effect on these figures of policies announced in the Budget is negligible.Spending plans for future years will be announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the percentage of the total revenue from the windfall tax which will be spent on the New Deal for the young unemployed over the period 1997 to 2002; and if he will make a statement. [36454]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: The allocation of the revenue from the windfall tax is set out in the Financial Statement and Budget Report, March 1998 (House of Commons No 620). Table 3.1: Funding Welfare to Work indicates that, over the period 1997 to 2002, £2.62 billion is allocated to the New Deal for the young unemployed programme. This represents just over 50 per cent. of the £5.2 billion expected revenue from the windfall tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account has been taken of recent rulings outlawing the pre-authorisation of financial products by the EU in the Government's proposals for a voluntary benchmarking system of life insurance-based savings products within the ISA. [36800]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: The prohibition in the Third Life Directive will not apply since the proposed benchmark standards will be voluntary and will not involve either prior approval or systematic notification of insurance ISAs before they can be marketed. The Treasury will issue a consultation document on benchmarking ISAs in the next few weeks.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the cost to the finance industry of new computer systems required to deal with the new ISA product from April 1999. [36776]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: As stated in Budget Press Release, Inland Revenue 2, published on 17 March, a compliance cost assessment will be published when draft regulations for the new account are issued for consultation around the beginning of May.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to begin consultation on his proposals for reforming company car tax; what form the consultation will take; and if he will make a statement. [37287]

People are invited (Budget 98 Press Release Inland Revenue 6) to send comments to the Inland Revenue on the case for replacing the existing business mileage discounts with discounts for driving fewer private miles in company cars. It would be helpful if they could send in initial views by around the end of April. In the light of the views expressed and proposals in the forthcoming Integrated Transport White Paper, we will then decide how to proceed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue will be raised by the levying of VAT on resuscitation training models in 1998–99. [36603]

[holding answer 27 March 1998]: Resuscitation training models have been subject to the standard rate of VAT since the introduction of the tax in 1973. Customs and Excise are unable to identify separately the VAT yield from these particular goods.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was derived from VAT on resuscitation dummies in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [37268]

The standard-rated status of resuscitation training models has remained unchanged since the introduction of VAT. Customs are unable to identify the VAT yield of these particular goods.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt charitable organisations offering door-to-door transport services to people with extra mobility needs, operating under section 19 licences, from fuel tax increases. [36591]

The tax on road fuel is charged on a broad base with no exemptions for particular user groups or individuals. It would not be appropriate to exempt charitable organisations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of fuel tax increases on charitable organisations, operating under section 19 licences, offering door-to-door transport services to people with extra mobility needs. [36590]

No such assessment of the effect of fuel tax increases on charitable organisations has been made.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the VAT reduction on energy saving materials for use in certain schemes, announced in the Budget, applies to energy efficiency schemes for social housing provided under the Electricity Regulator's Standards of Performance Initiative. [37205]

Yes. To the extent that 'Standards of Performance' moneys are used, through targeted grant funding schemes, to pay for the installation of certain energy efficiency measures in the homes of the less well off, the relief will apply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral answer from the Financial Secretary of 10 July 1997, Official Report, column 1062, when he intends to publish an environmental green book setting out the impact of policy changes contained in the financial Red Book. [36400]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a green book in respect of the Budget; and if he will make a statement. [36983]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: The Financial Statement and Budget Report, released on 17 March, contains an environmental assessment of the Budget measures which will have a significant effect on the environment. The inclusion of the assessment within the Financial Statement and Budget Report demonstrates the Government's commitment to put the environment at the heart of Government policy. The assessment shows that the Budget measures will help to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and improve local air quality.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what actions he will propose to the EU Meeting of Ministers in Birmingham in May to relieve the heavily indebted poor countries of their debt by the year 2000. [37090]

At the G8 summit in Birmingham in May, the Government will promote the speedy and effective implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative along the lines that the Chancellor set out in his Mauritius Mandate statement last September.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the £5 million reporting figure for acceptances of works of art as property in lieu of inheritance tax is subject to the 1984 Gowrie Agreement that no figure should be treated as a limit or a target. [36772]

The Government have not set any limit or target for acceptances in lieu.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to page 78 of the Red Book what estimate he has made of (a)the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions which will result from the reduced VAT rate on the installation of energy saving materials under certain grant schemes and (b) the impact on local air quality. [36857]

Our reduced VAT rate relief for energy saving materials is primarily a social measure, allowing less well-off people to stay warmer. Nevertheless, the measure will have small environmental impact.Any estimate of environmental impact is subject to significant margins of uncertainty, but the likely impact is that between about 3,000 and 7,000 tonnes of carbon will be saved each year, assuming that 40,000 extra households have basic energy efficiency measures undertaken as a result of this new relief. By the year 2010, the total annual carbon saving will be between about 35,000 tonnes and 80,000 tonnes.This measure is not aimed at improving local air quality, but there may be some small benefit as a result of lower fuel consumption. A range of other measures in the Budget will have a much greater impact in terms of local air quality—for example, the duty rises for standard diesel, and vehicle excise duty discounts for clean lorries and buses.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about National Savings. [37937]

National Savings, which has a key role in helping to fund the Government's borrowing requirements as efficiently as possible, has been carrying out a wide ranging programme to modernise the organisation against a background of a fast-moving and highly competitive retail savings market. This has included the evaluation of a public-private partnership for back office services delivery. After detailed consideration and discussion with those involved, I have today given National Savings Board the authority to proceed to the Invitation To Negotiate stage in the process. From a list of four companies who responded to the Information Memorandum, the two companies who have been shortlisted to the next stage are Siemens and EDS.I do not expect to make a decision as to whether to conclude a public-private partnership, and if so with which bidder, until some time later in the year. My decision will be based on value for money and will also bear closely in mind the best interests of customers and of National Savings staff.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the 1998 departmental reports to be published. [37938]

Publication dates for the 1998 departmental reports will be as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he plans to make for the inspection of Government-funded vocational training and the Careers Service. [37661]