To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the procedures used by national museums and galleries in relation to stolen art treasures; and if he will review those procedures. [37279]

The national museums and galleries take the greatest care to ensure that objects being acquired for their collections have not been stolen. I have no reason to believe that their procedures need to be reviewed. However, if the hon. Member has evidence to the contrary, I would be grateful if he would write to me about this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the total annual contribution of cultural activities to gross domestic product in each of the last three years. [37129]

[holding answer 31 March 1998]: The current total revenues of the UK creative industries are estimated at over £55 billion. There are no reliable historic data on the contribution of the creative industries to gross domestic product. In 1995, the last year for which such information is available, the contribution net of inputs ("valued added") was around £25 billion, approaching 4 per cent. of gross domestic product.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those organisations responsible for awarding National Lottery grants, indicating the categories of grant they cover and their contact telephone numbers and addresses. [37253]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 established five areas to benefit equally from the Lottery: sports, the arts, heritage, charities and projects to mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the third millennium. The responsibility for distributing these proceeds rests with a number of independent distributing bodies. These are the four national Arts Councils, the four national Sports Councils, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the National Lottery Charities Board and the Millennium Commission.The Arts Councils aim to help people across the UK enjoy, and take Part in, broadest Possible range of arts activities. Arts Lottery money is being spent on a wide range of capital projects, including the renovation and re-equipping of arts venues. The Arts Councils also fund revenue Projects designed to enable more people to Participate and take part in arts activities and to encourage more new plays, music and other work. The addresses ofthe Arts Councils are:The Arts Council of England

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to publish draft statutory directions to the National Lottery distributing bodies. [38115]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: I intend to publish to day drafts of the revised Policy Directions for the Arts Council of England, the English Sports Council, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the National Lottery Charities Board. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland plan to publish drafts of revised Policy Directions for the Arts and Sports Councils of those countries at the same time. Drafts of revised Financial Directions for all existing Lottery distributors will be published in the early summer. I will publish drafts of Directions to the New Opportunities Fund for consultation with its board after Royal Assent to the National Lottery Bill but hope to make available a preliminary draft soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he has taken on sport during the United Kingdom Presidency. [38432]

I arranged a meeting with my counterparts from Luxembourg and Austria last Thursday. This was the first opportunity that I and my European colleagues have had to discuss the important contribution that sport can make to social and economic development within Europe.We agreed that the first ever Green paper on sport in the European Union should aim in particular to:

To ask the Prime Minister what factors he will take into account in reaching a decision on whether to seek to (a) reject and (b) amend those amendments to the Competition Bill [Lords] made in the House of Lords with regard to competition policy and media shareholdings. [37048]

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: The new clause added to the Bill in the House of Lords is unnecessary because the Competition Bill already contains a prohibition of abuse of dominance which will apply across the economy and newspapers will not be exempt.

To ask the Prime Minister which representatives of the British Government will be present at the celebrations to mark the 50th Anniversary of Israel. [37962]

The Government are participating in a range of activities in Britain to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. We have not yet confirmed who will represent the Government at celebrations in Israel.

To ask the Prime Minister what communication Her Majesty's Government have had from the Government and Government agencies of Israel about information received by the Home Office about the threat of anthrax in the UK received on 5 March. [37328]

It is not the Government's policy to disclose the nature of discussions with other countries on intelligence matters.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the other members of the UN who have received threats pertaining to the spread of anthrax by Iraq. [37329]

It would be a matter for the countries concerned whether to disclose information of this kind.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on discussions between Scotland Yard and the CIA, FBI and agencies of the Department of Defense in Washington about the threat of the infiltration of anthrax spores into the United Kingdom. [37330]

The Metropolitan Police regularly discuss matters of shared interest with their counterparts in the United States, including the threat from weapons of mass destruction where appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the arrangements for the introduction of the revised vehicle registration year identifier system, and the format of the succeeding systems; and if he will make a statement. [37286]

We hope to make an announcement soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the Eurostar traffic forecasts submitted to him by those organisations bidding to (a) construct the Channel Tunnel rail link and (b) run the Eurostar franchise. [37781]

No. These forecasts comprise information which is commercially confidential to the companies concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many (a) local authority collection schemes, (b) collection banks and (c) sorting and baling facilities are available in England and Wales for the recycling of plastic bottles; and how many properties have household or kerbside collection of plastic bottles; [37729](2) how many collection sites there are in England and Wales for the recycling of plastic vending cups; [37730]

The provision of bring sites and separate collection for any recyclables is for each Waste Collection Authority to determine within the resources they have available. The latest available figures are from the 1995–96 Municipal Waste Management Survey, published in December 1997. These show that:

Glass: there were 11,424 bring sites provided by local authorities and in addition 570 civic amenity sites also accepted glass for recycling; 265,647 tonnes of glass were collected for recycling from these sources.

Paper: there were 6,344 bring sites provided by local authorities and in addition 410 civic amenity sites also accepted paper for recycling; 289,857 tonnes of paper were collected for recycling from these sources.

Plastics: there were 1,058 bring sites provided by local authorities and in addition 127 civic amenity sites also accepted plastic for recycling; 2,457 tonnes of plastic were collected for recycling from these sources. No figures are available that show the number of separate household or kerbside collection schemes which collect plastics. In total in 1995–96, bring sites, civic amenity sites and separate collection schemes yielded 3,500 tonnes of plastics for recycling.

No figures are centrally available on the number of sorting and baling facilities available for plastics. No central data of how many collection sites there are for the recycling of plastic vending cups are held.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many Government agencies have relocated from London to the regions in the last 10 years. [38295]

In the last 10 years, the Marine Emergencies Organisation and the Surveyors General Organisation which together now form the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, were relocated from London to Southampton, and the Driving Standards Agency was relocated from London to Nottingham. A further four of the Department's Next Steps agencies have headquarters outside London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if civil servants transferred to the regional development agencies will retain their Civil Service status. [38303]

In keeping with the majority of executive Non Departmental Public Bodies, Regional Development Agencies will not be Crown Bodies, and their staff will therefore not be Civil Servants.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the present Nottinghamshire County Council Structure Plan was agreed by the Secretary of State; and what is the earliest date it could be reviewed. [38233]

Following legislative changes introduced in 1991 the Secretary of State is no longer responsible for agreeing local authority development plans, other than in very exceptional circumstances. The current Nottinghamshire Structure Plan Review was adopted by Nottinghamshire County Council in November 1996.Since the reorganisation of Nottingham City as a unitary authority on 1 April, any review of the plan and its timing is the joint responsibility of Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to undertake trials of the viability of an urban system of road user charging as a means of reducing urban congestion. [37861]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: Small scale trials involving volunteers are in progress in Leicester and Bristol. These are assessing behavioural responses to road user charging. Whether the Government consider commissioning further work will depend on the proposals for dealing with urban congestion that they set out in the forthcoming integrated transport White Paper. New primary legislation would be needed to enable trial or pilot schemes in which drivers were compelled to pay road user charges.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Local Government Staff Commission for England will be wound up. [38435]

The Local Government Staff Commission for England has completed its duties resulting from the 1992 Structural Review. Yesterday we laid before the House an Order winding up the Commission on 12 May. I am very grateful to the Commission for all the work it has done to safeguard the interests of local authority staff during the Structural Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his capping principles for 1998–99 and the list of authorities which he intends to designate; and if he will make a statement. [38517]

Derbyshire County Council is the only authority (out of 433) for which I am proposing a cap limit, which would require it to reduce its budget requirement. Other authorities have set budgets and council taxes within the provisional limits which I set.I have proposed a cap for the Council which I consider, on the basis of all the information available so far, to be reasonable, appropriate and achievable in all the circumstances of the authority.The capping principles for 1998/99 are set out in the Limitation of Council Tax and Precepts 1998/99 (2 February 1998). They are subject to a general proviso that no authority is to be designated if its budget requirement is no more than £15,000 above the limit

implied by these principles. I have placed copies of this document in the Library of the House. The main points are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages of selling to the National Grid excess power generated at the New En Route Centre at Swanwick. [38391]

No. The New En Route Centre does not normally generate electricity, and relies on power supplied via the National Grid. It does have two standby generators, but for safety reasons these would be used only when the main power supply failed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision has been made for expenditure in 1998–99 on preparing for the Greater London Authority; and when these resources will be spent. [38319]

The Main Estimates published today include provision on Class VI, Vote 4 (Local Government and regional policy, England) of £2 million in 1998/99 for preparing for the Greater London Authority. This sum reflects the best forecast that can be made at this stage of the total costs in 1998/99 as a whole. No expenditure can be incurred before the Main Estimates are approved in July. No spending will take place unless Londoners vote in favour of the proposals for a Greater London Authority in the Referendum on May 7. There will be no significant expenditure on preparing for the Greater London Authority until Parliament has approved the principle of the legislation providing for the new authority's establishment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the spending plans of the (a) Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, (b) Ordnance Survey, (c) Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, (d) Office of the Rail Regulator and (e) Office of Water Services for 1998–99. [38518]

Today I published the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Annual Report for 1998. It sets out in detail the outcome of the July 1997 and March 1998 Budget Statements, as it affects my areas of responsibility. The Report provides an overview of how my Department, Ordnance Survey, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, the Office of the Rail Regulator and the Office of Water Services have discharged their functions over the past year. It provides a background to each spending programme and sets out our achievements to date with plans for the future for securing integration between the policies and services and functions of the two former departments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the forward cost of raising employee's national insurance contributions threshold to £81 per week is not included in the Financial Statement and Budget report. [36082]

[holding answer 24 March 1998]: As the Chancellor made clear in his Budget Statement on 17 March 1998, Official Report, columns 1097–112, raising the employee's national insurance contributions threshold to £81 is a measure which he intends to bring forward in the future. As such, it would not have been appropriate to include this measure in the Financial Statement and Budget Report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the effective annual increase in road fuel duty following the July 1997 and March 1998 increases. [36357]

Following the March 1998 Budget, road fuel duty rates are 8.8 per cent. higher in real terms than the (volume weighted) average of the rates in 1997–98.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on expenditure in the United Kingdom under European Communities budget line A-3501, Preparatory and Support Operations for the Achievement of Economic and Monetary Union. [36962]

Expenditure under this EC Budget line, which amounts to about £720,000 in 1998, is the Commission's own administrative expenditure. It does not involve expenditure in the United Kingdom. It covers support and evaluation studies and activities across the European Union relating to the implementation of economic and monetary union.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the long-term effect of Economic and Monetary Union on the fiscal independence of Government policy for acceding states. [37567]

Fiscal policy will remain the responsibility of the Member States that participate in stage 3 of EMU, subject to the constraints of the Stability and Growth Pact.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the findings of the European Monetary Institute on the suitability of member states for inclusion in European economic and monetary union, in respect of future enlargement of the Union. [36547]

The convergence report of the European Monetary Institute was published on 25 March. The Government are now considering this report alongside the convergence report produced by the European Commission, and the European Commission's recommendation on which countries should proceed to stage 3 of Economic and Monetary Union. Once we have considered its findings we will report to Parliament in line with the usual scrutiny procedures.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future meetings to be held during the UK presidency of the EU concerning European Monetary Union. [36564]

Throughout the UK Presidency of the EU, the Ecofin Council will meet to consider preparations for Stage Three of EMU.The key decisions on which Member States will join the single currency will be taken over the first weekend in May. The Commission and EMI convergence reports and the Commission's recommendation will form the basis for these decisions.On 1 May Ecofin will assess which Member States fulfil the necessary conditions for the adoption of a single currency and will recommend its findings to Heads of State and Government (Article 109j(2) of the Treaty). On 2 May, Heads of State and Government will confirm, on the basis of the Ecofin recommendation, which Member States shall proceed to stage three of EMU.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to review the effectiveness of the regulation of the sale of mortgages through the code of the Council of Mortgage Lenders. [36765]

The Government have been considering how best we can carry forward our manifesto commitment for fair dealing in mortgages, the most significant transaction many ordinary people undertake.As part of a series of decisions on the future scope of regulatory reform, I am announcing today that the proposed legislation to establish the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as a single regulator will include powers enabling it to regulate mortgage business. We will be monitoring the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) Mortgage Code which was introduced in July 1997, to see if that, on its own, is capable of protecting mortgage borrowers to the standard the Government are determined to see achieved.The Treasury will be discussing the arrangements with the CML, but the main elements are likely to consist of:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of the increase in fuel tax on motorists in rural areas. [37073]

The Government recognise that many people, especially in the more isolated rural areas, have become increasingly dependent on car ownership. But all motorists must also make a contribution in tackling global warming caused by greenhouse gases. To help provide alternatives to the car, the Government are spending an extra £50 million a year on rural transport. They are also spending an additional £40 million to increase the rebate paid to bus operators.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what sources metals for the single currency coinage will be acquired; and what environmental impact assessment has been undertaken in respect of that acquisition. [37789]

The principal metals planned to be used for the euro coinage are steel and copper. As these metals are in plentiful supply, no significant environmental impact is expect to arise from the demand forecast to be generated by the euro coinage.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the creation of electronic cash, and on the criteria for bodies to be allowed to operate electronic cash systems. [37765]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The Government see electronic cash having enormous potential in a wide range of areas. But as that potential is still underdeveloped and the technologies involved are undergoing continuous change, it would be premature to lay down criteria now for the sorts of bodies who are likely to participate in this market.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Inland Revenue's definition of millennium conversion expenditure, with particular reference to whether the definition includes the development of new systems. [37581]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The Inland Revenue's expenditure on its Year 2000 project covers all capital, manpower (management and technical) and running costs necessary to review, convert and test the computer systems which support its business.Since the start of the Year 2000 project all new systems are being developed to be fully millennium compliant and their costs are not included in the Year 2000 project costs.All the Department's expenditure on Year 2000 conversion, including the Year 2000 project and work to deal with embedded technology, is being met from within existing funding limits.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of taxpayers who are pensioners. [38067]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: It is estimated that in 1998–99 there are 3.3 million individuals aged 65 and over who pay income tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the United States' authorities regarding litigation in the United States of America relating to Lloyd's of London. [38180]

None. However, my officials have regular contacts with state insurance commissioners in the United States to discuss a range of issues relating to Lloyd's. An official from the British Embassy in Washington has also met in the last year with the Securities and Exchange Commission to discuss matters relating to Lloyd's.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances papers held by his Department in relation to Lloyd's could be released to a grand jury in the United States of America investigating the affairs of Lloyd's of London. [38181]

The disclosure of confidential information provided for regulatory purposes is restricted by European and domestic legislation. Whether or not disclosure would be permitted would depend on the specific circumstances of the case. However, disclosure to a Grand Jury in the United States would not generally be permitted without the consent of the person from whom the information was obtained, and where different, any person to whom it relates.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Securities Exchange Commission in the United States of America regarding Lloyd's of London since 1 May 1997. [38179]

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future scope of regulation by the Financial Services Authority. [38430]

As has already been announced, we propose to publish for consultation this Summer draft legislation to reform the structure of financial services regulation. This will bring together regulation of investment business, deposit-taking and insurance business under a single regulator, the Financial Services Authority. The legislation presents an opportunity to ensure that the Financial Services Authority has the powers it needs to regulate effectively, and to provide for the scope of statutory regulation to be extended to new activities in the event that self-regulatory mechanisms fail to deliver the standards that the Government and consumers expect.The Government have been considering how best we can carry forward the Government's manifesto commitment for fair dealing in mortgages, the most significant transaction many people undertake.I have decided that the proposed legislation to establish the Financial Services Authority as a single regulator will include powers for the Treasury to extend the scope of activities regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The activities that could if necessary be regulated will include mortgage business. The case for regulating mortgage business will be regularly reviewed by Ministers. The first review will take place before the Bill comes into force.In the meantime the Treasury will monitor the Code introduced by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) in July 1997 to see whether it can deliver the Government's objectives without statutory intervention. The Council of Mortgage Lenders is currently bringing intermediaries within the Code's scope, and introducing appeals arrangements. It is too soon to decide whether the Code, on its own, is capable of protecting mortgage borrowers to the standard that the Government are determined to see achieved.Whether statutory mortgage regulation is introduced will depend upon a number of factors, including the extent to which the Code secures good quality advice for prospective borrowers and provides remedies for borrowers' legitimate grievances. The Treasury will ask the Council of Mortgage Lenders to report on the impact of the Code, and provide statistical background. The Treasury will also look to the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of Fair Trading to monitor the impact of recent changes in the guidelines for non-status market lenders and brokers, and the upper limit to which these consumer credit agreements apply from £15,000 to £25,000. In addition, the Treasury will look to the Financial Services Authority for an assessment of the likely costs of activating the reserve power, to assess whether they would be commensurate with any potential benefits. Others with knowledge of the mortgage market would also be consulted before any decision is made.The draft Bill will also make it possible to extend statutory regulation to include the conduct of retail banking and non-life insurance business. We have no plans at present to extend the scope of regulation in these areas, but standards of conduct and the risks faced by consumers will be kept under review. Regulation would be extended only after consultation, including an appraisal of the costs and benefits.The Government have also decided to consult on the future of the Insurance Brokers Registration Council. A consultation paper has been published today by the Treasury. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Financial Services Authority's rule-making powers. [38431]

We intend that the draft legislation will give the Financial Services Authority wide enabling powers to make rules. The rules will have the force of law, and be capable of imposing binding obligations upon firms. The rule-making power will enable the Financial Services Authority to lay down requirements anywhere along the spectrum from broad principles to detailed requirements.The Financial Services Authority will also be able to issue guidance on the interpretation of its rules and other regulatory matters.The rule-making power will be exercisable for the purpose of protecting the interests of customers of financial services businesses. Consistent with the need for differentiated levels of regulation for wholesale and retail business, the Financial Services Authority will be required to ensure that its rules take account of the fact that rules appropriate to business conducted with some classes of investor may be inappropriate in the case of others.We also intend that the Financial Services Authority will be able to impose financial resources rules, supplemented by additional requirements on individual entities by means of administrative notifications.The Financial Services Authority will be able to grant waivers, to disapply its rules on a case by case basis (subject to tests similar to those in the Financial Services Act 1986). The Financial Services Authority will be under an obligation to publish waivers, subject to considerations of commercial or regulatory confidentiality.We intend that a right of action for damages for private persons will attach to the Financial Services Authority's rules, except financial resources rules and others specified by the Financial Services Authority. The draft legislation will create a presumption that the rules confer no right of action for damages on non-private persons, unless the Financial Services Authority were to stipulate otherwise.We intend that the power to make rules will be reserved to the Board of the Financial Services Authority. The Financial Services Authority will be obliged to consult on any proposed rules unless the delay created would be prejudicial to the interests of existing and potential investors, policyholder or depositors. The Financial Services Authority will be obliged to publish cost benefit appraisals of its proposals and other options as part of the consultation exercise unless the Financial Services Authority reasonably believes that the proposals on which it is consulting will reduce the costs of compliance incurred by those to whom the proposals will apply or are neutral in terms of such costs or that any increase in compliance costs will be of marginal significance only. More generally, we intend that exercise of the Financial Services Authority's rule-making powers will be informed by its statutory objectives.The Financial Services Authority has today published a consultation document with initial proposals concerning the exercise of these powers. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he ill make a statement about the pulblic sector benchmarking project [38515]

:I am launching today a new phase of the Public Sector Benchmarking Project,designed to help public bodies share best practice more systematically with each other, with the Private sector and,ultimately, with the most successful government bodies in other countries. This Project uses the widely recognised European Business Excellence Model. Self-assessment asgainst the Model Promotes continuous improvement and customer focus,and facilitates benchmarking with the wide variety of other organisations using the Model.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of alkylphenolic substances was discharged by the offshore oil and gas industry in each of the last five years; and what assessment he has made of the reliability of the figures. [32387]

[holding answer 5 March 1998]: Data on discharges of alkylphenolic substances for the years 1993 and 1997. Discharges for those years are as follows:

Year	Tonnes
1993	34.35
1994	32.18
1995	25.20
1996	48.09
1997	54.36

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) for what reasons the price of calor gas is not regulated; [33743](2) if she will seek to regulate the price of calor gas. [33744]

[holding answer 12 March 1998]: Given the level of competition in LPG supply generally, I see no need to regulate prices.The Director General of Gas Supply regulates the supply of gas "through pipes". The supply of LPG in cylinders and tanks does not come within this definition.The Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for keeping this industry, along with others not subject to specialist oversight, under review in order to detect monopolies and exploitation of market power.OFT reviewed the price increases in LPG supply last Winter to see if they were an indication of such exploitation. It was concluded that they were not.OFT is currently negotiating with the LPG supply industry, with DTI encouragement, with a view to establishing code of conduct covering charges for the removal of rented tanks. This would make switching by consumers easier.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the application and implementation of the harmonised mandatory control system for the use and reduction of the discharge of offshore chemicals with particular reference to the operation of the CHARM model. [35903]

Over 500 products have been assessed by the UK under the provisions of the harmonised notification format, and of these more than 100 have been

Table 1:Commodity codes for which all goods contain some chrysotile asbestos
Commodity code	Description	Imported by UK in 1997?	Produced in UK in 1996?
Fabricated asbestos fibres; asbestos mixtures articles of such mixtures or of asbestos, whether or not Classification heading 663.81)
6812 1000	Fabricated asbestos mixtures; mixtures with a basis of asbestos or with a basis of asbestos and magnesium carbonate	Yes	Yes
6812 3000	Cords and string, Whether or not plaited	Yes
6812 4000	Woven or knitted fabric	Yes
6812 5000	Clothing, clothing accessories, footwear and headgear	Yes
6812 2000	Yarn and thread	Yes	Yes
6812 6000	Paper, millboard and felt	Yes	Yes
6812 9010	Other, for use in civil aircraft	No
6812 9090	Other	Yes
6812 7000	Compressed asbestos fibre jointing, in sheets or rolls	yes	yes

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the tonnage of asbestos imported into the European Union from Canada in each of the last three years. [36147]

Data on EU imports of asbestos from Canada are given in the table.

EU1 imports of asbestos2 from Canada
Year	Tons
1994	71,355
1995	71,744
1996	46,087
January-July
1997	13,617
1EU 15 countries throughout.
2Code 278.4 of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Revision 3.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what specific products containing chrysotile asbestos are (a) imported into the United Kingdom and (b) manufactured in the United Kingdom; what is the annual tonnage of asbestos incorporated in such products; and if she will make a statement. [36748]

[holding answer 2 April 1998]: Some of the commodity codes used in official statistics do not distinguish products containing asbestos from those containing potential replacement materials. That is, they cannot be distinguished from potential substitute products.Table 1 shows the position for those commodity codes where there is no ambiguity; all goods contain some chrysotile asbestos.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade from which countries chrysotile asbestos fibres imported into the United Kingdom originate and what was the total annual tonnage of chrysotile asbestos fibres imported into the United Kingdom from each country in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement. [36747]

[holding answer 2 April 1998]: Chrysotile asbestos is not separately identified in the system under which United Kingdom trade is recorded. However, since 1986, trade in all other forms of asbestos has been prohibited. The figures in the table, therefore, relate to chrysotile asbestos.

UK imports of asbestos1 1993–97
Tonnes
	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
Austria	73	0	0	0	0
Belgium/Luxembourg	21	39	26	0	0
Brazil	0	23	0	0	0
Canada	8,348	8,767	8,519	6,134	3,915
Irish Republic	0	0	1	0	0
Slovakia	0	20	0	0	0
Germany	15	0	0	0	0
Japan	2	0	0	0	0
South Africa	360	450	553	602	496
Switzerland	0	0	1	1	0
USA	123	51	84	20	149
Zimbabwe	740	2,117	980	342	261
Totals	9,681	11,466	10,164	7,099	4,820
1 Asbestos is defined as code 278.4 of the Standard International Trade Classification, Revision 3, (SITC Rev 3). This does not include asbestos cement and manufactures containing asbestos.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which United Kingdom owned companies are engaged (a) in the mining of amphibole asbestos fibres and (b) in the manufacture of products containing such asbestos fibres; and if she will make a statement. [36740]

[holding answer 2 April 1998]: I am not aware of any United Kingdom owned companies engaged in mining of amphibole asbestos fibres or engaged in the manufacture of products containing amphibole asbestos fibres.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total annual tonnage of chrysotile asbestos fibres incorporated into products sold by United Kingdom companies in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement. [36739]

[holding answer 2 April 1998]: Information on the detailed composition of products is not collected.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list (i) the companies involved in and (ii) the locations of trade fairs or exhibitions (a) supported and (b) organised by her Department in 1996–97. [36189]

[holding answer 26 March 1998]: In 1996–97 there were 8,972 participants from UK firms and organisations at 342 trade fairs and exhibitions throughout the world under the terms of the Trade Fair Support Scheme (TFSS). Lists of participants and events have been deposited in the Library of the House. Details of which participants were subsidised are commercially confidential. The TFSS is open to all UK companies; Scottish Trade International, the Welsh Office and the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland offer support under different terms.In addition at least 173 companies have benefited from DTI support under other schemes. Full information is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list ECGD exposure in each of the last five years for (a) China, (b) Indonesia, (c) Nigeria, (d) Saudi Arabia, (e) Turkey, (f) South Africa, (g) India, (h) Iraq, (i) Philippines, (j) Vietnam, (k) Pakistan, (l) Qatar, (m) Iran and (n) Algeria; if she will list the value of defence business supported in each case; and if she will make a statement. [37010]

ECGD is not in a position to provide such detailed figures for exposure for past years, because of disproportionate cost.ECGD's current exposure in these markets is as follows:

£ million
	Current exposure	Of which defence equipment
China	2,621	0
Indonesia	1,773	654
Nigeria	1,657	0
Saudi Arabia	986	975
Turkey	742	255
South Africa	695	0
India	503	0
Iraq	625	0
Philippines	731	0
Vietnam	64	0
Pakistan	206	0
Qatar	704	402
Iran	120	1
Algeria	229	96

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations she has received relating to the role of the BSI; [37477](2) if she will undertake a full review of the functions and activities of the BSI; [37475](3) when

[holding answer 2 April 1998]: I have received a number of representations concerning the role of the BSI. These have been mainly from the standards certification industry. They have mostly been related to the proposed amendments to the BSI's constitution.The Department does not intend to undertake a full review of the functions and activities of the BSI. BSI is independent of Government. The Department recently co-ordinated a cross Government consultation with regard

Region	Company	Payment of grant1	Ownership
North West	Vauxhall	£1,000,000—August 1997	USA (GM)
West Midlands	Rover	£6,000,000—December 1997	Germany (BMW)
West Midlands	Jaguar	£5,500,000—March 1998	USA (Ford)
		£1,500,000—September 1997
		£5,000,000—March 1997
		£400,000—June 1995
West Midlands	Peugeot	£400,000—September 1997	France
		£500,000—October 1996
1 Regional Selective Assistance (RSA)—applicable to UK assisted areas

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what statistics her Department collates relating to petrol prices throughout the United Kingdom; what analysis it makes of regional trends; and if she will publish this information. [38381]

National petrol, and diesel, price data are collected and published by my Department monthly in Energy Trends one month in arrears. Provisional estimates, for the previous month, are published earlier at the beginning of each month in the Advance Energy Statistics Press Notice. Longer runs of data and information relating to duty rates are published annually in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics. The very localised nature of petrol pricing means that meaningful regional analyses has to be based on very small regions. As such it is not cost effective for my Department to collect and publish such detailed information. My Department does, however, monitor the top level regional data produced by private sector organisations.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made towards setting a British standard for (a) additived lead replacement fuels and (b) over-the-counter additives for use when leaded fuels are phased out. [37990]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The British Standards Institution started working to develop a British Standard for lead replacement petrol in 1996. No British Standard is proposed for over-the-counter additives.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the payments which have been made to foreign motor car companies to encourage inward investment in the last five years, the size and timing of such payments and the regions which have benefited. [37570]

The number of aid payments made by DTI to foreign owned UK motor car manufacturers in support of investment over the last 5 years was as follows:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if, under the Multilateral Agreement on Investment, initiatives in one local authority area will be considered discriminatory against investors in that area if similar initiatives are not in place elsewhere. [37351]

[holding answer 2 April 1998]: No. Policies towards investments, including local authorities' policies, may vary from area to area for legitimate reasons. Provided that a local authority's initiative does not disadvantage investors of one country compared with those of another in similar circumstances, it will not be considered discriminatory.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans she has to promote the target for the installation of solar roof and facade systems in the EU set out in the European Commission draft White Paper on Renewable Energy; and if she will make a statement; [37903](2) what plans she has to promote the adoption of the European Commission draft White Paper on Renewable Energy; and if she will make a statement; [37902](3) what plans she has to ensure that the renewable energy target for the EU set out in the European Commission draft White Paper on Renewable Energy is developed into achievable goals for each member country. [37904]

The Government have welcomed the European Commission's Renewable Energy White Paper. The UK Presidency is currently working towards a positive Council Resolution on the White Paper which can be agreed by all Member States. Although there are a number of reservations about the White paper, all Member States appear to recognise the need to prepare positive, practical and workable plans to provide a substantial increase in the use of renewables. I am optimistic that this will be reflected in a Council Resolution.The UK is currently reviewing its renewables policy, examining what needs to be done to achieve the aim of 10% of the UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010 and how renewables can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future greenhouse gas reduction commitments. The Review is considering all forms of new and renewable energy, including solar power. I am expecting officials shortly to present me with a number of options. I will make an announcement later this year. In the meantime my Department will continue with its assessment of different solar PV systems in a variety of buildings, under its New and Renewable Energy Programme. We are also supporting the Foresight SCOLAR programme, which aims to put a variety of PV arrays into 100 schools and colleges across the country.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the recent TUC forecast of the level of job losses in the manufacturing industry. [37700]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The TUC calculation is based on an assumed relationship between output growth and employment. The prospects for manufacturing and the precise relationship between output growth and employment will depend on a range of factors.This Government are committed to providing an environment in which all businesses can prosper. We are pursuing policies to deliver a high and stable level of employment over the long term.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the cost of employing International Mining Consultants Ltd. to review energy sources. [37697]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The work being undertaken by International Mining Consultants is on the basis of a fixed price. That price is a commercial matter for the company.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons the review of energy sources was not conducted by the Energy Division of her Department. [37698]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The review is being carried out by a team within my Department's Energy Policy and Analysis Unit.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what factors underlay the delay in the appointment of consultants to review energy sources for power generation. [37699]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: Consultants have been appointed to provide expert input on specific topics covered by the review. They were appointed when the particular matters had been identified on which independent expert advice was required.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what formula is used by Transco to assess the need to replace gas pipes; and if she will make a statement. [37379]

[holding answer 6 April 1998]: Transco' s pipeline replacement strategy is principally aimed at ensuring that their gas distribution system continues to operate safely, and meets the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive's Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996. I understand that Transco's methodology for replacing gas mains is based on a points system, building on principles developed by the Institution of Gas Engineers, and that this methodology is currently under review by Transco.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's response to the European Commission's proposals for the reform of the European structural funds. [36551]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 2 April 1998, Official Report, columns 662–63.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations her Department has made to the European Commission over reform of EU structural funds. [36537]

I have met Commissioner Wulf-Mathies twice to discuss reform of the EU Structural Funds, on 8 January in London and 19 March in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has met Mrs. Wulf-Mathies four times, on 13 October 1997 in Brussels, 8 January 1998 in London, 25 February in Brussels and most recently on 26 March in London. Officials are also in regular contact with the Commission. In all these meetings, we have pressed the Government's position that the Structural and Cohesion Funds should be affordable, durable and fair.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the European Commission's proposals to reform the European structural funds. [36535]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 2 April 1998, Official Report, columns 662–63.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when regulations will be made to implement the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive as it applies to the offshore oil and gas industry. [38556]

I have today laid Regulations to implement the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (85/337/EEC) as it applies to the offshore oil and gas industry. The Regulations will come into effect on 30 April 1998.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which of the pathogen strains that Iraq purchased from the United Kingdom between 1985 and 1989 had origins in the British biological weapons programme. [34847]

I have been asked to reply.I undertook on 2 April 1998,

To ask the hon Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the significance of the Commissioners' 1997 annual results for the wider Church. [38519]

For the fourth successive year the total return on the Commissioners' investments has exceeded the independent benchmark. Provisional figures for 1997 show the total return on the Commissioners' assets was 19.7% against the WM All Funds benchmark of 16.5%. This reflects sound strategic and tactical investment choices as well as the current high market values of UK equities. The value of the assets at 31 December 1997 was £3,481 million (£2,976 million in 1996). Income was £135 million (£146 million in 1996) which represented an underlying increase after taking into account special dividends and other one-off items of £3.9 million in 1997 compared to £15.1 million in 1996. The Commissioners' total expenditure in 1997 in support of the Church was £130.6 million (136.2 million in 1996).With the support and cooperation of the rest of the Church and, in particular, because of the generosity of the parishes, the Commissioners have been able to restore a balance between assets and distribution levels. They have also been able to rebalance their investment portfolio towards long term total return with a broader spread of risk. Both these factors have underpinned the strong investment performance of recent years.A six year programme of reducing distribution levels was completed in 1997 and parishes now bear a greater responsibility for the financial support of their clergy. Parishes now meet 62% of the clergy pay bill (£160 million in 1997) with the Commissioners meeting only 15%. Parishes started to contribute towards clergy pensions from 1 January 1998 following the introduction of the new pensions arrangements made possible by the Pensions Measure which was passed by this House last year.This continuing acceptance of responsibility and extra generosity from the parishes will enable the Commissioners to continue to fulfil their core responsibility of supporting the Church's ministry in poorer areas of the country for this and successive generations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the properties and land owned by his Department which he has identified as surplus to requirements, giving in each case their estimated value. [30326]

(holding answer 23 February 1998]: The list is set out in the table.

Department/Agency	Property	Estimated value (£)
Scottish Prisons Service	1.025 ha of land at Barlinnie	70,000
Scottish Prisons Service	0.6 ha of land at Noranside	20,000
Scottish Prisons Service	4.42 ha of land at Polmont	620,000
Scottish Office Home Department	0.77 ha of land at Clovenfords	60,000
Scottish Office Agriculture Environment and Fisheries Department	1.0 ha of land at Auchincruive	10,000
Scottish Office Agriculture Environment and Fisheries Department	2.44 ha of land at Stonehouse	400,000
Scottish Office Accommodation Division	56 High Street, Lossiemouth	25,000
Scottish Office Development Department	12.185 hectares of land at Rosyth	72,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will pulblish the estimated costs of the options for the temporary housing of the Scottish Parliament after it is elected in 1999. [34280]

[holding answer 13 March 1998]: In preparing assessments of options for interim accommodation for the Scottish Parliament,my officials made outline estimates of the comparative capital and running costs of solutions based on the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall on the Mound, Edinburgh; and the former Glasgow High School complex at Charing Cross, Glasgow. These estimates included capital costs of necessary upgrading of the buildings and rent and rates over a two year period. The costs covered office accommodation required by the Parliament. For the

NDPD	Places	Places currently unfilled	Resigntions since 1/5/97	Retirements since 1/5/97	Contracts not renewed since 1/5/97	Number remaining in place since 1/5/97	Number appointed since 1/5/97
Executive
The Accounts Commission for Scotland	15	0	0	2	0	13	2
Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes:
Hannah Research Institute	2	1	0	1	0	1	0
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute	15	1	0	1	0	14	0
Moredun Research Institute	3	0	0	0	0	3	0
Rowett Research Institute	3	0	0	0	0	3	0
Scottish Crop Research Institute	14	0	0	0	0	11	3
Crofters' Commission	8	1	1	0	0	7	0
Deer Commission for Scotland	13	0	0	0	0	13	0
Highlands and Islands Enterprise	6–12	0	0	4	0	8	4
National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland	11	0	0	1	0	10	1
National Galleries of Scotland	12	0	0	0	0	9	3
National Library of Scotland	1—	-	-	-	-	-	-
National Museums of Scotland	15	1	0	0	0	14	0
Parole Board for Scotland	18	1	0	3	0	14	6
Royal Botanic Garden	9	0	0	0	0	9	0
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland	10	0	0	1	0	9	1
Scottish Agricultural Wages Board	5	0	0	1	0	4	1
Scottish Arts Council	14	1	0	0	0	13	0
Scottish Children's Reporter Administration	8	0	0	0	0	8	0
Scottish Community Education Council	10	0	0	0	0	6	4
Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board	8	0	0	0	0	8	0
Scottish Council for Education Technology	4	0	0	0	0	4	0
Scottish Enterprise	8–12	0	1	0	0	9	2
Scottish Environment Protection Agency	12	2	2	0	0	10	0
Scottish Further Education Unit	7	1	1	1	0	3	3
Scottish Higher Education Funding Council	15	0	1	3	0	1	1	4
Scottish Homes	10	0	0	0	0	10	0
Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust	10	1	0	0	0	8	1
Scottish Legal Aid Board	13	0	1	0	0	12	1
Scottish Medical Practices Committee	6	1	0	0	0	5	0
Scottish Natural Heritage	12	0	1	2	0	9	3

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [35279]

[holding answer 19 March 1998]: The information is set out in the table. The figures relate to Ministerial appointments only; a few appointments are made by others.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Drumbeat report and addendum into the future of the Seafield Centre fish farming college at Kishorn, Ross-Shire; if he will list all those industry companies consulted over its compilation; and if he will make a statement; [37882](2) what estimate he has made of the projected annual balance sheet of the Seafield Centre fish farming college at Kishorn, Ross-Shire; and if he will make a statement. [37883]

The Drumbeat Report was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I understand that it is already publicly available and will make arrangements to place copies in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those facilities approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in marine aquaculture; what plans he has in respect of the fish farming college at Kishorn, Ross-Shire, Dunstaffnage, Argyll and the North Atlantic Fisheries College at Scalloway, Shetland; and if he will make a statement. [37884]

The Scottish Qualifications Authority approves the following centres to deliver education and training leading to qualifications in various aspects of marine aquaculture.

• Aberdeen College
• Angus College
• The Barony College
• Banff and Buchan College of Further Education