To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will report on the outcome of the first meeting of the Development Awareness Working Group. [41487]

I chaired the first meeting of the Development Awareness Working Group on 31 March. We had a creative and constructive discussion about the opportunities for the Government to enhance their role in this area, and to add value to much of the excellent work which is already underway across the country. We agreed to establish three sub-groups to examine in more detail new themes and partnerships, key issues in relation to existing formal and non-formal structures, and lesson learning from others. The sub-groups will report back to the next full meeting of the Working Group, which is scheduled for 22 July. A fuller record of the meeting will be placed on the Department for International Development's Internet site.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) what expenditure has been undertaken by the New Millennium Experience Company on the development of Surtball; and which organisations have been consulted; [38620](2) what rights the New Millennium Experience Company has acquired over Surtball. [38621]

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made in ending health inequalities in Wales. [40659]

Progress has already been made in laying the foundations for improving health in Wales; for example, the NHS is already working toward 15 health gain targets for the next 5 years published by the Welsh Office in June 1997. Taken together, these are

The "Serious Play" Zone within the Millennium Dome will include an interactive look at the world of sport and games in the 21st century, the details of which are still being worked up. "Surfball" was a working title used for illustrative purposes at the end of last year, when design proposals were at a very early stage. The New Millennium Experience Company does not intend to seek to register the name "Surfball" for any games or features which may form part of the content of the "Serious Play" Zone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional individual health authorities' allocations he has announced; and if he will make a statement. [40647]

I announced, in May 1997, £600,000 for breast cancer services which was disbursed to the health authorities and Trusts by the Cancer Services Co-ordinating Group and £2.5 million for primary care. In October 1997, I announced £9.5 million to assist with winter pressures. In December 1997, a cash increase of £113 million for NHS Wales in total for 1998–99 was announced by the Secretary of State, which included £60.2 million new money and an additional £1.3 million found from within the Welsh Office Block.The 1998–99 NHS cash increase included £77 million in revenue funding, of which £65.8 million was allocated to health authorities, and also included an additional £2.4 million for cancer services and £0.5 million to tackle prescription fraud. Following the latest Budget, I announced on 18 March an additional £25.1 million for NHS Wales for 1998–99 to bring in-patient waiting lists down to the level when we took office. £18 million of the additional money has already been allocated and further guidance on its use will be issued shortly. The balance of the money will be used to address in year waiting list issues as they arise together with other initiatives such as preparing a Corporate Plan for NHS Wales and managing the Trust reconfiguration exercise.Allocations directly to health authorities of the Winter Pressure money, the 1998–99 health authority cash increase and the Waiting List money are as follows:comprehensive and ambitious targets by which we can gain an overall measure of progress towards better health in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library copies of the correspondence between his Department and the Chair of the Corporation of Gwent Tertiary College in the last six months. [41205]

I have received two letters from the Chairman of Gwent Tertiary College Further Education Corporation. Copies of my replies have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to reply to the questions from the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (38900, 38899) relating to ESF funding for Gwent Tertiary College. [41204]

I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates of young offender institutions have (a) committed suicide, (b) attempted suicide and (c) been victims of violence, in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [40024]

The information requested is not available in the format requested. However, information is available on the number of self-inflicted deaths, the recorded incidents of self-harm and the recorded incidents of assault of a prisoner on a prisoner. It should be noted that not all self-inflicted deaths conclude with a verdict of suicide. The figures on self-harm and assault of a prisoner on a prisoner may include a number of incidents concerning the same prisoner. Definitions and methods of recording both these types of incident have also changed over time. The broader definition of incidents of self-harm is now used rather than attempted suicide. The figure for incidents of self-harm for 1997/98 is provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases were heard in England and Wales by a judge alone during 1997. [40909]

It is not clear to what type of case this question refers, but criminal cases tried on indictment in the Crown Court in England and Wales are heard by a judge sitting with a jury. The law and procedures governing civil trials are the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a national motorway police force. [40616]

We have no such plans. Road traffic offences and general criminal offences do not arise in clearly separate ways which can be independently enforced. It is an advantage that traffic officers deal with all crimes which occur on the roads and, conversely, that police officers on general duties can take action against breaches of road traffic law.Separating the enforcement of road traffic law from other types of police work would generate operational difficulties and lead to the wasteful duplication of resources. Traffic policing, whether on motorways or other roads, is central to the overall police responsibility for maintaining law and order and preventing and detecting crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many stop and search incidents took place in each division of the Metropolitan Police in 1996 and 1997; if he will provide the ethnic breakdown of those stopped and searched; how many arrests were made per 100 stops for each ethnic group; and if he will make a statement. [40824]

Stop and search policy remains an effective technique for dealing with individuals about whom the police have reasonable suspicion. The policy protects communities but needs to be operated fairly.The results of the first full year of ethnic monitoring of police activity, which includes stop and search, arrests, cautions and homicides, was published on 8 December 1997 under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. This requires the Home Secretary to publish annually information he considers appropriate to enable those engaged in the administration of criminal justice to avoid discriminating against any person on the ground of race, sex or any other improper ground. The data brought to light areas of concern, particularly the disproportionate impact of stop and search on black people, which need to be probed further. Ethnic monitoring of police activity is an important step forward as it allows police forces to identify areas in which they need to take action to ensure that all sections of the community receive equal treatment.The Commissioner tells me that the Metropolitan Police will continue to review stop and search policy, systems and procedures to ensure that this valuable but potentially sensitive activity is properly used and understood. He tells me that a new approach is being examined in a number of divisions. I look forward to hearing the outcome of the study.The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has provided tables of information on the Metropolitan Police's stop and search record for 1996 and 1997, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the inclusion of environmental criteria in consideration of best value. [40866]

The closing date for responses on the Best Value Consultation Paper was 1 May. The responses are still being analysed although it is clear that a number of authorities have made representations about the importance of environmental matters in Best Value. Our conclusions will be published in a White Paper later this year. Although the Government will lay down the general framework for Best Value, it will be for local authorities to decide how to include environmental criteria in the consideration of Best Value, in consultation with the local community and against the background of progress in drawing up Local Agenda 21 strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Government intend to proceed with regard to the role of the Local government Commission in the event of a yes vote in the referendum on the Government's plans for a Greater London Authority. [41387]

I have issued a Direction to the Local Government Commission in accordance with Part II of the 1998 GLA Referendum Act. A copy of this has today been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road accident fatalities there were in Coventry in each year since 1990.[40946]

The information requested is shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what measures his Department is taking to improve enforcement of speed limits;[40947](2) what representations he has received in favour of a reduction in speed limits. [40948]

We receive a considerable number of letters from people seeking a reduction in speed limits. Highway authorities already have considerable scope for reducing limits on particular roads, but a greater challenge is to ensure more people comply with the limits. The enforcement of speed limits is an operational matter for the police and chief constables take this responsibility very seriously. To assist police in that task, we are currently discussing with colleagues a better funding system for speed enforcement cameras to encourage their more effective use.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the state of repair of inland flood defences. [40593]

Responsibility for such assessments rests with the local operating authorities (Environment Agency, local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards). Whilst this Department has overall policy responsibility for flood defence in England and administers grant aid for capital defence schemes, the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of defence measures is the responsibility of the operating authorities. The Ministry calls for Medium Term Plans from operating authorities which indicate the need for capital works.In recognition of their responsibility, the Environment Agency are implementing an Asset Register of Flood Defences which, inter alia, will record the state of repair of inland flood defences.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many equines were exported from the UK in 1997, and to which individual countries of destination, (a) for slaughter, (b) for breeding, (c) for competition purposes and (d) for use as saddle horses. [40831]

The Overseas Trade Statistics show that a total of 6,247 horses were exported from the UK in 1997. None of these were exported for slaughter.It is not possible separately to identify horses exported for competition purposes or as saddle horses. The table shows the recorded destinations of exported horses.The data will be subject to a degree of statistical error. The overall level of errors will be low, but these errors will have a much greater proportional effect on countries with small volumes of recorded trade. Therefore great care is needed when interpreting the data in this table as it will inevitably include a number of errors.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the occasions since July 1995 when the UK Fisheries Minister has met the EC Commissioner with responsibility for fisheries matters and the location of each such meeting. [40923]

I or my predecessor as UK Fisheries Minister met the member of the European Commission with responsibility for fisheries on the following occasions since July 1995:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the potential impact on biodiversity, including the indirect effects on birds, of (a) genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops in general, (b) a crop of genetically modified oil seed rape and (c) a crop of genetically modified sugar beet; what proposals he has to monitor such impact; and if he will make a statement. [40556]

[holding answer 7 May 1998]: Under the legislation on release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the risk to human health and the environment is assessed on a case by case basis for each and every proposed release. This includes an assessment of the direct and indirect effects of the crops on other organisms, including birds.Similarly, the possible risks to human health and the environment, including birds, from the use on a genetically modified herbicide tolerant crop of a herbicide to which it is tolerant, would be assessed in accordance with the pesticides legislation.In 1997, the Department commissioned a programme of research on possible risks to the agricultural environment from the release of herbicide tolerant crops. This includes a three-year monitoring programme to look at the effects on plant biodiversity in field margins. A LINK research project is being put in place on the impacts and management of herbicide tolerance, which will include research into the effects on plant diversity within arable systems. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions also has a research programme on the risks to the environment from the release of GMOs.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Novel Foods Regulation 258/97 requires food products containing oil extracted from genetically modified soy-beans to be labelled to refer to the use of genetically modified material. [41191]

The labelling of food ingredients derived from Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) soya beans is covered by Commission Regulation 1813/97. Detailed rules for these ingredients are to be decided at the Internal Market Council on 18 May.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking during the United Kingdom's Presidency to achieve consistency of labelling for genetically modified foods across Europe under the Novel Foods Regulation 258/97; and if he will make a statement. [41190]

Under the United Kingdom's Presidency, we have been working hard to improve a Commission proposal on detailed labelling rules for genetically modified (GM) soya and maize ingredients to ensure that the rules are practical and meaningful to consumers. The UK proposals have attracted a large degree of support from other Member States, and the issue will be decided at the Internal Market Council on 18 May. I expect these rules to set a precedent for the labelling of GM foods under the Novel Foods Regulation (258/97).

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes is permitted to take into account (a) wider environmental considerations and (b) ethical considerations when considering applications. [41192]

The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) works closely with the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) in assessing the human and environmental safety of genetically modified organisms in accordance with the requirements of the EC Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients Regulation (258/97).The ACNFP considers ethical concerns as part of its normal approval process and to assist in this has a member specifically appointed with expertise in this area.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if animals which have been involved in transgenic experiments are deemed substantially equivalent in terms of their permissability for inclusion in the food chain. [41194]

Animals that have been genetically modified in transgenic experiments would be classed as genetically modified organisms within the meaning of Directive 90/220/EEC and would require a full safety assessment under article 1(2)a of the EC Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients Regulation (258/97).

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation her Department has had with the Department for International Development regarding the offer of advice to companies currently investing or considering investment in developing and transitional countries. [41038]

DTI officials work closely with those of the Department for International Development in taking forward all aspects of the Development White Paper, including providing advice about trade and investment opportunities in developing and transitional countries.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation her Department has had with the Department for International Development concerning the forthcoming OECD guidelines on multinational investment. [41037]

The Department has already undertaken wide consultation in developing initial positions on the issues relevant to the forthcoming review of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Department for International Development has taken a full part in the process of interdepartmental consultation and is working on an examination of the scope of existing voluntary codes of conduct. Business, trades unions and non-governmental organisations have also been consulted. It is our clear intention to continue consultation with all interested parties as the review process gets formally under way in June.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what United Kingdom content requirements are included in the eligibility criteria for the export credits guarantee scheme. [40629]

ECGD's aim is to help exporters of UK goods and services to win business and as such limits the amount of support that can be given for the foreign content of a UK export contract. However, recognising that exporters sometimes have no choice but to source some elements of their contract from overseas, support is usually available in line with EU regulations or bilateral agreements with other export credit agencies for certain levels of foreign content in contracts.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list in order the 10 United Kingdom exporters who exported most by value, and their combined percentage of total United Kingdom exports, in the last available year. [40627]

Information on exports by individual firms is not available from official sources. Results for 1996 from the Financial Times FT Exporters are given in the table. The FT figures are not comparable with the official figures for total exports; consequently, the Top 10 companies' share of the UK total is not available.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much (a) EU and (b) other public funds were given to the Cable and Wireless cable modem trial in Greater Manchester; what consultation Cable and Wireless had with the Government about the termination of the trial; and what assessment she has made of the future of the cable modem trial. [40560]

No EU or other public funds were used for the Cable and Wireless modem trial. Cable and Wireless funded the project in the normal course of commercial and technical development and they will evaluate the project's results. Two other, earlier, multi-media projects in the area using Framework IV and EU funds have utilised in part the Cable and Wireless network, but no public funds have been given to the Company themselves in this context.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will take regulatory steps to inhibit inflated claims and suppression of results of clinical trials in the biotechnology drug industry. [40638]

I have been asked to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many spinal injury units there are in Scotland. [40913]

There is one spinal injury unit in Scotland, located at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of sewn and knitted products for service personnel sourced through UK companies is subsequently sub-contracted (a) elsewhere in the EU and (b) to non-EU organisations. [36819]

The bulk of the procurement of sewn and knitted products for service personnel is carried out through the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of (a) Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency, (b) Defence Animal Centre and (c) Defence Bills Agency; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [40666]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the 130 decibel live firing limit on Salisbury Plains was established; how this figure was arrived at; with whom it was agreed; how often it has been breached in the past year; how many complaints have been received about live firing in the past year; and from whom. [41181]

My Department has observed a voluntary limit of 130 decibels for live firing on Salisbury Plain Training Area since 1984, except in certain areas where such a limit would have a serious impact on training. This figure was set at a level that would allow normal training to be undertaken, while preventing unreasonable disturbance to the local community.It is not currently possible to measure every noise event on Salisbury Plain throughout the year, and so determine on how many occasions, if any, noise from live firing has exceeded 130 decibels. However, a detailed noise monitoring survey was carried out during Exercise IRON TORNADO, an artillery concentration on Salisbury Plain in September 1997, which showed that noise in residential areas around the Plain did not exceed 125 decibels during the four day exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he decided to rescind the licence of the Royal Artillery Hunt; what consultation he had with (a) the general staff at HQ Land Command, Wilton and (b) the Royal Artillery Hunt; and when he will relicense the hunt; [41180](2) if he will list the licences which he has rescinded since 1 May 1997 in respect of hunting with hounds on his Department's land; and if he will make a statement. [41179]

Three multi-year licences have been rescinded since 1 May 1997 in accordance with our policy of harmonising the issue of all hunting licences across the Defence Estate; this process is due to complete by the end of the month. The licences rescinded so far covered the Royal Artillery Hunt, the Avon Vale Hunt, and the South Wiltshire Hunt. The policy of harmonisation was explained to the hunts concerned in the notices of cancellation. Applications for new licences for the 1998–99 season, incorporating standard terms and conditions, will be considered in August from those hunts who have traditionally held licences or enjoyed such rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each local education authority in England (a) the number of maintained primary school places available, (b) the number of children attending maintained primary schools, (c) the number of maintained secondary school places available, (d) the number of children attending maintained secondary schools, (e) the proportion of available maintained primary school places which were unfilled and (f) the proportion of available maintained secondary school places which were unfilled for each of the last five years. [41178]

The information for the years 1994–1997, is given in tables, copies of which I have placed in the Library. Data for earlier years were not collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the number of school students taking science subjects. [41159]

The National Curriculum ensures that all pupils, from the age of 5 to 16, study science as a core subject. Our aim is to encourage post-16 students to study more subjects, including the sciences. The Government's recently announced response to the Qualifying for Success consultation will further encourage students to pursue broader studies post-16, while maintaining rigour and standards. Proposals include a new style AS qualification, which represents the first year of a full A level and smaller Advanced GNVQ programmes (including GNVQs in science and engineering).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from parental support groups, LEAs and schools in response to the consultation document, Excellence for All Children: Meeting Special Education Needs, with specific reference to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [41209]

The Department received some 3,600 responses to the special educational needs Green Paper. A very small number focused on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Respondents commented on the need for better identification of the disorder and appropriate medical and educational intervention. Our response to the Green Paper consultation exercise will set out how we will improve provision for all children with special educational needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation he has made of the possibility of screening children excluded from school for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [41197]

Schools and local education authorities are under a duty to identify children's special educational needs and, where necessary, assess for a statement of need. Local education authorities' behaviour support plans should include information about local arrangements for establishing whether behavioural difficulties, including those which may lead to exclusion, stem from underlying medical conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been allocated for drug misuse education programmes in schools in each of the last five years. [40945]

The Department made specific central support available to local education authorities for drug prevention and education work through the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) programme from 1995–96. Approximately £6 million was made available to support LEAs' drug education initiatives, including teacher training and innovative projects, each year up to 1997–98. Increased support of £7 million is being made available this financial year, through the Standards Fund programme, to assist primary and secondary schools and the youth service in delivering effective education about drugs. Other programmes in schools may be financed locally or from other sources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his oral statement of 8 April 1998, Official Report, column 351, if he will provide an extra £3.5 million for education in Essex. [40661]

As my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has made clear, Essex's education SSA for 1998–99 is some £497 million—an increase of some £27 million, or 5.8 per cent. The Government have no plans to reward the County Council with extra resources for failing to use all of this increase to support Essex schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations his Department held with external bodies, apart from the Literacy Task Force, on the literacy strategy prior to publication of that strategy; and if he will list those bodies. [40758]

The Department itself did not consult on the National Literacy Strategy. The Literacy Task Force had already consulted very widely before publishing its final recommendations for the strategy, which the Government accepted in full.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many Ofsted inspections took place in schools in England and Wales during 1997. [40928]

During 1997, 7,492 schools in England were inspected in accordance with section 10 of the School Inspections Act 1996. In addition, 165 schools were inspected as part of the pilot reviews of local education authorities, aspects of education were inspected in 2,419 schools (including 484 independent schools), and HM Inspectors conducted around 750 inspections of schools which required special measures. The Chief Inspector for Wales is responsible for the inspection of schools in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment whether discretionary payment will be available to teachers who undertake study support activities where those activities are funded from the school's delegated budget. [40995]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 30 March, following consultation on his proposals in response to the Seventh Report of the School Teachers' Review Body, that he had decided that, with effect from 1 September 1998, discretionary payment should be available for teachers who undertake out of school hours learning activity. Schools are free to use their delegated budgets towards such activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress made in establishing a network of personal advisers to help sick and disabled people overcome barriers to work; and what is the timetable for further plans relating to the scheme. [41062]

[holding answer 6 May 1998]: The Secretaries of State for Education and Employment and for Social Security announced, on 9 March, plans to pilot the Personal Adviser service in 12 areas. The first six areas, to be run by the Employment Service, will start by October 1998. The remainder will be put out to open tender and start in early 1999. To help develop the shape of the Personal Adviser service we shall he holding a consultation event on 12 May. National implementation, probably from April 2000, will be considered in the light of the emerging lessons from these pilots.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what (a) qualification requirements and (b) compulsory training requirements there are for personal advisers for the New Deal for the long-term sick and disabled. [41061]

[holding answer 6 May 1998]: A consultation event on the development of the Personal Adviser service will take place on 12 May 1998. Organisations representing the views of a wide range of disabled people have been invited. We will be considering in the light of this what, if any, compulsory training or qualification requirements there could usefully be.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment his Department has made of the IT skills of teachers of technology. [40361]

The Department conducts every two years a survey of Information Technology (IT) in Schools. It provides information about the level of provision and use of IT in schools, including the skill levels of teachers. The latest survey was conducted in 1996 and the results were published in March 1997. The results of the 1998 survey will be published later this year.The Teacher Training Agency is about to issue a contract for the development of materials to assess the training needs of all teachers in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). These materials will enable all teachers, regardless of the subject or age range of pupils they teach, to assess their training and development needs. The needs assessment will help teachers prepare for the proposed lottery-funded 1CT training programme for serving teachers. Training will ensure that all teachers have the skills necessary to use ICT effectively in the subject they teach.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made towards the improvement of decision-making procedures under the Benefit Integrity Project. [40781]

We have taken steps to introduce a number of improvements to the Benefit Integrity Project. It is important that decisions taken as a result of the project are right and these steps will improve the quality of, and confidence in, those decisions. We are preparing more informative literature, to enable people to tell us at an early stage if they feel they should not be contacted by the Project; we are arranging additional training for Adjudication Officers; we are also organising a speedier process to deal with reviews and appeals against decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the adequacy of present levels of disability benefits in offsetting the additional cost of disability. [40782]

Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance provide a contribution towards extra costs arising from the effects of disability. The structure of these benefits reflects findings from the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) surveys of disability in Great Britain in the mid-1980s. These showed that locomotor and personal care disabilities were among the types of disability most strongly associated with higher than average additional expenditure arising from disability.The 1996–97 disability follow-up to the Family Resources Survey will update our information on the financial circumstances of disabled people. It does not replicate the questions on extra spending from the earlier surveys, but it does ask respondents whether they incur extra costs, whether they receive help towards those costs, and whether they go without items they need because they cannot afford them. A report of the survey will be published towards the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received from disability organisations calling for a guaranteed minimum level of income to ensure equality between disabled and non-disabled people; and if she will make a statement. [40783]

We have received many representations on a range of issues relating to people with disabilities, some of which will have addressed the level of benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1990–91 on the grounds of incontinence. [40194]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have claimed incapacity benefit in each year since 1990–91 on the grounds of incontinence. [41056]

I have been asked to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will suspend the internal restructuring of the Child Support Agency pending the outcome of the review; and if she will make a statement. [40181]

We are looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support scheme to see where improvements can be made. We aim to bring forward a consultation document on our proposals.The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disability living allowance claimants in the area of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council or the related DSS offices are presently in receipt of life-time awards of disability living allowance. [40200]

The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the future of the Benefits Agency office in Jarrow. [39846]

The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for its Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of completed national insurance annual returns are rejected; and if she will provide a breakdown of the reasons given for rejection and the number of returns rejected by size of company. [39982]

The administration of National Insurance contribution records is a matter for George Bertram, the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend with further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the procedures of the Health Service independent review panels in respect of access by complainants to the defendant's evidence. [34235]

We will be commissioning an independent evaluation of the National Health Service complaints procedures later this year. Discussions on possible changes to the procedures will be taken in the light of the outcome of the evaluation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average pay for (a) physiotherapists, (b) consultants and (c) GPs. [34543]

Physiotherapists' pay is dependent on a wide range of factors such as grade and length of service. From December 1998, the Senior I salary scale recommended by the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine runs from £18,755 to £21,485. Details of other physiotherapy grades are in the Review Body's 1998 Report. Consultant salaries effective from December 1998 run from £45,740 to £59,040, with discretionary points up to £70,850. The average intended net income for general practitioners is £49,450 from December 1998. Earnings from achieving higher childhood immunisation and cervical screening targets, estimated by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration at £3,500 for the average GP, are extra.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list (a) the members and (b) the proportion of members of the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment who provide research support or consultancy services to pharmaceutical companies. [39374]

Members of the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) are appointed by the Chief Medical Officer. A number of new appointments were made recently and these came into effect on 1 April. A full list

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children died in England and Wales during 1997 as a result of medical errors which occurred while the children were in hospital. [40910]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 3 February 1998, Official Report, column 614.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's priorities regarding child and adolescent mental health services. [40674]

The importance of developing comprehensive child and adolescent mental health services was recognised as a medium term priority and objective in the Priorities and Planning Guidance for the National Health Service in 1996–97 and 1997–98, and cross-referencing emphasis was included in the Children's Services Planning Guidance for Local Authorities issued in 1996. Enabling people of all ages with mental illness to receive effective care and treatment in the most appropriate setting in accordance with their needs is identified as a development area in the Priorities and Planning Guidance for 1998–99. Implementation of national policy guidance on child and adolescent mental health is being led by the regional offices of the NHS Executive in collaboration with social care regions. A number of reviews of services have been undertaken and local action plans developed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of his Department's appointees to non-departmental public bodies are (i) aged under 25, (ii) aged 25 to 30 and (iii) aged 31 to 35 years. [40737]

Of the 632 appointees to the Department's non-departmental public bodies, (i) none are aged under 25 (0 per cent.); (ii) 1 is aged 25 to 30 (0.16 per cent.); and (iii) 4 are aged 31 to 35 years (0.63 per cent.).The Department, like all Government Departments, is committed to encouraging a wide range of candidates to apply for positions on the boards of its public bodies, reflecting the diverse society in which we live. This includes encouraging more young people to put themselves forward as potential candidates for public appointments. All appointments are made on merit and candidates must demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and experience to match the needs of the public body on which they wish to serve.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned on the health risks of leaching from non-amalgam fillings. [41020]

None at present. We are awaiting recommendations from the European Commission which has established an expert group to consider dental amalgam within the Medical Devices Directive. The group, which has also given some consideration to other restorative materials, is expected to report later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of applications, in relation to his Department's research budget, were from women, for (a) project grants, (b) programme grants, (c) special grants intended for new investigators, (d) studentships and (e) fellowships, in 1997 and each of the two previous years; [40877](2) what percentage of applications from women, in relation to his Department's research budget, were successful for

The Department does not consider applications for research grants as such. Research supported directly by the Department is commissioned according to Departmental needs. Research contracts are awarded on scientific merit, following competitive tendering exercises and peer review by qualified referees. The Department does not collect information on the gender of those bidding for Departmental research and development contracts.The National Health Service research and development programme includes some provision at a regional level for research projects and capacity development which are awarded in response to applications from researchers. However, information on the gender of applicants is not collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the relationship he proposes between community health councils and the new primary care groups. [41112]

Primary Care Groups are expected to have effective arrangements for public involvement, including establishing a suitable relationship with community health councils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes he is planning to the role and remit of community health councils; and if he will make a statement. [41111]

No immediate changes to the role and remit of community health councils are planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation his Department has made of (a) the effectiveness and (b) the side- effects of Ritalin; and what guidance it provides on prescribing the drug. [41208]

Ritalin (methylphenidate) has been assessed by the normal procedures for licensing of medicinal products in the United Kingdom to ensure its efficacy, safety and quality. The safety and adverse effects of Ritalin continue to be monitored by the Medicines Control Agency. Ritalin has controlled drug status, which imposes restrictions on prescribing and handling. Treatment should be under the supervision of a specialist in childhood behavioural disorders. Guidance on prescribing Ritalin is provided in the product information which is produced by the manufacturer and authorised by the Licensing Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was allocated to treatment programmes for drug misusers in Coventry in each of the last five years. [40899]

Spending by Coventry Health Authority and the local authority on drug misuse treatment programmes over the last 5 years is listed:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will set up an independent inquiry into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41186](2) when he was first informed of the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41189](3) who is conducting the inquiries that have been established into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41184](4) if the reports of the inquiries that have been established into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone will be published in full; [41185]

I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to the Private Notice Question he tabled on 6 May 1998, Official Report, columns 721–731.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy towards arms sales to Sierrs Leone. [41113]

Our policy is clear. We were instrumental in drawing up UN Security Council Resolution 1132, which prohibits the sale of arms and related material of all types to Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date Ministers in his Department were first informed that his Department had asked Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to investigate arms sales to Sierra Leone; [41339](2) on what date his Department asked Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to investigate arms sales to Sierra Leone. [41340]

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Private Notice Question tabled by the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 6 May 1998, Official Report, columns 721–31.