To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent representations he has received concerning the implications of the Human Rights Bill [Lords] for religious organisations. [41202]

I have had a number of recent representations raising various issues relating to the effect on religious organisations, and particularly the Church of England, of the Human Rights Bill. A delegation representing the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church and the Free Churches met the Home Secretary before Easter to explain their position.

To ask the Attorney-General what key performance targets he has set for the Treasury Solicitor's Department in 1998–99. [41580]

In 1998–99 the performance of the Treasury Solicitor's Department will be measured against the following targets:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential effects on (a) the number of routes, (b) the cost, (c) the frequency and (d) employment provided in the United Kingdom of (i) continental ferry services and (ii) continental air passenger services of the abolition of internal European Union tax free sales in 1999; and if he will make a statement. [41169]

The Department has undertaken a review of the reports prepared for the shipping and aviation industry assessing the likely employment and economic effects of the abolition of intra-EC duty free sales in 1999. A copy has been placed in the Library today.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the recent World Trade Organisation ruling that a United States law protecting sea turtles is incompatible with world trade agreements. [41458]

We will read the report of the World Trade Organisation Panel on this case very carefully when it is made available to World Trade Organisation members who are not parties to the dispute in a few weeks' time. It would be premature to draw conclusions before knowing the full detail of the Panel's judgment. The Government will be able to comment once we have the papers and have assessed them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action (a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority intend to take following the publication by the FAA that Bangladesh has been listed as not meeting international aviation safety standards. [41556]

None. However, the Civil Aviation Authority has already inspected on our behalf aircraft operated by airlines based in Bangladesh. In addition, Bangladesh has applied for an assessment under the International Civil Aviation Organisation's safety oversight assessment programme. We will review the position once that assessment has been carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many park and ride schemes his Department has (a) introduced and (b) drawn up since 1 May 1997. [41590]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 13 March 1998, Official Report, column 308.Planning, design, and implementation of park and ride schemes are functions of local authorities. My Department's role is to fund those initiatives where authorities are able to demonstrate, in their annual Transport Policies and Programme submissions, that their proposals meet the criteria the Department has prescribed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the members of the three working groups on Walking Strategy, indicating how members were chosen, by whom and using what criteria. [41581]

Membership of the three working groups was based on recommendations of the Walking Steering Group plus other suggestions made within the Department. The final selection was made by a sub-group of the Steering Group.No formal criteria were adopted other than to identify candidates with appropriate expertise and representing a broad range of interested and relevant organisations.The current members of the working groups and the Steering Group are as listed:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those organisations from which he has requested nominations to serve on the proposed (a) London, (b) South East, (c) North East, (d) North West, (e) Yorks and Humber, (f) West Midlands, (g) East Midlands, (h) Eastern and (i) South West Regional Development Authorities, indicating the number of nominations he has sought from each organisation, the dates of the interviews, and those who will be present at the interview, who will select those appointed and how the chair and vice chair will be chosen. [41582]

Following my hon. Friend's question of 8 April 1998, Official Report, column 286, I am writing to him with a list of organisations that were contacted seeking nominations for RDAs. I am also placing a copy of the list in the Library. Nominations for the London RDA have been passed on to the relevant Government Office to be given to the Mayor. We did not seek a specific number of nominations from any organisation.Candidates for interview have not yet been selected; nor have dates been set. All appointments will be made by Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money has been (a) given and (b) committed by the Countryside Commission to the Country Landowners Association to assist with the CLA's Access 2000 project; if he will list the (i) numbers, (ii) size and (iii) location of sites involving new public access opened as a result of the expenditure; and if each new public access is (1) permanent, (2) free of charge and (3) paid for by (I) walkers and (II) a Government-funded scheme. [41548]

The Country Landowners Association is taking action under its Access 2000 initiative to improve the quality, diversity and quantity of managed public access and recreation in the countryside. The CLA has employed an Access Adviser to assist them with the practical aspects of this initiative. The Countryside Commission is helping to meet the costs of the Access Adviser. To date, the Commission has paid approximately £17,000 and is committed to a maximum contribution of £68,500 over the three years to April 2000.The work of the Adviser involves seeking voluntary improvements in the public access available over rural private land in England, and includes the production of guidance on making local access assessments. The Commission receives progress reports from the CLA and I shall be asking the Commission to seek up-to-date information from the CLA on the other points my hon. Friend raises and to write to him with the information available. A copy of the Commission's letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the change in the level of the United Kingdom's carbon dioxide emissions in (a) quantity and (b) percentage terms in each of the last 10 years. [41380]

Carbon dioxide emissions and changes in the level of emissions since 1990 are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the likely increase in the United Kingdom's carbon dioxide emissions in (a) quantity and (b) percentage terms over the 10 years from the beginning of 1998. [41381]

UK projections of carbon dioxide emissions are under review, but the existing estimates based on Energy Paper 65 suggest that, without the introduction of further policies, emissions in 2008 would be about 9 million tonnes of carbon, or about 6%, higher than in 1998. The increase above the 1990 baseline would be about 0.2%. Actual emissions in any year will be affected by external factors including the fluctuation in outside temperature. We are currently looking at policies and measures to meet our legally binding commitment following the Kyoto agreement, and our domestic aim to reduce emissions by 20% below the 1990 level. We shall be consulting on this over the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what data he has collated in respect of the recent safety test conducted on the modified NTL-II transport container used to ship irradiated spent nuclear fuel from Krummel Nuclear Plant in Germany and Sellafield; when he received these data; and what actions he has taken as a result of this test. [41718]

No data have been received by this Department concerning these tests. The certificates of approval issued by DETR for the NTL 11 flask design were suspended by the Department on 20 February 1998 and they will remain so until the Department is satisfied that the designs meet the regulatory requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the responsibility for the Coastguard service will continue to rest with his Department after the conclusion of the Belfast Agreement; and what changes will be made to existing arrangements. [40706]

No changes are proposed to the Coastguard service as a result of the Belfast Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the results of the 1996 English House Condition Survey. [42214]

The report of the survey is to be published next week. A copy of the report and press release will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Reading, East (Jane Griffiths) of 1 April 1998, Official Report, columns 532–33, if he will announce the composition of the expert group on thaumasite. [42215]

I am pleased to announce that the Expert Group on Thaumasite, to be chaired by Professor Leslie Clark, President elect of the Institution of Structural Engineers, will comprise the following members:

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps she is taking to ensure that pensioners entitled to income support are made aware of their entitlement. [40016]

We have a Manifesto commitment to examine ways of delivering more automatic help to the poorest pensioners. We have already started to deliver—research is underway into why pensioners do not take up their Income Support entitlement, and last month we started pilot projects in nine areas to test out the best ways of identifying potential pensioner claimants and encouraging them to make a claim.Apart from the pilots, there is a great deal of information available which explains what Income Support is, how to claim it and where people can go for help. Post offices, libraries and local authorities hold information leaflets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many war widows currently receive both the DSS basic war widows' pension and the armed forces families' attributable pension. [41006]

I have been asked to reply.The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Such information as is available is that at 31 March 1998 there were 57,551 War Widows pensions in payment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to implement the objective in the Green Paper on Welfare Reform that the social security system should be flexible, efficient and easy to use. [42270]

We are committed to transforming the Social Security system into an Active Modern Service which provides better, simpler and more efficient service for our customers. I am pleased to announce since 27 April the Benefits Agency Chiltern South Directorate in partnership with Camden Local Authority have started to test integrated service delivery by providing a single point of contact to lone parents who are claiming Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and who make applications for child support. In addition, the Benefits Agency and the London Borough of Lewisham are developing a project which will test better exchange of information and improved advice and service to customers. We want to know what customers and staff think about this new way of delivering services and we will be listening carefully to what they tell us.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultations are undertaken by (a) the Millennium Commission and (b) the Heritage Lottery Fund to ascertain local opinion in areas subject to application for grants for major tourism projects. [40827]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness, West (Mr. Kennedy) on 21 April 1998, Official Report, columns 565–66.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions he has had with the Chief Executives of regional orchestras; and if he will make a statement; [41642]

The Arts Council of England takes decisions on the balance of funding between artforms and the distribution of Government grant-in-aid to regional orchestras without the involvement of Ministers. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have received representations from the major regional orchestras on a range of issues, and between us have met Chief Executives or other senior representatives of four of the main regional orchestras as well as other major orchestras.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will examine the policies of the North West Arts Board towards the Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster; and if he will make a statement. [41666]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: North West Arts Board currently funds seven producing theatres in the North-West region, including £173,850 for the Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster in 1998–99. The Dukes Playhouse has also received a grant of £194,750 from the arts Lottery fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been deported from the United Kingdom since 1 May 1997. [40842]

Information on the numbers of persons removed from the United Kingdom between 1 May 1997 and 31 January 1998 is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the persons appointed to the Race Relations Forum. [40841]

My right hon. Friend has already sent out invitations to the persons being asked to serve on the Race Relations Forum. Once they have all responded we will announce the membership of the Forum. It is anticipated that it will meet in June.

Under section 2 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959, it is a criminal offence to publish or possess for gain an obscene article. A person publishes an article if he distributes, circulates, sells, lets on hire, gives or lends it, or offers it, or electronically transmits it. Material sent via fax machines comes within the scope of the Act.Data collected centrally about proceedings under section 2 do not specify the type of medium (e.g. book, magazine, Internet, facsimile, etc.) used in the commission of an offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory provision governs the transmission of obscene and unsolicited faxes. [41498]

The principal control on obscene material is the Obscene Publications Act 1959. Under this Act, it is an offence to publish an obscene article, that is, an article which, in the view of the court, tends to `deprave and corrupt' those likely to see, read or hear it. It is the responsibility of the police to decide whether there are sufficient grounds to launch a criminal investigation and that of the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to prosecute those alleged to be responsible for the publication.Under the Telecommunications Act 1984, anyone running a telecommunications system in the United Kingdom is required to do so under licence. These licences contain measures aimed at limiting the nuisance caused by unsolicited telephone and fax calls, by requiring callers to cease this practice on receipt of a written request from the recipient. OFTEL are responsible for enforcing these rules and ultimately the Director General has power to deprive persistent offenders of the right to operate their telephone system.The Government have also recently published a consultation paper on implementation of the European Union Telecoms Data Protection Directive, which seeks to address the question of additional measures to protect businesses and residential consumers from unwelcome faxes. The Directive will be implemented later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the numbers and percentage of the total population aged under 25 years that use (a) cannabis and (b) heroin (i) on a regular basis and (ii) occasionally. [41612]

The British Crime Survey (BCS) gives estimates of drug use amongst people aged 16 to 24 living in private households in England and Wales. The most recent estimates are from the 1996 survey, when 39 per cent. of people in this age group said they had used cannabis at some time, 26 per cent. said they had used it in the last year and 16 per cent. in the last month. The proportion admitting to heroin use were: 1.0 per cent. in life-time, 0.4 per cent. in last year and 0.1 per cent. in the last month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make arrangements to pay interest on outstanding claims under the compensation scheme for both high and small calibre pistols. [41798]

No. During the Parliamentary consideration of the compensation schemes last year, the principle of paying interest to claimants was expressly rejected. There is no reason to change that position.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to make public country assessments prepared in respect of the main asylum producing countries in the United Kingdom. [42271]

Country assessments are being produced by the Country information and Policy Unit within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on the 35 main asylum producing countries in the United Kingdom. The assessments will be completed over the next few weeks and will be made publicly available on the Home Office Internet site. Copies of the assessments will be placed in the Library as they become available. The assessments are all sourced to information obtained from independent external sources and from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. A bibliography of sources used is included in each assessment.Assessments are being prepared in respect of the following countries:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reviews he is currently conducting on the (a) health and (b) environmental implications of the firing of depleted uranium shells at (i) Kirkcudbright test range at Dundrennan, (ii) Eskmeals in Cumbria and (iii) in Iraq, by British forces. [40633]

Comprehensive environmental sampling programmes are in place at both Eskmeals and Kirkcudbright ranges where depleted uranium ammunition is fired. To date, calculated public radiation doses from all direct and indirect routes have been trivial, representing much less than 1 per cent. of the national annual radiation dose limit for members of the public. These monitoring programmes will continue until such time as the Environmental Agency considers that no further monitoring is necessary. The monitoring data is provided to the relevant local councils and environmental agencies.No specific review of the environmental and health effects of firing depleted uranium ammunition in Iraq has been undertaken by the Ministry of Defence, nor is any review currently being carried out. To the best of our knowledge, no specific UK studies have been conducted into the potential environmental effects of depleted uranium contamination on the battlefield. The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency has, however, undertaken an assessment of the health effects on personnel exposed to depleted uranium under battlefield conditions. A summary of this report, 'Radiological and Chemical Hazards of Depleted Uranium', has already been placed in the Library of the House. This report concluded that there was no indication that any UK troops had been subjected to harmful over-exposure to depleted uranium during the Gulf War.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the economic benefits arising from membership of the Single Currency which would outweigh the constitutional costs to the United Kingdom of membership of EMU. [41344]

The Government do not accept that there is a constitutional bar that outweighs the economic tests as the decisive reason why we might join EMU. The constitutional issue is a factor in the decision, but it is not an overriding one. Rather it signifies that in order for monetary union to be right for Britain the economic benefits should be clear and unambiguous.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications of the decision on which countries would enter EMU in the first wave for European political integrity. [40526]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: The UK Government supported the Commission recommendation on membership of the single currency on 1 January 1999 on the basis of the considerable progress made towards economic convergence on the basis of the Treaty criteria; the framework for stability and discipline provided by the Stability and Growth pact; the progress made by high-debt countries in reducing their debt-GDP ratios in recent years and their commitments to reducing them in the future; and the declaration issued by Finance Ministers on 1 May reaffirming the commitment to fiscal discipline, economic reform and job creation. The UK Government agreed with other Member States that in light of the above the necessary conditions for the adoption of the single currency had been achieved for all 11 candidates.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue effect on the Exchequer of reducing the rate of value added tax on accommodation from 17.5 per cent. to 8 per cent., taking into account any effects on the demand for United Kingdom tourism; and if he will make a statement. [41161]

[holding answer 11 May 1998]: After allowing for the impact on tourist expenditure in the UK, reducing the rate of VAT on accommodation from 17.5 per cent. to 8 per cent. is estimated to cost around £400m.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department will publish its Consultation Document on VAT Grouping; and if a copy will be placed in the Library. [40784]

[holding answer 11 May 1998]: The proposal to consult on matters relating to VAT grouping was announced as part of this year's Budget Statement. Customs and Excise hope to publish as soon as possible. A copy will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the position of the United Kingdom with regard to the Euro-X Committee. [40488]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: Euro-X is an informal body to be established in line with the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council. In line with the Luxembourg conclusions, the United Kingdom will be present at meetings of Euro-X which discuss issues of common interest to all EU Member States. The ECOFIN Council, which involves all Member States, will remain the only decision making body on economic coordination.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each local health board area the sums allocated to provide continence services in each area for the last three years for which figures are available, listing the amounts as a percentage of each board's primary care budget. [41446]

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the development and financing of the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and what representation he has received on the concerns of health care associations regarding future health care provision in the Edinburgh area. [41808]

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust is currently negotiating a PFI contract with its private sector partner for the delivery of the New Royal Infirmary. The development of the new facility on the south-east of Edinburgh is fully consistent with the Lothian Acute Strategy published in 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will invite trade unions and professional associations representing NHS staff to interview companies short-listed as PEI partners. [41809]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Motherwell and Wishaw (Mr. Roy) on 7 May 1998, Official Report, column 469.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in respect of the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98, he will list for each housing authority in

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the report which he commissioned into Women's Offending. [42280]

I have today published the Report "A Safer Way" on Community Disposals and the Use of Custody for Women Offenders in Scotland the Government's response to the report's seven recommendations. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated amount of additional money being made available to each Welsh health authority in 1998–99 to deal with rising waiting lists. [41176]

Information in the form requested is not available. The table provides information on the cumulative amount of rents not paid by local authority tenants as at 31 March 1997 and 30 September 1997, the latest dates for which information is available.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones) on 8 May 1998, Official Report, column 512.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated budget for (a) the New Deal and (b) Welsh Training and Enterprise Councils in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement on the (i) actual and (ii) percentage change in these figures relative to those in 1997–98. [41175]

The budget for the New Deal in Wales in 1998–99 will depend on the take-up of the various New Deal programmes. The Employment Service, which has responsibility for the New Deal, currently anticipates that expenditure will be in the range of £25–£30 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the guidelines issued to local government in Wales on the recycling of domestic and commercial waste products as regards (a) the extent of recycling and (b) improving facilities for recycling, particularly in rural areas. [41107]

In January, the Government announced that they would be undertaking a comprehensive review of waste management policy with a view to preparing a statutory waste strategy. A consultation paper will be issued shortly. Developing the strategy will offer the opportunity to consider all the various waste management options, including recycling, in the context of sustainable waste management.Also, in March this year, the Government issued revised guidance to local authorities on preparing and revising local authority recycling strategies and recycling plans. The guidance incorporates advice on a wide range of recycling issues and will assist local authorities in developing effective plans for their areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the capitation money available to the Health Service in Wales was allocated to the North Wales Health Authority in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and what proportion of the change in the total funding available to the North Wales Health Authority between those years was accounted for by the change in capitation finance. [41100]

In 1997–98, the North Wales Health Authority discretionary Hospital, Community and Family Health Services allocation, was £314.410 million which represented 22.926 per cent. of the Wales total. In 1998–99 the corresponding figures were £322.950 million and 22.910 per cent. This represents a year-on-year cash change of £8.540 million, net of a £0.226 million capitation effect. This represented 2.6 per cent. of the cash change.This net cash change does not represent the 1998–99 cash increase allocated to North Wales Health Authority which, on the start position for 1997–98 (adjusted for recurrent changes and repatriations), was £12.520 million or 4.0 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's efforts to promote the sale of beef produced in Wales. [41488]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Thomas) on 30 April 1998, Official Report, column 199.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to eliminate skills shortages in skilled manufacturing industry in Wales. [41492]

A wide range of action is in hand to tackle skill shortages in manufacturing industry, most notably the "Action Plan for Manufacturing Training in Wales" which has been drawn up by the Council of Welsh TECs with the support of the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Board for Rural Wales, the Funding Councils, the WLGA, the CBI and the TUC. An additional £3.5 million has been made available in 1998–99 for the FEFCW, working closely with the TECs, to meet locally identified skill needs and to support training in key advanced skills directly relevant to realising the Action Plan.The Education and Training Action Group is also looking at the priority skill needs which exist in Wales and how the education and training system might adapt to meet these.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with dairy producers concerning the price of milk; and if he will make a statement. [41490]

I am conscious, through discussions with the farming unions and directly with dairy producers, that farm gate milk prices have fallen compared to last year. The latest available information suggests that in March this year, producers received on average 19.72 pence per litre. This was nearly 4 pence per litre down on the same period the previous year. This is mainly due to the effects of the strong pound which has reduced farm profitability across a range of sectors and mirrors the occasions in the past when sterling was weak and farming profitability often improved. However, the Government appreciate the present difficulties in the dairy sector and we are keeping the situation as it develops under close review.In part, low prices are due also to the apparent lack of demand for milk for manufacturing. I am aware that farmers have concerns about the rules governing the selling system which they believe to be contributing to the low milk price they currently receive. The Monopolies and Mergers Commission is currently investigating the supply of raw milk in Great Britain following a referral by the Office of Fair Trading. The Government welcome this investigation which will examine all aspects of the current selling system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessments he has made of the importance of hill farms to the rural economy in the uplands of Wales. [41489]

An assessment of the importance of hill farming to the rural economy is contained in a report on "LFA Policy in Wales: A Review of the Socio-Economic and Environmental Effects of the HLCA Scheme" commissioned by the Welsh Office and published by the Welsh Institute of Rural Studies on 20 April 1998. The sheep and cattle sectors predominate in the less favoured areas of Wales and the report states that using 1991 estimates for every on-farm job in the sheep sector there are 0.36 jobs in other industries in Wales. The comparable figure in the cattle sector is 0.35 jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he expects the New Deal to assist those in Wales with disabilities; and if he will make a statement. [41496]

The New Deal for People with Disabilities will help people with a disability or long-term illness who want to work to do so.£195 million has been set aside across the UK to develop a range of initiatives to help those currently dependent on benefits to return to work; those in work to remain in work; and to help carers balance any responsibilities with work, or to take up work when their caring responsibilities come to an end.The programme of help will include innovative projects which will test ways to help people move into work and remain in work; an information campaign; research into current and developing provision and benefit changes to remove disincentives to work.Central to this will be personal advice to help disabled people and those with long-standing illness to identify and overcome barriers to work. This approach will enable tailored plans to be developed for each individual who participates under the New Deal. This Personal Adviser Service will be piloted from October 1998 in a number of areas. I am delighted that one of these pilots will be in Wales (covering Merthyr, Aberdare, Blackwood, Caerphilly and Ebbw Vale).

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what moneys he has given to pre-school playgroups in Wales; and if he will make a statement on his policy towards playgroups; [41497](2) what new funding he proposes for the playgroup movements in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [41651]

Playgroups have vital role in the development of both childcare and early years education for the under fives. We want to work in partnership with them to help meet the needs of children in Wales and their families. Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association and Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, as the principal voluntary organisations in this field, continue to receive core grant support from the Welsh Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will increase the proportion of money available under the New Deal for the long-term unemployed who are over 25 years old. [41493]

£.3.5–£4.5 million, depending on take up, has been set aside from the windfall tax for the New Deal for people aged 25 and over in Wales. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already announced that a further £100 million is to be made available, across the UK, to pilot an extension of the New Deal approach for this age group. An appropriate share of this will come to Wales, the exact amount being dependent upon the number, scale and nature of the pilots.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many credit cards have been issued by Gwent Tertiary College; who has been issued with a credit card; for what purpose credit cards were issued; and what was the annual cost to Gwent Tertiary College for the use of the credit cards in the last year for which figures are available. [41386]

The information requested is not held centrally, but I am copying this question and answer to the Chief Executive of the College.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current student to teacher ratio in Gwent Tertiary College; and what were the figures in (a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [41547]

The latest available student to teacher ratio for Gwent Tertiary College is for the academic year 1995/96 and is 16.4.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 13 May. [41355]

This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I will have further such meetings later today.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the potential for extracting plutonium from exported MOX fuel for use in the production of nuclear weapons; and if she will make a statement. [40328]

[holding answer 7 May 1998]: No detailed assessment has been made of the potential for extracting plutonium from exported MOX fuel for use in the production of nuclear weapons. I understand, however, that it is technically difficult to produce nuclear weapons using the reactor grade plutonium contained in MOX fuel. The potential for theft or diversion of plutonium, including that in MOX fuel, is fully taken into account in the application of internationally agreed safeguards and security measures. Plutonium, including that in MOX fuel, is exported only to countries that have provided the necessary assurances in relation to physical protection, safeguards and peaceful use.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes to guidelines on arms sales have been made by her Department to reflect the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's ethical foreign policy. [41158]

[holding answer 8 May 1998]: Licences to export arms and other goods controlled for strategic reasons are issued by the President of the Board of Trade and the Export Control Organisation of the Department of Trade and Industry is the licensing authority. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by the DTI to other Government Departments with an interest, as determined by them in line with their policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development.The criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the Recreational Craft Directive on small traditional boat builders; and if she will make a statement. [41665]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: At the time that this Directive was being negotiated, the Department commissioned a Compliance Cost Assessment. This report concluded that, of those UK boat-building companies affected, the extra costs of compliance would be around 1% of the value of the industry's output. Although costs differed, dependent on the type of product, the survey concluded that there was general industry support for the principle of the Directive and that an undue burden would not exist provided that the regulations were appropriately enforced. My officials continue to liaise closely with those concerned to ensure that this is the case.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Ministers have visited the principal applicant countries for EU membership over the past (a) six months and (b) 12 months; and if she will list the countries concerned. [41247]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: My noble Friend the Minister for Trade has visited the following principal EU applicant States: the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. All the visits took place during the last six months.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list those countries other than EU member states and the principal EU applicant states which Ministers in her Department have visited in the past (a) six months and (b) 12 months. [41246]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: DTI Ministers have visited the following countries outside EU Member States and the principal EU applicant states:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the oral statement of 6 April 1998, Official Report, column 123, what recent representations she has received from hon. Members representing constituencies in the South East on manufacturing industry; and what response she has issued. [41074]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: I received a representation from the hon. Gentleman and in reply acknowledged the interest he has taken in the state of manufacturing industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports he has received of the abduction of Indonesian human rights activists by army units; and what representations he has made to the Indonesian authorities; [41555](2) what reports he has received relating to the ability of Indonesian students to exercise their rights to freedom of assembly and expression; and what representations he has made to the Indonesian authorities on this matter. [41562]

We have received many disturbing reports about disappearances, detentions and clashes between the Indonesian security forces and students. HM Ambassador in Jakarta has raised our concerns with the Indonesian authorities together with colleagues from the EU Troika. We have called on the Indonesian authorities to exercise maximum restraint in protecting and restoring public order; to uphold democratic rights such as freedom of expression and assembly; and to ensure that universally accepted human rights are not violated. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his recent meeting with President Suharto raised political reform and emphasised the need for respect for individual rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances he has received from the Indonesian Government regarding the end use of British-made water cannon; and what representations he has made to the Indonesian authorities regarding the recent use of water cannon. [41544]

[holding answer 11 May 1998]: We continue to urge the Indonesian authorities to respond to civil unrest with restraint. We emphasise to the Indonesian Government the need for political reform and for respect for individual rights, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer did in Jakarta last week.This Government have received no assurances about the use of British-made water cannon. Our records for licence applications that have been technically assessed show that we have received none for the export of water cannon to Indonesia since 1 May 1997. I would be very surprised if an application for such an export licence were to be forthcoming.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) of 18 March 1998, Official Report, column 611, for what reasons the Government will not incorporate Article K7 of the Treaty on European Union into United Kingdom law; and what the consequences of not incorporating Article K7 will be for the implementation of the Treaty of Amsterdam in the United Kingdom. [41753]

The European Communities (Amendment) Bill, the passage of which will allow the United Kingdom to ratify the Treaty of Amsterdam, incorporates into domestic law those parts of the Treaty of Amsterdam which give rise to Community rights and obligations. It does not incorporate the Treaty's provisions dealing with Pillars II and III (such as Article K7), since these are intergovernmental provisions which do not give rise to Community rights and obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate for each island belonging to British Overseas Territories in the Anegada Passage if it is (a) both rat and cat free and (b) possesses (i) a pier and (ii) an airfield. [41627]

Anegada and Virgin Gorda, two of the British Virgin Islands, are located on the north-western side of the Anegada passage. Both have cats and rats, and piers and an airfield.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for visits by himself or other Foreign Office representatives to East Timor during the United Kingdom tenure of the EU presidency; and what plans he has to investigate human rights abuses in that country. [41719]

HM Ambassador in Jakarta will be leading a visit of EU Troika Ambassadors from Jakarta to East Timor in early June. We continue to monitor the human rights situation in the territory with the help of information received from a wide range of sources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation she has had with business about the prospects for the economy following the Belfast agreement. [40688]

I have had discussions with many business people in Northern Ireland since 10 April. Prospects for the local economy will be enhanced enormously if we can now secure a lasting political settlement. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor's initiative, announced by my hon. Friend yesterday, will further help in a major way to realise these prospects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the scope for increased cross-border co-operation on economic development. [40695]

Significant cross-border co-operation already exists in the areas of rail and road developments, tourism, trade and energy. It offers mutual advantage and real economic benefits to both Northern Ireland and the Republic. Cross-border trade in particular has grown substantially in recent years generating greater wealth and employment in both parts of Ireland. In 1997 it was worth over £1.6 billion and has the potential for further growth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the future prospects for economic development in Northern Ireland. [40699]

Prospects for economic development in Northern Ireland are very encouraging. The number of people in employment is the highest on record. Unemployment has fallen to well below the EU average. Manufacturing output is outpacing the UK average. These prospects would be enormously enhanced with lasting peace and an agreed political settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the benefits for economic development from cross-border co-operation. [40707]

Government agencies and the private sector have been co-operating with their counterparts for a number of years on a wide range of economic activities including infrastructure, tourism, trade and energy issues. Such mutually beneficial co-operation can contribute significantly to the generation of employment and greater prosperity in both parts of Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Parades Commission. [40690]

The Parades Commission has the statutory responsibility of encouraging and facilitating local accommodation on contentious parades and, where this is not possible, making legally binding determinations on such parades. In carrying out this difficult but important task the Parades Commission retains the Government's complete confidence in its ability to operate in a totally independent, impartial and even-handed way in the best interests of the whole community in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is her assessment of the current security situation. [40691]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is her assessment of the security threat in the run-up to the referendum vote. [40696]

In recent weeks, there have been a number of terrorist incidents committed by groups attempting to de-rail the peace process.Since the signing of the Agreement on 10 April there have been two murders and several attempts have been made to detonate explosive devices. Sadly, a continuing threat exists from those terrorist groups opposed to the Agreement. The security forces remain alert to deal with this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the proposed review of the RUC. [40693]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will compile and publish a report on the circumstances in which Guardsman Shackleton was killed in Northern Ireland; and if she will assess the state of knowledge about the killing among the troops of the British Army at the time. [40694]

The brutal murder of Guardsman Shackleton was fully investigated by the RUC. The circumstances surrounding his murder were also widely reported in the media at the time. The Secretary of State does not believe that publishing a report at this time would be appropriate.With regard to the knowledge about the killing among the troops in Northern Ireland, soldiers across the command were aware of the murder of one of their colleagues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the impact of the Belfast agreement on the Government's human rights policies. [40697]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friends the Members for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) and for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. McCabe).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of secondary school children in Northern Ireland attend grammar schools. [40698]

In 1997–98 some 41% of school pupils in years 8–14 attend grammar schools, ie. 35% of pupils in years 8–12 and 73% of pupils in years 13–14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on progress in drafting legislation for the assembly and the formation of the Executive. [40700]

The Northern Ireland (Elections) Act 1998, providing for the holding of elections to the new Northern Ireland Assembly, received Royal Assent on 7 May 1998. It will permit the meeting of the Assembly in shadow form, and the designation of shadow Ministers, as provided for in the Belfast Agreement.Legislation giving further effect to the Agreement, including the discharge of Executive functions, will be presented to the House later.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many terrorist weapons have been handed in since 10 April; and when she expects to draw up a timetable for the decommissioning of all such weapons. [40701]

No terrorist weapons have yet been decommissioned. The Good Friday Agreement commits all who endorse it to use all their efforts to achieve the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations and confirmed their intention to use their influence to achieve the decommissioning of all paramilitary arms within two years following endorsement of the Agreement. As part of the Agreement the two Governments have undertaken to bring the relevant decommissioning schemes into force by the end of June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received regarding the decommissioning of illegal weapons; and if she will make a statement. [40703]

Many representations have been made to the Government on decommissioning over the last year. It would not be possible to quantify the numerous discussions which have taken place during the Talks process, in meetings with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the consultation process prior to the establishment of the Equality Commission. [40702]

The White Paper "Partnership of Equality" invited written comments on a proposal for the establishment of a single Equality Commission. Consultation on this proposal will extend to 12 June 1998, after which comments will be given careful consideration by the Government before final decisions are made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the prospects for reducing youth unemployment in the Province. [40704]

All 16 and 17 year olds in Northern Ireland who leave school are guaranteed a place in education or on Jobskills, a programme which gives them the opportunity to train to NVQ level II. Over 12,000 trainees participated in Jobskills during 1997/98 with some 52 per cent. gaining employment immediately after leaving the programme. As of 6 April 1998 the New Deal for 18–24 year olds who have been unemployed for over six months came into effect. It is estimated that approximately 16,000 young people will enter the programme during this financial year and New Deal Personal Advisers will help all to improve their employability and find jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received about gender equality issues as set out in the Belfast agreement. [40705]

I have not to date received representations on gender equality aspects of the Agreement. However, the role of women in the new arrangements for Northern Ireland is an important matter for all the parties to the Agreement to take forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made on the comprehensive spending review in Northern Ireland. [40708]

Substantial progress has already been made on the Review and I expect it to be completed later this year, in line with the national timetable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the role of civil servants in the referendum campaign. [42125]

During the campaign, as at all other times, civil servants are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the Civil Service Code and, in the case of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, their Code of Ethics also. To reinforce this, guidance is being issued both to the Home Civil Service members of the NIO and to the Northern Ireland Civil Service. I have arranged for a copy of this guidance to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect on the marine environment off the South Devon coast caused by scallop dredging. [41141]

Preliminary results from work conducted in 1997 off Start Bay and Salcombe indicate that in areas open to scallop dredging or other bottom fishing the seabed has a relatively uniform topography inhabited by animals able to withstand bottom fishing disturbance. Areas where that type of fishing does not take place have a wide diversity of habitats supporting animals sensitive to fishing disturbance.It is not possible to infer that scallop dredging is the cause of the observed difference because we do not know the original state of the survey areas which are, in any event, subject to tidal effects, storm damage and other natural events.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 15 July 1997, Official Report, columns 147–48, what further information his Department now has on dumping of radioactive waste at sea. [41364]

I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to our hon. Friends the Members for Greenock and Inverclyde (Mr. Godman) and for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) on 30 July 1997 and 24 November 1997, Official Report, columns 322–24 and 409–10.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the (a) facilities, (b) standards of care and (c) standards of inspection in quarantine kennels; if he will revoke the licences of those quarantine kennels that are below acceptable standards; and if he will make a statement. [41511]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: All authorised quarantine premises in Great Britain are inspected by MAFF Veterinary Officers at least four times a year. The inspections are carried out to check that if any animal on the premises had rabies, the disease would not be transmitted. Serious infringements could result in revocation of authorisation. The inspections also look at compliance with the Voluntary Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs and Cats in Quarantine Premises in respect of those premises that have agreed to abide by the Code. Should the Animal Health (Amendment) Bill, which the Government support, receive Royal Assent, this Voluntary Code of Practice will be replaced by statutory welfare standards.A television programme on 5 May made serious allegations about disregard for the quarantine regulations and poor welfare of animals at two quarantine kennels. These are being looked into urgently by my department, and inspection visits to the premises concerned have taken place since the programme.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the Common Fisheries Policy derogations relating to six and 12 mile limits; and what action he will take to provide a basis for future investment in new boats by inshore fishermen. [41607]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: The Government are committed to the continuation of the restrictions on access by foreign vessels within the 6 and 12 mile fishery limits. This and the continued application of appropriate conservation measures will help ensure that inshore fishermen have a sound basis for future investment decisions.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which regulations and licensing arrangements apply to products used (a) to treat oil spills on (i) rocks and beaches and (ii) the sea and (b) to clean birds and animals affected by oil spills. [41603]