To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure there are no procedural delays in the contracting of decontaminated brown-field land sites. [39497]

Contractual arrangements are a matter for the parties concerned and it is their responsibility to take account of compliance with any regulatory requirements in their project planning. In cases where a waste management licence is required for the remediation of contaminated land, the effect of section 36(9) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is to provide the Environment Agency with a basic period of four months in which to carry out statutory consultations and to determine an application. The Environment Agency is committed to providing an efficient and effective service and its Customer Charter includes the following commitment:

"We will make decisions on applications for waste licences within four months of receiving a full filled-in application, with all supporting information. For example, we may need proof of planning permission and financial guarantees. We will decide on any modifications to licences within two months of receipt and will deal with licences you send back to us within three months of receiving them. Complicated cases may take longer and we will agree upon a period when we will get back to you."

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the capacity of NATS in terms of aircraft movements per hour over all of the peak hours at (a) City, (b) Southend and (c) Biggin Hill airports; and on what evidence this estimate was based. [39769]

I understand that discussions between National Air Traffic Services Limited and the airport operators are on-going. I have asked the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to write to the hon. Gentleman on their completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each year of its operation the number of incidents where drivers of trains using the Channel Tunnel have passed signals at red, broken down by (a) Eurostar, (b) freight and (c) car shuttle services. [41558]

The information requested is as follows:

Signals passed at red
	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98
(a) Eurostar	2	0	0
(b) Freight	0	0	1
(c) Car shuttle	3	6	6

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each year of its operation the number of incidents where trains have been routed on to tracks where works were in progress in the Channel Tunnel. [41565]

The information requested is as follows:

Trains routed on to tracks where works were in progress
Year	Number of incidents
1995–96	0
1996–97	2
1997–98	2

All these incidents occurred on tracks within terminals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each year of its operation the number of incidents involving staff working without protection on tracks in or approaching the Channel Tunnel. [41561]

The information requested is as follows:

Staff working without protection on tracks in or approaching the Channel Tunnel
Year	Number of staff
1995–96	1
1996–97	0
1997–98	0

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 8 April 1998, Official Report, column 349, on nuclear deterrence, on what basis he asserted that the question asked by the hon. Member for New Forest, East was not truthful; and for what reasons he has not replied to the letter from the hon. Member for New Forest, East on this matter. [41661]

My reply to the hon. Gentleman on 8 April 1998, Official Report, column 349, was based on the following:

I do not consider it "deplorable" to support unilateral nuclear disarmament

I have no difficulty in the approval of nuclear deterrence

neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has ever emulated "evasive and slippery techniques".

The hon. Gentleman should also be aware that CND supported unilateral and multilateral disarmament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if ministerial advisers are eligible for consideration as members of the proposed regional development agencies; and what sources of advisers Ministers are using in respect of such appointments. [41713]

Civil servants, and special advisers holding temporary Civil Service status, are not eligible to be considered for membership of Regional Development Agency Boards. The selection process will be subject to independent scrutiny as required by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if the United Kingdom's obligations to allow 40 tonne lorries onto the roads after 1 January 1999 apply to lorries other than those involved in carrying international traffic; [41900](2) what plans he has to allow 44 tonne lorries onto United Kingdom roads; [41899](3) if he will ensure that drivers of 40 tonne lorries will be required to demonstrate to enforcement officers that they are engaged in an international journey by producing appropriate documentation. [41901]

The obligation to allow 40 tonne, 5 axle lorries on UK roads from 1 January 1999 applies only to international movements. We are considering whether or not 40 tonne vehicles should also be allowed for domestic movements and will announce the outcome in the White Paper on Integrated Transport. Enforcement issues will be taken into account in reaching our decision. 44 tonne, 6 axle vehicles have been allowed in the UK since 1994 for certain road/rail movements. We are considering whether or not to allow any wider use of these vehicles and will announce the outcome in the White Paper on Integrated Transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to encourage the development of sustainable refrigeration technologies. [41904]

The DETR, through its Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, encourages the development of sustainable refrigeration technologies by the dissemination of independent, authoritative information such as Guides and Case Study material, on energy efficiency best practice. Also, through the future element of the Programme, it is able to offer financial assistance to those companies who are interested in researching and developing the energy efficiency technologies and techniques of the future.There are other programmes under which proposals of this type could be considered, for example LINK, SMART, and research funding through the relevant Research Councils. Consideration is also given to such technologies under the Partners in Technology scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the 4th report of the British Government Panel on Sustainable Development published in February in respect of the use of hydrofluorocarbons. [41903]

The Government welcome the Fourth Annual Report of the Government Panel on Sustainable Development. The Panel's recommendations in respect of the use of hydrofluorocarbons are currently being considered along with the Panel's other recommendations and the Government aim to publish their response shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each local authority (a) the amount collected as national non-domestic business rates, (b) the amount paid back to the local authority via Government grant and (c) the net gain or loss in the current financial year. [41906]

I have today placed in the Library of the House a table showing (a) the amounts calculated by English billing authorities as their provisional contribution to the non-domestic rates pool for 1998–99, and (b) the amounts of redistributed non-domestic rates payable to each receiving authority in England for 1998–99.The two amounts cannot be compared directly because (i) contributions to the non-domestic rates pool are made by billing authorities (eg London boroughs and district councils), whereas redistributed non-domestic rates are paid to all receiving authorities (including preceptors such as county councils and police authorities); (ii) the total redistributed from the pool includes amounts other than those received from billing authorities—ie payments in lieu of rates from Crown properties, payments from properties on the Central List, and Exchequer contributions to compensate the pool for income forgone as a result of transitional schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress by local authorities towards implementing the provisions of the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997. [41949]

Guidance to local authorities on implementing the provisions of the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 was issued in draft on 15 January for public consultation. The consultation closed on 20 April, and we are now considering the responses received with a view to issuing the final version of the guidance later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review standard spending assessment formulae with a view to including incentives for local authorities to use vehicles which use liquid petroleum gas. [41950]

Proposals for changing standard spending assessment (SSA) formulae should be brought to the SSA Sub-Group of the Settlement Working Group, where possible changes to formulae are discussed by central and local government representatives. It should be noted, however, that SSAs are a measure of what an authority would need to spend in order to provide a similar level of service as other authorities, taking account of its demographic, social, economic and geographical characteristics. SSAs are not intended to provide incentives for local authorities to behave in any particular way. We seek to achieve this by using measures which do not depend upon the policies of local authorities.A number of local authorities have benefited from grants from the Energy Saving Trust towards the purchase of vehicles which use liquefied petroleum gas and other alternative fuels. These grants, which are made through the Trust's Powershift programme, are funded by my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities which have adopted strategies to reduce air pollution by (a) five per cent., (b) 10 per cent., (c) 15 per cent., (d) 20 per cent. and (e) over 20 per cent. [41951]

This information is not held centrally. Under the new Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) system, which came into effect at the end of December 1997, district and unitary local authorities are currently reviewing the quality of the air within their area assessing it against statutory objectives for seven key pollutants. These objectives are based on those in the UK National Air Quality Strategy.Localities must be designated Air Quality Management Areas where the review and assessment show that national measures will not ensure the objectives are achieved by the end of 2005. The relevant local authority must then prepare an action plan in pursuit of the objective(s).The LAQM guidance which we have published to assist local authorities is listed in Environment Circular 15/97 (Welsh Office Circular 63/97) and is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what circumstances it is permitted to proceed with road-widening schemes where the consequential PM10 pollution levels exceed 50 microgrammes per cubic metre of air as a 24-hour running average; and if he will make a statement. [41791]

[holding answer 13 May 1998]: The objectives contained in the National Air Quality Strategy for achievement for 2005, including the one for PM10 would be taken into account in the appraisal of a proposed road scheme against the Government's five criteria of integration, accessibility, environment, economy and safety.Where an exceedence of a National Air Quality Strategy objective is forecast, whether or not as a consequence of the scheme proceeding, the local authority would be required to declare an air quality management area covering the area of anticipated exceedance. An action plan would then have to be prepared by the local authority, in consultation with the highways authorities, the Environment Agency and other stakeholders. The action plan would identify a range of measures, to be applied either locally or further afield, aimed at securing the achievement of the objectives throughout the air quality management area. Such measures might include enhanced traffic management, the application of more stringent emission limits to industrial processes or increased domestic smoke control.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates his Department has evaluated from (a) North West Water and (b) Ofwat of (i) the total cost and (ii) the impact of average annual household bills in the period 2000 to 2005 of meeting EU bathing water standards on the Fylde coast. [42037]

The open letter of 30 April from the Director General of Water Services, "Setting the quality framework", includes assessments of the costs of meeting a wide range of potential obligations, including measures under EU Directives, based both on cost estimates provided by companies and on the preliminary challenge of that information by OFWAT. The letter expresses those costs both as total capital costs and as illustrative impacts on average household bills.The Environment Agency and North West Water estimated a cost of £100 million for their plans, announced in February this year, for work in the Fylde coast area to improve compliance with Directive bathing water standards. My Department, in consultation with OFWAT, is now considering the plans, their cost and the effect on customer bills.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he will be giving the Director General of Water Services under the periodic review of water price limits to apply from 1 April 2000, on (a) the scope for water companies to transfer the costs of meeting mandatory EU bathing water standards onto their customers and (b) the Government's priorities for improvements in water and environmental quality. [42035]

In response to the open letter of 30 April from the Director General of Water Services ("Setting the quality framework", a copy of which is in the library), my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales will publish in the summer their guidance on the environmental obligations which they will expect the water and sewerage companies to meet, including their EU obligations. This guidance will take into account the advice of the Environment Agency and the views of other interested persons, and will reflect the Government's priorities for improvements in water quality and the water environment. It will then be for the Director General, in setting price limits, to ensure that companies are able to meet these obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of North West Water's record in meeting mandatory EU bathing water standards along the Fylde coast; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of their recent bathing water improvement scheme in this area; [42034](2) what undertakings he has received from North West Water that the latest investment programme to improve bathing water quality along the Fylde coast will result in compliance with EU Directive standards; and what reports he has received from the Environment Agency on this matter. [42054]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment announced the 1997 bathing water quality results in December and said that the results in the North West were especially poor and that this was particularly disappointing given that major bathing water improvement schemes had been completed in the area. In February this year, the Environment Agency and North West Water announced plans for further work in the Fylde coast area which they regard as necessary to improve compliance with the Directive standards. My Department has received a detailed report from the Environment Agency on these measures and the progress made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received from the Director General of Water Services, under part of the periodic review of water price limits for the period 2000 to 2005, on the scope for further improvements in efficiency by North West Water to offset the cost of meeting EU bathing water standards on the Fylde coast. [42036]

The Director General has outlined his proposed approach to assessing the efficiency of the water companies at the next periodic review in "Assessing the scope for future improvements in water companies' efficiency—a technical paper" published in April 1998, a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the Fuel Poverty Working Group to report its findings; what plans he has to make the group's conclusions publicly available; and what opportunity there will be for external agencies and individuals to respond to the group's findings. [41907]

The inter-departmental group of officials is providing internal analysis and policy options for Ministers, and it is not proposed to make its findings and recommendations public. However, I launched a national debate on this subject in my speech on 14 May to the National Right to Fuel Campaign's conference on fuel poverty and invited interested parties to contribute. We will consult on any proposals for developing policies and programmes for tackling fuel poverty which flow from this process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government will legislate to provide in the election for the Mayor of London for the option of voting for "none of the above" candidates and for a further round of nominations and voting, if those voting in that way constitute the largest vote. [41896]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy towards the proportion of the total London electorate required to vote in the elections for a mayor and assembly for the result to be binding. [41898]

The results of elections for the Mayor and Assembly will be binding irrespective of turnout, as is the case for all parliamentary, European and local government elections.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in reducing discharge into the sea from nuclear installations at Sellafield. [42259]

The Environment Agency have recently completed a two month public consultation into applications for variations to the discharge authorisations for the Sellafield site and are now considering the responses received. The Government have reiterated to the Environment Agency that they wish to see progressive reductions in discharges and discharge limits at Sellafield. There have been requests for Ministers to `call-in' these applications and decide the matter for themselves and these requests are being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the British Government do not allow in special circumstances the exemption of insulin-dependent drivers from the EU Driving Licence Directive as provided for under the Directive. [41372]

[holding answer 14 May 1998]: The Directive provides for licences to be issued to or renewed for those whose diabetes is treated by insulin for driving passenger-carrying and goods vehicles (minibuses, medium-sized lorries, buses, coaches and large goods vehicles) "only in very exceptional cases", and subject to further conditions. The Secretary of State's Honorary Advisory Panel on Diabetes and Driving has hitherto advised that, in their opinion, there are no exceptional cases. That is because treatment by insulin can lead to hypoglycaemic attacks which may occur suddenly and unpredictably, and which can lead to loss of consciousness without warning. A number of collapses at the wheel have been found to be associated with insulin treatment. UK legislation has therefore reflected the Panel's advice. However, in the light of evidence from the British Diabetic Association and other which claims that modern treatment and control methods minimise the risks, the Advisory Panel have, at the request of Ministers, been re-examining the issues in respect of the driving of minibuses and medium-sized lorries. The outcome of that re-examination will be made public shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the percentage turnouts in each of the polling districts in Purley, Croydon, for (a) 1994 and (b) 1998. [42237]

A record of local election returns is not kept centrally by any Government Department. Inquiries relating to the turnout in an individual local authority should be directed to the Returning Officer for that authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the experimental polling station location at Tesco's in Purley, Croydon. [42238]

Improving turnout in local elections is an important part of the Government's modernising local government agenda. The London Borough of Croydon should be congratulated on their efforts to make voting more convenient. We will be looking at the lessons from Croydon's initiative, as well as the responses to our consultation papers as we work up our Local Government White Paper to be published this Summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in securing the future of the channel rail link; and if he will make a statement. [42137]

In his answer of 27 March 1998, Official Report, columns 295–96, to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms), my right hon. Friend said that the cure period under the CTRL Development Agreement within which London and Continental Railways (LCR) could bring forward their improved proposals to the Government had been extended to 29 May 1998. Discussions with LCR are continuing and we await their final proposals. My right hon. Friend will make a statement in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the different options for restructuring London Underground put forward by London Transport; and if he will make a statement. [42363]

London Transport presented their evaluation of options for the future of London Underground to the Deputy Prime Minister in September 1997. In the following months, there were numerous meetings, with different Departments, at Ministerial and official level, with LT and their advisers at which all the issues were debated. We fully considered London Transport's proposals in reaching our decisions on a Public/Private Partnership.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of who will be liable in the case of a serious infrastructure failure on London Underground after concessions for managing the infrastructure of London Underground have been awarded to private companies; and if he will make a statement. [42365]

Under our proposals, the private sector will be responsible for financing, maintaining and modernising the Underground's infrastructure. The contractor, or contractors, will be subject to a tough performance regime with penalties for failure or poor performance. We will be working with London Transport and expert advisers to establish the details of the division of specific risks and liabilities between the public sector operating company and infrastructure contractor(s).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential impact on London Underground fares of a fall in net revenues after concessions for managing the infrastructure of London Underground have been awarded to private companies; and if he will make a statement. [42364]

The Government's financial advisers looked at a range of assumptions about passenger revenues. Their analysis showed that the option announced by the Deputy Prime Minister on 20 March 1998, Official Report, columns 1539–56, is robust against a fall in revenues, and that substantial fare increases would therefore not be necessary to pay infrastructure contractors or meet the operating costs of the London Underground operating company. Once the GLA is established, London Underground fares will be a matter for the Mayor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what controls there will be on the charges contractors can make to London Underground for use of track, signals and stations under his proposals; what estimate he has made of the likely impact on fares; and if he will make a statement. [42394]

The infrastructure contractor, or contractors, will be responsible for financing, maintaining and modernising the Underground's infrastructure, and will be paid by London Underground according to their contract. We will be working with London Transport and expert advisers to establish the details of the contractual payment mechanism, which will be based on paying the contractor according to performance.There is no reason to expect large increases in fares, which, once the GLA is established, will be a matter for the Mayor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the transitional costs and ongoing costs of (a) keeping London Underground in the public sector, (b) privatising the whole of London Underground as a single unit and (c) creating a number of concessions to take over the London Underground infrastructure; and if he will make a statement. [42362]

The Government's financial advisers made assessments of the transitional and ongoing costs of keeping London Underground in the public sector, and of awarding a contract, or contracts to finance, maintain and modernise the Underground's infrastructure. These assessments, along with other important factors such as safety, were fully considered by the Government in reaching our decision on a Public/Private partnership for London Underground. The financial comparisons showed that the Government's preferred option is likely to represent better value for money than retaining London Underground in its current form. No assessment was made of privatising the Underground, which was ruled out in the Manifesto.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what plans he has to compensate car licence holders over the age of 70 years for the fee of £55 for the medical test which is required to enable them to drive minibuses. [41854]

[holding answer 14 May 1998]: It is not the Government's practice to reimburse or compensate for the cost of medical examinations required for obtaining or renewing a driving licence, and we have no plans to do so for licence holders over the age of 70 years who wish to drive minibuses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Priority Estates Project in Coventry. [41918]

I am not aware of any Priority Estates Project in Coventry. If the question is a reference to the Willenhall Estate in Coventry then I understand that satisfactory progress is being made in its refurbishment through Estate Action and English Partnerships and private sector investment.

	Mon-Fri open	Mon-Fri closed	Sat open	Sat closed	Sun open	Sun closed
Fenchurch Street	0545	2140	0630	2140	0715	2140
Barking	0515	2200	0545	2200	0645	2210
Upminster	0545	2100	0615	2110	0645	2140
West Horndon	0615	2000	0815	1740	Closed	Closed
Laindon	0530	2000	0615	2100	0615	2100
Basildon	0530	2200	0615	2100	0645	2000
Pitsea	0515	2200	0815	2330	0715	2145
Benfleet	0515	2200	0615	2200	0615	2145
Leigh-on-Sea	0545	2200	0715	2000	0815	1930
Chalkwell	0615	2000	0815	1740	0815	1540
Westcliff-on-Sea	0545	2200	0815	1740	0815	1540
Southend Central	0545	2200	0615	2200	0745	2200
Southend East	0515	2200	0815	1540	0815	1540
Thorpe Bay	0515	2200	0815	1540	0815	1540
Shoeburyness	0615	2200	0815	1740	0815	1540
Dagenham Dock	0615	1340	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed
Rainham	0615	2200	0815	1540	Closed	Closed
Purfleet	0615	1300	0615	1340	Closed	Closed

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications were made in England in each year from 1992 to 1997. [42152]

The number of applications for planning permission and other related consents in England is shown in the table. Figures include 'county matters' applications, which are predominantly concerned with minerals extraction and waste disposal developments.

Year	All applications received (thousand)
1992	473
1993	474
1994	485
1995	459
1996	475
1997	496

More detailed information is published quarterly by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in its Statistics of Planning Applications Information Bulletin. Copies are available in the House of Commons library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the terms of the franchise granted to LTS Rail in respect of the times for the opening of booking offices. [42414]

The franchise agreement requires LTS Rail to comply with the terms of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA), which is overseen by the Rail Regulator. The TSA sets out the ticket office opening hours which each operator has agreed to as a signatory to the agreement. These hours may be varied only with the approval of the Rail Regulator (any short-term issues affecting station opening, such as staff shortage, are for the operator to manage in the light of its other business commitments). The table shows the ticket office opening hours set out in the TSA for stations managed by LTS Rail.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many sites of special scientific interest there were in England on 31 March; and what was their total area in hectares. [42441]

At 31 March, there were 3,987 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England covering 967,365 hectares.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take on pitch fees for owners of mobile homes. [42361]

My Department has established a working party to examine a number of concerns facing mobile home residents, including pitch fees. It comprises representatives from national residents' groups, the two main trade associations, local authorities and officials from my Department. The group is aiming to present its recommendations to Ministers by Spring 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the availability of Welsh speakers in Cardiff with suitable qualifications to staff a centralised agricultural grants department. [40912]

On 16 March 1998, Official Report, column 459, I announced my plans to engage consultants for a study to assess the options for securing improved administration of Common Agriculture Policy payments in Wales.At this stage, the consultants have been asked to consider all feasible options. These could include options for centralising the service, for transferring responsibility for administering payments to MAFF or the Intervention Board, or for developing the service using the existing office structure.All options will be assessed in terms of the costs, benefits and risks they represent for the Welsh Office, including their ability to deliver a local bilingual service to farmers.60 per cent. of Welsh Office staff who have expressed an ability in the use of the Welsh language are Cardiff-based.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times he has met the Wales TUC to discuss (a) inward investment and (b) the prospects for industry in Wales. [41647]

My right hon. Friend and I are in frequent touch with the Wales TUC and constituent unions on a wide variety of issues and both attended the Wales TUC conference last month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the CBI to discuss (a) inward investment and (b) the prospects for industry in Wales. [41646]

My right hon. Friend has not met the CBI. However, I have met them on several occasions, most recently on 27 April. Welsh Office officials are also in regular contact with the CBI on a wide variety of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many responses from Wrexham community and town councils to his letter of consultation on the proposed boundary review of Llangollen dated 22 August 1997 he had received prior to the reminder letter sent from his Office on 2 October to Denbighshire town and community councils extending the deadline for replies to 18 October 1997; [41793](2) how many responses from Denbighshire community and town councils to his letter of consultation on the proposed boundary review of Llangollen dated 22 August 1997 he had received prior to the reminder letter sent from his office on 2 October 1997 extending the deadline to 18 October. [41795]

Prior to 2 October 1997, 4 responses were received from community and town councils in Wrexham and 8 from those in Denbighshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what criteria he uses to establish the need to request a review of local government boundaries. [41796]

Under section 54(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, when making proposals to the Secretary of State, the Local Government Boundary Commission needs to be able to demonstrate that any changes are judged by the Commission to be desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.Consequently, the Secretary of State, in considering whether to request a review, will also have regard to any relevant information that could suggest that the existing boundary may no longer provide for effective and convenient local government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what reasons no letter of reminder was sent to community councils in the Wrexham area following his request to them for their views on the boundary review of Llangollen and Llantysilio wards on 22 August 1997. [41794]

On 22 August 1997, consultation letters on the proposed boundary review were sent to all local councils in both counties.On 28 September 1997, the Denbighshire Association of Local Councils sought an extension of the time allocated for responding to the consultation as it had information that the letter of 22 August had not reached all councils in the country. Community councils in that area were therefore given a further 2 weeks to respond.No representations were received then or since from community councils in the Wrexham area to indicate that they had not received the consultation letter or been denied the opportunity to make representations before the Secretary of State announced his decision in February 1998.Responses to the consultation from individuals and organisations received up to February 1998 were taken into account by the Secretary of State in reaching his decision on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 8 May 1998, Official Report, column 513, on Gwent Tertiary College, if he will place copies of the letters from the Chairman of Gwent Tertiary College Further Education Corporation in the Library. [42147]

As the Chairman of Gwent Tertiary College Further Education Corporation has written to me on an in confidence basis, I think it would be better if my hon. Friend approached the College directly for a copy of his letters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in upgrading the A848 Salen to Tobermory Road since 1992; when the upgrade is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [41631]

Since 1992 there have been 4 schemes to upgrade specific sections of this local road. The current project which upgrades 4.8km of single track road to 2 lane carriageway from Tobermory is expected to be largely completed by the end of May. Further improvements are a matter for Argyll and Bute Council as local roads authority for Mull.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland had been on waiting lists for NHS treatment for (a) 0 to 3 months, (b) 3 to 6 months, (c) 6 to 9 months, (d) 9 to 12 months and (e) over 12 months on 31 March. [42337]

Information on the number of patients with a guarantee, and the time spent on waiting lists for NHS treatment in Scotland at 31 March 1998, is provided in the table:

NHS patients on waiting list in Scottish hospitals: Number and time spent on waiting list at 31 March 1998
Months1	Number
Under 3	55,591
3 to 6	19,217
6 to 9	8,392
9 to 12	3,565
Over 12	0
1 Length of time patients with a waiting time guarantee have waited on the waiting list. (Source SMR3).

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to review resale price maintenance on over-the-counter medicine prices. [41578]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: None. This is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading, who has already brought proceedings before the Restrictive Practices Court asking it to review the matter.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she had received in respect of the future of resale price maintenance in the field of over-the-counter medicines; what proposals she has to safeguard the position of local pharmacies and to protect the supply of such medicines to consumers; and if she will make a statement. [42108]

I have received a number of representations from right hon. and hon. Members and from pharmacists and their representatives about resale price maintenance on over-the-counter medicines. Proceedings before the Restrictive Practices Court have been initiated by the Director General of Fair Trading and I would expect the Court to examine fully all the issues which might arise from the retention or abolition of resale price maintenance in this sector, including the effect on local communities of the possible closure of pharmacies.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the United Kingdom patents which have been published since 1 June 1997 in respect of genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals. [42273]

There have been a total of three patent applications under the Patents Act 1997 published since 1 June 1997. Two of these are Patent Co-operation Treaty Applications which have entered the national phase and have been published as applications Nos. GB 2318792 and GB 2318578. They relate to the manipulation of animal embryos and the animals produced therefrom. The third, GB 2312899, relates to transgenic animals encoding an agent involved in the regulation of bone marrow. None of these applications has yet been granted. This information does not include applications filed at the European Patent Office and which may have the legal effect of UK patents if granted by that office.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the preparations for issuing licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts for operators of third generation mobile telecommunications networks. [42794]

The UK has been at the forefront of developing mobile telecommunications in Europe, and I am determined that it should retain that position. Third generation mobile—also known as UMTS or Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems—offers exciting prospects for new jobs, new services and new investment, and I aim to ensure that the UK benefits fully from this new technology.To that end, we intend to hold an auction of UMTS licences in the summer of 1999, subject to market and other developments and to final decisions nearer the time. This timetable takes account of responses to the Government's consultation document 'Multimedia Communications on the Move', further discussions with industry, and advice from N M Rothschild and Sons.In offering through an auction licences to use specified frequencies for the delivery of UMTS, the Government's overall aim is to secure, for the long-term benefit of UK consumers and the national economy, the timely and economically advantageous development and sustained provision of UMTS services in the UK.Subject to this overall aim, the Government's objectives are to (i) utilise the available UMTS spectrum with optimum efficiency, (ii) promote effective and sustainable competition for the provision of UMTS services, and (iii) subject to the above objectives, design an auction which is best judged to realise the full economic value to consumers, industry and the taxpayer of the spectrum.In developing detailed auction proposals, my Department will continue fully to consult industry.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the pricing structure for the sale of motor vehicles in the UK relative to that in other EU countries; and what plans she has to review the pricing structure for the sale of motor vehicles in the UK. [42046]

Following an initiative by the Government at the meeting of European Union Finance Ministers at York in March, the European Commission has been asked to carry out an investigation into price disparities between different EU markets of a range of products and services, including cars.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the export from the UK of second-hand cars which do not meet environmental standards in the UK. [42048]

All vehicles sold in the UK must meet EU environmental standards for emissions. Any vehicle being exported outside the EU will have to meet the standards of the importing country, which may differ significantly from EU standards.It is not possible from Customs and Excise export figures to identify separately those used motor vehicles which do not comply with UK environmental standards,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions she sought to prevent the importation of nuclear materials from Georgia. [42087]

[holding answer 14 May 1998]: The issue of whether the UK should accept approximately 5 kg of high enriched uranium from Georgia was considered in the normal way through consultation among relevant Government departments and discussion by the appropriate Cabinet committee. Following these discussions, all departments involved, including the Department of Trade and Industry, agreed that, given the non-proliferation and nuclear safety arguments, the UK should agree to accept the material.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson), of 22 April 1998, Official Report, column 821, if she will list the locations at which the UKAEA makes medical isotope targets. [42088]

[holding answer 14 May 1998]: The UKAEA manufacture targets, for use in the production of medical isotopes, at their Dounreay site in Caithness.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many oil platforms there are in British waters; what is the estimated date of decommissioning for each; what decommissioning options are currently being considered for each oil platform in operation in British waters; and what is the Government's preferred option for disposing of oil platforms in British waters; [41123](2) what estimate she has made of the potential cost to public funds of tax reliefs for the decommissioning of oil platforms in the North Sea over the next 10 years; [41124](3) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the disposal of oil platforms at sea. [41125]

There are approximately 250 offshore oil and gas installations currently located on the UK Continental Shelf. The majority will reach the end of their useful lives during the next 25 years but the peak years for decommissioning activity are expected to be between 2003 and 2012.Our policy is based on a presumption in favour of land disposal except where, taking account of the environment as a whole, such a course is neither safe nor practicable. Generic studies have demonstrated that the great majority of existing installations will be brought onshore for re-use, recycling or disposal. These studies have also shown that the current generic solution for large concrete installations is to leave them in place. There is no single generic solution for heavy steel installations located in deeper water and we consider that these structures should be assessed on a case-by-case basis with decisions based on solid analysis and in the light of open and transparent consultations.Gross decommissioning costs over the next 25 years are estimated to be in the range of £7 billion to £10 billion at current day prices. The Inland Revenue estimates that around 50 per cent. of the costs will be met by the Exchequer through tax relief. Decommissioning costs generally qualify for tax relief under the normal Petroleum Revenue Tax and Corporation Tax rules. Royalty relief is currently available where royalty has been paid on that licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what account her Department takes of criminal records consisting solely of homosexual activity engaged in prior to 1982, where such activity has been decriminalised, in determining (a) security clearance and (b) employment within the RUC; and what changes to regulations have taken place since 1994. [41156]

A candidate must meet the recruiting criteria in every respect. The RUC will take into account convictions for any and all criminal offences. The fact that an offence may have been decriminalised is not considered relevant.There have been no changes in policy relating to sexual orientation since 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what circumstances (a) non-criminal homosexual activity and (b) sexual orientation would debar a candidate from security clearance to become an RUC officer; and what changes in the regulations have occurred since 1994. [41157]

A candidate must meet the recruiting criteria in every respect. There is nothing to debar a person who had engaged in non-criminal homosexual activity or to debar a person because of their sexual orientation.There have been no changes in policy relating to sexual orientation since 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many petrol stations have closed in Northern Ireland in (a) 1997 and (b) in 1998 to date. [41532]

This information is not held by NI Departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she had held with the RUC about the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [41533]

I have not held any discussions with the RUC about the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland. This is a matter for HM Customs and Excise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received from the Petrol Retailers Association about the illegal importation of petroleum products; and what response she made. [41531]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received a letter from the Petrol Retailers Association concerning these issues. As importation of products across UK national boundaries is a matter for Customs and Excise and HMT, the letter was passed to HMT for answer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action she is taking to prevent the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [41536]

Illegal importation of products across UK national boundaries is a matter for Customs and Excise and HMT and I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Financial Secretary on 14 May 1998, Official Report, columns 174–75.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the new commissions and other bodies that will be brought into being under the Castle Buildings Agreement, stating the estimated (a) annual running costs and (b) number of staff to be employed by each entity. [42161]

The new commissions and other bodies which will (or may) be brought into being under the Agreement are listed. No reliable estimates for annual running costs and the number of staff to be employed by each entity are yet available.

>Northern Ireland Assembly

Civic Forum

North/South Ministerial Council

North/South Implementation Bodies

British/Irish Council

British/Irish Intergovernmental Conference

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

In addition an independent Commission on policing for Northern Ireland will be established with the aim of publishing a final report by summer 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what salary and expenses she proposes to pay to (a) each member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and (b) each Minister. [42163]

The salary and expenses payable to members and Ministers in the New Assembly (depending on whether Section 1 of the Northern Ireland (Elections) Act 1998 is brought into force) are under consideration and I am not therefore in a position to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement about the decision concerning the number of graduate management trainees to be recruited to the Northern Ireland Civil Service in 1997. [42167]

No trainees were recruited into the Management Trainee programme in 1997 but it is proposed to recruit a minimum of 10 trainees in 1998.Additionally, 20 trainees were recruited in 1996, the first year of operation of the scheme. This pattern of recruitment reflects Departmental manpower requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement about the implications of the use of forged medical cards for election personation; and what recent progress has been made in eliminating this form of fraud. [42166]

The Government are aware of concern over forged medical cards for election personation. While the medical card cannot be withdrawn from the list of specified documents without an adequate replacement, the hon. and learned Gentleman is aware that my own Election Review is currently looking at every part of the polling process, both to enhance polling station procedures and accessibility, but also to consider alterations to present identity requirements.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the court centres to which (a) he and (b) the Lord Chancellor have paid official visits since 1 May 1997, and the date of each such visit. [41714]

	Total legal aid budget (£ million)	Personal injury cases (£ million)	% of total	Contractual disputes (£ million)	% of total	Judicial review cases (£ million)	% of total	Criminal cases1(£ million)	% of total	Family law cases2(£ million)	% of total
1992–93	646.9	85.1	13.16	29.1	4.49	5.0	0.78	283.9	44	272.4	42.10
1993–94	813.9	121.2	14.89	40.2	4.94	6.7	0.82	321.6	40	332.0	40.79
1994–95	922.5	151.5	16.42	44.1	4.78	7.9	0.86	362.1	39	351.2	38.06
1995–96	1,071.5	189.4	17.67	56.0	5.23	10.1	0.94	384.3	36	373.5	34.86
1996–97	1,178.0	219.8	18.66	60.3	5.12	10.5	0.90	411.1	35	392.5	33.32
1 The category Criminal cases includes details of criminal higher, criminal magistrates, duty solicitors and green form scheme
2 The category family law cases includes divorce, divorce injunction, ancillary relief, residence and contract, nullity, domestic violence, Child Support Act 1995 and the Children Act 1989.

Since 1 May 1997, the following visits to court centres have been undertaken by the Lord Chancellor and by me.

Date	Court centres
Lord Chancellor
27 June 1997	Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast
30 July 1997	Central Criminal Court, London
7 November 1997	Chippenham Magistrates' Court
6 February 1998	Luton Crown Court
	Luton County Court
20 February 1998	Londonderry Court
3 April 1998	Royal Courts of Justice, London
24 April 1998	Birmingham Combined Court Centre
15 May 1998	Manchester Crown Court
	Manchester County Court
Mr. Geoff Hoon MP
18 July 1997	Nottingham Magistrates' Court
	Ilkeston Magistrates' Court
24 July 1997	Royal Courts of Justice, London
25 July 1997	Stockport Magistrates' Court
10 September 1997	Coventry Combined Court Centre
	Stoke-on-Trent Magistrates' Court
24 September 1997	Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court
	Durham County Court
	Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Magistrates' Court
25 September 1997	Liverpool Combined Court Centre
6 October 1997	Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast Craigavon Combined Court
	Belfast Crown Court
2 December 1997	Central London County Court
11 December 1997	Snaresbrook Crown Court
9 January 1997	Stoke-on-Trent Magistrates' Court
26 January 1998	Uxbridge Magistrates' Court
13 March 1998	Cheltenham Magistrates' Court
	Gloucester Magistrates' Court
22 April 1998	Central London County Court
1 May 1998	Nottingham County Court

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list (a) the sums of money and (b) the proportions of the total legal aid budget for each of the last five years for which figures are available taken up by (i) personal injury cases, (ii) contractual disputes, (iii) judicial review cases, (iv) criminal cases and (v) family law cases. [41503]

Gross expenditure in cases closed as a proportion of total expenditure in cases closed in each of the last five years for (i) personal injury cases, (ii) contractual cases, (iii) judicial review cases, (iv) criminal cases and (v) family law cases was as follows:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which sections of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 have been implemented; and what are his plans for the implementation of outstanding sections. [42288]

So far as England and Wales are concerned, all relevant parts of the Act have been commenced with the exception of section 3 sub-sections 3–9. These sub-sections will be commenced as soon as rules designed to facilitate the operation of the Act have been approved. The final consultation process on the rules is under way at present and will be completed as quickly as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to act against individuals distributing (a) leaflets and (b) other items to those in vehicles on the highway. [41792]

The situation described would be an operational matter for the police. Police officers could deal with it by a verbal warning and moving those distributing the material from the roadway. Alternatively, if they thought it appropriate, they could charge the offenders under a number of different statutes ranging from those concerned with obstruction of the highway to possible public order offences. The offences charged would depend on the precise circumstances of the incident.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals were charged with (a) possession of a false instrument and (b) attempting to obtain services by deception; how many were subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment; and what was the average sentence length in the last year for which figures are available. [41816]

Under section 26(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1971, a foreign national is guilty of a criminal offence if, without lawful authority, he alters any certificate of entitlement, entry clearance, work permit or other document made under or for the purpose of the Act; or if he has in his possession any passport, certificate of entitlement, entry clearance, work permit or other document which is known (or he has reasonable cause to believe) to be false. However, it is also possible that other legislation, which although not referring exclusively to passports, may be used to deal with foreign nationals arrested for this type of crime.Detailed information on persons charged by offence is not collected centrally. Information held on the Home Office Court Proceedings database for 1996 (latest available) shows nine prosecutions and five convictions under section 26(1)(d) of the Act. Only one offender was given a custodial sentence which was for the period of one month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what directions he has given to police authorities on the conversion of vehicles in existing fleets to (a) liquid petroleum gas and (b) compressed natural gas. [42066]

No directions have been given, but a number of police forces are currently engaged in trials of alternative fuels, the results of which will be disseminated by the National Association of Police Fleet Managers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines his Department issues on the use of CS gas against individuals being restrained by police officers. [41980]

The Home Office has not issued guidelines to the police on the use of CS spray. This is an operational matter and the responsibility of individual chief police officers. A copy of the guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers, has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the letter of Lord Williams of Mostyn AP/981/10/207, what assessment he has made of the quality of animal care in British universities. [41121]

All designated establishments are regularly inspected, on both an announced and unannounced basis, by members of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate.I am satisfied that the quality of animal care in British universities generally attains the high standards required under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and the Codes of Practice issued under the Act. Where unexpected problems do occur, it is important that, in addition to any action taken by the Inspectorate, local controls are in place to ensure appropriate remedial action is taken.We announced on 6 November 1997,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his Department has disposed of the guns and ancillary equipment surrendered under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997. [42241]

The majority of guns and ancillary equipment surrendered will be destroyed in accordance with local police force arrangements. Some will be retained by the police for training purposes or acquired by suitably authorised museums.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has made to handle disputes over levels of compensation under Category C claims of the Firearms Compensation Scheme. [42310]

The arrangements are set out in paragraphs 26 and 27 of the booklet on the original Scheme. Under the terms of Option C, claimants must submit valid documentary evidence of the value of the items claimed as at 16 October 1996. Where that evidence supports the amount claimed, then the claim will be paid. If the evidence is unsatisfactory, then the Firearms Compensation Section will request further evidence from the claimant. If that evidence is satisfactory, then the claim will be met. Where no additional evidence is submitted or the additional evidence remains unsatisfactory, the claim will be paid at the listed value or, where appropriate, the police force involved will be asked to obtain a further valuation from an independent source, selected at the discretion of the chief officer. Where this is obtained, the valuation will normally be used to calculate the payment to the claimant.This final independent valuation stage provides a last resort arrangement to ensure that no claim should be incapable of being resolved satisfactorily.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects claim reference HER 13040 to be settled under the firearms compensation scheme; and if interest will be paid on this claim. [41983]

The claim with the police reference number HER 13040 was received in the Firearms Compensation Section on 15 October 1997, and the Option A and B elements are now being processed. The Option C elements, which will require individual consideration of the evidence of value provided, will be dealt with at a later date.There is no provision in the compensation scheme for the payment of interest if claims are not dealt with in a particular time. As I have said to the House on many occasions, this is a complex and generous compensation scheme which Parliament approved, and which is being implemented as quickly as possible, having regard to the need for close scrutiny of claims to guard against fraud and incorrect payment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates in the last 12 months on which members of the Association of Chief Police Officers Administration of Firearms and Explosives Licensing Sub-Committee attended the Home Office Working Groups on (a) the Reference Panel on Historic Firearms, (b) the Firearms Forms, (c) the Approved Club Criteria and (d) the Home Office Memorandum of Guidance on the Administration of Firearms revision; and if he will list the names of the (i) committee members, and (ii) others attending each of these meetings. [42412]

Details of those attending each meeting of the first three Working Groups (including members absent) for each date on which the Groups met in the last 12 months are set out in the table. There is no working group on the revision of the Home Office Memorandum of Guidance to the Police.

Members
The Historic Firearms Reference Panel
12 September 1997
Mr. Graham Widdecombe (Chair)	Home Office
Mr. Simon Barrett	Home Office
DCC Graham Bennet	Fife Constabulary
Superintendent Jim Duncan	Grampian Police
Mr. Michael Lobb	Northamptonshire Police
Mr. Ian McColl	Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Mr. Richard Milner	RFD
Mr. David Penn	Imperial War Museum
Mr. Bob Pitcher	London Proof House
Dr. Christopher Roads	Historic Arms Rescue
Mr. Tom Warlow	Forensic Science Service
Mr. Herbert Woodend	MOD Pattern Room
Mr. Richard Worth (minutes)	Home Office
17 September 1997
Mr. Graham Widdecombe (Chair)	Home Office
Mr. Simon Barrett	Home Office
Chief Inspector David Morris	South Wales Constabulary
Superintendent Jim Duncan	Grampian Police
Mr. Michael Lobb	Northamptonshire Police
Mr. Ian McColl	Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Mr. Richard Milner	RFD
Mr. David Penn	Imperial War Museum
Dr. Christopher Roads	Historic Arms Rescue
Mr. Tom Warlow	Forensic Science Service
Mr. Richard Worth (minutes)	Home Office
The Forms Working Group
19 February 1998
Mr. Simon Barrett	Home Office
Mr. Richard Worth	Home Office
Mr. Alec Moffat	Fife Constabulary
Superintendent Jim Duncan	Grampian Police
Sgt. Peter Johnson	Merseyside Police
Mr. Ian McColl	Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Ms Helene Rogers	South Wales Constabulary
B. G. Carter Esq	Director, The Gun Trade Association Ltd.
C. A. Ewing Esq OBE	National Rifle Association
Mr. Bill Harriman	British Shooting Sports Council
Mr. Derek Phillips	Office of Legislative Affairs
Mr. R. V. Malbon	The Sportsman's Association
David Penn Esq	Imperial War Museum/Muzzle Loader's Association
The Clubs Criteria Working Group
17 November 19971
Mr. Barrett (Chair)	Home Office
Mr. Courtney	Muzzle Loaders Association
Superintendent Duncan	Grampian Police
Mr. Ewing	FCC/NRA
Mr. Hoare	BSSC/FCC/NRA
Mark Groothuis	Firearms Licensing Officer, Hampshire Constabulary
Ch. Insp. Talbot	Hampshire Constabulary
Mr. Bottomley (Secretary)	Home Office
1 Apologies from Mr. Fruin, Home Office, and Ms McGlynn, Scottish Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of recent measures to remove drugs and alcohol from Everthorpe Prison on discipline at that prison. [42062]

Everthorpe has 96 prisoners in units reserved for those who are committed not to use drugs. These units were introduced three years ago. Places in them are available only to prisoners whose general behaviour also qualifies them for the enhanced regime, and the standard of behaviour in the units is good. On average, two prisoners per month are removed from the drug-free units, either for failing a drugs test or for failing to maintain the standard of behaviour required of prisoners on the enhanced regime.An alcohol counsellor has recently been re-engaged after a nine month gap, so it is too soon to comment on the effects of her work. However, there are no indications that alcohol is a particular problem at Everthorpe.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the current numbers and percentages of the prison population using (a) cannabis, (b) ecstasy and (c) heroin. [41639]

Our best estimate of the numbers of prisoners using illegal drugs is drawn from the results of random mandatory drug testing (MDT). While it is recognised that, for a number of reasons, MDT results cannot be a complete measure of prevalence of drug misuse in prisons, the results do provide for the first time a reliable and statistically valid way of measuring patterns and trends of drug misuse across establishments and over time.Laboratory screening does not differentiate ecstasy from the amphetamine group as a whole, or heroin from other opiates, so it is not possible to provide figures specifically for ecstasy or heroin.There were 45,613 random tests in total during the first three quarters of 1997–98. Of these, 7,754 (17 per cent.) were positive for cannabis; 91 (0.2 per cent.) for amphetamines; and 1,870 (4.1 per cent.) for opiates. Final figures are not yet available for the fourth quarter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prisons he forecasts will be free of the use of illegal drugs by 2002. [42060]

Our best estimate of the numbers of prisoners using illegal drugs is drawn from the results of random mandatory drug testing (MDT). A number of prisons do return entirely negative results of drug testing. But, because random testing involves the testing of only a proportion of a prison's population each month and, for a number of reasons, MDT results cannot be a complete measure of prevalence of drug misuse in prisons, it would not be safe to claim that a prison is free of drug misuse.We are committed to the aim of enabling all prisoners to have access to voluntary testing units in order to demonstrate that they are drug free.Over 4,000 places can now be provided in voluntary testing units and the Prison Service is working to expand this number to achieve our aim.It would be unrealistic to put a figure on the future number of drug free prisons, since there are too many unpredictable variables. However, we aim through measures already underway and those planned for the future to reduce the number of prisons where illegal drugs are misused.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the (a) longest and (b) shortest jail sentence handed down to a person convicted of growing cannabis other than for his or her own use since 1980. [42138]

Information is not available as to whether people convicted or cautioned for growing cannabis were cultivating it for their own use.Information on the length of jail sentences imposed for offences of the cultivation/production of cannabis is not available before 1986. Information for the period 1986–92 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Available data for 1993–95 are given in the table; similar data for 1996 are not yet available.

Number of persons sentenced to immediate custody for production of cannabis
England and Wales, 1993–95
Length of sentence	1993	1994	1995
Up to and including 1 month	20	38	40
Over 1 month and up to 3 months	16	28	43
Over 3 months and up to 6 months	8	19	33
Over 6 months and up to 1 year	5	22	32
Over 1 year and up to 2 years	3	11	25
Over 2 years and up to 5 years	1	9	15
Over 5 years and up to 7 years	0	0	3
Over 7 years	1	0	0
Total	54	127	191
Average (months)	6.7	8.1	10.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the most appropriate way to support small equestrian establishments. [41667]

[holding answer 12 May 1998]: None directly. However, the Government recognise the importance of sport and we want to ensure access to a wide range of facilities, including equestrian, for the many not the few. The English and UK Sports Councils continue to work with local authorities and governing bodies on the best way of meeting this aim.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure that the teaching of swimming is eligible for funding under the New Opportunities Fund. [41454]

Swimming teaching will be eligible for funding under the New Opportunities Fund, particularly under the out of school hours activities initiative which will include sporting activities which aim to assist the social development of children and young people. The healthy living centres initiative could also raise awareness of the importance of healthy physical activity such as swimming since centres will be designed to provide information, advice and support to help people improve their health and wellbeing. Future initiatives supported by the New Opportunities Fund could also potentially provide funding for swimming. Swimming is, of course, already eligible for Lottery funding from the four national Sports Councils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure equity of distribution between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas in the distribution of Heritage Lottery funds. [41450]

The Government are determined to ensure that Lottery money is allocated more fairly and equitably in the light of need across the whole of the United Kingdom and between different groups in society. The National Lottery Bill requires the Heritage Lottery Fund and the other Lottery distributors to demonstrate in their strategic plans how they will achieve this. The Bill also gives distributors new powers to encourage specific applications which do not come forward spontaneously. In addition, proposed new Policy Directions, drafts of which are in the Libraries of the House, emphasise the need to ensure that all parts of the country have equal access to Lottery funds. These measures should help areas that have benefited less in the past.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria the Heritage Lottery Fund uses to decide whether an application has outstanding merit. [41451]

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) uses seven main criteria to assess applications. These are as follows:

Importance of the project to the heritage

Conservation benefits of the project

Access benefits of the project

Additional public benefits

Quality of design of the project

Financial need and viability

Strengths of the organisation.

Further information on the assessment process is set out in the HLF's application pack, which has recently been updated. Copies are available in the House Libraries.

To ask the President of the Council what proposals she has for regional Grand Committees. [41335]

Standing Order No. 117 already provides for the establishment of a Standing Committee on Regional Affairs.

To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to improve opportunities for debates for Back Benchers. [41336]

I am prepared to listen to any suggestions, but it will not be easy to find extra time for such debates within the current sitting hours of the House.

To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on her progress in ensuring earlier replies to hon. Members from her ministerial colleagues. [41338]

Further to my comments in the House on 12 March 1998, Official Report, column 752, I wrote to my Ministerial colleagues on 31 March 1998 asking them to take action where necessary and Sir Richard Wilson has written to all Permanent Secretaries asking them to make every effort to ensure high quality and timely replies.

To ask the President of the Council what representations she has received on the reports of the Select Committee on the Modernisation of the House of Commons. [41331]

Almost all the representations I have received support the recommendations of the Committee. The House will be able to consider the third and fourth reports in a debate after the Whitsun recess.

To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to alter the working hours of the House. [41334]

The Modernisation Committee will shortly be considering the parliamentary calendar, including the working hours of the House.

To ask the President of the Council if she will undertake a review of the total number of hon. Members of the House. [41337]

The Scotland Bill, currently before the House, provides for some reduction in the number of Members of the House after the next Boundary Commission report is implemented. I have no other plans to review the size of the House.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee how many recycling sacks were distributed around the Palace of Westminster last year. [41330]

In Financial Year 1997–1998, 100,000 paper recycling sacks were issued over the Parliamentary Estate.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has to review aid contributions to the Indian sub-continent. [42563]