To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to co-ordinate Government policy for older people. [44582]

I have established a Ministerial Group which will be chaired by the Under-Secretary of State for Social Security my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham). The terms of reference for the group are as set out:

1. To ensure that Government strategy and policy affecting older people is effectively co-ordinated, avoids duplication, and takes account of the needs of older people;

2. To develop a better understanding of the lives and aspirations of older people and how they are affected by Government policy by:

• undertaking an audit of cross-Government initiatives to identify all those that may affect older people;
• working with non-governmental groups representing older people's interests, to gain a better understanding of their lives and the implications of an ageing population; and
• developing a statement of values and principles which reflect the findings of the audit and wider discussions.

3. To co-ordinate the presentation and promotion of Government policy affecting older people.

Membership of the group will comprise Ministers who have particular responsibilities for policy areas which affect older people. It will include the Minister without Portfolio, the Under-Secretary of State for Women and Ministers from the Department of Health, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Cabinet Office (Office of Public Service), the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department for Education and Employment, the Home Office, HM Treasury, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Northern Ireland Office.The group will make its first report to me before the Summer Recess.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will issue guidance on the conduct of Government business during the election campaign for the Northern Ireland Assembly. [44924]

The business of Government must, of course, continue during the election campaign period, including the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement now endorsed in the referendums. Nevertheless, it is important that the Government conduct business in a way which does not interfere with the electoral contest between the participating candidates and parties.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has for future relations with poor indebted countries following the G8 summit. [43468]

Debt was one of the main themes at Birmingham. The conclusions of the discussions mark a significant step forward, both in recognising the need for progress in debt relief by the year 2000, and in endorsing proposals put forward by the UK for faster debt relief to post conflict countries.The British Government will be pressing for this work to be advanced urgently amongst other creditors and in the international financial institutions. The Department for International Development will also continue to build partnerships with developing countries as set out in its recent white paper.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 1 June 1998, Official Report, column 92, when the workshop and seminar were held in the United Kingdom to help President Kabbah restore the legitimate Government of Sierra Leone; and what assessment he has made of the contributions of the workshop and seminar. [44346]

The workshop took place from 5 to 12 October 1997 and the seminar on 20 October 1997. The workshop produced a 90-day programme for implementation by President Kabbah' s government on their return to Sierra Leone.The plan was presented by President Kabbah at the seminar, attended by representatives from the United Nations, the Organisation for African Unity, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the European Commission, the US Embassy in Sierra Leone, and my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.The plan has provided the basis for immediate actions now being taken by the Government as they re-establish their functions and services in Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of sites of special scientific interest in the area covered by the Lancashire (Wigan) local team office of English Nature; how many new sites were (a) added and (b) removed in each of the last five years; how many of the sites were damaged in the last 12 months; how many of the sites were subject to meetings with the Environment Agency concerning (a) pollution, (b) coastal defences and (c) water table levels in the last year; and what steps are being taken in the area to identify new sites of special scientific interest in industrial and urban areas by the local team. [44114]

English Nature's Lancashire Team, based in Wigan, is responsible for 107 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSIs).Twelve new sites were added in the last five years, none were removed.In the last 12 months, nine sites suffered some damage by activities such as costal defence works, agricultural operations and emergency works. The Team maintains frequent contact with the Environment Agency over a range of site-specific issues where a number of topics may be discussed. It is not possible to specify each meeting where pollution, coastal defences and water table levels were specifically discussed.No specific steps are taken by the Team to identify new sites in industrial and urban areas. However, if they become aware of the special interest of a site during the normal course of business these would be considered for notification.

Number	Location by name	Discharge area	Grid reference
1	Delph New Road/Station	River Tame	SD 9873 0743
2	Dob Cross New Road	River Tame	SD 9903 0632
3	Clifton Holmes, Delph	River Tame	SD 9818 0804
4	Chew Valley Road	River Tame	SD 9935 0435
5	Royal George Pumping Station	River Tame	SD 9802 0385
6	Armit Road, (Grasscroft sewage scheme)	River Tame	SD 9802 0393
7	Dacres, Greenfield	River Tame	SD 9890 0416
8	St. Anne's Square, Delph	River Tame	SD 9861 0788
9	East Greenfield	River Tame	SD 9929 0429
10	Horest Lane	River Tame	SD 9705 0952
11	Brinnington Rise, Brinnington	River Tame	SJ 9064 9185
12	Manor Road, Pumping Station, Woodley	River Tame	SJ 9333 9288
13	Grimesbottom, Portwood (near pylon adjacent to Penny Lane)	River Tame	SJ 8975 9134
14	Grimesbottom, Portwood (recreation ground near Penny Lane)	—	—
15	Meadow Lane, Haughton Green	River Tame	SJ 9341 9298
16	Sheridan Way/Dark Lane Farm Estate No. 3	River Tame	SJ 9272 9452
17	Raglan Street near Peak Forest	River Tame	SJ 9426 9474
18	Roaches Lock, Mossley	River Tame	SD 9796 0313
19	Disused Railway Station in Rassbottom Street/Bayley Street	River Tame	SJ 9590 9855
20	Wharf Street	River Tame	SJ 9347 9822
21	Turner Lane/Alexandra Road	River Tame	SJ 9394 9877
22	Lower Wharf Street (manhole 482)	River Tame	SJ 9406 9875
23	Lower Wharf Street/Scotland Street (manhole 447)	River Tame	SJ 9391 9876
24	Hyde Road	River Tame	SJ 9371 9536
25	Wakeling Road/Stockport Road	Tributary River Tame	SJ 9223 9388
26	Two Trees Lane/Marina Avenue	Culvert to River Tame	SJ 9316 9438
27	Dukinfield Road/Throstle Bank Street	Tributary River Tame	SJ 9417 9561
28	Manchester Road	Culvert to River Tame	SD 9740 0166
29	Dark Lane	River Tame	SD 9765 0261
30	Waggon Road	River Tame	SD 9753 0197
31	Buckton Vale Road	Culvert to River Tame	SD 9768 0005
32	Grove Road/Spring Bank Lane	River Tame	SJ 9748 9995
33	Knowle Street	River Tame	SJ 9666 9860
34	Huddersfield Road	Culvert to River Tame	SJ 9723 9881
35	Corporation Street	River Tame	SJ 9655 9855
36	Market Street/Trinity Street	River Tame	SJ 9635 9860
37	Cumberland Street	Culvert to River Tame	SJ 9590 9880
38	Trinity Street/Dean Street	River Tame	SJ 9636 9853
39	Trinity Street	River Tame	SJ 9639 9853
40	Melbourne Street	River Tame	SJ 9628 9853
41	Caroline Street/Castle Street	River Tame	SJ 9606 9848
42	Tame Street/Park Road	River Tame	SJ 9539 9816
43	Park Road/Sandy Lane	River Tame	SJ 9510 9822

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many storm overflows allow untreated sewage to pass into the River Tame; if he will list the grid references of each overflow point; and how many are planned to be fixed by North West Water during each of the next five years. [44112]

There are 67 storm water overflows which have outfalls affecting the River Tame. The following table shows the location of the outfalls by name and national grid reference.There are no plans for improvement of storm overflows into the River Tame during the remaining two years of North West Water's Asset Management Plan 2 (AMP2), agreed in 1994 with the then National Rivers Authority. However, in 1996, three unsatisfactory storm overflows in Audenshaw were abandoned and replaced by one of modern design.The Asset Management Plan for the five years from March 2000 (AMP3) is currently under consideration as part of the Periodic Review of water company price limits from 2000–2005, and the unsatisfactory storm water overflows discharging into the River Tame will be considered as part of this process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the London Borough of Wandsworth on its policy of providing affordable housing within the borough. [44116]

Ministers have had no discussions with the London Borough of Wandsworth about its policy of providing affordable housing within the borough. However, as part of the Housing Investment Programme, the Government Office for London, in conjunction with the Housing Corporation, regularly discuss with the authority its housing strategy and policy for assisting the supply of affordable housing.The Government's policy on planning and affordable housing is set out in the revised PPG3: Housing and circular 6/98, which replaces circular 13/96. This policy advocates a needs-based, plan-led approach to securing affordable housing in new private housing proposals. This requires that planning authorities carry out rigorous and up-to-date assessments of need for affordable housing in their boroughs, as a basis for preparing their planned policies. Therefore, where there is evidence of need for affordable housing, as is the case in all London authorities, including Wandsworth, we would expect the authority to seek the inclusion of affordable housing in all new housing proposals on suitable sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ban the import and sale of the giant American bull frog; and if he will make a statement. [44300]

The EC Wildlife Trade Regulation (Council Regulation 338/97), which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) within the European Union, contains provisions for the suspension of imports of species on the grounds that they pose an ecological threat to European wildlife. On 15 December 1997, imports into the EU of Rana catesbeiana (American bull frog) were suspended on these grounds. The sale of specimens already legally within the EU are not affected by this ban.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish the Good Practice Guide on Managing the Use of Common Land. [44652]

We have today published the Good Practice Guide on Managing the Use of Common Land, which has been produced for us by the Countryside and Community Research Unit of the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education. Copies of the Guide have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.The Guide provides practical advice and solutions to problems experienced in the management of common land and highlights examples of good practice. It is designed for all involved in governing and managing common land. We are therefore distributing copies of the Guide widely to interested organisations and individuals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will change the way in which non-domestic rate debt is enforced following the recent changes to council tax debt collection procedures; and if he will make a statement. [44911]

Many of those who respond to our consultation exercise on council tax debt collection expressed the view that similar changes should be made to the non-domestic rating regime. We have decided that, where appropriate, the non-domestic collection and enforcement regulations should be brought into line with those for council tax. I am publishing today a consultation paper "Changes to the enforcement and levying of distress for non-domestic rate debts" setting out our proposals.It is important that local authorities pursue unpaid business rates rigorously. At the same time, the system needs to operate as fairly as possible for ratepayers. Debtors need to be aware what the procedures are and why they are being pursued for payment. The changes we are proposing will make the system clearer and more effective.A copy of the consultation document has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated gross cost of anti-smoking campaigns in Northern Ireland aimed at children and young people has been since 1988; and what assessment she has made of the impact of the campaigns on teenage (a) boys and (b) girls. [44013]

The estimated expenditure on such campaigns by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland since its inception in October 1990 is £315,300.Campaigns to reduce smoking among young people appear to have had a greater impact upon boys. Post-campaign quantitative and qualitative research among the target group has identified a number of issues which the Department of Health and Social Services will address in the context of the Government's forthcoming White Paper on tobacco control.

Member	Residence/Occupation	Start Date	End Date
Dr. Morfydd Rozella Keen, OBE	Cardiff Consultant Psychiatrist	1 November 1996	31 October 1999
Mrs. Sandra Mary Skinner	Brecon Powys Officer, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme	1 November 1996	31 October 1999
Dr. Howard John Williamson	Pontypridd Rhondda Cynon Taff Senior Research Associate	1 November 1996	31 October 1999
Mr. Roger Bruce De Wisset Duncan	Penarth Vale of Glamorgan Director of Drugs Project	1 November 1996	31 October 1999
Mr. Arthur Graham Williams	Pontardawe Neath Port Talbot Director of Personal Services	1 November 1996	31 October 1999
Dr. Edward Coyle	Cardiff Officer, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme	1 March 1997	28 February 2000
Mr. Dewi Tegla Williams	Carmarthen Carmarthenshire Director of Nursing Services	1 November 1996	31 October 1999
Mr. Richard Martin Pates	Monmouth Monmouthshire Consultant Clinical Psychologist	1 November 1996	31 October 1999
Mr. David Jonathan Temple	Penarth Vale of Glamorgan Director, Postgrad Pharmaceutical Studies	1 November 1996	31 October 1999

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to ensure that the collection of public transport vehicles at present housed at Transperience, Low Moor, Bradford, remains on public display in the Bradford District. [38555]

[holding answer 21 April 1998]: Coopers and Lybrand, the administrators dealing with the assets of the West Yorkshire Transport Trust Limited, have a legal duty to administer the assets, of which this collection forms a significant part, in order to recover moneys owed to the Trust's creditors.I have met my hon. Friend to discuss the situation, and I understand that the Keighley Bus Museum Trust will be approaching the Yorkshire and Humberside Museums Council to discuss the heritage value of the collection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the members of the Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse; what their qualifications are; and when their terms of office expire. [44007]

The Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse (WACDAM) comprises a Chair and up to 26 members appointed by the Secretary of State for Wales. Members accept a time commitment of two days per month and receive no remuneration. The Committee is currently chaired by Dr. William Clee, a General Practitioner from Cardiff; his period of appointment extends to March 2000. A list of members of WACDAM, their residence/occupation and periods of appointment is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Dyfed/Powys Health Authority area by unitary authority area are provided with continence services; and what budget has been allocated to continence care in real terms for each year since 1990–91. [43472]

The funding for continence services is unhypothepothecated and is within each health authority's discretionary allocation. It is not possible, therefore, to give precise figures for budgets for these services for the years in question. Figures that are available for 1997/98 in the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust show that it spent £198,000 on community-based continence care.The GP Morbidity Database Project estimated a rate of 3.8 per 1,000 people in Wales suffering from incontinence during 1996. This would imply a total for Wales of around 11,000. This is likely to be an underestimate of the number of people provided with services because the data record those patients consulting their GP about incontinence in 1996; patients coded as suffering from incontinence in previous years would not appear in the data.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Brussels on 28 and 29 May. [44991]

I chaired the Council on behalf of the Presidency. The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin) represented the United Kingdom.This was a very successful Council, where agreement was reached on a number of outstanding issues. There was also full discussion of a range of issues relating to the justice and home affairs aspects of the enlargement process. The main matters dealt with were as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the Prison Service's Business Plan for 1998–99. [44992]

I am publishing today the Prison Service Business Plan for 1998–99, including the key performance targets I have set. The majority will require some improvement on the Prison Service's very creditable performance in 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the full accounts of the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the last year for which the accounts are available; [44096](2) which grades so entitled within the police service have refused to join

None of those entitled or invited to join have refused to join the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland or ACPO Limited.I have arranged for a full copy of the accounts for 1996/97 for the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland (ACPO) to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research is being evaluated by his Department into the reporting of incidents of self-harm by young prisoners. [43875]

A Prison Service Headquarters research and development group on suicide and self-injury acts as a forum for formulating and co-ordinating research into suicide and self-injury in forensic settings. A range of research has been conducted, including developing risk screening procedures amongst young offenders. Current commissioned research includes a project being undertaken at the University of Kent at Canterbury, examining current practices of recording and monitoring self-injury and suicidal behaviours, with the objective of identifying more effective methods of management.The 1997 publication "Suicide and Self-Injury in Prisons" (by the British Psychological Society) includes an overview of recent and current research in the area.In addition, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, is currently preparing an independent thematic review on suicides and self-injury in prisons, which is expected to be completed later this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) males and (b) females aged (i) 14, (ii) 15, (iii) 16, (iv) 17 and (v) 18 years were held in prisons on 1 May. [43656]

The latest available information is for 30 April 1998 and is given in the table. Information on the population of young persons, by age and type of custody is published in successive volumes of "Prison statistics, England and Wales" (Table 3.2 of the 1996 edition—Cm 3732), copies of which are in the Library.

Population of young persons in prisons in England and Wales by sex and age on 30 April 19981
Age	Male	Female
14	—	—
15	224	5
16	685	21
17	1,501	61
18	2,309	102
1 Provisional figures

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are made when assistance is provided by state prisons to private prisons for (a) controlling riot situations and (b) other purposes. [44008]

The arrangements made for providing assistance from public sector prisons to a contracted-out prison for dealing with a serious incident are no different from those between public sector prisons. These arrangements are reciprocal between public and private sectors and staff from a contracted-out prison could be used in support of a public sector prison.A serious incident is one which:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated total of tuition fees which will be payable in the final year of four-year honours courses at Scottish universities and colleges by United Kingdom students from outside Scotland. [44427]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Gorrie) on 24 November 1997, Official Report, column 422.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many United Kingdom students from outside Scotland are in the final year of four-year honours degree courses at Scottish universities or colleges. [44428]

Statistics on the numbers of students in the final year of an honours course are not held centrally.The number of United Kingdom honours graduates from outside Scotland who qualified on first degree courses in Scotland in 1997 is given in the table.

1997 Non-Scottish United Kingdom honours graduates from Scottish higher education institutions, by mode of study and years on course
Years on course	Full time	Part time	All students
Three or fewer	508	2	510
Four	2,891	5	2,896
Five or more	635	12	647
Unknown	2	0	2
All graduates	4,036	19	4,055

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of those people whom he has appointed since 1 May 1997, indicating (a) the positions to which they have been appointed, (b) the dates of their tenure, (c) their professions, (d) their salaries, (e) the name of the person they replaced and (f) the profession of the person they replaced. [44071]

The information at (a) to (d) is available in the public appointments section of the Scottish Office website on the Internet (http://www.scotland.gov.uk). It is not possible to provide a meaningful response to (e) and (f) since individual members of public bodies—other than Chairmen—are not normally appointed in direct replacement for others.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 5 May 1998, Official Report, column 265, if she will make a statement on the basis on which the map for European NUTS II submitted to Eurostat was compiled, and if the map is being used to determine structural fund allocations. [43615]

The criteria used by the UK Government Statistical Service in formulating proposals for changes to the NUTS classification are set out in the consultation document issued by the Office for National Statistics in June 1996. A copy of this was placed in the House of Commons Library.The extent to which NUTS boundaries could be used for structural fund allocations will be set out in the relevant regulations. The European Commission made its proposals on 18 March 1998; these now need to be negotiated in the Council of Ministers and where appropriate approved by the European Parliament. The NUTS boundaries for the UK which might then be used may depend on the timing of the conclusion of discussions between the Government Statistical Service and Eurostat.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to public funds of the processing of insolvencies in each of the past eight years. [44206]

£000
Year	Total cost
1990–91	49,611
1991–92	56,897
1992–93	63,466
1993–94	69,350
1994–95	71,814
1995–961	99,199
1996–971	76,009
1 The costs for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are from the agency's audited accounts. The 1995–96 accounts include an exceptional item of £12.502 million.

Annual accounts for the year ended 31 March 1998 are currently being audited.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list those officials from her Department who attended the Contingency and Operational Procurement Exhibition (COPEX) in Jordan in April, indicating the costs of their attendance and the total amount of public funds extended by her Department to companies attending this event. [44506]

No DTI officials attended the 1998 edition of COPEX in Jordan, and we did not subsidise UK firms to exhibit at or visit the event.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recommendations she has received about the future of Dounreay. [44559]

The UKAEA have advised me that there is no economic case for supporting commercial reprocessing at Dounreay over the longer term. The Government have therefore decided that Dounreay should take on no further commercial reprocessing work. Reprocessing at Dounreay will therefore come to an end when the plant has completed reprocessing its own fuel, the Georgian Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) and its existing commercial contracts.In carrying forward this remaining work, the UKAEA has assured my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and me that safety will be paramount and,

Gross income	150	200	250	300	400
For the 1998–99 tax year
Single Person—no children
National Insurance	9.88	14.88	19.88	24.88	34.88
Income Tax	13.87	24.96	36.46	47.96	70.96
Tax and NICs, as a percentage of gross earnings	15.8	19.9	22.5	24.3	26.5
Net income	126.25	160.16	193.66	227.16	294.16
Equivalised Net Income	206.97	262.55	317.47	372.39	482.22
Lone Parent (1 child aged 4 years)—new lone parent since April 1998, not receiving lone parents benefit
National Insurance	9.88	14.88	19.88	24.88	34.88
Income Tax	8.38	19.48	30.98	42.48	65.48
Child Benefit	11.45	11.45	11.45	11.45	11.45
Family Credit	37.54	13.80	0.00	0.00	0.00
Tax and NICs, less child benefit and family credit, as a percentage of gross earnings	-20.5	4.6	15.8	18.6	22.2
Net Income	180.72	190.89	210.59	244.09	311.09
Equivalised Net Income	228.76	241.63	266.56	308.97	393.78

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 1998, Official Report, columns 400–02, concerning income tax, national insurance and child benefits, if he will provide comparable figures for (a) the tax year 1998–99 and (b) the second half of 1999–2000 on the basis of the figures used in the Financial Statement and Budget Report. [42670]

The information requested, including Family Credit or Working Families Tax Credit for the different family types, is contained in the table. The childcare tax credit within the WFTC will also provide substantial help for working families. For example, a family with one child could receive up to £70 per week towards childcare costs, and up to £105 a week for families with more than one child.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of tax was reclaimed on bank and building society interest by (a) all people and (b) people aged 65 years or over in 1996–97, indicating (i) the average, (ii) the medium, (iii) the smallest and (iv) the largest amount reclaimed. [43338]

[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The latest information is derived from the 1995–96 Survey of Personal Incomes. It is estimated that claims were received for the repayment of £110 million tax deducted from bank and building society interest that was paid or credited in 1995–96. The average amount claimed per claimant was £130 and the median was £60.People aged 65 or over accounted for £65 million of these claims; for these people the average amount of tax claimed back was £140 and the median was £75.Information is not available about the smallest and largest amounts claimed.Tax was deducted from bank and building society interest at 25 per cent. in 1995–96.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of (a) people of all ages and (b) people aged 65 years or over who did not reclaim tax paid on bank and building society interest in 1996–97 and who were entitled to do so; and if he will indicate the average amount not reclaimed. [43340]

[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The Inland Revenue have no way of identifying most non-taxpayers, so estimates of the numbers of eligible people who have not claimed back tax on their bank or building society interest are not available from Inland Revenue sources. The external sources that have been used in the past to help provide rough estimates are now out of date.People who know that they are likely to be non-taxpayers are able to register their bank and building society accounts to receive their interest without tax deducted.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the parameters of the review into double tax relief for companies are that the relief should be revenue neutral. [43572]

[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The Government attach great importance to the relief of double taxation, as indicated in the Inland Revenue press release of 17 March 1998. The current review will examine the functioning and fairness of the present system, its effectiveness in meeting the objectives for which it is provided and the compliance costs that it involves for business. Its purpose is to consider the case for structural reform in the context of international developments and the organisation of multinational businesses. The cost of the relief is influenced by a number of factors, including the amount of foreign income that is taxed in the UK and relative tax rates in the UK and other countries. A consultation document will be issued in due course.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of (a) non-taxpayers and (b) non-taxpayers aged over 65 years who did not reclaim

Resolution number	Date	Resolution
38(1948)	17 January 1948	Calls on India and Pakistan not to aggravate Kashmir dispute
39(1948)	20 January 1948	Establishes Commission (UNCIP) to investigate and mediate in Jammu and Kashmir
47(1948)	21 April 1948	Recommends plebiscite to decide sovereignty of Jammu and Kashmir
51(1948)	3 June 1948	Urges Commission to speed up work on SCR 47
80(1950)	14 March 1950	Calls for demilitarisation of Jammu and Kashmir and appoints UN Representative to the region
91(1951)	30 March 1951	Reaffirms need for demilitarisation and plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir
96(1951)	10 November 1951	Approves India and Pakistan's willingness to observe ceasefire and work for plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir
98(1952)	23 December 1952	Urges India and Pakistan to negotiate two outstanding proposals of UN Representative
122(1957)	24 January 1957	Denies recognition for decisions of "All Jammu and Kashmir National Conference"
123(1957)	21 February 1957	SC President asked to discuss Jammu and Kashmir dispute with India and Pakistan
126(1957)	2 December 1957	Notes report of SC President; urges India and Pakistan to refrain from aggravating situation

We believe that it is primarily for India and Pakistan to find a solution to the problem. In doing so, we believe that the two sides should build on both the UN Resolutions and the 1972 Simla agreement.

[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The Inland Revenue have no way of identifying most non-taxpayers, so estimates of the numbers of eligible people who have not claimed payments of tax credits on dividends are not available from Inland Revenue sources. Neither are there external sources that could provide reliable estimates.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to pay in full the recommendations of the public sector review bodies for pay settlements in the year 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [44295]

[holding answer 4 June 1998]: The recommendations are being paid in full this year, although staged. We will consider next year's recommendations at the time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for taxing child benefit. [44574]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer indicated in his Budget statement that, if Child Benefit were raised, there must be a case in principle for higher rate taxpayers paying tax on it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the current United Nations Resolutions which apply to Kashmir and the date on which each was agreed; and if he will take steps to ensure that each is updated. [44221]

The United Nations Security Council has adopted the following resolutions on Kashmir:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Spelthorne dated 8 May. [44105]

I replied to the hon. Member on 1 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the code name of the NATO exercise in Macedonia in September; when he decided to commit British troops; and when (a) he or (b) his officials consulted (i) ministers and (ii) officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. [41182]

[holding answer 8 May 1998]: The NATO Partnership for Peace exercise due to take place in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia this September is called Cooperative Best Effort 98. My Department has decided, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, that British troops will participate in the exercise. We will announce our contribution shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters or commercial hirings he estimates would be required if a single Divisional HQ was established to cover Scotland and the north of England; what would be the capital value of these quarters if such an HQ were located in Scotland; and if the capital cost of the married quarters will be included in the estimates of the relative costs of establishing such an HQ in Scotland and in England. [43991]

[holding answer 1 June 1998]: These are matters to be studied during the course of the review that is being undertaken; and I should expect them to be reflected in the cost estimates of the options, when presented to Ministers, to the extent that they materially affect the options.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters and commercial hirings there are currently for soldiers working at UK Land Command's (a) 2 Div HQ and (b) Scottish District HQ; and what is the estimated capital value of the married quarters used by soldiers at the Scottish District HQ. [43990]

[holding answer 1 June 1998]: Service Families Accommodation (SFA) in mainland UK is provided and allocated on a tri-service basis by the Defence Housing Executive. Houses are not generally provided for the exclusive use of particular formations or units. Currently, about 50 personnel at 2 Div HQ in York occupy SFA, mainly leased from Annington Homes which currently attract no capital charge. About 30 Service personnel at Scottish District HQ in Edinburgh occupy SFA, all owned by MOD, the capital value of which is approximately £2.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Sea Harrier, (b) Lynx and (c) Sea King were (i) allocated to frontline Fleet Air arm units, (ii) fully serviceable, (iii) undergoing major maintenance and (iv) held as in use reserve on 1 June. [44126]

On 1 June 1998, 24 Sea Harriers, 51 Lynx and 83 Sea King aircraft were allocated to front line Fleet Air Arm Units. The number fully serviceable were 20, 43 and 66 respectively. Those undergoing major maintenance were 4, 7 and 13 respectively, and these, together with 2 additional Lynx, form the In Use Reserves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the letter sent to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 18 May, if a decision has now been made on the relocation of the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School; and if he will make a statement. [44222]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 6 April 1998, Official Report, column 51. I expect to be able to announce, before the summer recess, the findings of the study into the possible relocation of the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School from its present site in Kent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the levels of skills shortages as regards his Department's technical civilian staff in (a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [44390]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, recruitment campaigns have been necessary in recent years across a range of technical specialisms. Difficulties have been experienced primarily with computer sciences, satellite communications, electrical/electronic engineering, mathematicians and physicists. Shortages have also occurred in specialisms, such as naval architects and in the aeronautical, stress and mechanical engineering areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Medical Training Organisation for 1998–99. [45106]

Key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Medical Training Organisation for financial year 1998–99. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1997 and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Medical Supplies Agency for 1998–99. [45107]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Medical Supplies Agency for financial year 1998–99. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Secondary Care Agency for 1998–99. [45108]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency for financial year 1998–99. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1996 and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Dental Agency for 1998–99. [45109]

Key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Dental Agency for the financial year 1998–99. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Bases and Supply Agency for 1998–99. [45110]

The Chief Executive of the Naval Bases and Supply Agency has been set the following key targets:

• Key Target 1
• Complete 95 per cent. of the Fleet Time Maintenance Loading programme to time, budget and standard.
• Key Target 2
• Complete 95 per cent. of the agreed Maintenance Requirements at Assisted Maintenance Periods start date to time, budget and standard.
• Key Target 3
• Utilise the Fleet Time Maintenance Loading programme to establish the baseline for the NBSA shipwork element of the overall cost per Materially Available Vessel Day, and then set targets for reduction.
• Key Target 4
• Supply 95 per cent. of available material to rectify high priority (A1-B1) Operational Defects within Required Delivery Dates.
• Key Target 5
• Establish the Agency account via the CAPITAL Project, including the provision of an Executive Information System to meet business requirements, by March 2000.
• Key Target 6
• To ensure Year 2000 Information Systems compliance by completing 100 per cent. plans by 30 June 1998.
• Key Target 7
• Achieve year on year Efficiency improvement of 2.2 per cent.
• Key Target 8
• Achieve full accreditation of Investors in People by December 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Ships Support Agency for 1998–99. [45111]

The Chief Executive of the Ships Support Agency has been set the following key targets:

Performance indicator	Targets
Materially Available Vessel Days (MAVDs)
To provide the Royal Navy with the agreed percentage of materially available vessel days	66 per cent.
Pounds per Standard MAVD
To provide the agreed Fleet available cost-effectively	£38k per Standard MAVD
Upkeep Period Timeliness
To deliver programmed Upkeep Periods within the specified percentage tolerance of the agreed programme upkeep time	+10 per cent.
Upkeep Period Costs
To contain the cost of Upkeep Periods completed during the year within the specified percentage tolerance of predicted costs	+/-3 per cent.
Fleet Time Material Performance (Quality)
To limit the average number of outstanding Operational Defects per vessel in Fleet Time	6