To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidelines are followed by the Public Trust Office on consulting relatives when a transfer of receivership is proposed. [43673]

The guidelines followed by the Public Trust Office to consult relatives when a transfer of receivership is proposed are set out in the Court of Protection Rules 1994 at rule 27.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many clients under the supervision of the Public Trust Office have suffered financial losses under its supervision in each year since 1990. [43671]

No client under the supervision of the Public Trust Office has suffered a financial loss since 1990. Any loss that has occurred as a result of a mistake by the Public Trust Office is made good.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number of clients under the supervision of the Public Trust Office in each year since 1990. [43672]

It is only from the 1993/94 financial year that caseload figures in the Public Trust Office have been monitored on the same basis year on year. Although figures prior to 1993/94 exist, they have not been formulated in the same manner as those available from that date. On this basis, I am able to provide the figures from 1993/94 which include those cases in the Trust and Funds Sector of the Public Trust Office, as well as the Mental Health Sector caseload:

• 1993–94—261,603;
• 1994–95—262,409;
• 1995–96—284,619;
• 1996–97—297,195;
• 1997–98—302,506.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list how many times a complaint against the Public Trust Office has been referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner; and how many were upheld, for each year since 1990. [43685]

No separate records are available before 1995 as, prior to the Public Trust Office being established as an executive agency on 1 July 1994, complaints referred to the parliamentary Commissioner were not separately recorded. Since 1995, one formal complaint has been received from the Parliamentary Commissioner which he is currently investigating and he has made preliminary inquiries into three complaints which were taken no further.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many complaints were received by (a) the Public Trust Office and (b) his Department in respect of the operation of the Public Trust Office in each year since 1990. [43674]

I am able to supply the figures for each financial year from 1990–91. However, it should be noted that the introduction of Charter Standards by the Public Trust Office, to coincide with the launch of the Office as an executive agency on 1 July 1994, together with the recommendations made by the Citizen's Charter Complaints Task Force, meant that, from 1994–95, complaints were monitored in a more rigorous and consistent fashion across the Office.The figures for each year from 1990–91, showing the number of complaints received by the Public Trust Office, and the number of complaints received by the Lord Chancellor's Department in respect of the operation of the Public Trust Office, respectively are as follows:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress is being made on the building of a new magistrates court in Worcester. [43724]

A new magistrates court for Worcester is being procured though the Private Finance Initiative. Final offers have been submitted by two bidders. It is hoped that a preferred bidder will be announced shortly with the contract finalised later this year. The new accommodation is expected to be available in 2001.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of legal aid cases are solely for parental access. [43888]

The Legal Aid Board is unable to provide the information in the format requested. Legal aid cases relating solely to parental access are not separately recorded by the Board. Such cases could be covered by a certificate issued in response to applications for residence and contact orders; or by combined certificates including injunctions ancillary relief, residence and contact orders. Applications for residence and contact orders are not solely covered by civil legal aid. Work relating to such orders could also be included under Legal Advice and Assistance (Green Form Scheme) and ABWOR.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the training of administrators on the Legal Aid Board. [43889]

The Legal Aid Board is an independent body and I do not interfere in the day-to-day running of the organisation. There are two executive members of the Legal Aid Board who are administrators, the Chief Executive and the Director of Resources and Supplier Development. Their training is monitored by the Board's Top Management and Personnel Committee. The Committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Board and oversees the performance of all senior executives and is responsible for ensuring that they are adequately trained. We have no plans to review arrangements.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to introduce legislation to reform (a) adult protective legislation and (b) enduring power of attorney. [43959]

Consultation on the Green Paper "Who Decides—Making Decisions on Behalf of Mentally Incapacitated Adults" has not closed. Well over 3,000 responses have been received and are being collated for analysis by an interdepartmental working group of officials. No decision has yet been made as to a timetable for taking matters forward if it is decided to proceed to legislation in these areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 May 1998, Official Report, column 218, what factors underlie the delay in replying to the letter from the hon. Member for New Forest, East. [43624]

I responded to the points raised in the letter in my answer of 18 May 1998, Official Report, column 218, and I now consider the matter closed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of cycle lanes there are currently within the Greater London area. [44120]

Taking together the London Cycle Network, the Thames Cycle Route, the Priority (Red Routes) programme, and other measures on London's trunk roads, approximately 225 miles of cycle lanes had been introduced by March 1998. Highway authorities have also provided cycle lanes on local roads, outside of the London Cycle Network and the Red Routes, but mileage figures are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received from his French counterpart, concerning her decision to halt movement of spent irradiated nuclear fuel transport flasks on 6 May; how many flasks of this type have been transported into the United Kingdom; and if he will place the safety of spent fuel transportation on the Agenda for the next European Environment and Transport Council meetings. [44108]

I understand that consignments of irradiated nuclear fuel from power stations are currently suspended in both France and Germany following revelations of high levels of non-fixed radioactive contamination arising during shipments to the reprocessing facility at La Hague. I am not aware of any shipments from European power stations to Sellafield revealing similarly high levels of contamination in the United Kingdom. I further understand that my counterparts in France and Germany have set up a working group of the representatives of their safety authorities, charged to organise the bilateral co-operation of the specialists in the disciplines concerned. My officials have offered to participate in this working group. I believe it would be appropriate to await the findings and recommendations of this working group before consideration is given to putting this item on to the Agenda for the European Environment and Transport Council meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for the creation of new parishes under the Local Government and Rating Act 1997 his Department has received; what is the average time taken to determine the applications; and what were the outcomes of such determinations. [44391]

Since 1 May 1997, my right hon. Friend has received seven requests for new parishes in the form of petitions and 13 from district councils following parish reviews. To date, he has decided that three new parishes should be created; he has yet to decide on the other requests.The three parishes for East Cowes, Beverley and Cottingham were all requested by petition and took, on average, around six months from receipt of paperwork to the decision being made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many days during May the Government's ozone health safety guideline in atmospheric air was breached in High Peak; and if he will make a statement. [44376]

My Department measures air quality at the Ladybower site in Derbyshire.There were six days during May when the National Air Quality standard for ozone (50 parts per billion (ppb) as an 8-hour running mean) was exceeded at Ladybower. The levels on these days reached the "moderate" air pollution band. There were no days during May when air pollution reached "high" (greater than 90ppb as an hourly mean). The highest hourly ozone concentration recorded during May at Ladybower was 69ppb.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets he has set and measures he has put in place to reduce atmospheric ozone to below the Government's ozone health safety limit. [44377]

The Government have adopted a provisional objective for ozone of 50 parts per billion as a running 8-hour mean, to be achieved at the 97th percentile level, i.e. on all but 10 days per year assuming perfect operation of the monitoring station with 100 per cent. data capture throughout the year, by 2005.Ozone is a secondary pollutant found in the atmosphere from the reaction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight. It is a transboundary pollutant in that precursors emitted in one country can contribute to ozone formation in others. Action to tackle ozone formation needs, therefore, to be taken in a coherent fashion at a European scale in order to optimise the cost effectiveness of abatement measures.The United Kingdom has implemented many measures aimed at reducing ozone precursor emissions. These include ratification of the UNECE-CLRTAP (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe-Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution) Protocol to reduce emissions of VOCs by 30 per cent. relative to 1988, ratification of a UNECE-CLRTAP Protocol to stabilise emissions of nitrogen oxides at 1987 levels, implementation of several European Community Directives to reduce exhaust emissions of VOCs and nitrogen oxides from road vehicles, implementation of an EC Directive to reduce emissions of VOCs from the storage and distribution of petrol and implementation of the European Community Directive limiting the emissions from Large Combustion Plant.In addition, the Government are currently actively participating in discussions on further European measures to reduce emissions of VOCs from the use of solvents and further measures to reduce emissions from road vehicles planned for the years 2000 and 2005. Furthermore, and due to the international nature of ozone formation, the Government are actively participating in discussions to develop a further UNECE-CLRTAP protocol and a European Community Strategy to address ozone.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the Highways Maintenance Budget for Cumbria for each of the last 10 years. [44859]

Figures for Cumbria County Council's net current expenditure on highways maintenance are only available for the last eight years, as listed.

Year	£000
1990–91	23,460
1991–92	24,031
1992–93	24,358
1993–94	22,607
1994–95	23,558
1995–96	22,066
1996–97	23,974
1997–98	122,365
1 Provisional outturn

The budget estimate for 1998–99 is £22,781,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the expenditure in 1996–97 and 1997–98 on disabled facilities grants; how many such grants were awarded in each of these years; and what was the average cost of a disabled facilities grant in each year. [44664]

In 1996–97, more than 22,000 mandatory and discretionary disabled facilities grants were given at a cost of over £90 million in public expenditure. The average grant was just over £4,100. No figures are yet available for 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 1 June 1998, Official Report, column 17, concerning disabled facility grants, if he will set out the timetable for developing policy; and what plans he has to consult on the matter. [44618]

We will be considering policy on disabled facilities grants during the forthcoming year. We have no current plans to consult formally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what questions were asked in the telephone survey mentioned in the planning inspector's report carried out on holidaymakers to Middleton Sands, Morecambe, relating to the proposed prison there; if he will provide a breakdown of the results; and if he will make a statement. [44395]

[holding answer 5 June 1998]: I will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the increase in the costs of transporting freight on the cross-Channel ferries that will arise from the abolition of the duty-free trade and consequent increase in ticket prices. [44810]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 May 1998, Official Report, columns 117–18.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account he will take of the findings of the Atmospheric Particles Expert Group on the extent of pollution from coal-fired and oil-fired power stations in his review of the National Air Quality Strategy. [44639]

We will be considering information from a variety of experts, including the Airborne Particles Expert Group, during the process of the review of the National Air Quality Strategy. The report of the Airborne Particles Expert Group has yet to be published. A draft of the report will be circulated for peer review in the summer. The final report is due to be published towards the end of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research has been carried out into the effects of genetically modified crops planted in England on (a) surrounding areas and (b) those who consume the food and into the risks of cross-fertilisation with non-genetically modified crops planted nearby. [44581]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions funds a research programme to support the risk assessment of proposed releases of genetically modified organisms into the environment. Copies of all our published research reports have been placed in the House of Commons Library. Six completed reports are awaiting publication and seven projects are currently under way. Our assessment of the likely effects of the GMOs always includes the surrounding area. This would include, for example, gene transfer to wild relatives and other crops, effects on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and the safety of those living in the vicinity of the release. Therefore, all our research projects contribute to our assessment of applications for consent in this respect.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres in England have been given over to genetically modified crops; and if he will make a statement as to the acreage of the different crops involved. [44580]

Currently, there are 64 experimental trials of genetically modified crops in progress covering a total of approximately 841 acres. Of these, one site is 494 acres, with the remainder consisting of small size plots with an average area of less than 2 acres. In addition to the sites for experimental releases, there is one oilseed rape trial for commercial seed production covering 17.5 acres.The majority of the experimental trials are for oilseed rape (27), sugar beet (16), and potatoes (14), although GM wheat (3), maize (2), chicory (1) and barley (1) are also grown.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be done with genetically modified crops sown in Staverton and under the control of his Department once they have been harvested. [44579]

The genetically modified maize crop sown at Staverton has animal feed safety clearance from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and it is normal practice for such material to be used as animal fodder after harvest. In addition, some of the crop may be used for analysis of seed production and yield, as it forms part of the National List Trials for maize.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the salary bill for Kent County Council for the years (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99 anticipated. [44211]

Kent County Council have reported employee expenses in 1995–96 and 1996–97 as £539 million and £558 million respectively. Employee expenses are not separately identified within the available data on 1997–98 provisional outturn and 1998–99 budgeted expenditure.The above figures for employee expenses include indirect expenditures such as relocation and training expenses as well as the direct salary bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff were employed by Kent County Council in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99. [44210]

The available information refers to the position at June each year, so data for 1998 are not yet available. The figures for earlier years are as follows:

Staff employed by Kent County Council at June of each year
Year	Full-time	Part-time	Total staff
(a) 1995	19,300	21,000	40,300
(b) 1996	19,000	21,100	40,100
(c) 1997	18,700	20,200	38,900

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff left the employ of Kent County Council in 1997–98 to join the staff at the Medway Unitary Authority. [44212]

I understand from Kent County Council that 5,873 staff transferred from their employment to that of the Medway Unitary Authority in 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in developing a new waste strategy for England and Wales. [45124]

I promised earlier this year that I would begin the process of preparing a new national waste strategy with a wide ranging public consultation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I will be launching tomorrow, at the Institute of Waste Management Centenary Conference in Torbay, a consultation paper: "Less Waste: More Value", which sets out the key principles underlying our approach, and seeks views on how to improve the way our society deals with its waste.The consultation exercise will last through the Summer. We will be looking for views from a wide range of people and organisations, and want to provoke a wide debate on the options open to us and the best way to take waste management into the twenty-first century. The consultation period will end on 25 September, after which we will carefully study all the views presented to us and start drafting the new waste strategy.Copies will be sent to hon. Members, and will also be available tomorrow morning in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his decision on the final cap for Derbyshire County Council; and if he will make a statement. [45125]

I have today laid before the House a draft Order, under section 57 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, setting out our decision on the final cap for Derbyshire County Council.We have considered very carefully all the available relevant information, including the case made by the Council in support of a higher cap, before taking our decision. We have decided to increase the cap proposed for Derbyshire, by £2.9 million.Derbyshire's cap is, in our view, reasonable, appropriate and achievable in all the circumstances of the County Council. This decision will reduce public expenditure and the burden on council taxpayers in the County by £1 million in 1998–99. This will result in a council tax reduction (at Band D) of around £4.31.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many breaches of regulations in respect of the disposal of paper pulp on agricultural land there have been in the last three years; and what action was taken against those responsible. [43640]

[pursuant to her reply, 1 June 1998, c. 28]: Under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is unlawful to deposit, recover or dispose of controlled waste without a waste management licence, contrary to the conditions of a licence or in a way which causes pollution of the environment or harm to human health. Where someone purports to be carrying out an activity which is exempt from waste management licensing but fails to comply with the terms of the exemption, that person may be prosecuted under section 33 of the 1990 Act for carrying out a licensable activity without a licence. The Environment Agency is responsible for the enforcement of these provisions in England and Wales.Most landspreading of waste is carried out under the terms of the exemption from waste management licensing in paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. I understand that the Environment Agency is developing a central prosecution database. However, I am advised that, at present, the Agency does not maintain a central record of occasions or sites on which waste may have been landspread in a manner which is inconsistent with the terms of the exemption in the 1994 Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Territorial Army headquarters Ministers have visited since 1 May 1997. [43644]

No visits have yet been made to Territorial Army Headquarters by any Ministers in my Department. Ministers have, however, met both senior TA officers and representatives of the TVRAs on a number of occasions since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Tornado, (b) Tornado F3, (c) Harrier, (d) Jaguar, (e) Hawk, (f) Nimrod, (g) Sentry, (h) TriStar, (i) Puma, (j) Sea King and (k) Chinook were(i) allocated to frontline RAF units, (ii) fully serviceable, (iii) undergoing major maintenance and (iv) held as in use reserve on 1 June. [44130]

I will write to the hon. and learned Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the procurement of C-17; [44467](2) how many companies are involved in the production of C-17s; and what guidelines are being used for the purchase of C-17. [44468]

Our future air transport requirement is being scrutinised closely in the Strategic Defence Review and no decisions have yet been taken. Any future airlift procurement will be subject to normal procurement rules. In reply to the specific question on C-17, the aircraft is produced by the Boeing Company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the British Government's commitment to the Future Large Aircraft. [44469]

A provisional request for proposals has been issued to Airbus, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Alenia and FLABEL pending the formation of Airbus Military Company, AMC. We are still discussing with our partners when Requests for Proposals will be issued to potential suppliers under competitive arrangements. A procurement decision will be made in the light of the conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review and of the responses to the Request for Proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what rate commercial exploitation levies are normally levied against the export of defence equipment whose development has been funded by his Department. [44511]

Commercial Exploitation Levy rates are negotiated case by case, either on the basis of fixed percentage rates according to the nature of the equipment, or through profit sharing schemes. Details of levy arrangements for individual equipments are commercially confidential, as are the amounts of levy received in respect of specific sales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the cost to public funds for each year since 1990 incurred by branches of his Department other than DESO in the promotion of British defence exports; [44435](2) what was the cost to his Department of the attendance of

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of the commercial exploitation levies paid by Vickers to the Government as a result of each of the contracts from the Government of Oman for the export of Challenger II tanks; and what percentage of the contract this represents. [44509]

Disclosure of this information would harm the competitive position of contractors and I am therefore withholding it under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of the Defence Military Assistance Fund; when it was set up; and what was its budget in the last year. [44434]

The Defence Military Assistance Fund is a cash fund which is available to subsidise the cost of overseas military assistance in support of defence objectives, including training, loan service personnel and other support activities. It was introduced on 1 April 1996 to replace the Defence Policy Fund and the Defence Sales Fund. The budget allocated for the Defence Military Assistance Fund last year was £10.506 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has provided in financial assistance to the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress) in each of the last five years. [44386]

In keeping with the practice that central Government do not provide funding in support of charities' core activities, the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress) does not receive any financial support from the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for raising its own funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has made for the disposal of The Keep in Kingston; and if he will make a statement. [44563]

My Department has no plans to dispose of Service Families Quarters at The Keep in Kingston.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on joint command and staff training matters. [45105]

The establishment of the Joint Services' Command and Staff College at its interim site at Bracknell has highlighted the considerable benefits to be had from a joint approach to command and staff training within a multinational environment. Opportunities for the common understanding of warfare and Defence as a whole are maximised. Specially selected officers have their command, analytical and communication skills tested against challenging scenarios ranging from Peace Support Operations to modern warfare. As part of our commitment to joint training, my Department has signed a PFI contract with Defence Management (Watchfield) Ltd. to build a new Joint College at Shrivenham (Watchfield) and to provide a range of facility management services. The new College is scheduled to open in September 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition. [45141]

Following consultations with the UK Defence Trade Associations, we propose to change the future arrangements for the exhibition of naval and land systems equipment. In future, the Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition will be replaced by an international defence exhibition, run by a professional exhibition company, in a partnership to be formed with the Trade Associations. Subject to the conclusion of satisfactory arrangements, including a decision on the venue, the first exhibition will be held in September 1999. The Ministry of Defence will ensure that the exhibition is run fully in line with Government policy on defence exports and MOD officials will be closely involved to ensure that comprehensive security and emergency arrangements are in place. The move to an international format reflects the wide involvement of UK industry in collaborative projects and joint ventures and the Government's encouragement of these trends.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to assist in the global elimination of anti-personnel land mines. [45140]

I have on a number of occasions underlined my commitment to doing as much as possible to achieve this objective. My hon. Friend will recall my letter of 27 January, in which I set out our plans to destroy all of the Army's operational stockpiles of anti-personnel land mines by 1 January 2000—well ahead of the deadline set by the Ottawa Convention. I am delighted to say that plans have now also been put in place to destroy the HB 876 anti-personnel submunition of the RAF's JP233 Airfield Denial Weapon by the same date.The MOD is also heavily involved in addressing the problem of the millions of mines that are the legacy of devastating conflicts around the world. We have made good progress in implementing the five point action plan on humanitarian demining I announced in October last year—in particular, the Mine Information and Training Centre at Minley is now fully operational—and we continue to look for ways to do more; the recent gifting of 10 demining tractors to the HALO Trust is one example of our commitment in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the results of the noise measurement trial relating to low-flying aircraft in the Tewkesbury area; and if he will make a statement. [44403]

A paper on the results of the noise monitoring trial is in preparation. It is our intention that this paper will be submitted for consideration for critical peer review at an international noise conference due to take place in New Zealand later this year. I will arrange for copies to be sent to the hon. Member, and placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Prime Minister on what dates each Government and agency rebuttal officer was thus designated. [43552]

The early and effective response to criticism of Government policy has always been an important and non-political duty of all departmental and agency press officers under all administrations. Titles of officers is a matter for Departments and agencies and is not centrally determined.As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health said in his reply to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) of 11 May 1998,

To ask the Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to promote the 1999 anniversary celebrations of the Evacuees Reunion Association. [44591]

The Evacuees Reunion Association (ERA) contacted me last year seeking Government support for their proposal to mark the 60th anniversary of wartime evacuation with a church service and rally in central London. The Home Office, which has responsibility for remaining civilian wartime matters, has taken a lead on this issue and will be seconding an official to provide help and guidance with the preparations.

To ask the Prime Minister which (a) Ministers in HM Government and (b) parliamentary private secretaries have spoken to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee on matters relating to the Committee's First Special report of Session 1997–98 (HC 760) Sierra Leone: Exchange of Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary. [44321]

[holding answer 5 June 1998]: I would expect Ministers and parliamentary private secretaries to have spoken both formally and informally to members of the Foreign Affairs Committee from all parties over the last few weeks on issues relating to Sierra Leone. This is part of the normal interface between Select Committees and Government.

To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made by the G8 countries in preventing the international production and distribution of child pornography, with particular reference to the Internet; if this matter was considered at the Birmingham Summit; and if he will make a statement. [43951]

At our summit in Birmingham last month, we agreed to implement rapidly the Principles and 10-point Action Plan against high-tech crime adopted by our Justice and Interior Ministers in Washington last December. Our governments are engaged in co-ordinated discussions with relevant industries in our countries, including Internet Service Providers, to develop better arrangements for obtaining electronic evidence of crimes and making it available to investigators and prosecutors in other jurisdictions. This will help us to combat a wide range of crimes including abuse of the Internet for the distribution of child pornography.The UK has an absolute prohibition on the production, circulation and possession of child pornography and these stringent laws equally apply to the Internet.The Government support the work of the Internet Watch Foundation which was established in September 1996 by Internet Service Providers primarily in response to growing concern about child pornography on the Internet. The Foundation passes all child pornography reports to the National Criminal Intelligence Service who route these to the relevant enforcement agency of the country concerned when the material appears to have originated outside the UK.The UK Government are committed to tackling the problem of child pornography and will continue to support initiatives to curb this gross misuse of our computer networks.

To ask the Prime Minister what sums of money were paid (a) by Her Majesty's Government and (b) by those acting on their behalf in salary and expenses to Mr. Stephen Kock between 1985 and 1992. [44809]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the costs were in each year since 1990 of administering European Structural Fund programmes in Wales. [43844]

The separately identifiable administrative costs to the Welsh Office from 1992–93 onwards are set out in the following table. Information on a comparable basis is not readily available for earlier years.

£
Financial year	Expenditure
1992–93	501,457
1993–94	588,834
1994–95	623,738
1995–96	601,340
1996–97	706,973
1997–98	590,200

The Welsh European Programme Executive Ltd. was incorporated on 15 October 1996. The financial transactions of the company commenced on 1 January 1997. Responsibility for most Structural Funds programme management was delegated to the company by the Welsh Office from 1 July 1997.The administration costs for the company from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1997 amounted to £854,384. These costs are not directly comparable to those given for the Welsh Office as they include setting-up costs and a range of overheads not included in the Welsh Office figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made in establishing a Welsh Forum on European Affairs; if he will list the names of those who attended the meeting of the preparatory group on 7 May; and if he will make a statement. [44062]

No such meeting was held on that date. The future relationship between Wales and Europe is, however, under review by Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to provide new resources to repair historic properties; and if he will make a statement on the recent English Heritage report on neglected historic properties. [44005]

The majority of Government funding for the repair of historic properties is channelled through English Heritage (EH), which will receive £102.0 million in funding this year from my Department. EH plans to offer £34.5 million in conservation grants for 1998–99. This includes £2 million for a new fast track grants scheme for repairs needed to limit further deterioration, and a further £5.3 million for grants schemes under its new Buildings at Risk initiative. The Government welcome EH's Register of Buildings at Risk, which highlights the most important historic buildings in need of repair. Combined with the new grants scheme, it marks the start of a new strategy to encourage best practice in the preservation of historic buildings, in accordance with the Government's planning and policy guidance note 15—"planning and the historic environment".

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what representations he has received from the villagers of Bradenstoke in Wiltshire concerning their attempt to repatriate the mediaeval barn of Bradenstoke Priory from California; and if he will make a statement; [44331](2) what applications the National Lottery has received from the villagers of Bradenstoke concerning the mediaeval barn of Bradenstoke Priory. [44330]

My Department has received no representations concerning the barn, although I am aware of the proposal to restore it to its original site. The Government have no locus to intervene in the matter. I understand that no application for Lottery funding in respect of the barn has so far been made. The Heritage Lottery Fund would in principle be prepared to consider such an application. Its success would depend upon the Trustees' assessment of the project against their normal funding criteria, which centre on heritage merit and benefit to the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if hunts which are licensed to hunt on Forestry Commission land have to follow the same rules as members of the public with respect to control of dogs and use of authorised routes only. [43747]

The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its Chief Executive, Dr. Bob McIntosh, to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a document for the guidance of students and higher and further education institutes setting out the new arrangements on fees, grants, loans, access funds and hardship loans; and if he will do so in consultation with students and institutions to ensure that it answers the questions frequently asked. [43874]

In October 1997, we published the booklet "Scottish Higher Education for the 21st Century" which gave those proposing to enter higher education in 1998–99 and beyond a guide to the new arrangements. The arrangements have also been the subject of discussions with representatives of institutions.The annual information booklet, "Student Support in Scotland—A Guide for Undergraduate Students 1998–99", was subsequently published by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland at Easter and has been widely available to both students and institutions. The booklet is part of the student support applications package and it provides full details of the assistance available to meet tuition fees, together with the grant and loan entitlements of new students entering higher education in session 1998–99. It also explains how students can apply for hardship loans and assistance form the Access Funds.We will be publishing additional factsheets this month which set out in bullet format answers to the questions most frequently asked in relation to specific types of students.Further information will be published later in the year and we will be happy to consider suggestions about the content.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to collect statistics on the acreage of (a) derelict and (b) contaminated land in each constituency in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [43332]

[holding answer 1 June 1998]: Information on derelict and contaminated land is collected for the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey by local authorities and is supplied to the Scottish Office who publish this in aggregated form. Further development of the survey would be required in consultation with the data providers before analyses could be provided at Parliamentary Constituency level. While the information supplied to the Scottish Office provides a grid reference for each affected site, assembling and publication of the information by Parliamentary Constituency would require geographic coding of sites and additional preparatory work by local authorities. As with all official statistics, the Survey is kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places currently exist in Scotland for secure accommodation for children; how many there were in each year since 1988; how many children are waiting for secure accommodation to become available; and if he will make a statement. [44026]

There are currently 86 secure places for children in Scotland, proportionately twice the number of secure places available in England and Wales. We therefore have no plans to increase significantly the number of places. Information on the number of secure places has been collected since 1991 and is noted in the table.

Year	Number
1991	84
1992	84
1993	84
1994	84
1995	88
1996	88
1997	86
1998	86

Details of the number of children waiting for a secure place are not held centrally, but peaks and troughs of demand arising from the combined needs of Courts and Children's Hearings mean that from time to time there will be situations where a secure place may not be available. A National Planning Group was set up in June last year to advise on the planning, management and development of secure accommodation and its alternatives. A report on its work to date is expected in the next few months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his Department's budget was for council and other publicly financed housing (i) in cash terms and (ii) in real terms, in 1998–99 prices and (iii) as a percentage of Scottish GDP each year since 1978–79; and how much was spent per council tenant and publicly financed housing tenant in Scotland in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms, in 1998–99 prices, in each of these years. [43392]

[holding answer 2 June 1998]: The available information is set out in the table. To provide meaningful information relating expenditure on housing to GDP, it would be necessary to include not only housing expenditure by the Scottish Office but also other public housing expenditure including, in particular, Housing Benefit which has increased substantially over the period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which grades so entitled within the police service have refused to join the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. [44099]

I am not aware of any eligible grades so entitled who have refused to join the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place a copy of the full accounts of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland for the last year for which the accounts are available in the Library. [44095]

The accounts of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland are contained in the Association's annual report. I have arranged for a copy of the 1997–98 report to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what dates his Department held consultative meetings on the Review of the Firearms Forms and Rules with (i) the British Medical Association and other professional medical representative bodies, (ii) the National Farmers Union (England and Wales), (iii) the National Farmers Union (Scotland), (iv) the Country Landowners Association (England and Wales), (v) the Country Landowners Association (Scotland), (vi) firearms clubs and associations, (vii) the British Deer Society, and the Deer Commission for Scotland and (viii) the British Sports Association for the Disabled; when he plans to conclude the review of firearms forms and rules; when he plans to implement the proposed new forms and rules; for what reasons the Home Office Note of the main issues raised at the meeting on 19 February to discuss the forms, was not sent to all consultees when requesting further written submissions; and when he intends to meet consultees to discuss these matters. [44100]

These are matters for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary who has overall responsibility for policy in relation to firearms in Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children received free school meals in each year since 1979; and what proportion of children this represents. [44205]

The information requested is shown in the table.

Education authority schools: number and percentage of pupils receiving free school meals in Scotland 1979–80 to 1996–97
Year	Number of pupils present on census day	Number of pupils taking free school meals	Percentage of pupils taking free school meals
1979–80	867,816	122,618	14.1
1980–81	867,786	114,711	13.2
1981–82	823,646	124,547	15.1
1982–83	814,506	132,953	16.3
1983–84	756,735	129,335	17.1
1984–85	752,073	136,669	18.2
1985–86	735,543	136,627	18.6
1986–87	729,869	143,194	19.6
1987–88	729,505	145,219	19.9
1988–89	713,034	105,232	14.8
1989–90	704,357	99,303	14.1
1990–91	698,554	101,915	14.6
1991–92	695,201	107,186	15.4
1992–93	687,081	107,709	15.7
1993–94	727,101	121,479	16.7
1994–95	729,089	121,123	16.6
1995–96	730,835	121,318	16.6
1996–97	731,096	115,421	15.8

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) individual and (b) corporate insolvencies there have been in each of the last eight years. [44202]

Statistics on insolvencies are produced by statisticians in the Department of Trade and Industry. The information requested is shown in the table:

Insolvencies in Scotland
	Individuals		Companies
	Sequestrations	Total	Compulsory liquidations	Creditors' voluntary liquidations
1990	4,350	470	251	219
1991	7,665	616	304	312
1992	10,845	670	310	360
1993	6,828	551	286	265
1994	2,182	444	242	202
1995	2,188	441	252	189
1996	2,503	441	266	175
1997	2,502	447	254	223

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of his Department's funding for education has been allocated to Argyll and Bute; for what purpose; and under what headings since May 1997. [44576]

The Department's funding for education extends principally to the further and higher education sectors, including grants to students. Such expenditure is not readily identifiable for particular geographical areas. Responsibility for school education in the Argyll and Bute area lies with Argyll and Bute Council and is funded through the general arrangements for local authority resources. Resources have also been allocated to Argyll and Bute Council since May 1997 for the following specified purposes related to school education:

£
	1997–98	1998–99
Early Intervention	118,289	107,450
Alternatives to Exclusion	23,663	54,000
School Security	239,000	239,000
In-Service Training for SEN	21,437	17,278
In-Service Training for Pre-school	21,693	—
Pre-School capital	70,008	—
New Deal for Schools	202,000	607,000
School Rationalisation	—	440,000
Spend to Save	—	341,000
Main Pre-school Grant	—	758,480
Additional Pre-school Grant	—	388,430

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) Catholic and (b) Protestant children were held in Lisnevin at the time of each disturbance there in 1994; how many of each group were prosecuted and convicted arising out of the disturbances; and how many were transferred to the Young Offenders Centre, Hydebank. [31626]

[holding answer 27 February 1998]: There have been no serious disturbances in Lisnevin since 1994. In that year, two incidents occurred. The first in April and the second in November. The details requested are as follows:

	Protestant	Catholic	Total
April 1994
Population	16	16	32
Transferred to YOC	6	11	17
Prosecuted	5	8	13
Convicted	4	5	9
November 1994	Population	14	27	41
Transferred to YOC	1	8	9
Prosecuted	1	6	7
Convicted	1	6	7

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated annual cost of running (a) home detention orders and (b) community curfew orders backed by electronic tagging. [43876]

The proposals in the Crime and Disorder Bill relating to Home Detention Curfew are estimated to cost up to £35 million per year, but are expected to avoid the need for estimated expenditure of up to £180 million a year on new prison places. Research conducted on the current trials of curfew orders estimated that a national roll-out of curfew orders could cost up to £22 million per year. However, this estimate does not take account of the effect of providing electronic monitoring for curfew orders simultaneously with Home Detention Curfew.The Home Office is currently letting contracts for electronic monitoring services under which contractors will be responsible for providing a range of applications of electronic monitoring. The final cost of electronic monitoring services will depend on the outcome of the procurement process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take in respect of the supply of ecstasy testing kits; and if he will make a statement. [44169]

Kits which test for the presence of ecstasy are, in our view, of doubtful value in reducing risks to users. Ecstasy itself is a drug with well-documented short-term risks; and there are worries about its long-term effects. Ecstasy tablets seized in this country which have been tested by the Forensic Science Service have not been contaminated by substances more harmful than ecstasy itself. While the situation will be kept under review, there is no present intention to introduce specific controls on the supply of these kits. But it should be noted that possession of a substance for the purpose of testing it would be an offence if the substance was a controlled drug or a preparation or product containing one.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the UK Drugs Tsar regarding the E-Z ecstasy testing kits. [44167]

My officials anticipated such representations and advised the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit on 28 May that it appeared that the E-Z Test kit did not contain any controlled substance which would require it to be licensed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what advice his Department has given to the distributors of the E-Z Test ecstasy testing kits; [44170](2) what communications his Department has received from the United Kingdom distributor of the E-Z Test ecstasy testing kits; and when they were received. [44168]

The Department was asked by E-Z Limited on 23 March for its view of the ecstasy testing kit it proposed selling. In reply, officials explained that the Home Office did not endorse such products, and that the Government believed that testing could give a false sense of security and would not help to reduce the risks involved in taking the drug.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many night clubs have (a) had their licence revoked and (b) been refused a renewal of their licence by local authorities following receipt of a report from a chief police officer concerning problems with illegal drugs on their premises under recent legislation; [44161](2) how many club licences have been

This information is not held centrally.In practice, many clubs are already doing a good deal to tackle drugs misuse in partnership with the police, local authorities and other agencies. For those not able or willing to do so, the Public Entertainments Licences (Drugs Misuse) Act 1997 was brought into effect on 1 May 1998. This gives local authorities new powers of immediate closure where there are serious problems with the supply or use of controlled drugs at premises controlled by a club licence holder.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Barnsley, East and Mexborough (Mr. Ennis) on 21 May 1998, Official Report, column 454, regarding driving under the influence of drugs, what is the most recent estimate made by the Forensic Science Service regarding the prevalence of drug/driving cases; and what were estimates for each of the last 10 years. [44200]

The Forensic Science Service (FSS) has not made such an estimate. Figures are available for the last three years on cases submitted to the FSS by police forces. These are:

Year	Number
1995–96	1,218
1996–97	1,343
1997–98	1,700

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken for fingerprint analysis to be carried out by the Forensic Science Service at the request of the police. [44166]

It should be remembered that the Forensic Science Service (FSS) is involved in a minority of cases, where the technology is complex and technical/chemical enhancement of fingerprints is requested, not in the vast bulk of routine cases. The average turn-around time (taken over the year 1997–98) is 50 days. Where a result is needed urgently, the FSS endeavours to respond accordingly and fast-track responses are included in these overall figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what factors underlie the priority which the Government have given to introducing legislation to cover the welfare of greyhounds; [44156](2) if he will provide independently funded vets to attend all greyhound tracks; [44154](3) if he will implement a levy on betting on greyhound racing to provide a fund for improving tracks, veterinary support and greyhound welfare; [44155](4) what plans he has to implement the recommendations contained in the Sixth report of the Home Affairs Committee of Session 1990–91 (HC 463) on the Financing of Greyhound Racing

The present law, principally the Protection of Animals Act 1911, makes it an offence to ill-treat any animals, including greyhounds. We have no plans for further legislation in this area. The greyhound racing industry already takes greyhound welfare most seriously—both during and after the dogs' racing careers.Neither the 1978 Royal Commission on Gambling nor the 1991 Home Affairs Committee report recommended a levy on greyhound betting. Both regarded this as a commercial activity that did not demand direct Government involvement. We take the same view.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will include independent greyhound tracks within the legislation which oversees standards for dogs in competitive sport. [44153]

Independent greyhound tracks are already covered by the animal protection and gambling laws—in particular, the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963. There are no plans to make separate provision for them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a statutory body concerned with greyhound racing. [44152]

There are no plans to establish such a body.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to (i) promote and (ii) support the public safety radio communications project in North Yorkshire. [44220]

The Public Safety Radio Communications Project (PSRCP) is intended to replace all radio infrastructures for the police service with the new generation of digital radio communication systems from 1999 onwards. The project is being managed by the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) which became a Non-Departmental Public Body in April this year. Under the PSRCP, a national co-ordinated approach is being taken to the planning, design and implementation of the new communications systems, and PITO has been supporting North Yorkshire Police, along with all other forces in England and Wales, to achieve this. A Business Case for the implementation of the project will be completed this year, and a decision taken on whether to proceed. If a contract is awarded, the North Yorkshire Police force is scheduled to be one of the first forces to receive the new service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the procedures which will apply when vacancies for UK MEPs occur. [44194]

Our intention is that, where a vacancy arises from the death or resignation of an MEP who was a candidate on a party list, the vacancy will be filled by the next eligible and willing candidate on that list, provided that the party concerned is still content to be represented by that person.Where a party list has been exhausted or where the person whose death or resignation has caused the vacancy stood as an independent candidate, a by-election will be held.If a vacancy occurs in Northern Ireland it will, as now, be filled by means of a by-election.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 20 April 1998, Official Report, columns 524–27, if he will list for each fire and civil defence authority the total amount of grant aid given to such authorities for emergency planning in 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98 and the provision for 1998–99, identifying where applicable any allocations transferred to fire and civil defence authorities by metropolitan district or London borough councils. [44562]

The information required is given in the table.

Civil Defence Grant Allocations (£000s)
Fire and Civil Defence Authorities	1995/96	1996/97	1997/98	1998/99
London	388	388	338	318
Greater Manchester	1364	2229	2204	2194
Merseyside	3369	3369	3342	3335
South Yorkshire	4229	4229	4204	159
Tyne and Wear	5369	5369	5345	5335
West Midlands	194	194	169	159
West Yorkshire	194	194	169	159
Metropolitan Districts transferring their allocations to FCDA:
1 Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Wigan
2 Stockport
3 All Districts in Merseyside
4 Sheffield
5 All Districts in Tyne and Wear

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has evaluated into staffing demands for the police during bank holiday periods. [44179]

The Home Office has not commissioned or evaluated any research into staffing demands for the police during bank holiday periods and we are not aware of any research in this area. The allocation of resources and the deployment of officers is decided locally by chief constables.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to increase the number of police officers since 1 May 1997. [44178]

The last Government removed from Ministers any direct control over police numbers or the deployment of police officers. Under the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994, it is for individual chief constables to determine the number of police officers in their force within the resources available to them. Resources for the police in England and Wales this year increased by 3.7 per cent., or £258 million, to £7.15 billion.We are working with the police to ensure that these resources are used as effectively as possible, and to reduce administrative burdens in order to enable chief constables to put more officers back into the community.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many current applicants for political asylum have been granted work permits pending consideration of their cases; and if he will make a statement; [44633]

At the end of April 1998, there were 51,465 asylum applications awaiting an initial decision, a reduction on the previous year. Applications are currently estimated to be taking, on average, 14 months to reach an initial decision in cases lodged after the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993, and 58 months for those lodged prior to that Act. Both these figures reflect the proportion of inherited old cases within the system. But figures for 1997 show that 38 per cent. of initial decisions on asylum applications were taken within six months, as against only 10 per cent. in 1992.We are committed to bringing a fresh approach to asylum: one that is fairer, faster and firmer than the one we inherited. We will make announcements on the way ahead as soon as we can.I regret that information on the number of asylum applicants granted permission to work is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims under the firearms compensation scheme currently remain outstanding under each of options A, B and C; and by what dates he expects all claims under each option to be settled. [44470]

Payments under Options A and B of the large calibre handgun compensation scheme and the parallel ex gratia scheme for small calibre pistols were completed by the end of May, as planned. The only exceptions are around 300 cases involving firearms dealers and individual owners where payment cannot be finalised because of outstanding queries over the eligibility of items claimed for, difficulties in obtaining the required details to enable payment to be made, or where the claimant has declined to complete the required Declaration on the claim form. Payment on these remaining claims will completed as soon as the necessary information and signatures are provided.The Firearms Compensation Section (FCS) is now devoting the bulk of its resources to processing the Option C claims, which are fewer in number but more complicated. There are around 24,500 Option C claims to be processed, the great majority of which are mixed claims on which payments have been made already under Option A or B. The rate of payment on these claims will increase now that we have more staff allocated to this task. In the interests of fairness, Option C claims are being dealt with in the order in which the guns were surrendered to the police, so that the claimant will not be penalised by any subsequent delay in forwarding the claim to the Home Office. The target is to complete most of these payments by the end of the year, if not all, and we will do everything that can be done to clear these claims in a shorter time if at all possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a decision will be made on the application by Wootton Bassett Town Council for funds to install closed circuit television. [44708]

The results of round 4 of the Closed Circuit Television challenge competition will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives he is taking to extend the prison accommodation at the HM Wymott and Garth Prison sites. [44624]

The Prison Service has no immediate plans to extend prisoner accommodation at these prisons. A programme of general maintenance and building repair works continues at the prisons.The Prison Service keeps under regular review the need to house the rising prison population. The issues taken into account when determining how to meet this demand are strategic need, timing, cost and implications for the establishment concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of visitors to prisons found to be in possession of illegal substances in the last year; and how many were subsequently charged with an offence. [44715]

In the 12 months ending 31 May 1998, a total of 1,071 people visiting prisons were arrested by the police in connection with possible drug-related offences.The Prison Service does not record what action was subsequently taken by the police.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will require mobile telephones to be sold and labelled with a health warning; and if she will make a statement. [43698]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on 8 December 1997, Official Report, column 456.The Department is aware of public concern on this subject, which is taken seriously. Advice on the health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile telecommunications equipment is discussed with the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and also with the Department of Health.The exposure guidelines of the NRPB for fields associated with mobile telecommunications equipment are based on well-established thermal effects. NRPB's view is that mobile phones currently used in the United Kingdom comply with the recommended exposure limit. There are no plans to require mobile phones to have a health warning.I would add that Type Approval of mobile phones is required before they can be connected to a mobile telecommunications network. This includes testing of the power output to the antenna. Mobile telecommunications equipment must also comply with the EU Directive on Electromagnetic Compatibility.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if ancillary equipment in (a) standard individual export licences and (b) open individual licence categories, may be included with the delivery of Hawk aircraft to Indonesia in 1998. [44436]

I have been asked to reply.Ancillary equipment in standard individual export licences and open individual licence categories has been approved for supply to Indonesia in support of the sale of Hawk aircraft. The timing of delivery of any equipment is a matter for the exporter subject to the conditions of any export licence necessary.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the Department's energy usage was from (a) renewable energy and (b) combined heating in each year since 1989–90. [44081]

The Treasury does not use energy (a) from a renewable source or (b) combined heat and power.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much (a) oil, (b) gas and (c) electricity was purchased for the heating, lighting and powering of accommodation occupied by his Department within the United Kingdom in each year since 1989–90; and what was the total cost in real terms of each in each year. [44086]

The table shows the costs and quantity of oil, gas and electricity purchased for heating, lighting and power in Treasury accommodation since 1989–90.

Fuel	Actual expenditure (£)	Annual consumption units k Wh
1990–91
Gas	46,951	1,438,663
Oil	37,536	2,724,116
Electricity	245,470	4,423,000
Whitehall District Heating System1	43,272	5,751,128
1991–92
Gas	59,674	1,847,046
Oil	84,855	806,088
Electricity	230,835	4,123,618
Whitehall District Heating System1	45,872	5,930,656
1992–93
Gas	12,942	813,156
Oil	5,251	19,714
Electricity	242,357	3,094,580
Whitehall District Heating System1	48,468	6,203,602
1993–94
Gas	6,066	331,358
Oil	Nil	—
Electricity	219,911	3,555,058
Whitehall District Heating System1	40,143	5,977,659
1994–95
Gas	12,995	1,087,116
Oil	6,785	40,869
Electricity	218,583	3,553,202
Whitehall District Heating System1	47,864	5,987,000
1995–96
Gas	22,734	1,192,052
Oil	1,844	14,053
Electricity	161,086	3,474,725
Whitehall District Heating System1	47,535	4,596,833
1996–97
Gas	20,810	843,163
Oil	Nil	—
Electricity	215,958	3,994,845
Whitehall District Heating System1	194,081	5,292,210
1 Whitehall District Heating System (WDHS) is run by Property Advisers Civil Estate (PACE) and provides heating to Government buildings in Whitehall including GOGGS.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which body will guarantee the value of notional euro in Phase B of Stage Three of EMU from January 1999 to July 2002. [44459]