To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much was spent on aid to Sierra Leone by her Department in 1997–98; and if she will make a statement. [46733]

My Department provided £3.439 million to Sierra Leone in the 1997–98 financial year.Of this, £250,000 was spent on Sierra Leone refugees in neighbouring countries and £250,000 for Government and civil society outside Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes have been made to the 1998–99 cash and running costs limits for expenditure by her Department. [47538]

Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class Ill, Vote 1 will be increased by £2,261,000 from £1,618,439,000 to £1,620,700,000 and the Department for International Development running cost limit by £2,261,000 from £59,874,000 to £62,135,000.The increase is in respect of a running cost transfer of £2,261,000 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Class II, Vote) for the costs of development staff in London and abroad.The increase will be offset by a reduction in the FCO's Vote and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list, for each of the last four years, all departmental inquiries and reviews instigated by ministers which have been chaired by individuals outside her Department; and in each case if she will give the date of establishment and the name of the chairman. [46835]

My Department has not undertaken any departmental inquiries or reviews instigated by ministers which have been chaired by individuals outside the department in the last four years.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her Department's policy in relation to the Jubilee 2000 coalition campaign to cancel debt. [46734]

Both the Government and the Jubilee 2000 Coalition recognise the important part debt relief can play in the eradication of poverty. We seek the same overall objective—the remission of the unpayable debts of the world's poorest countries. Her Majesty's Government welcome the work that Jubilee 2000 and its associates have been doing to raise public awareness of these issues, and thus keep debt relief firmly on the international political agenda. This has helped us to get agreement at last month's G8 Summit in Birmingham to one of the main aims of the Government's Mauritius Mandate—to ensure that by the year 2000 all eligible highly indebted poor countries will have at least begun the process which will lead to debt relief.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the terms upon which media and public affairs consultants have been appointed by the Audit Commission over the last five years, and the total amounts spent each year with each consultant. [46109]

The Audit Commission's press and public affairs functions have been provided externally for more than nine years. These services are market tested every three years in accordance with relevant EC Directives and, following the last market test, two companies—Citigate Westminster and Lawson, Lucas and Mendelsohn—were appointed. Whilst details of the contractual terms are commercially confidential between the Audit Commission and individual contractors, the Commission has incurred the following expenditure on these services in each of the last five years:

£174,145: 1 April 1997 to 31 October 1997 (new financial period)

£311,998: year to 31 March 1997

£315,255: year to 31 March 1996

£236,747: year to 31 March 1995

£172,107: year to 31 March 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to encourage businesses to improve their environmental practices. [46226]

[holding answer 16 June 1998]: This Government's long term goal is sustainable development. Under the legally binding targets agreed at Kyoto, the European Union agreed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, on average, by 8 per cent. Under the UK Presidency, we have secured agreement with other Member States on how to meet this European Union target. The UK contribution is to reduce emissions by 12.5 per cent. This, together with the Government's own manifesto commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent., has to be planned for. These are challenging targets and all sectors—business, domestic and transport—need to play their part in meeting them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to improve air quality. [46225]

[holding answer 16 June 1998]: The UK National Air Quality Strategy sets out national air quality objectives for eight key air pollutants to be achieved by 2005. These objectives have been set with reference to air quality standards which represent no or minimal risk of health effects to the public. The Strategy also describes a range of policy options for achieving the objectives and the contribution to be made at international, national and local levels. We announced last year that we would review the Strategy urgently to look at the options for delivering improved air quality more quickly. The review is due to be completed by the end of this year.The Government are also taking action on a number of other fronts to improve air quality. At the European level we reached agreement at the Environment Council earlier this month on tough new air quality limit values under the Air Quality Daughter Directive and improved fuel quality standards under the Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels Directive. We have also made significant progress in negotiating tighter fuel quality and emission standards under the Auto-Oil programme. At the national level we are implementing the Industrial Pollution Prevention and Control Directive and taking forward fiscal incentives for low emission buses/lorries, alternative fuels and legislation on vehicle emissions. At the local level we have introduced a system of local air quality management and are piloting a scheme for local transport emissions enforcement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conditions the Highways Agency required to be placed on the planning application for the new Environment Agency offices in Cumbria; what was the cost of complying with them; and which organisation paid. [46371]

Conditions were attached to the planning permission granted by Eden District Council requiring the provision of new traffic signals at the junction of the M6 and A66, together with additional road markings. With regard to the cost of complying with the conditions and which organisation paid, the information is not readily available but I will provide a written response with details as and when they become available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when talks will resume on the United States of America-United Kingdom Air Services agreement. [46429]

No UK/US air services talks are currently planned. We would expect to resume talks when the outcome of the examination of the British Airways/American Airlines alliance by the competition authorities is known.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when LCR expects to complete the Channel Tunnel Rail Link if Railtrack fails to exercise its option relating to the second phase of construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [46470]

Any such assessment would depend on when Railtrack chose not to exercise its option in respect of the second phase of construction. Railtrack, however, has made clear its expectation to commit to the second phase and LCR expects work to be completed in 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions within what timescale LCR will have to find a third party or complete phase two itself if Railtrack does not exercise its option relating to the second phase of construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [46469]

Railtrack has an option until July 2003 to construct and purchase Phase 2, but should it decide not to exercise that option, LCR remains, in any event, contractually obliged to complete the second phase to St. Pancras. LCR's current expectation is that the second phase of construction should be completed by 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1998, Official Report, column 637, relating to the future of NATS, if he will make a statement on the powers attaching to the golden share. [46474]

The precise details of the golden share are for consideration as the proposal is developed, but it will provide additional rights to the Government to maintain the public interest while allowing the private sector freedom to run the business.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the future of the Scottish and Oceanic Air Traffic Control Centre at Prestwick. [45592]

Contract negotiations for a new air traffic control centre at Prestwick to replace the existing Scottish and Oceanic Air Traffic Control Centre are underway between National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and Sky Solutions, the preferred bidder. NATS will consult with the airlines before seeking CAA Board and Government approval to a contractual commitment. NATS currently envisage that operations will transfer from the existing Prestwick centre to a new one (the New Scottish Centre) during the winter of 2004/2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total sum paid in business rates by private hospitals in England in the last year for which figures are available. [46362]

I estimate that the amount of business rates payable by private hospitals in England was £9.9 million in 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the area marine safety sub-committees established by his Department and the former Department of Transport. [45777]

[holding answer 17 June 1998]: There are 8 District Marine Safety Committees: East Scotland, West Scotland, Northern Ireland, North East and East England, North West England, Wales, London, and South and South West England; and 26 sub-committees which include: Highland/Moray Firth, Orkney/Caithness, and Shetland. A brochure explaining the work of the District Marine Safety Committees and providing details of all sub-centres will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what issues have been referred by his Department to marine safety sub-committees since 1 May 1997. [45778]

[holding answer 17 June 1998]: No specific issues have been referred by the Department to the District Marine Safety Committees since 1 May 1997. The main role of the committees is to keep local marine safety and pollution prevention issues under review. Where an important issue of more than local significance is identified, this may be brought to the Department's attention.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which marine safety sub-committees were sent a copy of the Coastguard Agency's Five Year Strategy Plan consultation document; in each case when the document was sent out; and which sub-committees have responded to the consultation document. [45779]

[holding answer 17 June 1998]: The document for consultation was published on 20 January. District Marine Safety Committees were not directly sent copies of the document, however copies were sent to the then Marine Safety Agency (under whose aegis the District Marine Safety Committees operate) and those organisations or individuals who had registered an interest. Whilst no District Marine Safety Committees responded, some replies have been received from individual committee members.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the number of registered British fishing vessels (a) under 12 metres and (b) over 12 metres in length and the number of fishermen's lives lost from each in each of the last five years. [46477]

The number of registered British fishing vessels both under 12 metres and over 12 metres in length and the number of fishermen's lives lost from each in the last five years as recorded by the Registry of Shipping and Seamen are as follows:

year	12 metres and under	Number of deaths	12 metres and over	number of deaths
1993–94	5,376	16	1,273	4
1994–95	5,529	2	1,296	4
1995–96	5,752	3	1,321	3
1996–97	6,030	3	1,347	5
1997–98	6,271	0	1,373	7

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of applications for planning permission for gipsy caravan sites were granted by local planning authorities in (a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, (c)1995–96, (d) 1996–97 and (e) 1997–98. [46566]

This information is not held centrally. My Department is part-funding a two year research project by the Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers (ACERT), to look at the success rate of Gipsy planning applications and appeals. The research is due to be completed next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review sections 77 to 80 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. [46569]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Ms Ward) on 10 June 1998, Official Report, column 574.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities in respect of the provision and development of gipsy sites. [46570]

Guidance to local authorities on gipsy sites and planning is given in the Department's Circular 1/94. It aims to provide that the planning system recognises the need for accommodation consistent with gipsies' nomadic lifestyle and to reflect the importance of the plan-led nature of the planning system in relation to gipsy site provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what grants from public funds were paid to the London Borough of Wandsworth for the year 1998–99. [46497]

The London Borough of Wandsworth will receive Revenue Support Grant of £126,826,149, redistributed Non Domestic Rates of £60,589,879 and Standard Spending Assessment reduction grant of £7,498,940. In addition, the borough is reporting that it expects to receive grants into its General Fund Revenue Account totalling £72,042,000 outside Aggregate External Finance (AEF) and £10,091,000 with AEF; and capital grant totalling about £3.9 million. No comprehensive record of grants disbursed from public funds is maintained by the Department; such grants may be made by Government Departments or other bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the species which have become extinct in the UK over the past decade. [46700]

There is only one confirmed extinction of a species within the UK during the last ten years. This is of the Greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis), which has been extinct since 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government will take to encourage the movement of freight within the United Kingdom by coastal shipping. [46709]

The Government will be setting out their proposals for encouraging the movement of freight within the United Kingdom by coastal shipping in the White Paper on Integrated Transport to be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when sufficient data will be available to enable an assessment to be made of the success or otherwise of recent road traffic reduction legislation; and if he will make a statement. [46708]

The Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 is not yet in force. However, guidance to local authorities on implementing the Act was issued in draft earlier this year for consultation. This stated that local traffic authorities would be expected to produce, by 31 July 1999, reports containing assessments of levels of local road traffic in their area and forecast growth in those levels, together with targets for reducing those levels or their rate of growth. The draft guidance also stresses the importance of local authorities monitoring traffic levels in order to determine whether they are on course to achieve any such targets. It is too soon to judge when it will be possible to assess the likely impact of the Act on traffic levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about problems with unauthorised camping. [46498]

My Department receives representations from Members of Parliament, members of the public, and from local authorities about unauthorised camping on a regular basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions (a) have been made and (b) have been successful under the Police and Criminal Justice Act 1994 broken down by the relevant authority against unauthorised camping. [46499]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the average cost to public funds of road accidents involving a single fatality. [46519]

The value attributed to the avoidance of a fatal road accident in 1996 was £983,700. This takes account of medical costs, lost production, human costs based on willingness to pay, the costs of police and courts, insurance administration, and property damage. Included in this value is a sum of £5,200 for the cost to public funds for medical costs and the costs of police and courts. The lost production element includes social security costs but these are not separately estimated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 9 June 1998, Official Report, column 859, if he will list the local authority development plans in respect of which he has confirmed the housing requirements put forward by local planning authorities since 23 February. [46965]

The following development plans, or alterations to existing development plans, have been adopted by local authorities since 23 February this year:

• Richmondshire Local Plan
• City of Derby Local Plan
• West Lindsey Local Plan
• High Peak Local Plan
• South Derbyshire Local Plan
• Lichfield Local Plan
• City of Worcester Local Plan
• Carrick Local Plan
• Thanet Local Plan
• East Hampshire Local Plan
• Winchester Local Plan
• Basildon Local Plan
• St. Edmundsbury Local Plan
• North Norfolk Local Plan
• Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan
• Tendring Local Plan
• Sheffield Unitary Development Plan
• Haringey Unitary Development Plan
• Hertfordshire Structure Plan.

In all cases the plans reached adoption without the Secretary of State having to use his reserve powers of direction in respect of the housing provision proposed by local planning authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what extra funding will be provided for increasing the capacity of the M6 following the decision to proceed with the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. [46845]

Decisions on increasing the capacity of the M6 are independent of the decision to proceed with the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. More generally, funding for investment in trunk roads is being considered in the Roads Review and in the Comprehensive Spending Review. I cannot anticipate decisions in either of these Reviews.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the quantity of carbon dioxide emitted annually by a representative sample of 1.5 million cars. [47075]

The total car fleet in the UK emitted 19.33 million tonnes of Carbon in 1996. Given that the total car fleet was made up of 22.24 million cars, this translates into an average of 0.87 tonnes of Carbon per car in that year.The quantity of Carbon emitted by each car in practice will depend on a number of factors, including: the type of fuel used, the size of the engine, the driving conditions, driving behaviour and the maintenance of the vehicle.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the Environment Agency has not adopted (a) Palm Bay and (b) Kingsgate Bay in Cliftonville as designated areas for Beachwater Microbiological Assays of Pathogens. [47248]

No applications have been received by my Department for Palm Bay and Kingsgate Bay to be identified as bathing waters under the Bathing Water Directive, which would in turn require regular water quality sampling by the Environment Agency. I understand that neither bay is likely to fulfil the Directive's definition of a bathing water, which is where bathing is traditionally practised by a large number of bathers, nor do they possess facilities associated with popular bathing areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if any trains operating on the Virgin West Coast Mainline are of the same design as the Great North Eastern Railway trains recently found to have faults in their wheels; [47313](2) what safety checks will be made on West Coast Mainline trains to ensure that they do not possess flaws in design similar to that recently identified in the wheels of the Great North Eastern Railway trains. [47314]

None of the trains operating on the West Coast Main Line is of the same design as the Great North Eastern Railway train which was derailed on 16 June. The immediate cause of the incident appears to have been a fractured wheel, although the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate's investigation is still on-going.Immediately after the derailment on 16 June, in which the last coach of a high speed train operated by Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) was derailed at Sandy, Bedfordshire, Railtrack sent out notices to all other train operating companies giving details of the nature of the failure and advising them what action should be taken.In addition, the Railway Inspectorate has written to all the train operating companies reminding them of their duties under the relevant health and safety legislation. These require them to identify whether there are similar features on their rolling stock and take appropriate action to ensure safety.I am informed that Virgin Trains are inspecting all their vehicles. The bogies and wheelsets involved in this accident are unique to Mark 4 rolling stock which, in the UK, is used only by Great North Eastern Railways (GNER).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are his plans for English Partnerships following the creation of regional development agencies. [47438]

The work of English Partnerships (EP) is to be carried forward in the main by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) as part of the Government's commitment to put decision-making on regeneration and economic development at the regional level. Regeneration will be part of the RDAs' integrated regional strategies. The roles and functions of EP are to move to the RDAs as they are established; the assets will transfer from EP to the RDAs; and regional EP staff will transfer to the RDAs in April 1999 (and the following year for London).This is a major organisational change and it will take time for the RDAs to get to grips with their new tasks and establish themselves as influential and credible organisations on the regional, national and international scene. Ministers envisage that there will be a transitional period of about five years when the experience and expertise of EP's remaining national capability will be critical in providing the continuity on some major projects and should also prove useful to RDAs as they bed in.I am placing a copy of a note in the Library which sets out the background to the changes, the work remaining with EP, and the merger of EP and the Commission for the New Towns in 2000, which I have already announced. The note has been issued today to the Government Offices for the Regions and to EP staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits for 1998–99. [47508]

My Department's cash limit for class VI, vote 1 (Housing, construction, regeneration, countryside and wildlife, England), will be increased by £1,395,000 from £1,800,144,000 to £1,801,539,000 to reflect a transfer of non-voted provision from the Department for Education and Employment in order to fund European Regional Development Fund expenditure in advance of European Commission receipts on the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts. The increase is offset by the transfer and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his decision on the Local Government Commission's recommendations for the reorganisation of the district of Basildon; and if he will make a statement. [47142]

I am today announcing that we have decided not to accept the outstanding recommendations on the reorganisation of the district of Basildon which the Local Government Commission have made. I do not believe that the recommendations offer a satisfactory way forward for Basildon in terms of efficient and convenient local government. We have also decided not to direct a further review by the Commission. This decision should end a period of uncertainty and enable the authorities concerned to plan more confidently for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the Government's policy at the Portuguese conference on nuclear discharges, with particular reference to Sellafield and Dounreay discharges into the sea. [46358]

We are looking to make real further progress in protecting the marine environment, and in particular to reach agreement on a strategy that aims to continue reducing sea discharges of radioactive substances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy towards nuclear discharges into the sea. [46359]

All radioactive waste disposals, including discharges into the sea, are closely regulated under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. Government departments and the environment agencies carry out monitoring of marine environmental media and foodstuffs around nuclear licensed sites that discharge radioactive waste into the sea. This ensures that any doses to the public are well below internationally agreed limits and that such discharges pose no risk to the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to encourage local communities in Coventry to tackle social exclusion. [46593]

A number of Home Office policies and programmes contribute to tackling aspects of social exclusion. These include, within local communities, its work to promote voluntary and community activity and to support a healthy and cost effective voluntary sector.The Home Office has been working closely with the Social Exclusion Unit on the Unit's first three priorities of rough sleeping, school exclusions and truancy, and worst estates. In its recent report to the Prime Minister, the Social Exclusion Unit recognised that rough sleeping and related problems such as begging might be identified as local issues of concern by the crime and disorder audits required under the Crime and Disorder Bill

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the advantages of withdrawing the passports of convicted football hooligans during the period of the football tournaments involving British teams abroad. [46553]

The withdrawal of passport facilities to persons convicted of football-related offences would be a very serious step. But we will give consideration to it and to other possible steps that might be required for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many restriction orders under the Football Spectators Act 1989 have been made since 1 May 1997. [46567]

Sixty-nine.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of drug-related offences in each of the past 10 years in (a) London and (b) the rest of the United Kingdom. [47123]

The information requested is not collected centrally. However, the Home Office has a research programme designed to shed further light on the links between drugs and crime. A study conducted by the University of Cambridge of drug use by samples of people arrested by the police in various English cities was published recently (Home Office Research Study 183—Drugs and Crime: the results of research on drug testing and interviewing arrestees). This research found that, in those places surveyed, around one third of property crime was drug-driven.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sums have been paid out of public funds and in respect of how many cases, for out-of-court settlement of claims made by former and serving police officers against the Police Service. [47085]

This information is not collected centrally. Claims are a matter for the police authority and the individuals concerned. The Home Office has no role to play in their resolution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the White Paper on the Future Law on Terrorism based on the report of Lord Lloyd will be published. [47002]

The consultation paper on permanent, United Kingdom-wide counter-terrorism legislation will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from Professor Paul Wilkinson of the University of St. Andrews on the suitability of the proposed International Criminal Court for hearing cases involving the aut dedere aut judicare principle. [41122]

None. Representations have been received recently from Professor Wilkinson proposing that the International Criminal Court should have jurisdiction in relation to terrorist crimes. The United Kingdom Government's position is that the Court should not have such jurisdiction. The policy was revisited in the light of Professor Wilkinson's comments but confirmed.There are several reasons for the view that the Court should not be able to deal with terrorism. Paramount among them is the need to protect confidential sources, which would be compromised if an international body were to investigate and prosecute terrorist incidents. In practical terms it would be very difficult for the Court to act in terrorist cases, countries naturally having a predilection not to volunteer sensitive national security information.In any event, the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in this area is unnecessary given the range of terrorist conventions in place, including the recently concluded United Nations Terrorist Bombing Convention. These require their parties to co-operate against terrorism and, in some cases, to take extraterritorial jurisdiction over terrorist crimes. Indeed, the involvement of the Court could even undermine or set back progress in combating terrorism, on which there is increasingly effective international co-operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1998, Official Report, column 640, how many new in-cell television sets his Department proposes to procure under the present procurement; and what estimate he has made of future numbers required. [46514]

The invitation to tender stage has not yet been reached, but the Official Journal of the European Communities Notice issued on 1 June was for approximately 20,000 sets over a contract period of three to five years. Extension of in-cell television will be gradual over this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to allow the police to retain a proportion of fines resulting from offences detected by cameras. [46528]

Hypothecating the revenue from fines resulting from road traffic offences detected by cameras would result in expenditure on traffic enforcement being determined by the income generated rather than the relative priority of the activity. We are examining the current funding arrangements for the cameras to see what more might be done.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the approvals process relating to the use of enforcement equipment for prosecutions in the United Kingdom. [46527]

Section 20 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 provides for the admissibility of evidence from prescribed devices for speeding and other road traffic offences. Section 20(4)(a) requires the prescribed device to be of a type approved by the Secretary of State.The Government have no plans to amend or review the current legislation. The type approval process ensures that devices used to provide evidence for prosecutions in the courts are both accurate and reliable. The rigorous testing procedures necessary for the type approval process are kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will change the ballot paper for local, parliamentary and European elections (a) to give greater prominence to party identification and (b) to ensure that candidates' names are listed in a random manner. [46792]

The Registration of Political Parties Bill, which is currently before the House, will enable candidates from registered political parties to have their parties' emblems against their names on the ballot paper.We have no present plans to provide for candidates to be listed in random order on the ballot paper; but this issue will be considered by the Working Party on Electoral Procedures, which I chair. Under the new electoral system to be introduced for European Parliamentary elections, candidates from registered political parties will appear on the ballot paper on a party list in the order determined by the party.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will develop a pilot scheme based on the road safety policing and education techniques used in the state of Victoria, Australia. [46923]

The Government have no plans at present to develop such a pilot scheme, but we are committed to promoting road safety in innovative ways and will carefully consider any proposals which are put to us.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to review the rights to compensation of victims where the offence took place before 1 October 1979 and the offender and victim lived together as members of the same family; [46578](2) how many claims under the criminal injuries compensation scheme have been rejected because the offence took place before 1 October 1979 and the victim and the offender lived together as members of the same family. [46579]

Under the tariff-based scheme, effective for all claims received on or after 1 April 1996, 190 claims had been refused by 31 March 1998 by reason of their exclusion from the scope of that scheme under paragraph 7(b). Precise data for the identical exclusion applied in the former scheme based on common law damages are not available. However, I understand from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board that between 1,000 and 2,000 claims in this category would have been refused in the period 1 April 1980 to 31 March 1996. The number of victims who have never made any application in recognition of the exclusion is unquantifiable.The question of allowing claims arising from intra-family violence before 1 October 1979 has been considered on a number of occasions over the years. Change has been rejected on grounds of cost, and because it would represent a departure from the general principle that changes in the law, rules and procedures are not normally made retrospective. We believe those arguments remain compelling, and have no plans to review further this aspect of the compensation scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police constables were employed by the Cumbria Constabulary between 1979 and 1998; and what was the total police strength in each of those years. [46949]

The information available is set out in the table. It is not possible to provide information on the number of police constables prior to 1990.

Cumbria constabulary
Year1	Total constable strength	Total officer strength
1979	n/a	1,071
1980	n/a	1,092
1981	n/a	1,101
1982	n/a	1,106
1983	n/a	1,120
1984	n/a	1,111
1985	n/a	1,110
1986	n/a	1,126
1987	n/a	1,145
1988	n/a	1,145
1989	n/a	1,148
1990	860	1,176
1991	871	1,180
1992	891	1,198
1993	904	1,211
1994	879	1,172
1995	865	1,144
1996	860	1,124
1997	902	1,162
19982	911	1,164
1 Figures provided are as at 30 September for each year
2 Provisional figures for 31 March 1998

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account is taken in the allocation of police grant to Kent of its proximity to mainland Europe and of the Channel Tunnel. [46924]

None directly. However, police grant is allocated by means of a formula which predicts police authorities' relative need to spend. Formula components are weighted to take account of both resident and daytime population in a force's area. Any increase in Kent's population as a result of its geographical situation would in time be reflected in its police grant allocation.Kent Police Authority received an increase of 4.4 per cent. in its spending power in 1998–99, significantly above the national average of 3.7 per cent. for police authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will conduct research into the effectiveness of community policing in the United Kingdom relative to such policing in (a) the USA, (b) South Africa, and (c) other EU countries. [47214]

We have no current plans for formal research on the effectiveness of community policing in the United Kingdom in comparison with the United States, South Africa or other European Union countries. We do, however, have regular contacts with the police and others covering a wide range of jurisdictions, including those listed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available the number of men prosecuted for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a female; what information is available about the age of the girls involved in these offences; what guidelines have been given to (a) police forces and (b) the Crown Prosecution Service about such prosecutions in relation to offences with girls aged (i) 15, (ii) 14 and (iii) 13 years of age; and if he will make a statement. [46141]

Number of males prosecuted for offences of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13 and a girl aged under 16 by age, England and Wales, 1986–1996
Offence/age group	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 131
10 to under 18 years	16	13	27	21	23	28	13	18	17	17	7
18 to under 21 years	13	19	17	13	18	23	20	12	16	11	5
21 years or over	99	123	121	104	103	102	78	67	55	49	28
All ages	128	155	165	138	144	153	111	97	88	77	40
Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 162
10 to under 18 years	37	27	33	34	29	22	20	19	24	21	17
18 to under 21 years	76	72	84	77	63	58	53	40	47	36	33
21 years or over	252	260	227	179	198	172	179	128	131	138	114
All ages	365	359	344	290	290	252	252	187	202	195	164
1An offence under s5 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956
2An offence under s6 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he will take to (a) protect the position of mutual building societies and (b) ensure real competition in the financial services sector. [47086]

Building societies are competing strongly in the savings and loans markets, and continuing to show the benefits that mutuality can offer their members. The Government believe societies should be accountable to their members and therefore increased the proportion of members who must vote in order for any conversion from a mutual society to a bank to succeed from 20 to 50 per cent. last year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the Question from the hon. Member for Wells for answer on 14 May relating to the UN arms embargo on Sierra Leone (reference 41883). [47246]

Home Office Court Proceedings information on the number of prosecutions for two offences of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 from 1986 to 1996 (latest available) is given in the table. No more detail is held about the age of the victim.No formal guidelines have been given to the police relating to prosecutions in cases of unlawful sexual intercourse. In deciding whether to initiate criminal proceedings and to refer a case to the Crown Prosecution Service, the police will look carefully at the circumstances surrounding each case and will take into account the Code for Crown Prosecutors. However, the police have a duty under the Children Act 1989 to place the welfare of the child as their first priority, and this is detailed in the guidance "Working Together Under The Children Act" which sets out the arrangements for child protection in England and Wales. The Government are consulting on proposals for drawing up revised guidance.All cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police are reviewed and prosecuted where appropriate, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Fallon) on 15 June 1998, Official Report, column 106.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how much Exchequer revenue will be lost as a result of the sale of the Royal Mint in each of the financial years (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–2001 and (c) 2001–2002. [47312]

The impact on Exchequer revenue of selling the Royal Mint would depend entirely on how this were effected. No decisions have yet been made on the form that a public/private partnership for the Mint might take.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what funds are generated from producing coins for other countries by the Royal Mint; and how many countries the Royal Mint produces coins for. [47310]

The Royal Mint produced coins or blanks for 64 other countries in 1997/98. Overseas sales revenue in that year was £63 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with which Commonwealth countries the Royal Mint has contracts for production of their coins. [47311]

The Royal Mint produced coins or blanks for 41 Commonwealth countries in 1997–98. Information about individual contracts, obtained in a competitive international market, are commercially confidential.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on the level of the Contingency Reserve. [46388]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: The policy on the Reserve is to set it at a level that allows for emergencies and genuine contingencies, as well as reasonable expectations of take-up of End Year Flexibility.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the level of contingency reserves for (a) departmental expenditure limits, and (b) annually managed expenditure for (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–2001 and (iii) 2001–2002; and if he will make a statement. [46393]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: The Reserves for the period 1999–2000 to 2001–02 will be published in the CSR White Paper.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which areas he intends departments to spend the £1.5 billion carried forward from last year as an underspend, in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [46441]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: £1 billion of the £1.5 billion underspend in 1997–98 identified in the March 1998 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" was allocated to programmes in 1998–99 as described in paragraphs 4.9 and 4.10 of the "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1998–99" (Cm 3901). The remaining £0.5 billion was allocated to the Reserve for 1998–99.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the public sector net cash requirement, including windfall tax receipts and associated spending, for (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01, (e) 2001–02 and (f) 2002–03. [46374]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: Forecasts of the public sector net cash requirement including the windfall tax and associated spending were published in Tables 4.4 and 4.5 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the public sector net cash requirement for (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–00, (c) 2000–01, (d) 2001–02, and (e) 2002–03, of the new accounting treatment of student financial support, as indicated in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report of June 1998; and if he will make a statement. [46389]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: The new accounting treatment for student loans in Departmental Expenditure Limits will have no effect on the Public Sector Net Cash Requirement, which is a cash measure.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes to the gross Contingency Reserve for Public Spending have taken place between the publication of the Financial Statement and Budget report of March 1998 and the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report of June 1998; and if he will make a statement. [46377]

[holding answer 18 June 1998): The reduction of £0.3 billion in the Reserve from £3 billion in the March 1998 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" to £2.7 billion in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998 reflects the transfer of £0.75 billion unspent in 1997–98 and a rephasing of sales of student loans.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the increase in real public expenditure for each year from 1998–99 to 2001–02, in terms of the previously defined, Control Total for Public Expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [46381]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: It would not be possible to produce these figures until full spending plans for each year from 1998–99 to 2001–02 are published at the time of the Comprehensive Spending Review announcement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what implications the Stability and Growth Pact has for the conduct of UK fiscal policy; and if he will make a statement. [46400]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: The Stability and Growth Pact does not place any new legal obligations on UK fiscal policy. UK fiscal policy is conducted with a view to ensuring economic stability which is in the best interests of the UK economy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his proposals to relax the capping regime for local authority budgets, in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report June 1998, page 27. [46394]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions recently undertook a public consultation on possible reforms to the local government finance system. The Government are considering responses to that consultation and the result will be published in due course.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will restate Table 4.6 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report (June 1998) to show figures in cash terms. [46396]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: Forecasts of the current budget, net borrowing and net cash requirement in cash terms were published in Table 4.4 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (EFSR). Forecasts of the cyclically adjusted budget balances in Table 4.6 can be converted onto a cash basis using the money GDP figures in Table 4.1.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend (i) Table 4.A.1, page 49, and (ii) Table 4.A.2, page 50 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report (June 1998) to show the series given for the years 1999–2000 to 2002–03. [46397]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: Forecasts of the public sector finances were published in Tables 4.4 and 4.5 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will recalculate tables 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report on the assumption that the retail prices index excluding mortgage interest payments averages (a) 3.0 per cent. in 1998–99 and 2.75 per cent. in 1999–2000 and (b) 3.25 per cent. in 1998–99 and 3.0 per cent. in 1999–2000. [46848]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: The implications for the public finances of inflation higher than assumed in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report will depend on the reasons why inflation was higher, and the impact of such inflation on the economy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will recalculate tables 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report on the assumption that total managed expenditure grows in real terms by (a) 0.75 per cent., (b) 1.5 per cent. and (c) 2.25 per cent. in 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02. [46851]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: Full information contained in tables 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (EFSR) cannot be recalculated for different assumptions about the growth of Total Managed Expenditure without information on the composition of that expenditure, in particular the allocation of expenditure between current and capital.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he will take if the cost of social security benefits in 1998–99 exceeds £95.8 billion, in order to ensure that total managed expenditure rises no higher than the figure cited in table 3A.1 in his Economic and Fiscal Strategy report. [46855]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: Table 3A.1 sets out figures for 1998–99 in terms of the new aggregates to illustrate how the new control regime announced in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report would work. That regime does not apply in 1998–99.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reproduce tables 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report for each of the years from 1991–92 to 1996–97. [46847]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: Many of the series contained in tables 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 can be found in Annex 4A of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report. Apart from assets sales, the remaining information can be derived from Table 10.1A of Financial Statistics and Table 2.1 of "Economic Trends" (which gives money gross domestic product). These publications can be found in the House of Commons Library. Information on assets sales can be found in Table B 17 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" (March 1998).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what adjustment mechanism will be available to the Treasury for public expenditure in circumstances when inflation outturns diverge substantially from Treasury planning assumptions; and if he will make a statement. [46382]

[holding answer 18 June 1998]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to Section 3.4 of the EFSR (CM 3978).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the cost of introducing taper relief for capital gains tax for each year up to 2009–10; what margin of error is associated with such estimates; what assumptions underlie such estimates; and if he will make a statement; [46768](2) if he will estimate the reduction in Exchequer revenues which will result from the introduction of his policy of a taper relief on capital gains tax; and if he will make a statement. [46771]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: The available information on the effect on Exchequer revenues of the capital gains tax package of reforms is as follows:

year	£million (+)yield/(-)cost
1998–99	Negligible
1999–2000	-25
2000–2001	+25

For later years, the Exchequer effects will depend to a considerable extent upon movements in future asset prices, any behavioural changes and other factors. In the long term the aim is for the changes to be broadly revenue neutral. It is inappropriate to estimate the cost of taper relief in isolation from other elements of the reform package.The assumptions for inflation and asset price growth used in calculating the revenue effects of these measures are consistent with the economic assumptions referred to on pages 108 and 109 of the March 1998 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" (FSBR, HC620 published on 17 March 1998). Equity prices are assumed to grow at the same rate as gross domestic product (GDP) at current market prices—"money GDP".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will delay the implementation of capital gains tax taper relief for a period of one year to allow for further consultations on its effects and implications; and if he will make a statement. [46770]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: No. It is important that the benefits of the reforms flow through as early as possible.The hon. Gentleman's amendments to the Finance Bill on this matter was discussed by a Committee of the Whole House on 29 April and rejected in a vote.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Ministers were involved prior to the March 1998 Budget in formulating the new policies on capital gains tax, including the taper relief on capital gains tax; and if he will make a statement. [46769]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: The Chancellor is responsible for all Budget measures. He receives advice from his Ministerial team and officials as appropriate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many written representations he has received on his 1998 Budget proposals on taper relief for capital gains tax; how many of such representations were (a) favourable and (b) unfavourable; and if he will make a statement. [46767]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: Around 200 comments were received on the Budget proposals, of which approximately 80 mentioned taper relief. Seventy per cent. supported the principle of taper relief. There were varying comments on the detail.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend hypothecation of tax revenue beyond Welfare to Work. [46774]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: We look at each case on its merits. The Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (Cm 3798) announced (on Page 28) that departments would be able to keep some levies and similar taxes, netting them off the Departmental Expenditure Limits where this would further the Government's economic objectives and not prejudice spending plans and priorities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria he will use to distinguish between current and capital expenditure. [46850]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: For the purpose of assessing the surplus on the current budget, the Government use national accounts definitions of current and capital expenditure except, as set out in paragraph B53 of the March 1998 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" (FSBR), that depreciation is treated as current expenditure.When the new European System of Accounts (ESA95) is brought into effect later this year, national accounts will treat depreciation as current expenditure and so these expenditure measures will align.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to bring vehicle excise duty on heavy goods vehicles into line with average levels in other European Union countries. [46550]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: None. In the last Budget, 17 March 1998, Official Report, column 1109, the Chancellor announced a review of the system for setting vehicle excise duty rates for lorries to ensure that the environmental damage caused by lorries is reflected in their vehicle excise duty rates.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest forecast of the revenue from (a) VED, (b) fuel duties on petrol and derv and (c) the total of VED and fuel duties in (i) the current financial year and (ii) each of the subsequent two years. [46772]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: The table gives the figures requested. The forecasts are consistent with the figures for total tax receipts published in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report.

Forecasts of receipts from vehicle excise duty and hydrocarbon oil products
£ billion
	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01
Vehicle excise duty	4·6	4·7	4·8
Hydrocarbon oil products	21·4	23·3	25·6
Total	26·0	28·0	30·4

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual real terms percentage increase in public spending on education in the UK between 1979–80 and 1997–98. [46461]

1.6 per cent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the possibility that the form of the phase 2 pensions mis-selling inquiries proposed by the Financial Services Authority will invalidate independent financial advisers' professional indemnity insurance. [46804]

That is a matter for the Financial Services Authority.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of divergence in diesel duty rates across the EU on United Kingdom competitiveness. [46576]

Diesel duty rates in other Member States are one of many factors assessed in determining the level of UK rates. This assessment has resulted, in the last Budget, in a package of measures which reflects the Government's commitment to the environment and to promoting a more dynamic business sector.The Government are committed to achieving their share of the EU target, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8 per cent. by 2008–2012. The commitment to increase road fuel rates by at least 6 per cent. on average in real terms each year reflects this. In addition, the Government intend, over time, to adjust the structure of duties on road fuels to move towards a fairer treatment of unleaded petrol and diesel, when calculated on an energy or carbon basis, and to encourage diesel users to switch to cleaner ultra-low sulphur diesel.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Hitchen and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley) of 18 May 1998, Official Report, column 291, if he will list by country the value of the outstanding debts on (a) United Kingdom aid loans and (b) loans guaranteed by the British Government through the Export Credits Guarantee Department, for each of the countries defined by the World Bank as severely or moderately indebted; and if he will give equivalent figures for (i)Afghanistan, (ii) Cuba, (iii) Gibraltar and (iv) Iraq. [44998]

The values of the outstanding claims held by ECGD and DFID, on all of the countries identified by the World Bank in Global Development Finance 1998 as moderately or severely indebted low income countries, are listed in the table. The table also includes the figures for Afghanistan, Cuba, Gibraltar and Iraq. The figures for ECGD's claims give the value of the outstanding principal of the loans at end-1997. The figures for DFID's claims give outstanding principal and interest and are current at end May 1997.

£ million
Country	Value of ECGD's export credit claims	Value of DFID'S Claims
Afghanistan	nil	nil
Albania	nil	nil
Angola	91·2	nil
Bangladesh	nil	nil
Benin	2·7	nil
Bhutan	nil	nil
Bolivia	17·5	nil
Burkina Faso	1	nil
Burundi	nil	nil
Cambodia	nil	nil
Cameroon	61·5	0.07
C.A.R.	0·5	nil
Chad	nil	nil
China	nil	nil
Comoros	0·04	nil
Congo-Brazzaville	123	nil
Cote d'Ivoire	30·5	nil
Cuba	51·2	nil
DR Congo (ex Zaire)	129·4	nil
Equatorial Guinea	nil	nil
Eritrea	nil	nil
Ethiopia	11·7	nil
Gambia	nil	nil
Ghana	3·5	nil
Gibraltar	nil	nil
Guinea	5·1	nil
Guinea-Bissau	nil	nil
Guyana	44·2	nil
Haiti	nil	nil
Honduras	0·36	nil
India	1·6	9·8
Iraq	650	nil
Kenya	43·5	nil
Laos	nil	nil
Liberia	14·5	0·08
Madagascar	27	nil
Malawi	0·7	nil

£million
Country	Value of ECGD's export credit claims	value of DFID's claims
Mali	4·1	nil
Mauritania	7·1	nil
Mongolia	nil	nil
Mozambique	86·3	nil
Myanmar	25	nil
Nepal	nil	nil
Nicaragua	1	nil
Niger	10·8	nil
Nigeria	3,100	4·9
Pakistan	0·68	nil
Rwanda	nil	nil
Sao Tome et Principe	nil	nil
Senegal	2·9	nil
Sierra Leone	3·5	nil
Somalia	27·5	nil
Sri Lanka	4,000	nil
Sudan	404·8	nil
Tanzania	125·7	nil
Togo	14·2	nil
Uganda	14	nil
Vietnam	10·4	nil
Yemen	6·2	nil
Zambia	234·1	nil
Zimbabwe	0·1	12·7

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis he made his assessment of the amount that local authorities will be able to realise in annual asset sales; and over what period he expects these to be realised. [47038]

Local authorities are projected to realise £2¾ billion in asset sales in each of the next three years and in line with recent experience.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what proportion of average earnings (a) a sole earner in a married two-parent, two-child family and (b) a single person with no children would start paying income tax in (i) April 1998, (ii) October 1998 and (iii) October 1999 taking into account family credit and the proposed working family tax credit; and how these figures compare with the position taking account of the equivalent benefits in 1968–69. [45994]

In 1998–99 a single person will start paying income tax at earnings of £81 per week, 24 per cent. of median full-time earnings (£337 per week). A married couple with one earner and 2 children under 11 will start to pay income tax at earnings of £108 per week, 32 per cent. of median full-time earnings. With the introduction of WFTC a married couple with one earner and 2 children under 11 will start to pay income tax at earnings of £245 per week. Additional help with child care is available to working families through the child care tax credit within WFTC. For example, a 2 earner couple on median earnings with 2 children and child care costs of £80 per week will gain £46 per week to this cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will remove VAT from safety helmets worn by (a) cyclists and (b) motorcyclists. [46702]

There is no VAT on safety helmets worn by motorcyclists. There is also no VAT on pedal cycle helmets designed for young children and not suitable for older persons.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action (a) the Government and (b) the Bank of England are taking to assess whether they will be able to make their computers millennium compliant at the same time as making them euro compliant. [45453]

Government Departments have investigated the impact of the introduction of the euro on their operations. Where these occur steps are in hand to make the necessary preparations. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster carries out quarterly reviews across Government on the state of preparedness for the century date change. Copies of the returns from Departments have been placed in the Library. The Bank of England has been undertaking IT preparations necessary for both EMU and Year 2000 for over 2 years. It was decided at an early stage that where there was an overlap in EMU and Year 2000 work and, where it was practical to do so, the Bank would address both issues at the same time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department is taking after the G8 summit and the Foreign Ministers' Meeting regarding the HIPC initiative. [43725]

The Government will continue to work with other bilateral creditors and the International Financial Institutions to take forward the G8 decisions and to ensure that progress is made towards the Mauritius Mandate targets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the experiment involving the private sector undertaking work in the rating and council tax fields. [47413]

The 1995 Next Steps Review of the Valuation Office Agency recommended that experiments be held to establish the feasibility and capability of the private sector to undertake work in the rating and council tax fields. Experiments were held during a 12 month period beginning 1 July 1996 involving contractors in four locations (two performing functions related to council tax and two to non-domestic rating). The results were compared with control offices in the Valuation Office Agency. The experiments have now been evaluated and the conclusions are:

that it is feasible for private firms to meet particular operational requirements of valuation for rating and council tax; but

that there is no clear financial or operational advantage in the permanent use of the private sector in the work concerned.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the cash and running costs limits for Her Majesty's Treasury in 1998–99. [47550]

Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary summer Supplementary Estimate, the running costs limit for Class XVI, Vote 1 will be increased by £6,400,000 from £59,930,000 to £66,330,000 and the cash limit will be increased by £6,400,000 from £56,665,000 to £63,065,000. The increase will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.The increases are necessary to provide for the costs of a new service providing information to business about the introduction of the euro in January 1999 and will be offset by foregoing the equivalent amount of unused end year flexibility carryover.Pending Parliamentary approval of the Supplementary Estimate, urgent expenditure estimated at £1,400,000 will be met by a repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will prepare an Index of Local Deprivation, similar to the one introduced by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. [44967]

Welsh Office officials are working with the Welsh Local Government Association and other agencies to set up a joint project board to oversee the development of a new Index of socio-economic conditions for Wales. I expect this work, which will take into account the results of the review of the Index of Local Conditions in England, to be completed in about a year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to make changes in the membership of the Further Education Funding Council for Wales prior to the establishment of the National Assembly. [46701]

On 14 April I appointed 6 new members and re-appointed two existing members to the FEFCW. I am currently considering appointing one further member and will shortly advertise for a new Chairman to replace the existing incumbent, whose term of office expires next Spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes he is proposing to make to the voted cash limits for his Department in the current financial year. [47440]

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, I intend to increase the cash limit on class XIV, vote 2 by £4,300,000 from £828,763,000 to £833,063,000 as a result of changes resulting from the Dearing review. The increase will be offset by a transfer from the Department for Education and Employment, class IX, vote 1 and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what educational publicity campaign he plans to undertake, at what estimated cost, to inform electors of the new proportional voting system to be used for the election of the Welsh Assembly. [47140]

I regret this information is not yet available. My Department will be undertaking an educational publicity campaign to explain the proportional voting system but the extent and cost of this campaign have yet to be decided.