To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what quantity of beef has been exported from Northern Ireland since the lifting of the beef export ban in respect of Northern Ireland; and how much of this was in carcase form. [47389]

Only one consignment of beef comprising 45 cartons of boneless beef weighing 1,108.7 kgs has been exported from Northern Ireland since the lifting of the beef export ban. Exports of bone-in beef remains banned and therefore no exports in carcase form have taken place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what quantities of (a) sides of beef, (b) tongues, (c) cheeks and (d) tails have been exported since the lifting of the beef export ban in Northern Ireland. [47390]

There have been no exports of beef sides, tongues, cheeks or tails since the lifting of the beef export ban in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the latest available estimates of those aged 17 years and over, plus 63 per cent. of those aged 16 years, for each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland together, in each case, with the equivalent electoral registration figures expressed as a percentage of these figures. [47711]

Mid-year estimates of the population of Northern Ireland broken down by age are available for Health Board areas only. Consequently, the population counts for parliamentary constituencies shown in the tables are taken from the 1991 Census of Population.Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency boundaries were redrawn in 1996. Table 1 details the population aged 17 and over plus 63 per cent. of the 16 year old population at the time of the 1991 Census of Population in each of the current parliamentary constituencies. Table 2 details the most up-to-date information on their respective electorates. Information on the number of registered voters in each constituency prior to 1996 is not available. Therefore, because the two sets of data shown here relate to different time points, it is not appropriate to determine the ratio of the number of registered voters to the population count.

Table 1: Post-1996 parliamentary constituencies, ordered by population
Parliamentary constituency (post-1996)	1991 census population aged 17 and over plus 63 per cent. of population aged 16 years
Mid Ulster	55,895
East Antrim	56,103
West Tyrone	57,160
East Londonderry	58,609
Fermanagh and South Tyrone	61,566
Belfast West	61,647
North Down	61,846
Belfast East	64,638
Strangford	64,641
Foyle	64,643
Newry and Armagh	68,014
South Down	68,368
Upper Bann	68,424
Belfast North	68,542
South Antrim	68,570
Belfast South	69,110
Lagan Valley	69,787
North Antrim	71,097
Northern Ireland	1,158,660

Table 2: Post-1996 parliamentary constituencies, ordered by number of electors
Parliamentary constituency (post-1996)	1998 registered electors
West Tyrone	59,709
East Antrim	59,721
East Londonderry	59,843
Mid Ulster	60,657
Belfast East	60,852
Belfast West	61,079
Belfast South	61,404
Belfast North	62,933
North Down	63,349
Fermanagh and South Tyrone	65,996
Foyle	69,533
South Antrim	69,971
Upper Bann	71,369
Strangford	71,395
South Down	71,726
Lagan Valley	72,205
Newry and Armagh	72,351
North Antrim	73,941
Northern Ireland	1,188,034

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Rate Collection Agency in 1998–99. [48962]

For 1998–99, the following performance targets have been set for RCA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency in 1998–99. [49068]

For 1998–99 the following key performance targets have been set for the Agency:

• 95–100 per cent. of key Government users of the Agency surveyed rating its overall service as satisfactory or better, with 50–55 per cent. rating it as very satisfactory.
• 95–100 per cent. of registered non-Government users of the Agency surveyed rating its overall service as satisfactory or better, with 55–60 per cent. rating it as very satisfactory.
• To produce no fewer than 52 statistical publications and 15 ad hoc research publications during 1998–99.
• 95–100 per cent. of NISRA readers rating key publications as satisfactory or better, with 40–45 per cent. rating them as very satisfactory.
• To process 98 per cent. of postal and personal applications for General Register Office certificates within 8 and 3 working days respectively.
• To reduce by 2 per cent. the unit cost of producing civil registration certificates.
• To achieve a minimum of 3 per cent. efficiency saving.

Full details are set out in the Agency's Corporate and Business Plans, copies of which will be placed in the library.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will list the officers of the House who are provided with residential accommodation. [48020]

Certain officers of the House are required to reside in the precincts when the House is in session. It is not the practice to give details of the conditions of service of individual staff.

To ask the President of the Council how many divisions in the House have occurred before 8 pm since 1 May 1997. [48451]

129 of the 317 divisions held between 1 May 1997 and 29 June 1998 occurred before 8 pm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the years 1986 to 1996 inclusive the number of deaths in Scotland as a result of hypothermia. [47970]

The information requested is given in the table.

Deaths with any mention of hypothermia on the death certificate, Scotland, 1986–1996
Year	Number
1986	208
1987	153
1988	138
1989	150
1990	136
1991	99
1992	115
1993	141
1994	136
1995	123
1996	125

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the decision by Sheriff Penman at Stirling on 23 June in the case of Graham v Sommerville, what plans he has to reform the law on landlord and tenant regarding the protection afforded by the Rent Acts to the Carbeth Hutters in respect of (a) security of tenure and (b) protection against uncontrolled rises in rent or other charges levied by the landlord. [48072]

[holding answer 1 July 1998]: My right hon. Friend has noted with concern recent developments affecting the Carbeth Hutters. However, any proposals for new legislation would need to be considered carefully to ensure that the possible wider implications were fully addressed—including, for example, for holiday accommodation, for the management of camping and caravan sites, and for the application of existing legislation to privately rented houses occupied as a main residence.The Government are therefore not at present in a position to amend the law on landlord and tenant in these respects, although it would of course be open to the Scottish Parliament to consider any proposals for new legislation in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further measures he will take to develop the economy in the Scottish Borders. [49133]

In recognition of the problems being experienced in the Scottish Borders economy, most recently with the redundancy announcement by Dawson International this week, I have today announced a package of support to help the economy diversify and modernise. This includes an additional £1 million for Scottish Borders Enterprise's budget this year, a rise of 12 per cent.; the setting up of a new Rural Inward Investment Team within Locate in Scotland to help attract investment to areas like the Borders; a commitment to consider providing the Borders with a reallocation of unused EC structural funds; a commitment to best endeavours to find additional funding if Scottish Borders Enterprise can bring forward further viable projects; and a commitment to keep discussions with Dawsons open and to assist them in their redevelopment. These measures are in addition to on-going assistance to the Borders, including the recent designation of Hawick as a Property Employment Support Programme (PESP) area, which allows greater flexibility to the local enterprise company to assist property projects in areas of social deprivation. The recently announced expansion of the telecoms infrastructure in the Borders will also provide an important selling point for the area.In response to the call for a South of Scotland Convention I will bring together in the near future the elected members and other relevant bodies to meet on a one-off basis to discuss further the area's economy and needs. The future requirement for such a forum must however be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of students at Scottish universities whose permanent place of residence is in Hertfordshire. [48503]

In 1996–97 there were 459 students at Scottish higher education institution whose permanent place of residence is in Hertfordshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which individuals and institutions provided the information and analysis underlying his decision to reprocess existing nuclear materials at Dounreay as part of the decommissioning programme; and if he will place copies of each of the documents provided to his Department on that subject in the Library. [45451]

I have been asked to reply.The Government announced on 5 June 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the estimated tonnages of coal extractable by opencasting from (a) contaminated land, (b) derelict land, (c) other brownfield sites and (d) greenfield sites. [48260]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he proposes to protect pension benefits of existing CAA pensioners following privatisation of the National Air Traffic Services. [48061]

Details of the proposed public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. are still to be determined. The Government and the CAA will give very careful consideration to future pensions arrangements, and the details will be announced as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many near misses have been recorded over Surrey by aircraft departing from or arriving at (a) Gatwick and (b) Heathrow in each of the last 10 years. [47992]

The information is not available as requested, but National Air Traffic Services Limited, which is responsible for air traffic services at Gatwick and Heathrow, has been able to provide figures for the number of airprox ("near miss") reports filed by air traffic controllers and pilots in each of the last 10 years within a radius of 25 miles of the village of Effingham in the centre of Surrey, as follows:

Year	Airprox P1	Gatwick Airprox C2	Airprox P1	Heathrow Airprox C2
1988	4	n/a	2	n/a
1989	2	n/a	0	n/a
1990	32	1	33	0
1991	0	33	33	34
1992	31	2	2	2
1993	0	1	2	2
1994	0	0	4	3
1995	0	0	6	1
1996	3	2	4	0
1997	33	32	34	31
1Airprox P are incidents reported by pilots and Airprox C are incidents reported by air traffic controllers
2Airprox C data are available only from 1 January 1990
2Indicates double counting where incidents involved both Heathrow and Gatwick Traffic

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) HGV occupants, (b) LGV occupants, (c) car occupants, (d) motorcyclists and (e) pedal cyclists were killed, seriously injured and slightly injured in impacts where the first point of impact of their vehicle was (i) the front, (ii) the rear, (iii) the nearside, (iv) the offside and (v) unknown for the latest year for which data are available. [48155]

The information requested is shown in the table.

Casualties by road user type and severity by first point of impact: GB: 1997
	Severity of casualty
First point of impact	Fatal	Serious	Slight	All casualties
HGV occupant
Front	32	329	1,528	1,889
Back	2	39	332	373
Offside	6	65	408	479
Nearside	4	65	359	428
Unknown	0	2	11	13
Total1	45	528	2,728	3,301
LGV occupant
Front	40	578	3,382	4,000
Back	2	75	1,512	1,589
Offside	13	96	842	951
Nearside	8	78	626	712
Unknown	0	3	55	58
Total1	64	864	6,544	7,742
Car occupant
Front	1,057	14,078	93,771	108,906
Back	72	1,857	51,455	53,384
Offside	360	2,831	22,976	26,167
Nearside	278	2,126	16,735	19,139
Unknown	6	198	1,177	1,381
Total1	1,795	21,394	188,203	211,392
Motorcyclists2
Front	383	3,912	10,456	14,751
Back	12	169	1,169	1,350
Offside	50	761	2,300	3,111
Nearside	49	810	2,771	3,630
Unknown	6	83	385	474
Total1	509	5,934	17,977	24,420
Pedal cyclists
Front	53	1,823	11,790	13,666
Back	51	406	2,597	3,054
Offside	48	589	3,178	3,815
Nearside	22	362	2,348	2,732
Unknown	6	79	405	490
Total1	183	3,405	20,997	24,585
1Total includes casualties in vehicles which did not impact
2Includes riders and passengers of all two-wheeled motor vehicles

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of the introduction of 44 tonne lorries on rail freight. [47974]

The issue of the possible wider use of 44 tonne, 6 axle lorries, including the possible effects on rail freight, will be discussed in the forthcoming White Paper on integrated transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement by the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry on 19 June 1998, Official Report, column 676, on the review of the single vehicle approval scheme, if enforcement of the Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 will be suspended pending the outcome of the review; and if he will make a statement. [48170]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: No. The Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 came into force on 30 April. The forthcoming review will examine how to permit access to SVA without undermining EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval—in particular, changes to the current Very Low Volume limits of 50 vehicles a year and 100 over 5 years. There is no question of lowering any of the existing SVA safety and environmental standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to give effect to the Rail Regulator's statement that diversification by Railtrack beyond its core regulated activity of managing the domestic rail network would be properly ring-fenced and would have no impact on access charges levied by Railtrack plc. [48263]

The Rail Regulator has stated that he wants to ensure that the licensed activities of Railtrack PLC are ringfenced and that the other activities of Railtrack Group PLC will not have any impact on the level of access charges that he will set as a result of his current periodic review. The Government support this aim and will consider whether any further action is necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average cost of the provision of one mile of cycle lane. [48326]

Average costs are not available, but since cycle lanes use the existing carriageway of a road and are identified by markings and signs, costs are not high. The limitation in providing more cycle lanes on the carriageway will often be lack of sufficient roadspace.We are encouraging all local authorities to improve facilities for cyclists, including more cycle lanes on the carriageway.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many billion tonne-kilometres of freight are moved annually within the United Kingdom. [48273]

[holding answer 1 July 1998]: 241 billion tonne-kilometres of freight were moved within the United Kingdom in 1996, the latest year for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of incidents of road congestion are related to road maintenance. [48278]

[holding answer 1 July 1998]: Recent research commissioned by the Highways Agency suggested that, during the study period, roadworks were responsible for approximately 15 per cent. of incidents of congestion. This project examined the causes of congestion on most of the motorway network and a small number of all-purpose trunk roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many kilometres of (a) motorways, (b) trunk roads and (c) major local authority roads have less than four years life remaining and require urgent maintenance. [48280]

[holding answer 1 July 1998]: Details of surveys of the residual life of motorways, trunk roads and principal local authority roads are published in the National Road Maintenance Condition Survey. The report on the 1997 survey gives information about residual life of roads for England and Wales:

Road class	Motorway	Trunk	Principal
Lane kms surveyed	4,538	13,259	32,818
Residual life years:
Less than 0	5.7	8.1	15.4
0–4	9.4	6.9	9.3
5–9	11.9	9.0	9.2
10–14	12.7	10.4	8.3
15–19	22.5	14.7	10.1
Greater than 19	37.8	50.9	47.7
All	100	100	100
Coverage of eligible network percentages	99	85	59

Most of these roads do not require immediate maintenance. Residual life is a projection of the structural condition of the road on a statistical basis. Below zero residual life does not indicate that the road is no longer serviceable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many kilometres of non-motorway roads fall under central Government control. [48279]

[holding answer 1 July 1998]: Statistics for 1996 show that in Great Britain 12,359 kilometres of non-motorway roads fall under central Government control.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to charge utilities for their occupation of the highway during roadworks. [48555]

None at present, though the issue is kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the average fuel consumption figures of a new car in (a) 1984 and (b) 1998. [48271]

[holding answer 1 July 1998]: The average new car's fuel consumption was 37.11mpg in 1984 and 37.97mpg in 1996, which is the latest year for which data are available. These figures underline the need for further improvement in the fuel consumption in new cars, though recent improvements are encouraging.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish and place in the Library a copy of the report of the Working Group of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee into the needs of disabled people in the context of proposals to discourage increasing unnecessary car use. [48507]

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee presented a report on Restrictions on Personal Vehicular Transport to me on 6 May. I understand that the Committee will be meeting in August to decide whether or not to publish the report. If the report is published I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the recent decision by One-2-One to stop using fast-track planning procedures under the General Permitted Development Order for the development of new masts; and if he will require all telecommunications operators to submit full planning applications for all proposed new masts. [48056]

Local planning authorities have the opportunity to exercise control over the siting of individual mast developments, whether that be through the consideration of a full planning application or the determination of a full planning application or the determination of a "prior approval" application under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. The permission for telecommunications masts granted by the Order is subject to certain conditions, one of which is that the developer should make a "prior approval" application to the local planning authority. The developer may accept the conditions and take advantage of the Order permission. If, however, the developer is not prepared to accept a condition, the Order permission is self-evidently not available, and it is open to him to make a planning application to the local planning authority in the ordinary way. Currently we have no plans to make all mast development subject to a full planning application.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much central Government money was used in each of the past five years to help local authorities develop PFI deals for (a) road schemes and (b) other transport services; and if he will list the schemes. [48914]

In 1993–94 a final grant payment of £13,279 was made as part of assistance given to West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority to assist with the development of a concession agreement for the West Midlands Metro line 1. Since that time no local authority has been allocated resources tied specifically to the development of a deal in the transport sector which involves private finance.A considerable number of authorities do, however, receive funding for local transport packages and some package resources may have been used by authorities to support their expenditure in developing PFI cases. This is most likely in the case of light rail proposals but might also occur for other kinds of infrastructure where a major development forms part of the local package strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the results of the Review of the Hedgerows Regulations 1997. [49069]

I have today published the report of the group set up to review how the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 might be strengthened. Copies have been placed in the House Library.The agreed report of the review group demonstrates a thorough investigation of the issues, careful analysis of possible options and puts forward proposals which are sensible and balanced. They include simpler criteria representing the landscape, historic and wildlife importance of hedgerows; and increasing the extra time for local planning authorities to consider hedgerow removal notices from six to eight weeks.Before these proposals can be worked up into revised draft Hedgerows Regulations, we will commission research into the group's proposed criteria defining important hedgerows. This should provide an estimate of the percentage of hedgerows they would be likely to protect. We will also reflect on their suggestion that, in the longer term, further consideration be given to altering the Environment Act 1995 so that local authorities—rather than Ministers—can determine which hedgerows in their area are important and worthy of protection.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received the report of the Advisory Committee on Packaging on the Review of Packaging Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [49070]

I am today placing in the Library a copy of the Advisory Committee on Packaging's Report on the operation of the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Obligations Regulations 1997.The Committee's principal conclusion is that adjustments to the Packaging Regulations should be kept to the minimum in view of the very short timescale for achieving the Directive targets set for 2001, the costs to business and the need to encourage investment in the expansion of recycling and collection capacity. Sir Peter Parker's report includes specific recommendations on the PRN system: in particular, that the PRN mechanism should be more transparent to assure all parties that the funds raised are deployed effectively to increase collection and reprocessing capacity; and that the PRNs should be issued to obligated producers or their representatives only. The report recommends the development of a national packaging planning framework to give the parties involved greater confidence in planning on the achievement of the packaging waste recovery targets, and to contribute to the national Waste Strategy. The Committee also recommends that there should be mechanisms developed to promote cost pass through by the various sectors, but that, where this fails, "hardship criteria" should be established to determine where a case merited review.Clearly this is still a relatively early point in the operation of these Regulations which are based on an inter-sectoral industry agreement, and I am keen that the Government should continue to have the benefit of the Advisory Committee's views on such issues as may arise in this challenging period as we seek to double the UK's packaging recycling activity. I will be discussing with Sir Peter how the Committee can continue in this valuable role.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when decisions will be reached on the treatment of the debts of the Humber Bridge. [49132]

A new loan agreement between the Secretary of State and the Humber Bridge Board has been signed. In accordance with that agreement, and with effect from 1 April this year, some £62m of debts owed by the Board to the Public Works Loan Board will be written off and interest payments due on debts of £359m owed to the Secretary of State for Transport will initially be reduced to about a fifth of what they would otherwise have been.The agreement provides that fixed rate interest charges will be broadly aligned with current rates and that, initially, interest charges on £240m of the debt will be suspended. Over the next 16 years suspended debt will be reactivated by instalments starting with the sum of £1lm in the next financial year and, in succeeding years, by additional amounts increased by 4 per cent. per annum. All the debt owed to the Secretary of State is to be repaid within the next 40 years.These arrangements are to be implemented, with the approval of Parliament, through an Order under the Humber Bridge (Debts) Act 1996 which I will lay before Parliament shortly. They should not result in any increase in the real value of the tolls charged at the Humber Bridge. But they should provide the solution to the problem of the unrealistic escalation of the Humber Bridge debt that has long been promised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a pilot programme in an English region under which the operation of (a) TECs and (b) Business Links would be the responsibility of the relevant RDA; and if he will make a statement. [46950]

I have been asked to reply to this question.As mentioned in the Government's response to the Education and Employment Select Committee's recent report into the relationship between TECs and the proposed Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), we consider that it would be inappropriate to introduce a project piloting alternative methods of contracting with TECs before the current review of the future role of TECs has been completed. The Government will review the situation when the review of TECs is completed.We are currently considering ways of ensuring that, as mentioned in the Government's White Paper on RDAs ('Building Partnerships for Prosperity'), RDAs will work closely with TECs and Business Links to make sure that their services match more closely the needs of their region and contribute to regional economic objectives.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the feasibility of off-shore wind farms. [45666]

An appraisal of the prospects for, and constraints on, the development of both onshore and offshore wind was published as 'An Assessment of Renewable Energy in the UK' by HMSO in 1994. Since then my Department's New and Renewable Energy Programme has supported a wide range of research projects related to wind energy and geared mainly towards onshore deployment, stimulated by successive Orders under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation. Current work, however, includes monitoring the development of the first offshore wind NFFO project at Blythe, and assessing the commercial opportunities for UK manufacturing industry within the offshore wind arena. Total DTI expenditure on wind energy projects in 1997/98 was £1.5 million.My current review of renewable energy, including onshore and offshore wind energy, is considering the contribution each source could make, the barriers to deployment and the measures which may be necessary to overcome them, and the need for research, development, demonstration, and dissemination. I expect to make an announcement about the Review later this year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total value of (a) exports to and (b) imports from Pakistan for each of the last five years for which records are available; what are the major categories of exports and imports; and if she will make a statement. [48182]

The information is given in the following tables:

UK trade with Pakistan
£ million, current prices
UK	UK exports	Total imports	Total trade
Goods and Services
1992	464	393	837
1993	499	460	959
1994	531	511	1,042
1995	556	525	1,081
1996	589	566	1,155
1997	n/a	n/a	n/a
Goods
1992	312	273	585
1993	330	324	654
1994	354	360	714
1995	340	364	704
1996	344	391	735
1997	269	380	649
Services
1992	152	120	272
1993	169	136	305
1994	177	151	328
1995	216	161	377
1996	245	175	420
1997	n/a	n/a	n/a

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her Department's policy on the Government's target to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 per cent. by the year 2010. [46234]

The Government plan to publish a consultation paper on climate change this summer. This will focus on policy options for meeting our legally binding target from Kyoto, but also look at measures that would move beyond that towards our aim of a 20 per cent. reduction in CO₂ emissions. We are inviting views from all sectors throughout this consultation process.As part of the process, we are committed to a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources. We inherited a figure of 2 per cent. renewables contribution to UK electricity supplies. This is expected to rise to 5 per cent. by about 2003. On 6 June 1997,

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the projects undertaken by her Department since 1 May 1997 to research public reaction to (a) Government policies and (b) potential new policies; and if she will place the results of the research in the Library. [46682]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: The Department has carried out the following surveys into current policies and potential new policies since 1 May 1997:

• Biotechnology Means Business Evaluation
• Business Links Baseline Tracking Study
• Competitiveness Analysis of UK Downstream Gas Industry
• Degradation of Materials in Aggressive Environments
• Design Council Evaluation and Tracking Study
• Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme (Series of ad hoc surveys)
• Evaluation of Regional Supply Network
• Evaluation of Export Market Research Scheme^*
• Evaluation of Design of High Speed Machinery Programme
• Evaluation of Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme^*
• Evaluation of RETEX Initiative
• Evaluation of KONVER Initiative
• Evaluation of Industry '96
• Future Market Potential for Photovoltaic Products
• Interim Evaluation of DTI's Biotechnology Means Business Initiative^*
• Materials Measurement Evaluation Survey^*
• Mid-term Review of BNSC Applications Demonstration Programme
• Review of European Supported Networks
• South-east Asia "Lands of Opportunity" Campaign
• Support for Overseas Trade Fairs & Seminars Study
• Survey as part of an Evaluation of OSO Support for Innovation^*
• Survey of Machinery Exporters concerning Single Market Barriers to Trade^*
• UK Business Potential for Virtual Reality^*
• Workplace Employee Relations Survey^*.

The distinction between current and potential policies is not one the Department uses, since evaluations of current policy will shape future policy.Where the results of these surveys are not already in the Library of the House, arrangements are being made for them to be placed there. The only exception is the report of the Mid-term Review of BNSC Applications Demonstration Programme, which is classified 'Commercial in Confidence'.Those surveys marked with an asterisk have not yet been completed. Copies of the reports on these surveys will be placed in the Library of the House when completed.I have also placed in the Library a list of all significant public consultation exercises carried out by my Department since 1 May 1997.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the effects of the East Asian economic crisis on employment in the UK manufacturing sector. [48494]

The economic situation in East Asia is still evolving and the Government are monitoring it carefully. Adverse developments in the region are not good news in the short term for UK exporters with a significant presence there. Obviously, the prospects for manufacturing employment in the UK over the long term depend on the underlying competitiveness of British manufacturers, and that is an agenda which DTI is specifically addressing.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the report of the investigation into the 1991 flotation of the Mirror Group; and if she will make a statement. [48558]

The inspectors have not yet reported to the Secretary of State.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her Department's role in discussions relating to the European structural funds for the period 2000 to 2006. [48774]

The Department of Trade & Industry is the lead Department on the reform of the European Structural and Cohesion Funds. Our responsibility is to co-ordinate UK policy on the reform for all Government Departments including Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Ireland Offices.Discussions have started on the proposed regulations by Member States at working group level. Officials of the Department of Trade & Industry attend on behalf of the UK, supported by other interested departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what initiatives his Department is supporting for pensioners' concessionary admission charges at arts, leisure and tourist venues. [47678]

One of my Department's key objectives is to widen access to arts, leisure and tourist venues for all groups, including older people. Whilst pricing policies are at the discretion of the governing bodies of individual arts, leisure and tourist organisations to decide, the Department has a number of initiatives in place.We recently announced a £5 million New Audiences fund which will be used to discover the most effective ways to increase access to the arts for all age groups.All the national museums and galleries that charge for admission offer concessionary rates for older people. In addition, our Code of Good Access Practice, which we have issued for consultation to the wider museums and galleries sector, asks for views on whether there should be a standard group of concessions, including senior citizens. We hope to publish the final Code in the summer.Our new Sport for All policy will ensure that sporting opportunities are available to older people.One of the Tourism Forum Working Groups has been considering widening access for older people. The Group's report will feed into the new tourism strategy which should be published later this year.New Policy Directions issued on 1 June to Lottery distributors emphasised the importance of access for all. We are also encouraging local authorities to develop and publish leisure strategies to improve planning and policy making on issues such as widening access.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on progress in England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. [47607]

[holding answer 29 June 1998]: The Government are providing the fullest diplomatic and promotional support for the FA's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup. It is an excellent bid which, I believe, stands a very good chance of success. I hold regular meetings with the FA Campaign Team, and have joined FA delegations at meetings with several members of the FIFA Executive Committee, either here in London or in their home countries, to promote the merits of the bid. I intend to accompany FA delegations on future visits to promote the bid, as Parliamentary business allows. I have written to hon. Members urging them to use every opportunity to support the bid and have been heartened by the positive response I have received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which stadiums he has evaluated in the planning of the bid to host the 2006 World Cup. [47604]

[holding answer 29 June 1998]: This is a matter for the Football Association which need to meet the FIFA bid requirements which are due to be published at the end of 1998. Our stadia are amongst the best in the world, and were instrumental in making Euro 96 such a success. The FA will have many excellent stadia from which to choose.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from (a) sporting bodies and (b) sporting individuals in (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales in respect of their access to the UK Sports Institute network; and if he will make a statement. [47795]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: No representations have been received in my Department from sporting bodies or sporting individuals in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in respect of their access to the UK Sports Institute. Such individuals and bodies are, of course, welcome to discuss access to the UK Sports Institute network with the UK Sports Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the measures his Department has taken to invite sports to participate in the UK Sports Institute. [47796]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: Eight Sports Governing Bodies took up an invitation to have a statement of their potential requirements for training and related facilities added at the shortlisting stage of the bidding process for the UK Sports Institute Headquarters. Discussions are taking place at UK and Home Country level with Governing Bodies to establish the extent of their participation in the UK Sports Institute network, in terms of facilities, and in respect of their World Class Performance Plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in respect of the provision of (a) sports medicine, (b) sports science, (c) sports research, (d) talent identification and (e) the setting of standards within the UK Sports Institute. [47794]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: The UK Sports Council has set up a sports science/sports medicine technical committee with representatives from each discipline to develop the approach to these services for the UK Sports Institute. The Institute will play a key role in sports research. The UK Sports Council is taking a lead in discussions with interested parties to establish systems to help identify sporting talent. The UK Sports Institute Headquarters will be responsible for accrediting the UK Sports Institute network to standards laid down by the UK Sports Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the nature of the sports research to be undertaken by the UK Sports Institute. [47793]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: The nature of the sports research to be undertaken by the UK Sports Institute has not yet been defined but will complement the provision of services and training facilities to our top sportsmen and women. I understand that the hon. Member will be meeting the UKSI Project Team at the UK Sports Council next month and he will be able to get further reassurance on this and a range of related issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the support provided to the United Kingdom's top sportsmen and women by the UK Sports Council; and if he will make a statement. [48906]

Our top sportsmen and women need more support from Government and they will get it when the present arrangements for excellence in UK sport are strengthened and streamlined. Devolution offers the opportunity to be much clearer in future about who provides help for what aspects of sport. The arrangements I am announcing today will ensure that sport in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland develops in line with what is wanted in each of those parts of the United Kingdom, and that we combine our strengths on the international stage.I have agreed with my colleagues that we will radically change the United Kingdom Sports Council, which we inherited from the previous Government. Our new strategy will give strong national direction and the powers to implement it. To support sport at UK level there will in future be:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Football Task Force report on ticketing will be published; and if he will make a statement. [47893]

[holding answer 1 July 1998]: The Task Force is due to publish its report on ticketing, marketing and other commercial aspects of the game by the end of the year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has made to the Accounting Standards Board on the proper presentation of risks and liabilities of Private Finance Initiative schemes. [44719]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Accounting Standards Board regarding exposure draft FRS 5 on Accounting for the Substance of Transactions. [46375]

[holding answers 10 and 18 June 1998]: In December 1997 the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) issued for comment an Exposure Draft on the accounting treatment of Private Finance Initiative transactions. HM Treasury submitted its formal response to the ASB on 3 March 1998 and we are continuing to have discussions with ASB representatives on this subject.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury will be bound by the terms of the exposure draft FRS 5. [46857]

[holding answer 22 June 1998]: The proposed Application Note to FRS5 on the accounting treatment of Private Finance Initiative transactions is still in draft form and we are continuing to have discussions with representatives of the Accounting Standards Board (ASB). The Treasury will consider the Application Note when it is published in final form.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact on unemployment of a one per cent. increase in average earnings unmatched by any increase in productivity. [48556]

Pay in all sectors, and at all levels, must be related to what can be afforded. Excessive wage growth would tend to raise unemployment, but the precise effect would depend upon why wages increased, and how employers and employees reacted to the increase.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of incidents of self-harm by (a) 15 and 16 year olds on remand in adult prisons and (b) other offenders aged under 21 years in custody which go unreported. [43835]

I will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the volume of correspondence sent to and received from hon. Members by the Secretary of State for the Home Department in the periods of (a) 1 January to 26 March 1994 and (b) 1 January to 26 March 1998. [47690]

The volume of correspondence sent to, and received from, hon. Members by my Department between the dates in question was as follows:

	Sent	Received
1 January–26 March 1994	4,821	6,146
1 January–26 26 March 1998	4,980	5,855

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what occasions mail sent to a child at the Medway Training Centre has been withheld. [48161]

I am told that no such mail has been withheld.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of (a) self-harm and (b) attempted suicide by children have taken place at the Medway Training Centre. [48160]

There has been one incident of self-harm, in which the trainee scratched his arm. He was seen by medical staff but no treatment was required. No trainee has attempted suicide.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Home Office monitor is assigned to the Medway Training Centre; and if he will indicate their experience of working with institutions for children. [48162]

Brett Robinson, a Home Office official, is currently the Monitor for Medway Secure Training Centre, and he has a statutory duty to report to the Secretary of State on how the STC is being run. He has not had direct experience of working within an institution for children, but his training for the post included periods at local authority secure units. The Monitor has a wide range of experience which fits him for the role of monitoring the performance of the contractor in delivering the service required at the STC, including compliance with the Statutory Rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs have been incurred by the public sector for unfilled places at the Medway Training Centre since its opening. [48159]

The contract price is determined by the availability of places and the quality of service provided. There is a fixed daily price for the first 30 places available, irrespective of whether they are occupied or not, and a lower daily rate for the final 10 places if these are used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees at the Medway Training Centre have previous experience of working with children with a history of offending. [48158]

We understand that around 30 per cent. of the staff who work directly with trainees at Medway Secure Training Centre have previously worked with young people with a history of offending. All staff have received training in understanding and dealing with disturbed adolescents.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average weekly cost of keeping a child at the Medway Training Centre. [48157]

The average cost of a place at Medway is £2,400 per week excluding capital costs. This compares with the average cost in local authority secure accommodation for 1997–98 of £2,570.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many family or social visits to a child held at the Medway Training Centre have been stopped since its opening. [48156]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the funding of the South and West Devon fast track diversion and stabilisation scheme for drug users. [48145]

I am aware that the scheme is currently facing some funding difficulties, and am consulting my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on how these difficulties might be resolved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had about the South and West Devon fast track diversion and stabilisation scheme for drug users. [48149]

On 15 June, I met the Chief Probation Officer of Devon Probation Service and His Honour Judge William Taylor, the Liaison Judge on the Probation Committee, to discuss the funding of the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Criminal Injuries Compensation Board claims are currently being processed by their Complaints Board; what percentage this constitutes of total claims; and how many complaints relate to claims originating in each year since 1990. [47978]

It is assumed that the Question relates to appeals and other hearings cases still to be resolved by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) under the 1990 scheme, effective for claims received to 31 March 1996.At 26 June 1998, there were 17,736 such cases, forming 85 per cent. of the residual work outstanding under the 1990 scheme. The distribution according to the year in which the original claim was received is as follows:

Year of receipt of original claim	Appeals/hearings cases to be resolved
Pre-1990	352
1990	206
1991	425
1992	630
1993	1,055
1994	3,338
1995	8,063
To 31 March 1996	3,667
Total	17,736

The total includes a number of cases resolved in previous years, but re-opened on medical grounds.For claims received under the 1990 scheme between 1990 and 31 March 1996, the percentage in which an application for, or referral to, an oral hearing was subsequently made averaged 20 per cent. (range 16 to 22 per cent.).For claims received on or after 1 April 1996 under the tariff-based scheme (in which CICB has no role), for decisions made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority are open to review by the Authority, and reviewed decisions are open to appeal before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel. Present indications are that the percentage of full appeals cases is less than 10 per cent. of total claims received. The new scheme is designed to offer a faster service to victims at all stages.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will send a British police officer to Turkey to assist in the Edgar Fernandes murder inquiry; [47840]

Although the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have closely followed developments in the case of Edgar Fernandes, the murder investigation and any subsequent prosecution are matters for the Turkish authorities. The Turkish authorities have not requested any specific assistance from the United Kingdom in connection with the investigation, although the exchange of relevant information has taken place both through police channels, via Interpol, and via diplomatic channels, through our Consular Division here and Diplomatic Posts overseas.On 11 May, Interpol London was advised that a person suspected of committing the murder had been arrested in Malta. The Turkish authorities are currently applying for his extradition from Malta to face prosecution in Turkey. The Turkish Ministry of Justice sent the translated extradition request to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 10 June. There may be a delay in its arrival in Malta because Turkey does not have diplomatic representation in Malta and it is understood that the paperwork will have to be processed via the Turkish Embassy in Rome.The level of co-operation between the British and Turkish police forces during the investigation, conducted via Interpol channels, has been generally good, although there have been some delays in information being provided to the British police by the Turkish authorities, partly because Turkey has chosen to send some responses via diplomatic channels rather than via Interpol where the British request originated. Both the British police and the Consular Division have been in regular contact with their Turkish counterparts to obtain information concerning developments, and will continue their efforts. It would probably be unhelpful, and possibly counter-productive, to go further than this, as undue pressure is likely to antagonise the Turkish authorities who are pursuing the investigation according to their national procedures. The situation is complicated by the fact that the murder suspect is in a third country and will have to be extradited to face prosecution, building in unavoidable delays.The Turkish authorities have not requested the presence of a British police officer in Turkey to assist with the investigation. A British police officer would have no jurisdiction to investigate the case in Turkey and his presence there would have to be authorised by the Turkish authorities. The Coroner at St. Pancras has made a request to the Attorney General in Malta to allow a Metropolitan Police officer to interview the detained suspect in Malta to assist the inquest proceedings in Britain. The inquest has been opened and adjourned in Britain and a reply to the request is currently awaited from the Attorney General in Malta.The cases of Christopher Howes and Captain John Bashforth were both different from the present case. Mr. Howes was kidnapped and British police officers, trained in negotiation skills, went to Cambodia to assist with negotiations and in establishing Mr. Howes' whereabouts. British police made a number of visits to Cambodia and their involvement there concluded once the fates of Mr. Howes and the other hostage were discovered. The murder investigations then became a matter for the Cambodian authorities.British police officers did not go to Indonesia in 1996 to investigate the murder in 1992 of Captain Bashforth, but rather to review the investigation of the murder by the Indonesian police. The perpetrators of the murder have never been caught.The police and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will continue to monitor developments in the case of Edgar Fernandes, in consultation with the relevant authorities in Turkey and Malta. In this regard, Interpol London are currently pursuing with their Maltese counterparts the question of the visit by a Metropolitan Police officer to facilitate the inquest being held in Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria on the basis of which asylum seekers detained under the immigration acts are classified as Category C status. [48306]

Detainees held under sole Immigration Act powers are not classified in accordance with Prison Service categorisation. The only exception would be where someone was held for reasons of national security.Most detainees are held in Immigration Service detention accommodation (which is not categorised according to Prison Service specifications), or the discrete centres at Rochester and Haslar. Those held in other Prison Service establishments are usually accommodated with remand prisoners and are therefore held in local prisons or remand centres which are category B security standard because of the wide range of offenders.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. [47019]

The Department for International Development assesses all its policies and programmes for their gender impact. This is in line with the way the issue is being addressed through the cross-Departmental mainstreaming initiative.I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Women on 24 June 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects undertaken by her Department since 1 May 1997 to research public reaction to (a) Government policies and (b) potential new policies; and if she will place the results of the research in the Library. [46675]

The Department regularly consults the public, interested parties and client groups by way of consultation papers, discussion groups and any other methods such as the recent White Paper on International Development.In addition, and in line with practice under the previous administration, and at similar cost, research was also carried out by Opinion Leader Research Ltd. shortly after this government took office to evaluate knowledge and opinions about development assistance. Copies of this research has been placed in the Library of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make representations to the European Commission to set up a contracted-out expert network of advisers in reproductive and sexual health. [48262]

A network of external advisers in reproductive health, population and HIV/AIDS was created by Directorates General VIII and Ib of the Commission in February 1998, following an open tender competition. Expert advice is being provided by a consortium of four groups: International Health Services (Ghent), Deloitte and Touche and two UK-based groups, Liverpool Associates in Tropical Health and the Futures Group UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make representations to the European Commission to spend 300 million ecu on reproductive health issues as committed following the Cairo conference. [48261]

We maintain regular dialogue with the Commission on investments in reproductive health in developing countries. The Commission has exceeded its target of committing 300 million ecu in reproductive health assistance in the five years following the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. We will do all we can to help ensure that this money is spent effectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to commission further reviews of the implications for development of proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment; and if she will make a statement. [48058]

The Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) Negotiating Group has tasked the Secretariat of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with carrying out further analytical work on the development implications of the MAI. We expect to receive the Secretariat's initial proposals for this research shortly. We welcome the fact that the research is being taken forward by the Secretariat on behalf of the Negotiating Group as a whole. This indicates that there is now a broad interest among MAI negotiators in the development implications of the MAI. My Department will continue to keep in close touch with the Secretariat as their proposals develop and the research moves forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. [47016]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Women on 24 June 1998, Official Report, columns 557–58.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos have been used in research projects since March 1991. [47902]

This information is not available in the form requested. The latest figures provided by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) show that 36,930 embryos created during the course of in vitro fertilisation treatments were donated to research projects between 1 August 1991 and 31 March 1996.In addition, a number of embryos are created for diagnostic purposes in treatments involving gamete intra-fallopian transfer—a procedure not governed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990—which, together with embryos created using supernumerary eggs produced in the course of that procedure, may be donated to research. It may also be possible for research embryos to be created using eggs donated for treatment but which are not, in the event, used for that purpose. The HFEA licenses about 2 or 3 research projects each year which may involve the creation of embryos. This will be only where such use is an essential requirement for the research project, for example in order to examine the viability of eggs which have been frozen, or the use of immature sperm for treatment purposes.Research on human embryos is subject to very strict controls under the terms of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Such research may be carried out only if effective consent, as defined in the Act, is given by the egg and sperm providers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children from abroad have been adopted in the UK in each of the last 12 years. [48010]

The Department does not hold information about the number of children adopted from abroad, only about the number of intercountry adoption applications processed since 1992. These will account for the majority of such adoptions since then and are set out in the table:

Year	Number of intercountry adoption applications processed by the Department of Health
1992	48
1993	99
1994	113
1995	150
1996	310
1997	221
January-June 1998	125
Total	1,066

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to enhance the role of pharmacists in the delivery of primary care; [48235](2) what plans he has to involve community pharmacists in promoting health advice to men over 40 years of age. [48236]

We propose to publish a policy document in the autumn setting out proposals for the future role of community pharmacists within the National Health Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of consultations general practitioners carry out which could be effectively dealt with by (a) a pharmacist and (b) another member of a primary health care team. [48237]

We are aware of a range of research and experience which suggests that some tasks currently undertaken by general practitioners could be carried out appropriately by pharmacists and other health professionals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what meetings he has held over the past 12 months concerning the spending of European funds at Gwent Tertiary College; [48197](2) what discussions he has had with personnel of Gwent Tertiary College over the past 12 months relating to the spending of European funds at the college; [48184](3) what representations he has received over the past 12 months concerning the spending of European funds at Gwent Tertiary College. [48198]

I have had a number of meetings, and discussions. Officials from the Welsh Office and the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) have been in regular contact with the College concerning European funding. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the Fraud Inspection Unit of DfEE and the Gwent Constabulary are currently investigating the receipt and allocation of European Social Funding by the College in 1995 and 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the closure of the Phase Separations Company on Deeside Industrial Park indicating the number of jobs lost and the areas in which they have been relocated. [47905]

The closure of any company with its associated loss of jobs is always regrettable. I understand that 28 jobs will be lost and that the company plans to transfer manufacturing to Ireland, distribution to Holland and administration to Watford. The local TEC is liaising with the Employment Service to see what help can be given to those employees made redundant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that more deciduous trees will be planted; and if he will make a statement. [47914]

We are fully committed to increasing the area of woodland in Wales, including deciduous woodland. Our grant-aid encourages the planting of deciduous trees and over 80 per cent. of the new woodland created in Wales in the past five years is deciduous. Moreover, the UK Forestry Standard, which we launched earlier this year, specifies that any new conifer woodland should include a proportion of deciduous trees. In addition, we have recently announced Challenge Funds for creating woodlands on bracken land and for new native woodlands in National Parks. In both cases, initial responses have been encouraging and much of the woodland planted under these initiatives will be deciduous.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the impact upon North East Wales of the Objective 1 status granted to Merseyside with regard to (a) the preparation of industrial infrastructure and (b) inward investment; and if he will make a statement. [47910]

I have no evidence to suggest that the designation of Merseyside as an Objective 1 area has had a detrimental effect on North East Wales. Indeed, the unemployment rate in Flintshire decreased from 4.5 per cent. in May 1997 to 3.9 per cent. in May 1998. Similarly in Wrexham, where the rate dropped from 4.7 per cent. in 1997 to 4 per cent. in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the prospects for the restoration of Objective 2 status in North East Wales; and if he will make a statement. [47907]

The Commission's draft regulations for the Structural and Cohesion Funds which are part of the Agenda 2000 package were published on the 18 March. The Regulations must now be agreed by all fifteen Member States and approved where appropriate by the European Parliament.Our overriding concern in the long negotiations ahead is to ensure that these draft Regulations are fair, affordable and durable, particularly to the UK and its regions. We do not expect the Regulations for the Structural and Cohesion Funds to be adopted until early 1999. It would therefore be premature to speculate on which areas might qualify or on the amount of any aid which they might receive once the new Regulations come into effect.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the likely percentage of crops to be grown in Wales in 2008, which will be genetically modified; and if he will make a statement. [47913]

There is no basis for making such an estimate as it is unlikely that commercially grown genetically modified crops will be harvested in the UK before next year. The Government will continue to monitor the situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the current rate of sterling on the steel industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [47904]

We fully recognise the worries of exporters and manufacturers about the current level of sterling. The Government's aim is a stable and competitive pound of the medium term. The most important thing is to deliver a stable economic environment—with sustained growth, less inflation and sound public finances—whilst at the same time introducing policies to promote enterprise and investment and raise the economy's sustainable rate of growth. The Government are determined to take a long-term view and not be diverted from this cause by short-term pressures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has taken to improve access to cancer treatment in North Wales; and if he will make a statement. [47911]

Improving cancer services is a priority for the Government and I am pleased to say that I am making available over £20 million to fund the building of a new cancer centre for North Wales based at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. I laid the foundation stone a few weeks ago and the new centre should open in June 2000. The centre will provide high-quality cancer services to people from North Wales and will save seriously ill patients making long journeys to English centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients in each health authority area were waiting for treatment on the NHS at January for each year since 1992 broken down by medical specialty. [48081]

Due to the volume of data requested, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much public money will be used to publicise the Welsh Assembly elections. [48445]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 23 June 1998, Official Report, column 45.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what contingency plans his Department is making in the event of the failure of computer systems to recognise the year 2000; when he expects them to be in place, and tested; and if he will make a statement. [48843]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster presents quarterly reviews to Parliament of progress on tackling all issues relating to the Millennium date change problem across central Government. His last Report was made on 8 June. At the same time, copies of all Departmental plans are placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament and published on the Internet. At this time, I have nothing to add to the Welsh Office's recently published plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Chairman of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation concerning the adjudication by the Parliamentary Commissioner into the Friends of the Earth complaint regarding refusal of information on the Gwent Levels mitigating works and bird reserve; and if he will make a statement. [48624]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if his review of the Cardiff Bay Barrage is based on the principle of retaining the 1994 cap and economising on ancillary projects; [48622](2) on what date he commenced his review of the total costs of the Cardiff Bay Barrage; when he expects to complete his review of the barrage cost cap; and if he will place a copy of the completed review in the Library; [48623](3) what provision he has made for increasing the grant-in-aid to the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation in association with the completion of his costs cap review; what increased barrage project costs he has already approved; and what increases in costs have been submitted for approval. [48625]

The Corporation made available to my Department in February a confidential internal review on the costs of the Barrage project. That review has since been the subject of discussion with the Corporation. On 29 June, I reaffirmed my guidance to the Board that tight control should be exercised over these costs to contain them within the total of £191m announced to Parliament, including provision of £8.8m for the Bird Reserve.I have asked the Corporation to prepare an update of the review document, excluding commercially confidential material, as soon as possible. I shall arrange for a copy of that document to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the public registers which her Department has responsibility for. [47347]

[holding answer 29 June 1998]: This Department does not maintain any public registers. However, the Registrar of Occupational and Personal Pensions maintains a register of occupational and personal pensions pursuant to regulation 2 of the Register of Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/371). The Registrar is an independent statutory office-holder appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will make a statement on the training given to officers of her Department in dealing with disabled people; [48000](2) what guidance has been issued to offices of her Department on the treatment of disabled people when double checking benefits claims through interviews. [47996]

The administration of Disability Benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate her Department has made of the numbers of widowers who would be entitled to a widow's pension if the current scheme for women were to be extended to men; what estimate she has made of the numbers of children of widowers who would benefit from equal treatment being extended to their fathers; and if she will make a statement. [48621]