To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [46678]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: In line with the practice of successive Administrations, the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments routinely consult the public, interested parties and client groups, by way of consultation papers, discussion papers, and White Papers on a wide range of policies and proposed legislation. I have therefore confined my reply to other major exercises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the (a) numbers and (b) percentage of the total, of those studying in integrated schools in the (i) nursery, (ii) infant, (iii) junior, (iv) secondary, (v) further education, (vi) higher education and (vii) teacher training sectors of education in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [48298]

In the schools sector, only primary and secondary schools have integrated status. There are 3,846 pupils at integrated primary schools, which represents 2.1% of total primary enrolments and 4,308 pupils at integrated secondary schools which represents 2.8% of total post-primary enrolments.The religious composition of students at further education college and universities is mixed. There are 85,669 enrolments at further education colleges and 39,178 enrolments at universities in Northern Ireland.There are 1,530 enrolments on initial teacher training courses in Northern Ireland. Of these, 25.4% are at universities where the religious composition is mixed. The remaining 74.6% are at: St. Mary's College, where the religious composition of enrolments is predominantly Roman Catholic, and Stranmillis College, where the religious composition of enrolments is predominantly Protestant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the value of the contract for the development of Belfast Harbour Exchange Retail and Leisure Park. [47894]

[holding answer 3 July 1998]: I understand from the Belfast Harbour Commission that the value of the development agreement between the Commissioners and the developer of the D5 site, is represented by future rental income for the land resulting from the granting of leases to future occupiers of the development when completed. As these leases have still to be finally negotiated, it is not possible to put a specific value on the rental flow.The £65 million estimate mentioned in recent press reports is the value which the commercial property market might place on the development when completed and fully let, and does not reflect the cost of constructing the development, which is the responsibility of the developer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which company has been awarded the contract for the development of the Belfast Harbour Exchange Retail and Leisure Park. [47895]

[holding answer 3 July 1998]: I am advised by the Belfast Harbour Commissioners that they have appointed the joint venture group of Aquis Estates Limited and Anglia General Developments (Harbour Exchange) Limited as the preferred developer of the D5 site, known as Belfast Harbour Exchange.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to make policy appraisal and fair treatment analyses available to those who contribute to, or are affected by, them. [48357]

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: Appraisals carried out under the terms of the 1993 Policy Appraisal for Fair Treatment (PAFT) guidelines are not published. The implementation of PAFT is reported on in annual reports, which are available from the Central Community Relations Unit free of charge. A report for 1997 is in preparation. The White Paper 'Partnership for Equality', contains proposals for a statutory obligation on the public sector to promote equality of opportunity which would include a requirement for equality appraisals of policies, superseding the PAFT initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many boys have been compensated for injuries received in Lisnevin which were inflicted by (a) staff and (b) other children since 1991. [48351]

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: Two boys were compensated for injuries allegedly inflicted by staff in Lisnevin during the eight-year period. One incident occurred in 1995 and the other in 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list all Social Services Inspectorate reports on training schools since 1991. [48353]

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: The Social Services Inspectorate have carried out part or full inspections of the four Training Schools as set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the maximum capacity of each training school in relation to (a) boys and (b) girls in (i) 1993, (ii) 1994, (iii) 1995, (iv) 1996, (v) 1997 and (vi) 1998. [48354]

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: The table indicates the capacity in each of the Training Schools for offenders over the period 1993 to 1998. Rathgael is the only school which accommodates boys and girls and there are no limits imposed on the maximum number of either sex within the capacity of the Centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date Rathgael Training School ceased to be classified for use by non-Roman Catholics; and what the reasons were for the change. [48350]

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: At no time has Rathgael Training School been classified for use by non-Roman Catholics only. The Rathgael and Whiteabbey Management Board have always run the Centre on a non-denominational basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to extend the remit of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman to include the operation of the Northern Ireland Office (Criminal Justice Services) and related agencies. [48352]

[holding answer 3 July 1998]: The Northern Ireland Office and its agencies come within the remit of the GB Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. There are no plans to extend the remit of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key targets were set for the Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland in 1997–98; what further plans have been prepared by the Agency; and what arrangements have been made for the publication of this year's plans. [49637]

The following key targets were set for the Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland in 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Northern Ireland Prison Service intends to publish its 1998–2001 Corporate and Business Plan; and what performance targets have been set for 1998–99. [49638]

The Northern Ireland Prison Service's Corporate and Business Plan for 1998–2001 was published today. The following key performance targets have been set for 1998–99:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the estimated cost of the published verbatim record of proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly. [49462]

The cost will depend, in part, on the number of plenary meetings during the year—a matter not yet discussed by the Assembly. As an indication of cost, one meeting each week for 40 weeks in a full year is estimated to cost in the region of £800,000 per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ensure that a verbatim record of proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly will be available (a) in the Vote Office and (b) on the Internet. [49461]

An official report of debate on the Northern Ireland Assembly will be available in the Vote Office. Whether it will be on the Internet is a matter which the Assembly might wish to decide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on dealing with problems of rough sleepers in each of the past five years; and what estimates he has made of the total numbers sleeping rough for each of those years. [49184]

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive whose Chief Executive has advised me that research has failed to find evidence of a rough sleeping problem in Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, the Executive is to be represented on a steering group which will provide a "street outreach service" in Belfast, which should assist with early identification of problems and inform decisions on whether any further research may be necessary.

To ask the Attorney-General in how many cases in 1997 appeals against over-lenient sentences resulted in an increase in sentence. [48325]

In 1997, the Law Officers referred the sentences imposed on 70 offenders to the Court of Appeal for their sentences to be reviewed under the provisions of section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Of the References that have been heard, sentences have been increased in respect of 43 offenders. One References was withdrawn. Three References are yet to be heard.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the Social Exclusion Unit on rough sleepers. [49465]

I am today publishing the Government's conclusions on the second report of the Social Exclusion Unit on rough sleeping. The report sets out a new strategy to cut the numbers of people sleeping rough by two thirds within three years.A new Ministerial Committee, led by the Minister for Local Government and Housing, will be responsible for co-ordinating the policy across Government.The Committee will lead a programme of prevention to ensure that the most vulnerable, often from institutional backgrounds, are better equipped to live on their own.In London, where the problem is most acute, the Government will consult on setting up a new body to take over all the different programmes currently targeted on rough sleepers. Outside London, local authorities will be helped to coordinate activity better.The rules of the New Deal will be changed to mean rough sleepers can qualify for the intensive help available under the scheme from the moment they sign on for benefit. This is a tremendous opportunity to break the "no home, no job" cycle. Finally, there will be a programme to challenge the business and voluntary sectors and the worlds of art and sports to make their own commitment to help rough sleepers. The Government will support a rough sleeper mentoring initiative if a suitable proposal is made.Copies of the report are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward legislation to give local authorities the power to license or not license hunting with hounds. [47641]

Several approaches to the question of hunting with hounds are being discussed, including the option of local referendums.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total amount of charges (i) imposed, (ii) collected and (iii) waived since 1987 under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987; and what is the total amount of charges outstanding. [49169]

Charges totalling £117.3 million had been levied to 31 May 1998. Of this sum, £78.3 million had been paid, and £28.7 million waived following representations from carriers. £10.3 million remained outstanding.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how staff numbers in his Department have varied between 1 May 1997 and 31 March 1998. [48872]

Figures covering the period 1 April 1997 to 1 January 1998 (available in the Library¹, and on the Internet²) are summarised in the table. It is not possible to provide information retrospectively for the specific dates requested except at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Ministers are personally informed of the details of threats made against them. [49134]

Ministers are personally briefed if there is a significant threat to their personal security.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will offer the assistance of Scotland Yard to the French police in their investigation the death of Mr. Roderick Henderson in Paris. [48864]

The investigation into the death of Roderick Henderson is a matter for the authorities in France, where he died. The police in England and Wales do not offer their services to investigating authorities overseas but will respond positively to requests for assistance; the French authorities have not requested the presence of a British police officer in France to assist with this investigation.Mr. Henderson was attacked on the Champs Elysees in Paris by a gang of rollerbladers during the early hours of Sunday 27 October 1997. He was kicked in the head by a rollerblade and died on 28 October from his injuries. He was with his son-in-law at the time. His wife and daughter had returned to their hotel by taxi.French police have confirmed that the case is being treated as a murder investigation. An Examining Magistrate, M. Deparis, has been placed in charge of the investigation. Consular officials do not have access to the Magistrate's confidential file on the investigation. However, Mrs. Henderson's lawyers do have access to this file.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, through consular staff in Paris, are in regular communication with the Examining Magistrate and the French Police regarding the investigation. Our Consul met the Examining Magistrate on 29 April to underline the importance that is attached to the case and our Deputy Head of Mission raised the matter with the French Diplomatic Adviser to M. Chevenement, the French Interior Minister.The French authorities have confirmed that police officers are assigned full-time to the investigation. They appear to have made little progress and have few leads to follow.The Coroner for North Kent has opened an inquest and, through the consulate, has requested copies of reports relating to Mr. Henderson's death. Kent Constabulary are in liaison with the family and are assisting the Coroner with his inquiries. The National Central Bureau of Interpol are liaising with the French Police as are the European Liaison Unit of Kent Constabulary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many explanatory statements have been (a) received and (b) dispatched to the Independent Appellate Authority for listing of appeals from the date on which his Department assumed responsibility for the dispatch of explanatory statements following refusal of applications by entry clearance offices in British missions overseas; and if he will make a statement. [48742]

Since 1 December 1997, 3,625 explanatory statements have been received and 3,194 dispatched. These include approximately 900 explanatory statements processed under the previous arrangements but received after 1 December 1997. I regret that the necessity of dealing with this backlog, together with other administrative problems, which have now been addressed, initially caused delays in dispatch.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letters dated 12 March, 16 April and 21 May sent to him by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Abdul Wahort, 208 Park Bank Lane. [48146]

I sent a reply to my right hon. Friend yesterday. I regret the delay in responding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the inventory of works of art in the Royal Collection was completed; and if he will make a statement. [48501]

I understand from the Royal Household, which is responsible for the Royal Collection Department, that the computerised inventory of the Royal Collection was completed in December 1997. Further development work on the use of the inventory, especially to enhance electronic public access to the Royal Collection, will take place over the next five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Grade I and Grade II listed buildings have been destroyed since 1992. [48600]

I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 7 February 1996,

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new action the Government are planning in respect of mortgage companies which specialise in attracting clients with poor credit ratings. [49181]

In response to the question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin), I announced on 7 April 1998, Official Report, column 151, that the proposed legislation to establish the Financial Services Authority as a single regulator will include reserve powers which could enable it to regulate mortgages. The Treasury is monitoring the operation of the mortgage code introduced by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) to see whether it is capable of protecting all mortgage borrowers—not just those with poor credit ratings—to the standard that the Government are determined to see achieved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if a prior options review will be undertaken at the Royal Mint. [49423]

The Government will be reviewing all the options for a public/private partnership for the Royal Mint, including full and partial sale and other forms of private-sector involvement, to enable it to take advantage of new commercial opportunities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998, Official Report, column 28, on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link guarantee, what risk assessment the Government applied to the project; and what were their conclusions. [48691]

[holding answer 3 July 1998]: The Government commissioned external consultants' assessments of the commercial and construction risks. The assessments concluded that, under the deal announced on 3 June 1998, the various private sector parties are taking a substantial level of risk. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister set out the conclusions regarding Government support of the project in his statement to the House of 3 June 1998, Official Report, columns 367–70.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998, Official Report, column 28, on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, if he will place a copy of (a) the assessment and (b) the review of that assessment prepared by external consultants, in the Library. [48690]

[holding answer 3 July 1998]: No. The model of London and Continental Railways' future finances, which was reviewed by external consultants, is commercially confidential.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much capital spending on education increased (a) on average over the period 1978–79 to 1997–98 and (b) in 1998–99. [46432]

Table 3.7 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses 1998–99 (Cm 3901) shows figures for central Government and local authority capital spending on education for 1992–93 to 1997–98. An equivalent figure for total capital spending on education in 1998–99 has not yet been published. Data on a comparable basis are not readily available back to 1978–79, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. National Accounts data for general government capital expenditure on education, which use a slightly different definition and are presented on a calender year basis, show an average fall in real terms of around 0.2 per cent. per annum over the period 1978 to 1996. A figure consistent with this series for 1997 is not yet available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he takes to ensure that payments made from European structural funds towards projects in Wales and Scotland are additional to the expenditure blocks defined by the Barnett formula; and if he will make a statement. [48818]

Article 9 of Structural Funds Regulation No 2082/93 stipulates that Structural Funds allocations may not replace structural or comparable expenditure undertaken by the Member State. This additionality requirement applies to each of the Structural Fund Objectives in the whole of the territory eligible under that Objective. So, for example, the UK must demonstrate each year that it has complied with the additionality requirement for Objective 2, taking the expenditure in all eligible regions of Scotland, Wales and England into account.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the staff numbers involved in forecasting in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of forecasting to his Department in the current financial year. [48996]

Around 8 members of staff in the Treasury work mainly in preparing forecasts of the economy and the public finances. Their full costs, including pay, employers' contributions, superannuation, and share of accommodation and other common services will range from about £44,000 to £73,000 per head in the current financial year depending on grade.These individuals are engaged mainly, but not exclusively, in forecasting activities. Similarly, other members of staff contribute to the Treasury forecasts but are engaged mainly with other duties. KPMG Management Consulting's Final Report "Market Testing the Treasury's Macro-Economic Forecasting Function" (May 1997) gave a breakdown of resources devoted to forecasts and other forecast-related activities on a full-time equivalents basis (Table 1, page 15).That report concluded that the quality of Treasury forecast output is generally perceived to be high, and that the potential for net quality improvements or net resource savings was not sufficient to justify a market test. A copy of the Report is available in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [48841]

The Treasury is currently working on a wider review of the business continuity plans for the Department as a whole. We shall build on the results of this review to ensure that Treasury's plan deals adequately with year 2000 issues. We aim to have this completed by the end of 1998.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy not to support a reduction in the size of the EU structural funds for the period 2000 to 2006 in a manner which will lessen the chances of those NUTS 2 areas which, on current criteria, would qualify for Objective I status, from so qualifying. [48899]

The Government believe that it is in the interests of the United Kingdom, as a substantial net contributor to the EC budget, to resist any large increase in the size of the Structural and Cohesion Funds, particularly in the light of the forthcoming enlargement of the EU to Central and Eastern Europe. This view is shared by all the major net contributors to the EC budget.At the same time, the Government are actively seeking a fair deal for the United Kingdom and its constituent countries and regions. The Government recognise that, in order to ensure that enlargement is affordable, all the current Member States must be prepared to accept reductions in their Structural Fund receipts. But those reductions must be shared equitably: the Government would strongly resist any proposals which hit the United Kingdom disproportionately hard, particularly in comparison with richer Member States.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998, Official Report, column 24, if he will make a statement on those areas contained in the new NUTS 2 areas for Wales. [48822]

The statistical justification for the new NUTS 2 areas for Wales was provided in my response to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) of 29 June 1998, Official Report, column 24.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken to encourage independent financial advisers to complete their reviews of personal pensions. [49559]

Today, I have met senior representatives from large firms of independent financial advisers (IFAs), and the IFA networks to emphasise the priority the Government attach to early action to put right past mis-selling and to ask them to take personal responsibility for their firms' actions. Together, the 30 firms invited account for over half the IFA market.Last year, I called in senior representatives from over 40 large firms, mostly life insurance companies, to give them the same message. I have been reporting to this House on their progress, most recently on 17 June 1998,

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) of 29 June 1998, Official Report, column 29, if he will publish the classification rules for the national accounts. [48792]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of abortions were funded by the National Health Service for residents of each constituency in (a) 1996 and (b) 1997. [48925]

[holding answer 3 July 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times (a) heroin, (b) ecstasy, (c) cocaine, (d) LSD, (e) cannabis, (f) amphetamines, (g) temazepam, (h) paracetamol, (i) alcohol, (j) solvents, (k) co-proxamol, (l) methadone and (m) tobacco have appeared on death certificates in each year between 1992 and 1996. [48070]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many people in (i) the constituency of Worthing, West, (ii) the borough of Worthing, (iii) the district of Arun, (iv) West Sussex, (v) England, (vi) Wales, (vii) Scotland, (viii) Northern Ireland and (ix) the United Kingdom earn less than the proposed national minimum wage, broken down by (a) gender, (b) age and (c) full or part-time employment. [48687]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive an options paper from the Registrar General about improved access to registration records; and if he will make a statement. [48814]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultations her Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the current review of the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. [49158]

Officials in my Department are in regular contact with officials in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which has lead responsibility within the Government for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Most recently, officials from my Department worked with DTI officials to prepare for a meeting of the OECD Committee on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises on 26 June. At that meeting, the Committee agreed to proceed with a review of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. DFID is now working with the DTI to establish specific objectives for the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to Billiton plc regarding the social and environmental implications of their proposed Eastern Cape Zinc Refinery Project, South Africa. [49427]

None. I have asked my officials to make inquiries about the project and I will write to the hon. Lady.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms exist to alleviate the impact of fluctuating currency rates on overseas development aid. [48897]

For bilateral assistance, the Department for International Development's general policy is to provide agreed inputs, primarily goods and services, and make payment in sterling. Where payments are made in foreign currency, the Department, rather than developing countries, bears the exchange rate risk within our overall financial resources. We do not pay in advance of need, thereby minimising the exchange rate risk.The Department also bears the exchange rate risk in making contributions to international organisations, including European Commission activities, where these are called in currencies other than sterling.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the Agriculture Council's recent decision on the EU banana regime. [48866]

The Government welcome the agreement reached in the Agriculture Council on the revised arrangements for the EU banana regime. The UK fought hard for the interests of Caribbean banana producers and the Government believe that it was the best deal available taking into account both Lomé and WTO obligations. It will provide the Caribbean banana industry with continuing access to the EU market.The European Commission's proposals for additional aid to the Traditional ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) banana producers should help them to adjust to the new market conditions building on on-going efforts to improve their efficiency and quality. We hope that this can be agreed quickly.Although the unallocated Traditional ACP quantity does not guarantee Caribbean suppliers a particular share of the market, at 857,700 tonnes, it is significantly larger than current levels of imports from Traditional ACP suppliers. Furthermore, the Traditional ACP suppliers are working together to ensure that competition among them does not undermine the ability of the more vulnerable producers such as the Windward islands, to market their produce.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which councils in Scotland have adopted the use of wheeled bins for refuse collection. [48989]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many eviction actions have been taken by (a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in each of the last eight years for (i) anti-social behaviour and (ii) rent arrears. [48963]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many households were refused housing by local authorities last year for (a) previous housing debt including rent arrears, (b) council tax arrears, (c) suspected anti-social behaviour and (d) previous eviction for anti-social behaviour. [48987]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses he estimates will be insulated through the New Deal energy efficiency funds; and what will be the expected average change in energy rating. [48964]

Up to 30,000 homes may benefit in the current year. The exact number will depend on the number of New Deal trainees available for energy efficiency work and the type of improvements carried out. The most common package of measures is likely to include draughtproofing and loft, tank and pipe insulation. The improvement in energy ratings will vary between houses. A typical three-bedroom semi-detached house should see an increase in its Standard Assessment Procedure rating of 5 and in its National Home Energy Rating of 0.5 as a result of this package.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library copies of the annual accounts for each of the last five years of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland). [49220]

The accounts of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland are contained in the Association's annual report. I have arranged for copies of the annual reports for 1993–94 to 1997–98 to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish guidance to councils on the rules governing the use of council finance to pay for public relations consultants or staff to publicise issues which do not relate clearly to the council's provision of services. [49318]

Councils are obliged by section 4 of the Local Government Act 1986 (as amended) to have regard to the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity which was published on 15 August 1988 as Scottish Development Department Circular 16/88. I have ensured that a copy is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent to deal with problems of rough sleepers in each of the past five years; and what estimate he has made of the total numbers sleeping rough for each of those years. [49182]

In 1997–98, £2 million was spent on dealing with the problems of rough sleepers through the Rough Sleepers Initiative in Scotland and a further £14 million will be spent in 1998–99 and 1999–00. There was no specific allocation of funds to help rough sleepers before 1997–98. There is no overall estimate of the numbers of rough sleepers in Scotland. One-night counts of rough sleepers, carried out by 17 local authorities between 1996 and 1998 identified 150 rough sleepers but this is unlikely to be a reliable guide to the overall size of the problem.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the membership of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Scotland, indicating who appoints them and to whom they are responsible. [49270]

Trustees are appointed by the Secretary of State. They are responsible for the care and exhibition of the collections, subject to the provisions of the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985. Reports on the exercise of their functions are submitted to the Secretary of State and laid before Parliament. The current membership o the Board of Trustees is:

• Mr. Robert H. Smith, Chairman
• The Countess of Dalkeith
• Professor Thomas M. Devine
• Dr. Lesley Glasser
• Sir Alistair Grant
• Mr. Sandy Grant Gordon CBE
• Professor Veronica van Heyningen
• Professor Peter Jones
• Professor Aubrey Manning
• Professor James Murray
• Dr. Anna Ritchie OBE
• The Countess of Rosebery
• Sir John Thomson GCMG.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on levels of Government funding to the Scottish Museums Council since 1993; and what assessment he has made of its performance. [49271]

The Scottish Museums Council is an independent company with charitable status. It is subject to appraisal and assessment through Scottish Office scrutiny and discussion of annual corporate plans, examination of statements of accounts and reports and through regular attendance of officials at general and extraordinary meetings. Government funding since 1993 is shown in the table:

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance is currently made available to young people with regard to start up costs for new businesses. [48528]

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: Business Link partnerships have a range of advisory services to suit the needs of all businesses. Start-up and micro-firms can benefit from access to high quality information and advice, guidance, counselling, and related services. An important feature of Business Link is the informed referral to other services provided locally by partners or other business support organisations. Young people starting a business will usually be referred to the local Enterprise Agency partner or the Prince's Youth Business Trust (PYBT). The PYBT helps young people set up in business by providing grants and loans and other help, including counselling and mentoring. Business Link partners will be aware of, or directly involved in, any local projects or schemes for start-up businesses. These will include New Deal, Single Regeneration Budget Challenge, and European structural funds. The New Deal for young unemployed people provides extensive help and guidance for those wishing to enter self-employment.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what encouragement she is giving for the creation of innovation strategies in each English region. [47622]

Innovation is vital to competitiveness and my Department has taken a keen interest in the development of these strategies, which are bringing together the key public and private sector partners involved in developing and enhancing the innovative capacity of a region. Amongst other regional visits I recently spoke at the Innovation Forum in Wakefield in support of an example of successful partnership in Yorkshire and the Humber.Government Offices are involved, with partners, in formulating and implementing the strategies and my Department is supporting them in this role. For example, my officials seek to facilitate the spread of best practice between regions.In the future, the Regional Development Agencies will have responsibility for co-ordinating the regional innovation strategies and my Department will, of course, continue to provide advice and support as required.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are her Department's relative priorities in securing and facilitating industrial and commercial development as between (a) the regions of England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland. [48900]

The Government's policies to boost competitiveness and prosperity extend to all parts of the United Kingdom. I work closely with my right. hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland to implement these policies.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade she last met the Director General of Fair Trading to discuss resale price maintenance on over-the-counter medicines. [48219]

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: I and my ministerial colleagues from time to time discuss a range of issues with the Director General of Fair Trading.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures her Department is taking to raise awareness among businesses of the range of Government funding available to small and medium enterprises for training purposes. [48534]

Government funding to SMEs for training purposes is the responsibility of the Department for Education and Employment. However, the Department publicises funding available to SMEs for training purposes through its publications, such as the recently published Small Business Action Update, where companies are signposted to sources of funding such as TECs and other organisations.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's forecast of the change in the number of coal mining jobs in the United Kingdom over the next year. [48591]

[holding answer 2 July 1998]: Levels of employment in the coal-mining industry will depend upon commercial decisions taken by the private sector coal companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement about the results of the benefit review of child benefit. [49558]

The review of Child Benefit is part of the Benefits Agency Security Strategy. All major benefits will be reviewed to establish the amount and extent of fraud and incorrectness within the system.False claims for children allegedly in full-time further education and unreported living together make up the majority of Child Benefit fraud—53 per cent. and 23 per cent. respectively. Fraud was found in 1.7 per cent. of the caseload with an estimated annual loss of £51.6 million; 3.7 per cent. of the caseload had a high suspicion of fraud with an estimated annual loss of £132.5 million.The Government take fraud against the Social Security system very seriously. If it goes unchecked, it undermines the integrity and purpose of the system. The system should encourage openness and honesty and the gateways to benefit should be clear and enforceable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures her Department is taking to ensure that widows, newly-retired pensioners and people entitled to incapacity benefit are not disadvantaged by the change to the Contributions Agency computer system and the consequent delay in processing applications until 3 August. [47242]

The Department is committed to minimising the impact on customers. There are contingency arrangements in place to ensure benefit continues to be paid.The Department has made arrangements to ensure that Retirement Pension claim packs continue to be issued to those people approaching pension age. This will ensure that pension can continue to be awarded and put into payment.During the change-over to the new computer system there will be limited access to National Insurance records. Therefore, widows will receive at least the full basic rate benefit including any increases for children.The Departmental Central Index will be used to ensure that the vast majority of new claims to Incapacity Benefit can be dealt with and payment made in the normal way. New claimants may be asked to provide additional information to enable a speedy decision to be made on their claim.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people will lose (a) zero, (b) more than zero but less than 10 per cent., (c) more than 10 per cent. but less than 20 per cent., (d) more than 20 per cent. but less than 30 per cent., (e) more than 30 per cent. but less than 40 per cent., (f)more than 40 per cent. but less than 50 per cent., (g) more than 50 per cent. but less than 60 per cent., (h) more than 60 per cent. but less than 70 per cent., (i) more than 70 per cent. but less than 80 per cent., (j) more than 80 per cent. but less than 90 per cent. and (k) more than 90 per cent. of the rise in family income resulting from a minimum wage set at £3.60 for adults and £3 for those aged 21 or under, as a result of offsetting reduction in means-tested and other benefits. [47524]

[holding answer 25 June 1998]: The measures announced in the budget reduce substantially the number of people facing high marginal deduction rates. The Working Families Tax Credit will reduce the rate of withdrawal from 70p in the pound in Family Credit, to 55p in the pound. As a result, over half a million families will see their marginal tax rates reduced and the number of families with rates over 70 per cent. will fall by two thirds. All families facing higher marginal tax rates will be better off, and they will see improved returns from working compared with being on benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 7 May to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, copied to her Department, regarding savings and council tax benefit, (Ref. 3/3644/31). [49295]

A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 3 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans her Department has to record the ethnic origin of those applicants refused income support on the habitual residence test. [48321]

We are currently reviewing all aspects of the habitual residence test, including the arrangements for monitoring details of those passing and failing the test. We hope to bring forward our recommendations later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account is taken of psychological and

The all work test determines whether, as a result of disability arising solely from their medical condition, a person should be regarded as incapable of doing work of any kind for purposes of entitlement to incapacity benefits. The test assesses the effects of physical, sensory and mental disabilities in specified areas of activity.The test is not applied to people with severe mental disabilities, who are identified early in the process from medical evidence, and exempted. People with less severe mental disabilities are assessed, by a specially trained doctor, in a wide range of activities relating to completion of tasks, daily living, coping with pressure and interaction with other people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the procedure by which people are appointed by her Department to social security tribunals. [48323]

The Department of Social Security does not have responsibility for appointing members of appeal tribunals (including Social Security Appeal Tribunals, Disability Appeal Tribunals and Medical Appeal Tribunals).Power to appoint lay members to tribunal jurisdictions is vested in the President of the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS). Responsibility for appointing tribunal chairmen lies with the Lord Chancellor in England and Wales or the Lord President of the Court of Session in Scotland. The constitution of particular appeal tribunals is specified in legislation (Social Security Administration Act 1992 and Schedule 6 to the Social Security Act 1998).

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the amount of housing benefit expenditure in Scotland for 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98, broken down into (a) the private rented sector, (b) housing association sector and (c) the public sector. [47976]

The information available is set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will extend the Housing Benefit (General) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1974) until the interdepartmental funding review has completed its report. [48008]

We are considering an extension to the duration of these Regulations and we expect to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make the residential care allowance available to people in local authority homes as it is to those in private homes; and if she will give the reasons which underlie her decision. [48069]

I refer my hon. Friend to my Written Answer to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) of 19 January 1998, Official Report, column 448.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many benefit recipients are currently being required to co-operate with the CSA; and how many of these are resident in Derbyshire; [48455]

One of our key aims for the Child Support Agency is to ensure that more non resident parents pay the maintenance they owe. The regular payment of maintenance is central to our strategy as recognition of fathers' continuing responsibilities to their children; to help lone mothers move off income support into work; and to get more money to children in low income working families. We have been looking closely at all aspects of the child support scheme to see where improvements can be made. I refer my hon. Friend to the oral statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security on 6 July 1998, Official Report, columns 739–54.The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of (a) Navy, (b) Army, (c) Air Force and (d) other Ministry of Defence personnel (i) are fully vaccinated and (ii) have commenced a vaccination programme against anthrax bacteria; and if he will make a statement. [31473]

[holding answer 26 February 1998]: A small number of Service personnel and MOD civilians will have received anthrax vaccinations either in connection with research into protection against biological weapons being undertaken at CBD Porton Down and its predecessors, or in connection with arms control activities. Details of vaccinations received by Service and other MOD personnel are normally held only on individual medical records and not recorded centrally.Many Service personnel and MOD civilians who took part in the Gulf conflict are likely to have commenced a programme of immunisation against anthrax in early 1991. Records relating to this vaccination programme are incomplete. So far as MOD is aware, none of these personnel would have completed a full course of immunisation, because operations concluded before the fourth dose of vaccine would have been scheduled.On 3 March this year, the Ministry of Defence announced that UK Service personnel and MOD civilians posted to the Gulf region were being offered immunisation against anthrax. Arrangements have been made for the uptake of anthrax vaccine under this programme to be reported centrally. So far an estimated 3,879 UK Service and MOD personnel have been offered immunisation and 1,428 are recorded as having commenced a course of anthrax vaccinations. This figure comprises 384 Royal Navy personnel, 46 Royal Fleet Auxiliary, 144 Army personnel, 847 RAF personnel and 7 MOD civilians. This amounts to 0.85 per cent. of all Royal Navy personnel, 0.13 per cent. of all Army personnel, 1.49 per cent. of all RAF personnel and 0.05 per cent. of all MOD civilians, including those in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Individuals who have chosen to be immunised will not receive the fourth dose of vaccine, and thereby complete the current programme, until November this year at the earliest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the differences between (a) military and (b) civilian specifications of ship hulls. [48985]

Warships are required to operate in very different ways and conditions compared with commercial vessels and also need to be able to withstand damage sustained in action. Naval engineering standards adopted for the construction of warships reflect this and incorporate some indispensable military features such as shock precautions, magazine safety, fire safety and watertight subdivision. Commercial standards are however applicable to some areas of warship design and construction, where their use offers cost savings and is compatible with the vessel's operational role.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average number of annual flying hours undertaken by RAF pilots in each of the last 10 years. [44129]

The information requested is given in the table and has been broken down by aircraft type. Figures are available only from 1991. Information prior to this date can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how staff numbers in his Department have varied between 1 May 1997 and 31 March 1998. [48878]

The information requested is given in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of each Territorial Army battalion in 1997–98. [43643]

[pursuant to his reply, 9 June 1998, c. 489–90]: I regret to inform my hon. Friend that there were errors in my original response. The correct answer to this question is given.There are 33 Territorial Army infantry battalions and these are listed in the table together with their identifiable costs for the year 1997–98. The figures given are for manpower only, and include the costs of TA personnel, (including bounty payments), Regular Army, civilian and Non Regular Personnel Staff employed by the units. Other