To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current energy consumption of his Department; what targets have been set to reduce this level; and what plans he has to include energy efficiency performance figures in his Department's annual report. [50087]

Annual consumption of energy figures including those for MOD are reported by Departments to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions as part of the overall Government Energy Efficiency Campaign. A summary of the information provided by Departments is in the Library of the House.The MOD target for energy savings is the same as that for the rest of the Government Estate and reflects current Government Policy, which is that 20 per cent. savings should be achieved by 31 March 2000 when measured against 1991 consumption as the base line. MOD has to date achieved an 18.6 per cent. reduction in Energy Expenditure 1996–97 relative to 1990–91.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has introduced to discourage car use by his Department's employees. [50085]

The use of public transport for commuting purposes is already encouraged by the availability of interest free loans to purchase season tickets and bicycles and the provision of cycle parking facilities. Departmental Travel Regulations require the most cost effective methods of transport to be used for official business. Measures to encourage greater use of public transport for duty travel as well as commuting to and from the work place are being considered during the preparation of the department's Green Transport Plans. The plans will draw on guidance issued by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions last Autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's waste is recycled; and what targets he has set for increasing this percentage. [50095]

My Department is committed to the development of waste minimisation programmes which include recycling schemes. However, owing to the local nature of these schemes, statistics on recycling are not held centrally. Target setting will be considered as work is taken forward in the context of the Government's model framework for Greening Government Operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what activities relating to his environmental responsibilities his green Minister has undertaken since being appointed. [50086]

Since assuming responsibility for the development and promotion of Government environmental policy in my Department, I have attended the Green Ministers' fora and had bilateral discussions with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, covering a wide range of environmental issues. I have also given both oral and written evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on my Department's management of its environmental responsibilities.I have had several meetings with other Government Department Ministers to discuss a range of historical pollution and contamination problems at home and abroad. I have met a number of environmental groups to discuss their concerns in the context of the Strategic Defence Review.I have chaired my Department's Ministerial Steering Group on the Environment and Energy Efficiency to consider how emerging Government policy initiatives on the environment are to be taken forward in the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to raise awareness of environmental issues within his Department; and what training will be made available to staff. [50094]

Environmental policy matters are cascaded throughout the Department by means of a well developed environmental committee and focal point structure. Awareness of environmental issues and policy guidance is also promoted through regular updating of my Department's Environmental Manual and through internal publications such as "Sanctuary" which is devoted to conservation issues on the defence estate. In the case of energy use, an energy warden scheme has been put in place to provide information and practical advice on energy savings measures to departmental consumers. In addition, a programme of environmental protection training courses open to both Service and civilian personnel has been established. The purpose of the programme is both to raise awareness of environmental issues and to provide staff with the necessary competence to ensure compliance with environmental regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his Department's future plans for the use of the site of RAF Newton in Nottinghamshire following the completion of the Defence Review. [50614]

There are no current plans to change the use of RAF Newton and it is envisaged that the units currently based at the station will remain there for the foreseeable future. Disposal plans for the surplus areas of RAF Newton will be finalised as part of the detailed follow-up work to the Strategic Defence Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral statement of 8 July 1998, Official Report, column 1076, if the figure of 48 nuclear warheads to be deployed on each Trident submarine is a minimum figure. [50617]

The figure of 48 is the exact number of warheads that we plan to deploy on our Trident submarines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been (a) the maximum and (b) the average number of nuclear warheads deployed on each Trident submarine since HMS 'Vanguard' entered service. [50618]

Trident submarines have typically deployed on deterrent patrol with 60 warheads.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to remove Trident nuclear warheads from Coulport for dismantling in order to implement the Strategic Defence Review; and what proportion of warheads are to be removed; [50565](2) what plans he has to reduce the number of Trident nuclear warheads currently deployed on Vanguard class submarines in order to implement the Strategic Defence Review; and what proportion of warheads are to be removed. [50566]

12 warheads are to be removed from each of the three Trident submarines currently in service during their next programmed docking in the warhead fitting facility at Coulport. This process will be completed before the end of the year. Production of warheads to meet previous plans had not been completed and we do not need to decommission any warheads to implement Strategic Defence Review changes. Adjustments are being made to future warhead production, refurbishment and decommissioning plans to maintain an operationally available stockpile of fewer than 200 warheads.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the fourth Trident submarine, Vengeance, is scheduled to carry out contractors' sea trials in Scotland. [50567]

Contractors' sea trials are scheduled to take place early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) each TA and cadet centre in the UK, (b) the TA and cadet units based in each centre and (c) the other military and non-military organisations which use each centre. [50555]

[holding answer 14 July 1998]: I will write to the hon. Member with a list of TA and Cadet centres, and the units that are based in each. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library. However, we do not hold centrally records of other military and non-military users of such centres and so the information in part (c) of the hon. Gentleman's question could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which organisation he proposes to re-site in the Staff College buildings at Camberley; and if he will make a statement. [50838]

A range of options for the future of the former Staff College Buildings at Camberley are being studied. No proposals have yet been put to Ministers, and no decisions have been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring procedures he has put in place to evaluate the effectiveness of the current Rear Seat Belt Awareness Campaign. [50320]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has commissioned market research both before and after the campaign to ascertain awareness and understanding of its advertising message to belt up in the back.In addition, the biannual surveys carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory, on behalf of my Department, will continue to monitor seat belt wearing rates both in the front and rear of cars.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents of damage to sites of special scientific interest have occurred in each year since 1992. [50140]

Details of the number of incidents of damage to Sites of Special Scientific Interest are published in the annual reports produced by the respective country agencies, English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales, all of which are held in the Library of the House.Such figures are not presently available for areas of special scientific interest in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department (a) has issued and (b) intends to issue to the wildlife agencies responsible for monitoring and supervising sites of special scientific interest for the discharge of their duties. [50141]

The wildlife agencies have a statutory duty to notify Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).The Department issued a Code of Guidance for SSSIs in 1983. this explained the provisions contained in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the protection of special sites, including the notification of sites. We will review the need for further guidance in England and Wales following consultation on improvements to the protection and management of SSSIs.The financial relationship between the DETR and English Nature is governed by a financial memorandum. This has recently been reviewed and a revised text came into operation at the start of the current financial year. We will adopt a management statement describing the strategic relationship between the Department and English Nature as soon as we receive Treasury and Cabinet Office approval of the text.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his proposed timetable for bringing forward new legislation to strengthen the protection of wildlife. [50139]

We are presently considering a number of means for improving the protection and management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. There is likely to be consultation later this year. We are also examining what further measures are needed to strengthen wildlife protection. If legislation proves necessary we will look for a suitable opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what technical assistance the UK has provided to the Spanish authorities to tackle the Donana pollution incident. [50075]

A number of UK bodies have offered assistance to the Spanish authorities in the aftermath of the Donana pollution incident. The Natural Environment Research Council Institutes and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds made a joint visit to Donana soon after the incident to assess the situation and have been able to make a number of suggestions for future monitoring. English Partnerships and the Environment Agency are also arranging to visit Donana in the near future to assess what advice and assistance they may be able to offer the Spanish authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what licences have been issued over the past year for the killing of (a) peregrines and (b) sparrowhawks; and for what reasons they were issued. [50455]

Details of licences issued under Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to kill and take birds are contained in Reports by the United Kingdom to the European Community on Derogations under Article 9 of the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC). The latest report for which figures are available covers 1996, and a copy of this report is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many individual allotments existed in (a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) the last year for which figures are available. [50656]

The information on the number of individual allotments in each of the years referred to is not available.The English Allotments Survey published in 1997 by the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners Limited and Anglia Polytechnic University and financed by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions provides the following data on allotment numbers:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of land were devoted to public allotments in (a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) the last year for which figures are available. [50657]

The information on the acreage of land devoted to public allotments in each of the years referred to is not available.The English Allotments Survey published in 1997 by the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners Limited and Anglia Polytechnic University and financed by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions provides the following data on allotment acreage:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on his policy on commercial advertising in London upon land having public highway or trunk road status; and how that policy and the factors underlying it have changed since 1990; [50562](2) if he will make it his policy that no private street signs will be licensed upon land having trunk road status unless provided in the interests of public safety; [50561](3) if he will make a statement on his policy on the granting of licences for street signs or advertising promoting commercial or sectional interests upon land having public highway or trunk road status. [50560]

[holding answer 14 July 1998]: All applications for the erection of advertisements on or near public roads are considered with reference to their likely effects on public safety and amenity at their proposed location. Local planning authorities are responsible for advertisement control within the rules laid down in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992, and the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Amendment) Regulation 1994. The Department's advice to local planning authorities remains as in DOE Circular 5/92. Appendix B sets out the public safety factors to be considered for advertisements on land alongside motorways, trunk roads and other roads. Highway authorities, including the Secretary of State as highway authority for trunk roads, will take similar considerations into account in deciding whether advertisements should be permitted on land and street furniture that they own.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amount is currently paid to the train operating companies in subsidy by the Government; and what controls are exerted by the Government on how this money is spent by the train operating companies. [50668]

Support for Passengers Rail Services (SPRS) paid to and premium payments received from train operating companies by the Franchising Director are set out in the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising's Annual Report 1997–98, a copy of which is in the House Library. Where applicable, payments to train operating companies by Passenger Transport Executives are also shown, with further information on PTE support shown in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Annual Report 1998, a copy of which is also in the House Library. The franchise agreements specify the services and standards the train operating companies are contractually required to provide in return for support payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals the Rail Regulator has to increase controls on Railtrack. [50669]

Last Autumn the Rail Regulator negotiated changes to Railtrack's network licence which strengthened the company's accountability to the Regulator and increased his enforcement powers. The Regulator has now completed his consultation exercise on Railtrack's recent Network Management Statement. He announced earlier today that, in the light of that consultation, Railtrack has given further commitments to improve network performance and track quality; to address network capacity problems; and to strengthen its processes for meeting the needs of train operators and funders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Rail Regulator proposes to ensure that Railtrack provides value for money over the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [50670]

The Rail Regulator has made it clear that he will ring-fence Railtrack's core regulated activity of managing the domestic network and that any diversification by Railtrack Group plc should not impact on the access charges which may be levied by Railtrack plc.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 1998, Official Report, column 286, on what occasions since 1 January he has (a) issued press releases and (b) made public statements on a proposed Rural White Paper. [50765]

We have issued no press releases and made no public statements about a proposed Rural White Paper. We are continuing to consider the best way of presenting our rural policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received from local authorities covering the Maidenhead constituency on transport projects qualifying under the category of specific transport projects for which the Treasury recently allocated £500 million; [50849](2) when he expects to announce details of the allocation of the £500 million for specific transport projects recently announced by the Treasury. [50852]

The Budget included provision for an additional £500 million for public transport over the next three years.The Deputy Prime Minister announced in the House on 20 March 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will express the total revenue raised by the Treasury from road-user taxation, including vehicle excise duty, fuel tax and new vehicle tax as a proportion of the total amount spent on maintaining the road network in the most recent year for which figures are available. [50885]

In 1996–97 £2.28 billion was spent on maintaining both the trunk and local authority road networks. In the same financial year £21.1 billion (some 925%) was raised in road-user taxation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the conclusions of the Financial Management and Policy Review of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement. [51257]

I have today published the report of the Steering Committee guiding the Financial Management and Policy Review of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC). Copies of the report which was completed in March 1997, including a list of those who responded to the consultation exercise, have been placed in the Library of the House.The conclusion of the prior options stage of the Review were announced by my predecessor on 28 November 1996. This was that RWMAC should continue to operate for at least the next five years. It was also announced at that time that the Steering Committee would go on to

RWMAC Membership template
Specialism	Indicative Organisation(s) from which members drawn	Proposed number
Nuclear and radioactive waste management	Industry, consultancies, overseas operator	4
Geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, chemical modelling	University, research institute or private sector	4
Industrial waste management, pollution control	Non-nuclear industry	1
Radiological protection	NRPB	1
Environmental health/medical health	Medical Research Council, university, medical research, charity or hospital health physicist	2
Local government/planning	Local authorities, NGOs	1
Environmental and societal perspectives	Environmental NGOs and associated individuals relevant university disciplines	3
Health and safety	Trades unions, regulators	1
Environmental law	Academia or private practice	1
Lay interests	Various	1
Total		19

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the publications printed under the Building Europe Together project and released in the United Kingdom. [46068]

The following publications were produced under the Building Europe Together programme: fact sheets on some of the areas covered by the Amsterdam Treaty; booklets entitled, "The Citizen's guide to the Treaty of Amsterdam" and "The Treaty of Amsterdam: Questions and Answers". The factsheets were made available on the internet. The booklets were available from the Commission Representation in the UK. consider the structure and operation of RWMAC. The report being published today sets out the considerations leading to the decision that RWMAC should continue, and the Steering Committee's proposals for modifying the structure and operation of the Committee to suit current requirements.The Government welcome the majority of the Steering Committee's recommendations but have given further consideration to two of the recommendations; the membership template and the deletion of 'civil' from RWMAC's terms of reference to reflect its practice, now well established under invitation, of also considering the management of radioactive waste from defence establishments.The membership template has been amended to place a greater emphasis on environmental and social perspectives and lay perspectives. The new membership template printed below will become an attachment to all copies of the Steering Committee's report.Consideration of the proposed amendment to RWMAC's terms of reference will be deferred until the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology has reported on nuclear waste management.My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and I have accepted all the other recommendations made by the Steering Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's average response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48669]

In 1997, FCO replied to 84.7 per cent. (17,997) of the 21,248 letters received from members of the public within 20 working days of receipt.FCO Departments record the dates of receipt of letters from members of the public and issue of replies, and the proportion of their replies issued within the 20 day target.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to correspond electronically with (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49803]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: This Department is able to receive electronic correspondence from hon. Members and members of the public via an interactive form on its website (www.fco.gov.uk). Where possible, we are happy to reply electronically.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's role in discussions relating to the future of the European structural funds for the period 2000 to 2006. [48775]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry on 2 July 1998 Official Report column 240.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the (a) mandate and (b) budget of the Centre for Citizens and the Media in DGX. [49646]

The centre for citizens and the media and DGX aims to increase dialogue between the Commission and the general public and journalists. It is responsible for: organising programmes for groups visiting the Commission (over 34,000 people in 1997); selecting sponsored visitors from third countries (with the EP); managing the public inquiries service "Europe Direct"; setting up a Commission call centre to respond to telephone inquiries; managing the Commission's internal databases; training speakers available to give talks on the EU and the euro; supporting training on European affairs for journalists; developing links between twinned towns. The centre's budget for 1998 is 4.9 mecu (£3.26 million at current prices). It manages an additional 10 mecu (£6.66 million) for town-twinning projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of the (a) organisations and (b) projects which received funding under budget line A-3024 and A-3104 for 1997. [49643]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 29 June 1998, Official Report, column 67.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 13 and 14 July. [51259]

The information is as follows.A General Affairs Council was held in Brussels on 13 July. The Council agreed the 37 A Points listed in document 10255/98 and noted the European Parliament's Resolutions, Decisions and Opinions taken at its part sessions in Strasbourg on 15–19 June and 1– 2 July, and listed in documents 9471/98 and 9533/98. Copies of both these documents will be placed in the House Library as soon as they become available.The Council endorsed the Austrian Presidency's handling plan and timetable for the Agenda 2000 package. Over lunch Ministers discussed the working methods of the General Affairs Council.The mandates for negotiations with Norway and Iceland over their continued involvement with Schengen after entry into force of Amsterdam were briefly discussed. A few points remain to be settled; but the Presidency made clear that it would aim for the adoption of the mandates before the summer.Ministers condemned the violation by Belarus of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in its actions against Ambassadors' residences in Drozdy. As a signal of the seriousness with which it took the situation, the EU had already adopted a Common Position imposing an entry visa ban on all members of the Government and senior officials of the Republic of Belarus. The Council expressed its determination to adopt further measures should further violations of the Vienna Convention occur. It will continue to monitor the situation in Minsk and demanded concrete proposals from the Belarus authorities. The EU hoped that early action by the Belarusian Government to respect fully the Vienna Convention would enable a return to the status quo ante and facilitate the development of the more constructive EU/Belarus relationship which the EU wished.The Council expressed its grave concern at the continuing violence and loss of life in Kosovo, particularly among the civilian population. The danger of a rapid widening of the crisis remains. The Council reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and the restart of a political process, with direct international involvement, between the parties. The Kosovo Albanian team for these talks must be able to speak authoritatively and therefore be fully representative of their community. The Council accordingly called on the leaders with the Kosovo Albanian community to unite and to make common cause to this end.The Council recalled that a solution for Kosovo can be found neither through the maintenance of the status quo nor through independence, but through a special status, including a large degree of autonomy within the FRY. The Council welcomed the intention of the Contact Group to set in hand work, to which the EU is actively contributing, to define possible further elements for the future status of Kosovo with a view to making them available to the parties. It emphasised that international involvement in the dialogue remains an essential element of credible negotiations.The Council discussed the situation in Albania. It strongly encouraged the Government of Prime Minister Nano to follow a policy of restraint and moderation in the Kosovo crisis, which is now more necessary than ever. It expressed its concern about the flow of arms from northern Albania to Kosovo Albanian armed groups. It called on all political organisations in Albania to support the policy of the Albanian government and to associate themselves with the line taken by the European Union on the Kosovo issue. At the same time it called upon the Albanian Government to increase its efforts to stop the flow of weapons from Albania to Kosovo.The Council was encouraged by General Abubakar's commitment to national reconciliation leading to the restoration of democratic civilian rule and his decision to release a significant number of detainees. The Council urged General Abubakar to release all the remaining detainees and to announce his plans for the electoral process. They reiterated EU's readiness to support an inclusive political process.The Council heard a report on the EU troika Ambassadors' visit to East Timor from 27–30 June. It paid tribute to the way the members of the troika handled the difficult situation which arose and agreed that their report and conclusions should continue to be followed up by the competent Council bodies.The Council discussed the situation in Guinea Bissau and agreed that there was a need for humanitarian assistance and the opening of corridors for it to be delivered. It stressed the need for political and diplomatic solution to the problems and agreed that the EU should commit itself to a reconstruction programme on the basis of democratic conditions and the maintenance of the elections planned for this year and the next.The Council adopted conclusions inviting COREPER and the Commission to solve rapidly the problems emerging from the ECJ's recent judgment on spending without a legal base.The Council expressed the hope that the Conference nearing its conclusion in Rome would result in agreement to establish a credible International Criminal Court.The UK and seven EU partners drew the Council's attention to a joint statement deploring the Commission's decision to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of unbleached cotton fabric from six non-EU countries.The first EU-Tunisia Association Council was held on 14 July, following the entry into force of the EU/Tunisia Association Agreement earlier this year. A dinner with the Tunisian Foreign Minister was held on 13 July. Ministers welcomed the new agreement, as part of wider moves towards a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area by 2010, and discussed issues of common interest including developments in the middle east peace process, human rights, and inward investment.The inaugural Co-operation Council under the terms of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA), between the EU and Moldova took place on 14 July. Over a working breakfast, Ministers had an exchange of views on foreign policy issues of mutual interest (including the situation in Transdniestra) and EU/Moldova relations. The Council itself exchanged views on the implementation of the PCA and adopted the Rules of Procedure establishing the foundations for the future work of the Co-operation Council and Committee, as well as the Joint Work Programme for 1998–99.The first EU/Mexico Joint Council was held on 14 July. It renewed the EU and Mexico's shared commitment to closer ties, including through the substantial and reciprocal liberalisation of trade in goods and services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will benefit from the United Kingdom's contribution to the International Fund for Needy Victims of Nazi Persecution. [51260]

I have announced that the UK's £1 million contribution to the Fund will be divided in the following way: two thirds will go through the World Jewish Restitution Organisation to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee for projects providing medical care to needy survivors of Nazi persecution in the Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Moldova. The remaining third will go to the Board of Deputies of British Jews for needy survivors in the UK. Non-Jewish survivors will also be able to apply to these organisations for assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning changes to the timetable for a handover to civilian rule in Nigeria. [50719]

I have heard nothing further since my answer to the right hon. and learned Member's previous question of 9 July 1998, Official Report, column 580.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to North Korea following the latest incidents involving infiltration into South Korean territory. [50717]

The UK does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea and no talks between officials have been held since these incidents.In his capacity as a member of the United Nations Command, our Defence Attaché in Seoul has taken part in the investigations into these events. He is also participating in the General Officer talks between the US-led United Nations Command and the North Korean People's Army, to discuss the 1953 armistice agreement and related issues arising from the latest incidents.North Korea has recently expressed an interest in political dialogue with the EU. Any such dialogue would need to include the subject of the recent incursions by the North.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in inspecting Iraqi missile warheads alleged to contain traces of VX. [50721]

On 24 June, UNSCOM Chairman Richard Butler informed the UN Security Council that results of tests on missile warhead fragments removed from Iraq earlier this year had uncovered evidence that Iraq put VX and VX stabiliser into the warheads. These tests were carried out at a Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) accredited laboratory in the US.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in negotiations on the development of an international agreement on biological weapons. [50718]

Since 1994 an ad hoc group of states parties has been meeting in Geneva to consider measures to strengthen the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention. UK officials chair the key sessions on compliance measures at these negotiations. The ad hoc group has made good progress and is now working on the rolling text of a draft Protocol to the Convention. 1998 has seen a significant intensification of the negotiations. Much detailed work remains to be done but the United Kingdom, together with its EU partners, believes that an effective package of measures could be agreed during 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what developments there have been in discussions on the future status of land in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement. [50720]

Discussions on the second Israeli redeployment continue between the parties and the US. We await an Israeli response to the latest US proposals. The talks have been made more difficult by the recent announcement of the Israeli Government, proposing an extension to the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem to include certain territory on the West Bank. We regard this development as serious and damaging to the prospects for peace in the middle east. We supported a UN Security Council Presidential Statement to this effect on 13 July 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with Britain's EU partners concerning the proposed deployment of missiles in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [50722]

The intention of the Cyprus Government to deploy S300 missiles to Cyprus has been discussed with EU partners on a number of occasions. The overwhelming majority share UK concern that deployment would exacerbate tension in the region. We have expressed this concern to the Government of Cyprus and shall continue to do so.Our views are widely shared internationally. In May this year, the G8 expressed concern that new developments in the military sphere, including any increase in force levels and the upgrading of sophisticated weaponry, would risk further raising tension in the region. The UN Security Council last month called on all parties to avoid any actions which might increase tension, including through the further expansion of military forces and armaments on Cyprus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill) of 9 July 1998, Official Report, column 580, to whom indemnities relative to the Sierra Leone arms investigation have been given. [50858]

As is normal practice in investigations of this kind, indemnities have been granted in relation to any legal action taken against Sir Thomas Legg, Sir Robin Ibbs and the secretariat of the investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to grant British citizenship to citizens of British Overseas Territories. [50886]

The possibility of granting citizenship to citizens of the Overseas Territories is under active discussion between all Departments involved. We are looking at the issue sympathetically, but more work needs to be done before any announcement can be made. The result of this review will be made public in the forthcoming White Paper on the Overseas Territories.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government have taken in respect of the chief UNITA representative in the United Kingdom, Mr. Anibal Kandeya, to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1127 (1997); and what knowledge his Department has of his whereabouts. [50447]

I have been asked to reply.An application from Mr. Kandeya for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom is currently under consideration. No action may be taken to deport or otherwise remove him until this application has been resolved. I understand that Mr. Kandeya remains in the United Kingdom and is in contact with my Department.

To ask the Prime Minister what environmental issues were considered when planning and implementing the EU Cardiff Summit, in respect of (a) energy use, (b) transport arrangements and (c) use of recyclable materials for catering; and what actions were taken. [47882]

We tried wherever possible to take environmental issues into account when planning and implementing the European Council Meeting in Cardiff. Large multilateral meetings inevitably involve high energy consumption, because of the number of people involved (around 4,000 in this case), the equipment they use and the technical facilities involved. These included a media centre for the use of up to 2,500 people, interpretation facilities, extra lighting in the meeting rooms and in press briefing rooms for the use of the television crews. By using a self contained island site for the meeting and associated activities, we were able to keep use of cars to the minimum consistent with the normal courtesy to visiting Head of Governments and their security. The catering contractor used routinely has all paper, glass, steel and other metals collected for recycling.

To ask the Prime Minister what matters relating to radioactive releases from Sellafield were discussed with his Norwegian counterpart on 6 July; and what conclusions were reached. [49748]

During our meeting on 6 July, I reassured Prime Minister Bondevik that all discharges of radioactive material from Sellafield into European coastal waters were subject to licensing by the Environment Agency, that present levels were being reviewed and that levels were always set well within the threshold of what might pose a threat to public health. We agreed that our Environment Ministers should discuss the issue when they meet later this year.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks, (Mr. Hague) of 8 July 1998, Official Report, column 1066, what potential sources of the leak of the Strategic Defence Review will be considered by the leak inquiry. [50536]

The independent investigator appointed by the Cabinet Office to conduct the inquiry into the leak of the Strategic Defence Review will determine what sources should be considered by the leak inquiry.

To ask the Prime Minister when copies of the Strategic Defence Review were first provided to (a) Opposition parties and (b) the media. [50537]

Copies of the Strategic Defence Review were first given by the Government under the usual embargo terms to the Defence spokesmen for the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Maples) and the hon. and learned member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) at a meeting with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence at 11.00am on 8 July.The media received their first copies from the Government at a Press Conference held at the Ministry of Defence Main Building at 1.15pm on 8 July. Attendance was restricted to those who had agreed to be locked in until sometime after my right hon. Friend had started his statement to the House of Commons.These procedures are fully in line with the usual arrangements.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will amend the Ministerial Code to place a requirement on Ministers to correct significant factual inaccuracies. [50532]

Paragraph 1 of the Ministerial Code requires Ministers to give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest possible opportunity.

To ask the Prime Minister what target his Office sets for the maximum time to respond to letters from hon. Members; what proportion of letters meets that target; and what is the average time taken to respond to a letter from an hon. Member. [49820]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 13 July 1998, Official Report, column 1.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the (a) occasions on which and (b) reasons for which passes to Government buildings have been issued to persons not employed by or under contract to a Government Department. [50613]

Most Government Departments operate a system of entry control to their buildings based on an assessment of the risk to their assets, the sole or shared ownership and occupancy of the site, and whether the public have right of entry to it. Practice can vary considerably, therefore, between Government sites, but entry control requiring registration and the use of visitors' passes is commonplace. Such passes are normally issued on a daily basis and must be surrendered on departure from the premises. Holders of these passes may require escorting. Of course details of the thousands of such passes issued daily at all Government buildings throughout the country is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Prime Minister what consultations members of the No. 10 Policy Unit have had with supermarket owners, their representatives or advisers concerning the possibility of taxes or charges on car parking spaces at out-of-town shopping centres and at supermarkets. [50158]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for North-West Hampshire (Sir G. Young) on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 94.

To ask the Prime Minister what factors led him to appoint Mr. Liddle as his special adviser; and what are his responsibilities. [50347]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: I considered a variety of factors when appointing the members of my Policy Unit, the most important of which was their ability to carry out the duties required of them effectively and well. His responsibilities include European policy and defence policy.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the Government's current policy in respect of ministerial contact with Mr. Draper. [50348]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for North-West Hampshire (Sir G. Young) on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 94.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint a tsar to reduce the deaths and addictions caused by the mis-use of medicinal and other legal drugs. [50485]

[holding answer 14 July 1998]: Misuse should occur only when prescribers or patients use medicines outside the authorised conditions. Doctors and other healthcare professionals are individually responsible for the products they prescribe and must be able to justify, if necessary, their prescribing decisions. In particular, prescribing over large quantities or for excessive periods could be taken up as a terms of service issue or by the General Medical Council as professional disciplinary matter.Medicines are authorised for the United Kingdom market only after thorough and expert evaluation by the Medicines Control Agency, advised by the Committee on Safety of Medicines. The MCA continues to monitor the safety of medicines after they have been placed on the market and exposed to a greater population than in pre-authorisation tests. Medicines are authorised for use in very specific circumstances and any contraindications and warnings are shown clearly both to prescribers in the summary of product characteristics and to patients in information leaflets. We are satisfied that regulatory control, together with information and guidance to healthcare and patients, provides the necessary safeguards.

To ask the Prime Minister what guidance is given to members of his Policy Unit concerning participation in events held under Chatham House rules. [50465]

[holding answer 14 July 1998]: Members of my Policy Unit are covered by the same rules as other civil servants, which are set out in the answer given to my hon. Friend by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 15 July 1998, Official Report, column 205.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to his answer of 10 July 1998, Official Report, column 679, on how many occasions his office received draft articles written by Mr. Derek Draper for scrutiny prior to their publication in the press since 1 May 1997. [50837]

None.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the lobbying firms to which he routinely faxes (a) press releases and (b) other information about his ministerial activities. [50733]

None.

To ask the Minister without Portfolio on what occasions he has met (a) Mr. Derek Draper, (b) GPC Market Access representatives, (c) Mr. Roger Liddle and (d) Lawson, Lucas Mendelsohn representatives in respect of his ministerial responsibilities. [50734]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) on 10 July 1998, Official Report, columns 678–79. I meet Mr. Liddle and other members of the No. 10 Policy Unit on a regular basis during the course of my official duties.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to reduce the level of bureaucracy affecting small business; and if he will make a statement. [49375]

I am committed to publishing new guidance, produced by the Better Regulation Unit, which will require Government Departments to make an assessment of risk, cost and benefits of any new regulations affecting business, charities, consumers and, in particular, small business. I hope to publish this guidance by the end of the summer.In addition, the Access Business Group, chaired by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, (which includes representatives of central Government, business and local government) is continuing its work to make the regulatory system more transparent, accessible and helpful.At the European level, I am working with the European Commission to establish a new mechanism for consulting business direct on new regulatory proposals. A pilot test panel of European businesses, agreed under the UK Presidency, will enable the voice of British business, including small firms, to be heard in Brussels and help reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment the Government have made of London's capability to host the Olympic Games in 2012. [50234]

The British Olympic Association has decided that the next bid for the Olympic Games should be London-based. Like the BOA, the Government is determined that any bid should be of the highest possible quality. My Department is already working closely with the BOA who are conducting comprehensive studies on what is already in place and what needs to be in place to mount a winnable bid, which might well be for the 2012 Games. The BOA makes the nomination in respect of this country and ultimately the decision is entirely a matter for the International Olympic Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what target he sets for the maximum time to respond to letters from hon. Members; what proportion of letters meets that target; and what is the average time taken to respond to a letter from an hon. Member. [49832]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Public Service on 13 July 1998, Official Report, column 1.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the e-mail address of his Department's Ministerial Correspondence Unit. [49834]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: The Department's Support Unit can be contacted at the following e-mail address: msu@culture.gov.uk.However, all DCMS Ministers can be contacted at their own e-mail addresses which are published on my Department's website (www.culture.gov.uk) as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will attend the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia; and if he will make a statement. [49964]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: The Government will be represented by a Minister from DCMS. I know the games will be a great success, and I extend my very best wishes to all the British competitors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the process whereby Lord Puttnam was appointed chairman of NESTA; who made the decision; what consultations were carried out; what are his terms of employment and salary; and what is his budget for staff and expenses. [50737]

The process for the appointment of the Chairman of NESTA was based on the principles set down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Potential candidates were generated from several sources, including a widespread consultation exercise in which over 250 bodies were asked to suggest names, advertisements in national newspapers and suggestions from within Government. All candidates were considered objectively against the same criteria. Lord Puttnam was one of a number who were interviewed by a panel with independent membership. On the basis of its consideration of written applications and of its interviews, the panel recommended to me that Lord Puttnam was eminently suitable for appointment and, in the light of this he was appointed by me after further consultation with colleagues in Government.Lord Puttnam has been appointed for a period of three years from 13 July 1998, at a salary of £22,000 per annum for two days' work per week. The budget for NESTA's staff and expenses will be a matter for NESTA's Board, within the resources available to them. The National Lottery Act 1998 allows me to place a limit or limits on NESTA's running costs expenditure, including staffing costs. I have not currently set any such limit. I and my Ministerial colleagues have however repeatedly made clear that we see NESTA and a slimline, unbureaucratic body employing no more than thirty staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the latest statistics on the numbers of British people taking holidays (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad; and what is his estimate of the current spending difference. [50744]

The British Tourist Authority (BTA) collects statistics on the number of British people taking holidays in the United Kingdom and abroad in its annual British National Travel Survey.The BTA has published the figures for 1997, the latest year for which information is available, in the April 1998 edition of "Tourism Intelligence Quarterly": these figures show that the British spent £17,220m on holidays abroad of four or more nights, £12,410m more than the £4,810m they spent on holidays of four or more nights in Britain.Information on short break holidays of less than four nights will be available later in the Summer when the national tourist boards publish their annual United Kingdom Tourism Survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures she proposes to take to improve the standards of health services for people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland. [49978]

People with a learning disability have access to the full range of health services in Northern Ireland, in keeping with the Government's social inclusion policy. We are committed to continuous improvement of the standards of these services. Our agenda for improvement is set out in "Well Into 2000", published by the Department of Health and Social Services in 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if her Department will conduct an investigation into the number and thoroughness of safety checks made by Northern Ireland Railways; and if she will make a statement. [49980]

On 7 July 1998 my noble Friend Lord Dubs, Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland, announced the appointment of Mr. Christopher Hall, one of Her Majesty's Principal Inspector of Railways to review the conduct and outcome of the current NIR inquiries into 3 recent railways accidents in Northern Ireland and to make recommendation on the further steps, if any, which may need to be taken to address identified safety deficiencies.The Minister also announced that Northern Ireland Railways would be commissioning a wider safety scrutiny of NIR operations under terms of reference to be agreed with HM Railway Inspectorate. A senior Railways Inspector will help oversee the wider scrutiny which will include NIR's safety procedures and checks. The main findings and recommendations of the inquiry and the NIR audit will be made public.I have arranged for a copy of the terms of reference of the inquiry to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what actions the Department of Environment is taking to acquire additional funding for Northern Ireland Railways under the Private Finance Initiative. [49979]

The Department of the Environment is examining with Northern Ireland Railways, the Department of Finance and Personnel and HM Treasury the desirability and practicability of a Private Finance Initiative solution for the replacement of suburban rolling stock and for the provision of integrated bus and rail ticketing and related services.This consideration is ongoing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 15 June 1998, Official Report, columns 4–5, what is the exact remit of the major research project on the effects of the selective system on secondary education in Northern Ireland. [49997]

The terms of reference for the major research project on the effects of the selective system of secondary education in Northern Ireland are as follows:

1. To investigate the effects on pupils and their families, teachers, schools and the community of the existing selective structure of secondary education in Northern Ireland, in order to provide a better basis for informed debate on the future structure of secondary education. Particular attention needs to be given to the identification of any differences in opportunity and performance in respect of different socio-economic groups, and especially between the constituent parts of the Northern Ireland community, which may result from the present system and structures. The study should also examine the inter-related effects of selection and open enrolment.

2. To prepare a Final Report setting out the key findings, supported by quantitative and qualitative evidence, and highlighting the main issues emerging for consideration in light of the research. This report should draw together all the relevant aspects, but may be supported by more detailed papers as necessary. Interim Reports on specific aspects of the project should be prepared and presented to the Department on a schedule to be agreed at the outset of the assignment. The main focus should be on the effects of the selective structure of the secondary sector, though attention should also be given to the effects of the Transfer Procedure. The study should consider how well the present structure serves to promote learning through fostering values and attitudes; raising standards of learning, and providing opportunities for personal development and fulfilment.

The research team should consult with the DENI Inspectorate where appropriate. The following points should be covered in the investigation and the report:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to transfer responsibility for decisions regarding the future of hospitals in Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Assembly. [49983]

As envisaged by the Belfast Agreement [Cd 3883], the Government intend to bring forward legislation shortly which will provide for the transfer to the Northern Ireland Assembly of full legislative and executive authority in respect of those matters currently within the responsibility of the six Northern Ireland Government Departments. This will include the transfer of responsibility for decisions regarding the future of hospitals in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if students from Northern Ireland holding British-Irish dual nationality will have their fourth-year fees waived if they attend a Scottish institution of higher education. [49984]

No. Eligibility for support towards tuition fees is based on a residence requirement, not nationality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Department of Health and Social Services is taking to ensure that equipment in general practitioner surgeries will be millennium compliant by 31 December. [49981]

The Department has written to all GP practices to raise awareness of the Year 2000 issues. It has also facilitated the establishment by the 4 Health and Social Services boards of a special inter-Board Year 2000 Primary Care Group to co-ordinate action and advice necessary to ensure a proper response to the Year 2000 problem across the whole of primary care.Guidance on Year 2000 has already been issued to all GP practices and further guidance specified to embedded systems in GP practices is currently being prepared for issue.The inter-Board group is arranging for a detailed Year 2000 audit of selected exemplar practices. Results from this audit will be used to inform other practices and will provide a basis for awareness-training for practice staff during Autumn 1998.A detailed questionnaire has been issued by HSS Boards to each GP practice seeking information by end-July 1998 on Year 2000 compliance progress.The Department will continue to monitor Boards' progress in respect of GP practice Year 2000 compliance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the clear-up rate for recorded offences in each police district in Northern Ireland in the last five years for which figures are available. [50192]

[holding answer 14 July 1998]: The percentage clear-up rates for each sub-division of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is shown in the table:

Division/Sub-Division	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
A Musgrave Street	45.1	43.5	45.7	47.0	40.2
Mountpottinger	27.5	29.4	32.4	28.5	26.1
Donegall Pass	27.7	22.6	19.9	22.4	24.6
Dunmurry	28.4	25.3	25.7	24.7	22.9
B Grosvenor Road	31.0	29.6	30.4	26.3	21.8
Lisburn	40.7	35.0	30.9	27.0	29.7
Woodburn	33.0	34.4	27.0	23.8	21.0
D North Queen Street	32.8	31.5	31.7	30.3	27.7
Antrim Road	34.9	32.8	32.4	30.4	26.1
Antrim	35.3	28.4	32.1	28.8	23.8
Newtownabbey	32.8	32.6	35.8	32.8	27.8
Carrickfergus	38.7	37.8	37.9	35.1	36.5
Tennant Street	36.8	32.5	34.6	33.3	33.9
E Bangor	29.6	29.6	32.9	30.8	23.5
Strandtown	29.7	30.8	35.1	30.3	29.2
Castlereagh	30.7	30.7	33.9	31.7	31.4
G Newtownards	35.8	39.1	39.1	38.1	38.6
Downpatrick	41.3	38.1	35.9	34.6	34.1
Newcastle	28.8	26.5	26.7	27.4	27.9
H Armagh	35.1	48.1	43.4	42.2	37.0
Newry	42.0	41.3	38.3	31.3	29.7
J Portadown	40.4	39.4	40.0	32.1	31.6
Lurgan	44.1	41.0	38.4	27.2	33.7
Banbridge	44.6	37.4	39.3	32.6	32.5
K Dungannon	38.6	57.6	38.8	42.7	42.5
Cookstown	42.8	44.7	43.4	41.9	38.1
L Enniskillen	40.4	42.1	45.6	39.2	40.6
Lisnaskea	50.8	52.4	46.2	43.8	47.4
Omagh	46.8	51.7	40.1	39.4	38.6
N Strand Road	42.6	46.6	46.3	39.2	33.8
Strabane	45.7	54.6	57.7	47.0	39.7
Waterside	41.5	44.1	42.2	38.1	37.2
O Coleraine	38.3	33.7	37.2	38.5	33.0
Limavady	42.8	47.0	46.2	41.0	39.4
Magherafelt	42.8	48.8	51.4	43.5	42.0
P Ballymena	32.4	31.2	36.1	42.4	33.4
Ballymoney	46.7	45.1	38.5	42.1	43.2
Larne	42.2	39.5	40.2	36.2	38.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many motorists were (a) charged with and (b) convicted of (i) failure to accord precedence at pedestrian crossings, (ii) failure to comply with traffic signs, (iii) speeding offences, (iv) driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs and (v) reckless driving in Northern Ireland in (1) 1994, (2) 1995, (3) 1996 and (4) 1997. [50191]

[holding answer 14 July 1998]: The information requested at (a) is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.The table shows the number of persons against whom proceedings have been taken and the number found guilty.

Offence	1994	1995	1996	1997
Failing to stop at a pelican crossing
Proceeded against	0	2	0	0
Found guilty	0	1	0	0
Failure to comply with traffic signs
Proceeded against	260	278	205	226
Found guilty	236	260	186	203
Speeding offences
Proceeded against	2,400	2,279	2,423	3,039
Found guilty	2,360	2,204	2,349	2,948
Drink/drugs related motoring offences
Proceeded against	3,224	3,019	2,596	2,443
Found guilty	3,127	2,939	2,501	2,350
Reckless driving offences
Proceeded against	364	445	368	353
Found guilty	339	408	329	324

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) children and (b) adults were (i) killed, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) slightly injured on or near pedestrian crossings in Northern Ireland in (1) 1994, (2) 1995, (3) 1996 and (4) 1997. [50222]

[holding answer 14 July 1998]: The number of casualties on or near pedestrian crossings for the years in question are shown in the table.

Year	Killed	Serious injury	Slight injury
1994
Children	1	18	48
Adults	5	34	123
1995
Children	1	24	57
Adults	8	39	102
1996
Children	1	15	61
Adults	3	35	125
1997
Children	1	17	67
Adults	4	40	111

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the number of people in Northern Ireland who speak Irish. [50225]

[holding answer 14 July 1998]: The most reliable information is from the last Census in 1991 when a total of 142,003 people in Northern Ireland claimed some degree of ability in the Irish language with 131,974 indicating an ability to speak Irish. Revised figures will be available after the next Census in 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress the Northern Ireland Prison Service has made in implementing the recommendation of the Narey report which was laid before this House on 2 April. [51261]

The Narey Report contained 59 recommendations mainly concerned with improving security at HMP Maze. Management of Maze has made considerable progress in taking forward those recommendations.Forty recommendations relate specifically to procedural and operational matters. Of these, 23 either have been, or are about to be, implemented. These include revised procedures for children's parties which will be applied to the annual summer children's parties over the coming weeks. Twelve require further work and five have been referred to Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons for advice.Fifteen recommendations, some of which will involve the provision of additional physical security measures, relate to staff-search procedures, the staffing and security arrangements for visits and the protection of the Block-roofs. A considerable amount of work has already been done by the three working groups and further work is in hand. In particular enhanced searching and training has been introduced and a new system of roof protection has been devised and is being piloted.Four recommendations dealt mainly with matters which the Northern Ireland Prison Service was required to consider. Two have been implemented and a third awaits greater clarity on the future of the prison in the medium term. The post of Governor has been advertised but as yet a suitable candidate has not been found, and other options are being pursued.The Narey Report pointed the way forward for improving security at HMP Maze. A good deal of progress has been made. The prison is now a safer and more secure environment but we are determined to ensure that momentum for improvement will be maintained. To this end, and going beyond the Narey recommendations, we have introduced a Security Audit Unit to continuously monitor and report on security standards in all establishments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key performance targets have been set for the Industrial Research and Technology Unit for the financial year 1998–99. [51263]

IRTU's key strategic targets are to raise the level of industrial R&D in Northern Ireland and to operate efficiently and effectively. In that context, the following key targets have been set for the agency for 1998–99.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key performance targets have been set for the Business Development Service to be achieved by April 1999. [51264]

The Business Development Service is an executive agency of the Department of Finance and Personnel. I have set a number of key performance targets for the Agency to achieve by April 1999, as follows:

• at least 90 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the services that they have received;
• at least 90 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the way in which services were provided to them;
• to achieve levels of efficiency savings in total running costs of 3 per cent. over the allocation for 1997–1998;
• to demonstrate, on a national basis and within the context of service level agreements (where these apply), that the Agency would recover the full cost of its operations from its customers; and
• to achieve the Investors in People (IIP) standard by 31 March 1998.

Copies of the Agency's Corporate and Business Plans for 1998 to 2001 have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans his Department has to correspond electronically with (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49827]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: My Department has no plans at present to communicate routinely with Members of Parliament and the public by electronic means, although external e-mail facilities will be available later this year. The Department will use whatever form of communication is appropriate to suit particular circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1998, Official Report, column 504, on the proposed location of the headquarters for the Carmarthenshire NHS trust, if he will publish the policy guidelines referred to. [50538]

The policy guidelines are those detailed in the Capital Investment Manual. The manual provides detailed guidance for each of the main stages of capital schemes. A copy is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1998, Official Report, column 503, if he will provide a breakdown of the recurring additional cost of £285,000; and if this figure is an annual recurring figure. [50531]

The additional costs subject to management arrangements confirmed by the new Trust Board, if approved, will be:

	£
Locality management	200,000
Standardisation	75,000
Protected staff costs (eg travel costs)	10,000

The first two items will be annual recurring costs, while the third will be phased out in line with changing staff conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on outdoor education centres in Wales; and what financial provision he has made for them in the current financial year. [50482]

Outdoor education centres are the responsibility of the operator, usually a local authority or an independent provider. No direct Welsh Office funding is provided for such centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce (a) the results of the public inquiry and (b) his decision on Llanllyfni bypass. [50830]

The A487 Llanwnda-Llanllyfni scheme is subject to the current review of the Welsh trunk road programme. A report on the review will be published later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for further inward investment in Wales. [51212]

Our track record on inward investment is excellent. Over 300 overseas-owned manufacturing companies employing over 75,000 people in a range of industries including aerospace, consumer and office electronics, automotive components, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. These companies have been attracted by a number of factors, not least the quality of the workforce, high levels of productivity, a sound infrastructure and the assistance offered by the organisations involved.The establishment of the National Assembly will strengthen Wales' ability to provide the right environment in which companies can succeed and prosper. Despite increasing competition for inward investment, the prospects for Wales remain good.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 1998, Official Report, columns 557–58, prior to 18 May, what mechanisms were used to determine how legislation passed in the current session would affect women; what consultation he had with women's organisations; and if he will make a statement. [49094]

Guidance on policy appraisal for equal treatment has been available within the Home Office since 1989, with revised guidance issued in August 1997.Within this Department, where appropriate and possible, we are making use of consultation, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy on women. For example, we have conducted research aimed at understanding the sentencing of women. Examples of bodies with which I have had correspondence include the Maternity Alliance, Women in Prison and the Mother's Union. Furthermore, the Cabinet Sub Committee on Women's Issues, on which I am the Home Office representative, reviews and develops the Government's policy and strategy on issues of special concern to women and oversees their implementation. The importance of seeing the implications for women of all policies is discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the meetings (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have had with lobbying companies since 1 May 1997. [49668]

[holding answer 9 July 1998]: Ministers, their Special Advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with interest groups outside Government; indeed one of the specific functions of Special Advisers is to liaise with such interest groups. This liaison is intended to help Ministers draw upon outside contributions—from academics, think-tanks, trade and industry associations, trade unions, lobby groups and others, as well as relevant experience from other countries—during the process of policy analysis and development. By convention, it is not the practice of Governments to make information on such meetings or their content publicly available—a principle reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information published in January 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998, Official Report, columns 173–74, on CS spray, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report arising out of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's literature review on possible alternative solvents at the end of 1997; [49998](2) pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998,

The specification issued jointly by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Police Scientific Development Branch was issued to chief police officers in March 1997. Copies of the specification and of the report arising out of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's literature review of possible alternative solvents are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to the public purse of keeping non-criminal offenders (excluding fine defaulters) in prison for each year from 1992 to 1997. [50328]

The information is not available in the form requested, as the Prison Service does not record costs by type of prisoner or offence. However, the average cost per uncrowded prison place, defined as current expenditure per baseline Certified Normal Accommodation, is one of the Prison Service's Key Performance Indicators. The figures for the years 1992 to 1997, in cash terms, are:

• 1992–93: £22,723
• 1993–94: £23,080
• 1994–95: £23,391
• 1995–96: £24,178
• 1996–97: £24,271.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of (a) men and (b) women convicted of (i) defaulting on a fine and (ii) non-criminal offences, excluding fine defaulting, were given custodial sentences in each year from 1992 to 1997. [50397]

The available information is for the number of fine defaulters and non-criminal prisoners received into prisons. The table shows information for the years 1992 to 1997. Information on the total number of persons who default on the payment of a fine, and hence the proportion of those who are imprisoned, is not recorded centrally. It is also not recorded centrally what other orders are made in the circumstances in which persons are committed to prison as civil prisoners.

Receptions into prison: fine defaulters and non-criminals, by gender, 1992–97
	Fine defaulters		Non-criminals
	Males	Females	Males	Females
1992	18,782	1,044	2,968	141
1993	21,097	1,306	4,756	317
1994	21,015	1,454	4,217	290
1995	18,787	1,370	3,611	178
1996	8,094	461	2,994	134
19971	5,964	372	3,063	141
1Provisional

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) of 30 June 1998, Official Report, column 142, regarding the Chairman of the Youth Justice Board, if he will list the (a) legal qualifications and (b) experience of working with victims of crime of the successful candidate for Chairman of the Youth Justice Board; [50416](2) what assessment he made of the advantages and disadvantages of requiring political independence on the part of the Chairman of the Youth Justice Board. [50380]

The competition for Chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales was conducted in line with guidance from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments ('Nolan' procedures).The Information for Applicants for the Chair and Board Members of the Youth Justice Board describes the role of the Chair and sets out the following essential experience:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been prosecuted under section 4 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997; how many prosecutions have resulted in a conviction; and if he will make a statement. [50429]

Section 4 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997—Putting people in fear of violence—came into force on 16 June 1997.Provisional court proceedings data for 1997 show 243 prosecutions under section 4 of the Act, which resulted in 76 convictions. In addition, 51 cautions have been recorded provisionally for the offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' statement to the Home Affairs Committee concerning the proportion of women prisoners and of young and adult prisoners who could be better dealt with through non-custodial sentences; and if he will make a statement. [50619]

We are aware of no evidence to support the contention that 30 per cent. of prisoners should

"self-evidently not be in prison".

Evidence could only be obtained by detailed case by case analysis by experienced sentencers. Statistically, it would require over half of the offenders convicted of non-sexual or violent offences currently in prison to be given non-custodial sentences instead (including burglars, drug offenders and persistent offenders).The Government are anxious to ensure that prison is used only when necessary and appropriate, so we are taking a range of measures to ensure that this is the case. In the Crime and Disorder Bill [

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics his Department collates on re-offending rates among offenders sentenced to fines; and if he will make a statement. [50598]

Reconviction rates within two years of sentence are calculated from time to time for all court disposals relating to standard list offences (all indictable and some more serious summary offences). This is done by extracting sample criminal career information from data held on the Home Office Offenders Index. Two figures are usually produced: the actual reconviction rates; and those predicted by taking into account a range of offender characteristics (such as age, gender, criminal history and current offence). These rates are not routinely published, but estimated figures for those fined are given in the table:

Reconviction rates within two years of sentence for offenders fined for standard list offences
	1987	1991	1993	1994
Reconviction rate1	30	37	47	45
Predicted rate	40	42	49	46
Number sampled	2,698	7,605	7,218	6,275
1A change in coverage slightly increased the reconviction rate for those sentenced in 1994

There are difficulties in comparing reconviction rates for 1993 and 1994 with those for earlier years, in that the sentencing structure was altered by the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (implemented on 1 October 1992). A unit fine scheme operated up until 20 September 1993. A large part of the increase in the reconviction rate between 1991 and 1993 can be accounted for by changes in predicted rates (the reconviction rate increases by 10 percentage points and the predicted rate increases by 7 percentage points).It should be borne in mind that the figures quoted relate only to those fined for standard list offences. They do not necessarily reflect the reoffending behaviour of the many offenders who are fined for offences not on the standard list.