To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list recipient projects of the United Kingdom aid budget to India in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and if she will make a statement. [52468]

A list of UK development projects for India in 1997–98 and 1998–99 follows. (Where a project was supported in only one of these years, the appropriate date is indicated). Total expenditure on the India bilateral programme in 1997–98 was £68.9 million. A new Country Strategy Paper for India is under preparation. This will reflect the priorities set out in the White Paper on International Development. It will also consider the implications, including the economic and financial implications, of the recent nuclear tests when assessing prospects for partnerships and poverty reduction.

• Natural Resources
• Eastern India Rainfed Farming
• Western India Rainfed Farming
• Karnataka Watershed Development Project
• Watershed Impact Evaluation Consultancy
• Pathology of Oil Seed Crops (1997–98)
• Plant Germplasm Conservation and Utilisation
• Transfer of Molecular Biological Technologies
• Forage Production Research
• Soil Salinity and Breeding for Salt Resistant Crops
• Bay of Bengal Post Harvest Fisheries
• Oxfam Watershed Project
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management
• Western Ghats Sustainable Forest Management
• Himachal Pradesh Forestry Project
• Environment/Coal/Power
• Calcutta Environmental Management and Strategy Action Plan (1997–98)
• Environmental Training 1997–98 (50 awards)
• Indira Gandhi Conservation Monitoring Centre
• Assistance to Jhanjra Coal Mine
• Hirakud Hydro Rehabilitation
• Andhra Pradesh Energy Efficiency
• Orissa Power Sector Reform
• Dry Ash Disposal
• High Voltage Direct Current Link—Chandrapur and Ramagudam
• Haryana Power Sector Reform (1998–99)
• Environmental Issues in the Power and Coal Sector
• Finance/Fiscal Reform
• Banking Supervision
• Health
• Urban Community Based Rehabilitation
• National Institute of Health and Family Welfare: Health Policy
• Community Ophthalmology
• Spastics Society of Eastern India
• Partnerships for Sexual health
• Malaria Control and Research, Surat
• Sexual Health Project
• West Bengal Reproductive Health
• Inter-City Truck Drivers—Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention
• Reproductive Health
• Polio Immunisation programme
• Social Marketing of Contraceptives
• Revised National TB Programme
• Orissa Health and Family Welfare
• Education
• Andhra Pradesh District Primary Education Project
• West Bengal District primary Education Project
• Regional Engineering Colleges
• Water and Sanitation/Urban Development
• Maharashtra Rural Water Supply and Sanitation
• Gomti River Pollution Control
• Kalahandi Water and Development Project (SCF)
• UNICEF Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases
• Rural Water Development
• Urban Water Development
• UNDP Rural Water and Sanitation
• Maharashtra Emergency Earthquake Rehabilitation
• Indore Slum Improvement Project
• Calcutta Slum Improvement Project
• Vijayawada Slum Improvement Project
• Chinagadili Habitat Improvement
• Cochin Urban Poverty Reduction Project
• Cuttack Urban Services Improvement Project
• Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust—Small Enterprise Promotion
• Gender/Public Administration
• Enterprise Development by Women
• Gender and Law
• Credit and Micro Enterprise
• Indian Professional Officers Scheme (1998–99)
• Development Policy and Planning Management (1997–98)
• Management of Change
• Total Quality Management (1998–99)

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the organisations which received more than £500,000 from the Overseas Development Administration in 1996–97. [52469]

The information is available in British Aid Statistics 1997. The table lists those UK Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) which received more than £500,000 from the Overseas Development Administration in 1996–97, and details the amount they received:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her visit to Lanzhou during her official tour of China. [52349]

Gansu province is one of China's poorest. During her visit in June, the Secretary of State held constructive discussions with representatives of local government (at county and provincial levels) about a proposed basic education project, the emphasis of which will be on access to and the quality of education for minorities and children, especially girls, in the poorer counties. The Secretary of State also took the opportunity to visit an EU-assisted irrigation project in the province.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the environment agreements with China, entered into during her recent official visit. [52350]

During her visit in June, the Secretary of State signed a memorandum of understanding on environmental cooperation with the Chinese State Environment Protection Administration (SEPA). The memorandum provides a framework for cooperation between Britain and China on a number of China's highest environmental priorities including water pollution, urban air pollution and toxic and hazardous wastes. The Secretary of State also left with SEPA an outline proposal for a substantial new project to assist the local authorities in Yunnan Province with planning for environmentally-sustainable development. SEPA have welcomed the continued emphasis on the environment within the Department for International Development's new country strategy for China and the introduction of a strong poverty focus.

To ask the Prime Minister what is his role in determining who will participate at meetings arranged by lobbying organisations where members of his Policy Unit speak under Chatham House rules. [50463]

[holding answer 14 July 1998]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 16 July 1998, Official Report, column 254. I have today published guidance for all civil servants setting out the basic principles which should be followed in any contacts with people outside Government including lobbyists. Wherever and whenever such contacts take place they should be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Code and the principles of public life set out by the Nolan Committee. I have placed a copy of the guidance in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions on 25 June telephone calls were made from No 10 Downing Street to the mobile phone number supplied to him in the letter from the hon. Member for Pendle of 22 July. [52479]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 23 July 1998, Official Report, column 624.

To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to give a substantive answer to the question from the hon. Member for Pendle concerning the business relationships notified to him by Mr. Roger Liddle (Ref. 49655). [52395]

Shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many residential properties, by number and percentage per region, have a rateable value. [50441]

No rateable values have been set or updated for residential properties since 31 March 1990 when the domestic rating system was abolished. The following table estimates the dwelling stock in each region at the end of December 1997, less the number of those dwellings built since 31 March 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of slots at Heathrow Airport are used for regional air services. [51150]

The Government do not collect this information themselves, but according to a report prepared by Airport Coordination Ltd. for the current summer season about 15 per cent. of slots are allocated to domestic services (plus Isle of Man and Channel Islands). This compares with 17 per cent. for the winter 1997–98 season.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the slots at Gatwick Airport are used for (a) regional air services and (b) charter services. [51151]

The Department does not collect this information itself, but according to a report prepared by Airport Coordination Ltd., for the current Summer season at Gatwick Airport approximately 11 per cent. of slots are used by regional air services (including Isle of Man and Channel Islands) and approximately 26 per cent. of slots are used for charter services. For the previous, Winter 1997–98 season, the comparable figures were 15 per cent. and 18 per cent. respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the percentage of slots (i) used for regional services at Heathrow airport and (ii) used for charter services at Gatwick airport in each of the last five years. [51152]

Information is readily available only for the last three years. The following figures have been provided by Airport Coordination Limited:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with the Home Secretary the inclusion within the objectives for the police service of new targets for (a) reducing road accidents and (b) improving the operation of buses in congested areas. [51812]

We regularly discuss the full range of road safety and road policing issues with Home Office Ministers. We have given a commitment in the White paper, A New Deal for Transport: Better for everyone, to set a new target for the reduction of road casualties by 2010 (para 3.219) and the police are ready to play their role in helping meet that target. We have also said (para 3.101) that a different approach to traffic management would be adopted whereby more space would be given to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. Local authorities will set out their proposals for delivering integrated transport in the new 'local transport plans' (paras 4.73–4.77). Local authorities will need actively to involve a wide range of organizations—including the police—in drawing up these plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instruct Ofwat to review Southern Water's site selection procedures for sewage-treatment plants; and if he will make a statement. [51874]

No. The location of sewage treatment plants and other development by water companies is regulated through the development control system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of deaths from mesothelioma in each of the last 10 years by health authority, region and nationality. [51898]

The Health and Safety Executive maintains registers of deaths in Great Britain for which mesothelioma is mentioned on the death certificate. The number of mesothelioma deaths in each of the last ten

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the co-operation between his Department and the Department for Education and Employment on the combined universities in Cornwall. [52206]

I welcome the close cooperation between my Department and the Department for Education and Employment that has helped to foster the new joint approach to the development of higher education in Cornwall through the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if local authorities will be able to levy the proposed new parking charge on workplace parking on employees of (a) Government departments, (b) non-departmental public bodies, (c) executive agencies, (d) NHS health authorities and trusts, (e) local authorities and (f) TECs. [52231]

In the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" (Cm 3950), the Government said that it proposed to legislate to enable the parking charge to apply to all types of workplace parking. We shall consult in due course on any possible exemptions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department has spent or will spend on road construction and maintenance in each of the years from 1997–98 to 2005–06; and if he will break down the total for each years by region is shown in Table 1. The latest year for which data are available is 1996. Although information mesothelioma deaths is not available by health authority or nationality, an analysis by country district based on deaths in the period 1976 to 1991 was published in Health and Safety Statistics 1995–1996. More recent figures for the years 1993 to 1995 by country district were given in a reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. Clapham) on 12 February 1998, Official Report, column 318.year to account for

[holding answer 23 July 1998]: In 1997–98 the Highways Agency spent £1,457 million on national road expenditure of which some £528 million was spent on strategic motorway and trunk road construction, £157 million was spent on bypass schemes and £582 million was spent on maintenance. We plan to spend £1,349 million in 1998–99 of which £363 million is for strategic motorway and trunk road construction, £82 million is for bypass schemes and £651 million is for maintenance.Future resources for expenditure on motorway and trunk roads are being determined in the light of the Chancellor's announcements of 14 July. We shall announce figures in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department has to improve the environmental performance of the quarrying industry. [52051]

The quarrying industry itself has an essential part to play in improving its environmental performance and demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development in its current operations and in framing proposals for new or extended quarries. It is for planning authorities to determine individual application, attaching appropriate conditions, within the framework of national planning policy and guidance issued by my right, hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The Department commissions research and issues guidance on a range of issues associated with minerals extraction eg noise, dust, traffic and blasting to ensure that new planning permissions are implemented and operated in accordance with the latest standards. In addition, legislative procedures and guidance are in place to ensure the updating of old mineral permissions to modern standards.Looking ahead, the Department is proposing further research in the environmental costs and benefits of quarrying in order to inform the decision to be taken by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on whether or not to introduce an aggregates tax. This would benefit the environment by reducing the demand for new materials and encouraging the use of recycled materials and quarrying waste. The position on the tax remains exactly as I made clear at a meeting I had with the Quarry Products Association on 29 April and at their seminar on 12 May. There are two options. Either the Government proceed to introduce a tax—subject always to the discretion my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has in matters of taxation—or they find that the industry collectively can offer a deliverable package of alternative measures which will secure equivalent or better environmental benefits when taken in the round.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of pre-1988 protected tenants whose bi-annual rent reviews fall due in (a) 1 January to 31 March 1999 and (b) 1 April to 30 June 1999. [52125]

[holding answer 24 July 1998]: The Rent Officer Statistics published by my Department for the first and second quarters of 1997 suggest that the number of fair rent cases in England which would fall due for bi-annual review in the first 6 months of 1999, if the tenancies still exist, are as follows:

1 January 1999 to 31 March 1999–17,106 private regulated tenancies and 24,477 secure lettings by Registered Social Landlords

1 April 1999 to 30 June 1999–19,848 private regulated tenancies and 29,797 secure lettings by Registered Social Landlords

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to reach a decision on legislation to deal with the height of leylandii trees and other high garden hedges in domestic gardens. [52256]

We are considering whether there is a need for Government intervention in relation to leylandii trees and other high garden hedges. We will announce our conclusions in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will change the formula for standard spending assessments to encourage local authorities to operate vehicles powered by LPG. [52323]

We are already providing financial assistance to local authorities to purchase vehicles operating on LPG through the Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme. This refunds up to half of the additional capital cost of vehicles designed to run on alternative fuels such as LPG. Standard Spending Assessments are not a suitable mechanism for dealing with such a specific and detailed matter as this.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce further changes in area cost adjustments. [52336]

We are examining with local government a wide range of possible changes in the way area cost adjustments are calculated. We expect to announce our conclusions early in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessments he has made of the SSA per head of population allocated to Norfolk relative to other counties in the eastern region in each year since 1992–93; and if he will publish them; [52331](2) if he will list

The information requested is set out in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those services provided by county councils which his Department denotes as incurring greater costs in sparsely populated areas. [52357]

Standard Spending Assessments include a measure of sparsity of population in relation to all services provided by county councils, other than Personal Social Services, the Fire Service, and Highway Maintenance. In the case of Highway Maintenance, the formula takes account of the length of road which is the responsibility of the council, thereby reflecting the greater needs of rural authorities which have a greater length of road per head of population than urban authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list in order of sparsity the counties of England and Wales using (a) the definition of settlement size used by the Scottish Office and (b) the definitions of sparsity and super-sparsity used in the SSA formula for England and Wales. [52354]

A list based on the definition of sparsity and super-sparsity used in the SSA formula for England will be placed in the Library of the House. A list giving the information based on the definition of settlement size used by the Scottish Office will also be placed in the Library, if it proves practical to produce the figures.Figures relating to Wales are a matter for the Secretary of State for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the 1999–2000 SSA settlement does not penalise counties which historically have spent at relatively low levels. [52337]

We shall ensure that the SSAs are as fair as can be achieved for all types of authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those indications of need in the standard spending assessment formula which measure (a) population characteristics indicating eligibility for benefits and (b) actual take-up of benefits. [52360]

The following indicators in the Standard Spending Assessments formulae are either direct measures of actual take-up of benefits or are closely linked with take-up; children of income support claimants; elderly on income support; payments to those aged 18–64 on income support; all claimants on income support; claimants on attendance allowance; claimants of unemployment benefit; long-term claimants of unemployment benefit; young males claiming unemployment benefit; rent allowance payments; and housing benefit claimants.The formulae include other measures of population characteristics which would tend to be associated with entitlement to benefits; but these measures are not defined in terms that indicate the numbers eligible for benefits.A complete list of the indicators used in the Standard Spending assessment formulae is set out in the Local Government Finance Report

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department will publish the results of further research into the specific cost approach to the area cost adjustment within the standard spending assessment. [52405]

The research which the Department commissioned on a specific cost approach to the area cost adjustment was completed in May. Its reports have been discussed in detail with local government representatives reflecting the range of views on area cost adjustment. We expect to announce decisions on the SSA formulae early in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what definition of rural sparsity is currently applied by his Department for rural transport purposes. [52355]

"Rural Sparsity" has not been defined by my Department for rural transport purposes. However, the £32.5 million Rural Bus Special Grant recently approved by Parliament, will be distributed in proportion to the rural population in each eligible local authority area. 'Rural population' is defined as those living outside built-up areas of 3,000 people or more as shown by the 1991 census.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of his Department's audit entitled, "Local Authority Progress on Implementing the Local Air Pollution Control Regimes"; and what action he proposes to take based on the report's findings; [52530](2) what assessment he has made of his Department's audit entitled, "Remedying the failures of local air pollution"; and if he will make a statement. [52531]

My Department commissioned an independent audit of the Local Air Pollution Control regime earlier this year and a preliminary assessment has been made of the auditors' report: "Local Authority Progress on Implementing the Local Air Pollution Control Regime". The auditors were asked to take into account a report by the Environmental Industries Commission "Remedying the Failures of Local Air Pollution Control".Our preliminary assessment was that the report showed that considerable progress had been made in reducing air pollution from the wide range of regulated sources, but that there were areas where improvements were needed. The report's 30 recommendations were addressed variously to the Government, local authorities and local authority organisations, and relevant professional bodies.A detailed joint response and action plan covering all the recommendations is now being prepared.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy that the issues of Antarctic Ocean pollution and sanctions against heavy polluters of the atmosphere are put on the Buenos Aires Summit agenda; and if he will make a statement. [52489]

The Buenos Aires Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Climate Change will develop the rules and procedures for implementation of the Protocol to reduce greenhouse gases which was adopted at Kyoto. As such it will not cover pollution of the oceans or deal with other forms of atmospheric pollution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to ensure that local authorities publish the reasons for the non-enforcement of pollution control standards at particular industrial sites. [52532]

This is an issue we will be considering carefully when implementing EU Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Government intend to achieve a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. [52491]

We aim to issue a consultation paper this summer on policy options to deliver our legally binding commitment from Kyoto to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. over the period 2008 to 2012, and move towards our domestic aim of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010. We will be building on the outcome of other reviews and looking at the scope for savings from improved energy efficiency by business and in the home; lower transport emissions; and an increase in the electricity generated from renewables and combined heat and power.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the role of Nuclear Energy in the proposed reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. [52488]

Nuclear power currently contributes significantly to United Kingdom electricity supply needs and also plays an important part in helping the UK to meet its commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Provided the nuclear industry can maintain high standards of safety and environmental protection, the Government believe that existing nuclear power stations should continue to make this important contribution.Figures published in the UK's second national communication on climate change, showed that nuclear power generation was projected to lead to savings in carbon emissions of about 3 million tonnes per year by 2000. The Department of Trade and Industry is working on a new set of energy and carbon dioxide emission projections which the Government hope to publish later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the implications of Her Majesty's Government's policy on the future of the coal mining industry for future emissions of carbon dioxide; and if he will make a statement. [52486]

The preliminary conclusions of the Government's Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation reaffirm the Government's determination to meet their climate change targets and state that the proposals are consistent with a decline in carbon emissions from the electricity generating industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to ensure at the forthcoming Buenos Aires summit the implementation of the measures agreed on carbon dioxide production at the Kyoto Summit in 1997; and if he will make a statement. [52490]

The Kyoto Protocol established legally-binding targets for developed countries requiring an overall reduction in their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to 5.2 per cent. below 1990 levels in the period 2008 to 2012: but it left a number of matters to be further developed. It is indeed my right hon. Friend's policy to ensure that the Beunos Aires Conference in November makes substantive progress on these matters, with a view to maintaining the momentum of Kyoto and achieving early entry into force and implementation of the Protocol.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of local authorities do not have an inspection policy or do not routinely inspect polluting factories in connection with air pollution control laws; and what measures he proposes to improve enforcement of air pollution control laws by local authorities. [52535]

My Department issued guidance to local authorities in 1995 on types and frequency of inspection under the Local Air Pollution Control regime. Information is not obtained centrally on whether local authorities have an inspection policy, but data held by my Department show that 9,400 routine/programmed inspections were carried out by local authorities in 1996–97 in relation to this regime. The recent Local Air Pollution Control audit raised concerns about local authority inspection and action to address this and to improve enforcement of the Local Air Pollution Control system is being drawn up in response to the auditor's report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish local authorities' enforcement policies with regard to the air pollution control laws. [52533]

Guidance issued in 1994 by the former Association of District Councils recommended that local authorities produce and publish an enforcement policy on air pollution control. My Department is in discussion with the Local Government Association concerning the re-issue of that guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of local authority authorisations in respect of air pollution control laws have not been reviewed to take account of new pollution concerns or technologies. [52534]

The finding of the recent audit of the Local Air Pollution Control regime was that, from the sample of processes examined, upgrading had been completed in 90 per cent. of the authorisations by the relevant deadline contained in statutory guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to consult rural bus customers about the Rural Bus Challenge; and if he will make a statement; [52484](2) if he will undertake to consult parish councils on the Rural Bus Challenge; and if he will make a statement. [52485]

The criteria and arrangements for the rural bus challenge have been the subject of recent consultation with the Local Government Association and other organisations. We will shortly be issuing guidance to local authorities which will suggest consultation with appropriate individuals and bodies, which could include parish councils, in preparing bids for the challenge competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend current arrangements for granting provisional motor cycle licences within a two year validity period. [52829]

My Department has today issued a Consultation Paper about a range of possible options for amending the current two year rule. A copy of the paper has been placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the annual cost of protecting sites of special scientific interest at risk from water abstraction, water pollution and groundwater contamination. [52403]

In its May 1998 submission to the Government entitled A Price Worth Paying the Environment Agency, in consultation with English Nature and the Countryside Council of Wales, identified sites of special scientific interest at risk due to water companies' abstractions and discharges. The cost of dealing with these sites, as estimated by the water companies, was given in the Director General of Water Services' open letter to the Secretaries of State of 30 April 1998. We shall take the costs into account together with the Agency's advice in determining the guidance we give the Director General later this summer on the environmental obligations which water companies will be expected to meet through the Periodic Review of water prices. Copies of A Price Worth Paying and the Director General's open letter are in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what target he sets for the length of time he takes to reach a decision after receipt of an inspector's report on a planning inquiry. [52398]

Where the Secretary of State takes the decision on appeals, he aims to decide 80 per cent. of cases within eight weeks of receiving the Inspector's report. This is stated in paragraph 59 of Planning Policy Guidance Note 1, 'General Policy and Principles'. In those cases where the Secretary of State calls in applications for planning permission, he aims to issue 80 per cent. of decisions within 13 weeks of receipt of the Inspector's report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he will conduct with district and parish councils about the implementation of his proposals for nation-wide concessionary fares for pensioners; and if he will make a statement. [52648]

The matter will be considered when the necessary primary legislation is being prepared.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with representatives of the agricultural industries about his proposals for water extraction; and if he will make a statement. [52645]

The Government published a consultation paper on the Review of the Water Abstraction Licensing System in England and Wales on 19 June. The paper takes account of the wide range of submissions we received, including contributions from all the major bodies with an interest in agricultural issues. We are inviting responses to the detailed proposals contained in the consultation paper by 7 September. Representatives of the National Farmers Union discussed the Review when they met my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 2 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he intends to take to ensure an effective transfer to the application to new dwellings of Part M of the Building Regulations (access and facilities for disabled people). [52764]

I am today issuing a consultation paper on the transitional arrangements for the Building Regulations amendments which I announced in March this year. These amendments will extend access requirements to new houses from October 1999.I am proposing that the transitional provisions should ensure that new buildings where construction work starts on or after the coming into force date of the regulations will in general be subject to the new Part M requirements. However, new buildings begun after the coming into force date in accordance with full plans deposited with a local authority at least two months before that date, or in accordance with plans covered by an approved inspector's plans certificate accepted by a local authority before the coming into force date, will not have to comply with the new requirements.In this way the transitional provisions will distinguish between cases where detailed design work has been completed and submitted to the relevant building control body before the coming into effect of the regulations, and other cases. This will prevent developers from giving premature building control notices simply in order to gain exemption from the new requirements for houses that have not been designed and could not be built until long after the coming into force date.The Department's consultation letter sets Wednesday 9 September as the deadline for receipt of responses. After assessing the responses, and subject to the outcome of the separate process of notifying the technical changes to the European Commission, I intend to make and publish the new regulations, and a revised Approved Document, in October.Copies of the consultation letter are being placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to cover (i) domestic and (ii) international air travel. [52461]

Our priority is to implement the provisions of Part V of the Act dealing with access to trains and trams, buses and coaches and to licensed taxis. These modes are fundamentally important to day to day mobility for many disabled people.We will be considering whether it is appropriate to apply any of the requirements of the Act to air travel and other modes of transport not currently included.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 1998, Official Report, column 467, if he intends to seek further advice on the legality of already approved trials of genetically modified crops. [52475]

My Department is considering whether there are any implications for consents for trials of genetically modified crops already issued under Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as a result of the recent judgment in the case of R v the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, ex parte Watson.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures and precautions were taken to avoid genetic pollution through cross-pollination to adjacent crops when the ACRE committee was approving licences of all the GMO trial plots that are currently licensed. [52494]

Each application for consent to release GM plants for experimental trials must provide the information set out in the schedule to the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1995 and includes a detailed environmental risk assessment. This must address the potential for cross-pollination of adjacent crops and sexually compatible flora in the vicinity of the trial site. On the basis of this risk assessment the applicant must state what risk management procedures will be implemented to minimise cross-pollination. Examples of these procedures include specific isolation distances, borders of non-GM plants to act pollen traps and, in some cases, removing the flowers of the GM plants.The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment reviews applications for release consent on a case by case basis to determine whether the proposed management procedures are sufficient. In each case where the Committee judge that the management procedures are inadequate they give advice on the additional precautions to be taken. These additional measures are then made on condition of the consent.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women are employed in the Lord Chancellor's Department at each Civil Service grade. [52642]

For the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service and the Public Trust Office, the information is set out in the table.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women magistrates have been appointed since 1 May 1997. [52654]

Of the 1,664 magisterial appointments made in the period between 1 May 1997 and 30 June 1998, 851 were women.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many judicial appointments there have been since 1 May 1997 to (a) the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, (b) the Court of Appeal, (c) the High Court, (d) the County or Crown Court Bench, (e) the Queen's Bench Mastership, (f) the Chancery Division Mastership and (g) the District Judiciary. [52643]

The table gives the numbers of judicial appointments in the categories mentioned since 1 May 1997:

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women have been appointed to the County and Crown Court bench since 1 May 1997. [52653]

Eight women have been appointed as Circuit Judges since 1 May 1997.Circuit Judges may sit in the county courts, the Crown Court or both. It is not therefore possible to provide separate figures.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates' courthouses were closed in each year between 31 March 1994 and 31 March 1998. [51622]

The Lord Chancellor's Department did not collect information on the number of magistrates' courthouses prior to October 1995. The number of courthouses in use as reported by magistrates' courts was 525 in October 1995, 492 in April 1997 and 472 in April 1998.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to correspond electronically with (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49818]

[holding answer 13 July 1998]: HM Treasury is already able to correspond electronically with members of the public, with Government and non-Government organisations and with hon. Members, through its website on www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. All Treasury officials have their own e-mail addresses for corresponding over the Internet. The Department is looking carefully at ways to develop its use of electronic communication. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 17 July 1998,Official Report,column315.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what resources are being deployed by Customs and Excise to counter the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland. [51902]

Customs and Excise are currently deploying local anti-smuggling, intelligence, antifraud VAT audit staff, as well as national investigation officers, to tackle the problem of cross-border smuggling of duty paid fuel into Northern Ireland for resale. Customs are also working closely with other authorities, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the significance of the symbol on the obverse of the new £2 coin; and for what reasons the phrase 'standing on the shoulders of giants' appears on the rim of the coin. [52434]

The design on the obverse of the new £2 coin traces the progress of technological development, with concentric circles representing the Iron Age, the Industrial Revolution, the Electronic Age and the Internet. The "circular" theme was inspired by the coin's two-colour appearance.The inscription "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" on the coin's milled edge comes from a letter written by Isaac Newton in which he acknowledged how much he owed to the work of others. It was chosen from several suggestions as best encapsulating how the progress of the present has only been possible because of the achievements of the past.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that (a) ferry companies, (b) scheduled and charter airlines and (c) hovercraft operators will be fully consulted before final decisions are agreed between United Kingdom and Commission officials on the successor regime for duty and tax-paid sales after 30 June 1999; and when the consultation process will begin. [52449]

Customs and Excise have been in discussion with UK trade interests on the possible nature of the successor regime and will continue to consult with interested parties on the implementation of the regime. Any interested persons who want to make representations should address them direct to Customs and Excise:

• HM Customs and Excise,
• Excise Policy Group Branch 4,
• Third Floor, Ralli Quays West,
• 3 Stanley Street,
• Salford M60 9LA

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 December 1997, Official Report, column 478, what recommendations have been made by the group established to examine the financing of high technology companies; and if he will make a statement. [52298]

I am grateful to the Working Group on the Financing of High Technology Businesses for their work in examining the financing issues faced by this important sector of the economy. The Government are now considering how to take this work forward.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the current sterling exchange rate on (a) employment and (b) manufacturing in the United Kingdom. [52594]

The economic effects of the exchange rate are difficult to isolate without assumptions about factors such as the strength of world trade growth and domestic demand. A full assessment of the economic situation including a forecast was given in the FSBR.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the smuggling of drink and tobacco from the mainland of Europe in the last year for which figures are available. [52290]

The table sets out Customs' most recent estimate of revenue losses (duty and VAT) to the Exchequer through cross-channel smuggling of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products in calendar year 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the impact on UK wholesalers of the smuggling of (a) alcohol and (b) tobacco from the European mainland. [52293]

I have no information about the consequences of alcohol and tobacco smuggling relating to UK wholesalers in particular. However, the Government are very much aware of the illegal trade in alcohol and tobacco goods and its effect on the legitimate trade. In his July Budget last year my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced a review to examine the effects of alcohol and tobacco fraud, smuggling and cross-border shopping. The Government will announce the outcome of the review shortly.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions about Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment are incorporated in (a) the Treasury and (b) the Bank of England model of the economy; and how they have been changed in the last 10 years. [52156]

The assumptions underlying the determination of the non-accelerating rate of unemployment in the Treasury model are set out in the "The New Treasury Model" by Chan, A., Savage, D., and Whittaker, R., (Government Economic Service Working Paper no. 128), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The underlying assumptions have changed little in recent years. The Bank of England model is the responsibility of Bank officials.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions about the relative shares of GDP going to (a) wages and (b) profits are incorporated into the Treasury model of the economy; what are the shares presently allocated; and how they have changed over the last 10 years. [52155]

The assumptions in the Treasury model yield approximately constant shares of GDP going to wages and profits in the long run. The long run shares will largely reflect historical averages.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 21 July 1998, Official Report, column 463, from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will estimate the loss of revenue incurred by reducing VAT on the refurbishment of 415,000 dwellings to 5 per cent. [52157]

The average cost of bringing an empty dwelling into good order is £6,500. This figure was given to my hon. Friend in the answer of the 21 July 1998, Official Report, column 463, by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The revenue cost of reducing the rate of VAT from 17.5 per cent. to 5 per cent. on refurbishment costing £6,500 on each of 415,000 dwellings would be approximately £300 million.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EU since British accession. [52232]

The total of the United Kingdom's net contributions to the EC Budget for the period 1973–74 to 1996–97 is £28.7 billion. The latest estimate of outturn for the financial year 1997–98 is £2.6 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 7 April 1998, Official Report, columns 151–52, what are the Government's plans for the Insurance Brokers' Registration Council. [53230]

Following my announcement on 7 April, the Treasury has consulted the insurance industry and its customers on insurance intermediary regulation and on the future of the Insurance Brokers Registration Council (IBRC). Most responses identified weaknesses in the present arrangements for general insurance intermediaries. The existing hybrid framework, using the Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977 supplemented by the Association of British Insurers' General Business Code of Practice, was regarded as incomplete and outdated.Set up under the 1977 Act, the Insurance Brokers Registration Council regulates the use of the title 'insurance broker' and maintains professional standards among those intermediaries who use it. While there was recognition that the Council had provided a valuable service, there was a consensus that circumstances have changed in such a way as to bring its existence in its current form into question. I have therefore decided that proposed legislation to reform the financial services regulatory structure should include power to repeal the Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977. Repealing the 1977 Act will end the statutory basis of the Council.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made by departments implementing survey holidays for small businesses. [53231]

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) introduced a guarantee in 1997 to firms employing fewer than ten people that, once included in a statistical survey, a business will not have to complete another ONS statistical form for a further three years. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has this year introduced a similar guarantee in respect of transport surveys. An inter-departmental report, which looks at how far the idea of survey holidays could be extended across government departments, has been produced in response to recommend dations of the 1996 Osmotherly report "Statistical Surveys, Easing the Burden on Business". A copy of the report on survey holidays and an action plan agreed by department is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average prison population per 1,000 population in England and Wales (a) in each of the last five years and (b) on the last date for which figures are available. [51870]

The information requested is given in the table. The rate quoted for 1998 is based on the prison population at 30 June—the most recent date for which information is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to eliminate the criminalisation of defamation throughout Europe. [51933]

We are doubtful whether such steps are necessary. Freedom of expression is one of the rights guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights which all parties to the Convention are bound to respect. We are not aware of any Council of Europe proposals to decriminalise defamation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for (a) his Department and (b) bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (A) fuel types and (B) engine cubic capacities; and how many vehicles are expected to fall due for replacement in each of the years (1) 1998–99, (2) 1999–2000 and (3) 2000–01. [49231]

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: The information requested is given in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons are currently under special managerial attention; in each case, how long have such arrangements been in place and if he will give details of the arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [50593]

Formal arrangements to support establishments requiring special managerial attention were established in August 1997 in a circular issued to governors by the Director General of the Prison Service. Eleven establishments are currently assessed as requiring special managerial attention. These are listed in the table.The nature of the special managerial arrangements vary according to the circumstances of each establishment. The decision to add or remove an establishment from the list of those requiring closer managerial attention is taken by the Director General, in discussion with the relevant area manager and operational director, and taking into account any view expressed by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons. Progress is routinely reviewed by the Prisons Board. In each case, an action plan is formulated to address identified difficulties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the estimated costs to date of the police investigation into alleged corruption at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. [52339]

I understand from South Yorkshire Police that the estimated cost of the investigation to date is £161,417, including £42,030 in accommodation and miscellaneous services costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently serving a prison sentence of over five years having been charged with (a) violent and (b) non-violent offences. [52049]

The available breakdown, by type of offence, of those prisoners serving sentences of over five years in prisons in England and Wales, is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 1998, Official Report, columns 383–84, concerning the British Crime Survey, what timescale has been set for the feasibility study being undertaken by the Office for National Statistics. [52278]

A feasibility study into a possible survey of communal establishments is being undertaken by the Social Survey Division of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). A cross-departmental steering group has been set up to address the structure and content of the survey. A final report of the findings from the consultation process will be presented by ONS to the steering group in autumn of this year. If the report is endorsed by the steering group, ONS will consult with departments about a possible funding partnership. At this point, the Home Office will consider whether the survey can viably cover victimisation and whether it justifies funding relative to other research priorities. If it is decided to proceed, the timing of the initial survey will then be agreed by the steering group and ONS.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the factors underlying the differences between the number of police officers per 1,000 population in Birmingham and Coventry. [52109]

I understand from the Chief Constable that there are 2.67 officers per 1,000 population in Birmingham and 2.51 officers per 1,000 population in Coventry. It is an operational matter for the Chief Constable to decide how to allocate officers to the territorial divisions of the West Midlands Police. Population would be only one of a number of factors which the Chief Constable would consider when decisions are taken about the deployment of resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to facilitate the further use of (a) computers and (b) other forms of information technology in the processing of asylum claims. [52061]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 28 April 1998, Official Report,columns 95–96, and to the reply I gave to the hon.Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Allan), on 23 July 1998, Official Report, column 620.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of asylum seekers made in-country applications for asylum in each of the last 10 years. [52079]

The information requested is given in the table.