To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what categories of criminal record debar a candidate from joining Her Majesty's armed forces. [54905]

The regulations with regard to applicants with criminal records differ slightly for each Service. However, in general, any custodial sentence, including corrective training, youth custody, and detention, would debar a candidate from joining any of the Armed Forces. Additionally, any conviction for sexual offences, under the Sexual Offences Acts 1956, 1967 or 1985; the Street Offences Act 1959; the Indecency with Children Act 1960; the Protection of Children Act 1978; or the Sex Offenders Act 1997, or for misuse of drugs will debar candidates from entry. Experimentation with soft drugs, however, is not an automatic disqualification from Armed Forces employment. For other minor convictions each application will be considered on merit and the nature of the offence.All criminal convictions and police cautions must be declared for security clearance purposes. All personnel recruited into the Naval Service and the RAF, all Army Officers, and some Army Other Ranks in specific trades, for example the Intelligence Corps, require security clearance before entry. The requirements of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1978 are always taken into consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the reduction of the TA establishment on the closure of local TA centres in Liverpool. [56827]

Proposals for the future of the Territorial Army and local TA centres have not yet been put to Ministers for their consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of a reduction in TA strength on related cadet forces where TA centers are closed. [56834]

It is the aim of my Department to ensure that any disruption to cadet units arising from the restructuring of the Territorial Army should be kept to a minimum. Wherever necessary alternative accommodation will be provided for any cadet group which shares premises with a TA unit that is affected by the restructuring process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of TAVRAs in providing the TA with value for money in property management and utility provision; [56832](2) what steps he will take to retain the Territorial, Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations in the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review. [56833]

An appraisal of the supply services provided to the Reserve Forces by the Territorial, Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations (TAVRAs) was undertaken as part of the Strategic Defence Review. The Review made clear that the Department recognised and valued the support of the TAVRAs. We consider the Associations are an essential part of the management of the Reserves and Cadets, and attach great importance to their contribution in a wide range of activities.The Strategic Defence Review therefore concluded that the TAVRAs should continue in the future. The Review concluded that there should be some changes to the boundaries of the regions for which Associations are responsible, and to their funding arrangements, to reflect the closer integration between Army Regulars and Reservists. The Associations are closely involved in the development of these proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF pilots have completed training in each of the last five years. [56754]

RAF pilots are classified as passing into 'productive service' following completion of the various stages of pilot training up to and including Operational Conversion Unit training on particular aircraft. Numbers entering 'productive service' in each of the last 5 financial years were as follows:

Year	Number of RAF pilots
1993–94	85
1994–95	71
1995–96	87
1996–97	99
1997–98	105

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy Air Service units currently have a shortage of trained pilots; and what is the total extent of the shortfalls. [56750]

The following Naval Air Squadrons have a shortage of trained pilots: 899, 800, 801, 702, 810, 819 and 845. This amounts to a total shortage of 12 trained pilots.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Defence Sales Organisation of the Ministry of Defence was informed of the visit of Senator Pinochet of Chile to the United Kingdom in September and October 1998; and over what parts of his programme they were consulted by British Aerospace. [57024]

[holding answer 28 October 1998]: The Defence Export Services Organisation of my Department first became aware of the visit of Senator Pinochet to the UK around 6 October. They were not consulted by British Aerospace over any part of his programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Trident missiles have been deployed on each United Kingdom Trident patrol since 1995. [55871]

[holding answer 28 October 1998]: I am withholding this information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Defence, Security and International Relations).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims his Department has received from former service personnel arising from exposure to radiation whilst serving on Royal Navy submarines. [57167]

Records show that, as at 28 October 1998, thirteen claims for compensation had been received by my Department from former Service personnel alleging exposure to radiation whilst serving on Royal Navy submarines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present acreage of military land in the United Kingdom that is regarded as surplus to needs and will be offered for sale. [57434]

The amount of land which my Department has in disposal changes constantly as some properties are sold and others are declared surplus to military requirements. However, we currently estimate that some 13,000 hectares of land is in disposal and more is likely to come forward as a result of the recent Strategic Defence Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the value of arms sales to Turkey by the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and if he will list the equipment sold. [57474]

My Department is currently working with the FCO and the DTI to assemble information in preparation for the Government's first Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. The Report will include details of export licence applications for UK Military List items and details of such equipment exported with annual values. When the Report is issued I will also write to my hon. Friend in regard to the information requested for previous years and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many properties he estimates will be required by the Defence Housing Executive in Scotland to meet the needs of service personnel at 1 April (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2005.[57036]

The DHE are currently working on the figures:

(a) 1999: 5,661

(b) 2000: 5,354

(c) 2005: 5,104.

The 2005 assumptions are an estimate pending the full implementation of Strategic Defence Review recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the amount of rent/violent profits abated in respect of due rent in Defence Housing Executive properties in Scotland (a) in the financial year 1996–97, (b) in the financial year 1997–98 and (c) from 1 April 1998 to date. [57034]

The amount of rent/violent profits abated is as follows:

(a) 1996–97: 0

(b) 1997–98: 0

(c) 1998–99: 10,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Defence Housing Executive has to (a) sell, (b) demolish and (c) otherwise dispose of housing stock in Scotland which it has identified as being surplus to requirements. [57037]

The current plans are:

(a) To sell 352 properties

(b) To demolish 265 properties

(c) To lease 118 properties to a Housing Association.

The remainder of properties are being held both to maintain a management margin of vacant quarters and for refurbishment, and until the effects of the Strategic Defence Review are fully evaluated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many eviction orders have been awarded to the Defence Housing Executive in Scotland in (a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998 to date. [57033]

The following eviction orders have been awarded:

(a) 1996: 0

(b) 1997: 21

(c) 1998: 25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many evictions have been raised by the Defence Housing Executive in Scotland in (a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998 to date. [57032]

The number of evictions raised by DHE are as follows:

(a) 1996: 0

(b) 1997: 29

(c) 1998: 57.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Defence Housing Executive properties there are in Scotland; how many are presently occupied; how many of these are occupied by (a) serving forces personnel, (b) former forces personnel, (c) the partners of serving and former forces personnel, (d) irregular tenants, (e) tenants and (f) others, under tenancy agreements. [57031]

There are currently 6,091 Defence Housing Executive properties in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many unoccupied Defence Housing Executive properties there were in Scotland in (a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998. [57035]

The numbers of unoccupied properties in Scotland were as follows:

(a) 1996: 1,431

(b) 1997: 1,312

(c) 1998: 1,509.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 October 1998, Official Report, column 891, on VC10 aeroplane repairs, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will write to the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon. [57232]

I expect to be able to write to the hon. Member shortly. The information is not held in the precise form requested and it might not be possible to provide the full financial information without incurring disproportionate cost. Considerable progress has been made but further interrogation of IT systems is required, particularly in respect of the value of spares consumed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the outbreak of an anaemia virus in farmed salmon. [56160]

Infectious Salmon Anaemia was first confirmed at a site in Loch Nevis on 16 May 1998. Since then the disease has been confirmed on a further 9 sites, the latest on 18 September. Eleven further sites are also formally under suspicion. There are 340 sites in Scotland involved in fish farming.Measures designed to eradicate the disease are being carried out in strict accordance with EC and domestic legislation. As part of that, movement restrictions have been imposed on fish farms within an area of 40 km surrounding the confirmed and suspected sites.The original cause of the outbreak has not yet been established but inquiries are continuing. Rigorous testing and surveillance are also being maintained and my Department is in close contact with the European Commission and with the Norwegian authorities, who have longer experience of the disease.The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food has been invited to consider the risks for human health. It noted that there is no current evidence of any fish virus causing disease in humans, and that the ISA virus is unable to replicate at human body temperatures. It concluded that there is currently no evidence that ISA poses a risk to human health. This is consistent with experience in Norway and Canada.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce the external finance limits that will apply to the Scottish Water and Sewerage Authorities in 1999–2000 and in the following two years; and if he will make a statement. [57729]

The External Finance Limits (EFLs) for the 3 water authorities have been set at £206.904 million for 1990–2000. The allocation to each water authority will be: North Authority £51.000 million, East Authority £70.500 million, and West Authority £85.404 million.Indicative EFLs for 2000–01 and 2001–02 have been set at £206.954 million and £208.018 million respectively. The indicative allocations for 2000–01 and 2001–02 will be: North Authority £40.000 million and £40.000 million, East Authority £76.000 million and £76.000 million, and West Authority £90.954 million and £92.018 million.This settlement represents a significant real increase in the resources available to the industry, offering each authority greater sums for investment over the 3 year period than they planned for in their current corporate plans. It demonstrates the Government's commitment to securing the modernisation of the Scottish water industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment his Department has made of (a) the safety of the MMR vaccines and (b) the links the vaccines have with the development of autism in children; what representations he has received from abroad about the potential link with autism; what assessment he has made of the regulatory action which has been taken by other countries; and if he will make a statement; [56967](2) if he will assess the findings contained in the paper by Dr Andrew Wakefield published in The Lancet on MMR vaccinations. [56972]

:Dr. Wakefield's paper has been considered by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and by a group of independent experts convened by the Medical Research Council on 23 March 1998 to consider the relevant evidence in view of suggestions that MMR vaccination was linked to autism and inflammatory bowel disease, especially Crohn's Disease. This group concluded, as had the Committee, that there was no evidence of any causal link. In the light of the Committee's views and the conclusions of the group of experts, the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland wrote to Health Boards and general practitioners on 27 March 1998 recommending strongly that parents continue to have their children immunised with the MMR vaccine. My right hon. Friend has received no representations from abroad about the alleged link with autism.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce single vaccine components of MMR. [56976]

My right hon. Friend is advised on vaccination and immunisation policy by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. The Committee has not recommended the introduction of single vaccine components of MMR and he has no plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will establish a review of (a) the effectiveness of and (b) side effects from the most recent national MMR vaccination campaign. [56979]

MMR vaccination is now established as a normal component of the childhood vaccination programme. The safety and efficacy of all vaccines are kept under continuing surveillance by the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children below the age of five years were diagnosed as being autistic in each year since 1970. [56974]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the President of the Council if she will seek an increase in her Vote to allow hon. Members to travel once a year to each EU member state for the purpose of meeting members of national parliaments of EU member states. [57311]

Since the amount spent on the EU travel scheme at present is significantly less than the annual budget, any extension of the scheme would not require an increase in the Voted expenditure.

To ask the President of the Council how many (a) Labour, (b) Conservative and (c) Liberal Democrat hon. Members took advantage of their right to annual travel to an EU institution in each year since 1994. [57310]

With the exception of Financial Assistance to Opposition Parties the financial records supporting the Members' Vote are not analysed by party. The information requested is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.The total number of Members who travelled to EU Institutions, analysed by financial year, is as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Britain's debt owed to the US Treasury in respect of loans made during World War One; and what plans he has for repayment. [56940]

At the end of World War I the United Kingdom was owed more by other nations than it owed to the United States. No payments have been made to or received from other nations since 1934.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 October 1998, Official Report, column 35, if he will make it his policy that hon. Members should be able to obtain without payment tabulations of data sets which have been paid for from public funds and which are available from the Data Archive. [57220]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make it policy to veto any EU proposals regarding the introduction of a European income tax; [57123](2) if he will make it his policy to veto any EU proposals regarding the harmonisation of income tax rates. [57122]

The Government's firm view is that decisions on the rates and structure of income tax should remain a matter for national Governments. Decisions on European tax issues are subject to unanimity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will announce the outcome of the review by Customs and Excise of the VAT exemption for charity welfare services. [57891]

From today Customs and Excise will be consulting interested parties to agree the circumstances in which a wider range of charity welfare services will be exempt. Customs is reviewing its policy following a recent VAT and Duties Tribunal decision. This extended the definition of welfare services to include daily living tasks such as cooking, cleaning and laundry, where there was sufficiently high risk to the recipients' health because of their inability to perform these tasks safely themselves.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the proposed European Union withholding tax on dividends. [57459]

The draft Directive deals with interest paid to individuals across national boundaries within the European Community. We are in favour of effective international action against tax evasion and are playing an active and constructive part in discussions on the draft Directive. But we have made it clear that we will not agree to any course of action which would seriously damage the UK and other European financial markets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on further developments on the Tax Law Rewrite project. [57734]

I am delighted to announce that the Tax Law Rewrite is making good progress. The Inland Revenue have today published a third Exposure Draft which rewrites the capital allowance provisions for industrial buildings. The rewritten legislation in this Exposure Draft will form part of the first Rewrite Bill. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.The Rewrite project aims to bring clarity and certainty to our direct tax legislation, and commands my continuing support. Consultation is the key to the success of the project. I would urge anybody with an interest in tax legislation to take this further opportunity to comment on the rewritten legislation while still in its formative stages. It is an excellent opportunity to influence the statute book of the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has issued to local education authorities in respect of the use of grants available to them under the Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Act 1996 and subsequent legislation, for children to be educated in primary school reception classes until the term in which they attain the age of five. [57218]

Funding is available through Revenue Support Grant and nursery education grant to provide three terms of early education before compulsory school age for all four-year-olds whose parents wish their children to take advantage of this. The places can be in the state, private or voluntary sectors, with the local Early Years Development Plan setting out where they will be secured. The Department has issued guidance on producing Early Years Development Plans and a document, "Requirements of Grant 1998–99", which sets out the eligibility criteria and conditions under which nursery education grant may be paid during the period April 1998 to March 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that every local education authority is ensuring that all parents of children with autism fulfil their statutory obligations of ensuring that their child receives an efficient and suitable full-time education either at school or otherwise by taking action through the courts; and if he will make a statement. [57055]

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 specifies that the parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him/her to receive full-time education suitable:

(a) to his/her age, ability and aptitude, and

(b) to any special educational needs he/she may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

Schools and LEAs are also under a duty to identify children with special educational needs, including those with autistic spectrum disorders, and to make provision which meet the needs of individual children. In doing so, schools and LEAs must have regard to the statutory guidance contained in the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs.Where the authority is of the opinion that the child should attend school an LEA must by law serve a School Attendance Order (SAO) on the parent of a child of compulsory school age who fails to prove that the child is receiving suitable education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that every child with autism receives a relevant educational service; and if he will make a statement. [57050]

In practice, a child with autistic spectrum disorder is likely to be assessed as having special educational needs. The Education Act 1996 section 317 specifies that the Local Education Authority or governing body shall use their best endeavours, in exercising their function in relation to the school, to secure that, if any registered pupil has special educational needs, the special educational provision which his or her learning difficulty calls for is made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that every parent of a child of compulsory school age with autism is ensuring that their child receives an efficient and suitable full-time education either at school or otherwise; and if he will make a statement. [57054]

Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 specifies that the parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him/her to receive full-time education suitable:

(a) to his/her age, ability and aptitude, and

(b) to any special educational needs he/she may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

Schools and LEAs are also under a duty to identify children with special educational needs, including those with autistic spectrum disorders, and to make provision which meet the needs of individual children. In doing so, schools and LEAs must have regard to the statutory

guidance contained in the

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to issue specific guidance on educational services for autistic children; and if he will make a statement. [57052]

Guidance on educational services for children with autistic spectrum disorder is available on request from local education authorities. Information can also be obtained from the National Autistic Society.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that every local education authority has sufficient funds to develop new services for autistic children; and if he will make a statement. [57053]

Each year the Government set out what it considers a reasonable and affordable level of spending on education, and ensures funding to local authorities for that amount. Education is a key priority for this Government. For financial year 1998–99, national funding for education is £1,107 million, or 5.7 per cent. higher than for 1997–98. The Comprehensive Spending Review will provide an increase of almost £10 billion a year by 2001–2002, an average increase of 5.1 per cent. in real terms in each of the next three years. Each local education authority is responsible for allocating its budget between and within services. In doing so it must secure that sufficient schools are available to provide the opportunity of appropriate education for all pupils, including those with special educational needs such as autistic spectrum disorder.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures his Department is taking to ensure that LEAs make appropriate provision for individual children with autism. [56639]

[holding answer 26 October 1998]: The Education Act 1996 places schools and local education authorities under a duty to identify children with special educational needs, including those with autistic spectrum disorders, and to make appropriate provision for them. In doing so, schools and LEAs must have regard to statutory guidance contained in the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs.In the case of spectrum disorders like autism, provision can be made in specialist autism schools, other special schools, autism units at mainstream schools or in mainstream classes with support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many travel companies have so far pledged to offer concessions to those benefiting from the New Deal for young unemployed; and what plans he has to extend this service to other target groups. [57144]

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) have agreed to offer reduced fares to participants of New Deal for the 18–24 age group nationally. They will consider extending this to New Deal participants aged 25 and over once they have reviewed the 18–24 scheme.There are a further 218 national and local agreements in place with bus and coach companies offering reduced fares for young people on New Deal. Of these, 95 have signed agreements to extend this facility to New Deal clients aged 25 and over. Negotiations are taking place regionally to extend agreements further for New Deal 25 plus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of those who moved from the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds to unsubsidised employment between April and September 1998 are no longer in work. [56044]

[holding answer 26 October 1998]: The latest published figures show 15,830 young people leaving New Deal between April and August 1998, to go into unsubsidised employment. These figures exclude any who have returned to claim JSA within 13 weeks of leaving New Deal. We do not know yet how many, if any, have left their jobs but not returned to claim JSA. Our detailed evaluation of New Deal will enable us to produce more detailed information, such as this, once a full cohort of New Deal participants has completed its progress through the programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the factors underlying recent trends in the level of unemployment in Lowestoft. [56760]

There are no ILO unemployment series for travel to work areas; so only claimant unemployment statistics can be presented.In the Lowestoft and Beccles travel-to-work area, between September 1997 and September 1998 the claimant unemployment rate fell by 1.3 percentage points to 7.3 per cent; and the claimant count fell by 16 per cent. to around 3,180. The corresponding UK seasonally unadjusted figures were a fall of 0.6 percentage points in the claimant unemployment rate to 4.7 per cent. and a 12 per cent. reduction in the claimant count to around 1,334,275.Because the data are seasonally unadjusted, it is not possible to assess the underlying trend month by month. However, over the last year unemployment in the Lowestoft and Beccles travel-to-work area continued to fall, reflecting steady growth in the economy and employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of intermediate labour markets in reducing long-term unemployment. [56982]

The Department has commissioned the Institute for Employment Research to investigate current intermediate labour market programmes, and what evaluation evidence exists about their effectiveness. The research is due to be published before the end of this year, and I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.The Government are interested in any measure that has the potential to help in tackling long-term unemployment. Elements of the intermediate labour market approach are included in our Welfare to Work programme, through Employment Zones, the New Deals for the young unemployed and people with disabilities and the pilots under the New Deal for adult long-term unemployed. All these initiatives will be fully evaluated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many local education authorities in England and Wales maintain a system of three-point entry into primary schools. [57219]

The information is not collected centrally in the form requested. The dates of entry to infant classes are for an individual school's admission authority to determine. The admission authority for county and voluntary controlled schools is the local education authority, and for voluntary aided and grant-maintained schools it is the school's governing body. A number of local education authorities do operate a three-point entry system within their primary admission arrangements. The Secretary of State will shortly be issuing a consultative draft of a new, statutory Code of Practice on School Admissions. The Code is expected to advise that local admission arrangements should aim to meet the preferences of local parents as far as possible, and that local consultation should take place on the arrangements within admissions forums.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assistance he will give to improving school transport and encouraging local authorities to extend the school bus pass system. [56214]

[holding answer 26 October 1998]: In conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Department of Health, we have set up a School Travel Advisory Group to look at all aspects of home to school transport. This held its inaugural meeting, with a wide range of interested organisations, on 13 October and it will make recommendations in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made in reducing class sizes for five, six and seven year olds. [57141]

We expect to meet our class size pledge ahead of schedule. The School Standards and Framework Act 1998, which received Royal Assent on 24 July, places a duty on both local education authorities (LEAs) and governing bodies to limit the size of infant classes for 5,6 and 7 year olds to 30 or below by September 2001 at the latest—ahead of our Election pledge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional full-time qualified teachers have been identified by local education authorities in their plans for reducing infant class sizes as being required to implement (a) the required reduction in infant class sizes in the school years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 and (b) measures required under paragraph 10 of the Schedule to the Education (Plans for Reducing Infant Class Sizes) (England) Regulations 1998. [56901]

This information is not available as plans to reduce infant class sizes have not yet been received from all LEAs. Once the plans are received, officials in the Department will be discussing them in detail with authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many of the extra teachers which his Department reported had been recruited as part of the programme to reduce infant class sizes were recruited (a) on completion of teacher training courses, (b) from previous teaching posts in primary schools, (c) from posts in infant schools in local education authorities who were not provided with grants for recruitment and (d) from other sources; [56663](2) how many teachers of infant classes were in post in September

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the real rates of increase in each educational psychologist's pay award since 1990. [56450]

These matters are the responsibility of the Soulbury Committee which operates under the auspices of the Local Government Management Board (LGMB). The information requested is therefore not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many first schools in three-tier systems have (a) fewer than 100 pupils, (b) between 100 and 200, (c) between 200 and 300, (d) between 300 and 400, (e) between 400 and 500 and (f) more than 500 pupils. [56740]

The latest available information is shown in the following table.

Numbers of maintained first schools by size1 in England in January 1998
Size of school (number of pupils)	Number of schools
less than 100	439
100 to 199	466
200 to 299	479
300 to 399	227
400 to 499	55
500 and over	8
Total	1,674
1 Number of full-time pupils

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many middle schools in three-tier systems have (a) less than 300, (b) 300 to 400, (c) 400 to 500, (d) 500 to 600, (e) 600 to 700 and (f) more than 700 pupils. [56739]

The latest available information is shown in the table.

Numbers of maintained middle schools by size1 in England in January 1998
Size of school (number of pupils)	Number of schools
less than 300	177
300 to 399	157
400 to 499	126
500 to 599	69
600 to 699	32
700 and over	11
Total	572
1 Number of full-time pupils

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he has made to ensure that travellers' children receive education. [56708]

Schools receive funding for the education of Traveller children in the same way as for other pupils on the school roll. In addition, and in recognition of the particular educational needs of Traveller children, schools and LEAs can benefit from additional support through a specific grant payable under Section 488 of the Education Act 1996. In the current financial year this grant is supporting expenditure of some £10.7 million across 3,400 English schools, mainly providing additional specialist teacher support. The grant aims to improve levels of school attendance and achievement amongst Traveller children, including their full integration alongside other children in mainstream education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what studies his Department has (a) conducted and (b) evaluated into the effects on children of special educational units being taught in (i) main-stream schools and (ii) special schools. [56722]

The 1997 Green Paper "Excellence for all children: meeting special educational needs" set out our view that there are strong educational, moral and social grounds for educating children with special educational needs with their peers. The great majority of consultation responses to the Green Paper supported the principle of inclusion for such children wherever possible. We have commissioned a small-scale research project to assess the relative costs, benefits and practical implications of educating children with moderate learning difficulties in mainstream and special schools, and expect to publish the project's findings later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which Minister in his Department has responsibility for music therapy. [56192]

I have responsibility for special educational needs, including provision of therapy services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to ensure that students in rural areas are not excluded from further education or training because of transport costs; [56205](2) what plans he has to ensure that students in rural areas are not excluded from further education or training because of child care costs. [56204]

We plan to introduce for September 1999 a new system of student support to replace discretionary awards which will be fairer and better targeted. Such a system will be responsive to individual needs such as transport and childcare and will take account of local circumstances. We expect to make an announcement on new arrangements before Christmas.Help with the cost of childcare and transport is already available to young people in further education as part of the New Deal initiatives and through the National Childcare Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of national TEC expenditure in 1997–98 was allocated to (a) salaries and administration and (b) other activities. [56050]

Based on the 1997–98 consolidated annual statutory audited accounts of 71 English TECs (out of a total of 73), the percentage of national expenditure allocated to (a) salaries and administration was 12 per cent. and (b) other activities was 88 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the relative percentages of national TEC expenditure during the first five years after establishment in relation to (a) training, (b) business support and (c) salaries and administration. [56057]

The figures in the following table show the relative percentages of national TEC expenditure for the financial years ending 1995, 1996 and 1997 in relation to the headings requested as stated in the Department's appropriation accounts. Expenditure under these headings for previous years is not readily available.

Percentage of national TEC expenditure
Percentage
	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97
Training	62	64	65
Business support	4	7	9
Administration	9	11	10

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the cost to the Exchequer of students who dropped out of UK universities in each of the years 1992 to 1997. [56200]

The cost to the Exchequer of students who drop out from UK universities depends on factors such as the timing of drop outs within academic years, the level of public funding associated with individual courses, whether or not students transfer to other HE institutions and whether or not students return to HE at a later date. Figures for the cost are not compiled centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will publish the drop-out rates for undergraduates in their first year of study at each UK university in the six most recent years for which figures are available; [56201](2) if he will publish the undergraduate drop-out rates for individual courses in each state-funded university in the six most recent years for which figures are available. [56202]

Information on drop-out rates by year of study and individual course at each UK university is not compiled centrally. Measuring drop-out rates is complicated by the non-traditional routes that some students follow and which may include changing courses or institutions, repeating years or leaving HE for a year or more before continuing their studies. But work is currently being undertaken by the funding bodies in the UK to produce progression statistics for each institution. After a period of consultation with individual institutions, this is intended to lead to the publication next year of progression rates which will reflect drop-out and other causes of non-completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress his Department has made in ensuring that children in the care of local authorities receive the same standard of education as other children. [56068]

The Department is working closely with the Department of Health and statutory and voluntary agencies on a range of measures to improve the education of looked after children and raise the level of their attainments. The Government have announced in the National Priorities Guidance for Health and Social Care targets for the educational attainment of looked after children: that by 2001 at least 50%of children leaving public care should have achieved a GCSE or GNVQ qualification, and by 2003 at least 75% should have done so. The Department is requiring local education authorities to set their own targets in their Education Development Plans, and will expect individual authorities wherever possible to set themselves more challenging targets. In 1999–2000 the Department will be supporting LEA initiatives to improve the education of looked after children through the Standards Fund, and issuing guidance for schools and local authorities on how to increase their educational opportunities and attainments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will make an announcement on the make-up of the Skills Development Fund. [55697]

The Secretary of State announced at the TUC Conference on 15 September 1998 a £38 million Regional Development Agency (RDA) Skills Development Fund including the new £5 million Rapid Response Fund to re-train those involved in large scale redundancies. Final guidance on the operation of the full RDA skills package will be issued to RDAs in February 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to encourage the (a) World Bank, (b) International Monetary Fund, (c) World Trade Organisation and (d) OECD to require environmental assessments before new funding or policy proposals are approved. [56771]

In our work with the multilateral agencies we advocate the support of national strategies for sustainable development and, as appropriate, promote and monitor the use of rigorous environmental appraisal in their projects and programmes.The World Bank has long-standing Operational Policies covering environmental assessment of projects to help ensure they are environmentally sound and sustainable. One of the key policy recommendations agreed by donors at the replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) involves further progress by the World Bank—and other GEF implementing agencies—to integrate global environmental concerns in their country strategies, project design and policy advice. To take this forward the Bank is developing a Corporate Environment Strategy and related sector strategies for Energy, Forest Policy and Transport.We support the International Monetary Fund aim of promoting high quality growth that is sustainable, results in a permanent reduction in poverty and greater equality of economic opportunity, and that is respectful of the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum cases were awaiting an appeal hearing (a) on 1 May 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [56170]

I have been asked to reply.On 1 May 1997 there were a total of 23,863 asylum appeals awaiting to be heard of which 23,556 appeals were at the adjudicator tier and 307 appeals at the tribunal tier. On 1 October 1998 there were a total of 19,195 asylum appeals awaiting to be heard of which 17,802 appeals were at the adjudicator tier and 1,393 appeals at tribunal tier.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage remand and convicted (a) young offenders and (b) juveniles in Feltham Young Offenders Unit were from ethnic minorities in the last quarter for which figures are available and each of the previous five years; [56726](2) what percentage of remand and convicted

The available information is given in the tables.

Receptions1 of persons from ethnic minority groupsas a percentage of all receptions, into remand centres and Young Offender Institutions in England, 1993–98
	Percentage from ethnic minority groups
Year/custody type	Juveniles2	Young offenders3
1998 July to September
Untried	16	16
Convicted Unsentenced	15	15
Sentenced	17	15
1997
Untried	19	18
Convicted Unsentenced	18	15
Sentenced	17	16
1996
Untried	19	18
Convicted Unsentenced	18	17
Sentenced	17	16
1995
Untried	19	17
Convicted Unsentenced	17	15
Sentenced	14	13
1994
Untried	16	15
Convicted Unsentenced	13	12
Sentenced	12	12
1993
Untried	14	14
Convicted Unsentenced	12	12
Sentenced	12	10
1 The table covers young offenders received at remand centres and young offender institutions. Some young prisoners are initially received at other establishments. In the period July-September 1998, 7 per cent. of receptions were at local prisons.
2 Persons aged 15–17 years.
3 Persons aged 15–20 years.

Receptions of persons from ethnic minority groups as a percentage of all receptions, into HMP Feltham, 1993–98
	Percentage from ethnic minority groups
Year/custody type	Juveniles1	Young offenders2
1998 July to September
Untried	47	49
Convicted Unsentenced	47	40
Sentenced	39	41
1997
Untried	47	50
Convicted Unsentenced	46	46
Sentenced	39	42
1996
Untried	50	49
Convicted Unsentenced	48	46
Sentenced	38	40
1995
Untried	44	45
Convicted Unsentenced	42	41
Sentenced	30	36
1994
Untried	45	43
Convicted Unsentenced	43	39
Sentenced	28	34

Receptions of persons from ethnic minority groups as a percentage of all receptions, into HMP Feltham, 1993–98
	Percentage from ethnic minority groups
Year/custody type	Juveniles1	Young offenders2
1993
Untried	36	37
Convicted Unsentenced	31	33
Sentenced	28	29
1 Persons aged 15–17 years.			2 Persons aged 15–20 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the incidence of assaults and other offences motivated by hostility based on the victim's membership of a religious group. [56837]

No research of this type has been commissioned or evaluated.We will, however, shortly be commissioning research into the nature and extent of religious discrimination in England and Wales. This may reveal information about religious hostility and the forms which it takes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Deputy Chief Constable of Hampshire regarding affidavits signed by Mr. Trutch. [56697]

I have not had any discussions with the Deputy Chief Constable about this case. The Hampshire Constabulary has been given advice by the Home Office on how to register its interest with the Royal Court of Dubai in the outcome of the George Atkinson case, to which Mr. Trutch's affidavits are related.In cases such as this, it would be usual for the police to register their interest with the Dubai Public Prosecutor, initially through Interpol. If the Hampshire Police were to investigate an allegation of perjury, the Crown Prosecution Service might prepare a formal request to the authorities in Dubai for assistance in gathering evidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take measures to increase public confidence in community service orders; and if he will make a statement. [56500]

Community service is a very useful sentence. Offenders have to undertake demanding unpaid work for the benefit of the community; and each year about 6 million hours are worked in this way. As well as requiring offenders to make reparation to the community, community service also provides good opportunities for preventing repeat offending and increasing offenders' employability. We therefore want to see greater public awareness and appreciation of the contribution which community service can make to the criminal justice process. Among the measures we have in mind to bring about this aim are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow of a policeman who married after retirement from the Police Force but before 6 April 1978 as if the requirement of the Social Security Act 1975 applied prior to that date. [56721]

We have no plans to do so. To extend retrospective changes to pensioners in the way suggested would be contrary to the principles of a contributory public service pension scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Green Goddess fire appliances there are; what is the age of the (a) oldest and (b) newest; and what plans he has to replace them with modern appliances. [57173]

There are 1,039 appliances. Their age ranges from 42 years to 45 years. There are no plans to replace them with modern appliances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the administration, operation and running of coroners courts; and if he will make a statement. [56565]

[holding answer 28 October 1998]: The coroner service is a locally provided service. We have no plans to alter local authority responsibilities, although the efficiency and effectiveness of current arrangements are kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of additional refugees resident and seeking assistance from local authorities in each London borough in (a) 1997 and (b) 1998 to date, divided into (i) single adults, (ii) families and (iii) unaccompanied adults. [56245]

I have been asked to reply.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that all future legislation is written in gender-neutral language. [57193]

The most important objectives in the language used in legislation are clarity and legal certainty. In general, the use of gender-specific language is not necessary in order to meet these objectives. But there are occasions when, for example, the use of gender-specific pronouns makes it possible for legislation to be expressed more simply, and so more clearly, than it otherwise could be. In these cases, section 6 of the Interpretation Act 1978 applies. It provides that, unless the contrary intention applies, words importing the masculine gender include the feminine, and vice versa.

To ask the Prime Minister when he will respond to the Intelligence and Security Committee's annual report for 1997–98. [57852]

Yesterday I laid the Government response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's report before Parliament. of asylum seekers supported by London boroughs in the last week of 1997,and for the latest week in 1998 for which figures were provided are:

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make it his policy to veto any EU proposals regarding the harmonisation of income tax rates; [57124](2) if he will make it his policy to veto any EU proposals regarding the introduction of a European income tax. [57125]

The Government's firm view is that decisions on the rates and structure of income tax should remain a matter for national Governments. Decisions on European tax issues are subject to unanimity.

To ask the Prime Minister what proposals for an EU-wide direct tax were discussed at the EU Council meeting in Portschach; and what his response was. [57199]

This was an informal meeting of the Heads at Portschach, in preparation for the full European Council in Vienna, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken.The Government's firm view is that decisions on the rates and structure of income tax should remain a matter for national Governments. Decisions on European tax issues are subject to unanimity.

To ask the Prime Minister what proposals for additional EU expenditure were discussed at the EU Council meeting in Portschach; and what his response was. [57198]

This was an informal meeting of Heads, in preparation for the Full European Council in Vienna, at which no decisions were taken and a broad range of issues were discussed.

To ask the Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of the compliance of (a) Ministers and (b) Parliamentary Private Secretaries with paragraph 46 of the Ministerial Code. [57113]

With regard to Ministers I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 27 January 1998, Official Report, column 130.As paragraphs 44 and 46 of the Ministerial Code make clear, Parliamentary Private Secretaries are not members of the Government, and it is for Ministers to ensure that their Parliamentary Private Secretaries are aware of certain principles which should govern their behaviour in the House of Commons or in any speeches made outside the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the person photographed on camera entering and leaving the field at Drumcree and shooting at Police lines has been (a) identified, and (b) charged. [55533]

The RUC has not, to date, been able to identify the individual concerned but an investigation into the matter is continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the enrolment (a) is this year and (b) was five years ago in each primary, secondary and grammar school in the constituency of Strangford. [56705]

1998–99 enrolment figures are not yet available.The information for 1997–98 and 1992–93 is as follows:

Strangford	1992–93	1997–98
(a) Primary schools1
Abbey PS	485	598
Alexander Dickson PS	202	217
Andrew Memorial PS	496	519
Ballykeigle PS	56	57
Ballyvester PS	87	91
Ballywalter PS	135	165
Belvoir Park PS	259	304
Braniel PS	267	432
Cairnshill PS	414	527

Strangford	1992–93	1997–98
Carrickmannon PS	78	80
Carrowdore PS	135	130
Castle Gardens PS	454	416
Comber PS	404	375
Donaghadee PS	393	486
Greyabbey PS	65	73
Killinchy PS	230	217
Kircubbin PS	59	79
Kirkistown PS	46	59
Leadhill PS	179	205
Londonderry PS	270	317
Lough View Integrated PS	—	169
Loughries PS	85	83
Maze PS	72	89
Millislie PS	168	150
Moneyrea PS	134	141
Newtownards Model PS	362	404
Newtownbreda PS	207	220
O'Neill Memorial PS	39	36
Portaferry Integrated PS	42	60
Portavogie PS	150	136
Regent House Preparatory Department	177	159
St. Anne's Primary	45	51
St. Finian's Primary	208	144
St. Mary's PS (Portaferry)	325	270
St. Mary's PS (Comber)	35	27
St. Mary's PS (Ballygowan)	64	45
St. Mary's PS (Kircubbin)	224	222
St. Patrick's PS	80	110
Victoria PS (Newtownards)	567	568
Victoria PS (Ballyhalbert)	105	101
West Winds Primary	208	196
(b) Secondary Schools
Comber High School	487	452
Donaghadee High School	306	327
Glastry High School	528	582
Lagan College	811	964
Movilla High School	688	888
St. Columba's High	373	324
(c) Grammar Schools2
Regent House School	1,413	1,422
1 Includes pupils in reception and nursery classes at primary schools. Also includes pupils in preparatory departments of grammar schools
2 Figures exclude preparatory department pupils

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the (a) states and (b) cities of the United States which introduced legislation seeking to implement the MacBride Principles following representations from Her Majesty's Government not to do so, indicating (i) whether the representations were made (a) in writing and (b) verbally and (ii) whether there was an inquiry where witnesses were subject to cross-examination and in which years; and which states and cities decided not to implement such legislation following representations from Her Majesty's Government. [55632]

Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if it is currently the policy of Her Majesty's Government to advise states and cities in the United States against legislating to implement the MacBride Principles. [55631]

Yes, where possible and appropriate. The Government's view is that Fair Employment legislation in Northern Ireland renders unnecessary any reference to the MacBride Principles in legislation in the USA. Furthermore, the way in which the campaign in support of MacBride Principles is conducted could be a disincentive to the investment from the United States needed to reduce unemployment in both communities in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost incurred for Northern Ireland Office staff associated with the recent visit of President Clinton and his wife to Northern Ireland in September 1998. [57127]

The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he intends to publish results from the People's Panel. [57673]

I am pleased to announce that the People's Panel, made up of 5,000 people from across the UK, has now been set up. The Panel will be used to find out what members of the public think about the services for which they pay. It is further evidence of this Government's commitment to listen to people in framing its policy for improving public services.

	Senior civil service		Band D		Band B		Band A		Total
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Total	1	—	—	1	1	1	2	5	4	7
White	1	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	3	—
Non-white	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	2
Disabled	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
No form returned	—	—	—	1	1	1	—	3	1	5

The Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration is covered by the Civil Service Order in Council 1995 which requires that all departments and agencies should recruit on the principles of fair and open competition and selection on merit in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code. The office ensures that all recruitment is conducted on this basis and that all recruitment is subject to internal audit and review by the Civil Service Commissioners.The Office is required to report the number of occasions on which the permitted exceptions to fair and open competition and selection on merit were used at each level (except for appointments up to 12 months). The only exception the Office has made is to convert a number of short-term appointments to permanent posts in Bands D and E, where the initial publicity did not state that such appointments could be so converted. This was done as a result of an increase in workloads and organisational changes.