To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of films made in (a) the United Kingdom by United Kingdom-owned and managed film production companies and (b) in Europe by European-owned and managed film production companies were shown in commercial cinema complexes in England other than London in 1997. [57290]

My Department does not compile information of this type. However, the Government published a review of film policy "A Bigger Picture" in March this year. The report recommended a number of measures to improve the performance of British films in all parts of the UK and is currently being implemented.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that sprinklers are fitted as a fire precaution in historic buildings of national importance. [57185]

In line with the recommendations of Sir Alan Bailey's report "Fire Protection Measures for the Royal Palaces", an Historic Buildings Fire Research Co-ordinating Committee has been established, with a membership including my Department and major owners of historic properties, in order to gather and disseminate information on the full range of fire protection measures for historic buildings, including sprinklers. Decisions on whether or not they should be installed in any specific case need to be made as a part of each building's risk assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had this year with (a) Railtrack plc, (b) the train operating companies and (c) other interested parties concerning the delays in establishing services between the West Coast Main Line Railway and mainland Europe for (i) Eurostar passengers and (ii) piggy-back freight journeys. [57287]

The Department has continuing discussions with London and Continental Railways (LCR) and the Consortium which is responsible for regional Eurostar services. The Government and LCR have also received proposals from the Virgin Group. The consortium selected to operate Eurostar have been asked to review urgently the feasibility of regional services and report by the end of this year.Railtrack has for some time been considering an upgrade of the West Coast Main Line to accommodate "piggy-back" rail freight. Ministers meet regularly with representatives of Railtrack to discuss various issues connected with the rail network. The proposed piggy-back project would be likely to require substantial Government grant and Railtrack has had lengthy discussions with Departmental officials about the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which bodies in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) abroad, have been consulted as part of the departmental project on high level nuclear waste and spent fuel disposal strategy; and what is the total expected cost of the project. [57101]

The High Level Waste and Spent Fuel Disposal Research Project is due to end in Spring 1999. The aim of this two year study is to identify the research strategy that would be required in order to pursue disposal of high level waste and spent fuel. Its results will be used to inform the development of policy on radioactive waste management and will be subject to full public consultation. An interim report has been reviewed by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee.The Department is assisted in its management of the project by a Management Board where the following bodies are represented:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what involvement the United Kingdom has in the EC programme on concerted action on retrievability of deposited radioactive waste. [57183]

United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. (Nirex) is participating, along with its counterparts from seven other EU countries, in the European Commission Concerted Action on the Retrievability of Long Lived Radioactive Waste Disposed in Deep Underground Repositories. Nirex is providing technical expertise to support the objective of the project

"to establish a clear interpretation and working definition of the concept of retrievability".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans exist to review the passenger capacities of Stansted and Gatwick Airports. [57421]

In the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone", the Government undertook to develop a new national airports policy. Reviewing airport capacity in the south east will be a key part of that.An order under section 32 of the Airports Act 1986 currently limits the annual number of passenger air transport movements at Stansted to 120,000. An application was made by BAA plc to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 8 October for the limit to be increased to 185,000. I understand that BAA plc has also applied to Uttlesford District Council for detailed planning permission for capacity expansion. If both applications were successful, BAA plc estimate that this would enable them to increase passenger throughput from the current 5.47 million a year to 15 million.Passenger air transport movements are not limited by order at Gatwick, although the Government do impose restrictions on night time movements. In the short term, while the new national airports policy is developed, any expansion of capacity at Gatwick would be something for BAA plc to propose.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the actual level of passenger movement at (a) Stansted and (b) Gatwick Airports in 1997. [57420]

According to figures collected by the Civil Aviation Authority, Stansted handled 5,426,859 terminal and transit passengers in 1997 (being an 11.6 per cent. growth over 1996 levels), and Gatwick handled 26,959,015 (being a 10.8 per cent. growth).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the passenger capacity at (a) Stansted and (b) Gatwick Airports in (i) 1997 and (ii) 1998. [57419]

Passenger air transport movements at Stansted are capped by an order under section 32 of the Airports Act 1986. Since 1996, the ceiling has been 120,000 movements a year. On present assumptions about aircraft size and occupancy levels at Stansted, that equates to something in the vicinity of 8 million passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 1997, Official Report, column 256, on aircraft noise, what steps have been taken to monitor aircraft noise levels on incoming flights to Heathrow Airport; and what progress has been made in reviewing noise limits on those flights. [57422]

The Aircraft Noise Monitoring Advisory Committee (ANMAC), which advises the DETR on aircraft noise and monitoring at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, is investigating the feasibility of setting noise limits for arriving aircraft; and of other possible means of ameliorating arrivals noise. ANMAC has established a working group, which is presently conducting a study of the causes of variability of noise levels.A study of the effect of changed air traffic control procedures for Heathrow arrivals from the east in the early morning is in its final stages.Daytime noise contours for summer 1996 at Heathrow have recently been published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to equalise travel concessions for male and female pensioners. [57467]

The Pensions Action 1995 already provides for women's eligibility for state pensions and concessionary fares to be raised from 60 to 65 over a transitional period from 2010 to 2020, thus equalising the qualifying age for men and women. There are no plans to change these dates. The link between pensionable age and eligibility for concessionary travel will be maintained throughout.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if an application is pending before the European Court of Justice on equalising the age at which pensioners may be entitled to travel concessions. [57693]

I know of none. The matter has already been tested in the European Court of Justice, which ruled that the present concessionary fares arrangements were outside the scope of Directive 79/7/EEC, which provides for the progressive implementation of equal treatment of men and women in matters of social security.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those housing associations which have exceeded the Housing Corporation's rent target in 1997–98, showing in each case the (a) average rent levels, (b) percentage above target, (c) overhead costs as a percentage of total costs and (d) chief executive's emoluments. [57463]

The Housing Corporation's requirement that year-on-year rent increases by registered social landlords (RSLs) should not exceed RPI+1% only came into effect from 1 April 1998.The Corporation has recently published an initial analysis of data on rent increases during 1997–98, before the requirement became effective. This showed that overall RSL rent increases in 1997–98 were within the new RPI+1% limit. However, data from a total of 138 RSLs showed increases above this level which are now being investigated by the Housing Corporation.The Corporation will be publishing final results from its analysis of 1997–98 rent data by the end of December. The tables to be published will show both rent increases and rent levels in 1997–98 by named RSLs with over 250 homes. Copies will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the evidence referred to in paragraph 3.5 of the White Paper, Modern Local Government, that councillors wish to spend more time in direct contact with those they represent. [57465]

The study by Ken Young and Nirmala Rao—"Coming to Terms with Change?—The Local Government Councillor in 1993" (published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and LGC Communications in 1994), which was followed up by Audit Commission work—"Representing the People—The Role of Councillors" (Audit Commission Publications 1997)—provide the evidence referred to in paragraph 3.5.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the Jubilee Line extension to be operational. [57606]

London Transport, following advice from Bechtel (the international company appointed to oversee the run up to line opening) now plan to open the Jubilee Line Extension in three phases, beginning at the eastern end of the line. The first stage will be Stratford to North Greenwich, in late spring 1999. The second stage (late summer 1999) will see opening through to Waterloo. The final stage (late autumn 1999) will be total line opening, including linking with the existing Jubilee Line.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give the current construction cost estimate for the Jubilee Line extension; and what was the estimate a year ago. [57466]

London Transport review Jubilee Line Extension cost estimates regularly. The latest estimate of final cost is £2.85 billion. At this time last year it was £2.76 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what scientific evidence he took into account in agreeing with the industry to permit farm-scale planting of herbicide-tolerant genetically modified seeds. [57424]

All the Herbicide Tolerant Genetically Modified crops to be included in the farm-scale plantings will be covered by a consent issued under Directive 90/220. Such Consents are granted only after consideration of an assessment of the risks to human health and the environment based on best current scientific evidence and the advice of ACRE and the statutory conservation agencies, including English Nature. The advice from ACRE and the evidence on which that advice is based are held on DETR's public register.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the applications for the marketing of genetically modified oilseed rape which are currently being reviewed at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology; what is the scope and purpose of the review; if he will publish the result of the review at the same time as it is made available to the Advisory Committee on Releases into the Environment; and what consultation will be undertaken before the Committee makes its recommendations. [57423]

The Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE) have been commissioned by the Department to review the applications by Plant Genetic Systems for consent to market their hybrid system oilseed rape in the European Community ref. C/GB/94/M1/1 and C/F/95/05–01 A and B. The scope and purpose is to review the information provided by Plant Genetic Systems when the dossiers were considered by member states in 1994–96 and any relevant new information available since then, which may affect the assessment of the risk to human health and the environment, and then present the review to ACRE. ACRE will then give further advice to the Secretary of State undertaking consultation as they think fit before making their recommendation. The review will be published as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what seeds will be permitted to be planted under the recent agreement between industry and the Government concerning the planting of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant seeds; what regulatory consents currently apply to such seeds; if the seeds which will be planted thereunder, or the seeds derived from such planting, will be sold or otherwise marketed; if the seeds which will be planted thereunder will be authorised for such planting under Part II or Part III of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 or otherwise; what companies will be authorised to plant the seeds and over what period of time; where the seeds will be planted; if public participation will be allowed in the monitoring; and who will carry out that monitoring. [57452]

We have reached agreement in principle with the plant breeding industry for a programme of managed development of herbicide tolerant crops whereby the first farm-scale plantings are strictly limited and monitored for ecological effects alongside comparable plantings of conventional crops. We have yet to reach final agreement on the seeds that will be planted, but in the first instance, we expect to include Plant Genetic Systems genetically modified hybrid system oilseed rape which has approval for seed production under a consent issued by the UK in 1996, and is currently awaiting a consent to be issued by the French Government (Member States voted in favour of the product in December 1996) to extend its use to food and animal feed.Any sowings in the programme of managed development will be carried out either

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Government's decision to permit the farm-scale planting of herbicide tolerant crops will be affected by the results of the review of applications for the marketing of genetically modified oilseed rape. [57749]

The review relates to the application by Plant Genetic Systems for consent to market their hybrid system oilseed rape which is also herbicide tolerant. We will have to await the findings of the review to determine whether it will affect the farm-scale planting programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provisions he has sought to have included in the SCIMAC code of practice to give the public the opportunity to assess compliance with the code's provisions. [57750]

The draft SCIMAC code of practice and guidelines for growing herbicide tolerant genetically modified crops has provisions for ensuring compliance through a formalised programme of crop inspection. This process will be subject to random independent audit and review. I shall be encouraging SCIMAC to publish the results of these audits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the applications for licences for genetically modified insect-resistant crops which were pending at the time of his recent announcement of a moratorium, indicating in each case the proposed terms relating to the date of marketing. [57910]

The plant breeding industry has made a commitment that no insect resistant GM crops will be introduced into the UK for the next three years.Applications to market crops genetically modified for insect resistance are described in the table. In all cases insect resistance has been conferred by the introduction of a Bt gene. The current position of each application in the regulatory process is given in the 'date of consent' column.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the regulations requiring local authorities to ensure that vehicles licensed for private hire are distinguished in their markings from those licensed as Hackney carriages. [57603]

The Government have no plans to carry out such a review. The legislation already prohibits the use of signs on private hire vehicles which might suggest that they are hackney carriages. Otherwise, it allows local licensing authorities discretion in deciding which marking to permit, or require, on private hire vehicles and hackney carriages.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to enable United Kingdom-licensed professional pilots to overfly France after the age of 60 years. [58107]

It is the responsibility of individual States to set the age limits of commercial pilots operating in their airspace, subject to relevant international standards.The current standard set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation is that contracting States should not permit pilots aged 60 or over to act as pilots in charge of international commercial flights and recommends that they should not be permitted to act as co-pilots. However, States may vary this standard so long as they formally notify the difference to ICAO; other States may then decide whether or not to allow operators operating to the different standard to overfly their airspace.Member States of the Joint Aviation Authorities, including France and the UK, have agreed common standards, which differ from the ICAO provisions, in a Joint Aviation Requirement on Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL), which is due to be implemented on 1 July 1999. This will enable pilots to operate aircraft up to the age of 65 years either as Pilot-in-Command or Co-Pilot, provided that only one pilot in the crew is 60 or over. It will be for France to decide how to implement JAR-FCL with respect to their airspace.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require privatised railway companies to improve their standard of punctuality. [57905]

The Franchising Director is responsible for overseeing train operators, performance levels. Operators of rural and commuter services pay financial penalties for poor performance under their franchise agreements, and a special incentive regime now applies to Great Western Trains. Following unacceptable performance level, the Franchising Director has required all train operators to produce action plans setting out how they will deliver improved performance. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has said that he is prepared to renegotiate franchises in order to secure more rigorous performance standards from train operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account the Government take of the level of individual local authority balances when setting (i) expenditure control totals, (ii) standard spending assessments and (iii) revenue support grants; if such balances are correlated to specific purposes; and what plans he has to change the treatment of local authority balances. [57771]

The Government take no account of the level of reserves held by individual local authorities when deciding on overall spending plans or grant distribution. However, in assessing overall spending pressures on local government, we do make a broad assumption about the extent to which local authorities will budget to draw down from reserves. We have no plans to change this treatment. According to information received from local authorities, at 1 April 1998 they held £467.3 million in Local Management of Schools reserves, £2,705.6 million in other earmarked reserves, and £1,845.6 million in unallocated reserves.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the limits for speed limiters fitted to heavy goods vehicles in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) under EU legislation; and if he will make a statement. [58003]

Speed limiters on heavy goods vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1992 and with a maximum gross weight exceeding 7,500 kg but not exceeding 12,000 kg must be calibrated to a set speed not exceeding 60 mph. Speed limiters on heavy goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 12,000 kg first used on or after 1 January 1988 must be set so that the stabilised speed of the vehicle does not exceed 90 km/h (55.9 mph). The former class of vehicle is the subject of national legislation but not EC legislation; the latter class is the subject of both.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what Government funding is available for the introduction of new rail services on the Midland main line. [58081]

Midland Main Line Ltd. is already committed under its franchise agreement to introducing a significantly increased service frequency in 1999 and procuring 12 new air conditioned two-car diesel multiple units to operate additional stopping services. Promoters of new services can seek Government support for them under the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme, announced in the Transport White Paper. Over £100 million of funding over 3 years, from April 1999, will be made available under the new Rail Passenger Partnership scheme, the Infrastructure Investment Fund and an increase in funding for the Freight Grant scheme. OPRAF will publish guidance on the operation of the Rail Passenger Partnership Scheme shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the introduction of 20mph speed restrictions. [58088]

The responses to the consultation on the proposal to remove the consent requirement for making 20 mph speed limits is complete and final decisions on how to bring the new system into operation will be made shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the European Commission proposal for a new regulation (EC Draft 10902/98) on ozone-depleting substances. [57956]

The European Commission adopted a proposal on 1 July 1998 for a new Regulation on ozone-depleting substances to replace the existing Council Regulation (3093/94). The new Regulation is needed to implement recent revisions to the Montreal Protocol, and is therefore broadly welcome. However, the Commission's proposal goes beyond the requirements of the Protocol in a number of respects. In particular, there are proposals for an earlier phase out of methyl bromide, to introduce controls on the production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and to ban the sale and use of chlorofluorocarbons. My Department has consulted interested parties on these proposals, and we will take their views into account as we formulate our detailed negotiating position.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide further resources to local authorities seeking to implement local Agenda 21 projects; and if he will make a statement. [58198]

We do not believe that further resources are needed since 86 per cent. of local authorities are already committed to producing a Local Agenda 21 strategy by the year 2000. LA21 should not be seen as a separate project, but rather as a means of integrating sustainable development into all the policies and activities of the council. LA21 should encourage them to take a holistic approach to the identification of community priorities and the effective delivery of services through local partnerships, in line with our proposals for modernising local government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce a likely start date for work on the Polegate Bypass. [57756]

We are currently considering the construction programme for the schemes included in our Targeted Programme of Improvements listed in A New Deal for Trunk Roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investment his Department has made in the South Thames Development route between the M25 and Woolwich in the last 10 years. [57239]

[holding answer 3 November 1998]: During this period, and through the annual system of Transport Policies and Programme allocations, several road building and improvement schemes have been supported along this length of the South Thames Development Route, to the extent of some £48.7m.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the impact of the London Transport fare increases on the number of passengers travelling by public transport. [58214]

[holding answer 3 November 1998]: The table shows combined passenger numbers for London Underground and London Buses from the beginning of the financial year 1995–96 to the present. This indicates that, while there are some variations between comparable periods from one year to the next, there is no evidence that passenger numbers decrease after the fare increases in January of each year. Indeed, in the last three periods of each year (which show the number of passenger journeys after the relevant fares increase came into effect), the number of journeys undertaken actually increased month on month.Figures showing passenger numbers for the rest of this financial year, including the next fares changes, will become available in due course.London Transport periodically carries out longer term research to test and update its assumptions about the sensitivity of its customers to fares charges. This research is drawn on when fare reviews are being considered.

Number of passengers using London Transport (million)
Period1	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
1 (beginning of financial year)	146.7	146.6	152.8	146.5
2	150.1	155.5	159.4	163.8
3	148.9	154.1	157.0	160.6
4	155.3	155.7	166.1	165.9
5	148.9	144.9	156.4	160.5
6	145.1	147.4	157.3	158.3
7	158.2	161.1	169.9	—
8	161.9	167.0	171.4	—
9	160.8	164.1	171.4	—
10	139.9	135.7	142.2	—
11 New fares come into effect at the start of this period	151.9	150.8	159.0	—
12	152.8	157.4	163.0	—
13	160.9	166.2	183.2	—
1Each period is 4 weeks. Period 1 begins on the first week of the financial year

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to intervene to secure investment in replacement rolling stock on the services currently provided by Connex South Central. [57777]

[holding answer 3 November 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no powers to intervene directly, although the Health and Safety Executive has powers to require modifications as to or replacement of rolling stock if it considers that this is necessary for safety reasons. HSE does not consider Connex South Central's slam door stock to be unsafe; but it has proposed that Mark 1 slam door stock such as that operated by Connex South Central must be replaced or modified by 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning demands for payments by freeholders for retrospective consents relating to planning applications; what plans he has to investigate such cases; and if he will make a statement. [57941]

We have received a number of representations from leaseholders regarding unreasonable charges being made for the granting of consent. We have also received similar representations in relation to estate rent charges. These are both issues which we will consider as part of our current review of the leasehold system. We hope to issue a consultation paper on leasehold reform shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letter of 3 March from Councillor Peter Wyatt of Fiddler's Green, St. Peter's Quay, Totnes, concerning the increase of sewage emissions into the River Dart and the deteriorating water quality. [57343]

A reply has been sent to Councillor Wyatt today and I have written to the hon. Member to explain the circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he took to monitor the equipment being exhibited at the Contingency and Operational Equipment Exhibition at Wembley on 22 to 24 September. [57331]

This was a privately organised exhibition and was not monitored by the Home Office. However, members of staff from the Public Scientific Development Branch (part of the Home Office Police Policy Directorate) attended the exhibition in their capacity as advisers to the police service on law enforcement equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what prosecutions are pending as a result of offences committed by companies attempting to trade in torture equipment at the Contingency and Operational Equipment Exhibition at Wembley on 22 to 24 September. [57332]

I am not aware of any prosecutions pending which arise from the Contingency and Operational Equipment Exhibition at Wembley on 22 to 24 September 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what start-up funding is being made available for the Gloucestershire Probation Service pilot for the new drug treatment and testing orders. [57883]

The Government have made available £750,000 from October 1998—March 1999 and are making available a further £1,000,000 in 1999–2000 to cover all costs in relation to the piloting of the drug treatment and testing order. The amount is proportionately larger in the current financial year in order to cover start-up costs. This money, taken as a total over the entire pilot period, is being divided equally between Gloucestershire and the other two pilot areas, Merseyside and south-east London. Gloucestershire Probation Service will therefore receive a total of £559,333 to fund the pilot.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the use of beagles for tests on Viagra conducted in the United Kingdom. [57880]

I have received a number of letters on this subject.I understand that the drug was originally developed and tested some years ago, as part of a research programme into treatments for cardiovascular conditions. During clinical trials on patients, the properties for which Viagra is now known were discovered.Impotence is a serious medical condition, and one which can cause appreciable stress and other forms of suffering. Existing treatments are limited, and not without adverse effects. Further research, involving animals, has taken place to:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives his Department is currently supporting to reduce the level of alcohol consumption by those aged under 16 years. [57885]

The Ministerial Group on Alcopops, which I chair, issued a statement on 17 July 1997, setting out a programme of action to tackle alcohol misuse by those under age. The programme included a strengthened industry code of practice on packaging and promoting alcoholic drinks, an expanded industry proof of age card scheme, action by the courts and police to help prevent under-age sales and legislation to make it harder for children to obtain alcohol. We are currently considering the progress made and expect to announce our conclusions later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the Government's response to the report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons on HM Young Offenders Institute, Aylesbury. [57859]

The report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on Aylesbury Young Offenders Institution was published on 28 October 1998.The report contained no recommendations to the Secretary of State, but 160 to the Director General, the area manager and the governor. Under the protocol for handling reports agreed between the Director General and the Chief Inspector last year, the Prison Services gives consideration to each recommendation and draws up a response and action plan within 30 days of publication.The action plan is kept under close review by senior managers and is available, in an updated form, to the Chief Inspector when he undertakes a follow up inspection.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. [58562]

The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, established under section 41 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, came into operation on 30 September 1998.The members of the Board are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the report of the interim review of the Boundary Commission for England. [58563]

I have today laid before Parliament the report of the interim review of the Boundary Commission for England, together with a draft Order in Council for giving effect, without modification, to the recommendations contained in the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has made for this year's review of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989. [58567]

I am pleased to announce that Mr. John Rowe QC has accepted my invitation to carry out the annual review of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, including those provisions inserted by the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998, for 1998 and the following two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce Protocol Four of the European Convention on Human Rights. [57792]

Ratification of Protocol 4 will be possible only if potential conflicts with our domestic laws can be resolved. There is a particular concern in relation to Article 3(2) of the Protocol which protects the right of nationals not to be excluded from their home state. This could be taken as conferring the right of abode in the United Kingdom on various categories of British nationals who do not have it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of Special Branch in respect of the retention of files on individuals where those files were created because the individuals concerned were suspected of subversion; what rights are available to the individuals concerned; and if he will make a statement. [57569]

All Special Branches in England, Wales and Scotland operate under the "Guidelines on Special Branch Work in Great Britain", published in July 1994. In addition to subversion, the Guidelines also cover terrorism, espionage, sabotage and counter-proliferation. Paragraph 20 of the Guidelines provides that:

Each Special Branch should ߪ maintain an effective system both for updating information where necessary and for the identification and destruction of information which can no longer be clearly related to the discharge of its functions.

If an individual has reason to believe that a particular Special Branch is failing to comply with the Guidelines, he may address a complaint either to the Chief Constable of the force concerned, or he can approach the Police Complaints Authority. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary undertakes a regular programme of inspections of Special Branches.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests for the extradition of General Pinochet he has received from (a) the Spanish Government, (b) a competent authority in Spain specifying that authority and (c) any other Government or competent authority specifying the same; when each such request was received; and if he will place copies of each in the Library. [58191]

I have received no formal request for the extradition of Senator Pinochet from the Spanish Government, or any other government, or from any competent authority in Spain or any other country.The Metropolitan Police received, on Friday 16 October, via Interpol, a request for the provisional arrest of Senator Pinochet issued by the 5th Magistrates' Court in Madrid. Disclosure of that document is a matter for the Metropolitan Police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what notification, pursuant to section 8 of the Extradition Act 1989, he has received from the Bow Street Magistrate of any provisional warrant issued by the Magistrate for the arrest of General Pinochet; and what consideration he has given or proposes to give to the exercise of his powers under section 8(4) of that Act to cancel any such warrant. [58192]

The Extradition Section at the Home Office received notification on 19 October of the first provisional warrant for Senator Pinochet issued on 16 October by the Bow Street Magistrate under section 8(1) (b) of the Extradition Act 1989 and received notification on 23 October of a further provisional warrant issued on 22 October by the Bow Street Magistrate.I was invited, on 21 October, by Senator Pinochet's legal representatives to exercise my discretionary power under section 8(4) and to cancel the first provisional warrant issued on 16 October. I had taken no decision before legal proceedings were launched in the Divisional Court on 22 October. The Divisional Court, in its judgment of 28 October, dismissed application for leave to move for judicial review of my failure to exercise my discretionary powers under section 8(4) of the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to reduce the flow of small arms to developing countries. [58185]

The Department for International Development (DFID), along with the FCO and MOD, is involved in providing advice to the DTI in the export licensing process. Applications are carefully considered against our national criteria and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. These codes require HMG to take into account whether the proposed export would seriously hamper the sustainable development of the recipient country; and to consider the risk that the equipment might be diverted to an undesirable end-user.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her Department's policy on support for security sector reform initiatives in post-conflict countries. [58187]

The Department for International Development (DFID) recognises the special need for security sector reform in post-conflict countries, especially when that sector has been responsible for creating the conflict. Complete restructuring may be needed in some cases. This may include extensive demobilisation of surplus troops which often requires external support, especially in poorer countries. Poor countries need security and stability to be restored promptly if development and progress towards the elimination of poverty are to be resumed. DFID is currently studying its approach to security sector reform in order to strengthen this work.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [58159]

The UK is deeply concerned about the impact of the ongoing conflict upon the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We are pressing all parties to the conflict to agree to a cease-fire and to reach a negotiated settlement. The UK has urged all parties not to escalate the conflict in the east following the fall of Kindu to the rebels. It is clear that a resolution cannot be achieved militarily. A negotiated settlement must address the rights of all sections of Congolese society, as well as the legitimate security concerns of its neighbours, whilst respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC itself.The situation in the west around Kinshasa, stable for several weeks, is now reported to be deteriorating and ethnic tensions, as demonstrated by attacks upon, and detention of, Congolese Tutsi, remain high. Conditions in the east remain poor, with much of the local infrastructure damaged or destroyed. The conflict and movement of refugees are generating a significant requirement for humanitarian aid, but access is a major problem.The UK is ready to respond to appeals from UN agencies and NGOs. We are already supporting a UNICEF project in the western Bas-Congo region to re-stock and rehabilitate health centres damaged in the conflict. Efforts to promote tolerance and respect for human rights are also being supported. Prior to the current conflict, UK humanitarian assistance to DRC during 1998 stood at almost £350,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has held in the last 12 months on the issue of the welfare and protection of children with the Government of Albania. [57764]

My department has been working to improve children's welfare in Albania with Children's Aid Direct and the Albanian Education Authorities.We have provided £209,000 for the integration of disabled children into mainstream primary and kindergarten education.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the report by the European Commission on controls over the budget of the European Community Humanitarian Office and the misuse of funds by aid agencies. [57919]

The Government are very concerned at the recent allegations of fraud within the Commission notably in the EC Humanitarian Office (ECHO). We are strongly committed to fighting fraud inside the Community institutions by the most effective machinery that can be devised.The Commission's anti-fraud unit takes the lead in fraud investigations. We take a close interest in the work of the unit in the fight against fraud and strongly support measures to improve its effectiveness. We will look carefully at the European Parliament's ideas for an independent fraud office and at any proposals brought forward by the Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department has undertaken to encourage British banks' involvement in microcredit schemes. [58157]

We recognise the importance and potential benefits of involving British financial institutions in microfinance. In many developing countries, however, it may be more appropriate and feasible to develop the capacity of local banks.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Sudan. [58158]

The humanitarian situation remains acute. In Bahr el Ghazal mortality rates have fallen but in some parts of the region they remain unacceptably high. The World Food Programme has sufficient resources to meet all food aid needs in Sudan until April 1999. We continue to press for an extension to the cease-fire beyond Bahr el Ghazal because insecurity hampers access in many areas both to assess needs and to deliver supplies.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will discuss with her American counterparts the provision of (a) anti-TB drugs and (b) chloroquinine and other anti-malarial drugs to the Sudan in quantities which would have been produced by the El Shifa factory, prior to its destruction. [57980]

I refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 3 November 1998, Official Report, column 403.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals her Department has for strengthening the linkage between debt relief and poverty reduction. [58162]

In providing bilateral debt relief, my Department examines closely the commitment of recipient governments to the achievement of the international development targets, to transparent government, and to the rooting out of corruption and mismanagement. In this way, we can be confident that those funds that would have been spent on debt service will be redirected towards poverty reducing activities such as healthcare and primary education. We encourage other bilateral donors to apply the same criteria when providing debt relief.We are pressing for the relationship between debt relief and poverty reduction to be examined by the IMF and World Bank as part of the forthcoming fundamental review of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, and for any lessons learned to be applied in implementing the programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps were taken at the recent IMF/World Bank annual meeting to improve the terms and conditions of debt relief initiatives for developing countries. [58184]

Ministers endorsed the extension of the entry deadline for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative from 1998 to the end of 2000, to give more countries a chance to qualify. They also agreed to add a degree of flexibility to the process for countries receiving post-conflict assistance programmes. A decision was taken to carry out a comprehensive review of the Initiative as early as 1999. We shall be pressing for this review to consider carefully whether the current HIPC Initiative delivers adequate debt relief to those countries in need.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what money her Department has given to HIV-AIDS vaccine development initiatives since May 1997. [58188]

The UK is the first government to make a contribution—£200,000—to the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), to assist in the development of a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine to prevent HIV infection. In addition, £300,000 of the Department for International Development's overall grant to the Medical Research Council for 1997–98 went to support research into an HIV vaccine, topical virucides and microbicides. A further £300,000 is committed for 1998–99.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to monitor the impact of the global economic crisis on people living in poverty in developing countries. [58163]

My Department is extremely concerned about the impact of the global economic crisis on poverty which is already severe in many countries, notably Indonesia. Our monitoring of the impact overall relies on work being undertaken by the International Financial Institutions, especially the World Bank, supplemented by work by UK and other academic researchers. Reliable country level data on poverty impact are limited, but the latest forecasts for growth in trade and overall economic growth indicate that the crisis is already having a severe and negative impact overall on global economic performance with adverse implications for poor people in developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are (a) the crude and (b) the temperature-adjusted figures for UK energy consumption in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on progress towards compliance with emission targets. [56769]

[holding answer 27 October 1998]: The latest available figures for unadjusted and temperature corrected energy consumption in the UK are as follows:

UK total inland primary energy consumption1
	Million tonnes of oil equivalent
	1995	1996	1997
(a)Unadjusted	220.8	233.0	226.9
(b)Temperature corrected	226.1	232.1	233.5
1Excludes non-energy use of fuels

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons he plans to terminate the Marine Foresight Panel. [57074]

The next round of Foresight is due to start in April 1999. There has been wide consultation over the format and content during recent months. Final decisions will be taken shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total sum paid out by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in respect of guarantees given to foreign companies or Governments in respect of contracts relating to defence and security equipment in each of the last three financial years. [56835]

ECGD issues guarantees to persons carrying on business in the United Kingdom in respect of the payment risk arising from supplies of goods and services to persons carrying on business outside the United Kingdom.Under such guarantees the total value of claims payments made by ECGD in each of the last three years in respect of defence business was as follows:

£million
Financial year	Value of claims paid
1995–96	107.3
1996–97	49.7
1997–98	38.8

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential threat to satellites of the leonid meteorite shower in November; and if he will make a statement. [56935]

The threat to satellites from the expected peaks in the Leonid meteor shower in November 1998 and in November 1999 has been assessed by the European Space Agency with support from the British National Space Centre. The results of the assessment have been circulated to satellite operators and the United Kingdom space industry. The assessment concludes that the meteor shower poses a particular risk around 17–18 November this year and the next few years and that it could damage satellites through physical impact or by electrostatic interference. A number of measures are recommended to spacecraft operators to minimise the risk. These include minimising the cross sectional area of the spacecraft facing the meteor shower, turning off sensitive equipment and reinforcing the operating team in order to cope with potential anomalies.I will send a copy of the report to the hon. Member and place copies in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what methods of measurements and from what base lines his Department employs in assessing the quality of life implications of policy proposals; and how these were selected. [55768]

[holding answer 2 November 1998]: My Department uses a range of measures to assess policy proposals and departmental programmes consistent with relevant guidance from HM Treasury and other government departments. Risks, costs and benefits to business, the citizen and, where relevant, the environment are assessed for each regulatory proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future European Structural Funds regime for Staffordshire. [57943]

The negotiations with the Commission and other Member States on the reform of the Structural and Cohesion Funds for 2000–06 are continuing. It is too early to predict the outcome for individual regions. Only when negotiations are complete will the future Structural and Cohesion Funds regime be known. In June 1998 the European Council set a deadline for agreement of the end of March 1999.The Government will continue to negotiate vigorously for a fair and affordable deal for the UK and its regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total cost to his Department of his recent visit to Cuba; how many DTI officials accompanied him; and with which members of the Cuban Government and with which senior Cuban civil servants he held discussions. [57025]

I have not visited Cuba.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement in respect of the ICNIRP international guidelines and their relevance in determining safe exposure to the non-thermal effects of electromagnetic fields. [57339]

I have been asked to reply.I am advised that the guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields recently produced by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) were developed after a comprehensive review of published scientific papers. The proposed exposure restrictions are based solely on established effects. ICNIRP concluded that the available data on the non-thermal and potential long term effects of exposure, such as an increase risk of cancer, are insufficient to provide a basis for exposure restrictions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fully trained pilots have requested to leave the RAF in each of the last five years. [55818]

The number of trained RAF pilots who applied for premature voluntary release in each of the last five years was as follows:

Year ending 31 March	Applications
1994	16
1995	38
1996	45
1997	60
1998	76

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department (a) has counted, (b) currently counts and (c) plans to count Rolls-Royce sales of aero-engines to Boeing as a legitimate offset purchase for the purposes of offset agreements between his Department and US weapons manufacturers; and if he will make a statement. [56475]

[holding answer 26 October 1998]: Before adopting a policy of Industrial Participation, IP, for defence procurement in 1990, the MOD counted the sale of aero engines from Rolls-Royce to Boeing as part of our offset agreement with the company. We are currently considering a claim from Boeing for IP credits for aero engine components supplied by Rolls-Royce. This, and any future Rolls-Royce sales of aero engines and components, must conform with the IP agreement existing between the MOD and the offshore company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the decision of the Army Personnel Centre to benchmark performance against only the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Manning Agencies. [57166]

Benchmarking can take many forms and is one of various management tools available to promote efficiency. The obvious place for the Army Personnel Centre to start is with the Manning Agencies for the Navy and Air Force. It has separately undertaken a self-assessment against the European Business Excellence Model, as noted in the Army Personnel Agency's Annual Report, within the Public Sector Benchmarking Project. The scope for benchmarking with other organisations will be kept under regular review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if receipts from the sale of TA drill halls (a) will contribute towards his Department's target of £700 million from sale of property and (b) be required to make up an element of the TA budget for the next financial year. [57586]

Receipts from the sale of any Territorial Army centres will form part of my Department's overall future financial provision. Funding for the TA in the next financial year is not dependent on monies generated as a result of such sales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many unemployed 18 to 24 year olds invited to an initial New Deal interview had failed to respond by 30 September; and what percentage this constitutes of those 18 to 24 year olds invited to an initial interview. [57868]

[holding answer 2 November 1998]: The latest Government Statistical figures (to the end of August 1998) show that almost 6,600 18–24 year olds have left the New Deal and Jobseekers Allowance before attending their initial New Deal interview. This constitutes 4 per cent. of all those who have started on the New Deal.Where a young person fails to attend an interview following 3 invitations, and continues to try and claim JSA, they will be referred to adjudication. Figures to the end of September show that over 600 young people have already had sanctions imposed for failing to attend a New Deal interview.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many 18 to 24 year olds had their benefits cut for refusing to take up a New Deal option by 30 September. [57870]

[holding answer 2 November 1998]: The latest available analysis shows that there were 1,352 New Deal participants aged between 18 and 24 to whom Jobseekers Allowance sanctions were applied during the period 1 January to 30 September 1998, of which 112 were for failing to take up a New Deal Option.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what initiatives his Department is currently supporting to reduce the level of alcohol consumption by those aged under 16 years. [57888]

Education about alcohol is already a statutory requirement of the National Curriculum. The Department for Education and Employment has made increased support of £7 million available to Local Education Authorities this year, through the Standards Fund, to assist schools and the youth service to deliver effective education about drugs, including alcohol. The Department is also working closely with other Government Departments in taking forward the Government's 10 year Anti-Drugs Strategy, published earlier this year. Whilst the focus is on illegal drugs, alcohol is also addressed within the overall Strategy. To support and underpin the Strategy, we will also shortly be issuing targeted guidance to schools and the youth service on the effective delivery of education relating to substance misuse. In addition, the Department is represented on the Ministerial Group on Alcopops, which is taking forward the Government's work to combat underage drinking.In partnership with the Department of Health, the Department launched earlier this year the National Healthy Schools Scheme. This Initiative is part of the wider Healthy Schools Initiative. We are making £2 million of support available this year to fund eight health and education pilot projects, one in each of the NHS regions. Criteria for healthy schools belonging to the scheme will be drawn up and an integral part of this will be for the school to deliver a comprehensive drug education programme. That programme will have to include education about alcohol.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the guidelines covering the responsibilities of local education authorities in catering within schools for the medical needs of children with (a) asthma and (b) allergy-related anaphylaxis. [57914]

In October 1996 the Department published Circular 14/96, "Supporting Pupils With Medical Needs in School", in conjunction with the Department of Health. This summarised the main legal provisions that affect schools' responsibilities for managing pupils' medical needs. At the same time, the Department also published "Supporting Pupils With Medical Needs: A Good Practice Guide", which includes sections dealing specifically with asthma and anaphylaxis. Both publications are available in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the amount of money from delegated budgets underspent by schools in Hereford and Worcester in each year since 1989–90. [57922]

The following table shows the amount held as balances by LEA schools in Hereford and Worcester for each of the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98. Information regarding school balances/deficits prior to 1992–93 is not held centrally.

Balances held by LEA schools in Hereford and Worcester
Financial year	£
1992–93	13,867,000
1993–94	13,855,000
1994–95	12,294,181
1995–96	9,935,332
1996–97	9,940,809
1997–98	10,564,756

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the funding for (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 for the supported employment scheme for disabled people. [57708]

[holding answer 2 November 1998]: Expenditure on the Supported Employment Programme for 1997–98 was £155.6 million. The allocated budget for the Programme for 1998–99 is £155.1 million. However, as announced last week we have made an additional £30 million available to help disabled people get jobs, half of which will be spent on supported employment.People with a disability or long term illness will also be able to benefit from the New Deal for Disabled People for which £195 million has been set aside for the lifetime of this Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the future of section 11 funding. [57927]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment will shortly make an announcement about a new Standards Fund grant to replace the education element of section 11 grant. In the first year of the grant, 1999–2000, allocations will reflect Local Education Authorities' existing allocations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the performance of the Student Loans Company with regard to (a) responses to letters, (b) responses to telephone calls and (c) delays in payment of loans since the start of the academic year. [57864]

As of 30 October, the Student Loans Company had paid out 283,100 loans. 99.7 per cent. were paid within 21 days against a target of 98 per cent. I have received no written representations about the Company's performance in this academic year, but DfEE officials have received 15 telephone calls about borrowers not being able to contact the Company by telephone. I understand that the Company has now updated both its telephone message system and website to handle certain calls. Some correspondence to the Company has been delayed, although most replies have been issued within 14 days. I understand that the Company has resolved the complaints it has received on telephone calls and correspondence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to increase the number of school leavers who attain fluency in a second European modern language. [56857]

[holding answer 3 November 1998]: Under the National Curriculum, all pupils must study English and all secondary school pupils must study a modern foreign language. Secondary schools must offer one of eight working languages of the European Union, and they can also offer other languages. In practice around 97 per cent. of pupils study French, German, Spanish, or a combination of these. The National Curriculum programmes of study give equal weight to four communication skills: listening and responding; speaking; reading and responding; and writing. We also support language learning through sponsorship of the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (CILT), which encourages good practice through a range of information and advice to language teachers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many new infant schools have been (a) started and (b) completed in each of the last five years; and in which council areas the schools are located; [55814](2) how many new primary schools have been

No statutory proposals to establish new infant schools have been approved in the last three years. The table shows the number of proposals approved and implemented in each Local Education Authority to establish new maintained primary schools in each of the last three years. The list includes proposals which have been determined by the Local Education Authority. A number of proposals have been decided but not yet implemented. Accurate information for earlier years is not available.

	Number approved	Number implemented
1998
Barnet	1	1
Barnsley	2	—
Birmingham	1	1
Bromley	—	1
Cornwall	1	—
Derby City	2	—
Essex (pre 1 April 1998)	—	1
Hackney	1	—
Hampshire	1	1
Hertfordshire	1	—
Kent (pre 1 April 1998)	1	—

	Number approved	Number implemented
Lincolnshire	—	1
Newham	1	—
Northamptonshire	1	—
Nottinghamshire	1	—
Redbridge	—	1
Shropshire (pre 1 April 1998)	—	1
South Gloucestershire	1	1
Surrey	1	—
Swindon	2	—
Waltham Forest	—	1
West Sussex	1	1
Wiltshire (pre 1 April 1 April 1997)	—	1
Worcester	—	1
1997
Barnet	1	1
Barnsley	3	3
Bromley	1	—
Buckinghamshire (pre 1 April 1997)	—	1
Cambridgeshire (pre 1 April 1998)	1	1
Cornwall	1	1
Coventry	3	3
Devon	1	—
Essex (pre 1 April 1998)	3	3
Hertfordshire	—	1
Kent (pre 1 April 1998)	2	1
Kingston Upon Hull	2	—
Lincolnshire	1	—
Milton Keynes	2	—
Newham	1	—
Redbridge	1	—
Shropshire (pre 1 April 1998)	1	—
South Gloucestershire	1	—
Stockton on Tees	1	—
Sutton	—	1
Waltham Forest	—	1
West Sussex	1	1
Worcester	1	—
1996
Barnet	—	1
Buckinghamshire (pre 1 April 1997)	1	—
Camden	—	1
Coventry	4	4
East Sussex (pre 1 April 1997)	1	—
Essex (pre 1 April 1998)	1	—
Oldham	—	2
Surrey	1	2
Sutton	1	—
Tower Hamlets	—	1
Waltham Forest	1	2
Warwickshire	2	3
West Sussex	1	—
Wiltshire (pre 1 April 1997)	1	—

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to publish the Government's response to consultation on the Green Paper "Excellence for all Children: Meeting Special Educational Needs". [58535]

Consultation on the Green Paper "Excellence for all Children: Meeting Special Educational Needs" generated many thoughtful ideas and comments. In the light of these, and the advice of the National Advisory Group on Special Educational Needs (SEN), we have today published "Meeting Special Educational Needs: A programme of action". Copies have been placed in the Library. Copies will also be sent to all MPs.The Action Programme sets out the progress we will make in five key areas:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures his Department is taking to increase the supply of science teachers. [57944]

Last week, my hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards announced a package of short-term measures to boost teacher recruitment, intended in particular to tackle problems recruiting secondary teachers in science and maths. Our proposals include:

a £5,000 incentive for all those graduates training in and going on to teach science or maths;

a new scheme to match 600 of the 7,000 people who have already told the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) that they would like to train on the job as teachers, to existing vacancies as science and maths teachers;

the establishment of a new network of advisers at regional level to co-ordinate and energise local recruitment activities in areas of the country where shortages are most acute;

mobilising the Employment Service to encourage unemployed people with the right experience and qualifications to train or re-train as teachers; and

launching a drive to encourage returners to teaching.

The package will give added impetus to the strong programme of action already being taken forward by the TTA to boost teacher recruitment.Looking ahead, our Green Paper on the modernisation of the teaching profession, to be published before the end of the year, will propose a range of fundamental reforms to improve the attractiveness of teaching as a career.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effectiveness of the A-level physics curriculum and exam in preparing students for degree courses in (i) physics and (ii) engineering. [57946]

The Department has not commissioned or evaluated research on this specific issue. However, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has recently completed a consultation on the development of new subject criteria for all A-level syllabuses, including physics, in the light of the Government's decisions on the future of A-levels following the recent Qualifying forSuccess consultation. Both consultations fully involved both higher education institutions and organisations representing the interests of physics and engineering. QCA will be advising Ministers on the outcome of its recent consultation shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total amount of public subsidies and support paid to agriculture in Scotland, the average amount per constituency and the amount paid to support the agriculture industry in Glasgow, Pollok in the last year for which figures are available. [57186]

Direct subsidies paid to farmers in Scotland for the latest year (1997) for which figures. are available totalled £497 million. This information is not collected by Parliamentary Constituency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many students there are in (a) full-time and (b) part-time catering education in Scotland; [57061](2) how many colleges offer catering education; how many graduates of such courses undertook further training in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the level of provision for catering courses in Scotland. [57062]

Thirty-eight further education colleges offered catering courses during academic year 1996–97 (the last year for which full figures are available), which were attended by 2,199 full-time and 8,028 part-time students.Destination data are not collected centrally, except in respect of full-time students on higher education courses studied in further education colleges. In respect of the 179 such students on catering courses in 1995–96 whose destination is known, 57 undertook further full-time study.College boards of management have a statutory duty, under section 12(1) of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 to ensure that their college provides suitable further education, having regard to the likely needs of potential students of the college. The fact that so many of Scotland's colleges offer catering courses suggests that boards of management are responding adequately to local demand for such provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on what action Scottish Enterprise has taken on the development of a national defence diversification strategy for Scotland in the last 18 months; and what plans it has to produce a report on this matter. [56378]

[holding answer 3 November 1998]: In Scotland, defence diversification has been taken forward as a business development activity at local level through Local Enterprise Companies rather than by Scottish Enterprise at a national level. The Local Enterprise Companies that have had most involvement in this activity have been Fife Enterprise, Glasgow Development Agency and Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people with AIDS died in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board region of Scotland in (a) 1988, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998 at the latest available date. [56984]

The information is set out in the following table:

AIDS deaths by health board and year of death as at 30 September 1998
Health board1	1988	1997	19982
Ayrshire and Arran	0	2	0
Fife	0	1	0
Grampian	1	1	1
Greater Glasgow	8	6	5
Lanarkshire	0	1	0
Lothian	8	14	3
Tayside	0	14	2
Scotland	17	39	11
1Health Boards not listed recorded no deaths in any of these years.
21998 data to 30 September

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the cumulative number of people with AIDS who died in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board region of Scotland in (i) 1988, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998 at the latest available date. [56985]

The information is set out in the following table:

AIDS deaths by health board, Scotland Cumulative deaths as at 31 December of specified year as at 30 September 1998
Health board	1988	1997	1998
Argyll and Clyde	0	4	4
Ayrshire and Arran	0	9	9
Borders	0	1	1
Dumfries and Galloway	0	3	3
Fife	1	12	12
Forth Valley	1	4	4
Grampian	3	29	30
Greater Glasgow	19	174	179
Highland	1	4	4
Lanarkshire	1	10	10
Lothian	14	329	332
Tayside	2	119	121
Scotland	42	689	709

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people diagnosed with AIDS and not known to have died there were in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board region of Scotland in (i) 1988, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998 at the latest available date. [56986]

The information requested is set out in the following table.