To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 14 November 1997, Official Report, columns 683-84, concerning the Quinquennial Review of Government Property Lawyers, if he is able to report on the outcome of that review. [59646]

I am able to report that, following an evaluation of Government Property Lawyers and a further Prior Options Study, I have concluded that against the background of a declining work load the business of the GPL Agency has become non-viable and is likely to remain so and there is no longer a requirement to maintain a central conveyancing function in the public sector. Accordingly, the Government Property Lawyers Agency will close by 30 September 1999. 1 recognise that this announcement will come as a disappointment to the staff of the GPL. I should like, however, to pay tribute to their hard work and their commitment to the agency over the years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the steps taken to establish that no conflict of interest arose as a result of the Chairman of the DERA audit of Swanwick being also Chairman of EHI and Megitt. [58220]

[holding answer 3 November 1998]: Before his appointment in June as Chairman of the DERA Audit, Sir Donald Spiers told my Department about those companies with which he was then involved and which had a connection with Lockheed Martin, namely EHI and Meggitt.EHI is a trading company concerned with the provision of the EH101 helicopter. The MOD selected this helicopter for a Royal Navy role, and then separately selected Lockheed Martin to provide systems for it. Meggitt has a contract to supply military aircraft parts to a different part of the Lockheed Martin organisation from that which is working on the Swanwick centre.We have also examined Sir Donald's involvement with Siemens Plessey Electronic Systems (SPES). Sir Donald ceased to be a non-executive director of SPES some two months before undertaking the DERA audit, and was unaware of the links between SPES and Lockheed Martin since he was concerned only with the defence interests of SPES.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of single regeneration budget money was given to schemes in seaside towns in each of the previous four SRB rounds. [58783]

As SRB funding is allocated to comprehensive schemes which may cover whole local authority districts or even counties, rather than specific towns within these areas, precise figures for the funding given to schemes in seaside towns are difficult to produce. However, of the total resources allocated under Rounds 1–3 of the Single Regeneration Budget, 4 per cent. (or £126.5 million) was targeted on schemes in 35 local authority districts classified as 'resort, retirement and port areas' by the 1991 Office for National Statistics (ONS) classification of districts. In SRB Round 4 a further £9.2 million, or 2.9 per cent. of the total, was allocated to schemes in the 'resort, retirement and port' category of the 1991 ONS classification.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. [58789]

Proposals for improving the protection afforded to Sites of Special Interest (SSSI) are currently under consideration. Also, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee is reviewing the rationale behind the listing of threatened species on the Schedules associated with the Act. If appropriate, specific proposals for amending the Act will be put forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many security alerts have occurred at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted airports in each of the last three years. [58740]

The number of security alerts reported to the Department which involved the closure of all or part of the airport or pro-active response by the police, security staff or explosives officers is as follows:

	1996	1997	1998 (to end of October)
Heathrow	21	23	13
Gatwick	13	16	2
Stansted	3	3	2

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department will give Government grant towards the proposed piggyback railfreight project to link the West Coast Main Line with mainland Europe. [58966]

Full grade piggyback would need considerable investment in infrastructure improvements and significant Government grant support. Railtrack has been in discussion with DETR officials for many months about the scheme.Ministers are aware of recent press speculation that Railtrack is minded not to got through with the scheme and instead to propose an alternative freight upgrade to a smaller gauge but over more of the network. We have yet to receive a grant application from Railtrack. Any such application will be treated on its merits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the density of the red fox per square kilometre in each region of Great Britain. [59040]

Information in this form is not available.The latest estimate (1994) for Great Britain of a total pre-breeding population was about 240,000. These comprised 195,000 in England, 23,000 in Scotland and 22,000 in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the recent Environment Agency proposed decision concerning the MOX plant at Sellafield. [58780]

The Agency's draft determination was received in my Department on 2 November. Requests have been made to Ministers to call in the application for their own determination. These requests are being considered carefully and my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will announce their decision as soon as they are able to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the Government have made of the importance of the waters of the Atlantic Frontier as a habitat for whales and dolphins. [59020]

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee has carried out surveys for cetaceans in this area since 1985. The data point to these waters as being important in a UK context for large whales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed Welsh Highland Railway Order. [59307]

The public local inquiry into the application by the Ffestiniog Railway for this Order close on 28 January. The inquiry Inspector's report is being considered by the Secretary of State. A decision will be made as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department has to protect the United Kingdom's water supply from being infected by parasites which are resistant to current water treatment process. [58714]

Water companies in England and Wales are under a duty to supply only drinking water that is wholesome. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland are answerable for similar provisions relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland.My right hon. Friends the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Public Health announced on 3 November 1998 that the Government have accepted in full the recommendations of the Expert Group, chaired by Professor Ian Bouchier, on

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to introduce measures to ensure that the emission levels agreed at the Kyoto summit are achieved. [58717]

On 26 October the UK became one of the first developed countries to launch a consultation paper on policy options for meeting its Kyoto commitment. The paper lists the steps the Government have already taken to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases and sets out in detail further options. It demonstrates that the UK is well placed to meet both its legally binding Kyoto target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008 to 2012 and the domestic goal of a 20 per cent. cut in CO₂ emissions by 2010. Following the consultation exercise, we shall develop a new climate change programme in good time for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the different sources of drinking water used in the United Kingdom; and what proportion each source contributes to the annual water supply. [58841]

In England and Wales about one third of drinking water is taken from groundwater sources; one third from upland surface water sources, such as reservoirs, lakes, impoundments and streams; and one third from lowland river sources, direct, or via short term bankside storage or long term storage reservoirs. There are, however, considerable variations in these proportions across the country. The position in Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Railtrack about its moratorium on spending on its track and signalling renewal programme. [58843]

None. Railtrack has assured the Department that there is no such moratorium. Railtrack's Network Management Statement sets out the company's expenditure forecasts for track and signalling renewal—£340 million and £200 million respectively for 1998–99 (1997–98 prices)—and the Government expect Railtrack to meet these targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses he received to his consultation document, "Economic Instruments for Water Pollution"; if he will list the respondents; and what arrangements exist for the responses to be viewed. [58967]

134 organisations responded to the consultation paper "Economic Instruments for Water Pollution". I have placed a list of these in the Library of the House. Responses were also received from 26 individuals. These responses, except those from organisations or individuals who asked for their comments not to be made public, are available to be viewed through the library of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to issue a consultation paper on a policy for charging for maritime services currently provided free by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [59092]

Within Government, we are currently undertaking a review of policy on charging for maritime services and infrastructure. If we decide to propose new initiatives we shall consult publicly before taking any final decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has any plans to continue the Do-It-Yourself shared ownership scheme. [59553]

I announced plans on 30 July 1998, Official Report, column 417, to replace Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership (DIYSO) and the Tenants Incentive Scheme (TIS) with Homebuy. The Housing Corporation has since been consulting on proposals for the new scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to protect groundwater. [59640]

I have today laid before the House new Regulations (the Groundwater Regulations 1998) which will provide additional protection for groundwater. The Regulations cover England, Wales and Scotland.The Regulations introduce controls over disposals to land which could pollute groundwater, prohibit discharges of List I substances to groundwater, and provide powers for the environment agencies to control activities which may pollute groundwater. Activities already controlled by a waste management licence are excluded from the scope of the Regulations since groundwater protection is, where appropriate, already taken into account in waste management assessments.Groundwater is an increasingly important good quality resource for drinking water as well as a vital element of the aquatic environment. By affording additional protection to groundwater, the Regulations should help to contain water undertakers' costs where it is necessary to clean up aquifers. There should also be longer term environmental gains through enhanced protection of water quality.The Regulations apply to all groundwater and their scope is potentially wide, but the sectors most likely to be affected are those where discharges or disposals to land which could affect groundwater have not been regulated as a matter of course, such as the spreading of used sheep dip.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral Statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence of 2 November 1998, Official Report, column 540, if he will make a further statement on the timetable for the issue of a consultation paper on radioactive waste management. [59641]

The House of Lord Select Committee on Science and Technology's inquiry into "The Management of Nuclear Waste in the UK" is currently taking evidence from interested parties. The inquiry is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The Government will respond to the Committee within two months of its report. The Government aim to issue a consultation paper on radioactive waste management about six months after that.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the work commissioned to follow-up the Policy Appraisal and the Environment initiative. [59642]

DETR commissioned a report, from consultants EFTEC under the leadership of Prof. David Pearce, which is published today under the title "Review of Technical Guidance on Environmental Appraisal". This important report surveys the range of environmental appraisal guidance methodologies available internationally and points the way to the right technique for appraising different types of decisions. The report concludes that considerable guidance is available, but identifies areas where more guidance would be useful to practitioners. DETR is therefore commissioning work in these areas to make good this gap.First, more technical guidance is needed in some areas. The Government will initiate projects with private sector contractors to provide guidance material on Undertaking Multicriteria Analysis and on Undertaking Contingent Valuation, which should be of potential use in both DETR and other Departments.Secondly, most existing guidance relates to projects, and somewhat different techniques are needed to help decision makers screen policies and programmes for potential environmental impacts. The Government agree with this finding, and may develop further the guidance that has already been made available to staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on relations between Government and the voluntary and community sector in England. [59608]

A Compact setting out a framework for relations between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in England will be published on Thursday 12 November. Copies of the document will be placed in the Library. Separate Compacts have been developed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the further report referred to in his letter to hon. Members dated 30 July, on the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement on the Government's intention to appoint a Royal Commission on animal experiments. [59028]

I understand that the Animal Procedures Committee is currently working to finalise a further report on its review of the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.With regard to the Royal Commission, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) on 3 November 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Society of Registration Officers on the provision of premarital counselling to those who marry in registry offices; and if he will make available extra resources to (a) train existing staff in pre-marital counselling skills and (b) recruit and train the extra staff required. [58764]

My officials have met members of the Society of Registration Officers, together with other registrars. They were interested in, and broadly supportive of, the Government's proposals concerning the role of registrars.The consultation document "Supporting Families" proposes that registrars might offer information to couples about marriage and the pre-marriage support services available. This might take the form of a marriage preparation pack produced by experts in the field. Counselling of couples by registration officers is not proposed.The consultation period of "Supporting Families" runs to 31 January 1999. The Society of Registration Officers has been invited to comment on the Government's proposals. The Government will decide on the allocation

Total police force strength and total Asian officers, by rank, as at 31 March 1998
	Chief Constable		Assistant Chief Constable		Superintendent		Chief Inspector
Police force	Total	Asian	Total	Asian	Total	Asian	Total	Asian
Avon and Somerset	1	—	2	—	27	—	39	—
Bedfordshire	1	—	2	—	15	—	14	—
Cambridgeshire	1	—	1	—	12	—	15	—
Cheshire	1	—	3	—	21	—	31	—
City of London	1	—	2	—	10	—	11	—
Cleveland	1	—	2	—	25	—	6	—
Cumbria	1	—	2	—	12	—	16	—
Derbyshire	1	—	3	—	22	—	21	—
Devon and Cornwall	1	—	3	—	29	—	48	—
Dorset	1	—	2	—	16	—	21	—
Durham	1	—	1	—	21	—	22	—
Dyfed-Powys	1	—	2	—	16	—	13	—
Essex	1	—	3	—	28	—	47	1
Gloucestershire	1	—	2	—	9	—	16	—
Greater Manchester	1	—	6	—	80	—	87	—
Gwent	1	—	2	—	12	—	16	—
Hampshire	1	—	3	—	34	—	43	—
Hertfordshire	1	—	2	—	23	—	26	—
Humberside	1	—	3	—	18	—	28	—
Kent	1	—	4	—	28	—	47	—
Lancashire	1	—	4	1	30	—	28	—
Leicestershire	1	—	3	—	18	—	21	—
Lincolnshire	1	—	2	—	14	—	22	—
Merseyside	1	—	4	—	51	—	53	—
Metropolitan Police	8	—	28	—	211	—	342	—
Norfolk	1	—	1	—	17	—	21	—
Northamptonshire	1	—	2	—	13	—	11	—
Northumbria	0	—	4	—	40	—	50	—
North Wales	1	—	2	—	16	—	27	—
North Yorkshire	1	—	2	—	12	—	19	—
Nottinghamshire	1	—	3	—	21	—	22	1
South Wales	1	—	4	—	27	—	51	1
South Yorkshire	1	—	4	—	38	—	45	—
Staffordshire	1	—	3	—	25	—	31	—
Suffolk	1	—	2	—	12	—	16	—
Surrey	1	—	3	—	20	—	18	—
Sussex	1	—	4	—	29	—	38	—
Thames Valley	1	—	3	—	49	—	34	—
Warwickshire	1	—	2	—	11	—	9	—
West Mercia	1	—	3	—	16	—	31	—
West Midlands	1	—	3	—	52	—	66	—
West Yorkshire	1	—	5	—	40	1	73	—
Wiltshire	1	—	2	—	14	—	16	—
Total strength	49	0	143	1	1,234	1	1,610	3

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the numbers of police officers in each police force area broken down by grade and indicating for each grade how many are of Asian origin. [59073]

The information is set out in the table. Further information on ethnic minority staff in the police service can be obtained in Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Police Service Personnel" (Issue 17/98) issued on 3 September 1998, a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of scurvy have been reported each year over the last five years in hostels for asylum seekers in the Greater London area. [58955]

I have been asked to reply.The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of revenue for the Exchequer has been generated by the agriculture sector for each of the last 10 years (a) in cash terms, (b) in current prices and (c) as a percentage of total revenue. [57508]

[holding answer 2 November 1998]: The information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the GDP growth required in each of the next three financial years to satisfy the golden rule. [58837]

[holding answer 10 November 1998]: The projections set out in the Pre-Budget published on 3 November 1998 show that the Government expect to meet both their fiscal rules over the economic cycle. Paragraph 2.56 of that report explains how these projects are robust to errors in short-term growth forecasts.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his oral statement of 3 November 1998, Official Report, columns 681–88, if he will provide a breakdown of his estimate of the savings made by (a) single pensioners and (b) the poorest pensioners on their fuel bills. [58991]

[holding answer 9 November 1998]: The table provides a breakdown of the real term savings on pensioners' fuel bills between price reductions and winter fuel payments. The fuel bills include VAT.

Pensioners' real term savings on fuel bills: 1997–99
	Savings from VAT reduction, regulation and competition1	Average winter fuel payment2	Total
Average pensioner household	62	46	108
Pensioner household on Income Support3	50	90	140
1 Assuming annual gas consumption of 18,000kwh, electricity consumption of 3,300kwh.
2 Weighted average, 1995 prices.
3 A lower gas consumption of 12,000kwh is assumed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Financial Secretary will provide a substantive reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Taunton ref. DC/3867, dated 9 September. [59150]

I have replied to the hon. Member.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) for what reasons euro notes are printed by the Bank of England at Debden in Essex; [58017](2) how many euro notes have been printed by the Bank of England at Debden in Essex; at what cost; of what denominations; for what purpose; and who will bear the cost; [58079](3) if euro notes printed by the Bank of England at Debden, Essex display the Queen's head.[58287]

Since the European Monetary Institute (EMI) was established in 1994, the Bank of England has been closely involved, along with other EU central banks, in the technical preparation of the euro banknotes. As part of this work, the Bank has agreed to participate in a trial of notes to be introduced in 2002 in countries joining the single currency on 1 January 1999 to ensure consistency of paper quality, colour etc., across different types of banknote printing machines. The designs are therefore in accordance with the European Central Bank's announcement on euro note designs of 11 September. The notes being printed are for analytical and comparative purposes and will not be issued in the UK.The trial will involve the Bank printing some 2 million of each of the 20 and 50 euro notes, and 5 million of the 5 euro note. The total cost of this exercise will be approximately £300,000 and will be paid out of the proceeds of the note issue.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the most recent meeting of the Standing Committee on Preparations for EMU. [59576]

The Standing Committee on preparations for EMU met for the third time on 27 October. A copy of the minutes of the meeting has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The Committee was informed of the success of the Government's national information campaign and received reports on public and private sector preparations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of breast cancer have been diagnosed in women aged 65 years and over in the last year; and how many resulting fatalities there have been in women aged 65 years and over in each of the last five years. [59146]

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 Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to change the Government's policy on non-disclosure of information on the ethnic origin of individuals appointed to public bodies. [59575]

In line with the Government's commitment to greater openness in public appointments, a new policy is being introduced with effect from 1 April 1999. This will require all departments to collect ethnic origin data for their public appointees, on the understanding that such information will be made publicly available on request, subject to the consent of the individuals concerned. The policy will apply to new appointments and re-appointments made from that date.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the percentage of the population of England and Wales eligible for green form advice and assistance (a) with no contribution and (b) with a contribution, in each of the last 10 years. [58322]

We do not collect information on eligibility for non-contributory legal advice and assistance under the green form scheme. Contributory green form advice and assistance was abolished on 12 April 1993.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the percentage of the population of England and Wales eligible for (a) criminal legal aid and (b) civil legal aid (i) with no contribution and (ii) with a contribution, in each of the last 10 years. [58321]

There is no upper financial limit for criminal legal aid so the question of an eligible population does not arise.For civil legal aid, the percentage of households in England and Wales eligible in each year for 1992/93, being the earliest year for which figures are readily available, was as follows:

Percentage
Year	Non contributory	Contributory
1992–93	29	24
1993–94	23	25
1994–95	24	26
1995–96	24	26
1996–97	23	25
1997–98	23	25

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the percentage of people in receipt of (a) family credit and (b) housing benefit, entitled to civil legal aid (i) with no contribution and (ii) with a contribution, in each of the last 10 years. [58323]

We do not collect the information requested.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to reform the area cost adjustment. [57842]

We expect to announce our proposals for Standard Spending Assessments for 1999/2000 in due course.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 4 November 1998, Official Report, column 868, when he expects to announce the date of the referendum on the voting system. [59292]

[holding answer 10 November 1998]:The date has not been decided. It had always been envisaged that the referendum would take place before the next election. It should be held at the earliest moment it is sensible to do so, in the light of all the constitutional changes we anticipate and the recommendations of the Jenkins Commission. If it proves impossible to do so before the election for sound practical reasons, then it should be held at the earliest moment it is appropriate to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 11 November. [58839]

Earlier today, together with Madam Speaker and right hon. and hon. Members and millions of people across the country, I observed a two-minute silence to commemorate the sacrifices made by so many on behalf of us all.Later today in addition to my duties in the House I will have meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others.

To ask the Prime Minister if it is the Government's policy to promote the concept of a single account which would handle most financial transactions between Government and the individual. [59145]

I have been asked to reply.The concept of a single account is one of a number of ideas, which are being considered as possible ways of simplifying the delivery of Government services for the citizen.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met the President of the World bank to discuss the impact of world financial affairs on international development; and if she will make a statement. [57809]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor and I met the President of the World Bank during the Annual Meetings in Washington in early October. During our discussions, and at the meetings themselves, we stressed the importance we attach to addressing the social implications of the current financial crisis. This is important because the poor had no part in causing the crisis and should not be left to bear the brunt but also because national consensus is needed to carry through some of the reforms needed to overcome the crisis. This is unlikely to be reached in highly divided societies. The communiqués of the Interim and Development Committees reflected our concerns, noting the need to mitigate the most harmful effects of the crisis on the poor.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made on measures to ensure that companies work to eliminate the use of child labour in countries where they operate or are supplied from. [57811]

We support the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) whose members—companies, development NGOs and trade unions—are developing best practices in implementing voluntary supplier codes. Among other things, these codes aim to eliminate child labour in supply chains. ETI is part of a consumer-led movement against child labour to which many companies have responded.We are also supporting ILO programmes for the elimination of child labour which are supported by the unions, Governments and employers representatives that make up the ILO governing body. In addition we are examining the scope for increasing the effectiveness of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and will be pressing for the incorporation of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, of which the effective abolition of child labour is a crucial part.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current role of (a) NGOs and (b) the private sector in the delivery of aid using resources from the UK Government. [57812]

Where possible we work to strengthen local capacity in developing countries to manage and deliver improvements in health care, education, governance and economic management. Frequently NGOs and private sector consultants assist these efforts. We have established a Business Partnership Unit in DFID in order to work with the private sector to encourage and facilitate beneficial investment in developing countries. We are currently consulting NGOs and civil society world wide on how NGOs can best assist the implementation of the international poverty eradication strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's debt-reduction programmes. [57813]

My Department supports debt reduction programmes where these help eradicate poverty and has obtained agreement at the annual meeting of the World Bank and IMF that the HIPC initiative will be reviewed to ensure that debt relief contributes to poverty elimination. My Department has written off £1.26 billion of debt since 1978. We are seeking to speed up the implementation of the HIPC initiative to ensure that all eligible countries are on track for debt relief by 2000. We are currently providing £100 million to help some HIPC countries meet their debt service payments in advance of receiving debt relief.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps the Government have taken to alleviate the adverse effects of the burden of debt repayments of the poorest countries of the world. [59005]

Over the past eighteen months, the Department for International Development (DFID) has cancelled some £30 million of bilateral aid debts, and provided some £36 million to help the African Development Bank meet its share of the cost of implementing the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt Initiative. In addition, we are providing around £100 million to help a number of developing countries meet their debt service payments to the international financial institutions; we have committed $10 million to help meet Mozambique's residual financing gap under the HIPC Initiative; and we have contributed £400,000 to Debt Relief International, a London based organisation, which delivers technical assistance in debt management to poor countries. We are also funding research on the key issues of debt sustainability and internal debt.As well as providing direct financial support to help relieve poor countries of their debt burdens, we are taking action to ensure that the forthcoming comprehensive review of the HIPC Initiative looks at whether sufficient levels of debt relief are being provided to developing countries. We are pressing for the review to examine in more detail the relationship between debt relief and poverty reduction, to make certain that debt relief will help developing countries achieve the international development targets. And the Chancellor and I have just proposed a new initiative, calling on bilateral and multilateral creditors to find ways of providing debt relief to countries which have been struck by natural disasters, thereby freeing urgent resources to fund emergency relief and reconstruction.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on action her Department is taking to relieve the pressure of chronic debts for the poorest developing countries. [57823]

The Chancellor and I are working to seek international agreement to speed up the implementation of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative so that all eligible countries will be on track for debt relief by 2000. In addition over the last eighteen months, the Department for International Development (DFID) has cancelled some £30 million of bilateral aid debts, and provide some £36 million to help the African Development Bank meet its share of the cost of implementing the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt Initiative. We are also providing around £100 million to help a number of developing countries meet their debt service payments to the international financial institutions. We have committed $10 million to help meet Mozambique's residual financing gap under the HIPC Initiative; and we have contributed £400,000 to Debt Relief International to provided technical assistance in debt management to poor countries. We are also funding research on the key issues of debt sustainability and internal debt.We are also taking action to ensure that the forthcoming comprehensive review of the HIPC Initiative looks at whether sufficient levels of debt relief is being provided to developing countries. We are pressing for the review to examine in more detail the relationship between debt relief and poverty reduction, to make certain that debt relief will help developing countries achieve the international development targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to visit the island of St. Helena to discuss future aid provision. [57814]

There are no immediate plans for a Ministerial visit to St. Helena.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received in relation to the impact of the proposed multilateral agreement on investment on future development needs. [57815]

I have received a large number of letters from members of the public, Members of Parliament and non-governmental organisations about the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). My Department is in regular contact with non-governmental organisations taking an interest in the MAI. Officials from my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry met a group of experts from the academic community in September to discuss the development implications of the MAI.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of the multilateral agreement on investment on future development needs. [57820]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 28 October 1998, Official Report, column 203.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the situation in Bangladesh following the recent floods. [57816]

Monsoon flooding in Bangladesh this year was the most prolonged this century, lasting more than 10 weeks in some areas. Waters began to recede from central districts in mid-September, and broadly returned to normal by the end of the month, though waterlogging persists in some areas. The Government of Bangladesh, in partnership with the World Band and the Asian Development Bank in particular, have moved rapidly to begin repair of roads, bridges, railways and flood protection embankments. Major communications are fully restored, though very considerable work remains to be done on many rural roads and other infrastructure.Although many people are short of food, often for want of immediate employment, and there have been outbreaks of diarrhoea' disease, there is at present no famine or unusual epidemic of diseases as suggested by some media reports. However there has been an almost complete loss of seasonal crops in some areas, and many people have lost homes, assets and livelihoods. Millions of people require assistance to restart rural livelihoods, rebuild their homes, and earn a living. The Government of Bangladesh are distributing food to vulnerable people, and the gap in food supply is being managed through increased public and private sector imports. They are managing the food supply jointly with the World Food Programme, and providing small cash grants. The UK has contributed £11 million to ensuring food availability over the coming months. NGOs are also helping with small grants and loans to restore homes and livelihoods.Much of the restoration of infrastructure will be done through cash of food for work schemes to give people an income. DFID is contributing a further £10 million in projects to rehabilitate agriculture, essential infrastructure, and to support NGO projects which help the poor rebuild their lives. In parallel with urgent work which has already started, donors, including the UK, are working in sector sub groups jointly with Government and some NGO partners, to establish the full extent of priority rehabilitation needs. The situation is expected to appear to return to normal in around five months, but continuing attention to the longer term, unseen impacts on the economy, financial institutions and peoples' assets will be needed for some time to come.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what help she is giving the Government of Bangladesh to remove arsenic from subterranean water supplies. [57821]

The Department for International Development (DFID) has been assisting efforts to understand the causes of arsenic in ground water in Bangladesh and developing plans to address the problem. Arsenic occurs naturally as a result of geochemical processes. It can be tackled only by avoiding contaminated sources or treating water at the surface. The World Bank is co-ordinating assistance, and has allocated $30 million to helping counteract arsenic contamination. DFID has provided £0.5 million to fund the technical research needed to implement this, working through the British Geological Survey with the Department of Public Health in Dhaka. We are also appraising a larger project which would pilot community schemes for the treatment of polluted water and the medical care of those affected by arsenicosis. The project would also study why the problem affects some individuals and not others. It is hoped that the pilot, if effective, may form a model for replication by others.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the future of the Commonwealth Development Corporation. [57817]

We intend to put legislative proposals to Parliament as early as possible to pave the way for the creation of a public/private partnership with the Commonwealth Development Corporation which will benefit from both its association with Government and the participation of the private sector, and which will enable CDC to contribute more effectively to the sustainable development of poor countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the potential impact on poor farmers of terminator gene technology. [57818]

My Department is currently undertaking a wide-ranging review of the implications of all aspects of genetically modified organisms for poor farmers in developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what priority her Department gives to countering fraud in its aid programmes. [57819]

My Department gives a high priority to preventing fraud. To ensure regularity, propriety and value for money in the expenditure of aid funds, Departmental staff and aid recipients are required to follow detailed procedures and to keep comprehensive financial records. Our control systems are under constant review by our internal auditors and are subject to examination by the National Audit Office.Full details of the Department for International Development's (DFID) procedures for authorising and accounting for expenditure are set out in the Department's Office Instructions, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her recent visit to Tanzania to discuss development. [57822]

I had a very useful and constructive visit to Tanzania in late August. I was able to discuss a range of development issues affecting one of the poorest countries in the World and one of Britain's main development partners. In meetings with the President, ministers, politicians, officials and donor, private sector and civil society representatives I outlined Britain's policy for international development, which matches closely with Tanzania's own poverty eradication strategy. I urged progress on corruption and speedy reform of the health and education sectors to improve the quality of services. I was impressed by DFID-supported projects helping to improve family health and to improve people's livelihoods in poor rural areas. I also signed an agreement to provide £60 million budgetary support over the next two years. This includes up to £50 million in multilateral debt relief, which will be used to release Tanzania's revenues for expenditure on pro-poor areas of the budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has held in the last 12 months with the Government of Romania on the issue of the welfare and protection of children. [57824]

Discussions and collaboration have continued with the Romanian government through the European Children's Trust on a project to strengthen the capacity of local government to improve the welfare of vulnerable children and families.Our assistance has included:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will take steps to increase the accountability of the way in which EU aid money is disbursed. [57825]

We consistently support measures to improve the financial management and control of the Community budget. In particular we support measures to strengthen the role of the European Court of Auditors which were agreed at the Amsterdam Intergovernmental conference last year. Improving financial management and strengthening the fight against fraud were priorities of the UK Presidency of the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the proportion of the UK aid programme which is disbursed through multilateral organisations. [57827]

In 1997–98 nearly one half of the UK aid programme was disbursed through multilateral organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is giving to the Jubilee 2000 project. [57826]

My Department gives no financial support to Jubilee 2000. But we share the objective of early cancellation of the unpayable debts of the poorest, most heavily indebted countries. I was pleased to have been able to address the Jubilee 2000 rally in Birmingham in May, attended by some 50,000 people from all over Britain lobbying for the cancellation of debt to the poorest countries. This helped to ensure that debt was on the agenda of the G8 Summit. We are clear that debt relief is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for consistent poverty reduction. Some very poor countries have managed to pay their debt but need assistance to support poverty reduction and some countries such as Uganda which have received debt relief need continuing development assistance if they are to meet the international poverty eradication targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the assistance needs of the people of Kosovo. [57828]

The most pressing need is to provide emergency assistance to the displaced, and in particular to those without adequate shelter, to enable them to survive the winter. My Department has allocated £3 million to UNHCR, ICRC and to UK NGOs, such as Oxfam and Save the Children Fund, primarily to meet these winterisation needs through the provision of materials to repair homes and construct shelters, clothes and blankets, and stoves and fuel.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will seek to persuade (a) the United States Government to reinstate its funding for United Nations Funds for Population Activities for the coming year and (b) other EU Governments to increase their contributions to United Nations Funds for Population Activities. [57951]

The quinquennial review of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) is an opportunity for all Governments to review their support to population and reproductive health programmes, including the work of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). We are doing all that we can to ensure that resources to implement ICPD are forthcoming.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department has taken to encourage tropical nations to maintain the size and diversity of their rain forests. [58715]

My Department's aim is the elimination of poverty through the promotion of sustainable development, including conservation of the environment. Our approach towards the conservation of rain forests and the problem of deforestation is to support work with our country partners bilaterally and multilaterally to improve management of forest resources in ways that lead to a range of benefits to poor communities as well as helping to secure the global environmental benefits that forests offer. These activities positively encourage partner countries to protect and maintain the size and diversity of their forests.Our approach to forests, encompasses a wide range of interventions from policy and sector planning, institutional development, education and training, through to forest information systems, forest management, forest conservation and research. The current portfolio of projects represents a commitment of £128 million.In the past year, DFID has also supported a number of important new initiatives, for example:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the differences between the draft code of practice on audio recording of police interviews with terrorist suspects and those which apply elsewhere in the United Kingdom [58319]

There is no formal arrangement in Great Britain for the audio recording of police interviews with terrorist suspects. The recently published Draft Code of Practice under Section 53A of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996 has been largely modelled on the equivalent Code of Practice made under the Police and Criminal Evidence legislation, with some differences. Following consideration of comments made during the current consultation exercise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may modify the Draft Code, and will then lay it in Parliament for approval by both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been saved by the Government as a result of its decision not to fund the education of the children of Oakwood Integrated Primary School, Strangford Integrated College and Ulidia Integrated College, since they opened; and if she will make a statement. [58555]

The source information required to establish accurately the recurrent budget the above schools would have received if they had been grant-aided is not currently available to the Department of Education. Based on an average per capita allocation it is estimated that their budgets would have totalled about £1,270,000 had they been grant-aided since they opened.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans she has to support the Integrated Education Fund in achieving their stated target for children in Northern Ireland attending integrated schooling by 2008; and if she will make a statement; [58551]

Government do not set targets for the expansion of Integrated schools. Government policy is to encourage and facilitate integrated education and in responding to parental demand the DENI will continue to support robust proposals for both new and transforming integrated schools.The Integrated Education Working Group has been considering how all schools might contribute to the promotion of a culture of tolerance, concentrating initially on integrated schools and integration within schools. A Progress Report from the group has been received very recently and I will wish to take time to consider its findings and conclusions before arranging for its wider publication. However, I expect the report to provide the strategic context within which the Integrated Education Fund, which is represented on the Working Group, can take forward its 10-year Development Plan.Proposals for new integrated schools are considered against well-established criteria which include intake and enrolment viability, religious balance, availability of alternative integrated provision, impact on other schools, availability of a suitable, cost-effective site, affordability, and consideration of objections. There are no plans to change the existing criteria.Development proposals for Oakwood Integrated Primary School, Strangford Integrated College and Ulidia Integrated College are currently under consideration and it is hoped to announce decisions before Christmas. If the proposals are approved, the schools will be eligible for 100 per cent. recurrent funding with effect from September 1999 and, when longer term viability has been established, will also be eligible for capital grant towards accommodation needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were married by special licence in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [59024]

The information requested above in relation to total marriages by special licence is set out in the table.

Marriages by special licence
Year	Number
1993	314
1994	311
1995	339
1996	363
1997	339
Total marriages	1,666

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures she proposes to improve the (a) accountability, (b) targeting of investment, (c) stricter adherence to investment criteria and (d) development of performance indicators for the Industrial Development Board's overseas offices. [59181]

All these issues have been considered by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland in his report on inward investment which was presented to the House of Commons on 27 October. As the report may be the subject of consideration by the Committee of Public Accounts of this House, it would not be appropriate for me to pre-empt such consideration by commenting on these matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Northern Ireland Audit Office report into the operation of the Industrial Development Board's inward investment programme from 1987 to 1997. [59179]

As this Report has been presented to the House of Commons and may be the subject of detailed consideration by the Committee of Public Accounts of this House it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the Report at this point in time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she will take to attract inward investment projects to the 11 designated areas of social need in Northern Ireland. [59180]

The Industrial Development Board (IDB) for Northern Ireland continues to promote the excellent business opportunities for investment in Northern Ireland through initiatives such as the recent North American Roadshow. Higher levels of assistance are available to projects located in or adjacent to areas of social need, and the IDB seeks to achieve its targets of 75 per cent. of all first time projects to be located in or adjacent to these areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had on the provision of chefs in the Scottish tourism industry with the Scottish Tourist Board; and what plans he has to bring forward initiatives to encourage more students to train as chefs. [57066]

[holding answer 5 November 1998]: There are already several initiatives in place to promote and develop career opportunities in the hospitality sector. These are being undertaken by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and their local enterprise companies. An assessment of the scope for further action, particularly in relation to the provision of chefs, will be informed by a meeting which Scottish Enterprise is expected to have shortly with the Scottish Chefs Association. While the Scottish Tourist Board and I have not so far discussed this matter, we may do so in the future if it appears appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new teacher posts have been created in each of the last five years in the secondary phase. [58292]

The information is not available in the format requested. Information is collected on the overall number of teachers employed in publicly funded schools. These data cannot be used to determine the number of new "posts" created in any year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if the process by which the Government will draw up their advice to Her Majesty the Queen for the awarding of city status will be the same in Scotland as in the rest of the United Kingdom; [58734](2) what arrangements his Department proposes to make in order to select candidates to propose for city status to mark the millennium celebration and the Queen's Golden Jubilee. [58690]

Awards of city status in any part of the UK will be made by Her Majesty The Queen acting under the Royal Prerogative, on the advice of the Government of the day. I shall make an announcement in due course that will explain the procedure to be followed by Scottish towns wishing to be considered for a grant of city status.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the education budget for each prison in Scotland. [59219]

The information is as follows:

£
Establishment	Budget (1998–99)
HMP Aberdeen	41,500
HMP Barlinnie	198,700
HMP Castle Huntly	38,000
HMPI Cornton Vale	78,000
HMYOI Dumfries	73,500

£
Establishment	Budget (1998–99)
HMP Dungavel	63,974
HMP Edinburgh	176,148
HMP Friarton	30,600
HMP and YOI Glenochil	224,733
HMP Greenock	86,410
HMP Inverness	43,500
HMRI Longriggend	72,300
HMP Low Moss	57,500
HMP Noranside	47,192
HMP Penninghame	39,950
HMP Perth	152,100
HMP Peterhead	73,250
HM Unit Peterhead	10,400
HMYOI Polmont	148,259
HMP Shotts	181,368
HM Unit Shotts	25,500
NIC Shotts	21,000

The figures cover teaching contract and materials costs. They do not include vocational training or physical education delivered by Scottish Prison Service employees or the cost of local educational initiatives delivered in partnership with external agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the financial implications of the recent reorganisation of Scottish Enterprise. [58840]

The Government's policy for public sector pay continues to underline our commitment to increasing the efficiency of the public sector with any pay and price increases being offset by efficiencies and other economies. Scottish Enterprise's (SE) administration budget is set with due regard to the minimum consistent with efficiency and effectiveness; however, it is for SE to determine its staffing structure and requirements within these parameters. SE's administration budget for 1998–99 is £61.290 million.