To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the £19 billion allocated to education as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review will be (a) direct Government grant and (b) a permission for LEAs and other sector providers to borrow or raise funding from other sources; and if he will make a statement. [61806]

The £19 billion figure relates to the UK. The table gives the resources for my Department's areas of responsibility as published in the Comprehensive Spending Review White paper, split between central government and Education Standard Spending, which is the support for recurrent spending on education by local authorities in England.

£billion
	1999–00	2000–01	2001–02
DfEE and OFSTED	15.5	17.3	18.6
Education Standard Spending	20.5	21.7	23.1

Of the central government resources, credit approvals to local authorities for schools capital work will be set at £454m in 1999–00, compared with £376m in 1998–99. These will be supplemented by PFI credits of £350m in 1999–00, compared with £130m in 1998–99. Decisions on the deployment of schools capital resources between grant and credit approvals for 2000–01 and 2001–02 will be taken during 1999 in the light of consultation on the schools capital strategy and on decisions by schools on their status within the new schools framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice he has given to principals and vice-chancellors during the current academic year on the collection of fees from non-UK EU students. [61811]

No specific advice has been given to principals and vice-chancellors on the collection of fees from non-UK EU Students.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will change the system of funding research at universities to encourage more co-operation between different institutions. [61544]

The funding of research at universities by the higher education funding bodies is informed by ratings of research quality through the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). I welcome the recognition by the higher education funding bodies, in their planning for the next RAE to be held in 2001, of the importance of ensuring that the arrangements for making submissions do not deter research collaboration. The funding bodies are currently considering further how to facilitate the submission of collaborative research in the RAE in the light of recent consultation on this and other issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the (a) Investors in People Standard, (b) Management Charter Initiative, (c) Management Standards and (d) Management NVQs for SMEs; and if he will make a statement; [61549](2) what research his Department has

DfEE commissioned a three-year evaluation of the effectiveness of Investors in People which was carried out by the Institute for Employment Studies at the University of Sussex. The following reports were published: "Evaluation of Investors in People in England and Wales" (1994); "Evaluation of Investors in People in England and Wales, 1994–1995" (1995); and "The Return on Investors" (1996). All are available in the House of Commons Library. A review of the Management Charter Initiative was carried out for DfEE by DTZ Pieda Consulting and published as DfEE Research Report 67 in July 1998. It is also available in the Commons Library. Management Standards and NVQs were included in a review of all NVQs and SVQs which took place from 1996 to 1998 and identified improvements needed for SMEs which will be fed back to the relevant lead bodies and awarding bodies.DfEE has not commissioned any research specifically into the take-up of competence-based management qualifications in SMEs, although gaining of qualifications by owner-managers of SMEs was included in a report for the Department on small firms' training needs, practices and difficulties by Professor James Curran

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated current net income to the Exchequer for the operation of (a) National Air Traffic Services, (b) student loans, (c) residual debt in British Energy plc, (d) the radio spectrum, (e) Belfast Port, (f) the Commonwealth Development Corporation, (g) the Royal Mint and (h) the Tote. [61424]

Details of the income and expenditure of the five public corporations listed (National Air Traffic Services; Belfast Port, one of the Northern Ireland Public Trust Port Authorities; Commonwealth Development Corporation; Royal Mint; and the Tote) can be found in the relevant annual report.Information on loans to students and repayments of them can be found in Chapter 2 of the Department for Education and Employment's departmental report (Cm 3910), and details of the income and expenditure of the Radiocommunications Agency in Chapter 14 of the Department of Trade and Industry's departmental report (Cm 3905).Details of interest income from the Government's residual debt holdings in British Energy plc are published annually in the Appropriation Accounts (Volume 16: Class XVI, Vote I).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure and what was the breakdown of the expenditure on (a) public opinion research, (b) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (c) direct mail incurred by his Department and agencies on the self-assessment public information campaign; and if he will make a statement. [61686]

Since the launch of the Self Assessment public information programme in June 1995 about £21 million has been spent informing taxpayers of changes. Within this expenditure, £718,000 has been spent on public opinion research, £13 million on television, radio and newspaper advertising and £750,000 on direct mail. All these figures are exclusive of VAT and are costs to date (30 November 1998).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers he has over veto of the harmonisation within the European Union of (a) company taxes, (b) personal taxes and (c) excise duties; and if he will make a statement. [61714]

Decisions on these matters are subject to unanimity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to seek to co-ordinate savings and corporate taxation across European Union nations; and if he will make a statement. [61071]

[holding answer 30 November 1998]: The UK is taking an active part in discussions on the draft Directive on taxation of savings, but we have made it clear that we will not agree to any course of action which would seriously damage the UK and other European financial markets. There are no proposals for the coordination of corporate taxation in the European Union.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to promote an OECD-wide approach to tax policy co-ordination; and if he will make a statement. [61072]

[holding answer 30 November 1998]: The UK takes an active part in the work of the OECD which is consistent with our aims of promoting economic growth through the development of international trade and investment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy that there should be reporting of European Union national budget deficits to distinguish between (a) borrowing for net investment purposes and (b) borrowing to fund current expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [61068]

[holding answer 30 November 1998]: Council Regulation 3605/93 sets out the budgetary reporting requirements for Member States. In assessing the national budget deficits, Article 104c(3) of the Maastricht Treaty states that the level of government investment expenditure should be taken into account.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to oppose amendments to the (a) interpretation and (b) implementation of the European Growth and Stability Pact promoting greater flexibility towards budget deficits which result from high levels of net public sector investment; and if he will make a statement. [61066]

[holding answer 30 November 1998]: The Government are not aware of proposals by Member States to amend the Stability and Growth Pact. The Pact supports sound public finances which are vital for macroeconomic stability and the success of EMU.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions have taken place at Ministerial level over the last six months about the future of duty free and the tax regime following its abolition. [61882]

[holding answer 1 December 1998]: I discuss these questions regularly both with colleagues in Government and in Europe.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much it would cost to exempt pensioners from the abolition of the dividend tax credit for the years (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02; [61839]

[holding answer 1 December 1998]: It is estimated that the cost of exempting those aged over 65 from the abolition of payable tax credits on dividend income would be about £25 million in each full year. I regret that no estimates are available on a regional basis for either the number of pensioners affected or the amounts of money involved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of total taxation went towards military expenditure in the last year for which figures are available. [61737]

Defence spending in 1997–98, the last year for which figures are available, amounted to 6.64 per cent. of the government's current receipts.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to introduce a right conscientiously to object to paying taxes for military spending. [61740]

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce tax incentives for companies giving money to fund universities and colleges. [61543]

A number of tax reliefs are already available for companies giving money to universities and colleges.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if his Department intends to publish a White Paper on modernising justice. [62352]

The Lord Chancellor has today laid before Parliament a White Paper on Modernising Justice. Copies of the White Paper and accompanying Press Notice have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what responses the Government have received to their consultation paper, Rights of Audience and Rights to Conduct Litigation in England and Wales: the Way Ahead. [62353]

The Government received 100 responses to the consultation paper. Of these 64 were in favour of the Government's proposals, 12 were opposed, 11 were neutral or did not comment, and 13 were mixed. Copies of the responses have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses, and the Supreme Court Library, with the exception of 6 responses which were made in confidence. The responses were carefully analysed and taken into account in the development of our proposals on rights of audience which are contained in the Modernising Justice White Paper published today.The Respondents are listed (those who responded in confidence are not listed):

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioners currently receive a concessionary television licence under each criterion for each region in Great Britain. [61152]

[holding answer 27 November 1998]: Regional statistics on the concessionary television licence scheme do not distinguish between pensioners and other beneficiaries, or according to the criteria under which individuals qualify. The number of concessionary licences currently on issue in the United Kingdom, by country, is (to the nearest thousand):

	Number
England and Wales	555,000
Scotland	53,000
Northern Ireland	12,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on what plans there are in place to reduce the level of television licence evasion in Chelmsford. [61889]

[holding answer 1 December 1998]: The BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the television licensing system. TV Licensing, which carries out the day to day administration and enforcement as agent for the Corporation, adopts all appropriate measures to minimise evasion throughout the United Kingdom. Standard enforcement procedures are complemented by targeting pre-determined areas for higher levels of enforcement activity. It is contrary to TV Licensing's policy to publish details of areas due to be targeted; to do so would give comfort to evaders in other parts of the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list Government expenditure on mine clearance for each year since 1992, broken down by country. [61794]

Government expenditure on mine clearance projects, including integrated mine awareness activities, is set out in the table.

	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99up to30.11.98
Afghanistan	—	1,188,900	916,131	1,233,087	1,025,000	1,050,000	2,106,500	499,900
Angola	—	—	—	1,847,527	1,003,570	—	—	—
Cambodia	60,000	206,337	1,461,100	1,693,425	1,305,369	1,058,700	689,686	1,632,287
Egypt	—	—	—	—	—	500,000	87,308	—
Georgia	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	220,781
N. Iraq	—	—	200,439	15,315	444,750	785,000	658,972	740,000
Laos	—	—	—	—	543,386	148,307	101,250	500,000
Mozambique	—	—	574,586	414,832	471,000	408,900	487,500	362,500
Rwanda	—	—	—	30,000		—	—	—
Somalia	300,000	373,540	—	—	—	—	—	—
Yemen	—	—	—	100,000	—	47,772	—	—
Former Yugoslavia	—	—	—	—	—	275,000	—	—
Global/Regional	—	—	—	—	165,082	—	1200,000	2375,000
1 Foreign and Commonwealth Office funded activities
2 Value of surplus equipment re-deployed by DFID and MOD to mine clearance projects

To ask the Secretary of State for Clare Short: The Government have provided grants International Development if she will list the organizations for humanitarian mine clearance activities to the to which the Government have given money for the purpose following organisations: of mine clearance in each year since 1992; and in each case the amount received by each organisation. [61793]

£
	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
The HALO Trust	60,000	388,786	1,267,859	1,913,898	1,592,688	1,417,600	1,092,000	1,751,468
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance for Afghanistan (UNOCHA)	—	1,000,000	500,000	1,000,000	750,000	500,000	2,000,000	—
Rimfire	300,000	373,540	—	—	—	—	—	—
Mines Advisory Group (MAG)	—	—	251,064	1,038,944	2,361,387	1,033,307	951,908	2,204,000
Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) (via UNDP)	—	—	1,133,333	1,000,000	500,000	—	—	—
UN Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (UCAH) (Angola)	—	—	—	226,029	—	—	—	—
Government of Egypt	—	—	—	—	—	500,000	87,308	—
UN (Rwanda)	—	—	—	30,000	—	—	—	—
UN Voluntary Trust Fund	—	—	—	600,000	—	—	—	—
UN Mine Action Centre (UNMAC) (Sarajevo)	—	—	—	—	—	220,000	—	—
UN Development Programme (UNDP) (Laos)	—	—	—	—	89,000	—	—	—
Government of Yemen (Via UN Development Programme) (UNDP)	—	—	—	—	—	47,772	—	—

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the amount spent on (a) humanitarian mine clearance, (b) commercial mine clearance, (c) military initiative mine clearance,

£
Year	(a) Humanitarian mine clearance1	(b) Commercial mine clearance2	(c) Military initiative mie clearance3	(d) Mine awareness	(e) Research and development 4
1991–92	5360,000	—	—	—	—
1992–93	51,762,326	—	—	6,451	—
1993–94	53,152,256	—	—	—	—
1994–95	55,863,652	—	—	—	104,928
1995–96	54,828,473	—	—	15,230	—
1996–97	54,288,860	—	—	70,000	—
1996–97	665,082	—	—	—	—

The Government have provided grants for humanitarian mine clearance activities to the following organisations:

Disbursements are set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of recent development in Zimbabwe's land resettlement programme on the provision of aid by her Department. [61891]

The land resettlement programme is one of the factors being considered in the development of a New Country Strategy for Zimbabwe. We are consulting widely in the preparation of the Strategy. I will place a copy of the Country Strategy Paper in the Library of both the Houses when it is published.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department has taken to develop its approach to sustainable development and environmental protection. [62355]

We published a policy statement on the environment "Eliminating World Poverty: Why The Environment Matters" on 1 December. This follows up the White Paper on International Development and explains our approach to environmental protection and sustainable development. The statement invites comments on our approach. I will place copies in the Library of the House.

To ask the Prime Minister what changes there are in the composition of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western European Union. [62511]

The hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Allan) has been appointed as a Substitute representative in place of Lord Steel of Aikwood.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with President Clinton on Iraq, in relation to the precise objectives of potential military action. [61461]

No.

To ask the Prime Minister who appointed David Shayler to the Security Services; and if he will make a statement on the procedure by which he was recruited. [61940]

Mr. Shayler was recruited by the Security Service, using its normal selection and vetting procedures. These were similar to the procedures in use throughout the Civil Service at the time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) waste minimisation projects and (b) projects to help with the remediation of contaminated land have been supported by ENTRUST; and at what value. [60872]

According to ENTRUST, the relevant figures to date are:

(a)Waste Minimisation Projects

134 projects have been approved by ENTRUST, with a total value of £14,573,200. Of these, 35 projects have been implemented, with a value of £2,069,740.

(b)Projects to help with the Remediation of Contaminated Land

139 projects have been approved by ENTRUST, with a total value of £21,388,140. Of these, 33 projects have been implemented, with a value of £1,252,400.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to encourage the development of secondary markets for recyclables; and if he will make a statement. [61497]

The Government believe recycling is critical to the task of making our waste management more environmentally acceptable, and we are committed to a substantial increase in the role it plays in this country. We are currently reviewing our national waste strategy and will publish a draft in Spring 1999, at which point further comments will be invited from all parties. The final version of the new waste strategy will be published as a Command Paper, and adopted by the Government, before the end of 1999.My Department is considering the measures that could be taken to enhance the markets for recycled materials, including new or extended use of economic instruments, and whether Government and other high profile organisations should take more of a lead in specifying high recycled content and environmental standards for the products they purchase.As part of this work, we have commissioned a research project to investigate market failures in the demand for secondary materials. In addition, we have set up a Market Development Group to identify the barriers to expanding the markets for recycled materials and to develop practical proposals to help overcome them. Advice from the research project and the report of the Market Development Group will feed into the draft new waste strategy in Spring 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has commissioned into the safety of the use of razor wire as a fencing material and its possible dangers to humans and animals; and if he will make a statement. [61480]

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has not commissioned any studies into the safety of the use of razor wire.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has engaged recruitment consultants to advise him on suitable candidates for appointment as Chair of the new Countryside Agency; and what criteria will be employed to assess potential candidates. [61648]

My Department employed recruitment consultants primarily to ensure that details of the post were made known as widely as possible. Their work supplemented advertisements in the national press and requests for nominations from a wide range of public and private sector organisations. The consultants also dealt with the issue and receipt of application forms, and made an initial categorisation of applications.The sift of applicants was carried out in accordance with the Nolan procedures by a panel comprising officials from my Department and an independent member. Advice from the recruitment consultants was also available to them. In carrying out the sift, the panel were looking principally for a knowledge of, and demonstrated commitment to, countryside and rural issues, excellent communication skills, and managerial ability, both to lead and motivate the commissioners and staff of a large organisation and to ensure that the two existing agencies were successfully brought together.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will prohibit the use of PVC waste for synthetic riding surfaces and its importation for such purposes. [61485]

The import and export of waste are governed by European Council Regulation (EEC) No. 259–93, the 'waste shipments' Regulation. PVC is included on the Regulation's Green list of wastes which do not require prior authorisation when traded for recovery, providing they are not contaminated with hazardous substances. There is no evidence that either clean, uncontaminated PVC waste or recovered PVC products are harmful to human health or the environment. There are therefore currently no plans to prohibit the import of such waste or products recovered from it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages of enabling receipts from landfill tax to be invested in the recycling infrastructure in the United Kingdom. [61835]

The review of landfill tax by Customs and Excise for the 1998 Budget revealed strong support for the Environmental Bodies Credit Scheme. Following this, the Government are currently considering if the Environmental Bodies Credit Scheme, which is funded from receipts from the landfill tax, might be enhanced, in particular with a view to encouraging recycling. A decision on the extent of any changes to the existing arrangements has yet to be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the incentives available to train operating companies to provide services above the minimum standards set by their franchise. [61896]

The minimum level of service an operator must plan to provide is set out in the Passenger Service Requirement (PSR), which forms a key part of the contract. Train operating companies have commercial incentives to operate additional services and attract more passengers. The Franchising Director has powers to enforce compliance with the PSR and failure to comply could lead to termination of the franchise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the levels of air pollution around United Kingdom airports which can be ascribed to pollution from (a) aircraft and (b) motor vehicles. [61893]

Detailed estimates of polluting emissions have been prepared for 11 areas of the United Kingdom (London, Manchester, West Midlands, Merseyside, Glasgow, Bristol, West Yorkshire, Southampton, Portsmouth, Swansea and Port Talbot and Middlesbrough). Emissions from a wide range of sources are calculated for each 1km by 1km grid square within the areas for which these inventories have been produced. The sources examined include both aircraft and motor vehicles. The emissions estimates are available in a series of reports prepared by the London Research Centre on behalf of my Department. Copies of the reports will be sent to the hon. Member shortly.Further information on emissions from aircraft and road transport is available from the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, which can be accessed through the Department's web site at http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airq/aqinfo.htm. The web site also includes links to the London Research Centre's site which contains some of the relevant information from the local inventories.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the companies which currently discharge responsibilities undertaken by British Rail prior to privatisation. [61899]

Ownership of many of the successor companies has changed since they were franchised or sold, and the information requested is no longer collected on a comprehensive basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responsibilities the shadow Strategic Rail Authority will have in respect of (a) train path allocation and (b) national timetables. [61895]

Railtrack allocates train paths in accordance with access rights which the operators hold and with the operators' bids for paths. Railtrack is also responsible for the national timetable. Railtrack will retain these responsibilities when the shadow Strategic Rail Authority is established next Spring. However, we envisage that the new organisation will assess at a strategic level network capacity, future demand and the balance between passenger and freight operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to help prevent the extinction of (a) the Tibetan antelope and (b) the gold snub-nosed monkey. [61900]

The Tibetan Antelope (Panthalops hodgsonii) and the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey (Pygathrix roxellana) are listed on Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and Annex A of the EC Wildlife Trade Regulation which implements CITES within the European Union. International trade in these species is effectively banned. However, there is evidence that illegal trafficking in Tibetan Antelopes' wool (shahtoosh) is linked to smuggling in products from another Appendix 1, and critically endangered, species—the tiger. Last year the Metropolitan Police seized 138 shahtoosh shawls from a shop in Mayfair, the biggest seizure in the world so far. In October this year, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister received further information about this illegal trade during his visit to China. Next year, as Chair of the CITES Standing Committee, the UK will lead a mission to tiger range states and consumer countries to assist all concerned in their efforts to crack down on illegal trade by strengthening enforcement, raising public awareness of the threats to these species and gathering further information useful in tackling international wildlife crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he still expects to receive a grant application shortly from Railtrack in respect of the piggyback rail freight scheme. [61634]

The Minister of Transport had a useful introductory meeting with the Chief Executive of Railtrack on 15 November. A range of issues were discussed, including the piggyback scheme and other rail freight proposals, all of which, in Railtrack's view, would require significant amounts of Government grant. However, no formal proposals or grant application have been received from Railtrack, and the timing of any application was not discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the United Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste. [62524]

The UK policies on exports and imports of waste are set out in the "United Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of waste", which was published on 16 May 1996. The Plan came into effect on 1 June 1996.Under the Plan, imports of waste from European Community Member States, with the exception of Ireland and Portugal, for disposal by high temperature incineration are being progressively phased out under an annual quota. This arrangement is intended to allow Member States time to develop their own high temperature incineration facilities, and is consistent with the long-standing United Kingdom policy that developed countries should be self-sufficient in disposing of their own waste. The quota is due to expire on 31 May 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government will submit Orton Pit to the European Commission as a candidate special area of conservation. [62525]

The Government have decided that Orton Pit should be submitted to the European Commission as a candidate SAC on account of its important population of Great Crested Newts. This will happen in the next few days.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response he received to the consultation on the Composting Development Group report; and if he will make a statement. [62526]

The Composting Development Group Report was published in July as a consultation paper. The response was overwhelmingly positive with widespread support for its recommendation.The Government welcome the Report as a significant step forward in the development and promotion of composting. We consider that its conclusions are sound and we endorse the thrust of its recommendations, which successfully address the major barriers to marketing compost and identify practical ways forward to help overcome them. We broadly accept those recommendations directed specifically at Government Departments, though we need to consider carefully how best to implement them. I commend the other recommendations to the relevant organisations and bodies which the Report identifies and urge them to make every effort to implement them.The Department received 75 responses. A list of responses received has been placed in the Library of the House; copies of individual responses may be obtained through the DETR Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of unclassified Defence Council Instructions which have been issued since 1 February. [62044]

I am today placing a copy of this list in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to oppose German proposals put to the December meeting of the North Atlantic Council that NATO should adopt a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [61736]

No member country has proposed to NATO that it adopt a policy of No First Use of nuclear weapons. In conducting the Strategic Defence Review we concluded that such a policy would be incompatible with our and NATO's doctrine of deterrence, and that it would not further nuclear disarmament. We see no need to change NATO nuclear policy as expressed in the Alliance Strategic Concept.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the figures were for military spending broken down into (a) nuclear and (b) non-nuclear spending in the most recent available year. [61739]

It is not possible to divide military spending neatly into nuclear and non-nuclear because many force elements have a variety of roles which may include support to nuclear and non-nuclear tasks, as I set out in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Laura Moffat) on 2 November 1998, Official Report, columns 349–50.Figures have been published in the annual UK Defence Statistics document and in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper, which also contains further detail. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the defence budget is dedicated to research in chemical warfare in the current financial year. [61738]

The Ministry of Defence funds research into defence against both chemical and biological warfare agents at the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency at Porton Down. The information sought is not readily available in the format requested, but in the current financial year, the total expenditure on chemical and biological defence research is estimated at £33.6m. This research is focused solely towards providing UK armed forces with safe and effective protection against the effects of chemical and biological warfare agents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the Defence Diversification budget was spent on non-military research in the most recent year for which figures are available. [61742]

There has in the past been no Defence Diversification budget as such. Funding for my Department's research programme is provided for military purposes, although the resultant technologies can often have civil benefits. The modest costs arising from the creation of the Defence Diversification Agency at the end of this month will therefore be a departure from past practice, which we hope will enable the more widespread exploitation of our technology in the civil sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the Defence Diversification Agency in the current financial year. [61741]

As we announced on 16 November 1998, Official Report, column 326, the estimated operating budget of the Defence Diversification Agency is expected to be some £2 million a year. Accordingly, a sum of £400,000 has been set aside to cover the costs of the Agency from its creation at the end of this month to the end of the current financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what commission has been paid to agents for the sale of Royal Navy warships to Chile in the last 10 years. [62054]

In line with long-standing Departmental policy, no commissions of any kind were or are paid to agents for Government to Government sales for ex-Royal Navy ships to Chile or any other country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what examination is made of the credentials of agents of (a) foreign Governments and (b) arms-purchasing companies who deal with the Armed Services over the sale of equipment. [62058]

While they are sometimes called upon to provide foreign buyers with advice on, or demonstrations of, the capabilities of military equipment, the Armed Services do not deal with agents of (a) foreign governments and (b) arms purchasing companies on the sale of such equipment. This applies equally to the sale of surplus defence equipment by the Disposal Sales Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website search facilities have failed to allow access to inquirers. [62066]

The Commission launched the Debt of Honour Register on the Internet on 9 November to give access to the commemorative information on 1.7 million of the Commonwealth's war dead beyond that provided to 50,000 inquirers annually by letter and telephone.The Internet site was developed by Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) and during the first two weeks of operation a technical defect limited access to the site. The defect manifested itself only after the service was experiencing full-load conditions. However, during this period approximately 230,000 of the several million, who have visited the site, have interrogated the database.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the contract with CCTA for the construction of a memorial search facilities website, indicating penalty clauses applicable. [62067]

A contract to develop and maintain an Internet site for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was let to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) on 29 July 1998. Penalty clauses were not applicable in the agreement for the development work undertaken.The Commonwealth War Graves Commission launched the Debt of Honour Register on the Internet on 9 November to give access to the commemorative information on 1.7 million of the Commonwealth's war dead beyond that provided to 50,000 inquirers annually by letter and telephone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is (a) the reason for replacement and (b) the cost of the new body panels purchased for the CIK RAF VC10 fleet. [62094]

The original body trim panels, used to convert the interior of the RAF VC10 CMk1 for its passenger carrying role, were over 20 years old, did not conform to current fire, smoke and toxicity regulations and were becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. The precise cost of the interior trim panels is "commercial in confidence" and I am, therefore, withholding it under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts with AIM Aviation (Jecco) Ltd. which included (a) furnishings and (b) other equipment. [62092]

The Ministry of Defence contract database lists 34 active contracts with AIM Aviation (Jecco) Ltd. This does not include local purchase orders, raised by units for items valued at under £5,000, for which no central record is held. Detailed information about the equipment or furnishings ordered under the contracts is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value was of the contract placed with AIM Aviation (Jecco) Ltd which included bed-settees for the RAF VC10 fleet; how many bed-settees at what cost were included in the order; on what date the order for the bed-settees was placed with AIM Aviation (Jecco) Ltd; and if he will place a copy of the contract in the Library. [62091]

The decision to replace the existing bed settees was made by the RAF under the previous administration in February 1997. A contract for six divan bed-settee units was awarded to AIM Aviation (Jecco) Ltd. on 20 August 1997 following a competition. No other items were included in the contract. The cost of equipment procured from industry under contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence is "commercial in confidence" and consequently, I am withholding the information under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I will not be placing a copy of the contract in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the orders for VIP equipment for the RAF VC10 fleet which have been cancelled since 1 May 1997, indicating the contents of the orders. [62093]

There is no record of any order for VIP equipment for the RAF VC10 fleet being cancelled since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings he has had with police concerning levels of policing for New Year's Eve 1999 and the following week; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Millennium Bug on policing needs for that period. [61176]

Women prisoners removed from mother and baby units
Removed	1998	1997	1996
Holloway	1 (violent and disruptive behaviour)	2 (bullying)	1 (psychotic incident)
New Hall	0	1 (unable to care for baby)	1Not known
Styal	0	2 (violent behaviour)	2 (drug offences)
Askham Grange	0	0	1 (charged with a section 1 offence under the Children and Young Persons Act 1993)
1 records not available

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities there are for arranging the transfer of a person arrested abroad in an EC country to face charges in a United Kingdom court; what legal aid facilities are available to such persons; and if he will make a statement. [61664]

There are two ways in which a person may be brought back to face criminal charges. The United Kingdom's extradition arrangements with most European countries are governed by the European Convention on Extradition. Where a person living in a Convention country stands accused in the United Kingdom of an extraditable offence, there is provision for an extradition request to be made. If the request is granted, the person concerned will be surrendered to stand trial in this country.Provision also exists for the voluntary repatriation to this country of convicted prisoners serving sentences in European Community countries. Such transfers take place in accordance with the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, and the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984. Any outstanding charges could be brought against a prisoner

Police staffing levels are an operational matter, to be determined by individual chief officers. Equally, it is for each force to assess the likely impact of the Millennium Bug, both on policing needs during the celebrations and on their own police Information Technology systems.Central guidance is being issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPO) Millennium Co-ordinating Committee (MCC), chaired by John Evans (Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall) who will be ACPO president during the Millennium. He has met with the Prime Minister's adviser to discuss the issues. I understand that ACPO are advocating a multi-agency approach to dealing with public order and public safety issues over the Millennium. Forces will be establishing contingency plans and liaising with local agencies and organisations accordingly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were removed from each of the four prison mother and baby units in (i) 1998, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1996; and for what reasons. [61019]

The information is given in the table.who had consented to be repatriated to this country, once they returned here.Legal aid is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor. I am advised, however, that it would be open to a person so facing charges to apply in the usual way for criminal legal aid, once he had been returned to the United Kingdom, and that any such application would be considered under Part V of the Legal Aid Act 1988.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic police officers were deployed (a) five years ago and (b) at the latest available date in (i) each of the Metropolitan Police divisions, (ii) Surrey, (iii) Thames Valley and (iv) the United Kingdom. [61723]

The information for England and Wales is set out in the table. The numbers of traffic police officers in Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. Within the Metropolitan Police, traffic officers are deployed at an area level, rather than at divisional level.Traffic policing does not necessarily occur independently of other police work, and the number of officers deployed to the traffic division is not indicative of the money spent on traffic policing. A large part of traffic officers' time is spent dealing with ordiary crime. It is an advantage that traffic officers deal with matters

Total police assigned to the traffic function
Forces	Year 1993–94	Year 1994–95	Year 1995–96	Year 1996–97	Year 1997–98
Metropolitan Police—1 Area	153	123	130	120	119
Metropolitan Police—2 Area	117	165	153	195	139
Metropolitan Police—3 Area	89	272	211	225	225
Metropolitan Police—4 Area	79	131	131	124	122
Metropolitan Police—5 Area	162	261	292	252	218
Metropolitan Police—6 Area	140	—	—	—	—
Metropolitan Police—7 Area	119	—	—	—	—
Metropolitan Police—8 Area	95	—	—	—	—
Metropolitan Police HQ	55	51	0	6	0
Total Metropolitan Police	1,009	1,003	917	922	823
Surrey	209	192	198	199	176
Thames Valley	345	335	288	268	273
England and Wales Total	8,657	8,421	8,078	8,142	7,951

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been made by the Metropolitan Police in respect of (a) speeding, (b) dangerous driving, (c) drunken driving and (d) defective vehicles in each of the last five years. [61615]

The information is set out in the table:

Prosecutions	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Speed limit offences	14,376	13,226	12,629	12,997	14,348
Dangerous Driving	964	1,406	1,310	1,254	987
Driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs	17,319	18,312	18,800	18,699	18,043
Vehicle or part in dangerous or defective condition	14,374	18,636	22,138	23,092	19,791

Figures for 1997 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths occurred in each of the Metropolitan Police divisions in each of the last five years arising from (a) murder and (b) road traffic accidents. [61724]

The Commissioner has provided the following information:

Murder
Area	11993	1994	1995	1996	1997
1 Area—Central	—	22	13	20	20
2 Area—North West	—	55	44	32	45
3 Area—North East	—	31	34	27	45
4 Area—South Ease	—	27	38	19	27
5 Area—South West	—	26	30	35	18
Total	147	161	159	133	155
1 Breakdown by area not available for 1993

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate for the total compensation paid under Category C of the Firearms Compensation Scheme. [61684]

Around £11,850,000 has so far been paid to claimants under Option C of the compensation scheme for large-calibre handguns and the ex-gratia payment scheme for small-calibre pistols. No payments have yet been made under Option C of the separate statutory compensation scheme for small-calibre pistols. The final total of Option C payments will not be known until all claims have been examined, but we expect this to be contained within the overall compensation figure of around £120 million previously announced.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department intends to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Ashford of 16 July, 3 September, 14 October and 22 October on Category C firearms compensation. [61629]

A reply was sent on 27 November. Because the emphasis is on processing compensation claims, I am afraid it is not always possible to respond promptly to inquiries about the progress of individual claims. We have, however, kept the House informed of progress on the compensation schemes generally, most recently in my reply to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 28 October 1998, Official Report, columns 179–80.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many speed cameras have been installed in (a) the Metropolitan Police area, (b) Surrey and (c) Thames Valley in each of the last five years; and how many prosecutions have resulted from evidence from them in each area. [61617]

In November 1998, there were 258 sites for speed cameras in the Metropolitan Police area, 15 in Surrey and 250 in Thames Valley. Comparable information for 1993–1997 is not available. Cameras are rotated around a number of sites to maximise their use as a deterrent.The table gives the figures for prosecutions for speeding where the offences were detected by automatic cameras:The majority of speeding offences detected by cameras are dealt with by fixed penalty. The table gives the number of fixed penalty notices given, and paid, for speeding where the offences were detected by automatic cameras:

Police authority	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Metropolitan Police	283	3,225	1,658	6,075	9,426
Surrey	—	—	—	18	—
Thames Valley	—	1,196	4,102	2,908	2,716

The majority of speeding offences detected by cameras are dealt with by fixed penalty. The table gives the number of fixed penalty notices given, and paid, for speeding where the offences were detected by automatic cameras:

Police authority	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Metropolitan Police	—	3,804	5,126	15,910	22,564
Surrey	—	—	—	1,011	8,883
Thames Valley	—	11,547	36,987	36,923	36,608

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motoring accidents resulting in (a) death, (b) serious injury, (c) less serious injury and (d) vehicle damage but not injury were recorded in each Metropolitan Police district in each of the last five years. [61616]

The Commissioner has provided the following information:

Area	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
Fatal accidents
1-Central	26	28	25	21	30
2-North West	64	72	48	76	67
3-North East	73	68	55	61	65
4-South East	75	58	50	52	45
5-South West	63	65	56	54	69
Total	301	291	234	264	276

Area	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
Serious injury accidents
1-Central	705	745	548	626	642
2-North West	1,172	1,137	1,398	1,545	1,545
3-North East	1,389	1,215	1,313	1,513	1,523
4-South East	1,166	1,209	1,345	1,211	1,344
5-South West	1,484	1,374	1,551	1,287	1,433
Total	5,916	5,680	6,155	6,182	6,487
Less serious injury
1-Central	3,735	3,701	3,677	3,922	3,840
2-North West	8,253	8,542	8,421	7,878	7,854
3-North East	7,625	7,573	7,503	7,796	7,626
4-South East	7,505	7,556	7,137	7,097	7,247
5-South West	7,460	7,496	7,166	7,312	7,260
Total	34,578	34,868	33,904	34,005	33,827

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the timetable for implementation of Part V of the Police Act 1997; and if he will make a statement. [61614]

As we have made clear in the past, we have decided to implement Part V of the Police Act 1997 and to establish the necessary arrangements to issue the three forms of certificate provided for under the Act. The timetable for implementation will be influenced by the very large number of certificates likely to be required. We are therefore giving careful consideration to the phasing in of certificates with priority given to the protection of children.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a list of unclassified papers produced in (a) the special interest series by the Police and Reducing Crime Unit, and (b) the technical series of papers from the Police Scientific and Development Branch since January 1997, indicating (a) the title of each paper and (b) the date on which it was produced. [62045]

There have been two unclassified special interest series papers published by the Policing and Reducing Crime Unit, and eighteen unclassified papers produced in the technical series of reports by the Police Scientific Development Branch since January 1997. A list of these will now be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to announce the allocations of police grant for individual police authorities in England and Wales for 1999–2000. [62483]

I have today put a copy of my proposals for the allocation of police grant for 1999–2000 in the Library. I intend to implement these proposals, subject to consideration of any representations I receive about them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the performance of courts enforcing confiscation and money laundering laws. [61553]

The third report of the Home Office Working Group on Confiscation, published on 10 November, identifies significant weaknesses in the enforcement of confiscation orders, including a number relating to the roles of the courts. The Working Group makes recommendations for improving performance in this

Table 1: Drug trafficking confiscation orders (England and Wales) 1992–1996
Year	Amount ordered to be confiscated	Downward variation on appeal	Default sentences(DTOA 1986)1	Amount available for confiscation	Amount remitted to consolidated fund
1992	9,129,863	2500,000	1,271,000	37,358,863	5,180,900
1993	9,678,118	594,000	579,000	8,505,118	5,380,000
1994	425,373,426	489,000	2,537,000	422,347,426	5,135,000
1995	18,337,490	1,201,000	848,000	16,288,490	5,343,000
1996	10,471,336	1,643,000	1,342,000	7,486,336	7,415,000
Total	72,990,233	4,427,000	6,577,000	61,986,233	28,453,900
1 Default sentences served under the Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 served to expunge the debt owned by the defendant
2 Estimate—no figures available for 1992
3 Estimate based on 2
4 Includes one confiscation order made by Chelmsford Crown Court for £15,314,000

£
Table 2: Proceeds of criminal conduct—confiscation orders made under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the 1988 Act as amended by the Proceeds of Crime Act 1995 (England and Wales) 1992–1996
Year	Amount ordered to be confiscated	Downward variation on appeal	Default sentences(unamended CJA)1	Amount available for confiscation	Amount remitted to consolidated fund
1992	1,354,000	2—	1,000	1,353,000	481,600
1993	412,000	44,000	156,000	212,000	266,000
1994	3,042,000	17,000	471,000	2,554,000	1,318,559
1995	3,653,000	355,000	513,000	2,785,000	1,024,000
1996	6,070,000	217,000	82,000	5,771,000	1,343,000
Total	14,531,000	633,000	1,223,000	12,675,000	4,433,159
1Default sentences served under the unamended CJA 1988 served to expunge the debt owed by the defendant
2No figures available