To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps the Welsh Office is taking to increase access to justice for people living in rural areas in Wales. [61473]

The Lord Chancellor's Department is proposing to create a Community Legal Service, which will improve access to good quality legal and advice services for those with the greatest need. This will be achieved by greater local planning of legal and advice services and co-ordination of funding through Community Legal Service Partnerships between local authorities, the Legal Aid Board and other significant funders. This will be particularly important to rural communities, as the inconsistent geographic coverage of legal and advice services impacts disproportionately in rural areas.The Lord Chancellor's Department also wishes to see the facilities at some magistrates' courts improved where these may be substandard, but—as section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 sets out—decisions about the location and number of courthouses and offices are the responsibility of the relevant magistrates' courts committees in consultation with their paying authorities. The Lord Chancellor's Department will become involved only when a paying authority appeals against an MCC's determination.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will take steps to halt the closure of (a) magistrates' and (b) county council courts in the rural areas of Wales. [61474]

Magistrates' courts are locally managed by magistrates' courts committees under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Decisions concerning the location and number of magistrates' courts in their area are for the relevant magistrates' courts committee to determine. A local authority that contributes financially may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. In the absence of an appeal, however, the Lord Chancellor plays no part in the process.The Court Service is responsible for all civil and the higher criminal courts and is required constantly to monitor and review the viability of its court network. Factors taken into consideration include the role played by the court in providing a service to the public in that area, and the effect and implications of providing an alternative for its current users. The criteria for considering the case for and against closure as set out in the Departmental Accommodation Plan are: the condition of the existing accommodation; the availability of facilities; the frequency of judicial visits and waiting times; the facilities provided by the alternative court; and the capacity of that court to cater for the additional work; and distances and public transport considerations. In general, the Court service must look to improve services to an area overall.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of (a) the Pay and Personnel Agency and (b) the Duke of York's Royal Military School; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [62043]

This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the agencies concerned. I have asked the Chief Executives to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many series of research papers his Department produces; and what are the names of each of these series of research papers. [62041]

A very large number of research papers are produced by the staff of Ministry of Defence research establishments and most such papers are in the public domain and not classified. Publication of research papers is the individual responsibility of the research establishments and sectors within them. Details of series of research papers are not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the procedures for enforcement of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, indicating the steps salvers should take to initiate enforcement action. [60864]

Responsibility for policing or prosecuting offences under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 lies with the relevant police force and the Crown Prosecution Service. My Department is happy to assist the police in any matters relating to the 1973 Act, whenever necessary. Steps are being taken to remind relevant police forces of their responsibilities under the 1973 Act, and of the designated wreck sites within their area of responsibility.Any individual who suspects that illegal diving may be taking place on a designated wreck site should, in the first instance, contact their local police constabulary whose responsibility it is to take the necessary steps to investigate the allegations. My Department would also wish to be kept informed of such incidents and will provide advice as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the actions of and communications between his Department and the Devon and Cornwall police in the week commencing 5 October 1998, regarding the designated site at Salcombe and the complaint made to them under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. [60865]

My officials were in telephone contact with the Devon and Cornwall Police three times on Wednesday 7 October to discuss the situation on the Salcombe Cannon designated wreck site. As a result of the telephone conversation, a letter was faxed to the Police at 3.15pm on Wednesday 7 October, setting out the legal provisions of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. A copy of the licence for the site, detailing the individuals authorised to dive on it, was also faxed to the Police, at their request, on the afternoon of Wednesday 7 October. A further telephone call was made to the Police on Friday 9 October to obtain an update on the situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will provide a breakdown of the running costs of the Royal Parks Agency (a) by area of responsibility and (b) by Royal Park in each year since 1993; [60973](2) how many people were employed by the Royal Parks Agency to maintain

[holding answer 27 November 1998]: Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will ensure that the new English National Stadium will be held in trust for the nation in perpetuity by the English National Stadium Trust; [61435](2) if the FA and the English National Stadium Developments Company will continue to be bound by the contractual terms of the grant from the English Sports Council following repayments of that grant; [61433](3) when the development proposal for the new National Stadium will be submitted to the appropriate planning authority; [61432](4) what redress will be available to the English National Stadium Trust in the event that the FA and the English National Stadium Development Company break the terms of the grant from the English Sports Council; [61434](5) if he will make a statement on his policy regarding attempts to sell a share of the freehold interests in the new English National Stadium; [61436](6) when he expects the sale of the Wembley Stadium site to the English National Stadium Trust's Development Company to be concluded; [61431]

The planning application for the National Stadium is a matter for the English National Stadium Development Company (ENSDC) in consultation with the London Borough of Brent, as planning authority. The present anticipated timetable for submitting a planning application is Spring/Summer 1999, although ENSDC are known to be reviewing the position. The English Sports Council (ESC) included milestone dates on planning issues as conditions of the Lottery award to ensure the project moves ahead on a reasonable timetable.In the event of a breach of the conditions of the Lottery award, the ESC has the right to seek repayment. It is a condition of the Lottery award that the freehold interest cannot be sold. The site acquisition is still under discussion between the applicants and Wembley Plc. The site purchase arrangements are subject to strict Stock Exchange rules on disclosure. Following the acquisition, it is intended that the English National Stadium Trust will hold a 999 year lease for the stadium site. The principal lottery award conditions will apply for 50 years, even if the award is repaid, to ensure that the stadium meets its objectives throughout this period.As these are detailed matters relating to a Lottery award. I have also written to my hon. Friend proposing he receives a briefing from the ESC on the National Stadium project.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures have been proposed by the European Commission to reduce harmful tax competition; and if he will make a statement. [61883]

[holding answer 1 December 1998]: On 1 December 1997, based on a Commission proposal the ECOFIN Council acknowledged the positive effects of fair competition and the need for a Code of Conduct for business taxation designed to list harmful tax measures.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the effect of EU tax harmonisation proposals on British business. [61308]

Decisions in this area are subject to unanimity. We have made it clear that we will not agree to any course of action which is not in Britain's national economic interest.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to seek to end harmful tax competition within the European Union; what his policy is on determining what types of tax competition are harmful; and if he will make a statement. [61065]

[holding answer 30 November 1998]: The Government are in favour of effective international action to combat harmful tax practices. The Government support the work of the Code of Conduct Group which under my Chairmanship has been reviewing measures which may be considered harmful under the criteria set out in the Code of Conduct on business taxation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to switch the tax burden away from taxes on labour to taxes on capital; and if he will make a statement. [61069]

[holding answer 30 November 1998]: The Government's tax policy objectives are set out in paragraphs 1.66 to 1.69 of the July 1997 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for an Anglo-German working party on job creation and economic reform. [61062]

[holding answer 30 November 1998]: When the Chancellor met the new German Finance Minister, Herr Lafontaine, on Thursday 19 November, they agreed that we should look together at what more we can do to promote job creation and economic reform in our economies. Both Governments will work closely, including through a joint working group, to examine the policies we are pursuing and how we can learn from each other.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what approaches he has made to the European Commission since the spring Budget regarding VAT in the United Kingdom on energy conservation materials and supplies. [62038]

Under the UK Presidency Environment Ministers of Member States reached agreement that the Council should invite the European Commission to consider proposals for differentiation in tax levels for energy saving products. The Financial Secretary has also written directly to Commissioner Monti putting forward the case for change.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many weeks the pound has been (a) within, (b) above and (c) below the exchange rate mechanism target since 1 January 1997. [62300]

Sterling is not a member of the ERM and the Government have no intention of joining. The Government do not have a target for sterling but aim for a stable and competitive exchange rate over the medium term, consistent with the objective of price stability.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what restrictions are placed upon the Government's ability to act independently of other creditors to reduce debt owed by developing countries by (i) the European Union, (ii) the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and (iii) other international organisations or agreements. [61491]

The UK is not restricted in acting unilaterally to reduce debt owed by developing countries by either the EU, the OECD or any other international agreements.However, lasting solutions to the problems of heavily indebted poor countries require a multilateral effort. Since the UK holds only a part of the total debt owed by these countries, it cannot by itself reduce their debts to sustainable levels. That is why the UK has been making such efforts in international forums to ensure that all creditors co-operate in giving poor countries a permanent solution to their debt burdens.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to cancel the debt owed to the United Kingdom Government by Nicaragua and Honduras; and if he will make a statement on discussions with other creditors on assistance to Nicaragua and Honduras. [61496]

The UK wrote off all of its loans to Honduras and Nicaragua long before Hurricane Mitch struck. Following the devastation caused to these countries last month, the Chancellor decided that Nicaragua and Honduras need make no debt service payments to ECGD over the next two years. The issue of a moratorium is to be discussed at the Paris Club of official bilateral creditors next week.The Chancellor wrote to the International Financial Institutions—the IMF, World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank—calling on them to look at possible mechanisms for lessening the debt service obligations of Honduras and Nicaragua, and has taken these proposals forward with his G7 and EU colleagues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will urge the IMF to sell gold reserves in order to pay for the immediate suspension of debt service payments to the international institutions by Nicaragua and Honduras. [61494]

The UK Government support, and have been pressing for, the sale of a proportion of the IMF gold reserves to provide financing for the HIPC initiative. The UK will continue to press for gold sales in the IMF Executive Board. Gold sales require the approval of the Executive Board by a majority of 85 per cent., and we are therefore working closely with other members at the IMF to secure Board approval.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact on the rate of economic growth in Northern Ireland of the smuggling of petroleum products from Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement. [61924]

HM Customs and Excise has no estimates for the impact on the rate of economic growth in Northern Ireland of such activity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many litres of (a) road gasoline and (b) road diesel fuel duty was paid in each quarter of (i) 1996, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998 to date. [61922]

Deliveries of Petrol and Diesel of all types:

litres
Quarter to:	Petrol	Diesel
March 1996	6,539,545,262	3,722,415,706
June 1996	7,597,407,232	4,238,895,402
September 1996	7,607,522,225	4,226,809,708
December 1996	7,813,186,668	4,755,757,113
March 1997	6,454,953,806	3,961,713,098
June 1997	7,710,831,141	4,464,754,208
September 1997	7,018,707,158	4,204,496,511
December 1997	7,390,567,838	4,655,813,319
March 1998	7,430,834,826	4,588,144,139
June 1998	6,087,221.415	3,752,885,748
September 1998	7,322,234,298	4,440,737,252
To end October 1998	2,396,833,797	1,499,918,984

These figures are for the whole of the UK. Customs does not keep separate figures for any regions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect which the 11-week limit to casual employment has had on small employers in the construction industry. [61911]

I have been asked to reply.I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the 13-week qualifying period for the entitlement to paid annual leave under the Working Time regulations. There was no specific assessment on applying this entitlement to casual workers, and specifically the ramifications for small employers in the construction industry. An assessment for the whole of British industry was made, a copy of which is held in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what grant applications her Department has received from the Hinduja group of companies since 1 May 1997; and what grants have been paid. [62241]

The Department for International Development has received no grant applications from the group and has paid no grants to it.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her plans are for further assistance to Central America in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. [62674]

An assessment mission from DFID visited Honduras and Nicaragua on 23–28 November. They had an extensive programme of field visits to disaster affected areas and discussions with Governments, UN agencies, the Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank, Red Cross and NGOs, EC and other donors. Our findings and conclusions are as follows:

Situation Assessment

Consolidated estimates of damage confirm that Honduras is, by far, the worst affected country. Some 20,000 are dead and missing, 285,000 displaced and overall about 1.4 million (out of a total population of 6.1 million) affected. The physical devastation is widespread, affecting 14 out of 18 administrative departments: 60 per cent. of roads and bridges, 50 per cent. of agricultural production (including a fifth of the economically important coffee and nearly all the banana export crops), 80 per cent. of water distribution networks, 70 per cent. of hospitals, 12 per cent. of health centres, and 25 per cent. of schools are destroyed or severely damaged. The effects of the disaster, still starkly visible a month later, are reflected most obviously in disrupted access and basic utilities. Groups of destitute families are living under ramshackle and insanitary conditions wherever they can find shelter.

In Nicaragua damage to infrastructure has been more moderate though still significant in five departments (Pacific coast and the north). Overall, some 3,000 are dead and missing, and 370,000 (out of a total population of 4.5 million) severely affected. But, in contrast to Honduras, the physical effects and human impact are less evident a month later.

The mission did not visit El Salvador (population 5.8 million, 475 killed/missing, 84,000 affected) and Guatemala (population 10.9 million, 400 killed/missing, 105,000 affected) but reports suggest substantially less damage. In both countries, agricultural losses appear to be more significant than infrastructure damage (except in particular pockets).

Assessment of disaster response

In both Honduras and Nicaragua, a striking feature has been the self-help efforts of the communities themselves, reflecting the strong regional tradition of community solidarity. Most lives were saved and vulnerable people helped by indigenous efforts as the physical disruption of the hurricane and floods meant that it took time for outside help to arrive. The strength of local government was a key factor in enabling good local mobilisation.

The most effective external life-saving interventions appear to have been carried out by the military (both national and foreign forces). However, there are lessons to be drawn in terms of the efficiency and effectiveness of tasking and military/civil co-operation. The Governments of Honduras and Nicaragua also responded effectively.

Co-ordination in both countries presents a mixed picture. However it is important to recognise the practical constraints (especially in Honduras) and the burden placed by outside organisations rushing in. The UN-coordinated needs assessment process was crucial and reached credible conclusions. The UN Diaster Assessment and Co-ordination (UNDAC) mechanism of OCHA was also useful and appropriately deployed in support of the in-country UN Resident Co-ordinator. Inter-agency co-operation within the UN system appears to have been satisfactory. But overall, the UN could have been more assertive in terms of providing guidance and "gate-keeping", and donors more conscientious—and less competitive—in deferring to UN co-ordination.

The EC through ECHO, has disbursed funds for immediate relief through NGOs working in the region, and is planning an extensive reconstruction package. In the Development Council on 30 November, I emphasised the importance of co-ordinating this with the wider international assistance effort. We intend to work closely with the EC to ensure that its assistance is disbursed as effectively as possible.

International NGOs have also made useful contributions. The best work is being done by agencies already established on the ground. They are able to mobilise existing systems and structures and draw on the local knowledge and trust they have built up. This contrasts with the many diaster relief organisations that have flocked to the region and have had difficulty in finding a meaningful niche while possibly creating additional problems for their hosts (for example overburdening internal transport systems).

Impact of DFID humanitarian assistance

Britain was among the fastest in delivery relief on the ground. In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, a total of about £1 million was granted by DFID to NGOs (CAFOD, CARE, Christian Aid, Del Campo farmers co-operative, Food for the Hungry, IRC, Tear Fund), the International Federation of Red Cross, the Pan American Health Organisations, and the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA). The geographical distribution of funding to date is about £370,000 for Honduras, £390,000 for Nicaragua, £15,000 for El Salvador, and £200,000 for regional use to benefit all four countries. Most of our grants have been disbursed very rapidly and transformed into urgently needed benefits for an estimated 0.5 million people. These include provision of emergency shelter, clothing, blankets and household goods, water supplies, health care, seeds and other agricultural inputs.

Forward strategy

Immediate disaster relief needs have been largely met except perhaps for the most isolated communities. Planning for the longer-term needs of reconstruction is progressing but it will be at least six months before we see real progress. Meanwhile, there is a transition period in which continued humanitarian assistance is necessary. Survivors—especially those who are displaced—remain vulnerable to disease in the absence of safe water and disruption of health services. Food security can be promoted if inputs are made in time for the current planting season. If primary schooling is not restored, vulnerable children may drop out permanently from education. The solution to meeting these urgent needs is, as has been demonstrated already, by supporting successful community efforts, in close conjunction with socially responsive local municipal authorities, in a way that kick starts local economies. But one very serious constraint—especially in Honduras—is the continued lack of access to poor communities because of disrupted roads. Without tackling this very little else is possible, and vulnerability will increase as people's reserves run out.

The UN is about to launch a "Transitional Appeal" for the period December 1998 to May 1999. This should provide a good framework of priorities. Our own further transitional humanitarian assistance, over the next six months, will enable people—especially the poor who have been left completely destitute by the disaster—to survive and cope, while seeking to establish the basis for sustainable recovery.

In the light of this, I have decided that, during this transitional period, we will provide further humanitarian assistance of £3 million allocated according to the relative needs of the affected countries. This will include:

In Honduras, a programme of emergency repairs and rehabilitation to secondary (rural) roads, including essential small bridges; and also a public works programme ("cash for work") targeting particularly neglected municipalities. This would benefit poor families by creating short-term local employment while also generating much needed social benefits through the rehabilitation of essential community infrastructure, and injecting cash into local economies.

In Nicaragua support for UNICEF's emergency programmes to repair water and sanitation infrastructure and to restore primary health and education services for diaster affected communities.

On a regional basis, support for a WHO/PAHO programme within the national health authorities of the four Central American countries, especially in the area of epidemiological surveillance and epidemic control.

Support for UNDP's function of inter-agency co-ordination through the Offices of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Co-ordinators in all affected countries.

Longer Term

We are also working on plans to respond to longer term needs. We have already committed £6 million for Central America over the next two years. We are now re-focusing this to take account of reconstruction needs. We are also taking forward the proposals on debt relief which the Chancellor and I announced on 7 November.

Learning the lessons

Given the magnitude of the disaster and the complexity of the international and national response efforts, there are many lessons to be learned to improve disaster preparedness in developing countries. We shall be pursuing these in the context of a UN-led lessons learnt exercise planned for February 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland had been waiting for more than (a) three, (b) six, (c) 12 and (d) 18 months for a response from an Independent Tribunal Service appeal, in the year ended 31 August (a) 1998 and (b) 1997. [61918]

I have been asked to reply.The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

All cases heard and decided by an appeal tribunal in 1997 and 1998
	January-December 1997
3–6 months	3,448
6–12 months	8,051
1–2 years	1,874
2 years and over	159

	January-August 1998
3–6 months	5,674
6–12 months	10,289
12–18 months	2,489
18 months and over	760

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the trade unions representing teaching staff with which his Department has dealings. [62025]

The Department has dealings with the following trade unions representing teaching staff:

• Association of Teachers and Lecturers
• Association of University Teachers
• National Association of Head Teachers
• National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers
• National Association for Teachers in Further and Higher Education
• National Union of Teachers
• Professional Association of Teachers
• Secondary Heads Association
• Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru/National Association of the Teachers of Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many hours were spent in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools by teachers on permitted trade union activities in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [62028]

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the ranking of the UK has been in standard international comparative tables for literacy and numeracy in each of the last five years. [62026]

We are not aware of any standard annual comparative tables for literacy and numeracy. However, the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), carried out in 1995, found that in mathematics England's 9 year olds came 10th out of 17 countries; and our 13 year olds came 16th out of 25 countries. In the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), carried out in 1996, British adults came 9th out of the 12 countries for which results are so far available.This Government are determined to raise standards in schools and also take the issue of basic skills very seriously. That is why we have established the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies which are designed to raise standards to the level of the best. In addition to the wide range of current adult learning opportunities, the Government have set a target in The Learning Age to help 500,000 people a year by 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his e-mail address. [62562]

The e-mail address for my right hon. Friend and other Ministers in his Department is: http://dfee.ministers@dfee.gov.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if, where a child is admitted in the final term, as an agreed exception under the Regulations of the School Standards and Framework to a reception infant class that already has 30 pupils, it will be mandatory to reduce the class size maximum to 30 in the following year; and what advice local education authorities will be given on compliance with the legislation. [61824]

There are two general sets of circumstances in which a child will be treated as an excepted pupil and not count towards the infant class size limit of 30 pupils for every qualified teacher, to apply from the start of the 2001–2002 school year—

(1) where a child is admitted to the school in certain specified circumstances that could not have been anticipated in planning, for example where he moves into the area outside a normal admission round and cannot find a place at any other suitable school; and

(2) where a child, who is normally educated in a special school or in a unit in a mainstream school for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), attends a mainstream class.

The first set of exceptions applies only for the remainder of the school year in which the child was first admitted—even where the child was admitted during the final term of that year. The second set of exceptions enables those pupils to gain the benefit of attending mainstream classes and will be permitted beyond the school admission year—at any time when those pupils attend the infant classes at the mainstream school or outside the special unit. Thus it will only be mandatory to reduce the class size maximum to 30 in the following year if the exception is one within the first group.On 9 September 1998, the Department for Education and Employment sent guidance (and copies of the relevant Regulations) on the class sizes legislation to all local education authorities in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has commissioned into the effect of studying information communications technology on developing children's ability in other subjects; and if he will make a statement. [62114]

In recent years the Department has commissioned a range of relevant studies and evaluations. These include

• The Impact of IT on Children's Achievements (1992)
• Preparing for the Information Age (1997)
• The UK ILS Evaluations (1998).

As part of the National Grid for Learning, the Department will be initiating further studies in the development and use of ICT within the curriculum.In addition, the Teacher Training Agency has commissioned a major research study into effective pedagogy for the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in literacy and numeracy in primary schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has commissioned into the effect of art and music lessons in developing children's ability in other subjects; and if he will make a statement. [62113]

My Department has not commissioned any research into the effect of art and music lessons on children's ability in other subjects. This Government believe that art and music are essential parts of every child's education. That is why music and art remain National Curriculum foundation subjects which must be taught by all schools as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by whom the funding for any public inquiry held by an adjudicator to determine the outcome of proposals for a school organisation plan will be provided. [62306]

Where an Adjudicator wishes to hold a public inquiry, or is required to do so in respect of school organisation proposals published by the Secretary of State, the cost of that inquiry will be met by the Department for Education and Employment. The Local Education Authority or school concerned will be invited to offer accommodation for the inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teacher vacancies there were in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools at the latest date for which information is available by each local education authority. [62304]

The information requested is shown in the table.

Teacher vacancies1 in maintained nursery/primary and secondary schools by LEA: and Government Office region: January 1998
England	Nursery and Primary	Secondary
Gateshead	3	1
Newcastle-upon-Tyne	3	2
North Tyneside	0	0
South Tyneside	0	2
Sunderland	7	7
Hartlepool	3	1
Middlesbrough	5	6
Redcar and Cleveland	1	9
Stockton on Tees	3	6
Durham	11	7
Darlington	3	4
Northumberland	0	0
North East	39	45
Cumbria	1	1
Cheshire	25	14
Bolton	0	2
Bury	0	1
Manchester	0	0
Oldham	10	3
Rochdale	10	2
Salford	0	0
Stockport	0	0
Tameside	2	4
Trafford	0	2
Wigan	5	0
Lancashire	27	9
North West	80	38
Knowsley	6	7
Liverpool	0	4
St. Helens	1	4

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to appoint adjudicators under section 25 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998; and if he will publish the job description for such adjudicators. [62305]

We will announce the appointment of adjudicators in the New Year. The posts were advertised in the Summer. Those who expressed an interest were sent a copy of the job description and person specification, which is as follows.

School organisation and admissions adjudicators

The job

The School Standards and Framework Bill, currently before Parliament, provides for decisions on changes to school organisation (opening, closing, enlarging and changing the character of schools) to be taken at local level by a School Organisation Committee, established by, but independent of the local authority. The Bill also provides for the Secretary of State to appoint adjudicators to consider cases where the School Organisation Committee is unable to reach a decision. The Bill also establishes new arrangements for agreeing school admissions arrangements at local level and provides for complaints about admissions arrangements to be referred to the adjudicator for resolution.

The adjudicator will consider and decide cases, usually on paper, taking account of the views both of those proposing change and those objecting to it. There will be guidance from the Secretary of State on issues that adjudicators will wish to take into consideration. In the case of admissions there will be a statutory Code of Practice. Adjudicators will be empowered to hold a local public inquiry into any case and will be required to do so if any proposals are made by the Secretary of State. Further background information is contained in the attached documents.

The Secretary of State proposes to appoint about 20 adjudicators initially, for two or three years. Adjudicators will be allocated cases on the basis of their availability—and where appropriate on the basis of geographical location. We expect that adjudicators will work from home. Adjudicators will be paid £270 per day plus expenses for any day on which they are required to consider cases. The Secretary of State will provide other facilities as necessary and administrative support, which will be located in Darlington. It is difficult to assess loading at this stage, but an adjudicator might be called upon on between 60 and 120 days each year. There are likely to be seasonal pressures, particularly in considering admissions issues, around Easter.

The first appointment will be of a lead adjudicator whose role would be to secure effective and efficient adjudication by:

(a) developing procedures and processes through some experience of adjudicating and through discussion with other adjudicators;

(b) seeking efficient use of resources through guidance on practical issues such as conduct of considerations and writing of decisions;

(c) seeking to support the consistent application of procedures through peer review—but not reviewing decisions once made. (The provision for appeal against adjudicators' decisions is judicial review);

(d) convening and chairing training conferences;

(e) undertaking appraisal of adjudicators, which would inform a decision on re-appointments or potentially on the allocation of cases;

(f) advising on recruitment and appointment;

(g) the publication of an annual report;

(h) providing one voice for the adjudication service with whom Ministers could discuss concerns.

But we do not envisage that the lead adjudicator will have a heavier adjudication load than any other adjudicator. The lead adjudicator will also be a part-time appointee, but will be paid £1300 a day, and would be guaranteed work for 125 days per year.

Interviews for candidates for appointment as lead adjudicator will be held in September, with a view to the appointee taking up post as soon as possible thereafter. Other interviews for adjudicators will be held in the late Autumn.

Person Specification

The role of an adjudicator will be a challenging one. It is essential that adjudicators have credibility with both the local and education communities, derived from their experience, independence and impartiality.

Adjudicators must be able to keep an objective perspective, weigh competing arguments, and be accepted for their ability to do so.

We envisage that successful applicants will have experience of education or education planning at a senior level, for example as a senior education officer; a headteacher or an HMI.

For the lead adjudicator, in addition to the above, the successful applicant will have experience of senior management in large organisation, for example as a Chief Education Officer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Youth Affairs Council meeting on 26 November. [62772]

I attended the Council of Youth Ministers in Brussels on 26 November.The Council agreed unanimously a resolution proposed by the Presidency encouraging the Community and member states to involve young people in decision-making at all levels. The Council also discussed the Commission's proposal for a Community youth action programme from the year 2000 but was unable to reach an agreed common position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many graduates from (a) Oxford, (b) Cambridge, (c) London, (d) Warwick and (e) Sussex universities have been employed as secondary school teachers in grant maintained schools in (i) 1990, (ii) 1995 and (iii) the last year for which there are records. [62376]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received a copy of the Annual report for 1997 by the National Advisory Council for the Boards of Visitors of England and Wales. [62676]

I was presented with a copy of the National Advisory Council for the Boards of Visitors of England and Wales' Annual Report for 1997, by its Chairman Mrs. Ruth Draycott OBE JP on 18 August 1998.I have asked my noble Friend the Minister of State, Lord Williams of Mostyn, to consider the report and to respond to the issues raised in it.A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes in the arrangements for (a) deporting persons subject to deportation orders and (b) locating and removing illegal immigrants are planned to be made in the period from 1 December 1998 to 1 March 1999. [62228]

The period 1 December 1998 to 1 March 1999 will see the reorganisation of casework in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate from the present Directorates into a single Integrated Caseworking Directorate. Arrangements for the removal of illegal entrants and people against whom deportation orders have been made will continue unchanged during this period: and the Immigration Service will continue to respond in cases where suspected illegal entrants are detected. During the reorganisation of headquarters case records there will be some interruption to the paper processing of cases, but this will not affect the ability of local immigration officers to take enforcement action in the many cases where decisions have already been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how he plans to ascertain whether or not the considerations to be taken into account in dealing with asylum applications made between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 apply to the cases of individual asylum seekers; and if he plans that each such applicant will be interviewed; [62229](2) how he plans to ascertain the considerations to be taken into account in dealing with asylum applications made between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995; and if he plans that each such applicant will be interviewed. [62209]

Undecided asylum cases, where the date of application falls between the dates relevant to the backlog procedure, have already been identified. Instructions to caseworkers processing these cases will be issued shortly and will be made available to the public through selected sites and the internet. A copy will also be placed in the Library.Although it may be necessary to interview some of these applicants in order to give cases full consideration, where possible a decision will be taken on the information already available on the file, or subsequently obtained by post from the applicant.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the incidence of offending among asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [62211]

No general assessment has been made of such incidents, but any conviction will be notified to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and will be taken into account when deciding whether an asylum seeker should be allowed to remain in the United Kingdom. There is no evidence that the vast majority of asylum seekers are committing non-immigration criminal offences in the United Kingdom. Recent reports in the press have highlighted criminal offending by a minority, most of whom, with the sanction of the courts, will be removed from the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to establish guidelines as to the considerations to be taken into account in dealing with asylum applications made between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 as outlined in paragraph 8.30 of Fairer, Faster and Firmer. [62208]

Instructions on how to deal with cases which fall to be dealt with under the backlog procedures are to be issued to staff shortly. A copy of these instructions will be placed in the Library, sent to selected sites and placed on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's website on the internet.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account will be taken of delays in dealing with their asylum claim caused by the actions of the asylum seekers themselves as regards applicants (a) before 1 July 1993 and (b) from 1 July 1993 to 31 December 1995, in determining the eligibility of such an asylum applicant for indefinite leave to remain under paragraph 8.29 of Fairer, Faster and Firmer. [62233]

It would be difficult to envisage a set of criteria which would make it possible to distinguish those who through some action have delayed their case and the extent to which it was, in each individual case, justifiable or not.Applicants who sought asylum in the United Kingdom before 1 January 1996 and who were still awaiting an initial decision on 27 July 1998 will not be excluded from the backlog procedures announced in the White Paper, even if some of the delay was caused by their own actions. However, any applicant whose case is being dealt with as part of the backlog exercise who, without good reason, fails to respond promptly to inquiries made by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate since the publication of the White Paper, is liable to have their application refused on non-compliance grounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how he proposes to ascertain in the case of each individual applicant whether or not the presence of pre-July 1993 asylum applicants is conducive to the public good; [62207](2) how he plans to ascertain in the case of individual pre-July 1993 asylum seekers whether or not their presence is conducive to the public good. [62213]

The information on individual case files will be examined. The Immigration and Nationality Directorate is routinely informed when those subject to immigration control are arrested and convicted of an offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the offences which amount to serious criminal offences for the purposes of determining the eligibility of pre–1 July 1993 asylum applicants for indefinite leave to remain under Para 8.29 of Fairer, Faster and Firmer-A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum. [62230]

It depends on the circumstances of the case. but generally an offender receiving a custodial sentence of 12 months or more would be excluded from benefiting from the backlog procedure. Other offenders may be excluded if their record is serious enough.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are currently taken to discover if asylum seekers have a criminal record prior to claiming asylum in the United Kingdom; and what plans he has to introduce new checks so as to ascertain if asylum seekers have criminal records. [62210]

It is existing practice for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to be advised if any foreign national is convicted of a criminal offence in the United Kingdom. A refugee who has been convicted by a final judgment of a particularly serious crime and constitutes a danger to the community may be removed to the country from which they sought asylum. When considering asylum applications, factors such as criminal convictions will be taken into account if a person qualifies as a refugee and before permission is given to remain in the United Kingdom.It is not generally possible to ascertain whether an asylum seeker has committed an offence before they arrived in this country. However, if it is discovered that they have, consideration will be given to whether their actions exclude them from protection under the terms of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.We have no plans to introduce any new checks to ascertain whether asylum seekers have criminal records.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the refurbishment of Lunar House on the Immigration Service over the next three months. [62227]

The conditions at Lunar House have been described as Dickensian. The much needed refurbishment has been timed to fit in with fundamental changes in the way the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) handles casework. These include the creation of a new Integrated Casework Directorate, which will be in temporary offices above the Whitgift Centre in Croydon until the building work on Lunar House has been

Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which firearms, other than air weapons, were reported to have been used England and Wales 1995–1996
Offences	July 1995-June 1996	July 1996-June 1997	July 1997-June 1998 (provisional)
Homicide	64	51	43
Attempted murder and other acts (including wounding) endangering life	746	547	652
Other offences of violence against the person	596	743	809
Robbery	4,249	3,307	2,720
Burglary	255	240	273
Other offences excluding criminal damage	248	229	221
Criminal damage	155	144	103
All offences	6.313	5,261	4.821

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to publish the files kept by the security services on Shapurji Saklatvala; and if he will make a statement. [61649]

It is long-standing Government policy neither to confirm nor deny whether the Security Service holds a record on any individual. I informed the House on 29 July 1998, Official Report, columns 251–52, that the Security Service has released almost all the surviving material in its archive covering the years 1909–1919, and is actively reviewing for release its more extensive stock of records for World War Two. Once this second phase of historical release has been completed, the Service will completed in 2001. I wrote to all hon. Members on 18 November to explain that there will be considerable upheaval in the next three months. However, I am confident that, after February, IND' s service will be much improved. The refurbishment will create more reasonable conditions, which will be more conducive to the efficient delivery of services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications from Slovakians have been certified since May 1997; how many Roma or Slovakian cases there have been in the period; and in how many of these cases the certification has been overturned at appeal. [61690]

The number of asylum applications made by nationals of Slovakia from May 1997 to October 1998 was 1,095, of which 565 were certified. I regret the information on ethnic origin could be obtained only by examination of individual case records and is, therefore, available only at disproportionate cost. I regret that the information on how many of the certified refusals overturned at appeal is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by offence, the number of gun-related crimes committed between (a) July 1995 and July 1996, (b) July 1996 and July 1997 and (c) July 1997 and July 1998. [62194]

The table gives the readily available information which relates to the number of notifiable offences in which firearms, other than air weapons, were reported to have been used.review its inter-war records in preparation for further releases. It is that period which is relevant to my hon. Friend's Question.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Prison Service is directly liable for debts occurring in (i) staff messes and (ii) staff clubs in prison service establishments; and if he will make a statement. [61907]

The Prison Service is currently liable for debts incurred by staff messes in Prison Service establishments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) staff messes and (b) staff clubs in prison service establishments have closed in each of the last five years. [61905]

From the information currently available, the following number of staff messes and clubs in Prison Service establishments have closed during the last three years:

• 1996: One club
• 1997: Five clubs and one mess
• 1998: One club and one mess.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of HM prisons currently provide complementary medical services for prisoners; how many others have requested such provision; and if he will make a statement. [62198]

Thirty-one Prison Service establishments have reported that they provide some form of complementary medical services to prisoners; and a further eight have said that they have plans to do so. The Prison Service is planning to issue guidance on the place of complementary therapies alongside conventional health services, as well as the range of treatments that it would be appropriate to offer in the prison context.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the security arrangements for Augusto Pinochet following (a) his arrest and (b) his removal to another place of residence. [62119]

General outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease reported to be associated with the consumption of turkey/turkey products, faults suspected to be contributory factors
Organism	Number of Outbreaks	Infected food handler	Inadequate heat treatment	Cross contamination	Inadequate storage
1995
Clostridium perfringens	1	—	—	—	—
Salmonella enteritidis PT4	3	1	2	2	3
Salmonella enteritidis other phage types	1	—	1	1	1
Salmonella typhimurium	3	1	—	—	—
SRSV	1	—	—	—	—

Security arrangements for individuals are an operational matter for the chief officer of police concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the review of the commercial sale of electoral registers by the Working Party on Electoral Procedures. [61802]

The Working Party on Electoral Procedures has asked Home Office civil servants to consult further with commercial and other interests about business' concerns before the sale of the register is considered again in detail later in the Working Party's programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of food poisoning have been reported in each year since 1995 caused by (a) turkeys eviscerated in retail premises, (h) turkeys eviscerated in retail premises which were improperly cooked, (c) turkeys eviscerated at abattoirs and (d) turkeys eviscerated at abattoirs which were improperly cooked. [61670]

I have been asked to reply.The majority of food poisoning notifications are sporadic cases which cannot normally be linked to a specific food vehicle. The most reliable data linking particular foods with infection is derived from the investigation of outbreaks. Information on outbreaks associated with food production processes such as those relating to the slaughter and evisceration of poultry is not available. The tables show the pathogens responsible for disease associated with the consumption of turkey products and the faults in food handling that investigators have identified as contributing to the transmission of infection in these outbreaks.

General outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease reported to be associated with the consumption of turkey/turkey products, England & Wales 1995–97
Organism	1995	1996	1997
Clostridium perfringens	1	—	8
Salmonella enteritidis PT4	3	4	—
Salmonella enteritidis other phage types	1	1	2
Salmonella typhimurium	3	1	1
Other salmonellas	—	1	—
Staphylococcus aureus	—	3	—
SRSV	1	—	—
Unknown	—	1	—

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what is his e-mail address. [62563]

My e-mail address is jcunningham@cabinet-office.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been (a) conducted and (b) commissioned by his Department into the children in respect of whom yellow cards have been issued. [61621]

The Medicines Control Agency is funding, jointly with the National Health Service, Executive Trent, a pilot project for the reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions in children, entailing the establishment of a research unit at Derbyshire Children's Hospital run by Professor Imti Choonara of the University of Nottingham. The objectives of the project are to stimulate reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions occurring in children in the Trent region to the Medicines Control Agency and Committee on Safety of Medicines, to identify and investigate possible signals of new adverse drug reactions occurring in children and to determine the value of extending the scheme to other regions or nationally. The centre commenced work in September 1998 and will report on its progress in mid–1999.The current processes undertaken by the Medicines Control Agency for the evaluation of reports on yellow cards involve the identification and investigation of patterns suggesting new safety concerns, so that suitable steps can be taken to make sure that medicines are used as safely as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to GPs on informing people of potential side-effects of the use of MR or MMR vaccinations. [61610]

A doctor must decide what information to pass on to a patient about the possible adverse reactions to any drug, including vaccines, and we would expect them to pass on all the relevant information to each patient. Full details of the contraindications to vaccination and the adverse reactions associated with measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are set out in the United Kingdom Health Departments' memorandum "Immunisation against Infectious Disease" which is issued to doctors. The chapter on MMR states:

"Parents should be told about possible symptoms after immunisation".

In addition, the Health Education Authority (HEA) produces a range of leaflets on immunisation, which give information on possible side effects. Details of possible adverse reactions to MMR vaccine are included in the leaflet "A Guide to Childhood Immunisations", which is given to new parents, and in the leaflet "Immunisation for School Leavers". The HEA also produces a range of factsheets, including two on MMR, to assist healthcare professionals in responding to more detailed queries from parents.Measles/rubella (MR) vaccine was used during the 1994 immunisation campaign. During the campaign all parents received an information leaflet/consent form and parents who were worried were advised to talk to their family doctor or school nurse. A letter from the Chief Medical and Nursing Officers, information and question and answer sheets were issued to all doctors and nurses either involved in giving the vaccine or in giving information on the campaign.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to GPs on conducting follow-up inquiries after the reporting of adverse health reactions on a yellow card. [61611]

On receipt of a yellow card, the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) sends out a letter to each reporter which reminds them to forward any further relevant information when available. Each yellow card report of a suspected adverse drug reaction is evaluated by the MCA. Where the information provided on a report is insufficient, the reporter is contacted for further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that doctors are obliged to detail in writing the potential adverse consequences and dangers arising from a cosmetic surgical procedure. [61816]

In obtaining consent to any surgical procedure medical practitioners must ensure that patients receive sufficient information presented in a form that they can understand about the intended procedure, the alternatives and any substantial risks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish the report following the review by Professor Sheila McLean of the consent provisions in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. [62588]

I am pleased to announce that the Report of the Review of the common law provisions relating to the removal of human gametes (sperm or eggs) and of the consent provisions in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. The review, announced in February 1997, was conducted by Sheila McLean, Professor of Law and Ethics in Medicine at the University of Glasgow, and followed the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of R v. Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority ex parte Diane Blood.In September 1997 Professor McLean conducted a public consultation on the issues raised in the course of her review. Over 600 copies of her discussion document were issued, with 116 responses being received. We welcome Professor McLean's Report which, following a thorough and comprehensive review of the complex issues involved, has delivered sensible and well argued recommendations. These include:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will lay a revised version of the Code of Practice on the Mental Health Act 1983 before the House. [62773]

We have today laid copies of a revised version of the Code of Practice on the Mental Health Act 1983 before the House, in accordance with Section 118(4) of the Act. Copies are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 27 November 1998, Official Report, column 26, concerning services for people with brain injuries, when the draft guidance will be ready for consultation. [62200]

The draft guidance should be ready for consultation by the summer of 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much, in each of the last three years, Wellhouse NHS trust (a) recovered from insurance companies for the cost of treatment and (b) spent on treating road accident victims. [62288]

Information on the cost of treating road accident victims at the Wellhouse National Health Service Trust is not available. The trust received the following income under the provisions of sections 157 and 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988:

Year	Income (£000)
1995–96	52
1996–97	45
1997–98	30

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the percentage of patients who achieve return of spontaneous circulation at the point of admission following (a) cardiac arrests and (h) heart attack having been delivered to (i) Stafford General Hospital, (ii) Burton District General Hospital and (iii) Good Hope Hospital, Sutton Coldfield by the Staffordshire Ambulance Service for each of the last two financial years. [61902]