To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the rates of pay for people on St. Helena paid from Government funds for the last 10 years for which figures are available. [65790]

The table lists the average pay per annum, over the last 10 years, for our Technical Co-operation and Overseas Service Aid Scheme officers in St. Helena. Other allowances have not been included as they vary over time and by individual circumstances.

£
Year	Average pay
1989	21,713
1990	22,251
1991	24,746
1992	26,310
1993	27,619
1994	28,172
1995	28,585
1996	28,527
1997	28,601
1998	29,811

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are the current arrangements for repayments of debts by Nicaragua and Honduras to the British Government. [65338]

I have been asked to reply.At the Paris Club meeting on 9 December the UK agreed to grant a three year moratorium on debt service payments from Nicaragua. Nicaragua need not make any payments to the UK Government before 2001. The government have already cancelled all debts owed to the UK by Honduras.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the current amount of debt owed to Britain by Nicaragua and Honduras. [65337]

I have been asked to reply.ECGD is owed some £1 million by Nicaragua. The Government had already forgiven all debts owed to the UK by Honduras before Hurricane Mitch struck.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of new small and medium enterprises which were set up in each county in Wales for each of the past 10 years. [65417]

There are no estimates available centrally of the number of small or medium enterprises that have been set up in each county.However, the Department of Trade and Industry publishes estimates of the number of enterprises registering for VAT, which serve as a guide to the pattern of business start-ups. The following table shows the number of VAT registrations from 1994 to 1997, for unitary authorities in Wales. Information prior to 1994 is available only for the former Welsh county structure.

Business start ups: enterprises registering for VAT, 1994–971
	1994	1995	1996	1997
Blaenau Gwent	95	105	95	70
Bridgend	250	200	250	270
Caerphilly	270	240	260	265
Cardiff	805	715	780	755
Carmarthenshire	415	415	400	400
Ceredigion	175	190	200	200
Conwy	255	240	260	220
Denbighshire	235	205	195	245
Flintshire	360	355	310	310
Gwynedd	285	290	270	255
Isle of Anglesey	130	100	135	135
Merthyr Tydfil	85	75	90	100
Monmouthshire	275	260	280	310
Neath Port Talbot	215	220	240	205
Newport	285	245	270	310
Pembrokeshire	265	285	295	330
Powys	370	390	385	400
Rhondda, Cynon, Taff	370	360	295	375
Swansea	440	440	425	420
Torfaen	140	150	155	155
The Vale of Glamorgan	310	275	295	275
Wrexham	255	240	220	235
Wales	6,280	5,985	6,105	6,240
1 Rounded to the nearest 5

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of small and medium enterprises which went out of business in each county of Wales for each of the past 10 years. [65416]

There are no estimates available centrally of the number of small or medium enterprises that have gone out of business in each county.However, the Department of Trade and Industry publishes estimates of the number of enterprises de-registering for VAT, which serve as a guide to the pattern of business closures. The following table shows the number of VAT de-registrations from 1994 to 1997, for unitary authorities in Wales. Information prior to 1994 is available only for the former Welsh county structure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number and types of audit available to his Department to ensure that European funding is properly spent, indicating how many of the audits were used to monitor European grants to the ex-Rhuddlan Borough Council between 1988 and 1996; and if he will make a statement. [65412]

Prime responsibility for the management and control of approved projects rests with the project sponsor.In the case of Rhuddlan Borough Council they would have had their own internal audit review systems, and these would have been subject to annual external audit by auditors appointed by the Audit Commission.The Welsh Office relies upon certificates provided by external auditors, which would have been the case with the former Rhuddlan Borough Council, and these attest to the accuracy of the final claims submitted in respect of each project.The Department undertakes site visits to assess progress. Rhuddlan Borough Council was visited in 1992 and 1994.The European Court of Auditors also undertakes independent visits. Rhuddlan Borough Council was visited in 1993 and 1995.The Welsh Office's own systems of control and payments are subject to internal audit review and examination by the Comptroller and Auditor-General.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his action to promote inward investment into Wales; and if he must seek the approval of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry before making any offer to a potential investor. [66136]

We continue to create an attractive commercial and economic environment for indigenous as well as inward investing companies. My right hon. Friend will be leading an inward investment mission to North America in the Spring, hosting events for inward investors, promoting Wales generally and meeting potential investors to further Wales' prospects of even greater success. These activities are in addition to the work undertaken by the strengthened Welsh Development Agency and other bodies in Wales.Although there is no requirement to seek the approval of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry before making offers of support to potential investors, offers of assistance are subject to inter-Departmentally agreed rules designed to ensure appropriate co-ordination of assistance offered across the UK. These rules are currently being revised to reflect the devolution settlements and the revised arrangements will be set out in a concordat on financial assistance to industry, which we hope to publish shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the public funding for rural and urban bus services in each county of Wales over the next three years. [66179]

For 1999–2000, I am making £5 million available to local authorities in bus subsidy grant, which is in addition to the support for socially necessary services provided by local authorities out of their unhypothecated resources. Of the £5 million, £3 million must be spent on support for rural bus services, with local authorities free to decide whether to spend the remaining £2 million on either rural or urban services. I am currently consulting on the distribution formulae used to allocate the grant to individual local authorities, and I will be announcing the allocations shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the savings which will result from health trust reorganisation in each of the first three years after implementation. [66366]

The net (cost) savings for the first 3 years have been estimated as follows:

Year	£000
1999–2000	(4,860)
2000–01	3,100
2001–02	6,320

These figures are indicative as total costs depend heavily on exact details of redundancies which are yet to be established. Therefore, 1999–2000 costs may be reduced.Net savings are expected to rise to around £7 million per annum within 6 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors were used by the Driving Standards Agency to determine acceptable distances for customers to travel to other driving test centres following the closure of their local facility. [65351]

We consider what would be reasonable distances for customers to travel to take their test, based on information from customer surveys, analyses of the postcodes of test candidates, and in the light of experience gained from establishing the new network of driving theory tests centres. In general, candidates should not have to travel further than 7 miles in administrative districts with a population density of 1,250 or more persons per sq. k, 30 miles in districts with a population density of fewer than 100 persons per sq. k, and 20 miles elsewhere.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors have resulted in changes in the criteria for the closure of driving test centres over the past 10 years. [65355]

The criteria of operational suitability, cost efficiency and a safe environment for staff and customers have remained unchanged during the period. However, the fall in demand for driving tests during the 1990s has resulted in a need to rationalise the estate to reduce overcapacity, which would otherwise be a burden upon costs and therefore test fees. As part of this process, we have established guidelines for the maximum a candidate should have to travel to a test centre: 7 miles in administrative districts with a population density of 1,250 or more persons per sq. k, 30 miles in districts with a population density of fewer than 100 persons per sq. k, and 20 miles elsewhere.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the consultative process prior to closure of driving test centres is used in all cases. [65350]

Yes, except when we have to close a test centre temporarily or at short notice, owing to health and safety, or operational reasons. In such cases, consultation before closure may not be possible. The Driving Standards Agency gives as much notice as possible to interested parties about a closure and the alternative arrangements that are being made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what savings have resulted from the closure of driving test centres in each year since the inception of the Driving Standards Agency; and what future savings resulting from closures of driving test centres have been planned for. [65356]

The Driving Standards Agency estimates that, since the start of the 1993 financial year, savings in rent and rates payments of £700,000 have accumulated as a result of closures. Figures from before then are not available. There has also been over £1 million of capital receipts from the sale of freehold properties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors have contributed to falls in demand for (a) practical and (b) theory driving tests in each of the regions, with particular reference to the effect of the introduction of the theory test on demand; what assessment the Driving Standards Agency has made of future changes in demand for theory and practical tests; and what steps will be taken to meet changes in demand. [65352]

The key factor underlying the number of candidates coming forward for a driving test is the number of young persons becoming eligible to obtain a driving licence. 54 per cent. of theory test candidates and 55 per cent. of practical test candidates are aged under 20 years.Overall test demand is also strongly influenced by the pass rate as this affects the number of retests being taken by unsuccessful candidates. The national average pass rate for car theory tests is currently 59 per cent. and 47 per cent. for car practical tests.The theory test has added another step to the learning to drive process, though it has probably not deterred people altogether. Applications for practical tests reflect the staged-testing process and also a recent fall in the theory test pass rate.Demand for the practical test may temporarily increase in the first months of this year as candidates try to pass before the introduction of the longer practical test in the Spring, with an offsetting decrease afterwards, but in the longer term returning to recent levels.No special regional factors have been identified.The Driving Standards Agency has introduced more flexible staffing arrangements to cope with fluctuations in demand.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of (a) the extent to which the proposed installation of digital technology for the Coastguard Service will provide a fully integrated service that is year 2000 compliant and (b) the adequacy of consultation with end users prior to introducing such new technology for the Coastguard Service. [65264]

The draft Statement of Service Requirements (SSR) which is shortly to be issued to prospective suppliers contains the following statement:

"All equipment and associated systems supplied for Integrated Coastguard Communication System (ICCS) must be millennium proof. By this we mean that equipment installed before the end of the century must be capable of an uninterrupted transition from 1990 to 2000 dates without subsequent adjustment. Likewise, all equipment installed after January 2000 must be capable of working effectively with both pre and post millennium dates.

It is anticipated that this is most likely to be an issue in relation to the aural recording and retrieval features. Special assurance is required that where recordings are made prior to midnight on 31 December 1999 or through midnight, they are capable of seamless retrieval after that date".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in considering means to prevent owners from deliberately running down or demolishing sporting facilities following the court's decision in the Thames Ditton Lawn Tennis Club case. [65428]

We have received representations to strengthen planning controls over the demolition of various types of sports facilities. We are currently considering these and hope to announce the outcome shortly. We shall consult on any proposed changes to the existing planning arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a campaign to reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers using mobile telephones. [65494]

In March 1998, the Government launched a publicity campaign consisting of newspaper advertisements and an advisory leaflet designed to make clear to motorists the dangers of using mobile phones while driving. The advisory leaflet is used by police and road safety officers in their safety campaigns.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the research into the land supply and housing demand model, undertaken by the Government Office for London and the South East and the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, will be published. [65654]

The Report, "Housing in the South East: The inter-relationship between supply, demand and land use policy", will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the (a) new roads and (b) road improvement projects which were announced in the roads review for which the statutory undertaker plans to apply for funding support from the EU. [65479]

The bids put forward by the Highways Agency for funding in 1999 relate to route management strategies and telematics projects. The European Commission is considering these at present. New roads and road improvement projects announced in the Roads Review will be considered, when appropriate, for bids in future years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has undertaken on the effects of traffic-calming methods on (a) emergency vehicles and (b) public transport vehicles, with particular reference to low-deck vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [65675]

All research commissioned by my Department into the design and performance of traffic calming measures has included an examination of the effects such measures will have on emergency vehicles and public transport. This research has included three track trials by the Transport Research Laboratory of road humps and chicanes where passenger comfort, operating speeds and performance of vehicles have been examined. Single deck 'low floor' buses have been included in the most recent track trial. No difficulties were experienced in negotiating the different types of 75mm high road humps comprising the trial for speeds up to 25 mph. Operationally, much lower speeds would be recommended to avoid discomfort to passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to apprehend and punish ships making illegal discharges of oil off the British coast; and if he will make a statement. [65571]

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has a dedicated Enforcement Unit based at its headquarters in Southampton.The Unit is charged to investigate all offences under the Merchant Shipping legislation and this includes pollution offences. In less than 11 months since the formation of this Unit, 7 shipowners have been convicted for pollution offences.The UK and its European partners co-ordinate surveillance and detection of suspected polluters using sophisticated technology. Under the UK Regulations, ships suspected of pollution can be detained in port pending investigation.Since September 1997, the maximum fine before Magistrates for pollution from ships was raised to £250,000. The maximum fine before the Crown Court is unlimited.The MCA is committed to vigorously enforcing the anti-pollution legislation and will not hesitate to prosecute offenders whenever appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy that it be a requirement of all industry standards and the Building Regulations that sewerage and drainage pipes should not be split or otherwise damaged as the result of cleaning activities. [65888]

The development of standards for construction products, including drainage pipes, is a matter for the British Standards Institution in co-operation with European standards bodies. More detailed specifications for sewerage pipes are developed by the water industry, as was indicated in an answer on 7 July 1998, official report, columns 480–81, to a Written Question from the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant). These standards are not formally endorsed by my Department and are thus not subject to Government policy.Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations requires that building work which is subject to the Regulations should be carried out using proper materials which are appropriate for the circumstances in which they are used. As the blockage of a drain or sewer can be anticipated at some time during their lifetime, it is not unreasonable to expect the pipe to be able to withstand normal cleaning activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will raise the standards for pipes used for underground drainage in the review of Part H of the Building Regulations to ensure they are not vulnerable to damage from (a) conventional rodding and (b) high pressure jetting. [65890]

The current review of Part H of the Building Regulations will consider the need for advice to ensure that pipes used for underground drainage are not vulnerable to damage during cleaning operations.The Building Regulations are functional in nature, and do not specify standards for building materials. However, the Approved Document to Part H, which gives guidance on ways in which to achieve compliance with the Regulations, makes reference to British Standards saying any material conforming to the Standards listed may be used for below ground drainage. At this early stage in the review it cannot be said whether or not the listing will need to be amended.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the review of Part H of the Building Regulations will be concluded. [65889]

The review of Part H of the Building Regulations commenced last year with the preparation of outline proposals for issues which need to be addressed in the review. These proposals will be considered by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) at their next meeting in February following which officials in my Department will prepare detailed proposals for their consideration later in the year.Proposals for amendments will subsequently be subject to full consultation as required by Section 14 of the Building Act 1984. The papers for this should be ready towards the end of this year, and the subsequent period of consultation will be 3 months. The proposals will be re-considered by BRAC in the light of comments made during consultation and, if found necessary, amendments will be made to the Approved Document to Part H and, possibly, the Building Regulations. The review should thus be complete by the end of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to reduce UK emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 per cent. on 1990's total by the year 2010. [66041]

On 26 October 1998, the Government published a consultation paper on climate change. The paper describes progress to date in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the UK and sets out a variety of policy options for meeting our climate change targets. It covers both the UK's legally binding target from Kyoto of a 12.5 per cent. reduction in a basket of six greenhouse gases by 2008–2012 and our domestic goal of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010. Following the consultation period which closes on 12 February 1999, we will develop and consult further on a new UK climate change programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has following the case in the Queen's Bench Division between L. Benson and Copeland Borough Council to seek to restore the previous position whereby the spouse of a licence holder could use a private hire vehicle for any purpose other than for hire. [65872]

The Government consulted on options for broadening eligibility to drive licensed private hire vehicles; we are still considering the representations made and the legal issues involved. I hope to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a national compulsory dog registration scheme. [65875]

My Department is holding discussions with a number of animal welfare organisations on the issues surrounding dog registration. A decision on the appropriate way forward will be taken in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by each police authority area how many people were killed in road accidents between Christmas and the New Year in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [65874]

The information requested is shown in the following table for the three years to 1997, the most recent year for which this information is available.

Road accident fatalities on 26–31 December inclusive by police force: 1995–97
	Year of accident
Police force	1995	1996	1997
Avon and Somerset	1	2	0
Bedfordshire	0	2	0
Cambridgeshire	0	2	1

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people are (a) registered as approved driving instructors, (b) hold trainee licences and (c) have applications for registration under consideration. [65724]

At the end of November 1998, there were 29,581 Approved Driving Instructors, 921 trainee licence holders, and 17,917 applications for registration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the forthcoming financial, management and policy review of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. [66569]

As part of the Government's programme of regular financial, management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies, we are to conduct a review of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The review will evaluate the role and performance of the Royal Commission in order to make recommendations on its future development; in particular on the scope, focus and impact of the Commission's inquiries; and on its working methods and resources, and how these are managed. In carrying out the study, my Department will consult widely with relevant organisations and with those who have experience of the Royal Commission's work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made to ensure the safety of private rental deposits; and if he will make a statement. [66436]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 December 1998, official report, column 47.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many London Underground stations operate an exit-only policy between 8 am and 10 am Monday to Fridays; and what are the reasons for their doing so. [66433]

The only station that passengers are currently prevented from entering between 8 and 10 am each Monday to Friday is Chancery Lane. This is because of long-term engineering work on escalators.However, there are occasions where stations implement what is known as 'station control' for safety reasons, thereby preventing overcrowding on platforms. This is where passengers are prevented from entering the system until platforms have been cleared. This usually lasts for only a few minutes, though in extreme cases, the station may close completely for a short while.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the operation of the Warsaw convention in relation to air accidents as it applies to (a) United Kingdom-based airlines and (b) airlines using UK airports; and if he will make a statement. [66394]

The Warsaw convention is an agreement relating to international carriage by air. Signed originally in 1929, it has been the subject of a number of amendments which have not necessarily been ratified by all the original signatories. Although the United Kingdom has ratified all the amendments currently in force, the operation of the convention in relation to international carriage performed by foreign airlines using UK airports will depend upon the level of accession to the convention by the foreign airline's country of origin and the airline's conditions of carriage. The convention, as amended by the Hague Protocol 1955, applies in the UK by subordinate legislation to domestic carriage performed by any airline but with numerous modifications, including an uplifting of passenger liability limits. Protocol No. 4 of Montreal 1975 has recently entered into force and provision for implementation, for both international carriage and, with modifications, for domestic carriage, is currently the subject of consultation. I expect two draft Orders in Council for approval by resolution of each House to be laid soon.To coincide with the entry into force of Council Regulation 2027/97 in October last year, Parliament adopted the Air Carrier Liability Order 1998 which introduced, for the purposes of national legislation giving force to the Warsaw convention for both international and domestic carriage, unlimited liability for passenger claims with strict liability up to 100,000 SDR for United Kingdom and other Community airlines.The International Civil Aviation Organisation plans to hold a Diplomatic Conference later this year for the purpose of adopting a new convention intended to replace all previous Warsaw instruments and broadly to align the liability provisions with those of the Council Regulation. Officials from my Department have been involved in the development of the new convention and the United Kingdom will participate actively in the Conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many Government fleet vehicles currently run on (a) liquid petroleum gas and (b) naturally compressed gas. [66073]

The Government currently have 33 vehicles which run on liquid petroleum gas, with another 72 vehicles on order. They also have two vehicles which run on compressed natural gas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what trials his Department has commissioned into the conversion of heavy goods vehicles and passenger service vehicles to liquid petroleum gas and naturally compressed gas. [66074]

My Department has kept closely in touch with the work that some operators have done on the advantages and disadvantages of converting heavy goods vehicles and passenger service vehicles to use road fuel gases, including a number of tests carried out by London Transport Buses. The Cleaner Vehicles Task Force has also set up a sub-group to consider the merits and longer term potential of alternative fuels. The Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme, funded by the Government, provides grants towards alternatively fuelled vehicles, and the costs and performance of vehicles purchased under the scheme are monitored and evaluated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives the Government have taken for the conversion of local government vehicles to naturally compressed gas and liquid petroleum gas; and how many local authorities have taken advantage of this. [66075]

The Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme, funded by the Government, provides grants towards alternatively fuelled vehicles including those running on road fuel gases. 73 local authorities have so far benefited from Powershift grants for gas vehicles. My Department has also funded the first stage of the ALTER (Alternative Traffic in Towns) project which is a Europe-wide initiative that encourages local administrations to purchase clean vehicles and to convert existing vehicles to cleaner fuels. To date 32 cities, towns and counties in the UK have signed up to this initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that people are able to travel on the west coast Mainline without having to pre-book seats. [66077]

The Franchising Director regulates Virgin's Saver and Weekly Season Tickets. Virgin cannot require these tickets to be pre-booked and must make provision to accommodate demand for these types of ticket in their train services without allowing overcrowding to occur. For tickets which are unregulated Virgin is free to impose pre-booking as a condition of sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue national guidance on the paint colours to be used for cycle routes by local authorities. [66117]

Coloured road surfaces have no meaning in law, and are not prescribed in the current Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD). However, coloured surfaces are commonly used to give prominence to a section of the carriageway set aside for a particular purpose. In the case of cycle lanes, my Department is considering including guidance in the new Local Transport Note on Signs for Cycle Facilities to be published after the new TSRGD is published later this year. The Highways Agency will also be publishing its own general guidance—Coloured Surfacing in Road Layouts (Excluding Traffic Calming)—in February, and this will include some advice on the use of coloured surfaces for cycle lanes.

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. [65804]

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. The quota is due to expire on 31 May 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instruct local authorities to keep registers of all brownfield sites in their districts indicating (i) dormant, (ii) derelict, (iii) vacant, (iv) underused and (v) underutilised land in (a) public and (b) private ownership. [66108]

The Government are now in the process of setting up the National Land Use Database. This will provide a comprehensive national picture of previously developed sites, including derelict land and vacant buildings, which may be available for development. First stage results are expected by the end of March. A copy of the specification for the database, listing the types and characteristics of the sites covered, has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue planning policy guidance to local planning authorities to consider refusal of planning applications for greenfield site developments until they are satisfied that brownfield sites have been fully utilised. [66107]

The priority to be given to the use of previously developed greenfield sites for housing will be considered in the draft revision of Planning Policy Guidance note on Housing (PPG3) which will be issued for consultation shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason yachts registered under the Merchant Navy Act 1894 must be re-registered every five years. [66361]

The previous registration regulations were largely based upon the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 and so represented the requirements for registration at that time. Unfortunately there was no provision for deleting vessels from the register, unless notified by the owner, where they had been sold to a foreign owner. More importantly, ships that were sunk could not be removed either. Over time this meant that many ships remained on the register when in fact they did not exist. Additionally, owners have not always updated their address when they moved which has resulted in out of date information being held.The new regulations aim to keep the data more accurate whilst minimising the effect upon owners. An up to date register will be easier to administer and enable us to transfer all relevant records to our computer database without the additional cost involved in transferring redundant information. This in turn will enable us to keep registration costs as low as possible. We will also have accurate records to assist Coastguards in an emergency and will be able to confirm current ownership quickly if registered owners find themselves in difficulty in foreign ports. Finally, it will enable us to discharge our international obligation to maintain the register more effectively and provide data to those that require it i.e. transcripts, etc., in an improved and efficient manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to reduce his Department's payments to the Export Credits Guarantee Department; [65000](2) if he will provide a breakdown of the £42 million expenditure from his Department to the Export Credits Guarantee Department. [64999]

Since 1986–87 the Ministry of Defence has made contributions to the ECGD. The main purpose of these payments has been to provide interest rate support for defence exports to Jordan. Additionally, in the years 1986–87 to 1988–89, payments were made to ECGD to provide interest rate support for Oman. The contributions are as follows:

£000
Year	Expenditure
1986–87	894
1987–88	972
1988–89	1,118
1989–90	993
1990–91	1,058
1991–92	1,356
1992–93	1,054
1993–94	852
1994–95	642
1995–96	879
1996–97	457
1997–98	278
1998–99 (forecast)	108
1999–2000 (forecast)	33

No further contributions are due after 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had with the BBC concerning the BBC's handling of the Iraq conflict; and if he will make a statement. [65645]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: The Government were concerned to ensure that the British public were provided with factual and balanced reporting of Operation Desert Fox. Journalists reporting from Baghdad were, and are, subject to considerable restrictions on access and information. It was particularly important, therefore, that live coverage of and commentary on Operation Desert Fox from Iraq should explain, and take account of, such restrictions. This was made clear to media representatives, including in the BBC, on a number of occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the crew number of the (a) Trafalgar and (b) Vanguard class of submarines. [65739]

The Ship's Company of a Trafalgar class submarine consists of 16 Officers, 53 Senior Ratings and 62 Junior Ratings, a total of 131.There are currently two crewing methods for the Vanguard class submarine: boats either have two crews or a single augmented (gold) crew. Two of the Vanguard class have gold crews, the other two have two crews each, known as hybrid manning. The single Vanguard crew is 142 people, consisting of 18 Officers, 60 Senior Ratings and 64 Junior Ratings. The augmented, or gold, crew is 202 people, comprising 21 Officers, 80 Senior Ratings and 101 Junior Ratings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of his Department's review of MOD medical services. [65743]

The Defence Medical Services (DMS) Study Team comprised four military officers, including representation from all three Services, and two civil servants. The study work formed part of their normal duties and there were therefore no additional staffing costs to the defence budget. Travel and subsistence costs incurred by the team amounted to some £1,000.The team's conclusions and the Defence Secretary's vision for the future were published in a booklet sent to every member of the DMS. Printing costs totalled some £9,672.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the budget for the refurbishing of his Department's Future Head Office. [65627]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: The project to redevelop the Ministry of Defence Main Building in Whitehall is being undertaken as a Public Private Partnership scheme. The Amey/Hyder/Kvaerner consortium was appointed as the preferred bidder on 8 January 1999. The cost of the programme is commercially sensitive until final negotiations are concluded with the preferred bidder. I will provide cost information when a contract has been signed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many patents are held by DERA; and what value his Department places on DERA's patent portfolio. [65631]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: DERA currently has patents or patent applications on approximately 1,050 inventions, some of which are held jointly with another party. Most are held in a number of countries, giving a total of approximately 3,300 granted patents and 2,400 pending applications. Work is in hand in MOD, as part of the DERA PPP options study, to ensure that the proposed solution protects the value of these to MOD in the long term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to make a decision about the future of DERA. [65630]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: My noble Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Gilbert, expects initial advice from a team studying the options around the end of March. Following further internal discussions and consultation with colleagues, we would hope to make a decision later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage golden share his Department will maintain in the reorganised DERA. [65632]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: Following advice from the MOD team studying the options, we hope to make a decision about the future of DERA later this year. However, until then, and until options have been fully explored, it is impossible to predict what arrangements will be necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the letter of 3 October 1998 (D/Min/DP/Jb3521/98/M) from the Minister for Defence Procurement to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what progress was made in 1998 by his Department in reducing its use of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol whenever acceptable alternatives were available, and to minimising emissions of materials where they must still be used; and if he will provide specific examples. [65388]

The Ministry of Defence has programmes in place, where technically feasible, to convert equipment and facilities to use materials that do not deplete the ozone layer. However, owing to the complexity and inevitable length of these programmes, the progress made during 1998 should be seen in the context of longer-term developments.The Royal Navy has reduced the total installed charge of CFC-12, used in marine refrigeration and air conditioning systems, from 40 tonnes at the beginning of 1996 to 8 tonnes by the end of 1998. New refrigeration equipment was procured last year to enable the conversion of the remaining surface vessels by the end of 1999 and the conversion program for the Trafalgar class submarines was started. During 1998, the Army continued trials of alternatives to halon fire extinguishants for use in armoured vehicle engine compartments and two alternative refrigerants are being evaluated for specific vehicle applications. The RAF completed a study that identified alternatives to the CFC solvent used in cleaning of oxygen equipment and also eliminated the use of the CFC necessary for the maintenance and testing of the VC10 cabin conditioning equipment. A modification programme was initiated to replace the CFC in refrigerators on the E3 Sentry and is due for completion by the middle of this year.For applications where no acceptable halon alternatives have been identified, my Department, through the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, and the Royal Navy continued their research into new chemical fire extinguishants and water mist technologies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Joint Doctrine Centre will move to the buildings of the Staff College, Camberley. [65919]

A number of options are being considered for the location of the Joint Defence Centre but the matter has not yet been put to Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answers of 15 December 1998, official report, column 450; 7 December 1998, official report, column 54; and 16 December 1998, official report, column 523, if he will review the decision to transfer 101 Battalion REME (V) from Chorley to Queensferry. [66070]

I am satisfied that there are no substantial grounds to review the decision to transfer the Headquarters of HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley TA Centre to Queensferry TA Centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the transfer of 101 Battalion HQ REME (V) from Chorley to Queensferry to begin; and what will be the time scale of the transfer. [66071]

Detailed arrangements for the transfer of HQ Battalion REME are still in preparation, with the aim of establishing the Headquarters in Queensferry on 1 July 1999. Some personnel are likely to be retained beyond that date at the TA Centre in Chorley.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which external body is responsible for auditing the financial decisions taken by Land Command. [66072]

The National Audit Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to date of (a) ordnance and chemical clearance and (b) other preparatory site work in connection with disposal of the former RAF Chilmark. [65429]

The cost to date of ordnance and chemical clearance at the former RAF Chilmark is £1.09m. This is made up of manpower costs, together with the cost of buying and hiring plant and equipment. The preparatory site work to date has cost an additional £0.213m. This has been spent on Land Quality Assessments. These test the condition of the soil and indicate where remediation work is necessary to ensure that the land will be fit for future use.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the names and current appointments of those senior officers who are being considered for the post of Chief of the Defence Staff. [65745]

The selection process for the successor to General Sir Charles Guthrie has not begun.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date General Sir Charles Guthrie will retire from his appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff. [65747]

No decision has yet been taken on the retirement date of General Sir Charles Guthrie, the Chief of the Defence Staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what policies he has to deal with veterans of the Falklands War who suffer from stress-related illness. [65918]

The Armed Forces provide appropriate treatment for serving personnel suffering from stress-related illness, including those who served in the South Atlantic Campaign. The Armed Forces also have a range of measures in place aimed at preventing stress-related illness among serving personnel, with particular attention paid to those deployed on operational or peacekeeping duties. Medical care of ex-Service personnel is the responsibility of the National Health Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to appoint the next Chairman of the Independent Panel which oversees his Department's interactions research programme into Gulf Veterans' Illnesses. [66578]

Professor Donald Davies has agreed to take on the role of Chairman of the Independent Panel overseeing the MOD Interactions research programme. This programme is designed to investigate the possible adverse health effects of the combination of vaccines and tablets which were given to UK troops during the Gulf conflict to protect them against biological and chemical warfare agents. This is an important part of the broader ongoing research programme into Gulf War veterans' illnesses.Professor Davies is the Director of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology (Division of Medicine) at Imperial College School of Medicine and the Director of the Department of Health Toxicology Unit, located at the same site. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Royal College of Pathologists, and an honorary member of the Royal College of Physicians.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) and (b) other Liberal Democrat right hon. and hon. Members concerning the development of a common European defence policy. [65818]

I have had no discussions on this subject with the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed or other Liberal Democrat right hon. and hon. Members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the merits of an independent review of pay deductions made from officer prisoners of war and protected personnel during their incarceration in the Second World War. [65158]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 9 March 1998, official report, columns 6–7, to the hon. Members for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) and for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many items of metal have been excavated in land adjacent to the Defence Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Centre at Winterbourne Gunner; and how many were (a) buried ordnance, (b) ordnance containing liquid of military origin and (c) assorted non-ordnance items; and if he will make a statement. [65430]

The number of items of metal which have been excavated in land adjacent to the Defence Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Centre at Winterbourne Gunner is 3,414. Of these, 382 were buried ordnance, 8 were ordnance containing liquid and 3,032 were assorted non-ordnance items.The items of ordnance containing liquid are currently at the Chemical and Biological Defence Centre at Porton awaiting analysis to determine the nature of the liquid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Mr. Stephen Kock's duties were in connection with DESO between 1987 and 1992. [65143]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what documents relating to the activities of Mr. Stephen Kock have been made available to NAO officials investigating defence contracts. [65140]

I am not aware of any request for such documents having been made by NAO officials in respect of defence export contracts. With the passage of time, however, it is not possible to review all Departmental records.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the relationship was between Mr. Stephen Kock and regiments in the British Army in the period from 1968 to 1995. [65136]

Although Mr. Kock has never served as a member of the British Army, he is a member of the Regimental Association of the Special Air Service, which he joined in 1975 by virtue of his association with the Rhodesian Special Forces. I am not aware of any other association between Mr. Kock and Regiments in the British Army in the period from 1967 to 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role Mr. Stephen Kock played in negotiating, organising and promoting the Al Yamamah deal. [65154]

The MOD is unaware of any involvement in the Al Yamamah programme, either now or in the past, by Mr. Stephen Kock.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what role Mr. Stephen Kock played in the Oman defence deal of 1981; [65155](2) what role Mr. Stephen Kock played in negotiating, organising or promoting the Jordan defence package; [65153](3) what role Mr. Stephen Kock played in the Indonesian defence deal of 1990; [65156](4) what role Mr. Stephen Kock played in negotiating a special forces base in Malaysia in the period 1985 to 1988. [65152]

Mr. Kock has played no official role in defence exports to these countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which civil servants in his Department met Mr. Stephen Kock to discuss matters relating to defence contracts with Malaysia in the period from January 1985 to the end of December 1988. [65135]

A meeting between Mr. Kock and the then Secretary of State for Defence's Private Office staff took place in June 1987. Additionally, members of the Defence Export Services Organisation are likely to have met Mr. Kock during this period in the course of their normal function of providing advice and support for defence exporters. However, with the passage of time, it has not been possible to identify details of specific contacts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role was played by Mr. Stephen Kock in advising Her Majesty's Government on the propellant and arms cartel run by the Swedish citizen Mr. Karl Erik Schmitz. [65133]

I am unaware of any role played by Mr. Kock in advising Her Majesty's Government in relation to Mr. Karl Erik Schmitz.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what involvement Mr. Stephen Kock had in the preparations for privatisation of Royal Ordnance between 1984 and 1987. [65137]

The MOD is unaware of any involvement by Mr. Kock in the preparations for the privatisation of Royal Ordnance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what meetings Mr. Stephen Kock had with Sir James Blyth of DESO to discuss defence sales; [65144](2) if he will list the meetings which

The Ministry of Defence has been unable to identify any record of such meetings. With the passage of time, however, it has not been possible to review all Departmental records.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions took place between his Department's officials and representatives of the Scott Inquiry on the advisability of calling upon Mr. Stephen Kock to give evidence to that inquiry (a) before, (b) during and (c) after the inquiry. [65130]

I am advised that no such discussions took place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the Ministers with whom he has consulted regarding the proposal to nominate the Atlantic Frontier Continental Shelf as a world heritage site. [64421]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has Ministerial responsibility for considering responses to the public consultation suggesting that the Atlantic Frontier Continental Shelf should be included in the new Tentative List for the UK of potential World Heritage Sites. Ministers in the Scottish Office have not yet consulted other Ministerial colleagues about this issue, but there has been consultation at official level with the Northern Ireland Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support is given to the animation industry in the United Kingdom by his Department. [65714]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: Total support from the National Lottery for production of animated films is £1,374,966 to date. In addition, the Arts Council of England contributes £50,000 per annum to a scheme for experimental animation, which it runs in conjunction with Channel 4.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans his Department has to create new incentives and grants to develop tourist attractions in the UK and create new jobs in the tourism industry. [65717]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: New and existing attractions are benefiting from the National Lottery and, in eligible areas of the UK, from the European Regional Development Fund. The new strategy for tourism which we shall be publishing soon, will include action to help the attractions sector, and the tourism industry as a whole, maximise its potential to create jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of jobs in the north-west depend on tourism; [65713](2) what estimates he has made of the number of people employed in tourism. [65720]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: It is estimated that there were 1.8 million self-employment and employee jobs in the tourism-related industries in Great Britain in September 1998.An estimated 7 per cent. of the total self-employment and employee jobs in the north-west were located within the tourism-related industries in September 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will estimate the turnover from tourism in the UK in each year for the next five years; [65721](2) how much revenue was generated through tourism by overseas visitors in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what estimates he has made of projected turnover for the next five years. [65712]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: Tourism by overseas visitors generated an estimated £12.2 billion in the UK in 1997 according to the latest figures from the International Passenger Survey. In the first 10 months of 1998, overseas visitors have spent an estimated £10.8 billion in the UK, a 4 per cent. increase on the amount spent in the equivalent period in 1997.The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not make any projections of future turnover from tourism in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grants are available to promote the conversion of farmhouses for tourism in the north-west. [65719]

[holding answer 14 January 1999): Farm tourism is growing in importance, with a 3 per cent. increase in visitors between 1996 and 1997. In areas where agriculture or traditional industries are in decline, tourism can help economic development and create jobs.Funding to encourage a wide range of agricultural activities, including the conversion of farmhouses for tourism, is available in the north-west under the Merseyside Objective 1 and the Northern Uplands Objective 5b programmes. Grants are made through the Merseyside Farm Tourism Initiative Project in the Objective 1 designated area and the Northern Uplands Farm Tourism Initiative in the Objective 5b designated area.In addition, The Redundant Building Grant Scheme, currently operated by the Rural Development Commission, can provide grants for the conversion or refurbishment of redundant buildings to bring them back into productive business use or to enhance their current business use.The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has produced a series of advisory booklets on farm diversification in order to assist farmers in developing successful diversified enterprises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much revenue and what new grants have been made available to promote tourism in the north-west in 1998. [65718]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: The north-west, like all parts of England, benefits from the work of the British Tourist Authority and of the English Tourist Board. For 1998–99, the BTA has a grant of £35 million and the ETB a grant of £9.7 million, of which £292,000 is for the North West Tourist Board. New support structures, announced on 14 December, official report, column 352, will ensure more effective use is made of this money in the future, with a greater proportion going to the regions.Government support for tourism is not limited to the funding of tourist boards. An important part of what makes this country attractive to tourists from home and abroad is our arts, museums and galleries. This year DCMS will spend around £1 billion in support of them.In addition, tourism in the north-west has benefited, both directly and indirectly, from National Lottery funding (nearly £450 million has gone to the region), and from the European Regional Development Fund.Increasingly, local authorities, tourist boards and the private sector are working together to promote and develop tourism in their areas and some excellent examples of such partnerships are to be found in the north-west. Our strategy for tourism, to be published next month, will support such initiatives. We shall be putting forward a wide range of action points designed to ensure that tourism delivers benefits for local communities, individual tourists and the economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will estimate the costs to his Department of reducing the television licence for pensioners to £25; and if he will assess the benefits of introducing this measure; [65716](2) if he will estimate the costs to his Department of reducing the television licence for pensioners to £40; and if he will assess the benefits of introducing this measure. [65715]

[holding answer 14 January 1999): The estimated cost in lost television licence fee revenue of providing £40 colour television licences for all pensioner only households is £278 million. This would rise to £351 million if the concessionary fee were set at £25 and applied to both colour and black and white licences. The Government have no plans at present to introduce such concessions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much money, other than from the National Lottery, has been raised for each Millennium Landmark Project to date; [66161](2) how much local government funding has been allocated to each Millennium Landmark project; [66405](3) how much National Lottery money has been paid for architects' and consultants' fees for each of the Millennium Landmark projects to date; and what is the forecast total cost of each project. [65742]

These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will ensure that Millennium Commission funding is made available to projects in each constituency; and if he will list those constituencies which have received funding to date. [65986]

This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to my hon. Friend in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission and place copies of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grants are provided by his Department to aid development of the British film industry. [65989]

In December my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced an increase in film support of at least £5.5 million over the next three years. The breakdown for 1999–2000 is as follows:

	£000
British Film Institute	16,910
British Screen Finance Ltd.	2,000
European Co-production Fund	2,000
British Film Commission	850
National Film and Television School	2,100
Audiovisual Eureka Secretariat and Audiovisual Observatory	393
European Media II	6,200
Other support to the film industry	556