To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to support the development of credit unions; and if she will make a statement. [66617]

We are currently involved in a number of projects setting up and strengthening credit unions and self-help groups which provide financial and other services to their members and share the co-operative principles of user-management and mutual-ownership. These range from comparatively small organisations aiming to build the financial asset base of disadvantaged communities in a specific location to self-help group federations and co-operative banks serving large parts of the countries they operate in.Some examples of current and planned activities include:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many animated films were produced in the UK in each year for the past five years; and what was the total level of grants provided for UK-produced animations in each of those years. [65990]

[holding answer 18 January 1999]: Figures on the numbers of animation films produced in the UK are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions his Department has held on the establishment of a new quality rating system for hotels. [65987]

[holding answer 18 January 1999]: With the support of this Department, a new harmonised accommodation rating scheme for hotels and guest accommodation was launched by the English Tourist Board, the AA and the RAC last year. Hotels are given a rating of 1 to 5 stars covering the whole visitor experience and Guest Accommodation is rated entirely on quality, using 1 to 5 diamonds. Inspections against the new standards began in January 1998 and the scheme will be launched to customers later this year. It will be included in Guide Books for 2000. The scheme is available through the AA and the RAC throughout the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to ensure political balance on the Board of S4C. [66062]

[holding answer 18 January 1999]: All public appointments for which my right hon. Friend is responsible are made on the basis of aptitude and merit, and not on the basis of political affiliation. Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, S4C is required to ensure that due impartiality is preserved in respect of matters of political controversy or relating to current public policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to review the TV licence scheme in respect of the different rates paid by different pensioners; and if he will make a statement. [66253]

The current review of BBC funding will include a detailed consideration of the structure of the concessionary television licence scheme and whether a suitable alternative structure could be available. The review panel will report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State by the end of July, after which we shall consult publicly on its findings.

To ask the Attorney-General what were the main points of his submission made to the High Court concerning the seizure and arrest of Mr. Nick Mullen in Zimbabwe in 1989; and if he will place a copy of the submission in the Library. [65996]

Nicholas Mullen was convicted at the Central Criminal Court on 9 June 1990 of conspiracy to cause explosions and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. He did not appeal against his conviction at that stage but, on 29 January 1998, obtained leave from the Court of Appeal to appeal against his conviction out of time. Although the consent of the then Attorney-General was required for the institution of the proceedings against Mullen, neither I nor my predecessors have been a party to the criminal proceedings which have been conducted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. There have been no proceedings in the High Court. The appeal is at present the subject of consideration by the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) which has heard argument and reserved judgment. The transcripts of the trial may be obtained, in accordance with usual procedures, from the official shorthand writers. It would not be appropriate for me to make any further observations in relation to a case currently under consideration by the court.

To ask the Attorney-General what rules or guidance his Department has to govern the (a) formal and (b) informal interaction between his civil servants and commercial lobbyists. [66210]

Any contact between officials in my Department and people outside Government, including lobbyists, would be governed by the principles set out in the guidance issued by the Prime Minister in July 1998, as set out in the answer given by him on 27 July 1998, Official Report, column 4, in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total annual cost of providing harbour craft services, including those sub-contracted, at HM Naval Base Clyde. [66598]

[holding answer 19 January 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Naval Bases and Supply Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military or dual use goods have been exported since 1 May 1997 under Government-to-Government deals without export licence. [66241]

[holding answer 19 January 1999]: Since May 1997, the UK has exported the following equipment under the terms of government-to-government agreements with the Governments of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will re-assess the number of TA centres to remain open in South Lancashire. [65028]

I am content that our decision that all TA Centres in Lancashire, bar Chorley, should remain open, was sound.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account he took of the proportion of the strength of the TA which will remain after implementation of the Strategic Defence Review in (a) the North West of England and (b) North Wales, in his decision to transfer HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry. [65024]

The regional distribution of reductions in the TA was one of a number of factors taken into account in reaching decisions on the future TA structure, but, in view of the small numbers involved in this case, was not a major factor in the decision to transfer Headquarters 101 Battalion REME to Queensferry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new full-time jobs will be created in Queensferry as a consequence of the transfer of HQ 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry. [65026]

This will depend on staffing arrangements that have yet to be confirmed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast service life for (a) Project Horizon and (b) Type 22 ships. [65729]

The planned service life for the Common New Generation Frigate (CNGF) is a minimum of 25 years. The reduction in the size of our destroyer and frigate force from 35 to 32, as announced in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper, will be achieved by paying off the Type 22 frigates HMS Boxer, Beaver and London in 1999. HMS Brave will be replaced by a new Type 23 frigate in 2000 as will HMS Coventry in 2001. The remaining five Type 22 frigates have a planned service life of approximately 23 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how frequently radiation surveys are undertaken at the entrance to reactor compartments during work on nuclear submarines at Rosyth dockyard; [65726](2) what proportion of supervisors in the Health Physics Section at Rosyth dockyard are qualified to City & Guilds Part 1 Radiation and Safety Practice standards; [65727](3) what instruments are used to monitor personnel leaving the reactor compartments of nuclear submarines at Rosyth dockyard. [65737]

All nuclear safety issues relating to Rosyth Royal Dockyard are a matter for Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited, the owners of the Dockyard. It is a condition of their contract with the MOD that they must comply with all nuclear safety regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast hull life of the (a) Astute and (b) Vanguard class of submarines. [65738]

On current plans, both classes have an estimated hull life of 25 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the anticipated reactor life of the (a) Astute and (b) Swiftsure class of submarines. [65741]

The reactor plant to be fitted to the Astute class, and reactor plant fitted to the Swiftsure class, are anticipated to last the life of the submarines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the displacement of the (a) Swiftsure and (b) Trafalgar class of submarines. [65740]

The displacement of Swiftsure submarines, when submerged, is approximately 4,980 tons and of Trafalgar Class submarines, about 5,050 tons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast reactor life of the Trafalgar class of submarines. [66173]

The reactor plant fitted to the Trafalgar class is designed to last the life of the submarines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast hull life of the Swiftsure class of submarines. [66166]

The initial design life of Swiftsure class submarine hulls was 25 years, although there is sufficient margin to extend the life of the submarines as necessary, subject to monitoring to ensure the continuing safety of the submarines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the anticipated reactor life of the Vanguard class of submarines. [66668]

The reactor plant fitted to the Vanguard class is designed to last the life of the submarines

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel under 18 years of age have been court-martialled in the last 10 years. [66223]

The information we have available covers the period 1987–1996. Within that period, a total of 19 personnel under the age of 18 years have been convicted by a court-martial. In addition, two RN personnel convicted by a court-martial were charged when under 18 but had reached the age of 18 by the date of their trial.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel under 18 years of age are currently detained for breaches of contract or discipline at the Military Correctional Training Centre, Colchester. [66222]

Only one solider under the age of 18 years is currently being held at the Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester. That soldier is nearing the end of his period of detention following a sentence of 60 days for being Absent Without Leave.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instruments are used to monitor personnel leaving the reactor compartments of nuclear submarines at RN Base Faslane. [66176]

Personnel leaving the reactor compartment of a nuclear submarine at HM Naval Base Clyde are monitored with an NE Technology Mk10 ratemeter connected to either a BP4 of BP10 probe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how frequently radiation surveys are undertaken at the entrance to reactor compartments during work on nuclear submarines at RN Base Faslane. [66174]

Radiation surveys of the reactor compartment are carried out daily while work is being undertaken. This includes all compartment entrances and the tunnel area. In addition, other more localised radiation surveys are performed in the vicinity of work areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of supervisors in the Health Physics Section at RN Base Faslane are qualified to City and Guilds Part 1 Radiation and Safety Practice standards. [66175]

All supervisors working within the Health Physics Group at HM Naval Base Clyde are qualified to both City and Guilds Part 1 and 2 in Radiation and Safety Practice standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast service life of Harrier GR7 aircraft engines. [66160]

The Harrier GR7 aircraft entered RAF service in 1987. On current plans, the Harrier GR7 fleet, including the engines, will achieve a service life of some 30 years.The Harrier GR7 is fitted with the Pegasus Mark 105 engine. Each of the engine's component parts has an approved life and may be replaced during the life of the whole engine in accordance with established maintenance policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many technical support personnel are required to support the deployment away from existing RAF bases of flights of (a) four and (b) eight RAF Harrier aircraft. [66669]

The number of technical support personnel deployed to support four or eight RAF Harrier aircraft is dependent on several factors, including the operational requirements, the flying task, the number of hours to be worked in any one day and the amount of support available from the Host Nation. However, a flight of four or eight aircraft would be likely to generate a minimum of 79 and 128 technical support personnel respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast service life for Type 23 ships. [66168]

The forecast service life for Type 23 frigates is in excess of 18 years and varies for individual vessels in the class.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the forecast service life of Tornado GR4 aircraft airframes. [66170]

The Tornado GR4 entered RAF service in 1997. On current plans, the Tornado GR4 fleet will achieve a service life of some 25 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state his policy in respect of the application by Fijian veterans for compensation for the effects on their health of their exposure to atmospheric nuclear tests on Christmas Island. [66428]

My Department has not received any claims for compensation from Fijian veterans. At the time of the tests, precautions were taken to safeguard the health of those in the area. The effectiveness of these precautions is borne out by independent studies of the health of British nuclear test veterans undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board and Imperial Cancer Research Fund, which found no evidence of excessive illness or mortality among the veterans as a group which could be linked to their participation in the tests or to exposure to radiation as a result of the tests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are (a) the running costs averaged over a four year period, excluding costs attributable to refits, DEDs, or manning and (b) the current estimates for an average refit and DED of a (i) Type 23 frigate, (ii) Type 22 (Batch 3) frigate, (iii) Sandown class SRMH, (iv) Hunt Class MCMV, (v) Island Class patrol vessel, (vi) Archer Class training vessel, (vii) Castle Class patrol vessel, (viii) Landing Ship-Logistic (LSL), (ix) Bulldog Class survey vessel, (x) Projected CNGF, (xi) Impulse Class tug and (xii) (ARMY) ramped landing craft. [66597]

[holding answer 19 January 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time between major refits for Type 42 ships. [66169]

Typically, the average time between major refits for RN Frigates and Destroyers is in excess of seven years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the interval between major refits for HMS Illustrious. [66167]

HMS Illustrious has undergone one refit. It took place some nine years after she entered service with the Royal Navy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to establish whether any plutonium that has recently migrated through the groundwater from the nuclear test site in Nevada came from the underground detonation of British nuclear warheads. [66432]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to write to the hon. Member for Greenock and Inverclyde further to his statement in the House of 12 November 1998, Official Report, column 506. [66359]

I expect to write to my hon. Friend shortly. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the advertised days and actual number of days on which Army firing took place within each of the three firing ranges in the Dartmoor National Park for the year ended 31 December 1998. [66116]

The advertised and actual number of days on which Army firing took place within each of the three firing ranges in the Dartmoor National Park for the year ended 31 December 1998 is as follows:

	Advertised	Actual
Okehampton Range	77	51
Willsworthy Range	202	147
Merrivale Range	150	84

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available the independent evidence which he stated the UK had that the El Shifa factory in Khartoum was making chemical or biological weapons before the US air strike. [65661]

I am withholding details of the intelligence in our possession regarding the El Shifa factory, under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice for Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will produce a response to the National Biotechnology Conference held in March 1997. [64965]

The Government response to the National Biotechnology Conference is available today. The Government have undertaken to examine ways of making more information available to the public about how decisions on biotechnology applications are reached; to ensure that membership of the Advisory Committees reflects a wide range of opinion; to address the wider implications for the natural environment of the introduction of genetically modified crops and to establish procedures for monitoring products when they enter the market. Copies of the response have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the latest draft of the proposed Used Oil Directive; [65894](2) how much of the waste oils produced in

No reliable, recent figures of waste oil recovery and recycling are available for the United Kingdom. My officials have confirmed with the European Commission that no recent figures have been published for the European Union. The United Kingdom, along with other EU member states, is currently compiling information on waste oil for the European Commission. It is understood that the consolidated report will be available from the Commission at the end of June.My Department has not carried out any recent studies of the environmental impact of burning waste oils. However, in carrying out its regulatory functions under the Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Environment Agency assesses applications according to the statutory requirements of Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) and Best Available Technique Not Entailing Excessive Cost (BATNEEC) as defined in Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. On the basis of environmental analyses of the small number of cases involving waste oils, the Agency has concluded that this process did not adversely affect the environment.My officials have confirmed with the European Commission that no draft of the proposed Used Oil Directive has been issued.At this stage, no assessment has been made of the potential for recycling waste oils.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department is taking to promote the uptake of the environmental management systems IS014001 and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). [66626]

The Government fully support and promote the use of environmental management systems and promote the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) alongside the international standard for environmental management systems (ISO 14001) as complementary means for business to continuously improve performance.My Department has produced and made available free of charge a full range of introductory leaflets, guides, case study material and videos to encourage business and local authorities to participate in EMAS. These are now all available from the Institute of Environmental Assessment, who I appointed last year to succeed my Department in administering the scheme. EMAS and ISO 14001 are both promoted by my Department and by the IEA at exhibitions and conferences. We are also funding separate promotional efforts by the IEA which is planning to establish a dedicated EMAS website.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department is taking to improve the passive solar design of buildings; and if he will make a statement. [66621]

Under my Department's Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme we promote the application of passive solar design principles alongside energy efficiency measures as part of an integrated approach to low energy building design. Also, we encourage the consideration of passive solar design in specific buildings through Design Advice Services operated by BRECSU under the same programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will announce the date by which secondary treatment of waste water and sewage will be required under the terms of the European Union's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive; and if he will make a statement. [66349]

Under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, secondary treatment must be provided by 31 December 2000 for sewage discharges above 15,000 population equivalent to inland, estuarial and coastal waters. Discharges to inland and estuarial waters of between 2,000 and 15,000 population equivalent, and discharges of between 10,000 and 15,000 population equivalent to coastal waters must receive secondary treatment by 31 December 2005.In the case of coastal discharges which were formerly potentially subject to derogations to a lower level of treatment, we are encouraging water and sewerage companies to make as rapid a progress as possible with the installation of secondary treatment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 14 January 1999, Official Report, column 246, if he will place in the Library details of the current millennium compliance status of the organisations currently approved by the CAA; what percentage of these are fully millennium-compliant; and if he will make a statement. [66646]

No. It is not possible to provide information in this detail. The Civil Aviation Authority currently authorises over 2,000 aviation related organisations. These organisations cover all aspects of the UK civil air transport system form airlines to manufacturers and air traffic service providers. All these organisations are engaged in their own individual compliance programmes which involves them in each checking with suppliers who may number from tens to hundreds. These compliance programmes are being assessed by the CAA. Once this assessment is complete, which is expected to be during the third quarter of 1999, the CAA will make a statement about the Y2k readiness of the UK civil air transport system.As far as National Air Traffic Services (NATS) are concerned, they are in the final stages of their system compliance programme. Only 10 systems out of a total of 700 still require remedial work and NATS expects to reach full systems ready status for the new millennium on or before the end of March 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what planning guidance he has issued in relation to mobile homes, with particular regard to all-year round occupancy; and if he will make a statement. [66254]

Planning Policy Guidance note 21 on Tourism gives guidance on holiday and touring caravans, including the seasonal and holiday occupancy conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with parish councils regarding the impact of the increased audit requirements and subsequent costs on smaller parish councils; and if he will make a statement. [66261]

The Chairman of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and his colleagues discussed with me the cost of parish audits when I met them on 16 December. As I explained to them, it is essential for parish councils, as for all councils, to have an effective audit regime ensuring propriety and regularity in their affairs. We have no plans to review the current parish audit arrangements, which were introduced in April 1997, although we do keep these matters under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to incorporate directive 97/49/EU into UK law; and if he will make a statement. [66252]

No changes are required to UK law as a result of Directive 97/49/EC.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funds he intends to make available (a) nationally, (b) to Gloucestershire County Council and (c) to Tewkesbury Borough Council to compensate for the removal of ACT credit in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [66255]

In the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 1999–2000, the Government specifically took account of the best estimate of £130 million available to them and the Local Government Association to provide for the effects of the abolition of ACT on the local government pension scheme.It is not possible to identify how much has been provided at a local level. Local authorities receive Revenue Support Grant (RSG) on the basis of their Standard Spending Assessment (SSA). SSAs are calculated using information reflecting the demographic, physical and social characteristics of each area and are intended to reflect the relative costs of providing comparable services between different authorities. RSG makes up the difference between an authority's SSA and the income it can expect to receive from both re-distributed non-domestic rates and from a standard council tax. RSG is not hypothecated to particular services or for particular purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received concerning the extension of fuel duty rebate to dial-a-bus services; what assistance is currently available to (a) rural and (b) urban dial-a-bus services; and if he will make a statement; [66606](2) what plans he has to extend the eligibility criteria for fuel duty rebate to dial-a-bus services.[66605]

We have no present plans to extend the eligibility of bus fuel duty rebate beyond those services which (amongst other criteria) are available to the general public and are registered with the Traffic Commissioner as a local bus service.We have received a number of representations on this matter, which has also been recently raised in the review of voluntary transport that my Department commissioned last year. We expect to receive the report on that review shortly and will be considering its recommendations carefully.Support for both urban and rural dial-a-bus services is primarily a matter for each local authority to decide in the light of its overall spending priorities and the resources available to it. Additional support for specific rural community transport projects, including dial-a-bus services, is available as part of the Government's new funding for rural transport, announced in the last Budget, of £50 million a year, of which Scotland's share is £4.5 million a year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made with his proposed restructuring of the Board of London Transport. [67091]

I have today appointed Sir Malcolm Bates as non-executive Chairman of London Transport. He will take up his post on 15 February. This appointment is excellent news for London Transport. With Denis Tunnicliffe as Chief Executive and Derek Smith taking up post shortly as Managing Director of London Underground, we have now given LT the senior management structure it needs to address the challenging agenda we have set.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set up a national information service on equipment for people with disabilities. [65433]

I have been asked to reply.The Department is providing funding to the Disabled Living Foundation and the Royal National Institute for the Blind to help them improve their databases on disability equipment and transfer these to the Internet. The Disabled Living Foundation also operates a telephone helpline for disabled people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has for a disablement services authority with a brief to set standards and monitor the standard of equipment provision for people with disabilities. [65434]

I have been asked to reply.We have no plans to develop proposals on a disablement services authority at present. However we are examining a range of mechanisms to help ensure consistent access to services and quality of care.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate, on the basis of the Family Resources Survey, and pooling years of data, the number of benefit units which contain at least one employee whose net earnings is in each £5,000 band up to £30,000 and above, indicating separately the figures for (i) lone parent families, (ii) two parent families with one child, (iii) two parent families with two children and (iv) two parent families with three or more children, providing within each category separate figures for those in (a) firms of up to 25 employees and (b) firms of 25 employees or more. [64780]

The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate he has made of the number of widows who will receive reduced benefit payments following the implementation of his reform proposals; [66352](2) what category of widows who submit their claims under the new rules will receive reduced benefit under his reform proposals. [66262]

Following implementation of the proposals, widows and widowers aged over 45 when they are widowed and who are not entitled to Widowed Parent' s Allowance will be able to claim Bereavement Allowance, which will be payable for up to six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the effect would be of an immediate increase in the age addition to the basic state pension to (a) £5 for the over 80s, (b) £5 for the over 80s and £3 for the over 75s and (c) £10 for the over 80s and £5 for the over 75s, on the number of pensioners receiving income support in (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [65422]

The information is in the table.

Reduction in the number of pensioner benefit units receiving income support with the proposed age additions
	1999–2000	2000–01
£5 to 80+s	-40,000	-40,000
£3 to 75–79s, £5 to 80+s	-50,000	-60,000
£5 to 75–79s, £10 to over 80+s	-140,000	-160,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the combined value of the basic pension and the proposed second state pension as a proportion of average earnings once the new scheme has fully matured, for someone with annual earnings of (a) £4,500, (b) £9,000, (c) £13,500, (d) £18,000 and (e) £22,500. [65426]

The information is in the table.

Combined value of basic state pension and state second pension as a proportion of national average earnings in retirement
Annual earnings (£)	Percentage
4,500	21
9,000	21
13,500	23
18,000	25
22,500	26

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his policy on whether (a) lump sums paid as part of pensions on retirement and (b) capital sums held as part of approved personal plans before annuitisation will be subject under the minimum pensions guarantee to the savings limits and tariff income schedule regimes of existing income support; [66454](2) if the capital resources assessment rules accompanying the minimum pension guarantee have been decided; and which existing income support capital resources rules will be revised. [66455]

Initially, the rules governing the treatment of resources will remain unchanged. However, in "Partnership in Pensions" we made it clear that we will examine ways of amending the rules to reward better those who have saved for their retirement. We hope to bring forward proposals later in this Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what consultation was conducted prior to introducing the change in the composition of social security appeals tribunals hearing all-work test appeals; and if he will make a statement; [65583](2) what is the reason for the recent review of the composition of social security appeals tribunals hearing all-work test appeals; [65582](3) how many representations his Department has received

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on 29 October 1998, Official Report, column 266. The recent change to the composition of Social Security Appeal Tribunals (SSATs) hearing All Work Test Appeals was the second phase of measures introduced by His Honour Judge Harris, the President of the Independent Tribunal Services under transitory powers afforded to him by Schedule 6 of the Social Security Act 1998.This provision was introduced to give the President flexibility over the composition of SSATs during a period of substantial change in 1999. The President wanted to be able to monitor the effect of change before regulations varying the composition of tribunals are debated in Parliament. The President consulted widely within his organisation. The decision to introduce the change is a judicial matter.The President's initial monitoring of the changes indicates that the new flexibility appears to be working well. Tribunal Chairmen, operating the new arrangements, are reporting overall improvements in service as a result of the change. There is no evidence to suggest that the percentage of appeals upheld has been affected by the introduction of the new arrangements. The Department has not received any representations from appellants who have had their appeals decided by a legally qualified panel member supported by a medical assessor. These are initial results and monitoring is continuing.We are firmly committed to tackling the unacceptable delays in the appeals service—currently averaging seven months, with some appellants waiting over a year for the decision on their case. The flexibility to tailor the composition and expertise of the Tribunal to the issues raised by an appeal will provide appellants with good quality decisions, quicker.Regulations varying tribunal composition under Section 7 of the Social Security Act 1998 will be debated shortly under affirmative procedures. Draft regulations are being discussed with the Independent Tribunal Service, the Council of Tribunals, the Office of the Social Security Commissioners and an ad hoc group of representative bodies including the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and the Child Poverty Action Group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each quarter since May 1997 the number of lone parents claiming income support; and if he will estimate the number of lone parents who will be claiming income support for each of the next four quarters. [65767]

The information is in the table.

	Number
Published 1
May 1997	1,014,000
August 1997	1,012,000
November 1997	982,000
February 1998	972,000
May 1998	961,000
Forecast2
August 1998	957,000
November 1998	933,000
February 1999	927,000
May 1999	918,000
August 1999	919,000
November 1999	895,000
1Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and as such are subject to a degree of sampling error.
2Figures are consistent with forecasts produced for the pre-budget report and are estimates of the number of lone parents that will be shown in future quarterly Statistical Enquiries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the percentage of people receiving income support who pay their gas costs with prepayment meters. [65969]

We estimate that 24 per cent. of households receiving Income Support pay for gas with prepayment meters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to amend the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations 1979 to mitigate their impact on recipients of invalid care allowance who lose their benefit on reaching retirement age. [66351]

It is a basic principle of the Social Security system that only one benefit at a time can be paid for income maintenance. Retirement Pension is an income replacement benefit for those who have reached pensionable age. It replaces Invalid Care Allowance at pension age. Invalid Care Allowance provides a measure of financial support to those who give up the opportunity of full-time paid employment to care for a severely disabled person. It is not an "extra-costs" benefit. To pay both benefits in full therefore would duplicate provision for the same need. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the £7 billion project for computers in the Benefits Agency is to be phased; what payback period is expected; and if he will make a statement. [66251]

The ACCORD project, announced on 5 November 1998, will deliver the next generation of computer systems fit to support a modernised Welfare State.The Department is currently working with the preferred supplier, Affinity, on the development of a plan for the implementation of new Information Systems/Information Technology (IS/IT) which is expected to start with delivery of systems for Income Support and Child Support early in 2001. Negotiations on the costs of the new service have not yet been concluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he plans to have with relevant representative groups about the future of the industrial injuries scheme. [67200]

As part of our wider programme of Welfare Reform, we have been examining the scope for modernisation of the Industrial Injuries scheme. The scheme provides no-fault compensation benefits for those injured at, or suffering a disease caused by work, and was designed over 50 years ago for a very different social and industrial climate.The Government's aim is to provide better protection from the risks and consequences of occupational disablement for the workforce of the future. We have asked officials to explore with the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, industry, trades unions and other key representative groups whether there are alternative replacement no-fault compensation arrangements which would meet those objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate his Department has made of the number of young people against whom sanctions have been taken for failure to comply with the New Deal. [64745]

Up until the end of October 1998, out of a total of some 12,000 young people who entered the New Deal Gateway in Wales, 95 young people have been sanctioned because, without good cause, they failed or refused to start a New Deal option or left an option early, or because they were dismissed from a New Deal option due to misconduct.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he is taking to improve bus services in (a) urban and (b) rural areas, with particular reference to Flintshire. [66410]

For 1999–2000, I am making £5 million available to local authorities to support local bus services, of which at least £3 million must be spent on rural services with the remainder for urban services. This grant is in addition to the provision which local authorities make in their own budgets for subsidised services. All authorities in Wales, including Flintshire, will receive a share of this money. I am currently consulting on the precise method of allocating funds to authorities, and will announce the individual allocations shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to help senior citizens to use buses; and if he will make a statement. [66419]

From April, I expect all local authorities in Wales to be operating concessionary travel schemes for pensioners which at least meet the Government's proposed minimum standard of a maximum of £5 for a bus pass and a minimum discount of 50 per cent. on bus fares. In addition, I have announced that we intend to provide free concessionary bus travel for pensioners over the next two to three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy concerning the building of combined heat and power stations. [66409]

As in the recent consent approved for Shotton, combined heat and power projects can offer environmental benefits and should play an important role in ensuring the availability of sustainable energy supplies. Full details of the Government's policy on building such schemes, in England and Wales, is set out in the White Paper (Cm 4071) entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation", which was published on 8 October 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set up an inquiry into the impact of private medical practice on NHS waiting lists under the terms recommended by the Health Committee. [63259]

[holding answer 16 December 1998]: We have no plans to set up an inquiry of the sort recommended by the Health Select Committee 8 years ago.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each of the last 10 years, the total number of live births in the United Kingdom, and the percentage of those births delivered by caesarean section. [66264]

The information currently available on the number of live births and the percentage of births delivered by caesarean section is shown in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the establishment of a national screening programme for prostate cancer; and if he will make a statement. [65820]

We have received no such representations. In response to advice from the National Screening Committee (NSC), we advised the National Health Service in Executive Letter (97)12 that screening for prostate cancer should not be offered routinely, based on the existing evidence available. This remains the current policy. The NSC is actively keeping this question under review in the light of emerging evidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when his implementation group will invite bids from (a) established medical schools, (b) new medical schools and (c) others for provision of 1,000 additional doctors' training places; and if he will make a statement; [66087](2) what are the criteria recommended by the joint Department of Health and Higher Education Funding Council for England implementation group, for awarding 1,000 additional medical school places to existing medical schools, new medical schools or new models for doctor training; and if he will make a statement. [66088]

The Joint Implementation Group, which has been established to oversee the allocation of universities of the English share of the increase in medical school places, wrote to all English Universities and their National Health Service partners on 8 January 1999, inviting them to submit proposals for the admission of the additional medical students in the years 2000 to 2005. It is open to universities to make proposals, whether or not they already have medical schools. Copies of the 8 January letter are available in the Library.The invitation set out the objectives and criteria established by the Group, which will be used when considering universities' proposals. The objectives are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for research into the causes and treatment of allergies; and if he will make a statement. [66258]

The Department's policy research programme and the National Health Service research and development programmes are supporting a range of research on allergies and will continue to do so. The Medical Research Council, the main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research, which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology in the Department of Trade and Industry, is also funding relevant research, including the study of infections, immunity and inflammations, which will underpin work on allergies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people in each decile of (a) benefit unit income and (b) household income, who will gain from the introduction of the working families tax credit. [65421]

The table shows the estimated numbers gaining from the introduction of Working Families Tax Credit for those eligible for the credit. Overall, about 1 million benefit units will gain.

Number of gainers from introduction of Working Families Tax Credit
Decile	Benefit unit income	Household income
Lowest	1—	120,000
2nd	250,000	380,000
3rd	410,000	260,000
4th	210,000	110,000
5th	90,000	70,000
6th	30,000	1—
7th	1—	1—
8th	1—	1—
9th	1—	1—
Highest	1—	1—
1No gainers or number of gainers too few to calculate reliable estimates.

Note:Deciles are defined in terms of equivalised income on a benefit unit and household income basis using the McClements scale; decile boundaries are higher for households than benefit units.Source:These estimates have been derived from projections of Family Expenditure Survey data to 1999–2000.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many household incomes of families in Doncaster, Central will rise as a result of the introduction of the working families tax credit. [66565]

I regret that estimates for individual constituencies are not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what were the percentage changes in the share of the allocation of identifiable general expenditure per head between the English regions, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over the last 10 years; [65589](2) what were the percentage changes in allocation of identifiable general expenditure per head between the English regions over the last 10 years. [65590]

Tables containing a breakdown by region of General Government Expenditure (GGE) per capita have been published annually with effect from 1987–88. Figures for 1987–88 to 1990–91 are available in the Appendices of the Statistical Supplement to the Autumn Statement of 1990 to 1992; figures for 1991–92 to 1993–94 in Chapter 7 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Supplement to the Financial Statement and Budget Report for 1994–95 to 1996–97; and for 1994–95 to 1995–96 in Chapter 7 of the last two editions of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA). A regional breakdown for 1996–97 will be published in PESA 1999–2000. Figures for GGE per capita in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland appear in the same Chapters as the regional figures, and figures for 1996–97 can be found in PESA 1998–99 (Cm 3901), which was published in April last year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what public consultation took place before setting the objectives and targets detailed in the departmental public service agreements; and if he will make a statement. [65709]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: The Government were elected on specific manifesto commitments which are reflected in the objectives and targets in the Public Service Agreements (PSAs). Departmental PSAs take account of consultation on a range of issues which has taken place since the Government were elected.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to create an independent auditing process for the targets contained in the departmental public service agreements; and if he will make a statement. [65708]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: The Government will report annually on progress against targets in the Public Service Agreements and each department will publish further details in its departmental report. This will allow Parliament and the public to judge independently what progress has been made.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to announce the new Government spending plans for the years beyond 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [65711]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: Departments' multi-year expenditure limits will be rolled forward for the next three financial years in 2000, as set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to introduce a lop starter rate of income tax within the current Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [65710]

[holding answer 14 January 1999]: As the Chancellor made clear in his statement on the pre-Budget report, on 3 November 1998, Official Report, columns 681–792, the Government will introduce a lop starting rate of income tax when it is economically right to do so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the yield from levying a 10p tax on each rental of a video cassette. [66099]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to introduce a new tax on the rental of video cassettes; [66194](2) what estimates he has made of the annual contribution to public funds of a tax on rented video cassettes of

[holding answer 18 January 1999]: No such estimates have been made.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Miller Dywidag Joint Venture is registered for the purposes of VAT. [66338]

[holding answer 18 January 1999]: Under provisions of the Finance Act 1989 and the Official Secrets Act 1989, we are prohibited from disclosing personal information from the VAT register without the permission of the taxpayer unless it can be demonstrated that it is in the public interest to do so. If the hon. Member would like to provide details of the reasons for his question, I shall consider whether there are grounds for disclosing this information to him.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to apply VAT charged on garage labour for insurance repairs to insurance work carried out in garages which are owned by insurance companies; and if he will make a statement. [66385]

Customs are reviewing the VAT treatment of vehicle repairs carried out by motor insurers.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the beneficial taxation concessions granted to the Joint Industry Board for Electrical Contracting Industry by the Inland Revenue and referred to in their explanatory notes and rules (May 1969). [66147]

I cannot comment on arrangements that the Joint Industry Board for Electrical Contracting Industry may have entered into with the Inland Revenue. They are confidential and a matter between the Board and the Inland Revenue.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what rules or guidance his Department has to govern the (a) formal and (b) informal interaction between his civil servants and commercial lobbyists. [66209]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply the Prime Minister gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 27 July 1998, Official Report, column 4.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason the age of 40 years was decided upon as the minimum age for current legal advisers in magistrates courts to be exempt from the requirements of the Justices' Clerks (Qualification of Assistants) (Amendment) Rules 1998; and if he will similarly exempt all postholders, irrespective of age. [66120]

The decision to exempt those people who are aged 40 or older strikes the right balance between the important aim of a fully professionally qualified service and the practical difficulties faced by some individuals. Considerable thought was given to the question of whether all existing court clerks should be exempted, but it was decided that this was not a reasonable option. Some of these clerks are in their early to mid-20s and can be expected to work until they are in their mid-50s. It was felt that such a long term timescale before all clerks were professionally qualified did not match the timescale for modernising the magistrates courts to meet the challenges emerging now and in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that all reasonable steps are being taken by the security service to ensure that, when processing personal data for the purpose of assisting the police, the data are processed in a way compatible with section 29 of the Data Protection Act 1998. [65980]

The Director of the Security Service is under a statutory duty to ensure that no information is obtained by the Service except so far as necessary for the proper discharge of its functions, including supporting the activities of police forces and other law enforcement agencies in the prevention and detection of serious crime. We have already announced that, in line with existing policy, all personal data held by the Security Service is subject to exemption under section 28 of the 1998 Act. We do not envisage any circumstances in which it would be necessary to rely upon the exemption provisions in section 29.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the latest six monthly report on terrorist threats to EU member states discussed at the Home Affairs Council on 3 and 4 December; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [66143]

No. Article 4 of the relevant Council decision provides that

"access to a Council document shall not be granted where its disclosure could undermine the protection of the public interest, public security, international relations, monetary stability, court proceedings, inspections and investigations". I am satisfied accordingly that the Terrorism Threat Assessment Document should not be released.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposed role of Europol in the establishment of Economic and Monetary Union, pursuant to the ECOFIN meeting of 19 May. [66140]

The ECONFIN Council meeting on 19 May 1998 concluded that a database and information system for the storage and exchange of law enforcement data on counterfeiting the Euro might need to be established. We take the view that Europol should be responsible for any such database. The issue remains under discussion with our European partners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the nature of United Kingdom participation in Europol's work programme for 1999, as established at the Home Affairs Councils of 3 and 4 December. [66138]

In 1999, the United Kingdom will contribute fully to all aspects of Europol's work in accordance with the Europol Convention. The United Kingdom will also continue to take a full part in monitoring, managing and developing the organisation through the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Europol Management Board and other relevant bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will announce his response to the consultation on modernisation of the Gaming Act 1968. [66370]

We have been discussing specific issues with the Gaming Board and the industry, and hope to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of prosecutions in each of the last four years for which figures are available for alleged illegal operation of lotteries licensed under the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976; and what, for each successful prosecution, was the fine or sentence imposed and the names of those convicted. [66266]