To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the road schemes which are proceeding following the outcome of the national Roads Review and (b) those roads which are to be considered by regional planning conferences which could have an effect on areas of outstanding natural beauty or National Parks, detailing for each the designation affected. [67024]

[holding answer 26 January 1999]: Environmental concerns were a major consideration of the assessment of schemes during the Roads Review. The Road Programme inherited from the previous Government contained 21 schemes which would affect National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The following lists show the schemes which are to proceed as part of the Targeted Programme of Improvements following the national Roads Review which will impact on specific National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Scheme Name	National Park or AONB
A34 Chieveley/M4 J13 Improvement	North Wessex Downs AONB
A41 Aston Clinton Bp	Chilterns AONB
A2 Bean-Cobham Widening Phase 2	Kent Downs AONB
A21 Lamberhurst Bp	High Weald AONB

The following scheme, which was not sufficiently advanced to be considered for the Targeted Programme of Improvements, will be progressed through its preparatory stages so that if, after full appraisal and statutory procedures, it is eventually endorsed, it can be taken forward without delay.

Scheme Name	National Park or AONB
A57/A628 Mottram-Tintwhistle Bp	Peak District NP

In addition, a number of schemes are to considered by Regional Planning Conferences in the context of the programme of wider multi-modal studies announced recently. These studies cover in some cases very wide areas of the country. Solutions to these studies will by no means necessarily be road based and will rarely be solely road schemes. We therefore cannot list AONBs or National Parks within these areas in the same definitive way as for identified road proposals. Environmental impact is an important consideration in our new approach to appraisals and its assessment will be integral to the study process. Any consequences for AONBs and National Parks of solutions coming out of the studies would be explicitly identified at that point.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many night flights (a) landing and (b) taking off from Heathrow carried (i) passengers and (ii) airfreight in each of the last five years. [68576]

The total runway movements in the night quota period (11.30 pm and 6 am) each season for the last five years are set out.

Season	Arrivals	Departures	Total runway movements1
Winter 1993–94	2—	2—	2,589
Summer 1994	2—	2—	3,204
Winter 1994–95	2—	2—	2,939
Summer 1995	2—	2—	3,266
Winter 1995–96	2—	2—	3,059
Summer 1996	2,527	313	2,840
Winter 1996–97	2,567	255	2,822
Summer 1997	2,722	285	3,007
Winter 1997–98	2,542	224	2,766
Summer 1998	2,765	334	3,099
1 Total runway movements include all movements counted against the night movements limit and noise quota, movements by exempt types of aircraft and movements given dispensations.
2 The split between arrivals and departures is not readily available due to the basis on which records have been retained.

Full details of the split between passenger and all-cargo movements for each season are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. On the basis of available data, about 8 per cent. of movements in winter 1993–94, and 5 per cent. in summer 1995 were all-cargo flights including mail with similar amounts in intervening seasons (ie slightly more in winter than in summer). In summer 1998 there were 96 such movements, 3 per cent. of the total. A significant amount of cargo is carried in the holds of passenger aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the Council of Ministers has resolved to apply the Committee Directive on the Registration Documents for Vehicles (EC 65/98) five years after the entry into force of that Directive. [68966]

The five year implementation period will provide Member States with sufficient time to introduce the new harmonised system for vehicle registration documents. Member States are free to introduce the new documentation before then if they wish to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Wandsworth Borough Council on its policy of selling council properties in certain areas of the borough. [69070]

I have had no such discussions. However, officials of the Government Office for London regularly discuss with Borough officials many aspects of the Borough's housing strategy and of its performance as a housing authority as part of the annual Housing Investment Programme allocation process. Sales of council properties are one aspect of those discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with his European Union colleagues on the development of environmentally friendly vehicles by European vehicle producers. [69093]

Significant developments are taking place in Europe on the promotion of environmentally friendly vehicles by European vehicle producers. A number of directives were agreed in 1998, setting future emission standards for cars, vans and vehicles with heavy-duty diesel engines. Last year a voluntary agreement was concluded between the EC and European motor manufacturers, to reduce by 25 per cent. the CO₂ emissions from new cars by 2008. When the UK's Cleaner Vehicles Task Force publishes its first report in the coming months, we will wish to discuss its contents with colleagues in Europe.I and my Ministerial colleagues keep in close contact with our European counterparts on these matters. During January my right hon. Friends the Minister for the Environment and the Minister of Transport had liaison meetings with the respective Ministers of the new German Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what discussions he has had with the German Government on the United Kingdom's rules relating to the import and export of spent nuclear fuel; and if he will make a statement; [69157](2) if he will make a statement on his policy relating to the import and export of spent nuclear fuel; and if he will make a statement; [69156](3) if imports of spent nuclear fuel from Germany primarily to alleviate the shortage of on-site waste storage capacity at German nuclear facilities contravene Government policy; and if he will seek advice on this matter from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee. [69159]

The Government's policy is that spent nuclear fuel may be imported into the UK provided that the prime purpose is the recovery of reusable material.BNFL provides nuclear fuel reprocessing services on a fully commercial basis. Since 1976 all reprocessing contracts have contained the option for the return of waste arising from reprocessing to the customer country. The Government have made it clear that this option should be exercised, and all wastes returned.It has also been made clear to the German Government that the UK would not be willing to offer long-term storage in the UK for spent nuclear fuel that will not be reprocessed. It follows that, should existing reprocessing contracts be cancelled at any time, German material held in the UK at that time would have to be returned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government are taking to protect internationally important lowland raised peatlands from damage caused by commercial peat extraction for horticultural and gardening use; and if he will make a statement. [69149]

My Department has reconvened its Working Group on Peat Extraction to consider whether existing policies and guidance on peat extraction are still appropriate.The Group is looking at a range of issues surrounding peat extraction, including the need for safeguarding peat bogs of national and international importance, and the development and marketing of peat alternatives.A report of the Group's discussions, including recommendations for action, is in preparation. This will assist me and other Ministerial colleagues to decide what further action is necessary.In the meantime, we have asked English Nature for advice on the position at Wedholme Flow and Thorne and Hatfield Moors on the best present scientific assessment as to the effects of commercial peat extraction on the areas of international importance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what restrictions are imposed by his departmental regulations on the taking airside of (a) cameras and (b) mobile phones by holders of temporary airside passes at British airports; [69072](2) what security screening requirements are imposed by his departmental regulations on holders of temporary airside passes before they can go airside at British airports; [69057](3) what is the maximum length of time laid down in his departmental regulations for which a temporary airside pass can be issued at a British airport; [69073](4) what the rules are under his departmental regulations on checking of references before the issue of a temporary airside pass at British airports; [69056](5) how many breaches of his departmental regulations covering the issue of temporary airside passes at British airports were confirmed during

References are required only for the issue of a permanent pass. Temporary passes are issued on the basis of proof of identity, but such passholders must be escorted at all times. They are normally issued for up to three days, although a limited number of "special" passes are issued for temporary access up to 31 days when this is justified. Temporary pass holders are required to undergo the same screening process as all permanent staff and passengers before entry to the Restricted Zone of an airport. There are no Departmental Regulations restricting holders of temporary airside passes from taking cameras and mobile telephones airside. However, all items taken airside are searched and particular attention is given to electrical and electronic equipment, such as cameras and mobile telephones.There have been no breaches of the Department's Regulations on the issuing of airside passes at British airports in 1997 or 1998.Following an article in a newspaper on 20 January, Ministers ordered an immediate inquiry into how a journalist had obtained a temporary pass to Heathrow airport by posing as a cleaner; also that an urgent reappraisal of the regulations governing the issue of passes at UK airports be carried out.At the same time, all the temporary passes issued to the company concerned were withdrawn, with no new ones to be issued until the Department's inspectors were satisfied that the necessary procedures were being carried out. These actions are currently being pursued, but it is too early to comment further.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in implementing the New Deal for Communities since its launch. [69414]

Communities, local groups and public bodies in the 17 local authority districts eligible to run pathfinders have brought forward proposals for neighbourhoods they consider would benefit from the New Deal for Communities. On the basis of those proposals, we expect to announce shortly which partnerships we will support, as they develop a detailed long term strategy for change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received from the study group set up by his Department to examine ways of reducing traffic congestion on the M6 motorway between junctions 6 and 10; and what actions he proposes to take as a result. [69549]

We have recently finished a consultation exercise with regional planning bodies on the programme of twenty six studies proposed in "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England", and we will make an announcement on the final programme shortly. The West Midlands to North West Conurbation multi-modal study will examine options for reducing congestion on the M6 through modal shift. Work on the first tranche of studies will begin in the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of the creation of an Outer London orbital rail link; and if he will make a statement. [69819]

The Government welcome any viable proposals which might contribute towards a better, more integrated public transport system. Railtrack is responsible for stewardship of the rail network. It will set out its plans for the maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the network in its next Network Management Statement, which is due to be published in March.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to prevent trade in endangered species within the European Union. [69820]

The trade in endangered species is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which is implemented within the European Union by Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97. Commercial trade in wild taken specimens of species listed in Annex A of the Regulation is strictly prohibited, although exceptions may be made for research, breeding or educational purposes. The sale of these species is also controlled, including captive bred specimens.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average width of a standard class seat on mainline train services in (a) 1989 and (b) at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement. [69828]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what independent assessment his Department has undertaken of London Transport's planned timetable for the opening of the Jubilee Line extension. [69823]

London Transport's (LT's) planned timetable for the opening of the Jubilee Line extension is independently assessed on an on-going basis by the Secretary of State's Agent, Ove Arup and Partners. Ove Arup has been reporting regularly to Ministers since the start of construction. It is on the basis of its reports that we are confident that the extension will be open in time to serve the Millennium celebrations at North Greenwich.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for the delivery of increased rail usage of Railtrack's policy towards the disposal of its property assets. [69891]

The disposal of property assets owned by Railtrack is a commercial matter for the company. However, its powers of disposal are limited. Closure of railway lines (as well as passenger services, stations and light maintenance depots) which have been used in connection with railway passenger services at any time within the last five years are subject to consideration by the Franchising Director, the Rail Regulator and the Secretary of State, and wide consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussion he has held with Connex in respect of the use of Charlton station for transporting visitors to the Millennium Dome; what is (a) the present and (b) the maximum number of trains per hour which can call at Charlton; and if he will make a statement. [69827]

Surface rail interests are represented at my Millennium Access Co-ordination Group by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC). The Managing Director of Connex South Eastern represented ATOC at the first meeting of my group in June 1998, at which we discussed Railtrack's proposals to redevelop Charlton station to improve the interchange with the new Millennium Transit bus service that will operate between the station and the Dome.In November, ATOC reported to my group that Connex were considering the provision of additional train services to Charlton for Millennium Experience visitors. The present off-peak service at Charlton station is six trains per hour in each direction to/from Charing Cross/Cannon Street. The maximum number of trains per hour will be dependent upon capacity constraints at all stations on the line and access arrangements for services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence he has had with (i) the Traffic Director for London and (ii) Greenwich Council in drawing up contingency plans for transporting visitors to the Millennium Dome should the Jubilee line extension not be open in time, giving in each case the first date of their involvement. [69826]

I have, through my Millennium Access Co-ordination Group, asked London Underground Limited to lead the production of contingency plans to manage problems on any of the main transport links to the Millennium Dome site.The Borough of Greenwich became a member of my Millennium Access group in November 1998 prior to which date the interests of all boroughs were represented by the Association of London Government. Greenwich were present when London Underground presented an overview of the contingency plans to the group last month. I have not had any correspondence with Greenwich on this subject.I have had no discussions or correspondence with the Traffic Director for London on the plans. I have, however, invited him to attend the next meeting of my group, at which we will be examining London Underground's proposals in more detail. The Traffic Director for London has been a member of the contingency planning working group since November 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will consult on proposals for a beacon council scheme; and if he will make a statement. [70218]

We intend to publish a prospectus tomorrow inviting views on proposals for a beacon scheme to identify and select the best councils, so that others can benefit from their experience, and in the longer term allow new freedoms and flexibilities to be tested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce details of the revised criteria and ring-fenced annual budget for the Highways Agency for new measures to reduce motorway noise. [69784]

We announced in "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England" that we propose to establish revised criteria and a ring-fenced annual budget to provide noise mitigation on some existing trunk roads. We will make an announcement on this shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to ban vehicles with bull bars from public roads. [69258]

Having considered the responses to a consultation exercise on options for national action on bull bars, we are currently in the process of identifying how best to take matters forward. As we have always made clear, any action on aggressive bull bars must deal effectively with the complexities involved. It is also clearly sensible for us to take the opportunity to consider bull bars in the context of the wider issue of making all new cars more pedestrian friendly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his target date for the publication of the new UK Climate Change Programme. [69567]

The Government aim to publish the new UK Climate Change Programme in good time for UK ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Organisation Instruction and Guidance issued to the new Strategic Rail Authority in relation to Rail Passenger Partnership funding will allocate a fixed proportion of this funding for use in rural rail infrastructure. [69205]

My right hon. Friend is currently considering the terms of revised planning criteria for the Franchising Director to apply in appraising support for passenger rail services. These will guide the allocation of funds for Rail Passenger Partnerships by the Strategic Rail Authority, which will be operating in shadow form from April pending legislation. I cannot anticipate publication of the revised criteria, but applications in respect of rural rail infrastructure will be welcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to provide for a defence to a charge arising from breach of regulations relating to vehicle emissions where the car in question has passed its MOT within 28 days before the date of a roadside check. [69568]

The Government are currently reviewing the way in which compliance with vehicle emissions standards is enforced at the roadside. The question of mitigating circumstances is being taken into consideration in that process and an announcement on future policy will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to assist young, homeless persons. [69598]

For young people to be without a suitable home can blight their lives and future development and lead to the social exclusion that this Government are determined to tackle. The problems of youth homelessness go beyond the simple provision of accommodation; many other factors are involved and all sectors, statutory, voluntary and business have a contribution to make.That is why we have established the Youth Homelessness Action Partnership to bring together senior representatives of central governmental, local government and the voluntary sector. The Partnership is currently working on producing an agreed definition of youth homelessness and estimating the numbers involved. It will also identify what works in tackling and preventing youth homelessness, including the role of local strategies, and disseminate good practice to all the key players. The Partnership will also contribute towards the evaluation of the impact of Government policies on youth homelessness. The work of the Partnership will be underpinned by research to be commissioned later this year.We have refocused our DETR section 180 grant programme, which provides grants to voluntary sector organisations concerned with homelessness, to give priority to projects that prevent and tackle youth homelessness. £8.1 million is available in 1998/99 and over 200 projects around England are benefiting from these grants.The Government are committed to reducing the most extreme example of homelessness—rough sleeping—to as near to zero as possible in our towns and cities. The Prime Minister asked the Social Exclusion Unit to address the issue of rough sleeping as one of its first priorities. Their report sets a tough initial target of reducing the number of people sleeping rough throughout England, to a third of its current level by 2002.A new Ministerial Committee, chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Housing, has been established to ensure effective co-ordination of Government policy in preventing and tackling rough sleeping. The DETR will be responsible for co-ordination of the overall strategy for England on rough sleeping; including housing, health access to employment and training and benefits.We will establish a new body for London which will be responsible for reducing the numbers of people sleeping rough in the Capital. The new body will have an integrated budget of £143 million over the three years until 2002 to combat rough sleeping and the causes of rough sleeping.Outside London, the SEU confirmed that local authorities are in the best position to take the lead on tackling rough sleeping and single, including youth, homelessness. To support local authorities in achieving the target reduction in rough sleeping in their area we have launched a new Homelessness Action Programme which will provide £34 million over the next three years to help voluntary organisations outside London to tackle and prevent rough sleeping. We announced details of over 250 voluntary sector projects which will benefit from this programme on 5 February.We have also strengthened the safety net for families and vulnerable individuals who are homeless unintentionally. The revised Code of Guidance on Allocations and Homelessness which will be issued later this year will provide more advice to help local housing authorities develop effective strategies to assist single homeless people including young people.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on any additional costs for recycling packaging waste arising from recent changes in the law and the method for distributing such costs. [69611]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member of Hazel Grove, (Mr. Stunell) on 28 January 1999, Official Report, column 335.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that wasteholders have a right of access to the Packaging Waste Recovery Note System in respect of waste they deposit for recycling. [69610]

The Advisory Committee on Packaging referred to this issue in its further advice set out in Sir Peter Parker's letter of 22 December to my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, a copy of which is in the Library. The Committee recommended that

"individual businesses, who are obligated members of the packaging chain and bring waste for reprocessing, should be given first refusal on the PRN when waste is accepted for reprocessing and that reprocessors should make reasonable forward provision for such parties who wish to have PRNs".

We are grateful for the Committee's advice and my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment hopes to make an announcement on this and other aspects of the Packaging Recovery Note system shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for the sale of school playing fields have come before him since 1 May 1997. [69613]

The Secretary of State's consent to the disposal of land by local authorities under their general powers is only required where they wish to do so at less than the best reasonably obtainable consideration, which is normally open market value. No such applications for consent for the sale of school playing fields have come before him since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for school playing fields development he has approved. [69614]

The information requested is not held on this basis. The results of appeals and called-in applications are not classified by sites of this type. It is, therefore, not feasible to assemble such information, except at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers are available to local authorities to require owners of listed buildings to maintain them; how he monitors the performance of local authorities in discharging their duties in respect of listed buildings; and what powers he has in respect of listed buildings which a local authority fails to protect. [68852]

I have been asked to reply.Owners of listed buildings are under no specific duty to maintain their properties, though it will normally be in their interest to do so. However, local authorities have statutory powers to take action where a building has deteriorated to the extent that its preservation may be at risk. An authority can serve a repairs notice on the owner of a listed building specifying works it considers necessary for the building's preservation. If no action is taken in response to the notice, the authority can begin compulsory purchase proceedings. In the case of an unoccupied listed building, an authority can—having served notice on the owner—carry out works it considers urgently necessary for the building's preservation and recover its costs.My right hon. Friend has powers which are broadly similar to those of local authorities and which he can exercise where he considers that an authority has itself failed to take action. However, his policy is to treat them as reserve powers for use only in exceptional circumstances.My Department does not specifically monitor the performance of individual local authorities, but we would normally expect to look into cases where important buildings are reported to be at risk. Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment urges all authorities to maintain and strengthen their commitment to stewardship of the historic environment, to reflect that commitment in their allocation of resources and to consider the use of their statutory powers wherever appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list his official engagements outside London planned for February. [69842]

It is not the practice to give details of my forthcoming engagements.

To ask the President of the Council what steps she proposes to take to ensure that announcements of Government policy on matters which will be devolved take into account the roles of the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament. [68614]

Ministers are aware of the areas within their responsibility which will be devolved to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales under the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 and the Government of Wales Act 1998. Ministers are taking this into account in preparing and making announcements of Government policy.

To ask the President of the Council what was the total number of oral questions tabled to all departments, excluding the Scottish and Welsh Offices but including the Prime Minister in the last session; and what percentage were (a) on the Order of Business on the day in question and (b) actually answered orally. [69575]

26,625 oral questions were put down in the last session to all departments excluding the Scottish and Welsh Offices, but including the Prime Minister.7,437 or 27.9 per cent. were on the order of Business on the day in question and 3,149 or 11.8 per cent. were actually answered orally.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is the expected final cost of Portcullis House; when it is due to be completed; what is the cost of (a) furniture, (b) catering facilities, (c) exterior decoration and (d) interior decoration; how many (i) hon. Members, (ii) Parliamentary staff and (iii) ancillary staff will be accommodated in the new building; and if he will make a statement. [69103]

As previously reported, the forecast outturn cost of the project is £250m. In addition to the capital costs, this figure includes furniture and fittings, professional and construction management fees and VAT. In accordance with the brief agreed by the House in 1992, the building will provide accommodation for 205 hon. Members and at least as many Members' staff. The precise number will depend on individual hon. Members' working arrangements. At this stage figures for the number of ancillary staff, who will be mainly from the Serjeant at Arms and Refreshment Departments, are not available. The select committee and conference rooms will also be heavily used.Much of the furniture has yet to be purchased but the budget figures total £3.7m. These figures include the furnishing of the select committee and conference rooms and other communal areas including the refreshment and library facilities as well as the offices of hon. Members and their staff. The cost of the catering equipment, furniture and fittings is £2.4m. All the surfaces, both internal and external, are self-finished so there are no costs that could be attributed to decoration. The building is due to be occupied early in 2001. Work remains on schedule.

To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her oral statement of 1 February 1998, Official Report,column 593, concerning the lack of insurance cover for travel on 1 January 2000, if she will list the relevant authorities examining the issue in each sector. [69573]

It is the responsibility of the transport industry to ensure that their transport services can be delivered without increased risk to the public over the Millennium. However, relevant public authorities are taking steps to ensure that this work is done. These include the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Civil Aviation Authority, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Rail Regulator, Railtrack, the Health & Safety Commission and the Highways Agency. These organisations are also working with relevant international organisations, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Maritime Organisation to look at the safety of international travel.The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and relevant regulators are also facilitating a programme of independent assessment of preparedness across the UK transport sector as part of a programme of work that is being led by Action 2000 through the National Infrastructure Forum. The first results from this work should be published in the Spring.

	1996		1997		1998
County	Officers	Soldiers	Officers	Soldiers	Officers	Soldiers
Avon	1	6	0	13	0	11
Bedfordshire	1	0	0	3	0	7
Berkshire	2	8	0	8	0	13
Buckinghamshire	0	11	0	4	0	0
County Durham	0	14	0	7	1	11
Cambridgeshire	0	27	0	19	0	18
Cheshire	2	18	1	24	0	26
Cleveland	0	13	0	20	0	23
Cornwall	0	6	0	7	0	10
Cumbria	0	23	0	10	0	16
Derbyshire	0	16	0	11	0	13
Devon	0	39	2	40	0	34
Dorset	1	0	1	0	0	0
Essex	0	23	0	18	0	24
Greater London	1	24	1	10	0	24
Manchester	0	13	0	16	0	15
Gloucestershire	0	5	2	7	0	8
Hereford and Worcestershire	0	18	0	21	1	15
Hampshire	1	35	1	41	2	50
Hertfordshire	1	0	1	0	0	0
Humberside	0	18	1	20	0	11
Kent	0	31	0	24	0	20
Lancashire	0	93	0	62	0	66
Leicestershire	0	11	0	4	0	14
Lincolnshire	1	34	0	28	2	23
Merseyside	2	27	0	7	0	16
Northern Ireland	1	15	0	12	2	20
Norfolk	0	10	0	9	0	9
Northampton	0	10	0	18	0	9

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost to the Legal Aid Fund of paying Civil Court fees in (a) county court proceedings and (b) High Court proceedings in each of the last five years. [69227]

Information on the amount paid for Civil Court fees is not available, as they are claimed as disbursements and the Legal Aid Board does not record these fees as a separate amount.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by county the number of REME officers and regulars recruited in each of the last three years [69328]

The information shown in the table reflects the numbers of REME officers and soldiers recruited through the various Army and Armed Forces Careers Offices in each county, in each of the last three years; it does not necessarily reflect individual's areas of origin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if HQ 101 Battalion REME was listed for closure in the first round of recommendations for the future of the Territorial Army proposed by HQ Land Command. [69346]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 17 December 1998, Official Report, column 657.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many REME regulars were recruited in the North West; how many REME recruits came from North Wales during each of the last five years; and how many of these were recruited via the cadets. [69329]

The information shown in the table reflects the numbers of REME soldiers recruited through Army and Armed Forces Careers Offices in the areas shown. It does not necessarily reflect individuals' areas of origin. The numbers shown as Ex-Cadet reflect those who are known to be former cadets and are included in the main total.

	North West		North Wales
Year	Numbers	Ex-cadet	Numbers	Ex-cadet
1994	71	15	3	2
1995	115	21	28	8
1996	151	33	22	7
1997	109	15	10	2
1998	125	12	14	3

The regions used are those defined in the publication "Regional Trends" published by the Office for National Statistics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost to his Department of empty houses vacated by (a) officers and (b) other ranks moving from Chorley 101 REME to Queensferry. [69332]

Vacancies created by the departure of families moving with 101 Bn REME from the Preston area to North Wales are expected to be filled by families attached to other Army units in the Preston area. While there may, therefore, be some short term vacancies associated with this changeover, no costs in terms of long term voids are anticipated at this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date TAVRA North West was consulted about the decision to transfer HQ 101 Battalion REME to Queensferry. [69317]

The North West Territorial and Auxiliary Volunteer Reserve Association were consulted on this proposal on 12 October, at a meeting held at Headquarters Land.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on (a) the Territorial Army's and (b) the cadets' role in recruiting regulars for the army; and if he will list the recruitment figures for regulars by region in each of the last three years. [69327]

Neither the Territorial Army nor the cadet forces have a specific role in recruiting to the regular Army. However, a number of members of both organisations go on to join the regular Army. The numbers of recruits to the regular Army, by region, in each of the last three years are as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) on 21 January 1999, Official Report, column 529, if he will list the year of submission of each claim for compensation on the grounds of (a) post-traumatic stress disorder and (b) physical injury, with the geographical region where it is alleged the injuries were sustained. [69607]

The years in which my Department received the (a) post traumatic disorder claims and (b) physical injury claims to which my hon. Friend refers are set out in the table.

Year claim submitted	Post traumatic stress disorder claims	Personal injury claims
1979	—	2
1985	—	3
1988	—	4
1989	—	3
1990	—	19
1991	—	39
1992	—	51
1993	—	90

Battalion	Police division	Approximate district council boundaries	Number of patrols 11 May-8 June 1998	Number of patrols 9 November-7 December 1998
3 Inf Bde
Armagh Roulement Battalion1,2	H	Armagh, Newry and Mourne	414	308
East Tyrone Roulement Battalion	K	Cookstown, Dungannon	244	123
Ballykinler Battalion	G	Down, Ards, Newry and Mourne	118	6
3 R Irish	J	Craigavon, Lisburn, Banbridge	355	300
8 R Irish	H	Armargh	470	280
8 InfBde
Ballykelly Battalion	N	Limavady, Strabane	22	7
Londonderry Battalion	N	Londonderry, Strabane	127	12
Omagh Battalion3	L	Omagh, Dungannon, Fermanagh	128	133
4 R Irish	L	Fermanagh	229	218
5 R Irish	O	Magherafelt, Limavady, Colerain, Moyle, Larne, Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney	27	0

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) foot and (b) mobile patrols were carried out in support of the RUC, broken down by approximate district council constituency between (a) 11 May and 8 June 1998 and (b) 9 November and 7 December 1998; [69884](2) how many patrols were carried out by each battalion stationed in Northern Ireland broken down by police division and approximate district council constituencies between

It is not possible to differentiate between foot and mobile patrols as many patrols are a combination of both. The information requested about patrols in general is set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on policing MoD areas 24 hours a day; what was his Department's budget for such policing for (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; what assessment he has made of such policing (i) nationally and (ii) in Gloucestershire; what discussions he has had with RAF Command Security about this issue; and if he will make a statement. [69505]

The Ministry of Defence Police provide a civilian policing service to the Ministry of Defence and are available to provide a response 24 hours a day from police officers based at MOD establishments, mobile Area Police Teams, and other specialist services.My Department's expenditure on MOD police has been as follows:

Year	£ million
1995–96	134
1996–97	130
1997–98	134

The forecast expenditure for 1998–99 is £137 million.The requirement for Ministry of Defence Police is kept under continual assessment both nationally across the Department and at individual Establishments and geographical areas of the Defence Estate. Gloucestershire is included in these assessments. RAF Command Security are fully involved in these discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries' armed forces pension schemes have been studied as part of the UK Armed Forces Pension Scheme Review announced on 23 September 1998. [67127]

In undertaking the Review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme the MOD will be looking at examples of good practice in other pension schemes. The Review is in its early stages and we have not yet finalised which foreign Armed Forces pension schemes we shall examine. We would, however, expect to consider the schemes of major NATO allies and other Western Armed Forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the planned in-service date for the ASTOR programme; and what changes to that date have taken place since May 1997. [69026]

The In Service Date, ISD, in May 1997 was 2003. Since then the bidders for the Airborne Stand-Off Radar, ASTOR, programme have been asked to review the feasibility of this in their bids for the Full Development and Production phase of the programme.The Department is currently in the process of evaluating bids, and it would, therefore, not be appropriate to make specific comments on any aspects of the bids at this time. On current plans we aim to announce a decision on the project in the spring, and award a contract later this year. The new ISD is dependent upon the selected bid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1999, Official Report,columns 460–61, on RN Base Faslane, on what date BP4 probes started to be used at RN Naval Base Clyde to monitor personnel leaving the reactor compartments of nuclear submarines. [69088]

The BP4 probe has been in use at HM Naval Base Clyde for approximately 15 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the radiation hotspots discovered in Ml 1 workshop at RN Base Faslane in 1989. [69466]

No radiation "hotspots" were discovered in the M11 workshop in 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Future Engineer Tank; and if he will list the project milestones. [68516]

[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Future Engineer Tank programme will provide the Army with modern armoured bridge launchers and engineer vehicles to support the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. A number of potential solutions have been identified and the MOD plans to let feasibility study contracts with Vickers Defence Systems, Alvis Vehicles Ltd. and OBRUM in partnership with Marconi Electronic Systems (Land and Naval). Depending on the results of the feasibility study phase, which are expected to report next year, we expect to select one contractor to develop and manufacture both variants.We currently require an in service date of around 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the long-term future of RAF Dishforth. [69178]

On current plans, RAF Dishforth will continue to be used both as a helicopter base and for training aircraft operating from RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the average flying hours in (a) 1997 and (b) 1998 for Tornado F3 aircraft in service with the RAF. [69383]

Tornado F3 aircraft each flew an average of 24.5 hours per month in 1997 and 21 hours in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the average flying hours in (a) 1997 and (b) 1998 of Canberra aircraft in service with the RAF. [69674]

Canberra aircraft each flew an average of 21 hours per month in 1997 and 17 hours in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department adopted the European parliamentary constituencies as a geographical unit for decision making. [69378]

My Department has not adopted the European Parliamentary Constituencies as a geographical unit for decision making.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list property owned by his Department which he plans to dispose of with outline proposals for (a) housing, (b) industrial use and (c) other uses, indicating the size of each site and the number of houses or premises projected. [69572]

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 arrangements have been made to assure the continuity of the London Irish Rifles Company. [69485]

The London Irish Rifles will form part of the new London Battalion, which is part of the new structure for the Territorial Army announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 17 November 1998, Official Report,columns 749–71. The London Battalion, which has yet to be given formal name, will have 6 companies with a total strength of some 658 volunteers. The intention is that the units that will make up the London Battalion will be able to retain their capbadge affiliations within the new structure, if they so wish.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigations are taking place into an incident in May 1998 involving a cargo of military equipment flown from RAF Manston destined for South Africa which failed to reach its destination; and if he will make a statement. [68236]

I have been asked to reply.The investigation of alleged breaches of United Kingdom export controls is a matter for HM Customs & Excise. It is not normal practice to comment publicly about the existence or nature of such investigations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government have to write off the debt of Nicaragua with UK institutions. [68469]

[holding answer 1 February 1999]: The UK has written off all aid loans debt to Nicaragua. We have also pledged that Nicaragua need make no debt service payment to the UK over the next three years, at which time Nicaragua is expected to qualify for debt write off under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial assistance has been given to Nicaragua in the relief effort since Hurricane Mitch; and what assistance he will provide in the future. [68468]

[holding answer 1 February 1999]: The UK has contributed £10 million to the trust fund set up by the International Financial Institutions for assistance to meet Nicaragua's multi-lateral debt service obligations and participated in an international debt relief package for Honduras and Nicaragua at the Paris Club, which will amount to over $100 million dollars of debt relief.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for the Home Department of 25 January 1999, Official Report,column 75,on electronic warfare, what responsibilities of his Department for measures against information warfare will come within the lead responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. [68314]

The Home Secretary's reply of 25 January set out his new responsibilities to co-ordinate action across government and to work with the private sector to ensure adequate protection for the UK's critical IT infrastructure. The responsibilities of individual Departments have not changed.In this context, HM Treasury has responsibility for the regulatory framework for the financial sector. Within this framework, the Financial Services Authority has operational responsibility for banking supervision, which includes ensuring that banks have sufficient systems and controls to protect themselves against the possibility of attack. The Bank of England oversees the UK payment systems industry.Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise have responsibility for ensuring the robustness of their systems against attack.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his latest estimates and forecast expenditure in cash terms for (i) defence superannuation less charges, (ii) civil superannuation less charges and (iii) pension increase payments for (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99,(c)1999–00, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02. [68379]

Latest figures for net pensions expenditure can be found in Supply Estimates 1998–99, Main Estimates (Cm 635, April 1998). Supply Estimates for 1999–2000 will be presented to Parliament in the Spring. Figures for historical figures are available in the Appropriation Accounts of the respective departmental votes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the United Kingdom's net contribution to (a) the European Union, (b) NATO, (c) the United Nations,(d) the Council of Europe, (e) the WEU and (f) the OSCE in the latest year for which figures are available. [67119]

In 1997–98, the latest year for which figures are available, the United Kingdom's net contributions were:

£ million
Organisation	1997–98 net contributions
European Community Budget	2,567
NATO	122
United Nations	82
Council of Europe	17
WEU	2
OSCE	6

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the United Kingdom's total financial contribution to the EU in 1997–98. [69165]

The United Kingdom's net contribution to the EC Budget in 1997–98 was £2.6 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend footnote 3 of Table A2 in the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review to cover the years 1993–94 to 1997–98. [68389]

Outturn figures for the UK's net contribution are published each year in the Departmental Report of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments, the last being Cm 3917 of April 1998. The most current estimate of the figure for 1997–98 is £2.6 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide latest estimates and forecasts for (i) local authority self-financed expenditure and (ii) Scottish non-domestic rate payments, for (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02. [68393]

The latest estimate and forecasts of local authority self-financed expenditure are shown in the table.

Local authority self-financed expenditure
	£ billion
1997–98 estimated outturn	13.7
1998–99 estimated outturn	14.5
1999–2000 forecast	15.5
2000–01 forecast	16.6
2001–02 forecast	17.9

Scottish Non-Domestic Rates payments distributed to local authorities for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are £1,326 million, £1,395 million and £1,441 million respectively.As of 1 July 1999, responsibility for Scottish non-domestic rates will be devolved to the Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish non-domestic rates yield for 2000–01 and 2001–02 will therefore depend on decisions by the Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he would estimate the rates of child benefit for the first and subsequent children from April 1999 required to ensure that if a higher rate taxpayer in receipt of child benefit paid tax on it at (a) the higher rate or (b) the standard rate, the net cash amount of benefit received remained at the level already announced from April 1999; if he would further estimate (1) the gross annual programme cost of increasing child benefit to those levels and (2) what would be the net cost to the Exchequer of raising child benefit to those levels (i) with

	Rates of child benefit
From April 1999	First child (£)	Subsequent children (£)	Gross cost (£ billion)	Net cost with no taxation (£ billion)
	14.40	9.60	—	—
(a) To give equivalent net cash amount when taxed at the higher rate of 40 per cent.	24.00	16.00	5.5	4.4
(b) To give equivalent net cash amount when taxed at the basic rate of 23 per cent.	18.70	12.45	2.4	1.9

If all child benefit payments to those mothers or lone fathers who were liable at the higher rate of 40 per cent. were taxable, the yield for 1999–2000 would be about £60 million with the child benefit rates at

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many vacancies there were in operation posts of Customs and Excise in (i) South Wales, (ii) Newcastle-upon-Tyne and (iii) West Yorkshire in (a) January 1995, (b) January 1996, (c) January 1997, (d) January 1998 and (e) at the latest available date. [68815]

[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The following figures show the vacancies filled during the periods in question.

	South Wales	Newcastle/West Yorkshire
January 1995	1—	32
January 1996	93	117
January 1997	98	164
January 1998	132	29
January 1999	0	2
1 No figures available

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers of direction he will have over money transferred to the Scottish Consolidated Fund as a consequence of increased investment in specific, nominated projects in England and Wales; if such money would have to be used by the Scottish Parliament for identical projects in Scotland or for projects in the same departmental heading; and what monitoring role his Department would have over the use of such money. [68599]

[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The required rates of child benefit and the gross and net costs, are given in the table. The net costs take into account the consequential effects on income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit. Entitlement to Working Families Tax Credit is not affected by changes to child benefit rates.

[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Scottish Parliament will have the maximum freedom to determine its own expenditure priorities within the funds allocated to it. Control and scrutiny of spending by Ministers of the Scottish Parliament will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament. The Treasury will continue to collect and publish information on spending in Scotland.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to establish a public service agreement between the Treasury and the Scottish Executive over moneys transferred to the Scottish Consolidated Fund; what will be the purpose of such an agreement; and what discussions he has had with the Scottish Office on this issue. [68430]

[holding answer 3 February 1999]: I have no plans to establish a public service agreement between the Treasury and the Scottish Executive.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the real terms annual percentage change in spending in (a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland between 1996–97 and 2001–02 on (i) education, (ii) health, and (iii) transport, broken down into (1) roads and (2) rail, (iv) housing, (v) police and (vi) local government. [68431]

[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The allocation of expenditure to the programmes listed (with the exception of police spending in Wales) will be matters for the National Assembly of Wales and the Scottish Parliament when they assume powers on 1 July.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what work is being undertaken by HM Customs and Excise to include seizures at airports, EU diversion fraud and smuggling in freight containers originating outside the EU within the estimates of the revenue from (a) tobacco and (b) alcohol lost as a result of smuggling. [69532]

HM Customs and Excise's current estimate of the annual revenue lost (excise duty and VAT) through the smuggling of tobacco products by air passengers is £50 million. This estimate is contained in a report laid in the House of Commons on 19 November 1998. There is no estimate of the revenue lost through smuggling by air passengers of alcoholic drinks, but this is not believed to be on a comparable scale.HM Customs and Excise are currently working with representatives of the trade and other interested parties to establish robust methodologies for the measurement of excise duty evasion as a whole. This work is in keeping with one of the recommendations of the report of the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review, which was published in July 1998.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest estimate by HM Customs and Excise of the revenue lost on (a) tobacco and (b) alcohol products as a result of smuggling and bootlegging in the current financial year; and what are the final figures for the last financial year. [69531]

HM Customs and Excise estimates for the revenue lost (excise duty and VAT) through smuggling of alcohol and tobacco products are produced on a calendar year basis. Their most recent estimates are contained in a report laid in the House of Commons library on 19 November 1998.In 1998, Customs estimate that £1,000 million was lost through cross-Channel smuggling of tobacco products, and £220 million through such smuggling of alcoholic drinks. The equivalent estimates for 1997 are £790 million for tobacco products and £180 million for alcoholic drinks. Customs also estimate that the annual revenue currently lost through smuggling of tobacco products by air passengers is about £50 million.These estimates exclude any amounts for revenue lost through smuggling in very large freight consignments, for which Customs have not published any estimates.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further resources are planned for HM Customs and Excise to combat smuggling and bootlegging from sources (a) within and (b) outside the EU in addition to those already announced since May 1997. [69553]

Customs has been allocated £35 million under the Comprehensive Spending Review to tackle evasion of alcohol and tobacco duties. This includes over 100 additional front line staff, both at ports and inland, to combat the smuggling and distribution of illicit goods. The staff will not deal exclusively with goods from within or outside the EU; they will tackle fraudulent activity whatever the source. They will all be in post by 1 April.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions are taking place with customs authorities outside the EU to determine the amount of smuggled alcohol and tobacco products which originate outside the EU. [69529]

HM Customs and Excise are currently working with representatives of the trade and other interested parties to establish robust methodologies for the measurement of excise duty evasion as a whole. For measurement purposes, the split between EU and non-EU sourced smuggling is a secondary factor.Customs and Excise have contact with many non-EU customs authorities for operational purposes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons seizures at airports, EU diversion fraud and smuggling in freight containers originating outside the EU are excluded from the official HM Customs and Excise estimate of the revenue lost on (a) tobacco and (b) alcohol products as a result of smuggling. [69528]

HM Customs and Excise's current estimate of the annual revenue lost (excise duty and VAT) through the smuggling of tobacco products by air passengers is £50 million. This estimate is contained in a report laid in the House of Commons on 19 November 1998. There is no estimate of the revenue lost through smuggling by air passengers of alcoholic drinks, but this is not believed to be on a comparable scale.Customs' published estimates of the scale of cross-Channel smuggling and smuggling by air passengers are based on statistical surveys of returning UK passengers conducted each year by Customs. Due to their hidden nature, and lower incidence, it is not practical directly to measure EU diversion fraud and smuggling in very large freight consignments by such means. However, HM Customs and Excise are currently working with representatives of the trade and other interested parties to establish robust methodologies for the measurement of excise duty evasion as a whole. This work is in keeping with one of the recommendations of the report of the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review, which was published in July 1998.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) Ministers and (b) officials, indicating the departments represented, who were present at the ECOFIN meeting on 26 January. [69249]

[holding answer 4 February 1999]: There was no meeting of the Economic and Finance Council (ECOFIN) on 26 January. The Chancellor of the Exchequer attended a meeting of ECOFIN on 18 January, accompanied by a number of officials.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the EU countries which, at the ECOFIN meeting in Brussels on 26 January, declared (a) in favour and (b) against ecological tax reform; and if he will make a statement on the Government's policy. [69306]