To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the expenditure incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies on (a) the setting up and (b) the operation of websites, indicating the cases in which the expenditure has been above that budgeted; and if he will list for each web site (i) the topics covered, (ii) the current average number of hits per month and (iii) the estimated expenditure on each web site for each of the next three years. [70968]

[holding answer 15 February 1999]: The information sought regarding the websites of my Department, agencies and non-departmental bodies is listed. In no case was expenditure above budgeting.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the marriage preparation pilot schemes. [74808]

The Lord Chancellor's Department funded a programme of 13 marriage support pilot projects in 1997–98. Three of the projects were concerned with marriage preparation.The Department assessed the effectiveness of each project in terms of its achievement of specific aims and objectives, and its cost effectiveness. Take-up of the marriage preparation offered was limited, but those who did participate generally found it helpful.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the mediation pilot schemes under the Family Law Act 1996. [74809]

Research has been carried out, by a consortium led by the University of Bristol on behalf of the Legal Aid Board, into the mediation pilot schemes run by the Board. This research is not yet complete and it is therefore too early for the Government to make any assessment of those pilot schemes.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will postpone the introduction of the remaining provisions of the Family Law Act 1996, until after the implementation of the initiatives set out in the Government consultation document "Supporting Families". [74810]

The Government have indicated that they will implement Part II of the Family Law Act during the year 2000. It is too early to say whether the outcome of the consultation paper "Supporting Families" will lead to any of the initiatives in that document being implemented.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to bring forward proposals under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. [74953]

It would not be appropriate to announce any specific deregulation order proposals at this time as they are subject to detailed consultation with all interested parties.However, I propose to use the contracting out order-making power to facilitate the contracting out of functions relating to the summoning of jurors under section 2(6) of the Juries Act 1974.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the total number of people who will receive the proposed working families tax credit if everyone entitled to the credit were to take up their entitlement; and what would be the cost in 2000–01 of the credit on that basis; [70078]

[holding answer 9 February 1999]: In forecasting the cost of the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), it has been assumed that the behavioural response of those households eligible to claim WFTC will be broadly similar to that in Family Credit. This response partly depends on net incomes and differences in the shape of the income distribution of those eligible for Family Credit and WFTC and means that the assumed take-up percentage is slightly higher for WFTC. The assumptions for costing WFTC are consistent with other welfare-to-work measures where the costings and entitlement figures do not take into account any benefit savings from people moving from welfare to work. It is estimated that, if everyone entitled to the WFTC were to take up their entitlement, in 2000–01 there would be about 1.65 million in receipt of the credit, with a total expenditure of about £4.9 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs 1999;" and if he will make a statement. [75352]

[holding answer 8 March 1999]: Copies have today been deposited in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the second student loan debt sale; and what assessment he has made of the costs. [76048]

I welcome the successful second sale of student loan debt of around £lbn announced today,Official Report, House of Lords, columns 20–21, by my noble friend the Minister for Education and Employment.My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained the Government's approach to the student loan debt sales to the House on 10 July 1997,

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people who will benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in (a) the Tamworth constituency, (b) Staffordshire and (c) the West Midlands. [75737]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Tewkesbury dated 22 July 1998, regarding tax payable on dividends by non-taxpayers. [75762]

I have responded to the hon. Member's letter.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the Government's borrowing programme in 1999–2000. [76047]

The main details of the Government's borrowing programme are set out in Annex B of the Financial Statement and Budget Report, published today. Copies of the financing remits for 1999–2000 set by the Government for the Debt Management Office and for National Savings have been placed in the Libraries of the House. They will also be included in the 1999–2000 Debt Management Report to be published on 17 March, and copies of the Report will be made available to the Libraries of the House on that day. The report will also set out the Government's debt management policy, review the Government's borrowing programme in 1998–99, and give details of the Government's borrowing programme in 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment has been made by Ofsted of the summer schools programme; and what changes will be made this year. [73198]

[holding answer 9 March 1999]: I have asked Chris Woodhead, HM Chief Inspector of Schools, to write to my hon. Friend to address the first part of his question regarding Ofsted's assessment of the summer schools programme, and for a copy of his letter to be placed in the Library.This summer, the numeracy programme will expand from a pilot of 51 schools to over 300 schools and 9,000 pupils.For Literacy the number of schools participating in this summer's programme will rise from over 500 schools to 900 schools catering for over 27,000 pupils. Each school will also introduce a literacy intervention programme during the first four terms of secondary school, to support those children who transfer from primary to secondary with poor literacy skills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation he has undertaken of the effectiveness of literacy summer schools. [74772]

Evaluation of the 1998 Summer Schools Programme was carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research. A report of the key findings will be made available to Local Education Authorities next week. Copies will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what additional resources his Department plans to make available in order to support the training of teachers and head teachers to implement the new emphasis in the national curriculum on valuing cultural diversity and preventing racism, as proposed in the Macpherson report;[74548](2) if valuing cultural diversity and preventing racism will be designated as a priority area for school management and included as a compulsory element in the new qualifications for deputy and head teachers. [74549]

The Government will shortly be publishing a detailed response and action plan about all the recommendations in the Macpherson report, including those relating to education and the national curriculum.We are committed to an inclusive education service which enables and encourages all children to achieve to the best of their abilities. As part of our vision for a modernised teaching profession, set out in the Green Paper, "Teachers, Meeting the Challenge of Change", published on 3 December, we are determined to ensure teachers have the skills and knowledge they need effectively to raise standards for all their pupils.The national standards for teachers, published by the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) and endorsed by Government, which span qualified teacher status through to headship, make clear the need for teachers, on entry to the profession and at all stages in their careers, to have the skills and understanding necessary to meet the needs of an ethnically diverse pupil body. The national standards for head teachers, which underpin the training programmes for aspiring and serving head teachers, make clear the responsibility of heads for ensuring that pupils are aware of the ethnic and cultural diversity in their schools and in society and that there are positive strategies for developing good race relations and for dealing with racial harassment. The TTA also will be producing supplementary materials for Initial Teacher Training providers to ensure that new teachers have the skills to deal with ethnic and cultural diversity in schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional full-time qualified teachers have been identified by local education authorities in their plans for reducing infant class sizes submitted to his Department as being required to implement (a) the required reduction in infant class sizes in the school years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 and (b) measures required under paragraph 10 of the Schedule to the Education (Plans for Reducing Infant Class Sizes) (England) Regulations 1998. [75489]

[holding answer 8 March 1999]: We have allocated £71,882,000 to fund 4,308 additional teachers to reduce infant class sizes in 1999–2000 (including 1,527 teachers funded from September 1998). For the following two financial years, we will be monitoring local authorities' progress in implementing their plans before making allocations to fund the teachers required. As a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review we have made available £160 million for the revenue costs in each of those years of achieving the pledge. Local education authorities confirmed in their plans the arrangements they have put in place to ensure that no child will have to attend a school more than a reasonable distance from home.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will allow Sunderland City Training and Enterprise Council to retain the proceeds of sale of an asset purchased with funds deriving from his Department. [76008]

I have agreed that Sunderland City Training and Enterprise Council can use the proceeds of sale to lever in matched European funds to further develop their Business Innovation Centre thus creating more business opportunities and jobs for the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the competition to sell a second part of the Student Loan Portfolio. [76009]

My noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment has today, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 20–21, announced the conclusion of the second sale of a portfolio of student loans to the private sector for around £1 billion in a written answer to Lord Burlison. The sale has been achieved after a very vigorous competition and we have accepted the most competitive bid. A consortium of the Nationwide Building Society and Deutsche Bank AG was the successful bidder. As a result, the portfolio will be sold to HONOURS Trustee Limited, a company formed for the purpose of acquiring the assets.The loans sold are those made under the original loan scheme. None of the new income contingent loans introduced at the beginning of the current academic year are involved.My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has confirmed the policy considerations which have determined the Government's approach to student loan debt sales in a written answer today,

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each local education authority in England, the funding made available to date through (a) the Standards Fund and (b) the New Deal for Schools. [73537]

Details of funding made available through the Standards Fund for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000, and through the New Deal for Schools for 1997ߝ98 and 1998ߝ99, are given in tables that have been placed in the Library. The allocation of the grants for New Deal for Schools for 1999ߝ2000 have not yet been made. For the Standards Fund the figures shown in tables include the grant made by the Department and the contribution made by the local education authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the amount of illegal drugs discovered in Northern Ireland prisons in each of the last three years, broken down by type of drug. [71400]

The amount of illegal drugs discovered in Northern Ireland prisons in each of the last three years is shown in the following table:

	1996–97	1997–98	11998–99
Cannabis	314 grammes	1,176 grammes	79 grammes
Ecstasy	6 tablets	121 tablets	29 tablets
LSD	—	1 square	—
Amphetamines	—	—	2.5 grammes
Anabolic
Steroids	—	2x10 ml bottles	6x10 ml bottles
Other tablets2	389	981	182
1 Up to 31 December 1998
1 Mostly prescribed drugs found on a non-prescribed basis

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public funds have been spent on mandatory drug tests in Northern Ireland prisons in each of the last three years. [71401]

There is no mandatory drug testing in Northern Ireland prisons. The Northern Ireland Prison Service drugs strategy focuses on four key action areas of control, care, education and information. As part of the strategy, a voluntary testing scheme is currently in operation on a pilot basis in one prison establishment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of those convicted of crimes in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available have ever been admitted to National Health Service mental illness hospitals with a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses. [73355]

The subject of criminal convictions is a matter for the Lord Chancellor's Department. However, I understand from that Department that these figures are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which hospital services Her Majesty's Government are obliged to maintain at the Mater Hospital, Belfast, under the terms of the 1971 Deed of Arrangement. [74453]

The Mater Infirmorum Hospital entered the health service under the 1971 Deed of Arrangement, which secured the preservation of the Roman Catholic character and association of the hospital. The Deed set out specific requirements for the general administration of the hospital and provided for a review of the internal allocation of beds and facilities and for the preparation of a scheme for the initial reconstruction and modernisation of the hospital's buildings and facilities. The deed of Arrangement does not require the maintenance of specific services at the hospital. Whatever services are provided must however preserve the character and associations of the Hospital.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what extension plans have been prepared for the Mater Hospital, Belfast; and if she will make a statement. [74454]

The Trust have recently completed an extension to provide a 50-bed acute psychiatric unit. This was approved by the HSSE. A building programme for the construction of a new three storey block containing wards, a day procedures unit and a pharmacy has now started. This will be funded by the Mater Hospital Trustees and does not require Departmental funding. The

(b)
Task forces/review groups	Public consultation exercises
NIO
Independent Commission on Policing	A series of 35 public meetings were held throughout Northern Ireland, and written and oral submission were invited.
Northern Ireland Drugs Strategy Review	Public invited by newspaper advertisements to comment on current NI Drugs Strategy.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Review	Notices were placed in the local press in September 1998 and February 1999 inviting evidence from anyone with an interest in the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme. A series of semi-public meetings also held throughout Northern Ireland to hear from those who had experience of claiming injures compensation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what extension plans for the Mater Hospital, Belfast, have had approval from the Department of Health. [74495]

A 50 bed acute psychiatric unit has recently been completed. No further extension plans for the Mater Hospital have been approved by the Department at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the 1997 recommendations by Professor Donaldson's Medical Review Panel on (a) the development of a Provinceߝwide strategic plan for maternity services and (b) smaller obstetric units without 24 hour on-site paediatric cover. [74496]

As with other hospital services, strategic decisions about maternity services will be a matter for the new Northern Ireland Assembly. An analysis of the issues involved was contained in the paper "Putting it Right", which I presented to the Assembly on 14 December 1998. It envisages the concentration of acute hospital services, including maternity services, at Area and Regional level, supported by a network of local hospitals. Board reviews of acute hospital services, some of which have already taken place will be completed in the near future, will help to inform the Assembly's consideration of the issues involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish a list of (1) task forces and (2) policy reviews established by her Department since May 1997 which (a) had external members recruited by way of public advertisement, and details of any person so appointed and (b) engaged in public consultation exercises, and the form that these took. [74471]

The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

(a) Nil

Most task forces and reviews are shortߝterm bodies established to give thorough consideration to important and difficult issues. External members are invited to sit on some reviews and task forces because they are able to contribute specific experience and expertise. In such cases, public advertising would be inappropriate and disproportionate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the known (a) religious and (b) political affiliations of the Commissioners recently appointed to the new body on human rights for Northern Ireland. [75291]

[holding answer 8 March 1999]: The Secretary of State announced on 18 January and 1 March appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. There are 10 Commissioners including the Chief Commissioner. The religious background of candidates is established for monitoring purposes only. It is not the Government's policy to release the religious affiliation of each member, but we are satisfied that the Commissioners, as a group, are representative of the community in Northern Ireland. Candidates are asked to declare political activity over the last 10 years; only one of those appointed had declared any political affiliation, which was to the SDLP and the Women's Coalition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for appointment to the Human Rights Commission were received; on what dates the posts were advertised; and in what journals. [75279]

[holding answer 8 March 1999]: There were 28 applications for Chief Commissioner and 154 for Commissioners. The Chief Commissioner post was advertised as follows:

	Date
The Guardian	5, 6 & 9 November
The Guardian Website	25 November
Belfast Telegraph	24 November & 1 December
Newsletter	26 November & 3 December
Irish News	26 November & 3 December
NIO Website	5 November onwards

The Commissioner posts were advertised as follows:

	Date
The Guardian	2 & 3 December
Belfast Telegraph	1 December
Irish News	3 December
Newsletter	3 December
NIO Website	1 December onwards

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many herds were restricted due to evidence of tuberculosis, in each month, from January 1995 to January 1997. [74571]

The information requested is provided in the following table.

Number of herds restricted due to TB from January 1995-January 1997
Month	Number of herds
January 1995	127
February 1995	117
March 1995	144
April 1995	114
May 1995	121
June 1995	99
July 1995	82
August 1995	92
September 1995	99
October 1995	93
November 1995	88
December 1995	86
January 1996	105
February 1996	128
March 1996	138
April 1996	141

Number of tuberculosis infected cattle discovered in each veterinary division area from January 1995 to January 1996
	Armagh	Ballymena	Coleraine	Dungannon	Enniskillen	Larne	L'Derry	Newry	Newtownards	Omagh
January 1995	80	10	31	35	23	21	3	123	65	15
February 1995	49	7	14	59	24	21	4	103	73	23
March 1995	83	19	33	65	17	74	4	140	31	35
April 1995	52	32	26	63	15	22	1	97	17	12
May 1995	54	14	15	62	21	12	5	106	46	18
June 1995	53	30	17	37	21	14	2	75	37	10
July 1995	23	11	12	45	13	16	5	104	35	4
August 1995	71	19	15	55	7	21	2	68	45	10
September 1995	79	12	15	66	16	4	6	57	29	17
October 1995	28	17	15	74	13	21	8	94	39	22
November 1995	20	20	21	68	8	33	6	78	33	16
December 1995	25	33	10	67	21	22	4	52	28	25
January 1996	41	20	20	66	23	41	8	83	26	15
February 1996	34	17	27	50	24	47	15	116	74	32
March 1996	31	10	22	49	32	14	11	141	38	30
April 1996	89	44	29	66	10	35	21	81	50	32
May 1996	37	27	17	22	28	35	1	82	41	52
June 1996	41	10	16	20	16	21	2	46	36	15
July 1996	16	21	12	22	8	13	4	115	38	23
August 1996	66	28	16	27	15	17	2	83	48	23
September 1996	33	24	19	28	9	10	1	156	35	19
October 1996	44	45	13	70	14	12	1	157	125	63
November 1996	18	21	22	110	11	5	8	128	59	32
December 1996	42	39	14	78	17	30	2	81	37	122
January 1997	30	29	20	70	10	36	9	83	50	63
Total	1,139	559	471	1,374	416	597	135	2,449	1,135	728
Grand total	9,003

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and industry if he will list (a) the air cargo carriers which are currently contracted to transport post in each direction between the United Kingdom and the United States of America and (b) the weight which each carried in each of the last three years. [72881]

The contracting of air carriers to transport post to the United States of America is a

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tuberculosis-infected animals were discovered in each veterinary division area, in each month, from January 1995 to January 1997. [74570]

The information requested is provided in the following table.commercial matter for The Post Office. The air transport of post from the United States Postal Services to the United Kingdom is a matter for that administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to allow credit unions to gain easier access to post offices to (a) encourage saving and (b) publicise their activities. [73914]

[holding answer 3 March 1999]: Arrangements for access to post offices for credit unions are an operational and commercial matter for the Post Office and the credit unions. However, I have asked the Post Office to consider what actions can be taken to improve working relations between them and the credit unions, within the context of the Post Office's strategic plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those items of legislation since 1 May 1997 which originated from the Social Partners meetings at European Communities level. [75078]

The items of legislation since 1 May which originated from agreements between the Social Partners at European Communities' level are the Parental Leave Directive and the PartߝTime Work Directive. These measures will be implemented through provisions in the Employment Relations Bill and through subsequent secondary legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list (i) the names of the beneficiaries of all the discretionary grants awarded by his Department to organisations within Worcestershire during 1998, (ii) their monetary value, (iii) their total value and (iv) the proportion that total sum comprises of the total sums awarded by his Department in discretionary grants in 1998. [75251]

If organisations can be interpreted as companies, we can provide the following information about the RSA, Smart and SPUR schemes for the calendar year 1998 in Worcestershire.

(i) & (ii) Regional Selective Assistance
Company name	Value of offer (£)
Premier Bathrooms Ltd.	35,000
Advanced Casting Co Ltd.	45,000
Metal Pressings Group Ltd	80,000

(iii) Total value of these offers = £160,000(iv) Total RSA offered in the West Midlands Assisted Area in 1998 was £36,614,000. On that basis, RSA offered in Worcestershire accounted for 0.43 per cent. of the total offered in the West Midlands.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is yet in a position to make his decision on Keadby Generation Ltd's application to construct a blackߝstart facility at its Keadby power station in North Lincolnshire. [76013]

I have today granted consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Keadby Generation Ltd's application to construct a 25MW gasߝfired black start facility (the extension) at its existing power station at Keadby. The decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled 'Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee' (Cm 4071).I have also given Keadby Generation Ltd. clearance to build the extension under Section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 and directed that planning permission for the extension be deemed to be granted, subject to 36 planning conditions agreed with the North Lincolnshire Council. These conditions meet issues raised by the Council and others.Decisions on other applications under consideration will be announced in due course.Copies of the Press Notice and decision letter are being placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to report the outcome of his review of Employment Law relating to children. [74811]

I have been asked to reply.We expect that the review will report shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries which had armed forces involved in the jungle training exercise in Brunei carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72789]

The armed forces of the United Kingdom only were involved in this exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fast insertion craft are operated by his Department; what is their cost; and when the first craft was brought into service. [72643]

Each vessel costs between £600,000 and £950,000, and they have been in service since 1994. Details of the numbers operated are withheld under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of repairing the damage to the Royal Marines' fast insertion craft incurred on 19 January in Norway. [72645]

The cost is estimated to be £106,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries which had armed forces involved in the three infantry exercises in France carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72928]

The armed forces of the UK and France were involved in these exercises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to set targets for the (a) Defence Secondary Care Agency and (b)Defence Vetting Agency for the year 1999ߝ2000. [72952]

Key targets for both agencies will be published by the end of April 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what systems he has in place to ensure that policies being developed by his Department are subject to a crime impact (a) assessment and (b) audit and are not likely to lead to enhanced criminal opportunities. [72693]

[holding answer 24 February 1999]: In addition to the regular audit of systems carried out by our Internal Audit organisation, my Department has a Fraud Analysis Unit which is tasked with the evaluation of suspected irregularity in the conduct of MOD business. Lessons learnt are incorporated in the process of policy development. The Department also has, in the Ministry of Defence Police, an independent constabulary whose tasks include the prevention and investigation of crime and fraud in the Defence environment; local policing plans have been developed to reflect the crime concerns at areas policed by the Force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to issue information from his Department to help the public make an informed decision when they vote on the single currency. [73588]

Any plans by the Government to issue information during a referendum campaign on whether or not the UK should join the single currency would be made in light of the Government's response to the recommendations from the Neill Committee on the conduct of referendums. The Government will announce their conclusions on those recommendations when my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary publishes a White Paper and draft Bill before the summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the subject areas within his Department's responsibilities which will be covered by the information campaign on Britain's membership of a single currency. [73668]

The Treasury will continue its dialogue with key external bodies to determine what information the public and business would need at each stage of the changeover process. Any information campaign would cover key concerns that the public and business may have. Chapter eight of the Treasury's Outline National Changeover Plan provides further information. Copies of the Plan are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries which had armed forces involved in the NATO joint exercise in South Africa carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72985]

[holding answer 2 March 1999]: There were no NATO joint exercises in South Africa between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list those countries which had armed forces involved in the two desert exercises in Jordan carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72972] what is his assessment of the principal benefits of the two desert exercises in Jordan carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72976]

[holding answer 1 March 1999]: Exercise DESERT SONG comprised two exercises involving members of the UK and Jordanian armed forces and was conducted in Jordan in September and October 1997. These exercises were intended to maintain and develop the capacity of the participating personnel to conduct operations in a desert environment, and are assessed to have succeeded in their aim.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the US/UK Joint Venture Oversight Group on the defence response to the threat posed by chemical and biological weapons is due to meet in 1999; in which country each meeting is due to take place; which of his Department's officials attend these meetings; and if any other Government Departments attend these meetings. [74257]

It is currently envisaged that the Joint Venture Oversight Group will meet twice a year and that the meetings will be held alternately in the United States and the UK. The inaugural meeting of the Group having taken place in the United States in December 1998, the next will be held in the UK in JuneThe principal UK official for these meetings is the MOD Deputy Policy Director. The composition of his supporting team depends on the business of each meeting, but is likely normally to include staff with responsibility for relevant policy issues, operational assessment and scientific research. Other Departments would be represented if required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list members of the Ministry of Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee. [74312]

The current make-up of the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee is:

• Chairman
• K. R. Tebbit Esq. CMG
• Permanent Under Secretary of State Ministry of Defence
• Vice Chairman and Chairman, Press and Broadcasting Side
• R. Hutchinson Esq.
• Editiorial Policy Adviser to Jane's Information Group
• [Nominated by Periodical Publishers Association]
• Government Members
• D. B. Omand Esq.
• Permanent Under Secretary of State Home Office
• R. T. Jackling Esq. CB CBE 2nd Permanent Under Secretary of State Ministry of Defence
• D. J. Manning Esq. CMG Deputy Under Secretary of State Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Press and Broadcasting Members
• S Anderson Esq. Controller News and Current Affairs, ITV [ITV]
• J. D. Bishop Esq. Editor-in-Chief, Illustrated London News Group [Periodical Publishers Association]
• G. Brock Esq. Managing Editor, The Times [Newspaper Publishers Association]
• J. Cassidy Esq
• Editor, Sunday Mail [Scottish Daily Newspaper Society]
• T. H. S. Cole Esq. Managing Editor, Sky Television pic [Sky TV]
• R. Esser Esq. Executive Managing Editor, Daily Mail [Newspaper publishers Association]
• A. Goode Esq. Chief Executive, Bristol Evening Post and Press [Newspaper Society]
• P. Harding Esq. Controller, Editorial Policy, BBC [BBC]
• A. S. M. Hutchinson Esq. Associate Editor, The Daily Telegraph [Newspaper Publishers Association]
• P. J. Potts Esq. Editor, PA News [Press Association]
• R. G. Tait Esq. Editor-ins-Chief, Independent Television News Ltd. [ITN]
• W. Wilson Esq. Editor, Express and Star, Wolverhampton [Newspaper Society]
• Secretary
• Rear Admiral D. M. Pulvertaft CB
• Deputy Secretary
• Commander F. N. Ponsonby LVO OBE.

Membership of the Committee and the Defence Advisory Notices themselves are kept up-to-date on the Internet at the Committee's home page:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what powers of jurisdiction over civilians (a) not employed by his Department and (b) employed by his Department the Ministry of Defence Police Agency has. [74309]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 2 March 1999, Official Report, column 655, by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, which outlined the circumstances in which MOD Police officers have the powers and privileges of constables. There are a variety of circumstances in which MOD Police officers might be able to exercise constabulary powers in relation to civilians whether or not they are employed by the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries which have received gifts of (a) weapons and (b) other military equipment from Her Majesty's Government since 1 May 1997, indicating the (i) types and (ii) value of equipment given. [74679]

According to central records, the countries which have received gifts of weapons and other military equipment from Her Majesty's Government since 1 May 1997 are as follows:

Country		Value (£)
(a)Weapons
Canada	2 x Chieftain main battle tanks	@ 5,000 each
(b) Other military equipment
Congo (Army)	Pickets and barbed wire	450
Congo (Red Cross)	Ration packs	2.578
Canada	4 x Ferret scout cars	4,000
Former Yugoslavia (Vitez)	Accommodation equipment	14,040
Hong Kong	Hardstick furniture	21,605
Italy	25 x Portakabins	25,000
USA	Inert WE 177 training round	1
Canada	2 x Land Rovers	1,154

All these items were surplus to requirements. The main battle tanks were gifted to museums.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the key milestones and timetable for the Value-added Acquisition and Logistics for Ultimate Efficiency Programme; and if he will list the names and appointments of (a) civil servants, (b) military personnel and (c) external consultants on the programme. [74660]

[holding answer 4 March 1999]: The VALUE programme is analysing the processes and key data elements of defence logistics, in support of the formation of the Defence Logistics Organisation and the implementation of the Smart Procurement Initiative. The main analytical work will be completed by 31 March 1999; the remaining work, which is due to be completed by 30 June 1999, will support the establishment of a programme of continuous improvement in defence logistics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names and appointments of the(a) civil servants, (b) military personnel and (c) external consultants who make up the Smart Procurement Implementation Team. [74647]

[holding answer 4 March 1999]: The Implementation Team for the Smart Procurement Initiative planning phase comprises 48 full and part-time members. Team members include 25 civilian and 15 military personnel and 8 representatives from industry. The Implementation Team is being supported during the planning phase by external consultants from McKinsey & Co and KPMG, supplemented by occasional temporary attachments of civilian and military personnel on ad hoc activities. The names of some members of the Smart Procurement Implementation Team are included on the team's website (www.mod.uk/policy/smart).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the recent merger of BAe and Marconi on his Department's Smart Procurement policy. [74643]

[holding answer 4 March 1999]: The MOD is currently assessing the impact of the proposed merger and will be advising the regulatory authorities in due course. It is not, however, expected to have any impact on our Smart Procurement policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names and appointments of the (a) civil servants and (b) military personnel of the Strategic Defence Review Implementation Team. [74645]

[holding answer 4 March 1999]: The central Strategic Defence Review Implementation Team is a small civilian/military team of 9 personnel including support staff. The team has responsibility for monitoring and chasing progress on implementation of the Strategic Defence Review.The Implementation Team works closely with many others across the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces engaged in implementing particular aspects of the Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the project definition, milestones and costs of the armoured scout reconnaissance vehicle programme. [69571]

[holding answer 8 February 1999]: The Armoured Scout Reconnaissance Vehicle is a collaborative programme between the UK and the USA to study candidate technologies to meet our common requirements for battlefield reconnaissance for the Army of the future. Contracts for a 42 month Project Definition Phase were awarded to the SIKA and LANCER consortia on 29 January 1999. No commitment has been made to the programme beyond the Project Definition Phase. Decisions will be made following a Balance of Investment Study, which will determine the optimum solution to the Land Commander's information gathering requirement. As part of the wider study, we will also be investigating the use of Unmanned Aerial and Land Vehicles.The total cost to the UK for the joint elements of the Project Definition Phase contracts will be around £90 million, excluding VAT. In addition, the UK will be spending around £7 million, excluding VAT, on UK specific issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the projected cost of the Holy Loch clean-up of debris left behind by US visiting forces has risen to between £8 million and £10 million. [75116]

[holding answer 8 March 1999]: The estimated costs of the Holy Loch clean-up operations are based on the practical experience gained during operations covered by the current contract. This has led to the forecasted final expenditure of £8 million to £10 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total weight of bombs dropped by British forces on Iraq (a) during Operation Desert Fox and (b) subsequently. [75671]

During Operation DESERT FOX in December last year, a total of 28,560kg of bombs were dropped by British forces on Iraqi military targets. Subsequently, British forces have dropped 20,520kg of bombs in the course of operations over Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent RAF pilots forced down in Iraq will be protected by the terms of the Geneva Convention; and if he will make a statement. [75670]

The Geneva Conventions are applicable in any international armed conflict, whether or not a state of war exists between the parties; the application of the Conventions are not dependent upon a formal declaration of war or hostilities. Accordingly, any of our aircrew forced down in Iraq would be entitled to the status of prisoners of war. We would expect Iraq to meet all its obligations under international law, including all applicable international conventions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review his Department's decision to reduce the number of Tristar flights to the Falkland Islands. [75756]

The reduction in the number of RAF Tristar Airbridge flights to the Falkland Islands by one flight per calendar month was one of a range of efficiency proposals identified by the Strategic Defence Review. It represents a rationalisation of the use of Tristar aircraft, following technical improvements that allow them to carry an increased payload, rather than representing any significant reduction to the overall capacity of the Airbridge. Final arrangements for the implementation of this measure are still under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers from an Asian or Afro-Caribbean background hold the rank of (a) chief constable, (b) assistant chief constable and(c) chief superintendent. [74539]

Currently there are (a) no Chief Constables, (b) one Assistant Chief Constable, (c) three Chief Superintendents (one currently on temporary promotion) and six Superintendents from an Asian or Afro-Caribbean background.The rank of Chief Superintendent was abolished on 1 April 1995. At that time, the number of existing Chief Superintendents maintained their rank and a number of forces continue to use the designation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received from equine welfare organisations on the tethering of horses; [75122](2) what assessment he has made of the welfare standards of the existing legislation on the tethering of horses; and if he will make a statement. [75120]

We have not received recent representations from equine welfare organisations about the tethering of horses.The welfare of horses that are tethered is safeguarded by the general protection afforded by the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988. Additional protection is provided by the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960.Under the 1911 Act, it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animal. The Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988 created a specific offence under the 1911 Act of causing unnecessary suffering to a horse by the manner of condition of its tethering. In addition, the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960 makes it an offence to abandon a domestic or captive animal, whether or not permanently, without reasonable excuse and in circumstances likely to cause suffering.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were in England during 1998 of individuals for their ill treatment of horses. [75121]

Information held on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database concerning offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 does not distinguish individual offences within the Act or identify the species of animal involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firefighters in the London Fire Brigade are of black or ethnic minority origin; what proportion of the total they form; and what measures are planned to increase the number of black and ethnic minority firefighters in London. [75135]

At 31 March 1998, there were 5,771 firefighters on the operational strength of London Fire Brigade. Of these, 249 (4.3 per cent. of the total) classified themselves as black or from an ethnic minority group.We have announced that targets will be set for the recruitment of ethnic minority groups into the Home Office and its services. All chief fire officers have been asked to set targets to improve black and ethnic minority representation to reflect the community their brigade serves. The London Fire and Civil Defence Authority has already taken a number of initiatives of its own to increase the numbers of black and ethnic minority firefighters in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons he granted a project licence for the study of the effects of nutritional deprivation in the womb of horses at the Equine Fertility Unit near Newmarket, with particular reference to the cost benefit test under section 5(4) of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; into what severity band the procedures were placed and for what reasons; and if he will review the application of the cost benefit test in relation to these procedures. [75174]

The project licence authorising this work was granted in 1994. The objectives of the research were to study pregnancy in mares to determine how genetic and growth factors might affect the nutrition of the foetus, given that poor nutrition of the developing foetus can result in abortion or the birth of poorly viable offspring. The potential benefits of the work are, therefore, to the welfare of horses. It is, however, possible that the results will also be beneficial to other species, including man.The procedures on the horses entailed mainly non-surgical recovery of uterine material from pregnant and non-pregnant animals. This involved sedation but no general anaesthesia and the procedures were classified as being of mild severity. However, in the early work under the authority of this licence, some of the procedures also involved surgery, which was classified as being of moderate severity. The overall severity for the project licence is mild.The relevant project licence is no longer in force. If further work is to be carried out in this area, a new application will have to be made and the costs and benefits will again be weighed before deciding whether to grant a new licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to prevent criminals profiting from the publication of (a) memoirs and (b) magazine and newspaper articles based on their criminal activities. [74879]

In the light of the concerns expressed last year after the publication of Gitta Sereny's book 'Cries Unheard' an inter-departmental group is considering the law relating to criminal memoirs, and whether it might sensibly be strengthened. The issues raised are difficult and complex, and include how the need to prevent criminals from benefiting by publishing details of their crimes and causing distress to victims and their families can be balanced against the rights to freedom of expression set out in the European Court of Human Rights and the Human Rights Act. The working group expects to report in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people aged (i) under 14, (ii) 14 to 17, (iii) 18 to 20, (iv) 21 to 40, (v) 41 to 64 and (vi) 65 years and over, convicted of the offence of rape of a man in each year from 1987 to 1997 were sentenced to immediate custody; [75034](2) how many people aged (i) under 14, (ii) 14 to 17, (iii) 18 to 20, (iv) 21 to 40, (v) 41 to 64 and (vi) 65 years and over, convicted of the offence of indecency between males in each of the years 1987 to 1997 were sentenced to immediate custody; [75031]

Table A: Number of persons convicted at all courts for the offence of indecent assault on a male or female by sex and age of victim, England and Wales, 1987–97
Offence/sex	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
Indecent assault on a male person under 16 years of age
Males	420	455	400	413	338	356	287	316	331	349	353
Females	10	5	6	8	13	7	6	8	8	6	10
Indecent assault on a male person aged 16 years or over
Males	76	86	101	152	113	98	112	84	123	124	112
Females	1	—	1	—	2	2	2	—	—	—	4
Indecent assault on a female person under 16 years of age
Males	1,542	1,640	1,643	1,525	1,458	1,320	1,193	1,350	1,440	1,590	1,621
Females	14	10	14	12	11	11	12	5	6	7	6
Indecent assault on a female person aged 16 years or over
Males	755	858	1,009	1,036	944	925	855	847	925	818	852
Females	4	3	5	3	4	4	6	1	6	4	5

Table B: Number of persons convicted at all courts of the offence of male rape1 by sex, age and result, England and Wales, 1995–97
Year/disposal	Aged 10–13	Aged14–17	Aged18–20	Aged21–40	Aged 41–64	Aged 65+	All Ages
1995
Convicted
Male	—	2	—	5	2	—	9
Sentenced
Male	—	2	—	5	2	—	9
Immediate custody2
Male	—	2	—	5	2	—	9
1996
Convicted
Male	1	9	4	5	5	—	24
Sentenced
Male	1	9	4	5	5	—	24
Immediate custody2
Male	—	9	4	5	5	—	23

Available information is given in the tables. Information held on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database on the age of victims of the offence of indecent assault is restricted to identifying those 'under 16' and '16 and over'.