To ask the Attorney-General if he will recommend guidelines to other Government Departments as to (a) when it is appropriate to instruct Queen's Counsel and (b) how much it is appropriate to pay Queen's Counsel; and if he will make a statement. [83548]

In civil cases involving Government Departments, recourse would first be had to the four panels of junior counsel maintained by the Attorney-General to undertake Government civil litigation. In appropriate cases, First Treasury Counsel (Common Law) or First Treasury Counsel (Chancery), both of whom are junior counsel, would be instructed. In considering whether to instruct a Queen's Counsel in a particular case, consideration would be given to the importance and sensitivity of the case, the complexity of the law, the weight and complexity of the evidence, and the degree of experience and expertise required. My approval is required before a Queen's Counsel can be instructed. No need is seen, therefore, for further guidance.As regards purely advisory work, each Department is responsible for its own policy on when to instruct Queen's Counsel but takes into account the same or similar factors as those set out above. All Departments have access to the four panels maintained by the Attorney-General and to the services of Treasury Counsel.Fees paid to Queen's Counsel are negotiated on a case-by-case basis either by the Treasury Solicitor or by the Department concerned and counsel or counsel's clerk. The appropriate fee will depend on the particular circumstances of the case and is a budgetary matter for the Department concerned.As regards prosecution work carried out by the Department of Trade and Industry, Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, the Inland Revenue and the Departments of Health and Social Security, the Attorney-General maintains a list of advocates considered suitable to undertake such work. Three of those Departments have Standing Counsel, all junior counsel, who will undertake the heaviest and most serious of prosecutions. Usually, only where Standing Counsel is not available or where the case calls for a particular specialist knowledge would consideration be given to the instruction of a Queen's Counsel. The factors taken into consideration in deciding whether Queen's Counsel should be instructed are as set out above. All Departments also have access to the panel of Treasury Counsel based at the Central Criminal Court, all of whom are junior counsel.I would also refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 26 April 1999,

To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to discuss with the Bar Council guidelines for fees for Queen's Counsel instructed on Government or Government agency business. [83549]

I have no plans to discuss this issue with the Bar Council.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his Department's policy when (a) conducting legal proceedings and (b) seeking legal advice as to the circumstances in which Queen's Counsel should be instructed; and for each of the last three years (i) on how many occasions his Department instructed Queen's Counsel and (ii) what was the total cost of instructing Queen's Counsel.[81755]

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: The Department predominantly uses junior Counsel when it is necessary to instruct Counsel to conduct legal proceedings or to provide legal advice. In many important matters, the Department will instruct First Treasury Counsel (Common Law) to represent or advise the Department without the assistance of a Queen's Counsel. In the great majority of other legal proceedings, and for advice on other matters, Counsel will be instructed from one of the Panels of junior Counsel maintained by the Attorney-General.In a small minority of cases, the Department will seek the approval of the Attorney-General for the instruction of Queen's Counsel. In seeking this approval, the Department will take into account, among other things, the importance and sensitivity of the case, the complexity of the law, and the degree of experience and expertise required.The Department has instructed seven Queen's Counsel since 1 May 1997, one of them in two different matters. On the information so far available to the Department, the cost of doing so was £21,749.25. Information on Queen's Counsel instructed before 1 May 1997 is available to the Department only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the proportion of deep-mined coal from Wales that is supplied to electricity power stations supplying the National Grid. [82242]

This information is commercially confidential, but on the basis of the available information, I would estimate that about a quarter of Welsh deep-mine production was sold to major power producers in 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the New Deal in the Alyn and Deeside constituency. [82729]

The latest information indicates that, in the Employment Service's North East Wales Unit of Delivery for the New Deal (which includes the Alyn and Deeside parliamentary constituency), nearly 970 people have joined the New Deal for 18–24s. 270 young people have secured employment (195 of these are in unsubsidised jobs), and over 180 more have entered education, training, or work experience.I am delighted by the positive start made by the New Deal. I am grateful for the enthusiasm and support of the wide range of organisations which are working in partnership to deliver the New Deal. In particular, I welcome the contribution of employers, over 300 of whom have signed up for the New Deal in North East Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much cash he has made available to Flintshire local education authority to refurbish schools; and if he will make a statement. [82730]

By the end of the 1999 –2000 financial year, Flintshire will have been allocated over £1.45 million as its share of the Additional Capital Funding for Schools initiative.This is in addition to its normal capital allocations. Flintshire's non-housing Basic Credit Approval for 1999–2000 is £4.582 million. It is for the authority to decide on the level of resources devoted to schools.Following the transfer of functions this issue will become a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to announce the objective 2 status map for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [82733]

The UK Government are currently undertaking a consultation exercise to discover from local and regional partners their views on possible eligible areas under objective 2. This would include comments on the geographical areas; the NUTS level; and the criteria that might be used to determine eligibility.The Government will then propose areas to receive objective 2 status. Any decisions by the UK Government are subject to agreement with the European Commission. It is hoped that an objective 2 map for the UK, including Wales, will be settled by the Autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she has approved the Financial Recovery Plan proposed by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board; and if she will make a statement. [82552]

A detailed recovery plan has yet to be submitted to the Health and Social Services Executive by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, since the final outturn position of the Board for 1998–99 has still to be confirmed. The recovery strategy proposed by the Board suggests that it should recover its deficit over the two year period of 1999–2000 and 2000–01. The Executive will consider, approve and monitor the implementation of a Financial Recovery Plan once the deficit has been accurately established. Current estimates are that the deficit will represent approximately 1 per cent. of the Board's annual expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the performance of health and social services boards and trusts in Northern Ireland of their statutory duties under the (a) Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 and the (b) Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. [82545]

It is the duty of the Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland to keep under review the exercise of the powers and the discharge of the duties conferred on the health and social services by the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986. Information on the exercise of the powers is contained in the Commission's annual published report. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.Last year, the Department of Health and Social Services carried out a survey of Health and Social Services Trusts with regard to the performance of their statutory duties under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. This indicated that, in general, trusts were providing personal social services for children in need and their families in accordance with Part IV of the Order. However, there were some deficiencies, notably in the level of a suitable range of residential services. This particular issue is being addressed at present by the Department, in conjunction with the Health and Social Services Boards, within the context of "Children Matter", the Department's Review of Residential Services in Northern Ireland, with the aim of improving the position in both the short term and the long term.The Department will continue to monitor the performance of trusts in the delivery of services for children in need and their families on an annual basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total debt outstanding in relation to health and personal social services in Northern Ireland for each (a) board and (b) trust; and if she will make a statement. [82551]

The total debt outstanding in relation to health and personal social services in Northern Ireland for each (a) board and (b) trust as at 31 March 1998 is disclosed in the table. This information was extracted from 1997–98 Accounts of the HSS bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total amount of public funding for the Gaelic Athletic Association in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement. [82550]

The total amount of public funding for the Gaelic Athletic Association, and its associated clubs, is as follows:

• 1998–99: £4,006,868.74
• 1997–98: £1,691,026.85
• 1996–97: £2,371,913.35
• 1995–96: £1,754,917.81
• 1994–95: £39,187.68.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the South Eastern Education and Library Board will be represented on the Regional Task Force on Mental Health Promotion; and if she will make a statement. [82743]

Representation on the Regional Task Force on Mental Health is not on a Board basis. The education sector is represented by the Department of Education. Representatives from each of the Education and Library Boards were invited to consultation days organised during the months of February and April to consider a mental health promotion strategy for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the administration of the appeals process within the War Pensions Scheme as it applies to former (a) officers and (b) other ranks. [82715]

We are committed to reducing the time taken to process all types of War Pension appeals. At the December 1998 meeting of the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions we announced the commissioning of an independent review into the whole decision-making and appeals process. The findings of the consultants who conducted the review were reported to the Department last month and will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to provide national insurance credits that count towards the new national insurance contribution condition for incapacity benefit proposed in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill to working members of households in receipt of working families or disabled persons tax credits whose earnings are below the lower earnings limit; and if he will make a statement. [82705]

There are two contribution conditions for Incapacity Benefit. The first condition requires a minimum number of paid contributions and cannot be satisfied by credits. The provisions in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill will change this condition so that the minimum number of contributions will need to have been paid in one of the two tax years before the claim for benefit rather than, as now, in any year.The second contribution condition can be satisfied by credits. People on Disability Working Allowance (and, in future, Disabled Persons Tax Credit) who have earnings below the Lower Earnings Limit are given credits which count towards the second contribution condition. Family Credit (and, in future, Working Families Tax Credit) do not provide credits of this kind. The second contribution condition is unaffected by the provisions in the Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the constituent whose name has been supplied to him will be paid the benefits awarded to him by a tribunal in August 1998, backdated to 1974. [82880]

An initial payment of arrears was issued on 4 May 1999. Arrears from the beginning of the award will now be calculated and issued without undue delay.

To ask the Prime Minister which (a) Ministers and (b) officials will attend the Bilderberg Group meeting in Portugal in June; and if he will make a statement. [81790]

I am told that the Bilderberg Group usually invites a number of people from government, politics, industry, finance and education from a wide range of countries to its annual Conference. There is no formal representation by the UK Government.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer to the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) of 28 April 1999, Official Report, column 336, if he will make a statement on the changes there have been in average school class sizes for children over the age of seven years since 1 May 1997. [83095]

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer to the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) of 28 April 1999, Official Report, column 336, concerning class sizes, what has been the change in the average size of school classes in the past two years.[83233]

The Government's manifesto pledge is to reduce the size of infant classes to 30 or below. The evidence of Ofsted and others is that class size matters most in the early years when children are learning the basics. As a result of an investment of £67 million there were some 130,000 fewer infants in classes of over 30 in January this year than in January 1998. And we have announced that from September this year we expect a further reduction of 150,000 meaning that the number of infants in classes over thirty will be 200,000 compared to 485,000 in January 1998. Between January 1998 and January 1999:

The average size of primary classes fell overall from 27.8 pupils to 27.6, the first fall for 10 years;

the average size of Key Stage 2 classes remained steady (28.3 in 1998, 28.4 in 1999) as did the average size of secondary classes (21.9 in 1998, 22.0 in 1999);

average size of classes in all maintained primary and secondary schools fell for the first time in 5 years from 24.9 in January 1998 to 24.8 in January 1999.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his meeting with Mr. Romani Prodi on 14 April; what subjects were discussed; what decisions were reached; and if he will place the plans for European Commission reform submitted by Mr. Prodi to that meeting in the Library. [83541]

Heads of State and Government met Mr. Prodi on 14 April to discuss Commission reform. As the meeting was informal, no formal papers were submitted to it and there were no formal conclusions. However, Heads did agree to discuss the reform process with Mr. Prodi again at the Cologne European Council in June. I will, of course, make a statement to the House after that Council, and the conclusions and other relevant documents will be placed in the Library.Mr. Prodi's formal statements on reform have consistently shown that he supports a Commission which is more efficient, transparent and accountable. The UK fully supports these objectives.

To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to announce his nominations for the two United Kingdom EU Commissioners ; and when he intends to discuss potential candidates with the President-nominate. [83475]

In accordance with the Amsterdam Treaty, now that Mr. Prodi's nomination as Commission President has been approved by the European Parliament, member states will begin to consult with him on nomination of the other Commissioners. The two nominees from the United Kingdom will be announced as soon as this consultation has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action the Government have taken to promote amateur swimming. [82899]

This Government place great importance on amateur swimming, both as an elite sport and as a form of exercise which should be available to all. That is why swimming is a statutory element of the primary National Curriculum, giving all young people the opportunity to learn to enjoy it. Sport England has a facilities strategy in place, covering both excellence and recreational swimming; the sport has received £280,000 exchequer funding for 1999–2000; and has been awarded £184 million Lottery funding to date, which is more than for any other single sport. In addition, between January and September of this year, £2 million of Lottery funds have been allocated to top individual British swimmers under the World Class Performance Programme, and £750,000 towards excellence in disabled swimming, which is laying the foundations for future British success.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what targets he has set for the Royal Parks Agency. [83812]

The following targets have been set for the Royal Parks Agency for 1999–2000:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the explanatory statement relating to Jarinabanu Fakir Mohmed Khalifa, Bombay reference W98/3813 will be forwarded. [82755]

[holding answer 30 April 1999]: The Explanatory Statement relating to Jarinabanu Fakir Mohmed Khalifa was sent to the Appeals Registry at the Home Office on 19 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government on the persecution of the Chin tribe.[83143]

We continue to monitor carefully the situation of ethnic minorities in Burma. Our Ambassador visited Chin State in early March. Our Embassy in Rangoon regularly raise the plight of ethnic minorities in Burma directly with the authorities, most recently on 5 May. We also supported the UN Commission on Human Rights resolution on Burma, adopted on 23 April, which deplored the human rights violations of ethnic minorities and called on the regime to stop such violations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) employees and (b) diplomats accredited to the Zimbabwe High Commission are entitled to diplomatic immunity. [83552]

The Zimbabwe High Commission employs 38 staff. Of these, 15 are diplomats and entitled to diplomatic immunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take in relation to Mr. X., who has claimed diplomatic immunity in relation to an alleged serious assault on Mr. Y., details of the incident and the identities of Mr. X. and Mr. Y. having been supplied by letter to his Department. [83550]

An official from this Department wrote to the Acting Head of the relevant diplomatic mission on 4 May, requesting information on a number of issues. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Symons, will reply to my hon. Friend's letter as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were displaced from their homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conflict there; and how many have since returned. [83491]

UNHCR estimate that, at the time of the Dayton Peace Agreement (December 1995), there were more than 525,000 refugees in the region, along with 1.2 million internally-displaced persons (IDPs). Since Dayton, nearly 550,000 of the two million refugees and IDPs have returned to their homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what co-operation is being afforded NATO in its operation against Yugoslavia by Croatia. [83493]

The Government of Croatia have allowed NATO full use of their airspace for operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and agreed to NATO's request to cut the Croatia/FRY oil pipeline.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role is being played by Turkey in NATO's operations in Yugoslavia. [83489]

NATO operates by consensus. Like all Allies, Turkey takes part fully in the Alliance decision-making process.Turkey's military contribution to NATO operations in the FRY currently comprises 11 F-16 fighter aircraft in addition to transport aircraft and a frigate. It also has forces stationed in Albania with NATO's humanitarian support operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future location of GCHQ. [83810]

I have agreed with Treasury colleagues that the project overall offers good value for the taxpayer, and I have authorised the Director of GCHQ to continue to negotiate with GSL through to contract signature. I have selected the current GCHQ site at Benhall in Cheltenham as the location for the new GCHQ building, subject to final agreement on a number of outstanding matters. I made the decision having regard to the Government's sustainable transport policies. I am very pleased that the long-standing association between GCHQ and Cheltenham is to be maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) by what method it is his practice to inform Parliament of changes in membership of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment; [81388](2) by what method he announced the change in membership of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment; [81407](3) when he will announce the new members of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. [81406]

[holding answer 19 April 1999]: I announced my intention to review the membership and remit of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) in my statement to the House of Lords on 21 October 1998. The term of office of the members of ACRE appointed in June 1996 ends on 17 June 1999 and a statement on the changes in membership will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the maximum distance he assumes bees can travel when setting isolation distances for genetically modified trial crops. [81408]

[holding answer 20 April 1999]: There is no maximum distance to which it can be guaranteed that bees will travel. But, in general, bee foraging behaviour is well understood and one member of ACRE is an expert on bees and their behaviour. When foraging a crop with high flower density, a bee may fly for some metres, possibly hundreds of metres, to a particular area of the crop. ACRE always take account of pollen dispersal by bees and its likely consequences. Based on the type of GM plant, how it has been modified and the circumstances of the proposed release, it may be judged necessary to minimise the potential for cross-pollination of neighbouring sexually compatible crops or wild relatives by the GM plants. The precautions taken to prevent or reduce cross-pollination may include the removal of flowers or the setting of specific isolation distances between GM and non-GM plants or borders of non-GM plants around the plots of GM plants. Where isolation distances are set, these are not intended to prevent pollen spread but to reduce pollen spread as far as is practically possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the steps and timescale the Government are working to in developing a national emissions trading scheme; and if he will make a statement. [82641]

The Government fully recognise the potential benefits of a national carbon emissions trading scheme, particularly in allowing business to deliver greenhouse gas reductions as cost effectively as possible, and in preparing business for any international emissions trading scheme established under the Kyoto Protocol. We are therefore taking forward the recommendation made by Lord Marshall in his report on "Economic Instruments and the Business Use of Energy", that the Government should consider a pilot trading scheme.Development of an effective pilot trading scheme must be business-led, but with the active involvement of, and a clear steer from Government. We are therefore working with the CBI and ACBE (the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment) to develop the pilot scheme. The next step is for the CBI and ACBE to call a meeting of interested Chief Executives and senior government officials, to commit to a timetable and resources for developing the pilot. The intention is for this meeting to take place in late June or early July, subject to availability.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will commission an investigation into the circumstances of the road traffic accident that occurred in Wyre Piddle on 28 April in order to inform his consideration of an application from Worcestershire County Council for funding for a bypass of the village. [83004]

The investigation of road traffic accidents is a matter for the police. It will be for Worcestershire County Council to put forward any bid for funding of a bypass as part of their Local Transport Plan. The County Council will need to appraise any major scheme using the New Approach to Appraisal, of which safety is a major element. We will consider that appraisal as part of our consideration of the Local Transport Plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 April 1999, Official Report, column 90, if the work undertaken in 1998 on the A38 bridge over the M4 at Almondsbury was certified as meeting the requirements of the Highways Agency's specification, including the testing of materials.[82901]

Part of the works carried out on the A38 bridge over the M4 at Almondsbury in 1998 did not meet the required specification and they were rejected by the site supervisory staff appointed by the Highways Agency. The contractors are replacing the sub standard work at their own cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what data he has collated on incidents of complete failure in service of lamp standards over the past three years. [83180]

There are no comprehensive central data collected on incidents where lamp standards have failed. Most are on local roads for which local highway authorities are responsible and maintenance details are not available centrally. The Highways Agency, who are responsible for trunk roads and motorways, keep a record of those reported by their Area Agents and, although there is no requirement, some on local authority roads. In the last three years, there have been three incidents recorded on motorway and trunk roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each local authority in England the number and percentage of (a) public and (b) private sector dwellings which are empty. [83236]

I have placed the information requested in the Library. This table presents the latest available data on the number and proportion of vacant dwellings owned by local authorities, Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), 'Other Public Sector organisations' and the rest of the private sector for local authority districts in England. The figures relate to 1 April 1998 and have been provided by local authorities on their HIP returns, except for those for RSLs which relate to 31 March 1998 and are based on information supplied by the Housing Corporation. Estimated totals that include allowances for missing or incomplete returns are provided for England.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times the Green Ministers Committee has met since May 1997; and if he will place in the Library (a) the agenda and minutes of each of the meetings and (b) a list of significant decisions and action plans made at each meeting. [83156]

The Green Ministers Committee has met five times since May 1997.On

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what new measures he proposes to introduce to achieve further reductions in the number of drink-drive casualties. [83171]

We have consulted on a package of measures to combat drinking and driving. Decisions on drink-drive measures will be incorporated within the road safety strategy which we will publish this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the effect of providing lighting on the whole motorway system on the number of recorded accidents. [82939]

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: No such estimate has been made.Departmental Advice Note, TA 49/86 (Appraisal of New and Replacement Lighting on Trunk Roads and Motorways) provides guidance on the assessment method for the provision of road lighting. Lighting is normally provided on dual four-lane motorways. On dual three-lane motorways and below, an assessment is made following the guidelines. This includes a full assessment of the safety and environmental considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to meet the National Federation of Roofing Contractors; [83144](2) if he will make an assessment of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors'

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 22 February 1999, Official Report, columns 54–55. I will be meeting representatives of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bridges his Department believes will need to be strengthened by local authorities as a consequence of the decision to allow 40 tonne lorries on domestic journeys access to the road network. [82883]

[holding answer 5 May 1999]: Substantial progress has been made in the assessment and strengthening programme. The latest figures available to DETR show that, of 41,602 local authority structures, 35,647 have been assessed, with over 30,000 being of adequate standard, and 3,250 local road bridges have been strengthened.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ask the Rail Regulator to launch an investigation into the circumstances which led the Health and Safety Executive to implement speed restrictions in the Severn Rail Tunnel. [83373]

On 29 April—the same day that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) imposed a 20 mph speed restriction on trains using the Severn Tunnel—the Rail Regulator called for an urgent report from Railtrack explaining why its maintenance procedures had not been sufficient to avoid the enforcement action taken by the HSE, and the plans it had for putting the matter right. Railtrack submitted that report on 4 May, and the Rail Regulator is currently considering it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 30 April 1999, Official Report, column 292, concerning the opening of the Stratford to North Greenwich phase of the Jubilee Line extension, if he will define late Spring. [83380]

The 8th edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary states that, in the northern hemisphere, Spring is from March to May. So late Spring by most definitions will be towards the end of this period.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's investments. [83724]

Today we are announcing a restructuring of the UK's reserve holdings to achieve a better balance in the portfolio by increasing the proportion held in currency. This will involve a programme of auctions of gold from the Exchange Equalisation Account, which holds the UK's official reserves of foreign currency and gold, with the proceeds being invested instead in foreign currency assets and retained in the reserves.The Treasury intends to sell 125 tonnes of gold, 3 per cent. of the total reserves, during 1999–2000, with the Bank of England conducting five auctions on the Treasury's behalf. Auctions will be held every other month starting in July.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the budgets from which the extra funding for aid to the Kosovan refugees is being taken. [83562]

The costs of helping refugees in the area have been met to date from the budgets of the Department for International Development and Ministry of Defence, with some contribution from the central reserve.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the estimated weekly cost to the British Government of military operations in connection with Kosovo. [81621]

[holding answer 21 April 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 15 April 1999, Official Report, columns 323–24. This information will be updated in due course. However, as costs of operations vary from week to week, the provision of a weekly figure would be misleading.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the additional cost of the conflict in Yugoslavia. [81964]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of the conflict with Yugoslavia to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [81970]

[holding answer 26 April 1999]: I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 15 April 1999, Official Report, columns 323–24. This information will be updated in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the TA is (i) deployed and (ii) warned to deploy for operations in the Balkans. [81664]

[pursuant to his reply, 22 April 1999, c. 633]: I regret that the figure of 420 I gave of the Territorial Army at the time deployed to the Balkans was incorrect. The correct figure should have been 317, representing some 0.63 per cent. of the overall TA. It is likely that further TA troops will be deployed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the chemical weapons capability maintained by Yugoslavia. [83290]

The former Yugoslavia did have an offensive chemical warfare programme, which included small stocks of chemical weapons. Serbia inherited some elements of this in 1992, but the exact status of this programme is unknown. It is assessed that the current threat to our forces from chemical warfare is low.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current strength of SFOR in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and what is the total United Kingdom contribution. [83487]

The current strength of SFOR, deployed in Bosnia and Croatia, is some 32,000, of which the British contribution is some 4,500.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 19 and 20 April; and if he will make a statement.[81883]

The Agriculture Council scheduled for 19-20 April was cancelled. The next Agriculture Council will be on 17–18 May.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish all the advice which he has received from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes since 1 May 1997. [72234]

[holding answer 22 February 1999]: All advice received between May and December 1997 is contained in the Committee's Annual Report for 1997, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Advice received since then will be included in the Committee's 1998 Annual Report which is currently being written. I have now deposited a copy of this advice in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Scottish and Southern Energy plc's notification to build a combined heat and power generation station at the Kimberly-Clark paper mill, Barrow-in-Furness. [83809]

I have today granted clearance under Section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 in response to Scottish and Southern Energy plc's notification to build a 13 MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Kimberly-Clark paper mill in Barrow-in-Furness. The decision has 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)Copies of the Press Notice and section 14 clearance are being placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Kronospan Ltd.'s notification to build a combined heat and power generation station at their fibreboard factory at Chirk, Wrexham. [83811]

I have today granted clearance under Section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 to Kronospan Ltd.'s notification to double the size of its existing gas-fired combined heat and power station at Chirk, Wrexham to 12.4 MW. The decision has 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).Decisions on other applications under consideration will be announced in due course. Copies of the Press Notice and the clearance letter are being placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the percentage and value of lingerie sold in the United Kingdom which was manufactured in the United Kingdom in each year since 1990. [83235]

Details of UK retail sales of lingerie are not available from official statistics. However, UK manufacturers' sales of and trade in women's and girls' underwear are detailed in The Office for National Statistics publication "Product Sales and Trade—PRQ11", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average fee paid, at present, by those making use of the services of immigration advisers. [82540]

The immigration advice market is unregulated and so we have little information about the average fee paid by those making use of the services of immigration advisers. Members of Parliament sometimes complain that constituents have paid hundreds or thousands of pounds for advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration advisers are currently operating in England and Wales. [82534]

Immigration advice is largely unregulated and so it is difficult to estimate the number of immigration advisers operating in England and Wales. The Immigration Law Practitioners Association has 830 members and there may be a further 200 individuals and companies offering immigration advice for reward. We know that significant numbers of people in the voluntary sector are also providing immigration advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of immigration advisers in England and Wales operating (a) illegally and (b) unscrupulously. [82541]

As immigration advice is currently unregulated it is not possible to estimate how many immigration advisers in England and Wales are at any one time behaving illegally. Unscrupulous behaviour normally becomes apparent only after a complaint is made by a client. Clients are often vulnerable people reluctant to complain. Members of Parliament regularly write to me complaining that their constituents have been incompetently or unscrupulously advised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration advisers have (a) had proceedings instituted against them for, and (b) been convicted of, illegal activity in each of the last five years. [82535]

This is an unregulated market where incompetence and unscrupulous behaviour is largely unmonitored. The information that is available in relation to proceedings for offences under immigration law is shown in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to request United Kingdom participation in aspects of the Schengen Agreement under Article 4 of the Protocol upon entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty. [83483]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean), on 12 March 1999, Official Report, columns 380–82. Following that statement, it is intended to submit a written application shortly, under the terms of Article 4 of the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union. Parliament will be informed of our application.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received in the last 12 months in favour of a review of proxy voting.[83466]

Six letters about proxy voting procedures have been received in the last 12 months though none of them asked specifically for a review. The Home Office Working Party on Electoral Procedures which I chair is examining absent voting generally, along with other electoral issues, and is looking at proxy voting as part of this process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost of the Criminal Records Bureau providing free criminal records checks for all voluntary organisations whose primary work is with children. [83546]

It is intended that all applicants will be required to pay for certificates from the Criminal Records Bureau. It is difficult to estimate what the cost of free certificates would be to the Bureau, as it is not known how many volunteers would be required to apply for certificates, but the cost is potentially enormous. If checks were provided only to new volunteers seeking the higher levels of checks the cost could exceed £10 million a year. If checks were extended to all existing volunteers the cost could be between £40-£1200 million. The cost of the fees for certificates from the Bureau will be kept to the minimum necessary to recoup costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much section 11 funding was received by Leicestershire Local Education Authority in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; what plans he has for the future of Section 11 funding in the next financial year for Leicestershire Local Education Authority; and if he will make a statement.[83166]

The table shows the section 11 budget allocation to Leicestershire Local Education Authority in relation to each of the years shown:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the regulation known as the two-in-the-bar rule for public entertainment licences; and if he will make a statement. [83295]

Under section 182 of the Licensing Act 1964, a public entertainment licence is not required for live music by up to two performers in any premises where a justices' licence authorising the sale of alcohol is in force. We have no immediate plans to bring forward amendments to this provision; but we are looking at the public entertainment licensing arrangements generally, to see whether any changes are needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average waiting time for the determination of an asylum application in (a) the most recent year for which figures are available and (b) the two most recent years. [83017]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Coleman) on 26 January 1999, Official Report, column 197, which gives the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people charged with a serious sexual offence were released on bail in the year to 31 March (a) 1998 and (b) 1999. [82912]

In 1997, 2,600 people charged with sexual offences were on bail when committed for trial at the Crown Court. Some sexual offences cover a broad spectrum of behaviour but committal to the Crown Court indicates that these were the more serious cases including, for example, the vast majority of rape cases. Information for 1998 will become available in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will return the passports of Miss Inderlyn Irano and Benjamin William Fisher, the partner and son of Mr. A. Fisher, of Wigston, Leicestershire. [83094]

I have asked for an investigation of this. The file suggests that the passports have been refused and we are asking the post Office for a report, which will take two weeks. I will write to the hon. and learned Member.