To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to establish a Committee of Privy Counsellors to inquire into the circumstances of British involvement in the conflict in Serbia. [83832]

[holding answer 11 May 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague) today, column 401.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Committee of Privy Councillors to review the way in which the responsibilities of the Government in relation to British policy towards Kosovo were discharged in the period leading up to the start of the NATO action on 24 March, taking account of all such factors in previous years as are relevant, and to report; and if he will make a statement. [84887]

I see no need.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will set up a Cabinet Committee on the provision of cancer treatment in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [84235]

The Government is firmly committed to improving the provision of cancer treatment in the UK and has made it one of its highest priorities. All people, wherever they live, should have access to high quality cancer services. This was the aim of the Calman/Hine report "A Policy Framework for commissioning Cancer Services". However, when the Calman/Hine principles were adopted in 1995, no machinery to monitor progress was established. We are now rectifying that omission.We have established a National Cancer Forum with a remit of acting as the focus for maintaining the strategic oversight of the Calman/Hine cancer services implementation programme, and to advise Ministers on specialised issues related to cancer.Other UK countries are represented on the National Cancer Forum and have similar strategies and initiatives to improve cancer services, and Ministers take a keen interest in progress.In recognition of the importance of cancer to the Government's agenda, we are also holding a high level cancer seminar today at 10 Downing Street. Those attending will cover the spectrum from prevention, screening, treatment, research, voluntary organisations, patient perspective and NHS implementation. The purpose of the seminar is to review where the UK's performance stands in comparison to other countries, to consider the action we have already taken and are taking, to improve performance and identify further action to be taken in pursuit of our objectives. Our intention is to look across the complete pathway of the disease, from research to hospice care and from prevention to the application of the latest treatments.I do not believe a Cabinet Committee would improve the Government's ability to address this important issue.

To ask the Prime Minister if it is his policy to assist in the development of a single economy and a single political unity within the European Union. [84212]

No. As I said in my speech in Aachen last week, this Government has made huge strides in improving Britain's relations with Europe. We will engage with Europe to push forward on the economic reform agenda, making ourselves more competitive, developing a European defence capability and a co-ordinated approach to foreign policy issues. I believe we need to integrate when necessary and decentralise where possible.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) of 7 May 1999, Official Report, columns 476–77, on the Bilderberg Group, what official (i) transport and (ii) funds have been used to facilitate attendance at Bilderberg meetings of members of his Government; which members have attended meetings; what reports they have made on the meetings; and what subsequent communication they have had with others attending on subjects discussed at the meetings. [84213]

As far as I am aware, only one member of this Government—the Defence Secretary—has attended a meeting of the Bilderberg Group. He provided a detailed account of his attendance in answers to the hon. Members for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 23 July 1998, Official Report, column 609, and for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) on 20 July 1998, Official Report, column 434.

To ask the Prime Minister what methods are used to identify and recruit MI6 personnel; and if he will make a statement. [84630]

The Secret Intelligence Service recruits a wide range of staff, including specialists, graduates and school leavers. Before an offer of appointment is confirmed, candidates are vetted to the highest level of security clearance, known as Developed Vetting. The Service adopts, as far as is practicable, the civil service code of practice on recruitment, to ensure that the procedures used are as open and as fair as possible. Recruitment policies are kept under constant review and a number of improvements have been made over the past three years to ensure that they remain effective and that a wide range of candidates is able to apply.

To ask the Prime Minister how many civilians have been killed as a result of the use of (a) British and (b) NATO weapons in operation Allied Force against Yugoslavia. [84644]

As I said in the House last week, we do everything we can to avoid civilian casualties and minimise damage to civilian property. The cases of injury and death among civilians which have nevertheless occurred by accident have been acknowledged by NATO and are deeply regretted; they are a regrettable consequence of having to use force to stop the violence which Milosevic has unleashed against the people of Kosovo. They stand in contrast to the deliberate murders and brutalities of the Milosevic regime. Verification of civilian casualties is not possible as access to sites is controlled by the Milosevic regime. Alleged evidence of fatalities claimed to arise from allied action should therefore always be treated with great caution.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 May 1999, Official Report, column 315, if he will make a statement on the progress of his review into the way in which war widows pensions relate to housing benefit. [84665]

[holding answer 18 May 1999]: The mandatory disregards for War Disablement and War Widows' Pensions that already exist in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit recognise the special nature of these pensions, and ensure that the pensioners receive preferential treatment. For example, a war pensioner can have between £10 and £181 a week of his pension disregarded on a statutory basis.We will keep this under review, but further extending existing disregards is not a main priority: A full disregard of War Disablement and War Widows' Pension in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit would cost in the region of an additional £70 million a year.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 May 1999, Official Report, column 318, what was the basis for his statement relating to rural representation in the House. [84666]

[holding answer 18 May 1999]: The Boundary Commission defines as county constituencies those that are "primarily rural". 170 county constituencies are held by Labour, compared with 135 by the Conservatives and 32 by the Liberal Democrats.

To ask the Prime Minister on what basis Cabinet meetings are held in his absence. [84768]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave her in the House on Wednesday 19 May 1999, Official Report, column 1060.

To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to announce his decision on the separation of the functions of the Secretary of State for Wales and the First Secretary. [84796]

The functions of the Secretary of State for Wales which will be transferred to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July are listed in the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999. The functions of the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales include those which are conferred by the Government of Wales Act 1998 and related legislation, but are otherwise a matter for the Assembly.

To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to publish the Government's response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's report on Sierra Leone. [85205]

The Government has carefully considered the findings in the Intelligence and Security Committee's Report on the intelligence aspects of the counter-coup in Sierra Leone. The Government's response to the report is being published today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when, where and by what means (a) Judge William Doyle, (b) Mr. Edgar Graham, (c) Lord Justice Gibson and his wife, (d) Resident Magistrate W. Staunton and (e) Resident Magistrate Martin McBirney were murdered; which terrorist organisation was responsible; how many persons have been brought before the courts for that crime; and what sentences were imposed. [81166]

[holding answer 16 April 1999]: The information requested is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when, where and by what means Resident Magistrate Mr. Tom Travers and his wife were injured and their daughter murdered; which terrorist organisation was responsible; how many persons have been brought before the courts for that crime; and what sentences were imposed. [81167]

[holding answer 16 April 1999]: At approximately 1 pm on 8 April 1984, Mr. Thomas Travers RM, his wife and their daughter Mary were walking to their home having just attended Mass at St. Brigid's Church in Derryvolgie Avenue when they were attacked by two gunmen. As a result Mary Travers was fatally wounded and Thomas Travers was seriously wounded. Mrs. Travers escaped injury. The attack was attributed to the Irish Republican Army.Shortly after the incident police arrested a young woman in the Wellington Park area of the city. She was found to have two handguns in her possession. Both guns were later linked to the attack on the Travers family. She was subsequently convicted of the murder of Mary Travers and the attempted murder of Thomas Travers and received a life sentence.A second person was arrested some seven weeks later and was identified by Mr. Travers as being one of the gunmen. However, he was acquitted of all charges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when, where, and by what means Judge Rory Conaghan was murdered; which terrorist organisation was responsible; how many persons have been brought before the courts for that crime; and what sentences were imposed. [81245]

[holding answer 16 April 1999]: At approximately 8.30 am on 16 September 1974, a person, posing as a postman, rang the doorbell of Judge Conaghan's home at 17 Beechlands, Malone Road, Belfast. The door was answered by Judge Conaghan. He was shot and fatally wounded. The gunman made off and was seen to get into a car which was driven by another person. The car was later abandoned in Windsor Avenue, Belfast. Witnesses observed that two males and a girl were seen to leave the car. The vehicle had been taken from its owner in the Dermott Hill Road, Belfast earlier that day by a person claiming to be from the Irish Republican Army.To date, no one has been made amenable for Judge Conaghan's murder.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the amount of Government grants given to the Belfast Brook Pregnancy Advisory Clinic for each year since 1990 (a) directly and (b) through health boards and trusts. [84409]

The information requested is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public funding has been given to (a) the Irish Rugby Football Union, (b) the Irish Football Association, (c) the Northern Ireland Cricket Association and (d) the Irish Hockey Union in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [84323]

Responsibility for funding sports organisations rests with the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, who have advised me that the total amount of public funding from normal funding and the Lottery for the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the Irish Football Association (IFA), the Northern Ireland Cricket Association (NICA) and the Irish Hockey Union (IHU) is as follows:

£
	IRFU	IFA	NICA	IHU
1998–99	10,073.85	53,548.67	41,384.02	36,671.13
1997–98	23,544.45	47,719.56	25,866.20	19,177.42
1996–97	5,829.75	60,115.03	24,799.46	31,623.09
1995–96	3,631.35	140,856.03	24,357.75	47,829.14
1994–95	6,973.70	15,148.44	23,865.75	31,730.94
1Includes a special capital grant of £3,811.38 from Department of Education

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish the text of the (a) non-statutory assurances of confidentiality and (b) 100-year extended closure given by the Registrar General on the householders' forms for the 20^th century censuses of population for Northern Ireland. [84491]

The assurances on confidentiality listed on household forms for the 20th century censuses of population for Northern Ireland are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to section 123 of the White Paper on the 2001 Census, when she plans to bring forward proposals for an end to the permanent closure to public inspection of Northern Ireland census returns. [84499]

The Census White Paper (cm 4253) indicated that consideration would be given to availing of a suitable legislative opportunity to introduce to Northern Ireland similar provisions to those in Great Britain on the closure of historic census records. To date, no suitable opportunity has arisen, but the position is kept under continuous review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to grant Carryduff Primary School integrated status; and if she will make a statement. [84570]

The Department of Education is aware of local interest in the establishment of an integrated primary school in the Carryduff area, but I understand that developments are at a very early stage. The transformation of Carryduff Primary School to controlled integrated status is a matter for the school's Board of Governors and the South Eastern Education and Library Board to consider in the first instance. If the school decides to seek integrated status this would involve a ballot of parents and the publication of a statutory development proposal by the Education and Library Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she intends to lay before Parliament Mr. Jim McDonald's annual report as Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland. [85206]

Mr. McDonald's report is being published today and copies are being placed in the Library.I note that Mr. McDonald has said that the complaints procedures are given proper attention by the Army and are being operated fairly, I note also that there has been a marked decrease in the overall number of complaints received.The Report provides valuable reassurances to Government and the public that the Army's complaints procedures stand scrutiny.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Northern Ireland Prison Service intends to publish its 1999–2002 Corporate and Business Plan; and what performance targets have been set for 1999–2000. [85207]

The Northern Ireland Prison Service's Corporate and Business Plan for 1999–2002 was published today. The following key performance targets have been set for 1999–2000:

To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her answer of 19 April 1999, Official Report, column 467, on the death penalty in Commonwealth countries for how long each of the appeals and applications for appeal in Trinidad and Tobago have been outstanding; and when each person was sentenced to death. [84683]

The seven appeals from Trinidad and Tobago referred to in my answer of 19 April were registered in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on the following dates:

P.C. Appeal number	Registration date
(1) 29 of 1998	11 May 1998
(2) 32 of 1998	12 May 1998
(3) 40 of 1998	28 May 1998
(4) 63 of 1998	30 September 1998
(5) 73 of 1998	12 November 1998
(6) 75 of 1998	10 December 1998
(7)4 of 1999	12 February 1999

The first three listed have since been heard and judgment is awaited.The 10 petitions for leave to appeal referred to in the answer of 19 April were lodged with the Judicial Committee Registry on the following dates:

Petitions
1	15 July 1997
2	8 October 1997
3	19 February 1998
4	3 June 1998
5	16 February 1999
6	8 March 1999
7	8 March 1999
8	25 March 1999
9	30 March 1999
10	31 March 1999

Five of these petitions have now been heard. Two have been granted, two have been dismissed and one has been adjourned to await the determination of another case. The sentence of death in each of the above appeals and petitions was passed on various dates between 12 February 1996 and 29 May 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices remain to be computerised under the ICL Pathway Project. [84253]

[holding answer 14 May 1999]: At the end of March 1999, the Post Office network comprised 18,775 offices. To date, 204 offices have been automated under the ICL Pathway Project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions trends in harassment and nuisance arising from the misuse of fireworks; and if he will make an assessment of the risks to consumer safety arising from such misuse. [84691]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has no responsibility for the harassment and nuisance issues arising from fireworks.Firework incidents that occur in the street during the November firework season and require treatment by A&E departments are recorded in the DTI's census of firework injuries, which is conducted over a four-week period covering the run-up to 5 November and a few days afterwards. The summary report of firework injuries treated during the 1998 firework season—a copy of which is in the Library of the House—shows that there was a 12 per cent. drop, from 256 in 1997 to 226 in 1998. in hooligan-related injuries.The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997, among other things, introduced controls on the supply of certain fireworks, including some types that are most often misused. These controls, together with a targeted safety campaign, played a significant part in reducing the number of firework injuries and incidents of misuse during the last firework season.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements are in place to ensure that imported fireworks placed on the market in the United Kingdom have received authorisation and categorisation by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. [84692]

I have been asked to reply.It is a requirement in law that any commercial explosive, including fireworks be classified by the Health and Safety Executive before it is imported into the UK. It is also a requirement under section 40(9) of the Explosives Act 1875 for explosives to be authorised. The conditions for authorisation have been published by the HSE. In the case of fireworks, authorisation is conditional on compliance with the requirements of British Standard 7114:1988. This is also a requirement under the Firework (Safety) Regulations 1997 which are enforced by Local Authority Trading Standards officers.If satisfied with an application for classification, the HSE issues a Competent Authority Document assigning the fireworks to an appropriate Hazard Classification and United Nations Serial Number. The details of each classified firework are held on a database and published as a list from time to time. The Competent Authority Document also acts to authorise the fireworks but this is subject to the fireworks meeting the relevant conditions for authorisation. Any firework not meeting these conditions would be considered not to be Authorised.The HSE has enforcement powers under the applicable classification regulations and will take appropriate action where unclassified or unauthorised fireworks are found in the UK. Checks for compliance are made as part of the normal duties of the explosives inspectorate such as inspection of explosives factories and magazines, checks of transport activity, liaison and support to local authorities and investigation of incidents and complaints.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely trends in the use of fireworks at the time of the millennium celebrations; and what plans he has to promote consumer safety associated with that use. [84690]

It is expected that fireworks will feature in Millennium celebrations, but it is not possible to predict patterns of use. DTI officials are currently working on a publicity strategy to address firework safety issues for the 1999 firework season and the Millennium celebrations. Discussions are also taking place with the fireworks industry about the period when fireworks should be sold and other safety issues associated with the use of fireworks over the Millennium.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers his Department retains to ensure that the plans of the utilities it regulates for asset replacement are consistent with (a) safety and (b) the national interest. [84766]

The Director-General of Electricity Supply and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State have duties under the Electricity Act to protect the public from dangers arising from the generation, transmission or supply of electricity. The Director-General of Gas Supply and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State have duties under the Gas Act to protect the public from dangers arising from the conveyance of gas through pipes or the use of such gas. Regulations made under these Acts, including the Electricity Supply Regulations, make further provision for these matters.The Department has no specific powers to regulate the plans of gas, electricity or telecommunications companies for asset replacement. Various aspects of the statutory or regulatory framework within which these industries operate may, however, constrain these plans. In general, the regulatory requirements focus on the outcomes which must be achieved; it is for the companies themselves to consider any implications for their asset replacement policies and act accordingly.The Gas, Electricity and Telecommunications Acts, other relevant legislation and licence conditions also provide appropriate protection for certain relevant matters for national interest reasons, in particular security of supply and maintenance of supplies or communications in emergencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make an announcement on the outcome of the consultation on the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Acts 1966 and 1974. [85231]

The Government have concluded that no amendments to the legislation are required at present, although we shall monitor the application of these Acts to the individual minerals industries to determine whether any amendments might be desirable in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the nations which have (a) agreed and (b) declined to participate in the nation a day theme in the Millennium Dome. [81751]

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has invited countries from around the world to put forward their proposals for World Stage 2000. This will provide an opportunity for international participation in the Millennium Experience. A number of positive preliminary inquiries have been received and are the subject of discussion with NMEC. Firm proposals are expected in the next few weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Wales about the condition of Gwrych Castle; and if he will make a statement. [84736]

[holding answer 19 May 1999]: None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for built heritage matters in Wales. This is a matter for which National Assembly of Wales will be responsible after devolution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the (a) duration and (b) cost of the inquiry into objections to the East Lothian Local Plan; if he will compensate East Lothian Council for the costs of the inquiry; and if he will make it his policy to require objectors with financial interests in proposed developments to contribute to the costs of inquiries. [84088]

The duration of the East Lothian Local Plan Inquiry is estimated to be 17 weeks, with less than 2 weeks to run.It is long established practice for parties to local inquiries to meet their own costs, except where unreasonable behaviour by another party justifies an award of expenses. Accordingly, the Secretary of State has no plans to compensate the Council for their costs.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were waiting in each of the queues for settlement entry clearance at each of the British posts in the Asian subcontinent at the latest available date. [84655]

The statistics requested are as follows. Figures are for the end of April 1999.

Post	Applicants	Q11	Q22	Q33	Q44
Bombay	633	0	427	110	96
Calcutta	1	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Colombo	56	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Dhaka	1,039	31	687	14	307
Islamabad	4,171	93	3,651	258	169
Karachi	114	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Madras	30	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
New Delhi	709	6	467	199	37
1Right of Abode claimants; dependent relatives over 65; special compassionate cases.
2 Spouses, children under 18.
3 Fiance(e)s, other settlement categories.
4Re-applicants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the income from entry clearance fees in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1995–96 at (i) each British post in the Asian subcontinent, (ii) Lagos, (iii) Abuja, (iv) Accra, (v) Manila, (vi) Moscow and (vii) Bogota; and what is the estimatedentry clearance fee income at each of those posts for (1) 1998–99 and (2) 1999–2000. [84662]

Income for the entry clearance posts in question for the three years since 1996–97 is as follows:

£
	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
Abuja	301,397	382,986	497,693
Accra	831,432	877,599	1,101,338
Bogota	50,588	763,799	862,794
Bombay	2,644,376	3,128,548	3,330,583
Calcutta	380,253	412,918	412,869
Dhaka	1,459,555	1,657,039	1,606,508
Islamabad	2,635,300	3,483,264	4,317,212
Karachi	1,155,776	1,266,296	1,406,598
Lagos	2,108,116	1,816,027	2,071,149
Madras	765,364	954,617	1,091,499
Manila	916,781	920,567	882,930
Moscow	2,624,607	3,261,819	2,650,806
New Delhi	2,366,637	2,838,608	3,022,050

Details of income from entry clearance fees for the financial year 1995–96 are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.Based on previous trends, we would expect to see an increase in worldwide demand for visas in 1999–2000 of around 3 per cent. We are currently forecasting an increase in global income of about 2.6 per cent. for that year to £67.9 million. Because of the differences in application profiles we do not make estimate of income for individual posts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the most recent communications he has (a) sent to and (b) received from the UN special rapporteur with responsibility for human rights and states of emergency. [84781]

There is no record of any communication either to or from the UN Special Rapporteur with responsibility for human rights and states of emergency since this Government came to power in May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Treaty of Amsterdam to come into force. [82714]

[pursuant to her reply, 28 April 1999, c. 180]: An administrative error led to a mistake in my earlier answer to the hon. Member of 28 April. The correct answer is as follows.The process of ratification of the Treaty of Amsterdam was completed on 30 March, when France deposited its instruments of ratification with the Italian Government.The Treaty entered into force on 1 May 1999, in accordance with Article 14(2) of the Treaty of Amsterdam.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of grammar schools have attained beacon school status. [84869]

Five grammar schools (3 per cent.) have now been awarded Beacon school status.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his Department's estimate of current vacancies in the catering sector in (a) the North West of England and (b) Sefton. [84416]

The Office for National Statistics publishes a seasonally unadjusted quarterly count of vacancies notified to Employment Service Jobcentres broken down by 1992 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC92) category—it combines catering and hotels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for schools in the Isle of Wight Local Education Authority the change in the average size of classes, taught by one teacher, between January 1998 and January 1999 for pupils in (a) nursery classes, (b) Key Stage Two and (c) secondary schools. [84718]

Information on class sizes for individual schools is not published centrally. The available information for Isle of Wight Local Education Authority area is shown in the table.The Government have pledged to reduce infant class sizes to 30 or below by September 2001 at the latest, and we are on course to meet that pledge.

Average class size of one teacher classes, Isle of Wight local education authority area
January each year	1998	1999
Nursery classes	36.7	27.0
Key Stage One	25.7	23.8
Key Stage Two	27.6	28.3
Overall Primary	26.5	25.6
Secondary	22.4	22.4

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 April 1999, Official Report, column 299, what methodology will be used to assess the impact of the fuel duty escalator on transport emissions and when an accurate assessment of impact will be prepared. [81619]

We draw on a number of forecasting techniques to estimate the impact of the fuel duty escalator on emissions. These techniques principally focus on the long-term, since the fuel duty escalator is a long-term policy. Our forecasting methods are kept under review, and adjustments are made as and when improved techniques or new data become available.To some degree all these methods rely on statistical analysis of historic data, and we suspect that we will need a number of further years' traffic and emissions data before we can make a definitive short-term assessment of the impact of fuel duty increases since 1996. Even then, such an assessment will remain reliant on forecasts of what would have happened had the increases not been implemented, and will not pick up the full effects of the policy which will only become apparent over the longer term. Work in this area continues, and we will make available short-term estimates to complement the longterm estimates we have already published, once these can be provided with an acceptable degree of reliability.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the National Land Use Data Base. [84365]

I am today publishing the first results of the National Land Use Database (NLUD). This shows that there are around 33,000 hectares of previously developed vacant and derelict land in England of which about a third could be recycled for housing. Another 23,000 hectares are currently in productive use but are planned or expected to become available for redevelopment. Together, this is capable of accommodating more than 710,000 dwellings.The Government's target is that 60 per cent. of additional homes should be built on previously developed land or should utilise existing buildings. We have always said that this target is tough but achievable. Latest figures show that we had reached 56 per cent. by 1996.The results of NLUD are a snap-shot in time and provide only part of the information about the position in reaching the target. The stock of land and buildings available for recycling is continually being added to, as well as being developed for housing and other purposes, and these changes have to be fully taken into account. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has therefore asked the Urban Task Force to review the future availability of recycled land and buildings, taking account of the NLUD data. The Task Force expects to present its report at the end of next month.Everybody has to have the opportunity of a decent home in which to live. New houses have to be built but in a sustainable way which helps put new life into our towns and cities, makes best use of land and does not squander the precious resource of our English countryside. Policies to achieve these objectives were set out in our revised Planning Policy Guidance note 3:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many cases of nuisance caused by misuse of fireworks were reported to environmental service departments between January 1998 and January 1999. [84695]

Information on the number of cases reported to environmental service departments is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for authorisation and categorisation of fireworks to be imported to the United Kingdom there have been in each year since 1996; how many were (a) approved and (b) denied; and what were the categories involved in each case. [84696]

The applications received by the HSE for the classification and authorisation of fireworks since 1996 are as follows:

Year	Number of Applications
1996	13
1997	54
1998	42
1999	14

No applications were refused. The fireworks covered by these applications were in any of the four British Standards categories.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the contribution which switching wherever practical to (a) energy-efficient light bulbs and (b) semiconductor (gallium nitride) illumination in traffic lights, would make toward meeting the UK' s obligations under the Kyoto Accord. [84549]

We have made no overall assessment of potential energy savings from improved traffic lights but we are aware of the developing technology in this area which could yield savings in the longer term. In particular, my Department participates in an International Energy Agency technology procurement agreement which includes a project to bring forward semi-conductor (Light Emitting Diode) traffic light technology. The first UK site trial was started last summer. Savings in both energy and replacement costs of as much as 60 per cent. are predicted but no firm figures are yet available. The trial was actively encouraged by the Highways Agency who formed a partnership, to promote this technology, with Bristol City Council and the manufacturer.Since then the traffic light developed from that trial has been approved against the national specification. Several local authorities have already installed the new signals. There is at present only the one company involved but the recent approval is encouraging several others, who are now actively engaged in the approval process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received on runway capacity at airports in the South of England; and if he will make a statement. [84561]

We receive a steady flow of correspondence from various organisations and members of the public, directly or indirectly relating to runway capacity at airports in the South of England. In its Eighth Report on Regional Air Services, published on 27 July 1998, the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, stated that

"The Government must address the question of capacity in the South-East as a matter of urgency".

On 11 March 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the aggregates and other material from redundant roads is recycled and used in new roads. [84686]

There is no comprehensive statistical source from which this percentage can be calculated. A 1995–96 OECD Survey on recycling of road by-products reported in "Recycling Strategies for Road Works" (OECD 1997) found that in the UK 90 per cent. of reclaimed asphalt and 75 per cent. of concrete derived from old road pavements were recycled, but not necessarily for use in roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress towards introducing a national concessionary travel scheme for pensioners. [84860]

We will bring forward legislation as soon as Parliamentary time permits to provide for the minimum half-fare scheme for pensioners which we have already proposed. It is open to individual local authorities to introduce such a scheme on their own initiative, before legislation is introduced, for example if at present they provide a less generous scheme, or no scheme at all.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations of new landfill sites currently under planning consideration to receive household and organic waste. [84431]

Planning applications for landfill sites to receive household and organic waste are normally dealt with by the local planning authority. The Secretary of State will become aware of such an application only if it is referred to him as a departure from the development plan, if he has called it in for his own determination, or is considering doing so, or if it is subject to an appeal. There are, at present, 12 landfill proposals which fall within the above categories. These are:

1. Brogborough Tip, Brogborough, Bedfordshire;

2. Bell House Landfill Site, Colchester, Essex;

3. Alton Road Site, Waverley, Surrey;

4. Lamberhurst Farm Site, Lamberhurst, Kent;

5. Tiptree Farm, Sittingbourne, Kent;

6. High Lane Void, Silverdale, Staffordshire;

7. Hadley Quarry, Ketley, Shropshire;

8. Buck Park Quarry, Bradford;

9. Thurcroft Site, Thurcroft, Rotherham;

10. Houghton Quarry, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland;

11. Broadoak Site, Hamsterley, Northumberland;

12. Round "O" Quarry, Skelmersdale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list by local authority the local targets and current achievement for recycling of household waste; [84432](2) if he will list those local authorities which run waste plastic collection and recycling schemes. [84514]

The Department does not require local authorities to set targets for recycling. Data from the municipal waste survey for the year 1997–98 are currently being validated against previous years' data. I hope to be able to let my hon. Friend have a full reply to his question on Friday 4 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures are in place for monitoring the accuracy of local authorities' waste recycling figures. [84433]

Data for each local authority collected from the Department's annual municipal waste survey are compared with previous years' figures, and with data from other comparable authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government are taking to encourage the recycling of plastics. [84434]

The Government have established a Market Development Group to consider the measures that could be taken to enhance the markets for recycled materials, including plastics, and to develop proposals to help overcome any barriers. The Group is considering a range of measures to improve stability and demand in the markets for recyclate, including the development of new markets and the use of economic instruments. The report of the Group will be published for consultation at the same time as the draft waste strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much plastic waste has been imported into the UK each year since 1994. [84435]

Plastic wastes are usually regarded as non-hazardous waste under Council Regulation (EEC) No.259/93 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community. Imports of such waste for recovery is subject to commercial controls only, and information is not therefore collated by the competent authorities. Nor is the information available on the imports/exports database held by the Department of Trade and Industry, since the entry that covers plastic "waste" also includes a large number of substances which are not waste.Whilst the Council Regulation requires imports of non-hazardous waste for disposal, and of hazardous wastes for disposal and recovery, to be notified to the competent authorities, information available to the competent authorities indicate that there have been no notified imports of plastic waste over this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the percentages of (a) metals other than aluminium, (b) aluminium, (c) paper, (d) plastics, (e) glass and (f) organic materials recycled in the last year for which figures are available. [84528]

The most recent data on recycling rates supplied to the Department for each of the following materials are as follows:

Material	Estimated recycling rate1 Percentage	Date of estimate
Copper	37	1997
Lead	68	1997
Zinc	19	1997
Aluminium scrap	44	1996
Ferrous scrap	45	1997
Paper	38	1997
Glass	26	1996
1Material re-used as a percentage of consumption

With regard to plastics and organic waste, we do not collect data on the amount recycled.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what legislation regulates the siting of television and mobile phone masts; and if he will make a statement. [84871]

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) grants a general planning permission for telecommunications masts, including those used for television broadcasting and those for mobile communications, providingthe mast is erected by a telecommunications code system operator licensed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984;the mast does not exceed 15 metres in height;the mast is not erected in a National Park, area of outstanding natural beauty, conservation area, or the Broads; andthe mast is not refused prior approval by the local planning authority within the period allowed under the Order. The authority must be given the opportunity to say whether they wish to

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when funding for beta interferon will be available in all health districts. [81742]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 13 May 1999, Official Report, column 202.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of prescription charges to the NHS in the year 1998. [83334]

In 1997–98 the cost of dispensed prescriptions written by general practitioners in England was £4,085 million. A further £768 million was paid to dispensing contractors in respect of their prescriptions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what ethical guidelines are given to Government-supported medical researchers into the Alzheimer's drug Aricept about administering placebos to patients who could benefit from the drug. [84261]

All research involving patients and supported by the Department, the National Health Service or the Medical Research Council is required to obtain ethical approval from the appropriate research ethics committee(s). Scientific review mechanisms also consider ethical aspects of research, including the appropriateness of randomisation and other study designs, and the use of placebos.Guidance on research ethics is provided in the Department's Guidance for Local Research Ethics Committees and for Mulitcentre Research Ethics Committees, in conjunction with: the Royal College of Physicians' "Guidelines on the Practice of Ethics Committees in Medical Research involving Human Subjects"; and the Medical Research Council's "Guidelines for Good Practice in Clinical Trials". Copies of these will be placed in the Library.The AD2000 trial of Aricept is being supported through the NHS research and development programme. The protocol allows for patients to be randomly assigned to Aricept or a placebo when there is uncertainty (on the basis of the known effects of Aricept and the characteristics of the patient), as to whether or not Aricept would offer the patient any overall benefit. The trial has been approved by the Regional Multi-Centre Research Ethics committee and the Local Research Ethics Committee for each particular centre at which the trial is being conducted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many oncologists are employed per head of population in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) each EU country, (c) Canada, (d) the USA and (e) Japan; and if he will make a statement. [84238]

The whole-time equivalent number of Medical Oncology staff per head of 100,000 population in England is 0.44¹.The whole-time equivalent number of Clinical Oncology staff (Radiotherapists) per head of 100,000 population in England is 1.15

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what date the NHS Capital Prioritisation Group completed its assessment of the hospital development schemes currently seeking prioritisation for PFI funding; [84273](2) for what reasons the announcements of the schemes to be implemented following the assessment by the NHS Capital Prioritisation Group of the proposals submitted has not yet been made; [84272](3) on what date the NHS Capital Prioritisation Group's assessment of the hospital development schemes currently seeking prioritisation for PFI funding was made available to Ministers at his Department; [84271](4) when the announcement as to which of the hospital development schemes currently seeking investment prioritisation have been successful will be made. [84276]

The National Health Service Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group completed its assessment of the 10 schemes currently seeking prioritisation on 4 December 1998. Its report was passed to Ministers on 17 December.An announcement will be made when Ministers have completed their consideration of all the proposals and fully assessed the implications for the NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means continuity of patients' notes will be kept between (a) NHS Direct and GPs and (b) walk-in clinics and GPs. [84374]

Walk-in centres will be expected to have links with local general practitioners' practices to ensure continuity of care for patients. For NHS Direct, national guidance will be issued in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) men and (b) women died from lung cancer in the Greater London area in 1998. [84402]

Screening unit name	Physical location	Health authority populations served
Barking, Havering and Brentwood	Victoria Centre, Romford	Barking and Havering (and part South Essex)
Central and East London	St. Bartholomews Hospital	Camden and Islington East London and The City
Enfield and Haringey	North Middlesex Hospital	Enfield and Haringey
North of London	Edgware Hospital	Barnet Brent and Harrow
Whipps Cross	Whipps Cross Hospital	Redbridge and Waltham Forest
West of London	Charing Cross Hospital	Ealing Hammersmith and Hounslow Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Hillingdon
South East London	Kings Healthcare Trust	Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Bexley and Greenwich Bromley
South West London	St. Georges Trust	Merton, Sutton, and Wandsworth Croydon Kingston and Richmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people over the age of 60 years have had free sight tests since January. [84400]

On the basis of activity levels in past years, we estimate that, in each of the months January to March 1999, people aged 60 and over will have received 0.35 million sight tests, of which just under half will have been National Health Service tests. The first statistics to show the impact of our decision to make everyone aged 60 and over eligible for free NHS sight tests with effect from 1 April 1999 will be available next February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what funding his Department has made available to cover the costs of overtime payments to National Health Service staff over the millennium celebration period; [84392]

Deaths from lung cancer (ICD9 162¹) in Greater London in 1998 are as follows:2,239 males1,378 females.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the breast screening units in hospitals which serve the Greater London area. [84403]

The breast screening units serving the greater London area are shown in the table.(2) what is his Department's estimate of the extra cost to the National Health Service of overtime payments to staff over the millennium celebration period. [84391]

It is for National Health Service trusts to decide individual staffing requirements for the millennium period, including any overtime they think necessary, to ensure effective patient services are in place. Enhanced payments are available for most staff groups who work on bank holidays. As a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review, funding for the NHS has risen to just under £40 billion in 1999–2000, a real terms increase of 5.1 per cent. over the previous year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) deaths, (b) amputations and (c) other complications have been caused by surgical instruments or part of such remaining in patients following a surgical operation in each of the last three years. [84404]

The table shows hospital inpatient activity for the financial years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 where a foreign body has accidentally been left in a body cavity or operation wound following a procedure.

	Finished consultant episodes	Deaths
1995–96	841	4
1996–971	756	11
1997–981	749	8
1Figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are provisional

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the operations of multi-centre Research Ethics Committees with the EU Clinical Trials Directive. [84347]

The European Union Clinical Trials Directive is still under negotiation and the text may change. It is therefore not possible to reach a final view of its compatibility with the operations of Research Ethics Committees in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average time taken for ethics committee approval of research and clinical trial proposals in (a) the year before and (b) the period since the introduction of multi-centre research ethics committees. [84345]

The time taken for ethics approval of research and clinical trials is not data which was systematically collected before the introduction of multi-centre research ethics committees. An evaluation of the first full year of operation of multi-centre research ethics committees is currently being analysed and will be available later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what review the Government have undertaken of the operation of local and multi-centre research ethics committees since their introduction; and what proposals he has to amend their method of operation. [84346]

Multi-Centre Research Ethics were introduced in 1997. Based on evolving experience with the operation of Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees, and the relationship between their work and that of Local Research Ethics Committees, the Department of Health is currently conducting a review of policy and practice with the intention of issuing revised guidance later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons a reply was not received by the hon. Member for Solihull to his letter of 18 January on behalf of his constitutent Mrs. Penny Anderson until 5 May (ref POH (2) 5422/22). [84352]

I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in replying. I wanted to ensure that we gave a full and informative response which included details of this year's National Health Service pay settlement. Ministers received a large volume of correspondence on this subject and it took longer than we would have wished to reply to it all.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for encouraging private sector involvement in the provision of primary care services. [84640]

Some primary care pilots include a National Health Service trust as a provider of patient services. Otherwise, general medical services and general dental services are provided by independent, self-employed contractors to the NHS. General ophthalmic services and pharmaceutical services are also provided by independent contractors, including single-handed practices, and local and national chains of opticians and chemists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of hospital telephone inquiry numbers are free phone numbers. [84720]

National Health Service trusts may wish to set up telephone inquiry numbers for a variety of reasons and it is up to them to decide whether to use freephone numbers. An individual inquiry line will be set up to meet the needs of a particular set of local circumstances that may be relatively short-lived; the numbers will therefore fluctuate. NHS trusts are not required to notify the Department when they set up (or discontinue) such a line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior doctors worked more than 58 hours a week in each quarter since 1994. [84764]

The information requested is not available centrally. The New Deal on Junior Doctors' Hours monitors working hours compliance on a six-monthly basis according to whether or not junior doctors comply with a range of hours controls, including rest periods. Since 31 December 1994, there has been a requirement that no junior doctor should exceed a maximum average of 56 hours a week actual work. Data collated from regional task forces' reports is as follows:

Monitoring date	Number of juniors' posts	Non-complying posts over 56 hours	Percentage non-compliance
September 1994	27,184	11,347	41.3
February 1995	27,669	8,268	29.9
September 1995	27,994	8,908	31.8
March 1996	27,970	6,579	23.5
September 1996	28,342	6,121	21.6
March 1997	29,482	6,485	21.9
September 1997	29,572	5,764	19.5
March 1998	29,976	4,999	16.7
September 1998	29,584	4,793	16.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to health authorities and local authorities on their responsibilities regarding incontinence aids and advice to residents in residential care and nursing homes. [84536]

Guidance on the provision of incontinence aids is contained in Health Service Guidance (92)50: Local authority contracts for residential and nursing home care: NHS related aspects.This circular sets out the continuing responsibility of the National Health Service in the provision of community health services to residents in local authority and independent residential care homes on the same basis as to people in their own homes. The circular also says that Local Authorities, since April 1993, are responsible for purchasing items as incontinence aids for residents they place in nursing homes. This guidance was reiterated in HSG(95)8, "NHS responsibilities for meeting continuing health care needs".

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he has issued to health authorities relating to the use of safety syringes; what assessment he has made of the extent of the current use of safety syringes by health trusts; and if he will make a statement. [84537]

At present, the use of safety syringes is not widespread within the healthcare sector, due to the limited range of sizes and types available. Consequently, the Department has not issued any guidelines to health trusts on the use of these devices, nor has it carried out any assessments on their current usage.The Department has issued guidance on the safe use and disposal of sharp instruments, including needles and syringes. Professional organisations and trusts have also issued local guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals are under consideration for the future management of the Glenthorne Centre, Erdington. [84785]

The Glenthorne Youth Treatment Centre is managed by the Department and there are no current plans to change this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place a copy of the job evaluation and grading scheme report on operational and unit staff at the Glenthorne Centre, Erdington, in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [84784]

An independent job evaluation review of the staffing posts at the Glenthorne Youth Treatment Centre was undertaken last year for internal departmental management purposes. The findings of the report are still under consideration and no decision has yet been taken about publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the research he has carried out into the possible effects of radiation emitted from television and mobile telephone masts on public health; what were the findings of that research; and if he will make a statement. [84870]

In 1996, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) evaluated an epidemiological study by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit. This study, undertaken on behalf of this and five other Government Departments, investigated the incidence of leukaemia near 20 high power TV/FM radio transmitters in Great Britain. The study found that living close to a transmitter was not associated with an increased risk of leukaemia. In their statement (copies of which are available in the Library) COMARE reiterated their previous advice that there is no firm evidence of a carcinogenic hazard from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from television and radio mast emissions.The Department is currently contributing to the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields Project, which includes health effects of electromagnetic fields and is funding studies investigating possible biological effects from EMF generally. A three-year study in the United Kingdom of occupational exposure to radiofrequency fields, including those from TV and radio transmitters, was launched in November 1998. The Department is supporting this study.I have recently announced a working group to assess the current state of research into the health implications of mobile telephones usage. The chairman, members, terms of reference and time scale for reporting will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his holding answer of 8 December and his further holding answer of 1 March, when he expects to provide a substantive answer to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury. [84873]

The Government has pledged to tackle unacceptable levels of geographical variations in access to National Health Service infertility treatment and has set in train a programme of work to achieve that aim.A Department of Health survey of current health authority infertility service provision will take place shortly and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) will complete their third, and final, set of evidence based clinical guidelines on infertility in the autumn.The Department's survey will enable the cost implications of any policy changes to be estimated. It is important to wait for the RCOG guidelines to be completed and considered by the Department as they will indicate the circumstances in which infertility treatment can be most clinically effective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners whose income made them not eligible for income support prior to April 1999 but who are now eligible to claim the minimum income guarantee in (a) Wythenshawe and Sale East, (b) Manchester, (c) Trafford and (d) the United Kingdom. [84331]

The number of pensioner benefit units that will become entitled to Income Support in Great Britain as a result of the increase in the Income Support rates in April this year is estimated to be 65,000. This figure cannot be apportioned with any reliability to constituency or local authority areas because the sample size is not large enough. Information relating to the numbers of pensioners in receipt of Income Support as of November 1998 (the latest date for which the data is available) is in the table.

Income Support pensioners at November 1998		Pensioner benefit units
Wythenshawe and Sale East Parliamentary Constituency	4,000
Manchester Local Authority District	17,000
Trafford Local Authority District	6,000
Great Britain	1,417,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents have obtained jobs through the New Deal for Lone Parents in the unit of delivery area covering the Vale of York. [84555]

The New Deal for Lone Parents was launched nationally on 26 October 1998 and offers a whole range of services including training, childcare and access to Employment Service (ES) programmes, which help support lone parents on the route to work.In the North Yorkshire district, which covers the Vale of York, 71 lone parents moved into jobs between 26 October 1998 and 26 March 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many local authorities (a) do and (b) do not disregard the whole amount of war widows' pensions and war disablement pensions for the purpose of housing benefit; [84559]

The additional cost to central Government of a full disregard, on a statutory basis, of War Widows Pension and War Disablement Pension in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is estimated to be in the region of £70 million a year.Information on discretionary local schemes for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tons of gold from the national reserves have been sold since May 1997. [84285]

[holding answer 14 May 1999]: The only sales of gold since May 1997 have been gold sovereigns and other gold coins in response to demand amounting to some 52,500 ounces.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the United Kingdom's foreign currency reserves are currently held in euros. [84282]

[holding answer 14 May 1999]: The size and composition of the UK's reserves is set out in Table 2 in the Quarterly Report on the United Kingdom Official Holdings of Foreign Currency and Gold for the period October to December 1998, published by the Treasury and Bank of England on 2 March 1999.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the (a) role in informing business on EMU, (b) the budget and (c) publications of Business Link. [83927]

Business Link partnerships—and their equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland—have a key role to play in making sure that small and medium-sized firms in the UK are equipped to meet the challenges resulting from the introduction of the euro in 11 European countries earlier this year. Business Links will bring their own experience and knowledge of local conditions to bear on this role, but are supported by the Euro Preparations Unit of the Treasury through training, publications, specialist guidance and advice.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which activities are covered in EU budget lines listed under the heading (a) Social Contacts Between Staff,(b) Early Childhood Centre and other Crèches and (c) Entertainment and Representation Expenses; what were the total costs expected under the last budget for these headings; and if he will make a statement. [82477]

The appropriations entered under these headings in the 1999 budget of each EU institution, including a guide to the range of activities covered by each individual budget item, is given in the "Official Journal of the European Communities", L39, Volume 42, 12 February 1999, which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average price for a private medical insurance premium for each of the last five years. [84658]

The Association of British Insurers' statistics on UK Private Medical Insurance indicate that the average price of an annual insurance premium, for each of the last five years, has been as follows:

Year	£
1993	257
1994	268
1995	267
1996	287
1997	307

Statistics for 1998 have not yet been published.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the agenda of the ECOFIN Council of 25 May. [84684]

The current draft agenda for the 25 May ECOFIN Council is as follows:

1. Approval of the provisional agenda;

2. Approval of the list of "A" items;

3. Preparation of Cologne European Council

(a) Broad Economic Policy Guidelines

(b) European Employment Pact

(c) Report on the Single Market for Financial Services

(d) Progress Report on Reinforced Tax Policy Co-operation

(e) Report on the improvements in the functioning of the international financial system

(f) Report on the promotion of investment on European infrastructure and in human capital

4. Taxation(a) Code of Conduct (Business Taxation)2 interim report from the Code of Conduct GroupCouncil Conclusions(b) Taxation of SavingsCouncil Conclusions(c) Taxation of interest and royalty payments(d) Energy TaxationPresidency Compromise(e) Excise Duties on Tobacco (Possible A Point)(f) VATTelecom Services (Possible A Point)(g) VATReduced rate on labour intensive services

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure on gas and electricity by the public sector for each of the last three years for which figures are available. [84309]

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 if he plans any changes to the remit for the Monetary Policy Committee. [85208]

I have written to the Governor of the Bank of England confirming that the remit for the Monetary Policy Committee will remain unchanged. A copy of my letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Attorney-General how many cases the Serious Fraud Office has prosecuted in the current year to date. [83881]

In the 12 months up to 7 May 1999, the Serious Fraud Office prosecuted 17 cases involving 35 defendants. Of the 35 defendants, 28 were convicted or pleaded guilty.

To ask the Attorney-General what steps the Treasury Solicitor has taken to ensure that his Department takes full advantage of the new civil procedures. [83882]

The Treasury Solicitor has ensured the availability of extensive training in the Civil Procedure Reforms, both to case officers involved in litigation and to those in his client departments responsible for pre-litigation conduct and for provision of instructions. The culture introduced by the reforms is wholly consistent with the aims of the Government Legal Service for litigation to be resolved speedily wherever possible and for Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques to be used in appropriate cases. The Treasury Solicitor and his staff welcome the opportunity provided by the new Rules to devote to litigation resources proportionate to the importance of the issues raised.

To ask the Attorney-General what is the current case load of (a) the Serious Fraud Office and (b) the equivalent sections of the Crown Prosecution Service. [83884]

The Serious Fraud Office currently has a caseload of 66 serious or complex fraud cases. In the year 1998–99, of 38 defendants whose cases were brought to trial, 31 were convicted and seven acquitted. The Crown Prosecution Service does not have a directly equivalent section. The majority of the more serious fraud cases handled by the CPS are handled by the Casework Directorate at CPS headquarters. The Casework Directorate currently has a caseload of 212 such cases.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the number of prosecutions there have been for incitement to racial hatred in each year since 1995. [83885]

Since 1995, 30 consents have been granted for prosecutions of incitement to racial hatred under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986. I am arranging for a breakdown to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Attorney-General what is the target set by the Crown Prosecution Service for the length of time to consider a report laid before it by the Police Complaints Authority and to make a decision on whether to bring criminal charges; how many reports of the PCA the Crown Prosecution Service has considered in each of the past five years; what was the average length of time taken to consider a PCA report in each year; on how many occasions consideration of a PCA report has taken more than five months in each of the past five years; for what percentage of PCA reports considered by the CPS a decision was taken to bring criminal charges; and what was the average length of time taken to consider a report that (i) resulted in the placing of criminal charges and (ii) did not lead to criminal charges. [84874]