To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what development funding the Government have provided to (a) Bulgaria, (b) the Czech Republic, (c) Hungary, (d) Poland, (e) Romania and (f) the Slovak Republic, either directly or through the EU, in the areas of (i) the arts, (ii) the environment, (iii) economic development, (iv) education and training and (v) health, since May 1997. [84682]

The details of bilateral expenditure in these sectors in 1997–98 and 1998–99 is available only for projects with a commitment of over £100,000. (1998–99 figures are provisional.) Expenditure on such projects in areas (ii) (iii) and (iv) was as follows:

£000
Country	Economic	Development	Education and Environment training	Totals
Bulgaria	0	0	166
Hungary	883	0	0
Poland	483	131	0
Romania	413	0	76

There were no projects with a commitment of over £100,000 in the health sector and no expenditure at all on the arts.We do not have a breakdown of EC expenditure by sector. In 1997, the latest year for which we have figures, the estimated UK share of EC net official assistance was as follows:

1997 Imputed UK share of EC net official aid1
	£million
Bulgaria	1.38
Czech Republic	5.6
Hungary	7.4
Poland	23.0
Romania	12.3
Slovak Republic	3.6
1Official aid is an internationally recognised statistic

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's spending priorities for the remainder of the Comprehensive Spending Review period. [85432]

In my written statement to the House on 27 October 1998, Official Report, columns 156–58, I set out the key financial implications of the CSR for MAFF. Since then there have been developments which have necessitated a reassessment of spending priorities in order to accommodate:

(i) additional demands on the Department's budget which were not provided for in the CSR. These include the costs of the BSE inquiry and new policy initiatives like the proposed pet movement scheme; and

(ii) the budgetary consequences of not being able to proceed with the sale of the new Convent Garden Market site. The CSR settlement assumed that we would sell this asset in 2000/01 and our capital allocation was adjusted accordingly. We will not be able to meet that timetable.

For the most part we have been able to accommodate the budgetary impact of these developments by making adjustments to the Department's own internal spending programmes. For example, we have been able to reprofile the expenditure on the new marine research vessel by delaying its construction by a few months. We have also found savings in the Department's capital building programme. And we are accelerating the disposal of unwanted assets in order to maximise receipts during the CSR period.However, these measures alone are not sufficient to contain the pressures on the Department's budget. In order to keep spending within the limits set by the CSR, I regret that I am having to make the following economies in addition to those set out in my statement of 27 October:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce a compensation scheme for those British firms which have been affected by the United States trade sanctions authorised by the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement. [83315]

[holding answer 5 May 1999]: There are no plans for specific measures to support industries that remain on the US Administrations revised retaliation list over the banana dispute. The Government want an early resolution to the dispute and are encouraging the European Commission to come forward quickly with its analysis of options for revising the EU's banana regime. As well as a final settlement, we would also like an interim solution whereby the US retaliation was displaced by a form of compensation as preferred under the rules of the World Trade Organisation.This would lift the burden from those companies that are being hurt by a dispute that has nothing to do with them. It is also important to stress that there was never any intention of extending the cashmere scheme beyond the date on which the WTO authorised US retaliatory action. There would, therefore, have been no guarantee even for cashmere in respect of orders placed after 12 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support he plans to provide to firms in respect of tariffs consequent upon the EU dispute with the USA over bananas. [83128]

There are no plans for specific measures to support industries that remain on the US Administration's revised retaliation list over the banana dispute. The Government want an early resolution to the dispute and is encouraging the European Commission to come forward quickly with its analysis of options for revising the EU's banana regime. As well as a final settlement, we would also like an interim solution whereby the US retaliation was displaced by a form of compensation as preferred under the rules of the World Trade Organisation. This would lift the burden from those companies that are being hurt by a dispute that has nothing to do with them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of manufacturing jobs lost in the UK in the last year. [84372]

I refer the right hon. Member to the figures published by the Office for National Statistics in its "First Release of Labour Market Statistics", which was issued by the ONS on 19 May 1999, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications for additional gas-fired power station capacity he expects to determine over the next six months. [84340]

All applications will need to go through full consideration. It is not possible to put a time limit on such matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent ECGD support for the Ilisu Dam will be conditional on compliance with ILO standards and conventions. [84885]

We are considering the conditions on which ECGD support might be made available for this project. No decisions have yet been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has to carry out a consultation process on the effectiveness of the current powers of the Hearing Aid Council. [84773]

We have no such plans. My Department has regular contact with the Hearing Aid Council to discuss issues of concern and I visited the Council last November.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department on what authority and on what grounds the Central Probate Registry in High Holborn has increased its fees for the examination of wills from 1858. [84724]

The increase in fees is governed by the Non-Contentious Probate fees order (Statutory Instrument 1999/688(L)). The recent increases were introduced in order to ensure that the fee charged accurately reflects the cost of the service provided.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the Banking Act 1987 (Exempt Transactions) Regulations 1997 and their effect on retail co-operative societies and other industrial and provident societies. [85313]

As part of the general review of exemptions from financial services legislation, the Treasury has been looking at the exemptions from the Banking Act which:

(i) allow industrial and provident societies (I&Ps) to take deposits from their members in the form of withdrawable share capital (WSC), in circumstances which would otherwise require authorisation by the Financial Services Authority; and

(ii) allow retail co-operatives which are members of the Co-operative Deposit Protection Scheme (CDPS) to take deposits in the form of loans from the public.

The Treasury has decided to continue the exemption for WSC, subject to compliance with a code of practice which will require societies to make it clear to those subscribing for WSC that this is risk capital, where such issues rely on the exemption. The Treasury has today issued a consultation document on the proposal, and will make a further announcement after considering the responses.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has agreed the business plan for the Office for National Statistics for 1999 to 2002. [85314]

Copies of the plan, giving details of the performance targets I have set for 1999–2000, have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the reports commissioned by his Department since 1 May 1997 from (a) external bodies and (b) individuals on (i) primary care, (ii) acute hospital care, (iii) accident and emergency provision, (iv) nursing and (v) waiting lists, where applicable giving the date of publication. [79611]

Information about reports commissioned by the Department has been placed in the Library. Information about research funded by the Department or supported through the National Health Service research and development levy is in the National Research Register which is also available in the Library. More detailed information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to increase the availability of (a) osteopathy and (b) chiropractic treatment in the NHS. [84728]

The availability of osteopathy and chiropractic treatment within the National Health Service, as with any other form of treatment, reflects decisions taken by health authorities, trusts and primary care groups about the clinical and cost effectiveness of such services and the priority to be given to their provision in the light of local health needs. As primary care groups have only recently been established, we shall be studying the use that they make of all forms of complementary medicine.

To ask the Prime Minister what period of time is recommended in Government guidelines for public consultations. [84900]

The Cabinet Office guidelines state that eight weeks should generally be the minimum response time for all consultation exercises, but whenever possible more should be allowed. Where less than eight weeks is allowed, the consultation document should specify why a longer response time could not have been given (for example, pre-determined statutory periods for consultation, threats to health, the pace of EU negotiations or long-standing existing arrangements). For consultations with clearly defined or specialist groups, shorter consultation periods may suffice, depending on the nature of the subject and the scale of the exercise: this is for departments, agencies and other bodies to judge according to the circumstances.

To ask the Prime Minister what estimate he has made of total staff costs for No. 10 Downing Street in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000, indicating separately the costs for (i) private secretaries, (ii) Policy Unit staff, (iii) Press Office staff, (iv) Strategic Communications Unit staff, (v) support staff and (vi) political office staff; and if he will make a statement. [80115]

[holding answer 15 April 1999]: The total staff costs for No. 10 Downing street were £3.4 million in 1996–97, £4.1 million in 1997–98 and £4.9 million in 1998–99. Estimated costs for 1999–2000 are £5.3 million. Due to changes in the accounting systems it is not possible to give a breakdown of the 1996–97 figures as requested which means that a meaningful comparison with subsequent years cannot be drawn. The cost of the Political Office does not fall to the Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding the right of a sovereign country to deport its own citizens from the land of their birth and nationality; and if he will make a statement. [80801]

[holding answer 16 April 1999]: Representations of this nature have been made to the Secretary of State by and on behalf of the Ibis community. This is related to issues arising in the judicial proceedings being brought by the Ibis which will in due course come before the Divisional Court. It is therefore inappropriate for the Government to comment further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how frequently his Department is updating information on travel advice to individual countries on his Department' s website; and if more regular updates are planned for countries with (a) a political involvement in and (b) close proximity to the current NATO bombing campaign in the Balkans. [81214]

All travel advice is reviewed routinely on a monthly basis. It is updated more frequently when there is reason to do so. The situation in countries in the general neighbourhood of the current NATO air campaign is being closely monitored, and new travel advice would be issued immediately should it be judged appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department is giving to tourists planning to visit areas in close proximity to the NATO military actions in the Balkans. [81215]

In view of the current hostilities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) (FRY) we are currently advising against all travel to the FRY, Republika Srpska (RS), Albania and all but essential travel to Macedonia. We also advise additional caution with regard to travel in areas bordering FRY.We are monitoring the situation closely, and updated travel advice will be issued as soon as there is any change in the risks to British nationals in the region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received concerning the efforts of the state Government of Rio Grande do Sul to guarantee non-genetically modified soya-bean production throughout their state; and what plans his Department has to give assistance. [84501]

We have not received any such reports.I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Rooker) gave on 19 May 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the new British Ambassador to Iran to be appointed; and if he will name him. [84741]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 18 May that Britain and Iran have agreed to upgrade relations by appointing Ambassadors in Tehran and London. Mr. Nick Browne will be British Ambassador in Tehran.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what loans have been made by the British Government to Iran in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [84755]

The British Government made no loans to Iran in the period specified. Short-term ECGD cover has been available since July 1998, but so far this facility has not been used.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers have visited Iran in each of the last three years. [84754]

There have been no ministerial visits to Iran in the last three years. The last UK Minister to travel to Iran was Baroness Chalker, who visited Iraqi Kurdish refugees in north-west Iran in 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many students currently studying in the UK from Commonwealth countries have received financial assistance from his Department towards the cost of their education studies in the UK in each of the last three years. [84743]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides financial assistance to students from the Commonwealth studying in the UK under two programmes; the Chevening Scholarship Scheme and the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan (CSFP).In 1996–97, 452 students from the Commonwealth received Chevening awards while 237 received new CSFP awards. In 1997–98 the figures were 214 and 79 respectively and in 1998–99 141 and 72.The figures for 1996–97 include awards funded by both the FCO and the Overseas Development Administration (ODA). The figures for 1997–98 and 1998–99 are for FCO funded awards only as in 1997 the ODA became a separate Government Department (the Department for International Development (DfID)). DflD continued to provide funding to both schemes for Commonwealth students in 1997–98 (240 Chevening and 239 CSFP awards) and 1998–99 (253 Chevening and 210 CSFP awards). Most Chevening awards are for one year only while many CSFP scholars are on PhD programmes, and study in the UK for up to three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has held with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus in connection with its application for membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [84940]

I visited Cyprus last month to discuss with the Government of Cyprus, and with leaders of the Turkish Cypriot community, the prospects for a settlement and progress with Cyprus' application to join the EU. There is also close and regular contact at official level. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have regular discussions with colleagues from other EU member states on all aspects of the accession process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the agenda for the EU General Affairs Council of 31 May. [85220]

The provisional agenda for the General Affairs Council on 31 May is:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many indemnity undertakings were given by departments under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980 for the six-month period ended 31 March; and what was the value of (a) any contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time under that section which remain outstanding as at 31 March, (b) non-statutory Government indemnities in respect of loans handled by the Government Art Collection which remain outstanding as at 31 March and (c) non-statutory undertakings to Her Majesty in respect of loans from the Royal Collection which remain outstanding at 31 March. [85354]

The provision for the Government Indemnity Scheme is made by the National Heritage Act 1980. The scheme facilitates public access to loans of works of art and other objects for public display made to museums, galleries and other such institutions by private owners and non-national institutions. It does this by indemnifying lenders against loss or damage to their loan. Loans covered by the scheme must be for public benefit. The scheme also covers loans of such objects for study purposes within borrowing institutions where this would contribute materially to the public's understanding or appreciation of the loan. Examples of this are enhancing interpretation or explanation to the public of objects or bringing into the public domain, the conclusions of any study.In the six month period ended 31 March 1999, the following undertakings to indemnify were given under section 16 by the relevant Departments for objects on loan to national and non-national institutions:

	Number
Department for Culture, Media and Sport	520
Scottish Office Education and Industry Department	120
Welsh Office Education Department	56
Department of Education for Northern Ireland	16

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the introduction of a green transport plan for his Department. [82844]

[holding answer 11 May 1999]: Following last July's Integrated Transport White Paper, which set targets for the introduction of green transport plans for Government Departments, we are working to complete a plan covering all our buildings. That plan will be published shortly and it will be made available to the Environmental Audit Committee and to hon. Members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers involved in media relations were employed within his Department at 1 May (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [84194]

[holding answer 18 May 1999]: Detailed information on the numbers of permanent civil servants employed in Departmental Press Offices during the financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99 was provided in a memorandum dated 16 June 1998 to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report, "The Government Information and Communication Service (HC 770), in July 1998. A copy is in the Library of the House. The number in post at 1 May 1999 is 13.Special Advisers in this Department have ad hoc contact with the media but none are specifically employed in media relations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Manning Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [85301]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Naval Manning Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. The targets build upon progress made by the Agency since it formed on 1 July 1996 and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [85310]

The Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency has been set the following Key Targets for 1999–2000:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency for financial year 1999–2000. [85312]

The Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency has been set the following Key Targets for 1999–2000:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Medical Supplies Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [85353]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the MSA for financial year 1999–2000. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have left each of the services, quarterly, in each of the last five years. [78779]

The numbers of personnel who have left UK Regular armed forces during the last five years is as follows:

Naval Service	Army	Royal Air Force	Total
1 January-31 March 1994	947	4,051	1,609	6,607
1 April-30 June 1994	1,385	3,782	2,407	7,574
1 July-30 September 1994	1,423	4,637	1,224	7,284
1 October-31 December 1994	2,416	8,480	1,152	12,048
1 January-31 March 1995	961	4,986	1,187	7,134
1 April-30 June 1995	992	3,803	1,273	6,068
1 July-30 September 1995	1,128	3,970	1,511	6,609
1 October-31 December 1995	1,387	3,622	1,634	6,643
1 January-31 March 1996	1,438	4,048	4,058	9,544
1 April-30 June 1996	1,712	3,887	1,540	7,139
1 July-30 September 1996	2,588	3,875	3,131	9,594
1 October-31 December 1996	1,385	3,558	1,813	6,756
1 January-31 March 1997	1,446	4,034	4,031	9,511
1 April-30 June 1997	1,268	3,446	1,198	5,912
1 July-30 September 1997	1,331	4,049	1,217	6,597
1 October-31 December 1997	1,216	2,457	1,066	4,739
I January-31 March 1998	1,456	4,426	1,128	7,010
1 April-30 June 1998	1,398	4,018	1,316	6,732
1 July-30 September 1998	1,287	4,532	1,224	7,043
1 October-31 December 1998	1,367	4,157	1,179	6,703

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent of 22 February, on the El Shifa pharmaceuticals factory in Khartoum, if he will review his decision not to release information made available to Her Majesty's Government by the United States Administration on the matter. [84763]

	11994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
Number of complaint cases	79	62	42	88	59
Number of complaints	180	106	96	212	108
Informally resolved	31	14	14	24	24
Substantiated	10	6	4	4	0
Unsubstantiated	89	51	51	34	9
Dispensation from investigation	31	4	0	7	12
Withdrawn	19	31	16	19	16
Open	0	0	11	124	47
11994–95 figures are for a 15 month period 1 January 1994 to 31 March 1995

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what measures he plans to take against the possession of illegally held firearms; and if he will make a statement; [84733](2) what estimate he has made of the number of illegally held firearms in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [84735]

There is no reliable estimate of the number of illegal firearms in circulation in this country.Government Departments work closely with the police service and Her Majesty's Customs to prevent and detect the illegal use of firearms.

I am afraid that I cannot discuss intelligence received in confidence from another Government, as is recognised by exemption 1 of the Code of Practice for Access to Government Information. However, as we stressed at the time, we had the assurance of the United States Government that their decision to resort to military action was based on compelling evidence that the El Shifa factory was connected with chemical weapons development or manufacture.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what powers are available to Ministry of Defence police (a) to search civilian property, (b) to interrogate civilians and (c) to lay charges against individuals; from what legal authority officers of the MoD police derive their powers; what remedy is open to civilians who believe they have been subject to ill-treatment or abuse by MoD police officers; how many complaints have been made against MoD police in each of the past five years; and what were the results of such complaints. [84783]

[holding answer 20 May 1999]: Ministry of Defence Police officers derive their constabulary powers from the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987. MOD Police officers have the same powers as their Home Department Police colleagues to search civilian property, interview civilians and lay charges against individuals, in respect of matters that come within their jurisdiction as defined in the 1987 Act. The MOD Police are subject to comprehensive disciplinary procedures, overseen by the Police Complaints Authority in the case of complaints made by members of the public.Details of complaints made against MOD Police are shown in the table:A sub-committee has been set up by the Association of Chief Police Officers to consider the police response to the criminal use of firearms. The National Intelligence Service is compiling a strategic threat assessment of the firearms situation in England and Wales. An Interdepartmental Committee on Small Arms Policy has been created to ensure the structured co-ordination of all Government Departments concerned with the legal and illegal movement of firearms.The Firearms Consultative Committee has been asked to consider as part of its current work programme what measures can be taken to reduce the illegal possession and use of firearms. Work is also continuing at international level to address the problems of the illicit manufacture and trafficking of firearms, notably through a Protocol to the proposed United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions on which he or representatives from his Department have met representatives from (i) the Countryside Alliance, (ii) the Master of Foxhounds Association and (iii) the British Field Sports Society since May 1997 indicating in each case (a) the reason for the meeting, (b) where and when it took place and (c) its duration. [84717]

I met the Master of the Foxhounds Association on 9 June 1998 in a meeting with him and others to discuss the policing of hunts. The meeting was held in the House of Commons and lasted approximately 30 minutes.No meetings have taken place between officials from this Department and the Countryside Alliance, Master of Foxhounds Association and The British Field Sports Society.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place under each section of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997; how many and what percentage of prosecutions have resulted in a conviction; how many cautions have been issued in relation to each section of the Act; and if he will make a statement. [84734]

The available data from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, for 1997 and provisionally for the period January to September 1998, are given in the table.

Persons aged under 21 sentenced to immediate custody1 by sex, atype of offence and type of court England and Wales
Number of persons (Thousand) and percentage
			Number of persons sentenced to immediate custody					Persons sentenced to immediate custody as a percentage of all persons of relevant age group sentenced for indictable offences
			Indictable offences		Summary offences			Indictable offences
Age, sex and year	Total number sentenced to immediate custody	All courts	Magistrates' courts	The Crown court	Total non motoring	Total motoring	All courts	Magistrates' courts	Crown court
Aged 15-17
Males
1993	3.8	3.3	2.5	0.7	0.4	0.2	11.1	9.3	35.8
1994	4.2	3.6	2.8	0.8	0.4	0.2	11.1	9.3	38.3
1995	4.9	4.2	3.0	1.2	0.5	0.2	12.2	9.4	45.3
1996	5.7	4.8	3.1	1.7	0.6	0.3	13.2	9.5	48.0
1997	6.1	5.1	3.1	2.1	0.7	0.3	13.5	9.1	48.1
Females
1993	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.0	0.0	—	2.6	1.9	18.5
1994	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.8	2.1	21.9
1995	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	3.0	2.2	22.0
1996	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.0	0.0	3.4	2.2	26.0
1997	0.3	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.0	0.0	4.6	2.7	29.5

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young (a) men and (b) women up to the age of 21 years were sentenced to periods of imprisonment in England and Wales during each of the last five years. [84681]

Information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further analysis he intends to (a) make and (b) publish of the crime and disorder audits. [84771]

Over the next few months we will—in liaison with the Audit Commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary—be analysing the audits and strategies produced by local crime and disorder reduction partnerships. We will issue reports on key issues, for example, the consultation process and target setting. The main aim will be to provide the partnerships with advice on good practice so as to help them become more effective.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he intends to give to ensure that future crime and disorder audits contribute to the Government's road casualty reduction strategy. [84772]

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 does not specify what categories of crime and disorder must be included in the audit and strategy which local partnerships must produce. However, existing Home Office guidance to partnerships makes clear that strategic priorities must be based on the local audit findings and consultation with the community. Therefore, where this process has identified road safety as a priority, we would expect it to be addressed in the strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which issues were most often identified by local authorities and police forces in their crime and disorder audits. [84769]

We have not yet completed an analysis of the audits and strategies produced by the local crime and disorder reduction partnerships. A number of reports will be issued by the Home Office on various aspects of the partnerships' work over the next few months. Early indications are that burglary, car crime, drug and alcohol-related crime, and youth crime are among the issues most frequently mentioned in strategies as priorities to be tackled.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what percentage of crime and disorder audits enforcement of road traffic offences has been identified as a priority [84770]

We have not yet completed an analysis of the audits and strategies produced by the local crime and disorder reduction partnerships. Early indications are that a relatively small number of partnerships have made road safety a priority issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 April 1999, Official Report, column 77, on the Cleveland police, when he expects to be able to publish the legal costs of Cleveland police in the libel case relating to sexual harassment against three Cleveland police officers; and if he will make a statement. [84881]

I am unable to give a timescale as to when the total legal costs of the action will be known since this is the subject of comprehensive negotiations being conducted by the Force insurers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received (a) in support of and (b) opposing the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Bill from (i) civil rights groups, (ii) refugee organisations and (iii) the churches, indicating the provisions of the Bill referred to in each case. [84530]

The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Special Standing Committee on the Bill received oral and written evidence from a wide range of civil rights groups, refugee organisations and church groups. This evidence has been printed in the Official Report, Special Standing Committee, Immigration and Asylum Bill (Other Memoranda and Letters submitted to the Committee). Ministers and officials in the Home Office have had correspondence from, and meetings with, a number of such organisations about provisions in the Bill.

My Working Party on Electoral Procedures will report in the late summer. My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary will decide what, if any, further consultation may be necessary once he has had the opportunity to examine its recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which of his responsibilities in respect of genetically modified organisms will be devolved to (a) the Scottish Parliament and (b) the National Assembly for Wales. [81461]

[holding answer 20 April 1999]: None. Prior to devolution responsibility for environmental aspects of genetically modified organisms under Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in Scotland rested with the Secretary of State for Scotland and in Wales the Secretary of State for Wales. These responsibilities will be devolved to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 April 1999, Official Report, columns 301–02, what are the (a) number and (b) percentage of existing field test sites for genetically modified crops which have been subject to (i) pre-planting environmental audit and (ii) sub-surface impact analysis. [81946]

All applications for consent to release a genetically modified plant must include a pre-planting environmental audit including details of the release site ecosystem including climate and fauna, details of any sexually compatible wild relatives or cultivated plant species present and the proximity of officially recognised biotopes or protected areas. All 373 existing field test sites for genetically modified crops have been subject to such an audit. There is no requirement for applicants to include a sub-surface impact analysis. The farm-scale evaluations will however include a sub-surface impact analysis as detailed in my earlier answer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to regulate the wholesale newspaper delivery contracting industry. [82195]

We have no plans to regulate the wholesale newspaper delivery industry, but all users of commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are required to have an operator's licence. This ensures the safe and proper use of goods vehicles and the protection of the environment around operating centres.The Government are keen that local authorities should approach their planning and transportation responsibilities in a well-informed and balanced manner, protecting the interests of local residents while promoting efficient freight distribution in order to support the vitality of the local economy.Our strategy for Sustainable Distribution, published on 2 March, proposes to develop the concept of "freight quality partnerships", particularly for urban areas. This will involve local authorities, the distribution industry and the local community working together in the development of a partnership agreement. The partnerships will provide a mechanism through which can be developed an understanding of local distribution issues and the associated concerns. Through the agreement, practical, constructive best practice solutions can be introduced which reconcile the need for the efficient and timely delivery and loading of goods and services with local environmental and social concerns regarding noise, disturbance, vehicle routing and pollution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what methodology is used to evaluate the effect on the environment of the fuel tax escalator. [83257]

We draw on a variety of methods to assess the impact on emissions of carbon dioxide and regulated emissions, as well as congestion. Most of these methods rely on models which forecast the behavioural impacts of the fuel duty escalator, and use these to estimate the effect on emissions. The models used include the National Road Traffic Forecasts model, in conjunction with the Vehicle Market Model employed by the Department to assess the impact of different policy instruments on vehicle fuel consumption and emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the reduction in the number of accidents which would result from providing lighting on the whole of the motorway system. [84539]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 7 May 1999, Official Report, columns 483–84.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people in his Department are directly employed promoting cycling policies; and how many were so employed in May 1997. [84721]

Work in support of cycling policies, including research, accounts for the whole of three posts and a substantial part of six others. The equivalent figures for May 1997 were four and six. One research post has been transferred to work on walking and Home Zones.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent the costs assumed for the area cost adjustment in school budgets differed from actual costs in the last year for which figures are available. [84765]

It is not possible to make the comparison requested. It is the difficulty of determining the actual cost which would be relevant to the area cost adjustment that gives rise to much of the disagreement about that adjustment.>

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will publish a list of English local authorities broken down by classification and ranked by (a) outstanding debt and (b) outstanding debt per head of population; [84863](2) if he will publish a list of English local authorities ranked

The latest information on levels of debt outstanding for each local authority in England relates to 31 March 1997. I have today placed the information requested in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the report, "High-Level Waste and Spent Fuel Disposal Research Strategy", DETR/RAS/98.006, dated May 1998. [84761]

Copies have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for the Code of Local Government Conduct of the decision of the Court of Appeal relating to Dame Shirley Porter and Mr. John Magill. [84915]

We have made no such assessments. In March 1999 we published detailed proposals (Cm 4298), including a draft Bill, for Councils to adopt new constitutions and for a new ethical framework for local government. The proposals for the new ethical framework include introducing new statutory codes of conduct together with an enforcement regime involving independent investigation of alleged unethical conduct.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance on the circumstances in which a councillor, applying for a discretionary grant from his or her council, may lobby other councillors to vote in favour of that grant. [84920]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance on the circumstances in which a councillor applying for a discretionary grant to his or her council may put that matter before a meeting of the council for decision. [84922]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance on the circumstances in which a councillor who has a personal (a) pecuniary and (b) non-pecuniary interest in a matter before his or her council may put a proposal to the council relating to that matter. [84919]

The National Code of Local Government Conduct, published in April 1990, provides guidance to members of local authorities on their conduct, including on the disclosure of pecuniary and other interests, and on dealings with the council. It makes clear that the statutory requirements on disclosure of interests must be scrupulously observed at all times, and that councillors should never seek or accept preferential treatment in their dealings with the council because of their position as a councillor.In March 1999 we published detailed proposals (Cm4298), including a draft Bill, for a new ethical framework for local government including introducing new statutory codes of conduct which will be rigorously applied through an enforcement regime involving independent investigation of alleged unethical conduct.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance on the circumstances in which the leader of a council can be regarded as acting on behalf of that council. [84923]

There are currently no legal powers for a single councillor to act on behalf of their council.In March 1999 we published detailed proposals (Cm 4298), including a draft Bill, for councils to adopt new constitutions, including decision making structures where an executive mayor or other councillors could act on behalf of the council. In parallel with the new constitutions we are proposing a new ethical framework for local government, which includes each council adopting a statutory code of conduct for councillors reflecting the particular decision making structure of its new constitution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance on the circumstances in which political considerations can be the prime motivating factor for a decision taken by members of a local authority. [84921]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance on the circumstances in which it would be permitted for electoral advantage to be the motivation behind a local authority decision. [84917]

It is the responsibility of each local authority to satisfy itself as to the legality of its actions. Local authorities, like other public bodies, are subject to the requirements of administrative law. They may not act illegally, irrationally or with procedural impropriety, and hence their decisions must be made taking account of only considerations which a Court would judge relevant.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance on the circumstances in which legal advice can act as authority for a course of conduct by a local authority. [84916]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance on the circumstances, when legal advice has been taken based on incomplete instructions, in which a local authority may act on the basis of that advice. [84918]

It is the responsibility of each council to satisfy itself as to the legality of its actions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many appeals against refusal by local councils of consent to fell trees under the protection of tree preservation orders have been made since May 1997. [84911]

My Department has received 1,174 appeals between 1 May 1997 and 31 March 1999 against local councils' refusals of consent to carry out felling or other works on trees under the protection of tree preservation orders or against their failure to determine such applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many decisions by inspectors to allow consent to fell trees under tree preservation orders he has overturned since May 1997. [84912]

None. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions decides himself appeals against local councils' refusal of consent to fell protected trees. Inspectors are involved (a) when the appellant requests a Hearing or Public Inquiry or (b) when the appeal raises technical or arboricultural issues. However, in all cases, the Secretary of State makes the final decision, having regard to the Inspector's advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to South Lakeland District Council under the Bellwin scheme for costs incurred following the severe flooding over 5 and 6 January. [85311]

I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in the case of South Lakeland District Council given the exceptional nature of the floods and the damage caused. A scheme will, therefore, be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to the authority to cover 85 per cent. of the eligible costs above a threshold which have been incurred by the authority in dealing with the flooding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many firms with fewer than (a) 250, (b) 100, (c) 50 and (d) 10 employees have received a subsidy for taking on a trainee under the New Deal for Young People; [84928](2) how many firms in the engineering sector have

The existing Employment Service systems unfortunately do not allow us to monitor the number of starts on the Employment Option by employer. The Employment Service has commissioned its IT supplier to develop an employer database to provide this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 4 May 1999, Official Report, column 369, if he will be using (a) off-flows and (b) an absolute fall in the unemployment count in the target category to measure the Government's progress against the New Deal pledge target of moving 250,000 people from welfare to work. [84566]

Neither on its own is sufficient as a measure of the Government's success in meeting its New Deal target, since that target relates specifically to helping young people into work as well as off welfare. Details of the number of 18 to 24-year-olds taking up jobs from the New Deal are published each month in the "New Deal for Young People and Long-Term Unemployed People Aged 25+ Statistical First Release", prepared by the Government Statistical Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many advisers who are employed on the New Deal Gateway scheme possess (a) a certificate as a qualified social worker and (b) an equivalent credential; and if he will make a statement. [84967]

The Employment Service does not collect information of this nature about its staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 19 April 1999, Official Report, column 444, when he expects to reach a decision on the appeal made by Rainsford School, Chelmsford, against the direction by Essex County Council to admit a pupil, whose name has been supplied to his Department. [84787]

We asked Essex Local Education Authority to provide further details on this pupil and their handling of the direction process, along with full information about alternative local schools, by Monday 15 March. Unfortunately, not all the information was received by this deadline. The LEA has provided the Department with some additional material, but the LEA has been contacted by my officials to obtain the remaining essential facts about the case, before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State can make a decision. This he hopes to do very soon after this remaining information is received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment from what date community schools will be entitled to choose to move to foundation status. [85036]

Regulations will enable community schools to publish statutory proposals to move to the foundation category from 1 September 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many NVQ Level 3s have been accredited since 1 September 1998; what is his estimate of the number of small and medium businesses which no longer have their preferred NVQ available to them for modern apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement. [84564]

The total number of Level 3 NVQs accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority during the period 1 September 1998 to 10 May 1999 is 101.The information on small and medium firms is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what response he plans to make to the conclusion of the FEFC Inspection report of Wirral Metropolitan College that the Remuneration Committee had not complied with its terms of reference when it recommended the early retirement package for the outgoing Principal. [84540]

The terms of reference of the remuneration committee of Wirral Metropolitan College seek to ensure that rewards are commensurate with performance. The package for the Principal was agreed in January 1999. In March 1999 the Governors were informed that the FEFC inspection of the college had concluded that there were significant weaknesses in the management of the college. The inspectors considered that the Governors should have been aware of those weaknesses at the time of considering the early retirement of the Principal. The FEFC has been asked by the Department to remind all colleges that, in considering any compensation for early retirement of senior staff, Governors should take into account the performance of the individual concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he has put in place to develop the involvement of young people in the working of parliamentary democracy. [84740]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment published proposals on 13 May for consultation as part of the review of the National Curriculum on a framework for citizenship education in schools. This includes knowledge about the working of parliamentary democracy.We have this year, in conjunction with the DETR, run the Children's Parliament on the Environment involving 10 and 11-year-old pupils from schools across the country. This has provided all pupils involved with an opportunity to develop an understanding of, and take an active role in, the democratic process.The Department gives grant to the British Youth Council, a national voluntary youth organisation, for work to promote the informal personal and social education of young people. The British Youth Council holds regular Youth and Parliament days to raise young peoples' awareness of parliamentary and democratic procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has taken to assist the economies of the upland communities; and if he will make a statement. [84297]

Upland communities have distinct needs and face particular challenges. The rural dimension is an important consideration of all polices and programmes affecting these areas.Specific measures to assist upland communities include the major financial aid package announced by the Government last November which was worth more than £21 million to farmers in Wales. It included approximately £15 million for the 1999 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances (HLCA) Scheme. This meant an increase of about 55 per cent. across all the HLCA rates. Over 90 per cent. of 1999 claims were paid by the end of April.On 6 April, the Secretary of State for Wales launched a consultation paper on how HLCAs should be reformed in the wake of the agreement on Common Agriculture Policy reform. The results of that consultation will inform the National Assembly for Wales' consideration of how best to meet the needs of farming communities in the hills and uplands of Wales when responsibility for agriculture and rural affairs is transferred to it on 1 July 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his measures to tackle heroin addiction. [84298]

The Welsh Drug and Alcohol Strategy, 'Forward Together' aims to prevent the misuse of drugs and alcohol, particularly among younger people; and provide treatment, support and rehabilitation for those misusing drugs and alcohol.The Department has established the Welsh Drug and Alcohol Unit to provide advice and support to professionals working in the field of drug and alcohol misuse, including those working with heroin users. It has funded the provision and distribution of free, bilingual, prevention resources for every age group in Wales, covering alcohol and a range of drugs, including heroin. In response to the concern over the increasing use of heroin the Department funded the production of a specific heroin prevention resource, 'Brown'.Through the 'Delivering Care, Meeting Need' initiative the Department is supporting two projects involving supervised self administration of methadone in community pharmacies in Dyfed Powys Health Authority and North Wales Health Authority. These projects should provide support to drug misusers while reducing the leakage of prescribed methadone.The Department supports residential services to provide treatment and rehabilitation for drug and alcohol misusers. In 1999–2000 £1.5 million is being made available through a new scheme to improve access to treatment in areas of greatest need.The UK Anti-Drugs Strategy recognises that all drugs are harmful and enforcement against illegal substances will continue. It will focus on those that cause the greatest damage, including heroin and cocaine. This will be reflected in the Welsh Strategy which is being refocused to reflect many of the key elements in the UK Anti-Drugs Strategy.Following the transfer of functions, this will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he has taken to improve planning appeal procedures; and if he will make a statement. [84294]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Stewart) by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning on 31 March 1999, Official Report, column 762.Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.