Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday 25 May 1999

Wales

Ministerial Meetings (Us)

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times ministers in his Department held meetings with members and officials in the US Administration between 1 May 1997 and 1 June 1998,

Newly diagnosed HIV positive cases by probable means of transmission¹
Year	Sex between men	Sex between men and Women	Injecting drug use	Injecting drug use and sex between men	Blood factor	Blood/tissue transfer	Mother to infant	Not known	Total
1981	1	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	2
1982	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1983	—	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	1
1984	3	—	—	—	30	30	—	—	33
1985	8	—	—	1	19	19	—	—	28
1986	21	3	1	1	2	2	—	—	28
1987	21	6	1	—	—	—	1	—	29
1988	20	10	1	1	—	—	—	2	34
1989	18	9	2	1	—	—`	—	2	32
1990	17	10	1	—	—	—	—	4	32
1991	17	11	4	1	—	—	—	—	34
1992	35	12	1	—	—	—	—	—	49
1993	19	11	2	1	—	—	1	—	35
1994	23	14	4	—	—	—	—	1	42
1995	29	9	3	1	—	—	2	—	44
1996	20	9	1	—	—	—	—	4	35
1997	20	14	—	—	—	—	3	37
1998	14	12	3	—	—	—	—	—	29
1999²	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	3
¹Cases reported by region/Heath Authority of reporting officer. Therefore data do not necessarily equate to area of residence and may exclude Welsh residents diagnosed outside Wales but resident in Wales.
²To 31 March.

Source:

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

Newly diagnosed HIV positive cases by Health Authority of diagnosis ¹
Year	North Wales	Dyfed Powys	Morgannwg	Bro Taf	Gwent	Total
1981	—	—	—	2	—	2
1982	—	—	—	—	—	—
1983	—	—	—	1	—	1
1984	—	—	2	31	—	33
1985	6	—	5	17	—	28
1986	3	1	2	18	4	28
1987	4	2	6	15	2	29
1988	5	1	5	17	6	34
1989	10	3	4	15	—	32
1990	3	5	6	17	1	32
1991	4	—	2	27	1	34
1992	9	4	10	21	5	49
1993	10	2	10	11	2	35
1994	9	3	1	23	6	42
1995	10	4	14	12	4	44

dicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the ministers involved and the name of the US departments involved in each meeting. [84316]

The previous Secretary of State received a courtesy call from the American Ambassador on 8 October 1997 in Cathays Park, Cardiff.

Hiv/Aids

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were newly diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales for each year from 1981 to 1998 and for 1999 to date. [84808]

Information provided by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre is given in the following table.

Newly diagnosed HIV positive cases by Health Authority of diagnosis¹
Year	North Wales	Dyfed Powys	Margannwg	Bro Taf	Gwent	Total
1996	5	1	6	21	2	35
1997	7	1	5	21	3	37
1998	5	3	4	17	—	29
1999²	2	—	1	—	—	3
¹ Cases reported by region/Health Authority of reporting officer. Therefore data does not necessarily equate to area of residence and may exclude Welsh residents diagnosed outside Wales but resident in Wales.
²To 31 March.

source

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre.

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the cumulative numbers of people with AIDS who died in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales in each year from 1981 to 1998 and in 1999 to date. [84806]

Information provided by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre is given in the following table.

Cumulative numbers of people with AIDS known to have died
Year	North Wales¹	Dyfed Powys¹	Morgannwg	Bro	Taf	Gwent	Total
1981	—	—	—	—	—	—
1982	—	—	—	—	—	—
1983	—	—	—	—	—	—
1984	—	—	—	2	ߞ	2
1985	—	—	—	3	—	3
1986	2	—	—	7	2	11
1987	3	—	1	8	3	15
1988	4	1	1	14	3	23
1989	6	2	3	22	4	37
1990	9	3	6	26	4	48
1991	14	4	10	32	6	66
1992	15	5	14	38	8	80
1993	20	7	18	51	10	106
1994	24	10	23	59	13	129
1995	29	10	31	67	15	152
1996	31	10	34	75	18	168
1997	32	10	35	79	19	175
1998	32	10	35	81	19	177
1999²	34	10	35	81	19	179
¹Total excludes 1 case where year of death is not known
²To 31 March

Source:

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people with AIDS died in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales in each year from 1981 to 1998 and in 1999 to date. [84805]

Information provided by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre is given in the following table.

People with AIDS known to have died
Year	North Wales¹	Dyfed Powys¹	Morgannwg	Bro Taf	Gwent	Total
1981	—	—	—	—	—	—
1982	—	—	—	—	—	—
1983	—	—	—	—	—	—
1984	—	—	—	2	—	2
1985	—	—	—	1	—	1
1986	2	—	—	4	2	8
1987	1	—	1	1	1	4
1988	1	1	—	6	—	8
1989	2	1	2	8	1	14
1990	3	1	3	4		11
1991	5	1	4	6	2	18
1992	1	1	4	6	2	14
1993	5	2	4	13	2	26
1994	4	3	5	8	3	23
1995	5	—	8	8	2	23
1996	2	—	3	8	3	16
1997	1	—	1	4	1	7
1998	—	—	—	2	—	2
1999²	2	—	—	—	—	2
¹Total excludes 1 case where year of death is not known
²To 31 March

Source:

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people diagnosed with AIDS and not known to have died there were in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales in each year from 1981 to 1998 and in 1999 to date. [84804]

Information provided by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre is given in the following table.

People diagnosed with AIDS not known to have died
Year	North Wales	Dyfed Powys	Morgannwg	Bro Taf	Gwent	Total
1981	—	—	—	—	—	—
1982	—	—	—	—	—	—
1983	—	—	—	—	—	—
1984	—	—	—	—	—	—
1985	—	—	—	—	—	—
1986	—	—	—	—	—	—
1987	—	—	—	—	—	—
1988	—	—	1	—	—	1
1989	—	—	—	—	—	—
1990	—	—	—	—	—	—
1991	1	—	—	—	—	1
1992	—	—	—	1	—	1
1993	—	—	2	1	—	3
1994	—	1	—	4	—	5
1995	3	—	7	1	—	11
1996	1	—	3	4	2	10
1997	1	—	6	3	—	10
1998	—	—	1	6	—	7
1999¹	—	—	—	—	—	—
¹To 31 March

Source:

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the cumulative number of people diagnosed with AIDS in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales in each year from 1981 to 1998 and in 1999 to date. [84807]

Information provided by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre is given in the following table.

Cumulative number of people diagnosed with AIDS by Health Authority of diagnosis¹
Year ending	North Wales	Dyfed Powys	Morgannwg	Bro Taf²	Gwent	Total
1981	—	—	—	—	—	—
1982	—	—	—	1	—	1
1983	—	—	—	2	—	2
1984	—	—	—	4	—	4
1985	—	—	—	7	—	7
1986	4	—	—	10	2	16
1987	5	1	1	12	3	22
1988	9	3	4	24	4	44
1989	11	6	7	32	5	61
1990	15	7	10	38	8	78
1991	16	7	15	45	11	94
1992	17	9	21	48	14	109
1993	26	10	26	59	14	135
1994	33	12	30	74	15	164
1995	37	12	44	82	17	192
1996	39	12	48	90	21	210

Cumulative number of people diagnosed with AIDS by Health Authority of diagnosis ¹
Year ending	North Wales	Dyfed Powys	Morgannwg	Bro Taf²	Gwent	Total
1997	40	12	54	94	21	221
1998	40	12	55	100	21	228
1999³	41	12	55	100	21	229
¹ Cases reported by region/Health Authority of reporting officer. Therefore data do not necessarily equate to area of residence and may exclude Welsh residents diagnosed outside Wales but resident in Wales. Data do not equate to prevalent cases due to the mobility/mortality of cases.
²Total excludes 1 case where year of diagnosis is not known.
³To 31 March

Source:

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

Cumulative numbers of newly diagnosed HIV positive cases, in people not known to have died, by probable means of transmission ¹
Year ending	Sex between men	Sex between men and Women	Injecting drug use and sex between men	Blood factor	Blood/tissue transfer	Mother to infant	Not Known	Total
1981	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
1982	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
1983	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	2
1984	—	—	—	—	15	—	—	—	15
1985	2	—	—	—	21	—	—	—	23
1986	14	2	—	—	22	—	—	—	38
1987	24	6	1	—	22	—	—	—	53
1988	37	13	1	—	22	—	—	1	74
1989	47	20	2	—	22	—	—	1	92
1990	57	27	3	—	22	—	—	4	113
1991	69	34	6	—	22	—	1	4	136
1992	90	43	7	—	22	—	1	4	167
1993	101	51	9	1	22	—	2	4	190
1994	114	62	13	1	22	—	2	4	218
1995	136	69	16	2	22	—	2	4	252
1996	155	77	16	2	22	1	3	7	283
1997	175	90	16	2	22	1	3	10	319
1998	189	101	19	2	22	1	3	10	347
1999²	190	101	19	2	22	1	3	12	350
¹Cases reported by region/Health Authority of reporting officer. Therefore data do not necessarily equate to area of residence and may exclude Welsh residents diagnosed outside Wales but resident in Wales. Data do not equate to prevalent cases in Wales due to the mobility of people
² To 31 March.

Source:

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

Cumulative numbers of newly diagnosed HIV positive cases, in people not know to have died, by Health Authority of diagnosed ¹
Year ending	North Wales	Dyfed Powys	Morgannwg	Bro Taf	² Gwent	Total	Year ending	North Wales	Dyfed Powys	Morgannwg	Bro Taf	Gwent	Total
1981	—	—	—	1	—	1
1982	—	—	—	1	—	1
1983	—	—	—	2	—	2
1984	—	—	1	14	—	15
1985	3	—	3	17	—	23
1986	5	1	3	27	2	38
1987	7	1	5	37	3	53
1988	8	2	9	49	6	74
1989	13	4	12	57	6	92
1990	14	9	16	68	6	113
1991	16	9	16	89	6	136
1992	22	11	20	105	9	167
1993	30	12	26	112	10	190
1994	35	14	27	129	13	218
1995	44	17	34	141	16	252
1996	48	18	39	160	18	283
1997	55	19	44	180	21	319

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive and not known to have died (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales for each year from 1981 to 1998 and for 1999 to date. [84810]

Information provided by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre is given in the following table.

Cumulative numbers of newly diagnosed HIV positive cases, in people not know to have died, by Health Authority of diagnosed¹
Year ending	North Wales	Dyfed Powys	Morgannwg	Bro Taf	Gwent	Total
1998	59	22	48	197	21	347
1999²	61	22	49	197	21	350
¹Cases reported by region/Health Authority of reporting officer. Therefore data do not necessarily equate to area of residence and may exclude Welsh residents diagnosed outside Wales but resident in Wales. Data do not equate to prevalent cases in Wales due to the mobility of people
² To 31 March.

Source:

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales for each year from 1981 to 1998 and for 1999 to date. [84809]

Information provided by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre is given in the following tables.

Cumulative numbers of newly diagnosed HIV positive cases by probable means of transmission¹
Year ending	Sex between men	Sex between men and women	Injecting drug use	Injecting drug use and sex between men
1981	1	—	—	—
1982	1	—	—	—
1983	1	—	—	—
1984	4	—	—	—
1985	12	—	—	1
1986	33	3	1	2
1987	54	9	2	2
1988	74	19	3	3
1989	92	28	5	4
1990	109	38	6	4
1991	126	49	10	5
1992	161	61	11	5
1993	180	72	13	6
1994	203	86	17	6
1995	232	95	20	7
1996	252	104	21	7
1997	272	118	21	7
1998	286	130	24	7
1999¹	287	130	24	7

Year ending	Blood factor	Blood/tissue transfer	Mother to infant	Not known	Total
1981	1	—	—	—	2
1982	1	—	—	—	2
1983	2	—	—	—	3
1984	32	—	—	—	36
1985	51	—	—	—	64
1986	53	—	—	—	92
1987	53	1	—	—	121
1988	53	1	—	2	155
1989	53	1	—	4	187
1990	53	1	—	8	219
1991	53	1	1	8	253
1992	53	1	2	8	302
1993	53	2	3	8	337
1994	53	2	3	9	379
1995	53	4	3	9	423
1996	53	4	4	13	458

Complements of healthcare staff at young offender institutions
Location	Principal officers (healthcare)	Senior lofficers (healthcare)	Prison officers (healthcare)	Nurses—all grades	Total
Feltham	2	3	8	17	30
Aylesbury	1	1	2	6	10
Brinsford	1	0	0	20	21
Castington	0	1	0	10	11
Hollesley Bay	0	I	2	3	6
Huntercombe	0	1	1	2	4
Lancaster Farms	0	0	0	22	22
Onley	0	0	1	7	8
Portland	0	1	3	1	5
Stoke Heath	0	0	0	12	12

Year ending	Blood factor	Blood/tissue transfer	Mother to infant	Not known	Total
1997	53	4	4	16	495
1998	53	4	4	16	524
1999²	53	4	4	18	527

Cumulative numbers of newly diagnosed HIV positive cases by Health Authority of diagnosis ¹
Year ending	North Wales	Dyfed powys	Morgannwg	Bro Taf	Gwent	Total
1981	—	—	—	2	—	2
1982	—	—	—	2	—	2
1983	—	—	—	3	—	3
1984	—	—	2	34	—	36
1985	6	—	7	51	—	64
1986	9	1	9	69	4	92
1987	13	3	15	84	6	121
1988	18	4	20	101	12	155
1989	28	7	24	116	12	187
1990	31	12	30	133	13	219
1991	35	12	32	160	14	253
1992	44	16	42	181	19	302
1993	54	18	52	192	21	337
1994	63	21	53	215	27	379
1995	73	25	67	227	31	423
1996	78	26	73	248	33	458
1997	85	27	78	269	36	495
1998	90	30	82	286	36	524
1999²	92	30	83	286	36	527
¹ Cases reported by region/Health Authority of reporting officer. Therefore data does not necessarily equate to area of residence and may exclude Welsh residents diagnosed outside Wales but resident in Wales. Data does not equate to prevalent cases due to the mobility/mortality of cases.							² To 31 March

Source:

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

Home Department

Young Offenders

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the full complement of health care offenders and nurses at (a) Feltham Young Offenders Unit and (b) other young offender units. [84846]

The figures requested are given in the table.

Complements of healthcare staff at young offender institutions
Location	Principal officers (healthcare)	Senior 1officers (healthcare)	Prison officers (healthcare)	Nurses—all grades	Total
Thorn Cross	0	0	2	0	2
Werrington	0	1	1	1	3
Wetherby	0	1	0	3	4

Macpherson Report

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on police (a) progress in implementing and (b) plans to implement recommendations of the Macpherson report. [85063]

On 24 March I published, an Action Plan which sets out how the report's recommendations will be taken forward. Progress has been made on implementing the recommendations in line with the published plan. Specifically in April:

New police discipline procedures and code of conduct came into effect.

Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary inspection of the Metropolitan Police is under way.

Targets for the recruitment, retention and career progression of minority ethnic officers were set and published.

New guidance to the police on pre-inquest disclosure in relation to deaths in police custody was issued.

I wrote to all local crime and disorder reduction partnerships about tackling racist crime.

A new internal inspection and review framework was introduced within the Metropolitan Police.

A draft manual of police operations in relation to race and hate crime was issued for consultation.

The Steering Group, chaired by me, which has responsibility for overseeing implementation of the report, met for the first time on 18 May.

Community Supervision

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unacceptable absences are allowed before an offender on community supervision becomes the subject of breach proceedings. [84889]

The current National Standards for the Supervision of Offenders in the Community require breach proceedings to be taken on, or before, a third unacceptable absence. The Government are keen to improve the enforcement of community penalties and are at present reviewing the National Standards with a view to introducing revised Standards next April.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were on the Probation Service's community supervision case load for (i) 1996, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998; and what the probation budget was for England and Wales for each of those years. [84888]

The case load figures are given in the table. The budget figures are shown in the Government's Expenditure Plans 1999–2000 to 2001–02 for the Home Office and Charity Commission (Volume Two).

Persons supervised by the probation service England and Wales 31 December
Number of persons (thousand)
	All persons supervised ¹
1996	171
1997	185
1998²	191
¹ Includes those supervised under criminal court orders, those supervised pre and post-release from custody, and those under Family Court supervision.		²Estimated figure at 30 September 1998.

Probation Orders

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were made subject to (i) a Probation Order and (ii) a Combination Order in (a) 1997 and (b) 1998; and how many in each case have been breached for failure to comply with the terms of the order. [84890]

The available figures are given in the tables.

Persons starting supervision by the probation service England and Wales 31 December
Number of persons (thousand)
	Probation Order	Combination Order
1997	50.9	18.9
1997 (first 9 months)	38.2	14.3
1998 (first 9 months)¹	40.6	15.2
¹ Estimated

Termination of orders supervised by the probation service England and Wales 1997
Number of persons (thousand)
	All terminations	Failed to comply with the terms of the order¹
Probation order	51.4	2.3
Combination order	16.8	1.5
¹ Does not include terminated early for conviction of an offence.

Asylum Seekers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people applied for asylum in the UK during 1998; how many of these applied (i) at a port of entry and (ii) within the country; how many decisions were made; and of those how many were (a) recognition as a refugee, (b) exceptional leave to enter or remain and (c) refusal of asylum; and of the refusals, how many were (x) on safe third country grounds, (y) on non-compliance grounds and (z) refused after full consideration of the case; how many applications were withdrawn; and how many asylum applications were outstanding at the end of the year. [85045]

The information requested will be published on 27 May in the annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin, "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1998", a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House on that day.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people applied for asylum in the UK in (a) March and (b) April; how many people were (i) recognised as refugees, (ii) granted exceptional leave and (iii) refused asylum in each of those months; and how many decisions on the asylum backlog were taken in each of those months. [85043]

The information requested will be made available on the Home Office Internet site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm, as part of the monthly reporting of asylum figures, on 25 May 1999.

Immigration And Nationality Directorate

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the pilot of the Casework Programme in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to begin. [84975]

Piloting involves using the system on real cases for the first time and will not begin until the system has been thoroughly tested by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. It is not possible at this stage to give a firm date, since testing has not yet begun.

Prisoners (Voting Rights)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many working days elapsed between the issuing of guidance to prisons in regard to arrangements for unconvicted prisoners wishing to take part in the local government elections and elections for the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament and the date by which applications to vote by post or proxy had to be received by electoral registration officers. [84949]

Five working days elapsed between the date that guidance was issued to prisons by electronic mail, and the closing date for receipt by electoral registration officers for applications to vote by post or proxy.

Incentives And Earned Privileges Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by prison, the number of prisoners on each level of the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme. [84948]

The provisional figures for 30 April 1999, which are subject to final validation, are given in the table.

Prisoners on basic, standard and enhanced regimes
Prison name	Basic	Standard	Enhanced
Acklington	13	240	375
Albany	7	91	335
Aldington	1	67	63
Altcourse	19	481	229
Ashwell	40	243	202
Askham Grange	0	36	70
Aylesbury	0	288	76
Bedford	3	314	57

Prisoners on basic, standard and enhanced regimes
Prison name	Basic	Standard	Enhanced
Belmarsh	6	607	102
Birmingham	18	954	94
Blakenhurst	191	586	53
Blantyre House	36	17	61
Blundeston	12	272	72
Brinsford	120	251	118
Bristol	8	447	100
Brixton	1	409	299
Brockhill	17	100	21
Buckley Hall	9	197	175
Bullingdon	18	719	106
Buliwood Hall	7	76	50
Camp Hill	15	360	81
Canterbury	4	275	2
Cardiff	24	417	217
Castington	19	315	41
Channings Wood	8	277	174
Chelmsford	3	358	28
Coldingley	10	184	90
Cookham Wood	0	82	67
Dartmoor	15	556	63
Deerbolt	28	305	90
Doncaster	21	873	168
Dorchester	0	166	19
Dover	11	218	21
Downview	1	102	236
Drake Hall	2	140	68
Durham	12	196	674
East Sutton Park	0	64	26
Eastwood Park	1	186	55
Elmley	10	645	228
Erlestoke	1	132	157
Everthorpe	9	318	130
Exeter	3	337	98
Featherstone	15	535	45
Feltham	37	672	131
Ford	0	136	195
Foston Hall	5	90	61
Frankland	0	0	0
Full Sutton	16	214	254
Garth	9	500	132
Gartree	2	64	296
Glen Parva	65	554	218
Gloucester	14	220	48
Grendon	4	4	82
Guys Marsh	21	345	129
Haslar	0	122	26
Hatfield	3	112	14
Haverigg	4	162	181
Hewell Grange	0	105	63
Highdown	6	600	65
Highpoint	27	410	243
Hindley	10	385	74
Hollesley Bay	21	21	197
Holloway	21	393	93
Holme House	18	825	105
Hull	14	328	150
Huntercombe	8	142	128
Kingston	1	1	174
Kirkham	15	298	101
Kirklevington	0	49	131
Lancaster	3	188	24
Lancaster Farms	45	272	140
Latchmere House	0	82	93
Leeds	30	919	218
Leicester	11	300	36
Lewes	5	392	49
Leyhill	7	148	228
Lincoln	1	313	133
Lindholme	20	558	88
Littlehey	17	491	122
Liverpool	11	1,015	290
Long Lartin	40	131	170

Prisoners on basic, standard and enhanced regimes
Prison name	Basic	Standard	Enhanced
Low Newton	1	62	37
Lowdham Grange	12	58	414
Maidstone	11	256	263
Manchester	35	274	808
Moorland	28	581	160
Morton Hall	8	67	84
Mount	0	472	147
New Hall	4	249	67
North Sea Camp	0	111	59
Northallerton	6	280	4
Norwich	6	539	127
Nottingham	4	295	123
Onley	51	462	75
Parc	28	534	190
Parkhurst	26	226	211
Pentonville	8	833	270
Portland	5	406	98
Preston	8	578	81
Ranby	49	562	118
Reading	2	98	101
Risley	10	403	261
Rochester	5	326	27
Send	0	17	56
Shepton Mallet	7	169	24
Shrewsbury	32	200	79
Stafford	33	469	110
Standford Hill	0	114	127
Stocken	5	466	102
Stoke Heath	133	366	116
Styal	0	343	107
Sudbury	0	232	259
Swaleside	4	308	290
Swansea	1	254	71
Swinfen Hall	18	114	141
Thorn Cross	1	189	89
Usk	5	5	89
Verne	5	293	270
Wakefield	35	475	382
Wandsworth	81	930	210
Wayland	3	389	236
Wealstun	3	3	275
Weare	2	222	72
Wellingborough	7	254	60
Werrington	29	36	39
Wetherby	17	177	122
Whatton	0	110	160
Whitemoor	35	213	201
Winchester	4	351	140
Wolds	21	191	183
Woodhill	18	623	40
Wormwood Scrubs	1	474	315
Wymott	3	556	224

Female Prisoners (Prescription-Only Drugs)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many doses of prescription-only (a) psychotropic, (b) hypnotic, (c) other drugs acting on the central nervous system and (d) other drugs were prescribed in each prison holding female prisoners in the most recent year for which figures are available. [84946]

The information requested is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.Pharmaceuticals are generally purchased locally and managed using a number of systems. Also, prescription records are kept within individual prisoner medical files, making it difficult to aggregate information about total usage of individual drugs, or families of drugs, in a meaningful way.The Prison Service, in deciding on the range of management information about health care activity that is collected from prisons, tries to strike a balance between the costs involved, including the administrative burden on prison staff, and the possible benefits. However, increasing use of Information Technology offers the opportunity to broaden the range of statistics that can be readily available and this matter is kept under review.

Prisoners (Voting Rights)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unconvicted prisoners in England and Wales exercised their right to vote in the recent local government elections and elections for the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament. [84947]

The figures for the number of unconvicted prisoners who exercised their right to vote in the recent local government elections and elections for the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Home Detention Curfew

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by prison the number of prisoners (a) assessed for release on home detention curfew, (b) released and (c) recalled. [84942]

The table gives the information requested up to the end of April according to the Prison Service's inmate information system. The number of prisoners assessed for home detention curfew at each establishment is estimated from the population extracts for the end of each month for prisoners who had a calculated home detention curfew eligibility date within the relevant period. The number actually assessed may be more or less due to the transfer or reception of prisoners during the month.

Home detention curfew—numbers eligible, placed on curfew and recalled—28 January to 30 April 1999
	Eligible (estimated)	Curfewed	Revoked
Acklington	96	30	3
Albany	2	0	0
Aldington	73	28	2
Altcourse	139	21	0
Ashwell	80	12	1
Askham Grange	41	40	0
Aylesbury	6	3	1
Bedford	118	19	1
Belmarsh	121	20	3
Birmingham	289	164	9
Blakenhurst	236	62	1
Blantyre House	0	0	0
Blundeston	18	6	0
Brinsford	88	13	0
Bristol	100	16	2
Brixton	141	47	3
Brockhill	39	9	0
Buckley Hall	31	5	0
Bullingdon	210	58	4
Bullwood Hall	19	7	0

Home detention curfew—numbers eligible, placed on curfew and recalled—28 January to 30 April 1999
	Eligible (estimated)	Curfewed	Revoked
Camp Hill	113	12	0
Canterbury	65	17	0
Cardiff	217	55	4
Castington	47	5	0
Channings Wood	106	21	1
Chelmsford	78	15	1
Colchester	0	0	0
Coldingley	8	0	0
Cookham Wood	26	5	1
Dartmoor	66	12	1
Deerbolt	134	15	0
Doncaster	216	49	3
Dorchester	59	4	0
Dover	82	19	3
Downview	20	12	1
Drake Hall	160	72	3
Durham	225	42	2
Earlstoke	40	14	0
East Sutton Park	37	30	0
Eastwood Park	99	32	0
Elmley	156	32	4
Everthorpe	103	50	4
Exeter	157	53	5
Featherstone	68	26	3
Feltham	103	24	1
Ford	144	119	2
Foston Hall	35	9	1
Frankland	0	0	0
Full Sutton	0	0	0
Garth	0	0	0
Gartree	0	0	0
Glen Parva	173	37	2
Gloucester	53	13	0
Grendon	72	69	1
Guys Marsh	196	61	4
Haslar	2	2	0
Hatfield	87	60	2
Haverigg	112	18	0
Hewell Grange	100	102	1
Highdown	167	69	2
Highpoint	154	43	2
Hindley	116	13	0
Hollesley Bay	82	48	5
Holloway	75	28	1
Holme House	323	69	3
Hull	181	31	0
Huntercombe	95	61	4
Kingston	0	0	0
Kirkham	330	203	8
Kirklevington	44	38	0
Lancaster	152	6	0
Lancaster Farms	79	19	0
Latchmere House	0	0	0
Leeds	238	51	5
Leicester	36	1	0
Lewes	133	38	4
Leyhill	44	34	0
Lincoln	110	20	1
Lindholme	144	63	3
Littlehey	76	12	0
Liverpool	498	60	3
Long Lartin	0	0	0
Low Newton	37	19	1
Lowdham Grange	0	0	0
Maidstone	7	3	0
Manchester	99	15	0
Moorland	86	43	2
Morton Hall	135	97	3

Home detention curfew—numbers eligible, placed on curfew and recalled—28 January to 30 April 1999
	Eligible (estimated)	Curfewed	Revoked
New Hall	103	30	0
North Sea Camp	108	80	0
Northallerton	87	30	3
Norwich	264	128	6
Nottingham	44	2	1
Onley	161	65	3
Parc	155	7	0
Parkhurst	10	1	0
Pentonville	278	65	5
Portland	114	24	0
Preston	155	19	3
Pucklechurch	0	0	0
Ranby	217	33	0
Reading	62	12	0
Risley	257	33	0
Rochester	17	9	0
Send	11	6	0
Shepton Mallet	34	12	0
Shrewsbury	86	46	6
Stafford	116	27	2
Stanford Hill	93	97	2
Stocken	75	26	1
Stoke Heath	193	17	0
Styal	64	38	3
Sudbury	82	69	2
Swaleside	4	3	0
Swansea	92	18	2
Swinfen Hall	6	2	0
The Mount	93	34	2
The Verne	43	8	0
The Wolds	38	7	1
Thorn Cross	88	61	9
Usk	71	54	0
Wakefield	0	0	0
Wandsworth	244	58	1
Wayland	78	33	2
Wealstun	81	63	1
Weare	173	54	2
Wellingborough	49	25	1
Werrington	0	0	0
Wetherby	41	20	2
Whatton	20	0	0
Whitemoor	0	0	0
Winchester	133	55	5
Woodhill	182	53	1
Wormwood Scrubs	203	70	3
Wymott	80	11	0

Bookmakers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision he has taken on the composition of the Bookmakers Committee. [85651]

On 3 December 1998, we sought the views of interested bodies on proposals for reconstituting the Bookmakers' Committee. Having taken careful account of the views expressed we have decided to make those changes. We believe that this will improve the Committee's ability to represent bookmakers' interests in a balanced way in carrying out its task of recommending to the Horserace Betting Levy Board the levy rates to be paid by bookmakers for the benefit of horseracing.

Therefore, I have today made regulations to establish the following membership:

	Seats
Betting Office Licensees Association Ltd	2
National Association of Bookmakers Ltd	2
British Betting Office Association Ltd	2
Ladbroke Racing Ltd	2
Willian Hill Organisation Ltd	2
Coral Racing Ltd	2
Total	12

In providing for the three companies which in 1998–99 contributed nearly 80 per cent. of the total levy yield to have half of the seats on the Committee, we are redressing their previous under-representation while at the same time recognising the extent to which there are many smaller firms whose ability to pay needs to be properly represented. In reaching this decision, we have sought to achieve a reasonable balance between the different bookmaking interests and organisations. The factors taken into account were the size of organisations' membership, the number of off-course shops, the leviable turnover and the levy paid. We do not believe that the new structure will give any companies double representation on the Committee. Nor do we believe that continuing representation of the Scottish Independent Bookmakers Association is justified, given the small number of members, some of whom also belong to other trade associations. We believe that the new constitution will still take proper account of the interests of small independent bookmakers, whether in Scotland or South of the Border.

It will be for the Committee itself to decide who will chair it and how it will manage its business. We very much hope that the Committee will make every effort to reach agreement on the next levy scheme with the Levy Board. Co-operation between bookmaking and racing interests is important in this as in other areas.

We will keep the new arrangements under review, with the help of the independent members of the Levy Board, whose brief it is to have regard to the interests of racing, bookmakers in all categories and the punter.

Monkeys

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that (a) the importation of monkeys to Shamrock Farm, Henfield and (b) the treatment of monkeys at Shamrock Farm, Henfield is conducted in accordance with approved procedures and legislation. [85362]

The transportation and importation of animals is primarily a matter for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. In 1996, the Home Office introduced new measures relating to the acquisition of non-human primates from overseas sources for use in procedures under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. These are summarised in Appendix A to the 'Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain, 1997'. In support of these new measures, the Home Office set administrative requirements including that

additional records be kept of the breeding and conditions of housing and husbandry at the centre from which the animals were obtained; and

after each delivery of primates from an overseas source, the Home Office be sent:

confirmation that the animals were shipped according to the agreed plan and arrived safely;

lifetime records for each animal;

a report of the veterinary inspection that must be carried out on arrival; and

within six weeks, details of any morbidity and mortality arising during the first four weeks following arrival in the United Kingdom.

These are in addition to the records on the source, use (where appropriate) and disposal of animals that all designated establishments are required to keep and make available to the Home Office on request.

All designated establishments must meet the terms and conditions of the certificate of designation and, unless otherwise authorised, are expected to comply with the requirements of the relevant code of practice for the housing and care of animals.

Responsibility for abiding by the laws rests primarily with the individuals concerned and all establishments are now required to have local ethical review processes which, amongst other things, will provide advice about the care and welfare of animals.

All designated establishments are, however, regularly visited by Home Office inspectors, often without notice, to monitor compliance with all the relevant controls including those relating to the acquisition and care of animals.

Prisoner Accommodation (Offences Against Children)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide accommodation at prison sites for offenders convicted of offences against children on the completion of their sentence; if he will list the prisons to be used for such accommodation; and if he will make a statement. [85344]

There are plans to transform office accommodation within the secure perimeter of Nottingham Prison into bedsits to house two or three offenders previously convicted of offences against children. They will live under close supervision. We have no such plans for any other prison.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims were lodged outside the limitation period in each year of operation of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 1996; and of these, how many were allowed to proceed. [85365]

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has provided the following information:

Year	Claims outside time limit	Number allowed to proceed
1996–97	5,507	5,426
1997–98	5,972	5,465
1998–99	5,948	5,067

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many awards at the maximum level 25 rate were (a) made and (b) remain outstanding for each year of operation of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 1996. [85366]

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority advises that the following level 25 awards have been made:

Year
1996–97	0
1997–98	1 (interim)
1998–99	3

One further award at level 25 is currently on offer.It is not possible to say how many of the thousands of applications presently in the system, and where further inquiries are being made, for example, of the police and medical authorities, will result in an offer of award at level 25.

Criminal Matters (Newspaper Reports)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Newspaper Society about their members' ability to report on criminal matters and trials where young people under the age of 18 years are involved; and if he will make a statement. [85274]

The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 3 December 1998 proposes changes to reporting restrictions in respect of under 18's. A number of media organisations, including the Newspaper Society, have written to Ministers and met with my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams and officials to argue for a wider right to report identities. The Government are carefully considering the points made.

Environment, Transport And The Regions

Goods Vehicles

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the cost per mile of running a 40 tonne goods vehicle in (a) the UK, (b) Belgium, (c) France, (d) Holland, (e) Germany, (f) Italy, (g) Luxembourg, (h) Portugal, (i) Spain and (j) Austria. [81459]

The information requested by the hon. Member is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mobile Refrigeration Units (Solar Energy)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what examination his Department has made of the feasibility of installing photo-voltaic cells on the roofs of large refrigerated articulated trucks in order to power mobile refrigeration units by renewable means. [84317]

My Department is aware of the development work that has been carried out by J. Sainsburys plc in partnership with Southampton University and a consortium of manufacturers. An articulated HGV using photo-voltaic cells to power the refrigeration unit of the trailer has been in daily use for the past two years. Although such a vehicle requires expensive initial capital investment and the additional weight of the power unit results in a loss of vehicle payload, the technology has proved reliable and has the potential to be cost effective. The Department of Trade and Industry is supporting a project under its new and renewable energy programme looking at the further development of Sainsbury's photo-voltaic powered refrigeration unit.The main benefit derived from use of this power source has been reduced noise, since an internal combustion engine is no longer required to power the refrigeration unit. Additional benefits are zero emissions from the refrigeration itself and low maintenance costs. As the technology can only be used to operate chill units, designed to operate at temperatures down to +3°C there is some loss of trailer flexibility.

Local Safety Schemes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to allocate funding to highway authorities for the provision of safety measures at sites with an accident record of less than three years; [84633](2) what plans he has to review the criteria for allocating funding to highway authorities under the Local Safety Scheme Programme; [84634](3) what assessment he has made of the policy to restrict funding allocations under the Local Safety Scheme Programme to sites with a three-year accident record; [84631](4) what plans he has to review the current guidelines for highway authorities on the provision of accident reduction and traffic calming measures; [84632](5) what assessment he has made of the impact on road accident reduction of the Local Safety Scheme Programme. [84643]

Under the Transport Policies and Programme (TPP) regime for local capital transport expenditure, funding for Local Safety Schemes was restricted to sites which had a three year record of accidents. A consistent pattern of accidents suggested a problem with the road layout which was likely to be alleviated by engineering measures, rather than randomly occurring accidents arising from other causes, such as driver behaviour.In terms of assessment, the 1996 Transport Research Laboratory study "Accident Reductions from Local Authority Safety Schemes using Transport Supplementary Grant" outlined the success of the general approach to these schemes. An overall 29 per cent. reduction in accidents followed the implementation of the schemes and an overall first year rate of return of 190 per cent. was achieved. Most of the schemes produced a reduction in the severity of accidents; there was a 29 per cent. drop in slight casualties, a 46 per cent. drop in serious casualties and an 88 per cent. drop in fatalities. A new research project is currently looking in more depth at the effectiveness of recent local safety schemes and is expected to be completed later in 1999.The Government's Transport White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" announced the replacement of the TPP system with Local Transport Plans (LTPs). These plans will place much greater emphasis on targets and the strategy to achieve those targets rather than individual projects. There will be a greater emphasis on local authorities getting results, but greater flexibility in how they achieve them.In April this year we published guidance to local authorities on producing the provisional Local Transport Plans for 2000–01, due to be submitted in July 1999. Consistent with the new approach, it does not prescribe that expenditure be on sites with a three year accident record. Local authorities will, however, need to continue to examine where accidents and accident casualties are occurring and to plan cost effective remedial engineering measures as one element of an overall safety strategy. The LTP guidance will be reviewed following receipt of the provisional plans in July and we expect to produce further guidance in time for the full LTPs, due in July 2000.We will continue to issue advice on the technical aspects of traffic calming to local highway authorities through Traffic Advisory Leaflets.

Genetically Modified Foods

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he has responded to the Local Government Association statement on genetically modified foods. [75496]

Yes, I have responded to the Local Government Association statement on genetically modified foods and a copy has been placed in the Library.

Media Relations

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [84201]

[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 were provided in a memorandum dated 16 June 1998 to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report on the Government Information and Communication Service (HC 770) in July 1998. A copy is in the Library of the House. The number of GICS Press Officers in post in DETR(C) on 1 May 1999 was 37.Special Advisers in this Department have ad hoc contact with the media but none are specifically employed in media relations.

Global Warming

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the report published in the New Scientist on 1 May on the speeding-up of the cooling of the mesosphere and its likely impact on global warming. [84909]

Cooling of the upper atmosphere is an expected consequence of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, and although the reported study is yet to be completed, and the size of the cooling confirmed, cooling of the mesosphere is not expected to impact significantly predictions of climate change.

Canals

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision exists to facilitate the reinstatement of canals obstructed by road construction and improvement. [84905]

There is a duty for a highway authority wishing to promote a road scheme which would cross a waterway where there are extant navigation rights to provide a suitable crossing. The Department is reviewing the issues of managing the different interests involved in canal restoration and highway schemes. This should be covered in the daughter document on inland waterways which will be published in the next few months.

British Rail Employees (Asbestos)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 17 May 1999, Official Report, column 245, if he will list (a) the dates on which claims were made, (b) the dates on which compensation was received, (c) the value of the compensation claimed and (d) the region in which the employee was working, for all claims since 1991 by former employees of British Rail who are diagnosed as having mesothelioma, asbestosis or primary carcinoma of the lung, related to exposure to asbestos. [84985]

I understand from the British Railways Board that information requested is not available in a form which can be analysed in the manner requested without disproportionate cost.

Water Companies

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers his Department retains to ensure that the plans of the water companies for asset replacement are consistent with public safety. [84892]

The Government require water companies to operate in ways which are consistent with public safety through a variety of regulatory requirements, such as those concerned with health and safety at work and the quality of drinking water, rather than through control of their asset replacement policies.The Director General of Water Services is required to exercise his powers and duties in the manner that he considers is best calculated to secure that the functions of water and sewerage undertakers are properly carried out as respects every area of England and Wales, and that undertakers are able to finance the proper carrying out of their functions.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Wales have published "Raising the Quality", giving guidance to the Director General of Water Services on the environmental and quality obligations to be achieved by the water industry in England and Wales 2000–05. That guidance covered such public health matters as tackling deteriorating raw water quality and reducing the risk from cryptosporidium. Ministerial guidance has also been given in "Maintaining Public Water Supplies" on issues arising in the preparation of water resources plans by the water companies in England and Wales. The Director General will take this guidance into account in determining water company price limits in the current Periodic Review of water prices.

Ministers also have power, under Section 208 of the Water Industry Act 1991 to give directions to water undertakers covering emergencies and in the interests of national security.

Westminster City Council

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 May 1999, Official Report, column 287, concerning reviews by the Audit Commission of the District Auditor's investigation of Westminster City Council's designated sales, if he will list the reviews carried out. [85061]

The Audit Commission considered reviews concerning the auditor's investigation into Westminster City Council's designated sales on two occasions in 1994, two occasions in 1995 and most recently in April 1996.

Birmingham Northern Relief Road

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to use his powers to regulate relative tolling levels in respect of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. [85037]

There are no plans to do so. A statutory decision has been reached to change the basis on which the Birmingham Northern Relief Road (BNRR) has been promoted and authorised. The Decision Letter of 23 July 1997 followed a lengthy statutory process. In it the Secretary of State decided against modifying the BNRR toll order to prescribe a relationship between the tolling levels of different classes of vehicle. The Court of Appeal judgment of 23 March concluded that there was no requirement for the Secretary of State to impose restrictions on the relative level of tolls and, although he did have a power to do so, his statutory decision was perfectly valid.

Eyesight Standards

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the (a) benefits and (b) disadvantages of exempting lorry and bus drivers from European Union eyesight standards. [85261]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: Drivers of lorries and buses (group 2) who obtained their licence since the implementation of the Second EC Driving Licence Directive on 1 January 1997, are subject to the Directive eyesight requirements.

Drivers of group 2 vehicles who obtained their licence before 1 January 1997, who are unable to meet the Directive eyesight requirements for such vehicles, but who can continue to meet the pre-Directive requirements, may renew their licence.

Drivers of group 2 vehicles who obtained their licence before 1 January 1997, who are unable to meet the pre-Directive requirements for such vehicles, but who can continue to meet the requirements applicable when they obtained their entitlement, may renew their licence provided that they have not been involved in a road accident in the preceding 10 years where defective eyesight was a contributory factor and that they have adequate recent experience of driving these vehicles. This has allowed drivers with a safe driving record over many years to retain their employment.

We have no evidence that preserved rights for these drivers have had an adverse effect on road safety.

Road Safety Strategy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Road Safety Strategy will be published; and what representations he has received on the inclusion of casualty reduction targets. [85262]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: It is intended to publish the road safety strategy and targets in Autumn 1999 in order to reflect the findings of the review of speed policy announced in chapter 3 of the Government's Transport White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone".We consulted widely in 1997 on options for possible casualty reduction targets. There was an overwhelming response in favour of such targets. The road safety strategy will include targets for casualty reduction for 2010.

Road Fatalities

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road fatalities there were among (a) cyclists and (b) pedestrians in (i) Coventry, (ii) the United Kingdom and (iii) each EU member state in the last year for which figures are available. [85259]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The information requested is shown in the following table.

	Pedal cyclists killed 1997	Pedestrians killed 1997
Coventry	1	5
United Kingdom	187	1,010
Austria	66	156
Belgium	122	142
Denmark	65	87
Finland	61	69
France	348	982
Germany	679	1,147
Greece	n/a	n/a
Irish Republic	24	130
Italy	429	894
Luxembourg¹	2	7
Netherlands	240	119

	Pedal cyclists killed 1997	Pedestrians killed 1997
Portugal	75	624
Spain	116	960
Sweden	42	74
¹1996 figures

Sources:

OECD—International Road traffic Accident Database for EU data. DETR, DOE (NI)—for UK data.

Peat Working Group

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will report on the work of the Peat Working Group. [85436]

The Peat Working Group was convened in 1997 to review existing planning policies for the provision of peat and alternative materials, and to advise the Government of the need, or otherwise, for change. It will report shortly, and we will consider arrangements for the publication of its findings.

Shipping Services Directive

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's support for full implementation of EU Directive 94/57 on the freedom to provide classification and other shipping services; and what progress has been made by EU member states in implementing this Directive. [85307]

The UK supports full implementation of Council Directive 94/57/EC and expects other Member States to do likewise. I understand that all Member States have transposed the Directive into their national legislation.

Energy Efficiency Schemes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the average change in the proportion of income spent on heating by households who receive home improvements under the (a) new home energy efficiency schemes and (b) new home energy efficiency Plus schemes; [85469](2) what estimate he has made of the percentage of households receiving assistance under the

(a) new home energy efficiency schemes and (b) new home energy efficiency Plus schemes which will be removed from his Department's definition of fuel poverty. [85470]

The definition of a fuel poor household applied by academics and organisations active in the sector is one which needs to spend in excess of 10 per cent. of household income in order to achieve a satisfactory indoor heating regime (21°C in the living room and 18°C in the other occupied rooms).We estimate that the assistance provided under the proposed new home energy efficiency scheme (HEES) and new HEES Plus will reduce the cost of heating an average 3 bedroom semi-detached house to the required standard by between £600 and £1,000 depending on the energy efficiency of the property prior to improvement. Due to the vast large variety of combinations of dwelling type, size, heating and level of insulation, we are not at this stage able to estimate what would be the average improvement under either new HEES or new HEES Plus. For the same reason we are not able to estimate what would be the average improvement in terms of the standard assessment procedure.The intention of new HEES and new HEES Plus will be to move households out of fuel poverty and we expect to substantially achieve that. The main exception will be those few households (1 per cent. or less) who are eligible for new HEES and live in properties that are both semi-detached/detached and use on-peak electricity or smokeless solid fuel. The size and type of these properties combined with the cost of the fuel used make it difficult to move these households entirely out of fuel poverty. Our consultation paper seeks comments on the best package to assist these households.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of (i) the number of homes to be improved, (ii) what the average new grant will be and (iii) the average improvement in terms of the standard assessment procedure rating of homes under the (a) new home energy efficiency schemes and (b) new home energy efficiency plus schemes. [85468]

We estimate that in the first two years, 2000–01 and 2001–02, the new home energy efficiency scheme (HEES) will assist some 200,000 households, with the average value of grant assisted work being £400 per household.Over the same period, we estimate that new HEES Plus will assist a further 300,000 low income over-60's households, with the average value of grant assisted work being £700 per household. We are carrying out further work in order to refine these estimates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what proportion of the expenditure announced in "Fuel Poverty: The New Home Energy Efficiency Schemes" to alleviate fuel poverty will be allocated to (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales;[85471](2) how many of the households included in the

(a) new home energy efficiency plus schemes and (b) new home energy efficiency schemes will be in (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales; [85472]

(3) how much money is available to be spent on new home energy efficiency schemes and new home energy efficiency plus schemes in the next two years; and what proportion of this will be spent on (a) grants to households and (b) administration and other costs. [85467]

Over 2000–01 and 2001–02, we have allocated a total of £300 million to tackling fuel poverty through energy efficiency improvements. Since this will be a devolved function, we shall shortly consider the most appropriate method of dividing the moneys between the proposed new home energy efficiency scheme (HEES) in England and the separate programmes in Scotland and Wales, taking account of the extent of fuel poverty in each.We estimate that some 7.7 million households in England will be eligible for assistance under either new HEES or new HEES Plus. In 1996 we estimated that there were between 4.3 million and 5.4 million fuel poor households in England. Our proposed criteria for eligibility therefore go wider than the definition of the fuel poor in order to reach all those households for whom the health risks from cold homes are the greatest.Administrative costs will be kept as low as possible consistent with ensuring that the most vulnerable households are identified quickly and with ensuring the quality of the service provided. Costs will be determined ultimately by competitive tender. Under the existing scheme some administrative costs are included in installer charges and there is no obligation to target the most vulnerable households.

Advisory Group On Motorcycling

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what issues were discussed at the first meeting of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling; when its next meeting will be held; and what procedures exist for members of the public to make representations to the Group. [85338]

The first meeting of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling identified key areas of concern to motorcyclists and other interested parties. These included the issues of training and licensing, safety and the environment. The Group will consider these and other issues to assist the Government in developing their policy on motorcycling.The next meeting will take place on 21 July. It is open to members of the public to make representations to member organisations or, of course, direct to the Government, should they wish.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the membership of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling. [85337]

The membership of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling is:

National Motorcycle Council
British Motorcyclists Federation
Motorcycle Industry Association
Despatch Association
Motorcycle Retailers Association
Motorcycle Action Group
Motorcycle Rider Training Association
Automobile Association
Royal Automobile Club
Local Authority Road Safety Officers' Association
Association of London Borough Road Safety Officers
Association of Chief Police Officers
Local Government Association.

Safety Regulations (Riverside Sites)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the nature and basis of the statutory regulations relating to safety in connection with repair or construction work on bridges and other structures over tidal water on the River Thames upstream of Gravesend, with particular reference to those applying to the specification of safety boats and the qualifications of their crews. [Transferred] [85306]

The safety of construction and repair workers at riverside sites, is covered by the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. They include measures to prevent falls, minimise the risk of drowning and to provide rescue equipment (but do not specify what type). The Regulations require the safe transport of workers by water, any vessel used shall be suitably constructed and properly maintained, under the control of competent person and not be overloaded. An inspector would take these factors into account when visiting a site.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency can advise on appropriate standards for rescue and work boats which are used only on inland waters, but there are no specific merchant shipping regulations laying down standards for such boats or qualifications of those manning them.The Port of London Authority (PLA) require boats carrying goods or up to 12 passengers to be licensed and operated by licensed watermen. The PLA is not empowered to insist on this for boats used solely as rescue boats, but can only advise. The most suitable craft for individual circumstances is best determined through a properly conducted risk assessment.

Local Government Reform

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if local authorities that opt for area-based committees will be permitted to delegate executive functions to them under his proposals for local government reform. [85381]

Having regard to the responses received to our Paper "Local leadership, local choice" (Command Paper 4298), we are considering how any legislation for new forms of local governance can allow decisions to be devolved to local areas whilst ensuring there will be clear corporate executive accountability in each council.

Concessionary Fares (London)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 May 1999, Official Report, column 290, concerning the London concessionary fares scheme, if he will table amendments in the House of Lords to extend the reserve scheme to include surface rail services. [85445]

The Greater London Authority Bill will provide adequate powers for London local authorities to deal satisfactorily with the provision of concessions on London rail services. We have always made clear that our general aim for the Greater London Authority Bill is to transfer existing responsibilities to the Mayor, rather than attempt major revisions of legislation affecting London going beyond the policies outlined in the White Paper. The creation of a new statutory reserve scheme including surface rail would not be compatible with that aim.

Canary Wharf

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Canary Wharf Developments restores the bridge between Canary Wharf and South Keys. [85458]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State understands that the British Waterways Board is currently liaising with Canary Wharf Developments and various groups on the South Quay with the aim of putting in place a temporary footbridge while the existing bridge between Canary Wharf and South Quay is not in use.

Brownfield Land

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the amount of available brownfield land suitable for housing development; [85449](2) what estimate he has made of the amount of available brownfield land suitable for industrial development; [85450](3) what is his current estimate of the amount of available brownfield land suitable for retail development. [85457]

Provisional results from the National Land Use Database were published on 20 May. These show an estimate of 33,000 hectares of previously developed vacant and derelict land across England. Some 4,800 hectares of this land was allocated in local plans or had planning permission for housing, about 4,500 hectares for mixed use and around 13,400 for other uses. In total, just over 12,000 hectares of vacant and derelict land either had planning permission or were allocated in the local plan for housing or were judged suitable for housing. Suitability was not assessed for retail or industrial development.The National Land Use Database also included sites currently in use but allocated in local plans for redevelopment or with planning permission for housing; other sites expected to become available for redevelopment; and sites occupied by vacant commercial buildings. Such sites accounted for an estimated 23,000 hectares, of which over 5,000 hectares were allocated for redevelopment in plans or had planning permission for housing and a total of over 14,000 hectares were judged suitable for housing.A copy of the DETR/Government Statistical Service Bulletin has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Urban Task Force Report

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the report from the Urban Task Force. [85455]

The Deputy Prime Minister hopes to receive the final draft of the Task Force's report in the next few days. It will then be prepared for publication, which will be by the end of June.

Car Insurance

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to strengthen the rules in relation to car insurance and the abuse of cover notes. [85309]

Increasing use of electronic delivery of services in the insurance industry is making abuse of cover notes more difficult. As the Government move to electronic direct relicensing of vehicles, including use of the Association of British Insurers planned motor insurance database, such abuse should be virtually eliminated because enforcement authorities will be able to have access to insurance information on-line in real time.Anybody who had the misfortune to be the victim in an accident involving a driver abusing a cover note should be reassured that compensation would be paid by the Motor Insurers Bureau under the terms of the Uninsured Drivers Agreement.

Road Tax

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to eliminate fraud through the abuse of road tax discs. [85308]

Vehicle excise duty (VED) fraud can take a number of forms. The display of fraudulent tax discs is a serious matter which is dealt with solely by the police. There is no evidence to suggest that the practice is widespread. Where vehicles are used or kept unlicensed on the public road, the detection role is carried out by the police, who pass offence reports to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for enforcement action.My Department has introduced a number of new initiatives aimed at reducing the level of vehicle excise duty evasion. These include measures to improve the quality of the vehicle register and to make it more difficult for motorists to drop out of the licensing system. The national scheme to wheelclamp and impound unlicensed vehicles continues to be successful in encouraging motorists to relicense their vehicles. A pilot scheme to use camera technology for automating the detection process is to begin shortly.

Best Value In Housing Framework

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the recently completed consultation exercise on the best value in housing framework. [85628]

On 21 January 1999 we published the consultation paper "Best Value in Housing Framework". This explained the framework within which local housing authorities will need to operate in obtaining best value in housing taking into account key housing aspects such as the relationship between best value and the Housing Investment Programme; the important role of tenants and residents; and the operation and establishment of the Housing Inspectorate.The consultation paper flowed from the work of the Best Value in Housing Steering Group which brings together representatives from my Department; the Local Government Association; the Chartered Institute of Housing; the Audit Commission; the Housing Corporation; the National Housing Federation; and TAROE–the Tenants and Residents Organisations of England. Consultation ended on 16 April 1999. We received 268 responses from across a wide range of local authorities, tenants organisations and housing professional bodies which will help inform the content of the final guidance.I am pleased to announce that the consultation shows that there is strong support for the principles of best value in housing as set out in the consultation paper and, in particular, for the involvement of tenants and residents. There is also strong support for a protocol setting out the working relationships between the key organisations involved in assessing housing performance at the local level and compliance with the duty of best value. The consultation paper has been instrumental in raising awareness of best value among local authorities and others. Many local authority respondents indicated that they have found it a useful guide in helping them to prepare for best value.In supporting the principles, a number of respondents raised resource, staffing and budgetary concerns relating to the implementation of best value. We accept that there are likely to be some compliance costs in areas such as best value reviews and performance plans. However, the intended purpose of the best value provisions is to secure continuous improvements in the way in which local government exercises its functions. The improved efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources which result is expected to deliver cost savings as well as improvements in service delivery. To ensure efficiency, best value will be underpinned by rigorous audit, inspection and enforcement provisions. These will include the audit of the local authority performance plans as well as their accounts, which will include the costs of conducting reviews and preparing plans. The clear signal from the consultation is that we should proceed to work up a final set of guidance on the application of best value to housing. We aim to publish this towards the end of the year. The timing reflects the need to take account of the statutory arrangements to be put in place for best value.In taking this work forward, through the Best Value in Housing Steering Group and others, we shall also want to take account of the detailed comments of respondents to the consultation exercise; further emerging lessons from the best value pilots; the read across to the work of the Housing Corporation in applying best value to registered social landlords; and the arrangements being developed by the Audit Commission for the operation and establishment of the Housing Inspectorate. Meanwhile, it is important that all local authorities, if they have not already done so, start planning ahead for best value. The new duty of best value, as laid down in Part I of the Local Government Bill, is expected to apply as from 1 April 2000. I am placing a list of the respondents, excluding any who requested confidentiality, in the House Library together with a report providing an analysis of the responses. The list and specific responses are available in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Library, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE, telephone 0171 890 3039.

Culture, Media And Sport

Fair Trade Products

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to introduce fair trade products at (a) meetings, (b) events and (c) catering facilities within his Department. [82869]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary on 5 May 1999, Official Report, column 410.

Concessionary Television Licences

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received regarding proposals by the BBC to withdraw concessionary TV licences from sheltered accommodation. [84904]

We have received no such representations. The BBC has no power to amend the concessionary television licence scheme, nor has the Corporation submitted proposals for change to the Government or the BBC funding review panel. The Government have, however, received representations from Members of Parliament, local authorities and members of the public about the withdrawal of concessionary licences from sheltered accommodation which no longer meets the qualifying criteria for entitlement to the concession.

Radio Authority

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who are (a) the auditors responsible for ensuring the financial propriety of the Radio Authority and (b) the authors of the report on allegations of impropriety in the award of radio licences by the Radio Authority. [85096]

The Radio Authority's internal auditors are PricewaterhouseCoopers. Its external auditors are Grant Thornton, whose Crawley office is responsible for the audit.The authors of the independent report of the Inquiry into allegations concerning the award of the East of England regional licence were the Forensic Services Group of the London office of Grant Thornton.

Royal Opera House

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the deficit at the Royal Opera House in (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [85287]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: If the Royal Opera House development appeal is successful in reaching its fund raising target, then the deficit at the Royal Opera House will have been eliminated by the end of the current financial year.

Rada

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Arts Council regarding the finances of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art; and if he will make a statement. [85288]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: I have regular discussions with the Arts Council on a wide range of issues.

English Tourism Council

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the aims and objectives of the English Tourism Council. [85293]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: On 14 December 1998 we announced in "A New Cultural Framework" that we would establish a new streamlined, more strategic body to support tourism in England. "Tomorrow's Tourism", the strategy we published in February gave further information on the role of the new body. On 27 April 1999, Official Report, columns 114–15, I announced to the House that the body would be known as the English Tourism Council (ETC) and provide a further indication of the ETC' s functions. We are working with the English Tourist Board on the detailed remit of the ETC and will be publishing aims and objectives as part of the launch of the ETC, which we expect to take place in July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to support the development of the English Tourism Council. [85295]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: Officials in my Department are working very closely with staff at the English Tourist Board as work on the development of the English Tourism Council continues. As well as advice, we are providing funds of £2.8 million over two years to support the transition.

Broadcasting Standards Commission

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last had discussions with the Broadcasting Standards Commission; and if he will make a statement about its future role in the regulation of taste, decency and impartiality. [85290]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: I last met the members of the Broadcasting Standards Commission on 23 March. The Government completed their consultation on the future regulation of broadcasting and telecommunications earlier this year. We will report on the outcome, and set out our plans for developing regulation and the role of the BSC, in the near future.

Accommodation Rating Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funds have been allocated by his Department for the consumer marketing of the harmonised accommodation rating scheme. [85296]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The funding of £11.8 million allocated to the English Tourist Board last December represents an increase of £2.1 million from the previous year. The increase is to be used for transforming the ETB into the English Tourism Council and also recognises our desire for a successful consumer launch of the new harmonised accommodation rating schemes. In accordance with our funding agreement with the ETB and the recent "Report and Action Plan for Establishing a New National Body for Tourism in England", the ETB has budgeted £300,000 of its total Government allocation for the consumer launch, which it is planning in partnership with the AA and the RAC for this September.

Arts Council

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the organisations which have received Arts Council stabilisation grants indicating the sums involved in each case; and what criteria the Council used in making its decisions on the allocation of the grants. [85298]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The Pilot Stabilisation Programme, launched by the Arts Council of England in September 1997, made financial awards to 14 organisations, including two consortiums and one interim award (to the English National Opera). The aim of the programme is to strengthen arts organisations creatively, managerially and financially by providing them with expert advice and financial resources, giving them the opportunity to put themselves on a more secure financial footing.

	£
Birmingham Repertory Theatre	5,773,000
Blackheath Concert Halls	1,150,000
Bournemouth Orchestras	3,182,000
Cinema City, Norwich	385,272
Embroiderers' Guild	485,301
English National Opera	¹9,200,000
Hampshire Arts Centres Consortium	394,000
Inner City Music	530,260
The Junction, Cambridge	474,013
London Symphony Orchestra	868,000
Northern Sinfonia	1,691,781
Sheffield Museums and Galleries Consortium	1,098,377
Tara Arts Group	605,534
West Yorkshire Playhouse	2,645,000
¹Two awards: October 1997 £4.5m and September 1998 £4.7m

The criteria used by the Arts Council were published at the time the scheme was originally announced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the Arts Council of England's grant in aid for the current year remains unallocated. [85289]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The Arts Council has allocated its budget in full, including making provision for flexible funding for new initiatives. Plans for these initiatives will be announced over coming weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Arts Council on improving the performance of their building monitors. [85291]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The National Audit Office published on 14 May its report on the Arts Council's monitoring of major capital projects, funded by the National Lottery, which covered the performance of building monitors. My officials have, of course, discussed with the Arts Council the content of the report and ways of maintaining improvements in the performance of building monitors, and will continue to do so.

National Museums And Galleries

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to change the legal status of national museums and galleries; and if he will make a statement. [85292]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: During the DCMS Comprehensive Spending Review, the National Museums Directors Conference expressed the wish for a more strategic relationship with Government through greater operational independence and flexibility.Subsequently, DCMS Ministers have been considering various ways in which institutions might be given greater financial and managerial autonomy. Options might include improved public sector management, public/ private partnerships or a change of legal status.No decision has yet been reached in this matter.

Wembley Stadium

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when site work on the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium will commence; and if he will make a statement. [85300]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: Work on demolishing the existing stadium at Wembley is scheduled to begin in September 2000. Following acquisition of the stadium in March, my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport and I establish a committee with the key parties to monitor progress against the agreed programme.

World Cup (2006)

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money he has spent to date in support of England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. [84990]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The Football Association advise that, up to the end of 1998, they have spent £3,053,522 on the 2006 World Cup bid, from a budget of some £9.4 million.

Youth Council

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the latest version of the agenda for the Youth Council of 27 May, prior to the meeting. [85082]

I have been asked to reply The latest version of the Agenda Youth Council of 27 May is as follows:1. Adoption of the agenda.2. Approval of list of A items.3. Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a community single programme on Youth.4. Presidential Memorandum "Youth and Europe-Our future".

5. Possible Community Communication concerning a proposal for a Decision on the implementation of measures aimed at combating sex tourism involving children.

6. Decision on community action on measure to prevent violence against children, young persons and women (the DAPHNE PROGRAMME).

7. Any other business.

Prime Minister

Scottish Parliament

To ask the Prime Minister what guidance has been given to Ministers in replying to letters from Members of the Scottish Parliament on matters reserved under the Scotland Act 1998. [84910]

[holding answer 21 May 1999]: Guidance on handling correspondence from Members of the Scottish Parliament—and from Members of the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly—will be issued to all Government Departments. Copies of the guidance will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Cabinet Meetings

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 19 May 1999, Official Report, column 1060, if he will list the Cabinet meetings he has not attended; and for what reasons he did not rearrange those Cabinet meetings. [85438]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 30 April 1999, Official Report, column 281.

Scottish Office Ministers

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the responsibilities of each Scottish Office Minister after 1 July. [85434]

At 1 July Scottish Office Ministers will represent Scottish interests in reserved matters within the UK government, exercise certain specific responsibilities under the Scotland Act 1998, and be expected to promote good communications and relationships between the UK Parliament and Government and the Scottish Parliament and Executive.

Education And Employment

Firearms Training

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the types of (i) public and (ii) private institution falling within his area of responsibility in which individuals aged under 18 years may be trained in the use of firearms; and if he will estimate the numbers of individuals receiving such training in each type of institution in each of the last five years. [81137]

[holding answer 21 April 1999]:SchoolsThe only circumstances in which schools would have access to firearms training is through the Combined Cadet Forces and in a small number of schools with Home Office approved target-shooting clubs.

Further Education Colleges

Firearms training takes place in only five colleges of agriculture and horticulture. Students undertaking these courses would be doing so as part of courses in conservation or game keeping. In 1997–98, 63 students aged under 18 undertook this training.

Tuition Fees

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many extra Scottish resident students at United Kingdom universities would be exempted from paying university tuition fees if the income level below which tuition fees are not levied were raised by (a) £2,000 and (b) £4,000 per annum; [84059](2) how many extra United Kingdom students would be exempted from paying university tuition fees if the income level below which tuition fees are not levied were raised by

(a) £2,000 and (b) £4,000 per annum. [84060]

[holding answer 13 May 1999]: It is estimated that an additional 5 per cent. of United Kingdom students would be exempted from paying tuition fees if the income level below which tuition fees are not levied were raised by £2,000; this figure would be 10 per cent. if the income level were raised by £4,000. The equivalent figures for Scottish domiciled students at United Kingdom universities are estimated to be 5 per cent. and 9 per cent.

Commonwealth Students

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [84742]

The majority of scholarships for Commonwealth students are funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development. While the Department of Education and Employment does not offer direct financial support to these students, the Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS), funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England supported 822 students in the 1996–97 academic year at the cost of £3.792 million, 721 students in 1997–98 at £3.507 million and 709 students in 1998–99 at £3.713 million. In addition, the Montserrat Emergency Award Scheme, funded through the British Council, supported 6 students in 1997–98 and 92 students in 1998–99 academic year, with maintenance awards of £3,500 each per year.

Post-16 Education

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the review of post-16 education. [84855]

We are currently considering a range of options for delivering post-16 education and training, and will be presenting our proposals to Parliament in the summer.

Newly Qualified Teachers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the rules governing employment in sixth form colleges of newly qualified teachers. [84853]

Newly qualified school teachers are free to take up employment in sixth form colleges. Such teachers do not have to serve a period of statutory induction until they wish to teach in a maintained school or a non-maintained special school.

A-Levels (Funding)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much on average (a) a sixth form college and (b) an equivalent local education authority school receives annually for a student studying three A-levels annually. [84854]

The Department has published the costs of a successful three A-level package, typically lasting two years, in "The Public Funding Costs of Education and Training for 16–19 year olds in England 1996–97". These costs were £7,380 and £5,910 for local education authority maintained school sixth forms and sixth form colleges respectively.

Jobseekers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much time is allowed to claimants in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance who are parents to make child care arrangements in the event of them receiving the offer of a job. [85093]

A claimant in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) who has caring responsibilities is required to be able to take up employment within 48 hours. For JSA purposes, caring responsibilities include caring for a child who is either a close relative of the jobseeker or who is living in the same household as the jobseeker.

New Deal (Advisers)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what training is available for Employment Service Personal Advisers to New Deal trainees; and if he will make a statement. [84926]

[holding answer 21 May 1999]: ES New Deal Personal Advisers receive up to 46 days training, specifically designed to help them deliver the New Deal. The type and duration of training varies depending on which particular New Deal individual Personal Advisers are delivering.It includes training in interviewing, in work benefits and allowance payments, how to deal with special client groups and how to manage a case load of New Deal participants.

New Deal Personal Advisers are also given in depth information on how New Deal operates, what options are available to participants and what local provision is available to help prepare them for work.

Swimming Lessons

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what studies his Department has made on the effect on small schools of the new funding arrangements for swimming lessons; and if he will make a statement; [85141](2) what representations he has received from within the County of Lancashire about the effect on small schools of his Departments' new proposals for the funding of swimming lessons. [85142]

Under the Financing of Maintained Schools Regulations 1999, the cost of providing swimming lessons must be met from schools' delegated budgets. The Regulations allow local education authorities to include factors in their funding formulae to compensate schools for the cost of hiring "off-site" facilities (including swimming pools); formulae may also take account of the need for transport to and from such facilities. LEAs may also compensate small schools more generally for their diseconomies of scale. Within this framework, LEAs can enable small schools to maintain the provision of swimming lessons, at least on a scale sufficient to meet the needs of the National Curriculum.Representations on the funding of swimming were made by Lancashire LEA in its response to the May 1998 consultation paper, "Fair Funding" and, subsequently, in the course of consultation on the Financing of Maintained Schools Regulations. The Department has been unable to trace any more recent representations on the subject from within Lancashire, with the exception of a letter from the hon. Member, a letter from my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (Miss Smith) about the future of certain specific swimming pools in her constituency, and a letter on the same subject from a member of the public in Heysham.

Appraisals Handbook

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects the Appraisals Handbook to be completed; and what action the Department will take to distribute it. [85373]

Consultation on the Green Paper proposals ended on 31 March. We plan to publish a Performance Management Framework later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out the tender specification for the contract to prepare the Appraisals Handbook, and the criteria used to determine the winning bid. [85374]

The tender specification for the contract to prepare the Appraisal Handbook was detailed in an advertisement in the Times Education Supplement on 6 February 1998. I am placing a copy of the advertisement and the tender specifications in Library.

Bids were assessed on the following criteria:

Contractors' capacity:

to demonstrate an understanding of the policy context;

to ensure outputs which would meet the Secretary of State's specification;

to demonstrate that the scope of their organisation could ensure a credible outcome;

to demonstrate that they had made suitable plans within the timescale to produce results;

recent relevant experience in term of policy and project management.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the contract for the Appraisals Handbook was set; who were the bidders for the contract; who won the contract; and what is the cost of the contract. [85375]

The tender specification for the contract to prepare the Appraisal Handbook was set out in an advertisement in the Times Education Supplement on 6 February 1998. There were nine bidders, whom we are not able to name under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.No bid was deemed to fully meet the tender specifications. Following further examination it was agreed to combine the best aspects of two bids. The resulting consortium consisted of Coopers and Lybrand/ Salter Baker & Associates (Education) Ltd. and Nottinghamshire LEA.The information on the cost of the contract is commercial in confidence.

Social Security

National Insurance Fund

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the balance in the National Insurance Fund at the end of each of the next 10 years assuming (a) unchanged policies, (b) an increase in the basic state pension to £75 per week, (c) the implementation of his proposed reforms to SERPS, the state second pension and the stakeholder pension and (d) both (b) and (c) above. [84635]

I have been asked to reply.Responsibility for the National Insurance Fund was transferred to the Treasury from 1 April 1999. In each tax year the Treasury is required to carry out a review of the general level of the National Insurance Fund with a view to determining whether a Treasury Grant is required or whether an order should be made varying the contribution rates for the following tax year. The aim is to ensure that a reasonable working balance is maintained in the Fund at the end of the year. The Government Actuary recommends that the minimum level of the National Insurance Fund at the end of the year should be equivalent to one-sixth of annual benefit payments for the year. The future balances in the National Insurance Fund will be subject to these annual reviews and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Pensioner Incomes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the proportion of pensioner households headed by a person aged (a) 65 to 69, (b) 70 to 74, (c) 75 to 79 and (d) 80 years or more who are (i) in receipt of income support and (ii) in receipt of any means-tested benefit, on a basis consistent with his estimate that one in four of all pensioner households are in receipt of income support. [84756]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

Pensioners in receipt of income-related benefits
Percentage
Age	Proportion of pensioners receipt of Income Support	Proportion of pensioners in receipt of any means-tested benefit
65–69	12	26
70–74	12	31
75–79	16	39
80 and over	25	42

Notes:

1. 'Pensioners' refers to pensioner benefit units, which represents a single person, or a couple where one or both partners is in the age group specified.

2. The figures are consistent with the estimate that one in five of all pensioner benefit units are in receipt of Income Support.

3. The estimates of benefit caseloads group pensioner couples according to the age of the oldest member of the couple. Population estimates by benefit unit classify couples according to the age of the male member of the couple. The estimated proportions are therefore based on the assumption that the male partner is the oldest.

4. Figures exclude cases in residential care and nursing homes.

5. Percentages are rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.

6. Means-tested benefits refer to Income Support, Family Credit, Disability Working Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

7. Overlaps between recipients of more than one of these benefits have been removed.

Sources:

1. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry May 1998.

2. Disability Working Allowance 100 per cent. count of claims.

3. Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards.

4. Housing Benefit Management Information Systems, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries, May 1998.

5. GAD 1996 population projections by marital status.

Social Security Act 1998

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the decision making and appeals provisions of the Social Security Act 1998 will come into effect; and if he will make a statement. [85653]

In March I laid the main Regulations relating to the new system for handling decisions and appeals in benefits and child support being established under last year's Social Security Act. In addition this week I am making the Social Security Act 1998 (Commencement No 7 and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 1999 which commences the relevant parts of the Act for introducing the new system for child support from 1 June. The Order also makes associated transitional and consequential provisions. Further Commencement Orders relating to benefits will be made in due course.

The new arrangements are a significant further step to modernise the delivery of Social Security and child support as part of the reform of welfare. The current system has to change. It is confusing for claimants and staff. Correcting mistakes is complicated and frequently claimants have to appeal. Even where they have no reasonable prospect of success, appeals currently take an average of seven months to be cleared.

The new system will enable the Benefits Agency, Child Support Agency and Employment Service to give a more helpful and accessible service. It will also help to tackle delays in the handling of appeals. Decisions will, as now, be based on the facts and the law, with the right of appeal to an independent tribunal. Decisions will be clearer and communications to the public are being simplified. There will be new arrangements for handling disputes, so mistakes can be corrected without the need for an appeal. Appeal tribunals will comprise one, two or three members according to the issues raised by the appeal, and there will be new arrangements for handling appeals which have no reasonable prospect of success.

To ensure service to the public is maintained during the transition period, the new system will come into operation in stages as follows:

Date
1 June 1999	Child Support
5 July 1999	Child Benefit Guardians Allowance Industrial Injury Scheme Benefits
6 September 1999	Retirement Pension Widows Benefit Incapacity Benefit Severe Disablement Allowance Maternity Allowance
5 October 1999	Working Families Tax Credit Disabled Persons Tax Credit
18 October 1999	Jobseeker's Allowance Disability Living Allowance Attendance Allowance Invalid Care Allowance Vaccine Damage Payments
29 November 1999	Income Support Social Fund

The Chief Executives of the Agencies will be fully accountable to Parliament for the quality of decision making in their Agencies.

In addition, while appeal tribunals will continue to be independent, in April 2000 a new Appeals Service Agency will be established in this Department to be responsible for appeals administration. From 1 June, in a period of shadow working before the agency is launched, responsibility for the administration of appeals will be transferred from the President, Judge Harris, to the Chief Executive designate of the Appeals Service, Neil Ward. Benefit claimants and child support clients will receive information about the new arrangements in notifications and other letters from the Agencies as their cases are handled.

Income Support

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if an employed lone mother in receipt of working families tax credit whose pay is stopped when taking parental leave under the provisions of the Employment Relations Bill, will be eligible to claim income support. [84983]

A lone mother who is on parental leave will be able to claim Income Support if she meets the entitlement conditions. This applies whether or not she is in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if an employed individual in a two-parent couple in receipt of working families tax credit, whose pay is stopped when taking parental leave under the provisions of the Employment Relations Bill, will be able to claim income support. [84984]

Either member of the couple will be able to claim Income Support for the family when on unpaid parental leave if they meet the entitlement conditions. This applies whether or not the family is in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit.

Lone Parents (Benefits)

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he has taken to correct the benefit position whereby a number of lone parents receiving incapacity benefit or severe disability allowance have not received the full increase in their benefits from April. [85652]

A small number of lone parents in receipt of these benefits have, through an error in the regulations, failed to receive the full increase in benefit rates this year. We took swift action and introduced amendments to the regulations which became effective on 17 May. Those affected will have their payments corrected automatically, including any arrears from April.

Defence

Uk Ambassador (Nato)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the responsibilities of the United Kingdom Ambassador's to NATO in respect of miliary operations conducted by NATO. [84762]

I have been asked to reply.The United Kingdom Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council, established by Article 9 of the North Atlantic Treaty, represents the United Kingdom in the Council on all matters including military operations.

Aircraft Carriers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies he has carried out into the use of nuclear steam-generating plant on future aircraft carriers; which organisations were consulted; and what conclusions were reached. [78778]

Concept studies involving the MOD and UK industry have investigated a number of propulsion options for the future aircraft carriers, including nuclear power. Nuclear propulsion for the two ships has been discounted on cost-effectiveness grounds.

Mine Countermeasures Vessels

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the ships which were originally in the Mine Countermeasures vessels upgrade programme will remain in Royal Naval service for their projected service life. [84520]

As we announced in the Strategic Defence Review, we have concluded that the number of Mine Countermeasures vessels should be limited to 22, rather than 25 as previously planned. No decisions have yet been taken as to which vessels will be disposed of. A decision is expected later this year. On current plans the remaining vessels, including those upgraded with Sonar 2193, will remain in service for their projected service lives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the planned cost over what period of time of the upgrade programme for all Mine Countermeasure Vessels; [84519](2) when the decision to delay the upgrade of Royal Navy Mine Countermeasure Vessels was taken; and for what reasons; [84517](3) when those companies which had been invited to tender for the upgrade programme for Mine Countermeasure Vessels were informed of the delay in the programme; how this was done; and by whom. [84569]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 25 May 1999:

I am replying to your questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the programme to upgrade the Royal Navy's Mine Countermeasure Vessels. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

The decision to delay the upgrade of the Royal Navy Countermeasure Vessels was made in the context of the Department's annual budget setting process which was completed in March 1999. The process takes account of cost, operational and industrial factors, and priorities are assessed on the basis of the Defence Missions and Tasks defined in the Strategic Defence Review (Cm 3999) published in July 1998. I can confirm that competing companies (Lockheed Martin and Thomson Marconi Sonar) were formally notified of the delay to the programme by letter on 24 March 1999.

I am afraid that I am unable to disclose the information you request on the cost of the programme as its disclosure could prejudice the competitive position of the Department in negotiations with contractors. I am therefore withholding this information under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Sonar 2193 Programme

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision about the Sonar 2193 programme; and what plans he has for its role in Royal Naval service. [84518]

On current plans, we expect to place a contract for the Sonar 2193 upgrade programme by mid-2001. The sonar upgrade will be introduced into service in 2003, and will improve the minehunting performance of the HUNT Class mine countermeasures vessels. In particular it will enhance their effectiveness against modern, stealthy mines.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the (a) target in service date for the replacements for (i) RFA Sir Geraint and (ii) RFA Sir Percivale and (b) the planned capacity of the replacements; [84510](2) what is the target date for completion of the replacements for RFA

(a) Sir Geraint and (b) Sir Percivale; [84509]

(3) when RFA Sir Geraint and RFA Sir Percivale will be taken out of service; and what is the target date for the contract to be let for their replacement. [84522]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 25 May 1999:

I am replying to your questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Alternative Landing Ships Logistic (ALSL) programme to replace RFAs SIR GERAINT and SIR PERCIVALE. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

The ALSLs will be required to transport and deliver troops, vehicles and stores as integral elements of an amphibious task force off-loaded at sea to landing craft. Options for the capacity of these new vessels will be dependent on the designs offered by industry in their bids, but we expect each vessel to embark between 350 and 500 military personnel and to have between 500 and 1000 lane metres of capacity.

We plan to place the contract for the ALSLs in mid 2000 with a target date for completion of the two vessels (defined as the Contract Acceptance Date) of Summer 2003 and early 2004 respectively. The planned in service dates are early 2004 and Autumn 2004. Full passenger certification for RFAs SIR GERAINT and SIR PERCIVALE will expire in 2003 and 2004, but they will continue to operate as logistic support ships until they are replaced by the new ALSLs.

Open Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) of 10 May 1999, Official Report, column 21, if he will make a statement on the nature of those applications made to his Department for disclosure of information under the open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which were not granted for 1998. [84859]

For central monitoring purposes, the total number of applications made under the Code and the number of requests which were refused are collected, but not details of the reasons for non-disclosure of information. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Each request for information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information is considered on a case-by-case basis. Departmental instructions made it clear that decisions to withhold information must be approved by a member of the Senior Civil Service or equivalent military rank, and that reasons for non-disclosure must be made in terms of the Code's exemptions.

Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [85604]

The Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment Agency's key targets for the financial year 1999–2000 are:

Operational Strategy

Key Target 1—Deliver 100 per cent. of Operational Tasks to time.

Key Target 2—Deliver at least 92 per cent. of Operational Support Tasks to time.

Performance Strategy

Key Target 3—Achieve a quality failure rate for completed tasks of less than 1.5 per cent.

Financial Strategy

Key Target 4—Reduce the full cost per task hour to below 85 per cent. of the FY96–97 figure in real terms.

Kosovo

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to use the TA to replace regular army units currently stationed in Germany but warned to deploy to Kosovo. [85378]

There are no current plans to use the TA to replace regular Army units currently stationed in Germany but warned to deploy to Kosovo.

Trade And Industry

Export Licences

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those Governments who received a licence to export UK surplus military equipment in (i) 1997 and (ii) 1998. [83007]

I have been asked to reply.The major capital surplus exports on a Government to Government basis were as follows:

Year
1996–97
Brazil	Type 22 frigates
Uruguay	Wessex helicopters and spare equipment
Australia	Sea King helicopters
Malta	Vehicles
Austria	MS78 light armoured vehicles and spares	1997–98
1997–98
Brazil	Type 22 frigates
Uruguay	Wessex helicopters
Philippines	Peacock Class Hong Kong patrol craft

Gas-Fired Power Stations

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total capacity of the new gas-fired power stations approved since May 1997; and if he will estimate the amount of coal-use they will displace. [84360]

Some 4 GW of new gas-fired capacity has been cleared since May 1997. This compares to some 23 GW of new gas-fired capacity cleared by the previous Government. In broad terms each extra 1 GW of new gas-fired capacity could displace coal burn by about 2.5 million tonnes a year. The precise impact, however, is not so simple since displacement in a particular case depends on the mode of operation, the competitive position of other plant (which may be coal or non-coal plant) and the level of demand that is required to be met.

Photo-Voltaic Generation

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions he has conducted with (a) the Electricity Regulator and (b) the electricity supply industry concerning the practice of requiring separate meters to record the supply and consumption of electricity by domestic premises where photo-voltaic generating capacity has been installed; [84319](2) what discussions he has conducted with

(a) the Electricity Regulator and (b) the electricity supply industry concerning the current pricing arrangements for purchasing electricity generated by photo-voltaic installations in domestic premises. [84320]

Renewable sources, including photovoltaic (PV) installations, have an important contribution to make to the development of sustainable energy supplies in the UK. It is important that renewables and other forms of embedded generation can compete on a level playing field. My Department's New and Renewable Energy Programme has supported a number of studies, involving both renewable generating companies and the electricity supply industry, with the aim of encouraging the development of commercial and technical frameworks that will assist them to compete on an equal footing.In addition, "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21st Century", the consultation paper which I published on 30 March, invited comments on issues surrounding the connection of embedded renewable generators to the electricity system. I will consider what further action may be required in the light of that consultation.Metering is of course an essential component of a competitive market. It is important however, that metering arrangements do not discriminate between alternative sources or impose excessive costs. I understand that, while all generators are required to measure their exports and imports separately, for the very smallest sources (those below 100kW), such as domestic PV systems, a simpler system of metering is required.I would encourage those who wish to see changes in the existing arrangements for metering or trade in PV or other types of embedded generation to take this up with the Director General of Electricity Supply at their earliest opportunity, and I will take a close interest in the outcome of those discussions.

Ukaeac

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the results of the recent inspection of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. [85606]

I understand that the full text of the report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, Mr. Colin Smith, is being published today by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Constabulary's Policy Authority. This is the first time that an inspection report on the UKAEAC has been published, and I welcome this commitment to increased openness. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.I am pleased to note that the Inspector formed a good opinion of the professionalism of the men and women who police our nuclear installations. His report acknowledges the considerable modernisation in the force's management and general effectiveness brought about in recent years by the former and current Chief Constables.The report makes 14 recommendations for improvements primarily on a range of management, training, communications and personnel issues, all of which the Chief Constable and Police Authority are committed to implementing.

Post Office

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the commercial acquisitions made by the Post Office since 1 November 1998, giving the approximate value of each acquisition and the date in which approval was given. [85345]

The commercial acquisitions made by the Post Office since 1 November 1998 are as follows:

Germany:

German Parcel—acquisition cost around £300 million

Der Kurier—acquisition cost less than £10 million

Austria:

Delacher—acquisition cost less than £3 million.

Government approval for the German Parcel acquisition was given to the Post Office on 19 December 1998. The other deals fell within permitted borrowing limits for smaller development investments which are notified to Government but do not require specific approval. Fuller details of the arrangements will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Bse Inquiry

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of the BSE Inquiry. [85506]

The BSE Inquiry was originally intended to report on 31 December 1998. At the request of the Inquiry, my right hon. Friend the Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham), the previous Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, announced on 9 March 1998, Official Report, column 3, that the original terms of reference would be revised to allow the Inquiry until 30 June 1999 to report. The Inquiry has now requested a further extension and, following discussions with the Committee about the time needed to complete their task, the Government have agreed that the Report shall be delivered by 31 March 2000.

Meat Hygiene Service (Charges)

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many complaints he has received over meat hygiene service charges since April 1998. [85131]

Since April 1998, my Department has received over 500 representations about hygiene inspection charges and the proposal to introduce charges for Specified Risk Material controls. In the same period, the Meat Hygiene Service has also received in excess of 100 representations about the level of its charges.

Date-Based Export Scheme

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has made to improve participation within the Date-Based Export Scheme. [85132]

I expect uptake of the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) to be low initially. The condition under which exports may resume are very strict: we can only change them in further negotiations and it is the Government's view that we must first show that we can operate the scheme as it stands. There are a few slaughterhouses which want to participate. My officials have been discussing with these slaughterhouses how the scheme might work for them, and will talk with any others which are interested. After we have seen and considered the report of Commission's April inspection of our DBES procedures, we will be writing to the slaughterhouses with details of the Scheme and an invitation to apply for participation or further information.

Hormone-Treated Beef

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made through the WTO to end the dispute with the USA and Canada over hormones in beef. [85134]

On 17 May the General Affairs Council called on the European Commission to intensify its contacts with the USA and Canada on all aspects of the dispute concerning hormonal growth promoters and, in particular, to enter into detailed and transparent discussions on the basis of the scientific evidence available.

Health

Nhs Direct And Walk-In Clinics

To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent clinical governance guidelines will apply to (a) walk-in clinics and (b) NHS Direct. [84371]

We will ensure that walk-in centres will be subject to appropriate clinical governance guidelines. The responsibility for ensuring this is achieved will depend on the nature of the organisation which takes responsibility for running the centre. NHS Direct will be subject to current clinical governance guidelines.

Cancer Treatments

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority the capital spend for projects relating to cancer treatment in the last 12 months. [84418]

National Health Service Regional Offices do monitor large capital projects, but the information they have on capital spend is not disease specific. In many cases, a building or a piece of equipment will not be used solely for cancer patients and it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested.

Private Medical Insurance

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the effect of abolition of private medical insurance tax relief on demand for public healthcare. [84659]

It was anticipated that there would be no significant cost to the National Health Service of people withdrawing from private medical insurance schemes and seeking NHS treatment through changes to tax relief.

Guild Community Trust

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence he has had with the non-executive directors of the Guild Community Trust, Preston; [84704](2) what discussions he has had with

(a) the authors of and (b) others about the Galbraith/Campbell report relating to the Guild Community Trust, Preston; [84705]

(3) what steps he is taking to ensure that more (a) openness and (b) accountability is introduced into the governance of NHS trusts; [84708]

(4) what steps he is taking to encourage non-executive directors of NHS trusts to bring to his attention any mismanagement within the trust; [84709]

(5) when he expects to appoint a permanent Chairman of the Guild Community Trust, Preston; [84706]

(6) what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence he has had concerning the appointments of the non-executive directors of the Guild Community Trust, Preston; [84707]

(7) when he read the Galbraith/Campbell report relating to the Guild Community Trust, Preston; and what assessment he has made of its findings; [84711]

(8) what (a) discussions he has had and (b) advice he has received from the North West Regional Office concerning the appointments of the current non-executive directors of the Guild Community Trust, Preston. [84710]

[holding answer 18 May 1999]: After considering the independent reports into the management of the Guild Community National Health Service Trust and discussions with National Health Service Executive Regional Office officials, I concluded that relations between non-executive directors of the Trust had reached a state of irretrievable breakdown and that it would not be in the best interests of the NHS or the Trust and, most of all, the community it is supposed to serve, for them to continue in office. I therefore asked all five remaining non-executive directors to resign. Two agreed to do so and I exercised my powers under Regulation 9(3) of the National Health Service Trust (Membership and Procedure) Regulations 1990 to terminate the membership of the remaining three who refused to resign.I have appointed Mrs. Christine Kirk to chair the trust until 30 November 1999. Mrs. Kirk was appointed by the previous Government to chair the Calderstones NHS Trust. I have appointed five new non-executive directors for a four year period. They are:

Mr. P. Farrer

Mrs. A. Knowles

Mrs. G. Pashley

Mr. P. Passi

Mrs. H. Anslow.

None of these have any declared party political affiliations. The selection panels which chose them had some members with declared party political activity. Of these all were Conservative. These appointments were carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and she has been kept informed at all stages of the problems at the Guild Community NHS Trust, the resignations, dismissals and appointments.

The openness and accountability of NHS trusts has been extended by the present Government, for example by requiring the trust boards to meet in public.

Organophosphates

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to inform GPs of the outcome of the Edinburgh study into organophosphates. [84906]

The report of this study has not yet been completed. We understand that the report is likely to be finalised over the next few weeks and will then be published. The report will be submitted for urgent consideration by the Government's expert advisory committees.

Children's Wards

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals covering the Greater London area have children's wards. [85083]

40 National Health Service trusts within the London Regional Office area have children's wards. These can be broken down into the following sectors:

37 NHS trusts have acute children's wards;

6 NHS trusts have mental illness children's wards;

1 NHS trust has a learning disability children ward.

Note:

(1997–98 figures). Some NHS Trusts have more than one type of children's ward, hence the sector breakdown is higher than the total.

Nurses' Pay

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those NHS trusts which did not pay the increased pay award to nurses in their pay packets for April 1999. [85372]

The information requested is not available centrally.I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 18 May 1999,

Official Report, column 321.

Care Guidance

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that his Department's work on devising fair access to care guidance is integrated with work on charging policies. [85382]

As promised in the Social Services White Paper we are drafting guidance to help authorities apply eligibility criteria more consistently, thus ensuring fairer access to care services around the country. We will be involving local authorities and other agencies as well as users and carers in working up this guidance, and will ensure that it properly takes account of other relevant policy development including any changes to the charging system.

Epsom And St Helier Nhs Trust

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of (a) the current financial position of the Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust and (b) the Trust's year end figures for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [85383]

The financial plans of health authorities and NHS trusts for financial year 1999–2000 have not yet been finalised.

Nhs Trusts

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the responsibilities of non-executive directors of NHS trusts. [85143]

The responsibilities are set out in the information pack sent to all potential candidates for appointment to National Health Service boards. Copies of the information pack have been placed in the Library.

Renal Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 4 May 1999, Official Report, column 352, on renal services, what extra capital and revenue resources have been made available to the four health authorities in Lancashire and South Cumbria to fund the 15 new dialysis stations. [85225]

The £1.1 million capital investment comprises £300,000 from the North West regional capital programme and £800,000 from the capital programme of Preston Acute Hospitals National Health Services Trust. The health authorities will be responsible for meeting the revenue costs from their general allocations, beginning in 2000–01; these are estimated to be in the region of £1 million.

Dismissal (Nhs Trusts)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the grounds on which a non-executive director of an NHS trust can be dismissed from his post. [85144]

The grounds are listed in regulations 9(3) to 9(7) of the National Health Service Trusts (Membership and Procedure) Regulations 1990, as amended. Copies of the relevant Regulations are available in the Library.

Listening To Women

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Listening to Women reply-paid cards have been printed; how many have been issued to (a) individual women and (b) women's organisations; and at what cost to date. [85376]

1,250,000 reply-paid postcards were printed. 1,200,000 have so far been distributed to a range of sources to reach individual women and women's organisations. This includes Marks and Spencer; British Home Stores; Superdrug as well as the Women's National Commission; the Commission for Racial Equality; general practitioners surgeries; citizens advice bureaux; public libraries; post offices; bingo halls/cinemas, advice centres. In addition there have been personal requests from individuals and organisations.The costs to date are £59,000 excluding Value Added Tax. The deadline for returning postcards ends on 30 June 1999.

Correspondence

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the 13 letters beginning 20 August 1997 and ending 21 February 1999, sent to him by Mrs. Blee, a constituent of the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, will receive an answer. [85343]

Five letters have been received from Mrs. Blee since January 1998, the period when records are held. Of these, one was addressed direct to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and a response was sent on 20 August 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the six letters from Mrs. Blee, a constituent of the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, sent between 29 October 1998 and 19 April 1999, addressed to the SE Regional Chairman, NHS Executive and the Chairman of West Kent Health Authority, will be answered. [85342]

There is no trace of any correspondence from Mrs. Blee.The Regional Chairman of the South East Office of the NHS Executive and the Chairman of West Kent Health Authority have responded to all correspondence received from Mr. Alan Blee between 29 October 1998 and 19 April 1999.Officials have confirmed that there is no trace of any correspondence received from Mrs. Blee.

Cabinet Office

Civil Servants (New Deal)

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people have been employed in the Civil Service under the New Deal for the young and unemployed. [85556]

As at 1 April 1999, the information on Civil Service Departments (including their Agencies) participating as employers in the New Deal is as follows:

	New Deal 'starts' since programmes began
Main department name (including their agencies)	Age 18–24	25 and over	Total
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	5	0	5
Cabinet Office	6	0	6
Culture, Media and Sport	0	1	1
Defence	5	2	7
Education and Employment	345	10	355
Environment, Transport and the Regions	5	1	6
Foreign and Commonwealth Office	3	0	3
Health	4	4	8
Home Office	1	0	1
International Development	0	0	0
Lord Chancellors	0	0	0
Northern Ireland Office	0	0	0
Scottish Office	13	0	13
Social Security¹	18	0	18
Trade and Industry	21	1	22
HM Treasury	5	1	6
Welsh Office	4	1	5
Other:
Charity Commission	5	0	5
Export Credits Guarantee Department	4	0	4
Government Offices for the Regions	3	0	3
Intervention Board	2	0	2
Totals	449	21	470
¹ Includes the Contributions Agency which transferred to the Inland Revenue on 1 April 1999

Public Appointments

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what action he is taking to increase the representation of women, members of ethnic minority groups and disabled people on the boards of public bodies. [85607]

In June 1998, the Government launched a new initiative to increase the participation of under-represented groups in public life. Details of the Government's plan of action, including individual departmental plans, were published in "Quangos: Opening Up Public Appointments", copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.The action plan has now been updated. This requires all Departments to continue their work towards the equal representation of women and men in public appointments, a pro-rata representation of members of ethnic minority groups, and the increased participation of disabled people in public life.

Individual departmental plans have also been updated and contain specific goals and objectives for the period 1999–2002. The revised plans are published today, and copies will be sent to all hon. and right hon. Members as well as being placed in the Libraries of the House. The plans will also be made available electronically on the Internet.

Northern Ireland

Aricept

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the (a) number and (b) percentage of Alzheimer patients being treated with Aricept in Northern Ireland. [84878]

Information in the form requested is not available. The Central Services Agency, Northern Ireland, holds information on the drug Aricept in relation to prescriptions dispensed in Northern Ireland and this is as outlined:

January 1998–December 1998
Item	Number/cost
Number of prescriptions dispensed	5,042
Quantity (total number of tablets)	184,701
Ingredient cost (cost of drugs before discount)	£538,144

Terrorist Prisoners

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list (a) the number and (b) the affiliation of terrorist prisoners who have been released under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. [84989]

[holding answer 21 May 1999]: The information in respect of (a) and (b) is shown in the table. To date there have been 267 prisoners released under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. Information is held in relation to the perceived paramilitary association of prisoners, where applicable, for management purposes. It should be noted, however, that with the exception of HMP Maze where links are more clearly defined, this information is based on a combination of factors including the offence, sympathies and associates. This information is taken from statistics which are current at 24 May 1999.

Perceived affiliation of prisoners released on licence under the 1998 Sentences Act	Total (as at 24 May 1999)
UDA	63
No Trace	8
UFF	5
PIRA	123
UVF	47
Former INLA	7
Loyalist	4
Republican Sympathisers	2
RHC	2
Criminal	1
LVF	4
Republican	1
Total	267

House Of Commons

Portcullis House

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what steps were taken (a) to carry out an environmental impact assessment of Portcullis House and (b) to ensure that it sets a high standard for energy efficiency. [85055]

An environmental impact assessment was not carried out during the design period.The House determined that the building should be energy efficient. The Measures to achieve this, which are included in the design of the building, are:

The use of cold ground water taken via a borehole to provide the chilling for the air conditioning system;

heat recovery from exhaust air and

the use of the thermal mass of the building to even out the heating and cooling requirements between night and day.

As a result, the building is expected to consume only one third of the energy of a conventionally air conditioned building.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Sierra Leone

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the reference by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), to the scope of UN Security Council resolutions 1132 on 12 March 1998, Official Report, column 841, was first brought to his attention. [76064]

[holding answer 11 May 1999]: I refer to my statement in the House on 2 March 1999, Official Report, columns 894–901. Statements to Parliament by other FCO Ministers are brought to my attention as appropriate, not as a matter of course.

International Conventions And Charters

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many international (a) conventions and (b) charters have been (i) signed and (ii) ratified by the United Kingdom since 1972. [85278]

Treaties (agreements binding in international law) are known by a variety of names, such as; Convention, Charter, Treaty, Protocol, Agreement, Final Act. etc. The term "charter" is also used to describe non-legally binding instruments.The United Kingdom has signed a total of 587 multilateral treaties since 1972, and has ratified 387 in the same period. Of the multilateral treaties signed, 274 are conventions and 3 are charters. Of those ratified, 244 are conventions and 2 are charters. (The above figures for conventions include amending protocols to conventions, which are treaties in their own right and require separate signature and ratification). Corresponding information for bilateral conventions and charters can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Falkland Islands

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent incident in the South Atlantic involving a Falkland Islands fishery protection vessel opening fire on a Taiwanese fishing boat. [85219]

With Her Majesty's Government's approval, the Falkland Islands Government recently armed one of its Fisheries Protection Vessels (FPVs) with a 20mm Oerlikon cannon. On 15 May the armed FPV challenged an unlicensed Taiwanese fishing vessel which was 19 miles inside the Falkland Islands Outer Conservation Zone and appeared to be fishing. Messages and signals were passed by the FPV to the vessel which failed to respond. Warning shots were fired. After all warnings and warning shots had been ignored by the illegal vessel, the FPV sought and received permission from the Director of Fisheries of the Falkland Islands Government to fire directly at its bows. Another warning shot was fired followed by five single, aimed shots at the bow of the vessel. The illegal vessel was pursued out of Falkland Islands waters by the FPV, which acted in accordance with strict guidelines throughout the incident.

Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what export restrictions currently apply to FYROM; for what reasons; and what proposals the Government have to lift them. [85211]

Date	Venue	Event
June 1999
1	Dresden	Agriculture Ministers (Informal)
3–4	Cologne	European Council
7	Luxembourg	Education Council
8	Luxembourg	Health Council
10	Luxembourg	Fisheries Council
10–13		European Parliament Elections
14	Luxembourg	ECOFIN (possible)
14–15	Luxembourg	Agriculture Council
17–18	Luxembourg	Transport Council
21	Luxembourg	Internal Market Council
21–22	Luxembourg	General Affairs Council
22	Luxembourg	Labour and Social Affairs Council (possible)
24–25	Luxembourg	Environment Council
28	Luxembourg	Culture and Audiovisual Council
28–29	Rio de Janeiro	EU-Latin America/Caribbean Summit
July 1999
2–3	Oulu	Industry and Research Ministers (Informal)
9–10	Oulu	Labour/Social Affairs Ministers (Informal)
12	Brussels	ECOFIN
16	Brussels	Budget Council
18–20	Savonlinna	Culture and Audiovisual Ministers (Informal)
19–20	Brussels	General Affairs Council
19–20	Brussels	Agriculture Council
20–23	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
23–25	Helsinki	Environment Ministers (Informal)
28–30	Brussels	EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting
August 1999
No Council Business
September 1999
4–5	Saariselka	Foreign Ministers (Informal)
10–11	Turku	ECOFIN (Informal)
12–14	Tampere	Agriculture Ministers (Informal)
13–14	Brussels	General Affairs Council
13–17	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary

Export controls in general apply to all destinations.The only country specific export control currently in place on the Republic of Macedonia is Group 3, Part 1, Schedule 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, which prohibits the export without an export licence of certain all-wheel drive utility vehicles capable of off road use, heavy duty recovery vehicles and drop sided trucks.This control was introduced to address concerns that such vehicles might be used by para-military groups against British troops deployed on peace-keeping duties in the former Yugoslavia.We are currently taking steps to remove this control in respect of the Republic of Macedonia.

European Union Events

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for June; and if he will list the major European Union events for the next six months. [85608]

The list is as follows:

European Calendar: June-November 1999

This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

Date	Venue	Event
16–17	Turku	Justice and Home Affairs Ministers (Informal)
24–25	Tampere	Education Ministers (Informal)
27–28	Kuopio	Ministers of Housing
27–28	Brussels	Agriculture Council
30 September-1 October	Helsinki	Ministerial Conference on Equality between Women and Men
October 1999
4–5	Luxembourg	Justice and Home Affairs Council
4–5	Tampere	Regional Policy Ministers
4–8	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
6	Luxembourg	Transport Council
8	Luxembourg	ECOFIN
11–12	Luxembourg	General Affairs Council
11–12	Luxembourg	Environment Council
15–16	Luxembourg	Special European Council
18–19	Luxembourg	Agriculture Council
22	Luxembourg	Labour/Social Affairs Council
24–25	Helsinki	Energy Ministers Task Force Meeting
25–29	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
26	Luxembourg	Fisheries Council
28	Luxembourg	Research Council
29	Luxembourg	Justice and Home Affairs Council
November 1999
3–4	Brussels	European Parliament Plenary
8	Brussels	ECOFIN
8	Brussels	Consumer Affairs Council
9	Brussels	Industry Council
11	Brussels	Development Council
12	Brussels	Labour and Social Affairs Council (possible)
12–13	Helsinki	Ministerial Conference on the Northern Dimension
15–16	Brussels	Agriculture Council
15–16	Brussels	General Affairs Council
15–19	Strasbourg	European Parliament Plenary
18	Brussels	Health Council
19	Brussels	Youth Council
22	Brussels	Fisheries Council (possible)
22–23	Brussels	EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting (possible)
23	Brussels	Culture and Audiovisual Council
26	Brussels	Budget Council
26	Brussels	Education Council
29	Brussels	ECOFIN
29	Brussels	Labour and Social Affairs Council
30	Brussels	Telecommunications Council

Monthly Forecast of Business: June 1999

The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

1 June 1999—Dresden—Agriculture Ministers (Informal)

No formal agenda

3–4 June 1999—Cologne—European Council

No formal agenda

7 June 1999—Luxembourg—Education Council

Adoption of provisional agenda

Adoption of list of "A" points

New generation of programmes

Leonardo II decision and negotiations on Socrates II (information from Presidency)

Commission report on Socrates I (information from the Commission and exchange of views)

Implementation of Leonardo II and Socrates II (information from the Commission)

Implementation of Europass (information from the Commission)

Contribution of Education to European Employment Pact (Presidency discussion paper)

Forward planning in the field of education (Presidency discussion paper)

(poss.) Conference of European Education Ministers in Budapest on 24–26 June 1999 (information from Presidency)

Any other business

8 June 1999—Luxembourg—Health Council

Morning

Adoption of the agenda

(poss.) Approval of the list of "A" items

Future Community action in the field of public health Draft Council Resolution Exchange of views

Antibiotic resistance—a strategy against the microbial threat Draft Council Resolution

Communicable diseases

Commission report on the 4th meeting of the EU-United States task force on communicable diseases 8159/99 SAN 52 Commission briefing on development in Europe

Report on the State of Health in the Community (Migrants) Commission progress briefing

Health issues in connection with the future enlargement of the community

(A) Presentation of Commission working paper on "Health and Enlargement"

(B) Preparation of informal Meeting with the Ministers of the countries applying for accession

Approval of the annotated agenda

Informal meeting with the Ministers of the applicant countries Afternoon

Proposal for a Council recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields 0 HZ-3000 GHZ (0)

(Legal basis: Article 152(4), second sub-paragraph)

Adoption 9620/98 SAN 107 ECO 230

Integration of health protection requirements in Community policies

Draft Council conclusions

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSES)

Exchange of views

Other business

(A) WHO tobacco free initiative

(Request by the Netherlands delegation)

(B) Non-conventional medicine

(Request by the Belgian Delegation)

(0) Item on which a vote may be taken

10 June 1999—Luxembourg—Fisheries Council

Adoption of the agenda

Approval of the list of "A" items

Proposal for a Council regulation laying down the details rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (X)

Legal basis: Article 37 of the Treaty

Final adoption

DOC. 13605/98 PECHE 413

Proposal for a Council regulation establishing a list of types of behaviour which seriously infringe the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (X) Legal basis: Article 37 of the Treaty Final adoption

DOC. 6030/99 PECHE 31

(poss.) Proposal for a Council regulation allocating the fishing possibilities for certain fish stocks and modifying regulation no. 48/99 (in particular the allocation of tacs for blue whiting and for new tacs for spurdog and northern shrimps) (X) (Commission proposal awaited)

Final adoption

Fisheries agreements with third countries: cost/benefit analysis State of play (oral report by the Commission)

Fisheries relations with Morocco

North Sea Conference—Intermediate Ministerial Meeting (IMM) 13–14 March 1997 Bergen, Norway—follow-up

Report by the Commission

(poss.) Presentation of Commission communication to Council and Parliament

Conservation of sandeels

Oral report on state of play by the Commission (at the request of the UK delegation)

Other business

Situation in the Adriatic as a consequence of the events in Kosovo (at the request of the Italian delegation)

Organisation of future work

(X) Item on which a vote may be requested.

10–13 June 1999—European Parliament Elections

14 June 1999—Luxembourg—ECOFIN (possible)

No agenda yet available

14–15 June 1999—Luxembourg—Agriculture Council

No agenda yet available

17–18 June 1999—Luxembourg—Transport Council

No agenda yet available

21 June 1999—Luxembourg—Internal Market Council

No agenda yet available

21–22 June 1999—Luxembourg—General Affairs Council

No agenda yet available

22 June 1999—Luxembourg—Labour and Social Affairs Council (possible)

No agenda yet available

24–25 June 1999—Luxembourg—Environment Council

No agenda yet available

28 June 1999—Luxembourg—Culture and Audiovisual Council

No agenda yet available

28–29 June 1999—Rio de Janeiro—EU-Latin America/Caribbean Summit

No agenda yet available.

Sudan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 May 1999, Official Report, column 241, if the United States has informed him that it remains its position that chemical weapons materials related to international terrorism were being produced at the pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum in Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [85460]

The US Government have not informed us of a change in their position on this issue.

Balkan Conflict (Legality)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the charges made against the British Government by the Government of Yugoslavia in the International Court of Justice at the Hague in respect of the conflict in Yugoslavia; what has been his response; and if he will make a statement. [85341]

The application instituting proceedings and the request for interim measures in the case brought by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia against the United Kingdom at the International Court of Justice will be placed in the Library of the House, together with the oral statements made on behalf of the FRY and the UK at the hearing on the request for interim measures which was held from 10 to 12 May.

Scotland

Tuition Fees

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the National Union of Students in Scotland to discuss tuition fees. [84135]

Scottish Office Ministers meet representatives of the higher education sector, including the National Union of Students in Scotland, from time to time. A range of issues are discussed.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the vice-chancellors of Scottish universities to discuss tuition fees. [84140]

Scottish Office Ministers meet representatives of the higher education sector, including the Vice Chancellors of Scottish Universities, from time to time to discuss a range of issues.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of students attending Scottish universities to discuss tuition fees. [84144]

Scottish Office Ministers meet representatives from the higher education sector, including students, from time to time. A wide range of issues are discussed.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Pathfinder Report

10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking in response to the pathfinder report published in late March. [84136]

The Pathfinders to the Parliament report has been widely disseminated. The report has allowed business to generate ideas for early consideration by the Scottish Parliament and it is now for the Parliament and Scottish Executive, in partnership with business and industry, to consider and, if appropriate, to take forward the recommendations in the report.

Clydeside Industries

11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the prospects for shipbuilding and related industries on Clydeside. [84137]

Three of the four shipyards on the Clyde have healthy order books. A Task Force has been appointed by the Under-Secretary, my noble Friend Lord Macdonald to help identify potential purchasers for the fourth yard, Kvaerner Govan, and has achieved real progress towards this end.From 1 July 1999, economic development will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Social Inclusion Strategy

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's social inclusion strategy. [84139]

The Government are taking forward a wide-ranging and well resourced programme of action to promote social inclusion in Scotland. Our social inclusion strategy was published on 1 March this year. The work taken forward under the strategy will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Elections (Scottish Parliament)

15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the system for elections to the Scottish Parliament. [84141]

I have no plans to review the system of elections to the Scottish Parliament.

Regional Selective Assistance

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to provide RSA funding for the development of clusters of industrial and biotechnology institutions. [84143]

Regional Selective Assistance is available for qualifying investment projects carried out in the Assisted Areas, including projects in the biotechnology sector.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Hospital Beds

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in reducing the number of beds which are blocked in Scottish hospitals. [84145]

Health Boards in Scotland continue to work with their local authority partners in addressing all avenues to reduce delays in discharge from NHS care.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

European Union Funding

19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress being made to determine the boundaries for Objective 2 status funding by the European Union. [84146]

We are currently consulting on this and will submit to the European Commission proposals for eligible areas for Objective 2.

Anti-Drugs Strategy

20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's anti-drug abuse strategy. [84147]

The Government recently enhanced the approach to tackling drug misuse in Scotland with the publication of "Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership". This document establishes a new framework of co-operation across agencies and communities in the implementation of a programme of comprehensive action throughout Scotland.From 1 July 1999, it will be for the Scottish Parliament to consider the strategy set out in "Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership" and continue the task of reducing drug misuse in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator to discuss the implementation of Her Majesty Government's anti-drugs strategy in Scotland. [84131]

The Secretary of State has not met formally with the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator, but the former Minister for health and the arts in Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Mr. Galbraith), has discussed Scotland's contribution to the UK Government's drugs strategy with Mr. Hellawell. This is set out in "Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership", which was launched in March 1999.From 1 July 1999, it will be for the Scottish Parliament to consider the strategy set out in this document.

Gartcosh

21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet Lanarkshire Development Agency to discuss the industrial and jobs potential at Gartcosh. [84148]

I have no immediate plans to meet with Lanarkshire Development Agency to discuss the industrial and jobs potential at Gartcosh. The previous Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Anniesland (Mr. Dewar), and the Prime Minister met with Lanarkshire Development Agency on 8 April to discuss inward investment and the opening of a new call centre at Cumbernauld. North Lanarkshire Council and Lanarkshire Development Agency have formed a Partnership to promote the regeneration of the Gartcosh site as a strategic industrial location capable of being marketed throughout the UK and internationally. The partnership is investing £11.6 million to transform the site into a fully-serviced 200 acre industrial park, which will be capable of accommodating up to 5,000 jobs and attracting substantial new investment into Lanarkshire.

Oil Industry Task Force

22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the work of the oil industry task force. [84149]

The Oil and Gas Industry Task Force is examining a number of key areas vital to the long term future of the UK oil and gas industry. The priorities for action are Competitiveness, Skills and Training, Innovation and Technology, Fiscal Administration, Regulation and Licensing, Sustainable Development, and Long Term Vision. As a result of the work undertaken in the Task Force so far, a number of measures to boost oil and gas exploration and development were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Industry on 31 March.The Task Force is expected to make final recommendations by the summer.

Ministerial Responsibilities

23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the extent of his responsibilities following the creation of the Scottish Executive. [84150]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given earlier today to the hon. Members for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir T. Taylor) and for Bromsgrove (Miss Kirkbride).

Funding (Health And Education)

24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received this year on (a) higher and further education funding and (b) NHS funding. [84151]

Scottish Office Ministers and officials have had regular contact with a wide range of institutions and interests in further and higher education. Issues arising have included matters relating to funding and I have been particularly pleased by the warm response from both sectors to our commitment to invest significantly in further and higher education throughout the three year Comprehensive Spending Review period.Representations on NHS funding have been received from a variety of bodies. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review an additional investment of £1.8 billion is being made available in the NHS in Scotland over the next three years. A further £37.1 million over the next three years was provided in the March budget for Capital Modernisation.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Infant Deaths

25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce a confidential case inquiry into each incident of sudden unexpected infant death in Scotland. [84152]

I have no plans to do so. There is already a significant body of evidence relating to the epidemiology of sudden unexpected infant death. This is consistent with Health Departments' guidance and advice on reducing the risk of cot death. The Government will continue to support biomedical and health service research into this important topic, alongside the valuable work of voluntary agencies, such as the Scottish Cot Death Trust, to help find out how sudden unexpected infant death might be reduced further.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Food Standards Agency

26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact on small businesses of the flat rate levy to fund the new Food Standards Agency. [84153]

The possible impact of the levy has been discussed with representatives from small business organisations at a series of consultation seminars across Scotland. We have also received a large number of responses to the public consultation on the charging proposals. We are considering these responses—including suggestions for alternative proposals—before deciding how to proceed.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Nhs Reform

27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the reform of the NHS. [84154]

Our broad plans to modernise the NHS in Scotland were set out in the White Paper "Designed to Care", which we published in December 1997. That programme is now being implemented in detail, and the primary legislation required is currently before Parliament. Our intention now is to consolidate the modernisation process.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Eu Structural Funds

28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in deciding the future of European structural funds in Scotland. [84155]

We have made good progress. At the Berlin Summit in March, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister secured a special aid package for the Highlands and Islands, and we are now consulting on Objectives 2 and 3.

Millennium Bug

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the degree of preparedness for the Year 2000 and the millennium bug of the pharmacy practice division of the Common Services Agency of the Scottish Health Service. [84867]

The Common Services Agency has an extensive programme for Year 2000 preparedness. In the case of the Pharmacy Practice Division, the decision was taken to replace the existing old and largely manual system with a completely new system which incorporates high speed Intelligent Character Recognition. I am advised by the General Manager of the CSA that best current estimates from the suppliers indicate that the new

AIDS cases not known to be dead as at 31 December of selected years by health board of AIDS registration, and for Scotland, as at 31 March 1999
Health Board	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1998	1999
Argylle & Clyde	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	3	3
Ayrshire & Arran	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
Borders	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dumfries & Galloway	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fife	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	15	15
Forth Valley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Grampian	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	7	7
Greater Glasgow	0	0	0	1	3	1	10	13	77	78
Highland	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	2
Lanarkshire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	5
Lothian	0	0	0	2	3	6	15	25	106	110
Orkney	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Shetland	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0
Tayside	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	4	26	24
Western Isles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Scotland	0	0	0	3	7	9	29	46	243	246

Note:

This table is based on year of AIDS diagnosis.

Source:

The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health AIDS/HIV Register

system will complete testing and come into operation before the end of this calendar year, and that robust contingency plans are being developed to ensure continuity of payments to pharmacy contractors.

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Hiv/Aids

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland, for each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and for 1999 to date; [84823](2) how many people were newly diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in

(a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland, for each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and for 1999 to date. [84822]

(3) if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive and not known to have died (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland, for each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and for 1999 to date. [84824]

I shall write to my right hon. Friend in view of the extent of the information requested. I shall arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Library of the House.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people diagnosed with AIDS and not known to have died there were in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland in each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and in 1999 to date. [84818]

The information is set out in the following table:

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people with AIDS died in (a) Scotland and

AIDS deaths by health board of AIDS registration, and for Scotland, by year of death, as at 31 March 1999
Health board	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1998	1999
Argyll and Clyde	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ayrshire and Arran	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Borders	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dumfries and Galloway	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fife	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Forth Valley	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Grampian	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1	0
Greater Glasgow	0	1	0	1	0	6	3	8	6	0
Highland	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0
Lanarkshire	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Lothian	0	0	0	0	0	2	4	8	6	0
Orkney	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Shetland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tayside	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	8	2
Western Isles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Scotland	0	1	0	1	1	10	12	17	22	2

Source:

The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health AIDS/HIV Register.

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the cumulative number of people diagnosed with AIDS in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area

Cumulative AIDS cases diagnosed as at 31 December of selected year, by health board of AIDS registration, and for Scotland, as at 31 March 1999
Health board	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989
Argyll and Clyde	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	3
Ayrshire and Arran	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4
Borders	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dumfries and Galloway	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fife	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	2
Forth Valley	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	2
Grampian	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	4	6
Greater Glasgow	0	1	1	3	5	9	21	32	51
Highland	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	2
Lanarkshire	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1
Lothian	0	0	0	2	3	8	21	39	81
Orkney	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Shetland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tayside	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	6	13
Western Isles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Scotland	0	1	1	5	10	22	54	88	165

Cumulative AIDS cases diagnosed as at 31 December of selected year, by health board of AIDS registration, and for Scotland, as at 31 March 1999
Health board	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Argyll and Clyde	4	4	4	5	5	5	5	5	7	7
Ayrshire and Arran	4	4	5	6	8	10	10	11	11	11
Borders	0	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Dumfries and Galloway	2	2	2	2	3	3	3	3	3	3
Fife	3	4	4	8	11	16	22	26	27	27
Forth Valley	2	2	2	3	3	4	4	4	4	4
Grampian	9	14	19	20	28	33	36	36	37	37
Greater Glasgow	74	107	130	161	188	213	227	249	257	258

(b) each health board area of Scotland in each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and in 1999 to date. [84819]

The information is set out in the following table.of Scotland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date. [84821]

The information is set out in the table:

Cumulative AIDS cases diagnosed as at 31 December of selected year, by health board of AIDS registration, and for Scotland, as at 31 March 1999
Health board	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Highland	2	3	3	3	4	4	5	6	7	7
Lanarkshire	2	7	8	9	10	11	11	12	15	15
Lothian	121	160	198	266	310	367	404	428	441	445
Orkney	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Shetland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tayside	18	37	50	68	96	121	140	147	154	154
Western Isles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Scotland	241	345	426	552	667	788	868	928	964	969

Source:

The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health AIDS/HIV Register

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Further And Higher Education

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the distribution figures across (i) higher and further education institutions in Scotland and (ii) higher and further education courses in Scotland for the Government's target of (a) 750,000 higher and further education places in Scotland, (b) increasing the number of higher and further education places in Scotland by 42,000 and (c) 40,000 full time equivalent places in Scotland by 2001–02. [84876]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The information is not available in the form requested. The table indicates the numbers of students in further and higher education institutions in Scotland, and the distribution across further and higher education courses for 1997–98, the last year for which statistics are available. 42,000 additional student places will be funded over the Comprehensive Spending Review period from 1999–2000 to 2001–02 (40,000 in FE colleges and 2,000 in HE institutions). The distribution of these places between level and mode of delivery will be a matter for the Scottish Further and Scottish Higher Education Funding Councils. We have indicated that institutions should make it a priority to draw additional students from under-represented groups.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

	HE institutions	FE institutions¹	Total
1997–98
FE courses²	72,923	341,941	414,864
HE courses	178,575	69,124	247,699
Total	251,498	411,065	662,563
¹ Provisional
² It is possible for a student to be enrolled on more than one course in one year. This is particularly relevant to the part time FE sector. Students are counted for each course on which they enrol.

Energy Efficiency

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve energy efficiency and eradicate dampness in housing. [R] [84142]

A new Warm Deal will be introduced on 1 July providing a £500 grant to improve energy efficiency for low income households. This year's budget will be £12 million and the scheme will also create up to 400 places under the New Deal. This will be the best measure yet to provide affordable warmth and tackle damp houses in Scotland.From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Lord Chancellor's Department

Office For The Supervision Of Solicitors

33.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received about the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors. [84162]

The Lord Chancellor's Department receives many representations about the handling of complaints of inadequate professional service by the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors.The Government have increasing concern about the Office and are therefore bringing forward proposals to amend the Access to Justice Bill, which are aimed at improving its performance.

Freedom Of Information

36.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the implications of the Government's proposals for freedom of information for the work of his Department. [84165]

Neither I nor my predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Hoon) have had any discussions. The Lord Chancellor was actively involved in the collective ministerial discussions which led to the publication of a draft Bill for consultation on 24 May.

Access To Justice

37.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received on the impact of his proposals to increase access to justice on poorer people. [84166]

The Lord Chancellor's Department has received representations from a wide range of individuals and interested organisations on all aspects of access to justice.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to maintain access to justice for rural communities. [84168]

Once the Regional Legal Service Committees have established the legal needs of their particular communities, the Legal Service Commission will purchase, as far as possible within the financial resources available, the most appropriate quality assured legal service to meet those needs. Provision and need will then continue to be monitored by the Regional Legal Service Committees for both level and standards of service and adjusted appropriately. Additionally, if necessary, special provision can be made, such as solicitors having to travel to their clients, and the use of telephone advice and outreach services is also being developed to improve access to justice for all.

Community Legal Service

38.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the impact of the proposed community legal service on representation at tribunals. [84167]

It would generally be premature to decide what changes to make in respect of help with tribunal cases until the Government have completed their review of whether tribunal arrangements, including representation, meet our ECHR and EU obligations. Meanwhile, advice and assistance short of representation is, and will remain, available for tribunal cases.

Magistrates

40.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department since May 1997 how many (a) male, (b) female, (c) white, (d) black and Asian, (e) over 60-year-old and (f) under 30-year-old magistrates have been appointed. [84169]

The information requested is only available from 1 January 1997 to 31 March 1999 and is as follows:

(a) 1,591 male magistrates appointed

(b) 1,635 female magistrates appointed

(c) 3,021 white magistrates appointed

(d) 95 black and 110 Asian magistrates appointed

(e) 56 magistrates over the age of 60 appointed

(f) 42 magistrates under the age of 30 appointed.

Ogden Tables Working Party

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will implement the recommendations of the Ogden tables working party to set a rate of return of two per cent.; and if he will make a statement. [84932]

The discount rate to be applied in the calculation of damages for personal injuries and fatal accidents cases affects the interests of both plaintiffs and defendants. The Lord Chancellor will be issuing a consultation paper next month canvassing views on how the rate should be set, and reviewed, before deciding whether and how to exercise the power to set the rate conferred on him by Section 1 of the Damages Act 1996.

Magistrates (Doncaster)

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates sit on the Doncaster Magistrates Bench; and how many of those magistrates reside in the Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency. [84986]

There are currently 184 magistrates on the Doncaster Bench and of those, 16 reside in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency.

Magistrates (Barnsley)

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates sit on the Barnsley Magistrates' Bench; and how many of those magistrates reside in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency. [84987]

There are currently 129 magistrates on the Barnsley Bench and of those, 11 reside in the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency.

Unified Civil Rules

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the court service's performance in introducing the new, unified civil rules and related procedural reforms. [84159]

Implementation of the Civil Procedure rules took place only four weeks ago, on Monday 26 April. It is therefore a little early to assess the Court Service's performance in detail. However, that the first stage of implementation of the reforms is going well is thanks to the efforts of everyone who worked so hard to achieve implementation on time.

Treasury

Domestic Fuel Bills

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Government have made of the effects in percentage terms on average domestic fuel bills of (a) the introduction of competition into the domestic gas market, (b) the reduction in VAT on domestic fuel and (c) the windfall tax, over the period since each measure was introduced. [84660]

According to latest DTI figures, the combined impact of competition and regulation has reduced the average domestic gas bill by around 16.5 per cent. in real terms since competition was first introduced into the domestic gas market in 1996.Assuming no demand effects, the reduction in the VAT rate on domestic fuel from 8 per cent. to 5 per cent. in September 1997 reduced the average domestic fuel bill by just under 3 per cent.In his Budget speech in July 1997, the Chancellor said that the windfall tax could be paid without any impact on prices. It is the Government's view that domestic fuel bills have not been affected by the windfall tax. The energy regulators have publicly supported this view.

Community Psychiatric Nurses

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to review the classification of community psychiatric nurses as essential users of cars; [84577](2) if he will publish the studies commissioned by him into the essential use of cars by community psychiatric nurses. [84578]

[holding answer 18 May 1999]: The Chancellor has not commissioned any studies into the use of cars by community psychiatric nurses and he has no plans to do so. Community psychiatric nurses provided with small cars with low carbon dioxide emissions, in which they drive low business mileage, stand to benefit from the fundamental reform of company car tax to be implemented from April 2002.

Euro

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the euro will be adopted as the currency in French overseas territories. [84901]

The euro is the currency of the French overseas Departments and of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Mayotte. The euro has not been adopted as the currency of the French overseas territories.

Uk Payments (Eu)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what currency the UK's contribution to the EU is made. [84902]

United Kingdom gross contributions to the EC Budget are made in pounds sterling.

Millennium Gift Aid

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons (a) Jordan, (b) Syria, (c) Lebanon and (d) the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are excluded from the list of countries eligible for Millennium Gift Aid; and if he will make a statement. [84903]

The Millennium Gift Aid scheme (MGA) was introduced in 1998 as part of the Government's initiative to relieve the debt burden in developing countries. MGA provides tax relief for donations to UK charities for educational and anti-poverty projects in the world's poorest countries. The relief applies to the 80 countries that are eligible for lending either by the International Development Association (IDA), or jointly by the IDA and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, both organisations of the World Bank. Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are not on the World Bank list.On 6 April 1999 the Chancellor announced that MGA is to be extended to cover donations to UK charities to help the Kosovan refugees. This is in response to the urgent humanitarian crisis in Kosovo and to assist charities with their emergency fund-raising appeals. There are no plans to add further to the causes that are eligible for MGA.There is a range of tax reliefs for giving to charity, apart from MGA, which apply to all charitable causes. In addition, the Review of Charity Taxation has proposed extending the advantages of MGA to all charitable causes after 31 December 2000.

Overseas Debt

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's policy on reductions in debt service payments after a country has emerged from the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [84961]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for International Development have called for an enhanced HIPC initiative which will provide debt relief faster, deeper and wider than is currently delivered. The UK has stressed the importance of early debt service reductions, and thereby of releasing funds for programmes that reduce poverty.

Superannuation Schemes

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) current and (b) deferred members there are in (A) the (i) police, (ii) fire service, (iii) principal Civil Service, (iv) National Health Service, (v) armed forces and (vi) local government pension schemes and (B) the teachers' superannuation scheme. [85271]

The administration of public service pension schemes is the responsibility of various other Government Departments or local authorities, not Her Majesty's Treasury. The latest information held centrally, which has been supplied by the responsible Departments, is as follows.

Responsible department	Pension schemes	Current members	As at	Deferred members	As at
Home Office¹	Police (E, W & Sc)²	140,000	31 March 1999	—⁴	—
Home Office¹	Firefighters (E, W & Sc)²	38,000	31 March 1998—⁴	—⁴	—
Cabinet Office	Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme	510,000	30 September 1997	237,000	30 September 1998
Department of Health	National Health Service (England & Wales)	892,000	31 March 1999	240,000	31 March 1999
Scottish Office¹	NHS (Scotland)	108,000	31 March 1999	60,000	31 March 1999
Ministry of Defence	Armed Forces	212,000	1 April 1997	238,000	1 April 1997
Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions	Local Government (England and Wales)²	1,328,000	31 March 1998	386,000	31 March 1998
Scottish Office¹	Local Government (Scotland)²	157,000³	31 March 1998	36,000³	31 March 1998
Department for Education and Employment	Teachers (England and Wales)	558,000	31 March 1997	151,000	31 March 1997
Scottish Office¹	Teachers (Scotland)	66,000	31 March 1999	41,000	31 March 1999
¹From 1 July 1999 responsibility for police, fire, NHS, local government and teachers' pensions in Scotland will pass to the Scottish Executive.
² These schemes are administered by local authorities, which provide any data.
³ Provisional figures.
⁴ Not available centrally.

Vat

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the proposed new VAT exemption categories available to VAT-registered bodies where VAT is incurred and not recovered on importation, intra-EC acquisition, or production of goods following the judgment of the European Court against the Republic of Italy (Case C-45/95); and if he will make a statement. [85114]

The proposed changes were explained in a technical note, issued on 21 April, which invited comments by 21 May 1999.

Electronic Transactions

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in achieving the Government's target on electronic transactions with Government; and if he will make a statement. [85100]

Good progress is being made by Departments in achieving the overall target of undertaking 90 per cent. of Government low value transactions electronically by 2001. The volume of low value transactions undertaken through the Government Procurement Card continues to double each quarter and currently stands at 58,000 transactions worth £6.5 million.The Minister for the Cabinet Office is responsible for the Information Age targets which were set out in the Modernising Government White Paper that 25 per cent. of dealings with the Government should be capable of being done by the public electronically by 2002, 50 per cent. by 2005, and 100 per cent. by 2008. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office will be reporting progress shortly.

Funding (Advertising)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Financial Services and Markets Bill is planned to relax existing rules on advertising for funding. [85276]

The Financial Services and Markets Bill will introduce an updated and improved regime for the regulation of financial promotions. I announced on 17 March 1999, Official Report, columns 661–62, the publication of a consultation paper. This includes consideration of ways to facilitate informal capital raising to assist small and medium sized firms gain access to investment funding. A number of responses have been received and are being considered.

London Stock Exchange

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will discuss with the Director General of Fair Trading the operation of the rules of the London Stock Exchange as they relate to the publication of information affecting employees of listed companies. [85318]

We are in contact as the need arises with the Director General of Fair Trading on competition aspects of the rules of the London Stock Exchange. However, the rules of the Exchange do allow a company at its discretion to undertake confidential consultation with employee representatives before making a public announcement.

Securities Commissions

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has held with the International Organisation of Securities Commissions on the relocation of its headquarters to the United Kingdom. [85126]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The application procedure involved cities rather than Governments applying to host the IOSCO headquarters. The Corporation of London's bid was supported by the Prime Minister and by Treasury Ministers.

International Organisation Of Securities Commissions

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the relocation of the headquarters or other offices of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions to the United Kingdom. [85127]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: HM Government have supported the Corporation of London's bid for the IOSCO secretariat to relocate to London.

Endowment Policies

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 4 May 1999, Official Report, columns 348–49, on endowment policies, what estimate he has made of the size of the traded endowment market. [85123]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The traded endowment market has an estimated value of £250 million per year. In contrast the value of with-profit bonds issued by life offices is £6 billion per year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 4 May 1999, Official Report, column 348, on endowment policies, on the basis of what evidence he stated that the prices offered for second-hand endowment policies are tending to converge with surrender values. [85122]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) monitors prices in the industry. FSA reports that some life offices have increased the surrender values of endowment policies, bringing them closer to the typical prices offered on the second hand endowment market.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 4 May 1999, Official Report, column 348, on endowment policies, what estimate he has made of the cost of extending the scope of the Financial Services Act 1986 to include all dealings in traded endowment policies. [85121]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: The important issue is not absolute cost but the need to avoid disproportionate cost. Given the small size of the traded endowment market and the convergence between surrender values and traded endowment prices, the cost of including all dealings within the scope of the Financial Services Act 1986 is likely to exceed any benefits. The Treasury is keeping the situation under review.

Comparative Earnings

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the average weekly earnings (a) including and (b) excluding overtime for part-time workers in (i) Scotland, (ii) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (iii) Great Britain, broken down for men and women in manual employment and non-manual employment and for all workers; [85051](2) if he will list the percentage of workers on adult rates of pay in part-time employment whose hourly earnings

(a) including and (b) excluding overtime pay are less than (i) £4.79, (ii) £6.38, (iii) £6.90 and (iv) £3.60 in (1) Scotland, (2) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (3) Great Britain, broken down by

(A) male manual, (B) male non-manual, (C) female manual, (D) female non-manual, (E) all manual, (F) all non-manual and (G) all workers. [85050]

[24 May 1999]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Michael Moore, dated 25 May 1999:

As the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent questions regarding earnings for part-time workers in Scotland, the Scottish local authorities and Great Britain.

The New Earnings Survey (NES) can provide earnings data for small geographical areas. However, the release of NES data is restricted to figures which are derived from a sufficiently large sample of employees, and have an acceptable level of accuracy. I have provided the available data for Scotland, the Scottish local authorities and Great Britain in the attached tables. These are based on the 1998 NES, the latest survey for which data are available.

The NES is based on a one per cent. sample of employees in the PAYE system and is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax threshold and in particular those who work part-time.

I will arrange for a copy of this letter to be placed in the Library.

Green-Field And Brown-Field Development

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a taxation system that will (a) discourage the development of green-field sites and (b) encourage the development of brown-field land. [85459]

The Government's policy is to discourage green-field development and to raise the proportion of new homes built on brown-field land. But this is an extremely complicated issue and needs careful analysis. Tax is just one factor in meeting housing policy objectives and it may not be the most effective. Land use planning clearly has a key role.

Manufacturing

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the economic situation in the manufacturing sector (a) in the West Midlands region and (b) in the United Kingdom; and what steps he is taking to encourage growth in the sector. [85135]

Recent surveys have shown an improvement in confidence among manufacturers across the country and there is a widespread consensus that manufacturing output will strengthen into 2000. The Government believe that the best way they can support all sectors of business is by delivering long-term stability—based on low inflation and sound public finances—and by working with business to help improve Britain's productivity performance.

Bbc

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the commercial operations of the BBC are subject to Treasury approval. [85347]

The commercial operations of the BBC are subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Volume 332: debated on Tuesday 25 May 1999

Written Answers To Questions

Wales

Ministerial Meetings (Us)

Hiv/Aids

Home Department

Young Offenders

Macpherson Report

Community Supervision

Probation Orders

Asylum Seekers

Immigration And Nationality Directorate

Prisoners (Voting Rights)

Incentives And Earned Privileges Scheme

Female Prisoners (Prescription-Only Drugs)

Prisoners (Voting Rights)

Home Detention Curfew

Bookmakers

Monkeys

Prisoner Accommodation (Offences Against Children)

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

Criminal Matters (Newspaper Reports)

Environment, Transport And The Regions

Goods Vehicles

Mobile Refrigeration Units (Solar Energy)

Local Safety Schemes

Genetically Modified Foods

Media Relations

Global Warming

Canals

British Rail Employees (Asbestos)

Water Companies

Westminster City Council

Birmingham Northern Relief Road

Eyesight Standards

Road Safety Strategy

Road Fatalities

Peat Working Group

Shipping Services Directive

Energy Efficiency Schemes

Advisory Group On Motorcycling

Safety Regulations (Riverside Sites)

Local Government Reform

Concessionary Fares (London)

Canary Wharf

Brownfield Land

Urban Task Force Report

Car Insurance

Road Tax

Best Value In Housing Framework

Culture, Media And Sport

Fair Trade Products

Concessionary Television Licences

Radio Authority

Royal Opera House

Rada

English Tourism Council

Broadcasting Standards Commission

Accommodation Rating Scheme

Arts Council

National Museums And Galleries

Wembley Stadium

World Cup (2006)

Youth Council

Prime Minister

Scottish Parliament

Cabinet Meetings

Scottish Office Ministers

Education And Employment

Firearms Training

Tuition Fees

Commonwealth Students

Post-16 Education

Newly Qualified Teachers

A-Levels (Funding)

Jobseekers

New Deal (Advisers)

Swimming Lessons

Appraisals Handbook