To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many (a) women and (b) disabled magistrates sit on the (i) Barnsley and (ii) Doncaster bench. [85246]

There are currently 56 women on the Barnsley bench and 90 women on the Doncaster bench. No formal records are kept of those who are registered disabled on either the Barnsley or the Doncaster bench.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average age of the magistrates who sit on the (a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster bench. [85245]

The average age of the magistrates who sit on the Barnsley and Doncaster benches is 56.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress being made by the Armed Forces to implement the partnership agreement between his Department and the Commission for Racial Equality. [85666]

The Chief of Defence Staff signed a five year Partnership Agreement with the CRE in March 1998. It provides an unambiguous foundation for Service racial equality policies, committing the Armed Forces to reflecting more closely the rich ethnic balance of our society, and developing a culture which positively welcomes diversity. It also calls for clear lines of accountability in tackling discrimination and racist behaviour and in ensuring that all personnel embrace a personal responsibility to implement the spirit of the Agreement.The Armed Forces have made considerable efforts to implement the Agreement's principles and I am pleased to report excellent progress over its first year of operation.All the Services continue to attach the highest priority to recruiting and retaining more ethnic minority personnel. Recruitment advertising campaigns targeting ethnic minorities have proved attractive, with career applications doubling over the last two years. All three Services now have specialist recruiting teams dedicated to increasing awareness of Service careers amongst ethnic communities, and a new long-term "Community Partnerships" campaign has been launched to build bridges between the Services and black, Asian and other non-white communities across the nation. The proportion of intake to the Services in 1998–99 which was from ethnic minorities was 1.8 per cent., about a 40 per cent. increase on 1997–98.Significant emphasis has also been attached to equal opportunities and cultural awareness training. The Tri-Service Equal Opportunities Training Centre at Shrivenham was launched in September 1998 and has already trained over 1,000 Service Equal Opportunity Advisers to provide specialist advice and training to their units. Similar training is now mandatory for senior military officers, and over 300 have already passed TSEOTC courses.The Services are continuing to develop a culture which not only holds zero tolerance to any form of racist behaviour, but which also positively welcomes racial diversity. Individual Service efforts in the field of equal opportunities are now co-ordinated through the Corporate Framework announced in March 1999, which encourages a sharing of best practice across the Armed Forces. Service recruitment, promotion and management procedures are objectively reviewed to ensure that they do not unwittingly discriminate against ethnic minority personnel.All personnel are regularly reminded of their own personal responsibility not just in combating racism, but in ensuring a harassment-free serving environment. The Chief of Defence Staff has formally declared "war on racism", and the Service Chiefs have reminded their Commanders, as recently as March this year, that any form of racist behaviour is incompatible with military service. Any incidents or accusations of racism or harassment are taken very seriously and will be promptly and thoroughly investigated—guilty parties face the severest penalties up to and including dismissal.Progress is regularly reviewed, with representatives from all three Services meeting with the CRE Commissioners on a regular basis. I also met with Sir Herman Ouseley, the CRE Chairman earlier this year, and will be doing so again in the future. The Chief of Defence Staff, who has overall responsibility for implementation of the Partnership Agreement, will be reviewing our progress with the CRE shortly.In the year ahead, the Services will consolidate their successes to date and continue to drive forward equal opportunity initiatives. Complacency is not an option; this is a long-term process and the Armed Forces remain committed to implementing the spirit and letter of the Partnership Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Logistic Information Systems Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [85667]

The Chief Executive of the Logistic Information Systems Agency has been set the following Key Targets for 1999–2000:

Key Target 1—To deliver Customer Supplier Agreements (CSAs) with increasing efficiency. Target 3 per cent.

Key Target 2—Maintain or improve cost ratio of Information Systems delivery staff to Administrative staff of 1:0.59.

Key Target 3—Maintain or improve ratio of value of fixed assets to value of work delivered of 1:14.

Key Target 4—To improve delivery performance to customer requirements such that:

95 per cent. of Requests for Change are assessed within 7 days. 98 per cent. of Requests For Change are assessed within 21 days.

The average period required for Request For Change Authorisation is reduced by 20 per cent. from 105 days to 85 days.

90 per cent of Requests For Change are moved from the Tasking Phase to the Implementation Phase within 42 days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) weapons and (b) military forces deployed by NATO in the conflict with Yugoslavia.[83288]

The following UK units, or elements thereof, together with their associated weapons systems, are currently committed to NATO operations in the Balkans:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) primary schools and (b) high schools he has visited; and if he will make a statement. [84359]

Since taking up office, I have visited 11 primary schools and 6 secondary schools in Wales.These are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future structure and objectives of the Careers Service in Wales. [85089]

The recently published Education and Training Action Group report proposes the establishment of an all-Wales all-age careers information, advice and guidance service by April 2001. Under this proposal, the existing Careers Service companies would be branded together as 'Careers Wales' and would take on responsibility for providing careers information and guidance to adults as well as to young people. The ETAG report also suggests that there may be advantage in reducing the number of Careers Service companies and re-aligning their boundaries to match those of the four economic regions of Wales. These proposals will be for the National Assembly of Wales to consider.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Russia about the supply of weapons to countries in the Middle East. [85333]

During my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's visit to Russia from 3–5 March, he discussed with Foreign Minister Ivanov the dangers of arms exports and assistance to countries of concern, including in the Middle East. Officials also discuss weapons exports with the Russians during regular contacts on export control and strategic stability issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Governments of Pakistan and India concerning their signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. [85331]

We continue to urge both Pakistan and India to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister raised this issue with senior members of the Indian Government during his visit to India in March.My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will have a further opportunity to discuss this when he meets the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Sartaj Aziz, in London on 2 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received that devices, used to recognise individuals in crowds, have been used by states subject to export restrictions by the UK, where those devices have been exported by the UK.[85212]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 21 April 1999, Official Report, column 566. The Government do not control the export of crowd recognition devices for identifying individuals at rallies or other such events. We are therefore unaware of any exports of such equipment from the UK.Applications to export controlled goods and technology to all destinations are treated on a case by case basis against our national criteria and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. The list of countries subject to specific export restrictions, including arms embargoes, is contained in the Summary of Government Commitments regarding the application of Strategic Export Controls, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the coroners offices in England and Wales, together with their addresses and the local authority areas covered by each. [85476]

I shall write to my hon. Friend with details, but information about coroners and their offices is available from standard published police and court directories.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what communications there were between his Department and the Prison Service on 18 and 19 May concerning the proposed visit to Westminster by Mr. Eric Mann. [85456]

[holding answer 25 May 1999]: Mr. Eric Mann is serving two consecutive six-month prison sentences (one for cultivating and possessing cannabis for personal use, the other for breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed for similar offences) at Prescoed prison.The Prison Service communicated with the office of my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Williams of Mostyn, the prisons and probation Minister, on 19 May. This was to alert the Minister to Mr. Mann's temporary release from prison and his intended participation in a press conference during his visit to Westminster.Subsequently, the Prison Service made a decision to amend the conditions of Mr. Mann's release. Ministers took no part in any of the Prison Service's subsequent decision-making regarding Mr. Mann's licence. They were, however, advised of the decisions made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the effect of the Users Network/Service Providers Technical Requirements Resolution, and the Mutual Legal Assistance Convention, on access to private communications by (a) United Kingdom and (b) foreign surveillance bodies; and if prior request for a warrant will always apply; [85270](2) if he will estimate the cost of implementing the

The draft Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance Convention in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union requires the requesting Member State to obtain authority for interception under its domestic law before making a request. The requested Member State is also required to obtain a warrant in accordance with national law where the subject of the request is on its territory. Any interception on the United Kingdom public telecommunications network will, therefore, continue to require a warrant issued by the Secretary of State in accordance with the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The cost of transmitting the intercept product in response to such a request falls to the requesting Member State.The draft Convention also provides a legal basis for the "service provider" solution to satellite interception. It places an obligation on Member States not to prevent satellite telecommunication operators from making their facilities available for the purpose of complying with an interception warrant issued by another Member State, provided that the subject of the interception is on the territory of the Member State ordering the interception. It does not, however, impose any obligations or costs on satellite operators to make such facilities available.The draft Convention also contains a number of non-interception provisions. These are not expected to have any significant financial implications for the United Kingdom. Indeed, simpler and quicker procedures for seeking and providing legal assistance under the draft Convention could result in some cost savings.The draft Council Resolution on the lawful interception of communications in respect of new technologies is intended to supplement an existing 1995 Council Resolution. Its purpose is to make clear that law enforcement agencies have similar interception requirements for traditional telephony and new technologies such as the Internet and satellite communications.The 1995 Council Resolution has not been incorporated in United Kingdom law, and, therefore, does not place obligations on telecommunications operators. Similarly, the draft Resolution is not legally binding and will not impose any obligations or costs on satellite operators or Internet Service Providers.The draft Convention and draft Council Resolution remain under Parliamentary scrutiny in both Houses in accordance with the normal procedures. I am aware of representations from Justice and Liberty.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 27 April 1999, Official Report, column 110 and 18 May 1999, Official Report, column 295, on home detention curfews, how many of the 14 curfewees referred to in the replies committed offences during their period of curfew (a) punishable with imprisonment and (b) punishable with four years or more imprisonment.[85247]

Of the 14 curfewees referred to, 13 were charged with offences which were imprisonable. It would not be appropriate to comment on the sentences likely to be imposed by the courts in any individual case. Within the broad statutory limits set by Parliament, sentences are a matter for the courts alone, taking into account all the aggravating and mitigating factors. However, in seven of the cases, the maximum penalty is more than four years' imprisonment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Lancashire Police Force's progress in becoming year 2000 compliant. [85217]

It is important that all police forces in England and Wales take every measure to ensure year 2000 compliance. The Home Office has commissioned an Independent Assessment of all forces, including Lancashire, by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. The results of this survey will be published at the National Infrastructure Forum on 13 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to reduce the current delays in processing passport applications at the UK Passport Agency. [85214]

The UK Passport Agency is taking a number of measures to ensure that its customers' needs are met. It is prioritising applications received in the post and made in person by customers' declared travel dates, and is meeting these dates for 99.99 per cent. of passports issued. The Agency is employing additional staffing resources, and optimising the efficiency of its examination processes consistent with the need to maintain the integrity and security of its issuing procedures. In order to clear quickly straightforward applications, certain existing passports are being extended for two years.The Agency is currently experiencing very high seasonal demand for passports and its aim is to continue to meet customers' travel dates and to reduce its turnround time for straightforward applications to ten days by September.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the current delays in processing passport applications by the UK Passport Agency.[85213]

The current delays in processing passport applications by the UK Passport Agency have arisen as a result of problems with the implementation in the Liverpool and Newport passport offices of new high technology driven passport issuing arrangements, together with high seasonal demand for passports. This has increased the processing times for straightforward non-urgent applications.My assessment of the present operational situation is that it is extremely serious, particularly in the Liverpool passport office. I am receiving reports weekly from the Agency's Chief Executive on the operational position, and the measures being taken to improve it.In order to satisfactorily meet its customers' needs, the Passport Agency is prioritising applications by customers' declared travel dates, and is meeting these dates for 99.99 per cent. of passports issued. The Agency's aim is to continue to meet customers' travel dates, and reduce its turnround times for straightforward passport applications to ten days by September.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to enhance the recruitment, retention and promotion of black and Asian police officers in the Metropolitan Police Force. [85334]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) on 26 April 1999, Official Report, columns 17–18.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of (a) the Statement of Service Requirements issued to the companies shortlisted to bid for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Casework Programme and (b) the casework business model produced by Sema following its 1994 study. [84974]

I will arrange for copies of both documents to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the waiting time to receive a passport from the Liverpool passport office; and if he will make a statement. [85056]

The Liverpool passport office's current processing time for non-urgent straightforward passport applications is 49 days. Urgent requests are being given priority and 99.99 per cent. of urgent dates are being met. In practice, 65 per cent. of the Liverpool office intake is processed in under 20 days.Passport applications are taking longer than normal to process at the Liverpool office as a result of operational problems arising from the implementation of new high technology driven passport issuing arrangements. Also, Liverpool are dealing with very high seasonal demand for passports with intake of applications since April 1999 over 20 per cent. up on the same period in 1998.The Agency's aim is to continue to meet customers travel dates, and to reduce its turnround time for straightforward applications to ten days by September.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to publish the statistics on central Government department grants to the voluntary sector for the last two years. [85355]

The collection of information relating to grants made by Government Departments to the voluntary sector over the period 1995–96 to 1997–98 is nearly complete. The figures will be published as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug-free units there are in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will list the prisons in which they operate. [85443]

There are approximately 4,000 voluntary testing places covering one third of prisons in England and Wales. We have commissioned a survey of the current provision of drug-free units. I will write to the hon. Member with the results when they become available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of ill-treatment have been lodged against prison officers in each of the last five years. [84945]

I regret that information is not collected in this form.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who owns the Tote. [85482]

The Horserace Totalisator Board is a non-departmental public body whose members are appointed by the Home Secretary. The Board is responsible for the assets owned by the Tote, but the Tote itself is owned by no one.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police forces in England and Wales which have produced guidance for their officers on dealing with mentally disordered offenders. [85389]

National guidance on mentally disordered offenders was issued to the police and other agencies in the criminal justice system in September 1990 and a revision issued in April 1996. Chief officers were asked to ensure that all their officers were aware of the circular. Information is not held centrally on the number of chief officers who have issued other guidance on mentally disordered offenders to their officers, but some are known to have done so.In respect of Cheshire Constabulary, detailed policy and guidance to operational officers on dealing with mentally disordered offenders was issued in 1994 and was last revised in 1998. All local policing divisions have nominated officers of inspector rank who are responsible for the implementation of those guidelines and for maintaining locally based protocols with other agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is currently provided for police officers in England and Wales on dealing with mentally disordered offenders. [85390]

As part of their probationer training, all recruits to the police service in England and Wales receive awareness training on persons suffering from mental disability. This training is supplemented by practical role play exercises which can be used to reinforce learning. In addition to the content of the former probationer training curriculum, forces may provide further training on the needs of mentally disordered persons, if there was a particular local need for this. Sergeants who act as custody officers receive further, more detailed, training in the Custody Officer Training Programme which, although designed centrally, is available for delivery by forces. A training video, produced by the National Schizophrenic Fellowship in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and the Association of Chief Police Officers, and designed to help officers to identify and cope with mentally disordered persons, is also available to all police forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make an offer under Option C of the Firearms Compensation Scheme to Mr. R. A. J. Coe (reference FCS 052048). [85477]

A payment offer will be made this week.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the taskforce chaired by the Director General of the Prison Service to report to him on the management of Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution and Remand Centre, Feltham. [85485]

The Director General established a taskforce to take forward the recommendations made by the Chief Inspector of Prisons in his report on the inspection of Feltham. The Director General chairs a steering group to which the taskforce reports. The taskforce has submitted four reports to the steering group on various aspects of the Chief Inspector's report on Feltham. The steering group is expected to report to Ministers shortly.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's central co-ordinated rebuttals strategy for use following his oral statement of 21 May 1999, Official Report, columns 1371–73, on biotechnology.[85491]

The Government's strategy is to encourage open, rational and well informed debate. This is the best way to safeguard the public interest. On 21 May I made a series of announcements including the publication of a review of the regulatory framework, and a report from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser on public health implications of genetically modified foods. These will provide the foundation for such a debate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the cost of creating, reviewing and maintaining an internet directory of cancer care services; and if he will make a statement; [84240](2) what plans he has to introduce and maintain an internet directory of cancer care services and information; and if he will make a statement. [84239]

The Government's Information Management and Technology strategy for the National Health Service "Information for Health", published in September last year, called for (amongst other things) the creation of a National Electronic Library for Health (NELH) of accredited healthcare information that would be made available to patients, the public and healthcare professionals.One element of the NELH is the provision of information about cancer services. The cost of providing these is estimated at £75,000. The NELH project will be working with voluntary organisations with patient representative groups to promote and make available as widely as possible reliable and relevant information on a number of health topics, including cancer.The NHS Information Authority is currently working in collaboration with the NHS Executive and the Centre for Health Information Quality to identify the costs and options for creating, reviewing and maintaining online healthcare information services. A business plan will be put to the NHS Information Authority with the objective of creating the NELH by the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to commission research into the causes of ME and the development of appropriate diagnostic procedure. [84574]

[holding answer 18 May 1999]: The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Working Group which has been convened by the Chief Medical Officer will specifically address the question of diagnostic criteria and will also make recommendations about the need to identify and commission further research into CFS/ME. The working group is already putting together a submission for a systematic literature review which will look at which treatments are effective and sub-groups. This will be considered by the Department's Policy Research Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the studies his Department has funded since January 1998 to investigate the effects of pollution on health, with particular reference to pollution from (a) landfill sites, (b) factories and (c) exposure to chemicals in the home; and when these studies were or will be published.[84897]

This Department has carried out and commissioned a number of studies on the health effects of pollution since January 1998, many jointly with other Government Departments. The details of these studies have been placed in the Library. It is not the Department's policy to publish the findings separately, though researchers are encouraged to publish their findings in peer—reviewed journals and in the scientific press, on completion of the studies. The vast majority are disseminated in this way.This Department, together with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has co-funded an indoor air pollution research programme as well as research into the non-auditory health effects of noise and the health effects of chemicals in the environment. Together with the DETR and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it has cofunded a programme of work on trends in male reproductive health and the possible influences of occupational and environmental chemicals. Also, together with DETR, HSE, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland the Department contributes towards a contract with the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine to form the Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU). SAHSU has also carried out research on the effects of air pollution on health, since January 1998.The Department also manages the National Health Service research and development levy which is used to support research and development of relevance to the National Health Service in hospitals, general practice and other health care settings, and to fund the NHS research and development programme. In addition, the Medical Research Council—which receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry—funds medical research as part of the Government's funding of the science and engineering base.In addition to those projects listed, the Department expects to issue a major call for proposals on the effects of air pollution on health over the summer and a call for further research on the effects on health of landfill sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consultation the regional NHS executive offices will carry out before distributing HIV/AIDS treatment and care money recently allocated to them with (a) people with HIV and (b) providers of HIV services; [85065](2) by what date regional NHS executive offices will distribute the £6.2 million HIV/AIDS treatment and care money recently allocated to them. [85064]

The guidance issued to regional offices for the distribution of the additional £ 6.2 million for HIV/AIDS treatment and care made it clear that the funds were to be used to assist with the extra costs of combination therapies for those with a clinical need. The guidance also recommended that ROs consult with others, including their constituent health authorities and their regional Specialised Commissioning Group where appropriate, before distributing the funds.Regional Offices may also consult other groups or individuals before making their final decision. The guidance to Regional Offices does not specify a date by which the allocations totalling £6.2 million are to be made. Most Regional Offices are currently in the process of deciding, in consultation with others, the basis for the distribution to health authorities.The forthcoming guidance to the National Health Service on the use to be made of this sum, and the balance of the HIV/AIDS treatment and care and HIV prevention funds, includes the requirement for Regional Offices to submit a separate report to Ministers at the year end on the use of the £6.2 million allocated to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths of women have been caused by use of a combined oral contraceptive in the last 10 years; and in each case what was (a) the reaction that caused the death and (b) the product. [85038]

In the last ten years, between 20 May 1989 and 20 May 1999, there have been a total of 2,408 adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the combined oral contraceptive pill received through the United Kingdom's Yellow Card adverse drug reaction reporting scheme. A fatal outcome was reported in 104 of these reports as listed in the table. The 104 deaths reported over ten years need to be taken in the context of around three million women taking the Pill each year in the UK.Not all deaths suspected to be related to the use of the combined oral contraceptives are reported to the Medicine Control Agency/Committee on Safety of Medicines via the Yellow Card spontaneous adverse drug reaction scheme; we therefore cannot provide the total number of deaths. It is also essential to bear in mind that a report of a suspected adverse drug reaction does not mean that the reaction/death was caused by the medicine concerned. Many other factors are likely to contribute.The Pill is highly effective in preventing pregnancy. The risks of fatal adverse reactions associated with combined oral contraceptive Pills are very small; and are much smaller than those associated with pregnancy.The product information on the Pill provided for doctors, as well as the patient information leaflet in each pack, give advice on the contraindications, side effects, warnings and precautions for use of the Pill which should be strictly adhered to.

Suspected reaction	Number of cases with a fatal outcome
Cardiac failure	1
Sudden death unexplained	1
Left ventricular failure	1
Myocardial infarction	5
Pulmonary embolism	84
Subarachnoidhemorrhage	1
Cerebral vein thrombosis	1
Brain stem infarction	1
Cerebral infarction	2
Cerebrovascular accident	1
Cerebral thrombosis	2
Chest pain	1
Pelvic venous thrombosis	1
Respiratory arrest	1
Ovarian Carcinoma	1

Products associated with the suspected adverse reactions include: Binovum; Brevinor; Cilest; Conova; Diane; Dianette; Eugynon; Femodene; Femodene ED; Gynovlar; Loestrin; Logynon; Logynon ED; Marvelon; Mercilon; Microgynon; Minilyn; Minulet; Norimin; Ovran; Ovran 30; Ovranette; Ovulen; Ovysmen; Synphase; Tri-minulet; Trinordiol and Trinovum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people used infertility services in National Health Service hospitals in each of the last three years. [85084]

Information about hospital episodes for patients receiving in-patient treatment for infertility for the financial years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 is shown in the table. During a course of treatment for

Operation code	1995–96	1996–971	1997–981
Q13—Introduction of gamete into uterine cavity	1,996	1,593	1,716
Q38.3—Endoscopic injection into fallopian tube	227	186	116
Q41—Other operations on fallopian tube	11,138	8,327	7,558
Q56.1—Fertility investigation of female (not elsewhere classified)	4	8	4
Total	13,365	10,114	9,394
1Figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are provisional, no adjustments have been made for shortfalls in data, (ie the data are ungrossed)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the Council of Europe on joint policies for the welfare and protectio of children. [85088]

Officials from the Department contribute to the work of the Council of Europe on issues related to the welfare and protection of children, through the formal Committee structure of the Council of Europe. I am due to participate in a Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Family Affairs in Stockholm on 14–16 June, where the theme will be "Towards a Child-Friendly Society". In preparation for the Conference the United Kingdom has provided a National Report on "child-friendly" initiatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in England and Wales. [85215]

There are no data specifically relating to the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in England and Wales. The overall incidence rate after the age of 65 across Western Europe is 18.3 cases per 1,000 person years.It is estimated that approximately 600,000 people over 65, or 5 per cent. of that population in the United Kingdom, suffer from dementia. Alzheimer's Disease accounts for just over half.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Enforcement Officers the Medicines Control Agency currently employs; what changes there have been in this number in the past year; and what plans there are to increase this number. [85222]

[holding answer 24 May 1999]: There are 23 Enforcement Officers working within the Enforcement Group who deal solely with criminal investigations into allegations that medicines legislation has been breached.There has been an increase of approximately 12 per cent. in the number of Enforcement Officers in the last 12 months, reflecting an increase in the work load. infertility an individual may have more than one hospital episode. Treatment under other operation codes may be related to infertility. However, the codes given correspond as closely as possible to the information requested.There are no plans further to increase the number at present but this area of the Agency's responsibilities is kept under careful review so as to ensure the protection of public health can be maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish his response to the results of his Department's consultation on the work of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. [85444]

[holding answer 25 May 1999]: About 160 replies were received to the consultation on "Faster access to modern treatment", a discussion paper setting out detailed proposals for appraisal by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Officials are following up a number of detailed points with the organisations concerned. Final decisions will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been of the Listening to Women roadshows; and how many women have attended each roadshow to date. [85377]

[holding answer 25 May 1999]: To date, nine Listening to Women roadshow events have taken place, attended by 1,125 women. Still to take place are the Leeds, Nottingham and Welsh events. The breakdown is:

	Attended by
Manchester	83
London	74
Norwich	67
Birmingham	58
Bristol	87
Newcastle	89
Reading	59
Glasgow	c. 500
Belfast	108
Total cost	1£87,918.54
1Including Value Added Tax

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines have been issued to GPs on the action they should take regarding their patients if they hold a conscientious objection to abortion; [84991](2) what plans he has, following Mr. Justice Alliott's judgment in the High Court case of Dr. Sheila Matthews, to issue new advice or guidelines to GPs about referring patients to another doctor if they have a conscientious objection to abortion. [84992]

[holding answer 25 May 1999]: In 1991 the General Medical Services Council of the British Medical Association issued guidance to general practitioners through Local Medical Committees, reminding them of their obligations under their terms of service. That guidance remains extant and GPs who have a conscientious objection to abortion should refer the patient to another doctor as soon as possible.Regional directors of the National Health Service Executive have been asked to ensure that Primary Care Groups have arrangements in place so that women considering an abortion are able to have easy access to a GP who can make a referral where appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the evidence given by Mrs. Edwina Currie to the BSE Inquiry in respect of the use of vaccines which in their early stage of manufacture had used bovine material prohibited for use in human food (a) in general and (b) in relation to the level of risk relating to injecting infected material. [85493]

It is for the independent bovine spongiform encephalopathy Inquiry to assess the evidence given to it, not my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The Government will respond to the Inquiry's report after it is published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of (a) those people who have been in long-term care or nursing homes for four years or more and (b) all people in long-term care or nursing homes continue to pay part or all of their fees;[85226](2) if he will estimate the average cost of four years' care in a nursing home. [85228]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 24 May 1999, Official Report, column 20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many posts are currently vacant in each high-security hospital for (a) nurses, (b) nursing assistants, (c) occupational therapists, (d) forensic psychologists and (e) psychiatrists. [85388]

The number of posts currently vacant for nurses, nursing assistants, occupational therapists, forensic psychologists and psychiatrists at each of the three high security hospitals are set out in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what publicly funded research is being carried out into the causes of interstitial cystitis; and if he will make a statement.[84970]

A body of international research evidence is published in the world-wide literature and details of work supported by the Department are on the National Research Register in the Library and on the internet at http://www.doh.gov.uk/nrr.htm. In addition, the Medical Research Council is funding basic research, including the study of molecules and cells, genetics, infections and immunity, which will inform future research in this area.In the National Health Service research and development programme, priorities take account of widespread consultation with those using, delivering and managing services, within a framework overseen by the Central Research and Development Committee for the NHS.We have asked those who manage the priority setting process to ensure that interstitial cystitis is included in consideration of future research priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those NHS trusts that have (a) been created, (b) merged and (c) been dissolved since 1 April 1998. [85147]

The information requested is contained in the table. All of these mergers took effect from 1 April 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of land in the UK were cultivated as trial sites of genetically modified crops in each of the last five years; and how many acres of land will be cultivated as trial sites of GM crops in 1999. [83283]

In 1998, the area cultivated as trial sites of genetically modified crops was approximately 300 hectares. In the current year, the total figure, including the farmscale evaluations, is expected to be about the same. These are approximate figures because consents for releases are granted on the basis of a maximum area that can be grown and companies do not necessarily sow all the area for which they have approval. Figures for earlier years are not available, but were no more than the 1998 levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the research commissioned by his Department into the cross-contamination between genetically modified crops and crops that are not genetically modified. [84535]

[holding answer 17 May 1999]: Yes, all reports from research commissioned by the Government into the cross-pollination of genetically modified (GM) crops and non-GM crops are published. Gene transfer in oilseed rape was considered in my Department's Research Report No.12, Investigation of Feral Oilseed Rape Populations, a copy of which is in the Library. Ongoing research commissioned by MAFF on pollen transfer will be published when the work is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on differences in his policy in respect of GM crops on (a) limited commercial planting and (b) farm-scale trials. [85363]

[holding answer 25 May 1999]: There are no differences in policy, the growing of all GM crops must be covered by a valid consent issued in accordance with Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms. Before a consent is granted the applicant must have carried out an assessment of the risks posed to the environment and demonstrated compliance with all aspects of the directive. Those crops planted as part of the farmscale evaluations will in addition be studied for ecological effects in comparison with equivalent non-GM crops.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to propose to his European partners amendments to EC Directive 90/220/EEC.[83261]

The Government are currently negotiating the amendment of Directive 90/220/EEC. The European Commission published its proposal for the amendment of the Directive in February 1998. An orientation debate was held in June 1998 under the United Kingdom Presidency, and detailed negotiations took place in the Council Working Group under the Austrian Presidency in the second half of last year. At the December Environment Council, Ministers agreed that while substantial progress had been made, further detailed negotiations were required to resolve many of the outstanding issues. The German Presidency has indicated it will seek to reach a common position at the June Environment Council.The position of the Government with regard to the original Commission proposal has been laid out in Explanatory Memorandum 6378/98, submitted to the House of Commons on 23 March 1998. In response to a request from the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee, I wrote to the committee on 27 November with details of the Government's priorities in the negotiations. A Scrutiny debate was held in the House of Commons European Standing Committee A on 24 March 1999, and the Government submitted a further Explanatory Memorandum (7138/99) on 30 April following the publication of the Commission's amended proposal taking account of the publication of the European Parliament's Opinion.The priorities of the Government are to ensure that the revised Directive meets growing public concerns regarding ethical, environmental and social issues and achieves a more transparent regulatory regime. In addition, the Government support many of the amendments proposed by the European Parliament and incorporated into the amended Commission Proposal. In particular, the Government welcome changes to clarify the requirements for the environmental risk assessment, the stronger requirements for public information and consultation, and a new Article on consultation of the Commission's ethical committee.All of these documents are available in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost per heavy goods vehicle of the fitting of an exhaust system incorporating a particulates trap in order to attract the reduction in vehicle excise duty announced in his Budget statement. [83824]

The Government's assessment of the current cost of retrofitting a particulate trap to a heavy goods vehicle is between £3,000 and £4,500, compared with the maximum Vehicle Excise Duty reduction of £1,000 when vehicles meet the emissions standards required to receive a Reduced Pollution Certificate. The cost for smaller vehicles is at the lower end of this scale, increasing to the upper figure for the largest and most powerful lorries. It is expected that the cost of emissions reduction technologies will fall as the market for them grows, leading to competition between manufacturers and economies of scale in the production of devices.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions he has reached from his analysis of the responses received to the consultation about possible changes to the law relating to drinking and driving. [84369]

We are still considering how best to take forward the matters raised in the consultation document in the light of the responses received and in the broader context of road safety policy. Our conclusions will be incorporated within the road safety strategy which we will publish later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports his Department has received concerning the efforts of the state Government of Rio Grande do Sul to guarantee non-genetically modified soya bean production throughout their state; and what plans his Department has to give assistance. [84500]

I met the Secretary of Agriculture for the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul on 13 May at his request to hear about the ability of his State to supply non genetically modified soya to UK customers. We shall certainly take this information into account in sourcing for the future and I have agreed to a further exchange of information at official level.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the names and current employers of the board members of each regional development agency and (b) the names and previous employers of the senior management team appointed by each regional development agency. [84714]

The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the official guidance on the minimum distance between mobile telephone and other communication masts and (a) residential property,(b) schools and colleges and (c) places of business in(i) other EU countries, (ii) Scandinavian countries, (iii) the United States of America and (iv) Canada; [84953](2) what discussions he has had with representatives of professional medical opinion on the guidance for the minimum distances between mobile telephone and other communication masts and occupied properties; and if he will make a statement. [84954]

The Government's statutory advisers on radiological protection matters are the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The Board's advice to Government is based upon a continuing review and assessment of published scientific studies covering the fields of biology and medicine, epidemiology and dosimetry.The NRPB have issued guidelines on limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This guidance specifies restrictions on the exposure of people, rather than safe distances from equipment, and is related to established health effects of EMFs, such as effects on perception, central nervous system effects and the heating of tissues.The NRPB advise that radio waves at ground level and in regions accessible to the public tend to be many times below guideline levels and should present no health risk. Telecommunications operators have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and the Management of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 to ensure that their work activities, which would include the operation of their apparatus, do not present a risk to employees and the general public. The practical effect of the combination of the NRPB guidelines and health and safety legislation should be that people are kept at a safe distance from sources of EMFs.The NRPB also advise that there is no convincing evidence of a causal effect between exposure to EMFs and other health effects, such as cancer, and that published human health studies relating to these do not provide a basis for advice on setting exposure standards.The Government continue to monitor international work on the possible health effects of EMFs and to gather information on worldwide practice on the limitation of public exposure to EMFs. The UK has also participated actively in negotiations of the proposed EU Recommendation on this subject and in the World Health Organisation's International EMF Project. We shall continue to take international practice and research results into consideration in taking forward policy on this matter, including in developing guidance on land use planning and electromagnetic fields.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what powers are available to (a) the DVLA and (b) local authorities to remove abandoned vehicles on the public highway; [84980](2) what plans he has to review the powers and procedures exercised by

The DVLA has no powers to remove abandoned vehicles on the public highway. Local authorities have powers, under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to remove such vehicles. The Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 prescribes the procedure that should be followed by local authorities. There are no plans at present to review these powers and procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance the Government are giving toward the Carlisle Northern Relief Road. [85042]

Should Cumbria City Council bid for support for this scheme as part of their Local Transport Plan, it would be considered along with other major schemes across the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the level of carbon dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom in (a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [85094]

Emissions of CO₂ in the UK are estimated to have been 155 million tonnes of carbon in 1997. 1998 emissions are provisionally estimated to have been about 156 million tonnes of carbon, about 1 per cent. higher than in 1997, and 7 per cent. lower than in 1990. The increase between 1997 and 1998 was associated with delays in commissioning and starting up combined cycle gas turbine power stations, planned maintenance at nuclear plant and some reduction in imported electricity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether the packaging of each available anti-wear additive for petrol will list the functional chemical component and the concentration of its active element when added to unleaded petrol in the recommended amount. [85251]

Information to be provided on additive packaging would be a matter for individual suppliers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 April 1999, Official Report, columns 71–72, on British Standards, if he will make a statement on (a) the early problems in Sweden associated with the lead replacement petrol, (b) the reasons for sodium being dropped from the draft standard for lead replacement petrol issued in 1998 and (c) what problems were identified in Sweden with the use of sodium in lead replacement petrol and (d) whether the problems solely related to the use of sodium. [85248]

Following the introduction in Sweden of Lead Replacement Petrol (LRP) in 1994, an increase in engine component wear was identified by engine repairers. The problems focused upon engine valves and on turbochargers and appeared to have been caused by a phenomenon known as hot corrosion reportedly due to the use of sodium in the fuel. With the emergence of this information, LRP in Sweden was changed to a potassium-based product and once the changeover was complete the incidence of engine damage dropped. During the changeover of the fuels, concern over the use of both sodium and potassium existed, but I understand this mostly disappeared as the use of potassium increased. The British Standards Institution has adopted a precautionary approach by excluding sodium from its draft standard for lead replacement petrol.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether sodium-based additives to petrol are being marketed in the United Kingdom to the public. [85249]

We are not aware that any petrol supplier is marketing petrol which includes a sodium-based additive. The Federation of British Historic Vehicles has tested and endorsed one self-dosing additive containing sodium.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the information he has published in the last 12 months on the use of sodium-based additives in petrol. [85250]

The Department has published two advisory leaflets to help motorists who may have concerns about the withdrawal of leaded petrol. These include general information on additives as an alternative to lead, whether already included in lead replacement petrol or provided separately for motorist's use, but do not refer to particular types of additives. Copies of the leaflets have been placed in the House Library and may be viewed on the Internet at www.environment.detr.gov.uk/unleaded/index.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station project between commissioning initial feasibility studies and abandonment of operation; and if he will make a statement. [85069]

This is a commercial matter for Birmingham International Airport Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who owns the surviving overhead structure of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station; and if he will make a statement. [85073]

I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd that it owns the surviving overhead structure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station was formally commissioned after trials to the intended operator; who the intended operator was; and if he will make a statement. [85067]

I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd that the MAGLEV system was formally commissioned on 16 August 1984; and that the intended operator was the airport undertaking as part of the former West Midlands County Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revive the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station; and if he will make a statement. [85071]

Birmingham International Airport Ltd. is committed to reinstating a link between the terminal building and the railway station. It is also subject to a planning obligation in a section 106 planning agreement between the airport company and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council with reference to the outline planning approval for the extension of the passenger terminal facilities and related infrastructure granted in July 1996. The airport company is considering what form the link should take and how it can best be integrated with the multi-modal interchange which is being planned for the airport.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in whom the residual rights and liabilities of the principal design and construction contracts of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station are now vested; and if he will make a statement. [85075]

I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that in the agreement between the former West Midlands County Council and the individual joint venture companies, the parties agreed that patents, registered designs or copyrights in the case of mechanical and electrical aspects of the transportation system were to be the property of the individual company undertaking that particular aspect of the work, and that in the case of civil engineering and building aspects of the system intellectual property rights were to be the property of the Council. The airport company is a successor in title to the former Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who commissioned the initial feasibility studies for the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station and when; who let the contracts for its construction, with whom and when; and if he will make a statement. [85066]

I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that the initial feasibility studies for the MAGLEV system were commissioned in 1979 by the former West Midlands County Council, which owned Birmingham Airport at that time; and that the contracts for its construction were let by the Council in 1981, as part of the airport's development, with the People Mover Group (GEC, Balfour-Beatty, Brush Electrical Machines and Metropolitan-Cammell) and John Laing.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total of passenger fares collected in the period of fare-paying operation of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station. [85070]

I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that the MAGLEV system always formed part of the airport's essential infrastructure as the link to the railway station and that no fares were ever charged for its use.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has become of the passenger cars for the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station and who owns (a) them and (b) the proceeds of their sale; and if he will make a statement. [85074]

I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that it still owns the passenger cars and that they remain stored at the airport.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when and by whom it was ultimately decided to abandon operation of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station; and if he will make a statement. [85068]

I understand from Birmingham International Airport Ltd. that it took and implemented this decision in July 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the cost of making the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system linking Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station operational; and if he will make a statement. [85072]

The cost of reinstating a link between the airport and the railway station is a matter for Birmingham International Airport Ltd. It will depend in part on how it is decided to integrate it with the multi-modal interchange which is being planned for the airport. But I understand from the airport company that a study in 1995 concluded that it was not technically feasible to make the MAGLEV system itself operational.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the occasions on which actions for damages were assessed as to liability against a party considered to have been responsible for the failure of the MAGLEV overhead passenger transit system at Birmingham International Airport; and if he will make a statement. [85277]

This is a matter for Birmingham International Airport Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ban the import of all forms of asbestos; if he has received the Health and Safety Commission's recommendation on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [85473]

The policy on asbestos is decided and is final. The import of blue and brown asbestos is already banned. Earlier this month, a draft European Directive was voted on which would tighten the restrictions on imports of white asbestos. An overwhelming majority voted in favour. I am pleased to say that the Health and Safety Commission, at its meeting yesterday, approved draft Regulations to implement a ban, and I look forward to receiving its advice.Unfortunately, there are legal problems in formally making the Regulations before the European Commission ratifies the vote of the technical committee. The Government are now lobbying the European Commission to adopt the directive as a matter of urgency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's discussions with the Confederation of Burial Authorities on the sale of memorials to the public. [85526]

My Department is currently preparing a paper for discussion with the Confederation of Burial Authorities, the National Association of Memorial Masons, and other representative bodies, both public and private sector, on the existing legal basis under which local authorities charge for the provision of memorials, and the Confederation's proposals for clarifying this.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy on the building of new council housing in England and Wales. [85519]

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions is responsible for housing policy in England. His statement on "Housing and Regeneration Policy" on 22 July 1998 set out our policy. The need for new social housing in a local authority's area is a matter for that local authority to establish in its local housing strategy, as part of the Housing Investment Programme process. Most new social housing is provided by Registered Social Landlords supported by the Housing Corporation, either through its Approved Development Programme or through Local Authority Social Housing Grant, in areas where such developments are seen as a priority in local housing strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the tonnage of freight which has transferred from road to rail in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [85520]

My Department has not made estimates of this type. However, the Department does provide freight grants to companies to assist with the capital costs and track access charges associated with transferring freight from road to rail and inland waterway. Since May 1997, the Department's Freight Grants Unit has awarded grants to assist in the transfer of an estimated 15,918,610 tonnes of freight.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what surveys his Department has commissioned on the amount of asbestos which is present in buildings which are still in use; and if he will make a statement. [85518]

No such surveys have been commissioned by the Department in the last 10 years.At the request of the Department, the Medical Research Council, Institute for Environment and Health, carried out a review of the sources and uses of asbestos in buildings, the levels of exposure in the non-workplace environment and the health effects of such exposures. The report of this work entitled "Fibrous materials in the environment" was published by the Institute on 18 November 1997. A copy is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of local authority properties which are regarded as unfit for human habitation. [85517]

Local authorities are asked to provide information on all dwellings in their area which are unfit (i.e. because they fail to meet the fitness criteria in Section 83 of Schedule 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989) in their annual Housing Investment Programme returns. Separate figures are requested for local authority, registered social landlord, other public sector and private sector dwellings. The figures provided are local authorities' own estimates and are not necessarily compiled on a consistent basis.The latest available figures are for 1 April 1998 and are given in the 1998 "HIP OI All Items Print", a copy of which is in the Library. The print includes county totals where estimates have been provided by all the authorities in the county.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the planning appeal in relation to Belmont Stables, Mill Hill. [85619]

The Inspector will submit his report to the Planning Inspectorate very shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress in respect of the planning decision in relation to the RAF East Camp Site, Colindale. [85618]

We will issue a decision in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from UK airlines concerning the future of US/UK civil aviation agreements. [85479]

We are in frequent communication with UK airlines, large and small.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is the Government's policy to retain responsibility for bilateral negotiations with third countries on civil aviation agreements. [85480]

We would consider transferring bilateral responsibilities to a third party only if we judged that to be in the wider interests of UK aviation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions his Department has held with their US counterparts concerning the future of US/UK civil aviation agreements; who was present at those meetings; what were the agenda and the conclusions; and if he will make a statement. [85478]

At a meeting in Washington on 20 April, the Deputy Prime Minister and US Transportation Secretary Slater agreed that informal talks between UK and US officials about air services arrangements should take place in May. This was confirmed by my noble Friend Lord Whitty in the House of Lords on 28 April 1999, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 301–03, and the two teams of officials met on 18–20 May in London. The UK team comprised three DETR officials, two FCO officials and a representative from the Civil Aviation Authority; the US team comprised three State Department officials and three Department of Transportation officials. The discussions were broad and preliminary, with the emphasis on a phased approach to air services liberalisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in the delivery of the recommendation from the Inspector on the Heathrow fifth terminal. [85513]

The inquiry closed on 17 March 1999 and the Inspector told the inquiry that he expects to take up to two years to produce his report. Some 39 Applications and Orders are before the Inspector, who has taken evidence from over 750 witnesses with over 5,400 inquiry documents and 25,000 written representations. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will decide the application as soon as possible after receipt of the Inspector's report and recommendation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend fuel duty rebate to community transport schemes. [85613]

Possible changes to the scope of the bus fuel duty rebate scheme will be considered as part of the advice on all aspects of the public funding of bus services which we will be requesting from the new Commission for Integrated Transport when it begins its work next month. We will also be considering carefully all the recommendations of the review of voluntary and community transport commissioned by my Department, the report of which will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to issue the consultation paper on the proposed rules for London minicab operators in accordance with the implementation of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998. [85669]

I have today with the Public Carriage Office issued the consultation paper. The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 was an important step in bringing the safety of the travelling public in London in line with the rest of the country. The provisions of the Act were warmly welcomed by both the industry and consumer safety groups.This consultation paper is the first step in implementing the Act and sets out proposals for the licensing of London minicab operators. It aims to strike a balance between the need to protect consumers and the interests of small business.There will be an eight week period for responses and following assessment of responses we intend to undertake a short consultation before announcing the regulations for the licensing of London minicab operators.Further consultation documents on the proposed rules for London minicab drivers and vehicles will be issued later this year and early next year respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the fleet of 44 new trains to be introduced into service by LTS Rail Ltd. comply with the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [85727]

As I explained in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 9 March 1999, Official Report, column 167, we are expecting to receive a number of exemption applications from train operating companies whose designs for new rail vehicles were well advanced prior to the 1998 Regulations coming into force.We have received such an application from LTS Rail Ltd. The exemptions, which have been discussed with our statutory advisors, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, are mostly of a very minor nature and have been requested for a relatively short time only.The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trains. Indeed, we believe that the introduction of the new class 357 trains will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people in the area.An Order relating to the exemption of these rail vehicles has been laid in Parliament today.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the Government' s response to the fourth report of session 1998–99 of the Environment Transport and Regional Affairs Select Committee on the Countryside Agency (HC 6). [85728]

I can inform the House that the Government's response was published today. It is available as Command Paper 4539.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which cars and engines qualify for (a) the Energy Saving Trust Powershift Programme and (b) the dual-fuel option of that programme. [85475]

The Powershift Register published by the Energy Saving Trust provides details of all the alternatively fuelled vehicles and engine conversions, including dual-fuel options, that meet the minimum quality and safety standards laid down by the Trust. Powershift grants are available for those vehicles listed in the Register that offer significant emissions reductions compared with their petrol or diesel equivalent, with the highest grants going to those vehicles that offer the greatest emissions benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to issue the proposed White Paper on waste management. [85483]

I intend to publish a draft waste strategy shortly. We will consult fully with all interested parties before publishing a final version of the new waste strategy as a Command Paper at the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times officials from his Department have met officials from the US Government to discuss genetically modified organisms and the biotechnology industry since 1 June 1998; if he will list the dates and locations of each meeting; and with which US Government department his officials met. [80834]

Ministers and officials in this department are in regular contact with representatives of all those with an interest in biotechnology—including environmental groups, consumer groups and biotechnology companies. We are also studying practice and trials in a number of countries overseas, including the United States. My officials have met with US Government officials on about a dozen occasions since June 1998, including at multinational meetings such as those held under the auspices of the OECD and UNEP. Information on dates and locations of meetings held at official level is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 13 April 1999, Official Report, column 10, if he will list the amount of money which his Department has paid in rail freight grants to Eddie Stobart Ltd, in each of the last five years. [81969]

[holding answer 23 April 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid) wrote to my hon. Friend as the then Minister for Transport. A copy of his letter has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Canadian regulatory system for novel crops in respect of the environmental impact of such crops in his review of the regulatory process in the United Kingdom. [82070]

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: My officials are able to discuss the regulatory approach of other OECD countries through the OECD Expert Group on the Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology. The aim of this Group is to improve the harmonisation of regulatory approaches to the assessment of products in order to avoid trade barriers. The Government have asked the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) to consider the relative benefits of the process based and product based regulatory systems with respect to herbicide tolerant crops as set out in my answer of 24 May 1999, Official Report, columns 5–6.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total amount of capital receipts that have been released for Carlisle City Council in each year since 1990. [85041]

In the three years 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 capital allocations made through the Capital Receipts Initiative to Carlisle have been £0.373 million, £1.240 million and £1.226 million respectively. These allocations are made in the form of supplementary credit approvals and can be spent on housing and housing related regeneration projects which meet local priorities. The Capital Receipts Initiative was introduced during 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the funding of language teaching in Northern Ireland. [84450]

The Government consider it important to encourage the teaching of the major European languages in Northern Ireland and so language studies are one of the 6 areas of compulsory study within the Northern Ireland curriculum. All grant aided post-primary schools must offer pupils the opportunity to study one of French, German, Spanish or Latin, but funding for such provision is not identified separately. Schools may also offer Irish and pupils taking Irish thereby fulfil the requirements of the curriculum.