To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the agreement which he has negotiated for the management of the farm-scale trials of genetically modified crops in 1999. [85924]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: All crops in the farm-scale evaluations are being grown in compliance with the conditions of the consents issued under Part B or Part C of Directive 90/220/EEC and, in addition, in accordance with the SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops) guidelines. The SCIMAC code of practice together with the associated guidelines for growing newly developed herbicide tolerant crops was published by SCIMAC on 21 May 1999 and a copy has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's national speed policy review; [86053](2) when the national speed policy review is to be concluded; when the Government plan to announce the findings of the national speed policy review; and when the Government plan to announce their proposals for changes to speed limits. [86055]

The speed policy review was launched in October 1998. This is considering how best policy can reflect the aims of the integrated transport policy white paper, whilst continuing to meet our road safety objectives. In its first stage the review is examining existing research and reviewing current practice and legislation. The second stage is now underway involving people and organisations outside government that can offer an informed opinion. The final stage will draw conclusions before a report is prepared for Ministers.The review will consider all aspects of speed management, including the role of speed limits. It is expected to be completed by the Autumn, when its findings will be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and what proportion of settlements of less than 3,000 in population have (i) no signed speed restrictions and (ii) a maximum speed limit of (a) 40 mph, (b) 30 mph and (c) 20 mph. [86114]

This information is not held centrally as Local Traffic Authorities are responsible for setting speed limits on their roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many respondents to the consultation document, "Developing an Integrated Transport Policy: An Invitation to Contribute", recommended lower speed limits. [86054]

Of the 7,300 responses to the consultation document, "Developing an Integrated Transport Policy: An Invitation to Contribute", 827 recommended increased traffic calming measures and lower speed limits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations the Government have received in the course of the national speed policy review on the need to reduce speed limits in country lanes and in villages. [86056]

A wide range of views on this issue have been received, both for and against the need to reduce such speed limits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to change departmental refrigeration and air-conditioning systems to operate on not-in-kind refrigerants. [86164]

It is DETR policy, in accordance with the model framework for greening government operations, not to purchase substances that contain CFCs or HCFCs where suitable alternatives exist. The specifications for the build and refurbishment of Eland and Ashdown House Victoria specifically excluded the use of ozone depleting gases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road users were killed in drink-drive related accidents during the last year for which figures are available. [85690]

In 1997, the most recent year for which estimates of drink-drive accidents are available, there were an estimated 550 alcohol-related road deaths (or fatalities). This is a revision of the provisional estimate of 540, based on more limited data, which was published in "Road Accidents Great Britain:1997".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the main issues addressed in responses to his Department's consultation on "Combating Drinking and Driving: Next Steps". [85689]

Consultees made comments across the range of issues addressed in the consultation paper. Those issues most frequently raised were, in descending order, the lowering of the blood alcohol limit, police breath testing powers, penalties for a drink-drive limit and self-test breathalysers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when a decision will be made on the sale of British Rail land to the Dogs' Home, Battersea.[86241]

The British Railways Board was given permission on 20 May to dispose of its surplus land at Battersea to the Dogs' Home.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes have benefited from Government-sponsored programmes of energy efficiency in each year since their establishment. [86206]

The Department provides grants for improving the energy efficiency of homes through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and also funds the grant programmes operated by the Energy Saving Trust. The number of homes helped through each are detailed.

Homes improved through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
Year	Number of homes improved
1991–92	167,849
1992–93	204,130
1993–94	270,148
1994–95	449,902
1995–96	623,963
1996–97	415,422
1997–98	419,935
1998–99	404,960

Homes improved through DETR funded programmes operated by the Energy Saving Trust
Programme	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
Energy Efficiency Advice Centre	109,954	166,744	181,599
HECA Action1	37	31	30
Energy Service Companies1	2	7	20
Raising the Standard	6,000	9,000	12,110
Heating Controls	16,725	17,500	n/a
Cavity Wall Insulation	30,000	35,000	22,747
Pensioners Energy Plan	48	65	25
Total	162,766	228,347	216,531
1Grants to organisations rather than individual households

The energy efficiency of many homes has also been improved through earlier Government programmes; the introduction of energy efficiency requirements within building regulations; and from broader programmes to promote energy efficiency including the Market Transformation Strategy and the high profile "Are You Doing Your Bit" campaign.At the same time, schemes developed as part of the Standards of Performance set by the Director General for Electricity have also improved the energy efficiency of homes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for introducing (a) energy efficiency and (b) renewable energy strategies at regional level. [86044]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: Our recent White Paper on sustainable development, "A better quality of life", announced that we wish to see sustainable development frameworks prepared in each English region by the end of 2000. We will be issuing guidance on the content and preparation of such frameworks. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are among the subjects which we are considering for inclusion in the frameworks. Additionally, as indicated in the consultation paper, "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21 Century", recently published by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, renewable energy is a topic we will be considering in the context of our new proposals for Regional Planning Guidance, on which we have been consulting.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent scientific evidence he has evaluated concerning the use of methyl teritary butyl ether in petrol in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [85870]

Use of Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in petrol can reduce exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide by 25 per cent. and hydrocarbons by 15 per cent. and has contributed to improvements in air quality through reducing the level of these pollutants. In response to concerns about possible contamination of groundwater by MTBE the Environment Agency conducted a pilot study in the Stour catchment to inform the design of future groundwater monitoring. No MTBE was detected in that catchment but MTBE will be included in a major R&D study commissioned by the Agency into the fate, transport and natural attenuation of chemicals in the sub-surface and groundwater environment. The study, which commences this week, will take some two years to complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes to the council tax he intends to make to encourage owners of long-term empty dwellings to bring them back into use. [86487]

One of the reasons why there is a hard core of unused empty dwellings is that the cost of owning them is relatively low. At present, there is no council tax at all for the owners of dwellings which require or are undergoing major repair works or structural alterations. Long-term empty properties create extra costs for councils because they can encourage vandalism, crime, accumulation of rubbish, vermin and a general nuisance. Exempt from council tax, the owners do not make a contribution towards these costs and they also benefit from other locally provided services like police and fire services.The Government do not believe this is justified where a dwelling has been exempt for more than a year. We have, therefore, amended the council tax regulations so that from 1 April 2000, any dwelling in England and Wales requiring or undergoing major repair works or structural alterations which has been exempt for more than a year, will be subject to the standard 50 per cent. council tax attracted by other unoccupied dwellings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to provide financial support to English local authorities and to the Environment Agency to meet the capital costs of dealing with contaminated land. [86489]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment announced on 22 July 1998 that £15 million would be available for this financial year, and each of the next two financial years. The Contaminated Land Supplementary Credit Approval programme provides support for English local authorities for the capital costs they incur in dealing with contaminated land. The programme also supports, in the form of additional grant-in-aid, the Environment Agency where it is carrying out works to deal with water pollution caused by contaminated land. This funding is in addition to the £50 million over the next three years to help local authorities with their responsibilities under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (inserted by section 57 of the Environment Act 1995) and to separate funds made available through Single Regeneration Budget and the Regional Development Agencies for regeneration projects.Authorities with on-going contractual commitments for projects funded in previous years have already received notification that support will continue to be available this year. I have agreed the programme for new projects to start this year and my Department has written today to the successful authorities and to the Environment Agency notifying them of the financial allocations which are being made.The Department will discuss the other bids with the authorities concerned and expects to make some further allocations. It will also decide new bids when they are received.The following table sets out the allocations which have been made so far this current financial year.

Local Authorities	Number of sites	Total allocation(£)
Ashford BC	1	36,500
Bexley LB	1	50,000
Blackburn/Darwen BC	2	40,000
Bolton MBC	1	20,000
Bristol City	1	25,697
Bury MBC	1	5,500
Calderdale MBC	1	20,000
Chorley BC	1	196,000
Crawley BC	1	355,500
Croydon LB	5	79,000
Cumbria CC	1	786,215
Darlington BC	1	31,000
Devon CC	5	775,500
Dudley MBC	4	335,070
Durham CC	3	56,500
East Sussex CC	2	282,696
Essex CC	3	140,500
Gateshead MBC	2	1,205,000
Gedling BC	1	14,000
Gravesham BC	1	11,300

£000
	Approved allocation for 1998–99	Provisional outturn for 1998–99	Present approved allocation for 1999–2000
Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and its subsidiaries	27.21	28.77	29.79
NI Roads Programme	145.30	147.7	155.6

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes have been made by the Department of the Environment (N.I.) to the funding made available to (a) the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and its subsidiaries and (b) the NI Roads Programme in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999. [85958]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: The information for the financial years 1998–99 and 1999–2000 requested is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key performance targets have been set for the Business Development Service to be achieved by April 2000. [86488]

The Business Development Service is an Executive Agency of the Department of Finance and Personnel. I have set a number of key performance targets for the Agency to achieve by April 2000, as follows:

• to maintain a level of at least 90 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the services that they have received;
• to maintain a level of at least 90 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the way in which services were provided to them;
• to achieve levels of efficiency savings in total running costs of 3 per cent. over the allocation for 1998–99;
• to demonstrate, on a notional basis and within the context of service level agreements (where these apply), that the Agency would recover the full cost of its operations from its customers; and
• to maintain systems of people development consistent with good human resource practice.

Copies of the Agency's Strategic and Business Plans for 1999 to 2002 have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 26 January 1999, Official Report,column 191, what advice was received by Ministers on the legal permissibility of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights' recommendations on contract compliance under European law; if she subsequently sought legal opinion on contract compliance; and if she will make a statement. [86137]

My reply of 26 January indicated the input of legal advisers to consideration of the recommendations in the Standing Advisory Commission for Human Rights' report on employment equality of June 1997. Subsequent to publication of the Government's response to those recommendations in the White Paper, "Partnership for Equality" (CM 3890) in March 1998, the Secretary of State has not sought further legal opinion on contract compliance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the West Midlands police force have spent time on secondment with the RUC in the past 10 years; what was the average length of time spent on secondment; and what was the purpose of these placements. [86143]

In the last 10 years, two members of the West Midlands police force have been seconded to the Royal Ulster Constabulary for a period of six months each. These placements were part of a Management Exchange with RUC officers for the career development of the individuals concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what powers are available to the Chief Constable of the RUC to take disciplinary action against officers joining or associating with paramilitary organisations; who is responsible for discipline among police officers from England and Wales serving in the RUC on secondment; and who has responsibility for informing her if a police officer on secondment to the RUC has paramilitary associations[86144]

The Chief Constable's powers to take disciplinary action against a member of the RUC below the rank of Assistant Chief Constable are provided for in the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Discipline and Disciplinary Appeals) Regulations 1988.The Chief Constable, or Police Authority for senior officers, is responsible for the discipline of police officers from England and Wales on secondment with the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The Chief Constable is also responsible for the investigation of criminal matters and, except for senior officers, for police discipline.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she has received a report of the evidence given in the course of the legal action against former chief superintendent Barry Mason of the West Midlands police that concluded on 22 April. [86145]

Yes.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action he intends to take to investigate the activities of non-legally qualified claims assessors.[86390]

The Lord Chancellor intends to establish a small committee to investigate the provision of legal advice by non-legally qualified persons who act as claims assessors, whose business is to process claims, on behalf of clients, arising as a result of death or personal injury. In particular, the committee will examine the sector's cost, standard, appropriateness and customer satisfaction. The committee will report its findings and make recommendations on whether any further control of this sector is needed in the public interest.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Advisory Board on Family Law intends to publish its second annual report. [86389]

The Advisory Board on Family Law published its second annual report on 27 May and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the European Presidency's draft for a European Employment Pact, as discussed at ECOFIN on 10 May. [85524]

The European Presidency text on a European Employment Pact as agreed at the Cologne Council has been placed in the Library this afternoon.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his counterparts in other G7 countries regarding their Governments' contributions to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Trust Fund; and if he will make a statement. [85719]

The Chancellor has discussed the HIPC trust fund with all his G7 colleagues and will be discussing these issues further at the G7 in Frankfurt this weekend.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what agreement was reached at the last G7 Finance Ministers' Meeting on reducing the debt burden of the poorest countries; and if he will make a statement. [85718]

G7 Finance Ministers last met on 26 April. Paragraph 11 of their statement, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, set out the conclusions of the meeting.The UK is continuing to argue for faster, deeper and wider debt relief.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase the fees Her Majesty's Treasury currently charges to applicants for Recognised Overseas Investment Exchange status or Recognised Overseas Clearing House status under sections 112 and 113 of the Financial Services Act 1986. [86617]

The application fee will be increased to £33,000 and the periodical fee will be increased to £9,000 with effect from 1 July 1999.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how many pence per litre the price of a litre of diesel has risen since May 1997. [84914]

[holding answer 21 May 1999]: The price of diesel in May 1997 was published in the DTI's 1998 Digest of Energy Statistics, table 8.12. The latest price, for April 1999, was published in a DTI press notice, "Statistical Press Release, Advance Energy Statistics", on 5 May 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the pay received by British soldiers who are on duty in and around Kosovo. [85650]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: UK Service personnel deployed to the Balkans are paid in accordance with their rank, length of service and, in the case of other ranks, their trade, at rates recommended by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB). Where appropriate, personnel also receive additional pay in recognition of their specialist skills or service, ie flying pay or parachute pay, at rates also recommended by the AFPRB.The AFPRB make their recommendations on the basic pay of all members of the Armed Forces on the basis of broad comparability with the pay of civilian occupations of similar job weight and responsibility within the UK. To this basic pay is then added an additional element called the A-Factor' (currently 12 per cent. of basic pay) to reflect the differences between conditions of service experienced by members of the Armed Forces over a full career and conditions in civilian life, which cannot be taken directly into account in assessing pay comparability. Part of the AFPRB's considerations in determining the X-Factor includes the liability to serve from time to time in difficult and dangerous circumstances. The 'X-Factor' is paid continuously to all Service personnel, apart from the most senior officers, throughout their careers regardless of where they are serving, and it is pensionable. This mechanism is so constructed to ensure our continuing ability to recruit and retain personnel of the right calibre and reflects the fact that the UK's Armed Forces have an expectation of world wide deployment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what planning permissions have been sought for RAF Quedgeley; and what is their current status. [85885]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: The areas formerly known as Sites 2 and 4, which are located to the south of the Main Site, and Site 6, located close to the A38, have now been sold as land for storage purposes.No planning permission has yet been sought for Main Site, Quedgeley as this will be a matter for the Purchaser. However, my Department has made representation at the recent Gloucestershire County Structure Plan Examination in Public and has consulted on a regular basis with Gloucester City Council about proposed uses for the site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the overspend for the (i) land equipment budget, (ii) sea equipment budget and (iii) air equipment budget in the present financial year. [85916]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: The Defence budget for the present financial year, 1999–2000, is not currently overspent in any main budget area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many letters he has received concerning the future of Defence Medical Services; and of these, how many opposed the closure of the Royal Hospital, Haslar. [85553]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: My Department, including the Defence Secondary Care Agency, has received over 500 letters concerning the Defence Medical Services and the future of the Royal Hospital, Haslar. This figure includes letters to the Prime Minister and the Secretaries of State for Health and Transport which were passed to my Department for reply. The majority of these letters referred to the Royal Hospital, Haslar and all were opposed to its closure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of Service Children's Education for the financial year 1999–2000.[86700]

The Chief Executive has been set the following Key Targets for 1999–2000:1. To meet the following percentage of pupils achieving Level 2 at the end of Key Stage 1 in:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to ensure the future integrity of the UK's nuclear weapon stockpile in the absence of underground weapon stockpile in the absence of underground weapon testing. [86701]

:I announced in the Strategic Defence Review that for as long as the United Kingdom has nuclear forces we will ensure that we have a robust capability to underwrite the integrity of our nuclear wareheads without recourse to nuclear testing.As part of that I have approved investment in the US National Ignition Facility (NIF). This will guarantee the United Kingdom access to a high-powered laser, which is a key element of our stewardship programme. Participation in the NIF will be a joint venture under the auspices of the 1958 UK/US Mutual Defence Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency for financial year 1999–2000. [86702]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency for Financial Year 1999–2000. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in 1992 and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with regard to placing a contract for the Extended Range Ordnance and Modular Charge System for the AS90 howitzer. [86703]

I am pleased to announce that a contract for the final development and production of extended range barrels and a new Modular Charge System for the AS90 self-propelled gun has been placed with Marconi Electronic Systems. This programme will extend the range and increase the effectiveness of AS90, and will provide a significantly enhanced artillery capability for the British Army. The contract will sustain about 50 jobs with Marconi at Barrow-in-Furness and at the Royal Ordnance factory in Nottingham, which will manufacture the extended range barrels. The Modular Charge System will be supplied by Somchem of South Africa. The total value of the contract with Marconi is around £75 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress towards establishing the Learning Forces Initiative announced in the Strategic Defence Review. [86704]

In April Standard Learning Credits were introduced which increased by 25 per cent. the financial assistance available annually for Service personnel to undertake education for personal development. Enhanced Learning Credits will be introduced next year. This major new scheme will provide a substantial source of funding for personal development both during service in the Armed Forces and for up to 10 years thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Training Group Defence Agency for financial year 1999–2000. [86705]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Training Group Defence Agency for the Financial Year 1999–2000 as follows:

Key Target 1—Quantity of Output (ab initio Flying Training) The number of RAF aircrew trainees graduated as follows:
KT1a—Number of trainees graduating from ab initio flying training	Performance level
Fast-Jet Pilots	59
Multi-Engine Pilots	46
Rotary Wing Pilots	33
Fast-Jet Navigators	24
Multi-Engine Navigators	11
Rotary Wing Navigators	14
Airman Aircrew	78

The number of RAF trainees who graduate from the following courses:

KT1b—Quantity of output(ab initio ground training)	Performance level
Officer Training	282
RAF Tradesman Training	1,827
RAF Regiment Gunner Training	395

The number of training places provided on the following RN, Army, RAF refresher, CFS and Foreign and Commonwealth flying courses:

KT1c—Quantity of output flying(other customers and refresher training)	Performance level
Flying Training—RN, Army, RAF Refresher and CFS	819	Flying Training Courses—F&C	83

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug treatment and testing orders he has forecast to be made in his financial plans for the first full year of their operation. [85766]

Our current best estimate of the unit cost of a Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) is £6,400. On that basis, the funds allocated should allow probation services to fund treatment and testing of approximately 6,000 offenders sentenced to DTTOs in 2001–02. The pilot evaluation report will provide accurate information on the unit cost and, therefore, the number of DTTOs that can be made each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of a drug treatment and testing order imposed in the three pilot areas. [85769]

As at June 1999, the average length of a Drug Treatment and Testing Order in

(a) Croydon is 16.8 months;

(b) Gloucestershire is 12.9 months; and

(c) Liverpool is 12.9 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be (a) the establishment and (b) actual numbers of officers in post of the London River Police on 1 January 2000; and if he will make a statement.[86036]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the target strength for the Thames Division on 1 January 2000 will be 89 officers and that he expects that number to be in post then. At the moment the strength is 101.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the staffing requirement of the London River Police over the Millennium public holiday; and if he will make a statement. [86037]

The deployment of officers in the Thames Division of the Metropolitan Police is an operational matter for the Commissioner. He tells me that during the Millennium public holiday he expects that the full strength of the Division, 89 officers, will be deployed on a 24-hour shift pattern. The deployment of resources will be kept under review, and altered as necessary if new events related to the Millennium are planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend Part V of the Police Act 1997 regarding the Criminal Records Bureau; what time scale he envisages for reform; and if he will make a statement. [85904]

The Protection of Children Bill, currently before Parliament, aims to amend Part V of the Police Act 1997 so as to permit the Criminal Records Bureau to act as a "one stop shop" for criminal record information and information contained in the Department for Education and Employment's List 99 and the Department of Health's Consultancy Index.I have no plans for other amendments to Part V.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to make available the Commission for Racial Equality's 1998 annual report; and if he will make a statement. [86621]

I have arranged for copies of the Commission for Racial Equality's 1998 report which is being published today to be placed in the Library.The report demonstrates the Commission's commitment to making racial equality a reality in Britain and shows how it is playing a positive role to promote the importance of equal opportunities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the support arrangements for the families of asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [86622]

The Government are determined to deliver an immigration and asylum system which is fairer, faster and firmer. The Immigration and Asylum Bill is key to achieving this goal. The new arrangements contained in the Bill will provide a coherent national support system for asylum seekers, including families with children.The Bill has been carefully scrutinised by a Special Standing Committee which took evidence as well as considering it clause by clause. I am very grateful to all the hon. Members who took part in this Committee. In the light of issues raised, I am making the following changes:I have today tabled amendments to the Immigration and Asylum Bill to make clear that the Home Secretary will be under a new duty to meet the accommodation and essential living needs of destitute asylum seeker families. The assistance they receive in this way will be comparable to what would otherwise be available under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. All other safeguards for children contained in that Act will continue to apply. Linked with the commitment we have already made to provide 24 hour emergency cover for such families, these measures will ensure that the children of asylum seekers receive the same kind of protection as other children enjoy.I have also reviewed the balance between cash and vouchers in the resources to be made available to asylum seekers for living expenses, and have concluded that a cash allowance of £10 per person per week is justifiable for both adults and children. This would mean that, at the present illustrative support rates, a family of four would receive £40 per week in cash, and a further £50 of spending power by way of vouchers.In the White Paper, "Fairer, Faster and Firmer" the Government set a target of delivering, by April 2001, most initial asylum decisions within two months and most appeals in a further four months. In respect of families with children, I have decided to bring forward this target to April 2000. From that date, our aim will be to deliver initial decisions on new asylum applications in such cases in an average of two months. Average waiting times for appeals are already below four months. Our intention is to maintain this for the future for all categories of cases. If we cannot achieve these targets for families with children, we will not bring these applications into the new support arrangements in April 2000. We will only do so when we are satisfied that the targets for these cases can be met. For those people who remain on the support arrangements for more than six months through no fault of their own, we shall be introducing an additional discretionary payment to assist with the cost of any replacement items they may need.These changes, together with the other amendments that I am tabling today, will strengthen the Bill and ensure that the Government's objectives are achieved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the annual report for 1998 of the Complaints Audit Committee of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; and if he will make a statement. [86623]

A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. It is a useful and informative document and I am grateful to the Committee for its comments and its recommendations which will all be followed up. The report also includes details of the broadening of the Committee's terms of reference to encompass quality of service issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the scientific references used to ascertain the safety of pelargonic acid vanillyamide, as a replacement for CS spray. [85856]

I am aware of no published reports relating to the safety of pelargonic acid vanillyamide (PAVA), although some private research on the subject has been commissioned by Hertfordshire Constabulary. The Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch considers that the information currently available is not sufficient to allow the use of PAVA as an incapacitant in the United Kingdom at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 May 1999, Official Report, column 434, what guidance has been issued to the police on pre-inquest disclosure to relatives of the deceased. [86139]

On 28 April 1999, a Home Office circular was issued to Chief Officers of Police advising them, where there has been a death in police custody, to make arrangements for the pre-inquest disclosure of documentary evidence to interested persons.The guidance advises Chief Officers that there should be as great a degree of openness as possible, and that disclosure of documentary material to interested persons before the inquest hearing should be normal practice in cases of death in police custody and death arising from fatal road crashes involving the police. The guidance also states that in all cases, Chief Officers will want to consider whether there are compelling reasons why certain documents, or parts of documents, may not be disclosed. But there should always be a presumption in favour of openness. A copy of the circular has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) killed and (b) injured by (i) hand guns, (ii) air guns, (iii) shot guns, (iv) rifles over .22 calibre, (v) rifles of .22 calibre, (vi) submachine guns and (vii) other firearms in each of the last five years indicating how many of the deaths and injuries were (a) accidental, (b) non-accidental and (c) self-inflicted by legally held firearms. [85866]

Information obtained from the Office for National Statistics shows the following number of accidental deaths by shooting, broken down by the available type of gun for the years 1994 to 1998:

Accidental deaths by shooting, England and Wales, 1994–98
	Hand gun	Shot gun	Military firearm	Other firearm	Total
1994	2	4	1	3	10
1995	1	6	—	5	12
1996	—	3	—	4	7
1997	1	4	—	1	6
1998	1	5	1	1	8

Information is not available on the number of accidental injuries caused by firearms.Deaths and injuries caused by the use of firearms crime are as follows:

Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which firearms caused injury, England and Wales, 1993–97
	Hand gun	Shot gun	Air/weapon	Other firearm	Total
Fatal injury
1993	35	39	—	—	74
1994	25	36	—	5	66
1995	39	28	1	2	70
1996	30	17	—	4	49
1997	39	16	—	59

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what targets have been set for the Forestry Commission Research Agency for the current financial year. [86712]

The Forestry Commission Research Agency in has been set the following targets:

To achieve a customer satisfaction rating of at least 95 per cent.

To increase the output of peer-reviewed scientific papers submitted and subsequently accepted for publication by 8 per cent. on the 1998–99 target.

To achieve a 2 per cent. real reduction in the weighted average unit cost of support services and to hold weighted average charge for a researcher day at 1998–99 levels.

To achieve an operating surplus of at least £450,000.

Copies of the agency's Business Plan, which contains more detail about these targets, have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what targets he has set Remploy in its 1999–2000 Annual Performance Agreement. [86330]

I have, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, written to the Chairman of Remploy approving the 1999–2000 Annual Performance Agreement between the Department and the Company. This agreement covers the year from 1 April 1999. It has been negotiated by the Chief Executive of the Employment Service on behalf of my right hon. Friend. The targets are:

the average number of disabled people employed by Remploy Ltd. will be 10,150

the average number of disabled people employed under the Interwork scheme will be 3,800

the average number of progressions will increase to 400

Remploy Ltd. will keep within a total unit cost target (operating deficit per disabled worker) of £9,700

Remploy Ltd. will reduce its factory operating deficit to a maximum £81.0 million.

I have today arranged for the text of the Annual Performance Agreement to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the Government-funded research programme, showing (a) the research organisation, (b) the funding and (c) the research details; and if he will make a statement. [85697]

The Government fund health and medical research in a number of ways.

Number of examining medical practitioner's (EMP) examinations and complaints in Manchester—September 1998–April 1999
Month	Number of EMP exams	Number of complaints	Doctor's manner	Content and length of examination, clinical findings
September 1998	1,391	0	0	0
October 1998	1,129	1	0	1
November 1998	2,172	7	2	7
December 1998	1,994	7	4	7
January 1999	1,993	11	7	11
February 1999	1,962	11	1	9
March 1999	2,191	25	11	53
April 1999	1,813	18	11	15
Total	14,645	80	36	103

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure the financial stability of RADA; and if he will make a statement. [86080]

I have been asked to reply.The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art is a private institution not funded directly by Government.The Arts Council of England has awarded £23.75 million of Lottery funds towards RADA's centenary project, which is intended to enable the Academy to achieve financial independence to continue as a key provider of drama training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the steps which he has taken to give more detailed consideration to the areas of concern highlighted in the study of the Ilisu Dam project commissioned by the Swiss Government. [84893]

ECGD is consulting other Government Departments and independent environmental advisers. They are also discussing the case with the other Export Credit agencies that are involved. No decision has yet been taken as to whether ECGD should support the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Research Council held in Brussels on 20 May; and if he will make a statement. [85358]

The Research Council of 20 May:1. Agreed decisions on the association of applicant countries (CCEE and Cyprus) with the Fifth Framework programme for European Research and Technological Development.2. Adopted a resolution on "Women and Science: Mobilising women to enrich European research".3. Received information from the Commission on the competitiveness of European enterprises in the face of globalisation and on its views on the decommissioning of the Joint Research Centre's obsolete nuclear facilities, and from the Presidency on scientific and technical co-operation with the Mediterranean partner countries.After the formal council meeting, the Presidency held informal discussions, in which Ministers were joined by invited experts, on issues concerning future European research policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evaluation he has carried out on the impacts of a climate change levy, rebated by a general reduction in national insurance contributions, on the (a) steel, (b) chemical, (c) aluminium, (d) cement and (e) other major energy-using industries. [86043]

My Department is having extensive discussions with business on the impact of the climate change levy, and the accompanying reduction in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs), which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his 9 March Budget.The Government have said that they wish to implement the climate change levy in a way which minimises any adverse impact on the competitiveness of UK business. I welcome the recognition of the special circumstances of intensive energy sectors and the planned negotiated agreements with them, which will enable them to get significantly lower rates of the levy in return for commitments to improve their energy efficiency or reduce emissions.My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will decide the final rates of the levy, including the discounts for intensive energy users which enter negotiated agreements. The overall impact of the levy, coupled with the reduction in employer NICs, on these sectors will depend on these decisions. The Government will continue to listen to the views of business and as raised in response to the Customs and Excise consultation, which ended on 28 May and final decisions will be taken in the light of these.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to discourage charities from using premium telephone line charges. [86217]

The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has responsibility for regulating premium rate services. ICSTIS enforces an effective Code of Practice which has provisions to ensure that consumers are given adequate information to enable them to take informed decisions about the use of premium rate services. The Code ensures that the costs of calls to premium rate charitable promotions must be given in advertisements and ensures the caller is aware of the name of the beneficiary. I am confident in the effectiveness of ICSTIS to regulate the premium rate services market for charitable promotions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are currently employed in the medical and pharmaceutical applications of biotechnology in the United Kingdom; and what has been the annual financial contribution of this area of biotechnology to the United Kingdom's GDP since and including 1992 (a) in actual terms and (b) in terms of a percentage of the whole. [86069]

This information is not available from official statistics. To obtain it, would involve disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the United Kingdom maritime threat assessment prepared as part of the MOX transport plan. [85821]

No. For obvious security reasons, the details of assessments by the security authorities, including maritime threat assessments, are confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the details of the United Kingdom safety and security plans covering the sea shipment to Japan from Sellafield of plutonium-based MOX fuel was communicated to the Japanese Government and Japanese nuclear authorities; and what response he received. [85826]

Under the terms of the 1988 US-Japan Nuclear Co-operation Agreement, it is the responsibility of the Government of Japan to prepare and to submit to the United States Administration a transport plan covering arrangements for the sea shipment of Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel from Europe to Japan. This transport plan was prepared in close consultation with the Governments of France and the United Kingdom and submitted to the United States Government in January 1999. In May 1999, the United States Government confirmed that the transport plan fully satisfied the provisions of Annex 5 of the US-Japan Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the CBI and other trade associations regarding untying UK bilateral development aid. [85964]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has had no discussions with the CBI or other Trade Associations regarding untying UK bilateral aid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress on the identification, distribution and preservation of (a) coal and (b) non-coal records which have been the responsibility of the Coal Authority. [85901]

The Coal Authority owns a range of records related to coal-mining and the coal resource that are relevant to its activities; in particular, the records of the Coal Commission, which consist of the Coal Holdings Register compiled following the Coal Act 1937 and 26,500 associated claim files; and over one million geological records (principally borehole logs) and 20,000 magnetic tapes of seismic data. It also maintains, and provides public access to circa 100,000 coal-mine abandonment plans owned by the Health and Safety Executive, together with 2,500 boxes of ancillary records (notebooks and calculation ledgers used by surveyors to produce the original plans). The Authority does not hold, other than on an incidental basis, non-coal records.The Authority is currently considering in co-operation with other interested parties and those requiring access to the information where these records should be housed in the future. It is the Authority's intention to retain the records of the Coal Commission. The geological records and seismic data are in the process of being transferred to the British Geological Survey (BGS) centre at Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, to create a coherent collection of such records for all minerals. The Authority will shortly go to consultation on where the originals of the HSE's coal-mine abandonment plans, which are currently kept at the Bretby site, should be housed. It is the Authority's intention to retain micro-film copies of the plans if they are transferred to another record-holder.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the nuclear industry on its plans for new stations. [85710]

My right hon. Friend and I have had a number of meetings with businesses in the nuclear industry, and many of these have included general discussion of the long-term prospects for new nuclear power stations, but we have received no applications for consent to build a new nuclear power station, and to the best of my knowledge at present no company has plans to make such an application.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research into wave power is currently being funded by the Government. [85955]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: The EPSRC announced its new £3.5 to £4 million per year Renewable and New Energy Technologies Programme in March 1999. The programme's remit covers renewable supply technologies, including marine (wave and tidal current) power and the first call for proposals closed on 14 May 1999. 131 outline proposals have been received, of which 15 are for wave energy projects. The outline proposals will be considered by an advisory panel later this month, following which full proposals for the most promising projects will be evaluated through EPSRC's peer review process.In addition, on 30 March this year I announced the launch of a new wave power research programme as part of my Department's New and Renewable Energy Programme. I expect that programme to monitor the development of projects contracted under the third Scottish Renewables Order and to support research, development and demonstration projects which can contribute to the development and assessment of wave power. Since my announcement officials at DTI have received several outline proposals from researchers and will consider these further in the light of decisions taken on outline proposals already submitted to the EPSRC programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what elements of the World Trade Agreement prohibit (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European Union from placing restrictions on the import of animal-based foodstuffs liable to contain high levels of antibiotic substances; which officials (i) negotiated, (ii) agreed to and (iii) endorsed on behalf of the negotiating parties those elements; and what ratification procedure was followed in (1) the European Union and (2) the member states. [86231]

UK and EU regulation in this area is governed by the WTO Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. This Agreement recognises the right of members to take measures necessary for the protection of human, animal or plant health. It requires, however, that any trade measures are based on scientific principles and are not maintained without sufficient scientific evidence. In a case where insufficient scientific evidence is currently available, WTO Members are allowed to impose a temporary ban while a thorough risk assessment is carried out. This agreement formed part of the WTO Agreement which concluded the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations on 15 December 1993. The WTO Agreement was negotiated by the European Commission in consultation with EC member states under the provisions of the EC Treaties. The Agreement was signed on behalf of the United Kingdom by the former right hon. Member for Hove, the then Minister for Industry, in Marrakesh on 15 April 1994. Under the Ponsonby rule, the Agreement was laid before Parliament in May 1994 and debated on 14 June 1994.The United Kingdom's instrument of Ratification to the WTO Agreement was deposited with the GATT Legal Adviser on 30 December 1994. For the EC, the WTO Agreement was accepted by means of a Council decision and assent given by the European Parliament. The Agreement entered into force on 1 January 1995. The main WTO Agreement was published as Treaty Series No. 57 of 1996 (Cm 3277), and the Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures as No. 54 of 1996 (Cm 3275). The UK's certified copy of the WTO Agreement resides in the Public Record Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice his Department gives to prospective exporters about the human rights record of the receiving country; and whether this advice is given only in response to a specific request. [85830]

British Trade International, the joint DTI/FC0 operation for international trade promotion, provides advice in response to specific requests, except in the case of Burma where it is provided routinely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the results of the OFT inquiry into the funeral industry; [86280](2) what plans he has to review the regulations governing the funeral industry; [86281](3) what representations he has received from the OFT about competition in the funeral industry. [86282]

The Director-General for Fair Trading (DGFT) announced on 15 May 1998 an inquiry into the "at need" funerals industry. The inquiry is focusing on whether competition in the industry is effective.I understand that the OFT has yet to complete its inquiries. On doing so, it will then be a matter for the DGFT to consider if further action is appropriate, such as making representations to the DTI.There are no plans at present to regulate the funeral industry with the exception of the pre-paid funeral plans sector. It is proposed to bring this part of the industry within the scope of the Financial Services and Markets Bill.HM Treasury issued a consultation paper in January 1999 outlining their proposals. Closing date for responses was 30 April. These responses are currently being considered by officials from DTI and the Treasury.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Law Commission's report on Corporate Neglect; and if he will make a statement. [85481]

I have been asked to reply.

To ask the Prime Minister when he last met the leaders of NATO member states to discuss matters relating to a European Defence Review. [85195]

The last collective meeting was the NATO Summit in April where the main focus was the conflict in Kosovo. However, the Summit unanimously welcomed and endorsed the European defence initiative we launched last year.I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made to the House on 8 June 1999,

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 9 June. [85905]

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I will have further such meetings later today.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the extent of the illegal trade in bat meat within the UK; and what steps he is taking to eradicate it. [85742]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: I am aware of the recent press reports stating that illegally imported bat meat is being sold in this country. MAFF officials, Official Veterinary Surgeons at Border Inspection Posts and local authorities have been asked to increase their vigilance in order to prevent this trade.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the applicability of the EU fruit and vegetable regime to the UK horticulture industry; and what proposals he has to improve the UK take-up of assistance under the regime. [86107]

The reformed EU fruit and vegetable regime offers enormous benefits for UK growers. The progressive reduction in aid for intervention, and diversion of funds to structured operational programmes, has already enabled those growers who trade through producer organisations (POs) to benefit. Payments to POs for constructive works over a period of years enables POs to improve production techniques, quality, preparation for market, marketing and promotional activity, in addition to encouraging the use of environmentally sound practices.Seventy six operational programmes are currently running in the UK. Funding for work on UK programmes in 1997 totalled £5.7 million. Payment for work in 1998 is expected to be about £7 million with a potential payment of £12 million for 1999. This represents new funding for the UK horticulture industry.There is no great tradition of grower co-operation in the UK and, although a total of 92 POs in the UK are recognised under the new regime, the percentage of the UK fruit and vegetable sector covered by recognised POs is only 35 per cent. My officials have contacted organisations which have not sought recognition and encouraged them to do so. Independent growers are also encouraged to join existing POs or to form new organisations and seek recognition, so that they can benefit from EU aid.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the recent meeting of the International Whaling Commission. [86331]

The International Whaling Commission's 51st Annual Meeting was held in Grenada from 24 to 28 May. I attended the meeting, together with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the British Virgin Islands, as well as representatives of environmental organisations.At the meeting I re-affirmed the United Kingdom's opposition to whaling. I am pleased to say that efforts by Japan to secure a quota of 50 minke whales, despite the moratorium on commercial whaling, and to weaken the Southern Ocean Sanctuary were defeated by substantial majorities. There was once again strong criticism of Norway's and Japan's continued whaling activities.The Chairman of the IWC, the Commissioner for Ireland, announced that discussions with IWC members on the ideas put forward by Ireland in 1997 were continuing, although he had no real progress to report. The Irish proposals would involve a ban on all whaling, including scientific whaling, outside coastal waters, with the possibility that countries might authorise whaling under IWC rules within their own coastal waters for domestic consumption. The proposals also envisage a ban on international trade in whale products.In the ensuing debate I made it clear that the UK's ultimate aim remained a permanent, worldwide moratorium on all whaling other than aboriginal subsistence whaling. However, we recognised that this was not something that was likely to be achieved overnight, or that could be imposed on members of the IWC against their will. We were, therefore, prepared to

consider ideas for reaching interim solutions on the way to our ultimate destination. But any arrangements of this kind would have to deliver very real benefits to whale conservation. In this context, we continued to have reservations about some aspects of the Irish proposals, in particular the possibility of renewed coastal whaling. I noted that it seemed, in any case, unlikely that the Irish proposals represented a realistic way forward, given the opposition by Japan to ending scientific whaling. In these circumstances it was important to consider other ways in which the IWC could move forward. In the UK's view these included:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding has been given by his Department to develop political and human rights parliamentary discussion groups in Commonwealth countries in each of the last three years. [84746]