To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what changes in primary legislation will be required to implement the revised arrangements for wholesale electricity trading; [86880]

The Government are committed to introducing legislation to implement new wholesale electricity trading arrangements and will do so as soon

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to announce his decision in respect of the proposed acquisition of City Flyer Express Ltd. by British Airways; and if he will make a statement. [86869]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will publish the Competition Commission's report on British Airways' proposed acquisition of City Flyer Express Ltd. as soon as is practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the (a) amount and (b) percentage of energy consumed in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years that came from renewable sources. [86664]

The amount and percentage of energy consumed in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years that came from renewable energy sources is given in the following table. The table also shows the amount and percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to publish his decisions on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report into the supply of milk before the end of June. [86875]

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to announce the date of the publication of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on the supply of raw cows' milk in Great Britain. [86974]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will publish the MMC's report as soon as is practicable. He has said in the House that he expects to be able to publish before the House rises for the summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the total amount of financial support for capital investment provided by (i) the United Kingdom Government and (ii) the European Union to (a) the manufacturing sector, (b) manufacturing companies established by inward investment and (c) the textiles and clothing sector in the last five years. [86861]

Financial support for capital investment is provided in various forms, including through grants, guarantees, tax allowances and general industrial support. One of the main programmes is regional selective assistance which over the last five years in Great Britain has provided offers of grant of £1.6 billion to the manufacturing sector as a whole, of which £935 million was offered to foreign-owned companies and £51 million to the textiles and clothing sector.Many other UK Government and EU programmes provide direct or indirect financial support for capital investment but information on the total is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many written or verbal complaints were received by his Department and the Office of Fair Trading in each year from 1996 to date about (i) unfair agreement terms being applied by oil companies to operators of retail petrol sites and (ii) the actions taken by the oil companies which did not conform to the agreement signed by the operators. [86710]

My Department and the Office of Fair Trading have received a number of complaints about agreements between oil companies and petrol retailers during 1996–99. The cost of providing an accurate breakdown of these on a year-by-year basis would be disproportionate.The Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for investigating complaints about anti-competitive behaviour. He does not however have a locus to intervene in contractual disputes unless these raise competition concerns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the review of the petrol undertakings by the Office of Fair Trading will be completed; if he will publish the findings of the review; and if he will make a statement. [86767]

The timing of the review is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. My right hon. Friend and I will receive advice from him when the review is complete. I will announce my decision in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list by number and grade the officials employed full-time in monitoring the UK retail petrol market and the departments to which they belong. [86768]

No officials in the Department of Trade and Industry or the Office of Fair Trading have responsibility for monitoring the UK retail petrol market on a permanent full-time basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons the Office of Fair Trading's inquiry into the retail petrol market, published in May 1998, did not include an examination of retail petrol stations located on motorway service areas. [86769]

The content of the report is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. The report, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House, examined the supply of petrol by all retail outlets. However, I understand that motorway service areas were not referred to specifically as they were not considered to be in a separate market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (i) post offices and (ii) post offices run by sub-postmasters, there were at (a) at the latest available date, (b) in 1997, (c) in 1989 and (d) in 1979. [86930]

I understand from the Post Office that the numbers of post offices in total and of sub-post offices at the dates requested were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of post offices, indicating separately those run by sub-postmasters, which operate in rural areas. [86931]

I understand from the Post Office that the total number of post offices at the end of April 1999 was 18,707, of which 8,842 were in rural areas and operated by sub-postmasters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to announce his policy on regional aid. [86860]

Reviews of the Assisted Areas and Structural Funds maps are currently underway. We will announce the proposals which we will send to the Commission shortly.Proposals for the re-focusing of the Regional Selective Assistance scheme, as announced in the Competitiveness White Paper, are still under consideration and the changes will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the Institute of Directors to discuss trade union and employment law reform. [86840]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry met representatives of the Institute of Directors in February, March and May to discuss various matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the ICL/Pathway consortium will be liable for losses arising from fraud when the Post Office barcode technology is in use. [85859]

The exact details of the contracts between the Post Office and ICL/Pathway are commercially confidential but I understand that there will be penalties built into the contracts for failure to perform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what modifications have to be made to the computer terminals installed in post offices as part of the Horizon project to make them compatible with (a) smart card and (b) barcode technology. [85865]

The system is already fully compatible with both smartcard and barcode technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communications he had with the relevant United States authorities in respect of the relevance of the United States Government's threat assessment to the sea shipment of plutonium prior to concluding the safety and security plan for such shipments from the United Kingdom to Japan. [85822]

During preparation of the transport plan, a number of meetings took place between officials from the Governments of Japan, France, the United Kingdom and the United States to discuss all aspects relating to the arrangements for the sea shipment of MOX fuel from Europe to Japan, including safety and security considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to promote environmental and social reporting by British companies; and if he will make a statement. [86864]

There are a number of related issues in this area. For example, the DTI is working with the DETR to meet the objectives of the national Sustainable Development Strategy to develop standards and guidance for environmental reporting and to encourage all UK companies to report publicly on their environmental performance.In March 1998, the DTI launched a fundamental review of company law which is being taken forward by an independent Steering Group. The Steering Group is considering a wide range of issues concerning the company's relationship with its wider interests, including the potential for company law to promote corporate transparency. The role of non-financial reporting, including on environmental and social issues, forms part of this consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if hospitals and other NHS facilities in Wales used not-in-kind refrigerants. [86167]

Information from which to estimate the total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if NHS bodies used not-in-kind refrigerants is not collected centrally.The Welsh Office is fully supportive of the Government's commitment to running its operations and buildings in accordance with best environmental practice as an integral part of its contribution to the UK's sustainable development strategy.Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many disciplinary hearings have been heard under Welsh Health Circular WHC(96)22 Disciplinary Procedures for Hospital and Community Medical and Dental Staff; what has been the length of time taken to hear and resolve each of the cases; and how many such cases were discontinued. [86276]

Records of the number of disciplinary hearings held under WHC(90)22 are not held centrally. There is no requirement to notify the Welsh Office of any case unless the proceedings exceed 6 months. The Department has been notified of only one such case, which took over 4½ years to reach a negotiated settlement.Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Medical Training Organisation for 1999–2000. [87142]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the DMTO for financial year 1999–2000 as follows:

Key Target 1—Academic Success (Quality and Quantity)

To achieve the following academic success rates:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the quinquennial review of the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment will start. [87143]

The Performance Evaluation phase of Quinquennial Review of the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment (RAFSEE) started on 17 May 1999 and is expected to be complete by 30 July 1999. This phase will review the performance of the Agency since its launch in November 1994. The forward-looking Options Phase will start today and is expected to be complete by 29 October 1999. The Options Phase will consider RAFSEE's role and core functions against the background of the formation of the Defence Logistics Organisation, of which RAFSEE is now part. This phase will assess whether Agency status remains appropriate for each of the functions undertaken by RAFSEE or whether there are other more cost effective means of delivering RAFSEE's outputs.Comments and contributions from those with an interest in RAFSEE and its work would be welcome and should be sent to, Air Commodore K. J. M. Procter, RAFSEE Review Team, Room G50, Headquarters Logistics Command, RAF Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE18 8QL.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 1999, Official Report, column 211, on satellite dishes, for what reason there will be a 12-hour delay between transmission and viewing by ships' crews. [86874]

The transmissions are received by RN ships using existing military satellite communications equipment, which was not designed to take video transmissions. The band width required for normal video transmission is considerably greater than that available on our military satellite system. However, recent developments in transmission technology now allow for the broadcast of compressed video transmissions over such systems. The time taken to transit the information in this way is dependent on the available band width. The drawback of this system is that the images cannot be viewed until all the video information has been received. On occasions where there is heavy use of the system for military communications, which have priority, only a reduced band width is available for video transmission. This means that there could be delays of up to 12 hours before one hour of material for viewing can be made available to the ships' crew. The advantage of utilising the military satellite system is that coverage is achieved over sea and land, whereas commercial satellite transmissions are generally directed towards land only. Large satellite dishes can provide limited coverage for vessels at sea, such as cruise ships, but there is no room to fit such dishes on frigates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the nuclear weapon exercise Dimming Sun has been postponed; when this exercise is now due to be held; and what costs have been incurred by his Department to date in organising this exercise. [86295]

The decision to postpone the joint UK/US Exercise Dimming Sun was taken in the light of present commitments in the Balkans, including the possibility that civil agencies in Norfolk who will participate in the exercise, might receive refugees from Kosovo. This decision will ensure that key exercise objectives can be met at a later date whilst ensuring that the conduct of the exercise does not interfere with our support to NATO operations in the Balkans. As yet, no new date has been set for the exercise.As for costs relating to Exercise Dimming Sun, I have nothing to add to my letter of 27 November 1998 to the hon. Member, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 May 1999, Official Report, column 381, if he will list the meetings which his Special Adviser and the Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement (Support) held with United States Department of Defence officials on 5 March, the location of each meeting, and the names of the US officials at each meeting. [86298]

The meetings held on 5 March with Department of Defense officials to discuss defence industrial co-operation were both held at The Pentagon in Washington DC. The names of the US officials at each meeting are as follows:

Meeting 0900 hours—1215 hours

Mr. A1 Volkman, A/DUSD (International and Commercial Programmes).

Ms Susan Ludlow-MacMurray, D/International Security Programmes.

Mr. Marvin Winkleman, D/Foreign Transfers.

Mr. Vic Ciardello, D/Finance and Economic Analysis.

Cdr Ronald Neubauer, Assoc Deputy Gen Counsel (International Affairs).

Mr. Dominic Cipicchio, Dep Director Foreign Contracting, (D/Defense Procurement).

Captain Richard Lewis, International Programmes Office.

Mr. Bill Leonard, Prin Director Security and Intelligence Office.

Meeting 1215 hours—1415 hours

All above plus:

Dr. Jack Gansler, Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology).

Mr. James Bodner, Under Secretary Defense (Policy).

Mr. Steven Grundman, Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Industrial Affairs and Installations).

Mr. Harvey Nathan, Deputy General Council of Acquisition and Logistics.

Mr. Paul Gebhard, Assistant Chief of Staff to Dr. Gansler.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent to date by his Department in financing the legal costs of former members of the Parachute Regiment called to give evidence to the Bloody Sunday inquiry; and what forecast he has made of the total cost. [86684]

The cost to my Department of financing the legal costs of potential military witnesses at the Inquiry as at the end of April 1999 was £1,144,707.61. Due to the way in which legal assistance is being provided, it is not possible to break out the costs relating to former members of the Parachute Regiment. It is also not possible to estimate the likely final cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if hospitals and other NHS facilities used not-in-kind refrigerants. [86168]

Information from which to estimate the total reduction in greenhouse gas emissions if National Health Service bodies used not-in-kind refrigerants is not available centrally.The Department is fully supportive of the Government's commitment to running its operations and buildings in accordance with best environmental practice as an integral part of its contribution to the United Kingdom's sustainable development strategy.The NHS is making good progress in achieving the 20 per cent. energy efficiency improvement targets from the 1991–92 base year to March 2000, as set by Green Ministers. Additionally, progress is being achieved against the wider Government objective (agreed as part of the Kyoto Protocol) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008–2012, with a domestic target of 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional money he plans to make available to health authorities to establish hospital-based dental anaesthesia services for dental general practice. [86160]

A review of general anaesthesia and sedation with dental treatment is currently underway under the leadership of the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Dental Officer. The review is due to report by the end of the summer. When we consider the report we will also consider any funding issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the arrangements for dental anaesthesia in dental community services. [86159]

Records show that since the General Dental Council's amendment of their ethical guidance last November the Department has received ten letters from hon. Members and seven other letters. There have also been five questions from a Noble Lord about the impact of the General Dental Council's amended guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the NHS has in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001 to 2003 to (i) reduce the number of hospital beds and (ii) close hospitals in Sunderland; and if he will make a statement. [86279]

In 2000–01 the Ryhope Hospital will close and all services will move to the Sunderland Royal Hospital site as part of the redevelopment of the site. This will reduce the fragmentation of acute services, improving clinical configuration and access to specialist equipment, in high quality purpose-built accommodation. We are committed to modernising the National Health Service and this redevelopment will offer better quality treatment. There is no planned reduction in numbers of patients being cared for, although it will be possible to achieve this in very slightly fewer beds than at present (931 from 942) because of the improved acute bed facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities that have implemented career start schemes to attract medical students to general practice indicating the (i) start date, (ii) duration, (iii) number of places available and (iv) annual cost of each scheme. [86161]

There is no national career start scheme. We are encouraging health authorities to develop schemes which address particular problems with recruitment in their locality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 May 1999, Official Report, column 136, on junior doctors, when he expects the decision to be made on the extension of Council Directive 93/104/EC relating to junior doctors. [86032]

A unanimous decision was made at the European Social Affairs Council on 25 May to propose a thirteen year implementation period for extending the provisions of Council Directive 93/104/EC, the "Working Time Directive", to cover previously excluded groups, including junior hospital doctors. The Council has proposed a transposition period of four years from the date of adoption before new Europe-wide minimum standards apply. These standards will provide a statutory limit to the maximum average working week. There will be a staged period of nine years after transposition, during which interim targets will apply, before the 48 hours limit is reached.The decision formally to adopt this amendment to the Directive is subject to co-decision between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, which is due to re-assemble this autumn.The Government remains fully committed to implementation of the New Deal on junior doctors' working hours. We have no intention of raising the 56 hour limit which is part of the current agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the national report on reviewing radiography equipment will be sent to him; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement; [85694](2) if he will list those cancer centres in the UK which do not have two linear accelerators; and if he will make a statement. [85693]

The report of the review of radiotherapy provision will be sent to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State shortly for consideration. Information on the number of linear accelerators in cancer centres has not been collected centrally but will be contained in the review of radiotherapy provision.The Calman/Hine Report recommended that radiotherapy should normally be confined to cancer centres but in some remote areas a cancer unit could provide radiotherapy services in collaboration with a centre. The radiography equipment in a cancer centre will depend on the population served and the pattern of service available in local cancer units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many disciplinary hearings have been heard under existing disciplinary procedures for hospital and community medical and dental staff; what has been the average length of time taken to hear and resolve each case; and how many such cases were discontinued in each of the last 10 years. [86273]

The information requested is not available centrally. Disciplinary action is the responsibility of local National Health Service employers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to monitor the number of incidents of patients waiting on trolleys in accident and emergency departments. [86029]

Times to admission through accident and emergency departments are already monitored under the Patient's Charter and published quarterly in the National Health Service Magazine.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors have been reinstated by the General Medical Council in the last 10 years; and what has been the average length of time between their being struck off and reinstated. [86307]

The removal of doctors from the Register of Medical Practitioners and their subsequent reinstatement are matters for the General Medical Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the persons and organisations he met when he visited Kidderminster hospital. [86441]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not visited Kidderminster General Hospital in the recent past. When I visited Kidderminster on 28 May, I met the following people:

• Mrs. A. Brinton, Chairman, Kidderminster Health Care NHS Trust (KHCT)
• Mrs. C. Wells, Chief Executive, KHCT
• Mrs. C. Playn, Director of Operations and Nursing, KHCT
• Mr. N. Ahmed, Medical Director, KHCT
• Mr. C. Tallents, Clinical Director for Surgery, KHCT
• Mr. K. Poyntz, Surgery Directorate Manager, KHCT
• Mrs. J. Matthews, Nurse Specialty Manager, KHCT
• Dr. A. Miller, Clinical Director for Medicine, KHCT
• Mrs. C. Jones, Medical Records Manager, KHCT
• Sister W. Hayes, KHCT
• Mr. N. Kumar, Accident and Emergency Consultant, KHCT
• Sister M. Steadman, KHCT
• Mr. C. Bexley, Director of Information, KHCT
• Dr. J. Ball, Chairman, Health Concern Worcestershire
• Dr. R. Taylor, Chairman, Save Kidderminster Hospital Campaign
• Mr. F. Baillie, Independent Councillor, Wyre Forest Council
• Mr. D. Barton, Independent Councillor, Wyre Forest Council
• Ms M. Shineton, Independent Councillor, Bridgnorth Council, South Shropshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what notice was given to local interest groups in advance of his recent visit to Kidderminster hospital; [86442]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not visited Kidderminster General Hospital in the recent past. The purpose of my visit to Kidderminster on 28 May was twofold: to visit Kidderminster Hospital following a commitment to the hon. Member for Wyre Forest in an adjournment debate and to participate in the national announcement of new funding for accident and emergency services from the modernisation fund.The visit was organised at short notice due to the latter. Despite this, local interest groups were invited to attend, and I met a delegation including the Chairman of Health Concern, the Chairman of the Save Kidderminster Hospital Campaign and Councillors from Wyre Forest District Council.I also met Ms M. Shineton, an independent councillor from Bridgnorth council, who represented the community of South Shropshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how, where pre-publication approval of specific advertisements has been undertaken by the Medicines Control Agency secretariat, the MCA will ensure that pre-approvals by them do not unduly influence decisions by the same officials following a complaint after publication of the advertisement on whether that advertisement is in breach of the Medicines (Advertising) Regulations; [86660]

The Medicines (Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising) Amendment Regulations clarify and strengthen existing procedures in the control of medicines advertising. The Medicines Control Agency undertakes pre-publication assessment of advertising in exceptional circumstances only and has no intention of extending that role. Any opinion given on the suitability of the advertisement for publication is based on the information provided by the company and the current scientific knowledge and is issued without prejudice to any action the MCA may have to take against a future complaint. In the unlikely event that a complaint is received about an advertisement which officials have previously agreed is acceptable for publication the advertisement will be reconsidered taking any new information into account in reaching a decision.We have clear legal advice that the proposals are compatible with both Community law and the European Convention on Human Rights. To publish the advice itself would break with the long-standing and important principle that legal advice given to Ministers is privileged. This is reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (2nd Edition (1997) para. 4(d) which provides that information covered by legal professional privilege, such as Counsel's Opinion, is exempt from disclosure under the Code.There are specific circumstances under which notices may be issued to advertisers under the procedures in the amending Regulations. These are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on establishing independent advocacy services in each of the three English special hospitals; and when he expects the services to be in operation. [86431]

Independent Patients' Advocacy Services are already operating at Ashworth and Rampton Hospitals, and a process has been agreed which will lead to the introduction of a service at Broadmoor Hospital to be operational from September this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times are for (a) cruciate ligament operations and (b) consultations relating to them (i) in hospitals in Devon and Cornwall and (ii) in the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital in Exeter; and if he will make a statement on the time taken to provide treatment for Mr. Jason Ganney of Buckfastleigh. [86426]

To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received concerning the future of the Royal Hospital, Haslar; and of these, how many supported its closure, and how many opposed it. [85554]

[holding answer 8 June 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence published the Government's proposals for the reorganisation and restructuring of Defence Medical Services in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson) on 14 December 1998, Official Report, columns 328–29. The proposals are subject to consultation with the local community and others.The restructuring of secondary care arrangements is a key component of the Government's proposals. These include the establishment of a new Centre for Defence Medicine as a centre of excellence for research and training, and a new Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit in Portsmouth. It is intended that the Royal Hospital, Haslar should only close once the new arrangements in Portsmouth are in place.

The Department does not collect information on individual procedures. The latest information available on inpatient and outpatient orthopaedic waiting times for Devon and Cornwall is shown in the tables:Since December 1998 my office has received an average of four letters per week regarding the future of the Royal Hospital, Haslar. The vast majority were against the proposed closure.

To ask the Prime Minister what measures he is planning as part of a general settlement on Kosovo, to guarantee the (i) security and (ii) rights of non-Albanian ethnic groups in the province. [86366]

KFOR has been tasked with establishing a safe environment for all people in Kosovo, regardless of their ethnic group. It will be an important task for KFOR to ensure that all communities understand KFOR's role and that they are there to protect them. NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana, made it clear in his statement of 10 June that this is an opportunity for peace and that violence by any party will not be tolerated.The interim administration under UN auspices will establish and oversee the development of provisional democratic self-governing institutions to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants in Kosovo. Plans for a civilian peace force are also under way.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations the Government have received from European Community institutions regarding the deployment of the Echelon system; and if he will make a statement. [86725]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister what the criteria will be for recommending the appointment of Ministers in the devolved administrations to the Privy Council; and if he will make a statement. [86648]

Appointments to the Privy Council will continue to be made in order to ensure that the Queen is suitably and properly advised on all matters which come before her in Council. In future, I expect this to include members of devolved administrations.

To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to publish the Social Exclusion Unit's report on teenage pregnancies; and if he will make a statement. [87096]

Last summer, I asked the Social Exclusion Unit to develop an integrated strategy to cut rates of teenage parenthood, particularly under-aged parenthood, towards the European average and propose better solutions to combat the risk of social exclusion for vulnerable teenagers and their children. I am publishing its report today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.The UK has the highest rate of teenage births in Western Europe. Teenage parenthood is a problem that affects every part of the country, but it is far worse in the poorest areas and among the most vulnerable young people whose expectations and aspirations are low. The health and social outcomes for teenage parents and for their children are stark and worrying.The Social Exclusion Unit has undertaken a rigorous review of the evidence both nationally and internationally. It has found that three key factors contribute to our internationally high rates of teenage conceptions: low expectations of the future among many young people; ignorance about contraception and the reality of life as a parent, and mixed messages from adults about sex and relationships.The report sets out a national programme with two specific goals: to halve the rate of conceptions among under 18 year olds in England by 2010 and to lessen the risks of young parents suffering the consequences of social exclusion by getting more teenage parents back into education, training or employment. A £60 million package has been put together within existing departmental resources to support the programme for the period of this spending review, and further funding will be considered in the next spending review.At a national level, a new task force of Ministers, led by the Minister for Public Health, will be responsible for co-ordinating the policy across Government supported by an implementation unit in the Department of Health. There will also be a National Advisory Group to advise Government and monitor the success of the strategy. Locally, every Health Authority and Local Authority will be tasked to work together in preventing pregnancy and in supporting pregnant and parenting teenagers, setting local benchmarks for progress. Areas with high rates will be eligible for resources from a local implementation fund of £26 million.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the latest Information Bulletin on the activities of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of Western European Union covering the period October 1998 to April. [87100]

I have done so today.

To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to send a substantive reply to the letter dated 11 May from the hon. Member for Aldershot concerning former members of the 1 Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. [86685]

I have done so today.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Luxembourg on 10 June; and if he will make a statement. [87099]

The Fisheries Council met in Luxembourg on 10 June. I represented the UK together with my noble Friend, Lord Sewel, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Scottish Office.The Council adopted proposals introducing and allocating in 1999 two new Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for North Sea spurdog and Northern prawn. It also allocated for 1999 two existing TACs for blue whiting fished in Western waters and the Bay of Biscay. The UK secured an 81 per cent. share of the Spurdog TAC and 27 per cent. of the Northern Prawn TAC. On blue whiting we negotiated an increase of 5,000 tonnes in the proposed UK allocation. A further 7,000 tonnes was allocated to the UK under the Bay of Biscay TAC with the option of taking this in Western waters as a linked stock. This makes an effective total allocation of over 42,000 tonnes and gives the UK a 24 per cent. share of the two TACs, the highest of any Member State. The introduction and allocation of these TACs will enhance the conservation of stocks in the North Sea and Western waters.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what (a) reviews, (b) task forces and (c) advisory groups have been established by his Department since 1 May 1997; what costs they have incurred to date; and what reports they have published. [71518]

The following tables set out the details of Reviews, Task Forces and Advisory Groups established by my Department since 1 May 1997, the costs they have incurred to date and the reports they have published.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with abattoirs and their representatives to review the current regime for charging. [85133]

[holding answer 25 May 1999]: Since the beginning of this year, my right hon. Friend and I have separately met representatives of the Federation of Fresh Meat Wholesalers (now the British Meat Federation) and jointly met a delegation of small plant operators led by an all party group of hon. Members. I have also had meetings with a representative of turkey producers, the National Farmers Union, Dr. Richard North, and most recently a further meeting with representatives of the all party Parliamentary group. These meetings included discussions on charging, but they were not set up specifically to review the current regime.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his decision to discontinue safety grants for fishing vessels applies in Scotland; and what consultations he has held on this with his Scottish counterpart. [85908]

The MAFF funded Fishing Vessels (Safety Improvements) (Grants) Scheme 1995 enabled payments to be made in all parts of the United Kingdom. The closure of the scheme to new applications on 21 May 1999 also applies to Scotland. The EU funded Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), which also provided fishing vessel safety grants, was effectively closed in Scotland on 9 April when the Scottish Fisheries Minister announced the final round of awards to the Scottish industry. These EU awards fully committed the balance of FIFG funds available for Scottish projects.The decisions relating to MAFF expenditure were taken in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) which examined the most effective use of public money across and within all Departments.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making for the English fishing industry to be consulted on proposals for the Scottish Executive to develop distinctive management measures for Scottish waters. [85907]

Issues relating to consultation will be covered in the concordat between the Scottish Executive and MAFF. It will be for the Scottish Executive, in the first instance, to ensure that it consults all interests likely to be affected by proposals for local fisheries conservation measures to be applied in the Scottish zone of British Fishery Limits.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a national minimum wage. [86095]

The introduction of a national minimum wage on 1 April 1999, benefited 569 permanent and 263 casual staff in clerical, typing and support grades in my Department. I have asked Chief Executives of my Department's agencies to reply separately with information on their staff.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the total costs of the introduction of the British Cattle Movement Service. [85771]

The cost of setting up the BCMS is provisionally estimated at £21.4 million. The total set up costs have been offset by receipts in EC aid and VAT recovery of around £4.2 million.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to propose changes to EU Regulation 820/97 regarding ear tagging of cattle. [85777]

It would be for the European Commission, not the UK, to make formal proposals to change the European legislation on cattle identification (Council Regulation 820/97). I am aware that some—but not all—farmers are suffering high loss rates of plastic cattle eartags. My Department is looking into why this is the case. Such plastic eartags, although relatively new for the UK, have been in use for some time in other European countries.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests have been conducted in the UK on genetically modified (a) soya, (b) maize and (c) tomatoes; when they were held; by whom were they conducted; where they were held; if any were carried out on mammals; and in which scientific journal the results were published. [86422]

Genetically modified (GM) soya, maize and tomatoes were rigorously assessed for safety by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) under a voluntary scheme, which was in operation prior to the introduction of the Novel Food Regulations in May 1997. The safety assessment for GM soya was conducted in 1994; GM maize was assessed in 1995, 1996 and 1997; and GM tomatoes in 1994, 1995 and 1997. Equivalent bodies in other member states have also assessed these foods.All the data used in these assessments have been deposited in the British Library and the relevant information to enable this to be consulted together with details of the safety assessments are contained in the respective ACNFP annual reports, copies of which can be found in the Library of the House. In addition, details of the regime operating at that time are contained in the ACNFP Annual Report for 1994. We have no information concerning other places where the data may also be found.The ACNFP conducts the safety assessment of all novel foods on a case-by-case basis. The Committee require mammalian tests where it judges this is necessary to establish the safety of a particular food. In this context, tests on mammals were reviewed by the ACNFP as part of the safety assessment for GM maize and soya.Since May 1997, all novel food assessments have been carried out by the ACNFP in accordance with guidance produced by the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food, which applies to all member states. A copy of this guidance, which does not differ in any significant way from the regime operated under the voluntary scheme, may also be found in the Library of the House.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that all members of the EU are constrained by the same rules and regulations as those in the UK with regard to testing of genetically modified foods. [86423]

All member states are subject to the EC Novel Foods Regulation and are required to conduct safety assessments of all novel, including genetically modified, foods in accordance with the guidance produced by the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food that supplements this regulation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set up an inquiry into the possible link between the growth factor IGF-1 in milk and breast cancer and prostate and colon cancer; and if he will make a statement. [86424]

A Working Group of the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) has considered human and animal safety aspects of the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin in dairy cows, including the effects of IGF-1. The Group has completed its task and is reporting its findings to the VPC. The VPC will advise Ministers when it has considered the report and it is our intention to publish the VPC's advice.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has conducted into the effects on human health of using genetically engineered growth hormones to stimulate the production of milk. [86484]

An applicant wishing to obtain authorisation to market such a product must satisfy statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy under veterinary medicines legislation. It is for the applicant to provide the necessary research data to meet these requirements. There is a moratorium in the European Union on the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (BST), which is to be reconsidered by the end of this year. The moratorium allows member states to carry out limited practical tests to obtain any further scientific data that might be taken into account by the Council of Ministers when taking a final decision. No such tests have been conducted in the UK.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was collected in taxation in respect of (a) private motorists and (b) commercial vehicles in the most recent year for which figures are available. [86673]

[holding answer 11 June 1999]: The breakdown of taxation into private motorists and commercial vehicles is not possible.The estimated amount of tax collected in respect of cars, light vans and motorcycles for 1997–98 was £30 billion, and that for other vehicles was £5 billion.These figures include all excise duties, VAT, Insurance Premium Tax, Vehicle Excise Duty, and Inland Revenue taxes (including National Insurance Contributions).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the extent of pension mortgage mis-selling; [86936](2) what assessment he has made of the number of people in Britain who have

The Treasury does not compile statistics on housing finance. However, the Council of Mortgage Lenders' quarterly economics journal No 42 of May 1999 includes the following information on the percentage number of loans granted in 1998 by repayment method type of advance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations took place with the UK training industry prior to the decision to remove Vocational Training Relief from April 2000. [86284]

Vocational Training Relief will be abolished in 2000. The incentives announced for Individual Learning Accounts will provide a better means of targeting support from public funds, so that in future more help will go to those who have the greatest need to improve their skills and qualifications.The Department for Education and Employment has been discussing the details of Individual Learning Accounts with interested parties, including training providers for many months.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the suitability of individual learning accounts as a replacement for Vocational Training Relief. [86285]

Individual Learning Accounts will promote lifelong learning and encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own training and development. The incentives announced for Individual Learning Accounts provide a better means of targeting support from public funds than Vocational Training Relief. In future more help will go to those who have the greatest need to improve their skills and qualifications, rather than subsidising expensive activities which, though they may be vocational for a few, are for the most part undertaken as hobbies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has made on the repayment by the Italian Government of the tassa per L'Europa; and what assessment he has made of the legality of the tax within the Maastricht framework. [86727]

EUROSTAT decided that the tassa per L'Europa was a new tax and, as such, it was recorded as a receipt reducing the deficit. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has made no representations on the partial repayment of this tax.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what steps the Inland Revenue will take to inform recruitment consultancies and clients of personnel services companies if they default on commitments in relation to tax and national insurance; [86462]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 June 1999, Official Report, columns 286–87.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will (a) make a statement on the publication on the website of the Association of Accountancy and Business Affairs of the Sandstorm report by Price Waterhouse on BCCI and (b) place a copy of the report in the Library. [86322]

No.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff, by post and grade, of HM Customs and Excise have been made redundant in Northern Ireland in 1999. [86709]

No members of HM Customs and Excise in Northern Ireland have been made redundant in 1999.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is responsible for preventing the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [86715]

HM Customs and Excise are responsible for preventing the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland.Both the Government and Customs are aware of this problem and recognise that it is serious in revenue terms and, just as importantly, disadvantages legitimate traders. Customs are deploying resources and actively mounting investigations against those involved to counter the threat posed to the revenue and to the Northern Ireland business community.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt Northern Ireland from the climate change levy or energy tax until such time as electricity costs are comparable to average electricity costs in Great Britain. [85896]

The Government are aware of the nature of, and the prices prevailing in the energy market in Northern Ireland. These issues were considered, alongside a number of other factors, in determining the scope and design of the climate change levy.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under the landfill tax credit scheme, which landfill operators have contributed to environmental bodies; and if he will list those environmental bodies, including contact details, which have received support from landfill operators. [86148]

Information obtained by Customs and Excise from landfill operators about contributions made to environmental bodies under the landfill tax credit scheme is confidential. I regret, therefore, that I cannot disclose such information.The information requested about which environmental bodies have received contributions is best provided by the Regulator for the environmental bodies credit scheme, ENTRUST Ltd. I have asked ENTRUST to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conclusions he reached about the quality of information supplied with regard to women who continued to pay reduced National Insurance contributions after 1977 about national insurance entitlements; and what plans he has to assist those affected. [86195]

There have been two major publicity campaigns about the married women's option; one in the late 1970s and another in the late 1980s. Leaflets CA09 and CA13 were made available at the time from the Benefits Agency locally. I am currently considering whether a further information campaign is necessary.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans Her Majesty's Government have to issue a coin to commemorate the forthcoming 150 anniversary of the Public Libraries Act of 1850. [87113]

Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve my recommendation that next year a special design should be adopted for the reverse of the fifty pence in order to mark the 150^th anniversary of the Public Libraries Act, 1850. Collector versions of the coin will be available from the beginning of the year and the coin will also be available, later in the year, at face value from banks and post offices.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has concerning the treatment of the pensions of public servants transferring to private sector employers. [87160]

The key principles are that staff transferring to private sector employers under PFI and other PPP deals should continue to have access after the transfer to a good quality occupational pension scheme, under which they can continue to earn pension benefits through future service on a basis which overall is materially at least as good as they had in the public sector; and that they should have the option of transferring their accrued pension benefits to the new employer's pension scheme on terms which give them a full credit for their past service.I am issuing new guidance to Departments and Agencies today which reinforces these principles and ensures that they will be applied consistently and openly to all transfers of Government staff.The new guidance will be adopted immediately by Government Departments and Agencies. I hope that other employers in the public sector will also apply its principles to contracting arrangements where staff transfer to the private sector, and the Government will encourage and facilitate that outcome. This does not affect arrangements being made in respect of PFI and other PPPs which are already underway.Copies of the new guidance, and the associated Statement of Practice by the Government Actuary, have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has carried out on the cost to his Department of delays to operations in the NHS, with particular reference to the consequent continued payment of benefits. [86427]

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the UK tax measures currently under examination by the EU Code of Conduct Group (Business Taxation). [84913]

[holding answer 21 May 1999]: The work of the Code of Conduct Group is directed at the examination of potentially unfair tax practices across Europe. Such practices can distort competition and artificially attract investment and jobs away from member states such as the UK which have more neutral tax systems. The Code should help British businesses to compete on more even terms, protect UK employment and encourage investment here.The UK measures which were on the Group's initial list are: International Headquarters Companies; special measures for the film industry; enterprise zones; 100 per cent. first year capital allowances for SMEs in Northern Ireland and roll-over relief for balancing charges arising on the disposal of ships. The current list also includes a measure relating to Independent Investment Managers, which applies to non-residents who carry on a trade of dealing in investments in the UK through an independent agent; 100 per cent. capital allowances for expenditure on Scientific Research and 40 per cent. first year allowances for SMEs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will remove VAT on fee-based financial advice. [86935]

No. VAT liability depends upon what service is provided and whether it is paid for. Financial advice for which a charge is made is liable to VAT at the standard rate. This is a requirement of European law.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the latest agenda of the ECOFIN meeting of 14 June, prior to the meeting. [86832]

There is no meeting of Ecofin today. The next meeting is scheduled for 12 July. The agenda will be made available to the Scrutiny Committees when determined by Coreper, approximately one week before the meeting. Copies of the agenda will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the purpose and location of his meeting with William Kennard of the United States Federal Communications Commission on 16 September 1998. [86287]

I met Commissioner Susan Ness and Commissioner Michael Powell of the Federal Communications Commission, not William Kennard. The meeting took place on 17 September at the FCC offices in Washington and discussions centred around the programme for the introduction of digital television and the proposals for the switch off of the analogue system in the United States. Censorship and the V-chip were also discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those recommendations from Panel 2000 upon which he is planning to implement; and if he will list the costs accrued to date by Panel 2000. [86456]

The Panel makes recommendations aimed at better co-ordination between all organisations whose work affects perceptions of Britain overseas. In terms of Government practice they entail further improvements in the way Departments and official bodies work together in this area, and enhanced co-operation with the private and voluntary sectors. A number of detailed steps have been taken and others are being considered. Panel members receive no remuneration. Panel costs consist of reimbursement of travel costs incurred by members in their Panel duties. These total approximately £2,280.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the five working groups of the Modernisation Group; and if he will deposit copies of their (a) mailings and (b) recommendations in the Library. [84505]

The Modernisation Group is an informal group of staff set up at my instigation, to offer an additional perspective on modernisation of the Foreign Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to remove the three month limit for backdating payments under successful posthumous applications for disablement benefit introduced in the Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 1997. [85302]

There are no plans to remove the three month backdating limit for posthumous claims to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. We will, however, review the backdating rules to this benefit as part of our ongoing commitment to modernise and reform the welfare state.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to be involved in the United Nations 1999 Year of the Elderly; and if he will make a statement. [86191]

The UN Year provides a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and change perceptions about issues surrounding older people. It also provides a vehicle to consult older people themselves. This Department is a member of the UN Year reference group of voluntary organisations and government departments who have planned the UK programme, and a DSS official chairs the supporting facilitation group on Citizenship. I am taking a keen interest in the International Year, and will take part in a number of the events being organised.As part of the programme, this Department has taken a leading role with Cabinet Office and the UK Secretariat of the International Year of Older Persons to develop a series of ten "listening to older people" events between May and November. The events will be hosted by non-governmental organisations supporting the year, with Ministers from the Ministerial Group for Older People, which I chair, taking part.These events will provide the Government with valuable information and feedback which will help decide priorities and shape the policies to meet them. I launched the programme at a website "virtual" event organised by Age Resource on 25 May and will be attending the first physical event in Belfast tomorrow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what forms of technology he is evaluating as a replacement to the magnetic strip of the benefit payment card; and what the projected savings are. [85862]

We will begin replacing the existing paper-based methods of payment with a more modern, efficient and secure method of paying benefits using the existing automated credit transfer system in 2003. In addition to an increase, compared with the benefit payment card, of potential savings from the elimination of fraud associated with paper instruments of payment, this move is expected to provide a significant increase in administration savings.It is the Post Office's intention to automate its network by the end of 2001 and to enter into commercial arrangements with a number of high street banks so that those people who wish to receive their benefits at post offices should continue to be able do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what savings were achieved due to the operation of the benefit swipecard in the 250 post offices where it was operating prior to renegotiation of the BA-Pocl Horizon contract; [86926](2) what plans he has to continue operation of the benefit swipecard in the post offices where the system is currently operational. [86927]

In the 204 post offices automated as part of the system trial savings from the payment card to April 1999 amounted to £97,000. Over the same period and in the same post offices the Order Book Control Service, which uses bar coded order books to tackle benefit fraud, achieved savings of £1.7 million.We have decided that the project to automate post offices and benefits payments will no longer include the introduction of the benefit payment card. The vast majority of benefit customers will be unaffected, and those currently using the benefit payment card as part of the system trial, around 30,000 people, will see no interruption of their payments. The cards presently in use will be discontinued and we will be contacting customers to help them change to one of the alternative methods of payment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what percentage of benefit payments are currently made through Automated Credited Transfer into bank accounts; [86924]

As at May 1999, 16 per cent. of benefit payments were made through Automated Credit Transfer into bank accounts.The transaction fees payable by this Department to the various agents who supply benefit payment services are commercial in confidence and cannot be disclosed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the effect on the benefit of a Jobseeker's Allowance claimant who is participating on a European Social Fund course of training, if the course provider makes payments directly to (a) a childminder and (b) a person providing accommodation in circumstances where the child care or accommodation needs are directly related to participation on the course. [85751]

In these circumstances the Jobseeker's Allowance regulations allow for such payments to be ignored.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if recipients of (a) Incapacity Benefit and (b) Severe Disablement Allowance can participate on a European Social Fund course of training without loss of benefits. [85756]

People undergoing certain Government training courses for which they receive a training allowance cannot also receive Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance. People who participate in training funded out of the European Social Fund do not receive a training allowance and may therefore continue to receive Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance provided they continue to satisfy the other conditions of entitlement.However, young people under age 19 cannot get Severe Disablement Allowance if they are undergoing non-advanced education for 21 or more hours a week, not including time spent on a course specifically designed for disabled students.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for reform of the legislation which prevents transfers of protected rights from a contracted-out money purchase pension scheme; and if he will make a statement. [86308]

There is no general prohibition on transfers of protected rights from contracted-out money purchase pension schemes. The conditions under which transfers of protected rights may be made are contained in SI 1996/1461 the Protected Rights (Transfer Payment) Regulations 1996.We have received a number of representations about these rules and will consider whether any changes are needed to this legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress is being made with the introduction of the system of periodic inquiry into entitlement to Disability Living Allowance; and if he will make a statement. [87144]

The new system of periodic inquiry into entitlement to Disability Living Allowance is being developed in close and continuing consultation with organisations of and for disabled people. These discussions have taken particular account of issues such as the appropriateness of the literature to be used, and the treatment of very sensitive cases, where special attention is required to ensure that the process meets the needs of the individual contacted. The consultation has been constructive and I can announce that inquiry action is now starting, with the first inquiries being issued today. Cases involving people with mental health problems and cases made on behalf of children will not be included in the inquiry process until special arrangements have been discussed with relevant organisations and appropriate training delivered to staff. The inquiry process will be closely monitored and initial evaluation will commence after six months of operation, in January 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he is taking relating to benefit decisions which depend upon national insurance contribution issues; and if he will make a statement. [87145]