To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to negotiate a share of the EU population coverage under the urban strand of Objective 2 of the EU Structural Funds for the United Kingdom which reflects the degree of urbanisation in the United Kingdom. [87786]

A maximum of 18 per cent. of the European Union's population will be covered by the new Objective 2. The suggested breakdown by strand for Objective 2 of 10 per cent. to industrial areas, 5 per cent. to rural, 2 per cent. to urban and 1 per cent. to fisheries is purely indicative across the EU.The UK's overall population coverage under Objective 2 is defined by the safety net which limits the reduction in coverage to one-third of the existing Objective 2 and 5b population.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that areas designated in the United Kingdom under the urban strand of Objective 2 of the Structural Funds will be densely populated areas made up of contiguous units with a minimum population of 100,000. [87787]

The public consultation on the determining UK areas for Objective 2 eligibility ended on 25 May. The Government are carefully considering all the submissions received and the eligibility criteria suggested.Before the UK propose their Objective 2 areas to the Commission, the Government will define, through discussions with the Commission, the geographical unit to be used to express urban areas within the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress made to establish the Small Business Service. [87797]

The Government announced plans to set up the Small Business Service in the Budget statement. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry reinforced this in his Post-Budget statement to the House on 10 March 1999, Official Report, columns 367–79.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect of the national minimum wage on riding schools and equestrian centres; and if he will make a statement. [87810]

I have made no such assessment. We have asked the Low Pay Commission to evaluate the impact of the national minimum wage, with particular reference to the effect on pay, employment and training. They will soon be gathering evidence and will no doubt invite this sector, along with many others, to provide information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will exempt riding schools from the national minimum wage. [87811]

No. Under the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, individual sectors of employment cannot be excluded from coverage.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will introduce workplace car park charging within the Parliamentary Estate. [87611]

The Commission has no plans at present to introduce charges for parking in the parliamentary estate. But the Greater London Authority Bill contains provisions which would allow the authority or the London borough of Westminster to introduce a levy on parking in the Palace of Westminster. The Commission will consider the position if and when either authority makes proposals for the introduction of a levy.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what his policy is in respect of the use of church land to grow trial genetically modified crops. [87608]

The issue of whether Government trials of genetically modified crops should take place on land owned by the Commissioners is being initially considered by the Church's Ethical Investment Working Group (EIWG), which develops a co-ordinated ethical investment policy for the Church. The EIWG is made up of representatives of each of the central Church investing bodies and the General Synod's Board for Social Responsibility.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the case of Maria Bamieh and the Crown Prosecution Service. [87808]

The decision of the Employment Tribunal in the case brought by Maria Bamieh against the Crown Prosecution Service is long and detailed and needs to be studied carefully. The Crown Prosecution Service takes the decision very seriously and is giving it urgent consideration.

To ask the Attorney-General what were the terms of settlement of the case of Hayes v. Attorney-General; and if he will make a statement. [87807]

The proceedings brought by Ms Hayes were of historical interest only. I had put in hand a review of the system of appointing barristers to act for the Crown, with the intention that it should be made more open and transparent, before Ms Hayes commenced her proceedings. I have followed this wholly new system for making appointment, since July 1998. Settling the case has brought the matter to a close and has saved further expenditure of public money on a lengthy hearing.The terms of my agreement with Ms Hayes were as follows:

To ask the Attorney-General what measures he proposes to ensure that the Crown Prosecution Service communicates with families affected by their decisions in child abuse cases. [87456]

Currently, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) provides to the police information about prosecution decisions for them to forward to victims, or their families, as appropriate. How much information can be given may depend on the circumstances of individual cases. The CPS must balance openness with victims with the interests of others in the case. In particular cases senior CPS lawyers will be available to meet with victims and their families to explain in general terms reasons for CPS casework decisions.I am aware that a particular case of child abuse in the hon. Member's constituency has prompted this question and that the local Chief Crown Prosecutor will be meeting the victim's family to explain the decision to discontinue proceedings.As to the generality of cases in the future, the CPS is presently considering whether or not to take from the police the responsibility for informing victims of the reasons for CPS prosecution decisions. This stems from one of the recommendations of Sir lain Glidewell's report into the Crown Prosecution Service on which I intend to make a statement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding the safety of medical appliances in respect of the transmission of CJD. [86030]

Measures are in place to minimise the risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease of any type in known and suspect sufferers being passed on to other patients via surgical instruments. These are set out in the joint guidance of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee published in April 1998 entitled "Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: safe working and the prevention of infection". This guidance says that no instruments used on a known or suspect patient, whatever the procedure, should be re-used. In addition, for patients regarded as potentially at risk of CJD (for example recipients of human pituitary derived growth hormones), instruments used in procedure involving brain, spinal cord or eye cannot be re-used. This is kept under constant review and new findings are assessed as a matter of priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the rest requirements for an on-call rota for junior hospital doctors, pursuant to the Health Service Circular 1998/240; and if he will list those health authorities and hospitals in which the requirements of that circular are being observed. [86708]

Doctors employed on an on-call rota are contracted to work a maximum average of 72 hours per week, 40 standard hours and up to 32 additional duty hours, with the expectation that they should not actually work more than 16 of the additional duty hours.Health Service Circular 1998/240, issued on 23 December 1998, provided further national guidance to trusts on rest requirements. Doctors should spend at least one half of the out-of-hours duty period at rest between 5pm and 9am Monday to Friday or 9am to 9am Saturday and Sunday. Within these periods there should be a minimum continuous 5-hour rest period between the hours of 10pm and 8am.We have not collected specific data on compliance solely within the terms of HSC 1998/240. However, trusts who comply fully with the New Deal are entitled to apply for accreditation. As at 31 March 1999, out of a total of 343 trusts in England, 67 trusts have been granted accreditation, and 77 are under consideration for accreditation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of the costs of (i) participation in the inquiry into paediatric cardiac care in Bristol and (ii) any consequent compensation for the resources available to the United Bristol Healthcare Trust and the Avon Health Authority. [86358]

The costs of participating in the Bristol inquiry, like unforeseen costs which affect other large trusts, fall to be borne by the United Bristol Healthcare Trust. The majority of likely implementation costs will, however, be borne by funds set aside nationally to meet such settlements and are likely to be spread over some years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will invite cancer research bodies to plan and share research and expertise. [87368]

The Government are currently considering plans to take this forward. Details will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will set up a national survey of cancer patients' experiences. [87365]

Officials are currently working with the relevant professional and patient groups to design a survey to take place later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans for the implementation of the report of the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care. [87627]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 4 May 1999, Official Report, columns 360–61.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take measures to ensure the uniform availability of infertility treatment from all health authorities. [87848]

We have pledged to tackle unacceptable levels of geographical variations in access to IVF treatment and have set in motion a programme of work to achieve that aim. A Departmental survey of current health authority infertility service provision is taking place at the moment to enable the cost implications of any policy changes to be estimated. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists aim to complete their third, and final, set of evidence-based clinical guidelines on infertility this autumn and these will indicate the circumstances in which infertility treatment can be most clinically effective. We can then move towards fairer access to National Health Service infertility services, where those most able to benefit from such treatment receive it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the appointments to the posts of chairman of the eight NHS regions once the terms of office of the incumbent comes to an end. [88062]

The terms of office of the chairmen of the eight National Health Service regions end on 1 November 1999. Professor Alasdair Breckenridge has already agreed to stand down to concentrate on his role as chairman of the Committee on the Safety of Medicines. Philip Hammersley, chairman of Trent Region has indicated that he does not wish to be considered for re-appointment.Of the remaining chairmen, I have re-appointed the following for a further three-year term:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of the Medicines Control Agency. [88110]

We have published the report of the Quinquennial Review of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA). Copies have been placed in the Library. The Review confirms that the MCA is a world leader in its field, with an international reputation for professional excellence. It has performed well against its targets, and has secured more work under the European licensing system than any other national authority. The Review also shows that the MCA has used Executive Agency status well, and recommends that it should retain that status. We accept that recommendation.In the light of the Agency's excellent performance, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Keith Jone's appointment as Chief Executive of the MCA has been extended for a further three years.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will bring to an end the Joint Consultative Cabinet Committee. [87631]The Prime Minister: No.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will describe the process by which Lords Lieutenant are chosen; and what are the qualifications required, the responsibilities involved and the length of time for which an appointment is made. [87960]

The prime duty of Lords Lieutenant is to be The Queen's representatives in their county or area. Other than in four Scottish cities (where the Lord Provost is Lord Lieutenant by virtue of his/her office) Lords Lieutenant are appointed under the Royal Prerogative by The Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of the day. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the consultations that precede an appointment are carried out by the relevant territorial Department. In England, consultations are carried out by the Prime Minister's Secretary for Appointments. Those appointed as Lords Lieutenant are people of standing in their local communities, most frequently on account of their record of voluntary activity for the good of the community. Lords Lieutenant may serve until they are 75 years of age.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will be attending the forthcoming launch of the pro-euro campaign. [87822]

My forward diary will be announced in the usual way. The Government's policy on membership of the single currency remains as set out by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in October 1997. The determining factor is whether the economic benefits to the UK from joining are clear and unambiguous.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will place in the Library a transcript of the trial at Birmingham Crown Court of former West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent Barry Mason in April. [87701]

No. Parties in cases may place an order for transcript (at their own expense) with the court reporters responsible for taking the verbatim record of the case. The contractor can provide transcripts to anyone else only once they have received approval in writing from the court. In this case the transcript runs to about 70 pages and would cost approximately £350.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the implications of the case of Hayes v. Attorney-General for the secret soundings system in the appointment of silk; and if he will make a statement. [87806]

There is no 'secret soundings' system for the appointment of silks, and the Hayes case has no implications for the silk system.The vacancy for Treasury Junior, for which Ms Hayes complained that she should have been considered, was not advertised. Applications for silk, however, are openly invited by published advertisement and all applicants are judged equally, on their merits alone, according to published criteria. The list of successful applicants is published, together with a complete statistical breakdown of applications and appointments. Unsuccessful applicants are invited to speak to a senior member of the Lord Chancellor's Department for feedback on their application; nearly 140 have already taken up this invitation this year. In addition, officials are always willing to discuss the principles, policies and procedures of the silk system.The information which, together with the application forms, informs the Lord Chancellor's decisions on silk is gathered through a comprehensive and detailed consultation system. The guide for consultees is publicly available; this explains the Lord Chancellor's policies and criteria, according to which consultees are asked to comment. A list of all those whom the Lord Chancellor consults is also published, and applicants may nominate additional consultees if they feel that the wider consultation community is not able to give the Lord Chancellor sufficient information about their suitability for silk. Almost all consultation is carried out in writing, to ensure that consultees focus on the published criteria. As an indication of the scale of this exercise, this year's silk round involved consultation with over 425 general consultees and correspondence with over 500 nominated consultees, who in total submitted over 4,600 comments to the Lord Chancellor.The silk system is not, therefore, secret. The comments are, of course, confidential, for reasons which Parliament accepted in the Home Affairs Select Committee Report on Judicial Appointments Procedures in 1996 and in the Data Protection Act 1998. Even given that, however, applicants will be invited to respond to any comment which alleges misconduct, even if this involves identifying the accuser (if the accuser is unwilling to stand by his accusation in this way, the Lord Chancellor will ignore the allegation). In addition, the substance of the comments will, while respecting their confidentiality, be freely discussed with unsuccessful applicants who ask for feedback on their application.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the members of the Joint Working Party on Equal Opportunities in Judicial Appointments and Silk. [87801]

The membership of the Joint Working Party on Judicial Appointments and Silk is currently as follows:

Lincoln Crawford Esq. OBE (Chairman, Bar's Race Relations Committee)

Mrs. Pamela Bhalla (Equal Opportunities Officer, Bar Council)

Mrs. Kathryn Hamylton (Equal Opportunities Officer, Bar Council)

Raj Joshi Esq. (Society of Black Lawyers) Gelaga King Esq. (African, Caribbean and Asian Lawyers' Group)

Ms Margaret McCabe (Barrister—Woman Lawyer Forum founder)

Oba Nsugbe Esq. (African, Caribbean and Asian Lawyers' Group)

Miss Eileen Pembridge (Council of The Law Society)

Miss Jacqueline Perry (Association of Women Barristers)

Ms Jenny Staples (Association of Women Solicitors)

Miss Sangita Unadkat (Society of Asian Lawyers)

John Cavanagh Esq. (The Bar's Sex Discrimination Committee)

Richard Wilson Esq. (African, Caribbean and Asian Lawyers' Group)

Ms Marcia Williams (Equal Opportunities Officer, The Law Society).

The Working Party's secretariat is provided by officials of the Lord Chancellor's Department.The representation of some of the groups has changed during the life of the Working Party.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on progress of the work of the Joint Working Party on Equal Opportunities in Judicial Appointments and Silk. [87803]

The Joint Working Party on Judicial Appointments and Silk was initiated by the legal profession, not by the Lord Chancellor, and the Lord Chancellor has no direct control over its progress.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects the Joint Working Party on Equal Opportunities in Judicial Appointments and Silk to report. [87805]

I understand that the Joint Working Party is producing a report for submission to the Lord Chancellor. The timing of the report is a matter for the Joint Working Party itself.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he proposes to publish the report of the Joint Working Party on Equal Opportunities in Judicial Appointments and Silk. [87809]

The decision as to whether or not to publish its Report would be a matter for the Joint Working Party itself, not for the Lord Chancellor.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the dates on which the Joint Working Party on Equal Opportunities in Judicial Appointments and Silk met. [87802]

The Joint Working Party on Equal Opportunities in Judicial Appointments and Silk has met on the following dates:

• 23 July 1997
• 22 September 1997
• 20 October 1997
• 3 December 1997
• 28 January 1998
• 28 April 1998
• 9 June 1998
• 16 July 1998
• 22 September 1998
• 27 October 1998
• 17 May 1999.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reasons the Joint Working Party on Equal Opportunities in Judicial Appointments and Silk was set up. [87804]

The Joint Working Party on Equal Opportunities in Judicial Appointments and Silk was set up at the instigation of the Bar. The Lord Chancellor agreed to officials of his Department taking part in the Working Party's deliberations and providing its secretariat.The purposes of the Joint Working Party are to consider and propose action to increase the number of applications for judicial appointment and Silk from women and black and Asian lawyers with the appropriate seniority and relevant experience; to consider and propose possible changes to judicial appointments and Silk procedures for further consideration by the Lord Chancellor; and (where appropriate) to advise and assist in the implementation of action.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the use of the veto in relation to European taxation measures. [86587]

All EC proposals on tax require unanimity before they can be adopted. We will not accept any proposals which are not in the national interest.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress made on tax and currency matters during the German Presidency of the EU. [86610]

Under the German Presidency of the EU the emphasis has been the need to make tax systems in Europe more employment-friendly and to combat harmful tax competition.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review and audit the UK contribution to the financial assistance package for Brazil; and if he will take into account the impact of the adjustment policies agreed by the Brazilian Government in negotiations with the IMF on the poor and vulnerable. [87585]

Financial tensions in Brazil have eased significantly, following the IMF-led international financial support package agreed last year. The UK Government will continue to play an active role in monitoring Brazil's performance under its IMF programme. Continued adherence, under the IMF programme, together with an appropriate contribution from private sector creditors, underpins the BIS co-ordinated credit line, to which the UK has also contributed.My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has consistently stressed the importance of preserving investment in the health, education and social programmes which are essential for growth and poverty reduction. He has pressed for the World Bank's work on good practices in social policy to be drawn upon by the World Bank and the IMF when designing adjustment programmes. In Brazil, the IMF and the World Bank and the INTER American Development Bank worked together closely to ensure that the impact of the adjustment programme on the poor and vulnerable was minimised. Both banks have undertaken a number of projects in Brazil with a social dimension. Economic recovery in Brazil should benefit all sections of society.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the research projects which have been commissioned by his Department from (a) universities, (b) research institutes and (c) industry which involve genetically modified organisms since 1995 indicating the places involved and the value and purpose of the contracts. [84211]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the operational areas opened since 1 May 1997 indicating the impact on the defence budget in each case; and if he will make a statement. [86443]

Details of expenditure by operational area since 1 May 1997 are set out in the following table. In both financial years the impact on the defence budget has been offset by claims on the Government's Contingency Reserve, in accordance with established practice.

£ million
Operational area	Outturn Financial year 1997–98	Provisional outturn Financial year 1998–99
Bosnia	180.9	147.1
Gulf/Iraq	15.6	35.4
Kosovo	—	23.2
Total	196.5	205.7
Relief from Reserve	178.0	85.0

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the incidences of failure of FADEC systems which have caused safety-critical accidents in Chinook helicopters. [86445]

Since the Chinook's introduction into service, there have been no accidents caused by malfunction of the FADEC units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the Computer Weekly investigation report into the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre, a copy of which has been supplied to him; and if he will make a statement. [86444]

Although I have yet to receive an official copy of the report from Computer Weekly themselves, my officials have obtained a copy of the document from the internet and are analysing its content. Once this work is complete, I will write to the hon. Member with our findings and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent review his Department has undertaken of the FADEC software fitted to Chinook helicopters; and if he will make a statement. [86378]

FADEC, like any other in-service component, is subject to regular review to ensure it remains reliable and supportable throughout its service life. As a result of this process, MOD has recently initiated a software update which incorporates a number of minor changes in order to maintain the software's long-term supportability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports have been (a) made and (b) assessed by his Department relating to the computer FADEC used on Chinooks since Air Vice Marshall Jenner's statement to the Defence Committee last year; and if he will make a statement. [86438]

Since the HCDC evidence session in March last year, there have been no reports from RAF personnel expressing flight safety concerns over FADEC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds his Department took legal proceedings against Textron Lycoming in respect of the FADEC computer system. [86362]

MOD took legal action against Boeing Helicopters and Textron Lycoming who were both responsible for an engine overspeed during ground testing of a pre-production FADEC system at the Boeing facility in Wilmington, Delaware which resulted in damage to the MOD owned Chinook helicopter on which the FADEC had been fitted. Following the Wilmington incident, the FADEC software was redesigned before it was introduced on to the Chinook Mk2 and it was therefore of a very different standard from that installed on ZD576 which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received requesting the reopening of the inquiry into the loss of the RAF Chinook on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994; and if he will make a statement. [86393]

Since the beginning of this year, there has been a representation from the Lord Chalfont and, following some recent media coverage, my officials have also received a handful of letters from members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek to ascertain if United States or other NATO forces, other than those from the United Kingdom, used depleted uranium weapons in Kosovo. [87412]

The United States has confirmed that it used depleted uranium based ammunition during the Kosovo air campaign. Whether or not other nations used such ammunition is a matter for them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pieces of ordnance were used by UK forces in the Kosovo conflict. [87814]

UK aircraft used a total of 1,005 bombs and missiles in operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. I am withholding details of UK cruise missile firings under exemption 1a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the proportion of the ordnance used in Kosovo which has been millennium non-compliant. [87821]

None of the ordnance used by UK forces in recent operations in the Balkans has been affected by Year 2000-related problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on how AWE Aldermaston intend to treat and dispose of the plutonium-contaminated rainwater that has accumulated on-site following heavy rainfall on 19 May. [87709]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many gloveboxes are in storage at AWE Aldermaston awaiting treatment and disposal. [87711]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the plant for conditioning the plutonium-bearing sludges currently stored in stainless steel tanks at AWE Aldermaston commenced operations. [87708]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much storage space for intermediate and low-level nuclear waste awaiting a final repository will be left at AWE Aldermaston once the unsuitable waste stores have been emptied and the plutonium-bearing sludge has been conditioned and stored. [87712]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the submarine nuclear emergency plan that covers berths in Gibraltar. [87710]

I refer my hon. Friend to the Gibraltar Public Safety Scheme, which provides background information and guidance on the action to be taken in order to protect the public in the event of an accident involving the reactor of a nuclear powered submarine in Gibraltar. A copy of this document is already held in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to publish the results of his Department's review of its decommissioned nuclear submarine storage and disposal policy. [87713]

The outcome of the initial phase of the review into options for the interim storage of the decommissioned nuclear submarines should be announced later this year. The purpose of this initial phase is to review all practical options and determine the most viable. During the next phase of the review, these options will be developed, involving industry experts as appropriate, and detailed costing work will be undertaken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [86995]

The Government are committed to making sure that policies are inclusive and take full account of the needs and experience of all those affected by them including the assessment of the potential for differential impact on particular groups in society. In Scotland full use is made of consultation, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy upon women. The Scottish Office Good Practice Guidance on consultation advises including the Women's National Commission in all consultations. In addition we have set up the Women in Scotland Consultative Forum whose members cover a wide spectrum of women's organisations and which regularly meets officials and Ministers.We have also developed a database now numbering over 600 organisations with a women's issues remit who are available for consultation. For example our Action Plan on Violence Against Women was sent to all organisations on the database. All responses to Scottish Office consultation papers are made publicly available unless the respondent has indicated otherwise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what advice he has received concerning the farming of genetically modified fish in Scotland; [87260](2) which organisations he has consulted in connection with the licensing of farming of genetically modified fish in Scotland. [87261]

None. No applications for consent to release GM fish into the environment have been made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 (as amended). Unless there is a consent to release, any work with GM fish would have to be undertaken in contained premises which had been notified under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992 (as amended).

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will publish his report on the discharge of his duties in relation to Further Education in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [87989]

My report on Further Education in Scotland for 1998 was published today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.The Report, entitled "Further Education in Scotland 1998: Report by the Secretary of State for Scotland", details this Government's commitment to widening access to further education and providing lifelong learning opportunities for all.During 1998 that commitment was backed by a Comprehensive Spending Review settlement identifying an additional £214 million for investment in further education over three years. We also set a new target for the expansion of FE provision. In three year's time the Government expects to see at least 40,000 more students embarking on courses in further education colleges, and from groups which to date have been under-represented among student numbers.New initiatives and new resources will help both to stabilise and modernise the FE sector, ensuring that it can fulfil its role at the heart of the Government's lifelong learning agenda for the new millennium.Our vision for further education is focused and clear. So too is our expectation that the FE colleges will work together in partnership in rising to meet the challenges which lie ahead.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which committee within the National Assembly for Wales will be responsible for the activities of CADW; and if he will issue revised guidelines on its responsibilities. [85541]

This is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in his Department and its associated bodies and agencies have benefited from the introduction of a National Minimum Wage. [86091]

Eighty five casual Welsh Office staff had their pay increased as a result of the introduction of the National Minimum Wage.Information about salary levels in NDPBs is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospital beds in Wales are occupied by patients of pensionable age who could be discharged from hospital if alternative care provision existed; and if he will make a statement. [86843]

The latest available information relating to delayed discharges from hospital is shown by NHS trust in the following table. An age breakdown is not available. Information relates to a chosen day in January 1999 (usually 31 January 1999), as reported in local authority responses to the Survey of Delayed Discharges from Hospital. The survey requested information on the number of hospital patients known to local authority social services departments, who were medically fit to be discharged, but were still occupying a hospital bed. All patients medically fit to be discharged are counted; this may include patients whose delay came within agreed timescales for the discharge process.

NHS trust	Number of delayed discharges January 1999
Bridgend and District	5
Cardiff Community Healthcare	8
Carmarthen and District	12
Ceredigion and Mid Wales	4
Clwydian Community Care	17
East Glamorgan	1
Glan Clwyd General Hospital	16
Glan Hafren	111
Glan-y-MÖr	31
Gwent Health Care1	27
Gwynedd Community2	26
Gwynedd Hospitals	7
Llandough Hospital	12
Llanelli Dinefwr	20
Morriston Hospital	69
Nevill Hall and District	31
North Glamorgan	28
Pembrokeshire and Derwen	5
Powys Health Care	12
Rhondda Health Care	32
Swansea	38
University Hospital of Wales Healthcare	68
Velindre	1
Wrexham Maelor Hospital	9
Total	590
1As reported by Caerphilly County Borough Council on post April 1999 trust basis
2Includes 6 patients with delayed discharges at February 1999

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [87187]

The Government are committed to making sure that policies are inclusive and take full account of the needs and experience of all those affected by them. Guidelines on Policy Appraisals for Equal Treatment published in November 1998 commit policy makers to assessing how proposals affect different groups of people.Application of the guidance has been the responsibility of individual departments. Within this Department we are making use of consultation, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy upon women. On the transport side, for example, we are conducting an audit of women's transport requirements and developing a checklist for transport providers. Similarly, in housing, we are reviewing the support and accommodation provided by local authorities to households experiencing domestic violence to see if it fits women's needs. This project has an advisory group with representation from women's groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average rent and service charge for registered social landlord housing in the south west for (a) general needs rented housing, (b) shared ownership housing, (c) sheltered housing and (d) supported or special needs housing in 1998–99. [87616]

For all self-contained general needs properties (including sheltered housing) owned by registered social landlords (RSLs) in the south-west region the average weekly rent and service charge as at 31 March 1998 (the most recent data available) was £54.24. These data are collected by the Housing Corporation in the Regulatory and Statistical Returns completed by RSLs.Information about rents and service charges for shared ownership and supported or special needs housing is not currently collected for all lettings. Average rents and service charges on all new shared ownership and supported housing lettings during the year ending 31 March 1998 will be published shortly in the CORE Annual Report. The most recent data available from CORE show that the average monthly rent on new shared ownership properties in the South (which includes south-east and south-west regions) during the period April to September 1998 was £114.00; and the average weekly rent and service charge on new supported housing lettings in the south west during the period April to September 1998 was £110.91.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much (a) social housing grant, (b) supported housing management grant and (c) local authority social housing grant, was paid to registered social landlords in the south-west in 1998–99. [87615]

The Housing Corporation paid the following amounts to registered social landlords in the south-west region for the financial year 1998–99:

	£million
Social Housing Grant	42.29
Supported Housing Management Grant (SHMG)	111.5
Local Authority Social Housing Grant	46.09
1This figure includes all projects which were entitled to claim SHMG. A few of these projects will not have claimed SHMG during 1998–99 because they were still in development. They will claim as soon as the schemes are occupied by tenants.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent meetings he has had with officials of the Environment Agency to discuss (a) implementation of the Agency's corporate plan, (b) concerns over employment conditions raised by staff trades unions and (c) levels of resources available to support the Agency's statutory responsibilities. [87496]

I shall be meeting the Chairman, Chief Executive and other officials of the Environment Agency shortly to discuss the Agency's corporate plan for 2000–01 and I will be raising employment conditions and levels of resources at these meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library copies of the documents submitted (a) to and (b) by his Department in response to the recommendation by the Environment Agency that Government departments should be involved in considering the wider national and international matters arising from the proposal to operate the new MOX plutonium fuels plant at Sellafield. [87502]

On 11 June, my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced the go-ahead for uranium commissioning and a further round of consultation into the economic case for the Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication plant at Sellafield. A final decision on the full operation of the MOX plant will not be made until after the consultation finishes on 23 July and all responses have been considered.Once a final decision has been taken on the operation of the MOX plant, we will place it in the Library of the House:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the extent of oil and fat waste being put down sewers and drains. [87622]

The Department has not commissioned any research on this issue and has no plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what permission has been given to grow genetically modified oil seed rape at Stanton, Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [87508]

[holding answer 18 June 1999]: No consent to release a genetically modified crop has been issued in respect of Stanton, Gloucestershire.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the revised World Health Organisation tolerable daily intake for dioxins (1–4 pg TEQ/Kw bw day). [87843]

The Department of Health Advisory Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) has not yet had the opportunity to review the data used by the recent WHO consultation which recommended the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for dioxins of 1–4 pg TEQ/kg bw/day. Therefore this TDI has not been adopted formally by the Government. The COT will undertake a review when a full report of the consultation is available. In the interim, current exposure data will be considered using both the current UK TDI (10 pg TEQ/kg bw/day) and the recently recommended WHO TDI.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the conclusion of the International Agency for Research on Cancer at their meeting in Lyon, February 4 to 11, 1997, on the classification of TCDD as a known human carcinogen. [87842]

The Department of Health Advisory Committee on the Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) reviewed the conclusion of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to classify 2,3,7,8-TCDD as a known human carcinogen in 1998. The COC concluded that there are insufficient epidemiological and toxicological data on TCDD to conclude a causal link with cancer in humans, but it would be prudent to consider TCDD as a 'probable weak human carcinogen'. A copy of the full COC statement is being deposited in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new lettings, in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available, by (a) local authorities and (b) other social landlords were to (i) lone parents and (ii) teenage lone parents. [87777]

The information requested for local authorities is not collected centrally. For other social landlords the information for England in 1997–98 is as follows:

	General needs accommodation	Support accommodation
Total lets to lone parents of which:	33,048	4,992
Lone parent aged 16–19	2,656	394

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment of potential environmental impact he undertook before permission was given to Zeneca to plant genetically modified poplar trees near Bracknell. [87604]

Two consents have been issued to Zeneca Ltd. to plant small scale trials of genetically modified poplar trees in the Bracknell area. Each application included a pre-planting environmental audit and risk assessment that were assessed by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. The trees for both trials are derived from female clones and will not therefore produce pollen. The trees will be coppiced after four years to ensure that they remain in a juvenile phase and do not flower and the trials will be terminated prior to flowering after a further four years. In addition there is specific monitoring at both sites for precocious flowering each spring and any flower buds are removed to prevent pollination. A copy of the consent documents and the environmental risk assessment is available on the public register at the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the maximum percentage of lead permitted in unleaded petrol. [87606]

Directive 85/210/EEC limits lead in unleaded petrol to a maximum of 0.013 grammes per litre. This limit will be lowered to 0.005 grammes per litre from 1 January 2000 in accordance with directive 98/70/EC.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of new dwellings to be completed for (a) housing association rent and (b) local authority rent in each London borough in (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [87818]

The Department does not forecast the volume of new housebuilding at local level.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the proportion of social housing on new developments in each London borough in the current year; and if he will make a statement. [87820]

The latest available information on the proportion of housebuilding completions that were of social housing in each London borough is for 1998–99, as follows:

London borough	Percentage
Barking and Dagenham	1—
Barnet	11
Bexley	9
Brent	37
Bromley	1—
Camden	19

London borough	Percentage
City of London	0
Croydon	58
Ealing	27
Enfield	45
Greenwich	25
Hackney	45
Hammersmith and Fulham	15
Haringey	72
Harrow	3
Havering	10
Hillingdon	51
Hounslow	3
Islington	17
Kensington and Chelsea	21
Kingston upon Thames	0
Lambeth	57
Lewisham	46
Merton	54
Newham	58
Redbridge	5
Richmond upon Thames	1
Southwark	1—
Sutton	6
Tower Hamlets	1—
Waltham Forest	73
Wandsworth	4
Westminster	15
1Not available

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of single people who are unable to be placed on local authority housing waiting lists and are in need of affordable rented housing in each London borough. [87816]

No estimates are held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he is taking to persuade Plymouth City Council to adopt the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 in its regulation of Plymouth-based private hire vehicles;[87824](2) what discussions his officials have had with Plymouth City Council officers in the past six months concerning the regulation of Plymouth-based private hire vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [87825]

The decision as to whether to adopt the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 is a matter for the City Council. They will no doubt take into account the fact that (once the relevant provisions of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 have come into effect) adoption of the 1976 Act will enable private hire vehicles licensed by the City Council to pick up passengers in London. My officials have corresponded this year with officers of Plymouth City Council about these issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the response was to the consultation paper, "A New Financial Framework for Local Authority Housing: Resource Accounting in the Housing Revenue Account"; and if he will make a statement. [88061]

Our proposals for reforming the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were intended to make local authority housing management more efficient. Responses to the consultation generally welcomed the proposals to introduce resource accounting. I confirm that we intend to move to a new form of accounts with:

a cost of capital charge, linked to stock values, showing the resources tied up in local authority housing;

a major repairs (or depreciation) allowance, paid through the subsidy system, to meet the costs of keeping the stock in good condition; and

a requirement to prepare a business plan as the framework for managing the stock.

The proposal to remove rent rebates from the HRA, making it a pure landlord account, was also welcomed in principle. This will go ahead, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary legislation. We will then have to redistribute surpluses to ensure that resources go to councils with the greatest need. We will be consulting on the detailed arrangements later in the year.Other areas on which we will be consulting further include: the method by which valuations are to be carried out, the calculation of the major repairs (or depreciation) allowance, business plans and the detailed form of accounts. In response to points made in consultation, we intend to make the new form of accounts simpler.On the question of the basis to be adopted for valuing housing stock for the cost of capital charge in the account, respondents overwhelmingly favoured existing use value as social housing, rather than open market value. I confirm that this will be the basis for valuation.Authorities expressed concern that the timetable for moving to the new system was too ambitious. So we are now giving them some extra time to prepare. Authorities will be required to keep the HRA in the new form (including business plans) from 2001–02. As long as they have completed the necessary preparatory work satisfactorily, including producing satisfactory business plans, they will be eligible for additional subsidy for the major repairs allowance from that year. Rent rebates will be removed from the HRA at the same time or, if the necessary legislation has not been passed by then, as soon as it is in place.Authorities were also concerned about the costs of the work needed to prepare for the changes, particularly valuations and the preparation of business plans. We will be making an extra £15m available through the HRA subsidy system in 2000–01 and a further £15m in 2001–02 to help with these costs, and will consult authorities on proposals for doing so later in the year.I am grateful to all those who responded to the consultation paper. I am placing a list of the respondents, excluding any who requested confidentiality, in the House Library together with a report providing an analysis of the responses. The list and specific responses are available in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Library, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE, telephone 0171 890 3039. We will shortly be writing to authorities setting out our response and the next steps in more detail. I believe that, working with local government, we can move forward to a new financial framework for local authority housing which is more suitable for the modern, high-quality tenant-focused service which we want to see.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the cost of exempting all university students aged over (a) 21 and (b) 25 years living in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) England from tuition fees. [84063]

[holding answer 13 June 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 10 June 1999, Official Report, column 385.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools in England currently under special measures, identifying for each school (a) how long it has been under special measures and (b) the percentage of its pupils receiving free school meals. [87018]

[holding answer 15 June 1999]: Information for each school on special measures at 21 April 1999 is shown in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library.In June last year the Government announced a tough new policy to stop prolonged failure in schools. Since September 1998, schools which fail an Ofsted inspection must be turned around by local education authorities within two years. If a school is not out of special measures within two years it must be given a fresh start or closed. There are too many schools which failed under the previous administration and are still failing over two years later. We have made it clear that this must not continue and of the 46 such schools on the list provided, 12 have published or had closure proposals approved (three of which will close and Fresh Start schools open), and a further nine have been removed from special measures during the Summer terms already. The rest are now making good progress and we expect virtually all of them to be removed from special measures either this term or next.The decisive action we have taken to tackle failure in our schools since May 1997 has cut the average turn-around time from 25 months to 18 months. We are moving from laying the foundations for improvement to delivering the benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. [86625]

Disabled people are already benefiting from the New Deals and other changes that the Government have introduced in the last two years. The New Deal for Disabled People is piloting a range of initiatives, to help disabled people and those with long-term illness on incapacity benefits into work and training through the Government's Welfare to Work approach, at a cost of £195 million. In addition there are a range of existing employment programmes targeted at people with disabilities. They include the Supported Employment Programme, Access to Work and the Job Introduction Scheme. Last October my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that a further £30 million would be spent over 3 years to expand these programmes. This will bring planned spending on specialist disability measures to some £570 million for the next three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to announce funding for higher education in England for year three of the Comprehensive Spending Review settlement 2001–02. [87360]

The guidance to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) on 8 December 1998 announced £250 million for investment in capital and research in 2001–02, and told the Council to plan on the basis that funds would be made available in that year to sustain quality and standards, and to provide for continuing growth in student numbers.The Department will provide further details of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review for 2001–02 in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools had policies on drug education in line with his Department's guidance at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [87440]

The latest figures, which are provided by Ofsted following a survey in 1997, show that 86 per cent. of secondary schools and 61 per cent. of primary schools have drug education policies. We strongly encourage those schools who have not developed an agreed policy to join those who have already taken that step. Our drug education good practice guidance, issued in November last year, provides important advice on the value of schools developing such policies and guidance on the key components for those policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the next round of applications for technology college status is to be invited; and what advice and guidance is to be offered to previous unsuccessful applicants to assist resubmission of their applications. [87630]

The closing date for the next round of applications for Technology College status is Friday, 8 October 1999. A new guidance document for schools wishing to apply in the autumn competition will be available to schools in July. Schools unsuccessful in the March competition will be sent the guidance automatically. These schools receive feedback on the main reasons why they were not approved and a wide range of advice and support is available to applicant schools from the Technology Colleges Trust which is grant aided by the DfEE.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects the Further Education Funding Council to inform colleges of the amount of access funds to be made available for students for 1999–2000. [87140]

[holding answer 18 June 1999]: The Further Education Funding Council plan to issue their Access Funds circular, including allocations to colleges, later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to raise standards of teaching in the sciences (a) in schools and (b) in higher education establishments. [87366]

The initial teacher training National Curriculum for primary and secondary science, which comes into effect this September, will ensure that all newly qualified teachers are fully prepared to teach science. We are also encouraging more specialist science graduates to apply for teaching through the £5,000 financial incentive announced last October.The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education is testing new procedures for assessing quality and safeguarding the standards of all higher education qualifications, including science qualifications. The new Institute for Learning and Teaching will accredit training programmes for higher education teachers, including science teachers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he plans to publish the Bett review on academic salaries. [87841]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey) on 8 June 1999, Official Report, column 316.

Islington revenue and capital funding
£ million
	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
Education SSA of which	80.442	81.095	81.230	87.980	91.713
Nursery/Primary/Secondary	70.883	72.211	73.145	80.035	84.257
GEST/Standards fund	1.143	1.375	1.589	2.473	6.274
Nursery education grant	—	—	2.076	0.343	—
Capital
ACG/SCA/VA grant	—	0.250	0.531	0.588	1.210
NDS capital	—	—	0.296	1.174	0.656
Energy efficiency	—	—	—	0.049	—
Total capital	0.000	0.250	0.827	1.811	1.866

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the benefits to the economy of policies which allow employment to be combined with family responsibilities. [86503]

[holding answer 17 June 1999]: Family-friendly policies can help to boost the economy by increasing the number of skilled people in the labour market, and increasing the numbers returning to education and training. These policies can enhance financial independence—specially for women—both immediately as they benefit from a higher standard of living, and after retirement as a result of building up a better pension entitlement. And these policies can help increase the sustainable level of employment, and improving productivity, leading to an increase in overall living standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what monitoring he is undertaking of the Islington Education Service; and what meetings he has held with representatives of the education service; [87817](2) what is the expenditure by his Department on the contracting out of part of Islington Education Service. [87819]

The Department and Islington Local Education Authority have commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to advise on contracting out of most or all services to Islington schools and their pupils, to draw up specifications for such services and to advise on the suitability of interim arrangements. Officials are in regular contact with the authority's officers, and I met head teachers in Islington on 16 June. The Department will contribute towards the cost of PricewaterhouseCoopers' consultancy but has made no payments to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much (a) revenue support and (b) capital allocation was provided to Islington Education Service for education up to the age of 16 years in each of the past five years. [87815]

The following table gives, for each financial year from 1995–96 to 1999–2000, the amounts allocated to the Islington local education authority for revenue support and for capital.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 January 1998 indicating the dates and locations, the Ministers involved and the names of the Irish Ministers and officials in each case. [87430]

I met the Irish Culture Minister, Sile de Valera, on 17 June 1999 at my office—at the Department. She was accompanied by Tadhg O hEalaithe, Secretary General to the Department for the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.My hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting met Seamus Brennan TD, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Taoiseach's office, on Monday 5 October 1998, again at the Department. Mr. Brennan was accompanied by Richard Holland from that office.My hon. Friend the Minister for Sport met Chris Flood, the Irish Junior Minister for Sport, at the Annual Dinner of London GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) at the Emerald Rooms at the Emerald Gaelic Grounds, West End Road, Ruislip on 13 February 1999, and Dr. James McDaid, the Irish Minister for Sport, at the Sports Industry Exhibition, Earls Court on 24 February 1999. My hon. Friend met Dr. McDaid again at the EU Sports Ministers conference in Paderborn on 31 May 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures will be taken to enable voluntary organisations to promote their activities within the Dome. [86932]

[holding answer 14 June 1999]: The New Millennium Experience Company receives many requests from a very large number of different organisations concerning events in the Dome. It is not possible for the company to accede to all these requests, but it is considering how some voluntary organisations might be incorporated during the millennium.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps will be taken to promote the issue of volunteering within the Dome. [86933]

[holding answer 14 June 1999]: The New Millennium Experience Company is finalising details of a National Programme initiative that addresses issues of volunteering in the broad context of good citizenship. An announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with Hammersmith and Fulham Council regarding the future of the Lost Theatre; and if he will make a statement. [87812]

I have not discussed the future of the Lost Theatre with representatives from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1999, Official Report, column 88, if he will place in the Library copies of the external audit reports on BBC Worldwide and BBC Resources for the years 1997–98 and 1998–99. [87823]

The 1998–99 Annual Reports of BBC Worldwide and BBC Resources have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The Reports will include opinions by the external auditors on the financial statements and on corporate governance matters. Publication of the full external audit reports on BBC Worldwide and BBC Resources is a matter for the BBC.BBC Worldwide's 1997–98 Annual Report was laid before Parliament on 14 July 1998. The 1998–99 Annual Report is the first for BBC Resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of the demands of relief aid in Kosovo and Albania upon other areas of development support. [83277]

The Government have recently announced a further commitment of up to £50 million for humanitarian aid to Kosovo bringing the total commitment to £90 million. This is in addition to our share of EU assistance.The commitment for Kosovo, and for any other major humanitarian emergencies later in the financial year, will be found from the Department for International Development's Contingency Reserve and from the Government's Central Reserve.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what resources, additional to existing commitments, will be made available by the United Kingdom for mine clearance and education about mines in Kosovo. [87375]

Mines are a serious problem in Kosovo and could prove a severe constraint to refugee return. Twenty or more incidents have been reported in the first few days alone—resulting in several casualties.As part of the Government's recently announced package of£50 million for humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance for Kosovo, £5 million has been allocated for mine clearance and mine awareness education. We have provided grants and practical assistance for UN Mines Advisory Service (co-ordination and oversight), Halo Trust (region wide survey), and clearance teams from Mines Action Group.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes have been curtailed as a result of the £50 million extra money for Kosovo. [87590]

No programmes have been curtailed. The £85 million of the £90 million commitment to the needs of Kosovar refugees has been funded from the Department for International Development contingency reserve and the Government central reserve. The remaining £5 million was already committed to the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has for giving aid to those households in Macedonia and Albania which are currently housing Kosovan Albanian refugees. [87401]

Our humanitarian assistance during the Kosovo crisis has included support for communities and families in the region who are hosting refugees in their own homes, with priority given to the poorest and most vulnerable.DFID is helping to fund a range of international organisations and NGOs. We have given £2.5 million to the Red Cross movement, whose work includes provision of support to host families. In Albania, we are funding Children's Aid Direct and Catholic Relief Services to provide education for both refugees and the local Albanian population. In Macedonia, DFID is funding CARE to provide assistance for vulnerable people, mainly elderly and handicapped, among both refugees and host families. Although many refugees are now returning to Kosovo, I have made it clear that DFID will continue to honour the commitments it has made to the local communities and the refugees that remain in Albania and Macedonia.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by her Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [87191]

We have proposed no legislation during the current session. But we make strong efforts to ensure that our international development work priorities women's interests and views.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to her Department for written answer on a named day since 15 April; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that day. [87323]

Sixty-two parliamentary questions have been tabled to my Department for written answer on a named day since 15 April 1999. 71 per cent. received a substantive response on that day.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the current percentage of GDP spent on overseas aid; and if she will make a statement. [87422]

I refer my hon. Friend to my written answer on 11 June 1999, Official Report, column 413, for details.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of genetically modified terminator seeds in Third World countries; and if she will make a statement. [87567]

We are commissioning a study to assess the potential impacts on developing countries of so-called "terminator" gene technologies. The study will examine the potential effects which such technology can have on economic, social and environmental aspects of farming systems important to poor people. We recently published a Background Briefing on genetically modified organisms and developing countries. Copies are in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [87190]

The Home Office consults regularly with a wide range of organisations on both proposed changes to legislation and the development of policy. It also issues public consultation documents on which both organisations and individuals are invited to comment. One such document is "Supporting Families" and, on 8 June, I published details of the responses to it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on promoting co-operation between Europol and Interpol; and if he will make a statement. [87449]

Once Europol takes up the full range of activities, we hope it will be able to quickly establish formal co-operation arrangements with non European Union members and bodies such as Interpol as outlined in Article 42 of the Europol Convention. We are encouraging close co-operation between the two organisations, with both of whom the United Kingdom has good working relations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to propose changes to the international conventions on refugees; and if he will make a statement. [87381]

The Government have no present plans to propose changes to the main international instruments on refugees. We are strongly committed to the principle of protection for those genuinely fearing persecution. In the longer term, it will be nece0073sary to ensure that the totality of international law and agreements continues to support this principle effectively, taking account of the many developments since the Geneva Convention of 1951, in particular the growing problem of false claims for protection being used to circumvent legitimate controls on immigration.