To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what was the (a) volume and (b) value of tourism from (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) the Republic of Ireland to the north-west region for each of the last five years for which information is available; [87624](2) what was the

Information on tourism by residents of Northern Ireland is provided by the annual United Kingdom Tourism Survey, which is designed to monitor domestic tourism within the UK involving one or more nights away from home. The following table shows estimates for the underlying trend in the volume and value of tourism from Northern Ireland to (a) North West Tourist Board area of England and (b) Great Britain as a whole for the 5 most recent years for which data are available.

Tourism (1+ nights) by residents of Northern Ireland
	To north-west England		To Great Britain as a whole
Year	Number of visitors	Expenditure (£ million)	Number of visitors	Expenditure (£ million)
1994	83,420	18.9	658,800	215.9
1995	104,640	22.2	762,300	181.4
1996	110,240	27.8	635,000	202.9
1997	83,440	25.2	587,840	205.1
1998	79,540	25.9	561,120	215.9

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the applications since 1 May 1997 made by the BBC for his prior approval under (a) Article 3(b), (b) Article 3(c) and (c) Article 3(u), giving in each case the date of the applications; and if the application was approved or rejected. [87592]

[holding answer 18 June 1999]: The following applications have been made under these articles:

Article 3(b)

Carriage of the Parliamentary Channel on analogue cable. Application dated 14 April 1998; approval given by 18 May 1998.

Launch of the BBC Online service (phase one). Application dated 9 October 1997; approval given 10 November 1997.

BBC Online (on a permanent footing). Application dated 9 October 1998. Approval given 28 October 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people living in the London Borough of Wandsworth were on income support on 1 June. [87451]

The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claimed invalid care allowance in each of the last three years. [87612]

The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. I have therefore asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new claims for council tax benefit have been subject to the cap on properties above Band E since the new rules were introduced. [87813]

[holding answer 22 June 1999]: Provisional data are expected to be available from late January 2000 on the number of cases affected by this restriction, based on information from the annual 1 per cent. sample of cases which were receiving Council Tax Benefit on 14 May 1999.We are committed to monitoring the effects of these changes, in partnership with local authorities. Research is now under way, the findings of which will be published in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the poorest 20 per cent. of pensioners receive (a) a full basic pension and (b) a partial basic pension. [87982]

Information is not available in the form requested as there is no data source that includes information on both the amount of basic pension received and total income which would enable the poorest 20 per cent. of pensioners to be identified. Such information as is available is in the table.The table provides a similar analysis based on total amount of State Retirement Pension received including additions such as additional pension (SERPS), graduated retirement benefit and increments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of those aged 80 years and over are in each quintile of the income distribution for the population as a whole. [87981]

The information is in the table.

Percentage of people aged eighty years and over by quintile of the income distribution of the population as a whole
	Percentage of people aged 80+
Quintile (total population)	Before housing costs	After housing costs
1 (Bottom)	29	21
2	33	39
3	20	18
4	11	14
5 (Top)	6	8
All 80+ (percentage)	100	100
All 80+ (millions)	1.8	1.8

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the proportion of pensioners who will be receiving (a) a full basic pension, (b) a partial basic pension and (c) no basic pension in (i) 2010, (ii) 2020, (iii) 2030 and (iv) 2040. [87980]

The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

Table 1: Estimated percentage of GB population over state pension age with and without some basic Retirement Pension in payment
Percentage
	With basic RP			Without basic RP
Year	Men	Women	Total	Men	Women	Total
2010	98.7	96.6	97.4	1.3	3.4	2.6
2020	98.7	98.5	98.6	1.3	1.5	1.4
2030	98.7	99.1	98.9	1.3	0.9	1.1
2040	98.8	99.2	99.0	1.2	0.8	1.0

Table 2: Estimate average percentage rate of standard Category A Retirement Pension (RP) for those with RP
Percentage
Year	Men	Women	Total
2010	97.4	81.8	87.6
2020	96.8	85.5	90.6
2030	96.6	89.4	92.7
2040	96.5	91.3	93.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners claiming a category A retirement pension are living with another pensioner claiming a category A retirement pension. [87978]

The pensions administrative computer system only collects information on individuals, it does not hold information on other household members. None of the household surveys available collect full information of the category of pension.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of raising (i) the level of income support paid to pensioners and (ii) the basic state pension and related benefits by (a) £5 per week, (b) £10 per week and (c) £20 per week. [87983]

The information is in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action his Department is taking to improve clearance times for appeals. [88212]

The new Executive Agency of the DSS responsible for the administration of appeals will be set up from April 2000, for which demanding targets will be set. In preparation for this change, responsibility for the administration of appeals passed to the Secretary of State from the President of the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) on 1 June. The phased implementation of the new appeals procedures introduced in the Social Security Act 1998 will continue during the rest of the year and preparations will be made for Agency launch.Appeals have been taking, on average, around 7 months to be heard and this is wholly unacceptable. During the past year, ITS has taken action to improve the situation and in 1998–99 began to make significant in-roads into its backlog of cases, ITS figures showing a record case clearance of 370,008 cases. However, there remains much to do before ITS/The Appeals Service reaches an acceptable level of performance.A dual strategy to achieve the necessary improvements during 1999–2000 has been agreed with the new Chief Executive of ITS/The Appeals Service. First, ITS/The Appeals Service is mounting a systematic assault on its backlog of older and oldest appeals (defined for this exercise as any case lodged with ITS before 1 October 1998). Secondly, and in parallel to tackling this finite backlog of cases, ITS/The Appeals Service is seeking to reduce both the numbers of all other cases outstanding and the length of time individual appellants have to wait for their appeals to be dealt with.In assessing performance during the coming year we have therefore agreed to monitor two new performance indicators. First, we will be monitoring the number of cases in the backlog and the length of time for which these cases have been outstanding. It is the intention that the vast majority of these cases should be cleared by the end of 1999–2000. Secondly, for cases not in the backlog, we will be monitoring the age profile of outstanding cases, by month; and the age profile of cases which have been cleared, by month. This will give a clear picture of how long appellants still in the ITS/The Appeals Service queue have been waiting, and how long those cases have just been cleared actually had to wait. While efforts are being concentrated on the backlog in the early part of the year, progress here will not be as quick as we would like, but the intention is that both waiting times and clearance times will have been reduced by the end of 1999–2000.The use of average clearance times as the key indicator of performance has not provided appellants, commentators, or ITS itself with a true picture of the levels of performance being achieved. First, average clearance times mask a wide range of performance and, in past years, did not expose the full extent of the backlog of cases which was building up. Secondly, average clearance times actually provide a perverse incentive not to clear backlog cases—the more effective ITS/The Appeals Service is in tackling its backlog of older cases, the less successful it appears in terms of average clearance

Cost of changing the tariff income rule
£ million
Option	Income support	Jobseeker's allowance (income based)	Housing benefit	Council tax benefit	Total cost
£1 per week of every £300	10	Less than £2.5m	20	10	40
£1 per week of every £400	15	Less than £2.5m	45	25	85
£1 per week of every £500	20	Less than £2.5m	65	30	115

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran concerning the role of the Iranian state in procuring for cash body parts from living donors for use in transplants. [87648]

We have not, so far, made any such representations to the Iranian Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he is offering Mozambique in connection with the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. [87858]

Presidential and parliamentary elections are due to take place in Mozambique before mid-December. The EU has committed 21 million euros (£13 million) to the election process, of which around times as cases which have been outstanding for too long are brought to account. Thirdly, the new performance indicators will provide a better picture of exactly how the caseload is being affected by the changes, which are being phased in over the coming months. And, additionally, the new appeals processes presently being introduced would in any event mean that future clearance times statistics were not directly comparable with those for past years.This dual strategy has already paid dividends in terms of performance in the last few months. At the end of February, ITS/The Appeals Service figures showed that the backlog contained 70,348 cases and represented almost 50 per cent. of the caseload. By the end of May, the backlog had been reduced to 34,194 cases. During April and May, a total of 64,647 cases were cleared. Due to the changes which came on stream in April, the intake of appeals in April and May has been much lower than usual—ITS/The Appeals Service has taken full advantage of this opportunity and the cumulative effect of the record clearances and lower intake has been that, by the end of May, the outstanding caseload has fallen below 100,000, to 99,410, for the first time since November 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the net public expenditure cost of changing the rate of deemed income from capital for means-tested benefits to £1 per week for (a) each £300 of capital, (b) each £400 of capital and (c) each £500 of capital. [87979]

The information is in the table.15 per cent., or 3.2 million euros (£2 million), will come from the United Kingdom's contribution to the EU budget. Our High Commission in Maputo is actively involved in the international donor group which is working closely with the Mozambican authorities, including the National Elections Commission, to co-ordinate international support for the elections.The United Kingdom is ready to consider sending election observers, if invited to do so by the Government of Mozambique.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights record of the present Gambian Government. [87947]

We regularly review the Gambian human rights record, on a bilateral basis, and as a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group which has a standing remit to monitor the situation in The Gambia. We have consistently made it clear that developments in the bilateral relationship, not least in the UK's development assistance programme, depend on Gambian observance of human rights and commitment to good governance.There have been some improvements in recent months: harassment of the independent media has declined and the UDP opposition party has managed to hold regular rallies without interference. Nonetheless, we continue to press for Decrees which proscribe certain politicians and which place heavy burdens on the independent media to be repealed.We have also raised the recent abduction of Mr. Nyassi of the opposition UDP party and are pressing for an independent inquiry into the incident.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the Gambia with regard to the arrest and disappearance of Mr. Shyngle Nyassi of the United Democratic Party. [87945]

Our High Commissioner in Banjul pursued the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 and 28 May. He called on the Foreign Minister on 31 May and tried repeatedly to obtain a response from the Gambian Government.He carried out a UK-inspired demarche on behalf of the EU on 9 June, urging the Government to take urgent action to secure Mr. Nyassi's release and punish those responsible for his detention. He pursued the matter again with the Foreign Minister on 11 June and, with other Diplomatic colleagues in Banjul, met President Jammeh on 18 June.I am pleased to report that Mr. Nyassi was subsequently released on 21 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to encourage recruitment of physiotherapy staff to the NHS in Wales. [87799]

The recruitment of physiotherapists is essentially a matter for the service but we commission training numbers to meet service need. There are two modes of training currently—full-time and mixed mode—to ensure as wide an entry gate as possible is available.The links between career development opportunities and positive recruitment of staff were identified in the J. M. Consulting Ltd. report entitled "PAMs Career Development Project". NHS Trusts and Health Authorities have been encouraged to take forward its recommendations. Also my officials are currently working with the NHS Staff College to develop a Clinical Leadership Programme, which should provide further opportunities for physiotherapists and other Professions Allied to Medicine (PAMs) staff groups.Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much compensation the Passport Agency has paid to applicants who made complaints in (a) each of the last 12 months and (b) each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [87435]

The Passport Agency's compensation policy is to reimburse the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by customers as a direct consequence of clear operational errors, or failure to provide an acceptable level of service by means of an ex-gratia payment. Each case is considered carefully on its merits. It is not the Agency's normal policy to make compensation payments for distress and inconvenience arising from such errors and failures.The information requested on compensation payments made by the Agency is shown in the table.

Year	Total number of complaints where compensation paid	Total compensation paid (£)
1996–97	1,517	42,357
1997–98	1,622	43,876
1998–99	2,313	76,311

Within the last 12 months the position is as follows:

Date	Number of complaints where compensation paid	Total compensation paid (£)
June 1998	160	5,256
July 1998	266	7,460
August 1998	244	6,079
September 1998	188	7,234
October 1998	194	7,453
November 1998	180	8,127
December 1998	179	7,166
January 1999	181	5,785
February 1999	196	7,955
March 1999	245	5,453
April 1999	256	7,748
May 1999	219	7,551

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day since 15 April; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that day. [87331]

Between 15 April 1999 and 18 June 1999, a total of 173 "Named Day" parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by my Department. Of these, 96 per cent. (166) received a substantive reply on that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the location of an Ethiopian asylum seeker whose identity has been provided to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for asylum in a letter dated 15 June. [87423]

I have written to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 June 1999, Official Report, columns 332–33, on the London River Police, what operational assessment the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police has made of the workload increase for the river police over the millennium public holiday; and if he will make a statement. [87403]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that his operational planning assumes there will be a high level of activity on the river over the millennium public holiday. However, organisers of many proposed events have not yet confirmed the extent of these events. There will be a need for maximum operational deployment of river police both to police the areas involved and to support other agencies, such as the Port of London Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 June 1999, Official Report, columns 332–33, on the London River Police, if the river police are currently deployed on a 24 hour shift pattern; and what changes to the current pattern are proposed for the millennium public holiday. [87404]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the river police are currently deployed on a 24-hour shift pattern; and that 24-hour cover will be provided throughout the millennium period, with the number of officers on duty at any time reflecting the operational demand.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been put in place to ensure public safety on London rivers over the millennium public holiday. [87406]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that there are ongoing discussions on the joint measures that may be necessary between the Port of London Authority, who are responsible for river safety, and the Metropolitan Police Service. It would be premature to make final decisions on the total resources to be deployed, or on operational plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the multi-agency strategy to deal with the monitoring and observation of paedophile activity. [87498]

On 15 February 1999, Official Report, columns 601–13, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced the Government's intention to consider the case for legislation in relation to dangerous people with severe personality disorder. A consultation paper on this will be published shortly. He also said that we would look to the national steering group on dangerous offenders to help the various agencies working with sex offenders to plan together for the safe resettlement of offenders into the community. The Steering Group has met twice and I can report the following progress: an early warning system has been put in place to allow proper time to prepare for a dangerous person's re-entry into the community; and a support group made up of staff from the operational services will begin work in July to support the Steering Group in its work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 1999, Official Report, column 30, on young offenders, for what reasons he will not seek funding from local education authorities for the education of young offenders who are in custody. [87640]

It would be extremely complex, costly and time consuming to seek funding from local education authorities for the education of young offenders who are in custody.Young people are often in prison for a very short time and school budgets are set for the whole year, dependent generally on the number on roll in January.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 1999, Official Report, column 32, on education at Feltham Young Offenders' Unit, for what reasons the number of teaching hours purchased for 1999 is less than in 1998. [87643]

Although there has been a small reduction of 105 in the number of teaching hours purchased for 1999, the number of education hours has not decreased. The new education contract which came into effect on 1 January 1999, allows the governor to also purchase testing and assessment of prisoners from the education contractor to ensure that education programmes are focused on their needs. 192 such hours will be purchased in 1999. Previously this assessment was included in the teaching hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of young juvenile and young offenders convicted of sexual offences are enrolled under a sex offender treatment programme; and what was the percentage in each of the last three years. [87621]

The information is not available in the form requested. However, the expected number of offenders under 21 convicted of sex offences who will complete an accredited sex offender treatment programme (SOTP) in 1999–2000 is 36.The number of such offenders under 21 received into the prison system and the number of completions of a sex offender treatment programme by such offenders, are given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of young offenders and juveniles were held on remand in (a) Feltham young offenders' unit and (b) other young offenders' units for eight weeks or more in each of the last three years and in the period from November 1998 to May 1999. [87619]

The available information is given in the table.

Percentage of young offenders in Her Majesty's Offender Institution Remand Centre (HMYOI/RC) Feltham and other young offender institutions by length of time since first reception, 1996–99
Percentage
	Juveniles1		Young offenders2
Length of time since first remand into prison	HMYOI/RC Feltham	Others	HMYOI/RC Feltham	Others
30 June 1996
Up to 8 weeks	54	62	49	51
8 weeks or more	46	38	51	49
30 June 1997
Up to 8 weeks	59	61	46	53
8 weeks or more	41	39	54	47
30 June 1998
Up to 8 weeks	53	60	53	53
8 weeks or more	47	40	47	47
30 November 1998
Up to 8 weeks	57	60	52	52
8 weeks or more	43	40	48	48
30 April 19993
Up to 8 weeks	61	62	54	54
8 weeks or more	39	38	46	46
1 Persons aged 15–17 years
2 Persons aged 18–20 years
3 Latest available provisional figures

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 1999, Official Report, column 30, on young offenders, when the revision of the selection criteria for staff working with offenders aged under 18 years will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the revised criteria. [87639]

The particular skills required by new entrant prison officers who will work with young offenders aged under 18 include, tolerance, commitment and the ability to deal with and positively influence the behaviour of young people. These requirements have been reflected in additions to the competence questionnaire which forms part of the application form and in additional exercises at the job simulation assessment centres used in the recruitment of prison officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what part education plays in rehabilitation programmes for young offenders and juveniles in young offenders' units. [87618]

The main thrust of the Prison Service education policy is the improvement of basic and key skills through the prison education core curriculum which includes basic skills, information technology, social and life skills and English for speakers of other languages. The curriculum's emphasis on improving the employability of young offenders and juveniles increases their rehabilitation prospects.The Prison Service is a co-signatory to the National Framework Document to assist in the development of local agreements to improve the employment prospects of offenders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the studies he has commissioned into rehabilitation programmes for juveniles and young offenders and the consequent recommendations he has made about such programmes. [87620]

The Home Office has a long established policy of developing, implementing and evaluating rehabilitative programmes for young offenders, either directly or by commissioning them from outside bodies and academics.A wide range of such programmes have been examined over a long period of time—including programmes addressing offender behaviour (for example sex and violence offenders), particular offender problems (for example drugs and alcohol abuse problems), educational and numerical deficits, social skills deficits, parenting and other offending issues.As a result, the Home Office has concluded that the most effective rehabilitative interventions are those carefully matched to the particular needs of offenders, those which employ a cognitive-behavioural approach to their work, and those which are closely managed and delivered by well trained staff. Programme accreditation—ensuring that programmes have to meet (and continue to meet) an established body of criteria in order to be recognised as effective programmes (and which can be supported by the prison or probation services)—is also an established way of helping to ensure effectiveness.Wherever possible, these principles inform the development of regimes and programmes for young offenders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) arrested and (b) charged for attempting to smuggle drugs into prisons in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [87653]

The number of visitors arrested for possible drug-related offences is given in the table. Figures for the number subsequently charged are not kept centrally.

Visitors to prison establishments arrested for possible
Year	Number
1996	1,317
1997	1,183
1998	1,109
1999 (to May 31)1	366
1 Provisional figure

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been in England and Wales for driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of illegal drugs in each of the last three years. [87656]

The information requested is not separately identifiable from convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol in the statistics collected centrally.However, figures obtained from the Forensic Science Service show that 1,266 blood samples were submitted to them for analysis by police forces in England and Wales in 1996–97 and 1,863 in 1997–98, and approximately 90 per cent. of the samples submitted were found to contain one or more drugs.The high proportion of positive findings is likely to be as a result of the absence of specific training or other aids to identifying drug impaired drivers, so that police officers arrest only motorists who are obviously and grossly impaired. Moreover, before a sample can be taken a police surgeon has to agree that drugs are an explanation for the motorist's condition.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted since 1969 for unlawfully casting a proxy vote. [87647]

The information is unavailable centrally as such offences are not identified separately by the Home Office Court Proceedings Database.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants have been caught while seeking to enter the United Kingdom by hiding in vehicles since 1 January. [87655]

Information is not recorded centrally on the precise circumstances in which illegal entrants are detected. It is not, therefore, possible to say how many clandestine entrants are detected while concealed in vehicles and how many come to light at some later point. Regrettably, I am therefore, unable to provide the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics he has collated regarding the use of unlicensed guns in the committing of crimes during the last three years; and if he will publish them. [87850]

An exercise to obtain information on homicides involving firearms was carried out in 1996 covering the years 1992 to 1994. Out of a total of 196 homicides involving the use of a firearm, it was known whether the firearm was legally or illegally held in 151 cases, and of these it was illegally held in 128 cases.From 1997, the question as to whether firearms used in crime are legally or illegally held has been routinely asked but has been provided by the police in only 6 per cent. of cases. It was decided therefore, that the information was not complete enough to be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he plans to implement European Directive 86/609/EEC. [87853]

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 already implements, and in several ways, exceeds European Directive 86/609/EEC.The most important ways in which the Act exceeds the Directive are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to abolish the LD50 test. [87897]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 13 April 1999, Official Report, column 19, and to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 8 December 1998, Official Report, column 110.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate ways of facilitating the use of smart cards designed for electronic Government transactions as national identity cards. [86801]

The White Paper on Modernising Government proposes the development of a framework for the use of smart cards in support of the delivery of Government services. No decision has so far been taken on the merits of a national identity card, but the potential for using smart card technology for this purpose is something we will keep in mind.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make advice given to Ministers public. [86781]

Under the proposals set out in clause 14 of the draft Freedom of Information Bill, published on 20 May, Departments will be required to consider whether to exercise their discretion to disclose advice given to Ministers taking into account all the circumstances of the case including:

(a) the public interest in allowing public access to the information; and

(b) whether the disclosure to the applicant of the information in question would be in the public interest.

The proposed Information Commissioner would be able to regulate the exercise of the discretion by virtue of his powers under clause 43 of the draft Bill. As disclosure of this kind of information is discretionary he will not be able to require the Department to disclose any particular information, but he will be able to:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to establish courts dedicated to dealing with cases of domestic violence in the north-east of England. [87680]

I have been asked to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 1999, Official Report, column 280, concerning precautionary measures in respect of medicines in whose manufacture bovine material was used, whether the precautionary measures enacted also required manufacturers to prevent the further use of existing supplies of medicinal products which in their early stage of manufacture had used bovine material (i) prohibited for use in human food at that point and (ii) subsequently prohibited for use in human food. [86773]

[holding answer 15 June 1999]: The precautionary measures introduced in 1989 and subsequent amendments to them did not require manufacturers to prevent the use of existing supplies of medicinal products which had used bovine material in their early stage of manufacture. Neither did the later guidelines issued by the European Commission in 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many chief executives and their deputies of (i) health authorities and (ii) NHS trusts are currently suspended on full pay; and what this figure is as a percentage of the total number of persons in these categories, respectively. [86878]

[holding answer 14 June 1999]: One National Health Service trust chief executive is currently suspended on full pay. There are 402 NHS trusts and 100 health authorities. Deputy chief executives are not formally recognised in NHS trusts or health authorities, although arrangements will normally be made for a director post to deputise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the procedures to be adopted by the Medicines Control Agency under the provisions of the Medicines (Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 267) accord with principles of natural justice and transparency. [86939]

[holding answer 14 June 1999]: The Regulations clarify and strengthen existing procedures in the control of medicines advertising. We have clear legal advice that the proposals are compatible with both Community law and the European Convention on Human Rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [87382]

Once, I met Dr. Tom Moffatt, the Irish Deputy Minister for Health, at the Council of Europe Ministers meeting in Athens on 22 April 1999. I was accompanied by my Private Secretary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Minister of State's letter (DOH/3/5437/71), on cloning tissue, what action he is taking to permit research into mitochondrial diseases and treatment for diseased or damaged tissues or organs; and what research he has commissioned into the use of cells or tissue, derived from human embryos, for the treatment of diseased or damaged tissues. [87181]

The joint Human Genetics Advisory Commission and Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority report "Cloning Issues in Reproduction, Science and Medicine" recommends, among other things, that regulations should be made under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to extend the purposes for which human embryos may be used in research. This would enable research to be conducted into a number of serious disorders including the so-called mitochondrial diseases and for the treatment of diseased or damaged tissues. The Government are considering the recommendations in the Report very carefully indeed. A response is expected shortly.The Government provide funding for many research projects both directly and indirectly. The Medical Research Council receives most of its funding from the Department of Trade and Industry, with smaller amounts from various other sources including the Department. I understand that the Council currently funds one major research programme, at the University of Edinburgh, which is looking at the development potential of embryonic cells. This is being undertaken under the terms of a licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made from previous solar eclipses of eye damage caused by exposure to the sun's rays; and if such evidence was used as the basis for Government guidelines. [87446]

Anecdotal evidence suggests that, in 1927, 13 people lost their sight due to retinal burns caused by viewing the sun directly during the last total eclipse visible from the United Kingdom. More recently, the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital carried out a study of patients presenting for treatment following the partial eclipse that occurred on 30 May 1984. They identified 11 patients of whom 7 suffered some enduring deterioration in visual acuity.This evidence prompted us to collaborate with the optical professions in preparation of a guidance leaflet which is about to be published. It warns that looking directly at the sun is very dangerous. The radiation could permanently damage the eye. The safest way to view the eclipse is indirectly with, for example, a pinhole projection viewer. If people ignore this advice and decide to use a solar filter or a pair of eclipse spectacles, they do so at their own risk. They would be well advised to buy the device from a reputable outlet and ensure that it had a CE mark to show it had been approved under the Personal Protective Equipment Directive and also ensure that it came with full instructions for use, that it fitted closely to the face and that the lenses were not scratched or damaged.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospitals covering the greater London area have mixed-sex wards. [87399]

The information is not available in the format requested. However, the Government are committed to eliminating mixed-sex accommodation. The National Health Service Executive has set three specific targets for the NHS, and is monitoring progress. It will issue a monitoring report, which will contain results of health authorities' progress towards achievements of the objectives, shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to encourage people to reduce their levels of salt consumption; [87411](2) what action he is taking to inform the public of risks associated with a diet with a high salt intake. [87645]

The Government have issued healthy eating advice which mentions the risks associated with high salt intakes. It includes the recommendation to reduce levels of salt consumption by cutting down on salty foods and using less salt in cooking and at the table. To enable consumers to make an informed choice, the Government are encouraging manufacturers to include the level of both sodium and the salt equivalent on the labels of all pre-packed foods and pressing for this to become a requirement throughout the European Union.The Government are also discussing with the food industry the scope for reducing the levels of salt in processed foods. Following initial discussions between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Joint Food Safety and Standards Group and the Food and Drink Federation ((FDF) acting for the food and drink manufacturing industry as a whole) the FDF has announced that it will be conducting a systematic review of the purpose and usage of sodium in manufactured foods. We welcome this review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to encourage recruitment of physiotherapy staff to the NHS. [87800]

The Government are ensuring that effective recruitment and retention policies are in place to make the best use of trained staff and that training levels are sufficient to get a better match between supply and demand.The Government are taking a number of steps which will help to address the issue of recruitment and retention of physiotherapists. These include the publication of the framework for the management of human resources for the whole of the National Health Service, "Working Together: securing a quality workforce for the NHS", which sets targets for local employers to improve recruitment and retention year on year. We have issued guidance to the service on improving working lives and we will shortly be issuing guidance on Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development. In addition, physiotherapy staff are to get their biggest real terms pay increase in the last 10 years, and, for the first time in 5 years, the award is being paid nationally, in full and with no staging.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the responsibilities of health authorities regarding the removal of patients from GPs' lists. [87972]

The responsibilities health authorities have regarding the removal of patients from a general practitioner's list are contained in the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what evaluation he has made of the effect on the (i) capital and (ii) running costs of (a) residential homes and (b) nursing homes of the introduction of rules and regulations affecting the running of these homes in the last three years; [87893]

(2) what Fiche d'Impact was undertaken by the EC on each of the legislative initiatives affecting (a) residential homes and (b) nursing homes introduced in the last three years; [87895]

(3) if he will list the European Union (i) legislation and (ii) other rules introduced in the last three years which relate to the running of (a) residential homes and (b) nursing homes. [87894]

The responsibility for the organisation and delivery of health care and social care in the European Union, including residential homes, lies with member states. As such, there is no European Community legislation or other rules for which the Department is responsible which relate to the running of residential homes and nursing homes and no fiches d'impact have been undertaken.In the last three years, there have only been two regulations introduced by the Department which relate specifically to residential and nursing homes.The National Health Service (Health Authorities) (Open Reporting of Nursing Home and Mental Nursing Home Inspections) Directions, made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State under Section 17 of the NHS Act 1977, required health authorities, from 1 April 1998, to make their inspection reports on nursing homes available to the public. This matched the existing requirement for local authorities to publish their residential care home inspection reports. This change involved no increase in costs to nursing homes.With effect from 1 May 1998, Health Service Circular 1998/057 and Local Authority Circular (98)12 increased the registration and annual fees which residential care homes and nursing homes are required to pay to the local or health authority with which they are required to register. The purpose of the fees is to cover the cost to local and health authorities of registering and inspecting homes. Prior to last year, there had been no increase in fees since October 1992.For a residential care home with 20 beds, the increase in fees would cost an extra £100 a year. For a nursing home, the increase would cost an extra £480 a year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [86997]

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. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 makes statutory provision for two proposals in the White Paper, "Partnership for Equality"—an obligation on the public sector to promote equality of opportunity and a unified Equality Commission. This will replace the existing Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment (PAFT) guidelines.Consultation has taken place with the following women's organisations during this Parliamentary session:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the (a) volume and (b) value of imports to Northern Ireland for each of the last five years for which information is available. [87650]

Official statistics on imports relate to the United Kingdom as a whole. It is therefore not possible to provide information on the volume and value of imports by Northern Ireland or any other UK region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Northern Ireland Planning Appeals Commission. [87689]

Following the transfer of responsibility for planning from local to central government in 1973, The Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) was established under the Planning (NI) Order 1972, to provide an independent appeals mechanism for decisions made by the then Ministry of Development (later to become the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland).The Commission also has a hearing/reporting role where it holds hearings and inquiries as requested by the Department in respect of specific matters. In this role, the Commission hears evidence and reports its findings and recommendations to the Department. The final decision on these matters is taken by the Department following consideration of the Commission's report.The PAC conducts its business using the principles of impartiality, openness and fairness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when and for what reasons, officials responsible for the internet public service website for press releases were authorised to include information provided by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland in an equivalent position to that of the Police Authority and the RUC. [87483]

[holding answer 21 June 1999]: The inclusion of information provided by the Police Authority and RUC was a mistake. This was done by a technical grade at 11.30am on 8 June 1999 in response to an urgent request from the Police Federation and was done in good faith. The situation was rectified at 2.00pm on 16 June 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those non-Governmental organisations which are itemised with links on the public service Internet web site. [87487]

[holding answer 21 June 1999]: The Northern Ireland Public Service website was developed with the intention of providing the public with a mechanism for quickly accessing information relating to the Northern Ireland Office, Departments, Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, other public bodies and Commissions. In encouraging the public to access the site, the website also provides links to a wide range of non-governmental organisations, as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who has responsibility to (a) define the political parameters of, (b) set goals and targets for and (c) maintain and update the Government internet website. [87486]

[holding answer 21 June 1999]: Material appearing on the Northern Ireland public service website is the sole responsibility of the originating organisation (Northern Ireland Office, departments, agencies, non-departmental public bodies, other public bodies and commissions) as is the responsibility for setting parameters, goals and targets. The Business Development Service (BDS) provide a technical maintenance service including the design and update of information provided by the originating organisations. BDS is currently reviewing the management and editorial responsibilities associated with the Northern Ireland Public Service website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many absent vote applications were made for each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland for the election held on 10 June; how many applications were made on each ground for which such an application can be made, in each constituency; for each constituency how many applications were made for proxy votes; and how many in each category were (a) granted and (b) refused; [87598](2) what evidence she has obtained of attempts fraudulently to acquire absent votes in parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland for the election to the European Parliament on 10 June; and in which parliamentary constituencies investigations are being undertaken. [87599]

[holding answer 22 June 1999]: The only readily available statistics for absent vote applications in respect of the European Parliamentary elections on 10 June 1999 relate to the overall number of absent vote applications, granted and refused, for each parliamentary constituency in the Northern Ireland region. This information is detailed in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for Land Registers of Northern Ireland in 1999–2000. [88209]

For 1999–2000, the following performance targets have been set for LRNI:

1. To achieve a customer satisfaction rate, measured against complaints of 98.5 per cent.

2. To achieve a registration accuracy rate of at least 98.5 per cent.

3. To process regular Land Registry dealings in an average of 20 days.

4. To process regular Registry of Deeds dealings in an average of 4 days.

5. To process regular Statutory Charges Registry dealings in an average of 15 days.

6. To process pre-completion Land Information Applications in an average of 5 days.

7. To achieve a weighted unit cost target of £24.80 (exclusive of PFI costs).

8. To process 115 application units per member of staff per month.

9. To increase overall productivity by at least 1.5 per cent.

10. To cover Agency costs out of Free Income.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the level of take-up by the two main communities in Northern Ireland has been of funds under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation for each of its sub-programmes and for the main types of funding body. [88206]

The figures requested are listed in Tables 1 and 2: Technical details of the research on which these figures are based are given in "European Union Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation—Analysis of Community Uptake Report", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

Table 1: Approved funding by sub programme and religious community
Percentage
Estimated take-up	Catholic	Protestant
Employment	59	41
Urban and Rural Regeneration	63	37
Cross-border Development	46	54
Social inclusion	58	42
Productive investment	42	58
Partnerships	52	48
Programme overall	54	46

Table 2: Approved funding by funding body and religious community
Percentage
Estimated take-up	Catholic	Protestant
District Partnerships	52	48
Government Departments	48	52
Intermediate Funding Bodies/Sector
Partners	57	43
Programme overall	54	46

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Environment and Heritage Service in 1999–2000. [88207]

For 1999–2000 the following performance targets have been set for the Environment and Heritage Service.

Volume of Output

Bring about a 10 per cent, reduction in the number of 'high' and 'medium' severity water pollution incidents by the year 2000 on 1996 figures.

Establish regulatory systems for the COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazard) Regulations in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland by 31 December 1999.

Issue large combustion plant authorisation under the Industrial Pollution Control Order by 31 October 1999.

Progress the Areas of Special Scientific Interest designation programme by:

declaring 15 Areas of Special Scientific Interest bringing the total to 174, and preparing statements of conservation objectives for 50 sites.

Complete public consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy and publish the agreed strategy and implementation plan.

Consult on and publish a policy statement on Protected Landscapes.

Schedule 70 historic monuments to bring the total to 1,435.

Complete an assessment of the condition of state care monuments.

Complete the second survey of historic buildings in 24 wards to bring the total resurveyed to 78.

Publish an EHS strategy for environmental education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Valuation and Lands Agency in 1999–2000. [88208]

The 1999–2000 the following key performance targets have been set for the Agency:

1. To complete 85 per cent. of new rating revision casework within three months of receipt, up to a maximum volume of 23,000 casework units.

2. To reduce the backlog of rating revision casework so that by 31 March 2000 the average age of outstanding casework will be two months or less.

3. To achieve a turnaround of 16 weeks on average for all rating appeals.

4. To complete 97 per cent. of all client casework subject to Service Level Agreements within agreed time limits.

5. To review all client Service Level Agreements, agree service requirements and establish meaningful customer service measurement criteria for the next business year, by 31 December 1999.

6. To achieve a unit cost of casework no greater than the 1998–99 unit cost in real terms.

7. To achieve a standard in all rating valuations such that 90 per cent. of those determined on appeal are within plus or minus 10 per cent. of the initial assessment.

8. To issue 93 per cent. of certificates for Continuous Revision cases subject to retrospective backdating within 12 months of the event giving rise to the revision of the Valuation List.

9. To demonstrate the ability to achieve full cost recovery in respect of client services.

10. To have in place by 31 January 2000 an agreed specification by which external providers could bid for new systems design and installation.

11. To achieve Investors in People accreditation by 31 March 2000.

Full details are set out in the Agency's Forward Plan, copies of which have placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children have attended year 6 booster classes in 1998–99. [87676]

We do not yet have this information. LEAs are required to provide a report on the number of Year 6 pupils who attended the booster classes. The information is to be provided at the end of the 1999 Summer term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans there are to continue year 6 booster classes in 1999–2000. [87677]

We will make an announcement shortly about the 1999–2000 Year 6 booster programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in which (a) local education authorities and (b) districts year 6 booster classes have been introduced. [87675]

All LEAs were allocated funding for additional literacy and numeracy classes for Year 6 pupils.We do not hold nationally data on the distribution of Standards Fund grant at district level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what grants he has made to the Drug Education Forum; who are its members; what arrangements he has made to monitor its use of funds; and if he will make a statement. [87892]

[holding answer 22 June 1999]: We have agreed to a grant of up to £50,000 for the Drug Education Forum for each of the three years from 1998–99 to 2000–01. This supports a full-time co-ordinator post, and also covers administrative and information support, including the production of a drug education newsletter for teachers in schools. Grants of £13,000 and £26,000 were provided in 1996–97 and 1997–98 respectively.The Forum's membership is made up of representatives of each of the six main teacher unions; the Association of Chief Police Officers; the Drug Education Practitioners Forum; the Evangelical Coalition on Drugs; the Health Education Authority; Hope UK; Life Education Centres; the Local Government Drugs Forum; the National Association of Youth and Community Education Officers; the National Children's Bureau; the National Health Education Group; the National Standing Committee of Advisors, Inspectors and Consultants of Personal and Social Education; Release; the Roehampton Institute London; the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse, and the Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Education.A condition of grant to the Forum is that the books and records relating to the claiming and use of the grant are open to inspection by the National Audit Office and representatives of the Secretary of State as and when they may require. The Forum's work is also monitored by officials from my Department, along with those of Department of Health, Home Office and the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit, who attend the Forum's regular meetings as observers.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to reform (a) adult protective legislation and (b) enduring power of attorney. [87632]

The Government published the consultation paper "Who Decides?" in December 1997 about the recommendations of the Law Commission on decision-making for mentally incapacitated adults, which included proposals for reform of enduring powers of attorney. We wish to give very careful consideration to all the issues involved before deciding the way forward. No decisions have yet been taken on whether there should be legislation and, if so, when it should be introduced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to license test projects for the farming of genetically modified fish in Scotland. [87259]

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).Policy on this issue will be devolved from 1 July 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests were carried out on members of the 21 EOD Squadron who conducted clean-up operations in Kuwait in 1991 in relation to damage from ingesting depleted uranium dust. [86947]

[holding answer 15 June 1999]: None, However, as I set out in the detailed paper, "Testing for the Presence of Depleted Uranium in UK Veterans of the Gulf conflict: The Current Position", published on 19 March 1999, all Gulf veterans who are concerned that their health has been adversely affected by service during the Gulf conflict (that is, August 1990 to July 1991), including by possible exposure to depleted uranium (DU), are entitled to seek a referral to the Gulf veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) for a full medical assessment. Copies of the DU Testing paper have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the timetable for disarming the KLA. [87306]

In the undertaking signed with KFOR on 21 June, the KLA have agreed that, within thirty days, all prohibited weapons with the exception of automatic small arms will be handed in to secure weapons storage sites. Automatic small arms will be handed in in phases over ninety days.I am placing a copy of the undertaking in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what day to day contact British officers have with their Russian counterparts in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [87569]

Day-to-day communication between British forces and the Russian contingent in Kosovo has been through a Russian-speaking UK liaison officer. There have also been meetings between KFOR commander Lt Gen Jackson and the commander of the Russian forces in Kosovo, Gen Zavarzin. Gp Capt Morley, the UK officer responsible for the establishment of an air port of disembarkation (APOD) for NATO forces at Pristina airport, has also held discussions with Russian officers. Following the recent agreement on the integration of Russian forces into the peacekeeping effort in Kosovo, more formal lines of communication are now being established.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure NATO remains solely in charge of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [87568]

Operation Joint Guardian remains a NATO led operation. As far as Russian participation in KFOR is concerned, the arrangement recently negotiated between the US and Russian Defence Ministers, and agreed by the North Atlantic Council, ensures that there will be unity of command under the NATO Commander of Operation Joint Guardian, Lieutenant General Sir Mike Jackson. Political direction will continue to be given by the North Atlantic Council, with consultations on Russian participation through the Permanent Joint Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of British forces committed to Kosovo operations. [88210]

As of 21 June, some 13,000 UK service personnel were deployed on Kosovo related operations, as follows:

Royal Navy: 880

Army: 10,320 (7,300 in Kosovo, 2,900 in Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia and 120 in Albania)

RAF: 1,800.

The RAF element of the UK contribution to Kosovo operations will be reduced to around 900 as a result of the decision announced yesterday to re-deploy all 12 RAF Tornados from Solenzara in Corsica to RAF Bruggen, five VC10 tankers from Ancona in Italy to RAF Brize Norton and 10 Harrier GR7s from Gioia del Colle in Italy to RAF Wittering. Six GR7s will remain in at Gioia del Colle, two Tristars at Ancona and up to three E-3Ds at Aviano in Italy. Nimrod R reconnaissance sorties will continue to be flown, albeit at reduced frequency. The aircraft withdrawn to their home bases remain available for Kosovo operations if required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Bases and Supply Agency for 1999–2000. [88277]

The following targets have been set for the Naval Bases and Supply Agency for 1999–2000.

Key Target 1:

To provide 31,871 Standard Berthing Unit days.

Key Target 2:

To complete the Fleet Time Maintenance Loading programme to within three per cent. of budget.

Key Target 3:

To supply 80 per cent. of available Material within demand timescales while achieving agreed targets for high priority operational defects.

Key Target 4:

To supply 95 per cent. of available, maintained Munitions within demand timescales.

Key Target 5:

To ensure 99 per cent. availability of the Food product range in meeting customer's requirements.

Key Target 6:

To provide 30 per cent. of entitled personnel with Accommodation to JSP 315 Grade 2 standard or better and the remainder with Grades 3 and 4.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Ships Support Agency for 1999–2000. [88278]