To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced. [88864]

The net impact of the climate change levy and the associated reduction in main rate of employers' National Insurance Contributions on the Department of Trade and Industry will depend on the rates of the climate change levy. The final rates of climate change levy will not be set until Finance Bill 2000.In addition, the Government are still considering a number of detailed issues on the tax treatment of different energy products which could have a significant impact in some instances. It is, therefore, not possible to give definitive figures about the impact of the climate change levy on this Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the criteria under which Government investment in Rover will be expected to meet best value. [88502]

[holding answer 28 June 1999]: The Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) scheme from which the majority of the aid will be funded (£129 million) rigorously assesses the economic probity of aid and the ability of the potential investment to deliver value for money. In the Rover case the factors taken into account included:

Winning a significant investment of over £1 billion for the UK;

safeguarding of many tens of thousands of jobs both at Rover and in the region as a whole;

Maintenance of Rover/Land Rover and their full R&D capability as an operational entity in the UK;

enhancement of the UK's position in the global automotive market;

and raising the skills and productivity levels within Rover and its suppliers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Luxembourg on 21 June. [89805]

My noble Friend the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe represented the UK at the Internal Market Council in Luxembourg on 21 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the aerospace industry concerning research into new technologies; and if he will make a statement. [89537]

I am aware of the importance of technology to the aerospace industry and saw many examples of high-technology products on the stands of UK companies during my recent visit to the Paris Air Show. Under the Department's Civil Aircraft Research and Technology Demonstration (CARAD) Programme, DTI officials maintain a close dialogue with the industry in various fora about research into aeronautics technologies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages to the British tourism industry of reducing the rate of VAT on (a) hotel rooms, (b) restaurants and (c) other tourist attractions. [88792]

I have no plans to assess areas of tax policy that are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I understand the industry has submitted views on this matter, which are being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research his Department has commissioned on the condition of historic public buildings in urban parks. [88902]

Neither my Department nor the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions have commissioned any such research. English Heritage's buildings at risk register contains information on all the grade I and II* listed buildings known to them to be 'at risk' through neglect and decay or vulnerable to becoming so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to (a) discuss the protection of non-listed historic public buildings in urban parks with local authorities and (b) publish guidance on the conservation of non-listed historic public buildings in urban parks. [88903]

Neither my Department, nor the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has any such plans at present. Unlisted buildings in urban parks are in some cases likely to be covered by conservation area controls, guidance on which is included in Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he intends to undertake a review of the Royal Parks Agency. [89802]

The Royal Parks Agency (RPA) was established on 1 April 1993 as an Executive Agency of my Department with responsibility for managing and policing the Royal Parks in London and some other related areas.I have today announced the start of our review of the Agency, which was postponed during the completion of the Comprehensive Spending Review. This will include an evaluation of its performance since launch and a review of the options for the best management of its functions. We aim to complete the review by the end of November 1999. A copy of the announcement has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give an estimated completion date for the Thameslink 2000 scheme; and what the implications are for the Crossrail project. [88738]

The current estimate for the start of Thameslink 2000 services is May 2006. There is nothing planned within the scope of the scheme which would prevent the introduction of the Crossrail project.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the current estimate is of the legal costs incurred to date by London Transport in the case of Mr. P. Marlow v London Underground Ltd. and the associated counter-claim. [88598]

London Underground Ltd. has incurred legal fees amounting to £15,000 to date in defending proceedings commenced by Mr. Marlow and in pursuing a counterclaim against him.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to alleviate problems caused by the closure of the Circle Line. [88445]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport and I met the managing director of London Underground (LU) last week. He satisfied us that LU are operating additional services on the Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines, along part of the route where Circle Line services usually run, and a normal District Line service along most of the rest of the Circle Line. All stations remain open. Additional buses are also running on routes 16, 23 and 52. Underground tickets and passes are valid on these buses. We have asked him to inform us immediately if this should change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential for genetically modified terminator genes in plants to escape into the environment; and if he will make a statement. [88638]

[holding answer 29 June 1999]: Although 'terminator gene' technology has been patented in the United States of America, it has not been introduced into any crops. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment is to set up a sub-group to advise on best practice in developing genetically modified plants. The sub group's work will include consideration of the environmental impact of 'terminator genes' and similar approaches. The sub group's findings will be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he supported the call by the Greek Government at the meeting of the EU Environment Council on 24 June for a temporary ban on new varieties of genetically modified crops and seeds pending the completion of the review of EU Directive 90/220; and if he will make a statement. [88875]

[holding answer 29 June 1999]: The UK Government did not support the call for suspension of releases pending the completion of the amendment to Directive 90–220 during the Luxembourg Environment Council. The UK and a number of other Member States were sceptical of the legal justification for such a moratorium and considered that rapid and effective revision of the current Directive should be the top priority in the negotiations.The common position agreed in Luxembourg strengthens the existing Directive in a wide range of areas such as risk assessment and monitoring. Moreover, the safeguard clause will continue to apply, allowing Member States to take immediate action to suspend a release should evidence of harm emerge.During the Environment Council, the Council Legal Service confirmed that a moratorium suspending application of the existing Directive would not be possible. This position was supported by the Commission. The Council Legal Service outlined some limited scope offered by Article 95 (5) of the Amsterdam Treaty which enabled Member States to derogate from harmonised legislation where specific environmental problems emerge. However, the UK took the view that agreement on strict new provisions for the amendment of Directive 90–220 should take priority over a moratorium of doubtful legality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the European Commission to ratify the decision of the Technical Committee to allow member states which have not already done so to impose restrictions on the importation of white asbestos and products that contain the material; and if he will make a statement. [89053]

[holding answer 29 June 1999]: The Government are determined to apply further necessary restrictions to the importation, marketing and use of white asbestos. I have received advice from the Health and Safety Commission about those new restrictions in the form of draft regulations. I will act on that advice as soon as the European Commission has ratified the vote of their technical committee to adapt to technical progress Council Directive 76/769/EEC. I am hopeful that this ratification will not be subject to any unnecessary delay. The UK continues to encourage the European Commission to act swiftly on this vitally important measure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the average amount of revenue to be raised by local authorities for 1999–2000 from car parking fines. [89644]

Information on local authority parking revenue from penalty charge notices and excess charge notices is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has met the 12 local authorities he called in to discuss their increases in budget requirement and council tax; and if he will make a statement. [89803]

On 13 April the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions announced his decision not to cap any authorities. However, he decided to call in twelve authorities with the largest increases in budget requirement and council tax to put them on warning for next year.I have now met the representatives of these twelve authorities. The meetings have been constructive. We discussed why the authorities had made such large increases and I explained that when we look at the budgets for 2000–01 we will be able to take this year's increase into account. Most of the authorities have told us that they do not expect to make such large increases next year.However, it is not only these authorities that will need to consider next year's increase carefully. All authorities should remember that, under the new reserve powers, the Government will be able to look back at increases over two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has any proposals for new regulations relating to vehicle number plates. [89804]

The Department expects to publish draft regulations relating to the display of vehicle number plates in the near future. We will consult widely on the proposals before any new regulations are made.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, what services of the House are required to be available when the House is sitting on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and how much could be saved if the House rose at 7 p.m. [88669]

Most main facilities for Members are available whenever the House is sitting. It is not possible to quantify, in any meaningful way, savings for the hours indicated by the hon. Lady.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, when the House of Commons Commission is due to make a decision on the Braithwaite report; and how the report will be placed in the public domain. [88667]

The Commission has received the Braithwaite report which it is now considering.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what assessment the Commission has received of the Portcullis House project; and if he will make a statement. [89516]

In February the House of Commons Commission appointed Messrs Northcroft, Chartered Quantity Surveyors and Construction Consultants, to undertake a mid-term review of the Portcullis House project, including an analysis of changes in the cost; to consider whether the current cost estimate and timetable are realistic and whether there is a case for modifying any aspects of the project to reduce costs and improve value for money; and to provide any comparisons with other comparable buildings.The report has now been received. Its key conclusion is that, when account is taken of the quality, the long lifespan of the building and other relevant factors, the building provides value for money for the House. Other main findings are that:

To ask the President of the Council what proposals she has for the composition of the electoral college for cross-bench peers in the Interim House of Lords; and if she will make a statement. [89194]

The Government will establish an independent Appointments Commission to nominate cross-bench peers to the transitional House of Lords. We set out our proposals for membership of the Commission in our White Paper, "Modernising Parliament Reforming the House of Lords". The Commission will be an advisory non-departmental public body consisting of representatives of the three main political parties and a majority of independent figures, one of whom will be the Chairman. The party political representatives will be nominated by party leaders, and the independent members will be appointed in accordance with the rules of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the handling of visa applications at the British Consulate in Skopje; and if he will make a statement. [86841]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has given a commitment that the Embassy will begin issuing visas as soon as it is practicable for it to do so. We are looking at options for larger premises, to enable us to provide a full visa service. As regards the processing in Skopje of applications from Kosovar refugees, I refer the hon. Member to the statement in the House on 5 May 1999 by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, Official Report, columns 443–44, in which he outlined the arrangements being made under UNHCR auspices.My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean will be replying separately to the hon. Member's letter of 8 June about a specific case in which he has an interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [87319]

Between 15 April and 22 June, 107 parliamentary questions have been tabled to the Department for written answer on a named day; 66 per cent. received a substantive reply on that day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 18 June 1999, Official Report, column 255, relating to the publication of the Stability Pact for South East Europe, on which treaty article it is based; if it requires further European Union legislation for its operation; and what is the basis of the term pact being introduced into the affairs of the European Union and Community. [88682]

The EU agreed a Common Position on 17 May, the legal basis of which is article 15 of the Treaty on European Union, setting out the general objectives for the Stability Pact initiative. The Stability Pact for South East Europe, approved by the participants' Foreign Ministers on 10 June, is not itself a legal instrument of the European Union, although the European Union will play the leading role within the initiative. In the light of this, there may be a requirement for a Joint Action to meet future operational costs. There is no generic basis for the use within the EU of the term pact.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the Government's current arrangements for monitoring fishing in the marine area around Gough Island which forms part of the Wildlife Reserve; and what arrangements he makes for the conservation according to World Heritage Values. [87488]

[holding answer 29 June 1999]: A fisheries patrol vessel, based on the island of Tristan Da Cunha, was provided to Tristan Da Cunha by the British Government in 1996. It is based on the island of Tristan Da Cunha and does not have the range to patrol Gough Island coastal waters. The only vessels that monitor fishing in the area around Gough Island are those of the Tristan lobster fishing concessionaire, Premier Fishing. All Premier Fishing vessels carry a Tristanian Government observer when fishing in the waters of the Tristan Da Cunha group. Each observer is also a designated conservation officer under the terms of the Tristan Da Cunha Conservation Ordinance 1976.Gough Island was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995. The area covered by this designation includes the island itself and the marine area out to three nautical miles. Gough Island has a strict Wildlife Management Plan in place. An Environmental Inspector is annually appointed and sent to the Island to ensure that the Plan is being adhered to, and to make recommendations for improvements to it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates during the past 12 months a fisheries patrol vessel has been operating within three nautical miles of Gough Island for the purpose of monitoring fisheries; and what reports it has furnished to HMG. [87489]

[holding answer 29 June 1999]: No fisheries patrol vessel has operated within three nautical miles of Gough Island for the purpose of monitoring fisheries in the past twelve months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will require the United States Government to pay commercial rates for any use of Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island for civil charter flights. [88635]

[holding answer 29 June 1999]: We currently have no plans to charge the United States for the use of Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals against decisions of the War Pensions Agency have been (a) submitted and (b) successful in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [88223]

Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

Year	Assessment	Entitlement
Number of appeals lodged
1995–96	4,920	3,064
1996–97	5,282	3,883
1997–98	4,694	3,336
1998–99	1,440	1,189
Successful appeals cleared by pensions appeal tribunals1
1995–96	722	1,388
1996–97	947	1,997
1997–98	1,251	1,373
1998–99	983	1,179
1 The second part of the table relates solely to successful claims cleared by the Pensions Appeals Tribunals. Due to the time taken to process appeals, they are not necessarily decided in the same year as that in which they are lodged. Figures of appeals lodged and decided in a particular year do not therefore necessarily relate to the same appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will arrange for figures to be provided in future for the numbers of people who suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis as a separate category when collecting statistics on benefits. [88594]

Although individual diagnosis codes are available, they are not shown in the quarterly publication. There are in the region of a thousand different codes, therefore only "group headings" are shown. There are no plans to include individual codes within the quarterly publication.The latest figures held show that at 30 November 1998 there were 16,000 claimants of Incapacity Benefit where the diagnosis was shown as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome.Myalgic Encephalomyelitis falls into the group Diseases of the Nervous System (G00-G99) category.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to Housing Benefit relating to (a) Local Authority rents, (b) Housing Association rents and (c) private sector rents for the last year for which statistics are available. [88819]

The information requested is in the table.

Housing Benefit expenditure in Great Britain: 1997–98
	£ million, Cash
Local Authority tenants	5,493
Registered Social Landlord tenants (Previously Housing Association tenants)	2,211
Private Rented Sector tenants	3,480
Total Housing Benefit	11,184

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many cases the CSA is currently dealing with and how many were wrongly assessed in the last year for which figures are available; [89052](2) how much

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the benefits for which he is able to provide regional and national breakdowns of number of recipients. [89076]

The benefits for which a regional and national breakdown of the numbers of recipients can be provided are as follows. These are included in the annual Social Security Statistics publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was awarded (a) in total and (b) to each higher education establishment in the form of research grants in each year since 1995. [88830]

The Higher Education Statistics Agency annual volume "Resources of Higher Education Institutions" contains the data requested. The relevant volumes are already available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) men and (b) women have been sanctioned under the New Deal to date (i) in each of the New Deal geographical units of delivery, (ii) for the gateway and (iii) for each of the four options. [89021]

The following table shows the stage in New Deal when sanctions have been applied to participants, split by Employment Service region and gender, up to the end of May 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 16 April 1999, Official Report, column 381, if he will list the money spent per primary age pupil (a) from local education authorities, (b) from central Government and (c) in total (i) in 1996–97, (ii) in 1997–98 and (iii) in 1998–99 for each local education authority ranked in descending order of total spend in 1998–99. [89113]

In my reply to my hon. Friend's earlier question to which he refers, I explained that information for 1998–99 in the form in which it was requested was not yet available, and the situation is unchanged. I will write to my hon. Friend when the figures he requests are available, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many local referenda are being held to establish public opinion on the future of grammar schools; and if he will publish a list showing the dates of the referenda and the areas involved. [88946]

[holding answer 29 June 1999]: No referenda are being held at the moment. It is a matter for local parents to decide whether or not they want any such ballots in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to encourage greater use of school premises by the community out of school hours. [89341]

The Department will be publishing guidance later this year on developing school—community links—including the use of premises. The 'Schools Plus Team' is following up the Social Exclusion Unit's report 'Bringing Britain Together' and is considering how schools can make their facilities available to more people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if schools rejected for Beacon Status are given reasons for the rejection. [89283]

The procedure for selecting Beacon schools is completely open and details are published on the DfEE website. Any school rejected for Beacon Status is given an explanation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effect on school admissions of the practice of posting OFSTED reports on the Internet; and if he will make a statement. [89284]

No assessment has yet been made. We are commissioning research into parents' experience of recent changes in legislation on school admissions and the information that parents use when deciding the type and place of education for their child. We expect to have results from this research in approximately 18 months to two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the percentage of total spending devoted to education for each shire authority; and how much extra each would have to spend in order to spend as much on education as the present highest one for the latest year for which figures are available. [89286]

Information for the financial year 1999–2000 is in the process of preparation and is expected to be completed shortly. I will write to the hon. Member when the figures he requests are available, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on administrative support to the Territorial Army following the recent reforms. [89847]

Following the announcement made by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence on the restructuring of the TA in November 1998 detailed work has been carried out to establish the level of administrative support required by the reformed TA. As it is our intention to make the TA more relevant, more usable and more fully integrated into the regular armed forces, we have concluded that the level of administrative support needs to be tailored to the readiness of the unit involved. Accordingly, the overall level of administrative support staff is being reduced broadly in line with the reduction in TA personnel and some units will receive an increased level of support. Altogether this will mean that there will be a net loss of some 600 civilian jobs nationally. MOD Trades Unions have been fully consulted about the implications for civilian staff and have raised a number of concerns, which are being addressed. My officials will now be working closely with the Trades Unions to ensure that the process of implementing the new TA structure is handled as sensitively as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total stock of depleted uranium weaponry held by the UK. [88889]

I am withholding the detailed information under exemption la of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to defence, security and international relations. Depleted uranium-based ammunition is used because it offers better performance than other alternatives and, therefore, gives our Armed Forces greater operational capability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many depleted uranium weapons are held by British forces based in Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo. [88963]

I am withholding this information under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice to Government Information relating to defence, security and international relations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate how much depleted uranium was dropped on (a) Kosovo and (b) Serbia in the course of recent NATO action. [89067]

The UK did not use depleted uranium (DU) ammunition during the air campaign over Kosovo and Serbia. The United States is the only member of the Alliance to have said that it used DU ammunition. I am not in a position to estimate the amount used.

To ask the Attorney-General what progress he has made on improving collaboration between the Crown Prosecution Service and area police forces in order to reduce delays before cases are brought to court. [87909]

Measures designed to bring cases to court within a few days of charge, including provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the location of CPS staff at police stations, have been tested at six pilot sites. Initial indications are that the pilots have worked well and, subject to a satisfactory evaluation, the measures will be implemented in the rest of England and Wales in November 1999. Moreover, most CPS Areas and police forces now operate fast-tracking arrangements for a range of casework. Fast-tracking has greatly reduced the time from charge to first appearance, from four or five weeks to a matter of days.

To ask the Attorney-General pursuant to his answer of 20 May 1999, Official Report, column 433, on prosecutions for racial hatred, how many referrals were made to him by the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration as to whether to prosecute for incitement to racial hatred in each year since 1995. [87910]

Since 1995 the Director of Public Prosecutions has referred 36 cases which involved allegations of offences under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986 to my office. In 31 cases consent to prosecution was given, in three cases consent was not granted; and the Director withdrew the application for consent in the remaining two cases.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the implementation of the restructuring of the Crown Prosecution Service areas. [87911]

The new structure of 42 Crown Prosecution Service Areas was implemented in April 1999 when the newly appointed 42 Chief Crown Prosecutors took up their posts. On 28 June 1999, I provided the final Government response to the recommendations contained in Sir lain Glidewell's report on the CPS. Sixty-four of the 75 recommendations have now been accepted, accepted in part or in principle, or implemented. Only two recommendations have been rejected. Work continues on the implementation of what is a substantial initiative within the criminal justice system.

To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on his responsibilities in relation to charities. [87912]

The Attorney-General's responsibilities in relation to charities are historic and wide-ranging. The Attorney-General's function is to represent the Crown as parens patriae and so to act as protector, both of charity in general and of particular charities. It falls to the Attorney-General to institute legal proceedings to protect a charity and to represent the charitable interest. The Attorney-General is a necessary party to any litigation in which the objects of a charity need to be separately represented, for example, where the interest of the Trustees do not coincide with the objects of the charity.In addition, the Attorney-General has the power to authorise ex gratia payments from charitable funds on moral grounds where such payments might otherwise amount to breaches of trust and he has power, by derogation from the Sovereign, to give directions under the Sign Manual as to the re-distribution of uncertain charitable gifts under wills.

To ask the Attorney-General in how many cases he has sought leave to appeal against sentences on grounds of alleged leniency. [87906]

Since 1 May 1997 in England and Wales 197 individual references have been lodged with the Court of Appeal. 81.6 per cent. of the references heard have resulted in an increased sentence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the (a) US and (b) Lithuanian authorities in connection with allegations of war crimes by Mr. Aloyzas Balsys; and if he will make a statement. [88329]

I am arranging for the relevant records to be examined, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the European Communities working groups which met over the last 12 months with a representative from his Department in attendance; if he will list the number of times each met; if he will indicate the nature of the Government's representation; and if he will make a statement. [88476]

The information requested for the period since 1 July 1998 is given in the table. Attendance from the Home Office was usually by one or two officials of around grade 7 level, with members of the United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union and officials of other Government Departments as necessary.

Working group	Number of meetings
Visa Working Group	10
Working Party on Economic Question (Data Protection)	7
Regulators Group (Building and Construction Materials)1	4
Standing Committee on Construction (Construction Products Directive)1	3
Article 10 (Precursor Chemicals) Committee	3
Working Group on Posting of Third-Country National Workers2	3
Asylum Working Group2	1
Expulsions Working Group2	1
Migration Working Group2	1
Eurodac Working Group2	1
Contact Committee On Money Laundering	1
DGXV officials group on transfer of information at the European Parliamentary elections 1999	1
1Since the coming into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam on 1 May
2Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR lead Department

In addition, several Working Groups convened under the auspices of Title VI of the Treaty on European Union met on a number of occasions during the period in question.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates special advisers from his Department have travelled to the United States of America on official business since 1 May 1997; which of his special advisers took part in these visits; and if he will list the meetings which these special advisers held with members and officials of the US Government during the visits, specifying the dates and locations of each meeting and the names of the US minister and officials at each meeting. [88435]

There has only been one such occasion. On 4 February 1998, Lord Warner accompanied me on a visit to Washington. He did not hold any meetings of his own but did attend meetings I had with the National Institute of Justice, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General Janet Reno in Washington. Lord Warner also accompanied me to meetings I had in Baltimore with the Director of International Programmes, Office of Mayor Schmoke, representatives of the Circuit Court of Baltimore and the Baltimore City Police Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that police data on racial harassment and racially motivated crime are documented on the same basis by all police forces. [88911]

Until recently, all forces recorded racial incidents under the Association of Chief Police Officers' definition of a racial incident:

"Any incident in which it appears to the reporting or investigating officer that the complaint involves an element of racial motivation; or any incident which includes an allegation of racial motivation made by any person".

The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry recommended that these incidents are referred to as "racist incidents" and that a simpler and clearer definition should be used:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has take to ensure that the data gathered by local race relations councils under the Commission for Racial Equality on racial harassment are comparable and gathered in the same way. [88912]

Local race equality councils are not required to record racist incidents and practice may vary.The Government have accepted recommendations 15–17 of the Lawrence Inquiry which deal with the reporting of racist incidents by the police, local authorities and other relevant organisations. The Government are taking forward these recommendations through the Racist Incidents Standing Committee (RISC), on which the Commission for Racial Equality is represented.RISC will develop a code of practice for use by all relevant agencies, including standard reporting and recording arrangements, by April 2000. It will be used to record race equality comments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact that plea before venue has had on elections for trial. [88927]

As expected, section 49 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 ('plea before venue') had led to a decrease in the number of persons committed to the Crown Court for trial. This decrease has been apparent both in those cases which are directed there by the magistrates, and in those where the defendant elects to be tried in the Crown Court. The proportion of cases reaching the Crown Court by way of election, which fell steadily from 53 per cent. to 28 per cent. in the 10 years 1987–97, remained at 28 per cent. in 1998, the first full year in which plea before venue was in operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1999, Official Report, column 101, on the proceedings relating to the dismissal of police officers, if he will publish The Independent Tribunal's reasons and their recommendation. [88940]

We will consider disclosing recommendations made by police discipline appeals tribunals, on request and after the parties have been informed. However, to disclose a tribunal's reasons would mean making public details of the case of an individual who has appealed against an internal police personnel discipline decision. Because of the unfairness which could arise from disclosing such details, it is not the practice of the Home Office to publish tribunals' reasons. Copies of tribunal reports to the Home Secretary are sent to appellants and respondents, and it is open to them to consider whether they wish to disclose further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1999, Official Report, column 420, when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a substantive reply to his letter of 27 April regarding a constituent. [88814]

I replied to my hon. Friend's letter on 29 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department first considered the possibility of building a prison in Peterborough constituency; and which Minister evaluated the proposal. [89191]

The suitability of the site of the former Rockwell/APV works in Peterborough was brought to the attention of the Prison Service in October 1996 and was first visited by Prison Service officials in early November 1996. The then Minister of State responsible for prisons and probation, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin) approved the submission of a formal planning proposal in June 1997. Information relating to whether and when Ministers of the previous administration considered any matter is quite properly not available to Ministers of the present government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what local consultation took place at the time the building of a prison in the Peterborough constituency was first considered; and what consultation there was with the local Member at the time. [89192]

Prison Service officials' first meeting with Peterborough City Council's planning officers took place on 18 April 1997: a second meeting was held on 8 May 1997. I briefed my hon. Friend in June 1997, following the decision by my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), the then Minister of State responsible for prisons and probation, that the Prison Service should submit a formal planning application.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for the use of bribes to secure foreign contracts have been brought in England and Wales in the last five years. [87913]

Offences of bribery to secure foreign contracts are either prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1906 and 1916, or under the common law offence of bribery. The table shows the total number of defendants proceeded against in England and Wales for offences under this legislation. The Home Office Court Proceedings Database, from which these figures are drawn, does not identify the specific nature of the offence such as bribery to secure foreign contracts.

Number of defendants proceeded against for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1906 and 1916 or the Common Law Offence of Bribery, England and Wales, 1993–97
	Prevention of Corruption Acts 1906 and 1916	Common Law
1993	19	—
1994	19	—
1995	22	—
1996	25	—
1997	11	—

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals he has to link the licensing of trusted third parties with key escrow in e-commerce communications; [R] [89334](2) what is his policy towards key escrow in e-commerce communications; [R] [89333](3) what new powers he proposes to give police and the security services to gain access to encrypted computer files; [R] [89336](4) what plans he has to control encryption in e-commerce communications. [R] [89335]

There will be no mandatory link between key escrow and being an approved provider of cryptography services under the proposed e-commerce legislation. Approved providers will be free to offer those cryptographic services required by their clients. These may, for good business reasons, include the storage of their clients' encryption keys. Encryption technologies are vital for instilling trust in e-commerce transactions and the Government do not propose to control their legitimate use. The same technologies, can, however, also be put to criminal use. In response to this threat, the Government intend to provide the law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies with new powers to require any person, upon service of a properly authorised written notice, to produce specified material in an intelligible form or to disclose relevant material (for example a decryption key) necessary to render it intelligible. The legislation will contain strong safeguards and the powers will only apply to material which is, or has been, lawfully obtained.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to encourage greater use of the internet by police authorities for publicising details of (a) wanted criminals and (b) missing persons. [R] [89337]

The police service is aware of the potential benefits of the internet to its work. I understand that the Metropolitan and Hertfordshire forces have, in fact, set up an internet site with details of missing children on a pilot basis. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is currently considering how the internet may best be used. A national information management strategy has been prepared and will shortly be proposed for adoption across the service. A number of forces already have websites. A summary of police force websites can be found at www.wypbcm.demon.co.uk.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the policy issues which have been discussed by the Joint Consultative Committee which are the responsibility of the devolved administrations in (i) Scotland and (ii) Wales. [87344]

Details of the proceedings of the Joint Consultative Committee are exempt from disclosure under the internal discussion and advice exemption of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the estimated cost is of servicing the Cabinet Joint Consultative Committee. [88836]

No separate costs for the servicing of the Joint Consultative Committee are identified.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on what date his Department was first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force. [88793]

On 23 June 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many clinical and medical oncologists are employed per head of population in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [87868]

Information on NHS medical and dental staff is collected annually as at 30 September. The latest available information relates to September 1997 and is given in the following table.

Staff in post at 30 September (excluding locums) per 1,000,000 population
	Consultants		All grades
	Number	Wte1	Number	Wte1
Medical oncology	0.3	0.3	0.7	0.4
Clinical oncology	5.8	4.7	12.6	10.5
1Whole-time equivalent.

Following the transfer of functions, this issue has been devolved to the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate for each local authority social service department in Wales the cost of funding the discharge from hospital of patients of pensionable age who are currently medically fit to be discharged but are in need of respite care; and if he will make a statement. [88172]

The cost of discharging patients to other forms of care would depend on the nature of the care required and for how long it was required. Such details of the care packages of individual patients are not collected centrally.Following the transfer of functions, this issue has been devolved to the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning his responsibilities following the establishment of the Assembly Cabinet. [86340]

Following the transfer of power at midnight on Wednesday, 30 June, my functions as Secretary of State for Wales will be:

Functions relating to my membership of the UK Government

Responsibility to ensure that the interests of Wales are fully considered in the workings of the UK Government

Responsibility to steer primary legislation relating to Wales through Parliament

Functions relating to the fact that this House will vote the Main Estimate to the Secretary of State for Wales, who will make a grant to the Assembly after deducting the cost of running his own office

Responsibility to consult the Assembly on the Government's legislative programme

Responsibility to ensure that the arrangements for co-operation between the Assembly and the UK Government are working effectively.

All other functions of the Secretary of State for Wales transfer to the Assembly. It may be helpful for the House to know the way the provisions of the Government of Wales Act 1998 are being put into practice. The Assembly has delegated responsibilities to me as First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales. Onward delegation to my Assembly Cabinet has enabled us to create a positive and dynamic relationship between my Assembly Cabinet and other Subject Committees which mirror the portfolios of Assembly Secretaries. I am placing in the Library a copy of the Assembly papers relating to the responsibilities of the Assembly Secretaries and the intended way to deal with cross-cutting issues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is representing Her Majesty's Government on the Financial Stability Forum working groups on short-term capital flows, highly leveraged institutions and offshore financial centres. [87684]

The UK representatives on these groups are Paul Tucker (Deputy Director, Bank of England), on the short-term capital flows group; Howard Davies (Chairman, Financial Services Authority), who is chairing the highly leveraged institutions group; and Joseph Halligan (Head of International Financial Services team, HM Treasury) on the offshore financial centres group.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that the UK representatives to the Financial Stability Forum working groups on short-term capital flows, highly leveraged institutions and offshore financial centres consult with international development non-Governmental organisations in the UK. [87685]

We would welcome views from international development non-governmental organisations and any other groups or individuals interested in the work of the Financial Stability Forum working groups. These should be sent to the UK representatives on the groups: Howard Davies (Chairman, Financial Services Authority), who is chairing the highly leveraged institutions group; Paul Tucker (Deputy Director, Bank of England), on the short-term capital flows group; and Joseph Halligan (Head of International Financial Services team, HM Treasury) on the offshore financial centres group.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce (a) economic and (b) fiscal instruments to reduce HFC emissions in the refrigeration market sector. [87688]

Under the Kyoto Protocol the UK is committed to a legally binding target of a 12.5 per cent. reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2008–12. The Government will be consulting later this year on the policy options for achieving our emissions targets, including options for reducing HFC emissions.During 1996 and 1997, the Government negotiated five voluntary agreements with the various industry sectors including the refrigeration industry, to limit both use and emissions of HFCs. Under current policies HFC emissions are expected to fall by a substantial amount. The latest projections show that HFCs will contribute only around 1 per cent. of total UK greenhouse gas emissions, calculated in terms of the global warming contribution, by 2010.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on incorporating the social principles drafted by the World bank into the decision-making of (a) the IMF, (b) the World bank and (c) the United Kingdom. [87884]

The World bank is currently working with the IMF to translate the draft social principles discussed at the Development Committee in April into good practices in social policy when designing adjustment programmes.The good practices in social policy will help promote long-term growth and greater prosperity; and the need for equality of opportunity to ensure that everyone has access to the benefits of, and is able to contribute towards, this growth and prosperity.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the United Kingdom's policy on the conditions to be attached to future financial contributions towards remedying the financial crises and preventing future ones in (a) Brazil and (b) elsewhere. [87883]

Financial tensions in Brazil have eased significantly, following the IMF-led international financial support package agreed last year. The conditions attached to the UK's contributions to this support package are those of the programme as a whole and the UK Government will continue to play an active role in monitoring Brazil's performance under the 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.The UK Government have played their part, most recently at the G7 Summit on 18 June, to ensure that future packages to which the UK contributes are as effective as possible. Commitments which were made at the Summit to help achieve this included promoting the involvement of the private sector in crisis resolution; ensuring that the poor and vulnerable are better protected from the burden of adjustment in times of crisis; and greater transparency in the way in which the International Financial Institutions operate.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the (i) advantages and (ii) disadvantages of the imposition by the UK of taxation upon borrowings in foreign currencies by UK domestic companies; what discussions he has had on such proposals in respect of other countries vulnerable to currency stocks in relevant international economic forums; if he will estimate the taxation income for the United Kingdom of a 1 per cent. tax rate; and if he will make a statement. [88327]

During the wide consultations which have been carried out to forge a consensus on necessary reforms to the international financial system, consideration has been given to a range of proposals for taxation of foreign currency transactions. Such proposals raise a number of practical difficulties which we have considered but do not believe could be overcome. Similarly, it would be extremely difficult to determine robust estimates of the revenue yield, which could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if (a) the Inland Revenue, (b) Customs and Excise and (c) HM Treasury have incurred expenditure on (i) extra staff, (ii) acquisition of accommodation, (iii) development of IT systems and (iv) the acquisition of supplies in preparation for possible United Kingdom entry to the European single currency; and if he will make a statement. [88748]

Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and HM Treasury's Euro Preparations Unit have worked to ensure that UK business and public authorities were ready for the introduction of the euro in 11 other European Union countries on 1 January 1999. There is a continuing need to provide UK business with the information that they need to help them remain competitive in this new European business environment. In line with the Government's stated position that the public sector will take a lead in planning, departments have also been considering the implications of possible UK entry to the European Single Currency. This work has been part of the normal business of departments and to date changeover work has not involved expenditure on extra staff, accommodation or the development of IT systems.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of public funds to be spent on preparing for the possibility of UK entry into the single currency before a referendum. [88907]

The cost of euro preparations would depend on the detailed approach that the UK took to the changeover. Where computer systems are being upgraded, all departments will build in euro compatibility where that represents value for money. In the case of the DSS, the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise, the scale and complexity of their computer systems makes advance preparations critical. Prior to a referendum they may therefore need to spend up to some tens of millions of pounds, spread over a number of years to make their IT systems euro-compatible, so that we can maintain the flexibility for Britain to make the changeover as quickly and cost effectively as possible if that is what Government, Parliament and the people decide.Provisions were therefore included in the Finance Bill and the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill which will provide specific statutory authority for this spending. Expenditure will be voted by Parliament in the normal way.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 June 1999, Official Report, column 464, how many people are currently employed in the Shrewsbury and Atcham local authority district. [89048]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the revenue generated by stamp duty arose from duty charged on the purchase of commercial land and property in the last year for which figures are available. [88828]

The requested information is given in the table.

1998–991(Provisional)
	Net receipts £ billion	Proportion of net receipts Percentage1
Stamp duty (including stamp duty reserve tax) on transaction in shares and other securities	2.5	55
Stamp duty on:
Residential transactions	1.2	25
Commercial property and land transactions	0.9	20
Total	4.6	100
1Proportions rounded to nearest 5 per cent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) number and (b) total value in sterling of (i) secured and (ii) unsecured loans made by the Bank of England during the last two years; and if he will make a statement on the Bank's status as lender of last resort. [88919]

The Bank makes loans in the normal course of its operations and these are described in its 1999 Annual Report. In its capacity as lender of last resort, the Bank of England has made no new loans, either secured or unsecured, over the last two years.The Bank's role in the field of financial stability is described in a Memorandum of Understanding between HM Treasury, the Bank and the Financial Services Authority, which was published in October 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evaluation he has made of the structural divergence of the British economy with the economies of the rest of the EU. [88843]

The Treasury's assessment of the Chancellor's five economic tests was published in October 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evaluation he has made of the cyclical convergence of the British economy with those of North America. [88842]

The Government's evaluation of the cyclical convergence of the British economy with those of North America is contained in the Treasury's assessment of the five economic tests, published at the time of the Chancellor's statement on EMU in October 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much gold was held in the UK Exchange Equalisation Account on (a) 6 May and (b) 6 June; and in each case what was its value. [88826]

A breakdown of the size and composition of the United Kingdom's reserve holdings is published in Table 2 of the Quarterly Report on UK Official Holdings of Foreign Currency and Gold.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the value of the Exchange Equalisation Account following the proposed sale of gold and relative to its value at 6 May. [88825]

As the proceeds from the programme of auctions of gold will be invested in foreign currency assets and retained in the reserves, the asset base of the Exchange Equalisation Account will remain roughly the same.A breakdown of the size and composition of the United Kingdom's reserve holdings is published in Table 2 of the Quarterly Report on UK Official Holdings of Foreign Currency and Gold.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total landfill tax raised from disposals within Scotland in each financial year since the introduction of the tax; what proportion of the tax in each year has been retained by the Treasury as general taxation; and what proportion is allocated to environmental trusts. [89074]

Figures relating to landfill tax are not available for separate countries or regions within the UK. This is due to the method of collection of the tax, where each landfill operator is registered according to the location of their head office.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue his Department has received from the levy of landfill tax in Wales in each of the last five years. [89061]

[holding answer 29 June 1999]: Figures relating to landfill tax are not available for separate countries or regions within the UK. This is due to the method of collection of the tax, where each landfill operator is registered according to the location of their head office.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for regulation of intermediaries dealing in general insurance. [89460]

As the former Economic Secretary my hon. Friend the Member for Airdrie and Shotts (Mrs. Liddell) announced on 27 July 1998, Official Report, columns 23–24, the Financial Services and Markets Bill, now before the House, will provide for the repeal of the Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977. Subject to the approval of Parliament, this will end the statutory status of the Insurance Brokers Registration Council (IBRC). The Joint Committee on Financial Services and Markets' recent report on the draft Bill supported this approach.I am grateful to the current IBRC members for their work in continuing to serve on the Council in the interests of the insurance broking community during the present transitional period. To assist them in that task, I have today, under existing powers, nominated three new members to fill vacancies on the Council, to serve until the Council's statutory status ends:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the minutes of the monthly tripartite meetings between the Treasury, the FSA and the Bank of England. [R] [89332]

The meetings include discussions of individual cases, as well as more general systemic threats. Since much of the information discussed is covered by statutory bars on disclosure, it would not be appropriate to publish the minutes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response his Department has made to the International Organisation of Securities Commission's report on the Reduction of Systemic Risk and Securities Activity on the Internet published in September 1998. [R] [89328]

The IOSCO report "Securities Activity on the Internet" examined the regulatory and enforcement issues posed by securities activities conducted over the Internet. The Government have found the IOSCO report helpful in considering the issues raised by new technologies in the context of the Financial Services and Markets Bill.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with Scottish lawyers' organisations regarding the transfer of the regulation of Scottish lawyers offering financial advice to the FSA. [R] [89327]

HM Treasury has held a number of meetings with the Law Society of Scotland in the course of consulting on and drafting the Bill and associated secondary legislation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of pensions mis-selling have been referred to the police by the FSA. [R] [89330]

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in National Insurance Contributions that will occur when it is introduced. [88860]

The net impact of the climate change levy and the associated reduction in main rate of employers' National Insurance Contributions on the Chancellor's departments will depend on the rates of climate change levy. The final rates of climate change levy will not be set until Finance Bill 2000.In addition, the Government are still considering a number of detailed issues on the tax treatment of different energy products which could have a significant impact in some instances. It is therefore not possible to give definitive figures about the impact of the climate change levy on the Chancellor's departments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the Better Regulation Task Force regarding the new regulatory powers proposed in the Financial Services and Markets Bill. [R] [89326]

HM Treasury has received helpful comments from the Better Regulation Task Force in the course of consulting on and drafting the Bill.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what percentage he estimates company car mileage will reduce as a consequence of the measures introduced in his last Budget. [88717]

[holding answer 29 June 1999]: The measures introduced in the last Budget reduce the incentive for drivers to use a company car for business mileage and to do excess business mileage simply to qualify for discounts on their tax charge. They are therefore likely to lead to a small reduction in company car mileage. The Inland Revenue also estimates that as a result of the comprehensive reforms to be introduced in 2002, between 100 and 300 million fewer business miles will be driven in company cars, a reduction of between 0.3 per cent.–0.8 per cent.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department plans to take to ensure that animal feed including genetically modified ingredients is adequately labelled. [87927]

There are extensive EC rules on the labelling of animal feed. The Government are seeking improved listing of ingredients and pressing the Commission to forward to the Council its proposed regulation covering novel animal feeds. This is necessary to ensure fair and consistent labelling of GM feeds throughout the EU. Pending the introduction of such EC measures, we are also exploring whether national labelling arrangements are feasible.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from farmers about the level of imports of US agricultural products. [87928]

I am glad to say that the level of agricultural imports coming from the US has not been a significant focus of concern for UK farmers in the recent past.