To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (i) the original in-service date, (ii) the current in-service date, (iii) the estimated and actual costs, (iv) the years of expected peak expenditure and (v) the prime contractor for all the endorsed staff requirements. [98583]

The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the use of equipment supplied to Indonesia's armed forces by United Kingdom suppliers; and if he will make a statement. [99297]

We are in regular contact with our Embassy in Jakarta about the use of such equipment. We have made it clear to Indonesia that UK-supplied defence equipment should not be used in East Timor or against civilians in violation of human rights standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many targets have been agreed between his Department and (i) local authorities and (ii) other bodies apart from his own agencies and non-departmental bodies since May 1997. [99478]

[holding answer 24 November 1999]: With the exception of the Public Service Agreement with HM Treasury my Department has no targets agreed with other bodies at the Departmental level. However the Public Service Agreement is consistent with the wider goals of the Government. At a lower level some elements of the Department and the Armed Forces will share goals with outside bodies. It would not be possible to provide a comprehensive list of such shared goals without disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are currently committed to the defence of the Falkland Islands. [100018]

There are currently approximately 1,650 Service personnel in the Falkland Islands.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the tender documents for the site at the Old Ranges, Shoeburyness, have to be lodged with Donaldsons of 70 Jermyn Street, London SW1; and when the tender documents will be available to possible bidders. [100055]

The sales brochure specified that the extra site would be sold by means of Best Offer bids, and that proposals should be received by 12 noon on Friday 10 December 1999, at the agents, Donaldsons, 70 Jermyn street, London. Donaldsons wrote to all prospective purchasers on 24 November 1999, explaining the basis upon which offers should be made. There is no requirement for formal tender documentation given that the site is not being sold by Formal Tender.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information on (a) costs and (b) time scales of IT projects currently being undertaken by his Department is held centrally; if he will list the (i) start date, (ii) planned completion date, (iii) expected completion date, (iv) planned cost and (v) current estimated cost of these projects where available; and if he will make a statement. [99666]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: The information requested is not readily available; however, I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact of the Army Terms of Service (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 on the ability of young people in the armed forces to leave after enlistment; and what is the minimum period of service for which such young persons will have to enlist. [100193]

All recruits to non-commissioned service in the Army enter on an Open Engagement of 22 years reckonable service from age 18 or the date of joining, whichever is the later. The Army Terms of Service (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999, which came into effect on 1 November 1999, increased the minimum commitment period for newly recruited soldiers from three to four years. Those enlisted after this date will, therefore, serve for an additional year before they have the right to discharge to the reserve.The Army Terms of Service (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 have no effect on the statutory right to discharge provisions. A recruit under the age of 18 can leave the Army free as of right within the first six months of service (having served at least 28 days and having given 14 days notice); for those aged over 18, the statutory right to discharge ends three months after joining for duty.New recruits who do not exercise this right are committed to serve for four years from their 18th birthday or 4.25 years after attestation, whichever is the later. Provision does, however, exist for personnel of any age to be discharged from the service at any time for a number of reasons, including compassionate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date war widows will be able to keep their armed forces pension on remarriage. [99094]

The payment of widows' pensions is being examined as part of the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme which is currently under way. We hope it will be concluded by next summer. It is not possible at this stage to comment on the outcome.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions Ministers or his officials have held with the Department of Social Security in respect of war pensions for widows; and if he will make a statement. [100310]

MOD and DSS officials have worked closely on the joint MOD-DSS review of compensation for members of the armed forces who suffer illness, injury, and death for reasons attributable to service. The MOD and DSS routinely discuss war pensions issues, including arrangements for war widows. There are also day-to-day contacts between DSS War Pensions Agency and the MOD Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency about the handling of individual cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of war widows retaining for life attributable pensions awarded under his Department's armed forces pension scheme. [100313]

We estimate that the cost of war widows retaining for life their attributable pensions would be between £2 million and £3 million per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy have changed from Maristat One in each year between and including 1989 and the current financial year; into which marital category they have changed; what proportion of each service this represents for each year; and if he will make a statement. [99928]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, for the RAF, the Royal Navy and the Army, he will list (a) the number of aircraft crashed in each of the past five years to November 1999, (b) their value, (c) the age and type of each aircraft, (d) the fate of the pilots and (e) the attributed cause of each accident. [100311]

The information requested is not readily available; however I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) the budget for the National Employers Liaison Committee for the reserves of the armed forces and (b) the Territorial Army Recruiting Budget for each year from 1994. [99930]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the current pay scales for (a) non-regular permanent staff staff sergeants and (b) MOD civil service executive officers. [99932]

The current pay scale for a non-regular permanent staff (NRPS) staff sergeant, effective from 1 April 1999, is £20,613 per annum on appointment, rising to £20,723 after nine years.With effect from 1 August 1999, the maximum point on the executive officer pay scale was increased from £18,264 to £22,727. The minimum was also increased, from £11,914 to £12,523.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of redundancy payments made to non-regular permanent staff replaced by Executive Officers as Territorial Army financial systems administrators; and how many NRPS FSAs over 50 years of age have been pensioned off. [99934]

To date there have been no redundancy payments made to non-regular permanent staff (NRPS) financial systems administrator (FSA) personnel, including those over age 50, who are being replaced by civilian Executive Officers (EOs). It is not currently possible to provide the value of redundancy payments which will be made because such payments will be determined individually and will be calculated on the basis of length of NRPS service and rate of pay on discharge.The number of NRPS FSAs over the age of 50 is not held centrally, but is being collated, and I will write to the hon. Member with this detail and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of repairing and refitting the Joint Services Adventure Sail Training vessel Broadsword in the past year; and what would be the cost of purchasing an equivalent new boat. [99931]

The Joint Services Adventure Sail Training vessel Broadsword completed an extensive package of work in May 1998 to extend her life for a further 15 years. The total cost of this work was £256,000. Since then, the only costs incurred on Broadsword have been for repair work associated with her participation in the Transglobe Inter-Savings global yacht race, which has not yet completed. It is estimated that the repair work undertaken to-date will cost about £14,000. No refit work is planned for 1999–2000. The cost of purchasing an equivalent new boat is estimated to be about £700,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reason Territorial Army financial systems administrators have each received substitution pay of £10 per day; and what has been the total cost to his budget; [99929](2) how many Territorial Army financial systems administrator posts are being civilianised; what is

The post of Financial Systems Administrator (FSA) was civilianised with effect from 1 July 1999, and this will affect some 78 non-regular permanent staff (NRPS). The executive officer (EO) grade civil servants who will fulfil this function in future will each undergo a maximum of 18 weeks training at the School of Employment (SET) Training at Worthy Down before taking over the job fully. One additional member of staff has been temporarily employed to assist in running courses at SET at a cost of some £35,000 to minimise the impact of this surge in requirement on existing courses.The travel and subsistence costs for EOs attending these courses depend on an individual's circumstances. Where EOs stay in the Officers' Mess at Worthy Down, they will receive daily subsistence of £5 in addition to the cost of accommodation. If they stay in a hotel, the rate is up to a maximum of £25 in addition to the cost of accommodation. It is not possible to provide a meaningful figure for travelling expenses because each individual's circumstances are unique. Executive officer FSAs will be entitled to claim overtime.Until such time as the executive officers take over these responsibilities, the NRPS staff sergeants who are currently filling the posts are entitled to substitution pay which equates to £10 a day. In order to provide an overall cost, it would be necessary to refer to individual records and this has not been possible in the time available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what motor mileage allowance rates his Department offers to (a) ministers and (b) civil servants using their own vehicles for official business; and what has been the cost of each in each of the last five years. [98699]

Home Office Ministers, when travelling on official business, may use a private car instead of an official car, and claim mileage allowances in the same circumstances and on the same terms as Home Office civil servants. However, all five Ministers use the Government Car Service. The vehicles available to me, while purchased by my Department, are operated by the Metropolitan Police. The Motor Mileage Allowance Rates offered to Ministers and civil servants using their own vehicles for official business are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from organisations representing tourism and the travel industry (a) supporting and (b) opposing an increase in fees charged by the Passport Agency for issuing passports. [99401]

Representations expressing concern about increases in passport fees have been received from The Association of British Travel Agents Ltd., The Council of Travel and Tourism, the Passenger Shipping Association and the Federation of Tour Operators.The Agency has taken careful account of their representations in its review of passport fees.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he plans to publish the Passport Agency's business plan 1999–2000 and its corporate plan 1999 to 2002. [100210]

The Passport Agency's Corporate and Business Plans 1999–2002 will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his advisory board considered the Passport Agency's business plan 1999 to 2000 and its corporate plan 1999 to 2002; and if his advisory board has now approved those plans. [100208]

The Passport Agency's revised Corporate and Business Plans were considered by the Advisory Board on 27 September. The plans, which were held back pending the publication of the National Audit Office report, have now been approved. They will be issued shortly, together with a recovery plan which sets out the action the Agency is taking to prevent a recurrence of this year's problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Board of the United Kingdom Passport Agency considered its business plan 1999–2000 and its corporate plan 1999 to 2002; and if the plans have been approved. [100209]

The Passport Agency's revised Corporate and Business Plans were considered by the Agency's Management Board on 20 September. The plans, which were held back pending publication of the National Audit Office Report, have now been approved. They will be published shortly, together with a recovery plan which sets out the action the Agency is taking to prevent a recurrence of this year's problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in his review of the future level of passport fees. [100214]

We are looking at various options for a possible increase in passport fees and an announcement of the outcome will be made shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it became the practice for immigration officers to vet passengers as to the status of their visas and passports prior to leaving aeroplanes arriving in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [99848]

While there are powers in Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 which allow an Immigration officer to board and search an aircraft and to require the production of a passenger's documents, Immigration officers do not routinely examine passengers' travel documents prior to their leaving an aircraft. However, Immigration officers regularly attend arriving flights and check travel documents shortly after disembarkation in order to identify inadequately documented passengers. This practice has grown since the late 1980s in order to deal with the increasing number of passengers who destroy or otherwise dispose of their travel documents and tickets after departure for the United Kingdom. The procedures have been developed to establish the proof of carriage so that charges under the carriers' liability legislation can be effectively pursued and also to minimise the difficulties and costs in removing persons where the identity of the carrier and the port of embarkation cannot be established.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total amount of the settlements made with the five employees of the Commission for Racial Equality with regard to their claims of racial discrimination against the Commission. [100211]

Details of personal settlements are confidential between the parties involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the principal activities of his Department and its agencies which provide business for (a) Crown post offices and (b) other post offices; if he will assess whether the level of business generated in each case is likely to increase or decrease over the next five years; and which new areas of business for post offices are likely to be developed by his Department and its agencies over the same period. [99556]

The United Kingdom Passport Agency has a partnership arrangement with Post Office Counters Limited which was established in January 1996. Under this arrangement, passport applicants can lodge their application at any main Post Office.The Agency is currently re-tendering its partnership arrangements, however both the Agency and Post Office Counters Ltd. have indicated a commitment to working together in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the advantages of the introduction of national identity cards which include identification for entitlement to social security payments. [99093]

We are considering all the relevant issues involved in identity cards including their possible contribution to tackling welfare fraud, increasing individual convenience and simplifying Government. We have not yet reached any final conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress is being made towards a code of practice for clay pigeon shooting. [98827]

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Clay Pigeon Shooting Association and British Shooting Sports Council jointly issued, for consultation, draft guidance on the management and control of noise for clay pigeon shooting in November 1997. The consultation period was completed in March 1998 and the guidance is still under preparation. I understand the authors are awaiting further input from various bodies, and will publish the guidance at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people will benefit from the free licence fee for those persons aged over 75 years, announced by him; and if he will make a statement. [98535]

[holding answer 22 November 1999]: Over 3 million households will benefit from the provision of television licences free of charge to people aged 75 or over, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his pre-Budget statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to review TV licence concessions available for blind people and those in residential and sheltered accommodation below the age of 75 years. [99173]

[holding answer 22 November 1999]: The Government accept that the introduction of free television licences for people aged 75 or over will not remove the need to consider the shortcomings of the existing concessionary arrangements. We shall consider the recommendations of the BBC funding review panel in the light of the responses to the public consultation which has just concluded. We intend to announce our conclusions in January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement in respect of his policy towards the percentage of home-produced material broadcast on Channel 5. [99133]

[holding answer 23 November 1999]: Under the terms of its licence from the Independent Television Commission, Channel 5 must comply with the terms of the European Commission's Directive 97/36/EC (which amended Directive 89/552/EC). Under the Directive, the majority of programmes broadcast by Channel 5 must be of European origin. Channel 5 met that licence condition in 1997 and 1998. For these years, the proportions of European-originated programming transmitted by Channel 5 (other than news, sports coverage, games, advertising and teletext services which are exempted from the Directive) were 60 per cent. and 52 per cent. respectively. A high proportion of Channel 5's European-originated programming is produced in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to respond to the report by the Independent Review Panel on the future funding of the BBC. [100045]

The period of public consultation on the panel's recommendations ended on 1 November. We are considering all the panel's recommendations in the light of responses received and hope to announce our final decisions in January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the outcome of the Culture/Audiovisual Council held in Brussels on 23 November; and if he will make a statement. [99847]

I represented the United Kingdom at the Culture/Audiovisual Council held in Brussels on 23 November. The Presidency reported on the ongoing conciliation process for the Culture 2000 programme. The Council agreed a Resolution on the promotion of the free movement of persons working in the cultural sector. The Commission will carry out a study on the obstacles to free movement, and the results will be presented at the beginning of the French Presidency. The Council agreed conclusions on the cultural industries and employment in Europe. There was some discussion of the successor programme to MEDIA II and we now await the Commission's proposals for this, which are expected shortly. The Council adopted conclusions on the protection of minors in the context of development in digital audiovisual services. These encourage the parties concerned, (manufacturers, broadcasters and operators), to co-operate in considering ways of evaluating and rating audiovisual content in order to assist parents in the protection of minors. Several cultural initiatives carried out by member states in support of reconciliation in Kosovo were also announced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the National Lottery Commission. [100809]

I regret to report that Robin Squire has resigned his membership of the National Lottery Commission for business and other personal reasons. I will appoint a successor in due course.

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee on what authority, and for what reason, the decision was taken to sell teddy bear ties in the souvenir shop. [100435]

This is a matter for the Director of Catering Services. I have asked her to reply to my right hon. Friend.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what estimate he has made of the cost to the House of (a) the conducting of each division of the House (i) before and (ii) after 10 pm and (b) each hour of the House's sitting after 10 pm, in each case including all costs relating to staff and the Parliamentary Estate. [100746]

The cost to the House of conducting divisions is met from the day-to-day budgets of House departments. The figures are not separately identified.For divisions after 10 pm, no additional staff or services are required when the House divides, so no separately identifiable costs are incurred for such divisions. Some additional costs are incurred when House staff have to stay after 11 pm. e.g. for providing late night transport for staff of the House and others (e.g. security staff).The fixed costs of running the estate are incurred regardless of what time the House rises.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the Russian Government concerning help with, and advice on, the welfare and protection of street children. [99523]

I have had no direct discussion with the Russian government on street children.My Department is developing a project, expected to start early next year, which will directly benefit homeless and vulnerable children in Ekaterinburg and Sverdlovsk oblast. Throughout the design process, DFID officials have maintained close contact with the Russian regional and municipal authorities, who support the proposed work.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports she has received of the effects of Hurricane Lenny in the Bahamas. [99205]

The effects of Hurricane Lenny in the Bahamas were limited to heavy rainfall. There have been no reports of significant damage.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the reforms that have been made to national insurance as mentioned in the Gracious Speech. [99412]

Following recommendations in the Taylor Report on "The Modernisation of Britain's Tax and Benefits System", the Government have introduced the most far-reaching restructuring of the National Insurance System for 20 years. Measures announced in the last two Budgets have been designed to improve work incentives, encourage job creation and build a fairer and simpler National Insurance System.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the official visits to China since 1 May 1997, specifying for each occasion (i) the (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) numbers of officials who attended, (ii) the matters discussed and conclusions reached and (iii) the cost of the visit. [99130]

[holding answer 23 November 1999]: Under the terms of the "Ministerial Code", any member of the Cabinet who wishes to be absent from the United Kingdom for any reason, except for visits to European countries on official business, or visits to member countries for NATO business requires my written approval. Other Ministers who propose to be absent from the country must seek the approval of the Ministerial Head of the Department concerned. A list of visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during the period May 1997 to March 1999 was placed in the Library of the House on 17 June 1999. Since then two Cabinet Ministers, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport have visited China at an estimated cost of £34,000. This includes the cost of travel and accommodation for a Private Secretary accompanying each Minister and in the case of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, a Special Adviser. Both visits were made in accordance with the rules set out in the "Ministerial Code".Detailed information on visits overseas by Junior Ministers is not collected centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total salary bill, including on-costs, of special advisers employed at 10 Downing street for each year since 1 May 1997. [99137]

[holding answer 23 November 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 21 January 1998, Official Report, columns 567W–68W and to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed) on 15 June 1998, Official Report, columns 5W–6W and that my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 11 November 1999, Official Report, column 828W.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to provide guidance to Government ministers regarding the purchase of private health insurance policies. [99309]

[holding answer 23 November 1999]: No. The purchase of insurance policies by individual Ministers in a private capacity is a personal matter.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the State Visits to the United Kingdom that have been made since May 1997 and the dates of each visit. [98655]

[holding answer 23 November 1999]: The following State Visits to the United Kingdom have been made since 1 May 1997:

To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish in the Official report the reply he gave to the letter from Amnesty International, the Free Tibet Campaign and Mr. Wei Jingsheng of 21 October, requesting an official statement from Her Majesty's Government on human rights and Tibet. [99435]

[holding answer 24 November 1999]: My Office's reply to the letter of 21 October from Amnesty International and others said that I discussed human rights with the Chinese President during our meeting and lunch on 21 October. It added that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office would brief Amnesty International and other non-governmental organisations concerned on the human rights aspect of the State Visit and the next steps in our human rights dialogue with the Chinese. The briefing took place on 9 November.

To ask the Prime Minister what consultation the Lord Chancellor had with him about the newspaper reports that officials in the House of Lords were asked by him to make untrue statements; and what advice he gave to the Lord Chancellor. [100186]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the budget of the Social Exclusion Unit for the current financial year and for each future year for which a budget has been set for it. [99588]

[holding answer 25 November 1999]: The Social Exclusion Unit's running costs budget for 1999–2000 is £1,846,334. The Unit's budget for 2000–01 and subsequent financial years has not been agreed and will depend partly on the outcome of the current review of the Unit's future which will be announced before the end of this year.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the title of each report published to date by the Social Exclusion Unit, stating the cost implications of the recommendations made in each report. [99644]

[holding answer 25 November 1999]: To date the Social Exclusion Unit has published the following reports:

"School Exclusion and Truancy" (published May 1998);

"Rough Sleeping" (published July 1998);

"Neighbourhood Renewal" (published September 1998);

"Teenage Pregnancy" (published June 1999);

"Bridging the Gap: New Opportunities for 16–18 Year Olds Not in Education, Employment or Training" (published July 1999).

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the title, purpose and work programme of all policy action teams led (a) by the Social Exclusion Unit and (b) by departments with Social Exclusion Unit involvement, indicating in each case (i) the date when they were set up and (ii) the date when their work is due for completion. [99587]

[holding answer 25 November 1999]: The remit and timetable for each of the 18 Policy Action Teams is set out in the Social Exclusion Unit's report "Bringing Britain Together: a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal" [CM 4045]. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House. All 18 Teams started work in autumn 1998. The following six Teams have published reports:

• Business;
• Housing Management;
• Unpopular Housing;
• Community Self-Help;
• Arts and Sport;
• Financial Services.

To ask the Prime Minister how many staff were employed in the Social Exclusion Unit in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; and what plans he has for staffing levels in 2000 to 2002. [99643]

[holding answer 25 November 1999]: By the end of 1997 The Social Exclusion Unit had 12 members of staff. On 30 June 1998 the Unit had 21 members of staff and on 30 June 1999 the Unit had 35 members of staff. The Unit's staffing for 2000–01 and subsequent financial years has not been agreed and will depend partly on the conclusions of the current review of the Unit's future which will be announced before the end of this year.

To ask the Prime Minister what the current work programme is of the Social Exclusion unit, including (a) the titles of all reports in preparation, (b) their expected publication dates and (c) any further subjects due to be examined by the unit during the period 2000 to 2002. [99645]

[holding answer 25 November 1999]: The current work programme of the Social Exclusion Unit includes support to the Policy Action Teams which the Unit itself leads and liaison with those led by other Departments, the preparation of a National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal and oversight of the implementation of previous reports.The Unit's future work programme will reflect the conclusions of the current review of the Unit's future which will be announced before the end of the year.

To ask the Prime Minister what action the Government are taking to minimise hypothermia in the Balkans during the winter. [100090]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: The impact of the Balkan winter is likely to be the harshest in Kosovo, where 100,000 houses were severely damaged or destroyed during the conflict. The Department for International Development (DFID) aims to complement shelter initiatives being carried out by other donors by rehabilitating utilities, especially power and water supplies, before the weather becomes too severe.The electrical distribution system (100KV) sustained considerable war damage and is the focus of DFID's attention. Other donors are working on the 220KV and 440KV transmission systems. Our aim is to help the local authorities with the supply of equipment and technical advice on the electrical distribution system throughout Kosovo. A British management team, jointly funded by the EU Task Force and British Trade International (BTI), is currently working with the EU Task Force, UNMIK and the Kosovo Electric Company, to manage the overall power situation in Kosovo. Specific funding from DFID and BTI is ensuring the continued supply of coal to the Kosovo power stations.Additionally, DFID has committed £3 million to carry out emergency works to Pristina airport to keep it operational throughout the winter. The airport is a crucial alternative supply route to the congested Blace border crossing.In Serbia heating assistance is being targeted on vulnerable groups by the international agencies such as UNHCR and the European Commission's Humanitarian Office (ECHO). ECHO's assistance to Serbia and Montenegro since May 1999 amounts to 26.6 million euros, of which the UK has contributed approximately 15 per cent.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will seek to change the law to provide a way for a life peerage to be disclaimed; and if he will make a statement. [100126]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: In the unlikely event that a life peer wished to disclaim a life peerage he or she could seek to introduce a Private Bill to enable that to happen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average waiting time between the occupational therapist's recommendation of a through-floor lift and the installation of the lift in (a) the South and East and (b) the North and West Trust areas in the last 12 months. [98474]

The average waiting time in South and East Belfast Trust area in public sector housing is three months for terminally ill clients and over one year for others. For private sector housing this is 3–5 months if the building work is undertaken by the client and over one year where an application is made for a Disabled Facilities Grant. In North and West Belfast Trust area the average waiting time is 4–5 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many requests for through-floor lifts in (a) the South and East and the (b) North and West Trust areas were made in the last 12 months; and in which areas such lifts are still to be installed. [98475]

The need for through floor lifts is normally identified following an assessment of an individual's needs and home environment by an Occupational Therapist. During the last 12 months South and East Belfast HSS Trust identified a total of 33 clients requiring a through floor lift although 10 clients later withdrew from the scheme. Four lifts have still to be installed by the Trust. In North and West Belfast HSS Trust area 37 clients were identified as requiring a through floor lift in the last 12 months and 22 lifts have still to be installed by the Trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for investment in the National Health Service infrastructure in Northern Ireland. [99381]

Major hospitals in each of the four Health and Social Services Board Areas are being modernised or replaced. Within the next two years, the Causeway Hospital will come into operation, along with the Altnagelvin Hospital Nucleaus Extension. Following that, a major external refurbishment project will be completed at Craigavon Area Hospital, and the Phase 1 New Block at the Royal Victoria Hospital redevelopment will be completed. The total value of these projects is almost £139 million.Construction of a £15 million local hospital at Downpatrick in County Down is planned to begin next year and is due to be completed in 2003.Further investment is planned with a £28 million upgrading of Altnagelvin Hospital Tower Block, and Phase 2 of the Royal Victoria Hospital redevelopment estimated at £24 million.A £30 million Regional Cancer Centre is planned, and detailed proposals are being drawn up for a Regional Medical Rehabilitation Centre and for a Medium Secure Unit for the mentally ill. It is anticipated that these projects will be procured under the Private Finance Initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will undertake an inquiry into the safety of the railway system in Northern Ireland. [99279]

NIR has a statutory duty to ensure the safety of operations on the network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to increase investment in the railway system outside the Belfast to Dublin line. [99280]

Work has recently commenced on the reinstatement of the Antrim Bleach Green line at a cost of approximately £17 million. In addition, work on a new Bangor Interchange Centre is in progress at a cost of £4.2 million.The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has also examined opportunities for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to meet future investment needs. It is expected that an announcement on the way forward will be made in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to improve the state of the Northern Ireland Railway's rolling stock. [99281]

It is acknowledged that much of the NIR class 80 rolling stock is nearing the end of its useful life and will need to be replaced over the coming years. To this end the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has been examining opportunities for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to meet the investment needs. A report on PPP options is expected in the near future and an announcement will follow when decisions have been made on the way forward. In view of the time scales involved in bringing forward any PPP option the Department is also examining the interim funding that would be required for rolling stock replacement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average resettlement grant made to prisoners released under the early releases scheme in Northern Ireland; who is responsible for distributing this money; what criteria are used in determining the levels of awards; and if he will make a statement. [100207]

Prisoners in Northern Ireland do not receive resettlement grants.Every prisoner, however, including those released by decision of the independent Sentence Review Commissioners under the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, is entitled to a Discharge Grant paid and administered by the Northern Ireland Prison Service.The Discharge Grant is intended to ensure that each discharged inmate has enough money for his immediate needs and the rates are calculated to reflect the rate of Income Support Benefit currently in payment by the Social Security Agency.Current rates, uprated in April 1999, are as follows:A Standard Grant is payable at the rate of £40.70 for inmates aged 18 to 24 years and £51.40 for inmates aged 25 years and upwards.A Higher Grant is payable at the rate of £103.81 to any inmate who satisfies the prison authorities that he or she is effectively homeless on discharge. The higher amount takes into account the average costs of hostel or bed and breakfast accommodation in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that all departments and public sector agencies require that pigmeat supplied under their catering contracts be produced according to UK welfare standards. [99057]

We cannot dictate to public procurement authorities, but we will continue to seek to persuade them that buying to British welfare and other standards offers good value and meets the needs of their "customers". To back up this message, my right hon. Friend the Minister has written to local councils and health authorities in England to emphasise the importance of sourcing to British standards. As the welfare legislation was passed in this House with an overwhelming majority, we also believe that every right hon. and hon. Member has a duty to raise this issue with public procurement authorities in their constituencies.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Ministry has made of the potential impact of the proposed climate change levy on the agricultural sector. [99049]

It is not possible to say what the impact of the levy on the agricultural industry will be. That will depend on a number of factors, including future energy consumption and what use the industry makes of electricity generated from 'new' renewable sources of energy or in 'good quality' combined heat and power plants. The use the industry makes of the proposed system of enhanced capital allowances for energy saving investments will also have an impact. In addition certain sectors of the industry will be eligible for an 80 per cent. discount on the rates of the levy if they enter into energy saving agreements with the Government. All sectors of the industry will also benefit from the lower overall rates of the levy announced by the Chancellor in his pre-Budget Report statement.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to (a) introduce and (b) facilitate the passage of a Bill banning fur farming within the current parliamentary session. [99119]

[holding answer 23 November 1999]: A Bill to ban fur farming in England and Wales was introduced on 22 November. I understand the Scottish Executive will be introducing a separate Bill to extend the ban to Scotland.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulatory requirements must be satisfied by persons seeking to export primates for experimentation purposes. [99138]

[holding answer 23 November 1999]: The rules governing the export of primates from the UK to member states of the European Union are set down in Council Directive 92/65/EEC of 13 July 1992. These rules are implemented in Great Britain by the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 1998 and in Northern Ireland by the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (as amended).Under this legislation primates may be traded within the EU only between institutes or establishments which have been approved by the competent authority. Commission Decision 92/65/EEC sets down detailed specifications for the approval of institutes or establishments engaged in the import and export of primates. An up-to-date list of all such approved premises is lodged with the European Commission.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is putting into effect to contain bee diseases in 2000. [99441]

[holding answer 25 November 1999]: The Government fund a range of measures in England through its bee health programme, which is delivered by the Central Science Laboratory's National Bee Unit. In 2000–01 the programme will cost £1.3 million. The measures include a free diagnostic service for varroa, American Foul Brood and European Foul Brood as well as providing training and guidance on how to improve bee husbandry to help control bee diseases. In addition, in 2000–01 MAFF expects to spend around £244,000 on research and development (mainly on varroa) to support our bee health work. This includes a four year project on the biological control of varroa.Arrangements for bee health matters in Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to promote ship building and repair in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [99208]

To support and promote the UK shipbuilding industry, in July 1998 the Department established the Shipbuilding Forum whose membership comprises representatives of the shipbuilding and shiprepair industry, trades unions, equipment suppliers and customers, both private and public sector. Also involved are the National Training Organisation for the marine sector and relevant Government Departments. The Forum's terms of reference were to consider the current situation of the shipbuilding and shiprepair industry and how to improve its competitiveness so as to increase its share of the European market, leading to increased output, profitability and employment. The Forum produced a Report (a copy of which was placed in the Library in May 1999) and a subsequent Implementation Plan containing Recommendations—more than 40—addressed to all the participants, not just to Government. The Forum believes that these Recommendations will go a long way towards improving the fortunes of the UK shipbuilding and shiprepair industry.The Department has already implemented most of the Recommendations addressed to it, most of which related to improvements to the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund (SIF) and the Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme (HSCGS). The Department has agreed to include an element of profit in SIF calculation; has extended SIF to conversion contracts; and has extended access to SIF to a number of previously excluded yards. The HSCGS has been improved by allowing contacts offering "pure cover" and by allowing US dollar and euro financing. In addition my Department has supported financially two projects being undertaken by the Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers Association aimed at improving productivity in shipyards, both new building and repair/conversion.As well as these measures we are working in the EU and the OECD to find effective international trade disciplines to tackle unfair trade practices, such as low pricing from Korea. The Industry Council achieved a positive conclusion on this issue at its meeting on 9 November, making clear the EU' s determination to deal with Korean unfair pricing and agreeing further actions to this end, including re-engaging Korea in bilateral consultations and pursuing possible actions under the World Trade Organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the principal activities of his Department and its agencies which provide business for (a) Crown post offices and (b) other post offices; if he will assess whether the level of business generated in each case is likely to increase or decrease over the next five years; and which new areas of business for post offices are likely to be developed by his Department and its agencies over the same period. [99554]

By the nature of their operations and activities, this Department and its agencies do not directly provide business for Crown or other post offices and this position is not expected to change over the next five years. Currently no specific new areas of business for post offices are foreseen by this department but the targets for electronic delivery of services (50 per cent. by 2005, 100 per cent. by 2008) represent a real opportunity for additional business for the Post Office network across all public services delivered by central Government. Moreover, equivalent targets are now being set for local Government and there is an opportunity for the Post Office network to gain further business in delivery of services which are the responsibility of local Government. In addition to these Modern Government initiatives, the potential to provide a wider range of banking and other financial services through the Horizon automated system could facilitate an increase in the levels of business generated by or with Government Departments and agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices there are in each parliamentary constituency; and how many of them transact more than 40 per cent. of their work volumes on behalf of the Benefits Agency. [99766]

[holding answer 25 November 1999]: I have obtained from the Post Office a list providing the information requested and have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has approved the Post Office's five year Strategic Plan; and if he will make a statement. [100811]

I am pleased to announce Government approval of the Post Office's Strategic Plan for 1999–2004. This is a five year rolling Plan which will be updated annually. The Plan, as submitted by the Post Office Board meets the requirements set out in the Post Office White Paper (CM 434) and represents a key element in the new arm's length relationship that the Government is now establishing with the Post Office in fulfilment of the reforms described in the White Paper. The Post Office will now be pursuing and developing their strategy and this will be reflected in the Plan for 2000–05, which the Board will be presenting to me next spring.For the Post Office both to modernise and improve services to customers in this country and to develop into a significant global player in distribution markets poses tough challenges, but exciting opportunities. In an increasingly competitive market place for postal services these challenges should not be underestimated as the Post Office itself fully recognises. This means that the Post Office must successfully build on current initiatives and seize commercial opportunities as they arise in the UK and internationally.The key features of the Strategic Plan are commercially confidential, and as such will not be published. However, on the basis of the Plan the Government have set a post-tax profit target of £350 million for the financial year 1999–2000. This figure excludes any exceptional provisions which may be made for the Horizon automation project. As already announced, the Government have set the external financing regime (excluding adjustments for Horizon and acquisitions) as 50 per cent. of the post-tax profits for this year, and therefore, if the Post Office achieves the profit target, this equivalent of a commercial dividend will be £175 million. In the unlikely event of the Post Office falling short of the profit target the minimum figure will be £140 million. The Post Office will not pay dividends until it becomes a plc but in the meantime will set aside the relevant amount in its reserves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to allocate funding for a permanent hearing centre in North Wales for employment tribunal cases; and if he will make a statement. [99985]

The Employment Tribunals Service is presently seeking to identify suitable premises in North Wales. Decisions on funding priorities for 2000–01 and beyond have not yet been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many targets have been agreed between his Department and (i) local authorities and (ii) other bodies apart from his own agencies and non-departmental bodies since May 1997. [99474]

[holding answer 24 November 1999]: The Department's Public Service Agreement (PSA) sets out Departmental and Agency targets. The PSA includes two targets which are shared with HM Treasury and two shared with the Foreign Office. These apart, none of the targets have been agreed between the Department and (i) Local Authorities, or (ii) other bodies apart from the Department's own agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the Government's current investment in the Ilisu Dam, Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [100056]

The Government have provided no support for the Ilisu dam project. We have not yet made a decision on the application for export credit support from Balfour Beatty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the meetings his Department has held with Balfour Beatty plc about the Ilisu Dam Project since 1 January 1998. [100170]

Balfour Beatty has attended meetings with ECGD on:

• 23 June 1998
• 9 October 1998
• 9 April 1999
• 30 June 1999
• 9 July 1999
• 8 September 1999
• 30 September 1999

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantitative assessment the Government have made of the benefits and costs to the United Kingdom of a comprehensive multilateral trade round involving far-reaching liberalisation of trade in (a) agriculture, (b) manufacturing and (c) services. [99873]

A number of studies have been published estimating substantial income gains to the world and the European Union from further trade liberalisation. Two recent ones are by the European Commission and the OECD. The Commission study covers agriculture, industrial tariffs and services; the OECD study does not include services. These studies do not provide separate estimates of the impact on the UK. However, on the assumption that the UK gains in line with its share of Community output and external trade, it is possible to provide a broad indication of the likely effects on the UK economy. On this basis, the European Commission and the OECD studies suggest that further trade liberalisation could bring income gains for the UK of between $8 billion and $19 billion (£5 billion and £11 billion) per year in terms of 1998 prices and incomes. This is equivalent to an income increase of between £210 and £480 per year for the average UK household. All such estimates are sensitive to assumptions made, particularly about the form, scope and scale of further liberalisation. I shall also be writing to the hon. Member with further information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what formal representations have been made by (a) Ministers and (b) officials to the European Commission regarding the negotiating objectives for the forthcoming World Trade Organisation talks. [100277]

UK Ministers have played a key role in shaping the EU's approach to the Seattle meeting where we hope that a new comprehensive round of trade negotiations will be launched. The EU's position was agreed by the Council of Ministers in formal Conclusions on 26 October. Trade Commissioner Lamy and Commission officials have been negotiating on behalf of the EU in Geneva on the basis of these formal Conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the environmental and ethical considerations that he has announced will apply to the ECGD. [100477]

There has been no announcement about ethical or environmental considerations that will apply to ECGD. This is being addressed in the current review of ECGD's Mission and Status. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has announced the introduction of a screening process to facilitate the identification of environmentally sensitive cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Mr. Onliwyn Glyndwr Williams, a constituent of the hon. Member for Hereford, has not yet undergone spirometry testing for the purposes of his compensation claim against British Coal; and if he will make a statement. [99855]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: Appointments for spirometry testing are being made on a regional basis according to an agreed order of priority which reflects age of claimant, age of claim and other relevant information. I understand that Mr. Williams will be receiving an appointment at his home in the course of next week.Approximately 95 per cent. of the 43,000 living claimants identified as at May this year should now have been contacted to arrange an appointment, and nearly 30,000 tests have been conducted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the value of land and property in (i) Scotland, (ii) the United Kingdom, (iii) overseas and (iv) total within the responsibility of the (a) Bio-technology and Biological Sciences Research Council, (b) Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Council, (c) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, (d) Economic and Social Research Council, (e) Medical Research Council, (f) Natural Environment Research Council and (g) Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council. [99816]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: Details of the total assets of the seven science Research Councils are published in their Annual Accounts and the latest DTI Annual Expenditure Plans Report (Cm4211). As expenditure from the Science Budget is deemed to be for the benefit of the UK as a whole, data are not collected in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the Government's policy on the continuation of the EU import tariff on video recorders; and what representations on this it has received in the last 12 months. [100278]

The Government's broad policy objective is to maximise the liberalisation of industrial tariffs world-wide including those of the EU. The consumer electronics industry has indicated, in response to a DTI consultative document on future tariff liberalisation published in May and on other occasions, that in exchange for greatly improved access to third-country markets it would welcome tariff reductions world-wide, including by the EU, on video recorders and all other consumer electronics.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the proposed acquisition of the Tweeddale Press Group by Johnston Press has been referred to the Competition Commission. [100080]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: I have issued a Press Notice inviting comments on the proposed transfer, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he proposes to make to cover the anticipated time lag between the ending of the existing European structural funding on 31 December and the beginning of the transitional payments under the reformed system; and if he will make a statement. [100343]

Projects approved within current Structural funds programmes by the end of this year can be co-financed until the end of 2001.For projects approved within programmes that cover the new period 2000–2006, the Regulations provide for these to be co-financed from 1 January 2000, provided that the draft programmes have been lodged with the Commission by 31 April 2000.These arrangements will ensure continuity of funding between the programming periods.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment his Department has made concerning (a) the potential impact of proposals for the regulation of the private recruitment industry on job seekers over the age of 50 years and (b) the potential effects of restrictions of the charging by recruitment agencies of fees; and if he will make a statement; [99667](2) what assessment his Department has made of the effect of his proposals on the regulation of the private recruitment industry on the ability of hirers to fill vacancies in a timely fashion; [99668](3) what plans his Department has to establish a code of practice for the private recruitment industry as an alternative to regulation. [99669]

Except in respect of a few provisions specifically to protect those under 18 the proposals seek to protect the interests of those using bureaux equally, regardless of age. The effect of the proposals to restrict fee charging to hirers in certain circumstances are assessed in the Regulatory Impact Assessment in the consultation document. Changes to the controls on fee charging to workseekers are set out in Annex 1 of the document. The proposals seek to ensure both that bureaux are able to respond to hirers' requirements promptly and that neither hirers, workers nor third parties are put at risk as a consequence of bureaux not doing necessary checks to establish the suitability of those they are supplying. Careful consideration is being given to all the representations received. I have no plans to establish a code of practice. The reasons why this approach is not considered practicable are set out in chapter 4 of the consultation document.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the environmental assessment questionnaire which companies seeking cover from the ECGD will have to complete from 4 January 2000. [100415]

A copy of ECGD's "Environmental Questionnaire" is being placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason the announcement on 23 November imposing a requirement upon companies applying for credit insurance to the ECGD that they must provide an environmental impact assessment of projects in respect of which they seek cover, was not made to the House. [100411]

The intention to introduce an enhanced environmental screening process was covered in the summer edition of ECGD News and was also mentioned in presentations at successive customer seminars. It is not customary to announce such procedural changes to the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who will judge and against what criteria whether an environmental impact assessment questionnaire completed by an applicant for ECGD cover meets the Government's requirements. [100416]

The "Questionnaire" is simply designed to help ECGD Underwriters identify whether a case may be environmentally sensitive, and consider appropriate action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the regulatory impact assessment which has been carried out in respect of the new requirement upon companies applying for credit insurance to the ECGD that they must provide an environmental impact assessment of projects in respect of which they seek cover. [100413]

A regulatory impact assessment is not appropriate in this case since the introduction of the enhanced environmental screening process does not involve Parliamentary legislation.The environmental screening process being introduced is designed to facilitate the identification of environmentally sensitive cases. Companies will not have to provide an environmental impact assessment in all cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations were carried out with British industry and exporters prior to his announcement that applicants for credit guarantees to the Export Credits Guarantee Department will have to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment of the projects in respect of which they seek cover. [100412]

A number of customers were consulted by ECGD about the form of a draft 'Environmental Questionnaire'. Environmental Impact Assessments will not be required in all cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will be the (a) maximum and (b) minimum fee received by lawyers for work on any individual claim for compensation for (i) vibration white finger injuries and (ii) chronic bronchitis/emphysema. [100213]

Solicitor's costs and the precise circumstances in which those costs are met are detailed in the Handling Agreements for both diseases. The agreed costs for most successful vibration white finger claims will be in the range of £600 plus VAT and reasonable disbursements, although in some cases the costs are dealt with on the merits of each case. For respiratory disease the agreed costs per successful claim range from £500 to £1,750 plus VAT and reasonable disbursements.In addition to these costs the agreements also provide for the payment of costs for claims in particular instances, for example where the disputes procedures have been invoked or where complex special damages are being claimed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the provision he has made for the British Coal health liabilities in respect of compensation claims for (a) vibration white finger injuries and (b) chronic bronchitis and emphysema he estimates will be paid to lawyers in fees agreed under the scheme. [100212]

Solicitors costs are based on agreed tariffs set out in the Handling Agreements. It is not possible at this stage to forecast accurately the provision to cover these costs. The actual amounts paid will depend on the number of successful claims, the particular characteristics of these claims (for example, whether they have been settled by expedited payments) and the disbursements involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what fees lawyers will receive under the scheme agreed for compensation for former miners suffering from (a) vibration white finger and (b) chronic bronchitis/emphysema in respect of claims which are unsuccessful. [100206]

Under the terms of the Handling Agreements negotiated for compensating former miners for these injuries, the Government meets the costs and reasonable disbursements of solicitors in successful claims. No such costs are reimbursed where the claim is unsuccessful. However, in the case of chronic bronchitis and emphysema in addition to the costs agreed for successful claims the Department has also agreed to make payments in respect of all claims on the Register (some 62,000) held by the Department's claim handlers as at 14 June 1999, whether the claimant is successful or not. These costs range from £25 to £100 per claim depending on the date of claim and number of claims held by the solicitor and are in recognition of client care work carried out after the Judgment and before the signing of the Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the UK insurance industry about promoting plain English in insurance policies. [99594]

I have been asked to reply.Policy terms and conditions, and the way they are presented, are ultimately matters for individual insurers. However, the use of Plain English is to be encouraged, not least because of the commercial benefits that accrue from customer satisfaction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage the insurance industry to provide more information to customers about its practice of premium-loading after claims. [99593]

I have been asked to reply.None. It is for insurance companies themselves to determine the terms and conditions of their policies and the premiums that they charge in the light of their assessment of the perceived risk and the need to remain competitive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of the diplomatic missions and international organisations which have outstanding balances of over £10,000 as at 31 March in respect of national non-domestic rates. [99443]

Most missions and international organisations meet their obligations. However, at 31 March 1999, the following missions owed over £10,000 for national non-domestic rates:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to UK embassies and high commissions of the appeal system for family visits in each of the last five years. [99897]

The Right of Appeal against the refusal of visas for visits was withdrawn in 1993. There has therefore been no extra cost to UK Embassies and High Commissions over the past five years in this respect. An appeal system for family visits is to be introduced within the next 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made, in respect of each of the five posts overseas that deal with the greatest number of visitor applications, of the need for further entry clearance officers to deal with family visit appeals. [99898]

All visa issuing posts have been asked to estimate the likely staffing implications arising from the new right of appeal for family visits, which is due to be introduced within the next twelve months. We are assessing the responses but no final decisions on additional staff will be taken until the implementation procedures are agreed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made about ensuring the safety of Ahmadiyya followers in Pakistan in the last two months. [99849]

We continue to raise our concerns about the position of Pakistan's Ahmadiyya community with the Pakistani authorities. We have noted General Musharraf's promise to Pakistan's minorities that their rights would be respected and that they would be treated as equal citizens. Our High Commissioner in Islamabad has underlined to General Musharraf and other members of his administration the need for the military authorities in Pakistan to maintain respect for human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on opening negotiations with Argentina regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. [R] [100017]

There is no doubt about British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, confirmed in international law. This is not negotiable. We are committed to defend the Islanders' right to determine their own future.In consultation with the Falkland Islands Government, we continue to discuss with Argentina issues of common interest in the South Atlantic, for example the conservation of fish stocks, in order to improve the way we manage our differences with Argentina that arise from our respective positions on sovereignty. The British-Argentine Joint Statement of 14 July was a significant milestone in this process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about the contribution of BBC World Television to the promotion of British interests internationally; and if he will make a statement. [99997]

We have received no such representations. In July, a senior producer from BBC World wrote to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary about future funding of BBC World. In his reply, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear that, as BBC World was established as a commercial venture, he could see no possibility of Government taking on responsibility for its financing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to provide grant in aid from his Department's budget for BBC World Television; and if he will make a statement. [99996]

There are no plans to provide grant in aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's budget for BBC World. BBC World is a commercial operation funded by subscription and/or advertising. It is part of the BBC's commercial arm and is quite separate from the BBC World Service which is funded by parliamentary grant in aid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legal advice he has obtained since the Kosovo campaign on the legality of the NATO intervention in Kosovo. [100089]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: Throughout the Kosovo crisis, the Government took legal advice in accordance with standing procedures. They continue to do so as necessary. During the NATO air campaign, a series of cases was brought by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia against the UK and other NATO Allies before the International Court of Justice. The UK's defence in these proceedings has been handled by the Attorney-General in person, assisted by a legal team composed of officials and outside counsel. If the FRY persists in its case against the UK, we shall contest it vigorously.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had from (a) Bulgaria, (b) Hungary and (c) Romania on the clearing of the Danube. [100088]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: We are aware of, and share, the concerns of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania about the blockages in the Danube caused by downed bridges at Novi Sad. The matter is currently under discussion within the Danube Commission at technical level, and within the EU. The last meeting of the General Affairs Council on 15 November confirmed the EU's willingness to provide the Danube states and the Danube Commission with active support in their efforts to devise and implement a solution, and that it was prepared to examine an EU contribution to the clearance on the Danube on the basis of proposals to be put forward by the Danube Commission.The General Affairs Council also recalled however, that, under international law, the main responsibility for clearing the Danube lies with the FRY. It requested the Yugoslav authorities immediately and unconditionally to perform or allow the necessary clearance operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of the UK contribution to the Stability Pact between its inception and 30 October. [100081]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: We anticipate that the UK's contribution to cover the costs of the inaugural Summit meeting of the Stability Pact, and the costs incurred in supporting the EU' s Special Representative for the Stability Pact until 31 December 1999, will be approximately £225,000.The Stability Pact is not intended to be a grant-giving organisation but we will continue to support the implementing agencies (EU, OSCE, IFIs etc.) through our regular contributions and on a case-by-case basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the deaths of Iranian law enforcement personnel in a clash with drug traffickers on 3 November. [100337]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary greatly regrets these tragic deaths and sent a message of condolence to the Iranian Foreign Minister. They are another very distressing reflection of the efforts and commitment that Iran has made to combat the narcotics trade.Hon. Members will recall that, in March this year, the UK donated £300,000 to the United Nations International Drugs Control Programme to provide Iranian frontier personnel with 1,020 bullet proof vests. I should like to announce that, following discussions with the Iranian authorities in Tehran over the weekend, the Government are donating a further £1 million to UNDCP for projects in Iran and separately giving £150,000 of bilateral drugs assistance. The UNDCP programme covers training and equipment primarily to strengthen counter-narcotics work at Iran's borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our proposed bilateral assistance covers training and equipment for the border with Turkey and airport controls, areas not covered by the UNDCP programme. Our overall assistance package will improve the capacity of Iranian drugs control agencies to combat the traffickers and to stop drugs entering and leaving Iran.No suppliers have yet been nominated for the goods covered by this assistance package. The export from the UK of some of the goods concerned may be subject to control and an export licence might need to be granted if they are sourced from the UK. If such a licence were granted, this could constitute an exception to our arms embargo on Iran and would be announced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Iranian Government, and with what response, over the arrest and detention of those who took part in pro-democracy demonstrations in July. [100471]