asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their priority for education within the bilateral aid programmes to low income countries and why expenditure for education has consistently fallen as a percentage of aid to such countries since 1992–93.

Basic education, including primary education, junior secondary, adult literacy and non-formal education is a priority objective within our bilateral development assistance programmes to low income countries. Expenditure recorded under the broad education sector code, as a percentage of development assistance to such countries has been maintained at a consistent percentage level of between 10 per cent. and 13 per cent. since 1987–88 although in 1992–93 the figure rose to a high of 13.63 per cent. As new projects, approved in 1995 and 1996, totalling over £140 million come on stream and others currently under development are approved, annual expenditure on basic education projects for low income countries is expected to rise in real terms over the next few years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why expenditure for education within their aid programme to low income countries stood in real terms at £42,993,000 in 1995–96 as compared with £55,059,000 in 1991–92.

The figures quoted relate only to expenditure recorded under the broad education economic sector code. Because of the nature of ODA's project funding, it is normal for expenditure to fluctuate for any one sector year on year. When a number of projects start around the same time, this can distort the overall picture. The figures for 1995–96 should be read against this background; during 1995 and 1996 a new spending cycle commenced, with approval being given to major education projects for Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia totalling over £140 million overall. In fact, spending on major education projects and education activities within multi-sector projects to low-income countries totalled £82.2 million in 1995–96 compared with £45.8 million in 1991–92.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the current position on Aid Trade Provision (ATP) and if they will make a statement.

Given the success of British companies in winning business with ATP support, the ATP budget in Asia is under severe pressure. This is why companies were advised of a hold on new offers of ATP support in Asia last November. I have now finalised the future allocation of aid resources following the Budget. The allocations for ATP in the next two years have been increased by 45 per cent. and 37 per cent. respectively, to £77.7 million in 1997–98 and £70.7 million in 1998–99. The 1999–2000 allocation is £49 million.In Asia, these enhanced levels will allow ODA to meet contractual commitments; to support those projects on which offers of assistance have been made; and to proceed, subject to satisfactory appraisal, with identified projects for which appraisals are nearly complete or are close to approval. Further ahead, we will fulfil our obligations under the concessional finance arrangements signed with overseas governments as aid programme resources allow. In practice, with the exception of the small number of projects mentioned above where appraisal is well advanced, no further offers of ATP in Asia are likely to be made for some time. However, ATP remains a significant element in the ODA aid effort, and the position will be reviewed again during this year's public expenditure round. In Africa where demands are fewer, business can continue as usual within the resources allocated.Companies seeking further information on ATP in either Asia or Africa should consult the ODA or DTI.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 24 February.

Twenty three of the 25 A Points in document 6052/97, the text of which will be placed in the House as soon as it is available, were approved. They included the decision to sign an interim association agreement and joint statement on political dialogue with the PLO. Denmark entered waiting reserves on two points; an EU/Mexico agreement on control of precursors and maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal origin.The Council noted the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament listed on Documents 5091/97 and 5094/97. Copies of these documents will also be placed in the House as soon as they are available.The Commission and Presidency gave an oral presentation to the Council on the preparations of the second meeting of Foreign Ministers within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, which will be held in Malta on 15 and 16 April. The Council underlined the importance of the Malta meeting as an opportunity to take stock of progress and to set priorities for the future. The Council welcomed the signature of the EC/PLO Interim European Union and the Republic of South Africa through the establishment of a long-term framework of co-operation that will assist South Africa during and beyond its current transitional phase. The Council noted the resumption of negotiations in January 1997 and will consider taking advantage of the facilitating clause of article 364 of the revised Lomé IV Convention, which would allow early accession without further ratification. The Council recalled its commitment that the qualified accession of South Africa to the Lomé convention will not negatively affect the interests of the current ACP membership.The Council discussed the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) mid term review but were unable to reach agreement. The Council concluded that they would return to this at a future meeting.The Council called for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian purposes in the Great Lakes region and reaffirmed the European Union's support for regional efforts to find a political solution and for the democratisation process in Zaire, noting the appointment of the Portuguese nominee Mr. Vasconcelos as head of the electoral unit in Kinshasa. It also asked for the political committee to examine the scope for a regional arms embargo. The Council welcomed the five point plan contained in UN Security Council Resolution 1097 and the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Sahnoun as UN/OAU Special Representative to the Great Lakes region. It supported the efforts of African leaders, in particular President Mandela and welcomed their decision to hold a regional summit on 12 March in Nairobi.The Council discussed the economic situation in the Balkans, in particular the difficulties of the countries in transition in south eastern Europe and noted the measures already taken by the European Commission to alleviate the consequences of the current crisis in Bulgaria. The Council agreed to follow the situation closely.The Council had an exchange of views on Albania and the possibilities for the Union to contribute to a solution to the present crisis. The Council agreed that a joint senior officials' mission with the European Commission would deliver a message reporting its concerns to the Albanian Government and the opposition leadership.The Council discussed the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in light of the fact-finding mission carried out by the Presidency and the Commission in Belgrade on 20 February 1997. While acknowledging that the results of the elections of 17 November 1996 have been implemented, the Council reiterated the need to implement the remaining parts of the Gonzalez report; the opening of a dialogue with the opposition on free access to the media and reform of the electoral law. The Council expressed concern about the situation in Kosovo and called upon the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to co-operate in the early implementation of a visit to the region by the special representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Mr. Van der Stoel, and the chairman of the working group on ethnic and national communities and minorities, Ambassador Lutz. The Council agreed to return to these issues at its next session.The Council underlined the importance of implementing the decision on Brcko and expressed its full support for the High Representative in this context. Recalling the importance of the regional approach, the Council welcomed the European Commission's report on the practical application of conditionality and called for relevant Council bodies to continue to examine this principle in preparation for further discussion at the next General Affairs Council.The Council noted the report of the fact-finding mission to Belarus and agreed with its recommendations. It asked the head of the mission, Mr. Kosto, to pass the report's contents to Mr. Lukashenko, President of Belarus.The Council discussed human rights in China and reaffirmed its willingness to continue a dialogue with China on this issue. The Council hoped progress would be achieved. Meanwhile, it invited the Presidency to continue and intensify, in close co-operation with others, consultations and preparations already underway for the possible tabling of a resolution on human rights in China in the UN Commission for Human Rights in Geneva. A decision will be taken in the light of the development of the situation.Under any other business, the Commission's paper on preferential trade agreements was raised. The Council noted this for discussion at the March General Affairs Council.The 10th Ministerial meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference was held on the afternoon of Monday 24 February. As usual it was preceded by an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament. The Presidency text on justice and home affairs was discussed. We made clear that practical co-operation was what was needed, not institutional change, and that no added value was to be had from extending the role of Community institutions and procedures in the third pillar. We emphasised the progress that had been made in the third pillar during the last five years, and the need to build on this.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs about the dangers of taking Ecstasy.

The Government have received advice from the council on this matter. The council takes the view that the unpredictability of the effects of taking Ecstasy (MDMA), including the possibility of death, means that there is cause for serious concern about the risks involved. The council advises that in contrast to the desired effects of the drug, there have also been regular reports of serious short-term effects. First-ever epileptic fits, panic attacks, paranoid states and confusional episodes are well known and often seen in some accident and emergency departments. These short-term disorders are potentially serious, although they are usually amenable to treatment.The council reports that long-term effects which have been observed include permanent visual changes, depression and panic attacks. Some individuals will be at risk of developing psychotic illness. Post mortems on some individuals who have died in circumstances associated with the drug have suggested direct damage to the liver and heart. The deaths which have occurred have been unpredictable and sporadic and seem usually to have been brought on either by hyperthermia (overheating) and the complications which follow or, very rarely, through excessive water consumption which has led to acute water intoxication. The council advises that other similar drugs such as MDA or MDEA may well carry similar or greater risks. Misuse of Ecstasy in combination with other drugs or alcohol will have a tendency to increase the risks. The risks of dehydration and overheating are likely to be exaggerated by high ambient temperatures and crowding.The Council advises that ecstasy tablets seized in this country have not contained other harmful substances. The harmful effects are as a result of MDMA itself. The Department of Health, through the Health Education Authority, is using the advice of the Council to inform its drugs prevention campaign, as part of the Government's drugs strategy, Tackling Drugs Together. The advice will also be used to inform the forthcoming advice to local authorities on improving the health and safety of young people at clubs and similar venues.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion of the shares of the Merseyside Dock and Harbour Company they still hold; and whether the statement by the Secretary of State for Employment "that there will be no return to the casual system of working" (H. C. Deb., 17 April 1989, col. 45) remains valid.

The Government own some 12.4 million shares in the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, representing around 13.9 per cent. of the company's issued share capital. The statement by the then Secretary of State in 1989 remains valid. There has been no return to the widespread casualisation which was characteristic of dock work before the mid '60s when large numbers of unskilled labourers assembled each day at the docks in search of work. Dock work is now highly skilled and capital intensive. It requires a flexible and well trained workforce.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, in requiring British Airways to give up slots at Heathrow as a condition of the proposed merger with American Airlines, took account of the likely impact on services to Jersey, if British Airways should recover some of the lost longer distance slots by taking them from services being operated within the British Isles.

My right honourable friend, the President of the Board of Trade announced on 6 December last year that unless suitable undertakings are given by British Airways and American Airlines to address the competition concerns raised by their proposed alliance he intends to refer the case to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. He asked the Director-General of Fair Trading to explore whether such undertakings could be obtained and interested third parties were invited to comment on his proposals. The Director-General of Fair Trading is currently considering further advice to my right honourable friend in the light of those comments and his negotiations with the alliance partners. On receipt of that advice, my right honourable friend will consider the competition case further.The proposed undertakings announced on 6 December included a requirement that the alliance should make available slots at Heathrow at times suitable for competing United Kingdom/United States transatlantic services. Any consequent adjustments to their use of slots would however be a commercial matter for the companies themselves.The Department of Transport has lead responsibility on United Kingdom policy regarding the regulation of take-off and landing slots. The Government accept that take-off and landing slots at Heathrow are in scarce supply but consider that it is for individual airlines to determine which routes should be served using the slots available. Airlines must be free to respond quickly to changes in the market in order to remain competitive. As a result, the Government do not consider it appropriate to ring-fence airports slots for particular services, as this would distort the aviation market and impose limitations on airlines.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they believe it is satisfactory that while procedures exist within NATO for sharing information on bilateral activities (as stated in the answer given by Earl Howe on 12 February,

As I indicated to the noble Lord in my Written Answer on 12 February (Official Report, col. WA 22) NATO procedures for sharing information on bilateral activities are used regularly, and the UK believes them to be satisfactory. We do not intend to propose that sharing information on such activities be made obligatory.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland:Whether the Prior Options studies of the Insolvency Service, Companies Registry and Trading Standards Branches of the Department of Economic Development have been completed and, if so, what was the outcome.

These studies, which were undertaken by independent consultants, have been completed and Ministers have concluded that given the size of the organisations involved, agentisation, either on an individual basis, or collectively, would be inappropriate. Ministers have agreed, however, that next steps principles should be applied to the management of the statutory and regulatory functions which all three branches are required to perform.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What changes would have to be made to the design of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to cater for future upgrade to about 350 kph, particularly in respect of geometry of track layouts, track design, and overhead line equipment, for the sections Channel Tunnel to Ebbsfleet, Ebbsfleet to Stratford, and Stratford to St. Pancras.

The maximum speed capability of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link will vary at different locations throughout the route; 270 kph is likely to be the normal maximum, but there may be short sections where there is an opportunity to reach higher speeds and other sections where lower limits are required. A future upgrade to permit speeds up to 350 kph, would require substantial alterations to the track layout and design and to overhead line equipment. Additional land would probably be needed to allow for: curves to be slackened; a flatter alignment; a greater separation of the tracks; larger diameter tunnels; possible addition of separate domestic tracks at certain locations; and the increased levels of mitigation that would be necessary. Any such alterations would have to meet the provisions of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996; of the environmental minimum requirements associated with the project; of the various undertakings and assurances given during the passage of the Act; and, in particular, of the assurance that I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Thomson of Monifieth, during the Second Reading debate on 21 May 1996 that the alignment of the CTRL would not be changed by an order under the Transport & Works Act 1992 [Official Report: 21/5/96 col. 837]. London & Continental Railways have, I understand, no plans to design the railway for the speeds suggested by the noble Lord.