asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have reached a decision on UK membership of UNIDO.

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for International Development has today informed the UN Secretary-General of our decision to remain a member of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). We will work from within the organisation in order to demonstrate the Government's strong commitment to support the United Nations and its agencies and reforms which increase their effectiveness. This decision recognises both the changes made so far in UNIDO and the UN Secretary-General's efforts to bring about a more effective UN.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the functions of the European Commission for Democracy through Law.

The Statute of the European Commission for Democracy through Law does not specify the Commission's functions. However the Commission's principal work has been in providing independent expert advice to the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe on constitutional matters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they accept the accuracy of the report published by Magnus Linklater in

The release of papers held on Klaus Barbie is being reviewed by the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I shall write to the noble Lord when the outcome of this review is complete and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they have about Turkey's plans for withdrawing its forces now occupying parts of northern Iraq; and whether any international organisation has sought assurances on this point.

We have been told by the Turkish authorities that they have already withdrawn 90 per cent. of their forces from northern Iraq. We have reminded the Turkish Government that we hope to see a full withdrawal from Iraqi territory as soon as possible. We are not aware of assurances sought by international organisations on this point.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the General Affairs Council on 2–3 June.

The 24 A points in Document 9256/97, the text of which will be placed in the Libraries of the House as soon as it is available, were agreed.The Council noted the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament listed in Documents 8021/97 and 8773/97. Copies of these documents will also be placed in the Libraries of the House as soon as they are available.Following agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty, the Council noted that legal editing of the text was under way, with a view to signature in Amsterdam in October. COREPER was mandated to consider any necessary preparations before the Treaty entered into force. The Council called on the Secretariat-General to report back after signature of the Treaty on possible organisational arrangements for setting up the CFSP policy planning cell, and integrating the Saengen Secretariat into the General Secretariat of the Council.The Council reconfirmed the position set out in the December 1996 Common Position on Cuba and approved the Presidency proposals for its evaluation and implementation. The objective of the European Union remains the encouragement of a process of peaceful transition to democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, a sustainable economic recovery and an improvement in the living standards of the Cuban people. The Council will re-evaluate the Union's position after a further six months.The Council agreed conclusions on preparatory work for the extraordinary European Council on Employment.The Presidency and Commission reported on the Denver Summit of the Eight. Member states took note of the achievements of the summit, particularly on the environment, financial stability and Hong Kong.The Presidency and the Commission reported on the EU/Canada Summit held in Denver on 20 June. The summit reviewed progress on the EU/Canada Action Plan and Political Declaration signed in December 1996. The UK intends to use its Presidency of the EU to build upon Dutch efforts to maintain the momentum of the EU/Canada process.The sixth EU/Japan Summit was held in The Hague on 25 June. It discussed the importance of a successful ASEM (Asia Europe Meeting) Summit in London in April 1998. Japan confirmed that broad-based deregulation remained an essential part of its structural reform programme. Both sides reiterated support for Chinese and Russian accession to the World Trade Organisation on commercially viable terms.The EU issued a declaration on the eve of the parliamentary elections in Albania which urged all political parties to participate and to respect the results and accept the OSCE assessment on their validity. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to support the elections, including sending monitors, although responsibility for holding free and fair elections remains with Albania. It stressed the importance of consolidating the reconciliation process after the elections and is prepared to support economic recovery in Albania once certain conditions are met. Future relations with Albania depend on the restoration of democratic principles and sound economic practices. The Council agreed that, subject to an agreement with the IMF, it was desirable to hold an International Donors' Conference for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the earliest possible date. Close co-ordination with the High Representative, the World Bank and other donors would be required to achieve this.The Council discussed the current situation regarding the extension of the UN Transition Administration for Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES) mandate in Eastern Slavonia.The Council stressed the importance of efforts to conclude negotiations for Association Agreements with Egypt and Lebanon as soon as possible. It agreed to assess how to meet Spanish concerns about a review clause in the EU/Jordan Agreement dealing with the section on agricultural quotas.The Council discussed the implications for the EU of Burma's accession to ASEAN, underlining concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Burma, and calling on the SLORC to allow a visit to Burma by the UN Special Rapporteur. The Council confirmed its commitment to the EU/ASEAN dialogue and reaffirmed that Burma's membership of ASEAN did not automatically imply membership of ASEM. Possible additional measures against Burma will be considered again in September in the light of the forthcoming ASEAN Regional Forum/Post Ministerial Conference (ARF/PMC) meetings and developments in Burma.A Dutch proposal to solve the impasse in agreeing the mid-term review for the Overseas Countries and Territories was opposed. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Henderson, pointed out that the failure to reach agreement was prolonging the suffering of a number of Dependent Territories, including Montserrat. The UK urged the Council to proceed with discussions on the basis of the Irish Presidency proposal. This view was supported by others. It was agreed that the Netherlands would consult further with the Commission with a view to reaching agreement in July.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will resist in the enlargement negotiations all efforts by potential new members of the European Union to benefit from the existing Common Agricultural Policy tobacco regime.

As I made clear on 9 June, we are committed to seeking the widest possible degree of reform of the tobacco regime and expect detailed Commission proposals to come forward in the autumn. It is not yet clear how the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will be extended to EU applicant countries, but in all previous enlargements the assumption has been that acceding member states adopt the EU rules in existence when they join. Nevertheless, we may be sure that the forthcoming enlargement of the Community will add to the pressure for significant reform of the CAP.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the current arrangements for 6 and 6 to 12 mile limits under the Common Fisheries Policy will expire in 2002 unless new derogations are agreed to.

Yes. The current restrictions on foreign fishing vessels within our 6 and 12 mile fisheries limits will continue to apply until 31 December 2002. The Government are committed to securing their renewal after 2002 as part of the process of reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy.The Commission, in the exchange of letters between the President of the Commission and the Prime Minister, has said that it seems unlikely that there will be a modification to the current access restrictions inside the 12 mile limits after 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are confident that the European Commission will find it necessary to report to the Council later this year with proposals for improvements in the enforcement of the Common Fisheries Policy.

In his letter of 17 June to the Prime Minister, a copy of which has been deposited in the Libraries of the House, the President of the Commission stated that:

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect the European Commission to publish proposals for the review of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002.

In accordance with Article 14(2) of Council Regulation 3760/92, the Commission has to report to the Council and European Parliament, by 31 December 2002 at the latest, on the situation of the fishing industry in the Community and on the operation of the Common Fisheries Policy. The Commission has said that it intends to consult very widely before drawing up its report and indicated that these consultations are likely to begin in the near future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will announce the outcome of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Sustainable Development.

The Special Session reviewed the progress made on sustainable development since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. One of the most important problems discussed was the need to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and thus limit the problems caused by climate change. In his address to the General Assembly, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister urged other developed countries to recognise their responsibilities in this area by pointing to the example that the United Kingdom and other European Union countries have already set. Later in the week, President Clinton acknowledged the role of the European Union in focusing the debate of this issue, and gave his personal commitment of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We expect this to be translated into action at Kyoto. Unfortunately, the agreement at the Special Session on climate change did not have the specific commitment to reductions that we had sought. Much hard negotiating work remains to be done, but the UK will continue to make every effort to get developed countries to agree legally binding targets for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at Kyoto in December.We also emphasised the UK Government's commitment to reversing the decline in Britain's development assistance and improving its quality by refocusing our efforts in eradicating poverty. Although some other developed countries could not go as far as the UK, the meeting stressed the need to increase aid towards the UN target of 0.7 per cent. and pledged to negotiate a satisfactory replenishment of the Global Environment Facility. We cannot expect the poorest countries to take action themselves if the developed world is not more constructive about its aid programmes.The continuing threat to the world's forests was a key issue for the Special Session. Although the European Union pressed hard for a Convention on forests, we were unable to secure agreement from other major countries. Nonetheless the establishment of an Intergovernmental Forum on Forests is a good step forward. The Forum will report in 1999 on the possible I elements of a Forest Convention, and will also consider finance and trade issues. In addition, it will monitor implementation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests 1997 report, which contained over a hundred action points. As the UK's contribution to this effort, we announced that the UK intended to adopt a new Forest Standard to provide a benchmark for the regeneration of our forests. We also promised an increase in our development assistance for forestry management.Together with our partners from the European Union, we have secured agreement for a plan of action to provide universal access to clean water and sanitation. One fifth of the world has no access to clean water and one half has no proper sanitation, so a new initiative is urgently needed. A series of meetings will take place to prepare for the 1998 meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development when there will be negotiations on the plan. A successful outcome of these negotiations will be a key objective for our presidency.The European Union pressed for international action on sustainable energy management, and was successful in securing commitment to preparatory discussions in advance of the debate on energy in the 2001 session of the Commission on Sustainable Development. There was also agreement on the importance of energy management for both developed and developing countries, and on the need for energy prices to reflect their true environmental costs, as well as a gradual elimination of subsidies that inhibit sustainable development. The Special Session confirmed the importance of promoting integrated transport policies, since transport is the largest end user of energy in developed countries and the fastest growing one in most developing countries.Under strong pressure from the European Union, the Special Session agreed that the possibility of an aviation fuel tax should remain on the international agenda. Studies will continue in international fora, especially the International Civil Aviation Organisation, on the use of economic instruments for the mitigation of the negative impacts on aviation.Lastly, the European Union ensured that there would be further work at a global level to address the problems facing the world's oceans, especially the depletion of fish stocks.There were also discussions on the financial implications of the Convention on Desertification. We supported the conclusion that the Convention should help channel existing resources more effectively but should not create a new and dedicated fund.In conclusion, a number of modest but positive steps were made at the Special Session. Nevertheless much remains to be done, and the UK will continue to use its best endeavours to pursue these issues in the months to come.The UK delegation included people representing the broad range of sustainable developments interests in the UK, and dependent territories. As a result of our strong commitment and constructive approach, the UK has now established itself as one of the leading players in international negotiations on sustainable development.A copy of the final text of the document will be placed in the Library as soon as it is available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will report on the agenda of the Prime Minister's visit to Madrid between 8 and 9 July for the NATO Summit.

My right honourable friend the Prime Minister plans to join the other NATO Heads of Government in Madrid on 8 July. We will discuss the enlargement of NATO and expect to announce that a small number of countries should be invited to begin accession negotiations. We would be content for the number of countries to be set at three. We will also review progress on the development of the European Security and Defence Identity in NATO, following the decision taken by NATO Foreign Ministers at Berlin in 1996; and on the development of a new NATO Command Structure.On 9 July we will sign with President Kuchma of Ukraine the NATO/Ukraine Charter, which will symbolise Ukraine's importance to European security and provide for increased NATO/Ukraine co-operation.Heads of Government will also discuss greater co-operation with NATO's partner countries in the EURO-Atlantic Partnership Council, including military co-operation through NATO's programme of Partnership for Peace.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to Baroness Jay's Written Answer of 10 June, (col.

In my Answer on 10 June I announced our intention to review the 43 major acute sector Private Finance Initiative (PH) schemes in the National Health Service. We have today arranged for copies of the full results of the review to be placed in the Library. My honourable friend the Minister for Health (Mr. Milburn) has also written to all Members and stakeholders in health PH, enclosing copies of the results. Fourteen major acute schemes have been selected, representing almost £1.3 billion of new capital investment in NHS hospitals.The review was undertaken by officials and all schemes were graded according to three criteria: (i) their service need; (ii) status—how far and well negotiations have progressed and (iii) "PFI ability"—how well the scheme fits with the PFI process and hence its likelihood of delivering a successful outcome.This process was both fair and open. Officials from the Department of Health shared with the trusts the criteria against which the projects were judged and their relative markings. My honourable friend the Minister for Health and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health, as far as the schemes in the Northern and Yorkshire region are concerned, examined the gradings and the reasons why officials recommended schemes either be included or excluded. We also received representations from many Members.The 14 schemes which most successfully met the three criteria will be asked to continue with their PFI proposal, with the objective of reaching an early and acceptable financial close over the next 18 months. A complete table listing all the scores, along with a note explaining the criteria, has been placed in the Library. We have instructed officials to prepare programmes and milestones for every successful scheme. The schemes will be subject to the normal rigorous approval processes and any of these 14 schemes that subsequently fail to deliver to time or price will be cancelled.Those schemes not selected will be asked to cease any further action on their contract. They should stand down their partner if they have selected one and cancel all tendering procedures.Any trust or consortium whose scheme has not met the three criteria and which wishes to make representations to the Secretary of State should do so within the next 10 days. Otherwise such trusts should now take steps to stand down their partners or cancel the tendering procedure.Those schemes not selected will be eligible for consideration as part of a national capital prioritisation exercise by the NHS Executive's Capital Prioritisation Advisory Group. This group will review major acute schemes for health service need and will recommend those which should go forward either as part of the next tranche of PFI schemes which we plan to announce in spring 1998, or for funding from the public sector capital that is available.The exercise did not consider the schemes affected by the London review, which is due to report in the Autumn. These schemes are also listed in papers deposited in the Library.The longer term review of the PFI product and process will report its recommendations later this year. This will look to consolidate the improvements in the PFI begun with this prioritisation exercise.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have for Cookham Wood secure training centre.

The Government are committed to ensuring, as a priority, that courts have appropriate powers to deal with the small group of persistent young offenders who wreak havoc in their communities. Our aim is to provide the courts with a more coherent and flexible set of powers to deal with persistent juvenile offenders than those left by the previous government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:With reference to the statement in the Labour Party manifesto that "we will place on councils a new duty to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area", when detailed proposals for this change will be published.

We intend to consult the Local Government Association and all other interested parties on the proposed new duty for councils to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area as we implement our manifesto programme for good local government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they consider that the practicalities of the present legislative and administrative arrangements are such that it is unlikely that any further local education authorities will institute a system of sixth form colleges; and whether, given the performance of such colleges where they have been established, this is a situation they regret.

Yes.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to ensure that the spiritual dimension is included in environmental education being undertaken in primary schools.

Last year the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority issued a document of guidance for primary and secondary schools in England on good practice in teaching about the environment in the context of the National Curriculum and religious education. The authority is now developing guidance for schools in England on pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This will cover values in the context of society, relationships, the self and the environment. It will help identify the potential for exploring the spiritual dimension of environmental education across the curriculum and beyond it in the wider work of schools.In Scotland, the National Guidelines 5–14 for children between those ages offer a number of opportunities for schools to explore the spiritual dimension of environmental education. The guidelines on environmental studies recommend study of the various ways that people and places are interdependent and the background to global issues. The guidelines on religious and moral education emphasise an awareness of human responsibility towards the natural world and environmental issues. Those on personal and social development include reference to the themes of interdependence with the natural world and conservation.In Northern Ireland, the core syllabus for religious education requires children to learn that, in the Christian tradition, God created and cares for the environment, and that they should respect and care for all living things.