asked the Leader of the House:Which five Peers asked the most Questions for Written Answer in the financial year ended 31 March 1997; how many each of them asked; and what was the total cost of answering the questions of each of these Peers.

The information requested is as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to receive the Third Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

The Third Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, under the chairmanship of Lord Nolan, is being published today as Command Paper 3702. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Vote Office and the Library of the House.We are committed to ensuring the highest standards in public life in this country. I am grateful to Lord Nolan and his colleagues for the significant contribution that they continue to make towards improving the standards of conduct throughout the public sector. Their Third Report covers local government in England, Scotland and Wales.The committee received wide-ranging written submissions, and heard extensive oral evidence, in open proceedings. It has concluded that there are "an enormous number of dedicated and hard working people" in local government. It has, however, identified that there is a lack of clarity about rules of expectation of proper behaviour, which it believes is because the responsibility for the maintenance of standards has moved away from local government.The committee is, therefore, proposing that in the new climate of improved relations between central and local government, a new start should now be made on building an ethical framework for local government. This would take the best of what already exists, but place responsibility with local government itself. In this context the committee has unanimously made some 40 detailed recommendations. These, if implemented, would result in a radical restructuring of the ethical framework in which local authorities—their members and officers—operate.I welcome the committee's careful examination and analysis of conduct—both of councillors and officers—in local authorities. Its confirmation of the strengths of local government in Great Britain is reassuring, and demonstrates that there is a firm foundation on which we can build. We entirely accept the committee's conclusion that now is the time to make a new start on the ethical framework for local government.Accordingly, we shall now be consulting widely on the committee's specific recommendations, including with the Local Government Association, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Welsh Local Government Association, the Audit Commission of England and Wales, and the Scottish Accounts Commission. In parallel with this consultation, the Nolan Committee will be consulting on a proposal for a new statutory offence of misuse of public office, which would apply across the public sector, including local government. Copies of the committee's consultation paper are available with the Report.Our intention is to work in partnership with local government to establish a framework for local authorities guaranteeing the highest standards of conduct. Such a framework will be central to achieving our manifesto aim of more independent but accountable local government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their policy to rule out charging NHS patients for general practitioner visits for the course of this Parliament.

The comprehensive spending review will review all aspects of Government spending in the context of the Government's election manifesto commitment, "If you are ill or injured there will be a National Health Service there to help; and access to it will be based on need and need alone—not on your ability to pay, or on who your general practitioner happens to be or where you live."

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they intend to demonstrate their achievement of their manifesto promise to end waiting for cancer surgery.

We are currently looking with the National Health Service at the implementation, including the information requirements, of our commitment to end waiting times for all cancer treatment.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they intend to demonstrate that banning tobacco advertising, as distinct from any other influence, has had an effect on the prevalence of smoking.

The Smee report, published in 1992, states that in other countries, "the banning of advertising was followed by a fall in smoking on a scale which cannot reasonably be attributed to other factors". A copy of the report is available in the Library.The Government recognise that controlling smoking prevalence requires a wide range of measures if it is to have a lasting impact and it will not, therefore, be possible to identify the influence of the ban alone in the package of measures which will be employed here.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will increase the area of new plantings of coniferous and broad-leaved woodland on Forestry Commission land; and, if so, what targets for planting they will set over the next five years.

We wish to see an increase in the area of woodland in Britain, not only on Forestry Commission land but also on privately owned land. We have no plans to set specific annual targets.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer of the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on 20 May (HC Deb.,

The new research programme which was announced last month will look at the possible health effects of having multiple vaccinations and taking other medication concurrently. The results of this work will help address the concerns of veterans about the use of medical countermeasures during the Gulf War, as well as inform the department's policy on the future use of such countermeasures. It is intended that the new research will be subject to appropriate independent scrutiny at every stage and that it will be a rigorous programme of work, scientifically valid in its own right.While the Medical Research Council has not formally recommended this programme of research, Her Majesty's Government is liaising closely with the MRC to ensure that the new programme is scientifically sound and compatible with the MoD-funded epidemiological studies already under way.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether tactical ballistic missile defence deployment by any NATO member requires the agreement of all other NATO members, and in particular whether it is open to US forces in the NATO area to deploy such systems (e.g., with the Sixth Fleet) without express NATO agreement.

The deployment of a national tactical missile defence capability for the protection of national personnel or assets would be a matter for the nation concerned, in consultation with the receiving nation, and would not require the agreement of NATO members. National forces or capabilities deployed under NATO command would be subject to Alliance agreement under established procedures.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the total currently realised by 1p in the pound off income tax at the standard rate at present in force.

The standard rate of income tax was abolished in 1973. The estimated full year cost of decreasing the basic rate of income tax by 1p would be £1.7 billion at 1997–98 income levels.

asked Her Majesty's Government:With reference to the statement in the Labour Party manifesto that "over the economic cycle, we will only borrow to invest", what point in that cycle they consider the United Kingdom has reached; and whether they consider it to be appropriate for borrowing to exceed or fall short of investment at such a point.

The Government's fiscal rules are set out in the Financial Statement and Budget Report, July 1997, along with forecasts for the economy and for the public finances. The Treasury's assessment is that the output gap is close to zero, and there is a risk that output could already be above trend. The Government's deficit reduction plan means that public sector borrowing falls below investment next year and each year thereafter, thereby meeting the golden rule.

asked Her Majesty's Government:With reference to the statement in the Labour Party manifesto that "we will ensure that—over the economic cycle—public debt as a proportion of national income is at stable and prudent level", whether the present level of public debt is prudent; and, if not, by how much it exceeds a prudent level.

The Government's fiscal rules are set out in the Financial Statement and Budget Report, July 1997, along with forecasts for the economy and for the public finances. The ratio of public debt to national income has risen very sharply since 1990. The Government's prudent approach to the public finances, and in particular the deficit reduction plan, means that the ratio is projected to fall steadily from this year onwards.

asked Her Majesty's Government:With reference to the statement in the Labour Party manifesto that "New Labour's objective is to improve living standards for the many, not just the few", by what measure or measures they intend to judge whether this objective has been achieved during their term of office; and whether, by these measures, living standards improved for the many, not just for the few, during the previous government's term of office.

This Government aim to achieve high and stable levels of growth and employment so that everyone can share in higher living standards. The Government expect to assess this by considering a range of indicators, including measures related to real income per head, income distribution, and the value of public services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many public museums and galleries now charge for admission to their permanent displays; what that figure is as a proportion of all public museums and galleries; and what were the comparable figures in 1979.

Of the 1,677 museums and galleries that supplied information to the Museums & Galleries Commission's Digest of Museum Statistics in 1996, 744 charge for admission to the main part of their collections. This means that 44.4 per cent. of the UK museums and galleries which are registered with the MGC charge for admission. Comparable figures for 1979 are not readily available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer given by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 22 May (H.L. Deb., cols. 494–5), to what extent they expect their future policy on access to public museums and galleries to be determined by the results of the research they have commissioned from Glasgow Caledonian University; and whether they intend to take other factors into consideration in formulating that policy.

The original timetable for the delivery of the final results of the research being carried out by Glasgow Caledonian University was November 1997. The Museums & Galleries Commission have however agreed to provide the department with the results as they become available. The Government will take this evidence into account, along with all other material factors, in carrying out its review of admission charges at national museums and galleries.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer given by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 22 May (H.L. Deb., cols. 494–5), what were the terms of reference on which they commissioned Glasgow Caledonian University to carry out research into the economics of museum admission charges; when that research was commissioned; and whether any further details of the scope and methodology of that research have since been announced by the university.

The research on admission charges and their impact on museums and galleries by Glasgow Caledonian University was commissioned by the Museums & Galleries Commission in March 1997. The terms of reference are contained in a research brief by the MGC, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The methodology was determined by the MGC in its contract with the Glasgow Caledonian University and we understand that it will consist of a survey of historical and current background to admission charges in the UK and a survey of a representative sample of museums and galleries by means of telephone and postal questionnaires.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer given by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 22 May (H.L. Deb., cols. 494–5), what was discussed at the meeting between National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside and the Secretary of State for National Heritage; and what was the outcome of the meeting, in particular in relation to the general admission charge planned to take effect on 1 July 1997.

On 24 June my right honourable friend the Secretary of State discussed with the Chairman and officials of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside the proposal by the trustees to extend admission charges to the Liverpool Museum, the Walker Art Gallery and other NMGM sites. My right honourable friend indicated that the department hopes to complete its review of admission charges at the national museums and galleries by the end of September. He invited NMGM to consider whether, in view of this, the trustees might defer the extension of admission charges. However, my right honourable friend acknowledged that, ultimately, the decision on whether to proceed with the new charging arrangements with effect from July is a matter for the trustees of NMGM to decide in the light of their fiduciary responsibilities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Culture Council on 30 June 1997.

EU Ministers of Culture met on 30 June in Luxembourg. Ministers held a public debate on the future direction of EU cultural action, and agreed a decision to ask the Commission to study the options for future cultural action and to bring forward proposals by 1 May 1998. Ministers also agreed a decision to ask the Commission to study whether Article 128(4) is relevant to the Community's approach to cross-border fixed book pricing.The Council resolved to continue to seek agreement, in conciliation, for the Raphael programme. It discussed the future of the European Cities of Culture initiative.Ministers then held an exchange of views on audiovisual issues, discussing proposals for a Community Guarantee Fund for film production and the Commission's Green Paper on the protection of minors and human dignity in audiovisual and information services.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What safeguards exist when a child is transferred from an open to a closed training school in Northern Ireland; and whether such safeguards comply with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

A training school order provides authority for the detention in custody in secure accommodation of a child who has been found guilty of serious or persistent offending and can be made only by a court. Nevertheless it is policy to use open accommodation if practicable, but a child will be placed in, or returned to, secure accommodation if the seriousness or nature of his offending, or absconding or other behaviour while in open accommodation, indicates that he may provide a risk to himself or others. This is in accord with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

asked Her Majesty's Government:To what extent "appropriate adults" are available to all children taken into custody in Northern Ireland.

Custody officers are required to inform an appropriate adult when anyone who is, or appears to be, under the age of 17 is taken into custody. There are no statistics to indicate to what extent appropriate adults are available when called upon.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will give an assurance that the best interests of the child will be the primary consideration when 17 year-old children are brought before the Youth Courts in Northern Ireland.

The Government are currently considering the comments received as a result of consultation on the draft Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order, and a decision has yet to be taken as to whether 17 year-olds will be included within the juvenile justice system. In any case Article 4 of the draft order sets out the guiding principles to be observed in dealing with children in criminal proceedings. They are that every court shall have regard to the welfare of any child brought before it and that any delay in dealing with cases is likely to be prejudicial to the child's welfare. However, these principles must be set within the context of the need to protect the public from criminal behaviour.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether nearly one-third of young people in training schools in Northern Ireland in recent years have suffered from a physical or learning disability; and what plans they have for improving early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Before the commencement of the Children (NI) Order children were sent to the training schools for reason of care, protection and control, non-attendance at school, or for offending. Since 4 November 1996, training schools deal solely with offenders. While each child is assessed on entry, information about the proportion who have a physical or learning disability is not available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What moves are being made to get the beef export ban lifted.

The Government have decided to adopt a twin-track approach of pursuing a revised Export Certified Herds Scheme, and developing a new proposal for a date-based export scheme. We have put our ideas to the Commission about both schemes, and will press both with equal vigour.The Export Certified Herds Scheme is being revised taking account of criticisms made earlier by the EU Scientific Veterinary Committee. Eligibility for the scheme would be more restricted than initially proposed, but it would still be open in principle to producers in all parts of the United Kingdom.Details of the date-based scheme will be announced when exploratory talks with the Commission have progressed and the Government are ready to put forward a formal proposal.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the results of the studies of the impact of fishing nets on cetaceans, and in particular the study in the Celtic Sea, will be available.

I believe that the noble Lord is referring to a paper by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) which is expected to be published in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Journal of Marine Science later this year. I have asked SMRU to place a copy of the paper in the Library of the House as soon as it is available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How the licence condition that 50 per cent. of the fish catch under that licence should be landed in the United Kingdom is currently enforced.

In every six-month period, UK fishing vessels licensed to fish for quota species must land 50 per cent. of the catch of such species into the UK, or failing that, visit a UK port at least four times, unless otherwise authorised by the Fisheries Department. This provision is monitored by reference to catch data obtained from the landing declarations which all vessels over 10 metres in overall length have to submit on the completion of their fishing trips.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion of United Kingdom quota in each fish species is currently accounted for by "quota hoppers"; andWhat proportion of United Kingdom quota in each fish species is currently landed in the United Kingdom.

The table below sets out details of the main quota species caught by the UK fleet in 1996, together with the estimated proportion of the recorded landings made into the UK and the estimated proportion of recorded landings made by UK vessels which are wholly or partly owned by overseas interests. The catches relate to those fish stocks which are subject to quota and which are principally taken in ICES Areas IV, VI and VII.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in the absence of agreement on new derogations, the basis for the common fisheries policy after 2002 would be Council Regulation (EEC) No. 101/76; and, if so, whether Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy acting together would form a sufficient blocking minority to prevent any such derogation being agreed to; andWhether, under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 101/76, after 2002 that part of the United Kingdom quota currently fished by "quota hoppers" will be regarded as quota attaching to the communities from which those quota hoppers come, and that any move to negate this by preserving the principle of relative stability would require a new derogation.

In the absence of agreement on new measures, the basis for the common fisheries policy after 2002 will be Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3760/92, including its provisions on relative stability.

asked Her Majesty's Government:With reference to the proposition that "Because we have agreed a way forward with the Commission we are in a much better position to avoid legal challenge to the measures we adopt" in their statement on common fisheries policy made on 18 June (H.L. Deb., col. 1259), what is the legal advice on which this statement was based.

It is not customary for Her Majesty's Government to disclose such legal advice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:With reference to the letter from the President of the European Commission to the Prime Minister of 17 June 1997, when they expect the Commission to come forward with proposals for "developing greater involvement in the decision making process at the level of the local fishing interests most affected", and what steps the Commission has already taken in this direction.

I expect this to be a continuing process, building on existing contacts with local fishing interests. As part of the process, the Commission has recently held pilot regional committees on North Sea flatfish and, on 23–24 June, on management of North East Atlantic pelagic fisheries.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they expect that further reductions will be made in the UK fishing fleet under the Multi-Annual Guidance Programme before 2002; and, if so, whether they are able to compel "quota hoppers" to accept their proportionate part of any such reductions.

Although the European Commission has still to take final decisions on the reduction targets for individual Member States' Multi-Annual Guidance Programmes in the light of the rates agreed by the Council in April, it is clear that there will have to be further reductions in UK fishing effort in order to comply. Discussions are continuing with the industry on our implementation plans and the position will vary as between different fleet segments. But within segments all vessels will be subject to the same requirements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to review salmon and freshwater fisheries legislation.

My right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Wales and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will shortly be establishing a small, independent group to review all aspects of existing policies and legislation on salmon and freshwater fisheries in England and Wales. This will be a comprehensive review, intended to produce ideas for the future management and conservation of salmon and freshwater fish. The Government will be announcing the members of the review group in the autumn.