asked Her Majesty's Government:How much money they have spent on the security of the Baltic States since independence was restored in 1991.

It has been the practice in the past not to release details of military assistance provided to other countries on the grounds that this information is confidential between governments and disclosure would risk damaging our international relations. This practice is now being reviewed against the background of the Government's commitment to openness. I will write to the nobel Lord once the review is complete.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they and (to their knowledge) the United Nations consider the following still fully in force, and binding upon the High Contracting Parties:

We consider both treaties to be in force. We believe the UN shares this view.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many Bosnian Croats, Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Serbs have been indicted as war criminals, how many of each have been taken into custody and by the forces of which Stabilisation Force (SFOR) countries.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has published the names of 77 indictees, of whom 10 are in custody. We do not know how many further "sealed" indictments may have been issued by the ICTY. The tribunal does not disclose the nationalities of indictees. Only one of the indictees in custody, Milan Kovacevic, was apprehended by SFOR; the troops directly involved were British.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How close they are to finalising negotiations with the Faroese Government over the delineation of the median line and what progress has been made to date.

Discussions are continuing. A further round of talks was held in Copenhagen on 16 July. Both sides agreed to make every effort to overcome their differences and try to find an agreed solution to the delimitation question in the near future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In which countries they consider the abuse of human rights to be sufficiently serious to merit the imposition of economic sanctions.

We may apply economic measures such as the suspension of development co-operation in response to grave and persistent human rights violations, often in conjunction with our European Union partners. This is considered on a case by case basis. We also impose economic sanctions in accordance with any decision of the United Nations Security Council, in cases where there is a threat to international peace and security.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have received any representations from the Government of Saudi Arabia regarding the "Foreign Affairs Mission Statement" in the context of their commitment to a high priority for human rights.

There have been no such representations.We remain in close touch with the Saudi Government on a wide range of issues. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Mr. Fatchett, met the Saudi Ambassador on 21 May and discussed the Mission Statement, amongst other topics.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will support the second package of sanctions against UNITA discussed by the United Nations Security Council.

As a Permanent Member of the Security Council, we fully support the Presidential Statement made on 23 July which reaffirmed the Security Council's readiness to consider the imposition of further measures against UNITA.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether UNITA has provided the information demanded by the United Nations Security Council on 30 June (S1118/1997), including "complete information regarding all armed personnel under its control… in order for them to be verified, disarmed and demobilised in accordance with the Lusaka Protocol and agreements between the parties in the context of the Joint Commission"; and if so, what.

UNITA submitted information on the strength of its armed forces and other matters to the Joint Commission on 21 July. A statement by the President of the Security Council on 23 July made clear that the council considers the information submitted to be neither complete or credible.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of reports suggesting increasing attacks by UNITA in Angola and the risk of renewed war.

We are aware of reports of increased military activity by both the Angola army and UNITA. We fully support the statement by the President of the Council on 23 July calling upon both parties to refrain from the use of force. The Security Council will continue to monitor the situation closely.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress they have made since 2 May in the fight against drugs.

My right honourable friend the President of the Council has been working with a wide range of ministerial colleagues to ensure a collective and effective response to a major social problem. Specific initiatives under way across government include funding 79 local anti-drugs projects under the £2 million drugs Challenge Fund in England, and related developments in Scotland and Wales; publication of an independent evaluation of Drug Action Teams, which points the way forward for local action against drugs; reversing potential plans for reductions in frontline Customs staff; reinforcing, in the context of the Single Regeneration Budget and elsewhere, the links between tackling drugs and regeneration; planning for the Government's legislative commitment to a drug testing and treatment order; and a cross-departmental review to assess the resources available for action against drugs.In addition, the Government are honouring its manifesto commitment to appoint an anti-drugs supremo to co-ordinate our battle against drugs. The special expert adviser post of UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator, also known as the "Drug Czar", is being advertised tomorrow on a three-year full-time fixed-term contract. We are looking for someone who can bring visible leadership and drive to the fight against drugs, working in partnership with all relevant agencies, communities and individuals. The post-holder will urgently review the overall direction of government action, and submit proposals for a new strategy for England, while maintaining strategic oversight of the work in the rest of the UK and internationally. She or he will work directly to my right honourable friend the President of the Council as Chair of the Cabinet sub-committee on drugs misuse, and have access to the Prime Minister. We plan to make an appointment in the autumn, following an open selection process which ensures that the best possible candidates make themselves available for a vitally important job.

asked Her Majesty's Government:If a decision has been made on the composition of the Intelligence and Security Committee.

Following consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and in accordance with Section 10 of the Intelligence Services Act (1994) my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has appointed the Intelligence and Security Committee as follows:

• The Rt. Hon. Tom King CH, MP (Chairman)
• Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale
• The Rt. Hon. Alan Beith, MP
• Mr. Kevin Barron, MP
• Ms Yvette Cooper, MP
• Mr. Barry Jones, MP
• Mr. Michael Mates, MP
• Mr. Allan Rogers, MP
• Mr. Dale Campbell-Savours, MP

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer given by Lord Richard on 18 June (

The words in question appear not in the Oath of Allegiance, the text of which was given in answer to the noble Lord on 18 June (WA 120), but in the Privy Counsellor's Oath. There is no incompatibility between that Oath and the Declaration made by European Commissioners when assuming office.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which courts in the Royal Courts of Justice are not accessible to disabled people using wheelchairs.

The Question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its Framework Document. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to respond.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many cars provided by Motability have been altered to assist disabled drivers in each of the last four years, and what percentage this is of all the cars provided.

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

Financial Year	Total number of cars for which a grant for adaptations has been paid for by Motabilily1	New Cars Provided by Motability	Per cent.
1993/94	1,273	75,857	1.68
1994/95	1,286	90,990	1.41
1995/96	1,497	106,527	1.22
1996/97	1,396	123,519	1.13
Totals	5,452	396,893	1.37

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they agree with the recent assessment of the Refugee Council that the restoration of benefits to asylum-seekers would cost less than the present arrangements under the National Assistance Act 1948.

We are committed to a wide ranging review of the major components of the social security system: our aim is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives.The Government have made clear that they will review all aspects of arrangements for asylum seekers. The review will consider the costs of all the various options for supporting asylum seekers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will provide an analysis of the figure of "6 million people of working age currently on benefits and without work" quoted by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 10 July (

The figure is based on information from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The count of individuals currently in receipt of social security benefits was based on adults aged between 16 and 59 who received a social security benefit, other than those who received only child benefit. Where such individuals formed a benefit unit receiving income related benefits, both were counted as being in receipt of a benefit.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What role, and with what powers, it anticipates that the National Crime Intelligence Service will play in policing the World Wide Web, and how any such role will be accommodated within existing and proposed data protection and freedom of information legislation

The role of the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) is to provide the police and other law enforcement agencies with intelligence on serious and organised crime. Such work includes dealing with reports about the use of the internet for the distribution of child pornography and is consistent with both current and proposed data protection legislation. There are no plans to give NCIS a specific role for policing the Internet.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to be able to make an announcement about the establishment and membership of the Service Authorities provided for under Sections 1 and 47 of the Police Act 1997 to maintain the National Criminal Intelligence Service and National Crime Squad.

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has decided to appoint Sir John Wheeler to chair the Service Authorities. He is delighted that Sir John has accepted this appointment. He has no doubt that his skills and experience will prove invaluable to the Service Authorities in their task of maintaining the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) and the National Crime Squad, both of which will substantially strengthen our ability to tackle organised and serious crime at national and international level. During his last 18 years in Parliament, Sir John has chaired a number of committees and groups including the All Party Penal Affairs Group and the Home Affairs Select Committee. In 1990 my right honourable friend was awarded a knighthood for service to the Select Committee. He has been a Justice of the Peace in London since 1978 and is an active member of the Order of Saint John.The other independent members my right honourable friend proposes to appoint are Paul Lever and Peter Holland. Paul Lever is chairman of BSM Group plc and of Ashworth Hospital Authority. He has held senior management positions in major public companies and has considerable experience in the fields of strategic and financial management. Peter Holland is an independent business consultant and is also chairman of Hertfordshire police authority. He has held senior management positions in the Reuters Group with responsibility for human resource and financial management.My right honourable friend is also appointing Maria Callaghan to represent him in his capacity as the police authority for the Metropolitan Police District. Miss Callaghan is a member of the Metropolitan Police Committee, chairs the Calotels Hotel Group and has extensive experience of business management. She holds a Bachelor of Law degree and has practised as a commercial lawyer.These four appointments are core members, 10 of them in all. who serve on both Service Authorities. The six other core members are:

Member	Position	Appointed by
Cllr Stephen Murphy	Greater Manchester Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr Bob James	West Midlands Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr Peter Fallows	West Mercia Police Authority (CON)	Police authorities (E and W)

Member	Position	Appointed by
David Veness QPM	Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police	ACPO
David Phillips QPM	Chief Constable, Kent Constabulary	ACPO
John Warne	Director, Organised & International Crime Directorate, Home Office	Home Secretary
The NCIS Service Authority has a total of 19 members. The additional members are:
Cllr Ron Fisher JP	South Yorkshire Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr Owen May	Devon & Cornwall Police Authority (Lib Dem)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr Julia Sturrock	Taysie Joint Police Board	Police authorities (Scotland)
Pat Armstrong CBE	Police Authority for Northern Ireland	PANI
Ian Oliver QPM	Chief Constable, Grampian Police	ACPOS
Ronnie Flanagan OBE	Chief Constable, Royal Ulster Constabulary	Royal Ulster Constabulary
Dick Kellaway	Chief Investigation officer, Her Majesty Customs & Excise	Commissioners for Customs and Excise
Duncan Macnivan	Head of Police, Fire and Emergencies Group, Scottish Office	Secretary of State, Scotland
John Steele CBE OBE TD DL	Senior Director, Northern Ireland	Secretary of State, Northern Ireland
The National Crime Squad Service Authority has a total of 17 members. The additional members are:
Cllr Ken Walker	Cleveland Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr Barry Murray	South Wales Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr Neil Taggart	West Yorkshire Police Authority (LAB)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr Sir John Grugeon DL	Kent Police Authority (CON)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr Elfyn Williams	North Wales Police Authority (Lib Dem)	Police authorities (E and W)
Cllr Mrs Angela Harris DL	North Yorkshire Police Authority (Lib Dem)	Police authorities (E and W)
David Wilmot QPM	Chief Constable, Greater Manchester Police	ACPO

The independent members were selected in line with Nolan principles following the procedures set out by Sir Len Peach in his guidance on public appointments. The police authority members for England and Wales were selected from among the local authority members of police authorities so as to ensure that, as far as practicable, the membership of the Service Authorities reflects the balance of parties across all local authority members of police authorities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Governor of Hong Kong submitted a final report on the discharge of his functions under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990.

The Governor submitted his last report to my right honourable friend on 20 June A copy has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress is being made in the implementation of the Dublin Convention.

The Convention Determining the State Responsible for Examining Applications for Asylum Lodged in One of the Member States of the European Communities—the "Dublin Convention"—will come into force on 1 September 1997. The convention, which was ratified by the United Kingdom in 1992, provides a mechanism for determining which member state should be responsible for deciding an asylum application made in the European Union.Responsibility is determined according to a set of criteria. These include whether the applicant has a close family member recognised as a refugee in another member state; whether another member state has granted the person a residence permit or visa; the location of any illegal entry into the European Union; and the existence of a previous asylum application. The applicant can only be transferred under the convention if the receiving state agrees that is responsible and if specific arrangements are made for the transfer. In many cases the receiving state will not be the one from which the applicant embarked. There will be no change to the existing requirement that we must be satisfied that the applicant's life or liberty would not be threatened in the country concerned on account of his race, religion, etc; and that he would not be sent on to another state in breach of the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees.The convention provides for the exchange of information on asylum applicants with other European Union states. This may include personal information such as fingerprints. The convention requires that such information may only be used for asylum purposes and may only be communicated to the authorities competent to make decisions on asylum cases. Information about the basis of an asylum claim itself may only be exchanged with the permission of the applicant.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to publish the second report on the impact of the National Lottery on the horserace betting levy.

An update on the impact of the National Lottery on the horserace betting levy has been published today. This fulfils an undertaking made during the passage of the National Lottery Bill.The paper, which has been prepared by the Economics Unit of the Home Office, examines continuing trends in off-course betting expenditure, on which the levy is closely dependent.The statistical analysis suggests that, in 1996, betting expenditure off-course was about 10 per cent. below the level it would have reached in the absence of the National Lottery. Horserace betting accounts for an estimated 70 per cent. of such expenditure, and therefore the levy yield is likely to have been similarly affected. This can only be an approximate figure, and the effect of the lottery may vary over time.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will publish their proposals for the implementation of the European Community Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC).

Copies of the paper setting out the Government's proposals for new data protection legislation will be placed in the Library tomorrow morning at 10 am.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which provisions of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 will be implemented, and when.

We will implement most of the provisions of the Act, and to the same timetable as envisaged by the previous administration. The provisions of the Act which we will implement are set out below, according to the target date of implementation.Provisions to be implemented in 1997:

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they propose to take on the recommendations of the Review of Delay in the Criminal Justice System.

The Review of Delay in the Criminal Justice System was set up in October 1996 and its report was published on 27 February 1997. Interested parties were then invited to comment on the 33 recommendations in the report. My right honourable friends the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney-General have considered these recommendations, taking account of the responses received, and they have concluded that many of them have the potential substantially to reduce delay without impairing the quality of justice.We have therefore decided to accept the following recommendations, making legislative provision (where necessary) in the Crime and Disorder Bill:

asked Her Majesty's Government:What responses they have received to the consultation on the Professor James' report on proposals for a Food Standards Agency.

My right honourable friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Secretary of State for Health, together with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, welcome the excellent response to the consultation on Professor James' report. The Government have received replies from over 630 organisations and individuals. The responses show that there is widespread support for the proposal to establish a Food Standards Agency which would:

• be a non-departmental public body accountable to Parliament through Health Ministers and operating on a basis of openness and transparency;
• create a clear separation between the responsibilities for regulating food safety and for promoting the interests of food-related industries;
• promote food safety from "plough to plate".

Many detailed points were raised in the consultation which we are now studying further. Our aim is to publish a White Paper in the autumn setting out the Government's response to Professor James' recommendations, in the light of the first round of public consultation. The White Paper will itself be the subject of a second consultation and a draft Bill will then be drafted and published. We shall bring the Bill before Parliament as soon as parliamentary time permits. It is the Government's intention to establish a Shadow Food Standards Commission once the necessary legislation has made sufficient progress through its parliamentary stages.We are also taking a range of measures to improve food safety arrangements in the transitional period before establishment of a Food Standards Agency. My honourable friend the Minister for Food Safety and the Minister for Public Health will take on a joint role in preparing the way for the Food Standards Agency and ensuring maximum protection for the public. They will carry out this day-to-day role in close consultation with their ministerial counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Overall policy co-ordination will rest with the Ministerial Committee on Food Safety, chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.A key feature of the transitional arrangements will be developing further the independent advisory committees which advise the Government as a whole on food safety and related matters. The Food Advisory Committee (FAC) will be given a special role in the handling of food safety issues which go beyond the remit of any one expert committee.In addition to these UK wide measures, my right honourable friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Health are taking specific steps to improve the management of food safety issues in England. A Joint Food Safety and Standards Group (JFSSG) will be formed from the relevant staff in MAFF and DH from 1 September 1997. The group will be headed by Mr. Geoffrey Podger, a Department of Health official currently seconded to MAFF. The new joint group will report to Ministers in both departments. In Scotland all food safety issues are handled by a single team which comes under the responsibility of the Scottish Health Minister; in Wales all food safety issues come under the responsibility of the Welsh Health Minister; and in Northern Ireland the Department of Health and Social Services has lead responsibility for food safety issues.The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Kenneth Calman, will be given a new high-level co-ordinating role in the handling of issues of potential public concern about food. Sir Kenneth will have particular responsibility for a new joint MAFF/DH Risk Communication unit which is to be established and further reinforced by the appointment of an external adviser. This role will be undertaken in consultation with territorial departments.We are also continuing to strengthen our approach to food safety issues taking account of the high priority we give to the protection of public health, the rigorous enforcement of measures designed to protect the public, and our commitment to openness, transparency and responsiveness to consumer concerns.We are placing copies of all the responses to the consultation on Professor James' report in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are satisfied that all possible steps are being taken to prevent the salmon parasite gyrodactylus salaris from entering Britain from Scandinavia; and whether they think it is possible to prohibit the import of any material which could transport the parasite to Britain; for example by eggs for salmon farms or by fishing tackle and clothing used by anglers which has not been sterilised; andWhether the threat to the salmon fishing industry posed by the salmon parasite gyrodactylus salaris is so serious as to warrant the maximum possible publicity to warn the country of the threat to the future of the industry.

The Government are satisfied that existing fish health measures and associated publicity for gyrodactylus salaris have been effective in preventing the introduction of the parasite into Great Britain, despite its presence in parts of Europe for a number of years. The introduction into the British Isles of live salmon and trout, which pose the highest risk, is already prohibited. Salomonid eggs are made safe by disinfection before entering Great Britain. The risks of introducing gyrodactylus salaris through contaminated fishing tackle or clothing are low and do not warrant changes to legislation, but nonetheless we advise those fishing abroad to take precautions such as drying or disinfecting equipment to avoid the accidental spread of disease.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will indicate the precise legislative powers under which they intend to bring forward orders to impose a ban on higher dose vitamin B6 supplements; what specific steps they took to consult with interested parties prior to the announcement of that ban; and whether they are satisfied that the ban is proportionate to the alleged danger to public health posed by such supplements; andWhen they last met with representatives of (a) Consumers for Health Choice, (b) the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy, (c) the Council for Responsible Nutrition, (d) the National Association of Healthfood Stores, and (e) the Healthfood Manufacturers Association to discuss the ban on vitamin B6 supplements; and whether they will identify those among the above organisations which have supported the ban; andWhat recent representations about the ban on higher dose vitamin B6 they have received from Dr. Derek Shrimpton or other Fellows of the Royal Society of Medicine; and whether any such representations supported or opposed the introduction of the ban.

The Government have no intention of imposing a ban on higher dose vitamin B6 products. They have decided that the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law should be limited to a maximum of 10mg per daily dose. This limit will be introduced by regulations made under Section 16(1) of the Food Safety Act 1990. However, higher dose products licensed as medicines for the treatment of specific clinical conditions will continue to be available from pharmacies and on prescription.The Government's decision to limit the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law was based on advice from two independent committees, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and the Food Advisory Committee (FAC). In formulating this advice the Committees took account of information supplied and views expressed by organisations with an interest in the subject matter. The organisations were invited to submit to the COT data on the safety of vitamin B6 which was considered before the committee finalised its advice. Their views on the possibility of a voluntary limit of 10mg of vitamin B6 per daily dose were also sought by officials from this department as part of the FAC's consideration.The Government were aware of the views that had been expressed by interested organisations when it considered the advice of the FAC. Its decision to accept that advice was announced on 4 July. On 23 July my honourable friends the Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister for Public Health met with representatives of various organisations, including Consumers for Health Choice, the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the National Association of Healthfood Stores, and the Healthfood Manufacturers Association in order to listen to their concerns about the proposed limit. All of the organisations invited to the meeting had questioned the need for the proposed limit.Dr. Derek Shrimpton was present at the meeting on 23 July. He also met with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food earlier on the same day. On both occasions he questioned the validity of the scientific evidence upon which the proposed limit is based.Interested organisations who had not expressed any reservations about the proposed limit were not invited to the meeting on 23 July. However, my honourable friend the Minister of State has written to a number of those organisations, specifically the National Consumer Council, the Consumers' Association and the National Food Alliance, asking if they wished to make any comments.The Government have every confidence in the ability of the COT and FAC and in the quality of their advice. They are also satisfied that the proposed limit on the level of vitamin B6 in supplements sold under food law is a proportionate response to the public health risk posed by high-dose vitamin B6 supplements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they have concerning the number of British people who have taken higher dose vitamin B6 supplements in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and whether they will indicate for each of those years the number of incidences of death or serious adverse reaction which have been recorded.

The Government have no information concerning the number of British people who take higher dose vitamin B6 supplements, nor is there any established reporting procedure for adverse effects arising from consumption of dietary supplements sold under food law. However, the UK Yellow Card Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting scheme administered by the Medicines Control Agency has reports associated with medicinal products. These are provided voluntarily by doctors, dentists and pharmacists and indirectly by pharmaceutical companies and are not a complete record of the ADR's occurring in the population.From 1964 to date there have been a total of 649 reports of 1,181 spontaneously reported adverse reactions associated with products containing vitamin B6, of which 16 were fatal. The majority (63 per cent.) of reactions are associated with products containing a number of constituents, 410 reactions being associated with products containing only vitamin B6, most at doses below 100mg daily.A summary of reactions reported with single constituent products containing vitamin B6 in each of the last 10 years is given in the table below.

Table of Yellow Card Reports from 1987 to 1996 for Vitamin B6
Year	Total reactions	Serious	Fatal
1987	7	3	0
1988	4	1	0
1989	8	3	0
1990	2	2	0
1991	3	2	0
1992	6	4	0
1993	5	2	1
1994	1	0	0
1995	5	5	0
1996	1	1	0
Total 1987–96	42	23	1

The inclusion of any one reaction in the table does not necessarily mean that vitamin B6 caused the reaction. Other factors such as the temporal relationship between medicine and reaction, any concomitant medication and the possibility of underlying disease must also he considered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What recent representations about the ban on higher dose vitamin B6 they have received from Dr. John Hathcock or other former directors of the United States Food and Drug Administration; and whether any such representations supported or opposed the introduction of the ban.

The Government have no intention of introducing a ban on higher dose vitamin B6 products. It has accepted advice from the independent Food Advisory Committee that the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law should be limited to a maximum of 10mg per daily dose. However, higher dose products licensed as medicines for the treatment of specific clinical conditions will continue to be available from pharmacies and on prescription.On 23 July my honourable friends the Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister for Public Health met with representatives of organisations who were unhappy with the proposed limit in order to listen to their concerns. Dr. John Hathcock was present at that meeting as part of a delegation from the National Association of Healthfood Stores. He also met with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food earlier on the same day. On both occasions he questioned the validity of the scientific evidence upon which the proposed limit is based.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What recent representations about the ban on higher dose vitamin B6 they have received from Professor Alan Gaby or others who have reviewed the published literature relating to supplementation with such vitamins; and whether any such representations supported or opposed the introduction of the ban.

The Government have no intention of introducing a ban on higher dose vitamin B6 products. They have accepted advice from the independent Food Advisory Committee that the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food should be limited to a maximum of 10mg per daily dose. However, higher dose products licensed as medicines for the treatment of specific clinical conditions will continue to be available from pharmacies and on prescription.On 23 July my honourable friends the Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister for Public Health met with representatives of organisations who were unhappy with the proposed limit in order to listen to their concerns. Professor Alan Gaby was present at that meeting as part of a delegation from Consumers for Health Choice. He also met with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food earlier on the same day. On both occasions he questioned the validity of the scientific evidence upon which the proposed limit is based.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the annual report and accounts for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency is due to be published.

The Veterinary Laboratories Agency's annual report and accounts was published on 29 July 1997. Copies are available in the Library of the House. The report demonstrates the continuing progress and success of the organisation as a "Next Steps" Agency.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made on the BSE selective cull.

Since 1 May progress with the selective cull has substantially improved. In Northern Ireland the cull is complete except for six animals and any which have been imported from Great Britain. In GB we have completed nearly half of the natal herd visits; in Scotland we have completed all of them. In England and Wales all but a few of the visits have been made to farms with animals in the compulsory years. We have now slaughtered 15,000 animals in the UK: 10 times the number that had been slaughtered when we came into office. This is good progress, but we need to do better still.We have looked at all our procedures to see what more can be done to speed up. We have recently reached agreement with the Commission that farmers can choose a valuer from a list of valuers drawn up by the Ministry, where the valuation is for 10 or fewer animals. Up to now, many owners are opting to have two valuers, which has created problems in arranging valuations, and thus slowed down progress with the cull. This new procedure is already being put into practice.Now that owners can choose the valuer, my honourable friend the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food does not consider it necessary to have two valuers for 10 or fewer animals. We therefore propose to amend the BSE Compensation Order 1996 so that the option of having two valuers for 10 animals or fewer is no longer available. We regard this as necessary in particular to ensure that we make maximum progress with animals which have moved away from their herd of birth and will mainly be dealt with as single animals. Farming and valuers' organisations will be consulted on the draft amendments to the order which, in the interests of making speedy progress on the cull, my honourable friend the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food proposes to lay and bring into force during the Recess.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How the Intervention Board performed against its targets for 1996–97; and what key performance targets have been set for 1997–98.

The Intervention Board's performance against its key targets in 1996–97 was as follows:

	Target Percentage	Performance
Percentage of claims processed within deadlines	99.0	85.0
Percentage of claims processed correctly	98.5	99.5*
Cumulative running cost efficiency gains	2.5	5.3
Improvement in index of productivity	6.0	3.0
Ratio of disallowance to EAGGF funds handled	0.40	Not yet known
To maintain expenditure within vote provision, cash and running cost limits	—	Met
New value for money savings in procurement of goods	6.0	6.8
Yield: cost ratio of anti-fraud activities	3.0:1.0	1.2:1.0

In agreement with my right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has set the following targets for 1997–98:

	Target percentage
Percentage of claims processed within deadlines	99.0
Percentage of claims processed correctly	98.5
Cumulative running cost efficiency gains	2.5
Improvement in index of productivity	6.0
Ratio of disallowance to EAGGF funds handled	0.40
To maintain expenditure within vote provision, cash and running cost limits
New value for money savings in procurement of goods and services	6.5
Yield: cost ratio of anti-fraud activities	3.0:1.0
*Results for BSE-related schemes were based on a smaller sample of processed claims, because monitoring on the same basis began later in the year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What information is being made available on the dumping of radioactive waste at sea.

The department and others concerned with the disposal of radioactive waste have undertaken detailed searches of archive records relating to dumping at sea at Beaufort's Dyke and elsewhere. Details of the searches carried out so far and the findings of each department have been placed in the Library of the House.Information was found of two further instances of radioactive waste being dumped, or possibly being dumped, in Beaufort's Dyke in addition to that reported to the House on 1 July (

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Veterinary Field Service will become a "Next Steps" executive agency.

My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has decided that the Veterinary Field Service (VFS) should not at present become an executive agency.Following an internal review of MAFF veterinary services under the last government, the VFS structure was streamlined. One recommendation in that review was that the VFS should become a "Next Steps" agency. It would be inappropriate to proceed with a move to agency status given the moves towards establishing the Food Standards Agency and devolution, which have implications for the State Veterinary Service.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many reviews have been announced in this Session of Parliament; when they expect each to be completed; what the anticipated cost of each will be; and how many more they expect to announce.

As at 27 June, we had announced the following significant reviews:

A comprehensive spending review

This will be completed in the next twelve months. Estimates of the cost of the comprehensive spending review are not held centrally. But the costs will be absorbed within departments' running costs limits set in the Budget on November 1996.

A strategic defence review	Work on the strategic defence review is envisaged to be completed around the turn of the year. Maximum use will be made of existing structures to conduct the review. Additional costs will be incurred, including the process of consultation with outside experts and interests. It is too early to predict the total additional cost.
A review of the bureaucratic burden on teachers	The final report on this review is planned for spring 1998. Costs are expected to be met from planned departmental running costs.
A review of the detailed criteria used in considering licence applications for the export of conventional weapons	An announcement was made on 28 July of the criteria which will be used by the Government in considering licence applications for the export of conventional arms.
A review of the law relating to surrogacy	The review team has not yet met but it is expected to report later this year or early next year. The costs cannot be estimated reliably at this stage.
A review of the law relating to silicone breast implants	This aims to report to the Chief Medical Officer in late 1997. Completion date for the review will, however, depend on the amount of work that the group considers necessary to fulfil its remit. It is too early to say what the cost will be as it will depend on the amount of work that the group considers necessary.
A review of proposed NHS Private Finance Initiative schemes	This is an ongoing review looking at the process and product of PFT in the NHS. This review will take into account the findings of Malcolm Bates's review of PFI in all Government departments. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs.
A review of the breast cancer screening service in Devon and implications for the breast screening programme as a whole	This is nearing completion. The estimated cost is £2,000 for travel and subsistence, apart from normal departmental and NHS running costs.
A review of London health services	The Independent Advisory Panel conducting the review has been asked to complete the main elements of its work by October 1997. It is not yet possible to estimate the cost.
A review of the arrangements for celebrating the Millennium	The review has been completed. The review was conducted by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and the Millennium Commission as part of their normal activities, and no additional costs were incurred by the department.

A review of the National Lottery, leading to the publication of a White Paper	A White Paper was published on 21 July, initiating a consultation period prior to the introduction of legislation in late November— early December. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs.
A review of film policy	The review is expected to conclude in spring 1998. Expenses are being paid to the members of the review group. No decisions on further expenditure have yet been made. Any such expenditure would be met from within the existing departmental budget for consultancies.
A review of Compulsory Competitive Tendering regulations which will improve the existing regime pending its replacement by a duty of best value	The review has been completed. Costs were met from planned departmental running costs.
A fundamental review of transport policy leading to the publication of a White Paper on our long-term strategy for an integrated transport policy.	The aim is to publish a White Paper on integrated transport policy in the spring of next year taking account of the outcome of the review of transport policy, the review of the roads
A review of the roads programme	programme and the review of bus policy. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs.
A bus review
A review of the arrangements for enforcing the rules on the welfare of animals exported live to the Continent	The intention is to introduce changes which are shown to be necessary as soon as practicable. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs.
A review of the case for inoculation as a substitute for rabies quarantine	No date for the completion of this review has yet been set. Scope and costs are not yet finalised.
A review of the Milk Development Council	This review is expected to be completed later this year. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs.
A review of international development policy leading to publication of a White Paper	The work will not involve any extra costs. Publication costs will be recovered.
A review of economic regeneration in Wales	The aim is to complete this review by September. Precise costings cannot be given at this stage, but any costs additional to normal departmental running costs are expected to be minimal.
A review of existing proposals for reform of civil litigation and legal aid	The Lord Chancellor has asked Sir Peter Middleton for a preliminary report by the end of September on whether these proposals are the best way to reduce costs and delay in litigation and improve the control over the cost of legal aid. Any further work will depend on the terms of the preliminary report. The review is expected to cost around £75,000 to the end of September for Civil Service and other support and publication costs. The majority of running

	costs will be internal running costs met from the planned departmental running cost budget.
A review of the Crown Prosecution Service	This is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Costs cannot be determined at this stage.
A review of private finance machinery	This was completed on 13 June. No costs were incurred outside normal departmental running costs.
A review of the tax benefits system	This is expected to report in around a year. Costs are expected to be met from planned departmental running costs.
A review of the Post Office	It is too soon to say when the review will be completed. No external costs are yet committed.
An audit of the Foresight programme which is a programme to bring together business. Government and academia to identify market and technology opportunities for the future. The audit aims to catalogue individual Foresight initiatives taken by government departments and to consider ways to improve the co-ordination of the programme	This will report to Ministers by the summer Recess. Costs will be met from within planned departmental running costs.
An Export Forum to review the effectiveness of current official export promotion programmes and to make recommendations for a new export initiative	This will report to Ministers by the autumn. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs.
A review of steps which might be taken to strengthen democratic control of the three public water authorities in Scotland	This review is expected to be completed in November. External costs are expected to be £20,000.
Scottish Enterprise review	The completion date is not yet known. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs.
A review of the way in which social rented housing is supported in Scotland	Expected to be completed in March 1998. Costs will be met from planned departmental running costs.
A review of the Skye Bridge tolling arrangements	The review has now been completed. Costs were met from planned departmental running costs.
A fundamental review of transport policy in Scotland leading to the publication of a White Paper in our long-term strategy for an integrated transport policy	The review is expected to be completed in spring 1998. Scope and costs are not yet finalised.
A review of the Scottish roads programme	The review is expected to be completed in summer 1998. Scope and costs are not yet finalised.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How they intend to maintain ministerial accountability and effective co-ordinated relations with the Civil Service if the plan to introduce a security-coded Intranet capability is implemented to permit Ministers to communicate directly with each other without going through the formal procedures of meetings and memoranda; andHow the principle of open government can be reconciled with their plan to introduce a security-coded Intranet capability to permit Ministers to communicate directly with each other.

The Government Secure Intranet is designed to make communications within government faster and more efficient. The Government do not believe it will adversely affect either openness and accountability or the role of the Civil Service in the effective conduct of business.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer given by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 10 July (

The windfall tax should have no effect on the underlying profitability of the companies affected. There will inevitably be some effect on shareholders' funds depending upon how companies choose to finance their tax bills. Dividend policies are a matter for companies. A number have said they expect to maintain strong dividend growth, a view shared by market analysts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why, in proposing to alter the treatment of advance corporation tax (ACT) for pension funds, it is intended to abandon the convention that tax is levied either on contributions or on pensions in receipt, but never on both, so far as personal pension holders and the self employed are concerned.

There is no tax charge on exempt pension funds when they receive dividends. But they will no longer receive a subsidy from the Exchequer on their dividend income. The reform of corporation tax has removed a distortion which gave a tax incentive for pension schemes to prefer dividends to long-term growth.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have asked the office of the Frankfurt prosecutor for details of the information given by Mr. Abolghasem Mesbahi, a former Iranian intelligence agent who gave evidence in the Mykonos trial, about the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, and whether there are any plans by those in charge of the Lockerbie case to ask the German authorities for permission to interview Mr. Mesbahi themselves.

It is not the policy of the Scottish prosecuting and investigating authorities to give details of investigative steps. I can however assure the noble Lord that the appropriate steps are being taken to look into these matters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to review the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979.

The Government have commissioned an independent and fundamental review of the current operations of the five statutory bodies created by the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979—the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting and the National Boards for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting in the four countries of the United Kingdom.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they will take concerning allegations that two Sudanese doctors working in the United Kingdom's National Health Service were involved in acts of torture in Sudan; and whether a person who was granted exceptional leave to remain, or refugee status, having failed to declare that he committed serious human rights violations in his country of origin would be liable to have his status revoked.

At present there is no evidence to substantiate these allegations. However, if evidence shows that actions of this nature have taken place, we would expect the appropriate action to be taken.The Government have discretion to withdraw the grant of asylum in the light of evidence that refugee status was obtained by a misrepresentation of material facts or where one of the exclusion clauses of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees would have applied had all the relevant facts been known. We would apply the same considerations where exceptional leave had been granted on humanitarian grounds. Each case would need to be assessed on its individual merits in the light of all the available evidence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What has been the annual rate of take-up of the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine since its introduction; and, for each of those years, how many five year-olds were in the general population; andHow many cases of regressive autism have been diagnosed in children in each year since the introduction of (a) the MMR vaccine and (b) the measles and rubella (MR) vaccine.

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation has been recommended for children aged 12 to 15 months since 1988. Coverage figures are therefore collected on the basis of children immunised with MMR vaccine by their second birthday. Since October 1996, a routine second dose MMR immunisation has been recommended for children as part of the pre-school booster programme. Uptake figures for the second dose are not yet available. Coverage figures and the numbers of five year-old children in the general population are given in the following tables.

Completed primary course: percentage of children immunised by their second birthday in England by financial year
Year	MMR take up rate
1995–96	92
1994–95	91
1993–94	91
1992–93	92
1991–92	90
1990–91	86
1989–90	68

Office for National Statistics mid-year resident population estimates in England
Year	Number of children age 5
1995	650,269
1994	645,311
1993	651,539
1992	631,071
1991	623,758
1990	619,623
1989	593,097

Data are not collected centrally on the number of cases of autism. It is primarily a matter for the statutory authorities to monitor arrangements for assessment in their area. There is no specific requirement to register children diagnosed with autism. It is estimated that the prevalence rate of classic autism is between 4–5 per 10,000 population and that (including these) about 21 per 10,000 may exhibit some features of autism. Recent research in Scandinavia suggested a prevalence rate of Asperger syndrome of 36 per 10,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Which organisations for the disabled in Great Britain have been consulted about the final wording of Clause 17(2) of the European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine.

The final wording of Clause 17(2) was a matter for the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The Government are still considering the ethical and legal ramifications of the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, and have undertaken no formal consultation on the Convention.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will take into account the view of the "VdK" (Verband der Kriegs und Wehrdienstopfer, Behinderten und Rentner Deutschland) organisation for the disabled in Germany, and that of the International League of Societies for Persons with Mental Handicaps, in deciding whether to sign the European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine.

The Government will take into account any views made known to it concerning signature of the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to publish a consultation paper on planning policy for opencast coal extraction.

We have published a consultation document on the review of planning policy for opencast coal today. This consultation paper, which deals with England only, seeks views on the issues raised by the 10-point plan for opencast coal which we prepared when in Opposition, and the options for change. In the light of responses to this consultation, the Government will decide what changes to policy guidance could and should be implemented in interim planning guidance; which would better be accommodated in a full review, planned for 1998, of Minerals Planning Guidance Note 3 (Coal Mining and Colliery Spoil Disposal), and whether any legislative changes are necessary or desirable in the long term. Copies of the consultation document will be placed in the House Library.My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland expects to publish shortly an equivalent paper for Scotland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state the dates on which the Blackwall Tunnel has been closed or partly closed this year.

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the noble Lord.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether in view of the continuing public disregard of the law governing the proper disposal of litter, including chewing gum, they will (a) estimate the annual cost of cleaning pavements in major cities in the United Kingdom; (b) confirm that it is an offence to drop chewing gum on the pavement; and (c) consider legislation to make manufacturers of chewing gum partially liable for the cost of its removal.

Information on the cost of cleaning pavements in major cities in the United Kingdom is not collected centrally. The estimated cost of street cleansing for London Boroughs, the City of London and English Metropolitan Districts in 1997–98 is £158 million.It is an offence under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to drop anything in a public place which causes the defacement of that place by litter. It is for the courts to decide in the circumstances of the case whether the dropping of chewing gum constituted a littering offence.The Tidy Britain Group, which is largely funded by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, is currently working with a major chewing gum manufacturer to establish both effective cleansing methods and ways of reducing the problem in the first place. We have no plans for the kind of legislation which the noble Lord has suggested.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will publish the criteria which were used to identify existing marine Special Areas of Conservation.

Annex III to the Habitats Directive contains the criteria to be applied to the selection of sites. The list for consultation published in March 1995 contained an account of the way these criteria have been applied in the UK. Both documents are available in the Library. Further explanatory material will be published in due course.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to introduce further environmental quality standards for the discharges of dangerous substances into controlled waters.

A consultation paper proposing environmental quality standards for 13 dangerous substances, as defined in Directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community, was issued by the department in March. It is planned to bring regulations containing these standards before the House shortly. In addition, we have today placed in the Library of the House a consultation paper proposing standards for a further 21 dangerous substances. These substances are:

• 4-chloro-3-methyl-phenol
• 2-chlorophenol
• 2, 4-dichlorophenol
• 2, 4 D(ester and non ester)
• 1, 1 ,1-trichloroethane
• 1, 1 ,2-trichloroethane
• bentazone
• benzene
• biphenyl
• chloronitrotoluenes
• demeton
• dimethoate
• linuron
• MCPA
• mecoprop
• mevinphos
• naphthalene
• omethoate
• toluene
• triazaphos
• xylene

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of the exercises conducted by NATO under the Partnership For Peace programmes are funded in whole or in part directly by the United States and not through NATO channels, and what oversight does NATO have of the proposed participants, scenarios and related matters.

NATO-directed Partnership for Peace (PfP) exercises are open to all Allied and Partner nations. Exercise proposals and plans are approved by NATO. Costs are borne by participating nations, and by NATO common funding. Twenty-three such exercises are planned for this year.In addition, there are a wide range of activities "in the spirit of PfP. These will not he open to all Allies and Partners. Funding, planning and conduct are the responsibility of participating nations. There are likely to be about 20 such activities this year, many of which are made possible by the generous support of the United States.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the original research paper containing Group Captain Coker's findings that was submitted to the Gulf War inquiry on posting will be published; and, if so, whether they will place a copy of the paper in the Library of the House.

Group Captain Coker published a paper on the results from the first 284 patients seen by the MoD's Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) in the Summer 1996 edition of the Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service (A Review of Gulf War Illness J roy nav med Serv 1996; 82: 141–146). In late 1996 he prepared the first draft of a paper concerning the results from some 500 MAP patients. Work on this draft paper was never completed.However, doctors at the MAP have now seen 1,435 patients and the Government have undertaken to publish detailed results from the programme later this year. Group Captain Coker will be closely involved with this work, which will supersede his earlier draft paper. A copy of this will be placed in the Library of the House when completed and published.