asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the annual subsidy being paid from the common agricultural policy funds to tobacco growers in the European Union: and what steps are being taken to discourage the growing of tobacco by European Union members.

Annual expenditure on the common agricultural policy tobacco regime is currently approximately 1 billion ecus (around £680 million*). The UK has indicated its regret on many occasions that no steps are being taken by the European Union to discourage the growing of tobacco by its members. As 1 made clear to the House on 9 June, we will press for the greatest possible degree of reform when the Commission issues its proposals for changes to the regime, now expected in the new year. However the majority of member states grow tobacco and are firmly opposed to measures to discourage production.*Using a conversion rate of £1 = 1.4653 ecus.

asked Her Majesty's Government:To which countries tobacco grown in European Union member states is exported.

European statistics do not distinguish between exports of tobacco grown in the EU and that grown elsewhere. However, the Commission indicate that the main markets for the former are central and eastern Europe, the former USSR, North Africa, the USA and Japan.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the decision to appoint Dr. Ann Braidwood to review a decision to interpret the ageing affect of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss after leaving the Services as unconnected with any injury in the course of service in the Armed Forces, to which she was herself a party, conflicts with the principles of natural justice.

No. The review has not been set up to review a decision. The aim is to ensure that the scientific evidence on which the current approach to the assessment of hearing loss for the purposes of claims to war disablement pensions is based is clear.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will ask the European Commission to take steps to ensure that satellite television transmissions from member states, including stations licensed by the United Kingdom Independent Television Commission, are not jammed by third parties, thus negating freedom of expression and information, and trans-national communication.

Freedom of reception is a central principle of international agreements on broadcasting. Article 2a of the EC Broadcasting Directive (97/36/EC) requires member states of the European Union to ensure freedom of reception of television broadcasts from other member states. The European Commission already monitors the implementation of the directive by member states, but has no locus in respect of third parties outside the European Union.The Council of Europe Convention on Transfrontier Television has a similar provision. Article 4 requires states which are party to the convention to ensure freedom of expression and information in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and to ensure freedom of reception on their territories of programme services which comply with the terms of the convention. Articles 24 and 25 contain provisions on alleged violations of the convention and the settlement of disputes between parties.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will encourage the Chief Executive of the Royal Parks to extend the facilities for cyclists in the Royal Parks generally, and in St. James's Park in particular, as recommended by the Royal Parks Review Committee chaired by Dame Jennifer Jenkins, beyond those indicated in the letter dated 5 March 1997 from the Chief Executive to Lord Taverne.

The Chief Executive of the Royal Parks is fully aware of the desire of Ministers to see additional provision for cycling in the Royal Parks. Cycle tracks have now been completed in Hyde Park on North Carriage Drive and alongside West Carriage Drive, creating a link for cyclists between Bayswater Road and Knightsbridge and allowing people to cycle all the way round Hyde Park. Further cycle tracks are proposed in Greenwich Park and Bushy Park as soon as funds are available.In St. James's Park the Royal Parks are considering whether there is scope to put a cycle track along The Mall, as the review group report proposes, but the special nature of that area means there are a number of issues that need to be settled before a decision is reached. The World Squares for All proposals, which are currently the subject of public consultation, propose creating a cycle track along Horse Guards Road. The Royal Parks are also considering whether it would be feasible to install a cycle track along Queen's Walk in The Green Park and are consulting interested parties.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will reconsider preserving HMS "Cavalier", the last World War 2 serving destroyer, as a museum ship in Great Britain.

The sale of HMS "Cavalier" has been agreed between South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council and Star Cruises of Malaysia. South Tyneside MBC has maintained the ship for 10 years, but now considers the costs too great to continue. The agreement secured with the purchasers means that the ship will be maintained in a good state of repair.The cost of refurbishment of HMS "Cavalier" to public access standards has been estimated at around £500,000. In addition, some £325,000 would be needed annually to run an appropriate visitor centre which included HMS "Cavalier" as the main attraction. The Government cannot undertake such expenditure given other competing priorities.I understand that South Tyneside MBC applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund for support earlier in the year but were refused. If an application has already been rejected, those applying for the funds should have received feedback on the reasons for their failure. This will have helped them to decide whether to reapply.We owe a great debt to those who served in the Navy and I appreciate that the future of HMS "Cavalier" is a matter of importance to them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they agree with Part I: 18 (Collections) of the 43rd Report of the Reviewing Committee for Export of Works of Art; and, if so, whether they intend to include collections within the Waverley system.

The Waverley system aims to maintain the balance between the rights of an individual to sell his or her property and the need to retain the nation's heritage. The Government has no plans to add to the three Waverley criteria which it considers work very well. In cases where collections are owned by an estate which must meet inheritance tax liabilities the acceptance in lieu scheme provides an incentive for owners to offer their property to the nation in lieu of that tax.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Culture Council on 24 November.

EU Ministers of Culture met on 24 November 1997 in Brussels. Ministers agreed conclusions on music in Europe which are intended to inform the Commission's thinking as it develops proposals for the future of EU cultural action.The European Commission presented its proposal for a European Parliament and council decision establishing a Community initiative for the European City of Culture programme.Ministers held an exchange of views on the selection of a European City of Culture for 2001; the funding of EC cultural action in 1999 to cover the period between the expiry of the Ariane and Kaleidoscope programmes and the establishment of a successor programme.The council asked the Commission to carry out a study into the reduction of VAT on recordings.Ministers discussed a proposal for a council decision establishing a European guarantee fund to promote cinema and television production, and follow-up to the Commission Green Paper on the protection of minors and human dignity in the audiovisual and information services.The council invited the 10 associated countries of central and eastern Europe to participate in a structured dialogue on measures taken and to be taken to prepare new legislation and adapt existing national legislation, to bring it into line with EU audiovisual legislation and to address questions concerning the protection of minors and human dignity in audiovisual services.Ministers also touched upon the future of digital television, European cities of culture for 1997 and 1998, the UNESCO intergovernmental conference in March 1998 on cultural policies for development, fixed book pricing, co-operation between the EC and the Council of Europe and follow-up action in the cultural field to the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are their reasons for the delay in considering the asylum applications of Sayed Haider H. A. Hasan, Hamza A. J. Kadhem and Sheikh Ali S. A. Salman, citizens of Bahrain, who applied for asylum on their arrival in the United Kingdom on 17 January 1995, after being imprisoned without charge or trial since early December 1994, and then expelled from their country by the authorities; and when they expect to reach a decision on these cases.

Decisions will be taken on these applications once they have been considered against the requirements of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the status of refugees. Current delays in dealing with applications are the result of the large backlog of cases in the Asylum Directorate. I am advised that decisions on these cases are unlikely to be reached before the spring at the earliest.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures, if any, have already been taken to improve conditions at Campsfield House, near Oxford, since the August riots by detained asylum-seekers.

The disturbances that took place at Campsfield House on 20 August were not caused exclusively by people who had submitted applications for asylum in the United Kingdom.Following the disturbances, it was necessary, for health and safety reasons, to restrict access to damaged areas and to those areas where contractors were working to make repairs. The number of detainees in residence was reduced to about half the normal capacity, and this level of occupancy has since been maintained. Contingency arrangements were put into effect to provide as many services as possible, but in the immediate aftermath of the disturbances some facilities were either reduced or temporarily unavailable. It is unfortunate that the facilities provided for the detainees' recreation and education were those that were principally targeted and destroyed. The library, classrooms, computer, televisions, sports equipment, shop, telephones, and laundry were either seriously damaged or completely destroyed. I am pleased to report, however, that all repairs have now been completed, and that all recreational, religious and educational facilities previously in place have been restored.While there is no evidence that conditions at the centre were the cause of the disturbance, we are taking the opportunity in its aftermath to consider what other arrangements can be made for activity that will better meet detainees' needs. In addition, the recommendations of the Chief Inspector of Prisons, who looked at Campsfield House following the disturbances, will be considered.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the reasons for the delay of more than 18 months in publishing the Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts for April 1995—March 1996.

Production of the report for 1995-96 was undeniably slow and the then Ministers decided to defer approval of the text pending the general election. After the election, we were unable to find sufficient time to approve the text to enable publication before the summer recess. The report was published on 13 November 1997. In future, the Prison Service will aim to publish its Annual Report and Accounts within six months of the end of the financial year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have made a decision on the leading recommendation in the report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons that a director of women's prisons should be appointed.

We announced the findings of the internal review of the management and organisation of the Prison Service, carried out by the Director General, on 10 November 1997 (H.L. Deb., col. 8). We have endorsed its findings and recommendations.The review considered the criticisms made by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons of the management of women's prisons and his recommendation that a director of women's prisons should be appointed. The review concluded that the best way to meet these criticisms was by creating a stronger capacity within headquarters to develop regime standards and policies and support the operational line in monitoring performance and spreading best practice. This will be provided by a director of regimes at prisons board level, supported by assistant directors, one of which will have separate, specific responsibility for women prisoners.The relevant recommendations of the review will be implemented shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the reference in the Written Answer given by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 5 November

There are currently 435 approved local authority secure places in England and Wales. This figure includes 160 of the 170 new places being provided under the secure Accommodation Development Programme. The remaining 10 places will be available in August 1998. Redevelopment schemes are also presently proceeding at a number of units which, when completed during 1998, will add a further 15 places to the national stock. A further 40 places are provided by the Department of Health's Youth Treatment Centre at Glenthorne.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the reference in the Written Answer given by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 5 November (

Local Authority secure accommodation is also provided for young people generally between the ages of 10 and 18 who are likely to cause injury to themselves or others if placed in other forms of accommodation. Section 25 of the Children Act 1989 sets out the criteria which must be met before a child being looked after by a local authority can be placed, and if placed kept, in secure accommodation.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the reference in the Written Answer given by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 5 November (

As published in Tables A(1) and D of Children accommodated in Secure Units year ending 31 March 1997 England and Wales, the numbers in secure accommodation in England and Wales at 31 March 1997 according to their legal status on admission were (a) 113 accused; (b) 99 convicted, and (c) 78 other juveniles who needed secure accommodation. Copies of the publication are available in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:In the light of their commitment to sustainable development, and in preparation for the Kyoto Conference on Climate Change, whether they will seek to end activities which cause noise pollution, air pollution and environmental degradation, and in particular activities such as Formula One racing in rural areas such as Silverstone in Northamptonshire.

While the Government sets the framework for environmental policies, local authorities are responsible for dealing with pollution from activities such as motor racing. Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 includes powers for local authorities to require the abatement of excessive noise, smoke, steam, smell and other effluvia emitted from premises. We understand that Northamptonshire County Council and South Northamptonshire Council are promoting the establishment of a trans-national network among European Formula One and other major motor racing circuits. They envisage such a network could, for example, be used to address environmental concerns, including looking at innovative ways of reducing noise and air pollution.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What guideline rents they propose for local authority tenants in England for 1998-99.

We are proposing that the average guideline rent for 1998-99 should increase from £35.38 to £36.35 a week. This is 97p per week more than the current year's guideline rent in cash terms. Guideline rent increases for individual authorities would range between 72p and £1.22.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What response was received to the consultation paper on the appointment of members of valuation tribunals in the light of local government reorganisation in parts of England in April 1998.

The list of responses received has been placed in the Library of the House: copies of individual responses may be obtained through the library of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Regulations will be introduced shortly to give effect to the following measures: