asked Her Majesty's Government:Which prisons have Writers in Residence. [HL1331]

There are writers in residence at the following establishments:

• Ashwell
• Channings Wood
• Eastwood Park
• Feltham
• Grendon
• Low Newton
• Maidstone
• Nottingham
• Onley
• Shrewsbury

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the speeches of the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 24 March (H.L. Deb., cols. 1115–17 and 1119), whether they consider that the exemptions for media intrusion upon personal privacy contained in Clause 31 of the Data Protection Bill will be required to be interpreted and applied by the courts in accordance with the European legal principles of proportionality and legal certainty. [HL1299]

Yes. According to the consistent case law of the European Court of Justice, in the application of Community law the guiding principles, which include proportionality and legal certainty, must be observed by the courts.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Brussels on 19 March. [HL1476]

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary chaired the Council on behalf of the Presidency. My honourable friend the Minister of State (Joyce Quin) represented the United Kingdom. The main matters dealt with were as follows.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress has been made in the development of legislation on fire safety. [HL1477]

On 28 November, the Government published a consultation document entitled Fire Safety Legislation for the Future, copies of which are in the Library. The consultation period closed on 28 February and, between the Home Office and the Scottish Office, we have received around 450 responses.We have decided to proceed with a thorough overhaul of fire safety legislation along the lines set out in the consultation document. However, some difficult areas, such as Houses of Multiple Occupation and licensed premises, need more detailed discussion and consideration before we can take a decision on them and we will need to tie in with other separate aspects. We will now work up detailed proposals in close co-operation with interested parties. Subject to clear evidence of cost effectiveness of the proposals, we will aim to legislate as early as practicable.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the European Commission has issued a letter under Article 169 of the Treaty of Rome challenging the United Kingdom's implementation of the general fire safety provisions of the European Framework Directive. [HL1478]

We can confirm that such a letter has been received from Commissioner Flynn on behalf of the Commission.To avoid prejudicing any legal proceedings that might result, the detail of the letter and the reply to it must remain confidential between the Commission and Her Majesty's Government. However, we can say that, in broad terms, the Commission's concerns relate to the need to justify the exceptions we have made from the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (among them, one for fire certificated premises). They are also concerned that the duties placed on employers by these regulations should fully reflect the unconditional nature of the responsibilities and obligations imposed on employers by the framework directive.The Government have decided that they will take the necessary steps to address the Commission's concerns about meeting the terms of the directive in full. Such steps should be consistent with the emerging findings of the recent consultative exercise,

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will strengthen immigration legislation to tackle abuse of the United Kingdom's immigration control. [HL1479]

The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that those who seek to migrate to the United Kingdom but have no grounds for doing so under the Immigration Rules are prevented from coming here. We have today by order extended the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987 to Eurostar services arriving from Brussels to reduce the large numbers of inadequately documented passengers using this route over recent months.The order as drafted does not extend to SNCF (the operators of services from France) because of their current position under French law. But we have agreed with the French Government measures to enhance operational co-operation until a longer term solution can be found.From 0001 hours on Friday 10 April, we will require nationals of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia to obtain Direct Airside Transit Visas to come to the United Kingdom, even when they intend to remain airside while in transit through the United Kingdom. We have taken this action following evidence of abuse of the Transit Without Visa concession by such nationals.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is (a) the total number and (b) the ethnic breakdown of people electronically tagged to date in each of the pilot areas. [HL1260]

(a) The number of people sentenced to a curfew order during the pilots at 3 April 1998 are as follows. Some offenders have served more than one curfew sentence.

Cambridgeshire	13
Suffolk	7
Norfolk	279
Greater Manchester	699
Berkshire	87
West Yorkshire	12
Middlesex	18

(b) No information is currently collated centrally about the ethnic origin of offenders made subject to a curfew order under the Criminal Justice Act 1991 in the pilot areas. However, we are at present seeking tenders for the provision of electronic monitoring services throughout England and Wales, and those contractors will be required to monitor the ethnic origin of all those they supervise.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will convene, in co-operation with the United States, an international conference, with an open agenda involving both the Yugoslav Government and the parallel governmental structures headed by President Ibrahim Rugova, to seek urgently a peaceful solution of the Kosovan crisis which guarantees the human rights and freedoms of all individuals and groups within the region. [HL1040]

We have no plans to convene such a conference. However, Her Majesty's Government have played a leading role both in the Contact Group on the former Yugoslavia and in the European Union in seeking to persuade the Government in Belgrade and the leaders of the Kosovar Albanians, including Dr. Rugova, urgently to begin a meaningful dialogue, without preconditions, on the future status of Kosovo. Her Majesty's Government firmly believe that the Kosovo crisis can only be satisfactorily resolved through dialogue and, in conjunction with their partners in the Contact Group, have made clear to both sides their willingness to help facilitate such a process.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the ministerial responsibilities in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in light of the recent review of dependent territories. [HL1484]

As the Foreign Secretary made clear in his speech to the Dependent Territories Association on 4 February, I am the Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with overall responsibility for the United Kingdom Overseas Territories. As Gibraltar is the only Overseas Territory within the EU, the bulk of the work on Gibraltar will continue to be handled by the European Departments reporting directly to the Minister for Europe, Mr. Henderson. However, I will be responsible for generic Overseas Territory issues which affect Gibraltar.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What discussion there has been in the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy Working Group on Human Rights concerning alleged summary and arbitrary executions, arbitrary detention and attacks on defenders of human rights in Congo Brazzaville since the violent assumption of power by Dennis Sassou Nguesso on 15 October 1997; what measures are being taken by the European Union to assist in the return of that country to constitutional rule; and what view they take of the position under international law of Angolan armed forces still in that country. [HL1206]

The Common Foreign and Security Policy Africa Working Group (AWG) discussed the situation in Congo Brazzaville most recently on 3 April 1998.The EU has noted Sassou Nguesso's creation of a National Forum for Unity Democracy and the Reconstruction of the Republic of the Congo and his plans for the re-establishment of democracy. The EU remains concerned both at the continued presence of Angolan troops and about the proposed transition programme. The EU will press Sassou Nguesso on the need for an inclusive political progress.Separately, while noting that Sassou Nguesso has approached the UN to appoint a special representative to investigate alleged genocide crimes, the EU also intends to raise its concerns about the human rights violations at the current session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.The European Commission has designated 12 million ecu for humanitarian aid in Congo Brazzaville, which is being distributed through European Commission Humanitarian Operations (ECHO).

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their response to the United States proposals for the "transformation" of NATO described by President Clinton and quoted in the

I refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer I gave him on 12 January (Official Report, col. WA 124) and to the Written Answer my noble friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement gave him on 22 January to his Question on the terms of reference of the review of NATO's Strategic Concept (Official Report, col. WA 265).

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention permits the use of the high seas for military action, other than in accordance with a United Nations Security Council Resolution or in self-defence. [HL1307]

The use of force, including in self-defence, is governed by general international law and in particular the Charter of the United Nations. The freedom of the high seas, which is codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, includes freedom of navigation for military vessels and the right to engage in lawful military activities.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will seek to persuade the Governments of Commonwealth countries which have accepted the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (giving competence to the Human Rights Committee in individual cases) to uphold the Protocol. [HL1290]

The EU made a demarche to the Jamaican Government on 5 January, requesting that it reconsider its decision to withdraw from the First Optional Protocol. We are now considering how best to continue our dialogue with Jamaica. We would consider making similar démarches to any other country which announced its intention to withdraw from the First Optional Protocol.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the reply given to Lord Chesham on 30 July 1997 (H.L. Deb., col. 169), how they are intending to mark the anniversary of the ending of the British mandate in Palestine. [HL1264]

As I indicated in the House on 30 July, the Government do not at present propose to commemorate the end of the mandate, and since there is already substantial British aid, directly and through the EU, to the Palestinian authority, there are no proposals to mark the anniversary by increasing our bilateral assistance to them.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many pieces of United Kingdom secondary legislation and how many pieces of European Union secondary legislation came into force in 1997. [HL1344]

Three thousand, one hundred and fourteen statutory instruments were made in 1997, of which 1,663 were general instruments. It is not known how many of these were to implement European Union legislation, but, in 1996, 80 of the 1,832 general instruments were for that purpose. One thousand, eight hundred and forty-five pieces of secondary legislation were made by the EU institutions in 1997, but a further 1,124 such pieces were repealed or expired leaving a net increase of 721.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the terms of reference of the so-called Euro-X Committee; and what is its treaty base in the Treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam. [HL1394]

The terms of reference of the Euro-X committee are set out in the Luxembourg European Council conclusions. Euro-X is an informal committee and has no base in either the Treaty of Maastricht or the Treaty of Amsterdam.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the relationship between the Euro-X Committee and the Economic and Financial Committee established by Article 109C2 of the Treaty of Maastricht. [HL1395]

The Economic and Financial Committee will be a formal body of the EU, established under the Treaty which sets out its scope and functions in detail. These do not include any reference to Euro-X, which is an informal body to be established by the countries participating in the euro in line with the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What public expenditure will be incurred at the behest of the Director of Public Prosecutions in commissioning Crown Communications to advise and assist in preparing the Director's response to the report by Sir lain Glidewell into the Crown Prosecution Service. [HL1372]

The Crown Prosecution Service has explored the use of suitable consultants to assist with internal communications as part of the change management associated with implementation of those recommendations of the CPS Review Team which are accepted by the Government. After a selection process, the CPS has identified Crown Business Communications Ltd. as the most suitable, but I am informed by the CPS that no contract has yet been signed and there is no commitment to any specific expenditure. The extent and value (if any) of the work which that company may be asked to undertake has yet to be determined and will be dependent, in part, on decisions to be taken in the light of the report of the CPS review team once it is received.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their policy that, where a Special Area of Conservation is declared which incorporates a main navigational channel into a harbour, the Harbour Commissioners are the sole authority responsible for maintaining that channel and the safe passage of all suitable craft navigating that channel. [HL1421]

All harbour authorities must have regard to nature conservation in the exercise of their statutory functions, which include the maintenance of safe navigation. Where a port is included in a Special Area of Conservation, designated under the Habitats Directive, the Conservation (Natural Habitats, Etc.) Regulations additionally give authorities a specific duty to exercise those functions to secure compliance with the directive. In addition, the regulations require the statutory nature conservation agencies to advise on these matters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to undertake a fundamental review of the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales. [HL1480]

My right honourable friends the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Secretaries of State for Health and Wales have agreed to set up today a financial management and policy review of the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales, as part of a programme of reviews of non-departmental public bodies.The review will be conducted in two stages. The first will be a "prior options" study focusing on whether the functions carried out by the Audit Commission are needed and, if so, whether those functions are best undertaken by the Audit Commission or some other body. Subject to the outcome of this first stage, the second stage will consist of a more detailed review of the Audit Commission's structure, funding, financial management and methods of operation.I have appointed Paul McQuail, a retired senior civil servant in the former Department of the Environment, to lead a small team to undertake the prior options study. To oversee the review, I am establishing an Advisory Group, on which we are inviting representatives from the Audit Commission and the health and local government sectors to join representatives from central government.In carrying out the study, it is intended that the review team will consult with a wide range of interested parties and would welcome written representations from anyone who has views on the Audit Commission and its work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to issue a revised circular on planning and affordable housing. [HL1481]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has today issued Circular 6/98: Planning and Affordable Housing, which replaces Circular 13/96. The circular is intended to provide a clearer framework for preparing plan policies on affordable housing. It should help local planning authorities adopt a more consistent, plan-based approach, which will facilitate speedier and more effective negotiations and decisions on planning applications involving affordable housing.The Government wish to optimise the contribution that the planning system can make to the overall supply of affordable housing. However, they also want to ensure that affordable housing policies in development plans are consistent with government guidance and that they are consistently applied.The new circular lowers and further revises the existing thresholds, confirms a preference for providing affordable housing as part of the proposed development, and clarifies further the use of financial contributions in lieu of on-site provision. It also clarifies that the policy in the circular applies to all types of new housing proposals.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will review the legislation relating to the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as recommended by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. [HL1482]

My right honourable friend the Minister for the Environment is today setting in hand a review, jointly with my right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Secretary of State for Wales and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It will examine the legislation relating to the Environment Agency in England and Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, with a view to identifying any barriers preventing the agencies from taking an integrated approach to the environment. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution recommended in its nineteenth report (Cm 3165) that such a review should be carried out within three years of the agencies' taking up their functions, in April 1996.The terms of reference of the review are:To investigate the possible rationalisation of the regulatory mechanisms which the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency operate, and the opportunities for integrating regulatory regimes which currently operate on a similar basis but under different legislation, so as:to identify any significant barriers to integration within each of the agencies whose removal would improve the quality of regulation by producing worthwhile improvements in environmental protection and enhancement, customer service and business efficiency,to establish whether such barriers could be overcome by administrative means or management action by the agencies; andin so far as this is not the case, to recommend legislative changes to enable them to be removed.The review is not intended to consider the integration of the philosophical approaches underlying the different regulatory regimes, which are often bound up with European Union legislation. Nor is the review considering integration of the agencies themselves.The review will be carried out by the relevant Government Departments and the Agencies. Interested bodies will be invited to contribute their views at an early stage. We envisage that the review will take about a year to complete.Any legislative changes in England and Wales arising out of the review would be considered by Parliament. Since the results of the review will be submitted around the time of the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, it would fall to Scottish Ministers to consider whether to put corresponding proposals to the Scottish Parliament.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the arrangements for single vehicle approval due to come into effect on 1 May will be modified. [HL1483]

We are laying regulations today that will amend the procedures for importing cars and light goods vehicles that have not been built (type approved) to British or European standards. The new measures, which modify those already in place, will ensure that safety and environmental standards appropriate for use in Britain are met.The changes start to take effect from 1 May 1998. The main points are:Safety and environmental standards appropriate to British conditions will be determined by an inspection of the vehicle's design and construction prior to first registration in Britain—"Single Vehicle Approval" (SVA).The current definition of "personal import" will remain for the time being—i.e., where:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether arrangements for marriage preparation, referred to in the White Paper

The Government are committed to finding the most effective ways of supporting marriage. In particular, we recognise the need to ensure that couples are properly prepared to take on the responsibilities of marriage. A one-year programme of marriage support pilot projects, funded by my department, has recently been completed. Three of the 13 projects included marriage preparation.As I announced on 20 March, I intend to set up an independent review of my department's funding of marriage support and research services. The review will draw on the results of the pilot programme, and will report before the end of 1998.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether their commitment to develop a Community Legal Service includes the provision of greater resources to the area of social welfare law; and, if so, what the scale of those increases will be. [HL1297]

In 1996–97, the Government spent £60 million on advice and assistance in the areas normally referred to as "social welfare law"—housing, debt, welfare benefits, immigration and employment. This represented 72 per cent. of total non-Family civil expenditure under the Legal Aid Green Form Scheme. Despite this expenditure, and the efforts of many volunteers and lawyers working pro bono, we recognise that need in this area is not adequately met. This recognition underlies our commitment to develop a Community Legal Service. The details of our proposals to fulfil this commitment, including refocusing legal aid expenditure where appropriate, will be the subject of public consultation at the beginning of next year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 18 March (

This figure was quoted in The Case for Welfare Reform, published in January this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their policy that a national insurance number should be issued to any applicant who is actively seeking work, whether employed or not; and, if so, how they propose to ensure that this policy is complied with. [HL1335]

Our policy is to accept applications for a national insurance number from people who are either actively seeking work or who have found employment. Staff in local offices who deal with such applications receive appropriate training and have ready access to written guidance.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will ensure that the requirements to produce documents under Section 19 of the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 are not enforced against women who have left home to avoid domestic violence. [HL1337]

Section 19 of the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 applies to all claimants who apply for a range of specified benefits.In deciding what information or evidence a claimant needs to produce, due regard is always given to the circumstances of the person in question. It is rare for a person who already has a national insurance number (NINO) to be unable to supply sufficient information to enable their NINO account to be traced and confirmed.Even if a NINO is not held, it is not necessarily the case that supporting documentary evidence would be required. In particular, if a person had left their home through domestic distress it would not be appropriate to ask for corroborative evidence to which they had no access. Additional information would be sought, which could then be corroborated with records held by the department or other agencies.Furthermore, Section 19 of the Act does not prevent consideration of a payment on account of entitlement in cases of hardship.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Jay of Paddington on 25 March (

We plan to publish the first report shortly.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What have been their financial contributions to the British Fluoridation Society over the last 10 years. [HL1365]

Total core and project funding was as follows:

Year	£
1987–88	20,000
1988–89	30,000
1989–90	31,000
1990–91	45,784
1991–92	51,491
1992–93	56,000
1993–94	62,247
1994–95	63,000
1995–96	74,000
1996–97	117,609
1997–98	90,000

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the sources, industrial or otherwise, of fluorides used in current water fluoridation schemes in the United Kingdom. [HL1364]

This is commercially confidential information which is not routinely collected by government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will cite studies in which crippling skeletal fluorosis or preclinical fluorosis has been looked for in the United Kingdom by assay of personal fluoride intake from all sources. [HL1363]

There is no assay capable of measuring long-term exposure to fluoride, although bone fluoride levels are the most relevant measure of accumulation in the target organ. Studies of bone structure, bone fluoride content, radiographic findings, and musculoskeletal symptoms, in relation to indices of occupational and dietary exposure to fluoride, are summarised in the 1976 report Fluoride, Teeth and Health from the Royal College of Physicians of London, copies of which are available in the Library. In the United Kingdom, there has been only one report of probable non-occupational clinical skeletal fluorosis (in 1966); the source of this man's fluoride exposure could not be established.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Jay of Paddington on 23 March (

No. Studies of the fluoride content and structure of bone, and radiological surveys, in communities in the United Kingdom and United States of America have not demonstrated clinical skeletal fluorosis even when fluoride levels occurring naturally in drinking-water were several times that used in optimal fluoridation of the water supply.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is their policy to encourage the development of new cadet force detachments. [HL1391]

In recognising the contribution made by the cadet organisations to both our military and our civilian communities, the Government's policy remains that all requests to establish new Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force or Air Training Corps units will be met positively. The military authorities have in place effective mechanisms for encouraging and assisting those within the civilian communities who wish to open new units. Similarly, in respect of the Combined Cadet Force, requests from heads to establish contingents within schools, whether in the private, state or independent sectors, will invariably receive the maximum encouragement and support.Cadet Force strengths at 31 March 1997 were as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have made on the future of the former Royal Yacht "Britannia". [HL1473]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence has decided that "Britannia" should be preserved in Edinburgh, in the Port of Leith. Subject to a satisfactory conclusion to negotiations, the former Royal Yacht will be sold to an independent charitable trust being promoted by Forth Ports plc. The trust will take responsibility for the preservation of "Britannia", and for running the yacht as a visitor attraction and as a venue for conferences and other functions. Both Forth Ports and the Manchester Ship Canal Company offered very good ideas; either would have allowed "Britannia" to be preserved successfully and with dignity. It has been a difficult choice, but a good outcome for "Britannia". We are grateful to both for having put forward such excellent proposals."Britannia" is expected to leave Portsmouth in the next few weeks, and, following essential work to adapt her to her new role, will be open to the public later this year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to make available further information on NATO and NATO enlargement. [HL1474]

The Government have undertaken to provide time for debates in both Houses on the proposed accession to NATO of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland before they ratify the accession protocols, which have today been laid before the House, together with explanatory memoranda. The Government have, as always, co-operated fully with the Defence Select Committee in another place in its enquiry on NATO enlargement and given it access to appropriate documents. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister made a statement on 9 July 1997 on the outcome of the Madrid NATO Summit and the Government have responded regularly to questions on this topic. In addition, a briefing note on the studies of the costs of NATO enlargement was placed in the Library of the House last month, and the Ministry of Defence is today publishing documents and information on NATO and NATO enlargement on its World Wide Web site at http://www.mod.uk. Copies of these Internet pages are also available from today in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they plan to continue to call out reservists to support military operations. [HL1475]

A new call-out order has been made under Section 54 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996. This will allow us to continue calling out members of the reserve forces in support of operations in Yugoslavia and in the region of Iraq. The order will cease to have effect on 31 March 1999. All reservists called out are volunteers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the debate on 10 December 1997 (H.L. Deb., col. 196) and in the light of the European Union's forthcoming framework proposal to boost job creation in the arts sector, what progress they are making to prevent the European Union's imposition of increased VAT and

The European Commission has recently begun the process of reviewing the effects of the Seventh VAT Directive on the international competitiveness of the Community art markets. Customs and Excise have already met Commission officials to discuss the handling and scope of that review, and will be closely involved with it to ensure that the position of the UK's fine art market is properly represented. They will be maintaining close liaison with the British Art Market Federation and with other government departments over its progress.So far as

asked Her Majesty's Government:What topics were discussed at the EU Ministerial Council on the Internal Market on 30 March and what matters were voted upon. [HL1472]

I chaired the Internal Market Council in Brussels on 30 March. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs occupied the UK seat.The Council held a debate on three key issues of the Single Market Action Plan; implementation of the plan, the state of transposition, application and effective implementation of internal market legislation, and the functioning of the principle of mutual recognition, on which it agreed formal conclusions. The Council also assessed progress on the initiative "Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market" (SLIM) and endorsed Commission proposals to establish Business Test Panels through which business will be consulted about selected new EU draft legislation.The Council held an extensive exchange of views on the proposal for a regulation creating a Commission intervention mechanism for the elimination of certain obstacles to trade. The Council expressed its resolve to find, urgently, an effective solution to the problem.The Council took note of the progress achieved on the draft regulation on the statute for a European Company and gave its support to continuing work along the present lines.The Council heard presentations from the Commission on the proposed directive on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the Information Society, the Communication on Public Procurement, the Communication on Commercial Communications, and The Year 2000 Computer Problem.The Council took note of the Memorandum

asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy concerning collective worship in schools. [HL1379]

The School Standards and Framework Bill applies the existing requirements for collective worship to the new school framework. There are no plans to change those requirements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Blackstone on 30 March (

The 30 March statement was on the authority of Her Majesty's Government. The statutory definition of education action zones is set out in the Schools Standards and Framework Bill. If the relevant provisions do not receive Royal Assent, or if Royal Assent is delayed, the action zone programme will be established on a voluntary basis.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many applications to establish education action zones have been received; and [HL1340]How many action zone applications include local education authorities as (a) primary sponsor/partner or (b) constituent partner; and [HL1341]Of all the applications to date, what is (a) the least and (b) the largest number of schools within an action zone. [HL1342]

Sixty applications were received by the closing date of 20 March. These are currently being assessed. I will write to the noble Baroness when the relevant information is available.

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much officials' time in man days has been allocated to visit each education action zone area to evaluate the application. [HL1339]

Time will be found within officials' responsibilities to meet this priority initiative.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish data for England showing for comprehensive schools, modern schools, grammar schools, all state schools, independent schools and all schools separately, the percentage of all 16 year-old pupils in each of the years 1960 to 1997 passing GCSE examinations with grades A* to C or GCE O-level examinations with grades A to C (including CSE passes at grade 1), in the following subjects: mathematics, English or English language, English literature, sciences (showing separately percentages for Single Award Science or science, Double Award Science, physics, chemistry and biology), French, history and geography, showing data separately for boys, girls and all pupils and including for each category of school each year, the number of schools and the number of 16 year-old pupils. [HL1237]

I refer the noble Baroness to the previous Answer given on 10 February 1998, Official Report, cols. 169 to 178. Data prior to 1994 cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish data for England showing for comprehensive schools, modern schools, grammar schools, all state schools, independent schools and all schools separately, the percentage of all 16 year-old pupils in each of the years 1960 to 1997 passing GCSE examinations with grades A* to C or GCE O-level examinations with grades A to C (including CSE passes at grade 1), for the following combinations of subjects: mathematics and English; mathematics, English and one science; mathematics, English, one science, French and either history or geography; showing data for each combination of subjects separately for boys, girls and all pupils and including for each category of school, the number of schools and the number of 16 year-old pupils. [HL1238]

I refer the noble Baroness to the previous Answer given on 9 February 1998, Official Report, cols. 151 to 154. Data prior to 1994 cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish data for England showing for comprehensive schools, modern schools, grammar schools, all state schools, independent schools and all schools separately, the percentage of all 16 year-old pupils in each of the years 1960 to 1997 obtaining five or more passes in GCSE examinations with grades A* to C or in GCE O-level examinations with grades A to C (including CSE passes at grade 1), showing data separately for boys, girls and all pupils and including, for each category of school, the number of schools and the number of 16 year-old pupils. [HL1239]

I refer the noble Baroness to the previous Answer given on the 9 February 1998, Official Report, cols. 155 to 156. I attach a copy for ease of reference. Data prior to 1994 cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish data for England for the number and the percentage of A-level entrants and the percentage of the 18 year-old cohort obtaining two or more A-levels, three or more A-levels and three or more A-levels at grade A for comprehensive schools, grammar schools, modern schools, independent schools, sixth form colleges, other further education schools and colleges, all state institutions and all institutions in each of the years 1960 to 1997 showing data separately for boys, girls and all students and including, for each category of institution, the number of students entering for two or more A-levels. [HL1234]

The information requested in respect of GCE A/AS achievements from 1994 is shown

GCE A/AS achievements of 17 year-old students attempting 2 or more GCE A-levels or AS equivalents
	1993–94			1994–95			1995–96			1996–97
	Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total
Comprehensive Schools
Number attempting 2 or more GCE A/AS	33,172	37,883	71,055	32,492	37,639	70,131	33,873	38,300	72,173	36,369	41,891	78,260
Percentage achieving 2 or more passes	80.3	81.8	81.1	82.5	84.1	83.3	84.4	87.2	85.9	86.4	88.8	87.7
Percentage achieving 3 or more passes	57.2	57.7	57.5	60.6	61.3	61.0	63.6	65.9	64.8	65.3	67.9	66.7
Percentage achieving 3 Grade A passes	5.2	3.7	4.4	5.6	4.2	4.8	5.4	4.7	5.1	5.5	4.4	4.9
Selective Schools
Number attempting 2 or more GCE A/AS	6,384	7,064	13,448	6,807	7,361	14,168	6,953	7,464	14,417	7,771	8,141	15,912
Percentage achieving 2 or more passes	92.1	92.5	92.3	93.8	93.4	93.6	94.7	95.2	95.0	95.4	96.5	96.0
Percentage achieving 3 or more passes	77.9	76.8	77.3	81.2	79.2	80.2	84.3	83.9	84.1	85.2	86.1	85.7
Percentage achieving 3 Grade A passes	11.7	8.3	9.9	12.9	9.5	11.1	12.5	10.2	11.3	12.0	11.0	11.5
Modern Schools
Number attempting 2 or more GCE A/AS	375	573	948	394	572	966	356	487	843	421	616	1,037
Percentage achieving 2 or more passes	61.1	66.5	64.3	67.3	68.5	68.0	70.8	77.0	74.4	75.3	80.0	78.1
Percentage achieving 3 or more passes	31.5	31.6	31.5	38.1	34.1	35.7	38.2	42.5	40.7	39.2	42.2	41.0
Percentage achieving 3 Grade A passes	0.5	0.3	0.4	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.1	0.2	0.6	0.7	0.5	0.6
Independent Schools
Number attempting 2 or more GCE A/AS	14,988	12,636	27,626	15,056	12,484	27,540	15,188	13,190	28,378	15,521	13,504	29,025
Percentage achieving 2 or more passes	93.9	94.1	94.0	94.6	95.0	94.8	95.7	96.4	96.0	96.0	96.8	96.4
Percentage achieving 3 or more passes	82.7	81.9	82.4	84.2	83.9	84.0	86.4	86.4	86.4	87.2	87.6	87.4
Percentage achieving 3 Grade A passes	16.3	13.7	15.1	18.0	15.0	16.6	17.8	15.4	16.7	18.1	16.5	17.3
Sixth Form Colleges
Number attempting 2 or more GCE A/AS	12,263	15,021	27,284	12,645	15,460	28,105	13,188	16,554	29,742	14,350	18,391	32,741
Percentage achieving 2 or more passes	82.8	85.6	84.3	83.9	87.5	85.9	85.4	89.1	87.4	88.0	91.1	89.7
Percentage achieving 3 or more passes	59.9	61.9	61.0	62.8	66.2	64.6	65.0	70.4	68.0	68.7	72.8	71.0
Percentage achieving 3 Grade A passes	5.0	4.2	4.6	6.0	4.8	5.4	5.7	5.6	5.7	6.0	4.8	5.3
Other FE Sector Colleges
Number attempting 2 or more GCE A/AS	8,199	12,314	20,513	8,109	12,126	20,235	8,325	12,194	20,519	8,611	13,136	21,747
Percentage achieving 2 or more passes	71.6	75.4	73.9	73.1	76.6	75.2	74.6	79.5	77.5	77.1	81.0	79.4
Percentage achieving 3 or more passes	45.1	47.1	46.3	48.1	49.8	49.1	50.5	53.0	52.0	51.4	55.1	53.6
Percentage achieving 3 Grade A passes	3.4	2.2	2.7	3.4	2.4	2.8	3.1	2.4	2.7	3.4	1.9	2.5
Maintained Schools & FE Sector Colleges
Number attempting 2 or more GCE A/AS	60,397	72,858	133,255	60,447	73,159	133,606	62,696	75,000	137,696	67,530	82,187	149,717
Percentage achieving 2 or more passes	80.7	82.4	81.7	82.7	84.4	83.6	84.4	87.1	85.8	86.5	88.8	87.7
Percentage achieving 3 or more passes	58.2	58.4	58.3	61.6	62.0	61.8	64.3	66.4	65.5	66.4	68.6	67.6
Percentage achieving 3 Grade A passes	5.6	3.9	4.7	6.2	4.5	5.3	5.9	5.1	5.5	6.1	4.7	5.3
All schools & FE Sector Colleges
Number attempting 2 or more GCE A/AS	75,385	85,496	160,881	75,503	85,643	161,146	77,884	88,190	166,074	83,051	95,691	178,742
Percentage achieving 2 or more passes	83.4	84.2	83.8	85.1	85.9	85.5	86.6	88.5	87.6	88.3	89.9	89.1
Percentage achieving 3 or more passes	63.0	61.9	62.4	66.1	65.2	65.6	68.6	69.4	69.0	70.3	71.3	70.8
Percentage achieving 3 Grade A passes	7.7	5.4	6.5	8.5	6.0	7.2	8.2	6.6	7.4	8.3	6.4	7.3

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish data for England giving, for comprehensive schools, grammar schools, modern schools, independent schools, sixth form colleges, other further education funding council schools and colleges, all state institutions and all institutions the number of candidates and the average A-level points per student taking each of the subjects physics, chemistry and biology at A-level in each of the years

The information requested in respect of GCSE and GCE A-level achievements is shown in the attached tables.