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OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

International Development Association

27. Mr. Roy Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to the replenishment of IDA11. [3310]

Mr. Hanley: We are working to ensure a satisfactory outcome to the negotiations on the 11th replenishment of the International Development Association and to enhance IDA's effectiveness by strengthening its focus on poverty reduction, sound economic management and sustainable development.

International Labour Migration

32. Mr. Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of United Kingdom bilateral aid on international labour migration. [3317]

Mr. Hanley: The effects of United Kingdom bilateral aid cannot be assessed separately from other factors affecting international labour migration. ODA seeks to help people in aid recipient countries to improve their lives, but accepts that any influence on their decisions to migrate will be modest.

Sri Lanka

Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place and with whom as to medical and food aid to Sri Lanka during the present conflict. [3314]

Mr. Hanley: We are in frequent contact with the Government of Sri Lanka and relief agencies about the provision of emergency assistance, including medical and food aid needs, to those affected by the present conflict in the north.

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PRIME MINISTER

Nuclear Materials (Exports)

Mr. Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister what changes have been made in the guideline for the export of nuclear materials, equipment and technology by the United Kingdom beyond the measures set out in his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) of 13 January 1993, Official Report, column 745. [5393]

The Prime Minister: The guidelines for the export of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology by the United Kingdom remain the same with one exception. The guidelines of the nuclear suppliers' group, of which the UK is a member, will, in exceptional cases, allow such exports to non-nuclear weapon states without full scope safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Authority, where they are deemed essential to the safe operation of existing facilities and if IAEA safeguards are applied to these facilities.

The NSG has also adopted guidelines for the transfer of nuclear-related dual-use material, equipment and technology. These exports are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Departmental Transfers

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning the transfer of (a) personnel and (b) responsibilities from Government Departments to Scotland; and what plans he has to make such a transfer. [5096]

The Prime Minister: I am not aware of any recent representations on this topic. My right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Secretary of State

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for Scotland have, however, recently received representations from Grampian regional council and the City of Aberdeen district council about the scope for transferring to Aberdeen additional jobs in the Department of Trade and Industry's oil and gas division. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy will be meeting representatives of the councils shortly to discuss this issue.

Princess of Wales

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to hold consultations with other Prime Ministers of those countries where Her Majesty the Queen is Head of State about the future role and duties of the Princess of Wales. [4867]

The Prime Minister: None.

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the future role and duties of the Princess of Wales. [4841]

The Prime Minister: I have nothing further to add to the statement I made on 9 December 1992, Official Report, column 845.

Nigeria

Mr. Madden: To ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken following the disclosure of normally confidential information to the media of information concerning the application by Mr. Abiodum Igbindu, for political asylum in the United Kingdom. [4853]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 8 December 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms Quin) on 5 December, Official Report, column 136.

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11 Dec 1995 : Column: 473

DEFENCE

Royal Dockyards (Privatisation)

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost to date of consultancy payments made to firms in relation to work carried out to develop his Department's plans for the privatisation of (a) Devonport royal dockyard and (b) Rosyth royal dockyard. [5363]

Mr. Arbuthnot: During the period between 18 October 1993, when my right hon. and learned Friend the then Secretary of State for Defence announced our policy towards the future management of the royal dockyards, Official Report, 18 October 1993, columns 39-41, and 30 November 1995, expenditure charged to defence votes in respect of consultancy advice given in relation to the proposed privatisation of the dockyards amounted to some £8.4 million, including VAT. Further costs have been incurred, but final details will not be available until invoices have been presented and payments agreed. Costs attributable to one dockyard or the other cannot be separately identified.

Army Officers (Business Appointments)

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by name, rank and service the former serving officers of the armed forces who (a) have applied under the business appointments procedure and (b) have had their application refused. [5323]

Mr. Soames: During the last two years, the following applications under the business appointments procedure were made by officers who had retired from the armed forces:

Number
Admiral of the Fleet3
Vice Admiral2
Rear Admiral9
Captain3
Commander3
Lieutenant Commander8
Major General20
Brigadier2
Colonel4
Lieutenant Colonel4
Major1
Captain1
Marshal of the RAF1
Air Chief Marshal1
Air Marshal4
Air Vice-Marshal2
Air Commodore1
Group Captain3
Wing Commander2
Squadron Leader6


None of the applications was refused: restrictions were imposed on nine applications. It is not our practice to disclose the names of the officers concerned.

Dr. Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 November, Official Report, column 349, how the business appointments policy for former serving officers of the armed services is enforced; and what sanctions may be imposed. [5322]

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Mr. Soames: Business appointment applications are approved unconditionally or subject to a waiting period of up to two years from the applicant's last day in Crown service, or to a condition banning the applicant from involvement in a particular project or area of work for up to two years. Where a condition is imposed, both the applicant and prospective employer are informed in writing of the nature of the condition.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sites of special scientific interest on his Ministry's land have been de-listed in each of the last five years. [4726]

Mr. Soames: The Ministry of Defence owns or occupies over 200 sites of special scientific interest. Available records do not show any such sites as having been de-listed in the last five years.

Low Flying

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many instances of aircraft using reheat have been recorded by RAF police conducting covert monitoring of low flying in each year since 1990. [4486]

Mr. Soames: My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft movements have been observed by RAF police conducting covert monitoring of low flying in each year since 1990. [4487]

Mr. Soames: The numbers of aircraft observed by the RAF police while conducting covert monitoring, including deployments with the Skyguard radar system, of military low flying in each year since 1990 are as follows:


Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints from the public his Department has received arising from low-level flying in each of the last five years. [4730]

Mr. Soames: The numbers of complaints and inquiries about military low flying received by my Department in each of the last five years are as follows:


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