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Radiation Illness
Mr. Clapham: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of damages claims for
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radiation-induced illness settled annually for the past five years in the United Kingdom nuclear industry; what was the average settlement for each of the years; and how many cases were attributable to the Magnox stations and how many to the advanced gas-cooled reactor stations. [34328]
Mr. Eggar: The compensation scheme for radiation-linked diseases is a nuclear industry voluntary scheme for determining compensation due to employees who develop radiation-linked diseases. Since it was introduced in 1982, and up until the end of 1995, compensation payments have been awarded to 63 cases, with almost £3 million in compensation being paid. This is against a total number of claims arising of almost 500.
The employers and unions from the organisations participating in the compensation scheme agreed that, in order to protect the identification of individual claimants, information on successful claims will be provided only for the compensation scheme as a whole. Details on compensation scheme payments are contained in an annual press statement. I am arranging for copies of the 1995 statement to be placed in the Library of the House.
Electronic Batons
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 13 June, Official Report, column 270, on electronic batons, what is the title of the marketing research report referred to. [34441]
Mr. Oppenheim [holding answer 25 June 1996]: The title of the marketing report referred to in my answers of 28 March, Official Report, column 733, and 13 June, is "Police and Public Security Requirements for Equipment and Services in the Countries of the Arabian Peninsula".
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Female Genital Mutilation
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance and other forms of aid he has given over the past 10 years to the United Nations agencies that are attempting to eliminate female genital mutilation; and if he will make a statement. [34161]
Mr. Hanley: Many of the UN agencies to which we contribute are tackling the problem of female genital mutilation in their programmes but it is not possible to determine what proportion of our contributions have been used specifically for this purpose.
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions in the last 10 years he has provided financial and other assistance, in terms of health education, to countries that have implemented, or are seeking to implement, local campaigns to eliminate female genital mutilation; and if he will make a statement. [34163]
Mr. Hanley: I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with his ministerial colleagues in the context of
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the EU multilateral aid programme concerning countries that tolerate female genital mutilation; and if he will make a statement. [34164]
Mr. Hanley: There have been no recent discussions between Ministers on this subject in the context of the EU multilateral aid programme. We continue to work closely with other member states to ensure the implementation of the 1995 development council resolution on gender equality.
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what occasion in the last 10 years he has refused foreign aid to countries on the grounds that their Governments tolerate female genital mutilation; and if he will make a statement; [34162]
- (2) what proposals he has to increase foreign aid to countries that are taking action to eliminate female genital mutilation; and if he will make a statement. [34165]
Mr. Hanley: We believe that the best means to bring the practice of female genital mutilation to an end is to change attitudes: for example, through seedcorn initiatives for reproductive health and women's empowerment programmes. We support measures to this end and continue to express our views in wider dialogue with relevant governments.
Disabled People
Mr. Alfred Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much Overseas Development Administration funding in 1995-96 was provided specifically for work in developing countries with disabled people. [34382]
Mr. Hanley: Providing assistance to people with disabilities forms an integral part of many of our programmes in developing countries. No central record is kept of grants made.
Mr. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the money made available to British non-governmental organisations by the Overseas Development Administration in 1995-96 was provided specifically for work in developing countries with disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [34383]
Mr. Hanley: The ODA made available £2,397,419 in 1995-96 to British non-governmental organisations specifically for work with disabled people in developing countries.
The Overseas Development Administration recognises that disabled people are often among the poorest and most vulnerable in society. We aim to assist disabled people to participate in development through a process that creates economic independence and self-help and in which they are involved in the decisions and planning that most closely affect them.
LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Halesowen Magistrates Court
Mr. Hawksley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give his approval
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for the work to be carried out at Halesowen magistrates court to allow the amalgamation of the Halesowen and Stourbridge bench. [33843]
PRIME MINISTER
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27 June. [33654]
Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27 June. [33655]
Mr. John Evans: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27 June. [33404]
The Deputy Prime Minister: I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is attending the G7 summit in Lyon.
Unemployment (European Union)
Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise at the next meeting of the European Council the level of unemployment in the EU. [33400]
The Prime Minister: Unemployment was one of the issues discussed at the European Council in Florence. The European Council confirmed the priority attached to tackling unemployment and agreed to carry forward the strategy agreed at the Essen European Council in December 1994, which recognised the primacy of action by member states and recommended a number of lines of action reflecting this Government's approach.
Parliamentary Delegation (OSCE)
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Prime Minister what changes he has made to the United Kingdom delegation to the parliamentary assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. [35115]
The Prime Minister: The hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber (Sir Russell Johnston) has been named as a substitute for the Liberal Democrat party.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Tour Visitors (Access)
Mr. Pike: To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what action is planned to improve access to the Palace of Westminster by tour visitors. [34668]
Mr. Michael J. Martin: This is a matter for the Serjeant at Arms. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.
Crypt Chapel
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee for what reasons the Crypt chapel is not included in the line of route when it is not in use. [34671]
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Mr. Michael J. Martin: The Chapel of St. Mary Undercroft in the Crypt is not suited for visits by Members' parties of up to 16 in number on the line of route due to the restricted access from Westminster Hall and the limited space available. However, parties of visitors up to six in number personally escorted by an hon. Member may be admitted to the chapel from 12.30 pm to the rising of the House on sitting days only.
TRANSPORT
Ferry Safety
Mr. Jacques Arnold: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the impact of the recent Stockholm agreement on safety standards on ferries operating to and from the United Kingdom. [35121]
Mr. Norris: The Stockholm agreement is a major achievement. It will provide substantial extra protection for those who travel on ro-ro ferries. Ferries operating to and from United Kingdom ports must demonstrate, within a tight time scale, that they meet a stringent basic survivability standard and that they can cope with a considerable amount of water on the car deck.
The requirements of this significant agreement go beyond the worldwide application of the demanding SOLAS 90 standard, as agreed in the International Maritime Organisation last November. Ferries connecting ports in the United Kingdom with neighbouring countries will meet a higher standard for sea-going voyages than will similar vessels operating outside the specified area, as will those on similar UK domestic services.
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