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Hedgerows

Dr. Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what length of hedgerow has been lost in Scotland in each year since 1979. [12486]

Mr. Raymond S. Robertson [holding answer 24 January 1997]: Hedgerows are not measured annually in Scotland, but the overall change in the length of hedgerows meeting specified conditions can be estimated from sample information produced from time to time under the national countryside monitoring scheme. Between 1973 and 1988, the latest date for which a survey was carried out, rather less than 400 km of hedgerows were "lost" each year, on average, in Scotland. Current Government policy is to encourage all farmers to protect their hedgerows, and incentives for the restoration of hedges are available through my Department's agri-environment programme.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

Cash Limits

Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Lord President of the Council what changes he proposes to the 1996-97 cash and running costs limit for the Privy Council Office. [13170]

Mr. Newton: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVIII, vote 3 will be increased by £96,000 from £2,483,000 to £2,579,000 and the running cost limit is increased by £96,000 from £2,509,000 to £2,605,000. The increase will be offset by reductions in the Home Office class VII, vote 1 and Customs and Excise class XVI, vote 3, of £87,000 and £9,000 respectively and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

Cash Limits

Mr. Bill Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to change the Overseas Development Administration cash limits for 1996-97 [13930]

Dr. Liam Fox: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class II, vote 5 will be reduced overall by £5,288,000 from £1,622,036,000 to £1,616,748,000 and the ODA running cost limit will be increased by £1,000,000 from £56,708,000 to £57,708,000.

The overall reduction is the net effect of outward public expenditure survey transfers to the diplomatic wing of £5,500,000 in respect of the British Council and £750,000 in respect of the Bosnia peace implementation conference and £100,000 to the Office of Science and Technology in respect of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

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These reductions are offset by an increase of £1,000,000 to ODA running costs in respect of a partial take-up of end of year flexibility arrangements announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 July 1996, Official Report, columns 326-31, and an increase of £61,000 for expected costs for the Crown Agents privatisation programme. The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

Departmental Publications

Ms Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the (a) White Papers, (b) Green Papers, (c) consultation papers, (d) draft regulations and (e) circulars, for which her Department has been responsible issued in 1996 which her Department assesses could give rise, (i) directly and (ii) indirectly to significant environmental effects. [12707]

Mr. Sproat [holding answer 27 January 1997]: The only document issued by my Department in 1996 with potential environmental effects was the Green Paper, "Protecting Our Heritage," which was published jointly with the Welsh Office. The importance of the environmentally sustainable development of tourism is reflected in the Department's tourism strategy to be published on 5 February 1997.

Ecclesiastical Heritage

Mr. Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what response Her Majesty's Government have made to the submission by the Church of England in respect of the future of the ecclesiastical heritage. [12974]

Mr. Sproat [holding answer 30 January 1997]: The Government have warmly welcomed the Church's submission and reaffirmed its commitment to preservation of the ecclesiastical heritage. My Department is now having discussions with the General Synod to explore the issues raised.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Departmental Legal Costs

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the case: Sri Lankan asylum--Ravichandran and Sandralingham, in April 1996. [13481]

Mr. Kirkhope [holding answer 30 January 1997]: The available information is that, to date, the total legal costs incurred by the Home Office in the cases referred to amount to just over £24,000. This includes the hearing in April 1996 and other legal challenges in this case. At the hearing in April 1996 the appellants were awarded half the costs of the case, but the solicitors have not so far sought to enforce that order.

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Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the case: Al Fayed nationality--Mohammed al Fayed and Ali Fayed, in May 1995. [13477]

Mr. Kirkhope [holding answer 30 January 1997]: Up to 28 January 1997, the Home Office's legal costs were £58,174.78. Details of internal Home Office administrative and other costs are not available as they have not been recorded separately. Details of the costs awarded against the Home Office have not yet been received, but would be payable only in the event of our appeal to the House of Lords being unsuccessful.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the case: Director General of Prison Service dismissal--Derek Lewis, in May 1996. [13483]

Miss Widdecombe [holding answer 30 January 1997]: The costs incurred by the Department amounted to £16,428.95, excluding the costs of permanent Home Office staff. The sum to be paid to Mr. Lewis's legal representatives in respect of his costs has been settled at £41,000 in total.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the case: granting of High Court appeal--Kenneth Richardson in October 1985. [13479]

Mr. Kirkhope [holding answer 30 January 1997]: Legal costs to the Home Department of Mr. Richardson's judicial review proceedings were in the sum of £8,731.58. Pursuant to the order in 1995 of the divisional court, an additional sum of £5,000 towards Mr. Richardson's costs has been paid to his solicitors. I understand that they are in touch with the Treasury Solicitor about any balance still to be paid.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the case: Kashmiri students' sentencing-Quayyum Raja and Mohammed Riaz in November 1994. [13475]

Miss Widdecombe [holding answer 30 January 1997]: The answer is (a) £4,359 in respect of services provided by the Treasury Solicitor and (b) £15,731.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the case: prisoners' release for access to lawyer-Wallace Smith, in January 1995. [13476]

Miss Widdecombe [holding answer 30 January 1997]: Mr. Smith discontinued this action. Home Office legal expenses totalled £1,699.64 and £7,500 was paid towards Mr. Smith's legal costs.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the case: Rev. Moon immigration--Rev. Sun Myung Moon, in November 1995. [13480]

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Mr. Kirkhope [holding answer 30 January 1997]: The information requested is (a) £12,813.97 and (b) £8,250.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the case: Bulger sentencing--Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, in May 1996. [13482]

Miss Widdecombe [holding answer 30 January 1997]: The costs paid so far total £36,991 in respect of services provided by the Treasury Solicitor. The final decision on the apportionment of costs awaits the outcome of the case, which is still before the courts.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the case: IRA parole-Paul Norney, Stephen Nordone, Brendan Dowd, Sean Kinsella and Noel Gibson, in September 1995. [13478]

Miss Widdecombe [holding answer 30 January 1997]: The costs paid so far total £20,522, in respect of services provided by the Treasury Solicitor. The issue of costs awarded against the Secretary of State has not yet been settled.

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were (a) the costs incurred by his Department and (b) the costs awarded against him in the criminal injuries compensation case-ex parte Fire Brigades Union, in November 1994. [13474]

Mr. Maclean [holding answer 30 January 1997]: The total costs incurred by the Home Office in this case, which started in the High Court in March 1994 and concluded in the House of Lords in April 1995, were £103,338.77. This includes the respondent's bills of costs totalling £36,025.40.

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