 House of Commons |
Session 1997-98 Publications on the internet The Order Book |
| Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Friday 30 January 1998
Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Friday 30 January of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department. For other Written Questions for answer on Friday 30 January, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business. For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Monday 2 February, see Part 2 of this Paper. |
| Notes: * Indicates a Question for Oral Answer. + Indicates a Question not included in the random selection process but accepted because the quota for that day had not been filled. [N] Indicates a Question for Written Answer on a named day, i.e. the Member has indicated under S.O. No. 22(4) the day on which he wishes the Question to be answered. [R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared. |
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| 1 | Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, how many (a) honourable Members, (b) honourable Members' staff and (c) House of Commons staff are placed in office accommodation without natural light. |
| (26770) | |
| 2 | Mr Peter Atkinson (Hexham): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the members of his independent advisory groups; and if he will make a statement on their remits. |
| (26945) | |
| 3 | Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to limit the 1998 salmon drift net fishing season in the North East. |
| (26817) | |
| 4 | Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to alter the number of salmon drift net fishing licences currently held in the North East. |
| (26818) | |
| 5 | Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many salmon drift net fishing licences are currently in force between (a) Berwick and the Tyne and (b) the Tyne and Whitby. |
| (26819) | |
| 6 N | Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the occasions since 1st January 1996 on which grades 1 and 2 officials from his Department have visited each of the food research institutions on the Norwich Research Park. |
| (26250) | |
| 7 N | Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will undertake a review of the over thirty month scheme. |
| (26550) | |
| 8 N | Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement about the timescale for the payment of the £85 million package he announced on 22nd December; and what proportion will be distributed to farmers in Wales. |
| (26552) | |
| 9 N | Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to allow public bodies subject to compulsory competitive tendering procedures to give priority to purchase of British beef for catering purposes. |
| (26557) | |
| 10 N | Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will lift the weight restriction on cull cows under the over thirty month scheme. |
| (26551) | |
| 11 N | Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to review his decision to ban beef on the bone. |
| (26555) | |
| 12 N | Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement about the operation of the Meat Hygiene Service. |
| (26554) | |
| 13 N | Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to review (a) the role and (b) the membership of the Meat and Livestock Commission. |
| (26556) | |
| 14 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26922) | |
| 15 | Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what recent measures he has taken to end the European ban on United Kingdom beef. |
| (27023) | |
| 16 | Mr Tom Levitt (High Peak): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what meetings he has had with representatives of the knackers' industry in respect of current problems with the disposal of fallen stock; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26820) | |
| 17 | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in what circumstances it is permissible to import beef and sheepmeat into the United Kingdom from countries that include meat and bonemeal in ruminant rations, if those countries are assessed by the UK Government to be free of BSE. |
| (27058) | |
| 18 | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will renegotiate the stabilizer mechanism in the Council of EU Ministers, with regard to the payment of livestock premia. |
| (27066) | |
| 19 | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will assess the extent to which sheepmeat imported into the United Kingdom from outside the European Union is from flocks not fed meat and bonemeal in ruminant rations. |
| (27067) | |
| 20 | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will investigate the methods of slaughter of (a) chilled and (b) frozen sheepmeat imported into the UK from (i) within and (ii) outside the EU; and if he will assess the extent to which it meets UK slaughtering and meat hygiene standards. |
| (27064) | |
| 21 | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when the feeding of meat and bonemeal to cattle in ruminant rations was made illegal in the United States; and if he will estimate the total tonnage of beef imported into the United Kingdom from the USA, between the date of the implementation of the feed ban in the UK and that in the USA. |
| (27065) | |
| 22 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he is taking to monitor farm income in Cumbria. |
| (27017) | |
| 23 N | Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 16th December on behalf of Mrs Stables. |
| (26373) | |
| 24 N | Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 16th December on behalf of Mr Williamson. |
| (26377) | |
| 25 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral Answer of 22nd January, Official Report, column 1132, on farmers incomes, if he will tabulate income levels in pounds above and below the median, in octiles as a percentage of all holdings in the United Kingdom for the latest year for which figures are available and 1990, adjusted for inflation. |
| (27020) | |
| 26 | Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the operation of the new farm business tenancy agreements; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26995) | |
| 27 | Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to give direct financial aid to farmers of small holdings; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26994) | |
| 28 | Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to support small farms operating the new farm business tenancy agreements which are in financial difficulties; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26997) | |
| 29 | Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to alter the new farm business tenancy agreements; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26996) | |
| 30 | Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list his official engagements during the period of the United Kingdom presidency of the European Council of Ministers. |
| (26935) | |
| 31 | Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many overseas conference visitors there were to the United Kingdom in each year since 1992. |
| (26841) | |
| 32 | Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what was the average amount spent by overseas conference visitors to Britain in each year since 1992. |
| (26849) | |
| 33 | Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what is his Department's policy in respect of the provision of conference facilities for overseas visitors in (a) London and (b) the United Kingdom. |
| (26840) | |
| 34 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26926) | |
| 35 N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on arrangements for charging for TV licences in hotels and guest houses; and what revenue would be raised if such establishments had to buy a licence for each television set provided. |
| (26505) | |
| 36 | Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the value to Britain of arms sales to each of the top 10 recipient countries in each year since 1990. |
| (26842) | |
| 37 | Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, at which locations he is undertaking research into (a) laser, (b) x-ray and (c) other radiological weapon systems. |
| (26944) | |
| 38 N | Sir Peter Emery (East Devon): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will ensure that the Royal Marines are assured a full and independent role in the defence structure of the nation as an outcome of the Defence Review. |
| (26362) | |
| 39 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civil servants in his Department at grade three or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26924) | |
| 40 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to ensure that United Kingdom precision-guided weapons cannot be blinded by enemy multi-spectral smoke shells. |
| (26776) | |
| 41 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the extent to which multi-spectral smoke shells will obscure targets from targeting systems of precision-guided munitions. |
| (26774) | |
| 42 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what modifications will be required to the dimensions of the Joint Strike Fighter to permit it to be operated from Invincible class aircraft carriers. |
| (26775) | |
| 43 N | Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the future use of the buildings of the Staff College, Camberley. |
| (26364) | |
| 44 N | Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the advantages of relocating the Defence Studies College to the Staff College site, Camberley. |
| (26365) | |
| 45 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26931) | |
| 46 N | Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the amount allocated to each local education authority of the £1.36 billion announced in last year's financial statement for the repair and modernisation of school buildings. |
| (26713) | |
| 47 N | Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the amount of credit approvals made to each local education authority in December for capital works on school buildings. |
| (26525) | |
| 48 N | Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if the Government will means test places for after-school clubs. |
| (26544) | |
| 49 | Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, to what extent job details are made available (a) in Braille and (b) on audio tape at job centres. |
| (26815) | |
| 50 | Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many employment cases broken down by main disabling conditions are awaiting consideration by industrial tribunals under the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. |
| (26755) | |
| 51 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26920) | |
| 52 N | Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many students will start on post A level courses this year which are not regarded as the start of a higher education course for the purposes of the payment of tuition fees in 1998; and, of these, how many will be art foundation course students. |
| (26506) | |
| 53 | Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on his Department's proposals to tackle unemployment (a) in the age groups (i) 25 to 35 and (ii) 16 to 18 years and (b) amongst the short-term youth unemployed. |
| (26765) | |
| 54 | Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the impact on punctuality of the delay caused by the recent trepass incident on the Paddock Wood to Tonbridge line by the West Kent Hunt. |
| (26767) | |
| 55 | Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will publish the report by the British Transport Police on incidents of trespass on the Paddock Wood to Tonbridge railway lines. |
| (26766) | |
| 56 | Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received on an incident of trespass by the West Kent Hunt on the railway line between Paddock Wood and Tonbridge; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26769) | |
| 57 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list those measures taken by NATS following their internal review of the Airprox incident at Heathrow Airport on 15th April 1996. |
| (27016) | |
| 58 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects an SSR system to be introduced at Belfast International Airport; and what contingency plans he has in the event of late installation. |
| (27015) | |
| 59 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects the completion of the NATS research to determine the accuracy of Mode C data when aircraft are in close proximity. |
| (27011) | |
| 60 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects the audit of the flow management arrangements for the London Area and Terminal Control Centre to be completed. |
| (27013) | |
| 61 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects the Air Accident Investigation Branch to complete their report on the Airprox incident which occurred at Heathrow Airport on 27th August. |
| (27012) | |
| 62 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate the CAA and National Air Traffic Services have made of the time required to complete work on the air traffic control system to deal with the millennium computer compliance issue. |
| (27010) | |
| 63 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the number of occasions that the application of reduced separation on final approach at Heathrow and Gatwick has been used during the last two years. |
| (27014) | |
| 64 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the compliance date for the computer system in operation at the Scottish Air Traffic Control Centre to address the milllennium computer compliance problem. |
| (26998) | |
| 65 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list by month for each of the last three years the number of CHIRP reports submitted by air traffic controllers. |
| (27009) | |
| 66 | Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the number and details of the incidents where electronic equipment has affected aircraft controls on United Kingdom registered aircraft during each of the last five years. |
| (27008) | |
| 67 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26934) | |
| 68 N | Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the (a) territorial waters and (b) international seas which form the United Kingdom Search and Rescue Region; and if he will make a statement. |
| (25829) | |
| 69 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list (a) those local authorities which do not use housing revenue account surplus to fund rent rebates, (b) the proportion of local authorities where rent was paid out of the housing rent account surplus for each year since 1990 and (c) the total transferred out of the housing rent surplus account for each year since 1990. |
| (27000) | |
| 70 | Mr Bill Rammell (Harlow): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of progress on the Housing Capital Receipts Initiative for 1997-98 and 1998-99; and when he will inform local authorities of their allocations will be for 1999-2000. |
| (26732) | |
| 71 | Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which organisations (a) he and (b) his Ministers have met since 1st May 1997, in respect of his review of the planning system. |
| (26759) | |
| 72 | Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the percentage of new housing which was built on brownfield sites in each year since May 1979. |
| (26762) | |
| 73 | Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much land was removed from the Green Belt during the period May 1979 to May 1997. |
| (26761) | |
| 74 | Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list by local authority, the time taken to prepare and approve the most recently approved or emerging development plan; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26758) | |
| 75 | Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many applications for development of the Green Belt were granted on appeal for each year since May 1979. |
| (26763) | |
| 76 | Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many planning permissions were granted for major out of town retail developments between (a) January 1988 and December 1992 and (b) January 1993 and June 1996. |
| (26764) | |
| 77 | Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the total cost to UK public funds of financial aid to the Far East arising from economic instability. |
| (27061) | |
| 78 | Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are the cost benefits of introducing a 10 pence tax rate (a) assuming revenue neutrality in means tested benefits and (b) assuming adjustments in means tested benefits to pass the full benefit to claimants in bands of income of £500 assuming that the 10 pence rate (i) is in addition to the existing 20 pence tax rate and that the starting rate of tax is the same and (ii) substitutes for the existing 20 pence tax rate and (iii) is additional for the first £1,000 and then substitutes for the 20 pence tax rate; and if he will estimate the distribution of revenue foregone in each decile of income tax payers ranked by income. |
| (26939) | |
| 79 | Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, at what rate inheritance tax on agricultural property relief is currently available to an in-hand farmer who has owned the property for seven years, in the case of (a) the farmhouse, assuming no non-agricultural value, (b) the cottage of an agricultural worker prospectively protected under the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 and (c) a cottage occupied under the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 by a former agricultural worker who retired after 31st August 1995. |
| (26847) | |
| 80 | Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what costs in fiscal years (a) 1996-97 and (b) 1997-98 to date have been incurred by HM Customs and Excise on the storage of excise goods seized or detained as being illegally obtained from outside the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the impact of these costs on HM Customs and Excise's (i) resources and (ii) ability to manage their control programmes. |
| (26848) | |
| 81 | Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received in favour of reductions in VAT on (a) tourist accommodation and (b) other tourism goods and services. |
| (26816) | |
| 82 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26918) | |
| 83 N | Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd January, Official Report, column 644, what is his estimate of the revenue which would be raised from taxing child benefit, assuming household total incomes were assessed on the basis that the taxpayer is deemed to have received the child benefit. |
| (26725) | |
| 84 N | Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 25th November, Official Report, column 468, on income tax, how many people would have a marginal rate of income tax of 10 pence in the pound, in each band, on the assumption that the 10 pence rate did not apply to savings income which would remain taxable at 20 per cent. and 40 per cent. |
| (26726) | |
| 85 | Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the cost of revalorising the personal allowance; and what increase in the (a) married couples' allowance and (b) lone parents' additional personal allowance could be achieved for such a sum. |
| (26913) | |
| 86 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the loss to the Exchequer as a result of bootlegged and smuggled tobacco products and alcohol in the latest year for which figures are available. |
| (26507) | |
| 87 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is his estimate of the loss to the Exchequer arising from evasion of (a) income tax, (b) VAT, (c) corporation tax and (d) all other taxes in the last year for which figures are available. |
| (26416) | |
| 88 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what EC bodies are responsible for designing the proposed euro currency notes and determining the denominations issued; what maximum denomination has been authorised; and who is responsible for ensuring that the risk of forgery is minimised. |
| (26999) | |
| 89 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the extent to which United Kingdom industry and commerce will price their goods and services in the euro after its introduction but before the decision is taken on United Kingdom membership. |
| (26809) | |
| 90 N | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list by English county and by unitary authority in Wales and Scotland the number of landowners who receive conditional exemption from inheritance tax by virtue of an agreement to allow public access. |
| (26523) | |
| 91 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assets have been identified in the National Register which are surplus to requirements; and what is the timetable for their disposal. |
| (26808) | |
| 92 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what has been the cost to United Kingdom public funds of support to Asia in respect of the recent economic problems. |
| (26382) | |
| 93 | Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts on a zero rate of VAT for energy saving materials. |
| (26986) | |
| 94 | Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the total amount spent by Government on the refurbishment of No. 11 Downing Street in each year since 1989. |
| (26932) | |
| 95 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list by item the furniture, fittings and decorations purchased since 1st May with public funds for his official flat in Downing Street indicating the cost of each item not subjected to a formal competitive tendering process; if he will list for each item the reasons it was not subjected to competitive tendering, if more than one quotation was sought; whether the lowest price was accepted; what was the lowest quotation submitted; and what factors led to more than one quotation not being sought in respect of certain items. |
| (26064) | |
| 96 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list by item all furniture, fittings and decorations purchased with public funds since 1st May for his official flat in Downing Street indicating the cost of each item subjected to a formal competitive process; and what was the lowest tender price submitted for each item. |
| (26066) | |
| 97 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the country of origin of each item of furniture, fittings and decorations purchased with public funds since 1st May for his official flat in Downing Street; and what factors led to the purchase of items whose country of origin was not the United Kingdom. |
| (26061) | |
| 98 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the date and time of delivery to Downing Street of each item of furniture, fittings and decorations purchased with public funds since 1st May for his official flat in Downing Street; and what factors governed the delivery time of each item delivered outside normal working hours. |
| (26062) | |
| 99 | Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to send an ambassadorial mission to East Timor during the British presidency of the EU. |
| (26843) | |
| 100 N | Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations Her Majesty's Government has had from Lord Callaghan of Cardiff on the precise objective of a military attack on Iraq in the absence of the use of ground forces. |
| (26715) | |
| 101 | Mr David Drew (Stroud): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what measures the Government will be taking to promote a strict code of conduct on arms sales during Britain's presidency of the European Union. |
| (26743) | |
| 102 | Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on inter-ethnic disputes and difficulties with the security forces involving Ogonis outside Ogoniland. |
| (26750) | |
| 103 | Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's relations with Nicaragua. |
| (26752) | |
| 104 | Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on persecution of the Ogonis by the Nigerian authorities solely on account of their origin or membership of MOSOP. |
| (26751) | |
| 105 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26917) | |
| 106 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has received on the treatment of detainees in the ethnic riots that took place in Xinjiang in 1997. |
| (26771) | |
| 107 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will encourage the Chinese Government to accept the right to religious freedom in China, with particular reference to Xinjiang and Tibet. |
| (26772) | |
| 108 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the extent of religious freedom in China. |
| (26773) | |
| 109 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when his Department expects the Republic of Slovenia to be admitted to full membership of the European Union; and at what stage Slovene citizens will acquire the right of abode in the United Kingdom. |
| (26777) | |
| 110 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date and for what reasons the proposal to appoint Ms Gaynor Regan as his diary secretary was abandoned. |
| (26497) | |
| 111 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if Miss Anne Bullen was asked if she would be prepared to stay on as his diary secretary to the end of June to train Ms Gaynor Regan to do the job. |
| (26498) | |
| 112 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his diary secretary Miss Anne Bullen was informed that he wished his constitutency secretary to be brought into the job. |
| (26499) | |
| 113 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if Ms Gaynor Regan was offered a contract of employment as his diary secretary. |
| (26500) | |
| 114 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions took place between officials of the Foreign Office and Ms Gaynor Regan with a view to her becoming his diary secretary. |
| (26501) | |
| 115 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if security checks were carried out on Ms Gaynor Regan with a view to her becoming his diary secretary. |
| (26502) | |
| 116 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what advice he was given by (a) the Permanent Under Secretary or (b) other officials of the Foreign Office about the employment of Ms Gaynor Regan as his diary secretary. |
| (26503) | |
| 117 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he informed officials at his Department of the nature of his relationship with Ms Gaynor Regan. |
| (26504) | |
| 118 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many (a) scientists and (b) other Government personnel will visit St. Helena in 1998; and for what purposes. |
| (26415) | |
| 119 N | Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date he first had discussions with the Permanent Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office relating to his marital status and the consequences for his travel arrangements. |
| (26526) | |
| 120 N | Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he informed officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of his relationship with his nominee for the post of Diary Secretary at the time when he nominated her. |
| (26527) | |
| 121 | Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hysterectomies were carried out for menorrhagia in the last year; at what cost; and what clinical guidance his Department issues as to the appropriateness of this procedure. |
| (26940) | |
| 122 N | Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will investigate the effects, side-effects, toxicity and availability of the drug Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate. |
| (26718) | |
| 123 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26925) | |
| 124 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of purchasing and maintaining the new Health Authorities Programme and the number of eligible schemes that have yet to have access to the new Health Authorities Programme; and what plans he has to improve the access and efficiency of the new Health Authorities Programme. |
| (27027) | |
| 125 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of the measures to improve information management in the NHS announced in the White Paper, The New NHS; when he expects these measures to be fully operational; and if he will estimate how much of the NHS will be covered by these new measures. |
| (27024) | |
| 126 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of purchasing and maintaining the Administrative Register and the number of eligible schemes that have yet to have access to the Administrative Register; and what plans he has to improve the access to and efficiency of the NHS Clearing Service. |
| (27025) | |
| 127 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of purchasing and maintaining the Exeter system and the number of eligible schemes that have yet to have access to the system; and if he will give details of future plans he has to improve access to and the efficiency of the system. |
| (27026) | |
| 128 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the review on the role of the Information Management Group will report; if he will list the members of the review committee and publish its remit; and if he will make a statement on information management in the NHS. |
| (27022) | |
| 129 | Mr Stephen Hesford (Wirral West): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to establish a mental health commission to oversee delivery of mental health care through community services; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26782) | |
| 130 N | Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what costings have been undertaken to date by (a) his Department and (b) the Worcestershire Health Authority concerning the cost to the National Health Service of staff travel arising from the transfer of staff as a result of the implementation of each of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document from the Worcestershire Health Authority 23rd October 1997; and if he will make a statement. |
| (24851) | |
| 131 N | Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when (a) his Department and (b) Worcestershire Health Authority expect to reach a decision on which of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document issued by the Worcestershire Health Authority dated 23rd October 1997 oblige them to consult NHS staff prior to decisions being taken involving (i) redundancies and (ii) the redeployment of staff employed by the NHS in Worcestershire. |
| (24852) | |
| 132 N | Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what costings have been undertaken to date by (a) his Department and (b) the Worcestershire Health Authority concerning the cost to the National Health Service of redundancy payments for each of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document from the Worcestershire Health Authority of 23rd October 1997; and if he will make a statement. |
| (24884) | |
| 133 N | Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what costings have been undertaken to date by (a) his Department and (b) the Worcestershire Health Authority concerning the cost to the National Health Service of pension payments arising from the early terminations of staff arising out of each of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document from the Worcestershire Health Authority of 23rd October 1997; and if he will make a statement. |
| (24885) | |
| 134 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is his latest estimate of the cost to public funds of fraud arising from false claims for exemption from prescription charges. |
| (26414) | |
| 135 N | Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 19th November on behalf of Mr Thornton. |
| (26376) | |
| 136 N | Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of those graduating with degrees in medicine and dentistry in (i) 1975, (ii) 1980, (iii) 1985, (iv) 1990, (v) 1995 and(vi) 1997 are now (a) not employed in the field of medicine or dentistry, (b) employed in the public sector, (c) employed in the private sector and (d) employed in both public and private sectors. |
| (26524) | |
| 137 | Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in how many instances the British Transport Police have prosecuted hunts for trepass on operational railway lines. |
| (26768) | |
| 138 N | Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will review whether the use of the drug Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate should be controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. |
| (26719) | |
| 139 | Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will release the report of the investigation compiled as a result of the Operation Countryman exercise. |
| (26749) | |
| 140 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26919) | |
| 141 N | Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 21st January, Official Report, column 555, on vessels (fire services), how many members of the fire-fighting teams were injured during their deployment in the United Kingdom Search and Rescue Region. |
| (25875) | |
| 142 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is his policy on the immigration status of those same-sex couples in registered partnerships from Denmark, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands (a) where both of the partners are EU citizens, (b) where one partner is of non-EU origin, (c) where one partner is of non-EU origin and has gained the right of abode in an EU country by virtue of the registered partnerships and (d) where one partner is of non-EU origin and has been granted citizenship of an EU country by virtue of the registered partnership; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26778) | |
| 143 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many couples have applied under the concessionary arrangements outside the immigration rules announced on 13th October; and, of those couples, how many have been same sex couples. |
| (26779) | |
| 144 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is his policy with regard to the incorporation of recognition of same sex relationships within the Immigration Rules; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26780) | |
| 145 | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in relation to the concessionary arrangements for same sex couples outside the immigration rules of 13th October, what consideration he gave to the practice in other countries and if he will list those countries; what qualifying periods are operated by those countries for same sex relationships to be treated in the same way as opposite sex relationships; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26781) | |
| 146 | Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children under the age of 18 years have been prosecuted for offences related to rape in (a) Wales and (b) England by age, in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26990) | |
| 147 | Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to expand the use of CCTV facilities in Wales. |
| (26991) | |
| 148 | Mr Tom Levitt (High Peak): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will announce a date by which all outstanding payments under the compensation for handguns scheme will have been completed. |
| (26731) | |
| 149 N | Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 3rd December on behalf of Mr Chatfield. |
| (26369) | |
| 150 N | Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the budget for Winchester Prison in the next financial year; and what estimate he has made of the maximum number of prisoners who will be held in the prison over that period. |
| (26249) | |
| 151 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner concerning the management, structure and operation of the Flying Squad. |
| (26811) | |
| 152 N | Mr William Ross (East Londonderry): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants under the terms of the 1997 Firearms Amendment Acts for compensation for pistols, revolvers and accessories have (a) served notice on the Home Office stating intention to sue for payment and (b) issued proceedings in the county courts, listing in each case (i) the number of guns involved, (ii) the name of each court and (iii) the current state of the action. |
| (26553) | |
| 153 N | Mr William Ross (East Londonderry): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prospective litigants, and litigants, in cases of outstanding claims for compensation under the terms of the 1997 Firearms Amendment Acts for compensation for pistols and revolvers and accessories have been sent letters stating that costs will be claimed against them if they proceed with their actions against the Home Office. |
| (26549) | |
| 154 N | Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the impact of the Multi-lateral Agreement on Investment on the Government's efforts to assist poor countries; and if she will make a statement. |
| (26717) | |
| 155 | Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the current British aid projects in Nicaragua. |
| (26753) | |
| 156 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many civil servants in her Department at each grade for grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the department since 1st May 1997; if she will indicate the minister to which each was responsible; and if she will make a statement. |
| (26930) | |
| 157 | Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid her Department is giving to Burma. |
| (26745) | |
| 158 | Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if the use of mixed credits by DFID will receive independent scrutiny; and if she will make a statement. |
| (26748) | |
| 159 | Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what extra resources she proposes to make available to finance development education. |
| (26747) | |
| 160 | Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which countries she proposes to exclude from the development assistance programme on human rights grounds. |
| (26746) | |
| 161 | Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what percentage of GNP she will commit Her Majesty's Government to spending on official development assistance by the end of the present parliament. |
| (26744) | |
| 162 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many (a) scientific advisors and (b) other Government personnel are visiting St Helena in 1998; and for what purposes. |
| (26417) | |
| 163 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her Answer of 21st January, Official Report, column 563, relating to her discussions with Commissioner Pinheiro concerning the marketing of bananas, (a) which rule of the World Trade Organisation prevents the continuation of the previous LomeĢ arrangements for this market, (b) when and by which body that rule was agreed, (c) who represented the United Kingdom and interested Commonwealth Caribbean States, (d) who represented the United Kingdom and interested Commonwealth Caribbean States on the occasion when the World Trade Organisation appeal was decided and (e) what was the time and place of that appeal hearing. |
| (27021) | |
| 164 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26933) | |
| 165 N | Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his Answer of 26th January, Official Report, column 3, concerning consultation on legal aid changes, if he will list the representations received, those making them and the date of them, indicating which were in favour of his proposals and which against. |
| [R] (26508) | |
| 166 N | Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will identify the insurance companies he has held discussions with about the wider introduction of conditional fees arrangements between (a) 1st December and 31st December 1997 and (b) 1st January and 31st January 1998; and what meetings with individual representatives of insurance companies (i) he and (ii) the Lord Chancellor have planned for 1st February to 31st March. |
| [R] (26411) | |
| 167 N | Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if he will list all meetings on government business attended by his Special Adviser, Mr Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, from 12th to 23rd January, separately identifying those (a) relating to millennium business and (b) on other matters. |
| (26367) | |
| 168 N | Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Minister without Portfolio, what publicly-funded accommodation and facilities are provided for his Special Adviser Mr Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. |
| (26366) | |
| 169 N | Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if he will make a statement indicating the access received by his Special Adviser, Mr Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, to official papers, separately identifying his access to (a) defence, (b) security and (c) intelligence information. |
| (26363) | |
| 170 N | Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if he will list the journeys made at public expense by his special adviser, Mr Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, indicating the dates and destinations of any visits overseas; and what has been the total cost of these journeys to the public funds. |
| (26712) | |
| 171 N | Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath): To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if he will make a statement on the age, professional or academic qualifications and previous career, of his Special Adviser, Mr Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. |
| (26368) | |
| 172 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many civil servants in her Department at each grade for grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the department since 1st May 1997; if she will indicate the minister to which each was responsible; and if she will make a statement. |
| (26928) | |
| 173 N | Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what measures he proposes to deal with domestic violence; what funds he is making available to (a) local authority and (b) voluntary association projects; and if he will make a statement. |
| (25833) | |
| 174 | Mr Robert McCartney (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what guidance she has issued to the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights regarding its powers to (a) commission research and (b) propose policy; and what assessment she has made of its effectiveness in dealing with political discrimination. |
| (26736) | |
| 175 | Mr Robert McCartney (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the number, rank and status of Irish military personnel stationed at the Anglo-Irish Secretariat at Maryfield; and if she will make a statement. |
| (26734) | |
| 176 | Mr Robert McCartney (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what representations she has received on reparations from the Irish Government for its part in the creation of the Provisional IRA; and if she will list the numbers of soldiers, police and civilians killed by the organisation. |
| (26739) | |
| 177 | Mr Robert McCartney (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate she has made of the cost of withdrawal of funding to preparatory schools for the primary school sector; and if she will make a statement. |
| (26738) | |
| 178 | Mr Robert McCartney (North Down): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will withdraw the security passes to Castle Buildings of political parties connected to paramilitary organisations that admit to ending their ceasefire; and what external advice she has sought on the status of such parties. |
| (26735) | |
| 179 | Mr William Ross (East Londonderry): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the people who presently serve on more than one quango in Northern Ireland, indicating the bodies on which they serve, the position they hold on each such body, when they were first appointed and the number of terms for which they have served on each body. |
| (26741) | |
| 180 | Mr William Ross (East Londonderry): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the meetings she has had with representatives of each of the groups known as Concerned Residents to discuss processions, indicating the names of the persons she met on each occasion since 1st May. |
| (26740) | |
| 181 | Mr John D. Taylor (Strangford): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of which terrorist organisation planted the recent bombs at Market Hill, Banbridge and Enniskillen; and if she will make a statement on each incident. |
| (26742) | |
| 182 | Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn): To ask the Prime Minister, for what reasons he will not be visiting Wales during his welfare reform roadshow. |
| (26992) | |
| 183 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the Prime Minister, if he has seen the signed agreement reached by the Paymaster General with the power generators. |
| (26413) | |
| 184 | Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester): To ask the Prime Minister, how many career civil service posts have been filled by special advisers since 1st May 1997. |
| (26938) | |
| 185 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list by item all furniture, fittings and decorations purchased with public funds since 1st May for his official flat in Downing Street indicating the cost of each item subjected to a formal competitive process; and what was the lowest tender price submitted for each item. |
| (26065) | |
| 186 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the date and time of delivery to Downing Street of each item of furniture, fittings and decorations purchased with public funds since 1st May for his official flat in Downing Street; and what factors governed the delivery time of each item delivered outside normal working hours. |
| (26068) | |
| 187 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list by item the furniture, fittings and decorations purchased since 1st May with public funds for his official flat in Downing Street indicating the cost of each item not subjected to a formal competitive tendering process; if he will list for each item the reasons it was not subjected to competitive tendering; if more than one quotation was sought; whether the lowest price was accepted; what was the lowest quotation submitted; and what factors led to more than one quotation not being sought in respect of certain items. |
| (26063) | |
| 188 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the country of origin of each item of furniture, fittings and decoration purchased with public funds since 1st May for his official flat in Downing Street; and what factors led to the purchase of items whose country of origin was not the United Kingdom. |
| (26067) | |
| 189 N | Mr Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when the research report commissioned by his Department on service provision for women experiencing violence will be published. |
| (26418) | |
| 190 N | Mr Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the throughput by specialty for acute beds in the Lothian Health area in (a) 1989-90 and (b) 1995-96; and what is the projected throughput for such beds in 2002-2003. |
| (26419) | |
| 191 N | Mr Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list by specialty the number of acute beds in the Lothian Health area (a) projected for 2002-2003 and (b) in (i) 1989-90 and (ii) 1995-96. |
| (26421) | |
| 192 N | Mr Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the number of admissions by specialty to acute beds in the Lothian Health area in (a) 1989-90 and (b) 1995-96; and the projected number of such admissions in 2002-2003. |
| (26420) | |
| 193 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26923) | |
| 194 N | Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many prisoners have been apprehended whilst consuming alcohol in the past three years; how many were charged and found guilty and which prisons were involved; and if he will make a statement. |
| (25830) | |
| 195 N | Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, on how many occasions police officers in (a) Strathclyde and (b) elsewhere in Scotland have discharged CS spray in the last year; how many police officers were injured; and if he will make a statement. |
| (25831) | |
| 196 N | Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what measures he proposes to deal with domestic violence; what funds he is making available to (a) local authority and (b) voluntary association projects; and if he will make a statement. |
| (25832) | |
| 197 N | Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what criteria will be used to determine which applicants to courses in nursing, midwifery and the professions allied to medicine will be successful in receiving maintenance bursaries. |
| (26558) | |
| 198 N | Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what compensation and from whom will be available to Scottish institutions for the revenue they will lose as a result of the waiving of fourth year tuition fees for Scottish domiciled students. |
| (26562) | |
| 199 N | Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what financial assistance will be available to those nursing, midwifery and the professions allied to medicine students who are unsuccessful in applying for maintenance bursaries. |
| (26560) | |
| 200 N | Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what will be the amount of maintenance bursary for nursing, midwifery and the professions allied to medicine students. |
| (26559) | |
| 201 N | Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the funding arrangements will be for student nurses qualified with HND/RN who wish to continue directly on to full-time degree study. |
| (26561) | |
| 202 N | Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make a statement on the reasons for the computer error that has led to the sending of out-of-date giros for winter fuel payments to pensioners on income support. |
| (26548) | |
| 203 N | Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many pensioners have been adversely affected by the error in the cheques sent to pensioners receiving the additional money to help with their winter fuel bills; and when she expects them to receive their money. |
| (26547) | |
| 204 N | Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many pensioners on income support in the West Chelmsford constituency received outdated giros to pay for their winter fuel bills; and when they can expect to receive their new giros. |
| (26545) | |
| 205 N | Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will publish the survey that shows that over one million disabled people want to work. |
| (26543) | |
| 206 N | Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how much it will cost the Exchequer to rectify the sending of out-of-date giros to pensioners for winter fuel bills. |
| (26546) | |
| 207 N | Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many (a) women of 60 years or over and (b) men of 65 years or over claim disability living allowance; and what proportion they are of the total number of disability living allowance claimants. |
| (26714) | |
| 208 | Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many claimants of (a) lone parent benefit and (b) lone parent premium there have been in the Newcastle Benefits Agency district since 1992. |
| (26941) | |
| 209 | Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her Answer of 21st January 1998, Official Report, columns 565-66, what are the latest estimates she is collating for labour market participation by lone parents in the United Kingdom; and if she will list the prevailing unemployment rates in each of the counties listed in the years referred to in the Answer. |
| (26947) | |
| 210 | Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how much in total has been spent by (a) her Department's agencies and (b) centrally on (i) the Smartcard payment system, (ii) on-line data and information systems in standard and cash prices in the financial years (1) 1994-95, (2) 1995-96 and (3) 1996-97; and how much is proposed to be spent in the current and two succeeding financial years. |
| (26943) | |
| 211 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many civil servants in her Department at each grade for grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the department since 1st May 1997; if she will indicate the minister to which each was responsible; and if she will make a statement. |
| (26927) | |
| 212 N | Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the Answers to the honourable Member for Montgomery of 13th January, Official Report, columns 210-11, and to the honourable Member for Regent's Park and Kensington North of 15th January, Official Report, columns 312-13, for what reason parents will be able to receive £95.50 a week towards the cost of their childcare after the disregard is enhanced to £100 from June 1998; if she will set out in detail how the working family tax credit will provide more help with the cost of childcare in addition to the £100 disregard; and if she will make a statement. |
| (24998) | |
| 213 N | Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 2nd December on behalf of Miss Randall. |
| (26372) | |
| 214 N | Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 26th November on behalf of Mr Harding. |
| (26370) | |
| 215 N | Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 3rd December on behalf of Mrs Tasker. |
| (26375) | |
| 216 N | Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 16th December on behalf of Mr Moore. |
| (26371) | |
| 217 | Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many individual reviews have been carried out to date under the Benefit Integrity Project. |
| (26950) | |
| 218 | Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many individuals have been subject to (a) a reduction and (b) an increase in benefit as a result of investigation due to the Benefit Integrity Project. |
| (26949) | |
| 219 | Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many of the reviews carried out to date as part of the Benefit Integrity Project have (a) identified errors and (b) identified cases of fraud. |
| (26948) | |
| 220 N | Mr David Rendel (Newbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when she will announce the outcome of her review of the Child Support Act. |
| (26728) | |
| 221 N | Mr David Rendel (Newbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make a statement on the future of the Child Support Agency. |
| (26727) | |
| 222 | Mr Paul Stinchcombe (Wellingborough): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many applications for a war pension were made from 1st January 1996 to 7th April 1997; how many sought backdating of the pension beyond the date of latest application; how many applications for backdating (i) have been granted, (ii) have been refused and (iii) are awaiting determination; and how much money has been awarded in respect of backdated war pensions to the successful applicants. |
| (26760) | |
| 223 | Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the proposed transfer to Mirror Group Plc of the assets of the Racing Post and the right to use the title name. |
| (26936) | |
| 224 | Mr Ivor Caplin (Hove): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what assessment she has made of the percentage of the United Kingdom's existing racing newspaper market covered by (a) The Racing Post and (b) The Sporting Life. |
| (26937) | |
| 225 | Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her Answer to the honourable Member for Nottingham South of 26th January, Official Report, column 59, if payments due on arms sales to all Far Eastern countries are due in sterling. |
| (27059) | |
| 226 | Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will list the arms deliveries, and their dates, to Iraq between January 1988 and the imposition of the arms embargo upon Iraq. |
| (27060) | |
| 227 N | Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the Multi-lateral Agreement on Investment on the Government's efforts to assist poor countries; and if she will make a statement. |
| (26716) | |
| 228 | Mr Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East and Mexborough): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what steps she is taking to extend the use of gross domestic product per capita as a key qualifying criteria for objective 2 of the EU structural funds. |
| (26789) | |
| 229 | Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what has been growth rate of trade between Poland and the United Kingdom in each year since 1990; and what assessment she has made of the prospects for trade over the next five years. |
| (26812) | |
| 230 | Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what assessment she has made of the current tariff regime between Poland and the United Kingdom. |
| (26813) | |
| 231 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many civil servants in her Department at each grade for grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the department since 1st May 1997; if she will indicate the minister to which each was responsible; and if she will make a statement. |
| (26921) | |
| 232 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will list by category, the records which her Department maintains on exports over the last 30 years of British (a) agricultural machinery, (b) motor lorries and (c) motor cars. |
| (27018) | |
| 233 N | Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 28th October on behalf of Mrs Tomayan. |
| (26374) | |
| 234 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what assessment she has made of current and projected skills shortages in the aerospace sector. |
| (26810) | |
| 235 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how much the Government has received in repaid launch aid from its investment in the dart engine. |
| (26814) | |
| 236 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what factors govern the publications recommended by the Millennium Hotline; and what mechanism determines what new titles are added. |
| (26381) | |
| 237 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what is her latest estimate of ECGD losses in 1997-98. |
| (26380) | |
| 238 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what is the cost of the Millennium Hotline. |
| (26389) | |
| 239 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the role of the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe in relation to (a) oil industry and (b) brewing industry issues in the Competition Bill [Lords]. |
| (26390) | |
| 240 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what ECGD cover has been provided in respect of the Hawk Jet contract to Indonesia since 1st May. |
| (26385) | |
| 241 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if nuclear reprocessing will continue at each of the present sites in the United Kingdom. |
| (26386) | |
| 242 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she has seen a copy of the signed agreement reached by the Paymaster General with the power generators. |
| (26412) | |
| 243 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what action she has taken to ensure her (a) Parliamentary and (b) DTI office machines are millennium compliant. |
| (26394) | |
| 244 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when ECGD last raised rates for cover to (a) Indonesia, (b) South Korea, (c) Malaysia, (d) Hong Kong and (e) China; and by how much. |
| (26383) | |
| 245 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when ECGD last revised its risk assessment of (a) Indonesia, (b) South Korea, (c) Malaysia, (d) Hong Kong and (e) China; and what changes it made. |
| (26384) | |
| 246 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if rates for ECGD cover for the latest Hawk Jet order from Indonesia reflected a revised risk assessment. |
| (26391) | |
| 247 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will publish a list of all makes of PCs sold in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years which will need modifying to work in 2000. |
| (26392) | |
| 248 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the safety of the United Kingdom's nuclear reprocessing facilities. |
| (26387) | |
| 249 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what advice the Millennium Hotline is able to offer other than recommended publications. |
| (26388) | |
| 250 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plans she has to seek to amend the Parts Design Protection Directive to allow competition in the supply of motorcycle parts. |
| (26379) | |
| 251 N | Mr John Redwood (Wokingham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what is the Government's policy on a repairs clause for the Parts Design Protection Directive. |
| (26378) | |
| 252 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many households in the MANWEB supply area qualified for compensation due to electricity cuts over the Christmas period; and how many households actually claimed this compensation. |
| (26844) | |
| 253 | Mr Marsha Singh (Bradford West): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the impact of the Multi-lateral Agreement on Investment on (a) the ability of local authorities to direct local economic development and (b) the poorest countries of the developing world. |
| (26989) | |
| 254 | Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will seek to reform the EU structural funds to provide that no member state shall receive more per head of eligible population in the 2000 to 2006 period than in the 1994 to 1999 period. |
| (26757) | |
| 255 | Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure that the United Kingdom share of the European structural funds in the 2000 to 2006 period reflects its current position in terms of per capita GDP. |
| (26756) | |
| 256 | Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have (a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1st May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to which each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. |
| (26929) | |
| 257 | Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what action he plans to take to alter planning regulations concerning opencast quarry sites on land where permission for the original development had been granted for a period of over 10 years. |
| (26993) | |
| 258 | Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many cases of abuse were reported against the elderly in private residential homes in Wales over the last five years. |
| (26987) | |
| 259 | Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what are the estimated deficits for each NHS trust in Wales for the current financial year. |
| (27019) | |
| 260 | Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many babies were born with serious birth defects in each health authority in Wales in (a) 1997, (b) 1987 and (c) 1977. |
| (26988) | |
| 261 | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will estimate the total extra costs over the next 12 months for the livestock industry in Wales resulting from the removal of specified risk materials required from sheep carcases from animals of over 12 months of age. |
| (27068) | |
| 262 | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what action he intends to take to facilitate the export of sheepmeat from Wales to (a) the European Union and (b) elsewhere. |
| (27063) | |
| 263 | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will estimate the total costs for the livestock industry in Wales in the next financial year resulting from the implementation of new meat hygiene service, livestock traceability and specified risk material removal requirements. |
| (27062) | |
| 264 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the number of violent incidents in each Welsh hospital in each of the past five years. |
| (26845) | |
| 265 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will report to Parliament annually on the work of the technology foresight groups setting out details of their current work, any recommendations which they have made and the Government's response to them. |
| [Transferred] (26733) | |
| 266 | Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the number of section 11 teachers in each local education authority. |
| [Transferred] (26754) | |
| 267 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will list the political profile of magistrates benches in England. |
| [Transferred] (26846) | |
| 268 | Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the numbers of lone parents in (a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1995 in each region and nation, together with an estimate of what proportion of families with children such lone parents represent; and what proportion are (i) under 18 years, (ii) under 25 years, (iii) 26 to 40 years and (iv) 40 years and above. |
| [Transferred] (26942) | |
| |
| © Parliamentary copyright 1998 | Revised 30 January 1998 |