Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Wednesday 25 February 1998

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 25 February 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 Wednesday 25 February, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Thursday 26 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.

WEDNESDAY 25th FEBRUARY

1
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many of the (a) scientific and (b) other representations on the proposed new restrictions on the retail of vitamin B6 so far received by his Department were copied to (i) the Chairman, (ii) the Secretariat and (iii) the members of the Committee on Toxicity; and what factors determined which of those papers were circulated to each of those groups.

(31607)

2
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he has consulted the Better Regulation Task Force about the proportionality, enforceability, economic impact and the implications for consistency in public policy of the proposed new restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6 supplements; and if he will make a statement

(31608)

3
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received from (a) United States senators, (b) Right honourable and honourable Members and (c) scientists relating to the proposed new restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement

(31611)

4
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he expects to publish the draft statutory instrument on the proposed new restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6; and with whom he intends to consult about its provisions.

(31610)

5
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what proposals in respect of fishing he put to the European Commission regarding (a) a permanent exclusive United Kingdom 12 mile limit, (b) a permanent retention of the principle of relative stability, (c) devolution of power from the European Parliament and Commission to a zonal management committee and (d) coastal stock management of conservation and catches.

(31341)

6
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many prosecutions there have been for breaches of the regulations on imported beef which were introduced on 1st January in (a) Scotland, (b) England and Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.

(31258)

7
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many prosecutions are pending for breaches of the regulations on imported beef which were introduced on 1st January in (a) Scotland, (b) England and Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.

(31257)

8
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, for what reasons compulsory sheep dipping was discontinued in 1992; and if he will make a statement.

(31546)

9
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what measures his Department (a) has taken to implement the decision on agricultural biodiversity taken at the Third Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity and (b) will take to support the further development of the work programme on agricultural biodiversity at the Fourth Conference.

(31539)

10
   Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what action the Government is taking to implement Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity regarding the conservation of traditional herbal medicines.

(31506)

11
   Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Food Standards Agency will be independent of (i) government, (ii) the food industry and (iii) other producer interests.

(31525)

12
   Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he is taking to meet the Government's obligations under Article 8 (j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity in respect of traditional herbal medicine in the United Kingdom.

(31505)

13
   Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if the Government will include plants used in traditional herbal medicine in (a) its assessment of the value of biodiversity and (b) the legal and policy framework for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

(31504)

14
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask Mr Attorney General, how many barristers on the panels for common law and chancery work are (a) women and (b) from the ethnic minorities.

(31514)

15
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask Mr Attorney General, how many counsel he retains for specialist work; what is the criteria for inclusion on the list; and how often the list is reviewed.

(31511)

16
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask Mr Attorney General, how many barristers are on the panels he uses for common law and chancery work; and how they are selected.

(31515)

17
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that companies and individuals making donations or contributions to the millennium celebrations do not concentrate them disproportionately on the Millennium Experience.

(31352)

18
   Mr Nigel Beard (Bexleyheath and Crayford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the rules for the roulement of army, navy and RAF forces in peace in peacekeeping deployments.

(31343)

19
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to announce the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review before 31st July.

(31455)

20
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many foreign servicemen and women are currently stationed in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Wales.

(31368)

21
N   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the medium to long-term need for United Kingdom torpedo testing facilities; and if he will make a statement.

(30028)

22
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the proportion of gross domestic product spent on education in each Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country in the last financial year.

(30839)

23
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the capital expenditure on education by each local authority in England in 1997.

(30863)

24
N   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will review the discretion open to local job centre managers in respect of those in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance wishing to participate in local job clubs; and if he will make a statement.

(30026)

25
   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to introduce science project work for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 as part of proposed changes to the National Curriculum.

(31507)

26
   Mr John Randall (Uxbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many children under the age of 11 years currently benefit from the assisted places scheme.

(31456)

27
N   Mr Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the current status of the Risk Assessment and Collaborative Emergency Response project in the Irish Sea within the INTERREG programme; if the Marine Safety Agency is supporting this operation; and if he will make a statement.

(31260)

28
N   Mr Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the Marine Safety Agency and Coastguard involvement in the Vessel Traffic Management Information System of the RACER project in the Irish Sea; and what is the policy of those agencies on the inclusion of VTMIS in the RACER project.

(31261)

29
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will assess the benefits of measures to promote the use of external wall insulation for buildings not covered by Article 4 of the Planning Regulations.

(31336)

30
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will give additional funding to the Energy Savings Trust to promote the use of external wall insulation.

(31337)

31
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many homes he estimates have received external wall insulation.

(31401)

32
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of homes that are affected by problems of (a) damp penetration, (b) condensation and (c) black mould growth.

(31338)

33
   Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will introduce incentives to increase the number of conversions and renovations of buildings for domestic habitation.

(31335)

34
   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will amend the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions Order 1994 (SI 1519) to add the words Except Cycles to No Entry signs.

(29588)

35
   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many responses have been received so far to the consultation on the revised Highway Code.

(29589)

36
   Mr Kenneth Clarke (Rushcliffe):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 23rd February, Official Report, column 29, on planning, if he will re-open the allocation of proposed housing developments between different local planning authorities in Nottinghamshire made in the latest structure plan for the county.

(31458)

37
N   Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to introduce a scheme similar to that operated by the Federal Aviation Administration to publicise the dangers of unexpected turbulence when flying.

(31254)

38
N   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 airline passengers and flight crew aboard (a) United Kingdom aircraft and (b) aircraft flying to and from the United Kingdom injured by turbulence while not wearing their seatbelts in each of the last five years.

(31255)

39
N   Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will complete his review of the proposed increase in the number of air traffic movements at London City Airport.

(31253)

40
N   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 incidents in each of the last five years where turbulence has affected United Kingdom air carriers.

(31256)

41
N   Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what proposals he has to privatise the remaining trust ports.

(31252)

42
   Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will give details of the 1998-99 charging scheme for local air pollution control under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

(31460)

43
N   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received from members of the Railways Pension Scheme 1994 concerning errors made in the computation of their pension rights; and if he will make a statement.

(31027)

44
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what proposals he has to issue guidance on the statutory powers available to local authorities to provide community alarm schemes for their residents; and if he will make a statement.

(31462)

45
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many vehicles involved in tobacco and alcohol smuggling and bootlegging have been found to be (a) untaxed, (b) uninsured, (c) stolen, (d) containing stolen parts and (e) driven by people who have no driving licences or whose licences have been withdrawn in each year since January 1993.

(31519)

46
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many prosecutions have been brought by trading standards departments of pubs, clubs, restaurants and off licences which have been selling bootlegged or smuggled alcohol in each year since 1993.

(31520)

47
N   Mr Christopher Leslie (Shipley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will arrange for the full drainage area plan for the Eldwick/Gilstead area of Bingley, West Yorkshire to be (a) published, (b) placed in the Library and (c) made available to the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Planning Authority.

(30617)

48
N   Mr Christopher Leslie (Shipley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many planning applications were considered by the Environment Agency in their role as statutory consultee in the last full year for which records are available; and on how many occasions the Environment Agency registered formal advice to local planning authorities to reject applications on the grounds of potential watercourse pollution.

(30795)

49
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 23rd February, Official Report, columns 21-25, if he will now reduce the targets for new housebuilding in the West Midlands region in the current plan period.

(31512)

50
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the effect of his announcement of a new target for housebuilding on recycled land on proposals for a new town in Wychavon; and if he will make a statement.

(31513)

51
   Mr John Randall (Uxbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list, by Government department, each quango and department committee to be subsumed by the proposed Greater London Authority and in each case their budgets for 1996-97.

(31457)

52
N   Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when his Department's headquarters at Marsham Street are to be (a) vacated and (b) demolished.

(31259)

53
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on proposals for a motorway service station on the M42 at Solihull.

(31464)

54
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the Government will support proposals for a programme of work on protected areas at the Fourth Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

(31540)

55
   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many representations he has received concerning his document, Modernising Planning.

(31612)

56
   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was the the backlog of planning appeal cases for each local authority area on 1st February.

(31613)

57
   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received about the time taken to appoint inspectors to planning inquiries.

(31614)

58
N   Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement about the Government's policy on tackling the debts of the poorest nations.

(29632)

59
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many employers with more than 50 employees he estimates have a majority of employees who earn below (a) £3.50 per hour, (b) £4 per hour and (c) £4.50 per hour.

(31329)

60
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many employers would be required to pay more in working family tax credit than in income tax withheld through PAYE if the proposed working family tax credit was paid at the same level as family credit.

(31328)

61
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many employers employ 50 employees or fewer; and what is the total number of employees involved.

(31330)

62
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to announce his decisions on the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review.

(31548)

63
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the issue of harmonisation of specialist excise duties was on the agenda of discussions on the single currency in an official EU forum since the Maastricht Treaty was agreed; and when it is planned to be (a) during the British presidency and (b) thereafter.

(31516)

64
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the Government's policy on the exchange rate; what steps he has taken to ensure its implementation; and if he will make a statement.

(31362)

65
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the measures available to him to manage or control credit and to regulate its expansion.

(31347)

66
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of non-United Kingdom based EU companies which have been liable to pay higher rate insurance premium tax on their products in 1997.

(31122)

67
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the protection of consumers from inadequate insurance or warranty packages in the travel insurance market and the motor vehicle warranty market.

(31114)

68
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the trend in the provision of motor vehicle warranties, including non-insurance based warranties from (a) motor vehicle sellers, (b) direct insurance brokers, (c) credit card companies and (d) other non-specialist sources, since the introduction of higher rate insurance premium tax.

(31112)

69
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the trend in the provision of travel insurance from (a) travel agents, (b) direct insurance brokers, (c) credit card companies and (d) other sources since the introduction of higher rate insurance premium tax.

(31111)

70
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the estimated cost to public funds of introducing for the next financial year (a) a single lower rate insurance premium tax for all insurance products at (1) 4 per cent., and (2) 5 per cent., and (b) a higher rate of insurance premium tax for all insurance on motor vehicles, travel and electrical retail goods at (i) 10 per cent. and (ii) 17.5 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

(31115)

71
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 16th February, Official Report, columns 478-9, which of the European Commission Tax Directorates Customs and Excise officials have met to discuss higher rate insurance premium tax; if she will list the dates of such meetings and who was present; if she will place in the Library copies of the information provided by HM Customs and Excise to the Commission; and what discussion took place over (a) the cross-border impact of higher rate insurance premium tax and (b) the treatment in law of higher rate insurance premium tax and VAT; and if he will make a statement.

(31121)

72
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received concerning the provision of inadequate (a) travel insurance and (b) motor vehicle warranties from non-specialist sources since the introduction of higher insurance premium tax.

(31113)

73
   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on man-made river projects in Libya; and if he will make a statement.

(31358)

74
   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received about the Libyan facility at Tarhunah; and if he will make a statement.

(31357)

75
N   John Austin (Erith and Thamesmead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many residents of England who met the requirements for an abortion as specified by the Abortion Act 1967 were unable to obtain an abortion paid for by the NHS in (a) 1996 and (b) 1997.

(31110)

76
   Dr Peter Brand (Isle of Wight):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action his Department is taking to make available a less toxic and more effective Rubella vaccine.

(31331)

77
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he is taking to reduce the number of suicides.

(31061)

78
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures he is taking to protect mentally-ill patients from harassment within their community.

(31060)

79
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will introduce a mandatory pilot test over long periods for new prostheses for hip and other joint replacement prior to their general use.

(31372)

80
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to establish a national register of patients who have received hip and other joint replacements implants; and if he will make a statement.

(31375)

81
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the relationship between the reliability of hip replacement prostheses and their purchase prices.

(31374)

82
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to seek reimbursement from manufacturers for those hip replacement prostheses which have been subject to early failures.

(31378)

83
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what evidence he has evaluated in respect of the outcomes of hip replacement operations which have shown measurably inferior results because of (a) new prostheses, (b) surgeons with low volumes of activity and (c) hospitals with high rates of infectivity.

(31373)

84
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the reliability record of currently available hip replacement prostheses; and what plans he has to issue guidance to the general public on this issue.

(31377)

85
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the current average cost of (a) a hip replacement operation and (b) a revision operation; and what percentage of each need to be revised within 10 years.

(31376)

86
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proposals he has to evaluate the reliability of prostheses used in hip replacements over the past 15 years.

(31370)

87
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many volunteer drivers for the Ambulance Service receive expenses which exceed the national average wage.

(31354)

88
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many volunteer drivers in the Ambulance Service work more than 30 hours per week.

(31355)

89
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department gives to health authorities and trusts about committing themselves to legal actions; and what procedures exist to (a) monitor and (b) audit the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of such actions.

(31509)

90
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance his Department gives to health authorities and trusts on payment of costs incurred by employees summoned to answer charges brought by professional health bodies.

(31510)

91
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the expenditure of the North and East Devon Health Authority and its predecessors on legal and other costs connected with its disputes with Mrs Carol Rudd and other associated UKCC proceedings.

(31508)

92
   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) disabled people and (b) members of ethnic minorities have been appointed to each of the NHS hospital trusts boards in the the United Kingdom since 1st May 1997.

(31583)

93
   Mr John Maples (Stratford-on-Avon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 17th February, Official Report, column 553, how many submissions he received requesting that general practice level budgets be continued in some form.

(31342)

94
   Mr John Maples (Stratford-on-Avon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 17th February, Official Report, column 552, in what ways NHS trusts will be obliged to co-operate with other trusts; and what sanctions will apply against those not complying with the new regulations.

(31332)

95
   Mr John Maples (Stratford-on-Avon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 17th February, Official Report, column 552, when his Department will have completed the collection of information regarding the remuneration of NHS employees.

(31333)

96
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Minister of State with responsibility for prisons visited the unit or wing of Low Newton prison containing 15 and 16 year olds on remand during her visit on 20th February.

(31334)

97
   Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many remand prisoners who died whilst in custody in each year from 1992 to 1997 were (a) suffering from psychiatric illness and (b) the victims of murder or manslaughter.

(31606)

98
   Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many convictions for possession of cannabis in England and Wales in the years 1992 to 1997 were sentenced alone and without convictions simultaneously for other offences.

(31639)

99
   Mr Alan Hurst (Braintree):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many convictions for murder, manslaughter and offences against the person in each year from 1992 to 1997 arose from offences committed by prisoners on remand or serving a sentence.

(31605)

100
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many inmates re-offended within six months of release from prisons in Wales in 1997.

(31365)

101
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of arson were carried out by people under the age of 18 years, in each of Wales' police authorities, in the last five years.

(31364)

102
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of people driving under the influence of drugs have been reported in Wales, by police force, in each of the last 10 years.

(31346)

103
   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to extend the fixed penalty notice system to cyclists in respect of all traffic signs or orders.

(31585)

104
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures the Metropolitan Police have taken to police the flow of information about levels of local crime between members of the Metropolitan Police and local journalists; and if he will make a statement.

(31543)

105
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis has taken to ensure that crime levels are accurately reported in the local press; and if he will make a statement.

(31545)

106
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many officers in the Metropolitan Police have been disciplined for unauthorised contact with local journalists; and if he will make a statement.

(31544)

107
   Mr John Randall (Uxbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the number of prosecutions of (a) heterosexuals beneath the age of 16 and (b) homosexuals beneath the age of 18 years for breaching the legal age of sexual consent in England and Wales over the last five years.

(31459)

108
   Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures were taken by the police during the last 12 months to raise public awareness of domestic violence.

(31359)

109
N   Angela Smith (Basildon):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what are the priorities of her Department in respect of EU co-operation for the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on how she intends to take them forward.

(29626)

110
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the effect of the decision in the Government White Paper on International Development to help developing countries implement the WTO Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement on poor people in those countries.

(31537)

111
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if, at the Fourth Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Government will encourage the Global Environment Facility's Implementing Agencies to integrate biodiversity into their mainstream operations and to report on this integration to the Fifth Conference.

(31538)

112
   Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what is the maximum number of guests that can be accommodated for (a) official receptions and (b) official lunches and dinners in the Lord Chancellor's residence in the Palace of Westminster.

(31453)

113
   Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, from which date the official residence of the Lord Chancellor will be opened for public view; and on which days of the week and during which hours of those days it will be open to the public.

(31454)

114
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he plans to extend the length of the law terms; and if he will make a statement.

(31578)

115
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what consultations he carried out before deciding not to proceed with the establishment of a judicial appointments commission.

(31580)

116
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what steps he is taking to monitor the performance of judges.

(31581)

117
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, in how many cases since 1992 the written judgement of the court has been delivered (i) six months, (ii) nine months, (ii) one year and (iv) 15 months after the case was heard.

(31579)

118
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if exhibits relating to unemployment and homelessness will be included in the Millennium Experience.

(31522)

119
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if he will make the housing being built on and around the Millennium Experience site available initially for the accommodation of visitors to the Experience.

(31351)

120
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, what arrangements are proposed to transport visitors who arrive by Eurostar services to the Millennium Experience.

(31356)

121
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, what will be the seating capacity of the smaller dome on the Millennium Experience site.

(31523)

122
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, how many jobs will be made available to young people under the New Deal at the Millennium Experience.

(31349)

123
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, what connecting services will be available from (a) City Airport, (b) Gatwick and (c) Heathrow to the Millennium Experience.

(31350)

124
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if he will hold a national competition to name the huge figure in the Millennium Dome.

(31521)

125
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, what public funding will be made available for water bus services to the Millennium Experience.

(31361)

126
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if it will be the responsibility of companies contributing to the Milliennium Experience to finance and create exhibits in their section.

(31524)

127
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the cases considered in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997 and (d) 1998 by the Life Sentence Review Board; indicating the paramilitary affiliation of the offender; how long he or she had served; and what decision was taken.

(30030)

128
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what factors determine whether or not a prisoner's sentence is reviewed by the Life Sentence Review Board; what is the statutory basis of the board; and what are the criteria for a life sentence review.

(30031)

129
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many individuals have a criminal record as a result of convictions for scheduled offences.

(30032)

130
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what is the cumulative total of individuals from loyalist and republican backgrounds who have (a) been subject to executive detention and (b) served prison sentences following conviction for scheduled offences.

(30033)

131
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many outstanding warrants of arrest are held by the RUC or other forces for individuals sought in connection with scheduled offences.

(30034)

132
N   Mr Seamus Mallon (Newry and Armagh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list for each Government Department the total number of (a) posts, (b) non-industrial posts and (c) Grade 6 and above posts (i) outside the Greater Belfast area and (ii) more than 30 miles from Belfast on 1st April of each year since 1995.

(30840)

133
N   Mr Seamus Mallon (Newry and Armagh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what was the (a) total number and (b) percentage of Civil Service jobs located (i) inside and (ii) outside the Greater Belfast area at 1st April in each year since 1995.

(30859)

134
N   Mr Seamus Mallon (Newry and Armagh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what was the (a) total number and (b) percentage, of Civil Service jobs located more than 30 miles from Belfast at 1st April in each year since 1995.

(30861)

135
N   Mr Seamus Mallon (Newry and Armagh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list for 1st April 1995 the total number of Grade 6, and above, Civil Service posts located (a) outside the Greater Belfast area and (b) more than 30 miles from Belfast, stating in each case the percentage of the total number of Grade 6 posts represented.

(30841)

136
N   Mr Seamus Mallon (Newry and Armagh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what was the (a) total number and (b) percentage, of non-manual Civil Service jobs located outside the Greater Belfast area at 1st April in each year since 1995.

(30860)

137
N   Mr Seamus Mallon (Newry and Armagh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what was the (a) total number and (b) percentage, of non-manual jobs located more than 30 miles from Belfast at 1st April in each year since 1995.

(30862)

138
   Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Prime Minister, what is the maximum number of guests that can be accommodated for (a) official receptions and (b) official lunches or dinners at 10 Downing Street in the state reception and dining rooms.

(31452)

139
N   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Prime Minister, what proposals he has to apply the work of the Social Exclusion Unit to issues of rural poverty and deprivation; and if he will make a statement.

(30024)

140
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will ensure that the names of the directors and chief executives of companies contributing to or making donations to the Millennium Experience are notified to the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee.

(31353)

141
N   Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 25th February.

(30616)

142
N   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will (a) institute research into and (b) review the usage of earnings arrestments introduced by the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987.

(31015)

143
N   Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent research he has evaluated on the correlation between the incidence of cancer and related illnesses and methods of production and working practices in the electronics and information technology industry; and if he will make a statement.

(30774)

144
N   Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent representations he has received concerning the incidence of (a) cancer and (b) related illnesses in communities which provide the labour force for companies engaged in the electronics and information technology industry; and if he will make a statement.

(30773)

145
N   Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what is the incidence of cancer and related illnesses in the Inverclyde Council area in each of the past 10 years; what is the average incidence for similar-sized populations elsewhere in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

(30775)

146
N   Mr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many individuals from (a) loyalist and (b) republican backgrounds have served prison sentences following conviction for scheduled offences in each of the past 10 years; how many of these persons are still in prison; and if he will make a statement.

(30967)

147
N   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on progress towards deciding upon designated ports for the purposes of white fish landings.

(30025)

148
N   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has received over his decision to initiate a review of the future opportunites for digital broadcasting of Gaelic, with particular reference to potential conflicts of interest; and if he will make a statement.

(30027)

149
N   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will report on progress towards implementation of section 28 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in respect of prison officers; and if he will make a statement.

(30029)

150
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when his Department intends to provide an answer to the question from the honourable Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (reference 20060) tabled on 5th December 1997.

(31123)

151
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what proposals she has to make allowance for the consequence of divorce in pension provision.

(31064)

152
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the state pension as the sole source of income.

(31062)

153
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make it her Department's policy to provide advice for those planning their pensions.

(31065)

154
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will take steps to remove disadvantages in the pensions structure for women changing jobs.

(31063)

155
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will list, in relation to those seeking amendments to their pre-1988 contributions records so as to reduce or cancel those records by determination under section 17 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, how many applications for determination have been (a) made, (b) withdrawn and (c) determined; of (c), how many were (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful; and of (a), (b) and (c) what was the average, lowest and highest cost of administering the determination process in the last five years.

(31463)

156
N   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make it her policy to reform current bankruptcy law to allow the self-employed and employees who are not members of an occupational pension scheme to receive the same exemption upon becoming insolvent as is presently enjoyed by persons who, as employees, were members of an occupational pension scheme; and if she will make a statement.

(31025)

157
N   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make a statement on the implications of the decision in the Landau case for the differing treatment upon insolvency of (a) the self-employed, (b) employees who are not members of an occupational pension fund and (c) employees with occupational pensions, in the event of their becoming insolvent.

(31026)

158
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many claimants have had benefits stopped following knowledge by the Benefits Agency of their smuggling and bootlegging of tobacco and alcohol activities; and how much money has been saved in each year since January 1993 and in each month in 1997 and 1998.

(31517)

159
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many disability benefits claimants have had their benefits withdrawn following knowledge by the Benefits Agency of their smuggling and bootlegging of tobacco and alcohol activities; and how much money has been saved in each year since January 1993 and in each month in 1997 and 1998.

(31518)

160
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many jobs she intends to make available in her Department under the New Deal.

(31348)

161
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many claimants of disability living allowance have had their claims (a) increased and (b) decreased as a result of the Benefits Integrity Project since August 1997; and if she will make a statement.

(31604)

162
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what factors underlie her Department's allocation of monies for cold weather payments to those in receipt of a personal pension in excess of the cut off point for income support; and if she will make a statement.

(31603)

163
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what factors underlie her Department's allocation of monies for cold weather payments to those on income support; and if she will make a statement.

(31602)

164
N   Mr John Swinney (North Tayside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her Answer of 17th February, Official Report, columns 619-20, on television advertising of benefits, if she will list the percentage of (a) planned advertisements for the winter payment scheme which had been shown and (b) the number of payments under the scheme which had been made by (i) 31st December, (ii) 31st January and (iii) 18th February.

(31016)

165
N   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if it is her Department's policy always to answer either by way of an acknowledgement or a substantive reply every letter received from the public; and on how many occasions during the last six months her Department has replied to members of the public that it has been unable to trace original letters about which follow-up enquiries are being made.

(31286)

166
   Mr John Grogan (Selby):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plans she has to strengthen the powers of the Independent Committee for Supervision of Telephone Services to enforce its decisions on network operators.

(31461)

167
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what proposals she has for requiring those licensed under the Insolvency Act 1986 to publish information about their affairs.

(31339)

168
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will place in the Library the submissions made to her Department in response to its consultation exercise on the limited liability partnerships.

(31547)

169
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what actions her Department has taken in respect of accountancy firms and their partners judged by the High Court case of AGIP (Africa) Limited v Jackson & Co. to have facilitated money laundering.

(31340)

170
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the risks for car purchasers relying solely on non-insurance based motor vehicle warranties if (a) the vehicle seller goes out of business and (b) there is only limited financial backing behind a non-insurance based warranty scheme.

(31118)

171
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what assessment she has made of the impact on consumers of an increase in the sale of non-insurance based warranties sold by the provider of the motor vehicle.

(31116)

172
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what is her policy on the sale of non-insurance based warranties; and if she will make a statement.

(31120)

173
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will estimate the number of motor vehicle sellers who have gone out of business in 1997, indicating the number of purchasers who have lost non-insurance based warranties on their vehicles as a result of such business failures.

(31117)

174
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what monitoring she has undertaken of the effectiveness of non-insurance based warranties for motor vehicles; what assessment she has made of the safety implications of such warranties; and if she will make a statement.

(31119)

175
   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her Answer of Monday 23rd February on the Mumbai airport project, what is the estimated cost to British public funds of the pre-feasibility study; upon what basis the details of the discussions are being treated as confidential; when she intends to publish the names of the companies involved; on what basis the companies were selected; and what costs were incurred on consultants.

(31601)

176
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many teachers who left the teaching profession in Wales last year, by education authority, did so on grounds of stress and ill health.

(31367)

177
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, by how much council tax rates rose in 1997-98; and what estimate he has made of the amount by which they will rise in 1998-99, by unitary authority.

(31360)

178
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much was spent on coastal defences in Wales in 1997; and what are the estimated figures for 1998.

(31369)

179
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what are the current levels of reserves held by each higher education establishment in Wales.

(31363)

180
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will estimate the total cost of implementing the health reforms proposed in his recent White Paper, Putting Patients First.

(31366)

181
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what percentage of his Department's expenditure is spent on the teaching and promotion of the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.

(31542)

182
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list for each Welsh local authority with responsibilities for education, the amount by which the increase in revenue support grant adjusted for changes in nursery voucher funding and increased NNDR differs from the amount that has been passported through the capping regime to raise standards in schools; what is the total figure for all local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

(31541)

183
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will set up an independent inquiry into allegations of irregularities in land deals at Merthyr Tydfil, involving the local authority, statutory agencies and private companies.

(31402.)

184
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what representations he has received on allegations of irregularities on land deals at Merthyr Tydfil; and what action he has taken in respect of those representations.

(31344)

185
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many residents of Wales who met the requirements for an abortion as specified by the Abortion Act 1967, were unable to obtain an abortion paid for by the NHS in (a) 1996 and (b) 1997.

(31345)

186
   Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many of the published scientific papers on the safety of vitamin B6 were studied (a) in full and (b) in summary or abstract by (i) the Chairman and (ii) the members of the Committee on Toxicity prior to it making recommendations on the safety of vitamin B6.

[Transferred] (31609)

187
   Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when she will be publishing her consultation paper on her proposals for the implementation of the Directive on Parental Leave.

[Transferred] (31582)

188
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proposals he has to make more money available to local authorities to provide for community care; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (31584)