Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Wednesday 4 March 1998

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 4 March 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 4 March, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Thursday 5 March, 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 4th MARCH

1
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the use in Germany of animal health products banned in the United Kingdom.

(33007)

2
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the impact of (a) ending subsidies and (b) banning hunting on the (i) problems and (ii) expense to livestock farmers who need to dispose of casualty stock.

(33004)

3
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what charges are made to importers of meat products to cover the expenses of health and hygiene inspections; and what assessment he has made of the impact of these charges on competition in the United Kingdom market between domestic and imported products.

(33002)

4
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the impact of the additional costs of slaughtering and rendering animals in the United Kingdom on the likely levels of exports of live animals.

(33005)

5
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the safety of importing oxheads for use in (a) pate«s and (b) other foods.

(33003)

6
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will assess the benefits of lifting the ban on beef on the bone in respect of animals born after a threshold date set after the improvements in safety standards were introduced.

(33006)

7
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the risk of infection with e-coli in imported animal food products from South America.

(33001)

8
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will estimate the number of (a) dairy farmers and (b) general livestock farmers who will be in business in 2003; and what are the current figures.

(33000)

9
N   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many responses he has received in respect of his consultation over the future status of unpasteurised milk; how many were (a) in favour and (b) against a possible ban on (i) unpasteurised milk and (ii) milk products; and if he will make a statement.

(31713)

10
   Ms Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what progress has been made on moving the responsibility for the monitoring and subsequent investigation of human suspected adverse reactions to veterinary medicines from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to an independent research institute or university department.

(32850)

11
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to introduce a milk quota reserve; and if he will make a statement.

(32841)

12
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to end the holding of milk quota by farms which are not producing milk; and if he will make a statement.

(32856)

13
N   John Austin (Erith and Thamesmead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what charge was made by his Department to the organisers of the Countryside March held on 1st March for use of the Royal Parks.

(32833)

14
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many piers in the North West of England have been awarded heritage lottery funding (a) during the last 12 months and (b) since the inception of the National Lottery.

(32889)

15
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what is his Department's assessment of the quality of tourist information about Britain currently made available on the Internet by (a) Government directly funded bodies, (b) other non-commercial organisations and (c) private companies.

(32940)

16
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what actions his Department can take against any (a) United Kingdom based organisation and (b) European Union based organisation which provides misleading or false tourist information about Britain on the Internet; and if his Department has taken any such action to date.

(32943)

17
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding his Department gives for the provision of tourist information about Britain on the Internet.

(32942)

18
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many Government spending programmes to date have been, or have been proposed to be, funded by the National Lottery; and if he will list each programme.

(32967)

19
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how he will ensure that there will be representation of scientific interests on the Nesta Board.

(32874)

20
   Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will give General Service medals to those who served during the Suez Crisis.

(32994)

21
   Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the criteria for military campaigns to be classified as active service.

(32996)

22
N   Mrs Ann Cryer (Keighley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance on the prevention of hearing damage has been issued to the 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards since 1979.

(32588)

23
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what has been the United Kingdom's contribution to the NATO Centre for Lessons Learned in Bosnia.

(32385)

24
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the strategic alliance agreement signed between the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and Mattra Marconi Space UK Ltd., for close collaboration in identifying research and technology programmes in space and spacecraft propulsion.

(32386)

25
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what has been the cost of maintaining the Army presence in Northern Ireland in each year since 1995; and what is the projected figure for 1998.

(32777)

26
   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received from the West Country about the impact on confidence among the Armed Forces of the lack of a specific date for concluding the Strategic Defence Review.

(32877)

27
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is his estimate of the number of people in the Christchurch constituency who will be eligible for the New Deal in April.

(32698)

28
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list by education authority the sum requested in each bid for additional funds to reduce infant class sizes in 1998-99.

(32695)

29
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is his estimate of the number of pupils aged five, six or seven years in each local education authority area in England who will be in classes of size greater than 30 children in the academic year 1998-99.

(32697)

30
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many pupils aged five, six or seven years in each local education authority in England are currently in classes containing more than 30 children.

(32700)

31
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if the additional funds announced to reduce infant class sizes in 1998-99 will be available to the same education authorities in subsequent years.

(32694)

32
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many pupils would have been kept out of classes greater than 30 children if all the bids by local education authorities for additional funds to reduce infant class sizes in 1998-99 had been accepted in full.

(32696)

33
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will publish the details of the calculation which informed his statement of 11th February that the additional funds allocated to Dorset County Council to reduce infant class sizes in 1998-99 will result in 800 pupils being kept out of classes greater than 30 children.

(32693)

34
N   Mrs Ann Cryer (Keighley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what measures he is taking to promote sex education for males in relation to unwanted pregnancies.

(32587)

35
   Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what information his Department is making available on the criteria for selection of Pathfinder areas and the process put in place to monitor the delivery of the New Deal.

(32884)

36
   Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps his Department has taken to encourage local authorities to participate in the New Deal programme; and what representations the local authority associations have made to him on the (a) aims and (b) administration of the scheme.

(32885)

37
   Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what are his Department's latest estimates of the cost of providing employment, training and education opportunities for 18 to 24 year olds who have been unemployed for six months or more.

(32886)

38
   Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what representations the voluntary sector have made to his Department concerning the aims of the New Deal programme since the publication of the NCVO/NACVS information pack.

(32887)

39
   Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the implementation of the New Deal for young unemployed people.

(32888)

40
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the water companies that have not produced an annual report on the Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation; and what plans he has to ensure that all water companies produce such reports.

(32846)

41
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to consult non-governmental organisations on the review of the Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation; and when he plans to publish the revised code.

(32847)

42
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the total amount spent on core regeneration programme funding in each of the last five years and planned spending in the next three financial years.

(32845)

43
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what performance indicators were included in the DBFO contract in relation to the new A419/A417 road scheme regarding the quality of the concrete road surface; at what stages and to what extent these performance indicators were monitored during the laying of the concrete; and if all the performance indicators were successfully achieved by the contractor before final payment was made.

(32970)

44
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was the precise specification of the DBFO contract in relation to the new A419/A417 road scheme regarding the smoothness of the concrete surface of the road; how this was specified in relation to the noise generated; and if the surface which has been provided meets that specification.

(32969)

45
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many representations his Department and Highways Agency have received regarding noise generated by the new A419/A417 road scheme; and what further noise abatement measures are proposed.

(32968)

46
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was his Department's advice regarding road surfaces and noise to the Public Inquiry Inspector on the new A419/A417 road scheme; and in what respects that advice differed from the departmental standard for a normal public procurement process for a new road.

(32971)

47
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the safety of stretch limousines without seat belts for the middle seats; and how many accidents have been recorded involving such vehicles in the last three years.

(32872)

48
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many train drivers are currently diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome.

(32843)

49
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what measures are in place to rehabilitate train drivers who suffer psychological damage as a result of being involved in fatalities on railways.

(32844)

50
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many train drivers are currently suspended from duty as a consequence of the Driver at Risk Register.

(32842)

51
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to celebrate St. Piran's day in future years.

(31792)

52
N   Paddy Tipping (Sherwood):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will estimate the number of empty housing units in each district council area in Nottinghamshire in (a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997, (i) in total and (ii) by sector.

(32124)

53
N   Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance he has produced on the purchase of office furniture.

(30879)

54
N   Mr Cynog Dafis (Ceredigion):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent by H.M. Customs and Excise to the European Commission DG XXI concerning the potential for reducing the rate of value-added tax levied upon energy saving materials and services, together with the reply received.

(31571)

55
   Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what tax liability arises when ministerial official accommodation is improved out of public funds.

(32954)

56
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the intended target audience of material printed by the European Commission on the single currency in English.

(33010)

57
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many speakers were provided by the European Commission for conferences in 1997 on the single currency; how many were provided for conferences in the United Kingdom; what steps are taken to ensure impartiality; from which budget line costs came; and if he will list the speakers and venues in the United Kingdom.

(33012)

58
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 23rd February, Official Report, column 60, what competitive process was used during the appointment of Mr Michael Johns as Chief Executive of the Valuation Office Agency; what was the job specification; and in what ways equal opportunities criteria were met.

(32849)

59
   Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what has been the role of his Department in preparing European Community websites on the single currency.

(32945)

60
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received from business concerning conversion to the new 50 pence piece.

(32835)

61
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the costs to British business of converting from the old to the new 50 pence piece.

(32836)

62
   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list those institutions and organisations authorised by his Department to distribute printed matter on the European Communities in the United Kingdom.

(32962)

63
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what factors determined which contact points were listed in the Partners in Europe pamphlet, Resources and Contacts.

(32963)

64
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list those prizes currently planned for the United Kingdom Presidency Youth Programme; and if he will list the agencies and governments consulted.

(32941)

65
   Mr Alan Clark (Kensington and Chelsea):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to review the upper limit for compensation for loss of personal possessions suffered by UK citizens working in Kuwait at the time of the Gulf War.

(32858)

66
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on progress in ascertaining the whereabouts of Paul Wells, Keith Mangan, Donald Hutchens and Dirk Hassart.

(32873)

67
   Mr Denzil Davies (Llanelli):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when and by whom, he was invited to be the President of the Foreign Policy Centre, 29 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL.

(32857)

68
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many T-shirts were printed for distribution to (a) schoolchildren and (b) others commemorating the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union; and at what cost to public funds.

(33009)

69
   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for what reason the British Council advertised in the booklet, Britain in Europe; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

(32955)

70
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the Indonesian Government's recent application of Indonesia's Criminal Code, Law 5/1969.

(32987)

71
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the Indonesian Government's use of armed forces during recent riots.

(32983)

72
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to alleviate the current economic crisis in Indonesia.

(32982)

73
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to support a system of plural nominations in the forthcoming Indonesian presidential elections.

(33008)

74
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will impose an immediate moratorium on all defence equipment being sold to the Indonesian Government; and if he will make representations to other EU states to act in the same manner.

(32986)

75
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) system of elections, (b) freedom of assembly or association, (c) freedom of speech and (d) establishment of non-governmental organisations in Indonesia.

(32981)

76
   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to (a) member states of the Council of Europe and (b) other states which are signatories to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities encouraging them to ratify and enforce that Framework Convention.

(32959)

77
   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many copies of the European Commission newsletter InfEuro are distributed in the United Kingdom.

(32944)

78
   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the role of the special adviser present at the Amsterdam Treaty negotiations; and if the adviser was present for any part of the negotiations, with particular reference to the Schengen discussions.

(32985)

79
   Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received on the distribution of the information pack Partners in Europe.

(33013)

80
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many people his Department employs on a (a) full time, (b) part time and (c) temporary basis in the UK Embassy in Japan; and how many have commercial and industrial responsibilities.

(32978)

81
N   Mrs Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list by health authority area the number of midwives per 1,000 deliveries.

(32828)

82
N   Mrs Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the numbers of training places, by region, for midwives in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97 and (c) 1997-98.

(32830)

83
N   Mrs Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list for each of the past three years the percentage of expectant mothers who have had a named midwife.

(32829)

84
N   Mrs Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many midwives are below F grade.

(32831)

85
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many vacancies there are in accident and emergency departments for doctors and nurses in (a) Kingston NHS Trust Hospital and (b) West Middlesex NHS Trust Hospital.

(32892)

86
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many finished consultant episodes there were in respect of the (a) Kingston NHS Trust Hospital and (b) West Middlesex NHS Trust Hospital in each of the last five years.

(32891)

87
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been waiting for (a) hip, (b) by-pass and (c) cataract operations at the (i) Kingston NHS Trust Hospital and (ii) West Middlesex NHS Trust Hospital for over 12 months (1) in each of the last five years and (2) at the latest available date.

(32946)

88
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in the last 10 years he estimates have received the influenza inoculation (a) on the NHS and (b) in total.

(32852)

89
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in the last 10 years have had serious adverse effects from the influenza inoculation.

(32851)

90
N   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much money was spent by the Metropolitan Police on undertaking road blocks, in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will list the occasions when road blocks were undertaken in conjunction with other agencies, other than for national security reasons.

(32584)

91
   Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to follow up the recommendations of the Deakins Commission Report on the future of the voluntary sector; and if there have been changes in the Government's policy on the matters in the report since publication of the Government's response in Raising the Voltage.

(32878)

92
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the cost of preparations for the planned London Fire Service strike; and from what budget heading the costs will be met.

(32890)

93
N   Mr Tony Clarke (Northampton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action he proposes to take following the inquest into the death of Jason Marcus Sebastian; and if he will make a statement.

(32699)

94
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd March, Official Report, columns 468-9, what were the reasons for the increase in the value of contracts placed with the laboratory of the Government Chemist in 1996 and 1997.

(32998)

95
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent representations she has received regarding the situation of the homeless in Russia.

(32966)

96
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on her Department's work in respect of homelessness in Russia.

(32964)

97
   Mr Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many rooms there are in the Lord Chancellor's official accommodation; and how many will be fully open to the public.

(32953)

98
   Mr Christopher Fraser (Mid Dorset and North Poole):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if he will make a statement on the role of Camelot as the distributor of tickets for the Millennium Experience.

(32896)

99
   Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make a statement on the religions affiliation of applicants for grants under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.

(32840)

100
   Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make a statement on the number of grants approved under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, by district council area.

(32838)

101
   Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make a statement on the number of applicants from each district council area for grants under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.

(32839)

102
   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of the way in which the future structures for government within Northern Ireland will be determined with particular reference to methods of voting.

(32960)

103
N   Mr Seamus Mallon (Newry and Armagh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the advantages of retaining the social fund section of the Newry Social Security Office, and re-organising the other sections in the southern region.

(31736)

104
N   Mr Seamus Mallon (Newry and Armagh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what consultations have taken place regarding the rationalisation of Social Fund offices in the southern region with (a) elected representatives, (b) consumer groups, (c) community organisations, (d) representatives of client groups and (e) others.

(31737)

105
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on discussions relating to the Single Currency during his recent visit to Japan separately identifying discussions between industrialists.

(32988)

106
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Prime Minister, what criteria governed which businessmen accompanied him on his recent visit to Japan.

(32989)

107
   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on his role and that of Government Ministers in respect of the booklet, Britain in Europe.

(32965)

108
N   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the operation of local curfew schemes; and if he will make a statement.

(32583)

109
N   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what meetings he has held with the Scottish Laryngectomy Group; what assessment he has made of medical evidence on a link between exposure to asbestos dust and cancer of the throat; if he will place a copy of the medical advice which he has received on this issue in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

(31735)

110
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list by (a) health trust and (b) health board the end of year deficits for each year since 1992.

(32378)

111
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list (a) the amount and (b) the percentage level of interest liability for each NHS health trust in operational deficit at the end of the second quarter of 1997-98.

(32380)

112
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what is the forecast (a) annual income, (b) expenditure and (c) operational surplus or deficit at the end of the year of 1997-98 for each NHS health board based on their 1997-98 second quarter returns to the Scottish Health Service Management Executive.

(32382)

113
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what is the forecast (a) annual income, (b) expenditure and (c) operational surplus or deficit at the end of the year of 1997-98 for each NHS health board based on their 1997-98 second quarter returns to the Scottish Health Service Management Executive; and what is the forecast retained surplus or deficit for each health board at the end 1997-98 based on these returns and taking account of (i) profit or loss on fixed assets, (ii) net interests receivable or payable and (iii) public dividend payable.

(32379)

114
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what is the forecast total cost of savings required by each NHS health trust's recovery plans in each of the next three years.

(32381)

115
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the forecast (a) amount and (b) percentage level of interest liability at the end of 1997-98 of each NHS health trust in operational deficit at the end of the second quarter.

(32383)

116
N   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he hopes to complete his review of the education and training of orthoptists in Scotland.

(32585)

117
   Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will recognise tinnitus related to service in the armed forces for pension and benefits purposes.

(32995)

118
N   Mrs Ann Cryer (Keighley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what assessment she has made of the likely impact on nursery place availability and funding in the Keighley constituency of her Department's measures to get lone parents on benefit into work.

(32586)

119
   Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make it her policy to phase out SERPs by closing it off to new entrants.

(32974)

120
   Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how much she estimates the average extra cost will be to the members of occupational contracted out money purchase schemes, as a result of the decrease in the SERPs rebate, if they are to maintain contributions to their funds at the same level.

(32973)

121
   Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, which of the recommendations in the Government Actuary's Department report of December 1998 on contracting-out of SERPS she (a) has implemented and (b) has not implemented.

(32972)

122
   Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when testing on Year 2000 compliance will be completed within her Department.

(32999)

123
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what steps have been taken to measure the number of people who no longer receive benefit as a result of the change from invalidity benefit to incapacity benefit.

(32384)

124
   Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many applications for licences for the export of military equipment to Indonesia have been (a) granted, (b) refused and (c) revoked since 13th November 1997.

(32848)

125
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plans she has to require employment and labour agencies to register with her Department.

(32122)

126
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plans she has to tighten the definition of self-employed to avoid workers being unfairly described as working for themselves.

(32123)

127
N   Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how much (a) public, (b) private and (c) overseas money has been spent on modifying UKAEA's D2670 plant at Dounreay Nuclear Establishment to enable the reprocessing of spent fuel from the ICI TRIGA reactor at Billingham; if she will list the countries of origin of the overseas money; and if she will make a statement.

(31749)

128
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what remit has been given to PA Consulting Group to review DTI management.

(32834)

129
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what will be the cost to public funds of the PA Consulting Contract on DTI management.

(32837)

130
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what is the expected out-turn expenditure by her Department in supporting the work of the Invest in Britain Bureau in the current financial year; and what were the corresponding sums spent in each of the past five years.

(32979)

131
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what discussions have taken place during the past three months between Mr David Durie of the Regional Policy Unit of her Department, and the Chief Executive of the Welsh Development Agency, on matters relating to the international work undertaken by the Welsh Development Agency; and if she will make a statement.

(32984)

132
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many (a) full time or (b) part time (i) employees and (ii) consultants her Department funds in Japan broken down by organisation; and how many of these work from offices in the British Embassy in Tokyo.

(32980)

133
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many companies in Wales the industry section of the Welsh Office has assisted to act as suppliers to the new LG factory in Gwent; and if he will make a statement.

(32977)

134
   Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on granting pensions to ex-servicemen who suffer from tinnitus.

[Transferred] (32997)

135
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will require registration authorities to undertake detailed company searches as a matter of routine when registering residential care and nursing homes; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (32860)

136
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to review legislation and regulations governing the registration of residential care and nursing homes; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (32859)

137
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the financial burden on local authorities of carrying out the registration and inspection of residential care and nursing homes; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (32861)

138
   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what financial assistance was available from the European Community for the publication of the booklet, Britain in Europe; and from which budget the monies originated.

[Transferred] (32883)

139
   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if his Department approved the contents of What Exactly is Europe? A Classroom Guide to the European Union; and how many copies have been distributed in the United Kingdom.

[Transferred] (32976)

140
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information kits are in preparation at European Community level to inform professional and business associations about the single currency.

[Transferred] (33011)

141
   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many meetings have taken place since 1996 involving the Association for the Monetary Union of Europe; and if he will make a statement on its activities in the United Kingdom.

[Transferred] (32882)

142
   Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many copies of the video, A Single Currency for Europe, have been distributed by Directorate General X in the United Kingdom.

[Transferred] (32958)

143
   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will take measures to enable a vendor to recover from a potential purchaser conveyancing costs incurred at the request of the potential purchaser if the latter withdraws their offer before completion.

[Transferred] (32961)