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 11 March 1998

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 11 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 11 March, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Thursday 12 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 11th MARCH

1
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, if he will list expenditure on (a) refurbishment of and (b) furnishings for the smoking room for each of the last five years.

(34086)

2
   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, what provision for bicycle parking has been made at Portcullis House.

(34085)

3
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will estimate the number of non-scientific staff employed in 1997-98 at the Central Science Laboratory site at Sand Hutton, York.

(33987)

4
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish his Department's estimates of the proportion of full capacity utilisation of offices and laboratories at the Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York, which is currently under-utilised.

(33983)

5
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in respect of how many incidents regarding chemical contamination of food, his Department has required laboratory analysis during the last 10 years; and where the work was carried out.

(33981)

6
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish the individual estimates his Department has made of the financial and personnel impact of relocating Norwich-based scientific staff of the Central Science Laboratory to York.

(33985)

7
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will estimate the annual overhead costs of the Central Science Laboratory site at Sand Hutton, York in 1997-98.

(33986)

8
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how much income is projected to be received by the Central Science Laboratory in the 1997-98 financial year from research contracts based primarily at Sand Hutton, York, from (a) his Department, (b) other public sector agencies and (c) private companies.

(33984)

9
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish in full the independent management consultancy advice which informed the 1996 prior options review of the Central Science Laboratory.

(33982)

10
   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations the Government has received regarding the Elgin Marbles.

(34025)

11
   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the retention of the Elgin Marbles in the United Kingdom.

(34024)

12
   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the repatriation of antiquities from UK national museums and galleries to their country of origin.

(34022)

13
   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will make it its policy not to allow the Elgin Marbles to leave the custody of the British Museum.

(34023)

14
   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne and Sheppey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has received from (a) the public and (b) commercial broadcasters about the scale and cost of the BBC's promotion of (i) BBC channel services and its corporate image and (ii) the licence fee; and if he will make a statement.

(34113)

15
   Mr Bruce George (Walsall South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the future of the Fisheries Protection Service.

(33999)

16
   Mr Alan Johnson (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 20th January, Official Report, column 480, whether Hull trawlermen, were at any time required to sign the Official Secrets Act.

(34131)

17
   Mr Alan Johnson (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 20th January, Official Report, column 480, if he will de-classify and make available all information concerning the use of trawlers for specific and incidental intelligence gathering throughout the Cold War period.

(34130)

18
N   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many sticks of plastic explosive were removed from the Sennybridge Infantry Training Centre, Wales in the period June to September 1997.

(33685)

19
N   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the findings of the board of inquiry review into the theft of explosives from the Sennybridge Infantry Training Centre.

(33687)

20
N   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many incidents of (a) explosives and (b) detonators being removed or stolen from army bases were reported in the period September 1996 to March 1998.

(33684)

21
N   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the security lapses which allowed plastic explosives and detonators to be stolen from Sennybridge Infantry Training Centre in 1997.

(33686)

22
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the quality of training available to army personnel equips them both for their duties in the armed forces and for civilian employment on the completion of service.

(34150)

23
N   Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan):    To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what has been the total cost of refurbishment and renovation work on New St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh, since January 1995.

(33978)

24
N   Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan):    To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what is the cost to date of marketing New St. Andrew's House for sale.

(33979)

25
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps he will take to ensure that rural primary schools are able to fund the additional costs of the Advanced Skills Teacher grade.

(33895)

26
   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what period of time he will use to assess the economic circumstances of parents' contribution to tuition fees for students in higher education.

(34119)

27
   Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to legislate to reverse the Greenwich judgement.

(34120)

28
N   Kali Mountford (Colne Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the ECJ ruling in the case of P v S and Cornwall County Council, with reference to the consultation document Legislation Regarding Discrimination on Grounds of Transsexualism in Employment; and if he will make a statement.

(33126)

29
N   Kali Mountford (Colne Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to hold discussions with (a) legal experts, (b) medical experts and (c) representatives of transsexual people with regard to the consultation paper Legislation Regarding Discrimination on Grounds of Transsexualism in Employment.

(33124)

30
N   Kali Mountford (Colne Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what submissions his Department has received in response to the consultation paper Legislation Regarding Discrimination on Grounds of Transsexualism in Employment.

(33125)

31
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the secondary schools with up to 5 per cent. eligible for free school meals at (a) Key Stage 3 and (b) Key Stage 4.

(34166)

32
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what data he has collated on the level of bullying in (a) state-financed and (b) privately-funded educational institutions.

(34186)

33
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps he is taking through the New Deal to encourage young women to enter a more diverse range of occupations.

(34184)

34
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list those education authorities which provide sixth form education primarily through sixth form colleges.

(33997)

35
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many sixth form colleges have closed or amalgamated since 1994.

(33995)

36
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what representations he has received concerning the equity of funding between continuing sixth forms in secondary schools and sixth form colleges.

(33994)

37
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will review the funding of sixth forms and sixth form colleges.

(34026)

38
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will set out the formula for funding sixth-form pupils (a) continuing in the sixth forms of secondary schools and (b) transferring to sixth form colleges at age sixteen.

(33996)

39
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assumptions the Government has made in its calculations concerning the reduction of greenhouse gases about the growth in air traffic during the next 20 years; and if it is Government policy that other industry sectors shall have to make disproportionate reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions to accommodate the projected increase in air traffic.

(34129)

40
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he (a) has made and (b) plans to make to the IPCC study into the Impacts of Aviation on Climate Change; and what consultations the Government has had, for the purpose of this study, with organisations outside the aviation industry.

(34112)

41
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what reasons the aviation industry has given his Department for its opposition to new noise limits for departing aircraft at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

(34114)

42
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the Integrated Transport White Paper will include specific targets for improving the environment around airports, with particular reference to the impact of noise and congestion; and if he will make a statement.

(34115)

43
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what factors underlie the number of emergency take-offs and landings at Heathrow during the past three years; and what assessment he has made of the public safety implications of trends in these figures.

(34111)

44
N   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will establish how many items of correspondence the Rail Regulator recorded as missing in the last year.

(33690)

45
   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what measures he plans to take to strengthen the protection of sites of special scientific interest.

(34118)

46
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects to announce his decision in respect of endangered species status for the basking shark; and if he will make a statement.

(34009)

47
   Mr Tony Colman (Putney):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the implications of the proposed change in the calculation of the main figure for GDP from factor cost to market prices.

(34001)

48
   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the General Secretariat have informed the Government as President of the Council of Ministers, that the tapes of the Treaty of Amsterdam negotiations contain material on opt-in procedures by opt-out Schengen states.

(34083)

49
N   Mr Menzies Campbell (North East Fife):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland of 3rd July, Official Report, column 221, when he plans to publish the conclusions of his review of those international human rights instruments to which the United Kingdom is not yet party.

(33301)

50
N   Mr Menzies Campbell (North East Fife):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the UN Revolving Credit Fund, proposed by the Secretary General of the United Nations, as part of his UN reform proposals.

(33302)

51
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to press for further (a) apologies and (b) compensation from the Japanese for the treatment of British prisoners of war.

(33650)

52
   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Gosport of 19th January, Official Report, columns 438-9, on ministerial travel, when he decided to return to the United Kingdom between Her Majesty The Queen's state visits to the capitals of Pakistan and India.

(34082)

53
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the use of children to promote the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union; from which department the idea originated; and what factors determined the schools approached.

(34000)

54
   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if it is his policy that entry clearance officers should refuse entry to the United Kingdom because an applicant has legally extended a previous visit beyond six months; and if he will make a statement.

(34162)

55
N   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations have been made to the Antiguan authorities on behalf of Mr Thomas Bufton.

(33689)

56
N   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if UK representatives were present at the commital hearing of Mr Thomas Bufton in Antigua on 23rd February.

(33688)

57
   Dr Desmond Turner (Brighton, Kemptown):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the status of the forthcoming visit to Great Britain of President Suharto of Indonesia.

(34110)

58
N   Mr Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Belgrade; and what discussions he (a) has had and (b) has planned with his counterparts in Macedonia and Albania in respect of the crisis in Kosovo.

(33877)

59
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he has lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission regarding Spain's non-acceptance of the Gibraltar identity card; and if he will make a statement.

(34136)

60
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of Spain's warning that its controls over Gibraltar will be increased if negotiations on the future of the Rock do not progress; and if he will make a statement.

(34137)

61
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the European Commission has commenced infraction procedures with Spain in her non-compliance with European Union law through non-acceptance of the Gibraltar identity card; and if he will make a statement.

(34138)

62
   Mr Tony Colman (Putney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to measure changes in the productivity of the National Health Service.

(34027)

63
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has evaluated into the advantages of introducing a requirement for individuals to indicate their preferences in regard to organ donation.

(34015)

64
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the proportion of the total health budget allocated to health promotion.

(34014)

65
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many kidney transplants were performed in each year since 1990.

(34011)

66
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients were on waiting lists for kidney transplants in each year since 1990.

(34010)

67
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the estimated survival time for a recipient of a kidney transplant.

(34012)

68
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what are the current estimated costs of (a) a kidney transplant and (b) one year's kidney dialysis.

(34013)

69
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what has been the amount of money spent on medical research for each of the last five years by his Department; and what are the spending proposals for the next five years.

(33324)

70
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much was spent by each European Union member state on central government-funded medical research in each of the last five years.

(33326)

71
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what are the criteria adopted by his Department in assessing the cost/benefit of each medical research project.

(33325)

72
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the number of (a) men and (b) women who have undergone cosmetic surgery in each year since 1990.

(34163)

73
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will legislate to restrict the use of the term cosmetic surgeon to doctors with specialist qualifications and membership of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons or the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

(34164)

74
   Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will review whether ambulance services should be permitted to prioritise calls within the 999 service; and if he will make a statement.

(34117)

75
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the number of patients struck off GP lists in each of the last three years, for each health authority; and if he will make a statement.

(34028)

76
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when Mr Clifford Hughes can expect to receive an amended firearm certificate, number 97/1143.

(33976)

77
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many other members of the European Union require voters to vote for a closed list at the regional level in European elections.

(34139)

78
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date he required NOP's research on Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform to be completed.

(34142)

79
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the cost of the NOP research on Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform.

(34144)

80
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what factors underlay his decision to select the Belgium electoral system for examination rather than the Danish electoral system.

(34141)

81
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he approved the methodology employed by NOP in their research on Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform.

(34146)

82
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many members of the public were involved in (a) focus group discussions and (b) in other ways in the NOP research on Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform.

(34145)

83
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received since 25th November 1997 in favour of (a) an open list system and (b) a closed list system for electing MEPS.

(34140)

84
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date he commissioned NOP to carry out the research entitled Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform.

(34143)

85
   Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is his policy towards the use of the All Port Warning System to detect the departure from the United Kingdom of people included in that system.

(34167)

86
   Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the contribution of immigration checks to the detection of illegal immigrants.

(34168)

87
   Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what obligations carriers have to check the documents of passengers departing from the United Kingdom.

(34169)

88
N   Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to publish the Mainwearing Report on Campsfield House.

(33977)

89
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what instructions were issued prior to 9th September 1994 to senior officers at HMP Whitemoor concerning the completion of written reports following serious incidents at the prison.

(32778)

90
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library a copy of advice issued in 1991 to prison governors encouraging them to provide training to staff on being a witness in court; and what monitoring is carried out to assess the effectiveness of such training.

(32779)

91
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff attended the training session held on how to behave in court for HMP Whitemoor personnel due to give evidence at the January 1997 trial of those accused of the HMP Whitemoor escape; who conducted the training session; and what subjects were covered in the training session.

(32780)

92
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what disciplinary action was taken against staff at HMP Whitemoor assessed by his Department to have given misleading information to the Woodcock Inquiry.

(32781)

93
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what dates between 24th April 1994 and 8th September 1994 the HMP Whitemoor Governor visited the special secure unit within the prison.

(32782)

94
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date metal detecting portal equipment was (a) delivered to and (b) installed at the visitors' entrance at HMP Whitemoor.

(32783)

95
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date an x-ray machine was (a) delivered to and (b) installed at the visitors' entrance at HMP Whitemoor.

(32784)

96
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if (a) metal detecting portal equipment and (b) an x-ray machine at the special secure unit at HMP Whitemoor were in place in September 1994.

(32785)

97
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions between 1st May 1994 and 9th September 1994 searches were carried out of HMP Whitemoor staff arriving for work; and if it was possible for staff approaching the prison to see in advance that such searches were being carried out.

(32786)

98
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library transcripts of interviews with prison staff conducted by Sir John Woodcock and his inquiry team into the 9th September 1994 escape from HMP Whitemoor.

(32787)

99
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what capacity Mr Brodie Clarke currently serves in the Prison Service.

(32788)

100
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the conclusions and recommendations of the further review by Sir Donald Acheson of the effect upon prisoners' health of detention in the special secure units; and if he will place a copy of the review in the Library.

(32812)

101
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the conclusions and recommendations of the review evaluated by his Department into strip searching procedures; and if he will place a copy of the review in the Library.

(32813)

102
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prosecutions have been successfully brought against those persons who have failed to ensure that children are wearing suitable restraints or seat belts in cars, in each of the past 10 years.

(34148)

103
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many successful prosecutions have been brought against adults who have failed to wear seat belts as (a) drivers and (b) passengers in each of the past 10 years.

(34147)

104
N   Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if (a) solicitors and (b) barristers will be permitted to use the conditional fee arrangement proposals announced on 4th March for actions for (i) defamation, (ii) passing off, (iii) malicious falsehood, (iv) false imprisonment, (v) malicious prosecution, (vi) breach of confidence and (vii) breach of copyright claims.

[R] (33896)

105
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what was the amount of legal aid recovered as a percentage of the amount paid out during each of the last three years where (a) non-franchised firms of solicitors were acting for the assisted persons and (b) franchised firms of solicitors were acting for the assisted persons.

(34135)

106
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what was the amount of legal aid recovered by the Legal Aid Board from successful injury claimants during each of the last three full years.

(34134)

107
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what was the total amount of legal aid paid to assisted persons for personal injury work during each of the last three full years for which records are available.

(34132)

108
   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, what assessment he has made of the risk of terrorist attacks on the Millennium Dome at Greenwich.

(33993)

109
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what guidance her Department gave to the delegation of Sinn Fein representatives at the ministerial meeting on 5th November 1997 concerning the protection of individuals who have become vulnerable following the loss or theft of personal files held by the security forces; and what steps have been taken (a) to assess the number of individuals currently at risk, (b) to provide greater access to information for individuals at risk and (c) to prevent breaches of security in the future.

(32809)

110
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her Answer of 12th February, Official Report, column 321, if she will place her full response to the 22nd Annual Report of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights in the Library.

(32810)

111
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when she will publish legislative proposals arising from the review of the Firearms (NI) Order 1981.

(32811)

112
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list for each month for each of the last three years and the current year to the latest available date, the sums expended on overtime payments to the RUC and the RUCR.

(34003)

113
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Prime Minister, to which parts of the Governments' archives, relating to the events in Derry on Bloody Sunday, the 75 year rule will apply.

(33980)

114
   Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Highlands Council regarding their cost estimates for the estabishment of a land information register in their region; and if he will make a statement.

(34123)

115
   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his Answer of 6th March, Official Report, columns 778-79, on Dounreay, if it is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive to monitor the stability of the contents of the storage shaft and other radioactive waste repositiories at Dounreay.

(34165)

116
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what forecast his Department has made of the numbers of pre-school children in each of the next five years.

(34019)

117
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much was spent per pupil at primary schools in Scotland in real terms in (a) 1979, (b) 1989 and (c) the most recent year for which figures are available.

(34020)

118
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will introduce new measures to improve safety standards in houses in multiple occupation.

(34018)

119
   Mr Mohammad Sarwar (Glasgow, Govan):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what studies his Department has commissioned to ascertain what amount of crime is drug-related in Scotland.

(34017)

120
   Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what measures he proposes to improve safety on school bus services in Scotland.

(34029)

121
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make a statement on her Department's advertising budget for the current financial year.

(34016)

122
   Ms Patricia Hewitt (Leicester West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make a statement about her plans to involve women in the development of Government policies and programmes.

(34084)

123
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what was the cost to the Exchequer in the most recent year for which figures are available of those benefits-in-kind which are taken up by pensioners on income support and which are not available to pensioners on incomes above income support levels.

(34149)

124
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what would be the effect on (a) gross expenditure on retirement pensions, (b) income tax revenues and (c) expenditure on means-tested benefits of raising the basic state pension to the level of income support, with the pension rising with age to reflect the current structure of age-related premiums, but not to reflect premiums for disabilities or other additional needs.

(34127)

125
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what percentage of (a) single male pensioners aged 65 to 69 years, (b) single female pensioners aged 60 to 64 years and (c) married pensioners aged 65 to 69 years were in receipt of income support or supplementary benefit in each year since 1988 for which statistics are available.

(34128)

126
   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if a Minister from her Department will visit the Adlington employment scheme in Lancashire.

(34116)

127
   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what financial support she intends to provide to small and medium enterprises to overcome the difficulties of Millennium computer compliance.

(34124)

128
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when he will announce the venue for the National Assembly for Wales.

(33897)

129
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what categories of classified documents or other information will be made available to (a) all members of the National Assembly for Wales, (b) members of the Executive Committee and (c) members of other committees.

(33932)

130
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment (i) he has made and (ii) his Department has made, of the practical effects of making members of an elected assembly Crown Servants for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989.

(33930)

131
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether refusal to accept being made a Crown Servant for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989 will disqualify an otherwise duly elected member of the National Assembly for Wales from being an Assembly member.

(33929)

132
N   Mr Michael Ancram (Devizes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if a candidate for the National Assembly of Wales will be required to indicate their agreement if elected to being made a Crown Servant for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989; and whether failure so to do would be a bar to candidature.

(33931)

133
   Mr Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to introduce measures similar to those proposed in England to protect rural schools from closure; and if he will make a statement.

(33992)

134
   Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the number and the percentage of women who have (i) a dependent child aged (1) 0-4, (2) 5-10 and (3) 11-15 years and (ii) no dependent children who are (a) working full time, (b) working part-time, (c) registered unemployed and (d) economically inactive, indicating separately the numbers of women in each group who are (A) married or living with another person and (B) not married or living with another person.

[Transferred] (34002)

135
   Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to produce employment and unemployment statistics which can be directly compared with those of the UK's EU partners.

[Transferred] (34185)

136
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received on the calling of local authority by-elections following the death of the sitting member with particular reference to the sensibilities of those bereaved; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (33998)

137
   Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what was the amount of state benefits paid out to injured claimants, which was recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit from successful defendants during each of the last three years.

[Transferred] (34133)



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