Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Thursday 19 March 1998

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Thursday 19 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 Thursday 19 March, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Friday 20 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.

THURSDAY 19th MARCH

1
   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will state his projections for the average level of net income per farm holding for (a) hill farmers, (b) dairy farmers and (c) cereal farmers at 1996 prices over the next three years.

(35380)

2
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to make better use of his Department's assets in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24th November 1997 by generating receipts from commercial activity and developing relationships with the private sector to bring in necessary skills and expertise.

(35135)

3
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to dispose of surplus assets of his Department in accordance with guidelines set out by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24th November 1997.

(35136)

4
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to extend the use of public and private partnerships to conduct his Department's business and deliver services to the public; and if he will make a statement.

(35137)

5
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he expects to publish the outcome of his consultation exercise on unpasteurised milk.

(35288)

6
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many consultees, and from which organisations, agreed with his proposals on unpasteurised milk.

(35287)

7
   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the risk of food poisoning contracted from New York dressed poultry.

(35382)

8
N   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the transposition by Italy of (a) the EU Poultry Meat Hygiene Directive, (b) other veterinary directives into national law and their enforcement of such directives; and if he will take steps to ensure that poultry meat imports into the United Kingdom from Italy are produced and processed according to the directive's requirements.

(35221)

9
   Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he plans to take to enforce paragraph 20 of Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994 in respect of indoor-housed pigs; and if he will make a statement.

(35542)

10
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what measures he is taking to protect the livelihoods of farmers affected by outbreaks of bovine tuberculosis on their land during the period before an effective vaccine has been developed and following the recommendations contained in the Krebs Report; and if he will make a statement.

(35517)

11
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the situation facing Cheshire farmers in respect of the spread of bovine tuberculosis following the publication of the Krebs Report on Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle and Badgers.

(35518)

12
N   Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South):    To ask Mr Attorney General, what steps he has taken to encourage disclosure by freemasons in the Crown Prosecution Service; and if he will make a statement.

(33790)

13
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the Church Commissioners, what estimate he has made of the current annual loss to the income stream resulting from the Ashford Great Park development project.

(35147)

14
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35281)

15
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what grants have been given to the England and Wales Cricket Board in each of the last five years from (a) the Sports Council, (b) the National Lottery and (c) other public funds.

(35329)

16
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what percentage of the sums spent on lottery tickets has been spent in Wales.

(35580)

17
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what percentage of the sums allocated by the Sports Lottery Fund has been allocated to Wales.

(35579)

18
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what factors led his Department's personnel to donate a tour of RAF Leeming to the British Field Sports Society; what guidance his Department issues on such matters; and if he will ensure that similar tours are provided for groups opposed to field sports on request.

(35222)

19
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35280)

20
   Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proposals he has to alter access to military ranges for civilian shooters for target shooting purposes.

(35378)

21
N   Mr Menzies Campbell (North East Fife):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if Her Majesty's Government will have destroyed all HB876 anti-personnel mines within two years of signing the Ottawa Treaty.

(34848)

22
N   Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the development and deployment of a lower-yield variant of the Trident warhead for the sub-strategic role.

(35198)

23
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what requirement is placed on the MoD police in Scotland, who demand items during the course of investigations of the homes of personnel, to supply a receipt for those items which they have taken into custody.

(35133)

24
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many units of the beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (SR Air 1239) are to be purchased; and when it is expected to enter service.

(35359)

25
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 25th February, Official Report, column 261, on Storm Shadow missiles, how many are to be procured; what proportion of the related work will be carried out in UK based facilities; and if the costs of aircraft integrated are included in the estimated programme cost.

(35356)

26
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many BVRAAM missiles Eurofighter EF2000 will carry in its active air superiority role.

(35364)

27
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the annual quarry returns for each of the past five years relating to organisations, licensed or unlicensed, which have been permitted to take birds and animals at Salisbury Plain Army Field Training Centre.

(34849)

28
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of Joint Service Publication No. 362.

(34850)

29
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the clubs and organisations, civilian and military, which are licensed to use (a) Schedule 3 land and (b) other land at Salisbury Plain Army Field Training Centre.

(34851)

30
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list by (a) craft or speciality and (b) unit the numbers of territorial army personnel serving in Bosnia.

(35381)

31
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he intends to publish a White Paper on Smart Procurement before the end of March; and if he will make a statement.

(35199)

32
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many nuclear weapon accident exercises entitled Senator have taken place since 1985; and where and when each exercise took place.

(35366)

33
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will open for public inspection files concerning Admiralty Intelligence papers with the classmarks ADM 223/719 to ADM 223/734 at the Public Record Office.

(35499)

34
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of (a) the RAF Police, (b) the Royal Naval Regulating Branch and (c) the Royal Marines Police; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced.

(35362)

35
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in developing the future infantry soldier technology; at which of his Department's establishments work on this project has been carried out; when this work started; how many reports on the progress of this project have been written; what are the security classifications of each report; and how much money has so far been spent on this project.

(35361)

36
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer on 5th March, Official Report, columns 761-2; what will be the scenario of the Diagonal Glance exercise; on which of his Department's properties the exercise will take place; how many of his Department's personnel will take part in the exercise; and if the media will be invited to the exercise.

(35365)

37
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Electronic Systems Division at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston was set up; what is the purpose of this division; how many series of technical papers or reports are currently being produced by this division; and what are the names of each series.

(35368)

38
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the scenario of a nuclear weapon accident exercise entitled Pantagraph which took place in 1988; on what dates and where the exercise took place; and if he will place a copy of the results of this exercise in the Library.

(35367)

39
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 5th March, Official Report, columns 761-2, what are the definitions of Grade B and Grade C nuclear weapon accident exercises; and if his Department has other categories of nuclear weapon accident exercises.

(35363)

40
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35274)

41
   Mr Richard Allan (Sheffield, Hallam):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what representations he has received on Sheffield City Council's decisions on secondary school admissions for September 1998; and if he will make a statement.

(35532)

42
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35277)

43
N   Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, for what reasons, in setting achievement targets for primary and secondary schools, he does not use data based on pupils' prior achievement.

(35331)

44
N   Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, for what reasons, in setting achievement targets for primary and secondary schools, he uses data based on pupils' eligibility for, or take-up of, free school meals.

(35330)

45
   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, for each local education authority what percentage of 11 year old pupils in maintained schools were entered for the 1997 Key Stage 2 SAT tests in (a) writing, (b) reading and (c) both for English but were absent.

(35354)

46
   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many primary schools with 11 year old pupils were inspected by OFSTED in the school year 1996-97; what percentages of each grade on OFSTED's scale 1 to 7 were awarded by inspectors in each of the 12 curriculum subjects; and what was the average grade awarded (i) for each of the 12 curriculum subjects and (ii) for all subjects together in these schools.

(35355)

47
   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to ensure the continuation of A level examinations in Bengali; and if he will make a statement.

(35350)

48
   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what percentage of 11 year old (a) male, (b) female and (c) male and female pupils in maintained schools in each local education authority attained (i) Level 3 or better, (ii) Level 4 or better and (iii) Level 5 or better, in the 1997 Key Stage 2 tests in the (1) writing, (2) reading and (3) combined test for English; and what was the average level per pupil.

(35353)

49
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when he expects to reply to the letter from the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 23rd January on behalf of Mr Lee.

(35325)

50
   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the procedures the promoters of an approved ESF Objective 3 project run by a voluntary sector organisation must undertake before payment can be made by his Department.

(35396)

51
   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the payment priority given to voluntary sector organisations running European Social Fund projects under (a) Objective 1, (b) Objective 2 and (c) Objective 3.

(35393)

52
   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what measures he proposes in order to speed up European Social Fund payments to voluntary sector organisations running Objective 3 projects.

(35395)

53
   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the final claim payment dates for ESF Objective 3 voluntary sector projects for each year since the start of the current programme.

(35397)

54
   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, in each of the five years before and each year since the introduction of the National Curriculum, how many girls and how many boys have taken at least one science subject at (a) GCSE and (b) A-level.

(35371)

55
   Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what representations he has received concerning the removal of core subject status from PE.

(35526)

56
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate he has made of the annual cost of administering his proposed student fees regime.

(35574)

57
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps the Government will take to encourage businesses in areas of high unemployment to sign up for the New Deal.

(35587)

58
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what measures he will take to ensure a consistent geographical spread of businesses signed up to the New Deal.

(35578)

59
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many businesses in each parliamentary constituency have signed up to the New Deal.

(35577)

60
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what would be the saving in construction costs if the planned split-level roundabout proposal for the western end of the A27 Polegate by-pass were to be replaced by an at-grade one.

(35223)

61
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if it is his policy to generate a level of income from sales of British Rail land commensurate with the plans established before May 1997.

(35271)

62
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, for what reasons the publication of the six working papers referred to in the publication National Road Traffic Forecasts (Great Britain) 1997, has been delayed; and when they will be published.

(35304)

63
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what decibel projections were modelled for the proposed A417/A419 DBFO road; what decibel readings have been taken by the Department, or other agencies, on the road (a) before and (b) after it was constructed; at which points along the road the readings were taken; and whether any of these readings are above the Department's decibel mean.

(35346)

64
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what were the costs of surfacing an average mile of the A419/A417 DBFO road in (a) HRA, (b) SMA and (c) concrete.

(35348)

65
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what critical noise modelling has been undertaken in respect of the A419/A417 DBFO road; and what the results are.

(35347)

66
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which sections of the A419/A417 DBFO road are surfaced with (a) hot rolled asphalt, (b) stone mastic asphalt and (c) concrete; how many miles in total of the A419/A417 DBFO are surfaced with each; and what reasons underlay the use of different surfaces.

(35345)

67
   Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what would be the cost of roadsurfacing all the concrete surfaces on the A419/A417 DBFO road between Latton and Nettleton Bottom with hot rolled asphalt.

(35349)

68
N   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what research he has evaluated into the presence of the BSE prion in water samples.

(33770)

69
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to promote the use of travelcards for public transport.

(35523)

70
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received on the future of London Transport travelcards, with particular reference to full-time students; and if he will make a statement.

(35522)

71
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what safety procedures are required during railway line maintenance; and what measures are taken to ensure that they are enforced.

(35540)

72
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on his policy on aircraft noise nuisance.

(35400)

73
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the projections of passenger numbers for Eurostar in the years 1998 to 2005.

(35392)

74
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how often he meets the BAA and airline representatives to discuss aircraft noise from planes using Heathrow Airport.

(35398)

75
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if it is his policy to continue to reduce aircraft noise after 2002.

(35399)

76
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, on how many occasions written directions were sought by the accounting officer of the Department of Transport since 1st January 1996; what were the circumstances of each direction; and on what dates the directions were sought.

(35369)

77
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will discuss (a) human rights and (b) Tibet with the Chinese government during his visit in June; and if he will report the results of his visit to the House on his return.

(35543)

78
   Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to ensure that water companies meet their water leakage targets and maintain enough water pressure for fire fighting.

(35388)

79
   Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what statutory obligations are placed on water companies to maintain adequate water pressure for fire fighting.

(35387)

80
   Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which water companies in respect of which areas have reduced the mains water pressure since 1991.

(35386)

81
N   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what proposals he has for a replacement for City Challenge.

(35310)

82
N   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many representations he has received from local councils concerning the last local government settlement.

(35309)

83
N   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what has been the cost to public funds to date of the Terminal 5 Inquiry.

(35307)

84
N   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he intends to visit the headquarters of the Planning Inspectorate.

(35308)

85
N   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards planning gain.

(35306)

86
N   Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many call-ins he is currently considering.

(35305)

87
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons the principles of fiscal management set out in the Code for Fiscal Stability do not refer to the need to take account of environmental impact.

(35333)

88
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to recast GDP to take account of environmental factors.

(35318)

89
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons environmental impact is not specified in the Code for Fiscal Stability as part of the minimum information required to be included in economic and fiscal strategy reports.

(35332)

90
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35272)

91
   Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the inward investment projects located in intermediate status areas for which his Department permitted the higher development area job subsidy limit to apply between April 1992 and 1st May 1997 and the dates on which the permission was given.

(35379)

92
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proposals he has received from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for improvements to the efficiency with which that Department conducts its business and delivers services to the public, including the scope for extending the use of public and private partnerships.

(35138)

93
N   Mr Quentin Davies (Grantham and Stamford):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he intends that the Resource Accounts to be produced by Government will include an evaluation of the present value of United Kingdom state pension liabilities; and when he intends that these accounts will first be published.

(34697)

94
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what would be raised in a year by taxing (a) at the standard rate and (b) at the higher rate all households with (i) a total income in excess of £40,000 and (ii) one earner with an income in excess of £40,000.

(35527)

95
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects to reply to the letter from the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 3rd February on behalf of Mr and Mrs Harradine.

(35311)

96
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects to reply to the letter from the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 2nd February on behalf of Ms Chetwood.

(35326)

97
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects to reply to the letter from the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 2nd February on behalf of Mr Sandercock.

(35319)

98
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the proportion of British businesses which account to six places of decimals.

(35217)

99
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what regulations there will be, after the exchange rates of the euro-participating currencies are locked in May, to prevent different prices, spreads or commissions in dealings in these currencies.

(35219)

100
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if British companies dealing with European companies which are using the euro will be required to change their accounting systems to use the triangulation method and six places of decimals.

(35220)

101
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the Government plans to legislate to abolish the ecu.

(35216)

102
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the Government plans an Act of Parliament to legalise (a) the euro as a foreign currency and (b) the compulsory conversion of other European currency contracts into euros.

(35215)

103
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what decisions (a) have been taken and (b) remain to be taken on the permitted or recommended spread or commission once the European currency rates of euro countries are locked in May.

(35218)

104
   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what figure for the national minimum wage was assumed in the preparation of the Budget.

(35394)

105
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the dates and rates of each petrol and diesel fuel excise duty increase since 1992 and the increase in the RPI which occurred between each of those increases.

(35514)

106
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received urging him to introduce a progressive beer duty.

(35516)

107
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, by what additional amount the retail price index has risen since 1992 as a result of the imposition of petrol and diesel fuel excise duty increases compared with the increase that would have occurred if the duty increases had been limited to the RPI.

(35512)

108
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what revenue would have been foregone since 1992 from duty in petrol and diesel fuel excise duties if those duties had been increased in line with the retail price index.

(35513)

109
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of proposals for the introduction of a progressive beer duty; and if he will make a statement.

(35515)

110
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the matters in respect of Tibet which he raised with the Chinese Ambassador at their last meeting; and if he will make a statement.

(35314)

111
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what procedures are in place to monitor Chinese adherence to treaties and agreements signed which have human rights considerations.

(35315)

112
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what factors he takes into account before deciding to what extent constructive engagement is likely to be bring about an improvement to the human rights situation in (a) China and (b) Tibet.

(35316)

113
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35276)

114
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the northern Cyprus administration on developing meetings within Cyprus of members of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to discuss matters of common interest.

(35385)

115
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, by what means he plans to obtain the views of Turkish Cypriots on the application of the Republic of Cyprus for membership of the European Union.

(35372)

116
   Mr Mike Gapes (Ilford South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if there have been any new exceptions to the arms embargo on Argentina.

(35500)

117
   Mr Mike Gapes (Ilford South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the United Kingdom will continue to impose an arms embargo on Afghanistan in line with the EU's Common Position of 17th December 1996.

(35501)

118
   Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the current human rights situation in Turkey; what representations he has made to the government of Turkey on this issue; and what plans he has to include within his statement to the forthcoming UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva concerns about human rights in Turkey.

(35573)

119
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 12th March, Official Report, column 276, on Indonesia, what assessment he has made of the Indonesian government's implementation of the IMF programme.

(35357)

120
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 12th March, Official Report, column 277, on Indonesia, what assessment he has made of the standard of governance in Indonesia.

(35370)

121
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 12th March, Official Report, column 276, on Indonesia, what assessment he has made of the Indonesian government's response to the British Government's requests that it exercise restraint during periods of civil unrest.

(35358)

122
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects to reply to the letter from the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 19th January, forwarded to him from the Home Office on 4th February, on behalf of Mr Johnson.

(35324)

123
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will support proposals to address the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia at the UN Commission on Human Rights under the public procedure.

(35510)

124
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what proposals the Government intends to make in respect of human rights in Kenya at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.

(35507)

125
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will urge the Saudi Arabian government at the UN Commission on Human Rights to extend an invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers

(35509)

126
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Kenyan government requesting cooperation with the (a) Special Rapporteur on torture and (b) Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial executions.

(35533)

127
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will propose at the UN Commission on Human Rights that the Kenyan Government extends an invitation to a UN Thematic Rapporteur.

(35505)

128
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the current human rights situation in (a) Saudi Arabia and (b) Kenya.

(35506)

129
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations the Government has made to (a) the Saudi Arabian and (b) the Kenyan government on human rights.

(35511)

130
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what statement the Government plans to make in respect of human rights in (a) Kenya and (b) Saudi Arabia, to the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.

(35508)

131
N   Mr Peter Atkinson (Hexham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will institute an inquiry into the management of Netherton Park Assessment Centre in Northumberland.

(35067)

132
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35285)

133
N   Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made on revising guidance on the control of methicillin-resistant stapyhlococcus aureus in hospitals.

(35146)

134
N   Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the first results from the pilot system of national surveillance from the 40 hospitals taking part on the control of methicillin-resistant stapyhlococcus aureus.

(35144)

135
N   Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the reporting of (a) bloodstream infections and (b) wound infections of patients suffering from methicillin-resistant stapyhlococcus aureus was introduced; and whether he will make a statement.

(35145)

136
   Mr Richard Allan (Sheffield, Hallam):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list (a) the total resources allocated for education services to (b) the average population in and (c) the age range of those held in each young offender institution in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

(35344)

137
   Mr Richard Allan (Sheffield, Hallam):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether (a) local probation officers and (b) social workers will be involved in the supervision of young offenders sentenced to a period at a secure training centre; and if he will make a statement.

(35342)

138
   Mr Richard Allan (Sheffield, Hallam):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under what statutory authority outreach workers will be employed at the Rebound Secure Training Centre; and if he will make a statement.

(35343)

139
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what regulations govern the placing of CCTV cameras on private property such that passage along a public footpath is monitored.

(35317)

140
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35275)

141
   Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of compensation for handguns under (i) Option A, (ii) Option B and (iii) Option C are currently outstanding in the Northumbria Police Area.

(35373)

142
   Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received from (a) the police and (b) other organisations on black powder guns.

(35375)

143
   Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects all claims for compensation for handguns under options (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) C to have been completed in the Northumbria Police Area.

(35374)

144
   Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proposals he has to alter legislation regarding the certification of shotguns.

(35377)

145
   Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proposals he has to alter legislation regarding black powder guns.

(35376)

146
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to amend the law in relation to rape.

(33788)

147
   Mr Michael Colvin (Romsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the current estimate by the Metropolitan Police of the number of participants in the Countryside March in London on 1st March.

(35360)

148
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 16th March, Official Report, column 514, for what reasons it was never intended that the Teesside University Criminology Department's research on anti-drugs campaigns should be published.

(35289)

149
N   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research he has evaluated on the extent to which anti-drug campaigns lead to (a) increased and (b) decreased levels of drug use.

(35290)

150
   Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to publish H M Chief Inspector of Prisons, report on the Campsfield Detention Centre.

(35551)

151
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people with psychiatric health problems are currently being held in prison cells.

(35538)

152
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what provision is made for mental health care for people in prison.

(35539)

153
   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, at what date seasonal staff employed as immigration officers were informed of his Department's new retirement policy for seasonal staff.

(35391)

154
   Mrs Theresa May (Maidenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many seasonal staff in the Immigration Department will reach the age of 60 years during the next year and have their contracts terminated under the age retirement policy for seasonal staff.

(35390)

155
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to make a decision following the adjudicator's recommendation in the case of Mrs Beatrice Day of 24 Garlick Rea, Brixham; and if he will make a statement.

(34959)

156
N   Mr David Winnick (Walsall North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to reply to the honourable Member for Walsall North in respect of his letter of 16th February regarding a constituent.

(35134)

157
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will publish (a) the number of places on each of her Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35284)

158
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35273)

159
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will publish (a) the number of places on each of her Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35282)

160
   Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the implications for Short's share of the Bombardier Aerospace Group's research, development and design work of the commitments made by Bombardier at the time of privatisation.

(35534)

161
   Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will provide a breakdown of the amount of public funds given to Shorts since privatisation, including a break down of the privatisation package into (i) projected losses, (ii) launch aid, (iii) additional capital expenditure and (iv) training.

(35537)

162
N   Mr Robert McCartney (North Down):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which incidents of paramilitary violence since 1st March the police have indicated to her were attributable to an organisation associated with a party represented at the peace talks; and if she will list the name of the party concerned.

(35066)

163
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which Minister authorised civil servants in her Department to seek to persuade Wimbledon football club to relocate to Northern Ireland.

(35269)

164
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if it is the Government's policy to encourage Wimbledon football club to relocate to Northern Ireland.

(35270)

165
N   Mr William Thompson (West Tyrone):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make a statement on the prospects for farmers with flagged herds.

(33759)

166
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her Answer of 16th March, Official Report, column 433, on office costs allowances for 1997-98, if she will list the total amount paid out to honourable Members who retired at the 1997 Dissolution or were defeated at the 1997 General Election, indicating the average sum per honourable Member.

(35225)

167
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her Answer of 16th March, Official Report, column 433, if she will list the total amount paid out in office costs allowances for 1992-93 to honourable Members who retired at the 1992 Dissolution or were defeated at the 1992 General Election indicating the average sum per honourable Member.

(35224)

168
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35279)

169
   Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to introduce qualifications for head teachers.

(35504)

170
   Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what previous qualifications were held by students entering a first degree course at a Scottish university in its second or third year in each of the past five years, indicating in each case the number holding the qualifications.

(35503)

171
   Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many students started first degree courses in Scottish universities each year for the past 10 years; how many started their course in its second year; and how many of each group gained (a) an honours degree, (b) an ordinary degree, (c) dropped out of the course and (d) are still on their course.

(35502)

172
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he plans to reply to the three questions tabled by the honourable Member for West Chelmsford for named day answer on 2nd March on the New Deal for Lone Parents.

(35226)

173
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will publish (a) the number of places on each of her Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35286)

174
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, on what date advice was received by her Department that arrears of national insurance contributions on allowances of Crown employees serving overseas should be waived; and by what means this decision has been implemented.

(35196)

175
N   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the number of cases and departments involved in respect of the waiving of arrears of national insurance contributions relating to allowances of Crown employees.

(35197)

176
N   Mr Quentin Davies (Grantham and Stamford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what would have been the estimated cost to public funds in each of the financial years (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-2001 and (d) 2001-2002 if contracted-out salary-related pension scheme and contracted-out money purchase pension schemes had been compensated for the abolition of the dividend tax credit at the same rate as appropriate personal pensions.

(34696)

177
   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, for what reasons Dr and Mrs Michael Norris of Broom Knolls, Lawford, Manningtree, Essex, were paid two winter fuel payments; and if she will make a statement.

(35383)

178
   Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many households have received winter fuel payments in excess of their entitlement; and what measures are being taken to recover excess payments.

(35384)

179
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when she expects to reply to the letter from the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 26th January on behalf of Mrs Brooks.

(35323)

180
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when she expects to reply to the letter from the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 22nd December 1997 on behalf of Mrs Baldock.

(35322)

181
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when she expects to reply to the letter from the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 21st January on behalf of Mrs Lindgren.

(35321)

182
N   Sir Brian Mawhinney (North West Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when she expects to reply to the letter from the Right honourable Member for North West Cambridgeshire of 19th January on behalf of Mrs. Ebbage.

(35320)

183
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what percentage and number of people aged over 60 years received income support by each Benefit Agency district for the latest year for which figures are available.

(35200)

184
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will review her policy in respect of the Benefits Integrity Project; and if she will make a statement.

(35550)

185
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what training Benefits Agency staff receive in respect of the particular needs of disabled people.

(35582)

186
   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what is her estimate of the value of defence export licence applications withdrawn since 1st May 1997 after contracts were cancelled by customers due to delay in licence proceedings.

(35389)

187
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will publish (a) the number of places on each of her Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35278)

188
N   Mr Menzies Campbell (North East Fife):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will list the pathogen strains exported from the United Kingdom to Iraq between 1985 and 1989 indicating the date of export.

(34846)

189
N   Mr Menzies Campbell (North East Fife):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, which of the pathogen strains that Iraq purchased from the United Kingdom between 1985 and 1989 had origins in the British biological weapons programme.

(34847)

190
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plans the Government has to subsidise the generators to burn additional volumes of coal.

(35228)

191
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many pits she estimates will close in the next year under the Government's current policy towards the coal industry.

(35227)

192
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will publish the evidence evaluated by the Government on the treatment of the trading of pollution quotas under the Multilateral Agreement on Investment.

(35497)

193
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what analysis the Government has undertaken on the relationship between the Multilateral Agreement on Investment and Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and if she will publish the results.

(35498)

194
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what analysis the Government has carried out on the effect of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on regulations relating to (a) labour standards and (b) the environment; and if she will publish it.

(35496)

195
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plans she has to provide financial assistance to small businesses to help them deal with millennium computer compliance problems.

(35601)

196
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will publish (a) the number of places on each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1st May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1st May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1st May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1st May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1st May 1997.

(35283)

197
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, which signatories authorised the bid by Conwy County Borough Council for Government funding for its proposed tram scheme in Llandudno.

(34841)

198
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much funding his Department has made available for Conwy County Borough Council's proposed tram scheme in Llandudno; and if he will make a statement.

(34842)

199
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what measures he has taken to ensure that the Government grant to Conwy County Borough Council for the purpose of establishing a tram scheme in Llandudno has not been allocated to another local authority scheme.

(34843)

200
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will establish which organisations have made a financial contribution towards the proposed tram scheme in Llandudno; and if he will make a statement.

(34844)

201
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, under which government scheme his Department supported the proposed Conwy County Borough Council bid for a tram scheme in Llandudno.

(34845)

202
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what percentage of NHS expenditure was spent on health promotion in Wales in each of the last three years; and what is the estimate for the current year.

(35519)

203
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to promote the use of travelcards for public transport.

(35524)

204
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many air quality monitoring sites there are in Wales; and what plans he has to increase the number.

(35521)

205
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the amounts allocated by the Welsh Development Agency under its statutory duties in connection with land reclamation in the current year.

(35535)

206
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many council houses have been sold by each unitary authority; how many remain under their ownership; what the capital receipts are for each authority; and if he will make a statement on the future role of councils have in providing social housing in Wales.

(35525)

207
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what safety procedures are enforced during railway line maintenance in Wales; and what measures are taken to ensure compliance with these procedures.

(35536)

208
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the lapwing population at the Rhyd-y-Blew site and of the effect on it of the proposed clearing of grassland.

(35541)

209
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what projects are being pursued to help reduce the number of homeless people in Wales; what sums have been allocated to them in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.

(35575)

210
N   Mr Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his Answer of 16th March, Official Report, columns 459-60, if he will estimate the cost to WHCSA reserves of the void office space at Crickhowell House.

(35336)

211
N   Mr Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what grades of civil servants have been responsible for negotiating the potential sites or buildings for the National Assembly for Wales; and if the same civil servants were responsible for negotiating the lease of Crickhowell House.

(35335)

212
N   Mr Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his Answer of 16th March, Official Report, columns 459-60, what payments have been made by Associated British Ports to Cardiff Bay Development Corporation under the development agreement; if he will give the dates of such payments; and if he will make a statement on future payments under the development agreement for which Associated British Ports would be liable.

(35337)

213
N   Mr Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what allowance he has made in setting the budget of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation for the (a) present year and (b) 1998-99, of expected income from Associated British Ports under the development agreement.

(35334)

214
N   Mr Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if the defects period pertaining to his lease of Crickhowell House remains in operation; and if he will make a statement.

(35338)

215
N   Mr Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, under what authority rental guarantees were given by Cardiff Bay Development Corporation to Associated British Ports for the Scott Harbour office development; and what is the maximum public financial liabilitiy under such guarantees.

(35328)

216
N   Mr Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his Answer of 16th March, Official Report, columns 459-60, if privity of contract applies to his lease and to sub-leases of Crickhowell House; and if he will make a statement.

(35339)

217
N   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his Answer of 16th March, Official Report, column 455, if he will list for each Gwent Tertiary College project title the amount of funding paid out to date and the amount outstanding.

(35312)

218
N   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his Answer of 16th March, Official Report, column 455, if he will list, by project, the reasons for which projects which have received approval for ERDF funding have not proceeded.

(35313)

219
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what percentage of the staff of the Welsh Office is currently aged 50 years or over; and what percentage of the staff recruited during the past 12 months was aged 50 years or over at their time of appointment.

(35584)

220
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the number of accidents on (a) rural and (b) urban roads for the latest available period.

(35576)

221
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list those hospitals which have been closed in Wales in the past five years, indicating how many of these have been sold and if the relevant health authorities have been entitled to retain for use within their areas, the money raised by such sales.

(35586)

222
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many women in Wales had to wait (a) less than a week, (b) between one and two weeks, (c) over two weeks but less than four weeks and (d) over four weeks, between the date they first requested an NHS abortion and the date of the abortion in the most recent available period.

(35581)

223
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the advantages of making the installation of smoke alarms compulsory in local authority homes in Wales.

(35583)

224
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps he is (a) taking and (b) planning to take to ensure that the National Assembly has sufficient translators and translating equipment available from its establishment.

(35585)

225
N   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement about his objectives for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

[Question Unstarred] (33757)

226
N   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how much agrimonetary compensation was paid to beef farmers between 1979 and 1997.

[Question Unstarred] (33765)

227
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what research his Department has evaluated into anthrax, separately identifying that relating to Gruinard Island.

[Question Unstarred] (33773)

228
N   Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East):    To ask Mr Attorney General, what initiatives have been taken to reduce delays within the Crown Prosecution Service.

[Question Unstarred] (33781)

229
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask Mr Attorney General, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Nottingham South, Official Report, column 394, if he will review the convention that advice given by Law Officers is not disclosed outside Government.

[Question Unstarred] (33789)

230
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is (a) the average pressure in water supplies made available to the London Fire Brigade by Thames Water and (b) the (i) optimal and (ii) minimum required level for operational efficiency.

[Transferred] (35351)

231
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was the average pressure in water supplies made available by Thames Water to the London Fire Brigade in each of the last 10 years.

[Transferred] (35352)

232
   Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received on the cleaning of vessel tanks off the coast of Wales and its impact on the marine environment.

[Transferred] (35520)