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 14 May 1998

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Thursday 14 May 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 14 May, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Monday 18 May, 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 14th MAY

1
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the tests and trials which have been or are being conducted in respect of genetically-modified seeds; and if he will place the results in the Library.

(41515)

2
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if applicants for national seed listings must submit the results of seed trials and tests to his Department in connection with applications for national seed listing.

(41521)

3
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if seed trials and tests in connection with national seed listing applications are also regarded by his Department as seed trials and tests in connection with plant breeders' rights applications, and vice versa.

(41522)

4
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many products containing glufosinate ammonium he has (a) approved and (b) refused to approve; and if he will place a copy of all approvals and any extensions in the Library.

(41523)

5
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many of the approvals he has given or extended for products containing glufosinate ammonium allow use near to, or in connection with, the production of edible crops.

(41524)

6
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has for new regulations under section 16(2) of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

(41525)

7
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is his policy in respect of the photocopying of information relating to pesticides, in cases where that information may be inspected by the public.

(41526)

8
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will specify those tests and trials conducted in respect of genetically-modified seeds, which fall under (a) Regulation 11(1) of the Seeds (National List of Varieties) Regulations 1982, (b) Regulation 11(2) of those Regulations, (c) Regulation 11(3) of those Regulations, (d) Regulation 11A of those Regulations, (e) Regulation 12(2) of the Plant Breeders' Rights Regulations 1978, (f) any other specified statutory provision and (g) no statutory provision.

(41516)

9
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what controls his Department exercises to regulate the export of animals for intended use in experiments.

(42077)

10
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if his Department will make available to the University of East Anglia the necessary financial information about the operation of the Norwich Laboratory of the Central Science Laboratory to enable it to prepare properly-costed proposals for a management buy-out of the laboratory.

(42081)

11
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment his Department has made of whether there would be unoccupied laboratory and office space if the Norwich Laboratory of the Central Science Laboratory was relocated to York.

(42080)

12
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the job titles of the 30 non fee-earning scientists employed by the Central Science Laboratory at York and Norwich, indicating which two are based at Norwich.

(42082)

13
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his Answer of 5th May, Official Report, column 301, if he will set out the steps which his Department or the Central Science Laboratory would take to resettle Norwich-based non-mobile staff by (a) relocation and (b) securing employment elsewhere in the event that a decision is made to close the Norwich laboratory.

(42109)

14
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his Answer of 30th April, Official Report, column 247, on what date his Department decided not to proceed with the tendering exercise to identify consultants to advise on how best to achieve a secure financial future for the Central Science Laboratory; and by whom the decision was made.

(42110)

15
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendation in its memorandum of February 1997 that additional MAFF-funded work which could be moved to Sand Hutton, York, should be identified; and if he will list such work which could be moved.

(42078)

16
N   Mr Charles Clarke (Norwich South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what conclusions his Department has reached following the recommendations in its memorandum of February 1997 about the possible scope for placing other additional work at Sand Hutton, York.

(42079)

17
N   Mr James Cran (Beverley and Holderness):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he expects to reply to the letter of 19th January from the honourable Member for Beverley and Holderness; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay.

(41908)

18
   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many staff were made redundant from agricultural research stations in England and Wales in each year between 1980 and 1997.

(42295)

19
   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the agricultural research stations that were privatised in England and Wales in each year between 1980 and 1997.

(42296)

20
   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many staff were made redundant from veterinary inspection centres in England and Wales in each year between 1980 and 1997.

(42306)

21
   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the agricultural research stations in England and Wales that were closed in each year between 1980 and 1997; what was the total number of closures and the location of each closed centre.

(42294)

22
   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the veterinary inspection centres in England and Wales that were closed in each year between 1980 and 1997, the overall aggregate number and the location of each centre closed.

(42305)

23
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received regarding the health risks of phenols in sheep dips.

(42220)

24
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many people have been recorded as having died as a result of exposure to sheep dip in each of the last 10 years.

(42239)

25
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what monitoring has been undertaken in the past five years to ensure the purity of diazinon at point of sale to farmers; when the monitoring started; and what were the results.

(42222)

26
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received regarding the possible potentiation and synergism effects involving the ingredients which have been included in sheep dips.

(42235)

27
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the toxicological data for (a) hydroxydiazinon and (b) thiodiazinon in sheep dips which have been collated by his Department.

(42224)

28
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what (a) general methods and (b) toxicological calculations are used to assess the presence of impurities in sheep dips.

(42223)

29
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received regarding the genetic susceptibility of some breeds of sheep to diazinon.

(42221)

30
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received regarding the health effect of phenol and crenyl phosphates.

(42218)

31
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what action he has taken regarding the addition of phenols to surfactants in order to preserve them.

(42219)

32
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is the chemical formula and structure of the compound G31045 which is a constituent part of organophosphate sheep dips.

(42236)

33
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42252)

34
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is his current estimate of when the national herd is likely to be free of BSE.

(42140)

35
N   Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells):    To ask Mr Attorney General, on what date (a) he and (b) officials in his private office were told that allegations of a breach of the UN arms embargo on Sierra Leone had been referred to HM Customs and Excise.

(41882)

36
N   Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling):    To ask Mr Attorney General, whether advice was sought from himself or his officials before the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 10th March formally advised Her Majesty's Customs and Excise of the allegations regarding Sandline.

(42074)

37
   Mr Alan Duncan (Rutland and Melton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will list the total (a) number and (b) value of the grants made by the National Heritage Memorial Fund in the categories of (i) land, (ii) buildings, (iii) museums and galleries, (iv) industrial, transport and maritime and (v) manuscripts since 1980.

(42338)

38
   Mr Alan Duncan (Rutland and Melton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many (a) listed buildings, (b) scheduled ancient monuments, (c) conservation areas, (d) local or national nature reserves, (e) sites of special scientific interest, (f) areas of outstanding natural beauty and (g) world heritage sites, are currently recorded.

(42274)

39
   Mr Alan Duncan (Rutland and Melton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will list the total (a) number and (b) value of the grants made by the Heritage Lottery Fund in the categories of (i) land, (ii) buildings, (iii) museums and galleries, (iv) industrial, transport and maritime and (v) manuscripts since its establishment in 1994.

(42336)

40
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42256)

41
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what agreements are in place in respect of the cost of, and timetable for, removal of polluted matter from RAF bases, where that matter can reasonably be assumed to have been caused by visiting US forces.

(41777)

42
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the new space based infra-red system under construction at RAF Menwith Hill will be operated by US forces personnel.

(41779)

43
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd March, Official Report, column 489, what proportion of the total cost of the infra-red system at RAF Menwith Hill has been met by his Department.

(42073)

44
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the total cost of employing Ministry of Defence Police at RAF Menwith Hill in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what proportion of the cost was met by (a) his Department and (b) the US Government.

(41776)

45
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total estimated cost of the operation to remove debris and waste from Holy Loch.

(41778)

46
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS 'Cornwall' received orders to proceed to Sierra Leone.

(42098)

47
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will give the latitude and longitude of HMS 'Cornwall' at 0400 on 28th February.

(41878)

48
   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what tactical and operational advice was given by Sandline officers from HMS 'Cornwall' to Sandline staff.

(42141)

49
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the ship's log of HMS 'Cornwall' between 1st January and 1st April.

(41879)

50
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what technical assistance has been given by British military personnel on board HMS 'Cornwall' or on land in Sierra Leone, Guinea or Liberia to Sandline International since 1st January.

(41877)

51
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the ship's programme for HMS 'Cornwall' which include her visit to Sierra Leone in March.

(41880)

52
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what dates between 2nd May 1997 and 4th May 1998 his Private Office received submissions or briefing notes on the situation in Sierra Leone.

(42084)

53
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received in respect of the impact on cadet services of the Strategic Defence Review.

(41670)

54
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Chief of the Air Staff, the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff and their outer offices were first informed about the involvement of his Department's personnel and military assets in support of Sandline International in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41836)

55
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Minister of State (Armed Forces) was first consulted about making available his Department's resources, equipment, communications facilities, military bases and service and civilian personnel in support of Sandline International's involvement in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41844)

56
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Chief of the Defence Staff and his outer office were first informed about the involvement and his Department's personnel of military assets in support of Sandline International in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41841)

57
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Permanent Secretary and his outer office staff were first informed about the involvement of his Department's personnel and military assets in support of Sandline International in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41840)

58
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Chief of the General Staff, the Assistant Chief of General Staff and their outer offices were first informed about the involvement of his Department's personnel and military assets in support of Sandline International in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41837)

59
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff and their outer offices were first informed about the involvement of his Department's personnel and military assets in support of Sandline International in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41838)

60
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations and Security) and his outer office were first informed about the involvement of his Department's personnel and military assets in support of Sandline International in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41835)

61
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date he was first consulted about making available his Department's equipment, communications facilities, military bases and service and civilian personnel in support of Sandline International's involvement in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41843)

62
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what specific departmental resources, equipment, communication facilities, military bases and service and civilian personnel supported Sandline International's involvement in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41842)

63
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date the Chief of Defence Intelligence and his staff were first informed about the involvement of his Department's personnel and military assets in support of Sandline International in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41839)

64
N   Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what day the Defence Intelligence Organisation first passed him details of potential operations by Sandline and others in Sierra Leone.

(41959)

65
N   Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what day and at what level his Department first discussed with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office potential operations by Sandline or others in Sierra Leone.

(41960)

66
N   Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what day (a) his officials or (b) his Private Office first gave him papers relating to potential operations by Sandline or others in Sierra Leone; and on what date he acknowledged them.

(41958)

67
N   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list all visitors to HMS 'Cornwall' in the period during which President Kabbah was aboard and in the preceding and following weeks; and if he will give their job titles, their reasons for being there and the dates when they were aboard.

(41957)

68
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under what authorisation assistance was rendered to a Sandline helicopter by HMS 'Cornwall'; what ship stores and spares were used during this operation; and under what head of charge these items were accounted for by the supply officer, HMS 'Cornwall'.

(42309)

69
N   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list those British military personnel who have served in Sierra Leone since 1st January 1996 indicating their (a) name, rank and post held, (b) dates of service and (c) tasks undertaken.

(41819)

70
N   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list those visitors to HMS 'Cornwall' since 1st January 1996 who were employees of or connected with Sandline International indicating (a) the names of the visitors, (b) the dates of the visits, (c) the names of the persons met, (d) the purpose of the visits and (e) the location of the ship at the time of the visits.

(41817)

71
   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, at what time and on what date he first saw a copy of the letter addressed to the Foreign Secretary from S J Berwin & Co. on behalf of Sandline International dated 24th April.

(42129)

72
N   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the aircraft and helicopters maintained, serviced and repaired by Royal Navy personnel based aboard HMS 'Cornwall' since 1st January 1996 indicating (a) the type of aircraft or helicopter, (b) the owner of the aircraft or helicopter, (c) the dates when the work was carried out, (d) the location where the work was carried out and (e) the nature of the work done.

(41818)

73
N   Sir George Young (North West Hampshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the inquiry announced by the Foreign Secretary on 6th May will cover the role of Ministers and civil servants in his Department.

(41858)

74
N   Sir George Young (North West Hampshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the role of HMS 'Cornwall' in the waters off Sierra Leone in February and March.

(41861)

75
N   Sir George Young (North West Hampshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role was played by British armed services in the recent overthrow of the military junta in Sierra Leone and the restoration to power of President Kabbah.

(41860)

76
N   Sir George Young (North West Hampshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Ministers were informed of the role of UK armed services in the recent overthrow of the military junta and the restoration to power of President Kabbah in Sierra Leone.

(41857)

77
N   Sir George Young (North West Hampshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when officials in his Department were informed of the role of the UK armed services in the recent overthrow of the military junta and the restoration to power of President Kabbah in Sierra Leone.

(41859)

78
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42247)

79
   Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what assessment he has made of the arrangements for providing information about changes in Civil Service pensions to the pensioners concerned; what representations he has received on this matter; and what plans he has to change these procedures.

(42278)

80
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is his policy regarding training of in-service teachers.

(42172)

81
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the Teacher Training Agency-funded higher education providers that deal with special education needs in the South West; and if he will make a statement.

(42173)

82
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the locations of the Teacher Training Agency-funded higher education providers in the South West region.

(42171)

83
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many Teacher Training Agency-funded higher education providers there are in each Government Office region; and how many will remain in each Government Office region following decisions to re-direct in-service funding from some higher education providers.

(42134)

84
N   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will rank all local education authorities in terms of the percentage of their potential schools budget under section 122 statements spent on special education provision including special units.

(42041)

85
   Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if any young person will be disqualified from receipt of benefit solely for refusing to take up the proposed New Deal option of serving in the Armed Forces.

(42136)

86
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42250)

87
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what measures his Department is taking to reduce the amount of administrative work having to be undertaken by pre-schools.

(42116)

88
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that pre-schools are not disadvantaged by changes to LEA admission procedures for four year olds.

(42115)

89
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will place in the Library the programme of development work within the terms of paragraph 6 of the Annex to the Commission Decision 94/730/EC of 4th November 1994 in respect of GMO release consent reference 95/R13/6.

(42091)

90
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what statutory provisions govern the conduct of tests and trials in respect of genetically-modified seeds; and if he will make a statement.

(41517)

91
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will prevent planting of genetically-engineered maize at Hood Barton, near Totnes in Devon, to avoid possible contamination of the neighbouring organic farm.

(42089)

92
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if companies releasing genetically modified organisms into the environment are required to pay for post-release monitoring, including the effects within the wider biological environment.

(41481)

93
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the Answer to the honourable Member for Hazel Grove, of 11th February, Official Report, column 228, when he expects to (a) publish and (b) implement secondary legislation in respect of 20 mph speed limits.

(42111)

94
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has (a) to improve public participation in and (b) to increase the transparency of the regulatory procedure for consenting to the release of GMOs.

(42090)

95
N   Mr James Cran (Beverley and Holderness):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects to table an order giving effect to the decision to establish a parish for Beverley.

(41909)

96
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on progress in reducing discharge into the sea from nuclear installations at Sellafield.

(42259)

97
N   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will publish the report and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Packaging's review of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997.

(41851)

98
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received on the possible expansion and use of small airports to transport freight in Wales.

(42240)

99
N   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, for what reasons the British Government does not allow in special circumstances the exemption of insulin-dependent drivers from the EU Driving Licence Directive as provided for under the Directive.

(41372)

100
   Mr Robert Maclennan (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 6th May, Official Report, column 392, which of the 11 certifying authorities listed in Annex A operate in the North of Scotland.

(42127)

101
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will publish the percentage turnouts in each of the polling districts in Purley, Croydon, for (a) 1994 and (b) 1998.

(42237)

102
   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 the experimental polling station location at Tesco's in Purley, Croydon.

(42238)

103
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what progress has been made in securing the future of the Channel Rail Link; and if he will make a statement.

(42137)

104
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42245)

105
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to compensate car licence holders over the age of 70 years for the fee of £55 for the medical test which is required to enable them to drive mini-buses.

(41854)

106
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he has had with local authorities in London regarding the increase in provision of motorcycle only parking in prominent locations.

(42227)

107
N   Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what date the Financial Secretary to the Treasury was informed of the investigation into Sandline by HM Customs and Excise.

(41914)

108
N   Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what date (a) the Financial Secretary's private office and (b) the Financial Secretary were told that allegations of a breach of the UN arms embargo on Sierra Leone had been referred to HM Customs and Excise.

(41883)

109
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what dates HM Customs and Excise interviewed (a) Mr Peter Penfold, (b) Mr Craig Murray, (c) Linda St. Cook, (d) Mr Tim Andrews, (e) Mr Philip Packham, (f) Lt. Col. Peter Hicks and (g) Colonel Andrew Gale in the course of their investigation into possible breach of UN Resolution 1132 and the consequent Order in Council.

(41820)

110
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list by country the value of outstanding debts on loans (a) made by and (b) guaranteed by the British Government to heavily-indebted poor countries.

(42042)

111
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are his latest estimates of the average weekly payments for the tax year (a) 1997-98 and (b) 1998-99 for (i) NICs, (ii) income tax, (iii) VAT, (iv) indirect taxes excluding VAT and (v) council tax for a married couple with the male earning and the female not earning with two children, on total family earnings of (1) 75 per cent., (2) 100 per cent. and (3) 150 per cent. of average gross male full-time earnings, excluding any 1997 Budget measures whose revenue effect does not occur until at least the tax year 1999-2000.

(41975)

112
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are his latest estimates of the average weekly payments for the tax year (a) 1997-98 and (b) 1998-99 for (i) NICs, (ii) income tax, (iii) VAT, (iv) indirect taxes excluding VAT and (v) council tax for a married couple with the male earning and the female not earning with no children, on total family earnings of (1) 75 per cent., (2) 100 per cent. and (3) 150 per cent. of average gross male full-time earnings excluding any 1997 Budget measures whose revenue effect does not occur until at least the tax year 1999-2000.

(41977)

113
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the internal guidelines currently used by his Department on the manner of responding to written parliamentary questions indicating any changes made since 7th May 1997.

(42040)

114
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are his latest estimates of the average weekly payments for the tax year 1996-97 for (a) NICs, (b) income tax, (c) VAT, (d) indirect taxes excluding VAT and (e) council tax, for a single person on (i) 75 per cent., (ii) 100 per cent. and (iii) 150 per cent. of average gross male full-time earnings.

(41972)

115
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which civil servants have been interviewed by HM Customs and Excise in the course of their investigation into possible breach of UN resolution 1132 and the consequent Order in Council; and on what dates.

(41821)

116
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are his latest estimates of the average weekly payments for the tax years (A) 1997-98 and (B) 1998-99 for (a) NICs, (b) income tax, (c) VAT, (d) indirect taxes excluding VAT and (e) council tax for a single person on (i) 75 per cent., (ii) 100 per cent. and (iii) 150 per cent. of average gross male full-time earnings, excluding any 1997 Budget measures whose revenue effect does not occur until at least the tax year 1999-2000.

(41973)

117
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are his latest estimates of the average weekly payments for the tax year 1996-97 for (a) NICs, (b) income tax, (c) VAT, (d) indirect taxes excluding VAT and (e) council tax for a married couple with the male earning and the female not earning with no children, on total family earnings of (1) 75 per cent., (2) 100 per cent. and (3) 150 per cent. of average gross male full-time earnings.

(41976)

118
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are his latest estimates of the average weekly payments for the tax year 1996-97 for (a) NICs, (b) income tax, (c) VAT, (d) indirect taxes excluding VAT, (e) council tax for a married couple with the male earning and the female not earning with two children on total family earnings of (i) 75 per cent., (ii) 100 per cent. and (iii) 150 per cent. of average gross male full-time earnings.

(41974)

119
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the value of loans including unpaid interest to developing countries made or guaranteed by the British Government which have been forgiven or written off since 1979 broken down by (a) country, (b) year and (c) type of debt; and what has been the total value of loans forgiven or written off since (i) 1979 and (ii) 5th May 1997.

(42043)

120
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42246)

121
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish the written brief received by the Minister of State, the honourable Member for Manchester Central, before (a) the visit to CHOGM of President Kabbah, (b) his speech to the seminar in London on restoring Sierra Leone to democracy in October 1997, (c) the decision to invite HM Customs and Excise to conduct an investigation into Lord Avebury's allegations on 10th March, (d) the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting in London on 2nd and 3rd March, (e) the decision to send HMS 'Cornwall' to Sierra Leone, (f) the debate on Sierra Leone in the House on 12th March, (g) his visit to Sierra Leone in March, and (h) his evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 5th May; and if he will list the oral briefings received in connection with those occasions, stating who was present when oral briefings or office meetings took place about Sierra Leone.

(42099)

122
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the occasions on which he and the Minister of State, the honourable Member for Manchester Central, have met President Kabbah of Sierra Leone since 1st May 1997; and if he will publish the minutes of such meetings.

(42094)

123
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many reporting telegrams his Department received from Freetown and Conakry since 1st May 1997; and how many of these were copied to the private office of a Minister.

(42096)

124
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which official authorised the request for an inquiry by HM Customs and Excise into Lord Avebury's allegations concerning arms sales to Sierra Leone.

(42100)

125
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if Mr Mathieson has access to classified information within his Department.

(42095)

126
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list those inquiries requested by his Department or other agencies launched without Ministers being informed since 1st May 1997.

(42097)

127
N   Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 6th May, Official Report, column 727, if he will make a further statement on ministerial policy towards Sierra Leone.

(41978)

128
   Mr William Cash (Stone):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the number of military confrontations which have occurred between the Royal Navy or Royal Gibraltar Police and the Spanish sea-borne Civil Guard since 1st May 1997.

(42156)

129
   Mr William Cash (Stone):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the military confrontation on 6th April off Gibraltar.

(42157)

130
N   Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list those who will be present on the Troika mission to East Timor on 6th to 10th June; and if their report will be made public.

(41916)

131
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish the report to the UN Secretary General requested by paragraph 13 of UNSCR 1132 about the steps taken to implement the measures set out in paragraphs 5 and 6 of UNSCR 1132.

(41965)

132
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what grounds Her Majesty's Government recommended Sandline International to President Kabbah.

(41970)

133
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the timescale will be for the independent investigation of arms sales to Sierra Leone; if it will be carried out in public; and if its terms of reference will allow all interested parties to give evidence.

(41971)

134
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish the 30 day reports of ECOWAS to the Committee of the UN Security Council established by paragraph 10 of UNSCR 1132.

(41966)

135
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Sierra Leone visited the premises of Sandline International in the month before the counter coup in Sierra Leone.

(41963)

136
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish the reports submitted by the Committee of the UN Security Council established by paragraph 10 of UNSCR 1132.

(41967)

137
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if helicopters supplied by United Kingdom firms were used to assist military intervention in Sierra Leone.

(41964)

138
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Sierra Leone received full details of the arrangements, including the military equipment to be provided, together with a copy of Sandline International's strategic and tactical plan, for Sandline International's operations in Sierra Leone; and to whom this information was communicated in his Department, and when.

(41962)

139
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, by whose authority repairs were effected by Royal Naval personnel to a helicopter exclusively used by a Sandline International crew; and if this constituted a breach of the UN arms embargo.

(41969)

140
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the submissions or briefing notes on the situation in Sierra Leone which his Private Office received between 2nd May 1997 and 4th May 1998, stating their dates.

(42085)

141
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action he intends to take to promote peace and reconciliation in Kashmir.

(42155)

142
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42243)

143
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date his Permanent Secretary was first informed of the policy of the United Kingdom that the government of Sierra Leone should be restored by military force.

(41827)

144
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date he first consulted Treasury ministers concerning arms sales to Sierra Leone contrary to UN resolutions.

(41823)

145
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date he first consulted the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Office concerning the UK Government's decision to assist Sandline International to help restore the government of Sierra Leone.

(41831)

146
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the relationship between his Department's ethical code in respect of arms sales and arms sales to Sierra Leone.

(41829)

147
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date the intelligence summaries in the Red Book first informed him of the policy of the United Kingdom Government that the government of Sierra Leone should be restored by force.

(41825)

148
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date officials and Ministers from his Department first consulted the US State Department, Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency concerning the policy of the United Kingdom that the government of Sierra Leone should be restored by military force.

(41828)

149
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date he first consulted the President of the Board of Trade and officials from the Department of Trade and Industry concerning arms sales to Sierra Leone contrary to UN resolutions.

(41824)

150
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is the average time taken by him to sign off (a) policy papers and (b) correspondence from the date they are first submitted.

(41845)

151
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will draw up and publish an ethical code concerning arms exports, with particular reference to UN resolutions.

(41834)

152
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what papers, telegrams and correspondence submitted to him by his Department and placed in his red boxes are currently awaiting a decision after a period of two weeks.

(41822)

153
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date ministers and officials in his Department first consulted ministers and officials in the Ministry of Defence concerning the use of UK military assets to help restore the government of Sierra Leone.

(41830)

154
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date the Director General of GCHQ was first informed of the role to be played by Sandline International in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41826)

155
N   Mr Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what day (a) his officials or (b) his Private Office first gave him papers relating to potential operations by Sandline or others in Sierra Leone; and on what date he acknowledged them.

(41961)

156
N   Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what dates meetings between Sandline personnel and staff of the British High Commission in Sierra Leone took place.

(42059)

157
   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list his engagements for (a) 28th January, (b) 21st February, (c) 30th March and (d) 23rd to 30th April.

(42126)

158
   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, at what time and on what date the Minister of State, the honourable Member for Manchester Central, first saw a copy of the letter addressed to the Foreign Secretary from S J Berwin & Co. on behalf of Sandline International dated 24th April.

(42131)

159
   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, at what time and on what date he first saw the letter addressed to him from S J Berwin & Co. on behalf of Sandline International dated 24th April.

(42132)

160
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has for a public education programme on the precautions necessary to exclude chlamydia infection.

(42118)

161
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research he has initiated into the effects of chlamydia infection.

(42117)

162
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to make the screening test for chlamydia infection universally available.

(42119)

163
N   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list, by hospital, the regional fast track information on waiting lists and waiting times for (a) inpatients and (b) day cases, for (i) January, (ii) February and (iii) March.

(41881)

164
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action he is taking to tackle ill-health among NHS employees; and if he will make a statement.

(41850)

165
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the sickness absence levels for each grade of staff in (a) Warrington Hospital NHS Trust and (b)Warrington CHC Trust for each of the past five years.

(41855)

166
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the amounts of research and development support funding allocation to each NHS trust in the North West Region for each of the past five years.

(41849)

167
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the relative incidence of ill-health among the NHS workforce compared to levels in other occupations; and if he will make a statement.

(41853)

168
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what funding his Department has given to voluntary organisations providing support for incontinent people in each year since 1990-91.

(41912)

169
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has undertaken into the number of incontinent people in the UK seeking advice and products outside the NHS.

(41911)

170
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the NHS will issue national guidance on the treatment of incontinence.

(41913)

171
N   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been on waiting lists in (a) Winchester and (b) North and Mid Hampshire for continence pads from the NHS for more than (a) one month, (b) three months and (c) six months.

(41910)

172
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42244)

173
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proposals he has to provide wigs free of charge to outpatients who lose hair through chemotherapy treatment.

(42260)

174
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to reply to the question from the honourable Member for Northavon tabled on 11th March (34562) regarding ambulance vehicle ages.

(42307)

175
   Mr Nicholas Winterton (Macclesfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the number of patients in the area covered by the Cheshire Health Authority who have been waiting for operations for over a year; and what the figure was on 1st May 1997.

(42159)

176
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 6th April, Official Report, column 26, what were the exceptional and specific justifications established for the use of wild-caught baboons in regulated procedures since 1996.

(42113)

177
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he discharged the transgenic pigs exported by their owners Imtran for use in experimentation in Holland from the protection of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement.

(42076)

178
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many animals intended for use in experiments were exported, and to which countries, for the latest year for which figures are available.

(42112)

179
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what controls his Department exercises in the regulation of the export of animals for intended use in experiments.

(42075)

180
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how his Department has disposed of the guns and ancillary equipment surrendered under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997.

(42241)

181
N   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 11th May, Official Report, column 3, what response he has received from the Foreign Secretary in response to his letter relating to the latest position on the police investigation into the death of WPC Fletcher.

(42086)

182
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 24th February, Official Report, column 181, if he will make a statement on his discussions with ACPO and the BMA on the problem of police surgeons refusing to carry out intimate body searches on those suspected of carrying drugs.

(41884)

183
   Dr Stephen Ladyman (South Thanet):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 11th May, Official Report, column 47, in respect of his plans to combat racial violence, if he will make a statement on the impact of the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] in combatting attacks on foreign visitors, with particular reference to English language students.

(42297)

184
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how often Reginald Kray has been found in possession of alcohol in the last 12 months; and what is its source.

(42139)

185
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42249)

186
   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements he has made to handle disputes over levels of compensation under Category C claims of the Firearms Compensation Scheme.

(42310)

187
   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what new arrangements will be put in place to speed up compensation payments to pistol owners under the firearms compensation schemes following the recent Steed v. Home Department Appeal Court judgement.

(42261)

188
   Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when claims for compensation, following the surrender of firearms, on (a) A and B options on full bore pistols and revolvers, (b) C options on full bore pistols and revolvers, (c) A and B options on small bore pistols and revolvers; and (d) C options on small bore pistols and revolvers will be settled in full.

(42339)

189
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what instructions she gave, on assuming office, on the information which she wished to be drawn to her attention, in red boxes or otherwise; and what modifications she has made to these instructions.

(42301)

190
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when her Private Office was first informed of the existence of the Customs and Excise investigation into the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone.

(42298)

191
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department is giving to the Indonesian Human Rights Commission; and at what cost.

(42276)

192
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department is providing towards community support for disabled children in (a) Uganda, (b) Kenya, (c) Malawi, (d) Sierra Leone and (e) Rwanda; and at what cost in each case.

(42228)

193
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid programmes her Department is currently supporting in India; at what cost; and what was the comparable figure for 1997-98.

(42231)

194
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid programmes her Department is currently supporting in Sri Lanka and at what cost; and what was the comparable figure for 1997-98.

(42234)

195
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions her Department has had with (a) private sector financial organisations and (b) other institutions about possible assistance to the Montserrat Building Society.

(42145)

196
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department spent in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) 1997-98 on programmes in Indonesia for (a) forestry management, (b) assistance to trade unions and (c) developing non-governmental organisation activities in East Timor; and what plans she has for comparable expenditure in 1998-99.

(42277)

197
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the assistance her Department is currently providing to Antigua.

(42142)

198
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when she was first informed of the involvement of Sandline International in Sierra Leone.

(42300)

199
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, in which countries her Department has supported rehabilitation projects for former child soldiers in the past year; and what are her plans for the future.

(42230)

200
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the assistance her Department is currently providing to St. Kitts and Nevis.

(42143)

201
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid programmes her Department is currently supporting in Pakistan and at what costs; and what was the comparable figure for 1997-98.

(42232)

202
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when she was first informed of the existence of the Customs and Excise investigation into the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone.

(42302)

203
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when her Private Office was first informed of the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone.

(42304)

204
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when she was first informed of the plan for military intervention to restore the government of President Kabbah of Sierra Leone.

(42299)

205
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid programmes her Department is currently supporting in Afghanistan and at what cost; and what was the comparable figure for 1997-98.

(42258)

206
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when her Private Office was first informed of the plan for military intervention to restore the government of President Kabbah of Sierra Leone.

(42303)

207
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions her Department has held with insurance companies about the Montserrat Building Society; and if she will make a statement.

(42144)

208
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what aid programmes her Department is currently supporting in Bangladesh and at what cost; and what was the comparable figure for 1997-98.

(42233)

209
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations she has made about changes to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if she will make a statement.

(42229)

210
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which assistance programmes in Indonesia have been discontinued by her Department in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 1998-9.

(42275)

211
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42242)

212
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what steps he is taking to ensure that employers give support to employees who wish to become magistrates.

(41864)

213
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what plans he has to review the level of compensation for loss of earnings provided to magistrates.

(41862)

214
N   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will conduct an assessment of the ways in which magistrates can be assisted with childcare costs; and if he will make a statement.

(41863)

215
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42248)

216
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, which organisations have (a) been asked, (b) agreed and (c) refused to take part in developing the environmental exhibition within the Millennium Dome.

(41774)

217
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister without Portfolio, if the Guidance on Policy Appraisal and the Environment produced by DETR was fully applied in respect of the choice of the air-conditioning system for the Dome.

(41775)

218
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in what circumstances her Department may place a child in a training school other than the one recommended by the court; in how many cases this power has been used in the past five years; and for what reason.

(41075)

219
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when the 1973 classification for the reception of non-Roman Catholic boys changed; and for what reason.

(41076)

220
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what is the statutory basis for the secure custody provisions in Lisuevin, and what criteria her Department uses in directing the courts to (a) use Lisuevin for placement and (b) use the other training schools when transfering from Lisuevin.

(41077)

221
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42254)

222
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the occasions on which he has met President Kabbah of Sierra Leone since 1st May 1997; and if he will publish the minutes of such meetings.

(42093)

223
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make available the minutes of meetings of himself and any of his officials with President Kabbah or his representatives to (a) the public, (b) HM Customs and Excise investigation into the Sandline affair and (c) the subsequent Foreign Office inquiry.

(42092)

224
N   Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe):    To ask the Prime Minister, who else was present at the meeting between himself and President Kabbah during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh; what was discussed; and if the minutes of the meeting will be published.

(41968)

225
N   Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will publish the guidelines currently used by Ministers and officials on the manner of responding to written parliamentary questions indicating any changes made since 7th May 1997.

(42039)

226
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Prime Minister, on what dates between 2nd May 1997 and 4th May 1998 his Private Office received submissions or briefing notes on the situation in Sierra Leone.

(42083)

227
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 11th May, Official Report, column 19, what estimate he has made of the cost of holding centrally details of all the consultation papers issued by Departments since 1st May 1987.

(42217)

228
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Prime Minister, on what date he was first consulted concerning the planned involvement of UK Government personnel and military assets in support of Sandline International's involvement in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41832)

229
N   Mr Keith Simpson (Mid Norfolk):    To ask the Prime Minister, on what date the Cabinet Secretary was first informed of the planned involvement of UK Government personnel and military assets in support of Sandline International's involvement in restoring the government of Sierra Leone.

(41833)

230
N   Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling):    To ask the Prime Minister, whether briefing on the article published in The Observer on 8th March concerning arms sales to Sierra Leone was requested by his staff.

(42058)

231
N   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester):    To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has had in 1998 with President Chirac about arms sales to Africa.

(41915)

232
N   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester):    To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he has had with President Chirac about Sierra Leone in the past four weeks; and if he will give the dates and the main points of discussion.

(41917)

233
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many products containing glufosinate ammonium he has (a) approved and (b) refused approval; and if he will place a copy of all approvals and extensions in the Library.

(41513)

234
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many of the approvals he has given or extended for products containing glufosinate ammonium allow use near to, or in connection with, the production of edible crops.

(41514)

235
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the tests and trials conducted in respect of genetically-modified seeds; and if he will place the results in the Library.

(41518)

236
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will specify those tests and trials conducted in respect of genetically-modified seeds, which fall under (a) Regulation 11(1) of the Seeds (National List of Varieties) Regulations 1982, (b) Regulation 11(2) of those Regulations, (c) Regulation 11(3) of those Regulations, (d) Regulation 11A of those Regulations, (e) Regulation 12(2) of the Plant Breeders' Rights Regulations 1978, (f) any other specified statutory provision and (g) no statutory provision.

(41519)

237
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what statutory provisions govern the conduct of tests and trials in respect of genetically-modified seeds; and if he will make a statement.

(41520)

238
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the value of the weighted standard units of measurement in the Scottish further education sector in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98 and (c) 1998-99.

(41671)

239
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the value of the fixed element cost of grant-in-aid for the Scottish further education sector for 1998-99.

(41732)

240
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list for each NHS trust in Scotland the projected deficits or surpluses, excluding the write down in value of trust assets, itemised in the monthly monitoring returns for 31st December 1997, indicating the total of the projected deficits or surpluses.

(41812)

241
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many weighted standard units of measurements there were in the Scottish further education sector for academic years (a) 1994-95, (b) 1995-96 and (c) 1996-97.

(41731)

242
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the sector average unit cost per weighted standard unit of measurement of Scottish Office Education and Industry Department fundable activity for the Scottish further education sector for (a) 1995-96 and (b) 1996-97.

(41733)

243
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many leukaemias were (a) observed and (b) expected in the 0-24 age group in the postcode sector DG7.3 (Castle Douglas) in the periods (i) 1990 to 1994 and (ii) 1995 to the present time; and if he will make a statement on the incidence of leukaemia in Castle Douglas relative to the rest of Scotland.

(42135)

244
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42253)

245
   Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will list (a) the number of applications each month for each of the components of disability allowance and (b) the number or percentage (i) accepted under each heading, (ii) of those individuals requesting a review, (iii) of those individuals whose application was accepted at review, (iv) of those individuals requesting an appeal to the ITS and (v) of those individuals whose request for either a review or appeal was turned down in the last year for which figures are available.

(42128)

246
N   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what estimate she has made of the overall cost of winter fuel payments made in error but not repaid to date.

(41852)

247
N   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what estimate she has made of the overall cost of the winter fuel payment scheme in 1998.

(41856)

248
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42255)

249
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will list those organisations which submitted responses to the Government's New Ambitions for our Country: A New Contract for Welfare Green Paper; and if she will place copies of their submissions in the Library.

(42272)

250
   Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will list the United Kingdom patents which have been published since 1st June 1997 in respect of genetically-engineered animals and processes for creating such animals.

(42273)

251
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her Answer of 11th February, Official Report, column 218, when she expects to receive the report of the Director General of Fair Trading regarding the wholesale and retail petrol market.

(42114)

252
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42251)

253
   Mr John Randall (Uxbridge):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when the United Kingdom Government was first approached for permission to build a rocket launch pad on Sombrero Island, Anguilla.

(42133)

254
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral statement of 22nd April, Official Report, column 821, if he will list the locations at which the UKAEA makes medical isotope targets.

(42088)

255
N   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, on how many occasions she sought to prevent the importation of nuclear materials from Georgia.

(42087)

256
   Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, at what time and on what date she first saw a copy of the letter addressed to the Foreign Secretary from S J Berwin & Co. on behalf of Sandline International dated 24th April.

(42130)

257
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what representations he has received on the possible expansion and use of minor airports in Wales to transport freight.

(42158)

258
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what representations he has received urging that funds be made available for a Rough Sleepers Initiative programme in Wales.

(42225)

259
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what initiatives are planned to help reduce the amount of (a) traffic and (b) freight on Welsh roads.

(42226)

260
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the consultation papers published since 1st May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents.

(42257)

261
   Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make a statement on the role of environmental education in Wales.

(42308)

262
N   Mr Michael Foster (Worcester):    To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plans she has to protect children from harmful material on the Internet.

[Question Unstarred] (40978)

263
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the (a) longest and (b) shortest jail sentence handed down to a person convicted of growing cannabis other than for his or her own use since 1980.

[Transferred] (42138)