 House of Commons |
Session 1997-98 Publications on the internet The Order Book |
| Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Monday 22 June 1998
Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Monday 22 June 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 Monday 22 June, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business. For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Tuesday 23 June, 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. |
| |
| 1 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Montgomery of 2nd April, Official Report, column 655, in respect of the research into the implications for organic forms of cross contamination with pollen from genetically modified crops (a) who is undertaking the research, (b) when he expects the research to be completed and (c) if the results will be published in full. |
| (46560) | |
| 2 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47013) | |
| 3 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the failures that were discovered in the surveillance visits in 1997 and 1998 to the (a) Llangibby Foxhounds, (b) Pentyrow Hunt Kennels, (c) Tegryn Farmers Hunt, (d) Carmarthen Hunt, (e) Llandeilo Hunt, (f) Garne Foxhounds Hunt Kennels, (g) Amman Valley Hunt and (h) Carmarthenshire Hunt Kennels. |
| (46586) | |
| 4 | Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has made to the Department of Health about the use by his officials of powers granted under the Food Safety Act 1990 to ban the sale of cheese without court proceedings; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47069) | |
| 5 | Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if in respect of the case involving Mr Alick Barnes, Loyton Farm, Bampton, Devon, and his application for European Objective 5b funding, he will (a) approve disclosure of the documents requested by Mr Barnes and (b) agree to discussions between his officials and Mr Barnes; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47138) | |
| 6 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for High Peak of 8th June, Official Report, columns 452-3, if he will estimate how many fallen stock and what tonnage is disposed of by hunt kennels; and what proportion this represents of the total. |
| (47239) | |
| 7 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will state the (a) number, (b) grades, (c) original department and (d) current roles of all civil servants assisting the BSE inquiry. |
| (47230) | |
| 8 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what initiatives the Government has taken to promote National Food Safety Week on 8th to 14th June. |
| (47217) | |
| 9 N | Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask Mr Attorney General, what records his Department collates on the amounts prosecution counsel are paid from public funds. |
| (46589) | |
| 10 N | Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask Mr Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 28th April, Official Report, column 65, if he will list the cost to public funds of each of the top 20 barristers' earnings from prosecution work. |
| (46588) | |
| 11 N | Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask Mr Attorney General, pursuant to the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department Answer of 19th May, Official Report, column 342, on the Roger Levitt case costs, how many prosecution preparation hours were claimed; and how they were assessed. |
| (46590) | |
| 12 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47015) | |
| 13 | Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Heritage Lottery Fund regarding the future of HMS 'Cavalier'. |
| (47112) | |
| 14 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47053) | |
| 15 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what initiatives the Government took to promote National Swim Week on 17th to 31st May. |
| (47218) | |
| 16 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much public money was used to support the lending of (a) books and (b) other printed sources in public libraries in 1996-97. |
| (47211) | |
| 17 | Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what measures he will implement to safeguard the interests of those who maintain historic houses open to the public against the effect of the withdrawal of one-estate election. |
| (47225) | |
| 18 | Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Paymaster General concerning the ending of one-estate election; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47202) | |
| 19 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47017) | |
| 20 N | Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the implications of the Defence Review for defence procurement. |
| (45222) | |
| 21 N | Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what policy is operated by the armed forces if serving personnel declare they can no longer, for reasons of conscience, undertake military duties. |
| (46777) | |
| 22 | Mr Bruce George (Walsall South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his Department's involvement in international police training, with particular reference to that in countries seeking to re-establish democratic systems; and what is his Department's budget for this work. |
| (47301) | |
| 23 | Mr Bruce George (Walsall South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was (a) the establishment and (b) the strength of (i) the Royal Naval Reserve, (ii) the Royal Marine Reserve, (iii) the Territorial Army and (iv) the Royal Auxiliary Air Force on 1st April in each year from 1990 to 1998. |
| (47298) | |
| 24 | Mr Bruce George (Walsall South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) operations and (b) exercises Permanent Joint HQ has (i) planned and (ii) taken an active role in executing since it was established. |
| (47300) | |
| 25 | Mr Bruce George (Walsall South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date British ground forces were first deployed in Bosnia as part of UNPROFOR. |
| (47299) | |
| 26 N | Jane Griffiths (Reading East): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the armed forces' most recent recruitment figures. |
| (45228) | |
| 27 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 11th June, Official Report, column 638, when he expects to receive details of the costs and the liability in respect of the damage to the tail shaft bearings of HMS 'Ocean'; and if the (a) costs and (b) inquiry conclusions will be made public. |
| (47074) | |
| 28 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 11th June, Official Report, column 638, what assessment his Department has made of the cause of the damage to HMS 'Ocean' on her launch in October 1995; and what changes to operating arrangements have been made as a result. |
| (47063) | |
| 29 N | Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in what ways he is co-operating with the US Defense Secretary in the devising and development of (a) protective equipment and (b) vaccines to defend (i) United States and British troops and (ii) civilian populations from chemical and biological weapons. |
| (46544) | |
| 30 N | Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what studies he is currently undertaking with the United States military on systems for the detection of chemical and biological weapons. |
| (46545) | |
| 31 | Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of Divisional Headquarters in York. |
| (47101) | |
| 32 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the (a) establishment and (b) actual strengths of each (i) regular and (ii) TA infantry unit. |
| (47209) | |
| 33 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the bullets used by British forces using (a) SA80 and (b) M16 rifles have tumbling action. |
| (47044) | |
| 34 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to reduce the number of nuclear warheads carried in each Trident submarine; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47198) | |
| 35 N | Mr David Prior (North Norfolk): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the principles and priorities underlying his Strategic Defence Review, with particular reference to overseas commitments. |
| (45225) | |
| 36 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if it remains his policy to publish a freedom of information bill; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46846) | |
| 37 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the Answer of 16th June to the honourable Member for Scarborough and Whitby, Official Report, column 152, what percentage of (a) all vehicles currently held and (b) vehicles used by Ministers have on average fuel consumption of less than 26 miles per gallon; what steps he is taking to replace them; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46970) | |
| 38 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47012) | |
| 39 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47051) | |
| 40 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47023) | |
| 41 N | Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his Answer of 18th November 1997, Official Report, column 164, what assessment his Department has made of the anti-discrimination legislation relating to disabled people in (a) Australia, (b) New Zealand and (c) Canada; and what visits officials from his Department have made to these countries to study the impact of such legislation there. |
| (46405) | |
| 42 | Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps his Department has taken to measure the success of training in terms of its contribution to the securing of permanent employment. |
| (47041) | |
| 43 | Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what percentage of national TEC expenditure has been allocated to (a) youth training and (b) training for the long-term unemployed. |
| (47040) | |
| 44 | Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many firms have made offers of permanent employment as part of their commitment to the welfare-to-work programme. |
| (47039) | |
| 45 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the quinquennial research assessment exercises in supporting research infrastructure in universities. |
| (47047) | |
| 46 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the efficiency and effectiveness of the dual funding system for university research; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47049) | |
| 47 | Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what recent representations he has received concerning the system of dual funding for research in universities; and what plans he has to change the system. |
| (47048) | |
| 48 N | Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the average size of A-level classes in (a) secondary schools and (b) further education colleges in (i) the West Midlands and (ii) Staffordshire in each of the last five years. |
| (46304) | |
| 49 N | Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the average amount spent per pupil studying A-levels in (a) secondary schools and (b) further education colleges in (i) the West Midlands and (ii) Staffordshire in each of the last five years. |
| (46305) | |
| 50 N | Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what proportion of 18 year olds leaving (a) secondary school and (b) further education entered (i) full-time education, (ii) part-time education, (iii) unemployment, (iv) job related training and (v) employment without a training or study element in (1) the West Midlands and (2) Staffordshire in each of the last five years. |
| (46306) | |
| 51 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47061) | |
| 52 N | Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what has been the Government subsidy to Remploy for each of the past 10 years expressed (a) in cash terms and (b) at April 1998 prices. |
| (46993) | |
| 53 N | Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what has been the ratio of able bodied to disabled workers at Remploy for each of the last five years. |
| (46992) | |
| 54 N | Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to appoint to the board of Remploy people with disabilities. |
| (46995) | |
| 55 N | Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to appoint worker directors to the board of Remploy. |
| (46994) | |
| 56 | Mr Phil Woolas (Oldham East and Saddleworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is his Department's policy on the future provision and funding of music teachers in primary schools. |
| (47071) | |
| 57 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he plans to announce the list of trunk road schemes to be approved for construction simultaneously with the publication of the Integrated Transport Strategy White Paper. |
| (46563) | |
| 58 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47028) | |
| 59 | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to remove council tax exemption from empty dwellings. |
| (47032) | |
| 60 | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the implications for energy saving of a change to Central European Time. |
| (47240) | |
| 61 | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to increase the utilisation of empty buildings for housing the homeless. |
| (47131) | |
| 62 N | Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to introduce a United Kingdom vignette for road hauliers. |
| (46551) | |
| 63 N | Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is his current estimate of his Department's expenditure on (a) national roads, (b) local roads and parking, (c) transport grants and (d) public transport in (i) the current financial year and (ii) the following two financial years. |
| (46773) | |
| 64 | Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the bids for re-organisation costs for (a) 1994-95, (b) 1995-96, (c) 1996-97, (d) 1997-98 and (e) 1998-99, that have been made by local authorities subject to reorganisation on 1st April 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, and the proportion of the bids which were allocated supplementary credit approval cover for (a) to (e); and if he will list the capitalisation directions granted to those authorities in those same years. |
| (47210) | |
| 65 N | Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much public money has been spent by the Environment Agency on (a) the River Wye Navigation Transport and Works Act Order application since the lodging of the application in April 1986 and (b) the River Wye Navigation By-Laws Water Resources Act application, since the lodging of the application in October 1994; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46960) | |
| 66 N | Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding the use of the River Wye for leisure activities. |
| (46958) | |
| 67 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47052) | |
| 68 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many Environment Agency staff in Carlisle have been made redundant because of the move to Penrith. |
| (47232) | |
| 69 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what initiatives his Department will take to promote Child Safety Week on 22nd to 28th June. |
| (47201) | |
| 70 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what initiatives the Government took to promote the UN World Environment Day on 5th June. |
| (47221) | |
| 71 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many new jobs will be created in Penrith because of the move to Penrith of the Environment Agency Regional Office. |
| (47224) | |
| 72 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the resources which the Environment Agency will put into the local economy in Penrith and the surrounding area when its new headquarters are fully functioning. |
| (47231) | |
| 73 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what will be the size of the board for the Development Agency in the new combined Merseyside and North West Region; and how many representatives will be from Cumbria. |
| (47216) | |
| 74 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the total number of jobs in the new Environment Agency office in Penrith. |
| (47228) | |
| 75 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many successful prosecutions there have been for civilian low-flying offences in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years for which figures are available. |
| (46549) | |
| 76 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 15th June, Official Report, column 59, on the chairmanship of London Regional Transport, if he will publish his proposals for the method of recruitment to the post as soon as they have been determined. |
| (46546) | |
| 77 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will publish the job specification of the Chief Executive of London Regional Transport; and when the Chief Excutive's personal annual objectives will be published. |
| (46535) | |
| 78 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 15th June, Official Report, column 59, on bus companies' customer service standards, what advice he has given to London Transport on customer service standards. |
| (46547) | |
| 79 | Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many miles of closed railway tracks, in England are open as (a) footpaths, (b) cycle tracks, (c) bridleways; what estimate he has made of the number of miles of track which could be used for (a) to (c); and if he will make a statement. |
| (47203) | |
| 80 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is to happen to the Eurostar sleeper carriages. |
| (47274) | |
| 81 | Mr Andrew Rowe (Faversham and Mid Kent): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the (a) powers, (b) responsibilities and (c) budget to be delegated to local councils as part of the proposals for greater decentralisation set out in the document, Planning for Communities: Transitional Arrangements for Regional Planning Guidance and Development Plans. |
| (47068) | |
| 82 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the electrification of the North Wales railway line. |
| (47114) | |
| 83 N | Mr Alex Salmond (Banff and Buchan): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 9th February, Official Report, column 10, if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with other Government departments concerning the consultation process he announced following the loss of the 'Sapphire'; when he expects the consultation process to be completed; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46486) | |
| 84 | Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what action he proposes to take to improve standards in houses in multiple occupation. |
| (47137) | |
| 85 | Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what measures he will take to ensure fair competition for UK hauliers when cabotage restrictions end on 1st July. |
| (47192) | |
| 86 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the hospitality received by the Director of the Financial Regulation and Industry Team since 1st May 1997. |
| (46948) | |
| 87 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47027) | |
| 88 | Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the employment effect of a direct increase in wages in the UK of 0.6 per cent.. |
| (47237) | |
| 89 | Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the impact, net of deductions and benefit changes, on household income of hourly rate increases of (a) 10 pence, (b) 20 pence, (c) 30 pence and (d) 40 pence for workers on average hours with (i) one and (ii) two dependent children in one-earner households. |
| (47238) | |
| 90 N | Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the cost of introducing taper relief for capital gains tax for each year up to 2009-10; what margin of error is associated with such estimates; what assumptions underlie such estimates; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46768) | |
| 91 N | Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will delay the implementation of capital gains tax taper relief for a period of one year to allow for further consultations on its effects and implications; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46770) | |
| 92 N | Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which Ministers were involved prior to the March 1998 Budget in formulating the new policies on capital gains tax, including the taper relief on capital gains tax; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46769) | |
| 93 N | Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the reduction in Exchequer revenues which will result from the introduction of his policy of a taper relief on capital gains tax; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46771) | |
| 94 N | Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many written representations he has received on his 1998 Budget proposals on taper relief for capital gains tax; how many of such representations were (a) favourable and (b) unfavourable; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46767) | |
| 95 | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what date the Department for International Development was consulted on Clause 63 of the Finance (No. 2) Bill as regards the implications for overseas aid workers of foreign earnings taxation. |
| (47030) | |
| 96 N | Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to extend hypothecation of tax revenue beyond Welfare to Work. |
| (46774) | |
| 97 N | Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on the introduction of a conscience element in income tax collection to enable revenue from people who request it to be allocated to budgets other than defence. |
| (46776) | |
| 98 N | Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the cost of administering a system in which income tax revenue from people who request it is allocated to budgets other than defence. |
| (46775) | |
| 99 N | Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate what the financial markets would have charged for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link guarantee. |
| (46969) | |
| 100 N | Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the Treasury will be bound by the terms of the exposure draft FRS 5. |
| (46857) | |
| 101 N | Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the basis of the valuation of the Government's participation in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link; what is that value; and who prepared the calculations on behalf of the Government. |
| (46858) | |
| 102 N | Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to bring vehicle excise duty on heavy goods vehicles into line with average levels in other European Union countries. |
| (46550) | |
| 103 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he plans to classify expenditure on hospital repairs as current or capital spending. |
| (46849) | |
| 104 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the Treasury representative present at the Monetary Policy Committee's meeting on 3rd and 4th June was informed of the plans set out in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report. |
| (46853) | |
| 105 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will recalculate tables 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report on the assumption that the retail price index excluding mortgage interest payments averages (a) 3.0 per cent. in 1998-99 and 2.75 per cent. in 1999-2000 and (b) 3.25 per cent. in 1998-99 and 3.0 per cent. in 1999-2000. |
| (46848) | |
| 106 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will reproduce table 3A.1 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report for each of the years 1991-92 to 1997-98. |
| (46854) | |
| 107 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will recalculate tables 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report on the assumption that GDP grows (a) by 1.5 per cent. in 1998-99 and by 1.75 per cent. in 1999-2000, (b) by 1.25 per cent. in 1998-99 and by 1.5 per cent. in 1999-2000, (c) by 1.0 per cent. in 1998-99 and by 1.25 per cent. in 1999-2000, (d) by 0.75 per cent. in 1998-99 and by 1.0 per cent. in 1999-2000, (e) by 0.5 per cent. in 1998-99 and by 0.75 per cent. in 1999-2000, (f) by 0.25 per cent. in 1998-99 and by 0.5 per cent. in 1999-2000, (g) by 0.0 per cent. in 1998-99 and by 0.25 per cent. in 1999-2000, (h) by ¸0.5 per cent. in 1998-99 and by 0.0 per cent. in 1999-2000 and (i) by ¸1.0 per cent. in 1998-99 and by 0.0 per cent. in 1999-2000. |
| (46856) | |
| 108 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department informed the Monetary Policy Committee of the plans set out in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report at or before its meeting on 4th June. |
| (46852) | |
| 109 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria he will use to distinguish between current and capital expenditure. |
| (46850) | |
| 110 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will recalculate tables 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report on the assumption that total managed expenditure grows in real terms by (a) 0.75 per cent., (b) 1.5 per cent. and (c) 2.25 per cent. in 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02. |
| (46851) | |
| 111 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what action he will take if the cost of social security benefits in 1998-99 exceeds £95.8 billion, in order to ensure that total managed expenditure rises no higher than the figure cited in table 3A.1 in his Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report. |
| (46855) | |
| 112 N | Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will reproduce tables 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report for each of the years from 1991-92 to 1996-97. |
| (46847) | |
| 113 N | Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is his latest forecast of the revenue from (a) VED, (b) fuel duties on petrol and derv and (c) the total of VED and fuel duties in (i) the current financial year and (ii) each of the subsequent two years. |
| (46772) | |
| 114 | Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the changes in the fiscal rules that will apply to public corporations with particular reference to local authority airport companies. |
| (47035) | |
| 115 | Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what basis he made his assessment of the amount that local authorities will be able to realise in annual asset sales; and over what period he expects these to be realised. |
| (47038) | |
| 116 | Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will give his reasons for defining a prudent level of public debt as being below 40 per cent. of GDP; and how this compares to the current level of public debt in each EU country. |
| (47034) | |
| 117 | Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the current net annual cost to the Exchequer of the operation of (a) the National Air Traffic Services, (b) student loans, (c) residual debt in British Energy plc., (d) Radio Spectrum, (e) Belfast Port, (f) the Commonwealth Development Corporation, (g) the Royal Mint and (h) the Tote. |
| (47037) | |
| 118 | Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he first was informed that (a) there was likely to be an underspend in the Budget for 1997-98 and (b) that it was likely to be of the order of £750 million. |
| (47036) | |
| 119 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are his cyclically adjusted estimates for (a) total managed expenditure, (b) general government receipts, (c) public sector net borrowing, (d) public sector net cash requirement and (e) net public sector debt (i) in cash terms, and (ii) as a percentage of gross domestic product, for (1) 1998-99, (2) 1999-2000, (3) 2000-01, (4) 2001-02, (5) 2002-03 and (6) 2003-04, assuming trend output is 1.5 per cent. above trend in the first half of 1997. |
| (47135) | |
| 120 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the average weekly payments for the tax year (1) 1996-97, (2) 1997-98 and (3) 1998-99 for (i) national insurance contributions and (ii) income tax for a single person on (a) 87 per cent., (b) 116 per cent. and (c) 174 per cent. of median gross male full-time earnings. |
| (47110) | |
| 121 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the General Government Expenditure, as defined prior to the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998, (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of GDP, in a (i) 1999-2000, (ii) 2000-01, (iii) 2001-02, (iv) 2002-03 and (v) 2003-04. |
| (47118) | |
| 122 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide latest estimates of the average weekly payments for the tax year (1) 1996-97, (2) 1997-98 and (3) 1998-99 for (i) national insurance contributions and (ii) income tax for a married couple, male earning and female not earning, with two children, on total family earnings of each of (a) 87 per cent., (b) 116 per cent. and (c) 174 per cent. of median gross male full-time earnings. |
| (47109) | |
| 123 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is his policy with regard to allowing any unused AME margin to be allocated to departmental expenditure limits. |
| (47121) | |
| 124 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how payments made by the Inland Revenue under the working families tax credit scheme will be classified for the purpose of calculating (a) net taxes and social security contributions, (b) total managed expenditure, (c) annual managed expenditure and (d) public sector net cash requirement; and if he will make a statement on the rationale of the proposed system. |
| (47122) | |
| 125 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the real annual percentage growth in (a) total managed expenditure and (b) general government expenditure as defined prior to the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998 for (i) 1999-2000, (ii) 2000-01, (iii) 2001-02, (iv) 2002-03 and (v) averaged over the period 1999-2000 to 2002-03. |
| (47119) | |
| 126 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the difference between the estimates of General Government Expenditure as compared to Total Managed Expenditure for (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01, (d) 2001-02 and (e) 2002-03. |
| (47120) | |
| 127 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide latest estimates of the average weekly payments for the tax years (1) 1996-97, (2) 1997-98 and (3) 1998-99 for (i) national insurance contributions and (ii) income tax for a married couple, male earning and female not earning, with no children, on total family earnings of (a) 87 per cent., (b) 116 per cent. and (c) 174 per cent. of median gross male full-time earnings. |
| (47111) | |
| 128 | Mr Francis Maude (Horsham): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of individuals with income below that necessary to pay the lower rate of income tax in the tax year (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98 and (c) 1998-99. |
| (47227) | |
| 129 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will conduct research into (a) the cost of manufacturing a plastic banknote and (b) its lifespan in comparison with a paper note; and what plans he has to introduce plastic currency. |
| (47199) | |
| 130 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the average pay rates for each of the counties in England, Scotland and Wales in descending order. |
| (47105) | |
| 131 | Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what revenue has been collected by levying VAT on the repair of historic buildings in each of the last three years. |
| (47033) | |
| 132 N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what would be the cost to the Exchequer of introducing a flat rate mortgate interest credit of (a) £20 per week, (b) £30 per week and (c) £40 per week into the working families tax credit for people with mortgages. |
| (46955) | |
| 133 N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what would be the gross cost to the Exchequer of introducing a flat rate housing credit of (a) £20 per week, (b) £30 per week and (c) £40 per week into the working families tax credit for people in rented accommodation; and what would be the cost net of savings in housing benefit if the corresponding amount was removed from the eligible rent of all housing benefit claimants. |
| (46954) | |
| 134 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47026) | |
| 135 N | Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the government of Turkey concerning the behaviour of Turkish troops in Northern Cyprus towards Kurdish civilians. |
| (46779) | |
| 136 N | Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received about human rights abuses in the northern part of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. |
| (46778) | |
| 137 | Mr John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the recent detention of civilians by the Government in the Gambia; and what representations have been made by his Department to the Government in the Gambia about these detentions. |
| (47305) | |
| 138 | Mr John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans his Department has to launch an investigation into human rights abuses in the Gambia since 22nd July 1994. |
| (47303) | |
| 139 | Mr John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action has been taken by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to promote democratic practices in the Gambia, with particular reference to reversing the ban on the former main political parties and political personalities promulgated in Decree No. 89 of 1996. |
| (47306) | |
| 140 | Mr John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he or his officials have had with (a) the OAU and (b) the Commonwealth on human rights abuses in the Gambia. |
| (47304) | |
| 141 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will state the (a) number, (b) grades, (c) originating department and (d) current roles of all civil servants assisting the Legg Inquiry. |
| (47229) | |
| 142 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 18th June, Official Report, column 303, if he will make a statement on each of the 53 cases before the European Court of Human Rights which have been declared admissible and are awaiting examination of the facts. |
| (47205) | |
| 143 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 15th June, Official Report, column 17, on the Governor of St. Helena and the Government's budget proposals, if he will list the members of the Executive Council who were present at the meeting advising him on the issue, indicating in each case the basis for their membership of the Council. |
| (46548) | |
| 144 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47016) | |
| 145 N | Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the statistics that are held centrally concerning chiropody and podiatric services. |
| (46310) | |
| 146 | Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were treated within the NHS in the last 12 months who were suffering from asbestos-related illnesses. |
| (47108) | |
| 147 | Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received about the use by his officials of powers granted under the Food Safety Act 1990 to ban the sale of cheese without court proceedings; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47070) | |
| 148 | Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will collate and publish on a regular quarterly basis information showing (a) the number of people awaiting an out-patient consultation at an NHS hospital and (b) the number of out-patient consultations that have taken place in NHS hospitals in the previous quarter. |
| (47133) | |
| 149 N | Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral statement of 16th June, Official Report, columns 149-50, if the rescheduling of the operation on Lee Bosley to 17th June resulted in an operation planned for another person on that day being cancelled or postponed. |
| (46782) | |
| 150 | Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients were awaiting an outpatient consultation in an NHS hospital at 1st May (a) 1997 and (b) 1998. |
| (47134) | |
| 151 | Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is his latest estimate of the total cost to the NHS of ensuring millennium compliance in computer systems and other equipment. |
| (47241) | |
| 152 N | Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to review the guidance given to NHS trusts on communicating the results of an independent professional review to a complainant. |
| (46536) | |
| 153 N | Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance he has given to NHS trusts on the surveillance policies they should operate for patients deemed to be a suicide risk. |
| (46538) | |
| 154 N | Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will instruct NHS trusts, following an independent professional review, to communicate all of the assessors' findings to the complainant. |
| (46537) | |
| 155 | Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the future of ear, nose and throat departments in Gloucestershire. |
| (47294) | |
| 156 | Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has to extend the prescription of gluten-free flour on the NHS to multiple sclerosis sufferers. |
| (47295) | |
| 157 | Mr Nigel Jones (Cheltenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the annual cost to the NHS of the prescription of gluten-free flour for patients suffering from Coeliac's disease. |
| (47296) | |
| 158 | Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects to agree remuneration with pharmacists for the current financial year. |
| (47136) | |
| 159 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47060) | |
| 160 | Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to protect general practitioners within the new primary care groups from losing their resources in the event of a hospital budget overspend. |
| (47098) | |
| 161 | Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the proposed new primary care groups of general practitioners. |
| (47100) | |
| 162 | Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he has taken into account the special needs of rural areas when setting the funding levels for the new primary care groups. |
| (47099) | |
| 163 | Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the ability of primary care groups to decide on treatment for a particular condition. |
| (47097) | |
| 164 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what initiatives the Government took to promote the UN International Nurses Day on 12th May. |
| (47220) | |
| 165 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what initiatives the Government took to promote National Breastfeeding Week on 17th to 23rd May. |
| (47219) | |
| 166 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what initiatives his Department will take to promote Child Safety Week on 22nd to 28th June. |
| (47197) | |
| 167 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to increase the availability of Macmillan Nursing Services in cancer treatment units. |
| (47215) | |
| 168 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what initiatives his Department will take to promote U.N. International World Diabetes Day on 27th June. |
| (47208) | |
| 169 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what initiatives the Government will take to promote National Osteoporosis Week on 22nd to 28th June. |
| (47222) | |
| 170 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what initiatives his Department will take to promote the U.N. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th June. |
| (47206) | |
| 171 N | Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what statistics his Department holds on the causes of low birth weight. |
| (46990) | |
| 172 N | Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research he has commissioned into the causes of low birth weight. |
| (46989) | |
| 173 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the species and numbers of animals ordered to be euthanised by the Home Office Inspectorate in (a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998, due to the level of suffering to which they were subjected. |
| (46585) | |
| 174 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions in (a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998 the Home Office Inspectorate has ordered animals used in scientific procedures to be euthanised due to the level of suffering the animals were subjected to. |
| (46584) | |
| 175 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many current project licences are in operation relating to xenotransplantation experiments within the United Kingdom. |
| (46583) | |
| 176 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the designated establishments authorised to conduct xenotransplantation experiments on animals within the United Kingdom. |
| (46582) | |
| 177 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects the works to the windows at Lewes Prison, designed to contain noise, to be completed. |
| (46561) | |
| 178 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47024) | |
| 179 | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what ways (a) redrawing the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police area and (b) reducing Metropolitan Police numbers, will affect the funding formula under which the Metropolitan Police receives extra resources for national responsibilities. |
| (47031) | |
| 180 | Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the need for places in rehabilitation units for offenders made subject to drug treatment and testing orders. |
| (47064) | |
| 181 | Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what changes there have been in the funding of the Probation Accommodation Grants Scheme operated by the Inner London Probation Service since 1st May 1997. |
| (47065) | |
| 182 | Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many places were available for the rehabilitation from illegal drugs of offenders aged 15 to 21 years whose offending is linked to drugs and who are considered to be in need of treatment by the courts or criminal justice agencies (a) on 1st May 1997 and (b) at the latest available date. |
| (47066) | |
| 183 | Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received concerning the Lorne House drugs project in Hackney. |
| (47067) | |
| 184 N | Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information his Department has obtained concerning the safety of Kurdish civilians in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on his policy towards asylum applications from them. |
| (46780) | |
| 185 N | Mr Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, from what sources his Department gains information on the human rights situation in Northern Cyprus in order to evaluate asylum claims. |
| (46781) | |
| 186 | Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been prosecuted in England and Wales during the last 12 months for trading in child pornography. |
| (47107) | |
| 187 | Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) men and (b) women are at present serving a life prison sentence in England and Wales. |
| (47195) | |
| 188 | Tom Cox (Tooting): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people who were serving a life sentence were released on parole in England and Wales during the last 12 months. |
| (47106) | |
| 189 | Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on arrangements for supporting witnesses in magistrates' courts. |
| (47009) | |
| 190 | Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the provision of support for and information to the victims of mentally disordered offenders who by reason of their disorder are committed for medical treatment. |
| (47010) | |
| 191 N | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many men have been convicted under the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act 1997, solely in respect of homosexual acts (a) with men over the age of 16 and under the age of 18 years and (b) where more than two persons were present. |
| (46591) | |
| 192 N | Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many men have been convicted of an offence under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 under the provision stipulating that privacy does not pertain where more than two people are present. |
| (46592) | |
| 193 N | Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 6th April, Official Report, columns 26-7, if he will report on progress in the consideration by the Criminal Cases Review Commission of the case of Mark Darren Day, convicted of murder on 26th March 1993. |
| (46079) | |
| 194 N | Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to amend the Street Offences Act 1959 to distinguish between offences committed by adults and offences committed by children. |
| (46539) | |
| 195 N | Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance he has issued to police forces in England and Wales on liaising with other agencies to make provision for young people to leave prostitution. |
| (46543) | |
| 196 N | Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list, for each of the past 10 years (a) the number of prosecutions under section 25 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and (b) the number of convictions obtained. |
| (46541) | |
| 197 N | Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list, for each of the past 10 years (a) the number of prosecutions under section 1 of the Indecency with Children Act 1960 and (b) the number of convictions obtained. |
| (46540) | |
| 198 N | Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to change the law to increase sentences for those convicted of living off the immoral earnings of a child under 16. |
| (46542) | |
| 199 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47055) | |
| 200 | Mr John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what involvement his Department had in the decision to allow Imutran to export two transgenic pigs to the Netherlands for use in an organ transplant experiment; for what reasons it was considered appropriate for this experiment to be carried out abroad rather than in the UK; and if Imutran had sought permission to conduct this experiment in the United Kingdom. |
| (47307) | |
| 201 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will conduct research into the effectiveness of community policing in the United Kingdom relative to such policing in (a) the USA, (b) South Africa, and (c) other EU countries. |
| (47214) | |
| 202 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what reports he has received that police officers in Cumbria used incapacitant spray in an inappropriate way; what assessment he has made of such reports; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47213) | |
| 203 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what initiatives his Department will take to promote Child Safety Week on 22nd to 28th June. |
| (47196) | |
| 204 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what initiatives his Department will take to promote the U.N. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th June. |
| (47207) | |
| 205 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will state the number of medical retirements from each police service in England and Wales as a proportion of all retirements for each of the last 10 years. |
| (47212) | |
| 206 | Mr William Ross (East Londonderry): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis is (a) co-director of ACPO Ltd and (b) a member of the Executive Committee of ACPO |
| (47029) | |
| 207 | Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants for licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are currently waiting to be informed of a decision by his Department. |
| (47007) | |
| 208 | Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what grades of staff have been involved in processing applications for personal and project licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in each of the past three years. |
| (47006) | |
| 209 | Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the average time taken between receipt of an application for a licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and informing the applicant of the decision. |
| (47008) | |
| 210 | Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 18th June, Official Report, columns 322-3, concerning key cutting, what the terms of reference are for the review process; and on what date the review will take place. |
| (47297) | |
| 211 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47019) | |
| 212 N | Ms Oona King (Bethnal Green and Bow): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what percentage of United Kingdom overseas development assistance given to Sudan has been for (a) long-term development, (b) short-term relief and (c) disaster preparedness in each year since 1992. |
| (45988) | |
| 213 | Mr John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will provide a breakdown of all aid to the Gambia funded by the British Government, since 1994. |
| (47302) | |
| 214 | Mr Tony McWalter (Hemel Hempstead): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent representations she has received from the organisers of Jubilee 2000; and if she will make a statement about those targets for debt relief set out by Jubilee 2000 which conflict with Government targets. |
| (47308) | |
| 215 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47025) | |
| 216 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47054) | |
| 217 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47020) | |
| 218 | Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if data is available to enable her to make a statement on the religious affiliation of (a) applicants for grants and (b) applicants whose grants have been approved, in both cases by district council area, under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992. |
| (47275) | |
| 219 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the initiatives undertaken by her Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47056) | |
| 220 N | Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will instruct the Parades Commission, in reaching its decisions, to publish its decisions relating to each individual criterion contained in the legislation and to indicate what weighting is given to each criterion in each decision. |
| (46997) | |
| 221 | Mr John D. Taylor (Strangford): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what was the total cost to public funds of each of the four area councils for health and social services in each of the last three years. |
| (47115) | |
| 222 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 2nd February, Official Report, column 476, when he expects to make an announcement in respect of the coordination within government of animal welfare policies. |
| (46971) | |
| 223 | Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): To ask the Prime Minister, which Ministers have been briefed by their departments on the employment impact of the minimum wage proposals. |
| (47233) | |
| 224 | Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the effects on Departmental budgets of the minimum wage proposals. |
| (47234) | |
| 225 N | Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask the Prime Minister, what was the result of Her Majesty's Government's discussions with the General Secretary of the Arab League on 18th June as to the feasibility of conducting a trial of the Libyan suspects for the Lockerbie bombing in a third country. |
| (46959) | |
| 226 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will publish the terms of reference of the Ministerial Committee on Welfare Reform; how many times the Committee has met since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the Committee's work to date. |
| (47062) | |
| 227 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47018) | |
| 228 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47057) | |
| 229 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47021) | |
| 230 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will list the initiatives undertaken by her Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47059) | |
| 231 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will list the new policy initiatives she has taken since 1st June 1997 to aid women. |
| (47273) | |
| 232 | Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what initiatives the Government took to promote the UN International Day of Families on 15th May. |
| (47223) | |
| 233 | Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will make a statement on her policy in relation to benefit payments in respect of housing being purchased under rental purchase schemes; and if she will make a statement. |
| (47194) | |
| 234 | Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is the average housing benefit paid per dwelling by region for (a) council housing, (b) housing associations and (c) private rented properties. |
| (47204) | |
| 235 N | Mr David Rendel (Newbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what was the cost of the administration of contribution records in order to determine basic state pension entitlement in the last year for which figures are available. |
| (46962) | |
| 236 N | Mr David Rendel (Newbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if she will estimate the consequent savings in means-tested and other benefit expenditure if all pensioners were entitled to the basic retirement pension regardless of their contribution record. |
| (46961) | |
| 237 | Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many children are affected by the fact that their absent father is not making any maintenance payment. |
| (47226) | |
| 238 | Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what measures her Department is taking to ensure that widows, newly-retired pensioners and people entitled to incapacity benefit are not disadvantaged by the change to the Contributions Agency computer system and the consequent delay in processing applications until 3rd August. |
| (47242) | |
| 239 N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is (a) the total cost to the Exchequer and (b) the cost per recipient of administering housing benefit. |
| (46953) | |
| 240 | Mr David Atkinson (Bournemouth East): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will provide honourable Members with an information pack on the millennium compliance of computer systems similar to that supplied to honourable Members on the euro on 15th July by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe. |
| (47011) | |
| 241 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the legal status of patents for genetically engineered animals granted by the EU within the United Kingdom. |
| (46562) | |
| 242 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47022) | |
| 243 N | Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what assessment she has made of the current safety situation at the Sellafield nuclear installations, with respect to (a) operating buildings, (b) abandoned buildings and (c) waste storage facilities; and if she will make a statement. |
| (46956) | |
| 244 | Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her oral statement of 18th June, Official Report, columns 507-9, what research underlay her statement that there would be no employment effects consequent on her minimum wage proposals; and what factors underlie the estimates made by the Low Pay Commission. |
| (47236) | |
| 245 | Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will estimate the net cost or benefit to (a) government, (b) employers and (c) employees of the minimum wage proposals in the first 12 months of its operation. |
| (47235) | |
| 246 | Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what plans she has to prevent supermarkets engaging in anti-competitive practices; and if she will make a statement. |
| (47193) | |
| 247 | Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many complaints her Department has received about the cost of lodging an objection with the Patent Office in the last 12 months for which figures are available. |
| (47046) | |
| 248 | Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what meetings she has had with financial institutions on the issue of reprogramming computers to make them euro compliant at the same time as having to make them year 2000 compliant. |
| (47042) | |
| 249 | Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what research her Department has evaluated on the problems of making computer systems euro compliant at the same time as making them year 2000 compliant. |
| (47050) | |
| 250 | Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what assessment she has made of the technical implications of the introduction of the euro, with particular regard to computer systems. |
| (47005) | |
| 251 | Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what research her Department has undertaken to assess the cost to the United Kingdom economy of reprogramming computers to make them euro compliant. |
| (47045) | |
| 252 | Mr Ross Cranston (Dudley North): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what steps she intends to take to revive the European Union convention on insolvency proceedings; and if she will make a statement. |
| (47113) | |
| 253 N | Mr Damian Green (Ashford): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, when she expects to receive undertakings from General Utilities plc. about its material influence over Mid Kent Holdings plc. |
| (46552) | |
| 254 N | Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the use of EU structural funds for the recreational uses of inland waterways as part of rural employment policy. |
| [Transferred] (46957) | |
| 255 N | Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what representations she has received about the methods used by Eastern Natural Gas in acquiring new customers. |
| (46587) | |
| 256 | Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many DTI investigations have been conducted into alleged insider share dealing since 1987; and how many have resulted in a successful prosecution. |
| (47200) | |
| 257 N | Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what estimate he has made of how many women will benefit from the proposed reduction from two years to one year in the qualifying period for extended maternity leave. |
| (46996) | |
| 258 N | Mr Terry Rooney (Bradford North): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what estimate he has made of how many women will benefit from the proposed extension of maternity leave from 14 weeks to 18 weeks. |
| (46991) | |
| 259 N | Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the future of the Post Office, with particular reference to the ownership of the Royal Mail. |
| (46471) | |
| 260 N | Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if she will make a statement on the progress made in the consideration of liberalisation of postal services within the European Union; when a new directive is expected; and if it will be subject to unanimity or majority vote. |
| (46466) | |
| 261 | Mr Michael Wills (North Swindon): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what was the (a) total and (b) average amount of ex-gratia payments her Department made in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997 under the Employment Rights Act 1996. |
| (47072) | |
| 262 | Mr Michael Wills (North Swindon): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what was the largest single ex-gratia payment her Department made in (a) 1996 and (b) 1997 under the Employment Rights Act 1996. |
| (47073) | |
| 263 | Jackie Ballard (Taunton): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47014) | |
| 264 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the initiatives undertaken by his Department since 1st May 1997 which have involved the establishment of (a) action zones and (b) pilot schemes limited to particular geographical areas, indicating the name of the programme and the action zone or pilot scheme areas covered in each instance. |
| (47058) | |
| 265 | Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when there will be further progress on the improvement of the A470 Blaenau Ffestiniog to Betwys-y-Coed road; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47043) | |
| 266 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many housing association houses were built in Wales in each year since 1975; and what is the forecast for the next five years. |
| (47116) | |
| 267 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many council houses have been built in each year in Wales since 1975; and what is the projected number to be built for the next five years. |
| (47117) | |
| 268 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what efforts he is making to promote cycling in Wales. |
| (47103) | |
| 269 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much his Department has spent on the provision of cycling facilities in each of the past 10 years; and what is the projected amount to be spent in each of the next five years. |
| (47102) | |
| 270 | Mr Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many farm workers are employed in each local authority area in Wales. |
| (47104) | |
| 271 | Mr John Smith (Vale of Glamorgan): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps he is taking to ensure the effective supervision of the Millennium Stadium project and its timely completion; and if he will make a statement. |
| (47243) | |
| 272 | Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough): To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if United Kingdom seafarers are covered by the proposed fairness at work legislation. |
| [Transferred] (47132) | |
| |
| © Parliamentary copyright 1998 | Revised 22 June 1998 |