Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1997-98
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Wednesday 18 November 1998

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 18 November of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

For other Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 18 November, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Thursday 19 November, see Part 2 of this Paper.

Notes:
* Indicates a Question for Oral Answer.
+ Indicates a Question not included in the random selection process but accepted because the quota for that day had not been filled.
[N] Indicates a Question for Written Answer on a named day, i.e. the Member has indicated under S.O. No. 22(4) the day on which he wishes the Question to be answered.
[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.

WEDNESDAY 18th NOVEMBER

1
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, what steps he has taken to improve energy efficiency in (a) heating and (b) lighting; and what plans he has to achieve further improvements in each of the next three years.

(60152)

2
   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60225)

3
   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans the Government has to promote a low input approach by farmers.

(60485)

4
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received from the NFU about the level of milk prices; and what response he has made.

(60429)

5
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has for changes in the calf processing scheme; and if he will postpone the changes until such time as the live export trade in calves reverts to its level in 1990.

(60584)

6
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of proposals for electronic tagging of cattle.

(60430)

7
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on progress in relation to flood alleviation measures in the Edgware, Burnt Oak and Colindale areas of Hendon constituency.

(60420)

8
N   Mr Ken Purchase (Wolverhampton North East):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will introduce guidelines on the cultivation of oilseed rape in relation to its proximity to domestic dwellings.

(60155)

9
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many people he has employed in his Department under the New Deal arrangements.

(60365)

10
   Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate he has made of the additional costs to local authorities of implementing the Feeding Stuffs (Establishments and Intermediaries) Regulations; and how these will be met.

(60585)

11
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60217)

12
N   David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what further support is planned for the work of the drug action teams following the provision of extra resources within the Comprehensive Spending Review.

(58982)

13
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60221)

14
   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to amend the current concessionary television licence scheme for pensioners living in sheltered accommodation.

(60392)

15
   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the appropriateness of the current level of concessionary television licences for pensioners living in sheltered accommodation.

(60391)

16
   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many pensioners in sheltered accommodation with an on-site warden qualified for a concessionary television licence in (a) 1988 and (b) the last year for which figures are available; and how many claimed their entitlement in each of these years.

(60389)

17
   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many pensioners in sheltered accommodation have had their concessionary television licence withdrawn as a result of the removal of the on-site warden in each of the last 10 years.

(60390)

18
   Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement about the arrangements for funding of LEA music services.

(60431)

19
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60373)

20
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on the review of legislation relating to BBC funding with particular reference to concessionary licences for disabled people and pensioners.

(60422)

21
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60219)

22
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60377)

23
N   Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which aspects of the Government's human rights policy are his Department's responsibility.

(59868)

24
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to review the design parameters of black boxes.

(60477)

25
N   Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what action he is taking to retain pilots in the Royal Air Force; what is the current average length of service of pilots in the RAF; and how many are members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

(59400)

26
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what targets he has set to improve the take-up of NVQs; what financial allocation he has made to achieve these targets; and what is the preferred delivery mechanism.

(60153)

27
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60215)

28
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many New Deal clients in Hendon have (a) had interviews with personal advisers, (b) proceeded through the Gateway, (c) had interviews with prospective employers and (d) obtained employment; and if he will make a statement.

(60421)

29
   Caroline Flint (Don Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what number of parents in the last year for which figures are available in the Don Valley constituency voluntarily chose to teach their children at home, broken down by age of the child.

(60455)

30
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60367)

31
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the responsibilities of each agency in relation to the health and safety of New Deal clients who have taken the option of a subsidised job.

(60400)

32
N   Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, which aspects of the Government's human rights policy are his Department's responsibility.

(59869)

33
   Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if schools may adopt national literacy guidance selectively.

(60599)

34
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to require examination boards to bring forward the date on which A level results are released.

(60505)

35
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to assist pupils who were deprived of a university place on the basis of A level results which initially failed to meet the required grades, but which were subsequently revised by an examination board with an admission of error on the part of the board.

(60504)

36
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the information concerning the commercial release of genetically-modified crops in 1999 and 2000 will be held on a public register; and what this information will include.

(60249)

37
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans there are for the disposal of the genetically-modified crops grown as a result of the full-scale farm trials announced on 21st October.

(60250)

38
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects to announce changes to the Packaging Waste Regulations.

(60171)

39
N   Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he plans to publish his responses to the Government's consultation process on access to the countryside before the Christmas adjournment.

(60170)

40
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what guidelines he has issued to the Rail Regulator on the matter of through ticketing arrangements.

(60361)

41
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what action he is taking to ensure that rail ticket prices do not rise by more than the price of inflation.

(60364)

42
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to review the regulation of long-distance rail saver tickets by OPRAF.

(60363)

43
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received concerning the continuation of through rail ticketing arrangements.

(60360)

44
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will estimate the quantity of aviation fuel sold in 1997 at United Kingdom airports.

(60454)

45
   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received concerning the allocation of carbon emission rights on an equal per capita basis; and to what extent these were taken into account in the British negotiating position during the COP4 climate change convention in Buenos Aires.

(60491)

46
   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what research he has commissioned concerning the development of domestic tradable quotas as a means of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

(60490)

47
   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received relating to the impact of the Packaging Waste Regulations 1997.

(60489)

48
   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to review the operation of the Packaging Waste Regulations 1997 and correct market distortions produced by the malfunctioning of the PRN system.

(60487)

49
   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the impact of the operation of the Packaging Waste Regulations 1997 on the independent waste paper processing industry.

(60488)

50
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60210)

51
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make it his policy that all local authorities should publish details of their Year 2000 planning; and if he will make a statement.

(60209)

52
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the timescale for the review of regional Eurostar services.

(59441)

53
N   Mr Hilton Dawson (Lancaster and Wyre):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to review planning guidance in respect of areas prone to flooding; and if he will make a statement.

(60243)

54
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans the Government has to review the operation of the London Regional Transport Act 1984 so as to equalise the age at which bus passes are made available to male and female pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

(60416)

55
N   Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to better co-ordinate government policies to combat poverty and social exclusion in rural areas.

(58917)

56
   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the arrangements made at the demise of the Teesside Development Corporation for the future of the Teesside International Nature Reserve.

(60541)

57
   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the owners of land allocated for the Nature Reserve following the demise of Teesside Development Corporation.

(60502)

58
   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the office accommodation formerly rented by the Teesside Development Corporation which has been passed on to the Commission for New Towns.

(60503)

59
   Mr Tom Levitt (High Peak):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much was paid by local and parish councils in England for audit fees in each of the last five years; and what proportion of their budget this represented for each of those years.

(60423)

60
N   Dr John Marek (Wrexham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what the compliance costs are under the packaging waste regulations for (a) typical major food retailers and (b) packaging manufacturers.

(60338)

61
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how a structure of incentives and disciplines will be established to maximise efficiency in the event of a public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services.

(59961)

62
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what contingency plans he has for replacing National Air Traffic Services after the introduction of a public/private partnership in the event of failure to comply with an enforcement notice.

(59960)

63
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what consultation has taken place with the International Civil Aviation Organisation on the option of a public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services with regard to the current NATS contract for the control of international airspace in the Eastern Atlantic; and if NATS would be allowed to operate a for profit air traffic control service for ICAO in international airspace.

(59964)

64
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the forecast expenditure by National Air Traffic Services over the next 10 years as a percentage of his Department's budget.

(59952)

65
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will forecast the capital investment programme for Manchester airport for the next 10 years.

(59954)

66
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how the Government will maintain sufficient rights and safeguards in respect of (a) national security, (b) the United Kingdom's international relationships and (c) other public interests, if the proposed public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services goes ahead.

(59956)

67
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much of the contracted investment has yet to be raised for the new en route centre at Swanwick.

(59957)

68
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the Government will ensure that National Air Traffic Services Plc cannot be taken over by a non-British company at a future date.

(59959)

69
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on progress to date on replacing the Oceanic flight data processing system at Prestwick.

(59963)

70
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what options other than the public/private partnership he considered in order to achieve a capital receipt to allow other transport schemes to benefit from the proceeds of changing the structure of National Air Traffic Services.

(59962)

71
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what contingency plans he has made in the event of the company becoming insolvent under the option of a public/private partnership for national air traffic services; with particular reference to (a) the conduct of licensed activities pending transfer to another company, (b) the transfer of an insolvent company as a going concern to ensure that the licensed activities could be carried on and (c) staff terms and conditions.

(60154)

72
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how the Government's preferred option of a public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services will affect the PFI contracts for the new Scottish and Oceanic air traffic control centres.

(59953)

73
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, for what reason the recently revised financial structure for municipally-owned airports will not apply to finance for national air traffic development.

(59955)

74
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the planning applications of London boroughs on which he has intervened this year by way of Article 14 directions, indicating the date (a) when each intervention was made and (b) when he made his decision on each.

(60542)

75
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60378)

76
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what research he has commissioned on the effects of different forms of variable vehicle exise duty; and when he will publish the results.

(60151)

77
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60212)

78
N   Mr Michael Connarty (Falkirk East):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the Government's proposed Public Service Agreements.

(58928)

79
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the measure announced in the G7 statement in respect of making countries borrowing from the IMF treat foreign and domestic debtors alike.

(59442)

80
   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what changes he plans to make to the way the Government categorises people's ethnic origins in the next census.

(60486)

81
   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the movement was between 1st April 1975 and 1st April 1998 in (a) the index of average non-manual earnings and (b) the Retail Prices Index.

(60507)

82
N   Mr Mike Gapes (Ilford South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to introduce a co-ordinated government public information campaign about the implications of the introduction of the single European currency.

(58915)

83
N   Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what response there has been from businesses to the Euro Preparation Unit's offer of free fact sheets to help small and medium size businesses prepare for the launch of the euro.

(60307)

84
N   Ms Sandra Osborne (Ayr):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many previous privatisations have involved Government golden shares; and how many of these remain.

(59958)

85
   Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list for April 1998 the number and proportion of (1) part-time manual, (2) part-time non-manual and (3) all part-time employees on adult rates earning less than (A) £3.51, (B) £4.79, (C) 6.38 and (D) £6.90 per hour excluding overtime for (a) men, (b) women and (c) both sexes and for (i) each county and unitary authority in England, (ii) each unitary authority in Wales, (iii) each London borough, (iv) each unitary authority in Scotland, (v) Great Britain as a whole, (vi) England as a whole and (vii) each Government Office region.

(60442)

86
   Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list for April 1998 the number and proportion of (1) full-time manual, (2) full-time non-manual and (3) all full-time employees on adult rates earning less than (A) £3.51, (B) £4.79, (C) 6.38 and (D) £6.90 per hour excluding overtime for (a) men, (b) women and (c) both sexes and for (i) each county and unitary authority in England, (ii) each unitary authority in Wales, (iii) each London borough, (iv) each unitary authority in Scotland, (v) Great Britain as a whole, (vi) England as a whole and (vii) each Government Office region.

(60443)

87
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have been employed in his Department under the New Deal arrangements.

(60369)

88
N   Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the impact on non-income tax payers of the abolition of tax credits on dividends from April 1999.

(60358)

89
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60211)

90
N   Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had about human rights violations in Burma.

(59606)

91
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to review the procedure for booking VIP facilities for former heads of state and government at Heathrow.

(60428)

92
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what consultations he had with the Prime Minister about the Al-Shifa factory in Sudan (a) prior to the bombing mission on 20th August and (b) prior to the Prime Minister's appearance on television on 20th August.

(60408)

93
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what was the cost of VIP facilities at Heathrow for Senator Pinochet's visits to the United Kingdom in (a) 1997 and (b) 1998.

(60427)

94
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he was informed of the plans to bomb the Al-Shifa factory on 20th August; and by whom.

(60409)

95
   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the occasions on which the British Ambassador to the Sudan visited the Al-Shifa factory.

(60410)

96
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60368)

97
N   Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place in the Library the information the Government has submitted to the United Nations since 1st May 1997 for entry on the UN Register of Conventional Arms Transfers.

(60277)

98
N   Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if it is his policy that UNSCOM has to certify that Iraq has destroyed its weapons of mass destruction before UN sanctions on Iraq can be lifted.

(60278)

99
N   Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on the extent of the information he is willing to make available to the House on arms exports from the UK, with particular reference to (a) the degree of detailed description of arms, (b) information about numbers of individual weapons and weapons systems exported, (c) information on the countries of destination and (d) information on dates of export; and if he will make a statement.

(60311)

100
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the current human rights situation in Indonesia.

(60473)

101
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the meeting of the Organisation of African Unity in Burkina Faso concerning the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

(60476)

102
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on human rights in Sri Lanka.

(60540)

103
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to mobilise international opinion against the actions of the Indonesian Government in East Timor; and if he will make a statement.

(60399)

104
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60220)

105
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy that all NHS trusts should publish details of their Year 2000 planning; and if he will make a statement.

(60205)

106
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was (a) the total number and (b) the total cost of (i) non-sterile powdered latex examination gloves, (ii) non-sterile powder-free latex examination gloves, (iii) sterile powdered latex examination gloves, (iv) sterile powder-free latex examination gloves, (v) powdered latex surgeons' gloves and (vi) powder-free latex surgeon's gloves, supplied to the NHS in each of the past five years.

(60574)

107
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many personal injuries claims have been taken against the NHS by staff in relation to latex allergy in each of the past 10 years; and how many of those claims have been successful.

(60579)

108
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) nurses, (b) doctors, (c) dentists, (d) health care assistants and (e) other health care staff working in the NHS have (i) taken sickness absence and (ii) taken sickness absence of greater than four weeks in a 12 month period, due to latex allergy in each of the past 10 years.

(60560)

109
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with the NHS Supplies Authority about the continued inclusion of powdered latex gloves in the catalogue of available products.

(60567)

110
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS patients have suffered a reaction to latex whilst receiving treatment in each of the past 10 years.

(60564)

111
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action has been taken by his Department to monitor the implementation of the Medical Devices Agency 1996 guidelines on Latex Sensitisation in the Health Care Setting and the Medical Devices Agency Safety Notice on Latex Medical Gloves (Surgeon's and Examination) Powdered Latex Medical Gloves 1998.

(60575)

112
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS patients have suffered anaphylaxis due to latex allergy whilst receiving treatment in each of the past 10 years; and how many have died as a result.

(60565)

113
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) nurses, (b) doctors, (c) dentists, (d) health care assistants and (e) other health care staff working in the NHS have been identified as suffering from latex allergy in each of the past 10 years.

(60551)

114
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) nurses, (b) doctors, (c) dentists, (d) health care assistants and (e) other health care staff working in the NHS have suffered anaphylaxis due to latex allergy in each of the past 10 years; and how many have died as a result.

(60563)

115
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what advice has been issued by his Department to NHS trusts regarding the use of powdered latex gloves and the risks of latex allergy amongst staff and patients.

(60570)

116
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS trusts have policies stating that powdered latex gloves should not be used by health care staff employed by that trust.

(60569)

117
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what analysis has been made by his Department of the implementation of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 in the NHS in relation to latex allergy; and if he will make a statement.

(60578)

118
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment has been made by his Department of the effect of (a) latex protein levels, (b) accelerator levels and (c) powder, in latex gloves as risk factors in relation to latex allergy; and if he will make a statement.

(60573)

119
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with the NHS Supplies Authority about ensuring that latex-free medical products are available.

(60568)

120
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) nurses, (b) doctors, (c) dentists, (d) health care assistants and (e) other health care staff working in the NHS have consulted an NHS occupational health adviser regarding latex allergy in each of the past 10 years.

(60552)

121
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS staff have received disablement benefits in each of the past 10 years due to developing a prescribed occupational disease through exposure to latex in the course of their employment; and what is the total amount they have received in each of the past 10 years.

(60577)

122
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the costs of replacing powdered latex gloves with non-powdered latex gloves throughout the NHS.

(60566)

123
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what analysis has been made by his Department of the impact that a ban on powdered latex gloves would have on the incidence of latex allergy amongst (a) health care staff and (b) patients.

(60571)

124
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what has been the cost of payments made under the NHS injury benefit scheme to NHS staff as a result of latex allergy for each of the past 10 years.

(60581)

125
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action (a) has been taken and (b) is planned by his Department to reduce the incidence of latex allergy amongst (i) health care staff and (ii) patients.

(60572)

126
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) nurses, (b) doctors, (c) dentists), (d) health care assistants and (e) other health care staff have had to leave their employment in the NHS due to latex allergy in each of the past 10 years.

(60561)

127
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) nurses, (b) doctors, (c) dentists, (d) health care assistants and (e) other health care staff working in the NHS have had to be redeployed due to latex allergy in each of the past 10 years.

(60562)

128
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research has been conducted by his Department into the incidence of latex allergy amongst health care staff; what further research is planned; and if he will make a statement.

(60550)

129
   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to improve treatment of osteoporosis in women; and if he will make a statement.

(60484)

130
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to introduce best practice for adoption agencies across the UK.

(59470)

131
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to reduce the costs to local authorities of placing children with other agencies for adoption.

(59471)

132
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to amend adoption legislation in England and Wales.

(59472)

133
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what extra funds have been, or are planned to be, made available to Barnet Health Authority since 1st May 1997; for what purposes those funds have been earmarked; and if he will make a statement.

(60419)

134
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress is being made on reducing hospital waiting lists by Barnet Health Authority; and if he will make a statement.

(60418)

135
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the future of Opportunity For Volunteering grants for 1999-2000.

(60401)

136
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received in connection with Opportunity For Volunteering grants for 1999-2000.

(60402)

137
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many organisations currently receive Opportunity For Volunteering grants; for how long each organisation has received a grant; and when is the planned end of each organisation's funding from such grants.

(60403)

138
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60372)

139
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many NHS consultants are currently (a) suspended and (b) on extended leave.

(60478)

140
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost was to the NHS of consultants who were (a) suspended and (b) on annual leave in each of the last five years.

(60493)

141
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much working time was lost per year to the NHS by consultants who were (a) suspended and (b) on annual leave in each of the last five years.

(60494)

142
   Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if NHS purchasers have contracted with Irlen Centre Practitioners for the treatment of scotopic sensitivity syndrome.

(60598)

143
   Mr Paul Truswell (Pudsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what evaluation his Department has made of treatments for Irlen's syndrome.

(60600)

144
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has commissioned into links between radiation and (a) genetic damage and (b) genomic instability.

(60398)

145
N   Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many administrative personnel of the NHS received incentive project service payments in 1997-1998; what was the total cost to the NHS; how many could potentially benefit from IPRs in 1998-99; and what are his budgeted costs for these payments.

(60356)

146
N   Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many administrative personnel working for the Hillingdon Health Authority, West Hertfordshire Health Authority, North Thames Regional Executive of the NHS and the Mount Vernon and Watford Hospitals NHS Trust are subject to incentive project reviews; and what posts they hold.

(60357)

147
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 26th October, Official Report, column 59, if he will make a statement on his policy on the preservation of material of historical value held on file by the security services relating to the 1975 referendum on United Kingdom membership of the Common Market.

(60444)

148
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of inmates of Her Majesty's prisons have achieved, as their highest level of educational qualification (a) NVQ 5 or equivalent, (b) NVQ 4 or equivalent, (c) NVQ 3 or equivalent, (d) NVQ 2 or equivalent, (e) NVQ 1 or equivalent and (f) none of these.

(60156)

149
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60214)

150
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to review the law on newspaper classified advertisements relating to the offering of sexual services; and if he will make a statement.

(60417)

151
N   Mr Michael Jack (Fylde):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to promote the greater use of the code on open government.

(58927)

152
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60366)

153
N   Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress the Data Protection Registrar has made in her investigation of the sale by the Countryside Alliance of its membership mailing list to the Conservative Party; and if he will make a statement.

(59607)

154
   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of her Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60223)

155
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60376)

156
   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her oral statement of 9th November, Official Report, column 21, if she will make a further statement on the humanitarian priorities, concerns and estimated fatalities in the countries of Central America affected by Hurricane Mitch.

(60543)

157
   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the nature of the World Bank Trust Fund proposed for Nicaragua and Honduras and the timescale for implementation and disbursement; and from which location the fund will be managed.

(60445)

158
   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, on what date the 6.8 million ecu allocated by ECHO for the disaster in Central America was released.

(60446)

159
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress has been made in the establishment of a legal centre for developing countries attached to the WTO.

(60474)

160
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the EU's alternative proposals to a legal centre attached to the WTO.

(60475)

161
   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the recent provision of aid to the Ladakh region of Tibet.

(60481)

162
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60213)

163
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many people he has employed in his Department under the New Deal arrangements.

(60370)

164
   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of her Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60222)

165
N   Mr Ken Maginnis (Fermanagh and South Tyrone):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, by what means and with what regularity General John de Chastelain's Disarmament Commission reports to the British and Irish governments; and when she expects to call for a formal written report.

(60242)

166
N   Mr Ken Maginnis (Fermanagh and South Tyrone):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will identify those permanent security structures which are currently under consideration for demolition.

(60241)

167
   Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her Answer of 11th November, Official Report, column 210, relating to the audio recording of police interviews with terrorist suspects, if she will list the differences to which she refers.

(60583)

168
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60375)

169
   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when sweaters were procured for the Royal Ulster Constabulary marked NI Police Service; and how many have been (a) ordered and (b) issued.

(60362)

170
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will ensure that independent audits are undertaken of the plans and progress of each Government department and agency in dealing with the Year 2000 date change.

(60208)

171
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will publish the Government's contingency plans for dealing with the consequences of system failure caused by the millennium bug.

(60203)

172
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the President of the Council, how many civil servants are employed in the Year 2000 team in the Cabinet Office.

(60310)

173
   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the President of the Council, what assessment she has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of her Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60216)

174
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the President of the Council, on what date the Government's Year 2000 contingency unit was established; what its objectives are; and to which Minister it reports.

(60204)

175
N   Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18th November.

(59870)

176
   Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the total value of grants awarded in Scotland under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 in each year since April 1992.

(60596)

177
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60218)

178
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the volume of chicken meat imported to Scotland from Thailand.

(60406)

179
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to speed up the payment to farmers of money owed by his Department in respect of arable crop payments.

(60404)

180
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has had from pig farmers about labelling of Scottish-produced bacon; and what action he is taking in respect of country of origin (a) labelling and (b) packing.

(60405)

181
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has received about the lifting of the ban on beef on the bone.

(60407)

182
   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what salary was payable, in real terms to (a) secondary and (b) primary teachers in Scotland at the (i) bottom and (ii) top of the basic scale in the year from (1) 1st April 1975, (2) 1st April 1980, (3) 1st April 1993 and (4) 1st April 1998.

(60506)

183
N   Maria Fyfe (Glasgow, Maryhill):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many unemployed people have been successful in obtaining jobs through the regional selective assistance programme, in each of the areas to which RSA applies.

(59871)

184
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the number of people taken on by health authorities and health trusts under the New Deal arrangements.

(60412)

185
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the number of people taken on by local enterprise councils under the New Deal arrangements.

(60414)

186
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60371)

187
   Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many police officers (a) were recruited, (b) retired, (c) were dismissed and (d) resigned, in total and as a percentage, per police force in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(60479)

188
   Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the percentage of prisoners who have (a) drug and (b) mental health problems; and if he will make a statement.

(60448)

189
   Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the total number of convictions was in each category of crime, in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(60451)

190
   Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what percentage of police force expenditure is accounted for by labour costs.

(60450)

191
   Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the current prison population per capita is in Scotland; what the comparable figures are in (a) England and Wales, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) the Republic of Ireland and (e) the United States of America; what is the OECD average; and if he will make a statement.

(60449)

192
   Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what were the (a) conviction and (b) clear up rates for each category of crime and in total in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(60480)

193
   Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on the aims and remit of the proposed review of police force structures in Scotland.

(60447)

194
   Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will publish figures for the re-offending rates, broken down by age group, following (a) custodial sentences, (b) community sentences and (c) fines, in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

(60452)

195
   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60224)

196
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans he has to modify proposals for a single gateway adviser to deal with the elderly, with particular reference to unclaimed benefits.

(59468)

197
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he expects the pensions review to report its findings.

(59469)

198
N   Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many requests for appeals have been refused by the Independent Tribunal Service in each of their offices in England and Wales in Child Support Agency cases; what percentage of total requests this is; and how many breached the 28 day time limit.

(60309)

199
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many young people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60374)

200
N   Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the co-ordination of government policy on welfare reform.

(58934)

201
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what assessment he has made of the impact on people suffering from mental health problems of a requirement to attend an interview with a personal adviser.

(60395)

202
   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the (a) names and (b) locations of companies with contracts to print British postage stamps; and if he will make a statement on the procedure by which these contracts are allocated.

(60492)

203
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he expects the internal audit of his Department's progress and plans for tackling the millennium bug to be completed; and if he will place a copy of it in the Library.

(60206)

204
   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60226)

205
N   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, for what reasons his Department's September quarterly returns on progress in dealing with the impact of the millennium bug on business-critical systems shows a lower percentage coverage than in the June quarterly return.

(60207)

206
   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what measures he proposes to inform businesses of the benefits of implementing environment-friendly practices.

(60482)

207
   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the proportion of start-up businesses in the West Midlands metropolitan district; and what measures he plans to increase the number of business start-ups.

(60483)

208
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what action he is taking with regard to the late payment to British companies by the EU under the TACIS programme for work undertaken in the CIS.

(60388)

209
   Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the areas in (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the United Kingdom covered by (i) Article 92(3)(a) and (ii) Article 92(3)(c) of the Treaty establishing the European Community; what was the UK position at the European General Affairs Council on 9th November on the proposed links between the above articles and the new Objective 1 and Objective 2 respectively; what areas in Scotland would be affected by such links and how; and if he will make a statement.

(60508)

210
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many people within his Department have been employed under the New Deal arrangements.

(60387)

211
   Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what was the total value of grants awarded in Wales under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 in each year since April 1992.

(60597)

212
   Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Taskforce 2000 published on 11th November in respect of his Department's most recent quarterly return on plans and progress towards Year 2000 readiness.

(60227)

213
   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is the number of Welsh-speaking educational psychologists in Wales.

(60386)

214
   Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make a statement about the level of audit by health authorities of breast cancer treatment outcomes.

(60601)

215
N   Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the financial allocations made to education services since May 1997 that have been additional to the expenditure previously agreed.

(60306)

216
N   Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the financial allocation made to services for children since May 1997 that have been additional to the expenditure previously agreed.

(60305)

217
N   Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the financial allocations made to the NHS since May 1997 that have been additional to the expenditure previously agreed.

(60312)

218
N   Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list for each housing authority the amount in rent revenue that was a contribution towards housing benefit in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

(60308)

219
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make a statement on the efforts he is making to improving work prospects for people in Wales who have a disability.

(60546)

220
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is his estimate of the number of pupils in the secondary and primary schools of Wales who suffer from attention deficient disorder; and what advice he has given to local education authorities regarding their obligations to assist such pupils.

(60554)

221
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will estimate the amount of money owed relating to the former poll tax, indicating the former district and borough councils affected; and if he will make a statement.

(60549)

222
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make a statement concerning the take-up of university places in Wales.

(60557)

223
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is the amount so far of council house sales receipts that he has released to each of the housing authorities of Wales to date; what amounts he proposes to release; what amount of sales receipts each housing authority in Wales holds; and if he will make a statement.

(60556)

224
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is his estimate of the number of (a) men, (b) women and (c) young people who will benefit from the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 indicating the employment sectors in which the main impact of the Act will be felt.

(60548)

225
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is his estimate of the number of temporary classrooms in each of the local education authorities of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

(60555)

226
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is his estimate of the number of apprenticeships available to Deeside school leavers; and if he will make a statement.

(60559)

227
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is his estimate of the number of people in Wales with disabilities broken down by disability group.

(60547)

228
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what initiatives he will take to improve provision for pupils in primary and secondary schools who suffer from attention deficit disorder and allied difficulties; and if he will make a statement.

(60553)

229
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what progress is being made on the New Deal for Lone Parents; and if he will make a statement.

(60545)

230
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of skilled and trained applicants from Deeside for jobs from Deeside employers; and if he will make a statement.

(60558)

231
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the number of people taken on by training and enterprise councils under the New Deal arrangements.

(60413)

232
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the number of people taken on by (a) health authorities and (b) health trusts under the New Deal arrangements.

(60411)

233
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is his policy in respect of the links between Llandudno General Hospital and Ysbytu Gwynedd, Bangor, following the current reorganisation of health structures in North Wales.

(60396)

234
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will estimate the (a) number and (b) cost of prescriptions written by GPs in Wales in the last year for those drug products which were signalled in the new edition of the British National Formulary as less than suitable for prescribing.

(60397)

235
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the number of occupational therapists working in Wales.

(60393)

236
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the areas where the boundaries for local authority wards for 1999 elections have not yet been determined.

(60394)

237
   Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the number of working days lost in each of the last three years as a consequence of drug abuse-related absences.

[Transferred] (60424)

238
   Caroline Flint (Don Valley):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the number of people in the Don Valley constituency who have changed employment in the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available; and what proportion of the total workforce they comprise.

[Transferred] (60453)

239
   Mr Andrew F. Bennett (Denton and Reddish):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made on his Department's review of those international human rights treaties which the United Kingdom has not yet fully ratified; if human rights groups in the United Kingdom have been consulted about their views; when the results of the review will be announced; and if detailed reasons will be given for decisions, with particular reference, in each case, to protocols 4 and 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the first and second optional protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

[Transferred] (60415)

240
   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 9th November, Official Report, column 89, if he will include in the forthcoming review of the air quality strategy the statistics on human mortality and morbidity arising from different forms of energy generation presented in (a) UK Environmental Accounts 1998 published by the Office of National Statistics, (b) The Social Cost of Fuel Cycles published by the DTI in 1992, (c) The National Air Quality Strategy published by the Department of the Environment in March 1997 and (d) Quantification of the Effects of Air Pollution on Health in the United Kingdom published by the Department of Health, 1998.

[Transferred] (60582)

241
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many reports of disease due to exposure to latex have been made under the Reporting of Injury, Disease and Dangerous Occurences Regulations in each of the past 10 years.

[Transferred] (60580)

242
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what (a) guidance and (b) training is given to Health and Safety Executive inspectors on the issue of latex allergy; and how many enforcement actions have been taken by the Health and Safety Executive against NHS trusts over failures to implement legislation in relation to latex allergy in each of the past 10 years.

[Transferred] (60576)

243
   Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimates the Health and Safety Executive has made of the number of (a) fatal accidents and (b) injuries at work as a consequence of drug abuse for the last year for which figures are available.

[Transferred] (60425)

244
   Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of drug abuse on health and safety in the work place; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (60426)

245
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the future of housing benefit in Wales.

[Transferred] (60544)



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