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Newspaper Articles

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Prime Minister if he will arrange for copies of articles which he writes for publication in overseas journals and newspapers to be deposited in the Library, together with a translation. [75051]

The Prime Minister: No central store is routinely kept of such articles and it would not be practical to make systematic arrangements to do so.

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what representations he has received from (i) foreign Governments, (ii) foreign agencies, (iii) foreign media and (iv) British lobbyists concerning potential writing of articles for placement in foreign newspapers and journals; [75050]

(2) what representations he has received from overseas on articles which he has written in foreign newspapers and journals. [75049]

The Prime Minister: As far as I am aware, none.

Geneva Trade and Environment Symposium

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister who will represent the British Government at the High Level Symposium on Trade and Environment in Geneva on 15 and 16 March 1999; what policy position the Government will be promoting; and if he will make a statement. [74869]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 5 March 1999]: We will be represented at the World Trade Organisation Symposium on Trade and Environment by senior officials from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department for International Development, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We expect the event to be an opportunity to work with other WTO members and representatives of non-governmental bodies, including business, to identify constructive ways ahead on the trade and environment interface.

8 Mar 1999 : Column: 15

The Symposium is not intended to be a forum for negotiation or decision-making, but we hope that the event will progress the trade and environment debate by helping to:

Clarify the relationship between trade rules and international Environmental law;

Identify mutually-beneficial solutions for achieving trade, environment and development objectives;

Encourage further dialogue between all interested communities, in particular highlighting the importance of transparency at both the national and international level.

The United Kingdom will engage constructively in the debate at the Symposium.

Genetic Modification

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 1999, Official Report, column 527, on genetic modification, on what basis he stated that genetic modification has the potential for the production of food that is more nutritious and better tasting. [75061]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 5 March 1999]: This is the view of eminent scientific opinion. In its report on 'Genetically Modified Plants for Food Use' published in September 1998, the Royal Society say that

'the use of genetically modified organisms has the potential to offer real benefits in agricultural practice, food quality, nutrition and health'.

Biotechnology

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Prime Minister when he last met environmental groups with an interest in biotechnology; and who was present at the meeting. [75063]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 5 March 1999]: As under previous Administrations, it is not the normal practice to provide details of private meetings with specific individuals or organisations.

UNSCOM

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister on what date he was informed that the American Government were running a signals intelligence operation under the cover of UNSCOM. [75408]

The Prime Minister: I am aware of the latest press allegations of the United States spying under cover of UNSCOM operations.

The US Government have publicly stated that all activities by US nationals assigned to UNSCOM, and all information exchanges between the US and UNSCOM have been strictly in pursuit of UNSCOM's mandate to dismantle Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) capability.

Lockerbie

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer by the Minister for Home Affairs and Devolution of 23 February 1999, Official Report, column 212, on Lockerbie, if he will define which aspects of the Lockerbie issue will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament, and which for the UK Parliament. [75280]

8 Mar 1999 : Column: 16

The Prime Minister: Scottish criminal procedure and the Scottish criminal justice system will be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. International relations will remain the responsibility of the United Kingdom Government.

Lord Chancellor (Garrick Club)

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken in respect of the Lord Chancellor's use of his private office to promote a candidate for membership of the Garrick Club. [75153]

The Prime Minister: None. The Lord Chancellor did not use his Private Office to promote a candidate for membership of the Garrick Club. His Private Office was involved in preparing and despatching some letters on the Lord Chancellor's behalf. This was an oversight and the costs have been reimbursed.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Paramilitary Violence

Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 6 February the number of (a) violent incidents involving paramilitary groups, (b) punishment beatings and (c) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [70902]

Mr. Ingram: Between 31 January and 6 February 1999, there were 4 shooting incidents and 1 bombing incident. The number of casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks were as follows:

	By Loyalists	By Republicans
Assaults	2	1
Shootings	1	1
Total	3	2

Note:

Figures may be subject to minor amendment in the light of further information becoming available

Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 30 January the number of (a) violent incidents involving paramilitary groups, (b) punishment beatings and (c) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [70901]

Mr. Ingram: Between 24 and 30 January 1999, there were 4 shooting and 2 bombing incidents. The number of casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks were as follows:

	By Loyalists	By Republicans
Assaults	7	4
Shootings	1	2
Total	8	6

Note:

Figures may be subject to minor amendment in the light of further information becoming available

8 Mar 1999 : Column: 17

Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those incidents of violence attributed to Loyalist paramilitary groups which have occurred in 1999 to date. [71379]

Mr. Ingram: The number of security incidents during 1999 to 24 February attributable to Loyalists are as follows:

	1999 To 24 February
Deaths	0
Shootings	13
Bombings	11

Note:

These figures are subject to amendment

Casualties as a result of paramilitary style shootings/assaults

	Loyalist	Republican
Shootings
January	6	5
February (24)	6	1
Total	12	6
Assaults
January	17	12
February (24)	12	4
Total	29	16

Note:

Figures are subject to minor amendment

Good Friday Agreement

Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the timetable for normalising security in Northern Ireland under the Good Friday Agreement. [71399]

Mr. Ingram: The Government will make progress towards the objective of as early a return as possible to normal security arrangements in Northern Ireland, consistent with the level of threat. The situation is kept under constant review.

Graffiti

Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was to the public purse in each of the past five years to clean up graffiti on public buildings in Northern Ireland. [72912]

Mr. Paul Murphy: This information is not recorded in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

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