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Appeals System

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received relating to the system for appeals to the House of Lords from Scottish courts; and if he will make a statement. [87555]

Dr. Reid: I have received no representations with regard to the system for appeals to the House of Lords from Scottish courts. The Government have no present intention to change any of the arrangements for such appeals.

This is a devolved matter.

Beef on the Bone

Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers the Scottish Parliament will have to lift the beef on the bone ban in Scotland. [87535]

Mr. Macdonald: This is a devolved matter. From 1 July 1999, the Scottish Parliament will have full powers in this area.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Oncologists

Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many clinical and medical oncologists are employed per head of population in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [87870]

29 Jun 1999 : Column: 124

Mr. McFall: In the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services, at 30 September 1998, there were 0.87 clinical oncology staff and 0.25 medical oncology staff per 100,000 population.

Purchasing Agency

Mr. Casale: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Government Purchasing Agency in 1999-2000; and what arrangements have been made for publication for this year's plans. [89252]

Mr. Paul Murphy: As an Executive Agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel, the Government Purchasing Agency provides a professional procurement service to all six Northern Ireland Departments, the Northern Ireland Office and an increasing number of other public sector bodies.

The following key performance targets were set for the Agency in 1999-2000:



    To achieve a six per cent. rate of return on capital employed.


    To increase the number of Agency customers by 10 per cent. over 1998-99.


    To increase the volume of customer business by 10 per cent. over 1998-99.


    To achieve a 90 per cent. level of satisfaction in the 1999-2000 Agency survey of customer organisations.


    To achieve a 90 per cent. level of satisfaction in the 1999-2000 Agency survey of suppliers.


    To increase the ratio of outputs to inputs by three per cent. from the 1998-99 outturn.

Background information is given in the Agency's Corporate and Business Plans, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House before the summer recess.

DEFENCE

Royal Irish Regiment

Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many companies have been disbanded in each battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment since the regiment was formed; and how many of these companies have been disbanded in the past two years. [87889]

Mr. Doug Henderson [holding answer 22 June 1999]: Since the formation of the Royal Irish Regiment Home Service on 1 July 1992 the following Battalions and Companies have been disbanded or amalgamated:


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The following companies have been created:


There have also been a number of moves by companies within the battalions from one location to another.

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None of the changes has resulted in personnel being discharged. Changes to the structure of the Royal Irish Regiment Home Service are based on operational and practical consideration in order that soldiers can be deployed to best meet their operational commitments in support of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) part-time and (b) full-time soldiers there were in each battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment in each year since the regiment was formed; [87887]

Mr. Doug Henderson [holding answer 22 June 1999]: The information requested is set out in the table.

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Strengths of Royal Irish Regiment Home Service Battalions 1992-1999

1992 (5)1993199419951996199719981999
BNPTFTPTFTPTFTPTFTPTFTPTFTPTFTPTFT
3304257594616561633502624483580467544464529466517
4506604481613481603444588446535435504415474396462
5420380350387255390221376205360206369210356194386
6(6)335407----------------------------
7425411386414354432347446318437352443334367324359
8397364369380357385335388328382298356279396270393
9367412328412274415262431247411241398239358226354

(5) The Royal Irish Regiment was formed on 1 July 1992

(6) 6 R Irish was amalgamated with 3 R Irish on 15 January 1999

Notes:

1. All strengths as at 31 December except 1999 for which figures are as at 31 May.

2. Figures exclude Regimental Headquarters, Depot and General Service personnel attached to Home Service Battalions.

29 Jun 1999 : Column: 125

Antonov 124

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if regular Royal Air Force pilots have been trained to fly the Antonov 124. [88310]

Mr. Spellar: RAF pilots have not been trained to fly the Antonov 124.

Defence Diversification Agency

Mr. Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the work to date of the Defence Diversification Agency. [88666]

Mr. Spellar: Following the publication of the White Paper, "Getting the Most out of Defence Technology" (Cmd 4088) in November last year, the Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) started work in January. The DDA, which is part of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, is working closely with other central and local government initiatives to improve access to defence-related technology and knowledge. The aim in particular is to provide means of access for small and medium-sized companies in the civil manufacturing sector. I opened the first Regional Office, manned by a Technical Diversification Manager, in Farnborough, at the beginning of April. A second is now open in Rosyth, and we expect two more to open in Malvern and Haslar, Gosport by the end of July. The DDA has already handled over 50 inquiries, from which nine projects have so far been developed. Discussions are underway with the aim of establishing other regional offices in the North West, Northern Ireland, South West, Wales and the North

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East. The DDA has also established Science Parks at Farnborough, Malvern, Porton Down and Gosport, which already have more than fifteen tenants.

Service Personnel (Hospital Treatment)

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criteria and rules governing priority for the secondary treatment of service personnel at his Department's hospital units at (a) Peterborough, (b) Frimley Park and (c) Derryford. [88425]

Mr. Doug Henderson [holding answer 28 June 1999]: Following detailed discussions with the NHS during 1997 and 1998, the principles of a new Service Level Agreement have been developed to form a revised contract from 1999-2000 at the three existing MDHUs at Peterborough, Frimley Park and Derryford, and at the new MDHU Northallerton. This model will also form the basis of all future MOD contracts relationships with the NHS for providing treatment for Service patients and the hosting of Service clinical personnel. It contains the following.


The contract allows for a price premium to be paid if these targets are met. Where there is a pressing requirement to deploy Service personnel operationally, the single Service primary care authorities identify those patients who would benefit from rapid opinion and

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treatment in conjunction with the MDHUs. An assessment would then need to be made on whether a change or intensification of treatment would return them to duty faster.

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