 House of Commons |
Session 1998-99 Publications on the internet The Order Book |
| Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Tuesday 26 January 1999
Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Tuesday 26 January 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 Tuesday 26 January, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business. For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Wednesday 27 January, 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, what is the maximum detectable percentage of GM material allowed in finished food produced which permits that food to be labelled as free from GMOs. |
| (67590) | |
| 2 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate he has made of the percentage of crops under cultivation which are genetically modified. |
| (67589) | |
| 3 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is the current acreage of GM crops under cultivation. |
| (67596) | |
| 4 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating changes which have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. |
| (67491) | |
| 5 | Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he plans to introduce (a) reforms to the way in which veterinary surgeons are nominated to carry out pre-export inspections of farm animals and (b) new guidelines as to how such inspections should be conducted; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67937) | |
| 6 | Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to contact (a) the National Farmers Union and (b) the National Sheep Association to urge them to try to persuade their members not to export live sheep to France for outdoor religious slaughter during the Aid-el-Kabir festival in March; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67939) | |
| 7 | Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he plans to take to discourage UK farmers and exporters from sending live sheep to France for outdoor religious slaughter during the Aid-el-Kabir festival in March; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67938) | |
| 8 | Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has made to (a) the French government and (b) the European Commission in order to prevent UK sheep being slaughtered in France at this year's Aid-el-Kabir festival in breach of Council Directive 93/119 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67941) | |
| 9 | Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to contact Farmers Ferry Limited to urge them not to carry live sheep which are destined for outdoor religious slaughter in France during this year's Aid-el-Kabir festival in March; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67940) | |
| 10 N | Mr John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he last met representatives of the British Retail Consortium; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67773) | |
| 11 N | Mr John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the agricultural and horticultural trade balances (a) in the last year for which figures are available and (b) in the previous five years. |
| (67772) | |
| 12 N | Mr John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the present levels of income in (a) farming, (b) pig production and (c) other livestock production. |
| (67770) | |
| 13 N | Mr John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the relationship between agricultural incomes and incomes in the general economy. |
| (67771) | |
| 14 N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate he has made of the percentage of food consumed in the United Kingdom which is organically grown; and what percentage of this food is grown (a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in the rest of the European Union and (c) in the rest of the world; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67255) | |
| 15 N | Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he plans to respond to the second report of the House of Lords European Communities Committee on EC Regulations of Genetic Modification in Agriculture [HL11]; and if he will make a statement on measures to improve information on GM food for consumers. |
| (67397) | |
| 16 N | Mr Nigel Beard (Bexleyheath and Crayford): To ask Mr Attorney General, what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Glidewell Report in London. |
| (65859) | |
| 17 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. |
| (67495) | |
| 18 N | Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire Moorlands): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding the Government gave to promoting and running chess for (a) young people and (b) adults in each of the last five years. |
| (67058) | |
| 19 N | Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what powers the Scottish Parliament will have to (a) alter policy priorities in Scotland for the New Opportunities Fund and (b) increase the proportion of New Opportunities Fund money which goes to the Scottish Land Fund. |
| (67421) | |
| 20 N | Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on the powers of the (a) Scottish Parliament, (b) Welsh Assembly and (c) Northern Ireland Assembly to direct or alter the distribution of lottery funds by each of the lottery distribution bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| (67419) | |
| 21 N | Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement outlining the mechanism under which payments will be made to the proposed Scottish Land Fund from the New Opportunities Fund; and who will decide the level of payments made from the New Opportunities Fund into the proposed Scottish Land Fund. |
| (67420) | |
| 22 N | Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the total (a) asset and (b) rateable value of his Department's property and estates in (i) the UK and (ii) Scotland. |
| (66844) | |
| 23 N | Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list (a) the average total cost, at full establishment and (b) what percentage of that relates to salaries in financial year 1998-99, of (i) an Armoured Infantry Battalion, (ii) Mechanised Infantry Battalion, (iii) Light Infantry Role Battalion, (iv) TA Infantry Battalion, (v) TA Fire Support Battalion, (vi) RAC Armoured Regiment (MBT), (vii) RAC Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (Scimitar), (viii) TA Reconnaissance (Landrovers), (ix) RA Regiment 1555mm AS90, (x) RA Regiment 105 Light Gun, (xi) RA Regiment MLRS, (xii) RA Regiment Javelin, (xiii) RA Regiment Rapier, (xiv) RA Regiment HVM, (xv) RE Armoured Divisional Engineer Regiment, (xvi) RE Field Squadron, (xvii) RE Amphibious Engineer Squadron, (xviii) RE EOD Squadron, (xix) RE AS Squadron, (xx) TA Field Squadron, (xxi) TA AS Squadron, (xxii) Royal Corps of Signals, (xxiii) Signal Regiment, (xxiv) Independent Squadron, (xxv) TA Independent Squadron, (xxvi) RLC, (xxvii) General support regiment RLC, (xxviii) Divisional support Squadron, (xxix) Brigade support Squadron, (xxx) TA Ration Squadron, (xxxi) REME Support Battalion, (xxxii) RAMC Field Hospital, (xxxiii) RAMC Field Ambulance, (xxxiv) TA Field Hospital, (xxxv) TA Field Ambulance, (xxxvi) Royal Military Police Company and TA Company, (xxxvii) Intelligence Corps Company and TA Company, (xxxviii) Army Air Corps, (xxxix) Squadron Lynx/TOW and (xl) Headquarters and Staff. |
| (66845) | |
| 24 N | Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the PFI proposals under consideration in Renfrewshire; and if he will make a statement. |
| (66995) | |
| 25 N | Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on his review of actions necessary to ensure a coherent UK response to threats from biological and chemical weapons. |
| (67697) | |
| 26 N | Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will announce the decision on Chapter 62 administrative action being taken against Lieutenant Colonel K. R. Pople. |
| (67695) | |
| 27 N | Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the formal programme of cooperation he has agreed with the United States on the threat to armed forces from chemical and biological weapons. |
| (67694) | |
| 28 N | Mr Robert Key (Salisbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if United Kingdom production levels of highly enriched uranium are adequate to meet current demand; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67696) | |
| 29 N | Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire Moorlands): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps his Department takes to promote chess among children of school age. |
| (67057) | |
| 30 N | Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will estimate, for each local authority, the total number of pupils attending maintained schools. |
| (67654) | |
| 31 N | Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much weighting is given to pupil numbers in calculating the education SSA. |
| (67653) | |
| 32 N | Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the possibility of the local authority funding regulations enabling a local education authority to receive funding based on the SSA for education where there are no maintained schools. |
| (67655) | |
| 33 N | Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how design and technology scores at secondary level compared with other subjects at (a) Key Stage 3 and (b) Key Stage 4 in OFSTED reports on progress and on teaching quality. |
| (67782) | |
| 34 N | Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the importance of design, engineering, manufacturing and technology in the curriculum. |
| (67783) | |
| 35 N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what representations he has received from (a) Gloucestershire County Council and (b) other interested parties, on the proposal to amalgamate Toddington Primary School with Didbrook Primary School; what discussions with interested parties he intends to have before coming to his decision on the proposal; and when he expects to reach a decision. |
| (67155) | |
| 36 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the changes in mileage undertaken by (a) heavy vehicles and (b) freight trains as a consequence of the implementation of the bridge strengthening requirements of EU Directive 85/3/EEC. |
| (67591) | |
| 37 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will name the road schemes by each local authority which make up the existing commitments in the Local Transport Settlement 1999-2000; and if he will indicate for each (a) the money awarded in the 1999-2000 local transport settlement and (b) the total costs. |
| (67021) | |
| 38 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many local authorities have formally asked his Department for the routes of road schemes withdrawn in the National Roads Programme to be protected as advised in paragraph 96 of the draft guidance on Local Transport Plans. |
| (67023) | |
| 39 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what (a) amounts expressed at 1999 prices and (b) percentages of monies were allocated to highway authorities under TPPs related to bridge strengthening works, for each year since 1987. |
| (67592) | |
| 40 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what amount has been spent to date on bridge strengthening to implement EU Directive 85/3/EEC; and how much he estimates will be spent to complete implementation, expressed in each case at November 1987 prices. |
| (67595) | |
| 41 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what guidance he gives to (a) train operating companies and (b) bus operators in respect of car parking charges at their stations. |
| (67588) | |
| 42 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the total costs to highway authorities as a result of bridge strengthening works undertaken to implement EU Directive 85/3/EEC, excluding monies provided to highway authorities from central government under TPP allocations. |
| (67593) | |
| 43 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the number of major new road schemes for which each local authority bid for funding under the TPP system for 1999-2000. |
| (67022) | |
| 44 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list (a) the road schemes which are proceeding following the outcome of the national Roads Review and (b) those roads which are to be considered by regional planning conferences which could have an effect on areas of outstanding natural beauty or National Parks, detailing for each the designation affected. |
| (67024) | |
| 45 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the first bridge strengthening project began in implementation of EU Directive 85/3/EEC; what percentage by mile of work required has been completed to date; and when he expects work required under the Directive to be completed. |
| (67594) | |
| 46 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. |
| (67489) | |
| 47 N | Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on (a) train, (b) signal and (c) track failures in each year since 1994-95, for all the lines on London Underground. |
| (67904) | |
| 48 N | Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the causes of disruption and delays on London Underground in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98 and (d) 1998-99. |
| (67903) | |
| 49 N | Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on Government plans for the funding of London Underground's investment for 1998 to 2003 and past spending from 1992 to 1997. |
| (67905) | |
| 50 N | Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what progress has been made on establishing liability in the case of a serious infrastructure failure on London Underground after concessions have been awarded to private companies. |
| (67906) | |
| 51 N | Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what proposals the Rail Franchise Director has received from the rolling stock companies to enable the replacement of Mark 1 rolling stock during the life of the existing franchises of Connex South Central and South West Trains. |
| (67774) | |
| 52 N | Mr Tim Collins (Westmorland and Lonsdale): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what proposals he has for the future of the transitional relief system affecting business rates beyond 2000; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67647) | |
| 53 N | Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to ensure that train companies provide improved services for passengers with mobility difficulties. |
| (66757) | |
| 54 N | Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what recent discussions he has had with the Mersey Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement. |
| (66756) | |
| 55 N | Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting between the Minister of Transport and the Singapore Minister of Communications held on 21st January; and if he will allow bilateral negotiations with Singapore concerning airline services to proceed, notwithstanding the present deadlock in US/UK negotiations. |
| (67652) | |
| 56 N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which private (a) bus companies and (b) rail companies he has held discussions with during the last 12 months about the standard of services which they provide; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67152) | |
| 57 N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he held with Gloucestershire County Council officers and elected representatives about its structure plan before appointing the panel to carry out its examination in public; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67157) | |
| 58 N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he has had with Tewkesbury Borough Council about its Local Plan in the last year. |
| (67061) | |
| 59 | Mr Mark Todd (South Derbyshire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps are being taken (a) to preserve canals and (b) to increase the use of canals for (i) leisure and (ii) commerce. |
| (67916) | |
| 60 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. |
| (67493) | |
| 61 N | Mr Tim Collins (Westmorland and Lonsdale): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proposals he has to introduce an independent appeals element into the decisions of the Personal Investment Authority; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67646) | |
| 62 N | Sir Peter Emery (East Devon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received calling for a review of the tax system for older taxpayers in order to provide a simplified system tailored to their needs. |
| (67318) | |
| 63 N | Mr John Maples (Stratford-on-Avon): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how he travelled from The Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting in Mauritius in September 1997 to Bangkok for the ASEM meeting; who accompanied him; what was the cost; and what use he made of chartered helicopters for travel in and around Bangkok during the time he was there for the ASEM meeting. |
| (67784) | |
| 64 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 14th January, Official Report, columns 286-7, if he will state (a) what further key elements will be necessary to change the current transitional system of VAT to a definitive (Common) system other than those contained in Commission Document COM (96) 328 FIN, (b) when any Resolution was passed by either House relating thereto and (c) what consideration has been given to related proposals in the ECOFIN Council, or any of its subsidiary bodies. |
| (67936) | |
| 65 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what categories of expenditure are legalised by Article 138a of the Treaty of the European Community; and if he will state what appropriation and what expenditure in the Budget of the Community for the year 1999 are under that Article. |
| (67929) | |
| 66 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the establishment of the Enquiry into Allegations of Fraud within the European Commission, setting out (a) to whom the Report of the Enquiry will be addressed, (b) the names of those who will carry out the Enquiry, (c) the terms of reference of the Enquiry and (d) the Enquiry's (i) powers and (ii) procedure. |
| (67932) | |
| 67 N | Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what investigation he has conducted into the effects of coral bleaching on the reefs of the British Indian Ocean Territory. |
| (65823) | |
| 68 N | Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that commercial fishing close to the reefs of the British Indian Ocean Territory is adjusted to ensure the safe-guarding of the reefs. |
| (65824) | |
| 69 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he is employing the Right honourable Member for Hartlepool as an adviser. |
| (67885) | |
| 70 N | Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received from United Kingdom embassies about the numbers and occasions of visits by ministers from other EU states who are comparable in rank to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to (a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Slovenia and (e) Estonia, since each of these countries submitted their formal applications for membership of the EU. |
| (67060) | |
| 71 N | Dr John Marek (Wrexham): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will seek to amend annex II of the 1976 legislative measure of the EEC on Direct Elections to extend the franchise to the people of Gibraltar for elections to the European Parliament. |
| (67396) | |
| 72 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many arms embargos were in force on 1st December 1997; who they were against; on what date each relevant Order in Council was made; on what date a copy of each Order in Council was sent to the relevant British embassy or high commission; and on what date each order in Council was first read by the relevant British ambassador or high commissioner. |
| (67698) | |
| 73 N | Mr Peter Atkinson (Hexham): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the cost of the judicial review being brought by Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority against Northumbrian Water over the company's refusal to fluoridise water supplies. |
| (65958) | |
| 74 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. |
| (67494) | |
| 75 N | Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to review the list of exemptions from prescription charges. |
| (66066) | |
| 76 N | Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to review the operation of exemptions from prescription charges; and if he will make a statement. |
| (66067) | |
| 77 N | Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the research being commissioned by his Department into the effectiveness of Betaferon (Beta-Interferon-1b) for relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, specifying the length of the research period, its cost and with whom the research is to be placed. |
| (67425) | |
| 78 N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much in total out of Gloucestershire Health Authority's Investing in Dentistry bid he expects to allocate; when he expects that total amount to be allocated by; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67490) | |
| 79 | Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many deaths of ex-offenders occurred within (a) one month and (b) six months of release from custody in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67920) | |
| 80 | Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many self-inflicted deaths occurred in prisons in the last year; what action his Department is taking to reduce the number of self-inflicted deaths; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67933) | |
| 81 | Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what powers included in the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 have been used; on how many occasions; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67922) | |
| 82 | Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police stations there were, per police force, in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67918) | |
| 83 | Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research his Department is undertaking into the number of deaths of former prison inmates which occur shortly after release from custody; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67921) | |
| 84 | Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average level of purposeful activity per week undertaken by inmates, broken down into (a) education and training, (b) work and (c) rehabilitation programmes, in each prison service establishment, in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67917) | |
| 85 | Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to review those terms of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 which were not incorporated into the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, with special reference to the provisions relating to conspiracies other than terrorist conspiracies; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67930) | |
| 86 | Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of deaths, indicating separately self-inflicted deaths, of ex-offenders which occur shortly after release from custody; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67919) | |
| 87 N | Mr Robin Corbett (Birmingham, Erdington): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 20th January, Official Report, column 482, if he will list the (a) names and (b) location of those magistrates' courts where prosecutions for lottery offences under sections 2, 3, 4, 13 and 14 of the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 were tried in each of the years between 1994 and 1997, indicating the outcome of each hearing. |
| (67587) | |
| 88 N | Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will collate and publish data from police authorities on (a) the number of towns in which St. Patrick's Day parades are held each year, (b) police estimates of the number of participants in parades of over 1,000 persons for each of the last 10 years and (c) the number of parades which raised public order concerns. |
| (66963) | |
| 89 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made in (a) COREPER and (b) other working groups of the Council of Ministers concerning the proposals of the European Parliament for changes to arrangements for elections to the European Parliament after 1999. |
| (67931) | |
| 90 N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance he has issued to his Department's officials on the inclusion of party political material in correspondence; how he monitors the political impartiality of his officials with respect to the letters they send out; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67153) | |
| 91 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate she has made of the number of UK citizens resident in the United Kingdom who worked in administration, education or other public services in the former colonies who currently rely on pensions from that service for their income. |
| (66630) | |
| 92 N | Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what consultations have taken place and with whom regarding the proposed document on the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland as envisaged in the Belfast Agreement. |
| (67488) | |
| 93 N | Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans she has to publish the proposed document on the normalisation of security in Northern Ireland as envisaged in the Belfast Agreement. |
| (67487) | |
| 94 N | Mr Michael Howard (Folkestone and Hythe): To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral Answer of 20th January, Official Report, columns 907-8, on what basis he stated that half the Tory Group in Europe voted with his party in the censure vote on the European Commission in the European Parliament. |
| (67902) | |
| 95 N | Mr David Wilshire (Spelthorne): To ask the Prime Minister, if he will publish a list of the dates on which he has discussed Government business with the Right honourable Member for Hartlepool since 1st January. |
| (67769) | |
| 96 N | Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley South): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on progress in improving energy efficiency in Scottish homes. |
| (65844) | |
| 97 N | Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if, when he last met officials of the Forestry Commission, they discussed matters relating to the Red Squirrel Biodiversity Action Plan and Forest Enterprise's national plan for red squirrel conservation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (66994) | |
| 98 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will take steps to assist the proposed revival of the Motorail service to take to their destinations by rail the cars of visitors to Scotland or of Scottish residents visiting southern England or the continent. |
| (66632) | |
| 99 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many people in each local enterprise company area have started on the New Deal programme and then left it without going into employment, education and training or working with the voluntary sector or the environment task force. |
| (66633) | |
| 100 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to review the operation of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. |
| (66634) | |
| 101 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to gather and publish information about adoption and fostering in Scotland to record the numbers of children being placed, their ages and their care history. |
| (66635) | |
| 102 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what sums his Department currently allocates to councils for each person provided with residential accommodation under Care in the Community. |
| (66636) | |
| 103 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many people in each council area are provided with residential accommodation under Care in the Community. |
| (66637) | |
| 104 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what figures his Department uses to determine the economic charge per room which housing associations and other providers under the Care in the Community scheme have to charge to meet the registration standards set for staffing, food and accommodation and their loan charges. |
| (66638) | |
| 105 N | Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will collate and publish data from police authorities on (a) the number of towns in which St. Patrick's Day parades are held each year, (b) police estimates of the number of participants in parades of over 1,000 persons for each of the last 10 years and (c) the number of parades which raised public order concerns. |
| (66962) | |
| 106 N | Mr John Swinney (North Tayside): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what guidance he has provided to chairmen of local enterprise companies in Scotland on making public statements on political issues; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67395) | |
| 107 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will publish (a) the information in Chart 5 of A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions, for persons with annual earnings of (i) £3,000, (ii) £6,000, (iii) £9,000, (iv) £12,000, (v) £15,000, (vi) £18,000, (vii) £21,000 and (viii) £24,000 and (b) the income support rates for pensioners in 2050, in earnings-equivalent terms, if they rise in line with earnings between 1999 and 2050. |
| (67886) | |
| 108 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if the statement on page 14 of A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions, that by 2025 well over half those reaching retirement age could have to rely on income-related benefits refers to income support or to all income-related benefits; and what would be the corresponding proportion if the link between the basic pension and average earnings were restored, assuming that income support rose in line with (a) prices and (b) earnings. |
| (67889) | |
| 109 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how the £30 billion cost of raising the basic pension in line with earnings, quoted in A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions, was calculated, including the period to which it relates and the assumptions made; and what would be the resulting reduction in the cost of means-tested benefits. |
| (67890) | |
| 110 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, in what respects, other than the rate of accrual on annual earnings below £18,000 and the crediting-in of carers and disabled people, is planned the state second pension to differ from SERPS. |
| (67887) | |
| 111 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what rate of real increase in average earnings is assumed in the illustrative pension forecasts on pages 89 and 104-105 of A new contract for welfare: partnership in pensions; and if he will provide comparable figures based on a real annual increase of 2 per cent. |
| (67888) | |
| 112 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what assumptions are made in A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions, regarding the uprating of the lower and upper earnings limits for national insurance contributions between 1999 and 2050; and what the limits are expected to be in 2050, in terms of 1999 earnings. |
| (67891) | |
| 113 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many people received invalidity benefit in the last year it operated; and how many people received incapacity benefit in each of the years since it was introduced. |
| (66631) | |
| 114 N | Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, of the couples with children currently in receipt of family credit paid by direct debit to an account of the claimant's choice, how many of the accounts are in the name of (a) the man, (b) the woman and (c) the man and the woman. |
| (67424) | |
| 115 N | Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many of the lone parents currently in receipt of family credit are (a) women and (b) men. |
| (67422) | |
| 116 N | Mr David Kidney (Stafford): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, in how many of the couples with children currently in receipt of family credit (a) the man is the main wage-earner and (b) the woman is the main wage-earner. |
| (67423) | |
| 117 N | Mr David Rendel (Newbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many new retirement pension claims were made in each month since 1st April 1998; and how many of those are currently not receiving correct and final payments of retirement pension. |
| (67900) | |
| 118 N | Mr David Rendel (Newbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will estimate how many pensioners in (a) each region, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales fail to claim the (i) income support, (ii) housing benefit, (iii) council tax benefit and (iv) other benefits to which they are entitled. |
| (67780) | |
| 119 N | Mr David Rendel (Newbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many new (a) widows' pensions and (b) incapacity benefit claims were made in each month since 1st April 1998. |
| (67899) | |
| 120 N | Mr David Rendel (Newbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many pensioners are currently being underpaid in respect of their SERPS entitlements. |
| (67901) | |
| 121 | Mr Jonathan Sayeed (Mid Bedfordshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans he has to ensure that those pensioners who will be affected by the changes in SERPS inheritance will not be affected further; and what plans he has to amend these changes. |
| (67915) | |
| 122 N | Steve Webb (Northavon): To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many pensioner households will receive a winter fuel payment (a) this year and (b) next year. |
| (67781) | |
| 123 N | Norman Baker (Lewes): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the mileage rates currently applicable to staff, indicating what changes have been made to encourage staff to switch from cars to public transport and other less polluting forms of travel. |
| (67492) | |
| 124 N | Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what is his estimate of the increased income which will accrue to Companies House in 1999-2000 as a result of proposed changes to the level of fees to take effect on 1st March. |
| (67913) | |
| 125 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what proportion of the amount of money underwritten by the ECGD for defence and other equipment entered in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 claimed by manufacturers, but not recovered from the governments of (a) Indonesia, (b) Jordan, (c) Kenya, (d) Egypt and (e) Algeria, has been outstanding for (i) five years or more, (ii) two to five years, (iii) one to two years, (iv) six months to one year and (v) less than six months. |
| (67894) | |
| 126 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what measures he is taking to ensure that UK and European export control mechanisms are not undermined by licensed production agreements; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67892) | |
| 127 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many licences for the export of goods entered in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 to Indonesia have been granted and denied since 1st May 1997. |
| (67895) | |
| 128 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many licences for the export of goods entered in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 have been granted since 1st May 1997 in respect of (a) Afghanistan, (b) Angola, (c) Rwanda and (d) Yugoslavia. |
| (67898) | |
| 129 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what measures are currently available to prevent British manufacturers of equipment entered in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, from licensing production in countries where such equipment might be used for internal repression or international aggression, or pose a risk to regional stability. |
| (67896) | |
| 130 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what amount of money, underwritten by the ECGD for defence and other equipment entered in Part III of Schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 has been claimed by manufacturers, but not recovered from the governments of (a) Indonesia, (b) Jordan, (c) Kenya, (d) Egypt and (e) Algeria. |
| (67897) | |
| 131 N | Mr Donald Gorrie (Edinburgh West): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many research council funded studentships have been unfilled in (a) 1998-99, (b) 1997-98 and (c) 1996-97. |
| (67156) | |
| 132 N | Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what visits he or his predecessors have made (a) overseas to countries other than EU member states and the applicant countries of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia and (b) to Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia since those countries formally applied to join the EU. |
| (67059) | |
| 133 N | Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he plans to implement the European Union Directive on End of Life Vehicles; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67154) | |
| 134 | Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment the Minister has made of the allegations by the Defence AttacheĢ to the Indonesian Embassy in London, that British-made military equipment, including Saracen and Saladin armoured vehicles, are currently in use in occupied East Timor; and if he will make a statement. |
| (67935) | |
| 135 N | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list those councils which issue (a) bus passes and (b) bus tokens to pensioners. |
| (67284) | |
| 136 N | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list for each local authority in Wales the amount of money allocated for meeting the costs of concessionary bus fares for pensioners for (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-01. |
| (67283) | |
| 137 N | Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire): To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what was the outstanding (a) total and (b) per capita level of loan debt of Swansea City Council at 31st March 1997. |
| (67285) | |
| 138 N | Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the disadvantages which are assessed in respect of potential PFI projects in the National Health Service. |
| [Question Unstarred] (65835) | |
| 139 N | Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam): To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many land tribunal appeals were lodged between 1st April 1997 and 31st December 1997. |
| [Transferred] (67775) | |
| 140 N | Paul Flynn (Newport West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 1st December 1998, Official Report, columns 122-3, when he will publish a report on UK strategic exports; and if he will make a statement. |
| [Transferred] (67893) | |
| 141 | Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the determination by the Council of Ministers of the guidelines and conditions to be adopted by Member States and the Community in order to ensure balanced progress towards the internal market. |
| [Transferred] (67934) | |
| |
| © Parliamentary copyright 1999 | Revised 26 January 1999 |