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House of Commons
Session 1998-98
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Wednesday 10 February 1999

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 10 February 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 10 February, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Thursday 11 February, 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 10th FEBRUARY
1  
N  
Sir Peter Emery (East Devon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what data his Department has collated on change in the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle over the last two years; if he will list the areas severely affected; and what action he is taking to overcome the problem.
(70350)
2  
  
Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations his Department has received from current providers of quarantine facilities in the recent consultation exercise on quarantine reform.
(70602)
3  
N  
Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones (Ynys Môn):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the charges for inspections under meat hygiene regulations in each of the member states of the European Union in pounds sterling.
(69719)
4  
  
Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how much the tobacco subsidy to EU growers cost in the last year for which figures are available; and when he expects the subsidy to be discussed next in the Council of Ministers.
(70405)
5  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will estimate the net farm income for each farm sector in Cumbria for the last five years.
(70569)
6  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the total farm income for Cumbria for each of the last five years for which figures are available.
(70570)
7  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will estimate the change in gross terms in total farm income for Cumbria for the latest year for which figures are available.
(70573)
8  
  
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the effects of the decline of the euro against sterling on the green pound.
(70617)
9  
N  
Mrs Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his Answer of 19th January, Official Report, column 405, on civil servants' hearing impairments, if he will list the other circumstances which resulted in large numbers of civil servants not qualifying for a pension.
(70245)
10  
  
Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich):    To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee, what facilities will be available for honourable Members and their staff during the period of closure of the Commons kitchens; and for how long the kitchens will be closed.
(70382)
11  
N  
Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what efforts he is making to assist arts organisations affected by the proposed ban on tobacco sponsorship to find replacement funding.
(70351)
12  
  
Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what contingency measures his Department is planning for the first week of 2000 to meet any technical problems caused by the millennium bug in terms of (a) specialist advice and (b) staff overtime.
(70593)
13  
  
Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the running costs of the Royal Opera House are for the current financial year; and what level of public subsidy is required for the next financial year.
(70358)
14  
  
Mr Jonathan Sayeed (Mid Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will provide funding for St. Dunstan's charity for blind ex-servicemen and women.
(70537)
15  
  
Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which non-governmental organisations have been consulted in respect of environmental aspects of the Millennium Experience; what plans there are to include exhibitions on British energy saving and environmental technologies; and if he will list the environmental issues which have been taken into account in the planning, construction and operation of the Dome.
(70662)
16  
  
Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what restrictions were placed by his Department on the former Head of Defence Export Services, Sir Charles Masefield, in respect of his subsequent professional involvement in defence-related industries.
(70601)
17  
  
Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the estimated cost of the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition to the United Kingdom Government.
(70387)
18  
  
Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on which days the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition will be open to (a) overseas customers, (b) the Press and (c) the public.
(70386)
19  
  
Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the countries from which buyers will be invited to the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition being held in Chertsey and London Docklands from 14th to 17th September.
(70385)
20  
  
Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if honourable Members will be invited to attend the forthcoming Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition.
(70390)
21  
  
Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who will be opening the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition.
(70389)
22  
  
Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many visitors are expected at the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition.
(70388)
23  
  
Paul Flynn (Newport West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which ships from (a) the Royal Navy and (b) overseas navies will be participating in the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition.
(70391)
24  
  
Mr Christopher Fraser (Mid Dorset and North Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to tackle problems of overstretch, following the increase in the United Kingdom's overseas defence commitments.
(70394)
25  
  
Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what consultations he has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) British Nuclear Fuels concerning the provision of military protection for consignments of plutonium Mox fuel transported by ship to Japan from Sellafield.
(70660)
26  
  
Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what measures have been taken to offer school children and staff guidance on, and protection from, the dangers of excessive exposure to sunlight and its linkage with skin cancers.
(70365)
27  
  
Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the effect on the availability of childcare provision by au pairs for poorer families of the inclusion of au pairs within the minimum wage provisions.
(70373)
28  
  
Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what consultation the Overseas Labour Service had with the Department of Health over obtaining work permits for Philippina nurses to come to work in the United Kingdom and what efforts he took to satisfy himself that they could not recruit suitable persons within either the United Kingdom or the EEA; what evidence was provided by the Department of Health that the jobs could not be done equally well by someone resident in the EEA; how many work permits have been issued and under which category; and if he will publish the current register of occupations which he considers to be in short supply nationally and likely to be so within the EEA.
(70372)
29  
N  
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what percentage of first-year medical students failed to become a fully qualified doctor in the five most recent years for which figures are available.
(70086)
30  
N  
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, over the last five years, how many medical students completed their academic studies; and how many, having completed their studies, did not become practising doctors.
(70087)
31  
  
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will meet representatives of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors to discuss the implications of the Latent Defect Insurance Scheme.
(70380)
32  
  
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the Latent Defect Insurance Scheme being launched by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors.
(70378)
33  
  
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to support the Latent Defect Insurance Scheme being launched by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors.
(70379)
34  
  
Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what powers he has to require train operating companies to make provision for the carriage of bicycles.
(70536)
35  
N  
Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many and what percentage of local authorities in England and Wales use length of service as the basis for housing allocation to ex-service personnel; and if he will make a statement.
(69795)
36  
  
Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the encouragement his Department is giving to local authorities to consult with the public in connection with the White Paper on local government reform.
(70377)
37  
  
Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody (Crewe and Nantwich):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he has held with the train operating companies on their preparation of the Easter timetables; and when he expects the full Easter timetable for each of the rail companies to be available.
(70384)
38  
  
Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what contingency measures his Department is planning for the first week of 2000 to meet any technical problems caused by the millennium bug in terms of (a) specialist advice and (b) staff overtime.
(70595)
39  
  
Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what the expenditure was on press, radio and television awareness advertising to warn of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning for the last five and the current financial years.
(70366)
40  
  
Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many deaths occurred as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in houses of multi-occupation in the period 1993 to 1998.
(70368)
41  
  
Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what evidence the School Travel Advisory Group has received from Staffordshire County Council concerning its provision of school bus transport and the impact on school transport safety for children.
(70538)
42  
  
Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will introduce a mandatory rate relief system for voluntary sports clubs; and if he will make a statement.
(70541)
43  
  
Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 4th February, Official Report, column 716, on council tax benefit subsidy, if he will calculate the information requested using information on an authority 1998-99 taxbase and summarised by class of authority and by grouping with authorities with similar levels of benefit dependency.
(70540)
44  
  
Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what action HM Customs and Excise is taking to investigate recent allegations that two British companies have been involved in supplying weapons to rebels in Sierra Leone.
(70663)
45  
N  
Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if (a) Russia and (b) Brazil have fully met the terms and obligations associated with their current borrowings from (i) the IMF, (ii) the World Bank and (iii) other government-funded financial institutions.
(70299)
46  
N  
Mr David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what has been the contribution of the United Kingdom to (a) Russia and (b) Brazil via (i) the IMF, (ii) the World Bank and (iii) other government-funded financial institutions.
(70300)
47  
  
Mr Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 8th February; and if he will make a statement.
(70533)
48  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which euro notes (a) have been and (b) are planned to be printed in the UK.
(70604)
49  
  
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the current exchange rates for the euro on the balance of trade with Euroland.
(70615)
50  
  
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has made to the European Bank and to the Euro X committee about the exchange rate of the euro.
(70616)
51  
  
Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of an incident on 3rd February in Idi Cut, East Aceh in which Indonesian soldiers opened fire on civilians; and what representations he has made to the Indonesian government on this incident.
(70600)
52  
  
Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will express to the Indonesian Government the British Government's concern about armed violence in Aceh; and if he will request the Indonesian authorities to reduce the number of military personnel in Aceh.
(70599)
53  
N  
Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to co-ordinate Government policy on the future development and status of the Cornish language.
(68662)
54  
  
Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the extent of persecution of minority (a) political parties and (b) religions in Pakistan.
(70376)
55  
  
Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if Her Majesty's Government will raise in bilateral talks with the government of Pakistan the extent to which the fundamental rights guaranteed by the country's constitution are being honoured; and what steps he is taking to seek to ensure these rights are honoured.
(70375)
56  
  
Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received from officials in Pakistan about the growth of Muslim extremism in Pakistan; and what assessment he has made of its possible effects on Anglo-Pakistan relations.
(70371)
57  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make it his policy to call for the expulsion of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth.
(70577)
58  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the state of governance in Zimbabwe.
(70582)
59  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when a British minister last met President Mugabe; and what was discussed.
(70581)
60  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to President Mugabe following his recent broadcast on state television on possible action against the judiciary and others.
(70583)
61  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to President Mugabe about the detention of the journalists Mark Chavunduka and Ray Choto.
(70584)
62  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what contingency plans his Department has to protect British citizens in Zimbabwe.
(70585)
63  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the South African Government about the arrest and detention of former King Leka of Albania.
(70576)
64  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Commonwealth Secretariat about civil rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
(70586)
65  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last called in the Zimbabwean Ambassador to protest about civil rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
(70587)
66  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the treaty base which permits the Commission representation in the United Kingdom to participate at party political conferences.
(70603)
67  
  
Mr Michael Trend (Windsor):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 4th February, to the honourable Member for Folkestone and Hythe, Official Report, column 703, if he will make a statement on the border delays which have occurred at Gibraltar since the agreement between the government of Gibraltar and Spanish fishermen.
(70665)
68  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received from other countries concerning the situation in Yemen.
(70398)
69  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will estimate how many British citizens are currently in Yemen.
(70396)
70  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the current waiting times in each queue for entry to the United Kingdom in (a) Bombay, (b) New Delhi, (c) Islamabad and (d) Dacca.
(70395)
71  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many British citizens are currently in detention in Yemen.
(70397)
72  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he intends to announce the name of the new British High Commissioner in Bangladesh.
(70400)
73  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last visited the Migration and Visa Correspondence Unit.
(70399)
74  
N  
Barbara Follett (Stevenage):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what provisions are made for the treatment of under age alcoholics; and if he will make a statement.
(68648)
75  
  
Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library copies of the responses to the requests to local authorities to report their activity on tackling domestic violence.
(70534)
76  
  
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of human tissue in drug research; and if he will make a statement.
(70621)
77  
  
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the institutions funded by the Government to carry out research using human tissue.
(70622)
78  
N  
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of practising physicians are general practitioners.
(70080)
79  
N  
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) doctors' and (b) general practitioners' posts are unfilled in (i) England and (ii) Norfolk.
(70081)
80  
N  
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the shortages of general practitioners and the action the Government is taking to encourage more doctors to (a) remain and (b) become general practitioners.
(70082)
81  
N  
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average age of retirement for general practitioners was in (a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) 1998; and if he will make a statement.
(70083)
82  
N  
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the average number of working days lost per (a) doctor and (b) general practitioner for psychological reasons in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1998; and if he will make a statement.
(70084)
83  
N  
Mr David Prior (North Norfolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the average number of working days lost per (a) doctor and (b) general practitioner for medical reasons in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1998; and if he will make a statement.
(70085)
84  
  
Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will seek a report from the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester on the reasons for police interviews of women in connection with the conviction of Owen Oyston for rape in the last six months.
(70720)
85  
N  
Mr Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for legislation on freedom of information.
(68642)
86  
  
Mr John Heppell (Nottingham East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in how many cases since 1991 discretionary power has been exercised for the release on compassionate grounds of (a) long-term and (b) life prisoners.
(70392)
87  
  
Mr John Heppell (Nottingham East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria he applies in the exercise of his powers under section 36(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 regarding the release of prisoners on compassionate grounds under licence.
(70393)
88  
  
Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total number of drug seizures within the Northumbrian Police Force area was in 1998; and what percentage of these were (a) hard and (b) soft drugs.
(70357)
89  
  
Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research has been commissioned or evaluated by his Department on the development of techniques which would replace the use of animals in medical research; and if he will make a statement.
(70666)
90  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the re-offending rates of (i) persistent young offenders and (ii) all young offenders.
(70614)
91  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what reports he has received on the health of President Mugabe.
(70580)
92  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list for each police force in England and Wales the training which has been given on operation of the new police personnel procedures which come into effect on 1st April.
(70579)
93  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing his target of halving the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders.
(70612)
94  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the cost to (i) the police service, (ii) the courts service, (iii) the probation service and (iv) other agencies of implementing the provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
(70611)
95  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received from (i) youth courts and (ii) other agencies about the implementation of fast-tracking for persistent young offenders.
(70613)
96  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list by each firearm compensation category and by each police area, the outstanding claims which have not been settled in terms of (a) numbers and (b) amounts.
(70575)
97  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the total amount paid out to date in firearms compensation since 1997.
(70574)
98  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will provide a breakdown for (i) persistent young offenders and (ii) all young offenders, for each of the past three years, of the time taken from (a) arrest to charge, (b) charge to first appearance, (c) first appearance to start of trial, (d) start of trial to verdict and (e) verdict to sentence.
(70620)
99  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proposals he has to remove or reduce the pension entitlement of police officers found guilty of an offence of breach of police disciplinary rules.
[R] (70571)
100  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will provide a breakdown, for each of the last three years, of the sentencing decisions made in respect of (i) persistent young offenders and (ii) all young offenders.
(70619)
101  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what requests he has received from the U.S. court in respect of the enforcement of its order that Louise Woodward should not profit from her conviction.
(70572)
102  
  
Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the effect on the numbers of au pairs coming to the United Kingdom of the decision by the Department for Education and Employment to include them within the minimum wage provisions; and what representations his Department has made about the matter to the Department for Education and Employment.
(70374)
103  
  
Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the responses his Department received in respect of the consultation papers on (a) the Control of Unscrupulous Immigration Advisers, (b) the Review of Appeals and (c) the White Paper, Fairer, Faster and Firmer, indicating how many were (i) in favour and (ii) opposed to (1) a single tier of immigration appeals, (2) a presumption in favour of hearings on the papers rather than oral hearings for appeals, (3) the introduction of a charge towards the cost of an appeal against a refusal of an application for entry clearance as a visitor, (4) including the legal profession in a statutory regulation scheme for immigration advisers, (5) cash payments rather than benefits in kind being made to asylum seekers, (6) the dispersal of asylum seekers to accommodation throughout the United Kingdom without their consent, (7) magistrates hearing bail applications, (8) administrative removal for overstayers rather than deportation and a right of appeal and (9) the removal of a right of appeal against a decision which does not result in the applicant having to leave the United Kingdom.
(70383)
104  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to visit India.
(70401)
105  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects that the Working Party on Town Centres will report.
(70404)
106  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research he has commissioned into the effectiveness of CC TV in detecting crime.
(70403)
107  
  
Mr Keith Vaz (Leicester East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proposals he has to create a unit to respond to honourable Members inquiries at Liverpool IND.
(70402)
108  
  
Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will make a statement on his policy on the amalgamation of magistrates' courts committee areas.
(70590)
109  
  
Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment he has made of the rate of case through-put in magistrates' courts in (a) urban and (b) rural areas.
(70589)
110  
  
Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will list the new court buildings whose construction and refurbishment are being financed through the PFI; if, he will list in each case, the annual cost to his Department; and if he will estimate in each case the cost of the same works on a wholly publicly funded basis.
(70592)
111  
  
Mr Edward Garnier (Harborough):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment he has made of the savings or additional costs to public funds caused by (a) the public, (b) lawyers, (c) the police, (d) witnesses, (e) defendants and (f) magistrates' through the closure of magistrates' courts.
(70591)
112  
  
Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what steps are being taken to assist grandparents to obtain access to grandchildren following the separation or divorce of these children's parents.
(70367)
113  
  
Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East):    To ask the President of the Council, how much Short Money was awarded to Her Majesty's Opposition for the current financial year; and what steps are taken to ensure it is used for the purposes laid down by Parliament.
(70356)
114  
  
Mr Michael Trend (Windsor):    To ask the Prime Minister, when he intends to respond to the request dated 14th January from the Right honourable Member for Folkestone and Hythe, asking him to publish the letter he sent to Pauline Green MEP concerning the European Parliament's vote on EU fraud and the motion of censure.
(70664)
115  
N  
Mr Malcolm Bruce (Gordon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the annual cost of abolishing charges for (a) eye and (b) dental check-ups in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
(70352)
116  
N  
Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the progress of the European Language Initiative in compiling its Gaelic-English dictionary for the public sector; what organisations are involved in the process of compilation; to what extent the project will contribute to the development of Gaelic terminology for the Scottish Parliament; when he expects the project to be completed; and if he will make a statement.
(69720)
117  
N  
Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what are, for each NHS trust in Scotland, (a) the amount budgeted for wage rises for the next financial year, (b) the percentage increase for staff not covered by pay review boards, by category and (c) the amount which will be required to fund the new salary levels; and what plans he has to provide additional funds to ensure trusts are able to provide salary increases and protect planned projects.
(70349)
118  
  
Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans he has to pay benefits so that men receive payments in respect of their entitlements only and women receive payments in respect of the entitlements of themselves and their children.
(70539)
119  
  
Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what plans he has to consult those involved in the issue of tackling domestic violence on the question of split benefit payments.
(70535)
120  
  
Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what savings he estimates will be achieved in the social security budget for 1999-2000 as a result of the introduction of the national minimum wage within (a) the northern region and (b) the city of Sunderland.
(70369)
121  
  
Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what principles will govern the annual indexation arrangements for the proposed state second pension once it has been implemented.
(70597)
122  
  
Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will estimate how many pensioners would receive income support in each of the next five years assuming (a) that the April 1998 level of income support was indexed to prices and (b) that the Government implements its proposed minimum income guarantee for pensioners.
(70596)
123  
N  
Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the oral Answer to the honourable Member for Wokingham of 21st January, Official Report, column 1007, if he will list each company with which the honourable Member for North Swindon has been associated, indicating the dates upon which their annual returns were filed in each year of the company's existence.
(70129)
124  
  
Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the effects of the decline of the euro against sterling on payments of regional and other aid from the EU.
(70618)
125  
  
Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many naval vessels are planned to provide protection for each shipment of plutonium fuel to Japan.
(70661)
126  
N  
Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the procedures which his Department's officials will follow in taking formal action in relation to registered housing associations, their committee members and members of staff; when these procedures were agreed to and by whom; and what actions have been taken to date under these procedures.
(69721)
127  
  
Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent consultations there have been with the Welsh Local Government Association with regard to the funding of Welsh police forces for 1999-2000; and if he will make a statement.
(70607)
128  
  
Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when he agreed with the Welsh Local Government Assocation not to update the standard spending assessment formula for 1999-2000; what consultations were entered into prior to such agreement; and if he will make a statement.
(70605)
129  
  
Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent consultations there have been with the Welsh Local Government Assocation with regard to standard spending assessment.
(70608)
130  
  
Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what agreement was reached with the Welsh Local Government Association via the Consultative Council on the standard spending assessment formula for 1998-99 and 1999-2000.
(70606)
131  
  
Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what changes are proposed in the allocation of the capital charges element of standard spending assessment between local government and the police authorities in Wales for 1999-2000.
(70609)
132  
  
Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent representations he has received from the leader of the Welsh Local Government Association on the question of the Local Government Finance Settlement 1999-2000.
(70610)
133  
  
Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what will be the total expenditure on Crickhowell House to make it ready for the National Assembly.
(70381)
134  
N  
Mr David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what representations he has received regarding the work undertaken by special advisers; and if he will make a statement.
[Question Unstarred] (68671)
135  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the British advisers supported by the British Government currently working for (a) the Government of Zimbabwe and (b) state-owned companies in Zimbabwe.
[Transferred] (70578)
136  
  
Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the amounts of British aid to Zimbabwe for each of the last 10 years, the projects for which it has been assigned and the conditions attached to it.
[Transferred] (70588)
137  
  
Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will conduct research to assess the extent of criminal activity among those who have no income from social security benefits nor from any other formal source.
[Transferred] (70598)
138  
  
Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the number of people who will benefit financially in the first year from the introduction of a national minimum wage within (a) the Northern Region and (b) the city of Sunderland.
[Transferred] (70370)


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