Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1998-98
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Friday 14 May 1999

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Friday 14 May 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 Friday 14 May, of which no previous notice has been given, see the Order of Business.

For Written and Oral Questions for answer from Monday 17 May, 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.

FRIDAY 14th MAY

1
   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the impact on employment of the policy of ensuring an economic link between quota hoppers and populations dependent on fisheries and related industries.

(84529)

2
   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the purposes for which his Department and its agencies require a birth certificate to be provided by (a) employees, contractors and persons applying for employment and contracts and (b) others.

(84326)

3
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what reports his Department has received concerning the efforts of the state government of Rio Grande do Sul to guarantee non-genetically-modified soy-bean production throughout their state; and what plans his Department has to give assistance.

(84503)

4
N   Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what criteria have been used to select organisations consulted by his Ministry in studying the impact of proposed charges on the slaughtering industry.

(84075)

5
N   Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on what basis he decided to set five working days as the consultation period on the impact of proposed charges on the slaughtering industry.

(84076)

6
N   Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list (a) the organisations currently consulted by his Ministry on the impact of proposed charges on the slaughtering industry and (b) other organisations which have made representations to his Ministry on this issue, or have been consulted on it, since May 1997.

(84077)

7
N   Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what action has been taken to implement the recommendation of the Carden Committee on Organophosphates, that a database of case histories of adverse reactions to organophosphates should be established.

(84177)

8
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what support his Department is giving to the growing of flax as a substitute fibre for glass fibre panels in motor vehicles.

(84321)

9
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask Mr Attorney General, what measures he is taking to improve the (a) speed and (b) effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service.

(84324)

10
   Mr Brian H. Donohoe (Cunninghame South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will provide a breakdown of National Lottery Funds distributed by Scottish local authority area for each year since the National Lottery was set up.

(84366)

11
N   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on what date he proposes to announce his strategy for sport.

(84222)

12
   Frank Cook (Stockton North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral Answer of 10th May, Official Report, column 11 on weapons systems equipment, what type of targets are selected for the specific use by the RAF of the RBL755 cluster bomb; and how many have been used in Kosovo to date.

(84350)

13
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the impact of the timescale for the mine countermeasures vessels upgrading to (a) Royal Navy capabilities and (b) the long-term cost of the upgrade.

(84506)

14
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when RFA 'Sir Geraint' and RFA 'Sir Percivale' will be taken out of service; and what is the target date for the contract to be let for their replacement.

(84522)

15
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what negotiations he has held with the Indian Government over provision of new training aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

(84525)

16
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the (a) target in service date for the replacements for (i) RFA 'Sir Geraint' and (ii) RFA 'Sir Percivale' and (b) the planned capacity of the replacements.

(84510)

17
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list those countries to which the sale of military aircraft has been stopped in each of the last five years, indicating the reasons for the decision in each case.

(84524)

18
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when HMS 'Invincible' is due to be refitted; and where the refit will take place.

(84507)

19
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the planned cost over what period of time of the upgrade programme for all mine contermeasures vessels.

(84519)

20
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of the Scalp EG missile is being built in the UK; and what agreements have been made on the United Kingdom's share of the work.

(84516)

21
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cost to date of the refit of HMS 'Illustrious'.

(84521)

22
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the target date for completion of the replacements for RFA (a) 'Sir Geraint' and (b) 'Sir Percivale'.

(84509)

23
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what refits are planned for RFA 'Sir Geraint' and RFA 'Sir Percivale'.

(84523)

24
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the ships which were originally in the Mine Countermeasures vessels upgrade programme will remain in Royal Naval service for their projected service life.

(84520)

25
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to make a decision about the Sonar 2193 programme; and what plans he has for its role in Royal Naval service.

(84518)

26
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the decision to delay the upgrade of Royal Navy Mine Countermeasure Vessels was taken; and for what reasons.

(84517)

27
   Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what research has been undertaken into appropriate treatments for illness exhibited by Gulf war veterans.

(84353)

28
   Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what investigations have been undertaken into the physical rather than epidemiological aspects of illnesses exhibited by Gulf War veterans.

(84354)

29
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions the Minister of State for defence procurement has visited the Chemical and Biological Defence Unit at Porton Down; and when he will next visit the establishment.

(84118)

30
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 16th April, Official Report, columns 373-4, concerning the murder of Mr Patrick Finucane, if he will make a statement on Mr John Steven's recent statements concerning investigation of the murder of Mr Patrick Finucane.

(83389)

31
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a list of items discussed at each of the meetings of the Chiefs of Staff since 21st December.

(84351)

32
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what changes have been made to the (a) course and (b) location of Skynet satellites since 1st December; and if he will make a statement.

(84312)

33
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 26th April Official Report, column 9, regarding Atomic Weapons Establishment sites, if he will list the three consortia who are interested in bidding for the contract; and if he will place in the Library copies of the unclassified documents which have so far been issued or made public during the selection procedure.

(84348)

34
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many meetings he held with members and officials of the US Administration during his visit to the United States of America on 16th to 18th April; with whom he held the meetings and at what locations.

(84314)

35
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is his Department's estimate of current vacancies in the catering sector in (a) the North West of England and (b) Sefton.

(84416)

36
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how often trainees on the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds are required to attend an interview with their personal adviser.

(84396)

37
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has to introduce an NVQ in hospital portering; and if he will make a statement.

(84395)

38
   Mr Andrew F. Bennett (Denton and Reddish):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he plans to publish the National Land Use Data Base.

(84365)

39
N   Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he plans to reach a decision on the petition for a town council for Weston-Super-Mare submitted by North Somerset Council.

(84176)

40
N   Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received calling for the installation of speed cameras on the A370 between Weston-Super-Mare and Congresbury.

(84181)

41
N   Mr Brian Cotter (Weston-Super-Mare):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has for new safety measures on the A370 between Weston-Super-Mare and Congresbury.

(84182)

42
   Mr Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East and Mexborough):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many domestic-rated properties there are currently in England.

(84368)

43
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what measures his Department is taking in order to increase voter interest in local elections.

(84393)

44
   Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will place the London Economics Report on the cost and benefits of aggregate supply in the Library.

(84498)

45
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to remove from students liability for council tax; and if he will make a statement.

(84394)

46
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what conclusions he has reached from his analysis of the responses received to the consultation about possible changes to the law relating to drinking and driving.

(84369)

47
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what his definition is of homes which have been substantially altered, as it relates to his Department's report, Water Charging in England and Wales: Government Decisions Following Consultation, page 7, paragraph 24.

(84224)

48
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many regional development agencies have changed their name in the past five years.

(84493)

49
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the total cost, including consultancy fees, for changing its name to each regional development agency which has done so in the past five years.

(84492)

50
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many incidents have been reported to him involving planes entering United Kingdom air space with insufficient fuel to meet safety standards in the past two years; and if he will make a statement.

(84487)

51
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much his Department has spent on the Stop Fuming campaign; and if he will make a statement.

(84405)

52
   Mr Andrew Rowe (Faversham and Mid Kent):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what are the populations of the areas covered by each of the regional development agencies; and what are their budgets per head.

(84532)

53
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what reports his Department has received concerning the efforts of the state government of Rio Grande do Sul to guarantee non-genetically-modified soy-bean production throughout their state; and what plans his Department has to give assistance.

(84500)

54
   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will introduce legislation to prevent the surcharging of wheelchair-using passengers from the cost of loading and unloading wheelchairs onto aircraft.

(84407)

55
   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what provision has been made for access for wheelchair users to (a) the London Underground and (b) the Jubilee Line; and if he will make a statement.

(84406)

56
N   Mr Robert Syms (Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much the Audit Commission has paid to Mr Tony Childs, the Westminster Auditor's legal representative, for his professional fees incurred over the period 18th July 1989 to 30th April 1999 in connection with the Auditor's inquiry into Westminster City Council's designated sales policy.

(84119)

57
N   Mr Robert Syms (Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much the Audit Commission has paid to Mr John Magill, the Westminster Auditor, in professional fees over the period 18th July 1989 to 30th April 1999 in connection with his inquiry into Westminster City Council's designated sales policy.

(84120)

58
N   Mr Robert Syms (Poole):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how much the Audit Commission has paid to Mr John Howell QC, for his professional fees incurred in representing Westminster City Council's appointed Auditor at (a) the Divisional Court hearing in 1997, (b) the Appeal Court hearing in 1999 and (c) since he was first consulted in connection with the Auditor's inquiry into Westminster City Council's designated sales policy.

(84121)

59
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many grants have been (a) applied for and (b) awarded for coastal shipping routes under the terms of the expansion of the freight facilities grant.

(84322)

60
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what examination his Department has made of the feasibility of installing photo-voltaic cells on the roofs of large refrigerated articulated trucks in order to power mobile refrigeration units by renewable means.

(84317)

61
   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will veto the withholding tax at the ECOFIN Council on 25th May.

(84527)

62
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of national gold reserves he plans to sell before the end of 1999.

(84284)

63
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is his forecast for the average (a) sterling-euro, (b) sterling-dollar and (c) sterling-yen exchange rate in 1999.

(84289)

64
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many tons of gold from the national reserves have been sold since May 1997.

(84285)

65
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are the long-term objectives of his proposals to reduce the Bank of England's gold reserves.

(84287)

66
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what advice he was given by the Governor of the Bank of England regarding his proposed sale of national gold reserves.

(84281)

67
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is his forecast for the average gold price in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

(84286)

68
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the amounts of gold reserves held by (a) each of the EU countries, (b) the Government of the US and (c) the Government of Japan.

(84310)

69
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of the United Kingdom's foreign currency reserves are currently held in euros.

(84282)

70
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what deadline he has set by which his proposed sales of national gold reserves will be completed.

(84283)

71
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has held with finance ministers in other countries who have declared their intentions to sell national gold reserves.

(84288)

72
   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will exempt disabled passengers from air passenger duty on flights within the United Kingdom.

(84408)

73
   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 11th May, Official Report, column 119, on information technology, how much of the expenditure incurred was connected with millennium computer compliance.

(84515)

74
   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the five working groups of the Modernisation Group; and if he will deposit copies of their (a) mailings and (b) recommendations in the Library.

(84505)

75
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Ilford North of 28th April, Official Report, column 180, on the Falkland Islands, at what time and on what date he spoke to the Chilean Foreign Minister to disagree with the decree issued by that government suspending Lan Chile's flights to the Falklands; and to whom the Minister of State reported on 19th April the issue of the decree.

(84183)

76
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place a copy of his letters to the honourable Member for Chesham and Amersham of 30th and 28th April in the Library.

(84184)

77
   Mr Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will place in the Library a copy of the document presented to the General Affairs Council of the European Union by the Presidency concerning a future European Defence Policy and capability, in co-operation with NATO; what discussion there has been in Council of the proposals; and what consultation Her Majesty's Government proposes to hold.

(84315)

78
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received concerning the efforts of the state government of Rio Grande do Sul to guarantee non-genetically-modified soy-bean production throughout their state; and what plans his Department has to give assistance.

(84501)

79
N   Mr Michael Trend (Windsor):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 11th May, Official Report, column 120, on the El Shifa plant, what steps Her Majesty's Government took to check the Americans' evidence that the plant was being used for the production of chemical weapons materials.

(84223)

80
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, by what means continuity of patients' notes will be kept between (a) NHS Direct and GPs and (b) walk-in clinics and GPs.

(84374)

81
   Jackie Ballard (Taunton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, to what extent clinical governance guidelines will apply to (a) walk-in clinics and (b) NHS Direct.

(84371)

82
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) men and (b) women died from lung cancer in the Greater London area in 1998.

(84402)

83
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the health action zones for the Greater London area.

(84401)

84
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the breast screening units in hospitals which serve the Greater London area.

(84403)

85
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people over the age of 60 years have had free sight tests since January.

(84400)

86
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what funding his Department has made available to cover the costs of overtime payments to National Health Service staff over the millennium celebration period.

(84392)

87
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is his Department's estimate of the extra cost to the National Health Service of overtime payments to staff over the millennium celebration period.

(84391)

88
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to bring the Carden Report to the attention of doctors.

(84311)

89
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on progress on (a) the development of improved financial arrangements for 16 to 18 year old people leaving care and (b) the proposed new duty on local authorities to assess and meet the needs of care leavers up to the age of 18 years.

(84370)

90
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list those cancer treatment drugs most effective in treating each type of cancer in the past year.

(84417)

91
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list for each health authority the amount spent on (a) cancer treatment drugs, (b) radiography, (c) cancer surgery and (d) other cancer treatment for the last available year; and if he will make a statement.

(84419)

92
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list for each health authority the capital spend for projects relating to cancer treatment in the last 12 months.

(84418)

93
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many (a) deaths, (b) amputations and (c) other complications have been caused by surgical instruments or part of such remaining in patients following a surgical operation in each of the last three years.

(84404)

94
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the funding for Berkshire Health Authority to be fully on the basis of the weighted capitation formula for the first time.

(84178)

95
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what further information he requires before he can authorise a start to the building of the new Newbury Hospital.

(84180)

96
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the accumulated difference between the funds which would have been provided to Berkshire Health Authority under the weighted capitation formula when the formula was introduced and the amount actually provided.

(84179)

97
   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the operations of multi-centre research ethics committees with the EU Clinical Trials Directive.

(84347)

98
   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the average time taken for ethics committee approval of research and clinical trial proposals in (a) the year before and (b) the period since the introduction of multi-centre research ethics committees.

(84345)

99
   Dr Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes South West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what review the Government has undertaken of the operation of local and multi-centre research ethics committees since their introduction; and what proposals he has to amend their method of operation.

(84346)

100
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons a reply was not received by the honourable Member for Solihull to his letter of 18th January on behalf of his constitutent Mrs Penny Anderson until May 5th (ref POH (2) 5422/22).

(84352)

101
   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers, per force in total, there were in England and Wales on 31st March; how many there were in each case per head of population; and if he will make a statement.

(84367)

102
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many education classes were provided each week at each of the London prisons in the last 12 months.

(84398)

103
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) male and (b) female prisoners in England and Wales are over the age of (i) 90 years, (ii) 80 years and (c) 70 years.

(84399)

104
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prisons in England and Wales provide education facilities for teaching reading and writing to inmates; and if he will make a statement.

(84397)

105
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the (a) largest and (b) smallest amount paid in compensation to victims of sexual abuse and how many payments above £100,000 were made in each of the last three years for which information is available.

(84339)

106
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is his estimate of the annual cost to his Department of sickness absence in the Prison Service in each of the last five years.

(84389)

107
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the reasons for changes in levels of sickness absence in the Prison Service over the past five years.

(84414)

108
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has for new measures to reduce levels of sickness absence in the Prison Service (a) in the short-term and (b) in the long-term.

(84390)

109
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of levels of sickness absence in the Prison Service in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

(84415)

110
   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to provide to police authorities funding towards the cost of the implementation of the Public Safety Radio Communications Project from the proceeds of any sale of existing radio frequencies.

(84490)

111
   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to provide capital funding support to police authorities towards the cost of implementing the Public Safety Radio Communications Project.

(84489)

112
   Mr John Greenway (Ryedale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the commercial value of the radio frequencies currently used by the Police Service and which will become surplus on the implementation of the Public Safety Radio Communications Project.

(84488)

113
   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received (a) in support of and (b) opposing the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Bill from (i) civil rights groups, (ii) refugee organisations and (iii) the churches, indicating the provisions of the Bill referred to in each case.

(84530)

114
   Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 25th March, Official Report, column 383, which tenders for the computerisation of IND reached the final stage of consideration; and if he will make a statement.

(84373)

115
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons Mr Tom Neil of Hillbrook Road, Totnes (a) has not received confirmation of his visa status in the United Kingdom and (b) has been informed that, should he leave the United Kingdom at any time, his application would be cancelled.

(83900)

116
   Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will estimate the amount of international aid despatched to Iraq in the last five years; and if she will make a statement on the method of its distribution.

(84412)

117
   Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the impact of United Nations sanctions on people in Iraq.

(84410)

118
   Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Canning Town):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what is the Government's policy on supervision of aid to Iraq; and what steps the Government has taken at the United Nations to pursue its policy.

(84411)

119
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with the Government of Montserrat about mortgages on properties in the exclusion zone; and if she will make a statement.

(84362)

120
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with the Government of Montserrat about the cost and constructing time of the new government headquarters temporary buildings; and if she will make a statement.

(84361)

121
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans her Department has to provide assistance for information technology in schools in Montserrat; and if she will make a statement.

(84364)

122
   Sir Alastair Goodlad (Eddisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much money her Department has spent on consultancy work in connection with Montserrat in each of the last two years; and how much has been budgeted for the current year.

(84363)

123
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what reports her Department has received concerning the efforts of the state government of Rio Grande do Sul to guarantee non-genetically-modified soy-bean production throughout their state; and what plans his Department has to give assistance.

(84502)

124
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will list (a) the linear metres of storage space occupied by each of the pre-1992 decennial census returns for England and Wales, (b) the actual costs, at current prices, of micro-filming each of the pre-1901 census returns and (c) the average micro-film cost per linear metre, at current prices.

(84494)

125
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will investigate the statements made by her Department on the (a) extent and (b) thoroughness of the original inquiries of the RUC into Mr Finucane's murder.

(83405)

126
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions (a) she and (b) officials in her Department have had with the Chief Constable of the RUC concerning Mr John Steven's statement on his authority in relation to investigating the murder of Mr Patrick Finucane.

(83406)

127
   The Reverend Martin Smyth (Belfast South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the amount of government grants given to the Belfast Brook Pregnancy Advisory Clinic for each year since 1990 (a) directly and (b) through health boards and trusts.

(84409)

128
   Mr John D. Taylor (Strangford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much public funding has been given to (a) the Irish Rugby Football Union, (b) the Irish Football Association, (c) the Northern Ireland Cricket Association and (d) the Irish Hockey Union in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

(84323)

129
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will publish the text of the (a) non-statutory assurances of confidentiality and (b) 100-year extended closure given by the Registrar General on the householders' forms for the 20th century censuses of population for Northern Ireland.

(84491)

130
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to section 123 of the White Paper on the 2001 Census, when she plans to bring forward proposals for an end to the permanent closure to public inspection of Northern Ireland census returns.

(84499)

131
N   Mr Joe Ashton (Bassetlaw):    To ask the President of the Council, if she will list the increases in Members' salaries and office expenses from 1971 to 1999.

(84123)

132
   Mr John Bercow (Buckingham):    To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 10th May, Official Report, column 68, if his reference to the safe return of refugees refers to their place of origin within Kosovo.

(84526)

133
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the dates of his visits to the United States of America to meet President Clinton since 1st May 1997.

(84344)

134
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Prime Minister, how many times President Clinton has visited Britain to meet him since 1st May 1997; and on what dates.

(84313)

135
   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when the letter of 6th November 1995 from the Crown Office to the Procurator Fiscal in Dingwall, concerning the prosecution of Skye Bridge cases, will be made publicly available; and if he will make a statement.

(84338)

136
   Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Inverness West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will refer the correspondence between the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal in Dingwall of 6th November 1995 in respect of the Skye Bridge to the Privy Council; and if he will make a statement.

(84337)

137
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, which of the decennial population returns for Scotland have been closed to public inspection for (a) 100 years, (b) 80 years or (c) permanently.

(84495)

138
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list (a) the linear metres of storage space occupied by each of the pre-1992 decennial census returns for Scotland, (b) the actual costs, at current prices, of micro-filming each of the pre-1901 census returns and (c) the average micro-film cost per linear metre, at current prices.

(84496)

139
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will publish the text of the (a) non-statutory assurances of confidentiality and (b) 100-year extended closure given by the Registrar General on the householders' forms for the 20th century censuses of population for Scotland.

(84497)

140
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his Answer of 4th May, Official Report, column 337, what were the names of the two individuals from the US Government whom he met on 17th March.

(84343)

141
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, on what dates special advisers from his Department have travelled in an official capacity to the United States since 2nd May 1997; what were the names of the special advisers; and if they accompanied ministers.

(84325)

142
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what compensation his Department has (a) sought and (b) received as a result of the delays to the ICL Pathway Project.

(84250)

143
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what savings have occurred under the pilot scheme for the ICL Pathway Project.

(84254)

144
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what the original timetable was for automation of post offices for computerised delivery of social security payments under the ICL Pathway Project; and what delays are now forecast.

(84252)

145
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what estimate he has made of the savings as a result of the ICL Pathway Project once all post offices are automated as planned.

(84251)

146
   Mr Ronnie Fearn (Southport):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many trade fairs organised by his Department in the past three years have included representatives of the British fashion industry; and in which countries these were held.

(84413)

147
   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the conditions which have been applied to the Her Majesty's Government's granting of export credit insurance for the Ilisu Dam.

(84531)

148
   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the need for amendments to the (a) national minimum wage and (b) working time legislation on the basis of experience since their implementation.

(84342)

149
   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he plans to publish a draft bill on electronic commerce.

(84341)

150
   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate he has made of the number of manufacturing jobs lost in the UK in the last year.

(84372)

151
   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he proposes to publish the Inspector's Report into the Mirror Group flotation.

(84336)

152
   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what is the total capacity of the new gas-fired power stations approved since May 1997; and if he will estimate the amount of coal-use they will displace.

(84360)

153
   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what salary the Government is proposing for the e-Envoy.

(84349)

154
   Mr John Redwood (Wokingham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what applications for additional gas-fired power station capacity he expects to determine over the next six months.

(84340)

155
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many post offices remain to be computerised under the ICL Pathway Project.

(84253)

156
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what reports his Department has received concerning the efforts of the state government of Rio Grande do Sul to guarantee non-genetically-modified soy-bean production throughout their state; and what plans his Department has to give assistance.

(84504)

157
N   Mr Paul Tyler (North Cornwall):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he expects to publish the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission into the milk market; and if he will make a statement.

(84122)

158
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions he has conducted with (a) the Electricity Regulator and (b) the electricity supply industry concerning the current pricing arrangements for purchasing electricity generated by photo-voltaic installations in domestic premises.

(84320)

159
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what research his Department has conducted into the feasibility of adding a limited amount of alcohol to petrol as a method of reducing net carbon dioxide emissions from motor vehicles.

(84318)

160
   Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what discussions he has conducted with (a) the Electricity Regulator and (b) the electricity supply industry concerning the practice of requiring separate meters to record the supply and consumption of electricity by domestic premises where photo-voltaic generating capacity has been installed.

(84319)

161
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to ensure that his target for house building on brownfield sites is met; and if he will make a statement.

(84357)

162
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to promote north-south air services; and if he will make a statement.

(84355)

163
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many (a) primary schools and (b) high schools he has visited; and if he will make a statement.

(84359)

164
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what research he has commissioned into organic production techniques.

(84358)

165
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assistance he has provided to the local highways authority to reduce road traffic on Deeside; and if he will make a statement.

(84356)

166
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many times ministers in his Department held meetings with members and officials in the US Administration between 1st May 1997 and 1st June 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the ministers involved and the name of the US departments involved in each meeting.

(84316)