Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1998-98
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Wednesday 19 May 1999

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 19 May of which previous notice has been given in the Notices of Questions paper. They are arranged in alphabetical order of answering Department.

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 19th MAY

1
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will place in the Library a copy of the legal advice received by his Department relating to the imposition of a general moratorium on genetically-modified crops.

(84729)

2
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many reported cases of foot and mouth disease there have been in the UK in each of the last five years.

(84760)

3
N   Mr Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Wales about the condition of Gwrych Castle; and if he will make a statement.

(84736)

4
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out the responsibilities of the United Kingdom Ambassador's to NATO in respect of miliary operations conducted by NATO.

(84762)

5
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter to the honourable Member for Blaenau Gwent of 22nd February, on the El Shifa pharmaceuticals factory in Khartoum, if he will review his decision not to release information made available to Her Majesty's Government by the United States Administration on the matter.

(84763)

6
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer to the Right honourable Member for South Shields of 10th May, Official Report, column 21, if he will make a statement on the nature of those applications made to his Department for disclosure of information under the open government code of practice on access to government information which were not granted for 1998.

(84859)

7
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the implications for owners and occupiers of listed buildings used for trading purposes of the decision to implement fully the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; what the total cost to business will be and over what timescale; and if he will make a statement.

(84426)

8
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what measures he has put in place to develop the involvement of young people in the working of parliamentary democracy.

(84740)

9
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the documents produced by his Department for distribution to schools in England and Wales, which detail the workings of the British parliamentary system.

(84739)

10
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many students currently studying in the UK from Commonwealth countries have received financial assistance from his Department towards the cost of their education studies in the UK in each of the last three years.

(84742)

11
N   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate he has made of the impact of student tuition fees on the recruitment of students aged (a) 18 to 21 and (b) over 21 years to university degree courses in England and Wales.

(84429)

12
N   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what proportion of school children in (a) Staffordshire and (b) Hertfordshire (i) received and (ii) were eligible to receive free school dinners in each of the last 10 years.

(84329)

13
N   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much was spent by (a) Staffordshire County Council and (b) Hertfordshire County Council on subsidising school meals in each of the last 10 years.

(84330)

14
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much on average (a) a sixth form college and (b) an equivalent local education authority school receives annually for a student studying three A-levels annually.

(84854)

15
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the rules governing employment in sixth form colleges of newly qualified teachers.

(84853)

16
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the review of post-16 education.

(84855)

17
N   Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on co-ordinating initiatives on drugs in schools.

(83651)

18
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the construction cost of (a) phase one and (b) phase two of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

(84512)

19
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how the level of government guarantee funding for (a) phase one and (b) phase two of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was determined; and if he will make a statement.

(84513)

20
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what alternative options were appraised using the New Approach to Appraisal before the decision to authorise the A130 PFI road in Essex; and if he will place in the Library copies of the appraisal summary tables for the scheme and the other options which were appraised.

(84427)

21
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the railway stations expected to open in 1999.

(84423)

22
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many attacks on individuals occurred (i) on trains and (ii) at stations during (a) the last year for which figures are available, (b) 1990 and (c) 1995 broken down by train operating company responsibility.

(84424)

23
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make it his policy not to agree to franchise extensions for train operating companies where such proposals involve the closure of (a) stations and (b) lines.

(84425)

24
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he has had with representatives of British Transport Police on the future role and responsibilities of their service; and if he will make a statement.

(84744)

25
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, to what extent the costs assumed for the area cost adjustment in school budgets differed from actual costs in the last year for which figures are available.

(84765)

26
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the progress towards introducing a national concessionary travel scheme for pensioners.

(84860)

27
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will publish a list of English local authorities broken down by classification and ranked by (a) outstanding debt and (b) outstanding debt per head of population.

(84863)

28
   Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will publish a list of English local authorities ranked (a) by outstanding debt and (b) by outstanding debt per head of population.

(84862)

29
   Mr Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report, High-Level Waste and Spent Fuel Disposal Research Strategy, DETR/RAS/98.006, dated May 1998.

(84761)

30
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, in what capacity his then special adviser addressed the Chalk Farm Branch Labour Party meeting on 9th February; and if the Government's economic policy was discussed and questions on this subject answered.

(84827)

31
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many invitations to address meetings of Labour Party branches or constituency Labour parties his special advisers have (a) received, (b) accepted and (c) declined since May 1997.

(84826)

32
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria he applies when advising his special advisers on the acceptance of speaking engagements.

(84829)

33
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many speaking engagements have been undertaken by his special advisers since May 1997.

(84825)

34
   Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he discussed in advance the content of his special adviser's speech to the Chalk Farm Labour Party on 9th February.

(84828)

35
N   Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what rules for payment are planned for the introduction of working families tax credit to share fishermen who may have intermittent work periods due to (a) vessel breakdown, (b) lack of quota and (c) adverse weather.

(83633)

36
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list for each year from 1979 to date the percentage of GDP spent by the United Kingdom on (a) public health care, (b) private health care and (c) total health care; and if he will make a statement.

(84858)

37
N   Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress is being made on the Government's Invest to Save Initiative.

(83653)

38
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what funding has been given by his Department to develop political and human rights parliamentary discussion groups in Commonwealth countries in each of the last three years.

(84746)

39
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he expects the new British Ambassador to Iran to be appointed; and if he will name him.

(84741)

40
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what loans have been made by the British Government to Iran in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

(84755)

41
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Ministers have visited Iran in each of the last three years.

(84754)

42
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many students currently studying in the UK from Commonwealth countries have received financial assistance from his Department towards the cost of their education studies in the UK in each of the last three years.

(84743)

43
N   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to Kurdish self-determination.

(84428)

44
   Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the authorities investigating the unauthorised publication of the identities of British security agents plan to take evidence from Mr Mohammed Fayed.

(84738)

45
   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what provision he has made to provide advice and guidance to UK-based relatives of persons involved in the Kosovo crisis who wish to bring their families to the United Kingdom.

(84852)

46
   Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many junior doctors worked more than 58 hours a week in each quarter since 1994.

(84764)

47
N   Mr Roger Casale (Wimbledon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the annual running costs are of the donor register.

(84306)

48
N   Mr Roger Casale (Wimbledon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost was of setting up the donor register.

(84307)

49
N   Mr Roger Casale (Wimbledon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many transplants have been carried out from patients on the donor register (a) in the last 12 months and (b) in total.

(84308)

50
   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to deal with problems arising from non-standardised medical equipment.

(84831)

51
   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list (a) the administrative cost of the NHS by region and (b) the cost of publicity and public relations of the NHS by region in the last year for which figures are available.

(84830)

52
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received about the addition of flouride to drinking water in Staffordshire; and if he will make a statement.

(84767)

53
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the elective waiting list totals for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for each month from May 1995 to date.

(84861)

54
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive (a) broken down by probable means of transmission and (b) in total in (i) England and (ii) each region of England, for each year from 1981 to 1998, and for 1999 to date.

(84802)

55
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people diagnosed with AIDS and not known to have died there were in (a) England and (b) each region of England in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date.

(84797)

56
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the cumulative number of people diagnosed with AIDS in (a) England and (b) each region of England in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date.

(84800)

57
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the cumulative numbers of people with AIDS who died in (a) England and (b) each region of England in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date.

(84799)

58
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were newly diagnosed HIV positive (a) broken down by probable means of transmission and (b) in total in (i) England and (ii) each region of England, for each year from 1981 to 1998, and for 1999 to date.

(84801)

59
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive and are not known to have died (a) broken down by probable means of transmission and (b) in total in (i) England and (ii) each region of England, for each year from 1981 to 1998, and for 1999 to date.

(84803)

60
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people with AIDS died in (a) England and (b) each region of England in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date.

(84798)

61
   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what were the (a) total hours of education study and (b) total teaching hours bought in the Prison Service in 1998; and what was the percentage change for each on the previous year.

(84748)

62
   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) self-inflicted deaths, (b) incidents of self harm, (c) reported assaults of prisoners on other prisoners and (d) reported assaults of prisoners on members of staff took place in each young offenders institution and in total in (i) 1997-98 and (ii) 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.

(84747)

63
   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prisoners are employed on work which involves payment from the private sector; and if he will make a statement.

(84749)

64
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to improve recruitment and retention of health care staff in (a) Feltham Young Offenders Unit and (b) other young offender units.

(84848)

65
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to increase the speed of transfer of inmates sectioned under the Mental Health Acts from young offender units to other institutions.

(84845)

66
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to introduce a specific profession of prison officer for young offender institutions and for young offenders in prison.

(84850)

67
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to seek funding from local education authorities for the education of young offenders who are in custody.

(84851)

68
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding is available for the Sex Offender Treatment Programme for juveniles and young offenders in Feltham Young Offenders Unit.

(84837)

69
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has (a) to provide education and (b) to improve the provision of education to young people on remand other than those under school leaving age in (i) Feltham Young Offenders Unit and (ii) other young offenders units.

(84834)

70
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding is available to young offender units for the young offenders training programme; and how it is allocated.

(84839)

71
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the recommended ratio of probationary and qualified prison officer staff to juveniles in young offender units; and what plans he has to change this.

(84840)

72
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recommendations and guidelines are issued on the education of (a) juveniles and (b) young offenders other than those under school leaving age who are in young offender units.

(84833)

73
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) recommendations and (b) guidelines he has issued on convicted juveniles sharing cells with remand juveniles in young offenders institutions.

(84849)

74
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many hours of education were provided at Feltham Young Offenders Unit in each of the last three years; and how many hours are planned for the current year.

(84835)

75
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to increase the provision of education to convicted inmates over school leaving age in Feltham Young Offenders Unit.

(84836)

76
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many inmates at the Feltham Young Offenders' Unit Health Centre who have been assessed as having mental health problems are currently waiting transfers to (a) hospitals and (b) other secure institutions.

(84841)

77
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to ensure that the sex offender treatment programme continues to be provided at Feltham Young Offenders Unit.

(84838)

78
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the full complement of health care offenders and nurses at (a) Feltham Young Offenders Unit and (b) other young offender units.

(84846)

79
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidelines are issued to prison boards of visitors about the publication of their reports.

(84847)

80
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will establish a focus group consultative arrangement on the issue of national identity cards.

(83663)

81
   Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 13th May, Official Report, column 189, how many files were received by the Case Allocation Unit; and what were the locations, apart from Case Management units, to which files were sent in the week ended 8th May.

(84886)

82
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) men and (b) women were charged with rape in courts in England and Wales during each of the last three years; and how many were convicted.

(84759)

83
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what further analysis he intends to (a) make and (b) publish of the crime and disorder audits.

(84771)

84
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance he intends to give to ensure that future crime and disorder audits contribute to the Government's road casualty reduction strategy.

(84772)

85
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which issues were most often identified by local authorities and police forces in their crime and disorder audits.

(84769)

86
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what percentage of crime and disorder audits enforcement of road traffic offences has been identified as a priority

(84770)

87
   Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 26th April, Official Report, column 77, on the Cleveland police, when he expects to be able to publish the legal costs of Cleveland police in the libel case relating to sexual harassment against three Cleveland police officers; and if he will make a statement.

(84881)

88
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding has been given by her Department to develop political and human rights parliamentary discussion groups in Commonwealth countries in each of the last three years.

(84745)

89
N   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support Her Majesty's Government provides to encourage access by women to higher education in developing countries.

(84430)

90
   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what was the total annual expenditure on legal aid in each of the last five years and the annual real terms change; what is the expected total annual expenditure on legal aid in each of the next three years and the expected real terms change; and if he will make a statement.

(84750)

91
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what is the (a) number and (b) percentage of Alzheimer patients being treated with Aricept in Northern Ireland.

(84878)

92
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people with AIDS died in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date.

(84812)

93
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people diagnosed with AIDS and now known to have died there were in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date.

(84811)

94
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the cumulative numbers of people with AIDS who died in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date.

(84813)

95
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people were newly diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland, for each year from 1981 to 1998, and for 1999 to date.

(84815)

96
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland, for each year from 1981 to 1998, and for 1999 to date.

(84816)

97
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive and not known to have died (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland, for each year from 1981 to 1998, and for 1999 to date.

(84817)

98
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the cumulative number of people diagnosed with AIDS in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) each health authority area of Northern Ireland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date.

(84814)

99
   Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey):    To ask the Prime Minister, on what basis Cabinet meetings are held in his absence.

(84768)

100
N   Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 19th May.

(84328)

101
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many jobs have been created as a result of the additional grants available in the regional selection assistance priority pilot areas; and what proportion of the budget allocated for this purpose remains unspent.

(84868)

102
   Mr Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what is the degree of preparedness for the Year 2000 and the millennium bug of the pharmacy practice division of the Common Services Agency of the Scottish Health Service.

(84867)

103
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland, for each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and for 1999 to date.

(84823)

104
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many people diagnosed with AIDS and not known to have died there were in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland in each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and in 1999 to date.

(84818)

105
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the cumulative numbers of people with AIDS who died in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland in each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and in 1999 to date.

(84820)

106
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many people with AIDS died in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland in each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and in 1999 to date.

(84819)

107
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many people were newly diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland, for each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and for 1999 to date.

(84822)

108
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the cumulative number of people diagnosed with AIDS in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland in each year from 1981 to 1998, and in 1999 to date.

(84821)

109
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive and not known to have died (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Scotland and (b) each health board area of Scotland, for each year from 1981 to 1988, in 1998 and for 1999 to date.

(84824)

110
N   Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what rules for payment of jobseeker's allowance apply to share fishermen who are temporarily out of work by reason of (a) vessel breakdown (b) lack of quota and (c) adverse weather.

(83632)

111
N   Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if agreement has been reached on a standard earnings form for use by the Benefits Agency/Inland Revenue when calculating entitlement to job seeker's allowance/ working families tax credit by share fishermen.

(83634)

112
N   Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will establish arrangements to enable share fishermen to confirm details of jobseeker's allowance claims in place of making fresh claims on condition that the repeat jobseeker's allowance claim is made within 12 weeks of the original application.

(83635)

113
N   Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what work is being undertaken in the course of the current pilot schemes examining the introduction of the single work-focus gateway to the special circumstances of share fishermen.

(83636)

114
N   Mr Archy Kirkwood (Roxburgh and Berwickshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make an official visit to Exmouth to meet representatives of the fishing industry to discuss the operation of jobseeker's allowance and working families tax credit to claims made by share fishermen.

(83637)

115
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, for what reasons travel expenses to medical examinations for war pension claimants were changed.

(84857)

116
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will estimate how many pensioners in Shrewsbury and Atcham will benefit from the introduction of the minimum income guarantee; and if he will make a statement.

(84866)

117
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, when he plans to review travel expenses to medical examinations for war pension claimants.

(84856)

118
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will estimate how many pensioner households in Shrewsbury and Atcham will receive the £100 winter fuel allowance.

(84865)

119
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many individuals received an age addition to the basic state pension (a) in the year in which it was introduced, (b) at five year intervals thereafter and (c) in the latest year for which figures are available.

(84757)

120
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will estimate the proportion of pensioner households headed by a person aged (a) 65 to 69, (b) 70 to 74, (c) 75 to 79 and (d) 80 years or more who are (i) in receipt of income support and (ii) in receipt of any means-tested benefit, on a basis consistent with his estimate that one in four of all pensioner households are in receipt of income support.

(84756)

121
   Steve Webb (Northavon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will esimate the proportion of single pensioners aged 80 years or above who are currently in receipt of income support; and if he will provide corresponding estimates for (a) 1994, (b) 1989, (c) 1984, (d) 1979, (e) 1974 and (f) 1969.

(84758)

122
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what powers his Department retains to ensure that the plans of the utilities it regulates for asset replacement are consistent with (a) safety and (b) the national interest.

(84766)

123
   Mr Mark Oaten (Winchester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans his Department has to carry out a consultation process on the effectiveness of the current powers of the Hearing Aid Council.

(84773)

124
   Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, to what extent ECGD support for the Ilisu Dam will be conditional on compliance with ILO standards and conventions.

(84885)

125
N   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make a statement on NHS waiting lists for (a) hip replacements, (b) cataract operations and (c) breast screening for each health authority in Wales for 1996, 1997 and 1998.

(84511)

126
N   Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what representations he has received from the Farmers' Union of Wales and the NFU about the appointment of the Agriculture Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales.

(84737)

127
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many people were newly diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales for each year from 1981 to 1998 and for 1999 to date.

(84808)

128
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the cumulative numbers of people with AIDS who died in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales in each year from 1981 to 1998 and in 1999 to date.

(84806)

129
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many people with AIDS died in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales in each year from 1981 to 1998 and in 1999 to date.

(84805)

130
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many people diagnosed with AIDS and not known to have died there were in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales in each year from 1981 to 1998 and in 1999 to date.

(84804)

131
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the cumulative number of people diagnosed with AIDS in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales in each year from 1981 to 1998 and in 1999 to date.

(84807)

132
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive and not known to have died (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales for each year from 1981 to 1998 and for 1999 to date.

(84810)

133
   Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the cumulative number of people who had been diagnosed HIV positive (i) broken down by probable means of transmission and (ii) in total in (a) Wales and (b) each health authority area of Wales for each year from 1981 to 1998 and for 1999 to date.

(84809)

134
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what representations his Department has received from social landlords and independent care providers on the Government's proposals for funding sheltered housing under new housing benefit arrangements.

[Transferred] (84832)

135
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate how many pensioners in Shrewsbury and Atcham have had free eye tests since their introduction.

[Transferred] (84864)